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NARAYAN MAHARAJA
The Controversy

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How to Find a Guru
By Bhakta Peter

The other day I was approached by a disciple of Srila Narayana Maharaja in the street. The meeting was brief, as I had my wife and child waiting in the car, but I told him I was in ISKCON, and he futilely attempted to proselytize. I didn't really know what to say, as I had never given this issue much thought before, so I accepted a cake and book and gave him a pleasant "Hari bol, goodbye."

The meeting made me think, and I have come to some realizations. The Narayana Maharaja disciples seem to place a lot of emphasis on diksa (initiation) at the expense of siksa (instruction). Now I am not saying that Nayarana Maharaja is wrong by any means. His siksa just differs (even if slightly) from Srila Prabhupada's. Whether he is a pure devotee or not is totally irrelevant. I lived in Vrndavan for over a year and saw so many great souls from many different sampradayas who I'm sure were pure devotees. So why not take initiation from them? Well there are two reasons.

Thanks, Urmila, for 
Helping Us Understand
By Hare Krsna dasi

I've long had the feeling that Narayana Maharaja is leading devotees away from Srila Prabhupada's precious instructions by making nebulous promises of higher rasas. Nothing so has better confirmed my uneasiness about Narayana Maharaja's teachings as Urmila Prabhu's excellent compilation entitled "Understanding Narayana Maharaja," which so clearly reveals the inconsistencies, contradictions, and pretensions of his presentation.

Narayana Maharaja’s 
Disciples and 
New Vrindaban
By Madhava Gosh

Following is an email I have sent to VNN on at least 10 occasions over the last month and have not gotten a response. For those who don't read VNN, a letter had been published from New Vrindaban clarifying that a Narayana-Maharajah-centered conference advertised as being held at New Vrindaban was not at the ISKCON center commonly known as New Vrindaban. Dhrstadyumna das wrote a response that was published on VNN.

The following quote was displayed prominently in the article and was what prompted my response.

"Is it true that practically any other group, buddhist, american indian, yoga, etc. can rent the facilities at New Vrindavan for their conferences? How is that 'clearly faithful to Srila Prabhupada and his teachings'? Whereas renting to a group of predominantly Srila Prabhupada disciples is not? "

Narayan Maharaja 
and His Followers
By David Greensberg

I went to a gathering of the Swami and his disciples for the first time a year and a half ago. I had never read anything by them or come in contact with them or their society before. I was surprised at their hostility towards ISKCON and even Sridhar Maharaja’s followers.

They were intent on telling me how Narayana Maharaja was the true heir to Srila Prabhupada, and that everyone should become his follower; otherwise, we are showing our insincerity. I was stunned, so I listened carefully to his lecture, and the devotees with him.

VNN: Defending Narayan 
Maharaja with Sophistry
By Nataraja das

This article, "Misunderstanding Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja" by Puru Das Adhikari [on VNN] is the purest example of sophistic philosophy— playing with words.

Just one example:

The author writes (with Srila Prabhupada’s words) about ISKCON devotees (actually about senior devotees, gurus, etc.) who try to preach Krishna Consciousness according what their spiritual master says and who try to protect their spiritual master teachings:

Download: "Understanding 
Narayan Maharaja"

A new paper compiled by disciples of Srila Prabhupada. This paper exposes the contradictions and discrepancies in Narayan Naharaja's efforts to recruit ISKCON members.

The file is in zipped format. To unzip, you will need WinZip. A free trial version is available from http://www.winzip.com. Unzipped files will be in RTF format, compatible with most word processors.

Download "Understanding Narayan Maharaja"

Narayan Maharaj: Not at New Vrindavan
By Malati dasi (NA GBC )

Disclaimer:

It has been called to the attention of New Vrindavan Management and others that Narayan Maharaja plans to hold programs there on June 14, 15, 16. Please be advised that such advertising is misleading and false. New Vrindavan is not hosting or in any other way facilitating Narayan Maharaja and his followers at this time or in the forseeable future. New Vrindavan and its management will not promote or support this endeavor, nor will our facilities be available under any circumstances. While we wish these Vaishnavas well, New Vrindavan intends to remain a loyal ISKCON entity clearly faithful to Srila Prabhupada and his teachings.
[Complete on this page.]

Is Puru Right?
By Nitai Charan das

Puru das thinks that those Gurus who don't like to associate with Narayana Maharaja are merely pretenders. Small minded pretenders who don't have the vision to see that Narayana Maharaja is presenting a higher understanding of Krishna Consciousness than what they themselves have understood. But is this statement of Puru's right? 

Reinitiation and Narayan Maharaja
By Krishna-kirti das

Narayana Maharaja denies that he "re-initiates" anyone because he doesn't accept that any one of Srila Prabhupada's grand disciples have a bona fide spiritual master. The logic here is that if they don't have a bona fide spiritual master, then giving them mantra-diksa is not re-initiation.

© CHAKRA 1-July-2001

N O T I C E

Dear members of the Los Angeles ISKCON community,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! On Thursday, May 7, Los Angeles ISKCON temple managers and some senior Srila Prabhupada disciples held a special committee meeting to decide the policy of Los Angeles ISKCON toward the Gaudiya Matha sannyasi Narayana Maharaja, his disciples, and his followers. Those attending the meeting were Arcita Dasa, Bhagavata-krpa Dasa, Drutakarma Dasa, Govinda Datta Dasa, Gunavati Devi Dasi, Kriya Sakti Devi Dasi, Mayapur Sasi Dasa, Nirantara Dasa, Rabindranatha Dasa, Svavasa Dasa, and Vedapravartaka Dasa.

Those attending the meeting agreed that Narayana Maharaja's words and actions were actively hostile to ISKCON, its leaders, and its founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada. They agreed that his teachings contradict those of Srila Prabhupada in important areas.

Dear Srila Narayana Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We, the members of ISKCON UK, humbly write this letter to clarify our position as followers of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Knowing you to be a senior Vaisnava, absorbed in service to your Gurudeva, we beg your permission to speak our hearts without reservation. We pray that you will forgive our familiarity, as an uncle forgives the familiarity of his nephews.

We, representatives of ISKCON community in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are appreciating your desires for the preaching message of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are also agree give you all possible encouragement and support for spreading the Holy Names. However we do not appreciate your attitude in terms of using ISKCON facility for your preaching. We also do not appreciate your attempts for preaching to the devotees and congregation of ISKCON Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Thus we humbly requesting any of you who have connection with followers of B.V. Narayana Maharaja not to visit ISKCON Temples in the area of Baltic for the purpose of preaching and making contacts with the local congregation. ISKCON's facilities are reserved exclusively for the ISKCON approved preachers, and if you intend to use them in future you must seek approval in ISKCON GBC.

This article on why the preaching of Narayan Maharaja is different from what Srila Prabhupada had given for ISKCON - is the most convincing I have read so far - all the other articles are simply blasphemous and do not follow the right etiquette of debate and discussion.

© CHAKRA 02 June 2001

In many recent controversies amongst Vaisnavas much confusion has been furthered, rather than clarified, when isolated examples of preaching and exceptions to the proper Gaudiya line have been cited and propagated as the rule, rather than as the exceptions.

© CHAKRA 07 May 2001

Please be aware that the name "Saranagati Village Holdings Inc." was used unilaterally and without the official consent of its shareholders. It is not our company's purpose nor is there a mandate to demonstrate concern towards the household guests of our members unless there exists a potential security threat of criminal or antisocial behavior.

© CHAKRA 15 April 2001

After reading Atul Krishna Prabhu's response to Prthu Prabhu's artcile, it seemed that one of the 'must have' qualifications of a bona fide Guru is that he must be controversial and must face opposition!

© CHAKRA 14 April 2001

Let me begin by asking forgiveness if I offend anyone with the contents of this article. I mean no offense, but I know that the subject of Narayana Maharaja is a source of ferocious contention in various circles.

© CHAKRA 8 April 2001

In his article "Thoughts on the Narayana Maharaja Controversy,” as it appeared on Chakra on the 10th of March, Prithu dasa Adhikary has given the following statement as the opening line for his article:

"Wherever great souls go, they cause happiness, harmony and peace."

I will proceed to present a strong objection to his statement. There is no evidence to his claim. On the contrary, we may observe the history and note that all the great religious reformers have been surrounded by controversy and opposition.

© CHAKRA 4 April 2001

An Open Letter to Srila Narayana Maharaja and His Followers
By The Undersigned 40 Shareholders and Residents of Saranagati Village BC, Canada

In 1974, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), introduced daily guru puja in all ISKCON centers, a tradition that continues today. 

© CHAKRA 31 March 2001

We have heard now for years this kind of criticism of Narayana Maharaja coming from different leaders and other members of our movement.

© CHAKRA 14 March 2001

Wherever great souls go, they cause happiness, harmony and peace.

However it is evident by now, that wherever Narayana Maharaja goes, division develops, and due to relentless proselytizing of his followers, communities are being disrupted by sectarian strife and disharmony.

© CHAKRA 10 March 2001

If it is his disciples then they should stop this childish behavior as I am sure that if the temple is firm with them. It is only to protect their congregation and temple from these so called people who have like disturbing the activities of all Srila Prabhupada’s temples around the world.

© CHAKRA 4 March 2001

It would be so much better if the "f" word could be a little disguised ie. f#*k or something similar.

© CHAKRA 4 March 2001

I want to add my voice to what I hope will become a chorus of protest against the publication of the graffiti incident in Australia.

© CHAKRA 4 March 2001

I read with consternation the article entitled "Important Breaking News... Narayan M. Read This..." Could someone please explain why it was posted in this manner? Wouldn't it have been sufficient to mention that obscenities were present in the graffiti, rather than showing a picture and spelling them out?

© CHAKRA 28 February 2001

This morning the doorway of a devotees house was found with graffiti. The house is that of Venu Gopal, temple co-president at New Govardhan - AU. Venu is away at the moment.

© CHAKRA 27 February 2001

In an article on VNN entitled "Did Srila Prabhupada Know?" Narayana Maharaja says that Srila Prabhupada knew all about the child abuse in the gurukulas but did nothing to stop it. This news, VNN tells us, "gives great happiness to all sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada." In the VNN article, Narayana Maharaja admits his own shortcomings. "Since we conditioned souls cannot understand our own spiritual nature," he says, "we surely cannot understand the sublime transcendental nature of the mahabhagavata devotee." If this is so, why does Narayana Maharaja try to interpret the actions of the mahabhagavata, whom he admits he cannot understand? And who, including VNN, will listen to someone who does not know?  
>Full Story >Full Story

I have read with great interest Dravida Prabhu's reply to Swami Bhaktivedanta Aranya on the topics of Srila Prabhupada's supposed omniscience and his statements on the fall of the jiva. I thought Dravida's article was excellent, very nicely presenting Srila Prabhupada and his teachings "as it is" and countering the speculative interpretations that have appeared over the last few years. I can only present what I saw, heard, and read of his actions and teachings and hope that it will provide others with some further insights.

© CHAKRA 12-August-2000

My Visit to Narayana Maharaja
By Hridayananda dasa Goswami

Before meeting with Narayana Maharaja, who had previously visited me in Los Angeles, I obtained the authorization of the GBC, and I went as a type of ambassador of Srila Prabhupada. In a spirit of good-will, I attended a kirtan and lecture program led by Narayana Maharaja. Unfortunately, some persons now seek to take advantage of my visit, even to the point of displaying pictures taken on that occasion, to promote the recruiting efforts of some of the followers of Narayana Maharaja.  
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

Dear CHAKRA,

I am writing with regard to a number of articles you have posted to your website of late, particularly in regard to Om Visnupad Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja. For your own spiritual safety, I worry.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 21-June-2000

Recently His Holiness Tridandi Svami Bhaktivedanta Aranya, a disciple of Srila Narayana Maharaja, posted a lengthy paper on VNN entitled “The Difference Between The Teachings Of Badri Narayana Prabhu And Srila Prabhupada.” In that paper Aranya Maharaj provided two “refutations” of issues I raised in my paper “Two Troubling Issues Concerning the Teachings of Narayana Maharaja,” and I’d like to comment on those here. The two issues are Srila Prabhupada’s supposed omniscience during his manifest pastimes, and that old favorite, the fall of the jiva.

Srila Prabhupada is my life and soul and worshipable deity (gurv-atma-daivatah). My spiritual life--and indeed I’m convinced my very life itself--depends on my effort to please Srila Prabhupada and to avoid offending him. On a very practical level that means not accepting philosophical views that go directly against his (such as the idea that no soul in the spiritual world can leave devotional service to Krsna or Visnu), and not accepting false views of him (“omniscience”) that lead one into aparadha masquerading as glorification.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 20-June-2000

Badri Replies
By Badrinarayan dasa, GBC

CHAKRA (San Diego, California) - Thursday, June 8th, 2000: I have reviewed the posting by Bhaktivedanta Aranya Maharaja. Regrettably, I do not have the time to reply right now. However, I would like to make it clear that silence does not mean agreement or the lack of the ability to provide a solid response. We are at a critical juncture on a very large project, which requires my full and immediate attention.
>Full Story

 © CHAKRA 9-June-2000

On April 12, 2000, VNN published an article by Jagadish Pandit das called "ISKCON and Non-ISKCON" in which numerous false allegations were made against Hi Holiness Gour Govinda Swami. We have audio and video recordings of numerous lectures delivered by him that clearly indicate that ISKCON devotees must remain faithful to the Institution created by His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 4-June-2000

CHAKRA (May 7, 2000) - To be real followers of Srila Prabhupada means to accept his teachings as the Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta.

guru-mukha-padma-vakya,
cittete koriya aikya ar na koriho mane asa

"Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else."

One of the greatest dangers followers of Srila Prabhupada face when they take siksa from Srila Narayana Maharaja or others outside ISKCON is that they risk accepting teachings or accepting views of Srila Prabhupada that may at first seem perfectly reasonable but that ultimately lead to grave offense. Two examples concern the fall of the jiva issue and what I call "the omniscience fallacy."
>Full Story  

© CHAKRA 22-May-2000

There have been some articles published recently on VNN concerning our revered guru-pada-padma Srila Gour Govinda Swami, and many devotees have approached us for clarification. Finding it necessary to respond publicly in order to uphold the prestige of our Guru Maharaja, we therefore take the dust of the lotus feet of all the Vaishnavas, and with straw in our teeth offer the following information for their pleasure. The questions we have been asked are:

Q1: Some devotees are saying that Srila Gour Govinda Swami had a meeting with Sripad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja. Others are saying that they never met. What is the actual history?

Q2: We have also been told that Srila Gour Govinda Swami instructed some of his disciples that after his disappearance they should take shelter of Sripad Narayana Maharaja. Is this a fact?

Q3: Some devotees are saying that Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja has now merged into the body of Sripad Narayana Maharaja. Have you found any justification for such a statement?
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 21-May-2000

Srila Prabhupada labored long and hard to design his ISKCON as a great transcendental boat. He believed that it was fully able to carry those who take shelter of it across the ocean of the material world to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. The planks, the sails, the rigging, and the charts of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON boat are his standards, his mood of devotion, his instructions, and his system of organization. It is at great risk that one begins to tinker with and retool the craft created by such an empowered personality as Srila Prabhupada.

The simple fact is that Srila Prabhupada and Srila Narayana Maharaja have very different teachings, standards, practices, and moods of devotion. ISKCON recognizes and respects Srila Narayana Maharaja’s right to teach according to his understanding and inspiration. The difficulty comes when Srila Narayana Maharaja and his followers present those teachings as identical to Srila Prabhupada’s or try to change Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and standards when they conflict with those of Srila Narayana Maharaja.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 13-May-2000

The ISKCON Rasa - thoughts on Narayan Maharaja
By Sri Rama dasa

In 1966, Srila Prabhupada incorporated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York. The Articles of Incorporation state, “A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON. No one else may ever occupy that position.” In the very germination of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada made his unique position known. ISKCON is the embodiment of Prabhupada’s vision. No one else has the right to redirect that vision.

Like it or not, ISKCON is an institution - an institution formed specifically to foster Krishna conscious preaching all over the world. This is ISKCON’s purpose; and as loyal followers of Srila Prabhupada we must recognize this. Rasa means mood, or taste, or flavor. Those who wish to be known as followers of Prabhupada must acknowledge this ISKCON rasa.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 14-Nov-1999

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK) - October 7th, 1999: Prithu had said in his article on CHAKRA that the house was his private home. “It is an outrage that you even dare to move into my house to use it for your purposes.” Mulaprakriti said she never received any direct word at all from Prithu Prabhu except when she was told she had to leave by his manager. She and the one other devotee assisting her “immediately and peacefully moved,” she said. “Sensitive to the controversies, stigmas, and gossip, I had considered writing a personal letter of explanation to Prithu dasa but was advised by several senior devotees not to try to explain or defend myself but humbly tolerate.”  
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 7th-Oct-1999

CHAKRA (Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK) - October 1st, 1999: Prithu dasa, a candidate for GBC, has ordered Mulaprakriti dasi and others to immediately vacate his property in Vrindavan, India because they are using it “for their own purposes, breaking the faith of people who come to Vrindavan as a result of Srila Prabhupada’s preaching.”
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 1st-Oct-1999

CHAKRA (Nabadwip Dham) - August 12, 1999: Narayan Maharaj is also taking advantage of the confusion felt by many ISKCON devotees after the falldown of their initiating Gurus. Narayan Maharaj's followers are encouraging devotees to leave ISKCON and take initiation from their guru, while Narayan Maharaj is also advertising himself as a "pure devotee" and telling everyone he meets that he intimately understands the "rasa" pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. In fact, Narayan Maharaj goes one step further and tells his new disciples to constantly meditate on the pastimes of Krishna with the Gopis, in direct opposition to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Sridhar Maharaj that only very advanced devotees should contemplate these pastimes.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 15-Jan-2004

A Letter to Srila dasa
ISKCON is Our Home
from Padyavali dasi

Dear Srila Prabhu and Dear Godbrothers and Godsisters,

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

RE: Your plea, Srila prabhu, to ISKCON devotees and our GBC to open the floodgates of ISKCON and welcome the Gaudiya Math Godbrothers into ISKCON. And if we don't, we are all the names you have already called us. . . .

I have spoken to a few of Srila Prabhupada's disciples who have tried to straddle both institutions. They were in agony. One told me, "Do not attempt this. I am like a riven cloud, bifurcated in heart and mind."

(You mentioned in your postings that you were beginning to feel like a riven cloud. Better watch out!)

ISKCON is an instrument or boat of Lord Caitanya especially meant for the Western people, and it is very successful. Srila Prabhupada's idea was that his "dancing white elephants" would breathe life into the all-but-forgotten traditions of Gaudiya Vaisnavism in India. And that is exactly what happened. Many of our temples, in India and around the world, are truly gorgeous. Even Narayana Maharaja admits this, and they must be gorgeous to attract the Western people. Your harsh words cannot tarnish ISKCON'S splendor. . . .

Everyone is eating the remnants from Srila Prabhupada's plate. Why are you not proud of our Spiritual Master's success in saving the Western people and using them to save India's dying spiritual culture in spite of receiving no help from his Godbrothers in the Gaudiya Math when he begged them to help him in the beginning? His brilliant success working with his Western boys and girls has changed the history of the world and will continue to do so.

There is no one like Srila Prabhupada because he came when no one else had the compassion to do so. Now the Gaudiya Math members want to come but the work has been done and done brilliantly. . .
>Click Here

CHAKRA 13-Sep-98

About Narayana Maharaja
from Payonidhi das

Dear Prabhus and Maharajas

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

On VNN there are some disciples defending Narayana Maharaja, and one of his disciples calls Ravindra Svarupa a kanistha adhikari.

Srila Prabhupada certainly did have a loving relationship with both Sridhara Maharaja and Narayana Maharaja. However, Srila Prabhupada would never have approved of devotees leaving ISKCON and joining these persons. Srila Prabhupada kept instructing disciples not to associate with the Gaudiya Matha and his many letters are very clear on that.

"Regarding the Gaudiya Matha, our position has nothing to do with them. They cannot do anything and if somebody does something they will be envious. That is the nature of third class men. .(November 18th, 1970).
>Click Here

CHAKRA 6-Sep-98

Devotees Mugged in South Africa
CHAKRA—According to reports from South Africa, Upananda, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and Jaya Gopal, a disciple of Gour Govinda Maharaja, were attacked and robbed in Durban by a gang of four hoodlums recently.

Upananda and Jaya Gopal had come to Durban to recruit followers for Narayana Maharaja among the ISKCON devotees there. (See "South Africa Foils Narayan Maharaj Infiltrators.")

There were no reports of injuries.

CHAKRA 1-Sep-98

South Africa Foils
Narayan Maharaj Infiltrators
CHAKRA (Vancouver) - Two followers of Narayana Maharaja, Upananda and Jaya Gopal, [see photos] tried to infiltrate the ISKCON temples in South Africa to promote the mission of Narayan Maharaja.

"We are taking this matter so seriously that we have sent our story and their pictures into CHAKRA," says Riddha dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and the author of Destination South Africa. "We'd like everyone to know that their intentions were to try to disturb our congregation."

The incident began some days ago when Upananda, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and Jaya Gopal, a disciple of Gour Govinda Maharaja, arrived in Durban unannounced and asked to stay at the temple.

"I know that in England he [Narayana Maharaja] has been re-initiating and preaching," says Partha Sarathi das, "so I thought we could learn from your experience and try to take the necessary precautions in South Africa."

"They definitely are hard-core Narayana Maharaja followers," report devotees from England. "You should be extremely careful about them because they are after names of people in your congregation."

>Click Here

CHAKRA 29-Aug-98

Confirming Ravindra Svarupa's Letter about Narayana Maharaja
from Payonidhi das

Dear Prabhus, Maharajas and Editors of Chakra,

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

I read with great interest the letter by Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu regarding Narayana Maharaja. It was a very powerful letter and explained the situation very well without trying to be diplomatic or offensive. I pay my obeisances to Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu for standing up to this sahajiya philosophy preached by Narayana Maharaja's and his followers.

When I was first introduced to Narayana Maharaja, I was taught to respect him by ISKCON devotees in Vrindavana. That was in 1986, when I was in Vrindavana, and did sankirtana there. One day, one devotee and I had to pick up life-member payments from persons in Mathura, and it was getting late, so my devotee friend took me to spend the night at the Kesava Gaudiya Matha. The devotees there gave us a place to stay and gave us prasadam, and they were very nice to us. We went to hear Narayana Maharaja speak. The topic was why Laxmi could not enter the Rasa dance.

The whole class was about that one subject. After the class, we were asked if we wanted to meet Narayana Maharaja, and we went inside and talked to him. He was being massaged by young beautiful women, and they were so happy to talk to him and massage his legs and feet. . . . (I want to mention this so that no one will think Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu is making it up).
>Click Here

CHAKRA 17-Aug-98

"Taking Srila Prabhupada Straight"

from Dravinaksa Das

Dear Rabindra Swarup Prabhu,

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

Your articles the last few years on the guru issue have not impressed me, but I must admit your article "Taking Srila Prabhupada Straight" is fantastic. This piece is superb and should go out all over the world. Congratulations and thank you very much.

Your servant,

Dravinaksa Das

CHAKRA 11-Aug-98

Taking Srila Prabhupada Straight
A letter from Ravindra Svarupa dasa about Narayana MaharajaA letter from Ravindra Svarupa dasa about Narayana Maharaja

Dear  Prabhu,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
...
It has become obvious to everyone that Narayana Maharaja has aggressively targeted ISKCON's members and congregations for his preaching, and in lecture after lecture he dwells on the supposed evils of the GBC and other ISKCON leaders. It is not just that refugees or seekers leave the low-level "kanistha," "karma-yoga" organization (which is the way Narayana Maharaja and his followers habitually characterize ISKCON) to go to him, but that Narayana Maharaja habitually acts with extremely aggressive attitude to recruit them and even "reinitiate" them. His summer campaigns take him exclusively to ISKCON congregations. And what is the attraction of Houston, Texas, of all places, for him to spend an exceptionally long time there? Could the fact that Tamal Krishna Goswami's most successful center is locate there have anything to do with it?

These pugnacious dealings have understandably given rise to misgivings about him, for it certainly looks as if he were expressing resentful and vengeful feelings. Indeed, his hostile activities exhibit that certain driven, obsessive character which is usually the indicator of hidden, unacknowledged motives. (Please don't reflexively dismiss this doubt on the presumption that Narayana Maharaja is a pure devotee, and therefore his motive couldn't be disreputable. It is that presumption that is at question here.)
>Click Here

CHAKRA 7-Aug-98

Narayana Maharaja:
So Many Questions
from Datta dasa
I personally believe that Narayan Maharaja does have appreciation for Srila Prabhupada. That conclusion I have reached from my conversations with him and from hearing him speak. Narayan Maharaja asking Srila Prabhupada disciples to tell stories of Srila Prabhupada is nice. Any glorification of Srila Prabhupada is wonderful. However, higher glorification is following his teachings and accepting his standards. Narayan Maharaja says he doesn’t want to be Acharya. Personally, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be. But let him have his own movement, let us offer him respect as a senior Vaisnava, and wish him all success. The point is that those who want to be part of Srila Prabhupada’s movement have to accept the standards Srila Prabhupada set down. The standards for ISKCON have been eternally defined by Srila Prabhupada, its Founder-Acharya. NO ONE may re-define them.
>Click Here

CHAKRA 5-Aug-98

Narayan Maharaj and ISKCON
A letter to a devotee from Badrinarayan dasa
Monday, June 7th, 1998.

Dear Mataji,

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

You write that there are teachings of Srila Narayan Maharaj which differ from Srila Prabhupad's, but

a) they are small differences,

b) they just appear to be different due to our angle of vision, and

c) anyway, it does not matter that much, because even amongst great acharyas there are occasionally differences of opinion.

My point, as originally stated in my paper, is that whatever Srila Narayan Maharaj may be, one thing he is not is a siksa representative of Srila Prabhupada. Your letter has presented nothing to change that analysis. Rather, in an indirect way you have confirmed it; that from whatever angle, no matter how you look at it, there are numerous differences between what Srila Prabhupada taught and what Srila Narayan Maharaj teaches.
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CHAKRA - 1 Jul 98

Touched by Visvambhara's letter
A letter from Romapada dasa

Visvambhara Prabhu's letter touched my heart like nothing has ever done for a long time and increased my faith in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON and the GBC. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Your servant

Romapada dasa

CHAKRA 30-May-98

Visvambhara's Letter to
Narayana Maharaj
A letter from Antardwip das

Dear prabhus,

The letter from Visvambhara Prabhu to Narayan Maharaja was beyond absolutely perfect. Thank you, Chakra.

Antardwip das

CHAKRA 23-May-98

A Letter to
Narayan Maharaja
from Visvambhara dasa,

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. I am Visvambhara dasa, a fallen disciple of His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Astottara-sata Sri Srimad Abhaya Caran Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, who  accepted Your Grace as his Siksa guru. That encounter was most unpleasant for me. I am most unfortunate, having lost the good association of the devotees of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness, Srila Prabhupada's answer to Kali Yuga.
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CHAKRA - 21 May 98