On Speaking Strongly in Srila Prabhupada's Service
When my Guru Maharaja was present even big, big scholars were afraid to talk with his beginning students. My Guru Maharaja was called Living Encyclopedia, he could talk with anyone on any subject. He was so learned -- so we should be like that as far as possible. No compromise -- Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, everyone was enemy to Guru Maharaja -- he never compromised. Some Godbrothers complained that this preaching was chopping technique and it would not be successful. But we have seen that those who criticized, they fell down. For my part I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja -- no compromise. All these so called scholars, scientists, philosophers who do not accept Krsna are nothing more than rascals, fools, lowest of mankind etc. Letter 73-07-27
Once a senior disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura complained that a young brahmacari had spoiled a preaching engagement by openly criticizing a popular charlatan. The meeting had dissolved into chaos with the Gaudiya Matha preachers being chased away. It was terrible publicity. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had himself warned not to publicly name ideological enemies. But instead of rebuking the young brahmacari, he said, ''He has done well.'' Sarasvati Thakura appreciated the preaching spirit.
Srila Prabhupada fully imbibed the mood of his spiritual master. One of the features that distinguished Srila Prabhupada from his godbrothers was his bold, straightforward preaching. If someone disagreed with Srila Prabhupada, he would show them why they were wrong and he was right.
Srila Prabhupada was very much in the mood of fighting, of taking on the demoniac civilization and establishing Krsna as the Supreme Absolute Truth. Once, when disciples pleaded with him to rest and recuperate his health, he gravely told them, "I want the benediction to go on fighting for Krsna, like Arjuna." (c.f. Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta volume six, chapter six)
And Fought Prabhupada Did.
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
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