(SEPTEMBER 5,1998) . In order to assist some devotees who are finding it hard to understand how such an exceptional personality as Harikesa dasa could change so drastically, we shall here attempt to consider some possible contributing factors. It is only because of the widespread influence of this devotee, which makes such a study necessary. The qualities, however, which were bestowed upon Harikesa das due to his faith in the orders of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, should be appreciated. He became

so enthusiastic to preach the glories of the Lord that he organized translations, publishing and distribution of millions of transcendental literatures in forty languages. He masterminded the development of Krsna consciousness in Eastern Europe making it possible for thousands of persons to become devotees. He contributed the largest share of income into the Mayapura project. Actually the list of his transcendental achievements could continue for pages, but let us suffice in saying that Harikesa dasa demonstrated compassion, generosity, wisdom, kindness, austerity, courage and determination in profusion.

Certainly the valuable service he has performed for Lord Caitanya's movement thus far in this life is unachievable for an insignificant

creature as myself to equal in millions of lifetimes. I therefore pray at the outset for the ability to view my dear Godbrother Harikesa

dasa without committing any offenses to him or his disciples.

FREE WILL

First of all we must remember that the living entities are by nature endowed by Sri Krsna with irretraceable free will at all times. This free will works both ways, providing the option for elevation and degradation. When a living entity wishes to surrender to the Lord's will, God gives all facility to do so in the form of good intelligence, determination, humility, the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master, etc. And conversely, when the living entity wishes to occupy the Lord's position as enjoyer and proprietor, he loses his intelligence, determination, humility andthe shelter of the spiritual master, etc.

The God-given ability for living entities to take advantage of free will or to misuse it can result in a lowly debauch transforming into a saintly devotee (Mrigari the hunter) or in a saintly devotee like Bharata Maharaja transforming into a mriga (deer). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura supports the statement of Lord Caitanya's personal secretary, Svarupa

Damodara Goswami, that even the maha-bhagavata (most advanced devotee) may sometimes fall down from his elevated position (Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 2.96).

FRAILTIES

Harikesa dasa experienced symptoms of neuroses both in his life before coming to Krsna consciousness as well as occasionally within his devotional service. These states took the shape of manic, hyperactive work, followed by depression and paranoia. Severe psychological disorders that involve a marked split with reality, such as genuinely thinking oneself to be someone he is not, are symptoms of psychosis. Harikesa dasa is reported to have also experienced such symptoms since in 1982 he thought that he was Skandha, Lord Siva's son who is the commander in-

chief of the demigods. Whether in India or in the West, Harikesa dasa was persistently experiencing a physically sick body.

TAKING 3,000 DISCIPLES

According to Srila Jiva Gosvami, a preacher has to accept many disciples to expand the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This is risky because when a spiritual master accepts a disciple, he naturally accepts the disciple's sinful activities and their reactions. Unless he is very powerful, he cannot assimilate all the sinful reactions of his disciples. Thus if he is not powerful, he has to suffer the consequences, for one is forbidden to accept many disciples. (Caitanya-caritamrta: Madhya 22.118 Purport)

TANTRIC DEFENSE

In certain circumstances Harikesa dasa sought to counteract mental and supposed antagonistic disturbances by use of tantric medicines, which

allegedly contained the ashes from tantric sacrifices. Interacting with such tamasic (mode of ignorance) persons and substances is understandably bound to cause depreciation of one's spiritual characteristics.

SPIKED MEDICINE

The tantric medicine which Harikesa dasa called "Ayur Vedic medicine" was recently chemically analyzed to contain two strong psychotropic

drugs. Possibly the supplier of the medicine did not inform Harikesa dasa of this.

SUDDEN STOP OF MEDICATION

Having relied heavily upon the so-called medicine for ten years, Harikesa dasa suddenly stopped using it in January of 1998. If one having a previously existing mental weakness suddenly stops taking strong medication, it is not unusual for that person to behave like a completely different person, and this is what happened to Harikesa dasa.

WEAKNESS IN SANNYASA

Unbeknownst to all but a few sannyasa Godbrothers, Harikesa dasa experienced difficulty in maintaining the renounced order (sannyasa). In 1980 he expressed his desire to leave the renounced order and marry.

He was advised to regain his spiritual focus by spending time in Mayapur reading and chanting. Initially he agreed to the proposal and tried to

execute it but then after a couple of days he decided against this and returned to preach in his zone.

SEEDS OF SPLITTING FROM ISKCON

Back at the Mayapura GBC meeting in 1987, Harikesa dasa, being one of ISKCON's first initiating gurus, felt extreme anxiety from the suggestions

made by the fifty-man committee. He informed one of his close associates that if the GBC were to insist on a policy, which differed from his own ideas; he would split from ISKCON taking his disciples

with him. I was present at that time and shared tremendous alarm with the devotee who informed me. At any rate, the next day differences were resolved and talk of splitting ceased.

POOR MORNING ATTENDENCE

Soon after Srila Prabhupada's departure, Harikesa dasa made it a firm policy not to attend mangala aratrika at any center where he might stay. Disregarding Srila Prabhupada's strong instructions on the matter, Harikesa dasa chose to sleep daily until 5 or 5:30 AM. Considering other services to be more important, he relegated his participation in morning

temple programs such as mangala aratrika and Srimad Bhagavatam class to practically nil. He was personally absent from these for years although sometimes he did listen to classes in his room via short-wave radio.

STOCK MARKETING

In the late 1990's some of Harikesa dasa's disciples played the Russian Stock Market and won lots of money. They contributed large sums to Harikesa dasa who utilized these assets to fund ISKCON projects around the world. With high expectations of future stock market profits, Harikesa dasa committed himself to fund various educational, cultural

and social schemes although the money was not actualized yet.

TIlE CRASH

When the Russian Stock Market crashed in 1998, the funds Harikesa dasa hoped for did not come. He became completely depressed.

OVER-MANAGEMENT SYNDROME

Brilliant as he was, Harikesa dasa seemed to be able to cope with phenomenal quantities of managerial service. Given his physical, emotional, and asrama limitations, however, Harikesa dasa probably should have exercised extreme caution. At the Mayapura GBC meeting in February of 1998 (only a month after discontinuing his medication), he undertook

an unachievable managerial challenge, by offering to act as GBC chairman for three consecutive years. He fully threw himself into the service but it was more than he could accommodate.

WOMEN AND MUSIC

Ironically at the same 1998 Mayapura GBC meeting he was admonished by the GBC body for having received regular physical treatment from a young woman. Furthermore he was remonstrated for his recent "techno" music recordings, which were considered by the GBC to be inappropriate.

COLLAPSE-THERAPIST

In June of 1998, Harikesa Maharaja suffered a complete physical and mental breakdown, which confined him to a hospital for some time. A female new-age healer was hired and Harikesa dasa became attracted to her and wished to marry her.

FANTASIES,BLASHPHEMY,SAHAJIYA AND PRIDE

In this state, Harikesa dasa again declared himself to be Skandha, the warlord. But this time his illusions of grandeur were so great that he also imagined himself to be Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

and one of his female disciples to be a divine consort. He thus approached her improperly.

In pronounced paranoia and illusion he began severely criticizing his Godbrothers, ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada for being hardhearted. He condemned his spiritual master for restricting sex life

amongst devotees and finally he declared himself the only one capable of rectifying the mistakes done by Srila Prabhupada.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

1. We should never think we are too advanced to fall into maya.

2. Be careful about the objects which we contemplate. They may manifest before us to enjoy.

3. Put priorities straight, i.e. sadhana before work: rise early; attend mangala aratrika and Srimad Bhagavatam class daily. Don't overdo it on management.

4. Do not take sannyasa prematurely.

5. Sannyasis must not associate with women alone or be massaged by them.

6. Beware of tantric and new age cures.

7. Sannyasis must be careful about moneymaking schemes and associating closely with persons attached to wealth.

8. Stock-market speculation is akin to gambling. For sannyasi/brahmana leaders of ISKCON to be involved in stock market gambling has a particularly detrimental effect on the consciousness.

9. Do not think that we are the doers, no matter how expert we may be.

10. Be cautious about how many disciples we take.

11. Don't indulge in blatant slander of ISKCON or ever think of leaving ISKCON.

12. Be humble, don't think oneself more intelligent than Srila Prabhupada.

CONCLUSION AND HOPE

Anyone of the above debilitating factors could have been sufficient cause for a person to fall down. But when combined together, they represent a formidable military force of maya. Yet one might ask, "How could Krsna let such a nice devotee who has performed so much book distribution, etc. as has Harikesa dasa, fall into such difficulty?" Lord

Krsna has many lessons to teach us and perhaps by spotlighting Harikesa dasa' errors, it will help Harikesa dasa and other Vaisnavas to be more careful in executing devotional service. Despite his recent irrational words, ideas and actions, we pray for the

recovery of our dear Godbrother Harikesa dasa as soon as possible.

Hare Krsna.