PAMHO
AGTSP & All Vaisnava's World-Wide.
Hare Krishna,
I have been reading up on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakurji Maharaj, the Spiritual Guide & Master of Srila Prabhupada. I realize that us, the devotees following from Srila Prabhupada's line [ISKCON] are also connected to the devotees following from Srila Narayana Maharaj's line.
Srila Prabhupada and Srila Narayana Maharaj were both initiated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakurji, making them God-Brothers.
Does this mean that we [ISKCON devotees] are Spiritual Cousins of the followers of Srila Narayana Maharaj?
Please forgive me if I have made an offense in asking this question. I am asking this question with the purpose of uniting all Vaisnava's, as we are all Sri Sri Radha-Govinda's children.
Hari Bol
Your Servant,
David
Replies
Hare Krsna prabhu, Not quite right. Narayan maharaja is a disciple of Bhakti prajnan Keshava Maharaja and is not the godbrother of Srila Prabhupada. There is always some group mentality among the disciples of different gurus. My guru is better than your guru, like that. Its quite normal among neophyte devotees so please be careful as there may be a misunderstanding if you glorify your particular camp. And if you don't glorify their camp they will misunderstand that too. In ISKCon we have many gurus and their followers working together. They don't critisize other gurus in front of their disciples and hurt their feelings. Actually it is not recomended that neophytes mix with other camps as they are not able to understand the different moods and teachings . Only at the more mature stage can that be done without offending someone. Even at the time of Lord Chaitanya there were many camps who dressed differently wore different tilak and sang differnt styles of kirtan. Actually this is very wonderful and they all came to Rathayatra of Lord Jagannath and to see the Lord. we offer our respects to all of them even if we don't mix so closely. so please remember neophytes are never encoraged to mix with other camps and even the mature devotees who can do this are very careful when dealing with the neophytes who may not understand them and give citisism. Prabhu, you need to be more advanced. Hare Krsna.
I have read that Srila Bhakti Prajana Keshava Goswami is the Spiritual Master of Srila Narayana Maharaj.
But isn't Srila Bhakti Prajana Keshava Goswami's Spiritual Master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaj?
Hare Krsna David prabhu, Keshava Maharaja is the godbrother of Srila Prabhupada.
They are both the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami.
The god brother of my guru I have to respect like my guru.
Therefore we do not address our gurus godbrother as our godbrother as a matter of respect.
With our brothers we can say so many things in a very familiar way but with our uncle we have to be very respectful.
That is given in shastra and the strict followers of Lord Chaitanya follow this vaisnav behaviour.
This does not mean however you have to follow the orders of the uncle.
You follow the orders of your father/guru and offer suitable respect to his godbrothers.
These dealing are seen in the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and are still followed today.
Also if we see that a godbrother has become very advanced in devoton to Krsna we should offer that devotee respect not equal to but almost equal to our guru.
The devotee has to learn how to offer the appropriate respect for all vaisnavas.
Go on reading and doscussing the shastra then applying in your life in association of the devotees and very soon you will get the full mercy of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Krsna prema. Hare Krsna
!!! Great Explanation Prabhuji!
I understand now how I should respect those from Keshava Maharaj's line, but still follow my direct orders from Srila Prabhupada.
Hari Bol!
I was confused because I always thought Sri Narayana Maharaj to be a disciple in line of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj.
Thank you for clearing that part up for me.
I must speak with you more, as I have many questions.
Your Servant,
David