I have put together a short autobiographical video series about my service to Śrila Prabhupāda and my professional practice because people have asked, and I am choosing to begin this series by addressing the rumors and falsehoods that have been spread about me and my practice amongst the devotees for many years.
I’m not so fond of talking about myself, but people have asked, and maybe a little background is relevant in the overall picture of the presentation of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. People seem to have an interest in personal stories, what brings people to their chosen lifestyle and commitments…
Some people may think that there is a conflict of interest, having a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and being a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrila Prabhupāda, but it is very far from that. Jesus’ main instruction was to learn to love the Lord, and the same with Śrila Prabhupāda. He said, “Just learn to love Kṛṣṇa.” A real spiritual master is non-denominational.
If something came out about misconduct in the churches by church leaders or whatever, it would be seen as their own discrepancy, and not blamed on Jesus Christ; that he taught them to do that or condoned the behavior. In the same way, it is essential that Śrila Prabhupāda is not lumped in with what some of his alleged followers did. There were, still are, those who externally glorified Śrila Prabhupāda, but actually created an empire of evil based on their deep envy of him.
The philosophy of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness itself became weaponized against those who chose to try to do right and keep Śrila Prabhupāda’s legacy alive. For example, the issue of offenses became a very good excuse for not hearing from those who saw the deviations that were going on. “Oh, you are offensive to the devotees. You should be shunned and banned, if you speak up it will destroy the mission, and it will all be your fault.
