Initiation (?)

[Guest guest]

On 17 May 1999, Gunamani dd wrote:

 

> Dear Prabhu

> Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

> Thank you for taking the time to reply my ignorant questions.

 

 

They are not ignorant questions and it is my pleasure.

 

 

> I am aware

> that it may sound like I am challenging my superiors.

 

 

I am not your superior, just a godbrother, but I always love a challenge.

 

 

> I have a hard time

> giving that up and it sometimes makes me feel like an offender, but in the

> same time it seems important to me to understand as much as possible what is

> actually going on and what my own position is, I hope that you and others

> who might have been offended by this will kindly correct me if this is the

> case.

 

 

I have not felt offended. It is a very healthy mentality to make important

inquiries. Srila Prabhupada's teachings are the authoritative guide within

which to frame all questions or doubts of others. Many inquire but they

continue to live with eyes wide shut.

 

 

> I learned a lot about the guru-relationships during the recent

> conversations and I am thankful to you and the other participants for that.

 

 

I have also learned much. Thank you.

 

 

> > Srila Prabhupada said, just before

> > he left, it(VAD) was the ONLY thing that he felt was left unfinished. He

> > gave explicit instructions over 25 years ago to start varnasrama colleges

> > in EVERY center. We have none.

> My husband is asking for a quote on that, it could prove useful.

 

 

I am not sure which of the above two references your husband is asking a quote

for so I'll provide references for both:

 

>From Abhirama Prabhu:

 

"The first time, several devotees were with Srila Prabhupada. We knew

that his health was getting weaker. He was talking to the devotees about

his imminent departure. 'I have no lamentation,' Prabhupada said. He

paused for a few seconds, and then he said, 'No, I have one lamentation.' A

devotee asked, 'Because you have not finished translating the Srimad

Bhagavatam?' Prabhupada replied, 'No, that I have not established

varnasrama.'

 

"On the next occasion, some time later, I was with Srila Prabhupada in

his room when he made the statement, 'Fifty percent of my work is not

complete because I have not established varnasrama.'"

 

 

"The varnasrama college must be established immediately. Wherever we have got

our centers."

Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk conversations, March 1974 in Vrindavan, India

 

 

 

> > After training in

> > varnasrama-dharma there will be good qualified ritviks to perform many

> > different important rituals.

 

 

> I still dont quite understand your definition of a ritvik, but maybe thats

> simply due to my limited braincapacity or impurity. I agree that instead of

> blind following it is time to educate ourselves and others.

 

 

I only refer to a ritvik as Srila Prabhupada did - as an officiating priest.

In my opinion, we have had ritviks since the very early days of the movement.

My marriage fire sacrifice in the Brooklyn temple was performed by the

temple's senior devotees who acted as ritviks for the ritual. It is an

excellent practice.

 

This immature and inaccurate name-calling and pointing fingers at certain

people and calling them "ritviks" I find childish, cultish and offensive to

the Vedic culture. They can call them something else if they want to out of

ignorance and small-mindedness but if a person is not acting in the capacity

intended for a ritvik/officiating priest don't throw around inaccurate names

and LEAVE THE VEDIC CULTURE OF MATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOR OUT OF IT. We have done

enough horrible damage to the image of the Vedic culture by cow abuse and

child abuse in the Holy Dhama.

 

 

 

 

 

> > I'll say it again, if a "guru" in ISKCON is not promoting

> > varnasrama-dharma and the appropriate varna and asrama training along with

> > cow protection (including women), I do not consider them "bonafide" gurus.

> > They are cheaters. They are not repeating what Srila Prabhupada said

> > accurately. That is my opinion.

> >

> > If there are gurus who are doing this I will support them fully and

> > recommend any aspiring candidate to them for training.

 

 

> I always felt protected by my gurumaharaja, when he took charge I was

> finally properly married to my husband after many years of worries that they

> would succeed in convincing my husband that I was of no use for his

> spiritual upliftment. As a lonely mother there would have been no question

> of me continuing templelife. However Krishna took care of me. I am grateful

> for that.

> Thank you for your good instructions. >

Your servant Gunamani d.d.

 

 

 

I am happy to hear of your happiness with your family. I am happy to hear of

your protection by your guru maharaja. Perhaps you could inquire of him about

detailed varnasrama dharma training for yourself and others in his area?

Remember, Narada at first attempted to train Dhruva according to brahminical

principles and Dhruva respectfully objected and told his guru that this was

not acceptable to him because he was a ksatriya. This is a proper and

intelligent disciple relationship with a prospective guru. A qualified guru

will respond accordingly.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Janesvara dasa