Is Anyone Awake?
BY: TAMOHARA DASA VANAPRASTHA
Jul 18, CANADA (SUN) — Is anyone awake out there? That was Narahari's last remark in his recent article, "Interfaith or Religious Homogenization?".
First let me say I agree with him fully on all points made. I also appreciate his brahminical ability to speak his mind and in this case, he is in line with my own albeit limited understandings of Srila Prabhupada's teachings. Some felt that my articles on Islam quite some time back were motivated by undeserved anger or a sectarian body-conscious agenda. No, not actually. It is motivated by the Hare Krsna Movement and applied in practical observance of the actual world, as opposed to an imaginary utopia in which we all accept each other fully and get along.
Narahari dasa prabhu's desire is to keep ISKCON on the path set by Srila Prabhupada. He says that we will be liable to penalty of death for keeping our Deities under Jewish (= Noahide?), or for sure, Islamic law. That is current today in Saudi Arabia! And likely in other countries under strict Shari'a law, such as Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar. You may have heard of the recent witch trial literally in Saudia Arabia? One woman was accused of withcraft and sentenced to public beheading "for the good of the people", as expressed by the thought police, or muttawa. To imagine that they will change their minds about such policies if we act humbly is ridiculous, frankly.
We should better take shelter of Krsna. In light of sastra at a time when our enemies are strong we can take advantage of our close relations to our relative friends, such as the good people of India, many of whom are even now ISKCON devotees. People there in general throughout the whole continent are now closer to accepting Sri Gauranga's mercy, due in large part to the efforts of HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, and to a much lesser extent, such that they are like glowworms to his sunshine, his Godbrothers.
And also we currently are somewhat accepted by many of our Christian friends, who at least do not intend to chop our heads off any time soon (that I am aware of )! They may disagree on some essential points, but they have some love and mercy despite their acceptance of the slaughterhouse diet. I am not convinced that the Jewish peoples are at all our enemies or that they would enforce such codes in truth.
My dear Narahari, it just isn't happening, baba. The right changes are not happening. As you say, the devotees are numb from all that's going on. There are many troubles not just within our cloistered devotee societies and minds, but within human society as a whole. Wars and rumors of wars, deceit in the highest circles, economic instability and fear. Seeking to resolve inter-religious differences, thus implying "I'm OK - You're OK" is a mindset coming from fear! Srila Prabhupada never compromised. He preached so boldly they all had to take his dust, and that with humbleness before his exalted status and obvious God-conscious purity. Like my Mom said, no one is going to accept these little Jesus's, especially seeing as they have stolen everything from the Godbrothers and are making asses of themselves and all of us. Now they are stealing the Bhaktivedanta Institute from Prabhupada! Monkey see, monkey do. Everyone sees through the intent of the BI - to steal it from Srila Prabhupada. Where the hell is the GBC in this? This is a MAJOR disaster.
Even within our "ISKCON" ranks, the influence of opinions and teachings of those other than our Spiritual Master is occurring. Satyaraja prabhu's writings, although also meant to help mainstream-ize Krsna consciousness, in fact caused further deviation and deteriorationby watering down the teachings and showing an example to our newer members of compromise and apologetics! Our young devotees are frankly clueless, many in the face of Srila Prabhupada being so severely diminished by the current establishments. Now everybody has an opinion and they do whatever.
Sri B. Radha Govinda Swami illustrated nicely the other day with the not-so-gloriously-transcendental boat! She is not Ritvik, but is one of the exceptions to the pandering rule these days. Glories to her boldness! Also to Rocana prabhu, one of these exceptional devotees.
Rocana prabhu, the Net says you hate Ritviks. Is it really so? I'd say about half your contributors or better lean to Ritvik, which we consider simply Srila Prabhupada's instructions. Maybe one day you will realize that we are almost the only ones, with a few exceptions, who are standing up for Srila Prabhupada. The necessity and philosophical directions of the times was and is clear to us; now we are seeing more of the disastrous consequences of failing to follow Srila Prabhupada fully. Maybe we're not quite as deluded as you thought!
Offering my obeisances to all, and especially to Rocana and Narahari Prabhus.
Tamohara dasa v. CHFS BGS MSc Aud (C) ACBSP (ntgbc)
Gaura-hari bol!
P.S. A devotee recently asked if devotees with degrees are all deviating. I've got degrees up the wazoo. So you tell me; am I a compromiser? Don't be an intellectual-hater. Some brahmanas take up brahminical occupations. Srila Prabhupada himself did a degree.
[Editor's Note: Dear Tamohara dasa V. prabhu, the Net may say I hate Rtviks, but the Net also says I am a Rtvik. "The Net" says many things. My position stands in my "Church of Rtvik" and "Sampradaya Acarya" papers, and subsequent writings. No, I don't hate the Rtviks. I greatly appreciate that many of them also recognize Srila Prabhupada as the Sampradaya Acarya. I reject their conclusions on post-samadhi diksa, which is an asiddhantic contrivance. I reject much of the "evidence" they put forth in their Final Order thesis, and its conclusions. In my writings, I propose that there is a very simple solution on the matter of initiations in ISKCON that is in line with sastra, with Srila Prabhupada's instructions, and which is anchored in the Sampradaya Acarya position.]
