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EDITORIAL March 9, 2000 VNN5649 Comment on this story IRM And Adridharana: 'Foolish' BY SWAMI B.G. NARASINGHA  EDITORIAL, Mar 9 (VNN) — "It must surely be the many offensive remarks made against the Godbrothers of Srila Prabhupada and the many offenses against his own Godbrothers and possibly even offenses against Srila Prabhupada himself that has caused his great misfortune."Swami BG Narasingha responds to Adridharana and IRM Newsletter. I have recently been shown some critical remarks about the preaching of Sripad B.V. Tripurari Maharaja in which there were also offensive statements about Srila Sridhar Maharaja, the Affectionate Guardian of Devotion and the well wisher and intimate friend and associate of Srila Prabhupada.
The critical remarks were made by Adridharana Dasa, Temple President, ISKCON Calcutta in the Newsletter of the Iskcon Revival Movement (IRM), Issue 14. I will not waste your time or mine any more than necessary by addressing each and every criticism made by Adridharana Prabhu by going tit-for-tat because, as we all know, Adridharana Prabhu is presently consumed in a massive struggle and court case against his fellow ISKCON members over the ritvik issue. Therefore he hasn't had much time lately to read Srila Prabhupada's books or put into practice the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thus, his criticisms of Sripad Tripurari Maharaja and other fellow Godbrothers are in a word, 'foolish'. This should be self-evident to any intelligent and discerning Vaishnava. 1) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'Tripurari Swami, through his Sanga newsletter, systematically promotes teachings outside of, and different to, Srila Prabhupada's teachings.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: As per my experience with Sripad Tripurari Maharaja for the better part of thirty years, he is a man cent percent dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and the Gaudiya-siddhanta. Does Adridharana Prabhu wish to suggest that Srila Prabhupada had a different teaching and philosophy from that of the Gaudiya Matha and possibly even a different philosophy from that of Srila Prabhupada's own spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura? Apparently Adridharana Prabhu would like us to believe that although Srila Prabhupada was a world class Acharya that he nonetheless did not follow the siddhanta/philosophy of his guru. This is nonsense. Therefore, our conclusion is that by propagating the teachings of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharyas on Sanga, Sripad Tripurari Maharaja is indeed spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada - foremost of which is not to criticize or insult the Vaishnavas who have dedicated their lives for spreading the Holy Name of Krsna. According to Srila Prabhupada, one who makes such Vaishnava-aparadha certainly falls down from pure devotional service. How can the teachings of Srila Prabhupada be different from those of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura and at the same time be parampara? Possibly Adridharana Prabhu could enlighten us on this point? The critics of pure devotees of Krsna would do well to understand the effects or results of Vaishnava-aparadha, some of which are acquiring great wealth, property, buildings, and followers. The critics might then better understand how they have become fallen although they seemingly remain in 'Krsna consciousness.' Krsna consciousness, indeed, but they are devoid of affectionate dealings among the Vaishnavas. They are so fallen due to Vaishnava-aparadha that they are even unable to understand who is a Vaishnava. The offenders of Vaishnavas never develop even a drop of love for Krsna. 2) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'He (Tripurari Swami) gives Gaudiya Matha figures like Sridhar Maharaja (whom Srila Prabhupada labeled a 'serious offender' for breaking up the entire Gaudiya Matha) equal status with Srila Prabhupada.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: First, Adridharana Prabhu should be reminded that the differences between Srila Prabhupada and his Godbrothers were spiritual and not material. The instruction of Srila Prabhupada in such matters was as follows: 'So far as your question about controversy amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaja, that is a fact. But this controversy is not material. Just like in a national program, different political parties are sometimes in conflict and make propaganda against each other, but their central point is always service to the country. Similarly, amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati there may be some controversy, but the central point is to preach the mission of His Divine Grace. If the central point is fixed up then there is no harm in such controversy.' (letter to Mandali Bhadra 69.07.28) However, if and when Srila Prabhupada ever made a strong remark about one of his Godbrother (especially Srila Sridhar Maharaja) people like Adridharana Prabhu would have it etched in stone, never to be forgotten. But whenever Srila Prabhupada said anything good, favorable, or glorious about his Godbrothers (especially Srila Sridhar Maharaja) people like Adridharana Prabhu would have it erased for all time or they would simply have us believe that Srila Prabhupada did not mean what he said. Thus, they would have us believe that Srila Prabhupada was duplicitous in his dealings. This is not acceptable to any sane man because as we all know duplicity is not one of the twenty four qualities of a pure devotee. Is it so difficult for Adridharana Prabhu to understand that Godbrothers (even Srila Prabhupada and his Godbrothers) sometimes quarrel or disagree? Why is it that one hard-line statement by Srila Prabhupada about Srila Sridhar Maharaja is taken by Adridharana Prabhu to over shadow the intimate loving relationship that Srila Prabhupada and Srila Sridhar Maharaja shared for a lifetime? Actually, we do not find that Srila Prabhupada labeled Srila Sridhar Maharaja as anything other than a pure devotee of Krsna. What I do find quite strange in the mental make up of persons like Adridharana Prabhu is that they are hell bent on establishing 'The Final Order' about guru in ISKCON. But they have conveniently forgotten that Srila Prabhupada's instruction in his final days was that all fighting between ISKCON and Gaudiya Matha should stop. Srila Prabhupada clearly stated, 'The war is over.' Srila Prabhupada later stated that if his disciples had any questions regarding philosophy that they should go to hear from Srila Prabhupada's Godbrother, Srila BR Sridhar Maharaja. By faulting Sripad Tripurari Maharaja for hearing from Srila Sridhar Maharaja, Adridharana Prabhu is indirectly faulting Srila Prabhupada. How unfortunate. Srila Prabhupada commented many times that Srila Sridhar Maharaja was a pure devotee; that Srila Sridhar Maharaja was indeed the siksa-guru of our Srila Prabhupada, and that Srila Prabhupada desired to bring all his disciples to hear from Srila Sridhar Maharaja. But then we must remember that according to Adridharana Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada never really meant any of those statements as true! How unfortunate. Actually to deal with the level of the mentality of Adridharana Prabhu and his friends is more difficult than 'stooping over to pick up a bean in the mud with one's nose.' 3) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'Tripurari Swami, through his Sanga newsletter, systematically promotes teachings outside of, and different to, Srila Prabhupada's teachings. He gives Gaudiya Matha figures like Sridhar Maharaja (whom Srila Prabhupada labeled a 'serious offender' for breaking up the entire Gaudiya Matha) equal status with Srila Prabhupada.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: According to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada found in chapter one of the Caitanya-caritamrta one should have only one diksa-guru but one may have many siksa-gurus. Here (above) Adridharana Prabhu suggests that Sripad Tripurari Maharaja is at fault for accepting Srila Sridhar Maharaja as his siksa-guru. He further suggests that Tripurari Maharaja is an offender for viewing his diksa and siksa-gurus with an equal vision or an 'equal status.' According to the purport of Srila Prabhupada on page 46 of volume one of the Caitanya-caritamrta, 'Our only shelter is the Supreme Lord, and one who teaches how to approach Krsna is the functioning form of the Personality of Godhead. There is no difference between the functioning form of the Personality of Godhead and the initiating and instructing spiritual masters. If one foolishly discriminates between them, he commits an offense in the discharge of devotional service.' The purport from which the above quote is taken gives a clear and certain instruction that both the diksa and siksa gurus are equal representatives of the Supreme Lord - thus one should not view them as different, but one should see them as equal manifestations of Godhead. Therefore Sripad Tripurari Maharaja is not at fault. Rather it becomes clear that Adridharana Prabhu does not consult his spiritual master's 'law books' before he speaks. I say this pointedly because rather than studying the spiritual law books of his guru, Adridharana Prabhu and his friends are more given to study the state law books so they can win a victory over their GBC Godbrothers in the India Court System. We should remind Adridharana Prabhu that it was because of fighting with one another in the courts that certain members of the Gaudiya Matha became 'asara' or 'useless.' What more can I say? If the shoe fits, wear it. 4) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'Tripurari Swami is so off he thinks he was ordered by Srila Prabhupada to write another commentary on the Bhagavad Gita according to the present time, place and circumstance.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: At this point Adridharana Prabhu will be hard pressed to prove that Saraswati Thakura ever told Srila Prabhupada to write books. The instruction of Saraswati Thakura was, 'If you ever get money print books.' Preach, preach, preach, and preach some more, that was the order of Saraswati Thakura. And preaching means writing books. That's right, 'write books' and even Bhagavad-gita commentaries. But has Adridharana Prabhu taken the effort to correspond with Sripad Tripurari Maharaja about the contents of his Gita commentary or possibly read it and see what its all about? No he has not. In most cases the critics of Sripad Tripurari Maharaja like to 'shoot from the hip' without researching their target very well. Thus, in most cases, the critics like Adridharana Prabhu simply shoot themselves in the foot. It was the order of Srila Prabhupada for his disciples to distribute books (of which Sripad Tripurari Maharaja is, according to Srila Prabhupada, the 'incarnation of book distribution'). Furthermore, it was also the instruction of Srila Prabhupada for his disciples to eventually write books also, of which Sripad Tripurari Maharaja is presently foremost. 5) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'He (Tripurari Swami) is very proud of his own writing too.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: Has Adridharana Prabhu also forgotten that Srila Prabhupada used to read his own books and Srila Prabhupada also recommended his own books to be distributed all over the world. Did Adridharana forget that Srila Prabhupada preferred his books distributed rather that the books of his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. Possibly Adridharana Prabhu would like to tell us why? If he can, that is, without offending any other Vaishnava. Should not the disciple have some transcendental pride that due to the grace of his spiritual master he is able to write transcendental literature? Has Adridharana Prabhu ever tried writing anything other than essays criticizing the preaching and efforts of his Godbrothers? 6) Adridharana Prabhu, IRM, #14, 'Apart from his own books, he (Tripurari Swami) prefers other previous acarya's writings to Srila Prabhupada's.' Response by Swami BG Narasingha: Not only is Sripad Tripurari Maharaja the 'incarnation of book distribution,' he is also, I might add, an incarnation of 'reading Srila Prabhupada's books.' However, Sripad Tripurari Maharaja prefers reading the books of Jiva Goswami at this time. But has Adridharana Prabhu forgotten that in Srila Prabhupada's books there are direct instructions for his disciples to read and study the Sat Sandharbas and other works of the Goswamis. This is a direct order in Srila Prabhupada's books, if, indeed Srila Prabhupada's disciples want to make any advancement in Krsna consciousness. Has Adridharana Prabhu ever followed the instructions in Srila Prabhupada's books? Or is he simply too busy 'reading Srila Prabhupada's books' to actually follow what's in them? If you, the readers, want me to continue to comment on the remaining criticisms made by Adridharana Prabhu in his recent Newsletter then I will certainly do so on your order. But as I mentioned in the beginning of this letter, the criticisms made by Adridharana Prabhu are indeed foolish and this is self-evident to any intelligent and discerning Vaishnava. Apart from 'foolish' I also find the criticisms made by Adridharana Prabhu to be heart breaking because his cruel words against Sripad Tripurari Maharaja (one of the leading preachers and all time great disciples of Srila Prabhupada) reflect how little Krsna consciousness Adridharana Prabhu has actually cultivated over the past three decades. I am utterly amazed that someone could have such a limited understanding of Krsna consciousness and be able to make so many cutting remarks about a Godbrother as Adridharana Prabhu has done in just one issue of his Newsletter. Only Vaishnava-aparadha could cause one to manifest such a poor quality of consciousness. I can only think that it must surely be due to the many offensive remarks made by Adridharana Prabhu against the Godbrothers of Srila Prabhupada and the offenses against his own Godbrothers and possibly even offenses against Srila Prabhupada himself that has caused his great misfortune. Your servant, Swami BG Narasingha Questions or comments may be sent to sadhusanga@swami.org. [Reprinted with permission from Sanga 3/8/00 http://swami.org] About the Author  Other Stories by this AuthorComment on this story Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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