“As a state is protected by the department of law and order, so the state of Universe, of which this earth is only an insignificant fragment, is protected by the laws of nature. This material nature is one of the different potencies of God, who is the ultimate proprietor of everything that be. This earth is, therefore, the property of God, but we, the living entities, especially the so-called civilized human beings, are claiming God’s property as our own, under both an individual and collective false conception. If you want peace, you have to remove this false conception from your mind and from the world. This false claim of proprietorship by the human race on earth is partly or wholly the cause of all disturbances of peace on earth.”

(Science of Self-Realization)

In my personal email there was a discrepancy I overlooked in the wording. I originally wrote: “These recordings are not transcribed in the Vedabase or published in any other way.” Instead, I should have said: “Many of these recordings are not…” Later, on my own accord, I corrected this mistake once I noticed it and then I sent it out to others. The new letter read: “Many of these recordings are not…”

The Bhaktivedanta Archives seem to base their opposition about this so-called “misleading campaign” on my personal email, which I have already corrected. They are still, at best, giving a post-dated check on releasing the audio. I don’t think Srila Prabhupada would be pleased by this – we all know what Srila Prabhupada said about post-dated checks. I hope that the Bhaktivedanta Archives are not calling the desire of thousands of devotees to hear all Srila Prabhupada’s audio a “misleading campaign”.

I am not an expert in writing articles, diplomacy or politics nor have I ever read the book “The Prince” like many ISKCON leaders have. I am a simple devotee of Srila Prabhupada that simply distributes Srila Prabhupada’s books, and in my free time I listen to and read Srila Prabhupada’s words. I would much rather not have anything to do with this difficult issue any more than, at most, have my name be just one of the thousands on the petition. Unfortunately nothing was being done at the time and Ekanatha Prabhu had Srila Prabhupada under lock and key and refused to let him out! So I did the needful, the best I could.

Before I ever even thought about doing anything online, I had meetings with Ekanatha Prabhu where I begged him for copies of Srila Prabhupada’s audio and offered to pay him whatever he wanted for it. Both me and him know very well what he said in those meetings. So as far as Ekanatha Prabhu’s lying to the world in his reply to some legal questions from Pratyatosa Prabhu by saying that he never said to me it’s “too controversial”, all I can say is that he and I both know the truth.

As far as what he meant when he said that the audio is “too controversial”, only he knows that. Until the audio is released no one but the people that have it locked up will ever know what that audio has on it.

As far as the Bhaktivedanta Archives accusing me of “motivated speculations”, I will again clearly state for the record what my motivations are. It’s this simple – I love Srila Prabhupada more than anything, and as a result I want to hear all his recorded audio. Every morning I sing/pray “guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa – My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth”. I mean these words! No conspiracy theories, politics or anything else, no, just love for Srila Prabhupada.

Also, not just my, but the world’s only hope is the transcendental words of Srila Prabhupada. This is why I have dedicated my life to distributing them in the form of his books, and want to listen to the recorded audio of them myself. I am sorry if this was misunderstood.

Again I remind everyone of the Bhaktivedanta Archives’ own promise: “At the Bhaktivedanta Archives we want to prevent something like this happening by making copies of everything we have, available to as many people as possible, in as many places as possible, around the world.”
So I ask the Bhaktivedanta Archives to stand behind their own statements and release srila Prabhupada’s words – not another post-dated check.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/vani/petition.html

Hare Krishna!
Your servant,
Bhakta Philip

One devotee has emailed Ekanatha Prabhu the below letter addressing some important points:

“Dear Ekanatha Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

You have failed to understand that archiving means distributing. You still have so many priceless Prabhupada recordings that you have not even transferred off the original tapes that could be over 40 years old now in some cases. This is not responsible Prabhu. You have had the technology to transfer these tapes for almost 20 years now. And how many letters have you written to me saying “Yes, Prabhu, we are going to release these tapes, we are working on it every day.” It is all lies Prabhu. If you were working on it the first thing to do would be to at least transfer the tapes to digital as the analogue tapes are deteriorating every day. Every day you don’t transfer them the quality is getting worse and you know that. It is destroying the Prabhupada vani by neglect.

You do not seem to even understand this. Bhakta Philip wrote to you that the tapes were deteriorating and you wrote back that basically we have them in an air conditioned room so they are not? You said they can only get demagnitized if there is a magnet. The earth is a magnet Prabhu and those tapes are sitting in the earth’s magnetic field and that is constantly randomly rearranging the oxide particles on those tapes, increasing the background noise and reducing the signal level, every day. And gradually the hiss will come up and the recording will disappear into it. Forty years is a very long time to keep magnetic tape Prabhu.

As I said please do not take this personally. I am concerned about the Prabhupada recordings, that they are not lost for the future generations. At least we owe it to Srila Prabhupada to preserve what he has given us and pass it on to the future generations.

You know I have been requesting you to release these tapes for more than five years now and you promised me five years ago that you would release them within the next two years. But you haven’t released anything at all in five years! And you write a letter to Bhakta Philip that says you will never release anything unless you reach completion goals that you yourself say in the same letter are very unlikely that you will ever achieve. You say you will not release anything until you have translated and proof-read all the Hindi and Bengali for example. You have not even translated the Hindi and Bengali on the tapes you have already published! How do you expect to ever do this for the rest of the tapes without releasing them?”

It is unfortunate that the state of affairs has become so degraded to the point where the devotees of Srila Prabhupada, our Founder-Acarya, have to sign a petition to the Bhaktivedanta Archives in order to hear all Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Even with over 1,800 signatures in the first week that this petition has been available, the Archives still refuse to release the audio. Even though it’s madness that we have to sign a petition in order to hear from our Acarya.

According to Ekanatha Prabhu, “as of 02-05-2010… Reels to be digitized and to be indentified – 161” and  ”Conservative estimate of new audio files forthcoming – 500“. After 33+ years these files should have been released to the followers of Srila Prabhupada. The technology to do this has been available for over 20 years and every day that passes these tapes are deteriorating more and more. Yet even though the Bhaktivedanta Archives have had the equipment to convert the tapes to digital format since the early 90s they still have 161 reels not digitized yet.. Really, what sort of archive is this?

Another important point why the Bhaktivedanta Archives should release ALL of this audio now is that, God forbid, there were to be a fire, earthquake or some other type of natural disaster at the Archives. All those unique copies of the unreleased audio would all be forever lost to the world. But if the audio is released in its complete, unedited format then there will be so many places where it will be backed up, so this will not be a factor. As it says in the Bhaktivedanta Archives’ own mission statement document in section 3: “At the Bhaktivedanta Archives we want to prevent something like this happening by making copies of everything we have, available to as many people as possible, in as many places as possible, around the world.” But unfortunately the Bhaktivedanta Archives are not, as the say, “making copies of everything we have, available to as many people as possible”.

We ask the Bhaktivedanta Archives to please release ALL the hidden audio in its entirety NOW and show everyone what moral and truthful devotees they are. devotees and well-wishers of the Archives can sign the “ Release All Srila Prabhupada’s Unpublished Audio Now” petition.

Releasing all of the audio now will not stop the Bhaktivedanta Archives from continuing to archive, edit, label, etc. It just means that all the audio will be backed up in many places and as devotees listen to it they can all help in the archiving process by their own recollections of where and when the recordings took place so it can be put in order for the benefit of future generations. This must be done immediately while the direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada are still on the planet so they can give important information related to the metadata of the recordings that otherwise the few devotees at the Archives may never find. As opposed to what is going on now where the Archives are working for the past 33+ years on the audio and still have not completed the task, and not even able to give a proposed date of completion. I doubt Srila Prabhupada would be very pleased by all this.

The Bhaktivedanta Archives say that the devotees that just want to hear all Srila Prabhupada’s recorded words are a “misleading campaign”, but the 1,800+ devotees that signed the petition after only the first week it has been up are our Godbrothers and sisters, ISKCON devotees and congregation who simply want to hear all Srila Prabhupada’s recorded vani. So whats wrong with that? How is hearing from Srila Prabhupada, as the Bhaktivedanta Archives say, a “misleading campaign”?

So please, release ALL the audio NOW! Please, no more post-dated checks of any kind. We are all friends here, who help each other through tough times and good times. We chant and dance together in kirtana. Sooner or later we will have to look each other in the eyes and touch each other’s feet in a humble attitude. We will all get old sooner or later and wind up in the spiritual world together. At least while we are all here together on this tiny little planet, in the house that Srila Prabhupada built. Let’s try not to hide anything from each other and just be a transparent via medium to the words of the Acarya.

We have faith in you, Bhaktivedanta Archives, that you will do the right thing and release ALL the audio now. For it is not your property…

Petition for the Release of Srila Prabhupada’s Audio
]]> http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/hearing-all-srila-prabhupadas-words-is-not-a-misleading-campaign/feed/ 1 ahaituki SP http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/from-naradhama-to-angel-instantly-this-is-srila-prabhupadas-program/ http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/from-naradhama-to-angel-instantly-this-is-srila-prabhupadas-program/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:16:02 +0000 Ahaituki Bhakti http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/?p=143 ]]> My husband Bhakta Philip and I have been active online recently about releasing the hundreds of Srila Prabhupada recordings that the Bhaktivedanta Archives are unwilling to let devotees listen to. If you wish, you can sign the petition in this regard here, and read more about the subject here.

We actually would prefer not to be involved in this issue at all. But every day we have a morning program in our sankirtan van and we pray/sing to Srila Prabhupada:

“Guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa”

My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.

We don’t like to get involved in such difficult issues as this, and have never done so before. But we could not tolerate Srila Prabhupada’s words being locked up, the words that are our life and soul.

This brings us to the purpose of this posting, sharing some simply wonderful nectar from our service! After a day of sankirtana we always tell each other what kind of people we met and what happened. A couple of days ago I asked Philip to write down his experience so we could send to our friends that want to hear sankirtan stories. I’m posting it here as well for the pleasure of the devotees.

“By the Vaisnavas mercy, I have been able to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books for many years now. I met a young man on sankirtana who first told me that he’s totally not interested at all. I tried my best to explain the book to him. I said that this book (Bhagavad-gita As It Is) is the most important thing to all humankind because it teaches us who we are beyond the bodily, materialistic conception that we are all bewildered with. I showed him the Sanskrit verses, “These are the original texts where all knowledge of yoga, meditation and karma comes from. Einstein would read these books regularly and many other great thinkers got their ideas from here, like Emerson and Thoreau.”

I continued explaining and showing him how awesome the books are. Out of the blue he started saying “You’re an angel!” He would just repeat that over and over again. “This is amazing! This is awesome!” He was almost literally jumping up and down. He said “You made my whole week! This is incredible! I’ll treasure these books and read them.” etc.etc. He gave a very nice donation and took Science for Self-Realization, Sri Isopanisad and Gita.

It was almost funny how many times he kept on repeating that I’m an angel. He wasn’t joking, he was serious. I explained I’m nobody special, I am just a conditioned soul like anyone else. The only difference between me and the next guy is that I have found these books and am trying to share them, and others don’t have these books. I am just like a mailman trying to deliver a extraordinarily valuable message to someone. Whether I am special or not. The important thing is that I am delivering an important message! “Please understand, these books are the real thing.”

I think he understood, but he was just so overwhelmed with ecstasy of finally after so many lifetimes coming in contact with the real truth in its pure unadulterated form that he didn’t know what else to say. Besides that I am an “Angel”.

Then he started telling me how much he’s been looking for something like this, for so long. After he was done explaining this to me I jokingly told him “Ok I have to go and be “an angel” to someone else.” Even as I was walking away he was saying I’m an angel. It was kind of embarrassing, other students were watching.

There were several other people in the same school too who were surprisingly grateful. At one point I was simply walking and trying to find somebody and I hear from behind me “Hey you!” Then I hear my name “Hey, Philip?” I turned around and some girl was walking towards me. Again she asked “Philip?” Turns out a friend of hers yesterday got a Bhagavad-gita from me (everyone I give a book to I give a card with my name, phone number, email, address and website) and she was reading the Bhagavad-gita her friend got last night. I guess she must have seen my card and remembered my name. She told me “Yeah, I was reading my friends book last night and I was hoping I could find you and buy a book from you today.” Then she asked me “Please can I give you some money and you could give me one of those Bhagavad-gitas?” It was almost comical, the whole thing.

Anyway, all I could do was say “Yes.” Then after gratefully giving a donation and taking Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita she truly thanked me from her heart for being out here, for doing what we do and for distributing this knowledge, and said “I hope you stay warm” (It was a very cold day). And she walked away her life being changed.

It’s so nice to witness Srila Prabhupada’s mercy in action! It often even amazes me and I have been distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books for 14 years seeing it happen every day but it’s always like the first day, new and fresh.”

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Bhaktivedanta Archives have more than 500 unreleased recordings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. These recordings are not transcribed in the Vedabase or published in any other way. A large percentage of these unreleased original recordings are not even preserved in a digital, non-time sensitive format. If nothing is done soon the original reels will completely demagnetize due to the influence of time and the sound will become forever lost. Please take a moment to sign this petition to show that devotees worldwide indeed want to hear all of this audio, and want it all to be released immediately. Please pass this message on to others. Thank you.

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/01-10/editorials5648.htm

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-06/editorials1000.htm

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/02-10/editorials5694.htm

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/02-10/editorials5707.htm

Also recently we met two bhaktas, one in North Carolina and other in Virginia, at college campus. We offered books to them but found out they had already started practicing Krishna Consciousness and associating with devotees due to getting books from us 1-2 years earlier.

There are so many more stories, I haven’t had time to write them here… Hare Krishna!

By Her mercy I did that and immediately a man approached me and asked what kind of books I have. We talked a little and he was obviously a pessimist about material happiness, and seemed quite ready for transcendental knowledge. He wanted all the books I had and didn’t mind walking back to the van and waiting for me to figure out how he can give a donation with our wireless visa machine (that is really handy sometimes!). He was Jewish and a vegetarian, and he struck me as someone who’s very frustrated and totally unhopeful with material life (which I find is sometimes a little rare in the USA).

I was really thankful for Tulasi Devi for her mercy and compassion – for this person who got the books, and for myself for engaging me in Krishna’s service.

My realization was that on sankirtana you can see how Krishna and His servants are so many steps ahead of what is happening that it is astonishing. It is like you’re swept away into service, whether you like it or not. I only understand that whenever I manage to go with that flow of spiritual activities, I’m really happy in the end that I did, because everything turns out auspicious. And this builds up inspiration and faith to accept such an opportunity next time.

“The sales figures — this is the only solace in my life. When I hear that my books are selling so nicely, I become energetic like a young man.”      [letter to Ramesvara, Aug 13 1974]

“So I want that you all my students shall very vigorously try for this book distribution. Do not hesitate to use your American and European brains to increase, that is Krishna’s special gift to you, now use it. Any activity which will please Krishna should be accepted favorably, this is our guiding principle.” Letter to Kirtiraja, Nov 1971

“Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, “Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.” If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful. If one sloka, one word. This is such nice things.” SB 1.16.8 — LA, January 5, 1974

“So, you just do your service,” he continued. “That is all that is necessary. This is what love means. To do service.” Blissful Airport Lila; Love is Service, by Srutakirti Prabhu

]]> http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/this-is-such-nice-things/feed/ 0 ahaituki ct84-0821 http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/poem/ http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/poem/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:14:58 +0000 Ahaituki Bhakti http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/?p=86 ]]> How grave and how blissful
Your Divine Grace looks
examining Your freshly
printed books.

Why am I hesitant
to fully take part
in giving such happiness
to Your pure heart?

Whatever obstacles
may be on my way
from the van to the street,
I humbly pray

that You kindly extend
one stroke of Your kick
and bless me with taste
for Sankirtana Magic!

]]> http://ahaituki.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/poem/feed/ 0 ahaituki