Back To Prabhupada, Issue 24, Summer 2009
t is automatically assumed that the current representative of the parampara must be “physically present”, otherwise he ceases to be the current “link” of the parampara through whom we can connect to Krishna. And therefore, it is argued, we must accept a “living guru” in order to connect to the parampara. However, as we see from Srila Prabhupada’s own statements below, this argument is fatally flawed because:
1) Srila Prabhupada never stated that the parampara is defined by the presence of physical bodies, but rather defined it as the continuation of transcendental knowledge.
2) Srila Prabhupada never stated that he would cease to act as ISKCON’s current link diksa (initiating) Guru in the parampara.
3) Srila Prabhupada, on the contrary, explained that the parampara would continue through him via his teachings, thus keeping him as the diksa Guru.
"Parampara means to hear the truth from the spiritual master."
(Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, December 20th, 1976)
"Parampara means they do not change the word of Krishna. That is parampara".
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 11/8/1974)
"So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, January 13th, 1969)
"Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.7.1., purport)
"The potency of transcendental sound is never minimised because the vibrator is apparently absent."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.8, purport)
"[...] Similarly, the spiritual master can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the
principle, not the body."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, May 28th, 1968)
Ganesa: "Srila Prabhupada, if the knowledge was handed down by the saintly kings, evam parampara-praptam, how is it that the knowledge was lost?"
Srila Prabhupada: "When it was not handed down. Simply understood by speculation. Or if it is not handed down as it is. They might have made some changes. Or they did not hand it down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost. Now the Krishna consciousness movement is going on in my presence. Now after my departure, if you do not do this, then it is lost. If you go on as you are doing now, then it will go on."
(Room Conversation, May 9th, 1975)
"Yes, whoever you tell the chant to, it is effective. [...] Because you have heard it from a pure devotee of the Lord, therefore it is transmitted from you to another. Just as an aerial message, is transmitted from one place to another, similarly, this Guru parampara system is working. My disciples are my agents, my representatives representatives, so by hearing it from them, you are receiving it from me."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 6th, 1968, emphasis added)
"If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavour. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn't matter."
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Address, May 17th, 1977)
"Now, here also it is stated, sa kalaneha mahata yogo nasto parantapa: "My dear Arjuna, oh, you are the great hero. Now, that Bhagavad-gita, the instruction which I imparted to the sun-god, was coming by disciplic succession. Now it is lost." Now, we have to note down this point. Why it is lost? Why it is lost? Do you think that there was no learned man during that time? During Krsna's time? Oh, there were many learned sages. Not only one, two, there were dozens of learned sages. But still, the Lord said, Krsna said, that "They... That knowledge which I exactly imparted to sun-god is now lost." How it is lost? There were many scholars, and still, how it is lost? The lost means that the purport of Bhagavad-gita is lost."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, July 13th, 1966)
"You have taken the right view of the importance of my books. Books will always remain [...] and if there are no more temples, then the books shall remain."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 8th, 1973)
The parampara continues with its current representative transmitting knowledge to us, and this is still continuing today in the same way via Srila Prabhupada and his teachings, a fact which even ISKCON’s “do nothing, take the credit” gurus and GBC admit. They like to claim this means that Srila Prabhupada’s role is “only” siksa, but the quotes above prove it means that Srila Prabhupada is the parampara’s current link.
Return to "Succession" Index
Return to IRM Homepage