The GHQ Issue
Anonymous Anathema?

from Guru-Krsna das

Dear Chakris,

The respected though anonymous author of "The GHQ Conspiracy," in reference to certain isolated unsavory remarks made by a mere few of the 17-member GHQ conference, has stated that the conspiring members were "in fact using these terms for another agenda—one of misogyny."

Of course, each of us has the right to our imperfect opinions, based upon our imperfect senses and our tendency to commit mistakes, to become illusioned, and to cheat. But shouldn't aspiring Vaisnavas very cautiously avoid such subjective, faulty "conclusions"? Or is it merely by our practice of sadhana-bhakti—whatever the quality of that practice may be—that we are automatically elevated to the status of court judges?

If the readers of the selected GHQ texts thus far made public really want to know if the members are "haters" of Vaisnavis, then I humbly submit that they will have to investigate much further. They will have to investigate, at the very least, the following items:

1) The minds and hearts of each and every GHQ member.

2) The complete transcripts of each and every e-mail correspondence and each and every telephone or direct conversation exchanged between various GHQ members outside the realm of the COM conference.

3) The characteristic differences between:

a) unfounded suppression of chaste women, and

b) genuine concern for the plight of fallen women and hence fallen society (q.v. Bg. 1.40-2)

4) The definition and visible symptoms of misogyny, according to guru, sadhu, and sastra.

The above having been done, we would surely then have some semblance of an authoritative analysis of GHQ members' consciousness.

The annonymous author has also accused Basu Ghosh Prabu of remaining "arm-in-arm with men who regularly blaspheme Vaisnavis."

I sincerely request the author to explain his statement more fully. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that some men of GHQ sometimes expressed personal frustration or disgust at the present plight of some fallen or unruly female members of ISKCON? But if the author is so confident of his assertion, then I humbly request that he explain to us:

a) which specific Vaisnavis were/are regularly blasphemed,

b) by which specific words were/are they regularly blasphemed, and

c) specifically how regularly were/are they blasphemed.

Another speculation of the author is his surmise that any gentlemanly quality exhibited by a GHQ member is a "strategic tactic most likely discussed on their new private conference." Again, the author and readers may formulate their own opinions, but actually what is the practical value of such speculations?

"The words of these people do not contain sincerity or real knowledge, although they may be carefully cloaked in such," asserts the author.

This is a very interesting declaration, indeed. It surely prompts the discriminating reader to marvel at the latest technological creation of the day: an internet "wordometer" of ultrasublime, ultrasophisticated capabilites, which upon processing the written word, will quantify not only "sincerity" and "real devotion," but also will distinguish the real from the sham, or that which is "cloaked" in the guise of the genuine.

The author further proclaims, "Either they are so blind, arrogant, and self-righteous due to their own deep hatred or they think we're brainless."

I humbly propose a third possibility—that they are:

1) not blind, but have adequately sufficient eyesight with which to read the words of Srila Prabhupada which do in fact criticize, challenge, and condemn the modern but outrageous notions of male/female social (material) equality;

2) not arrogant, but rather confident that they represent Srila Prabhupada according to their best, most honest comprehension and realizations.

3) not self-righteous, but indeed steadfast in their determinaton to unflinchingly present and represent Srila Prabhupada's absolutely merciful and benevolent teachings to the world.

Finally, the author concludes that the "poor souls" of GHQ "have drifted far, far away from chanting Hare Krsna and making their lives sublime."

On that point I will speak for myself only. Yes, having come to this material world, I most certainly had wandered infinitely far away from the lotus feet of my Lord Sri Krsna. But now, by the all-perfect, all-powerful, and all-complete mercy of Srila Prabhupada, even this most despicably fallen soul has been given so kindly the means for self-purification and self-realization: hearing and chanting the transcendental holy names and Krsna-katha, and the equally transcendental sound vibrations of Srila Prabhhupada's words.

Other than these, what else is there of value in the entire cosmic manifestation?

I remain humbly endeavoring to become the servant of the servants of the servants of ISKCON,

Guru-Krsna das (HDG)

*dharmo rakshati rakshitah*

(See also "GHQ: One-Sided Coverage?")

© CHAKRA 21-Dec-98