Where is the Order?

Prabhupada: When I order, "You become guru," he becomes regular guru. That's all. He becomes disciple of my disciple. That's it. (Srila Prabhupada's May 28, 1977 ISKCON Governing Board Commission (GBC) meeting.)

Harinama dasa :[Here Srila Prabhupada clearly concludes his reply to Tamal and says that his disciples can become regular guru and accept their own disciples only when he orders them to. This clearly indicates that he did not yet give the specific order for his disciples to become regular (diksa) gurus and accept their own disciples in ISKCON in this meeting. He already repeatedly confirmed this fact with his prior repudiation (four times) in reply to Satsvarupa's original question on what the GBC were to do for 1st and 2nd initiations "when you no longer are with us" as already pointed out. So it is inconceivable that he changes his mind in replying to what is essentially the same question from Tamal vis-a vis, "Whose disciples are they?". Tamal's misunderstanding of this crucial meeting was later confirmed in the 1980 Topanga Canyon guru meeting detailed in subsection II.A. Unfortunately as secretary, his deviation was also written into the minutes of the May 28, 1977 meeting.
Furthermore, if someone tells you, "When I order, you jump off the cliff" would you jump? OF COURSE NOT! Clearly, Srila Prabhupada's use of the word "when" indicates that he did not yet give that order. A month later in his July 9, 1977 worldwide communique (given below) he gave his final orders on future initiations for Iskcon wherein he named 11 disciples to act as "ritvik representatives of the acarya" to initiate future disciples on his behalf "henceforward".] 

Grand Opening of New Prabhupadanuga Temple in Jaipur

Test everything by its practical result.

 Srila Prabhupada in his wonderful exchange with Professor J. F. Staal: Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages University of California Berkeley, California in January 1970:

In a court of justice two lawyers put forward their respective relevant arguments taken from the authorized law books to decide a point, but it is up to the judge to decide the case in favor of one of the litigants. When the opposing lawyers put forward their arguments, both of them are legal and bona fide, but the judgment is given as to which argument is applicable to the particular case.

Lord Caitanya gives His judgment on the authority of sastras that the chanting of the holy names of the Lord is the only means to elevate one to the transcendental platform, and actually we can see it is effective. Each and every one of our students who has seriously taken to this process may be examined individually, and any impartial judge will find it easy to see that they have advanced in their transcendental realization further than any philosophers, religionists, yogis, karmis, etc.

We have to accept everything favorable to the circumstances. Rejection of other methods in a particular circumstance does not mean that the rejected ones are not bona fide. But for the time being, taking into consideration the age, time, and object, methods are sometimes rejected even though bona fide. We have to test everything by its practical result. By such a test, in this age the constant chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra undoubtedly proves very effective.

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

----------------------------------------------------

THE RITVIK SYSTEM IS A PRACTICAL  SOLUTION GIVEN BY SRILA PRABHUPADA TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE AGE,TIME AND OBJECT.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Verses Changed in the BBT 1983 Revised Edition Statistics

Article: http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/04-10/editorials6015.htm
Statistics source:
http://www.adi-vani.org/articles.php?articleId=130
Listing of Changes details PDF file:
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/04-10/changes.pdf
Chapter wise changes Statistics:
Bhagavad-gita As It Is Verses Changed in the BBT 1983 Revised Edition
Chapters 1 – 18: 541 verses out of 700 = 77% changed
Number of Verses Changed Per Chapter
Ch 1: 35 out of 46 = 76% changed;
Ch 2: 49 out of 72 = 68% changed;
Ch 3: 33 out of 43 = 77% changed;
Ch 4: 23 out of 42 = 55% changed;
Ch 5: 19 out of 29 = 66% changed;
Ch 6: 43 out of 47 = 91% changed;
Ch 7: 22 out of 30 = 73% changed;
Ch 8: 21 out of 28 = 75% changed;
Ch 9: 24 out of 34 = 71% changed;
Ch 10: 36 out of 42 = 86% changed;
Ch 11: 50 out of 55 = 91% changed;
Ch 12: 16 out of 20 = 80% changed;
Ch 13: 24 out of 35 = 69% changed;
Ch 14: 24 out of 27 = 89% changed;
Ch 15: 15 out of 20 = 75% changed;
Ch 16: 20 out of 24 = 83% changed;
Ch 17: 26 out of 28 = 93% changed;
Ch 18: 61 out of 78 = 78% changed

GBC Suppressed The Truth

BY LOCANANANDA DAS

 New evidence has just been discovered that suggests a GBC conspiracy to suppress instructions given by Srila Prabhupada concerning how he wanted initiations to be performed after his departure.

In May of 1977, the members of the GBC were summoned to Vrindavana, India to meet with Srila Prabhupada when His Divine Grace thought his departure from this world was imminent. His Divine Grace revealed to a committee of GBC members that he was going to recommend some of his disciples to act as officiating acharyas to perform first and second initiations when he would no longer be with us. As evidenced by the following document, the GBC decided at the time that devotees throughout the world should not be informed of this most important revelation made by their beloved spiritual master.

The repercussions of the decision to suppress the truth and the subsequent deviation from Srila Prabhupada's instructions have left devoted followers of His Divine Grace deadlocked over the issue of guru succession and initiations in ISKCON for more than two decades.

The document in question is a summary report of the GBC meetings held during the three days from May 27-29, 1977. The report was sent out to all ISKCON temple presidents and begins with a list of names of the GBC members in attendance. The first point mentioned in the report is that a list of trustees of all ISKCON properties was submitted to Srila Prabhupada. The second point states that committees were formed to improve the original charter and expand the Bureau of Management in India. Point number three deals with the questions posed by the GBC committee concerning how Srila Prabhupada's mission was to be continued under the direction of the GBC after his departure. It is this third item that is of great significance.

A review of the document shows quite clearly that the GBC deliberately omitted from the report Srila Prabhupada's answer to the question concerning initiations. This intentional omission was apparently made to conceal Srila Prabhupada's wishes from his disciples worldwide concerning the initiation procedures he wanted followed after his departure. Had this been an honest presentation of the facts, the report would have stated:

"When asked how first and second initiations would be performed after he was no longer with us, Srila Prabhupada said that he was going to recommend some of his disciples to act as officiating acharyas."

The text of Srila Prabhupada's conversation with the GBC committee was not disclosed for many years, which has created a credibility gap between the leaders of ISKCON and ISKCON's general membership.

Six weeks later, a letter issued on July 9th, 1977 bearing Srila Prabhupada's signature was sent to all temple presidents to explain changes that were being made in initiation procedures. It was the outcome of a discussion that had taken place two days earlier between Srila Prabhupada and his secretary. In that conversation, to resolve the problem of an initiation backlog, Srila Prabhupada first recommended that senior sannyasis could again perform initiation ceremonies as had been done before his illness. However, when the secretary reminded Srila Prabhupada of the May 28th meeting with the GBC, this historic conversation evolved into the naming of the officiating acharyas, referred to in the letter as "ritvik representatives".

Srila Prabhupada had said he was going to recommend some of his disciples to perform initiations on his behalf after his disappearance, and the July 9th letter was the fulfillment of that promise. According to the May 28th announcement to the GBC, those initiated during his physical presence by representatives of the acharya would be considered his direct disciples, while those initiated after his disappearance by officiating acharyas would be considered his second generation of disciples, or granddisciples. The difference was considered to be one of formalities, since all members of ISKCON throughout the course of its history would perpetually serve, worship and follow the teachings of their great preceptor acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That is the principle that unifies the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The document presented below was transcribed exactly from the original which accounts for any spelling or grammatical errors. Because the only remaining copy may be the one in my possession, I recommend that devotees save copies in their files for future reference.

Beginning of Document

GBC MEETINGS Vrindabana (Krsna Balarama Mandir) May 27-29, 1977

Signatures of Attendence

Adi Kesava Swami (acting GBC)
Harikesa Swami
Atreya Rishi dasa
Hridayananda Goswami
Balavanta dasa
Jagadisa das
Bali Mardan dasa
Jayapataka Swami
Bhagavan dasa
Kirtanananda Swami
Bhavananda Goswami (non GBC member)
Pancadravida Swami
Brahmananda Swami
Ramesvara Swami
Gargamuni Swami
Rupanuga das
Giriraj das (non GBC member)
Satsvarupa Goswami
Gopal Krsna das
Swarupa Damodara das
Guru Kripa Swami
Tamal Krsna Goswami

SUMMARY REPORT

1. A list of trustees for all ISKCON properties worldwide was submitted to Srila Prabhupada at his request. Properties in India can never be sold, mortgaged, etc. Properties outside India in principle should never be sold, but in the event it is necessary, they can be mortgaged, etc. only with the signed approval of all the appointed trustees. The list of trustees (and instructions for setting up this "trustee-system" legally) will be circulated by the GBC Property Committee to all GBC members and temple presidents for immediate implementation.

2. For ISKCON India, committees were formed to protect the Society by making improvements in the original "charter", expanding the Bureau of Management (for India), and seriously researching permanent residency visas as our top priority.

3. A list of questions was presented to Prabhupada, some of which he said he would tell us later. Two significant questions His Divine Grace did reply to are:

a. GBC members shall remain permanently. If a member leaves, the GBC can appoint new GBC members.

b. New translations of Vedic works can be published in the future, even after Srila Prabhupada's departure, by the BBT but they can only be done by one who is very expert and advanced in his realization. At present, Prabhupada acknowledged, there is no one yet qualified.

4. In order to help the India Yatras, a co-GBC was appointed for liasion purposes, especially to assist with manpower and financial requirements- for each of the major India projects as follows:
a. Bombay: Ramesvara Swami and the Western USA Zone
b. Mayapura: Tamal Krsna Goswami, Adi Kesava Swami and the Northeast USA Zone
c. Vrindavana: Bhagavan dasa and the Southern Europe Zone
d. Hyderbad Farm: Harikesa Swami and the North Europe Zone
e. Hyderbad temple: Hrdayananda Goswami, Pancadravida Swami and the two Latin America Zones

(note: this does not mean that assisting these projects is the exclusive responsibility of these western zones- these still remain the whole Society's projects, and we are all responsible)

5. The Australia GBC Zone and Hari Sauri dasa will be responsible for assisting Fiji.

6. As the date for the Bombay opening is fixed (October 21) funds are required immediately and a short term solution adopted was that Nama Hatta would make one more substantial payment in June, and funds would be borrowed from Spiritual Sky Incense Co. in LA for a comparable payment in June. The main source of increased funds is recognized as increasing book distribution, and the US BBT must resume its monthly payments at the end of July.

7. Each temple must donate a fixed contribution each month to ISKCON Food Relief, on the following allocation:

small temple: $50.00 medium temple: $100.00 large temple: $150.00 maha-large temple $200.00

Each GBC man shall open one zonal account, and be responsible to collect money from all his temples, then send it in one sum to Adi Kesava Swami for forwarding to ISKCON Food Relief in India. The India centers distributing food must send the GBC regular reports of their prasad distribution, including photos.

8. The profit made by the US BBT by selling 100,000 records to temples will be set up as a travel fund for the 20 Argentina devotees going to India, and for repaying the Food Relief debt of Rs. 50,000 to Mayapur.

9. As each BBT division must allocate funds for temple construction, and as the Latin America zones are responsible for assisting the Hyderbad temple, the Spanish BBT construction money will be sent each month to Hyderbad to complete the temple construction there (estimated completion by January 1) and thereafter their monthly allotment sent to Srila Prabhupada to repay Hyderbad's loan from His Divine Grace.

10) RESOLVED: Whereas Srila Prabhupada's desires and goals for expanding ISKCON activities through special projects in India (construction, development, maintenance, food distribution, etc.) are known to all GBC members, it is resolved that the GBC body accepts the final responsibility for these.

End of Document

Prabhupada Speaks on Bona Fide and Bogus Gurus

Translation: “O Sūta Gosvāmī, your words are pleasing to our minds. Please therefore explain this to us as it was spoken by the great devotee Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who is very expert in transcendental knowledge, and who spoke to Mahārāja Parīkṣit upon being asked.”
Prabhupāda: So Parīkṣit Mahārāja was asking and Śukadeva Gosvāmī was replying. Both of them were fit to ask and to reply. Bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was disciple, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī was his spiritual master. If both of them become fit, are fit, then the discussion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is very pleasing. The student and the master. If the master is learned and the student is foolish, then it will be not very much pleasing. Or the master is foolish and student is also foolish, that will also not be … Both of them should be … Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ [SB 3.25.25]. Vīrya, vīrya means potency. Just like if a potent husband and potent wife have sex intercourse, immediately there will be pregnancy. Therefore this word is used. Potent. Formerly, this was being used. Both the husband and the wife remained potent, not impotent and sterilized. They remained potent, voluntarily. But when they wanted to beget a child, that one sex intercourse is sufficient. There is child.
Therefore it is said, satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ [SB 3.25.25]. If the Bhāgavata discussion is done between the two potents, the disciple and the master, then immediately, sadyaḥ hṛdi avarudhyate. As it is said in the beginning. Have you got Bhāgavata? The first, beginning? Sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate. Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalam idam [SB 1.1.3], Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Sadyo hṛdy avarudhyate, śuśrūṣubhis tat-kṣaṇāt. Śuśrūṣubhiḥ, those who are serious about understanding about the Supreme Absolute Truth, so for him, immediately God becomes entrapped within the heart. God is there, but especially… Hṛdi avarudhyate, kiṁ vā paraiḥ… Avarudhyate means you capture God. If there is discussion between devotees… Tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca. In Bhagavad-gītā it is said. Tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca. When Bhāgavata discussion is there amongst devotees… It is the business of the devotees, not the business of the nondevotees. Unfortunately, India, it has become a profession.
Some unscrupulous persons, they recite Bhāgavata-saptāha, and the audience gather also for some material benefit. They take it as auspicious activity, śubha-kārya. They don’t care for neither the speaker nor the devotee. They don’t care for understanding the science of God. They are after some material profit. The professional reader, he reads, he takes some contribution, some money, some clothing, some umbrella, some shoes, some food, some money. In this way, he collects a very lump sum for his maintenance of his family, and the audience also thinks that “By hearing Bhāgavatam, I’ll be very much profited materially.” This is going on. Bhāgavata-saptāha. Bhāgavata-saptāha, imitation. Parīkṣit Mahārāja heard for one week Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Śukadeva Gosvāmī. So they are imitating this one week. But where is Parīkṣit and where is Śukadeva? Both of them have got some ulterior purpose to hear Bhāgavata. Therefore it is not affecting. They are hearing Bhāgavata for thousands of years, but still, they are where they were formerly.
But actually, if Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is heard… Just like Parīkṣit Mahārāja is hearing… Śrī-viṣṇoḥ smaraṇe. Śrī-viṣṇu, abhavad vaiyāsakiḥ kīrtane. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam [SB 7.5.23]. Śrī-viṣṇoḥ śravaṇe parīkṣit. Parīkṣit Mahārāja got salvation simply by hearing about Viṣṇu. Śrī-viṣṇoḥ smaraṇe, śravaṇe. Parīkṣit Mahārāja he was king, he was politician. So he had no much knowledge about Vedic instruction. But when he was cursed that he would die in seven days, he became very serious, and all the sages and saintly persons agreed that “Mahārāja Parīkṣit, for the last remaining days of his life, seven days, he should hear attentively Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.” So śrī-viṣṇoḥ śravaṇe parīkṣit. He got salvation simply by hearing about the glories of the Lord or activities of the Lord, which is described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrī-viṣṇoḥ śravaṇe parīkṣid abhavad vaiyāsakiḥ kīrtane. And Vaiyāsaki… Vaiyāsaki’s name is mentioned here. Vaiyāsakir ātma-vidyā. Vaiyāsaki means Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
He simply went on narrating. In the middle, there were some questions, intelligent questions, by Parīkṣit Mahārāja. Question is also required. If you simply hear, do not understand, just like dumb stone, that’s not good. You should hear attentively, and as soon as there is some difficulty, you should question. Tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā [Bg. 4.34]. In the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that you should understand… First of all surrender. Praṇipāta. Tad viddhi praṇipātena. Praṇipātena means you must find out an able teacher, where you can surrender. So nobody wants to surrender, but if he sees that there is a greater personality than him, he surrenders. That is nature. So this praṇipāta word means that you do not go for understanding Bhagavad-gītā and Bhāgavata to a store-keeper. You should go to a person where you can surrender. Tad viddhi praṇipātena [Bg. 4.34]. And paripraśnena. And inquiry. And sevayā. You should not take… You should not inquire gratis; you must give service.
Just like if you purchase something, you must pay for it. Therefore it is called sevayā. You cannot pay by returning the value which is taught by the spiritual master. That is not possible. Therefore it is called sevayā. Dedicate your life for his service. You cannot pay. What you have got to pay to a spiritual master? Just like our King Pṛthu Mahārāja. When the Kumāras preached to him about transcendental knowledge, he very humbly submitted, “My dear spiritual master, you have taught me so nice. I require to give you some dakṣiṇā.” Dakṣiṇā, that is required. After initiation, one should pay dakṣiṇā. That is a system. “I should pay dakṣiṇā, but what shall I pay? I haven’t got anything as my personal possession. It is already by the mercy of the brāhmaṇas that I am enjoying this kingdom. So it is already belonging to you. My kingdom, it is already belonging to you.” That was the system. If any saintly person, brāhmaṇa, will ask from a kṣatriya king, he cannot deny.
Karṇa, he gave his son to be sacrificed. A brāhmaṇa asked that “I want your son to be sacrificed by you.” He was incarnation of God. He tested Karṇa’s charity. He was very charitable, so he asked him that “I want your son, and you shall sacrifice, you both, husband and wife.” He agreed, Karṇa, “Yes, I’ll do that.” So there was some test like that. So actually, formerly, the kings, they possessed their kingdom just to manage, not thinking “It is my property. I am the king.” As soon as the kings thought like that, the monarchy finished. The king never thought like that. He thought himself as appointed agent of God, king. So he never thought. So Par… Śuka. . . Pṛthu Mahārāja said that “Nothing belongs to me, and even if I can pay from my treasury, so I cannot actually pay for the benefit I have derived from you. Therefore, the only way I can pay—that I surrender unto you. You can utilize me in any way.” So, tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā [Bg. 4.34]. Therefore the disciple’s duty is to be ready always to serve the spiritual master, at any cost.
That is the disciple’s duty. Sevayā. Upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ. So real knowledge can be achieved in this process. Praṇipāta… Not that I can challenge, “Oh, I can know. I have got so much education and degrees. I can understand what is God,” or “There is no need of God. I am God. We are the controller.” So these are all rascaldom. Real thing is tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena, as Parīkṣit Mahārāja, the emperor of the world, he’s hearing from Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you have seen that picture in our Bhāgavata, newly published, how Parīkṣit Mahārāja humbly asking and sitting before Śukadeva Gosvāmī. So bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ. Bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ. So Śukadeva Gosvāmī is the chief bhāgavata. Bhāgavata, there are two kinds of bhāgavata: grantha bhāgavatam and this person bhāgavatam. So Śukadeva Gosvāmī was person bhāgavatam, bhāgavata, chief. Bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ. Bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ means realized souls. We should not hear Bhāgavatam from a professional man, who are observing the Bhāgavata-saptāha.
I know, in Bombay there is a big speaker of Bhāgavatam. He preaches that “You remain in your family life very peacefully. This is the instruction of Bhāgavata.” He never teaches that you have to give up this nonsense family life and you have to go back to home, back to Godhead. He never preaches that. There are so many examples. He comes to the conclusion that “You live peacefully,” as if to live peacefully in this material world is the highest achievement of life. They will never disclose the actual fact that nobody can live in this world peacefully. It is not possible at all. But they want money. So they’ll flatter or they’ll go to Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā, presenting Kṛṣṇa as ordinary human being and the gopīs are ordinary girls. So this is very palatable for us, kissing, embracing young girls. So Kṛṣṇa is doing, but they take it that their embracing and kissing is supported by Kṛṣṇa. This is going on. That is a different subject matter; they do not know that.
Therefore the Kṛṣṇa’s dealing with the gopīs have been described in the middle of Tenth Canto. And nine cantos have been devoted, describe, so that one may understand what is Kṛṣṇa. What is Kṛṣṇa. The beginning of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Begins, janmādy asya yataḥ [SB 1.1.1]. What is this Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa? Janmādy asya yataḥ. “He the origin of everything.” And we, if we take Kṛṣṇa as ordinary person and He’s dancing with the gopīs just like ordinary thing, then what Bhāgavata he will understand? He will go to hell. He’s deriding, taking Kṛṣṇa very insignificantly. Avajña. Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam [Bg. 9.11]. “These rascals, because I observe My pastimes just like human being, they’re accepting Me as human being, ordinary.” Mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam. Paraṁ bhāvam ajānantaḥ. They do not know what is the background of Kṛṣṇa. The background of Kṛṣṇa is in the beginning said janmādy asya yataḥ [SB 1.1.1]. The first aphorism of Vedānta-sūtra.
That means, Vedānta means to understand Kṛṣṇa. These rascal Vedantists, they try to kill Kṛṣṇa. They want to become himself Kṛṣṇa, the so-called Vedantists. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ [Bg. 15.15]. The purpose of reading Vedānta means to understand Kṛṣṇa. So without understanding Kṛṣṇa, without being trained up how to understand Kṛṣṇa, if one reads about Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā, he’ll go to hell. Because he has got the tendency of this easy sex, so he thinks, “Kṛṣṇa is like us.” And therefore, for ordinary men, this kṛṣṇa-līlā… Kṛṣṇa-līlā means they simply understand kṛṣṇa-līlā means Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā. That’s all. And Kṛṣṇa’s killing the Kaṁsa, that is not līlā. Because Kaṁsas, the rākṣasas, they are afraid of being vanquished by Kṛṣṇa. So they do not like that līlā. They’ll like this līlā. So therefore the idea is that if we want to understand Kṛṣṇa, we should… Kṛṣṇa understanding is not so easy.

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
yatatām api siddhānāṁ
kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ [Bg. 7.3]

So like Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you should hear patiently, submissively, with service and question. So in that way Mahārāja Parīkṣit attained salvation in seven days. If it is, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, actually heard in that seriousness… Where is that seriousness? That seriousness was there in Parīkṣit Mahārāja because he knew it certainly that he was going to die within seven days. So “I have to finish my God realization, self-realization, with seven days.” We are not so serious, because we are thinking that “We shall live for seven millions of years, so let me go slowly. Better utilize the time by sleeping.” That is our position. If you have got some time, “Let me take this opportunity by sleeping, not by reading the books.” So if you do not become serious, then it will take many, many years. But we should be serious more than Śukadeva or Parīkṣit Mahārāja. Parīkṣit Mahārāja had at least time limit seven days, but we do not know whether we will live again seven minutes. Any moment your heart can failure.

You do not know. You are going to the street… Just like the two boys were coming. They did not know that they were going to be killed. So our life is so jeopardized. Any moment I can die. That’s a fact. If you don’t take seriously like that, that “Any moment, I can die.” So Parīkṣit Mahārāja had the opportunity of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for seven days, so I do not know whether we’ll have, I have opportunity for reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for seven minutes. So let me read it very seriously.” That should be our attitude. Not that, “Seven… Oh, Parīkṣit Mahārāja was given seven days notice. Oh, I have no such notice. I may live for seven millions of years.” That is our disease. Here the most wonderful thing is that everyone is seeing that everyone is dying every moment, but the man seeing, he’s thinking that he will live forever. This is the most wonderful thing. Nobody thinks, “No. He is dying, so I will have to die.” No. He thinks “I’ll live. He is dying.” This is the most wonderful thing.

He does not think that “I have seen. My father has died, my mother has died, my brother has died. So everyone has died. So I’ll die. So what I am doing before death?” They’re not serious. Not at all serious. But death is… “As sure as death.” And we do not know when that death is coming to take place. So how much serious we should be. We should be very serious. Labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte. We have got this human form of body, human consciousness, advanced consciousness, after many, many births, after through the evolutionary process. Many millions of years we have passed through many species of life. Aśītiṁ caturaś caiva lakṣāṁs tāñ jīva-jātiṣu. Aśītiṁ caturaḥ, eighty-four lakhs or 8,400,000′s. Bhramadbhiḥ puruṣaiḥ prāpyaṁ mānuṣyam. In this way, going through so many species of life, we have got this human form of life.

tad apy abhalatāṁ jātaḥ
teṣām ātmābhimāninām
varākāṇām anāśritya
govinda-caraṇa-dvayam
(Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa)

In this valuable life, it will also be spoiled if we don’t surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is canvassing personally,

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
[Bg. 18.66]

Kṛṣṇa personally comes to canvass. Because we are all Kṛṣṇa’s children, He’s very sorry that we are in this miserable condition of life. He’s very sorry. But we are so fool, we do not know that what is the condition of our life. We are thinking we are very much happy. This is called māyā. He’s suffering, he’s kicked by the shoes of māyā every moment, and still, he’s thinking “I am very happy. Why shall I go back to home? I shall remain in America.” But you cannot be allowed to remain in America. You are thinking, “All right… You are born of a very rich family, a rich nation, you have got opulence. You have… Your roads and your houses are very nice, but who is going to allow you to live here? Why don’t you think like that? You may live for fifty years, or sixty years, or utmost 100 years; then you’ll be kicked out. But they do not know that life is eternal.
When I am kicked out, then what life I am going to accept? They are in oblivion. There is no education in the university. This is going on. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a boon to the human society. You should take it very seriously and utilize your human form of life to understand it and be happy. Thank you very much. (pause) Why not begin immediately?

(end)

Jayādvaita Swami’s Rotten Changes On the Bhagavad Gītā

http://prabhupadavision.com/

By a Group of Śrīla Prabhupāda Disciples, followers:

Dear Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & Company,
Please explain why you have made the following rotten changes on Śrīla Prabhupad’s Macmillan Bhagavad Gītā As It is:
(1) Why is it in the revised edition of the Bhagavad Gītā, you and company have completely removed the foreword by Professor Edward Dimock that was printed in the Original Macmillan Version of the Bhagavad Gītā As It Is which Śrīla Prabhupāda regularly read from?
Readers, please see the following video:

Śrīla Prabhhupada is lecturing on the Bhagavad Gītā. There, in the very immediate beginning ( very first few minutes) of this video, you will find Śrīla Prabhupāda praising the foreword by Professor Edward Dimock. This particular video clip is taken from one of the 19 Double layer DVDS produced by ITV Nrshinghanandana Prabhu and his associates. It is the particular DVD named Bhagavad Gītā as It Is, with Krishna and Arjuna on the Chariot, and Sky background, and is in the very first part called “Introduction”.
Śrīla Prabhupāda is reading the foreword himself, praising it, mentioning Edward Dimock’s name, and praising Edward Dimock for a particular comment that he had made, namely as follows:
“Swami Bhaktivedanta comments upon the Gītā from this point of view, and that is legitimate. More than that , in this translation the Western reader has the unique opportunity of seeing how a Kṛṣṇa devotee interprets his own texts”
Śrīla Prabhupāda in the video explains this particular statement by Edward Dimock, on how a Kṛṣṇa devotee interprets his own texts, by explaining that just as a family member only is qualified to give the best knowledge to others about his own family, similiarly, only a Kṛṣṇa devotee can properly explain one to others about Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda appreciates this particular point made by Edward Dimock, in the video.
Thus, not only has Śrīla Prabhupāda authorized this particular foreword in the Macmillan Bhagavad Gītā, but had himself read, it, and praised certain points made by the person who wrote this foreword.
Yet you, Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & company have the audacity to remove this foreword completely in their revised version. The proof of how you both have offended your Spiritual Master is on public video record, as those who watch will sadly, but easily be able to understand this particular deviation of yourselves in either revising or omiting your spiritual master’s works and words by using your fertile imaginations.
(2) Why have you Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & Company omitted 47 out of 48 of the original color pictures inside from the Original Macmillan Bhagavad Gītā As It Is?  Why have you omitted the pictures of the bonafide disciplic succession Gurus coming before Śrīla Prabhupāda, namely Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Thakur, Śrīla Gaur Kisore Das Bābājī Maharaj, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakur, with a brief description of their character and achievements . Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted very much for every Iskcon member to understand their spiritual family roots, i.e. to understand the previous Disciplic succession Gurus, that is why he arranged to put these pictures there.
Śrīla Prabhupāda also wanted everyone, both devotees and Karmī readers to understand that he, as the author of this Macmillan version of Bhagavad Gītā was authorized, and a student of these bonafide spiritual Masters , thus giving genuine authority to this book.  Yet you, Jayādvaita Swami and company have audaciously removed these most important disciplic Guru pictures. The other 43 pictures with their respective writing descriptions below were also very useful for the reader to relate to what he was reading in the different chapters of the Bhagavad Gītā, They were also painted with the guidance and authority of Śrīla Prabhupāda who blessed them with his constant glance whenever he used the book. Yet you have unfortunately removed all of them with the exception of one.
(3) Why have you Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & Company removed and replaced the original front cover of the Macmillan Version of the Bhagavad Gītā As It Is with your own version?  In that original picture, Kṛṣṇa is holding the conchshell which is mentioned in the 1^st chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā , how when both Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna blew their respective conchshells, it  aroused fear and shattered the hearts of the enemies. Śrīla Prabhupāda and all the thousands of devotees, including the Karmīs who bought this book were delighted to see this spiritual picture which is the one of the chief attractions of the whole book. The horses in the Macmillan version look strong stout, and healthy,as they should be, considering that they were gifted by the fire god Agni to Arjuna by the blessings of Kṛṣṇa. This is mentioned in the Kṛṣṇa book in the Chapter titled “Five Queens married by Kṛṣṇa”..
Yet in your revised version picture, your horses look all so thin with very skinny legs, it is as if they have not had prasādam for a long time. They are half the size in bodily structure as opposed to the Original Macmillan horses. They really do not look celestial and gifted by a celestial demigod, Readers, please compare for yourselves. Yet you Jayādvaita, Draviḍa, & Company have removed this wonderful picture, and replaced it with yours. You have also replaced the original Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, with Kṛṣṇa now holding a whip instead of a conchshell. What was the need for this change, just so that you all could show to everyone in the world that you could do something different and new than what your spiritual master has done?
(4) why have you Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & Company, in the back cover of your revised version of Bhagavad Gītā put a commentary by Mohandas K Gandhi, so called praising the Bhagavad Gītā, when you very well know how much Śrīla Prabhupāda condemned Gandhi especially in relation to the Bhagavad gītā.  Śrīla Prabhupāda comments that Gandhi was the greatest hypocrite, that on one hand while posing himself as a student of the Bhagavad gītā, he never even had any faith that Lord Krishna even existed.  Śrīla Prabhupāda describes Gandhi as having no spiritual consciousness whatsoever.  Gandhi also did not even care to stop the millions of cows being slaughtered daily, when he had an excellent chance to do so, thus he was directly defying Lord Krishna’s instructions on cow protection described in the 18^th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā . Readers, please see the particular conversations below mentioned on folio about what Śrīla Prabhupāda said about Gandhi in relation to Bhagavad Gītā and cow killing:

(A) Room Conversation March 2 1975 Atlanta:
Prabhupāda:  “No, no. No shortage. That is everything supply. You have got the Vedic knowledge. You don’t take care of that. You now manufacture your own knowledge. Now there is knowledge, this Bhagavad-gītā is perfect knowledge, but even a political leader like Gandhi, he says that I don’t believe that there was anybody like Kṛṣṇa living. This is your leader. All the ācāryas, previous ācāryas, big, big ācāryas, Śaṅkarācārya, big, big, stalwart, learned, they have accepted Kṛṣṇa. Now Gandhi says, “I don’t believe.” Now you are guided by Gandhi, you are not guided by the ācāryas. That is your misfortune. You are not guided by Kṛṣṇa. You are guided by Dr. Radhakrishnan. That is the misfortune. Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ [SB 7.5.31], one blind man is being, is following another blind man. That is going on. That is going on all over the world, not only in India.
Guest (2): I think Mahātmā Gandhi followed the Gītā, all these…
Prabhupāda: But he did not believe in Kṛṣṇa and he followed Gītā. Just see.
Guest (2): (indistinct)
Prabhupāda: No, just try to understand the psychology. He (Gandhi) says plainly that I do not believe there was anybody Kṛṣṇa, living ever. And he’s following Kṛṣṇa’s instruction. Just see his position.
Guest (2): No, he must have also answered this question.
Prabhupāda: No, no, there is no questioning. If you do not believe in somebody, how you are reading His book of knowledge?
Guest (2): That’s my point also.
Prabhupāda: Yes, so therefore. This kind of leader we are following, contradictory. That is our misfortune.

(B)  March 10^th 1972 Vṛndāvana: Prabhupāda:
“Useless speaking. In India also, so many fools, they are accepted as very perfect. Just like Gandhi, take Gandhi. Where was Gandhi? In spiritual consciousness, he is nothing. Nothing, no value. But if we say in the public, they will be angry, “Oh!” But actually there is no value, no spiritual value. He is known all over the world as a great spiritualist. He was a moralist, that’s all. That is not a qualification for understanding God”.

(C) March 5 1975 New York: Prabhupāda:
”Even Gandhi, such an exalted man, he says that “I have no belief. I do not believe that there was any person as Kṛṣṇa ever living.” Just see. All the big, big ācāryas of India who are practically controlling the destiny of the Hindu civilization or Vedic civilization, they all believe. Gandhi became more than them. Who made him, that is another thing. But he thinks like that, and because Gandhi thinks, just imagine how many millions of people have been misled”.

(D) January 23^rd 1977 Bhuvaneśvara: Prabhupāda:
“Yes. No, anything, if you can understand very clearly, where is the question of interpretation? But it has become a fashion that “If I can interpret in my own way, I become a big scholar.” This is going on. If you have got your philosophy, you can speak. Everyone is free. Why you should take Bhagavad-gītā and distort it? Kṛṣṇa never meant that “In future Gandhi will come,” or “Dr. Radhakrishnan will come, and he will explain My ideas.” What is this nonsense? Kṛṣṇa was a foolish person that he left it for Gandhi for distortion? He could not explain Himself that Kurukṣetra means this body? Gandhi has to interpret? Do you think it is right?”

(E) Dec 16^th 1975 Bombay: Prabhupāda:
“Karl Marx maybe. Even your Gandhi-ism, that is also concoction. Gandhi invented nonviolence; it is also concoction. It is impossible. Everyone is doing this—something manufacturing. That is not sanātana dharma. Sanātana dharma is never manufactured. It is already there. You have to accept it, that’s all. Otherwise everyone is manufacturing some conncoction. This is going on. Kṛṣṇa is teaching, “Fight.” And Gandhi is teaching from Bhagavad-gītā nonviolence. Just see ! Is it possible

(F) January 9^th 1977 Bombay:
Prabhupāda: “The people approached him that “Mahatmaji, you have got influence over the Muslims, why not stop cow-killing?” “I cannot touch on their religious principles.” Just see. Cow-killing is religious? Their religious principle. If I say my father-killing, mother-killing is my religion, so Gandhi will say, “Yes, you can do that. Nonviolent.” Kill nonviolent. This nonsense contradiction can be tolerated by the fools and rascals. That’s all. That is…”

(5) Why have you Jayādvaita Swami, Draviḍa Prabhu & Company removed the words below the picture of Śrīla Prabhupāda in the Original Macmillan Bhagavad Gītā, namely “ greatest exponent of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the western world”. Is this also one of the many ‘stupid mistakes made by some raw editors at the time, namely Hayagrīva Prabhu, or some raw typist such as Bhakta Neal, and you have mercifully corrected it for all our spiritual welfare.? Even a person with half a brain can understand that you have done the greatest offence to your spiritual master by enviously removing these words “greatest exponent of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness in the western world”.
Awaiting your reply…

Gour Govinda Swami contradicts Srila Prabhupada

Gour Govinda Swami: “One has to hear. It is not that, “All right, tapes are there, I’ll hear the recorded tapes.” Sabda-brahma will never descend. [...] You should be greedy. Physical contact is required. You must hear directly, not just by listening to tapes. Sabda-brahma will never descend through a tape. One must hear from a physically present Sri Guru.” (HH Gour Govinda Swami, ‘Q&A’, The Worship of Sri Guru, chapter 3)

Gour Govinda Swami: If Prabhupada says he is there, then you try to see him, associate with him, and listen from him. Do you see Prabhupada? Do you hear from Prabhupada? Is he speaking to you?

Gour Govinda Swami: Through his books, yes. All sadhus speak through their books. Jiva Goswami, Rupa Goswami, Sanatana Goswami, Bhaktivinode Thakur, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and Srila Prabhupada all say that they speak through books. This is not a new thing. This is our Vaisnava procedure. But you should see him. Can you see Bhaktivinode Thakur? Can you see Jiva Goswami? You may say, “Oh I have read their books; I have their association.” That won’t help you.

Gour Govinda Swami: You cannot understand what they have said merely by reading their books. Your consciousness is very low, so you cannot understand their words.

Gour Govinda Swami: Out of mercy, the sadhu will impart this tattva-jnana to you. This is the only process. Unless you get association with a living sadhu, what can you do? Will you put some question to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada will answer you?
------------------------------------------------

“In my books the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.”
(Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, 22/11/74)

“So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association.”
(Lectures S. B., 68/08/18)

“It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.”
(S. B. 3.31.48)

“Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad-gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?”

(Morning Walk, Paris 11/6/74)

"The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent." [Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.9.8, purport] "You should have a fire sacrifice and the second initiates should hear through the right ear the mantra on my recorded tape."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 13th, 1975)

“So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living.”
(General lectures, 69/01/13)

“These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing.”
(Letter to Rupanuga Das, 19/10/74)

“Krsna and his representative are the same. Similarly, the spiritual master can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of place by the principle of relay monitoring.”
(Letter to Malati, 28/5/68)

“Narayana: So those disciples who don't have the opportunity to see you or speak with you...
Srila Prabhupada: That he was speaking, vani and vapuh. Even if you don't see his body, you take his words, vani.”
(Room conversation, 21/7/75)

“So utilise whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.”
(Letter to Upendra, 7/1/76)

“If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place whereby one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.”
(Letter to Hugo Salemon, 22/11/74)

“Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.” (Letter to Randhira, 24/01/70)

“What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living”
(General lectures, 69/01/13)

“A spiritual master is the principle, not the body”
(Letter to Malati, 28/5/68)

ISKCON has now become a Haven For Rascals…

Prabhupāda Says: Now, the Revatīnandana and this man and Śyāmasundara is making a clique. I can understand. What they are planning, that also I know. But I don’t wish to disclose it. So if these things come, then how this movement will go on? Politics, diplomacy, fraud, cheating, these are the general qualification of the western countries.

Jayatīrtha: Sitting?
Prabhupāda: Politics, diplomacy, fraud, cheating. These things are the general qualification of the western people. Do you admit or not?
Devotees: Yes.
Prabhupāda: If they are, these things come within our movement, then it will not be succesful. Tat-paratvena nirmalam. One has to become purified. Even sometimes we have to take… But that is for Kṛṣṇa’s. There must be now checking that all these rascals may not join and spoil the movement. You should not admit.
Bali Mardana: Yes.

Prabhupāda: They can come and go.
Bali Mardana: We should not make a haven for rascals.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Bali Mardana: We should not create a haven for rascals.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So how it will be done unless you GBC members become very strong and with good brain?
[Morning Walk – LA July 13 1974]

Here Śrīla Prabhupāda is explaining how the devotees above were engaging in private business ventures but did not repay their debts to ISKCON. We need to understand that Śrīla Prabhupāda knows what is best for his ISKCON society as the Maha Bhāgavata devotee and any independent personal endeavor while practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness will open us up to fall down.

ISKCON has now become a Haven For Rascals…
 http://prabhupadavision.com/

Prabhupadanugas in Hubli celebrating Sri Rama Navami

The acarya is not bound by tradition

“Every acarya has a specific means of propagating his spiritual movement with the aim of bringing men to Krishna consciousness. Therefore, the method of one acarya may be different from that of another, but the ultimate goal is never neglected.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7:37, purport)
“An acarya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and means by which Krishna consciousness may be spread.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.31-32, purport)
“Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaishnavas.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4:8:54, purport)
 “The acarya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service. Therefore, although I am a sannyasi I sometimes take part in getting boys and girls married, although in the history of sannyasa no sannyasi has personally taken part in marrying his disciples.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-Lila, 7:37, purport)
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Both the Supreme Personality of Godhead and My spiritual master, Isvara Puri, are completely independent. Therefore neither the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead nor that of Isvara Puri is subject to any Vedic rules or regulations.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 10.137)

Srila Prabhupada’s practical example
In keeping with his teachings above, we may note that Srila Prabhupada himself actually introduced innovations which have not been practised traditionally. A few examples:
1) He conducted marriage ceremonies
2) He gave brahmana initiation to Western women.
3) He gave initiation in the mail and via tape recording, and via having his disciples whisper mantras 
    on his behalf.
4) He gave initiation without ever meeting many of his disciples.
5) He established a ritvik system of initiations to operate without his physical involvement.

Prabhupadanugas print Korean Gita

Srila Prabhupada appoints Deputee/ritviks.

Conversation with Srila Prabhupada in his room, October 18, 1977, Vrndavana, India
Srila Prabhupāda: So, you are taking care of that conveyance?
Tamāla Krnsa: Yes, we are, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Jayapatākā: Because you are a paramahamsa, Śrīla Prabhupāda, you are seeing everyone else as surrendered to Krsna. But only by your mercy, you are forcing us to serve Krsna.
Srila Prabhupāda: Hare Krsna. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?
Tamāla Krsna: Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury.
Srila Prabhupāda: So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?
Tamāla Krsna: Yes. Actually… Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Srila Prabhupāda: So I think Jayapatākā can do that if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him.
Tamāla Krsna: Yes.
Srila Prabhupāda: So, deputies, Jayapatākā’s name was there?
Bhagavān: It is already on there, Śrīla Prabhupāda. His name was on that list.
Srila Prabhupāda: So I depute him to do this at Māyāpura, and you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?
Tamāla Krsna: Stopped doing what, Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Srila Prabhupāda: This initiation. I have deputed the, my disciples. Is it clear or not?
Girirāja: It’s clear.
Srila Prabhupāda: You have got the list of the names?
Tamāla Krsna: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Srila Prabhupāda: And if by Krsna’s grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again, or I may not be pressed in this condition to initiate. It is not good.
Girirāja: We will explain to him so that he will understand properly.
Srila Prabhupāda: Hm? Hm?
Girirāja: I said we will explain to the Bengali gentleman just as you have described to us, so that he’ll be satisfied with this arrangement.
Srila Prabhupāda: And Dr. Ghosh has his scheme, but actually the scheme is there in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. We want to introduce that scheme to our Gurukula. We haven’t got to manufacture scheme. Is that correct?
Girirāja: Yes.
Srila Prabhupāda: Let them learn to rise early in the morning and cleanse. This is the first scheme. This will keep their health nice. Cātur-varnyam mayā srstam [Bhagavad Gita. 4.13]. Unless in the human society the varnāśrama system is introduced, no scheme or social order, health order or any order, political order, will be successful.
Bhagavān: Everything is there very clearly in your books, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Srila Prabhupāda: A man-made scheme-useless. Sāttvika-yuga.(?) What is that verse? Sattvāvalambi-para-sattva-viśuddha-sattvam…. From Brahma-samhitā?

 DEPUTE MEANS--IF  YOU ARE DEPUTED TO DO SOMETHING,SOMEONE TELLS OR ALLOWS YOU TO DO IT ON THEIR BEHALF

A Bengali gentleman has come from New York seeking initiation from Srila Prabhupada. But Srila Prabhupada has already deputed his ritvik acaryas and he thinks Jayapataka should do the initiation.

 Srila Prabhupada has not specifically told anyone to be a diksa-guru, only to act as officiating representative as per his July 9th letter. Srila Prabhupada is only reconfirming what he had already established in his earlier directive of July 9th 1977 letter.

THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS

RESPONSE TO A COMMENT ON THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT:

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I want to thank you for your thoughtful and considerate comments regarding the Transcendental Intent of Srila Prabhupada to make sure that any leader above the level of temple president would be elected freely by the temple presidents themselves for a renewable three year term.

Interestingly, once the pieces are carefully assembled, there are no contradictions....In fact, what is beginning to be exposed, like the skeleton of an ancient murder, is that Srila Prabhupada was dealing with two Iskcons  not one.

We all know the “bright faced” Iskcon, with sankirtan, prasadam, endless enthusiasm and endless competition to truly please Srila Prabhupada.  The other Iskcon is just as well documented, but yet not as well publicized:...That is the Iskcon that  Srila Prabhupada described as “a sinister movement within our society”. He also accused the newly formed GBC of “Godless plan making”, and that “You kill guru and become guru”.

And what is that second Iskcon?...Practically, it is the entire leadership of Iskcon from 1970 to the present.....It appears that Srila Prabhupada, while making a Vaikuntha atmosphere for the “bright faced devotees” was also waging a silent, but deadly struggle against those who would seize the Movement, and  declare themselves to have (As Tamal put it in 1976) “Absolute Authority as GBC”. (This was in Maypur), and someone came to Srila Prabhupada and asked him about Tamal’s statement.  Srila Prabhupada responded,......”WHAT  absolute authority as GBC”?

The answers have all been hiding in plain sight.....And why not?. Just as Hiranyakasipu could not see Lord Hari before his eyes, as could his son Prahlad, so these same demonic despots cannot see the evidence scattered like jewels in the sand arranged right under their very noses.

Below, I have outlined a basic chronology...It is just an outline,..a skeleton, but if you follow it carefully, considering the time place and circumstance of each and every step of the way, a most heartbreaking sinister pattern begins to form....Soon, our group research will “flesh out” this outline with dozens of quotes from letters, lectures, writings etc. that will back up and fully reveal to even the dullest mind what has actually been going on in the name of Srila Prabhupada and Iskcon.

Here goes!

 Here is the Chronology of The Direction of Management (1970).

1.         1970     Srila Prabhupada creates the Direction of Management after SF Rathayatra

2.         1971     First GBC meeting takes place in New Vrindaban with 12 GBC’s present.

Several months after the “TOPMOST URGENCY” letter, Srila Prabhupada writes several letters to  GBC members, referring to the DOM as the Constitutional Basis for Iskcon.

In a separate communication, Srila Prabhupada states that he “reserves the right to nominate GBC during his lifetime”....(Elections not absolutely required at this time).

(The Direction of Management is hailed by Rupanuga prabhu, as the “Constitution of Iskcon)

NOTE

After the first GBC meeting in New Vrindaban, (1971) one would have thought that the DOM would have been printed up and distributed to each of the temple presidents....All of the initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada should have gotten a copy so that they could understand the organization that they had joined. Instead, the GBC told the Temple Presidents as well as any inquiring Iskcon member that the DOM was “Top Secret, to be read only by the GBC”.

How were the temple presidents to vote for GBC’s if they were not allowed to even read the document that gave the exact procedure for holding GBC elections?

           

I recall the GBC treating the DOM as a secret document, not to be shown to anyone as though it were some super secret Masonic initiation ritual. In retrospect, one wonders why this document was considered secret and confidential and not to be read by the common devotees, or even by the temple presidents.

3.       1972 A secret meeting was held in New York with many GBC members present. They “elected” an accountant (Atreya Rishi) to the GBC post, and created a plan to completely centralize Iskcon , (similar to how it is today).

Srila Prabhupada was not even informed of this meeting and he was also not invited to this meeting. When he found out, he declared the meeting to be a conspiracy, dissolved the GBC, and stated that it was a great offense to Him to hold a secret meeting behind His back without His authority or permission; to overthrow a document that they had all signed into Iskcon Law in 1970.

Clearly, the GBC of that time had no intention whatsoever to follow the orders of  the  DOM, or holding elections as prescribed in the DOM.

4.        1974 Spring of 1974 would have been the first GBC election following the formation of the GBC in 1971. The GBC made no move to hold elections. Later in 1974, Srila Prabhupada sent out a letter marked “TOPMOST URGENCY”.

There were two main points in the letter, the first was followed impeccably by all temples, the second point concerning the DOM was disobeyed completely. (See the Attached letter from 1974)

Several months after the “TOPMOST URGENCY” letter, Srila Prabhupada writes several letters to  GBC members, referring to the DOM as the Constitutional Basis for Iskcon.

5.         1975  Srila Prabhupada insists on the LA temple entering the DOM as part of the Non Profit documents filed with the state. This direct order was obeyed.  (The DOM has since been deleted after that time).

In 1975, I request the then GBC, Jayatirtha das to show me the DOM. He snarls that it is locked in a Safe and “you will never get to see it”! This is the approximate same time that the DOM was added to the Iskcon LA corporate papers, most probably by Jayatirtha himself and most probably forced by SP to do so.

6.        1977 The second GBC election could have been held in the Spring. Instead, on May 28, Satsvarupa suggests that the GBC elect new GBC members (obviously bypassing the DOM election process) Certainly, Satsvarupa pays no regard to the 1974 “TOPMOST URGENCY” letter, which (as it was never implemented, apparently does not cross his mind to ask about

DOM elections, rather than the GBC electing new GBC, which Srila Prabhupada thoroughly condemned in 1972.

In May of 1977, Srila Prabhupada states that although his personally selected GBC are to remain “for good” any vacancies in the GBC body should be replaced by election, presumably referring to his “TOPMOST URGENT” DOM order in the 1974 letter.

 Later in July, He appoints 11 men to initiate in His name.

Srila Prabhupada leaves his body in the Fall under strange circumstances.

7.     1980 offers the first date for elections absolutely required after Srila Prabhupada’s passing, as per terms of DOM and May 28,1977 directive. He has stated that the GBC “Nominated” by Him are to remain “for good”. Satsvarupa asks and is told by SP that only  the GBC members who have for some reason vacated their “appointed by SP” GBC post are to be replaced via elections.

NOTE:

NO ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN HELD THEN OR SINCE. The DOM has been carefully secreted and hidden away by the GBC , so that not even any Temple Presidents (Who would certainly need to see and have a copy of the document if they were to hold GBC elections every three years as per the DOM).

I was able to find a copy of the DOM in 1994, which was the first time that I had seen it since 1971 in New Vrindaban. With my collaboration, the DOM was proposed for adoption By the late Sridham prabhu, at the Mayapur Meeting in 1996(?). Sridham prabhu was very, very excited by the DOM and thought everyone would like it, and hail it as the true authorized solution to Iskcon’s conspicuous leadership problems.

As soon as it was included in the Agenda for the GBC meeting in Mayapur, it was roundly attacked and savaged by Jayapataka, Tamal Krishna, and Rabindra Swarupa. They claimed that Srila Prabhupada had Himself rejected the DOM, and that this was a dead issue from many years ago. They accused anyone of looking into the DOM of disloyalty bordering on treachery.

After a hiatus of thirty five years, It is certainly time for us to move on this matter.

Those who would benefit from the DOM are the rank and file devotees who have been without care or shelter for the last thirty five years. If we jot down the statistics of scandal, abuse, expensive lawsuits etc for the last thirty five years, we can see that it is the unelected GBC leaders who have racked up most of the often shameful,burdenous cost to Iskcon, to be paid for by the hard-serving temple members. The temple members have paid and paid for each scandal, but have seldom been the cause of the scandals. Certainly, if each temple cared about itself and its members, GBC would have been elected who could have managed to stay clear of scandalous activities.

The abuses of the past must immediately come to an end, and the Iskcon of Tomorrow can begin to unfold as a realm of possibility Today.

Read the DOM, and you will realize how and why abuse victims like Ananda died due to the GBC not being accountable to the Temples they were supposed to represent, how abusers could remain in power, and wealth be accumulated by the “lucky” few who became GBC, Sanyasis, or gurus.

HAVING  ACTUALLY ASSUMED “ABSOLUTE POWER” , “ABSOLUTE POWER” HAS CORRUPTED THE GBC ABSOLUTELY.

That is obviously WHY Srila Prabhupada wanted the GBC to be elected......so that they could never become as corrupted as they have.

NOW SOME CLARIFICATION OF THE MAY 17^TH TAPE TRANSCRIPT:

Satsvarupa:     Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most... These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up.

NNV DAS:        THESE ARE THE MEN WHO REFUSED TO HOLD GBC  ELECTIONS, AND INSTEAD FORMED A SECRET CABAL (WHICH ILLEGALLY INCLUDED  ATREYA RISHI) TO RE-DESIGN  AND COMPLETELY CENTALIZE THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF  SKCON TO BECOME THE  DIRECT OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECT ORDER OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT.

Satsvarupa:     So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know how long should they remain in office?

Prabhupada:     They should remain for good.

NNV DAS:        THIS WAS NO TIME TO “ROCK THE BOAT” !  WITHIN MONTHS, SRILA PRABHUPADA WAS TO DIE IN AGONY ....”KILLED BY RAVANA” RATHER THAN BY “RAM”. THE LAST THING THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A “POST PRABHUPADA” SHAKEUP OF THE WHOLE MOVEMENT. IT WOULD HAVE GONE ON AND ON LIKE THE GAUDIYA MATHA TO THIS VERY DAY. SRILA PRABHUPADA OBVIOUSLY PICKED THE GBC MEN WITH AN EYE TO HOW THE MOVEMENT MIGHT FARE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE AFTER HIS DISAPPEARANCE. THEY HAD REFUSED TO HOLD ELECTIONS, CONSPIRED TO DESTROY THE DOM, AND NOW WERE IN NO SHAPE FOR SUDDEN AND EVEN VIOLENT “REGIME CHANGE”

Tamala Krsna:   They should remain for good.

Prabhupada:     Selected men are chosen, so they cannot be changed.

NNV DAS:        THESE MEN WERE CHOSEN BY “DIVINE DECREE”...IN OTHER WORDS HAND PICKED BY THE ACHARYA HIMSELF. ALSO, THIS WAS NO TIME FOR A DRASTIC CHANGE. “SELECTED MEN ARE CHOSEN” MEANS THAT HE HIMSELF HAD CHOSEN THEM. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THESE MEN WERE PERFECT, OR EVEN HONEST OR FREE FROM DEMONIAC QUALITIES. IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT HE HAD CHOSEN THEM FOR WHATEVER REASON.

Prabhupada:     Rather, if some competent man comes, he should be added. I shall recommend that Vasudeva become one of the GBC.

NNV DAS:        STILL PRESENT, SRILA PRABHUPADA CLEARLY  STATES THAT HE SHALL HAVE THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY TO ADD VASUDEVA WITH OR WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE OTHER GBC.

Tamala Krsna:   Vasudeva is Deoji Punja. He’s the founder of our... He’s building the temple in Fiji.

Prabhupada:     How many GBC’s are there already?

Tamala Krsna:   Twenty-three.

Prabhupada:     So add him. GBC is not to be changed.

NNV DAS:        NOTICE,THAT SRILA PRABHUPADA IS ACTUALLY “CHANGING THE GBC” BY ADDING VASUDEVA....NOT TO BE CHANGED REFERS TO A DIFFERENT MATTER.....SPECIFICALLY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT PLAY “MUSICAL CHAIRS” AFTER HIS DISAPPEARANCE.

Satsvarupa:          But then, in the event that some present GBC member leaves, either leaves...

Prabhupada:     Another should be elected.

Satsvarupa:          By the votes of the present GBC

HERE IS THE SOURCE OF THE CONFUSION!

ELECTED BY WHOM?....IN THE WORLD CREATED BY SRILA PRABHUPADA, THE 1974 LETTER MARKED “TOPMOST URGENCY” GAVE THE MOST ABSOLUTE ORDER  THAT THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT BE ADDED TO THE CHARER AND BYLAWS OF EACH AND EVERY CENTER. IF THAT HAD BEEN DONE, THEN “ELECTED” COULD HAVE HAD ONLY ONE MEANING.....ELECTED ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT.

SHOULD SRILA PRABHUPADA HAVE ASSUMED THAT HIS DISCIPLES, WHEN GIVEN THIS VERY URGENT ORDER MARKED “TOPMOST URGENCY,” HAD DELIBERATELY REFUSED, TO THE MAN, TO FOLLOW THAT VERY DIRECT AND UNAVOIDABLE ORDER?

DOES SATSVARUPA ASSUME THAT BECAUSE SRILA PRABHUPADA IS “TRI KALA GNA” THAT SRILA PRABHUPADA NOT ONLY KNEW VERY WELL THAT HIS “TOPMOST URGENT” COMMAND HAD  BEEN DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED, BUT THAT THIS WAS PERFECTLY “OK” WITH HIM?......

WHY WOULD SP GIVE  SUCH AN URGENT ORDER, DEMAND THAT IT BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED, AND THEN BE PERFECTLY HAPPY THREE YEARS LATER THAT  THAT ORDER HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DISOBEYED?

...WHERE IS THE ROOM CONVERSATION, THE LETTER TO SOMEONE, THE RECORDED DECREE THAT WOULD HAVE REVERSED THAT 1974  URGENT ORDER? WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE THAT IN THE CHRONOLOGY CLEARLY ESTABLISHED BY SRILA PRABHUPADA HIMSELF, THAT THE 1974 LETTER WAS EITHER FOLLOWED BY HIS “BELOVED DISCIPLES”  OR WAS MEANT TO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED BY HIS “BELOVED DISCIPLES”..

THEREFORE, IN MAY 17, 1977, “ANOTHER SHOULD BE ELECTED” CAN ONLY MEAN ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT WRITTEN IN 1970, AND FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN THE SPRING OF 1971, OVERTURNED IN 1972, RE-STATED BY SRILA PRABHUPADA IN 1974, FORCED INTO THE NEW DWARKA NON-PROFIT DOCUMENTS IN 1975, AND THEN MENTIONED IN 1977.

ONE YEAR AFTER THE FIRST GBC MEETING IN 1971, WHEN HE DISBANDED THE GBC AND ACCUSED THEM OF “GODLESS PLANMAKING” HE ONCE AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL THE DIRECTION OF MANAGMENT (“TOPMOST URGENCY”!) IN 1974 VIA THE VERY IMPORTANT LETTER TO THAT EFFECT. (LATER IN 1974, HE REPEATEDLY WROTE LETTERS REFERRING TO THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY OF ISKCON).

ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS SATSVARUPA’S RESPONSE ABOUT HOW TO VOTE FOR GBC.

Satsvarupa:          By the votes of the present GBC.

OH, REALLY?........IT WAS THAT SAME GBC A FEW YEARS EARLIER WHO TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO “ELECT” ATREYA RISHI TO BE A GBC. SRILA PRABHUPADA WAS ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS THAT THEY WOULD DARE TO THINK THAT THEY COULD “APPOINT” A GBC AT WILL! (THE VEDA BASE FROM 1971  TO 1975 IS LADEN WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA’S TOTAL DISGUST FOR THE GBC’S AND THEIR COMPLETE INABILITY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES LAID

Satsvarupa:          By the votes of the present GBC

SRILA PRAHUPADA SAYS......................NOTHING!

WHAT IS HE TO SAY?...” BY ELECTION” OBVIOUSLY MEANT ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION PROTOCOL OF THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT....WHEN SATSVARUPA SAID “BY THE VOTES OF THE PRESENT GBC”, SRILA PRABHUPADA WAS PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE FACT THAT THE CONSPIRACY WAS COMPLETE, AND THAT THE 1974 LETTER HAD BEEN DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED.

JUST REMEMBER, HAD THE DOM BEEN ADDED TO THE BYLAWS OF EACH ISKCON TEMPLE, SATSVARUPA, AS A GBC MEMBER, WOULD HAVE SAID, “OH,...YOU  MEAN ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT?”

THE ACTUAL ANSWER GIVEN BY SATSVARUPA IS VERY, VERY VERY,VERY,  SIGNIFICANT............IT IS AN ACTUAL CONFESSION OF A COMPLETED CRIME OF APARADH AGAINST THE PURE DEVOTEE OF THE LORD.

NOTE

In the Long Island court case, the GBC brought in the unadulterated Direction of Management to be filed in the court record as the “bonafides” of the GBC and proof of their authority over all Iskcon temples. Had the Judge examined the document, the GBC would have certainly have been disqualified due to their having never been elected.......BUT IT DID NOT GET THAT FAR!

After the DOM was recorded into the court record (What a miracle!) the judge examined the by laws of the Freeport Temple, which just happened to be Srila Prabhupada’s original incorporation papers of New York, which created Iskcon Inc.  The judge did not find any reference in the bylaws of the existence or authority of the GBC, nor did the bylaws reference the Direction of Management which the GBC had brought with them as proof of their Absolute Authority!...For that reason, the judge said, “I do not know if you have any authority over any other Iskcon

temple or not, but you clearly have no legal authority over THIS one, as neither you nor the Direction of Management is mentioned in your bylaws”.

Upon that finding, Judge Mahon threw the GBC members out of the Freeport Temple and told them that their so-called “authority: there was null and void. Had the 1974 letter been followed, the Freeport temple would have the DOM, which would have clearly stated the authority and limits of authority of the GBC. Had the DOM been added to the bylaws, then the judge would have completely disqualified the GBC for not having held elections.....(He had already disqualified the temple trustees for not having the legally required number of trustees on the Board,  and not keeping minutes (of their non-existing meetings) and for not holding formal meetings with minutes and published agenda as required by law!

When in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada insisted that the DOM be added to the Los Angeles temple bylaws.....and it was done. (in 1975). after a dizzying pattern of forming and changing bylaws for Iskcon of Southern California, the Iskcon trustees of LA removed the Direction of Management from the bylaws.....(Obviously, a completely illegal thing to do!) so, the chronology (even in this “bare bones” form) leaves no  reasonable doubt as to Srila Prabhupada’s intention to have Iskcon run under the DOM.

The horrors of the last thirty years were due almost entirely by the GBC posing as Vatican “Cardinals” whose authority flowed from the Pope, and who then ruled with “absolute authority”  over a self created  hierarchy imposed on Iskcon.....No WONDER 95% of Western Iskcon is composed of former Catholics...they feel right at home!) A

legal GBC would be hardly visible, would spend all of its time helping regulate and

perfect the organization of each temple.

Iskcon, as we think of it today, would not exist at all!

NOTE:

“Iskcon would refer to whichever temple you were pointing at, as each temple would be completely independent of each other temple, and run according to the requirements of the local congregation.

To hang out the “iskcon shingle” a temple would have to comply with very strict rules as laid out for all of us by Srila Prabhupada. (That is where the GBC and Sanyasis would have their legitimate field to help)......in the last thirty years, hundreds of Iskcon temples of various sizes would have sprung up in the Los Angeles area, as with complete independence, any group of families could form a temple as long as no goats were sacrificed to goddess Kali!

The earmark of the DOM Iskcon of the future is that young women with their young  children will be very safe and comfortable. Each temple will provide day care. Gurukulas will exist, husbands will open local business to feed themselves while creating jobs for other devotees.  All the young women and their young children would thrive in an atmosphere of Kirtan, Prasadam, Gorgeously Worshipped Deities, and classes in SP’s unchanged Vani will be the hobby and pre-occupation of these peaceful and contented young families who year by year would live better and better, while the horrors of kali  Yuga rage around their peaceful, protected homes. New devotee families will come to join because the life is very, very nice and pure for raising young children sweetly and safe from the dangers of urban life.

Your eternal servant,

NNV das