The Age of the Common Assistant

In the different yugas different conditions prevail.

In Satya yuga, the "age of truth", conditions are such that the balance of power lies with the brahmanas. Everyone is a paramhamsa in this age and there is no varnashram, so everyone is a brahmana. In this age the process of self-realization is meditation.

In Dvapara-yuga, the "second age", which usually follows Satya-yuga, the process of self-realization is Deity Worship. In this age the balance of power lies with the Ksatriyas.

In Treta-yuga, the "third age", the process of self-realization is Vedic sacrifices. The balance of power lies with the vaisyas.

In Kali-yuga, the "age of dissent", the process of self-realization is congregational chanting of the Holy Name and the balance of power lies with the "common assistants", as Srila Prabhupada refers to them in ISKCON's 1966 Constitution (clause N.1).

The "wisdom of the crowd" (the community) produced more analysis of Resolution 311 in one week than the GBC produced at all. It also correctly predicted the outcomes of the Resolution.

There is a powerful lesson in this.

ISKCON's GBC practically has no budget. However, they have potentially at their disposal a human resource that a multi-million dollar organization could never afford.

If they can figure out how to engage with it.