famous devotees

[Haridham]

Hare Krsna.

 

I Know George Harrison was a devotee, and I also heard Boy George was a devotee. What about the rest of the beatles, Paul, Ringo and what about John Lennin? Wasnt John kinda weird at the end of his life.

 

What about that singer Stevie wonder? I heard he was favorable.

 

How many more famous devotees are there? There was this girl named Radha Mitchel in a movie called Pitch Black with Vin Diesal a few years ago, was she a devotee?

 

I also heard that George Harrison's son was a devotee. I think his name was Danny or Dhani.

 

Hare Krsna, please let me know

 

Haridham

[Guest guest]

 

I Know George Harrison was a devotee,

 

 

Every picture I ever saw of George Harrison made him look like an unshaven, unkempt, long-haired hippie. I heard he was a chain smoker as well (reminds me of Vivekananda). In his last will, he left a lot of money to various non-Vaishnava Hindu societies like Transcendental meditation and other mayavadi groups. While I am aware that he met Prabhupada, and consequently must have had a great karma and great benediction, I am still not clear on how such a person gets labeled as a "devotee."

 

 

Wasnt John kinda weird at the end of his life.

 

 

 

I personally thought he was weird at every stage of his life.

 

 

There was this girl named Radha Mitchel in a movie called Pitch Black with Vin Diesal a few years ago, was she a devotee?

 

 

 

If she was a devotee, what would she be doing starring in some big budget Hollywood movie which, like most other movies, glorify sex and violence?

 

What does it mean to be a "devotee" when people such as these are devotees?

 

 

[Haridham]

Actually, George was a devotee. Yes and Paul was prabably weird at every stage of his life.

 

However, I know george was a devotee because he always chanted. He read prabhupads books, he gave Bhaktivedanta manor to the devotees. That was John Lennons house. So it could be John Lennon that gave that I am not sure.

 

Every picture I have seen with George is that of him chanting, and with association of devotees. Many devotees have had close association and dealings with George and know for a fact that he was a devotee. Now you said you heard this and heard that. We dont go by what people heard, rather we go by facts. There were devotees at his bedside when he passed away. Prabhupad had great discussions with George Harrison. WHen George asked for initiation Prabhupad said you are already Initiated, You are Hari's Son. So lets not discredit this great devotee Srimad George Harrison.

 

 

A devotee is someone who uses everything for krsna's service. Everything is krsna's energy so why cant you use big budget hollywood films for krsna's service. She can use that money that she got in service of krsna.

 

I mean there are series such as Ramayan and Mahabarat which were good for people.

 

So krsna has a plan for everything.

 

My object in this discussion wasnt to put people down but rather find out how many more famous people were devotees.

 

So any other points of view are welcome

 

Hare Krsna

[Haridham]

Hare Krsna

 

Anyone else has any points on this topic.

 

where are all of you

[Guest guest]

 

Actually, George was a devotee. Yes and Paul was prabably weird at every stage of his life.

 

However, I know george was a devotee because he always chanted. He read prabhupads books, he gave Bhaktivedanta manor to the devotees. That was John Lennons house. So it could be John Lennon that gave that I am not sure.

 

Every picture I have seen with George is that of him chanting, and with association of devotees. Many devotees have had close association and dealings with George and know for a fact that he was a devotee. Now you said you heard this and heard that. We dont go by what people heard, rather we go by facts.

 

 

Well, it is a fact that George Harrison did not leave any money for ISKCON. In fact, it appears he wanted to distance himself from ISKCON, and his family members were upset at the idea of any relationship being stated between the two. Please see the following article at http://www.vnn.org/world/WD0112/WD10-7030.html

 

This article quotes several ISKCON leaders who enthusiastically deny that George Harrison left ISKCON with anything. Here are some relevant excerpts:

 

"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.""

 

"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."

 

"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."

 

Strangely enough, the author of this article, ISKCON Communications director Anuttama dasa, nevertheless describes George Harrison as "our friend and fellow devotee." What puzzles me is why ISKCON wants so badly to glorify George, when he seemed very reluctant to be associated with ISKCON in his final days. It appears to me that ISKCON wants very badly to be associated with the George Harrison name, although he did not seem particularly interested in ISKCON after Prabhupada's passing.

 

Perhaps this is part of the same syndrome of celebrity worship that seems to pervade ISKCON these days. ISKCON veterans will recall some years ago when that veritable pop singer diva Madonna enlisted the aid of some ISKCON devotees to develop some new music video. Everyone was quick to praise her then a pure devotee and so on, until the actual broadcast of her licentious little dance which confirmed to all and sundry that she is nothing more than a very wealthy prostitute.

 

Another example is when Princess Diana of Whales died - immediately after this ISKCON devotees were quick to affirm that she was also a pure devotee of Krishna, although it doesn't appear that she was even vegetarian.

 

 

WHen George asked for initiation Prabhupad said you are already Initiated, You are Hari's Son.

 

 

Is this something you heard, or is it a fact? If it is the latter, please present your evidence substantiating this.

 

Why would he not give initiation to George Harrison when he gave initiation to so many others? So only George is Hari's son but not others?

 

 

A devotee is someone who uses everything for krsna's service. Everything is krsna's energy so why cant you use big budget hollywood films for krsna's service.

 

 

How is the movie in question to be used in Krishna's service? Does one think of Krishna by watching this movie she made? What does this movie have to do with Krishna? Most movies do nothing other than glorify sex and violence. Taking your logic to its natural conclusion, would you find it acceptable for one to be a butcher in Krishna's service? What about a bartender? What about a maker of pornographic movies?

 

 

She can use that money that she got in service of krsna.

 

 

 

But did she? Why are you so quick to suggest that she might be a devotee merely because she might have used that money in Krishna's service? Do you know for a fact that she did?

 

I suggest that ISKCON devotees refrain from the syndrome of "celebrity worship." Devotees of Vishnu do not care for wealth, fame, or followers. Included in that category is the admiration of misguided individuals who are worshipped by materialistic people. Such people are fickle and untrustworthy; they profess faith in one religion one day only to spurn it the next.

 

By the way, much is made of George Harrison's contributions in reference to a song he wrote called "My Sweet Lord." George actually plagiarised the melody for this song from another song called "He's So Fine" - which actually had nothing to do with Krishna-consciousness. Harrison actually admitted this apparently, and settled for some huge, out-of-court monetary sum. Here are a few URLs which describe this:

 

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/mysweet.htm

 

http://www.superseventies.com/sw_mysweetlord.html

"Some people, including the publisher of "He's So Fine," a number one song by The Chiffons, found what they thought was another inspiration for "My Sweet Lord." A lawsuit claiming George had plagiarized the song, written by the late Ronnie Mack, was filed.

A story in the March 6, 1971, issue of Billboard stated that royalty payments to Harrison had been halted all over the world until settlement of the dispute. That didn't come until more than five years later, when United States District Court Judge Richard Owen ruled in New York that Harrison was guilty of copyright infringement. The judge conceded that Harrison did not deliberately plagiarize "He's So Fine."

 

"Nevertheless," Owen said, "it is clear that 'My Sweet Lord' is the very same song as 'He's So Fine.' Under the law, this is infringement of copyright, and is no less so even though it may have been subconsciously accomplished."

 

Please note that calling George Harrison a "devotee" in light of the above may be a bit extreme. But it is clear he gave a lot of help to ISKCON in its early days and should be remembered as a friend, if not a committed devotee.

 

 

[Guest guest]

George Harrison passed away listening to Srila Prabhupada chant japa. He did more preaching than most senior devotees have by spreading the chanting of Hare Krishna.

[stonehearted]

We consider Harrison a devotee because throughout the last 30-odd years of his life he chanted Hare Krishna and shared that chanting with many others, according to his capacity. Sure, he smoked cigarettes. So do many initiated devotees I know of. Sure, he kept some distance from ISKCON. That's probably a smart thing, considering the many stupid things ISKCON has done. And sure, he left his money elsewhere. You gonna leave yours to someone who has a track record of mismanagement and waste? He gave ISCKON a manor outside London that serves as a huge center for Krishna consciousness to this day. And despite his not being up to your standard, despite his not being the organization man you seem to think is necessary to be called a devotee, he maintained his faith in Krishna consciousness and maintained a close relationship with devotee friends he trusted until the end of his life. Several of them were with him as he passed.

 

Srila Prabhupada gave us a very broad, liberal vision of what Krishna consciousness is. Because we remain kanishtha-adhikaris, we remain unable to appreciate that broad vision.

 

How is it that you call yourself a devotee? Where is your heart?

[Guest guest]

 

Sure, he smoked cigarettes. So do many initiated devotees I know of.

 

 

So how are they devotees? Doesn't being a devotee mean that one should follow certain regulative principles? Or is even that restriction lifted if one is a celebrity?

 

 

Sure, he kept some distance from ISKCON. That's probably a smart thing, considering the many stupid things ISKCON has done.

 

 

It isn't just that he did not give money to ISKCON. I distinctly recall reading that he gave money to various Hindu societies which I recognized as atheistic and impersonalist in nature. Why would a devotee do that? He could have given money instead to the thousands of struggling Vishnu temples in India. I have seen some in particular where the pujaris can't even get enough to eat, as punishment for following their traditions and refusing to "modernize" (i.e. assimilate) with the prevailing materialistic culture.

 

 

He gave ISCKON a manor outside London that serves as a huge center for Krishna consciousness to this day.

 

 

I don't dispute that. But does giving such things mean that one becomes a devotee, regardless of one's other failings?

 

 

And despite his not being up to your standard,

 

 

Why suddenly is it my standard? Is refraining from intoxication not one of Prabhupada's standards?

 

 

despite his not being the organization man you seem to think is necessary to be called a devotee,

 

 

What does "organization man" have to do with it? He gave money to societies which are inimical to Krishna-consciousness. This does not seem consistent with the act of a "devotee."

 

 

he maintained his faith in Krishna consciousness and maintained a close relationship with devotee friends he trusted until the end of his life. Several of them were with him as he passed.

 

 

 

That's very beneficial. But I still don't see how that makes one a "devotee." Perhaps it would be best if you defined "devotee" so I can appreciate your sense of the word. As far as ISKCON is concerned, I thought "devotee" meant being initiated into the tradition, following the rules and regulations, and actively executing saadhana bhakti. Perhaps that is unreasonable on my part. Maybe the standards should be changed to admit the rich and famous.

 

 

How is it that you call yourself a devotee? Where is your heart?

 

 

Where did I say I was a devotee? I merely suggest that some individuals refrain from offering obeisances to celebrities and looking for approval from the rich and famous.

 

[Guest guest]

 

And sure, he left his money elsewhere. You gonna leave yours to someone who has a track record of mismanagement and waste?

 

 

When I visit a temple, any temple, I always leave some gift - usually money. This is a common Hindu practice; they don't think "oh, i'm not sure if the temple managers will use this properly." Nor do they try to bargain with God. They just give. It's a part of the culture.

 

Anyway, I'm not in ISKCON so I guess i don't care. I glad I don't belong to a society which puts aside principles and falls at the feet of fickle celebrities seeking their endorsements and admiration.

[stonehearted]

Anonymous "guest": Doesn't being a devotee mean that one should follow certain regulative principles? Or is even that restriction lifted if one is a celebrity?

 

Being a devotee means to accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Following certain regulative principles is a symptom of certain stages. Srila Prabhupada declined to initiate Harrison because he knew he wouldn't be able to keep the vows. But he accepted Harrison as a devotee, so his disciples do, too. It has nothing to do with celebrity; I deplore the cult if celebrity, especially among devotees, as much as anyone else. There are many we can accept as devotees, even though they may not yet be ready to make the commitment for initiation. They are devotees based on their faith in Krishna consciousness.

 

G: I don't dispute that. But does giving such things mean that one becomes a devotee, regardless of one's other failings?

 

B: So he's not a devotee because he gave some money to someone you don't like, but we must ignore what he did for Krishna's service? You may be surprised to know that Srila Prabhupada's vision is quite the opposite. I once saw him engaged in small talk with a disciple who was not at the time living in the temple and probably not following all the "regs" strictly. Srila Prabhupada looked at us and said, "In Los Angeles temple, he is the beginning." His vision is that the important thing is whatever service someone has offered to Krishna and His devotees. Everything else is ephemeral and not related to that person's real identity.

 

G: What does "organization man" have to do with it? He gave money to societies which are inimical to Krishna-consciousness. This does not seem consistent with the act of a "devotee."

 

B: You condemned him as a nondevotee because he didn't advertise himself as a member of ISKCON. He had a vision of what he thought might benefit society based on his realization. As I remember, he gave some nomey to the Natural Law Party. I've never registered as a Natural Law member because of its connection with TM, but their candidates may be better than the Greens I often vote for. Sometimes we have to be intelligent enough to look beyond labels.

 

What's your definition of devotional service? Mine comes from Srila Rupa Goswami: sarvopadhi vinirmuktam, tat paratvena nirmalam, hrishikena hrishikehsa-sevanam, bhaktir uchyate. What we call devotional service is, in a state of freedom from all material designations, engaging our senses in the service of the Master of the senses. Harrison did that according to his capacity.

 

Was Harrison a perfect devotee? Nope. But most of Srila Prabhupada's disciples consider him a devotee because our guru maharaja did, because he tried according to his capacity to please Krishna and His representative. No special dispensation because he was rich and famous, but because he availed himself of the Lord's mercy, because he did many of the things devotees do, including making friends with devotees. The same is avaialable to all, regardless of their social status. Based on what I've learned from Srila Prabhupada, I have accepted many over the last 34 years as devotees, because they accept Krishna as Lord and tried to surrender to His service.

 

Srila Prabhupada sometimes said the brahmana means broad-minded. That means, among other things, to jduge others by their aspirations, not their behavior. He did that with us, and therefore he gladly accepted me as his disciple.

[Haridham]

Wow, I started this post as a light thing. I didnt mean everyone's blood pressure to rise up and this subject made into something big like this.

 

However I am glad to know where everybody stands.

 

I still love George Harrison and so does "My sweet lord"

 

Anyways I am glad there are devotees out there who appriciate what he has done instead of fault finding with what he should have done according to them.

 

Thank you for backing me up on such issues. I thought for a while i was left alone.

 

Hare Krsna

Haridham

 

 

[Haridham]

well since we went way off the topic, as I recall i was wondering what were some other famous devotees and such.

 

Look at the original post if you like

 

Hare krsna

Haridham

[bhaktachris]

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

 

George may not be a "pure" devotee but isnt a devotee one who reminds others of Krsna? /images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

Sometimes i have to work with karmis listening to radio, to remember krsna and for others to hear His name i call the station and make the request of "my sweet lord". Works every time! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

 

The first time i heard the name Hare Krsna was in a hospital where my friend(now disciple of Gaudiya Math) was being treated for sexually transmitted disease.I was keeping him company and on the musac came the "my sweet lord" song, after that we never stoped chanting it on a regular basis. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

There are others who are famous and connected to Krsna con. in ways. A big big rock singer chrisy hinds last month was with devotees of Krsna in Brazil, supporting Vegetarian lifestyle.

 

Reminds me of the little bird who helped Rama,the little bird was working and another "big" devotee told the little bird to get out of the way for his "big' service.Kali yuga brain on me forgets but i think Rama told the big devotee that the little service is just as good as the "big" service.So these 'big' stars are like the bird but big with a little service.Still they are helping Krsna in some way.

[gHari]

Some nice things were said about My Sweet George here, by many including His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

 

Let's leave it at that, and have some class about it.

[Guest guest]

there's not much need to find the defects of who chants hare krishna, we do not put george HARIson in parampara', but he was surely a big inspiration for everyone.

 

If he, at the end, has not given anything to us, we must reflect on our faults... because when there was prabhupada he surely has given so much

[Guest guest]

 

Being a devotee means to accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Following certain regulative principles is a symptom of certain stages.

 

 

Ok, I suppose we can accept that for now. Though I'm still puzzled as to why someone who continued to accept Krishna as the Supreme God would not want to donate anything towards Krishna-related activities during his last years even when he knew the end was coming. Ofcourse, he earned his money, and he can do whatever he wants with it. I just thought it was inconsistent with his status as a 'devotee.'

 

 

Srila Prabhupada declined to initiate Harrison because he knew he wouldn't be able to keep the vows.

 

 

That is a more sensible answer than the one Haridham gave - that Prabhupada did not initiate him because he was "Hari's son" and somehow did not need initiation.

 

 

But he accepted Harrison as a devotee, so his disciples do, too. It has nothing to do with celebrity; I deplore the cult if celebrity, especially among devotees, as much as anyone else. There are many we can accept as devotees, even though they may not yet be ready to make the commitment for initiation. They are devotees based on their faith in Krishna consciousness.

 

 

Very well. But as an outsider looking in, let me point out to you that such unqualified sentiments will likely bite you in the back. You ISKCONites criticize (and rightly so) the inability of other sadhus to follow regulative principles. One example of this is the notorious Vivekananda who also smoked and gave himself lung cancer. It appears that George Harrison also died of lung cancer and not coincidentally, was a smoker. Such public praise of a figure who also did not follow regulative principles will likely be seen by others as hypocritical.

 

 

So he's not a devotee because he gave some money to someone you don't like, but we must ignore what he did for Krishna's service?

 

 

 

You should really learn to calm down. We are having a discussion, not a war.

 

You keep turning this into a discussion of my likes or my standards. I don't know why. It is a fact that these other Hindu societies which George gave to don't care for Krishna-consciousness. They will only speak praise for Krishna devotees if Krishna devotees allow themselves to be grouped under the Hindu umbrella, and thus let their religion be considered only one among many ways, with the goal ultimately being some kind of impersonal oneness. If this does not bother you, then I apologize for bringing it up. Like I said, it seems inconsistent to me, this sort of charity towards blatantly atheistic organizations while not a single penny was given to any devotional societies. But if you don't like me mentioning it, just twist my words around and criticize me for saying something I did not say. It's a favored tactic for those who want submission instead of discussion.

 

 

You condemned him as a nondevotee because he didn't advertise himself as a member of ISKCON.

 

 

I did no such thing. That is merely your own knee-jerk reaction. Only sectarian arrogance would hold that one must be a member of ISKCON in order to be a devotee.

 

What I said was that George was a friend of ISKCON and did much to help it in its early days. I would still say that quite unhesitatingly. I wouldn't say "devotee" because I tend to define that a little more exclusively (i.e. someone who is practicing bhakti and worships Krishna). But then again, other people use the term more loosely, so I suppose that is ok too, so long as they qualify it.

 

 

What's your definition of devotional service? Mine comes from Srila Rupa Goswami: sarvopadhi vinirmuktam, tat paratvena nirmalam, hrishikena hrishikehsa-sevanam, bhaktir uchyate. What we call devotional service is, in a state of freedom from all material designations, engaging our senses in the service of the Master of the senses. Harrison did that according to his capacity.

 

 

It seems he did do that. Was he doing that throughout his life or only when Prabhupada associated with him? I got the impression that he pretty much got away from Krishna-consciousness after ISKCON started having trouble.

 

I was found it curious that his family members were upset at the rumors going around suggesting that he would donate money to the Hare Krishnas. If such a thing is so embarassing to them, well...

 

 

Srila Prabhupada sometimes said the brahmana means broad-minded. That means, among other things, to jduge others by their aspirations, not their behavior. He did that with us, and therefore he gladly accepted me as his disciple.

 

 

I'm all for broad-mindedness and acceptance. I merely suggest that unqualified use of labels might have dire consequences for an organization that wants so badly to preach certain standards to the public at large. But as I said, I'm also not in ISKCON so maybe it's not my business.

 

[AGTSP]

"Fame should be according to Lord Caitanya, who said that a man is famous when he is known as a great devotee. That is real fame. If one has become a great man in Krsna Consciousness and it is known, then he is truly famous. One who does not have such fame is infamous."

 

 

[stonehearted]

Guest: I'm still puzzled as to why someone who continued to accept Krishna as the Supreme God would not want to donate anything towards Krishna-related activities during his last years even when he knew the end was coming. Ofcourse, he earned his money, and he can do whatever he wants with it. I just thought it was inconsistent with his status as a 'devotee.'

 

Babhru: You'd be well served to address that to someone who knows him better. In ISKCON, Mukunda Maharaja kept in touch with him. I don't presume to know.

 

G: But as an outsider looking in, let me point out to you that such unqualified sentiments will likely bite you in the back. You ISKCONites criticize (and rightly so) the inability of other sadhus to follow regulative principles. One example of this is the notorious Vivekananda who also smoked and gave himself lung cancer. It appears that George Harrison also died of lung cancer and not coincidentally, was a smoker. Such public praise of a figure who also did not follow regulative principles will likely be seen by others as hypocritical.

 

B: What evidence do you have that I'm an "ISKCONite"? Although I understand Srila Prabhupada's motive in involving prominent people in Krishna consciousness, I also recognize that he gave most of his energy to helping ordinary disciples like me. And I now live, by choice, on an island in the middle of the ocean with no ISKCON center, never visited by a GBC member. And although I wish ISKCON well, I don't invest any real energy in trying to improve its culture any more. Rather, I relate to individual devotees on a personal level. And it has been a very long time since I've taken seriously any GBC laws.

 

But that's a side issue. You bring up the point that ISCKON criticizes "other sadhus" who can't "follow regulative principles." But no one here has suggested that Harrison was a sadhu, just a devotee, in a broad sense. As for whether he engaged in devotional activity throughout his life, I think there's evidence he was accustomed to chanting regularly. I read that when he was attacked in his house, he reflexively chanted Hare Krishna during the attack.

 

One more point. Sometimes superlative devotees are defined as those whose very sight causes one to chant the holy name. Harrison was famous as someone attached to chanting, even among his musician friends. I've metntioned somewhere else recently that when Chrissie Hynde introduced him at the celebration of Bob Dylan some years ago, she said, "Hare Krishna! Are you ready for another guitar hero? George Harrison!" That was on national TV. I don't suggest that he was an uttama adhikari, just that his faults were, in the eyes of the acharyas, less important than his embracing of Krishna consciousness.

 

And I apologize if I came on a little strong. I was annoyed by what I perceived as narrow-mindedness. And I apparently was cranky last night, because I think I wrote another harsh note on another thread.

[Priitaa]

Be careful, as George was without a doubt, a devotee of Krishna, and while he had his weaknesses with following properly, let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.

 

We may not understand how one who was inclined toward intoxication (tho he may have given that up toward the last decade or so, but not sure), and the 'habit' (not choice) of smoking cigarettes (which he hated), or living the odd lifestyle he lived, can simultaneously be a Vaisnava, and stayed one for all those years. Let's just say he had an unusual situation, and to a degree, special arrangement. Not that all he did was acceptable. No. Only that he was forgiven plus granted mercy, to the best of my understanding. After all, how many of us think we could live in that type of situaiton with the opposite sex throwing themselves at our feet, with intoxication being given as a gift regularly, with everyone treating you like a guru even tho you do not want to be, and associating with the most fallen because it is your job or whatever reason -- how many of us honestly feel we could have done much better than he did under those circumstances? Looking at it that way, he did darn good! Therefore I humbly suggest we avoid criticizing George, becuase he went back to Godhead regardless of such problems.

 

Besides, I also heard (but dont have the quote) that a devotee criticized George to Srila Prabhuapda, stating George did not rise early or go to the monring program, that he did not chant all his rounds, etc., and Prabhupada replied that George has done more devotional service than we could do in many lifetimes, so we should not criticize. Does anyone have that quote? I admit I am not sure on this one, but have heard it for decades so I suspect its true. Anyhow, I do have the quote where Prabhupada says George is his disciple and more than his discple, and that George does not require formal initiation. I dont feel like digging out its source, but will if asked.

 

Why didn't George give money to ISKOCN? First of all, I am not so quick to believe he didn't. I have often suspected that at least a little, he did and they just wanted evryone to stop talking about it. A godsister in England wrote to me about a year ago regarding some expensive improvements going on which she wondered where they got the money form. But if he didn't give $$, so what? Iskcon is not the only source for Vaisnavism, one can be a wonderful devotee and not belong. Secondly, with all the politics in ISKCON I don't think George was stupid or unaware of them. I suspect he knew things had changed since the old days. I doubt he got into the details, but lets face it, he was actually here in the very beginning of the movement (therefore making him a 'senior' devotee!). Thus he had first hand association with Srila Prabhupada. He knew the highest, knew how ISKCON was back then and how it is now. I don't want to get into all this, as I still believe in the higher ISKCON and don't wish the the subject to be changed from spiriutal to material politics. Simply am pointing out that I suspect George was aware. Just as many of us often think how, if we give a big donation, will it get where its going or will it end up in someone's pocket, he may have also thought like that.

 

The fact that his family was disturbed by the newspaper articles, etc., that George gave ISKCON money also does not bother me. We need to remember, they are not him. His wife is more into SRF than ISKCON. And I find no offense in what they said. Not that I'm thrilled with it, I just know they are not Prabhupada disciples like he is (uniquely), they are probably tired of being taken advantage of in general so are extra careful, and they are their own individual persons.

 

Anyway, somehow or other, George chanted Hare Krishna at the time of death. This is a most important point. Tho I never read any proof that he was listening to Prabhupada chant then, as one poster said, yet I hope so. Does anyone have evidence? Even the stories of the devotees with him at the last minute (time of passing) turned out to be propaganda. However, Ravi Shankara's daughter went public when everyone was claiming George's last words were "Love one another," to correct that. She pointed out she heard his last words herself, and they were "Hare Krishna." Therefore shastra guarantees anyone who chants the names of the Lord at the time of death, goes to the Lord. And also therefore, while we may not understand why he got to enjoy his senses to the max and still go back to Godhead, whereas we have to work like crazy with all sorts of austerities to go back Home, our opinion doesn't matter. He did it, lets not be envious of him but instead feel happiness for him.

 

With that said, I was hoping this thread would lead to names of other famous persons who are devotees, more than Boy George. A list of them would be great! I am curious.

[Haridham]

hare krsna everyone.

 

I definatly didnt mean to ruffle any feathers discussing this topic.

 

I have always considered George a devotee despite what he might have done. Heck how do you know that I am ammune to any of the desires and urges that he had.

 

Now, I am glad there are people in the same wavelength as me but I do opologies for causing a lot of stress to people over this post.

 

Man, it was just a light post. I am still wondering how many famous devotees are out there.

 

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Boy Georges's crazy escapades but why only George Harrison.

 

I think a lot of people are envious because krsna consciousness has a lot of support from famous people.

 

George harrison was more of a devotee then I will ever be.

 

Lets not commit Vaisnava Aparadha.

 

Hare Krsna

[Priitaa]

Haridhama,

 

If you think thats ruffling of feathers, you are definitely new to these boards. haha It may be a littie debate at best, but no one has made outright offenses. (Unless I missed something.) Nothing to worry about, as 'no talk' is what is more inclined to result in problems and therefore offenses, than talking would. Tho I do agree we should all remember to be respectful of each other when posting. Any point can be made when it is politely expressed.

 

With that said tho, you aint seen nothing. haha (I mention this cuz I've seen much worse on these boards.) So, not to worry -- all is well and you didn't cause anything. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Priitaa]

 

I think a lot of people are envious because krsna consciousness has a lot of support from famous people.

 

 

Good point! It is hard for some to understand why George specifically got away with all he did, yet was able to chant Hare Krishna at the time of death. It is not by chance anyone can do this, as it is mostly mercy. I read such a quote by Prabhupada. So if by Krishna's grace or mercy, and Prabhupada's, George was facilitated to do so, even with the gurgle in his throat, the mucous, the suffocation, etc. If we are not careful, and wonder 'too hard' why he got to enjoy so much yet do this, people may become envious that this famous person achieved what they have yet to achieve. But now our eyes have been opened as this is brought out front, and we can all quietly look inside and see if that was what was going on, or not. Not saying it is a definite, just a possibility that only each peson can answer for themselves. - Must run! Haribol.

[Priitaa]

 

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Boy Georges's crazy escapades but why only George Harrison.

 

 

I don't know a thing about Boy George, other than, well you know. But his music never did much for me. That is, never gave spiriutal inspiration or moved me forward. Tho I must admit I did not listen to music at the time he became famous because I all ready was a devotee living a different lifestyle. But you may understand how sometimes you accientally hear some, and that was my conclusion of it.

 

Whereas I found George Harrisions "My Sweet Lord," and countless others he wrote, much more spiriutallly advanced. Even his song "Something," was originally written about Krishna!

 

Anyhow, as for Boy George's escapades, I haven't a clue what they are. Maybe someone else here can describe them.

 

I wish Boy George well, but he's not my style I guess. Most of his music is not directly about Krishna (to the best of my understanding). Whereas most of G. Harrision's is. He wasn't afraid to come right out and say Krishna is God.

 

Of course G.Harrision had the direct associaiton of the pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, and Prabhuada gave him the specific instruction to sing about Krishna. Prabhupada said to him, you don't have to close the business, just write songs about Krishna. So Sriman George (Harrision) followed that instruction. A a large part of succesful spiriutal life is following the instruction of guru.

 

(Ok, just realized how much I posted to this thread. Sorry. I'm having too much fun I guess. lol Well, I know a lot of this subject, due to research shortly 'after' his passing.)

[Haridham]

Hare Krsna Prabhu.

 

Well, I know a bit about Boy George.

 

He did a song in the early or mid 90's which was called "bow down mister"

 

It was a catchy song. IT went something like...

 

"from bombay to bangalore, all the hindus know the score, if you want to live some more, hare, hare hare. "Bow down Mister Hare Rama Hare Krsna"

 

The is the Hare Krsna mahamantra in there to.

Its quite a cool song. Maybe you should look into it.

 

Hare krsna

[yasodanandana]

a very cool song... i like it so much, great service