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EDITORIAL January 30, 2000 VNN5365 Related VNN Stories Unanswered Letters Leads Us To Doubt Ritviks BY NISCALA DD EDITORIAL, Jan 30 (VNN) — At least 4 months ago, I sent a letter to the IRG, which represents the ritviks. At least at that stage, I was very much inclined to the ritvik point of view, which I let them know, but was having serious problems with their book called "GBC Heresy", which to my mind was full of misused quotes and misinterpretations of the words of Srila Prabhupada. This I found out
I was shaken my favorite theory seemed to be proven wrong and asked them to please explain. I got no reply, and have since sent the same letter several times, still no reply. Who is cheating, I may ask, Kundali who responds to my doubts with logic and sastra, or the ritviks who either couldn't be bothered or can't because they're cheating? Who fits the description of cheater and who of teacher??? OK, I'll give you guys one more chance. Here's the letter you so conveniently ignored... Dear ISKCON reformists, PAMHO, AGTSP. I have read both sides of the ritvik debate. Just about all your literature plus a bit from the GBC. I have also read Kundali's books on reform. I'd like to ask some questions that came to mind while reading your booklet "the GBC HERESY": Quote1: "Just like I am working so my guru maharaja is there...to serve the master's word is more important than to serve physically." This cannot be taken as evidence for the ritvik version as SP is not talking about initiation- only serving the spiritual masters order (vani). For SP's initiation, Bhaktisiddhanta was present.(vapuh). Same with these quotes: Quote 2:"Who will succeed you when you die?" SP: "I will never die...I will live forever in my books and you will utilize" What is Srila Prabhupada talking about here? Is he talking about his physical presence (vapuh), or instructions (vani). It is apparent it is his vani that is being referred to (in my books). This will always be present and so will Srila Prabhupada in that form, also be present. He is also present in his murti, but most of all, according to our philosophy, he is present in the hearts of his disciples who sincerely endeavour to carry on his mission. Now who is sincerely doing so may be open for debate, but this principle remains the same. Isn't that our philosophy? In talking about "bogus gurus", Srila Prabhupada compares them to counterfeit money.One should not become disappointed seeing so much counterfeit and assume real money is impossible. Quote 3: "Sometimes a spiritual master is not properly authorized to initiate, and only on his own initiative becomes spiritual master" But Srila Prabhupada did give authorization: "I want all of my disciples to become spiritual master" "Whoever follows can lead" Whether that means as siksa or diksa guru is simply dependent on qualification and function. "...gets carried away by accumulation of wealth and followers" These are anarthas, pitfalls on the pure path of bhakti. How to avoid such pitfalls, and identify by study of symptoms, persons infected by such things is the subject matter of Our Mission. Quote 4: "A spiritual master in the disciplic succession...does not deviate at all from the instructions..." How is this to be taken? That it is impossible for a guru to fall down, as you have suggested? Then why did Narahari and Bhaktivinode write about it? "...does not deviate at all from the instructions" Srila Prabhupada described that his only qualification was that he tried to deliver the words of his spirtual master unchanged. Like a postman. Only qualification. In the light of the possibility of a guru falling down, as described in the books of the afore-mentioned acaryas, then this is the only way "does not deviate at all from the instruction" can be taken. It is also our philosophy that falldown is not disqualification. One just has to continue with his Hari-nama chanting to be again situated on the transcendental platform. Provided one is sincere and humble this will work. You can argue back and forth, analyzing words like "henceforward" and so on but I think it is striking far from the root of the problem. If a person is sincerely pushing on Srila Prabhupada's movement, delivering one from doubt and illusion, opening the eyes to distinguish as to what is spirit and what is matter, what is Krsna consciousness and how to progress along the path, what are the anarthas, what is covered materialism or subtle deviation from the philosophy or standard, is honest in his dealings (is not a pretender in vaisnava dress), and committed to purifying the consciousness of others, is representing the spirit and teachings of his spiritual master, is analyzing what is misrepresenting of such, and embodies his mood and example, after thorough study of such, and through sincere prayer and endeavour, and despite all difficulties, then what is the harm of such a person initiating those who are approaching him for diksa, having felt themselves benefited deeply by learning all the above from him? If Kundali were to fall down, his disciples would still have this immeasurable benefit. If he never fell down, but had not taught them these things, then where is the benefit? If you answer these questions to my satisfaction, I am quite willing to accept your version, as it is what I have for quite some time been attracted to. I have even considered myself as basically a ritvik-adherent. Recently though, on more thorough analysis, it seems that it simply does not get to the heart of the problem. It does not offer enough convincing evidence to justify disqualifying those who do have qualifications, as described above and it does not offer a positive alternative. So long as the GBC continues to condemn such people for pointing out their faults, they cannot be genuine leaders, as Lord Rama showed us genuine leadership by WANTING to hear criticism and even going in disguise to hear it...So long as they continue to censure Kundali's books, which point out logical, sastric, well-researched solutions, they cannot be accepted as sincere in their attempts to lead Srila Prabhupada's movement out of its current predicament, as Lord Rama ACTED on the advice of the fault-finder, to set an ideal example. What to speak of being transcendentally situated, they are actually hypocritical (this is apparently the majority of the GBC's, thankfully not all) I think any reform movement has to address this issue. Why are they censuring him and his books and thus allowing hypocrisy to fester? Even if you get these pretenders to initiate "on behalf of Srila Prabhupada" instead of on their own behalf, how is it going to change their hearts and make them honest people? I am convinced you are hitting on the wrong spot. However, I invite you to convince me otherwise. If this is all illusion I am in, I invite you to clear it, and for that I will be very grateful. Yours in the pursuit of truth, Niscala dasi. So, four frustrating months later and still in the further pursuit of truth, I open up this invitation to all who may like to have a go of clearing it, and I will be very grateful for your trouble- Niscala. Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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