Hare Krishna, Dandavat Pranam.
I have a cousin in Bangalore, he is 28 years old and he lives 10 mins from Isckon Bangalore. I preached to him Krishna Conciousness and advised him to Visit the temple for Mangal aarti atleast 2 days of the week as he stays so closeby.
He started doing it! and also started chanting few rounds everyday.
I recently visited him in Bnagalore and the next day morning we both went to Mangal Aarti together. The darshan was very good but certain things left a bad taste in my mouth.
In bangalore every mangal aarti they indoctrinate devotees into the Ritvic philosophy. Procaliming that July 9th Letter is our ultimate proof and we will take initiation from Prabhupad.
Like they literally chant and recite it, like how we recite the 10 Offenses.
I told him he can follow what they are doing, just don't recite this letter segment and few other things they do.
It will be too complicated for me to explain the entire history and philosophy, since he is just beginning.
I care for his spiritual progress. How should I go about this?
Thank you for your advise.
Haribol.
Replies
Hare Krsna
In bangalore every mangal aarti they indoctrinate devotees into the Ritvic philosophy. Procaliming that July 9th Letter is our ultimate proof and we will take initiation from Prabhupad. Like they literally chant and recite it, like how we recite the 10 Offenses.
It's hilarious.
How should I go about this?
It depends on how steady he is in his practice. If he is so steady that he won't be affected by such indoctrination and can focus on practice of bhakti, then it may be alright to visit for darshan, still very risky though.
If he is relatively new, vulnerable to propaganda, then better to avoid visiting.
Bad scenarios to avoid - 1. He starts chanting/believing in the Ritvik Propaganda 2. He reduces or stops practice of chanting Hare Krsna, hearing etc
Best is to find alternate association , even if it is a bit far, he may visit on Sundays and other days get some online association from home. Best is that he gets connected to another association.
Hare Krsna