Page 41 - Patropadesa (English)

1992 29

You understand that Visnu is different from Krsna, but He is
not different. He is non-different, yet also different. Caitanya
Mahaprabhu’s philosophy of acintyabhedabheda tattva explains
all these points and resolves all other philosophies, such as
visistadvaita, suddha-dvaita, and even kevaladvaita.

Krsna has unlimited names. Different Vaisnava acaryas have
made up lists such as Balgopal Sahasranama. Some of them have
been translated into English by one of our American godbrothers.
They are available in America and are expensive. I suggest you
not worry too much about this at present. Try to understand
Krsna consciousness as presented in Srila Prabhupada’s books,
by reading them repeatedly.

Who said ISKCON devotees are not allowed to read about
Tukaram, etc? This year Back to Godhead magazine ran a
major article in one of its issues on Pandharapur in which praise
was given to the Vaisnava saints of Maharashtra. Of course,
we put more emphasis on studying the philosophy and saints
of the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya. There have been many
pure devotees throughout India from different sampradayas.
But the philosophical conclusion, and especially the levels
of appreciation of Krsna, found in the Gaudiya Vaisnava
sampradaya, is incomparable. But that does not mean that we
have anything less than the highest respect for great Vaisnava
saints in any sampradaya. Incidentally, Tukaram is understood
to be initiated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One point is that those
who are nowadays presenting the lives and teachings of the
Maharastrian saints are almost all influenced by Mayavada. So
whom shall we hear from?

The six Goswamis of Vrindavan were dear to both the gentle and
the ruffians because they were not envious of anyone. We saw
that even though Srila Prabhupada spoke so strongly, he held
no personal grudge against anyone and was charming, expert
in bringing people round. Still, he never compromised, and