Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

"show it" can and has been done. praise him, and support it by scripture, lacks the
ubiquitous appeal of the "breaking news" aspect the picture generates. he distributes cookies to the troops, king georges killing machines, how about to those iraqi children that he and his less compassionate counterparts, those CIA paid
"idependent contractors" maim and murder every day?

a question the communists used to ask Srila Prabhupada was, "would KRSNA order arjuna to fight in vietnam?"; how about in iraq?

In any situation, a devotee should encourage others to chant the Holy Names and distribute prasadam...politics aside.

we as devotees understand the transcendental principle, and understand the situation, but for society at large it is a big error to show a devotee with "machine gun in one hand and prasadam in the other" in Irak.
Dandavats.com, take note, the amount of good you can do for a bunch of us devotees is far lesser than the negative implications such articles cause on the public at large. And with no real need but to boast achievements and score points.

example:
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[i]* On a recent mission he had to give medical aid to 56 dying Iraqis. Many of them died as he was treating them, so he was chanting to them, giving Jagannath prasadam in their mouths and placing his Ugra Nrsimha-shila on their heads [b][color=red]as they left their bodies[/color][/b].
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* He said they were very grateful to have some spiritual input [b][color=red]while they were dying[/color][/b].
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very strange mercy type for the whole world to see, dont you think?
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also,

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[i]*I would like to request the readers of Dandavats.com to keep this great soul in their prayers and hearts and encourage him in his preaching. [b][color=red]You can'92t get more front-line than this![/color][/b][/i]
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I doubt Srila Prabhupada would approve this mixing of two completely different front-line concepts, the front line preaching and front line Irak oil war started by a demon.
What a strange mixture!!!
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How many decent people from the public we lose with this type of articles?
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(excerpts taken from: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4472)

[quote][cite] mishra:[/cite]example:
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[i]* On a recent mission he had to give medical aid to 56 dying Iraqis. Many of them died as he was treating them, so he was chanting to them, giving Jagannath prasadam in their mouths and placing his Ugra Nrsimha-shila on their heads [b][color=red]as they left their bodies[/color][/b].
[br][/quote]

I wonder how these Iraqis got killed..
Explosions from suicide bombers or by US army??
.they must be very special people to have received such last vaisnava rituals!
The ways of the Lord is quite intriging to us poor individuals on this planet!
Still ...I doubt the preaching done in US army uniform...as such attire means hate and genocide to most Arabic populations,mainly Iran and Iraq.
Sri Caitanyas Army wear dhotis,tilak and are armed with malas,books-in Arabic-and prasadam,distributed preferably during conscious living and to the innocents.

Plse post also the oipinions of other readers,that Dandavats refuse to publish,thnks!

[/b]From Param Karuna dasi,Jaganatha Puri [ http://pavan.org.in ]

Dear prabhu,
PAMHO, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for consulting me on this important matter. I totally agree it is extremely serious, but I am very pessimistic about the outcome.
I do not think they will listen.
This does not mean we should stop trying to talk to them.
It only means that they are not listening to the instructions of the person they officially recognise as their eternal spiritual master: how will they listen to us?
True, our Kuruksetra is not Iraq.
Our Kuruksetra is the confrontation between ALL those who are seriously ready to support Dharma, and ALL those who actively or passively support Adharma, no matter what particular group they belong to, or what particular enterprise they are engaging in.
Thus our Kuruksetra is the entire planet.
We dont need to "go to war" any more: war is creeping into our neighborhoods already.
With practically all western countries teeming with millions of expatriate Muslims and an unknown number of western Muslim converts (of the fanatical type), who are only waiting for the proper time to get into action, the entire planet has become a potential battlefield, even without the global nuclear war that was initially foreseen.
As I said several times, the future is not fixed and its development depends on the karma (good or bad) we keep making or unmaking day after day.

In the present situation, the nuclear war is likely to be restricted to Israel and Palestine, although such a development will certainly trigger riots and fighting in any place where Muslims live side by side with non-Muslims.

If Partha sarathi or others choose to go to Iraq as soldiers with the idea of taking advantage of the situation for preaching, it seems to me an extremely dangerous choice, not different from the choice of voluntarily going to jail (for example, for violation of the infamous Patriot Acts) in order to preach from there.
When there is so much to do outside jails and outside the army, and so much more opportunity and freedom to act in the preaching of Krsna consciousness, why should someone choose a path where his actions will be so little effective?

Prevention is better than cure.

I do not believe Iraqis will listen to an American soldier preaching the maha mantra Hare Krsna or distributing Krsna prasadam to them. Even the other soldiers are not likely to listen, because they were chosen among the less intelligent, less sensitive, less educated people in the USA. They are more likely to be the kind of people who carelessly tortured and ridiculed the prisoners in the infamous Abu Ghraib facility.
In fact I believe that we should rather follow Srila Prabhupadas instruction and develop self-sufficient farming communities, distribute more genuine literature, strengthen the affection and cooperation between devotees, and seriously reform any offensive position and behavior that we may have developed individually or collectively.
But we have no time to lose.

PKD

Plse publish comment on this subject by Locanananda das,as he authorised me.thnks!

Haribol, prabhu --

I believe Praghosa prabhu is trying to encourage this devotee to continue
preaching Krishna consciousness, and thats fine. But he mentions that this is the devotees fourth tour of duty in Iraq, so it sounds like he is a professional soldier.

I dont know why a devotee would otherwise be so eager to put himself in harms way again and again.

It may be that this devotee has dedicated himself to preaching Krishna consciousness to this particular audience, the U.S. military in Iraq. Thats his choice, but I would imagine he is there for other reasons that havent been touched upon by Praghosa in his letter.

I agree with you that a devotee should not enlist in the army, especially in war time. Either he should join with other vaisnavas to preach and distribute our literature in a place where there is a temple and regular worship, or he should live in a rural community of devotees to practice natural living and high thinking. Or if you really want to have a fight on your hands, go to a place where there is no temple and, with the assistance of other devotee pioneers,
try to establish Krishna consciousness in that place.

An interesting story: One of our congregation members in New York
joined the army and after basic training, he returned to NYC. He came directly to the Harinam party at Times Square wearing his army fatigues. The NYC police told him he could not take part in Harinam wearing an army uniform and he was sent home to change clothes. I agreed that it could cause confusion in peoples minds, that we had some connection with the US. Army.

I dont think Praghosa was stating that the war in Iraq is justified. He was
encouraging this devotee to try to remain Krishna conscious while applauding his effort to preach to his fellow soldiers. I whole-heartedly agree with you point that, as vaisnavas, we should not participate in demoniac wars, and for all the reasons you have mentioned, especially when one has a choice.

If there is any other particular point you would like me to address, please let me know.

Your servant,
Locanananda dasa

The story is that Partha sarathi joined the army before coming to KC and after his "guru" (now fallen) encouraged him to remain there.
My profound concern is not him being in the army and not him giving some books or prasadam to his fellow soldiers, but the glorifying campaign dandavats and other sites are noisily orchestrating without being conscious of the consequences and foolishness of somehow attaching US military interests in the muslim countries to "preaching".
Seriously, such irresponsible propaganda as it is displayed now could cause another bomb placed in one of our temples. No kidding. Then go and look for the "patriot" devotees publicly encouraging this dangerous mixture with easy talk as "you cannot get more front-line" "Besides engaging the enemy his mission is to hold a Ratha-yatra festival in Baghdad." "If you would like to join the troops-the Cookie Prasadam Troops". Try then to seek liability from them: They will disappear.

As Mishra said, he is not a "professional soldier" but is just in that circumstance. I personally dont see what all the hubbub is about. He is preaching in a difficult situation and in a very active way. What is wrong with glorifying him and helping him? If he is in that situation then why are people so disturbed about it? In our temple they posted something to send him some mahaprasada and other devotional items. I am sure he can use books and such there.

I can see both points of view....public perception about soldiers chanting Hare Krsna on beads and then going out and killing...and the devotee perspective on preaching.
I would be interested to hear what the public think about it...after all in the army you have a christian priest that looks after the spiritual needs of the soldiers right?

Yes, he should be made a chaplain, as per his wish. But for that one needs a degree, at least in US Army.

he is sergeant isnt he?

[quote][cite] mishra:[/cite]example:
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I doubt Srila Prabhupada would approve this mixing of two completely different front-line concepts, the front line preaching and front line Irak oil war started by a demon.

[/quote]

By Govinda dasi.[br]

"The upheaval of the 60s and the war in Vietnam was a fearful reality to many. Gaurasundara, my husband had lived in constant anxiety and fear that the draft board would call him to war. Though he was raised in a military family who fully supported the Vietnam War and they wanted him to become an airforce pilot, Gaurasundara had other ideas about his destiny. Until late November, Gaurasundara was an art student at the University of Texas, and due to his student status, he was not likely to be drafted but in late November, Gaurasundara and I had left the university in our search for truth, and in December of 1967 we had become students of Srila Prabhupada. Even in Gaurasundaras first meeting with Swamiji in San Francisco, he had expressed his anxiety about being drafted to fight in a war he did not believe in. Only about six months later, his fear became a reality. He had received a notice from the New York draft board to appear. The fateful day had arrived. We were then staying in New Jersey with Srila Prabhupada at his seashore retreat, and Gaurasundara had to travel to New York for his draft board appointment. He would receive a physical exam and very likely be drafted into the army. We expressed our severe anxiety to Srila Prabhupada who also did not endorse the war in Vietnam. Srila Prabhupada reassured us that Krsna would take care of everything. The day came for Gaurasundaras appointment and almost tearfully bid good-bye to Srila Prabhupada and me. He did not know what lay ahead; his future was uncertain. On a silk rope around his neck he wore a small murti of Lord Jagannath, and also along with that his huge red wooden chanting beads, the beads given at his initiation. He was full of anxiety yet calmly bowed down to say good-bye to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada stood calmly in the hallway as Gaurasundara offered his last obeisances and prepared to leave. Srila Prabhupada raised his right hand in blessing and said to Gaurasundara: "Krsna will protect you. I will request him. Do not be afraid. Krsna will take care of everything". His voice was sure and strong. He smiled compassionately. He knew that everything would be all right and he conveyed that feeling of faith to us in that fragile moment. Then, Gaurasundara left for New York by train. Gaurasundara was gone the whole day. Everything went on schedule at home. Srila Prabhupada had his noon meal after Kirtanananda gave him massage and I did my usual duties of cleaning & washing Prabhupadas clothes and tried to do some art work. I was unable to concentrate, as my mind was full of thoughts of Gaurasundara. I prayed to Krsna constantly. Srila Prabhupada mentioned Gaurasundara several times, so I knew that he was also thinking of him. Evening came and he still had not returned from the city, so we were worried. Suddenly we heard him chanting as he climbed the stairs. I rushed to the door to greet him, giving him a big hug and noting the big smile on his face. Srila Prabhupada called him into his room and asked: "So, what happened?" Gaurasundara described the visit, that because of his strange appearance, sporting big red neck beads and a colorful Lord Jagannath on his chest he was sent to a psychiatric doctor. The doctor asked Gaurasundara questions and Gaurasundara answered as simply as possible, continually chanting Hare Krsna out loud on his wooden beads, and rolling his eyes upward in yogic fashion, focusing on Krsnas form in his mind. The psychiatric doctor had not seen this before and he apparently concluded that Gaurasundara was not suitable for military service. He gave him a 3-Y status, not as good as 4-F, but it certainly reduced his chances of being drafted, and Gaurasundara was never drafted. I wept for joy as Srila Prabhupada chuckled and wagged his head side to side. "Just see, Krsna has protected you. If we are sincere, Krsna will always protect. He sees everything. You have chosen his service, not the army service, so he has arranged everything".
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada.

funny that i got discharged from compulsory military service in a similar way, the doctors thought i was too strange to serve (I went to the draft in saffron dhoti, chaddar, shaved head, etc) and they just got me dismissed in a time that Jehova witnesses etc were forced to serve and many times jailed and processed. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

[quote][cite] rasa108:[/cite]I can see both points of view....public perception about soldiers chanting Hare Krsna on beads and then going out and killing...and the devotee perspective on preaching.
I would be interested to hear what the public think about it...after all in the army you have a christian priest that looks after the spiritual needs of the soldiers right?[/quote]
see polls here:
http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm