One is Not a Saint Simply Because Iskcon Says So (07/18/10)
P___ Dāsa,
It was indeed a great misfortune that A___ passed away under such circumstances. I don’t care to read what iskcon has to say because they are not qualified in such matters. Iskcon glorifies their dead, but cannot recognize saints when they are living.
Unfortunately, A___ had many misconceptions and could not be considered enlightened, or even fully situated, on the proper path. He had many strange ideas of his own which we do not find suitable for advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He did not have a proper understanding of siddhānta, he often criticized devotees outside of iskcon, he could not recognize exalted devotees like Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja or Śrīla Pramoda Purī Mahārāja and he often criticized devotees that followed Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja. A___ had some sincerity toward the Holy Name and hopefully he will prosper and continue in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the next life.
If you had some relationship with A___ then it is natural to to feel sad about his untimely passing away, but you should not think that he was elevated to the status of a saint or to the eternal association of Kṛṣṇa simply because iskcon says so.
We are not actually concerned with the idea of liberation of any kind. What is important is that in the future (either in the spiritual world or the material world) that we have the continued opportunity to serve Kṛṣṇa and the Vaiṣṇavas. That is the perfection of life.
Swami
