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Dandavats To Sridhar Swami - Disappeared



Jagat - Tue, 16 Mar 2004 00:48:24 +0530
Sridhar Swami was an acquaintance back in the 70's. I hadn't kept in touch with him, but I heard that he left his body a few days ago in Mayapur. The samadhi rites were given there. There are some pix on the Mayapur website, somewhat morbid, of the somewhat pallid garlanded sri-vigraha.

http://www.mayapur.info/2004/03-14-04/index.htm

I remember Sridhar Swami as a jovial and dedicated Vaishnava. I offer my obeisances to him and to all his disciples.

Sridhar gave the following quite polished discourse, applying best business models to Iskcon. Interesting example of "Aropa-siddha" or "sanga-siddha" bhakti.

http://www.iskcon.com/icj/1_2/12sds.html

There is a great deal of merit in this article, as ultimately, he is arguing for the rationalization of devotional service, by applying in true American fashion the capitalist economic model. "If it can't be measured, it ain't bhakti."

The main point is basically that Krishna consciousness should be rewarded with success, and if it is not successful, then we must be doing something wrong. Very pragmatic.

Anyway, it shows how management concerns change your style of thinking. For those who would think less of it, they should remember that a mind that is engaged in following its sva-dharma is sharper than one that is not. A sharp mind can chant the Holy Name with more relish and more focus than one that is not.
Jagat - Thu, 22 Apr 2004 01:14:47 +0530
A Business Model of Religion by Rajiv Malhotra

I have been planning a book report for some time, but haven't been able to get around to it. Though Malhotra develops the idea nicely, he is far from being as original as he thinks. The Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby has been using this kind of analysis to understand the operation of the various churches in Canada for decades. His latest book is called "Restless Gods" and is a "state of religion in Canada" that came out last year. I thought there would be interesting material for those who think about piercing the fairly closed religions market in North America.