Exaggerated Preponderance
BY: KRISHNA DAS
Nov 10, USA (SUN) — Since October 18th, the Sampradaya Sun website has published 52 articles discussing what can be called "The Hrdayananda Goswami Issue". I apologize to the readers up front for adding to that sum, but I do so for a slightly different purpose.
I would submit that the subjective importance that the editors of the Sun and its various contributors assign to HDG and his purported "influence", beneficial or not, is at best an exaggerated preponderance, and at worst, an egregious reversal of the Sun's stated purpose.
On the initial page of this site, we find this "purpose" underscored with these two quotations from Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta:
"My long desired scheme of a Krsna Conscious daily newspaper is being implemented. Please do this work very nicely. It will be a very great step in the history of ISKCON movement."
~ Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Satsvarupa 1971
"Here in this world there are thousands of newspapers and magazines reporting the stale, repetitious happenings of this limited space. So for reporting the news of the unlimited spiritual realm, concerning the eternal, ever-fresh Supreme Personality of Godhead, we could publish a newspaper at every second, what to speak of daily."
~ Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
While the comments are hurled back and forth – at times accompanied by the most juvenile ad hominems directed to "them that dare to disagree" one way or the other, the massive attention provided this "issue" offers no positive "news of the unlimited spiritual realm" but in fact remains mired in the "stale, repetitious happenings of this limited space" called the world of Maya.
Maintaining this kind of quarrelsome, inconclusive, subjective and relatively inconsequential back and forth is, in my estimation, a serious waste of one's human form of life.
Hridayananda Goswami is an individual devotee, preacher, teacher and at the very least – official representative of Srila Prabhupada. Anything beyond "official" is a combination of real and/or perceived or assigned qualification by - at the least – himself – and any who might share his opinion of his actual value as representative of our Spotless Parampara.
This in fact is exactly how Rocana das has established in his writings that all "gurus" in Srila Prabhupada's line are to establish their representation of our Parampara: they diligently work – to the best of their capacity – to purely act upon and represent the pure teachings of Srila Prabhupada – and them that seek to follow and serve their exemplary actions are fully encouraged to do so.
Rocana das openly advocates in his writings that it is up to an individual to select his own link(s) to the Parampara and follow them with all the exactitude affirmed by the scriptures and our Srila Prabhupada.
The vast majority of the men and women now taking inspiration from Hridayananda das Goswami have remained attached to his counsel, example and leadership – as informed adults – without the influence of any coercion whatsoever.
In the end – after all this noise dies down – I have a hunch that hardly a one will have budged from their own individual conclusion that Hridayananda das Goswami will remain their chosen link to Srila Prabhupada and our Parampara.
If we have not yet attained the state of "samadhi" as described in Bhagavad Gita, then
we are always apt to make accidental or deliberate mistakes in our efforts to represent Srila Prabhupada and the Parampara. I am 100% sure that Hridayananda das Goswami is more aware of any of his own mistakes in this regard than anyone else. We are all possessed of such relevant self-knowledge. It is how we process and act upon this "knowledge" that assists us on our path back to Godhead; the honesty we embrace in our dealings with Lord Krsna within our hearts. I am sure he is and has always taken stock of his own "whereabouts" in this regard and both has and is continuing to make every effort to increase the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krsna.
It is clear that some of you do not wish to associate with Hridayananda das Goswami. And you have all given your reasons as to "Why". OK. We get it. But it appears that you are neither content with your own rejection of this one man, nor quite sure as to what would slate your thirst for "reaction" from others, and especially them that do. So the discussion just lingers – with no real end or purpose in sight.
In the end, it is up to the individual to determine for him or herself, who they will follow and serve as Spiritual Master. No matter what you might say about anyone, the individual is as free to select that person's help, guidance and company as they are to read or not read the articles and opinions of the editors and contributors of this or any other website, and always will be.
Your humble servant,
Krishna das
