Q/A about Harikesa prabhu's situation

[Guest guest]

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QUESTIONS ABOUT HARIKESA PRABHU'S SITUATION.

Answers provided by the GBC Executive Committee.

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I asked a number of GBC members, some disciples of Harikesa prabhu and some

other devotees to put down some questions they would like to ask about

Harikesa's present situation. I felt that this was important, as there is a

lot of confusion and speculation about what is happening. I felt that as the

EC members are in Germany with him right now, they would be well placed to

help us understand. I hope that you will find this helpful.

 

Saunaka Rsi dasa

ISKCON Communications Europe

 

 

QUESTION 1: Is Harikesa Prabhu's condition due simply to the 'vibhuti' or

are there deeper problems?

 

ANSWER: We have a medical judgement from Dr. Peter Dogs, a prominent German

psychiatrist with excellent credentials, who was engaged to form a clinical

picture of Harikesa. On August 6th and 7th, the doctor conducted in-depth

interviews with devotees who had prolonged and close association with

Harikesa; he studied videotapes of Harikesa; and so on. Since Dr. Dogs could

not examine Harikesa directly, his evaulation is not a proper diagnosis; it

is the best judgement he could render under the circumstances.

 

According to Dr. Dogs, the overall picture suggests what is known as a

"cyclothymic personality." This personality structure is very common among

successful people. What are known as "hypomanic" periods interchange with

periods of "sub-depression." During the hypomanic periods, there is a

reduced need to sleep, a generally accentuated positive mood, more energy

than normal, an increased level of self-confidence, increased productivity

often accompanied by voluntary, self-imposed and unusually long work hours.

Further, sharpened, highly creative thinking with an optimistic attitude and

a seemingly unlimited ability to achieve results is present.

 

During the depressive periods there is a rather dejected mood, a loss of

interest and a loss of enjoyment in all, or almost all, usual activities.

Along with this there is an increased tendency to sleep, accompanied by a

lack of energy or chronic exhaustion, a greatly reduced over-all ability to

achieve results, and a social withdrawal from friends, acquaintances and

closer work colleagues. There is also a feeling of slowing down, and a

pessimistic attitude towards the future, or brooding over past events.

 

Dr. Dogs says that Harikesa life over the decades seems to fit this picture.

It seems that during the hypomanic periods, he was a big achiever possessing

extraordinary creativity. The breakdowns that always followed were

understood to be necessary recuperation and convalescence of his body and

mind, because such a high productivity cannot be maintained over a long

period of time.

 

If this alternation reaches a certain extreme, the behaviour may then be

classified as a "cyclothymic bi-polar disorder."

 

It was apparently an extreme collapse that produced a crisis for Harikesa in

1988. That prompted Chitesvara to administer the drugs (Trifluoperazine and

Trihexyphenidyl) found in the vibhuti. According to Dr. Dogs, while these

drugs would not have been the right ones for Harikesa's condition,

nevertheless "they were better than nothing at all," and they enabled

Harikesa to function for ten years. This is not, of course, to sanction

Chitesvara's unethical practices. The abrupt withdrawal from the

pharmaceuticals in the 'vibhuti', according to Dr. Dogs, may have

precipitated an more intense condition, which Dr. Dogs says from the

descriptions seems to be a "schizo-affective disorder," in which both

schizophrenic as well as manic symptoms are exhibited within the same case

of illness.

 

Another opinion holds that Harikesa's extreme behaviour is the manifestation

of some sort of advanced spiritual ecstasies. This is the position in fact

advocated by Harikesa and accepted by some of his disciples. However, we

reject this position, for Harikesa's condition fails to meet the criteria

for an advanced spiritual state given by Srila Prabhupada.

 

Another way to view his condition, without buying completely into the

prevailing psychotherapeutic paradigm, is to see it as an intense emotional

upheaval resulting from a severe inner spiritual struggle, a kind of

personal "day of judgement." In that case, the struggle is still in

progress, and we shall have to see what the final outcome is. This view,

however, needs to take into account the fact that his current condition may

still have been affected by his abrupt withdrawal from Trifluoperazine and

Trihexyphenidyl.

 

QUESTION 2: Did Harikesa prabhu know there were drugs in the vibhuti? How do

you know the answer to this question?

 

ANSWER: Apparently not. We know that Harikesa has a strong aversion to

Western pharmaceuticals. None of his servants and close associates had any

idea that the 'vibhuti' was actually not ash from a fire sacrifice. While

Chitesvara may have told Harikesa that the 'vibhuti' was a specific for

mental disturbance, he did not tell him it was made of Western

pharmaceuticals, and Chitesvara still denies that there were such drugs in

the 'vibhuti'.

 

QUESTION 3: How long has he had the disorder described in the diagnosis?

 

ANSWER: The current state began in February 1998 when, after a falling-out

with Chitesvara, he suddenly stopped taking the 'vibhuti'. According to

psychiatric medicine, a cyclothymic bipolar disorder is a chronic condition,

with an onset in late adolescence or early adulthood. According to what

Harikesa told Bhaktavatsala dasa, during college he had experienced a period

of hyperactivity followed by a breakdown, which received some kind of

psychotherapeutic attention. His sister confirms the breakdown.

 

QUESTION 4: Is Harikesa Prabhu co-operating with the devotees in the matter

of getting medical treatment?

 

ANSWER: Harikesa currently does not acknowledge that he requires medical

treatment. Devotees have tried to persuade him that this is necessary for

his well being. As he does not pose a life-threatening danger to himself or

to others, no legal measures can be taken to force treatment upon him. He

must recognise his own need for treatment.

 

QUESTION 5: Does the EC think that Harikesa prabhu, in his present

condition, can continue in his services (GBC, sannyasi, guru)?

 

ANSWER: No. As far as sannyasi goes, he himself declares that he is no

longer a sannyasi, and that he has often stated his hopes to be married to

Monika, his "healer." He has not performed any GBC functions since his

collapse in June, and the EC has officially suspended him from all GBC

duties. Similarly, he cannot presently function as guru, since statements he

made to the executive committee and other devotees show that he cannot

reliably represent Srila Prabhupada and his teachings.

 

QUESTION 6: Is Harikesa prabhu to be considered fallen?

 

ANSWER: At this point he should be simply consider disturbed or sick.

 

QUESTION 7: Has Harikesa prabhu been talking of Lila?

 

ANSWER: Yes.

 

QUESTION 8: Did Harikesa prabhu make advances on a female disciple?

 

ANSWER: Yes.

 

QUESTION 9: Does the EC think he can be cured?

 

ANSWER: The doctor has indicated that with the right treatment there is a

reasonable chance.

 

QUESTION 10: Has Harikesa prabhu discussed leaving ISKCON?

 

ANSWER: He says that he loves ISKCON and if ISKCON will accept his

leadership and the changes he advocates, he can stay. If not, he is ready to

start a community of his own.

 

QUESTION 11: What is Harikesa prabhu's relationship with his disciples, now

and in the future?

 

ANSWER: Since at present Harikesa does not represent his spiritual master,

and, in his current disturbed state, even goes so far as to criticise Srila

Prabhupada, Harikesa cannot act as a spiritual master. Therefore, the

executive committee is putting him on probation as a spiritual master.

According to ISKCON law, his disciples are directed not to maintain an

"absolute siksa relationship with him." Probation indicates that there is

hope for a return to normalcy.

 

The executive committee's decisions are binding up to the annual meeting in

Mayapura, where the entire GBC body will review them.

 

QUESTION 12: Are Harikesa prabhu's disciples free to go with him if he

leaves ISKCON?

 

ANSWER: We cannot stop them by force. However, anyone who follows Harikesa

in his current condition will be severing his or her relationship with Srila

Prabhupada's movement, ISKCON and putting the relationship with Prabhupada

in extreme jeopardy.

 

QUESTION 13: When will the EC clarify his position in ISKCON?

 

ANSWER: It is being clarified right now. There will some formal declarations

and a full report issued by Thursday, August 13th.

 

QUESTION 14: Why did Krishna not protect Harikesa prabhu from this

situation?

 

ANSWER: In our judgement, from a spiritual point of view, Harikesa is being

tested. We are praying to Radha and Krishna that he passes this test and

emerges as a better servant.

 

QUESTION 15: Many devotees regarded Harikesa prabhu as a pure devotee and

considered him to be situated on the transcendental platform. How can this

happen to a pure devotee?

 

ANSWER: As long as one is strictly following, one can be considered on the

pure platform. Yet there can still be tests to pass and obstacles to

overcome in order to make further advancement. While he was properly

situated, Harikesa rendered great service to Srila Prabhupada and delivered

genuine spiritual knowledge to many people. That accomplishment remains a

solid fact, whatever else may happen.

 

QUESTION 16: Will Harikesa prabhu ever be able to function as a spiritual

master again?

 

ANSWER: It remains a possibility at this point, and we are hoping and

praying for that to be realised.

 

QUESTION 17: Is there a history of mental disorder in his family?

 

ANSWER: His sister has indicated that his father and she herself suffer from

post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

QUESTION 18: Why was this disorder not discovered earlier?

 

ANSWER: We don't know. The 'vibhuti' masked it for ten years.

 

QUESTION 19: What will Harikesa prabhu do now, what is his position?

 

ANSWER: He is trying to rent a house close to the Abentheuer temple in

Southern

Germany, and wants peace, quiet, and solitude. He says he wants to be given

the time and space to go through whatever he is going through. His sister

will be staying with him in Germany for two weeks. He himself says that he

should be considered "on vacation" from all ISKCON functions.

 

QUESTION 20: Should Harikesa prabhu's disciples hold a Vyasa Puja

celebration this year or publish a Vyasa Puja book?

 

ANSWER: We feel that offering a Vyasa Puja at this time may not be

appropriate, but we encourage his disciples to gather and to pray for his

recovery and remember all the good he has done for them.

 

QUESTION 21: Should Harikesa prabhu's disciples continue to worship him? If

not, where should they take shelter?

 

ANSWER: At present, it is up to the disciples as individuals. They should

try to increase the shelter they have already taken of Srila Prabhupada, his

books and his service, and they may also seek increased shelter of other

devotees in good standing whom they respect and trust.

 

QUESTION 22: What happens to all his services, his preaching area and his

projects? When will any changes take place?

 

ANSWER: Competent and qualified devotees will continue his services and

projects. In his preaching area, Harikesa established competent councils and

project managers who will continue in that position in his absence. Any

further changes will be considered in Mayapura.

 

QUESTION 23: Does the EC see this problem linked to other issues, i.e. the

guru issue and or the calls for change and reform in ISKCON?

 

ANSWER: Yes.

 

QUESTION 24: Did Harikesa prabhu engage in speculation in relation to the

money which was earned and lost in the Russian stock market (Prem Invest)?

 

ANSWER: No. A detailed statement on this subject is being released.

 

QUESTION 25: What about Harikesa's involvement in the BBT court case? What

is the current status of the case? How much money has been spent on the

case? What are the possibilities of loss connected with the case?

 

ANSWER: The case has been continued until November 29th. The parties have

now entered into a thirty-day discussion period. Harikesa prabhu has

resigned as a BBT Trustee, and is not deeply involved in the court case. The

BBT trustees have addressed some of the other questions. For further

information, contact the BBT communications office, Akruranath das, the BBT

legal representative or Jayadvaita Swami, the current chairman of the

Trustees.

 

QUESTION 26: What is the current status of Harikesa prabhu's relationship

with his therapist, Monika?

 

ANSWER: She is currently still giving him pranic therapy. Although he wants

to marry her, she does not view him in that light. She is the person he has

taken most shelter of and whom he most trusts and follows.

 

QUESTION 27: How should the devotees in general and his disciples address

him?

 

ANSWER: "Prabhu" is the most appropriate title. From his side, he says he

does not want to be called "Harikesa Swami". However, he says he is happy

with "Maharaja," as in "Dhruva Maharaja or "Yudhisthira Maharaja."

 

END