Servant of the Servant

BY: CAITANYA DAS - 26.1 2017

Vaisnava behaviour in all humility is shown by Haridas Thakur and Sanatana Goswami, and how Mahaprabhu dealt with them is an example for our society, which is apart from the mainstream Hindu thinking. Hindu thinking, although glorious on some levels because of its aspiration to follow varnasrama and karma yoga, jnana yoga, astanga yoga, each requiring a little bhakti mixed in; should ultimately be put to one side and superseded as pure Bhakti takes prominence if correct culture and parampara acharyas are followed, having surpassed knowledge of brahman and come to understand knowledge of the Supreme Brahman Sri Krishna, surrendering to Him.

This prominence of pure bhakti can, of course, come about not even necessarily following the previous yogas mentioned or not even having any type of piety, but in this age by the mercy of a pure representative of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is indiscriminately bestowing bhakti to one and all. And a ladder is offered if one can humbly climb quickly to the top and practice pure bhakti-yoga.

The example of the humility of Haridas das Thakur and Sanatana Goswami was that they kept themselves distant from the established order of the day, thinking themselves contaminated for their Muslim association or birth. We know how Haridas Thakur would consider himself lowly and Sanatana Goswami would not traverse the main roads to visit Mahaprabhu but come by the beach and his feet would burn due to the hot sand. Both of these personalities were sensitive to the established order, and although extremely qualified and advanced, being eternal associates of the Lord would not seek to challenge or disturb the order of the day. However Mahaprabhu, of course, knew of their glories and personally conducted the bathing of Haridas Thakur's body at the end of his life. He also protected him from the pain of the whippings in the market places. Sanatana Goswami was personally instructed by the Lord and sent to Vrndavana to further broadcast the Gaudiya Vaisnava teachings.

In ISKCON we should humbly know our place and devotees should be recognised as Vaisnavas, although they may not consider themselves of that caliber. They should be given the love, respect and encouragement that Srila Prabhupada and Mahaprabhu would give no matter what caste, creed, colour, wealth, poverty, educated or uneducated etc., or circumstances of externals, or even how advanced one's consciousness may be. This is how real authorities naturally behave, and when that love and understanding is present, relationships develop, respect for authorities increases and service to the Lord takes place in that spiritual dynamic

Insensitivity should be avoided. Political blanking or use of the "offenders should be ignored" card when different ways of thinking, doing service, or managing come about. Open and thoughtful discussions and debates on topics is the better, healthier approach,

It is noted that in Madhya Lila ch.11, text 57, Srila Prabhupada says A VAISNAVA IS ALWAYS READY TO HELP ANOTHER VAISNAVA PROGRESS TOWARD REALISATION OF THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. So this is the ideal and the standard we must pursue and always strive for in managing our relationships in service to Krishna, and it's part of boiling the milk, as Prabhupada puts it. It's something akin to impersonal Buddhist philosophy when insensitive managers deal badly and don't even have the introspection to see, or as in Buddhism ignore and numb the feelings, of insensitivities, or if there are no such feelings, what to say, maybe psychopath , that is not how the Vaishnava psychology works, and it's a discredit to Prabhupada, and a cause of fractions in his movement. What could be worse?

A service attitude is prominent towards all the devotees of a Vaisnava manager or GBC. There is tolerance and cooperation and commitment to help devotees in their service and spiritual lives, and that is mature Vaisnavism based on Krishna consciousness. Technical managers who don't have these qualities due to lack of spiritual knowledge should take less prominent roles, for much damage to our society and to the faith of devotees can be inflicted by such persons. This is indeed Vaisnava society, and that is what makes us different from the Hindus. We are about cultivating something of bhakti yoga, seeing everyone connected to Krishna, and although we utilise the karma and jnana and meditation it is directed solely for the pleasure of Krishna and His devotees. The Hindu followers do not understand that secret of all secrets, but remain immersed in their external dharma and false position and status. But as with anyone, the Hindu becomes Vaisnava when directed by the Vaisnava who has realised his self as Krishna das. Then the heart broadens and external interests are cast aside.

Rupa Goswami's verse says, I am none of the varnas or ashrams but servant of the servant. That is ISKCON's ultimate teaching, and it is very elevated spiritually. Granted there are steps to get there, but the ultimate goal should be understood by the association of sadhus who realise the topic and follow strictly previous instructions by Srila Prabhupada.

We have to allow for human psychology and naturally we find preferences of association and ways of thinking, and different levels of advancement. But the Vaisnava does not descend to friends and enemies platform, but respects others views and ways and accepts that Krishna is the object of worship and service and if He is pleased we will all be pleased. Accepting, of course, everyone is following properly Prabhupada's mission,

ISKCON is a society for daiva varnashram, elevation and spiritual respect for all walks of life, not Hindu varnashram, a race to the top which degrades one and can bring one to the bottom as false prestige and bodily identification sets in. The wedding party boat has to be unhitched, otherwise despite rowing all night no progress will be made. As Prabhupada says, we must give up all material motivations and come to pure bhakti.

In time and practice and only by associating with exalted devotees, as pointed out by Ramananda Roy to Mahaprabhu, we may come to see and distinguish between the stages of devotion and mixed devotion and come to perfection as a follower of "one who is in Madhurya rasa as Mahaprabhu has given to all", as Srila Prabhupada points out in his purports. That is indeed the secret of all secrets of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, and its distribution by ISKCON is something mysterious to the Hindu religion.

After all, one of the offences to the Holy Name is to consider the chanting of Hare Krishna a religion, although one academic devotee said as much in his class at the Manor recently. So understanding the progression and seeing what is the goal that ISKCON is offering, and to who, and seeing the huge and unlimited market for the Holy Name is essential. No need of being waylaid in any respect. What good will it do to over identify with established Hinduism, apart from limiting us in so many ways and possibly taking us away from the Gaudiya Vaishnava conclusions and purpose.

In the UK we are absolutely dependent on one source of income, but its taking all our men and resources, including our buildings to service and we are feeling comfortable in finances and feel there is no need to make devotees. This is not a good strategy for expansive preaching to the masses, although this for some reason is considered a success worldwide by some.

Financial security is the name of the game, although Srila Prabhupada said preach and money will come. And as far as I have understood, both Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta would as soon as laxmi came spend it by investment in preaching… not on real estate. They are Gaudiya Vaisnavas, and overly concern for financial security is not their mood, but more expansive propaganda. In fact, they would put their respective societies in debt. Srila Bhaktisiddanta once remarked when one of his devotees confessed to Maharaja that he had taken on debts for the yatra, that "Oh you are so dedicated that you have made such an arrangement, even though that means you have to give your time and commitment to clear it, on behalf of Krishna, just see your devotion".

May this new year greet us all with renewed hope, great expectations, faith, understanding, respect, a humbled spirit, commitment to serving and giving pleasure to Srila Prabhupada and his followers, and with an unending determination to establish the truths and culture of Gaudiya Vaisnavism wherever it is vacant. A consideration for the new year is "dissent is not a sign of disloyalty", (spoken by Murrow when challenging McCarthy), and is at the heart of good press and which "outs" truth and protects society, including ours. Brahminical men should always remain independent and their words and deeds will be self-evident. They guide the greater society. It will be left to individuals to make a judgement about the path and advice they wish to follow. However, it would make the whole discerning process a lot easier if senior men could hurry along with a constitution, so as to bring Srila Prabhupada and his wisdom to the forefront, and keep his mission on track and heading in the direction he wished.