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Govinda dasi's Letter
BY: URDHVAGA DAS
Aug 31, 2010 — USA (SUN) — Dear Govinda Dasi, please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I would like to reply to your Letter "Monkey Poo, or Respect for One's Guru", published on Sampradaya Sun.
The same questions you where asking, I also have been asking all along for the past 34 years, but I never got any satisfactory answer yet from our so-called ISKCON authorities. But I did find the answers to all of our questions in Srila Prabhupada's books, which I would like to share with you.
You are asking: "Is it always this way?" The answer is given in SB, 4.28.48, purport:
"Whenever an acarya comes, following the superior orders of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative, he establishes the
principles of religion, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gita. Religion
means abiding by the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Religious
principles begin from the time one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. It is the acarya's duty to spread a bona fide religious system
and induce everyone to bow down before the Supreme Lord. One executes
the religious principles by rendering devotional service, specifically the
nine items like hearing, chanting and remembering.
Unfortunately, when the acarya disappears, rogues and non-devotees take
advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles in
the name of so-called swamis, yogis, philanthropists, welfare workers and
so on. […] The acarya, the authorized representative of the
Supreme Lord, establishes these principles, but when he disappears, things
once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the acarya try
to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual
master. (SB, 4.28.48, purport)
When the spiritual master is physically present on the planet, he is
personally there to give instructions to his disciples. He is also
personally present to clear up any doubts or questions that his
disciples may have, with relation to his instructions and with relation
to all other factors. Thus, there can be no confusion, no doubt, in the
mind of the disciple as to what constitutes the order and desire of
one's spiritual master, because if there is any question, one can
simply ask his guru, and the answer is right there. We had so much
practical experience of this when Srila Prabhupada was personally
present with us.
Sometimes a devotee would not be sure what to do in a particular
instance, and s/he would ask Srila Prabhupada. At times, the GBC
members would have differing opinions on a particular issue. When
things could not be resolved, the issues were taken to Srila
Prabhupada, and his instruction was the final word. At least, this is
what was supposed to be. Sadly though, at times, due to duplicity,
false ego, pride, etc., Srila Prabhupada's instructions were not always
followed by some of these disciples.
After the spiritual master leaves the planet then so much confusion can
set in, as described in above verse (SB, 4.28.48, purport). The guru is
no longer personally present on the planet to define things for his
disciples when they are possessed of differing opinions as to what they
feel it is that the spiritual master would want them to do. Thus, there
can be so many diametrically opposed opinions, and without proper
humility and cooperation, there may be so much conflict. Srila
Prabhupada explains in his purport in SB 4.28.48, the general chaos
that occurs when the bona fide spiritual master leaves the planet. Unfortunately,
when the acarya disappears, rogues and non-devotees take advantage and
immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles in the name
of so-called svamis, yogis, philanthropists, welfare workers and so on.
For your second question: "why it is that someone is justifying
his wrongdoings?" the answer is also given by Srila Prabhupada:
Srila Prabhupada: "I am practically seeing that as
soon as they, our students, begin to learn a little Sanskrit, they immediately
feel they have become more than their guru. Then the policy is to kill their
guru and become guru themselves". "As soon as he learns that Guru
Maharaj is dead, now I am so advanced I can kill guru and become guru.
Then he is finished." (Srila Prabhupada 1976).
"There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaishnavas in
this Krishna Consciousness movement, and they should be completely
neglected. A false acarya may try to override a Vaishnava by a high-court
decision, (2/3 hand vote) but Bhaktivinoda Thakur says that he is
nothing but a disciple of Kali-yuga.".
"Bhaktivinoda Thakur says, Kali-cela. He indicates that there are other
Vaishnavas, pseudo-Vaishnavas, with tilaka on their nose and kunti beads around
their neck. Such a pseudo-Vaishnava associates with money and women
and is jealous of successful Vaishnavas. Although passing for a Vaishnava,
his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaishnava". (CC.Madhy.,Ch.1,
Text 218 / 220, purport)
Dear Govinda dasi, all other questions of yours are also answered by Srila
Prabhupada:
"Why are they changing?" you are asking. The answer is, to serve
their private purposes, to serve maya actually. "Kill guru, and become
guru yourself". Very simple, they are Pasandis, Kali Chelas with demoniac
mentality. If you are not a devotee, you're a demon, simple as that. There are
only two natures.
The demoniac mentality is clearly described in Bhagavad-gita Ch. 16:
O son of Prtha, in this world there are two kinds of created beings. One
is called the divine and the other demoniac. I have already explained to you
at length the divine qualities. Now hear from Me of the demoniac. (Bg.16.6)
Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance--these qualities
belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha. (Bg.16.4)
The demoniac person thinks: "So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain
more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in
the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him; and my other
enemy will also be killed. I am the lord of everything. I am the enjoyer.
I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic
relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices,
I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice." In this way, such persons
are deluded by ignorance. (Bg.16.13-15)
Self-complacent and always impudent, deluded by wealth and false prestige,
they sometimes perform sacrifices in name only without following any rules
or regulations. Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger,
the demon becomes envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated
in his own body and in the bodies of others, and blasphemes against the real
religion. (Bg.16.17-18)
But he who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own
whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.
(Bg.16.23)
Devotee: "Can demons become devotees?"
Prabhupada: "Of course - by chanting Hare Krishna and
agreeing to serve Krishna. And devotees may temporarily fall down
and act like demons. That independence is always there."
Lord Krishna: "In order to annihilate the
miscreants, and deliver the devotees, I appear "
Srila Prabhupada; There is two mission: not only to
give protection to the devotees, but also to kill the demons. To kill
the demons, that is one side. So the devotees of Krishna should be
trained up both ways: not only to give protection to the devotees,
to give them encouragement, but if need be, they should be prepared
to kill the demons. That is Vaisnavism. It is not cowardism. It is
not cowardism. When need be. [Bhagavad-Gita Lecture 1.7 July 11 1973]
Srila Prabhupada: This is also another Vedic
civilization, that if you are benefited by somebody, you should always
remain obliged to him. Siksito yad-anugrahat. There is one
Bengali proverb, guru-mara-vidya. "Guru, you learn from
him first of all, then kill him. Don't care for guru." This
is demonic. By the grace of guru you learn something. Then when
you learn something, then you become greater than him, don't care
for guru. This is demonic. Even if you have learned something, you
must feel always obliged, atah padarsayat(?). (761004SB.VRN–SB
lecture October 4)
Srila Prabhupada: "If anyone strictly follows
the regulative principles of Krishna Consciousness then he will always
remain enthusiastic and dynamic. So if there are any defects within
our Society it is only a symptom that the instructions of the spiritual
master are being neglected.[!!!!!!!] Follow my instructions
strictly and always think for giving this gift of Krishna consciousness
wherever you go and to whomever you meet, this is the advice of Lord
Chaitanya." (letter to Karandhar, Melbourne, 10 February 10, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada's clear answers are pretty amazing. Are there any defects
in ISKCON? Yes many! Why? Because the instructions of Srila Prabhupada are not
being followed. Most particularly in the area of initiations and the book changes.
Concerning the book changes there is a nice segment in the
Caitanya Bhagavat by Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura Adi Lila Chapter 11.
Here, the Supreme Lord Himself states His position on changing the
literatures of His pure devotee. Please consider the conversation
between Lord Caitanya and Isvar Puri below... the Lord's order is
crystal clear.
Caitanya Bhagavat Adi Lila Chapter 11
by Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura
Lord Caitanya visited Isvara Puri every evening after teaching his
students. Isvara Puri was always glad to see him. Although he did not
know that Nimai was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his love and
affection for him flowed unrestrained. He spoke affectionately to the
Lord, "I know you are a great scholar. I have written a book about Lord
Krsna. I want you to go through it and find the mistakes. This will
please me very much."
"These are descriptions of Lord Krsna by a pure devotee," replied
Nimai. "If anyone finds any mistake, then he is a sinful offender. The
pure devotee never writes anything from his imagination, devoid of a
scriptural basis. These writings are bonafide and always pleasing to
Lord Krsna. When offering obeisances in the temple an ignorant person
might make a grammatical mistake in addressing Lord Krsna while a
learned scholar would address him using proper grammar. But the Supreme
Lord Krsna accepts both their obeisances. The Supreme Lord is not
impressed with mere learning, but He is supplicated by the inner mood
of surrender of the living entities. Whoever looks for faults in your
writings is actually at fault himself because Krsna is fully satisfied
by the writing of this pure devotee. Whatever you have written is an
expression of your love for Krsna. Who has the audacity to find some
discrepancy in it?"
The main Problems in Iskcon are coming from playing the game of "kill
guru and become guru" as Srila Prabhupada has pointed out, or posing as
guru without proper qualification. Cheap Guru-imitation.
Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, purport:
"A neophyte Vaishnava or a Vaishnava situated on the intermediate platform
can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same
platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance
very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance.
Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari
as a spiritual master."
"In this verse Srila Rüpa Gosvami advises the devotee to be intelligent
enough to distinguish between the kanistha-adhikari, madhyama-adhikari and
uttama-adhikari. The devotee should also know his own position and should
not try to imitate a devotee situated on a higher platform. Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakur has given some practical hints to the effect that an uttama-adhikari
Vaisnava can be recognized by his ability to convert many fallen souls to
Vaishnavism. One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained
the platform of uttama-adhikari.
I hope this clarifies the situation.
Your eternal servant
Urdhvaga das
------
From the "The Hare Krishna Explosion" by HG Hayagriva dasa
Every morning, a different devotee comes up to Paradisio to visit
Swamiji for a day. Although there is no formal initiation ritual or
fire sacrifice, Swamiji chants on the initiates' beads and
bestows spiritual names: Aniruddha, Uddhava, Murari, Devananda.
One day, when Janaki visits, she takes exception to the painting of
Lord Nrishingadev tearing out the entrails of the demon Hiranyakashipu.
"It's really ghastly, Swamiji, she says, making a face.
"For the devotees, it is beautiful," he says. "The devotee praises
Lord Nrishingadev: dalita hiranyakashipu tanu bhringam. ‘With the
nails of Your beautiful hands, you have torn apart this wasp-like
demon.' Hiranyakashipu was such a great demon that he even tried
to kill his small son, Prahlad Maharaj, just because he was a devotee.
So the Lord killed Hiranyakashipu to protect His devotee and liberate
the demon."
"But there are no such demons now, Swamiji," Janaki says.
"Oh yes," Swamiji says. "Demon means nondevotee."
"Maybe we shouldn't call them demons," Kirtanananda suggests.
"People will never come if we call them demons."
"But they are demons," Swamiji says. "If you are not a devotee,
you're a demon."
"Aren't most people somewhere in between?" Kirtanananda
persists.
"'In between' means demon," Swamiji says.
"But most people never heard of Krishna," Kirtanananda says. "How
can they be called demons?"
"Everyone has heard of God," Swamiji says. "Krishna is God. Anyway,
they may be innocent; therefore we are informing them. But actually,
because they're here in this material world, they are not really
innocent. Somehow, they've chosen to forget Krishna, and are
therefore demons."
"I thought that in Krishna consciousness, you see Krishna in
everyone," Kirtanananda says.
"Yes," Swamiji says, "Krishna is also in the demon. But does this
mean that we aspire to be demons? Unless you distinguish between demons
and devotees, you cannot progress in Krishna consciousness."
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