Hare Krishna Society

Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa

Srila Prabhupada
The Brahma Sampradaya Acharya
by Hansadutta das

INTRODUCTION

When a NON-LIBERATED person takes leadership (material or spiritual) without being under the guidance of a liberated soul, the end result is always destruction and failure. Initially there maybe fabulous success, like in the case of Hitler and Napoleon or as in our ISKCON, Bhagavan, Bhavananda, Rameswara, Jayatirtha, myself [Hansadutta] and most recently Kirtanananda, but ultimately everything will collapse and the FOLLOWERS aware of the leader’s imperfections ABANDON HIM. This is not a criticism, but an observation of the facts and realisation through personal experience.

We want and we need a perfect person to follow: the ACHARYA, then others acting under his charge can be accepted as guides in as much as they are submissive and experienced under the authority of the ACHARYA.

Therefore Prabhupada emphatically advised us: “I wish that each and every centre shall keep the ACHARYA (i.e. Srila Prabhupada) in the centre and keep their separate identity.” (Srila Prabhupada’s Letters, 1967)

In our sampradaya there MUST BE AN ACHARYA at all times (living or departed), like Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhvacharya, Lord Chaitanya, the six Goswamis, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura and Srila Prabhupada, whose commentaries on the standard Vaishnava texts the aspiring candidate can refer to as a YARDSTICK in order to ascertain the BONAFIDES of his chosen GURU (representative of the ACHARYA); otherwise the sampradaya becomes over-crowded with pretenders, and everything falls into chaos, as is the situation now—each a guru claiming to be bonafide. But the practical result is dozens of provincial camps with fanatic followers claiming allegiance to his particular leader as all in all. If the necessity of the sampradaya ACHARYA is understood, the neophyte followers in any or all camps would or will see Prabhupada as all in all and their PROVINCIAL GURU as a servant of Prabhupada, experienced to some degree and capable of helping the newcomer in the philosophical and practical application of the ACHARYA’S TEACHINGS. Just as in the UNIVERSITY the great ACHARYA EINSTEIN is understood under the guidance of an experienced professor, but the professor is never equated with such giants as Einstein, Newton, Gallileo, etc. Even if a person is a great, liberated soul, he should present himself as nothing more than representative of the acharya, if only for the sake of unity in the sampradaya.

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Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa

Some Statistical Reflections on the Awesome Stature of the Acharya

WHAT THE ACHARYA, SRILA PRABHUPADA, DID IN TEN YEARS.

by Hansadutta das

Srila Prabhupada translated and wrote purports to 18,000 verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 49.31 years to complete.
He translated and wrote purports to 700 verses of Bhagavad-gita. It would take the reader aproximately two years to complete.
He translated and wrote purports to the 17 volumes of Chaitanya-charitamrita (2,170 pages, or 11,555 verses). Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 31.6 years to complete. Reading one page daily would take the reader 5.9 years to complete.
He wrote Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, a synopsis of Chaitanya-charitamrita;
Nectar of Devotion;
Isopanisad.
He created a monthly magazine, Back to Godhead, which at one point was distributed in excess of one million copies per month.
Under his explicit direction and inspioration, thousands of artful illustrations were published in all the above-mentioned books.
He wrote over 7,000 personal letters to his disciples, published in fie volumes of books.
He gave lectures on Srimad-Bhagavatam, compiled into 11 volumes of books.
He gave lectures on Bhagavad-gita, compiled into seven volumes of books.
His darshan conversations have been compiled into 42 volumes of books.
He produced phonograph records.
He established 108 temples (including Mayapur, Vrindavan, Bombay–with guest houses, Hyderabad temple, New Vrindavana and Gita Nagari farm communities).
His published books total some 147. Reading one book a month would take 13 years, reading one book every two months would take 25 years of reading, about twice the time it took Prabhupada to write them. Probably we will not live that long. If one started reading today, he would not finish till the year 2029. Think of it!

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Submitted by: Damagosha Dasa

Caracas Feb 22 1975

So the boys and girls who are now being initiated, they are entering the path of understanding God in this way. So there are some regulative principles. I think you have explained to them that no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication. God is pure. He is the purest. Therefore if we want to approach God, we must be pure. Just like without high temperature, nobody can enter into the fire, similarly, God is the topmost temperature. We must acquire that temperature; then we can enter into the kingdom of God. So if you want to increase the temperature, you cannot pour water again on it. Just like if you have got wet wood, you cannot burn it very nicely, but if you collect dry wood, you can ignite very easily. So our material life is now saturated with all kinds of sins. The four pillars of sinful life are these: illicit sex, meat-eating and intoxication and gambling. So if we stop these voluntarily, this is called austerity, austerity, tapasya. Austerity means voluntarily accept some painful condition. So those who are habituated to all these things, namely illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling, to give up these habits, it may become little painful in the beginning. But if you practice and pray to Kṛṣṇa that He will help, it is not difficult to give up these habits. And as soon as you give up this wetting process, the sinful life, then immediately you become fifty percent purified to approach God. Then, by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, you make further, further, more and more progress. And when you are completely free of all sinful reaction, then you understand God and you love him. In the contaminated stage, you are trying to love so many things, but you are frustrated. So if you can love God, then you will never be frustrated and your loving desires will be fulfilled. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are teaching all our students how to love God. That’s all right.

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Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa

“The sun is far above the planetary systems, and there is no possibility of its being covered by any kind of cloud; similarly, when a devotee is purified like the sun, from his pure heart there is a diffusion of ecstatic love which is more glorious than the sunshine.”

(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 17)

Writing From The Transcendental Platform

Author: Mahesh dasa Dated: 03/05/2003

We Don’t Allow Any Literature Which Is Not Given By Liberated Soul

The difference between Srila Prabhupada’s books and other so-called gurus writing is Srila Prabhupada’s instruction was coming directly from Krsna. This is transcendental platform. Srila Prabhupada encouraged his disciples however, to write their realizations.

Note:His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada is always consulting Krsna

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Bali-mardana: In other words, when you decide that someone is to be in charge of a particular temple does Krsna tell you that this person should be in charge.
Interviewer: Or do you by judging him say this person is qualified.
Prabhupada: yes, because a devotee always consults Krsna and He gives order.
Interviewer: it’s a more direct communication.
Prabhupada: yes. And He gives order.
Ramesvara: Because intelligence, our philosophy is that intelligence comes from Krsna. So if I have some…
Interviewer: And your philosophy is that your daily necessities come from Krsna as well.
Ramesvara: Yes, try to understand. Suppose my intelligence sees that this person is qualified, that means Krsna has told me.
Prabhupada: No, not necessarily, Krsna will tell directly. A devotee always consults Krsna and Krsna tells him, “do like this.” Not figuratively.
Interviewer: Does that apply then to other kinds of decisions and other kinds of activities as well?
Prabhupada: everything. Because a devotee does not do anything without consulting Krsna.

Note: His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada speaks as Krsna speaks.
Antya 5.71
One is forbidden to accept the guru, or spiritual master, as an ordinary human being (gurusu nara-matih). When Ramananda Raya spoke to Pradyumna Misra, Pradyumna Misra could understand that Ramananda Raya was not an ordinary human being. A spiritually advanced person who acts with authority, as the spiritual master, speaks as the Supreme Personality of Godhead dictates from within. Thus it is not he that is personally speaking. When a pure devotee or spiritual master speaks, what he says should be accepted as having been directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the parampara system.

Note: difference is Srila Prabhupada speaks what Krsna speaks and so-called gurus have to jog the brain to give answers.

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Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa

For immediate release and posting

KEEP THE PRABHUPADA SUN
ALWAYS SHINING.

THEN THESE GLOWWORMS
WILL BE FINISHED.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE PRABHUPADA SUN

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prabhupada: (break) …worm and the sun. When the sun is arisen, the glowworms, automatically finished. (break) …motto, “Krsna is sun.” You know it? Krsna surya-sama. So when Krsna sun is there, all these glowworms’ lightening will be finished. (break) Keep this sun always shining. Then these glowworms will be finished.

( S.P.Morning Walk June 21, 1975, Los Angeles)

Prabhupada: Ah. So this is our one of the items, to vanquish all these rascals, so-called swamis. They say that “Why you criticize others also?” Because we have to vanquish them. Now these people cannot rise. When there is sunrise, there is no use of these glowworms. So this Krsna consciousness movement is Krsna Himself. Therefore they must be finished, all over the world. So-called religionists, so-called philosophers, so-called avataras, swamis, yogis–finished. Our program should be like that. (break) …all these rascals, anymore to flourish. That is one of our program.

(S.P.Morning Walk Excerpts May 2, 1974, Bombay)

Bali-mardana: They are like glowworms, and you are like the sun.
Prabhupada: No, they know that “These people they are wanting something, so let us go and cheat.” This is going on.
Bali-mardana: They’re simply businessmen.
Prabhupada: So far I am concerned, I have not come here to cheat you nor to gain. I’ve come to execute the order of my Guru Maharaja.
Bali-mardana: Jaya. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: I have no business to cheat you neither to get something from you.

(S.P. Morning Walk July 11, 1976, New York)

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BY: MAHESH RAJA[UK]

Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati’s Appearance Day, March 2, 1975, Atlanta:

So perhaps my Guru Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, attempted to fulfill the desire of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And sometimes in the year 1918, he was brahmacari, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura, his material father, he wanted… Actually, he wanted, Bhaktivinoda Thakura… Of course, everyone wanted. But he wrote one small book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Teachings and Precepts of Lord Caitanya, in 1896. And he presented that book to the McGill University in Canada. And he very much desired that the foreigners, especially Americans, would join this movement. That was his desire in 1896.

And then, in 1918, my Guru Maharaja started with this mission one institution known as Gaudiya Math. Perhaps some of you know the name, Gaudiya Math. And he was trying to spread this message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and by chance OR BY PREDICTION, AS YOU THINK, I WAS TAKEN TO BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA BY ONE OF MY FRIENDS. I did not want to go there, but he forcibly took me there. Yes. And he ordered me that “You preach the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu in English language. This is very much essential.” So on the first meeting he told me like that. That was my first meeting with him. So at that time I was in favor of Gandhi’s movement. So I said that “We are not independent–subjugated. Who will hear about our message?” So Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakura refuted my argument. I was very much pleased. I had so many talks. But I was very much pleased to be defeated, that “This so-called nationalism or any ism, they are all temporary. Real need is the self-realization.”

Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival Talk, March 23, 1975, Mayapur:

Jayapataka: …you Srila Prabhupada. Only by your mercy you have brought us to this Krsna consciousness movement.
Prabhupada: Yes. I am simply messenger. Mercy is of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Prabhupada. BEFORE YOUR COMING THEY PREDICTED, THAT “SOMEBODY WILL BRING.” MAYBE THAT SOMEBODY I AM. (CHUCKLES) BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA PREDICTED. So anyway, Krsna has given us nice place. Stay here. So you producing food grains?

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Submitted by: Harinam Das

It is widely known that Srila Prabhupada instituted a ritvik or representative (proxy) initiation system throughout ISKCON as early as 1971 in order to meet the growing need to initiate his disciples worldwide. However what is not widely known is that he instructed his disciples to continue initiating new disciples on his behalf even after his physical disappearance. He called those disciples who performed the initiation ceremonies ritvik representatives of the acharya (officiating acharyas). Below are quotes directly from Srila Prabhupada for the evidence of these intructions as well as explanations, philosophical insights, and historical background. Harinama dasa (07-17-04)

I. DIRECT EVIDENCE FOR CONTINUANCE OF THE RITVIK SYSTEM AFTER PHYSICAL DISAPPEARANCE

A. Srila Prabhupada’s May 28, 1977 ISKCON Governing Board Commission (GBC) meeting.
Notes enclosed in [ ]

Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. 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.

Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.

[Srila Prabhupada clearly did not state “diksa-guru” nor “acarya” which is a direct repudiation of the successor diksa-guru accepting their own disciples senario in ISKCON.]

Tamala Krsna: Is that called ritvik-acarya?

Prabhupada: Ritvik, yes.

[Srila Prabhupada equates “officiating acarya” with “ritvik” which is the second direct repudiation of the successor diksa-guru senario in ISKCON.]

Satsvarupa: Then what is the relationship of that person who gives the initiation and the…

Prabhupada: He’s guru. He’s guru.

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Compiled by damqaghosa saa, Narasimha dasa and Yasoda nandana dasa

Srila Prabhupada glorifies Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura

Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura’s birth.

nārāyaṇī–caitanyera ucchiṣṭa-bhājana

tāṅra garbhe janmilā śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana

SYNONYMS

nārāyaṇī—of the name Nārāyaṇī; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ucchiṣṭa-bhājana—eater of the remnants of food; tāṅra—of her; garbhe—in the womb; janmilā—took birth; śrī-dāsa-vṛndāvana—Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Thākura.

TRANSLATION

Nārāyaṇī eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born of her womb.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, a book written by Kavi-karṇapūra that describes all the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who they previously were, there is the following statement regarding Nārāyaṇī:

ambikāyāḥ svasā yāsīn
nāmnā śrīla-kilimbikā
kṛṣṇocchiṣṭaṁ prabhuñjānā
seyaṁ nārāyaṇī matā

When Lord Kṛṣṇa was a child, He was nursed by a woman named Ambikā, who had a younger sister named Kilimbikā. During the time of Lord Caitanya’s incarnation, the same Kilimbikā used to eat the remnants of food left by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. That Kilimbikā was Nārāyaṇī, who was a niece of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura’s. Later on, when she grew up and married, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was born from her womb. A devotee of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is celebrated in terms of devotional service rendered to the Lord; thus we know Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura as the son of Nārāyaṇī. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 8: The Author Receives the Orders of Krsna and Guru : Adi 8.41 : PURPORT :
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Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa

This is an inspirational, and as far as I know, previously untold story about a private conversation between Srila Prabhupada and a Pancaratriki Pandit named Sampat Kumar Bhattacarya.

The story is told by HG Atma Tattva Das in a Bhagavad Gita class on 9.34 in Los Angeles on the 20th of March 1993. I found it in our old tape collection.

He was not there when the conversation took place, since it was private. However, a tape recorder (which was later lost) was left recording, which he heard; and Sampat Kumar told him what happened straight after.

This story has two parts – the background is common knowledge, and recorded in the Lilamrta. The conversation is the new addition.

It was the beginning of 1977. Prabhupada was in Bombay temple. He was very sick. He had stopped all food intake – he was taking 1/4 a cup of orange juice per day. His body had only bones left – there was no flesh. And yet, he was insisting that he wanted to go to London. The doctors had given up responsibility. But as always, he was adamant.

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Hare Krishna Society

Srila Prabhupada The Brahma Sampradaya Acharya

Some Statistical Reflections on the Awesome Stature of the Acharya

If we give up the wetting process (sins) then 50% purified-SP

More Glorious than the Sunshine

Writing From The Transcendental Platform

Keep the Srila Prabhupada Sun Always Shining

The Prediction

SRILA PRABHUPADA GURU-TATTVA

Sri Vrindavan dasa Thakura avirbhava tithi [appearance day].

Srila Prabhupada’s Murti takes away all our suffering