Illuminate the Entire Universe

We may have a first class lamp. But if it is unplugged, it will not be able to function properly. When, however, it is plugged in it will function very nicely and provide nice illumination for an entire room. Now at the present moment in this material existence we have full facility for the peace and prosperity of every single living being throughout the entire universe. Why then are we besieged by an ever-increasing plethora of perplexities? The answer is simple. We are not plugged with the power house, the ultimate source of all energies, the Absolute Truth. The process of pure devotional is the authorized system given in the Bhagavad-gita by the Supreme Absolute Truth Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna. If we can plug in, the entire universe will become illuminated with spiritual bliss and all living beings will live in perfect peace an prosperity.

When will the politicians wake up and take notice of these simple truths, that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and we are his eternal servants?

ISKCON Radhadesh, Belgium

ISKCON Radhadesh, Belgium

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: Who Continues the Disciplic Succession?

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Good preaching your doing. You were always doing like this ever since I remember years ago in Austin, Texas. There is one thing I noticed, and I would like to discuss this point. You leave the disciplic succession a bit nebulous and it appears you consider all the disciples to continue the parampara. This is not true and not even logical. Can you explain more clearly who you mean exactly who continues the disciplic line and then I will share my understanding.

Thanks, Hare Krishna,

Gaurahari das

Answer: Disciples Who Are Strictly Following

It is very nice to hear from a well-wisher such as your good self. Thank you very much for your sincere appreciation of my humble attempt to serve the orders of our most beloved Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Regarding your confusion about why I listed Srila Prabhupada's disciples as the next in the line of disciplic succession after him, I did this because Srila Prabhupada explicitly stated at an arrival lecture in Los Angeles, that we, his disciples are the next in the line of disciplic succession after him. This statement of course is qualified by his other statements limiting becoming guru to those of his disciples who are strictly following him and who are mature in Krishna consciousness.

So this means that while Srila Prabhupada's disciples are the next in the line of succession after him, it is not necessarily that all of them are. Their becoming gurus depends on their individual strictness and maturity. But of course, it could be all, if all them strictly follow Srila Prabhupada's instructions. This would be ideal.

At the present moment of those who are strictly following Srila Prabhupada there are about 80 of his disciples who have chosen to accept disciples. As I have do not have a list that I can be sure is 100% accurate I have described position 33 in the disciplic succession generally as "Disciples of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada."

Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON are a branch on the Caitanya tree. And just a branch on a tree can have many, many sub-branches, the Srila Prabhupada/ISKCON branch of the Caitanya tree can have many, many sub-branches for expanding unlimitedly the disciplic succession coming from Lord Caitanya.

I sincerely hope this has cleared up any confusion. Feel write to inquire from me further if you require more clarification.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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