In response to the article Radhanatha Swami (pre-ISKCON) by Garuda dasa Jr.,
may I make a few comments?
Perhaps Garuda dasa Jr. was not on the receiving end of some of the abuse meted out by the New Vrindavan regime.
What abuse? .....you may say.
Well, the word abuse has almost become a euphemism in Iskcon.
To use some of the more correct and graphic words to describe some of the goings on at New Vrindavan would make this response barely printable.
Perhaps Garuda dasa Jr. has never met some of those people?
Are they not also devotees?
One is almost led to believe Srila Prabhupada only had 2 disciples, i.e., Kirtanananda das and Radhanatha Swami.
Would Garuda dasa Jr. have us believe Kirtanananda is solely responsible for the nonsense that went on?
That everyone else was blind, deaf and dumb?
Does Garuda dasa Jr. think that propping up such a regime was "serving Kirtanananda and Srila Prabhupada?"
Perhaps Garuda dasa Jr. is not aware of all the negative publicity generated by Kirtanananda and his "servants".
Perhaps Garuda dasa Jr. is not aware of the massive court case brought against Srila Prabhupada's Iskcon by its own children, and Kirtanananda's part in it.
Perhaps Garuda dasa Jr. is not aware that at least one of my godbrothers was murdered to protect the rotten Zonal Acharya system, and the role Kirtanananda had in it.
Does Garuda dasa Jr. think that such a regime happened without the support of a second tier of supporters, sycophants (call them what you will)?
Just as Radhanatha Swami is quick to cover up for, support, serve, defend (your choice) Kirtanananda das,
will Garuda dasa Jr. be as quick to support those whom we never hear about, i.e., those who were on the receiving end?
I have a personal experience with Radhanatha Swami of being publicly chastised for daring to speak up for the victims.
He then had the public recording edited so as to maintain his public image.
Radhanatha Swami constantly wants to bring back Kirtanananda and company.
In his own words, "we should offer them respect even though they committed the most abominable activities".
He (Radhanatha Swami) justified it by saying, "because I am the guru, and they are my godbrothers".
But that is a story in itself.......
Will he be making the same efforts to bring back those who were excommunicated for daring to speak up against the nonsense that went on and still goes on in ISKCON?
As is the norm, Garuda dasa Jr. presents us with a quotation to justify his stance. However there are other quotes from sastra that tell us such personalities are to be "neglected".
Still, if Garuda dasa Jr. wishes to support such people,
that is his business.