AUGUST 12 - 31,  1998

By Sattvic dasa adikari,

Dear maharajas and prabhus. Hare Krishna

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The statement sent to all devotees by the GBC executive committee is quite astonishing to say the least. It quite amazing to see how ambiguous our leaders can be. In trying to please everybody they simply obtained the opposite result. It's clear that unless we stand by truth we cannot make progress in pushing on this wonderful Sankirtana movement.

For the last 21 years we have paid so much attention in covering up fall downs and justifying our unwillingness to accept the fact that we disobeyed the order of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. In doing this we have created a society of fanatics without spiritual understanding as to who is and what constitute a real spiritual authority. The recent attempt by the GBC to tone down the spiritual difficulties of Harikesha maharaja and their poor performance in achieving their goal is yet another example of dishonesty. On one hand our GBC is establishing the fact that Maharaja has given up the Sannyasa ashrama, offended Srila Prabhupada, claimed to be various manifestations of the Absolute Truth, claimed his fiancée to be a various manifestation of Sakti - in other words fallen down from the standards of being a sane follower of Srila Prabhupada and of  Vaisnava tradition.

On the other hand they say that he is still the link in the parampara for his disciples, that they can still worship him as their spiritual master, that they can offer bhoga and expect that it will be accepted by the Lord and can then be honored as Prasada. Sometime it makes me think whether they have any respect at all for the countless devotees who have dedicated their lives in the pursuit of  philosophical understanding. Their statement is nothing but an insult to the intelligence.

The reaction of his disciples is quite reasonable taking into account that they have been trained to see their spiritual master in an absolute light. All these years of lies, misleading, philosophical misunderstanding has finally backfired. What we have failed to provide as leaders and disciples of Srila Prabhupada is the correct understanding of Guru Tattva as taught by Srila Prabhupada himself in his books, lectures and personal example i.e. that the spiritual master is above the modes of material nature and therefore is not subjected to material embarrassment . The mind is the center of all sensory activities and those who have failed to control it cannot be said to have controlled the senses. At this point how can anyone be a spiritual master if he is not in control of the mind? Harikesha maharaja is evidently displaying symptoms of a conditioned soul and should be accepted as such - notwithstanding the fact that he has engaged in devotional service to Srila Prabhupada all these years and therefore needs our affection, compassion and support to enable him to successfully recover from his diseased condition. He needs help from medical professionals and moreover he needs to reflect about his spiritual position and give up the false concept that he can act as an initiating spiritual master. If we are to help him or any one for that matter we have to clearly establish once and for all what Srila Prabhupada desired in the matter of carrying on initiations after his departure. Srila Prabhupada is a Mahabhagavata and devotees who have taken shelter of him feel protected and secure under his perfect guidance.

What our leaders have done all these years is that they have denied this sense of security for all generations of devotees to come by preaching that a guru could be subjected to the embarrassing treatment reserved for conditioned souls. Also forced them into a blind following type of personality cult and the reaction of this is evident by the fanatical expression of anger and frustration by his disciples. The reaction is natural because according to scriptures one has to place full faith in his spiritual master and see him as good as God. What is unnatural is that after all these fall downs we have not realized that the gurus in Iskcon are not authorized by Srila Prabhupada. We are unwilling to follow the warnings of our spiritual master Srila Prabhupada on this issue and are therefore now suffering the bitter consequences.

"The spiritual master must never be carried away by an accumulation of wealth or a large number of followers. A bona fide spiritual master will never become like that. But sometimes, if a spiritual master is not properly authorized and only on his own initiative becomes a spiritual master, he may be carried away by an accumulation of wealth and large numbers of disciples. His is not a very high grade of devotional service. If a person is carried away by such achievements, then his devotional service becomes slackened." (Nectar of Devotion. Chapter 14)

As long as the truth remains concealed we'll be faced with similar situations as we have experienced all along since the departure of Srila Prabhupada. Unless Srila Prabhupada's order on initiations for ISKCON, as elaborated on in the "Final Order", is understood and implemented the disintegration of Iskcon will continue.

12-08-98 - by Gadadhar Dasa

Dear Prabhus:

PAMHO, AGTSP, and Hare Krishna. The article "Harikesa Took Vibhuti for 10 Years" raises the following question:

1. What prompted Harikesa Swami to go to Citeswar in 1988? Was it his reported nervous breakdown in 1987 that required to be treated or was it for some other reason?
2. How did Harikesa Swami know about Citeswar in 1988? Who recommended Citeswar to Harikesa Swami in 1988?
3. Who else has been treated by Citeswar in the past or are being treated now?
4. Who else knows Citeswar and for how long? What is Citeswar's involvement in ISKCON and how long has he been involved with ISKCON or its leaders?
5. There is some story going around that Citeswar has a business card claiming that he is recommended by Jayapatak Swami. Is this true? If yes, then what is Jayapatak Swami's involvement with Citeswar?
6. When Harikesa Swami started taking this psychotropic therapeutic powder in 1988, it must have had some effects on his mood and behavior right away. So how is that he kept taking this ash from Citeswar's fire yagna?
7. Why did Harikesa Swami abruptly stop taking the Vibhuti in February in 1998? Was it at the same time when he suffered from food poisoning in India? Why is his food poisoning incidence not being investigated?
8. Why the name of the person in "state criminal forensic laboratory in Sweden" is not given? Why the specific details are always missing?
9. What is the name and address of the psychiatrist who was consulted in this regard? Why Ravindra Swarupa is holding back the names of this psychiatrist?
10. What is the name and address of the current therapist of Harikesa? Why Ravindra Swarupa is holding back the names of this therapist?
11. The GBC's history of last 20 years of their dealings with Chandra Swami to Citeswar is nothing but obviously dangerous.
    Twenty years ago, Srila Prabhupada complained that he was being poisoned but leaders claimed it was the medicine and did nothing to investigate whether in fact Srila Prabhupada has been poisoned or not.
    Today GBC Executive Committee members are pointing their fingers at Citeswar and his medicine while they do nothing to investigate the food poisoning of Harikesa Swami around February 1998.
12. It seems that the GBC has begun the cover up. Just few days ago GBC EC made a statement that they want to discuss and find out what will be Harikesa Swami's role in ISKCON. But they may have encountered following obstacles in easing out Harikesa Swami:

First, faced with Harikesa Swamis's clear insistence that he be allowed to retain his relationship with Monica and his position as GBC and Guru, GBC has no choice but to go along and get along considering the support Harikesa Swami may be getting from his followers.

Secondly, being grahsthi, guru, and GBC, how could Ravindra Swarupa deny same privileges to Harikesa Swami?

Third, if Harikesa Swami had only 10 or 20 disciples then GBC would have thrown him out in a second. But considering the large number of disciples and other assets it is better to cover up and resurrect Harikesa Swami.

Considering the above scenario, GBC seems to think that it is much easier for them to resurrect a guru like Harikesa Swami than to reinitiate 3000 disciples of Harikesa Swami if he is found to be fallen.

Thus just by "broaching the news" or "weaving the story" GBC can resurrect any fallen guru and thus they do not have to defend their bogus Guru Appointment Theory.

GBC is good at blaming some thing or some one else besides their own rank and file. Thus once again GBC has set in motion their cover up tactics. Please reflect on the above points and reach your own conclusions. Thank you and Hare Krishna.

Your friend and humble servant,
Gadadhar Dasa.

13/8/98

1. Kamalamala Das, a leading disciple of HK stated that if anyone criticises HK, be they devotees, GBC's or Gurus, they are all demons and their pictures would be printed on toilet paper and distributed all over Russia. He also stated, "even the GBC & other Gurus are envious of HKS and they are not to be trusted as they are ignorant of HK's position. HKS is a bonafide guru and a bonafide guru can't fall. How can a bonafide guru be checked by a psychiatrist? What would psychiatrists have to say if they had to analyse Sukadev Goswami, Rshabhdev and Jada Bharat? "

2. Monica is fed up with all this. She is going on a holiday. HK has reluctantly approved, because he feels under the circumstances he has put so much pressure on her. Monica feels HK needs a psychiatrist & she can't do more for him.

3. Temple devotees of Sweden, Denmark & parts of Germany have understood that HK needs treatment from a psychiatrist & for the time being he need not be taken as absolute. In Sweden they checked the vibhuti & didn't
   find any trace of chemicals. In Russia, they checked the vibhuti & they found a larger amount of chemicals then initially reported.

4. The meeting has been moved to Abenthuer. A big ishtagoshti is underway. The GBC will be coming up with a report shortly.

August 15th, 1998

For: GBC Discussions Subject:

To the GBC Executive Committee of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness

A motion for revision and cancellation of Executive Committee's decision to suspend Harikesa Maharaja from the following positions, duties, and/or responsibilities within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON):

1. The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC);

2. GBC Minister of Educational Development;

3. Property Trustee for any and all the properties within ISKCON;

4. Chairman of the SMPDC, and for cancelation of the EC decision placing him on probation with respect to his duties as an initiating guru in ISKCON.

SUBSTANTIATION We consider Executive Committee decision improper due to the following reasons:

1. The decision of Executive Committee and its explanation are internally inconsistent.

2. The decision of Executive Committee and its public statement are not ethical and damaging for HH Harikesa Maharaja well being.

3. The activities and decisions of the Executive Committee show lack of care for transcendental faith and human trust of the Harikesa Swami's disciples, and indicate detrimental results for their spiritual well being, against the GBC mandate.

4. The activities and decisions of the Executive Committee, due to the three above causes, are damaging ISKCON's integrity as of organization, of vaisnava association, and of legacy of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

EXPLANATION

1. A. The Executive Committee expressed their opinion, that Harikesa Maharaja was very sick, including mental and nervous disorder, and expressed their faith that he would be able to quickly recover and take up his duties, and acknowledged his great merits for ISKCON at large.

But nonetheless the Executive Committee decided to SANCTION Harikesa Maharaja:

We believe that any diseased person, should not be SANCTIONED, but rather protected and lovingly taken care of. Such person should not be given any sign that is no longer trusted and needed.

The Executive Committee admitted that does not consider Harikesa Maharaja fallen, but contrary to their declaration, SANCTIONED him.

A diseased person should be rather replaced by another competent person, untill he may be able to take up his duties again. But such a suspention should not be based on the same rules as in the case of CONSCIOUS transgression of one's duties, responsibilities and deviation. We suggest a necessity for the GBC Body to provide adequate regulations and procedures in such cases.

We humbly suggest that the Executive Committee should decide themselves first, whether they consider Harikesa Maharaja fully conscious of his actions and expressed desires, or they consider him sick. If the Executive Committee considers him sick, he shouldn't have been sanctioned in any way. If the Executive Committee considers him healthy and conscious of his activities, it would have the authority to take appropriate steps provided by ISKCON law.

B. The inconsistency of the Executive Committee's statement is clearly visible in their ambivalent approach. The Executive Committee didn't take seriously Harikesa Maharaja's statements about his own identity, etc., otherwise would be forced to remove him and expel from ISKCON.

But at the same time the Executive Committee has taken seriously his statements about his asrama, and acknowledged that he should not be recognized as a member of the renounced order of life.

2. We consider that the manner, in which the Executive Committee dealt with the whole problem, was highly unethical.
   
   Although the Executive Committee stated that doesn't consider him fallen, but very sick and mentally disordered, the Committee decided to reveal publicly the private details of his problems, statements, and desires (COM text 1594070).
   
   The behavior of a mentally disordered person is not taken seriously and kept confidential. Doctors and other persons involved would not broadcast the details. This is just a standard decent human conduct and ethics.
   
   The Executive Committee has broken this ethical principle, creating great confusion in minds of disciples and well wishers of Harikesa Maharaja. By act of public revelation the Executive Committee encroached upon Harikesa Maharaja's rights, damaging his well being and reputation.

3. This contradictory and unethical statement of the Executive Committee showed lack of support and care for the faith of Harikesa Maharaja's disciples and well wishers, in consequence acting to its detriment. This is against the GBC mandate, as by damaging one's faith in one's guru, the faith in God and disciplic succession is also damaged.

4. The statement of the Executive Committee does not enhance the faith in GBC, as a uniting body of ISKCON, that should lovingly take care of all ISKCON's members, be them healthy or sick. This leads to lack of trust and misunderstanding, which are injurious to ISKCON, as association of vaisnavas, and legacy of Srila Prabhupada. Especially fragile and sacred guru-disciple relationship should be protected by all means.

CONCLUSION We humbly ask the Executive Committee to revise and cancel their decision, and to make all possible efforts to compensate the damages.

We expect from the Executive Committee a coherent statement about Harikesa Maharaja's status in ISKCON.

We suggest that a proper decision that may be taken by the Executive Committee, is to officially put Harikesa Maharaja on a vacation, as he himself expressed this in a letter to his disciples (COM text: 1539983):

We understand the complexity of the situation. The Executive Committee is under social pressure, and ISKCON lacks appropriate legislative instruments. Still, we humbly ask the Executive Committee to reconsider this important issue.

Your servants in service to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivinode Thakur dasa (HKS)
Akincana Krsna dasa (HKS)
(Text COM:1602156) ----------------------------------------- (Text 1602685)

16-08-98 - Respected members of EC GBC!

We, disciples of Sri Visnupad, personally, Brahmananda Puri d, Jagadyoni dd, , Kamalamala d, Premavati dd, Vakta d, Bhramika d, Sannyasa d, Hararata dd, Akrya dd, Vajracinha dd, Yajna dd, Caturti dd, Vaikuntha d, Guilmanova Guzel, Rangadevi dd, Ratiprita dd trying to follow strictly the direction of the sastras and loving so much our spiritual master, want to sacrifice our life and our bodies for to show the level the abominable action which you have undertaken against our spiritual master and our eternal relations.
And now we are ready for suicide because our beloved spiritual master was accused and betrayed like Jesus Christ. This is the right decision of a real disciple. Our spiritual master was obstructed by those who are so cruel to him and to the whole ISKCON too. But before - we'll fight till the very end. If you don't apologize before Sri Visnupad and before his disciples and don't cancel your resolutions we'll fulfil our plans. (Text COM:1602129)

From: Krsnaloka (Moscow Radio)
Date: 16-Aug-98 12:25 To: SV disciples [1656] Cc: RFF (Regional Free Forum for HR/SLO/YU/BiH/MAC) [509] (sender:
Dadhibhaksa (das) HKS (Rijeka - HR))
Subject:
------------------------------------------------------------

Dear devotees all over the world!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

ISKCON revival Manifesto The whole ISKCON all over the world is moaning. Why some people leave ISKCON? They are also Srila Prabhupada's children and grandsons tortured by mismanagement of ISKCON. There are many arguments and we are reading letters of ISKCON particular members full of tears, bewilderment, pain and accusations of their own organization or what is happening in it. Beating children, humiliation of women, driving away incapable devotees, small or serious moral insults of devotees. We can't stand and bear it any more! And how was it possible for Harikesa Swami Sri Visnupad to stand it?! Why do you think that he who decided to lose all his positions, authorities, posts and money for the happiness of each and every ISKCON member isn't suffering?

Sri Visnupad has many proposals and plans how to revive ISKCON and make it's members happy. But GBC and GBC's executive committee didn't want to share with him his projects instead they rejected him and even humiliated for his attempt to do something really new and good for the whole ISKCON world. The majority of ISKCON members is suffering. People write letters to our organizations and our leaders who can't help them. If we as members of organization are suffering for it, the same as Sri Visnupad is doing, we can't and have no right to keep silence! ISKCON has to be revived! And the importance of each ISKCON member must be taken into consideration and become the basis of new ISKCON. The guideline is -to protect devotees as it's revealed in sastras but not hesitantly postponing the solution of their problems for later. When we manage to create better conditions for each devotee's spiritual and material happiness our organization will be prosperous and it will not throw away even those who dedicate their life for the embodiment of Srila Prabhupada's ideas and establishing of prosperous ISKCON. Having rejected Sri Visnupada's genius ideas about ISKCON development and having underestimate their importance so called ISKCON government or GBC executive committee revealed openly their unwillingness for radical changes and showed their full misunderstanding of the real situation in ISKCON! THEREFORE WE CLAIM:

THEY MUST IMMEDIATELY RESIGN AS A "GOVERNMENT" THAT IS UNABLE TO CREATE FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE WELLBEING AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS OF THEIR SUBJECTS, if they have even small idea of what is honor, justice and respect towards human rights, declared and signed even by karmic governments. WE HAVE TO UNITE ISKCON AND CREATE A NEW GOVERNMENT.

Everybody want only happiness and prosperity of ISKCON, including each and every devotee. Everybody who has money, position, possibility for traveling freely all over the world and who observe with their own eyes all difficulties of our movement -remember that it is a movement of personalists. And you are doing nothing now for making any positive changes. You are sleeping shifting responsibility from one to another. You are too much formalistic, open your heart and intelligence! We hope that members of GBC who think objectively will discuss it and face the truth and then decide: do they go with Srila Prabhupada who wanted each ISKCON devotee to be happy or continue to support those whose leadership brought troubles to many devotees!?

P.S.
SOS! Russian devotees are obstructed to send messages and cut from Free Forum and other conferences of Swedish com Raktambara d. is in charge of. This also do not coincide with civil rights of human beings. What to say about vaisnava attitude! Please spread this message as widely as possible. Your servants, The unit of Russian disciples of Sri Visnupad (Text COM:1603322) -----------------------------------------

HKS Update - 18/8/98 -

1. Russian disciples were planning to come to Abentheuer & celebrate in person Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa puja. They have accepted Monica's son as an incarnation of Srila Prabhupada. Some of them even had written Vyasa puja offerings prepared. Fortunately for ISKCON Abenthuer, they were unable to get visas, and the whole program got cancelled.

2. In the meantime local GBC, H.H. Niranjan Swami is having a difficult time in dealing with Kamalamala das. While Maharaj was talking on the phone from Moscow to Ravindra Swarup, Kamalamala Das & other devotees barged into the room, snatched the phone and disconnected the line. The atmosphere is very tense.

3. Meanwhile devotees in Europe are going around as if nothing has happened. Offerings, pictures on the altar, pujas are all continuing. The justification is that the GBC has not declared HK as fallen, rather he is only going through temporary illness with surety of recovery. And on a philosophical level everything that Srila Prabhupada said about a bona fide spiritual master in his books is being attributed to HK and it is very difficult they say to understand the mind of a pure devotee.

20/8/98 Update - Fax to Moscow

From Harikesa Maharaj August 16, 1998

Dear devotees in Russia. Hare Krsna.
I have heard about your troubles because of disputes. Please, under no circumstances, do physical harm to your own bodies or the bodies of others. It is not proper and will not accomplish your goals. You should look within yourselves to see the source of our anxiety and cure yourselves and become stable. Go to the Deities and pray and meditate before Them and ask Them for Their special mercy. Since They are persons (as you are) They will help you for They are very great and you are part of Them. They love you and you should feel love of God. Do not worry about me. I am fine and happy, although quite disgusted and appalled at the hardness, cruelness and heartlessness of the leaders of ISKCON.

Take care of yourselves because otherwise you will be cheated like me when you understand the actual situation and dare say it. Good luck for you. May Krsna bless you with all good fortune. The Lord loves you, but at present, we do not have any real contact with Him. Because we areconstantly cheating each other, even over petty things, and we lie, steal, and do the needful ("By hook or by crook"), we have lost touch with reality and how we are negatively affecting the world. Therefore, intelligent and balanced people are not interested in our movement. Although we are a process of self-realization, even 30 year old devotees do not know who they are and hardly anyone has love of God, and if he does he is branded as a sahajiya and crazy, or an opportunist. But we have seen that as soon as one deviates from the "party-line" he is considered a heretic and rejected, although any thinking person can understand that the time has come to search deeply within ourselves to find out why this movement is mainly interested in money, power, buildings and empty institutionalization without any real spiritual energy or power and with few realized souls, while the children are abused and neglected, and the women are used and exploited without real respect as equal partners in life. Therefore our family situations are in chaos and there is constant divorce and broken families which ruins the children. Sure it also happens in material world, but someday you might wake up and see that ISKCON is worse than the material world, while proudly posing itself as the only bona-fide and authorized institution for love of God. If devotees actually had such love, then how could they deal with each other so coldly? You should open your eyes and see for yourself what is going on in this so- called spiritual society. I pray for Krsna that there is not and never will be an ISKCON in the spiritual world, otherwise I will reconsider going back home.

Good luck for you. My love goes to those who are actually capable of thinking for themselves and accepting gold, even from a filthy place.

Your guide as long as you want it H.M.

HKS Update 20/8/98 -

Date: 20-Aug-98 10:56 +0100 Cc: X (All COM users) [67] (sender: Raktambara (das) HKS (SysOp) (NE-BBT))
Subject: Apology from the EC. (For 'X' )
------------------------------------------------------------

To all members of ISKCON Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We have been carefully listening to the feedback following our letter to the Society on 12th August 1998 regarding the situation of Harikesa Prabhu. Many of the respondents were grateful for the information that was presented, but many devotees felt that the Executive Committee made some inappropriate statements. We wish to acknowledge those concerns and clarify our perspective.

We deeply apologise to any member of the Society who has been upset by our words. It was not our intention to cause grief, particularly, to the disciples of Harikesa prabhu who are deeply affected by his situation. Neither would we wish to speak ill of Harikesa prabhu himself, nor, in any way, to create obstacles in the process of his recovery back to full service. We accept that, in the wording of our letter and in the methodology of releasing so much information at one time, we over-stepped the etiquette of presenting the circumstances of such a senior devotee.

We were aware that many of the details that we included in the letter were being widely circulated on the Internet and were being sent around on COM. We considered that it was important to make an open and definitive statement to counter much worse accusations and rumours. We were also concerned that a few disciples were explaining some of Harikesa prabhu's uncharacteristic behaviour as transcendental activity. Even so, we are very sorry that we breached proper etiquette in revealing too many details related to his condition.

We also apologise if our previous statements implied that we believed he should be held accountable for his actions and therefore liable for some form of sanction. That was not our conviction. Rather, we have always felt it best to allow him the time and space to make a full recovery without passing judgement.

Our difficulty arose when Harikesa Prabhu himself refused to take a leave of absence or vacation, even though he had previously asked for it. Presently, he wishes to act in various official capacities, which are clearly inappropriate for him. Therefore, unfortunately, there is really no alternative for the EC other than to suspend him from his responsibilities for the time being. Please understand this step to be a compassionate gesture to assist Harikesa Prabhu and not a punishment.

To sum up, we offer our sincere apologies for any mistakes and inadequacies in our efforts to handle this situation. If our message appeared contradictory, it is because the situation is complex and we are struggling to understand it as things unfold. We will do our best to be mindful of the sensibilities of all the devotees.

As god-brothers and friends we are continually looking for ways to offer Harikesa Prabhu our support and care. He certainly does need the care, the love and well-wishes of the whole Society. We are thoroughly appreciative of his wonderful achievements and daily we are praying for his speedy return to active service for Srila Prabhupada.

Your servants The GBC Executive Commitee Akhandadhi das, Badrinarayan das, Ravindra Svarupa das, Sesa das (Text 1613099) -

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
The following was the spontaneous result of over 50 devotees (mostly second generation disciples) meeting in Radhadesa with Hari Sauri, Akhandadhi, and Jayapataka Maharaj to discuss the HK situation. I am not arguing for these proposals. I am not entering them here to launch a new round of COMbat. I send them simply to give you a flavor of the mood out there. Look at India, Western Europe, rtivcs making in- roads in China, much grumbling and similar sentiments in the USA and Canada. I am sure the same story plays out in Australia and NZ.
There is deep, prolonged frustration with ISKCON's guru system, even more than they are frustrated with the GBC. Main topic in Mayapur? Conclaves around the world to hear from the devotees (how to do it so these are not chaos or a rtvic-fest?)

Your servant, Badrinarayan dasa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------

Radhadesa 21/8/98
Reflections About the Guru Issue from Some Senior Devotees In Radhadesh

Dear Maharaja's and Prabhus, Please accept our humble obeisance, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We are very concerned by the overall condition of our movement for which we have all dedicated the most important years of our lives. Our movement, which is meant to offer a substantial alternative to material life by giving people the gift of Love of Godhead that Srila Prabhupada so mercifully distributed, is riddled with many inconsistencies and discrepancies. So in order to express ourselves and call upon our society to engage itself in genuine reform that puts us all on the right path, we write to you this letter in an attempt to communicate our thoughts. We feel strongly that this and other issues should be thoroughly discussed by all senior devotees in our movement. We would like to start by saying that in no way do we feel that the letter you are about to read is neither conclusive nor complete. Yet we feel the need to communicate to the senior devotees our viewpoint which might help somewhat in the discussions that are going on. Some of the reflections we came up with are:

That though Srila Prabhupada as Iskcon's Founder Acharya is officially and theoretically recognised as being the main Siksha Guru for all the devotees in practice the understanding of his unique position needs to be given utmost priority.
That though we believe in the system of initiations in Iskcon recent events have shown that a need to review our present application of Srila Prabhupada's instructions regarding the position of diksha gurus in our society.
That though initiation is an important aspect of a devotee's spiritual life it has been and is presently over emphasised. A Diksha Guru MAY be an important siksha guru for his disciple but should always be second to Srila Prabhupada and not superior or equal to him. We have many examples in our Sampradaya of diksha gurus not having such an important role in the spiritual life of a devotee. Bhaktivinod Thakura's diksha guru is not even mentioned in Srila Prabhupada's books, and there are many more examples. Our Disciplic succession is based primarily on siksha and not on diksha.
That though Srila Prabhupada is the main Siksha Guru for everyone in Iskcon siksha should be taken from all senior devotees ( Diksha Guru, other Gurus, Sanyasis, GBC s, Temple Presidents) to help us advance in spiritual life. In this regard we would like to add that if a Diksha Guru has a strong siksha relationship with his disciple then he will obviously become prominent in that devotee's spiritual life.
That in order to insure the proper vaisnava behaviour of Diksha Gurus and their disciples within Iskcon some sober standard be upheld for worship. Some ideas we came up with are:

1. No daily Guru Puja for Diksha Gurus in Iskcon Centers. (Disciples may individually do so in their rooms or homes)

2. That a limit to how many disciples a Diksha Guru can have be established.

3. That there should be only one seat in the Temple room for the Srimad Bhagavatam speaker and any speaker that the Temple authorities see fit to give class can use it.

4. That there be a limit to how much guru daksina a guru can use for personal expenses and whatever is above that limit is used for an Iskcon or Iskcon related project with the consent of Iskcon authorities.

5. That Sanyasi Diksha Gurus have no direct contact with female disciples and devotees.

6. That no elaborate prasadam arrangements be made in Iskcon temples for Diksha Gurus or Sanyasis. Disciples may invite them in their homes. Or a disciple may cook for his Diksha Guru and all the devotees simultaneously. In this way the quality of Prasadam in our Temples will receive more attention so that all devotees are satisfied.

7. No Vyasa Puja Book for Diksha Gurus. Offerings can be made in a simple way.

8. No personal ownership of property and large bank accounts. This specifically applies to Sanyasi Gurus.

9. No honorific titles like Gurudeva, Visnupada, Acharyapada, etc can be used for Diksha Gurus in public or private.

10. Study if the importance we give to Guru newsletters, Tape Ministries, Pranams, Photos and Vyasa Puja is appropriate or is is diminishing Srila Prabhupada's position.

11. That the standard to become and remain Diksha Guru in Iskcon be strictly followed up by Iskcon authorities. For example; Diksha Gurus must follow the morning program regularly with the devotees, chant 16 rounds every day, hear Srimad Bhagavatam class regularly, take prasadam with devotees, etc

12. That Diksha Gurus and senior devotees be careful to not commit offences to Vaisnavas outside of Iskcon.

13. That a substantial period of time in which no initiations are held be adopted by Iskcon to allow a deep and profound discussion concerning the Guru Issue.

We hope this letter may serve some purpose in the wider discussion of the issue at hand and that the leaders of Iskcon can come to some clear, balanced and sober understanding of the position of Diksha Gurus in our society. We also hope this letter does not offend any individual devotee since it is a general feeling of concern and not a specific attack on anyone in particular. Please forgive us if some of our ideas or reflections offend you.

Your servants in Radhadesa
------------------------------------------

Bir Krishna Goswami's comments

There is deep, prolonged frustration with ISKCON's guru system, even more than they are frustrated with the GBC. Main topic in Mayapur? Conclaves around the world to hear from the devotees (how to do it so these are not chaos or a rtvic-fest?)
These issues should be discussed threadbare before Mayapur. If it takes conclaves, etc. then that should be done. Changes must be made. We have to careful to not artificially legislate one way or the other.

a) No daily Guru Puja for Diksha Gurus in Iskcon Centers. (Disciples may individually do so in their rooms or homes)

Great idea. Even the Vyasa Puja ceremony should be held in a private location not ISKCON property.

b) That a limit to how many disciples a Diksha Guru can have be established.

Great idea

c) That there should be only one seat in the Temple room for the Srimad Bhagavatam speaker and any speaker that the Temple authorities see fit to give class can use it.

I thought that this is already a rule.

d) That there be a limit to how much guru daksina a guru can use for personal expenses and whatever is above that limit is used for an Iskcon or Iskcon related project with the consent of Iskcon authorities.

Everything should be used for an ISKCON project. The guru should have some say in how it is used.

e) That Sanyasi Diksha Gurus have no direct contact with female disciples and devotees.

To make an absolute rule like this is not practical. Instead the limits should be defined: ie no direct serving prasadam, cleaning, etc. Certainly the guru should be able to speak to female disciples (not alone of course).

f) That no elaborate prasadam arrangements be made in Iskcon temples for Diksha Gurus or Sanyasis. Disciples may invite them in their homes. Or a disciple may cook for his Diksha Guru and all the devotees simultaneously. In this way the quality of Prasadam in our Temples will receive more attention so that all devotees are satisfied.

Jai!

h) No personal ownership of property and large bank accounts. This specifically applies to Sanyasi Gurus.

Good

i) No honorific titles like Gurudeva, Visnupada, Acharyapada, etc can be used for Diksha Gurus in public or private.

What do you do with Srila Prabhupada's statements about nomenclature and etiquitte?

j) Study if the importance we give to Guru newsletters, Tape Ministries, Pranams, Photos and Vyasa Puja is appropriate or is is diminishing Srila Prabhupada's position.

Good

k) That the standard to become and remain Diksha Guru in Iskcon be strictly followed up by Iskcon authorities. For example; Diksha Gurus must follow the morning program regularly with the devotees, chant 16 rounds every day, hear Srimad Bhagavatam class regularly, take prasadam with devotees, etc

This should be done immediately.


IRG COMMENT:

1. Notice the similarity between the theme of these proposals and those passed by IRG in Bangalore.

2. While it is nice that the North American GBC chairman, H.H. Bir Krishna Goswami agrees with many of these proposals, his refusal to comment on proposals g) and n) - No Vyasa Puja Books, and a moratorium on initiations - is telling.

3. Also please note how in the short introdiction Badri prabhu mentions 'ritviks' twice.
   They know where the pressure is coming from.

21-8-98 - He feels cheated by his financial assistants for not giving him his money. Harikesa Maharaja has asked his disciples who were handling his financial matters of some business investments used for sponsoring various projects in ISKCON around the world to surrender the capital fund to him within a few days. I asked him whether this money was his or ISKCON's. He was quite emphatic and intense on this topic and said that he had donated all his guru [daksina to] ISKCON. That it was "his money". He stated that if his money wasn't given to him when and how he wanted it by 26th of August he would change. That he has been co-operative. He would remain a friend of ISKCON, but if he was cheated from his money then he would attack ISKCON and become ISKCON's worst enemy. He fiercely stated not to turn him into an enemy. That Srila Prabhupada had warned about turning someone into an enemy.

He said that he has already made contacts with the highest authorities in the German Government and they fully support him. That he will expose ISKCON as a dangerous sect and also join with Hamsadutta's BBT case if he is cheated from his money. That an affidavit detailing various irregularities over the past so many years was with a notary in a safe deposit box. Also if during his natural life any harm came to him, or Monika or her children at any time then immediately those papers would be given the the German Government and ISKCON would be in big trouble, and senior devotees would have to serve 20 year jail sentences. He repeated how he has police protection in this score. He said he didn't want to do these things, but everyone has their "bottom line" and this was his. He wanted "his money" and if he was cheated [out of] it he felt morally justified to do these attacks against ISKCON....

22-08-98 - Just in From Germany, The INSIDE Story -

1. Russian disciples of HK headed by Brahmananda Puri, Kamalamala Das, Prama and others are planning to kidnap HK from Germany to bring him to Russia to reinstate him in his original position. Devotees who were
   planning to commit mass suicide have decided to prolong their lives & assist their Guru Maharaj in his preaching mission all over the world.

2. Monica has returned to HK.

3. Inside story of what the GBC really thinks about HK is that he is the most offensive creature they have ever seen in their lives and that his madness is irreversible. HK has been saying that Srila Prabhupada is just another yogi and that there are a lot of things he didn't know - For example he knew everything about the body but he had no knowledge of the genitals and that's why so many marraiges are failing. The GBC is completely disgusted with HK. Hari Sauri, the faithful follower of the present Guru system has made a volte face & said that HK has gone
   complete nuts & if they don't get rid of him, he will ruin the whole society.

4. They have downplayed HK's sickness to the disciples. But this is having a different effect. Disciples are moving around like zombies thinking that he will get out of this madness & recover. They are having an identity crisis. They always felt very special that they were the disciples of HK, the topmost Guru in ISKCON. Now with the turn of events and the realitiy drawing in, they are getting confused. They don't want to accept that HK can fall down. Some even feel that although he is fallen, he is better than them, & he can continue the lila.

5. The situation is grim & unpredictable. Ravindra Swarup has been quoted as saying that another big guru's head is going to roll.

22-08-98 - by (author's name withheld)
To say that the announcement that a group of Harikesa dasa's followers are threatening suicide is appalling, is to completely understate the matter. It is also astonishing that there has not arisen a hue and cry from the devotees over this disaster in the making. Perhaps we have become numb and overwhelmed with the seriousness of this issue and don't quite know how to respond. Would this not be the ultimate scandal to heap on the head of Srila Prabhupada? After all, just about everything else has been perpetrated in his name since his departure in 1977.

We cringed when the Western media mentioned us along with other "cults" when news of the "Heaven's Gate" deliberate mass suicide broke. Was the media right in listing us alongside such misguided fellows? Have we become now that dangerous cult Western law enforcement officials has suspected us of being all along? I think we need to really examine ourselves very closely in this regard, so that we do not become something of a "Hell's Gate", instead of the way back home, back to Godhead.

I have a great deal of sympathy for Harikesa's dasa followers. However, there are some things that give me concern and which I would like to address briefly here. One comment made by one disciple attempted to compare Harikesa to Lord Brahma (who apparently became lusty after his daughter), in an attempt to show that Harikesa was beyond reproach and responsibility for having made a sexual advance to one of his "spiritual daughters". It concerns me that we may have become a society of undiscriminating followers, so much in denial of the obvious truth of our own self-deception that we will abuse the scriptures to justify anything.

Harikesa dasa, although according to the GBC, has claimed to be Skandha and Lord Caitanya, is not Lord Brahma. He was not born from the navel lotus of the Lord, nor did his earholes become filled with the flute music of Govinda which precipitated his deep trance that resulted in the famous "Brahma Samhita". We know that he was laughed at by his playmates and his father attempted to assault his sister--hardly a Brahmaloka environment. Lord Brahma is pitamaha, and is responsible for every living being on this planet. Let no one compare himself to him, except to be warned, as Srila Prabhupada points out, to be very vigilant in our devotional service. Harikesa cannot be absolved from his responsibility for breaking his sannyasa vow, and for an attempted rape on his spiritual daughter so easily as by citing Lord Brahma's apparent lapse. Why don't we select the conversion of the prostitute by Namacarya Haridas Thakura as the example to cite?

Chota Haridas went begging alms for Lord Caitanya and spoke to one elderly lady who gave him some grains. For this he was banished from the sight of the Lord who used him to teach how strict a sannyasi must be. Haridasa goswami committed suicide. All the great devotees pleaded his case, but there was no argument raised that because Lord Brahma went after his daughter that Haridasa should be excused. We need to be very careful not to compare our sinful conditioned nature with that of personalities so great that they are able to see the Lord face to face, whose bodies are made mostly of intelligence and who neither live nor die like we do. I am surprised that Harikesa dasa has not yet been compared to Lord Nityananda who gave up his avadhuta status to take not one, but two wives!

Responsibility for this problem must be laid squarely upon the heads of those who have set themselves up as the leaders of this society. This mess, with blind followers of Harikesa breaking away from ISKCON in support of their fallen messiah, taking with them the assets of the society, and threatening mass suicide, is a direct result of ISKCON'S false guru program. Even with the ISKCON Titanic sinking, you, our blind leaders, still refuse to humbly acknowledge your corruption, deviations and offenses to Srila Prabhupada and the community of devotees, and resign.

It is certainly embarrassing when your biggest and best now wants to eat his vomit and drink poison by renouncing the renounced order and marrying a non- devotee. Your initial explanation for all this was a bold lie: too much devotional service, too much austerity, too much seva to Srila Prabhupada. Does not the Gita explain that austerities that cause one harm are in the mode of ignorance? The Pandavas performed severe austerities in the forest. Did they go mad? No. They conquered the world! Haridas Thakura performed very severe austerities. Did he go mad? No. He became the Nama-Acarya! Srila Prabhupada performed major austerities. Did he go mad? No. He, too, conquered the world. Where did Harikesa dasa go wrong?

What are the austerities that Harikesa has performed? Do you consider being chauffeur-driven, living in the best places, jet-setting around the world, controlling millions in assets, being adored by countless men and women, attended by eager servants, fed the best of foods etc., etc, an austerity? Then let us all beware of this kind of "austere" life. It seems to cause incoherent babbling. Then you offered us another blatant lie: his supposed childhood trauma (something we have all suffered-it comes with childhood, with birth in the material world). This was tantamount to a "Twinkie defense." Now anyone can do anything and claim "childhood trauma". Will you excuse me for speaking out due to my "childhood trauma" and get me a good therapist? So much attention now being focused on your big man by other big men, but for years we heard nothing about the gurukulla molestation victims who became molesters in their own turn. All we got was a cover-up when they were being put through their "childhood trauma" years. Maybe your own "childhood trauma" prevented you from taking proper action. Who knows what their "childhood trauma" will produce in the future because of your "childhood trauma"? Ridiculous!

Then you told us it was a little pinch of purple powder called "Vibhuti." You told us everything but that Harikesa was willing to take responsibility for his activities. That is your standard practice. No one among you is willing to stand up and take responsibility for the problems of the past 21 years, even your own personal problems. No one wants to give suitable accounting. It is nobody's fault. It's Kali-yuga, Prabhu.

Where does a sannyasi get all that money to gamble on the stock exchange? Sannyasis controlling millions of dollars is poison. How is it that when one of your big men gets sick, it is always due to their sincere and devoted service, but when one of us protesters gets sick it is always due to our "offenses" to these big men? Are we to think that no offenses to Srila Prabhupada have been committed by you? In spite of everything that has been reported by you regarding Harikesa's condition, including his overweening obsession for his therapist, you continued to call him Visnupada, playing with the "heads" of his innocent "disciples". Why can't you call a falldown a falldown? Where is your honesty? Now the madness acted out by this fallen sannyasi is being taken by undiscriminating followers (who have been spoon fed this toxic "living guru" philosophy) as some kind of divine lila. Now that he is fallen, he is actually more realized than before, more close to Krsna, more transcendental than ever. Is this sahajiya, or what?

Have you unwittingly established Harikesa dasa to be such a mahabhagavata that the only way he would want to renounce being renounced, make a pass at his daughter, desire sex with his therapist, and want to hold on to the worship of his followers is due to sickness? Lest we forget, in this age of Kali, everyone is afflicted with sex desire. The proof is that we are born with these bodies. Had he remained a humble simple prabhu, when nature called, he could easily have accepted the grhasta asrama, without inviting his fanatical supporters to make that leap to oblivion through "Hell's Gate". But the seeds of this madness were sown way back in November of 1977. You may want to go back and cut that giant tree down. It will not be easy.

Can you show me in the writings of Srila Prabhupada where too much devotional service produces craziness? Is this the transcendental madness of the Six Goswamis, or something else, (possibly madness induced by a superabundance of offenses to Srila Prabhupada and the community of devotees?) How can Sri Visnupada be in such a lamentable condition? Is this the same as "daridra narayana"? "Daridra-visnupada"? Now we watch in amazement as the pristine, pure philosophy Srila Prabhupada gave us is being twisted to show how a fallen sannyasi-guru who should be immediately rejected, has been elevated to the transcendental plane because of his falldown. Sorry, prabhus. I, for one, am not buying it. Sad to say, you have institutionalized the artificial elevation of conditioned souls to such dizzying heights that when their heads finally dent the sky, they crash and burn-nowhere to go but down and out. Again, become a mouse- sometimes, as in this case, a more dangerous mouse than ever before!

Madness is taking sannyasa, then stealing another's wife and embracing sex life with her who is one's own spiritual daughter. Madness is being in the renounced order and engaging in "homosex". Madness is mistreating Srila Prabhupada in Vrndavana. Madness is hijacking his movement. Madness is poisoning his philosophy by changing his books. Madness is eleven elevated thrones for eleven "tigers" who would soon again become mice. Madness is the enforced worship of such "tiger-mice". Madness is the molestation of our children, the exploitation of our women, and the diverting of the attention of wives from their husbands to conditioned souls posing as gurus. Madness is the exploitation of the assets of His Divine Grace, the offenses to him and the expulsion of his beloved disciples from the society they labored to help him create, for disagreeing with this madness. Madness is not accepting your part in the shameful debacle of the last 21 years. Madness is not seeing your present pitiful condition.

How many falldowns of big swamis and "gurus" have there been in the last 12 months? How many more of your big men are on the edge, keeping up the charade of being as worthy of worship as good as God, continuing the deception of their so-called disciples? Jayadvaita has written about the near-misses, narrow escapes and the cover-ups. Do you accept that this is raping the faith of the members of the society? It is no wonder that you have always tried to keep these things a secret.

You have instituted practices and preached in such a way so as to produce 21 years of chaos; bannings; beatings; mis-appropriation of funds; fraud; mismanagement; homosexual perversion in the Holy Dhama; rampant physical abuse of our women and children; sexual abuse of our children requiring, in many cases, anal reconstructive surgery, and the sheltering and harboring of the criminals. In some instances, (Bhavananda, Kirtanananda and Jayatirtha, for example), you willfully promoted known deviants to be worshipped as good as God, by the innocent devotees. The Harikesa issue is just another chapter in the saga. The more you fail to do the needful, the worse the mess becomes.

In your August 12 letter to the devotees, you wrote:

"The GBC executive committee, after over a month of investigation and careful deliberation, has with much regret decided it has no choice but to place Harikesa Prabhu on probation as a spiritual master."

Will you please tell me who in the 3 worlds has the power to place the spiritual master on probation? Where does Srila Prabhupada teach that the spiritual master can be placed on probation? The concept is ludicrous, farcical. What kind of spiritual master is that? That would be like Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers placing him on probation for doing something of which they didn't approve (like taking the name "Srila Prabhupada", for example.) Who would care for them? Obviously, ISKCON still does not understand the concept of spiritual master, and Harikesa dasa is simply one of those ISKCON rubber-stamped, "drug-store" variety gurus, who can be given a dunce cap and made to sit in a corner, or write on the chalkboard a hundred times, "I must be a good living guru. I must be a good living guru". His blind followers cannot see or accept his real position. In the meantime, the system you have set up continues to rape the faith of the innocent when the inevitable happens and men like this finally fall.

"During the month of July, Harikesa dasa claimed that his true identity has been first, Skandha, then Lord Caitanya, and then Lord Krishna. Assigning various identities to other persons in his life, he engaged in what he regards as spiritual "lilas."

Personally, I consider that this is taking "saksad-dharitvena" a little too far, but don't listen to me. Listen to Srila Prabhupada: " A spiritual master is duly respected on par with God, but a spiritual master claiming to be God Himself should at once be rejected." (SB 2.5.7. Purport) You do not have the courage to call for the rejection of Harikesa. You made the initial mistake of announcing to the devotee community that he was sick. This is the same ploy you have always used; "pressure of the Centennial", "too much austerity", "too much preaching", "too much devotional service", too much this, too much that- cover up, cover up. Now his blind followers do not know that Srila Prabhupada has instructed them to reject this pretender guru immediately, and I doubt that they are able to hear the words of Srila Prabhupada.

"One of these "lilas" brought about a (thwarted) sexual approach to a female disciple (whom he identified as Rukmini)".

Prabhus, what does it mean "thwarted" sexual approach? Either it is a sexual approach, or it isn't. It is good that the young girl in question had the wit to save herself from being actually raped by her "spiritual" father, but the 'Gosvami's' sexual objective and intent were clear, thwarted or not. To have even approached her is a crime enough. A friend, who lived in Saudi Arabia for some time, told me that a drunken Japanese sailor was publicly executed for attempting to remove the veil of a Saudi woman. His being drunk did not save him. That act is considered rape. Is it repugnant to you that an ISKCON GBC, sannyasi and officialized initiating "guru" made sexual overtures to one of his "spiritual" daughters, another man's wife? You and your peers have attempted to downplay this scandal, and have not had the boldness to admit that this man is fallen, and remove him completely from the society for this one crime alone. Because you have set him up as "living guru", you cannot let him fall. He has become too powerful and has too many highly placed worshippers. However, this Harikesa must be seen as a "sexual harassment guru", who should be prosecuted.

"The executive committee and senior god-brothers of Harikesa dasa are certain that these are not genuine spiritual lilas. Harikesa's identification with transcendental personalities, and his evincing of sexual desires, are incompatible with the characteristics and conditions of bona fide transcendental experience".

Prabhus, it does not take an executive committee of 2/3 guru-voters, supporters of the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada's philosophy and movement, and senior god brothers to tell us that these things are "incompatible with the characteristics and conditions of bona fide transcendental experience". Anyone with a modicum of common sense, (what to speak of one who has read even a little of Srila Prabhupada's writings), can see that instantly. They would simply call it "bogus" and skip the long-winded description.

But here is the clincher:

"More recently, for several days Harikesa dasa spoke openly of Srila Prabhupada in a critical and disparaging manner, sometimes questioning his motives, sometimes his authority, sometimes his competence."

Harikesa dasa was openly, continuously and unrelentingly blaspheming the Lord's pure devotee in the presence of the executive committee members and senior godbrothers, yet no one did anything about it! They tolerated it "for several days"! This is the first offense to the Holy Name. Can you tell me what was done to this blasphemer of Srila Prabhupada? For 21 years, the devotees have tolerated offenses to His Divine Grace! You are so quick to beat up innocent bhaktas when they are erroneously perceived to be making offenses to your big "tigers-soon-to-again-become-mice gurus. Nevertheless, when Srila Prabhupada said he was being poisoned, none of you became upset. When his order for all his disciples to come to Vrndavana was blocked, none of you were outraged. Your participated in blocking the order and tolerated it after the truth became revealed. When his books are being chopped up, you do not cry out in shame and outrage. When the "babbling" Harikesa insults him, no one silences his offenses. He carries on "for several days" like this, making the 3 worlds cringe to hear him, no doubt. At the end, you reward him with "the lightest possible sanction available"--that of being sent back to spiritual master boot camp, suspended from a position he never should have occupied in the first place. Your message: It's ok to insult, criticize, disparage, and question Srila Prabhupada's motives, authority and competence, but it is not ok to chastise Srila Prabhupada's offenders. Very nice!

His blind followers are willing to kill themselves over what they perceive as offenses to him, but you have tolerated his offenses to Srila Prabhupada so easily. What does that say of you?

In a letter to his disciples, you state:

"it is clear to us that he is not able to give instruction representative of the principles and teachings of Srila Prabhupada at this time"

Yet, you continue to advise his so-called disciples to offer unauthorized arati, bhoga and pranama to this fallen person. This is the result of your dangerous philosophical deviations. If he cannot represent Srila Prabhupada, why has he not been rejected? If he does not represent Srila Prabhupada, whom does he represent? If he represents himself, he is no longer in the parampara, and thus both he and his misguided followers are headed for some unknow destination. So much for your parampara--killed by your "living guru/dead guru" madness.

"Rather we advise you all to continue to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and his teachings".

Prabhus, this is the sum and substance of what so many devotees have tried to tell you all along and for which you have sought to ban, beat and eliminate them. Why have you not all along advised every ISKCON person to take complete and absolute shelter of Srila Prabhupada and his teachings? Why did you advance neophyte men to be worshipped on an equal level as Srila Prabhupada, relegating him to "dead guru" status? Why do you insist on waiting until these unqualified men crash and burn to tell the bewildered so-called disciples to take shelter of the only one that can genuinely give them shelter? Why do you continue to cheat the society? Why, when you were warned by so many people, did you seek to change, hide and distort the teachings of His Divine Grace (even to the point of corrupting his sacred writings) to justify your concoctions, and destroy the protestors? Are you ready to answer for this?

Harikesa dasa is one who has gone from mouse to tiger to again mouse, just like the previous 6 out of the original 11 self-exalted acaryas--except for one differnece--he is now a mouse who poses a threat to the integrity and honor of this society. If his followers carry out their threat to commit mass suicide, you'd better believe that ISKCON'S preaching programs worldwide will come to a grinding halt, to say the very least. You are like the infamous Dr. Frankenstein, this is your "monster" creation, and Lord knows there are probably more being cooked up in your "living guru lab".

May Krsna help us.

22-08-98 - (author's name withheld)
In reference to the letter Harikesa Dasa wrote to his devotees in Russia on August 16th, I would like to make a few points.

1. He says in the letter: "I am fine and happy, although quite disgusted and appalled at the hardness, cruelness and heartlessness of the leaders of ISKCON."
   This directly contradicts his earlier statement he made in "OUR ORIGINAL POSITION" published by the "ISKCON GBC PRESS" wherein he states in a letter to Astaradha Prabhu "Furthermore, when you preach something against that which was decided by the GBC Body, you create a very bad atmosphere and neglect the instruction in Prabhupada's will, wherein he states that the GBC is the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON. We cannot have devotees within ISKCON preaching against the GBC resolutions in public or private forums. Especially when one is a GURU and assumes the position of an absolute authority somehow superior to the authority of the GBC, which is also against Prabhupada's expressed desire. Since you are not superior to the GBC, you should follow the resolutions of the GBC and immediately stop such preaching, publicly or privately." Now that Harikesa Dasa has been put in a similar situation, why can't he follow the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON?

2. He says in the letter: "Take care of yourselves because otherwise you will be cheated like me when you understand the actual situation and dare say it."
   What is the cheating going on here? At least when Jagadish Dasa realized that he could no longer follow the vows of his Asrama, he didn't try to pass it off as his "DIVINE LILA" or make a religion out of it. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur explains in his commentary of the YADA YADA HI DHARMASYA GLANIR BHAVATI BHARATA verse in Sri Caitanya-bhagawat that : "There are five branches of irreligion appropriately known as irreligion [vidharma], religious principles for which one is unfit [para-dharma], pretentious religion [abhasa], analogical religion [upadharma] and cheating religion [chala-dharma]. One who is aware of real religious life must abandon these five as irreligiousÖ A pretentious religious manufactured by one who willfully neglects prescribed duties of his order of life is called abhasa." Seeing as Harikesa Dasa is not following the prescribed duties of his sannyasa order he falls under this category.

3. He says in the letter: "Although we are a process of self-realization, even 30 year old devotees do not know who they are and hardly anyone has love of God."
   Looks like he is talking about himself. After all, the Vedas say "atmavan manyate jagat", one sees things according to his own vision. A person who has jaundice sees everything yellow. At present, considering his mental and physical condition, he is in no position to judge others spiritual standing.

4. He says in the letter. "But we have seen that as soon as one deviates from the "party-line" he is considered a heretic and rejected, although any thinking person can understand that the time has come to search deeply within ourselves to find out why this movement is mainly interested in money, power, buildings and empty institutionalization without any real spiritual energy or power and with few realized souls."
   People like him have made the movement the way it is now? And now he is blaming ISKCON for what he has created? How many devotees have deviated from Harikesa's party-line and how many were crucified by him? Talking about money and power, he tried to control the whole society with money and power. A sannyasi traditionally has no money and begs from door to door as he preaches "simple living and high thinking".  How much money did Harikesa take with him? And how simply does he live? If everybody else in the society is more interested in money and power than him, than he should prove it by disclosing all of his assets and all of his bank accounts. He may be able to hide it from all of our eyes, but Lord Sri Krishna in time will take care of all these things.

5. He says in the letter: "You should open your eyes and see for yourself what is going on in this so-called spiritual society. I pray for Krsna that there is not and never will be an ISKCON in the spiritual world, otherwise I will reconsider going back home."
   Like he thinks he can go whenever he wants! Look where he is right now? Does he think he is going to go Back to Godhead in his present consciousness and qualified to take others with him? Srila Prabhupada is already present in the spiritual world and is anxious for us to join him, but definitely by Harikesa being so much attached to his female therapist, for now he is not going to join Srila Prabhupada in the spiritual world. Srila Prabhupada once said on a morning walk in Nellore: If I say that "I am ISKCON," what is wrong there? Because I have created this; therefore I say, "ISKCON means I.  I am ISKCON." ISKCON is already in the spiritual world. Harikesa has decided not to go there and be with Srila Prabhupada, so if you follow him, where do you think you will go? Nothing is going to stop Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON. The Supreme Lord is the source of intelligence for everybody, so let us all pray to Him and Srila Prabhupada to guide us through this difficult time.
   
   Our philosophy states that one should follow "Guru, Sadhu and Shashtra". His letter does not quote any Guru, Sadhu and Shashtra. When he was the big leader in ISKCON everything was right. But now since he has deviated and some action was taken against him, everything has now become wrong. This is all based on sentiment and false ego. Srila Prabhupada condemns blind following. In a Bhagavad-Gita lecture on verse 4.34 in Los Angeles on January 12th 1969, Srila Prabhupada said: "Yes. Blind following and absurd inquiries. These things are condemned in this verse. Blind following means: "Oh, there is a swami. So many thousands of people are following. Let me become his disciple." This is called blind following. You do not know what is that swami, whether he is a swami or a rascal. You do not know. But because everyone is going, "Oh, let me become his disciple." This is blind following, without any knowledge, blind following."
   
   Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

23/8/98

1. As expected 2 of the staunch followers of HK have committed suicide by self-immolation in Moscow. It seems they were unable to come to terms with the idea of their Guru being Mahabhagavat & at the same time subject to human frailties as described by the GBC communique. (This report was withdrawn from the IRG website after some days. Our reporter told us that 2 of the staunch HK followers had dowsed themselves with petrol and then flamed themselves. However the GBC report was that they were in a car accident and the car exploded into flames and they were thus burned to death. We were unable to verify our story and thus withdrew it.)

2. Reports have appeared on Russian TV as well as the press that millions of dollars lost in the stockmarket was not simply profits from the stockmarket but deposits from the Russian Mafia also.

3. It appears that the St. Petersburg temple has officially changed the deed of the property into another organisation. It appears that HK is going through with his threat of starting his own religion and organisation.

4. The HK 'disciples' in Europe are continuing as if nothing has happened. Worship of HK is going on as normal. They are convinced that very soon he will recover. Thus two different groups are emerging - both still loyal to HK. The Russians - who appear to be breaking off from ISKCON; and the Europeans who are staying loyal to ISKCON convinced that everything will be back to normal soon, and HK will be re-instated in ISKCON.

23-8-98
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Lately I have been getting: life threats, suicide threats, com rage, love letters and a lot of other bewildered stuff, mainly from the CIS. Some of my best friends are from the CIS.
Many of them are afraid to speak up, since insanity reigns and unstable people dictate public opinion.

Scenario:

Our spiritual master says: "No violence" (see his latest fax message). There is violence, life threats, suicide threats etc.

He says: "Never leave ISKCON, no matter what" (see dozens of his lectures). Some leave to St. Petersburg, declaring it a "non-ISKCON" temple.

"Cooperate and push forward the sankirtan movement" (AGTSD book, lectures) Some say, "Follow us and not the GBC." As a result book distribution decreases Sastra says: "Follow the guidance of guru, sadhu and sastra."
They say, "Only follow guru, and only we know what guru says/wants."
I say: "I have never betrayed, cheated or rejected my spiritual master."
They say "NND [Navina Nirada Dasa] is a traitor and a demon. Don't talk, write or listen to him."

Now I don't mind being the bad guy, if that would help. But when I see how innocent devotees are cheated by so called leaders, I do mind.

We are all responsible for our actions. If any of the devotees gets physical, mental, or spiritual harm, who will be responsible?
Can anyone take that responsibility?
Srila Prabhupada wanted the members of this movement to become "Self reliant and independently thoughtful."

"Your love for me will be shown in how you cooperate after I have left." Our spiritual masters are still here and already the fighting has started.
There has to be change, there will be change, but don't destroy the movement in the process of change. Don't throw out the baby with the wash water.
Waiting patiently for better times, knowing that there are many faithful, loving and mature devotees in ISKCON, who are surrendering their lives for the preaching mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They wont regret it.

Begging to remain your servant Navina Nirada Dasa

23-8-98
1. Finding HKM by Lord Sri Krishna's mercy

Harikesa Maharaja was supposed to phone me, but I got no information of his call. His secretary Radhanath das was visiting the temple to get something. So Isani dd and Hari-ballabhi dd asked me if I wanted to go to see Harikesa Maharaja. I changed into Karmi cloths and ran to the car, but by that time Radhanath das had already left. We couldn't catch upto him, but somehow the matajis know the village where Harikesa Maharaja had moved to. He wanted to move since he wanted privacy so he didn't tell anyone where he had moved to. On the way to that village a fox ran across the road and turned around and looked at us. According to vedic astrological omens that is a sign of success on the journey. We drove around that village where Harikesa Maharaja was supposed to be, but there was no trace. It was looking hopeless. I was praying for some mercy to find him. Somehow we started going around different back streets. On one we spotted the van of Radhanath das. They stopped and said as disciples they would get the sauce, but as a godbrother I could go ahead. As I approached the house I could see the Russian devotee Kamalamala das and Brahmananda Puri das through the window of the 2nd floor of the house. So I went upstairs and rang the bell. Radhanath das opened the door and was shocked and surprised. Harikesa Maharaja was in the bathroom.

When he came out he was wearing shirt and pants and a coat as he was preparing to go out. When he saw me he was simultaneously amazed, upset, happy and fearful. He asked how I found him, that he had just moved to have a secret hideaway so people wouldn't find him or bother him. I said I made a prayer and somehow we found it. He asked who drove me and when I said Isani dd he told Radhanath das to tell her to go and not to come back and not to tell anyone. Then Harikesa Maharaja told me he was just on his way out, but finally he invited me into his room and we sat down alone. At first things didn't get off the ground very well. But soon the ice was broken and we began to speak. Harikesa Maharaja did most of the talking of which as far as I can remember I am providing below.

2. His reaction and request to be left alone.

I simply presented my coming as not having any big agenda, but just to show my concern about his situation. I was coming as a godbrother and friend. He appreciated that. He expressed that I was welcome, but he had been harrassed by other devotees coming and trying to see him. He said his car was bugged and people don't leave him alone. He wants to be left alone to lead his life. He is emotionally not recovered and he needs time to recover. That he is also very busy and doesn't have time to waste. So he wants his disciples to know that they shouldn't come and disturb him or see him. In the near future he will install a phone in his house with an answering phone and those who want to see him can leave their name and number and with an appointment they can go and see him. He doesn't want people to look for him or try to find him. He wants to be left alone for now. When, after some time, he feels strong enough and recovered then he will begin to give more time for devotees and be available to guide them.

3. His consciousness is very articulate and clear.

I had been praying for his recovering and expected someone who was not very clear minded. Someone who was very emotional with large swings from one emotion to another out of control or something. However, I found Harikesa Maharaja very lucid, clear headed, sure of himself, and forceful. He was expressing things with emotion, but the predominant emotion was a mix of frustration, resentment, anger, tinged with occasional detachment, relief, impatience, intolerance and a certain degree righteousness. He is thinner than normal.

I asked him about that and he said he was really sick. He said that no one is understanding him and everyone is presenting things about him, but not actually telling what he is thinking. He was lucid in his discussions and didn't have any trouble communicating. He would tend to express a particular emotion stongly on each separate topic. He didn't show any symptom of craziness and his emotions were within control. He said he had been checked by a Psychiatrist who had cleared him as being quite okay and he said that the Doctor had said those who asked for her to do the checkup seemed paranoic and mentally disturbed. We are dealing with a person who apart from expressing emotional weakness at the present moment is very forceful and articulate.

4. I have a new subtle body, new aura only same atma an 50% same body…

Harikesa Maharaja informed me that he had died. Just as the SB states he had wound up all his connections with the material world---leaving all his designations. He had left his body and was dead. He said Sacinandana Swami's Doctor disciple (he couldn't remember the name, but said that Sacinandana Swami would remember it) was there and could confirm that. He was out of his body for some minutes and then he came back. When he came back he didn't fit in with the old situation anymore. Since he had given up these things he didn't want them back. He said he had a new subtle body, new aura and 50% of his physical body was the same. He said his soul was the same. Initially he was in a highly emotional state and in that state he said and did things some of which he now regrets. He told me that he had a physical collapse and no doctor said he had a nervous breakdown. He doesn't know why that is being said.

5. I called 17 disciples embraced them. Informed them how Monika & him matched up… Upset that they destroyed tape.

He said he called 17 disciples. When he saw them he felt overwhelmed with emotion for them and embraced them. He said he explained his ideas, but later they destroyed the tape. He explained how he felt Monika was an ideal match for him and they wanted to get married. He was feeling that his message wasn't getting out because he wrote some letters, but they were never sent by Bhakta Vatsalya das and one other servant. All he could do was send two hand written faxes. He said he is not on COM or email. That he doesn't like email anymore.
He also said he is getting some kind of phone which will have internet connection and he would be able to send some communications out.

6. Request to be left alone.

He repeated his request to be left alone and not to be bothered now. He said he felt the devotees were being like CIA and tracking him down. That there were threats to kidnap him or Monika. He warned that he has discussed with the local Police Commissioner and has a hot number to call him any time day or night. If anything threatened him or Monika it was pre-arranged that he could get immediate protection from the Police.

7. Why he feels cheated by EC/GBC. Why they didn't listen to him and give him vacation?

Harikesa Maharaja's turning point and main reason he says he feels cheated is that he requested some time to recuperate. He didn't want to be suspended or removed or put on probation. He explained that they (EC) asked him to resign, but he asked why he should. So then they asked him to take a Leave of Absence.
He said that previously he was sick and was given some time to recuperate.
This time his collapse was much worse and it would take longer to recuperate. So why couldn't they just leave things as they were while he recuperates. When they decided to suspend him as a GBC taking away his positions and to put him on Probation as a Guru then he felt cheated. Why couldn't they have given him a vacation to recuperate and when he was better he could simply resume his duties? He expressed strong sentiments that this is the way they treat some one after 30 years. Therefore, he said he didn't want any more to do with ISKCON as an institution. He was now decided to be out of ISKCON. I mentioned to him that the EC had been there ready to discuss with him. He said they came for
1.5 hours to discuss, but he got bored talking with them and ended it. Then when they were walking with him they started to interogate him about so many things.
He said he was emotionally weak and physically sick so how they could cross examine him like that while he was walking from the car? It was almost intolerable for him. He doesn't want to be cheated any more so he decided to be out of ISKCON. I mentioned that 6 months earlier as Chairman of the GBC if he had been faced with a similar situation in another GBC he would have done the same thing. He accepted that, but said now he apologizes for that to his disciples and devotees. He said now he does not want to act like that anymore.
He wants to be more loving and caring for devotees.

He also feels betrayed that whatever he said in confidence was being revealed openly. I asked him what of this discussion was confidential and what was private. He said all that he was telling me now was public and could be told.

8. He in an emotional state embraced Amboda and kissed her…He is sorry… she is jealous…

I mentioned that there were various complaints that he had been acting in an improper manner and therefore the EC was forced to do something. He said it was just 12 days or so (if I got it right) after the collapse and he implied he wasn't fully responsible for what he was doing then. He said he, in an emotional state, embraced Amboda dd and kissed her. He admits that was wrong and he apologizes for it. He said he will never do it again. He was upset that the EC listened to her and Kasiraj das even though they hadn't been chanting their 16 rounds for 5 weeks. But they didn't listen to him although he had been chanting 32 and more rounds. He said Amboda dd keeps bringing these things up since she actually had desires for him and was making plots to get him to be with her, but when he decided to be with Monika she became jealous and that is why she is doing all these things….

9. He feels ISKCON has made many mistakes and if it doesn't change it will be finished.

He said that because he has mentioned the faults in ISKCON therefore they don't tolerate him. He is outspoken about some of the defects in ISKCON, and for that he is removed. His main point is that ISKCON has made mistakes on important issues and that is ruining everything. He said that ISKCON is a sect (cult) and he doesn't want to be any part of a dangerous sect. If it changes he said, then maybe he can reconsider. He said one is told to chose a guru in the first 6 months when one doesn't know anything and once you choose a guru then you can't challenge the guru. "Isn't that mind control?", he said. I pointed out that disciples always have a right to question the guru if there is a deviation according to sadhu, sastra or guru. He said only question and not challenging.

He said the biggest problem was with the principle of NO ILLICIT SEX. That it should be changed to NO SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE. That this was the standard in the sampradaya. He didn't know why Srila Prabhupada stressed this point so much, but he couldn't blindly follow it. He said a young man and woman in their twenties need physical relations and it was artificial to not allow that.
That one of his disciples had sex with his wife, but not according to garbodhana samskara and was feeling so guilty that he committed suicide 2 months ago. He was disgusted by this and felt it had to be changed. It was impractical and creating an abnormal situation. Devotees figure out they can't have much sex anyway so remain brahmacaries or sannyasis, and when they get 40 years old they can't sustain it so they get married. Then their marriages are abnormal and end in divorce. He said that people have children only to have sex and don't really care about the children so the children are some kind of varna-sankara or unwanted progeny. That instead they should have healthy sex lives and have children when they want them. I mentioned to him that I personally heard Srila Prabhupada tell householders that they shouldn't go outside of their marriage for sex and it wasn't sinful for a householder to have sexlife in marriage. However excessive sex life in marriage would make one more attached to the body and then risk that if one dies in that consciousness then wouldn't get back to Godhead. Harikesa Maharaja said he doesn't see devotees going back to Godhead anyway.

He also brought up problems in ISKCON with treatment of women and children.
He said they were about to investigate some major scandal about gurukula abuse of children a couple of days prior to his collapse, but then he collapsed and after that he doesn't know what is happening. He said he would like to abolish all asram gurukulas in ISKCON.

10. He feels Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee, but he has been put in too high a position.

[This is a sensitive topic and I don't want to go into so many details and commit some offense to Srila Prabhupada, but I should mention something.] Harikesa Maharaja also told me that he felt Srila Prabhupada was being promoted too much in ISKCON. That Srila Prabhupada wasn't God. He was a pure devotee.
That our philosophy is "Jivera svarupa haya Krsna nitya dasa" and not "Jivera svarupa haya Srila Prabhupader nitya dasa". He stated that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu should be promoted more and not Srila Prabhupada. That Srila Prabhupada's books are wonderful. That 90-95% of the teachings are wonderful, but some few aspects have been given which have caused major problems in ISKCON which almost counter-acts whatever good we have done. That he isn't able to accept everything Srila Prabhupada's purports say without it being confirmed in the sastra as well. He can't blindly follow any more.

He quoted a number of things that he personally felt were well-intentioned but improper on Srila Prabhupada's part. I think I mentally blocked out many of the things he said at this time and I don't want to repeat them here since I take it as possibly attracting offenses for myself. However, begging Srila Prabhupada not to take offense I can mention that they include things like sending children to gurukula seperating them from their parents, the moon was further than the sun, and stating that women like to be raped. He said he told heavier things to Abhiram Prabhu, but it shook his faith and he didn't want to tell me as it might shake my faith.

Harikesa Maharaja therefore has a new concept about Srila Prabhupada that HDG position should be re-evaluated. He feels Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu hasn't been promoted enough. That for the 500th anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu he was the main person who did everything for that festival and he got hardly any support for it. On the other hand, for the centennial of Srila Prabhupada 4 years of observations were held which was a practically useless.

11. He doesn't want to start a new institution. He doesn't want to be part of a sect.

Harikesa Maharaja stated emphatically that now he is no longer a member of ISKCON. That he considers ISKCON a dangerous sect which cheats people and has cheated him, therefore he doesn't want to be part of it any longer. He doesn't want to start a new organization since it would again be another sect.

12. He wants to promote Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Hare Krishna Mahamantra… Future plans…

As far as Harikesa Maharaja's future plans he told that he wants to see Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu made famous all over the world. He wants to see the Hare Krishna mahamantra chanted everywhere. He doesn't want to make any new movement or institution. He doesn't want to be part of a dangerous sect again.
He is considering setting up a village somewhere and training people how to be proper householders and to relate with each other in a loving and caring manner. He isn't against ISKCON and doesn't want to do it any harm. If ISKCON doesn't change it will fall apart on its own. If they change then he may reconsider. He still loves the devotees and wants to serve the devotees. He intends to serve special programs for children and devotees and will be considering what he will do.

I asked wouldn't the Mayapur Temple of Vedic Planetarium help to promote the glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world? His response was now he wasn't sure about whether he wanted to build a temple. "What was the need of such a big temple?" he asked. He questioned the whole concept of a temple in Mayapur. The location, the height, the strategy and design all were questioned or criticized. Later I explained how it may also be the best way of promoting Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He said finally that he would consider in the future and if he was convinced then again he might support it. He was supporting in the past even though he doubted it just out of his love for Srila Prabhupada, but now he would only do things based on his intellect being convinced.

13. What about the intense situation in Russia?

I asked about the Russian situation and the three leaders: Sannyas das, Kamalamala das and Brahmananda Puri das happened to be present in the living room of the flat. I said I was concerned that there be no violence or unnecessary confrontation. Harikesa Maharaja said he told them he wasn't going to be a head of any new movement as he wasn't into it. He said he told them not to do any harm to themselves or to others. I asked him how things could be worked out and he advised me to ask them. Later that night I discussed with them for 1.5 hours and they offered to cooperate stating they were simply upset that their guru's good name had been offended.

14. "I didn't give up my disciples. They gave me up." He is willing to guide them but no formalities…

He is an individual. He wants to get love for Krishna and go back to Godhead.
He will chant Hare Krishna and practice devotional service, but he doesn't want to be part of an institution. He isn't under anyone any more. The GBC isn't over him. He is free now. He never wanted to be a Guru. He doesn't like Guru puja, sitting on a high seat, etc. He didn't give up his disciples, but they have given him up. He is willing to guide them, but not be a guru for them as before. No formal dealings. For now he needs time to recuperate and will announce when he can give guidance or do more for devotees.

I explained how his disciples cared about him and were concerned for him.
He said he gets letters from them wishing him a quick recovery and return to good health. He said he feels more physically strong than ever and he doesn't have any psychological problem. Therefore, when he gets such letters from disciples which don't understand his real situation he throws them in the waste basket. I wish I could have stressed more the trauma his disciples, but I didn't ask specifically about that. I heard Bhakti Bhusana Swami or someone asked about this.

15. Printed separately yesterday - see 'HKS Threatens ISKCON'
16. I am very emotional. I need time to recover.

He repeated at the end that he was feeling emotionally weak and in need of rebuilding. He was getting therapy from Monika and it would take some time for him to recuperate. He wanted time to recover and then in the future he would take up some activities and try to help devotees. He was kind to me and sacrificed his appointment to talk with me. He told me he thought of me favorably and was glad to see me.

24-8-98 - H.H. Jayapataka Maharaja Reports His Visit to HK "I mentioned that I told his statements about how he would get aggressive if he thought he would be cheated, were received in different ways by different people. How Danavir Maharaj had mentioned that he should get whatever was his legitimate business money and how he shouldn't be pushed "against the wall". Danavir Maharaj had given the example of a racoon, who is normally a peace loving animal, but when threatened or cornered it becomes ferocious. HKM expressed some anguish that he never ever wanted to do anything against ISKCON or to harm ISKCON. He has always been serving ISKCON and been a friend. He never ever got violent or anything. Nor did he ever cheat anyone in financial dealings. But he feels angry how he was dealt with and finds it difficult to control his emotions. Especially since he feels totally penniless and is starting a new life it makes him extremely angry to think that his non-ISKCON business monies invested with Sannyas das would be ripped off him. That drove him to such an angry state. He mentioned that he agreed with BBT to give a large portion of it to them to settle some kind of outstanding things. I don't think it is my position to mention figures so I am not doing so. Now that things are settled, although he still doesn't have any funds, he seemed a bit pacified. He emphasized that he only said those things out of extreme stress and pressure and disgust with how he was being dealt with. Actually he never has and could never dream of doing anything against ISKCON, but only because he felt at that moment totally pushed against the wall and cheated did his emotions become so intense that he could think like that out of desperation. Now he is peaceful."

25-8-98 - JPS is beginning to lose hope for HK recovery [Text 1653194 from COM] Camp: ISKCON Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, Radhastami Festival, Mayapur Dham, India.

My Dear Spiritual Nieces & Nephews, Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thank-you for your letter cited below with my comments. I have noted the contents carefully.

Srila Prabhupada and sastra are very clear that sex life for having Krishna conscious children is a devotional service and therefore isn't sinful. If one is following such a level of sex life and devotional service, but suddenly dies while still in the household asram they will still go back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada said householders who follow this are called as Grihastha Brahmacari's. It is the standard of Krishna consciousness in all sastras. I don't have any different idea on this.

What I discussed with HKM was that if a devotee failed to follow this the way that Srila Prabhupada preached to them was basicly to do the best they can. I overheard some instructions, but since I was a sannyasi I didn't pay so much attention so i don't feel confident to say what Srila Prabhupada actually said. But it wasn't really sanctioning that one didn't have to follow, it was giving devotees some guidelines in case they couldn't how to gradually come back to the standard. The context in my discussion with HKM was that certainly Srila Prabhupada would never have imagined or wanted a devotee to commit suicide for not following. HKM agreed that the devotee must have been a little crazy to apply it like that, but he felt strong about the issue. I didn't agree that changing the principle was the solution. Rather advising people who can't follow what they should do in that case so that they know what to do to get back on the track.

Every devotee vows to chant 16 rounds, but if one misses one day it isn't that they should commit suicide nor that we should reduce the number of rounds to chant per day.
However if one can't chant 16 then Srila Prabhupada would advise to chant some number as a daily minimum and gradually increase until one gets back to the desired number. That type of guideline is what I was suggesting.

If we break a principle then we are liable for the karma. Sex for pleasure has some karma factor. If it is within marriage then it is less karma than if it is out of wedlock. Like that there are some levels of karmic responsibility. Since sastra says sex for pleasure brings karma if a Guru says to change the principle then he is allowing disciples to do vikarmas. Both the Guru and disciple will have to accept the karma. In Bengal people can hardly follow vegetarian diet. They are very attached to eating fish. They consider fish a kind of swimming "water fruit" and say it is okay to eat. So many so-called vaisnava "gurus"
tell their followers it is okay to eat fish since that way they can have more followers. In this way we can adjust the 4 principles in so many variations, but each variation will attract vikarmic reactions. What Srila Prabhupada gave may be difficult, but it is karma free. If someone goes off the karma free route then karma is the result. A guru can't change the Law of Karma to suit the relative weakness or strength of the local people. The infallible Law of Karma is the same for everyone.

My point was a grihastha may accept a certain risk factor if they can't follow and they should know how to take the least dangerous alternative. The totally risk free alternative is actually following the principle of garbodhana samskara. However, even in the Samskara Dipika by Gopal Bhatta Goswami, one of the 6 Goswamis, there is a ceremony in the simantanayana rite for doing a yajna to make up for a conception which failed to have been achieved with a garbodhana samskara. So even 500 years ago the possibility of sex outside of garbodhana samskara was acknowledged and some remedial yajna was prescribed. Certainly suicide wasn't the solution. So householders should try there best to follow strictly, and know what the consequences and remedies are in case they fail.

This is what I meant in our discussion. Of course, each Guru may give some personal instructions to his disciples, but no guru can change the law of karma and its reactions.

I don't agree with this wanting to change the regulative principles as given in sastra and by Srila Prabhupada. In SB #1 the 4 pillars of Kali are given and one of them is illicit sex. The sanskrit word is "avaidya maithuna" which is non-vedic or illicit sex. How can we give in to Kali on one of the main pillars? At the same time we should not make householders feel so guilty if they don't follow 100% that they become psychotic or depressed. It may take some householders some time to follow perfectly. That is a risk they take, but they need to know what is the standard they should work to achieve. That is how I understand it.

I am concerned that Srila Prabhupada's instructions are being made light of and that can be very offensive. I wonder on what authority HKM feels he can just make any adjustment he wants without referring to sastra. This instruction and the garbodhana samskara are mentioned in sastra and not only Srila Prabhupada's instructions.
Disciples should be careful to remain securely under Srila Prabhupada's shelter. The obvious invitation for devotees to leave ISKCON and statements that ISKCON was a "SECT" are very painful for all of us ISKCON devotees to hear. HKM has gone over the limit of acceptable action in making such statements and encouraging his followers to leave ISKCON. I had a lot of hope that things would work out soon with Harikesa Maharaj, but now my hopes have gone done a lot. My heart is shattered. I don't know whether to feel cheated or what. I am very unhappy about the whole thing. I want very much for Harikesa Maharaja to be with us all in ISKCON serving Srila Prabhupada, but it seems he has another idea. There is really no excuse and he could easily be an ISKCON member grihastha and have a health clinic as a business or service for devotees. His desire to be out of ISKCON is something almost unfathomable to me. I still hope that one day HKM might change his mind, but as things are happening it seems like a longer period of time may be needed for him to return---if at all. I was giving Harikesa Maharaja's disciples some hope because I was feeling hopeful. I haven't given up as yet, but I am finding the new turn of events very difficult to tolerate.

I am still praying that all the obstacles in the way of Harikesa Maharaja's return to ISKCON and the shelter of Srila Prabhupada may be removed and we can be united again. I am also praying for all of you. Please stay with us in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON family. If we all stay here and don't leave and if we tell Harikesa Maharaja that we are not unhappy. That ISKCON isn't a cult or sect, but a happy religious family that wants him to return---then maybe he would consider in due time. I don't see any reason to leave ISKCON and I am sad he is encouraging his followers to do so if they like to. Well I am encouraging all of you to stay. If I can do anything to serve you please tell me. My heart is very heavy today.

I hope that this finds you in good health.
Your ever well wisher and spiritual uncle, Jayapataka Swami

26-8-98  -  JPS Continues to provide more revelations of HK's deviations [Text 1653195 from COM] Camp: ISKCON Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, Radhastami Festival, Mayapur Dham, India.

My Dear Spiritual Nephew Nandapriya das, Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thankyou for your letter cited below with my comments. I have noted the contents carefully.

Dear Jayapataka maharaj, dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

As I understand, HKM wants us to follow all 4 regs. The injunction of sastra for mlecchas to eat meat once a month is not meant to encourage them but to control the tendency. It is HKM's practical realization that many devotees are having big problems due to the present formulation of the principle. I am sure he is fully aware of the importance of no illicit sex for spiritual life. When I read his (HKM) statement, I didn't conclude to have freedom for sex life for myself. I am convinced he is thinking of the welfare of devotees.

ys Nandapriya d

I had long talks about this with Harikesa Maharaja and he feels a sensual relationship with more sex life is good for the relationship. He even told me that in his opinion contraceptives were okay. That contraceptives have existed for thousands of years and weren't a problem. He was emphatic on this point. Harikesa Maharaja thought that household couples should have as much sex as they needed to bring them close together and whenever they actually wanted a child then they should try for a child.

Now I don't agree with this principle he has presented. It doesn't match up with our sastras or the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. It may be a practical solution for some persons, but it isn't without karma. It may be better than some other alternatives like going to prostitutes or having sex with someone outside of marriage or obviously than committing suicide. It isn't a standard to be established as the normal situation which is what HKM is recommending for whoever wants to follow him.

Yes I agree that HKM told me also if someone can follow the principles he doesn't object or he thinks it is okay. HKM also doesn't want people to have unlimited sex like animals. What his standard is he clearly expressed.
HKM may be thinking this is for the welfare of devotees, but is this the way to really benefit them? It is a change from what Srila Prabhupada and the sastra has said! Following this new standard will they get back to Godhead?
I wrote on this in another text to SV disciples. There are less drastic ways of helping disciples who can't follow rather than change the whole standard which means that probably no one will follow any more. I am glad that you still feel determined to follow. If someone is blissful in Krishna consciousness then they don't need so much sex. That is the real point that seems to be missed here. Why suddenly HKM now has these realizations which contradict what he has been saying for so many years?

I am sorry that you disciples have to be put through this trauma. I was hoping that a short term solution could be achieved, but now it seems like a remote chance for a solution. As days go by the possibility seems further away. I am still having some hope, but it is a dim hope now. My heart is heavy. If there is anything I can do to help you please tell me.

I hope that this finds you in good health.
Your ever well wisher, Jayapataka Swami

26-08-98 - by Papaharini dd

Dear Executive Committee:

Recently it was posted on VNN in the newsdesk headlines  that 16 devotees were threatening "mass suicide" in Russia, unless you retract your sanctions against their guru.

We have not heard any further response from your team. I am concerned that you take responsibility for such a serious threat at least publicly, by reporting this threat to law enforcement so there may be an intervention for their protection. IF there are ANY children involved and you have failed to take your professional ethical and legal responsibility as priests/counselors to heart- by reporting to authorities the possible danger to adults and children- then you are not fit to sit on any committee for any religious or corporate purpose.

It never ceases to amaze me how you people think you are above the law as citizens of the world. Your responsibilities as officers of non-profit, tax exempt religious corporations are coming straight from Srila Prabhupada's own handwritten mission statement. Your current status in spiritual violation of the simple straightforward July 9th order are now manifesting storms of violent threats by misled disciples of a misled teacher. Your apparent minimization of a threat of mass suicide will be abhorred by the world. How much longer does this serious guru-aparadha to Srila Prabhupada's society have to be allowed to fester? You may make decisions to change your profile with the world community to one of honesty. How do you sleep at night? When will you wake up from the nightmare you are creating?

It's too bad that rather than take your godbrother's and godsister's pleas to heart, you choose to replace sincere counsel with the hand of legal authorities to sort out your sorted affairs. Make different choices.

Your godsister,
Papaharini dd

29/8/98

1. After HK's threat, it appears that he was handed over 5 million US$. Our sources could not confirm whether it was given from the BBT or some other account.

2. HK has informed the police about the danger of his being kidnapped. The police are sympathetic & have provided him with a hotline. This has naturally made the police inquisitive and prompted them to begin an investigation.

3. HK is planning to go on a holiday to the south of France. Gurushakti das has made all the arrangements. By his threat for money and putting devotees in jail and expose the 'cult' in Germany, he has started to loose a grip even over his faithful followers.

4. HK allegdly met a reknowned lady psychiatrist in Weisbaden who told him that there is nothing wrong with him. Whatever he has done was in full awareness. He is conscious of his behaviour, it is deliberate and is responsible for it.

31-08-98 - Pratyatosa Dasa

The following is a portion of a text which was sent to each and every GBC man over 8 months ago!

From: http://www.com.org/hb/temp2/GBC_Investigations.htm

http://www.com.org/hb/WWW-COM_users_only/GBC_Investigations.htm

Suggestions For Future GBC Investigations By Pratyatosa Dasa (ACBSP), December 11, 1997

[...]

DEVIATIONS?

12. Harikesa Swami

a. Does he regularly attend the morning program?

[I was there at his headquarters in Sweden for two visits, plus he visited the temple in Hillerd, Denmark when I was there, and I can personally testify that he never went to any part of the morning program!]

b. Does he chant 16 rounds?

[Who knows? He just stays in his private apartment all day! He's rented special video phone lines connected to all of the temples in his zone, so that he can micro-manage everything without having to leave his apartment!]

c. Is he guilty of making important official ISKCON decisions whimsically, without consulting with fellow BBT trustees or GBC godbrothers?

[Related questions: Where hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted in Mayapur because of mistakes made due to whimsical, rushed decisions? Was the Sony copyright case settled out of court without proper consultation?]

d. Does he regard the Northern European BBT funds his own, to do with as he pleases?

e. Did he threaten to leave ISKCON and take the BBT copyrights with him at the New Vrindaban emergency GBC meetings in 1986?

[Comment: Could this threat be carried out in the future?]

f. Are some of the temples in his zone (such as the one in Hillerd, Denmark) distributing music CDs to the exclusion of Srila Prabhupada's books?

[I was there in Denmark for 4 1/2 months. The answer is yes!]

g. Are some of the music tapes and/or CDs (under the BBT logo) an embarrassment to the BBT?

[Two prominent ISKCON leaders told me that the answer to this is also yes!]

h. Is he illegally blocking private email without the permission of either the sender or the receiver? (See "Human Rights Violations" below.)

i. Is he preaching that the grihasthas in his zone should try to put off having children?

[Comment: When I told one temple president that this was going on, his immediate reaction was, "This is demoniac!" Is this policy encouraging sinful activities?]

j. Are a large percentage of children in his zone, in karmi school?

[I personally witnessed that even one of the devotees who was one of three board members running the temple in Hillerd (there was no temple president), and who was being maintained 100% out of the sankirtan collections, had her son in karmi school!]

k. Are illegal activities going on at his headquarters in Sweden?

[When I told one temple president about the computer software bootlegging that is going on there, including illegally copying commercial CD-ROMs, he said, "That's nothing compared to some of the other illegal things that are going on there!"]

l. Why are there two kinds of devotees in his zone--the prabhus (men) and the matajis (women)?

[In Hiller¯d, the devotee telephone directory, lists everyone as "Prabhu" or "Mataji" instead of "Dasa" or "Devi Dasi". Is this weird or what?]

m. Why do the devotees in his zone think that it's okay to wash their metal prasadam plates, cups and spoons in the stool room?

n. In Harikesa Swami's zone, I heard a lecture given by Suhotra Swami wherein he stated over and over again that "All words in all languages come directly from the spiritual world." Is this a concoction, or what?

[Also, in Suhotra Swami's book entitled "Substance and Shadow: The Vedic Method of Knowledge", he states that "The Wright brothers flew a plane called the Kitty Hawk."! In the glossary, the definitions for "relativity" and "quantum mechanics" are hopelessly confused and confusing. I checked with a PhD devotee scientist, and he 100% agreed with my prognosis!]

[...]

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?

21. Is Harikesa Maharaj Misusing His Authority in His Control Over COM/WWW-COM?

a. Should control be transferred to the BBT Trustees or to the GBC body?

[Comment: On 11 Oct 1997, Badrinarayan Dasa wrote:

Thank you for your note. As for their rules on how they monitor the system...best to ask them or Harikesa Maharaj...as they set it up and maintain it.

Dear Badrinarayan Prabhu,

PAMHO. AGTSP!

The intelligent, mature way to run COM, would be to have a moderator for each conference, that intercepts each message to the conference for which he is responsible. He then has the choice of either posting it on the conference, or returning it to the sender along with the reason that it is being rejected. Messages should only be rejected based on content, not on the past reputation of the person sending them. Does this not seem reasonable?

I, for one, would like to have my messages blocked, if they are actually inappropriate or offensive. This will help to keep me from making a fool of myself, or even worse, committing vaisnava aparada. The blocking of my email has, on the other hand, had nothing to do with content, but was purely indiscriminate, and seemingly vengeful, and politically motivated. I was never given any warning, notice, reason, or "length of sentence". Does this seem fair?]

b. Are karmi laws being violated by the blocking of private email messages without the permission of either the sender or the receiver?

c. Is the "United Nations Declaration of Human Rights" being violated by the blocking of private email messages without the permission of either the sender or the receiver?

See: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

"The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

"Article 12

"No one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks."

d. Is the blocking of private email messages without the permission of either the sender or the receiver ungentlemanly, unethical, unvaisnava, or offensive?

In light of the above, why was this man made chairman of the GBC Executive Committee for a 3 year term?

The Harikesh Saga