"Someone Has Poisoned Me"

CHAPTER 45: CONCLUSIONS & SUMMARY

WHY EXPOSE THE CONSPIRACY?

This reporter is beset by heavy anxiety and is troubled over the responsibility undertaken for the collection of the evidence in the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada. Should it be openly distributed and what effects will this information will have on the ISKCON body that was so dear to Srila Prabhupada? Why expose the poison conspiracy? After all, some say, so much time has passed and what is done cannot be undone. Perhaps, as some have suggested, this matter is best forgotten.

In answer, we need only look to what happened to the teachings of Jesus Christ, a sad phenomenon being pieced together only recently by modern historians. In essence, the teachings of Christ have been lost, changed, perverted, and adapted for use by those with less than pure motives. It is now even doubtful whether Christ died on the cross or that he said or did many of the things attributed to him. One shocking book on the subject is Bloodline of the Holy Grail. There is still faith in Christ and some potency in Christianity, but the full spiritual power of his teachings have been corrupted and is missing.

But without digressing to a discussion on modern Christianity compared with Christ's original teachings, suffice it to say that we stand at a critical crossroads in the history of the world in regards to the future of Lord Chaitanya's movement. We do not want what happened to Christ's teachings to happen to Srila Prabhupada's mission. The number and magnitude of setbacks to Srila Prabhupada's mission and His ISKCON in the last 22 years have been such that if the present course is continued, there will be little left in another 10 years.

It behooves those dedicated to the Mission to come forward at this time and strive earnestly for the restoration of purity and potency to Srila Prabhupada's Mission. At the risk of some unavoidable and initially acrimonious debate over the poison issue, we must strive to establish the truth of how Srila Prabhupada was poisoned and seek full accountabilities thereof. Only then can we hope to restore His Mission when those who usurped it by such a horrible crime are removed from the Mission. Their continued presence as supposed leaders of the Mission, and the effects of their "spells" of philosophical twists and deviations on Srila Prabhupada's teachings must be cleansed. In short, the poisoners of Srila Prabhupada have also poisoned ISKCON and the Mission. All the problems in ISKCON will be solved by removing the poisoners and their poisonous effects, and then centering the Mission on Srila Prabhupada. ISKCON can be thus restored.

Srila Prabhupada was poisoned because those who wanted His assets thought they needed Him out of their way. The assassins of the pure devotee must be apprehended, removed, and chastised according to the laws of God and the state. Assuming that some of the "original eleven" and their allies are responsible for the poisoning, which is definitely indicated by the evidence, then it follows that ISKCON has been seriously adulterated by their takeover of Srila Prabhupada's assets.

The systems and policies instituted since 1977 need to be reviewed in light of the poisoning of the acharya. The misguided course that the assassins have set His Mission on must be corrected and secured by those who have proven themselves dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and above self-aggrandizement. How long will it take us to finally realize that those who want to be gurus have corrupted this movement with their less than spiritual ambitions? As long as those who had anything to do with the poisoning, and perhaps those who cooperated with the poisoners afterwards, remain as leaders of and "gurus" in Srila Prabhupada's Mission, there will persist a loss of faith by the common members in the leadership, and a lack of purity in the leadership as well. It is time to clean house and do repairs !

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE

To begin, let us review a quote from a Mr. Schippers during some of President Clinton's legal and moral difficulties:

"Please do not be cajoled into considering each event in isolation and then treating it separately. That is a tactic employed by defense lawyers in every conspiracy trial...(in history) Events and words that may seem innocent or even expulpatory in a vacuum may well take on a sinister or even criminal connotation when observed in the context of the whole plot."

We can expect the entrenched ISKCON leadership to try and dissect the case for poisoning Srila Prabhupada into little bits and pieces, and then discredit each one individually. They will say the whispers can't really be heard, the symptoms are of kidney disease and colds, Srila Prabhupada did not mean such and such when He said this and that, the hair analysis is misleading or faulty, reverse speech is voodoo hocus-pocus, this is just the work of those "rtviks," etc, etc, etc. But we need to look at the whole picture. When we add all the evidence together, things begin to confirm each other and it becomes obvious as a conspiracy. Srila Prabhupada used to say, "Where there is smoke, there is fire," and there is both here. Nevertheless, the further facts and evidence that are required to completely resolve the issue will be found out, rest assured. The investigation has reached a point of no return. Poisoners beware: we will find you!

MEDICAL SYMPTOMS: The challenge is put forward to all toxicologists and pathologists: study the health biography in this publication and tell us that the physical symptoms exhibited by Srila Prabhupada are anything other than those of chronic arsenic poisoning ! Thank you to Tamal for providing so much of the information necessary for this reconstruction of Srila Prabhupada's health history. However, most information came from :areful review of the taped recordings that survived and are found in the Conversations Books.

SRILA PRABHUPADA SAID: For a good perspective on the value of Srila Prabhupada's statements that He was being poisoned, refer to Appendix 18. Even the GBC apologists admit confusion and perplexity at now to explain away Srila Prabhupada's words, "Someone has poisoned me." But they will not take the words of the pure devotee seriously.

REVERSE SPEECH: This is a controversial area of evidence, but the case of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning is not made or broken by speech reversals. However, they are shocking in their consistency and revelations,they are further confirmation of the fact, and the method deserves further research. Many law enforcement agencies are also using reverse speech analysis; why shouldn't we?

HAIR ANALYSES: Further neutron activation analyses of Srila Prabhupada's 1976-77 hair samples would provide the confirmations we need to reconstruct the precise history of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning. The more evidence the better. However, even with only ONE test, that done on Hari Sauri's October 1977 hair, we find that by conservative estimation, Srila Prabhupada had 10 times the average level of arsenic. This alone constitutes definite confirmation of His being poisoned. Further, this author's hair sample was analyzed to have 4 times the average amounts of arsenic.

SUM TOTAL OF EVIDENCE: We have sufficient evidence to assuredly and unequivocally state: Srila Prabhupada was poisoned. The mass of corroborating evidence herein establishes this fact as a certainty. The mass of evidence at this point is too compelling to ignore or dismiss. Now we must move to conclude the investigation, remove the poisoners, and rebuild our beloved Spiritual Master's Mission.

CONCLUSIONS

Was Srila Prabhupada killed? Definitely not. The pure devotee is fully under the protection of the Supreme Lord and whatever takes place in the lives of such fully surrendered souls is a divine arrangement, not the result of material factors or conditions. As Srila Prabhupada said on April 16. 1977, to Tamal: "It is not possible to kill him (Christ). Such a great personality, representative of God, he is not killed. That is not possible."

Was Srila Prabhupada poisoned? Definitely, yes. He knew He was being poisoned, maybe long before He finally said so on November 9-10, 1977. Srila Prabhupada's references to Ravana and Rama (November 11, 1977), and the statement, "Better kill me here," (October 22, 1977) also indicate He knew He was being poisoned. Yet, Srila Prabhupada seemed to accept it in the mood of complete dependence on Lord Krishna. He incredibly made hardly any complaint about His physical condition and ill health, what to speak of any protest of being poisoned. Srila Prabhupada was fully empowered with all the mystic yoga perfections; He was capable of physically defeating any opposition, by the grace of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada departed because it was a private decision between Himself and His worshippable Lord.

When Srila Prabhupada was no longer wanted, being poisoned by those He gave His mercy to, He decided to depart, a decision confirmed in a September 25, 1976 letter to Bhaktijan Prabhu in New York, who was concerned about Srila Prabhupada's health:

"I'll not leave the planet until you order."

Being poisoned could easily be taken as an order to leave or not being wanted. Srila Prabhupada several times expressed in His final months that His staying depended on His disciples desire and love. We failed to demonstrate it; we failed in convincing His Divine Grace to stay with us. Or rather, the poisoners decided that for the rest of us. Nevertheless, we failed to protect our Spiritual Master. Now knowing what happened, can we still remain silent, passively accepting this greatest of injustices?

Who poisoned Srila Prabhupada? To uncover the reality of this issue is a daunting task, as twenty-two years already has passed to hide the evidence. It constitutes a challenge of tremendous proportions, and whatever the outcome, the issue is one of great importance to the spiritual health and future of Srila Prabhupada's divine Mission and the upliftment of humanity. Our greatest obstacle to achieving justice and a restoring of the Mission is not the poisoners' cleverness or determination to remain anonymous- it would be the apathy and inaction of Srila Prabhupada's followers.

WHAT TO DO NOW?

There is the very small chance that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned from outside ISKCON, although, given the evidence on hand already, that just doesn't make sense. The assassins are almost certainly still inside ISKCON in positions of power and leadership. The consequences of the discovery of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning must now be dealt with. The example may be given of Kirtanananda Swami and New Vrindaban. It was not until Kirtanananda's final departure to jail that the once-largest devotee community in ISKCON was able to rectify itself and move forward with renewed purity (relatively speaking). Similarly, we must of necessity completely purge the saboteurs from ISKCON before the Mission can be properly restored to purity and reset on the proper course that Srila Prabhupada charted out.

Since 1977 there has been a disease in Srila Prabhupada's body, namely ISKCON, evidenced by the pain, confusion, turmoil, cheating, and deviations experienced in the past 22 years. The cure for the disease in the Mission is offered with the following steps:

1. Completion of the poison investigation, leading to a full resolution including legal proof of the crime, apprehension of the murderers and their accomplices, their removal and legal convictions.

2. Select a new GBC body from scratch, elected by the devotees, who would then have renewed faith in ISKCON leadership.

3. Select a group of qualified brahmanas, elected by the devotees, to oversee an open, ongoing philosophical convention to sort out the current divisive issues at hand, such as the guru issue, etc. Until the next empowered representative of the Lord comes who can unite the various factions with singular leadership, let us try to cooperatively and democratically establish an ISKCON Constitution based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. We have already seen that tyranny and the heavy-handed rule of the GBC-guru elite will not work. Now let us try another path, one of open discussion leading to consensus and cooperation. Let us assume the grass roots members of this movement are basically sincere and will accept philosophical siddhanta when it is openly and honestly discussed and ascertained rather than forced down their throats. After all, everything is in Srila Prabhupada's books. If we avail ourselves of His books, all issues can be settled by the above mentioned method.

4. Move forward again with cooperation, honesty, and openness in following Srila Prabhupada's teachings, without any more tyranny, and push on the Mission of delivering the fallen souls of this planet.

This can be accomplished if enough of the followers of Srila Prabhupada are sufficiently interested to become involved in a final and full reform effort. The partial so-called reforms of 1982, 1986, 1992, 1996, etc have not addressed the real problem: the poisoners and their poisoning of the Mission. Let us not forsake Srila Prabhupada and His desire that Lord Chaitanya's Mission be realized. We may be battered, bruised, disgusted. alienated, confused, and disheartened by the cloud of darkness over Srila Prabhupada's Mission. But at least let us not end our lives without having tried to restore Srila Prabhupada to ISKCON. We can try, and Krishna will decide the results.

CONTINUATION OF POISON INVESTIGATION

The investigation into the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada has JUST only begun; it must be continued until the whole truth has been uncovered The present situation is that there are two underfunded, oppressed, and under-manned investigations working separately, but both facing ar. ISKCON leadership entrenched in denial. Probably the only way this situation can be altered is by a massive groundswell of protest and demand for action from the worldwide Vaishnava community. Pressure on the present leaders and "gurus" may precipitate some progress. Typically, a leader is able to remain in his position only so long as he inspires faith and confidence in his constituents. Thus leaders will respond to the devotees who if in sufficient numbers, demand action.

Obviously, a very serious expansion of the investigation is required Pressure on the ISKCON leadership can bring about the formation anc funding of an expanded and empowered investigative team (EXIT) choser: from the existing investigations with additional, neutral parties inside anc outside of the official ISKCON structure. If the GBC will not do so, then the followers of Srila Prabhupada must organize such an effort themselves.

It is understood that Balavanta Prabhu's team is working under the extreme hardship of no funding and the subtle intimidation of finding result? in keeping with ISKCON's official policy of absolute denial that poisoning took place. Balavanta seems to have his hands tied by de facto non cooperation from the GBC, while the GBC simultaneously wants him to provide confirmation of their denials. Again, only grass roots pressure can change that. The GBC and all ISKCON members and supporters must require that any member, guru, or GBC consents to being interviewed anc questioned, Tamal, Jayapataka and Bhakticharu Swamis especially. Actually, those three should be placed under "house arrest" at once by the GBC until their full and separate depositions are taken. The non-cooperation of these individuals should meet the full power of the GBC's disciplinary measures.

Once an expanded and empowered investigative team (EXIT) is formed, the following are some of the things to do:

1. Interview Tamal Krishna Goswami, Bhavananda, Satadhanya, Bhakticharu Swami, Hansadutta, Jayapataka Swami and many others, including lie detector tests, sodium pentathol interviews, and reverse speech analysis.

2. Obtain and test further samples of Srila Prabhupada's hair and teeth, such as those in Tamal's possession.

3. Procure complete translations of Hindi and Bengali portions on the 1977 tape recordings.

4. Contact the government authorities in India, where the crime was committed, for assistance and participation in the investigation. The Indian law enforcement agencies may take up the case as well.

5. Conduct further audio forensic analysis as may be necessary to confirm known and presently unknown whispers, and to test for tape editing.

6. Conduct reverse speech analysis to provide leads.

7. Maintain an internet website for the discussion of the issues, the evidence, the consequences, the healing.

8. Mount a renewed effort to locate rumored witnesses.

9. Establish a public relations office to deal with the publicity, and an 800 number hotline for leads and general participation.

10. Requisition of vital documents and evidence, such as Tamal's original diary and the original 1977 tape recorders.

11. If a legal resolution cannot be achieved due to lack of sufficient evidence for obtaining murder convictions, the GBC must decide whether those suspected should be allowed to remain in their positions, considering the unity and health of Srila Prabhupada's mission. It may come to the point where some suspects, perhaps, will need to be sent off to remote parts of the world to preach alone, as their continued presence would be too controversial and disturbing. There's the Amazon, the Congo, Greenland, China etc. That would be the "honorable" thing for them to do voluntarily.

SUMMARY

We want the truth! We want the directors of ISKCON to be responsible to the many thousands of devotees whose spiritual lives hang in the balance over this issue. Will ISKCON be the institution which Srila Prabhupada created and put into motion, or will it become a Kaliyuga production, a impotent pseudo-spiritual sideshow? This question must be answered, for can an institution which gives safe harbor to those who have killed the Founder-Acharya have any effective future?

It must be noted that not one GBC member or ISKCON "guru" has contacted the IVC, any of its members, or this author to offer help, sympathy or even to ask questions. Even the noted liberal and free thinking Bhaktitirtha Swami declined any involvement in this issue, begging a busy schedule as an excuse. To be optimistic, though, let us assume that when this compilation is put in their hands, they will awaken to the gravity and substance of the poisoning evidence, and meet up to their responsibility as ISKCON leaders. Hopefully there will be at least a few devotees who hold positions in ISKCON who will demand a full scale and truly impartial investigation.

If our ISKCON leaders, even after this compilation is made available to them, do not aggressively act to set up an impartial and full-fledged investigation, we will conclude that their sincerity and honesty has been compromised by political or personal considerations. Then we must demand their resignation and find out new and honest leadership to steer Srila Prabhupada's movement to success through the choppy waters of Kaliyuga. The evidence contained herewith should be more than sufficient to cause each and every sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada to rise up and act for the welfare of ISKCON. We must now bring an atmosphere of honest review and investigation into the poison issue and other significant and related topics, one of which is the initiation and guru question. No longer can we afford to allow the Mission of Srila Prabhupada to be run by those who would reject and expel any who do not conform to their self-interested policies.

Surely, Lord Krishna will make arrangements for the preservation and rectification of Srila Prabhupada's Mission, and it is just a matter of time before this situation is set right. The poison issue, the initiation/guru issue, the changing the books issue, the guru's money issue and much more of the causes for disturbance in ISKCON will be resolved soon. We must not become depressed and cynical or resort to the same inappropriate behavior we have abhorred in others. We must have faith that Lord Chaitanya's predictions will come to pass and that Srila Prabhupada's incarnation was divinely arranged and that His hard work and austerity will not be futile.

Meanwhile, we all must become prepared to participate meaningfully in a new and cleansed ISKCON of the near future. We have learned so much since Srila Prabhupada's departure about the what-not-to-do's and the pitfalls to avoid in preserving and perpetuating His spiritual movement. Exactly how we can contribute to the preservation and rectification of ISKCON will be revealed by the prayer and sincere soul-searching of each individual. Let us prepare ourselves by becoming fixed in Krishna consciousness and soundly situated in simple living with sufficient arrangement for basic economics. Our extra time in life can then be used to cooperatively push on Srila Prabhupada's mission to save this planet and its six billion human inhabitants from the progressive hellish degradations of the Age of Kali.

ENDNOTE

The investigation into the poison issue began as a team effort of IVC members and supporters ever since its inception in late 1997. Rochan Prabhu maintained much relevant information on a web site (although it has become somewhat outdated) and acted as a clearinghouse and coordinator. Mahabuddhi and Isha Prabhus organized the first audio forensic analyses on the whispers. Dhaneshwar Prabhu worked on the aborted CD project and reverse speech research, the work for which was invaluable to this publication. Mrigendra and Gupta Prabhus gave practical and legal advice, both being long-practicing attorneys.

Many were interviewed or consulted by Dhaneshwar Prabhu or this reporter, such as Pradyumna, Arundhati, Bhagwat, Udayananda, Hansadutta, Niscinta, Rupanuga, Yasodanandana, Garuda, Badarayan, Paramrupa, Ekanath, Ranjit, Isha, Bir Krishna Maharaj, Adi Keshava, Pusta Krishna, the editor of Hinduism Today, various forensic experts and many, many more. A few others also gave support and assistance in various ways. The IVC has become functionally inoperative, and since early 1998 this reporter has worked quietly and basically alone on research and compilation of this book.

Since November, 1997, this reporter's conscience has pushed relentlessly for the completion of this publication. It is with singular and great determination that this author will continue this investigation in league with those sincere and concerned devotees that require the truth rather than standard political maneuverings and predictable denials, obscurements, and obfuscations. In the attempt to obtain balanced information, an interview was sought with Tamal Krishna Goswami, but it was declined by deferring to Balavanta's investigation.

Unfortunately, there has been no financial support to date, and any contributions received would be much appreciated and are tax deductible. The only reason we ask for a donation for this publication is to fund future investigative costs. We do not intend to profit from this book, and, any funds received will be used for continued investigative efforts.

This reporter hereby makes an official appeal for assistance on this poison investigation. Any donations, big or small, to our tax exempt corporation will be most appreciated and wisely spent on forensics, publications and the many other expenses of the investigation. Also, any leads or information regarding witnesses, Srila Prabhupada's health, or possible poisoning suspects, as well as anything one may think useful, would be much appreciated. Please send contributions (tax deductible receipts provided on request) or information to:

Restore the Mission, PO Box 208, Mayodan, NC 27027 (rivervillage@mindspring.com.)

Toll Free 1.800.252.0115

(phone use limited to substantial purposes only, please) You may also find information on the poison issue at harekrishna.com. You may also contact Balavanta Prabhu at:

William Ogle, PO Box 4118, Ormond Beach, Fl 32175 (whogle@worldnet.att.net)

To order a copy of Balavanta's Independent GBC Investigation report, which is expected to be completed by mid-1999, please inquire from your nearest GBC, ISKCON center, or Balavanta directly. It is assumed that the report will be available upon request. But do not be surprised if it is not.

We encourage you to share this documentary publication with others who are concerned for the future of Srila Prabhupada's mission, and we especially encourage you to make your opinions known to the GBC members; ISKCON sannyasis, life members, and supporters; Vaishnava news websites VNN and CHAKRA; government officials as may be appropriate; and your friends.

PRAYER AND LAMENTATION

Why was I not there to protect Srila Prabhupada? What can I do now 22 years later, learning of the most horrible manner in which my beloved father and spiritual teacher was slowly, tortuously murdered by ar. excruciatingly painful poison? If only I had known then! But knowing it now will I become passive and weak in my protest and in taking action for justice and truth? Srila Prabhupada! Please guide me in how to deal with this terrible revelation! Please enable me to maintain my sanity and proper Vaishnava behavior in spite of the anger that arises from discovery of this most vile crime! Please forgive me for waiting so long before standing up in protest to defend my savior and eternal benefactor! Could I have taken Your place, or maybe prevented Your departure, had I only known? Forgive me Srila Prabhupada, for not being there to protect you. But I promise, I will not be silent any longer.

APOLOGY TO THE DEVOTEES

Forgive me if I have done any wrong or made any unfair offense. I apologize if this information or my proposals have offended or upset anyone My true purpose is to stand up for what I believe to be right, and I am open to being corrected and chastised by anyone. I have tried not to be prejudicial in this presentation of evidence, and I ask for pardon if that has not been accomplished. It is a difficult and emotional issue. My hope is found in the common sayings: Nothing ventured, nothing gained; and failure is the pillar of success. We must all continue trying to set right what has happened to Lord Chaitanya's and Srila Prabhupada's Mission, and that can best be done by taking shelter of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant, and praying to be in Srila Prabhupada's service,

Nityananda das