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EDITORIAL January 20, 1999 VNN2887 See Related VNN Stories The Rittvik Conference BY MAHALAKSMI DASI EDITORIAL, Jan 20 (VNN) — Hare Krsna, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, please accept my humble obeisances. I also humbly beg forgiveness to anyone I may have offended over the years, knowingly or unknowingly, in my proud state of ignorance, searching for a true understanding of this great philosophy which Srila Prabhupada has given us. Against all odds, my husband Ramachandra and I made it down to Los Angeles this last Saturday. I had completely given up the idea of going, as we weren't sure our vehicle would make it, the drive was exhausting, I had just finished getting over tonsillitis and taking penicillin; we had a flat tire, etc. etc. But a phone call from a friend down in Three Rivers who needed a ride into L. A. got us moving. I am glad I went. Because after a few days reflection on everything I heard, I have been completely able to see through what the entire presentation is about. It's about power, it's about trying to put control into a different set of hands. I was convinced of this primarily by the fact that the "Final Order" is not Srila Prabhupada's words directly, but rather a rewriting by Tamal Krsna Maharaj, (one might question if his presentation even of the word 'rittvik' was properly conveyed, as I have heard other explanations which give a different understanding, and suggest that it was not used in the actual discussion which Srila Prabhupada had with Tamal Krsna Maharaj). Secondly,a few very, very subtle slips of the tongue, emitted by the organizers of the conference, gave a careful listener insight as to what they were thinking. One was, (words to this effect) " We had better put Srila Prabhupada in as the diksa guru, or we'll lose more men to the Gaudiya Math". My question is, "How can you talk of losing something which is not yours to lose?" If a soul is inspired, attracted, uplifted by the exalted Vaisnavas of the Gaudiya Math, does anyone have the right to suggest that they should be rather stuck in an institution which prohibits free speech and the right to analyze intelligently, and furthermore, continually heaps aparadha upon aparadha on it's members hearts by subjecting them to blasphemy of other Vaisnavas? So, the solution offered by the rittviks is to try to offer something which appears to be pure, but actually, the motive is not pure. Nor is it supported by sastra. The motive is to keep control over the energy, the lives, the surrender of persons who are seeking spiritual enlightenment. (Oh, not to speak of the money involved.) I have gone through the motions of trying to accept this rittvik, philosophy, but as continual reading of my spiritual masters books cleanses my heart, I cannot find any need or scriptural support for it. Those who find a bona fide spiritual master amongst the assembly of Vaisnavas can feel Srila Prabhupada's presence, unmistakably. I feel that if those who are presenting it would search their hearts, they would give it up. They would listen to Tarun Krsna prabhu, who came from Alachua Florida, to attend the meeting, and who very courageously tried to offer words of wisdom from the Srimad Bhagavatam. He told how Vidura had approached Uddhava for spiritual guidance, and was sent by Uddhava, (whom we all know to be deeply immersed in love of God) to hear from Maitreya. Maitreya was senior to Uddhava, and Uddhava felt it inappropriate, in the presence of a senior vaisnava, to give spiritual instruction. Tarun Krsna's attempts were met coldly, "We are not here to discuss that, we are here to discuss how Srila Prabhupada should be the diksa guru of ISKCON." Srila Prabhupada's instructions to his disciples in his last days was to go to Srila Narayana Maharaj for guidance... why aren't the propounders of the rittvik philosophy doing this? Perhaps this order could have been understand to be "The Final Order", and I believe it's benefits would be much more conducive to a harmonious, loving mission, The International society for Krsna Consciousness. They are searching for the best, the highest, the purest; although the present gurus within ISKCON may not seem to match these adjectives in the minds of some, still as long as they are strictly following the process, Srila Prabhupada is pleased, and Lord Krsna is pleased. And each and every one of us has the potential, through proper guidance (commonly called 'siksa') to become empowered for Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada. Whether or not we find our particular diksa guru to offer what we need, diksa and siksa are said by Srila Prabhupada to be nondifferent. One who studies the books given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will understand this clearly. Respectfully submitted, Mahalaksmi Dasi See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9901/ET20-2887.html
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