Prabhupada think I am being motivated by personal sense gratification?
One evening, out on Sunset Strip, an older gentleman approaches the sankirtana party after watching for over an hour. He is one of the faithful following, a regular that enjoys the devotees' nightly show. A short, balding man, with an endless smile, and full of appreciation for their "great act," he vigorously shakes hands with Vishnujana and Tamal Krishna after the kirtan. He introduces himself as Mr. Vance, a Hollywood talent scout with influential friends in high places in the entertainment industry. "I think you've got something here," he begins. "If you agree to work with me, I can take you places you've never even dreamed of. Although you kids are pretty raw, with a little polish you could make it all the way to the big time."
The next day, Mr. Vance comes to La Cienega to meet with Tamal and Gargamuni in their office. He explains that he has been in show business for many years and has many important contacts. He wants to help them improve their act so that they will be able to get on national prime time variety shows, where more than forty-million viewers will get exposure to Hare Krishna. To prove his point, he will arrange a party at his home and invite his close friends, many of whom are television and movie people. Although Tamal and Gargamuni have their doubts whether Mr. Vance can live up to his rap, they realize that it still wouldn't hurt to try. This may be Krishna's arrangement. After all, the devotees are doing it in London, so why not here? Wouldn't Prabhupada be pleased if Hare Krishna was aired to forty-million homes! With an agreement reached, Mr. Vance requests that they rehearse to become more professional in their presentation. He also has different ideas to improve the image of the group.
Tamal Krishna: One problem, Mr. Vance explained, was the size of our group. We would have to select only the best and most attractive-looking musicians. We laughed at this proposal, explaining that Lord Caitanya's sankirtana party was not exclusive. Attraction and repulsion on the bodily platform were not considerations in spiritual life. Mr. Vance stated that he was in full agreement with our philosophy, but if we wanted to make Hare Krishna popular, we had to be practical and consider the public's taste.
After making his point, he selected seven devotees and requested everyone else to leave the room during the rehearsals to avoid unnecessary distraction. Standing up on a chair, Mr. Vance took command by directing us how to sit, hold the instruments, and even smile. Every afternoon Mr. Vance comes by to rehearse the group. Promotional photographs are taken. The understanding is that they are only doing here in America what the London devotees are doing in Europe. Most of the kirtan group feel uncomfortable by the presentation, but if it spreads the Holy Name, why not?
Ten days after Tamal's letter was dispatched, Prabhupada's reply lands on his desk. The long letter confirms some of Tamal's own doubts. "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 12, 1969, along with the copy of the West Coast president's report of the meeting held at Berkeley. Gradually this meeting should develop into a committee of the West Coast presidents, and similarly there should be one for the East Coast, so in the future we can form a central governing body for the whole institution. Therefore the management should be done very cautiously so that everyone is satisfied in their autonomous managing capacity. Of course, the central point is the order of the Spiritual Master, and I am very glad that you are trying to give importance to this aspect of management. The difficulty is sometimes things are interpreted in a manner dovetailing one's own sense gratification. I have got this personal experience in my Guru Maharaja's institution. Different godbrothers took the words of Guru Maharaja in different interpretations for sense gratification and the whole mission disrupted. This is still going on for the last 40 years without any proper settlement. I am always afraid of this crack, but I am sure if our aim is to serve Krishna sincerely and the Spiritual Master simultaneously, that will be our success. That means serve Krishna and the Spiritual Master simultaneously with equal faith and serious vow, and then success is sure. Yourself, Gargamuni, Brahmananda, and the others are intelligent. You should always deal things so tactfully that people may not fall away. Every living being is important in Krishna conscious service, and we must take all precautions that one may not fall away... "
Tamal's worst fears have been confirmed. Why is Prabhupada referring to the Gaudiya Math debacle? "Different godbrothers took the words of Guru Maharaja in different interpretations for sense gratification and the whole mission disrupted." Prabhupada appears concerned about his role at the meeting, not wanting ISKCON to pursue the same folly as Gaudiya Math. Taking the plush office with Gargamuni had removed him from direct association with the other devotees. Lately he has been staying back from sankirtana due to increased managerial duties. Have I fallen victim to Maya, he wonders, in trying to follow the order of my spiritual master? Does Prabhupada think I am being motivated by personal sense gratification?
"Regarding purchasing of temples, if within our means and estimation it is possible, that is a good idea. The best example is Boston temple. They have taken responsibility for $1,100 per month, and by the Grace of Krishna they are now collecting at the rate of $120 per day. So if Berkeley is also in that position, they can take that risk. Similarly, San Francisco also, and I understand that both Hansadutta and Madhudvisha are doing nicely. So if the principle of Boston temple can be followed without over-burden and anxiety, that is very good. If they are also collecting daily average $100, they can take the risk of purchasing the house..."
Prabhupada is obviously pleased with Boston. Satsvarupa is satisfying his spiritual master.
"Regarding the booklet you and Gargamuni are sending, in the introductory portion signed by you and Gargamuni you have said that I am 'personally instructing John Lennon and George Harrison in the yoga of ecstasy.' This is not very satisfactory. Of course, George Harrison sometimes comes to see me and naturally I instruct him on the bhakti yoga. But the statement in the letter gives hint as if I have been invited by them for this. If this comes to their notice, they may take some objection which will not go to our credit. These things should not be publicly advertised, and I do not know why this has been done. Anyway, if you have not distributed many of them, you just try to take out that portion which is not a fact..."
Realizing that Prabhupada is definitely not satisfied, Tamal becomes worried. He had tried to serve the order of Guru, but perhaps his own personal ambition had crept in. The portion of the pamphlet about the Beatles has to be deleted as it could hinder the London preaching. The brochure can't be used as it is. It's invalid.
"Regarding the World Sankirtan Party, that is my long-cherished idea, and I wish to see it fulfilled as soon as possible. But do not count on others. If somebody comes forward to help us, that is welcome. But if we at all take the job, we must take it on our own strength. For experimental sake, you can seek out for an agent who can arrange for our Sankirtana Party moving in all the states of America, and then we can think of touring all over the world. Where is my Book Fund being kept? I think whatever money is received from the Book Fund or for my personal account may be immediately deposited in my savings account #12410 with the Equitable Savings Bank at Fairfax and Beverly, and monthly statements may be submitted to me how much you have deposited with the bank..."
The inquiry about the money meant for the book fund comes as a shock. Prabhupada had given instructions to open a separate account for deposits equal to the daily value of books sold. He had expected Tamal to send $5,000 from that account for the purchase of the press in Boston, but Tamal had only sent $1,000. Now, Prabhupada is restricting his responsibility by ordering the remaining funds to be deposited into his own savings account, on which no one else can sign. Prabhupada is concerned that the book fund money will be misspent.
"Regarding movement of the members from one temple to another, I think the local president's permission is sufficient. Don't take too much load of individual administration. That will be unmanageable in the near future. I have also instructed Brahmananda in this way. I have also advised Brahmananda to ask for monthly reports, and similarly you may ask for monthly reports. That will be easier..."
It is now abundantly clear that Prabhupada has lost some confidence in his West Coast manager. Tamal accepts the rebuke with a heavy heart. The duty of the spiritual master is to correct the faults of his disciple. Tamal has only been in the movement a year and a half, so there are bound to be mistakes. Still, he now feels completely depressed, even with the nice closing words.
"I thank you so much for the new temples that are opening. Please conduct them nicely and enthuse the people to stick to the chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra and following the rules and regulations. Then they will be strong enough to manage things very nicely. Other things will be supplied by Krishna." Letter to Tamal Krishna, October 18, 1969
The last instruction is clear enough. Stick to the principles and chant Hare Krishna. The rest will be done by Krishna. We are not the doers. Krishna will supply everything when we are ready. Prabhupada had mentioned that he gave similar instructions to Brahmananda. Tamal decides to phone Brahmananda to seek the advice of his senior godbrother. Brahmananda explains that in the meeting of the East Coast presidents he had also stressed the importance of centralizing authority, but Prabhupada had disapproved, concerned that he had become overburdened by individual administration. Brahmananda admits that his self-confidence has been shaken. Sitting alone in his spacious office, with wall-to-wall carpeting and all the corporate furnishings, Tamal reflects about his change in lifestyle.
Tamal Krishna: Whereas the temple atmosphere was saturated by the mood of sankirtana, now when I would take rest at night, instead of hearing the glorious exploits of the day's sankirtana activities, or Vishnujana's blissful singing, I would listen to Gargamuni recounting his business affairs. I had always been very strict in following the full temple program, realizing that as the leader it was essential that I set as perfect an example as possible. Living separately from the other devotees made this more difficult. Gargamuni was never very strict in these matters, giving the excuse of his specialized service. As he was the most senior devotee in the temple, whatever he said or did influenced everyone, including myself. Gargamuni's presence made me feel a little uneasy about my position as the leader of the devotees. He would often contradict what I said, quoting his experiences with Prabhupada in New York, and this was confusing the devotees.
Sahadevi: Tamal Krishna kept pretty distant. Gargamuni started being the person who socialized with the devotees as far as the public relations. Tamal pretty much stayed out of it. He did preaching. He went and did college programs. But when it came right down to it, he would preach to the devotees really intellectually. He didn't have a real good say with the devotees as far as compassion. He kind of scared you more than he was endearing. But Vishnujana was endearing.
Tamal is not exactly thrilled when Mr. Vance calls to remind him that the big party is confirmed for next Friday night, and "be ready to put on a good show." Prabhupada's letter had cautioned not to count on others, and to do it on our own strength. Still, he had conceded that an experiment could be made with an agent. Gargamuni and Vishnujana express their feeling that the atmosphere is tense at rehearsals. They would rather have all the devotees there. It doesn't feel the same as street sankirtana. A letter should be sent to get Prabhupada's opinion on this. Tamal suggests they carry on with Mr. Vance until Prabhupada's reply comes. "If we can present Hare Krishna on national TV, that will please Prabhupada." It will also reinstate his confidence in Tamal's leadership.
Meanwhile, Vishnujana is busy organizing another butter churning festival. Fliers are distributed on sankirtana to advertise the special Sunday Love Feast on October 26, Govardhana Puja. Everyone will get to churn butter, and everyone can taste the churned butter.
Stoka Krishna: We constructed a makeshift butter churn and Vishnujana had everyone in the audience take turns churning. We had real cream in there and it did turn into butter, which we distributed on everyone's plate at the feast. My service was to vacuum the carpet after we took prasada. I was always in such anxiety to get done, so I could be there when Vishnujana started the kirtan and feel the ecstasy of chanting the Holy Name. He was usually the kirtan leader. Another leader was Dinanath, and he was excellent too. Vishnujana led really mellow, slow, ecstatic kirtans, which fit me well, and I could just drift off into hearing the Holy Name. Eventually, the atmosphere would grab us up and we'd be circumambulating and jumping ecstatically before we knew it. He was always full of energy, but he'd start off nice and mellow.
Although Prabhupada is with him in England, Mukunda still feels strained by management affairs and would appreciate some assistance. Therefore, Prabhupada decides to call Tamal to London. He needs a strong organizer for this important center. He is also planning the World Sankirtan Party. This had always been one of Tamal's dreams to lead a sankirtana party on a global tour with his spiritual master, chanting Hare Krishna in major cities of the world. The news immediately lifts Tamal's spirits.
Tamal Krishna: There was need of help for organizing sankirtana, and he was turning to me for assistance. Prabhupada had not lost his confidence in me after all. It was just the reassurance I was looking for. Tamal, however, is concerned about his present duties. He wonders if everything will go on smoothly in his absence. "There's no need to worry," Gargamuni assures him. "I'll look after everything while you're away. It's a great opportunity to expand your service. There's two centers in London, and Prabhupada is negotiating to buy a big church. Besides, London is a more important city than Los Angeles." Tamal senses that Gargamuni's enthusiasm is not entirely unmotivated.