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EDITORIAL March 24, 1999 VNN3403 See Related VNN Stories Krishna Kant - Master Of Evasion BY JAHNU DAS EDITORIAL, Mar 24 (VNN) — Krishna Kant Desai writes: "Dear Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Could you still produce these quotes, of which you now admit there are not 'many dozens', but which you still say there are 'many' of. Please reproduce these 'many' quotes that SPECIFICALLY state what you have claimed i.e that Srila Prabhupada's disciples should become diksa gurus when Srila Prabhupada departs. Also the paper 'Disciple of My Disciple' that you mention has already been extensively replied to by us, and the GBC have been unable to respond. Its seems they are 'running out of steam'. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. Your Servant, Krishnakant" It is foolish beyond measure to impose the condition on Srila Prabhupada that he has to state 48 times that he wanted his disciples to become gurus. Where did Krishna Kant get that idea? Isn't it enough that Srila Prabhupada, as shown below consistently and explicitly expressed his desire for his disciples to succeed him as guru: "Anyone following the order of Lord Caitanya under the guidance of His bona fide representative can become a spiritual master and I wish that in my absence all my disciples become the bona fide spiritual master to spread Krsna Consciousness throughout the whole world." (SPL to Madhusudana, 2nd November, 1967) "Every one of us should become spiritual master because the world is in blazing fire... Spiritual master is not a new invention. It is simply following the orders of the spiritual master. So all my students present here who are feeling so much obliged... I am also obliged to them because they are helping me in this missionary work.At the same time, I shall request them all to become spiritual master. Every one of you should be spiritual master next. And what is their duty? Whatever you are hearing from me, whatever you are learning from me, you have to distribute the same in toto without any addition or alteration. Then all of you become spiritual master. That is the science of becoming spiritual master." (Vyasa-puja address, Hamburg, 5th September, 1969) "Every student is expected to become acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples. I have given you sannyasa with the great hope that in my absence you will preach the cult throughout the world and thus become recognised by Krsna as the most sincere servant of the Lord." (Srila Prabhupada's letter to Tusta Krsna Swami, 2nd December, 1975) "Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession." (Srila Prabhupada's letter to Tusta Krsna Swami, 2nd December, 1975) "...You each become guru," he said. "As I have five thousand disciples or ten thousand, so you have ten thousand each. In this way, create branches and branches of the Caitanya tree. But you have to be spiritually strong. This means chanting your rounds and following the four rules. It is not an artificial show. It is not a material thing. Chant and follow the four rules and pray to Krsna in helplessness." (Lilamrta VI, page 167) "Just adhere yourself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then you become spiritual master. That's all. So I hope that all of you men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master and follow this principle. Spiritual master, simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krsna becomes your favorite. Krsna does not become your favorite; you become Krsna's favorite. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah. 'One who is doing the humble service of preaching work, Krsna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me.' So if you want to become recognized by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, your life is perfect. Thank you very much." (Vyasa-Puja Adress, London, 22nd August, 1973) "So it is not very difficult. One may not think that, 'I am not qualified to become guru.' No! You are qualified! If you follow strictly the parampara system, then you are qualified. That's all. Amara ajnaya guru. And what is the difficulty? Caitanya Mahaprabhu says don't feel any difficulty. Because as spiritual master what you have to do? Yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa. Whomever you meet you simply speak to him the instruction which Krsna gives." (Vyasa-Puja Address, London, 22nd August, 1973) "I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975 all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the number of generations. That is my program." (SPL to Hansadutta, 3rd December, 1968) "By 1975, all of those who have passed all of the above examinations will be specifically empowered to initiate and increase the number of the Krsna Conscious population." (SPL to Kirtanananda, 12th January, 1968) "Regarding your question about the disciplic succession coming down from Arjuna, it is just like I have got my disciples, so in the future these many disciples may have many branches of disciplic succession. So in one line of disciples we may not see another name coming from a different line. But this does not mean that person whose name does not appear was not in the disciplic succession." (SPL to Kirtanananda, 25th January, 1969) "...I am very much hopeful that my disciples who are now participating today, even if I die, my movement will not stop. I am very much hopeful, yes. All these nice boys and girls who have taken so seriously... You will have to become spiritual master... you... all my disciples..." (Vyasa-Puja address, London, 22nd August, 1973) Pretty clear eh, Mr. Desai? See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9903/ET24-3403.html
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