Back To Prabhupada, Issue 71, Vol 4, 2021, Interactive
This is a column in which we answer articles or statements that have been forwarded to us by our readers for rebutting.
On our website, we have analysed the teachings of deceased ISKCON GBC voted-in guru HH Gour Govinda Swami ("GGS") at this location: iskconirm.com/GGS
A post on social media by one of his disciples has attempted to respond to some of this analysis, and we present these arguments in the shaded boxes below, with our comments underneath.
"IRM (ISKCON Revival Movement) starts criticizing Srila GGSM teaching, by presenting their arguments that Srila Prabhupada's guidance alone is sufficient for spiritual advancement."
Thus, it is admitted that the IRM's position, which he is trying to argue against, is that:
"Srila Prabhupada's guidance alone is sufficient for spiritual advancement."
This is a position that even most of ISKCON's rank and file accept, with the GBC gurus usually just telling their disciples to read Srila Prabhupada's books.
"If Prabhupada has presented KC in its true form, certainly no one will have ever come and stay, since most of them are covered with so many anarthas. However, Prabhupada is so magnanimous that he put everything for our spiritual progress in his books, and he has concealed it in a seed form. [...] If Srila Prabhupada has departed and we have only heard the ABC of spiritual life from him, then we should take siksha from someone who is endowed with that prema bhakti; who can impart us the higher teaching."
It is offensively claimed that:
1) Srila Prabhupada did not present Krsna consciousness in its "true form";
2) Rather, he "concealed" the true teachings in a "seed" form;
3) He therefore only gave the "ABC of spiritual life";
4) We therefore need someone else to impart this "higher teaching" that Srila Prabhupada did not give us.
However, this attempt to minimise Srila Prabhupada is easily defeated by Srila Prabhupada's own words where he makes it clear that he has delivered fully and openly the teachings of Krsna consciousness required to completely progress in spiritual life:
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully"
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 22/11/74)
"So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present doesn't matter."
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Speech, 17/5/77)
"We therefore request everyone to take advantage of this great transcendental literature. One will find that by reading one page after another, an immense treasure of knowledge in art, science, literature, philosophy and religion will be revealed, and ultimately, by reading this one book, Krsna, love of Godhead will fructify."
(Srila Prabhupada's Preface, KRSNA, The Supreme Personality of Godhead)
"The very first requirement is to hear directly from a living present bona fide guru and then one can read the books by which one may understand the books to a certain extent as what he has heard accordingly. And after that, automatically the rest will follow. If one only read and not hear from the bona fide source how will he understand the books. [...] Srila Prabhupada books has so many pages. Can you get direct answer from him?"
1) It is claimed that one cannot understand Srila Prabhupada's books as one cannot "get direct answer" from Srila Prabhupada via these books. And, therefore, one needs to hear directly from a "living present bona fide guru" (meaning physically present). Yet, this is self-defeating logic for GGS disciples, because GGS himself is not such a "living present bona fide guru", and thus one cannot hear from him. Nor from Narayana Maharaja of the Gaudiya Matha for that matter. Nor, have we been presented any evidence for who this bona fide source is, who can supposedly explain things to us that Srila Prabhupada supposedly cannot.
2) In any case, Srila Prabhupada directly defeats the above nonsense as follows:
"you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 22/11/74)
"Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice – in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 24/1/70)
Devotee: "Srila Prabhupada, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Well, the questions are... Answers are there in my books."
(Morning Walk, 13/5/73)
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 22/11/74)
"All of our ACARYAS are still living, also in their books, so it is with Srila Prabhupada as well. However, have we develop the vision to see and communicate with those ACARYAS, and be able to inquire from them? Who will inflict discipline on us if we go astray from the path?"
1) We are told that Srila Prabhupada is indeed living! But then, having confessed to Srila Prabhupada's spiritually living status, Srila Prabhupada is still relegated to effectively being "dead", because we cannot "inquire from" him, or have him "inflict discipline on us if we go astray". However, again, this is self-defeating logic for GGS disciples, because it would have to be admitted that we also cannot access or inquire from GGS, nor can he "inflict discipline on us if we go astray", since he is also not "living" in the sense of being physically present.
2) And again, in any case, Srila Prabhupada destroys these arguments:
"I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically, as I am getting personal guidance from my Guru Maharaja."
(Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation, 14/7/77)
Narayana: "disciples who don't have opportunity to see you or speak with you..."
Srila Prabhupada: "That he was speaking, vani and vapuh. Even if you don't see his body, you take his word, vani."
Narayana: "But how do they know they're pleasing you, Srila Prabhupada?"
Srila Prabhupada: "If you actually follow the words of guru, that means he is pleased. And if you do not follow, how he can be pleased?"
(Morning Walk, 21/7/75)
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