New Vrindaban Archives 1 -- SB arrived in Karachi on Sept 22, 1982 and was leaving for Delhi two days later on Sept 24 when he was stopped by a customs official who "asked him to declare if he had any contraband narcotics, gold coins, currency on his person or in his baggage for which he replied in negative." Statement of Seizing Officer Mr. S. Sikender Ali Shah, Preventivie Officer, Customs House, Karachi. searched his hand bag and discovered $1,000 cash and ten 24 karot gold coins weighing one ounce each. He returned the cash, but kept the coins and Bhaktipada's passport and boarding pass. A criminal charge was filed and Bhaktipada was prohibited from leaving Pakistan. --- IMG 1771 illustration from Saturday Review showing karmis walking in palace, exiting as devotees. "Krishnaland is, of course, brought to you by the Hare Krishna sect, the somewhat ragged saffron-clad army that chants for its supper. Having nickeled and dimed their way to riches, the Krishna people purchased 4,000 acres of greenery and spend $500,000--no constuction costs--on a palace dubbed 'The Taj Mahal of the West.'" -- Providence Sunday Journal (Sept 10, 1978) A-18 "We want to make it a national monument to compete with Mount Rushmore," said Kuladri, only half-joking. . . Noting that he shares a 9-by-12 cabin with another devotee, Kuladri said, "We should all live simply. But when it comes to glorifying God, we should do it in a splendid way." -- Newsweek (probably Dec 16, 1976) 26 photo of Krishna Santas getting arrested. "They claim that they have as much right to the Santa image as anyone else. "We're actually putting God back into Christmas," said Daivata dasa, a Krishna Santa. -- Houston Chronicle, March 29, 1972 page 6 section 2 "In Rock Opera Swami Pitches His Tent" six-day run at Rondren Street Theatre. "We are looking to awaken the senses spiritually," says Harikesh. "We are giving everyone a taste of eternal experience." performed in Atlanta, Florida, Mobile and New Orleans. "We can't just produce a show," says the Swami. "It is a product of our spiritual live, not a show different from life." So in today's style, Kirtanananda chose the hard rock theatrical approach. "Life is meant to be a joyous festival. Why should communication be mundane?" he says. "We are rising above the mundane to the spiritual." -- IMG 1179 Post-Gazette "Krishnas Hide Son, Mother Says" Cheryl Wheeler "Don't you think the Swami deserves a son?" KS -- Brijabasi Spirit No. 2 April 29, 1974 page 8 Swamiji's Departure (BTG Reprint) "And Kirtanananda stands at the counter, while Swamimi sits in a nearby chair chanting and Kirtanananda is dispatching all the paper business, a beautiful young American Brahmachary in his black suit and red tie and his budding flag. He gives the man his passport, and the man looks at the identification picture taken two years ago of a bearded, run-down youth and now at this beautiful Brahmachary standing before him. "Are you sure you are Keith Gordon Ham?" "That was taken before I met the Swami. I have changed." "Yes, yes, I see." -- BS issue 5 (May 26, 1974) "Judicial Board Meeting for 5/19/74" Mother Kandita Gokula was taken to court. "refused to cook a deity offering one day because kitchen was too dirty. . . Defendent stated that there were no clean utensils and she could not clean the kitchen and cook the offering because she would miss arotrika. She also stated that she could not follow the authority of the temple president, that Lord Jagannath was her husband and he would provide personal instruction. Kirtanananda Swami recommended she go to Jagannath Puri--if she could not accept the temple authority she would have to leave." -- BS (June 23, 1974) "A Letter" "Enclosed please find eighteen slides of Tirupati, India, which Prabhupada requested me to take. His Divine Grace said that in the future we could build New Vrindaban along the same lines, with small cottages and beautiful lush green gardens, and people would could stay for the weekends and holidays in the holy place." Visakha dasi, letter to Kirtanananda Swami (June 11, 1974) -- NV Archives 2 -- BS Vol 1, issue 14 (July 28, 1974) Letter from the staff "His Holiness Paramahansa Maharaja . . . originated the idea for The Brijabasi Spirit, from letters sent by Srila Prabhupada to New Vrindaban, and he set up its format, and enthused us to make a nice transcendental paper for Srila Prabhupada and the Brijabasis." -- BS vol. 1 no. 10 (July 7, 1974) "His Holiness Leaves Saturday Morning for Chicago Ratha Yatra!!! and Goes to San Francisco with Sri Guru-Deva!" "Kirtanananda Maharaj arrived in Chicago at 9:13 and was greeted by many blissful devotees. He went to the temple to see Srila Prabhupada. The first thing that Srila PRabhupada said to Kirtanananda Swami was, "Is my palace finished?" (He wants this palace to be done very much)" -- KS birthday celebrated BS vol 1, no. 20 (Sept 8, 1974) "Kirtanananda Maharaja's Birthday" "The auspicious day of appearance of KM was Friday, the 6th of September. It was celebrated at Bahulaban by presenting Maharaja with 3 maha-prasadam birthday cakes. . . In honor of the occasion the devotees were served a huge saffron cake with dates and a frosting at lunch prasadam." -- BS vol 1 no 23 "Letter to Damodar Pandit" from GBC member Rupanuga dasa explained how Prabhupada did not approve of birthday celebrations.... important to note that KS asked that the letter be published... thereby discouraging NV residents from celebrating his BD in future... p 13 -- same issue "New Vrindaban Board of Directors Meeting Minutes for 9/23/74" p 17 "Prabhupada is healthy and happy. The lst thing he mentioned to Kuladri was that he would like to live at New Vrindaban as soon as his palace is built. Kuladri mentioned that while he was in Vrindaban one by one all the GBC members passed through telling Prabhupada of all kinds of difficulties and disturbances within the society. Mainly fighting between devotees. This disturbed him very much and he has not been able to do as much translating as before. Kuladri mentioned that no where else is there such a high standard of Krishna Consciousness as here in New Vrindaban. Maharaj's steadiness and managing abilities is not to be matched throughout the society. Prabhupada mentioned five times that he would like to come here to live. The point he made was that progress is made here without disturbances between devotees and Srila Prabhupada." (Kuladri had recently returned from a month or so in India) -- BS KS explains why we are building Prabhupada a palace. "He [Prabhupada] just wants us to be happy. We can chant Hare Krishna and be happy. Does Prabhupada need a palace? No, but it will make us happy if we build a palace, if we give the palace to Prahbupada we will be happy. When Prabhupada comes to live in the palace, we will be happy." KS cited by Mother Kunti, "Madhuban Diary," BS vol. 1 no 25 (Oct 13, 1974), 9. -- Folder 3 BS vol 1 no 26 (Oct 20, 1974), 26. Prabhupada wrote, "Regarding New Vrindaban I was very happy when I was there, not only myself but all devotees and GBC members all enjoyed the atmosphere of New Vrindaban, especially the cow protection scheme. May Krishna give more facilities to advance the cause of New Vrindaban, and I am expecting very soon to go there and live in my proposed palace at least for some time. From the pictures [I received with your latest letter] anyone will see that you have organized New Vrindaban very nicely. It is just like Krishna's Vrindaban. How they are happy in New Vrindaban both animals and men. Here in one picture is Kirtanananda instructing the cow to chant Hare Krishna. In another picture the boys and the cows are being taken equal car. Everyone is living very peacefully and eating very nicely. There is so much land. This is real Vrindaban life. In Vrindaban Krishna calls the cows each by his own name. When cows were purchased in the begtinning I have seen them crying because the calf was taken for killing. They can understand. Not that they are animal and cannot understand. The neighboring farmers come and they are astonished at the nice preparations made from their milk. I see in the small cottages they are living very, very happily. The cows are grazing, and the male members are doing the work. Local flowers are used for the garlands. Yes, New Vrindaban is almost a small state. Some of the rogues are envious. Rogues are always envious when they see something nice. Even Hayagriva will not leave that place. He is living very happily there. The plans for the palace are very nice. It is a temple, like Jagannath temple. It is very calm and quiet there. I like it. In the beginning when Hayagriva purchased, I immediately gave him the idea of New Vrindaban--cow protection. ON the whole our New Vrindaban scheme is successful. There is one vacancy in the GBC Board, so myself in consultation with Brahmananda Maharaj and Jayatirtha Prabhu, we have decided you can fill up the post." Letter to KS (May 10, 1974) -- BS vol 1 no 33 (Dec 8, 1974), "The Big Freeze," 5. "Kirtanananda Maharaj says that he is especially disposed toward the winter because the devotees here make so much spiritual advancement--the cold and austerity forces them to take shelter of Krishna more. He says that the consciouenss is so much better, 'crisp,' and that the devotees work harder and space out less." -- BS vol 1, no 34 (Dec 15, 1974), 8. "Construction" "At the palace site the roofing over the living quarters is going up and a temporary roof is being put up over the temple room, where later a tower will be situated. This will allow the crew to heat the inside and thus marble the floors, walls and ceilings! Gostavihari dasa Brahmachary noted that the marble inlay work will be 'incredible,' as Bhagavatananda Prabhu has been working on the designs for the last 2 years now." -- 1974, KS served as Temple President of NV... Kuladri was in charge of deities & cooking... 1976, KS still Temple President -- Prabhupada wanted a school at NV. BS vol 1 no 35 (Dec 22, 1974), 4 "So you have now taken charge of the sunrise of New Vridaban. Our program there is to construct seven temples. One, Rupanuga Viyapatha, is to be a school for educating brahmanas and Vaishnavas. We have enough technological and other types of educational institutions; there are none where actual brahmanas and Vaishnavas are produced. So we will have to establish an educational institution for that purpose in New Vrindaban." Letter, 1/12/68 -- Prabhupada & moon ice BS vol 1 no 35 (Dec 22, 1974) "One evening Srila Prabhupada revealed what he said was his theory, that the moon is covered with ice, to explain why the moonshine is so pleasant. Moonrays are very soothing, and we find in many places descriptions of the pleasing effect of the moon, nitai-pada-kamala, koti candra-susitala, ye chayaya jagat judaya. This is because the moon must be covered with ice." SP speaking in Mayapur, cited by Brahmananda Swami "Ocean of Nectar," (Oct 25, 1974), 8. -- KS was austere & followed rules... Vishnujana Swami, "Sadhana Bhakti Part II: Interview with Kirtanananda Swami at New Vrindaban for the ground breaking of Srila Prabhupada's Palace and new temple and the seeing of Srila Prabhupada's desire fulfilled." undated "Prabhupada's handling of devotees was that everything was personal. He would not say the same things to everybody. For instance, he would always tell me at least six new rules before he would tell anyone else--and some devotees he never expected them to follow the rules. . . "The neophyte should not be excpected to perform all those things, regulations, but he [Prabhupada] stressed everyone should chant Hare Krishna. You get a man to chant Hare Krishna, then take prasadam, everything esle will come about because he will be in your association, and we have experience at New Vrindaban, that many devotees come who have not been able to make it in other centers. And in a period of time, they become steady here. And I attributed that to that I'm not terribly rigid about many things, but I'm rigid, as far as possible, about one or two things: namely, that they get up early in the morning and chant Hare Krishna, and attend mangal aroti. Then if they can't follow some things, in time it comes." -- Gopinath's Diary 3/18/84 I am teaching two classes in the afternoon from 1:30 - 2:15, 2:15 - 3:00. The first class is a great austerity for me as the children behave badly and are inclined to laugh. They are very impossible and Kuladri has said not to spank so I shall just trust Krishna to get thru to them. 4/7/84 "Today after the construction meeting some drunkards were making trouble by the Palace. They were told to leave and refused making various threats. Marudev punched one in the nose. One came at Bimbadhar with a baseball bat. Bimbadhar took it away and told them to get out of there. Bhaktipada's car was behind them as they left, floowed by Dayavira. They stopped on the bridge by Wilson Valley and began beating on Bhaktipada's car. Dayavira got out of his and Bhaktipada made his escape. The cops came and handcuffed the thugs and took them away." -- same entry: "Haridhama showed me a way to pinch mischevious children--under the arm or on the fingernail. I'mn think I will have to try this on Nanda." -- 4/24 Kuladri in his room said Mahabuddhi is still saying bad things even though he promised he wouldn't. -- 5/3 Confrontation with Mahabuddhi; refused to move into administration building so SB went to his house. Said he was leaving and demanded contract for $4500 (severance pay) from SB. SB said he didn't have to give him anything and gave him 24 hours to vacate. Ghosh said he turned and gave him the finger. -- 5/23/84 At last Sunday's board meeting the discussion absolutely took my breath away. Kuladri seemed to be lashing out at everyone including Srila Bhaktipada like a wild bull. I could not look at him or Bhaktipada during the heated exchange. -- 5/25 Hayagriva is back and staying with Bhaktipada. I heard his wife (Purnamasi) called up and said, "Are we still married?" Hayagriva turned to Bhaktipada, and said, "Are we still married?" Bhaktipada shrugged. H. said, "I'm trying to make a new start as a devotee. As far as I understand it, devotee means brahmachary" and hung up. -- 6/13 Bhaktipada spoke last night at darshan in the temple. . . He also yelled about mothers who buy karmi candy at the store for their kids. "You might as well send them to hell." He said we should make our own. -- 6/23 Sulochan left and took his kids. We rescued them in Wheeling and brought them back to his wife at the temple. -- June 13 We were talking about misdemeanors at the counselor's meeting last night. SB said the problem is there's no way of enforcing anything. "If you could cut off a few hands, a few balls, and shoot a few people, but there is no king to enforce." -- Oct 30 In SB's room today prior to his departure for India. . . Much joking words. Kaliya said, "Bhaktipada, why don't you bring some doneys. (he said he had seen them loaded with bundles in India.) and SB said he already had enough asses here. . . Kunti called to complain that the teachers were hurting her kid. SB told her kids always do that, and that grabbing the neck was permissible, that you have to do something to keep them in order, etc. -- Feb 20, 1991 We have started having once a week men's darshan at Bhaktipada's house again, with men invited to stay overnight. Nrsimha Guru asked, "WIth all the emphasis on Interfaith, won't Interfaith build this new temple?" SB said, "I'm going to build that temple, or die trying." -- Saturday after Good Friday, 1991 Yesterday was the darkest day in the history of New Vrindaban. Srila Bhaktipada was committed to jail by Judge Mehridge. Today I am praying to Krishna to comfort Srila Bhaktipada in his distress. They have not yet taken our land but I expefct that soon. . . Mukunda Goswami and Ravindra were compared by Bhaktipada to vultures. -- Easter Sunday Srila Bhaktipada is still in jail. We heard from a friend in the media that after the trial the prosecutor threw a party at the courthouse, was drinking champagne and chanting, "Good Friday, Good Friday: a great day for a crucifixion." -- April 6, 1991 Hrishikesh called SB's brother & sisters to ask for help in getting SB out. -- April 9, 1991 Yesterday I visited Bhaktipada in the Castern Regional Jail in Martinsburg. It is a new facility but inside everything is battleship gray. Bhaktipada was wearing an orange hospital shirt and I presume pants although he was sitting down. A heavy plate glass separates us--me, Ranaka and Dhara--from Bhaktipada. He flashed us a big smile. I said, "Bhaktipada, this is definitely your most far out pastime yet." . . . I asked him what if someone says all this is happening because we did something wrong. He said, "Was Jesus crucified because he did something wrong? Was Haridas Thakur beaten because he did something wrong? If you are of the world, the world loves you. And if you are not of the world, the world hates you." -- May 1, 1991 Srila Bhaktipada is still in jail. His appeals lawyer will be Dershowitz from Harvard, with a $100,000 retainer and $495/hr. Controversy over Bengali vs. mild kirtans at evening darshans. SB told Nityodita Swami he was a "pain in the a--." Said we should do as we would if he were here. Said mild kirtan at Palace and on weekend Bengali kirtan at temple. -- Feb 9, 1992 Bhaktipada had hernia operation at Morgantown. Surgeon said it was difficult, could not stitch up SB because no abdominal musicles because of childhood polio. -- Feb 24, 1992 SB was taken to the doctor in Morgantown to check on his hernia operation (used butterflies instead of sutures." The doctor asked SB, "do you have trouble getting erections?" SB: "I don't get them and what's more I don't WANT them!" -- March 7, 1992 The bells arrived today and are sitting on the flatbed near the temple. There are 6, biggest weighs 5,000 lbs. From Verdin Bell Co. in Cincinatti. Biggest 2 dated 1895, 2 others 1903, 1- 1930. -- April 26, 1992 Ariel and Aravinda suing us over Dharmatma house to get $25,000 compensation for improvements, breach of promise to sell, etc. -- April 27, 1992 Radhanath Swami recalls when there were 4 cowheard boys-- PB, him, Taru and (?). We were eating horse corn upma for noon, cow grain and beet molasses for breakfast. They used to use a pitchfork to get down silage and heat it on the pan over the stove in the bath house to unfreeze it for the cows. The cowherd boys noticed it smelled pretty good and started eating it themselves, although it was secret. -- Sept 2, 1992 Went to see SB in Warwood yesterday. Asked him about the deer problem. Sky Bear complained we were allowing deer hunting because they eat our corn. SB said he agrees, but "Nabi" must go down and talk to them and convince them not to eat our corn. Nov 16, 1992 This past weekend they allowed Bhaktipada to go to sister Roberta's funeral. . . Brother introduced him to everyone as "Moses" since he had flowing beard, etc. . . Told story of SB when little . . . family used to swim in the Hudson off a diving board. SB little and didn't know how to swim. Would jump off diving board, be rescued, and jump in again. -- Dec 12, 1992 Went to see SB. . . I asked him about his chanting. He said he rises and chants for hour and 20 min after bathing. One syllable per bead. Out: Hare KHKKKHH. In: HRHRRRHH. Has string of 8 beads on one side. Counts with fingers. Starts with fist. One finger out after around and back. Chants 64 rounds that way. Then at 9:00 am, noon, mid-afternoon, evening and pre-bed. 32 rounds each time. . . But says I must pray to guru in heart to reveal best way for me to chant. There is no formula. -- Feb 11, 1993 He said he likes the island off Costa Rica. We could grow fruits for the deities but doesn't want to cut any trees. Leave natural. . . Feb 21, 1993: SB said he wants wind and solar power on the island of faith. Gaur goes to Isla de Barrugute (Costa Roca) to investigate. Sept 10, 1993 Have passed through a most heavy period this week with Bhaktipada back at New Vrindaban. Sarvabhauma who helped drive Bhaktipada to Chicago World Parliament of Religions alleges he looked in the mirror and saw SB engaged in misconduct with his servant Lokanath. Big meeting and Radhanath S explains SB fell and will be stepping down. A letter of resignation is to be drafted by the big guns. Sb did not say he fell down, and says he was wounded, but not by falling but that his friends doubted him. Takes the opportunity to take Bhaktivinode's interpretation of "api cet sudaracar"-- that one who appreciates that even if a devotee commits an abomniable activity is saintly and quickly becomes righteous. Radhanath leaves and says he's never returning to New Vridnaban or any of SB's missions including India. Devamrita is in the dog house for scheming-- removed as head of Far East Mission. October 1993 I visit SB at Silent Mountain. He has drafted a letter saying he will not be sitting on the Vyasasana for some time. Says the same thing happened to his father. "After serving the congregation for 20 years they turned against him." Said I should sell pipe and electronic organs. (I told him they don't need these for what they're doing now.) -- June 28, 1994 Bhaktipada just got back from N.Y. . . He has been getting his teeth worked on there because his lawyer Gene Iredale told him to for the upcoming trial, now set for August 23. He started fasting for 3 days, then 2 days on juice, then fast again and says he will keep this up for the time being until the trial. Says he's fasting for his sins and the sins of his disciples. Dec 2, 1994 Radhanath Swami is visiting New Vrindaban. I don't go to his classes. We are still having our Wednesday evening classes with Bhaktipada, last time at Ranaka's. -- Robert Houriet, "Getting Back Together," Avon Books (1972) April 17, 1969 p 333 The young man was small, nearly bald and walked with a limp. He was Kirtanananda, appointed by the swami to be in charge of the ashram. . . p 335-36 Hayagriva . . . in a cabin in upstate New York, . . . ate several buttons of peyote. "It tore the doors of perception off their hinges to reveal a flaming Sistine vision. . . I actually left my body and journeyed into the universe to behold the Milky wAY from an incredible discante, I discovered my real self extended beyond the body was eternal." . . . The Swami [Prabhupada] encouraged Wheeler to give up drugs. "You don't have to take anything for your spiritual life," he said in an authoritative manner that convinced Wheeler. It worked. "As I walked down the streets of Manhattan, chanting, I began to notice that the buildings, the people and the sky all looked very beautiful. . . the sound of the Supreme Lord of the Universe was passing through my body, coming upon me like a delightful exhilarating song that had somehow been dormant, choked in me for centuries. . . It was the same song (Kirtan) that you can hear in the St. Matthew Passion." p 337 [after evening aroti at the temple] Kirtanananda walked quietly among the seated, chanting members, telling them that it was time to sleep. When he pointed out places on the floor for Larry and me, we realized he was indeed in complete charge, a kind of father superior. As Ranadhir, another devotee, remarked: "It's good to learn to be obedient." p 337 August 18, 1970 The brahmachary said that Ranadhir was now in charge of the ashram, having replaced Kirtanananda, who was touring India with his master. . . It must have been only six, New Vrindaban time . . . but the ashram bustled with activity. A temporary shelter was being constructed to house the weekend guests, and devotees who had changed from their dhotis into jeans were nailing a tin roof to the frame. One group harnessed two horses to a cart. They would drive it down to the schoolhouse and from there take a community car into Wheeling for goods. (As yet, no automobiles could make it up the road.) One group was dispatched to the second floor of the main building to package incense, the ashram's main money-making activity. Another contingent went off to dig two extra outhouses to accommodate the guests, in addition to the two regular outhouses--one for each sex. Behind the small house, kettles hung over fireplaces. Wood I split was picked up and fed into one of the fires by a burly young man, who reminded me of Friar Tuck. . . p 340 One of the buildings was a one-room school. When I dropped in, there were from seven to twelve children and two teachers, both men, in the plywood building. The children seemed well behaved. They were taking turns reciting legendary episodes from Krishna's life. Often, the teachers would interrupt their recitations and instruct them to "stand up straight." . . . -- Letter from Radhanath Swami (in India) to devotees of NV (Dec 12, 1992) Recently His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktipada has sent a message to all of us expressing his desire to reciprocate with Lord Sri Krishna's inconceivable will which is calling him into seclusion for the next several years. He concluded the letter by stating that he was going to ask me to assume the responsibility of being "acharya" in his absence. Upon receiving this letter addressed to all devotees was the first I ever heard of his idea in this regard. -- Letter from Radhanath Swami (in India) to SB (Dec 2, 1992) If Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada are asking you to enter seclusion, what can we say? With tears in our eyes we can only reveal our hearts. If we have anything to say about this PLEASE hear our appeal. Please continue to preach to us and to the fallen souls of this Kali Yuga. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is wonderfully empowering you and we beg that you continue to spread the glories of Lord Krishna's Holy Name. If you have sincerely made up your mind to (indistinct) yourself for some time, I beg that you kindly hear my heart and accept my thoughts. It is not possible for me to accept the role of "Worldwide Acharya." I am simply aspiring to be the servant of the servant of the Vaishnavas. The vision of preaching in New Vrindaban which you have created is a unique expression of your love of god. I adore your fearless efforts but must be honest with you with all respect. I have sincerely tried but am unable to be personally inspired to preach except in the traditional form which Srila Prabhupada has given to us. Perhaps it is my conditioned nature but I am what I am and I pray that Krishna will someday accept my service. It is not possible for me to artificially attempt to accept a leadership position in New Vrindaban or the Orient. I do not believe that any one of your followers could honestly accept the role of "Worldwide Acharya" at this particular time. If you so decide to temporarily withdraw I would like to offer you my sincere opinion. Please follow in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and form a managing body of your most experienced and trusted followers. Unlike the Gaudiya Math or our ISKCON movement there is great love and trust amongst your leaders. None of us are even slightly ambitious for a higher position. I honestly believe it would work wonderfully if you so desire to give complete authority to such a managing body. Your mission is too large and complex for any single one of us to assume the weight at this time. With your mercy we could do it together. -- On Jan 6, 1998 Bhaktipada went before Parole Board and his sentence was reduced from 20 to 12 years. see flyer "Srila Bhaktipada Needs You!" flyer by Shanti Peace -- Paramahansa Krishna Swami, "On the Road with Srila Bhaktipada" (December 1993) Srila Bhaktipada's 1993-1994 Winter Teaching Tour began in November with workshops and home programs in Columbus, Ohio. In early December, Bhaktipada travelled to Tallahassee, Florida with PK Swami, Devaprastha and Krishna dasa for a number of engagements at the League of Devotees Center there and at the Florida State University campus. A home program on December 4th drew over 50 students. . . Bhaktipada was very well received at an outdoor concert where Krishna prasadam was distributed, and many books autographed by him were purchased. From Florida, the Winnebago Tour Bus headed northwest toward Mobile, Alabama for a gather at the home of Bhaktin Chastity . . . About 30 people from local metaphysical and other spiritual groups attended to hear Srila Bhaktipada speak on "How Karma and Reincarnation are Affecting Your Life." . . . This was a very serious crowd; practically everyone purchased a book, and five couples inquired about visiting New Vrindaban. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Srila Bhaktipada encountred an interfaith crowd at the League of Devotees Center (Kasi Mishra's house) there. . . . Arriving back in New Vrindaban, Srila Bhaktipada held an evening program at Sacimata's house with about 30 devotees attending. . . . The tour continued with a drive up to Ithaca, NY for a program at the house of Patrick and Joyous Garrison on Friday night (Dec. 10). . . . Saturday afternoon, Bhaktipada headed to the Sanctuary in Manhattan for the First Interfaith Confrerence in NYC sponsored by the LOD. It was a smashing success, lasting from 4 pm to almost 10 pm at night. Practically all of the 60 or so guests attending stayed for the entire program. It was literally SRO! Highlights included Srila Bhaktipada and Sridhara Swami of NY ISKCON jointly enlightening the crowd on the glories of celibacy, and Srila Bhaktipada's conclusive statement on interfaith, that we "must agree to disagree, with respect." . . . Monday we were off again for Cape Cod, Massachusetts for a home program at Bob and Joya's (the Unity couple who lived in NV for several years). . . After a visit with Sundarakara and Premamanjari in Vermont, we headed back toward West Virginia. On Thursday night, we drove down to Friendsville, Maryland for a sweat-lodge/feast/darshan with Yogadeva and friends. . . On Christmas day, Srila Bhaktipada was invited for a devotee home program at Ranaka's house. . . . It was a very beautiful white Christmas in New Vrindaban, very cold outside, but very warm and spiritually joyful among the devotees gathered together for sadhu sanga. New Year's Day was full of transcendental activities. We gathered before sunrise for the regular Saturday morning program at Silent Mountain. . . After breakfast prasadam, we travelled over to Granmother Pa'rish'ha's Friendship Village COmmunity in Ohio for their New Year's program. . . What a welcome Bhaktipada received! Pa-ris-ha's community has great appreciation for Bhaktipada and New Vrindaban because of the gifts they feel they have received from the devotees. . . Most of the people are now tending to vegetarianism and love prasadam. . . They have been inspired in their building projects, and in living in spiritual community by New Vrindaban's history. . . Wherever Srila Bhaktipada travelled, the formula for success was the same: kirtan, prasadam and books, with short talks and many questions and answers to fill in the details of how to live a Krishna conscious life in the midst of the material world. . . The never-ending tour continues in January with a trip to Minnesota for a devotee gathering; to Iowa, for several engagements near the Maharishi University in Fairfield; to Ann Arbor for a gathering with Japa Ananda and friends; to Brother Daniel Wright's Padanaram Community in Indiana; and back down for more nectar in Tallahassee, and other programs in middle and southern Florida. . . -- New Vrindaban Newsletter 1 (Nov 25, 1992) by RVC Swami Bhaktipada has mercifully decided to allow the devotees at the dhama a weekly phone call after months of silence. . . Yesterday one intrepid devotee asked Bhaktipada why he didn't seem pleased with the Brijabasis, and he roared, "Well, JUST LOOK AT THE ATTENDENCE!" -- NV Newsletter 3 (Dec 10, 1992) This has been a very eventful week here, beginning with Bhaktipada's formal letter announcing his intention to retire into seclusion for some time with active management of the League of Devotees assumed by HH Radhanath Swami. Radhanath Swami wrote a lengthy letter to His Divine Grace expressing his feeling of inadequacy in assuming such a role. Ordinarily, Srila Bhaktipada gives darshan to the devotees at the noon program on Tuesday in New Vrindaban, so His Holiness Nityodita Swami called up Srila Bhaktipada to make sure he would be speaking. NDS: Will you be speaking today Srila Bhaktipada? SB: I do not speak. Krishna speaks through me. NDS: Then will you be allowing Krishna to speak through you today? SB: Have the learders out there spoken to Radhanatha Swami yet and preached to him about accepting? NDS: We can't. We don't know what you mean. SB: I will show you what I mean. I'm not speaking today! (Later conversation between Srila Bhaktipada and Radhanath Swami). RS: Why are you going into seclusion. Is it the legal situation or are you dissatisfied? SB: Neither. Krishna told me to do it. I am out and I want to go into seclusion. I want to turn everything over to you. You have carte blanche. I want you to take charge. RS: I feel it would be better for there to be a governing board, something like what Prabhupada originally proposed. SB: ISKCON tried that and failed. RS: Yes, but our devotees are not ambitious. There is love and trust between the devotees. SB: It is up to you. If you want to do it that way, fine. RS: THen I have your blessings to do it that way? SB: Yes. You can come to NV and set it up. -- NV Newsletter 6 (Dec 30, 1992) Jesus: Jai Sri Krishna has completed four drawings from different angles of vision for the proposed Jesus statue in the Interfaith Garden. The drawings were presented to Srila Bhaktipada on Christmas Day who expressed his satisfaction with the design. Jesus is depicted in a robe, standing with one hand raised in blessing and the other extended in a guesture of welcome. When Bhakti Rasa Maharaj who is spearheading the project was asked how tall Jesus would be, he replied, "HTat depends on how much money we raise! We are taking donations now." Sister Piety has already made a donation, and Kumar, Devaprastha and Soma are hankering to get started. Next step: a clay model. . . Malaysia: Murti Swami in the planning department has just finished a master plan for the development in Malysia, based on ground plans supplied by Chandra dasa. It includes a cluster of buildings on the lower part of the property: a meditation hall, ashrams for me, women and guests, a dining hall and kitchen, and utility buildings. Further up the hill sets Srila Bhaktipada's quarters which are reached by a sinuous, landscaped path winding its way up the hill with meditation huts on one side and fruit orchards on the other. All are in traditional Malay style, with wooden walls and thatched roofs. -- NV Newsletter 12 (Feb 17, 1993) Srila Bhaktipada is extending his mercy to the residents of the dhama by starting a new program for dialogue on the Holy Name. The devotees can submit to Srila Bhaktipada on a weekly basis a form on which they keep track of their chanting times, quantity, along with realizations, comments, questions, etc. It has already had an effect. Attendance at 4:00 am japa has increased, and the devotees are thinking of ways to improve their japa. -- NV Newsletter 14 (Mar 10, 1993) The highlight of this week was undoubtedly the Gaura Purnima festival. . . There was only one disappointment--Srila Bhaktipada declined to speak. When the devotees asked him later why he didn't want to speak, he said he was unhappy about the response to his new japa dialogue reports and that only a few people responded. -- NV Newsletter 19 (April 16, 1993) INTERFAITH GARDENS: . . . The base of Srila Prabhupada's statue will be lined with tall hemlock shrubs. A walkway of gravel or brick will be constructed around the interfaith area. The sites are being plotted now on the plans for the placement of about 20 more crab apple trees to be transplanted from Bahulaban. . . Srila Bhaktipada has also said he wants one new statue per year, so the model for the Jesus statue is being completed right now by Jai Sri Krishna. -- NV Newsletter 20 (April 21, 1993) Mandara dasi [in Montreal] . . . just printed 3,000 copies of "Joy of Life Without Drugs" in French, and says they are being well received. -- NV Community League of Devotees Newsletter 26 June 8, 1993 This past week many devotees have been focusing on Bhaktipada's possible release from two years confinement. On last Saturday, a Maha Sudarsana fire sacrifice was held at the Vyenkateswar temples, both in India and in Pittsburgh, for the benefit of Srila Bhaktipada's protection and release. The devotees at New Vrindaban fasted and chanted in the temple, and the kirtan reached its zenith at noon when the sacrifice started. The sacrifice in India was conducted Sampat Kumar Bhattacharya, former head priest at Tirupati temple, and the one in PIttsburgh by his son, Varadaraj. . . Bhaktipada said, "Now we'll find out how good these Vaishnava medicine men are!" SELF SUFFICIENCY The barn and the sanctuary are in the process of formulating a plan for becoming self sufficient. The barn crew has decided to mainatin a milking herd only large enough to provide for the deities and the community, eventually about 25 cows, and milking has been reduced to once a day. The rest of the herd will be put out to pasture. . . -- NV Community Newsletter 26 (June 26, 1993) We are all anxiously awaiting the results of Srila Bhaktipada's appeal to come out since a notice in the paper a few weeks ago said we could expect something by the 18th. Another big sacrifice will be held in South India on Thursday morning at the Sri Rama temple. Many brahmanas will be participating, and they will be supervised by Sampat Kumar Bhattacharya. It is an elaborate Sudarsana homa in which costly items are offered, including gold, and many hours of mantras are chanted. Also, Granmother Parisha will be completing her two months of Cherokee altar work for Srila Bhaktipada. She has requested that the devotees observe a fruit and water fast from Friday sunrise until Monday sunset. -- NV Community Newsletter 27 (June 23, 1993) SILENT MOUNTAIN Last Sunday several of the sannyasis at New Vrindaban traveled to Silent Mountain to finish out their 4 day fast for Srila Bhaktipada's release. . . They built a sweat lodge in a large open space above the cabin, collected stones (there are plenty) and held a lodge to pray for Bhaktipada, ending about midnight. -- New Vrindaban Community Newsletter 28 (June 30, 1993) His Divine Grace still appears to be confined in Warwood, in spite of so many fasts, prayers, sweat lodges, Sudarshana pujas, chanting, etc. I asked Srila Bhaktipada, "Now what do we do?" and he replied, "Surrender!" ISTAGHOSTI (June 29, 1993) NVC Devotee: I think many devotees still have trouble grasping interfaith. Bhaktipada: I don't believe they have trouble grasping interfaith; they have trouble grasping their own faith! We have to know what Krishna consciousness is. It may not be what they think it is. If they think Krishna consciousness is wearing dhotis and saris, they're nuts. If they think Krishna consciousness is singing in Bengali, they're nuts. You can't think in Sanskirt or Bengali--you have to think in English. We have to learn to distinguish between those things which are temporary and external. -- NV Newsletter 29 (July 7, 1993) The top news is of course that Srila Bhaktipada's decision has been overturned by the appeals court. The opinion from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia read in part, "Because we conclude that the district court abused its discretion in admitting this evidence and that this inflammatory evidence so infect the trial of Swami and Sheldon, we vacate their convictions on all counts and remand for retrial." . . . As to when Srila Bhaktipada will be released, that has not yet been determined. . . Meanwhile, the devottes are frantically trying to get Bhaktipada's house ready--painting, pulling weeds, etc. I asked Bhaktipada aside from physically getting his house ready, what we could do to prepare for his return, and he replied without hesitation, "Chant Hare Krishna!" -- NV Newsletter 31 (July 28, 1993) DARSHAN WITH SRILA BHAKTIPADA, July 27, NVC Devotee: We've had some disturbances here lately, children getting into trouble, etc. Why is that? Bhaktipada: These are symptoms of something basically wrong. The secret of a strong community is attendance at japa and the programs, and faith in guru. The children aren't coming to the programs because the paretns aren't interested. I remember Mother Kutila had a baby and was in the temple within a half an hour. We raised our chidlren in the temple. Wheeling Intelligencer George Belanus: Swami Looks for Chance to Preach Abroad: He will no longer lead religious community Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada looks forward to the day he is finally cleared of federal racketeering charges as he waits out what could be the last days of his house arrest in a Warwood apartment. The religious leader of the New Vrindaban religious community on McCreary's Ridge in Marshall County also says that when that day comes, his days as a leader of the community are over. . . Bhaktipada says if he does go free, he plans to preach on an international tour. "I'm in a new phase," he said from his apartment on Wednesday. "I won't go back and manage New Vrindaban. Those days are over. They've got to manage themselves. I want to go preach. I'll come back to New Vrindaban from time to time and give them spiritual guidance, but I want to be out traveling all over the country and all over the world, preaching." . . "This is what happens to so many Utopian communities," Bhaktipada said. "When the founder dies, it just falls apart. This way, before I have to physically leave completely, I want to force them to make a future to ensure that the community will continue after I'm gone." Bhaktipada believes it is the Lord's will that the 4th U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond reversed the conviction of a federal court jury for various racketeering charges. "Whatever the Lord does is good. But from our relative position, some things are better than others," Bhaktipada said with a smile and a slight laugh. -- NV Newsletter 33 (August 17, 1993) Bhaktipada released from house arrest -- NV Newsletters (36 Sept 9, and 37 Sept 14, 1993) not one word about Winnebago Incident except Bhaktipada's Sept 6 class which follows LECTURE BY SRILA BHAKTIPADA, Sept. 6 This is a very beautiful pastime. There's something a little strange here--it says that Arjuna was bewildered. Sometimes Krishna's devotee becomes a little bewildered. That is also for Krishna's pastime. It says Krishna was smiling. You'll notice that same phrase at the beginning of Bhagavad-gita. Arjua said, "Now I'm bewildered. I don't know what to do." WHy does Krishna smile when his devotee is bewildered? The reason is that Krishna is the only controller. Krishna is the cause of all causes. A devotee is surrendering to Krishna but he still as a little consciousness that I am the doer. I'm a controller. THis causes his bewilderment, and causes the Lord to smile. Just like in the ninth chapter Krishna says even if my devotee commits some abominable activitiy he is sadhu, he is rightly situated. Whatever Krishna wants to do with him, to exalt him, to use him for some great purpsoe or no purpose, he is surrendered. It also says that anyone who can understand this, or I should say this is Bhaktivinode's interpretation, very quickly does he become righteous. Declare it boldly and publish, my devotee will never perish. Traditionally we've understood the interpretation one who is rightly situated very quickly does HE become righteous. But Bhaktivindoe says he's already righteous. How can he become rightwous? He says actually it refers to one who sees this truth that simply by being situated in Krishna consciousness one is rightly situated. And one who sees that such a devotee even though externally something may appear amiss very quickily does HE become righteous. That vision of faith in the inconceivable plan of Krishna is what makes for perfection. Krishna is always inconceivable. For Him there is no duality. There is no good and no bad, no perfect or imperfect. He is all good, all perfect. Everything he does is perfect. Duality exists only from the relative point of view. What is the relative point of view? I am this body. So long as we see from the vision of this body, we see in duality. But actually when we surrender to the WHole, there is no more vision of relativity. There is only vision of the Absolute which is always perfect. It always was and always will be. Of course that is not license that we can do anything we want, unless we're also prepared to accept the reaction. The action and reaction make for perfection. You put your hand in the fire you are burned. That's perfect. It is the law of God. We are not talking about license for sinful acts, but we are talking about faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Faith is the unlimited confidence that because I have surrendered to Krishna, He will manifest perfection. The spiritual master is the representative of Krishna, in the sense that he has made himself availabe to Krishna to work His inconceivable plan. He is surrendered to Krishna to do whatever He likes--good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant--because he has faith. Without faith, the apostle Paul says, it is impossible to please God. If we can just develop this faith, moment to moment, in every situation that I am Krishna's. He can use me in anyway He wants. I am His. Then one can be content--whether in a place or a jail, whether in fame or infamy. It is faith which saves all of us. -- NV Newsletter 39 (Sept 22, 1993) includes Bhaktipada's letter of Sept 16 asking sannyasis to accept their own disciples, but not just yet.... -- NV Newsletter 40 (Sept 29, 1993) In an effort to draw together some of the different elements of the community, the morning program has been slightly changed. The devotees now chant the Prayers to the Spiritual Master all the way through in unison in English. Then the same prayers are chanted in Sanskrit using mrdanga and kartals. Most of the chairs have been removed from the temple except for a few at the front. The speaker does not speak from a podium but sits on an ordinary chair. It is thought that this will remove some of the distance between the devotees. There is no hymn at the end of class. Reactions to these innovations has been mixed and the discussions continue. Meanwhile Srila Bhaktipada has been in the Big Apple the past several days to give some programs. -- NV Newsletter 42 (Oct indistinct 1993) Address by Srila Bhaktipada (at NV Interfaith Conference) I was very fortunate by the arrangement of Providence to take birth in a ver pious family. My father was a very devout ABaptist minister, and my mother was a very devout minister's wife. In fact I think she was more powerful than he in many ways. From my earliest childhood I was engaged in playing as a devotee of the Lord. I would gather my playmates and preach to them, try to convert them to be Baptists. My insterest in religion developed when I went to college. I did a special studies in religion. My masters degree was on religious revivalism in the old South. But I was not content to study religion, to lick the bottle on the outside, an analogy Prabhupada later taught me. I wanted to taste it. By the grace of Krishna I got that opportunity when I met Srila Prabhupada. I accompanied Srila Prabhupada to India where I took sannyasa. I was his first--actually I had a lot of firsts: I was the first devotee to shave up, the first to wear a dhoti, the first to learn to cook in the Indian fashion, the first to go to India with Prabhupada, and the first to found a community--a self sufficient community. Of course I did not found the commmunity alone as Hayagriva Maharaj was with me. But the founding of New Vrindaban is not my credit; it is part of providence. It is the plan of the Lord. . . . When Prabhupada came here, he told me that "New Vrindaban will go through three phases: first they will laugh at you; then they will hate you; then they will adore you." We went through the first phase; they laughed at us. We didn't have much trouble the first few years because they thought we would soon fade away. I believe the man who gave me the original lease, Richard Rose, on the Vrindaban farm did so with the idea that we wouldn't last the first winter. And when we lasted, I think he began to think about getting the property back. He's been trying ever since. There was a bar up there where the store was, and the locals would get drunk on the weekend and they would shout vile and obscene things at us. They would drive by and take shots at us with their guns, but still it was mainly in the mood of laughing at us. That went on until about 1985 when we started to attract a lot of attention. We had a great groundbreaking ceremony for the City of God. Congressmen came and we were materially in the limelight with all kinds of favorable articles in the papers. They began to get scared. From laughing at us they saw that this was very serious, and so at that time began a period of persecution which is still going on. But that will soon end. Actually due to the influence of New Vrindaban, the whole State government is coming down I am told. But this vision of the City of God is a very wonderful vision. It is not mine. It has been given to me by the predecessor acharyas. . . . It has taken almost 25 years to lay the groundwork for executing this great vision. Now in the next 25 years, let us build it. . . The world is a dark place. The light of transcendental knowledge is almost extinguished. But the City of God can be a great beacon for the whole world. . . But somebody has to take it up. . . Then that beacon of light or truth, of hope, can shine for the whole world, can bring peace, happiness and transcendental enlightenment for all mankind. -- NV Newsletter 43 (oct 21, 1993) Srila Bhaktipada's personal lawyers are a fiery West Coast lawyer--Eugene Iredale who teaches other lawyers about trial procedure in San Diego, and Nathan Deshowitz of New York. Srila Bhaktipada himself is unperturbed by the flurry of legal activity, having unflinching faith in Krishna, and is quietly pursuing his sadhanna and writing at Silent Mountain. NV Newsletter 44 (Oct 27, 1993) the passing of Gudakesh -- NV Newsletter 45 (Nov 3, 1993) "Address by Srila Bhaktipada, October 30, NVC" (Bhaktipada announced Advaita Acharya as the new leader of NV.) I think it is very clear that Krishna is removing me from the active management of New Vrindaban and preparing me for a bigger mission which will manifest in the future. But we are very concerned that the management of New Vrindaban go on nicely. Therefore I am asking you to empower with your support and your vote of confidence Advaita Acharya to be your absolute leader for the next six, eight, twelve months. Let's give him that vote of confidence with a big "JAI." (in same issue) George Belanus, "Swami Awaits Trial in Seclusion," Wheeling Intelligencer (Undated) Awaiting retrial on federal racketeering charges, Kirtanananda Swami Bhaktipada lives in a simple one-room cabin in rural Wetzel County. The cabin is on the grounds of an old stone quarry which once produced blocks of stone for the prison walls in Moundsville. . . "It's very quiet," said Bhaktipada. . . Bhaktipada's cabin is at the Silent Mountain Retreat, just south of Littleton (population about 180) in Wetzel County. . . New Vrindaban bought the quarry site in the early 1980s. The cabin is in a very quiet area. The closets road is U.S. 250, perhaps a half mile away. The nearest building is a Roman Catholic church about 500 feet from the cabin's driveway, which leads into the woods which have grown up in the old quarry. Parts of the driveway appear to have been blasted out of the rock, especially the steep grade leading to the cabin. The cabin is surrounded by trees, and is accessible by a short flight of steps. The front door opens into a spartan residence. There is one large room with stone walls at either end and wooden walls on the sides. The room is about 15 feet long, and there are two doors in one side of the cabin. A wood stove rests in the middle of the cabin, which is sparsely furnished with a bed, a small kitchen table, a few chairs and other smaller tables. Bhaktipada has a little, homemade cooking area on a porchf. It's made of rocks with a grill placed over them. Outside the cabin, there's an outhouse and a spring with fresh water. In this quiet setting, the swami said he is hard at work. "I'm currently in the middle of publishing my latest book," Bhaktipada said. That book is entitled, "Humbler Than a Blade of Grass." . . Off to one side of the cabin are two piles of old sandstone blocks. "This part here is my refrigerator," he said of a niche between two of the blocks where he keeps his food. It is as cold as a springhouse in the opening at the base. -- NV Newsletter (July 5, 1994) Bhaktipada's letter is published in which he says Prabhupada came to him in a dream and said he must do everything the way Prabhupada taught him... Bhaktitirtha Swami & Radhanath Swami should be at his right and left... -- NV Newsletter 59 (April 14, 1994) good article by Devamrita on interfaith -- NV Newsletter 61 (May 3, 1994) Bhaktipada on tour again, Padanaram Indiana, Fairfield Iowa, Pine Ridge Reservation South Dakota, Royal Teton Ranch, Yellowstone Park, Gerald Ham's house in Wisconsin... -- NV Newsletter 63 (May 25, 1994) Bhaktipada at Tallahassee's 1st Interfaith Conference May 19. also: "Renewal of Vows" Any initiated devotee of Srila Bhaktipada who has not written to him to renew his vows (4 regs, 16 rounds or equivalent, and donation of 10% of income to guru or an authorized project) please do so immediately. Bhaktipada intends to renounce those disciples who do not reaffirm their vows. -- --