cont. from here : https://monkeywarrior.com/detail/13964/
ND: My words for this time are written down in italics dark blue.
Dear Guru Maharaja, Hare Krishna.
PAMHO AGTSP
In my regular reading, i.e. I was not searching for a quote on the topic, I read this:
The executive head must always be alert to the safety of the prajās, both man and animal, and inquire whether a particular living being is harassed at any place by another living being. The harassing living being must at once be caught and put to death, as shown by Mahārāja Parīkṣit. >>> SB 1.17.10-11, from the purport
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[Not advocating death sentence here, and not against it, according to time, place and circumstances.]
Food for thought. Replace ‘executive head’ for ‘GBC’ / leader, and ‘prajas’ for ‘all devotees serving under GBC / leader’.
In my arrogant understanding, harassment is one of the easy-to-detect symptom of a materially conditioned consciousness, personally and socially.
There is harassment everywhere, however as, a hopefully progressive, bhakti yoga sadhakas, the idea is to curb it down, personally and socially.
It fascinates me how Srila Prabhupada is uncompromising, direct and strict about how to deal with a person who is harassing someone else.
Any leader who has “prajas” should carefully attend to and be aware that there is no harassment in his community, or if there is, act accordingly / firmly.
More could be said, there are different aspects.
Your servant Namacarya Das
HpS/ASA - Thank you for this comment. Sorry took us almost two weeks to answer. Kapi Dhvaja, Blog posts, ASA Carnival on Face book etc, hope give some idea of the intense programs and travel last few weeks!
ND: I feel grateful and uplifted by being in the possibility to have an email/blog exchange with you. In my mind, I am still in a "snail" mail era - letters travel a few weeks over the globe to reach the destination. So, usually, I do not mind if there is no 'fast' reply or comment to what I write. Also, it gives me time to digest the content. Moreover, I try not to burden you with much of my thoughts, comments and general letters.
Am hoping it will get lighter when we get back to Nashville, but thinking that it may not. Now we have to learn to be continually absorbed in the association of devotees.
That is Vaikuntha, no? The ground, trees, everything is Krsna's devotees.
Jaya Jaya Harinama.
I think that replacing King for GBC is stimulating. I do it, but also we must see that the protection that a Brahmana gives is different than the protection that a Ksatriya gives, no?
ND: Strictly speaking, do the brahmanas give protection? It could be said, YES, by words (advice).
GBC is Ksatriya spirited Brahmanas?
ND: Uhh, yes, maybe. In Kali yuga things are messed up. I am worried we (ISKCON, gaudiya devotees, etc) shy from protection of those who cannot protect themselves. All in the name of "I am not a ksatriya", or "it is your karma" 'understanding'.
Also, kind of harassment ... Kali was cutting of the legs of the bull and beating them. Emotional abuse may require a different punishment than death, no?
ND: Yes. That is my understanding.
SP in the given purport does not make any distinction. I suppose he made a general statement.
That is a challenge - SP often/sometimes writes generally with a strong direction so devotees use his words to coerce others in the direction of a written word. It is fine to use Acarya's words as a personal inspiration and it is another thing to coerce the surroundings into that.
Another point - I do not mean to offend. Following this discussion, what if we consider SP authority/"king" at the time when he was present, and how he dealt with harassing persons (i.e. those who were harassing others) and situations (verbal, emotional, physical harassment)? Did he emphasize the protection as he said in the purport? Yes? No? If not, why? If yes, how?
Namacarya Das
HpS 2023 04 17 ---- https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/9/30/, Nice perspective, no? One story seems nice. Guru-krpa Swami who was notorious for strong dealings with sub-ordinants et al, told us that one time in Hawaii Srila Prabhupada called him into his room like 9PM at night and then began to question him about his service, GBC work, organzing book distibution etc and chastising him in strong worlds.
He said that it was so intense that he began to tremble to hold back his tears
Then Srila Prabhupada looked at him and smiled, and said, "So now you know what it feels like to be on the other end of the stick". He said it was like a warm glow of sunshine in his heart. His harsh dealings in administration was so changed by the one experience, and he felt nothing but gratefulness for Srila Prabhupada banging on his head for some time.
So many stories of how Srila Prabhupada applied "protection". For me, the fundamental way he gave us protection was to give us knowledge of Hari kirtan as protection. Like Prahlada when harrassed by the agents of Mr. Kasipu.
Punishing devotees, Brahmanas is a very fine service! Yet, it is something someone who takes the power of GBC must do.
More.. !!
HpS - Thank you. More Chanting, More SB, More Knowledge. How is your Pa, Pa, Pa, Wife/Nirkula Devi Dasi, etal.
