arjunananda2000

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all Vaisnavas who preach the message of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Please accept my humble obeisances. I pray that this meets each and everyone assembled in perfect health, and in the service of Guru and Gauranga. My Dearest Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis; It is with a heavy heart that I have been sent the address to this forum concerning my Gurudev, Swamiji Gaurangapada. In the past I have heard this same offense committed at the lotus feet of many worthy Vaisnavas who have no other desire than to spread the message of Sri Nitai-Gauranga to every corner of this world. What is the crime here, other than Swamiji Gaurangapada desires with all his heart that the world's population chant the Holy Names without offense? Is it the method of Vaisnavas to attack other Vaisnavas? Not according to the teachings of the Parampara. Are we not instructed to praise Sri Krishna when another Vaisnava goes forth and spreads the Holy Names, even when their ideologies do not match our own? He has made no attack on any other Matha within our Parampara. He has not spoken out against any Guru of ISKCON or Narayana Maharaja, nor the disciples of any that have branched off of our tree. Many false accusations have been made in this thread, but very few have taken the time to read much less fathom the message that Swamiji Gaurangapada has posted in the Gauranga Dharma web site. A few Vaisnavas have given their praise that the Holy Names are going forth into the world, others have condemned Swamiji Gaurangapada for bringing forth a "so called" new mantra using the Holy Names of Sri Nityananda and Sri Gauranga. One devotee made the simple statement that he had come across the Gauranga Dharma web site, and asked the simple question of "what does it have to do with Krishna Consciousness and Srila Prabhupada?" Some honestly said that they didn't know, then the accusations and verbal attacks start concerning Swamiji Gaurangapada's ministry. If one were to take the time to read the web site, then they would learn directly from him that there has been absolutely no minimization of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Swamiji Gaurangapada has taught from sastra of the ten offenses that one easily commits, especially in the beginning in the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. He is simply teaching that there are no offenses committed in the chanting of the Holy Names of Sri Nityananda and Sri Gauranga. The Pancha Tattva has not been removed nor has it been changed by Swamiji Gaurangapada. No traditional prayers of the Vaisnavas have been altered one letter. One mentions that the Pancha Tattva has been replaced by a composition written by Mahatmaji Gaurakrishnananda. This is not a mantra, nor was it ever intended to be a mantra, it is simply a bhanjana, nothing more. To state that it is is completely in error. Where is the evidence that Swamiji Gaurangapada or any of his leaders are propigating "jaya nityananda jaya gauranga hare krishna nitai gauranga" as a replacement of the Pancha Tattva mantra? No where in the Gauranga Dharma site, not in his letters nor lectures has Swamiji Gaurangapada, nor his leaders ever taught that this bhanjan be a replacement of any of the traditional prayers of the Vaisnavas. In the Gauranga Dharma site, in Basic Principles, chapter four, Swamiji Gaurangapada explains his position of the Pancha Tattva Mantra and its use. There has been no change whatsoever in the purpose of the Pancha Tattva Mantra. Jndas Prabhuji asked in one of his posts, and it has been repeatedly asked again as to why Srila Prabhupada did not authorize the chanting of the Pancha Tattva mantra on Japa. Prabhuji also goes on to say that "if he cannot explain the scientific reason why, then that means he is not qualified or knowledgable enough to decide what mantras can and cannot be chanted on japa bead for sadhana." In Swamiji Gaurangapada's site at http://mantraraja.blogspot.com he states: "The Pancha Tattva Mantra has been given mercifully by Srila Prabhupada to us just to chant before chanting the the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, but there is no specific mention in the revealed scriptures or by the previous acharyas (in the commentaries of Seventh Goswami Shrila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, the Pancha-Tattva Mantra is not even mentioned), that it has been chanted by any of our acharyas on beads." This is the reason that Srila Prabhupada did not authorize the chanting on japa of the Pancha Tattva. But, in the same paragraph, Swamiji Gaurangapada states that the Nityananda and Gauranga Mantrarajas have been chanted very regularly on the beads by great associates of the Lord and Acharyas like Srila Shivananda Sena, Sapta Rishis, Lord Shiva and Parvati, Balarama dasa, Minekatana Ramadasa etc, etc, and all the eternal associates of Lords Nityananda and Gauranga in Navadvipa. Each officiating Guru has the right to choose the Mantra to be used by his disciples. When Srila Prabhupada began teaching the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, he stated that his disciples chant sixty-four rounds daily. When they complained that they could not chant sixty-four rounds, he lowered it to thirty-two. When they complained that they could not complete even thirty-two rounds daily and complete their service also, he lowered it to sixteen. The traditional number of rounds of Vaisnavas is sixty-four, but Srila Prabhupada felt that his western disciples lacked the discipline to chant the traditional number of rounds, so he used his authority to lower it to sixteen. I received this story from my previous guru Swami Kirtananda twenty three years ago. I feel that it is correct and accurate. With Swamiji Gaurangapada's desire for his disciples to chant the Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga and quickly advance spiritually and avoid the offenses of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, this is a mercy that he himself has bestowed on his disciples. Srila Prabhupada stated in Cc Madhya 24.330: "The spiritual master has to select a mantra for his disciple according to the disciple's ability to chant different mantras." Swamiji Gaurangapada is exercising his priviledge in giving the Nityananda Gauranga Mantrarajas to his disciples. Govindaram states in one of his posts: "Swami Gaurangapada should be glorified as should other devotees, for spreading KC, haribol!!" This is the position that all Vaisnavas should have. None of us are qualified to judge what a servant of Sri Krishna is driven to do by divine ordinance. One should not have envy, malice, nor commit offense at the lotus feet of any devotee that is living his/her life to spread the Holy Names of Sri Krishna Caitanya. What Swami Gauangapada has done is put forth the chanting of the Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga so that the masses will chant the Holy Names without offense. In this area, one must be extremely careful in offering one's opinion on the matter. I know for certain that Swami Gaurangapada is a Vedic scholar. His knowledge of Sastra is mind boggoling. To call into question the sastra and quotations that he has used at the Gauranga Dharma web site as being misquoted is to call into question his integrity. This is a precarious position to place oneself in. In the Caitanya Bhagavata there is the story of Sri Caitanya's own mother committing offense at the feet of Sri Adwaita. The disciples of Sri Caitanya beg Him to forgive her offense, but Gauranga states that he cannot because this is an offense that has been commited at the lotus feet of a pure disciple of Sri Krishna. The only way that Sachimata could receive forgiveness was to go directly to the lotus feet of Sri Adwaita and beg his forgiveness. In this story I am reminded how easily it is to commit offense at the lotus feet of our god-brothers and sisters. Sri Caitanya cannot forgive us of such offense, we have to humble outselves first at the lotus feet of the devotee we offended, then come to Sri Krishna Caitanya. Livingentity has told us that she has friends that are disciples of Swamiji Gaurangapada. Whether one is or is not agreeable with Swami Gaurnagapada, all Vaisnavas must acknowledge the fact that he IS spreading the Holy Names of Sri Krishna. He has not taken away the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, nor, as one posted, changed any of the traditional Vaisnava prayers. The Pancha Tattva is still the same as used by all in the Gaudiya Matha. Whether one is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gour Govinda, Srila Narayana Maharaja or a million others along this Parampara, the fact remains that the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is spreading around this world. That is what matters, not our petty differences. Not the "my guru can beat up your guru" mentality. Remember sastra. We are to see everything as equal, neither heat or cold, happiness or sadness, or any duality should trouble out minds. We are to remain constant. What matters, (and maybe I am a romantic) is the spreading of the Holy Names. Does not matter by who's teaching it comes across, what matters is that the Holy Names are being praised, sung and chanted. This argument can go on for an eternity, but Vaisnava aparadha is a serious consideration. Personally, I do not take offense by what has been stated by some, I'm not that sensitive. But there are those who do take offense, so for these, one must be careful. As Vaisnavas, we must be careful to protect the minds and emotions of those who are not as advanced in their sadhana, who's understanding is not perfected. Many remember the "Guru Wars" of the late 70's and 80's. We have been here before. But let us not commit the offenses that were committed then. We have had this argument so many times that I have become bord with it. Many in the ritvik camp will not read the Elventh and Twelth Cantos of the Srimad Bhagavatam because it was not completed by Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada did not expect to finish his great work, but instructed Pradyumna Prabhuji to complete his writings. Everyone was up in arms when Swami Hridayananda completed it. It was not his right to finish it so many said. It was Pradyumna Prabhu's special service to Srila Prabhupada to finish it. The fact remains that the Srimad Bhagavatam was finished. Many have difficulties in the manner it was completed, but Swami Hridayananda did a wonderful job, and Swamiji Gaurangapada has stated that he has read it, and has found no problems with it, either the sanskrit translations or the purports. I have heard the same argument concerning Bhumipati Dasa's Caitanya Bhagavata translation. In my humble opinion, this is utter nonsense. Sri Krishna's will and Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message is going to be spread into every village and city, does not matter who stands in the way. Always remember Sri Balarama is always there to remove any obsticles that may attempt to hinder the pure devotee of the Lord. Someone has stated that Swamiji Gaurangapada is "stealing" devotees away from ISKCON. This is not the case. Many ISKCON devotees have indeed inquired about Gauranga Dharma. But from the start, Swamiji Gaurangapada has required that any devotee under the authority of another Guru, no matter what Matha, gain the permission from their Guru to study under the authority of Swamiji Gaurangapada. This has been said of many other Guru's in the past concerning ISKCON devotees, but it is in my humble opinion that a devotee is going to go where they can advance in the science of self realization and provide the greatest service. Many devotees in ISKCON are frustrated, many are looking for a fresh start with a new Guru for whatever reason. This is not to say one is right or wrong in going to Swamiji Gaurangapada, but one must do what is best for their own sadhana. What resides in the heart will come out of the mouth so to speak. It isn't about Us and Them, its about seva, its about truth, and unfortuantly ISKCON's running record with many of its older first generation devotees is wanting and lacking in these areas. If someone is desiring to study under Swamiji Gaurangapada, for whatever reason, they should respect the vows that they have made to their respective Guru's at the time of initation. To me, these vows are eternal. But if one's Guru has fallen, like mine has, then where does that leave the devotee? Are the devotees that built ISKCON from the ground up to be tossed aside and forgotten like so many have been over the past 25 years since Srila Prabhupada took samadhi? Swamiji Gaurangapada gives these devotees hope, a reason to continue on in their seva to Sri Krishna. They are mature, they know sastra and have provided immeasureable service over the years. Let them decide for themselves whether Swamiji Gaurangapada is correct in his intpretation of sastra. Many of them have been devotees longer than he has been in this incarnation. One's decision is their own, and thats a decision that must be respected. It isn't fair to throw in the ISKCON catch all of "you're not qualified" on these devotees, they certainly are qualified to make such a decision. More qualified than some that are sitting on the GBC today. But because they are not one of the "blessed few", they are targeted and harrassed. A devotee is not to harrass or put into distress any living creature, but yet by our callous prejudice we do it to the very devotees of Sri Krishna. Does anyone seriously believe that Sri Krishna is going to stand aside very long and allow this to happen? If one believes sastra like I do, then we understand that Sri Nrisimadeva is coming in all his rage to protect his pure devotees. Many questions have been asked in this forum concerning Swamiji Gaurangapada. Some are warrented, others truly aren't important. If one were to go to the Gauranga Dharma web site, most of these answers are throurghly answered there. All it takes is time to read the site. I personally have not found evidence that Swamiji Gaurangapada has taken anything either of the quotes of Srila Prabhupada or Sastra out of context. But I may not be looking at it the same way that others are. I'm not seriously looking for error, but if it is obvious, I think that after reading, studying and meditating on Srila Prabhupada's writings for over 23 years even I would pick it up. Lets not be so quick to place judgement. Sit back and watch. Like Nichodemus in the Bible, if it is false, it will fall down. But if it is of God, no power on earth will stop it. Swamiji Gaurangapada has the pure desire in his heart to spread the Holy Names across this earth. He has mercifully given the Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga to everyone freely. His main concern is the offenses that the neophyte commits at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Krishna by not chanting purely. All this has been covered in the above posts. All Guru's have the right to exercise the right to give whatever authorized mantra they desire to their respective disciples. Srila Prabhupada has said this in Cc Madhya 24.330: "The spiritual master has to select a mantra for his disciple according to the disciples ability to chant different mantras." Swamiji Gaurangapada feels that the offenses that the neophyte will commit is to great a risk, this is why he has encouraged all to chant the merciful Names of Nityananda and Gauranga. I agree that this is why Srila Prabhupada had us say the Pancha Tattva before each round of the Maha Mantra. But, in essence, the chanting of Nityananda and Gauranga considers absolutely no offense, so anyone, whether they are initated or not can chant these two Holy Names. This is not the case of the Maha Mantra. I was taught early on, that the Maha Mantra did not begin to have its potency until after initation where the respective Guru gave the Mantra to his disciple. I know that there are different schools of thought on this matter, but the essence is, what offense did we commit prior to initation where the Guru takes on our offense? When one reads the web site, all this is explained completely. One complained that "he takes iniation application" on his site. Yes he does, then at an arranged time Swamiji Gaurangapada calls the individual and gives them the Mantraraja's. This is not Diksa iniation, this is only to empower them to properly chant the Mantraraja's under his authority. This is in accordance to sastra. This Shiksha Ashraya adau guru asrayam as per Bhakti Rasmarita Sindhu. And the word Mahadiksha means here a vow to chant the Names daily. That is the other Sanskrit meaning of Diksha. If we look back at the history of ISKCON, while Srila Prabhupada was still before us, each Temple President had a tape of the siska iniation. Srila Prabhupada would tell the Temple President to whom the tape was to be listened by, and japas that he had chanted on were given to the initaties. The Godbrothers of Srila Prabhupada demanded that this be stopped. No one that listened to this tape was truly initiated into ISKCON or the Gaudiya Matha. They were just fools being fooled. But, we all know that many were initated by Srila Prabhupada who never met him personally. Many are still in service today. Does that not make them true Vaisnavas? If you have to say that what Swamiji Gaurangapada is doing here is wrong, then you have to agree that what Srila Prabhupada did was also wrong. (Be careful of your thoughts) Swamiji Gauragnapada is using the instuments at his disposal because either he cannot come to everyone, or they cannot come to him. This is why Srila Prabhupada made the tapes for Siska. He himself could not meet the demand of meeting each and every disciple that desired initiation. There are simple explinations to each complaint that has been posted in this thread. Most questions can be answered by simply reading the Gauranga Dharma web site. There are also other web sites that have Swami Gaurangapada's teaching in them. One being the blogspot.com site. My greatest concern though is the callousness and prejudice that exists within the Vaisnava community. With understanding and patience, all things are revealed, nothing remains hidden for long. Those of us that have been in service for any length of time know the truth of this. No one enjoys seeing their Gurudev torn to shreds and left out to dry. But I believe that those of us that are mature should know to put our own limited knowledge aside for a short time, without making snap judgments, and simply watch. This is the benefit of wisdom. We are the one's that truly teach the next generation behind us, not the Guru. We are the one's that take the Guru's teachings and pass it on in example and lesson. Teaching our spiritual children to hold to only one opinion cheats them out of their own ability to advance spiritually in the years to come. Have we learned nothing from the late 70's and early 80's? Have we learned nothing by watching so many of our own Guru's fall down in so many ways? How many here, that have been around for twenty years still have the instruction of their first initating Guru? I certainly don't, nor the second that I sought shelter of. My point is that we should be praising Sri Krishna for all we're worth for sending out another of his disciples to spread the Holy Names of the Lord, not tearing him down. If I have offended any in the words of my post, I humbly beg your forgiveness. Any offense that I may have caused is certainly not intended. Your eternal servant; Nitaipada Maharaja.