Srila Prabhupada's Instructions on Constitution of ISKCON

CONSTITUTION OF ISKCON - PART 2

   INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

(Incorporated by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya, 1966)

197 SOUTH OCEAN AVENUE, FREEPORT , NEW YORK 11520

 

 

Continuing from "Constitution of ISKCON - Part 1"

 

 

(Note: In Part 1, we covered the FIRST PART of the constitution of ISKCON, namely the "Constitution of Association" - the Basic Principles on which ISKCON is based upon. It was made by Srila Prabhupada in 1966. GBC and TPs are there to manage the fulfillment of THESE principles in cooperation with the Temple Members . The basic duties and powers and the rights of temple members are delineated by Srila Prabhupada via the "Direction of Management", as FURTHER PART of the constitution of ISKCON, made on July 28, 1970, quoted below and attached)

 

“In this way, we have to form International Society. So practically now we are in the making of, so you go on drafting the constitution, but don't distribute now. Whatever you do, you first of all show me, and the final copy will be distributed, then we shall call for a meeting and then we shall adopt. Don't distribute immediately. Anyway, try to do it conveniently, there is no haste. But don't distribute anything without showing me. So far the constitution goes, my instruction for the present is this.”

(Letter to Rayarama, October 17, 1968)

(Note: this meeting was held in San Francisco in July 1970 Rath Yatra time)

 

“NB: Please ask Janardana to immediately send me the constitution notes which I had given him to read in Boston .”

(Letter to Isana, May 23, 1969)

(Note: Janardan Prabhu was in Montreal at that time)

 

“There was a meeting in San Francisco during the Ratha Yatra festival 1970 and many presidents of the centers were present. In that meeting it was resolved that an ad hoc committee be set up to form the constitution which is taken into consideration.

 (Srila Prabhupada in the Direction of Management, July 28, 1970)

(Note: the Direction of Management is part of the original constitution of ISKCON-given by Srila Prabhupada- for the purpose of delineating the duties and powers of managers in ISKCON and the basic rights of ISKCON members.) 

 

Note for below: Part of the Direction of Management is quoted below. The full original version is attached

 

PARTICULARS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION

"The purpose of the Governing Body Commission is to act as the instrument for the execution of the Will of His Divine Grace. And further,

1. The GBC oversees all operations and management of ISKCON, as it receives direction from Çréla Prabhupäda and His Divine Grace has the final approval in all matters.

2. His Divine Grace will select the initial 12 members of the GBC. In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidents who will vote for 8 from a ballot of all Temple presidents, which may also include any secretary who is in charge of a Temple . Those 8 with the greatest number of votes will be members for the next term of GBC. Çréla Prabhupäda will choose to retain four commissioners. In the event of Çréla Prabhupäda's absence, the retiring members will decide which four will remain.

3. The commissioners will serve for a period of 3 years, and they may be re-elected at the end of this period.

4. The chairman is elected by the GBC for each meeting. He has no veto power, but in even of a vote tie, his vote will decide. The same will apply for votes cast by mail between regular meetings.

5. Throughout the year, each of the commissioners will stay with His Divine Grace for one month at a time and keep the other commissioners informed of His Divine Grace's instructions.

6. The primary objective of the GBC is to organize the opening of new Temples and to maintain the established Temples .

7. Advice will be given by the GBC in cases of real property purchases, which will be in the name of ISKCON, INC. (Trucks or other vehicles will be purchased in the name of the local president).

8. Removal of a Temple president by the GBC requires support by the local Temple members.

9. The GBC has no jurisdiction in the publication of manuscripts, which will be handled by a separate committee; profits to be returned to Çréla Prabhupäda."

(Direction of Management, July 28, 1970)

“GBC does not mean to control a center. GBC means to see that the activities of a center go on nicely. I do not know why Tamala is exercising his absolute authority. That is not the business of GBC. The president, treasurer and secretary are responsible for managing the center. GBC is to see that things are going nicely but not to exert absolute authority. That is not in the power of GBC. Tamala should not do like that. The GBC men cannot impose anything on the men of a center without consulting all of the GBC members first. A GBC member cannot go beyond the jurisdiction of his power. We are in the experimental stage but in the next meeting of the GBC members they should form a constitution how the GBC members manage the whole affair. But it is a fact that the local president is not under the control of the GBC. Yes, for improvement of situations such as this I must be informed of everything.

Hoping this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

(Letter to Giriraj, August 12, 1970)

 

(Note: The part of the ISKCON constitution, REGARDING the duties and powers of GBCs and the TPs is the "Direction of Management”, given just 12 days prior to this letter. The POWERS of the GBC are to be FURTHER delineated in the Constitution. Srila Prabhupada also calls it the "Broader Constitution of the management by GBC" in a letter to Jayatirtha quoted later below)

 

 “I wanted that the GBC would be a chosen body of men for that purpose, to see how the students are learning and reporting to me as my secretaries. I do not know how you could have missed these points, as they are clearly spelled out in my original constitution.”

(Letter to Satsvarupa, May 2^nd, 1972)

 

(Note: Here we see Srila Prabhupada referring to the Direction of Management as "my original constitution"-‘But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard.’ –Srila Prabhupada in the Direction of Management, July 28, 1970)

 

Bombay

16 December, 1974

74-12-16

Los Angeles

My dear Jayatirtha,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 5, 1974. Regarding the GBC meeting to be held in Mayapur 1975, the meeting should be held five days before the actual festival is to begin and it will be held in my presence. As far as your proposals are concerned, the real thing is that we must make broader constitution of the management by GBC. But the difficulty is that our GBC men are falling victim to maya. Today I trust this GBC and tomorrow he will fall down. That is the difficulty. If the GBC men are so flickering then what to speak of the others. Unless this problem is solved whatever we may resolve it will not be very useful. We shall discuss this at our meeting. If the GBC men can ever manage properly then I shall get some time for writing my books.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

 (Note: Here we see again Srila Prabhupada's stated desire to make "broader constitution of the management by the GBC". This means:

 

 a) A basic Constitution, dealing with the part about the management by the GBC, already exists. (i.e. safe to say it is the "Direction of Managemnt", as there was nothing else AT THAT TIME.)

 

b) More details are to be added, especially for the powers and duties of the GBC, in the matter of how they are to manage ISKCON(so that ISKCON members can practice the original principles laid out by Srila Prabhupada in the "Constitution of Association").

 

The statement "Unless this problem is solved whatever we may resolve it will not be very useful" also gives hint as to why Srila Prabhupada did not enforce the elections of GBC according to the Direction of Management and also why he did not expand on the Direction of Management duties and powers of the GBC - as long as neophyte GBCs are present, it cannot be implemented fully. "But the difficulty is that our GBC men are falling victim to maya. Today I trust this GBC and tomorrow he will fall down. That is the difficulty. If the GBC men are so flickering then what to speak of the others. "

 

Epilogue:

 

"I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them." (Direction of Management, July 28, 1970)

 

For its 10,000 years of existence, ISKCON has to run by a constitution given by Srila Prabhupada which, apart from the basic principles for the organizing of ISKCON, delineates the duties and powers of the GBC, the management structure. THE ONLY WRITTEN DOCUMENT, GIVING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GBC AND GIVEN BY SRILA PRABHUPADA HIMSELF, IS THE "DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT"

“What is the constitution of ISKCON?”

 

by INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.

(Incorporated by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya, 1966)

197 SOUTH OCEAN AVENUE, FREEPORT , NEW YORK 11520

 

 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "Constitution" as follows:

 3. a. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution. b. The document in which such a system is recorded. c. Constitution The fundamental law of the United States , framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then.

The  Merrian Webster Dictionary defines "Constitution" as:

con·sti·tu·tion
Pronunciation: "kän(t)-st&-'tü-sh&n, -'tyü-
Function: noun a : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it

b : a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization

The constitution of ISKCON would ideally consist of:

- The Basic principles of ISKCON

- The Duties & Powers of GBC and Temple Presidents who are to organize ISKCON, with its members, for the fulfillment of these principles

- The Basic Rights of the Temple Members 

And there should be a WRITTEN INSTRUMENT embodying these rules.

Did Srila Prabhupada say or make something for ISKCON in that regard ?

Our research shows - Yes. .

(Note: Below is the "Constitution of Association" - the Basic Principles or Objectives of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada made it in 1966 while preaching from 26 2nd Ave, NY, NY. It was filed with the IRS in November of 1966, as proof that ISKCON's principles are religious. The same document was used by Srila Prabhupada while legally organizing ISKCON in England and Kenya . The very purpose of the GBC and TPs is to ensure the organization of ISKCON for the fulfillment of THESE principles. Temple members are to follow THESE principles.

The duties and powers of the managers and the rights of temple members are delineated by Srila Prabhupada via the "Direction of Management" constitution document, made on July 28, 1970, quoted in the next email "Constitution of ISKCON - part 2”)

“10 b. A copy of the Constitution...under which the Society is presently operating is annexed hereto.”

(Letter to IRS, November 14, 1966(attached 1), Steven Goldsmith, Attorney representing International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. Letter authenticated by Gregory Scharf(Gargamuni Das), Treasurer.

The letter to IRS was accompanied by this Constitution of Association(attached 2))

CONSTITUTION OF ASSOCIATION 

1. The name of the society is The International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2. The headquarters of the Society are located at Radhakrishna Temple , 26 Second Avenue , New York City , 10003, USA .

3. The objectives for which the Society is being established are:
(A) To educate the greater human society in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for a balanced psychic and biological development, and thereby achieve for the first time in human society a real peace and unity among the contending forces in the world today.

(B) To propagate the Sense of Godhead, the all attractive Personality of primal and eternal Form, as He Himself revealed in His own words in the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Scripture of the Lord Sri Krishna, the Godhead.

(C) To bring together individuals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.

(D) To encourage the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who demonstrated practically the transcendental process of approaching the absolute Personality of Godhead by His acts of congregational chanting of the holy name of God, a process known as Samkirtan.

(E) To prove by active work and preaching that Lord Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the outcomes of individual and collective sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts, culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole universe, eternally apart of Him everyone knows Him as a friend. Real peace can be attained when this is realized, in fact.

(F) To assist whenever and wherever possible in the building of a social structure on the real foundation of spiritual progress and establishment of peace and unity between men throughout the world.

(G) To attempt to save men individually from the chain of victimization the ongoing trend in modern civilization operates by, in the name of ideologies of false sentiment, so that Man may again be a free soul, to act and live freely with spiritual vision. This is possible by individual spiritual initiation, Diksha, when a man can see everything in Godhead and Godhead in everything.

(H) To further toward realization this highest truth as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamins headed by Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswamins.

(I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:
1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.
2. To propagate all over the world in the form of missionaries the process of devotion, the transcendental service to the Godhead, and to make known that this devotional service is the main function of the human being.
3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Srimad Bhagwatam.
4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radhakrishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of Archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.

(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad Gita.

(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.

(L) To publish periodicals, books and/or pamphlets in all important languages in order to reach human society and give an opportunity to same to communicate with the Society.

(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a Brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.

(N) Among the secondary objectives of the Society, it shall undertake the following activities:
1. To revive the scientific system of social orders of classification based on intelligence, martial spirit, productivity and common assistance, generally known as the four castes with reference to quality and worth for the common cause of world society.
2. To discharge as a matter of course the vitiated system of supremacy of one man over another by false prestige of birthright or vested interests.
3. To popularize the vegetable-grain diet under approved methods in order that full value of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin benefit may be derived therefrom.
4. To discourage intoxicating or addicting habits of all descriptions and dimensions and to expose such persons thus afflicted to approved methods of spiritual realization.

(SIGNED)

     A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Acharya

     Raymond Marais
     Michael A. Grant
     Robert Lefkowitz
     James S. Greene

“I am little concerned about your attempt to form ISKCON Ltd. My idea is that we should not form a separate organization in London . The same International Society for Krishna Consciousness as we have branches in different places in USA , a similar branch may be opened in London or in Germany . The basic principle of our preaching work, methods and management must be the same.

……

So my final desire is that whatever you do, you must do it strictly on the principles of our society as we are doing in the US .

…..

So I hope you will take necessary precautions in the matter of registering ISKCON Ltd. ISKCON is the short cut of our society's name, but when you actually register, the full name, the aims and objectives as they are stated in our prospectus, must be mentioned. “

(Letter of Srila Prabhupada to Mukunda in London on October 1, 1968(attached 3))

“So far the original text of our aims and objects of the society, I have read it and I don’t think there is any need of changing the preamble. But so far section of the law is concerned, that has to be altered according to the English law.”

( Letter of Srila Prabhupada to Mukunda in London on October 13, 1968(attached 4)) 

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Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa (ACBSP) Speaks about the whole fiasco taking place post Srila Prabhupada Samadhi

Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa (ACBSP) Speaks On His Memories Of Vrndavan 

The following has been dictated by Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa ACBSP (disciple of Srila Prabhupada)– who has resided in Sri Vrndavan Dham for the last 34 years, and witnessed the whole fiasco taking place.

Krsnacandra Dasa: Prabhu what can you tell us from your memory of the events that took place around the departure of Srila Prabhupada in 1977.

Bhaktisiddhanta dasa: Yes. I was living in Vrndavan at the time when Srila Prabhupada was leaving and spent my time mainly in his room. What I remember about the ‘big guys’ was that they were running around having very intense private meetings.

It was generally understood that they were making plans for what would happen after Srila Prabhupada passed.

I was in the room when Srila Prabhupada passed and I remember clearly the power that was present everywhere around us. It was as if the Demigods were present at such a great event. The mood built up to an incredible crescendo until the very moment our beloved Srila Prabhupada passed. As soon as the moment passed it all came crashing down. I distinctly remember feeling lost and destitute. The vibrant spiritual energy that was constantly blasting from Srila Prabhupada was gone and only emptiness remained.

Krsnacandra Dasa: Prabhu how soon after this amazingly glorious event did you begin to understand that the eleven who had been appointed as rtvik-gurus began to take control of the movement.

Bhaktisiddhanta dasa: We all knew it was coming, well we knew something was coming and it would be like a hurricane. You have to remember that these guys were heavy guys and they desperately wanted to be in charge and in control.

As soon as the devotees got wind of the rtvik-gurus plans to appoint themselves as Zonal Acharya’s who had divided the world into zones where they each acted as Acharyas there were two petitions; one by Yasodanandana Dasa and one by Ayodyapati Dasa  were set in motion.

These eleven rtvik-gurus who were now Acharyas of ISKCON(declared themself as acharya) were mad as anything when hearing about the petitions by Yasodanandana Dasa and Ayodyapati Dasa and all made their way back to Vrndavan with whatever disciples they had to officially announce that they had taken over ISKCON and to smash their dissenting god-brothers.

They held an Isthaghosti in the Krsna Balaram Mandir Temple room in Vrndavan and it was at this Isthaghosti that they began to smash all the devotees who had signed the petitions against their self appointment as Acharyas. These eleven were seething angry at the audacity of their God-brothers who objected to their self appointment as Acharyas.

They dealt with Yasodanandana dasa first (Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa was standing beside him in the Temple room while this happened) and demanded that he give his reasons for organizing the petition against them.

Yasodanandana dasa stated that he has loved and served Srila Prabhupada and that he loved him very much, which melted the hearts of all except for the eleven ambitious rascals. Then he threw it back at them by saying that he has one question for them – Whether they believed that they had become pure devotees over night?

Satsvarupa Goswami responded that that was not a fair question to ask. After him Ramesvar blasted him and then Hrydayananda Goswami read the riot act on how they were now in control of managing the movement.

They then proceeded to smash all the devotees who had signed the petitions and all of those who signed the petitioned were terrified and feared for their lives.

Krsnacandra Dasa: What happened after this meeting? Did they leave or did they stay and assert themselves as the Acharya’s of ISKCON.

Bhaktisiddhanta dasa: They stayed for a little while. After a few days they brought out 11 wooden Vyasasanas and had them jammed into that small area around Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana. You can imagine the chaos during Srila Prabhupada’s guru-puja. Most of them were seated on their Vyasasanas and some who seemed embarrassed stood (and had their disciple do guru-puja to a picture of them) while their disciples began to offer each of them guru-puja at the very same time as guru-puja was being held for Srila Prabhupada. In order to fit everything and everyone in the Temple, the eleven had organized miniature arati trays and paraphernalia.

It was a macabre scene to behold! We all knew that Srila Prabhupada’s time ‘for the moment’ was over and that these guys had forcefully taken control of our movement.

This event I believe set the standard of worship for themselves in the movement. They were to be treated as Acharya’s and Spiritual Masters and so to be worshiped as good as God and Srila Prabhupada.

This ends the interview with Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu.**

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Srila Prabhupada:“ The first thing, I warn Acytananda, do not try to initiate. You are not in proper position to initiate anyone… Don’t be allured by such maya. "

Prabhupada: Then so siksa and diksa-guru… A siksa-guru who instructs against the instruction of a spiritual… he is not a siksa guru. He is a demon. Siksa guru, diksa-guru means… Sometimes a diksa-guru is not present always. Therefore one can take learning, instruction, from an advanced devotee. That is called the siksa guru. Siksa guru does not mean he is speaking something against the teachings of the diksa-guru. He is not a siksa-guru. He is a rascal.

Woman Devotee 1: People are instructing with these sessions?

Prabhupada: <Ignoring question> Because that is offense. Guru avjna. First offense is guror avajna, defying the authority of guru. This is the first offense. So one who is offensive, how can he make advance in chanting? He cannot make. Then everything is finished in the beginning…  (Srila Prabhupada lecture 1974)

You cannot create mahatma by rubber stamp or by votes. Mahatma’s symptom is that he is fully surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always engaged in glorifying His activities. Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-varatah. He’s always very much careful about executing devotional service. Namasyantas ca mam. He’s always offering obeisances, Tusyanti ca ramanti ca. I this way they enjoy. Tusyanti, and they’re satisfied. These are the signs of mahatma.(Srila Prabhupada General lectures 1969)

"Srila Prabhupada shall be the supreme power with respect to all matters of the Society, and that status shall not be occupied by or shared with any other individual, either during his lifetime, OR AFTER HIS DEATH.” (Certificate of Incorporation: Jan 12 1976)

“So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavour. Whether I am present or not present it doesn’t matter.” (Śrīla Prabhupāda, arrival conversation, May 17th, 1977, Vṛndāvan

“The devotee Bhāgavata is a direct representative of Bhagavān, the Personality of Godhead. So by pleasing the devotee Bhāgavata one can receive the benefit of the Book Bhāgavata.” [Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Canto 1: Chapter Two, Text 18]

Devotee: Śrīla Prabhupāda when you’re not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise…

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Well the questions and answ…answers are there in my books.
(Śrīla Prabhupāda, morning walk, Los Angeles, 13/5/73)

“So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.” (Śrīla Prabhupāda, letter to Upendra, 7/1/76)

“My books will be the law books for the next ten thousand years”

Prabhupadanugas New York Long Island Temple

Prabhupadanugas Costa Rica

A Farm at Puriscal, Costa Rica

BY: ANIRUDDHA DAS

The Lotus Faces of Sri Sri Radha Govinda

Jun 29, 2012 — GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA (SUN) — A concrete proof of raksisyatiti visvasah: the faith that 'He will surely protect me.'

I. Phatos

Sri Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita (17.3): sraddha-mayo ‘yam pususho: the purusah, the living being, in made of faith.

When in 1969 Srila Prabhupada commissioned Shyamasundara, Mukunda and Gurudas, along with their respective wives —Malati, Janaki and Yamuna— to open a Hare Krishna temple in London, they never asked him for money to pay the rent. Nor did Srila Prabhupada offer them any. On those golden days, that was the spirit of surrender and utter dependence on Lord Krishna's protection. They had implicit faith in the potency of their Spiritual Master's order. They knew that by pleasing Krishna's pure devotee, the Lord will surely provide anything and everything they needed to accomplish their otherwise Herculean task.

And they succeeded!

Guru Prasad Swami has been related to the Costa Rica ISKCON program since his years as an anodyne Chaplain's assistant serving at United States Southern Command (Panama Canal). Thanks to Mother Sevya's (ACBSP) initiative, several devotees headed by Saunaka, Kirtidev and Narayan opened the Costa Rica branch of Srila Prabhupada's movement in 1975.

To mark the upcoming 40th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hare Krishna Movement in Costa Rica, Guru Prasad Swami had the great idea of celebrating such an auspicious event by inaugurating a brand-new temple. And guess what? The money to build the brand-new won't come from his pockets or inheritance (he is the owner of a big estate in Harlingen, Texas), nor from the donations he receives from his followers and wealthy Indian donors, nor by the non-existent proceeds coming from book distribution, an activity which in his zone has come to a screeching halt.

So, wherefrom the money would come? Of course: from the selling of Srila Prabhupada's farm in Costa Rica! In 2002, Guru Prasad made the following commentary to Yamuna Jivana, the then farm's Temple President: "Whenever I come to this farm, the only thing I see is a whole bunch of green dollars!"

Guru Prasad never had the will nor the talent to develop the farm (for the matter, he has not the competence to manage any project. He's just goes on bluffing his peers to keep his posts as a mediocre GBC and guru.) Therefore he bullheadedly embarked in his botch of selling Srila Prabhupada's farm in Costa Rica—dragging along other authoritarian figures like Bhakti Bhusana Swami, Manonath and Virabahu. When consulted by Srila Prabhupada's loyal servants, the lady who donated the farm, Radha Govinda devi dasi (Verónica González), emphatically and bitterly refused that the land she gave to the Hare Krishna movement solely for the purpose of developing a self-sufficient agricultural community based on cow protection and worshiping of Lord Krishna, unilaterally and abusively ended up being sold by Guru Prasad Swami. Just see the contempt; just mark how this so-called follower of Vedic culture flagrantly ignored the heartfelt desire of a pious and elderly woman!

Please imagine the following scenario during Srila Prabhupada's days: "Guru Prasad: ‘Srila Prabhupada: I want to celebrate the 40th anniversary of your mission in Costa Rica. And for that purpose I have the great idea of selling your farm, which is located at an excellent location, just in the middle of the biggest cities of the country –San José and Cartago. I don't know how to make money, nor can I inspire others to make money. Therefore I want you to give me the money."

Just see! A tragicomic materialization of Srila Prabhupada's story as told by Nikhilananda dasa:

"In a jolly mood, Srila Prabhupada told the following story: ‘Once, a disciple arranged a grand reception for his guru. He offered him many costly gifts and an opulent feast. Surprised, the guru asked him how he could afford all these arrangements. Prabhupada stopped, laughed, and imitated the disciple: "It is all your mercy, Guruji." But he didn't tell his guru that he spent his spiritual master's funds.' The devotees burst into loud laughter."

Srila Prabhupada heartly laughing after telling the story
about a disciple misspending his guru's money (Schloss Rettershof, 1974)

When the respected Maharaja assigned by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to preach Krishna consciousness returned from England, the only thing he submitted at the lotus feet of his gurudeva was a printed booklet containing the transcriptions of his own lectures to this Lord and that other Theological Society. And at what cost! Making a humongous effort, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta managed to wire him 700 rupees each month. In those days (1930), a rupee was a solid coin made of pure sterling silver.

Incapable of submitting anything tangible, valuable —something coming as the sweet fruit of the sweat of your brows— to his guru, Guru Prasad instead SOLD half of Srila Prabhupada's farm in Costa Rica. And now we have to watch, to verify, if he is capable of even making a good investment with other people's money. What to speak of pushing forward Krishna consciousness boldly! As Panchadravida Swami once told K. das brahmacari before me in Bombay (1978): "You are very generous with other people's money!"

Shyamasundar has written eloquently: "We lived a few blocks from the temple, and one time there was no money for the rent. I was working as a carpenter and not making very much, and supporting a family. And a few of the others devotees, like Jayananda, who was a taxi driver, gave all their money. A few of the other devotees had jobs, but less than ten percent. Everyone else was a hippie. So there was never enough money, because we were feeding everybody on the streets every day, and there was rent to pay and gas to put into our cars to go out and programs and so on. So we were really in a bind. There was no money for the rent. We were behind two months, and we were in very great danger of being evicted. The landlord had severely gotten down on us. Malati and I walked out of Ashbury Street one morning early to walk to the temple for kirtan. And there were all these hundred dollars bills blowing down the sidewalk, one after another. We were just running down the street picking up these hundred dollar bills. There wasn't a single person on the street. No one figured out where they came from. But these kinds of things we began to expect of Krishna. Another thing Prabhupada inculcated in us from the early days was if you take risk for Krishna, stick your neck out to spread Krishna consciousness, Krishna must help you personally. And those who see Krishna closest take the biggest risks for Him. And we tested that to the max. And it worked. We got to see Krishna. We got to see hundred dollar bills rolling down the street! This spirit has died now. We are too comfortable."

II. Dénouement

But the great news is that never is there such a thing as scarcity of Krishna's mercy for the faithful. By the way, I'm just narrating a piece of history while pushing myself to be a good servant of Ananda Vidvan Swami, Harinamananda, Upendra, mother Sevya, and the rest of the devotees loyal to Srila Prabhupada in Costa Rica. They are the faithful.

After approximately one year and a half, Guru Prasad Swami and allies had no choice but to surrender to us half of Srila Prabhupada's farm [history here: The Costa Rica Farm. Epilogue], an extraordinary, blessed event that took place on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012. I travelled from Guatemala to Costa Rica just to bear witness of this wonderful event.

A broad-minded Vaisnavi and true brahmani whose name is Jagat Mohini dasi, decided to donate her 10-hectare farm located in Puriscal, a most enchanting, tropical district at a distance of just 40 minutes from the capital city, San José.

Here is a description of Puriscal I found in the web:

"Puriscal is up in the beautiful inland mountain range, located some 50 km ( 32 miles) west-south-west of San Jose. Here, you can have the best of many worlds: a comfortable spring-like climate all year round, close to the Pacific Ocean beaches, and an interesting drive through the country to get to the Escazu / San Jose city area. (Note: when looking for Puriscal on a map of Costa Rica, be aware that depending on the map it may be listed as Puriscal, Santiago, or Santiago de Puriscal.)"

District of Puriscal

Ananda Prabhu was staying at Radha Govinda Dham when I called to inform him that I had just invited Kurma Rupa Prabhu, the Director of Care for Cows (Vrindavan) to travel to Costa Rica in order to meet his old-time friend, Ananda Vidvan Swami. And while not saying a definite yes, he had told me: "Please check online a reasonable round-trip ticket, because we are just in the middle of the high season."

Excited, I went ahead and called the devotees at Radha Govinda Dham to inform them about the great news of Kurma Rupaji's imminent arrival. Next, while talking to mother Jagat Mohini over the phone, Ananda raised the issue of collecting the lakshmi to pay Kurma Rupa's ticket. Jagat Mohini immediately volunteered: "No problem. It will be an honor to perform this service for him."

Then mother Jagad Mohin drove all the way from Turrialba, where her home is, and went straight to Radha Govinda Dham to meet with Ananda Vidvan Swami. She wanted to tell Maharaja that she had taken the decision to donate her Puriscal farm to Care for Cows International! Unconditionally, no strings attached. For a long time Jagat Mohini had been planning what to do with her farm. Not even a week had elapsed since a Muslim psychic had foretold her a very strange thing: "A cow's farm is coming to you flying."

Now she got it! With the upcoming visit of Kurma Rupa Prabhu, Krishna was indicating to her to give the farm to Care for Cows, the wonderful institution that is promoting a most cherished desire of Srila Prabhupada: worldwide cow protection.

Jagat Mohini dasi is a very educated lady; nonetheless, she is very straightforward when it comes to expressing herself. That is what she wrote when I asked her to tell us how she hatched the idea of donating to Care for Cows her beautiful farm at Puriscal:

"My dreams have become true!! I bought this land 20 years ago, but somehow or other all projects I wanted to implement there never worked: an asrama for Bhagavat Maharaja, a center for advancing Vedic culture, etc. So I gave up all hope and even a wooden house I built there. But two weeks ago Ananda suddenly called me up and intimated to me that he wanted to import pure gir cows from India! And of top of that, Ananda informed me: ‘Kurma Rupa is in Miami right now!' So the first thing that came to my head was: Let him come! Let him come and take this land in Puriscal! And then we would bring cows there!
"I must say that I have not giving away anything; we are just the caretakers of whatever we have received in this Earth. I cannot give away what is not mine; rather, I have been giving the opportunity to serve somebody of the caliber of Kurma Rupa, and other devotees like him who want to share the joy of serving the cows!!! TO SERVE THE COWS IS TO SERVE HUMANITY AT LARGE!! TO SERVE THE COWS IS TO SERVE GOVINDA!!!
My obeisances to all. Hare Krishna.
Jagat Mohini dasi

At 7: 30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12th, 2012, after a 4-day marathon of feverish activities which included a foot-walk all around the Puriscal farm, long meeting with our lawyer, Blanca Briceno —who kindly donated her professional services— and other errands, presented before Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Govinda was the Deed of Transfer duly signed by mother Jagad Mohini dasi and Kurma Rupa Prabhu. Ananda Vidvan Swami conducted the sundara aratik amidst loud chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Ah, what nectar! Srila Prabhupada's loyal servants in Costa Rica got his bountiful blessing in the wonderful, mystic ways narrated above. In less than a two-year period, the most generous Lord Krishna, through His dear lady servant, Jagad Mohini dasi, gave us back the ten-plus hectares Guru Prasad snatched from Srila Prabhupada's hands. What a miracle! What a blessing!

We humbly fall at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada, our beloved gurudeva, as well as to the holy feet of all hard-core Vaisnnavas and Vaisnavis, and fervently pray to them that never, but never, allow us to fall prey of the desire to exploit others for our own selfish satisfaction.

All glories to yuga acharya, Om Vishnu Pada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada!

All glories to mother Jagad Mohini dasi!

All glories to go seva!

Prabhupadanugas RathaYatra festival MONTREAL

 SEE VIDEO
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1byfzaX5Xg&feature=player_embedded