You are browsing the Blog for Vidura Mahatma Dasa.

by Yasoda nandana dasa

The Material Concoction That Infiltrated ISKCON

September 15, 2017 in Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Yasoda nandana dasa

The Material Concoction That Infiltrated ISKCON
BY: VIDURA MAHATMA DAS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
The idea that one must approach or take shelter of a “living” guru is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most damaging of lies within the Krishna consciousness movement. This lie was started by a few deviated disciples after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance in order to support their claim that Srila Prabhupada had appointed them to begin accepting disciples of their own and thereby become full-fledged diksa gurus.
If you take away the need for a living guru lie, what is left unclouded in the minds of so many bewildered people is the July 9th 1977 Directive issued by Srila Prabhupada (via his secretary) wherein Srila Prabhupada’s ongoing acceptance of disciples even after his disappearance is expressed in legal form. Moreover, the hundreds of quotes by Srila Prabhupada which the ritviks have continually presented over the years may also become unclouded to the minds of thousands of bewildered people. As of right now, Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik order – a clear and simple issue – seems like a big gray area to most people at best, if not outright rejected as a deviant philosophy itself. Could things be any more topsy-turvy? “The intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (Bg 2.41) Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on The Material Concoction That Infiltrated ISKCON

by Yasoda nandana dasa

Regarding Goura Govinda and ALL other imitators

September 1, 2017 in Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Yasoda nandana dasa

The tiny impostor glow-worm gorus cannot remain in the presence of the self-effulgent magnanimous acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, whose transcendental empowered achievements and activities in the field of preaching Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement in every town and village on the globe place him distinctly apart from the pseudo kali chela false preceptors of Krishna Consciousness. The intelligent people of this age, who are nevertheless dying in the desert of material sense enjoyment, are in dire want of a bona fide systematic solution to the problems of life. Srila Prabhupada’s books are the only such solution, and people will be able to see that. It is the prime duty of any genuine devotee of this age to assist Srila Prabhupada in the spreading of the Krishna Consciousness movement by presenting his books and teachings to the world for all others to take advantage of. In so doing, it is our implicit duty to clear away any obstacles that hamper the natural adherence of the people in general to Srila Prabhupada’s pure guidance. To achieve this we must simply present the real teachings of Srila Prabhupada against the false teachings, which always stand in stark contrast. This will lay the foundation for generations to come to accept and take shelter of the real teachings of Srila Prabhupada and thus actually make advancement in spiritual life.
Your servant,
Vidura Mahatma das

Inline image

Yaśomatīnandana: Sometimes they even say that “You have your guru and I have my guru. It’s all the same thing.”
Prabhupāda: Yes, and a thief has also a guru. Then that guru is also the same thing. (Hindi) Here guru means tasmād gurum prapadyeta jijñāsur śreya uttaman [SB 11.3.21]. (Hindi) Nāpnuvanti mahātmānam saṁsiddhiṁ paramaṁ gataḥ.
SP conv Nov 14, 1975
SP Letter to Rupanuga April 28 1974–
But Sridhara Maharaja is responsible for disobeying this order of Guru Maharaja, and he and others who are already dead unnecessarily thought that there must be one acarya. If Guru Maharaja could have seen someone who was qualified at that time to be acarya he would have mentioned. Because on the night before he passed away he talked of so many things, but never mentioned an acarya. His idea was acarya was not to be nominated amongst the governing body. He said openly you make a GBC and conduct the mission. So his idea was amongst the members of GBC who would come out successful and self effulgent acarya would be automatically selected. So Sridhara Maharaja and his two associate gentlemen unauthorizedly selected one acarya and later it proved a failure. The result is now everyone is claiming to be acarya even though they may be kanistha adhikari with no ability to preach. In some of the camps the acarya is being changed three times a year.Therefore we may not commit the same mistake in our ISKCON camp. Actually amongst my Godbrothers no one is qualified to become acarya. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them. This attempt was made previously by them, especially Madhava Maharaja and Tirtha Maharaja and Bon Maharaja but somehow or other I saved the situation. This is going on. We shall be very careful about them and not mix with them. This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help us in our movement, but they are very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must be very careful about them.
SP letter 9th November, 1975-“All my disciples should avoid all of my God brothers. They should not have any dealings with them nor even correspondence, nor should we give them any of my books, nor should we purchase any of their books, neither should you visit any of their temples. Please avoid them.”

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Regarding Goura Govinda and ALL other imitators

by Yasoda nandana dasa

The Cause of Confusion and Dissension in the Krishna Consciousness Movement

May 26, 2016 in Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Yasoda nandana dasa

Submitted by: Vidura Mahatma Dasa

1. Not following Srila Prabhupada’s orders/discipline

“When disciples do not stick to the principle of accepting the order of their spiritual master, immediately there are two opinions. Any opinion different from the opinion of the spiritual master is useless. One cannot infiltrate materially concocted ideas into spiritual advancement. That is deviation. There is no scope for adjusting spiritual advancement to material ideas.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 12.9 purport)
“The Māyāvādī philosophers, they want to become one. “One” means you agree to the Supreme. That is oneness. Just like we are conducting this international society. We have got many workers, many disciples, but we are one. “One” means they are carrying their spiritual master’s order. Therefore they are one.” (Lecture on SB 3.26.25 — Bombay, January 2, 1975)
“Unless one is firmly fixed in the regulative principles, one may perform mischievous acts, even if one is a member of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We therefore advise our disciples to strictly follow the regulative principles; otherwise the most important movement for the upliftment of humanity will be hampered due to dissension among its members. Those who are serious about pushing forward this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should remember this and strictly follow the regulative principles so that their minds will not be disturbed.” (SB 5.14.35 : PURPORT)

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on The Cause of Confusion and Dissension in the Krishna Consciousness Movement

by Yasoda nandana dasa

Srila Prabhuapda re: Pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment

April 13, 2016 in Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Yasoda nandana dasa

Submitted by: Vidura Mahatma Dasa

“Bhīṣmadeva, speaking in that appealing tone, convinced Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira that he was very soon passing away. And Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was inspired by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to ask him of the principles of religion. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa inspired Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to ask Bhīṣmadeva in the presence of many great sages, indicating thereby that the Lord’s devotee like Bhīṣmadeva, although apparently living as a worldly man, is far superior to many great sages, even Vyāsadeva. Another point is that Bhīṣmadeva at that time was not only lying on a deathbed of arrows, but was greatly aggrieved because of that state. One should not have asked him any question at that time, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to prove that His pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment, and thus in any circumstances a devotee of the Lord is in perfect order to speak of the right way of life. Yudhiṣṭhira also preferred to solve his problematic questions by asking Bhīṣmadeva rather than ask anyone else present there who was seemingly more learned than Bhīṣmadeva. This is all due to the arrangement of the great wheel-carrier Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who establishes the glories of His devotee. The father likes to see the son become more famous than himself. The Lord declares very emphatically that worship of His devotee is more valuable than the worship of the Lord Himself.”  Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.25 purport by Srila Prabhupada

Comments Off on Srila Prabhuapda re: Pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment

by Yasoda nandana dasa

The Special Concession For A Devotee

December 28, 2015 in Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Yasoda nandana dasa

Submitted by Vidura Mahatma Dasa

**newrule

Harikeśa: I’m curious about the destination of a neophyte devotee. If a neophyte devotee is with determination endeavoring for purification but he were to meet with death as he is still influenced by the lower modes, although he is seriously trying, then does he take another birth or does he go to Kṛṣṇa?

Prabhupāda: No, he has to take another birth. If he is not completely purified, he has to suffer another birth. Nobody is allowed to enter into the spiritual unless he is cent percent pu**newrulere. No allowance. Then he has to… Therefore it is said, śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo sañjāyate [Bg. 6.41]. He is given chance, another chance, to take birth in a very pure brāhmaṇa family or rich family so that he may take again the chance, not in, he is allowed to enter. He is given a good chance again. That is his benefit. Even if you are failure, still, your next birth as a very first-class human being is guaranteed. Not for others. It is only for the yogis. If he is… Therefore it is said that “What is the loss even if he is failure?” Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer bhajann apakvo ‘tha patet tato yadi yatra kva va abhadram abhūd amuṣya kim [SB 1.5.17]. This verse is very important. Even by sentiment one comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and discharges the regulative duties, chants Hare Kṛṣṇa, his next life is guaranteed as a human being. Even he does it for some time—he is not perfect—still, his next life is guaranteed. But others, there is no such guarantee. Even if he discharges his so-called duties, material duties, there is no guarantee that he’ll become a human being. [break] Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on The Special Concession For A Devotee

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Moon landing hoax-as explained by Srila Prabhupada

September 30, 2015 in Articles, Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Moon Hoax – Srila Prabhupada’s Angles

The Great Moon Hoax

Exposed by Srila Prabhupada from numerous angles

Compiled by Vidura Mahatma das

The Point

“Apart from this discussion, the point is that a living entity has immense and unlimited desires for material enjoyment, and he has to transmigrate from one gross body to another until these desires are exhausted.” (SB 4.29.69 purport)
Srila-Prabhupada on moon hoax“Even you go to the Moon planet… This is Bhāgavata. Before going to your Moon planet here is the information: “Anywhere you go rascal these things will follow, janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi [Bg. 13.9] and inconveniences. You’ll have to suffer.” So one’s who’s, one who is intelligent, then: “Where shall I find real happiness?” That is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore one requires to be very, very intelligent to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.” (Room Conversation — November 1, 1973, New Delhi)

Can’t travel 95,000,000 miles in four days at 18,000 mph.

“My challenge is that moon is beyond the sun. First planet is sun, and then moon. So if the sun is 93,000,000 miles and moon is above the sun 1,600,000, then how they can go to the moon planet in four days? It requires seven and a half months. That is my challenge.” (Room Conversation — January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara)
“We have already discussed this point in many places. The sun is first, then the moon, then Mars, Jupiter and so on. The sun is supposed to be 93,000,000 miles above the surface of the earth, and from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam we understand that the moon is 1,600,000 miles above the sun. Therefore the distance between the earth and the moon would be about 95,000,000 miles. So if a space capsule were traveling at the speed of 18,000 miles per hour, how could it reach the moon in four days? At that speed, going to the moon would take at least seven months. That a space capsule on a moon excursion has reached the moon in four days is therefore impossible.” (SB 8.10.38 purport)
“So far we understand from Vedic literature, the moon is the second planet. The sun is the first planet. If we consider like that, then moon is beyond the sun planet. The estimation is there in the Srimad-Bhag avatam: 1,600,000 miles above the sun the moon is situated. Now, if we take consideration of the sun planet situated 93,000,000 miles from earth, then add 1,600,000 miles again, it comes to 15,000,000…, 95,000,000’s miles away from the earthly planet. And how you can reach there in four days, 95,000,000 miles away? If we apply our common sense, then it appears they have never gone to the moon planet. It is all bogus propaganda. It is not possible.”
Devotee: Did they actually land on the moon, Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Prabhupāda: No, they cannot go there. What is the question of landing? They cannot go there. It is far, far away. What you calculated? 1,600,000 miles away, up the sun planet. 1,600,000 miles above the sun. According to your calculation, the sun is away from this planet by 93,000,000 miles. And above that, 1,600,000 miles. Then you go to the moon. How it is possible?   (Morning Walk — May 27, 1975, Honolulu)

Not going to the moon but to the planet Rahu.

“The failure of modern moon excursionists may be due to the Rahu planet. In other words, those who are supposed to be going to the moon may actually be going to this invisible planet Rahu. Actually, they are not going to the moon but to the planet Rahu, and after reaching this planet, they come back. Apart from this discussion, the point is that a living entity has immense and unlimited desires for material enjoyment, and he has to transmigrate from one gross body to another until these desires are exhausted.” (SB 4.29.69 purport)

If they went there, they wouldn’t want to come back.

Prabhupāda: …it is a common sense affair that if somebody takes the trouble of doing so many things for the last ten or twenty years and go there and touch the moon planet, come back, it is successful. So it may be complacence for him, but I don’t think it is success. Why should I take so much trouble to touch the moon planet, come back? (chuckling) I have no useless time for that thing.
Reporter: Well, I think that what you’re saying, that it is also not strictly impossible for someone to go there and be able to come back, that many conditions would have to change for them to do that, but you wouldn’t rule out as impossible. Is that right?
Prabhupāda: No. Actually, if anyone goes there, he’ll not like to come back. …Otherwise, he will give false information, that “I went there and touched it and came back.” (Interview with LA Times Reporter About Moon Trip — December 26, 1968, Los Angeles)

As simple as the days of the week

“Among the planets, the first is Surya, the sun, not the moon. Therefore, according to the Vedic version, the modern astronomer’s proposition that the moon is nearest to the earth should not be accepted. The chronological order in which people all over the world refer to the days of the week–Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday–corresponds to the Vedic order of the planets and thus circumstantiates the Vedic version.” (SB 8.18.5 purport)

Comments Off on Moon landing hoax-as explained by Srila Prabhupada

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Some questions for the New Dwarka assembly of devotees

September 2, 2015 in Articles, Vidura Mahatma Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Some questions for the New Dwarka assembly of devotees

by Vidura Mahatma dasa
  • What about the actual meaning of the song…does it only apply to a particular type of devotee or spiritual master?
A good question but not the kind of questions we are seeing from the New Dwarka community or any other ISKCON center for that matter.
Yes, the samsara-dava prayers definitely do apply to a very particular type of devotee or spiritual master:
“This song is offering obeisances particularly to the spiritual master, and the symptoms of the spiritual master are described in this prayer. The spiritual master has two kind of symptoms in his activities. One kind is called constant, and other kind is called temporary. So the first verse says that the constant symptom of the spiritual master is that he can deliver his disciples from the blazing fire of this material existence. That is the eternal qualification of spiritual master. Trāṇāya means for deliverance, andkāruṇya means compassionate, very merciful. The spiritual master comes to the deliverance of the fallen souls out of his causeless mercy. Nobody has any business for the sufferings of others. The best example is Lord Jesus Christ, that he suffered for others. And it is the principle in the Bible that he accepted all the sins of others. This is the sign of spiritual master, that he voluntarily accepts the sinful activities of others and delivers them. That is the qualification of spiritual master. How it is? Just like ghanāghanatvam. Ghanāghanatvam means dense cloud in the sky. The first example has been said, that this material existence is just like forest blazing fire. Now, to extinguish the forest blazing fire, there is no use of sending fire brigade. The firebrigade cannot approach the forest fire; neither any man can go there to extinguish the fire. One has to depend completely on the mercy of nature. That means one has to completely depend on the cloud in the sky. Otherwise, there is no question of pouring water on that blazing fire. So the example is very appropriate. As man-made engine or fire brigade is unable to extinguish the forest blazing fire, similarly, the material existentional blazing fire cannot be extinguished by any man-made method.”
Song Purports : Purport to Sri-Sri-Gurv-astakam — Los Angeles, January 2, 1969
“So guru means spiritual master means who can deliver one from this forest fire. Just like when there is forest fire, the animals are very much disturbed, and they die mostly. The snakes, they die immediately. So this forest fire, saṁsāra-dāvānala,is going on perpetually, and the person or the authorized person who can deliver you from this forest fire of material existence, he’s called guru, or the spiritual master. Saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam. […] Just like cloud takes the water from the sea-cloud hasn’t got its own water; cloud takes water from the sea—similarly, a spiritual master brings mercy from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just see the comparison. He has no own mercy, but he carries the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the qualification of spiritual master.”
Lecture on Gurvastakam at Upsala University — Stockholm, September 9, 1973
The Gurvastakam is meant for:
  • Spiritual master who can actually deliver his disciples
  • Spiritual master who is directly receiving the mercy of Lord Krishna
  • Spiritual master who is authorized
  • Spiritual master in the same category of Lord Jesus Christ (a śaktyāveśa avatāra)
  • If there should be no change from the standard that Srila Prabhupada set, why are there even other initiating gurus to begin with?

This is the real question which nobody wants to ask. It had always only been Srila Prabhupada as the initiating guru in ISKCON. Upon his disappearance this changed and many gurus sprouted and began initiating their own disciples, splitting the world into zones and having their disciples in those zones chant their own names in the temple instead of Srila Prabhupada’s name. New Dwarka leaders acknowledge this history and assure us that the GBC, however, “outlawed” this practice. So the GBC has a record of changing the standard that Srila Prabhupada set but for some reason all of them still rely on the conclusions of the same GBC instead of what Srila Prabhupada actually says.

Now for some reason the devotees in New Dwarka insist that Srila Prabhupada is only the siksa guru of new devotees in ISKCON today. This is a huge change in the standard Srila Prabhupada set. Srila Prabhupada established himself as the spiritual master and initiating guru for all members of the institution:

“I am the Spiritual Master of this institution, and all the members of the Society, they’re supposed to be my disciples. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, and they are initiated by me spiritually” (Srila Prabhupada Radio Interview, 12 March 1968, San Francisco)
Srila Prabhupada never said that his status as spiritual master of the institution depended on his physical presence, just as he never said that the morning prayers being dedicated to him depended on his physical presence. Srila Prabhupada simply set a certain standard and practice for the society to follow and that’s that. There should have never been any change to that standard. But while the devotees of New Dwarka take shelter of the principle of no change to support one aspect of the established standard in ISKCON (mangala-aratik), they reject the very same principle when applied to an even bigger established standard – initiations!

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Some questions for the New Dwarka assembly of devotees