Srila Prabhupada, you often criticize modern science. But don't scientists make many useful discoveries? Srila Prabhupada: Yes, there are some useful by-products of science, but the basic conclusion of modern science—that life comes from matter—is completely bogus. It is dogmatic foolishness being spread by demons more advanced in demonic intelligence. The real scientists, like Lord Brahma and his sons like Bhrigu, were devotees. They conducted scientific experiments not to disprove God but to understand His creation and marvel at its workings. Modern scientists have no spiritual understanding and try to eliminate the concept of God. That is their failure. Real science begins with understanding that

1. Vol 10, No. 5 May 2009
Rs.15

2. Kumbhabhishekam
The moola vigrahas of Sri Radha Krishna Chandra, Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai Gauranga were
offered an elaborate abhisheka which is the first They have received since Their installation in 1997.
This is the once-in-twelve-year Kumbhabhishekam and They will continue to receive this every twelve
years. Enthusiastic devotees gathered in the temple hall to commemorate this event. Here, Sri Radha
Krishna Chandra are showered with flowers as part of the abhisheka (top), Sri Krishna Balarama are
bathed in exotic fruit juice (below left) and Sri Gaura Nitai are bathed in milk (below right).

3. Vol 10, No.5 May 2009
CONTENTS
Leadership and the Earth's Supply 4
Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out 8
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, founder- acharya
of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness, came to
America in 1965, at age 69, to fulfill
his spiritual master’s request that he
teach the science of Krishna
consciousness throughout the English- Published and owned by Sankirtana Seva
speaking world. In a dozen years he Trust, editing by Chamari Devi Dasi. Layout,
published some seventy volumes of design and graphics by ISKCON Design Group,
translation and commentary on India’s Bangalore. For all information contact:
Vedic literature, and these are now Editor, Krishna Voice, SST, Hare Krishna Hill,
standard in universities worldwide. Chord Road, Bangalore - 560 010 INDIA,
Meanwhile, travelling almost nonstop, Phone: 91-80-2347 1956, 91-80-2357 8346,
Srila Prabhupada moulded his FAX: 91-80-2357 8625. © 2009 Sankirtana
international society into a world wide Seva Trust, Bangalore. All Krishna art and
confederation of ashramas, schools, the works of Srila Prabhupada are © BBT
temples and farm communities. He International. All rights reserved throughout
passed away in 1977, in Vrindavana, the world. Reproduction in any manner is
strictly prohibited. Printed for ISKCON,
the place most sacred to Lord Krishna.
Bangalore, at Manipal Printers (P) Ltd.,
His disciples and followers are carrying
Manipal
forward the movement he started.
Cover pages-4 Text pages-36
Krishna Voice, May 2009 3

5. Leadership and the Earth's Supply
How much the earth gives forth her bounty depends on the spiritual quality of those who rule her lands.
A lecture given in Tehran, Iran, on March 13, 1975
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
nisamya bhismoktam athacyutoktam
pravrtta-vijnana-vidhuta-vibhramah
sasasa gam indra ivajitasrayah
paridhyupantam anujanuvartitah
kamam vavarsa parjanyah
sarva-kama-dugha mahi
sisicuh sma vrajan gavah
payasodhasvatir muda
Maharaja Yudhisthira, after being enlightened by what was spoken by Bhismadeva and Lord Sri Krishna, the
infallible, engaged himself in matters of perfect knowledge because all his misgivings were eradicated. Thus he
ruled over the earth and seas and was followed by his younger brothers.
During the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira, the clouds showered all the water that people needed, and the earth
produced all the necessities of man in profusion. Due to its fatty milk bag and cheerful attitude, the cow used to
moisten the grazing ground with milk.—Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.3-4
After the Battle of Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira Maharaja was unwilling to accept the kingdom. He thought, "For me
so many men have been killed on the battlefield. I am so sinful. I am not fit for the throne." But great personalities
like Bhismadeva, Lord Krishna, and Vyasadeva requested, "No, there is no fault with you. It was a fight. It was
right. So you can reign."
Yudhisthira thought, "These great personalities have given their opinion that there was no wrong on my part." So
he agreed to rule.
It is said here, sasasa gam indra ivajitasrayah: "He ruled the earth as perfectly as King Indra rules heaven." How
was Yudhisthira able to do that? Ajitasrayah—he ruled completely as a devotee. The king can rule the country—
the world—if he takes shelter of Krishna. Ajitasrayah means "Krishna conscious, God conscious." A Krishna
conscious person, one advised by the shastra, scripture, can rule the whole world or any part of the world exactly
like Indra, the king of heaven, who rules perfectly.
[Reads from his purport to text 3:] "The modern English law of primogeniture, or the law of inheritance by the
firstborn, was also prevalent in those days when Maharaja Yudhisthira ruled the earth and the seas. In those days
the king of Hastinapura (now part of New Delhi) was the emperor of the world, including the seas, up to the time
of Maharaja Parikshit, the grandson of Maharaja Yudhisthira. Maharaja Yudhisthira's younger brothers were acting
as his minister and commanders of state, and there was full cooperation between the perfectly religious brothers
of the king.
"Maharaja Yudhisthira was the ideal king or representative of Lord Sri Krishna to rule over the kingdom of earth
and was comparable to King Indra, the representative ruler of the heavenly planet. The demigods like Indra,
Chandra, Surya, Varuna, and Vayu are representative kings of different planets of the universe. And similarly
Maharaja Yudhisthira was also one of them, ruling over the kingdom of the earth.
"Maharaja Yudhisthira was not a typically unenlightened political leader of modern democracy. Maharaja Yudhisthira
was instructed by Bhismadeva and the infallible Lord also, and therefore he had full knowledge of everything in
perfection.
"The modern elected executive head of the state is just like a puppet because he has no kingly power. Even if
he is enlightened like Maharaja Yudhisthira, he cannot do anything out of his own good will due to his constitutional
position. Therefore, there are so many states over the earth quarreling because of ideological differences or other
selfish motives. But a king like Maharaja Yudhisthira had no ideology of his own. He had but to follow the instruction
of the infallible Lord and the Lord's representative and the authorized agent, Bhismadeva.
"It is instructed in the shastras that one should follow the great authority and the infallible Lord without any personal
Krishna Voice, May 2009 5

6. motive and manufactured ideology. Therefore, it was possible for Maharaja Yudhisthira to rule the whole world,
including the seas, because the principles were infallible and universally applicable to everyone.
"The conception of one world state can only be fulfilled if we can follow the infallible authority. An imperfect human
being cannot create an ideology acceptable to everyone. Only the perfect and the infallible can create a program
which is applicable at every place and can be followed by all in the world. It is the person who rules, and not the
impersonal government. If the person is perfect, the government is perfect. If the person is a fool, the government
is a fool's paradise. That is the law of nature.
"There are so many stories of imperfect kings or executive heads. Therefore, the executive head must be a trained
person like Maharaja Yudhisthira, and he must have the full autocratic power to rule over the world. The conception
of a world state can take shape only under the regime of a perfect king like Maharaja Yudhisthira. The world was
happy in those days because there were kings like Maharaja Yudhisthira to rule over the world."
Everything from the Earth
Let the king follow Maharaja Yudhisthira and show an example of how monarchy can make a perfect state. He
can do that if he follows the instructions in the shastras. He will get the power.
Because Yudhisthira Maharaja was a perfect king, a representative of Krishna, it is said of his rule, kamam vavarsa
parjanyah: "During the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira, the clouds showered all the water people needed."
Parjanyah means "rainfall." Rainfall is the basic principle of supply for all necessities of life. Therefore Krishna says
in the Bhagavad-gita:
annad bhavanti bhutani
parjanyad anna-sambhavah
yajnad bhavati parjanyo
yajnah karma-samudbhavah
"All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of
yajna [sacrifice], and yajna is born of prescribed duties."
The head of state is responsible to see that everyone is happy—both man and animal. The rascal state executives
sometimes make a show of benefiting man, but they do nothing to benefit the animals. Why this injustice? The
animals are also born in this land. They are also living entities. They may be animals, with less intelligence than
man, but does that mean slaughterhouses should be constructed for killing them? Is that justice?
Also, the king should give shelter to anyone who comes to his state. Why should he make distinctions? If a person
comes and says, "Sir, I want to live in your state," that person must be given all facilities. Why this, "No, no, you
cannot come. You are American. You are Indian. You are ... "?
If a king follows the Vedic principles, he will be an ideal king. He will be a good leader. And nature will help him.
Therefore it is said that during the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira, sarva-kama-dugha mahi: "The earth produced
all the necessities of man in profusion." Mahi means "the earth." You get all your necessities from the earth. They
fall from the sky in the form of rain. People do not know the science of how things come from the earth. Under
certain conditions and astral influences the rain falls, and then so many things are produced—the valuable stones,
the pearls. People do not know how these things come.
If the king is pious, nature cooperates to help him. And if the king or the government is impious, then nature will
not cooperate. We get information about this from the Fourth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. When the earth
was not supplying, the king, Prthu Maharaja, was about to punish her. She said, "This is my duty. Because people
are demons, I must restrict the supply."
Leaders think that simply by passing a resolution in the Parliament they will make everything come. They think
they can be rascals and everyone will be happy. But the leaders will not make the world happy, and their behavior
will simply deteriorate more and more.
The Only Sacrifice
Krishna never says, "The factory will make the people healthy and strong." But government rascals are promoting
factories. Then how will the people be happy? By performing ugra-karma—"horrible work"—the people will be
unhappy, dissatisfied rogues. Where has Krishna said, "Open factories for economic development"? Nowhere.
Here it is said that all economic development will be complete simply by regular rainfall. Kamam vavarsa parjanyah.
Kamam means "all necessities of life." Modern scientists, philosophers, and politicians do not know this. We are
6 Krishna Voice, May 2009

7. getting so many things. How are they supplied? It is clearly said, kamam vavarsa parjanyah: "The necessities are
supplied by rain." And how will the rain be regular? Yajnad bhavati parjanyah: "By yajna, sacrifice."
Where are sacrifices to be found? In Kali-yuga, the present age of quarrel and hypocrisy, sacrifices are very difficult
to perform. There is no money. There are no qualified brahmanas. Therefore the shastra says, yajnaih sankirtana-
prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah: "In Kali-yuga intelligent persons will perform the sacrifice of chanting the holy names
of the Lord." Those who have brain substance, not cow dung, in their heads will take this process.
Let everyone chant Hare Krishna, in every home. Whatever people have, all right. Just begin chanting. Just see
what happens. We are trying to introduce the chanting, but rascals will not take it. There is no loss if people chant
Hare Krishna worldwide. Where is the loss? But still, they will not.
Everything can be had from the chanting. Sarva-kama-dugha mahi. The earth is the mother, and Krishna has
arranged that everything will come from the earth. Everything is coming. The rose is coming, the mine is coming,
the gold is coming, the coal is coming, the petrol is coming. Everything is there in the earth. And if there is regular
rainfall, you get everything you need. And by performing sacrifice, you get regular rainfall. In this age all other
types of sacrifice are impossible:
harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
"In the Age of Kali one can attain the goal of life by chanting the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way."
So introduce the chanting of Hare Krishna. What is the loss for people? Let the chanting go on home to home,
office to office, factory to factory. Let there be factories, but let all the factory members be engaged in chanting,
and supply them prasadam, food offered to Krishna. There will be no more strikes. There will be no more communist
movements. Everything is available. Everything will be all right.
The Krishna consciousness movement is not sentimental fanaticism. It is not a religious movement. It is a scientific
movement for the good of the whole world. We have to convince people of this by our character, by our behavior.
Then people will accept the Krishna consciousness movement.
Now they think it is a type of religious movement. And for them "religious" means fanaticism. Krishna consciousness
is not like that. It is not meant for fighting other religions. The British created fighting between Hindus and Muslims.
Before that, there was no religious fight in the history of India. The Kurukshetra fight was political. That was not
a religious fight on the basis of "You are Hindu. I am Muslim. Therefore we must fight." There was no such fighting
in Indian history.
On the material platform your interest and mine sometimes clash, and there may be fighting. But why fight in God
consciousness? If everyone is God conscious, where is the question of fighting?
Thank you very much.
Krishna Voice, May 2009 7

8. SRILA PRABHUPADA SPEAKS OUT
"Science": Dogmatic Foolishness from Advanced Demons
This exchange between His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and some of his
disciples took place in Mayapur, India, on January 16, 1976.
Srila Prabhupada: If a man does not read the Srimad-
Bhagavatam, then he remains a rascal.
Disciple: So, Srila Prabhupada, in the ultimate sense,
anything apart from the Vedas is not really knowledge.
Srila Prabhupada: No. It may be some fragmental
knowledge, but if one wants full knowledge
in life, then he must read Bhagavatam—the
pastimes, the dealings, of the Lord and His
devotees. Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary
knowledge—ABCD—so that you can distinguish
between matter and spirit. And then you should
read Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Formerly all the great leaders of society knew all
these things. Everyone was taught like that. But
now, andha yathandhaih: some big bombastic blind
man is leading all the small blind men directly
into the ditch. Someone is passing as a great
leader—great for giving people wrong
direction, so that they can spoil their lives.
The great leader cannot even save himself.
He can spoil himself—and others—very nicely.
Disciple: These blind leaders have
created such chaos, Srila Prabhupada.
People's minds have become terribly
disturbed.
Srila Prabhupada: But from
Bhagavatam we can offer the
science of transcendental peace
8

9. and tranquility. First we can show everyone, scientifically, has no soul, how is his body growing and developing?
how they have left the spiritual world and how they have Such rascals—they are passing as big scientists. What
become covered by matter. reasoning do they give for claiming that the baby in the
The materially affected mind is the first creation for womb has no soul?
material enjoyment. From the mind the material senses Disciple: They don't really have an argument.
are created: five senses for knowledge-gathering and
five senses for working, along with five airs within the Srila Prabhupada: Just see. All dogmatic. All dogmatic
body. And then panca-maha-bhuta, the five basic material foolishness that they are propagating. And this is going
elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Then materially on in the name of vijnana, science. Real vijnana should
affected intelligence, and finally ahankara, or false ego, be enunciated.
the power to misidentify one's actual, spiritual self with Vijnana: vi- and jnana. Actually, vijnana has two
all these material coverings. meanings. One is visishta-jnana, or genuine knowledge,
So in this way the atmas or jivas, spirit souls who once fully realized and articulated, or enunciated. You can
resided in the spiritual world in full knowledge, are now take this meaning. And the other meaning of vijnana is
living in ignorance. Some of them are standing, as trees vigata-jnana, or pseudo knowledge, knowledge lost or
and plants. And some of them are moving, as insects, stolen by illusion.
animals, and humans. But in your so-called civilization So these "scientists"—their "vijnana," or "science," is
do you have scientific knowledge of how the soul has vigata-jnana, knowledge stolen by illusion, so-called
become bewildered by this material covering, which knowledge bereft of all real knowledge. That sense is
actually he has nothing to do with? Then what is the given in Bhagavad-gita: mayayapahrta-jnanah—maya,
value of your knowledge? Hmm? If you do not know or illusion, has utterly taken away these people's
these fundamental things, then what is the value of your knowledge, and yet their so-called knowledge is going
knowledge? You are simply observing superficially, on as vijnana, science. Maya has made these people
externally. rascals, but they are presenting themselves as men of
But there is good hope. People are receiving these advanced knowledge. That is the defect of Kali-yuga,
books. So we should take the opportunity of preaching this age of hypocrisy.
this Bhagavatam, and classes should be held regularly. Disciple: Advanced demoniac knowledge.
Let people study Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, and
they will accept it. They are not fools. Simply we have Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Advanced demons. Actually,
to introduce this great science. The Western people are they are advanced demons. Asuras. Asuram-bhavam
not fools, but misguided. So you take charge of guiding asritah—they are infected with the contamination of
them; then this Krishna consciousness movement will atheism, godlessness.
be successful. People will appreciate, they will take it Disciple: Of course, Srila Prabhupada, one thing you
up and reform, and their life will be successful. can say for these so-called scientists: They know the
But if they utilize their intelligence merely for developing science of avoiding the real issues. In that sense, they
better ways to kill the child within the womb and for really are expert.
claiming, "The child in the womb has no soul—the soul Srila Prabhupada: A child can also avoid the real issues.
comes after birth," then what is this nonsense? Unless That is not expert. A child without guidance can also
the child in the womb has a soul, how can he manifest advance very nicely in foolishness. And when the foolish
life symptoms? child touches the fire and burns his hand, some other
Disciple: Well, Srila Prabhupada, it's quite obvious that fool may say, "Oh, this is advancement of knowledge."
since the child in the womb is growing and reacting to Similarly, in this material world all these rascals are
stimuli, then he must have a soul. endeavoring for the advancement of their foolish
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. The same growing process knowledge. They are following in the footsteps of that
that we observe later in life, outside the womb, is going ancient demon Hiranyakashipu. He also tried to ignore
on from the very beginning, within the womb. The the soul and the Supreme Soul and tried to immortalize
material body is developing. That's all. Everyone knows his material body, which is impossible. But just like
that the baby outside the womb has a soul, so how can Hiranyakashipu, today's rascals have become very
you say that the baby in the womb has no soul? If he advanced in that foolishness.
Fasting Festivals
May 20 Ekadashi Jun 5 Panihati Chida Dahi Utsava
May 21 break fast
Jun 3 Ekadashi
Jun 4 break fast
10 Krishna Voice, May 2009

10. The deity or archa vigraha is the form that the Supreme Lord resides in, to accept the offerings
of His devotees and to give them an opportunity to personally relate with Him in this material
world. Although the Supreme Lord is transcendental to matter and His form is spiritual, He
permeates all matter, including stone, wood and metal. Worshipping His deity form is non different
from worshipping the Lord directly. Vedic scriptures mention a variety of materials that may be
used to create the deity.
Every year, the Brahmotsava festival is held on Hare Krishna Hill to commemorate the appearance
of the Deities here – Sri Radha Krishna Chandra, Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Nitai Gauranga,
Sri Srinivasa Govinda and Sri Prahlada Narasimha. This year was the twelfth anniversary of
Their Lordships’ appearance and special Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies preceded the Brahmotsava
celebrations. At a unique event that takes place only once in twelve years, the moola vigraha
of the temple were offered an elaborate kumbhabhisheka on April 3, 2009. The temple was filled
with throngs of eager devotees witnessing this grand ceremony.
From April 8 to 19, the colourful Brahmotsava celebrations with vahana utsavas, dolotsava,
kalyanutsavas and churna abhisheka were celebrated. Every evening the devotees participated
in the vahana utsavas and with the Lord they witnessed dance and music performances that
were held for the pleasure of Their Lordships. Fireworks lit up the sky during the vahana utsavas.
The festival culminated with the churna abhisheka ceremony when all the utsava vigraha of the
temple received a ceremonial bath together in the main temple hall, an event that takes place
only once every year. After ten hectic days of exciting festivities followed by a relaxing churna
abhisheka, Their Lordships Sri Radha Krishna Chandra were taken on a tranquil ride on a flower
decorated barge in the temple kalyani, during the Theppotsava.
12 Krishna Voice, May 2009

11. Ananta Sesha Vahana
Ananta Shayana Alankara
Krishna Voice, May 2009 13

12. Ashva Vahana
Kalki Alankara
14 Krishna Voice, May 2009

13. Surya Prabha Vahana
Navneet Nartana Krishna Alankara
Krishna Voice, May 2009 15

14. Hanumad Vahana
Seeta Rama Pattabhisheka Alankara
16 Krishna Voice, May 2009

15. Garuda Vahana
Ashtabhuja Narayana Alankara
Krishna Voice, May 2009 17

16. Hamsa Vahana
Mohini Alankara
18 Krishna Voice, May 2009

17. Kalpa Vriksha Vahana
Venu Gopala Alankara
Krishna Voice, May 2009 19

19. Gaja Vahana
Raja Rani Alankara
22 Krishna Voice, May 2009

20. Maha Pallaki
Radha Raja Gopala Alankara
Kalyanotsava
Krishna Voice, May 2009 23

21. Brahma Ratha
Vrindavan Krishna Vishesha Alankara
24 Krishna Voice, May 2009

22. Churnabhisheka
to Sri Radha
Krishna-chandra
and Sri Krishna,
Rukmini &
Satyabhama...
... Sri Krishna
Balarama...
... and Sri Nitai
Gauranga,
Sri Prahlada
Narasimha and
Sri Sudarshana
Narasimha.
Krishna Voice, May 2009 25

23. Theppotsava
26 Krishna Voice, May 2009

28. Sri Krishna Balarama now in Bellary
The Akshaya Patra kitchen facility in Bellary now includes a small temple where the Deities of Sri Krishna and His elder
brother Balarama are housed. The prana prathishtapana of these Deities took place on March 18, 2009. A grand abhisheka
followed (above) and later the devotees had darshana of Them in Their gorgeous dresses (below).
32 Krishna Voice, May 2009

29. News from Hubli-Dharwad
Sri Gaura Nitai receive abhisheka on
the occasion of the appearance of Lord
Gauranga, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Alankara of Sri Krishna and Balarama
as Lord Rama and Lakshmana, along
with Sita Devi and Hanuman on
Sri Rama Navami.
Shreya Utsava—A festival for
the youth to create awareness
of spiritual values.
Sri Krishna Contests—School
children participated in
contests with themes
connected to Lord Krishna.
Krishna Voice, May 2009 35

30. ISKCON Hubli Restaurant Inauguration
Chief Guest, cine actor
Sri Ramesh Aravind, cuts
the cake at the opening
of The Higher Taste
garden restaurant at
ISKCON Hubli.
News from Mysore
Sri Gaura Purnima
(below) The Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai
were offered elaborated abhishekam on
Gaura Purnima day. At right, They enjoy a
boar ride during the Theppotsava.
Sri Rama Navami
(right) On Sri Ramanavami day, the Deities
of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama were adorned
as Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana. In the
evening, Rama Taraka yajna was
performed for the pleasure of Lord
Ramachandra. Sri C H Vijayshankar, BJP
leader, former MP, came to witness the
arati and participated in sankirtana. Nearly
4000 visitors participated in the festival
and received prasadam.
36 Krishna Voice, May 2009

31. Bangalore City Civil Court
declares ISKCON Bangalore
the absolute owner of the temple
on Hare Krishna Hill, Bangalore
In a nine year old litigation between ISKCON-Bangalore and ISKCON-Mumbai over the ownership of the Sri
Radha Krishna Temple on Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar, the Bangalore City Civil Court passed a judgement
on April 17th, 2009, declaring ISKCON-Bangalore as the absolute owner of the Sri Radha Krishna Temple and
that ISKCON-Mumbai has no right to interfere in the affairs of ISKCON-Bangalore. ISKCON-Bangalore is an
independent society registered in Karnataka in 1978 under Karnataka Society Registration Act and ISKCON-
Mumbai is a separate society registered in Mumbai.
The genesis of the dispute was the difference that arose between the devotees of ISKCON-Bangalore and
ISKCON-Mumbai on the issue of spiritual succession in ISKCON after Srila Prabhupada’s time. Srila Prabhupada,
the founder acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), before the time of his
passing away had noted that none of his disciples (who were mostly young westerners) were qualified to
occupy the spiritual post of Acharya. And hence he had not appointed any of them to the post of Acharya but
had given a written directive that he shall remain the Acharya of the ISKCON organization in future also.
But soon after Srila Prabhupada’s passing away, his leading western disciples conspired to declare themselves
as Acharyas and occupied the spiritually and managerially powerful position of authority that enabled them
to lord over the lives of devotees, ISKCON properties and large sums of money. This has led to thousands
of cases of abuse of power, sexual, mental and physical mistreatment of devotees and children, disrepute to
the ISKCON organization (especially in the US media), and even murder of devotees.
In 1999, the devotees of ISKCON-Bangalore became aware for the first time of Srila Prabhupada’s written
directions on spiritual succession. The devotees under the leadership of Madhu Pandit Dasa, President,
ISKCON-Bangalore, opposed the prevalent flawed practice in ISKCON and declared to the world that they
will only follow the written directive of Srila Prabhupada on spiritual succession and not the present corrupt
system of self-appointed gurus.
These self-appointed western gurus were angry that ISKCON-Bangalore temple, which is considered the most
successful, popular and rich temple in the ISKCON world, was slipping away from their control. They directed
ISKCON-Mumbai which is also largely controlled by the self-appointed gurus, to take control of the ISKCON-
Bangalore temple and it’s administration. They even made an attempt to oust the office bearers of ISKCON-
Bangalore and take over the ISKCON-Bangalore temple.
In the year 2001, ISKCON-Bangalore represented by the Secretary, Stoka Krishna Dasa, filed a case in
Bangalore City Civil Court against ISKCON-Mumbai praying that ISKCON-Mumbai should be restrained from
interfering with the affairs of ISKCON-Bangalore. This case was heard by the Judge Sri B. Balakrishna in
Court Hall no.5 and after several months of day-to-day hearing, as directed by the Supreme Court of India,
the judgment was pronounced on April 17th, 2009.
“This is a great victory for Srila Prabhupada. His movement has been hijacked by self appointed gurus, much
against his instructions,” said Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON-Bangalore. “In Bangalore, we revere
only Srila Prabhupada as the Acharya of ISKCON, and not the self-appointed gurus. And it has always been
our prayer to Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada that if They so desire, let the position of Srila Prabhupada
as the sole Acharya of ISKCON in Bangalore temple and our affiliated temples be not disturbed. Srila
Prabhupada has answered our prayers and the court has declared that ISKCON-Bangalore is a separate
independent entity and that ISKCON-Mumbai cannot interfere with the affairs of ISKCON-Bangalore. We thank
all those who have been supportive of our cause.”
It is also significant that the court had posted for judgment on April 17th, 2009, after four postponements. And
April 17th was exactly the 12th anniversary of the installation of the Deities on Hare Krishna Hill. The devotees
celebrated the Brahmotsava festival that evening, carrying Their Lordships Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra on
the Brahma Ratha with great jubilation.
Krishna Voice, May 2009 37

32. Kumbhabhishekam
Srimati Radharani is offered a sahasra dhara snana during the Kumbhabhishekam
Krishna Voice, May 2009 39

33. Krishna Voice Monthly Magazine, May 2009 Vol10, No.5 Price Rs 15/-
Posted on 5th or 10th of the Month at MBC, Manipal, License to post without prepayment No. WPP(CO-8), Reg No. KA/BGGPO
2521/ 2009-11, Registered with Registrar of Newspapers for India under No. RNI 71022/99, Posted at MBC, Manipal, 576104.
Kumbhabhishekam
40