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February 25, 2002 VNN7178 Comment on this story
Haridasa Reappears
BY MADHUSUDANA DASA
NEW YORK, Feb 25 (VNN) — Dear Maharajas & prabhus.
We are happy to inform you that 70 year old Haridasa (Harvey Cohen) attended our Sunday Feast program here in Manhattan on February 17th. He is indeed a great soul and he remembers many of Srila Prabhupada's early disciples such as Mukunda Goswami, Malati, Hayagriva etc. with love and affection. This was the first time he had been to a Sunday love feast for about 30 years!
Now the reason for writing to VNN is that he also told us that he is Srila Prabhuipada's first initiated disciple in the West. This I have some difficulty with because he seems to be quoted in the Lilamrita about events which took place, but not on this happening. I asked him about this and he said that he was NOT interviewed for the Lilamrita BECAUSE "No one knew where I was!"
His story is as follows... He was attending the Ananda Ashram of Dr. Misra when Srila Prabhupada revealed to him that he had nowhere to stay, so Haridasa offered him accomadation in his loft. It was there that Srila Prabhupada started his Bhagavada-gita classes. So eventually Haridasa had to leave for the West Coast and left the loft with Srila Prabhupada.
The night before he left, after the evening class Srila Prabhupada gave him the initiated name of Haridasa. (Though the Lilamrita has him as Haridasa dasa.)
I mentioned this to Brahmananda about one year ago and he seemed to think it possible. Can anyone shed some light on this issue? Many of the older devotees will be leaving us within the next 20 years or so, so should we try and establish these details for the future generations to come?
He said he will return this coming Sunday if any of you would like to meet him you are most welcome.
We can be found in 93 St. Mark's Place 2nd floor, East Village, New York. Ph: 212-979-0381 or 1053.
msd108@hotmail.com
Hare Krishna.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
your servant Madhusudana Dasa
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