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Someone Has Poisoned Me - Part 7
BY: NITYANANDA DAS
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The Facts About Srila Prabhupada's Poisoning by Arsenic
Part 7 - - Chapter 7 to Chapter 11
"So as Krishna was attempted to be killed... And Lord Jesus Christ was killed.
So they may kill me also." (Srila Prabhupada, May 3, l976, Honolulu)
"my only request is , that at the last stage don't torture me, and put me to death"
(from SPC Vol. 36, November 3, 1977 tape recorded Room Conversation)
SOMEONE HAS POISONED ME
CHAPTER 7 TO CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 7:
AUDIO FORENSICS COMMENCE
Up to this point, most analysis was done by the subjective human ear, such as was done by George Blackwell, Harikesh Maharaj and Bir Krishna Maharaj. Mahabuddhi learned, however, that speech recognition has become an extremely diverse and advanced science, as researchers are improving equipment, computers, and software that accurately recognize the human voice. Sounds of Speech Communication by JM Pickett and Acoustic Analysis of Speech by Kent and Reed are two definitive texts on the science.
One of the oldest tools used in speech recognition is still unexcelled in definitive identification of words, namely the Wide Band Voice Spectrograph. It provides detailed information about the many frequencies and intensities of the various sounds which make up the spoken word. The spectrograph clearly presents the complex harmonic structure of voiced phonemes, of which there are only 40 in the English language, being the elements of sound used to produce every word. The voice spectrograph displays one phoneme after another, providing a "picture" of each word, and will have a similar pattern regardless of the accent, cadence, and the peculiarities of a particular voice. Unlike the human ear, the spectrograph is fully objectivein identifying spoken words. Voice spectrograph analysis accurately determines even barely audible whispers with a confidence level of greater than 90% and is used by law enforcement agencies and as evidence in court, for decades now.
Mahabuddhi Prabhu consulted with the American College of Forensic Examiners to locate a very professional audio forensic laboratory. He settled on Jack Mitchell with Computer Audio Engineering (CAE) from New Mexico. Although Balavanta had obtained a report from Norman Perle, the results were not released and was considered of dubious accuracy (see Appendix 1). Mahabuddhi understood the grave need for a good forensic acoustic analysis.
This author offered to bear the expenses of the work. Mahabuddhi arranged for the analysis, carefully detailing the whispers' locations for CAE and how we wanted to analyze EXACTLY what was being spoken. Jack Mitchell was not told in advance by being what we thought the whispers were, as we wanted an unprejudiced analysis without any subtle predisposition of the analyst. CAE was given no information as to the nature of the controversy, but was apprised of the foreign language on the tape.
This author elicited Jack Mitchell's credentials, given as follows:
COMPUTER AUDIO ENGINEERING, Jack Mitchell, A.C.F.E.
Member American College of Forensic Examiners
John J. Mitchell ("Jack"), Years experience: 30+/audio - 3/forensic audio.
Education: *1964-1976; The Pennsylvania State University
*Undergraduate & graduate study - music education and music composition.
*Began study of electronic music in 1967. Such study includes recording and editing techniques, signal design, analysis, processing and full semester physics courses which were specific to the physics of sound. Have been involved with audio and signal analysis and processing in one form or another ever since.
*1992: Univ. of New Mexico: 1 credit short course - Music and Technology
*Other: Have taught both public school and college. From 1987 to 1995 was the editor/arranger/orchestrator for the John Donald Robb Musical Trust, University of New Mexico Foundation.
Thus far, I am able to boast a realistic 99% success rate with regard to my forensic work. (That assessment has come from clients, not myself). JM Jack Mitchell owner/engineer: Commercial Audio | Forensic Audio
Computer Audio Engineering aka: CAE Studio
Web Site: http://biz.swcp.com/CAE... E-mail: cae@swcp.com
[Norman I. Perle died on Feb. 19. 2000]
After a week, Jack Mitchell called Mahabuddhi and advised him that we should be arranging for legal counsel, as it appeared that what he was analyzing was a poison conspiracy, judging from what he had already found on the tape. Mahabuddhi was pleased that Jack was confirming what he had heard, but also depressed. Three weeks later the report arrived, and stated:
"Each segment was subjected to analysis using both Signalyze and Soundscope software. Methods employed were: F-T-A sonogram display, amplitude envelopes, 100ms segment FFT, LPC formant tracking – of particular interest was F2 trajectory tracking of the tongue movement, sound file amplification and normalization. The analysis activity involves data measurement, aural and visual alignment and segmentation of sonic events.
During signal analysis and dialog decoding, nine hours of consultation was done with Dr. Helen McCaffrey, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Texas Christian University." (see Appendix 2)
This first complete audio forensic report by CAE is included in Appendix 2, and details the exact methods and technology used. Five color spectrographs of the whispers, conclusively verifying their actual content, are displayed on the front and rear book covers, and near the front of the book.
Technical language aside, the heart of the report left Mahabuddhi, Rochan, and this author in shock and depression. Two of the four whispers had been verified as containing the word POISON. There was now far less doubt that there had indeed been a poison conspiracy. Mitchell also verbally communicated that he had isolated another very faint whisper on the same tape which he felt quite sure contained the word poison, but it was too faint to verify by phonemes. He also found whispered words adjacent to what we had asked him to study, such as "We know he's trying to trap us", and "I'm not afraid to die", which, unfortunately, fits in better with the discussions of a secretive and nefarious plot than normal devotee discussions in the course of caring for a prostrate and bedridden Srila Prabhupada.
The first whisper verified takes place on page 373, Conversations Book #36, dated November 10, 1977, but the correct date is the 1th. Srila Prabhupada says, "Hmmm. You make me flat," and then, in the background, an as yet unidentified person says what had previously been thought to be "THE POISONS GOING DOWN." However, Jack Mitchell's analysis ascertains the long, two part hushed whisper to be:
"PUSH REAL HARD, ITS GOING DOWN HIM.
THE POISON'S GOING DOWN"
The second whisper verified takes place on page 391, Conversations Book #36. (November 11, 1977) Someone speaks three or four words in Bengali, and then Jayapataka Maharaj (it almost definitely is his voice) says what previously sounded to many like POISON ISHVARYA RASA. In reference to this whisper, Bir Krishna Maharaj and Rabindra Swarup Prabhu issued a statement on January 17, 1998, claiming that three Bengalis in Philadelphia (one was Bhakticharu Swami) translated the Bengali spoken as "kayek din pare asha", meaning "in a few days time", and that there was no poison word. However, Jack Mitchell's analysis starts after that loudly-spoken Bengali phrase, and ascertains the subsequent whispers to be:
VOICE 1: Bengali (kayek…)
VOICE 1: POISONING FOR A LONG TIME
SRILA PRABHUPADA: TO ME?
VOICE 2: THAT'S REALLY ORIGINAL.
VOICE 1: GET READY TO GO.
Then:
VOICE 1: MY NUMBER'S IN THE PASS (PORT OR BOOK).
VOICE: OK.
VOICE: GOING NOW, (PRABHU).
SOFT ELDER VOICE: (YES, TODAY or YESTERDAY).
VOICE: ANYTHING MIGHT OF HAPPENED TODAY.
VOICE: (LOOK), I'M NOT AFRAID TO DIE.
SOFT ELDER VOICE: VERY GOOD.
VOICE: YOU'RE TAKING IT RIGHT NOW.
SOFT ELDER VOICE: HOW'S THIS?
VOICE: LET IT GO.
We can find no positive manner in which to interpret these words; they speak the unthinkable. It is obvious that no definitive conclusion can be drawn simply by listening with the human ear, and that therefore audio forensic analysis should carry much more weight as to what actually is being said, or whispered. The CAE report makes the whispers a hundred times more significant, and, coupled with other evidence, should help convince all those silent fence-sitters with political interests or weak hearts to get off their duff and get behind a broad, impartial inquiry as will be proposed later.
A third whisper was also analyzed by Jack Mitchell, namely the one which takes place on page 380 (November 11, 1977) of the Conversations Book #36. This whisper has been previously reported to be Tamal Krishna Maharaj saying, "Put poison in different containers…" This whisper has been explained by Bir Krishna Maharaj and others to be, "we're voicing different opinions…" and this is exactly what Jack Mitchell verified.
The explanation by Bir Krishna Maharaj makes sense, especially when looked at in context, where the word opinion is used just a little earlier and how there is a discussion about whether to go on parikrama or not. Now, with verification by forensic analysis, it does not seem that this whisper should be given much further attention. It should be noted, however, that CAE's analysis coinciding with the GBC explanation is significant in demonstrating how his work is honest and not tailored to suit any biased motive his client might have. It is very important that the search for truth not be compromised by serving someone's personal agenda or opinion, and so it is hoped that the CAE report will be appreciated as being truly impartial.
We see how the whispers have been variously and subjectively interpreted by the human ear, as by hearing poison in several other whispers prompts us to hear "VOICING" as "POISON IN." Distortions and low amplitude play tricks on the imperfect senses. But, thanks to audio forensics we can extend the range of the human senses and determine more than what we thought we heard by the ear alone.
Nevertheless, the same person who says, "…we're voicing different opinions…," was analyzed just prior to this point to have said in a whisper,
"WE KNOW HE'S TRYING TO TRAP US."
This person has been invariably identified as Tamal Krishna Goswami. What is meant by this statement is unknown.
The work done by CAE stands in quality and thoroughness far above what was done by any of the subjective listening by various human ears, and will be very difficult to scientifically discredit. Audio forensics is a method of evidentiary proof accepted by courts and law enforcement agencies; so we also should give it great credence.
In February of 1999, Jack Mitchell offered to post the poison whispers on his website as demonstration of his work and as assistance in making the evidence in this poison investigation available to more people. He explained that recent improvements in software (Yamaha Sound VQ) allowed sound bites to be downloaded with exceptional quality in a very short time. His website address is: http://biz.swep.com/CAE. Check it out and hear for yourself those who are assumed to be engaged in the very act of poisoning the pure devotee of the Supreme Lord, Srila Prabhupada.
Historical truth is often not understood by one obvious piece of blinding evidence, but is re-constructed from many small bits of information and evidence, developing into varying degrees of certitude by progressing from a doubt to suspicion, then from a credible proposition to a probability, and finally, a certainty. The revelations provided so far and those coming in the future are due to the divine arrangement of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Hopefully this issue will be fully resolved soon, so that further dissension will not plague Srila Prabhupada's Mission. The total evidence to date, as one will see by the end of this publication, clearly points to a poison conspiracy. The consequences will be far reaching and profound, as Srila Prabhupada's followers gradually realize that our only secure basis is Srila Prabhupada's instructions and books, and not the leaders and policies that have created havoc in the Mission since the pure devotee's departure.
CHAPTER 8:
MORE AUDIO FORENSICS
In January 1998, Mahabuddhi decided to divest himself of the responsibility for the CAE forensic report, and step into the background. He encouraged this reporter, who had funded the entire $15,000 cost, to decide what to do with it. Mahabuddhi wanted the report made public at some point, but his work and family responsibilities were wearing him down. He was getting dozens of calls at all hours about the forensic work; some were intimidating, some threatening, some boring, all of them time consuming. Thus this reporter was now solely responsible for the CAE forensic analysis already done, and for whatever other forensics might be done in the future.
Early on, Mahabuddhi repeatedly mentioned his suspicion that the poison tape was edited and that the sections recorded seemed to him to have been rearranged out of chronological order. Specifically, he thought that the "Get ready to go" episode was actually the last recording made, but moved ahead of previous days' room conversations. He also speculated that there was "poisoning for a long time," and that Srila Prabhupada was given a final lethal dose of poison when told "Get ready to go." He thought the poisoners were worried Srila Prabhupada going to expose them and thus they needed to quickly finish their nefarious work. Or, the poisoners were concerned that the last kaviraja would restore Srila Prabhupada's health in spite of "poisoning for a long time," something the kaviraja emphatically declared his medicines were capable of doing. Note that these were merely suppositions.
For many years there has been a samilar suspicion of tape editing on the so-called "appointment tape" of May 28, 1977. As editor of Vedic Village Review in Mississippi about ten years ago, this reporter had almost had the appointment tape analyzed for editing. Many devotees wondered if the appointment tape had been spliced, if words had been rearranged, or if words had been deleted to change the import of Srila Prabhupada's words.
This reporter then learned that Mrigendra, by GBC request, had the appointment tape analyzed, and it was a reminder of issues set aside years ago due to life's turmoil. Mrigendra, a devotee attorney (Harvey Mechanic), arranged for a copy of the appointment tape to be sent from the Bhaktivedanta Archives to Norman Perle's lab. He asked that there be a determination as to whether or not the tape had been edited.
In September 1997, Perle's report was released to the devotee world and immediately caused great confusion. Learning of the report two months later, this reporter was told that the appointment tape had been edited and tampered with, which is probably the general understanding of most devotees outside of the ISKCON temples. Upon discussing the matter with Bir Krishna Maharaj, former GBC chairman, he explained that Perle was simply identifying the points where the tape recorder had been turned off and then on again. This was the method in which room conversations with Srila Prabhupada were taped; the tape recorder would be then turned on whenever there was discussion, visitors or darshan, and then turned off again. A tape was filled over a day or more, with many sections separated by "breaks." When a tape was full, another cassette was popped into the recorder.
Part of the summary from Perle's report states:
"In conclusion, this recording exhibits strong signs suggestive of falsification. I do not believe that these deficiencies might possibly be the product of some mechanical process or problem within the recording or duplication process and I believe that they exist at what is considered to be a higher degree than that of a coincidence." (complete report in Appendix 1)
Perle identified six points on side A of the tape, each documented with a waveform and spectrograph analysis, plus a commentary, typically "…consistent with a recording made from an edited Master recording."
Interviewed, Mrigendra explained that no instructions were supplied to Perle as to the manner in which recordings of Srila Prabhupada were typically made. Perle was not apprised as to the start-stop routine and the resultant "breaks." Perle did not call back to ask any questions as to the circumstances or details of the tape. Perle was put on an extremely minimal budget, completely inadequate for actually doing any comprehensive and thorough analysis. Genuine quality work, as I found out with CAE, costs many thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, Mrigendra was simply not aware of how important this information would have been to Perle, nor was he even aware of it himself. As a result, Perle's appointment tape analysis is misleading, which is typical GBC mismanagement, and should have been remedied by further funding to complete the analysis properly.
This reporter felt a responsibility to clear up the confusion and decided, at great expense, to finish the GBC project of analyzing the "appointment tape," and to do it expertly and conclusively. (see Chapter 11 & Appendix 3) Then it dawned on this author that the next logical step in the poison investigation would be to see if the poison tape had been edited, as was going to be tested for on the appointment tape. It would be invaluable to complete and review Perle's analysis on the appointment tape. There was suspicion of editing on both tapes, May28, the other November 11, 1977, six months apart, and that needed to be checked out.
After several lengthy conferences with Jack Mitchell at CAE and strategizing on how to go about this next stage of forensic analysis, looking for possible edits, copies of the appointment tape from the BBT Archives and Perle's appointment tape report were sent to CAE. We discussed the technical differences in spectrographic signatures of a start-stop compared to various types of edits. Edits can be accomplished by copying over, "punching in" electronically, or the simple and old-school razor blade butt-splice. CAE explained about differing "ramp times" created by start-stops on different recording machines. Thus, as we shall see, CAE was able to confirm and identify many stop-start points on both the poison and appointment tapes. Most of Perle's six points on the appointment tape that he characterized as consistent with edits were, sure enough, as we shall see, nothing but typical stop-starts.
CHAPTER 9:
OBTAINING THE UHER
However, there were other unusual anomalies on both tapes that could not be explained away so easily. Jack had made note of them when he had done the poison whisper analyses. Jack emphasized the need to know exactly what tape recorder had made these two tapes, as each recorder makes its own specific electronic "signatures" on the magnetic tape, with its different functions of pause, auto reverse, limiters, internal vs. external microphone, fast forward, etc. It was crucial, if CAE were to be able to make a truly definitive analysis, that we obtain the actual tape recorder used to record the tapes. And so began the search for information about the current location of the tape recorder last used over twenty years ago.
After two weeks of phone and internet searching, the picture became clearer. There was a UHER reel to reel recorder used to record Srila Prabhupada up till about early 1976. Hari Sauri Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada's servant, arranged to have a new UHER cassette recorder obtained, as cassettes were so much easier to handle and he hoped that thus more of Srila Prabhupada's words would be captured on tape. He was right; the amount of recordings increased dramatically in 1976 over previous years. A second, identical UHER cassette recorder was obtained in Los Angeles for use when Srila Prabhupada was there (which was often) and also as a back-up in case the first recorder broke. Paramrupa Prabhu, founder of the BBT Archives, told this reporter that he used the second UHER in LA in February of 1978, after which it was sent to India. Its location today is unknown.
So where was the first UHER cassette recorder that recorded the two tapes we were analyzing? Mahabuddhi suggested that I call Puru Prabhu, who had the extensive Bhaktivedanta Memorial Museum in the Brooklyn temple for many years. Suddenly, this reporter remembered touring his exhibits in 1989, and how Puru had proudly pointed out Srila Prabhupada's tape recorder in a showcase. Upon contacting Puru, it was clear that he was anxious to help disprove that the appointment tape had been edited. Puru was assured that CAE needed his UHER recorder to definitively ascertain the truth about the appointment tape, which was this reporter's only motive. Puru sent the UHER by Fedex to CAE to assist with the analysis work.
Upon receiving the UHER, Jack found that there was an electrical short somewhere in the machine. It did not work, and would need to be repaired before tests could proceed. The former USA distributor for UHER tape recorders was of no help, and UHER in Germany did not reply Jack's e-mails. Jack got on the web and put out the alert for a schematic, hoping some electronic packrat had one from the seventies. Sure enough, within days, there was confirmation from New Zealand and a schematic was sent over to New Mexico. Without the schematic, it might have taken a small fortune to find the electrical short. Jack's repairman got to work and the short was isolated in the roller mechanism area, and the machine was taken to another shop that had better diagnostic equipment.
Three weeks later, repaired, the UHER was operational and was returned to Jack Mitchell for the final and critical tests. Could the UHER make the unusual-looking anomalies found on both the poison and appointment tapes? Or were these anomalies due to edits and tampering?
There was also a small silver SONY cassette recorder used as a backup in India when the UHER was unavailable or not working. It is on display in Srila Prabhupada's quarters in Vrindaban. However, due to the similar patterns found on both the poison and appointment tapes, we initially thought that there was very little chance that either tape was made on the SONY. After the testing was completed, it was ascertained otherwise, as explained in the next chapter.
Puru received his UHER recorder from Tamal Krishna Goswami shortly after Srila Prabhupada's departure. Tamal distributed much Srila Prabhupada memorabilia at that time. There is next to no doubt that this UHER is the one used to record Srila Prabhupada in India in 1977. Puru asked Tamal to document in writing the history of his UHER and the SONY for the Bhaktivedanta Memorial Museum, but Tamal politely declined.
CHAPTER 10:
VIRTUAL ORIGINALS FROM ARCHIVES
Discussing with Jack Mitchell his challenges in being able to cover all bases and to research all possible explanations (other than an anomaly being an edit), we decided on direct consultations and cooperation with the Bhaktivedanta Archives in Sandy Ridge, North Carolina. We wanted to make sure that when Jack identified a point on either tape as an EDIT, that it was for sure an edit and nothing else. Subsequently, Jack Mitchell had several technical consultations with Paramrupa at the Archives, and these two techies figured that any possible anomalies on Archives-produced copies that might be created by the dubbing machine could be eliminated if direct-wired DAT copies were made. Original tapes could not be sent to New Mexico because by Archives policy, tapes "do not leave the Archives without one of the Archives directors watching every second it is out of the vault."
A recording procedure for these copies was agreed upon by Paramrupa Prabhu and Jack Mitchell. Jack said, "It should also be noted that these recordings, for the purpose of enhancement and speech decoding are most likely as good as having the original. The clarity on these digital copies exceeds the previously provided analog copies by magnitudes." This special DAT copy, almost as good in quality as the original tape itself, was sent to CAE in early March, 1998. Finally Jack Mitchell thought he had all the ingredients he needed to do a thorough, complete and definitive analysis to identify and verify points of tampering by editing.
CAE also consulted with Norman Perle on his appointment tape analysis, arranged through the cooperation of Mrigendra. CAE interviewed Mrigendra and Puru at length. This was truly a cooperative and comprehensive endeavor. The forensic study involved many participants. No one thought the GBC and Tamal Krishna Goswami would cooperate, so they weren't asked. Given the anti-"poison issue" rhetoric being posted at the time on the CHAKRA website, this reporter hoped that perhaps the publication of all evidence accumulated to date would spur them into cooperative action. Then again, perhaps that hope is ill-conceived and naive.
To claim Srila Prabhupada's sacred words on tape to have been edited or tampered with would not be an insignificant thing. Witness the brouhaha regarding the editing and changing of Srila Prabhupada's books. If His Divine Grace's sacred words on tape also could not be trusted, then what is left as sacred anywhere? It would be like the Bible, with its purity and origins unknown and unverified. Meanwhile, pressure was building for this reporter to release the results of CAE's analysis of the whispers, but this reporter decided to wait until the package was complete. After all, providing tantalizing tidbits for the gossip circuit was someone else's agenda. We wanted the whole truth and it was worth waiting a little longer for. Hopefully, this explained Balavanta's delay in the release of his results as well.
CHAPTER 11:
MORE WHISPERS, NO EDITING
On March 26, 1998, an addendum report was received from CAE. CAE had not yet begun the final testing for possible edits and tampering, but, with the new digital copy of the "poison tape", there were more whispers discovered, analyzed and noted. After "Poisoning for a long time", there was more discussion in whispers which has already been added into the earlier report of the whisper analysis in Chapter 7. But furthermore, on side A of the "poison tape", November 11, 1977, was found the following whispers:
WHISPER: 00:57.692…"GOING DOWN."
WHISPER: 03:25.485…"DID IT HURT?"
WHISPER: 21:40…"HE'S GONNA DIE"
WHISPER: 21:58.641…"LISTEN, HE'S SAYING…GOING TO DIE."
WHISPER: 46:51.445…"YES, A HEART ATTACK TIME."
ALSO, on side B of the same tape:
LOWER UNDER-TONE VOICE: (21:25.878)…"I TOLD YOU WHAT'S GOING ON. ORDERED TO (?). HE'S AS SLY (SLAY) AS THEY COME."
This is what CAE found on the new analog to digital transfer tapes received from the Archives. What to make of these new whispers? Again, we see the words "going down," probably referring again to poison. Thus two separate "going down" whispers confirm each other, being very near each other on the same tape. Heart attack time? Who's as sly as they come? These secretive whispers about Srila Prabhupada's death and slyness have raised great suspicions as to the whisperers' conspiracy to poison Srila Prabhupada.
Also, the whispers CAE had analyzed and reported on in January (Chapter 7) were reviewed on the new tapes and all previous findings were re-confirmed. With McCaffrey's confirmation, this makes triple verification of the forensic analysis of these whispers, what to speak of Balavanta's multiple confirmations of the same whispers.
In late April 1998 this reporter received Part Two of CAE's audio forensic analysis, which focused on the authenticity of the appointment and "poison" tapes, but also revealed again more additional background whispers.
These new whispers found on the poison tape show how audio forensics are able to hear what the human ear would miss or cannot understand, and are listed below to illustrate the point. Background whispering became common in Srila Prabhupada's room in those last days, perhaps because Srila Prabhupada's hearing had become so poor that the poisoners no longer worried about speaking incriminating whispers in the same room. But the tape recorder heard them.
When one takes ALL the incriminating whispers together from just one tape, any possible explanation to allay fears of the worst scenario, namely the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada, becomes a real stretch of the credible. Plainly put, these whispers clearly indicate a poisoning conspiracy.
The additional whispers are (entire report is found in Appendix 3):
SIDE A:
"IT LOOKS TO ME HE'S STUPID"
"LOOKS THAT WAY, YEAH."
"THAT'S FUNNY"
"LET'S GO OUT"
"ENERGIES CONSERVED AND BUILT UP, AND
MANAGED, AND…"
"LET'S REDEEM OURSELVES"
"DID YOU DRINK? HOW MANY?"
"GOD DAMNIT JAY'S …OH GOD"
"GOD DAMN…"
"FIFTY PERCENT'S YOUR CUT"
"WELL, NO GOOD REASON"
"YOU DOIN' ?"
SIDE B:
"DO IT AGAIN"
"STAY HERE"
"SOMEBODY COULD EXPECT TO…EXPERIENCE…"
"CHECK THESE THING AND …"
"COULD HAVE BEEN TEN PERCENT OF IT"
"CAN YOU BUCK THE…"
"Fifty percent's your cut" and "God damnit." What do we make of this? The most disturbing whisper comes last, where what sounds exactly like Jayapataka Maharaj's distinct nasal voice, speaking with Srila Prabhupada.
VOICE: "YOU'RE TAKING IT RIGHT NOW."
PRABHUPADA: "HOW'S THIS?"
VOICE: "LET IT GO."
Taking what? Poison? Medicine? Some of these phrases are very unusual and puzzling. Whatever is being referred to in these whispers, when held together with other evidence (especially Srila Prabhupada's own words), and knowing the last 22 years of ISKCON history, how could any sensible person not become highly suspicious? Many would become thoroughly convinced that Srila Prabhupada was indeed poisoned by his own leading disciples, the whisperers. This reporter is among the latter.
RESULTS OF TAPE ANALYSES FOR EDITS & TAMPERING:
CAE had obtained and repaired the original UHER cassette recorder upon which both tapes were thought to have been made. CAE experimented with all combinations of manual and electronic functions of the UHER and examined the results. The idea was to attempt to duplicate the dozen or so suspected "anomalies" identified on the two tapes, to determine as positively as possible if these were produced by tampering or editing, or through normal machine operations. However, most anomalies were fully reconciled as normal. NO EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING OR EDITING WAS FOUND ON BOTH THE APPOINTMENT TAPE OR POISON TAPE.
Two of the six "anomalies" identified by Perle on the appointment tape (Perle's exhibits 1 & 6) are simply lack of recognition of the tape "leader" at the start and the end of the tape. This could not have been ascertained by Perle unless he had the original tape, which he did not, but which Jack Mitchell confirmed with the BBT Archives, who examined their original tape. The other four anomalies appear to be stop-start points and nothing more. None of the suspected anomalies that both Perle and CAE analyzed were in or near the vicinity of the critical, brief "appointment "conversation on side A.
The poison tape's "anomalies," such as a 3 second blank spot, sudden amplitude changes, spiked "ramps" and so on were mostly reconciled. We now have renewed confidence in Srila Prabhupada's taped recordings, something we no longer have with His books due to BBT "editing." This should be some relief to the Bhaktivedanta Archives crew, now that extensive testing has found no tampering or editing to date on at least these two tapes.
However, there are some reservations about these conclusions. CAE found the May 28 tape was not recorded on Puru's UHER cassette recorder, whereas the November 11 "poison" tape was recorded on the UHER. But the May 28 tape was only found to have stop-start points and not the irregular types of apparent anomalies as did the poison tape. There are no suspicious areas on the appointment tape that could not be explained by CAE, and none were in the area of the critical "appointment" discussion. Therefore, even though the May tape was probably recorded on the Sony and not the UHER, still we can be fairly sure of no editing.
Jack Mitchell, in a later phone consultation, noted that the certainty of no editing or tampering on the two tapes was about 80 - 85 %. The limitations could be overcome if the original Archives tapes were tested by the "fluid magnetic development" process. Such a test does not negatively affect or damage the tape in any way. In this test, under 6X magnification, the magnetic signatures on the tape surface reveal "tank tracks" which would be broken by gaps every time the recorder was shut off for a "break." On a copy, however, the tank tracks are always continuous. The original tape would thus be required for testing to be 100% sure that there was no editing or tampering. An absence of gaps at stop-start points on the original tape would be proof that the original was really a copy, and if editing had taken place, it would become known from studying the "tank tracks'" features.
Perhaps in the future the funds and original tape will be available for this kind of test. In an expanded investigation conducted with the support of the ISKCON leadership (is there any left?), this should be on top of the list of things to do. That last 15 to 20 % possibility should be checked out. The summary of all this business about wondering if the tapes are edited is:
*The two tapes tested are not edited, with about 80% certainty.
*There is no technical or forensic indication that the tapes were edited.
* Perle's appointment tape analysis, stating "consistent with editing," is now debunked and refuted. Perle was not informed as to the nature of the recordings and he cursorily concluded the stop-start routine to be an irregularity and evidence of tampering. CAE clearly disproves this assumption in a thorough and first-class analysis, found in Appendix 3.
Srila Prabhupada left this mortal world on November 14, 1977.
But He lives forever in His instructions, and His followers will always live with Him.
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die
While thou art living still in sound!
The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try
To spread the Holy Name around"
(Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thākura)
HARE KṚṢṆA HARE KṚṢṆA KṚṢṆA KṚṢṆA HARE HARE
HARE RĀMA HARE RĀMA RĀMA RĀMA HARE HARE