© 1999 VNN
|
EDITORIAL December 16, 1999 VNN5087 Related VNN Stories Deconstructing Ritvik-vada BY KUNDALI DASA EDITORIAL, Dec 16 (VNN) — This is the simplest exercise if one is a clear thinker. But if one is not, one gets caught up in the ritvik (rit-twit) word jugglery and other foolish antics that they employ to try and squeeze their mental wranglings into the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, whereby they eke out meaning from the word "henceforth" that puts Srila Prabhupada at odds with the parampara conclusions of our great acarya, Srila Rupa Gosvami. Many are beguiled by the rit-twit rhetoric. In actuality, it is very simple to refute. There is nothing to deconstruct really, because they really have not constructed anything. It's more like a pile of garbage that needs to be shoveled out of the way. One does not even need to refer to their writings or cite a single passage of their tortured so-called logic. It is widely known that we glorify Srila Bhaktisiddhanta because he would not tolerate any conclusions that were not in line with the teachings of Srila Rupa Gosvami. We even have a pranam mantra to him specifically in recognition of this quality of our parama gurudeva. And his disciple, Srila Prabhupada, is also a rupanuga Vaisnava, so he too would not tolerate or introduce any conclusion that departs from the path chalked out by Srila Rupa Gosvami. It is utter fantasy to think that Prabhupada entertained any notion that was not in line with the strict line laid down by Srila Rupa Gosvami. Simple. So, all the rit-twits have to do to make their views stick is stop citing Prabhupada quotes in a one-sided way, stop their twisted logic long enough to show me where ritvik guru is part of Srila Rupa Gosvami's teachings and the debate is over. So simple. On the other hand, if they cannot do this then they should be considerate to all of us and stop polluting the ether with their prajalpa and perhaps inadvertent hypocrisy. Admittedly it is unique prajalpa, because it is peppered liberally with the words of Srila Prabhupada, but this does not elevate it out of the prajalpa category, also known as "useless idle talk." As a matter of fact, to use Prabhupada's words for making prajalpa only makes the rit-twit rhetoric that more odious. It is akin to milk touched by the lips of a serpent÷it will cause a poisonous effect. And indeed it has poisoned so many. And all in the name of service to the true intent of Srila Prabhupada. Amazing. Talk about clueless, jeeze already. Now the real challenge is this: Having stuck their necks way, way out in favor of apasiddhanta, can the rit-twit wallahs now retract their over-committed necks? Can they admit defeat? Or will they react to clear logic that is in line with Srila Rupa Gosvami's teachings with even more irrationality and vitriol, which they have gained a reputation for. Rit-twits love to imagine that whenever one disagrees with their futile attempts at philosophy that one is automatically in favor of the GBC notion of guru by appointment, or non-appointment, according to some of their spokespersons. Actually, the GBC has also departed from the line chalked out by Srila Rupa Gosvami, but that is a topic for another posting. Hare Krishna. Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
NEWS DESK | EDITORIALS | TOP |
