First Principle; Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada; Accept all things favorable, and reject all things unfavorable.
Devotee Association; to give and accept gifts, to reveal ones mind and to hear another devotee's thoughts, to give and accept prasadam; ie to serve and accept service that is favorable.
Considering these, as devotees of Srila Prabhupada, we like to say Haribol and discuss krsna katha with many devotees. But some of them come back with, "Prabhupada is dead and gone", or, "the poisoning is just a theory", or " Love is All, just accept the GBC and stop criticizing". These three ideas come to mind, as they are often encountered, here on my Facebook, anyway.
This is not favorable. One becomes little anxious, excited, disturbed of mind, angry, depressed; because the anti-truth poseur is saying falsehoods meant to sway you from a clear and positive path of pure devotion to service of Jagad-Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada. They want to insert ideas from outside, meant to undermine Srila Prabhupada's clear instructions. It disturbs the soul.
Our path is clear and easy; hold on to Prabhupada's dhoti. It is a happy and progressive path leading to eternal life. If we grow tired of the assault by maya, we can take shleter there.
The Naysayers are like jackals by the roadside; reject them as unfavorable. Block them. Cut them out of your association, and you will find more peace and happiness and we shall all progress harmoniously and easily. Let the birds of a feather all fly together ! Let us be like sticks tied together nicely in a bundle , the rope to tie being devotion to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet, rather than be lose sticks and alone to be easily broken.
Defend your Godbrothers and sisters, see their good qualities, praise them highly, offer obeisances. Encourage them, enquire after their health and well being. If you are rich, give generously to the pious brahamanas. If you are poor, accept the charity and use it in Radha Krsna's services.
Srila Prabhupada told us that once we have found our true path, spending time with comparative religion is sense gratification. Similarly, wasting time associating with anti-Prabhupada forces, except to preach to them, or to encourage them to see reality and cooperate, is unfavorable. Do not encourage or accept the false sampradaya of the itsacon co., and do not treat them with any respect, nor hang with NM followers, nor kowtow to other sampradayas except again to further positive Vaisnava relations. But if they criticize Prabhupada, his followers, or the system he gave us, then abandon them like unclean places. Rather, cultivate a garden in which treasured positive loving devotees may gather.
- Padmagarbha Das, Gary Roberts and Kundan Kumar like this.
Gary Roberts Thank you prabhu...we are looked upon with disdain and criticized for our loyalty. I pray for like association even though undeserving. Your words go straight to my heart.Jai Prabhupada !!
Padmagarbha Das Very nice sentiments, Prabhu. Very nicely expressed! Fully in line with the following statement by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta:"I do not want to see the faces of vile persons who criticize my Gurudeva or WHO SUPPORT those who criticize him. They are the cause of all inauspiciousness." Also, the following statement by Srila Prabhupada's is most applicable, and should be fully taken to heart. "Association can be two or two hundred. If you are two and compatible, you can become perfect in Krsna consciousness. If you are two hundred and are not, then no one will make advancement!" There is absolutely no way that one aspiring to become a sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada is 'compatible' with those who 'criticize' SP, or those who support those who criticize him. Narayana Maharaja had repeatedly, with the enthusiastic support of his followers, openly blasphemed His Divine Grace. The very same applies to Tripurari and his followers. They also openly criticize SP ! And as far as the leadership of iskcon [gurus, Sanyasis, and GBC] along with their main enablers goes, they may not overtly "criticize" Srila Prabhupada. However, by rejecting his "final order", by refusing to implement the "DOM", by refusing to sign the "Oath of Allegiance", and most of all by their disobedience regarding SP's order not to change his books, by those very acts [and numerous others] they DO indirectly criticize him! Of all the qualities of a 'disciple', Srila Prabhupada names "LOYALTY" to be the most important!
Tamohara Dasa GR and Padmagarbha Prabhus; Well spoken! Obeisances, and thanks for your encouragement.- Gary Roberts You are blessed to come to these realizations prabhu. My name is Gopta dasa and Padma above is my godbrother...we were initiated in 74 by ritvic as Srila Prabhupada was traveling and very engaged with His glorious Iskcon !!Thanks again and know you have good friends with us..
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