oldchakra.com

Chakra Is Not an Open Forum
Umapati Swami Answers Ekendra das

Dear Ekendra Prabhu,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your Gurudeva!

Thanks for your letter. I would like to answer some of the points:

Chakra is not an open forum and no longer publishes any articles stating or suggesting that Srila Prabhupada or the Vedic Scriptures are mistaken. Chakra does, however, welcome discussions on the best way to implement Srila Prabhupada’s instructions.

Offenses: Keep Them 
off the Home Page
By Ekendra Das

Dear Prabhus and Matajis,

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

First of all thank you for maintaining the Chakra website, which gives so many devotees a chance to associate and express their perceptions and feelings on so many issues that we all must face.

My humble request is that perhaps there could be some adjustment in editorial policy. I've noticed over the years that, for me, CHAKRA can be, at best, the source of a lot of spiritual inspiration, or at its worst it can be quite discouraging. I don't think that it's broadly beneficial to individual devotees or for the greater society (which is just made up of a lot of individual devotees J ) to broadcast on the front page some of the conversation threads, especially when the conversation degenerates into bickering and/or criticism especially (however subtle it may be) of our Founder Acarya. This is a very dangerous situation, which requires an utmost sense of responsibility and alert stewardship.

Why the Name "Chakra"?
By Bhakta Jack

Dear nice Devotees,

First, let me say I appreciate the news, views of all the devotees that come into my house (via computer). There are so many different types of devotees and all with something to give.

But — oh yes, there's a but — why oh why didst thou in all your web wisdom call the site Chakra? Didst thou not know that Sri Visnu has two objects for His devotees— flower and conch— and two objects for chastisement, one a club and the other a chakra?

Back Online

I was offline for a while, but now everything is back to normal. To apologize for the delay (again), I am enclosing some pictures from my wanderings. Hope you like them. 

Umapati Swami

Sorry for the Delay

My apologies for not having updated Chakra these last few days. I have been on the road and have hardly had time to breathe. I promise I’ll do better. As an offering of contrition, I ask Chakra’s readers to please accept this picture of Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara at New Ramana Reti (Alachua, Florida).

Umapati Swami
[Photo inside]

Giving the Editor a Break
By Rama Raghava dasa

Dear Maharaja,

It's about time! Thank you for taking a stand and putting an end to all the craziness. If I had a Vaishnava hat, it would be off to you right now.

For whatever it's worth, I've gained new respect for you and this site now.

Sincerely,

Rama Raghava

Give the Editor a Break
Umapati Swami Answers Amara Dasa

Dear Amara Prabhu,

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

Thanks for your letter, entitled "Give us a Break." Sorry to inform you, though, that I find it silly, to say the least. One could easily have inferred from the original article that Srila Prabhupada initiated people who were engaging in same-sex fornication, so I added the clarification. There is nothing in what I said that could imply that homosexuals have a harder time controlling their senses than heterosexuals.

I have lost my patience with all these special-interest groups who think they can use Chakra as a forum for venting their hysteria. It would do these people a lot of good to get up off their chairs and do some preaching and book distribution instead of sitting around all day feeling sorry for themselves.

Stop the Jokes
By Vidyadhar Mukund Karmarkar

Hare Krsna!

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!

I beg at your lotus feet, please stop this feature of jokes. In my opinion it is an offense to joke about bhakti and anything related to bhakti. Krsna Consciousness is a serious thing. If you try to joke around, Krsna will joke with you when you need Him the most.

Your servant
Vidyadhar Mukund Karmarkar
Graduate Research Assistant
Plant Molecular Breeding
419, Crop Science Building
Department of Crop and Soil Science
Oregon State University

Why No Tributes from Women?
Name Withheld

Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I was just wondering why there are no articles of condolences from the women of our movement for Tamal Krsna Goswami printed. I know that some have been written and sent. Please be considerate of the women and their relationship also with him. I know Urmila dasi wrote one. 

I'm sorry. It's not to find fault just to express some concern. 

Thank you. Hare Krsna.

PS. Thank you for your wonderful work and time in doing the service of presenting Chakra to the world of devotees.

Finding Knowledge on Chakra
By Rohitesh Prakash

I went, for the first time in my life, over something that has an exceptional fund of knowledge — Chakra. It has built an insight into me to view my actions in depth and to turn towards the Supreme Power. I thank all the devotees for the utmost effort in maintaining this site. I render all my respects to Shrila Prabhupada for bringing into existence this great movement, which indeed delivers to the world a peace of mind.

Rohitesh Prakash
(A student from Fiji doing his master’s in France

Thanks to Chakra
From Madana Mohini devi dasi

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances and deepest sympathies.

I'm a disciple of HH Tamal Krsna Goswami's and do not live near a temple so it has been very important to me that I have a place to touch in to keep up with the tragic events that have just occurred. I want to thank you so much for keeping us posted, as you have. The photos were a great way for us who could not be in Mayapur to witness his ending arati. Much appreciation for your service.

Your humble servant,
Madana Mohini devi dasi
Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA

Chakra: Who’s Minding the Store?
From Krsna-nama das (SDG)

Is the CHAKRA staff anonymous? If so, is that really necessary?

Answer: Chakra is presently managed and maintained by a staff of one: Umapati Swami.
[Complete on this page.]

Chakra: Going Terrorist?
Umapati Swami answers Mahatma Dasa

A problem with CHAKRA's server computer in Australia caused CHAKRA to be unavailable for 12 hours on Sunday, 17 June, 2001. The problem has now been corrected. "I will mirror all web sites to another server so this will not happen again," our devotee ISP informs us.

© CHAKRA 15-Jan-2004  

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, England) - June 16, 2001: Now you can read CHAKRA's latest news on your handheld device or Web-enabled phone, including the Palm and Handspring.

Happy holidays!

Dear CHAKRA,

Hare Krishna,

I sometimes browse through your website and well, it is really just a forum for venting-- for all those who've been done wrong!

Please make your site more spiritual.

Let's have more articles glorifying the Lordships!

Surely there must be some gurus and devotees who are doing positive work in ISKCON!

Jai Radhe,

Mira Mishra Toronto

Vraja Kishor prabhu has asked us to let all Gurukula Alumni know that he is very upset about our mistake and has submitted the following.
>Full Story

Correction
By CHAKRA's Editorial Staff

CHAKRA wishes to correct a case of mistaken identity in an article previously published on June 4, 2000, entitled " The Real Truth, Gour Govinda Swami and Narayan Maharaja." 

The article's author is actually Mother Rasamanjari devi dasi, ACBSP rasamanjari@yahoo.com, not Sadhika devi dasi as stated at the top of the article.

© CHAKRA 15-Jan-2004

CHAKRA (Atlanta, Georgia) - June 21, 2000: Russian devotee Ganga devi dasi has decided to publish CHAKRA articles appearing on the PAMHO.NET conference CHAKNEWS into Russian, according to Vaidyanatha dasa.

"Not every article will appear in CIS [PAMHO's Russian counterpart], but it's always good to know what's going on in ISKCON," says Ganga dasi.

CHAKRA has given the go ahead that the articles may be translated.

© CHAKRA 21-June-2000

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK) - May 22, 1999: Is oldchakra.com controlled by Tamal Krishna Goswami? Allegations on the Internet, trying to discredit CHAKRA's editorial policies, claim that it is.

Despite this claim, critics claim that actually it is a "mouthpiece of TKG" to "cover up his crimes."
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 13-Jun-99

Chakra Helps Vrindavan Gurukula
by Vipramukhya Swami

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK) - May 19, 1999: An article on Chakra has helped raise $7,500 for the Vrindavan Gurukula, according to Braja Bihari dasa.

When Chakra editor Madhusudani Radha dasi informed Braja Bihari that the Vrindavan Gurukula article had been published, he replied: "Not only am I aware that the Vrindavan Gurukula article made it on to Chakra, but listen to this......!!!!!.....
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 23-May-99

CHAKRA Tells the Facts
from Gerald Dick

Dear Chakra friends,

Thanks for your fine web site. I appreciate your editorial bent, which seems to just tell the facts. In the long run grown-ups should be able to sort thru all kinds of information, the good and the bad, and make informed choices.

I log on almost daily.

Haribol!

Gerald Dick

CHAKRA 25-Apr-99

All the News of ISKCON
from Tomasz Zarębski

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

I have seen the CHAKRA Page, and I think it is a very good idea to make such a web, with all the news of the life of ISKCON and other interesting information. It is like a global newspaper for devotees. Thank you once again.

Your humble servant,

Tomasz Zarębski

CHAKRA 19-Apr-99

CHAKRA Ki Jaiiii!
from Premananda Goura

Dear Prabhus,

How can we thank you for the wonderful service you are doing? This is wonderful. I see in the future a live internet connection with the Mayapur festival. I'm like a desperate person without water in the desert. You are the oasis. For devotees of Krsna, drinking the nectar of the holy dam is the most wonderful experience. Even though we can't make it physically, we are there because of you great Vaisnavas. I pray for all of you to keep doing this wonderful service, and I beg to remain in the association of ISKCON devotees until my last breath. What can I say? Like the devotee in the Bahamas said, I'm hooked. Its wonderful.

Your servant,

Premananda Goura

© CHAKRA 12-Mar-99

CHAKRA Nectar
from Nanda Gopal dasa

Note: The following is translated from Spanish. The original follows the English text.

Dear Vipramukhya Swami,

Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I can't write or speak English properly, but every morning I try to read as much of the nectar appearing in CHAKRA as I can.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 12-Mar-99

A Great Web Site
From Kalindi d.d.

HARE KRSNA

PAMHO, AGTSP

This is a thank you letter because I had to move away from the Detroit temple because there was no longer a gurukula for children. I'm only 15 minutes away, but it's not like being across the street. Plus I miss the company of devotees. But now I have this computer and in search of some Krsna contact I found this great web site. So thank you. I will check this site now every day.

All glories to you.

Hare Krsna,

Kalindi d.d.

© CHAKRA 11-Mar-99

Report on Poland
from a letter by Indradyumna Swami
printed with permission



Daily reports by Vipramukhya Maharaja are coming out on the GBC meetings. It's a nice thing and enables the devotees worldwide to keep in touch. A number of Polish devotees have commented to me how they appreciate these messages on the internet.

I liked the "Good News by the GBC" report and appreciated your report on Poland. But I thought it would have encouraged the GBC men if you had mentioned that the Polish Festival tour put on 64 outdoor festivals last year that were attended by over 250,000 people. The Woodstock festival might have been mentioned as well. 53,000 plates of prasadam were distributed in 3 days and the tent was packed day and night - often with up to 10,000 people for hours on end. Also, ISKCON is mentioned favorably a number of times in Jurek Owsiak's best seller biography. ICP has also done wonders in cultivating leading politicians and the media, as well. And Drutakarma's book has become the number 6 biggest seller in the country.

© CHAKRA 20-Feb-99

Be a Reporter for CHAKRA

Want to be a reporter for CHAKRA? Great! You can report on important events in your temple or area and have it posted on CHAKRA.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 17-Feb-99

We Are Hooked

Here at the Freeport Nimai Nitai Temple, we are reading Chakra daily. Unfortunately we were unable to attend the Mayapur Festival but you are so kind that you brought the Mayapur Festival to us. Thank you very much.

Your servants,

Goura Krsna dasa and Lilananda dasa

© CHAKRA 17-Feb-99

CHAKRA GBC reports
from Ramananda Raya Dasa

Dear Maharaja,

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

Thank you very, very much for your really extraordinary, wonderful service you are rendering by supplying the daily reports of GBC-meetings etc. It is touching all of us.

Your humble servant,

ramananda raya dasa

© CHAKRA 15-Feb-99

Koti Thanks
from Ajamila das

Dear Maharaja,

PAMHO AGTSP

Koti thanks for your excellently presented Chakra reports, which allow me to share the inspiring progress of the meetings. By your mercy, I'm gathering the essential discussion points. All glories to your service.

© CHAKRA 12-Jan-99

CHAKRA Reports
from Ugresa das

Dear Vipramukhya Swami,

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

I am extremely happy that you make your reports available in public and thus give our movement the transparency which is absolutely necessary to solve problems and avoid new ones.

YHS

Ugresa das

© CHAKRA 12-Jan-99

Two Days without CHAKRA
from Premananda Goura das

I didn't have Chakra for two days, and my life was not normal. It gives me strength and makes me aware of the dangers out there, and gives me more love to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON and all the wonderful Vaisnavas of the Lord.

Thanks, and all glories to any devotee engaged in protecting Srila Prabhupada's body!

Yours,

Premananda Goura das

© CHAKRA 12-Jan-99

Miss CON- Guru Business-
from Satyahit das

Jai Srila Prabhupada !!!

pamho

Vipramukya Swami is now residing at the Vancouver temple. One point about his "pro ISKCON guru set up", web site "Chakra".- He states at the beginning of the web site that it is not affiliated with ISKCON but is ISKCON friendly. For reference, I urge the reader to read the brief one sentence statement at the start of CHAKRA just under the header. Now, - Vipramukhya Swami is an initiating diksa guru within the fold of ISKCON. One does not get a lot higher on the scale within ISKCON unless they are also a member of the GBC or have been in the movement longer. (Personally I joined ISKCON about 5 years earlier than Vipramukhya Swami, & stayed wholeheartedly for the next 12 years, so at least in one sense I have seniority.)
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 6-Jan-99

The Lotus Debate Continues
Srutakirti dasa

I have been following this debate for some time. When I first saw Srila Prabhupada on the lotus flower it surprised me. I searched my memory to try and recall if he ever stood, or sat, on one while I was with him but I don't remember it happening.

It is probable that he sat on more than one Vyasasana that was formed with lotus petals but I don't think it is quite the same. Personally, I don't think that Srila Prabhupada would like the liberties taken to produce such a picture.

Why not use the background that this picture came from, Srila Prabhupada dancing in ecstasy at the Ratha Yatra festival in San Francisco with the Jagannatha Deities in the background?

Your servant,

Srutakirti dasa

© CHAKRA 15-Dec-98

Locanananda and Lotuses
from Kitch Waterman

Locanananda Prabhu writes, and I quote Chakra here:

"Nowhere, however, did I find an example of a Vaisnava acharya standing on a lotus flower. Neither Lord Brahma, nor Madhavendra Puri, the Six Goswamis, Bhaktivinode Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati or, in any of his vyasa puja books, Srila Prabhupada, are shown in this pose"

Isn't Lord Brahma on a lotus flower????

© CHAKRA 9-Dec-98

Take out the Lotus
from Pita das

Dear Prabhus and Assembled Devotees,

Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

The painting of Srila Prabhupada on the lotus is the exact design of the Painting of Lord Shree Satbuja Gouranga painted by Mother Jadurani many years ago taking out Lord Satabuja and placing Srila Prabhupada in. As an artist who worked with the LA BBT and F.A.T.E. exhibition I can assure you that Srila Prabhupada would have never allowed such a painting to hang in any of his temples when he was present.

We were always instructed that Srila Prabhupada's portait was never to be done with light coming from the background of his lotus head (halo), what to speak of taking a famous design of Lord Satbuja and putting Srila Prabhupada in.

As I'm now engaged in correcting oil paintings by artists, this very nice painting can be corrected by simply putting Srila Prabhupada on the ground, painting the lotus out and repainting the lake in.

When Srila Prabhupada would come to LA New Dwarka the artist would sometimes bring in their paintings to show His Divine Grace. None of us would have ever taken in such a design, as it seems to suggest Srila Prabhupada as Vishnu tattva .

I hope the painting can be changed or taken out of view as it's bogus. Any ISKCON trained old BBT artist will agree. Please ask some.

Your servant

Pita das

© CHAKRA 9-Dec-98

The Lotus Debate Continues
Locanananda Das replies



It was quite an honor and a delight to hear from my dear godbrother Umapati Swami on the subject of lotus flowers. He and I used to preach together on the streets of Paris back in 1970 when the only temple in France was in my tiny apartment. He was my spiritual mentor then and I continue to offer him all respect as a member of the sannyasa ashram. I pray that he will not take offense at the comments made in this or previous correspondence since such friendly discussion of our Krishna conscious philosophy is solely intended for the purpose of mutual enlightenment.

Upon the recommendation of Dravida Prabhu, I have researched the tradition in our line regarding the practice of showing an acharya standing on a lotus flower and I would like to report my findings. First of all, there are many instances in devotional art where the Supreme Lord and His eternal consort are depicted standing on the lotus flower to illustrate Their confidential pastimes. The four-armed form of the Lord as the Supersoul also stands on a lotus flower, as previously noted, as does Lord Caitanya's six-armed Sadbhuja form. Sometimes Lord Krishna and Lord Caitanya appear individually standing on a lotus and, finally, the members of the Panca-Tattva appear to be standing on lotuses when They are being worshiped together simultaneously.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 4-Dec-98

Comments on CHAKRA
from Jagadananda



Dear Vipramukhya, Umapati Prabhus and Devi Madhusudaniji,

You are doing a good job. Your reporting is well-written and you take the trouble to edit. Some mistakes still get through (disclamer = disclaimer in Danavir's letter), but you seem to be making an effort.

I was particularly pleased to see Bahudak's letter. Bahudak is an old friend and he is an impartial observer, so if he writes something, people will appreciate it. I noticed that VNN picked it up, which is a good sign. They are also looking for good news to publish.

So, I think that you need to solicit more good news.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 28-Nov-98

A Lotus in Toronto
Here is a photo of a painting at the temple in Toronto, Canada, showing Srila Prabhupada standing on a lotus. The painting is presented for the readers' interest. It does not prove CHAKRA's point, as it was painted after the departure of Srila Prabhupada. 

(See "A Letter to Locanananda," Nov 20, 1998.)

>Click Here for Picture

© CHAKRA 28-Nov-98

A Letter to Locanananda
From Umapati Swami



Dear Locanananda Prabhu,

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

Thank you for your comments about the picture of Srila Prabhupada on the lotus. You have tried to show that offering Srila Prabhupada a lotus to stand on is mayavadi. I find some flaws in your reasoning, however, and a tendency to rely on feelings rather than Vedic proof.

You try to present basic proof in this statement:

"Acts of glorification that appropriately honor the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord cannot be automatically transferred to the Lord's pure devotee. That would include offering tulasi leaves or a lotus flower to stand on."

Your statement, however, does not come from scripture. It is your own composition, and it contains the logical fault known as "begging the question," or stating something as proof, when this proof itself has never been proved.

If I were to say, for instance, that CHAKRA is infallible because it is edited by three mahabhagavatas, I would be begging the question. My premise would be that CHAKRA is infallible, and my proof would be that the editors are mahabhagavatas. The problem is that my proof has never been proved: So far no one has proved that the editors of CHAKRA are so advanced. (I know for a fact that at least one of them is not.)

Your original premise, stated in your two letters, is that offering the lotus is mayavadi. Your proof is that lotuses to stand on are reserved for the Lord, like Tulasi leaves on the feet.

You have proof that Tulasi leaves can only be placed on the lotus feet of the Lord because Srila Prabhupada said so. But you have no proof that offering a lotus is also reserved for the Lord, although you try to make it look as if you have.

You justify your lack of proof by committing another fault. You say:

"Actually, prabhus, the onus is not on me to cite a scriptural prohibition that outlaws the use of the transcendental lotus flower in your picture. If you want to consider your art as devotional service, it is up to you to confirm that it is bona fide."
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 20-Nov-98

Prabhupada on a Lotus (2)
from Locanananda Das



I wish to thank my godbrothers for posting responses to my letter to Chakra and I offer my obeisances to both His Holiness Jayapataka Swami and Dravida Prabhu for having given this matter their attention. Such discussions are actually a wonderful opportunity for us to focus on the ever-merciful lotus feet of our Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada, and to consider the practical application of philosophical concepts propounded by His Divine Grace.

I should mention at the outset that my original letter was not meant as an editorial but was simply a friendly reminder to my dear godbrothers that a degree of caution should be exercised in the artistic representation of great spiritual personalities like Srila Prabhupada. It was His Divine Grace himself who warned against the use of the artist's fanciful imagination in portraying spiritual reality.

Dravida Prabhu has given the example of Srivasa Thakura who is depicted standing on a lotus when worshiped as a member of the Panca Tattva, but his spiritual position is completely different from that of our spiritual master. Srivasa Thakura is one of the five features of the absolute truth, which are all on the same spiritual platform. As mentioned in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, there are no differences between these five tattvas although they do manifest different spiritual varieties as a challenge to impersonalists to taste different transcendental relationships. Even though Srivasa Thakura represents jiva-sakti, the marginal potency, he is inseparable from the other features of the absolute truth which cannot be understood independently. His standing on a lotus flower to receive worship in the company of Lord Caitanya is not to be imitated by any living entity in the category of jiva-tattva.

Once, in 1971, at the Bury Place temple in London, Srila Prabhupada noticed that a painting of the Panca Tattva on the temple room wall was hung too low. From his elevated vyasasana he was obliged to look down to see this painting. He indicated to us that it should be raised higher on the wall because his position as a humble servant of Caitanya Mahaprabhu was being compromised. He never considered himself equal to the members of the Panca Tattva, and he did not want to commit a serious breach of etiquette by placing himself on their level.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 20-Nov-98

Did CHAKRA Go Mayavadi?

Recently Locanananda Prabhu wrote to CHAKRA saying that the picture of Srila Prabhupada standing on a lotus is mayavadi because it equates Srila Prabhupada with Paramatma. Only the Lord can stand on a lotus, the letter said. Great devotees must sit.

Following are two comments to Locanananda's letter.

From Jayapataka Swami:

If Locanananda das is saying this it is up to him to show the sastra injunction which states what he says. Why we should scramble to find such an injunction when he is the one who says it is sastra? Let him prove it and then we can scramble to exempt it or support it as the case may be.

From Dravida Prabhu:

Unless Locanananda Prabhu can come up with a statement from sastra, Prabhupada, or at least from accepted Vaisnava tradition, I have no objection to Prabhupada standing on a lotus. Also, as someone pointed out, Srivasa Thakura often stands on a lotus in the Panca-tattva set-up, and aren't all great devotees endowed with lotus feet? Ergo they're always standing on a lotus, no?

© CHAKRA 17-Nov-98

Adding the Guru's Name
from Guru-Krsna das (HDG)

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to all genuine Prabhupadanugas!

A humble suggestion that you add (ACBSP), (TSI), (SPY), etc. to names of devotees who write letters to CHAKRA. Since we are not rtviks and make distinction between Godbrother, Goduncle, the unitiated, etc. it would be nicer to know who's who behind the various Dasa and Dasi names.

Thank you very much.

Hoping you are well,

I remain humbly endeavoring to become

your servant in service to ISKCON,

Guru-Krsna das (HDG)

© CHAKRA 13-Nov-98

Srila Prabhupada on a lotus
from Locanananda Das

Dear Godbrothers at Chakra,

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

I am currently preparing an article entitled "Officiating Acharyas - The Subtleties of Siksa and Diksa", but I could not postpone writing to you to comment on the picture of Srila Prabhupada featured on your Home page. Your artist has imagined Srila Prabhupada standing on a lotus flower which is where we are accustomed to seeing Paramatma, the four-armed form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. True, the spiritual master is the external manifestation of the Supersoul, but this concocted presentation smacks of impersonalism in that it appears to equate the transcendental position of Srila Prabhupada with that of the Lord in the heart. Even Lord Brahma, who was born on the lotus which sprang from the Lord's abdomen, is always depicted atop the lotus in a seated position, avoiding this apparent discrepancy.

I am sure the improper portrayal of our spiritual master was meant as an act of glorification, but we should be careful to not allow our art to contradict our philosophy.

Hoping this finds you all well.

Your servant,

Locanananda Das

© CHAKRA 13-Nov-98

CHAKRA's new layout

Nice! Attractive! Simple and clear...your service is enlivening.

Hare Krsna

Dina Sharana dasa

© CHAKRA 13-Nov-98

CHAKRA's New Look
from Dharmesh

Hare Krishna,

I love the new look you've given to the Chakra page. Good Job. Please keep up the good work.

Dharmesh

© CHAKRA 9-Nov-98

Whose Hype?
from Srila dasa

Dear Editors,

First of all, I liked your old CHAKRA logo better than the new one. The new day-glo color and format seems superficial and cheap.

Secondly, your motto, "They tell the hype. We tell the truth," is also glib and trite. It seems a mite bit presumptuous to boast so ostentatiously in your by-line. Give us a break, please! I thought CHAKRA wasn't supposed to be another ISKCON puppet-propaganda channel? Junk this headliner for your own good. As we say in speaking or writing, "Don't TELL me, SHOW me!" Otherwise, quite frankly, no one appreciates those who praise themselves. You lose credibility with your readers.

Come down to earth, brothers! "They tell the hype. We tell the truth." Yeah, right! The truth has a funny way of eluding those who lay claim to owning the corner on it. I personally think the truth lies somewhere in between you and VNN.

Please keep on doing your PART in presenting the truth, but you're grossly mistaken if you think you've become the WHOLE truth.

We lose credibility when we don't maintain a sense of humility. If truth doesn't make us more humble, then we never really had much truth to begin with.

Words to the (self-acclaimed) "wise."

Srila dasa

© CHAKRA 9-Nov-98

Letters on CHAKRA
(name withheld on request)

To whom it may concern:

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the other Vaishnava Acharyas.

Today was my first visit to your web site. I have been involved with ISKCON for more than twenty years and have found that honest and open discussion concerning ISKCON problems is rare. Your web site is the most open venue for honest discussion with devotees I have seen yet. Problems cannot be solved until they are addressed. Srila Prabhupada provided the answers that we seek within the translated Vedas that he so freely gave to us. We, as Vaishnavas, know that something is right if both Guru, Sadhu and Sastra are in agreement.

I was particularly moved by several articles written by devotees who said they were suppressed when they tried to address particular issues. I can recall one article, if I may, where the author mentions that devotees have tried to rationalize the behavior of fallen gurus. He also noted the tendency to criticize Gaudiya Math Gurus.
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CHAKRA 17-Oct-98

Who Sabotaged CHAKRA?
by Vipramukhya Swami

CHAKRA (Vancouver) — The CHAKRA web page was off-line from October 5 to October 9, 1998. Although it is now back on line, some of our friends thought the off period was the result of sabotage.

It turns out, however, that it was a simple software problem, unrelated to any mischief mongers.

"When I installed Windows 98," said Umapati Swami, "I installed it as an upgrade over Windows 95, and I don't remember whether or not the setup asked me whether I wanted FrontPage Express and the Windows web server. In any case, I did not know what they were, and they seemed like something that might be useful or necessary with Front Page 98, the software that I use to maintain CHAKRA."

Umapati Maharaja said that the Windows web server seems to conflict with the FrontPage web server, but only under certain, unknown, conditions. He forgot about the Windows web server and had no trouble at first. "I updated the web site normally a few times," he said. "Then suddenly it stopped working. I could log onto the web site, but I could not update it."
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CHAKRA 14-Oct-98

Congratulations... I Guess
from Caitanya Nrsimha dasa

Dear Prabhus,

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

To tell you the truth, I still have mixed feelings about unofficial ISKCON pages. On the one hand, I believe that Srila Prabhupada, as tri-kala-jna, knew there were going to be problems with his GBCs, but still, he trusted them with their present responsibilities, and I believe strongly in what he said: "Your love for me will be shown in the degree that you cooperate with each other."

On the other hand, I don't believe cooperation is possible without the truth, and truth is not possible without an open, respectful debate. So far, only CHAKRA debates openly and respectfully, as opposed to the worthless, contaminating anti-ISKCON pages.

I don't feel offended when CHAKRA editors criticize ISKCON, because so far as I have seen as a brand new reader, it is done with love for ISKCON. And whenever CHAKRA editors praise ISKCON activities, my pride as an ISKCON member doubles.

You have shown that it is possible to debate in a positive manner. Not all devotees who have a different opinion than mine are committing Vaisnava-aparadha, and not all ritviks (whose philosophy I do not adhere to) are flakes. (In fact, most of the ritviks have a better sadhana than I).

I thank CHAKRA for its good work. I'll keep reading mainly ISKCON-approved pages (not because they are ISKCON-approved... simply because they're better). But whenever I smell something fishy, I'll go to CHAKRA and no one else.

Your servant,

Caitanya Nrsimha dasa

CHAKRA 10-Sep-98

Where Credit is Due
A letter from Abhay Dasa
Dear Chakra,

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

I had been meaning to write and express my gratitude to you for taking the trouble to keep us all connected to the heart of things. Here I am in San Jose, and I'm seeing pictures of the GBC meetings, taking darshan of Radha Madhava, and getting synopses of morning class!

But what prompted me to write was reading Puru Prabhu's comment regarding CHAKRA being ISKCON's "Pravda" (Russian for "truth", the name of the former Soviet communist government's propaganda newspaper). It's beyond me. If the issue is the GBC's openness, then its cooperation with CHAKRA is a milestone marking light years of progress.
Dear Chakra,

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

I had been meaning to write and express my gratitude to you for taking the trouble to keep us all connected to the heart of things. Here I am in San Jose, and I'm seeing pictures of the GBC meetings, taking darshan of Radha Madhava, and getting synopses of morning class!

But what prompted me to write was reading Puru Prabhu's comment regarding CHAKRA being ISKCON's "Pravda" (Russian for "truth", the name of the former Soviet communist government's propaganda newspaper). It's beyond me. If the issue is the GBC's openness, then its cooperation with CHAKRA is a milestone marking light years of progress.
Dear Chakra,

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

I had been meaning to write and express my gratitude to you for taking the trouble to keep us all connected to the heart of things. Here I am in San Jose, and I'm seeing pictures of the GBC meetings, taking darshan of Radha Madhava, and getting synopses of morning class!

But what prompted me to write was reading Puru Prabhu's comment regarding CHAKRA being ISKCON's "Pravda" (Russian for "truth", the name of the former Soviet communist government's propaganda newspaper). It's beyond me. If the issue is the GBC's openness, then its cooperation with CHAKRA is a milestone marking light years of progress.
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CHAKRA under Fire
An editorial

Puru Prabhu has left the CHAKRA team. "Currently I am involved in a theological conflict," he writes, "mostly through e-mail, with the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, otherwise known as the GBC, and some of its individual members."

Puru, according to his letters, has taken up a theological mission in support of Kundali dasa. He also believes that ISKCON is violating scriptural injunctions by allowing re-initiation, a practice whereby devotees of fallen ISKCON gurus may accept another ISKCON guru. The GBC has recommended re-initiation, but it is not required in ISKCON. It is entirely the choice of the disciple.

"I have written three or four extremely powerful letters to two of ISKCON's BC, spiritual leaders, diksa gurus," says Puru. He says that he challenges their ability to offer genuine spiritual leadership and accuses them of deviating from the real teachings of the Vedic scriptures.

"They are both the editors of a web site called Chakra," he writes. "They are admittedly friendly to the GBC body. If the Kremlin ever had Pravda then ISKCON and its GBC have Chakra."

Puru Prabhu has left the CHAKRA team. "Currently I am involved in a theological conflict," he writes, "mostly through e-mail, with the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, otherwise known as the GBC, and some of its individual members."

Puru, according to his letters, has taken up a theological mission in support of Kundali dasa. He also believes that ISKCON is violating scriptural injunctions by allowing re-initiation, a practice whereby devotees of fallen ISKCON gurus may accept another ISKCON guru. The GBC has recommended re-initiation, but it is not required in ISKCON. It is entirely the choice of the disciple.

"I have written three or four extremely powerful letters to two of ISKCON's BC, spiritual leaders, diksa gurus," says Puru. He says that he challenges their ability to offer genuine spiritual leadership and accuses them of deviating from the real teachings of the Vedic scriptures.

"They are both the editors of a web site called Chakra," he writes. "They are admittedly friendly to the GBC body. If the Kremlin ever had Pravda then ISKCON and its GBC have Chakra."

Puru Prabhu has left the CHAKRA team. "Currently I am involved in a theological conflict," he writes, "mostly through e-mail, with the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, otherwise known as the GBC, and some of its individual members."

Puru, according to his letters, has taken up a theological mission in support of Kundali dasa. He also believes that ISKCON is violating scriptural injunctions by allowing re-initiation, a practice whereby devotees of fallen ISKCON gurus may accept another ISKCON guru. The GBC has recommended re-initiation, but it is not required in ISKCON. It is entirely the choice of the disciple.

"I have written three or four extremely powerful letters to two of ISKCON's BC, spiritual leaders, diksa gurus," says Puru. He says that he challenges their ability to offer genuine spiritual leadership and accuses them of deviating from the real teachings of the Vedic scriptures.

"They are both the editors of a web site called Chakra," he writes. "They are admittedly friendly to the GBC body. If the Kremlin ever had Pravda then ISKCON and its GBC have Chakra."
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A Response to Halayudha Dasa's Open Letter to CHAKRA
By Madhusudani Radha devi dasi

Dear Halayudha Prabhu,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for writing to Chakra and for your willingness to engage in dialogue. There has been too little communication between the different subgroups of Srila Prabhupada's spiritual children and grandchildren. I'm very encouraged to see that this is finally beginning to change.

You say you have doubts and concerns about many aspects of Chakra, including our name, our definition of "ISKCON-friendly", and the content of the articles we print. In terms of the first point, I'd simply encourage you not to read too much into the name. It implies no conspiracy, no threats, and no intent to "chakra-ize" anyone, to use your term. It is stated in the prayers by Ambarisa Maharaja that the Sudarsana Chakra is the protector of Krishna's devotees and it also represents light, knowledge and religiosity. So the mission of the Chakra Web page is simply to enlighten and to save us from the darkness of ignorance. As stated by the Chakra makers in the introduction to the page, the champions of Krishna's army is a friendly one, who simply fights unhappy thoughts and disinformation.
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An Open Letter from
Halayudha dasa:

Dear Chakra Editors:

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the Golden Age!

First of all, you are to be commended for constructing a website with the avowed aim of presenting independent Vaisnava news and views. However, after visiting Chakra, several disturbing thoughts have arisen in my less-than neophyte mind. Kindly allow me to address them here so that I may be enlightened and set straight by you. Since I fear that this letter will be ignored, I have taken the precaution of posting it to other Vaisnava news sites (some possibly not so independent) in order that this will be a public exchange. I am not seeking to offend anyone, but to express what is after all, an independent view and to clarify my doubts. Hare Krsna.
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