Putting Srila Prabhupada in the Centre

Back To Prabhupada, Issue 41, Autumn 2013

All parties claim to want to put "Srila Prabhupada in the centre". This in turn is done by actually putting Srila Prabhupada in the centre. That Srila Prabhupada is put in the centre by actually putting Srila Prabhupada in the centre is such an obvious tautological truth that even those who are unable to do this are forced to agree. Thus, ISKCON leader HH Kadamba Kanana Swami ("KKS") agrees with the IRM that we must focus on Srila Prabhupada rather than ISKCON's multiple guru successors, otherwise ISKCON will not be successful:

"the relationship with Prabhupada must be at the core of our spiritual life. Otherwise this movement cannot be successful. We would become a conglomeration of different sectarian groups. Sometimes we can see this. When one spiritual master visits the temple there is a whole different group of devotees and then when another spiritual master comes there is another ISKCON. Each time the face of ISKCON changes. We are one family and we can only be one family if we all look at Prabhupada." (KKS, posted 23/9/2011)

KKS states this even though, for over 10 years, he has also been creating the same "another ISKCON" he condemns, by acting as yet another spiritual master in ISKCON with his own set of disciples.

Similarly, ISKCON leader HH Krishna Das Swami ("KDS") states the IRM position, that we should only focus on Srila Prabhupada as the guru of ISKCON, as there is no need to go and "find out" any guru other than Srila Prabhupada:

"'My guru fell down? My guru fell down?' Can there be worse thing, any worse thing than this, that guru falls down? What with the heart of the disciple? So, movement, because the Founder-Acarya of this movement was the purest of the purest, embodiment of purity, embodiment of surrender, embodiment of obedience, embodiment of faithfulness, and empowered by Lord Govinda Himself -- that is why this movement is continuing. [...] And how to become a pukka* guru, Prabhupada is there. You don't have to go to anywhere else. Pukka guru, Srila Prabhupada. Pukka disciple, Srila Prabhupada. No need of going anywhere to find out." (KDS, Lecture, 12/2/2012)

*Genuine.

KDS states this even though, since 1987, KDS has been putting himself forward as a GBC-elected successor guru to Srila Prabhupada, whom one should "find out" and accept, having initiated over 400 disciples.

However, contradicting these statements by his guru colleagues, GBC-elected guru HH Bhakti Charu Swami ("BCS") shockingly claims that we can have Srila Prabhupada at the centre by actually putting BCS in the centre:

"They also made excellent arrangements to celebrate my birthday. On that day, they presented me with a surprise compilation of Vyasa-puja offerings containing over 300 offerings from many of you. Although my travel schedule has been hectic since then, I have been regularly reading the offerings and I am thoroughly enjoying them. The appreciation and gratitude that you have expressed through your offerings are very touching. I am also very happy that you all are able to read the offerings in the shared e-book and I would encourage all of you to do so because it will help to bring our family closer together with Srila Prabhupada at the centre."
(BCS Istagosthi, 25/9/2013)

BCS claims that his disciples will be able to "come closer together with Srila Prabhupada at the centre" through the act of participating in the basking of the glorification of BCS! This is done via reading a whole book of Vyasa-puja offerings dedicated to praising BCS, which are based on the false premise that BCS has succeeded Srila Prabhupada as ISKCON's diksa guru.

That BCS believes that putting himself in the centre is the equivalent of putting Srila Prabhupada in the centre, is evidence of the immense delusion which arises when one is motivated by the desire to take Srila Prabhupada's position and be worshipped as a "good as God" guru -- the desire for PAD (Profit, Adoration and Distinction). This desire is so strong that one will say absolutely anything, no matter how absurd, to try to justify it.