Guest guest Posted December 9, 2001 Report Share Posted December 9, 2001 Maharajas and Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have been in touch with Mukunda Swami and Syamasundara prabhu regularly over the last week. It was their choice and advice that we should follow the wishes and mood of the Harrison family and deal with George's passing in a quiet fashion. Thus, the text of original press release was very reserved. While devotees were with George the days leading up to his passing, many reports that are coming in the media are exagerated and untrue. For example, to our knowledge there are no plans yet how George's family will deal with funeral arrangements or his ashes. I strongly urge the devotees to deal with this in a cautious way. We must not feed the media or "PR" frenzy or we may jepordize our relationship with George's family and his memory. George was a dear friend, but we must avoid claiming to be his exclusive devotion or faith. In the past, a few devotees tried to exploit George's fame for personal gain. It is essential our society is careful to avoid such improper behavior or risk a public backlash. Especially devotees that are making public statements to the press or to our congregations need to be careful what they say to stick to facts as they know it and nothing else. This is especially true in India and elsewhere where the media is attributing false, unsubstantiated information to ISKCON sources and relaying that worldwide. This must not prove an embarrassment to us. Below please find a press release from the UK office, my most recent release from the US, and the original release from Mukunda Swami and Shyamasundara. Your servant, Anuttama dasa **************** Media Release George Harrison's Death Mourned by Krishna Community For Immediate Release December 3, 2001 Contact: Anuttama Dasa Phone: 301 299-9707 Washington, D.C.---Hare Krishna communities around the world observed memorial services over the weekend for George Harrison, the former Beatle whose personal spiritual search and devotionally inspired rock music helped to introduce millions of young people to Indian spirituality. "George Harrison has probably done more that any single popular cultural figure during these past few decades to spread spiritual consciousness around the world," said Shyamasundar dasa, a Krishna devotee and personal friend who was with Harrison in Los Angeles during his last few days. A long time friend of the Hare Krishnas, George was inspired to do his part to spread spiritual consciousness. His 1970 song, "My Sweet Lord" introduced millions to the Hare Krishna mantra, which he gently interspersed between choruses of the Biblical praise, Hallelujah. "Hare Krishna has a mystical side to it," Harrison said in a 1982 interview published in the book, Chant and Be Happy. "It's more than glorifying God; it's asking to become His servant." George first met A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1969, in England. They developed a close and affectionate relationship and their association influenced George's music and spirituality. In a 1982 interview, Harrison said that his song, "The Lord Loves the One that Loves the Lord," from the Living in the Material World Album, was written about Srila Prabhupada. Harrison also made significant contributions to support Prabhupada's work. In 1969, he financed the first hard bound printing of the "Krishna Book," an English translation by Srila Prabhupada of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto, that describes Lord Krishna's lila, or pastimes on earth 5,000 years ago. In 1973, George Harrison donated Bhaktivedanta Manor, a 23-acre estate outside of London, to the Krishna society. The Manor has since become one of the most important Hindu shrines in Europe. "When George gave us the Manor, he gave us more than a few buildings," said Varshana devi dasi, ISKCON's UK spokesperson. "He provided a facility for many thousands of people to come for spiritual instruction and to worship God. Each year, over 15,000 British public school students visit the Manor to learn about Vaishnava Hinduism," she said. For many individual Krishna devotees, the music and lyrics of George Harrison opened the door to a spiritual experience, and the monotheistic philosophy of Vaishnava Hinduism. "I remember looking at the picture of Krishna and Arjuna on the cover of the "Living in the Material World" album, and wondering who are these divine beings?" said Bhaktimarga Swami, of ISKCON Toronto. "That led me to Krishna devotees, and for that I am eternally grateful to George." "He was an inspirational figure for many of our generation," said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON Communications Director. "Knowing that a member of the Beatles was saying publicly that fame and money do not bring happiness gave my search into eastern mysticism more validity," he said. Weekend services at ISKCON temples included readings about Harrison's meetings with Prabhupada and excerpts from his lyrics glorifying Lord Krishna. Many temples put aside their traditional bhajans for the day to listen to George's rock renditions of the Hare Krishna mantra and other devotional songs. "If you open up your heart You will know what I mean We've been polluted so long But here's a way for you to get clean By chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free The Lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see" --"Awaiting On You All" from the album All Things Must Pass *********** Release from UK devotees Media Release George Harrison's Death a Great Loss to the Krishna Community For Immediate Release November 30, 2001 Contact: Varshana Devi, ISKCON Communications +44-(0)778-845-3756 Hare Krishna devotees mourn the passing of George Harrison and extend their deep sympathy and affection to his family. George Harrison met Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in 1969, in England. George Harrison developed a close and affectionate relationship with Srila Prabhupada and their association certainly influenced his music and his spirituality. George Harrison donated Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hertfordshire, UK to the Hare Krishna devotees in 1973 and ISKCON feels greatly indebted to him for his generosity. The Manor has since served as one of the most important Hindu temples in Europe. George was an intensely private person in all aspects of his life, including his spirituality but he was loved and admired by many devotees of Krishna who respected his attitude of humility and service. There will be a memorial services for George Harrison to be held at Bhaktivedanta Manor and temples around the world during over the next week. ********* NEWS RELEASE Hare Krishna Statement in Memory of George Harrison November 30, 2001 Los Angeles-George Harrison has probably done more than any single popular cultural figure during these past few decades to spread spiritual consciousness around the world. He transferred his perceptions of a state of being beyond and higher than ordinary consciousness into the words and music that altered millions of lives. Along the way he became the friend and devoted servant of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna movement. George's relationship with the Hare Krishnas was deep and long abiding since he met them in the late sixties. During his last days, Krishna devotees were by his side and he left his body to the sounds of the Hare Krishna mantra. The devotees of Prabhupada are eternally grateful to George Harrison for his boundless services to all living beings. Written by Shyamasundar das and Mukunda Goswami, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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