On a morning walk in Hyderabad (April 22, 1974) Srila Prabhupada took the position of a Christian. "I love God," he said, and challenged his disciples to disprove his position. Prabhupada rebutted all arguments until this one was offered: "If you love God, why don't you do what he says?" Srila Prabhupada then explained that by disregarding the Biblical injunction, "Thou shalt not kill," the "Christians'" hypocrisy was exposed.
When talking with Christians, Prabhupada always hammered on this point: "Thou shalt not kill." When Cardinal Daneliou (Conversation, August 9, 1973) protested, "Let us go on to higher topics," Prabhupada retorted, "There is no question of going higher if you are sinful."
Similarly, love for Prabhupada must be based on following his instructions. To praise Srila Prabhupada is good and certainly should be done, but the real challenge is to become like him.
Remembrance of Prabhupada, love for Prabhupada, praise of Prabhupada and service to Prabhupada must all be based on obeying Prabhupada. Otherwise such sentiments are superficial, hypocritical and devoid of the potency to fulfill the mission of Srila Prabhupada -- spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world.
If he cannot (follow after initiation), then he is cat and dog. He is not a human being. Why he should accept initiation? Let him remain a cat and dog. He promises to follow, and if he cannot follow, then he is nothing but cat and dog. In the court, they take promises, that "In the name of God," "In the name of Bible." So that means he will speak the truth. Similarly, before the fire, before Deity, before guru, before devotees, he is promising something, and if he does not follow, then he is cat and dog. He cannot advance. It is not possible. That is the distinction between cat and dog and human being. Cat and dog, they cannot promise. It is not possible. But a human being can promise. And if he keeps his promise, then he is human being. Otherwise cat and dog. Word of honor. The cats and dogs, they have no sense of honor. Either you kick him or pat, he does not know what is the difference. That is cat and dog. He does not know the distinction. A human being knows what is promise, what is word of honor. (Conversation, Jan 10, 74)
To be continued...
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
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