Why Can't We Be One Happy Family?
BY: KESAVA KRSNA DASA
Sep 28, USA (SUN) — Dear Rocana prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for the reply. Repressing your urge to speak frankly may seem a difficult task for you, but at least you honestly admit to this potentially divisive means of communication. I for one, aimed at this because of the jibe indicated. Whether it be called your own Achilles heel I wouldn't venture to say. I spoke in defense of Vaisnava principles due to over-stepping in your dealings with one whom is a father figure to me, and besides, why repeatedly dredge up the past? Be that as it may, I would be happy to engage with you on a philosophical level, within the confines of decent Vaisnava behaviour.
It must be made clear that while trying to prove a point, esoteric or otherwise, and beautifully decorated with prose, and all the charm of a Mothers lullaby, if the objective is to criticize another Vaisnava, then the whole effort is soiled.
We may think it is dharmic to criticize, as in SB.1.2.8, dharma svanusthitah pumsam...., but it is hard to see how it can provoke attraction for the Personality of Godhead, when a serious anartha stifles the ability to do just that.
I appreciate the values of free speech. The independence of your website attests to this. But can a Vaisnava speak without constraint, leading to anarchy of speech?
Anyone is welcome to dissect my articles, they are there for the picking. I can also live with diatribes aimed at myself. But I do object strongly to other Vaisnava's being tarnished. In the response by George A. Smith, he rather failed himself by generalising with a clearly ignorant pot-shot of 'Maya consciousness' at everyone in ISKCON who have given up their lives for Krsna. Other than that, what dignity is there to respond? This is anarchy.
These generalizations being anarthas cannot cause one to advance in spiritual life. How can one who is preoccupied on the level of bhajana-kriya go further? Such a person cannot even attain the anartha-nivrtti stage - why? Because in anartha-nivrtti one is crying to be rid of anarthas. If one remains here, his realizations will be clouded. Should we not use our remembrance of Krsna to become the very sword - asina - to cut the binding knots of reactionary work - karma-grantih-nibandhanam....SB.1.2.15. Anarthas are the binding filth which keeps us at a lower grade.
I see you are engaging on other fronts too, as your reply to Babhru prabhu indicates. But now I am going to sound like a revolutionary by saying - why can't we just be one happy family? Whether a Vaisnava be accredited with Maha-Bhagavata estimation or sadhana-siddha credentials, we all belong to the tree of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Yes, for us Srila Prabhupada means the most for us. For devotees taking shelter of Srila Prabhupada's God-brothers, they are also worthy members. During the time of Lord Caitanya all the stalwarts along with their disciples co-existed without any institutional interests, because the only institution, if it be called that, was the Lord Himself. Now, however, we have a number of Vaisnava organisations who sadly do not always converge on certain issues. Still, my earnest hope is to see a united family with a broad consensus - to give the Holy Name to the unfortunate masses. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Your servant,
Kesava Krsna dasa
