Sacrifices
BY: GOURA BOLA
Dec 21, USA (SUN) — I am very much impressed to read the sacrifices done by devotees in the article by Aniruddha das, "An Imperative Clarification for Balavanta. Personally, I myself cannot make such huge sacrifices. Even after so much sacrifice for Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, why do devotees criticize each other? I think Balavanta Prabhu mentioned those sacrifices by Hrydayananda Swami because he was criticized by fellow devotees. Shouldn't these devotees be filled with appreciation and love towards each other? What is the reason for not showing such appreciation?
One thing which I have found is that these sacrifices are easily forgotten. If someone is having a tough time appreciating the philosophy or even questions some aspects of the philosophy, that person is immediately criticized and even removed. People cannot express their honest views and everyone has to confirm to their interpretation of Srila Prabhupada. If that interpretation does not match their understanding, then the devotees are ready to hurt each other in the name of Srila Prabhupada. For example, Rocana das's understanding of Srila Prabhupada does not match Hridayananda's understanding, and he is ready to fight with him and forget whatever he has done.
Vedic books have different contradictory views. The first reason is that we want to explain what is beyond the words. Second reason is that each person is at a different level and even if perfect philosophy is given, everyone cannot understand it. This can be understood by the fact that we are not the body and this inert matter cannot touch us. But our whole understanding and life is based on the fact that we are this body and we are leading the life, accepting the inert matter as real. No words can describe this. Ultimately, we have to understand and realize the truth ourselves. Unless we realize these truths which are facts, the philosophical discussions etc. are useless. Instead of arguing and judging others, we should focus more on our own internal realization and how we see the Truth. Do we see this world as ours or see it as part of Krishna? Does we see ourself as body or part of Krishna?
Another point is that sometimes devotees hurt each other. For example, some devotees engaged in child/women abuse. Abuse should not be tolerated as Krishna dwells in everyone. Whatever sacrifice we have done does not give us right to hurt/injure others! Those people who use bhakti to hurt others should be surely criticized and removed. But we should give others freedom to practice bhakti. We should let them practice it the way they see it right and the way they interpret it from their guru. Showing disrespect to them and even judging them is not correct.
Unfortunately, ISKCON has been lenient towards those who hurt devotees. But they are immediately ready to take action towards others who don't agree with them. They are ready to judge others and call them differently. This just nullifies all their sacrifices.
