Vaisnavi Brahmin

[Guest guest]

Dear Prabhus,

 

Dandavats! Jayasrila Prabhupada! From all accounts the pastime regarding

Brahman initiations is not entirely accurate.

 

26th 2nd Ave. was not the first place that Brahmin initiation took place in

ISKCON. It was the second place.

 

This is the first inaccuracy but not the last.

 

The first Brahmin initiation was not at 26th 2nd Ave. but in Boston.

Gaursundar was Srila Prabhupada's personal servant. He kept asking His

Divine Grace for Brahman initiation as he was reading about gayatri mantra in

Vaisnava literatures. Srila Prabhupada responded to him with reservation.

 

The importance of gayatri mantra was dawning on Gaursundar, so he talked of

it often. Srila Prabhupada continually tried to dissuade him from wanting to

become Brahman saying this gayatri mantra was not as important as the Maha

Mantra.

 

Srila Prabhupada emphasized that the Hare Krishna Mantra was most important.

Srila Prabhupada tried to discourage the men from becoming Brahman ALSO. His

Divine Grace encouraged Gaursundar to Chant Hare Krishna!

 

Srila Prabhupada was studying the western culture to see how to spread

Krishna consciousness effectively. He was discovering the many differences

between Vedic culture and western society, considering how boys and girls

were trained equally.

 

Gaursundar continued to talk enthusiastically about receiving gayatri, so

finally with some reluctance Srila Prabhupada agreed to give second

initiation.

 

The following day, Srila Prabhupada kindly spoke with Govinda dasi. Govinda

expressed that both she and Jadurani also desired gayatri. In the same way

that His Divine Grace had spoken with Gaursundar, Srila Prabhupada again said

that gayatri mantra was not as important as the Hare Krishna Mantra.

 

Srila Prabhupada encouraged both husband and wife equally. He spoke the same

way with both Gaursundar and Govinda dasi. His Divine Grace gave both

Govinda dasi and Jadurani gayatri mantra the following day.

 

There was no insurrection.

 

A separate pastime: Prabhupada gave Govinda dasi beautiful Radha Krishna

Deities and guided Govinda dasi very carefully in the construction and

worship of Panchatattwa. Gaursundar was not so inclined but Govinda was very

enthusiastic to worship Their Lordships.

 

I remember after we finally completed Gaur Nitai, Srila Prabhupada said, "Now

you make Panchatattwa!" The ladies were totally involved in the Deity

production process.

 

Although Lord Caitanya claimed one bhakta, who was head of the sculpture

department at the University of Hawaii. At initiation this gentleman became

known as Brishni. Lord Caitanya engaged him in His manifestation.

 

Are doubters putting forth a theory that Srila Prabhupada created counterfeit

Brahmans not fit to worship the Deity. in the temple? The point Srila

Prabhupada made is Vaisnava is beyond Brahmin. So let's all chant Hare

Krishna!

 

After Srila Prabhupada installed Panchatattwa in Hawaii, we were in

difficulty because we were accustomed to having first initiates like myself

do arotik. When we discovered that no Brahmins were at the temple for the

4:00 pm arotik, we called Waimanolo where Srila Prabhupada stayed.

 

We asked if a first initiate could do arotik. Srila Prabhupada said

vehemently, "NO!" With considerable difficulty, we scrambled to get the

arotik done by a Brahman, So Jayasri Mata did arotik to Panchatattwa!

Brahmins are required to worship Panchatattwa in the temple.

 

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya! Panchatattwa Ki Jaya!

 

In Srila Prabhupada's seva, Kusha mata