January 15, 2011 — It is very sad but true that Iskcon has changed so much. I was invited to serve at a small Iskcon temple as a pujari and only stayed for over five months for several reasons. Then I was literally asked to leave when some issues escalated between myself and another woman, then more issues escalated.
At one point when I was trying to explain situations and defend myself, explain truths as they were one devotee who was first initiated said to me, “Mataji, you are from a big temple (New Dwaraka) you are a senior disciple, you know so much, and we are younger devotees, we don’t know as much as you, you should just let us be.” (In other words, I should leave them alone, be quiet, and go elsewhere….)
I was handed a 2 1/2 page document of twisted lies and slander about myself. This hurt a lot. I was put on 2 months probation and more than that I was stripped of my devotional duties for some time. Then I was forced to leave.
Now I am living by my daughter, not close to a temple and without devotee association, really feeling so let down because I miss my pujari service and could not believe any devotees could act like this at all to another devotee. Omkara dasi
There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this Krsna consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the dress of a Vaisnava. (C.C Madhya lila chp 1.218)
If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master . However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions concerning the
regulative principles and chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure
devotee. By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. ( C.C Madhya lilä chp 19.157)
“If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple” ( C.C Adi lilä chp 1.35)
Hare Krishna:)
Hari bol , Mataji
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Hang in there. I’ve ben living alone for over 25 years without any association except Prabhupada’s books and instructions. Just follow the four regs and you’ll be fine. There are devotee communities like Sandy Ridge , NC which are more friendly.
Nitai Nitai Gadai dasa
Hare Krishna Omkara Dasi,
Jaya Srila Prabhupada! I remember you from New Dwarka! Have you been living in the ISKCON temples all these years? Yes, there are many of us Prabhupada disciples living outside and doing well by associating with our eternal spiritual master through his books, tapes, letters, and videos and dvds. I just watched a dvd with Srila Prabhupada back in Boston 1971 where one guest asked him how to practice KC in the home. Srila Prabhupda replied to make your home a temple and center our life around Krishna’s likes, not ‘my like.’ Have you been living in the ISKCON temples all these years? Supersoul will send you devotees to associate with, at least on the internet. Hope you are well.
Respects,
Aspiring devotee
S.B. Canto 3 Part 4, Chapter 31 Verse 48, purport from Srila Prabhupada’s original 1974 edition (first printing):
: … it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.”
Not sure if Omkara dd likes to hear such advise as given above – to live outside. There are many devotees now who lived in the temple since 30-40 years. To tell such devotees start a career outside just doesnt work because of simple reason, no material facilities. After so many years you can’t go home and tell your relatives, hi….folks..am back, they kicked me out, my decision to live in Prabhupada’s temples was an illusion, please take care of me since I don’t know how to survive in the karmi world….
Mostly devotees rather live in the French quarter, Italian quarter or Russian quarter at Radhakunda where a huge crowd of Iskcon renegades are trying to maintain their sadhana.
Bhagavad-gita makes it more clear: For a man of honor shame is worse than death…
Susan Taylor is rather right in her estimation of the not at all uncommon situation of Omkari Mataji. Yet all the prabhus intsructions given on this occasion are nothing but truth as well:) We are compelled to take complete shelter of Lord Krishna, the intructions are given and as we see followed by Prabhupada disciples. No doubt things like this what is been done to Omkari dd shouldn’t happened, but they are, and more, worse things will follow! There will be more injustice comming from multiple, all kinds of sects, where each one of them will claim to be in line with the acaryas teachings. I find the philosophical challenge of finding the real linkage to pure teachings of our current acarya -none exclusivity right here:)-ISKCON Founder and Acarya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabupada much more important than any material profits or inconveniences. Other problems are rather hard to control, impossible to foresee, certainly non possible to counteract! The only hope is Krishna! We have to mature and take into reality. On the end, and the end is right here, next to us, we will be thankful even to our so called enemies, since by their actions we got free from all kinds of unwanted and in fact supoerflous things of all kinds. In the end it will be as the Bible says: “Thus shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called ones, but few chosen ones.”
I think Omkari mataji that the Lord must be right there with you, watching and loving You so much:) I would like to have the realization and faith to may add to this; …there is no doubt about it!
y.s. Jd
Dear Omkara prabhu,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. PAMFO I’m sorry to hear what happened to you.
I’m very new to seeing this site, and Krsna arranged for me to see this article and comments. I believe you are Omkara prabhu who I had met in the Brooklyn Henry St. temple.
Certainly the advice of all the devotees is to be considered, and it is sad that we get subjected to all of these crazy things. We know Srila Prabhupada would not be happy with so many of the things going on in His temples; good devotees being made to leave, etc.
If you are still desireous of serving in an ISKCON temple, and rendering pujari services, I was informed that the Baltimore temple is in need of (dedicated) devotees. I was told (by a grhastha devotee living outside), that the temple president there is a very nice gentleman. Based on what I was told, I’m sure he would be very happy, and welcome your coming to live and serve there, if you would want to go. (I was being asked to come to live and serve there, but I’m doing something else.)
Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, Locana Padma prabhu is living in the temple, and has been there for around a year. There are some green card bhaktas there as well – getting green card and some salary, their primary aim, getting their green card, who leave when their green card comes through. So other than Locana Padma (and some devotees who live outside the temple, who come to render service), devotees dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and His desires are needed, and I was told are wanted for the temple there.
So you might consider calling the temple president of Baltimore temple, as I’m sure he would be extremely happy to welcome you to this temple, and allow you to be engaged in pujari service.
I pray that you are well. May we somehow remain safely situated under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s Lotus Feet, Those of our Guru Varga, the Vaisnavas, and Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.
With love,
Dasi, B. Radha-Govinda
Hare Krsna
HareKrishna Omkara DD,
It is sad to hear from you like this, but I always see that the coin has two sides, so unless you put others in their shoes and look , you can not be compassionate. you need to forgive and associate with Srila Prabhupada. Are you feeling better now?your servant
JRDD
Any one following Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions, First and foremost, Is it a must to cover the head while performing arti or it can be left loose like a doll. Is this the same rule allover ISKCON or is there an exception?