Siksa as most important guru

[Guest guest]

On 28 Jun 1999, Srila Dasa wrote:

 

>this does not obviate the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY for

> seeking high-class Vaisnava association.

 

 

I fear the actual intentions behind this otherwise sound advice is motivated

from a desire to stratify followers into ranks of who is "closest" to, or more

"favored" by another highly respected Vaisnava or who is a better "kiss-up"

than the next guy. As we saw with Srila Prabhupada, so many would force their

way into his association and possess it with utmost greed and selfishness for

self-promotion. If someone was "fortunate" enough to be "favored" by this

big-gun he would feel "advanced". And thus the religious institution was

built.

 

Soon, we shall again see those who will say "I went to Srila Narayana Maharaja

a LONG time ago before anyone else in ISKCON, NM favors me now, I am a big-gun

in NMs camp, so I am more advanced" and then he will build his followers

again. And thus the religious institution is built again.

 

I have never said a bad word about Srila Narayana Maharaja or any other

Gaudiya Matha devotees. I offer all of them my most humble and fallen

obeisances. I consider them far, far more advanced than I and, had I not met

Srila Prabhupada (through his books), I would have felt quite satisfied if I

accepted one of them as my guru. But Srila Prabhupada is my guru, forever. I

have absolutely NO NEED to go outside his camp (including his books). I am not

in search of "high philosophy" any longer, though it WAS a desire I had when I

first joined the movement. Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya convinced me

that that is NOT the goal at all; it is my heart I have to change, not my

brain. I am really not concerned if Kalki is coming or not or trying to

understand any other "high philosophical points; I want to be engaged in my

varna and chant the holy names of the Lord at the same time - and that's all.

Too often we find religious institutions use brain power/jnana attainment as a

means to "push down" the sincere followers into submission and positions of

feeling inferior. Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada's books open the

spiritual world to EVERY person, child, even the dogs.

 

I love the association of devotees and would never minimize its value. My best

friends are devotees. I would not jump into such association with anyone,

however. There is discrimination. All devotees are devotees, but birds of a

feather....