- Citrakara dasa
Concerns about the quality of care Srila Prabhupada received in his final manifest days have been long held by some devotees. As early as 1995, PADA began publicly calling attention to conversations like the one in Vrindabin on November 8, l977, in which Srila Prabhupada says that he has been poisoned. Only recently have greater numbers of devotees begun to seriously question what occurred during Srila Prabhupada's final days. Many feel that allegations of poisoning are strongly indicated, and that serious investigation is required to determine if poisoning actually occurred, whether intentional or accidental.
An ever increasing number of disciples are also adamant that the time has come for a complete and public reporting of the details of Srila Prabhupada's health, medical program, and personal care. In response to the allegations of poisoning, a number of devotees have come forward to share their past experiences and remembrances from late 1977. In a letter dated November 5, 1997, Abhirama dasa reports his service as Srila Prabhupada's nurse and primary care-giver. On the same date, Citrakara dasa, an MD in Alternative Medicine, an Ayurveda Physician and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, reported on his extensive discussions with Abhirama dasa about the quality of care Srila Prabhupada received. Citrakara dasa expressed serious concerns about the handling of Srila Prabhupada's diagnosis of diabetes.
In his report of November 12, 1997, Mahabuddhi dasa quotes segments of a tape conversation in Bengali, where Srila Prabhupada complains that he has been given very sweet hot milk. Like Citrakara dasa, Mahabuddhi dasa also questions why a known diabetic was being given sugar.
On November 14, 1997, Hari Sauri dasa reported on Srila Prabhupada's illness in March of 1977 in Mayapura, and outlines some of the medications he was being given. Additional studies are currently underway to document all the medicines and treatments that have been mentioned in various conversations contained in the folio and on various tapes.
Information is being sought on exactly what prescriptions and medicines Srila Prabhupada was taking, who was directing his program of care at various times, what program of diet was being followed, etc. Reports that Srila Prabhupada asked that his sister Pishima be brought to take charge of cooking his foods have also raised speculations that Srila Prabhupada wanted to control the handling of his food.
A variety of other details, conversations, and suggestions regarding Srila Prabhupada's medical and care situation have been offered by various devotees, and we can expect many more to surface in the days ahead.
All devotees are encouraged to share any details they have regarding the particulars of Srila Prabhupada's care. Input can be posted in the Dharma-Mela, or emailed to us at: rocana@harekrsna.com.
has killed our Guru Maharaja.”