So-called Proof of Bipin Bihari Goswami's position

[Guest guest]

>

>> It is a well-known fact that many Gaudiya Math sadhus are presently

>> reinitiating ISKCON devotees in large numbers. Although they put forward

>> so many reasons to justify doing this which somehow satisfies the minds of

>> the disaffected devotees, it is beyond my comprehension how such behavior

>> is based upon guru, sadhu, and sastra. It appears by-and-large to simply

>> be a tactic designed to increase the followings of their maths. That our

>> ISKCON gurus are categorically not engaging in such practices is indeed

>> commendable.

>

>By the way, I heard that there is a verse saying that if one takes

>reinitiation although his guru is in good standing, he goes to hell because

>he has rejected Visnu.

>

>Somebody knows the reference?

 

In the final chapter of the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya 10.22-28,

Sri Gadadhara approaches Lord Caitanya and the following conversation

ensues:

22. One day, with Lord Caitanya, Gadadhara discussed his previous

mantra-initiation (from Pundarika Vidyanidhi).

23. Gadadhara said: "The ista-mantra I say does not stay very well in my mind.

24. "Please tell me that mantra again. Then my heart will be happy."

25. Lord Caitanya said, "Anyone who gives you that mantra again will become

an offender.

26. "The person who gave you that mantra is the very life of both you and

Me. It is not right for Me to tell you that mantra again."

27. Then Gadadhara said, "Then you cannot act on my guru's behalf."

28. Lord Caitanya said, "Your guru is Pundarika Vidyanidhi. By the Supreme

Lord's arrangement, you will meet him again and he will give you the mantra

again."

 

Another point: we sometimes hear that certain gurus minimize the value of

hearing about the Lord's pastimes that don't involve Vrindaban or Madhurya

rasa. However in the same chapter of the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, Antya

10.33-34, we find this:

33. Hearing Gadadhara read Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Caitanya would manifest

many symptoms of ecstatic love.

34. A hundred times Lord Caitanya attentively heard Gadadhara read the

story of Prahlada and the story of Dhruva.

 

Above translations are by Kusakratha Prabhu.

With best wishes,

Hridayananda das Goswami

[Guest guest]

Whatever Bipin Bihari Goswami's position was, I see no evidence that he was

a smarta. Whatever their shortcomings, Jata-gosais are at least devotional

in their outlook; smartas are significantly further from the path of bhakti.

It is best that we understand these terms and not mix them up. Is that ok,

Nayana-ranjana Prabhu? Please don't ascribe incorrect quotes to me!