The Die is Cast (1975)
Part Six of Benefic and Malefic Spheres and Patterns of Influence
By Kailäsa Candra däsa
“Actually, we are not a religious institution. We are presenting a cultural program, making men of good character. Therefore, it is a cultural institution.”
-Letter to Citsukhänanda, 10-12-71
Our so-called religion is unique in the world, simply because we stand solidly on philosophy, and, because we are strong in that way, no one can refute or defeat us. So, we are wiping out sentimental religion wherever we penetrate . . .”
-Letter to Jagadéça, 2-5-72
“Religion is flawed, but only because man is flawed.”
-Cardinal Strauss, Angels and Demons
There are twenty dharma çästras in the Vedic compendium, and all of them are bona fide ways and means to attain higher standards of living after removal of the human coil. The number of people who actually become qualified to follow any one of these Vedic lines is another question entirely. Life in Kali-yuga is full of strife, brutal, and it is short. People are lazy in self-realization, unlucky, often misguided, and highly argumentative. Real religion aims to rectify this condition, but deviant off-shoots only make things worse.
Fascinating description of the greatest battle of the modern times. The dramatical nexus of historical events and enlivend philosophical analysis of the authors focus is however on the shining hero statue of the Acarya General in chief Srila Prabhupada thus continuing His battle for the Absolute Truth. Brilliant.
I’ve just completed reading a few times part 6 of Four Deviant Factions (II) – The Die is Cast (1975) posted here. It’s such a brilliant article that it should be read many times more & I certainly will. This is a brilliant contribution to the devotee community — especially to those who want to know the historical facts accurately, desire not to repeat it or to get caught up in its endless mutations. Thank you for this.
You’ve given an intense translation of the famous (perhaps the most often quoted verse of the Bhagavad-gita) BG 18.66, with an added verb (go). Looking closely at the original verse, transliteration & the intensity in which His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has explained this verse in his innumerable lectures, your contribution (a fine editorial & realised contribution) indeed brings greater clarity & intensity to this verse.
Your citing of the famous Srimad Bhagavatam verse’s translation (SB 1.1.10) was beautiful too — your explanation of argumentative attitude belonging in the category of disturbance upgraded my understanding. Very nice.
You’ve quoted many snippets from Srila Prabhupada’s letters all throughout this article and every one of them is just wonderful. How die was cast in 1975 (a point of no return) by analysing (and bringing out for the first time by any of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, if I may add) the major themes and events of that time.
In this way, to all sincere devotees, you’ve abundantly demonstrated your meticulous studies & attachment to our Acarya & his teachings. The quotes from other teachers (especially Mr. Gurdjieff) & thinkers are also nice. If Srila Prabhupada’s teachings (with abundant scriptural references) is like an ocean, then you’re an expert diver who brings out best of the pearls in your writings.
It’s no exaggeration to conclude that you’re alone doing this welfare activity of extensive, elaborate study of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings & applying it to understand the current Krishna conscious landscape. Your explanations are most satisfying & gives us (to me, esp.) confidence that one day the real Krishna Consious Movement (which has been undoubtedly heavily covered over for the majority of the people of the West & to most devotees around the world) will re-emerge in its original glory. The devotional history isn’t going to look favourably on the atrocities committed by the misleaders, who have hijacked the movement for many decades now. And your analysis is forming the solid unshakable foundation for re-emergence of real Krishna Consciousness & thorough condemnation of the misleaders.
We’re exceptionally fortunate to have your good association (ekas candras tamo hanti). Once again, I thank your good self for these brilliant articles. Hare Krishna
Bhakta Srihari Vijayaraghavan
It’s very interesting to ponder the relationship between knowledge and community. If a collection of people possess a good deal of knowledge, a healthy and robust culture results. If knowledge is centralized or hidden from the mass of people, a law society results.
Srila Prabhupada was not into law-making. Nor did he impose rule on anyone. His leadership style was one of attraction. That’s what leadership is.
On the other hand is management. What is management? Management means to govern an existing organizational structure.
Leaders are autonomous, they are sovereign. Managers are not autonomous, managers are themselves subject to or managed by the leader. Leader is authority, authority is sovereign, managers are subjects of the sovereign.
Attraction is the basis of all organization. Without attraction, without authority, within self-effulgence, there can be no true leadership.