Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaja's Service to Srila
Prabhupada and all
the Acaryas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Bhagavata-guru Parampara
His True Brilliance
(A paper written in glorification of Srila Prabhupada)
by Jnanadas Adhikary
(A snior disciple of Srila Prabhupada)
Introduction
Truthfulness is the last remaining leg of religion in Kali Yuga. Srila
Prabhupada taught us to seek the truth behind the material facade. So naturally we want to
be truthful,
in order to find the Ultimate Truth, which is Krishna.
Many devotees are concerned, and perhaps confused, about Srila Narayana Maharajas
relationship and interactions with ISKCON. It is important to understand the
situation in perspective.
Maharaja is pointing out a deep misunderstanding of Srila Prabhupadas mission in Krishna
consciousness. Srila Prabhupada wants to engage us in Mahaprabhus mission
of spreading pure,
spontaneous love for Krishna. Srila Prabhupada said many times that he
wants us to become pure
lovers of Krishna in this lifetime, and that the whole purpose of regulated
devotional service (vaidhi-
bhakti) is to bring us to this point. But the movement as a whole has
become stuck at an intermediate
level.
We mistrust change, and we want to think that we are right. So it
is not easy to hear
someone who claims to know Srila Prabhupadas intention better than we do.
At first we will tend to
misunderstand and oppose such a person. But we should continue to seek the
truth.
Recent rumours and papers have obscured the truth. Certainly there
are issues to discuss
regarding Srila Narayana Maharaja. But this should be done openly and
truthfully. We cannot
approach the truth by accepting or spreading misleading and untruthful
allegations.
The more we appreciate Srila Prabhupada's true brilliance, the more
we will understand the
goal of our life in Krsna consciousness. Srila Narayana Maharaja is
pointing out Srila Prabhupada's
true brilliance to us. In so doing, he is fulfilling his promise to his
siksa-guru and dear friend, despite
so many difficulties and obstacles.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja gives extended discourses about the
very confidential pastimes
of Radha and Krsna and the gopis".
Fact: Srila Narayana Maharaja never discusses intimate pastimes in public.
His talks have no erotic
content. He doesnt talk about touching or kissing or anything else which
might remind us of
mundane love affairs.
In the past, Maharaja held private darsans, in which he answered
the questions of senior
devotees regarding raganuga-bhakti and pastimes in Vraja. He does not give
such talks in public,
although he educates all grades of devotees about the relationship between
vaidhi-bhakti and
raganuga-bhakti.
It is true that Maharaja has related the pastime in which Krishna
dresses as a young girl and
uses flowers to simulate breasts. Kripamoya Prabhu also related it in his
Radhastami lecture at
Bhaktivedanta Manor in 1996. Parasurama Prabhu and the GBC have complained
in their papers
about Maharaja relating this pastime. In specifying the pastime, they were
also relating it themselves.
No one has protested, presumably because it is not actually disturbing to
hear this pastime.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja said in a talk that, as a preacher,
Srila Prabhupada is a servant
of Mahavisnu and not of Lord Caitanya".
Fact: This is untrue. In the talk quoted, Srila Narayana Maharaja
glorified Srila Prabhupada, and said
that he has come from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and is "the part and parcel of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Rasaraja mahabhava". Some devotees have misunderstood Maharaja to mean the
exact opposite of
what he was actually saying. Maharaja wants us to understand that Srila
Prabhupada came from
Mahaprabhu to give pure love for Krsna. Everything else that he gave --
the holy name; Bhagavad-
gita; varnashrama-dharma; book distribution; establishing temples, and so
on -- was to help fulfill
Mahaprabhu's mission of spreading pure love for Krsna.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja gives a false emphasis on
raganuga-bhakti. Srila Prabhupada
did not teach us about raganuga-bhakti, nor did he make it part of our
practice. We should avoid
getting involved in this whole area altogether, or we will make offences
and fall down".
Fact: This is perhaps the biggest misunderstanding in the movement. Many
devotees assume, "We
will probably stay in vaidhi-bhakti all our lives, and then go back to
Godhead. Raganuga-bhakti is
only for the very rare paramahamsas". This flatly contradicts Srila
Prabhupadas clear instructions.
For instance, The Nectar of Instruction clearly and repeatedly states (in
Texts Eight to Eleven) that
spontaneous devotional service (raganuga-bhakti) is the very essence of
devotional service. Srila
Prabhupada said that this book "constitutes the first instructions for
neophyte devotees". He said, not
once but many times, that the whole purpose of regulated devotional service
(vaidhi-bhakti) is to bring
us to the point of spontaneous devotional service (raganuga-bhakti).
The regulative principles are designed to take us gradually to the platform
of spontaneous love of
Krsna, which is the perfection of human life. [SPL, 29th April 1974][see
also, for example,
Bhagavad-gita 12.8-9; SP letter 22nd Dec 1972; Lecture 12.11.1972;
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila
3.14-28, 4.15-53, 7.18-30 and Madhya-lila 8.205-230, 22.109, purport].
Srila Prabhupada explained that pure devotional service is
identical with spontaneous
devotional service.
The regulative principles help ordinary devotees rise to the platform of
perfect love of Godhead. Pure
love for Krishna is the perfection of pure devotion, and pure devotional
service is identical with
spontaneous devotional service. [C.C. A.l. 4.22, purport]
We have not actually reached the platform of actual Krishna consciousness
(krsna-bhakti-rasa) until
we are performing spontaneous devotional service in one of the four active
rasas. [C.C. M.l. 8.70, 71,
139, purports]
As regards falling down, Srila Prabhupada said that we are most
likely to fall down if we do
not come to the platform of spontaneous devotional service.
Vaidhi-bhakti, that is apprenticeship. Real bhakti, para-bhakti is
raganuga-bhakti. ... The sastric
process [regulated devotional service, or vaidhi-bhakti] is
kanistha-adhikara, lowest stage of
devotional service. Such a devotee can fall down at any moment. [Lecture,
Vrndavana, 12/11/1972]
One who has not been atrracted by the transcendental beauty of rasa will
certainly be dragged down
into material attraction. [C.C. Al. 4.35, purport]
Allegation: "Srila Prabhupada said we shouldnt aspire for raganuga-bhakti
before we are liberated".
Fact: Srila Narayana Maharaja points to Srila Prabhupada's purport to Text
Eight of The Nectar of
Instruction, where he says that the cultivation of raganuga-bhakti, or
spontaneous devotional service
is applicable "both in the stage of sadhana [spiritual practices executed
while in the stage of bondage]
and in the stage of sadhya [God realization], when one is a siddha-purusa,
or a spiritually perfect soul.
[NOI, Text Eight, purport]
Allegation: "Srila Prabhupada said that we should not hear about Radha and
Krsnas loving affairs
until we are on the liberated platform, and free from material
contamination".
Fact: Srila Prabhupada did say this, but we should understand precisely
what means when he uses
these terms. In Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, he explains
elaborately that hearing
about the pastimes of Krsna and the gopis is part of the process of
purification.
Sukadeva Goswami concludes the episode of rasa-lila by pointing out that if
a person hears from the
right source about the pastimes of Krsna, who is Visnu Himself, and the
gopis, who are expansions of
His energy, then he will be relieved from the most dangerous type of
disease, namely lust. If one
actually hears rasa-lila, he will become completely freed from the lusty
desire of sex life and elevated
to the highest level of spiritual understanding. [Krsna, The Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Chapter
33, Description of the Rasa Dance]
Srila Narayana Maharaja analyzes this point from the scriptural viewpoint
in the Introduction to his
Venu-gita. He quotes commentaries by Srila Sridhara Svami, Srila Jiva
Gosvami and Srila
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. All these acaryas say that it is very
beneficial, indeed essential, for
all grades of devotees to hear rasa-lila from a bona-fide spiritual master.
It is true that Srila Prabhupada says in a purport in
Caitanya-caritamrta that conditioned
souls should not try to hear about Radha-Krsna lila. In the same purport,
he also explains the
criterion: "When one is liberated and hears of Lord Krsnas and Radhas
loving affairs, he is not
inclined to have lusty desires" [C.C. M.l. 8.255] If we are liberated
enough to hear about these affairs
without having lusty desires, there is no harm in hearing them. We should
understand what Srila
Prabhupada meant by "liberated". Srila Prabhupada explained that even
third-class devotees are
actually liberated.
Even the third class devotees are liberated souls. .... Simply by fixing
oneself in Krishna
consciousness, engaging the senses in the service of the Lord, one is
imperceptibly liberated. In other
words, it is confirmed herewith that even a third-class devotee is in the
transcendental position. ....
That third-class devotees can also imperceptibly achieve liberation is
accepted in all Vedic literatures.
[S.B. 3.25.36, purport]
Srila Prabhupada also says in The Nectar of Devotion we cannot
desire to follow the
inhabitants of Vraja until we "freed from material contamination". he
explains that this means
coming to the point of anartha-nivrtti. He defines this as being free from
gross sinful activities.
Nistha comes after anartha-nivrtti, and Srila Prabhupada says that even
here sinful activities have not
completely gone.
If all the unwanted things are vanquished, then you'll have firm faith.
Bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. Not
that I am completely free from sinful activities, but prayesu, say, fifty
percent, sixty percent is gone.
[SP lecture]
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja engages inexperienced and unqualified
devotees in raganuga-
bhakti".
Fact: This is untrue. Like Srila Prabhupada, Srila Narayana Maharaja says
that those who have not
yet developed eagerness for hearing and chanting should practise
vaidhi-bhakti. He also describes the
whole range of devotional service. This includes an understanding of the
importance of spontaneous
devotional service, and the steps towards attaining it.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja is fostering sentimental sahajiya-ism
with his teachings".
Fact: Srila Prabhupada defined sahajiyas as pseudo-devotees who have no
regard for scripture; who do
not follow any authorised process; who imitate the emotions of advanced
devotees before they
themselves are free of gross anarthas; and who often use their religion as
an excuse to commit sinful
activities. None of this applies to Srila Narayana Maharaja, who bases his
teachings completely on
the teachings of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila
Bhaktivinode Thakura, and the
previous Vaishnava acaryas. He constantly refers to and explains their
writings. He gives strong
instructions on how to avoid jumping ahead in spiritual practice.
Allegation: "It is quite wrong for Srila Narayana Maharaja to stress the
cultivation of raganuga-
bhakti. It will develop by itself as we become purified by our sadhana
and by preaching the mission
of Lord Caitanya".
Fact: It is true that we can only develop spontaneous devotional service by
serving the mission of
Mahaprabhu, and preaching His message, as Srila Prabhupada did. But we
need to know what that
mission is before we can preach it. Caitanya-caritamrta tells us that
Mahaprabhus mission was to
spread spontaneous love of Krsna [see for example C.C. A.l. 3.4-33; 4.5-53;
and 7.18-28]. Sri-Sri
Panca-tattva distributed spontaneous love of Godhead by tasting it
themselves. And Srila Prabhupada
says that ISKCON follows this principle. "We strictly follow the
principles set down by the Panca-
tattva". [C.C. A.l. 7.23, purport]
It is not true that spontaneous devotional service will develop
automatically, without further
endeavour on our part. It depends on our desire. "In this way, develop a
desire to attain Me". [B.G.
12.9] Srila Rupa Gosvami emphasized the importance of our eagerness.
"Pure devotional service in
Krsna consciousness ... can be attained only by paying one price -- that is
intense greed to obtain it".
[Padyavali 14, quoted in C.C., M.l. 8.70] Srila Prabhupada discussed this
verse in a class.
It is such a nice thing. You have to pay the price. Yes. There is price.
What is that?
Srila Prabhupada suddenly shouted, "tatra-laulyam eka mulam!!!
Simply your eagerness. That is the price. This price you have to pay. ...
So this eagerness is very
important. But it can be obtained, by the association of devotees.
[Lecture, 5/8/72]
Allegation: "We should not contemplate raganuga-bhakti at this stage,
because Srila Prabhupada
warned us strongly against worrying about our svarupa before we are ready:
First deserve and then
desire".
Fact: Srila Narayana Maharaja repeatedly gives the same warning. Many
devotees think that
raganuga-sadhana involves jumping to the conception that we are gopis.
This is a complete
misunderstanding. In fact, the student first of all cultivates eagerness
by good association, and by
hearing from the proper sources. This is exactly in accordance with Srila
Prabhupadas instructions
in The Nectar of Instruction.
One who has not yet developed interest in Krishna consciousness should give
up all material motives
and train his mind by following the progressive regulative principles,
namely chanting and
remembering Krishna and His name, form, quality, pastimes and so forth. In
this way, after
developing a taste for such things, one should try to live in Vrindavana
and pass his time constantly
remembering Krishnas name, fame, pastimes and qualities under the direction
and protection of an
expert devotee. This is the sum and substance of all instruction regarding
the cultivation of
devotional service. [NOI, Text Eight, purport] (emphasis added)
Allegation: "Srila Prabhupada told us to avoid his Godbrothers, so we
should not associate with Srila
Narayana Maharaja".
Fact: Srila Narayana Maharaja is not a Godbrother. To say that we should
have nothing to do with
the Gaudiya Matha is to deny Srila Prabhupadas final instructions and
intention: "The war is over".
He formed the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, which was specifically "to
bring unity amongst
the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, especially the followers of His Divine Grace Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura". "We want cooperation".
Srila Prabhupada did warn his disciples against some of his
Godbrothers, but he was very
favourable to others. For example, he greatly appreciated Srila
Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Maharaja,
who was his Srila Prabhupadas sannyasa-guru, and also the spiritual master
of Srila Narayana
Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada specifically requested Srila Narayana Maharaja
to look after his disciples
after his departure. We cannot whimsically deny this instruction.
Sometimes devotees say that we should not associate with Srila
Prabhupadas Godbrothers,
and then quote them when this gives an apparent opportunity to criticise
Srila Narayana Maharaja.
Statement in ISKCON papers: "Srila Prabhupada criticised sahajiyas who are
attached to women; who
engage in sinful activities in Vrindavana; who smoke bidis; and dress like
Rupa Gosvami".
Fact: So does Srila Narayana Maharaja, who, like Srila Prabhupada has never
done any of these
things. In fact, he has a reputation for openly challenging and chastising
the sahajiyas in Vrindavana.
We may question the motive for broadcasting these derogatory statements,
which clearly have nothing
at all to do with reality. Is this truthful communication, or malicious
rumour-mongering?
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja dresses the murti of his spiritual
master in a sari".
Fact: This is offensive fiction. Where are the names of people who claim
to have seen such a
grotesque pantomime? Srila Narayana Maharaja writes as follows about
sahajiyas who dress up as
females:
Although males, they adopt a female dress and perform bhajan making
themselves out to be sakhis.
By such practices, they destroy themselves and others. .... Such persons
become offenders at the feet of
Lalita and Visakha and fall down to a most dreadful hell. [Sri
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-bindhu, p. 126]
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja has no interest in Bhagavad-gita".
Fact: The first half of Srila Narayana Maharaja's The Nectar of
Govinda-lila is an elaborate
commentary on Bhagavad-gita 18.65. Maharaja has written his own commentary
on Bhagavad-gita,
which includes the commentary of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. It
is intended that this will
be published shortly.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja does not preach himself or appreciate
preaching".
Fact: Srila Narayana Maharaja has preached extensively both in Vrindavana
and in Navadvipa, where
he has for many years led parikramas attended by up to 10,000 devotees.
Members of his matha
preach to their local congregation and throughout India. Srila Narayana
Maharaja is also
encouraging Western devotees to preach. But he says that they should
preach in a way which is
favourable for their sadhana and bhajana, rather than distracting them from
it.
Allegation: "Srila Bhaktipramode Puri Maharaja has criticised Srila
Narayana Maharaja for his
teachings".
Fact: A disciple of Srila Puri Maharaja asked his spiritual master about
this. Srila Puri Maharaja said
"The ISKCON devotees came to me and asked several questions. And based on
their questions, I
answered in a particular way. And now they are using it against me by
using my words against Srila
Narayana Maharaja. Why are they doing that? Srila Narayana Maharaja is a
bona fide preacher in
our line. We are very happy that he is going to the West, and devotees
should follow him. He is a
rasika Vaisnava".
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja has expressed concern about Deities
having names such as
Radha-Parthasarathi, Rukmini-Dvarakadisa and Radha-Londonisvara".
Fact: When Srila Prabhupada installed the Deities in Los Angeles, he called
them Radha-Krsna. A
particular devotee gave the names Rukmini-Dvarakadisa later on, and kept it
even after Srila
Prabhupada objected. It seems that the other two names were also given by
Srila Prabhupada's
disciples, and not by Srila Prabhupada himself.
Srila Prabhupada himself spoke about the importance of using names
which were not
contradictory in rasa. Radha and Yasodananda-Krsna only live in
Vrindavana, where Krsna does not
have an isvara mood.
Allegation: "Various members of the Gaudiya Matha do not agree with Srila
Narayana Maharajas
presentation of Krishna consciousness".
Fact: Various members of the Gaudiya Matha also disagreed with Srila
Prabhupada when he preached
in the West, and gave harinam, gayatri and sannyasa to Westerners. An
inspired, visionary acarya is
not understood immediately, so disgreement does not necessarily mean that
he is wrong.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharajas guru maharaja, Srila Kesava Maharaja,
told Maharaja that he
was not qualified to initiate".
Fact: What is the source of this story? None of Srila Prabhupadas
disciples knew Srila Kesava
Maharaja, who passed away nearly 30 years ago, in 1968.
Allegation: "Srila Narayana Maharaja is taking devotees away from ISKCON".
Fact: Maharaja does not want to disturb the structure of ISKCON at all, or
build his own movement.
He just wants ISKCON devotees to have good association and instruction. We
cannot possibly make
proper spiritual advancement association with advanced devotees, and good
instruction. This is the
very basis of Gaudiya Vaisnava teaching and practice.
Any spiritual authority or bona fide guru is happy for devotees to
get association and siksa
from a more advanced devotee. No bona fide guru will prevent his disciples
from getting the
advanced association which is essential for their spiritual progress.
Maharaja promised Srila
Prabhupada to help look after his disciples. No one has the authority to
prevent this, because
Maharaja is not deviating us from Srila Prabhupadas mission, but bringing
us back to it. For years,
Maharaja repeatedly inspired ISKCON devotees to have faith in their gurus.
He also gave the
ISKCON leaders association and instruction, so that they could pass it on
to the rest of the movement.
Some supposed authorities have tried to prevent ISKCON devotees
from associating with
Maharaja. But he is still obliged to give shelter to devotees who
understand the situation and want his
association.
Appendix: Some background
Srila Narayana Maharaja, was a close friend of Srila Prabhupada both before
and after Srila
Prabhupada founded ISKCON. He helped to convince Srila Prabhupada to take
sannyasa; he made
Srila Prabhupadas danda; and he officiated at the sannyasa ceremony. He
sent karatalas and
mrdangas to Srila Prabhupada in America; and was the only person to meet
Srila Prabhupada when
he came back to India with his disciples. At that time Maharaja was the
only devotee in Vrindavan
who would respect prasadam cooked by Srila Prabhupadas disciples. Srila
Prabhupada wrote more
than 200 letters to Maharaja. Maharaja entrusted them to the BBT Archives,
but they were
unfortunately destroyed in a fire at Gita-Nagari. Not one of them appears
in the records of Srila
Prabhupadas letters. This gives the false impression that there was no
connection between Srila
Prabhupada and Srila Narayana Maharaja during the development of ISKCON.
Just before Srila Prabhupada passed away, he had Maharaja instruct
the GBC and sannyasis
in his presence, and requested Maharaja to look after his disciples after
his departure. Srila Narayana
Maharaja accepted this as the final instruction of his siksa guru. Over
the years, Maharaja, like other
senior Gaudiya Vaisnavas, became concerned about an imbalance which he saw
within ISKCON.
Srila Prabhupada engaged us in vaidhi-bhakti (bhakti according to
regulative principles) to elevate us
to the platform of spontaneous devotional service, or raganuga-bhakti.
However, the whole issue of
advancing to the platform of spontaneous devotional service appeared to
have been shelved, or
dismissed altogether.
In about 1990, some senior members began to consult with Srila
Narayana Maharaja, who
explained to them at great length the Gaudiya Vaisnava teachings on
spontaneous devotional service.
Maharaja hoped that these senior devotees would give the rest of the
movement the benefit of these
instructions. For one reason or another, this did not happen. In 1993,
the GBC became concerned
and decided that no ISKCON devotees should have association with Srila
Narayana Maharaja,
personally or through his books and tapes. However, they could not give a
substantial reason for the
ban.
In 1996, one of Maharajas disciples offered to pay for him to visit
the West. Maharaja
decided to come and enliven and encourage Srila Prabhupadas disciples, as
Srila Prabhupada had
requested, and to make a pilgrimage to places where Srila Prabhupada had
established temples and
installed Deities. In 1996, Maharaja visited Holland, UK and USA; and in
early 1997, he also visited
Australia and Malaysia. Many devotees old and young, new and mature, were
inspired by his
personal presence, and found his instructions to be like a breath of
transcendental fresh air.