Srila Prabhupada Acarya Of The Golden Age
ISKCON IS THE GOLDEN AGE PREDICTED BY SRI CAITANYA
AND SRILA PRABHUPADA IS ITS FOUNDER ACARYA.
a) Definition and Activities of a Great Founder Acarya.
The Founder Acarya is destinguished from all other acaryas and his qualities and activites are outlined in the sastras:
`tabhyas sarvajana trata sarvasrestatamo dhruvam
dina abhaya pradanartham visadikrtya bhutale'
"Among all acaryas, certainly he who is the deliverer of all people, who appears in this world for the purpose of removing the fears of the fallen souls (dina-abhaya) is the most perfect."
`gitacaryokta tatvartha caramartha prakasanam
rsiproktapramananam krtva vyakhyanamuttamam'
"He sheds light on the ultimate meanining of the philosophical conclusions spoken by Krishna, Who is the speaker of Bhagavad-gita. He also gives perfect purports to the evidences given by the rsis."
`divyaprabandhan lokebhya sarakopadibhi paryantam
arthopadesa paryantam vardhayaitva ca sasvatah'
"He propagates everywhere the meanings and purports of the songs of the previous acaryas."
`natharyadi gurunam ca satakopadi yoginam
ahrtya vyasa sutranam artham lokahitaya ca
sribhasyadi mahagrantham vidhaya karunarnaya
nirjitya sarvasamayan vadena sataso'subhan'
"He, the ocean of mercy, contributes great books for the welfare of the people that explain the meaning of Vedanta strictly in line with the previous vaisnava acaryas and devotees. In this way he conquers all, defeating hundreds of different kinds of inauspicious philosophies by his arguments."
`ityadibhir yatisresta karye lokahite rata
nathadidesike tebhya pradhano bhavati dhruvam'
"Because of engaging in the welfare of the people of the world, that perfect and topmost mendicant is certainly the most important Founder Acarya, (pradhana)." ...(Prapannamrta Tarpana - 62.47-53).
b) Srila Prabhupada - Founder Acarya of the Golden Age.
The Founder Acarya has a special position for all time to come within the organised mission. In the Vaisnava line the previous acaryas selected and severly tested the earnestness and qualifications of their disciples. But among the special characteristics of the Founder Acarya is his infinite compassion. He accepts all those who come and commands his disciples to do the same.
Harinam is the dharma of the Golden Age - `kali kaler dharma nama sankirtana', and one who preaches that dharma all over the world is the empowered Acarya - `krsna sakti vina nahi tara pravatana'.
Srila Prabhupada exercised the basic principle of Krishna consciousness, as envisioned by Srila Rupa Goswami (somehow or other), to engage everyone in the Hare Krishna movement. The extent of his efforts are unprecidented in the history of vaisnavism. Thus he is the Founder Acarya who has accomplished the objectives of the `visva vaisnava rajya sabha', following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Goswami.
In the Sri Caitanya Mangal by Locana das Thakur, Lord Caitanya speaks of a `senapati' (great general), who will come after Him to accomplish His mission. It is clear that Lord Caitanya's teachings were a preparation made by Himself for the use of another preacher, personally empowered by Him, who would launch His Sankirtana Movement on a global scale.
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur yearned to see the day when fortunate non-Indian vaisnavas would perform Harinama Sankirtan in different cities of the world (Sajjana tosani 4\3,`nityadharma suryodoy'). In this article he announced that Mahaprabhu's prediction would shortly be fulfilled. He foresaw that all the vaisnava sampradayas will be unified. "In a short time, there will be only one sampradaya and that will be the Brahma sampradaya. All other sampradayas will find there conclusions in this sampradaya".
"All smaller dharmas will enter like rivers into the ocean of Hari Nama and there will be only one religion - chanting the Holy Name of Krishna"; (Vani Vaibhava Ch.6).
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur spoke of the arising of a self-effulgent acarya from among his disciples who would demonstrate his prominence by preaching in a grand style. It is obvious from the predictions of the previous acaryas mentioned above that Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Praivrajakacarya astottara sata Sri Srimad Abhaya Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is that self-effulgent Founder Acarya.
The Acarya
"If one saw the personal characteristics and activities of Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu, one would certainly be convinced that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can ascertain this by following in the footsteps of the sastric injunctions. This sincere study and appreciation of Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu is also applicable to His authorized devotees, ans it is clearly stated in the Caitanya-cariamrta (Antya-lila 7.11):
kali-kalera dharma - krsna-nama-sankirtana
krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana
In this age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered by Krsna. No one can do thiswithout being especially favored by Krsna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments in this regard in his Anubhasya, wherein he quotes a verse from Narayana-samhita:
dvapariyair janair visnuh
pancaratrais tu kevalaih
kalau tu nama-matrena
pujyate bhagavan harih
"In Dvapara-yuga, devotees of Lord Visnu and Krsna rendered devotional service according to the principles of pancaratrika. In this age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names." Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: "Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Krsna to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all the fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna's effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krsna - that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna's potency. Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha - that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations of the varnasrama institution. He is guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee of the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "A first-class Vaisnava is he whose very presence makes others chant the holy name of Krsna."
"Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that if an observer immediately remembers the holy name of Krsna upon seeing a Vaisnava, that Vaisnava should be considered a maha-bhagavata, first-class devotee. Such a Vaisnava is always aware of his Krsna conscious duty, and he is enlightened in self-realization.He is always in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and this love is without adulteration. Because of this love, he is always awake to transcendental realizzation. Because he knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge and action, he sees everything connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly. Such a maha-bhagavata Vaisnava has the transcendental eyes to see who is sleeping under the spell of maya, and he engages himself in awakening sleeping conditioned beings by spreading the knowledge of Krsna consciousness. He opens eyes that are closed by forgetfulness of Krsna. Thus the living entity is liberated from the dullness of material energy and is engaged fully in the service of the Lord. The madhyama-adhikari Vaisnava can awaken others to Krsna consciousness and engage them in duties whereby they ccan advance. It is therefore said in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-lila Ch six, verse 279):
lohake yavat sparsi hema nahi kare
tavat sparsa-mani keha cinite na pare
"One cannot understand the value of touchstone until it turns iron into gold."
One should judge by action, not by promises. A maha-bhagavata can turn a living entity from abominable material life to the Lord's service. This is the test of a maha-bhagavata. Although preaching is not meant for a maha-bhagavata, a maha-bhagavata can descend to the platform of a madhyama-bhagavata just to convert others to Vaisnavism. Actually a maha-bhagavata is fit to spread Krsna consciousness, but he does not distinguish where Krsna consciousness should be spread from where it should not. He thinks that everyone is competent to accept Krsna consciousness if the chance is provided. A neophyte and intermediate devotee should always be anxious to hear the maha-bhagavata and serve him in every respect. The neophyte and intermediate devotees can gradually rise to the platform of uttama-adhikari and become first-class devotees. Symptoms of a first-class devotee are given in Srimad -Bhagavatam (11.2.45).
When teaching sanatana Goswami, the Lord further said:
sastra-yuktye sunipuna, drdha-sraddha yanra
`uttama-adhikari'se taraye samsara
"If one is expert in Vedic literature and has full faith in the Supreme Lord, then he is an uttama-adhikari, a first-class Vaisnava who can deliver the whole world and turn everyone to Krsna consciousness."
(Cc. Madhya 22.65)
With great love and affection, the maha-bhagavata observes the supreme Personality of Godhead, devotional service and the devotee. He observes nothing beyond Krsna, Krsna consciousness and Krsna's devotees. the maha-bhagavata knows that everyone is engaged in the Lord's service in different ways. He therefore descends to the middle platform to elevate everyone to the Krsna conscious position."
(Cc. Madhya 16.74)
"Everyone was engaged in material enjoyment, whether sinfully or virtuously. No one was interested in the transcendental service of the Lord, which can give total relief from the repetition of birth and death.
"Seeing the activities of the world, the Acarya felt compassion and began to ponder how he could act for the people's benefit."
(C.C. Adi-lila Ch 3 97-98)
This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bonafide acarya. An acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional service to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change peoples activities, making them favorable for the attainment of devotion. This endeavour makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord, who says clearly in the Bhagavad-gita that no-one in human society is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world.
(purport C.C. Adi 3.98)
"Here is an important point. Lord Caitanya wanted to invent a way to capture the Mayavadis and others who did not take interest in the Krsna Consciousness movement. This is the symptom of an acarya. an acarya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and means by which Krsna consciousness may be spread. Sometimes jealous persons criticize the Krsna consciousness movement because it engages equally both boys and girls in distributing love of Godhead. Not knowing that boys and girls in countries like Europe and America mix very freely, these fools and rascals criticize the boys and girls in Krsna consciousness for intermingling. But these rascals should consider that one cannot suddenly change a community's social customs. However, since both the boys and girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers who are preaching Krsna consciousness. Therefore, to engage both boys and girls in fully transcendental activities is a policy intended to spread the Krsna consciousness movement. these jealous fools who criticize the intermingling of boys and girls will simply have to be satisfied with their own foolishness because they cannot think of how to spread Krsna consciousness by adopting ways and means which are favorable for this purpose. Their stereotyped methods will never help spread Krsna consciousness. Therefore, what we are doing is perfect by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for it is He who proposed to invent a way to capture those who strayed from Krsna consciousness."
(purport C.C Adi 7.31-32)
yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet
sarve vidhi-nisedha syur etayor eva kinkarah
Rupa Goswami.
"An acarya should devise a means by which people may somehow or other come to Krsna consciousness. First they should become Krsna conscious, and all the prescribed rules and regulations may later be introduced. In our Krsna consciousness movement we follow this policy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. For example, since boys and girls in the western countries freely intermingle, special concessions regarding their customs and habits are necessary to bring them to Krsna consciousness. The acarya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service. Therefore, although I am a sannyasi I sometimes take part in getting boys and girls married, although in the history of sannyasa no sannyasi has personally taken part in marrying his disciples."
(purport C.C Adi 7.37)
"The complete path of bhakti-yoga is based upon the process of becoming humble and submissive.......We are propogating the Krsna consciousness movement simply by following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We may not be very well versed in the Vedanta-sutra codes and may not understand their meaning, but we follow in the footsteps of the acaryas, and because of our strictly and obediently following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it is to be understood that we know everything regarding Vedanta-sutra."
(ext, purport Adi 7.148)
"A pure devotee who has firm faith in the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is to be considered a most learned scholar, the topmost aristocrat and the richest man in the whole world. All godly qualities automatically exist in such a devotee. In the preaching work of the Krsna consciousness movement, we, as the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully believe in the words of Krsna and His servants, the disciplic succession. In this way we are presenting the words of Krsna throughout the world. Even though we are neither a rich man nor a very learned scholar, and even though we do not belong to any aristocracy, this movement is still being welcomed and is very easily spreading all over the world. Although we are very poor and have no proffessional source of income, Krsna supplies money whenever we need it. Whenever we need some men, Krsna supplies them. Thus it is stated in Bhagavad-gita (6.22): yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah.
Actually, if we can attain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, we do not need anything else. We certainly do not need those things which a mundane person considers to be material assets."
(purport C.C Mad. 5.76)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Raya, " Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Krsna's enjoys the utmost fame and glory."
(C.C. Mad 8.246)
"In this age of Kali, the fame of one who is known as a great devotee is very rare. However, such a position is superior to that of the great demigods like Brahma and Mahadeva. This is the opinion of all spiritual masters."
"It is said that out of thousands of brahmanas, one is qualified to perform sacrifices, and out of thousands of such qualified brahmanas expert in sacrificial offerings, one learned brahmana may have passed beyond all Vedic aknowledge. He is considered the best of all these brahmanas. And yet, out of thousands of such brahmanas who have surpassed Vedic knowledge, one person may be a visnu-bhakta, and he is most famous. Out of many thousands of such Vaisnavas, one who is completely fixed in the service of Lord Krsna is most famous. Indeed, a person who is completely devoted to the service of the Lord certainly returns home, back to Godhead."
(Garuda Purana)
"If one is true to Gaura-Nitai's service in the disciplic succession, he can even excel Nityananda Prabhu's service. This is the process of disciplic succession. Nityananda Prabhu delivered Jagai and Madhai, but a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, by His grace, can deliver many thousands of Jagai's and Madhai's. That is the special benediction of the disciplic succesion. One who is situated in the disciplic succession can be understood by the result of his activities. This is always true as far as the activities of the Lord and His devotees are concerned.
By the grace of Lord Visnu, a Vaisnava can render better service than Visnu; that is the special prerogative of a Vaisnava."
(purport C.C. Mad 16.65)
"When someone heard the chanting of the holy name from the mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and someone else heard this chanting from that second person, and someone again heard this chanting from the third person, everyone in all countries became a Vaisnava through such disciplic succession. Thus everyone chanted the holy name of Krsna and Hari, and they danced, cried and smiled."
".........If one is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by this vibration. When a pure devotee chants offenselessly, another person will become a Vaisnava, and from him another Vaisnava will emerge. This is the parampara system."
(Cc. Madhya 17.48-49)
c) "For Ten Thousand Years My Books Will Guide the World
Srila Prabhupada is not just an acarya; not just the founder of a society; he is the Founder Acarya of the Krihna Consciousness Movement, which is a dynamic spiritual reality - the Yuga Dharma. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada is to be appreciated not merely as the acarya of a few intimate servants or even the acarya of a single generation of disciples. Rather, as the Founder Acarya of Iskcon, he established the standard of Krishna consciousness to be practiced by all sincere followers for ten thousand years to come.
The scriptures predict that although the present age is continually becoming more inauspicious, unfortunate and degraded, a `Golden Age' of Krishna consciousness will appear for a period of ten thousand years, following the advent of Sri Caitanya, despite the force of Kali Yuga.
Srila Prabhupada should not be limited by describing him as a founder within the drama or the one who started or only started the Iskcon. He was empowered by Krishna to do what no other spiritual master has ever done, or would ever do in the future - `na ca bhuto na bhavisyati sa ca pujyo Prabhupada: He is the Founder Acarya for spreading Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement worldwide, for ten thousand years within the midst of Kali.
It is important to note that Srila Prabhupada himself, repeatedly emphasised that he was Founder Acarya. It is noted in the Lilamrta (IV-p93), that he became deeply annoyed when an Iskcon publication described him as "acarya of Iskcon", even though at that time there was no question at all of the existence of another acarya.
There have been many acaryas and there will be many more after him, but His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada is the sole Founder Acarya of the Golden Age, known synonymously as ISKCON.
In his discussion with historian Arnold Toynbee, in London, Srila Prabhupada said; "I have started this Krishna Conscious Movement among the Indians and Americans and for the next ten thousand years it will increase. Then there will be a gloomy picture of Kali-Yuga. Ten thousand years is not a short time. It is our duty on behalf of Krishna." (Lilamrta Vol. V Ch. 6 p161).
Anyone who wants shelter from the evil effects of the present Godless age may have it by taking to devotional service under the guidance of Lord Caitanya's teachings, as given by Srila Prabhupada in his books. The dynamic preaching and realisations of Srila Prabhupada reveal the sublime teachings of Lord Caitanya, which otherwise have been neglected, misused or kept secret within the confines of India. Srila Prabhupada prepared his translations and Bhaktivedanta purports on the essential Vaisnava scriptures - Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu - with the plan for forming the foundation of the Krishna Consciousness Movement for the next ten thousand years; (Books Are The Basis).
He says in the Caitanya Caritamrta; "In our Krishna Conscious Movement we have limited our study of Vedic literatures to Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu. These four works are sufficient for all preaching purposes. They are adequate for understanding the philosophy and spreading the missionary activities all over the world. That is the principle."
d) Krishna Has Taken Shelter in the Womb of ISKCON
"Krishna has taken birth or shelter in the womb of the Krishna Consciousness Movement!" - (SB 10.2.20).
When Srila Prabhupada met C. Rajagopal Acarya (known as Rajaji), who was the first Governor General of `free India' and famous as a religious politician and friend of Gandhi, in Madras, Rajaji expressed his only doubt: "Srila Prabhupada has created such a huge institution that now his disciples might identify with Iskcon rather than Krishna. If that were to happen, then by identifying with Iskcon they would fall into the same type of materialism or false identification as before."
Srila Prabhupada replied, "Because Krishna is absolute, Krishna and Iskcon are non-different. To identify with Krishna's Iskcon was to identify with Krishna directly. "Rajaji was satisfied; - (Lilamrta Vol. V Ch.2).
e) ISKCON - The Golden Age - Predictions Revealed in the Sastras.
In the Pratisarga part of the Bhavisya Purana, Chapter 20 verses 71-73; we find the following prediction:
"Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Lord Sri Hari Himself, spoke these attractive words for the welfare of all: The mlecchas who are born from mixed countries ruled by descendants of Kasyapa (demons) and the sudras will become brahmanas by initiation. They will wear sikhas and brahman threads and will become well versed in the uncontaminated fruit of the Vedas (Srimad Bhagavatam). They will worship Me by the Yajna prescribed by the Lord of Lords, the protector of Saci (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)."
Forty-six years before the beginning of Kali-yuga, Visnucittha, one of the twelve great Vaisnava saints of the Sri Sampradaya predicted: "There will come a race which will tread the Earth with raised hands and vertical tilaka on their foreheads, who will chant the names of Hari; this will destroy the influence of Kali." (Divyaprabhanda 1:10).
Sripada Ramanuja predicted: "The pure devotion to Sri Hari devoid of karma and jnana will grow and grow like a banyan tree covering the whole world, teaching everyone who takes shelter." (Prapannamrta tarpana - last chapter).
It is interesting to note in this connection how Srila Prabhupad's Iskcon is preaching `jnana karmady anavrtam' to `jare dekho tare' in every town and village!
Sripad Madhvacarya predicted: "The real knowledge of the difference between jiva and Sri Hari and the service of Sri Hari will spread all over the world very shortly." (Anu madhva vijaya - last chapter).
Srila Prabhupada roared, "I am not God! You are not God! We are all servants of God, Krishna!"
f) Srila Prabhupad's System for the Golden Age.
"If the conditioned soul becomes Krishna conscious by the mercy of saintly persons, who voluntarily preach scriptual injunctions and help him become Krishna conscious, he becomes liberated from the clutches of Maya, who voluntarily gives him up." (CC.M-20-120).
"This is the test by which one can tell whether he is advancing in devotional service. One must be detached from material enjoyment. Such detachment means that Maya has actually given the conditioned soul liberation from illusory enjoyment." (SB 11.2.42 quoted in TLC).
We ordinarily understand `maya' as illusion, but the spiritual master reveals its more confidential meaning as also `mercy'. (SB 1.13.25).
Thus Srila Prabhupada gave shelter to those who joined by establishing -
1) SAMBANDHA - their relationship as servants of Krishna;
2) ABIDHEYA - their materially conditioned senses engaged in pure devotional service;
3) PRAYOJANA - the resultant transformation of material consciousness into Krishna consciousness, leading them back home back to Godhead.
The actual essence of all the esoteric knowledge of the vast body of Vedic literature has been rendered in a simple term by Srila Rupa Goswami as `yukta vairagya'. Srila Prabhupad's system is strictly in that line - `Utility is the Principle'. His books teach this as follows:
Bhagavad-gita As It Is - yukta vairagya in Upanisadic form.
Srimad Bhagavatam - yukta vairagya in Puranic and Vedantic form.
Nectar of Devotion - yukta vairagya in Pancaratric form (rules).
Caitanya Caritamrta - yukta vairagya in Final Perfection (prema).
Sri Caitanya gives paramount importance to five out of sixty-four principles of devotional service:
a) Associating with devotees - Sadhu sanga;
b) Chanting the Holy Names - Nama kirtana;
c) Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam - Bhagavad sravana;
d) Living in a Holy Place - Mathura vasa;
e) Worshiping the Deity - Sri murtira sraddhaya sevana.
Srila Prabhhupada designed his system for Iskcon based on these principles. In his seven purposes for Iskcon, the first two are Bhagavata sevana; the third is sadhu sanga; the fourth is Nama kirtana; the fifth is Sri murtira sevana; the sixth is Mathura vasa; and the seventh is to preach these five principles to others. In organising these principles, according to the Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada institued the system of initiation in ISKCON. The acceptance of the Holy Name from the spiritual master is `Bhagavata vidhi' initiation. The second initiation is both Vedic and Pancaratric initiation: (these mantras are namatmika mantras; the actual mantra is Hare Krishna).
Srila Prabhupad's ISKCON is the embodiment of these five principles `in action', given out of his causeless mercy. So if one is surrendered to the Founder Acarya, his instructions and ISKCON, he is primarily qualified to carry on the system of guru-disciple (Parampara), established by Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the Golden Age - ISKCON.
JAI SRILA PRABHUPADA!
AND SRILA PRABHUPADA IS ITS FOUNDER ACARYA.
a) Definition and Activities of a Great Founder Acarya.
The Founder Acarya is destinguished from all other acaryas and his qualities and activites are outlined in the sastras:
`tabhyas sarvajana trata sarvasrestatamo dhruvam
dina abhaya pradanartham visadikrtya bhutale'
"Among all acaryas, certainly he who is the deliverer of all people, who appears in this world for the purpose of removing the fears of the fallen souls (dina-abhaya) is the most perfect."
`gitacaryokta tatvartha caramartha prakasanam
rsiproktapramananam krtva vyakhyanamuttamam'
"He sheds light on the ultimate meanining of the philosophical conclusions spoken by Krishna, Who is the speaker of Bhagavad-gita. He also gives perfect purports to the evidences given by the rsis."
`divyaprabandhan lokebhya sarakopadibhi paryantam
arthopadesa paryantam vardhayaitva ca sasvatah'
"He propagates everywhere the meanings and purports of the songs of the previous acaryas."
`natharyadi gurunam ca satakopadi yoginam
ahrtya vyasa sutranam artham lokahitaya ca
sribhasyadi mahagrantham vidhaya karunarnaya
nirjitya sarvasamayan vadena sataso'subhan'
"He, the ocean of mercy, contributes great books for the welfare of the people that explain the meaning of Vedanta strictly in line with the previous vaisnava acaryas and devotees. In this way he conquers all, defeating hundreds of different kinds of inauspicious philosophies by his arguments."
`ityadibhir yatisresta karye lokahite rata
nathadidesike tebhya pradhano bhavati dhruvam'
"Because of engaging in the welfare of the people of the world, that perfect and topmost mendicant is certainly the most important Founder Acarya, (pradhana)." ...(Prapannamrta Tarpana - 62.47-53).
b) Srila Prabhupada - Founder Acarya of the Golden Age.
The Founder Acarya has a special position for all time to come within the organised mission. In the Vaisnava line the previous acaryas selected and severly tested the earnestness and qualifications of their disciples. But among the special characteristics of the Founder Acarya is his infinite compassion. He accepts all those who come and commands his disciples to do the same.
Harinam is the dharma of the Golden Age - `kali kaler dharma nama sankirtana', and one who preaches that dharma all over the world is the empowered Acarya - `krsna sakti vina nahi tara pravatana'.
Srila Prabhupada exercised the basic principle of Krishna consciousness, as envisioned by Srila Rupa Goswami (somehow or other), to engage everyone in the Hare Krishna movement. The extent of his efforts are unprecidented in the history of vaisnavism. Thus he is the Founder Acarya who has accomplished the objectives of the `visva vaisnava rajya sabha', following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Goswami.
In the Sri Caitanya Mangal by Locana das Thakur, Lord Caitanya speaks of a `senapati' (great general), who will come after Him to accomplish His mission. It is clear that Lord Caitanya's teachings were a preparation made by Himself for the use of another preacher, personally empowered by Him, who would launch His Sankirtana Movement on a global scale.
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur yearned to see the day when fortunate non-Indian vaisnavas would perform Harinama Sankirtan in different cities of the world (Sajjana tosani 4\3,`nityadharma suryodoy'). In this article he announced that Mahaprabhu's prediction would shortly be fulfilled. He foresaw that all the vaisnava sampradayas will be unified. "In a short time, there will be only one sampradaya and that will be the Brahma sampradaya. All other sampradayas will find there conclusions in this sampradaya".
"All smaller dharmas will enter like rivers into the ocean of Hari Nama and there will be only one religion - chanting the Holy Name of Krishna"; (Vani Vaibhava Ch.6).
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur spoke of the arising of a self-effulgent acarya from among his disciples who would demonstrate his prominence by preaching in a grand style. It is obvious from the predictions of the previous acaryas mentioned above that Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Praivrajakacarya astottara sata Sri Srimad Abhaya Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is that self-effulgent Founder Acarya.
The Acarya
"If one saw the personal characteristics and activities of Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu, one would certainly be convinced that He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can ascertain this by following in the footsteps of the sastric injunctions. This sincere study and appreciation of Sri Caitanya mahaprabhu is also applicable to His authorized devotees, ans it is clearly stated in the Caitanya-cariamrta (Antya-lila 7.11):
kali-kalera dharma - krsna-nama-sankirtana
krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana
In this age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered by Krsna. No one can do thiswithout being especially favored by Krsna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments in this regard in his Anubhasya, wherein he quotes a verse from Narayana-samhita:
dvapariyair janair visnuh
pancaratrais tu kevalaih
kalau tu nama-matrena
pujyate bhagavan harih
"In Dvapara-yuga, devotees of Lord Visnu and Krsna rendered devotional service according to the principles of pancaratrika. In this age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped simply by the chanting of His holy names." Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: "Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Krsna to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all the fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna's effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krsna - that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna's potency. Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha - that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations of the varnasrama institution. He is guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee of the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura."
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "A first-class Vaisnava is he whose very presence makes others chant the holy name of Krsna."
"Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that if an observer immediately remembers the holy name of Krsna upon seeing a Vaisnava, that Vaisnava should be considered a maha-bhagavata, first-class devotee. Such a Vaisnava is always aware of his Krsna conscious duty, and he is enlightened in self-realization.He is always in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and this love is without adulteration. Because of this love, he is always awake to transcendental realizzation. Because he knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge and action, he sees everything connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly. Such a maha-bhagavata Vaisnava has the transcendental eyes to see who is sleeping under the spell of maya, and he engages himself in awakening sleeping conditioned beings by spreading the knowledge of Krsna consciousness. He opens eyes that are closed by forgetfulness of Krsna. Thus the living entity is liberated from the dullness of material energy and is engaged fully in the service of the Lord. The madhyama-adhikari Vaisnava can awaken others to Krsna consciousness and engage them in duties whereby they ccan advance. It is therefore said in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-lila Ch six, verse 279):
lohake yavat sparsi hema nahi kare
tavat sparsa-mani keha cinite na pare
"One cannot understand the value of touchstone until it turns iron into gold."
One should judge by action, not by promises. A maha-bhagavata can turn a living entity from abominable material life to the Lord's service. This is the test of a maha-bhagavata. Although preaching is not meant for a maha-bhagavata, a maha-bhagavata can descend to the platform of a madhyama-bhagavata just to convert others to Vaisnavism. Actually a maha-bhagavata is fit to spread Krsna consciousness, but he does not distinguish where Krsna consciousness should be spread from where it should not. He thinks that everyone is competent to accept Krsna consciousness if the chance is provided. A neophyte and intermediate devotee should always be anxious to hear the maha-bhagavata and serve him in every respect. The neophyte and intermediate devotees can gradually rise to the platform of uttama-adhikari and become first-class devotees. Symptoms of a first-class devotee are given in Srimad -Bhagavatam (11.2.45).
When teaching sanatana Goswami, the Lord further said:
sastra-yuktye sunipuna, drdha-sraddha yanra
`uttama-adhikari'se taraye samsara
"If one is expert in Vedic literature and has full faith in the Supreme Lord, then he is an uttama-adhikari, a first-class Vaisnava who can deliver the whole world and turn everyone to Krsna consciousness."
(Cc. Madhya 22.65)
With great love and affection, the maha-bhagavata observes the supreme Personality of Godhead, devotional service and the devotee. He observes nothing beyond Krsna, Krsna consciousness and Krsna's devotees. the maha-bhagavata knows that everyone is engaged in the Lord's service in different ways. He therefore descends to the middle platform to elevate everyone to the Krsna conscious position."
(Cc. Madhya 16.74)
"Everyone was engaged in material enjoyment, whether sinfully or virtuously. No one was interested in the transcendental service of the Lord, which can give total relief from the repetition of birth and death.
"Seeing the activities of the world, the Acarya felt compassion and began to ponder how he could act for the people's benefit."
(C.C. Adi-lila Ch 3 97-98)
This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bonafide acarya. An acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional service to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change peoples activities, making them favorable for the attainment of devotion. This endeavour makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord, who says clearly in the Bhagavad-gita that no-one in human society is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world.
(purport C.C. Adi 3.98)
"Here is an important point. Lord Caitanya wanted to invent a way to capture the Mayavadis and others who did not take interest in the Krsna Consciousness movement. This is the symptom of an acarya. an acarya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and means by which Krsna consciousness may be spread. Sometimes jealous persons criticize the Krsna consciousness movement because it engages equally both boys and girls in distributing love of Godhead. Not knowing that boys and girls in countries like Europe and America mix very freely, these fools and rascals criticize the boys and girls in Krsna consciousness for intermingling. But these rascals should consider that one cannot suddenly change a community's social customs. However, since both the boys and girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers who are preaching Krsna consciousness. Therefore, to engage both boys and girls in fully transcendental activities is a policy intended to spread the Krsna consciousness movement. these jealous fools who criticize the intermingling of boys and girls will simply have to be satisfied with their own foolishness because they cannot think of how to spread Krsna consciousness by adopting ways and means which are favorable for this purpose. Their stereotyped methods will never help spread Krsna consciousness. Therefore, what we are doing is perfect by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for it is He who proposed to invent a way to capture those who strayed from Krsna consciousness."
(purport C.C Adi 7.31-32)
yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet
sarve vidhi-nisedha syur etayor eva kinkarah
Rupa Goswami.
"An acarya should devise a means by which people may somehow or other come to Krsna consciousness. First they should become Krsna conscious, and all the prescribed rules and regulations may later be introduced. In our Krsna consciousness movement we follow this policy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. For example, since boys and girls in the western countries freely intermingle, special concessions regarding their customs and habits are necessary to bring them to Krsna consciousness. The acarya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service. Therefore, although I am a sannyasi I sometimes take part in getting boys and girls married, although in the history of sannyasa no sannyasi has personally taken part in marrying his disciples."
(purport C.C Adi 7.37)
"The complete path of bhakti-yoga is based upon the process of becoming humble and submissive.......We are propogating the Krsna consciousness movement simply by following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We may not be very well versed in the Vedanta-sutra codes and may not understand their meaning, but we follow in the footsteps of the acaryas, and because of our strictly and obediently following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it is to be understood that we know everything regarding Vedanta-sutra."
(ext, purport Adi 7.148)
"A pure devotee who has firm faith in the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is to be considered a most learned scholar, the topmost aristocrat and the richest man in the whole world. All godly qualities automatically exist in such a devotee. In the preaching work of the Krsna consciousness movement, we, as the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully believe in the words of Krsna and His servants, the disciplic succession. In this way we are presenting the words of Krsna throughout the world. Even though we are neither a rich man nor a very learned scholar, and even though we do not belong to any aristocracy, this movement is still being welcomed and is very easily spreading all over the world. Although we are very poor and have no proffessional source of income, Krsna supplies money whenever we need it. Whenever we need some men, Krsna supplies them. Thus it is stated in Bhagavad-gita (6.22): yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah.
Actually, if we can attain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, we do not need anything else. We certainly do not need those things which a mundane person considers to be material assets."
(purport C.C Mad. 5.76)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Raya, " Out of all glorious activities, which is the most glorious?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That person who is reputed to be a devotee of Lord Krsna's enjoys the utmost fame and glory."
(C.C. Mad 8.246)
"In this age of Kali, the fame of one who is known as a great devotee is very rare. However, such a position is superior to that of the great demigods like Brahma and Mahadeva. This is the opinion of all spiritual masters."
"It is said that out of thousands of brahmanas, one is qualified to perform sacrifices, and out of thousands of such qualified brahmanas expert in sacrificial offerings, one learned brahmana may have passed beyond all Vedic aknowledge. He is considered the best of all these brahmanas. And yet, out of thousands of such brahmanas who have surpassed Vedic knowledge, one person may be a visnu-bhakta, and he is most famous. Out of many thousands of such Vaisnavas, one who is completely fixed in the service of Lord Krsna is most famous. Indeed, a person who is completely devoted to the service of the Lord certainly returns home, back to Godhead."
(Garuda Purana)
"If one is true to Gaura-Nitai's service in the disciplic succession, he can even excel Nityananda Prabhu's service. This is the process of disciplic succession. Nityananda Prabhu delivered Jagai and Madhai, but a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, by His grace, can deliver many thousands of Jagai's and Madhai's. That is the special benediction of the disciplic succesion. One who is situated in the disciplic succession can be understood by the result of his activities. This is always true as far as the activities of the Lord and His devotees are concerned.
By the grace of Lord Visnu, a Vaisnava can render better service than Visnu; that is the special prerogative of a Vaisnava."
(purport C.C. Mad 16.65)
"When someone heard the chanting of the holy name from the mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and someone else heard this chanting from that second person, and someone again heard this chanting from the third person, everyone in all countries became a Vaisnava through such disciplic succession. Thus everyone chanted the holy name of Krsna and Hari, and they danced, cried and smiled."
".........If one is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by this vibration. When a pure devotee chants offenselessly, another person will become a Vaisnava, and from him another Vaisnava will emerge. This is the parampara system."
(Cc. Madhya 17.48-49)
c) "For Ten Thousand Years My Books Will Guide the World
Srila Prabhupada is not just an acarya; not just the founder of a society; he is the Founder Acarya of the Krihna Consciousness Movement, which is a dynamic spiritual reality - the Yuga Dharma. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada is to be appreciated not merely as the acarya of a few intimate servants or even the acarya of a single generation of disciples. Rather, as the Founder Acarya of Iskcon, he established the standard of Krishna consciousness to be practiced by all sincere followers for ten thousand years to come.
The scriptures predict that although the present age is continually becoming more inauspicious, unfortunate and degraded, a `Golden Age' of Krishna consciousness will appear for a period of ten thousand years, following the advent of Sri Caitanya, despite the force of Kali Yuga.
Srila Prabhupada should not be limited by describing him as a founder within the drama or the one who started or only started the Iskcon. He was empowered by Krishna to do what no other spiritual master has ever done, or would ever do in the future - `na ca bhuto na bhavisyati sa ca pujyo Prabhupada: He is the Founder Acarya for spreading Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement worldwide, for ten thousand years within the midst of Kali.
It is important to note that Srila Prabhupada himself, repeatedly emphasised that he was Founder Acarya. It is noted in the Lilamrta (IV-p93), that he became deeply annoyed when an Iskcon publication described him as "acarya of Iskcon", even though at that time there was no question at all of the existence of another acarya.
There have been many acaryas and there will be many more after him, but His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada is the sole Founder Acarya of the Golden Age, known synonymously as ISKCON.
In his discussion with historian Arnold Toynbee, in London, Srila Prabhupada said; "I have started this Krishna Conscious Movement among the Indians and Americans and for the next ten thousand years it will increase. Then there will be a gloomy picture of Kali-Yuga. Ten thousand years is not a short time. It is our duty on behalf of Krishna." (Lilamrta Vol. V Ch. 6 p161).
Anyone who wants shelter from the evil effects of the present Godless age may have it by taking to devotional service under the guidance of Lord Caitanya's teachings, as given by Srila Prabhupada in his books. The dynamic preaching and realisations of Srila Prabhupada reveal the sublime teachings of Lord Caitanya, which otherwise have been neglected, misused or kept secret within the confines of India. Srila Prabhupada prepared his translations and Bhaktivedanta purports on the essential Vaisnava scriptures - Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu - with the plan for forming the foundation of the Krishna Consciousness Movement for the next ten thousand years; (Books Are The Basis).
He says in the Caitanya Caritamrta; "In our Krishna Conscious Movement we have limited our study of Vedic literatures to Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu. These four works are sufficient for all preaching purposes. They are adequate for understanding the philosophy and spreading the missionary activities all over the world. That is the principle."
d) Krishna Has Taken Shelter in the Womb of ISKCON
"Krishna has taken birth or shelter in the womb of the Krishna Consciousness Movement!" - (SB 10.2.20).
When Srila Prabhupada met C. Rajagopal Acarya (known as Rajaji), who was the first Governor General of `free India' and famous as a religious politician and friend of Gandhi, in Madras, Rajaji expressed his only doubt: "Srila Prabhupada has created such a huge institution that now his disciples might identify with Iskcon rather than Krishna. If that were to happen, then by identifying with Iskcon they would fall into the same type of materialism or false identification as before."
Srila Prabhupada replied, "Because Krishna is absolute, Krishna and Iskcon are non-different. To identify with Krishna's Iskcon was to identify with Krishna directly. "Rajaji was satisfied; - (Lilamrta Vol. V Ch.2).
e) ISKCON - The Golden Age - Predictions Revealed in the Sastras.
In the Pratisarga part of the Bhavisya Purana, Chapter 20 verses 71-73; we find the following prediction:
"Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Lord Sri Hari Himself, spoke these attractive words for the welfare of all: The mlecchas who are born from mixed countries ruled by descendants of Kasyapa (demons) and the sudras will become brahmanas by initiation. They will wear sikhas and brahman threads and will become well versed in the uncontaminated fruit of the Vedas (Srimad Bhagavatam). They will worship Me by the Yajna prescribed by the Lord of Lords, the protector of Saci (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)."
Forty-six years before the beginning of Kali-yuga, Visnucittha, one of the twelve great Vaisnava saints of the Sri Sampradaya predicted: "There will come a race which will tread the Earth with raised hands and vertical tilaka on their foreheads, who will chant the names of Hari; this will destroy the influence of Kali." (Divyaprabhanda 1:10).
Sripada Ramanuja predicted: "The pure devotion to Sri Hari devoid of karma and jnana will grow and grow like a banyan tree covering the whole world, teaching everyone who takes shelter." (Prapannamrta tarpana - last chapter).
It is interesting to note in this connection how Srila Prabhupad's Iskcon is preaching `jnana karmady anavrtam' to `jare dekho tare' in every town and village!
Sripad Madhvacarya predicted: "The real knowledge of the difference between jiva and Sri Hari and the service of Sri Hari will spread all over the world very shortly." (Anu madhva vijaya - last chapter).
Srila Prabhupada roared, "I am not God! You are not God! We are all servants of God, Krishna!"
f) Srila Prabhupad's System for the Golden Age.
"If the conditioned soul becomes Krishna conscious by the mercy of saintly persons, who voluntarily preach scriptual injunctions and help him become Krishna conscious, he becomes liberated from the clutches of Maya, who voluntarily gives him up." (CC.M-20-120).
"This is the test by which one can tell whether he is advancing in devotional service. One must be detached from material enjoyment. Such detachment means that Maya has actually given the conditioned soul liberation from illusory enjoyment." (SB 11.2.42 quoted in TLC).
We ordinarily understand `maya' as illusion, but the spiritual master reveals its more confidential meaning as also `mercy'. (SB 1.13.25).
Thus Srila Prabhupada gave shelter to those who joined by establishing -
1) SAMBANDHA - their relationship as servants of Krishna;
2) ABIDHEYA - their materially conditioned senses engaged in pure devotional service;
3) PRAYOJANA - the resultant transformation of material consciousness into Krishna consciousness, leading them back home back to Godhead.
The actual essence of all the esoteric knowledge of the vast body of Vedic literature has been rendered in a simple term by Srila Rupa Goswami as `yukta vairagya'. Srila Prabhupad's system is strictly in that line - `Utility is the Principle'. His books teach this as follows:
Bhagavad-gita As It Is - yukta vairagya in Upanisadic form.
Srimad Bhagavatam - yukta vairagya in Puranic and Vedantic form.
Nectar of Devotion - yukta vairagya in Pancaratric form (rules).
Caitanya Caritamrta - yukta vairagya in Final Perfection (prema).
Sri Caitanya gives paramount importance to five out of sixty-four principles of devotional service:
a) Associating with devotees - Sadhu sanga;
b) Chanting the Holy Names - Nama kirtana;
c) Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam - Bhagavad sravana;
d) Living in a Holy Place - Mathura vasa;
e) Worshiping the Deity - Sri murtira sraddhaya sevana.
Srila Prabhhupada designed his system for Iskcon based on these principles. In his seven purposes for Iskcon, the first two are Bhagavata sevana; the third is sadhu sanga; the fourth is Nama kirtana; the fifth is Sri murtira sevana; the sixth is Mathura vasa; and the seventh is to preach these five principles to others. In organising these principles, according to the Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada institued the system of initiation in ISKCON. The acceptance of the Holy Name from the spiritual master is `Bhagavata vidhi' initiation. The second initiation is both Vedic and Pancaratric initiation: (these mantras are namatmika mantras; the actual mantra is Hare Krishna).
Srila Prabhupad's ISKCON is the embodiment of these five principles `in action', given out of his causeless mercy. So if one is surrendered to the Founder Acarya, his instructions and ISKCON, he is primarily qualified to carry on the system of guru-disciple (Parampara), established by Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the Golden Age - ISKCON.
JAI SRILA PRABHUPADA!
Comments