[11/1, 6:41 PM] ABC Prabhu, Swami or Mataji wrote: Jaya Mahārāja
My obeisances. Jaya Srila Prabhupada
I found out today via Gadadhara Gosai that you will be coming to Mexico in March. Wonderful for us, most welcome expectations. Had I known that you were in the Vrndavana area I would have tried to come and see you. I left Vrndavana three days ago as I am meeting with the some India leaders about their incensed feelings about Vaisnavi Diksa Gurus.
My Sankirtan could be better but for my remaining two and fraction years as an ISKCON active committee member I doubt it will improve much, until that’s over with, still trying!
Your servant, ABC Swami, Prabhu, Mataji
[11/2, 10:34 AM] HPSwami - Prof. HHR: Thank you so much.
Personally we don't like the term 'Vaisnavi'. It seems to have been introduced a few years ago and it seems to be offensive, like putting a material designation on the Vaisnava.
Kind of like 'atma' and 'atmi'.
We looked at the Vedabase.io for the term and it gives maybe twenty-five citations in books.
Like 18 of those are references to the Goddess Kali.
So if we say someone in ISKCON is a great ´Vaisnavi´, we cringe because the general reference would be 'She is a big Mayadevi´
😳
Then it mentions the prostitute who tried to seduce Hari Das Thakura became a Vaisnavi.
Then Diti who wanted to kill her sisters children became a Vaisnavi.
Smt. Indira Gandhi should become a Vaisnavi.
Srila Prabhupada's very esteemed sister (who was cooking food that was maybe too strong for him) was a Vaisnavi.
🙂
Yet, it says that Sikhi Mahiti's sister, who was one of Lord Caitanya's 4-1/2 most intimate associates was a Vaisnavi!
💪💪💪
So, we see real contrast in using the term, seems you can be calling the Mataji everything from a witch to the most elevated Vaisnava in creation.
🤔
What do you think?
We don't mind our personal perspectives being circulated and discussed, because we are certainly open for hearing the personal reflections of others. We know that our personal opinions are not always right.