CYNICISM IS ONLY GOOD IN SMALL DOSES

[Guest guest]

Dear Akhilesvara,

 

On 16 Dec 1999, Akhilesvara das wrote:

 

> "Dear" Pancha Tattva "Prabhu".

 

Wow. Now there's an attitude. Come again?

 

>

> Nothing new. I am hearing this apocalyptic predilection since I learned to

> read. It seems that some are just praying for it to happen. I mean there are

> devotees like that.

>

 

Sure. We all want an apocalypse. That's why we joined Krishna consciousness,

distributed Prabhupada's books for decades, taught in the gurukula, and did so

many other services. We want an apocalypse. Sure.

 

>

> Don't you think it is better from what it was before? You don't see the

> value of my example? I am trying to be practical. I was trying to show the

> power of a man... But forget it.

>

 

Hmm. Yes, well I guess we can forget it if that's what you want. I mean, what

a way to make an argument. You state your piece, and then say "Forget it!"

Since you made your argument, I'll respond even though you want me to forget

it. The regime enforcing apartheid in South Africa was no doubt hellish, and I

would agree that it appears it was hellish even more than the current hellish

situation there. Now that we have a lesser hell, maybe with some Krishna

conscious, enlightened STRONG leadership we could eliminate the hell

altogether. That won't happen as long as people prefer to see eachother only

as black or white or brown and not as spirit soul, servants of the Supreme

Lord, and it won't happen as long as the leadership takes no interest in

seeing that the people are enlightened. Furthermore, it won't happen as long

as thieves and murderers roam the countryside with impunity.

 

> What is your example apart from the "cut and paste" from the SB? I am sure

> you can find someone closed to your ideal, just that I can understand what

> you mean. Is there anyone like that today or he exists only in SB? I am

> talking about a ruler.

 

Gosh, I didn't realize you wanted to immediately draft someone for the job!

Kidding aside, that is up to us to see, isn't it? Of course, you can

trivialize my attempt to pursuade you that a strong ruler is a good idea, by

saying that there is no one who is qualified, but you disregard Srila

Prabhupada's statements on the matter, which is simply unfortunate for you.

Srila Prabhupada wouldn't have called for strong leadership in the pages of

the Bhagavatam if it wasn't both necessary and possible. The fact that you

have no hope means nothing more than that there is very little you will

contribute. Cynicism, while healthy in small doses, becomes poisonous if

adopted as a world view - especially when we've been called upon to do

something to change this world - that is, to spread Krishna consciousness. We

do that, and I guarantee there will be strong rulers that you don't have to

lay awake at night worrying about.

 

>

> > How silly of you to think I'm advocating the rule of demons.

> > Perhaps you do need therapy!

>

> Sorry. Now here you could have helped. I will not go over the governments in

> the world who have adopted the authoritarian way, but I hardly see what you

> mean.

 

In the words of one recent leader, "There you go again!" Now, in your mind,

the word "strong" becomes "authoritarian." I don't recall saying that. You

duck Prabhupada's quotes, and you misinterpret what I say. Where is the ground

for dialogue? You can only think of strong rulers in terms of our latter-day

demoniac samples. Doesn't it occur to you that real strength in a ruler isn't

shown by hurting the people but by protecting them? This is where the quotes

from Srila Prabhupada, which you assiduously avoided, would have helped.

 

> The first time was in Alachua. My wife and me were invited in a sad sanga.

> Amongst older devotees, I was meeting for the first time, we were discussing

> Prabhupada's teachings.

 

Sounds like you didn't know, or perhaps forgot, what you were attending. It

was a bhakti-vrksha meeting (aka Nama-Hatta). There were devotees old and new.

You don't recall?? We explained to you the format of the program and

everything. I remember that you didn't like the format. Too structured or

something.

 

At one point, right from the beginning, I pointed to

> a detail that Prabhupada was referring too. I was saying that it did not

> hold anymore truth because of the present scientific development. I am not

> sure anymore, but I think it was about the child in the womb.

>

> You did not know me from from Adam neither from Eve, but your reaction was

> astounding. I felt so bad. Just because I said something which in your mind

> was NOT RIGHT.

>

> That was the first time. And this is the last.

 

I'm sorry you felt bad. I'm also sorry you couldn't explain anything more,

other than by means of a vague complaint, what it was that bothered you. I

have also felt bad that you cannot understand in the least what I've been

saying, but anyway, maybe, as you've alluded to at the end of this message,

it's a matter of some mysterious personal chemistry. In the meantime, I will

pray to one day see a strong, Krishna conscious ruler protect the innocent and

chastise the miscreants, and if my prayers are answered you can feverishly

worry about the poets and artists while you're being protected.

 

Your servant,

 

Pancha Tattva dasa