We Must Continue to Preach Against Misconception (06/27/06)We Keep Our Safe Distance (07/28/06)(06/27/06)
Dear Śrīpāda V_____ Mahārāja,
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
You may have been following some of the recent correspondence between B____ Prabhu and myself. No doubt B____ believes strongly in your maṭha’s version of the old incident between Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja and X__ Mahārāja. I guess you accept that also.
As you know, I have a different understanding of these events and I have taken the account of what happened and the caution that went with it from not less than six persons at Śrī Caitanya Sārasvata Maṭha. I did not hear about what happened directly from Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja but others have. Here is the account of S__ Mahārāja of what happened. S___ has had his ups and downs as you well know, but one thing is for sure and that is that he was very close and greatly appreciated by Śrīla Śrīidhara Mahārāja for his service. Here is the recollection of S____ Mahārāja on the issue that we have been discussing. From this you can see that anyone on my side of the fence will never be able to accept the version of B____ and the reasons are obvious.
S____Mahārāja says,
“One of our sannyasis (Bharatī Mahārāja from Caitanya Sārasvata Matha) used to visit this gentleman [X___ Mahārāja] at Keśavajī Gauḍīya Maṭha in Mathurā and Devānanda Gauḍīya Maṭha in Nabadvīpa Dhāma. I wanted to know from Śrīla Guru Mahārāja if he approved because until my asking his silence gave me pause. He spoke in no uncertain terms, that this renegade disciple/sannyāsī of Śrīla Keśava Mahārāja was the perpetrator of offenses to him personally (with full knowledge of whom he was offending). With a pained look upon his lotus face Śrīla Guru Mahārāja shared, “He abused me in a very nasty way. Therefore, I stopped my publication (Gauḍīya Darśana) and withdrew all association.” These words are still ringing in my ears.”
So my dear V____ Mahārāja, I think it is hopeless to think that there will ever be any reconciliation on this issue. S___Mahārāja has
written an article recently and it is posted on his website which contains the above quote and much more. This issue is not forgotten and it will
separate the camps eternally!
I am not a party to the mission of S___ Mahārāja or to that of G___ Mahārāja or any other contemporary Vaiṣṇava at present. I prefer to keep aloof rather than mix with the current association of the Vaiṣṇava world, but when it comes to who is who and what is what from the days of Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja, I have faith in the words of those who were there at Caitanya Sārasvata Maṭha and I cannot believe that they are simply making lies to condemn an innocent soul. What would be their motive?
There is no need to reply to this message unless you strongly desire to and there is equally no need for us to meet to discuss these topics. I am sure you will agree.
There have been many trials and tribulations since the departure of Śrīla Prabhupāda and there are sure to be more such difficulties in the future. As one old friend to another, I sincerely hope you fair the journey well.
Śrī Hari-jana-kiṅkara,
Swami B.G. Narasingha
