07/20/98 - 1924 (see also VNN story# 1914)

Harikesa Swami "Incoherent"

USA (VNN) - Statement by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission

PLACE: San Diego, California, USA
DATE: July 18, 1998
ISSUED BY: Badrinarayan Dasa Adhikary, ISKCON Governing Body
Commission (GBC), Acting Chair of the GBC Executive Committee.

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) regrets that to date there has been no significant change in the condition of Harikesa Maharaja.

As mentioned in my letter of 13 July, he has suffered from a total physical and mental collapse. In this condition, he has been saying many things that are incoherent, implausible. He has moments of lucidity and then moments where he is irrational. When he has his clear spells he regrets what he has said and asks that it be disregarded. We are all naturally very concerned by these events. What seems clear to those nearest him is that his nervous system has broken down after years of austerity, incredible pressure, and prolonged and multiple illnesses. It is understandable that the body and mind have their natural limits and he has pushed himself beyond them.

At this writing Harikesa Swami is with a staff of several senior disciples. Niranjana Maharaj, Akhandadhi prabhu, and Krsna Ksetra prabhu have all visited him, and Bhakti-tirtha Maharaj is with him now. We are working to assure the best of medical and personal care for him. It is the advice of those who have visited him and those providing his care, that Harikesa Maharaj not be strained by a stream of visitors. His condition is delicate, although he is chanting, reading, and eager for devotee association. We ask that in deference to his health, visitors hold off, at least until we hear more from Bhakti-tirtha Maharaj, which should be in the next few days.

Contrary to rumors, Harikesa Swami, has not been "sent away." He is near our temple in Abentheuer, staying a little apart so as to assure him peace and quiet. The funds which Harikesa Maharaj oversees [sic] are safe. The BBT and the GBC executive committee have adjusted with temporary chairs, more permanent arrangements will be made if it is deemed his condition will continue to incapacitate him. It appears that the funding he was overseeing for education, child protection, Mayapur development and other ISKCON projects will be able to continue. Although in a troubled mental state, he has not fallen down or broken the regulative principles.

I will do my best to continue to update you with regular reports. Meanwhile, my humble appeal is that we all remember Harikesa Swami's years of service, sacrifice, friendship, and love for Srila Prabhupad. As he has helped many others over the years, now is the time for us to help him, with compassion, patience, and charity of spirit.

Your servant, Badrinarayan dasa