Germany - QUESTIONS ABOUT HARIKESA PRABHU'S SITUATION. Answers provided by the GBC Executive Committee.

I asked a number of GBC members, some disciples of Harikesa prabhu and some other devotees to put down some questions they would like to ask about Harikesa's present situation. I felt that this was important, as there is a lot of confusion and speculation about what is happening. I felt that as the EC members are in Germany with him right now, they would be well placed to help us understand. I hope that you will find this helpful.

Saunaka Rsi dasa ISKCON Communications Europe


QUESTION 1: Is Harikesa Prabhu's condition due simply to the 'vibhuti' or are there deeper problems?

ANSWER: We have a medical judgement from Dr. Peter Dogs, a prominent German psychiatrist with excellent credentials, who was engaged to form a clinical picture of Harikesa. On August 6th and 7th, the doctor conducted in-depth interviews with devotees who had prolonged and close association with Harikesa; he studied videotapes of Harikesa; and so on. Since Dr. Dogs could not examine Harikesa directly, his evaulation is not a proper diagnosis; it is the best judgement he could render under the circumstances.

According to Dr. Dogs, the overall picture suggests what is known as a "cyclothymic personality." This personality structure is very common among successful people. What are known as "hypomanic" periods interchange with periods of "sub-depression." During the hypomanic periods, there is a reduced need to sleep, a generally accentuated positive mood, more energy than normal, an increased level of self-confidence, increased productivity often accompanied by voluntary, self-imposed and unusually long work hours. Further, sharpened, highly creative thinking with an optimistic attitude and a seemingly unlimited ability to achieve results is present.

During the depressive periods there is a rather dejected mood, a loss of interest and a loss of enjoyment in all, or almost all, usual activities. Along with this there is an increased tendency to sleep, accompanied by a lack of energy or chronic exhaustion, a greatly reduced over-all ability to achieve results, and a social withdrawal from friends, acquaintances and closer work colleagues. There is also a feeling of slowing down, and a pessimistic attitude towards the future, or brooding over past events.

Dr. Dogs says that Harikesa life over the decades seems to fit this picture. It seems that during the hypomanic periods, he was a big achiever possessing extraordinary creativity. The breakdowns that always followed were understood to be necessary recuperation and convalescence of his body and mind, because such a high productivity cannot be maintained over a long period of time.

If this alternation reaches a certain extreme, the behaviour may then be classified as a "cyclothymic bi-polar disorder."

It was apparently an extreme collapse that produced a crisis for Harikesa in 1988. That prompted Chitesvara to administer the drugs (Trifluoperazine and Trihexyphenidyl) found in the vibhuti. According to Dr. Dogs, while these drugs would not have been the right ones for Harikesa's condition, nevertheless "they were better than nothing at all," and they enabled Harikesa to function for ten years. This is not, of course, to sanction Chitesvara's unethical practices. The abrupt withdrawal from the pharmaceuticals in the 'vibhuti', according to Dr. Dogs, may have precipitated an more intense condition, which Dr. Dogs says from the descriptions seems to be a "schizo-affective disorder," in which both schizophrenic as well as manic symptoms are exhibited within the same case of illness.

Another opinion holds that Harikesa's extreme behaviour is the manifestation of some sort of advanced spiritual ecstasies. This is the position in fact advocated by Harikesa and accepted by some of his disciples. However, we reject this position, for Harikesa's condition fails to meet the criteria for an advanced spiritual state given by Srila Prabhupada.

Another way to view his condition, without buying completely into the prevailing psychotherapeutic paradigm, is to see it as an intense emotional upheaval resulting from a severe inner spiritual struggle, a kind of personal "day of judgement." In that case, the struggle is still in progress, and we shall have to see what the final outcome is. This view, however, needs to take into account the fact that his current condition may still have been affected by his abrupt withdrawal from Trifluoperazine and Trihexyphenidyl.

QUESTION 2: Did Harikesa prabhu know there were drugs in the vibhuti? How do you know the answer to this question?

ANSWER: Apparently not. We know that Harikesa has a strong aversion to Western pharmaceuticals. None of his servants and close associates had any idea that the 'vibhuti' was actually not ash from a fire sacrifice. While Chitesvara may have told Harikesa that the 'vibhuti' was a specific for mental disturbance, he did not tell him it was made of Western pharmaceuticals, and Chitesvara still denies that there were such drugs in the 'vibhuti'.

QUESTION 3: How long has he had the disorder described in the diagnosis?

ANSWER: The current state began in February 1998 when, after a falling-out with Chitesvara, he suddenly stopped taking the 'vibhuti'. According to psychiatric medicine, a cyclothymic bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, with an onset in late adolescence or early adulthood. According to what Harikesa told Bhaktavatsala dasa, during college he had experienced a period of hyperactivity followed by a breakdown, which received some kind of psychotherapeutic attention. His sister confirms the breakdown.

QUESTION 4: Is Harikesa Prabhu co-operating with the devotees in the matter of getting medical treatment?

ANSWER: Harikesa currently does not acknowledge that he requires medical treatment. Devotees have tried to persuade him that this is necessary for his well being. As he does not pose a life-threatening danger to himself or to others, no legal measures can be taken to force treatment upon him. He must recognise his own need for treatment.

QUESTION 5: Does the EC think that Harikesa prabhu, in his present condition, can continue in his services (GBC, sannyasi, guru)?

ANSWER: No. As far as sannyasi goes, he himself declares that he is no longer a sannyasi, and that he has often stated his hopes to be married to Monika, his "healer." He has not performed any GBC functions since his collapse in June, and the EC has officially suspended him from all GBC duties. Similarly, he cannot presently function as guru, since statements he made to the executive committee and other devotees show that he cannot reliably represent Srila Prabhupada and his teachings.

QUESTION 6: Is Harikesa prabhu to be considered fallen?

ANSWER: At this point he should be simply consider disturbed or sick.

QUESTION 7: Has Harikesa prabhu been talking of Lila?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION 8: Did Harikesa prabhu make advances on a female disciple?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION 9: Does the EC think he can be cured?

ANSWER: The doctor has indicated that with the right treatment there is a reasonable chance.

QUESTION 10: Has Harikesa prabhu discussed leaving ISKCON?

ANSWER: He says that he loves ISKCON and if ISKCON will accept his leadership and the changes he advocates, he can stay. If not, he is ready to start a community of his own.

QUESTION 11: What is Harikesa prabhu's relationship with his disciples, now and in the future?

ANSWER: Since at present Harikesa does not represent his spiritual master, and, in his current disturbed state, even goes so far as to criticise Srila Prabhupada, Harikesa cannot act as a spiritual master. Therefore, the executive committee is putting him on probation as a spiritual master. According to ISKCON law, his disciples are directed not to maintain an "absolute siksa relationship with him." Probation indicates that there is hope for a return to normalcy.

The executive committee's decisions are binding up to the annual meeting in Mayapura, where the entire GBC body will review them.

QUESTION 12: Are Harikesa prabhu's disciples free to go with him if he leaves ISKCON?

ANSWER: We cannot stop them by force. However, anyone who follows Harikesa in his current condition will be severing his or her relationship with Srila Prabhupada's movement, ISKCON and putting the relationship with Prabhupada in extreme jeopardy.

QUESTION 13: When will the EC clarify his position in ISKCON?

ANSWER: It is being clarified right now. There will some formal declarations and a full report issued by Thursday, August 13th.

QUESTION 14: Why did Krishna not protect Harikesa prabhu from this situation?

ANSWER: In our judgement, from a spiritual point of view, Harikesa is being tested. We are praying to Radha and Krishna that he passes this test and emerges as a better servant.

QUESTION 15: Many devotees regarded Harikesa prabhu as a pure devotee and considered him to be situated on the transcendental platform. How can this happen to a pure devotee?

ANSWER: As long as one is strictly following, one can be considered on the pure platform. Yet there can still be tests to pass and obstacles to overcome in order to make further advancement. While he was properly situated, Harikesa rendered great service to Srila Prabhupada and delivered genuine spiritual knowledge to many people. That accomplishment remains a solid fact, whatever else may happen.

QUESTION 16: Will Harikesa prabhu ever be able to function as a spiritual master again?

ANSWER: It remains a possibility at this point, and we are hoping and praying for that to be realised.

QUESTION 17: Is there a history of mental disorder in his family?

ANSWER: His sister has indicated that his father and she herself suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

QUESTION 18: Why was this disorder not discovered earlier?

ANSWER: We don't know. The 'vibhuti' masked it for ten years.

QUESTION 19: What will Harikesa prabhu do now, what is his position?

ANSWER: He is trying to rent a house close to the Abentheuer temple in Southern Germany, and wants peace, quiet, and solitude. He says he wants to be given the time and space to go through whatever he is going through. His sister will be staying with him in Germany for two weeks. He himself says that he should be considered "on vacation" from all ISKCON functions.

QUESTION 20: Should Harikesa prabhu's disciples hold a Vyasa Puja celebration this year or publish a Vyasa Puja book?

ANSWER: We feel that offering a Vyasa Puja at this time may not be appropriate, but we encourage his disciples to gather and to pray for his recovery and remember all the good he has done for them.

QUESTION 21: Should Harikesa prabhu's disciples continue to worship him? If not, where should they take shelter?

ANSWER: At present, it is up to the disciples as individuals. They should try to increase the shelter they have already taken of Srila Prabhupada, his books and his service, and they may also seek increased shelter of other devotees in good standing whom they respect and trust.

QUESTION 22: What happens to all his services, his preaching area and his projects? When will any changes take place?

ANSWER: Competent and qualified devotees will continue his services and projects. In his preaching area, Harikesa established competent councils and project managers who will continue in that position in his absence. Any further changes will be considered in Mayapura.

QUESTION 23: Does the EC see this problem linked to other issues, i.e. the guru issue and or the calls for change and reform in ISKCON?

ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION 24: Did Harikesa prabhu engage in speculation in relation to the money which was earned and lost in the Russian stock market (Prem Invest)?

ANSWER: No. A detailed statement on this subject is being released.

QUESTION 25: What about Harikesa's involvement in the BBT court case? What is the current status of the case? How much money has been spent on the case? What are the possibilities of loss connected with the case?

ANSWER: The case has been continued until November 29th. The parties have now entered into a thirty-day discussion period. Harikesa prabhu has resigned as a BBT Trustee, and is not deeply involved in the court case. The BBT trustees have addressed some of the other questions. For further information, contact the BBT communications office, Akruranath das, the BBT legal representative or Jayadvaita Swami, the current chairman of the Trustees.

QUESTION 26: What is the current status of Harikesa prabhu's relationship with his therapist, Monika?

ANSWER: She is currently still giving him pranic therapy. Although he wants to marry her, she does not view him in that light. She is the person he has taken most shelter of and whom he most trusts and follows.

QUESTION 27: How should the devotees in general and his disciples address him?

ANSWER: "Prabhu" is the most appropriate title. From his side, he says he does not want to be called "Harikesa Swami". However, he says he is happy with "Maharaja," as in "Dhruva Maharaja or "Yudhisthira Maharaja."