Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Haha, why would Prabhupada have need to wear one!

We do though

The earlierst it is coming from Pisima mainly as she was practicing Nrsimha worship. Of course since then soooo many devotees started wearing them with reference to south indian and other traditions.

I heard that some gurus gave orders to their disciples not to wear them since it is not what prabhupada taught us.

really? which gurus?

[quote][cite] KeshavToronto:[/cite]really? which gurus?[/quote] Do you mean which gurus will allow it EVEN if Prabhupada never recommended?

It is not like Srila Prabhupada had a fixed, detailed program for the devotees form day one. Things developed gradually. For example, daily guru-puja was introduced only in 1976, I believe.

If my guru told me I cant wear a kavaca because it was not something SP explicitly introduced, I would probably look for a new guru, because that is a very neophyte way of thinking.

[quote][cite] Kula-pavana:[/cite]
If my guru told me I cant wear a kavaca because it was not something SP explicitly introduced, I would probably look for a new guru, because that is a very neophyte way of thinking.[/quote]

Woah!

I dont see wearing a kavacha as a problem either (even though I dont own one and probably never will), but calling people neophytes if they are concerned about detracting from the teachings of Prabhupada is a bit much. A sanyasi is hardly a neophyte, and I think that is typical of the kind of disrespect and emotionally charged ego-puffing one finds on the internet, even amongst devotees.

People have their own ways of doing things, and their own justification for that. You might not agree with that, and I dont really either, but thats not a license to criticize like this.

Is this the Haridas that lives in Leitrim Ireland?
Ysvt.

Back to the topic... I was more curious about the origins of how devotee starting wearing these? I personally wear one and dont see a problem, but found it interesting that Srila Prabhupada never wore kavachas.

Does anyone know the history of when devotees starting to wear them>?

Im not sure about the origin but at least in Europe it must have been boosted when Sri Nrsimha was installed in Germany in 1982 (?). Since then devotees keep bringing Nrsimha Kavacas from this temple.

[quote][cite] Haridas:[/cite]
I dont see wearing a kavacha as a problem either (even though I dont own one and probably never will), but calling people neophytes if they are concerned about detracting from the teachings of Prabhupada is a bit much. A sanyasi is hardly a neophyte, and I think that is typical of the kind of disrespect and emotionally charged ego-puffing one finds on the internet, even amongst devotees.[/quote]

Please explain to me, how is wearing a kavaca "detracting from the teachings of Prabhupada"?
Over the years I have seen a few sannyasis that can only charitably be described as neophytes. Dress does not make anybody advanced.

[quote][cite] Kula-pavana:[/cite][quote][cite] Haridas:[/cite]
I dont see wearing a kavacha as a problem either (even though I dont own one and probably never will), but calling people neophytes if they are concerned about detracting from the teachings of Prabhupada is a bit much. A sanyasi is hardly a neophyte, and I think that is typical of the kind of disrespect and emotionally charged ego-puffing one finds on the internet, even amongst devotees.[/quote]

Please explain to me, how is wearing a kavaca "detracting from the teachings of Prabhupada"?
Over the years I have seen a few sannyasis that can only charitably be described as neophytes. Dress does not make anybody advanced.[/quote]

Im playing devils advocate, one could argue that it is adding to Prabhupadas teaching unnecessary things. Dress does not make anybody advanced, but advanced people are often told by their dress. Criticism has never made anyone advanced. One should be more tolerant than a tree and think oneself lower than the straw in the street.

Nrsingha - Im from England.

Asian-bodied Hari Das?

Ysvt.

[quote][cite] Haridas:[/cite]
Im playing devils advocate, one could argue that it is adding to Prabhupadas teaching unnecessary things. [/quote]

Prabhu, I gave an example earlier of the daily guru-puja being introduced by SP only in 1976. Does it mean that in 1973 it was something to be avoided? --------------- The idea that whatever state Iskcon was in late 1977 was a fully matured and complete perfection of daily sadhana not to ever be improved upon is rather naive IMO. It always was a work in progress, with Srila Prabhupada adding things as the devotees matured and were able to absorb and implement. He very much wanted for example to gradually improve the standards of Deity worship and instructed his disciples to research that field. ------------------ I am not a big fan of dogmatic or fanatical behavior and do not think much of people who act that way. Ultimatety one has to be practical, accepting things which are favourable and rejecting things which are not (see NOI). ----------- We all have standards for devotees we take shelter of, and that one is mine. IMO devotee who sees problem in wearing kavacas is a neophyte. I dont think it is my pride speaking, just my understanding of our tradition. ----------- Btw. I also do not wear a kavaca on daily basis. I have a kavaca containing the dust from Vrindavan but I do not wear it all the time... but maybe I should... ;)
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------------------------------------- And to contribute to the main question: I have seen devotees wearing kavacas when I joined in 1979 in Europe, so it must have been a rather early practice. One could look at some old photos of devotees in Mayapur to see when the practice started.

Fair enough Kula Pavana, my opinion is similar, hence the phrase; devils advocate. I was just a little shocked at calling people neophytes.

You can be a member of this movement from the very beginning, and you can still be a neophyte. Theres a nasty conception that the longer you are in the movement, the more advanced you are...