Kyler Watson Bhaktivinoda states in his literature that the root cause of all anarthas is the desire for prestige- the desire to be famous.
With that in mind-- Sri Rupa Goswamipada describes this tendency in the Jiva souls in conversation with Sanatana as, "the greatest thing in the world." Because the tendency of the Jivas to Lord over things is evidencial of their part and parcel relationship with the Lord.
Marina Lata True, and this has made the relationship guru-disciple very impersonal. Iskcon is like the lover who you find in your bed whenever you trying to be with your partner, always in between the relationship with guru, so much so that initiation in Iskcon is de facto a rtivik initiation. There is a last page to sign in the documentation for first initiation and that is about being loyal all life to the GBC = Iskcon.
Tom Garden i was refused my rightful sannyasa as i would not sign allegiance to the murderous jews who call themselves the gbc but in reality are usurping thieving demons.
Baladeva Das >>>>True, and this has made the relationship guru-disciple very impersonal<<<< Agreed. I would say also that impersonalism is present in any relationship, as the dysfunctionality and the alienation ( the disease) is present at any level.
Tom Garden Baladeva Das My exact thoughts! I pointed out the poisoning to one devotee with Ph.D. yesterday, and he did not want to see the video, said,
Every living being, out of many, many billions and trillions of living beings, has a particular relationship with the Lord eternally
"…Bhagavad-gītā is best understood by a person who has qualities similar to Arjuna's.
That is to say he must be a devotee in a direct relationship with the Lord.
As soon as one becomes a devotee of the Lord, he also has a direct relationship with the Lord.
That is a very elaborate subject matter, but briefly it can be stated that a devotee is in a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in one of five different ways:
1. One may be a devotee in a passive state;
2. One may be a devotee in an active state;
3. One may be a devotee as a friend;
4. One may be a devotee as a parent;
5. One may be a devotee as a conjugal lover.
Arjuna was in a relationship with the Lord as friend.
Of course there is a gulf of difference between this friendship and the friendship found in the material world.
This is transcendental friendship
