Official statement concerning a video by H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami hosted by the IISB

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This response addresses certain claims made in an email dated 22 February 2026 from Her Grace Urmila devi dasi, Chairperson of the Shastric Advisory Council. Her message, directed to the GBC Executive Committee, concerns statements by His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami Maharaja in a video posted on the ISKCON India Scholars Board YouTube channel, which I and others oversee. The email has also circulated in other forums and has recently come to my attention.
Srila Prabhupada at the Center

How can Srila Prabhupada be the center when “the shastra is the center for all”?

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Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 20.352 that among the sources of knowledge of dharma given by one's guru, other saintly persons, and shastra, "the shastra is the center for all." Yet it is seen in many sampradayas that the acharya is still very much central to the practice and faith of the devotees. So, if the actual center is the shastra, then what does it mean to a community to keep the acharya in the center? This video discusses and answers this question.