Prabhupada wrote and spoke millions and millions of words that are now accessible to anyone and everyone. Sometimes devotees quote a sentence or two from Prabhupada but don’t necessarily look to examine the context of what is being expressed. Were the words from a purport in one of his books? Is it a lecture, conversation, or a letter that is being quoted? Who were the words spoken to? What was Prabhupada’s intention in speaking the words? Were his words straightforward and obvious, or was there a deeper meaning? Or maybe it was both.
If we study Prabhupada’s books and talks, we will even find many seemingly contradictory statements or instructions. The style of dress is one obvious example. One can choose to wear eastern dhoti or the western dress of gentlemen – that’s fine. We can find ample Prabhupada quotes for both of these perspectives. So there is no need for devotees to waste time in endlessly debating the issue.
Prabhupada has the wonderful ability to accommodate or reconcile seemingly contradictory statements. How is that? Because everything he says is in relation to developing or promoting Krishna Consciousness.
But Prabhupada was adamant in calling out yogis, philosophers, and scholars who tried to usurp Krishna’s words in the Bhagavad Gita to promote their own philosophy or agenda. Prabhupada writes in his preface to the Bhagavad Gita As It Is: “If personally, I have any credit in this matter, it is only that I have tried to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is, without any adulteration. . . . almost all the English editions of Bhagavad-gītā were introduced to fulfill someone’s personal ambition. But our attempt, in presenting Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, is to present the mission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.”
Prabhupada explains that it is important to take advantage of the Vaisnava association to develop the faith and determination to free ourselves from the myriad attachments and misconceptions the material world has to offer. It would be foolishness to exploit Prabhupada’s words to wallow in our conditioning and bodily conceptions. To move forward in our Krishna Consciousness, it is imperative to try to understand Prabhupada’s overarching message, and embrace his transcendental teachings.
In the Kali-yuga, compassion, kindness, and civility are rapidly deteriorating. Some devotees on social media seem to be too busy categorizing people as “rascels” and “demons” and dismissing them as worthless because they eat meat, etc, etc.
Prabhupada came to the West not to reject, but to reform. Thus, devotees have to rack their brains to attract the population, to find common ground (“in like a needle” Prabhupada says), and give people Krishna Consciousness. The chanting of the holy name of Krishna is a precious medicine, the remedy, and the vaccine against the Kali-yuga.
In Light of the Bhagavata, chapter 6, Prabhupada even calls for all godly people to come together as a force for peace:
“In this age of a godless civilization, the sages of world-recognized religious sects who believe in God must come out of their secluded places and preach the science of God, the Supreme Will, to the people in general. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and the members of the other sects that have convincing faith in the authority of God must not sit idly now and silently watch the rapid growth of a godless civilization. There is the supreme will of God, and no nation or society can live in peace and prosperity without acceptance of this vital truth.”
Prabhupada wants devotees to study his books and apply the teachings in their lives. In a June 16, 1972 letter, he explains: “And I am very much stressing nowadays that my students shall increase their reading of my books and try to understand them from different angles of vision. Each sloka can be seen from many, many angles of vision.”
Does that mean the meaning of the verses can be construed differently according to the reader? The idea is not to change Krishna’s words, but to apply Krishna Consciousness according to our realization and situation. For instance, I approach Krishna Consciousness as a dramatic storyteller and someone trained in theater. Others may see the verses in the light of art, economics, sociology, politics, etc.; so many “different angles of vision.” Krishna Consciousness is an inclusive process.
This is what Prabhupada wants: that the Hare Krishna Movement be known, not for condemning others, but for “saving the world.” And as the Kali-yuga advances, the Vaisnavas will be very instrumental; that is, if they are not too busy arguing about semantics and condemning each other. Unfortunately, all too often, in the process of contesting differences, Vaishnava etiquette has fallen by the wayside. Vaishnava etiquette itself has become a casualty in the Kali-yuga.
Although ISKCON is a successful religious organization, over the years, it has made awkward and embarrassing mistakes. And those mistakes and transgressions were and still need to be addressed. But ISKCON has become an easy target. And being critical is so very easy. It helps to avoid self-introspection.
But I am personally hopeful. Within the fifty-plus years of its existence, ISKCON is discussing and dealing with issues that has taken other religions a thousand years to address. Prabhupada explained the situation concerning he and his god-brothers:
“. . . . although there are some differences of opinion, and although we are not acting conjointly, every one of us is spreading this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement according to his own capacity and producing many disciples to spread it all over the world. As far as we are concerned, we have already started the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and many thousands of Europeans and Americans have joined this movement. . . . (The Movement) will never be stopped. It will go on without distinction of caste, creed, color or country. No one can check it.” SB 4.28.31, purport
Devotees have thus been trained to be “independently thoughtful,” to inspire others to serve Krishna and to promote the chanting of Hare Krishna in every town and village all over the world. This is what Prabhupada wants.
Sankirtana Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is a longtime resident of the New Vrindaban Community and an award-winning author and storyteller. His most recent book, Hanuman’s Quest, is acclaimed by scholars and devotees and has received a Storytelling World Resource Honors. For more info about his work visit www.Mahabharata-Project.com
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