Back To Prabhupada, Issue 20, Summer 2008
As we see from the quotes below, Srila Prabhupada expected his followers to vigorously oppose, criticise, expose and fight those who were spreading false philosophies. He, of course, expected ISKCON to do this. Unfortunately, today it is ISKCON itself which is preaching the most damaging, illusory philosophy which is misleading all the devotees and cutting them off from the parampara, by claiming Srila Prabhupada is no longer ISKCON’s diksa Guru. Hence, these quotes now become applicable to ISKCON itself, which is doing exactly what Srila Prabhupada criticised false gurus, leaders and materialists for doing. Devotees can become sentimental and think Krishna consciousness means to do nothing but chant Hare Krishna and leave everything to Krishna. As we will see below, this was certainly not Srila Prabhupada’s philosophy; on the contrary, he clearly stated that false misleaders propagating illusory philosophies which cheat the innocent must be vigorously fought and defeated. These quotes and others, therefore, outline exactly what the mission of the IRM needs to be - to combat the biggest cheaters, those masquerading as Srila Prabhupada’s representatives, those who themselves were supposed to be combating illusion.
“You can eulogize your Guru Maharaja, but you have to learn it and face the public and be strong to defend yourself. That is success. Not by praising your Guru Maharaja. You’ll praise your Guru Maharaja. That is not very difficult. But be victorious to the opposing elements. Then you will praise your Guru Maharaja nicely. At home, you can praise your Guru Maharaja, and Guru Maharaja be satisfied, “Oh, my disciples are praising me.” That is not very... That is good. Respectful. That is the qualification. But you have to fight. Then your Guru Maharaja will be glorified.”
(Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, 26/12/1975)
“Unfortunately, when the acarya disappears, rogues and non-devotees take advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles in the name of so-called svamis, yogis, philanthropists, welfare workers and so on. […] The acarya, the authorized representative of the Supreme Lord, establishes these principles, but when he disappears, things once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the acarya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.28.48, purport)
“Our business is to point out who is not a saint.”
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 10/4/1975)
“If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief, that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth.”
(Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 10.4-5, purport)
“Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.”
(Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 11)
“That is our duty, to disturb them. And that is the greatest service. Just like a man is sleeping. And somebody is coming to kill him, and other friend, body is coming to kill him, and other friend, “Mr. such and such, wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” So he may say, “Why you are disturbing me?” But that is the greatest service, he’ll be saved.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 30/12/1968)
“On the whole, I wish to present Back To Godhead purely in the line of Krishna Consciousness throughout and criticism of too much materialism, as you have written many articles already.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 15/2/1969, emphasis added)
“Similarly, those who are Krsna conscious should also kill – not by weapons but by logic, by reasoning, and by education. If one is a demon, we can use logic and arguments to kill his demoniac propensities and turn him into a devotee, a saintly person.”
(Teachings of Queen Kunti, Chapter 24)
“That these rascals are jackals. Now they are talking nonsense. We can detect that “Here is a jackal.” So we have to expose them. They are not leader; they are jackals. So jackals cannot anymore rule over. That should be our propaganda. Not only scientific, all political things, social things, everything. They should be all kicked out. […] It is not a business, to make business and take some money.”
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 3/5/1973)
“Write vigorous articles to kick on the face of these rascals. [..] Do you think it is nice? You are talking all nonsense, and I have to believe you?”
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 19/4/1973)
“You cannot tolerate this misleading. People are innocent. It is our duty to become merciful upon them, to give them real knowledge. And these people are misleading. There must be strong protests against these rascals.”
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 19/4/1973)
“It is the duty of the disciples to take charge of the mission of the spiritual master and execute it properly. Otherwise the disciple should decide to die along with the spiritual master. In other words, to execute the will of the spiritual master, the disciple should be prepared to lay down his life and abandon all personal considerations.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.28.50, purport)
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