© 1999 VNN
|
EDITORIAL June 13, 1999 VNN4094 Comment on this story ISKCON's Guru Problems BY RAGHUNANDAN DAS GORAVANI EDITORIAL, Jun 13 (VNN) — On the subject of which there has been so much discussion, that of the Guruship issues after the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada: It is proposed by some that all new initiates be the disciples of Srila Prabhupada, and this be continued for some indefinite length of time, like for say ten thousand years. Yet others believe that new Gurus should initiate the newcomers, so long as these Gurus remain faithful to Srila Prabhupada's instructions. The first group, those who propose that Srila Prabhupada be thus the final Guru in ISKCON's line do so because of the Greatness of Srila Prabhupada. This greatness comes to Him of course because of His widespread success in spreading Krishna Consciousness. However, there were Great Acarayas in our line, the ISKCON line, which did not preach at all, and who had few to no followers. Yet, they were and are considered Pure Vaisnavas. That which Srila Prabhupada attempted to spread He called Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He always said He was giving Standard Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He claimed He was following His Guru transparently, or that is what He taught us to do, and thereby implied He Himself was doing. I think everyone agrees with this. Srila Bhaktisidhanta accepted as Pure Vaisnavas, many great Vaisnavas in the past who did not preach at all. This is standard in our Gaudiya Vaisnava Line, and it is our standard understanding. In these past times, these other great past Vaisnavas sometimes preached, and sometimes did not preach, even though there are many souls to be saved all around them, souls who need their association badly, yet they chose to not lead that kind of life, and we continue to respect them as worshipable pure Vaisnavas. They are so numerous in fact, I need not supply names as examples. They sometimes had disciples too- a few perhaps. We would not today say that they should come away from those Gurus, and follow one who preaches, would we? No, we would certainly not say that. We would have to honor the fact that their Guru is not that way, and simultaneously honor that their Guru is able to deliver them to Krishna's lotus feet. Such Vaisnavas, the quiet type, cannot stand all the bruhaha that goes on in organizations, and that is why they don't start any. It's just a choice based on their personal abilities and inclinations. The purity as a Vaisnava is an entirely separate issue. To this end my own Gurudev, Srila Sridhar Maharaj, the Godbrother of Srila Prabhupada, was not envious of Prabhupada. For He, Sridhar Maharaja, was offered a chance to go to the West by his own Guru and temple organization when He was younger, and turned it down. Srila Prabhupada offered him ease of contact with his own growing ISKCON, and Sridhar Maharaja turned it down. When Westerners did finally get to Him after the departure of Srila Prabhupada, he entered Rahu Maha Dasha astrologically, which indicates the presence of foreignors entering one's life. So it was only after the departure of Srila Prabhupada, that Sridhar Maharaja felt that He could help those who were somehow feeling left out of ISKCON. In any case, He was never envious of Srila Prabhupada. We can see from the Dasha that dealing with foreignors is a discomfort for Him, as discomfort is also asscociated with Rahu. If one looks at the charts of these two great Vaisnavas, one sees that one is fiery, and the other quite Sattvic and peacefully mooded by nature. This simple difference is not indicative of purity in one and lack in the other. It is however indicative of the two very different lives they would feel comfortable leading. To judge Vaisnavas by their external natures is taught to us by Srila Prabhupada to be wrong and inappropriate. Therefore we should also not judge His purity by His external actions, which were that of the leader of the First Worldwide Vaisnava Preaching Mission. That which he attempted to bring us to is Vaisnavism. Vaisnavism is a big thing, that existed fully before Srila Prabhupada was born. He was bringing us to something large, pre-established, and He basically claimed transparent representation by implication. So we are fine in also examining the lifestyles and inclinations of previous Acaryas if we are actually hearing Srila Prabhupada. Sure, I know, some of the activities of great Vaisnavas can be confusing to beginners. I honor that. However, in discussing the Guru Problems ISKCON faces, I think we have to put on the gloves and get real. There are different natures astrologically. The Mars nature is martial, agressive, active, immediate, responsive, managerially straight and involved. The Sun type run such organizations of Mars type persons. Sun is like Government heads, and Mars is like military and administrative gonernment persons. Venus is the enjoyer types, the restaurant owners, musicians, mercantile types, vaisyas. Mercury is thinker, teacher, writer, persons involved in any type of communication or knowledge. Jupiter is higher teacher, Brahmin, Guru. Ketu is renunciate along with Saturn. These two are Sannyasi makers. And so on it goes... These are the makings of the externals of all of us, as taught in the Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra. Parashara is the father of Vyas. Parashara's words in his scripture on astrology, which is the basis of Vedic Astrology, are not to be discarded or ignored by us here. We can gain some insight from them as I have by studying them carefully, and serving them by running one of the leading Jyotish software companies on Earth at this time. So I can tell you some simple axioms that might help unravel this dilemna. Srila Prabhupada had Moon in Taurus. Nobody contests this, including Himself, as the Horoscope used by Him in His life had this attribute, and will forever. It's not in dispute. Moon in Taurus is the "exalted Moon". It's the sign the Moon gains the most strength in. Astrologers all know what this does. Many of the top models of the world, nay, many of the most beautiful and enjoyment oriented people in the world have Moon in Taurus. It gives one an attachment for things such as luxury, finery, music, the arts, colors, food, etc. And in these areas one will have high tastes, or those kinds of tastes which are more refined, more equisitte, more high class, more expensive. So when Srila Prabhupada teaches cooking, it's going to be "with ghee" in every respect. However, this is preferrence, not religion. Other Vaisnavas may teach a different method of running the food aspect of life, and that will have to "be right" for their disciples, who will be following that in order to learn from THAT GURU. So the kitchen method, the kirtan method, the bedroom decor, all these things are not Vaisnavism, but rather, personal preferrence. When to stop chanting japa is also personal preferrence, as some of our past Acaryas chose to chant day and night, but Srila Prabhupada chose to do other activities for Krishna, including saving us. The other type of Guru, is also a Pure Vaisnava. So, you cannot say that Srila Prabhupada is THE GURU FOREVER simply because of the excellence in our minds of His Great Life. That would be in a way, not a very good stand to take when we happen to meet the other great Vaisnavas. If we are full of the impression that Preaching Activities alone equals Pure Vaisnavism, then we are fooling ourselves and actually creating offenses to other Great Vaisnavas. Rather I see that it is pretty clear that Srila Prabhupada endorsed, as always, the normal Vaisnava way, which is that the lineage carries on, on it's own. It cannot be made. I think out of "no other choice" he had to name a few as examples of who could carry on with initiating, of course we know now that most of them were'nt capable of carrying the burden of being a Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru. That is actually related to their external conditionings as well, and their Karma, so again, it is not really an issue to look at or care about. Real Gurus are self effulgent. If an ISKCON Guru, or any Vaisnava Guru, preach to someone, and that person is a genuine candidate, and the Guru is genuine, then their personal bond will be so strong no amount of legislation could make it or break it. That is a Vaisnava link. It is permanent and strong. And I assume that is the kind of real Vaisnavism ISKCON seeks to kinder in itself and others. If such real Gurus are of the dominant type astrologically as Srila Prabhupada was, then there will be no stopping their rise in fame and success. Lions armed as Pure Vaisnavas are unstoppable in all respects, don't you agree? On the other hand, if the Pure Vaisnava is of the quiet type, they will be known only to a few, probably it will remain that way, unless their disciples spread their fame, the cat gets out of the bag, and then against their will they become famous. In such cases, they still act as their original selves always. Remember Gaura Kishore and Vamsi Das Babajis? This was their case. They didn't change after fame was theirs. They didn't become any nicer, or try to real in more followers. They were as distant, reticent and detached, even from preaching, as ever. So if such Pure Vaisnavas arise in a movement like ISKCON, while it has already endorsed "Only Srila Prabhupada is Guru", then certainly "only Srila Prabhupada's way of Vaisnavism will be accepted" because, the instructions and change and dynamic adjustments stopped the moment he departed. We would then have an ISKCON with a frozen head- non dynamic any longer, if there can be no change. I guess there will only be Sunday Feasts forever. No changes. Only Jaya Radha Madhava before class...this is absurd. Indeed, back to the real devotion part, if a real Pure Vaisnava arises, He or She WILL for SURE attract souls around them, and the strong bond formed, stronger than rules from others outside the Divine Relationship they then have. So, they will leave. It's that simple. ISKCON will breed splinter groups like Rabbits, as it has been doing. ISKCON was only one as long as Srila Prabhupada was here. After His departure, if you try to keep it one, you are simply kidding yourselves. The best times for ISKCON after Prabhupada's departure were the very early days after His departure. This is simply because His memory was clear, and the new Gurus had not yet the audacity to openly display their selfishness so clearly. Still acting as Godbrothers to their Godbrothers somewhat, they forcefully carried on as before. But Venus and Jupiter are enemies. Jupiter is called "Guru" in Sanskrit and Venus is called "Shukra", or the "Guru of the demons". Shukracarya is in fact the Guru of many of the Asuras in Bhagavatam. You see, there is direct link between the writings of Vyas, and those of His father Parashara Muni, whom I'm quoting in all my astrological sayings. So Guru and Shukra (literally "semen") are enemies. This is because Shukra encourages selfishness and Guru encourages at least Karma Yoga, but more than that too. So Guru, or Jupiter, encourages Veda-Surrendered activites like Penance, Sacrifice, Charity, etc., while Venus or Shukra encourages pleasure and self serving things. But they are both "Brahmins" in Vedic Astrology. They are both Gurus. But one is Guru of the Devatas, and the other Guru of the Demons. In us, this is how they operate as well. Imagine if you are supporting your child in their late teens, and they want money from you for their support. Then you give it. Then you see on the side they are spending on so much partying or things you don't approve of. So you feel you have some say in the matter since you are supporting them. This is of course a given with babies. You automatically fully control their lives, in order to save them from their own disasters (literally dis-asters or "bad stars"). In the Vedic Astrological Scripture by Parashara Muni this protective and instructing possition of parenting is taught to be a signification of Jupiter, or Guru. We all know in Vedic Astrology (ask any Vedic Astrologer) that Guru or Jupiter rules over children, teaching, Guru, God, discipleship, etc. That is it's portfolio. That whole area of life. So, my point is this: We know in astrology that a hot Venus is the gateway to things like sex and drugs. We know that a strong Jupiter makes one a preacher or religious and protects one. We can tell by looking at charts who is going to suffer from what temptations, and how likely it is that they will fall prey to them. Let me tell you something, Srila Prabhupada's chart is like none other. It is for sure one of the most impressive charts in any collection, including collections like mine- where I have about 30,000 charts of all the famous and great people from all fields of life going back through recorded time. Astrologically speaking, Srila Prabhupada was one of the greatest persons ever born. Even if you don't believe in Him, if you're a Jyotishi, you'd have to agree. However, the charts of the great and pure Vaisnavas we worship in song and Puja daily often did not have such charts, for it's simply not possible for such to be common astrologically- as the moments that created Srila Prabhupadas BIRTH chart don't come so often in the Sky (we are told Sri Caitanya waited to be born for the right minute- and oh yes, His chart is also one of the most spectacular to be seen. So much so that Bhaktivinode Thakur put the complete details in His book, which Srila Bhaktisidhanta copied as did Srila Prabhupada into the Caitanya Caritamrta. Krsna Das Kaviraja even devotes a verse or two to glorifying THE CHART of SRI CAITANYA. So doing such is not an uncommon thing for Vaisnavas to do. So, ISKCON's troubles began when Jupiter faded, and Venus took over. Cars, Money, Fancy Food, Fany Decor, Hansadutta, Ramesvara, Bhagavan, they all went down. Money, Woman, Fame. It's all very difficult to withstand unless you're for real in your renunciation of it. But Gurus can be householders. So why the struggle and strain? Fame. Honor. That's why. In any case, if real and Pure Vaisnavas grow within a frozen ISKCON, then they will have to leave, as Srila Prabhupada and Sridhar Maharaja both left and made their own ways, thank God. So do you want in the future that we write "Thank God our Gurus left ISKCON". If that's what you want, then freeze it over with this very novel and new idea of one past Guru being the Guru forever. Certainly if that were the case then Srila Prabhupada would have done it Himself on behalf of His Guru, would he not? (No need to answer, I'm just making a point.) Rather I think you have to embrace that you must allow the standard old real Gaudiya Vaisnavism to exist as it is, in it's natural form, which is quite natural. That is, real devotees simply live their lives, and they simply cause other devotees to happen. Their lives may be as preachers, or householders, or renunciates in the woods. That's personal choice and karma, believe me. ISKCON if it wants to remain a big institution should learn how to be one in diversity. That means, allow Gurus to have their children and their places. All must be separated. Unity in diversity. That is the normal Vaisnava way of having a unified institution. Sri Caitanya's followers from all over had some cooperative spirit, though they were under this and that different Gurus. They lived separately, yet at times came together for a common goal. In free countries, people pay taxes, for the commonly shared expenses, otherwise, they run their own cities and states. Like that. Let zones be zones of ownership and management of properties. Let discipleship and devotion to a Guru be related to the heart, not zone. However, disciples should be so real as to go to their Gurus. Having mixed temples can be too straining. Godbrothers can get along- don't make it communistic where everyone is one. It's just not true. If someone wants to stay somewhere and be intiated by someone "way over their", then that doesn't mean they are now "one" with the local ISKCON temple because they've "joined ISKCON". That's over folks. There's more than one Guru now. Move ISKCON into being an umbrella and face your humanity! Let the franchise rules include codes which if seriously broken, remove the Franchise. These will happen, what of it? If your Franchise has any value, their will be struggle to remain qualified. If it indeed has none, then it's going down, no matter what. If there are any really shiny bright Pure Vaisnavas in ISKCON, then the various natural processes I've mentioned are already underway. I tried to stay in ISKCON. I tried real hard. I left Sridhar Maharaja twice to go back to ISKCON. It couldn't keep me because when the heart knows better, the brain can't win. I still love Srila Prabhupada and respect Him deeply. I hope you can tell that. But I know way better now than to believe anybody who says "Srila Prabhupada is the Acarya for the next xxxx years" or anything like that. Such persons I think are overwhelmed by respect for Grandiosity, and their conception of Vaisnavism is getting twisted by that. Their words are flat out wrong in my Vaisnava life. And watch me go...I'm doing great, in my service, and happy. There's no stopping me. What can be done about that? What does it prove? I love Krishna. I teach Krishna. I even inspire many devotees. What does that mean? I found my Vaisnava Guru after the demise of Srila Prabhupada, and nobody could stop me ultimately. I was quite well know then, and I got preached to STRONGLY by all of the following: BS Damodar Maharaj, Bhakti Caru Maharaja, Surabhi Swami, Prabhupada Kripa Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, and more...the list is quite long. I went through political hell to be honest. But none of them, not then, when I was only 23, and not now when I'm nearly 40, can convince me that Sridhar Maharaja wasn't real. And there's a bunch of folks like me. And we're real. We have souls. We are jivas. We are now more firmly if not completely engaged in Krishna Consciousness of the same type as you, because of the life, the person, the Guru, who lived AFTER Prabhupada's departure, named Sridhar Maharaja. And because Krishna loves us. It can happen again. Another Great Guru can appear, sent by Krishna. If anyone can prove to me that KRISHNA has signed onto the plan of "no more Gurus". Then I'll buy into it. Otherwise, count me out. And furthermore, I'm planning on being Guru, before I die, which is like 30 years or so, not 10,000. In fact, I'm already Guru. I already preach up a storm in the astrological arena. I make people buy Bhagavatams (Prabhupada's, of course). I make people vegetarians, and I send them to ISKCON temples regularly. The list of temples worldwide is always on my distribution software CD. I have Krishna all over my website. Well I'm not going to be in a movement which says I don't exist. I do exist. I am Guru. I am 40 years old. My Guru is gone. I feel the need to preach. I am Guru. And my chart says so too. So what are you going to do with me? I guess I'm not wanted. I have to deny Sridhar Maharaja lived, and deny that I love Him, and deny that I'm Guru. I want people I'm instructing to listen to me, not quote Srila Prabhupada to me. Isn't that why He asked His disciples to read HIS books and not HIS OWN GURUS books. Isn't it because it messes up the chain of devotion? Hello! It has to carry on folks. Just become Guru. Then you'll please Srila Prabhupada. And if you can't do it, get out of the way of those who are trying, or at least out of the way of the ones that seem to have half a chance. You see, you care about your institution, because your Guru asked you to. I did to. I stayed for that. But Venus took over. What is that? Luxury, opulence. Because Prabhupada had a Taurus taste and budget, and could carry it, He could handle the food, the devotion, the cars, the money, the woman. It's not easy to do. So you're worried about your institution- the properties, the stability, etc. You want something stable. You'll get it, if you do this "no more Gurus" thing. You'll get so stable there won't be any of that trouble causing Son of Nanda around either. It'll be solid as a rock in the material world, because that's what temples are, rocks in the material world. People are what matter. Vaisnavism existed before your ideas about Guru. If you limit the free movement, your movement isn't moving any longer. Go ahead. I'm already out of it. But if you really care about your VAISNAVA movement, I suggest you not do anything that would remove Pure Vaisnavas from it for good. It's already incredibly frozen by the inability of most of Prabhupadas disciples to be their own persons. Their ways of mimicking rather than understanding the essence are crippling enough on the dynamism of the movement and solely responsible for it's obvious gradual shrinkage and loss of Vaisnava Performance. But this act would be the final blow I say. Believe me or not, that's my prediction. I already see that it is pretty much down to dividing properties. There's another big child abuse case brewing too I've heard. So I think it's time to cut Krishna loose and let Him help, otherwise, there's little hope. This idea is bogus, from start to finish. That's all. Sorry folks. I think you better rethink what Vaisnavism is, before you do this. It may otherwise be the thing history remembers as the final blow to the existence of any ISKCON. Reminder, the real Church of Christ's followers Vanished shortly. Only the Unapproved Gentile Church carried on. Being in the business of being "the approved ones" is really risky given history as a consideration anyway. Just some thoughts from a very inside outsider. Peace Raghunandan das aka Das Goravani mailto:das@goravani.com http://www.goravani.com Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
NEWS DESK | EDITORIALS | TOP |
