By Sakshi Gopal das
In a laudable effort to get ‘back to basics’ there may well be some among the international devotee community who now view any public appreciation of George Harrison as a deviation from the main thrust of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Whether or not their disdain stems from a fear that any acknowledgement of Harrison’s service may foster a personality cult or even a canonisation at some later date remains to be seen, but the fact remains that George Harrison’s endorsement and assistance during the early years of ISKCON proved to be of great value to the preaching in the West. His enthusiasm and service was something that endeared him to Srila Prabhupada. And among those who have ever considered themselves to be devotees of one degree or another, I can’t believe I’m the only one who owes the man a debt of gratitude for his generousity, his songs and his lyrics. So too today.
While in the 1970s, countless vinyl LPs were distributed by devotees on the street in his name (was he really on all those records?), nowadays it is an upfront programme of kirtan, prasadam distribution and Srila Prabhupada’s books that touches those who come to a variety of venues with a Harrison connection. And it goes down very well. Here in England, for whatever reason, many people’s acceptance of ‘The Hare Krishnas’ has grown exponentially. Just see the response of the crowds in the West End of London on a Saturday night when they meet the harinam party.
They (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vimeo+food+for+all&view=detail&mid=ECE0AF54507F6A187940ECE0AF54507F6A187940&first=21&FORM=NVPFVR) join in. There’s not too many places in the West where you’ll find that. Parasurama’s Food For All programme feeds the thousands who come for the summer solstice at Stonehenge – on the express invitation of the National Trust. And the
(http:// www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vimeo+food+for+all+stonehenge&view=detail&mid=DE2C7000E3871CA9EBB0DE2C7000E3871CA9EBB0&first=0&FORM=NVPFVRe) book distributers here say that people’s appreciation of a need for a higher, spiritual perspective on life is keener than ever.
As a direct result of the regular annual ‘Evening for George’ held every 29th November – an independent token of appreciation on the anniversary of his death, usually hosted at Bhaktivedanta Manor – invitations continue to come in for kirtan and prasadam at other venues. Especially from Liverpool, where two years ago we even brought the holy name to The Cavern club, the place that every Beatles fan knows as the place where it all began. On that particular evening the crowd of several hundred discovered the joys of piping hot katchouris, which really went down a treat with the traditional, mellow kirtan of the Holy Name. The devotees’ popularity was a nice surprise and it proved to be another great opportunity to create goodwill and preach. So far this year is concerned, we were invited for kirtan at the private opening of an exhibition at the Liverpool Academy of Arts entitled simply ‘For George’ on what would have been his 70th birthday. You can check out the video clip here – but it just (http://vimeo.com/60747733) doesn’t do justice to the appreciation of the prasadam or the number of smiling people who got up and danced in the kirtan.
It must be noted that while George was no saint, celebrities of his immense stature who are prepared to share their spiritual journey, stand up and be counted are actually very rare. So, while you’re making a list of all the ones you actually know of, let’s finish with a little snippet from the leaflet…
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George Harrison – musician, songwriter, producer, gardener, motor sports enthusiast and lead guitarist in a very famous rock band. For one so rich and famous, he showed a rare humanity and compassion. He was a man ready to openly express his disillusionment with the trappings of material name and fame yet more than happy to share his own good fortune with others. By the age of twenty three years George Harrison had already reached the pinnacle of material success and discovered that celebrity came at a price. His creative quest and search for meaning led him East to the culture and spiritual traditions of India yet it was in the West that George was able to share his path of heartfelt spirituality. The teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the friendship of his disciples, made an immediate impression on him and in 1973 he purchased a country property for the use of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, known today as Bhaktivedanta Manor.
George was a man who valued his privacy, yet he shared his own very personal journey through his songs. With a disarming mix of honesty, dry humour, and deep insight, he revealed his struggles, hopes and aspirations in such a way that he hoped might light the way for others. As he himself sang:
Got a lot of work to do Try to get a message through And get back out of this material world
His attempt was successful. He used his celebrity and talents for a higher purpose and many, many people continue to reap untold benefit as they walk along the pathways he helped illuminate. As Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita:
Whatever action is performed by a great man , common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by his exemplary acts, all the world pursues. 3.21
Hare Krishna, George
(Thank you for spreading the light.)
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We were talking about the love that’s gone so cold and the people who gain the world and lose their soul they don’t know they can’t see are you one of them?
Within You Without You Sergeant Pepper : 1967
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It’s been a long, long, long time How could I ever have lost You When I loved You… So many tears I was searching So many tears I was wasting Oh . . . Oh . . .
Long Long Long White Album : 1968
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There’ll come a time when most of us return here Brought back by our desire to be a perfect entity Living through a million years of crying Until you’ve realised the Art of Dying Do you believe me?
The Art Of Dying All Things Must Pass : 1970
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If you open up your heart You will know what I mean We’ve been polluted so long But here’s a way for you to get clean By chanting the Names of the Lord and you’ll be free The Lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see
Awaiting On You All All Things Must Pass : 1970
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I really want to see You Lord but it takes so long my Lord My sweet Lord
My Sweet Lord All Things Must Pass : 1970
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Give me love. Give me love Give me peace on earth Give me light. Give me life Keep me free from birth Give me hope. Help me cope with this heavy load Trying to touch and reach You with heart and soul
Give Me Love Living In The Material World : 1973
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He whose eyes have seen What our lives have been And who we really are It is HE’ Jai Sri Krishna He who is complete Three worlds at His feet Cause of every star It is HE’ Jai Sri Krishna
It Is He’ Dark Horse : 1974
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God God God You are the wisdom that we seek God God God The lover that we miss God God God Your nature is eternity God God God You are Existence, Knowledge, Bliss
Brainwashed Brainwashed : 2002
lyrics (c) copyright George Harrison
We all understand in theory:
Yasya prasadad bhagavat prasado…
WIthout the mercy of the spiritual master, one cannot achieve the supreme destination.
Well, Sriman George Harrison did receive Srila Prabhupad’s mercy. Srila Prabhupad once said: “I am simply always praying for that boy(George) to have realization of Krishna.” One should not think that simply because George did not live in the temple, or even practice the 4 regulative principles strictly, that his receiving mercy of Krishna was unobtainable. When you consider that many millions of people were introduced to the Hare Krishna Mahamantra by George through songs like “My Sweet Lord” and others, then you can understand how Lord Chaitanya engaged George.
On the other hand, George did not consider himself worthy of being honored by the bhaktas in the temples. For instance, I am told that when George visited the Manor one time and bhaktas bowed down with heads to the ground before him, he found it quite remarkable that such devotees would bow down to him. So there is some need to analize the ettiquete and perhaps the degree of honor given to him. He is truly the conduit for being the benefactor of the Manor, having paid for it, and his support of the RadhaKrishna Album (apple records) and paying for the first printing of the Krsna Book, are noteworthy of his sincerity and proper use of his wealth. Still, one must not consider George as a guru but rather as a determined successful materially aspiring bhakta who achieved the mercy of Sri Gurudeva by his determination and sincerity.
The British bhaktas are naturally very attracted to the Beatles and to George. And, his lyrics are sweet and inspiring. Still, the mission should not go overboard…as the inspiration behind all of this is Srila Prabhupad. I would say, personally, that the activities of His Grace Ambarish das is very highly to be recognized, as he has humbly tried to make Srila Prabhupad’s instructions his very life and soul…practically. We should not think that imitating the activities of George will bring about the same results for us, as it did for George Harrison, as his direct contact with Srila Prabhupad, and his attraction for Krishna as a result, were both rare and fortunate for one such as George Harrison. Certainly, if Srila Prabhupad’s prayer is that George receive realization of Krishna, then it must have come to pass. All Glories to Srila Prabhupad. Pusta Krishna das