© 1999 VNN
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USA June 23, 1999 VNN4148 Comment on this story Malati's Ashram BY JAYA DASI USA, Jun 23 (VNN) — Dear Vaisnavas, Seeing a few articles put up by Mahavegavati Dasi about Malati, I wanted to make a few comments. I was also at Malati's ashram. It was the most hellish experience in all of my years in Krishna consciousness. Malati was very tyrannical in her leadership. She was also very compulsive as is evidenced by her regular notes which were placed in literally every corner of the ashram. New notes would appear every day and these could include every topic under the sun, all of them non spiritual in nature. Malati also would chant Mongul arotike, guru puja, and at other times in English, which to my knowledge, Srila Prabhupada did not initiate. When I questioned Malati about this, I was just chastized that I should not qestion anything that she does, that she is a GBC and that there is no questioning of the GBC representative because she is the body of Srila Prabhupada and his representative. I found so many discrepencies, especially when the deities were being dressed. Malati in her rages would take the deities clothes if she felt someone was taking too much time in dressing the deities, and she would throw the clothes telling the person to "get them out of here". Malati would also yell about everything else. After being in Columbus for many months, I had to leave. It was just that abominable. I felt if I was to stay there I would go completely crazy. I have been in the movement for many years and I have seen many things but I have never experienced any situation as crazy as that which I experienced in Columbus Ohio, Iskcon Krishna House. I wish someone with a clear head would check into this woman who in my estimation is very much in need of psychological help. I know this is a very heavy statement. This alone may disqualify this article from being submitted to VNN. Yet I am asking that the staff of VNN put it up because I think it is important that devotees be informed of this. I have to agree with Mahavegavati dasi when she said that whatever woment came to Columbus while she was there all left except for the few ladies who remain all of whom have come from dysfunctional families in which they had bad relationships with their mothers. While I was in Columbus for the time that I was there all of the women who came to the ashram to join or who were sent from other temples they all left because they couldn't stand being there because of Malati. Malati was just so tyrannical Even one day after Mangal arotike when one devotee accidentally knocked Srimate Tulasi devi off of the alter on to the floor Malati insisted that no devotee pick up Tulasi devi from the floor and the pure devotee was left for at least one hour lying on her side in a broken pot on the floor with her branches broken. Anyone who wanted to upright Tulasi devi got screamed at by Malati "Leave her alone" and Malati would not allow anyone to upright her. It was crazy. In the meantime, Tulasi puja was being conducted to another Tulasi devi while Malati left this Tulasi on her side on the floor in such a condition. Malati would chastize other devotees for the same activities that she herself would do. I found her to be completely hypocritical and nonapproachable. Only when it was something that suited her agenda her convenience would she allow herself to be approached. Other than that, Malati had no time for anyone. I also question Malati's requesting the women to give her three hour massages at any time that she wanted either in the day or at late hours at night. I was regularly told by her to give her massages as was other women. I had no choice but to comply as Malati could get so heavy that it was unbearable. I don't know if it was only the disease of power that went to her head or if it was a combined thing of power, her personality in general and the insanity that has resulted because of past drug use and aids. Whatever it was, Malati was controlled by her desire to keep all of the devotees in her charge under her strict arm of control. And I don't mean "strict arm of control" in a good positive way. It was not spiritual but rather completely material. If a woman did not completely submit herself to Malati's rule, Malati would make the woman's life hell. All the time I was there, none of the women who came were able to stay. All of them left. Even in speaking to the women I found out the past history that previous to my coming all of the other women who had come had also left wether they had come of their own accord or wether they had been sent by their gurus or GBCs or temple presidents for training. I submit this to the devotees especially the ladies for their protection. Please consider this carefully as I feel this is not a place where any devotees should be sent or should go unless it is for a temporary visit. I found Columbus Iskcon Krishna House to be like an insane asylum Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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