01/13/98 - 1498

Suhotra Swami's Psychology

USA (VNN) - By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

When I first read Suhotra Swami's letter recently in the VNN, I thought it was kind enough and didn't need a response. After reading the 'VAST Reveals Strategy' article on VNN I had to rethink Suhotra's remarks.

Suhotra Swami says that it was possible that he did apologize to me for his articles in the ISKCON Journal. I appreciate that. Then he says he accepted letters from Tamal K.G. but didn't seek my side of the story. This has been the case all along. In the last 20 years only 2 GBC have offered to even talk to me about this the ritvic guru issue. Those were both recent. Bhakti Tirtha Swami was very interested, pleasant and understanding at our recent meeting in LA. He said he believed me by studying me carefully and he said twice that he thought that Srila Prabhupada sent me to him. He promised me 'major changes' in ISKCON within the next year. But what can one man do against the whole GBC? If all of the GBC's were as open and concerned as B.T.S. appeared to be, we wouldn't be having the problems we are having today!

Suhotra S. says he believes I'm suffering from FMS. (False Memory Syndrome) The fact of the matter is that what I am saying, that Srila Prabhupada ordered a ritvic initiation system for ISKCON for after his departure, is also documented on tape and in the July 9th 1977 letter to all GBC's and Temple Presidents. My memory is backed up by evidence, facts! How can you say it is false?! What is false is that Srila Prabhupada appointed gurus, as you say. Tamal K.G. said the interpretation of a ritvic appointment as a guru appointment has done the 'greatest dis-service' to our movement.(T.K.G. Dec.3,1980) I do however have a vivid memory of the time you dumped a full bucket of cold water on me to wake me up from my much needed nap. I jumped up shocked and banged my head on the shelve above me and collapsed hurt inside and out. Do you remember Suhotra Maharaja?! Or is this another case of FMS?

You say you would like to take me away from the media and talk to me privately about my 'differences' with ISKCON. That's a problem right there! Why private? My problem is the GBC refuses to discuss the guru issue in an open honest debate as recommended by the 1990 GBC meeting in San Diego. This is the root of all of ISKCON's problems. I love ISKCON! I want it to be successful! That's the only reason I'm still actively trying to communicate with you/us all. I will be glad to meet you in private if the chance arises, because I do have some fond memories of you when we traveled together on R.D.T.S.P. I have forgiven you for my 'bath'.

It wasn't only Tamal K.G. and I who heard Srila Prabhupada say these things. There was a committee of the GBC, headed by Satsvarupa Maharaja, who met with Srila Prabhupada on May 28th 1977 wherein Srila Prabhupada said that he wanted ritvic initiations after his departure. How many times do I have to repeat this before it sinks in?

As far as my friendly letters to Tamal K.G.; why not? He wrote to me kindly also such as, "visions of you fanning Srila Prabhupada are ever present in my mind." And "When I told Srila Prabhupada you had written the letter, he remembered you very fondly." (TKG letter 9-77 London) Srila Prabhupada had differences with some of his godbrothers but he still treated them respectfully. This example should be followed now by all of us to solve our problems and grow nicely into the new century. After the 1990 ritvic debate Tamal K.G. returned my letter unopened and requested that I no longer write to him.

So my final request to you Suhotra Swami, and all of the GBC's, is to study the 'factual history' and leave the psychology for when the truth comes to light. It might come in handy!