07/31/98 - 1945

Rathayatra Festival Appeal

USA (VNN) - by Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Jagat-Guru Srila Prabhupada!!! All Glories to The Rathayatra festivals which liberates countless souls and unites the Devotees

I would like to make a humble request to all of the Devotees who will be attending the Rathayatra festivals around the world.

In the interest of trying to please Srila Prabhupada and The Supreme Lord I'm asking you all to not engage in any political protests at the Rathayatra Parade Sites. Petitions etc. can be signed later in the day if necessary.

Last year we had unfortunate incidents at the LA and Seattle Rathayatra's.

In LA a protest sign was popped up at the last minute just as the parade began. This caused a lot of agitation. I was very disappointed and feel Srila Prabhupada would not of approved of this or any other types of protests at the Rathayatra Festivals. This idea was only the idea of the two devotees involved.

I'm not saying anything against free speech just that there is a time and place for everything. Set up a little station somewhere after the parade and let people come to you. Invite them to another meeting at another time. Your goals will be accomplished sooner if you use more 'devotee friendly' methods.

In Seattle, Vijaya Dasa, a 'disciple' of Hrdayananda Swami, went around taking 'Final Order' papers from people and tearing them up in public. My heart was torn by this! These are Srila Prabhupada's quotes! These are literatures in pursuance of the Vedic version. I don't know how in the world he can be tasting any bliss when he carries on treating the scriptures and the devotees the way he does. Instead of Fanatically ripping them up Vijaya Prabhu, why don't you try reading it with your 'guru' and maybe you will learn the truth and how to respect the devotees; not ban and belittle them because they believe different from you. Before any advancement on the initiation issue can be made we have be able to deal with each other in a 'Vaisnava' fashion. We need to learn to love and trust eachother again. Then we can cooperate and push on nicely together. We are so few; why don't we try harder to find more common ground. We have common ground in Sri Sri Guru & Gouranga and in the performance of Sankirtan Yajna.

Having had the good fortune to spend the last few months with his Divine Grace I learned quite a lot.

One thing is that Srila Prabhupada didn't want us to leave a bad impression with the public. If we fight who will want to join? Only 'fanatics'!

We need to seek solutions and there is a proper time and place for everything. Krishna Himself is arranging everything in time. Rathayatra is our special time to Chant And Be Happy!

Your Servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Gauridas@AOL.COM