I. ISKCON COMMUNICATIONS

a) The “ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA!” expression as standard part of a devotee letter introduction.

The following edited extract from a letter to a respected Godbrother will illustrate my point:

Prabhu, good to bring up again the point about use of the expression “All glories to Srila Pabhupada”. Please note that I do not now or ever forget the person Srila Prabhupada or the unlimited glories of Srila Prabhupada. In fact I try to associate with our Guru Maharaja as much as possible through sound vibration. Even though Srila Prabhupada left us in 1977, modern technology enables us to associate with Him 24 / 365, if that is what we choose to do.

However I felt consistently in the past and still feel now, that this particular positioning of the exclamation “All glories to Srila Prabhupada” parallels too much the Nazi salute “Heil Hitler”, perhaps not to be paralleled (unless I am wrong, of course) by devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna and devotees of the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead, Srila Prabhupada, especially in view of the sweet message of love of Godhead of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In the following passage Srila Prabhupada clearly defines Hitler’s nature:” There were so many asuras in this world. There were Lenin, there were Stalin, there were Hitler, there were Hiranyakashipu. So many. But they could not survive. It is not possible. They’ll be finished.” 740930SB.May

 In one of our exchanges, His Holiness Jayadvaita Maharaja openly admitted that he considers himself the initiator of this unwanted habit that is now permeating ISKCON.

More over, in His own letters, we NEVER find Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our Founder-Acarya, writing in such a particular fashion, even though His own Guru and our Param Guru, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Maharaja Goswami bore the title Prabhupada as well. From that point of view, it is nothing more than a sentimental and unwanted deviation. Who in his right mind will agree to deviate and go on a tangent, which may lead one anywhere at all?” Let us not forget the characteristic of a tangent: As a tangent progresses, it separates itself more and more and more from the original target.”

b) Additionally Srila Prabhupada set a standard of giving the place and date of origin of all His letter-communications. It is important to know when a letter was written. In the financial world and in legal matters, even the very second a communication is created can be of capital importance. In a global organization such as ISKCON, it is also important to know where in the world the author of the letter is located. Such a practice creates structure, as opposed to pandemonium. But who in ISKCON follows this Prabhupada standard? In that respect, I had submitted a GBC proposal to my Co-GBC, His Holiness Ramai Swami. He rejected it outright and consequently my proposal never made it to the annual AGM of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON at Mayapur headquarters, India. Over our many years of association, His Holiness Ramai Swami has in fact rejected outright every single one of my GBC proposals one hundred percent. And my other Co-GBC clearly stated that he does not want to get involved in any GBC proposals, because of the possible consequences involved.  As per his opinion it is too much of a risky affair. First I though he was joking. But he is not joking. He is serious about it. So just imagine the communication wasteland I find myself in!

When I proposed to open an ISKCON center in Cairns QLD, Australia, His Holiness Ramai Swami buried my proposal under tonnes of mundane prerequisites and red tape with no dependence on Krishna, as if His Holiness were in fact in control of the future. It would appear that he is mostly interested in the status quo rather than overseeing new Krishna conscious ventures. I shall also have to assume that His Holiness does not care a fig about book distribution preaching. In Australia, I have been compiling successively the Perth and Brisbane temple book scores since the nineties. At times, I would send the scores to all ISKCON authorities, including HH Ramai Swami. But not even a single time has he even acknowledged receipt of the book distribution scores, what to speak of supporting book distribution. I also heard him making a deprecatory remark about another dedicated book distributor. Worst of all, when I try to communicate with him, he complains: “I am asking you politely not to communicate with me.” This is not a verbatim quote. But it expresses very well the gist of his message to me. The word “politely” was used indeed. I shall have to assume the next step of escalation will not be so “polite” at all. He also banned our God brother, His Grace Mandapa Prabhu from ISKCON temples for no good apparent reason. He was rubber stamped “ritvik”. Fortunately in January 2016, HG Mandapa Prabhu came anyway for the 40^th anniversary of the installation of their Lordship Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Brisbane and there were no problems whatsoever with his presence. On the contrary His Grace Ajita Prabhu, our regional secretary, verbatim stated to me that Mandapa Prabhu “is a true gentleman” and we felt honored by his presence. There are two ISKCON Co- Governing Body co-Commissioners for Australia, His Holiness Ramai Swami and His Holiness Devamrita Swami.

In some quarters of ISKCON, there seems to be a prejudice that Australia is a third class place and in the past, several less-than-first-class ISKCON devotees have come here from outside to lead the Australian Yatra. They have failed! When the jackal is unable to reach the grapes, in frustration he may decree them sour grapes and pass on the propaganda to others jackals. But jackal’s philosophy will be of no use. I caution herewith against such a misguided conception and affirm herewith that Australia on the contrary is a very first class place for all material and spiritual purposes including and most importantly the practice and propagation of Krishna consciousness. This is due to the permanent and glorious presence of the brilliant and divine sun:

“Hrishikeshendriyätmane. The mind is the director of the senses, and Lord Aniruddha is the director of the mind. In order to execute devotional service, one has to fix his mind on the lotus feet of Krishna; therefore Lord Shiva prays to the controller of the mind, Lord Aniruddha, to be pleased to help him engage his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. It is stated in Bhagavad-gétä (9.34): man-mania bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaaji maam namaskuru. The mind has to be engaged in meditation on the lotus feet of the Lord in order to execute devotional service. It is also stated in Bhagavad-gita (15.15), mattah smritir jnanam apohanam ca: from the Lord come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. Thus if Lord Aniruddha is pleased, He can help the mind engage in the service of the Lord. It is also indicated in this verse that Lord Aniruddha is the sun-god by virtue of His expansions. Since the predominating deity of the sun is an expansion of Lord Aniruddha, Lord Siva also prays to the sun-god in this verse.

Lord Krishna, by His quadruple expansion (Väsudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha), is the Lord of psychic action—namely thinking, feeling, willing and acting. Lord Shiva prays to Lord Aniruddha as the sun-god, who is the controlling deity of the external material elements which constitute the construction of the material body. According to Shrila Vishvanätha Cakravarti Thaakura, the word paramahamsa is also another name for the sun-god. The sun-god is addressed herein as nibhritaatmane, which indicates that he always maintains the various planets by manipulating the rainfall. The sun-god evaporates water from the seas and oceans and then forms the water into clouds and distributes it over land. When there is sufficient rainfall grains are produced, and these grains maintain living entities in each and every planet. The sun-god is also addressed herein as puurna, or complete, because the rays emanating from the sun have no end. For millions and millions of years since the creation of this universe, the sun-god has been supplying heat and light without diminution. The word paramahamsa is applied to persons who are completely cleansed. When there is sufficient sunshine, the mind remains clear and transparent—in other words, the sun-god helps the mind of the living entity to become situated on the platform of paramahamsa. Thus Lord Shiva prays to Aniruddha to be kind upon him so that his mind will always be in the perfect state of cleanliness and will be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Just as fire sterilizes all unclean things, the sun-god also keeps everything sterilized, especially dirty things within the mind, thus enabling one to attain elevation to the platform of spiritual understanding.” Srimad-Bhagavatam, purport to verse 4.24.36

Gayatri mantra, line number one, invites us as well to meditate on the transcendental effulgence of the divine sun: “Let us meditate on that worshipable effulgence of the divine sun who enthuses our meditation.”

Whereas:

” So anything created by God, that is not monopoly for any class of men or for any country. Just like the sun is created by God. The sun is the thing, which is enjoyed by all parts of the world. But there are countries, Western countries, where sun is not visible, covered by the cloud. Any country, any part of the world, which is covered by cloud and the sun is not visible, according to shaastra, such country is condemned. Because, although the sunshine is there, by certain condition, they cannot enjoy the sunshine. Therefore from the Western countries, when people come to this country, especially in India, when they see from the Arabian Sea bright sunshine, they very much become astonished, “How nice sunshine is here.” Sunshine is the property for everyone, but according to intelligence or according to fortune, they enjoy it.” 740402BG.Bom

If my memory serves me well, in the nineteen eighties or nineties, the inscription; “We want the whole island” could be seen in the American Consulate in Perth, Western Australia, a typical example of American proactive aggressiveness. There is nothing wrong with that! On the contrary, Srila Pabhupada wants America to lead the whole world in Krishna consciousness. People from all over the world queue up for the purpose of admittance to Australia! Not to speak of those who try to gain access by stealth or by force. These facts illustrate and prove the desirability of Australia and we request herewith that ISKCON commissions their very best uttama adhikari agents for Australia. On the strength of all these considerations, we may suggest that it will be appropriate to rename Australia Nava-Bharata i.e. New India instead. Of course there may be some copyrights or political issues in this respect.

 

II. ISKCON BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: A 10 MILLIONS DOLLARS BLUNDER AND LAND DEBACLE.

In Brisbane, Australia, some ISKCON executives have presided over a 10 million dollars land dealing mistake and loss. Still they are in executive positions. No heads have rolled. Any ordinary corporation would have taken drastic action within days, if not hours over such a gigantic failure! Or perhaps voluntary resignations would have taken place. Neither do we know whether some inappropriate dealings have taken place.

By Lord Krishna’s amazing arrangement however, after the land successively passed to several owners, each earning millions of dollars from it, whereas ISKCON Brisbane lost money in the sale, a respected Christian church now owns the 13 acres land previously owned by ISKCON. It is situated right opposite the current 4 acres ISKCON land. As per May 2016, development worth many millions of dollars has started in all earnestness, with active excavators, scrapers, bulldozers and water trucks etc etc……, a true and sincere tribute to the great Lord Jesus Christ! Because ISKCON men headed by HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Maharaja carried out the corner stone laying ceremony sometimes in 1997 or so, we may assume that this Baptist Church will be very successful.

By Lord Krishna’s extraordinary arrangement and gazing upon the developing land, I also had the opportunity to meet the individual who owned the same land in the sixties and seventies, when he sold it for very small money, a pittance indeed! He also missed out on the big opportunity! His sadness could be seen in his face, especially his eyes. He now suffers from cancer as well.

III. DOCTRINAL APOSTASIES

Whereas the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are meant to represent the basic constitution of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness for the duration of its existence, the prediction being a duration of ten thousand years, at least one other Australian ISKCON executive has made in the past, the most renegade statements, seriously meant, in respect of the teachings of the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON. Ignoring the transcendental nature of Srila Prabhupada’s message, he proposed publicly in a Vyasapuja offering that the Founder-Acarya’s teachings need a double distillation to be authoritative and relevant. What absolute nonsense!!! These are  very wrong utterances and apostasies. My simple questions are: Is this an acceptable situation??? How can a person who questions not only the basic tenets, but questions Srila Prabhupada’s comprehensive presentation of the Vedic philosophy as well, assume a position of leadership in His institution ISKCON. And most importantly where will such type of leadership lead us??? A common saying is “Go with the flow”. That is all right as long as the destination is clearly defined. Otherwise not!

“You are not taking advantage of these facilities, natural facilities. You are misled by so-called material civilization, and you are doomed. Andhaa yathaandhair upaniyamaanaas [SB 7.5.31]. If you are led by blind leaders, you are all doomed. That is going on. That is my appeal to the Indians. Don’t be doomed. Take Krishna…, accept Krishna as the leader. Then you’ll be happy. As Krishna says… Not only India. India, especial, I say. Because Krishna is so kind. Of course, for Krishna, there is no such thing as “India” and “America.” 721126BG.Hyd

IV. SILENCE.

When one attempts to have some constructive exchanges with some responsible officers of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness or the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) for that matter, one often meets with just silence, as a passive answer to one’s questions. Or one is invited “politely” to mind one’s own business, as mentioned previously. In the glorious “Nectar of Instruction”, Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, clearly and unequivocally gives His verdict about silence. He writes: ”Silence may appear helpful for some time, but ultimately it proves a failure.” The wording of this sentence should be considered very carefully! It conveys the meaning that “silence” offers only an illusion of help. In other words, “silence” is never really helpful but represents always a failure.

If only uttering

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is never short of words in any and all circumstances. Srila Prabhupada also gives the example of the rabbit, who closes his eyes with the hope that this vain defense measure will saved him from the hunter’s bullets. There is a lack of openness in ISKCON. We urgently need “glasnost” in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya Himself didn’t hold anything back. In His books, letters and lectures, He benevolently and publicly gave all the knowledge and realization He had accumulated. Why don’t we follow in His footsteps??? Because He is so great, the whole world can take inspiration from His transcendental realizations. It is said that He built a house to accommodate the whole world.

Srila Prabhupada took the trouble to communicate openly and answered sensibly and elaborately each and every letter He received. He certainly did not ignore them!

“You write in your letter of September 10th that you have not received my replies, but I reply each and every letter. Especially your letters, Brahmananda’s letters, Satsvarupa’s letters and Gargamuni’s letters I take special care and reply each of them. I hope by this time you have received my reply.” 6909914LET.TamalKrishna

and

 “I receive daily so many odd letters, still we have to reply them properly.” 690311LET.Upendra

Srila Prabhupada’s own 6586 letters or so represent an unfathomable source of spiritual and practical information. Why have they been pushed so far back in the Vedabase search function? Instead of listing them among Srila Prabhupada’s other written legacy, they are listed after His audio transcripts. I have seen them listed after movie transcripts as well. Who has done this and why such discrimination?

Silence may also be a sign of caution, ignorance, paranoia or duplicity. Besides that Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 10.38: “…Of secret things I am silence…”

V. GBC Law presentation.

The GBC or Governing Body Commission of ISKCON has been in existence since the mid ninety seventies, still there is no systematic presentation of ISKCON law produced by the GBC, that one may consult for law execution and for adjudication. Mundane governments around the world systematically publish their legislative decisions in a matter of days or weeks. Such an appropriate presentation will also be useful for outsiders. Ultimately there are no “ISKCON outsiders”! Everyone is an insider if “….we have got good potency to be the leaders of the world if we carefully push on this movement.”! 731108LET.Hansadutta

Why do we find such a blatant neglect in this fundamental field and how can we be a fair player if we don’t ostensibly post the rules of the game for everyone to see? Which in turn begs the question: “Is ISKCON 2016 a fair player?” The reply will have to be: ”It is strongly hoped that ISKCON 2016 is a fair player but caution dictates that a “yes” to this essential question can definitely not be taken for granted.” Or is ISKCON 2016 perhaps a lawless or dysfunctional corporation???

VI. THE ARTICLES.

There is no alternative on this point. Irrespective of what is actually happening on the altar, the articles MUST be presented first to Srila Prabhupada on the temple Vysasasana, failing which there is offense to His Divine Grace and imposture on the part of the devotee who accepts the articles first in the Founder-Acarya’s stead. Srila Prabhupada is always and under all circumstances the Vaishnava Shrestha in the ISKCON temple room. Imposture may also be called Dhritarashtraism, as the battle of Kuruksetra came about by the stubborn imposture of Dhritarashtra along with his sons. Lord Krishna spoke to Bhagavad-Gita to His friend and military general Arjuna minutes before the start of the battle, as we understand from the Bhagavad-gita itself. It took less than one hour to speak the seven hundred verses.

It is a fact that on some occasions, Srila Prabhupada did point out directly or indirectly that His disciples lack proper respect in His regard and that the Japanese people were much more respectful to Him. Of course the Japanese people will also get the credit of producing nice Toyota vehicles, which are very useful in Lord Krishna’s service.

Proactive denial of such a mark of respect for the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, in His own institution, is nothing but a mark of envy of Him, whereas Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.27 clearly states:

aacaaryam maam vijaaniyaan

navamanyeta karhicit

na martya-buddhyaasuuyeta

sarva-deva-mayo guruh

TRANSLATION

“One should know the Acaarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.”

Further more the purport to the same verse SB 11.17.27 states:

“In fact, however, a bona fide aacaarya is nondifferent from the Personality of Godhead, and therefore to envy such an aacaarya is to envy the Personality of Godhead Himself. This will produce an effect subversive of transcendental realization.”

For further details, please see my article: https://krishnaculture.org/2016/04/07/articles

Jaya om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacaraya astottara-sata Sri Srimad A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!!!

 

VII. GBC RULING 6.4.8.1.2 Vyasa-puja shall be amended to read as follows: (1999)

” ISKCON members shall celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s vyasa-puja ceremony as the pre-eminent vyasa puja ceremony in ISKCON. All ISKCON members are requested to write an annual vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada. Vyasa-puja for ISKCON gurus other than Srila Prabhupada should only be observed on one day a year. His celebration may be held in the temple room. ISKCON members conducting vyasa-puja ceremonies for ISKCON siksa and diksa gurus shall observe them in a modest way, significantly less elaborate in duration and cost, than Srila Prabhupada’s vyasa-puja. In general, devotees shall observe these vyasa-puja celebrations in their own locales. In ISKCON, only Srila Prabhupada’s vyasa-puja books shall be published.”

This ruling aims to deprive every ISKCON Guru of a written Vyasapuja offering which generally comes in the form of a book(let). Here is a tinge of “ritvikism”!

Whereas transcendental book publication is our family business and whereas following in Srila Prabhupada footsteps would also include accepting a Vyasa puja book(let) for ISKCON initiating Gurus, as He did Himself and is still doing, it is felt that Srila Prabhupada Himself will not agree to ratify such a ruling.

In my humble opinion it represents as well an attempt to muzzle an individual’s freedom and should be done away without delay.

Why would ISKCON want to produce maimed and atrophied Gurus? Why is ISKCON not trying its very best to produce full-fledged and fully realized gurus instead? This is what the world really needs and represents the actual purpose of Srila Prabhupada in creating ISKCON.

We suggest in return and in the strongest possible terms that the GBC rules that every ISKCON member should distribute a certain minimum of Prabhupada books per year. Such a ruling will be most productive indeed. We suggest that the minimum book quota be at least one book per day, i.e. 365 books per year, per member. And if ability to pay is there, a minimum fine of one dollar or one local currency for non-compliance may apply. It is payable to the BBT. For Prabhupada reference please see 660405BG.NY:

“Now their family duty is that they are, this Singhania, Sir Padampat Singhania, they have got four or five brothers, and the mother is still living. And the order is that each and every family member must go every day and pay respect to the Deity. And if somebody is absent one day, then he must be fined. A fine is imposed. The, the big brother, Sir Padampat Singhania, if he’s absent one day to pay respect to the Deity, he’s fined ten rupees, or ten dollars. You see? And, and next day the braahmana, or the puuari, the worshiper engaged, he goes to collect the fine. He presents, “Yes, yes. I am sorry. Yes. Here is my fine.” [laughs] So of course, this is self-imposed, but the idea is that they are spiritually conscious in this way. “Oh, I did not go yesterday to offer my respect to the Deity, Krishna. So I must pay fine.” This is also spiritual consciousness. This is also spiritual consciousness.”

Please find attached my Book Distribution Motivational Magazine, which over the years, I have vainly attempted to publish through BBT channels. We hope that this situation will evolve favorably.

VIII. MOST IMPORTANTLY:

FORTY YEARS AFTER IT’S CREATION, THE IMPECCABLE PRESENTATION OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S VANI TO THE MISGUIDED AND SUFFERING WORLD FOR TRANSCENDENTAL AND REDEMPTIVE GUIDANCE IS STILL MISSING. IS THIS PERHAPS TO BE CONSTRUED AS A 50TH ANNIVERSARY OFFERING???

No doubt His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami nicely improved the original Bhagavad-Gita As It Is’ translation in many respects. But simultaneously some backward deviation steps have taken place as well in the process. For all practical purposes, we may call the original version, version 1 (V1). And we may call His Holiness’ rendition version two (V2). We note that for some reason(s) His Holiness’ name is not mentioned in version two, as the author of the changes.

The current version two (V 2) edition of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, also called in the book itself “Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged”, officially replaced version one (V 1), also called “Complete Edition”, in 1983. V1 was originally introduced to the market in New York in 1972.

1) In 690216BG.LA Srila Prabhupada states:

” Saankhya-yoga is the ashtaanga-yoga. This sitting posture and meditation, this is called saankhya-yoga. And jnaana-yoga means by, through philosophical process. By analytical process what is Brahman and what is not Brahman. Neti neti. That is jnaana-yoga. …………………………… Free from sex life. One should meditate upon Me. And ultimately, where is the meditation. Not in void. Just on Vishnu, this Vishnu form. That is saankhya-yoga…….

This saankhya-yoga was first practiced by Kapiladeva. He is incarnation of God, Krishna. So this is the secret of yoga. That this, I mean to say, process of sitting and seeing the tip of your nose and sitting straight, all these means will help you to concentrate your mind on the Vishnu form, or Krishna. One should meditate upon Me. This meditation means meditation on Krishna. So here in this Krishna consciousness movement, it is directly simply on Krishna. There is nothing, therefore nobody is better meditator than these boys.”

From this passage we infer that Saankhya-yoga will be the first class title for chapter six of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, Ashtanga-yoga will be second class and current Dyana-yoga will be third class or less.

Srila Prabhupada clearly wants the sixth chapter of BGAII to be called Saankhya yoga. He has called it Saankhya-yoga in the original colophon. It has been whimsically changed to Dhyana yoga. And why not change it to Ashtanga Yoga instead? Ashtanga Yoga is eight times more complete than Dhyana Yoga!

But where is the due respect for the author’s freedom of expression? It is illegal to put words into Srila Prabhupada’s mouth. He has clearly stated to nature of such actions. It is rascaldom!!! These were His comments when He heard that some members of ISKCON were falsely quoting Him for the purpose of advancing their own personal agendas. Srila Prabhupada is no fool! But we are both fools and offenders for tempering with His will. Appropriate passages and evidence can be found in Vedabase. Here is one relevant passage:

“Therefore this rumor that within a few years there will be police repression and people will have no more money to buy books and sankirtana will stop is completely bogus. Whoever told you that is a rascal, saying it in my name. 740508let.GovindaDas

We should note in this regard that Srila Prabhupada often takes the freedom to use the word “mellow” in an unconventional way as well. In my Mac dictionary the noun “mellow” does not exist at all. It exists as an adjective and as a verb. Still Srila Prabhupada uses it as a noun meaning “rasa”. To render “rasa”, He also uses the term “humor”.

Here is one example:

” The purport in presenting this verse necessitates explaining the comparative positions of the transcendental mellows known as shaanta, daasya, sakhya, vaatsalya and maadhurya. All these rasas, or mellows, are situated on the transcendental platform.” CCM 8.83 purport.

And here is another:

““There is a gradual order of improvement in transcendental mellows from the initial ones to the later ones. In each subsequent mellow the qualities of the previous mellows are manifested, counting from two, then three, and up to the point of five complete qualities.” CCM 8.85

According to the false logic applied to changing the title of chapter six of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is and again in order to conform, this term “mellow” would have to be changed as well.

2) To my personal knowledge, Srila Prabhupada never used the word “numinous”, but indeed used “noumena”, as pointed out by Bhakta Oles Kukharuk from Ukraine. Bhakta Oles holds an MA in cultural studies from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, one of the most prestigious universities in Eastern Europe. However BGAII 7.2 now reads (V2):” I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know.”

BGAII V1 reads as follows instead:” I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and noumenal, by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known.” This sounds perfectly OK and we may revert to this version one anytime now.

This substitution of “numinous” to “noumenal” represents possibly the greatest example of mental speculation ever offered in the history of transcendental philosophy and disciplic succession, also called parampara. As we all know, mental speculation comes under the heading of “gambling” and forms part of the four prohibitions to qualify for spiritual life i.e.

1) No illicit sex life,

2) No gambling,

3) No intoxication of any kind,

4) No meat, fish or egg eating.

These four activities represent the root of all social problems. Eradicate these four activities and any society will flourish and all people of such societies will be truly happy. As per Srila Prabhupada, these are the four preliminary conditions to become a first class person.

 

3) “Pravrttim ca nivrttim ca” Bhagavad-Gita As It Is Chapter 16, Text 7.

In the word for word, His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami has taken the liberty to give new and opposite meaning to “nivrttim” as “not acting improperly”.

From a logical point of view, this current presentation is simply absurd and nonsensical. Even though the original V1 translation has rightly been left intact, this new meaning V2 given to “nivrttim” in the word for word translation creates dangerous and asuric ambivalence as to what is proper action and what is improper action and the editor himself does not seem to know fully the difference between the two. Why would Sri Krishna, the most learned of all, repeat Himself and use two different words to express the very same idea? If Sri Krishna has chosen two different words i. e. “pravrttim” and “nivrttim” the meaning also must be different and cannot be the same.

In 730828BG.Lon, Srila Pabhupada gives definitions for “pravrttim” and “nivrittim” as follows:

“That is asuric civilization. Pravrttim ca nivrttim ca na vidur äsura-janäù [Bg. 16.7]. Äsura-jana means these rascal or asuras, atheists, fools, rascals, they do not know pravåtti and nivåtti. Pravåtti means in which subject matter we should take interest. That is called pravåtti. And nivåtti means in which subject matter we shall not take interest, or we shall try to give it up. The äsura-jana, they do not know.”

These are straight affirmations and negations, as in version 1 and contradict HH Jayadvaita Swami’s renditions for these two words.

Everyone will understand Who is right and who is wrong!

So we suggest that translation of “nivrttim” be left untouched just as the rest of BGAII 16.7 has been left untouched. It is perfect as it is.

4) Inconsistent editorial presentation throughout Srila Prabhupada’s books.

For example, “He” when referring to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is capital letter. But “who”, when referring to the same Supreme Personality of Godhead, is in small letter instead of capital letter as well. This contradicts logic by any standards.

5) We would also suggest that pronouns and possessives referring to Srila Prabhupada be all written with capital letters as per Gurvastaka stanza seven:

“säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästrair

uktas tathä bhävyata eva sadbhiù

kintu prabhor yaù priya eva tasya

vande guroù çré-caraëäravindam **

“The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Çré Hari [Kåñëa].”

6) BGAII 10.43 purport V2: “….And the ability not only to read many books on different subject matters but to understand them and apply them when necessary….”

Whereas BGAII 10.34 purport V1 reads: “One need not read many books on different subject matters; the ability to remember a few and quote them when necessary is also another opulence.”

Here again we feel that Srila Prabhupada spirit and literal message has been betrayed because the general mood is per version one, not version two.

“My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey. In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one.” 680217let.Pradyumna

 

7) We also assume that, out of misplaced sentiments, the same devotee(s) changed the “Vishnu” of the original Tulasi Pranam mantra into “Krishna”, whereas Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in similar circumstances, clearly instructed SarvaBhauma Battacarya not to make any changes:             “On another day, the Bhaööäcärya wanted to change the reading of the tat te ’nukampäm [SB 10.14.8] verse because he did not like the word mukti-pada. He wanted to substitute the word bhakti-pada. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu advised Särvabhauma not to change the reading of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, because mukti-pada indicated the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa.” Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya Lila, introduction to chapter six: “The liberation of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya”

8) My latest discovery: BGAII 7.4:

V1:”Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and false ego – altogether these eight comprise My separated material energies.”

V2:” Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight constitute My separated material energies.”

We note the substitution of “comprise” with “constitute”. That is very nicely and expertly done. However the substitution of “altogether” with “all together” cannot be accepted on the strength of the following dictionary statement:” usage: Note that altogether and all together do not mean the same thing. Altogether means ‘in total, totally’ as in there are six bedrooms altogether, or that is a different matter altogether, whereas all together means ‘all in one place’ or ‘all at once,’ as in it was good to have a group of friends all together, or they came in all together.” The idea here in BGAII 7.4 is not time or space. Common sense dictates that the idea here is belonging or inclusion.

Regrettably but inevitably, the conclusion will have to be that HH Jayadvaita Swami cannot be fully trusted in the matter of a final rendition of Srila Prabhupada’s and Sri Krishna’s rendition of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. We hear that his health is currently not the best and we wish to pass on to him herewith our very best wishes for his full and speedy recovery and re-establishment.

 

9) I have personally been misguided and misled for the last 40 years by some faulty presentation of Srila Prabhupada’s message. The sentence “It is better not to accept any disciples” previously found in Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 7. 130, purport, represented a totally false presentation. My dear readers please beware, as there may still be other such similar cases! This has now been properly adjusted due to the professionalism and sagacity of HG Dravida Prabhu of ISKCON San Diego. Quite the opposite in fact applies! Just as a father generates more children to increase the number of family members, the Vaishnava tradition demands that any mature follower MUST accept possibly thousands of disciples in order to increase the number of followers. Please see my article “For everyone to contemplate openly” for all technical details on this historic literary mistake. https://krishnaculture.org/2016/04/10/for-everyone-to-contemplate-openly/

As compensation to right this serious wrong, I shall accept nothing less than unconditional grant of Diksha Guru license as well as Sanyasa license from ISKCON!

As per Srila Prabhupada’s statement

” Sat nyaasa, sannyaasa. This is the combination. Sat means the Supreme, the ever-existing, and nyäsa means renunciation. That means one who has renounced everything for serving the Supreme, he is real sannyäsa. He may take this dress or not, that doesn’t matter. Anyone who has sacrificed his life for service of the Supreme Lord, he’s a sannyäsé. That will be explained in the Fifth Chapter. Go on.” (681220BG.LA)

According to these standards, I am already situated in the renounced order of life or sannyasa ashram. All I need is the official seal of sannyasa from Srila Prabhupada’s own institution, ISKCON.

This claim however is not to be construed as a matter of absolute dependency on ISKCON but it is on the contrary a gesture of friendly cooperation only and it should be noted in this respect that ISKCON does not at all possess monopoly on any kind of licensing emanating from Srila Prabhupada and these matters of transmission of spiritual authority are actually contained in Srila Prabhupada’s Vani itself. Like any other bona fide spiritual institution claiming Srila Prabhupada ancestry, ISKCON is subordinate to Srila Prabhupada Vani. Nor should the success of ISKCON be taken for granted because of its initiation by Srila Prabhupada, the very great spiritual genius of the modern age. The success of ISKCON is conditional on and proportional to its members and especially the leaders strictly following in total the orders of its Founder-Acarya.

“Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu wanted to preach the sankirtana movement of love of Krishna throughout the entire world, and therefore during His presence He inspired the sankirtana movement. Specifically, He sent Rüpa Gosvämé and Sanätana Gosvämé to Våndävana and Nityänanda to Bengal and personally went to South India. In this way He kindly left the task of preaching His cult in the rest of the world to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The members of this Society must always remember that if they stick to the regulative principles and preach sincerely according to the instructions of the äcäryas, surely they will have the profound blessings of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and their preaching work will be successful everywhere throughout the world.” Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi 7.171, purport.

There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada has left in his literary legacy the very greatest spiritual treasure to the suffering and quarrelling Kali Yuga world. Still in order to become fully effective and functional upon the world His message must first all be properly realized and simultaneously distributed widely and systematically. What is the use of the greatest treasure if it remains hidden? We acknowledge the fact that according to the World Sankirtan Newsletter almost 520 million pieces of literature have been distributed all over the world since the mid seventies. And I have personally contributed my fair share. But did not Srila Prabhupada usually, coolly and simply reply to these type of figures with the injunction: ”Please double it.”?

It is an open field where all are equal. As the French say: ”Que le meilleur gagne!” or “May the best win!” Over my last 45 years or so of association with ISKCON and to the discredit of the ISKCON officers I have been associated with during that time, I would like to finally state and admit that I have never really felt properly accommodated in ISKCON and that consequently I had to create my own party called The Australian Society for Krishna Culture, www.krishnaculture.org, to implement my own and personal realization of Krishna consciousness. At the ultimate analysis, I exclusively depend on Srila Prabhupada’s Vani and on the Hare Krishna Maha mantra. Had I remained solely depending on ISKCON, it would have remained impossible for me to dedicate my life to preaching and specifically to the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books, as I am doing. Besides that, as found in my Pabhupada Glosssary (https://krishnaculture.org/srila-prabhupada-glossary-and-info/) under the “Sannyasa” entry, Srila Prabhupada recommends:

“A sannyaasi should have an institution meant to preach Krishna consciousness; he need not accumulate money for himself.” SB 7.13.34 P

 

 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

IX. ISKCON DIKSHA GURU POLICY.

Srila Prabhupada explains that the Vaishnava tradition dictates that as long as Guru is physically present all candidates must be brought to him for initiation. But ISKCON does not follow this policy in so far that some disciples initiate in the physical presence of their Guru. Why is this discrepancy and disobedience allowed?

X. AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO THE MINISTER FOR SANNYASA AFFAIRS, HIS HOLINESS PRAHLADANANDA SWAMI.

In Caitanya Caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“A sannyäsi is supposed to beg from door to door. He does not beg simply because he is hungry. His real purpose is to enlighten the occupant of every house by preaching Krishna consciousness. A sannyäsi does not abandon his superior position and become a beggar just for the sake of begging. Similarly, a person in householder life may be very important, but he may also voluntarily take to the mendicant way of life. Rüpa Gosvämi and Sanätana Gosvämi were ministers, but they voluntarily accepted the mendicant’s life in order to humbly preach Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s message.” CCM 8.39 P

 

and if

“ … Preaching means selling books.” 720221let.BhaktaDas and if

“Our preaching work will be measured by the quantity of books we distribute so continue ever-increasingly… “ 731211et.MakanlalDas,

then how many ISKCON sannyasis are preaching according to these standards set by our Founder-Acarya? Srila Prabhupada Himself did all these things.

 

As per http://sannyasacandidates.com/?page_id=295, on April 6th 2016, there are 105 sannyasis in ISKCON. Would the Minister please compile and present to the assembled devotees and the world an exhaustive list of sannyasis, who TRULY and SUBSTANTIALLY (no tricks here) conform to these above mentioned preaching requests and standards of the Founder-Acarya and commander in chief of ISKCON?

 

IN CONCLUSION.

ISKCON is not at all an ordinary institution! And I may take the freedom to beg and request the directors of ISKCON to rectify existing mistakes and deficiencies ASAP, always give their very best for this most noble cause of Sri Krishna Caitanya Sankirtan, to be strictly disciplined under all circumstances as per Srila Prabhupada standards (mäà ca yo ‘vyabhicäreëa bhakti-yogena sevate. BGAII 14.26) and not to fall prey to any type of Dhritarastraism, as ISKCON remains always and under all circumstances the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna and His appointed and spotless representative His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whose glories are very great and are spread all over the world. I may mention the following event to illustrate my point. On Thursday May 12, 2016 at about 9.30 AM in a town called Armidale, in New South Wales, Australia, the very first gentleman I approached in the street for the purpose of book distribution Sankirtan, spontaneously started glorifying Srila Prahupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON. Thank you very much for your attention.

Please hear Srila Prabhupada, please hear Srila Prabhupada, please hear Srila Prabhupada!

Param vijayate Sri Krishna Caitanya Sankirtanam!