“I wish to point out a number of errors in the information you have provided your readers. As a man of integrity, I am sure that you will have no hesitation in publicly correcting them.”

— SADBHUJA DASA

Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi in Mayapur: Controversial takeover?

Open Letter to Adridharan
By Sadbhuja dasa

Dear Adridharan Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I have read your newsletter. With regard to the section entitled 'Climbdown 2', you have written: "In our IRM Newsletter No.14, we reported how the Mayapur authorities had raided the funds from Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi. This had led to the resignation of long-serving Srila Prabhupada disciple, Uttama-Sloka Das, who had managed the Samadhi so successfully over the years that it had been able to build up such a healthy surplus that could be raided in the first place. Now they have put the Gaudiya Matha in charge of Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi. That's correct. Sadbhuja Das, a disciple of his His Holiness Puri Maharaja is now in charge of the samadhi. However one good bit of news is that stung by our exposing their daylight robbery, the Mayapur authorities have not yet spent the money they took. The public outcry following out exposure has made them thik carefully before taking the next step."

I wish to point out a number of errors in the information you have provided your readers. As a man of integrity, I am sure that you will have no hesitation in publicly correcting them.

Firstly, as you are aware since you and I have had a number of long conversations regarding this matter, the money that was supposedly taken from the Samadhi funds was never actually removed. That money was allocated as an advance payment to purchase a building to house all the devotees who do service in the Samadhi. This building is in the possession of the Samadhi, and devotees will be moving in from the beginning of July. To say that Samadhi funds were 'raided' is untrue and highly emotive in a very negative sense. Why would you write such a thing when I discussed with you over the phone that everything is fine and you said 'Great!' What is your motivation here, Adri? Anybody is welcome to come and peruse the books and see that nothing has been touched.

It was unfortunate that Uttama-Sloka resigned but this had really nothing to do with Samadhi funds. This is another issue altogether. Also, I am surprised that you say Uttama-sloka is a Prabhupada disciple but surely you are aware that Bhavananda Prabhu initiated him. I’d like to know why you are providing so much disinformation.

As for your personal attack on me, Adri, it is nothing new that I am in charge of the Samadhi. I built and completed the Samadhi voluntarily. I didn't take any salary for this. It was something that I wanted to do for Srila Prabhupada. I handed the maintenance of the Samadhi over to Uttama-Sloka as I felt him to be qualified in this field. Now that he has left, it has come back under me to maintain again as there is some major repair work to be undertaken. My being so familiar with every corner of that Samadhi means that I have a good understanding of what needs to be done.

You attack me for being a Gaudiya matha devotee. This has no bearing on the matter. My loyalty and allegiance to Srila Prabhupada cannot be questioned, and has been consistently shown over time. I am here voluntarily doing service for the Samadhi (and many other departments) and using my professional training in the service of Srila Prabhupada. This is what counts. I donate my service and my time and my money to this project and yet you think this warrants criticism. Perhaps you should check sastra, your own motivation and your own loyalty to Srila Prabhupada.

You can say what you like and you can criticize freely but remember the maxim that you quote yourself, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time". Time will tell. Politics have always been distasteful to me but I feel that I should warn you that if you have some criticism, Adri, make sure it is constructive and accurate criticism. Get your facts right or you will lose credibility amongst your readers.

Your servant in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Sadbhuja Das

© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

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