Srila Prabhupada: The Prominent Link is now online -

Hare Krsna.

If it would be posible to transfer this to the GM/ISKCON forum, I would be grateful.

I wanted to let all interested persons know that the second edition of Srila Prabhupada: The Prominent Link is now available online at the following address:

www.yedaveda.org

I have personally found the book interesting and helpful in my struggles with understanding certain issues around guru-tattva that seemed fuzzy, confusing, counter-intuitive and unclear to me. My personal favourite section of the book is the part of Appendix A entitled Letters of Clarification and Explanation. The text found on pages 130-137 of the second edition helped to address things that have been gnawing at me since I first came in contact with Krsna Consciousness in 1995. After reading the book, and especially those seven pages, I feel more hopeful. I am also eager to read and hear more thoughts on guru-tattva, from others, to help me further clarify this important topic.

The book is offered as an exploratory essay rather than as a conclusive statement. In that spirit, the website is linked to a Yahoo discussion group where devotees can sign up to exchange ideas about the information found in the book, and its implications.

Thank you for your attention, and for the opportunity to share this info on your forum.

Your servant,
Abhayasraya dasa

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

AMAZING NEWS! How have we managed for so long without such nectar? Rejoice prabhu's and prabhuettes as all of our prayers and aspirations have now come to fruition!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

ps. This is a test to see if sarcasm really does transfer well in a written format.

Ras,
The best thing is that this Yoda link doesn't work at all.... Is it Yodayoda, yodaveda or Vedaveda?

It did work though regarding your written thingy.

I get the feeling that many different people with different views and opinions read this forum, even if they don't all post to it. I read this forum and find it valuable. I also found the book that I mentionned valuable. So I thought that there might be some others (perhaps lurkers), who like me appreciate this forum, and would find the book of interest.

By the way Rasaraja, many years ago you gave me a lot of your time, corresponding with me via email...explaning things to me about Krsna. Thank you.

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

I am glad to hear that I was able to help you at one time.

As far as lurkers and devotees with different interests I agree with you. However just because many lurk visit doesn't mean that something fits a website. The purpose and focus of GD doesn't equate with what you are posting links to.

I would even say that for one that reads this site they would understand that posting such material is probably going to draw fire from those who simply don't care for ACBSP, his teachings or his mission. Personally I would think that for just that reason you would want to leave such material off of GD. It is because I feel indebted and appreciative of ACBSP's work that I would rather not see such material here as it will inspire those that don't share such an appreciation to say things that we are all tired of hearing.

For those lurkers that share your interests they will easily find such information on websites which promote ACBSP teachings and movement. So why not just leave it there?

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

Hi Tamal Baran,

I still remember meeting you in Philly when you were taking the Bhakti Sastri course there. I think it was 1998 or so. I'm not sure if you remember me or not. I was Bhakta Alex from Canada. Thanks for the kavaca you gave me.

Thanks for sharing your feedback with me. Perhaps it is not a bad idea for the moderator of this site to remove this thread, if they also feel it is better that way.

Anamnesisji, Thank you for posting.

It is true that there are many people with Iskcon interests here. Nevertheless, we generally try to avoid issues that deal specifically with Iskcon's internal affairs or debates unless they have a wider significance.

If there are points that you would like to extract from the above essay that you feel may have meaning for all Vaishnavas, you are welcome to post them.

There are some here who would agree, some who would not, with the centrality of Srila Prabhupada's position for world Vaishnavism. But no matter what degree of veneration anyone here has for Srila Prabhupada, only a few consider him to be a final arbiter of siddhanta, or as Dhira Govinda would have it, "the prominent link." So I don't think that his paper will generate much interest or debate here.

So I agree with Rasaraja Das.

Your servant,

Jagat

What troubles me most with Dhira Govinda's approach is the way he doesn't seem to give a hoot about the existing tradition and the writings of the Goswamis. I have stopped reading his stuff long ago. Some of his writings may make sense -- if you are out to start a new religion. However they are of little value if one cares at all to adhere to a tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Well, I am not in the iskcon loop, except insofar as I hear a little filtered gossip now and then, and I normally don't keep up with most of the various iskcon centric websites, but I have heard of The Prominent Link and was at least curious to read it, so I find it worthwhile to have a link. I may not feel like it matters to my life but I am curious to read it.

I think it is better moved to the igm section, though, which moderators can do.

And..."prabhuettes" Rasaraja you are so funny! Is that like a smurfette?

"For the past three months the author has been discussing points related to the guru issue in ISKCON with the GBC’s Sastric Advisory Committee (SAC). "

Please ..we don't need this here!

namaskar,

bangli

Dear Bhakta Alex,
Jay Sri Radhe,

How will i not remember you?
You are one of rare devotees i still remember from those days. You were and you are still very kind devotee. I did learn from you in many occassions how to be humble. I am really happy that you still remember me. It is very nice to have you here.
Please do stay in touch, and this really means stay in touch, not just on words....
I hope you still have the kavaca.

Sorry for that, but at least 97% devotees here are not into any Iskcon affairs. Devotees here are really very mature and experienced(minus myself...).
Please since you are here on the beginning, do take your time and read postings and explore websites. If you have any questions ask moderators: Madhava (at the moment in India ), Jagat/Jagadananda Das, and Braj to help you and assist you.
They are very kind people and devotees. Please after you read and browse through materials, please fill in your profile.Everybody did this who is full member here, of course if you wish to be a member here...
Welcome and enjoy your stay,

In ISKCON, guru-tattva and the position of Prabhupada are a political (power) issue, not really a philosophical or theological one. They are playing with people's spiritual lives, and for this reason I prefer to avoid ISKCON's guru experiments like the plague. I also share the ISKCONguru/ ritvik/ prominent link etc., fatigue here. Anamnesis, guru-tattva theories come and go, ISKCON gurus come and go, institutions come and go, what really matters is the holy name, the holy dhama, the shastras and the association with devotees.