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December 2001

All Things Must Pass

Devotees of Krishna the world over have been saddened by George Harrison’s death. George was a member and supporter of Srila Prabhupada’s movement from the earliest days in England and has always been there as a friend and kindly advocate. We knew his leaving this world was imminent and an internet appeal to pray for him was sent out to all temples three days before his death by his old friend Shyamasundara das. But still, when the news came that he had finally departed, it came as a shock, as death always does. For days afterwards the papers, radio and television news were occupied with his musical history, his cultural legacy, the nature of his sickness, his final hours and his funeral. The media also mentioned his faith in Krishna and that he had left ‘meticulous instructions’ for the observance of the final ceremonies. So much has already been written, but it remains the task of this newsletter to recount some of the stories about him that only fellow devotees would appreciate and understand.

Early Days: Srila Prabhupada with Patti and George Harrison and Dhananjaya dasa. Dhananjaya das was also present at Tribhuvanath's leaving click here.

In the Gita the Lord describes how a soul, awakened in a previous life, is drawn once again to an awareness of Him in the present life, taking up devotion where he left off: “...he revives the divine consciousness of his previous life, and he again tries to make further progress...he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles - even without seeking them... ” (BG 6.43-44) George Harrison said that he was drawn to Krishna, and, several years later, declared that he felt as if he’d been Krishna conscious in a previous life, it was so much a part of him.

The Beginnings

Picking up and playing a sitar on the set of Help! and being given a book on Hinduism on a beach in the Bahamas, George went to India to meet up with sitar master Ravi Shankar. In 1967 he met with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Bangor, Wales. Later that year, after they had already played their last concert together, he took all the Beatles to Rishikesh to meet the TM guru. George was already aware of the devotees of Krishna and had purchased 20 copies of the Happening album, the first recording by Srila Prabhupada and his disciples. But it wasn’t until 1969 that George was to meet Shyamasundara in the London offices of Apple, the Beatles’ recording company. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting two years to meet you fellahs” was how he greeted the devotee. Shyamasundara and five others had come to London to start a branch of ISKCON and they had sent apple pies and clockwork apples with the mahamantra written on them to the Beatles at Apple. They hoped that perhaps with their highly publicised interest in meditation, the Beatles might want to sponsor a record of the mantra for them. What they got, of course, was beyond their wildest dreams. The Hare Krishna Mantra by the Radha-Krishna Temple was eventually recorded with George, Paul, Linda and drummer Ginger Baker all in the studio helping. Reaching the charts in. twenty countries it was even sung one afternoon by 40,000 people at Wembley!

Srila Prabhupada made a deep impression on George: “Most of these yogis say ‘Look at me, I am the divine incarnation, let me help you,’” he explained, “Prabhupada said: ‘I am the servant of the servant of the servant.’” When George once asked Srila Prabhupada if he should also shave his head and join the temple, Prabhupada replied that he could do more for Krishna through his music. Many years previously, the great-grandfather of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, had predicted a day when the maha-mantra and songs of Krishna would be sung throughout the world in the local musical style and in the local language. George would be the first to make that prediction come true. When Srila Prabhupada heard George’s orchestrated version of the Govindam Prayers for the first time he was moved to tears and asked for it to be played every morning in each of the movement’s temples.

My Sweet Lord and other songs

After helping the temple devotees to make an album, George started writing his own songs about Krishna and the philosophy of the Gita. In January 1971 came All Things must Pass with My Sweet Lord and many other songs followed. Living in the Material World contained The Lord loves the One who loves the Lord, a song about Srila Prabhupada. Many thousands of listeners were to hear the philosophy for the first time through these songs, and many older devotees today claim that George’s music became their stepping stone to a life of Krishna consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada had experienced a severe heart attack in 1967 and wondered whether he would live to present his disciples and the world with a translated version of the divine ‘pastimes’ of Krishna on earth. He had translated the second canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, but knew that many years of translating remained before he would reach the tenth canto where these accounts are contained. So he decided to write Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When he was finished, he requested Shyamasundara to ask George if he could help to publish it. Shyamasundara was a little nervous; he didn’t want to give George the impression that the devotees were after his money. But Srila Prabhupada had asked him and the spiritual master’s desire was the life and soul of the disciple, so he found himself sitting in a restaurant with George one evening. A thunderstorm raged outside, and just as he timidly asked the question, lightning flashed, there was a loud clap of thunder, and all the lights went out. The two sat in complete darkness without saying anything for a minute or two. When the lights came on, George was smiling and said: “I suppose that means yes!”

Due to George’s celebrity endorsement, his songs, and the help he’d given the devotees in meeting other famous people who passed on the word, the little temple at 7, Bury Place near the British Museum was becoming too small for the number of devotees who lived there and others who wanted to join. Again, George was asked if he could help. And again he agreed. He told the devotees that if they found a suitable building then he would purchase it. Devotees found Piggots Manor, a former nursing home with 17 acres of land in the Hertfordshire countryside. George could not spare the time to come and see it, but said if they liked it he would make the arrangements immediately. And so it was that ‘Bhaktivedanta Manor’ was purchased for £230,000. The Manor, of course, has gone on to become one of the most famous Krishna temples outside India.

Over the years, George became a very private person; even the devotees didn’t see very much of him. But it was apparent that he still remained a devotee of Krishna; he visited the Mayapura temple, ISKCON’s international headquarters in West Bengal. After touring the complex and taking prasadam, he spent the remainder of his time talking to the gardener about the many varieties of flowers and fruits growing there. He stayed for a few days in Vrindavan, unrecognised by everyone except the western devotees there. George chanted on his beads, bathed in the Yamuna and went shopping in Loi Bazaar.

Mantra Protection

He accepted an invitation to the Manor for the 20th anniversary of the opening in 1993. While there he enjoyed afternoon tea with the devotees and led them in kirtan, himself playing on the harmonium. When he came in 1996 for a special dinner of thanks for all those who had helped save the Manor, he arrived in an exclusive sports car with a unique paint job. When one devotee commented, “Nice car George,” he replied: “Go closer and have a look at the paintwork.” On close inspection it was seen that the maha-mantra had been painstakingly rendered in very small lettering all over the car. “For my protection.” He also claimed that the maha-mantra had protected him when he was caught in a particularly frightening electrical storm flying over the Atlantic. He sat in his seat and chanted loudly.

In the Vaishnava scriptures, great praise is given to those who serve the mission of Godhead by building temples, making shastra accessible, and broadcasting the holy name and attractive descriptions of the Lord. George did all three as a young man, even though beset on all sides by the trappings of fame and wealth. His legacy goes far beyond some memorable songs and films. When Krishna’s pure devotee was struggling to push forward the movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in a new country, George stepped forward to help in such a way that an entire generation became attracted to Krishna, and future generations would have a place where they could discover, learn about, and serve Him. In the few months before his own departure in 1977, Srila Prabhupada thanked all the disciples who had served him in his mission to his spiritual master. Taking a ring from his finger, Srila Prabhupada asked for it to be given to George. As devotees in England we all owe a great debt to ‘Sriman George Harrison’ as Srila Prabhupada called him. Srila Prabhupada once said that the Beatles were able to create such nice melodies because in their previous lives they had been on a heavenly planet and they were recalling melodies present in that atmosphere. Certainly even the Beatles would say that melodies often ‘just came to us’. Whatever George’s specific past life, we do know something for sure: with this present life spent performing significant devotional service, he can be assured that his ‘My Sweet Lord’ has taken care of him for the next. George Harrison ki jaya!

Devotees hold gatherings for George

On Tuesday 4th, the day when George Harrison’s family had asked everyone to meditate at 9.30pm, devotees at the Manor and Soho St held kirtan from 9.00 to 9.45. A mini-bus of more intrepid chanters drove all the way up to Liverpool where, welcomed by appreciative local dignitaries, they were able to sit by the Town Hall entrance and chant Hare Krishna for three hours while a crowd of over 1,000 slowly filed in to sign the condolence book. The following evening, a special service was held at the Manor. George’s picture, one of a series of black and white shots taken in 69-70 while he was chanting with devotees in a park, was enlarged, framed and nicely garlanded with flowers. Local florist Satya dasi made beautiful flower arrangements, and many candles were lit. Devotees, local neighbours, and Beatles fans came to offer cards, prayers; to light candles and lay flowers on what became a shrine within a shrine. Bangladeshi singer, Himangshu Goswami was among the many who packed the temple on that night. After tributes and an uplifting arati, accompanied by the sound of the tabla, and sung in traditional raga by the Goswami family, a video of George’s visit in 1993 was shown.

Media Attention

George’s death meant that for a few days tremendous media attention was focused on his religious affiliations and consequently the Manor. Practically every newspaper either telephoned or sent a reporter and photographer. Three drive-time radio interviews were conducted and a round-table discussion held on London’s LBC Radio. Kripamoya was interviewed on Radio 4’s Sunday programme. Local television also filmed for their six o’clock evening news spots. India’s state television service Doordarshan and Germany’s state radio ADR also broadcast items.

January Ramayana Play ’an epic.’

Hot on the heels of the very successful 13-town tour of Rama Raya produced and directed by Arjuna das, comes an epic version of The Ramayana to be staged in Wembley by the Bhaktivedanta Players. While the refreshingly minimalist-decored Rama Raya was deliciously Shakespearean and featured immaculately choreographed fight scenes, ‘more like dances than fights’, the Bhaktivedanta Players version will compete with Lord of the Rings for actors, battles and scenery.

“This is something that has never been seen on this scale before,” explained director Jaya Krishna das, “The Hare Krishna troupe are bringing a truly spectacular drama to the stage.” With over 2000 hours of rehearsals, recording, preparation and props building, and boasting no less than fifty actors, this epic production will immerse the audience in a two-and-a-half-hour-long religious experience. Only four shows will be staged on January 26th and 27th, 2002 in Wembley. Ramayana - The Epic - takes place at 3.00pm and 7.00pm on both days. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the whole family to experience and enjoy a wonderful spiritual and cultural event. There are limited seats and it is advised that you book your seats well in advance. All seats are £8.00. Doors open half an hour before the show commences. See accompanying leaflet for information and booking form to order your tickets.

New Moves in Manchester

Krishna Dharma has resigned as the temple president of the Manchester temple. He and his wife Cintamani dasi will be spending more time in other areas of preaching including writing and broadcasting. They will be hosting small meetings in their home and occasionally conducting meetings at the Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple nearby. The responsibility of maintaining the temple at Mayfield Road and organising regular Sunday meetings there has been assumed by a group of congregational members chaired by Mr. Ramagopalu, and supervised by Management Council member Mahadyuti das, also president of the London temple in Soho Street. Mr. ‘Jim’ Singh is treasurer. Krishna Dharma and his wife have spent a very committed 15 years in Manchester and, along with Abhaya das, have been the backbone of the movement in that part of the north-west. We know that they have many more creative and innovative preaching years to come and wish them and their young family all of Krishna’s blessings.

Jayadeva’s ‘Seventies’ concert

Held at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, this was a great success and raised a grand total of £12,000 in funds for the Danda-bhanga holy place in Eastern India. Over 1200 people came for an evening with Boney M, The New Seekers, Alvin Stardust and The Rubettes. The event featured a sponsored drumming segment with four playing on kit tom-tom drums decorated to look like the Jaganath Deities and the Sudarshan Chakra. This raised £ 1000 in itself. All artists performed for free.

Congregational Council

The CC plan to arrange regional meetings every quarter for all groups that make up the six regions in the south. This is to develop friendships and to further opportunities for inter-group projects. Plans are also going ahead for regions to join together in their visits to the Manor and to arrange special events there according to their needs. It was also felt that a second large national gathering could be held in 2002 at another venue, perhaps more in the east of England. This would be in addition to the Buckland Hall event in Wales which has now been booked again for October 27th next year.

Final Rites for Tribhuvanath

Left to right beginning with the 2 sanyassis (senior monks) carrying staffs are: Jayadwaita Swami, Lokinath Swami, Harivamsa das from London, Dhananjaya das, Vedavyasa-priya Swami, Radhanath Swami, Keshava Bharati and Sivarama Swami.

The final mortal remains of our dear Godbrother and friend Tribhuvanatha dasa were last week taken on procession to be immersed in the holy waters of the Yamuna river. Leaving the Krishna Balarama temple, the party of mourners earned his ashes through the streets of Vrindavan down to the river. Many devotees turned out to bid farewell to a great soul who gave so much for Srila Prabhupada, his spiritual master.
Devotees present were: Jayadwaita Swami, Lokanath Swami, Harivamsa das from London, Dhananjaya das, Vedavyasa-priya swami, Radhanath Swami, Keshava Bharati and Sivarama Swami.

The party crossed the Yamuna in boats to a sandbank where final pujas were offered. After offering respects to Tribhuvanatha by bowing down, and offering prayers and candles to the river, the devotees entered the wane waters and immersed the ashes by submerging their container. Pictured at right, releasing the ashes, are Moksha Lakshmi dasi, Sivarama Swami, and Bhakti vidya puma Swami who conducted the ceremonies.
Ashes of recently departed Jayadharma dasi, a mother of two from London, and Sruti dharma’s father were also immersed.