By Prabhupadadasanudas (not Prabhupada das as earlier stated)
Dear GBC Members, or whoever wrote that ingenious presentation:
Please accept my humble obeisances and prayers for your eventual liberation from this type of thinking. Please know: I am a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, a very senior one and also one who spent much time with His Divine Grace. I am not a member of Srila Narayana Maharaja’s sanga. And I do not usually get involved in these GBC political skirmishes since they are never-ending, and always changing. In this case, however, I feel it is my duty to Srila Prabhupada to say something.
Whether you like the preaching efforts of Srila Narayana Maharaja or not, this is not the issue. The issue is that he is a senior Vaishnava, respected all over the world, and was indeed a close friend of Srila Prabhupada. Please do not embarrass Srila Prabhupada in this way. It is not our jurisdiction to judge or criticize those who are superior to us in age or experience, as he is.
Please, my dear Godbrothers, it is an embarrassment for you to behave in this way. If you could just be honest and say truthfully, “We don’t want Narayana Maharaja around because he is so much our senior, so charismatic, so transcendentally inspiring that we feel threatened; we worry that our disciples (who are already noted for having a three-year shelf life) may leave us and go to him,” then at least your honesty could be appreciated. But with this long, drawn out he-said-this, he-said-that, bull—-, (and distorted facts as well), it is hard to feel anything but embarrassment at your transparency. Everyone sees through this mask, you know.
Unfortunately, fanaticism runs in all religious circles, and sometimes new converts, in their overzealousness, can seem abrasive, obnoxious and downright offensive. This could be said of both sides. But to criticize a sadhu who is senior to us by age, by diksha, by experience, and by a long-term relationship with our Srila Prabhupada, that is reprehensible. Even if you don’t like how he preaches, it is still not your place to criticize him. Prabhupada could criticize his own Godbrothers, but he never allowed us to do so. It is a matter of Vaishnava etiquette.
The really sad thing is that many of you are sincere and dedicated disciples of Srila Prabhupada. You all started out with the sincere desire to serve Srila Prabhupada, and to learn to serve Krishna. You took a few wrong turns when you tried to wear Daddy’s shoes prematurely, but he is forgiving and still loves you. He loves us all, even those who have gone astray and who have ended up in very unfortunate situations.
Whenever I have visited some of the Narayana Maharaja programs, I am amazed by the great number of Prabhupada’s disciples who are there, chanting and dancing and preaching and doing the things Srila Prabhupada taught us to do. I am also astounded at the vast numbers of enthusiastic youth, some Gurukulis, some new devotees, all jumping and dancing and chanting just as we were in our youth. They are truly inspired. As Prabhupada used to say: The proof of the pudding is in eating it.
I question whether you are eating much of the transcendental pudding these days, as you are so busy criticizing, picking apart, and comparing notes, that you have no time. In America, the land of defunct and disabled gurus, Srila Prabhupada’s temples are empty, folding, or falling apart—or maintained by Indians who don’t have the same appetite for such pettiness as this.
There’s truth to the saying that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. But old dogs die, and new pups come in with their youth and enthusiasm. That’s what’s happening in the Narayana Maharaja sanga, but you refuse to see it. Instead, you choose to cling to your pedantry and pride. But please don’t expect everybody else to do this with you.
Have you thought of what history will say? It may read something like this:
“After the demise of the world-famous Spiritual Leader His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a handful of his young disciples prematurely declared themselves his successors, and wrecked havoc to his mission. These imitation gurus misled hundreds of spiritual aspirants, created disaster for the institution that Swami Prabhupada built, and left a trail of angry, injured disciples, many of whom left spiritual life completely.”
I don’t know about you, but I sure wouldn’t want that on my resume!
Then history will declare,
“When the situation became intolerable for both the sincere disciples of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as well as the hopelessly discouraged new disciples of these false gurus, another great personality appeared on the horizon. That personality was a God-nephew of Srila Prabhupada, who was known to him for many years, and who even performed the great Swami Bhaktivedanta’s last rites. He was known as Sri B.V. Narayana Maharaja, and he was a senior member of the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, an organization begun in 194l by his Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Goswami Maharaj. This Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti was actually established by Swami Bhaktivedanta along with this Godbrother Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaj. It was from the hand of this beloved Godbrother that Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami received his sannyas initiation.”
It may conclude:
“By the sincere efforts of Sri B. V. Narayana Maharaja, hundreds and thousands of fortunate souls were rescued from the spiritual holocaust that took place in Iskcon after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. Srila Narayana Majaraja took it upon himself to travel the globe again and again, despite the frailty of old age and ill health, in an effort to insure that the mission of Srila Prabhupada was continued in an authentic manner, one in keeping with the Vaishnava traditions of the Gaudiya Sampradaya. The Dark Ages of Iskcon were ended by the Renaissance of the world-wide preaching work of Sri B. V. Narayana Maharaja, who worked tirelessly even in his old age, to print books, establish temples and ashrams, and heal the hearts of so many sincere souls.”
Like it or not, this is very likely what history is going to say. No one will want to remember you or the tragedy you brought about in Srila Prabhupada’s Iskcon.
But the worst part is that you are offending this great personality who has really done you no wrong. He is traveling and preaching, inspired by a vision of world-wide unity. He is translating spiritual texts constantly, putting out more and more of the Goswami literature. He has thousands of Indian disciples in India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and in Europe, South Africa, Australia etc. Westerners make up only a small part of his sanga. He is just doing what Acharyas do: traveling and preaching, building ashrams for their devotees, building temples, installing Deities, teaching the masses, inspiring the surrendered souls. He has all the markings of an Acharya. Yet you choose to criticize him and make offense? I think you are really headed down a dark road.
Our Srila Prabhupada loves us all, even those who are stubborn, deviant, and rebellious. But he will correct you rather sternly on this one. Not only is Narayana Maharaja your senior in every respect, he is a close spiritual relative of Srila Prabhupada. Do you really believe our Srila Prabhupada wants you to behave like jealous spoiled children, and offend someone of this caliber?
I was with Srila Prabhupada from the very early days, before the GBC existed. During the early times, it is undeniably true that Prabhupada had an ongoing correspondence with Narayana Maharaja, who sent him instruments, Deities, as well as Ayurvedic medicine. All the old devotees know this. In those days, communication between the US and India was cumbersome and near impossible. Prabhupada was always delighted when he would receive the big packages of Barailaich (sp?) and other Ayurvedic medicines from Narayana Maharaja. It is important to understand that Prabhupada had a life before he came to the U.S., with many friends and supporters. He would not be happy to witness your embarrassingly offensive behavior toward Narayana Maharaja. Prabhupada had respect for and communication with many various saintly persons, it is impossible to limit him in this way.
So far as the “monkey disciple” part, if you read through his books you will see there are times when Prabhupada does call his Western disciples monkey disciples. That does not mean he loves us any less, just that we are sadly lacking in brahminical qualifications.
Considering what you have done to our Spiritual Master’s Iskcon, “monkey disciples” may be viewed as a kindness, while “robber barons” would be more appropriate.
Please don’t publicly embarrass the rest of us Prabhupada disciples in this way. Those of you who have facility should go out and preach, as is Narayana Maharaja, instead of sitting at home writing this type of stuff on your computers, or chasing after Hindus for money to build monuments.
You took over all the assets and temples; now do something with it. Don’t let Prabhupada’s temples rot in a state of decay—both materially and spiritually. And if you are unable to do something worthwhile, then at least don’t decry those who are—those who are sacrificing their lives and doing the austerity of traveling and preaching all over the world.
We are proud of such Godbrothers as Indradyumna Swami, Radhanatha Maharaj, Govinda Swami, Giriraja Swami—there are others too numerous to mention. And I’m sure they are far too busy with their preaching programs to take time out to write critiques on Narayana Maharaja. Maybe you GBC’s should follow their example. That would be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada. At least don’t be an embarrassment to our beloved Spiritual Master, by disrespecting someone who had a life long relationship of friendship with him. A simple letter of apology and honor would be very much in order.
Whether you like it or not, Sri Narayana Maharaja has Vaishnava siddhis that make him a very powerful preacher. He is blessed by Lord Chaitanya, is making devotees all over the world, and is doing his part in spreading the Holy Name to every town and village. Only a very small percentage of these devotees are coming from Iskcon. He is our senior in every respect, so even if we don’t agree with him, it is not our place to criticize him. It is serious Vaishnava aparadha.
And what if, by chance, he has, in fact, been sent in by Srila Prabhupad to clean up the mess you’ve made of his Iskcon? Think how many spiritual aspirants have been disillusioned, devastated, and spiritually destroyed, especially after being “initiated” three to five times by Iskcon so-called gurus! Do you really think you have no responsibility for these disasters?
Just like the Catholic church, you have covered up atrocities and clung to your posts of power, drinking every last drop of the intoxication called pratistha. Srila Prabhupada warned us about personal ambition many times. Please don’t let your own ambitions destroy your chances at bhakti marg; Vaishnava ninda is very serious. Even Krishna does not forgive it. Only the Vaishnava you have offended can mitigate it.
Please, my dear GBC godbrothers, please beg forgiveness of this great Vaishnava whom you have wrongfully criticized and maligned. That is your only hope. He is old and will not be here too many years more; I pray you will find the intelligence to beg his forgiveness and make amends before he leaves this world, else your future is very, very dark.
Your servant in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Prabhupadadasanudasa
N.B. There were times when Srila Prabhupada was totally disgusted with the GBC, and even at least one occasion when he told all the rest of Iskcon to ignore them. I think this is one of those times.
Erratum: The open letter to the GBC criticizing their treatment of Srila Narayana Maharaja was written by Prabhupadadasanudas. This is not to be confused with Prabhupada Das Brahmachari.
I can tell just few words. There is no sense to waste time for GBC and ISCKON. ISCKON was ment to be destroyed, purposly destroyed because its fhilosophy is in complete opposition to philosophy presented by Iluminati in this world. Who are this ILUMINATI? Who owns most of our world? Rotchchilds, ias you know. They control everything, banks, media, goverments, religion, everything. And they control GBC, they will nevel allow ISCKON to florish again, rather they are going to destroy it.
Not by accident everything happening in ISCKON as its happening. Everything is planned carefully, planed how to demolish spiritual movement. People are paid to do this job, they get salaries for it.
And this is not only about ISCKON, this is about all religions in the world. They are going to be destroyed. This is why Gurudeva does not wantto establish any institution, why? He knows that this will provoke iminent attack from Rotchchilds (Iluminati), He knows that not all people who came to him, came will right motivations. Most of them are very good but some are disguised demons.
Thank you Srila Gurudeva for it
it is very nice to hear rasik kathas on divine pastimes by maharaja , he is a true master
Very good, Jaya Srila Gurudev, Jaya Srila Prabhupad, these God-brothers, have committed there whole lives in serving Guru and Gauranga and RhadaKrishna, successfully given mercy to all, allowing us to follow ageless processes including the glorious chanting of Harinam to best of our ability, put all pride and ego away and pray for forgiveness, its our duty all who follow krishna consciousness to behave as fine example and practice what our Acaryas have given us and attract others by good example and if one makes mistakes as we sometimes do, ask for forgiveness and tobe enlightened.
Hare Krsna
It is very interesting reading such viewpoints on spiritual life. We all are servants of the Lord, some have realised it and some have just not.
I am initiated in ISKCON and I have siksa from Srila Maharaj. I always think of the third verse of the siksastakam… How can we chant the holy names of the Lord constantly when we respect everyone except other vaisnavas who are ‘not’ in ISKCON?
In South Africa they are banning devotees for associating with Narayan Maharaj. One temple president called Sila Gurudev a deviant, yet he himself eats choclate, lives the good life at the expense of ISKCON funds and travels to India and America often. One sanyasi old me that Srila Maharaj is a rascal. Yet this sannyasi only flies business class, only uses silk cloth and uses nothing but the best of sun glasses and laptops.
Srila Narayan Maharaj is not a rascal nor a deviant. He is following Sri Guru and his presentation and loving nature is attracting the masses to come to Sri Hari. Besides new devotees, those followers of Prabhupada( 1st, 2nd and even now 3rd generations) who have drifted from Sri Hari due to different reasons, are now coming back. Naturally the soul will be attracted to the pure devotee. Envy is a big anartha and due to that, people become afraid because if all the souls surrender to Narayan Maharaj, then who will be my disciples and fund my lavish lifestyle as a MAHARAJ (King, although dressed as a sanyasi)
The Lord has blessed Srila Gurudev to travel the world at such an advanced age so many times. He is pure, and unlike us, he has no material desire to enjoy. I wish that we can stop making aparadha against this suddha bhakta because it is causing us to actually burn the house that Srila Prabhupada has built and thats why his children and grandchildren have to run and seek refuge at his nephews house.
I have noticed that the gurus vyasa pujas in ISKCON are of a much grander nature than the humble one given to Prabhupada. We are rascals and deviants. Narayan Maharaj is a pure devotee and we cant see it! We use the funds, name, fame, facilty and worship for ourselves, which in actual fact was meant for Prabhupada. We have deviated. Look at the mercy and compassion Srila Prabhupada had on the devotees… Its a fond memory in ISKCON nowdays.
The father has materially passed away but must surly be crying to see his sons, daugthers, and all grand family fight over position, status, authority, disciples or share of worship and funds.
I by no means intend to offend anyone. When one points a finger at someone, 3 point back at him. Rathe than focusing on the 1 finger at gurudev, we must curb our energy to the 3 thats hitting us in the face. Thats causing the society to make new devotees but lose the ones they have and continue to make.
Srila Narayan Maharajs humilty is described in the scripture. Suniti tells Dhruva Maharaj not to wish bad for those that try and hurt him. He is ofeten presented as a demon trying to destroy ISKCON yet now I see that he is a gentle soul whos character is sung throughout the scriptures and he is a special soul to Sri Govinda because he is bringing together the children of the Lord to worship the Lord and not himself. Jesus said to beware of wolves who dress in sheeps clothing. I know that Gurudev is no wolf, yet wolves who know his true nature confuse the other sheep of his true identity.
Hoping to always remain as VAISNAVA DASANUDAS, as was the title given to me by Srila Maharaj. I pray to the Supreme Lord to have such masters guide me and by their example attain topmost humility and freedom from the anarthas which bind me to this world.
Stunningly Beautiful
among scribes(bookish people) fights are also scribish))) Take your bow and arrows and come forward to fight with me)). After my fight you will unite!!! Hari Hari Hari bol!!!!
hare krsna i know soon we will be all together krsnas devotees hari bol hari bol we need to preach te whole world and by the mercy of srila gurudeva and the vaisnavas we will be able to do it hare krsna we are in mexico city and here are many devotees hare krsna jay srila guruvdeva
Thank you for this letter…….very well written.
This should be posted on sites visited by ISKCON devotees so that they
can be educated and have an understanding of the greatness of the relationship between Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaja. We can not even come close to understanding the love and affection between these two great souls. We see how high the mountain is, but do not see how deep the mountain goes. All glories to all devotees working together in the spirit of love & cooperation.
Thank You Prabhu for this excellent letter .
Jai Jai Srila Prabhupada & Srila Narayana Maharaja!
Bhakti yoga is Yoga of Love to Krishna and Krishna loves us all .I remember my beloved Gurudev Srila Bhakti Vedanta Narayana Maharaj words during Bhakti Yoga festival in Holland in 2005 when I `ve got initiation from him….then he said ….”don`t criticize others” very simple words and still powerful !!!
Jai Shri Radhe !
All Glories to Sri Guru and Gouranga!
Dandavat pranam,
Dear prabhu,
I am very grateful to read this as it is so needed.
Even though I am not in a position to say I feel like saying that any true follower of Srila Prabhupad would feel this way.
I am also very embaressed about the GBC creating politics and this tit for tat back and forth.
It is a demonic tendensy to create politics and criticise maha Bhagavat Vaisnavas out of envy and unfortunately this may scare sincere seekers of truth away because they think this is just another cultish religion with this branch fighting agains that branch.
This makes me so sad, I mean where in nature do you see branches of the same tree fighting with each others.
Srila Narayana Goswami maharaja is a pure devotee with as you write all symptoms of veing the acharya so how dares anyone criticise?
It really is embaressing and of of putting.
Respectfully,
Indupati das, UK
I pray this reaches the hearts of those that really need to hear it !
Pranams Prabhu,
Excellent! Jaya! Thanks!
Dandavats.
We’ll be happy to feature Radhika’s Cafe when you submit a write-up or any information. What do you think?
Ys
Raghava
a very good letter…i am sure that it reflects the hearts of many…i also hope the day comes when we can be united as aspiring devotees and chant Radhas and Krishnas names…together
PS: I’m (Vilas) Bv Suddhadvaiti Swami’s elder daughter & Ragini is his 1st (former) wife, twice initiated by Srila Prabhupada.
Give us a f……break, you ALL are making politics anyway!
Thanks for your comments and please refrain from using any f….. language.
The article you are referring to is a response to a paper that was initiated outside our sanga. The internet is a very democratic place where no one is forced to read anything they don’t want. So please exercise your freedom as you wish and let us use ours in our own way.
Thanks for understanding. I love Sudddhadvaiti Mj and consider myself his friend and servant.
Yrs
Raghava
Dear Raghava, why did you remove my reply to ”sat” (13th oct 20110) yesterday?, and why did you remove his comment also?. This has caused me to feel very suspicious of the intentions of this website!
As you have stated before (in your policy statement) that those wishing to post a comment include their name. I feel that in a mood of proper communication and transparency you should explain (for the benifit of the vaisnava community) who has deleted the comments I have mentioned and ”why” so we can all be further enlightened.
Vaisnava Dasanudas
Sudarsana
What politics? This is about Vaishanava aparadha. I am sick of ISKCON nonsense & the degradation of Srila Prabhupada’s beautiful mission & the attempted degradation of my holy spiritual master Srila Narayana Maharaja. I am so glad Prabhupadadasanudasa wrote this letter chastising them. I think I will print it & carry copies around to litter ISKCON grounds with. Personally if I were a newbie devotee in ISKCON I would run for my life out of their temples before their minds are completely poisoned. There is no love & respect there by the GBC for the real thing. What demons! I would be afraid to be in their skin. Smug psuedo-Gurus who shame the saffron cloth they wear.
It’s just a couple of people in ISKCON with big megaphones (and lots of free time) making big noise and causing all the trouble. Most devotees are quite sincere and indifferent to the GBC.
Test is how eager is one to find the all beautiful and attractive Truth, Sri Krishna.
Jai Gaura
I am sick of you ALL
dont you realize you’re ALL getting in politics somehow or other: you just wrap it differently
I see no difference between ISKCON & others: same words, same fights, claiming you have THE TRuTH, blablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablablab
Politics is the ”unqualified” pretending to be qualified which results in cheating others and themselves. For their love is not for the vaisnavas, guru or Krishna but an attachment for pratistha which is illusion and the most subtle, dangerous, destructive poison. (see BV Madhava Maharaja’s post)
To defend one’s Gurudeva and honest vaisnavas against attacks by pretenders and fools is the duty of every devotee. Not to do so is either faint heartedness, ignorance, collusion, or impersonalism. Politics is posturing and diplomacy. A vaisnava is only concerned with guru, sadhu and shastra this is real truth and the devotees duty is to speak it.
One million obeisances, Prabhupadadasa Prabhu!
I just want to say “Right On, Prabhu!”
Srila Prabhupada teaches us the folly of monopoly. Everything belongs to the Lord and we should use only that which is necessary for us, as our quota, leaving the rest for the Lord’s other children to utilize, and, only as much as they themselves also require for their maintenance. Srila Prabhupada gives the example of if there were many bags of something, like grain, dropped on the ground, the birds would take only what they need, but the greedy humans would try to monopolize and take all, fighting amongst themselves, causing wars. Similarly, some people from England tried to monopolize the world, creating slavery, extinction of natives, buffalos, colonialism, wars, and world wars. Now, these same Illuminati want to implant RFID chips in everyone to control every aspect of our lives. I personally believe that the Illuminati had infiltrated ISKCON to destroy Krsna consciousness and to deceive the world. This is the demoniac mentalilty Srila Prabhupada exposed in “The Divine and Demoniac Natures” in Bhagavad-gita. This same demoniac mentality is transparently observable in the Illuminati controlled ISKCON GBC. We must all apply Civil Disobedience, as expounded by Henry David Thoreau, and exemplified by Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr against these humongously powerful and wealthy Illuminati.
Please do not erase this posting, or else I’ll definitely know that you are also controlled by the Illuminati and will tell everyone.
Your fallen servant,
Nitai Chaitanya das, Alachua, FL,
1st initiation by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Mhrj, Gaura Purnima, Navadwip, 1992
2nd initiation by Srila Bhakti Vedanta Narayana Mhrj, December 2000, San Diego, Ca
(I’m giving my details because of not scared of reprisals by the Illuminati – I have Krsna and His Holy Name on my side)
Thanks Prabhu, dandavat pranams.
No need to worry for your comments being deleted and no need to worry for not being able to speak your mind freely. The only thing we WILL delete is when people use profanities, which is your case I could not detect.
Hare Krishna!
Ys
Raghava
Jaya Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
Dear Prabhupada prabhu,
Thanks for the well-presented article. It may be true that Sri Bv Narayan Maharaj, who is my harinam/siksa guru, it not appreciated much by the GBC, but I’ve learned that many of those who attend Iskcon functions appreciate Sri Bv Narayan Gosvami.
And most of Sri Bv Narayan Gosvami’s followers enjoy reading His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad’s books, as they are not only foundational but advanced texts of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Many of the devotees at the local Hare Krishna temple are very knowledgeable and speak and sing excellent hari-katha and bhajans, or they love to listen and engage their thoughts in Krishna consciousness.
I have a few friends in Toronto, including one who speaks excellent Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit and English. He constantly corrects me on my studies of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, NOD, NOI and Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in a way that’s sweet and pleasing. I always feel that I better understand the teachings of the gaudiya vaishnava acharyas after speaking jokingly with him and especially hearing him speak about Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. My faith in Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas increases as a result.
He’s quite an expert and does take a sincere interest in friendly conversation and will actually listen to me at times, especially when I paraphrase Sri Bv Narayan Maharaj.
I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur spoke and wrote of the days when all Vaishnavas will unite under the banner of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His followers and acharyas. Hare Krishna!
We must make ourselves receiptive to know the will of our Guru, which is also Krishna’s desire. Once our’s mind is calm and free from critical thoughts, we can become openminded and we humbly pray to be guided from our heart of hearts.
I pray to Radharani that all her children can live and work togther peacefully.
GBC finally apologise properly to my Gurudeva.
And then maybe we can start working together in the mood of service and love, WHICH IS WHAT BHAKTI YOGA IS ALL ABOUT!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
so powerful!!!
Dear Prabhupada dasa Prabhu,
Dandavats. Pranams.
Jai Jai Srila Prabhupada & Srila Narayana Maharaja!
I think that we had met in the Tucson Temple during a gem show about 10 years ago. You were very kind to me and gave very sweet Hari katha. You impressed me as a devotee that was a very sincere disciple of your Guru Maharaja and one who had great love & devotion for him also.
I have since that time accepted the anughata of Srila Narayana Maharaja. My spiritual life and understanding of Gaudiya Vaisnavism have grown and developed immensely. I want to thank you for writing this very powerful rebuttal. This shows what a magnanimous devotee that you are and also how much love you have for Srila Prabhupada.
By doing this service I am sure that you are blessed by Lord Krsna and all the sampradaya acaryas.
JAYA!
I would like to thank Sriman Prabhupadadasanudasa for the many excellent points brought up to the GBC. Yes, to think that Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental activites started after he came to the West is immature to say the least. He was already 70 years old when he began ISKCON. Srila Gurudeva met him twenty years earlier, in 1946.
In letters Srila Prabhupada writes him saying, “The relation between you and I is eternal.” “I always give my full love and affection to you.” “Our relationship is certainly based on spontaneous love. That is why there is no chance of us forgetting one another.” “From the first time I saw you I have been your constant well-wisher. At the first sight of me Srila (Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur) Prabhupada also saw me with such love.”
To diminish the intimacy of the relationship between two pure devotees of the Lord is an offence not to just one of them, but to both of them. To think that their relationship is not ongoing is sheer foolishness. They have an internal relationship and as Srila Prabhupada said, “it is certainly based on spontaneous love.”
Some have also insinuated that his sannyasa initiation by Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Goswami was a mere formality, but Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada told us that it was an action of the internal energy, “This desire of Srila Prabhupada [Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur] was transmitted into Kesava Maharaja’s heart and thus my sannyasa was accomplished.”
If you really have love for your Guru, you will give respect to even a dog that is related to him, what to speak of Srila Gurudeva who is obviously so very near and dear to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Prabhupada himself took guidence from senior Godbrothers as you can see from his lecture on Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s appearance day, “So that letter was replied in 13th December, dated 13th December. Just a fortnight before. So the reply was the same as he wanted me to do this preaching work in 1922, when I first met him, that ” You try to preach whatever you have learned from me to the English-knowing people in English. That will do good to you and to the people to whom you shall preach. That is my instruction.” So I took up, that direction. And then he passed away in 1936, 31st December. So I consulted some of my God brothers, senior God brothers, “Guru Maharaja has told me like this. What can I do?” We should also be humble and take direction from senior Godbrothers and Godsisters and whoever knows and practices the siddhanta.