Them n'All Reply
BY: KESAVA KRSNA DASA
Sep 19, USA (SUN) — Response to Obeisances to Dandavats".
Dear Rocana prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am sorry if my error strewn article caused an itch or two - on your head. To scratch at terms either agreeing or differing from the standpoint of your not too pleasant experience with Iskcon runs deep in your analysis. If this is the sole motivation for it, then any breach justifies your response - ye or nay.
Perhaps a little perspective needs to be aired. I empathise with your feeling sidelined, and many in the devotional world feel you can make a positive contribution to Srila Prabhupada's mission. Your own brush with the powers-that-be has tainted much of what you say about your Godbrothers who manage the institution. It colours your outlook concerning the present state of affairs. I can feel the hurt. You badly want to be a part of what you gave your life for - Iskcon. But, as you say, your frank speaking of truth is the proverbial nemesis.
I empathise because I myself was initiated twice before. By Jayatitha prabhu and Bhagavan prabhu. Yes, I saw the intrigue and drama, and experienced the heartbreak, not to mention widespread disillusionment and so on. I had ample opportunity to leave Iskcon for the Gaudiya math, which many of my contemporise did. I could have taken to ritvik fallacies as a knee jerk reaction. I could have just simply left all together. I did not. Why? Because my loyalties, my indebtedness and my allegiance lay with Srila Prabhupada who, through the agency of Chaitya-guru granted an audience with his books. In keeping with Srila Prabhupada's desire for us all to co-operate I remain here.
There are problems. I was hoping to highlight some of them in the article. There is a certain way to express oneself without being an overt affront to the sensitivities of the Vaisnava ethic. We cannot imitate Srila Prabhupada's 'heavy-ness', rather, with our limitations we endeavour for an ideal situation according to our means.
You mention that I am constrained as a disciple to speak of the problems besetting yourself, and by implication, the rest of Iskcon. As a matter of fact, I choose not to; and if I be labelled an unthinking stooge for doing so, then my freedom to write articles would require some explanation.
You see, when I was younger I was witness to the various Srimad Bhagavatam classes you gave and more. My memories of you were always positive. When however, I see your pain manifesting sometimes as irksome commentaries, it causes me to wonder. Of course you want the best for Iskcon, of course you'd rather be working within a loving family atmosphere with your Godbrothers and sisters. Perhaps it is a matter of give and take.
Now that you have taken the time to albeit, offer a stinging rebuttal, I accept it with gratitude and thank you for the corrections. But in fairness to your Godbrother HH. Giriraja Swami, he did not actually approve of the article. It was I who sent it to Dandavats which got published before he appraised it.
With the facts now in the know, you can remonstrate with the author, who will try to present Krsna consciousness more thoroughly in the future - Krsna willing.
Thank you.
Your servant, Kesava Krsna dasa.
