It has become the norm in ISKCON to use this catch phrase, "Its offensive". But devotees are realising this is code for someone who has something to hide. In association with this there are other similar terms like "He's senior", or "Who's your authority?"

These are means of gagging. These techniques have been used artfully to prevent the hidden agenda that a person has from making it known to the public.

For Instance (770428rc.bom) Srila Prabhupada has said:

Prabhupada: You take prasadam. But why salary? Where is the question of salary? Where is vairagya, renouncement? So in all circumstances the salary process should be STOPPED. One who wants salary, he can work outside.

It's an open secret that paying huge salaries to Temple Presidents and other key members is now current, and in return they arrange for the smooth function of the "guru" franchise. Anybody who opposes this arrangement is confronted with "It's offensive", and if all else fails, then you are banned from the temple. Yes! You cannot go take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Krishna. You also cannot get Srila Prabhupada's books for distribution.

Why should anyone be prevented from discussing the guru issue openly? At least this is what Srila Prabhupada wants (unless of course it spoils the "guru" franchise and the salary business).

76-09-22. Ayodhyapati

"Your siddhanta is correct to the sastra and in this way go on reading books and have the correct perception and Krsna will help you. siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa iha haite krsna lage sudrdha manasa. A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna. You should be always alert in understanding the sastric conclusions that will help you, otherwise we can be misled by bogus philosophies. I am very pleased that you are studying the books. This will make you happy and successful."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.42, The Son of Drona Punished

The specific words used in this sloka are vama-svabhava, "mild and gentle by nature."

"A good man or woman accepts anything very easily, but a man of average intelligence does not do so. But, anyway, we should not give up our reason and discriminatory power just to be gentle. One must have good discriminatory power to judge a thing on its merit. We should not follow the mild nature of a woman and thereby accept that which is not genuine. Asvatthama may be respected by a good-natured woman, but that does not mean that he is as good as a genuine brahmana."

BTG-Delhi March 1956 (Pioneer Years, page 75)

We have to defeat tyranny on the realm of thought, and create a will for world peace.

Demanding respect and doing everything whimsically are demoniac qualities

Bhagavad-gita Chapter 16, Text 4:

dambho darpo 'bhimanas ca
krodhah parusyam eva ca
ajnanam cabhijatasya
partha sampadam asurim

TRANSLATION

Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance--these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha.

PURPORT

In this verse, the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant and proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority. These demoniac qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers, and as they grow they manifest all these inauspicious qualities.

Senior in Knowledge

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.7.33:

"The demigods continued: Do not fear criticism for being younger than us. Such etiquette does not apply in regard to Vedic mantras. Except in relationship to Vedic mantras, seniority is determined by age, but one may offer respectful obeisances even to a younger person who is advanced in chanting Vedic mantras. Therefore although you are junior in relationship to us, you may become our priest without hesitation.

PURPORT

It is said, vrddhatvam vayasa vina: one may be senior without being advanced in age. Even if one is not old, one gains seniority if he is senior in knowledge. Visvarupa was junior in relationship to the demigods because he was their nephew, but the demigods wanted to accept him as their priest, and therefore he would have to accept obeisances from them. The demigods explained that this should not be a cause for hesitation; he could become their priest because he was advanced in Vedic knowledge."

Authority: Avyakta-marga-vit (Srila Prabhupada)

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.20.9, Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura:

"Vidura said: Since you know of matters inconceivable to us, tell me, O holy sage, what did Brahma do to create living beings after evolving the Prajapatis, the progenitors of living beings?

PURPORT

Significant here is the word avyakta-marga-vit, "one who knows that which is beyond our perception." To know matters beyond one's perception, one has to learn from a superior authority in the line of disciplic succession. Just to know who is our father is beyond our perception. For that, the mother is the authority. Similarly, we have to understand everything beyond our perception from the authority who actually knows. The first avyakta-marga-vit, or authority, is Brahma, and the next authority in disciplic succession is Narada. Maitreya Rsi belongs to that disciplic succession, so he also is avyakta-marga-vit. Anyone in the bona fide line of disciplic succession is avyakta-marga-vit, a personality who knows that which is beyond ordinary perception."

After looking at all these quotes from Srila Prabhupada, who in his right mind would want to concoct and maintain a self-made 2/3 majority votes guru system with supportive paypackets for key men? Avyakta-marga-vit personality's words are quoted as authority because Krishna speaks through them. Prabhupada (Uttama-adhikari) is able to give spiritual initiation (diksa) to the Madhyama adhikari (who relishes loving mellows with Krishna) when the Holy Name is chanted offenselessly (see Antya4.192-194).

Srila Prabhupada said it's folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss: so if we were to show these devotees quotes from His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada that he is warning these so-called gurus of going to hell (Isopanisad 12), please step down and save yourselves now!, they will be angry. Bhagavad-gita says when lust is checked, anger arises.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.8.11:

It is said in Hitopadesa, upadeso hi murkhanam prokopaya na santaye. If good instructions are given to a foolish person, he does not take advantage of them, but becomes more and more angry. Prahlada Maharaja's authorized instructions to his father were not accepted by Hiranyakasipu as truth; instead Hiranyakasipu became increasingly angry at his great son, who was a pure devotee. This kind of difficulty always exists when a devotee preaches Krsna consciousness to persons like Hiranyakasipu, who are interested in money and women.

Bhagavad-gita 10.4-5:

"Satyam, truthfulness, means that facts should be presented as they are, for the benefit of others. Facts should not be misrepresented. According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in such a straight and forward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth."

Srila Prabhupada is Maha-Bhagavata who is delivering us!

Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya lila 24.330:

maha-bhagavata-srestho
brahmano vai gurur nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam
asau pujyo yatha harih

The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class.

When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. ONLY SUCH A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO OCCUPY THE POST OF A GURU.

All glories to our bonafide jagad siksa and diksa guru srila prabhupada!

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