Srila Prabhupada Gives Everything
Back To Prabhupada, Issue 65, Vol 1, 2020
HH Kadamba Kanana Swami ("KKS") is a GBC-elected guru in ISKCON. He has written a book titled Guru and Disciple: Awakening Spiritual Vision which aims to validate the current ISKCON guru system of which he is a part – but as we shall see, he actually ends up defeating it! All the shaded quotes below are from this book. Emphases added.
KKS correctly explains the process of diksa and how the spiritual master transmits it, being the transfer of transcendental knowledge. As confirmed by Srila Prabhupada:
"In other words, the spiritual master awakens the sleeping living entity to his original consciousness so that he can worship Lord Visnu. This is the purpose of diksa, or initiation. Initiation means receiving the pure knowledge of spiritual consciousness."
(Cc., Madhya-lila, 9.61, purport)
KKS correctly explains that Srila Prabhupada transfers this transcendental knowledge:
Thus, according to KKS, Srila Prabhupada is the one who gives us this "diksa" or transcendental knowledge transfer, since Srila Prabhupada's "transcendental books are our shelter, giving us relief from material existence" and are "the main substance in our lives".
KKS explains how the initiating or diksa guru is the one in whose instructions one takes shelter. However, KKS also states about Srila Prabhupada that:
And, in the previous section, we quoted KKS stating that Srila Prabhupada's books are "the main substance in our lives" which give us "our shelter". Consequently, combining KKS's statements, he is admitting that, more than anyone else, "one takes shelter of the instructions" of Srila Prabhupada as the spiritual master. But, this is the spiritual master that KKS describes as being the one to whom the "disciple hands over his life" after being initiated by him. Thus, KKS provides from a different angle, yet a further proof that Srila Prabhupada should be the diksa guru who initiates us.
KKS also states that Srila Prabhupada provides everything that we need in order to practise Krsna consciousness:
KKS also states that Srila Prabhupada provides everything that we need in order to sustain our Krsna consciousness:
In addition, KKS makes it clear that, despite not being physically present, it is Srila Prabhupada who is practically training us to advance in Krsna consciousness:
Indeed, KKS states that physical presence is not important, as even he can supposedly continue to act as a guru after he departs:
Hence, similarly, KKS must accept that even though Srila Prabhupada is ‘not here', everyone in ISKCON can have a "connection coming to life" with Srila Prabhupada, through having already connected to him as one's diksa guru and the one who gives us everything in spiritual life, as KKS described earlier. This everything which Srila Prabhupada gives to everyone in ISKCON, according to KKS, is:
Diksa; Shelter; Instructions;
Teachings; Answers;
Basis of our Krsna consciousness;
Connection with Krsna; Inspiration;
Source of faith; Anchor;
Saving grace; Safe ground; Training.
Thus, having accepted that it is Srila Prabhupada, and not he and the GBC gurus, giving all this, KKS is making it clear that he and the GBC gurus are therefore not giving anything spiritually. Indeed, he accepts that even the books they write, such as this book, are not necessary:
Since KKS himself is acting as a GBC-elected guru, the book's intent when speaking about the guru is to refer specifically to himself and those who also act as "gurus" in ISKCON. However, whenever ISKCON's leaders attempt to oppose Srila Prabhupada's position as ISKCON's diksa guru, their attempts usually result in a huge self-defeat! And this book is no different, since it has proven that:
a) It is Srila Prabhupada who is the diksa guru giving everything;
b) While KKS and the GBC gurus give nothing!
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Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. And be Happy!