The Life of Krishna’s Pure Devotee; Srila Prabhupada / Part One
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
The Life of Krishna’s Pure Devotee; Srila Prabhupada / Part One
14 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in Srila Prabhupada, YouTube Tags: Bhaktivedanta Manor, devotees, Gurudas, Hare Krishna, Iskcon, London Temple, Shyamasundara dasa, Srila Prabhupada, Sriman George Harrison, Yamuna Devi Dasi
The Function of the GBC
01 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in Diksha, Guru & Disciple, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, Siksa Tags: GBC, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, initiator guru, instructor guru, Iskcon, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, Madhudvisa Swami
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
“This is the function of the GBC, to see that one may not be taken away by maya. The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This is what I want.” (Letter to Madhudvisa Swami, August, 4, 1975)
for entire letter…
Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru for ISKCON
05 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Diksha, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: Ananda devi dasi, devotional service, diksa guru, disciplic succession, Iskcon, July 9th Letter, officiating Acarya, vani, vapuh
Vani Seva
By Ananda devi dasi
May 12 2009, UK
“In the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master, the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Saraswati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present but still I try to serve His Instruction, I never feel separated from Him” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, August 22, 1970)
After the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada His instructions remained the same, they didn’t change. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru and His ISKCON-specific instructions and the process of Diksa remains the same. A disciple who has had no chance of serving the Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, when He was in His Vapuh, can still follow His Vani, instructions, and fully benefit from this association and advance in devotional service.
The Officiating Acarya process is not a replacement system for the Disciplic Succession, nor is it an initiating system, either. Srila Prabhupada is the Initiator Guru whether there is an Officiating Acarya system in place or not, whether or not the July 9th Letter is implemented or not. Devotees that join ISKCON can only be initiated by Srila Prabhupada because He is the Diksa Guru for ISKCON, period.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.47 we read:
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of Vani. Physical presence is called Vapuh. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
Srila Prabhupada makes it crystal clear that after the disappearance of the Spiritual Master, the disciple follows the instructions of the Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master left His instructions in the form of Books, verbal instructions, letters, tapes, videos, all these are instructions from the Spiritual Master,Vani.
After the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada His instructions remained the same, they didn’t change. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru and His ISKCON-specific instructions and the process of Diksa remains the same. A disciple who has had no chance of serving the Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, when He was in His Vapuh, can still follow His Vani, instructions, and fully benefit from this association and advance in devotional service.
In Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35 we read:
“It is imperative that one accepts a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the Spiritual Master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve Him by remembering His instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual masters instructions and the spiritual master Himself. In His absence,therefore,His words of direction should be the pride of the disciple.”
Srila Prabhupada is the Only Spiritual Master for ISKCON
31 Jul 2011 1 Comment
in Devotee's, Diksha, Guru & Disciple, Madhudvisa das, Siksa, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: acharyas, disciples, Evidence and Clarification, Iskcon, Madhuvisa dasa, prabhupada, ritvik, Rocan dasa, Sampradaya sun, Srila Prabhupada, Tamal Krishna Goswami
Srila Prabhupada is the Only Spiritual Master for ISKCON
Srila Prabhupada created ISKCON for his disciples and it is really only going to work for his disciples. There is no history of a group of gurus living together and having all their disciples together. Even the Goswamis in Vrindavan, they were coming together for kirtans but they all had their own separate temples and disciples.
A short while back I read an interesting article written by Madhuvisa Prabhu, and posted by Rochan Prabhu on his site Sampradaya Sun. The article was entitled Evidence and Clarification. We are posting some of it here.
“…But as far as the facts are concerned it is certainly a fact that Prabhupada established a ritvik initiation system in ISKCON in the early 70’s where he would appoint representatives to perform the fire yajnas for his disciples on his behalf. And it is a fact that he gave these “ritviks” more power as the years went on, and in the July 9th letter, he gave them complete power to accept disciples on his behalf and chant on their beads and give them a name, without having any physical involvement in the matter at all.
It is also a provable fact that Srila Prabhuapda did not consider that any of his disciples were qualified for the position of acharya. And therefore it is very reasonable to say that Srila Prabhupada did not appoint any successor acharyas. I was just listening to one of the 1977 conversation tapes a couple of days ago and Srila Prabhupada told Tamal that the problem is among his disciples there is no strong man. He said they are all like children and among all Ramesvara may be the best. The same thing is there in other places where Prabhupada is clearly stating that his disciples are immature and not qualified for the post of acharya.
So it is a fact that the system Srila Prabhupada used in ISKCON to accept disciples in him physical presence was ritvik, 100% ritvik in the later years. And we can say it is a fact that he did not appoint any successor acharyas. Even Tamal confirms this in his Topanga Canyon talks. He says clearly that Prabhupada only appointed ritviks.
ISKCON vs Radha Damodar Mandir
28 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Radha Damodar Mandir Tags: India, Iskcon, Radha Damodar Mandir, Sri Nirmal Chandra Goswami, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's Bhajan Kutir, Sun, Vrindavan
ISKCON vs Radha Damodar Mandir
By; Sri Nirmal Chandra Goswami
Jun 27, 2011 — Vrindavan, India (SUN)
The writing of this notice to the devotees has been a long time waiting. Due to the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Damodar and now having email and Internet access, I am able to send out this information for the contemplation of sincere and thoughtful devotees.
Since past five years the court case in India, ISKCON vs Radha Damodar Mandir has been going on. The case originally filed by ISKCON is primarily to solve the question as to who is the legal owner/proprietor of the rooms at Radha Damodar Mandir known as “Srila Prabhupada’s Bhajan Kutir”.
As you know, Srila Prabhupada resided in these rooms for several years before he went to America and established ISKCON. In Srila Prabhupada’s own words, it was by the mercy of Radha Damodar that he was successful in the West.
A few months before the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada in 1977 the worship in Prabhupada’s bhajan kutir began, and after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance, ISKCON continued paying rent to Radha Damodar Mandir and the puja of Srila Prabhupada continued.
Does the Disciplic Succession stop with Srila Prabhupada?
18 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: Ananda devi, current link, diksa guru, disciplic succession, Iskcon, physically present guru, Prabhupadanuga News, Srila Prabhupada
Does the Disciplic Succession stop with Srila Prabhupada?
By Ananda Devi
Posted on 4. April 2009 by Prabhupadanuga News
Whether Srila Prabhupada is “physically present” or not is of no consequence He is the current link in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada IS the “current link” in ISKCON. There is no difference between Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON, and the sound vibration coming from Him, even though He is not personally present. The potency is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent.
Srila Prabhupada incorporated the organisation named ISKCON as a legal entity. He had already foreseen the future temples, farms, devotees and His position in Sri Chaitanya’s Sankirtana Movement. Not only is Srila Prabhupada the Founder/Acarya, but also the Diksa Guru of ISKCON. In 1966, this position was not questioned.
Srila Prabhupada gathered together the Brahma-Samita, the essence of Vedic literature, the Srimad Bhagavatam authored by Srila Vyasadeva, the Nectar of Devotion and Instruction by Rupa Goswami, the Caitanya-caritamrita by Krsnadasa Kaviraja, and His very own Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, as well as many other Vedic literatures. These are the cream of Vedic literature, not the bread and butter; those He discarded.
As a uniquely empowered potent preacher, Srila Prabhupada created His very own organisation for Him to be the centre, ISKCON. The exclusive worship is the same today as it was back in those days. Srila Prabhupada is directly worshipped as the Diksa Guru as if He was physically present today There has been no change to the daily worship.
From Mangala Arati through to Bhagavatam class is all based around Srila Prabhupada’s process of Diksa that He introduced for His ISKCON. In ISKCON this is exactly the definition and meaning of “current link” to the Disciplic Succession.
Srila Prabhupada, His Movement and You
06 Jun 2011 Leave a comment
in Ganges, Hansadutta das, Srila Prabhupada His Movement & You Tags: demons, Great Holy River Ganges, hansadutta das, impure, Iskcon, River Ganges, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's books and Instructions
Srila Prabhupada, His Movement & You
By Sriman Hansadutta Prabhu
…that although garbage, debris and dead bodies are to be seen floating in the holy Ganges, it is understood that the Ganges never becomes impure or polluted on that account. So ISKCON may also have apparent undesirable and non-spiritual aspects, even demons amongst its members–still ISKCON should be accepted as pure always. As with the Ganges, we simply push the undesirable debris and garbage aside and take our bath, similarly, in ISKCON we may brush aside or avoid the apparent non-spiritual members and their effects and try to dip deep into the instructions of Srila Prabhupada (books, instructions, etc.).
ISKCON is Like the Great Holy River Ganges
Here I would like to humbly suggest a positive alternative for the future development of ISKCON, which necessitates an understanding of what ISKCON is. Everyone says, “ISKCON, ISKCON, ISKCON….” But what is ISKCON?–That is the question.
ISKCON is like the great holy river Ganges. The discrepancies we see there should be considered just like the foam or stool and dead bodies we see occasionally floating in the holy river Ganges. They never contaminate the river Ganges; rather, Ganges can absorb unlimited contamination and sins of unlimited sinful persons, and still it remains pure.
As the mighty Ganges flows down from Vaikuntha and Lord Shiva, through the Himalayan mountains, through the plains of India, ending finally at the Bay of Bengal and apparently enters the salt water ocean, but in fact does not merge into the salt water ocean but goes underwater and descends to other lower planets, returning eventually to Vaikuntha, so similarly, ISKCON flows down from Goloka Vrindavan through the mighty mountain peaks of the great acharyas, through His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his disciples who appear to be merged into the mainstream of the human society for preaching Krishna consciousness and who are all destined to go back to Godhead.
No one has any proprietorship over the Ganges. However sinful one may be, no one can throw him out of the Ganges. That would be ridiculous.
If we accept the holy river Ganges as being analogous to the flow of transcendental teachings coming down from the spiritual world to the material world via the disciplic succession (Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhvacharya, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada), then some of the incongruities which we as devotees sometimes experience in ISKCON may be resolved in a realistic way.
“We are not against ISKCON”
06 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: as it is, corrupt leadership, disciple, Iskcon, ISKCON Bangalore, Madhu Pandit, original Bhagavad-gita, prabhupada, spiritual master, spiritually corrupt Iskcon, Srila Prabhupada
“We are not against ISKCON”
By: Madhu Pandit Dasa (ACBSP)
PR Log (Press Release) – Apr 28, 2010 –
We are against the corrupt leadership of ISKCON
So, therefore in this temple we only sell Prabhupada’s original Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Now compare it with what is happening in other ISKCONs. They are selling the other Bhagavad Gita. So these are the mistakes happening there. We are not against ISKCON, we are against spiritually corrupt ISKCON leadership.
We are not against ISCKON, how can we be against ISKCON? ISKCON is Prabhupada’s. How can we be against ISKCON? We are not against ISKCON. We are against the corrupt leadership of ISKCON. People misunderstand. We are not trying to separate from ISKCON. So, the organization is not bad, the leadership is bad. Why? Evidence we are giving. They have got the courage to make 5000 changes, number 1 and 2, what are the key things I mentioned?
Prabhupada’s kripa means his vani, his sound, that is what is what is coming, the rain from the spiritual world, which is going to shower on everybody and change their lives. So the vani has to be received with great faith as a spiritual master by the disciple. Now today, you walk into ISKCON, first there is MacMillan gita. And then there is, next they ask, if you have a tilak they ask, whose disciple are you? Before Prabhupad left, let’s say in 1976, you walk into an ISKCON temple, will anybody ask you: whose disciple are you?
Only Prabhupada. Now they ask whose disciple are you? Innocent people are misled. Now, when Prabhupada is available, Prabhupada’s vani is available and Prabhupada has not authorized anybody to take up that position to be an acharya, how can they become acharyas? So, it is self made acharya. Self made acharya doesn’t work.
Acharya has to be authorized. Like Shukadeva Goswami was concluded as being authorized based on the fact that how can Shukadeva Goswami arrive in our midst of all the places? It is definitely inspired and sent by lord Krishna.
That is what is this verse is saying. Similarly, we also have read Chaitanya Charitamrita, without Krishna’s mercy it’s not possible to spread the holy name all around the world. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is authorized by Krishna as the acharya.
Srila Prabhupada – A Transcendental Manager
29 May 2011 Leave a comment
in Madhudvisa das, Srila Prabhupada, What Happened to the Hare Krishna's? Tags: dependent on Krishna, determination, devotion, GBC, Governing Body Commision, intelligence, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Iskcon, Madhuvisa dasa, purity, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
What Happened to the Hare Krishna’s?
Chapter Four
By Sriman Madhuvisa Prabhu
Srila Prabhupada – A Transcendental Manager
The success of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was a direct result of Srila Prabhupada’s devotion, determination, purity and intelligence, however, he was a soul completely surrendered to Krishna. He depended completely on Krishna. So ISKCON succeeded because Srila Prabhupada was totally dedicated to the order of his spiritual master and Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada was the force behind ISKCON but the thousands of young boys and girls who surrendered to him and accepted him as their spiritual master were the Krishna conscious soldiers fighting maya (illusion) on her own territory. Srila Prabhupada was always unlimitedly grateful to his disciples for helping him fulfill his spiritual master’s orders. He even sometimes said, “My spiritual master has sent you all to teach me how to be Krishna conscious.”
Srila Prabhupada didn’t want to control everything himself. He wanted to encourage his disciples to take responsibility and use their intelligence in devising ways to spread Krishna consciousness. He wanted his disciples to become competent in all areas of practical work and management as well as being learned in the philosophy and expert preachers. He didn’t like centralization or bureaucracy. His management program was always for independent and self-supporting centres not in any way dependant on any other centre. The only exceptions to this independent and self-supporting model were his Indian projects where he made Bombay the head office and he personally managed everything from there. He also centralized the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust as it would have been unworkable to have every temple printing books. There had to be some central body to coordinate book publication.
…I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plans for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, book-keeping, credit, like that. I do not approve of such a plan. Do not centralize anything. Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning, why you are thinking otherwise? Once before you wanted to do something centralizing with your GBC meeting, and if I did not interfere the whole thing would have been killed. Do not think in this way of big corporation, big credits, centralization – these are all nonsense proposals. Only thing I wanted was that books printing and distribution should be centralized, therefore I appointed you and Bali Mardana to do it. Otherwise, management, everything, should be done locally by local men. Accounts must be kept, things must be in order and lawfully done, but this should be each temple’s concern, not yours. (to Karandhara 22 Dec, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada wanted a confederation of independent ISKCON centres each managed by a Temple President, Secretary and Treasurer. His mood was that each Temple President should develop the preaching in his area at his own creative rate.
The formula for ISKCON organization is very simple and can be understood by everyone. The world is divided into 12 zones. For each zone there is one zonal secretary. His duty is to see that the spiritual principles are being upheld very nicely in all the temples of his zone. Otherwise each temple shall be independent and self-supporting. Let every temple president work according to his own capacity to improve the Krishna consciousness of his centre. So far the practical management is concerned, that is required, but not that we shall become too much absorbed in fancy organization. Our business is spiritual life, so whatever organization needs to be done, the presidents may handle and take advice and assistance from the GBC representative. In this way let the Society’s work go on and everyone increase their service at their own creative rate.
…We request that everyone take these formulas to heart and execute them very conscientiously. In this way we shall certainly be successful in pushing on this movement. (Signed by Srila Prabhupada & Karandhara dasa 22 Apr, 1972)
ISKCON Bangalore — The Best Temple in ISKCON
22 May 2011 1 Comment
in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: bhajans, Gauridas Pandit dasa, Iskcon, ISKCON Bangalore, jagat guru Srila Prabhupada, kirtans. Madhu Pandit, Srila Prabhupada Temple
ISKCON Bangalore — The Best Temple in ISKCON
By Sriman Gauridas Pandit Prabhu
If you treat Srila Prabhupada like he is alive, he is alive. To those who say he is dead and gone, to them he is. But in Bangalore Srila Prabhupada is alive and well! Very well.
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to our jagat guru Srila Prabhupada!!!
I am very enlivened and impreesed beyond my expectations after visiting the Bangalore temple for the last 4 days. When you first approach the temple and get your first glimpse it is just awe inspiring. No picture I’ve seen does it justice. The temple is situated on a hill and and be seen for great distanes all around. The combination of the ancient and modern design is breathtaking. Now I see why pilgrims come from all over India and line up by the thousands to see the temple. Srila Prabhupada’s voice is heard nonstop in different areas some chanting japa, others singing bhajans and giving lectures. The Deities are powerful because of the chaste worship by the ever-increasing devotees, all Prabhupada anugas.
If you treat Srila Prabhupada like he is alive, he is alive. To those who say he is dead and gone, to them he is. But in Bangalore Srila Prabhupada is alive and well! Very well. I could sense it especially from the main Prabhupada Deity on the Vyasasana. In most temples he looks sad (Seattle, etc.) (probably due to the lipservice and dis-service to the new devotees who are directed away from him at initiation). Srila Prabhupada is carried around the temple to the different alters with powerful chanting of mantras and Kirtan.
The Kirtans in Bangalore are different also. The leaders volume is less and the response is more. The showbottlism you see in most places is absent in Bangalore. Attention and devotion is put on pleasing the Deities and Srila Prabhupada more than themselves. It is refreshing. At least 90% of the temple devotees (of over 100) attend the full morning program which is very enlivening. There are Kirtans one after another in 3 different temples then Gurupuja which is awesome.
The temple devotees are very nice and accomodating. Madhu Pandit Prabhu was very nice and gave me a special seat and lovely garlands from the Deities at the crowded puja ceremonies. I also stayed at the nice guesthouse ‘free’! Whereelse in ISKCON or anywhere does that happen? Even the devotee who signed the papers for the latest lawsuit against Bangalore came and Madhu Pandit Prabhu offered him nice accomodations showing the example that a devotee even treats his so-called enemies nicely. The devotee after observing the emple for a few days admitted that the temple is very nicely run and that is the way Srila Prabhupada would want it and he regretted signing the court papers. He said he would not do so again in the future. Another devotee involed in the case got into an accident and died so it is not looking too good for those who are trying to take away Bangalore from Srila Prabhupada and his true followers. It costs $11,000 every time they have to go to court and the lawsuits just keep coming. Srila Prabhupada would be furious at those devotees who are involved and they will get their day in the court of Yamaraja, I can guarantee you that. Bangalore is the only ISKCON temple to follow Srila Prabhupada’s orders to keep him as guru. That’s why they are so sucessful, feeding thousands daily Prasadam and distributing so many of Srila Prabhupada’s original books.
It would be a shame if the Kali chelas, Kali Yuga devotees, ever won away the Bangalore temple. They could not manage it so expertly and a divided house (among many ‘gurus’/or gundas?) cannot stand.
I know there are many different groups of Prabhupada anugas out there; Yasodanandans, Kapindra Maharaja and others everywhere and are sometimes critical of each other. But I am asking you all to unite for the common good of keeping Srila Prabhupada as our living guru now and forever. Let’s look beyond the bug on the windshield and see the road ahead, the road back to Prabhupada, that’s the road back to Godhead, others are detours to who knows where. Not anywhere I want to go! All glories to all of the devotees who take full shelter of the one and only Srila Prabhupada!
I advise any serious devotee who can to visit the Banglore temple and see what can happen if we just cooperate to serve Srila Prabhupada. Finally there’s light at the end of the tunnel!
Hoping this meets you all well and advancing in Krsna Consciousness!
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Enter, Srila Prabhupada (Chapter 13)
14 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotee Books, Hayagriva das, The Hare Krishna Explosion Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, hayagriva das, Iskcon, Kirtanananda Swami, Lord Krishna, matchless gifts, Srila Prabhupada, Swamiji, the hare krishna explosion
The Hare Krishna Explosion
by Hayagriva das
Part III: New Vrindaban, 1968-1969
Chapter 13
Enter, Srila Prabhupada
In his long absence, Swamiji’s words haunt me: “Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget my publications. I wish that if I live or die, you will take very serious care for my publications.“
We are bewildered trying to keep the ISKCON ship afloat, subsisting on the only supplies left—the holy names, the words, the taped lectures, the few books and pamphlets, the memories and photographs.
“Although I am practically on the path of death….”
(Swamiji always said “practically” for “actually.”)
His publications! The Word in English! Before me sits the first complete draft of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, ready for final English revision. “It must be published at once,” he told us repeatedly. “Either get some publisher, or we print it ourselves. Complete it quickly.”
Leaving San Francisco, even revising the manuscript on the plane, I return to New York to work with Brahmananda, who is still hounding publishers.
In Matchless Gifts, we carry on, keeping silent vigil for reports on Swamiji’s condition. Every day, we wait for a letter from Swamiji himself, signed in a large, firm hand, “Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.”
Soon letters from Kirtanananda begin to arrive. Word spreads. Swamiji and Kirtanananda were detained overnight in London because someone on the plane was infected with smallpox. A twenty-four hour quarantine. They were accomodated in a hotel by the airline. In the morning, Swamiji was feeling much better, and they were in Moscow in three hours.
Swamiji was not impressed by the stark silence of the Moscow airport. Nor by the peasant women mopping the floor, nor by the Marxist tracts. Women should be protected, and in every society there exists the four castes. How can the sudras, the working class be expected to dominate government? The four castes were proclaimed eternal by Krishna Himself. Mr. Marx cannot arbitrarily abolish them. Such is the illusion of demons.
“We stayed in Moscow about an hour,” Kirtanananda writes, then reboarded and were in Delhi by midnight. We arrived in the middle of the monsoons, so when we got off the plane, the hot and humid Indian air hit us. It was like walking into a scorching brick wall.”
Memorial to be Built for Jayananda Prabhu in Mayapur
07 May 2011 Leave a comment
in Devotee's, Jayananda Thakur Tags: GBC, Iskcon, Jayananda, Krishna-Mangala das, Mayapur, memorial for Jayananda Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada, Vishoka das
Memorial to be Built for Jayananda Prabhu in Mayapur
By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News on 9 Apr 2011
ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has accepted a proposal from Vishoka Dasa of New Vrindaban, West Virginia, and Krishna-Mangala Dasa of Russia that they establish a memorial for Jayananda Prabhu—considered a modern-day saint by members of ISKCON—although he passed away as far back as 1977.
“The GBC Body hereby thanks Vishoka Das and Krishna Mangala Das for their kind endeavors in this regard and offers its blessing for the successful completion of the project,” stated Resolution 303 in the official GBC minutes of this year’s meetings in Mayapur, India.
Jayananda’s Memorial, or Samadhi, will be located at the ISKCON Jagannath temple in Rajapur, near Mayapur. “As Jayananda prabhu’s service to Lord Jagannatha is universally recognized, the GBC felt that it would both be an extra honor and most appropriate for his Samadhi memorial to be located at the Jagannatha Mandir,” read the GBC report.
Jayananda’s Samadhi will be around seven feet tall, and constructed from marble. Early renderings of the design, by a professional devotee designer, show it to be a smaller version of the samadhis of Vaishnava Acharyas such as Rupa and Sanatan Goswamis, with a curved roof and latticed windows.
The Mayapur Samadhi Committee will work with Vishoka and Krishna-Mangala on the project, which funds are still being raised for.
“Jayananda is a great inspiration to ISKCON—devotees still read books about him and log onto websites about him, to get an example of how to be better devotees and servants of Srila Prabhupada,” says Vishoka Dasa, whose book, The Beautiful Life of Jayananda Thakur: Remembering an American Saint was published in 2001.
Srila Prabhupada is the Guru, Acarya and Actual Initiator in ISKCON
30 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
in Diksha, Mahesh Raja das, Siksa, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: Acarya, accepting initiation, actual initiator, guru, Iskcon, Krsna, Mahesh Raja, scriptures, spiritual initiation, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, svarupa
Srila Prabhupada is the Guru, Acarya and Actual Initiator in ISKCON
By Mahesh Raja
Regarding parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. Just like we belong to the Brahma Sampradaya, so we accept it from Krishna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhva, and between Vyasadeva and Madhva there is a big gap. But it is sometimes said that Vyasadeva is still living, and Madhva was fortunate enough to meet him directly. In a similar way, we find in the Bhagavad-gita that the Gita was taught to the sungod, some millions of years ago, but Krishna has mentioned only three names in this parampara system–namely, Vivasvan, Manu, and Iksvaku; and so these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. We have to** pick up the prominent acaryas, and follow from him.** There are many branches also from the parampara system, and it is not possible to record all the branches and sub-branches in the disciplic succession. We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in whatever sampradaya we belong to. (68-04-12.Day Letter: Dayananda)
The **only** injunction from scriptures is to worship the acarya. Its only the acarya that is able to give diksa ( spiritual initiation) to the Madhyama-adhikari (see antya CC 4.192-4.194) where he relishes loving mellows(in his svarupa) with krsna. Acarya is not voted by the GBC 2/3 majority votes. The acarya has direct communication with Krsna- Krsna speaks through him. It is therefore only the acarya that can actually be expected to be worshiped as good as Krsna. So the photo worship is not sanctioned of one who is not an acarya. (conditioned soul worship — idol worship where is the difference?).
Adi 1.45 “According to the deliberate opinion of all revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is nondifferent from Krsna. Lord Krsna in the form of the spiritual master delivers His devotees.”
Adi 1.46 **acaryam** mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruh “One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.” Purport:This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.17.27)
Note: It is significant the same text has been quoted In NoD Ch7 but in reference to **accepting initiation**. So this shows Initiation is from Acarya not from 2/3 majority voted spiritual masters.
Ch7 Nectar of Devotion; Serving the Spiritual Master with Faith and Confidence Regarding ACCEPTING INITIATION from the spiritual master, in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Seventeenth Chapter, verse 27, it is stated by Lord Krsna, “My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative, but as My very self. He must never be considered on the same level with an ordinary human being. One should never be envious of the spiritual master, as one may be envious of an ordinary man. The spiritual master should always be seen as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by serving the spiritual master one is able to serve all the demigods.”
Adi 1.35 A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden.
Note:We know it is only the uttama adhikari acarya Prabhupada that is able to transmit diksa (spiritual Initiation) into the madhyam adhikaris heart whereby he is enabled to see Krsna and relish loving mellows in his svarupa. (television in the heart).
Here it is understood that the spiritual master disciplic succession is of acaryas. And Srila Prabhupada is the current acarya. SB 3.29.17 In Bhagavad-gita, Thirteenth Chapter, it is clearly stated that one should execute devotional service and advance on the path of spiritual knowledge by accepting the acarya. Acaryopasanam: one should worship an acarya, a spiritual master who knows things as they are. The spiritual master must be in the disciplic succession from Krsna. The predecessors of the spiritual master are his spiritual master, his grand spiritual master, his great-grand spiritual master and so on, who form the disciplic succession of acaryas.
Srila Prabhupada is the prominent acarya.
Current Link
29 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Dhira Govinda das, Diksha, Dusyanta das, Rama das, Siksa, Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, The Prominent Link Tags: current link, devotees, Dhira Govinda das, disciples, Dusyanta das, GBC, Hare Krishna Movement, Iskcon, link, prominent link, Rama das, SAC, Sampradaya Acarya, spiritual master and disciple, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
Recently there was a nice article on the Sampradaya Sun posted by Sriman Dhira Govinda Prabhu on the Current and Direct Link, for continuance of the disciplic succession in ISKCON, and two nice spin off articles. Enclosed are two of the recent articles submitted by readers.
Current Link
BY: DUSYANTA DAS
Apr 27, 2011 — UK (SUN) — In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.7 is where the quote is found concerning the word “link”. In the purport, Srila Prabhupada identifies this phenomena thus: “…in order to receive the real message of Srimad Bhagavatam one should approach the current link, or Spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession.”
The definition of “current” is explained clearly from the Collins English dictionary thus:
“most recent, commonly known, practiced or accepted, widespread, circulating and valid at present”. Which all seems to fit very easily into the idea that Srila Prabhupada is the Spiritual Master, the current link that is illustrated here in the purport of SB 2.9.7.
The application of this phenomena, the “current link” is hinging on the word in the sentence “approach”. Which is either a verb or noun. The verb “approach” is defined as “to come near, to go to someone with a request or offer, to set about doing something.” The noun “approach” is defined as “a way or road to a place, a method of doing something.”
If we follow the premise that Srila Prabhupada uses the term “immediate acarya” as synonymous with the term “current link”, then we come up with the definitions lending the validity to a direct relationship with Him without intermediaries and regardless of physical presence. Immediate definition as “without intervening medium, closest or most direct in effect of relationship.”
The point in approaching a spiritual master or current link in disciplic succession is to take initiation from him.
The Real Final Order
24 Apr 2011 2 Comments
in Devotee's, Diksha, Guru & Disciple, Locanananda das, Siksa Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Final Order, GBC, Godbrothers, gurus, Initiation, Iskcon, Locanananda das, officiating acharyas, ritvik, Srila Prabhupadas instructions
The Real Final Order
10/25/1998 – 2410
Editorial (VNN) – by Sriman Locanananda Prabhu
Submitted on the disappearance day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During what Srila Prabhupada thought might be his final days, he summoned his GBC representatives from all over the world to come to his bedside in May of 1977. He was about to pronounce his final instruction concerning how the movement should be expanded after he was no longer physically present to oversee things. When he was specifically asked how initiations would be performed in the future, he replied that he would recommend some of his GBC men to act as officiating acharyas in his absence. This was a momentous pronouncement. He was going to create the post of officiating acharya by naming some of his disciples to initiate on his behalf. They would actually be gurus, but would act as representatives of the acharya in initiating members into Srila Prabhupada’s movement after His Divine Grace had left this world. Although everyone present said that this instruction was understood, in the twenty-one years since this revelation, not a single ISKCON guru has called himself an “officiating acharya”. This has produced a contrary result.
To resolve the conflict and ongoing debate between the proponents of “ritvik” initiation and ISKCON’s official interpretation of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, we must find a common denominator upon which both parties can agree. That one camp is ready to excommunicate or overthrow the other is causing a massive headache in the minds of peaceful devotees everywhere. With the greatest urgency, the fracture in our movement must be healed before it becomes a permanent schism. To avoid causing further embarrassment to our spiritual master, and to protect innocent devotees and well-wishers of the Krishna consciousness movement from the devastating effect of our fratricidal follies, all followers of Srila Prabhupada should stop their sabre rattling and calmly consider how to resolve their differences.
On My Behalf
14 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
in Devotee's, Diksha, Disciplic succession, Gauridas Pandit das, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Gauridasa Pandita, GBC, guru, Initiation, Iskcon, officiating acharyas, On My Behalf, ritvik, ritvik-acharya, Sri Vrindavan Dhama, Srila Prabhupada's Initiation System, Temple Property Trust
“So I cannot speak. I am feeling weak. I was to go to other places like Chandigarh, but I canceled the program because the condition of my health is very deteriorating. So I preferred to come to Vrindavan. If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing new to be said. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn’t matter. As Krsna is living eternally, similarly, the living being also lives eternally.
On My Behalf
Srila Prabhupada’s Initiation System
by Sriman Gauridasa Pandita Prabhu
Srila Prabhupada arrived in Sri Vrindavan Dhama on May 17th 1977 to prepare to ‘leave his body.’ He made all of the arrangements for the future of his movement. He formed his Will, the Temple Property Trusts, he gave instructions for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and the GBC and he established his initiation system for the future of ISKCON.
Due to some unseen good fortune I got the opportunity to serve Srila Prabhupada, at that time. Actually, I began to personally serve him in Bombay as one of his guards and then went with him to Hrsikesh to ‘regain his failing health’ on the advice of one of the life members, Mahadevia Kartikeya.
Things were like heaven in Hrsikesh serving Srila Prabhupada.
We were staying in a two story house right on the bank of the Holy Ganges River. We had the best Jalebi maker (Vedic sweets) in the world, according to Srila Prabhupada, right across the street. We used to have fruit, yogurt and hot Jalebis for breakfast. Srila Prabhupada said that hot Jalebis could cure the common cold.
I used to enjoy taking Japa Walks in the Himalayan Mountains. The forests are lush, filled with singing birds, and wandering devotees. Some Shivite’s live in the cave’s and only leave to bath in the Ganga. They eat only what is offered to them.
ANALYSIS OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S LAST WILL AND JULY 9TH LETTER
14 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: Founder Acarya, GBC, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Society, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Iskcon, July 9th Letter, krishnaconsciousnessmovement.com, Krsna consciousness movement, prabhupadanugas, Will
I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna consciousness, Settlor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and disciple of Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada, presently residing at Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, make this my last will:
ANALYSIS OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S LAST WILL AND JULY 9TH LETTER
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We would like to present two papers signed and approved by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The will of His Divine Grace and his last instructions for continuing the process of initiation. We ask only that you read the following statements of Srila Prabhupada with an open heart. Instead of analyzing his words to fit today’s circumstances, try to take these instructions just as they have been written. Without reading between the lines, try simply to accept his words. Rather than imagining esoteric meanings try to understand his commands, as they are. Srila Prabhupada often said that Krishna Consciousness is a simple process. The instructions that he gave us were always straightforward and clear. His language was never obscure or lacking in explanation. If something was important he always gave us a clear cut presentation. Before reading these last instructions of Srila Prabhupada’s, try to take to heart the following explanation from Caitanya Caritamrita on the nature of direct and indirect meanings. In it, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Lord Chaitanya, clearly explain the difference between a true understanding and an imaginary interpretation.
Ritvik Defined
14 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
in Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: dakshina, Founder Acarya, Iskcon, July 9th Letter, mission of the guru, Narasimha das, officiating acaryas, prabhupada, priests recommended by the spiritual master, ritvik, ritviks, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, VNN
Ritvik Defined — By Narasimha Das
November 13, 1998 VNN2498
Srila Prabhupada never created any special status for “officiating acaryas.” Their function as ritivks is to assure that Srila Prabhupada requirements are met before a student is formally accepted for initiation in ISKCON. Like all senior initiated disciples, they are meant to be teachers by their practical example. They have accepted an added responsibility, an added burden on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. Their burden is to assure that Srila Prabhupada’s standards for initiation are preserved in ISKCON. (Srila Prabhupada’s July 9th directive sent to every leader in ISKCON mentions three times that all devotees are Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and that the deputed ritviks offer initiation on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. This same instruction was repeated by Srila Prabhupada several times additionally after July 9th in letters, documents, and instructions.) Ritviks are the priests authorized by the spiritual master or his institution to accept students on behalf of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada made this perfectly clear. This understanding of the procedure Prabhupada prescribed is consistent with references to ritviks mentioned in Srila Prabhupada’s books.
EDITORIAL, Nov 13 (VNN) — Currently the term “ritvik” is used to refer to 1.) devotees of a particular camp, 2.) the ideas and convictions of “ritvik” devotees, and 3.) the “officiating acarya” who initiates on behalf of the spiritual master. I will try to offer guidelines for understanding the word “ritvik” according to Srila Prabhupada and the current usage among devotees.
Ritvik Initiation Simply Explained
13 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, Siksa Tags: Iskcon, Kirtananda Swami, Radhanath das, ritvik, Ritvik initiation, Srila Prabhupada
Ritvik Initiation simply explained
There was a very simple and straight foward method which most of the early members of the Hare Krishna Society (ISKCON) were initiated, as explained in the following letter…
Letter to Kirtananda Swami
Los Angeles
7 January, 1974
Dear Kirtanananda Maharaja,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge your requests for initiations of devotees at New Vrindaban, contained in your letter of December 30, 1973.
Upon your recommendation I am glad to accept the disciples for first initiation, and their spiritual names are as follows:
Susan Burchell—Madanalasa dasi
Jim Newsham—Jayanta dasa
Evelyn Newsham—Candrarekhika dasi
Sandra Chiefa—Kunjari dasi
Haynes Busby—Hari-dhama dasa
You may chant on their beads and instruct them seriously to always chant at least 16 rounds daily and obey the regulative principles. Only in this way is spiritual advancement possible.
Your recommendations for second initiation, Taru das, Radhanath das and Parambrahma das are accepted by me and their sacred threads and gayatri mantras are enclosed. See that they hear the mantra from the tape I have made, and have them hear it in their right ear. Give them further instructions on standards of a Brahman. Thank you for the daksina check for one hundred dollars.
Go on developing New Vrindaban: next month I am coming there. Is my apartment completed?
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Officiating Acharya’s
08 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Devotee's, Diksha, Locanananda das, Srila Prabhupada Tags: diksa, initations, Iskcon, Locanananda das, Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan Movement, Officiating Acarya. ritvik, Srila Prabhupada, The Hare Krishna Movement, VNN
The War is Over
Editorial (VNN) – by Locanananda Das
There is a popular ideology that claims that Srila Prabhupad should still be considered the diksa guru in ISKCON. It is commendable that devotees who espouse this ideology want to see Krishna’s pure devotee unlimitedly and perpetually glorified. That goal can be accomplished by following the system of “officiating acharyas” that he factually authorized. An “officiating acharya” simply teaches by example how to follow in the footsteps of the great preceptor and founder acharya of ISKCON and then engages everyone in the service of expanding the sankirtan movement.
When Srila Prabhupad was asked how initiations would be performed after he was no longer physically present, his response was clear and powerful. He had been contemplating this question for ten years, and his main concern was to guarantee the continuity and future growth of his movement. His reply was “I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acharya.” This was the term he wanted to introduce to describe the role of his disciples who would initiate new devotees as members of ISKCON after he had concluded his manifest pastimes.
The Hare Krishna Movement 