“This is a difficult bridge we come to again and again, a test of our actual faith in the Supreme.”

In reference to Raghunatha Stocker’s recent letter about his sad and tragic Gurukula experience, I’m reminded of how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati would tell managers, “preach the truth, don’t worry, money will come.”

On that note, unfortunately in retrospect, we must recognize in the light of our Gita, that what “service” we offer to Srila Prabhupada, if it is not done properly, if corners are cut, if it is actually “unclean” work in the sense that such “service” passionately hangs onto achieving short term “fruits,” even so called “spiritual fruits,” while conveniently denying hard, bitter truths that need to be dealt with, i.e. ex-communicating a “big-leader,” “big collector,” etc. that is in fact a great “disservice” to Lord Chaitanya, Sad-Gosvami, and most importantly, our Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada.

Better the temple takes five more years to build, better a few less books get distributed, better we slow down and do the job right. Maybe Satadhyanya’s ex-communication, if that’s what’s actually indicated, could interfere with some Court Case. Is God so impotent He can’t somehow cover the gap?

This is a difficult bridge we come to again and again, a test of our actual faith in the Supreme. That faith is tested by our ability to cut off a finger, arm, endeavor, desire, etc, “doing the right thing,” “at the right time,” even in the face of seeming backwards movement, understanding that faith in God, action based on scripture, attachment to the Eternal rather than the moment, is the best course of action, and what we are supposed to exemplify for the world to follow. Any sentimental, materialistic “Old Buddy” club has to be rooted out. Business. We love each other, we care, but the first attention is to our Father’s business, and for that purpose, stiff actions must be taken without hesitation. Look how Rama dismissed Laksmana. Look how Sita was banished even in Rama’s court. Rama was not sentimental in some bodily way. It was duty: devotion to God and scripture. This is a Ksatriya.

Not that I’m perfect, yet reminding each other of the benchmarks is appropriate and helps us all in our forward progress.

Yours in service,
Dina Sharana dasa

© CHAKRA 26-Sep-1999

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