The Last Conversation- Cover Letter Transcription and Analysis

8/8/2019 The Last Conversation- Cover Letter Transcription and Analysis

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Dear Fellow Devotees and Friends of ISKCON,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to rla Prabhupda.

You will find attached a two-part document presented by the Governing BodyCommission (GBC) of ISKCON. We write this letter to provide you a brief account of theevents leading to the writing and publication of this document.

The first part, Conversation Between rla Prabhupda and H.H. Nryaa Mahrja:VrindavanOctober 8, 1977,consists of a transcription of the audio recording of thatconversation preserved in the BBT Archives. This conversation was conducted largely inthe Bengali language. This work presents the Bengali (both in Bengali script and Englishtransliteration) together with a line-by-line English translation.

The second part, titled The Last Conversation, offers a careful analysis of the meaningand significance of this conversation. The analysis considers assertions made by NryaaMahrja about that talk. It examines the conversation in its historical context. Itevaluates the import of its findings for the future relationship between the GBC andNryaa Mahrja, between ISKCON and Mahrjas own movement.

As many of you may know, some senior members of the GBC were deputed to meet withHis Holiness Nryaa Mahrja last October, 2009 in Govardhan. The GBC sought themeeting with the principle aim of offering apologies in person to Nryaa Mahrja fora lapse by the GBC in 1995: it failed to communicate to him in a proper and timely

manner about policies the GBC had just established concerning ISKCON memberstaking association and ika outside of our society. Those policies, of course, directlyaffected Nryaa Mahrja.

In our Govardhan meeting last October we expressed our respect to Nryaa Mahrjaas a senior Vaiava. We offered him our heartfelt apologies for our failure tocommunicate with him properly. He graciously accepted our apologies. He then requestedthe GBC to rescind the policies established in 1995, particularly in regard to himself.

While the GBC desires to show all courtesy due Nryaa Mahrja and his followers, itis not able to grant Nryaa Mahrja this request. The GBC remains firmly convincedthat Nryaa Mahrja persistently misrepresents rla Prabhupda by claiming thatPrabhupda, on his last day, entrusted in Nryaa Mahrja special directions to assumea unique, ongoing role in the spiritual leadership of ISKCON.

The attached documents present our considered response to that claim.


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Another aim of our October meeting was to explore ways to minimize friction betweenour two societies. We are, after all, fellow followers of r Caitanya Mahprabhu and theprevious cryas, so we pray that the sevof our two societies may continue to bringbenediction to the forgetfuljvas of this age. Yet it seems, as a practical matter, that ourtwo preaching missions continue to spread Krishna consciousness in our own separate andrespective ways.

We are keenly aware that we are all still unable to fulfill Prabhupdas heartfelt call forunified preaching among the descendents of Bhaktisiddhnta Sarasvat hkura. Let us alltake that plea to heart and not, in spite of present impediments, give up on the goal.

If you have any questions about this paper or topic, you are invited towrite to the GBC Secretary, at [email protected].

Your servants,

GBC Executive Committee


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CONVERSATION BETWEEN RLA PRABHUPDA AND H.H.NRYAA MAHRJA: VRINDAVANOCTOBER 8, 1977

From BBT Archives audio recording 771008r2.vrn

Bengali transcription, Roman transliteration, and English translationPrepared by the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON

kxj cfzcv` : cfzcv`i, fwwebv` VvKzii BQv wQj h BDivc, AvgwiKvq c Pvi nvK| Avi GKUvBQv wQj h Zvgiv mevB wgjwgk cPvirla Prabhupda: Prabhupader, Bhaktivenod Thakurer iccha chila ye Europe,Amerikaya prachar hok. Ar ekta iccha chila ye tomra sabai milemise pracharrla Prabhupda: Prabhupda and Bhaktivinoda hkura wanted thatwe

should preach in Europe and America. Another desire was thateveryoneshould preach collectively

bvivqY gnvivR :wVK|Nryaa Mahrja: Thik.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes. Thats right.

kxj cfzcv` :Avwg Zv h_vmva Pv KiwQ cw_exZ AvvQ hZ Zv nqQ LvwbKUv| Avi AvgviGwcwiqvAvgiv hw` mKj wgjwgk GLbI cPvi Kwi gnvcfzi h wgkb cw_exZ AvQ hZ Zvi

Lye mvebv| Avgvi Zv GB kl Aev| Avgvi BQv h Avgvi me Aciva Avcbviv, me fiv, ifvBqiv, cPvi KiZ nj AbK mgq K_v KvUvKvwU mvaviYZ nq| mB Aciva me i fvBqiv hbgv Kieb| GB Avgvi GKUv eev Kieb| Avi Avwg Pj Mj GKUv mevB wgjwgk . . .rla Prabhupda: Ami to yathasadhya chesta karechi prithivite ache yata tahayeche khanikta. Aar amar experience amara yadi milemishe ekhana pracharkari Mahaprabhur ye mission prithivite ache yata tar khub sambhavana. Amarto ei shesh avastha. Amar iccha ye amar sab aparadha apanara sab bhaktara,guru-bhaira, prachar karte hale anek samaya katha katakati sadharanata haya.Sei aparadha sab guru-bhaira yena ksama karben ei amar ekta vyavastha karben.Aar ami chale gele ekta sabai milemise . . .rla Prabhupda: I tried my bestprithivite ache jato [In every town andvillage on earth . . . ]that has happened to some extent. I have theexperience that if all conjointly preach, then Mahprabhus mission, prithiviteache jato, has a great possibility. I am in my last stage. My wish is that you all,the devotees, my Godbrothers, [forgive] all my offences.Sometimes, while


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preaching, there is some misunderstandings, disagreements. My Godbrothersshould forgive my offences. Please make that arrangement. And after I havegone, everyone should all come together . . .

bvivqY gnvivR :AvQv|Nryaa Mahrja: Accha.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes.

kxj cfzcv` : Kvb gw`i wK w`j ghv`v iv nq| Avgvi gji Rb Zviv mevB hb GKUv DrmeKi|rla Prabhupda: Kon mandire ki dile maryada raksa haya. Amar mangaler

janya tara sabai yena ekta utsab kare.rla Prabhupda: . . . [and decide] what amount should be given to each

temple, appropriate to its status. They should have a festival for my sake.

bvivqY gnvivR :AvQv|Nryaa Mahrja: Accha.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes.

kxj cfzcv` : GZ Avcbvi wK gb nq|rla Prabhupda: Ete apnara ki mane haya?

rla Prabhupda: What do you think?bvivqY gnvivR : Avcwb hv Av`k w`eb Avwg m~Y-ic MnY Kie| AvcbvK Zv Avwg ii gZvBgb Kwi|Nryaa Mahrja: Apni ya adesh diben ami sampurna-rupe grahan karbo.Apnake-to ami gurur matoi mane kari.Nryaa Mahrja: Whatever you order, I will accept it wholeheartedly. Iconsider you to be like my spiritual master.

kxj cfzcv` : GB h ccvRvjUv Kijvg, GZ Avgvi wKQz Abvq nqQ?rla Prabhupda: Ei ye proposal-ta karlam, ete amar kichu anyay hayeche?rla Prabhupda: The proposal I gave, is there anything wrong in it?


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bvivqY gnvivR : LyeB myì nqQ| GZv nIqvB DwPZ| Avcwb GKUv Mo ZzjQb, Zviv hw`wgjwgk iv Ki, Giv Zv hwÌ Avcwb Zv Iì wkv w`qQb, Z_vwc Aviv fwelZ hw` Avivwgjwgk mvnvh Ki Zvnj cw_exi ga GKUv ek fvjfve Mo Zzje|Nryaa Mahrja: Khubi sundar hayeche. Eta haoai uchit. Apni ekta gare

tulechen, tara yadi milemishe raksa kare, era to yadio apnito oder shiksa diyechen,tathapi aro bhabishyate yadi aro milemishe sahayya kare tahale prithibir madhyeekta besh bhalobhabe gade tulbe.Nryaa Mahrja: It is very nice. This is how it should be. Youhave createdsomething; if they all work together and maintain it. Youhave trained them.Yet in the future if they become even more unitedand help, then a wonderfulthing will happen in this world.

kxj cfzcv` : Gì-Zv eskMZ wKQz bvB| me Q, heb Nii| hZUv cvwi wkv w`qwQ| KiQ

Iiv| Iì hZUzKz gZv| wgjwgk Kij, RvqMv Zv AvQ| eo eo gwì nqQ, _vKvi Zv AfvebvB, wKQzB jvKi Afve bB| Gme GKUv hw` _vKZ _vKZ nq Zv fvjB nq|rla Prabhupda: Eder-to bamsha-gata kichu nai. Sab mleccha, yaban gharer,yatata pari shiksa diyechi, karche ora. Oder yatatuku ksamata. Milemishe karle,

jayga-to ache, bara bara mandir hayeche, takar-o abhab nai, kichui lokera abhabnai. Esab ekta yadi thakte thakte hay to bhaloi haya.rla Prabhupda: They do not have any hereditary background. All are frommleccha and yavana family background. I have trained them according to myability. They are also doing their best. If all work unitedlythere are big, bigtemples; there is sufficient place to stay;there is no lack of manpower. Ifeverything happens when I am here, that will be very nice.

bvivqY gnvivR : nv, Lye fvjB nq| mKjiB Gwelq mvnvh Kiv DwPZ| Avi GivI hb bgfvemKji m wgjwgk Pjevi Pv Kij Aviv fvj ne| Avgvi viv hZUzKz me ne, Giv hLb hveje, Avgvi viv hv mvnvh ne, Avwg mg Kie| Ze hvMZv Avgvi Zv Lye A|Nryaa Mahrja: He, Khub bhalo hay. Sakaleri ebisaye sahayya karauchit.Ar erao yena namra-bhabe sakaler sange milemishe chalbar chestakarle aro bhalohabe. Amar dvara yatatuku sambhab habe, era yakhan yabalbe, amar dvara yasahayya habe, ami samasta karbo. Tave yogyataamar khub alpa.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, that will be very nice. Everyone should help in this.And, if they also cooperate courteously with everybody, then it will be evenbetter. Whatever is possible for me, whatever they will tell me to do, whateverhelp I can extend, I will do everything. However, my qualification is very little.


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kxj cfzcv` : u|rla Prabhupda: Huu.rla Prabhupda: Yes.

bvivqY gnvivR : hLb Zviv WvKe, civgkKie, hLvb hZ eje, Avgvi mvg_ AbymviZ Kie|Ze hvMZv-Zv Avgvi Zv Ly e A| wbt^v_hv cviev Kiev|Nryaa Mahrja: Yakhan tara dakbe, paramarsha karbe, yekhane yete bolbe,amar samarthya anusarete karbo. Tabe yogyata-to amar to khub alpa. Nihsvartheya parbo karbo.Nryaa Mahrja: Whenever they will call me, consult with me, whereverthey will ask me to go, I will do according to my ability. However, myqualification is very little. Whatever I can do selflessly, I will do.

kxj cfzcv` : GLb GB e`vebZ Avgvi i-fvBqiv K K AvQb?rla Prabhupda: Ekhan ei Vrindavanete amar gurubhaira ke ke achen?rla Prabhupda: How many of my Godbrothers are in Vrindavan now?

bvivqY gnvivR : u|Nryaa Mahrja: Hu?Nryaa Mahrja: Hmm?

kxj cfzcv` :K AvQb?rla Prabhupda: Ke achen?

rla Prabhupda: Who are there?

bvivqY gnvivR : eb gnvivR _vKZ cvib, Avi B ycwZ cfz H PZb Moxq gV|Nryaa Mahrja: Bana Maharaja thakte paren, ara Indupati Prabhu oiChaitanya Gaudiya Mathe.Nryaa Mahrja: Ban Mahrja may be there, and Indupati Prabhu in thatCaitanya Gauya Maha.

kxj cfzcv` : nuv|rla Prabhupda: Ha.rla Prabhupda: Yes.


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bvivqY gnvivR : GZv Lye fvjv ccvRvj nqQ| Avcbvi GB kli, GZv ek myì nqQ, myz|Nryaa Mahrja: Eto khub bhalo proposal hayeche. Apnar ei shesher, eta beshsundar hayeche, susthu.Nryaa Mahrja: This is a very nice proposal. This last one was very nice,

perfect.

kxj cfzcv` : u, Avcwb GKUz emyb| IìK WK AvbyK| Avi cii K_v KvUvKvwU . . .rla Prabhupda: Hu, Apni ektu basun. Oderke deke anuk. Ar parasparkatha katakati . . .rla Prabhupda: Yes. You please sit down. Let them call them. And themisunderstanding . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : Ime ZzQ wRwbm| GKUv wekevcx cPvi ZvZ mvgvb Gw`K Iw`K nj ZvZ wK

nj| hw` GKUz K_v KvUvKvwU nq ZvZ wKQz hvq Avm bv| Avcwb Zv RMZi, cw_exi, mKji gjiRb KiQb, KvbI ewMZ ^v_bvB, ^v_, fMevbi ^v_|Nryaa Mahrja: O sab tuccha jinish. Ekta visva-vyapi prachar tate samanyaedik odik hale tate ki hala. Yadi ektu katha katakati hay tate kichu yay ase na.Apnito jagater, prithibir, sakaler mangaler janya karechen, kono vyaktigata-svartha nai, svartha, bhagavaner svarthe.Nryaa Mahrja: Those are very insignificant things. If there is some minordisagreement in the global preaching mission, what difference does it make? If

there is some misunderstanding, it does not matter. Whatever you have done isfor the benefit of everyone in the whole world. You have not done anythingfor your personal benefit. All you have done is for the sake of the Lord.

kxj cfzcv` : m-Zv Avcbvì Avkxev`|rla Prabhupda: Seta apanader ashirvad.rla Prabhupda: That was due to the blessing of you all.

bvivqY gnvivR : GKUv enr KvR nqQ| GUv hvZ b bv nq, Giv hvZ myzfve PvjvZ cvi,

myzfve mvjbi cqvRb|Nryaa Mahrja: Ekta brihat kaj hayeche. Eta yate nasta na hay, era yatesusthu-bhave chalate pare, susthubhave sanchalaner prayojana.Nryaa Mahrja: A great mission has been accomplished. Therefore,thereis a need to organize it properly, manage it properly, so that it doesnot fallapart, so that it continues successfully.


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kxj cfzcv` : G`iK Zv eywSq ejyb| Avwg Zv K_v ejZ cviwQ bv|rla Prabhupda: Ederke to bujhiye balun. Ami to katha balte parchi na.rla Prabhupda: Make them understand that; I am not able to speak.

bvivqY gnvivR : u, _vK|Nryaa Mahrja: Hu, thak.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, let it be.

kxj cfzcv` : Avcwb GKUz emyb|rla Prabhupda: Apni ektu basun.rla Prabhupda: Please wait for a while.

bvivqY gnvivR : u, Avwg AvwQ|

Nryaa Mahrja: Hu, ami achi.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, I will be here.

kxj cfzcv` : Avcbvi kixi fvj AvQ?rla Prabhupda: Apnar sarir bhala ache?rla Prabhupda: Is your health all right?

bvivqY gnvivR : gvUvgywU PjQ fvj| Avcwb memgq fMevbi kiY wbb fvj Ki| Giv Zv hvMewme AbK AvQb| fvj eywAvQ, Zviv Pvjve|Nryaa Mahrja: Motamuti calche bhala. Apni sab samay bhagavanersmaran nin bhala kare. Era to yogya vyakti sab aneke achen. Bhala buddhi ache,tara chalabe.Nryaa Mahrja: It is more or less OK. You just take shelter of the Lord.You have many qualified devotees. They are intelligent. They will manageeverything properly.

kxj cfzcv` : gvqvcyiZ Lye nvvgv nq Mj|

rla Prabhupda: Mayapurete khub hangama haye gela.rla Prabhupda: There has been a great disturbance in Mypura.


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bvivqY gnvivR : I me ~i nq hve| I me ^v_-ekZt e`gvwk Ki Kviv KiQ Ime| me wVK nq hve| I weN-evav GKUz Avm|Nryaa Mahrja: O sab dur haye jabe. O sab svartha-basata badmasi karekara kareche o sab. Sab thik haye jabe. O bighna-badha ektu ase.

Nryaa Mahrja: All that will pass. They are all selfish and wicked people.Everything will be all right. This kind of obstacles will come from time to time.

kxj cfzcv` : wek nvRvi jvKi wgwUs nqwQj| Avcwb wKQz kvbbwb?rla Prabhupda: Bis hajar loker meeting hayechila. Apni kichu sonenni?rla Prabhupda: There was a meeting of twenty thousand people. Didnt youhear?

bvivqY gnvivR : Avwg bwQ| b gbZ ytLB nj| IB KwgDwb cvwUiv KZKwj Mvjgvj Ki,

Avi Gw`K Iw`Ki jvKwj mwj KiQ| AZ Abvq KiQ me| Avcwb kvw c~eK fMer wPvKieb| Avi Giv me fMevbi BQvZ me wVK ne| Kvbv wPv Kievi `iKvi bB|Nryaa Mahrja: Ami sunechi. Sune manete duhkhai hala. Oi communist

partira katakguli golmal kare, ara edik odiker lok-guli seguli kareche. Atyantaanyay kareche sab. Apni santi-purbak bhagavad chinta karben. Ar era sabbhagavaner icchate sab thik habe. Kone chinta karbar darkar nei.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, I have heard; I felt very sad. This trouble was createdby the Communist Party. Those people from here and there have done that.They have committed a great offence. You just peacefully think of Ka. Andall these will become all right by the mercy of the Lord. There is no need toworry about anything.

kxj cfzcv` : Avcwb AvgvK mn Kib . . .rla Prabhupda: Apni amake sneha karen . . .rla Prabhupda: You have affection [sneha] for me . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : AvcbvK Avwg wK mn Kie| AvcbvK Zv Avwg iZzj gb Kwi|

Nryaa Mahrja: Apnake ami ki sneha karba. Apnake to ami gurutulya manekari.Nryaa Mahrja: Who am I to show affection to you? I respect you as myspiritual master. [The Bengali word sneha,translated as affection,particularly denotes love that flows from senior to junior. That is why


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Nryaa Mahraja responds, Who am I to offer sneha to you? Rather Iconsider you to be like my spiritual master.}

kxj cfzcv` : mZv Avwg Rvwb| Avgvi Aciva gv Kieb|

rla Prabhupda: Seto ami yani. Amar aparadh ksama karben.rla Prabhupda: I know that. Please forgive my offence.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avgv`i hw` Kvbv Aciva nq _vK Zvnj Avcwb AtKiY gv Kieb| hvZK-cv`c iwP-iwZ nq| GBwU GKUz Avkxev` Kieb|Nryaa Mahrja: Amader yadi kono aparadh haye thake tahale apniantahkarane ksma karben, yate Krishna-padapadme ruchi-rati hay. Ei-ti ektuasirbad karben.Nryaa Mahrja: If there is any offences on our part, then please forgive us,

so that we develop attraction for Kas lotus feet; please grant us thisblessing.

kxj cfzcv` : kwZ gnvivR?rla Prabhupda: Shrauti Maharaj?rla Prabhupda: rauti Mahraja?

bvivqY gnvivR : Dwb GLb Pj MQb, evsjvq|Nryaa Mahrja: Uni ekhan chale gachen Banglaya.Nryaa Mahrja: He has now gone to Bengal.

kxj cfzcv` : Ke MQb? Ke MQb?rla Prabhupda: Kabe gachen? Kabe gachen?rla Prabhupda: When did he go? When did he go?

bvivqY gnvivR : Dwb Pj MQb cvq GK gvm nj| Avgvi m klkvqx GmQ AvcbvK `kbKiZ| G Avcbvi mev wKQz KiwQj|

Nryaa Mahrja: Uni chale gachen praya ek masa hala. Amar sange Sesasayieseche apnake darshan karte. E apnar seva kichu karechila.Nryaa Mahrja: About a month ago. eay has come with me to see you.He served you for some time.


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kxj cfzcv` : IB ePvix?rla Prabhupda: Oi brahmachari?rla Prabhupda: Oh, that brahmacr?

bvivqY gnvivR : nv| klkvqx ePvix ivbv-Uvbv AvcbvK gvS gvS Ki w`Z| he gnvivR g_yivg_ Ze G mev KiZ _, cmv` evbvZ _|kxic gixc`... (KxZb i)Nryaa Mahrja: Ha. Sesasayi brahmachari ranna-tanna apnake majhemajhe kare dita. Yab maharaj mathurame the tab e seva karta tha, prasad banatatha. Sri Rupa manjari-pada . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, eay Brahmacr. He used to cook for you fromtime to time. [to eay, in Hindi:] When Mahrja uses to be in Mathur,then you used to serve him, cookprasda for him. [To rla Prabhupda:] rRpa-majar-pada . . . . ?

[Singing of r Rpa-majar-pada]

rla Prabhupda: Where is Tamla?

Hari-auri: Get Tamla Ka. He's just coming, rla Prabhupda. He'sin the other room.

kxj cfzcv` : | GB nvo KLvbv AvQ| Avi wKQz bB|rla Prabhupda: Hu. Ei Har kakhana ache. Ar kichu nei.rla Prabhupda: Yes. Just some bones are left; there is nothing else.

bvivqY gnvivR : nv, `LZ cviv hvQ| Avcwb we`k _K diZ Pj GmQb eRZ, GUv Lyemy `i nqQ| Lye fvj nqQ|Nryaa Mahrja: Hya. dekhate para yache. Apani bidesh theke ferat chaleeshechen vrajete, eta khub sundar hayeche. khub bhala hayeche.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes. I can see that. It is very good that you have returned

to Vrja from overseas. That was very good.

kxj cfzcv` :nv, Iiv AvgvK wbq wMqwQj jb| bv, Avgvi kixi fvj bq|rla Prabhupda: Hya. ora amake niye giyechila Londone. Na, amar sarir bhalanaya.rla Prabhupda: Yes. They took me to London. No, I am not well.


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Hari-auri:Jaya rla Prabhupda. Tamla Ka.

Prabhupda: You have consulted with Nryaa Mahrja?

Tamla Ka: Yes. This morning Bhakti-caru Swm, Bhakti-prema Swmand rdhara Swm went to see him, and Nryaa Mahrja described theceremony for the departure of a Vaiava, great Vaiava soul.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avwg Zv`iK hv KiYxq, Avwg mg ej w`qwQ| Avwg ejwQ h hLb cqvRbZvgv`i nq Avwg Avme GLvb| Avgvi DcwwZZ me wKQz Kie|Nryaa Mahrja: Ami taderke ya karaniya, ami samasta bale diyechi. Amibalechi ye yakhan prayajan tomader haya ami asaba ekhane. Amar upasthitite sakichu karba.Nryaa Mahrja: I have told them everything that is needed to be done. Itold them, "Whenever you need me, I'll come here." I would do all, beingpersonally present.

kxj cfzcv` :ewWZ jeb-Ueb w`Z nq . . .rla Prabhupda: Badite lavan-tavan dite haya.rla Prabhupda: You must put salt around the body.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avwg me ej w`qwQ| mg eev . . .

Nryaa Mahrja: Ami saba bale diyechi. Samasta vyabasta . . .Nryaa Mahrja: I have explained to them everything. All thearrangements . . .

Tamla Ka: It [the samadh] is on the same side as the vyssana.

Prabhupda: Ah, yes.

Tamla Ka: Faces east.

Prabhupda: Pupa, Mypure, flower.

Tamla Ka: To Mypura.


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kxj cfzcv` : cy gvqvcyi . . .Prabhupda: Pupa, Mypure . . .Prabhupda: Flowers, in Mayapur . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : Avwg Zv`iK ej w`qwQ h, cy wKQz ivLZ ne IUv hLvb hLvbBQv ne . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Ami taderke bale diyechi ye, puspa kichu rakhdte habe otayekhane yekhane ichha habe . . .Nryaa Mahrja: I have told them to keep some flowers, and wherever youdesire there can be [ apupa samdhi] . . .

kxj cfzcv` :Avcwb uvwoq _K . . .rla Prabhupda: Apni dariye theke . . .

rla Prabhupda: You be there . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : Avwg _vKe ILvb| Avcbviv AvgvK Lei w`eb|Nryaa Mahrja: Ami thakba okhane. Apanara amake khabar diben.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, I'll be there. You should call me, and I will come.

Tamla Ka: Yes. He described the entire ceremony in detail, rlaPrabhupda.

Prabhupda: So he knows. When you are ready[?], let him have it.

kxj cfzcv` : klkvqx wK mbvm wbqQ?rla Prabhupda[to Nryaa Mahrja]: Sesasayi ki sannyas niyeche?rla Prabhupda: Has eay taken sannysa?

bvivqY gnvivR : nuv| klkvqx AvQ|Nryaa Mahrja: Hya, Seshasayi ache.

Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, eay is here.

kxj cfzcv` : I wK mbvm wbqQ?rla Prabhupda: O sannyas niyeche ki?rla Prabhupda: Has he taken sannysa?


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bvivqY gnvivR : bv, mb vm bqwb| I ePvix AvQ|Nryaa Mahrja: Na, o sannyas neyani. O brahmacari ache.Nryaa Mahrja: No, he did not take sannysa. He is still a brahmacr.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avcbvi Rxebi mg Kvh nq MQ, me wKQz Ki wbqQb| Avi Kvb wPv KieviìKvi bB| Avcbviv ivavKi . . .

Nryaa Mahrja: Apanar jibaner samasta karya haye giyeche, sabkichu kareniyechen. Ar kona chinta karbar darkar nei. ApanaraRadhakrishner. . .Nryaa Mahrja: All of your lifes duties are complete; you have fulfilledeverything in your lifetime. There is no need to worry about anything. Onlyremember the lotus feet of r Rdh-Ka . . .

kxj cfzcv` :Avcbvì Avkxev` . . .

rla Prabhupda: Apanader asirbad . . .rla Prabhupda: By your blessings . . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : nuv, Avcbvi Kvb KvhKiZ evKx bB|Nryaa Mahrja: Hya, apnar kona karya karte baki nei.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, you have done everything. Nothing is leftunfinished.

kxj cfzcv` :u|

rla Prabhupda: Hmm.rla Prabhupda: Yes.

bvivqY gnvivR : GìK GB GKUv ej w`Z ne h Zviv Kvbv cii v_i Rb weev` bv Ki|Avcbvi wgkbUvK AMmi Ki|Nryaa Mahrja: Ederke ei ekta bale dite habe ye tara kono paraspar svarther

janya bibad na kare.Nryaa Mahrja: They should be told not to fight with each other for self-

interest. They should work in cooperation to spread your mission.

Prabhupda [to disciples]: Don't fight amongst yourselves. I have given theexplanation, my Willexecute like that.

Tamla Ka: Yes, rla Prabhupda.


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Prabhupda: And then everything will be . . . They'll guide. Then what thereis. . .

kxj cfzcv` :AvR GKv`kx?

rla Prabhupda: Aja ekadasi?rla Prabhupda: Today is Ekda?

bvivqY gnvivR : nuv, GKv`kx|Nryaa Mahrja: Hya, ekadasi.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, Ekda.

kxj cfzcv` :gnvcfzi mev ek PjQ? Suvmxi gnvcfz|rla Prabhupda: Mahaprabhur seva besh chalache? Jhansir Mahaprabhu.rla Prabhupda: How is the service of Mahprabhu going on?Mahprabhufrom Jhansi.

bvivqY gnvivR : Suvmx|Nryaa Mahrja:Jhansi?Nryaa Mahrja:Jhansi?

kxj cfzcv` :Avcbvi ILvb iqQ|rla Prabhupda: Apanar okhane rayeche.rla Prabhupda: Now He is at your place.

bvivqY gnvivR : nuv, gnvcfz Avgvi KvQ AvQb| ek my`ifve Avgiv mev KiwQ| H AvcbviGKUv G AvQ Avgvi ILvb| AivM BZvw` Ki Ui w`q Lye my`ifve mevq AvwQ|Nryaa Mahrja: Hya, Mahaprabhu amar kache achen. Besh sundarbhabeamra seva karchi. oi apanar ekta e ache amar okhane. Angarag eityati kare tarediye khub sundarbhabe seva karchi.Nryaa Mahrja: Ah yes, your Mahprabhu [Deity] is with me. We are

serving very nicely. The dressings and so on are being done very nicely. Hisservice is going on nicely with great devotion.


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kxj cfzcv` :SuvmxZ Kievi Pvbm& Lye wQj| Zvici gb Kijvg, fMevbi BQv AvQ Zvi PqGKUv eo nvK RvqMv fvjB cqwQ|rla Prabhupda:Jhansite karbar chance khub chila. Tarpare mane karlam,Bhagavaner eicha ache tar ceye ekta bada hokajayga bhalai peyechi.

rla Prabhupda: There was a great opportunity in Jhansi, but then I felt thatthe Lord had a bigger planwe have gotten quite a good place.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avcwb ILvb Ave Kb _vKeb? Avcwb mgM wekZ Kieb| fMevbi BQv GUvc~Ynj|Nryaa Mahrja: Apani okhane abaddha kena thakben? Apanisamagrabisvate karben. Bhagavaner eicha eta purna hala.Nryaa Mahrja: Why should you have remained confined in Jhansi? Kawanted you to preach all over the world. That desire of the Lord has been

fulfilled.

kxj cfzcv` :gb KiwQjvg wbwbfve e `veb _vKe| wK fMevb ciYv w`jb 70 eQi eqmevBi wMqwQjvg GKv PwjkwU UvKv wbq| GLb me weivU nq Mj . . .rla Prabhupda: Mane karechilam niskincanbhave Vrindavane thakba. KintuBhagavan perana dilen, sattar bachar bayase baire giyechilam eka, callisati takaniye. Ekhan sab birat haye gela . . .rla Prabhupda: I thought that I would live like a renunciate in Vrindavan.However the Lord gave me the inspiration to go abroad at the age of seventy,all alone, with only forty rupees. Now it has taken a grand shape . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : ic Mv^vgxi wekl Kcv Avcbvi Dci nqQ, ivav`vgv`ii . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Rupa Goswamir bishes kripa apnar upare hayeche, Radha-Damodarer . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, you have received the special mercy of r RpaGosvm, and also that of r Rdh-Damodara . . .

kxj cfzcv` : G GK weobv, wekgq wK Ki wK nj|rla Prabhupda: E ek bidamvana, visvamaya ki kare ki hala!rla Prabhupda: This is a great wonderthe way it has happened all overthe world.


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bvivqY gnvivR : Kvb kixi DM bB Zv, Ab Kvb, kvixwiK?Nryaa Mahrja: Kona sarire udvega nei to, anya kona, saririk?Nryaa Mahrja: Do you have any pain in the body? Any other physicaldifficulties?

kxj cfzcv` : GBZv K_v KBwQ, Ze LvIqvZv Qo w`qwQ| Dcevmx PjQ|rla Prabhupda: Eeito katha kaichi, tabe khaoyato chede diyechi. Upabasicalache.rla Prabhupda: You can see that I am talking; however, I have given upeating. Fasting is going on.

bvivqY gnvivR : cvwb hw` gvM Zv PiYvgZ iL w`I, ZzjmxKv c Bnv ci ivL `v, BbK kiximkKiK . . . eZ AvQv nv, wVK nv|Nryaa Mahrja: Pani yadi mage caranamrita rekhe dio, tulasiko patra iha

para rakha do, inke sarirase sparsa karake . . . bahuta achha hya, thika hya?Nryaa Mahrja [to devotees]: If he wants to drink, keep some caramta.Keep some tulas leaves here, touching his body . . . Very good. OK?

kxj cfzcv` :kxPZb gnvcfz ejQbhB fR mB eov|rla Prabhupda: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu balechen Yei bhaje sei bado.rla Prabhupda: r Caitanya Mahprabhu says, Yei bhaje sei bao" [One

who worships Ka is exalted].bvivqY gnvivR : nuy| mB eov|Nryaa Mahrja: Hmm. Sei bado.Nryaa Mahrja: Hmm. Sei bao. ["He is exalted."]

kxj cfzcv` :Afnxb Qvo|rla Prabhupda: Abhakta hina char.rla Prabhupda: Abhakta hina chra. ["And a non-devotee is low and

abominable."]

bvivqY gnvivR : Qvo|Nryaa Mahrja: Char.Nryaa Mahrja: Chra. ["Abominable."]


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kxj cfzcv` : G`iK NYv Kieb bv| Giv . . .rla Prabhupda: Ederke ghrina karben na.rla Prabhupda: Please do not despise them.

bvivqY gnvivR : bv, bv|

Nryaa Mahrja: Na, na.Nryaa Mahrja: No, no.

kxj cfzcv` : Giv...rla Prabhupda: Era . . .rla Prabhupda: They . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : Giv mevg| HKvw Kx nwifw_vKj, Avi Kvb `vl _vKj, Awc Pr my yivPviv

fRZ gvgbbfvK& mvayie m ge| GBwU wePvi ne|Nryaa Mahrja: Era sarbottam. Aeikantiki Haribhakti thakle, ar dosathakle, api cet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyasamyak vyavasthito hi sa. Eiti bicara habe . . .Nryaa Mahrja: They are the best. If one has undeviating devotion toLord Hari, then, even if he has any faults, "api cet su-durcro bhajate mmananya-bhk/ sdhur eva sa mantavya samyag vyavasito hi sa. " This is theprinciple . . .

B ycwZ cfz : niK|Indupati Prabhu: Hare Krsna.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avmyb| eb gnvivRI wK GmQb?Nryaa Mahrja: Asun. Ban Maharajao ki esechen?Nryaa Mahrja [to Indupati]: Please come. Has Ban Maharja also come?

bvivqY gnvivR : B ycwZ cfz GmQb|

Nryaa Mahrja: Indupati Prabhu esechen.Nryaa Mahrja [to rla Prabhupda]:Indupati Prabhu has come.


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kxj cfzcv` :bvivqY gnvivR h K_vUv ejevi Rb AvcbvK WKwQ| bvivqY gnvivRK ejwQ hAvwg Avcbvi KvQ gv wfv KiwQ|rla Prabhupda: Narayana Maharaja ye kathata balbar janya apnake dekechi.Narayana Maharajake balechi ye ami apanara kache ksama bhiksa karechi . . .

rla Prabhupda: Nryaa Mahrja has called you to tell you something. Iwas telling Nryaa Mahrja that I beg forgiveness from you . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : gnvivR AvcbvK ejZ K nQ? Avwg AvcbvK ejwQ|Nryaa Mahrja: Maharajer ektu bolte kasta hocche. Ami apnake bolbo.Nryaa Mahrja [speaking softly to Indupati Prabhu]: Mahrja is havingdifficulty in speaking. I'll tell you.

kxj cfzcv` :Avgvi c_g K_v nQ Avgvi Aciva Avcbviv gv Ki èb| Avwg BQv Ki Ze

cPvi KiZ nj K_v KvUvKvwU nq|rla Prabhupda: Amar prathama katha hache amar aparadh apanara kasmakare debena. Ami icha kare--tabe prachar karte hale katha katakati haya.rla Prabhupda: Before all else, I beg forgiveness for my offenses. I did notwish to offend anyone. But while preaching sometimes we slash each other'sarguments . . .

kxj cfzcv` : GUv Kieb Zv?rla Prabhupda: Eta karben to?rla Prabhupda: Will you do that [forgive me]?

bvivqY gnvivR : (B ycwZ cfzK) Kieb Zv?Nryaa Mahrja [to Indupati Prabhu]: Karben to?Nryaa Mahrja [to Indupati Prabhu]: Will you?

bvivqY gnvivR : (kxj cfzcvì cwZ) gnvivR Avcbvi Kvb Aciva Avgiv MnY Kie bv| AvcwbAvgvìK Kcv Kib| Avcbvi Kvb Aciva bB| hw` KD Aciva gb Ki _vK Zvnj ZvìB

wU GUv|

Nryaa Mahrja [to rla Prabhupda]: Maharaj apanar kona aparadh amragrahana karba na. Apani amaderke kripa karun. Apanara kona aparadh nei.Yadi keu aparadh mane kare thake tahale taderai truti eta.


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Nryaa Mahrja [to rla Prabhupda]: Mahrja, you have not committedany offence. Please be merciful to us. You haven't committed any offence. Ifanyone feels that there any offence then it is his fault.

bvivqY gnvivR : Dwb Zv jb _K GB Nyi Avmjb|Nryaa Mahrja: Uni to London theke ei ghure aslen.Nryaa Mahrja [speaking softly to Indupati Prabhu about SrlaPrabhupda]: He has just returned from London.

kxj cfzcv` : nv...? wK ejQ?rla Prabhupda: Hmm . . . ? Ki balacha?rla Prabhupda: Yes . . . ? What are you saying?

bvivqY gnvivR : ejwQ h AvcwbZv GBgv jb _K Nyi Avmjb|Nryaa Mahrja: Balchi to apanito eimatra London theke ghure aslen.Nryaa Mahrja: I was saying that you have just returned from London.

kxj cfzcv` :hvevi cvMvgI nqwQj IqvUz i| wK jb hZB kixi Aviv fMj PjvPj . . .rla Prabhupda: Yabar programo hayechila world tour. Kintu Londone yeteisrira aro bhenge gela calacala . . .rla Prabhupda: There was a program for a world tour. However, when Iwent to London my health condition deteriorated furthertravel . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : Avcbvi GB Av`k gvwb| Avi K_v Avwg kxj cfzcvì wklMY huviv AvQb, huvivGLvb bB Avwg ZuvìK eje| Uv Uv eje| Avi hb mKj wgj GìK GKUz mvnvh Ki mwUGKUz Av`k wb k gZv w`q hvZ fvjfve myzfve Giv PjyK Avwg eje| Avcwb Kvb wPv Kieb

bv|Nryaa Mahrja: Apanar ei adesh mani. Ara katha ami Srila Prabhupadersisyagana yara achen, yara ekhane nei, ami taderke balaba. To to balaba. Ar yena

sakale mile ederke ektu sahayya kare eti ektu adeshnirdesh mato diye yatebhalabhabe susthubhabe era caluk ami balaba. Apani kona chinta karben na.Nryaa Mahrja: I accept your order. Those disciples of rla Prabhupda[Bhaktisiddhnta Sarasvat hkura] who are not here, I will speak to them.

Just as you told meverbatim. I will also tell them that they should all try toguide them [your disciples] so that they can progress nicely according to your


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wish. Everyone should try to help and give them the needed guidance, so theycan manage nicely. Please do not worry about anything. Remember only thelotus feet of r Rdh-Ka.

kxj cfzcv` :Avi GUv ejeb ghv`v Abymvi GKUv cYvjx Giv wbRiv gV gwì Drme Kivi UvKvMv^vgxì è . . .rla Prabhupda: Ar eta banaben maryada anusare akta pranali era nijera mathmandire utsab karara taka gosvamider deverla Prabhupda: Please also tell them that money should be given to theGosvms to have festivals in their mahas, according to their respectivedignities . . .

bvivqY gnvivR : (fwPvi ^vgxi cwZ) AvcjvK mgS Kqv Knv nvq?Nryaa Mahrja [to Bhakti-caru Swm]: Aploka samajhe keya kaha hyaya?Nryaa Mahrja [aside, to Bhakti-caru Swm]: Have you understood whathe said?

fwPvi ^vgx : nv| Avwg ey SwQ| wVK AvQ| (webgfve bvivqY gnvivRi cwZ)Bhakti-caru Swm: Humm, ami bujhechi. Thika ache.Bhakti Charu Swm: [aside to Nryaa Mahrja, softly]:Yes, I haveunderstood. All right.

bvivqY gnvivR : Avcwb Avgvi GKwU Abyiva, GLb GwelqZ Avi Kvb wPv Avcwb Kieb bv| GwelqZ me wPv Qo w`b| Giv hvM jvK AvQ| Avi Avcbvi Awfjvl Giv Zv me Rb Mj|GLb h_vmva fMeZi iY nvK| Ze Avcwb RMZK hiKg Kbvg g KiQb| I GgwbZ

neB| Avcwb G welq Kvb wPv Kieb bv, me wKQz KiQb|Nryaa Mahrja: Apani amar akati anurodh, ekhan ebisayete ar kona chintaapani karabena na. E bisayete saba chinta chede dina. Era yogya loka ache. Araapanar abhilasa era to saba jene gela. Ekhan yathasadhya Bhagabater smaranhoka. Tabe apani jagatake yerakam Krishnaname matta karechen. O amnite

habei. Apani e bisayeta kona chinta karben na, sab kichu karechen.Nryaa Mahrja [to Srla Prabhupda]: I have a special request. Please donot worry about these matters anymore. Please give up all worries in thisregard. They [your disciples] are qualified and they know your desires. Nowonly think about Ka. The way you have made the whole world intoxicatedwith ka-nma, it is natural that you will become absorbed.


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kxj cfzcv` : GKUz cmv`?rla Prabhupda: Ekatu Prasad?rla Prabhupda: Will you take someprasda?

bvivqY gnvivR : GLb Avgiv Pwj?Nryaa Mahrja: Akhan amara chali?Nryaa Mahrja: Now may we take your leave?

kxj cfzcv` : GKUzLvwb cmv`?rla Prabhupda: Ektukhani Prasad?rla Prabhupda: Will you first take someprasda?

bvivqY gnvivR : AvQv, Avgiv wbq be|Nryaa Mahrja: Acha, amara niye neba.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, we will take it with us.

bvivqY gnvivR : AvQv, Avgiv wbq be|rla Prabhupda: Ekhane amar samne.rla Prabhupda: Here, in front of me.

fwPvi ^vgx : nv, kxj cfzcv`, Avwg eev KiwQ cmv`i|Bhakti-caru Swm: Hya, Srila Prabhupada, ami vyavastha karchi Prasader.Bhakti-caru Swm: Yes, rla Prabhupda, I am arranging forprasda.

kxj cfzcv` :nv, wbq Gmv|rla Prabhupda: Hya, niye eso.rla Prabhupda: Yes, bring it.

[Hasadta chants]


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THE LAST CONVERSATION:RLA PRABHUPDA AND H.H. NRYAA MAHRJAVRINDAVAN, OCTOBER 8, 1977

Issued by the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness24 March 2010

In October of 1977 in Vrindavan, rla Prabhupda, anticipating his imminent departurefrom this world, began to make arrangement for the correct performance of his burialceremony. He also began systematically to take leave of his Godbrothers.

On the 8th of the month, rla Prabhupda asked his attendant disciples to arrange forseveral of his Godbrothers to come and meet with him. That afternoon, Bhakti-caru

Swm, Bhakti-prema Swm, and rdhara Swm went to Mathur to consult withPrabhupdas Godnephew H.H. B.V. Nryaa Mahrja; they were to get directions forthe conduct of last rites for a great soul. That same evening, Nryaa Mahrja,accompanied by a few men, arrived at Ka-Balarma Mandir to see Prabhupda inperson. rla Prabhupda and Nryaa Mahrja conversed at some length, almostentirely in the Bengali language; their words were recorded. This would prove to be theirfinal conversationone that took place not on Prabhupdas last day, as NryaaMahrja frequently states, but over a month before.

In subsequent years, Nryaa Mahrja has often referred to this last conversation. In

his various recountings, Nryaa Mahrja asserts that rla Prabhupda confided tohim that his western disciples were grossly deficient, like monkeys. And, Prabhupdaconfessed to him, he had for that reason been unable to train and teach them sufficiently;they remain in great need of further instruction. So, Nryaa Mahrja claims,Prabhupda then directed him to take up this service. In addition, Nryaa Mahrjasays, rla Prabhupda requested him to take charge personally of the conduct ofPrabhupdas last rites.

The Governing Body Commission members and other senior leaders of ISKCON wish toacknowledge the long relationship of Nryaa Mahrja with rla Prabhupda. We

honor the service he has rendered rla Prabhupda and ISKCON in the past and remaingrateful to him.

All the same, we confess that we find ourselves in an awkward position: We are unable toaccept Nryaa Mahrjas accounts of the October 8th conversation. The recollectionsof Prabhupdas disciples present in the room as well as the tape recording of theconversation do not support Nryaa Mahrjas contentions. One of those disciples,


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H.H. Bhakti-caru Swm, is a native Bengali speaker; he heard and participated in theconversation carried on that day in his mother tongue. His recollections do not supportNryaa Mahrjas assertions.

Given the importance of this conversation to the claims made by Nryaa Mahrja inrelation to ISKCON and Prabhupdas disciples, and given the large difference betweenNryaa Mahrja and the ISKCON leaders in understanding the conversation, we hereundertake a more careful and detailed examination of the audio recording than givenhereinbefore.

A transcription of the English segments of the recorded conversation has been available inelectronic version since 1991 in the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase. A transcription that includesthe Bengali-language portions in English translation appears in Tamla Ka GosvmsTKGs Diary: Prabhupadas Final Days (Dallas: Pundits Press, 1998). (TKGs Diary is also

available in electronic form in the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase.)

We have prepared, and appended to this document, a full transcription of the recordedconversation of October 8, 1977 (BBT Archives audio recording 771008r2.vrn). We shalluse this transcription extensively in our examination of the conversation. In ourtranscription, the Bengali speech is presented in Bengali script as well as Romantransliteration, accompanied with a line-by-line English translation. In this way, what wasfactually said by rla Prabhupda, Nryaa Mahrja, and others is most clearly inevidence. (Unless otherwise noted, quotations in the text are from the appendedtranscription.)

It needs to be carefully noted, however, that above and beyond all this, we must also givedue consideration to what rla Prabhupda did notsay. At no time did he convey to hisdirectly trained leaders the directions Nryaa Mahrja claims that Prabhupda gavehim.

Indeed, the directions Nryaa Mahrja claims to have received are more than merelyabsentfrom the record: they are incompatible with directions and guidelines Prabhupdahimself had instilled in his leaders.

Before we turn to our close inspection of the final conversation between rla Prabhupdaand Nryaa Mahrja, we offer a sample of Nryaa Mahrjas oft-repeated claimsabout it from the last decade or so:

Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja told me in the last days 'You should help my disciples. Theyare like monkeys, I could not train them so much. So always try to help them.' I said to him: 'Yourorder is on my head, I will carry it for the rest of my life.' I had served him so much that he was


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pleased to give this service to me. You know he said: 'You should do my samadhi, with Vedicmantra. I don't want that they should touch my body.' He told me so many things which wererecorded on cassette which was destroyed.

Lecture in Melbourne on January 20, 1999. Quoted in Sridam Sakha Dasa, SrilaBhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja Visits Melbourne. VNN: April 22, 1999.(Accessed on July 13, 2009 at http://www.vnn.org/world/WD9904/WD22-3673.html)

Don't think that I am teaching anything other than what your Srila Prabhupada wanted and wrote.His voice has been recorded on his last day. He ordered me, "Help my disciples." After that he didnot speak to anyone. You can get that cassette. Why did he order me in this way? Weeping, herequested this of me. If he had already told everything, then why did he request me in that way? Ifanyone does not have belief in my statements, he can acquire and hear the cassette.At that time he spoke in Bengali so that others would not understand. If he were to say that all hisdisciples were ignorant, that they did not know very much, and that they were imperfect, they mayhave become upset. For this reason he spoke so many things in Bengali. He told me, "I broughtthem, but I could not teach them in full."

Discourse, Replying to Doubts. Salt Spring Island, Canada: April, 2001. (Accessed on 13

July at http://www.purebhakti.com/teachers/bhakti-discourses-maiNryaa Mahrjaenu-61/20-discourses-2001/72-replying-to-doubts.html)

In his last days he wept when he saw me. He was not talking with anyone, but he wanted to talkwith me. He asked me to sit on his bed. I did not sit on it; rather I did pranama to it. He put myhand his hand and he told me that he had collected so many devotees from around the world, buthe could not teach them fully, due to their inability to learn fully. He requested me to continue theteaching of all his devotees. Very few had taken his internal mood, which is exemplified by theverse 'tan nama rupa caritadi sukrtananu' (NOI text 8), and therefore he requested me to teach all hisdisciples. He told me, 'Give me samadhi in Vrndavana. Wherever you like; it depends on you.' Heordered me to instruct the leaders, and so I talked with the GBC members and told them, 'Dontquarrel. Preach his mission. Give respect to juniors and seniors.' Many of them never did so, andthey fell. To fulfill the desire of Prapujya-carana Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja I'm goingaround the world, and now some are realizing his real mission."

Lecture on Appearance day of rla Prabhupda. Mathura: August 20, 2003.(Accessed on July 13, 2009 at http://www.purebhakti.com/teachers/bhakti-discourses-maiNryaa Mahrjaenu-61/19-discourses-2000/198-a-report-for-jaNryaaMahrjaastami-and-nandotsava.html)

I have served him during his whole life and at the time of his departure from this world herequested me to help his disciples. He said to me: I collected them but I could not train them well,so please help them. At that time I promised him to carry out his order for the rest of my life.

Letter to H. H. Romapda Swami. May 12, 2009

The night before he entered nitya-lila, the eternal pastimes of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, I went to hisdivine bedside. At that time he took my hand and asked me to sit on his bed; but I would not. I saton a chair next to him. Taking hold of my hand and with tears in his eyes, he begged me, I havecommitted many offenses to you and my god-brothers. Please go to them and beg forgiveness onmy behalf. I have criticized them, saying, They are simply eating, sleeping, and enjoying life.Please forgive me. Also, I want that only you will give me Samadhi. And after my Samadhiceremony, please arrange my viraha-mahotsava, (divine disappearance festival).


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He told me, I brought many to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but I could not trainthem fully; they are like monkeys. Due to their lack of qualification I did not have time to teachthem all tattva (established philosophical truths) and siddhanta (philosophical conclusions). Pleasehelp them in every way so that they may stay on the path of Vaisnavism.

Lecture on rla Prabhupdas Disappearance Day. Govardhana, India: October 22, 2009.(Accessed on March 13, 2010 at http://bvml.net/SBNM/09/1022_ospdd.html)

Now let us examine the events and conversations in the room on October 8, 1977.

In his entry for that day, Tamla Ka Mahrja notes (Diary, 224) that

I sent Bhakti-caru Mahrja to the Mathur Math of Nryaa Mahrja. Bhakti-caru Swami wasto ask about the details of the burial ceremony of Vaiava cryas, and later it was typed up.Brahmananda and I are keeping copies.

In the evening, Tamla Ka Gosvm had this exchange with Prabhupda(Diary, 226-7; see also Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Room ConversationOctober 8, 1977,Vndvana):

Tamla Ka Mahrja: I think it [parikrama] would be difficult. Better that we goparikraming around our temple, Ka-Balarma Mandira. That's a little easier. Don't you thinkthat's better?

Prabhupda: Hmm.Tamla Ka Mahrja: If you get a little stronger, then it may be possible. That will

depend on Ka. So Ka dsa, we should bring him here. Anyone else you want to see?Nryaa Mahrja?

Prabhupda confirmed with his head.Tamla Ka Mahrja: Yes. We went to see him just to inquire about the necessary

ceremony, and he gave us instruction. I sent Bhakti-caru Mahrja and Bhakti-prema Mahrja,and they wrote down everything. But Nryaa Mahrja was very concerned. He said he's goingto try to come to see you tomorrow. That's all right, isn't it? So Ka dsa can be called for.Anytime? Okay. He stays at Rdh-kua? Does he stay at the Gauya Maha here? He doeswell inquire.

Prabhupda: Nryaa Mahrja comes, then everything will be all right.Tamla Ka Mahrja: So if I call Nryaa Mahrja, is there any need for Kadsa

to come?Prabhupda: He can arrange.Tamla Ka Mahrja: Nryaa Mahrja. Actually, he wanted to do that. He gave us

instructions, but he also wanted to take part. So better I call Nryaa Mahrja, then Kadsa.Okay. I'll send the car for him tomorrow morning. He was saying he would like to cometomorrow, so I'll send a car and say that Prabhupda requests that you come this morning, if it'sconvenient. Is that all right? Jaya, rla Prabhupda.

It is important to note that the central concern here is how to conduct the samdhiceremony, and Prabhupda thinks that it will not be necessary to confer with Kadsa


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Bbj if Nryaa Mahrja is consulted for directions: Everything will be all right,and, He can arrange. Tamla Ka Mahrja then observes that Nryaa Mahrjais not only eager to be consulted but to personally participate as well: Actually, hewanted to do that. He gave us instructions, but he also wanted to take part. Thus, itappears that the idea of Nryaa Mahrjas participation in the ceremony originatesfrom Nryaa Mahrja himself, not from rla Prabhupda.

To continue: Prabhupda called for his friend Bhagatji, and again the conversation turnsto the prospect of Prabhupdas leaving this world (Diary, 227-8):

Prabhupda: Nothing can be said about that; if He wants, then everything will be all right.Bhagatji: You mean about Vndvana?Prabhupda: Yes.Bhagatji: Yes, everything will be all right by your blessing.Prabhupda: One thing is, after my disappearance, there should be festival in every temple.

Bhagatji: Should I call Shastriji tomorrow?Prabhupda: Why?Bhagatji: Just to consult. Should there be some Vaiava-sevafterwards?Prabhupda: Yes, in the temples. Vivambhara Goswami is there, Atul Ka Goswami isthere.Bhagatji: Yes, I'll go tomorrow.After a few minutes, he called for Bhagatji again.Prabhupda: Do you think that everything will run smoothly?Bhagatji: Vndvana. I believe that everything will run smoothly, if everyone worksearnestly, honestly.

Here again, Prabhupda is interested in arranging for the proper observances after hisdisappearance. And he also expresses his concern that ISKCON Vndvana will beproperly cared for after he is gone.

In his Diary (228), Tamla Ka Gosvm observes that these discussions aboutPrabhupdas demise created an atmosphere of gloom and despair in the room. Severaldevotees were sobbing, while others were massaging his limbs. At this point, NryaaMahrja arrived with a few men. Tamla Ka Gosvm notes: Although we gaveNryaa Mahrja a seat at the side of the bed, Prabhupda was talking so quietly thatNryaa Mahrja had to lean over to hear him.

rla Prabhupda and Nryaa Mahrja began to converse in Bengali:

rla Prabhupda: Prabhupda and Bhaktivinoda hkura wanted that we should preach inEurope and America. Another desire was that everyone should preach collectivelyNryaa Mahrja: Yes. Thats right.rla Prabhupda: I tried my bestprithivite ache jato [In every town and village on


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earth . . . ]that has happened to some extent. [Tamla Ka Swm notes (Diary, 228) that herePrabhupda was almost crying.] I have the experience that if all conjointly preach, thenMahprabhus mission, prithivite ache jato, has a great possibility. I am in my last stage. Mywish is that you all, the devotees, my Godbrothers, [forgive] all my offences.Sometimes, whilepreaching, there is some misunderstandings, disagreements. My Godbrothers should forgive myoffences. Please make that arrangement. And after I have gone, everyone should all cometogether . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Yes.rla Prabhupda: . . . [and decide] what amount should be given to each temple, appropriate to itsstatus. They should have a festival for my sake.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes.rla Prabhupda: What do you think?Nryaa Mahrja: Whatever you order, I will accept it wholeheartedly. I consider you to be likemy spiritual master.rla Prabhupda: The proposal I gave, is there anything wrong in it?Nryaa Mahrja: It is very nice. This is how it should be. You have created something; if theyall work together and maintain it. You have trained them. Yet in the future if they become even

more united and help, then a wonderful thing will happen in this world.rla Prabhupda: They do not have any hereditary background. All are from mleccha and yavanafamily background. I have trained them according to my ability. They are also doing their best. Ifall work unitedlythere are big, big temples; there is sufficient place to stay;there is no lack ofmanpower. If everything happens when I am here, that will be very nice.Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, that will be very nice. Everyone should help in this. And, if they alsocooperate courteously with everybody, then it will be even better. Whatever is possible for me,whatever they will tell me to do, whatever help I can extend, I will do everything. However, myqualification is very little.

Let us pause to compare this with the accounts given by Nryaa Mahrja. In

Mathur, Nryaa Mahrja said: In his last days he wept when he saw me. He wasnot talking with anyone, but he wanted to talk with me. In Salt Spring Island he said:He ordered me Help my disciples. After that he did not speak to anyone. NryaaMahrja claimed in Salt Spring Island and elsewhere that this conversation took place onPrabhupdas last day. (Bhudhara das also propagates this error in his 1998 paper MyHeartly Blessings.)

Right away we see that the claims that Prabhupda spoke on his last day and he wasnot talking with anyone, are inaccurate. On October 8th Prabhupda talked to severalpeople. He had just been talking to Bhagatji, who was massaging Prabhupda when

Nryaa Mahrja entered. A little later the same evening, Prabhupdas GodbrotherIndupati Prabhu arrived, and Prabhupda talked to him in Nryaa Mahrjaspresence.

And subsequent to this discussion with Nryaa Mahrja, Prabhupda talked to manyother Godbrothers and Gauya leaders (as well as numerous friends, relatives, anddisciples) during the thirty-six days before his departure.


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For example, five days after the conversation with Nryaa Mahrjaon October13thPrabhupda had a conversation with Kadsa Bbj (Diary, 261-2):

When rla Prabhupda had spoken earlier in the day to Kadsa Bbj, he had asked

for forgiveness for any offenses. He also said, "They [my Godbrothers] should help in preachingaround the world. After I leave, there won't be anyone to be their well-wisher. So help them, ifyou can. When Prabhupda [rla Bhaktisiddhnta] wanted me to write in English, I thought,'How can I?' Then someone said, 'Write whatever you can and Ka will help.'"

While talking with Kadsa Bbj, rla Prabhupda praised his disciples. "One thingabout my disciples, whatever I say they follow with absolute sincerity. That will keep themovement going."

Here we see the themes common to Prabhupdas final meetings with Godbrothers andmember of the Gauya Maha: asking forgiveness for offences, expressing regret overpast conflicts, putting those conflicts aside and seeking reconciliation, and workingcooperatively together in the future. The regular reappearance and reiteration of thisconstellation of themes indicates that Prabhupda was acting upon a well-thought-out,pre-determined plan for winding up his relationships in the world.

Later on October 13th, Pur Mahrja came with a group of devotees (Diary, 263):

In the late afternoon, a contingent of Gauya Vaiavas led by Pur Mahrja came to pay theirrespects: rama Mahrja, nanda Prabhu and many devotees from Vishakhapatnam and Rajahmundry.They talked and sang for rla Prabhupda, and even massaged his body. Prabhupda begged forgivenessfrom them for any offenses he may have committed and called himself mah-patita. They immediately

corrected him by saying Prabhupda was mah-patita-pvana.rama Mahrja: You are the eternal ruler. You will rule over us, chastise us, guide us.Prabhupda: Forgive all my offenses. I became proud with my opulence.Prabhupda's Godbrothers: No, you never became proud. When you started preaching, opulence

and success followed you. This is the blessing of r Caitanya Mahprabhu and r Ka. There can't beany question of offense.

Prabhupda: In the stra it is saiddukha, suffering is a kind of austerity. It has been welcomedso that one can perform this austerity and become purified. Now you all forgive me.

rla Prabhupda asked Pur Mahrja to help develop the Bhuvanevara temple.Pur Mahrja: Your body is divine. You are fully conscious. Trtha Mahrja was unconscious

for fifteen days in the hospital. This is the symptom of your divinity.

The record gives no support to Nryaa Mahrjas assertions such as, After that hedid not speak to anyone, and, He was not talking with anyone, but he wanted to talkwith me. In this way, Nryaa Mahrja implies that he was singled out for special,confidential instructions, the privileged recipient of rla Prabhupdas final directions.But it is just not so.


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On October 8th, Prabhupda expressed his desire to Nryaa Mahrja that allconjointly preach to realize Mahprabhus mission. Prabhupda said much the same toKadsa Bbj on October 13th: "They [my Godbrothers] should help in preachingaround the world. After I leave, there won't be anyone to be their well-wisher. So helpthem, if you can. And he asked Pur Mahrja specifically to help his disciples developthe ISKCON temple in Bhuvanevara.

In his final days it is clear that rla Prabhupda had a major regret on his mind, which hevoiced on a number of occasions: the damaged relationship between himself and hisGodbrothers.

Prior to the arrival of Kadsa Bbj on the morning of November 13th, Prabhupdahad this intimate exchange with his sister (Pisim to ISKCON devotees) and Bhakti-caru Swm (Diary, 259):

Prabhupda called for his sister and spoke in Bengali.Prabhupda (to his sister): Sometime in past I heard you were not allowed in the room. So

if there is any offense, I want you to forgive me. (Then to Bhakti-caru Mahrja who was standingthere) Apart from being my sister, she is my Godsister. She took harinma dkfromBhaktisiddhnta. If we make offense upon any Vaiava, it is not good. So please ask her toforgive me. I am only taking juice, but I would like to eat something. What? Today I am going toeat something, solid food. It doesn't matter whether it does good to me or bad to me. Nothing canbe worse than this. She is a Vaiav, it will be good for me.

Probably I became a little puffed up of my opulence and success. Now God has shatteredthat pride-If you don't have your body, then what's there to be puffed-up of?

Bhakti-caru Mahrja: rla Prabhupda, whatever you have done, you have done for

Ka.Prabhupda: That may be, but in this world unknowingly you commit offenses.Bhakti-caru Mahrja: You can't ever commit offenses, rla Prabhupda. You are God's

dear one, how can you commit offenses?Prabhupda: I am a little temperamental person. Often I used to use the words like rascal,

etc. I never compromised. They used to call it kurul niye pracra. Preaching with a pickaxe.Kurulin one hand and Bhgavatam in the other hand. That's how I preached. Anyway, make allthe arrangements for her.

It is in this mood that Prabhupda offers apologies and asks for forgiveness of offenses.As he said to Nryaa Mahrja:

I am in my last stage. My wish is that you all, the devotees, my Godbrothers, [forgive] all myoffences.Sometimes, while preaching, there is some misunderstandings, disagreements. MyGodbrothers should forgive my offences. Please make that arrangement.


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In his attempts to bind up the wounds and heal the rifts, rla Prabhupda connected hisown apologies with a proposal for unified endeavors in the future. Thus, he conveyed toNryaa Mahrja and others a desire for practical efforts of cooperation.

We can understand the sort of thing rla Prabhupda had in mind by noting his ownconcrete initiative to heal relations and facilitate cooperation. On October 24thPrabhupda set in motion his personal plan for an organized, institutional endeavor.Tamla Ka Gosvm recorded in his Diary (293):

During the night, rla Prabhupda spoke to me of an important new organization: "Forma Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, or ISKCON Charity Trust, for the purpose of developingand cooperating in Gaura Maala Bhmi. The members are yourself, Girirja, Jayapatk,Bhavnanda, Svarpa Dmodara, Mdhava Mahrja, and Madhusdhana Mahrja. No morenon-cooperation. Now everyone cooperate to spread Lord Caitanya's movement. Just likerdhara Mahrja is having trouble finishing his Nath Mandir. So in that way, cooperate.

Speaking on November 7th to Jayapatk Swm, one of the trustees, Prabhupda said(Diary, 332):

I want to develop Gaura-maala-bhmi. In Yoga-pha, they could not build a darana-maapain fifty to sixty years. So we can build a hall. What do you think? We want cooperation.

Although Prabhupda greatly wished for cooperation and unified effort, nowhere did heinstruct his leaders to let down their guard in dealing with the Gauya Maha. He hadinstilled in the GBC a strong sense of caution and vigilance in this regard. For instance, hegave this warning to his GBC secretary Rpnuga dsa in a letter dated April 28, 1974:

So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring ourstudents and disciples they may sometimes pollute them. This attempt was made previously bythem, especially Madhava Maharaja and Tirtha Maharaja and Bon Maharaja but somehow orother I saved the situation. This is going on. We shall be very careful about them and not mix withthem. This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help us in our movement, but they are verycompetent to harm our natural progress. So we must be very careful about them.

Now Prabhupda was calling for help and cooperation, but it was clear to his leaders thatthey were to proceed with caution. That caution is evinced by Prabhupda himself even in

the matter of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust, when he responds on November 1st

to a misgiving on the part of Tamla Ka Gosvm (Diary, 315):

I inquired from rla Prabhupda about the part that his Godbrothers Mdhava Mahrjaand Madhusdhana Mahrja would play in the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust. rlaPrabhupda explained, "Practically they will not give [money]. We shall simply consult them. Theywill recommend some cases. In this way, if they contribute something, it is good." I asked whether


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they should be chairman or sign on bank accounts. "No, we are in majority. Practically, they willrecommend worthy cases. Do you follow?"

Returning to rla Prabhupdas October 8th conversation with Nryaa Mahrja, wenote that in the beginning Prabhupda asked for three things: he pleaded emotionally that

you all work conjointly; he asked forgiveness for any offenses, and then he requestedthat And after I have gone, everyone should all come together . . . . [and decide] whatamount should be given to each temple, appropriate to its status. They should have afestival for my sake.

Prabhupda then inquired of Nryaa Mahrja, What do you think? He replied,Whatever you order, I will accept it wholeheartedly. I consider you to be like myspiritual master. Prabhupda restates his question: The proposal I gave, is thereanything wrong in it?

Nryaa Mahrja: It is very nice. This is how it should be. You have created something; if theyall work together and maintain it. You have trained them. Yet in the future if they become evenmore united and help, then a wonderful thing will happen in this world.

In this way, Nryaa Mahrja responds to Prabhupdas stated desire that everyonewill in the future work together to preach. Nryaa Mahrja seems to be saying thatrla Prabhupda created ISKCON all by himself and taught his disciples by himself, butnow if all become more united to help his disciples, there will be a great, worldwideresult.

Prabhupda then responds to Nryaa Mahrjas statement, you have trained themby remarking: They do not have any hereditary background. All are from mleccha andyavana family background. I have trained them according to my ability. They are alsodoing their best. Prabhupda then returns to his theme, If you all work unitedly . . . .

Now compare Nryaa Mahrjas later accounts:

Melbourne, 1999: Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja told me in the last days 'You should helpmy disciples. They are like monkeys, I could not train them so much. So always try to help them.' Isaid to him: 'Your order is on my head, I will carry it for the rest of my life.'

Salt Spring Island, 2001: He ordered me, Help my disciples.. . . Why did he order me in thisway? Weeping, he requested this of me. If he had already told everything, then why did he requestme in that way? . . . . At that time he spoke in Bengali so that others would not understand. If hewere to say that all his disciples were ignorant, that they did not know very much, and that theywere imperfect, they may have become upset. For this reason he spoke so many things in Bengali.He told me, I brought them, but I could not teach them in full.


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Mathur, 2003: He put my hand his hand and he told me that he had collected so many devoteesfrom around the world, but he could not teach them fully, due to their inability to learn fully. Herequested me to continue the teaching of all his devotees. Very few had taken his internal mood . . .and therefore he requested me to teach all his disciples.

Letter to Romapda Swm, 2009: I have served him during his whole life and at the time of hisdeparture from this world he requested me to help his disciples. He said to me: I collected thembut I could not train them well, so please help them. At that time I promised him to carry out hisorder for the rest of my life.

Govardhana, 2009: He told me, I brought many to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but Icould not train them fully; they are like monkeys. Due to their lack of qualification I did not havetime to teach them all tattva (established philosophical truths) and siddhanta (philosophicalconclusions). Please help them in every way so that they may stay on the path of Vaisnavism.

rla Prabhupdas request you all work unitedly becomes in Nryaa Mahrjas

recounting: He requested me to continue the teaching of all his devotees, and Pleasehelp them in every way. . . . Yet the record shows Prabhupda never said such things tohim.

Nryaa Mahrja takes matters even further: He also reports that Prabhupda statedthe reason for his purported request to Nryaa Mahrja. In Mahrjas version,Prabhupda confessed that his own training of his disciples was inadequate or incomplete:In Nryaa Mahrjas words: He told me, I brought them, but I could not teach themin full. And: He told me that he had collected so many devotees from around theworld, but he could not teach them fully, due to their inability to learn fully. And: Srila

Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja told me in the last days 'You should help my disciples.They are like monkeys, I could not train them so much. So always try to help them.'

rla Prabhupda did not say his disciples were like monkeys nor did he say they wereunable to learn. Rather, when responding to Nryaa Mahrjas observation that rlaPrabhupda had taught them all by himself, rla Prabhupda noted the obstacle he faced:They do not have any hereditary background. All are from mleccha and yavana familybackground. In Nryaa Mahrjas retelling, Prabhupdas statement becomestransmogrified into a stark expression of contempt: they are like monkeys. In reality,Prabhupda evinced no contempt: he merely noted the challenge presented him by thefactual cultural background of his Western disciples. Prabhupda continued: I havetrained them according to my ability. They are also doing their best. Prabhupda heresays, with typical humility, that he taught his disciples to the best of his capacity and thedisciples are also doing with their fully capacity.

We have to wonder: How does Prabhupdas statement become, in Nryaa Mahrjasreporting, transformed into Prabhupdas disparagement of his own disciples as monkeys


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who are unable to learn or be trained very well? Where does Prabhupda say, I couldnot train them so much? Or: Due to their lack of qualification I did not have time toteach them all tattva (established philosophical truths) and siddhanta (philosophicalconclusions). How does rla Prabhupdas simple request to work cooperatively becomea personal request for Nryaa Mahrja to continue to instruct rla Prabhupdasdisciples so they could understand Prabhupdas internal mood?

In fact, Prabhupdas request to Nryaa Mahrja was merely a single instance of hisgeneral appeal issued to all devotees from the Gauya Mahas to support, encourage, andhelp his disciples. Nryaa Mahrja remarked to Prabhupda: A great mission hasbeen accomplished. Therefore, there is a need to organize it properly, manage it properly,so that it does not fall apart, so that it continues successfully. Prabhupda responded:Make them understand that; I am not able to speak.

Later, when Prabhupdas Godbrother Indupati Mahrja comes, Nryaa Mahrjaagain shows that he understands the general nature of Prabhupdas appealtoeveryone:

Nryaa Mahrja [to Prabhupda]: I accept your order. Those disciples of rla Prabhupda[Bhaktisiddhnta Sarasvat hkura] who are not here, I will speak to them. Just as you told meverbatim. I will also tell them that they should all try to guide them [your disciples] so that they canprogress nicely according to your wish. Everyone should try to help and give them the neededguidance, so they can manage nicely. Please do not worry about anything. Remember only the lotusfeet of r Rdh-Ka.

On October 8th

, then, Nryaa Mahrja clearly understands Prabhupdas request as ageneral one to allGodbrothers to try to help. Only years later does Nryaa Mahrjalay claim to an exclusive directive given to him to initiate ISKCON devotees intoPrabhupdas inner mood.

Since none of Prabhupdas disciples present heard what Nryaa Mahrja claimsPrabhupda told him, and since Prabhupda himself never directed his disciples to go toNryaa Mahrja for instruction (except regarding samadhrituals), it is not surprisingthat Nryaa Mahrjas account should have been received with general skepticism anddoubt.

In response to such doubt, Nryaa Mahrja has suggested that Prabhupdasdirections were in one way or another concealed. He said in 1999: He told me so manythings which were recorded on cassette which was destroyed. In 2001, however, heurges his audience to listen to the cassette to confirm what he is saying, although he saysthat rla Prabhupda spoke in Bengali specifically so that his disciples would not hearhim criticize them.


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At that time he spoke in Bengali so that others would not understand. If he were to say that all hisdisciples were ignorant, that they did not know very much, and that they were imperfect, they mayhave become upset. For this reason he spoke so many things in Bengali.

However, Bhakti-caru Swm was present and participating. For example, in theconversation in question we find:

rla Prabhupda: Please also tell them that money should be given to the Gosvms to have festivalsin their mahas, according to their respective dignities . . .Nryaa Mahrja [aside, to Bhakti-caru Swm]: Have you understood what he said?Bhakti Charu Swm: [aside to Nryaa Mahrja, softly]:Yes, I have understood. All right.

And the audiotape was not destroyed: Here we present it with the Bengali fullytranscribed and translated. Nryaa Mahrjas account of what rla Prabhupda toldhim cannot be found on the tape.

The conversation later turns to a discussion about the last rites and samdhi tomb:

Prabhupda [in English]: You have consulted with Nryaa Mahrja?Tamla Ka: Yes. This morning Bhakti-caru Swm, Bhakti-prema Swm and rdhara Swmwent to see him, and Nryaa Mahrja described the ceremony for the departure of a Vaiava,great Vaiava soul.[Conversation switches to Bengali]Nryaa Mahrja: I have told them everything that is needed to be done. I told them,"Whenever you need me, I'll come here." I would do all, being personally present.

rla Prabhupda: You must put salt around the body.Nryaa Mahrja: I have explained to them everything. All the arrangements . . .[Conversation switches to English]Tamla Ka: It [the samadh] is on the same side as the vyssana.Prabhupda: Ah, yes.Tamla Ka: Faces east.Prabhupda: Pupa, Mypure, flower.Tamla Ka: To Mypura.[Conversation switches to Bengali]Prabhupda: Flowers, in Mayapur . . .Nryaa Mahrja: I have told them to keep some flowers, and wherever you desire there can be[apupa samdhi] . . .rla Prabhupda: You be there . . .Nryaa Mahrja: Yes, I'll be there. You should call me, and I will come.Tamla Ka [English]: Yes. He described the entire ceremony in detail, rla Prabhupda.

From this we see that Nryaa Mahrja first takes it on himself to promise to attendthe ceremony, telling Prabhupda that he had assured his disciples he would do all,being personally present. And Prabhupda then confirms You be there. . . . Yet to be


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there is not the same as take charge of. Nothing here supports the claim by NryaaMahrja that Prabhupda said to him, Also, I want that only you will give meSamadhi (Govardhana, 2009); or You know he said: 'You should do my samadhi, withVedic mantra. I don't want that they should touch my body.' (Melbourne 1999).

These are incredible claims. For nearly twelve years the disciples of rla Prabhupda haddaily massaged his body. During Prabhupadas final pastimes, his disciples attendedconstantly and intimately upon his person, much as Ivra Pur had taken care ofMdhavendra Pur (Caitanya-caritmta, Antya-ll, Chapter 8). Furthermore, when itcame to the conduct of Prabhupdas last rites, his own disciples directly performed theprescribed offices upon Prabhupdas divine person. All along Nryaa Mahrjaremained by their side, coaching and guiding them with word and deed through thedetails of the process. He did this at the request of Tamla Ka Gosvm.

As it turned out, after October 8th

no further discussions took place between NryaaMahrja and rla Prabhupda. In his Diary (233), Tamla Ka Gosvm relates thatNryaa Maharaja, upon taking leave that evening, felt Prabhupda's pulse and said:

The pulse is all right. Your consciousness is perfect; your pulse is all right, perfect. If you have togo by the will of the Lord, then you will go perfectly. Mahrja, allow us to go now. I'll comeagain.

Thirty-six days went by before Nryaa Mahrja saw rla Prabhupda again. He wassummoned, along with many others, on November 14th when Prabhupdas attendantsthought his departure imminent. When those so notified gathered around rlaPrabhupda, Prabhupda did not speak (Diary, 352):

Prabhupda's Godbrothers arrived. I had set up benches on each side of the bed forthemBon Mahrja , Kadsa Bbj , nanda Prabhuand his Godnephew NryaaMahrja. They sat and watched intently, observing rla Prabhupda's consciousness. NryaaMahrja spoke in rla Prabhupda's ear, but there was no response; but when Bhakti-caruMahrja spoke into Prabhupda's ear, telling him that Nryaa Mahrja and others werepresent, Prabhupda slowly raised his left hand to his head in salutation and started crying.Prabhupda's Godbrothers explained that Prabhupda's attacks were simply the moving of the airsin the body, not actual pain. They said that Prabhupda was in perfect consciousness and they didnot feel the time had yet come for his departure. After two or three hours they left, promising tocome immediately whenever we called.

Thus, when rla Prabhupda left his body at 7:25 that evening, Nryaa Mahrja wasnot present. He returned later on with Kadsa Bbj and others. They led krtana therest of the night.


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The following morning, Tamla Ka Gosvm and Bhakti-caru Swm performed rlaPrabhupdas samadhceremony. They personally bathed, dressed, and put tilaka onPrabhupdas body. Accompanied by Nryaa Mahrja and Indupati Prabhu, theydescended into the samadhpit; there Tamla Ka Gosvm and Bhakti-caru Swmcarefully received rila Prabhupdas body from the hands of their Godbrothers above.And there, Prabhupdas disciples for the last time touched and held their spiritualmasters divine form, with Nryaa Mahrja watching and assisting them with allapparent approval.

Having examined Nryaa Mahrjas presentation of what rla Prabhupda instructedhim, and having compared it carefully with the record of the eventsrecorded on tapeand in the testimonies of participantswe have no choice but to conclude that the record

does not support Nryaa Mahrjas version of events. His recollections make it seemthat he was singled out for special, exclusive and final instructions. Yet he hasmisrepresented those instructions.

The most prominent of these fabulations is the depiction of death-bed professions byPrabhupda that (1) he had failed to teach his own disciples adequately; that (2) thereason for his failure was the debased and degraded nature of his disciples; that (3)Prabhupda consequently appointed Nryaa Mahrja himself to complete the job; andthat (4), given the unfitness of his own disciples, Prabhupda wanted Nryaa Mahrjainstead to put him in samadh.

All these assertions are without support of fact. Indeed, we should note that on theoccasion of their last conversation, Nryaa Mahrja himself assured rla Prabhupda:All of your lifes duties are complete; you have fulfilled everything in your lifetime. . . .Yes, you have done everything. Nothing is left unfinished. And he praised Prabhupdasdisciples to his face: Please give up all worries in this regard. They are qualified and theyknow your desires.

That was then. Now, however, Nryaa Mahrja asserts that Prabhupda told himthings like: I could not train them fully; they are like monkeys. Due to their lack of

qualification I did not have time to teach them all tattva and siddhanta. I do not wantthey should touch my body.

In a short exchange on October 8th, rla Prabhupda offers Nryaa Mahrja aninstruction. At one point, Prabhupda quotes Mahprabhus statement Yei bhaje seibao, abhakta hina chra"that one who is a devotee is exalted, while anyone not adevotee is base. And then this exchange takes place:


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rla Prabhupda: Please do not despise them.Nryaa Mahrja: No, no.rla Prabhupda: They . . .

Nryaa Mahrja: They are the best. If one has undeviating devotion to Lord Hari, then, even ifhe has any faults, "api cet su-durcro bhajate mm ananya-bhk/ sdhur eva sa mantavyasamyag vyavasito hi sa. " This is the principle . . .

Here Prabhupda, having quoted Mahprabhus statement that any devotee is to beregarded as exalted, asks Nryaa Mahrja not to hold them in contempt. NryaaMahrja understands at once that Prabhupda is referring to his own disciples, and hereplies, No, no, they are the best and quotes Bhagavad-gt 9.30.

Yet rla Prabhupda, with characteristically acute discernment, saw the need to put

Nryaa Mahrja on notice. His warning turned out to be extremely prescient. In time,Nryaa Mahrja would not only evince contempt for Prabhupda's disciples, but evengo so far as to put words into rla Prabhupdas mouth like they are like monkeys, andI dont want they should touch my body.

It gives us great distress that Nryaa Mahrja, who has spoken so much of love andaffection for Prabhupda, now so markedly misrepresents him. Clearly, the GBC wouldbe disloyal to rla Prabhupda himself were we to accept Nryaa Mahrjasassertions about his position in relation to Prabhupdas disciples and ISKCON. We mustreject those assertions. We do so because of our fidelity to rla Prabhupda, his

teachings, and the legacy he entrusted to us.

Prabhupda offered us some parting directions early in his final year:

Stick to our principle, and see our GBC is very alert. Then everything will go on, even I am notpresent. Do that. That is my request. Whatever little I have taught you, follow that, and nobodywill be aggrieved. No maya will touch you. Now Krsna has given us, and there will be no scarcityof money. You print book and sell. So everything is there. We have got good shelter all over theworld. We have got income. You stick to our principles, follow the. . . Even if I die suddenly, youllbe able to manage. Thats all. That I want. Manage nicely and let the movement go forward. Nowarrange. Dont go backward. Be careful. pani cari prabhu jvere ikya.

Room conversation, Bombay, April 22, 1977).

Five days after talking with Nryaa Mahrja, Prabhupda met with Kadsa Bbj.He praised his disciples to Kadsa: "One thing about my disciples, whatever I say theyfollow with absolute sincerity, Prabhupda said. That will keep the movement going."


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We are grateful to Nryaa Mahrja for his service to Prabhupda and ISKCON. Yetwhen it is evident that Prabhupda has said one thing, and Nryaa Mahrja representshim as saying something else, we must follow Prabhupda with absolute sincerity.

The Last Conversation- Cover Letter Transcription and Analysis

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Transcript of The Last Conversation- Cover Letter Transcription and Analysis