What does Romapada Swami Want Us to
Think He Is?
BY: K.K. DASI
Apr 19, 2012 — CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (SUN) — The article just exposed on the Sun about Romapada Swami's directives of what his tongue may like to eat (authored and authorized from his own website), sounds like someone that Srila Prabhupada just might classify as bogus: "so many so-called sannyasis in the garb of a renunciate, but who's only business is eating chapatis and living at the cost of the householders".
In case the Swami doesn't know, there are so many people in the big cities where he visits (like here in Chicago) to get fed nicely and worshiped, who may not even know where their next meal is going to come from, and who may not even eat for days! Yet Romapada Swami is demanding his house sponsors to prepare specialty food items for him?! Maybe someone should give him some service in a Food for Life program, and let him try and actually feel for the suffering of others!
What happened to the example of the Six Goswamis? Are not all ISKCON sannyasis supposed to be following in their footsteps? Did the Six Goswamis write similar essays, as on Romapada Swami's website, of fancy demands and menus to satisfy their palate? Certainly not. They were too busy hearing and chanting about Radha Krishna's pastimes. Srila Prabhupada said that they were so absorbed in their service, that they would sometimes forget to eat and sleep. Is there now a new standard for sannyasa?
Before any of the so-called gurus of ISKCON fell down in the past, there were always telltale signs like this kind of behavior being witnessed. Devotees who cannot follow the strict sannyasa type of life should be honest and step down, instead of cheating followers, imposing oneself on others, and pretending still to be a liberated soul and demand worship (and his meals). To mislead others in this way is very sinful and prideful. I am not judging anyone here, but Srila Prabhupada said that one's actions and words do the judging, and sometimes exposing also!
The real Acaryas, such as Bhaktivinoda Thakur, say the tongue is the most difficult to control of the senses. I know from Romapada Swami's visits here in Chicago that his stature of sannyasa does seem to leave something to be desired. For instance, he mistreats his own godbrothers and godsisters, and takes away their service and gives it to his own followers. Anyone who has been a part of the Chicago yatra knows what I am referring to here.
Why is it these days that some devotees don't seem to know anymore what are the qualifications of a bone fide spiritual master? Aren't they reading Srila Prabhupada's books? How many so-called spiritual masters of ISKCON eventually fell down, leaving their so-called disciples devastated? ISKCON higher-ups told them that their gurus were pure devotees. The followers were misled, and the so-called guru/sannyasi was mislead by his own pride and senses.
It is pointed out throughout the Caitanya-caritamrita, for devotees who are in the dress of a sannyasa, to eat oppulent foods, to associate with those who are attached to money (what to speak of amassing personal and great amounts of laxmi at the cost of his so-called disciples or temples which he visits) is spiritual suicide. In spite of a so-called renunciate's having such material ambitions for his next meal, and other attachments, he still wants and desires to be worshiped as a liberated soul. The ultimate sense gratification - to be worshiped, when one doesn't possess the genuine qualities of a pure devotee! Should not such a cheating so-called guru be abandoned, and one take full shelter of the real guru? - Srila Prabhupada
While Romapada Swami tries to keep his appearance as a renounced sannyasi, he lends huge amounts of money to people, disciples, temples, and awards himself a big $$$ interest kickback. He's been doing it for years! And why does the GBC allow this kind of behavior to go on? Why do the devotees allow and support this kind of whimsical and bogus behavior to continue? That is the most amazing thing.
I will probably die before the GBC and/or temple presidents patch this big leak in the fidelity and integrity of ISKCON's leadership. But don't take my word for it. Just follow Romapada Swami to the bank (with some binoculars and camera), after his so-called vyasa puja! And if you can, just talk to the long trail of devotees, godbrothers and godsisters included, that he has either cheated, abused, or misled. Don't be the last one to find out! You will be sorry, and probably become deeply hurt. Just take shelter of Srila Prabhupada.
So what does Romapada want us to think he is? For me, I know that I will think of him what my Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada has taught me to think of him. And I (and many others) think that he has to start being honest with himself and everyone else. No one can be a brahmin, what to speak of being a guru, without being honest. Honesty, besides always speaking the truth, means to live the truth by your example. I am sure glad that my husband doesn't parade around like this - in saffron!
