Article by: Radhakrsna das
Submitted by: Damagosha Dasa

SOME OBEY HIM WHOLE-HEARTEDLY
This essay describes the various attempts made by individuals, to NOT to follow the clear instructions and words, of Srila Prabhupada, in the name of the multifarious counter-checks of “guru/sastra/sadhu,” “not in his books” and other excuses.
THE FOUR SYNDROMES, OR VADAS OF COMPLICATED MIS-INTERPRETATIONS OF PRABHUPADA’S CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
1. The PLSBPS-VADA SYNDROME. Or the pre-liberated Sarvabauma Battacarya pastime syndrome. Sarvabauma was an eternal associate of Lord Chaitanya. But in this pastime, he pretended to be a dry logician and preached to Lord Chaitanya his interpretation of the vedas, for 7 days. Lord Chaitanya said that he understood the vedic slokas very clearly, they were like the sun, but his (Sarvabauma’s) interpretations were like a cloud and obscured the clear meaning of the vedas. Sarvabauma pretended to be confused in this pastime, and then was liberated by Lord Chaitanya.
Similarly, Srila Prabhupada has made clear instructions on this current controversy. (See appendix below.) But it has been the fashion for disciples to second-guess what Srila Prabhupada actually meant to say. They will cross reference his instructions with folio research and try to “approve” or discredit his final instructions. This resembles a lawyer trying to find a “loophole” to invalidate the clear evidence. Many criminals have walked away from the courtroom, due to such “loopholes.” But a simple devotee will see the clear hypocrisy in such things, and try to follow Lord Chaitanya’s instructions in this pastime, not to cloud the clear instructions of Srila Prabhupada by cross reference and over-intelligent interpretations. Let us try to liberate ourselves, just as Lord Chaitanya liberated Sarvabauma in that pastime. Srila Prabhupada said what he meant, and meant what he said. We do not need to strain our brains to figure out what he said, rather we need to accept his words in the simple mood of following, in the mood of being his simple servants.
Continue reading →