Ritviks Posthumously Initiate George Harrison
BY: SYAMASUNDARA DASA
Aug 30, 2010 — AUSTRALIA (SUN) — Former Beatle and Hare Krishna icon, George Harrison, has finally taken initiation – 40 years after meeting Srila Prabhupada and seven years after leaving his body, Harrison was given ritvik initiation on behalf of Srila Prabhupada.
"The initiation of the famous Sriman George Harrison is a long-overdue and auspicious occasion," said Kapirasa das, who performed the ceremony on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. "His name is now Sriman Hari das."
Since meeting the devotees in 1969 until the time of his death, ISKCON had been trying to woo Harrison to their cause. Harrison, who often seemed to distance himself from the organization, remained what he called a "plain clothes devotee," abstaining from meat eating, but not illicit sex and intoxication.
"It is true, he was never able to follow the regulative principles," said Kapirasa das. " but now that he has left his body, that is no longer an issue."
ISKCON representative, Matsaryam das, expressed disgust at the initiation asking, "How can the Ritviks do this?" asked When Srila Prabhupada was on the planet, he would have to approve of invitations prior to the ceremony. Now that he is no longer with he, he can give no such approval." Adding, "besides, everybody knows we had dibs on George!"
"Yes, ISKCON had dibs," conceited Kapirasa das, "but according to ISKCON's initiation policy, the disciple has to be alive. Fortunately, being presently on this planet has no bearing to our philosophy."
Shortly after meeting the devotees, George Harrison told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to shave up, take initiation and move into a temple. Srila Prabhupada disagreed, stating, "just continue your music and Krishna will be greatly pleased."
Kapirasa das agreed with Srila Prabhupada's instruction. "Yes, at that time for Sriman Hari prabhu, those were the perfect instructions. But we must act according to time, place and circumstance. Now that his music career is over, it is time for him to seriously take to Krishna consciousness."
ISKCON argues that the famous George Harrison was not a follower of the Ritvik ideology. "He was a true Vaisnava, a follower of ISKCON," said Matsaryam. "It is just simple fact that no other means of spiritual realization is as effective in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy as being a member of ISKCON."
According to sources within the Ritvik camp, a dozen or more devotees have been waiting to take Ritvik initiation. Not from Srila Prabhupada, but from Sriman Hari das, George Harrison.
"After Srila Prabhupada left our mortal vision, we began performing posthumous Ritvik initiations on his behalf," said Kapirasa das. "I see no reason why, since Sriman Hari prabhu has left his body, that we cannot perform initiations on his behalf as well."
A 2008 reprint from The Hing
