OBSERVATIONS ON THE VRINDAVANA ISSUE

[Guest guest]

Akruranatha prabhu writes:

 

> I do not know specifically what happened at Krishna Balarama temple, but

> the situation should be arranged so all the devotees are happy, peaceful

> and satisfied. Even if some the men in question were only concerned that

> some women were bent on defying a policy directive from the designated

> temple authorities, it should be clear by now that the policy was

> ill-advised. If the women devotees were more involved in the process of

> formulating such policies, directly concerning aspects of their devotional

> lives such as being able to take darshan during temple functions, such

> mistakes would probably occur less often.

 

With all humility I would like to say that if one dosen't know what exactly

happened then one should not give a more or less conclusive comment or

judgement. I was present there in Vrindavana at this time and I can say that

the policy was not at all ill-advised infact it was intended for the benefit

of everyone. I will try to tell what I remember. Mahaman prabhu had

announced after the mangal arotik in a nice way and had requested the

matajis to come up to the altar for darshan after the ghee lamp has been

offered. This was because the sannyasis & other male devotees can offer

obeisances have darshan for a few minutes before the matajis come up. I

think this is a fairly reasonable policy and is followed in most of the

Indian ISKCON temples. Also in the sastra it is strictly forbidden for

someone to stand between the sannyasi and the Deities when the sannyasi

offers obeisances. So the policy was quite in order and in line with the

sastras and it has been the standard in ISKCON Vrindavan for the past 25

years. But from what I heard from Vaisnava prabhu (Vrindavana Temple

Management Council), the response from some matajis was revolutionary. Even

after this announcement which was for everyone's benefit, some matajis took

their position near the altar even before the beginning of mangal arotik.

Mahaman prabhu requested them with folded hands to move to the back till the

dipa offering. I think the matajis went back but some mataji (I am not sure

of the name) caught hold of them and pushed them again in the front in clear

& open defiance of Mahaman prabhu's request. One time after the

annoucements, mother Paravati wanted to take the microphone from Deenabandhu

prabhu but he promptly began the Tulasi pranati mantra.

 

The incident when the male devotees formed the human chain at the altar was

thus the result of the devotees being greatly distressed at the such an open

violation of the temple authority by some matajis. It may not have been the

best way to respond but somehow they went ahead with it. Their intention was

basically to discourage the matajis from coming to the front till the dipa

offering and they more or less did not expect that the matajis would go to

the extreme extent of trying to brake the human chain. But some matajis like

mother Paravati took such an extreme step and then the devotees in the human

chain got upset and pushed & shoved back. There is no question of any

beating and whether there was any manhandling I do not know.

 

This is what I was told by Vaisnava prabhu. Vaisnava prabhu is a very senior

brahmacari in ISKCON Vrindavana for the past many years and is a very sober

and mature devotee with a very good record who is incharge of the Sankirtan

dept and also a member of temple management council. I can tell you that it

was a very very sad and painful experience for him personally and for the

temple devotees including the management especially when they heard that

people are commenting against them from all the world but nobody is asking

them about their position and what actually happened. It is not a question

of right or wrong but it is a question of who can make the electronic

propoganda. I think this is the disadvantage of email and people not should

pass verdicts just by listening to one-side of it. One-sided judgement may

prove fatal for the spiritual lives of some sincere devotees. There are so

many sympathisers for the matajis in this case but the point missed is that

they openly rejected and revolted against temple authority which was the

basic reason which led to such an incident in the holy month of Kartik in

the most holy land of Vrindavana. My question is that if they did not like

the decision of the temple management then why did they not try more for a

detailed peaceful discussion with Mahaman prabhu and the Council and instead

decided to go in for open disobedience in the temple room itself. If they

would not have been satisfied with the temple management they could have

presented their problem to HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja. I will go on to say

that you can express you points to the authority but ultimately for the sake

of the movement we have to accept & follow the decision of the authority

even if we don't like it. This is what I have heard from my authorities and

only such behaviour will create a loving, cogenial & auspicious atmosphere

in our society.

 

Your servant,

Nayana-ranjana das