IMPORTANT QUESTION

[Guest guest]

> I have one question for HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami:

>

 

One?

 

> How do we take these actions as brahmacaries?

 

Brahmacaris should take such incidents very soberly and assess if they have

what it takes to remain brahmacari. That many sannyasis have fallen does not

mean that no-one can make it, but we should know that bravado alone is

insufficient.

 

> Are these actions by a sannyasi

> to get married as per guru, sadhu & sastra?

 

There is almost certainly no sastra-vidhi for sannyasis to marry, yet we

cannot deny that Srila Prabhupada allowed it. Not that he encouraged it; yet

he has given some allowance so that fallen sannyasis can continue in

devotional service. Certainly Srila Prabhupada didn't want sannyasis to

marry, but the alternatives that Nityodita Prabhu suggested (suicide or

blooping) were less acceptable to Srila Prabhupada. Unpalatable as it may

be, as followers of Srila Prabhupada we have to accept that he made such an

allowance.

 

In ISKCON in the past, many men took sannyasa against their will or without

proper consideration. Now we should be careful in screening new candidates,

and should extend support to those who are presently in the sannyasa ashram

but struggling. I'm not at all happy with Nityodita's decision. I will be

writing to him about this, although I hardly know him. Better if those who

know him well, especially Radhanath Maharaja, try to discourage him from

marrying. But if he cannot take any other alternative, we have to allow

dedicated devotees like him scope to continue their service.

 

> Aren't they demoralizing for

> other renunciants in the movement?

 

Probably. It may also help those who are more intelligent and determined, so

that they can learn from the errors of others.

 

> What lessons do we learn for this?

 

We should be very careful in awarding sannyasa. Good sadhana, sastric

knowledge, practical detachment--all these should be seen. Maybe some

astrological screening should be done.

 

We should also tighten up the sannyasa ashram (be more strict on

philosophical deviations, poor sadhana etc.), and respond early to danger

signals from present sannyasis. Apparently a sannyasi who recently fell used

to regularly go out from the temple for hours in karmi clothes. Maybe TPs

should be enjoined to respond to such irregular behavior.

 

> Don't these set a very dangerous trend for the sannyas ashram in our

> Society?

>

 

Yes. We are reaping the fruits of past imprudence. I feel that we, the

sannyasis as a body, need to seriously discuss the continuing trend of

falldown and see what to do about it. Probably the role of sannyasa minister

should be more active.

 

> Nityodita Prabhu has justified his change of asrama from sannyas to

> grhasta by quotes from Prabhupada in the sixth canto and in 1977. Are you

> satisfied with that?

>

 

Srila Prabhupada was far from satisfied that his sannyasis fell, but the

reality is that it is still happening. How to deal with it? Srila Prabhupada

preferred that they get married and continue serving as an alternative to

suicide or blooping.

 

> I personally would prefer suicide in the ganga at Mayapur than this fifth

> ashram business.

 

Such a mood should be the determination of a sannyasi.

 

I've added Hari Sauri Prabhu as a receiver here as I believe he once sent a

posting on this subject. Although it is undoubtedly a painful topic for him,

I request him to re-post that text for the benefit of us all.

 

I also request the blessings of all the Vaisnavas on this fallen soul,

unqualified as I am even to ask for the mercy of the devotees.

 

"My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again

and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of

their mercy as my support."

 

Yours in the service of our eternal master Srila Prabhupada,

 

Bhakti Vikasa Swami