Garudaji's most recent publishing effort motivated one reader to question, "how may ghost writers did it take to produce that thing?".In a piece of literature with more bhasa than rasa, the apparent contradictions of a bhakta's mindset might be forgiven. This piece in no way purports to be "a bhakta seeking enlightenment". As his closing remarks suggest, rather, it serves as his "bully pulpit" by which the author intends to preach his point of view from a position of authority. era.

We sympathize with the "second generation" of ISKCON, having once been a member of that elite unit ourselves. Now, through whatever twists fate had in store, we are no longer welcome in any of the branches of the ISKCON tree. It is incomprehensible that such individuals could purport to represent Caitanya Mahaprabhu's inclusive movement when exile has, more often than not, been used as the first tool out of the ISKCON bag when working on a problem. It was the first strategy they employed against Hansadutta after his infamous "guns for sanyassis" exchange with the ATF. It was the only strategy employed against New Vrnidaban and it's residents after the philosophical infestation of the regal Kirtanananda

Like quarantined lepers, some 700 Srila Prabhupada disciples and their families, "more than all the NA temples combined" by Garuda's own admission, were expelled by a minority party (whether it was the NA Temple Presidents or the GBC that voted expulsion) in interests that were never detailed or authorized.

The current ostracization of Rocana prabhu and this most excellent facility that he has so kindly offered Srila Prabhupada and the rest of His movement is proof of the political nature of the letter which fails to refute any facts, but simply contends that such topics are somehow "avaisnava" because these allegations concern some member of ISKCON's ruling elite. This selective prosecution of individuals who refuse to respond to a "group think" mentality as it is, is expounded to us from on high by way of these illustrious intellectuals. They tell the rest of us that they, as the brahmana class, are the brain of this movement and to think otherwise is to invite your own exile before long. The wheels of their political process now only require a few secure PAMHO access codes, and in minutes, anywhere on the planet, a guru can update his popularity with ubiquitous video footage of himself, sitting in court and giving darshan. How does this encourage the humility of the individual? For what purposes are such laudations offered? The motive is quite clear.

And, to the issue of "whose sentiments exactly are these articles supposed to represent?", let us look a little more closely at some of the content and some of the logical implications of it's postulates.Garudaji offers us these:

"Let me say this is about my own personal realization about disciplic succession, which I received from Srila Prabhupada in personal realization."

This same "Ritvik heresy" would get you banned from not only New Vrindaban, but most, if not all of ISKCON. But there it is.

"I read GITA 6 times (the original version) and heard Srila Prabhupada in His books, in my heart and in my dreams".

There it is again!

"I was given perfect understanding from Srila Prabhupada and His books."

Then, suddenly, the mood of the article shifts dramatically. Then come the paragraphs from hell.

"Srila Prabhupada said that since He wasn't available for giving direction, it is duty to surrender to 'param-para' and in that way be connected with Him."

How was it possible for Srila Prabhupada to communicate that He could not communicate? Srila Prabhupada communicated to me that He couldn't communicate with me at this level and that I should worship one of His disciples as good as I would have worshipped Him, but He was so forgetful, He didn't even tell me which one. Maybe that wasn't Srila Prabhupada that you were talking to, but other disciples of your siksa guru trying to warn you!

"Never did the param-para stop and it wasn't about to with Srila Prabhupada"

Never did the parama-para stop, nor was it ever dependant on the ISKCON power elite for it's authenticity.

"He was 'too sincere' to pull some self- aggrandizement on His Guru"

Unfortunately, not so with many of His more notable disciples.

"2nd generation was not as 'lucky' as 'those who met our Param-Guru in person"

Certainly not, since generation uno was so 'under the modes' as to think themselves pure after so short a perod of devotional service. Srimad Bhagavatam assures us that one or three births (dhruva or jada bharata) are rare enough occurrences to be mentioned in this universes Srimad Bhagavatam. 'Lucky' is not the criteria by which spiritual relationships are formulated, neither is "personal association" a requirement for receiving the mercy of Guru and KRSNA from within ones own heart. Peace of heart only comes after several years of peace of mind.

"I am content with the accumulated inspirations of many of His disciples"

Don't be! Pursue the direction that Srila Prabhupada is giving you. In your dreams, in reading His books, in preaching His glories and take it as the mercy of these siksa gurus that they have, in fact, finally brought the second generation "to Srila Prabhupada". These siksa gurus should therefore surrender these disciples to the service of distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books, especially the Bhagavad Gita -- the original version, as that is the one which so inspired garudaji and so many millions before him to serve Lord Krsna as the goal of his life.

"I take inspiration from many present Prabhupada disciples"

Hopefully this forum will broaden even those horizons.

"If the succession were to stop, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta would have told Srila Prabhupada in a dream"

The contention that the disciplic succession has somehow 'stopped' because of gaps, owing to lack of qualified individuals, is a misunderstanding of the temporal nature of such gaps. This anomoly, this gliche, this Catch 22, is what prevents pretenders from being able to much more than repeat rote some concepts they have memorized. Karna's memorized astras failed him also, when he most needed them. KRSNA will not be cheated by these rogues.

"Prabhupada would have said it in His books."

We read in Bhagavad Gita 4:2:

"This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost."

PURPORT

It is clearly stated that the Gita was especially meant for the saintly kings because they were to execute its purpose in ruling over the citizens. Certainly Bhagavad-gita was never meant for the demonic persons, who would dissipate its value for no one's benefit and would devise all types of interpretations according to personal whims. As soon as the original purpose was scattered by the motives of the unscrupulous commentators, there arose the need to reestablish the disciplic succession. Five thousand years ago it was detected by the Lord Himself that the disciplic succession was broken, and therefore He declared that the purpose of the Gita appeared to be lost. In the same way, at the present moment also there are so many editions of the Gita (especially in English), but almost all of them are not according to authorized disciplic succession. There are innumerable interpretations rendered by different mundane scholars, but almost all of them do not accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, although they make a good business on the words of Sri Krsna. This spirit is demonic, because demons do not believe in God but simply enjoy the property of the Supreme. Since there is a great need of an edition of the Gita in English, as it is received by the parampara (disciplic succession) system, an attempt is made herewith to fulfill this great want. Bhagavad-gita--accepted as it is--is a great boon to humanity; but if it is accepted as a treatise of philosophical speculations, it is simply a waste of time.

The remaining apologies to the false ego for reading some thing unflattering about any GBC member must be taken more as a sign of omission rather than commission. Let us remain in our blissfully ignorant positions rather than muddle the heads of the neophytes, the bhaktas, and the otherwise perpetually under-informed.

Garudaji's urging for more restrained control of factual content in articles is quite reminiscent of the total lack of freedom one is submitted to in either the military or in the prison system. Those who will not willfully discipline themselves will have to be disciplined by others. Who decides who those others are to be and which laws are to be enforced has always been the domain of power hungry politicians. It is not different in this case, even if the politicians are wearing saffron sannyasa dhotis.

As to the fact that this content may not be to the caliber that these intellectuals are prone to, we remind them that if they are about Lord Caitanya's mission, if they are about "preaching to the most fallen", by their own definition, we fall square into that category. As their information is meant for the betterment of all living entities for all times, why must such negotiations always be conducted behind closed doors? Why "offline" rather than in front of the entire worldwide devotee community? Could it be that someone has an agenda that they don't want viewed on a worldwide screen?

We thank all concerned parties for their kind attention to this matter, to whatever degree they have chosen to involve themselves. Srila Prabhupada often said that surgery is meant to help the patient. The Truth can never be unpalatable to a true Vaisnava. Let us hope that these thoughts are received in a similar manner.

ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA !!!
OM TAT SAT