01/24/98 - 1532

Membership in the Gopi-Bhava Club

USA (VNN) - by Agrahya Das (see also VNN stories #1527, 1512)

HH Prahladananda Swami made some good points in his article recently posted to VNN where he related his perspective on recent events in Fiji. I have great respect for Prahladananda Swami as a senior Godbrother, a sannyasi, a sadhu, and as a thoughtful and philosophical person. I say this honestly and sincerely and will not contradict myself by attempting to equate him with prakrita-sahajiyas or perpetrators of other deviations from the line of our sampradaya. In particular I have always appreciated his dedication to systematic study of Srila Prabhupada's books.

But having said that, I would like to address what seem to me to be incorrect understandings presented in his article. We are advised not to shy away from controversial discussions as they are beneficial for sadhakas. So I would like to respectfully address what I see as misconceptions. It is not my intention to create trouble or assassinate the character of His Holiness.

1. Different points of view

Prahladananda Swami provides a different perspective on events in Fiji. This is not only normal but expected. The same Truth may be seen from many different perspectives, as in itthaM satAM brahma-sukhAnubhUtyA. Similarly Prahladananda Swami's perception of Srila B.V. Narayana Maharaja is totally different from mine. But I do not feel any need to defend Srila Narayana Maharaja. Sincere seekers of the truth will not take my words or anyone else's at face value in praising or condemning a sadhu. Those who wish to examine the quality of a sadhu may see for themselves and draw their own conclusions. We have the benefit of guru, sadhu and shastra. We should be able to find harmony with a special emphasis on shastra. Often secondhand opinions are offered for a reason. I have experienced that actions which I witnessed and participated in have been clearly and deliberately misrepresented. Thus I prefer to witness and evaluate for myself.

It is also true that some of the devotees who are greatly inspired by the instructions of Srila Narayana Maharaja take it on themselves to broadcast what they consider to be "the nectar" or the most essential. I have experienced myself that I may often hear something which inspires me deeply and resonates with what I have read in Srila Prabhupada's books, and what I know of shastra. But sometimes it may be some time spent in service and surrender before Krishna grants me the realization to reproduce this understanding and be able to properly pass it on to others. I have also experienced that some younger devotees very enthusiastically speak whatever they have heard, having full faith in the instructions received from the bonafide guru. I cannot say there is anything wrong in this, but sometimes the message is lost or diluted when it is repeated without the proper realization. guru-mukha-padma-vAkya, cittete koriya aikya: the words coming from the lotus mouth of Sri Guru should become one with your heart. Thus I feel that we must internalize and seek realization through service and surrender so that we can properly understand. Repeating by rote is not sufficient without realization.

Worse, if some young devotee speaks on a very elevated topic such as manjari-bhava without a proper appreciation of the level of realization of the audience, people may misunderstand. This type of misunderstanding may also play into the hands of those who wish to vilify the guru through the fault of the disciple. But ultimately, if we are sincere and take the shelter and instruction of those who are more advanced and competent to guide us, all faults will be resolved in due course.

2. Bodily concept vs. manjari-bhava

Prahladanda Swami claims that those who are in the bodily concept are being encouraged to think of themselves according to manjari-bhava. I am not sure what the basis for this claim is. My personal experience has been that Srila Narayana Maharaja always speaks appropriate to the level of realization of the audience.

I would like to point out that yena tena prakAreNa manaH kRSNe nivezayet: first, by one means or another, fix the mind [of the disciple] on Krishna. This is the business of an acarya. Simultaneously we encourage the aspiring devotee to enter into the culture of sense control. It is not that first we demand that someone give up all bad habits then they can associate with devotees and chant Hare Krishna. It is the other way around. By chanting Hare Krishna and hearing Krishna-katha in the association of pure devotees, one very quickly will develop faith, attraction and bhakti. satAM prasangAn mama vIrya-saMvido, bhavanti hRt-karNa-rasAyanAH kathAH. vIrya-saMvit means that topics of Hari-katha are full of the potency to impart knowledge to wake up the sleeping souls. vidyA-vadhU-jIvanam: Sri Krishna sankirtana is the life of transcendental knowledge, which follows like a wife (vadhU). vAsudeve bhagavati... by engagement in unmotivated bhakti-yoga, quickly knowledge and renunciation come about.

To eliminate the "hRd-rogam" or heart disease of lust, we must have the "vikriditam vraja-vadhubhir idam ca vishnoh" with "sraddhanvitaH" as per Bhag. 10.33.39. Srila Bhakti Pramod Puri Goswami explained in regard to this word "sraddhanvitaH" that this means hearing with faith from a qualified Vaishnava. Then the unwanted things will disappear from the heart. This verse is central to resolving any controversy over what is "appropriate" subject matter for hearing and chanting. The key element is whether or not the hearer is qualified to hear higher topics. This verse particularly points out that hearing higher topics is itself the medicine for curing the mundane conceptions and impurities. There is no question as to the qualification of Srila Narayana Maharaja to speak on such topics.

The discussion of "higher topics" has become a buzzword. Some equate the phrase "higher topics" with images of extremely graphic descriptions of very intimate pastimes which will arouse lust in the hearts of those who are not 100% pure. Those who criticize hearing "higher topics" are not hearing these descriptions at all or if they do hear, then they are not hearing properly without envy and with a proper faith. Thus they read in a mundane twist. This is discussed below in the section on prakrita-sahajiya.

What is being talked is not such types of descriptions, and is not producing this undesirable result. The problem is that sometimes immature devotees blab all sorts of things about indiscrimately, like telling anyone and everyone about "manjari-bhava." This may be a big part of the problem, as it leads easily to the incorrect conclusion that immature persons are hearing the most confidential and intimate pastimes without proper guidance. If there is a problem it is only that some people have not yet learned to preach based on realization, and others have not yet learned to judge based on results rather than perceptions.

Our process is not to artificially cultivate jnana and vairagya but to plant and cultivate the seed of bhakti. By development of pure bhakti all good qualities will develop and all anarthas will subside. yasyAsti bhaktir bhagavaty akincanAH sarvair guNais tatra samAsate surAH. Akincana means "not anything else." One should be sincere in surrendering to the process of bhakti, not holding any little thing back.

Again, I would encourage those who are curious not to take my word for it but to see for yourself what Srila Narayana Maharaja speaks about.

3. Gaudiya Math problem society consciousness or siddhanta?

Prahladananda Swami offers his opinion:

Srila Prabhupada writes in the Adi-lila about how the members of the Gaudiya Matha deviated from the disciplic succession and began emphasizing different aspects of Krsna consciousness different from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada.

Then he offers a quote from Srila Prabhupada as support:

The secret of success in advancement in spiritual life is the firm faith of the disciple in the orders of his spiritual master. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura wanted to print as many books as possible and distribute them all over the world. We have tried our best in this connection, and we are getting results beyond our expectations.

This quote doesn't support his opinion that the Gaudiya Math deviated philosophically in their understanding of siddhanta or scriptural conclusions. Why? Because such quotes don't exist. There was a deviation from following the orders of Srila Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakur - some scurried for control of assets rather than remaining focused on preaching, thinking that the temples and other assets were the heart of the mission. Still Srila Prabhupada credited his Godbrothers that "each of us is preaching according to our capacity." There is no mention at all of not having the right siddhanta. Srila Prabhupada never ever said that the Gaudiya Matha was off in terms of siddhanta or understanding, only not passionate for preaching. He responded in kind to those who were critical of him and his preaching mission.

Srila Prabhupada, as the realized self-effulgent acarya, gave us Krishna consciousness according to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Six Goswamis. By his divine inspiration so many people came to Krishna consciousness in such a short time. But he never took credit, always referring us to his reliance on the order of his Guru Maharaja.

We can look in the Lilamrita and find the roots of Srila Prabhupada's dissatisfaction with the society consciousness of the Gaudiya Math. In one letter Srila Prabhupada's Godbrother Tirtha Maharaja tells him that he has to work within the organization, otherwise his efforts will not be authorized. One brahmacari who was going to join Srila Prabhupada in New York was apparently dissuaded from doing so by Tirtha Maharaja. The brahmacari wrote almost in an insulting way to tell Srila Prabhupada that his efforts were not sanctioned by the institution and so could not have any good result. Srila Prabhupada did not heed this bad advice and discouragement but stuck with siddhanta and Bhaktisiddhanta-vani, and the rest is history.

Rather than looking at the history of the Gaudiya Math and seeing room to criticize the devotees serving within the various missions, we can see that somehow Krishna had a special plan for Srila Prabhupada. Rather than blaming we should appreciate.

There is much more history on the Gaudiya Math and Iskcon's connection with it in Vishnu Maharaja's book Our Affectionate Guardians, which can be found at http://www.gosai.com/chaitanya/srila_sridhara_mj/affection/oag_contents.html In particular the unabridged edition (available from the same site) goes into great detail on the history of the Gaudiya Math.

One particular section is very revealing in light of Srila Prabhupada's comments in the 1974 letter to Rupanuga that is often quoted in an attempt to discredit Srila Sridhara Maharaja: http://www.gosai.com/chaitanya/vishnu_mj/articles/affection_unabridged/oag_a_3.html

A new perspective on the history and events surrounding these statements is given here and inquisitive persons who would like to understand Srila Prabhupada's desires are recommended to read it.

Also documented in this book are Srila Prabhupada's statements in 1977 that his criticism of his Godbrothers was to make his disciples enthusiastic for preaching. It would seem that to take this to the extreme of criticizing senior members of missions outside Iskcon would not be pleasing to Srila Prabhupada in the least.

4. Mahavishnu and distributing confidential love

Prahladananda Swami quotes the section where Srila Prabhupada talks about namo mahA-vadAnyAya in a way that confirms this often-misunderstood quote about Maha-vishnu. It was Rupa Goswami's appreciation that only Krishna Himself with the complexion and sentiment of Srimati Radharani, in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, could give krishna-prema. Here Srila Prabhupada uses the phrase "confidential love." The yuga-dharma of nama-sankirtana is not the same as krishna-prema. Again, a case where we might have read this and missed it, but that appears to be what Srila Prabhupada is talking about. Reading the text it seems rather obvious.

It is understood that there is a yuga-avatara in Kali-yuga who is an incarnation of Maha-vishnu. He appears in this Kali-yuga as Advaita Acarya. Normally He propagates the yuga-dharma of nama-sankirtana. But when Krishna appears once in a day of Brahma, so also does He assume the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani to taste unnata-ujjvala- rasa (which only She can taste) and to distribute "confidential love."

I have given a presentation of the "Mahavishnu" talk given in 1994 on the occasion of Srila Prabhupada's sannyasa. Some persons have grossly misunderstood statements made in this talk as putting down Srila Prabhupada, his mission and his teachings, but nothing could be further from the truth. It can be viewed at http://hgsoft.com/~agrahya/mahavishnu.html

Many other Vaishnavas were also present and none of them misunderstood these statements in the way they have been misrepresented.

5. Vraja-mandala Parikrama Govinda-lilamrita

If Agrahya Das or even HH Prahladananda Swami were to speak to a large group from Govinda-lilamrita it wouldn't be appropriate. What is the effect on the devotees who hear these things from Srila Maharaja, particularly when they have been performing austerities on parikrama, sleeping on the ground and travelling barefoot to so many holy places? Have they become enlivened to hear and chant, giving up all other activities? I have experienced this firsthand when I visited Vrindavan last Karttika and stayed at Rupa-Sanatana Gaudiya Math.

Raganuga-bhakti sadhana has great effect but must be practiced under the close guidance of one who has realization in its practice. This is described by words such as anuzRNuyAt, one should hear from the authorized source, and zraddhAnvitaH, one should hear with great faith.

6. Gopi-bhava Club membership

I appreciate the fact that Prahladananda Swami gave a good chunk of the morning walk when Srila Prabhupada was in LA to break up the so-called Gopi-bhava Club. It's fairly easy to point out the calling cards for membership in the so-called Gopi-bhava Club of the prakrita-sahajiyas:

"You are after illicit sex and bidi and you want to be associated with the gopis."

Nowadays we often hear about the infamous Club as a sign of the danger of hearing about madhurya-rasa but rarely is mention made that one of the "gopis" got pregnant. Rather, the emphasis is that if we hear about madhurya-rasa we will become sahajiyas.

This is an unauthorized and incorrect conclusion. We must hear confidential topics from the proper source (anuzRNuyAt) and with full faith (zraddhAnvitaH) and soberly, not for entertainment (dhIraH). The devotees involved in this Club took up a raganuga-bhakti home study program without the guidance of a professor.

"Then let them read. What kind of krsna-katha? The krsna-katha test is as soon as he'll get the taste, he'll lose this taste."

What is Srila Prabhupada talking about here? "as soon as he'll get the taste, he'll lose this taste." "this taste" means mundane sexual attraction. These people proved that their hearing was not pure by their own illicit activities and lack of interest in preaching.

If someone is actually hearing these things properly, their desire to surrender will increase. This is the "Krishna-katha test" Srila Prabhupada speaks of. vairAgyaM jnanaM ca yad ahaitukam - very quickly knowledge and renunciation should come about. These things come from bhakti, and if no detachment develops we can understand there is some problem in execution of bhakti.

"They have no knowledge. Material. Prakrta-sahajiya. Their real name is prakrta. Their thoughts are on this material platform. Just as they are preferring this conjugal love because here the sex is prominent. They are thinking that is the highest stage."

Very important point here. The emphasis is on the material or mundane conception, thinking that rasa-lila is anything like mundane sex. Prakrta-sahajiya means one is mixing up the highest spiritual topics with the lowest mundane attraction to sense gratification. It is therefore considered most abominable.

"The, this rasa-lila is for the person who is completely purified. What...? When one is impure, he should not think of. That is stated in the Bhagavatam."

This is the single strongest statement that one could argue here for not hearing rasa-lila until one is completely free from sex desire like the four Kumaras. But we take this in context of other statements Srila Prabhupada makes and find harmony. Specifically, he presented Krishna Book before completing the preceding 9 cantos. Why? And why does this seem to be in contradiction with what Srila Prabhupada says here?

When we have apparently conflicting statements, we must seek an understanding by which they can be harmonized. In this case, there are so many statements that one becomes free from impurity and develops the topmost devotion by hearing these topics. But we understand also that one must hear from the proper source and in the proper frame of mind. Rasa-lila is not for entertainment. We should be dhIra, sober. And we should hear from the authorized source, one who has got some realization of these topics.

Let us judge by the results. phalena paricIyate. Those who hear from Srila Narayana Maharaja become enlivened. Even those who have put aside the beadbag for many years quickly become enlivened to chant regularly, study Srila Prabhupada's books, and associate with devotees. It is unfortunate that many such devotees also have to come face to face with pointed, sectarian and dishonest criticism of Srila Maharaja. Their reaction is naturally to reject such criticism and its proponents, especially when they find that the reality of his association is far far different from what it is portrayed to be.

Note also Hari Sauri's statement that someone had underlined "can become." This was not a matter of simply hearing the intimate topics from Caitanya-caritamrita but there was a conscious and deliberate effort toimitate the gopis without first following in their footsteps by surrendering everything. Srila Narayana Maharaja has heavily emphasized this in his preaching: follow, don't imitate.

But Srila Prabhupada not only presented the Tenth Canto to us in the form of Krishna Book - he didn't just do that and sideline it as a book "only for advanced devotees." He insisted that this revolutionary book be distributed in huge numbers, and that devotees hear from it regularly. "Krishna book is our medicine." tava kathAmRtaM tapta-jIvanam. An anecdote relating a concrete example from Iskcon history is available at http://hgsoft.com/~agrahya/mail/msg00000.html

Simply by carefully examining Srila Prabhupada's statements in context we can gain the proper understanding. We should not become gopi-haters in the name of avoiding deviation. If we hear from Srila Prabhupada's books in the association of pure devotees and try to realize these topics through cultivation of pure devotional service, our lives will become successful.

Conclusion

I have tried to present some brief responses to some of the issues raised herein. I do not claim to have perfect knowledge or realization but can only speak honestly according to my level of understanding.

If anyone is offended by what I have said here I beg that you please forgive me. Sometimes in speaking the truth it is necessary to say things that may be difficult for others to hear.

Several months ago I wrote a fairly long paper which responds to many general philosophical issues on Iskcon's official position on associating with Srila BV Narayana Maharaja. This paper can be viewed at http://hgsoft.com/~agrahya/papers/response-to-follow.html

Vaishnava dasanudas, Agrahya das

http://hgsoft.com/~agrahya/