Chapter Six

ATIVADI ("Too Great")


In the early 1870's, when he was a deputy magistrate stationed in Jagannath
Puri, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura arrested, judged and jailed a
pseudo-incarnation of Mahavisnu named Bisa Kisen. This man had mystic powers:
he used to sit near a fire and lean into the flames, then lift his head and
make flames come out of his hair. He had two companions who went by the names
Brahma and Siva. Many wealthy and influential Hindus of Orissa were under Bisa
Kisen's sway. They sent him funds for constructing a temple and also provided
him with women for "rasa-lila." He boasted he would drive the British out of
Orissa and rule it as a divine king. Bisa Kisen belonged to the ativadi-
apasampradaya.

In a letter dated August 18, 1871 that was addressed to the editor of a
Cuttack newspaper called Progress, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura described the
origin, philosophy and practices of the ativadi sect. What follows is a
synopsis of the most pertinent points of that letter, along with additional
details gleaned from Apasampradaya-svarupa by H.H. Bhakti-vilasa Bharati
Maharaja.

a) The ativadis claim to be Vaisnavas, but in fact they are quite opposed to
the principles of Vaisnavism.

b) This apasampradaya was started by one Jagannatha dasa at the time Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu was staying at Puri as a sannyasi. He claimed to be a
disciple of Srila Haridasa Thakura, but later on he broke his connection with
Thakura and began preaching his own ideas. For instance, he had his followers
cover their mouths while chanting the maha-mantra, and told them to chant the
second half (Hare Rama) first, before Hare Krsna.

c) The word ativadi means "too great." Once Jagannatha dasa arrogantly
approached Lord Caitanya, ignoring the Lord's associates like Svarupa
Damodara, who would screen visitors so that they would not disturb the Lord
with some strange presentation of wrong ideas. This Jagannatha dasa wanted to
recite his own translation of Srimad Bhagavatam, which contained five chapters
of his own invention. He also wanted to explain his independent manner of
chanting Hare Krsna. To avoid him, Lord Caitanya said, "A fallen soul like Me
is not worthy enough to hear the Bhagavatam composed by an author like you."
Then Jagannatha dasa declared Lord Caitanya to be Krsna, and himself
Radharani. The Lord replied, "Sir, you have become too great (ativadi). An
insignificant and fallen soul like Me can have nothing to do with you."

d) Very foolishly, Jagannatha dasa and his followers took the Lord's statement
as praise instead of what it really was - a condemnation. Thus this
apasampradaya considers itself more well-read in the scriptures than
Mahaprabhu and His associates, and likewise better in judgement and logic.
Jagannatha dasa was also "too great" when he seemingly or supposedly exhibited
an eight-armed form to prove himself even greater in mystic opulence than Lord
Caitanya.

e) Jagannatha dasa had a sweet singing voice, which attracted women to him. He
engaged these ladies in massaging his body. When brought to the court of
Prataparudra Maharaja for indecent behaviour on this account, he said to the
King, "I don't see any difference between men and women." He was imprisoned
for conduct unbecoming a Vaisnava sadhu.

f) Jagannatha dasa had been living in an asrama donated to him and his
followers by the King, but when he rejected Haridasa Thakura and started his
own nonsense, the King took the property back. Then Jagannatha founded his own
asrama on the sea shore; it is called the Satlahari Mandira, and can still be
seen today.

g) Ativadi priests sometimes dress up as women on certain religious occasions;
they are known for loosely mixing with women.

h) The ativadis are very influential in Orissa because Jagannatha dasa's
Oriyan translations of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita are widely liked,
especially by simple people who are not so discriminating about what is
authorized and what is not. The ativadis have often exploited their influence
for political ends, and can be quite fanatical. In this sense, Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura said they resemble certain Islamic sects like the
Wahabis.

i) They appear to be very devoted to Lord Jagannatha. It is a source of pride
among this group to claim that Lord Jagannatha has personally revealed some
truth or prophecy to them. Thus every respected Ativadi can recite what they
call their Malika, or series of revelations from the Lord. A common prediction
one will hear from them is the year the world will end.

j) Yet at the same time, despite their fervor for Jagannatha, the scriptures
they have received from their founder contain many impersonal ideas. Though
they worship the Lord's form in life, they believe after death they will
realize that He has no form, and that they will merge into Him. This shows the
influence of Sankaracarya's Advaita philosophy.

k) Ativadis are mystics. They practice yoga and sometimes work magic, to cure
diseases, for instance. They form a secret brotherhood, like the Freemasons in
the West, and are also involved with drugs like marihuana and opium.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura reckoned there were 15,000 of them in Orissa during his
stay there. At that time, they were often engaged in conspiracies against the
government.

l) Bisa Kisen was only one of many self-proclaimed avataras hailing from this
apasampradaya. Lord Caitanya instructed: avatara nahi kahe - ami avatara -
"the real incarnation of the Lord never claims Himself to be so".