8/21/19

Dear Ishvara Upamana/Madhu Krishna das/Michael Sheludko/Researcher

Please accept my humble obeisances in remembrance of my Divine Masters.

I am a researcher, doing religion studies at the Ukrainian Catholic University, so the first interest is of this intention.

Prabhu, in Christian theology what is the term for a person who, once a Christian, turns away from Christ? Is the term not “heretic” or, perhaps, apostate? A heretic is one that believes in or practices heresy, which is defined as follows:

1) belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine:

2) opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted:

As for apostate, we find this:

a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle

Applying the above principals to your case, are you not, as one who has rejected his Vaishnava Guru (Srila Govinda Maharaja), a heretic or apostate, if viewed in light of Christian terminology?

We met with you in Odessa in 1998, so just recall our conversations to find a friend in me, not an enemy.

I do recall our conversations. During them I saw the life Srila Govinda Maharaja gave you drain away from you, as a doctor, whose patient refuses the necessary treatment, is unable to reverse the course of a disease and can do nothing but watch as his patient’s life force slips away towards death’s door.… Read More...

(Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada in Melbourne)

Date: 8/18/19

To my friends in the grhasta-ashrama.

My dandavats Sriman Uddharan.

By chance after advising you not to take advantage of your gentle wife’s no fighting stance I happened to read this demand of Srila Prabhupada upon a bride to be (“I do promise to always serve and obey my husband . . . ”):

Śyāmasundara: “Henceforward from this day…”

Prabhupāda: Let him promise.

Śyāmasundara: Hmm.

Prabhupāda: You promise, “I…”

Śyāmasundara: You, Sanaka dāsa…

Prabhupāda: Say, “I, Sanaka dāsa…”

Sanaka: I, Sanaka dāsa…

Prabhupāda: Ah! “…take charge of you…”

Śyāmasundara: “…take charge of you…”

[girl laughs]

Prabhupāda: Why you are laughing? It is laughing thing? I told you first, don’t take anything very lenient. Very serious.

Śyāmasundara: “I, Sanaka dāsa, [Sanaka dāsa repeating] do hereby promise from this day henceforward to always protect and take for my wife Devadarśana dāsī.”

Prabhupāda: Yes. And you say that “I shall serve you…”

Śyāmasundara: Now, “I, Devadarśana dāsī, [Devadarśana repeating] do from this day henceforward, I do promise to always serve and obey my husband, Sanaka dāsa.”

Prabhupāda: Now change the garland. Now give her the vermilion, red powder. Cover her head.

Śyāmasundara: Cover her head with the sārī.… Read More...

Srila Sridhara Maharaja: I am in my old age. To continue the distribution of this highest welfare of our Guru Maharaja, I have appointed Govinda Maharaja, to do on my behalf. If you connect with him you will be able to know what is his inner capacity to deal with all these things. I hope you will appreciate, appreciate and you will find higher things in him. With this I retire. vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca… .

— 86.02.19.A @12:30

Dear Sripada Candrasekhara Swami,

Please accept my humble obeisances in remembrance of my Divine Masters.

It was kind of you to call me and follow up with your written invitation to celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s avirbhava with you at 26 Second Ave. I appreciate this gesture initiated by His Holiness Sripada Jayadvaita Swami, one of my long time friends.

If I had been asked to speak to the participants I might have considered this a preaching opportunity. But I was not and, therefore, hardly see the point of my attending as I already know what to expect and do not see any benefit for myself or Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Global, the Mission I represent. I will extend these remarks by asking, in light of them, what benefit would there be for others should I attend?

When we spoke by phone I inquired a bit into the history of your sannyasa which, as it turns out, is a confused state of affairs where no confusion should be present. One should have a clear conception of his sannyasa guru and the quality of the mantram he has received as it is intended to elevate one to the highest stage of devotional service. And yet you were unconcerned and uninterested in clearing away the doubts and confusion that would naturally be invested in any person of conscience.… Read More...

Dear Sriman Narada dasa,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

I thank you for your reply but don’t notice any substantial difference between your present email and the one before it.

Whatever you want to know about Gaudiya Vaishnavism should be learned under the tutelage of one advanced in spiritual knowledge by following this method:

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Synonyms
tat — that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi — try to understand; praṇipātena — by approaching a spiritual master; paripraśnena — by submissive inquiries; sevayā — by the rendering of service; upadekṣyanti — they will initiate; te — you; jñānam — into knowledge; jñāninaḥ — the self-realized; tattva — of the truth; darśinaḥ — seers.

Translation
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

—Bg. 4.34, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

The type of research you are undertaking is that of academics and will forever remain in that domain, far removed from the transcendental realm which cannot be studied under a microscope, measured with the instruments of this world or understood by the mundane calculative method.… Read More...