Danda 1995 - Suhotra Maharaja Archives

into this particulary question, nor have I seen anything written about it fromthe Tattvavadi side. But my understanding is that in respecting Brahma as thefirst acarya of the sampradaya, the Tattvavadis cannot accomodate his being inany kind of illusion. Apparently, for them, to admit he was in illusion wouldcall into question his capacity to be acarya. But Srila Prabhupada answeredthis point as follows --Aksayananda: So there's no doubt that Lord Brahma is a pure devotee?Prabhupada: Whatever he may be, he is acarya.(From a morning walk of 10 December 1975)TEN OFFENSESQuestion from Vijnana dasOctober 7, 1995I remember hearing a tape of yours once with an explanation of how the tenoffenses are made by persons as they come closer to Krishna. I dont remembermuch though due to my Kali Yuga memory. Could you explain it to me.Answer by Suhotra SwamiOctober 7, 1995I can't remember saying what you've described. But it reminds of an exampleabout approaching a bright light out of the darkness. As one gets closer to thelight, one's shadow gets bigger and bigger. So Maya is compared to darkness andshadow. In that sense, then, as one dones closer to the light of Krsnaconsciousness, Maya's influence seems to get stronger and stronger. Of course,if one keeps his attention on the light and doesn't look back, then one will notnotice the lengthening shadows. This is the real point. It is not simply, asyou've worded it, "the ten offenses are made by persons as they come closer toKrishna." It is not that it *must* happen. Maya is always one step behind us,of course, but we don't have to give her attention and thus fall under herspell. We should just keep our attention firmly fixed on the Holy Name. Thuswe shall avoid offenses and approach Krsna without difficulty.Comment from Vijnana dasOctober 11, 1995Please excuse me if I cannot remember very clearly the analysis you gave. I willtry to give a better idea.It was something like the ten offenses happening in a sequential order as onecomes to The Krishna consciousness movement. Not that they *must* happen as youpointed out, but that they may happen.Like when one first sees the devotees he may blaspheme them, or joke about themthus committing the first offense. Then when hearing about Krishna he commitsthe second offense by thinking he is equal to other gods. Then after hearing andtaking initiation he may disobey the orders of his spiritual master. Up to thepoint where after being a devotee for so long still he maintains materiálattachments even after understanding so many instructions on this matter.Please forgive me if I am unclear. I only heard the class once when I was withGaura Bhagavan on Sankirtan. It just seemed like such a wonderful analysis and Ihave such a bad memory I forgot it. Anyway if I am too unclear then I will notdisturb you any more about it.