Gita Nagari Farm Report Excerpt

ISKCON Gita-Nagari Farm Report, AS IT IS....... A CALL TO REFORM, by Stephen Voith (Sanatana Goswami Dasa)

ISKCON Gita-Nagari  Farm Report, AS IT IS   A CALL TO REFORM   By Stephen Voith (Sanatana Goswami Dasa)

Excerpts from our "Gita Nagari Farm Report AS IT IS, A Call to Reform" Published December 16,1992 (and the subject of numerous media stories in Pennsylvania and New York) [which report was consulted on by numerous individuals, and signed by 25 Devotees/Cong. members... see letter to Ravinedra Svarurupa from Gita Nagari residents requesting the Ravandra DEADwiler Pabhu to: "REFORM OR RESIGN" ] Sanat's offering of distilled essence of Prabhupada's sublime philosophy for the RE-Direction Of Management-RDOM for HDG's Transcendental, Vrindavan Consciousness Society: LETTER TO DEVOTEES & READERS Dear Devotees and Readers, HARE KRISHNA! Srila Prabhupada said on tape #13 of the NOD series that our main business is not to build big, big temples. It's only to preach. He then points out how his Spiritual Master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, would mention that he was prepared to sell all of his temples if it would bring him just one Pure Devotee of the Lord. Temples are there for preaching and making devotees, Srila Prabhupada said. If they're not doing that, they may as well be gotten rid of. In the same way, if on our farms we make the mistake of building big, big temples while at the same time we're neglectful of the cows residing there -- the protection of which is the very basis of varnashrama culture and an Aryan civilization, then we're making a deadly mistake. Krsna and Radharani are the Supreme Cowherds, and as such the cows in such institution as predominated by Their Lordships, are due the same respect that Krsna gave for His Father's 900,000 cows [5000 years ago]. This report demonstrates what happens -- and what WILL continue to happen -- if the leaders of this movement continue to fail to act in line with this siddhanta, this bhakti-siddhanta, in terms of the Acarya's cows and farms; how the Lord's cows being protected or cows NOT being protected bring their distinct, individual results to the human population within our society. The conclusions, drawn from my experience with both situations, are a positive culmination geared [on behalf of SP] toward creating a revolution in the attitudes and perceptions of many of the leaders in this movement regarding the role of cows and land and their interrelationship with the sociologcal structure of the human (devotee) sector.... NEXT ITEM FROM FARM REPORT From the Report's DEDICATION [to Srila Prabhupada] : This report is dedicated to the person who has inspired my thinking and attitudes by challenging the universe with great personal sacrifce. Srila Prabhupada is the most important person in my life because he not only openly and fearlessly challenges widely accepted dogma, pseudo-science and an amoral way of life, he forced me by his purity to become self-sacrificing for others' welfare. His Divine Grace reconstructed my life from being a doomed, chained animal to a soul freed by the seed of devotion planted by Srila Prabhupada. I owe my life to him. Srila Prabhupada created ISKCON out of a desire to revolutionize the hearts and minds of the world's misdirected civilizations. He did this by being himself a Revolutionary, challenging all standardized, dogmatic conceptions universally subscribed to by a docile, sheep-like world. He never suggested parrot-like following in his followers, or purposeless slogan quoting (like "Prabhupada said..." ). Rather, he strongly urged us by precept and example: "Do as I do!" What did Srila Prabhupada do? He was an innovative, creative Revolutionary. He didn't bring us just Srimad Bhagavatam; he brought, rather, his Prabhupada-ized version, his dynamic, unfettred, unhackneyed and ever-fresh and blissful Bhagavatam with its vital Prabhupada-Translations and Purports. He did innovative things -- not cautious and uncertain -- but unorthodox and deliberately unique with no worry about how outsiders would ridicule or criticize. If something didn't work, he'd get rid of it. "Judge a thing by the outcome," is simply the quintessence of a revolutionary's creed. It's been said before that: 'Prabhupada is the World's Greatest Revolutionary'; I believe this statement because whereas so many 'revolutionaries' have come and gone and had a short-lived following or legacy, Srila Prabhupada's revolution will go on for 10,000 years. His potency to perform radically purifying, revolutionizing surgery on all creatures can only be limited -- at this point -- by his followers; because Srila Prabhupada can only go on revolutionizing us and the world if we agree to let him revolutionize (and sane-itize) our own desensitized minds. Minds that have been desensitized by neglect, doubt, blind acceptance, false constructs, lethargy and basically refusing to let Prabhupada's potency enter our being, the core of our hearts. It's really just a weakness of heart that prevents Prabhupada from getting in and ruling our minds and hearts. He wants "in" and we want security in the midst of a rapidly changing material world as well as an endlessly 'mutable' ISKCON. It's only frightening to one who wishes to cling to that whch can't beclung to. Judge a thing by the result; Follow that formula and then successful revolution will occur. But so many of us are getting stuck just 'judging the thing' -- and getting stuck holding onto things that don't work in our life. So our lives become unhappy and we often appear to be parrot-like followers of Prabhupada, instead of bona fide Prabhupadanuga-revolutionaries: souls whose every thoughts are upward and positive -- and thinking for that which works and eschewing that which is unworkable and stagnating. We must revolutionize how we think -- get out of ritualistic thought and into the Free Sphere of Spirituality and expansive thinking . We let in the light of Prabhupada's love and wisdom and quickly we get back to where we once were: open, growth-oriented, accepting of others and letting things work inour lives --like positive attitudes towards others -- letting others be Prabhupadanugas in their own right, with their own revolutionary thoughts and spirit. Suddenly, bliss comes back, Prabhupada Consciousness, we all feel Prabhupada's ecstatic presence in our group participation of chanting, dancing, feasting and preaching....And ISKCON gets back on track. Utopia, you say? I think not. But we have to give up the criticizing mind, the envy and malice, the dissatisfaction of our minds and lives from having agreed to be stuck in patterns of thinking and feeling that don't work for us. "Judge a thing (a thought, feeling, action) by the result." Then change accordingly. Perceive the revolution... Thank you, Srila Prabhupada! Continuing with opening letter from Farm Report: ...This report on cow protection and other major topics took over 1600 hours of my time to produce. I've had to spend much saved money supporting myself while actively bringing these findings to light...in fact, i'm even going into debt just to distribute this message. I would like to thank my friend, Dhruva Maharaja Dasa, Dave Kirkland, for his kind monetary assistance to this ongoing project. I would also like to thank my step brother, Edwin Jacobsen, who gave me shelter in his home throughout my struggles at the farm. He even came to the [Gita Nagari] Farm and made an in-depth video of our accomplishments there on behalf of the cows and Srila Prabhupada. In addition, i would like to thank Jack Focht for his concerned participation and monetary support. When Jack learned that the GN authorities were going ahead with a plan to cut a huge section of Sri Sri Radha-Damodra's forest, he immediately wrote a six-page paper (which he sent to me) describing all the terrible, ecological and sociological dangers of such a forest-denuding scheme. The cost of a copy of this report is $45 and $5 s&h. In addition to this project, there is much work still to be done and completed at Gita Nagari for the cows' ongoing maintenance and care. So i would suggest that those who have familiarized themselves with our message and wish to support our ongoing efforts, please read thissub-letter: Dear Sanatana [Stephen Voith], Spokeperson for Friends of Radha-Damodara's [F.O.R.D.] Cows Foundation, I have read your report on the past and current status of GN's cows. In order to assist your dedicated efforts of preventing any more abuse or a return to the neglected way the cows were treated last December, '91 to February, 1992, as well as to help you uncover and expose any neglect or cruelty to any of Srila Prabhupada's cows located variously throughout the ISKCON world, including areas housing cows that have been excommunicated from ISKCON, I herewith contribute my donation to FORD Cows: __$15 __$25 __$50 __$100 __other Please make your check or money order payable to: FORD Cows Foundation [or ISKCON IN EXILE]. Thank you on behalf of the cows, for your support. Please send to: Stephen and Linda Voith POB 146, Angelica, NY 14709 I strongly urge you -- no matter what your emotional response to this report -- to at least contact the GBC of Gita Nagari, Ravinedra Svarupa (a.k.a. Dr. Willie Deadwilier) and engage him in discussion on these topics. Also, my readers could contact the GBC Privilege Committee and put pressure on them to act on the evidence presented here. Names and addresses, etc.,can be gotten from The Resourse Guide for ISKCON, or from IWR. This paper legitimately calls for serious Reform in ISKCON, particularly regarding the safety and upkeep of ISKCON's cows. Not just Gita Nagari's cows, but all cows in all zones of this movement. Please get involved! Even one person's voice can make a difference. your servant, Sanatana G. dasa PRELUDE TO EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To the interested readers of this Farm Report: My statements given in the following summary constitute a compendium of the salient points put forward in the main body of our report on the state of the cows and cowherds at Gita Nagari Farm and the GBC's involvement. It is more or less an 'Executive Summary' and is much more strongly worded overall than the main report. I wrote it a month after the main report as an afterthought based on advice from a God-uncle in Washington, D.C. [ ie. Dayananda dasa, whose Prabhupadanuga-daughter, Candramukhi Devi,did ALL the word processing and editing for this lengthy Report], who strongly suggested that i condense the report into a synopsis so that ISKCON's 'Executives' , like GBCs and Temple Presidents, would be more inclined to acquaint themselves with my message. Indeed, several of my friends warned me that most 'executives' wouldn't at all take the time (or have the time) to sit down and read through, study and absorb a 150 page treatise on the subject of cows and GBC involvement at Gita-nagari. So, whereas the main report, which developed over a long stretch of time (some of it being recorded from events 20 months ago or more) GRADUALLY introduces the reader to the noteworthy events i experienced-- and to my own gradual awakening and concommitant mental and emotional responses and attitudes towards those weighty matters -- this Summary,in contrast, seems to just drop all the 'heavies' right into the reader's lap. This also came to my attention after i noticed a marked change in response from a friend who had heard first the main report and later the summary. It's not at all intentional on my part to come off sounding heavy-handed and unrelenting in my descriptions of the situation and devotees involved, and i'm confident that if the reader takes these points into consideration and PROCEEDS WITH READING THE ENTIRE MAIN REPORT, he will see that my realizations came slowly and painfully, and that i wasn't even eager to 'go public' with them. But events superceded my own control of the situation and forced me to act for the cows' benefit on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. Having thoroughly weighed all the pros and cons, and being inspired by the Lord within, i've gone to press... Please give these matters your prompt attention. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (For GBCs and Temple Presidents) Varnashrama and Vrindavana Consciousness vs Smarta Consciousness and the Politics of Illusion Quotation of Srila Prabhupada's taken from the purport to SB 3.28.18: "Another word used here is arjavena, meaning 'without diplomacy.' A devotee should not make plans out of self-interest. Of course, preachers sometimes have to make some plans to execute the mission of the Lord under proper guidance, but regarding personal self-interest, a devotee should always be without diplomacy, and he should avoid the company of persons who are not advancing in spiritual life." Quotation of Srila Prabhupada's taken from Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-Lila, Text 111. Translation "In my last birth, I was born in the family of cowherd men, and I gave protection to the cows and calves. Because of such pious activities, I have now become the son of a brahmana." Purport "The words of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the greatest authority, herein clearly indicate that one becomes pious simply by keeping cows and protecting them. Unfortunately, people have become such rascals that they do not even care about the words of an authority. People generally consider cowherd men lowly members of society, but herein Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms that they are so pious that in their next lives they are going to be brahmanas." In Srimad Bhagavatam, by his Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, Third Canto, Chapter 29, text 15, Srila Prabhupada nicely states in a nutshell the varnashrama way of life which is the bona-fide basis upon which Vrndavana Consciousness (as outlined in Nectar of Devotion)---Krsna Consciousness-- can naturally flourish in this world: "From every position, as confirmed in Bhagavad-Gita, svakarmana tam abhyarcya: one can serve the Supreme Lord by performing his prescribed duty. It is not that only the brahmanas can serve the Supreme Lord and not the sudras. Any one can serve the Supreme Lord by performing his prescribed duties under the direction of a spiritual master or representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one should think that his prescribed duties are inferior. A brahmana can serve the Lord by using his intelligence, and the ksatriya can serve the Supreme Lord by using his military arts, just as Arjuna served Krsna. Arjuna was a warrior; he had no time to study Vedanta, or other highly intellectual books.The damsels in Vrajadhama were girls born of the vaisya class, and they engaged in protecting cows and producing agriculture. Krsna's foster father, Nanda Maharaja, and his associates were all vaisyas. They were not at all educated, but they could serve Krsna by loving Him and by offering everything to Him. Similarly, there are many instances in which candalas, or those lower than sudras, have served Krsna. Also the sage Vidura was considered a sudra because his mother happened to be a sudra. There are no distinctions, for it is declared by the Lord in Bhagavad-gita that anyone engaged specifically in devotioal service is elevated to the transcendental position without a doubt. Everyone's prescribed duty is glorious if it is performed in devotional service to the Lord, without desire for profit. Such loving service must be performed without reason, without impediment and spontaneously. Krsna is lovable, and one has to serve Him in whatever capacity he can. That is pure devotional service." In the Mahabharata, Devavrata (Bheesma Pitamaha), when asked by his father Maharaja Shantanu to share with him what he'd learned from the gods (while in the custody of his Mata Srimati Ganga Devi), described one thing that the sage Vasista had imparted to him: Knowledge begets humility Humility makes one worthy True worth results in wealth Wealth, if used for righteous acts, leads to happiness Srila Prabhupada has made the same points throughout his unlimited teachings to the three worlds. Srila Prabhupada declared that his Bhakti-Vedanta Translations and Purports would be disseminated and accepted for a 10,000 year period, creating a Satya yuga atmosphere within this Iron Age of Hypocrisy and Quarell.Therefore, Srila Prabhupada HAS NO SUCCESSOR for that period of time in terms of how HIS Society should be ruled, or in regards to who's teaching is the supreme lawbook for ISKCON. The report presented here of my experience at Gita-nagari Farm over the past 20 months clearly demonstrates how the behavior and attitudes of persons who don't grasp humility in their acquisition of knowledge leads to destruction, death and infamy, in contrast to the above-mentioned qualties described by Devavrata. My purpose in offering this detailed and exhaustive report and analysis (after praying to, and exhorting the Lord for proper 'speech') is to bring to attention to the ISKCON Public and GBC -- and any persons sincerely concerned for Krsna's cows, devotees, trees, land, etc.-- the harmful effects (to those entities) induced by the brazenly neglectful behavior, offensive and slanderous speech, and exceedingly arrogant demeanor of Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, the Governing Body Commissioner for Gita-Nagari Dhama [ and Continental Chairman for the NA GBC]. I will describe (using a wide array of corroborative evidences, including much philosophical backing from Srila Prabhupada to support my findings) how this particular disciple of Srila Prabhupada's, while putting himself forward as an erudite scholar and brahminical representative of Govinda's movement, has acted antithetically against the quintessential teachings of His Divine Grace as above outlined in Bhagavad-Gita in regards to Varnashrama, and as expounded on (henceforward) in regards to Prabhupada's explications on Vrndavana Consciousness in "Nectar of Devotion". Not only has Ravindra Svarupa engaged in variegated unauthorized and harmful speech and malicious political manuvering towards achieving his clandestine objectives and agenda, but those under him at 'the Farm' have also 'gone forward' to push on his unsavory propaganda and teachings, thereby not only endangering the lives and security of the defensless cows (under his auspices), but also causing major heartache to many sincere Prabhupadanugas in the G.N. village area. Of course, this latter point would indicate that he's jeopardizing S.P.'s movement, because many woulld like to come to the farm and feel happy in surrendering to the Lord -- "to serve Him in any capacity they can" (as above described by Srila Prabhupada) -- but the tactics of the GBC have had some of the same noxious effects on many devotees' participatioon and attitudes as when in war the enemy poisons the agricultural fields... His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has amply taught us tn his N.O.D. (lecture series, et al) the sublime philosophy of Vrndavana Consciousness, making places where devotees can come together and engage in the six transcendental exchanges. He warned his followers repeatedly about smarta vichara -- cast conscious thinking, attitudes and behavior. He described the goswami vichara process as the legitimate Vedic process; that a man's (or woman's) actions are more important than birth and that by proper initiation under a bona-fide spiritual master any person (even a dog-eater) "can become a purified Vaisnava, higher than any brahmana." In tape # 10 of the N.O.D. series, Srila Prabhupada pointed out that the problem in the world, especially in India is that the spiritual leaders -- brahmanas andVaisnavas -- are "not taking care of the fallen souls." Due to the smarta vichara conception, Bhartavarsa, which historically speaking, encompassed the entire globe, has gradually diminished. Most recently, Pakastan has been created -- with the Mohammedans being separated out. Prabhupada states that the fallen Mohammedans "those fallen away from Vedic Culture -- couldn't come back into Hindu society. This policy was being followed--so the Partition ocurred--and now we are crying." Then Srila Prabhupada explains that in due course of time under the cast-conscious system, "one who's born in India as Brahmana, except for him no one else can be accepted...because the only process of purification in the smarta vichara (process) is by rebirth... Vedic Culture -- civilization -- will soon, in due course of time be lost. WE SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL!!" Next His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada describes how he came to the West to teach the Americans to do the job that the [Indians] Brahmins and Vaisnavas have neglected to do. At this point, it becomes crystal clear (to me, at least) that Srila Prabhupada -- who in his transcendental wisdom can perceive past, present and future (which is why his teachings are good for 10,000 years and forever) --is SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING TO HIS FOLLOWERS AND DISCIPLES AND ALERTING THEM ON HOW TO PRESERVE WHAT HE HAS PAINSTAKINGLY STARTED. For the third time in this lecture, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada (slowly) reiterates to his adherents: "WE SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL!" Then: "Therefore, this K.C. movement is spreading Vedic Culture outside India and they are welcoming it -- those who are intelligent, they are welcoming it, accepting it... we should encourage them...instead of discouraging this movement...we should encourage...so that the whole world can be united on the platform of this K.C. Movement. If we simply hate low-grade families -- low grade men -- that will not solve the problem." If one listens carefully to this tape (# 10) (and to the whole N.O D. series) he or she will be impressed that Srila Prabhupada is not simply making a generalized address to the cast- conscious Indians in Vrindavana (and elsewhere) about caste consciousness; and he's not extemporaneously addressing his students and disciples simply on the two processes of Vedic understanding (smarta vichara and Goswami vichara). No! INDEED, Srila Prabhupada, in an exceedingly profound sense, IS ALSO - ESPECIALLY - WARNING US TO BE CAREFUL IN HOW WE DEAL WITH EACH OTHER IN HIS VAISNAVA SOCIETY. Srila Prabhupada then makes many successive points which indicate that he's addressing his intelligent followers specifically on how they must be careful in interacting with themselves (and the public) for the "successful spreading of this cult" : "Provided one accepts the lotus feet of Krsna in a regular-way... anyone can become a Vaisnava", as described by the six Goswamis. Next, he quotes Lord Sri Krsna in Bhagavad-Gita on His sloka api cet su-duracaro. Srila Prabhupada describes that the words sadhur eva, "He is saintly" are an "emphatic warning" to the non-devotee that because of an accidental fall down a devotee shouldn't be neglected or derided. Srila Prabhupada then explained the danger of disobeying the Lord's order and neglecting or shunning a devotee who's taken to the path of devotional service and who may be experiencing some involuntary or incidental fall down due to their past addiction to sinful life. He described that whereas one may free himself from the contamination of accidental fall down from the path of devotional service by continuous chanting and surrender to the Lord, the offence incurred by neglecting or insulting a devotee has no possibility of mitigation outside begging forgiveness from the offended vaisnava. Srila Prabhupada goes on to further underscore his warning (to his disciples) in his description of Durvasa Muni's self-destructive slighting of Bhakta Ambarisha Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada's carefully worded caution to all of his adherents in this lesson of Durvasa Muni's offending the Lord's devotee potently indicates S.P.'s own realization that although the Muni was so powerful and influential that "he could travel to Mahaloka, Brahmaloka,and even to Visnuloka, by dint of his austerities"; however, due to his neglecting to honor a vaisnava, he would be scorched by Sudarshana Chakra...."and even Lord Visnu wasn't prepared to excuse him". S.P. gives repeated evidence in the Nectar of Devotion (lecture Series) and also in many other instances in his teachings that true knowledge (realized, transcendental knowledge) begets humility, whereas partial knowledge -- and mayavada philosophy -- simply puffs one up and creates havoc in the universe. Regarding the two at-odds processes, smarta vichar and goswami vichar, Srila Prabhupada gave many lasting examples of the lessons on pride vs humility. He very sweetly shared with us in tape # 10 the illuminating story of the cobbler and the brahmana, showing us how a simple faith based on knowledge brings about the utmost in love and humble appreciation of God - the creator, owner, controller and best friend of all - whereas a person with so-called knowledge, a proud scholar or brahmana ("or mayavadi") easily becomes deluded and obfuscated due to his own ignorance of God's position. (The cobbler -- materially very low position -- readily accepted the Lord's pastime of threading an elephant through the eye of a needle, whereas the proud brahmana scoffed at the idea as ludicrous.) Of course the cobbler became easily liberated due to realized faith, whereas the brahmana remained much longer in samsara due to his blind rejection of God's inimitable, inconceivable ways. The cobbler could swim in the unfathomable spiritual ocean, but the offensive so-called brahmana had to sink back into his dry well of denying God's glory. Of course there's the very famous lesson His Divine Grace imparted to us of the brahmana and the prostitute, which graphically and accurately points out the grave danger of one being puffed-up and unmercifully critical of others less advanced that oneself (or apparently fallen). The underlying (hidden) message of this particular story (of the prostitute) is that while the brahmana haughtily assumed -- by the prostitute's outward appearance -- that he understood her heart and then subsequently - arrogantly - 'took her moral and spiritual inventory' for her, in fact he was offending the Lord by his presumptive intrusion. Here the mention of Bhava-Grahi-Janardana is relevant, which alludes to the devotee's heartfelt (& devotional) essence in his or her relationship with the Lord. No person, however materially qualified, can presume to understand a particular devotee's mentality and relationship with the Lord. One certainly becomes offense personified by such an attempt of judgemental interference. In other words, "one should mind one's own business." If a devotee appears fallen or to be going through some major difficulties, it cannot necessarily be seen what is going on between that devotee and the Lord. As in the above-cited case, the prostitute inconceivably came out better situated than the so-called brahmana. She was repentant and surrendered; he was offensive and forgetful of his own spiritual practice, ie. attending to himself - his OWN program. So this sublime story amply illustrates the mysterious dealings of the Lord and His internal energetic relationships with those on the Bhakti-marg, which cannot be interpenetrated by anyone on the material platform of envy or malice. This parable is axiomatic in that it graphically shows us the different results one gets for pride vs. pridelessness. Or for humble repentance v self-righteous castigation. As far as the proud Brahmana is concerned, the Srimad Bhagavatam also - frequently - acknowledges his existence in the universe: "One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behavior towards other living entities." [Bhaktivedanta Translation, S. Bhag 3.29.23] In the Purport: "One who is envious of or inimical towards others never experiences any happiness." In a prior Purport (to Text 21) , Srila Prabhupada states that such a Vaisnava "is on the material platform, in the lowest stage of devotional service," no matter how advanced he may be due to academic qualification. So, i've gone through with this philosophical expounding of Srila Prabhupada's fundamental devotional teachings - siddhanta - to make some significant points regarding the particular way that the GBC, Ravindra Svarupa, has dealt with many devotees at Gita-nagari Farm (and elsewhere) ; how his policies and disgraceful conduct have greatly put at risk the cows' welfare, as well as devotees who want to serve at the Farm. THE COWS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED AS A RESULT OF HIS OFFENSIVE TREATMENT OF THE COWS' SERVANTS. His interactions with many of Krsna's devotees at GN have been characterized by lack of respect and integrity, callousness, narrow-mindedness and selfish disregard for the process of nurturing and loving dedicated, connected and inspired souls. He has openly slandered and maligned the characters of several devotees; he has in one stroke driven away the bona fide cowherdsmen and subsequently brought into play a totally unqualified individual to oversee the Lord's 118 cows. After the author [Stephen Voith, Sanat das] inspired Dr. Mody to help (us) revitalize the Farm and rehire those whom Ravindra S. had driven away, RS then gradually used his influence to persuade the Doctor to back away in large part from his alleged support. He has in this way neglected his duties as the Governing Body Commissioner for cow protection (and DEVOTEE protection). As stated by Srila Prabhupada in a letter to Jayatirtha, January 22, 1976: "Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, BUT IT IS UP TO [YOU] THE GBC TO PRACTICALLY EXECUTE THESE POINTS." So, Ravindra Svarupa has not only NOT 'executed' his duty as GBC for cow protection, he even more lamentably has done his best to upend the efforts of the author and others who accomplished so much at Gita-nagari for cow protection, NOT BECAUSE OF the GBC man [RS] BUT IN SPITE OF him... Whereas under my efforts we recently had eight full-time workers in the Ag Dept., currently only two remain -- the original two whom i had convinced Dr. Mody to support from the beginning. Those two men, Rasala and Sri Krishna Prabhus, feel their position very tenuous and insecure at this point... Ravindra Svarupa, after bringing in an unqualified man to take care of the cows back in December, 1991, completely ignored a crisis situation that was engendered by his own disinterest in Ag affairs ( as well as his active enmity and neglect of the preexisting cowherds). Cows were being improperly fed, neglected and treated with the utmost disrespect and callousness by the man he emplaced, and he did nothing to intervene or further involve himself. When cows somehow got into the upper barn and fell through the rafters, one of them dying an ignominous death (by electrocution), Ravindra Svarupa spun out a wildly irresponsible and reprehensible allegation that Rasala (and possibly the author also) had sabotaged the cows. By doing this, he delivered a powerful, catalyzing influence to the hyperbolic pitch of emotional turmoil and recriminating atmosphere at GN engendered by the cow incident. By this extraordinary, irresponsible act, this 'ISKCON leader' completed his ongoing (YEARS' LONG) efforts at straining relations among the disparate parties in the Gita-nagari Village area. In spite of the fact that the author demonstrated tangible proof of the baselessness of Ravindra Svarupa's insensible charges of 'sabotage', his version (quote, unquote) or rumour was susequently spread as gospel all over ISKCON. He has since then not only done nothing to amend the situation and recitfy for his crime of slandering other devotees, but he has continued unabated in his scheme -- personally, and through his 'agents' at the Farm -- of decimating the Ag Dept's most important resource - its human servants. CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE FARM REPORT