Don’t be misled by false propaganda

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Our Most Beloved Lord Sri Krishna

Don't Be Misled by False Propaganda

Thought for Day--13 January 2026

There is a growing trend within ISKCON to accept hearsay as authoritative evidence— “so-and-so said this, so-and-so said that,” etc., etc., and therefore it is assumed to be authoritative. This tendency is especially evident in the new definition circulating within ISKCON regarding the meaning of the vow of “no illicit sex” that we take at the time of initiation. The inherent fallacy of relying on hearsay is very nicely illustrated in the following story of Sargal Singh, as told by Jayadvaita Swami in his book Srila Prabhupada’s Kirtan Standards.

A man in the village had shaved his head, as one does when a relative dies, and was lamenting, “Sargal Singh is dead! Sargal Singh is dead!”

“Sargal Singh is dead?” asked the local grocer.

“Yes, he’s dead,” the man sobbed. “He was my dearest friend, so loyal, so faithful. He always just wanted to serve. And now… he’s dead!”

The grocer was so moved that he too shaved his head and began lamenting the death of Sargal Singh.

The word spread; men one after another shaved their heads, and soon the whole village was mourning the death of Sargal Singh, that great soul, so dear, so loyal, so faithful. But then one intelligent man asked, “Who’s Sargal Singh?” And no one knew.

So the question went back down the line: “Who’s Sargal Singh?” Each man asked the next, until finally the question reached the original mourner, a simple washerman, and it was discovered that Sargal Singh was the washerman’s ass.

In this connection Srila Prabhupada said, "In our ISKCON there are so many false things: 'Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that.' "

Thus we should accept what is authoritative by reading Prabhupada's books, not from hearsay.

Hoping this meets you in good health and in a cheerful mood,

Your ever well-wisher.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Sargal Sing, the Ass

The Whole Village Lamented the Passing Away of Sargal Sing

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Transcendental Reply

Hare Krishna Srila Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisance
All Glories to Srimati Gurumataji and to Your Grace
All Glories to Srila Prabhupāda

I hope and pray that Your Grace is in the best of health.

Srila Gurudev, many a times it is seen that one has natural sentiment to devotional service, deities although lacking in philosophy. Their daily engagements seem so natural, spontaneous. They seem lively and happy.

In contrast, I deeply lack relationship with deities, spontaneous inclination for devotional services. Rather I still am an atheist to a great degree. This despite my lack of relationship with devotees, deities. Based on few instructions & vedic wisdom I try to compel myself to act accordingly. Without Vedic authority I might have not attempted this path. Yet I am not as lively or happy.

I have a inclination to dive into philosophy. But it's without much practical application - Listening lectures & reading books although struggling with age-old faults.

Srila Gurudev, please enlighten whether philosophy is merely a catalyst for a blossoming devotional life, that it might not be essential for atheist like me ? For me is it urgent to focus on practical engagements while staying away from deep philosophy now ? Please suggest the right way forward.

Your most lowest servant
Prabhupāda Das

Answer

From: Palo Alto, California USA

My Dear Prabhupada das,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

If we are traveling to a destination we need a road map to show us the way. Practical engagements are the traveling and the deep philosophical understanding we derive from scriptures is the road map to show us the way back to the spiritual world. If we travel without a road map we will veer off the path and become lost in the forest of delusion. If we continue serving out of mere sentiment without philosophical understanding that service will be given up in due course of time. Therefore we joyfully embrace the scriptures because they are guiding us how to go back to home, back to Godhead.

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in a cheerful mood.

Your ever well-wisher,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Around the World Travel Schedule

I am traveling alone for part of this year. Here is my confirmed schedule so far:12 January -- ISKCON Honolulu

21 January -- ISKCON Brisbane, Australia
28 January -- ISKCON Sydney
1 February -- ISKCON Adelaide
4 February -- ISKCON Melbourne
15 February -- ISKCON Mayapur
21 February and onwards to be announced

(Guru Mataji has not yet made her schedule.)

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Sankarshan Das