Stop Sadhu-ninda

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On 18 Jul 1999, Sthita-dhi-muni Dasa wrote:

> Further, I am wondering how devotees can publicly express such spiritual

doubts about my good self now that I have publicly proclaimed my direct siksa

disciplic relationship with Lord Brahma. I guess I need to whip up some of my

own disciples who can then go around harassing my detractors as misquided

infidels.

> ys,

> Sthita

 

Second to a genuine admisssion of remorse for possibly offending a greeat

soul, I guess a little humor is the most humility I will squeeze out of my

respectable opponents, Mahanidhi and Sthita-dhi Muni Prabhus.

 

In nay case, let me offer my unconditional apologies for any offenses I have

commited in this discussion to Sthita-dhi Muni Prabhu, Mahanidhi Prabhu, or

whomever else I may have mentioned by name. My primary intention was simply to

defend the right to take bonafide *sadhu-sanga* irrespective of institutional

(ie, "ecclesiastic") considerations.

 

I am NOT advocating for everyone to surrender to Narayan Maharaja and accept

him as the next acarya. This a straw-man argument.

 

Although now that you mention the idea, I think it would clear about a lot of

misunderstandings and offensive mentalities if devotees did go to hear from

him if they could avail themselves of the opportunity. They might even find

his association genuinely inspirational.

 

In answer to any allegation that I am canvassing on the Maharaja's behalf, I

would expect that Sthita-dhi would likewise inform when His Holiness

Satsvarupa Maharaja was on the West coast so I could take the chance to gain

his audience. Or Hrdayananda Maharaja, or whomever, etc.

 

In closing, I hope that devotees feel that I have not offended Ravindra

Svarupa Prabhu by my rather frank comments. The fact is that he has made a

great blunder by publicizing what was originally a private letter. Prabhupada

never publicly criticized Vivekananda (as a categorical judgment or

dismissal), what to speak of another Vaisnava by name, so we should follow his

example, if even we think we are right.

 

Srila Prabhupada, for instance termed the split between Bhaktisiddhanta and

Lalita Prasada as a "transcendental misunderstanding." In no uncertain terms,

Lalita Prasada taught that the line of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was

"disconnected" from the parampara, yet Prabhupada graciously termed it a

"transcendental misunderstanding" and only mentioned this incident in a

PRIVATE letter.

 

I respecfully submit, however, that Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu has made a great

transgression of Vaisnava etiquette (*maryada-vyatikrama*) against Narayan

Maharaja by his inappropriate action. Even if everything he hypotheizes were

true, this is still not the proper way or do it or phrase it. Note that I am

pointing out a *particular BEHAVIOR*, I am not making a not a categorical

judgment about his character. We all make mistakes and especially ISKCON

managers, it seems. I don't envy ISKCON managers; I only wish them the best.

The GBC would make their jobs infinitely less difficult if they simply took a

lower profile (it sometimes appears that "the ultimate managerial authority"

has gone to their heads) and "looked before they leaped" by gaining more

information before they wrote their decisions (GBC resolutions) into stone.

 

As I mentioned before, there is a dearth of "culture" and a lack of "good

association" in ISKCON. We need fully matured and advanced Gaudiya Vaisnavas

to resolve our enduring issues. This is what I meanthat ISKCON has everything

to gain by aking lesssons from the Gaudiya Math. We might find out what it

means to act like a gentleman, what to speak of the standard of what pure

devotion really is.

 

SB 3.4.26

"Although one may be well-versed in the transcendental science, one should be

careful about the offense of maryada-vyatikrama, or impertinently surpassing a

greater personality. Acording to scriptural injunction one should be very

careful about transgressing the law of maryada-vyatikrama, because by doing so

one loses his duration of life, his opulence, fame and piety and the blessings

of all the world. To be well-versed in the transcendental science

necessitates awareness of the techniques of transcendental science."

 

"One should not be eager to become a spiritual master cheaply for the sake of

profit and fame, but should become a spiritual master only for the service of

the Lord. The Lord never tolerates the impertinence of maryada-vyatikrama.

 

One should never pass over the honor due to an elerly spiritual master in the

interests of one's own personal gain and fame. Impertinence on the part of

the pseudo spiritual master is very risky to progressive spiritual

realization. "

 

dasanudasa

Srila dasa