The truth about the Kirtanananda era of New Vrindavan
May 18, 1999 VNN3893 BY MAHANANDA DAS (PART ONE)
EDITORIAL, May 18 (VNN) — Hare Krsna... please accept my humble obeisances.
For a long time I have wanted to create a forum to delve into the phenomenon at New
Vrindavan when Kirtanananda Swami created his community there. There are several reasons
for this. One important reason is to try and shine some light on the topic for the benefit
of those good souls who are still confused about the whole development and subsequent
collapse of the community that flourished there for years. In 1969 Kirtanananda visited
our Temple in Detroit when my wife Hladini and I were new, enthusiastic bhaktas there. At
that first fateful meeting, I couldn't see into the future how we would eventually move
there, how I would be disenchanted with the community and leave New Vridaban forever, or
how my good wife wanted to stay behind and would become his faithful servant--only to be
eventually disillusioned, practically exiled to Africa, and eventually killed by a warlord
during the revolution in Liberia.
Since some do blame Kirtanananda and other sannyasis associated with Hladini for her
death, one might be convinced that I am doing this forum with some agenda, and some might
cheer that, but I can honestly say that that is not the case. Whatever happened is what
happened and I hold no grudge any more. But still I have always had this urge to dig into
the truth about the Kirtanananda era of New Vrindavan. Besides this internal urge, there
are occasionally persons whom I've talk to on the Internet that are interested in Krsna
but are confused about New Vrindaban and they have asked me to help them understand what
went on there.
To start, I shall dig up many letters from Srila Prabhupada, beginning at the time when
Kirtanananda took sannyasa and Srila Prabhupada sent him to London to open a temple. These
many letters from Prabhupada will reveal our beloved guru's feelings about the behavior of
his first sannyasa, which will shape the feelings and understanding of those sincere
devotees that will read these letters. I welcome the efforts and comments of others to add
to this forum...
I guess the biggest confusion and question in the minds of many is whether or not the
controversial changes he made were bonafide. It was claimed at the time by his followers
that "Bhaktipada" was a pure soul, that he was being prompted by a higher power,
and that anything done by such a person is acceptable. Of course, when a person is fully
surrendered to Krsna, Krsna does dictates from within, and whatever is done by such a
person, irrespective of whether it is socially acceptable or in line with current morals
or values, those actions are transcendental. But unless Kirtanananda was pleasing his
spiritual master, there is no question of his pleasing Krsna.
As devotees, we are not servants of Krsna. We are servants of His servants. So to
understand whether Kirtanananda's actions were "bonafide," it is important to
understand whether or not what he was doing was pleasing and sanctioned by his spiritual
master, who kindly introduced him to Krsna. When we disobey the pure devotee guru we loose
our link to Krsna. We become independent and loose the shelter of the internal potency,
or, in other words, we again become under the strict control of the modes of nature. The
scripture enjoin that one who displeases his spiritual master, "his whereabouts are
unknown."
So the first thing I shall do is look for letters to and about Kirtanananda from Srila
Prabhupada that will very clearly show if Kirtanananda was simply a submissive extension
of disciplic succession who was following closely in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada and
thus pleasing both his guru and Krsna, or if he was an unfortunate soul who had seriously
displeased his blessed gurudev and thus was working independently and was subject to the
reactions to his own plans. From the point that Srila Prabhupada sends him to London, I
will include all of the letter where he mentions Kirtanananda, in order, and will not just
pick those that support a particular idea. Our desire here is to reveal the truth and not
to present a biased characterization of Kirtanananda.
We must keep in mind that Srila Prabhupada loved Kirtanananda greatly as he did all of his
disciples. Our desire here is not to do any harm to Kirtanananda. Srila Prabhupada would
be very pleased if anyone could in anyway help to bring his wayward children back to
Krsna's Lotus Feet, as was Srila Prabhupada's only mission. So we never want to work
against own guru by being envious towards our godbrothers, even if they have fallen down.
But still, it is important that the truth be known. I'm sure there are many who still
follow Kirtanananda, at least in their hearts, and feel he has been misunderstood. I am
hoping that we can help here to put things in proper perspective so that intelligent
devotees can adjust their thinking and can advance in their devotional path. To be
successful in this small endeavor, I pray for the blessings of our beloved gurudev, His
Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
To begin our search....
Srila Prabhupada had great hopes for his young disciple. In August and September of 67 he
writes to a few of his disciples about Kirtanananda's entrance into the sannyas order.
Srila Prabhupada's idea was that Kirtanananda was to travel and open centers as he had
done in Montreal.
To Jadarani:(Aug 22, 1967)"...it has been decided by me to transform Kirtanananda
into a Swami, and he may then go back to Montreal for improving the center, and for
opening more centers in that country." To Woomapati: (Sept 5) ] "Kirtananda
is now a fully Krsna conscious person as he has accepted sannyas on the birthday of Lord
Krsna with great success. He is the first sannyas in my spiritual family and I hope he
will return back home to begin preaching work with great vigor and success."
By late September, Srila Prabhupada had decided to send him to London instead.To the
devotees in LA he writes: (Sept 20) "Kirtanananda is going back to London
tomorrow. I have advised him to start a center in London positively and after a month
Rairama will join him from Boston. Kirtanananda has experience to start a new center and
therefore I have entrusted him with this great task. I hope he will be successful there as
I have given him one important letter of introduction for London. Please pray to the Lord
that he may be successful" The same day Kirtanananda left for London Srila
Prabhupada writes to Brahmananda to tell him of his plans."Kirtanananda has
already gone back this morning. I have given him an introductory letter to London. In this
connection, much money has been spent from the building fund. If he gets a favorable
response, then Rayrama may join him there, and when he goes, I shall go. I think that I am
now fit to travel and Krsna will give me strength."
Prabhupada was including Kirtanananda in many of his plans for expanding the movement and
now he was preparing to send Rayrama also. Also, Srila Prabhupada himself was thinking
that he wanted to join them there too. So the following day he wrote his disciple Rayrama
to tell him of his plans for London. "Yesterday morning I sent Kirtanananda to
London with a letter of introduction to Miss DC Bowtell 27 Cornhurst Road London NW 2
Basurey Gaudiya Math. I hope this lady who is supposed to be a Gaudiya Vaisnava will
receive him well there and there is possibility to start a center there. You were to start
for London by the beginning of November, if Miss B gives us her cooperation and
Kirtanananda is successful in his mission you will reach there timely and on receipt of a
favorable report myself and Acyutananda may also go"
But Srila Prabhupada was soon to get a great shock and seeming setback to his plans when
he learned that Kirtanananda never really planned to go to London in the first place and
had tricked him. He had considered Kirtanananda a loyal disciple and he was greatly
aggrieved by this foolish move by his first sannyas, as indicated by the letter he write a
few days later to Hayagriva in America. "Kirtanananda Swami prearranged with you
to reach on the 24th instant but he arranged here with me that he would stop at London and
I gave him one important introduction letter. Although he had in his mind not to stop at
London and yet promised before me that he would go, for which I gave him extra $20.00. I
cannot understand why he played with me like this. If he had no desire to go to London he
would have plainly told me like that. It has certainly given me a great shock. He is one
of my very faithful disciples and if he does like that how can I prosecute my programs. I
have received one post card from him from London Airport in which he writes that he is
going directly to NY. I understand also from Umapati's letter that he has already reached
New York although I have not heard anything from him from New York. It is all my
misfortune." Kirtanananda had prearranged to disdbey his guru and meet with
Hayagriva, his old friend and roommate, just two days after he left Delhi for London. This
offense at the lotus feet of his spiritual master marked the beginning of a long decline
into even move serious transgressions that caused much grief to our beloved master, Srila
Prabhupada, who in later letters gives use greater insight into Kirtanananda's developing
relationship with his gurudev.
For another week, Srila Prabhupada does not mention the incident with Kirtanananda in his
letters, but by October 3rd he decided to send Rayarama to London to do what he wanted
Kirtanananda to do. He writes on that day to Satvarupa. "In my last letter to
Brahmananda and Hayagriva I've already requested that Rayarama take the introductory
letter from Kirtanananda and as previously settled Rayarama may go to London in Nov. In
London there is one Miss D.C. Bowtell, 27 Cranhurst Rd., Crickle cod, London. NW. 2. This
old lady was given Hari Nama while my Guru Maharaja was on earth. Since then she is
maintaining one apartment & may be doing some preaching work. So Rayarama may open
some correspondence with her before going there. This will help in the matter of opening
center in London. This function was intended for Kirtanananda. While returning to NY He
was to stop there and see her but he was so much frenzied to see and meet his old friends
that he forgot the order of Krishna and indulged in a sort of sense gratification. It is
certainly a shocking incident which I never expected from a disciple like
Kirtanananda." Later that day, Srila Prabhupada wrote to his disciples in LA
praising them for their service there and told them about the Kirtanananda incident. What
he said gives us a better insight into our connection with Krsna through our spiritual
master and the importance of accepting the orders of our guru as being those of Krsna. He
writes ''I am very glad that you are now in Los Angeles and organizing the most
important temple. I had great desire to have our center in L.A. and by grace of Krishna
you have fulfilled my desire. I had another great desire to open a temple in London and
hoped also that Kirtanananda after accepting sannyasa would do this job. For this purpose
he was given an introductory letter to a London lady along with expenses. However, out of
his whim he did not go to London but went directly to New York''.
''This is a terrible example and it has shocked me. Your service attitude encourages me
because Krishna can never be an order supplier. We should always remember that Krishna is
the only order giver. His order is received through the agency of the spiritual master.
The bonafide spiritual master is the manifest representative of Krishna. The spiritual
master is described in the scriptures as good as Krishna because he is the most
confidential servitor of Krishna. To please the spiritual master is to please Krishna. On
this principle we must advance our Krishna Consciousness and there is no danger." Srila
Prabhupada' is very forgiving.The next day he writes to Brahmananda about Kirtanananda's
arrival in NY...." I am glad to learn that Kirtanananda Swami is now in N.Y. and
that he looks very nice in midst of his glowing God-brothers. But he would have been
looking more nice if he had stayed in London for a few days as it was settled here. Anyway
I shall be very glad if Kirtanananda goes with Rayarama to London and opens a branch there
cooperatively. He has got an introductory letter for a London lady. Immediate
correspondence may be opened with her."
A few days later, after learning that Kirtanananda was planning a lecture at Harvard,
Srila Prabhupada writes to his disciple Satsvarupa in Boston, and we begin to understand
the real significance of this act of diobedience. "Kirtanananda may be eager to
address in the Harvard university but recently he has lost his link on account of
disobedience. You sing every day morning that by the mercy of the Spiritual master one can
please the Lord and one who has not pleased the spiritual master cannot have any access in
the realm of Krishna Consciousness. Very recently Kirtanananda has developed a different
consciousness of Maya which is called misuse of one's minute independence offered by
Krishna. By misuse of one's independence one at once becomes a victim of Maya and thus he
loses all importance in Krishna Consciousness. So it is my definite opinion that his
lecture anywhere now will bear no spiritual sequence. He must rectify his mistake before
he can play in our Society any important role. By lips he says that he is a surrendered
soul but by action he is thinking differently."
Actually, it wouldn't be until some years later that Kirtanananda would have the full
freedom at New Vrindaban to make all the well known changes in Srila Prabhupada's
devotional process such as type of clothing, etc, but one can see from the content of
Srila Prabhupada's letters that Kirtanananda tried at his earliest opportunity to start
introducing what his guru would call "nonsense." Over the next two weeks, Srila
Prabhupada got many reports from so many persons about the trouble Kirtanananda was
causing. On October 11th Prabhupada wrote to Brahmananda. "Regarding change of
dress, I beg to inform you that every Krishna conscious person must be clean shaved, must
have Tilakas on the forehead and other eleven places and must have the Sikha on the top of
the head besides beads on the neck as usual. Rarely one can continue to keep beard but it
is better not to keep it to distinguish oneself from the Hippies. We must let the public
know that we are not Hippies''.
''Do not try to follow the unauthorized advice of Kirtanananda. Nobody cares for the
dress; every sane man follows the philosophy and practical talks. Let Kirtanananda Swami
do something practically. Let him do whatever he likes and let us see that thousands of
American are following him. Unless he does so do not accept his principle. I think all of
you except a Sannyasi may dress yourself just like a fine up to date American gentleman
but one must have the Tilakas etc as I have mentioned above. Kirtanananda is the first man
in our society who cleanly shaved and kept the Sikha on the top of the head and now he has
begun to keep beard again. This is not good. Whatever he is doing nowadays has no sanction
from me. And he has deliberately disobeyed me by not going to London. Now he appears to be
out of my control and therefore I advise you not to follow his principles unless he shows
practically something wonderful. I gave him a chance to do this in the matter of opening a
Branch in London but he has failed to do it.''
''Now let him show first of all that by seeing his newly grown beard he has been
successful to have many Americans following him and our financial condition has improved,
then try to follow his instruction. Otherwise reject all idle talks. A Krishna conscious
person must be seen by ears and not by the eyes or in other words one should try to know
the depth of realisation by Krishna conscious person and not see the beard which has
become the practice of the Hippies." Then Srila Prabhupada writes to Rayarama on
the 13th and strongly admonishes Kirtanananda's misbehavior.''I am very sorry to hear
that Kirtanananda is advising you to give up the robes and the flags on the head. Please
stop this nescience as I never instructed Kirtanananda to act like that. I am not at all
satisfied with this action of Kirtanananda. Kirtanananda has no right to instruct you in
that way, without consulting me. People are being attracted to the chanting of Hare
Krishna & not to Kirtanananda's devices. Kirtanananda suggested to me when he was here
that the Americans do not like the robes & flag. I told him personally if you think
that Americans in great numbers will follow you, simply for not having robes & flag, I
therefore advised him to drop for a few days in London & test this theory. But he has
gone directly to N.Y. and is now causing these disturbances without consulting me. I have
not sanctioned these methods. In my opinion, Clean shaved Bramacharies & Grhasthas in
saffron robes look like angels from Baikunta. Translation of prayers into English is good
& if somebody dresses like nice American gentleman without any robes, I have no
objection; but every one of my disciples must have the flag & marks of tilak on
forehead. This is essential. Besides that, nobody should do anything without my
sanction." "I am very sorry to hear Kirtanananda, without doing anything
practical, changes his ideas constantly. He was first man in our society to take the robes
shave cleanly, & take flag & now he is changing his position. You have asked me to
tell you whether you are right or carry one by the following the foolish advice of
Kirtanananda, & I say straight that Kirtanananda is wrong and you are right when you
say that the movement will come to nothing if I am not satisfied with your actions."
Next, I shall reveal the letters that Srila Prabhupada sent over the next few weeks to his
disciples, instructing them how to deal with his renegade sannyasa. On Oct 13th he wrote
to Jadurani " You have written to say that I am as hard as the thunderbolt &
softer than a rose' is quite right in the line of Krishna Consciousness. I am very sorry
to inform you that Kirtanananda is playing the part of a foolish man after his return to
N.Y. & it is necessary for me to play the part of a thunderbolt for his nonsense
activities. He has unnecessarily instructed something to Damodara which is not sanctioned
byme. Since he has developed this nonsensical attitude so much so that he is dictating
something which is not sanctioned by me, all his instructions should be neglected. Please
inform this to all centers."
Then he writes to Brahmananda these two letters....
"I have received a letter from Damodara (dated Oct. 9) in which he writes to say:
'Swami Kirtanananda has returned to the United States and is causing quite a stir among
the devotees. Following his suggestions, we have stopped wearing robes and have cut off
our flags. He said these appurtanences are too strange-looking to outsiders and only make
it more difficult for them to consider chanting Hare Krishna. Swami Kirtanananda has said
we must avoid appearing to be Orientalists if we are to have 108 centers in the US.'
''This is very much disturbing to me & has caused me much pain. Please therefore stop
Kirtanananda from making his mental concoctions. Do not be misled by him. I have never
advised him to act like that. If he is causing such disturbances he should not be allowed
to indulge in such nonsensical activities. I have already written you to inform you that
somehow or other he has become crazy; otherwise he would not have disobeyed me to go
directly to N.Y. For the time being he has cut all link with me, therefore any instruction
given by him is unauthorized & should at once be rejected. He has no right to dictate
as he has without my sanction. Whatever is to be done will be executed when I return. He
is too much puffed-up nonsensically therefore you should copy this letter & forward to
all centers that Kirtanananda has no right to dictate anything to the Society in this way.
I am very sorry that he is exploiting his present position as a sannyasi. I have no
objection if members of the Society dress like nice American gentlemen; but in all
circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilak, flag on head, & beads on neck. These are
essential features of a Vaisnava. Hope you are well.''
(October 16th) Dear Brahmananda
"Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter (dated Oct. 10)
& I've also received Kirtanananda's letter. From different centers of our society the
news of the activities of Kirtanananda is giving me too much pain. From Rayarama's letter
it is clear that Kirtanananda has not rightly understood Krishna Consciousness philosophy
& it appears that he does not know the difference between impersonal & personal
features of Krishna. The best thing will be to prohibit him to speak in any of our
functions or meetings. It is clear that he has become crazy & he should once more be
sent to Bellevue. He was in Bellevue before & with great difficulty & with the
help of Mr. Ginsberg we got him out. But it appears that he has developed his madness
again, therefore if he is not sent to Bellevue then at least he should be stopped from
speaking such nonsense. It is clear from his activities that he has been attacked by maya;
he is a victim. We shall pray to Krishna for his recovery but we cannot allow him to speak
on my behalf. I am trying to return as soon as possible & when I return everything
will be all right. Hope you are well Your ever well-wisher A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami"
then on the 16th he writes to Rayarama."I have already requested Brahmananda to
stop Kirtanananda's speaking at any of our functions till my arrival. If he wants to
preach anything he can do it on his own in a different place. Krishna is certainly one and
different, but his oneness is stressed by the impersonalists which is distinct from our
philosophy. Our philosophy of Krishna's oneness & difference is explained in the 9th
ch, 4th verse of B.G. in which it is clearly stated that Krishna is one by distribution of
his diverse energies. When Krishna controls his diverse energies he does not become
impersonal. If Kirtanananda believes in one-Self, why does he stress the vibration &
not the words? Why does he find difference in vibration & words? If he believes in one
there is no difference between vibration & words? And why shouldn't one be attached to
the chanting? All this means that he has no clear idea & he is talking nonsense. If
Kirtanananda does not understand this philosophy then better he should stop speaking
nonsense. I can understand his designs but I cannot help because I am far away from the
place. I am leaving here with a note to Kirtanananda which you please show him & do
the needful. Hope you are well."
Finally, on the 16th of October, Srila Prabhupada writes to Kirtanananda and confronts
him.
Calcutta
16th October, 1967
My dear Kirtanananda,
Please accept my blessings. I've received your note along with Brahmananda's for first
time since you left to N.Y. You had no desire to stop in London. This is clear to me from
Hayagriva's letter which indicated that you had already planned to go there even before
you left India. Since you have returned to N.Y. you have falsely dictated that I do not
want the robes or flags. Why are you disturbing the whole situation in my absence. I never
ordered you to speak like that. They must continue to have robes & tilak & flags
& they must distinguish themselfes from the hippies. I never objected to any of my
students dressing like nice American gentleman, clean shaved; those who are my disciples
must have flag, tilak & beads on neck without fail. Anyway I never advised you to
dictate on behalf, please therefore do not misrepresent me. You have been given sannyasa
to follow my principles & not to disturb me. If you do not agree with my philosophy
you can work independent and not with-in the walls of ISKCON. You have not understood
Krishna properly. The best thing will be to stop your talks my return & if you love me
at all please do not talk in any meeting but chant in solitary place--anywhere you like.
Hope you are well.
Your ever well-wisher
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Then on October 17th Srila Prabhupada wrote to Pradumna about Kirtanananda. He writes
''Regarding Kirtanananda, he is undoubtedly a good soul, but lately he has been attacked
by maya; he thinks too much of himself--even at the risk of disobeying his spiritual
master & talking nonsense about Krishna. As a man haunted by a ghost talks so much
nonsense, so also when a man is overpowered by the illusory energy--maya, also talks all
sorts of nonsense. The last attack of maya upon the conditioned souls is impersonalism.
There are 4 stages of attack of maya; viz.: 1 stage is that a man wants to be a
protagonist of religion, 2 is that man neglects religiosity and tries to improve his
economic development, 3) is to be protagonist of sense enjoyment & when a man is
frustrated in all the above mentioned stages he comes to 4, which is impersonalism, and
thinks himself one with the Supreme. This last attack is very serious and fatal.
Kirtanananda has very recently developed the 4th stage malady on account of his negligence
& disobedience to his spiritual master. Sometimes a foolish patient when he is out of
feverish attack by the grace of the physician, thinks that he is cured and does not take
precaution against relapse. Kirtanananda's position is like that. Because he helped the
society in starting the Montreal center I thought he is now ableto start other branches
& when he asked me to give him sannyasa I agreed taking the opportunity of his
presence in Vrndavana. Simply by his Sannyas dress he thought himself as cured of all
material diseases & all mistakes but under the influence of maya, he thought himself a
liberated patient, just as the foolish patient thinks himself cured from the disease.
Under the spell of maya, he deliberately disobeyed me by not going to London &
consequently his disease has relapsed. Now in N.Y. he has began to dictate nonsense in my
name--such as giving up robes, flags etc. Instead of opening new centers he has began to
deliver his nonsense sermons amongst his God-brothers which are all against our
principles. For the present he should simply chant Hare Krishna & cease to deliver
lectures because he has not understood the whole philosophy very nicely.''
''Regarding the hippy religion; we must distinguish ourselves from the hippies. The
hippies generally maintain long hair & beard & in order to distinguish ourselves
from them we should be clean shaved. When our devotees go outside I have no objection if
he dresses as nice American or Canadian gentleman. Up to date gentlemen are all clean
shaved so if we do not keep long hair & dress ourselves nicely with tilaka, flag &
beads on the neck, apart from our devotional service, then certainly we shall be distinct
from the Hippies. I think we should follow this principle rigidly & there is no
question of giving up robes in the temple.'' (c) 1991 by Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
to be continued on part two...
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All glories to His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada!