I have recently been inundated with questions on my view about both HH Narayan Maharaja and on the ritvic issue.

I don’t have a view simply put.

These things are for me a distraction to devotional life to become embroiled in who is right; who’s wrong means less effort is being put in following my own guru maharaja’s instruction and advice.

But I am somewhat concerned when receiving e-mails, video clips and texts especially when they are calling for individuals to be beaten up or claiming they are the only ones following HDG Srila Prabhupada’s instructions or even in some instances claiming that HDG Srila Prabhupada was simply wrong.

Although I am aware of the arguments being put forward we need to remember that Srila Prabhupada set up ISKCON, GBC and BBT and yes we can find faults with all. In the material world we will always find fault this is a simple fact! Even in devotee circles!

My thoughts however are that if we love Srila Prabhupada we will work with these institutions and arrangements made and concentrate on making progress in devotional life whilst attracting others to become Krishna Conscious.

After all I am aware of the ridicule HDG Srila Prabhupada faced by his own god brothers especially on allowing women to take a more prominent role, and not forgetting allowing individuals not born in a brahmana family to take brahmana initiation and to date continues to have many critics.

I am reminded also of sitting in a centre they were watching footage of the early days of ISKCON, for me the magic of it all was interrupted by a constant stream of what they are doing now, there failings and fall downs rather than the amazing service done.

I am also further reminded of seeking advice from my own guru maharaja about helping an individual, they had caused many problems for his own disciples and continued to find fault with then even after their leaving. His advice was that I must help despite this it was importance of looking after a devotee whose health was failing; they remain a devotee even if they may be a little misguided, although I was warned about too much association with this individual (wise advice).

I was also very much saddened several years ago when an individual was pointed out to me a ritvik and great pride was taken in telling me how many times he had been beaten up, and their own amazement that they still came giving out their Back to Prabhupada magazine. Were he was is a public place not a temple or centre and no matter what our view point is he is free to distribute these magazines to resort to violence is unnecessary even though the individuals actions can be seen as provocation (it was after all a ratha yatra festival being put on by ISKCON devotees).

HDG Srila Prabhupada tolerated many things including personal attacks and ridicule but remained focused on the instructions of his own Guru Maharaja to print books and make devotees this was his business.

My own Guru Maharaja reminds me always that this is our only business and understanding my nature also reminds me to at least try to see the good in others, it is after all good to understand and work on ones own faults.

But for me if we truly love Srial Prabhupada as many claim then we will work with and along side the institutions,institutions and structure he set up I am in my own mind any way more than positive this would be his wish.