Answer to Allegations Made Against H.H. Narayana Maharaja

[Guest guest]

On 29 Sep 1999, Dvarakadhisa das wrote:

> If there are any false teachings emanated from Narayan Maharaj, they

should be pointed out and serious philosophical debate should take place to

clear out doubts which rose up in the minds of many devotees.

 

On one hand, I am happy to see that your understanding of Narayan Maharaja's

actual position has improved due to the posting of Jnana dasa's rebuttal of

Ravindra Svarupa's allegations.

 

Just for the record, however, I wish to inform everyone that the onus of PROOF

is on the *ACCUSER* (ie, Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu) to show the legitimacy of

his contentions, not upon the *accused* (Narayan Maharaja) to defend himself.

Otherwise, what kind of justice is this where the accused has to defend

himself from any nonsense that might be said about him? As we generally say

here in America, "innocent until proven guilty."

There are serious repercussions if we unrighteously deprecate somebody

publicly. We can be sued for libel, and unless we can CLEARLY PROVE your

case, we will be fined and go to jail. Similarly, in spiritual affairs, there

is serious punishment for *sadhu-ninda*, inappropriately finding fault in a

qualified Vaisnava.

 

In any civilized company, no one is allowed to speak recklessly against

someone else without sufficient merit. Otherwise, "a fool can say anything and

a goat can eat anything," as Prabhupada would say. If a madman says something,

should we automatically believe it? Nor should we act like "goats" and

"consume" everything that is fed to us as if it were nectar. That is the other

side of foolishness. Speaking nonsense or hearing nonsense, the result is

similar -- degradation of the soul. We must learn to use our *discrimination*.

 

 

Last time I heard, however, the "Nectar of Discrimination" (a book by Kundali

Prabhu) was banned in ISKCON. How symbolic.

 

I respectfully suggest that Dvarakadhisa's approach (and not his alone) is

backwards. Narayan Maharaja doesn't have to prove his innocence; Ravindra

Svarupa and Co. have to first prove their allegations hold sufficient merit

for such public exposure.

 

If Narayan Maharaja is promulgating "false teachings", the accusers had better

first provide solid and systematic documentation with specific and unambiguous

scriptural references, elsewise by repeating *hearsay* (2nd-hand or inaccurate

information), they are speaking irresponsibly, let alone "authoritatively."

By inappropriately slandering a superior Vaisnava, they are themselves guilty

of a greater sin, *maryada-vyatikrama*.

 

SB 3.4.26 purpt:

"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. "

 

 

> I put again my question - is it true that Narayan Maharaj claim to have

> right to deceive his followers, because one has to be deceiver like Krsna to

enter Vrndaban? This was in Ravindra Svarupa's paper and was not

> counterargued.

 

This is the point I wanted to finally come to: Your question and the point

itself is IMPERTINENT (ie, disrespectful and presumptuous).

Doesn't it even sound ridiculous? From my four years of regular association

with Narayan Maharaja, I can tell you quite confidently that this is hearsay

or a statement twisted and taken completely out of context. That such an

outrageous allegation holds any water in your mind shows that you have no

familiarity with Maharaja's writings or teachings. Your faith in him has

already been weakened or destroyed by willingly / unwillingly subjecting

yourself to his defamation.

 

Aside from losing the possibility to gain that sadhu's association, our heart

becomes hardened and incapable of experiencing deeper spiritual emotions by

indulgence in slanderous speeches. Depending upon our degree of participation

in the aparadha, our spiritual advancement becomes checked. This is the

result of listening to Vaisnava-aparadha. The heart becomes polluted and our

devotional creeper wilts.

 

Just as the ground is the only shelter for those whose feet have slipped, the

Vaisnavas whom we have offended are the only recourse to relieve the offenses

we have committed.

 

I pray for the maganimous Vaisnavas to correct me if have have spoken wrongly.

Please forgive my offenses. But I must speak out to defend the glory of Guru

and Gauranga or lose my position in devotional service. If I possess any

intelligence at all, I dedicate it to the service of my many Vaisnava gurus,

who stand above the clouds of mundane religious conception, shining the

transcendental rays of spiritual truth.

 

"My Gurudeva is residing in many different personalities. If he does not

reside in many different personalities, then who will protect me? Those whom

my Gurudeva considered close to him are my saviors. But I hope that I never

have to see the face of such evil-doing rascals as those who have criticized

the lotus feet of my Gurudeva, or those who have somehow supported such

criticism." (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura)

 

Respectfully,

 

Srila dasa