CHAPTER 39:
BALAVANTA'S INVESTIGATION
Since December 1997 (up to April 1999) nothing has been heard publicly about the supposedly ongoing investigation into the poison issue by Balavanta Prabhu in Alachua, Florida. As far as is known, Balavanta is still conducting his investigation on behalf of the GBC. His assistants include Rupanuga and Naveen Krishna Prabhus. Balavanta has not made any formal disclosures as to the results he has accumulated, and no one knows if or when his report will be presented to the GBC, and if or when it would then be made available to the devotees in general.
Every indication is that Balavanta is dedicated to the discovery and establishment of truth in his investigation. His program does not appear to be a whitewash or biased; neither does he appear to be rushing to conclusions. Surely, Balavanta is trying to do a good service to Srila Prabhupada by volunteering his time on this GBC investigation, but his efforts appear to some as underfunded, unaggressive, perhaps unenthusiastic or uncreative. Many devotees outside ISKCON (there are more out than in) have little faith or hope in the GBC "independent" investigation except for the fact of the specific persons involved.
Balavanta also is in possession, since December 1998, of the results of a neutron activation analysis of the arsenic contents in a sample of Srila Prabhupada's hair which he received from Hari Sauri Prabhu. The hair was from Srila Prabhupada's last hair cutting in November of 1977. The arsenic content is 3.0 ppm of arsenic, at least 5 to 10 times above average and close to the average amounts which have been analyzed in Napoleon's hair from trhe last months of his life in 1821 on the island of St. Helena.
Naveen Krishna, assistant to Balavanta, would not discuss his findings or research with this reporter when he was called for an interview.
In early 1999 it was learned from reliable sources that Balavanta had re-instructed Norman Perle as to exactly which whispers needed analysis, and that he had obtained verification of the POISON IN THE MILK and THE POISON'S GOING DOWN whispers. It was also learned that he had received verification and confirmation of these whispers, and maybe others, from at least two other "top-notch" audio forensic laboratories (not sound studios), one being a world renowned outfit in London. The multiple verifications of the poison whispers from many labs is conclusive proof of the whispers' actual content.
Exactly what Balavanta's strategy for further investigation is, is not known. It is thought that he has not yet interviewed Tamal Krishna Goswami or other possible suspects. Hopefully the results of his investigation will bear substantial fruit and bring full illumination to the questions involved in this most disturbing issue. Hopefully those results will be made available to those who care to know what happened to Srila Prabhupada. Meanwhile, this publication attempts to begin serving that purpose.
CHAPTER 40:
POISONING METHODOLOGY
The nature and progressive history of Srila Prabhupada's 1977 declining health, with its ups and downs, level plateau periods, and sudden worsenings, reveals a scenario of mixed chronic and sub-acute arsenic poisonings. With the confirmation in hand of the highly unusual amounts of arsenic in Srila Prabhupada's last hair cutting, we now begin to examine exactly how the poisoning could have taken place. From the constant anemia, lack of appetite, no taste for food, and muscle weakness we see that a constant background of chronic poisoning was ongoing. Just enough arsenic could have been given to Srila Prabhupada to produce a "starvation program." Gradually Srila Prabhupada lost weight and became progressively weaker, primarily from being unable to eat or digest. As Forshufvud states in his Napoleon book, 1995, pg 505:
"The dosages (chronic arsenic intoxication) may be small enough that none will produce immediate distress though a general sense of discomfort and sickness will be apparent and may baffle diagnosis."
Then, every so often, every week or month, as the situation deemed "best," the poisoners would administer a larger, sub-acute dose of poison to generate increased illness and health decay. The dramatic downturns at Kumbha Mela in January, Gaura Purnima in March, in Hrishikesh in May, in Vrindaban in July and August, in London in September, and so on were probably times of increased poisoning. Travel was thus prevented, avoiding awkward situations with possible new doctors or treatments which might discover the true nature of Srila Prabhupada's ailment. Srila Prabhupada's return to India from London conveniently avoided any chance that further Western medicine or doctors would frustrate or uncover the plan of the poisoners.
Finally, after a program of chronic poisoning had reduced Srila Prabhupada's health to the brink of extinction by November 1977, a final dose could have been administered in keeping with the whisper by Jayapataka Maharaj, "Poisoning for a long time... get ready to go... you're taking it now..." Perhaps this whisper is actually the last conversation with Srila Prabhupada late on November 13, just before He went into coma or internal consciousness, and it ended up on the third to last tape by mis-labeling or the "time-jumbling" that we have already established happened to several other tapes in October and earlier. At least this is what comes to mind as a possibility which further investigation may or may not confirm.
It is also very interesting to note that the very next day after Srila Prabhupada said He thought someone was poisoning Him, the disturbing poison whispers are found in the background. It may have been that whoever was doing the poisoning became alarmed that Srila Prabhupada would discover them and decided on intensified or final poisoning. Srila Prabhupada entered a "coma" about 60 hours later, and departed about twenty hours after that. The chronology of the tape's events is in doubt, however, as described earlier.
Forshufvud states: "Napoleon was not killed with arsenic, but instead he was poisoned to death in two phases, by a method used by professional poisoners of the period. The "classical method" of killing somebody without making it appear to be a criminal act consisted of a cosmetic phase followed by a lethal phase... Napoleon was poisoned slowly and chronically with arsenic in order to break down his health and make it appear that he was deteriorating in a normal and natural way from disease... In their diaries and notes, (eight) eyewitnesses record very carefully more than 30 symptoms (Comment: and we have 45!) that indicate chronic arsenical intoxication. When you take these symptoms and compare them with the arsenical intoxication symptoms described in any modern book on toxicology, you will find that they are identical... The second phase, which I call the lethal phase, was done through toxic medications such as tartar emetic, followed by orgeat and calomel (the combination of which, in the stomach, produces highly lethal mercuric cyanide)."
Whoever master-minded the arsenic poisoning of Srila Prabhupada knew that the resulting symptoms would closely resemble those of kidney disease, and that this was a near-perfect cover. Srila Prabhupada was known to already have some sort of kidney problems from past incidences of swelling in the bodily extremities. Knowledge of the means and techniques of arsenic poisoning are readily available from the stock of modern literatures and medical research. The discovery of Napoleon's murder by poisoning in the 1960's brought much attention to the subject of assassination by poison.
In India one can easily find tantric yogis and kavirajas who are expert in the arts of curses, success-enhancement pujas and mantras, and sinister things like poisoning your enemies. There is the history of the king in India who trained beautiful women with small doses of poison from childhood, building their resistance to the point where their very kiss was lethal. These "kiss of death" women were sent to seduce the king's enemies. More recently, we have seen that some of the current ISKCON "gurus" have been associated with these kinds of tantrics and yogis. (See Appendix 20 ) Harikesh, Jayapataka, Bhavananda, and Tamal Krishna Maharajs have been reported in these associations. Therefore, the "Chandra Swami Connection" presented earlier in this publication becomes very interesting and perhaps all too relevant.
The history of Europe and India is filled with the intrigue of poisonings for thousands of years. In the case of Napoleon, for example, historians now know that he was killed by arsenic and cyanide, and that Empress Josephine, Napoleon's son (the Duke of Reichstadt), and Napoleon's aide Cipriani were probably also poisoned to death by arsenic. Tests on samples of Napoleon's hair from his earlier years show high levels of arsenic at the times of the Battles for Moscow and Waterloo, times when he fell too ill to effectively command his troops, and was thus defeated at these critical junctures of history. (See Appendix 14: Poisoning Throughout History.)
The poisoners of Srila Prabhupada would have had to have been very close to Srila Prabhupada to administer the periodic sub-acute doses of arsenic. Using the proper timing and circumstances for "cover," the poisoners would terminate the brief moments when Srila Prabhupada began to feel better with the onset of yet another attack of the mysterious and persistent "ailment." Thus another worsening of health occurred. A sub-acute dose of arsenic would bring on an increase of pain and illness that appeared to be nothing more than "Srila Prabhupada's body being old and worn-out from constant travelling and preaching." The effects of a sub-acute poisoning of arsenic would bring days and weeks of intensified degeneration of health.
A consistent and gradual deterioration of health would have been achieved by regular small administrations of arsenic, perhaps through the contamination of some personal ingredient used daily by Srila Prabhupada. Such as tooth powder. Or Srila Prabhupada's special vegetable salt. Or Srila Prabhupada's personal supply of rosewater eye wash, cooking spices, compress ingredients, or medicines. No one else would use these items which were specifically reserved only for His Divine Grace. In this way, someone could have come to visit Srila Prabhupada, secretly poison some of these aforementioned items, and then gone away on other activities while innocent caretakers of Srila Prabhupada unknowingly (or knowingly) became assistants in serving poison to Srila Prabhupada.
A tiny sprinkle of colorless, tasteless, and odorless arsenic powder, such as what might fit on the very end of a small key's tip, could produce another serious downturn in health with subacute symptoms, such as the February or May incidents of 1977. Even smaller sprinkles in milk, fruit juice, medicine or food would be unnoticed but would easily produce the slow debilitation and starvation program we find in Srila Prabhupada's health history.
Such a "cosmetic" poisoning of small doses which would result in a feeling of malaise, increased weakness, and a reduction in the body's general strength, could have begun well before Srila Prabhupada's serious illness of February 1977. Therefore the health history in Chapter 20 begins with late 1975 and mid 1976 to show that gradual poisoning could have begun as early as May 1976. The illness in New York and London in July and August 1976 is fully compatible with arsenic poisoning. If Srila Prabhupada's hair in October 1977 contains highly elevated levels of arsenic, as it does in fact, then we begin to look backwards in the health history to the earliest signs of arsenic poisoning. It might have begun soon after the Mayapur 1976 festival when Srila Prabhupada became weak and ill with arsenic poisoning type symptoms in Hawaii and New Vrindaban in May and June of 1976. It is quite possible, but not established. The poisoners knew that arsenic was the best choice of poisons for Srila Prabhupada because it would be confused with His already existing kidney problems. Clever planning and execution, indeed.
Now that we know Srila Prabhupada was poisoned, we should immediately understand that the method of poisoning was carefully planned and executed in a most secret, clever, and sinister manner. The poisoners would want to carry out their nefarious plan without arousing any suspicion on the part of other devotees or physicians. Arsenical poisoning, especially in a chronic and gradual application, becomes extremely difficult to recognize.
Who would suspect that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned? Devotees, hearing of poisoning rumors, find it almost impossible to even entertain. Only now, 22 years later, are we able to assemble bits and pieces of evidence together to demonstrate that this was a certainty. It must be Lord Krishna's arrangement that the truth can be revealed even after so long. We cannot remember what happened yesterday, what to speak of in 1977, and yet there has been an almost miraculous assemblage of pieces of evidence which cannot be denied or swept under the rug except by those dishonest persons whose interests may be threatened by emergence of the truth of this tragedy. Also, some will be reluctant, maybe vehemently so, to accept that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned because the concept disrupts their personal attachments, conceptions of ISKCON, psyche, and life's major paradigms.
It is also very suspicious that almost every time a doctor was conscientiously treating Srila Prabhupada with medicines and careful attention, inevitably there appeared some serious or distressing side effects that caused Srila Prabhupada to abandon and reject that doctor and treatment. This recurring coincidence was probably sabotage perpetrated by the poisoners by their giving to Srila Prabhupada more arsenic, diuretic, laxative, etc to cause an adverse reaction which was then attributed to the treatment and medicines. "Oh, just see! This doctor doesn't know what he's doing either! They are all idiots, cheaters, and just want to kill you, Srila Prabhupada! Reject them, and just depend on Krishna and the chanting!"
Of course no medicine or treatment could be anything but ever so slightly effective in improving Srila Prabhupada's condition as long as arsenic was continuously being administered in small doses. The best doctor in the Mathura District, Dr. Gopal, became perplexed that his medicines and treatment were showing no signs of improvement after a week of administration in October 1977. Dr. Gopal began to re-think his diagnosis and he wanted further testing to discover the cause of ill health. Immediately Dr. Gopal was criticized severely by Tamal, and his treatment and future presence was rejected. Dr. Gopal did not get to bring the X-ray machine for examination of the internal organs, nor did he get a blood sample for analysis. Either of these two things could have easily discovered the arsenic poisoning which is now established by the October growth of Srila Prabhupada's hair recently tested as containing highly abnormal amounts of arsenic.
It would serve the interests of the poisoner or poisoners well if an atmosphere of intense distrust and suspicion of doctors and medicines, especially allopathic, were to prevail with Srila Prabhupada and His caretakers. When Satsvarupa Maharaj came to visit in October 1977, he was indoctrinated by Tamal with the understanding that all possible attempts had already been made with doctors and medicines, leaving no choice except to chant and pray to Krishna for a miracle. Without questions, Satsvarupa passively accepted Tamal's opinions and began to chant and pray while Srila Prabhupada lay bedridden, His body filled with highly toxic levels of arsenic.
It was necessary that the poisoners prolong the "assassination" of Srila Prabhupada over an extended time period, lest suspicions be aroused due to the sudden death of a healthy person. The cause of death would need to look natural, entailing a gradual and frustrating decline of health. In spite of "so many doctors and medicines, nothing worked." If any reason for suspicion arose, an autopsy and investigation might reveal the poisoning and poisoners. Deaths in India do not require autopsies by law as is often the case in the West. If Srila Prabhupada had expired in the USA under the suspicion of foul play, certainly tests would have been done by the local coroner and an official autopsy report prepared. Conveniently, Srila Prabhupada wanted to die in Vrindaban where autopsies and coroners are not part of the process of dying. It was also necessary to maintain a state of chronic invalidism in Srila Prabhupada until He made His will and turned bank accounts and management over legally to His disciples. After all, it was the assets of ISKCON that the poisoners were undoubtedly interested in controlling and inheriting from their "father."
Who could the assassins be? They must have been very close to Srila Prabhupada, and well trusted. As history commonly shows, it is likely to have been a trusted confidant or close associate with direct access who engaged in the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada. The poisoners would need to be very clever, good actors, intelligent and manipulative, patient, and with full knowledge of the inner workings of Srila Prabhupada's life, habits and health philosophy. And, most importantly, the assassins would need a motive to eliminate Srila Prabhupada, a chance to gain things that were to them surely worth the risk, trouble and karma of committing such an abominable deed. So who had that motive, and what was it?
CHAPTER 41:
POSSIBLE MOTIVES OF THE ASSASSINS
It does not take a rocket scientist to guess as to what motive someone may have had in poisoning Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada stood between them and something they very much wanted, namely the absolute position, absolute power, tremendous assets, and prestige of taking Srila Prabhupada's place as leader and virtual owner of ISKCON. Also there is the possibility of a secondary motive of revenge or anger, wanting to repay Srila Prabhupada for perceived injustices or mistreatment. Suffice it to say at this juncture that there was certainly ample motive for a number of persons to try to eliminate Srila Prabhupada from the scene of ISKCON in 1977. Further, we must note that some of those who actually did gain position, power, money, prestige and so on are still in those positions today. It only makes sense that they be taken as primary suspects in an investigation as to who poisoned Srila Prabhupada.
See also Appendix 15: Colorful History of Tamal Krishna Goswami.
Questions to ask regarding possible motives in any plan to eliminate Srila Prabhupada through poisoning are:
1. Who made constant criticism of doctors and medicines, discouraging Srila Prabhupada from obtaining qualified medical attention even on Srila Prabhupada's terms of no injections, no operations, etc.?
2. Who had cause for revenge against Srila Prabhupada? Who did Srila Prabhupada disgrace in front of the entire ISKCON society? Who did Srila Prabhupada shame, dishonor, embarrass, and chastise severely?
3. Who displayed serious and strong ambitions for power and prestige in the years leading up to Srila Prabhupada's departure? Who among the ISKCON senior leaders is known for his relentless and personally motivated ambition?
4. Who stood to gain from Srila Prabhupada's departure? Who became absolute acharyas, worshipped as good as God by hundreds and thousands of disciples who became like personal servants to the emperor? Who would be provided for in royal style for the rest of their life?
5. After Srila Prabhupada's disappearance and the immediate emergence of eleven absolute zonal acharyas, who among them claimed to be the sole inheritor of Srila Prabhupada's position? Who claimed that they had become the via medium to approach the disciplic succession, even for the rest of Srila Prabhupada's disciples?
6. Who became the kingpins of the new guru system which gave so much money and power to so few?
Rochan Prabhu wrote in a letter to IVC members in March 1998:
"When we logically consider the zonal acharya system, which quickly manifested after Srila Prabhupada's departure, we can conclude that those inhabiting the topmost rungs on the institutional ladder had grandiose expectations..." With Srila Prabhupada gone, the eleven chosen rtviks quickly pounced on the authority "to approve and appoint diksha gurus, assign them(selves) exclusive geographical areas, change Srila Prabhupada's books, make decisions on siddhanta, i.e., spiritual qualifications for diksha gurus that empower instant uttama adhikary or kripa siddha status, etc."
If Srila Prabhupada was poisoned by one or more of his disciples, we can easily understand their motive. To inherit Srila Prabhupada's movement as one of His few "intimate" disciples, becoming the new gurus in His Divine Grace's place, would be the envy of anyone desiring great wealth, many devoted followers, prestige or power. It is now obvious to most devotees how most of the original eleven new gurus in 1978 were overwhelmingly tainted by these material desires. Some of them remain in power as GBC, zonal acharyas and supposed spiritual leaders of ISKCON, several of which are now implicated in the poison whispers.
Our Divine Guide and Master was poisoned in front of our eyes, and He decided to leave our association. The pure devotee of the Supreme Lord, the ambassador from the spiritual world, was cruelly and horribly tormented with arsenic, a most painful and despicable poison. Srila Prabhupada was frustrated in His mission and we were frustrated in His consequent departure.
Is there any greater crime?
CHAPTER 42:
PARADE OF DOCTORS, TREATMENTS, AND MIS-DIAGNOSES
As soon as Srila Prabhupada began having serious health problems in early 1977, there followed a parade of doctors, kavirajas and treatments over the next ten months. This parade is documented in the 1977 biographical section of this publication. One is easily confused by reading of the repeated start, stop, start again series of medical programs and medicines. It is only natural to wonder about the unusual nature of Srila Prabhupada's medical care in that year. There is no clear conclusion as to what Srila Prabhupada's illness was. There is even less logic or sense as to why treatments were abandoned one after another, as well as doctors switched one after another. To better analyze the history, let us make an abbreviated list of the doctors, treatments, and medicines and see what can thus be ascertained or deduced. The list below is only partial; many other doctors and medicines are omitted.
DOCTOR, Date, Place |
DIAGNOSIS: (IF ANY) |
TREATMENT PROGRAM |
OUTCOME OF TREATMENT |
|
1 |
Dr. G. Ghosh 1/12/77 Allahabad |
? |
? |
|
2 |
Dr. G. Ghosh End of Feb. Mayapur |
? |
Diuretic |
Medicines caused blood in urine |
3 |
Bimal Tanka Tirtha 3/7/77 Mayapur |
? |
Allopathic & Ayurvedic: gold, musk, pearls |
Stopped several days later - no noticeable results |
4 |
Dr. Oja 3/26/77 Bombay |
High blood pressure (200/100) |
Rest. No strain. |
|
5 |
New doctor 4/5/77 Bombay |
? |
Prabhupada rejected this doctor |
|
6 |
Dr. Sharma 4/18/77 Bombay |
? |
Injections & pills |
Prabhupada refused the treatment |
7 |
Dr. Ghosh of Kodaikanal 6/4-5/77 Vrind. |
Internal organs have collapsed |
Dialysis and other treatments |
Doctor left; Prabhupada refused treatment |
8 |
Bhagatji's old baba: 6/24/77 Vrindaban |
? |
Medicine made from forty-five trees' bark |
Prabhupada felt better, wanted more medicine |
9 |
Bonamali 6/12/77 Vrindaban |
? |
*Milk *Cow dung over body *Medicines etc |
Treatment lasted three weeks; no substantial results |
10 |
Chief doctor of Ayur. Hospital 8/15/77 Vrind. |
? |
Came from Delhi & then left |
Rejected by Tamal for using a stethoscope |
11 |
FatherNaveen Krishna Prabhu Vrindaban |
Kidney failure |
Recommended kidney dialysis at hospital |
Prabhupada refused to go to hospital |
12 |
Bhagatji's vaidya 8/15/77 Vrindaban |
Dropsy, high pulse rate |
Less strain; No salt |
Left for London in a week |
13 |
Bonamali 8/25 Vrind |
Acid indigestion |
Medicine: lavan bhaskar |
Went to London within 2 days |
14 |
Dr. McIrving 9/8/77 London |
Kidney damage, malnutrition |
Circumcision |
Left hospital same day |
15 |
Dr. Kanodia 9/8/77 London |
None |
Followup checkup |
No follow through |
16 |
Dr. McIrving 9/9/77 London |
Followup checkup |
*Plenty of liquid *Protein & food, *Antibiotics |
Back to India; avoided further allopathic treatmt. |
17 |
Ram Gopal Vaidya 9/24/77 Bombay |
Liver & kidney problems |
*Medicines *Special diet |
Prabhupada rejected; program too problematic |
18 |
Bonamali 10/3-4/77 Vrindaban |
No illness; just weakness |
*Special diet *Medicines *No wet baths |
Medicine caused cough; fees raised; rejected Bonamali |
19 |
Dr. Kapoor's Raj Vaidya 10/10 Vrind |
Vit B complex deficiency, urine test ordered |
Breathing exer-cises; massage; supplements |
No results after ten days |
20 |
Dr. Ghosh /Kodaikanal 10/12 Vrind |
? |
? |
Doctor uninvited Rejected due to past experience |
21 |
Bhagatji 10/13/77 Vrindaban |
Urinalysis showed kidney infection |
Prescription pills for infection |
Prabhupada refused pills |
22 |
Bonamali 10/15-16/77 Vrindaban |
Gonorrhea-type disorder |
? |
No results |
23 |
Dr. G. Ghosh 10/16/77 Vrindaban |
? |
More air, Hor-licks urinalysis, posture changes |
Treatment continued |
24 |
Dr. G. Ghosh & Dr. Gopal 10/17 Vrind |
Serious chronic kidney infection, renal damage |
Vitamins,Lassix, other medicines, liquids,nutrition |
Treatment continued |
25 |
Dr. G. Ghosh 10/20Vrind |
Same |
Continue same program |
Ghosh left: Dr. Gopal in charge |
26 |
Dr. Gopal 10/20Vrind |
Same |
Eating, drinking more often. |
Treatment continued |
27 |
Dr. Gopal 10/22/77 Vrindaban |
Speculated on a lung infection or tuberculosis |
Suggested lung x-rays, anti-tuberculin drugs |
Treatment deemed failure; Dr. Gopal rejected |
28 |
Ramanuja kaviraja :Vrind. 10/22-23/77 |
Malfunctioning of the kidneys and weak digestion |
Recommended makharadhvaja |
Rejected due to mistrust of his medicine |
29 |
Self treatment 10/25-26 Vrind |
Chandra Swami Makharadhvaja |
Medicine rejected; negative effects |
|
30 |
D. P. Sastri 10/28/77 Vrind |
Kidney disease |
Medicines for curing kidneys |
Treatment continued |
31 |
D. P. Sastri 11/7/77 Vrindaban |
Kidneys malfunctioning - urinalysis |
New medicine added to make new blood |
Sastriji returns: treatment continued |
32 |
D. P. Sastri consults Sri Ramduttji in Delhi 11/10/77 |
Disease curable, greatest necessity was to increase the strength. |
Milk emphasis: Medicine to control cough & passing stool. |
D. P. Sastri stayed with Prabhupada through 11/14/77 |
CHAPTER 43:
WHO ARE THE SUSPECTS?
This publication makes no accusations as to who poisoned Srila Prabhupada. Until we have solid proof, we risk committing serious Vaishnava aparadha (offense) in such accusations. Therefore we must proceed cautiously on this front. We know Srila Prabhupada was poisoned, but we do not know exactly by whom. Any suspicion that has been cast upon any individual in this book is due to the evidence. This author has tried hard not to cast any undue aspersions upon any individual, including Tamal Krishna Goswami. As in any murder investigation, sometimes innocent parties are suspected, at least until the guilty are identified and convicted by the evidence in a court of law. It is a big jump from establishing the crime, which this book does, to a legal conviction. Let's not forget this as we proceed with further investigation. Let us not jump to conclusions or accusations.
Nevertheless, there are primary suspects as a result of the evidence accumulated to date.. Further evidence may exonerate or further implicate these suspects, or bring new suspects into the investigation. Those presently under suspicion as possibly involved in poisoning Srila Prabhupada are:
Tamal Krishna Goswami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhakticharu Swami, and to a lesser degree others who were present in Srila Prabhupada's room during those last months, such as Bhavananda, Hansadutta, Satadhanya, etc.
This author is not accusing any of these individuals of any crime. The evidence in this book, however, casts substantial suspicion on them. The whispers indicate at least 3 poisoners; Tamal and Jayapataka are quite clearly heard in some of the whispers. Jayapataka uses the poison word in "Poisoning for a long time," to which Srila Prabhupada answers, "To me?" Tamal and Bhakticharu were in charge of food and medicines. A review of all evidence relating to suspects is not given here, but is throughout this book.
It is hoped that the suspects in the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada will cooperate with further investigation as proposed by this author. Specifically:
1. Agree to take lie detector and sodium pentathol tests.
2. Agree to be deposed for questioning as required.
3. Agree to provide documents and diaries as requested.
4. Agree to reverse speech analyses, tests on hair and teeth relics (Tamal)
5. Fully cooperate with the investigation.
This affair is not a pleasant one, but it cannot be avoided. With cool heads, let us proceed towards resolution of this matter as soon and as fairly as possible. Not to do so, in the opinion of some, would make us complicit in the crime by tacit approval. Knowledge of a crime, which this book and its evidence has established, requires appropriate action and not a turning away out of apathy, fear of intimidation, or due to vested interests.
Let us pray that the poisoners will be found out, indicted and tried in courts of law. If the suspects are neither cleared or convicted by the evidence, they should "honorably" resign their posts for the sake of the Mission.
CHAPTER 44:
DATELINE OF POISONING HIGHLIGHTS
1976
5.4: SP in Hawaii, TKG visits, illness; weakness, heart palpitations
6.23: SP in New Vrindaban; weakness, heart palpitations, indigestion, cold
7.9: SP arrives New York as TKG's guest for Rathayatra
7.20: SP very ill; edema, weak, pain.Becomes very ill on plane to London
8.2: By now, SP recovered enough to eat and walk a little at France farm
8.27 SP back in Bombay, still weak with poor digestion
1977
1.13 SP becomes very ill at Kumbha Mela; weak, edema, cold, mucus
1.19: SP arrives Bhubaneshwar; weak, indigestion
1.26: SP collapses in Puri due to sudden leg weakness
2.10: SP collapses in Navadwip due to sudden leg weakness
2.14: SP in Mayapur; TKG arrives with other GBC's
2.26: SP becomes extremely ill; fever, pain, vomiting, weakness
3.10: SP in Mayapur, worsening of illness, very sick, not eating
3.13: Hari Sauri leaves SP's service; Bhavananda, Upendra replace him
3.22: SP arrives in Bombay for pandal program; cannot walk without help
3.31: SP moves into His new rooms at Juhu temple
5.8: SP goes to Hrishikesh for health recovery
5.16: SP becomes so ill that He wants to return to Vrindaban to die
5.17: SP arrives in Vrindaban, prepares His will, arranges to depart
5.28: SP instructs GBC about rtvik acharyas to initiate on His behalf
6.5: After GBC's leave, another downturn in SP's condition
7.8-9: SP chooses 11 rtvik acharyas, signs & sends "Final Order" letter
7.12: SP calls for Bonamali kaviraja to tend to His health treatment
7.25: Abhiram arrives as SP's nurse and assistant (until 10.16)
7.27: SP's health takes another turn for the worse
8.25: SP becomes very ill with another downturn, just before travelling
8.27: SP departs for London and the West, bedridden, very weak
9.8: SP has health crisis; goes to hospital for one day; minor operation
9.13: SP's health declines so He decides to return to Bombay
10.2: SP returns to Vrindaban thinking His end is near
10.16: Dr. Ghosh and Dr. Gopal treat SP for kidney infection, etc
10.22: Dr. Gopal rejected; SP has dream of Ramanuja's makharadhvaja
10.26: SP takes Chandra Swami's friend's makharadhvaja twice, quits
10.28: D.P.Sastri arrives and begins SP's final treatment program
11.9: SP says He heard someone saying someone has poisoned Him
11.10: SP says again that someone has poisoned Him, nothing is done
11.11: The whispers: "Is poison in the milk?" and "Poison's going down"
11.13: SP enters internal consciousness (coma) around midnight
11.14: SP departs from this mortal realm at 7:25 PM; chaos ensues
CHAPTER 45:
CONCLUSIONS & SUMMARY
WHY EXPOSE THE CONSPIRACY?
This reporter is beset by heavy anxiety and is troubled over the responsibility undertaken for the collection of the evidence in the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada. Should it be openly distributed and what effects will this information will have on the ISKCON body that was so dear to Srila Prabhupada? Why expose the poison conspiracy? After all, some say, so much time has passed and what is done cannot be undone. Perhaps, as some have suggested, this matter is best forgotten.
In answer, we need only look to what happened to the teachings of Jesus Christ, a sad phenomenon being pieced together only recently by modern historians. In essence, the teachings of Christ have been lost, changed, perverted, and adapted for use by those with less than pure motives. It is now even doubtful whether Christ died on the cross or that he said or did many of the things attributed to him. One shocking book on the subject is Bloodline of the Holy Grail. There is still faith in Christ and some potency in Christianity, but the full spiritual power of his teachings have been corrupted and is missing.
But without digressing to a discussion on modern Christianity compared with Christ's original teachings, suffice it to say that we stand at a critical crossroads in the history of the world in regards to the future of Lord Chaitanya's movement. We do not want what happened to Christ's teachings to happen to Srila Prabhupada's mission. The number and magnitude of setbacks to Srila Prabhupada's mission and His ISKCON in the last 22 years have been such that if the present course is continued, there will be little left in another 10 years.
It behooves those dedicated to the Mission to come forward at this time and strive earnestly for the restoration of purity and potency to Srila Prabhupada's Mission. At the risk of some unavoidable and initially acrimonious debate over the poison issue, we must strive to establish the truth of how Srila Prabhupada was poisoned and seek full accountabilities thereof. Only then can we hope to restore His Mission when those who usurped it by such a horrible crime are removed from the Mission. Their continued presence as supposed leaders of the Mission, and the effects of their "spells" of philosophical twists and deviations on Srila Prabhupada's teachings must be cleansed. In short, the poisoners of Srila Prabhupada have also poisoned ISKCON and the Mission. All the problems in ISKCON will be solved by removing the poisoners and their poisonous effects, and then centering the Mission on Srila Prabhupada. ISKCON can be thus restored.
Srila Prabhupada was poisoned because those who wanted His assets thought they needed Him out of their way. The assassins of the pure devotee must be apprehended, removed, and chastised according to the laws of God and the state. Assuming that some of the "original eleven" and their allies are responsible for the poisoning, which is definitely indicated by the evidence, then it follows that ISKCON has been seriously adulterated by their takeover of Srila Prabhupada's assets. The systems and policies instituted since 1977 need to be reviewed in light of the poisoning of the acharya. The misguided course that the assassins have set His Mission on must be corrected and secured by those who have proven themselves dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and above self-aggrandizement. How long will it take us to finally realize that those who want to be gurus have corrupted this movement with their less than spiritual ambitions? As long as those who had anything to do with the poisoning, and perhaps those who cooperated with the poisoners afterwards, remain as leaders of and "gurus" in Srila Prabhupada's Mission, there will persist a loss of faith by the common members in the leadership. and a lack of purity in the leadership as well. It is time to clean house and do repairs !
SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
To begin, let us review a quote from a Mr. Schippers during some of President Clinton's legal and moral difficulties:
"Please do not be cajoled into considering each event in isolation and then treating it separately. That is a tactic employed by defense lawyers in every conspiracy trial...(in history) Events and words that may seem innocent or even expulpatory in a vacuum may well take on a sinister or even criminal connotation when observed in the context of the whole plot."
We can expect the entrenched ISKCON leadership to try and dissect the case for poisoning Srila Prabhupada into little bits and pieces, and then discredit each one individually. They will say the whispers can't really be heard, the symptoms are of kidney disease and colds, Srila Prabhupada did not mean such and such when He said this and that, the hair analysis is misleading or faulty, reverse speech is voodoo hocus-pocus, this is just the work of those "rtviks," etc, etc, etc. But we need to look at the whole picture. When we add all the evidence together, things begin to confirm each other and it becomes obvious as a conspiracy. Srila Prabhupada used to say, "Where there is smoke, there is fire," and there is both here. Nevertheless, the further facts and evidence that are required to completely resolve the issue will be found out, rest assured. The investigation has reached a point of no return. Poisoners beware: we will find you!
Let us review the evidence presented in this report.
MOTIVE: Before Srila Prabhupada's departure, the eagerness of some to become initiating spiritual masters was so great that Hansadutta and Kirtanananda did not even wait until Srila Prabhupada's departure. They began long beforehand, but were curtailed by Srila Prabhupada. That the motive for becoming absolute initiating gurus existed in many of the senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada cannot be contested. It was a fact. For Srila Prabhupada to have remained with us another five, ten, or more years, would have severely tested the patience of these guru-aspirants, evidenced by how quickly they began to initiate their own disciples after Srila Prabhupada's departure.
Furthermore, the assets of Srila Prabhupada's movement were up for grabs: private deluxe quarters, money, followers, power, worship. In other words, profit, distinction, adoration. There most certainly WAS great motive for removing Srila Prabhupada from the scene so that His position and assets could be assumed. Fathers, brothers, children, and spouses have often been killed throughout history for the position of king or even just a little money, what to speak of attaining the most absolutely glorious seat of God's representative, replete with all the accompanying amenities.
WITNESSES: There is serious and substantial evidence that at least one witness may be available to confirm the poisoning. A renewed search for that witness may be fruitful. There are rumors of other witnesses as well. The best witness would be for one of those involved in the poisoning to confess and implicate the others. As the pressure mounts and the investigation pushes forward, someone will crack and spill the beans.
WHISPERS: The opinions produced in the amateur sound studios of Harikesh, Bir Krishna, and Rabindra Swarup pale in comparison to the professional analyses done in top-notch audio forensic laboratories around the world. There is no doubt that the poison word is repeatedly whispered in the background on the third to last tape. Given the context of conversations on the tape, the poison whispers become especially more suspicious. Further, the exact wording of the whispers, such as, "poisoning for a long time," leaves little doubt in the unbiased mind as to what was happening. Nevertheless, whispers are whispers, and a case cannot be built around them alone. But alone they are not, as there is plenty of other supporting evidence.
Does it not seem coincidental that the day after Srila Prabhupada states that He has been poisoned, is the day we find the poison whispers in the background? The day after! November 9 and 10: Srila Prabhupada says, "Someone has poisoned me." November 11: "The poison's going down!" and "The poison's in the milk," etc. Coincidence? The chances in a year are microscopic that the two incidents would follow each other as they have.
MEDICAL SYMPTOMS: The challenge is put forward to all toxicologists and pathologists: study the health biography in this publication and tell us that the physical symptoms exhibited by Srila Prabhupada are anything other than those of chronic arsenic poisoning ! Thank you to Tamal for providing so much of the information necessary for this reconstruction of Srila Prabhupada's health history. However, most information came from careful review of the taped recordings that survived and are found in the Conversations Books.
SRILA PRABHUPADA SAID: For a good perspective on the value of Srila Prabhupada's statements that He was being poisoned, refer to Appendix 18. Even the GBC apologists admit confusion and perplexity at how to explain away Srila Prabhupada's words, "Someone has poisoned me." But they will not take the words of the pure devotee seriously.
REVERSE SPEECH: This is a controversial area of evidence, but the case of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning is not made or broken by speech reversals. However, they are shocking in their consistency and revelations, they are further confirmation of the fact, and the method deserves further research. Many law enforcement agencies are also using reverse speech analysis; why shouldn't we?
HAIR ANALYSES: Further neutron activation analyses of Srila Prabhupada's 1976-77 hair samples would provide the confirmations we need to reconstruct the precise history of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning. The more evidence the better. However, even with only ONE test, that done on Hari Sauri's October 1977 hair, we find that by conservative estimation, Srila Prabhupada had 10 times the average level of arsenic. This alone constitutes definite confirmation of His being poisoned. Further, this author's hair sample was analyzed to have 4 times the average amounts of arsenic.
SUM TOTAL OF EVIDENCE: We have sufficient evidence to assuredly and unequivocally state: Srila Prabhupada was poisoned. The mass of corroborating evidence herein establishes this fact as a certainty. The mass of evidence at this point is too compelling to ignore or dismiss. Now we must move to conclude the investigation, remove the poisoners, and rebuild our beloved Spiritual Master's Mission.
CONCLUSIONS
Was Srila Prabhupada killed? Definitely not. The pure devotee is fully under the protection of the Supreme Lord and whatever takes place in the lives of such fully surrendered souls is a divine arrangement, not the result of material factors or conditions. As Srila Prabhupada said on April 16, 1977, to Tamal: "It is not possible to kill him (Christ). Such a great personality, representative of God, he is not killed. That is not possible."
Was Srila Prabhupada poisoned? Definitely, yes. He knew He was being poisoned, maybe long before He finally said so on November 9-10, 1977. Srila Prabhupada's references to Ravana and Rama (November 11, 1977), and the statement, "Better kill me here," (October 22, 1977) also indicate He knew He was being poisoned. Yet, Srila Prabhupada seemed to accept it in the mood of complete dependence on Lord Krishna. He incredibly made hardly any complaint about His physical condition and ill health, what to speak of any protest of being poisoned. Srila Prabhupada was fully empowered with all the mystic yoga perfections; He was capable of physically defeating any opposition, by the grace of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada departed because it was a private decision between Himself and His worshippable Lord.
When Srila Prabhupada was no longer wanted, being poisoned by those He gave His mercy to, He decided to depart, a decision confirmed in a September 25, 1976 letter to Bhaktijan Prabhu in New York, who was concerned about Srila Prabhupada's health:
"I'll not leave the planet until you order."
Being poisoned could easily be taken as an order to leave or not being wanted. Srila Prabhupada several times expressed in His final months that His staying depended on His disciples desire and love. We failed to demonstrate it; we failed in convincing His Divine Grace to stay with us. Or rather, the poisoners decided that for the rest of us. Nevertheless, we failed to protect our Spiritual Master. Now knowing what happened, can we still remain silent, passively accepting this greatest of injustices?
Who poisoned Srila Prabhupada? To uncover the reality of this issue is a daunting task, as twenty-two years already has passed to hide the evidence. It constitutes a challenge of tremendous proportions, and whatever the outcome, the issue is one of great importance to the spiritual health and future of Srila Prabhupada's divine Mission and the upliftment of humanity. Our greatest obstacle to achieving justice and a restoring of the Mission is not the poisoners' cleverness or determination to remain anonymous- it would be the apathy and inaction of Srila Prabhupada's followers.
WHAT TO DO NOW?
There is the very small chance that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned from outside ISKCON, although, given the evidence on hand already, that just doesn't make sense. The assassins are almost certainly still inside ISKCON in positions of power and leadership. The consequences of the discovery of Srila Prabhupada's poisoning must now be dealt with. The example may be given of Kirtanananda Swami and New Vrindaban. It was not until Kirtanananda's final departure to jail that the once-largest devotee community in ISKCON was able to rectify itself and move forward with renewed purity (relatively speaking). Similarly, we must of necessity completely purge the saboteurs from ISKCON before the Mission can be properly restored to purity and reset on the proper course that Srila Prabhupada charted out.
Since 1977 there has been a disease in Srila Prabhupada's body, namely ISKCON, evidenced by the pain, confusion, turmoil, cheating, and deviations experienced in the past 22 years. The cure for the disease in the Mission is offered with the following steps:
1. Completion of the poison investigation, leading to a full resolution including legal proof of the crime, apprehension of the murderers and their accomplices, their removal and legal convictions.
2. Select a new GBC body from scratch, elected by the devotees, who would then have renewed faith in ISKCON leadership.
3. Select a group of qualified brahmanas, elected by the devotees, to oversee an open, ongoing philosophical convention to sort out the current divisive issues at hand, such as the guru issue, etc. Until the next empowered representative of the Lord comes who can unite the various factions with singular leadership, let us try to cooperatively and democratically establish an ISKCON Constitution based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. We have already seen that tyranny and the heavy-handed rule of the GBC-guru elite will not work. Now let us try another path, one of open discussion leading to consensus and cooperation. Let us assume the grass roots members of this movement are basically sincere and will accept philosophical siddhanta when it is openly and honestly discussed and ascertained rather than forced down their throats. After all, everything is in Srila Prabhupada's books. If we avail ourselves of His books, all issues can be settled by the above mentioned method.
4. Move forward again with cooperation, honesty, and openness in following Srila Prabhupada's teachings, without any more tyranny, and push on the Mission of delivering the fallen souls of this planet.
This can be accomplished if enough of the followers of Srila Prabhupada are sufficiently interested to become involved in a final and full reform effort. The partial so-called reforms of 1982, 1986, 1992, 1996, etc have not addressed the real problem: the poisoners and their poisoning of the Mission. Let us not forsake Srila Prabhupada and His desire that Lord Chaitanya's Mission be realized. We may be battered, bruised, disgusted, alienated, confused, and disheartened by the cloud of darkness over Srila Prabhupada's Mission. But at least let us not end our lives without having tried to restore Srila Prabhupada to ISKCON. We can try, and Krishna will decide the results.
CONTINUATION OF POISON INVESTIGATION
The investigation into the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada has just only begun; it must be continued until the whole truth has been uncovered. The present situation is that there are two underfunded, oppressed, and under-manned investigations working separately, but both facing an ISKCON leadership entrenched in denial. Probably the only way this situation can be altered is by a massive groundswell of protest and demand for action from the worldwide Vaishnava community. Pressure on the present leaders and "gurus" may precipitate some progress. Typically, a leader is able to remain in his position only so long as he inspires faith and confidence in his constituents. Thus leaders will respond to the devotees who, if in sufficient numbers, demand action.
Obviously, a very serious expansion of the investigation is required. Pressure on the ISKCON leadership can bring about the formation and funding of an expanded and empowered investigative team (EXIT) chosen from the existing investigations with additional, neutral parties inside and outside of the official ISKCON structure. If the GBC will not do so, then the followers of Srila Prabhupada must organize such an effort themselves.
It is understood that Balavanta Prabhu's team is working under the extreme hardship of no funding and the subtle intimidation of finding results in keeping with ISKCON's official policy of absolute denial that poisoning took place. Balavanta seems to have his hands tied by de facto non-cooperation from the GBC, while the GBC simultaneously wants him to provide confirmation of their denials. Again, only grass roots pressure can change that. The GBC and all ISKCON members and supporters must require that any member, guru, or GBC consents to being interviewed and questioned, Tamal, Jayapataka and Bhakticharu Swamis especially. Actually, those three should be placed under "house arrest" at once by the GBC until their full and separate depositions are taken. The non-cooperation of these individuals should meet the full power of the GBC's disciplinary measures.
Once an expanded and empowered investigative team (EXIT) is formed, the following are some of the things to do:
1. Interview Tamal Krishna Goswami, Bhavananda, Satadhanya, Bhakticharu Swami, Hansadutta, Jayapataka Swami and many others, including lie detector tests, sodium pentathol interviews, and reverse speech analysis.
2. Obtain and test further samples of Srila Prabhupada's hair and teeth, such as those in Tamal's possession.
3. Procure complete translations of Hindi and Bengali portions on the 1977 tape recordings.
4. Contact the government authorities in India, where the crime was committed, for assistance and participation in the investigation. The Indian law enforcement agencies may take up the case as well.
5. Conduct further audio forensic analysis as may be necessary to confirm known and presently unknown whispers, and to test for tape editing.
6. Conduct reverse speech analysis to provide leads.
7. Maintain an internet website for the discussion of the issues, the evidence, the consequences, the healing.
8. Mount a renewed effort to locate rumored witnesses.
9. Establish a public relations office to deal with the publicity, and an 800 number hotline for leads and general participation.
10. Requisition of vital documents and evidence, such as Tamal's original diary and the original 1977 tape recorders.
11. If a legal resolution cannot be achieved due to lack of sufficient evidence for obtaining murder convictions, the GBC must decide whether those suspected should be allowed to remain in their positions, considering the unity and health of Srila Prabhupada's mission. It may come to the point where some suspects, perhaps, will need to be sent off to remote parts of the world to preach alone, as their continued presence would be too controversial and disturbing. There's the Amazon, the Congo, Greenland, China etc. That would be the "honorable" thing for them to do voluntarily.
SUMMARY
We want the truth! We want the directors of ISKCON to be responsible to the many thousands of devotees whose spiritual lives hang in the balance over this issue. Will ISKCON be the institution which Srila Prabhupada created and put into motion, or will it become a Kaliyuga production, a impotent pseudo-spiritual sideshow? This question must be answered, for can an institution which gives safe harbor to those who have killed the Founder-Acharya have any effective future?
It must be noted that not one GBC member or ISKCON "guru" has contacted the IVC, any of its members, or this author to offer help, sympathy or even to ask questions. Even the noted liberal and free thinking Bhaktitirtha Swami declined any involvement in this issue, begging a busy schedule as an excuse. To be optimistic, though, let us assume that when this compilation is put in their hands, they will awaken to the gravity and substance of the poisoning evidence, and meet up to their responsibility as ISKCON leaders. Hopefully there will be at least a few devotees who hold positions in ISKCON who will demand a full scale and truly impartial investigation.
If our ISKCON leaders, even after this compilation is made available to them, do not aggressively act to set up an impartial and full-fledged investigation, we will conclude that their sincerity and honesty has been compromised by political or personal considerations. Then we must demand their resignation and find out new and honest leadership to steer Srila Prabhupada's movement to success through the choppy waters of Kaliyuga. The evidence contained herewith should be more than sufficient to cause each and every sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada to rise up and act for the welfare of ISKCON. We must now bring an atmosphere of honest review and investigation into the poison issue and other significant and related topics, one of which is the initiation and guru question. No longer can we afford to allow the Mission of Srila Prabhupada to be run by those who would reject and expel any who do not conform to their self-interested policies.
Surely, Lord Krishna will make arrangements for the preservation and rectification of Srila Prabhupada's Mission, and it is just a matter of time before this situation is set right. The poison issue, the initiation/guru issue, the changing the books issue, the guru's money issue and much more of the causes for disturbance in ISKCON will be resolved soon. We must not become depressed and cynical or resort to the same inappropriate behavior we have abhorred in others. We must have faith that Lord Chaitanya's predictions will come to pass and that Srila Prabhupada's incarnation was divinely arranged and that His hard work and austerity will not be futile.
Meanwhile, we all must become prepared to participate meaningfully in a new and cleansed ISKCON of the near future. We have learned so much since Srila Prabhupada's departure about the what-not-to-do's and the pitfalls to avoid in preserving and perpetuating His spiritual movement. Exactly how we can contribute to the preservation and rectification of ISKCON will be revealed by the prayer and sincere soul-searching of each individual. Let us prepare ourselves by becoming fixed in Krishna consciousness and soundly situated in simple living with sufficient arrangement for basic economics. Our extra time in life can then be used to cooperatively push on Srila Prabhupada's mission to save this planet and its six billion human inhabitants from the progressive hellish degradations of the Age of Kali.
ENDNOTE
The investigation into the poison issue began as a team effort of IVC members and supporters ever since its inception in late 1997. Rochan Prabhu maintained much relevant information on a web site (although it has become somewhat outdated) and acted as a clearinghouse and coordinator. Mahabuddhi and Isha Prabhus organized the first audio forensic analyses on the whispers. Dhaneshwar Prabhu worked on the aborted CD project and reverse speech research, the work for which was invaluable to this publication. Mrigendra and Gupta Prabhus gave practical and legal advice, both being long-practicing attorneys.
Many were interviewed or consulted by Dhaneshwar Prabhu or this reporter, such as Pradyumna, Arundhati, Bhagwat, Udayananda, Hansadutta, Niscinta, Rupanuga, Yasodanandana, Garuda, Badarayan, Paramrupa, Ekanath, Ranjit, Isha, Bir Krishna Maharaj, Adi Keshava, Pusta Krishna, the editor of Hinduism Today, various forensic experts and many, many more. A few others also gave support and assistance in various ways. The IVC has become functionally inoperative, and since early 1998 this reporter has worked quietly and basically alone on research and compilation of this book.
Since November, 1997, this reporter's conscience has pushed relentlessly for the completion of this publication. It is with singular and great determination that this author will continue this investigation in league with those sincere and concerned devotees that require the truth rather than standard political maneuverings and predictable denials, obscurements, and obfuscations. In the attempt to obtain balanced information, an interview was sought with Tamal Krishna Goswami, but it was declined by deferring to Balavanta's investigation.
Unfortunately, there has been no financial support to date, and any contributions received would be much appreciated and are tax deductible. The only reason we ask for a donation for this publication is to fund future investigative costs. We do not intend to profit from this book, and, any funds received will be used for continued investigative efforts.
This reporter hereby makes an official appeal for assistance on this poison investigation. Any donations, big or small, to our tax exempt corporation will be most appreciated and wisely spent on forensics, publications and the many other expenses of the investigation. Also, any leads or information regarding witnesses, Srila Prabhupada's health, or possible poisoning suspects, as well as anything one may think useful, would be much appreciated. Please send contributions (tax deductible receipts provided on request) or information to:
Restore the Mission, PO Box 208, Mayodan, NC 27027
(rivervillage@mindspring.com.)
Toll Free 1.800.252.0115
(phone use limited to substantial purposes only, please)
You may also find information on the poison issue at harekrishna.com.
You may also contact Balavanta Prabhu at:
William Ogle, PO Box 4118, Ormond Beach, Fl 32175
(whogle@worldnet.att.net)
To order a copy of Balavanta's Independent GBC Investigation report, which is expected to be completed by mid-1999, please inquire from your nearest GBC, ISKCON center, or Balavanta directly. It is assumed that the report will be available upon request. But do not be surprised if it is not.
We encourage you to share this documentary publication with others who are concerned for the future of Srila Prabhupada's mission, and we especially encourage you to make your opinions known to the GBC members; ISKCON sannyasis, life members, and supporters; Vaishnava news websites VNN and CHAKRA; government officials as may be appropriate; and your friends.
PRAYER AND LAMENTATION
Why was I not there to protect Srila Prabhupada? What can I do now, 22 years later, learning of the most horrible manner in which my beloved father and spiritual teacher was slowly, tortuously murdered by an excruciatingly painful poison? If only I had known then! But knowing it now, will I become passive and weak in my protest and in taking action for justice and truth? Srila Prabhupada! Please guide me in how to deal with this terrible revelation! Please enable me to maintain my sanity and proper Vaishnava behavior in spite of the anger that arises from discovery of this most vile crime! Please forgive me for waiting so long before standing up in protest to defend my savior and eternal benefactor! Could I have taken Your place, or maybe prevented Your departure, had I only known? Forgive me, Srila Prabhupada, for not being there to protect you. But I promise, I will not be silent any longer.
APOLOGY TO THE DEVOTEES
Forgive me if I have done any wrong or made any unfair offense. I apologize if this information or my proposals have offended or upset anyone. My true purpose is to stand up for what I believe to be right, and I am open to being corrected and chastised by anyone. I have tried not to be prejudicial in this presentation of evidence, and I ask for pardon if that has not been accomplished. It is a difficult and emotional issue. My hope is found in the common sayings: Nothing ventured, nothing gained; and failure is the pillar of success. We must all continue trying to set right what has happened to Lord Chaitanya's and Srila Prabhupada's Mission, and that can best be done by taking shelter of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada.
Your servant, and praying to be in Srila Prabhupada's service,
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