http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/07-10/editorials6269.htm
Bhakta Mark, posted, Jul 11, 2010: The short article at the link above has dredged up a terrible memory, and inspired deep reflection for me this morning.
Whatever pious activities we in Iskcon have accumulated are not enough to counter so many offenses.
I was witness to a serious atrocity in Ghanashyama dasa’s (aka Bhakti Tirtha Swami) camp at Gita Nagari.
A very sick devotee with cancer, who expressed the will to live, was declared, in front of the entire community in the temple room, incurable by Ghanashyama das and that he should prepare to die. Despite serious offers to assist him, which were rejected by his middle managers. The reason?
Since they were unable to effect a cure, they were unwilling to facilitate new offers. I was the one taking care of Krsnaloka das on the side, while watching his health deteriorate due to the ineffective treatment given by Ghanashyama’s “reiki healer” disciple.
When I let them know of my expertise and connections, and Krsnaloka expressed that he wanted me to take over his treatment, they “ran out of money” and the next day “Bhakti Tirtha Swami” declared that Krsnaloka was incurable and was leaving his body.
Then he led the congregation in chanting the Maha-Mantra a few rounds, and then went on to new business. I watched Krsnaloka das’ ashen face twist in horror as I quickly exited the building in order that I would not lose my temper and end up in prison.
They brought Krsnaloka das to Washington DC the next day, and I left Gita Nagari for good the day after that. I never got to see him again before he died.
Of course, the foot of “Bhakti Tirtha’s”, that everyone was forced to throw flowers on and touch, quickly turned cancerous after that day. Suddenly, many Tens of thousands of dollars began pouring in as “Bhakti Tirtha” spent the next 1-1/2 years attending the finest cancer clinics in the world, only to succumb to the cancer as it ravaged his entire body.
So, now we see that the “head priest” in Iskcon Mayapura neglected his unfinished service to the Deities to attend a “disappearance day festival” in honor of “Bhakti Tirtha”. According to the pujari’s own testimony, he was thrown from his bed by Sri Balarama himself to receive multiple head wounds requiring stiches.
All of us neophytes have had plenty of time to get straight, and have failed to do so on our own. Our time on the Vyasasana is coming to what will be a violent close. Reminiscent of the treatment of Romaharsana suta who was “elected” to the Vyasasana, before he had gained the proper qualifications such as gentleness, and was “killed” by Lord Balarama.
I pray the Lord has similar mercy upon all of us who, out of selfish personal motivations, would vote with our words and support with our actions unqualified leaders. We need to be “killed” the way Asvatthama was, being embarassingly shorn of our false prestige and dishonorable ways, and apparently this might be a very phsically brutal affair.
Certain members of Iskcon are running out of credit, and the bill for miscreance is coming due. The stalwart loyalists will be safe from such direct punishment, but will suffer nonetheless due to empathic association with their fallen godbrothers.
Hare Krsna
Ys
B.Mark
Speak Your Mind