Initiation (?)

[Guest guest]

On 12 May 1999, Mahanidhi das wrote:

 

 

> I am starting to lament for 14 years of my life wasted in "serving"

> Prabhupada and his mission. I served through some bogus ISCKON

> channel (called "HKS"), so all that went down the drain, not to

> Prabhupada. Can't get around the Principle, no sir. This is

> spiritual clearing-office, not of Indian Government. Back in line,

> get all your papers properly stamped. No arguing.

>

>

>

> ys mnd

 

 

 

The jiva is called "tattastha" for a reason. The same way the shore by the

ocean can be covered by water at some times, and dry at others, so the living

entity, even from one moment to the next can be covered by illusion or in

Krsna consciousness. Prabhupad has also said that one who is staunchly

following the instructions of his spiritual master can be considered to be on

the platform of a pure devotee, even if his heart may not be completely

purified.

 

I think it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that just because HKS has

temporarily become covered and given up his position as one who was, at least

for some time, purely following Srila Prabhupada, that his whole devotional

career was a fraud, and that his disciples wasted their time serving him. If

someone saves you from drowning in the ocean, but then forgets how to swim and

drowns himself--or even if he goes crazy and starts drowning people

intentionally--that doesn't mean he didn't save YOU from drowning. That

doesn't mean we are obligated to keep associating with such a person.

 

A devotee once told me that the difference between reading SP's books and

following a living spiritual master is . . .

 

 

 

 

 

we can close the book