Conversation with a dear godbrother regarding my guru, my spiritual teacher, Srila Gaurahari Das
godbrother: I believe i met him years ago on Venice beach in LA... what struck me is that he gave himself the name he is now going by .... if that is the person i am think he is....
to be honest I wass not very impressed and he struck me as one who was trying too hard to gather a following .... Thats my gut feeling at the time and i cant say i kbow him but our srila prabhupada has said this ....
"Another point is that disciplic succession does not mean one has to be directly a disciple of a particular person."
(Letter to Kirtanananda, Los Angeles, 25/1/1969)
"Disciplic succession does not always mean
that one has to be initiated officially. Disciplic
succession means to accept the disciplic
conclusion."
(Letter to Dinesh, 31/10/1969)
I interpret that Srila Prabhupada has given us everything even if he is no longer physically here .... he is in his books and lectures .... we can take direction from within
Meena Devi Dasi: What is the disciplic conclusion?
godbrother: It's there in all of srila Prabhupadas books
Meena Devi Dasi: Nothing specific? just everything in general?
godbrother: It's all specific
Meena Devi Dasi: specifically what?
godbrother: Every word every sentence every pages
Meena Devi Dasi: oh okay. thank you
This is what is meant by inconclusive. Yes everything is there in Srila Prabhupada's books. But what it is that is in his books is not revealed. Remains hidden without ecstatic love. It is like the story of Lord Siva and the beggar.
"Parvati saw a poor man begging and petitioned her husband to give him something. Lord Siva was hesitant saying, "The man is simply unfortunate. Even if I give him something he will not be able utilize it properly. He is unfortunate"
Parvati insisted. Finally Lord Siva placed a large sum of money inside a watermelon and gave it to the beggar. The beggar took the melon but thought, "What will I do with a water melon? Better I sell it and get a little money." so he sold it for a small amount."
Yes. Everything is in Srila Prabhupada's books. But we will remain unfortunate and not able to utilize them properly without becoming fortunate. That good fortunate comes by the mercy of an ecstatic devotee.