Our Affectionate Guardians: Chapter Six
Aparadha, The Vaisnavas Greatest Enemy: Introduction
In this chapter we trace the course of activities over the years from 1978, when the GBC first approached Srila Sridhara Maharaja with many important questions, up to the present. Excerpts are presented from relevant question and answer sessions of the GBC representatives with Srila Sridhara Maharaja, showing the lucidity and sastric appropriateness of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's advice. The GBC stalwarts openly and enthusiastically expressed their satisfaction at the time of receiving advices from Srila Sridhara Maharaja from 1978 to 1982 but over the years their feelings soured toward him. The supposed reasons for this, widely propogated by ISKCON leaders, were that Srila Sridhara Maharaja was trying to take control of ISKCON, trying to destroy ISKCON and that some of his advice was misleading and dangerous for ISKCON. In this section we present many samples of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's advice on important issues in an attempt to bring to light the fact that Srila Sridhara Maharaja was sastrically perfect and held the interests of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON formost in his considerations. In actuality, the GBC's negative attitude toward Srila Sridhara Maharaja was primarily due to three reasons: He clearly pin-pointed their deficiencies, wrongdoings and shortcomings and advised proper courses of action, to which the GBC continuously turned a deaf ear. Many devotees, dissatisfied and discouraged by the ISKCON GBC's style of management, approached Srila Sridhara Maharaja for advice. His wonderful advice evoked a higher more mature perspective in these devotees which many times also included more tolerance and compassionate dealings in regards to the ISKCON leaders. His expert advice and comforting words which revived many a devotee's faltering faith, earned Srila Sridhara Maharaja a fast rising popularity which the GBC feared would diminish their position and control. Although ISKCON leaders man feel justified for their ongoing institutional vilification campaign to this very day against Srila Sridhara Maharaja, we find these activities vehemently condemned by all sastra--as leading to the most dire and disastrous consequences for those responsible.
We refer our readers to The
Heart of Krsna, Vaisnava Aparadha and the Path of Spiritual Caution
by Srila
Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaja, for an in depth and substantial
presentation of the ontology of vaisnava-aparadha. Therein it is irrevocably
established that vaisnava-aparadhis are forever bereft of achieving
the ultimate goal of life--krsna-prema.
It is said that offenses committed at the lotus feet of the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord distance one from devotional service of the Supreme Lord. In the highest sense, then, this means to be removed from the service of Sri Radha-who is seen as the representative of all servitors, the very embodiment of pure concentrated exalted devotional service of the highest caliber. Since all divine service to Krsna is being conducted under Her direction, to offend Her servitors is to make one unfit for Her divine service-hence the name is given--apa-radha.
The Lord is overly protective of His devotees (bhakta-vatsala). He
cannot tolerate any offenses against them. They have
bhakti (devotion), and they can awaken it within us.
Bhakti is the sole means to attract Krsna, Who is a slave
of devotion. The same is true of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
In Chaitanya-bhagavata, Madhya-lila 22.8, Vrndavana
dasa Thakur states ,
vaisnavera thani ya're haya aporadha
krsna-krpa hoileo tare prema-badha
"If a person commits an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaishnava, even though he may have received Krsna's mercy, he will never attain divine love, prema."
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura writes,
Even if one is a Vaishnava, if he commits offenses to the Holy Name, he becomes unfit to render pure devotion. Although it may appear that he is still being shown favor by the Lord as he continues to make a show of chanting without difficulty, the Lord is actually very displeased with him because of his antagonism toward devotees. Therefore, to give up nama-aparadha we must first give up sadhu-ninda or finding fault with devotees.
Regarding the phrase krsna krpa hoileo ("even though he may receive Krsna's mercy"), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur comments: "People may think that because an offender appears to continue to chant without difficulty, the Lord must still favor him, but they are wrong. The Lord is not even slightly moved by their sham devotion." The author of Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata, Vrndavana dasa Thakur, says that these statements are not his alone; they are the verdict of the Vedas.
Further, the Chaitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 19.156 states:
yadi vaisnava-aparadha uthe hati mata
upade va chinde, tara sukhi' yaya pata
"If a devotee commits vaisnava-aparadha, his offense is like a mad elephant uprooting and trampling his creeper of devotion; afterwards the creeper's leaves dry up and become lifeless."
Because Krsna's mercy descends only through the Vaishnavas-is embodied
in the pure Vaisnava's heart, sadhavo hrdayau mahyam (Bhag. 9.4.68),
those who offend the Vaisnava, what to speak of the pure Vaisnava, are forever
bereft of the Lord's mery.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in one pastime freely distributed krsna-prema to all who approached, yet when asked to give this to His divine mother Sacidevi, He refused because of a minor offense in mother Sacidevi's mind to Adwaitacarya.
It is almost impossible to be released from the consequences of vaisnava-aparadha. Without feeling deep and substantial remorse, and without surrendering at the feet of the offended devotee, one can never be forgiven. Without such forgiveness, the goal of life is lost.
"The
Lord refuses to accept any worship from those who slight
his devotees. Although the characteristic of a pure devotee
is that he excuses the offenses of the ignorant, Krsna
however -- bhakta-ninda sahite na
pare -- never tolerates an offense to the lotus
feet of his devotee." (Chaitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 3.213) To even hear vaishnava-aparadha
is damaging. The Srimad-bhagavatam 10.74.40
states that, "Any person who, on hearing blasphemy against the Supreme Lord or his
devotee, does not leave that unholy place, is implicated in the offense
and loses all sukrti (spiritual merit)." Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Thakur writes further, that not only is the vaishnava-aparadhi's association
to be strictly avoided, but also the association of the associates of vaishnava-aparadhis.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself declares that, "He who criticizes
and offends my devotees even once will be destroyed by chanting My holy
name. Just because one is chanting is no guarantee of success. I destroy
anyone who tries to hurt my devotees. Even if a sannyasi offends a pure
devotee he falls down." (Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya
19.207-214)
Not
only have the GBC members committed repeated
Vaishnava-aparadha and engaged in strong blasphemy of Srila
Sridhara Maharaja, but they have also committed guru-aparadha,
in that many openly offered Srila Sridhara Maharaja glorifying words of
praise as their siksa guru, repeatedly stating that his words were nondifferent
than Srila Prabhupada's. To then reject and vilify him for improper reasons
of personal motivation is most offensive. We have seen over the years so
many harsh reactions to these offenses. Many sincere devotees see a direct
correlation between these activities of the fifty-five percent of the original
gurus and their horrible falldowns and activities.
"Sridhara Maharaja is Sincere; All Others Not"
We have documented the very intimate and long-standing relationship between
Srila Prabhupada and Srila Sridhara Maharaja and their highest regard
for each other in chapter one: A Transcendental
Friendship. In 1967 Srila Prabhupada asked Srila Sridhara Maharaja to
be the president of his newly formed Society-ISKCON. [Lilamrta, Vol. 3, p. 203-5] And
again in a 1973 Room Conversation [Transcript
available] Srila Prabhupada told his disciples, "Our relationship
is very intimate. After the breakdown of the Gaudiya Math, I wanted to
organize another organization making Sridhara Maharaja the head."
One year later (1974) Srila Prabhupada wrote the Rupanuga letter instructing
us to not make the same mistake as the Gaudiya Math. This has been previously
shown in chapter one to be inconsistent with Srila Prabhupada's actual
intimate relationship with Srila Sridhara Maharaja. In his July 7, 1975
letter to Bon Maharaja, one year after the letter to Rupanuga, Srila Prabhupada
related Srila Sridhara Maharaja's obviously nonenvious praise of his successful
preaching, "Sripada Sridhara Maharaja also appreciated
my service. He said that 'Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prediction: prthivite ache yata
nagaradi-grama, sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama; would remain
a dream only,' but he congratulated me that I 'have
done it practically.'" A year and
a half earlier, during a morning walk in Los Angeles
on December 14, 1973, Srila Prabhupada had also narrated
how Srila Sridhara Maharaja has said that he has
done the impossible: mukham karoti vacalam pangum langhayate
girim. "That one of my important godbrothers
says. He's sincere. All others, they are rascals.
He says that, 'In the Caitanya-Caritamrta it is
said: prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama. So
we were thinking that this is imagination, that Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu's cult would be spread all over the world,
every one will chant. So you have done it.' So, he's
appreciating in that way. 'But we are simply thinking
that it is not possible, it is simply imagination.
But that you have made it possible.' So that is his
appreciation." In 1977, Srila Prabhupada again made the same
distinction between Srila Sridhara Maharaja and envious godbrothers who,
after so many years had not learned how to correctly manage the Gaudiya
Math temples--that Sridhara Maharaja and others who are intelligent and
nonenvious, they are making something, they have a properly functioning
Gaudiya Math . [770113RC.ALL] Srila Prabhupada in a letter to Bodhayana
Maharaja on November 9, 1976 confirmed Srila Sridhara Maharaja's nonenvious
appreciation of Srila Prabhupada as a "great powerful acarya in the
Vaishnava world at present." Satsvarupa Maharaja
writes in the Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, "Srila Sridhara
Maharaja praised Srila Prabhupada's preaching in America, repeatedly using
Prabhupada's phrase 'Krsna consciousness.' Swamiji's work, he said, was
the fulfillment of Lord Chaitanya's prophecy that Krsna consciousness
would one day spread all over the world. He laughed and smiled and praised
the Krsna consciousness movement with no trace of jealousy." [Lilamrta, Vol.
3, p. 203-4]
Further glorification of the supremely pure and spotless position of Srila Sridhara Maharaja spontaneously manifests from his godbrother Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Maharaja. Upon mentioning the name of Srila Sridhara Maharaja he becomes so very happy and will endlessly and joyfully relate the glorious transcendental qualities of Srila Sridhara Maharaja for hours on end, "Although he was born in a high-class, wealthy family, was handsome and became famous for his scholarly achievements, no trace of false pride was ever found in his life or character. He was never known to give trouble to anyone in any way and never felt himself to be the loser when taking troubles from others. He was completely free from any tinge of malicious anger, which is opposed to pure devotional service. He would always heartily try, with great patience, to resolve any problems arising from the conflicts or disputes between his godbrothers. A natural, simple and most cordial behavior was always seen on the part of this spotless personality setting an exemplary standard for the brahmacaris and sannyasis of our mission." We have presented a more complete glorification of Srila Sridhara Maharaja by Srila Puri Maharaja in chapter two: Exalted Glorification.
Srila Prabhupada's implicit trust in Srila Sridhara Maharaja is revealed in Prabhupada's letter of January 30, 1970 to Satsvarupa Maharaja, editor of his Back to Godhead Magazine:
Regarding Sridhara Swami's article: I do not know what sort of article it is, but whatever it may be, the writer's name should be Swami B. R. Sridhara. Besides that, there is no need of giving any short introductory note at the present moment. Whoever sends an article for publication in our paper, and if we publish such article it is to be understood that the version of such article is not different from ours.
In other words, even without seeing Srila Sridhara Maharaja's article, he understood that his article was philosophically sound and in agreement with our mood of presentation of philosophy and therefore acceptable
"Please Stay With Me"
In chapter one: A Transcendental Friendship, excerpts from Room Conversations between Srila Prabhupada and Srila Sridhara Maharaja in 1967, 1973 and 1977* are given as well as numerous other verifiable references, all of which conclusively show the extremely high regard of Srila Prabhupada for Srila Sridhara Maharaja and the extremely high regard of Srila Sridhara Maharaja for Srila Prabhupada. In the 1977 Room Conversation (transcribed from the Bhaktivedanta Archives by Bhakti Caru Swami) Srila Prabhupada repeatedly (six times) implores Srila Sridhara Maharaja to please come live with him in Mayapura and preach to his disciples: "I want very much that you come and stay at Mayapura . . . why don't you come and stay at Mayapura . . . I want to take you everywhere . . . at least at the place we have in Mayapura . . . Why don't you come and stay there? If you just agree . . . This is my earnest desire . . . at least stay there . . . then they can get some guidance . . . please, give me the order and I will make all the arrangements for you."
Srila Prabhupada on several occasions sent disciples to Srila Sridhara Maharaja to be trained and on many occasions asked Srila Sridhara Maharaja to take care of his disciples. This has also been established in chapter one.
"Please Look after Them"
Srila Sridhara Maharaja explains:
When he [Srila Prabhupada] began his translation of the Bhagavad-gita,
So, I started with this idea, that so many sincere souls that came in my connection, they have become dissatisfied, and indifferent to the present movement of ISKCON. The authorities are avoiding them and they are going away. This touched my heart. And I was repeatedly requested by Swami Maharaja: 'Look after them. I have taken them, brought some raw things, to you, especially to you. Please look after them.' I did not think at that time that he would pass away before me. I also have some affinity for the cause of Mahaprabhu. So if anyone is coming to seek Krsna consciousness but is going away frustrated, then naturally, some sympathy should come in my heart to help him-to give him relief. With that idea, I give help, whatever help I can, although it is very meager. I am simply sitting here. I am not running hither and thither to disturb the brains of the ISKCON followers, and those that are coming to me, how can I send them away? How can I sit tight without giving what I know, what I feel, without extending this sort of help to those persons? But the ISKCON administration has only some formal consideration. These few gentlemen, whom I consider to be students-students, not professors-speaking from my absolute consideration standpoint I consider them to be students, not professors. And they have become self-made authorities, thinking that whatever they dictate, I shall have to obey that? I am not a person of that type. With my clear conscience to God; that is to Krsna, Mahaprabhu, to my gurudeva, and to Swami Maharaja, what I am doing, I think it is justified. Let them capture the whole world. I'll be satisfied. I am not an enemy, because we have a common cause.
Don't Say that You are Perfect
We are all seekers, all students we are and none of us is perfect. We are always dependent on the above. Always the life of a beggar, and not of a king. That the position of acarya is not perfect, they have proved it already by their first action. The acarya's position is vulnerable. But I gave caution before that: "Don't say that you are perfect," but when there is an apparent clash with me, they say that they are perfect? What is this? A foolish thing. Even Swami Maharaja, their gurudeva, had some respect for me-I know it, we had many confidential talks here-and he also had the courage to openly declare that 'Sridhara Maharaja, I have some respect for.' Still, they consider that I am a criminal to stand on the criminal's box before their parliamentary constitution.
They should try by their combined effort to solve any problem facing their mission. And whenever they are facing any difficulty, they should refer to me. I am affectionate to them, they do not have to apprehend anything from me. I am eager to serve you, to help you, but not against the principle, that which I understand to be the truth. In that case, I would be a traitor to my own cause, to my own master.
na hi kalyana krt kascit
durgatim tata gacchati[Bg 6.40] Be sincere, and you'll understand everything. Arjavam brahmane saksad. Simplicity is the qualification of a brahmana. And then, not only simplicity, but serving-eagerness plus sincerity, that is the qualification of a Vaisnava. Not to take but to give. Not to 'lord it over,' that was the favorite expression of my gurudeva. Not to lord it over, but to be a servant, seeing that everything belongs to my divine master. When that is added to simplicity and sincerity, then one enters into the realm of Vaisnavism in general.
Real Seekers of Truth are Fearless
Devotee: They are afraid that the institution is breaking.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: If they are seekers after truth, they'll be fearless. It is His movement [Krsna's], if He likes, He will keep it. It is spread by His will. So spacious and extensively, in such a small span of life, Swami Maharaja took it to the length and breadth of the world. It is by divine will.
Devotee: Their position is that now they are in so much difficulty that they are just looking for somebody to blame. They don't want to blame themselves. They are just looking for someone outside.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: It is human nature. General weakness of man.
On August 25, 1981 Srila Sridhara Maharaja said,
Your vision is different than mine. My vision is that a jiva is in the ocean and is going up and down with the weeds. Going down gradually. And anyhow he has come to the shore. And again I shall push him into the ocean? Consider his eternal life. This time he has come to you in his eternal chain of life, birth and death and he can be saved. Back to God, back to home. He is coming home and I shall push him back into the ocean of this death and birth? I can't be so cruel.
In 1978 the GBC as a body approached Srila Sridhara Maharaja for advice on many important questions-questions for which he had proper answers. A complete transcript of the first two meetings is given in Appendix A: The GBC Meets Srila Sridhara Maharaja ~ March 1978
Siksa of Srila Sridhara Maharaja Authorized
March 1978~Excerpt from Meeting of GBC with Srila Sridhara Maharaja
Jayapataka Maharaja: After the departure of our beloved spiritual master we came to offer our respects to you as well as to hear your very esteemed upadesa on certain matters if you would be kind enough. Maharaja, when our Srila Prabhupada left, he has given instruction that for initiating and for carrying on the sampradaya there would be eleven. In the beginning, he appointed eleven devotees, his disciples, to be initiating spiritual masters or to accept disciples and in the future that number would also be able to be increased. So we wanted to take your advice on some points as to various details of how these initiating spiritual masters should deal with certain questions. If we could ask questions to you then.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: yes, you may ask.
We Should Approach Sridhara Maharaja
Jayapataka Maharaja: He has given explicit desires, but he told us that, on other technical points and other matters of philosophy, if there was question we should approach you. He said that when he was very ill, he had appointed eleven ritviks and he said that after he disappears that these ritviks would continue as initiating spiritual masters and that they could be increased later, that would be decided by the GBC or Governing Body Commission.
The first question was, we wondered that some of the disciples had been initiated by Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja. But this Hari-nama, so they will be taking diksa from one of his disciples, so they wondered, what is their relationship in this type of situation with each of the spiritual masters?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: A Disciple, he may like one-first or third or fourth or fifth, how to solve that.
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: (background): That we must solve.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: A person . . .
Guru Choice by Sraddha
Jayapataka Maharaja: He can take who he likes, he may take whichever one he wants?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: According to his sraddha.
Devotee: His faith.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: According to his sraddha a newcomer should be given some time. Who will come to be initiated, he should be given some time for a fair period of time to hear from different persons and then the sraddha, the faith . . .
Devotee: . . . will be awakened.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Ah, will be considered to whom he will submit. Do you follow?
GBC Assembly: Yes
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: After sravan, then varan,
five stages there are; first to hear. First stage is to hear and the second
stage, that is varan, that is, acceptance by the guru and
the sisya, both the preceptor and the disciple. That is the second
stage, varan dasa. Then the sadhana or the attempt
for realization will begin. First stage, to hear openly, open field-fair
field to hear-then the connection should come between the guru and sisya-preceptor
and disciple, both sides. Then that should be better. Sravan dasa,
then varan dasa, then sadhana dasa, apan dasa, prapan dasa-five
stages in sadhana in spiritual life.
Earlier, in chapter five in the section entitled Zonal
Acarya System, we have presented excerpts
of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's advice from which it has been
alleged that this controversial concept of zonal acaryas
arose. Although Srila Sridhara Maharaja mentioned that a
zonal preference for guru would help to get out of the difficulty
of many gurus in some temples, he later in the same session
adjusted this statement. A careful study of these transcripts
shows that while he stated that according to our Gaudiya
siddhanta, our process is an autocratic one, submission to
guru is unconditional-that the "sisya will be greatly
disturbed if he sees any other Vaisnava disturbing the absolute position
of his guru"-therefore "at least one place should be there where
the disciples can get their guru exclusively," but that he also added,
"will not be possible practically." Further, he said that "We
cannot reach into a particular solution as all complete and perfect."
He related that his Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura
had answered a similar question with the explanation that, "'Krsna
is adhoksaja, He is not bound to come into our fist.' We
cannot reach into a particular solution as all complete and
perfect. Go with fair feeling, this utmost I can suggest
to you."
Srila Sridhara Maharaja also said that if non-gurus were to govern gurus this would cause a difficulty, so his suggestion was that if all the members of the GBC were guru then it would be better. Then Sridhara Maharaja suggested that they carry out the instructions of Srila Prabhupada for the time being and gradually gain practical experience. Rather than giving all the GBC the position of gurus, the eleven controlling gurus made the two gurus who were not GBC's into GBCs and left it at that. They consolidated their power rather than take the path advised by Srila Sridhara Maharaja, that of a dynamic process -- a fair field for all -- preserving the spiritual characteristics. One might conjecture that the remaining non-guru GBC's weren't qualified to be guru, to which we answer, then they certainly were not qualified to have absolute rigid control of the spiritual lives of so many. This neglect of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's advice led to just the problems predicted by Sridhara Maharaja. In March of 1981 Srila Sridhara Maharaja was told,
In Srila Prabhupada's last will he established the GBC as the supreme managing authority of ISKCON. But with the establishment of eleven spiritual masters the situation in the GBC has become that actually eleven people are making the decisions and not the full Governing Body. So the non-acarya section of the GBC is very discouraged and unable to fully execute their voice as GBC members.
Sridhara Maharaja's response, presented earlier in chapter five in the
section I Told Them Right at the Beginning, was
Then I suggested that this should be made into a dynamic practice so that every year during Gaura Purnima some new gurus can be added. Then the other party, the non-initiating godbrothers will have their confidence in the initiating godbrothers and give their support to them. Otherwise if they maintain some rigid practice then the relationship will be cracked. This was my suggestion but they did not care about that. Emphatically they said, "No, only these eleven."
Synthesis Will Help You Most
1978 Darshan continued:
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: How shall we deal with temples with several acaryas?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: In the major centers, problems will arise if one guru will take the central position, because so many interests exist there. Those centers which Srila Prabhupada personally established should keep a group photo with Srila Prabhupada in the center on the altar. You may start with your gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada, in the center and others as parsada. You must start in this way now. Then the time will help you gradually.
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: This is in the main branches or in the sub-branches? This is in the main Math or everywhere?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: This will be maintained everywhere!
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: Everywhere?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Everywhere!
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: Group Photo.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Synthesis will help you most. As much as we can synthesize that will come to help you more. Your Prabhupada's Vyasasana should not be occupied by any of the disciples nor by their picture. A second seat should be given a little below for the present acarya. This will impress the disciple that even his [siddha] guru, he is giving respect to his own guru.
Jayapataka Maharaja: But in those temples newly established by zonal guru, in that place then, this would not be required? (Bengali)
[Note that at the time of this first official meeting of the GBC with Srila Sridhara Maharaja the zonal acarya conception is already in place.]
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Even in new organization also, the same thing will go on, because whatever you are creating, that is with the impression, first impression is from him [Prabhupada].
Tamal Krsna Maharaja: That's a fact.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Go with fair feeling, go on with fair feeling, this utmost I can suggest to you.
In his paper Under My Order, (see chapter five) Ravindra Svarupa writes,
But, Tamal Krsna Goswami says, 'something else was added: the notion that the ritvik appointment of itself conferred an exclusive and selected status, institutionally elevating these devotees far beyond all others. The ritvik appointment was considered the apppointment of guru.' Tamal Krsna Goswami continues, 'They [the GBC] immediately [thought] these eleven people are the selected gurus. I can say definately for myself . . . that there was some degree of trying to control.'
Free Choice of Guru Reiterated
That the rigid zonal acarya system (forced initiation by the local guru only) would be forced on all to accept could hardly be expected, but when Sridhara Maharaja was informed of this on Feb. 1, 1982, he reiterated his original suggestion of free choice by sraddha :
"A person of one zone should be able to accept a guru of another zone. Free choice by sraddha. One who has preference for one acarya but he is compelled to accept an acarya who he considers to be lower than another-that is some anomaly. That zonal arrangement is against free choice. When one gets the comparative study of the words and expressions of the different acaryas from the bottom of his heart, he likes one acarya. But because he is in a particular zone, he is forced to accept another acarya -- that is an anomaly -- in my opinion."
Srila Sridhara Maharaja further suggested (again) that the number of gurus be increased. Finally in March of 1982 three gurus were added for the first time [Gopal Krsna Maharaja, Svarupa Damodara Maharaja and Panca Dravida Maharaja, who immediately all went to Srila Sridhara Maharaja for his blessings in their new service. [This was in the middle of a major GBC confrontation with Srila Sridhara Maharaja]. More gurus were not added again until 1985.
You Must Become Guru
In March of 1981 (Tape #7c) Srila Sridhara Maharaja reiterated to Satsvarupa
Maharaja his advice of a few days earlier. Tamal Krsna Maharaja had stated
that he did not feel quite fit to take the position of initiating guru,
so, should he go on and do so? Srila Sridhara Maharaja answered, that, amara
ajnaya guru haya; by the command of Mahaprabhu
and my guru maharaja, it is His order. We must be so much
careless of ourself, if it is possible, that I may go to
hell, but I must carry out my guru's order. So, through me,
the work will go on. That is one. And another instance is
that of Krsna's headache, where the gopis supplied their
footdust for Krsna's headache even though they would go to
hell for doing this they didn't care as Krsna was cured.
Another example quoted by Srila Sridhara Maharaja was that
of Ramanujacarya who freely distributed a mantra that gave
liberation, although forbidden by his guru. Here his guru
admitted that his disciple was greater than him. Further,
Jiva Goswami says jnana sathya vittha sathya, that if I have
some money and another person is suffering and I can't pay-if
I keep tight that money, and he lies fasting without food,
then I'll be responsible for that. Vittha sata. So, jnana
sata is there, I have got some knowledge, I can help my neighbor,
but if I don't do that, then I am responsible. I shall commit
an offense against the society and against the cause. Srila
Sridhara Maharaja also gave the example of a doctor who does
not have perfect knowledge of treatment of all diseases,
yet he must treat his patients or the whole method of treatment
will vanish. So, in good faith with whatever knowledge one
has got, he must sincerely help others with that sort of
knowledge and guidance. In this spirit we may take it, otherwise
we will be blamed. However if a superior guru is available
we must help others to take help from him. We may feel ourselves
the lowest of the low, but when acarya-abhimana will flow,
it will come through the order of Krsna. You have to do it.
If such a sincere urge comes within our heart, then we must
do it. If I do not serve the society, whatever I have gotten,
then if I think again, no, then I will be responsible to
my guru-you have gotten so much energy from me and you keep
it within yourself, but the difficulty is there, that to
become guru, to capture the position of a guru, the respect
of a guru, that is one thing, and to discharge the duty that
is another stage. Sincerity is necessary in the conception.
Siksa & Diksa Guru
Jayapataka Maharaja asked Sridhara Maharaja the difference between siksa guru and diksa:
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Diksa guru-siksa-guruke ta'jani krsnera svarupa (CC Adi 1.47) Diksa guru and siksa guru are both extensions of Krsna. Guru is Krsna, acaryam mam vijaniyam [CC Adi 1.46 ~ Bhag. 11.17.27]. Krsna has come there to liberate me, in different appearance, representations. He is coming, Krsna is coming, oneness in variegated position.
Tamal Krsna Maharaja(Background): Who can be a siksa guru, who is qualified?
Jayapataka Maharaja: Who is qualified to be siksa guru?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Whoever sincerely will help me to go towards Krsna, he is siksa guru. Vaisnava is also siksa guru, vaisnavas. Vaisnavas, siksa guru. Who will come in my connection and will help me to go forward, he is siksa guru. And there is vartma pradarsaka guru, siksa guru, mantra guru, nama guru and sannyasa guru.
Comment: In the purport of the first verse above (CC Adi 1.47) Srila Prabhupada writes, "There is no difference between the shelter-giving Supreme Lord and the initiating [diksa] and instructing [siksa] spiritual masters. If one foolishly discriminates between them, he commits an offense in the discharge of devotional service. The initiating spiritual master is a personal manifestation of Srila Madana-mohana vigraha [representing sambandha], whereas the instructing spiritual master is a personal representative of Srila Govindaji vigraha [abhideya]. Both of these Deities are worshiped at Vrndavana. Srila Gopinatha vigraha is the ultimate attraction in spiritual realization [prayojana]."
In Adi-lila
Guru Selection
On 28 October, 1981 Srila Sridhara Maharaja advises that we must be very cautious that we select the right things in our devotional life-that we select a guru carefully, that we make decisions based on correct critereon, etc:
"We must be very much cautious, or we may not make real progress-cautious that we may not take one thing for another. That is tama-guna. The nature of tama-guna is described in Bhagavad-gita: to take one thing instead of another. That is the sign of tama-guna. Tama-guna-there is selection, but the wrong selection. Wrong selection is the nature of tama-guna. And the raja-guna is a little higher, one cannot ascertain. And sattva-guna, one can pick the right thing. That is the description. So this tama-guna influence urges us for the wrong selection. We can't wait for proper selection. Selecton must be done, unforbearing. So wrong selection comes out of the temperament of not giving the real value to a thing. That is the greatest enemy. We should wait and see and get the proper time and place to do the right thing. That sort of attitude we must have. trnad api sunicena, taror api sahisnuna, that also teaches us, wait and see. taror api sahisnuna, not like a voracious eater, whatever I shall get I shall swallow it . . . Sastric knowledge, we have heard from our Guru Maharaja and experience I have gotten during his stay and after his departure. I am sincerely trying to put that before you all for your consideration. I consider that it is my reward that I may preach to many different people. And I am forcibly engaged in kirtana. My guru maharaja was very fond of kirtana. We saw that he can't speak, still if anyone comes he cannot but speak."
Srila Prabhupada advises:
"Guru must be transparent. The 100% servant of his guru, only he can be guru. This is the criteria. Even a disciple may commit a mistake when accepting a guru, therefore it is the duty of the other Vaisnavas to guide him. We find in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila
"No one should be allowed to sit on the vyasasana who is not spotless in character and who is not freed from the above mentioned vices [4 Regulative Principles]" (Bhag. 1.1.6). In the purport of Cc Adi 1.46, Srila Prabhupada writes,
"If one poses himself as an acarya but does not have an attitude of servitorship to the Lord, he must be considered an offender, and this offensive attitude disqualifies him from being an acarya.
In March of 1978, in the first meetings with the GBC, Srila Sridhara Maharaja advised reading the section in chapter six of Harinama Cintamani on guru tyaja, wherein Bhaktivinode Thakura gives a detailed and elaborate description of guru selection, guru falldown, guru rejection, etc. We have included this section from Harinama Cintamani in Appendix I so our readers can further see the efficacy of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's advice.
Madhyama-Adhikari Guru
Devotee: Will the disciple of a madhyama-adhikari guru achieve the same result as a disciple of an uttama-adhikari guru?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Of course. There may be little differences but according to one's previous sukrti we may recover the differences-sincerity. That may be compensated, gradually. If we are sincere, just as the connection of guru we may have by the arrangement of the absolute, so also in our own case that madhyama-adhikari guru will give instruction rightly. And also he may return and I can have justice. In one birth I may meet one guru and in another birth I man meet another guru. But substantial measurement will all be the same, only some difference in form. So, even in this life also after getting some instructions from a particular guru I may get another siksa guru where I can learn more. That may not be impossible. Because that guru is one, acarya mam vijaniyam. Our sincerity and His grace, that is one and the same thing. His grace-simultaneously there may be guru, simultaneously many gurus.
Guru Deviation ~ GBC Acts
Srila Sridhara Maharaja speaks on the removal of two acaryas in April 1980:
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: They have both been permanently removed?
Dheera Krsna: Out of the zone? It's permanent?
Bhakti Caru Swami: Permanent.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Both permanently removed?
Dheera Krsna: From America . . .
Bhakti Caru Swami: Permanently removed, by unanimous vote.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Permanently removed. This has been a very serious mistake. It can be considered a death blow. The position that was established by Swami Maharaja on the strength of majority to dismiss it in just one or two years [Based on the information given by the GBC to Srila Sridhara Maharaja]. This has been a very bold step. This has been an interference into the "srota pantha." I think that such bold step should not have been taken. To challenge the decision of the spiritual master and give a verdict against his will -- to remove the nominated acaryas of Swami Maharaja so soon, it has become very undeliberate and is almost suicidal, almost suicidal step. It has challenged the very nomination of Swami Maharaja.
Dheera Krsna: That's one of the questions. In Prabhupada's books he never says that one is guru by appointment, but he says one is guru by qualification. By qualification-not by appointment.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Considering the qualification, he gave recognition to the acaryas, is it not? Independent of qualification, whimsically he appointed, did he? Did he do so?
Bhakti Caru Swami: Actually one of the questions is that, whether Prabhupada really appointed them as guru. Because so far we haven't found enough proof to confirm that.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: What is the basis of the acaryas?
Bhakti Caru Swami: That Prabhupada said that they can be ritviks.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Ritvik.
Bhakti Caru Swami: Yes, on behalf of Prabhupada they can initiate.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: During his lifetime. During his lifetime these eleven were appointed as his assistants. They could also initiate during his lifetime?
Bhakti Caru Swami: No, not during his lifetime. During his lifetime they can initiate on behalf of Prabhupada. But, after Prabhupada left, who will initiate, Prabhupada did not clearly mention. This doubt is coming up now.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: At least that is to be surmised that
persons that were allowed during his stay, who occupied the position or
ritvik or mediator they should have some recognition thereby -- there must
be grave reason to remove. It is, of course, removable but not so easily,
not so easily. Once this has been accepted by the GBC that they have gotten
nomination from gurudeva in any way or another, they should not be removed
so easily. There must be grave cause to deal against them. And it is mentioned
in the scripture that with the help of a higher Vaisnava, with the advice
of a higher realized soul, the position of guru should be challenged. And
that is the most deplorable thing in the world, in the life of any man,
to change the guru or to see that his guru is charged or dismissed or dishonored.
Of course, it can never be permanent, only in the case of vaisnava-aparadha.
That is the most detrimentral thing on this path, without that any small
defects that can be seen in our eyes or felt by our ordinary conception
that is not sufficient cause to remove one from the position of acarya who
has already been selected by guru maharaja. To disbelieve the guru maharaja
to such a high degree, this is not an easy matter to play with.
Bhakti Caru Swami: Now that it has been done.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Now, that may be compensated, it is temporary and then to reinstate, to remove the foolishness of the body. Of course, if there is sufficient cause, sufficient cause including a sort of dishonor to guru and vaisnava, not ordinary differences in policy or propoganda or preaching. The policy and the process of preaching may vary, that does not matter much, but offense against a guru and Vaisnava that should be considered as the serious point to remove an acarya. Or, gross negligence about moral life. Something like that. A very heavy loss of moral life, that is also sufficient, that may be a strong cause but the offense to the guru parampara descent line of the divinity, that is generally considered to be the cause of the removal of the acarya. Krsna.
GBC Enthused
On October 21, 1980, following several such intense question and answer sessions, Satsvarupa Maharaja, very much enthused by the sound sastric advice presented, prepared a tape of these sessions with his own introduction and distributed it to all his disciples:
"I thought the issues they discussed were very significant for my disciples, especially because of the answers given by Srila Sridhara Maharaja, and the way the GBC members responded to him, bringing about a resolution under Srila Sridhara Maharaja's guidance. Just before his disappearance, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master and the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, said that we should go to his Godbrother Sridhara Maharaja for guidance on philosophy, after the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada. So, this talk of October certainly showed the GBC doing this, and Srila Sridhara Maharaja fulfilling this role, as Prabhupada requested he do for the disciples of Srila Prabhupada. I will summarize the talk briefly, up to a certain point, and then I will play excerpts from the time when Sridhara Maharaja did most of the talking."
"The members were going to Sridhara Maharaja to settle big problems; particularly two GBC gurus wanted to present their grievances. As most of you already know, back in April [of 1980], the GBC had a meeting and took action against these two guru Godbrothers for certain activities of theirs which were deemed improper. The two gurus submitted to their decision, and left their zones in the care of others, and they went to India. But there, when they heard from their different disciples how things were going on in their absence, they became disturbed and felt that the treatment by the GBC care-takers was causing a disturbance in their relationship with their disciples."
"So, since the GBC members couldn't settle this themselves, both sides agreed to let Sridhara Maharaja judge what was an impasse for everyone else. So, both sides were willing to go along with Srila Sridhara Maharaja. The gurus wanted a correction in their relationship with their disciples, not to be interfered with; other GBC members wanted Srila Sridhara Maharaja to fully hear their claims of wrong-doings and the need for the GBC to manage the society by law, because Srila Prabhupada did appoint the GBC as the final managerial authority. The main meeting was at another time when GBC members came, including Srila Bhagavan Maharaja, Jayapataka Swami, Srila Tamal Krsna Goswami, Prabhupada Krpa Maharaja, Srila Hansadutta Maharaja, and Gopal Krsna prabhu."
"Sridhara Maharaja proceeded by asking each of them to say what they thought was going on, and what they thought should be done. He said that he wanted to help, but he wanted them to help him, by expressing how they saw it. So, in this way, all the issues were presented and brought out, expressing both the guru's disturbance and the other GBC's concern that the movement had to be governed, and that even a guru or a GBC member who misbehaves will cause a bad effect to the world-wide movement's preaching. . . The principles of the issues, especially as seen by Sridhara Maharaja, are important."
Position of Acarya
Sridhara Maharaja: The position of acarya is very intricate. It is very difficult to bring an acarya under rule. You see, that is our practical experience. You please hear and note: The position of acarya is a relative thing, just as mother-child, father-child, wife-husband; so it s a relative thing. the position of disciple is also relative. So, relative and absolute and their position; to adjust between the two is a difficult thing and it is an eternal [problem[. So, as in rasa, in the madhurya-rasa even there is enmity between vatsalya-rasa and madhurya-rasa. Yasoda is thinking that, "My son is lost! They have captured my son!" And the gopis in madhurya-rasa see that vatsalya is always jealous of our free mixing. That is a hindrance to the way of our free mixing. Still, two things to be continued. It is clearly written in sastra that vatsalya and madhurya are two antagonistic rasas. One is always suspicious that the other in encroaching on my rights. Very jealous. Jealously, encroachment is coming from the other side, against our rightful possession. This is an eternal truth. So, we have to accomodate with such mentality, and such broadness of our hearts. When the Absolute consideration will come, they will have to attach both rasas within the fold. So, to the disciple, the acarya's position is Supreme, even more so than God. In scripture we find it. The guru is more near and more affectionate than God. God has many to deal with, but guru is only careful about my welfare.The other day [August 18, 1980] I told to some of you that it is described in sastra that guru is water around the lotus, and the sun is God. Remove the water, and the sun will burn the lotus. And when the water is around the lotus, the sun will foster the lotus. But if guru is removed, the very God, the sun will burn the lotus. The guru's position is more helpful to the disciple. If we have a natural growth, if we want a natural growth of the sraddha of the disciple, the regard of the disciple toward the guru and the Absolute, such room must be allowed in the constitution, if the constitution is to live at all.
Some adjustment must be made between the relation, and it is better that
the acaryas themselves, they will come to directly make all the necessary
adjustments between acarya and acarya, acarya and Godbrother, acarya, and
his disciples, and the disciples and disciples. All these fine points of
sentiment. Sentiment is not to be neglected. Law is not everything. Law
should be accomodating to increase the sentiment, otherwise this is no law.
Law should come to promote the sraddha, make room for the faith to develop.
Such law should come to help us. Sastra. Sastra's jurisdiction is limited.
Only to promote love, and when love comes it will be free. Smooth harmonious
working is possible only in the area of love. Spontaneous. That is also
some sort of hitch, as in madhurya-rasa and vatsalya-rasa . . . but all
to please Krsna. Harmony is there. But ragavid bhava navadhi vaidhi bhakti
adhikaras tu ragavid bhava navdhi. Vaidhi bhakti: devotion
under the guidance of sastra, laws and rules, that is to
a certain extent necessary. It will only help the inner awakenment
of love and affection, and then it will retire. Law will
retire giving room to the spontaneous flow of love. Loving
service to the Supreme. So, law is not all. Law is necessary
and especially in the lower stage. And it should make room
for free movement between the relationship, just as I once
told that if one is not married, there is no necessity of
any separate room. He may lay down here and there. But, whenever
he marries, he wants some room to behave in a particular
way. Some private arrangement. So, when one is next to a
disciple, that sort of relationship should find some independent
place to express its fullest feelings, unbridled feelings
towards the master. That should not be curbed by law. There
is also necessity of law, and law's object will be to work
our freedom for everyone. Freedom is the highest thing. Free
service is raga-marg, and that is service proper. Not regulated
and coerced, and pressed by law. That is not service. Expecially
our aim is Vrndavana. So, free service. Without freedom,
service is not valuable. Forced labor is no labor. Labor
of love, that is required. and it is the thing for which
all are out. Let us essentially think that we are all not
only for the constitution, but the thing for which the constitution
has been made, to that object. The constituation should promote
to that aim. With this feeling. The newcomers are coming
with their faith, and faith should be encouraged and also
adjusted, that the faith of one person will not disturb another."
Posterity Will Judge — History Will Reveal All
Srila Sridhara Maharaja told the story of Queen Victoria who as a new queen wanted to be lenient in judging her first case. He suggested, "In the internal administration, you'll give more to affection, and towards your dealings with the public, you may proceed with some legal action. Legal, moral, all these things are to be showed in public. But forgive and forget within you, internally. The consideration of love and affection, that should be the greatest consideration."
Further Srila Sridhara Maharaja cautioned the GBC that posterity will judge them-history will reveal all, so they should be very careful, that they are writing their Prabhupada lilamrita so they should show the proper dignity of the acaryas.They will gain the greatest confidence of the devotees and gain in power by dealing magnanimously. Further, he pointed out that the restriction on the acarya must come from the acarya himself, that the disciples should see that their guru is not ruled by law-by others-"otherwise the disciples faith will vanish." This is the ideal put forward by Srila Sridhara Maharaja. It is not that this is the all in all-the acarya now is free to do any and all nonsense. But the ISKCON "acaryas" didn't regulate themselves-worse, the slightest mention of constructive criticism was treated as if it was a demoniac attack. They did whatever they wanted with the admonition that "the acarya cannot be regulated," placing themselves above any form of regulation, thus abusing these instructions. Later they blamed Srila Sridhara Maharaja for their improper activities.
Law Necessary but not to Kill Enthusiasm
"The free love, free faith, that is the only thing, the most valuable thing for which we have come out of our own house, and joined the mission. That purity of purpose should always be kept intact. Of course, some help from law, regulation is necessary. But not so much as to check the growth of the vitality. Promote the vitality! The real spirit, the real purpose of the mission, that should be given first hand. In this way, you have to deal. And there, some lenient dealings are necessary."
Srila Prabhupada manytimes gave instructions similar to Srila Sridhara Maharaja's instructions above. Perhaps the most well known instruction is Srila Prabhupada's letter to Karandar das in 1972:
"The point is to be engaged in doing something very much satisfying to the devotee, that he remains always enthusiastic. He will automatically follow the regulative principles . . . So the future of this Krsna consciousness movement is very bright, so long the managers remain vigilant that 16 rounds are chanted by everyone without fail, that they are all rising before four in the morning, attending mangala aratik-our leaders should be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service, which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary. They should always try to generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art of management: To draw out spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krsna. But where are so many expert managers? All of us should become expert managers and preachers . . . Forget all this centralizing and beauracracy."
Srila Sridhara Maharaja responds to the GBC's Centralization:
Devotee: Maharaja, they are arguing that Srila Prabhupada wanted everyone to work under the GBC, but we are not doing that, so therefore everything we do is unauthorized.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Authorized from the greater circle -- the general saying of the general call to go and preach about Krsna. GBC committee resolution is recommendatory. But, to facilitate that he appointed some gentlemen. That does not mean that he has given everything within their fist, their whimsical fist. At present it is dollars, diplomacy and despotism in the name of devotion, dedication and divinity. God is within their fist, Krsna, and they think like that. But that it is the opposite they will have to think. So much pride: "Whatever we view, we'll dictate, and that cannot but be the opinion of Guru and Gauranga, Krsna." So, limited narrow views. So much so, don't go beyond our guru maharaja's books. His guru, other goswami's, no. Don't go. What is this? The natural advice should be, "Read others to support what is written by our gurudeva." By extensive study. Food, that is what our guru maharaja has said, to support that. Our expansion is necessary. Otherwise you won't be able to maintain your solidarity. This is defeatist mentality. It is not a dead thing, it is a progressive living thing.
Below we present an excerpt from the August 19, 1980 darshana wherein Srila Sridhara Maharaja, hearing that many Godbrothers are leaving ISKCON in frustration, unable to tolerate the mismanagement of ISKCON, advises not to be too rash, but "Wait and see." Further he suggested that the Godbrothers should "Call For A Meeting." He proposed that at this meeting the grievances of the Godbrothers could be presented to the GBC and hopefully resolved. A careful study off the transcripts shows that always Srila Sridhara Maharaja advocates a moderate thoughtful path--don't be rash, consider the many consequences of your activities-consider the best interests of the devotees, not just the maintenance of the ruling power.
GBC Activities Intolerable
Bhakti Caru Swami: Bengali:
Maharaja, the main consideration is that many of Prabhupada's disciples
are leaving the movement. They are quite unable to tolerate all this nonsense
any more.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Bengali:
Yes, the ones who won't be able to check themselves, they will come forward. And the ones, those who are wavering, those who can tolerate a little more, they can wait and examine what actually is Krsna's desire for a little longer. The primary consideration is Krsna's will . . . The ones who won't be able to control themselves, they will dive into it. Without considering the good, bad, honor and infamy; without considering the future, they will dive into it for reformation. From a distance I am saying, "Wait and see." The ones, those who are the real lovers of the institution, for them this is becoming intolerable. This is going beyond their level of tolerance.
Bhakti Caru Swami: Bengali:
The main reason why we came is because there are many devotees, those who are impatiently waiting to hear what you have to say. Now, if you just show us the way. Now this has come to this point and unless some rectification is made, must be done, then they all will get together to do something about this.
"Call For a Meeting"
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Bengali:
If I have to say something formally from outside, then I have to say that among you who enjoy the greatest confidence of all the devotees, through such a man you "Call For A Meeting" in America or wherever the field is the most important. And in that meeting, the ones, those who are willing to boldly face the situation, participate, the GBCs, those who you feel are dissatisfied inwardly, call them and call a few acaryas like Ramesvara Maharaja who are sympathetic. And then in the meeting, you record the feeling of different devotees and then with the strength of that resolution you call for their explanation that, "What are you doing in the name of Prabhupada? You are not absolutely infallible. Due to your activities the mass of the disciples of Prabhupada have become very bewildered. They are becoming very disappointed and they can see that a great loss is going to be incurred by the ISKCON society. The ISKCON society is in danger. So now, you all reconsider yourselves and appeal to them to readjust themselves and thus this disaster can be saved. So many devotees are leaving the movement. So many devotees have become half-dead, and so many devotees have already died. And so many are lamenting and we cannot just sit idly without trying to rectify the situation. We ourselves do not want any position, but what is going on is intolerable. It shows that the major portion is going to die. This must be thought out and accepted." So, with this idea, you form a committee, make a resolution, and then selectively invite to come. In this way you "Call For A Meeting," pass a resolution, and then call for them and ask them to readjust their position and reconsider. Otherwise we shall be in painful necessity to make progress independently. You can say this in this line.
Finally, many years later in 1985 a meeting was arranged in New Vrndavana-many issues were at hand-godbrothers throughout the movement demanded reform. One of the many dealt with-that of the grossly deviant and fallen condition of one of the eleven original gurus. Which was finally admitted and dealt with, that which had been hidden and covered up for so long-private bank accounts of huge amounts of money, extravagant spending, illicit homosex, drugs, and many more things. Extravagant guru worship was lowered, exclusive vyasasanas and acarya pictures on the altar except during arotika were stopped, guru expansion was opened up, and in the words of Satsvarupa Maharaja in his September 21, 1985 Guru Reform letter to his disciples, "a near unanimous decision has been reached by the senior devotees, that the present system of zonal acaryas should be changed." Additionally the GBC resolved as a result of these meetings that individual temples could make changes regarding guru-disciple-godbrother relations, worship etc as they saw fit.
On the previous day, August 18, 1980, Srila Sridhara Maharaja had addressed the problem of acarya grandeur and stated that he thought it would create difficulty if it was not adjusted. We have discussed this in chapter five in the section entitled, Is Srila Prabhupada's Mood different than Srila Sridhara Maharaja's? [full transcript in Appendix E], wherein we present the sound advice of Srila Sridhara Maharaja in response to the complaints of the Godbrothers in regards to the GBC's management and personal activities. Further, we give the history of one GBC guru's attempts to adjust his worship to a moderate standard. He was forced by the GBC to abandon his reform attempt or lose his post as guardian of the Bhaktivedanta Book Publishing Trust.
Another guru took the sastric instruction that one may see the nama-guru thru the mantra (gayatri) guru (when they are different personalities) by Srila Sridhara Maharaja too far and forcefully told his Godbrothers, who had both initiations from Srila Prabhupada, that they had no relationship with Srila Prabhupada and must see Srila Prabhupada thru him-that "you must serve a person, not a concept," inferring that Srila Prabhupada was reduced to a concept and that he, the GBC guru, was the living embodiment of this guru-tattva. Clearly this is a misinterpretation of this instruction and severly shook the faith of those Godbrothers in this guru and caused much disturbance. Srila Sridhara Maharaja had warned the GBC in their first meeting in 1978 that they must respect the faith of their godbrothers in Srila Prabhupada. And when he heard of this misinterpretation of his instruction on August 19,1980 (Appendix F), he very kindly replied:
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Guru bhognike. This is not objectionable to the extreme, but partially objectionable, because, suppose there are five sons of a father and the eldest son says to the youngest, "You don't know the ways how to satisfy the father. You must do what I shall say. You do that to please my departed father. These things were very favorite, to offer these things will be most pleasing" This sort of advice may be given. If it is done in such color then of course it is innocent. That I have got more experience about Prabhupada's nature so if you really want to do favorite work of Prabhupada, you use my experience, that will help you a great deal. Don't try to connect direct-have a direct relation with him. You'll be deceived. You'll not be able to come to his concrete self, it will be only vague.
Bhakti Caru Swami: Maharaja, we heard about the characteristics of a paramahamsa, that he extracts the nectar. Separates the milk from water, and he takes the milk. That now we can see in you the manifestation of that quality, you are always taking the nectar
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Yes, I am simply trying to see the brighter side of it so that we may not commit any mistakes against the other party. We must always see the brighter side . . . So all the arguments that the other party might want to give, we shall discuss them in detail and bring out the salient points so that we might not make any mistakes. We must be aware that we are not influenced by any prejudices. Just like they are being influenced by prejudices, we should be careful not to commit the same mistake. We must be well-guarded so that we are not led astray of the path of truth.
Another guru prohibited the guru-puja of Srila Prabhupada in his temples. Disciples of Srila Prabhupada were not allowed to worship Prabhupada. Another wanted to live in Srila Prabhupada's quarters and when he was refused a big fight ensued. Many of the offerings to the gurus were refused as not being opulent enough.
GBC Must Be Living Nor Mechanical
In March of 1981 (Tape # 7A), Srila Sridhara Maharaja advised the GBC
representative that the GBC must be a living organization, not mechanical-one
cannot mandate affairs of the heart with an iron fist, as per Machiavellian
philosophy (see Machiavelli's Princes in chapter five):
"Some sort of restriction should be there, but life cannot be ruled by only law. Both must be accomodated. The scope to the merit. Scope to merit must be allowed, and there should also be some sort of rules there. Law and vitality. Law is there, but merit or vitality cannot be checked. They must have field, proper field, merit must have proper field. By law one should not check the proper person and only encourage the improper one. Both sides-regulation, law is also necessary to be subservient to the natural growth. Suppose a boy requests more food, he will grow, he will be more strong. If you give him more food, then it will bring justice, according to his capacity he should be given food, he will get more strength and do more work. So, this sort of provision must be in the law, is it not? To make the movement quite living. That is my opinion. This facility is to create a fair field, so it must be a living Governing Body, not a mechanical Governing Body, but living Governing body."
Earlier in chapter five, we quoted Sivarama Swami's suggestion that the GBC be more in touch with the rest of ISKCON instead of trying to administrate all problems once a year.
Guru Deviation ~ Wait & See
Darshana continues:
Sudhira Goswami: If after initiation one sees some problem in the behavior of his guru then?
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: Then of course he cannot but be indifferent to his present guru in the beginning, that I see difference, it is not in the line. But I have taken initiation, so, wait and see, that should be his behavior. Wait and see. I do not find any encouragement in him to engage in the service with earnestness. It may be that it is of course a disaster, calamity.
Sudhira Goswami: It may also be due to immature understanding.
Srila Sridhara Maharaja: But those defects, they should be analyzed as to whether they are external or internal. The difference that is being detected, is that external, superficial or substantial. If they are superficial, he should be encouraged that this may be neglected, but if internal, then of course it is a difficult case, and he cannot but be indifferent for some time, and then gradually time will decide and show what is the matter, and then he should take such steps accordingly.
A Fair Field is Necessary
In March of 1981 Srila Sridhara Maharaja responded to the following statement of a GBC guru, "So, I have some questions about the position of our gurus. Prabhupada named me also as one of the devotees who would begin initiating. So I have felt disturbed that the position of the gurus was raised above all of our godbrothers because of too much worship . . . It seems to me that many of my godbrothers, they are equal or even greater-they can give Prabhupada's teachings just as well as anyone, but they are not named as gurus, so there seems to be too much difference between them and the gurus. So this has been a big disturbance to me:"
"That is a very serious question. They are making much of the position of the acarya. They are misusing the position according to him [Prabhupada]. But that is a very serious question and on that point I have discussed, I have given my opinion many times. In brief, a system should be created or arranged for the proper adjustment. Of course it is necessarymad gurusi jagad guru. He is the suprememost, at least in a particular way. In a particular way he is the best: yar ye rasa se haya sarva . . . Relative position. From the relative standpoint the disciple will see his guru to be the best. And there he will think, that the Lord has delegated him to come to me and to deliver me from the clutches of maya. He has some particular affinity there. And there are many acaryas, and what should be the behavior, the conduct of the disciples of different acaryas? How and what should be the behavior or conduct towards the nonacarya, godbothers of the acarya? That should be evolved. If direction is not given by Swami Maharaja, there might be some signs, some hints. But if it is not found there, then we shall have to evolve some rules and regulations for a proper adjustment so that the mission may not suffer. Suffer from indifference or negligence or abhorrance of the nonacarya disciples of Swami Maharaja. As you say, there are more qualified disciples outside the acarya board, or GBC. It is not impossible, not impossible. So, we should sit together and try to see that valuable persons that came to serve Swami Maharaja with all their energy and sincerity they will go away, it is very, very regretable. We should try to save the mission from that great disaster. I hear that so many stalwarts they are going away, being indifferent and going underground to the unknown quarter, depressed because they do not see fair field. So these things should not be set aside but it must be taken in and they should be discussed. Some salient points, you should prepare a list-that this is a list of disadvantages, inconveniences. The disease has entered into ISKCON and how to treat it. This is our common cause, we are all interested in ISKCON, we are members, we have given our life, dedicated our life for this mission. We are interested and we don't like that our godbrothers will go astray dissatisfied with the management. So try your best to evolve some rulings or some sort of laws, rules which should guide us all, help us all. At the same time it will push the cause of the mission of ISKCON. As dynamic as it is accomodative-comprehensive and dynamic mission we want to have.
Recruiting a Farce when Stalwarts Leaving Discouraged
We have a great field ahead. We must go to the length and the breath of this world with the banner of our Guru Maharaja Prabhupada, Swami Maharaja, and combined effort is necessary for that. We do not like to lose anything. We should collect all our energy, money, men, and we must go on with the banner of our Prabhupada. For this, unity and fairness in the field is necessary. This will strengthen the hearts of all the members of ISKCON. In this way you may introduce-that such an accomodating and dynamic program we want to have. We would like to have. And without doing that we won't allow you to dissolve your meeting. You must come to such a conclusion and give us such a program. Otherwise we won't allow you to go away from this Math. Do it. Make provision to feed all the members, such that all can be satisfied, have food, proper food. Everyone must have proper food to work on. Evolve such a program and give it to us. If you are efficient enough, if you will consider yourself to be efficient, then give us this thing-that we can march on with the flag with our head erect. We have to go and capture the new, but the old is already going back. They are driven, they are being driven and we are going. The old, the important members, who received the grace of our Guru Maharaja, they are being discouraged and becoming indifferent. And we are going to recruit new persons? Is it not a farce?"
Living GBC Meeting We Want Not Formal
"I
am speaking a little strongly. But as a friend of your
Guru Maharaja I feel this in my heart, so I say, this
worldwide grand mission will thrive like anything. It
will touch the heaven and cover the world and other planets
also. And what is this? That old persons they are going back?
There may be one, a few exceptions, but generally people
came with a good and sincere heart and they are feeling
discouragement. Some encouraging program must be evolved,
we want to have. So, let us evolve. Not just a formal
meeting for two days, three days. But it must be a meeting
to satisfy the real necessity of the day. That is a living
committee, that we want. Living meeting we want. Not
a formal meeting. After one year, a formal meeting and
some resolutions passed, and everyone has gone to his
own field and is doing as he likes. Hare Krsna. Gaura
Hari Bol."