Can anyone make sense of this short two-minute video without making some offense? It seems to indicate (at face value) that there were disagreements between Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Goswami Maharaj and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1972. By now it is clear to me that any attempt to spread Gaudiya Vaisnavism to the West in a way that significantly bent or adapted the behavioral framework of Bhakti Yoga was going to be met with friction from traditionalists. Also, by now most inquiring devotees know that Srila Narayan Maharaj has stated that Srila Swami Prabhupada was very lenient with his Western disciples because Westerners were so weak that they would not follow otherwise. It is commonly accepted as Prabhupadas mercy and not questioned. So, if this video is evidence of a rift between these two esteemed Maharajas of the Western face of Gaudiya Vaisnavism in the past 50 years, there should not be any trouble in this. During their last conversation, the following excerpts illustrate this point (as found at srilaprabhupada/): Srila Prabhupada: Prabhupada (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura) had a desire to preach all over the world - in Europe, America...I tried my best to fulfill his desire. Now we should preach together. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Yes. Srila Prabhupada: We have got experience that if we endeavor collectively, there is great possibility to spread the message of akara matha: the mission of Mahaprabhu,prithvi te ache, everywhere in the world. I have contributed to this end to the best of my ability. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Hmm. Srila Prabhupada: I wish that my god-brothers forgive my offenses...While preaching, many times we do say things contrary to each other, or we cut each others philosophical arguments. That happens. Please ask my god-brothers to forgive my offences...(inaudible) Srila Narayana Maharaja: All right. ... Srila Prabhupada: This cutting of arguments happens sometimes... Srila Narayana Maharaja: These are insignificant matters in such a substantial worldwide mission. A little something here and there is of no consequence. You have done this wonderful preaching work for the benefit of the whole world. There was no self-interest. You did everything only in devotional service to Krsna - for benefitting all people at large. Srila Prabhupada: It is all by your blessings. Srila Narayana Maharaja: You have done a wonderful thing. It is necessary to care for and preserve this mission, and see that it is managed skillfully. Srila Prabhupada: YOU KINDLY INSTRUCT THEM ON THIS MATTER. Im unable to speak. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Yes. Please take rest. Srila Prabhupada: Please sit a little longer. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Yes. Im here. ... Srila Prabhupada: You have some affection for me? [This is an Indian expression of love.] Srila Narayana Maharaja: Affection! What to speak of affection, I regard you as my Guru. Srila Prabhupada: I know that. Thats why I beg you to please forgive my offenses. Srila Narayana Maharaja: You kindly forgive our offenses, so that our intelligence may be fixed at the lotus feet of Krsna. Please give us this blessing. ... Srila Prabhupada: At first I was trying to do something in Jhansi, but Krsna had bigger plans. We have got so many places. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Why should you be confined in Jhansi? Krsna wanted you to preach everywhere. Srila Prabhupada: I wanted to live like a niskincana Vaishnava in Vrindavan; but Krsna inspired me to go out and preach at the age of seventy with only forty rupees in my pocket. And then it took a grand shape. Srila Narayana Maharaja: Yes, you have received the special mercy of Sri Rupa Gosvami, and also that of Sri Radha-Damodara. ... video; https://youtube/watch?v=eP8rl0GaA3w
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:52:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015