C h a p t e r 10
Prabhupäda
in
B h u b a n e s wa r - P a rt 2
by calling him Bhägavata Mahäräja and then he said a little seriously, ‘Well, do you still want to take sannyäsa?’ Bhägavata replied that he thought he should wait a little while, as he wasn’t sure that he was properly qualified just yet. Prabhupäda smiled and said, ‘Yes, one should not take sannyäsa unless he is firmly convinced. One should wait until 50 years old. We are giving so many young men sannyäsa for preaching, but that has not turned out so well.’’’* (Hari-çauri däsa notes) 7 Deva-dharma däsa: Then one day Gour Govinda Swami Mahäräja mentioned to Çréla Prabhupäda that a devotee was * Çréla Prabhupäda comment: “... This should be strictly outlawed, no more sannyäsés. And those sannyäsés who have fallen, you get them married, live like a... No more this show bottle, cheating. It is very ludicrous. Even there is a promise that “We shall not fall down again,” that is also not believable. What is the use? Better go and speak philosophy in your gåhastha dress, not this dress, but you have nice coat, pants, gentleman...” (Room Conversation - January 7, 1977, Bombay) *Çréla Prabhupäda comment: “...And this kind of hypocrisy - they have taken sannyäsa and mixing with woman. This is not to be allowed. If you want women you get yourself married, live respectfully. We have no objection. But this hypocrisy should be stopped. There have been so many fallen down. First of all there will be no sannyäsé anymore. I have got very bad experience. And at least, we are not going to create new sannyäsés. And those who have fallen down, let them marry, live like respectable gentlemen. I have no objection. After all, young man, fallen down – that’s all right. It is by nature’s way. But marry that girl. That I am insisting from the very beginning, that no friendly liaison. If you want, get one nice... They are, all of them qualified. Get one wife and live like a gentleman. Similarly, woman. Live with one husband fastidiously, with children...” (Room Conversation — January 7, 1977, Bombay) Author’s comment: The moratorium for sannyäsa was instituted on January 7, 1977. However, sannyäsa was reinstated by the GBC at Mäyäpura 1982 festival and many new sannyäsés were created, which on retrospect could be arguably questionable. Some important quotes, in this regard by Çréla Prabhupäda from the above conversation have been included in the notes below: 1. “...This should be strictly outlawed, no more sannyäsés...” 2. “...And this kind of hypocrisy - they have taken sannyäsa and mixing with woman...” 3. “...First of all there will be no sannyäsé anymore...”
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