Srila Prabhupada's servants falling away

[Guest guest]

> It appears from the above quote that quite a few personal servants of

> Srila Prabhupada fell away due to committing guru aparads. My question is

> how come that Srila Prabhupada didn't prevent those devotees from becoming

> familiar with their spiritual master by sending them away on time or

> taking some similar action? I am pretty sure that Srila Prabhupada was

> able to tell when someone was beginning to be offensive toward his

> spiritual master by developing familiarity.

 

A disciple should never be a hypocrite or be unfaithful to his spiritual

master. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.17.27), the spiritual master is also called

acarya. Acaryam mam vijaniyan: the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that

one should respect the spiritual master, accepting him as the Lord Himself.

Navamanyeta karhicit: one should not disrespect the acarya at any time. Na

martya-buddhyasuyeta: one should never think the acarya an ordinary person.

Familiarity sometimes breeds contempt, but one should be very careful in

one's dealings with the acarya.

SB 6.7.15

 

Under no circumstances should the guru be disrespected,...

SB 6.7.21

 

This indicates that one should not come very near a superior. Both the

Lord's Deity form and the spiritual master should be seen from a distant

place. This is called maryada. Otherwise, as it is said, familiarity breeds

contempt. Sometimes coming too near the Deity or the spiritual master

degrades the neophyte devotee. Personal servants of the Deity and the

spiritual master should therefore always be very careful, for negligence may

overcome them in their duty.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 12.212

 

Acaryam mam vijaniyan. Krsna says, "Acarya means I am." Navamanyeta

karhicit: "Do not try to neglect." Na martya-buddhyasuyeta: "Do not consider

acarya, spiritual master, as ordinary human being and become envious." These

things are warned. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit, na

martya-buddhyasuyeta [sB 11.17.27]. Familiarity breeds contempt. That is not

good.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.28-29 -- Philadelphia, July 13, 1975

 

For example, Kirtanananda was giving me direct service by massaging, cooking

for me, and so many other things; but later on by dictation of Maya, he

became puffed up, so much so that he thought his Spiritual Master a common

man, and was existing only on account of his service. This mentality at once

pushed him down. Of course, those who are sincere devotee, they take direct

service as an opportunity, but the illusory energy is so strong that it acts

on this doctrine of familiarity breeds contempt. Kirtanananda was thinking I

was existing on his service, instead of realizing I was giving him

opportunity to do me some service.

Letter to: Madhusudana -- San Francisco 30 December, 1967