oldchakra.com

Fossils: An Innocuous Little Statement
By Rama Kesava dasa

Dear Devotees,

Each day I log on to Chakra and view the "fossil debate" with incredulity. I am astounded that people are arguing over an innocuous little statement.

The fact of the matter is that Vipramukhya Swami told a little "white lie." Maybe, Salagrama Silas are by their nature, not fossils. However, if Maharaja had begun to elucidate on their nature to the security guard, what incident could have ensued? How easy would it have been for him to explain that the Sila is non-different from Krsna Himself? So, instead, the security guard thinks that we go around collecting fossils, which probably would have made sense to him.

After all, we don't want non-devotees to think that we are engaged in animism or nature worship. I also think that Maharaja referring to his Sila as a "fossil" is a term of endearment and Krsna wouldn't be insulted by this, especially if it eased his way through the checkpoint and get on with his devotional service. Have none of you at times obscured the truth in order to avoid a potentially troublesome situation or to stop your work being hindered? Think about it.

Truly this is a waste of resources and a petty demonstration of ill-placed knowledge. The resources of Chakra should not be so squandered by devotees willing to assert their worldly knowledge over one another. Mahaprabhu said we should all do "para upakara," the highest welfare work. There are so many newsworthy relief projects of this nature (whether physical or otherwise) going on around the world, and it would be better if our time and energy were focused on these instead of on the "fossil debate."

Your servant,
Rama Kesava dasa

© CHAKRA 29 April 2002