In reviewing files on my computer, I have found an old letter sent but never answered to Hridyananda das goswami. This letter dates to the late 1995 era but before 2000 when Hridyananda das goswami was in Alachua.
Bhakta David Nollmeyer
March 19, 2014
My respectful obeisance’s Hrdayananda,
I am respectfully writing you today to ask for instructions in the aiding myself in the maturing of my devotional service.
I have heard that when a situation where a combination of the modes of nature, or just one, sattya, raja, or tama predominate a particular area or building, it is beneficial if qualified Brahmins are sent into restore or neutralize the imbalance by re-establishing the Vaishnava principles and Vedic civilization.
In regards to this knowledge I would prefer if you would explain the use of defection.
Currently all nation-states, supra-national organizations, the UN, as well as the lower level sovereigns (legally sanctioned) live in a state of anarchy, order, and constraints. The international relations are more in anarchy with rule by positive law held in a minimum of norms of theoretical laws and a small level of supra-national regimes by positive law.
The reciprocation of nation-states and regimes uses defection to promote interests and seems to promote interests of policy of a particular group or alignment over the constitutional sovereignty of one independent actor.
One interest seems to predominate by hegemony or it’s alignment. The levels of sovereignty that are weaker defect to one or more sides in anarchic patterns that defy rationality and law. This multilateral, bilateral, unilateral relationship, third party conflict is support for the systematic patterns of defection that lead to war.
As one or more interests expands it’s regime or it’s will to empire or exert authority, at a lower level actors to take corresponding positions that cause defection to occur at levels of heads of state to the average citizens including devotees.
For a person whose only interest is to develop pure devotional service, the problem now brings is that conflicts become unavoidable and the coercive general will or force of law moves upon these actors to defect, to reciprocate with the regimes that are stronger willed.
The result in this escalated conflict is the actor often compromise laws and moral (spiritual) standards. There is no sovereign authority to implicate belligerents at the international level. They go on unprosecuted.
At the lower level, regimes have defected in this billiard ball effect, have yielded to force and have implicated themselves in the positive law.
My question I would like to postulate is what is the devotees’ position in rendering service to guru and Sampradaya?
Can or can he not defect to regimes and will in support of these in regards to national and local authorities in measures that these imply or directly break statutes? The greater consideration being there are citizens and properties under states and governors.
I would like to refer to John 10, King James Version 5:10:8 “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep do not hear them.”
John 10:10 “The thief comes not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and have to more abundantly for the sheep.”
John 10: 14 “ I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and are known by them.”
John 10: 16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold. Them I also must bring and there shall be one shepherd.”
John 10:17 “ Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down for my life for sheep.”
Is an explanation now needed of sanatana-dharma? Is the conclusion of the devotee and non-devotee bound to reciprocate with authority both spiritual and mortal? That to defect means one should have strict adherence to spiritual and legal precepts and to not take an option under the sway of force. How does the devotee choose? What is the position of the devotee who has no knowledge of it’s science? What obligation does guru have in regards to Sri Krishna, the Sampradaya, the world, and all living entities in general?
Is being duty bound and legally bound the case for all?
Your humble servant,
Bhakta David Nollmeyer
Vamanadeva 