Back To Prabhupada, Issue 37, Autumn 2012
n this article, we detail Srila Prabhupada's instructions regarding what should be done when he is offended. (All emphases added.)
Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of Lord Krsna, has been greatly offended ever since he departed from this planet in 1977. ISKCON guru HH Bhakti Charu Swami ("BCS") admits:
"I strongly believe that if the gurus had acted as Srila Prabhupada's obedient followers and represented him properly, then they would not have fallen down. The cause of their fall down was actually their offenses to Srila Prabhupada in trying to usurp his position."
(BCS Istagosthi, 3/11/2003)
But, every ISKCON guru has followed exactly the same route in occupying the position of diksa guru in relation to Srila Prabhupada's position, regardless of whether or not they later fell down. Thus, it would only take one of them to be guilty of "offenses to Srila Prabhupada in trying to usurp his position", to mean that they all are!
Having established that even ISKCON's leaders agree that Srila Prabhupada is being offended by ISKCON's current guru system, we must speak out rather than remain silent:
"Trnad api sunicena does not mean that if a Vaisnava is insulted or Visnu is defamed, you remain silent, "I am trnad api sunicena." No. At that time you should become fire. That is the teaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just like Hanumanji, he's Vaisnava. But when there was need for the service of Lord Ramacandra, he set fire in the Lanka. So when there is visnu-vaisnava-ninda, defamation, you should not remain trnad api sunicena. You should take steps. This is the instruction. Anyway, Vaisnava is never angry, but that does not mean that you tolerate insult to Visnu and Vaisnava. No."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 25/10/1976)
"One should not at any time tolerate blasphemy and insults against Lord Visnu or His devotees. A devotee is generally very humble and meek, and he is reluctant to pick a quarrel with anyone. Nor does he envy anyone. However, a pure devotee immediately becomes fiery with anger when he sees that Lord Visnu or His devotee is insulted. This is the duty of a devotee. Although a devotee maintains an attitude of meekness and gentleness, it is a great fault on his part if he remains silent when the Lord or His devotee is blasphemed."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4:14:32)
"Krsna did not reply to even a single accusation made by Sisupala, but all the members present in the meeting, except a few who agreed with Sisupala, became very agitated because it is the duty of any respectable person not to tolerate blasphemy against God or His devotee."
(Krsna Book, Volume 2, Chapter 19)
This is why BTP exists.
Ironically, the same instructions presented above have been used by the same gurus who are offending Srila Prabhupada by usurping his position, to encourage their disciples to physically attack those who are attempting to stop their offenses to Srila Prabhupada! One cannot claim that those who are offending Srila Prabhupada by usurping his position, are themselves being offended by being asked to stop their own offenses! This is ludicrous and perfectly characterises the topsy-turvy behaviour which is the hall-mark of Kali-yuga, or the age in which we live:
"Therefore, by the influence of the age of Kali, everywhere, politically, socially or religiously, everything is topsy-turvy, and therefore for the sane man it is all regrettable."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1:16:22)
Since 1978, ISKCON has been promoting and practising the idea that because Srila Prabhupada is not physically present, he must be removed as ISKCON's diksa guru, and replaced with GBC-authorised successors. Thus, if we remain silent in the face of the assertion that Srila Prabhupada is no longer available as ISKCON's diksa guru, then this would mean that we actually accept such nonsense:
"If they remain silent, that means they have accepted. I charge you that "You are thief," and if you don't protest, then you are thief. If you are not thief, immediately you will: "How you say? Why you have said?" There will be fight. But if you remain silent, that proves that you are thief. So they could not give us any counter-argument. Therefore they accepted."
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 17/5/1975)
"But what proof he can give that he's God, that we shall accept him God? Simply he shows some light. We have to make some propaganda. That will be our [indistinct]. And he has to be... If we remain silent, then whatever he says, that means we are accepting."
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation, 13/8/1973)
Thus, we cannot remain silent in the face of the current GBC propaganda about Srila Prabhupada's unavailability as ISKCON's diksa guru, and, therefore, it is essential that BTP continues to expose this state of affairs.
There are many devotees who agree with our position, but still - in the name of "keeping the peace" and "not making waves", or "offending the Vaisnavas" - do not wish to take a stand. Thus, they want to continue being able to attend ISKCON temples without the fear of being banned or ostracised. But, as we see, our loyalty first and foremost must be exclusively to Srila Prabhupada - regardless of the consequences:
"And the position of the preacher is madhyama adhikari. Therefore they have to point out, "Here is a jealous man, envious man." But people do not want it. They say, "Why you are pointing out? Why you are pointing out?" But this is business of the preacher. Otherwise how he will preach?"
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 7/4/1974)
"You can eulogize your Guru Maharaja, but you have to learn it and face the public and be strong to defend yourself. [...] But be victorious to the opposing elements. [...] But you have to fight. Then your Guru Maharaja will be glorified."
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation, 26/12/1975)
Anyone who wants to actually please and glorify Srila Prabhupada must support the IRM in its fight to defend Srila Prabhupada by exposing those who are committing offenses to him by usurping his position.
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