Dear Prabhus.
Please accept my humble obeisance’s all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is a lone paper of 31 pages. My input stops at the next article called:
“Rebuttal To Rupanugas Artcile “I Stop For The Time Being”
The last article is by Gauridasa Pandita Dasa titled:
“Historical Account Of Srila Prabhupada’s Last Days”
Please feel free to comment on my input or thoughts with what ever honest constructive critique you feel is necessary. Responses to the other two articles are also welcome. No matter how many times we study these and other great documents by the Prabhupadanugas we will always become enlivened learning more and more each time.
Ys Hasti Gopala Dasa
Here below is the beginning of the deception. Notice that they do not mention the date of their meeting with Srila Prabhupada. Nor do they mention their request from him to answer how initiations were to take place in the future "particularly at that time when you are no longer with us" ( May 28th 1977 Srila Prabhupada did not "indicate", Srila Prabhupada commanded a decision that they in the future would be ordered to follow based on the May 28th conversation. In the GBC version of the letter, Srila Prabhupada is put into the position as the one who came up with the idea on his own.
This gives the impression to the reader that the GBC were surprised, suddenly without warning by his indication. Effectively the GBC were deceiving the devotees not only by leaving out the May 28th 1977 conversation re the Satsvarupa question but also by saying that Srila Prabhupada "indicated" with no reason. Essentially the letter is a fraud, a deliberate deception in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. We know for the record that Srila Prabhupada stated that more representatives of the acharya, ritvik, may be added later.
Tamala Krsna:
Before I got ready to type the letter, I asked him 2) “Srila Prabhupada, is this all or do you want to add more? He said, “As is necessary, others may be added”
From the The Topanga Canyon Tapes.
There were a large number of devotees who understood the reality of the situation but when they tried to stop the advance of the GBC guru's they were driven out and in one case that we know of murdered.
That Srila Prabhupada never told them to inform the devotees of their request, as far as we know, re the May 28th conversation, the GBC it seems took advantage of that technicality and left out what in fact would have been the preamble to the letter. When the letter appears with no previous historical source, standing alone, then the GBC were in a position to change the perception of the devotees understanding of what Srila Prabhupada really meant. Using their respected authority at the time they quickly maneuvered themselves into the position of diksa guru's.
So keeping the devotees unaware of the May 28th 1977 conversation is key to understanding the beginning of the guru deception.
The nearest GBC ritvik representative was to decide the new devotee names. In those days communications were far simpler. Telephone, telex and telegrams were the fastest way to get information out from one temple to the other. The onus was on the GBC to include all information traffic regarding meetings with Srila Prabhupada. As we can see from previous investigations, it is suspected that the May 28th 1977 tape has been tampered with. Strangely enough, we have what we need. It would have been very easy for the GBC to include the basic elements of the May 28th 1977 conversation where Srila Prabhupada answers their question:
Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.
Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.
Tamal Krsna: Is that called Ritvik-acarya?
Prabhupada: Ritvik, yes.
Is that information not important? You bet it is and it was left out by the GBC. Had everyone been informed of that particular part of the conversation then the letter would look a lot different and mean a great deal more to everyone.
For the time being we will call the May 28th 1977 conversation section by Satsvarupa Maharaja the preamble to the July 9th 1977 letter.
Why would Srila Prabhupada propose such a letter unless he had good reason? Leaving out the preamble, one is hard pressed to answer why at the time. The majority of devotees were unaware of any Srila Prabhupada health issues and he had not sent any information through out his temples to indicate that he was going to be in a position of incapacity. The letter itself oddly enough does not give any reason for Srila Prabhupada's announcement of the appointment of ritviks, representatives of the acharya. Very few devotees even understood what the word "ritvik" meant.
After reading and approving the letter why did Srila Prabhupada not have them include the preamble? Simple, because he understood that the letter was complete, it would not have been necessary for the devotees to understand preamble. How do we know that is true? By the absence of the preamble.
Srila Prabhupada was a master of the Sanskrit and English languages, he approved the July 9th 1977 letter's contents including the use of the word "henceforward", which means what it means. From now on, with no time limit.
Why did the GBC use the word "henceforward", which was approved by Srila Prabhupada?
Years later the argument was that "henceforward" meant only for a limited time or in some speculations, until Srila Prabhupada left his body. This was not "indicated" by Srila Prabhupada in the May 28th 1977 conversation, if it was you can bet the GBC would have included it in the July 9th letter.
Why appoint ritviks at all? The temple presidents were appointed to carry on doing initiations in his absence in the early days as the movement progressed, Srila Prabhupada could no longer be physically present to do the initiations. Logically the time would come when he would no longer be physically present so others were appointed to represent him to carry on the original process. Why appoint 11 others to be their own guru and start their own lineage? The necessity was not there, they have not proven that it was, otherwise Srila Prabhupada would have indicated the necessity in the July 9th 1977 letter. He did not and neither did he indicate so in the May 28th 1977 conversation.
The onus was and still is on the GBC to be transparent, to reveal the complete picture from May 28th 1977 to the July 9th 1977 letter. There is no where in Srila Prabhupada's directives from any meetings in the history of ISKCON that the GBC where to create their own direction outside of his Direction Of Management.
Rebuttal to Rupanuga's Article on "I Stop for the Time Being"
The logic given by the GBC and now Rupanuga does not hold up. His recent (March 11) article deals with a conversation between Srila Prabhupad and several GBC on Oct 18th, 1977, concerning the initiation of one Bengali Gentleman.
Rupanuga, inline with the current GBC, take this conversation as evidence that Srila Prabhupad had stopped acting as initiator guru, having as of that date, given his order for the 11 Rtviks to then act as regular initiator gurus. I herein refute their logic.
The Oct 18th conversation takes place, as Rupanuga states because, "A Bengali gentleman has come from New York seeking initiation from Srila Prabhupada. But Srila Prabhupada has already deputed his ritvik acaryas and he thinks Jayapataka should do the initiation." Yes, this is true. Even Rupanuga admits that Srila Prabhupad had deputed Jayapataka to act as Rtvik, and here on Oct 18th is asking him to perform the initiation.
Rupanuga does not make the argument that on Oct 18th Srila Prabhupad actually asked Jayapatak to become the initiator guru, but several current GBC have made that argument. I will address both ideas.
Rupanuga then quotes from the conversation starting at what he claims is the most relevant part. However, when we look at the beginning of that conversation we see that he actually misses very relevant aspects. Here is where the conversation actually begins on this topic:
Prabhupada: Hare Krsna. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?
Tamala Krsna: Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury.
Prabhupada: So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?
Tamala Krsna: Yes. Actually... Yes, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: So I think Jayapataka can do that if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him.
Tamala Krsna: Yes.
Prabhupada: So, deputies, Jayapataka's name was there?
[Below is where Rupanuga started his quote - and his quote actually differes from what is in the Vedabase]
Bhagavan: It is already on there, Srila Prabhupada. His name was on that list.
Prabhupada: So I depute him to do this at Mayapura, and you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?
Tamala Krsna: Stopped doing what, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: This initiation. I have deputed the, my disciples. Is it clear or not?
Giriraja: It's clear.
Prabhupada: You have got the list of the names?
Tamala Krsna: Yes, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: And if by Krsna's grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again, or I may not be pressed in this condition to initiate. It is not good.
Giriraja: We will explain to him so that he will understand properly.
Prabhupada: Hm? Hm?
Giriraja: I said we will explain to the Bengali gentleman just as you have described to us, so that he'll be satisfied with this arrangement.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation -- October 18, 1977, Vrndavana
Rupanuga claims that, 'The key sentences here are not the ones containing the word “depute,” but rather the following: “I stop for the time being,” “And if by Krsna’s grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again.” '
However, I strongly protest that before we can understand the "I stop for the time being" sentence we must first understand the context of the conversation to know, in reality, what it is that Srila Prabhupad is referring to that he is stopping. And to do that, we must first properly understand the "depute" aspect in full context.
Go back to the very start of the conversation.
Prabhupada: So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?
Srila Prabhupad declares that he has (I have) deputed. Srila Prabhupad is speaking in Past Tense. He is speaking about something he has already done in the past. Not now, not on Oct 18th, but he is referring to that which has already deputed at some time in the past. (I point out the tense because there have been GBC members who have put forth the arugment that Srila Prabhupad was deputing Jayaptaka on Oct 18 to become regular guru.
But, Srila Prabhupad is herein referring to having already deputed him in the past tense, not what he was newly deputing him to do that day).
Importantly is that Srila Prabhupad refers to what he had deputed Jayapataka to do was "to Initiate". In Srila Prabhupad's own words he says that he had already deputed those men to "initiate". And, we shall see as we continue with the conversation that he is referring back to the July 9th list of Rtvik-Representatives who had been only deputed to perform the rtvik aspects of the initiations. Thus, what Srila Prabhupad is referring to here by the single word "initiate" is in actuality a referrence to the rtvik aspects of the initiation process, only, and not to the full process of initiation.
Continuing with the conversation:
Tamala Krsna: Yes. Actually... Yes, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: So I think Jayapataka can do that if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him.
Again, Srila Prabhupad clearly uses the Past Tense, "I have already deputed" He has ALREADY DeputED those men to "initiate", but only the Rtvik aspect of the initiation.
Tamala Krsna: Yes.
Prabhupada: So, deputies, Jayapataka's name was there?
Again, Past Tense: "Jayapataka's name was there" Was Where???
Bhagavan: It is already on there, Srila Prabhupada. His name was on that list.
It is obvious that those devotees present knew exactly what Srila Prabhupad was referring to. When Srila Prabhupad asks if Jayapataka's name was there, Bhagavan agrees that "it is already on there", "His name was on that list".
Bhagavan also is speaking in Past Tense.
His name was already on that list. That List. What is that list? Everyone, the GBC, everyone agrees that list refers to the Rtvik-Representative list of 11 names given in the July 9th letter. That is the only list where Srila Prabhupad had given a list of men whom he had already deputed to 'initiate', and that July 9th letter explicitly and clearly defines the specific type and limitation of the sort of initiations. What Srila Prabhupad here refers to by the word "initiate" clearly refers to just the rtviks aspects of the initiation process.
Prabhupada: So I depute him to do this at Mayapura, and you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?
Now, here Srila Prabhupad is using Present Tense.
On Oct. 18th, 1977, Prabhupad is now deputing Jayapataka to do something. Previously Srila Prabhupad had deputed him and the other 11 men to act as Rtvik representatives, but, today Srila Prabhupad is now giving something new for Jayapataka. What is that? Prabhupad is deputing 'him' (Jayapataka) to do 'this' at Mayapura. "This"? What is 'this'? In the context of the conversation, to do that which Srila Prabhupad had Already Deputed Him to Do, in That List (July 9th letter), and that was to perform the Rtvik aspects of the initiation only. The only thing new that Srila Prabhupad was deputing JP to do on Oct 18th is that Prabhupad is now deputing him to perform the rtvik initiations for Mayapura. In the July 9th letter Srila Prabhupad had stated that whoever is 'nearest', and since this was in Bengal and Jayapataka resided there, Srila Prabhupad is saying that Jayaptaka should then perform the rtvik initiation there. That is the only new thing that Srila Prabhupad deputed, in Present Tense, on Oct 18th.
Now we come to the part that obviously the GBC is mis-understanding and thus mis-presenting.
Prabhupada: So I depute him to do this at Mayapura, and you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?
Tamala Krsna: Stopped doing what, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: This initiation. I have deputed the, my disciples. Is it clear or not?
Giriraja: It's clear.
Note carefully Srila Prabhupad's words and use of tense. Srila Prabhupad is now Stopping. Stopping what? Stopping that which he has Already Deputed his disciples to do in that list. And what is that, This Initiation.
The word this is very important. In previous email discussions I have had with GBC or their supporters over this issue they take it that Srila Prabhupad is herein declaring that he is no longer going to act as the initiator guru. That he is declaring here that he is now stopping, or no longer performing initiations as the initiator guru. They argue that this statement means that from now onward those whom he had earlier appointed as rtviks would now become the initator guru as Srila Prabhupad was now stopping.
However, this logic does not make sense in the context of the conversation. Rather, up to this point, the entire conversation was regarding the Rtvik aspects of Initiation that Prabhupad had already, in that list, deputed these men to perform. Within this conversation the aspect of who will be the regular guru has not been discussed. It was not part of this conversation. Rather, Srila Prabhupad was only referring to the Rtvik Aspects of the Initiation process. Srila Prabhupad was only referring to That which he had Already Deputed his men on That List to do.
Thus, when Srila Prabhupad says that he is stopping "this" initiation we must understand that the word "this" is referring to the aspects of initiation that were being discussed in the same conversation. In context of the conversation itself.
Note from the very beginning of the conversation that Srila Prabhupad simply used the word "Initiate" to indicate that which he had already deputed his men to do in the July 9th list, which was the Rtvik aspects of the initiation process only. Here Srila Prabhupad says he is now stopping. He is asked what is it that he is stopping, and Srila Prabhupad says "This initiation". This, the rtvik aspects that was being discussed. What clinches this understanding is that in the same sentence he connects "This initiation" to "I have deputed the, my disciples."
Clearly, Srila Prabhupad, in his own words, is making the connection crystal clear. Since the entire conversation was only about the Rtvik aspects of initiation that he had already deputed his men to do, the word 'this' can only refer to the same topic that was being discussed, and Prabhupad makes this abundantly clear by saying, as "I have deputed". As he has already deputed those men to do (which is wha the entire conversation was about), and that was the rtvik aspects of the initiation only.
"This initiation" cannot be referring to the aspect of him accepting the disciple as guru, as this was not the topic being discussed in the conversation and neither was that what he had already deputed those men to do. Here "this initiation" and as "I have [already] deputed" is inseparably linked.
Thus, for the GBC to construe that here Srila Prabhupad means that he is stopping the process of being the initiator guru is baseless. It is introducing a meaning for the word initiate that is out side of the context of this conversation.
There is another argument that many GBC have given in regards to this conversation.
That other argument is that via the July 9th list they argue that Srila Prabhupad had already stopped the Rtvik aspects of initiation. Thus, the argument is if Srila Prabhupad had already stopped performing the rtvik aspects of initiation, then he would not be saying on Oct 18th that he is now stopping the rtvik aspects. Thus, following this logic they argue that Srila Prabhupad could only be referring to the aspect of being the actual guru. That he was stopping all aspects of initiation.
While this may seem, on first glance, to be solid logic, on careful examination it also doesn't hold water.
"This initiation. I have deputed the, my disciples". To understand what 'this' refers to, we need to examine what exactly he had deputed those men to do in that July 9th list to see if Srila Prabhupad had indeed previously stopped performing that which he had previously deputed them to do, OR, is there actually clear evidence that he did not stop 'this' aspect of the rtvik initiation process that he is herein referring to until Oct 18th!
The following is directly from the July 9th letter [after the list of 11 men is given, which are therein referred to as Rtvik Representatives]:
"In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple.
After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book."
On Oct 18th clearly Srila Prabhupad is referring to the process of rtvik initiations that he had already deputed those 11 men to perform, as stated in that list, July 9th letter.
So, here, above, is the specific details as to what aspects of the initiation process Srila Prabhupad had deputed those men to perform. It is "This" aspect of initiation that Srila Prabhupad is now stopping.
No where in the Oct 18th conversation, or in the July 9th list referred to in that conversation is Srila Prabhupad ever speaking of ceasing to be the initiator guru. What he had deputed these men to do was that previously temple presidents had given the list of recommended new devotees to Srila Prabhupad, and that Srila Prabhupad, himself, and only he, made the final decision to accept those men or not.
The single unique feature of the July 9th letter is that Srila Prabhupad had now selected 11 men to make that final decision on his behalf, and he has given them the title as Rtvik-Representatives, or Rtvik-Acharyas. He had now authorized them to make the final decisions for whom should be initiated as a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupad, and select the names of the new devotees.
All other aspects of the rtvik initiations were to remain unchanged and continue on as they were already doing. Here is the exact wording: "After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book."
The Temple Present who sent the letter of recommendation, in the past to Srila Prabhupad, and now to the Rtvik-Representative, on getting the confirmation letter back, the Temple President will now perform the actual fire yajna in the temple, as they had been already doing before (before the July 9th letter).
Thus, the Single Unique feature of that July 9th list is that Srila Prabhupad had authorized those 11 men to make the final decision on his behalf. That from now on rather then TP's recommending the new initiates to Srila Prabhupad, they would now make those recommendations to the nearest Rtvik Representative, and the Rtvik will make that decision on Srila Prabhupad's behalf.
That is it. That is the sum and substance of what the July 9th letter deputed those men to do. No more, no less.
Clearly, in that letter, Srila Prabhupad states that He remains the actual initiator guru, that the new initiates will be his direct disciples.
On Oct 18th he repeatedly refers back to what he had previously deputed these men to do.
But, what about the argument that Srila Prabhupad had already stopped doing this as of July 9th? And, if so, then he could not be saying he is again stopping the same thing on Oct 18th.
The actual fact is, as is clearly shown in this Oct 18th conversation, is that the GBC had NOT yet implemented those aspects of the July 9th letter. How is that? Because, here it is on Oct 18th and the GBC have come to Srila Prabhupad informing him that this Bengali Gentleman wants to be Srila Prabhupad's disciple and they are asking Prabhupad to still make the decisions as to whether Srila Prabhupad will accept him, and even how and who will perform the intiations.
Clearly, as of Oct 18th the GBC are still approaching Prabhupad and still requesting him to make the final decision. Yet, this making of the final decision is the entire sum and substance of the July 9th list. To make the final decision is the sum and substance of what he had deputed those men to do on July 9th.
From then on temple presidents were to make the recommendations to the nearest Rtvik, and those Rtviks were to make the final decision, on Srila Prabhupad's behalf, and select the names. By actually doing this, then Srila Prabhupad would no longer need be directly - physically - consulted or involved.
But, here it is, Oct 18th, and the GBC are still approaching Srila Prabhupad and still asking him to perform the very same duties that he had deputed those men to do on his behalf.
Thus, when we examine the entire context, by seeing what it was that Srila Prabhupad was referring to when he says I am now Stopping 'this' initiation, as I have already deputed his men to do on his behalf, we clearly see that those men had not, at all, taken up that duty, and that as of Oct 18th they are still approaching Srila Prabhupad, still asking him to do that which he had deputed them to do.
Thus, when Srila Prabhupad says that he is Now Stopping, when we view it within the context, we see that he is only referring to the aspect that he is now no longer going to be involved in making the final decisions. The sole topic of this conversation is about that which he had already deputed his men to do (make that final decision on his behalf), and yet, Srila Prabhupad clearly referred to this aspect by the single word 'initiate'.
This logic all makes perfect sense. No contradictions and no twisting or contortions. The logic is consistent throughout this conversation and is consistent with what he had deputed his men to do, consisten with the content of the referenced July 9th list.
On the other hand, the GBC idea that when Srila Prabhupad said 'this' initiation, that he meant the aspect of being actual guru, such logic is full of inconsistencies. The only topic of the conversation and the referenced list is about the rtvik aspects, specifically the duty of making the final decision. To say that 'this' now refers to being the actual guru is a topic that was not being discussed. It is totally outside the context of the conversation. Where is there any evidence that Srila Prabhupad meant something totally out of the context? In the same sentence he says, I have deputed the, my disciples.. 'This' refers to that which he had already deputed them to do.
And, how can we accept the (ill) logic that Prabhupad is, on Oct 18th, deputing those men to become actual initiator gurus? That topic, who will be the actual initiator guru is not at all discussed in this conversation. The GBC are implying it is by the words 'this initiation', but Prabhupad connects 'this' to that which he had already deputed his men to do in that list.
There is no other proof or evidence that Srila Prabhupad was on that day deputing those men to now act as initiator guru, it is all in the confused mental state of the GBC. Out side of their mental concoction, such evidence does not exist. Rather, Srila Prabhupad makes clear reference and connection to There in That List where he had already deputed his men to do 'this' initiation, and in that referenced list the topic of who is the actual initiator guru is mentioned, and that is clearly declared to be Srila Prabhupad.
It is also totally absurd to say that Srila Prabhupad was herein asking Jayapataka to become this man's initiator guru. The Bengali man had requested to become Srila Prabhupad's initiated disciple.
To accept that Prabhupad now wanted Jps to become this man's initiator guru would mean that Prabhupad was dictating that the poor fellow must now become Jayapataka's disciple instead. Without even discussing this with the man, Prabhupad would simply dictate who he must now accept as his eternal savior? He asks to be Prabhupad's disciple, and without even speaking to the man, Prabhupad is dictating that he must become disciple of someone else?
Such an idea or concept is totally opposed to what Prabhupad has taught in his books. Where is the test between disciple and guru? Where is there relationship? How can the GBC promote this madness that Srila Prabhupad would dictate such a thing? He would then be dictating to the man who his guru will be, and dictating to Jps who his disciple will be. This is madness. Srila Prabhupad would never do such a thing, and never did such a thing. But, that is what the GBC want us to believe. And, they are concocting meanings outside of the context of the conversation as evidence of their mental concocted ideas.
Srila Prabhupad never did such a thing. He did not, on Oct 18th, depute Jayapataka to become that man's guru, he did not dictate to this man who his guru was to be. He did not Stop acting as the initiator guru.
Thus, we reject the logic given by the GBC, and by Rupanuga.
Srila Prabhupad never authorized these men to become regular gurus. Especially not in this Oct 18th conversation.
Aspiring to become the most worthy and humble servant of the Vaishnava's
Ameyatma das (ACBSP 1973)
Historical Account Of
Srila Prabhupada’s Last Days
Srila Prabhupada's Initiation System
By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Srila Prabhupada arrived in Sri Vrindavan Dhama on May 17th 1977 to prepare to 'leave his body.' He made all of the arrangements for the future of his movement. He formed his Will, the Temple Property Trusts, he gave instructions for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and the GBC and he established his initiation system for the future of ISKCON.
Due to some unseen good fortune I got the opportunity to serve Srila Prabhupada, at that time. Actually, I began to personally serve him in Bombay as one of his guards and then went with him to Hrsikesh to 'regain his failing health' on the advice of one of the life members, Mahadevia Kartikeya.
Things were like heaven in Hrsikesh serving Srila Prabhupada.
We were staying in a two story house right on the bank of the Holy Ganges River. We had the best Jalebi maker (Vedic sweets) in the world, according to Srila Prabhupada, right across the street. We used to have fruit, yogurt and hot Jalebis for breakfast. Srila Prabhupada said that hot Jalebis could cure the common cold.
I used to enjoy taking Japa Walks in the Himalayan Mountains. The forests are lush, filled with singing birds, and wandering devotees. Some Shivite's live in the cave's and only leave to bath in the Ganga. They eat only what is offered to them.
I used to also enjoy taking walks up along the Ganges Bank and then jump in the rushing Holy River and ride a log back to Srila Prabhupada's house chanting all the way.
This reminded me of when Visnujana Swami was pulled by a rope in the water by the boat in Bengal as he chanted the Holy names of the Lord ~ Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevia.etc.
We used to Perform Hari Nama Sankirtan in the Market Place just down from our house on the Ganga. We would chant until about 5pm then take the kirtan back to the rooftop of our house. Then at about 5:30pm Srila Prabhupada would give his darshan to the general public.
Although we did not advertise the darshan; the room was always full of interested guests every night. Srila Prabhupada preached to them in his unique and charming way. He used his great Vaisnava wit to charm the crowds and inspire them to take to Krishna Consciousness.
Most everyone left convinced, a few maybe not, but everyone who saw Srila Prabhupada felt that he was a perfect gentleman and a great and loving host. He always paid attention to everyone and made sure all guests received Prasadam. Srila Prabhupada also taught us each how to cook a basic meal of rice, dahl, and chapatis.
The mercy of Srila Prabhupada was flowing like the Ganges at this time. And actually, it still is!
Yes, things were ecstatic in Hrisikesh, until that night when Srila Prabhupada first told us that he was going to leave his body.
All of the sudden the great weather turned stormy with thunder and lightening and the power was going off all night long. At about 2:30am Upendra Prabhu came downstairs and told us that Srila Prabhupada had been sitting up all night, and had just said that he was going to leave the planet! Srila Prabhupada said:
"Tomorrow we will go to Vrindavan; better to die in Vrindavan."
We were shocked! We knew Srila Prabhupada was sick but didn't think it was that serious; we thought he would recover.
Pradyumna Prabhu and I were sent ahead to Vrindavan to make arrangements for Srila Prabhupada's arrival.
Pradyumna and I arrived in Vrindavan from Hrishikesh at about 4am. We alerted the temple President, Akshayananda Maharaja, of Srila Prabhupada's statement that he was coming to Vrindavan to 'leave his body'.
The Maharaja didn't tell the devotees right away why he was coming, just that he was coming soon and he asked the devotees to clean Srila Prabhupada's quarters. The Holy dust of Vrindavan had blown about everywhere and there was a lot of mercy to deal with.
Srila Prabhupada arrived at the temple at about 7am. At this point Srila Prabhupada's health had deteriorated so much that he could no longer walk on his own. The devotees in Vrindavan, and around the world, were unaware of this. We brought a rocking chair out to the car to carry Srila Prabhupada. He asked, as usual, to see the Deities first. We carried him into the temple and placed him before Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai.
Srila Prabhupada stood up offering his respectful obeisance's to Their Lordships. At that point someone took the chair away. Srila Prabhupada stood there gazing at Sri Sri Goura-Nitai for a few moments as tears gliding down his face. Then he moved to sit in the chair that wasn't there and we had to catch him. The devotees looked at each other with surprise. We brought the chair back and carried Srila Prabhupada over to Sri Sri Krishna and Balarama. Again Srila Prabhupada stood up with tears in his eyes as he gazed at Their Lordships for quite some time. We then moved over to Sri Sri Radha Symasundara and Sri Lalita and Sri Visaka's alter. Again Srila Prabhupada rose up and gazed lovingly at the Deities. After a few moments he turned to us and said that he wanted to see all of the devotees in his room.
We carried Srila Prabhupada to his room and he took his seat at his desk. The devotees filled the room quickly and were crowded around the doors and windows trying to see and hear our divine master. When all the devotees settled in as much as possible Srila Prabhupada, looking very serious, began to speak:
"So I cannot speak. I am feeling weak. I was to go to other places like Chandigarh, but I canceled the program because the condition of my health is very deteriorating. So I preferred to come to Vrindavan. If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing new to be said. 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, it doesn't matter. As Krsna is living eternally, similarly, the living being also lives eternally. But kirtiryasya sa jivah: 'One who has done service for the Lord lives forever.' So you have been taught to serve Krsna, and with Krsna we'll live eternally. Our life is eternal. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. A temporary disappearance of this body, it doesn't matter. Body is meant for disappearance. Tatha dehantara-praptih. So live forever by serving Krsna. Thank you very much."
At this point most of the devotees were crying. To me it still hadn't sunk in that Srila Prabhupada was about to leave us physically.
Srila Prabhupada told us to discuss amongst ourselves and we talked about the future of ISKCON.
Philosophically we understood that Srila Prabhupada would live with us in his books etc. but we would so miss his physical presence. The devotees began to wonder how the movement would go on without Srila Prabhupada to personally direct it.
On May 27th 1977 Srila Prabhupada talked about his mission with some of the devotees:
Srila Prabhupada: Just now everything is going on, but after my demise it may be taken away from your hand. I understood it long ago. It has been stayed, (?) Bombay, Vrindavan. So how are you going to guard yourself? That is the problem.
Tamal K.G.: Your order that it be a trust property with lifetime trustees.
Srila Prabhupada: So now you are all here. Very cautiously and everything agree.
T.K.G.: That will protect it. At least the property will be protected.
Srila Prabhupada: You should be very much determined, strong-minded. Otherwise it will slip. Such huge property.
T.K.G.: Actually these properties are the envy of all of India. They're the best properties in each place.
Srila Prabhupada: Not only property. Our prestige, our position. Everything is envied. Everywhere we are first class.
T.K.G.: Yes, there is no rival.
Bhavananda: There will be men, I know. There will be men who want to try to pose themselves as guru.
T.K.G.: That was going on many years ago. Your Godbrothers were thinking like that.
Bhavananda: Oh, yes. Oh, ready to jump.
Srila Prabhupada: Very strong management is required and vigilant observation. (Background whispering, T.K.G. & Bhavananda)
I finished putting Srila Prabhupada's translating materials on his desk and that was my service for the day. I retreated to my room in the guesthouse where I could see Srila Prabhupada translating all night long on his rooftop. It was amazing what Srila Prabhupada accomplished in just one day!
On May 28th a committee of the GBC met in Srila Prabhupada's room and asked various questions for the future of ISKCON.
Regarding initiations Satsvarupa Maharaja asked Srila Prabhupada:
"Our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you're no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiations would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada answered: "Yes; I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acharyas."
Tamal K.G.: "Is that called ritvik-acharya?"
Srila Prabhupada replied: "Ritvik yes."
Satsvarupa: Then what is the relationship of that person who gives the initiation and the...
Prabhupada: He's guru. He's guru.
Satsvarupa: But he does it on your behalf.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is formality. Because in my presence one should not become guru, so on my behalf, on my order... Amara ajnaya guru haia. Be actually guru, but by my order.
Satsvarupa: So they may also be considered your disciples.
Prabhupada: Yes, they are disciples. Why consider? Who?
Tamala Krsna: No, he's asking that these ritvik-acaryas, they're officiating, giving diksa. Their... The people who they give diksa to, whose disciple are they?
Prabhupada: They're his disciple.
Tamala Krsna: They're his disciple.
Prabhupada: Who is initiating. He is grand disciple.
Satsvarupa: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: That's clear.
Satsvarupa: Then we have a question concer...
Prabhupada: When I order, "You become guru," he becomes regular guru. That's all. He becomes disciple of my disciple. That's it.
This tape has been proven to have been doctored, but the fact remains that Srila Prabhupada says, "On my order" and "But by my order" and "When I order. 'You become guru'." The only order given so far was to be officiating or ritvik representatives of the acharya. This will be clarified in the next conversations and the July 9th 1977 Newsletter to all GBC's and temple presidents. Since the last part of this tape is so controversial we should remember that Srila Prabhupada never made changes by tape recording. Therefore the July 9th newsletter is the most important piece of evidence we have.
This letter verifies what I heard and reported even before I ever heard the tapes or saw the letters after the 1990 San Deigo GBC guru debate.
I mentioned the fact that Srila Prabhupada ordered ritvik acharyas to initiate after his departure to Yasodanandan Prabhu, who entered the information into his diary at that time. I'm using that diary to help compile this report.
Yasodanandan Prabhu had a conversation with Bhavananda Maharaja on May 31st where he asked:
"What's this I heard from Gauridasa about [the] nomination of ritvik acharyas?"
Bhavananda said, "It just means on behalf of Prabhupada. That's all. I can't wait until we start to do this."
One of my services for Srila Prabhupada was to take care of his garden and fan him with the camara while he was there every morning from about sunrise until about 9am. At these times he would chant japa or listen to devotees chant bhajans or read the books to him. Sometimes the secretary, Tamal K.G., would read letters from the devotees. Srila Prabhupada would dictate a response, then the secretary would type it and bring it back later to read it again to Srila Prabhupada who would approve and sign it.
On July 5th Tamal asked Srila Prabhupada about some devotees who wanted to get initiated as he was getting many requests from the Temple presidents. This conversation occurred in the garden as I fanned him.
Srila Prabhupada said: "Tomorrow I will I will announce some ritvik acharyas who will initiate disciples on my behalf when I leave the planet."
It was actually two days later on July 7th when Srila Prabhupada named the first eleven ritvik acharyas.
Here is the transcription of the tape:
Tamal K.G.: We're receiving a number of letters now, and these are people who want to get initiated. So up until now, since your becoming ill, we asked them to wait.
Srila Prabhupada: The local senior sanyasis can do that.
T.K.G.: That's what we were doing.I mean, formerly we were.the local GBC, sanyasis, were chanting on their beads, and they were writing to your Divine Grace, and you were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be resumed, or should we.? I mean one thing is that it's said that the spiritual master takes on the.you know, he takes on the.He has to cleanse the disciple by.So we don't want that you should have to.Your health is not so good, so that should not be.That's why we've been asking everyone to wait. I just want to know if we should continue to wait for some more time?
Srila Prabhupada: No, the senior sanyasis.
T.K.G.: So they should continue to.
Srila Prabhupada: You can give me a list of sanyasi's. I will mark who will. T.K.G.: Okay.
Srila Prabhupada: You can do. Kirtananada can do, and our Satsvarupa can do. So these three, you can give, begin.
T.K.G. : So supposing someone is in America; should they simply write to directly to Kirtananda or Satsvarupa?
Srila Prabhupada: Nearby, Jayatirtha can give.
T.K.G.: Jayatirtha.
Srila Prabhupada: Bhagavan.Bhagavan and he can also do. Harikesa.
T.K.G.: Harikesa Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada: And, five six men, you divide who is nearest.
T.K.G.: Who is nearest. So persons wouldn't have to write to your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that person?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.[yes]
T.K.G.: Actually they are initiating the person on your Divine Grace's behalf. Those persons who are initiated are still your.
Srila Prabhupada: Second initiation we shall think over; second initiation.
T.K.G.: This is for first initiation, okay. And for second initiation, for the time being they should.
Srila Prabhupada: No, they have to wait. Second initiation, that should be given.
T.K.G.: Should.Some devotees are writing you now for second initiation, and I'm writing them to wait a while because you're not well. So can I continue to tell them that?
Srila Prabhupada: They can do second initiation.
T.K.G.: By writing you?
Srila Prabhupada: No; these men.
T.K.G.: These men, they can also do second initiation. So there's no need for the devotees to write to you for first and second initiation. They can write to the man nearest them. But all these persons are still your disciples. Anybody who gives initiation is doing so on your behalf.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
T.K.G.: You know that book I'm maintaining of all of your disciples names? Should I continue that?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm..[yes]
T.K.G.: So if someone gives initiation, like Harikesa Maharaja, he should send the person's name to us here and I'll enter it in the book. Okay. Is there anybody else in India that you want to do this?
Srila Prabhupada: India, I am here, we shall see. In India, Jayapataka.
T.K.G.: Jayapataka Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada: You are also in India.
T.K.G.: Yes.
Srila Prabhupada: You can note down these names.
T.K.G. Yes, I have them.
Srila Prabhupada: Who are they?
T.K.G.: Kirtanananda Maharaja, Satsvarupa Maharaja, Jayatirtha Prabhu, Bhagavan Prabhu, Harikesa Maharaja, Jayapataka Maharaja, and Tamal Krishna Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada: That's nice. Now you distribute.
T.K.G.: Seven. There's seven names.
Srila Prabhupada: For the time being, seven names, sufficient. You can make Ramesvara.
T.K.G.: Ramesvara Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada: And Hrdayananda.
T.K.G. Oh, yeah. South America.
Srila Prabhupada: So without waiting for me, wherever you consider it is right.That will depend on discretion.
T.K.G.: On discretion.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
T.K.G.: That's for first and second initiations.
Srila Prabhupada: Hm [yes]
T.K.G.: Okay. Shall I send a kirtana party, Srila Prabhupada?
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