False Reports About George Harrison's Estate

[Guest guest]

December 5, 2001

 

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, and Friends,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Several days ago, media reports appeared in major media sources worldwide

stating that George Harrison's family was already on their way to India to

put George's ashes in the sacred rivers. Now we know from the same media

sources that those stories were untrue, and that his family is still in

California.

 

We are not sure what was the source of this misinformation, but it seems the

media frenzy for newer and newer information about George led to rumors

turning into "facts" that the press popularized worldwide. Such rumor mills

are not uncommon when something this important occurs. (Remember the game

you played a child whispering into the ear of your neighbor until the story

that started out is completely distorted by the time it crosses the room.)

 

The last day or two, similar rumors have been spread on TV and in the press

saying that George Harrison's estate will donate 10% of his money, future

record profits, etc, to Hare Krishnas.

 

Unfortunately, these stories too are products of the media frenzy, and

rumors turning into "facts."

 

I spent many hours today trying to track down the source of this "estate

story." I spoke with reporters from the London Times, the New York Post, the

Daily Telegraph, and others to find out, "Where did you get this

story?--What are your sources?--and How do you know this is true?

 

As I suspected, one by one each paper referred me to another news report and

yet another and another until no one knew where the story started except

from an unattributed source in India. Frankly, some of the reporters were

embarrassed that their paper had repeated the story without checking the

facts.

 

Reuters News Agency has today retracted some of its earlier claims. The New

York Post pulled a story it was ready to print about George's estate today

when it understood it had no reasonable basis in fact.

 

I have been in contact with Shyamasundar Prabhu and Mukunda Goswami. Both of

them are in regular contact with the family of George. Both are upset that

such unfounded rumors are being spread.

 

Let me unequivocally state, there is NO evidence whatsoever to support the

reports that George's estate is donating to the Hare Krishna society. We

have no advance notice, we have not been informed by the family, or by any

legal entity, etc. In fact, the family is very unhappy that such rumors are

being spread.

 

As we know, George was a dear friend of our society. Many devotees,

including myself, feel a great, great debt for all that George did for us in

our spiritual lives. We also know that he was a very private person, and we

should respect that.

 

His family is trying very hard to maintain a level of privacy and civility

in the manner in which his passing is addressed, despite the pressures of

the media and the rumormongers.

 

Below I have attached a copy of a media release that was sent out yesterday

from my office with some official information about ISKCON response to

George's passing away. Other things you may be hearing about the nature of

his passing, the details of his family's plans, his estate, etc., are the

private matters of the family.

 

I pray the media will respect his family's privacy more in the future. And,

I pray that no ISKCON devotees or friends will fall victim to aiding the

rumor mill that misdirects us from our remembrance and mourning of our

friend and fellow devotee of the Lord, George Harrison.

 

Your servant, Anuttama Dasa

 

 

*************************

 

Media Release

 

Living in the Material World No More

 

For Immediate Release

Date: December 3, 2001

Contact: Anuttama Dasa

 

 

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."

 

Harrison first met His Divine Grace 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 Beatle 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

 

 

# # #