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EDITORIAL May 7, 1999 VNN3817 See Related VNN Stories How Can We Be Forgiven? EDITORIAL, May 7 (VNN) — In a recent article titled "How Can We Forgive You" Giridhari Prabhu expressed his personal opinion about His Holiness Sivarama Swami's apology to Srila Narayan Maharaja. Despite it being his personal opinion, the author takes it upon himself to speak on behalf of the followers of Srila Narayan Maharaja. While we understand and empathize with his mood to protect his beloved Gurudeva, we would like to suggest to the author that he speaks only for himself in this matter. We have witnessed time and again the sweet mercy of Sripad Narayan Maharaja and we have never imbibed from his teachings that a lack of forgiveness is the path of the aspirant Vaishnava. In particular, as we ourselves are spiritually quite insignificant without the mercy of the Vaishnavas, we could not bear the thought that their mercy is not for everyone - even those who have offended. By not showing others forgiveness, we may run the risk of precluding ourselves from the Vaishnavas mercy, which in any case is always causeless. We understand that Srila Maharaja was pleased with the gesture and intent of the apology. In our view however, the apology is incomplete. May we suggest that the apology to Maharaja is but the first step toward a full reconciliation - in that the offenses have been made in public, while the apology has thus far been tendered only in private. Given the nature of the events, and the extensive public repercussions, it does seem appropriate that a public apology be offered. While we do not presume to demand such an apology or to speak for Sripad Narayan Maharaja, the undersigned feel that such a gesture would endear them to both Narayan Maharaja and his many faithful followers, and earn for them the unrestricted mercy and forgiveness that they apparently seek from the Vaishnavas. As a secondary consequence it may also further illustrate for others how one may be fully absolved of the neglect of senior Vaishnavas. Lastly, in support of the above we can recount an exchange between Sripad Narayana Maharaja and a disciple of his who was concerned about the offenses being committed against his Gurudeva. The disciple inquired, "Maharaja, you may not take offense - but scripture advises that the dust of the lotus feet of a Vaishnava will remember offenses for a long time, even by the reckoning of Brahma." Maharaja responded that, "None of you should take any offense. I am also asking the dust of my feet that they should not take any offense". Our acharyas pray that they become the foot-dust of the previous preceptor acharyas. If we hope to emulate their spiritual ambitions and attain a place at the feet of Maharaja we must then - at his request - not take the offense of others. We believe this to be the best example that we can offer others that we truly follow Srila Maharaja - who himself is so full of compassion, love and forgiveness. Trusting that our opinions do not offend any of the Vaishnavas, we remain Your servants at Bath, England, Bhudhara Dasa Pandita Devi Dasi Sudevi Devi Dasi Larli Devi Dasi Yasodanandana Dasa Ananga Manjari Devi Dasi Madhusudana Dasa Syama Priya Devi Dasi (1) Damodara Das Syama Priya Devi Dasi (2) Lavanga Manjari Devi Dasi Lilavati Devi Dasi Premananda Das and others See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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