Problems with London Yatra Harinam?

BY: SUN EDITORS

Feb 17, 2013 — CANADA (SUN) —

We received the following email regarding the most recent edition of the Saturday Laffs cartoon series, Muru:

    "I was very happy to read about London Yatra doing very well in doing Harinam on the street and distributing 100,000 On Chanting Hare Krishna booklets in one year. Please note that this (street Harinam) is a rarity in ISKCON in western countries.

    Now look at the cartoon posted on your website 2/16/2013.

    So what happened in 3 days, Prabhu?

    Is London Yatra doing something wrong and contradicting Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy when doing street Harinam?

    Can you post an explanation Prabhu on your website please?

    Thanks
    Hare Krishna
    Your humble servant
    Bhakta Vidyasagar

Thanks to Bhakta Vidyasagar for his email.

First of all, the term "London yatra" is a very broad reference. That yatra is comprised of many sub-groups, including ISKCON devotees at the Manor; other nearby ISKCON temples; youth groups (who may or may not be involved in temple activities); and outside devotees who follow Srila Prabhupada but don't attend the temple -- all of whom comprise Harinam groups like Bhajahari's and Parasuram's that are regularly in the news here. So there is no 'one label fits all' in this regard.

The Harinam Sankirtana preaching that Bhajahari das has reported on in the Sun on a few occasions is very welcome news. Likewise, we're always happy to hear Harinam news from Parasuram prabhu, a dedicated street preacher. Does that mean that everything going on in London that devotees are involved in is equally wonderful? No, of course not.

Veejay prabhu's 'Muru' cartoon is obviously referring to the recent news item that appeared in the official ISKCON News website: "Kirtan London Makes Ancient Chant Accessible and Relevant". Reading that article, we would have to agree with Veejay's sentiments: it appears that at some London Kirtan events, the philosophy is being twisted.

For example, the Christmastime event called "Mantra Carols", advertised in the Kirtan London article, sounds like nothing but philosophical concoction. What will the average reader guess that "Mantra Carols" are? Christmas carols sung to the tune of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra? Or the Mahamantra, sung to the tune of Christmas carols? Either one would be offensive. Now, perhaps the "Mantra Carols" weren't that at all… in which case the author/editor at ISKCON News was asleep at the switch. That fact should have been clarified to avoid confusing readers, including Veejay prabhu.

While we appreciate London devotee Jahnavi devi's stated goal, to 'give people a taste for chanting', "Mantra Carols" at the "Mantra Lounge" is not at all a taste that we think would be palatable to His Divine Grace.

Rather than schedule regular monthly kirtan at a venue known as the "Mantra Lounge" -- the very title is an oxymoron -- why would the London kirtaniyas not organize a bona fide venue? One does not approach the Holy Names in a "lounging" mood. What to speak of the fact that public "lounges" are commonly known to be watering holes designed to facilitate intoxication and sex. Unfortunately, this mood is compatible with some of the content on the KirtanLondon.com website, which features a picture of James Bond, and informs us that "kirtan is definitely more shaken than stirred." To us, it sounds more like 'kirtan on the rocks'.

Given the myriad different names one could use to promote a gathering meant for the chanting of the Holy Names, the "Mantra Lounge" wouldn't even be at the bottom of the list. Do these young, energetic kirtaniyas not think it would be worthwhile to put the effort into organizing a bona fide venue? What about the senior devotees working with them, like Ranchor dasa (Ranchor Prime)? Yes, it might take a little time to build as much traffic as the "Mantra Lounge" gets, but is that reason enough not to make the effort? The Kirtan London article says that attendance at the Mantra Lounge has jumped from ten to fifty since the group got involved. Wouldn't it be nice if those 50 jivas were getting a pure, unadulterated presentation of Krsna Consciousness, rather than chanting mixed in with New Age distraction?

On KirtanLondon.com's About page, kirtan is described as being "fast, easy, fun and authentic". No mention of Sri Krishna, God or Srila Prabhupada. The website does say, "Most of our team members found kirtan through the teachings of Shri Chaitanya, a medieval saint and avatar". No explanation that this saint is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not just another "saint", not just any "avatar" -- a name so many self-proclaimed New Age teachers have advertised themselves as being.

The Kirtan London article on ISKCON News also talks about 'flash mobs', where Vaisnava dress isn't mandatory. This reminds us of the strategy employed by Radhanath Swami, who has been known to actively discourage devotees from looking and behaving like devotees in public. And Radhanath's presence is certainly there, on the Kirtan London site.

And his is not the only worrisome influence in this London Kirtan circle. As the ISKCON News article explains, Jahnavi Harrison has spent considerable time on the road with Gaura Vani, a group of 'kirtaniyas' well known for their regular association with mayavadis, as described in the article, "Spiritual Slut and Company: A Corrupting Influence". There is ample room for concern when the official ISKCON news site promotes personalities involved in these so-called 'kirtaniya' bands, which are actually degenerating kirtan.

'Kirtan in bite-size nuggets, with yogic breathing exercises and guided meditation' also sounds like a concoction, unless the philosophy is being properly presented. So, is actual preaching part of this scene? Are newcomers being informed that Bhakti Yoga is vastly superior to Hatha and New Age practices? Or is this just another Interfaith love fest, not really designed to preach the glories of Lord Chaitanya's Sankirtan Movement, differentiating it from lesser spiritual groups and practices? Is it instead designed attract people to an entertaining venue in the name of "kirtan", but without the philosophy? Again, if it's bona fide preaching, there's far too little indication of that in the recent ISKCON News article.

So while we will not speak for Veejay, it would seem that 'Muru' is not at all pointing his horns in the direction of London Yatra Harinam parties like Bhajahari's and Parasuram's, but rather at those who are following leaders like Radhanath and other purveyors of mayavadic nonsense, who discourage travel down the bona fide path laid out by Srila Prabhupada, in favour of an unbonafide garden path that goes nowhere fast.


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