© 1999 VNN
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AMERICAS May 22, 1999 VNN3927 Comment on this story Who's Really Throwing Tantrums And Making Treats? BY GURU PRASAD SWAMI MEXICO, May 22 (VNN) — A response to Radha Krsna Dasa's delusive statements, by Guru Prasad Swami Dear Vaisnava readers: Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. 18 May 99 I strongly object to Radha Krsna Dasa's accusation of threats and other misleading statements made in VNN article 3871. First I will address RKD's allusion that I threatened him or anyone else. In his article he fails to include the first paragraph of my message sent to ONE person, Nrsimha Caitanya das, with a copy to HariCaran das, TP of Mex City temple. I never sent it to a disciple, or follower, nor was it intended to reach them. I have been giving classes to younger devotees, that if someone insults us or others, to remember the instruction given by Pariksit M in SB, 1.17.21, dharma bravisi dharma jna..., that he who indentifies the offender is equally as guilty. I have instucted them that any objection made against me by me godbrothers or older devotees is within their rights, and that my disciples should respect them and their opinions. There are over a hundred devotees who have heard me say this in the past few weeks, well before this message was sent. As RKD, and other devotees in Mexico know, my Spanish is not the best, and I made a few grammatical mistakes, especially the one he is referring to. The first paragraph reads: (translated into English) Dear Nrsimha These are messages sent to PADA or (or VNN) by RK. I wanted you to see them to know what we are dealing with. He is definitely trying to create threats that is they don't get what they want, they will deal with me legally, and also put the blame [on others, which I omitted], appearing to be innocent and only trying to help ISKCON and the devotee to unite. They are also accusing me of using the sentiments of neophyte devotees to defend myself, just like a politician. Read it, and let me know how we should respond. There are a few inaccuracies in his translation of the second paragraph, thus I will give it literally: Honestly, I don't think you can deal with him as a gentleman, just by talking. I don't know what you think? I would like to hear from you. In my opinion you should tell him what he is, an expert and dirty politician. But if you don't think that is the case (not that if you don't accept this), better I retire in total astonishment of your naiveness (not gullibility). I think that it should be seen who is behind this (not we should find) and put it to rest forever. We'll be in touch. I was not referring to them as gullible, which would indicate that they had been bluffed, nor did present an alternative (if you don't accept this). So I was not saying that they had to accept it, nor was I threatening to resign. I was saying naive, not gullible. And that it should be understood who was making the threats against myself entering into the country. This message was amongst a series of messages and calls, since RKD had sent several messages, like this one to VNN, saying that some devotees would take me to court, or try to have me kicked out of the country. When the TP started speaking to all those who signed a paper saying that I should resign, all of them said that they were not threatening to take any legal action. So I was requesting that Nrsimha and H Carana find out who was really making the threats, and put the thing to rest, once and for all, so that I could come to Mexico and deal with the issues at hand. In Spanish, I nelgected to place an article after poner, "to put". I meant to say ponerlo "put it". If I would have wanted to say "put them to rest, it would have been "ponerles". I am sorry if by leaving out the article, someone has felt threatened. But we should see who is doing the threatening here? I was responding to a threat. I defy anyone, including RKD, to find one disciple of mine with whom I have discussed this matter, other than telling them that it is none of their business. I was objecting to a PADA article written by him( I did not know from where in the beginning) where he called me a politician, and accused me of using neophyte sentiments to get my way. I never denied a group action. I just say, from past experience, that I have serious doubts in the purity of intent, since RKD is involved, knowing well his sarcastic and synical language, and the way he has dealth with others in the past. He says that I am manipulating or "bullying others". Those same men to whom I wrote came to me and told me, along with other members of the board, that maybe it would be best to resign. We had a nice vaisnava discussion (not internet mud-slinging), and decided that I should stay as GBC but with only one vote, and let the board take all the decisions. We agreed to re-establish the national board in the future, and make the same arrangement. Everyone was happy. But this whole political procedure used by RKD is only creating anxiety in the minds of so many devotees. Since I never intended to say "put someone to rest", his third point is not valid. None of my "followers" even saw the article, until it came out on VNN. Since they know me and what I have always instucted them, they; and others, will probably only have an even grimmer image of RKD then they already do. In any case, I will remind all of the devotees that anyone has the right to his point of view and to criticize for the benefit and betterment of ISKCON. Many things that RKD has brought up (not the ones in this VNN article) are valid points, and they will be dealt with by Svavasa das, who is coming as a GBC appointed investigator. Many have already been dealt with by our temple committee. I am happy for that. But if one cannot conduct himself properly in the association of vaisnavas, and peacefully discuss, without backroom politics and snide, side remarks, then how will Krsna be pleased? I again humbly apologize to anyone who has been put into anxiety by misunderstanding my message. I have only responded twice, to points written by RKD, so who is having tantrums? Regarding my darker side, yes it is there, but within it is not the desire to harm a vaisnava, whoever he may be, because the vaisnava is the only way I can rid myself of darkness, or ignorance. Your fallen servant, Guru Prasad Swami Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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