Addressing Allegations and Guru Standards in ISKCON

August 11, 2025Posted inCommunications, Essays, ISKCONNo Comments
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has faced various questions regarding its practices, leadership, and adherence to tradition. This essay addresses two significant inquiries: the allegations of Srila Prabhupada’s poisoning by his disciples and the mechanisms for ensuring the quality and integrity of ISKCON’s initiating gurus. Drawing on official statements, historical context, shastra (the sacred scriptures of Sanatana-dharma) and institutional policies, this discussion aims to provide clarity on these matters while situating ISKCON’s practices within the broader Vedic tradition.

Resources for Vedic Jurisprudence and Atonement

June 18, 2025Posted inUncategorizedNo Comments
Join us today for a critical examination in light of shastra and previous acharyas the recommended atonement of Trivikrama Swami. It also critically examines related speculative theories against atonement (Ritvikism) and speculative theories in favor of non-liberated Female Diksha Gurus (FDG). ISKCON India Scholars Board members Sridhar Srinivas Das and Krishna Kirti Das explain why according to shastra atonement requires resuming one's former position in the varnashram institution, how the process of bhakti through the Pancharatrika Vidhi supersedes atonement recommended in smarta procedures for prayascitta (atonement). And why knowledge of shastra and teachings of previous acharyas is necessary in being able to distinguish between Prabhupada's actions that are meant to be followed and actions that are not to be imitated.

Pramanas for Deputing Ritviks

June 4, 2025Posted inResearch, TranslationsNo Comments
These śāstra vidhis (regulations) are very important, because they specify that the use of ritviks is only in the case of a departed guru who is unable to complete the initiation or sacrifice started. New proceedings on behalf of a departed ācārya may not be conducted by ritviks. To interpret this as extending to not merely completion but the performance of new proceedings has the fault of ativyāpti, an overly broad application of a rule or definition, including things that are not supposed to be included.

Presentations from the ISKCON India Scholars Board to Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb and Scholars of the Jagannatha Shreemandira on the question of allowable dates for celebrating the Jagannatha Ratha-yatra

March 29, 2025Posted inEssays, TranslationsNo Comments
These presentations were made by members of the ISKCON India Scholars Board (IISB) before Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, Dr. Aravind Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shri Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA), and scholars representing the SJTA on 20th March 2025 in Bhubaneswar, India, on the occasion of a discussion between IISB and SJTA scholars. The presentations are made available both in English and Oriya.

Research on Authorized Dates for Observing the Jagannatha Rathayatra around the world

March 29, 2025Posted inEssaysNo Comments
These essays were presented by members of the ISKCON India Scholars Board (IISB) to Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, Dr. Aravind Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shri Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA), and scholars representing the SJTA on 20th March 2025 in Bhubaneswar, India, on the occasion of a discussion between IISB and SJTA scholars. These long-form essays address the topic of whether the Shri Jagannatha Rathayatra may be performed on dates other than the Ashadha-shukla-dvitiya, the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha (June-July), or dates near enough to it. This is the day for the Rathayatra stipulated in the Skanda Purana.