An Apology
BY: R.A. SADHUDASA ANUDASA
Jul 22, 2011 — SRIDHAM MAYAPUR, WEST BENGAL (SUN) — Dear Antardwip dasa, I received your letter through the Sampradaya Sun's editors. I'm glad to know that you are reading articles on this site, and are able to point out the mistake committed by my fallen self on the Praghosa dasa "joke" recently published on this site. I personally immediately offer a due apology to Praghosa dasa, since as you pointed out, the wordings used by him during the "joke" weren't the one's that appeared on the Sun's posting. I'm also glad to know that you were present during the event of the "joke."
I observed the episode from the point of view of an aspirant Vaishnava that is concerned with the tenor of the spiritual leadership of our ISKCON mission. I simply got shocked at how Praghosa dasa neglected the proper attitude as a GBC member and representative of the highest rank of managerial duties for our society.
I have already met Praghosa dasa personally on various occasions, and also through long email exchanges that lasted months. I revealed to him my disappointment on several issues that affected my personal service towards Srila Prabhupada's mission, like his neglect to assist me on a couple important proposals that depended on him for approval, and undoubtedly would benefit ISKCON. As you know, the Mayapur Brahminical Advisory Council that you are part of now has been one of my several official Proposals for the community's betterment.
My complaint towards Praghosa dasa was made public also, and points out his somehow impersonal behavior, which is not proper of a Vaishnava spiritual leader, although he may be seen as a kind of good manager at the most. In my humble opinion, he has shown irresponsible and impersonal behavior as an ISKCON-GBC, and the fact that he is presenting such "jokes", which apparently make the whole GBC accomplices, probes my opinion.
I'm also glad to hear that the GBC members recognized that Praghosa dasa made a mistake. You wrote:
"It was agreed unanimously that it was an (highly) inappropriate joke, and the GBC reacted appropriately. That is what matters, Not that mistakes are not made, but that mistakes are made right."
Therefore I submit here my personal apology for the mistake of having literally translated the text of the "joke" I received through the agency of my brother, Keshava Swami, without checking with somebody directly involved in the incident. I gave credit to Keshava Swami since at the time, he was going to become the resident sannyasi of said gurukula, until he decided not to do so for obvious reasons.
