From: Jagat
> Dear Pritha Deviji,
> If I have any criticism, it is that you tend
> to be one-sided. This is not a serious criticism,
> because sometimes we must radically defend what
> we think is right. In this case, I believe that
> you are right.
> On the other hand, in your argument about Varnashram,
> you take a position completely against it rather than
> trying to understand what Prabhupada really meant when
> he talked about implementing it.
> I think that we must remember that Western and India
> cultures are very different. This means that sometimes
> (believe it or not) Prabhupada did not know how to
> express himself in language that would be easily
> comprehensible to us. I think that VAD is one
> of these areas.
> If you don't believe me, just read the
> original transcripts of Prabhupada's
> conversations with Syamasundara and
> Hayagriva on philosophy. Not only
> did Syamasundara and Hayagriva
> sometimes appear to not understand
> the philosopher whose ideas they are
> quoting (from time to time they seem to
> be seeking an expected response by asking
> leading questions), but often Prabhupada doesn't
> seem to understand the point of the philosopher's
> statement. A similar conversation is the one with the
> famous author of "Small is Beautiful," E. F. Shumacher,
> where Prabhupada misunderstands a point about the cruelty
> perpetrated on animals through factory farming.
> We must be able to recognize that due to accents,
> vocabulary, differing cultures and thought systems,
> even Prabhupada was not always able to understand
> what was being said nor to respond to the question
> being asked.
> This is not fault-finding, but something that we must
> of necessity recognize if we are going to interpret
> Prabhupada for practical purposes.
> YS, Jagat
Back To Godhead, October 10, 1968, Seattle Washington:
Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out
There is no question of interpretation. Then the authority is gone. As soon as you interpret, there is no authority. . . . . And those who are interpreting unnecessarily, they should be rejected immediately. Immediately, without consideration.
---------------------------------------------
Dear Prabhus
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Have I committed any offenses,
taken any quotes out of context,
made any mistakes, and/or
done anything I shouldn't have?
If so, I'm sorry.
Aspiring to be the sincere
servant of the servant,
Yours Truly,
Gauranga Prema Dasa
Hare Krsna