07/23/98 - 1931 (see also VNN story# 1911)

Without Discrimination

USA (VNN) - by Satya Sankalpa dasa

Recently, Bhagavat Dharma prabhu wrote a reply to H.H. Paramadvaiti Swami in which he more or less dismissed the dozens of valid points which Maharaja made in his article, as well as in his previous article, and, as is typical in today's "who-can-selectively-quote- Folio-out-of-context-better-than-the-next-guy" mindset, he offered a rebuttal by submitting this quote from Srila Prabhupada:

Srila Prabhupada wrote, ". . . all printing of ISKCON literature must be by the BBT or under their sanction and approval."

Followed by these terse comments:

Now you write, "You have to go beyond his letter. You have to go to the essence."

Forgive me, but I have a hard time believing that the "essence" of what Srila Prabhupada wanted is the opposite of what Srila Prabhupada said.

Bhagavat Dharma prabhu misses the point. Srila Prabhupada said many many things in relation to the BBT and Book Distribution. H.H. Paramadvaiti Swami should know better than most what Srila Prabhupada desired, as he served as a BBT manager from 1974 through 1984, often sending newly published books directly to Srila Prabhupada for his approval and feedback. And, as Maharaja pointed out, the BBT was not centrally incorporated back in those days. There are many things to consider here, and if we are of the mindset of simply producing one or two useful soundbytes from Folio to further our own sectarian purposes, then have we actually understood the essence of Srila Prabhupada's wishes? Personally, I don't think so.

It is also interesting to note that in the above-mentioned quote, Srila Prabhupada says or under their sanction and approval." Thus, even if certain devotees wish to hold fast to this one particular instruction, ignoring all else, even here Srila Prabhupada has given consent for the BBT to give sanction and approval so that others may publish and distribute his books profusely.

At this point, I would like to offer some relevant quotes from Srila Prabhupada regarding the distribution of his books which I believe should be taken into account before anyone slams the door shut in the faces of liberal, good-hearted souls like Paramadvaiti Maharaja, who simply wish to see Srila Prabhupada's books distributed in even greater quantities than they presently are.

There are two important krsna-kathas current in the world--- Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam....Lord Caitanya advised all His disciples to preach krsna-katha all over the world without discrimination because the transcendental value of krsna-katha can purify one and all from material consciousness.

(Bhag. 3.5.10 purp.)

Another similar quote:

Not considering who asked for it and who did not, nor who was fit and who was unfit to receive it, Caitanya Mahaprabhu distributed the fruit of devotional service.

This is the sum and substance of Lord Chaitanya's sankirtana movement.There is no distinction made between those who are fit and those who are not fit to hear or take part in the sankirtana movement. It should therefore be preached without discrimination. The only purpose of the preachers of the sankirtana movement must be to go on preaching without restriction. That is the way in which Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inaugurated this sankirtana movement to the world.

(CC Adi 9.29 text and purport)

These are very clearcut instructions from both Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that we should distribute Krsna Consciousness to one and all without discrimination, and without restriction. No "oath of allegiance" should be demanded, required, or even considered when it comes to distributing Srila Prabhupada's books. Could you imagine a scenario in which a book distributor at an airport is about to close a sale on a book, and at the very last second he whips out a legal document, an "Oath of Allegience to Iskcon", and asks the customer to sign it? That would be preposterous. And yet we see that presently there are certain parties who wish to discriminate against so-called "outsiders" and thus restrict the wholesale distribution of books to those who may be presently "outside the fold" or situated in a different "camp". Is this the actual "essence" of Srila Prabhupada's instructions regarding the BBT? Again, I don't think so.

Another quote:

\i{In distributing love of Godhead, Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates did not consider who was a fit candidate and who was not, nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They made no conditions. Wherever they got the opportunity the members of the Panca-tattva distributed love of Godhead.

....here is an authoritative statement that in distributing love of Godhead one should not consider whether the recipients are Europeans, Americans, Hindus, Muslims, etc. The Krsna consciousness movement should be spread wherever possible...Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu desired that His name be spread in each and every town and village on the surface of the globe.

(CC Adi 7.23 text and purport)}

And another:

"Now please hear from me about the process of devotional service, which is applicable in any country, for any person, at all times and in all circumstances."

The cult of bhagavat-dharma can be spread in all circumstances, among all people and in all countries....Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms that devotional service to the Lord---the cult of bhagavata-dharma, which is now being spread as the Hare Krsna movement---can be spread in every country, for every person, in any condition of life, and in all circumstances.

(CC Madhya 25.120 purport)

And yet another quote:

....vedanta-vadis, or the bhakti-vedantas, are impartial in distributing the transcendental knowledge of devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend, no one is educated or uneducated. No one is especially favorable, and no one is unfavorable. (Bhag 1.5.24,purp.)

We have witnessed that some devotees are of the mentality that we should in fact practice discrimination in who we distribute these transcendental books to. They will argue that some devotees will "misuse them", or that they are "asuras". But such arguments hold no water if we are to take the words of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu seriously:

With great respect, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested Advaita Acarya, "Give Krsna consciousness, devotion to Krsna, even to the lowest of men (candalas)."

This is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's order to all His devotees. Krsna-bhakti, devotion to Krsna, is open to everyone, even low-class men like candalas. One should follow this order in the disciplic succession stemming from Sri Advaita and Nityananda Prabhu and distribute Krsna consciousness without discrimination throughout the world.....Everyone in every town and village should be enlightened by the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Krsna consciousness should be distributed to everyone indiscriminately. In this way, the entire world will be peaceful and happy, and everyone will glorify Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as He desires.

The word candala actually refers to a dog-eater, who is considered the lowest of men. Even candalas can be enlightened in Krsna consciousness due to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's benedictions. \b{Krsna-bhakti is not the monopoly of a certain caste.} Everyone is eligible to receive this great benediction given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Everyone should be given a chance to receive it and be happy.

(CC Madhya 15.41 text and purport)

Srila Prabhupada's vision was far-reaching. Although hundreds of thousands of books (maybe millions) were distributed while he was physically manifest, very few persons actually became devotees and took up the process. Does that mean that it was all a failure? No. We were often told that we were "planting the seeds". This Movement will endure for 10,000 years. Those fortunate souls who were purchasing books and reading perhaps only a paragraph or two had just begun their spiritual lives. They had acquired some sukriti. This sukriti would certainly ensure their gradual evolvement into full-fledged bhaktas in some future lifetime. In the same way, there may be some devotees today who have misunderstood Srila Prabhupada's books. But does that mean that they should not be allowed to purchase and distribute them wholesale? Or that they cannot publish them on their Websites for all to read? Of course not. Let them read and reread Srila Prabhupada's books over and over again! The potency to purify is there in the books. And let them become purified by distributing these sacred books! But we should not expect immediate results, for that would simply be the mode of passion. Let those whom we may consider to be "misguided" or even "demoniac" read Srila Prabhupada's books, distribute them to others and let them continue to acquire precious sukriti. Let us have faith that they will become purified as Lord Krishna so desires.

If anyone doubts the purifying potency of Srila Prabhupada's books, then I offer these two quotes from Srila Prabhupada:

Out of His causeless mrecy and compassion, Krsna has compiled various Vedic literatures in His incarnation as Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva is a saktyavesa-avatara of Lord Krsna. He has very kindly presented these literatures to awaken the conditioned soul to his senses. Unfortunately, at the present moment the conditioned souls are guided by demons who do not care to read the Vedic literatures. Although there is an immense treasure-house of knowledge, people are engaged in reading useless literature that will give them no information on how to get out of the clutches of maya...

(CC Madhya 20.122-123 purp)

and this:

Following in the footsteps of Srila Sukadeva Gossvami, we have tried to present this book Krsna for being read and heard by the conditioned souls of this age. By hearing the pastimes of Lord Krsna, on is sure and certain to get salvation and be transferred back home, back to Godhead. It is recommended by Sukadeva Gosvami that as we hear the transcendental pastimes and activities of the Lord, we gradually cut the knots of material contamination. Therefore, regardless of what one is, if one wants the association of Lord Krsna in the transcendental kingdom of God for eternity in blissful existence, one must hear about the pastimes of Lord Krsna and chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

(Krsna, ch 21)

Bhagavat Dharma prabhu concludes his letter by saying:

But finally you write, "But last and not least the books must get out there to the conditioned souls. That is the key issue." We agree.

If Bhagavat Dharma prabhu truly agrees, then my polite suggestion is that he kindly do the needful and do whatever it takes to help facilitate the indiscriminate distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books to one and all, irregardless of institutional affiliation. Or, as Srila Prabhupada said: "in every country, for every person, in any condition of life, and in all circumstances."

We should toss out all of this petty political nonsense and try to have just a little more faith in the purifying potency of Srila Prabhupada's books.

Your humble servant, Satya Sankalpa dasa