n last issue's article "GBC's Support of Sahajiyaism Exposed", we documented how GBC voted-in guru HH Sivarama Swami ("SRS") is in the process of publishing an extensive "commentary" on Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami's work Sri Vilapa-kusumanjali ("VKM"), which deals with Lord Krsna's intimate pastimes with the gopis (the damsels of Vrndavana). We showed that a definition of sahajiyaism is trying to hear about such intimate pastimes before one is perfect or liberated, and that this is in contravention of a GBC resolution and the GBC paper "Keeping Faith with Srila Prabhupada" (1996, henceforward "KFSP") written on the subject, as both of them condemned the propagation of such topics in ISKCON. A BTP reader attempted to raise this matter with the GBC by contacting the GBC corresponding secretary, Ananda Tirtha Dasa ("ATD"), seeking a GBC response to SRS's books contravening the GBC's policy. In the shaded boxes below, we present the reply sent by ATD in emails dated the 19th and 30th of August 2024. (All emphases added.)
"the GBC has not discussed this topic at all for many years."
The above reply was given in response to a request for the GBC to give its position on the fact that SRS's books do not follow its directives. The fact that the GBC may not have discussed the topic of the above mentioned resolution and paper for many years has no relevance as to whether or not the topic needs to be discussed now. There is clearly a need to discuss the matter now if a senior ISKCON leader is disobeying the GBC on this topic. And if the GBC refuses to do so, then this merely confirms, by its own teachings, its acceptance of sahajiyaism in ISKCON.
"I don't have access to this book so I asked Sivarama Swami himself. I summarise his response below"
So rather than the GBC responding to SRS's activities, as asked, SRS is instead asked to respond to the GBC's position! SRS's summarised responses are given below with our answers, which we provide on the GBC's behalf:
"1. The GBC paper was mostly about Narayana Maharaja and may be outdated."
As anyone can verify by reading the GBC paper, KFSP, it is neither outdated nor limited to Narayana Maharaja, but rather gives philosophical principles based on Srila Prabhupada's teachings - that one must be "liberated from material desires" to hear "Krsna's conjugal pastimes" (known as "madhurya-lila").
"2. The book in question was translated by Kusakratha Prabhu and been in circulation in ISKCON since the 80's."
This point is irrelevant to justifying SRS publishing VKM, since, in 1995, the GBC issued the following resolution, which forbids such literature:
"The recent proliferation in ISKCON of literature focusing on "rasika-bhakti," intimate Radha-Krsna lila, and other subject matters suitable only for highly advanced souls, represents a departure from Srila Prabhupada's orders and obstructs the smooth spiritual progress of ISKCON devotees. ISKCON members should therefore avoid collecting, reading, discussing, or distributing such literature."
(GBC Resolution 73, 1995)
"3. Did Raghunatha Das Goswami write it for everyone except ISKCON devotees?"
As noted above, according to SRS's own authority, the GBC, VKM was written for those who are liberated:
"advanced topics concerning Krsna's conjugal pastimes. [...] a devotee must be liberated from material desires to be qualified [...] no one should delve into these topics as long as anarthas remain in the heart."
(KFSP)
"4. Unless one reads it you couldn't tell if it contravenes the GBC paper or not. If in doubt play safe and do not read."
SRS himself states that the subject matter of the book is exactly the same as that banned by the GBC, even using exactly the same terms to describe the content. Thus, the GBC resolution forbade literature dealing with "intimate Radha-Krsna lila", and SRS states that is exactly what VKM deals with:
"Vilapa-kusumanjali and similar madhurya literature. [...] books detailing Krsna's intimate gopi pastimes. [...] his most intimate dealings with his eternal associates. [...] Krsna's intimate affairs"
(VKM, Vol. 2, Introduction)
Thus, SRS gives good advice to "not read" it!
"5. Books should be read according to qualification. The 100 page intro to Vol 1 talks about this in detail."
SRS's arguments for reading according to qualification are summarised in a helpful chart on page 32 of the Introduction of VKM, Vol. 2, which gives all the qualifications supposedly required to read such books. There, SRS states that no madhurya-lila literature, no matter how intimate, ever requires that one must be liberated to read it. Therefore, his position clearly and fully contradicts the GBC's position, as quoted in the previous 4 points.
"Of course, Srila Prabhupada also gave us Krsna Book which does include some intimate pastimes, as well as other such passages in other books, and he did not prohibit devotees reading them with the proper understanding."
To support SRS's books, ATD then offers his own argument that Srila Prabhupada's books contain "some intimate pastimes", including his Krsna Book, which he did not prohibit devotees from reading. However, this point has already been specifically considered by ATD's authority, the GBC, in KFSP -
"Some twenty years ago in ISKCON, a small group of Prabhupada's disciples began to meet for the purpose of cultivating higher spiritual sentiments. They became infamous as the "Gopi-bhava Club." Srila Prabhupada intervened personally to halt their improper activities. [...] [Another member of the group] said that they had thought it was all right because it was in Prabhupada's books, and they were only reading his books. [...] The overwhelmingly clear understanding from Srila Prabhupada is that no one should delve into these topics as long as anarthas remain in the heart."
- and it did not alter the GBC's conclusion that literature such as SRS's books should not be propagated.
Though the GBC may have abandoned the fight against sahajiyaism, it can rest assured that the IRM will continue this fight on their behalf!
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