ISKCON: It's Role, Idealogies, And World-view.

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The following extracted from Iskcon/Gaudiya source - shows how the 2 vaisnava acharyas - Ramanuja (visistadvaita) and Madhva (dvaita) are projected in their scripture - Navadvipa Mahatyma

http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articl...-dhama-Mahatmya

<b>On Ramanujacharya </b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"Joining his hands, Ramanuja made a request to Jagannatha.

"'You have mercifully mentioned Gauranga, but exactly Who He is I do not know.'

"The Lord answered, 'Everyone knows the master of Goloka, Krishna. That Sri Krishna, Whose vilasa murti is Narayana, is the supreme truth, residing in Vrndavana. That Krishna is fully manifested in the form of Gauranga, and Navadvipa Dham is the same as Vrndavana. This Navadvip is the topmost abode, situated beyond the material universe, and in that place Gauranga stays eternally. By My mercy that Dhama has come to exist within Bhu Mandala, yet remaining unaffected by maya. This is the verdict of scripture. And if you think that Navadvipa is only a material location, then your devotion will perish. By My will, My inconceivable energy preserves this full transcendental Dhama within the material world. Simply by reading scriptures, one will not get the highest truth, for the highest truth surpasses all reasoning power. Only the devotees, by My mercy, can understand.'

"Hearing this, Ramanuja was moved with prema.

"'Lord, Your lila is truly astounding. The scriptures cannot know Your opulences. Why is not Gauranga lila described clearly in the scriptures? When I closely examine the shruti and puranas, I find some hint of the Gauranga Tattva only. Now, however, I am ready to serve Your order, for all doubts are gone. If it is Your desire, I will go to Navadvipa and preach Gaura lila throughout the three worlds, giving evidence from the hidden scriptures to all the people, converting all to devotional service to Gauranga. Please instruct me.'

"Jagannatha said, <b>'Ramanuja, do not broadcast like this. Keep the esoteric Gaura lila secret. Only after He has finished His lila will the general public receive it. Preach for Me on the level of dasya rasa, while in your heart worship Gauranga constantly.'</b>

"Taking the advice of the Lord, Ramanuja secretly cultured his attraction for Navadvipa. Narayana, being merciful, led Ramanuja to Vaikuntha Pur, and there showed him His transcendental form served by Sri, Bhu, and Lila. Ramanuja thought himself fortunate to obtain this darsana, but instantly the figure changed to that of Gaura Sundara, the son of Jagannatha Misra. Ramanuja swooned at the brilliance of the form. Gauranga put His lotus feet on His head. Ramanuja, divinely inspired, recited prayers of praise.

"'I must see Gaura's actual lila on earth. I can never leave Navadvip!'

"Gauranga said, 'Your wish will be fulfilled, son of Kesava. When the Nadiya lila will be revealed in the future, you will take birth here again.'

"Gauranga disappeared. Ramanuja, contented, resumed his journey. After some days he arrived at Kurma Sthana and with his disciples saw the place. During his life he preached dasya rasa throughout the south of India, while internally he was absorbed in Gaura lila. By Gauranga's mercy, he was later born in Navadvipa as the devotee Ananta."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<b>The Srivaisnavas comments (followers of Ramanuja)</b>

<!--c1-->CODE<!--ec1-->SrI:

I like the Hare Krishna devotees for their simplicity, but the following is a little too much for me to digest, anyway helps me draw a line. Seriously, do we appear as objects of joke to ISKCON? Please read on completely, and also the story about the fishes and "free will" at the end. I think the greatest attribute of our ThennAchArya Sampradayam is not discussing anybody in a poor light. Even Sankara was given due respect.

-Adiyen.<!--c2--><!--ec2-->
For further follow up on the discussion refer

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ramanuja/message/5883

<b>
On Madhvacharya</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"Here also Madhva and his disciples stayed for some time. Gaurasundara appeared to him in a dream.

"'Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant. Appearing in Navadvipa, I will accept your sampradaya. Go everywhere and carefully uproot all the false scriptures of the Mayavadis and reveal the glories of worshipping the murti of the Lord. I will broadcast your pure teachings later on.'

"Gauranga disappeared. Madhva, awaking, was dumbfounded. 'Will I ever see that beautiful golden form again?' he cried.

<b>"In reply there came a voice from the sky. 'Worship Me secretly, and you will come to Me.'</b>

"With this instruction, Madhva went on with great resolution to defeat all the Mayavadi philosophers."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

See the highlighted text, God instructing, Ramanuja and Madhva to lie - secretively <!--emo&:roll--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ROTFL.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ROTFL.gif' /><!--endemo-->