Russia and Ukriane select their GBC

By:  Gaurangasundar Dasa 

 

Srila Prabhupada wished that his movement of spreading Krishna consciousness be lead by sincere devotees. Find compiled below some of the instructions given on what he expected from leaders in his movement.

Ideal Leader, above suspicion, like an angel

 

When one has to take charge of a center, he has to become completely above suspicion. (Srila Prabhupada letter “SPL” to Brahmananda,68-03-12)

 

The prospect of your opening a new branch is very good. If you can, do it. This opening of centers is required. However, Krsna Consciousness does not depend on the place, on the contrary, it depends on the person who is free from duality. So why another part of the world for opening a new branch. There are many places in this country where it is important to have our branches. (SPL to Dinesh,70-08-01)

 

From now on if someone takes the leading post, he must agree to stick and not go away just because it is difficult from time to time. That is ideal leader. He is responsible and he knows his duty. Just like I did that. (SPL to Satsvarupa, 5th Nov. 1972)

 

As president, you must now become very convinced of our Krsna philosophy and very enthusiastically and soberly maintain temple routine standards, increase book distribution, satisfy devotees, and in every way become the perfect Krsna conscious example of angel. (SPL to Makhanlal, Jan. 10th 1972)

 

Devotees fully engaged, keeping Brahminical Standards 

 

The important thing is to see that everyone is following a regulated schedule of chanting 16 rounds, reading, Sankirtana, and temple worship. Any breakage in the performance of one's duties will surely be a hindrance in one's advancement. So, as President, you should see that everyone stays engaged 24 hours a day in Krishna's service. (SPL to Vrindavan Candra, Nov. 9th, 1970)

 

All the presidents of our centers should see that all the members are strictly observing the brahminical standards, such as rising early, cleansing at least twice daily, reading profusely, attending arati, like that. You begin immediately this process.  (SPL to Rupanuga, may 3rd, 1972)

 

Keeps Devotees happy and satisfied

 

You have asked about the management of our society, and the position is that management should be done in such a way that people may not break away. That is the first business of management. 

 

I am very encouraged to hear how San Diego center is flourishing under your supervision. The test is that so many new devotees are coming. That is a very good sign. Now you must take care to train them very nicely. They are voluntarily giving their lives to Krishna, so as president you must see that they are always happy and satisfied in Krishna Consciousness. Then they will not go away. (SPL to Bhakta das, Nov. 20th, 1971)

 

We must always remember that the leader in charge of a temple must learn to successfully deal with the other persons there. No one is working as a paid servant so if the dealings are not friendly everyone will decide to leave. The leader of the temple must try always to be sober and tolerant and at the same time manage everything nicely. Please continue to try and cultivate this talent and I know you will be given all intelligence to do this. (SPL to Upendra, Nov. 26th, 1968)

 

Good manager means he is able to satisfy everyone and live in cooperative manner with all the devotees, so if you manage things nicely he can do tremendous work.

 

Since you are now leader, therefore Krishna is forcing you to become very responsible and advanced devotee. This is Krishna's special favor upon you. So now you must see that all boys and girls who come to the temple are given all facility to perfect their lives in KC, and you must give them good advice and instruction. You must be the perfect example of KC devotee. How is that? Follow the regulative principles very diligently, maintain the highest level of standard in routine work such as rising early, cleansing, chanting, temple worship, street sankirtana, etc., always keep the devotees satisfied, like that. If your preaching work is strong, automatically management will be easy. And preaching work is strong if our routine work is strong. Never neglect our regular program and that will be your success. (SPL to Sucandra, Jan. 11th, 1972)

 

Competent to manage, administer, engage properly 

 

I have written to Brahmananda how they are to manage their own establishment program. Every temple must work independently so far as maintenance is concerned. (Srila Prabhupada letter to Satsvarupa, November 25th, 1970)

 

Whoever is competent to manage affairs will accept the post of president by mutual consent. (Letter to Jagadisa, 27th Feb 1970)

 

I understand that the new boy, Harivilas, is very experienced, so if he is going to be President that is nice. We want a good administration—that is one side of our propaganda work. (Letter to Umapati, July 19th, 1970)

 

As you requested me, I have sent many men from USA to help you, now you engage them properly, utilize them. That is leadership, how to engage everyone in their respective duties and properly utilize their energy. (Letter to Tamal Krsna, May 11, 1972)

 

Answer questions

 

Another thing is that so long I have been receiving different questions from the students, now I think all these questions should be answered by the Presidents locally. So you study all our books very nicely, and all the doubts and questions may be answered by you locally. (Letter to Gurudas, 2nd March 1970)

 

Fights from the front

 

You are setting a very good example in that you yourself are going with the traveling party. The Vedic concept of the commander is that he must be in front in the fight, not that he sits back behind the lines. (Srila Prabhupada letter to Jagadisa, 23rd July 1973)

 

ISKCON INC which was originally incorporated by Srila Prabhupada himself has been trying to reestablish Srila Prabhupada as the sole diksha Guru of ISKCON. Some of the Prabhupadanugas in Ukraine and Russia desired to establish Krishna conscious centers under the directions of Srila Prabhupada met together and formed an independent GBC of their own. Find below the list of the first group of GBC’s

 

 

GBC FOR RUSSIA (TOTAL 17 CENTERS)

 

H.G BHARADVAJA PRABHU

H.G ANTARIKSA PRABHU

H.G VANAMALI (VLADIMIR) PRABHU

H.G NIMAI NITAY PRABHU

 

TOTAL 4 GBC FOR RUSSIA

 

GBC FOR UKRAINE (TOTAL 13 CENTERS)

 

H.G BHARADVAJA PRABHU

H.G ANILA PRABHU

H.G NIMAI NITAY PRABHU

 

TOTAL 3 GBC FOR UKRAINE