Śrīla Prabhupāda's Hare Krishna Society

ANALYSIS OF SRILA PRABHUPADA'S
LAST WILL AND JULY 9TH LETTER
by the Prabhupadanugas

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We would like to present two papers signed and approved by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The will of His Divine Grace and his last instructions for continuing the process of initiation. We ask only that you read the following statements of Srila Prabhupada with an open heart. Instead of analyzing his words to fit today's circumstances, try to take these instructions just as they have been written. Without reading between the lines, try simply to accept his words. Rather than imagining esoteric meanings try to understand his commands, as they are. Srila Prabhupada often said that Krishna Consciousness is a simple process. The instructions that he gave us were always straightforward and clear. His language was never obscure or lacking in explanation. If something was important he always gave us a clear cut
presentation. Before reading these last instructions of Srila Prabhupada's, try to take to heart the following explanation from Caitanya Caritamrita on the nature of direct and indirect meanings. In it, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Lord Chaitanya, clearly explain the difference between a true understanding and an imaginary interpretation.

"Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments that mukhya-vrtti, "the direct meaning" is abhidha-vrtti, or the meaning that one can understand immediately from the statements of dictionaries, whereas gauna-vrtti, "the indirect meaning" is a meaning that one imagines without consulting the dictionary. For example, one politician has said that Kuruksetra refers to the body, but in the dictionary there is
no such definition. Therefore this imaginary meaning is gauna-vrtti, whereas the direct meaning found in the dictionary is mukhya-vrtti or abhidha-vrtti. This is the distinction between the two. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that one understand the Vedic literature in terms of abhidha-vrtti, and the gauna-vrtti He rejects. Sometimes, however, as a matter of necessity, the Vedic literature is
described in terms of the laksana-vrtti or gauna-vrtti, but one should not accept such explanations as permanent truths." (C.C. Adi-Iila 7.110 purport, by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

The following is the will of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, dated 4th of June, 1977, Krsna-Balarama Mandir, Vrndavan, India.

Tridandi Goswami
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Founder-Acarya:
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
CENTER: Krsna-Balaram Mandir ,
Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg,
Ramanreti, Vrndavana, U.P .M
DATE: June 1977
DECLARATION OF WILL
I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna consciousness, Settlor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and disciple of Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada, presently residing at Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, make this my last will:
I. The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
2. Each temple will be an ISKCON property and will be managed by three executive directors. The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.
3. Properties in India will be managed by the following executive directors:
a) Properties at Sri Mayapur Dhama, Panihati, Haridaspur and Calcutta: Gurukrpa Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhavananda Gosvami and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
b) Properties at Vrndavana: Gurukrpa Swami, Akshoyananda Swami, and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
c) Properties at Bombay: Tamala Krsna Gosvami, Giriraj das Brahmachary, and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
d) Properties at Bhubaneswar: Gour Govinda Swami, Jayapataka Swami, and Bhagawat das Brahmachary.
e) Properties at Hyderbad: Mahamsa Swami, Sridhar Swami, Gopal Krsna das Adhikari and Bali Mardan das Adhikari.
The executive directors who have herein been designated are appointed for life. In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any o( the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books, and provided that there are never less than three (3) or more than five (5) executive directors acting at one time.
4. I have created, developed and organized the International Society for Krishna Consiousness, and as such I hereby will that none of the immovable properties standing in the name of ISKCON in India shall ever be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, transferred, or in any way encumbered, disposed of, or alienated. This direction is irrevocable.
5. Properties outside of India in principle should never be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, transferred or in any way encumbered, disposed of, or alienated, but if the need arises, they may be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, etc., "with the consent of the GBC committee members associated with the particular property.
6. The properties outside of India and their associated GBC committee members are as follows:
a) Properties in Chicago, Detroit and Ann Arbor: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Harikesa Swami, and Balavanta das Adhikari
b) Properties in Hawaii, Tokyo, Hong Kong: Guru Krpa Swami, Ramesvara Swami and Tamal Krishna Gosvami.
c) Properties in Melbourne, Sydney, Australia Farm,: Guru Krpa Swami, Hari Sauri, and Atreya Rsi.
d) Properties in England (London Radlett), France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Bhagavan das Adhikari, Harikesa Swami.
d) Properties in Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Brahmananda Swami and Atreya Rsi
e) Properties in Mexico, Venezuala, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecquador, Colombia, Chile: Hrdayananda Gosvami, Panca Dravida Swami, Brahmanananda Swami.
t) Properties in Georgetown, Guyana, Santo Domingo, St. Augustine: Adi Kesava Swami, Hrdayananda Gosvami, Panca Dravida Swami.
g) Properties in Vanouver, Seattle, Berkeley, Dallas: Satsvarupa Gosvami, Jagadisa das Adhikari, Jayatirtha das Adhikari.
h) Properties in Los Angeles, Denver, San Diego, Laguna Beach: Rameswara Swami, Satsvarupa Swami, Adi Kesava Swami.
i) Properties in New York, Boston, Puerto Rio, Port Royal, St. Louis, St Louis Farm: Tarnal Krishna Gosvami, Adi Kesava Swami, Rameswara Swami.
j) Properties in Iran: Atreya Rsi, Bhagavan das Adhikari, Brahmanananda Swami.
k) Properties in Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Montreal and Ottawa:
Rupanuga das Adhikari, Gopal Krishna das Adhikari, Jagadisa das Adhikari.
I) Properties in Pittsburg, New Vrndavana, Toronto, Cleveland, Buffalo:
Kirtanananda Swami, Atreya Rsi, Balavanta das Adhikari.
m) Properties in Atlanta, Tennessee Farm, Gainsville, Miami, New Orleans, Mississippi Farm, Houston: Balavanta das Adhikari, Adi Kesava Swami, (Rupanuga das Adhikari.
n) Properties in Fiji: Hari Sauri, Atreya Rsi, Vasudev.
7. I declare, say and confirm that all the properties, both moveable and immovable, which stand in my name, including current accounts, savings accounts and fixed deposits in various banks, are the properties and assets of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and the heirs and successors of my previous life, or anyone claiming through them, have no right, claim or interest in these properties
whatsoever, save and except as provided hereafter .
8. Although the money which is in my personal name in different banks is being spent for ISKCON and belongs to ISKCON, I have kept a few deposits specifically marked for allocating a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000/- each to the members of my former family, (two sons, two daughters, and a wife). After the death of the members of my former family, these specific deposits (corpus, interest, and savings )
will become the property of ISKCON for the corpus of the trust, and the descendants of my former family or anybody claiming through them shall not be allowed any further allowance.
9. I hereby appoint Guru Krpa Swami, Hrdayananda Gosvami, Tarnal Krishna Gosvami, Rameswara Swami, Gopal Krsna das Adhikari, Jayatirtha das Adhikari and Giriraj das Brahmachary to act as executors of this will. I have made this will this 4th day of June, 1977, in possession of full senses and sound mind, without any persuasion, force or compulsion from anybody.
Witnesses:
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
The above was signed by Srila Prabhupada and sealed and witnessed by the following:
Tarnal Krsna Goswami
Bhagavan das Adhikary
and several other witnesses
Let us now summarize some important points from Srila Prabhupada's will.

I. "The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire. International Society for Krishna Consciousness." Srila Prabhupada's Will Point 1

(N.B. Note that the Governing Body Commission (GBC) is not described as the ultimate authority but as the "ultimate managing authority". The GBC is the ultimate for management, but the ultimate in ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada, himself and his instructions. These instructions cannot be changed even by the ultimate
managing authority, the GBC. The GBC may only implement Srila Prabhupada's instructions and never change them.)
2. "Each temple will be an ISKCON property and will be managed by three executive directors." "The executive directors who have herein been designated are appointed for life. In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any of the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books, and provided that there are never less than three (3) or more than five (5) executive directors acting at one time." Srila Prabhupada's Will Points
2, 3, 6.

(N.B. All ISKCON property to have 3 to 5 initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada's of good spiritual standing, as executive directors or GBC committee members. Note.here that Srila Prabhupada clearly says, that the executive directors or GBC committee members are to be [Srila Prabhupada's] initiated disciples, in good
spiritual standing (ie: "my (Srila Prabhupada's) initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my [Srila Prabhupada's] books")

3. "The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change." Srila Prabhupada's Will Point 2.

(N.B. Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya and ultimate authority of ISKCON could make changes in the system of management at any time during his physical presence with us. By saying "The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change." Srila Prabhupada is insisting that now and forever onlv his initiated disciples act as trustees for ISKCON properties.)

Now let us read the letter to all GBC and Temple Presidents, outlining Srila Prabhupada's last instructions on how to carry on the process of initiation.

ISKCON
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vrindaban July 9th 1977

To All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as " ritvik "- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first
initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami
His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami
His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami
His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami
His Holiness Ramesvara Swami
His Holiness Harikesa Swami
His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may
accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's " Initiated Disciples" book.
Hoping this finds you all well-
.Your servant,
Tamala Krsna Gosvami
Secretary to Srila Prabhupada
Approved: ..(signed)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Let us now summarize, point for point, the system formalized by Srila Prabhupada on July 9th, 1977, as documented in the letter to all GBC and Temple Presidents.

1. " Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as " ritvik,- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation."

(N.B. In the presence of the full GBC Body, some senior disciples were appointed, "to act as 'ritvik'- representative of Srila Prabhupada the acarya," for performing first and second initiations.)

2. "His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:
His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami
His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami
His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami
His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami
His Holiness Ramesvara Swami
His Holiness Harikesa Swami
His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

(N.B. So far eleven senior disciples names are given by Srila Prabhupada "to act as 'ritvik'- representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya.")

3. "Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple."

(N.B. Instead of the previous practice of writing to Srila Prabhupada, the Temple Presidents should "henceforward" write to the "ritvik" representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya nearest to their temple, with their recommendations for initiations.)

4. " After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative."

(N.B. The closest " ritvik' representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya", after considering the recommendation for initiation, the 'ritvik' is authorized by Srila Prabhupada to give a spiritual name, and accept the person as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada's. In the case of second initiation the "'ritvik' representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya", can chant gayatri on the person's new brahmana thread.

Again it is mentioned that the newly initiated disciple is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and not of the " 'ritvik' representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya", who it is again mentioned, is only acting as a representative of Srila Prabhupada
.
5. " After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before."

(N.B. As previously done the Temple President can perform the fire yajna when he receives the spiritual name or brahmana thread from the " ritvik' -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya "'.)

6. "The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's Initiated Disciples book."

(N.B. The name of the newly initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada should be sent by the " ritvik'- representative of [Srila Prabhupadal] the acarya," to be included in Srila Prabhupada's "Initiated Disciples" book.)

So in summary , in this letter it is mentioned that Srila Prabhupada instituted this local "'ritvik' -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acar:va" system, "when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana", and then specifically communicated the system to the entire GBC and Temple Presidents in a letter clearly indicating the following:
I. The persons listed were only authorized to act as " ritvik' -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya".
2. The eleven names given were Srila Prabhupada's "His [Srila Prabhupada's] senior disciples".
3. These were the names given, quote "so far" indicating that more might be given at a later date.
4. The Temple President was to "henceforward" (N.B. The American Heritage Dictionary defines henceforward as henceforth or from this time forth or from now on) send the name of the recommended person to the, quote "whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple." (ie: the rtvik -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarya" who is located physically closest to the President's
temple.)
5. That the new disciples name must be sent by the local " 'ritvik' -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarva" to be included in "His Divine Grace's Srila Prabhupada's Initiated Disciples' book". From the above statements it is clear that "henceforward" this was the system of "first and second initiation".. Srila Prabhupada approved this system, after consulting with the whole GBC in Vrndavana, "Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana".. Srila Prabhupada never consulted with the whole GBC on this matter again, and never issued any other official approved document or order changing the system. Srila Prabhupada never appointed anyone anything more than just " 'ritvik' -representative of the acarya rSrila Prabhupadal". Srila Prabhupada said clearly that all the disciples so initiated by the local " 'ritvik' -reDresentative of rSrila Prabhupadal the acarya" were to be included in "His Divine Grace's [Srila Prabhupada's] , Initiated Disciples' book" as ~ bona fide disciples.
Actually something like this system was going on in ISKCON before this time. Many Sannyasis and GBC men had chanted on beads and Srila Prabhupada sometimes instructed other persons to pick out names for his disciples. So all that Srila Prabhupada was doing here was to formalize this system. We should also note that there was never any talk of a prospective disciple choosing a guru, because the only
guru was Srila Prabhupada and as far as choosing which " 'ritvik' -representative of the acarya Srila Prabhupada" to write to, Srila Prabhupada makes it clear that the Temple President is to write to the nearest one, with all the initiation recommendations from his temple. The fact that Srila Prabhupada went to all the trouble of sending this letter to all the GBC and Temple Presidents means that ~ wanted this system implemented. Since he never implemented any other system, and since he did not want the system of management to change after his disappearance, as we have seen from his will, we conclude, that this system should be practiced even today.

Conclusion

Since all "executive directors" or "GBC committee members" for the properties must be, "my [Srila Prabhupada's] initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books" and "the system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change", the conclusion is that there will always be disciples of Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON. In other words Srila Prabhupada is able to initiate disciples even though he is no longer physically present, just as when he was in India he was able to initiate disciples all over the world by letter and latter after July the 9th , 1977 by allowing some of "His senior disciples" in different parts of the world to be his local " 'ritvik' -representative of [Srila Prabhupada] the acarva" and chant on beads, threads and give names, and by also allowing his Temple Presidents to perform the fire yajnas.. What is the difference if Srila Prabhupada is in Gokula Vrndavana (India] or Goloka Vrndavana (the spiritual sky] he gave us a simple system to continue the first and second initiations for him. Thus Srila Prabhupada
remains the Founder and the Acarva of ISKCON. Thus ISKCON and the devotees of ISKCON, all followers and bona-fide initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada are united with one purpose, under one acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada.

Therefore taking into consideration all of the above. In accordance with the will of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, we call upon the executors of Srila Prabhupada's will in cooperation with the GBC body of ISKCON to kindly furnish written proof that they are following each and every mandate given to them by Srila Prabhupada in the above documents, as a sign to all the assembled vaisnavas that we can have faith in them to lead Srila Prabhupada's movement. Specifically we call upon the executors of Srila Prabhupada's will and/or the GBC body to show compliance with sections 2 through 6 of Srila Prabhupada's will by:

1. Publishing the complete list of ISKCON properties and the list of names of the 3 to 5 "initiated disciple(s)" of Srila Prabhupada's who are the "executive directors" or "GBC committee members responsible for the particular property" and who are "strictly following all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books" along with corresponding notarised recorded documents, proving that the GBC are complying with sections 2, 3,and 6.

2. In order to ensure that an “my [Srila Prabhupada’s] initiated disciple”, who is “strictly following all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my [Srila Prabhupada’s] books” , will always be available to replace the “executive directors” or “GBC committee members responsible for the particular property”. That the system of initiating Srila Prabhupada’s disciples continue “henceforward” exactly as outlined by Srila Prabhupada in the letter approved by him and sent to all GBC and Temple Presidents, dated July 9th,1977. And that since no other system having been approved by Srila Prabhupada, that the GBC body as the ultimate managing authority of ISKCON continue “henceforward”. “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change” and the GBC and local representatives of Srila Prabhupada make sure that all devotees initiated in ISKCON since Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance and in the future have their names included in “His Divine Grace’s [Srila Prabhupada’s ] Initiated Disciples book” as per his authorized instructions. Proving that the GBC are complying with sections 1 and 2 of Srila Prabhupada’s will, by being the “ultimate managerial authority”, implementing Srila Prabhupada’s order that “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.”

Dear Godbrothers and Godsisters, we ask that you humbly request your local, regional, national and international Temple Presidents, GBC’s, Sannyasis, etc., to please read this paper or at least if they once again read the two documents signed and authorised by Srila Prabhupada given herein. Please humbly encourage your leaders to adopt Srila Prabhupada’s desires as outlined in these two documents. We do not want to put blame, for things past but we should simply rectify the situation by giving up our own mundane conceptions and simply have supreme faith in the words of the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada by surrendering to his clear, simple instructions. It is said that Srila Prabhupada built a house in which the whole world could live. Please help make Srila Prabhupada’s wish for a united ISKCON come true again and remember if we really want to show our love for Srila Prabhupada we must sincerely follow his instructions.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna.

Humbly offered by Disciples of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the Hare Krishna Society, in the spirit of reconciliation with all of His Divine Graces’ followers and members of ISKCON.

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