DO AS PRABHUPADA WOULD DO! WE ARE ALREADY UNITED!
1996 Prabhupada Centennial
8 June 1993, Geyserville,California
Dear Lokanath Maharaj:
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Prabhupada. It was nice to see you in L.A. Thank you for allowing me to associate with you and for asking my opinion regarding the Prabhupada Centennial and the re-uniting and reconciliation of Prabhupada’s disciples. Because you suggested I put something in writing, I will try to summarize what we discussed in L.A.
DO AS PRABHUPADA WOULD DO! Act in his spirit. What would Prabhupada do?! The inspiration which comes to us in the mood of such thinking can be understood to be “the spirit of Prabhupada.” Faith in Prabhupada means to act under such consideration and subsequent inspiration. This is your duty as Prabhupada’s representative. To practice with FAITH, thinking, saying and doing what Prabhupada would do! That is called FAITH in Prabhupada. Not that we always pass the responsibility by saying “Yes! Prabhupada could do like that, but we cannot, because we are not Prabhupada.” Then what need was there for Prabhupada to teach us both in words and EXAMPLE? Is your representation of Prabhupada merely to mouth the words of his exalted and noble teachings? But you cannot practice what he showed as EXAMPLE. You can only say, “Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that.” What about DOING LIKE PRABHUPADA? Without doing like Prabhupada, you become nothing more than PROFESSORS of philosophy and religion.
The professors of religion in the university also teach philosophy and religion. But actually they have no FAITH in the teachings they PROFESS. Therefore they do not practice what they teach. To earn a living they have adopted the subject of PHILOSOPHY and RELIGION (they teach bhakti also) as a PROFESSION. In other words, they are PROFESSIONALS. For earning money (or demonstrating their scholarship), such professors MOUTH the teachings of great ACHARYAS and PROPHETS, but there is NO EXAMPLE, NO FAITH, NO SUBSTANCE, NO SPIRIT and thus NO RESULT, no change of heart. Prabhupada warned us of professional Bhagavatam reciters. Don’t just preach as Prabhupada; DO! AS PRABHUPADA WOULD DO! He used to say, “DO AS I DO.”
As an ISKCON leader, you must practice the highest principles of spiritual life, not merely mouth them. If that was all we required, a tape recorder would be sufficient. The books of Prabhupada would be sufficient. In fact, they are, because Prabhupada says in the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam (First Canto, Chapter 2, Verse 18):
“There are two types of bhagavats, namely the book bhagavat and the person—the devotee bhagavat. Both the bhagavats are competent remedies, and both of them or either of them can be good enough for eliminating the obstacles… Book bhagavat or the person is identical.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto One, Chapter Two, Verse 18)
However, since you have assumed the office of guru-acharya, representative of Srila Prabhupada and the disciplic succession, your function as guru-acharya is to teach by example. Acharya means he teaches by example, not merely by words, committees, resolutions or creating another minister, Centennial minister. Why was Lord Jesus so highly regarded? Because his teaching and his example were parallel. When he uttered, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do,” in spite of being cruelly mistreated by crucifixion, he set the example of compassion. HE IS AN ACHARYA.
So all this talk in regards to re-uniting, reconciliation and surveys of Prabhupada’s disciples for the 1996 Centennial is simply bogus, an unnecessary diversion from the real issue at hand, which is that we are already united as Prabhupada’s disciples. No devotee will say he doubts Prabhupada’s purity or integrity. All devotees love Prabhupada, and they know Prabhupada loves them. This issue is not in question. The question is: “Do Prabhupada’s GBC, guru-acharyas love Prabhupada’s disciples?” And if they do, then let them SHOW IT BY DOING AS PRABHUPADA WOULD DO! If you can’t think, speak and act like Prabhupada, then how can you present yourselves as Prabhupada’s representatives?? Or is it that your ambition is to corral Prabhupada’s disciples into your dying institution? When Prabhupada was present, devotees like Tamal Krsna Goswami, Hrdayananda Goswami, Satsvarupa das Goswami, Jayapataka Swami and others were actually respected and accepted as Prabhupada’s representatives. Their word was as good as Prabhupada’s word. Today devotees laugh at these so-called guru-acharyas. No one cares for them. Why? Because they do not think, they do not say and they do not do as Prabhupada would do!
The best of Prabhupada’s disciples have drifted away or been thrown away. Why? If Prabhupada were standing before us today, what would he think? What would he say? What would he do?! So if you really want to RE-UNITE and make RECONCILIATION with Prabhupada’s disciples and STRENGTHEN Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON movement, then you must DO WHAT PRABHUPADA WOULD DO. Otherwise, whatever you do will simply be a waste of time. At best a sentimental, mundane re-union, perhaps pleasing to the foolish and unintelligent, but having little or no spiritual substance, which is after all the aim of our association and endeavor to be Krishna conscious.
I hope you are well. Let me know what you think.
Your humble servant,
Hansadutta dasa
[To date (25 October 1993), I have received no reply to the above correspondence from Sri Lokanath Swami, ISKCON's Minister for the Prabhupada 1996 Centennial Celebration to re-unite and strengthen Srila Prabhupada's disciples and the ISKCON movement.]
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Thank you for this book Hansadutta Prabhu. Very wonderful writing. I am very grateful. Thank you. Your servant Suvarna
is this book available to purchase?
I have no motre copies for saler, you can download the whole text from Nama Hatta, or write to daschan@streamyx.com…… perhaps they have a copy,
Thank you nfor appriociating my realizations. I do not write for money, or noteriety. I have written according to my experience and heart felt love for Prabhupada
Your humble servant,
I shaould have done better,
But I fell. failed and am very repentant about that, and still working to get up and do the right thing.
Haribol ji, may i say Hansdutta ji at least you have said you made mistakes , been open about what went wrong for you, not many from that time have or ever will,..so bless you ji ,..haribol
Hare Krishna prabhuji,
Please consider to reprint your book not for fame or for glory but to help other innocent jivas from following the bogus gurus. I just discovered your website. But there are others where this message has to be reached. Please help to redirect Prabhupada’s vision in it’s true direction. Senior true devotees like yourself is our only link to the truth.
Hari Bol.
Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
For many years I have been searching for the audio of the so-called appointment tape of May 28, 1977. Do you have the audio file, and if so, could you please email it to me or post it to YouTube? I have read the transcript and understand that Srila Prabhupada appointed ritviks, but I would like to hear the audio for myself.
Hare Krishna!!
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Thank you very much for your profound realizations. i really felt indebted.. it gives me more light since you personally advice me to read first before i come to visit any ISKCON temple. i will write you someday in regards of this book.
Again, thank you very much Hansadutta Prabhu
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Dear Hansadutta Das,
I remember you in Berkely in 1976 or so. I used to frequent the temple there often. I have not been to an ISKCON temple since then although I occasionally try to keep up on ISKCON news. I am a devotee of Avatar Meher Baba. I have no qualifications to judge but the letter you’ve shared seems to clearly spell out Srila Prabhupada’s wishes. It makes it very clear: “The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada …” It is truly a shame that ISKCON has been divided all these years and I pray your efforts are helpful. Congratulations on your honesty and sincere work.
Jay radha!! I love “krishna” but i love you too.,’prabhupada’
Hansadutta please accept my humble obeisances as a older Godbrother. I would like to talk to you about the ritvik system and where do you stand with post 1977 ISKCON. I would also like to know if you yourself know about the poisoning of our Spiritual Master A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by your Godbrothers (perhaps you were aware but did not do anything) as well as your Godbrothers and the heinous acts they have done such as kirtananda and bhakti thirtha and many others. Please write back to me as soon as possible. If you truly following Srila Prabhupada you would allow for us to start a conversation to help this poor lost soul find some happiness. You are one of the last Ritvik Representative of Srila Prabhupada who was chosen by HIM. do not let this go to waste. Rise up Hansadutta and fight for Srila Prabhupada if you are sincere. Do not become clouded by illusion like arjuna at the battle of kurusetra with his family members. Just because they are your Godbrothers does not make it right to let them destroy Prabhupada ISKCON and take so many to hell with them. there are many scattered sects of the ritvik camp around the world with some truly devoted to Prabhupada and others for some materialistic purposes. Are we to let our faith become like the christian faith which is scattered from protestant to catholic to coptic orthodox to Pentecostal? Why do you sit and do nothing? Become a true ritvik and defend Prabhupada order and stop this second poisoning which is being done to Prabhupada Books. They are new devotees that are coming in this movement and many are lost because of the so many ritvik camps as well that they do not want to associate with ISKCON example my self and few friends. All I ask of you from my self is to write back to me so we may talk with my friends on your place and what we can do. Hare Krsna Jai Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: Keu bole je keu poison kore diyeche. Hoy to tai.
Translation: Someone says that I’ve been poisoned. It’s possible.
Balaram Mishra (?): Hmm?
Kaviraja: Kya farma rahe hain?
Translation: What is he saying?
Srila Prabhupada: Koi bolta hai je koi mujhko poison kiya gaya hai.
Translation: Someone says that someone has given poison.
Kaviraja: Kisko?
Translation: To whom?
Srila Prabhupada: Mujhko.
Translation: To me.
Kaviraja: Kaun bolta hai?
Translation: Who said?
Srila Prabhupada: Ye sab friends.
Translation: These all friends.
Bhakticharu: Ke boleche, Srila Prabhupada?
Translation: Who said, Srila Prabhupada?
Srila Prabhupada: Ke boleche.
Translation: They all say.
Tamal Krishna: Krishna das?
Kaviraja: Ao ko kaun poison dega? Kis liye dega?
Translation: Who would give you poison? Why would anyone do that?
Tamal Krishna: Who said that, Srila Prabhupada?
Srila Prabhupada: I do not know, but it is said.
Exchange 1 – Mixture of English, Hindi and Bengali (9/11/77)
Jagadisha: Srila Prabhupada, can you tell us why you want to go on the parikrama? (travelling to visiting holy places)
Prabhupada: …good paddy.
Tamala Krsna: This seems like suicide, Srila Prabhupada, this program. It seems to some of us like it’s suicidal.
Prabhupada: And this is also suicidal.
Tamala Krsna: Hm. Prabhupada said, “And this is also suicide.” Now you have to choose which suicide.
Prabhupada: The Ravana (A great demon) will kill and Rama (God) will kill. Better to be killed by Rama. Eh? That Marica–if he does not go to mislead Sita, he’ll be killed by Ravana; and if he goes to be killed by Rama, then it is better.
[Room Con. Nov. 10, 1977, Vrndavana, India]
Prabhupada: All right. You take Babaji Maharaja. That will be my going. (“devotees” laugh)
Krsna dasa Babaji: Jaya. (laughter)
Tamala Krsna: Yes, the bullock cart will go tomorrow
Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: To Govardhana.
Prabhupada: Yes, other devotees can go. I cannot go.
Tamala Krsna: No, they’ll go on your behalf, but you will go one day. That we promise you. (“devotees” laugh)
“Devotee ?”: (under breath) Sati (other “devotees” laugh)
Prabhupada: All right.
Tamala Krsna: Our greatest pleasure will be to take you on tirtha-yatra, Srila Prabhupada. We wanted so much to go with you on that.
Prabhupada: Thank you very much.
(Vrindavana, India – 10th November 1977)
http://www.prabhupada.org.uk/paul/08.mp3
here is the conversation of his final days. You were there werent you? therefore if you knew of this publicly repent and work to fight against your “Godbrothers” and if you sincerely and honestly did not know then research and hear what they did to our Guru Maharaj and understand what you must do.
http://www.prabhupada.org.uk/paul/prabhupada_poisoned.htm