Srila Prabhupada, His Movement & You

Judging by the Result

Srila Prabhupada’s direction in the July 9th, 1977 letter was very clear. “Act as rittvik” was his order. That cannot be denied. ISKCON neglected this and took an alternative route. That has proved to be disaster. Now they want to concoct another alternative. Why not just follow the order?

Some say Srila Prabhupada intended rittvik only for the time being. Suppose we accept that premise, what was his intention for after his departure? And what did ISKCON actually do in the immediate aftermath of his physical departure? What was the result? And what are we doing now?

We tried to pull on as guru-acharyas. Six out of eleven failed. Five remaining are under serious suspicion. All other gurus are the creation of these original eleven, six of whom are fallen and five about to fall. If the root is rotten, how will the tree grow?

Everyone uses Srila Prabhupada’s translations and commentaries for preaching, but does not act as his representative. They utilize his ASSETS and LEGACY for personal PRESTIGE. Why Govinda’s camp, Tripurari’s camp? Gour Govinda, Tamal—all are competing for the post of the Acharya. NONE SUBMIT as menial servant of the Sampradaya Acharya. DISCORD, CHAOS.

If everyone just initiates, then there will be only a contradictory result. (Srila Prabhupada, Phalgun Krishna Panchami)

Now there are 70 gurus. Srila Prabhupada was one guru. We know what he has done. In 16 years, what have all these 70 new gurusdone? Have they done 70 times as much as Prabhupada? Have they done 10 times as much? Have they done twice as much? Have they done anything?!!!

What is the definition of guru? Monitor in the class? Is he perfect or imperfect?

Why did Srila Prabhupada appoint rittviks? Because he saw his disciples unfit, immature. So like a master may give an apprentice some limited responsibility, Srila Prabhupada made some gurus (rittviks) with limited responsibility. In due course, the apprentice may become a master himself by obediently acting under his guidance.

The order is there: “Act as rittvik.” We are either obedient, or we are disobedient. Discipline means do not add, do not subtract. We should surrender to Srila Prabhupada’s order, act as rittviks. Do not try to figure out, “How will it work?” Just do it. Srila Prabhupada wanted to go to Govardhana Hill. Tamal and others argued with Prabhupada, as if he were feeble and in need of their guidance. We are either obedient—DISCIPLINED, or disobedient—UNDISCIPLINED.

One who has accepted the spiritual master has NOTHING LEFT TO THINK ABOUT. (Srila Prabhupada)

MASTER and DISCIPLE—he orders, we follow. Adjustment, speculation and concoction are the cause of FAILURE.