Back To Prabhupada, Issue 35, Spring 2012, Interactive
"Hare Krishna, I want to know about ISKCON's present gurus' position. Whom should I approach for getting pure association?"
- Keshav Verma, Bangalore, India
Srila Prabhupada, the acarya (guru) of ISKCON, is the person you should approach for getting pure association. In general, the ISKCON "gurus" themselves have no "living guru", but instead are depending on getting pure association from Srila Prabhupada. It is clearly illogical for ISKCON gurus to insist that we cannot get pure association from Srila Prabhupada, when they themselves are receiving it. Therefore, you can receive pure association with Srila Prabhupada, and that association is available in the same manner as it is available for the so-called ISKCON "gurus"; through his transcendental teachings and transcendental sound vibration, via his many books, tapes, videos, letters and conversations.
We can further note that most of the ISKCON gurus are sannyasis (those who have taken vows of celibacy and renunciation), and the minister for all sannyasis in ISKCON, HH Prahladananda Swami, claims that you will not get pure association from any of the ISKCON gurus, because none of them is pure:
"Such an uttama-adhikari Vaisnava is in perfect touch with the Supersoul and at every moment knows the Supreme Lord's desires."
('Duties of GBC and Guru in ISKCON', Prahladananda Swami, 2006).
"If the GBC Body sees someone as a self-effulgent acarya who is completely aware of the Supersoul and Srila Prabhupada's desires and instructions they can and should follow his/her instructions. No one so far has been seen in that category."
(Prahladananda Swami, Wed, 30 Aug 2006 14:32 +0300)
"To spread Krsna consciousness in the absence of an advanced uttama-adhikari Vaisnava, third-class and second-class Vaisnavas must follow the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and learn the art of cooperation."
('Duties of GBC and Guru in ISKCON', Prahladananda Swami, 2006)
So in conclusion, simply stay fixed at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet and do not move from there.
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