Inclusion vs. Exclusion. Vaikuntha vritti

Inclusive vs. Exclusive Mission

Vaikuntha vritti

by Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahayogi

Sometimes I lose heart when I see so many devotees of Krishna fighting over the quotidian application of dharma.  It is wise to remember that in the  End of Mahabharata Duryodhana and company went to heaven while the Pandavas went to hell.  Duryodhana followed all the rules very carefully, and he and his brothers went to the heavenly planets. 

The Pandavas bended the rules and ended in hell. The purport of the Mahābharata is that Krishna-bhakti transcends the ordinary rules of dharma. Western devotees especially should be careful about absolute insistence on the rules. Mercy, after all, is above justice. We do not aspire to divine love through rule-following, but by the mercy of Krishna and the devotees, even if it means going to hell.

I enjoy seeing the photos of devotees around the world on facebook. But I am sometimes surprised by what I see as a petty attitude. When I look to my friends on facebook for inspiration, I see recrimination by one group of devotees against another. These discussions descend into "debates" and often become offensive.

"Be humble as a blade of grass"

It is important, I think, to remember the simple instructions on humility and tolerance, not only with saintly persons, but  in our every day dealings.

"Be Tolerant as a tree"

While promoting "love of God," some followers overlook the importance of affectionate dealings with other human beings.  We claim that it is important to be kind to the animals, but become so absorbed in ideologies that we shame and insult other devotees for their dietary habits.  Diet is important; taking prasādam is paramount in devotional service, as is following ekadaśi.  But instead of shaming others for their short-comings, we should be careful to avoid offenses, especially offenses to Vaishnavas. 

By going to great lengths to exclude others from our creed, we run the risk of extremism. Extremism is dangerous and leads to a cult mentality. We should not spend all our energy figuring out how to exclude others; rather as preachers our task is to include others in the dance of sankirtan, the celebration of the holy name.

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati wanted an inclusive mission.

Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Ṭhakura liked the idea of Vaikuṇṭha vṛtti, where everyone may be included in this celebration.

I was personally present when Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja spoke on Vaikuntha Vritti,  but I quote Goswāmī Mahārāja's version here as a more authentic remembrance than my own.  

Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja was surprised by the idea of "vaikuntha-vritti"

"Once Srila Saraswati Thakur said in Bombay, "I am thinking, if the Western people have some objection to coming to the Math for Hari-katha, and it is based on the restriction of the diet, we can arrange from a hotel nearby some non-vegetarian food for them."

Srila Guru Maharaj, who is a high class Brahman Bhattacharyya was really shocked to hear this, and said, "I think the end result will be contamination in our Ashram, from this policy. We will be contaminated by implementing this."

And he said Saraswati Thakur's words struck his heart like a thunder bolt when he turned around and said: "Oh you don't know? I decided this ten thousand years ago. We have to employ Vaikuntha-vritti, if we are going to entice the Western world." And Vaikuntha-vritti means no limitation on extending; there won't be any disqualification or any limitation that will obstruct this flow, this current." Parikrama Lecture