He is now criticising you [Prabhupada]

A managerial crisis has erupted in India. Gopala Krishna wrote a disturbing report requesting Srila Prabhupada to accept his resignation. He and Hansaduta Swami are co-GBC's for Vrindavana, but Gopala Krishna says that he is so troubled with their relationship that he wants to return to North America. And similarly his relationship with Gargamuni Swami is also perturbed. He went to considerable length detailing and refuting what he termed as the "dirty politics" the two sannyasis are using to drive him out. He said that both of them repeatedly undermine his position as GBC by telling other devotees that he won't last long, so therefore they should just ignore his advice and instructions. He said he felt a disadvantage as a grihastha dealing with them. Rather than fight his Godbrothers, he felt he should just pull out. Srila Prabhupada called for all the GBC men present in New York: Tamal Krishna, Ramesvara, Pushta Krishna and newly arrived Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. He discussed the matter with them, handing them the responsibility to provide a solution. He made it clear that despite whatever short-comings Gopala Krishna might have, he has worked very successfully in many areas. He said Gopala should be persuaded to remain. Hansaduta should concentrate on his traveling bus program, and not involve himself in Vrindavana temple affairs. Based on Srila Prabhupada's comments, the four GBCs drafted a letter addressed to Hansaduta Maharaja, affirming their confidence in Gopala Krishna's managerial abilities. "Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet. It has come to our attention that Gopal Krishna das is feeling very much disenheartened. It is the conclusion by all of us that Gopal Krishna's service is very, very important and that there is no one of us capable of achieving the results that he has had in managing his centres in India. Especially there is no need for two G.B.C.'s to oversee Vrindaban. For the sake of smooth management until the Mayapur meetings next Gaura-Purnima it would be best if Gopal Krishna oversees the entire G.B.C. responsibility for Vrindaban, Bombay, Hyderabad, etc. and that you travel and preach with your buses as the program is both important and fruitful. Please see that Gopal Krishna is encouraged as Srila Prabhupada feels very strongly that Gopal Krishna is indispensable to our program in India. We feel that Gopal Krishna has done a remarkable amount of service and achieved results that none of us could possibly achieve in such short time. We trust that you will cooperate to see that the situation is improved in dealings concerning Gopal Krishna." The letter was signed by each GBC and then shown to Srila Prabhupada. He approved it and countersigned it with his initials. Gopala's letter had also included a brief report on the Vrindavana temple. On the whole, he said things were progressing nicely. A previous conflict between the new manager, Haihaya dasa and Akshayananda Maharaja had been resolved satisfactorily. Gu'arnava dasa was now working enthusiastically as the Guesthouse manager. Two small shops have been set up inside the front gate in order to take advantage of the busy upcoming ?ravana season. Not all of the report bore good news though. Anantarama Sastri, who had traveled with Srila Prabhupada from Mayapur to Vrindavana in March, has left us. According to Gopala, he "was a real rascal. He is now criticising you [Prabhupada]. He has also influenced Radhagovinda the boy who was translating the Bhagawatam. He too has now left. Tomorrow, I will try to bring Radhagovinda back to the Temple." There was yet another item causing Srila Prabhupada deep consternation. Gopala wrote, "I have made it compulsory for all devotees to attend Artiks, and classes. Nitai never comes to the evening classes. He told me that except for your lectures, he doesn't enjoy anyone else's lectures. Everyday he goes to hear Narsimhaballabah Goswami's lectures in Bengali. I understand you approved his attending these lectures. I do not mind his going, but there are other Indian boys who also sometimes go for these lectures. I cannot stop these Indian boys from going to Narsimhaballabah's classes if I let a senior devotee like Nitai go. We have lost about 7 Indian boys from Vrindavan while I was away to Russia. The quality of the Indian devotees joining us is not very good. Now I have received your letter stating that only educated and cultured men should be allowed to stay in our temple. So I will follow this policy." ?rla Prabhupada replied to this section of Gopala's letter himself. "Why Nitai should be attending lectures outside of our temple? If he is not satisfied with the standard of lectures in our temple, then he should be permitted to give some lectures himself, but this habit of going outside to hear others should be stopped immediately. I am writing one letter to Nitai and the copy of this is enclosed for your reference." He also wrote directly to Nitai. "I have heard reports that you have been developing the habit of going outside the temple to hear lectures by others like Nrsimhaballabha. Also I have heard now that even some of the Indian devotees are doing likewise. Strictly no one should go outside to hear lectures by others. If you are not satisfied by the calibre of the classes at the Krishna Balarama Mandir, then you should give another class, but you cannot go outside for hearing other's lectures. Kindly stop this habit immediately."