Monday, 08 February 2010
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Anthology XII
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The following is an excerpt from Srila Acharyadeva's anthology in the making, compiled from various lectures and writings of his, taken from the category "God," subcategory "Krishna":

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Sometimes we have a misunderstanding of what it means that Krishna is “beyond mundane morality”. Essentially, acting morally means to act consciously to bring about the good in society. The notion of virtue involves conscious intention. So, the nature of moral behavior follows the conscious intention. Saying that Krishna is “beyond mundane morality” means that He can bring about the good in the society in innovative ways.

The benefit of the "part serving the whole" depends on the moral value of the whole. In other words, because we are part of Krishna, the value of our service depends on Krishna’s moral value. Someone may say that it is enough for the part to serve the whole, even if that whole is not being moral. For example, in the case of the part being a member of an immoral community. The sense that there is an intrinsic piety in obedience to something higher than you is an incomplete understanding. In other words, I want to make the point that might does not make right. Given that Krishna is the perfect moral being, then serving Him turns out to be our highest self-interest and the most moral way of acting.

What ties all these points is that Krishna’s intrinsic goodness makes the whole thing work. So, what is Krishna’s intrinsic goodness? And what does it mean to be good? For example, when we go to the dentist, we expect him not only to treat the problem we may have competently, but also, to do that in the least painful way possible. So, in order for Krishna to be a perfect moral being, it must be the case that whenever we suffer—when we get reactions to our past misdeeds—that they are actually for the highest good and that they are the least painful method possible to bring about the necessary benefit. Someone has to actually fulfill that requirement to be considered perfectly moral.

There is an interesting topic by Socrates brought about in a dialogue called Euthyphro. Socrates says to Euthyphro, “Are certain actions pious because God loves them, or does God love them because they are good?” For example—like in the case of the four regulative principles—is it so, that Krishna is a tyrant and he makes us follow these four principles without them being good for us? Did He simply make them up because it causes pleasure to Him, or does Krishna like them because they have a value? Certainly, we are asked to follow these principles for our own good.

(Evening darshan, May 2, 2008 in New Vrindavan)

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A Letter from Srila Acharyadeva
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My Dear Devotees,

Jaya Srila Prabhupada. I am writing to share with you dynamic and ecstatic
events in my own life. As we know Lord Krishna has personally divided human
life into various divisions of varna and ashrama. We also note that a normal
human naturally being passes through different stages of life.

My material body has now completed sixty-one years, and it is therefore 
natural and necessary that I consider how I will utilize the remaining years 
of my life. My goal is the goal that we all share: to serve the mission of 
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada in the best possible way.

Lord Krishna has made it very clear to me, and Srila Prabhupada confirms
in his writings, that my most important contribution is literary. For years
I have tried to balance this service with other duties, like that of GBC,
but I find it is very difficult to do both both services at the same time.

Fortunately, in my GBC work both in North and South America, Lord
Krishna has blessed me with the opportunity to work with exceptional leaders
who are distinguished both in personal character and leadership abilities.

Given the necessity to complete certain books before I leave this world,
and given the excellent leadership in my zone, and especially given the will
of Lord Krishna which He has revealed to me in unmistakeable ways, I am
retiring from my service as GBC secretary. Again, in doing so I am sure that
I am obeying Lord Krishna's desire.

I want to make clear that despite my present writing retreat, in the
future, I will be happy to continue to help the devotees to the best of my
ability. In fact, my GBC service for the last several years has consisted of
offering advice and guidance, rather than directly managing. I will continue
to offer this service, as needed and desired, so there will be continuity.

In North America, the GBC has already made various arrangements for the
continued management of my zone. In Brasil, Lord Krishna has blessed us with
an unusually good Executive Committee, which will manage there for up to
three years, during which time they will select, with the International GBC,
a permanent GBC representative.

I want to assure all the devotees that I have never been happier in my
own spiritual life, that I am fully inspired in my service, and that I pray
to continue to serve Srila Prabhupada's servants in a meaningful way.

With best wishes,
Hridayananda das Goswami
January 18, 2010
 
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