THE EVIDENCE - SRILA PRABHUPADA'S OWN STATEMENTS REGARDING HIS POISONING
 

 You try to trace out the history of the world,

you'll find always persons who are for Krsna

or God, they have been persecuted.

You try to trace out the history of the world, you'll find always persons who are for Krsna or God, they have been persecuted. Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, Haridasa Thakura was caned in twenty-two market places, Prahlada Maharaja was tortured by his father. So there may be such things. Of course, Krsna will protect us. So don't be afraid. Don't be afraid if somebody tortures us, somebody teases us. We must go on with Krsna consciousness without any hesitation, and Krsna will give us protect.
 
[Srila Prabhupada from Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 7.9.8 Seattle, October 21, 1968]

 

It is a fact however that the great sinister

movement is within our Society.

Regarding the poisonous effect in our Society, it is a fact and I know where from this poison tree has sprung up and how it affected practically the whole Society in a very dangerous form. But it does not matter. Prahlada Maharaja was administered poison, but it did not act. Similarly Lord Krsna and the Pandavas were administered poison and it did not act. I think in the same parampara system that the poison administered to our Society will not act if some of our students are as good as Prahlada Maharaja. I have therefore given the administrative power to the Governing Body Commission. (GBC) .... You are also one of the members of the GBC, so you can think over very deeply how to save the situation. It is a fact however that the great sinister movement is within our Society. 

[Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Hamsaduta 2 September, 1970]

 

And Lord Jesus Christ was killed.

So they may kill me also.

 

Prabhupada: This is our position. Gradually they will show Hare Krsna movement. In India also, although India's... They will want to crush down this movement. So this will be up to Him. Krsna or Krsna's movement, the same thing. And Krsna was attempted to be killed by Kamsa class of men and his company, the demons. So it will be there; it is already there. Don't be disappointed, because that is the meaning that it is successful. Krsna's favor is there, because Krsna and Krsna's movement is not different, nondiff..., identical. So as Krsna was attempted to be killed, many, many years before He appeared... At eighth child, if the mother produces child yearly, still ten years, eight years before His birth, the mother was to be attempted to be killed. So there may be attempt like that. And Lord Jesus Christ was killed. So they may kill me also.
 
[Room Conversation  May 3, 1976, Honolulu]

 

But I will be very glad to die if Krsna

wants.... But I am not afraid of death. That

much strength I have got. Why shall I be afraid?

Prabhupada: Yes. No, I am very much confident of this medicine because nobody is prepared to die, but I am prepared to die. That much strength I have got. Generally people do not like to die. But I will be very glad to die if Krsna wants. This is... And I shall stay with you. I have no objection either way. But I am not afraid of death. That much strength I have got. Why shall I be afraid?

[Room Conversation May 28, 1977, Vrndavana, India]

 

Disaster will happen if you cannot manage it. Hm?

Prabhupada: In this condition, even I cannot move my body on the bed. Only chance you should give me--let me die little peacefully, without any anxiety. I have given in writing everything, whatever you wanted--my will, my executive(?) power, everything. Disaster will happen if you cannot manage it. Hm?

[Room Conversation October 2, 1977, Vrndavana, India]

 

For me, either live or die, I don't mind. But if you

are trying for my life, try it very seriously.

That is my formula. No negligence.

Prabhupada: So far that... He said that "Life is finished, and you are simply still living by the grace of Krsna. And there is still life. Let us try it." Now he is coming. Ask him daily what…                                                                                                                                         Tamala Krsna: Yes. He speaks English. He spoke with me in English. I think he speaks some English, the kaviraja (Doctor), a little bit. So you feel a little hopeful?                             Prabhupada: Eh. For me, either live or die, I don't mind. But if you are trying for my life, try it very seriously. That is my formula. No negligence. Whatever he advises, that is good.

[Room Conversation, October 3, 1977, Vrndavana, India]

 

Don't move me to the hospital. Better kill me here.

Bhavananda: We will never allow them to remove you to a hospital, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: You'll have to, gradually, according to his advice.
Bhavananda: Therefore we asked you yesterday for your guidance.
Prabhupada: No, I'll guide. Don't move me to the hospital. Better kill me here.
Svarupa Damodara: We won't, Srila Prabhupada.
Bhavananda: Never.
Prabhupada: But if you are disgusted, that is another thing.

[Room Conversation October 22, 1977, Vrndavana, India]      

 

In this condition I do not wish to live... No, in this way

 to remain--not desirable. Every day, crisis... That I am

 thinking, that such a big society, the aims and object

 may be dismantled. I am thinking from that vision.

Prabhupada: So this makara-dhvaja, (medicine) I think not acting.
Tamala Krsna: It's not acting? How can you tell so soon?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Tamala Krsna: How can you tell so soon? How are you able to tell so soon after taking? Wouldn't it take a few days to feel the results?
Prabhupada: Things are deteriorating.
Tamala Krsna: You can feel that? You can feel things deteriorated? In what respect, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: Weakness....
Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada? You expected to immediately get some result by taking this makara-dhvaja?
Prabhupada: I am already puzzled? Mixed-up.(?)
Tamala Krsna: You said you're puzzled, Srila Prabhupada? You said you're puzzled?
Prabhupada: Atreya Rsi?
Atreya Rsi: Yes, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: I am puzzled.
Tamala Krsna: If you continue to desire to live, Srila Prabhupada... If you continue to desire to live, then Krsna will fulfill your desire.
Prabhupada: In this condition I do not wish to live.
Panca-dravida: The purpose of this medicine, though, Srila Prabhupada, is to cure the condition.
Prabhupada: Hm?....
Bhavananda: It is true, Srila Prabhupada, that if you lose your desire to remain here, then no medicine can be effective. But if you desire to remain, then the medicine can become effective.
Prabhupada: No, in this way to remain--not desirable. Every day, crisis.
Bhavananda: That is the crisis.
Tamala Krsna: That is the puzzlement. (break)
Bhavananda: ...we have to appraise that if Your Divine Grace leaves us, what will be the result both to ISKCON society, to each of you disciples individually, and to the entire planet.
Prabhupada: That I am thinking, that such a big society, the aims and object may be dismantled. I am thinking from that vision.

[Room Con. October 26, 1977, Vrndavana, India] 

 

That is my only request, that at the last stage

don't torture me and put to death.

Prabhupada: That is my only request, that at the last stage don't torture me and put to death. So I am not eating anything, and if we chant, by batches chant, I’ll hear.

[S.P. Room Conversation November 3, 1977, Vrndavana, India]        

 

Someone says that I've been poisoned. It is possible

Prabhupada: Someone says that I've been poisoned. It is possible

Balaram Mishra (?): Hmm?

Kaviraja: (doctor) What is he saying?

Prabhupada: Someone says that someone has given poison.

Kaviraja: To whom?

Prabhupada: To me.

Kaviraja: Who said?  

Prabhupada: These all friends.  

Bhakticaru: Who said, Srila Prabhupada?

Tamal Krishna: Krishna das?  

Kaviraja: Who would give you poison? Why would anyone do that?

Tamal Krishna: Who said that, Srila Prabhupada?  

Prabhupada: I do not know, but it is said.

[Room Conversation November  9, 1977, Vrndavana, India] 

 

Someone has poisoned me. 

Bhavananda: Prabhupada was complaining of mental distress this morning also.       

Bhakti-caru: Srila Prabhupada?                                                                                   

Prabhupada: Hm?                                                                                                     

Bhakti-caru: Srila Prabhupada?                                                                       

Prabhupada: Hm? 

Bhakti-caru: What was that all about mental distress?                          

Prabhupada: Hm, hm.                                                                                         

Kaviraja: (Doctor): Say it. Say it.                                                               

Prabhupada: That same thing … that someone has poisoned me.                  

Kaviraja: Look, this is the thing, that maybe some rakshasa (demon) gave him poison..

 Bhakti-caru: Someone gave him poison here.                                                 

Kaviraja: Caru Swami, some rakshasa might have given it, maybe so. It's not impossible. Someone gave  poison to Sankaracharya for six months before he started to suffer. [The poisoner] ground glass, you know, bottle glass, and mixed it with his food. So what happened to him [the poisoner] as a result was that after twelve months, his entire body was covered with leprosy. So, you have to suffer the results of your actions. But whatever medicine I have given will, if it has an effect the poison will not be able to stay. That is guaranteed. Whatever it has affected, it will not be able to stay. But we cannot now catch the fellow who gave the poison. No matter what reason his kidneys are bad, whether from disease, planets or poison, my medicine will counteract it."

Tamala Krsna: Prabhupada was thinking that someone had poisoned him.             

Adri-dharana: Yes.                                                                                                      

Tamala Krsna: That was the mental distress.                                                            

Adri-dharana: Yes.                                                                                                

Kaviraja: If he says that, they must definitely be some truth to it.                       

Tamala Krsna: What did Kaviraja just say?                                                                  

Bhakti-caru: He said that when Srila Prabhupada was saying that, there must be some truth behind it.                                                                                                   

Tamala Krsna: Tssh. (People all speaking at once)                                           

Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, Sastriji (Doctor) says that there must be some truth to it if you say that. So who is it that has poisoned?                                           

[13 seconds pause, Srila Prabhupada does not answer]                                         

[S.P. Room Conversation November  10, 1977, Vrndavana, India] 

 

Don't keep me locked up.….. All seriously

consider this submission and let me go.

Prabhupada: I wish that you GBC manage very nicely and consider I am dead and let me try to travel all the tirthasthana (holy places)…. In the open air and bullock cart or during daytime, eh? Or you can say semi-suicide, although living what consider me dead for the time. You manage and nowadays there is in India ample sunshine. So during daytime I shall travel and night time you make a camp under a tree. In this way let me travel all the tirthas [holy places]. I am thinking in this way. What is your opinion?..... So Lokanatha party has got some experience and let me go. In India the climate is now good. If I recover, it is very good. You know. So what is the wrong? If I die, then the body will be brought either in Vrndavana or Mayapura, that's all. And if I live, it will be a great end of a life. You are all experienced.                                                                                                                   

Jayapataka: As much as you have trained us, Srila Prabhupada, that is only how much we are experienced. We don't want that you be burdened any more with material management problems but…                                                                                                                        

Prabhupada: No, not from that point of view. What is the use of lying down here?

Jayapataka: The kaviraja (doctor) said… 

Prabhupada: Kaviraja may say…                                                              

Jayapataka: ...that even that your body is going to, is got a life of six to ten years but he said even a healthy cow, if it's kept locked up inside of a room, then it will deteriorate.

Prabhupada: And therefore I say, (laughs) don't keep me locked up.….. All seriously       consider this submission and let me go.

[Room Con. Nov. 10, 1977, Vrndavana, India] 

 

And this is also suicidal.... The Ravana will kill

and Rama will kill. Better to be killed by Rama. Eh?

Jagadisha: Srila Prabhupada, can you tell us why you want to go on the parikrama? (travelling to visiting holy places) 

Prabhupada: ...good paddy.

Tamala Krsna: This seems like suicide, Srila Prabhupada, this program. It seems to some of us like it's suicidal.

Prabhupada: And this is also suicidal.    

Tamala Krsna: Hm. Prabhupada said, "And this is also suicide." Now you have to choose which suicide.                                      

Prabhupada: The Ravana (A great demon) will kill and Rama (God) will kill. Better to be killed by Rama. Eh? That Marica--if he does not go to mislead Sita, he'll be killed by Ravana; and if he goes to be killed by Rama, then it is better.                                              

[Room Con. Nov. 10, 1977, Vrndavana, India] 

 

Note: Here Srila Prabhupada compares himself to Marica. His going to visit the holy places in weaken health would be like being kill by Rama (God) His staying in the room with his Judas disciples being forced to take their poison would be like being killed by Ravana (a great demon)