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EDITORIAL September 8, 1999 VNN4683 Comment on this story The True Essence Of Vaishnavism Is Being Lost BY SRAVANANANDA DAS EDITORIAL, Sep 8 (VNN) — Dear Prabhus, please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. I read VNN often and at times I find very enlivening stories and other times stories which are very depressing. (I have the choice to read what I want.) I hope no more stories are printed that will blaspheme Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers or any aspiring Vaishnavas. I was initiated in 1972 in Brooklyn, NY by the representative of Srila Prabhupada at the time, Brahmanada Swami. I don't think I had ever personally associated with Srila Prabhupada before that, but through his books and his disciples my relationship has been cemented eternally with him. Whatever happens to the personal life of the individual who was his representative at the time and initiated me on his behalf, has not affected my relationship with Srila Prabhupada. I was later personally initiated by Srila Prabhupada in Gayatri initiation in Mayapur in India. For over 10 years I did whatever Srila Prabhupada asked of me in India to serve his mission. I was temple president and head of eastern India BBT and lead many sankirtan parties into W Bengal and Northeastern India. I served in Calcutta for many years at the BBT. I could write a book in what I have observed that has gone on in the name of Vaishnavism that has been truly reprehensible. I also was told to leave India for a short period to collect in Japan for Vrindaban construction. I met many of the Shankacharya Leaders and other top Hindu leaders including many of Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers. I had been personally instructed to attend a Mayapur festival at Sridhar Maharaj's Math by Srila Prabhupada. Which I must say was very ecstatic. I have spent time with Krishna Das Babaji, Puri Maharaj (whom I would pick up to give lectures at the Hyderabad temple under Srila Prabhupada's instructions.) and Anand Maharaj, the personal cook of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj (Srila Prabhupada.) Prabhupada would constantly think of the welfare of his disciples and therefore ask his godbrothers to oversee us in India and look out for us. We developed a keen discrimination to know what to assimilate and what to ignore. Some topics were obviously too beyond our level of comprehension (due to our western minds lacking any culture and our inabilities to understand certain finer issues.) We developed a maturity to still be exposed to many different approaches to Vaishnavism and many different areas of Hinduism without being confused or fanatical. We were always taught to be polite and respectful to all while in India or it would reflect so badly on the organization and our beloved Spiritual Master. One very important issue was never, never to disrespect Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers, his sister or any other person regardless of their perception of religiosity. If we didn't agree we could walk away but we should never offend them. Living in India was the greatest experience in my life any my greatest opportunity to personally observe the true Vedic culture that we talk about and read about so often. The culture of India is still very strong and without personally experiencing it I don't feel one can truly grasp the essence of Vaishnavism. The two go hand in hand. One of the most important aspects of Vaishnavism is the relationships between Vaishnavas. Without it all book knowledge to me is useless. It is the thing that pleases Krishna the most. It is the one thing that judges a Vaishnavas level of advancement. It is the one thing that can destroy ones creeper if done incorrectly. And it is one of the main reasons why Srila Prabhupada at times kept us away from his godbrothers, so we would not commit offenses or hear something worded a little differently and then become confused. But to now publicly blaspheme Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers, criticize them, expel my godbrothers, and slander all new and aspiring disciples who may be sick and fed up of a system that has become corrupt, mismanaged, oppressive and has taken Srila Prabhupada out of the center of the organization is not only wrong but is extremely displeasing to him and is the downfall of the present-day ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada set a precedent that he only expelled individuals who criticized his Spiritual Master. The present individuals who are aspiring to correct the problems in ISKCON are heroic to attempt a feat that has been attempted by many individuals, who only left frustrated. DO NOT EXPEL THEM!! THEY ONLY WISH IS TO MAKE IT BETTER AND YOU ARE PERCEIVING THEIR ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE YOUR POSITIONS WHICH YOU FEEL YOU ARE UNDER THE DIRECT INSTRUCTION OF HIS DIVINE GRACE TO PERFORM. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AND IT IS YOUR DUTY TO DEFEAT THEM PHILOSOPHICALLY OR REACH SOME COMPROMISE. I personally know Adridharan and Madhu Pandit and have worked with them for many years. They are some of the most sincere, hard working and extremely intelligent devotees I have ever met. They have sacrificed so much to help and spread this movement. I can not fathom how their abilities have been rejected by the GBC and their attempts to exile them from the movement. They represent the voices of thousands. And the numbers keep growing. And eventually if the leaders don't remove their egos and sit down and discuss how to come to a compromise there will be the largest split ever known in the history of the movement and Srila Prabhupada will be displeased that so many of his dedicated older followers had not listened with a humble heart to the cries of so many and decided to fragment all that he worked for. On the other hand he will be pleased that a new phase of his preaching movement had been started by some very sincere individuals. Their motive is only for the Glorification of His Divine Grace and how can this be something to expel. Srila Prabhupada worked with all kinds to build this movement and tolerated at times even if they were rebellious to him. And you know who I'm talking about. He saw their talents and utilized them in the service of Krishna. That was the Mercy and compassion of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. And it was and is by that Mercy that anyone has gotten to know about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Krishna in the western world.!!! It seems to be that some have their eyes wide shut. I know the next phase of any materialistic campaign is to slander the individuals who try to overthrow any unfavorable regime. This is what is occurring presently. It is like thousands of other attempts in history which always meet with the ouster of the leaders of the unfavorable regime. Let the present leaders sit and talk with the reform leaders before it is too late, lest the goals for which His Divine Grace worked so hard for be delayed much longer. I only see the positive energy of certain individuals working to reinvigorate ISKCON and not a destructive energy as some may claim. I have sat on the sidelines for some time to hope and pray that the Iskcon that I first joined will reemerge and not have Initiating Godbrothers come to stop an ecstatic kirtan in glorification of Srila Prabhupada when their own Vyasa Puja ceremony in Srila Prabhupada's temple is being delayed. (This actually occurred in Detroit in the 80's with a Zonal Acharya) He has left the movement along with many of his followers. When I tried to bring it up to other authorities I was told to forget it. I end, praying for the success of Krishna's plan that is unfolding before our very eyes. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Jai Sri Krishna. I don't wish to offend anyone by this article. Your Servant, Sravanananda Das Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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