As of three days ago, the pictures were still there on the altar.

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK) - As of October 4th, 1999 a photo of Gopal Krishna Maharaja was still on both the Gaura Nitai and Sita Rama altars at the ISKCON Radha Parthasarathi New Delhi temple, in direct contravention of ISKCON Law, despite claims by the head pujari that this is not done.

This was observed after the head pujari (priest), Vraj Bhakti Vilas dasa told CHAKRA: “I am strictly following the instructions contained in these resolutions in my Department as well as with my colleagues."

Vraj Bhakti Vilas told CHAKRA that it was his duty to see that the instructions of the GBC Body are being followed in New Delhi. “I have given strict instructions to the serving pujaris in the matter,” he says.

Yet as of three days ago the New Delhi temple pujaris were not following the standards of ISKCON law, which state: “ISKCON temple resident members may keep photographs of ISKCON diksa or siksa gurus privately in their ashram quarters but are not to display them publicly on ISKCON premises. Promoting occasional special preaching events may be an exception. Disciples of ISKCON diksa and siksa gurus should not wear or publicly display guru t-shirts, posters, bead-bag buttons, athletic caps, etc. (other than Srila Prabhupada).”  

"The grand-disciples shouldn’t think that their initiating gurus are being knocked down a peg or two," Pancha Tattva dasa said in an earlier CHAKRA article about the New Delhi affair.

Whatever the reasons and whatever the head pujari is reporting, it appears that the New Delhi temple is still not following the letter of ISKCON law. CHAKRA invites anyone from the New Delhi temple to explain why ISKCON law does not appear to be followed there despite some claims to the contrary.

What is going on there?

© CHAKRA 7th-Oct-1999

Go to the “New Delhi Temple Page”