Posts
No one in this rotting material world is more fortunate than one who receives the mercy of a pure devotee. Certainly amongst the most wealthy, intelligent or famous men and women in this world today, no one is nearly as fortunate as the most humble person who even ONCE saw, heard or served our guru maharaja, nitya lila pravista om visnupada paramhamsa A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Darshan of Prabhupada is no longer possible except rarely in dreams, but hearing and service can be realized even now. One need not be his initiated disciple. Not by some bogus ritvik initiation, but by inquisitively hearing and reading his books, lectures, conversations and correspondence, anyone can still associate with Srila Prabhupada.
We who are disciples of Srila Prabhupada should never take him for granted or misuse him for materially selfish purposes. The real legacy and inheritance he left for us is not the marble buildings or the institution he created, but his holy association thru his books, bhajans, classes, conversations and letters. His unlimited mercy also gives us entrance to the entire Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya of which we are its most humble followers. This param para begins with Srila Prabhupada for us, but always includes the previous acaryas.
Prabhupada’s guru maharaja is our parama guru, nitya lila pravista om visnupada paramhamsa Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. Our spiritual grandfather is an immeasurable ocean of mercy for anyone who seeks to understand the science of love for Krishna. Currently i’m reading an anthology originally published in Bengali as “Srila Prabhupadera Upadesamrta” (Nectarean Teachings of Srila Prabhupada). This Bengali book was recently translated into English by Bhumapati Das and published as “Amrta Vani” by Isvara Das of Touchstone Media (www.touchstonemedia.com). Here is a brief sample from the words of our parama guru, His Divine Grace:
“Human beings proudly consider themselves brahmans, ksatriyas, vaisyas, or sudras, brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas, or sannyasis. Those who are intelligent, however, should not claim these false identities. We are simply the Lord’s servants. We are not products of this world."
“Lord Hari is situated in every atom, and He attracts fools and learned alike. Only those who have no desire for material enjoyment, for becoming the master, no desire to command respect as sadhus, are qualified to hear His instructions. Those who are attached to something as insignificant as their own pride, however, will not hear the Lord’s call.”
“Because we do not hear properly from the mouth of the spiritual master we are unable to see Krishna. If we hear properly, we will chant properly. If we chant properly we will remember Krishna properly and thus realize Him.”
“The first order is to take shelter of a spiritual master. That requires humility. Actually humility and taking shelter are synonymous. If we do not take shelter, who can help us?”
“If out of good fortune we receive a bona fide spiritual master, we must observe carefully how he serves Krishna constantly with all his senses. Unless we hear from the spiritual master and apply his instructions, how can we give up material enjoyment?”
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Cheaters & the Weak
In material life, there are the cheaters and the cheated, but in spiritual life there is a huge difference between those who cheat and those who are simply weak. Those who make a show of their devotion, but who are proud of their position and popularity, are cheaters. They pose themselves as saints, but are attached to material success and worldly opinion.
In a world full of cheating, good cheaters are respected. Money and influence are the standards of success in this world of appearances. Less intelligent persons evaluate religious and spiritual leaders by similar standards. "Show business" has been going on since time immemorial, and certainly Kali yuga brings such cheating into full fashion. Pseudo spiritual leaders think they can cheat even their own gurus, and therefore they boldly mislead others. As leaders are corrupt, the entire society follows their example. yad yad acarati sresthas....whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow...(BG 3.21)
In India it is easy to see how the cheating mentality permeates not just religion, but business and political life as well. Baksheesh is a way of life. In the West, cheating is obfuscated by more sophisticated dealings, but is no less prominent. Corporate interests influence politics and the media, which control public opinion. Profit is a way of life. For those looking for a deeper meaning in life, there are other types of cheaters. They offer a myriad of philosophies to inflate the false ego’s vain attempts to try to be God. Selfish interests are couched in altruistic high-sounding vocabulary. Even amongst some who preach the vaisnava dharma of selfless love, money and power sometimes speak louder than purity. The world has become such a noisy place, the voices of saints can hardly be heard over the roar of greed.
But cheating never brings perfection. What goes round comes round. The laws of nature, according to Bhagavad-gita, are non-sectarian, non-profit and strict. nibadhanti maha baho....the jiva is conditioned by the modes of nature....(BG 14.5) In the end, cheaters get cheated.
Weakness is another thing. If someone follows a bona fide spiritual path but is unable to practice nicely because of weakness, if they're sincere, they will eventually succeed. Weak persons are embarrassed by their defects. They don’t concote knowledge or misuse philosophy for selfish goals, not even to seek liberation. They don’t pose themselves as advanced or take positions beyond their qualification. They continue to hear from a genuine pure devotee, having faith that despite their anarthas, this process is auspicious and effective. They don’t abandon the shelter of the holy names. They're aware of their weaknesses and pray to develop the spiritual qualities that will free them from their attachments and obstacles. They feel happy to associate with other vaisnavas to share prasadam and hear topics about Sri Krishna and Nitai Gauranga with them. They even pray: if necessary, let me be born again as an animal or as an insect, but let me have association with pure devotees.
In a world full of cheating, good cheaters are respected. Money and influence are the standards of success in this world of appearances. Less intelligent persons evaluate religious and spiritual leaders by similar standards. "Show business" has been going on since time immemorial, and certainly Kali yuga brings such cheating into full fashion. Pseudo spiritual leaders think they can cheat even their own gurus, and therefore they boldly mislead others. As leaders are corrupt, the entire society follows their example. yad yad acarati sresthas....whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow...(BG 3.21)
In India it is easy to see how the cheating mentality permeates not just religion, but business and political life as well. Baksheesh is a way of life. In the West, cheating is obfuscated by more sophisticated dealings, but is no less prominent. Corporate interests influence politics and the media, which control public opinion. Profit is a way of life. For those looking for a deeper meaning in life, there are other types of cheaters. They offer a myriad of philosophies to inflate the false ego’s vain attempts to try to be God. Selfish interests are couched in altruistic high-sounding vocabulary. Even amongst some who preach the vaisnava dharma of selfless love, money and power sometimes speak louder than purity. The world has become such a noisy place, the voices of saints can hardly be heard over the roar of greed.
But cheating never brings perfection. What goes round comes round. The laws of nature, according to Bhagavad-gita, are non-sectarian, non-profit and strict. nibadhanti maha baho....the jiva is conditioned by the modes of nature....(BG 14.5) In the end, cheaters get cheated.
Weakness is another thing. If someone follows a bona fide spiritual path but is unable to practice nicely because of weakness, if they're sincere, they will eventually succeed. Weak persons are embarrassed by their defects. They don’t concote knowledge or misuse philosophy for selfish goals, not even to seek liberation. They don’t pose themselves as advanced or take positions beyond their qualification. They continue to hear from a genuine pure devotee, having faith that despite their anarthas, this process is auspicious and effective. They don’t abandon the shelter of the holy names. They're aware of their weaknesses and pray to develop the spiritual qualities that will free them from their attachments and obstacles. They feel happy to associate with other vaisnavas to share prasadam and hear topics about Sri Krishna and Nitai Gauranga with them. They even pray: if necessary, let me be born again as an animal or as an insect, but let me have association with pure devotees.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Purushottama
Today is the final day of the Purushottama-adhika month in the vaisnava calendar. Purushottama mas is a special month that adjusts the lunar calendar by adding an extra month after every 33 months. It began on the new moon in mid-May, and will end today, the Caturdasi, or 14th day after the full moon. Tomorrow the new moon brings back the continuation of Trivikram mas, the month that began on 3rd May and was interrupted for this special month. The next Purushottama mas will be in early 2010.
The significance of Purushottama mas is that it directly represents Bhagavan Sri Krishna in the calendar. It is named after Purushottama, the Supreme Person, and offers His devotees opportunities for spiritual advancement.
As a nice way to end this month, i am posting the last four verses from Chapter 15, Bhagavad-gita, which is titled, Purushottama Yoga, or “The Yoga of the Supreme Person.” These verses are said to contain the confidential purport of the entire Vedas.
Verse translations are from the Original Collier-Macmillan Edition of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
(This original, unedited edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is is now available online, free, at the link published below the verses.)
“Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Lord Himself, who has entered into these worlds and is maintaining it. (15.17)
“Because I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as that Supreme Person (Purushottama). (15.18)
“Whoever knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Purushottama), without doubting, is to be understood as the knower of everything, and he therefore engages himself in full devotional service, O son of Bharata. (15.19)
“This is the most confidential part of the Vedic sciptures, O sinless one, and it is disclosed now by Me. Whoever understands this will become wise, and his endeavors will know perfection.” (15.20)
For the online verson of the unedited Bhagavad-gita As It Is,
copy and paste this link in your web browser:
http://vedabase.net/bg/en
The significance of Purushottama mas is that it directly represents Bhagavan Sri Krishna in the calendar. It is named after Purushottama, the Supreme Person, and offers His devotees opportunities for spiritual advancement.
As a nice way to end this month, i am posting the last four verses from Chapter 15, Bhagavad-gita, which is titled, Purushottama Yoga, or “The Yoga of the Supreme Person.” These verses are said to contain the confidential purport of the entire Vedas.
Verse translations are from the Original Collier-Macmillan Edition of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
(This original, unedited edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is is now available online, free, at the link published below the verses.)
“Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Lord Himself, who has entered into these worlds and is maintaining it. (15.17)
“Because I am transcendental, beyond both fallible and infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as that Supreme Person (Purushottama). (15.18)
“Whoever knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Purushottama), without doubting, is to be understood as the knower of everything, and he therefore engages himself in full devotional service, O son of Bharata. (15.19)
“This is the most confidential part of the Vedic sciptures, O sinless one, and it is disclosed now by Me. Whoever understands this will become wise, and his endeavors will know perfection.” (15.20)
For the online verson of the unedited Bhagavad-gita As It Is,
copy and paste this link in your web browser:
http://vedabase.net/bg/en
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Crystal Clear Prabhupada
In yesterday’s blog (12 June 2007/ “Letters from 1968”), i published excerpts from Srila Prabhupada’s early letters to a few disciples and friends. I would like to examine some points made by Prabhupada in these letters, as they are full of divine instructions and guidance. After almost 40 years, they are still fresh and illuminating.
The mahabhagavata guru does not die when he leaves this world. He lives forever in sound, and part of Prabhupada’s “sound,” is recorded in his correspondence. In thousands of letters, he made his desires and teachings crystal clear to his disciples. If we sincerely study his letters, and carefully follow his guidance, there is no need to seek out a new siksa guru, as Bhagavat das encouraged me to do in his article responding to the “Dilemma of Association” piece i recently wrote. There would also be no need for any godbrother to stay outside the institution that Prabhupada founded, if the leaders of Iskcon sincerely followed Prabhupada’s detailed instructions found in his letters. Unfortunately, they don’t.
In fact, the proper hearing and following of Prabhupada’s advice in his letters would be the painless way to extract the rot that has covered Iskcon. The trouble is, devotees today mostly ignore Prabhupada. Some think they already know everything and are free to speculate. Some think they need more esoteric instructions to make advancement or to impress others. And some wrap themselves in Prabhupada’s “flag,” quoting him or using him for purposes that are motivated by personal desire and ambition. The leaders of Iskcon insist on everyone repeating a “pledge of allegiance” to the GBC, rather than everyone discussing, understanding and implementing the spirit of Prabhupada’s instructions as found in his letters. And followers of some gurus outside Iskcon also use Prabhupada’s image to bolster their credibility, without promoting an understanding of what Prabhupada actually taught.
Not only are the leaders of today’s Iskcon deaf to the essence of Prabhupada’s instructions, they censor and ban anyone who challenges their deafness. But Srimad Bhagavatam, the literary incarnation of Sri Krishna in Kali yuga, clearly says in the 10th Canto: “A wise person should not enter an assembly if he knows the participants there are committing acts of impropriety. And if, having entered such an assembly, he fails to speak the truth, speaks falsely or pleads ignorance, he will certainly incur sin.” S.B. 10.44.10 At the risk of incurring sin, we must speak the truth as we understand it.
Here’s a tiny sample of truth from six of Srila Prabhupada’s letters from 1968 with my comments added. This is really a random sampling. There are thousands of letters with similar instructions. Prabhupada’s letters can be found at an archival site of Srila Prabhupada’s letters on the web: http://prabhupada.blogspot.com
In his letter to Pradyumna (Feb. 17, 1968), Srila Prabhupada explains that practical devotional service is “the secret to understanding the Sastras....My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey. In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there.” Service also means hearing without mental speculation, and chanting without duplicity. Mental speculation and pretense are not paths to love. Do not try to lord it over others, misuse your authority, or engage in speculation and call it bhakti. When we practice “devotional service” in name only, but have other motives within our heart, we are cheating ourself and others. We create conflicts of interest rather than synthesis. We encourage hate, not love; conflict, not harmony.
In a letter to Brahmananda (Feb. 20, 1968), Prabhupada expresses a deep poetic meaning of faith. “Faith increases in Krishna Consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krishna. Serving Krishna is unlimited and he can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited.” In the most concise and poetic way, Prabhupada explains how faith increases in proportion to our desire to serve. Bhakti is a voluntary act of love, not something forced or enforced. Service is unlimited, just as Krishna and the pleasure of devotional service is unlimited, and unlimited love is inspired from the heart, not from resolutions.
To Karunamayi (Feb. 25), Prabhupada emphasizes the universality of devotional service. “So you please continue to serve Krishna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform.” Krishna does not discriminate between higher and lower servitors. He does not make elite clubs for a few devotees who wield political power and delegate those who do menial tasks to an inferior status. All are equal in Krishna’s transcendental vision. “Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service." So there is no higher or lower service. Do your duty, chant, and you’ll become happy and successful.
Writing to Uddhava (March 5), Srila Prabhupada makes the point that feelings of separation from one’s guru maharaja can be overcome by working together according to your guru’s direction. “Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feeling of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.” I don’t think anyone in Iskcon today can honestly say they are feeling much transcendental bliss by working together. Neither do most feel much separation from Srila Prabhupada.
To Hamsadutta (March 3), Prabhupada explains how important humility is to the practice of bhakti. “The more one feels imperfect in Krishna's service, the more he is advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Even the topmost devotees feel they are inadequate in their service to the Lord. So it is good to feel inadequate, and to try harder to please Krishna with better service. But one should never feel, oh, I have seen Krishna, and so I am reached perfection--this is not Krishna Consciousness.” How many of today’s leaders make a show of being advanced, and how many behave towards their godbrothers with humility?
Again Prabhupada points out the equality of doing service. “It is true that Krishna has given some the opportunity to serve Him by nice writing, some by good business ability, some by nice cooking, and so on, but these various services are all accepted equally by Krishna. On the transcendental plane, one service is as good as another. There is no question of higher or lower.”
And how Krishna becomes pleased: “We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased.” To Krishna, there are no “big guns” or “small fry.” Vaisnavas are a classless society. Krishna sees the effort, not the duality of so-called important or menial service.
Finally, in this brief sampling of letters from early 1968, Prabhupada writes to one of his friends in India, Seth Harikrishnadas (March 3). Srila Prabhupada tells him that the movement he has started in America is non-sectarian. “Anyone can join us, never mind whatever he is. (We shall entertain Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, or whoever may come. We shall have no restriction. In that Temple, everyone will be welcome. In other words, in our secular state international feelings of God-consciousness will be introduced, where no one will be restricted.)” Anyone can join, everyone is welcome, there will be freedom to serve Krishna according to one's nature. Iskcon is a "secular state," not a religious movement or church with its hierarchy. “And I am glad to inform you that this principle is accepted by everyone working under me.” Prabhupada writes that his students have accepted this spirit of universal harmony. They are all working together as one family. Prabhupada now wanted to expand this family to India and all across the world. In this spirit Prabhupada wrote to his old friend in Bombay for his help in forming a world sankirtan party.
Back to the future, or rather, the present. Most of the instructions in Prabhupada’s letters are as relevant today as they were when he dictated them 30-40 years ago. But not hearing them and not acting on them, we all miss the chance for genuine sadhu sanga amongst each other. Instead of purifying the world with the crystal clear instructions of our guru maharaja, we fight amongst ourselves for name and fame, or we join “new, improved” sangas, or we find ourselves alone as outsiders struggling to keep our connection to our divine master alive.
Prabhupada is crystal clear in his letters. Why aren’t we listening?
The mahabhagavata guru does not die when he leaves this world. He lives forever in sound, and part of Prabhupada’s “sound,” is recorded in his correspondence. In thousands of letters, he made his desires and teachings crystal clear to his disciples. If we sincerely study his letters, and carefully follow his guidance, there is no need to seek out a new siksa guru, as Bhagavat das encouraged me to do in his article responding to the “Dilemma of Association” piece i recently wrote. There would also be no need for any godbrother to stay outside the institution that Prabhupada founded, if the leaders of Iskcon sincerely followed Prabhupada’s detailed instructions found in his letters. Unfortunately, they don’t.
In fact, the proper hearing and following of Prabhupada’s advice in his letters would be the painless way to extract the rot that has covered Iskcon. The trouble is, devotees today mostly ignore Prabhupada. Some think they already know everything and are free to speculate. Some think they need more esoteric instructions to make advancement or to impress others. And some wrap themselves in Prabhupada’s “flag,” quoting him or using him for purposes that are motivated by personal desire and ambition. The leaders of Iskcon insist on everyone repeating a “pledge of allegiance” to the GBC, rather than everyone discussing, understanding and implementing the spirit of Prabhupada’s instructions as found in his letters. And followers of some gurus outside Iskcon also use Prabhupada’s image to bolster their credibility, without promoting an understanding of what Prabhupada actually taught.
Not only are the leaders of today’s Iskcon deaf to the essence of Prabhupada’s instructions, they censor and ban anyone who challenges their deafness. But Srimad Bhagavatam, the literary incarnation of Sri Krishna in Kali yuga, clearly says in the 10th Canto: “A wise person should not enter an assembly if he knows the participants there are committing acts of impropriety. And if, having entered such an assembly, he fails to speak the truth, speaks falsely or pleads ignorance, he will certainly incur sin.” S.B. 10.44.10 At the risk of incurring sin, we must speak the truth as we understand it.
Here’s a tiny sample of truth from six of Srila Prabhupada’s letters from 1968 with my comments added. This is really a random sampling. There are thousands of letters with similar instructions. Prabhupada’s letters can be found at an archival site of Srila Prabhupada’s letters on the web: http://prabhupada.blogspot.com
In his letter to Pradyumna (Feb. 17, 1968), Srila Prabhupada explains that practical devotional service is “the secret to understanding the Sastras....My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey. In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there.” Service also means hearing without mental speculation, and chanting without duplicity. Mental speculation and pretense are not paths to love. Do not try to lord it over others, misuse your authority, or engage in speculation and call it bhakti. When we practice “devotional service” in name only, but have other motives within our heart, we are cheating ourself and others. We create conflicts of interest rather than synthesis. We encourage hate, not love; conflict, not harmony.
In a letter to Brahmananda (Feb. 20, 1968), Prabhupada expresses a deep poetic meaning of faith. “Faith increases in Krishna Consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krishna. Serving Krishna is unlimited and he can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited.” In the most concise and poetic way, Prabhupada explains how faith increases in proportion to our desire to serve. Bhakti is a voluntary act of love, not something forced or enforced. Service is unlimited, just as Krishna and the pleasure of devotional service is unlimited, and unlimited love is inspired from the heart, not from resolutions.
To Karunamayi (Feb. 25), Prabhupada emphasizes the universality of devotional service. “So you please continue to serve Krishna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform.” Krishna does not discriminate between higher and lower servitors. He does not make elite clubs for a few devotees who wield political power and delegate those who do menial tasks to an inferior status. All are equal in Krishna’s transcendental vision. “Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service." So there is no higher or lower service. Do your duty, chant, and you’ll become happy and successful.
Writing to Uddhava (March 5), Srila Prabhupada makes the point that feelings of separation from one’s guru maharaja can be overcome by working together according to your guru’s direction. “Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feeling of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.” I don’t think anyone in Iskcon today can honestly say they are feeling much transcendental bliss by working together. Neither do most feel much separation from Srila Prabhupada.
To Hamsadutta (March 3), Prabhupada explains how important humility is to the practice of bhakti. “The more one feels imperfect in Krishna's service, the more he is advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Even the topmost devotees feel they are inadequate in their service to the Lord. So it is good to feel inadequate, and to try harder to please Krishna with better service. But one should never feel, oh, I have seen Krishna, and so I am reached perfection--this is not Krishna Consciousness.” How many of today’s leaders make a show of being advanced, and how many behave towards their godbrothers with humility?
Again Prabhupada points out the equality of doing service. “It is true that Krishna has given some the opportunity to serve Him by nice writing, some by good business ability, some by nice cooking, and so on, but these various services are all accepted equally by Krishna. On the transcendental plane, one service is as good as another. There is no question of higher or lower.”
And how Krishna becomes pleased: “We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased.” To Krishna, there are no “big guns” or “small fry.” Vaisnavas are a classless society. Krishna sees the effort, not the duality of so-called important or menial service.
Finally, in this brief sampling of letters from early 1968, Prabhupada writes to one of his friends in India, Seth Harikrishnadas (March 3). Srila Prabhupada tells him that the movement he has started in America is non-sectarian. “Anyone can join us, never mind whatever he is. (We shall entertain Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, or whoever may come. We shall have no restriction. In that Temple, everyone will be welcome. In other words, in our secular state international feelings of God-consciousness will be introduced, where no one will be restricted.)” Anyone can join, everyone is welcome, there will be freedom to serve Krishna according to one's nature. Iskcon is a "secular state," not a religious movement or church with its hierarchy. “And I am glad to inform you that this principle is accepted by everyone working under me.” Prabhupada writes that his students have accepted this spirit of universal harmony. They are all working together as one family. Prabhupada now wanted to expand this family to India and all across the world. In this spirit Prabhupada wrote to his old friend in Bombay for his help in forming a world sankirtan party.
Back to the future, or rather, the present. Most of the instructions in Prabhupada’s letters are as relevant today as they were when he dictated them 30-40 years ago. But not hearing them and not acting on them, we all miss the chance for genuine sadhu sanga amongst each other. Instead of purifying the world with the crystal clear instructions of our guru maharaja, we fight amongst ourselves for name and fame, or we join “new, improved” sangas, or we find ourselves alone as outsiders struggling to keep our connection to our divine master alive.
Prabhupada is crystal clear in his letters. Why aren’t we listening?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Letters from 1968
Here are a few excerpts from Srila Prabhupada’s letters to disciples and friends from February and March, 1968. A complete archives of Prabhupada’s letters is available at:
http://prabhupada.blogspot.com/
A link to this site is found to the left on this page.
My Dear Pradyumna,
Please accept my blessings. I have received the transliteration of Brahma Samhita and also your letter of February 14, 1968. I am very much pleased with the nice job you have done.
I am glad to know that you are working hard to expand the Krishna Consciousness propaganda in Boston. I may say that this practical devotion is the secret to understanding the Sastras. My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey.
In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one. Anyway by sincerely working by carefully executing the instructions of the Spiritual Master, you will be all successful by Krishna's Grace.
to Brahmananda:
The faith increases in Krishna Consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krishna. Serving Krishna is unlimited and he can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited.
to Karunamayi:
So you please continue to serve Krishna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform.
The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service. Please continue to help Gargamuni in his efforts to spread Krishna Consciousness, and chant, and continue your duties, and in this way you will be happy and successful in Krishna Consciousness.
to Uddhava:
Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feeling of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.
to Hamsadutta:
We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased.
to Harikrishna dasji:
Anyone can join us, never mind whatever he is. (We shall entertain Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, or whoever may come. We shall have no restriction. In that Temple, everyone will be welcome. In other words, in our secular state, international feelings of God-consciousness will be introduced, where no one will be restricted.) And I am glad to inform you that this principle is accepted by everyone working under me.
http://prabhupada.blogspot.com/
A link to this site is found to the left on this page.
My Dear Pradyumna,
Please accept my blessings. I have received the transliteration of Brahma Samhita and also your letter of February 14, 1968. I am very much pleased with the nice job you have done.
I am glad to know that you are working hard to expand the Krishna Consciousness propaganda in Boston. I may say that this practical devotion is the secret to understanding the Sastras. My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey.
In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one. Anyway by sincerely working by carefully executing the instructions of the Spiritual Master, you will be all successful by Krishna's Grace.
to Brahmananda:
The faith increases in Krishna Consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krishna. Serving Krishna is unlimited and he can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited.
to Karunamayi:
So you please continue to serve Krishna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting, or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform.
The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krishna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service. Please continue to help Gargamuni in his efforts to spread Krishna Consciousness, and chant, and continue your duties, and in this way you will be happy and successful in Krishna Consciousness.
to Uddhava:
Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feeling of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.
to Hamsadutta:
We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased.
to Harikrishna dasji:
Anyone can join us, never mind whatever he is. (We shall entertain Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, or whoever may come. We shall have no restriction. In that Temple, everyone will be welcome. In other words, in our secular state, international feelings of God-consciousness will be introduced, where no one will be restricted.) And I am glad to inform you that this principle is accepted by everyone working under me.
Monday, June 11, 2007
In Prabhupada's Garden
In this amazing conversation from June 9, 1976, Srila Prabhupada clearly and concisely explains why we are in this material world and why we are suffering the pain of separation— to some guests in his garden in L.A.
Arnold Weiss: In the beginning, when we were first part of God, as I understand from reading Bhagavad-gita and some of your other translations and purports, which I enjoy very much -- I thank you for making them available -- I understand that our souls are also part of God, as a drop of water is part of that ocean. How... Is there any knowledge or information of how we incurred this first separation from God?
Prabhupada: Separation... Generally, when we want to become God, there is separation.
Arnold Weiss: A rebellion.
Prabhupada: You cannot... There is one God, and if you want to become God, you are immediately driven away: "Just become God in the material world. Go there and try to become God."
Dr. Wolfe: Prabhupada? There is a parallel in the Bible that Lucifer broke away from God because He wanted to be God.
Prabhupada: That's it.
Arnold Weiss: I was thinking that too.
Prabhupada: (laughs) This rascaldom... This rascaldom makes him a dog. Instead of God, he become a dog. So this rascaldom is going on, that "I am God." For this purpose he's suffering, and still, he wants to continue it. Nobody can become God; God is one. Ekam brahma dvitiyam nasti. So how we can become God? But that endeavor is going on.
Arnold Weiss: As I understand it, since God is omnipresent, omnipotent, all-knowledgeable and all-remembering, then He is in a position where He can know what our choices are going to be, and what is going to happen with us in the future.
Prabhupada: No, no. You make a choice; you can change it. But as soon as you change it, God knows what you are going to do. This is very common sense. Suppose you are honest man; I entrust you with something. But as soon as you become dishonest, immediately I withdraw my trust, because I know what you'll do. So you have got little independence. You are put into certain position, but you can change it at anytime. So your position is, actually, you are eternal servant of God. As soon as you change it, then your suffering begins.
In the Bhagavad-gita you'll find, after instructing Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, Krsna is asking, "Now I have instructed you everything. Now whatever you like, you can do." Yathechasi tatha kuru. That independence you have got. Krsna, or God, does not interfere with the little independence He has given to us. And because we are part and parcel of God, God is fully independent, so we have got little portion of independence. So by misusing that independence, we can desire to become God, and we suffer.
Arnold Weiss: Isn't it within the nature of our souls to have...
Prabhupada: That is the nature, little independence. That is the nature. You can properly use independence, and you can improperly use. That is the meaning of independence. That you can use it improperly. Then you suffer. That is the meaning of independence. If it is that I have got independence -- I cannot use it otherwise -- that is not independence.
Arnold Weiss: So that small, miniscule amount of independence we have represents our free will in making decisions and choices towards either returning toward God or trying to go on our own way, which is the origin of our original position, being in this material world. Very interesting.
Prabhupada: So therefore Krsna said that "The most confidential part of knowledge I am giving you, Arjuna, because you are My very intimate friend, that you give up your nonsense plans." Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "You just surrender to Me. This is the most confidential knowledge. You can misuse your independence, but I am instructing you most confidentially because you are My intimate. Don't make plans like rascals. You just surrender to Me. This is confidential."
Now, if He is ordering to become His devotee, how can I try to become another God, competitor? This is the folly, and for this we are suffering. He asked him, "You become My devotee." And I want to become another God, competitor. And therefore we are suffering. We cannot become another God. That is not possible. But artificially you are trying. Therefore you are suffering. Anything you try artificially, you'll suffer. If you try for a thing artificially, then what is the result? Result will be suffering and disappointment. Therefore sastra says, tasyaiva hetoh prayeteta kovidah. Don't try for such things... You have tried all through in different forms of life. You have failed. So don't try for that. But try to become servant of God. Then your life will be successful. Because in the material world the endeavor is how to become God in different varieties: how to become president, how to become minister, how to become master, how to become very strong man, very wealthy man, very beautiful man, so on, so on, so on, up to -- when everything fails -- then how to become God. When everything fails, then, ultimately, "Now I shall become God." The same disease is there, how to become big, now the biggest.
Arnold Weiss: In the beginning, when we were first part of God, as I understand from reading Bhagavad-gita and some of your other translations and purports, which I enjoy very much -- I thank you for making them available -- I understand that our souls are also part of God, as a drop of water is part of that ocean. How... Is there any knowledge or information of how we incurred this first separation from God?
Prabhupada: Separation... Generally, when we want to become God, there is separation.
Arnold Weiss: A rebellion.
Prabhupada: You cannot... There is one God, and if you want to become God, you are immediately driven away: "Just become God in the material world. Go there and try to become God."
Dr. Wolfe: Prabhupada? There is a parallel in the Bible that Lucifer broke away from God because He wanted to be God.
Prabhupada: That's it.
Arnold Weiss: I was thinking that too.
Prabhupada: (laughs) This rascaldom... This rascaldom makes him a dog. Instead of God, he become a dog. So this rascaldom is going on, that "I am God." For this purpose he's suffering, and still, he wants to continue it. Nobody can become God; God is one. Ekam brahma dvitiyam nasti. So how we can become God? But that endeavor is going on.
Arnold Weiss: As I understand it, since God is omnipresent, omnipotent, all-knowledgeable and all-remembering, then He is in a position where He can know what our choices are going to be, and what is going to happen with us in the future.
Prabhupada: No, no. You make a choice; you can change it. But as soon as you change it, God knows what you are going to do. This is very common sense. Suppose you are honest man; I entrust you with something. But as soon as you become dishonest, immediately I withdraw my trust, because I know what you'll do. So you have got little independence. You are put into certain position, but you can change it at anytime. So your position is, actually, you are eternal servant of God. As soon as you change it, then your suffering begins.
In the Bhagavad-gita you'll find, after instructing Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, Krsna is asking, "Now I have instructed you everything. Now whatever you like, you can do." Yathechasi tatha kuru. That independence you have got. Krsna, or God, does not interfere with the little independence He has given to us. And because we are part and parcel of God, God is fully independent, so we have got little portion of independence. So by misusing that independence, we can desire to become God, and we suffer.
Arnold Weiss: Isn't it within the nature of our souls to have...
Prabhupada: That is the nature, little independence. That is the nature. You can properly use independence, and you can improperly use. That is the meaning of independence. That you can use it improperly. Then you suffer. That is the meaning of independence. If it is that I have got independence -- I cannot use it otherwise -- that is not independence.
Arnold Weiss: So that small, miniscule amount of independence we have represents our free will in making decisions and choices towards either returning toward God or trying to go on our own way, which is the origin of our original position, being in this material world. Very interesting.
Prabhupada: So therefore Krsna said that "The most confidential part of knowledge I am giving you, Arjuna, because you are My very intimate friend, that you give up your nonsense plans." Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] "You just surrender to Me. This is the most confidential knowledge. You can misuse your independence, but I am instructing you most confidentially because you are My intimate. Don't make plans like rascals. You just surrender to Me. This is confidential."
Now, if He is ordering to become His devotee, how can I try to become another God, competitor? This is the folly, and for this we are suffering. He asked him, "You become My devotee." And I want to become another God, competitor. And therefore we are suffering. We cannot become another God. That is not possible. But artificially you are trying. Therefore you are suffering. Anything you try artificially, you'll suffer. If you try for a thing artificially, then what is the result? Result will be suffering and disappointment. Therefore sastra says, tasyaiva hetoh prayeteta kovidah. Don't try for such things... You have tried all through in different forms of life. You have failed. So don't try for that. But try to become servant of God. Then your life will be successful. Because in the material world the endeavor is how to become God in different varieties: how to become president, how to become minister, how to become master, how to become very strong man, very wealthy man, very beautiful man, so on, so on, so on, up to -- when everything fails -- then how to become God. When everything fails, then, ultimately, "Now I shall become God." The same disease is there, how to become big, now the biggest.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Reactions to "Betrayed," Part I
I have gotten several responses to my piece, “Diary of a Betrayed Godbrother” (7 June, 2007). I hope more godbrothers will write me with their feedback and realizations. I received one email from a very dear godbrother who expressed a different perspective from most of the other comments i received. I reproduce it here, along with my response.
My godbrother wrote:
“We need to go deeper. We need to see the pain, the cause for this pain, and the blessing of the Lord behind it all. Can you feel some pity for Indradyumna for the separation he is feeling? All these other Godborthers who sit on the high seats, and did all that, how painful it must be for them, in the ultimate sense. They are, in essence, our Godbrothers. Can we look at them with some empathy, which every human deserves? Why so much pain in Iskcon? Why so much denial? Why all these fruits, in our children, and other manifestations? I am not looking to blame any one. It is the blessing of Guru for us to see the source of our pain and separation."
My reply:
Thanks for your response to my blog article. I thought about your comments yesterday as they surprised me and disturbed me.
I came to two understandings. First, that the source of pain and disappointment in my life, which is almost universal (meaning, that i experience disappointment in practically every one of my relationships), is that i am a disappointment-- internally-- in my relationship with Guru and God. Therefore i am experiencing disappointment as my karma in all of my external relationships. This, i feel, is meant to teach me and lead me to clearer understanding and more rightful action.
The second understanding i got from your comments is that my empathy should be with my guru, not my godbrothers. Most of my godbrothers, like myself, are madmen, unfit for spiritual life. We got the divine mercy of our guru, but that doesn't mean now we can do or say anything. If i see untruth, i must be prepared to speak truth, even if godbrothers hate me for it.
Krishna went much further with Arjuna, his most confidential devotee. He told him to kill his own family members. Arjuna at first felt compassion for them, just as you say we should feel for our godbrothers who abused their brothers and sabotaged our guru's mission. But Krishna said "no" to Arjuna, "don't look at your cousin brothers like that. The pity you are feeling is your weakness. It's for the body, not the soul. You are Brahman, and I am Supreme Brahman. I want you to kill them. Now do as you wish." And Arjuna killed them, even Bhisma, who was as dear to him as a father.
So going deeper in this context, means to do what Prabhupada would want us to do, to act on that platform, not on sentiment. I am small and my capacity to act is also very small. But i can in my own tiny way expose the duplicity and pretense i see. And i can try to find sadhu sanga or create sadhu sanga that is free from duplicity. If my intention is correct, this will please guru. I don't have the capacity to change anything, but i have the capacity to please Guru and God by my effort. And if i do this, then my first problem, my feelings of disappointment all around me, will automatically be resolved, because i will become satisfied and peaceful within.
Thank you for sharing your opinions with me.
My godbrother wrote:
“We need to go deeper. We need to see the pain, the cause for this pain, and the blessing of the Lord behind it all. Can you feel some pity for Indradyumna for the separation he is feeling? All these other Godborthers who sit on the high seats, and did all that, how painful it must be for them, in the ultimate sense. They are, in essence, our Godbrothers. Can we look at them with some empathy, which every human deserves? Why so much pain in Iskcon? Why so much denial? Why all these fruits, in our children, and other manifestations? I am not looking to blame any one. It is the blessing of Guru for us to see the source of our pain and separation."
My reply:
Thanks for your response to my blog article. I thought about your comments yesterday as they surprised me and disturbed me.
I came to two understandings. First, that the source of pain and disappointment in my life, which is almost universal (meaning, that i experience disappointment in practically every one of my relationships), is that i am a disappointment-- internally-- in my relationship with Guru and God. Therefore i am experiencing disappointment as my karma in all of my external relationships. This, i feel, is meant to teach me and lead me to clearer understanding and more rightful action.
The second understanding i got from your comments is that my empathy should be with my guru, not my godbrothers. Most of my godbrothers, like myself, are madmen, unfit for spiritual life. We got the divine mercy of our guru, but that doesn't mean now we can do or say anything. If i see untruth, i must be prepared to speak truth, even if godbrothers hate me for it.
Krishna went much further with Arjuna, his most confidential devotee. He told him to kill his own family members. Arjuna at first felt compassion for them, just as you say we should feel for our godbrothers who abused their brothers and sabotaged our guru's mission. But Krishna said "no" to Arjuna, "don't look at your cousin brothers like that. The pity you are feeling is your weakness. It's for the body, not the soul. You are Brahman, and I am Supreme Brahman. I want you to kill them. Now do as you wish." And Arjuna killed them, even Bhisma, who was as dear to him as a father.
So going deeper in this context, means to do what Prabhupada would want us to do, to act on that platform, not on sentiment. I am small and my capacity to act is also very small. But i can in my own tiny way expose the duplicity and pretense i see. And i can try to find sadhu sanga or create sadhu sanga that is free from duplicity. If my intention is correct, this will please guru. I don't have the capacity to change anything, but i have the capacity to please Guru and God by my effort. And if i do this, then my first problem, my feelings of disappointment all around me, will automatically be resolved, because i will become satisfied and peaceful within.
Thank you for sharing your opinions with me.
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