jayante brahma-yonishu
"In the Kali-yuga demons take birth in the families of brahmins." (Varaha Purana)
This idea of beings from other realms taking birth on Earth with agendas is not unheard of. In the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Vishnu instructed the demigods to take birth ahead of Sri Krishna in order to assist Him in His pastimes:
"After all the demigods offered the Purusa-sukta prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they apparently heard no response. Then Lord Brahma personally sat in meditation, and there was a message-transmission from Lord Visnu to Brahma. Brahma then broadcast the message to the demigods. That is the system of receiving Vedic knowledge. The Vedic knowledge is received first by Brahma from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, through the medium of the heart. As stated in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam, tene brahma hrda: the transcendental knowledge of the Vedas was transmitted to Lord Brahma through the heart. Here also, in the same way, only Brahma could understand the message transmitted by Lord Visnu, and he broadcast it to the demigods for their immediate action. The message was: The Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth very soon along with His supremely powerful potencies, and as long as He remains on the earth planet to execute His mission of annihilating the demons and establishing the devotees, the demigods should also remain there to assist Him. They should all immediately take birth in the family of the Yadu dynasty, wherein the Lord will also appear in due course of time. "
(Krsna Book, Chapter One)
The other way around, however, it seems that asuras also either take birth as residents of Bharat, or that they express their influence through earthly beings, as we will see in the case of Duryodhana.
"After being thus informed by Narada about the appearance of the demigods in different families Kamsa at once became alert. He understood that since the demigods had already appeared, Lord Visnu must be coming soon."
"Kamsa was made aware of his previous birth by the grace of Narada. He learned that in his previous birth he was a demon of the name Kalanemi and that he was killed by Visnu. Having taken his birth in the Bhoja family, he decided to become the deadly enemy of the Yadu dynasty; Krsna was going to take birth in that family, and Kamsa was very much afraid that he would be killed by Krsna, just as he was killed in his last birth."
Goddess Durga creating destruction and illusion for those opposed to service to Vishnu. This is a feature of material existence, which is like imprionnment with a death sentence. -Ed.
(Krsna Book, Chapter One)
I don't doubt that many of those who have committed atrocities in ISKCON, such as gurukula child molestation, were really demons that took birth with the purpose of implementing the agendas of demoniac beings.
But they don't have to have been actual demons. There can be normal people who become inspired at some point with specific agendas against the ISKCON Hare Krishna movement. Sadaputa das, in his book Alien Identities (p. 241 ), explains how this could be so by using the case of King Duryodhana as an example:
"King Duryodhana once had an encounter with some Ganharvas who had cordoned off an area around a lake for recreational purposes and had blocked Duryodhana's army from entering. When Duryodhana tried to enter anyway, a fierce battle took place, and he was captured by the Gandharva forces. At this point, Arjuna, who was staying nearby, used his political connections with the Gandharva to free Duryodhana. Arjuna and his brothers had been driven into exile by Duryodhana, but Arjuna intervened to save him from the Ganharvas on the grounds that he was a relative and a human being.
Duryodhana was humiliated at being saved by a person he had scorned and mistreated as an enemy, and he decided to give up his everything and fast until death. However, it seems that other parties had long-standing plans for Duryodhana and they weren't at all pleased by this turn of events.
'Thereupon the Daityas and Danavas, hearing of his decision, the gruesome denizens of the nether world, who had been defeated by the gods, now, in the knowledge that Duryodhana would wreak their party, performed a sacrificial rite in order to summons him.' (Mahabharat)
Once Duryodhana was in the presence of the Danavas, they explained to him that his birth on Earth was arranged in advance as part of their plan. His great bodily strength and his near immunity to weapons were arranged by their manipulations. He therefore shouldn't spoil everything by taking his life. Daityas and Danavas, taking birth as Earthly heroes, would assist him in his battle with the Pandavas. The Danavas also pointed out that they would use mind control to make sure that this battle had the desired outcome.
[They explained to Duryodhana that] ‘other asuras will take possession of Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and the others; and possessed by them they will fight your enemies ruthlessly. When they engage in battle, best of the Kurus, they will give no quarter to either son or brother, parents or relatives, students or kinsmen, the young or the old. Pitiless, possessed by the Danavas, their inner souls overwhelmed, they will battle their relations and cast all love far off. Gleefully, their minds darkened, the tiger-like men, befuddled with ignorance by a fate set by the Ordainer, will say to one another that – ‘you will not escape from me with your life!‘ Standing firm in their manly might in the unleashing of manifold weapons, best of the Kurus, they will boastfully perpetrate a holocost.'
Demons and Devotees have long fought for supremacy within the universe, in a variety of formats. -Ed.
If this wasn't enough, the Danavas also explained that the hero Karna and the "sworn warriors" (a band of demons ) would slay Arjuna. After convincing Duryodhana that he would be victorious, the Danavas arranged for his return.
The same Kritya brought the strong armed man back when he was dismissed, to the very spot where he had been fasting unto death. Kritya put the hero down, saluted him, and when the king had dismissed her, vanished then and there.
'After it was over, King Duryodhana thought that it had all been a dream, Bharat, and he was left with this thought: I shall vanquish the Pandus in battle.' "
Thus, dear readers, there are those among us who are actual demons, and those whose hearts have been influenced by possession by evil spirits on the level of chakras and the astral plane.
What a pertinent treasure trove of occult information Sadaputa das has passed on to us! This puranic narration informs us that demons take birth in human bodies and influence affairs on the surface of the Earth. If this was true 5,000 years ago, even while Sri Krishna walked the face of the Earth, then what to speak of now. The Hare Krishna movement had formed a scientific body (Bhaktivedanta Institute) to debunk the Apollo mission, complete with a worldwide book distribution apparatus selling millions of books per year, a couple of decades before anyone else really mounted any credible debunking effort; surely the Hare Krishna movement deserved at least a little bit of infiltration by the materialistic and demoniac elements that control the world, if not much, much more than just a little.
The narration also tells that the demons have the ability to take possession of even dharmic warriors, overwhelm their souls (the Pandavas resisted this), and have them carry out agendas. What to speak of some of the pathetic people that have engaged in embezzlement, child molestation and even murder in ISKCON. For example, I recall thinking about the former leaders Dhanurdar Swami, of gurukul fame, and the former Harikesa Swami, that they had some really ill, icky mindsets and that they weren't like the other devotees.
We could go on and on developing this line of thought, but I think that by now the readers can certainly understand what happened to the Hare Krishna movement just prior to, and certainly after the passing of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. To actually spell it out, the movement was infiltrated by those whose spirits were turned against it, and they went on engaging in the nefarious activities mentioned above; they generally neutralized and impeded the preaching agenda and seem to have poisoned Srila Prabhupada. Surely some of them are active and still on call, waiting to go off like time bombs.
Remember that Duryodhana didn't really have any clear recollection of what had happened -- he just thought he was a Vedic king and that he had a right to compete with Arjuna, as kings do. In a similar way, there have been leaders walking around in ISKCON that imagine that they are what they present themselves to be, but at certain times their hearts become overwhelmed by demoniac influences. Let's not be impersonal about it; we can think along the lines of lower and even demoniac beings on the astral level influencing someone's subtle body and consciousness. I remember just a few years ago, I walked out of a major hospital that had large neuro-psychiatric and psychology wards. I was at a corner waiting to cross the street with a few others that had come out when a boy of about 10 years of age started barking and howling and looking around himself with that wide-eyed, curious look that is so common to canines. His mother kept admonishing him, but he didn't seem to pay much attention, he was into it! All of that split personality business is sometimes really a matter of some other being having penetrated the polarities that usually help us to resist. This usually doesn't happen, though, until we become old and our energies no longer resist. But demons of the type that fly around in UFOs have shown that they understand the technology, the mysticism, to do it with. And don't think that ISKCON's book distribution potential and Srila Prabhupada's straightforward preaching didn't attract their attention.
Hungry ghosts -Ed.
There are quite a few conclusions we can draw from all this; one of them is to be careful about who gets involved in temple management, in general. Another more specific idea is that it just might not be feasible to feature gurukulas anymore in ISKCON. Nobody can assure that some lackey with strange agendas won't be able to infiltrate and have his way with the young ones; and just one slipup of a dastardly deed of this nature could generate enough repercussions to do away with ISKCON's work on an entire continent.
Good grief!
I welcome the readers to correspond with me personally, Dharmapad das, with any feedback, questions and encouragement: silopanna@uol.com.br
Replies
Seriously now, Govinda das Prabhu, I have read your article, "Will ISKCON Change Because We're Angry?" First, the short answer is "probably." Or perhaps even an optimistic "definite maybe." However, change they will because of the collective karma of the GBC in offending Vaishnava Godbrothers and Godsisters. Srila Prabhupada made a house all the world could live in, but they have locked the doors on so many of us, you and I included. Srila Prabhupada said, "You simply have to engage them (his disciples)." But too often the GBC has interpreted that to mean, "engage them in leaving." This has not gone unnoticed by the Supreme Lord.
No one, not even the rhino-like GBC, likes to have their dirty laundry aired. And even less so does one enjoy being made the brunt of jokes told at their expense. Every time Hasya Mukhi appears in print, thousands of people are set to laughing all over the world. The naked emperor must eventually don his garments if enough bystanders note that he is parading around in his altogether. The GBC can play thick-skinned only to a point before they are drawn to the round table for a meaningful discussion with the peers they tried to eliminate (but couldn't). The rank and file will have its say, even to cement-like corporate structures.
And, Govinda das Prabhu, since you have mentioned that you read my jabs in the Sun (for which I do thank you), I thought it might behove me to tell you something about myself with no tongue in cheek or punches pulled. You have suggested that chanting my rounds would be superior to my rattling on and on in the press. Well, no one can fault you there, Prabhu. You are correct that there is nothing higher than chanting Hare Krishna. All glories to your service, because daily chanting of japa is our sacred duty to Guru Maharaja. And for the record, let me say that I do religiously chant minimally 16 rounds daily.
Let me share a few thoughts as far as my role as a Sun contributor is concerned. Traditionally, at least since the invention of the newspaper, it has always been the job of some members of the Fifth Estate to be a voice of conscience. This means fulfilling an honest duty to the reader rather than to some invisible government or to advertisers. An honest press is not under the control of a distant political authroity and its official party line—unlike ISKCON's wayward ministry of propaganda, ISKCON News. It is the job of a free press to speak the truth even when it comes into opposition with the cavalier policies of the self-appointed, self-congatulatory elite.
Naturally there should be no need for differing opinions in the case of a Society like ours, wherein we are all sworn to obey and to agree with the dictates of the previousAcarya. Service to the Guru Maharaja is absolute and leaves no room for excuses or fantastic adjustments. Our sole job is to please Sri Guru, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. But the fact is that uncorrected deviations within the GBC over the past 40 years have made turning one's head in the other direction impossible, at least for any devotee with a conscience.
Today's "New GBC" acts as though it is free from the ball and chain of the terribly destructive blunders that were created by the post-1978 GBC, with its devastating and psychopathic creation of Zonal Acaryism. History will look back on that dark era as a time when ISKCON was run by sociopathic cultists with megalomaniacal mentalities. This history cannot be changed, as the events are already inscribed in stone. The era was nothing less than a dark and demonic blight, which you as a victim are well aware of. Simply because such blatant Zonalism has been officially terminated does not mean that it no longer exists. You will recall, Prabhu, that false acaryaism was withdrawn by necessity and not by some benign act of collective GBC conscience. One by one, the Zonals eagerly placed their own necks, each in a noose or guillotine of their own creation. They hung themselves as the Gallows Boys Club, and neither Hasya Mukhi nor the Sun shares the guilt for their acts of suicide or gurucide.
Today, the real problem remains that the GBC acts as though the entire zonalistic era has been swept under the rug and a new dawn is at hand. This new dawn of the GBC has taken the form of fascination with the mundane in its many forms, which has resulted in a collossol case of mission drift for the Society. Anyone who brings up that dark period is banned from their online conferences at PAMHO or is otherwise cold-shouldered, as is anyone who questions the new-found fascination with the mundane and mayavada. Truth Himself has been issued walking papers.
There are many practical examples in daily life that prove that the Utopian view the modern GBC has adapted just ain't so, Joe. Let me give an example from the times we live in: Texaco's pollution of the Ecuadorian rainforest. Texaco was guilty of pouring uncountable billions of gallons of crude oil into the Amazon river and thereby destroying the lives and livlihood of the indigenous peoples who have lived there since time immemorial. If memory serves, Ecudor sued Texaco but the oil giant deftly filed for bankruptcy protection. Then Chevron bought Texaco. But the courts would later rule that Chevron was still responsible for Texaco's disaster as the new company owners. The story is the subject of the 2009 documentary Crude which, incidentally, is worth having a look at. But to continue with my example, the point is that Chevron inherited the lingering residual bad karma of Texaco. The courts ruled that Chevron must do something to rectify the situation in order to free themselves from this "monkey on their back" (or on a stick, if you will). As a result, Chevron had to fork over an incredible amount of money when they lost the lawsuit. In the same way, a GBC public relations movement now underway in ISKCON does not address the issue of karmic reactions.
To carry this thread of thought one step further and a few steps closer to home, there is an example from the instructions of Sri Guru Maharaja. In a discussion about the American government, Srila Prabhupada once described a similar situation with some disciples. It seems that these devotees were under the impression, as most voters are, that a government mysteriously morphs into some new creation after an election brings new blood into the office. However, Prabhupada's indisputable point was that certain long-standing governmental policies must remain in force. A newly-elected official's job is to impose existing policies, despite his any number of campaign promises to the contrary. Look at how Obama was elected by promising to end the war in Iraq, and instead he increased the wars in the Middle East and even invaded Libya because these government policies were in place.
From the very moment of Srila Prabhupada's departure—or more than likely before that unfortunate event—certain unauthorized policies were enacted by an openly wayward GBC. Godbrothers aascended the Vyasa Asan and demanded worship from their peers, or even from their elders. Pandit Pradyumna das offered them correct counsel and for his noble efforts to save ISKCON, he was accused of being a demon by the GBC and unceremoniously blown away. GBC deviations were foisted upon the Society of devotees as acceptable policy even though there was never any sort of sampradayic precedent for a disciple becoming an official instant acarya. The GBC acted in complete contradiction to the orders of Shrila Prabhupada.
And even though those GBC deviations fell apart, at least apparently so, the karmic reactions have never been addressed. Nor have the sins of the eleven acaryas ever been expiated. The sins of bringing about the spiritual desecration of the Society and its members still hangs unseen over the head of the New GBC like a Sword of Damocles. This vikarma-phal remains to this day like a spot on the hand of Lady MacBeth. It is a weighty burden upon ISKCON's Ultimate Authority, and therefore remains as a leaden burden to the Society as a whole.
The karma-phal of those disobedient policies lingers still because there has been no proper cleansing of the issues. Devotees who were offended—bhaktas like Pt. Pradyumna das, or like yourself and thousands more—were never apologized to. Nor has there been any attempt to make amends except in rare cases, which amounted to little more than acts of political expediency. The GBC has not demonstrated the strength of character required to rectify the situation, either because of moral cowardice or due to a total lack of conscience. The definition of a psychopath is "one who engages in anti-social thought and behavior and has a complete lack of remorse or empathy." Does this sound familiar?
For these reasons, Hasya Mukhi and many others will remain as a thorn in the GBC side until they come to their senses. ISKCON holds within its lotus hands the only set of keys for saving a world spinning out of control. There is just too much at stake to remain silent any longer. Furthermore, like it or not, such "antagonists" as you read here in the Sun are actually the best friends of the GBC because they are the voices of conscience. They are not isolated ne'er-do-wells, but are rather mirrors which reflect public opinion. Whether blabbermouths like Hasya Mukhi or the karmic reactions the GBC has long since created will force the GBC to own up to their actual responsbilities to the other devotees (and not just to themselves) is anybody's guess. But it will happen, as dictated by the modes of material nature. As Srila Prabhupada used to say, "Be very careful. You are dealing with Krishna."
In the matter of addressing old wounds, having a conscience is paramount. Compassion is part and parcel of being a Vaishnava, while remorselessnes is the symptom of a sociopath. History has already drawn the conclusion that more than a few of the GBC's policies have been dictated by sociopaths because religious organizations have a habit of naturally attracting predators who take advantage of the devotional moods of the vulnerable sincere members.
It is undeniable that sociopathic disorders, which thrive in a cult atmosphere wherein the rank and file are taught unquestioning submissiveness to a contrived authority, are still present in the framework of a GBC-run ISKCON. Problems begin when cult sociopaths place themselves on the same level as Krishna's pure devotee. History records that GBC members and ISKCON Gurus included several active homosexuals, child molesters, murderers, drug addicts, alcoholics and the certifiably insane. To place all this in one sentence may sound like hysteria, but the facts are on the table, as you as a victim are well aware, Govinda das Prabhu. The horrible transgressions are living facts, while the coming reactions will be worse. And those who think a New Dawn of Enlightenment has arisen within ISKCON may wish to read this revealing article by His Holiness Srila Bhakti Vikas Maharaja about "guru groupism".
So, Govinda das Prabhu, who is Hasya Mukhi anyway, and what is her qualification to be such a blabbermouth? Let me tell you something about my self. It is not as though Hasya Mukhi does not support the GBC. She supports a GBC that acts on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. This is the system, that since there is no qualified Acarya to be trusted to make responsible decisions for the devotees' benefit, resolutions are left to a body of responsible elders. Hasya Mukhi is aligned neither with Ritviks, nor with ISKCON Reform, nor with Pada, nor with the camp of B.V. Narayana. She is hard core ISKCON,and she feels that these camps were all created directly or indirectly by the bumbling policies of the GBC.
Hasya Mukhi accepts that the disciplic chain is progressing through qualified disciples—empowered diksha gurus. She believes in many of her Godbrothers who are persons of unquestionable integrity. Hasya Mukhi seeks only for the Society she loves to return to the original without resorting to some paste-over wallpaper of artificial adjustments that hide sprouting seeds of karma. Therefore, Hasya Mukhi is not an enemy of ISKCON but is a force within ISKCON that should be dealt with intelligently and honestly. Because if the GBC cannot own up to the bad karma it has created for itself and the Society they claim to govern, then those who make decisions that contradict the pure devotee's directions will continue to be the target of her barbs. Those who wilfully deviate will remain as laughing stocks before the eyes of thousands for their efforts.
Therefore, Govinda das Prabhu, the conclusion is not that Hasya Mukhi should just go away and chant Hare Krishna. There is too much at stake. On the contrary, the reason she cares enough to lampoon the senselessness of non-paramparic activities is because she does chant her rounds.
Thanks for your interest in my writings, Prabhu.
Your eternal servant in Prabhupada,
Hasya Mukhi devi
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