Intricacies of the Codes of Religion Continues
BY: GADADHARA DASA
Jan 24, DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (SUN) — Margaret Connors in her article, "Intricacies of Codes of Religion" quotes following Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.22 verse along with its purport:
"The King said: O you, who are in the form of a bull! You know the truth of religion, and you are speaking according to the principle that the destination intended for the perpetrator of irreligious acts is also intended for one who identifies the perpetrator. You are no other than the personality of religion."
And then writes:
"I spoke to the root cause of all abuse and how to correctly view that. You agree with it - but then offer a "Yes But!". To my philosophical point - there simply is no "Yes But". "
But there is a "BUT". The story does not end there. Continue to read what Maharaja Pariksit says and does after this point, and you will find that Mahavidya Prabhu's point that ISKCON leaders shelter the criminals and drive away the victims is a very valid point. The reverse should be the case.
Maharaja Pariksit did not blame the Bull and Cow for their condition, but you blame the parents instead of those in charge of the Gurukuls, ISKCON Gurus, and GBC. Intricacies of Codes of Religion does not end at Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.22. It continues:
SB 1.17.27: "Now she, the chaste one, being unfortunately forsaken by the Personality of Godhead, laments her future with tears in her eyes, for now she is being ruled and enjoyed by lower-class men who pose as rulers."
You have so much praise for ISKCON leaders. You say:
"It is safe to say that the leaders of ISKCON make their best efforts to ensure that such valuable devotees who meet the above mentioned qualifications are carefully selected to represent Srila Prabhupada and his mission."
If that is the case, then why do the same leaders shelter the criminals and not protect women and children? Or is it the case that now she (ISKCON) is being ruled and enjoyed by lower-class men who pose as rulers?
SB 1.17.28: "Maharaja Pariksit, who could fight one thousand enemies single-handedly, thus pacified the personality of religion and the earth. Then he took up his sharp sword to kill the personality of Kali, who is the cause of all irreligion.
SB 1.17.29: When the personality of Kali understood that the King was willing to kill him, he at once abandoned the dress of a king and, under pressure of fear, completely surrendered to him, bowing his head."
Why doesn't the GBC act as King Pariksit did, so that criminals will tremble in fear for their life?
SB 1.17.30: "Maharaja Pariksit, who was qualified to accept surrender and worthy of being sung in history, did not kill the poor surrendered and fallen Kali, but smiled compassionately, for he was kind to the poor.
SB 1.17.31: The King thus said: We have inherited the fame of Arjuna; therefore since you have surrendered yourself with folded hands you need not fear for your life. But you cannot remain in my kingdom, for you are the friend of irreligion."
King Pariksit recognizes the dangers of allowing Kali in his kingdom, and he tells Kali that he cannot remain in his kingdom.
SB 1.17.32: "If the personality of Kali, irreligion, is allowed to act as a man-god or an executive head, certainly irreligious principles like greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity will abound."
So why is it that ISKCON leaders do not see the same dangers when they shelter criminals?
SB 1.17.33: "Therefore, O friend of irreligion, you do not deserve to remain in a place where experts perform sacrifices according to truth and religious principles for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
ISKCON temples are established for the purposes mentioned in the above verse, and not for sheltering criminals and exploiting the innocent.
Thus the "Intricacies of Codes of Religion" is to be understood as King Pariksit understood and acted. The GBC is a Governing Body and it is their duty to do what is right, as King Pariksit stated and acted.
Srila Prabhupada calls "Rubber Stamping of Gurus" cheating - "you can cheat, but it will not be effective". But Margaret has all the praise for this cheating process, which disobeys clear statements of HDG Srila Prabhupada. She has no words regarding this cheating process and the destruction this process has caused, and continue to cause.
Srila Prabhupada says truth must be told to protect innocent people. It is our duty to speak truth so that "irreligious principles like greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity will not abound."
Wishing You Well,
yhs- Gadadhar dasa
