11/04/1998 - 2453

Better Late Than Never

Editorial (VNN) - By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Response to: "The ISKCON Guru Crisis" by Mayesvara Dasa

Dear Mayesvara Prabhu and Devotees,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Jagat Guru SrilaPrabhupada!

I want to thank you for your involvement in trying to help resolve the guruissue for the sake of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON. I find your thoughtsencouraging and your ideas are very reasonable. I hope the GBC members agree!I hope you can be a bridge between both sides so any future 'holy war' can beavoided.

You ended your paper with Bhagavad Gita As It Is verse number 1-30. I openedmy Unedited Gita to see the verse and found a change. Your's says: ..."I seeonly misfortune." The original Gita says: "I foresee only evil". Arjunaexplained this was because "He was forgetting his self." Arjuna continues toexplain to Krishna why he didn't want to fight all of the way to the closingverse of the chapter.

"Sanjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside hisbow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief."(B-G 46)

This seems to be the state ISKCON is in today. And your going to the Alachuameeting to 'hear both sides' and try to provide a happy medium fit in withArjuna's situation as summed up in Srila Prabhupada's purport:

"While observing the situation of his enemy, Arjuna stood up on the chariot,but he was so afflicted with lamentation that he sat down again, setting asidehis bow and arrows. Such a kind and softhearted person, in the devotionalservice of the Lord, is fit to receive self-knowledge."

So those who are 'kind and soft-hearted' are fit to receive self-knowledge. Wemust look beyond our egos and work from our hearts. Then the correct path willbe clear.

Krishna tells Arjuna at this point; "The Supreme Person [Bhagavan] said: Mydear Arjuna, how have these impurities come upon you? They are not at allbefitting a man who knows the progressive values of life. they do not lead tohigher planets, but to infamy." (B-G 2-2)

Arjuna replied, "Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composurebecause of weakness. In this condition I am asking you to tell me clearly whatis best for me. Now I am your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto you.Please instruct me. (B-G 2-7)

"Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna, chastiser of enemies, told Krsna, 'Govinda, I shall not fight,' and fell silent." (B-G 2-9)

This is pretty much where the GBC at with the initiation issue now. They aresilent and continue to refuse to engage in traditional Vaisnava debate.

Lord Krishna then began to instruct the eternal teachings of the Bhagavad Gitato Arjuna.
 "The Blessed Lord said: While speaking learned words, you are mourning forwhat is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament for the living nor thedead.Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; norin the future shall any of us cease to be." (B-G 2-11-12)

Reform in ISKCON is like the upcoming battle of Kurukshetra. It is destined tohappen for the glorification of Lord Krishna's un-vanquishable pure devotee,Srila Prabhupada. I just hope this is resolved peacefully at the philosophicallevel with Srila Prabhupada's instructions as the ammunition. Then bogus ideaswill be blasted away by the Bhaktivedanta 'time-bombs', the pricelessknowledge of the Absolute Truth.

In a message <> writes: [Gauridasa Pandita Dasa] writes:

<< I have heard from the key figures on both sides of the issue. As a discipleof Srila Prabhupada I too am worried about the state of affairs. If everyonecontinues to be obstinate and refuses to consider the legitimate issues of theopposing camp, then it seems inevitable that ISKCON will be recklesslybifurcated with all the consequences of an expensive, ugly and painfuldivorce.>>

GPD: [ISKCON has already been 'bifurcated' for a long time over this andhundreds of devotees have been 'divorced' and kicked out of the 'house wherethe whole world can live' already. The Prabhupada-anuga side, for the mostpart, has been open and continue to try to communicate and cooperate with theGBC on these matters. They continue to 'stonewall' the matter, probablybecause most of the GBC's are current ISKCON initiators. The GBC memberscontinue to hold on to their crumbling sahajiya guru system; despite all ofthe failings. This is not in the best interests of ISKCON. It can only beresolved by sincere and honest communications and cooperation.]

 <>

[Yes so much can be improved. It's better late than never!]

 << The important point I want to make in this cover letter is that the threatof Ritvik anarchy could be put to rest if the GBC would set up some recognizedsystem where people could join ISKCON as a declared follower of SrilaPrabhupada. Call it whatever you like but just do it! >>

[We should call it what Srila Prabhupada called it. We should study and doonly what he said to do.]

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[I was at the LA temple yesterday and one devotee told me that the 'ritvik's'want to destroy ISKCON. Maybe 'as we know it today', because it's not the sameISKCON!No devotee I know wants to 'destroy ISKCON'.! Afterall, ISKCON is SrilaPrabhupada!We want to destroy the darkness which is covering ISKCON. The darkness canonly be lifted by using the torchlight of knowledge of Srila Prabhupada.]

<>

[This should get some attention! Again we are already in this state. The GBCremain inactive except to send the most anti-ritvik devotees to deal with thematter. They are trying everything but the logical thing to do. Opendiscussion. It's good that the devotees are meeting all over the world moreand more to resolve this as soon as possible. It will be nice to get on withthe real preaching in a cooperative state for a change!]

  <>

[ The division we have today in ISKCON is not because of 'debate' but quitethe contrary, because the lack of debate ISKCON leaders continues to try towithhold Srila Prabhupada and kind of put up a dam to block mercy of SrilaPrabhupada. But the dam is about to burst! Srila Prabhupada can't be stoppedor imitated! His true place in history will be appreciated more and more intime. Yes, let us preserve whatever we can of the original unadulteratedISKCON.]

  <>

[Those on the GBC who advocate this "Exterminate" idea should be "Replaced"!]

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[The ritvik initiator is a humble priest. This is the sure and safe routebecause it was ordered by Srila Prabhupada. Trying to find a 'common ground'is great but we must all agree to accept Srila Prabhupada's instructions asthe final authority.]

 <>

[Reform is needed from the top down to rebuild the love trust and respectthis great movement once had.]

  "Arjuna said: My dear Krsna, seeing my friends and relatives present beforeme in such a fighting spirit, I feel the limbs of my body quivering and mymouth drying up .My whole body is trembling, my hair is standing on end, mybow Gandiva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning. I am now unableto stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. Isee only causes of misfortune, O Krsna, killer of the Kesi demon." Bg. 1-28-30

  >>I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
 Mayesvara dasa
 Ojai, California >>

[ Again thank you for your involvement Prabhu! This is a good sign! Best wishes for a successful mission!!!]
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa