Guardiões da Devoção

“They are my god brothers. I can criticize them. I can, you can’t. We have a different relationship.”

Srila Prabhupada and his god brothers

Narrated by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja

I remember we went with Srila Prabhupada to see one of his god brothers. And Srila Prabhupada, he was very conscious about relationships between the different devotees. He would never allow us to criticize his god brothers. “They are my god brothers. I can criticize them. I can, you can’t. We have a different relationship.” If one of his disciples started to become.. like Srila Prabhupada sometimes to warn off , he would say that “this godbrother has this problem and that one has that problem and you be careful. Because they may criticize like this, but don’t listen.”, and then maybe one of his secretaries would start to repeat that, “your godbrother has this problem, your godbrother has that problem.”

Srila Prabhupada would get upset and impatient: “You cannot criticize my godbrothers..” Which seemed like a contradiction superficially, because “Srila Prabhupada was just criticizing, why can’t I?” But then Prabhupada explained that “I can, because he is my godbrother. I am telling you to protect you; you may go and listen to him and he may say so many things. So just to warn you I am telling you these problems. But not that you have the right then to take it up and then you can criticize. That wasn’t the purpose. The purpose is simply to caution you to not be affected in case they criticize.”

Posted by bhaktivedantadas at 11:19:49 in

Nobody should try to claim any extra honor on account of an official position

1969 August 30 : “Everyone should treat Godbrothers as Prabhu and nobody should try to claim any extra honor on account of an official position. Why he says his authority overrides yours. Everyone is working under my authority.”
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 June 17 : “This is parampara. I am simply an instrument in the hands of my Spiritual Master. I do not know how far I have got the capacity to carry His order, but I may say that I have a sincere desire to do it.”
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

Posted by bhaktivedantadas at 16:57:13 in

In Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent like the men in the matter of Krishna Consciousness Movement.

In India all the acaryas and their descendants later on acted only from the man’s side. Their wives were at home because that is the system from old times that women are not required to go out. But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent like the men in the matter of Krishna Consciousness Movement.

Please therefore carry on these missionary activities, and prove it by practical example that there is no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching work for Krishna Consciousness.

I do not know why our students who are supposed to be the leaders of this movement will fight amongst themselves for supremacy. Our whole process is of surrendering.

May 10, 1970

Los Angeles

My Dear Bali Mardan and Upendra,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated by Post 5th May, 1970.

So it is very encouraging that people are coming to the extent of 40 heads, and they are trying to understand the importance of this great movement, and any sane man will be able to understand that. But I do not know why our students who are supposed to be the leaders of this movement will fight amongst themselves for supremacy. Our whole process is of surrendering.

We are taught to address others as Prabhu. Prabhu means master; and the leader of the masters is called Prabhupada. So if the Prabhus have surrendered to the Prabhupada, why there shall be such mentality of occupying the superior position? This is contradictory.

Kindly stop this unnecessary misunderstanding. Both Upendra and yourself are competent and experienced, so please adjust your disagreement amongst your selves. It is my request. As a matter of fact, as you are the pioneer in taking all risks to go to Australia, naturally you shall be considered as the leader, but a leader’s position is also very grave and responsible. A leader has to lead others very tactfully and intelligently. Kindly therefore do not quarrel, but go on with your duties progressively.

I can understand very well that Upendra is feeling very much disturbed on account of Citralekha’s absence, it is quite natural, but what can I do? I have arranged for $500 also, but the Australian Immigration detained her for a technical reason. This is already informed in detail to Upendra by Madhudvisa, as I understand. So this is the position.

In the meantime, things should run on as it is, and if there is any need of change, we shall consider about it when Citralekha goes there. Please try to organize the new center as nicely as possible even at personal inconvenience–that is real service. Krsna is sitting in everyone’s heart, He knows everything what to do, so depend on Him and do your duties patiently.

Maya is very strong, and we are liable to fall down at any moment. We have to gather our strength by chanting the beads sixteen rounds regularly and praying to the lotus feet of Krsna for guidance.

I hope both of you will kindly follow my instruction and forget if there is any accidental disagreement.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami