Srila Prabhupada and His Godbrothers
SRILA PRABHUPADA
AND THE GAUDIYA MATH
By Sridam sakha das
When Srila Prabhupada originally started ISKCON, he was very willing to
undertake his mission in co-operation with his godbrothers. However, they
were all envious of his success, and neglected all of his requests for
help. As if that were not enough, they also did their utmost to disrupt his
efforts in whatever way they could, for instance, by poisoning the minds of
his disciples against him and reinitiating them. That they acted in the way
they did is hardly surprising, in consideration of the fact that they had
directly and deliberately disobeyed the instructions of Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Against his wishes they elected an acarya after
his departure. Not only that, but none of them ever followed his
instructions to go and preach in the west. Srila Prabhupada's final
instructions to his disciples with regard to his Godbrothers was to have
nothing further to do with any of them.
Sounds familiar? During the time that I spent living in a temple, from what
I heard from other devotees, this was, more or less, the impression that I
had of Srila Prabhupada's Godbrothers and the Gaudiya math. However, after
having done some research on the subject, I began to recognise how complex
an issue it was, and that my previous understanding had been simplistic and
misinformed.
The reader is no doubt familiar with many of the negative comments Srila
Prabhupada had to make about his Godbrothers. However, he praised them on
numerous occasions too:
"I am very glad to know that Ananda prabhu is staying with you, please
offer my dandavats. He is my old Godbrother, sincere Vaisnava. Please treat
him like your father. Do remain in full co-operation." (S.P. letter
6/5/'73)
"So if you are actually serious to take instructions from a siksa guru, I
can refer you to one who is most highly competent of all my god-brothers.
This is B.R. Sridhara Maharaja, whom I consider to be even my siksa guru,
so what to speak of the benefit that you can have from his
association...When I was in India, Acyutananda, Ramanuja, and myself, with
others, lived with Sridhara Maharaja, so Acyutananda knows him very well.
He spared a big house for us and if both of you go there now, it will be
very good for your spiritual benefit. Then I will feel that you are safe.
Besides that, if you wish to live in India, you can make arrangements for
this house so that other of your god-brothers may go there in the future."
(Letter to Hrsikesa, 69-01-09)
Srila Prabhupada apparently intended his disciples' association with Srila
Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja to be of a more long term variety.
In the following, Srila Prabhupada again makes the immense love and respect
that he felt for his exalted godbrother very clear. More pointedly, he says
that his association with Srila Sridhara Maharaja was arranged by Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta and Krsna in order to help prepare him for the great
mission he was later to undertake. However, perhaps most significantly of
all, he states that he wanted to make Srila Sridhara Maharaja the head of
ISKCON:
"So when we came back to Allahabad, so Ganesa Babu, he introduced me, that
"Here is a nice devotee." So Prabhupada immediately replied, "Yes, I have
marked him. He does not go away, he hears." This (indistinct), "Yes, I will
accept him as disciple." Then I was initiated. In this way our relationship
with Gaudiya Matha developed, and gradually as it developed, the other side
diminished. Then, there are long history, it will take time, but I had the
opportunity of associating with His Holiness. For several years I had the
opportunity. Krsna and Prabhupada liked it to prepare me. Sridhara Maharaja
lived as a...
Sridhara Maharaja: (indistinct)
Prabhupada: (laughs) ...in my house, some may say, a few years, so
naturally we had very intimate talks and he was my good adviser. I took his
advice, his instruction very seriously, because from the very beginning I
know he's a pure Vaisnava and devotee, and I wanted to associate with him,
and try to help him also in so many ways. He also tried to help me, so our
relationship is very intimate. After the breakdown of the Gaudiya Matha, I
wanted to organize another organization, making Sridhara Maharaja head."
(Room Conversation, Mayapur, March 17, 1973 Unfortunately, the above quote
is not included in some, if not all of the Prabhupada databases, but, if
the reader is interested, I will happily send them the whole conversation.)
Speaking of his sannyasa guru, Srila Prabhupada says:
"So I am feeling very much obliged to my, this godbrother, that he carried
out the wish of my spiritual master and forced me to accept the sannyasa
order. This godbrother, H.H. Kesava Maharaja is no more. He has entered
Krsna's abode So I wish to pass a resolution of bereavement and send them.
And I have composed one verse also in this connection in Sanskrit.....so I
did not want to accept this sannyasa order, but this godbrother forced me
'you must.' apayayan mam, he forcefully made me drink this medicine...the
Vaisnavas, the spiritual master, they forcefully say 'you drink this
medicine.' You see apayayan mam anabhipsu ardham Sri-Kesava-bhakti
prajana-nama. So this my Godbrother, his name is Kesava, Bhaktiprajnan
Kesava. Krpambudhi. So he did this favour upon me because he was ocean of
mercy. So we offer our obeisances to Vaisnava, krpambudhi.
Vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. The Vaisnavas, the
representatives of the Lord, they are so kind. They bring the ocean of
mercy for distributing to the suffering humanity. Krpambudhir yas tam aham
prapadye. So I am offering my respectful obeisances unto this His Holiness,
because he forcefully made me adopt this sannyasa order. So he is no more
in this world. He has entered Krsna's abode. So I am offering my respectful
obeisances along with my disciples...We are writing like this, "Resolved
that we the undersigned members and devotees of International Society for
Krishna Consciousness Incorporated, in a condolence meeting under the
presidency of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, today the 21st of
October, 1968, at our Seattle branch, express our profound bereavement on
hearing the passing of His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Sri Srimad
Bhaktiprajnan Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, the sannyasa guru, preceptor of our
spiritual master, and on October 6th, 1968, at his headquarter residence in
Nabadwip, West Bengal. We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus
feet of Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja with the
following verse composed on this occasion by our spiritual master." This
verse I have already explained to you. So I wish that you all sign this and
I'll send it tomorrow by air mail." (21st October '68, condolence lecture,
Seattle)
"The cult of Caitanya philosophy is richer than any other, and it is
admitted to be the living religion of the day with the potency for
spreading as visva-dharma, or universal religion. We are glad that the
matter has been taken up by some enthusiastic sages like Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja and his disciples. We shall eagerly wait for the
happy days of Bhagavata-dharma, or prema-dharma, inaugurated by the Lord
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (Srimad-Bhagavatam: Introduction)
"In the same order as Kardama Muni, about one hundred years ago, Thakura
Bhaktivinoda also wanted to beget a child who could preach the philosophy
and teachings of Lord Caitanya to the fullest extent. By his prayers to the
Lord he had as his child Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, who at
the present moment is preaching the philosophy of Lord Caitanya throughout
the entire world through his bona fide disciples."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3: Chapter Twenty-two, Text 20
Not only did Srila Prabhupada sometimes praise his godbrothers, but on one
occasion even blessed one of his harinama disciples to take diksa from one
of them:
"Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. I understand from
the letter of Asita das that he has gone to your place in Jagannatha Puri.
He has asked permission from me for taking initiation from you. I have
given him my permission and you can initiate him if you like so that he may
increase his devotional service there."
Letter to: Sripada Madhava Maharaja : 75-01-14 Bombay
"If you want to take initiation from Madhava Gosvami Maharaja I have no
objection."
Letter to: Asita das : 75-01-10 Bombay
Nevertheless, despite praising individuals, Srila Prabhupada also made many
negative statements about his godbrothers too. In the following he states:
"We shall be very careful about them and not mix with them. This is my
instruction to you all. They cannot help us in our movement, but they are
very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must be very careful
about them."
(Letter to Rupanuga Maharaja, 74-04-28, Tirupati)
However, Srila Prabhupada's final instructions with regard to his
godbrothers were very different. Literally days before passing away, he
formed the "Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust", one of the purposes of
which was to link up again with the Gaudiya Math devotees, and to work with
them on a co-operative basis. The statement of purpose for the Trust in
this regard, reads as follows:
"In keeping with the spirit of the previous acarya's vision of
Gaudiya-Madhva sampradaya, to cement relations with all the sister temples
of Gaudiya-Madhva sampradaya under one banner, to solidify preaching the
message of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as desired by His Divine Grace Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada and Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda and all
the previous acaryas in this line." (Room Conversation, Vrindaban, October
29, 1977, 771029RC.VRN)
Srila Prabhupada did not stop at merely instructing his disciples, but he
went so far as to directly involve his own godbrothers, by appointing two
of them onto the Trust's five man governing board:
Bhavananda: With bookstand. Prabhupada has formed a trust, the
Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, and its purpose is to develop
Gauda-mandala-bhumi. Prabhupada's one idea is to build this darsana-mandapa
at the yoga-pitha. And another is to finish Sridhara Maharaja's
darsana-mandapa at his..., like that, to develop the different..., to
encourage co-operation between the different Godbrothers in the temples.
The members of the trust are myself and Tamala Krsna Maharaja and Giriraja,
Svarupa Damodara, myself, Madhava Maharaja and Madhusudana Maharaja.
Prabhupada named those members.
Prabhupada: How do you think the idea?
Jayapataka: All of your ideas, Srila Prabhupada, are perfect. I am not
someone to offer opinion. But if you ask, I think that actually, especially
the yoga-pitha, natha-mandira, that's a very dynamic idea, and in general
it must do good.
Prabhupada: We want co-operation.
(Room conversation, Vrndavana, 6 November 1977)
Srila Prabhupada was also willing for ISKCON funds to be used to erect
buildings on the property of his godbrothers, and even for printing their
literature:
Tamala Krsna: Yes, I think the general is already covered by this
Mayapura-Vrndavana Trust committee. That's for all of India. And
Gauda-mandala-bhumi is especially for encouraging the development of
Gaudiya Vaisnavism in that area--Sridhara Maharaja's natha-mandira, this
Yoga-pitha Bhaktivedanta Hall. Different buildings. Supposing one of your
Godbrothers may have written some manuscript, he has no money. We can print
some books for him so he can sell them, like that, works within the
Mayapura area.
Prabhupada: That we shall fix up, what to spend.
Tamala Krsna: The Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity trustees would fix that up?
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Yes.
Prabhupada: All right.
So although Srila Prabhupada did make many negative statements about the
Gaudiya Math and his godbrothers, he made many positive ones too, and his
last words show unequivocally what policy he wanted to be followed.
It can sometimes be quite confusing when an acarya makes seemingly
contradictory statements. Why did Srila Prabhupada appear to do so on this
particular topic? For the simple reason that, by necessity, acaryas must
teach their disciples in terms of time, place and circumstance:
"It is the concern of the acarya to show mercy to the fallen souls. In this
connection, desa-kala-patra (the place, the time and the object) should be
taken into consideration." (Adi 7.38)
"The Vedas instruct us that knowledge must always be considered in terms of
desa-kala-patra. Desa means 'circumstances,' kala means 'time,' and patra
means 'the object.' We must understand everything by taking these three
elements into consideration." (Life Comes from Life: The First Morning Walk
April 18, 1973)
The principle of changing the divine message out of consideration of
desa-kala-patra by the acarya may also take quite extreme forms, such as
those practiced by Sankaracarya and Lord Buddha. As a deliberate preaching
strategy, they taught false doctrines to their disciples, for the purpose
of uplifting them. This principle even applies to vaisnava acaryas too:
"These are the secrets of the acaryas. Sometimes they conceal the real
purpose of the vedas and explain the Vedas in a different way. Sometimes
they enunciate a different theory just to bring the atheists under their
control."
Madhya-lila 25.42
Therefore we can understand that Srila Prabhupada's apparently contrary
statements about his godbrothers were also part of a necessary preaching
strategy. However, he also cautioned us that although in his preaching a
vaisnava may make strictly relative statements, that it is nevertheless the
responsibility of those hearing him to be careful to extract the true
essence of his message:
"Vaisnava who is preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time
and place and the party. They have to change something, desa-kala-patra.
*But we have to see the essence.*"
Prabhupada's Lectures Srimad-Bhagavatam 1974 741008SB.MAY
"The essence of devotional service must be taken into consideration, and
not the outward paraphernalia."
Madhya-lila: Chapter Twenty-three, Text 105
As Srila Prabhupada had so many godbrothers, their interaction with him and
his disciples was a complex and potentially volatile situation. Certainly,
a number of his godbrothers were enviously working against him, and he
needed to safeguard his young disciples, many of whom wouldn't have been
able to discriminate between the qualified and unqualified. Besides that,
he was physically present as their diksa and siksa guru, for which reason
there was no need for them to go outside of the society he had created.
Therefore, safer for him to say: "none of you see them." Also, as an
acarya, it was his duty to criticise and decry those activities of his
godbrothers which were deviant, for the sake of teaching the proper
standard to his disciples. Again, however, these statements were relative
to desa-kala-patra, and cannot be used to definitively portray his ultimate
stance towards his godbrothers, when put in perspective with everything
else he had to say on the subject.
When one reads Srila Prabhupada's definitions of and statements about
ISKCON, then it becomes easier to understand why ultimately he was willing
to involve his godbrothers within it. According to what he says, ISKCON
appears to extend considerably beyond its physical manifestation, ie the
temples and communities, and their attendant management structures. It is
non-sectarian, and is prepared to embrace the world, just as its founder
was. The name itself says it all: a society for Krsna consciousness. To the
extent that you're *Krsna conscious*, you belong:
"ISKCON (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness) is a
non-lucrative organisation, whose purpose is to promote the well-being of
human society by drawing its attention to God. We are a non-sectarian
society, and our members include people from Christian, Jewish and Moslem
as well as Hindu faiths. The aim of ISKCON is not to found a new religious
sect, but to invoke the living entity's dormant love of God, and thus
provide the human society of all faiths with a common platform of clear
theistic knowledge and practice. Members of ISKCON may retain their own
respective religious faiths, as ISKCON is meant to establish a clear,
practical common formulation of the common ideal of all theists, and to
defeat the unnecessary dogmatic wranglings that now divide and invalidate
the theistic camp. This common ideal of theism is to develop love of God."
(Letter to: ****** : 68-08-24 Montreal)
"A devotee sees all living entities with spiritual vision and does not
discriminate on the platform of the bodily concept of life. Such qualities
develop only in the association of devotees. Without the association of
devotees, one cannot advance in Krsna consciousness. Therefore, we have
established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Factually,
whoever lives in this society automatically develops Krsna consciousness."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter Twelve, Text 37
"This Krsna consciousness movement is a transcendental science, and there
is no room for jealousy. This movement is meant for the paramahamsas who
are completely free from all jealousy (paramam nirmatsaranam)."
Nectar of Instruction: Text Six
"The Hare Krsna movement is meant for those who are serious about
understanding this science. There's no question of our being some sectarian
group. No. Anyone can join. Students in college can be admitted. You may be
a Christian, you may be a Hindu, you may be a Muhammadan--it doesn't
matter. The Krsna consciousness movement admits anyone who wants to
understand the science of God."
(Science of Self Realization: Chapter One :Learning the Science of the
Self)
"Just by pouring water on the root of a tree, one nourishes its trunk and
all of its branches, fruits and flowers, and just by supplying food to the
stomach, one satisfies all the limbs of the body. Similarly, by worshiping
Lord Visnu one can satisfy everyone." Krsna consciousness is not a
sectarian religious movement. Rather, it is meant for all-embracing welfare
activities for the world. One can enter this movement without
discrimination in terms of caste, creed, religion or nationality. If one is
trained to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is the
origin of visnu-tattva, one can become fully satisfied and perfect in all
respects."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 8: Chapter Five, Text 49
"Bhagavata-dharma has no contradictions. Conceptions of "your religion" and
"my religion" are completely absent from bhagavata-dharma. Bhagavata-dharma
means following the orders given by the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan, as stated
in Bhagavad-gita: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. God is
one, and God is for everyone."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 6: Chapter Sixteen, Text 41
"Sun is neither Indian nor American. Similarly, God, Krsna, He's neither
for Indian or for... He is for everyone. Sarva yonisu kaunteya sambhavanti
murtayo yah, tasam mahad-yonir brahma aham bija-pradah pita. He's the
father of everyone, not only human beings, but in the animals, the trees,
the aquatics, everyone, all living entities. Mamaivamso jiva... This is
universal. This is... This Krsna consciousness movement is therefore
universal, real universal." Prabhupada's Lectures Bhagavad-gita 1972
721126BG.HYD
Srila Prabhupada's non-sectarian stance is also demonstrated in the
following, wherein he implies that pure transcendental association is not
confined solely within the four walls of the ISKCON institution:
"There are many societies and associations of pure devotees, and if someone
with just a little faith begins to associate with such societies, his
advancement to pure devotional service is rapid."
(Nectar of Devotion: Chapter Nineteen :Devotional Service in Pure Love of
God, p.14)
Although Srila Prabhupada invited his godbrothers to work with his
disciples in 1977, it was by no means the first time that he had come up
with the idea:
"So far as I am concerned, I am always for co-operation. If we can
co-operate, we can do tremendous service for Lord Caitanya in the matter of
propagating the mission of Lord Caitanya very nicely. I am prepared to
co-operate with the Gaudiya mission wholeheartedly. Soon you can negotiate
about our amalgamation on a co-operatively basis, it will be great service
to Srila Prabhupada."
Letter to Dr Syamasundardas Brahmacari, 5-9-69
"Best thing is that all we Godbrothers work together. Then the criticism
will stop, otherwise even we join together, criticism will go on. So this
has been going on for the last 24 years, but everyone of us is doing his
best keeping Lord Caitanya in the center. We should be satisfied so much."
Letter to: Jayapataka Maharaja : 71-02-23 Gorakhpur
Since Srila Prabhupada saw ISKCON as "a non-sectarian society" whose
members included Christians, Jews, Moslems and Hindus, who, moreover, were
permitted to "retain their own respective religious faiths", then it is
small wonder that he was willing to accommodate his own godbrothers, who
were so qualified.
It is an often over-looked fact that the number of Srila Prabhupada's
godbrothers instrumental in the break up of the Gaudiya Math was very
small. When Srila Prabhupada denounces "the Gaudiya Math", he is by no
means making a blanket condemnation of every single disciple of Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, of whom there were 60,000. In the following he
explains:
"In the beginning, during the presence of Om Visnupada Paramahamsa
Parivrajakacarya Astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura Prabhupada, all the disciples worked in agreement; but just after
his disappearance, they disagreed. One party strictly followed the
instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, but another group
created their own concoction about executing his desires. Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura, at the time of his departure, requested all his
disciples to form a governing body and conduct missionary activities
co-operatively. He did not instruct a particular man to become the next
acarya. But just after his passing away, *his leading secretaries* made
plans, without authority, to occupy the post of acarya, and *they* split in
two factions over who the next acarya would be. Consequently, both factions
were asara, or useless, because they had no authority, having disobeyed the
order of the spiritual master. Despite the spiritual master's order to form
a governing body and execute the missionary activities of the Gaudiya
Matha, the two unauthorized factions began litigation that is still going
on after forty years with no decision."
(Adi-lila Chapter Twelve, Text 8)
So Srila Prabhupada clearly says that it was the "leading secretaries" who
disobeyed Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and who ultimately "split in two
factions over who the next acarya would be", beginning "litigation that is
still going on after forty years with no decision." Elsewhere Srila
Prabhupada has explained who the leaders of these two factions were, namely
Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaja of Sri Chaitanya Math, and Ananta Vasudeva of
Bagh Bazaar Math. So much for the leading secretaries. But what about
everyone else? Srila Prabhupada plainly says that they: "strictly followed
the instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura".
As for Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's instruction to preach in the west,
this was to Srila Prabhupada in particular. Srila Prabhupada was a unique
acarya who was especially chosen, empowered and sent by the Lord to turn
the tide of kali yuga. This service was particularly meant for him, and
no-one else could have accomplished it. However, just because the disciples
of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati did not achieve such large scale
preaching triumphs as their illustrious godbrother, for this reason alone
we cannot therefore assume that every one of them was necessarily less dear
to Krsna:
"Krsna becomes obliged to the loving spirit of the devotee and not exactly
to the service rendered. No one can serve Krsna completely. He is so
complete and self-sufficient that He has no need of any service from the
devotee. It is the devotee's attitude of love and affection for Krsna that
makes Him obliged."
Nectar of Devotion: Chapter Twenty-two: Qualities of Krsna Further
Explained
Rather, we should remember that they "strictly followed" their spiritual
master's instructions.
What to speak of those who did, Srila Prabhupada even declared those who
did not to be transcendentally situated, going so far as to compare their
disputes to those that happen in the party of Srimati Radharani:
"Even amongst our God-brothers we have misunderstanding but none of us is
astray from the service of Krishna. My Guru Maharaja ordered us to execute
his mission combinedly. Unfortunately we are now separated. But none of us
have stopped preaching Krishna Consciousness. *Even if there was
misunderstanding amongst the God-brothers of my Guru Maharaja none of them
deviated from the transcendental loving service of Krishna.* The idea is
that provocation and misunderstanding may remain between one man and
another. But our staunch faith in Krishna Consciousness may not allow any
material disruption. Please therefore try to be sympathetic with any person
even if they differ. The only qualification we have to scrutinize is if one
is acting in Krishna Consciousness as far as one is able to do it.
This personal grudge is not inhuman and as I have told many times, that
individualism is the cause of personal misunderstanding. When such
individualism is employed in the center of Krishna there is no harm even if
there is personal misunderstanding. Personal misunderstanding exists even
in the higher levels. There is competition of loving Krishna even in the
party of Srimati Radharani."
Letter to: Brahmananda : 67-11-18 Calcutta
"So far as your question about controversy amongst the disciples of
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, that is a fact. But this
controversy is not material. Just like in a national program, different
political parties are sometimes in conflict and make propaganda against
each other, but their central point is always service to the country.
Similarly, amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati there may be
some controversy, but the central point is how to preach the mission of His
Divine Grace. If the central point is fixed up then there is no harm in
such controversy. Every individual being must have his opinion; that is the
significance of individuality, but all such differences of opinions must
coincide in Krishna. In the battlefield of Kuruksetra were Arjuna and
Bhisma who were fighting with one another, and because Krishna was on the
side of Arjuna, sometimes Bhisma pierced the body of Krishna also with
arrows. But still they remained the greatest devotees of the Lord, and
Krishna accepted the friendship of Arjuna just as He accepted the inimical
arrows of Bhisma in the same loving spirit."
Letter to: Mandali Bhadra : 69-07-28 Los Angeles
"Among Vaisnavas there may be some difference of opinion due to everyone's
personal identity, but despite all personal differences, the cult of Krsna
consciousness must go on. We can see that under the instructions of Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja
began preaching the Krsna consciousness movement in an organized way within
the past hundred years. The disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Gosvami Maharaja are all Godbrothers, and although there are some
differences of opinion, and although we are not acting conjointly, every
one of us is spreading this Krsna consciousness movement according to his
own capacity and producing many disciples to spread it all over the world."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter Twenty-eight, Text 31
"Disunity between individual souls is so strong within this material world
that even in a society of Krsna consciousness, members sometimes appear
disunited due to their having different opinions and leaning toward
material things. Actually, in Krsna consciousness there cannot be two
opinions. There is only one goal: to serve Krsna to one's best ability. If
there is some disagreement over service, such disagreement is to be taken
as spiritual. Those who are actually engaged in the service of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead cannot be disunited in any circumstance."
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter Thirty, Text 8
Srila Prabhupada's relationship with his godbrothers is of an inconceivable
nature, and very easy to misconstrue. For instance he described Srila
Madhava Maharaja in the following way:
"...it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because
instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute
them. This attempt was made previously by them, especially Madhava Maharaja
and Tirtha Maharaja and Bon Maharaja but somehow or other I saved the
situation. This is going on.
(Letter to Rupanuga Maharaja, 74-04-28, Tirupati)
Nevertheless, a year later he allowed him to initiate his harinama
disciple, and in 1977 appointed him as a governing board member on the
charity trust which he had created. Srila Prabhupada may have criticised
his godbrothers, but he also warned his disciples that they did not have
the right to do the same. Rather, any disciple should respect the
godbrothers of his guru:
"one should respect one's spiritual master's Godbrothers as one respects
one's spiritual master."
Adi-lila: Chapter Five, Text 147
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati also warns of the danger of getting
involved in the transcendental disputes between great vaisnavas, and taking
sides:
"Those, whose judgement is made of mundane stuff, being unable to enter
into the spirit of the all-loving controversies among pure devotees, due to
their own want of unalloyed devotion, are apt to impute to the devotees
their own defects of partisanship and opposing views."
Sri Brahma samhita p.72
If pure devotees differ, then it is for their own inconceivable and
transcendental reasons. It is certainly not done out of sectarian
prejudice. Therefore, to project such motives onto Srila Prabhupada, by
using his statements in an attempt to inculcate an attitude of prejudice in
the minds of the innocent and impressionable against all Gaudiya math
devotees is dishonest and duplicitous. One who does this certainly
misrepresents Srila Prabhupada.
In the pages that precede this one, we have proven conclusively that Srila
Prabhupada was not antagonistic to his godbrothers and their followers, and
that moreover he wanted his own disciples to fully co-operate with them.
However, even if we had not done this, it would still not give any more
justification to the propagation of sectarian dogma against them. Such
behaviour is avaisnava.
As can be seen from a previous quote, Srila Prabhupada held his godbrother
and sannyasa guru Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaja in very high
esteem. The same can be said of Srila Kesava Maharaja's own disciple, Srila
Narayana Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada talked to him before passing away, of
his great desire that all the disciples and grand disciples of Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati "work conjointly":
"Srila Prabhupada (Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati) said that we should preach in
Europe, America. That was his desire, and his other desire was that we all
work together jointly to preach".
"Yes, that is right" said Narayana Maharaja.
"I didn't waste a single moment" said Srila Prabhupada "I tried my best,
and it has been successful to some extent".
Srila Prabhupada's voice was choked with emotion.
"If we work conjointly" he continued, "then as
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said prthivite...sankirtana has great
possibilities. My life is coming to an end. It is my desire that you all
forgive me for my mistakes..."
..."Whatever instruction you give me" said Narayana Maharaja "I will follow
with absolute sincerity. I consider you my guru."
Narayana Maharaja said that what Srila Prabhupada had created should be
protected, and it was everyone's duty to do so. He pledged to help in
whatever way he could. Regarding Srila Prabhupada's asking his godbrothers
for forgiveness, Narayana Maharaja said "we never thought that you did
anything wrong. On the other hand, you bless us, we need it. You never did
any wrong. If someone is offended by your actions, that is his fault."
After a pause, Narayana Maharaja spoke again, this time referring to Srila
Prabhupada's disciples. "They should be told that they should never get
motivated by their own self-interest" he said. "They should make your
mission successful."
Srila Prabhupada turned his head slowly, looking over the devotees as they
gathered in more closely. Then slowly he lifted his hand, as if to call
them to attention, and said "Do not fight among yourselves, I have given
direction in my books." He then lowered his hand.
(Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta, Vol 6, p.399-401)
Srila Prabhupada and Srila Narayana Maharaja spent much time in each
other's association before Srila Prabhupada departed for the west. They
first met in 1947. When Srila Prabhupada received sannyasa from Srila
Kesava Maharaja, Srila Narayana Maharaja performed the fire yajna, and made
Srila Prabhupada's danda. When Srila Prabhupada had started ISKCON, Srila
Narayana Maharaja sent him mrdangas, karatalas, books, tilak, pictures,
Deities, japa mala, clothing, harmonium, pera (a sweet) etc etc. Throughout
the time that Srila Prabhupada was preaching in the west, he frequently
contacted Srila Narayana Maharaja, who assisted him in many ways:
"Please offer my obeisances to Srimad Narayana Maharaja. I have not heard
from him in a long time. Please request him to find out a large piece of
land perhaps with a house, between Mathura and Vrndavana, for purchasing."
(S.P. letter 26/7/'70)
Srila Prabhupada in fact wrote hundreds of letters to Srila Narayana
Maharaja, most of which were unfortunately lost while in the care of
ISKCON. However, from the ones which remain, a booklet has been compiled
which is now available for purchase. From these few letters that we do
have, the intimacy and appreciation which Srila Prabhupada felt for Srila
Narayana Maharaja is very evident:
"Our relationship is certainly based on spontaneous love. That is why there
is no chance of us forgetting one another. By the mercy of Guru and
Gauranga may everything be auspicious for you. This is my constant prayer.
>From the first time I saw you I have been your constant well-wisher. At
his first sight of me, Srila Prabhupada also saw me with such love. It was
in my very first darsana of Srila Prabhupada that I learned how to love"
Letter from Srila Prabhupada 28th September 1966
"Because in all Gaudiya Mathas, I think that you are the real guru-sevaka,
so I always correspond with you and I always give my full love and
affection to you."
"If I was not thinking like this and putting so much trust in you, I would
never have sent you my key and my money. I have so much faith and love for
you." Letter from Srila Prabhupada, New York, May 17th 1967
Srila Prabhupada entrusted Srila Narayana Maharaja with the great honour
and responsibility of putting his body into samadhi. After Srila
Prabhupada's disappearance, when his sons tried to stage a take-over bid of
the ISKCON assets, from morning to evening for days, Srila Narayana
Maharaja tirelessly testified on behalf of ISKCON in the Bombay courts.
Srila Prabhupada also specifically asked Srila Narayana Maharaja to guide
his disciples in his physical absence, and to teach them the siddhanta of
Gaudiya Vaisnavism as taught by Srila Rupa and Raghunath das Goswamis.
--end--
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