httpv://youtu.be/a0uUtqZcv2s
video: Нитьянанда, ролик
For the Record
BY: CHINTAMANI DASI (ACBSP)
Dec 16, 2012 — CANADA —
Responding to the letter dated December 15, by Citralekha, she states “Because it was not Srila Prabhupada’s idea that men and women are mixing with each other, neither on alter, kitchen, etc.”
Srila Prabhupada personally gave me diksha in May 1969. I lived in India in 1974 and 1975. At that time the head pujari in Juhu was Ambika dasi. I cooked the raja bhoga offering daily, actually I cooked it by myself, there were no men in the deity kitchen. Srila Prabhupada’s personal cook at that time was Palika dasi who would also come and take something to Srila Prabhupada from my offering to give to him.
Also in Calcutta I did alter service. Not “shoulder to shoulder” with men, as she puts it. Srila Prabhupada was in India so much at this time. He knew what was going on. We had women’s ashramas in all the Indian temples, by his grace.
It is very good to practice “stri dharma.” But “Bhagavat dharma” is what Srila Prabhupada preached the most. Also, respect for senior devotees, even if they have a different viewpoint, they are still dear to Lord Krishna. If someone wants to think of their husband at the time of death instead of Lord Krishna, that is their right. But back in the days when Srila Prabhupada was here we were so attached to him, thinking of how to please him, both husband and wife were giving their devotion to him and Lord Krishna. We all practiced “Krishna consciousness.”
I am so grateful to have been able to be with such a great devotee who loved us so much we would do anything for him. He was so pleased when we worked together, and he didn’t like it when devotees were disrespectful to one another.
“Stri dharma” also means to develop feminine qualities such as compassion, forgiveness, nurturing, etc.
I have no interest in debating this issue. I have temple service to do, cooking offerings, just like when Srila Prabhupada was here.
Speak Your Mind