09/12/1998 - 2207

Re: Jayapataka Swami's Vyasa-puja Offering

Editorial (VNN) - by Bhima das

In response to HH Jayapataka Swami's Vyasa-puja offering and variousarticles of correspondence which have appeared on VNN and IRG and Chakra,as of late . . .

Quote from Maharaja's offering:
 "On May 28th , 1977 you called me and the other GBC members to tell us you would be going back to Lord Sri Krishna and we should ask you any questions pertinent to the situation. One of the questions we asked you was how the future initiations would go on. You instructed that you would recommend some officiating spiritual masters who would initiate disciples into the disciplic succession in the future, but as a formality they would initiate on your behalf in your presence."

There's something screwy here, Maharaja. And I refer to ISKCON JournalVol.1, No.1, "Interview with HH Jayapataka Swami." In that interview, youadmitted that you personally were not present when the appointed GBCsub-committee went in to see Srila Prabhupada and asked him questionspertaining to initiations. What was reported to you and other GBC membersafterwards is to this day very much under suspicion, and while you are freeto believe whatever you choose to believe, you cannot claim that you havefirsthand knowledge of Srila Prabhupada's words at that time.

But as I know you, you are habituated to accepting hearsay when it suitsyour purposes.

I continue to be amazed at your shamelessness. You write what you call avyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada, while it has been recently pointedout that you have taken the stance that Srila Prabhupada was no more than ahired hand, an employee of ISKCON, and ISKCON was the real author of thebooks, which Srila Prabhupada produced merely as "works for hire." Youhave aligned yourself with persons who are determined to invalidate the BBTestablished by Srila Prabhupada. You have aligned yourself with persons whoare committed to changing Srila Prabhupada's books, replacing the words ofthe Acharya with their own superior renditions. As GBC and one of theoriginal 11 guru-acharyas and a BBT "trustee" in India, you can scarcelydeny knowledge of these issues and legal postures. Your silence on thesematters signifies your assent. What kind of disciple are you--who does notaccept that Srila Prabhupada was/is the master, the Acharya? Is this howyou worship the spiritual master? You trot out your story how several timesSrila Prabhupada said to you when you were a new sannyasi that you couldaccept disciples if not for reasons of etiquette. Next you reiterate thestandard GBC line in defence of your "appointment" as guru. Then youproceed to talk of your projects, your accomplishments, paying tribute toyourself largely.

How much longer will you keep up the pretence? Till the end of your daysand into the next life?

For all these so many years it has been apparent that there was no lovelost between yourself and Harikesh, that in fact there was a bitterrivalry, so forgive me that I find your recent avowals of love andaffection for your dear godbrother and your "spiritual nephews" incredible.On the other hand, your great friendship with Bhavananda was visible toeveryone. Even when he had been exposed and disgraced in front of theentire movement, you continued to prop him up, just as you have recentlypropped up Harikesh and tried in so many ways to accommodate him and hiscraziness. Why? Seven out of eleven have fallen, yet you stubbornly clingto policies which were designed to prop up yourself and your cohorts orassociates since 1977 but which have failed miserably somehow or other. Anerror in the basic arithmetic has led to gross miscalculation. Or asHansadutta puts it, "Take Prabhupada out of the equation, and what do youhave left?"

One wonders whether the recent loss of some of your following and territoryin India has anything to do with your campaign to win over the hearts ofHarikesh's devastated followers, just as you did with the followers ofothers who have fallen by the wayside. Does your response spring fromgenuine good will and noble heart? I admit I am jaded, having met andspoken with you and having witnessed your deceit with my own ears and eyesso many years ago and having observed your expansionist tactics over theyears.

And really, Maharaja, after all these years, couldn't you have come up witha better argument for Harikesh's followers to leave him than the tired andmuch worn-out account of Bali Maharaja? At least, the analogy doesn't seemto fit to the case of Harikesh, who has lately paraded himself asKartikeya, then Shiva, then Vishnu. Don't you suppose his followers mightfind further justification for their loyalty to him (Sri Vishnu) in yourargument?

You should get off your seat. You have embarrassed yourself and the entireGBC body by your inability to immediately assess the situation withHarikesh and followers and take firm action to stand up for SrilaPrabhupada and the principles of Krishna consciousness. Instead, we have tolisten to or read all kinds of drivel uttered by you while you conceal thetruth and mislead the devotees. In fact, GBC's response to this latestscenario once again proves that the members of ISKCON's highestecclesiastical body are totally irresponsible. None of you have anycredibility remaining. You have betrayed Srila Prabhupada. You havebetrayed ISKCON. All of you GBC men should resign and hand over yourresponsibilities to devotees who are able and willing to manage ISKCON inaccordance with the instructions and wishes of Srila Prabhupada and whowill not cheat ISKCON.

We heard that not long ago you offered to allow your disciples andunderlings to throw rotten tomatoes at you, if it would make them feelbetter. If not for customs regulations, I would be happy to send aconsignment of rotten potatoes. But you are always welcome to visit us inMalaysia. -- Bhima das