epistemology and hermeneutics

[Guest guest]

> We think, that some body is there outside ISKCON in some matha, who can

> give us all rasas, or some Acarya will come and give us all rasas in the

> future and now inside ISKCON we do not have Acaryas to give any rasas.

> Srila Prabhupada called this "familiarity breeds contempt".

>

> Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

You are absolutely right prabhu, that to go outside of ISKCON searching for

some 'special' association is a mistaken idea.

 

You are also right that there are many sincere and pure souls in ISKCON.

Just as Srila Gour Govinda Swami sat in Bhubanesvara following the orders of

Srila Prabhupada, when almost everyone else was sceptical, thinking that the

temple there was situated in such a lonely and desolate place (it is now a

thriving temple as the city has grown to encompass that area). There are

simple devotees in ISKCON who are doing their dedicated service. It may not

be 'big' service, but it is done purely.

 

We understand that there are degrees of purity. The serious Kanistha, due to

his eagerness for developing Krsna consciousness is rewarded with advanced

association by which he can ultimately obtain the Lord. But the person

posing as an advanced devotee, in whose heart the desire for name fame etc,

is prominent, his desires will also be fulfilled by the Lord, at the expense

of his spritual advancement.

 

It seems paradoxical that we can say that there are many pure souls in

ISKCON, yet we need to find them to light the way.

 

This is the proof that although this knowledge is laid out in black and

white for all to read, it still it remains the most 'secret of all secrets'.

It is locked away in the heart of the pure souls, and the only way to get it

is by being greatly eager for it, and acting in ways that pure souls will be

atracted and pleased by. As you say many think we have to look elsewhere.

The fact is that first we have to deserve, then desire. If we think we can

find pure souls by our prowess, deduction and reasoning we are mistaken.

Such association is only awarded to those whom the Lord sees really deserve

it.

 

Srila Prabhupada says: "In other words, one should learn how to cry for the

Lord. One should learn this small technique, and he should be very eager and

actualy cry to become engaged in some particular type of service. This is

called laulyam, and such tears are the price for the highest perfection. If

one develops this laulyam, or excessive eagerness for meeting and serving

the Lord in a particular way, that is the price to enter into the kingdom of

God." NOD p83

 

What really intrigues me about this verse is that prabhupada describes that

the crying can start as a 'small technique'. Something we can all adopt.

 

In Nectar of Devotion also Prabhupada explains:

NOD P105 'Recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam Among Devotees'

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu reccomended that one learn Srimad Bhagavatam from

the mouth of the self realised person called bhagavatam. Bhagavata means 'in

relationship with the Personality of Godhead [bhagavan].' So the devotee is

sometimes called bhagavatam, and the book which is in relationship with

devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is also called

Bhagavatam. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu reccomended that, in order to relish the

real taste of Srimad Bhagavatam, one should take instruction from the person

bhagavatam.

 

The 'Nectar of Devotion' is filled with such instructions.

 

So really it seems that the only thing that is getting in the way of our

recognising the pure devotees, is our desire. If we are suffering due to the

absence of such association, then all we have to do, is try to learn a few

simple techniques. If the Lord is pleased with our sincere desire He will

award us with the kind of association we need.

 

I really appreciate the point that HH Bhaki Vikas Swami is getting at. We

will not get anywhere with undisciplined mental speculation. In another part

of the harmonist article that Madhavananda prabhu posted, Srila

Bhaktisiddhanta writes, just after this: "There are persons who have got by

heart almost everything that he wrote without being able to catch the least

particle of his meaning.....

"Such study cannot benefit those who are not prepared to act up to the

instructions lucidly conveyed by his words."

 

In other words, the *basic* instructions given by Srila Prabhupada cannot be

overlooked. Those being the need to obtain the association of a self

realised soul, and surrender to him. "The Nectar of Devotion is specificaly

presented for persons who are now engaged in the Krsna Consciousness

movement" (Srila Prabhupada in the preface). This book is filled with

instructions regarding the importance of self realised association. We

really do need to realise the extreme importance of this, how such pure

association can save us all. We can get it if we simply take the trouble to

cultivate the right kinds of desires, and learn a few simple techniques as

Srila Prabhupada explains.

 

There are also many very important things we can learn from the writings of

Srila Gour Govinda swami, Srila Prabhupadas beloved sisya, that can help us

on this quest.

 

Your Servant

Samba das