By Bhakta Alex
Myth: Srila Prabhupada gave contradictory answers on May 28th, 1977.
It is a fair observation that Satsvarupa and Tamal sometimes said or asked something not quite correct during the conversation, and, unfortunately, they didn’t try hard enough to get the issue discussed in more detail. Satsvarupa seems to be confused, Tamal understands everything, but keeps silent of previous discussions with Srila Prabhupada regarding this issue and tries to push the conversation in the direction he secretly desires- towards emergence of successor acarya(s) that he hopes to become himself. Other GBC delegation members keep silent and don’t ask questions. One of them, Bhagavan dasa, wrote in his letter dated Gaura Purnima 2000:
“I must admit that although it was our duty to clarify these very pivotal issues for posterity, to concentrate on asking him these terribly painful questions about what to do if he should no longer be present, was so spiritually borderline, repulsive and bizarre to me, that I found myself in an incredulous state of mind and not fully present.”
Srila Prabhupada had to bear in mind who he talks to- some of the GBC delegation members, like Tamal, were very ambitious (up to the point of daring to poison Srila Prabhupada in order to get his place, which is now proven). Srila Prabhupada himself wrote, “It is now evident that some of our top men are very much ambitious” (SP Letter to: Bhagavan — Tokyo 27th January, 1975). Tamal wrote a number of letters regarding ritvik initiations in July 1977, but nowhere did he state they would turn into diksa gurus. But while writing to his inner group that he tried to control, he revealed his ambitious “program” to become an acarya “just as our Spiritual Master”:
“One day we will all have to be acaryas and give guidance and accommodations to all kinds of people, just as our Spiritual Master has done. Are we preparing our consciousness for this time to come, and do we have a program to meet everyone’s needs? And can we save the world alone, or the chances better if we work together?” (TKG letter to Adi Kesava, Tripurari, and Dhrstadyumna Maharajas, 13th July 1977)
So, we have to keep in mind that during May 28th 1977, conversation Srila Prabhupada had to talk cautiously/diplomatically with persons some of whom were clearly ambitious (Tamal, Kirtanananda, etc.). Although the conversation seems to be somewhat confusing, Srila Prabhupada’s answers are consistent, if we carefully read them. They are not contradictory. They are in harmony with his other documents and statements made in 1977 (and even earlier) regarding the initiation issue. But we do lack some tapes of other discussions of that period (Tamal, as the secretary, was responsible for them) and, possibly, some other 1977 documents on this issue, as well as full information of what exactly happened during the last and most important GBC meeting held on May 27-29, 1977 (detailed questions in this regard were respectfully directed to ex-GBC Rupanuga das who was present there, but he declined to answer them). Judging by the already known documented evidence, testimonies, etc. the lacking tapes would clarify some details and confirm the ritvik initiations arrangement for the period after Srila Prabhupada’s departure.
Nityananda das: “Much of the confusion comes from Tamal and Satsvarupa’s pre-rehearsed and leading questions which aim to elicit support for taking their own disciples after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. Srila Prabhupada was not speaking confused, garbled contradictions; it is the questions that create the confusion. Srila Prabhupada was asked confusing questions by a confused Satsvarupa.
If one understands that Srila Prabhupada answered in the third person, as he often does due to his humility, then the conversation clears up. But the most important and final evidence on this issue is the July 9th Letter, a written order signed by Srila Prabhupada, which, being the “last order,” supersedes the May 28th talks, which were only initial indications. The officiating ritvik representative initiation system does not depend on some interpretation of the May 28th talks.
The devious GBC loves to pick words out of context, interpret them in isolation, and ignore the rest of the conversation, trying to justify their false guru system. The words grand-disciple and disciple of my disciple, that the GBC loves to quote, is portrayed as though contradicting Srila Prabhupada’s previous announcement of appointing officiating acharyas to initiate for him after he departs. Obviously the two sections must be harmonious, and since the first section is very clear, and it coincides with the July 9 Order, the second, confusing section can be taken as simply some miscommunication confusion.” (‘ISKCON HIDDEN HISTORY’, vol. 5 of Personal Ambition series, pg. 38-39)
Puranjana das: “In the alleged “appointment of gurus” conversation, Tamal Krishna swami interrupts Śrīla Prabhupāda over and over, and does not allow him to continue the sentences. It appears that Tamal is trying to control the conversation. Why was the existing tape not circulated? Why is the May tape accepted as an appointment of 11 gurus — when it appoints no one, and there is no evidence anyone’s name was ever given on the tape at all? The tape was not discussed until after 1978, when it could not be confirmed with Śrīla Prabhupāda. The tape was not even circulated up to the mid-1980s. Sulochana dāsa got a copy by bribing a member of the archives in 1984. The tape was never circulated by the leaders to the rank and file. Why was this tape kept hidden?
So the May 28th tape was not being circulated until Sulochana bribed someone to get a copy, the July 9th letter was barely circulated, “The Will” was not being circulated until I got someone to break into a safe and get a copy, the [Srila Prabhupada’s] letters were not being circulated [especially in the late 1970s – 1980s], and anyone who did was told they were dead meat on a hook (like me and Sulochana were told), the entire 1977 conversations were not circulated until 1990 and then only 1,000 copies… In sum, henceforward, hide all the documents. Despite all these attempts… the original point is preserved:
Satsvarūpa: Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first, and second initiation would be conducted.
Prabhupāda: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating ācāryas.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Is that called ṛtvik-ācārya?
Prabhupāda: Ṛtvik, yes.
I think this is the most essential element and it’s still there.” (January 17th 2014)
In conclusion: During May 28th 1977, conversation, Srila Prabhupada didn’t order any guru successor, but he said he would appoint ritviks to conduct initiation ceremonies for the future, especially when he is “no longer with us”. He confirmed that new disciples would be his disciples, and concluded that any “disciple of my disciple”/his “granddisciple” would be possible “when” he orders new regular diksa gurus. We have asked anti-ritviks where is that order, but they haven’t been able to provide any proof except for their illogical, contradictory interpretations.
Of course, if one desires, he/she can extract indirect interpretations (gauna-vrtti) from many instructions of Srila Prabhupada or statements of Vedic literatures to try and justify one’s intentions. But the standard method of studying Vedic literatures and instructions of acaryas is to accept direct meaning (mukhya-vritti). And there are DEFINITELY NO such direct, documented orders from Srila Prabhupada to authorize any diksa gurus in ISKCON, addressed to ISKCON leadership or to the whole ISKCON, contained in books or otherwise recorded and widely distributed in 1977. The position of anti-ritviks is so weak and baseless that they are forced to claim Srila Prabhupada appointed eleven acaryas in a conversation where not only this does NOT EXIST AT ALL, but it does state something completely different- appointment of ritviks (soon to be made, which happened in July 1977), especially for the period after Srila Prabhupada’s departure!
Anti-rtviks’ stance of denying the obvious is like owls who deny to see the sunlight. The sooner they quit keeping this mindset the better for themselves, and in the meantime, we have to fight this heresy off for the benefit of sincere devotees:
Prabhupāda: Owl will never open the eyes to see that there is sunlight. You know this, owl? So, they will not open. However, you may say, “Mr. Owl, please open your eyes and see the sun,” “No, there is no sun. I don’t see.” (laughter) This owl civilization. So, you have to fight with these owls. You must be very strong, especially the sannyasis. We have to fight with the owls. We have to open their eyes by force from this, with machine. (laughter) So this is going on. So, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a fight against all the owls. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.37 class — San Francisco, July 19, 1975)