> Dear Gauranga Prema and Vaishnavas,
> Dandavats. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
> All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
> I am quite in agreement with Mahaksadas Prabhu here. There
> are so many quotes on Varnasrama from Srila Prabhupada.
> Before he came to the West he even mentioned that he
> would open a youth hostel, and would serve meat and
> liquor if necessary.
> Now, what does this tell me? It tells me that Srila
> Prabhupada didn't find any material solution to any
> problem, but he found solutions to ALL problems,
> material and spiritual, in Krishna consciousness.
> Let's go one step DEEPER and look at this youth hostel
> idea. What would have made this work? The association of
> a pure devotee, namely Srila Prabhupada. So to me, there
> are so many ways we can preach, but none of them hard and
> fast. The main thing is that we need to give ourselves
> completely to the chanting of the holy name and other
> processes of pure bhakti given by Srila Prabhupada so
> that we can become effective preachers. Otherwise there
> is no formula for success in preaching. If we think
> otherwise, it may be that we are confused about the
> goal of preaching.
> No need to be so apologetic. Speak the truth, an honest
> man will never be offended by the truth and a fool will
> be offended no matter how sweetly you speak it. We can
> try not to offend unnecessarily but we should speak
> truthfully according to our realization, then no
> need for apologies. My humble opinion, not a
> criticism of your sincere efforts.
> Vaishnava dasanudas,
> Agrahya das
------------------
Dear Agrahya Prabhu
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhu, with regards to your above letter and the one you
had posted on the front page of VNN, please take note of
Srila Prabhupada's usage of the words, "now" and
"immediately" etc., in quotes contained in the following link.
Please, also note that he acknowledges that the movement has
qualified brahmanas, and that in the earlier days the time
was not right for establishing varnasrama-dharma, but
later it was, and of course is, as he says very clearly,
"Always we shall try," to introduce it in our centers.
Please also write a letter to VNN, requesting them to
rescind your current comments posted there. Thankyou.
:80/Athens/Thebes/4830/index.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On 25 Nov 1998, Agrayha dasa wrote:
> Dear Gauranga Prema Prabhu,
> Dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
> All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
> You have made a good number of requests. I would like
> to point out that while I have read Srila Prabhupada's
> books 2 or more times, I do not possess Folio and
> cannot cut-and-paste quotations based on word
> search.
> Although you have asked a good number of things, I ask
> only one: please give me the names of the pure and
> qualified brahmanas who are still with us. Surely
> there are some, but not many, I think. Perhaps you
> recall my statement, "Those who wish to soapbox
> 'VARNASRAMA NOW!' should point out where the
> qualified brahmanas are."
> To recite Srila Prabhupada's words is not to
> understand his heart. Certainly he was very
> merciful. He made statements such as "all
> my disciples are pure devotees." Was he wrong,
> or have we misunderstood the history of the
> past 21 years? No, and no. He made different
> statements which appear contradictory, and in
> fact apparently contradictory statements appear
> in shastra. Does that mean that flaws exist in
> shastra, or in the words of a liberated soul?
> No, and no. The flaw exists in our inability
> to harmonize such statements.
> You repeat many statements from Srila Prabhupada on
> varnasrama but do not demonstrate the ability to
> harmonize them with his often-stated goals of the
> Krishna consciousness movement, as found in his
> books.
> Please consider these things when you prepare your rebuttal.
> Vaishnava dasanudas,
> Agrahya das
On 25 Nov 1998, Gauranga Prema Dasa wrote:
Dear Agrahya Prabhu
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhu, first of all I would like to state that there is a brahmana on every street corner and a pure devotee in every city, simply waiting. Of course, you know that it wasn't me who said this. It was our beloved spiritual master, His divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada. Now, where to find such great souls. Well, let me ask you this, do you believe that Srila Prabhupada was successful in creating any pure devotees, and do you believe that any of the current gurus are at least on the platform of brahmana? As for harmonizing apparent contradictions, according to the quotes which have been presented, we can simply understand that all instructions of the mahabhagavata book and scripture are to be followed, and that there is no need for research work, unnecessary interpretation, or any whimsical participation on the part of conditioned souls, in the matter of presenting it, as it is. The example of cow dung and conchshell has been repeatedly provided. Although the injunctions may APPEAR contradictory, we must simply follow the instructions confirmed by guru, sastra, sadhu, and if we have difficulty understanding any given subject matter, Srila Prabhupada has "suggested" that we read the instruction over and over until we do understand it. Srila Prabhupada has clearly stated that we have brahmanas, and that the time to establish varnasrama-dharma was yesterday, therefore it is only due to disobedience, neglect, foolishness, ignorance, rebelliousness, cowardice an sheer stupidity that success has not yet been attained in this endeavor. Of course I am only referring to those who have not taken the order of the spiritual master seriously. The order of the external manifestation of God contains all the sakti required to execute that given order and is completely non-different from the supremely powerful, omnipotent Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. In the letter to Prabhakar, presented in the compilation of quotes, Srila Prabhupada has written that, "It can be established immediately, provided you are serious about it." This instruction is very clear. What need therefore, is there for interpretation. This question about where there are qualified brahmanas seems to be a challenge to the order of the spiritual master. He has stated that they are there, and that the time is right for proceeding with the "second half of his mission." If you perceived that he is personally standing before you, and saw him face to face, would you persist with this challenging spirit? Do you not believe that Srila Prabhupada is still personally present, and imparting the same instruction for anyone and everyone who is willing to follow it? Simply by following the instruction, we will attain genuine realization of who is qualified and who is not qualified, for this or that position. This, as also instructed by His Divine Grace, requires a cooperative effort on OUR part. By following the system of cooperation known as varnasrama-dharma, subsequently the only system that works, which he has kindly imparted, we will come to understand everything, in due course of time, or immediately, based only on our sincerity. The guru, knowing the nature of each individual, through the agency of the vaisnava and brahmana community, directing the ksatriya class, which carries out the managerial function of making divisions in society, engages everybody accordingly. Without this system of organization, all conditioned living entities are completely blind to what's what, and who's who, because we need to follow the instructions of the guru, before we can experience any true realization, and perception of the Absolute Truth about any given subject matter. If we wish to see who is who, and how to get through this darkness, which covers our perception of spiritual reality, we MUST follow the instructions of God and guru, who have clearly and repeatedly ordered us to adopt this system of cooperation and organization. Of course that does not mean that we co-operate with nonsense, but rather with each other, based on the instructions of guru, sastra and sadhu. Then EVERYTHING becomes easy, and as stated in the Bhagavad-gita the darkness of nescience is dissipated, and destroyed by the light of pure transcendental knowledge, which is brilliant like the sun. We simply need to cut through this darkness of ignorance with the weapon of knowledge. The knowledge we are now receiving from the Supreme knower of everything and His representatives is that cooperation is the key to opening the doors of Rama-Rajya [The kingdom of God on earth], which, when established properly, is non-different from the final destination of the soul, the Supreme abode or home, and once more [actually it can't be stated enough] varnasrama-dharma is the only system of cooperation which is imparted by the Lord and ALL His followers, that will bring about peace, prosperity and spiritual happiness. It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that Prthu Maharaja's kingdom was very opulent and that this was conducive to everyone's spiritual advancement. We were able to get by without it, only up until it was ordered by Krsna through the transparent transcendental via medium of the spiritual master. Once again, if we want to know who is who and what is what we must adopt THIS system in all that we do. This system known as varnasrama-dharma is also known as sanatana-dharma or the eternal occupation of the living entity, because it prepares us for our eternal relationship with the Supreme Being. There is no other way to satisfy him. All this and much more has been provided in the quotes. Why do you all insist that I present it in my own words, when standing before you is the Supreme Lord speaking directly through the guru. At best, I can only present it... with a mixture of poison, due to my degraded mentality.
There are so many things that must be accomplished throughout the course of each day, in each center, and throughout the world. If we do not adopt this system, then what system will we adopt? Doing the needful can only be successfully carried out under the guidelines imparted by the Lord and his bona fide representatives. If we attempt to do other"wise," we will not accomplish anything substantial, material or spiritual, or even come close to pleasing the Supreme Personality, and after all, isn't that the only goal of life? Yasya-prasadad bhagavat prasado. By following the order of the spiritual master [who has taught that there is no other way to please the Supreme Personality] we receive the benediction of Krsna. Yasya prasadan na gati kuto pi. And by not following the order of the spiritual master we will not make any advancement. Any system which does not adhere to this principle for performing any duty or activity is simply a product of "manufactured hellish ideas." If we simply agree to cooperatively follow the order of God and guru, everything necessary for the implementation of that order will easily follow automatically... O ye of little faith. But who is willing to agree to such a simple proposal made by God and guru? Srila Prabhupada had a plan to make the world Krsna conscious within 18 days, but who was, or even to this day, is, willing to listen? With a mustard seed of faith, we can move mountains! Srila Prabhupada provided the formula for a miracle. Let us not minimize it with speculation about whether or not it can or should be done. It will be done. It has already been done!... in the past and in the future. It is only time that separates, and the amount of time simply depends, once again, exclusively on our sincerity.
And by the way, Srila Prabhupada apologized to his godbrothers for any offenses he may have committed, and we all know that he could not have possibly committed any, so then what to speak of someone like me. Why so many devotees, spend so much of their valuable time, writing that I should not do this, is totally beyond me. It seems like a complete waste of time, both for the writer and the reader. This is more for the others, who will be reading this letter, which I will be posting under yours, on the VNN forum site, than for you Agrahya Prabhu, as your comments about the apologies were much different than most of the ones I've read so far. As a footnote I would also like to mention that Srila Prabhupada also added that sometimes it is necessary to commit offenses when preaching.
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
PS. Please also note the comments I've made throughout your following letter.
Thankyou.
> Dear Gauranga Prema Prabhu,
> Dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
> All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
> You have made a good number of requests. I would like to
> point out that while I have read Srila Prabhupada's books
> 2 or more times, I do not possess Folio and cannot
> cut-and-paste quotations based on word search. Although you
> have asked a good number of things, I ask only one: please
> give me the names of the pure and qualified brahmanas who
> are still with us. Surely there are some, but not many, I
> think. Perhaps you recall my statement, "Those who wish to
> soapbox 'VARNASRAMA NOW!' should point out where the
> qualified brahmanas are."
And one more thing, Srila Prabhupada is one of the ones, nay the chief one, who wants varnasrama now, nay, yesterday, therefore, it appears to me that this statement is a direct challenge to him. I'm sorry if I am mistaken, and of course if I have committed any offenses.
> To recite Srila Prabhupada's words is not to understand
> his heart.
Reading and reciting, or in other words hearing [sravanam] and chanting [kirtanam] the words of the spiritual master, and in this way associating with him and the entire disciplic succession, what to speak of the Lord and all his devotees, purifies and enlightens the practitioner about everything.
> Certainly he was very merciful. He made statements such as
> "all my disciples are pure devotees." Was he wrong, or have
> we misunderstood the history of the past 21 years? No, and
> no. He made different statements which appear
> contradictory, and in fact apparently contradictory
> statements appear in shastra. Does that mean that flaws
> exist in shastra, or in the words of a liberated soul? No,
> and no. The flaw exists in our inability to harmonize such
> statements.
> You repeat many statements from Srila Prabhupada on
> varnasrama but do not demonstrate the ability to harmonize
> them with his often-stated goals of the Krishna
> consciousness movement, as found in his books.
As stated previously, what need is there for an interpretation. Why can't you all be satisfied with what he wrote? It's all very clear. The goal of our movement is to make everyone Krsna conscious, and the means or method by which we achieve OUR goal, is to adopt the system of varnasrama-dharma, which is also the goal, being synonymous with sanatana-dharma... as stated previously by Srila Prabhupada, and is also recorded in the quote compilation. Please people, read the quotes... over and over, until you no longer find it necessary to repeatedly make the same inquiries, which are dealt with repeatedly in the correspondence contained in the quote compilation. Then read them again and again, because they're spiritual and therefore contain unlimited knowledge and ecstasy, in each and every word. Once again, I'm sorry for any offenses, mistakes etc. etc...
> Please consider these things when you prepare your rebuttal.
> Vaishnava dasanudas,
> Agrahya das
---------------------------------------------
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