SP allows Divorce
Ironically, Tamal Krishna becomes embroiled with both issues that threaten ISKCON's reputation in America. Upon Radha-Damodara's arrival in Miami, a controversy comes to light regarding Abhirama's presidency. The issue involves commitment to a Krishna conscious marriage. Last year, while Abhirama was experiencing difficulties in his marriage, a young lady became attracted to Krishna consciousness. She was the daughter of a former U.S. senator from Florida. Although she had grown up in a wealthy family, she was attracted to spiritual life and was determined to be a devotee. Moreover, she was quite beautiful and thus attracted a lot of attention.
Abhirama: My first wife had problems remaining loyal to our marriage on more than one occasion. That was quite a dramatic experience and I made a decision in my heart that I no longer felt she was my wife and I told her so. "You can live under my protection, but I just don't feel that you're my wife. I can't feel that way anymore." It created a great deal of tension and stress in my life. No doubt her problems stemmed from me being a poor husband, but I was feeling unable to continue in that relationship. When Sruti Rupa joined the temple, I saw in her a person of high character. She came from a wealthy family and the opulence of that attracted me. She regularly chanted 32 rounds when she joined. She was extremely austere, and enthusiastic, just head and shoulders above everybody else I was accustomed to. She was full of energy and life, enthusiasm and intelligence. I was happy that she joined, and I took care to preach to her and make sure she was happy. My first wife suggested I marry her and I agreed to that, thinking it was a good idea. But it certainly looked bad because my first wife was there, and now this rich girl has come and I've married her. It stunk from a public relations point of view, although I was at peace with it in my heart.
Due to this unpleasant situation, many people believe that Abhirama should be removed as president. This is especially true of the GBC man Rupanuga, even though he had renounced sannyasa only a few months earlier. Rupanuga and his wife are quite agitated about the situation and write Srila Prabhupada with their objections. Prabhupada's reply is very instructive. "We do not allow divorce, but in your country it is a common thing. Although we do not like it, according to the country, what can be done? There is a Sanskrit saying, Do according to the country's laws. If both the present husband and wife agree to divorce, then they can do it and re-marry, what can be done?" [Letter to Rupanuga Das - October 1, 1974]
Prabhupada says nothing about removing Abhirama from his position of temple president. Rupanuga and his wife are not satisfied with Prabhupada's response. They voice their disapproval of Abhirama through further letters with other objections. They write that Miami is an important center in an ideal setting with 65 devotees, and is attracting more people on a regular basis. Therefore, they feel that a capable person should be in charge who can set a standard for the others to follow. In Prabhupada's answer back, he conveys that he has already given Abhirama permission to divorce, and he is clear about it. At the same time he expresses disappointment that some of his senior men are weakening, even as the movement is expanding. He refers Rupanuga to follow the Direction of Management, [See Appendix Two for Direction of Management] a document Prabhupada has written with necessary guidelines for managing his ISKCON society. "Regarding Miami that you want to replace Abhirama, yes a capable man must be there, what can be done. But I have already written that he can marry that girl and divorce his wife. Regarding Washington, DC, that Damodara is also resigning, we are increasing in so many ways, but our men are deteriorating. N.B. Regarding replacing Abhirama and Damodara I refer to the 'Direction of Management'' as follows: 'Removal of a Temple President by GBC requires support by the local Temple members.' Therefore you should take a vote of the Temple members and do the needful." [Letter to Rupanuga - November 7, 1974]
The next day, however, Prabhupada writes again to Rupanuga about the Miami situation. The matter has been on his mind and he wants to clarify the situation for Rupanuga. On many occasions Prabhupada has quoted the Vedic maxim, phalena pariciyate, that one must judge a situation by the results, in other words by the big picture, not by a single event. Prabhupada wants his youthful followers to manage according to this principle. "Regarding Abhirama, in your letter you mention that in Miami it is so important center, 65 devotees, growing each day, ideal location. So Abhirama has done this. He has done much service. He cannot be removed whimsically. Sex disturbance is the permanent disease of the Western people. Anyway I have already written you that the local members must agree for him to be removed by you, according to the 'Direction of Management.'" [Letter to Rupanuga Das - November 8, 1974]
Due to Prabhupada's acceptance of Abhirama's situation, the outcome is that he remains as president in Miami. But Rupanuga is still not satisfied with Srila Prabhupada's decision! At the Mayapur festival in 1975, he brings the issue to the GBC meeting and makes his case. The GBC votes unanimously that Abhirama should be removed from his post in Miami, although none of them interview him. In other words, Abhirama is not given due process. When the GBC submit their resolutions for Prabhupada's approval, he defends Abhirama and dismisses that particular resolution. "No. Leave him be. He has done everything there. Let him go on." It's an indication that Prabhupada wants to give devotees the feeling that when they do some service on behalf of Krishna, it will be appreciated and there will be on-going results.