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> New Text 19125 (5 lines)

> Bhakti Vikasa Swami

> 05-Dec-03 08:42 -0500

> Prabhupada Disciples

> from a letter to me

> ---------------------------

> > A.L. Basham felt that the authenticity Prabhupada established

> > in ISKCON (i.e., orthopraxis) is mainly what distinguished ISKCON from

> > the kind of "streamlined" yoga groups. Modern-day ISKCON seems to

> > resemble such groups (like Siddhasvarupa in Hawaii) more and more every

> > day.

 

That depends on how you see things when you look at ISKCON. I personally

found this article, written by HG Satyaraja prabhu in the current edition of

BTG, to be very wonderful:

-------------------------

 

As far back as 1976, the Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year said that

Prabhupada "astonished academic and literary communities worldwide by

writing and publishing fifty-two books on the ancient Vedic culture...in the

period from October 1968 to November 1975."

 

More recently, in 1992, an authoritative book was released entitled "Who's

Who of World Religions" (John R. Hinnells, editor, New York: Simon and

Schuster, 1992). The book went on to be used in university courses around

the world and soon became and important reference in academic libraries as

well. Set up like an encyclopedia, the book alphabetically lists significant

people in the world of religion. Page 329 contains a complimentary entry on

Srila Prabhupada. While most other entries are only half a column,

Prabhupada's is a page and a half. It lists a good deal of historical data,

most of it accurate, and it highlights other Krishna conscious entities with

entries in the book: Ananda Tirtha (Madhva), Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur,

Chaitanya, Gaudiya, Hare Krishna, ISKCON, Jayadeva, Krishnadas Kaviraja,

Ramanuja, Rupa Goswami, and Vallabha.

 

To cite another example, an extremely popular book was released only last

year: "Spiritual Innovators: Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed

the World in the Past Century" (Ira Rifkin, editor, Woodstock, Vermont:

SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2002). This work was a best seller and won

accolades from religious scholars and intelligentsia around the world--and

again, it mentions Srila Prabhupada as a significant personality. The book

is divided into sections such as "They Made Intellect a Spiritual Force,"

"They Brought the Traditions Together," and "They Spoke From the Power of

Silence." Prabhupada is listed under "They Shook Things Up." The entry on

Prabhupada is again largely accurate, and it quotes him, lists his books,

and even mentions ISKCON's headquarters and website, so that interested

readers can get more information.

 

It is unlikely that modern historians or scholars of comparative religion

would recognize Prabhupada's unique position as the most recent emissary of

the Absolute. How could they? Understanding Prabhupada's position comes from

the pratice of Krishna consciousness, from chanting Hare Krishna and

associating with devotees in a spirit of faithfulness. Otherwise, Srila

Prabhupada remains an enigma--a significant religious personality, perhaps,

but clearly only one among many.

 

To really understand Prabhupada's life and work is no academc exercise--it

is the culmination of the spiritual quest. While Prabhupada can be seen as a

particular saint and scholar from twentieth-century India, recognition of

his true status as savior of the modern world leads also to recognition of

one's own true essence, the soul, the real self within. And beyond that,

recognition of Prabhupada leads to recognition of Krishna, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, which allows one entrance into the spiritual world.