Homages from ISKCON Centers

Homages from ISKCON Centers
You particularly encouraged us to be very faithful to the predecessor äcäryas, including yourself. In
The Nectar of Instruction you boldly declare,
The Kåñëa consciousness movement is conducted under the supervision of Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé.
The Gauòéya Vaiñëavas, or Bengali Vaiñëavas, are mostly followers of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu,
of whom the Six Gosvämés of Våndävana are direct disciples. Therefore Çréla Narottama däsa
Öhäkura has sung:
rüpa-raghunätha-pade ha-ibe äkuti
kabe häma bujhaba se yugala-périti
“When I am eager to understand the literature given by the Gosvämés, then I shall be able to
understand the transcendental loving affairs of Rädhä and Kåñëa.” Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu
appeared in order to bestow upon human society the benediction of the science of Kåñëa. The
most exalted of all the activities of Lord Kåñëa are His pastimes of conjugal love with the gopés.
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu appeared in the mood of Çrématé Rädhäräëé, the best of the gopés.
Therefore, to understand the mission of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and follow in His footsteps,
one must very seriously follow in the footsteps of the Six Gosvämés—Çré Rüpa, Sanätana, Bhaööa
Raghunätha, Çré Jéva, Gopäla Bhaööa, and Däsa Raghunätha.
In this regard, your beloved Guru Mahäräja, Oà Viñëupäda Paramahaàsa Parivräjakäcärya 108 Çré
Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja, through Your Divine Grace’s life and teachings,
strongly instructed us to avoid attachments that are adverse to the expression of Lord Caitanya’s mission
explained above by Çréla Narottama Däsa Öhäkura.
Attachments to be avoided include taking shelter of any guru who has not properly learned spiritual
science from a bona fide spiritual master and then applied and preached the same. Such a pseudoguru
promotes material attachments in the name of spirituality, his real interest being wealth, followers, sensual
enjoyment, and so on. Instead, we should take shelter of a guru who has properly understood spiritual
knowledge from çästra and his own bona fide guru, and who has also applied the same in his own life, thereby
achieving genuine spiritual realization. Such a guru can and will teach us the proper standards for the worship
of Guru and Gauräìga. Such a guru knows the science of bhakti and instructs his disciples according to the
nature of the spirit soul. A guru who does not know and practice the science of bhakti and/or instructs his
disciples without considering their spiritual nature is a pseudoguru, and he should be given up.
You instructed us to give up false arguments based on material scholarship, such as those of mundane
philosophers, Buddhists, and logicians. Those who do not understand the purpose of the regulative
principles but simply observe these principles out of formality cannot develop attachment for devotional
service. Those who worship according to sahajiyä principles do not develop deep attachment for the
path of bhakti. However, such persons may still be delivered if they receive proper instructions from
sincere devotees and take advantage of their association.
Living entities are meant to be sober by nature. Old and new bad habits, lethargy, and vanity make
them disturbed due to bodily and mental demands, which hinder their devotional practices. One must
avoid any cheating religion and all offenses against the holy name of the Lord. Not having understood
one’s spiritual nature, but having accepted the instruction of a pseudoguru, one will engage in a process
of worship meant for exalted devotees, thereby cheating oneself. Such a person will be inclined to
accumulate wealth and prestige. Until this cheating in the name of religion is destroyed, one’s spiritual
attachment will not awaken. Such teachings by mischievous persons deceive the innocent by making a
show of spirituality. Importantly, those hapless followers who are attracted to a show of pseudospirituality
cannot attain love for Kåñëa. They become like thorns in the side of the world.
One must, however, never disrespect a swanlike devotee whose external activities may superficially
appear detestable. It is the duty of a Vaiñëava to develop symptoms of love by associating with and
serving devotees and avoiding the association of cheaters, while simultaneously remaining indifferent
to external formalities.
145
3_ISKCON Centers_06June2012.indd 145 6/6/12 10:40 AM