  Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.   Indian Man: Personally, we think more greater.   Prabhupada: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.   (Morning Walk – Toronto, August 7, 1975)  
One must not only think that he is Brahman, but must act like Brahman. One who only thinks himself Brahman is an impersonalist. And one who acts like Brahman is the pure devotee. (SB 1.15.42 pp)
We have experienced from many perspectives how individuals and groups of devotees are dedicated to protecting Srila Prabhupada. We hear this sentiment from the ISKCON camp, from the Rtviks and from other camps outside of ISKCON. In fact, it’s almost become a platitude.
From my perspective, the real challenge lies in coming to agreement on a uniform definition of who Srila Prabhupada is, beginning at the very top level, meaning what spiritual platform he is on. In my mind, making such a determination begins with coming to a determination of whether he is a nitya-siddha or a sadhana-siddha. If out of sentiment one says that Srila Prabhupada is nitya-siddha, a designation popularly placed on Srila Prabhupada by some devotees, that in itself is at least a true statement. The question is, what is the level of realization behind the statement.
In the context of ISKCON the question is, what official presentation of Srila Prabhupada is being made that establishes Srila Prabhupada 100% in that position of nitya-siddha? In other words, what are all the symptoms or indications exhibited throughout Srila Prabhupada’s entire life and pastimes that lead us to believe that he is a nitya-siddha? Unfortunately, we find that ISKCON offers no such definitive statement.
Years ago I wrote my Sampradaya Acarya paper, in which I make the argument that Srila Prabhupada is a nitya-siddha, and not only that, but also a Sampradaya Acarya — one of only 32 members of the exclusive guru-parampara list set forth in the Introduction of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Without repeating the main points of that paper, which I encourage our Sun audience to read if they’re so inclined, the fact is that Srila Prabhupada was sent on a mission by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and/or Nityananda Prabhu to spread the Krsna consciousness movement around the world. And if one begins to train their mind to see Srila Prabhupada in that way, then their perspective will change dramatically.
When flying an airplane, one cannot take care of other planes. Everyone has to take care of his own plane, and if there is any danger, no other plane can help another in that condition. Similarly, at the end of life, when one has to go back home, back to Godhead, everyone has to … Read more
I am always thinking of you, and I am feeling your separation… Never think that I am absent from you. Physical presence is not essential; presence by message (or hearing) is real touch… I hope you will understand me right… (Srila Prabhupada Letter, August 2, 1967)
Jiva Gosvami … says that Krsna, in His plenary expansion as Paramatma, is situated in the moving and the nonmoving entities as the Supersoul, so any neophyte devotee who simply gives his attention to the arca-murti, the form of the Supreme Lord in the temple, and does not respect other living entities is uselessly … Read more
The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success. (CC Madhya 22.54) Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material world is the greatest treasure for human society (CC Madhya 22.85) Pure devotional … Read more
I’m utterly convinced that the key to lifelong success is the regular exercise of a single emotional muscle: Gratitude. Thank you KRISHNA! My dear Lord, by Your causeless mercy I am awakened to consciousness, although I am only ten months old. For this causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the … Read more
“A Deliberation on the Methodology of Sadhu-sanga” by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, originally published in Sri Sajjana-toshani, 1917. Association is the basis of one’s nature A person’s nature is shaped by the company he keeps. In other words, a person develops a nature similar to that of whomever he associates with. The jiva’s association … Read more
I am very happy to see the new article on Sampradaya Sun by Raya Nitai dasa Vanacari on the new GBC ‘Parallel Lines of Authority’ paper. The points he made are very well presented and his article is well worth a careful reading. He has covered the main points very nicely, I just want to add one small observation.
When I joined ISKCON in 1986, the Zonal Acharya system was in full swing and ISKCON was preaching that their gurus were liberated, self-realized paramahamsas who were on the same level as Srila Prabhupada. At that time they had divided the planet into zones and in each zone, the ‘acharya’ was the supreme and absolute authority. In those days all the authority was with the Zonal Acharyas, and practically the GBC had no authority at all. Each zone was independently managed by the Zonal Acharya.
In the mid 80’s it became obvious to almost everyone that ISKCON’s so-called acharyas were not really pure devotees and were far, far below the transcendental platform of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Many of them fell down very publicly and embarrassingly for ISKCON. There was some confusion for some time and even a short period where many devotees in ISKCON rediscovered Srila Prabhupada and took shelter of him after their gurus fell down. Around 1996, in conjunction with Narayana Maharaja, the GBC published a paper stating that the guru does not have to be a pure devotee, does not have to be liberated, can be a conditioned soul, etc. Then the GBC elevated many of the devotees who were very anxious to get promoted to the platform of guru to the status of “non-liberated guru”. Soon there were more than 100 new ISKCON gurus.
