Update on the Bhaktivedanta Institute

BY: SUN STAFF

Jul 26, CANADA (SUN) — Over the last two weeks, some additional information has been forthcoming on the situation with Bhaktivedanta Institute. Most recently, we published a letter from the joint managers of BI, "Bhaktivedanta Institute Not Connected with Caitanya Saraswat/Gaudiya Math". We are now reframing our open questions, which we hope these members of the organization will answer.

History of Bhaktivedanta Institute and Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

One Sun reader has informed us that more of the history of BI and Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math can be found on the database of tapes of B.R. Sridhara Swami, recently published here. Our reader advises that up until the GBC meetings of 1981, the members of BI were visiting Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, including Bhakti Svarup Damodhar, (refer to audio file from Feb 28, 1981, on which B.S. Damodhar can be heard asking a question, 9 mins in).

Another prominent member of BI is heard on the same soundfile - a devotee with a Texan accent, who is Dayadhara, a PhD who was visiting Sridhara Swami along with Madhva. Many science related questions were asked by these 3 members of the BI in the days leading up to the GBC meetings of 1981.

After that, B.S. Damodar Maharaj no longer visited Sridhara Swami, due to pressure from the GBC. Likewise, Tamal Krsna Goswami, Bhakti Caru Swami, and the majority of ISKCON devotees stopped visiting. A few continued, however, including two members from BI: Madhva and Dayadhara. Dayadhara took 1st initiation from Srila Prabhupada and 2nd from Hansadutta, and apparently also took 2nd initiation B.R. Sridhar Swami, becoming Dayadhara Gauranga. He later separated from Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math when the new acarya, Srila Govinda Maharaj, took over.

By the time of the GBC meetings of 1982, it was made clear that those who continued to take siksa from B.R. Sridhar Swami would no longer be welcome within ISKCON. That was when Madhva and Dayadhara crossed 'the river of no return'.

It is also interesting to note that Dayadhara is in Srila Prabhupada's disciple database, dated 10/77, which stands as evidence that Srila Prabhupada was accepting disciples up and until His departure. In the early audio files of SCSMNJ.com, late 1980, Hansadutta can be heard saying that Dayadhara was a powerful personality and he couldn't control him, so he was sending him to B.R. Sridhar Swami. Hansadutta himself later desisted from visiting Sridhar Swami, feeling that such contact would minimize Srila Prabhupada.

"Swami Maharaj" is how B.R. Sridhara Swami referred to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, being as Srila Prabhupada was the title of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati in the Math. B.R. Sridhar Swami left the Gaudiya Math around 1939, taking up residence with Srila Prabhupada, above his shop for 12 years. So they both "left" the Gaudiya Math. Upon Srila Prabhupada's return to India, B.R. Sridhara Maharaja asked Govinda Maharaj to arrange a civic reception at the town hall in Navadvip.

Correspondence between Sushen Krsna das and
Members of the BSDS Disciples Forum

The following pieces of correspondence have been provided to us, having been publicly circulated on a forum of the devotees of HH Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami. We found it very interesting to read the challenges put to Sushen Krsna dasa by his associates, in response to the South India Preaching Tour article. These queries, which mirror our own concerns, were being sent to Sushen Krsna prabhu at the same time the Sun staff were questioning some of the content of the South India Tour articles.

Included below are the following four postings:

Jun 10 2009 - Abhimanyu dasa to the members of BSDS Disciples Forum

Jun 12 2009 - Sushen Krsna dasa's reply to Abhimanyu dasa and BSDS Forum members

Jul 21 2009 - Letter from Dina-Anukampana das to Sushen Krsna dasa, written in response to the news release on the West India Preaching Tour, published in the Sun on Jul 15th and in the BSDS Disciples Forum on Jul 19th

Jun 24 2009 - Sushen Krsna dasa's reply to Dina-Anukampana das

In a future Sun article we will offer our comments and questions on the content of these various BSDS Forum postings, and we encourage reader input.

Jun 10 2009
Abhimanyu dasa to the members of BSDS Disciples Forum

From: abhimanyu dasa
Subject: [Forum_BSDS_Disciples] Open Letter
To: Forum_BSDS_Disciples@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 10 June, 2009, 12:46 PM

Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Sripada!

Hare Krsna. I am writing this open letter to clarify some issues regarding Sushen Krsna-dasa's article about the May preaching tour he headed up. I'm somewhat confused about the status of the Bhaktivedanta Institute that he says he's representing and wanted to get some input from him and the assembled devotees out there in this public forum. I am bewildered about the Gaudiya Math connection here. Isn't BI an ISKCON afflilated program? I didn't quite get the Sridhar Maharaja connection in this whole story. Am I missing something here or is it just me that can't figure out if this is the same Bhaktivedanta Institute that Srila Prabhupada founded and Srila Sripada so dutifully carried out? I was also wondering if His Holiness Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja is now an active member of BI after his 25 yrs, or so, of inactivity? Is he the president of BI managing council by default or is he actively involved? Was Srila Sripada's instruction to follow HH Bhakti Madhava Puri's guidence only for Sushen Krsna-dasa exclusively?

Please excuse my ignorance in these matters and forgive me if I'm committing any offenses to anybody. I don't mean to be raining on anybodys sankirtan parade. I just want to know if we are all on the same page with this or is it just me that's befuddled. Please enlighten me!

Your servant, Abhimanyu-dasa

Jun 12 2009
Sushen Krsna dasa's reply to Abhimanyu dasa
and BSDS Forum members

From: Sushen Krsna Das
Subject: Re: [Forum_BSDS_Disciples] Open Letter
To: Forum_BSDS_Disciples@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, 12 June, 2009, 10:58 PM All Glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga.

Dear Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu and devotees:

Please accept our humble dandavats.

We are very much thankful to some of our dear godbrothers for giving us this service to clarify some of the doubts that they are having regarding the contents of our recent posting entitled ‘Soth India Preaching Report, May 2009.’ We pray to Srila Gurudev His Divine Grace Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj (Srila Sripad Maharaj) and all the Guru Varga for their mercy so that we would be able to clarify the issues that are being raised following the posting entitled “Open Letter” by Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu.

Queries and Clarifications:

(1) … I found disturbing in your report has to do with proper Vaishnava ettiquette. This refers to your constant offering of the honorific “Sripada” to all the devotees whose names you mention in your report, including many grihastha devotees. (query from Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu)

I too strongly felt our Gurumaharaj is being hurt and feel it is offence by designating Srila Sripada’s disciples (our God Brothers) as also “Sripada” such and such. They may be Brahmacaris or Grhastas. But a Acarya's position cannot be taken to address any body else. (query from Sripad Radhakant Prabhu)

Clarification: We have found a reference in a few of the letters of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada where Srila Prabhupada addresses both his Godbrother Sripad Gosvami Maharaja and Sripad Gosvami Maharaja’s disciple with honorific “Sripada.” Srila Prabhupada says, “I have noted your remark about the cover of the monthly and I have already suggested so many things to Sripada Ramananda Prabhu for apprisal. Sripada Ramananda Prabhu and many others along with me want to see the paper just fit for the foreign countries.” (Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s letter to Sripada Gosvami Maharaja on September 16, 1955). Sripada Ramananda Prabhu was not a sanyasi and yet Srila Prabhupada used honorific “Sripada.” You can read this in 2nd letter on this page. On the top of this page also in the 1st letter Srila Prabhupada addresses both Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj (present president Acharaya Dev of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math) and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj (Founding Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math) with honorific “Sripada.”

We hope Srila Prabhupad’s own example is sufficient to explain the whole issue. However, we ask sincere forgiveness if we have hurt Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu and Sripad Radhakant Prabhu unknowingly. Our intention is to always give proper honor to our Gurudev. We have addressed in our entire letter His Divine Grace Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj or Sripad Maharaj.

Srila Gurudev His Divine Grace Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj personally corrected his name while I was preparing the AISSQ-2006 brochures and materials. I had mentioned Gudev’s name as “Bhakti Svarupa” in one place. Gurudev told me that I must be always consistent with his name and I must write Bhaktisvarupa everywhere. There on I have always used the name what Gurudev has personally explained to me. Also Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu and Sripad Radhakant Prabhu are my dear godbrothers and they raised these queries out of their great mercy and love upon this most fallen soul. Our Guru Varga says who sees faults within us they are our real friends. I feel it is the mercy of Sripad Maharaj that came to me through Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu and Sripad Radhakant Prabhu. Gurudev is constantly disciplining my ego and hence I have hope that one day I will be free from this dangerous material element (false ego) by getting constant kicks on my false ego from Sadhus, Gurudev and Vaisnavas. There is no other way for me.

Reagarding the name Sripad, Puri Maharaja told us, “I was so impressed that Bhaktisvarup Damodara Maharaja had taken the name ‘Sripad’ as his title. Many names like Achryapada, Visnupada, etc. were being used, but our beloved Svaraupa Damodara Maharaja chose such a common title, which is used as a respectful title even for ordinary devotees. This was so typical of Maharaja, because I always knew he was a genuine vaisanva. To give some grand significance to this title may be to miss the real nature of Maharaja. As Bhaktivinoda Thakur tells us, ‘doinya’ is the essential quality by which we can know who is the real vaisnava.”

(2) I'm somewhat confused about the status of the Bhaktivedanta Institute that he says he's representing and wanted to get some input from him and the assembled devotees out there in this public forum. (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Clarification: As far as my humble self’s representation in BI is concerned, I am an insignificant disciple of Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj (Sripad Maharaj). Gurudev instructed me that as a scientist I must use my background in preaching the message of Mahaprabhu and His servants in the scientific language to the scientists and scholars. I have received some training from Sripad Maharaj for carrying out this service during my Ph.D. in IIT-Kgp. After Srila Gurudev’s disappearance I have taken the association of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj (Puri Maharaj) and getting the same message that I was getting from Srila Sripad Maharaj. I am following Puri Maharaj to carrying out the scientific preaching service under his guidance for the pleasure of Srila Sripad Maharaj.

(3) I am bewildered about the Gaudiya Math connection here. Isn't BI an ISKCON affiliated program? (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Srila Sripada was always faithful to Srila Prabhupada and Iskcon. Even when he faced difficulties in Iskcon, he never deviated from Iskcon and Srila Prabhupada. His heart was always with Iskcon and he served Srila Prabhupada faithfully. (query from Rama Tulasi dd)

Clarification: I am also surprised where Gaudiya Math issue came from. Neither ISKCON nor Sri Chaitanya Saraswath Math belongs to Gaudiya Math. Gaudiya Math is established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada to present the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world. After the divine disappearance pastime of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada many problems arouse in Gaudiya Maths and due to those difficulties Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came out of Gaudiya Maths together.

When Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada disappeared at that time Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was in grihasta ashram. He provided a place to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj in his own house. He was staying with his family in the ground floor and provided the place for Srila Sridhar Maharaj on the top floor. Srila Sridhar Maharaj was staying in the house of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with his disciple Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj who is the present president Acharya Dev of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Everyday Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was hearing and learning Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and many literature that are produced by our Gaudiya Guru Varga from the divine lotus lips of Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj was getting the association of both Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. After sometime, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj established Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, at Navadwip in the year 1941. 32 years later Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established ISKCON at Mayapur in the year 1973.

BI is not an ISKCON affiliated program. ISKCON and BI are two independent bodies founded by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Both ISKCON and BI are registered separately. Each has their own authorities. As far as BI is concerned it has its own managing council to take care of all its necessities.

(4) I didn't quite get the Sridhar Maharaja connection in this whole story. Am I missing something here or is it just me that can't figure out if this is the same Bhaktivedanta Institute that Srila Prabhupada founded and Srila Sripada so dutifully carried out? (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Clarification: The relation between Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj is very intimate. Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada went to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj to get sannyas initiation and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj told your family members are so intimately connected with me and if I give Sannyas to you then they will be very upset with me. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj said I am giving you the Sannyas name Bhaktivedanta Swami but you take sannyas from my sannyas disciple Srila Kesava Maharaj and it is as good as taking Sannyas from me. Srila Prabhupada after establishing ISKCON many times took intimate association with Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He openly declared that Srila Sridhar Maharaj is my Siksa Guru and said my Gurudev Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada wanted Srila Sridhar Maharaj to train me as Acharya for my services to my Gurudev. Thus we are connected to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj through the chain of disciplining succession which is coming to us through Srila Sripad Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada.

Bhaktivedanta Institute is founded by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and thus it is the property of Guru parampara, the chain of disciplic succession which Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada belongs to. There is no difference between diksa guru (initiating spiritual) and siksa guru (instructing spiritual masters). In this connection we can read the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 1.32 , 1.33 , 1.34 , 1.35 , 1.36 and 1.37. We are mentioning CC Adi 1.35 below

mantra-guru ara yata siksha-guru-gana
tanhara carana age kariye vandana

Translation by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: “I first offer my respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of my initiating spiritual master and all my instructing spiritual masters.”

Also in CC Adi 1.47 it is mentioned that

siksa-guruke ta' jani krsnera svarupa
antaryami, bhakta-srestha, - ei dui rupa

Translation by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: “One should know the instructing spiritual master to be the Personality of Kr?s?n?a. Lord Kr?s?n?a manifests Himself as the Supersoul and as the greatest devotee of the Lord.”

Srila Prabhupada openly accepted that Srila Sridhar Maharaj is his siksa Guru. Here Srila Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami says that “One should know the instructing spiritual master to be the Personality of Kr?s?n?a.” We know that Krsna is the source of everything and He is the proprietor of everything. Thus there must not be any doubt about Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s connection with Bhaktivedanta Institute.

In the Bhagavatam 11.17.27 it is said:

acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-deva mayoguruh

"One should understand the spiritual master to be as good as I am," said the Blessed Lord. "Nobody should be jealous of the spiritual master or think of him as an ordinary man, because the spiritual master is the sum total of all demigods."

All the missions of Mahaprabhu are to be considered as divine mercy of Krsna who came in this age as Sri Krsna-Chaitanya to distribute freely the Krsna prema. Thus we must give all respect to the dear most devotees of Lord Gaura Sundar and by their grace only we can get the favor of Mahaprabhu.

(5) I was also wondering if His Holiness Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja is now an active member of BI after his 25 yrs, or so, of inactivity? Is he the president of BI managing council by default or is he actively involved? (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Why is His Holiness Madhava Maharaj now so involved in BI? Where was he when Srila Sripada needed help with BI? (query from Rama Tulasi dd)

I have never seen or heard of any written or recorded Will or Instructions anywhere that Srila Sripada appointed anyone to succeed him in anyway as an authority, spiritual or managerial, of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, or over any of his disciples. This includes Bhakti Madhava Puri maharaja. If you have any verifiable instructions that support your statements, please let all of us know. This is an extremely important matter, as you can well understand. (query from Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu)

Clarification: Sripad Puri Maharaj is one of the original managing council members of Bhaktivedanta Institute formed in the presence of Srila Prabhupada and under the leadership of Srila Gurudev Sripad Maharaj. Srila Gurdev Sripad Maharaj personally placed Sripad Puri Maharaj in the board of directors of Denver BI. Anyone can clarify the same from Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu from Denver . Puri Maharaj always supported Srila Sripad Maharaj in all his difficulties which he was facing in ISKCON due to Rasaraj Das. Puri Maharaj always gave his support to Srila Sripad Maharaj unconditionally in the GBC meetings which Guru Maharaja had to attend in connection with Rasaraj Das’s problems.

By GBC’s dictum, not by his choice, Puri Maharaj had to leave his position in BI-Mumbai because of his connection with Srila Sridhar Maharaj. Yet he always maintained connection with Sripad Maharaja and as vice president of BI, and his service to Srila Prabhupada in the BI mission. Puri Maharaja has said, “Some may think that the sun is only shining when it is over their head, but we should know that the sun is always shining because that is its nature. Similarly a devotee is serving even if that may not appear before your provincial vision, because it is the nature of a devotee to always serve guru and vaisnava."

In the question if Puri Maharaja is president actually or by default (figurehead), Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj said, “I am a Vedantist and not dentist. Our business is not to forcefully extract anything from others. Bhagavat Gita 4.34 explains our process of taking spiritual guidance is based on offering humble obsenceess, humble inquiries and humble service.” He is giving good guidance to all those who come in this vaisnava mood.

As far as Puri Maharaj’s Bhaktivedanta Institute preaching is concerned, Maharaj is constantly preaching and inspiring many scientists and scholars. By his inspiration Nobel Prize winner George Wald become a devotee and Maharaj brought him to Srila Gurudev Sripad Maharaj. You can find a photo of Srila Sripad Maharaj, Sripad Puri Maharaj and George Wald in the Bhagavat Sevarpanam. Once when our godbrother Sripad Sitanath Prabhu asked to Gurudev showing this photo “Who is he Guru Maharaj”, Gurudev replied, “he is our Puri Maharaj and if I get him I will make him director.” This incidence happened in front of many devotees including Sripad Akinchan Prabhu. He personally mentioned to me this many times before. If Sripad Akinchan Prabhu and Sripad Sitanath Prabhu can clarify the same to devotees then it will be helpful to all of us.

You can see Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj’s presentation of the philosophy of Hegel at http://www.gwfhegel.org, which has been referred to by many many philosophers all over the world. By many such presentations he has preached over the years to many Scientists and scholars all over the world. He inspired them to take up the Krsna consciousness scientifically. Guru Maharaj personally said to Sripad Purushottama Jagannath Prabhu that Sripad Puri Maharaja, talks about Hegel and he is an authority and he indicated that we should serve under him for continuing Bhaktivedanta institute publication services.

Sripad Dasanudas Prabhu from Orissa also heard many glories of Sripad Puri Maharaj from Srila Gurudev. Srila Gurudev told Sripad Purushottama Jagannath Prabhu to take guidance from Sripad Puri Maharaj for the Savijanam journal to carryout the Vedanta Sutra commentaries and that Sripad Puri Maharaja is the proper authority and the leader as far as Vedanta sutra works are concerned. Anyone can clarify the same from all of them. We are personalists and our faith can’t be dependent only on some recorded tapes or a few piece of papers.

Moreover, a disciple must respect the godbrothers of his spiritual master equal to his Gurudev. This example is shown by Mahaprabhu Himself and we can find the same in Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Antya 8.46

prabhu guru-buddhye karena sambhrama, sammana

Translation: When they met (Ramacandra Puri and Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), the Lord would offer him respectful obeisances, considering him a Godbrother of His spiritual master.

(6) Was Srila Sripada's instruction to follow HH Bhakti Madhava Puri's guidence only for Sushen Krsna-dasa exclusively? (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Clarification: As mentioned before Srila Gurudev Sripad Maharaj told about our taking guidance from Sripad Puri Maharaj to many devotees. We a few disciples of Sripad Maharaj have taken the shelter of Sripad Puri Maharaj and the training that was given by Guru Maharaja is continuing under the able authority of Sripad Puri Maharaja by the will Guru Maharaja for scientific preaching seva. We are getting the same message from Sripad Puri Maharaj what we were getting from Srila Sripad Maharaj. It is up to the individual to decide from where he wants to take guidance from. One can inquire his own heart to find a bonafide sadhu from whom he can take guidance to carryout the Bhaktivedanta Institute scientific preaching services.

(7) Is Madhava Maharaj now the president of Bhaktivedanta Institute? (query from Rama Tulasi dd)

Clarification: When Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu disappeared from this world after exhibiting His divine pastimes all the Paramahamsa Vaisnavas came together and they held a meeting to decide under whose guidance we all must carryout our devotional services. That meeting is known as Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha and in the meeting they decided that they all will follow the direction of Srila Rupa Goswami. That is why our line is known as Rupanuga. All the associates of Mahaprabhu are nitya siddhas and they have all good qualifications within them but still they are so humble that they wanted to take guidance from a higher vaisnava. That is real Vaisnavism. Without genuine humility we cannot advance in bhakti.

After the disappearance of Srila Sripad Maharaj all devotees had a meeting in Jagannath Puri after AISSQ-2006 and they all accepted Puri Maharaj as the president of the Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI) Managing Council. Devotees also called Puri Maharaj on phone from Jagannath Puri to ask his permission and Puri Maharaj mercifully agreed. Sripad Mukunda Madhava Prabhu, Sripad Vrajapati Prabhu and Sripad Sitanath Prabhu can clarify about the same as they were present during this meeting along with other devotees.

We need the guidance from a Sadhu to progress in our spiritual journey. In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada has stated, "When childish people think themselves maha-bhagavatas and act in defiance of the Vaisnava spiritual master, such behavior simply holds them back from receiving the mercy of the Vaisnava Guru. Bewildered by false ego, these self-proclaimed devotees gradually become fit to be ignored by pure devotees on the intermediate platform and are cheated of the mercy that comes from the devotees' satisfaction. Thus they become asadhu by constantly committing offenses against the devotees who preach the holy name of Krsna. Pure devotees, therefore, in all circumstances display indifference to those who falsely imagine themselves to be visuddha-bhaktas, or pure devotees of the Lord. This indifference is an excellent manifestation of their mercy” (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.46 Purport). Thus we are asking the devotees to come together and decide, whom they all feel qualified to take guidance from to carryout the Srila Sripad Maharaj’s scientific preaching services under the banner of Bhaktivedanta Institute.

(8) We are getting objections for circulating messages related to "satsanga" in this forum. Many of our senior godbrothers feeling that the forum is meant for exlusive glorification of our beloved Gurudeva Srila Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Maharaja. Therefore, "satsanga" messages will no longer be circulated in this forum. Devotees interested in the "satsanga" messages are requested to subscribe to the "satsanga" mailing list by contacting Sushen prabhu at Sushen Krsna Das . (from Sripad Mukunda Madhava Prabhu and Sripad Vrajapati Prabhu)

Clarification: We have received mails in BSDS forum asking only clarification of certain issues about our recent posting entitled South India Preaching Report, May 2009. Before we clarify those the moderators sent the message in the form that “Many of our senior godbrothers feeling that the forum is meant for exlusive glorification of our beloved Gurudeva Srila Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami Maharaja. Therefore, "satsanga" messages will no longer be circulated in this forum.” We know there are hundreds of disciples of Srila Gurudev in BSDS disciples forum. Are they all agreeing with the action that is being taken by the moderators? If they all agree then we will not send any “satsanga” messages in the BSDS disciples forum again. Just we wanted to know if the group is controlled by only a hand full of devotees or everyone in the group has an equal right to say their things about Gurudev and their realization which they have received by the mercy of Guru Varga.

(9) Since both of you are Moderating this Forum, kindly check whether the message is giving inspiration to the devotees to remain in Gurumaharaj’s service. (query from Sripad Akinchan Prabhu)

Clarification: We have got so many responses from devotees that by listening to the scientific presentations of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj the scientific background devotees are getting all inspiration to dedicate their life for service of Srila Gurudev. They are getting all inspiration to serve the mission of Srila Sripad Maharaj and Srila Prabahupada to carryout the scientific preaching on ‘life and its origin’ under the banner of Bhaktivedanta Institute. Thus we must understand what is the real purpose of Bhaktiveanta Institute. For remain in Guru Maharaj’s service we must take the help from a pure Vaisnava who has scientific background and has authority to carry out the preaching seva of ‘Scientific Presentation of Krsna Consciousness.’

(10) I don't mean to be raining on anybodys sankirtan parade. (query from Sripad Abhimanyu Prabhu)

Clarification: In this connection we would like to share a pastime of Mahaprabhu in Megher chara which we recently visited during Navadwip Dham Parikrama in Gaura Purnima 2009. At Megher chara, once when devotees Sankirtan was about to be disturbed by rain as stormy clouds appeared, devotees expressed their eagerness to pursue Sankirtan to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu ordered the clouds to stop from pouring out and so, this place is known as Megher chara. So no one in three worlds have any potency to create any hindrance in the sankirtan parade of Mahaprabhu. It will eternally continue by the grace of Mahaprabhu.

The human life span is very short in this age of kali, so we don’t have time to waste in so many things. We were taking regular association from Srila Sripad Maharaj Guru Dev during my Ph.D. days in IIT-Kgp by visiting to Gurudev’s ashram. What I could learn from my little association with Gurudev is that we don’t have to waste our time by making plans and efforts to stay happily in this world by trying to maintain our post and positions. Srila Sripad Maharaj said “It is not about how much money you have collected, how many temples you have built or how many men you have, it is about how pure you have become.” Srila Sripad Maharaj, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj were not having books and buildings of Gurudev with them but what they were having was the message of Gurudev. guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa. They have caught the message of Gurudev deep in their hearts and they preached the same to one and all. By that entire planet get blessings from them.

By the service connection with Sadhus, Gurudev and Vaisnavas and under their discipline only we can be saved from all inauspiciousness. We want to serve the Vaisnavas life after life and that is our real goal of human form life. tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa janame janame haya, ei abhilasa. “To serve the feet of the acaryas in association of the devotees is my desire birth after birth.”

We offer our humble dandavats to each and everyone who are disciples and well wishes of Gurudev, Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj in the BSDS disciple’s forum. We ask for their help in resolving the issue which is raised by the will of Krsna. Certainly their active participation in this most important subject matter of carrying out the services of Gurudev Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj will help all of us to serve Srila Gurudev’s mission in a more unified manner. Apart from email if anyone wants any further clarification they can contact us on the mobile at +91-9748906907.

Thanking you.

Your humble servant

Sushen Krsna Das

Jul 21 2009
Letter from Dina-Anukampana das to Sushen Krsna dasa

Dina-Anukampana Das

On Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM, Dina A Das wrote:

dear sushen prabhu
hare krsna

pamho agtssm! agtsp!

prabhuji, my humble request - can you kindly not use the BI logo and name without authority, for eg. even in your gmail address you are using that logo. it is causing great disturbance and attacks upon guru maharaj's mission.

i would really like to know which branch of the BI did guru maharaj put in your care? are you involved or were you involved in BI kolkata -and if so, what was your designation and what services did you do for maharaj? pls let me know evidence from your memory and if possible in any document?

please write and post any article anywhere in your own name, but stop misusing the name of the BI. Who has authorized you to use it? or are you just following your mind? kindly let me know your full history of involvement with the BI and your date of initiation and the devotees with whom you associated who guided you in taking up Krishna Consciousness and, more importantly, your services for guru maharaj and the BI.

pls do not mix up your personal attachment for any devotees with the institutional role of the BI - Srila Prabhupada clearly wanted the BI to increase the prestige of Iskcon. Both are very dear to Prabhupada. Please desist from trying to hijack it and use it in the Gaudiya Math. Please i beg you, as guru maharaj's personal secretary. Kindly continue doing whatever seva wherever you are, but you are destroying our missoin and bringing the wrath of iskcon upon us - and they can do more damage than anyone. Maharaj was always very very careful to preserve the prestige of the BI's name for without that, Maharaj said it wd not be taken seriuosly by the academic community.

please, you are creating a very big disturbance by posting in int'l websites and posing yourself as the BI itself and creating so much furore and now many wars will break out on these websites, smearing the name of Guru Maharaj and tarnishing the prestige of the BI. You shd respect the opinion of many of your senior god brothers that you have serious misunderstandings. As I said before, pls continue your spiritual progress and whatever seva you want, but desist, totally stop using the name and logo of the BI. Please help me to understand why you are using it in the first place? no doubt you love the subject matter, but wherefrom did you get the idea that you are authorized to do things as if you are the International Director of the BI. Please put guru maharaj's pleasure first and unless he gave you some specific administrative power to act in the BI, do not do anything else unauthorized. this is simply terrible.

you see, the mission srila prabhupada gave to guru maharaj is a very big one. and many young 'scientists' like yourself become enamoured by it, and the joy of speaking 'high level topics' and discussing nobel laureates thoughts, and even rubbing shoulders with famous scientists, makes such young scientist devotees get carried away with gaining their own name and fame and eager to get their articles published etc. To all observers from amongst maharaj's disciples you appear to be on a wild ego-boosting trip. It is really dangerous for your spiritual life.

one more thing. You actually claimed that Srila Gurudev appointed HH Bhakti Madhava maharaj (sorry if i got the name wrong) as President of BI???? Kindly tell me on what basis you made this statement? Please let me know maharaj's tel. no. so I may ask him if he is eager to use the BI name and its sacred logo which was designed by Srila Sripad. I am very very doubtful that a sannyasi of his calibre would ever think of doing that, i.e. of just grabbing another institution's name and using it as if it is his own, without accountability.

please, prabhuji, take my enquiries seriously. i am asking in all earnestness and sincerity because i want to help you minimize any damage you may be doing knowingly or otherwise to the BI. Please, please, please.

thank you

your humble servant
in service of srila gurudev,

dina

Jun 24 2009
Sushen Krsna dasa's reply to Dina-Anukampana das

From: Sushen Krsna Das [mailto:jaga.suresh@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 6:09 AM
To: Dina A Das
Cc: forum_bsds_disciples@yahoogroups.com; Guru_Maharaj News
Subject: Re: [Forum_BSDS_Disciples] Fwd: West India Preaching Programme

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govinda Sundar Jiu.
All Glories to Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj.
All Glories to Srila Sripad Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj.
All Glories to Srila Bhaktisundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
All Glories to Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
All Glories to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Dear Sripad Dina Prabhu:

Please accept our humble dandavat pranams.

We have received your message and have noted the content carefully. Praying for the mercy of Guruvarga we are trying to reply to your email and to all the devotees to whom you have posted this message. I pray for the blessings of the entire devotee family and sincerely ask their forgiveness if I commit any mistakes or offenses in answering the question that you have raised, due to my deep ignorance.

1. Query: “prabhuji, my humble request - can you kindly not use the BI logo and name without authority, for eg. even in your gmail address you are using that logo. it is causing great disturbance and attacks upon guru maharaj's mission.”

Response: We are quite surprised to learn this from you prabhuji that we don’t have authority to use BI logo. I am a bonafide disciple of Gurudev Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaj and I have received extensive training on BI preaching services from Gurudev due to my humble association with Gurudev during my Ph.D. days at IIT-Kharagpur. We would like to humbly inquire from you prabhuji under whose authority you have asked us that we can’t use BI logo. Is it coming from ISKCON GBCs or BI Managing Council? As far as attacks on Gurudev’s mission are concerned, we would like to know who is doing that. As far as Hare Krsna Sun’s posting is concerned Sripad Rochan Prabhu asked me personally in an email about my connection with BI and I have explained to him in a personal email. Rest what has happened we all know that.

2. Query: i would really like to know which branch of the BI did guru maharaj put in your care?

Response: As far my humble position is concerned I am just an insignificant dog in the Bhaktivedanta Institute mission of Srila Prabhupada. As far as my idea is concerned, Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj has placed BI management under the direction of original managing council which is personally organized by Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj for taking care of BI management issues. It is only after divine disappearance pastime of Gurudev, that the individuals are trying to takeover the individual branches and which is creating differences, fighting among the disciples and even Vaisnava aparadha. We feel quite unfortunate that we have to witness this.

3. Query: are you involved or were you involved in BI kolkata -and if so, what was your designation and what services did you do for maharaj? pls let me know evidence from your memory and if possible in any document?

Response: As far as my humble involvement in services of Gurudev is concerned, I used to visit Gurudev’s BI ashram in Kolkata frequently in the weekends for taking his divine association during my Ph.D. at IIT-Kharagpur. Gurudev mercifully engaged me in BI preaching and publication services. As a scientist, Gurudev asked me to preach the teachings of the servants of Sada Goswamis to scientists and scholars in the scientific language. Srila Gurudev has personally given me some training in that.

By Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj’s instruction I have taken shelter of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj. The same training is still continuing. Gurudev, Sripad Puri Maharaj is one of the original managing council members of Bhaktivedanta Institute formed in the presence of Srila Prabhupada and under the leadership of Srila Gurudev Sripad Maharaj. Srila Gurdev Sripad Maharaj personally placed Gurudev Sripad Puri Maharaj in the board of directors of Denver BI. Anyone can clarify the same from Sripad Hari Mohan Prabhu from Denver. Sripad Puri Maharaja is also the President of BI, Managing Council. Puri Maharaj always supported Srila Sripad Maharaj in all his difficulties which he was facing in ISKCON due to Rasaraj Das. Puri Maharaj always gave his full support to Srila Sripad Maharaj unconditionally in the GBC meetings which Guru Maharaja had to attend in connection with Rasaraj Das’s problems.

My designation in the divine mission of Srila Gurudev: An insignificant dog - trying to serve the Guruvarga (the agents of Krsna merciful came to this world to rescue the fallen souls like my self). As far as documents of my involvements in Gurudev’s mission is concerned, Gurudev personally placed me as assistant secretary of ‘All India Students Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest - 2006 (AISSQ)’ which was successfully organized in Jagannath Puri. You can verify the same by checking the old emails in BSDS Disciples Forum.

Also Gurudev told me that “We are trying to organize an ‘All India Student’s Essay Competition’ for last few years. Somehow it is not coming up. You try to organize this.’ Following the order of Gurudev I have organized the ‘All India Essay Competition’ for AISSQ-2006 and Gurudev was very happy with its progress and response. Also in the first AISSQ (AISSQ-2005) Gurudev personally asked me to give a lecture in Vrindavana on Science/Spirituality. Following the order of Gurudev I have given a lecture in AISSQ-2005 for the pleasure of Gurudev. I am attaching a photo of the same where Gurudev called us as a speaker to the stage.

Moreover, Gurudev involved me in the editorial services for the BI books and personally placed my name as an editor in ‘Tatwajijnasa - Students’ magazine of BI.’ We did a grand BI book distribution during Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra in 2006 under the direct guidance of Gurudev and by his grace we did some humble preaching seva in IIT-Kharagpur. By Gurudev’s grace we could bring some souls (Sripad Gaurachandra Prabhu, M.Tech, IIT-Kgp, Sripad Dharamaraj Prabhu, Ph.D., IIT-Kgp, Sripad Rangeswar Prabhu, Ph.D. IIT-Kgp and Sripad Tripad Prabhu, SW Engineer, Tata Technology) from scientific background to the service mission of Srila Sripad Maharaj. Gurudev’s mercy is unlimited on the fallen souls - Sri Guru karuna sindhu adhama janara bandhu. The self glorification is atma hatya (Suicide), which Lord Sri Krsna Himself told to Arjuna in Mahabharat. I have mentioned above only as a service to your grace’s satisfaction.

4. Query: please write and post any article anywhere in your own name, but stop misusing the name of the BI. Who has authorized you to use it? or are you just following your mind?

Response: I have already mentioned that I am under the direct guidance of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj who is in the board of directors in Denver BI and also president of BI Managing Council. Hope this will help satisfying your query. Certainly I am under the control of Maya and under the full dictate of material mind, intelligence and false ego. Thanks for reminding me prabhu, you are my true friend. Being afraid of Maya, I am trying always to take the association of Sadhus, Gurudev and Vaisnavas by humbly engaging myself in their services for their pleasure. Their mercy is the only hope for me by which I can save myself from this material conditioning.

5. Query: kindly let me know your full history of involvement with the BI and your date of initiation and the devotees with whom you associated who guided you in taking up Krishna Consciousness and, more importantly, your services for guru maharaj and the BI.

Response: I have already mentioned about my involvement with BI above. I have taken initiation on August 15, 2005 (on the independence day of India) in Manipuri Gopal Ji Mandir at Navadwip. For your satisfaction I am attaching a photo where Gurudev is mercifully giving me the Harinam Japamala. The dear most disciple of Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj, Sripad Purushottama Jagannath Prabhu mercifully helped me to get the association of Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj. We were both friends in IIT-Kgp and while doing our Ph.D. I got very much inspired to see Sripad Purushottama Jagannath Prabhu’s dedication to Gurudev. Gurudev loved him lot and engaged him in all the publication services of BI. Gurudev have many appreciations for Sripad Purushottama Jagannath Prabhu and he has personally instructed him to take guidance of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj for learning Vedanta for Savijanam journal publications. About my services for Gurudev and BI I have already mentioned above and I don’t want to commit suicide by self glorification.

6. Query: pls do not mix up your personal attachment for any devotees with the institutional role of the BI - Srila Prabhupada clearly wanted the BI to increase the prestige of Iskcon. Both are very dear to Prabhupada. Please desist from trying to hijack it and use it in the Gaudiya Math.

Response: I have already mentioned as a reply to Sripad Abhimanu Prabhu and other devotees questions that both Srila Sridhar Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada came out of Gaudiya Math together due to the many problems that arose after the divine disappearance of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. Where the question of Gaudiya Math connection coming here? Unfortunately the moderators of BSDS group have not allowed our reply to be posted in the BSDS forum and we are mentioning that again below for devotee’s kind perusal. Srila Prabhupada said that from the very beginning I know that Srila Sridhar Maharaj is a pure devotee and that is why I have always taken his advise and instructions very seriously. You can verify by hearing the same in between 17 - 20 minutes of this MP3 (download || listen ). Srila Sridhar Maharaj in his presence established Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj as his successor and Acharaya-dev. I have found that his teachings are the same as that of Srila Sridhar Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada. Thus I have taken the Brahmin initiation from Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj for my own spiritual advancement.

If someone thinks that Krsna is only there in my deity that I worship in my temple and if he thinks that Krsna is not present in any other temple then it is an offenses. If Krsna can come through one deity then He can also come through many deities. If Krsna can come through one Sadhu then He can also come through many sadhus. How can we restrict Krsna with our limited conception? By worshiping Krsna in one temple if one thinks that other Krsna in other temple will be unhappy then it is his own misconception. Sadhus are manifestation of Krsna Himself and by glorifying and worshiping one Sadhu other will not be displeased.

Many may not have a proper conception of Guru Tattva. Most of the people take Guru as a bodily concept. “Acharya mam vijaniyat,” means, “I am the Acharya.” Guru is representative of Krsna, and therefore he is to be respected as good as Krsna. In this regard Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says in the preface of Sri Guru and His Grace Book that, “Gentlemen, the offering of such an homage as has been arranged this evening to the Acharyadev is not a sectarian concern, for when we speak of the fundamental principle of Gurudev or Acharyadev, we speak of something that is of universal application. There does not arise any question of discriminating my Guru from yours or anyone else's. There is only one Guru, who appears in an infinity of forms to teach you, me and all others. In the Mundaka Upanishad [1.2.12] it is said:

tad-vijnartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham

"In order to learn the transcendental science, one must approach the bona fide Spiritual Master in disciplic succession, who is fixed in the Absolute Truth."

Thus it has been enjoined herewith that in order to receive that transcendental knowledge, one must approach the Guru. Therefore, if the Absolute Truth is one -- about which we think there is no difference of opinion -- the Guru cannot be two. The Acharyadev to whom we have assembled tonight to offer our humble homage is not the Guru of a sectarian institution or one out of many differing exponents of the truth. On the contrary, he is the jagad-guru, or the Guru of all of us; the only difference is that some obey him wholeheartedly, while others do not obey him directly.”

Hence we must learn this Universal Conception of Sri Guru what Srila Prabhupada is explaining above under the guidance of Sadhus, Gurudev and Vaisnavas. Even the dust in the Vridanava is not neglected and we place the dust of Vrindavana on our head. If we can’t tolerate the glorification of the pure Vaisnavas then how we claim that we are the true followers of Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj who is the authority in teaching the world what is humility by his own example. Srila Gurudev’s mood is to give honor to one and all. We can’t approach the higher world aggressively. By gaining the confidence of the residents of that higher world we can get entrance into that world by their grace.

7. Query: Please i beg you, as guru maharaj's personal secretary. Kindly continue doing whatever seva wherever you are, but you are destroying our missoin and bringing the wrath of iskcon upon us - and they can do more damage than anyone. Maharaj was always very very careful to preserve the prestige of the BI's name for without that, Maharaj said it wd not be taken seriuosly by the academic community.

Response: As far as my knowledge is concerned there were only two personal secretaries of Gurudev (Vrajapati Prabhu and Vrajenra Prabhu). We are surprised by your claim as a secretary of Gurudev. As your claims seem to be doubtful and false we request you to help us knowing about your true position and relation with Gurudev with proper evidence.

We also placed our reply below in connection to the questions raised by Sripad Abhimanu Prabhu and other devotees as it was not approved in BSDS disciple forum by the moderators. We are quite unhappy to see these unusual behaviors shown by the moderators of BSDS group. They have approved the question raised by devotees in the BSDS group but they have not allowed the responses. May they kindly clarify the same for the benefit of devotee community? Why they want to create a party sprit among the disciples of Gurudev by allowing someone to post whatever they like and not allowing others to post even Krsna consciousness messages.

These all things are happening because a handful of devotees want to have the button in their hand. They want to run an institute without a head so that they can do whatever they like. They are removing anyone from any services of Gurudev just because the devotee is not following their interest. They are blocking devotees to say anything genuine which he has heard from Gurudev. Just as without the head the whole body can’t function properly similarly without a proper head the institute can’t run in an organized manner. Srila Sripad Maharaj not just a scientist. He is a pure vaisnava and is recognized and also authorized by Srila Prabhupada to carryout the BI services. All of us can come together and decide under whom we all can work together to carry forward the Scientific preaching services for the pleasure of Srila Sripad Maharaj.

We are all Godbrothers and are eternally related to each other in the family of Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj. Gurudev Srila Sripad Maharaj wants to give us the taste of highest nectar that can satisfy our soul. For that we need to develop the proper attitude that all our Guruvarga have preached by practicing the same in their life. Srila Sridhar Maharaj says, “The Vedas say, srnvantu visve amrtasya putrah: “O, you sons of nectar, sons of the nectarine ocean sea: please listen to me. You were born in nectar; you were born to taste nectar, and you must not allow yourselves to be satisfied by anything but nectar. So, however misguided you may be for the time being, awake! Arise! Search for that nectar, that satisfaction.””

To contact Gurudev, Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj please call on Gurudev's Skype ID: bmp108. To join call on Skype you should have Skype in your PC. If you don’t have Skype in your pc, you can download it from http://www.skype.com. Skype is free to use. You can create an account in Skype. Once you login to your account in Skype please add our ID bmp108. Gurudev is generally online during in NY time. You can call Gurudev if you see the online status.

If you need help, please contact us and we will try to assist you with this.

Skype ID : sushen_das

Thanking you.

Your humble servant

Sushen Krsna Das

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