"I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna consciousness, Settlor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and disciple of Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada, presently residing at Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, make this my last will:"
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Srila Prabhupadas Declaration of Will
Tridandi Goswami
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Founder-Acarya:
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
CENTER: Krsna-Balaram Mandir,
Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg,
Ramanreti, Vrndavana, U.P .M
DATE: June 1977
Transcribed Document
I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna consciousness, Settlor of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, and disciple of Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada, presently residing at Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana, make this my last will:
I. The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
2. Each temple will be an ISKCON property and will be managed by three executive directors. The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.
3. Properties in India will be managed by the following executive directors:
a) Properties at Sri Mayapur Dhama, Panihati, Haridaspur and Calcutta: Gurukrpa Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhavananda Gosvami and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
b) Properties at Vrndavana: Gurukrpa Swami, Akshoyananda Swami, and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
c) Properties at Bombay: Tamala Krsna Gosvami, Giriraj das Brahmachary, and Gopal Krsna das Adhikari.
d) Properties at Bhubaneswar: Gour Govinda Swami, Jayapataka Swami, and Bhagawat das Brahmachary.
e) Properties at Hyderbad: Mahamsa Swami, Sridhar Swami, Gopal Krsna das Adhikari and Bali Mardan das Adhikari.
The executive directors who have herein been designated are appointed for life. In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any o( the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books, and provided that there are never less than three (3) or more than five (5) executive directors acting at one time.
4. I have created, developed and organized the International Society for Krishna Consiousness, and as such I hereby will that none of the immovable properties standing in the name of ISKCON in India shall ever be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, transferred, or in any way encumbered, disposed of, or alienated. This direction is irrevocable.
5. Properties outside of India in principle should never be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, transferred or in any way encumbered, disposed of, or alienated, but if the need arises, they may be mortgaged, borrowed against, sold, etc., “with the consent of the GBC committee members associated with the particular property.
6. The properties outside of India and their associated GBC committee members are as follows:
a) Properties in Chicago, Detroit and Ann Arbor: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Harikesa Swami, and Balavanta das Adhikari
b) Properties in Hawaii, Tokyo, Hong Kong: Guru Krpa Swami, Ramesvara Swami and Tamal Krishna Gosvami.
c) Properties in Melbourne, Sydney, Australia Farm,: Guru Krpa Swami, Hari Sauri, and Atreya Rsi.
d) Properties in England (London Radlett), France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Bhagavan das Adhikari, Harikesa Swami.
d) Properties in Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa: Jayatirtha das Adhikari, Brahmananda Swami and Atreya Rsi
e) Properties in Mexico, Venezuala, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecquador, Colombia, Chile: Hrdayananda Gosvami, Panca Dravida Swami, Brahmanananda Swami.
t) Properties in Georgetown, Guyana, Santo Domingo, St. Augustine: Adi Kesava Swami, Hrdayananda Gosvami, Panca Dravida Swami.
g) Properties in Vanouver, Seattle, Berkeley, Dallas: Satsvarupa Gosvami, Jagadisa das Adhikari, Jayatirtha das Adhikari.
h) Properties in Los Angeles, Denver, San Diego, Laguna Beach: Rameswara Swami, Satsvarupa Swami, Adi Kesava Swami.
i) Properties in New York, Boston, Puerto Rio, Port Royal, St. Louis, St Louis Farm: Tarnal Krishna Gosvami, Adi Kesava Swami, Rameswara Swami.
j) Properties in Iran: Atreya Rsi, Bhagavan das Adhikari, Brahmanananda Swami.
k) Properties in Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Montreal and Ottawa:
Rupanuga das Adhikari, Gopal Krishna das Adhikari, Jagadisa das Adhi
Kirtanananda Swami, Atreya Rsi, Balavanta das Adhikari.
m) Properties in Atlanta, Tennessee Farm, Gainsville, Miami, New Orleans, Mississippi
Farm, Houston: Balavanta das Adhikari, Adi Kesava Swami, (Rupanuga das Adhikari.
n) Properties in Fiji: Hari Sauri, Atreya Rsi, Vasudev.
7. I declare, say and confirm that all the properties, both moveable and immovable, which stand in my name, including current accounts, savings accounts and fixed deposits in various banks, are the properties and assets of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and the heirs and successors of my previous life, or anyone claiming through them, have no right, claim or interest in these properties
whatsoever, save and except as provided hereafter .
8. Although the money which is in my personal name in different banks is being spent for ISKCON and belongs to ISKCON, I have kept a few deposits specifically marked for allocating a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000/- each to the members of my former family, (two sons, two daughters, and a wife). After the death of the members of my former family, these specific deposits (corpus, interest, and savings )
will become the property of ISKCON for the corpus of the trust, and the descendants of my former family or anybody claiming through them shall not be allowed any further allowance.
9. I hereby appoint Guru Krpa Swami, Hrdayananda Gosvami, Tarnal Krishna Gosvami, Rameswara Swami, Gopal Krsna das Adhikari, Jayatirtha das Adhikari and Giriraj das Brahmachary to act as executors of this will. I have made this will this 4th day of June, 1977, in possession of full senses and sound mind, without any persuasion, force or compulsion from anybody.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
The above was signed by Srila Prabhupada
and sealed and witnessed by the following:
Witnesses:
Tamal Krsna Goswami
Bhagavan das Adhikary
and several other witnesses
On JUNE 5th 1977 Srila Prabhupada called attorneys to his room to draw up a Codicil to his Will. His reasoning was stated in its first paragraph:
"I, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a sannyasi and Founder- Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Settlor of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and disciple of Om Visnupada 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada, presently residing at Sri Krishna-Balarama Mandir in Vrindavana do hereby make this last will and codocil to give vent to my intention, and to clarify certain things which are to a certain extent a liitle vague in my previous Will dated 4th June, 1977, as follows:
I had made a Will on 4th June, 1977, and had made certain provisions therein. One of them being a provision of maintainance allowance to Sri M.M. De, Brindaban Chandra de, Miss Bhakti Lata De and Smt. Sulurmana Dey, who were born of me during my grhastha ashram, and Smt. Radharani De, who was my wife in the grhastha ashrama for their lives as per para.8 of the said Will. Since on careful consideration I feel that the said paragraph does not truly depict my intentions, I hereby direct that as regards Smt. Radharani De, she will get Rs. 1,000/- per month for her life out of interest to be earned from a fixed deposit of Rs. One Lakh Twenty Thousand to be made by ISKCON in any bank that the authorities of the said society think proper for a period of seven years in the name of ISKCON, which amount shall not be available to any of her heirs and after her death the said amount be appropiated by ISKCON in any way the authorities of ISKCON think proper looking to the objects of this society.
As regards Sri M.M. De, Sri Brindaban Chandra De, Smt. Sulurmana Dey and Miss Bhakti Lata De, the ISKCON will deposit Rs. One Lakh Twenty Thousand under 4 seperate Fixed Deposit receipts, each for Rs.. 1,20,000/- for seven years in a bank to earn interest at least Rs. 1,000/- a month under each receipt. Out of the said sum of Rs. 1,000/-, only Rs. 250/- will be paid to each of them from the interest of their Fixed Deposit receipts. The remaining interset of Rs. 750/- will be deposited again under new fixed Deposit receipts in their respective names for seven years. On the maturity of these Fixed Deposit receipts created from Rs. 750/- monthly interest for the first seven years, the said sums shall be invested by the above named persons in some Govt. Bonds, Fixed Deposit recepits or under any Govt. Deposit scheme or shall be used to purchase some immovable property so that the amount may remain safe and may not be dissipated. In case, however, the aboved named persons or any of them violate these conditions and use the said sum in purpose or puposes other than those described above, the ISKCON authorities will be free to stop the payment of the monthly maintainance of such person or persons from the original Fixed Deposits of Rs. 1,20,000/- and they shall instead give the amount of interest of Rs.. 1,000/- per month to Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust. It is made clear that the heirs of the said persons will have no right to anything out of the said sums and that these sums are only for the personal use of the said persons of my previous life during their respective lifetimes only.
I have appointed some executors of my said Will. I now hereby add the name of Sri. Jayapataka Swami, my disciple, residing at Sri Mayapur Chandrodoya Mandir, Dist. Nadia, West Bengal, as an executor of my said Will along with the previous already named in the said Will dated 4th June, 1977. I hereby further direct that my executors will be entitled to act together or individually to fulfill their obligations under my said Will.
I therefore hereby extend, modify and alter my said Will dated 4th June, 1977, in the manner mentioned above. In all other respects the said Will continues to hold good and shall always hold good.
I hereby make this Will codocil this 5th day of November, 1977, in my full conscience and with sound mind without any persuasion, force or compulsion from anybody.
A..C.Bhaktivedanta
Swami
Witnesses:
(signatures)
Comment by Praghosa das: If Srila Prabhupada had considered any of his DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS to be "to
a certain extent a liitle vague" he would have certainly
amended or "clarified" his directives and their "intentions".
After
all - is it reasonable to imagine that Srila Prabhupada's concern for his former
family - and what they would and would not recieve as a monthly stipend for
life - would occupy a more prominent and pressing concern for HDG - than
the future of the mission he had strained his whole life to create - the contiued
availability of the books he rose each morning for nearly 10 years at
1:00 AM to produce and the faith and most importantly, the faith
and morale of his 4734 initiated disciples spread across the globe?
Hardly.
So - what he ordered to be done - he placed in the Public Record and expected that though there might be some from OUTSIDE his mission who might attempt to slander or minimize his instructions, claiming them to be "misrepresentative" of "authentic' Krsna Consciousness - at least his loyal and faithful disciples - all tethered to him via their "OATH OF ALLEGIANCE" would need nothing more than those simple and sublime DIRECT ORDERS to guarantee their undying and perfect acceptance of those DIRECT ORDERS as their "heart and soul".
This is what "should have been done" and what "should be done" still.
Praghosa das
June 29, 2009
Let us now summarize some important points from Srila Prabhupada’s will.
I. “The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire. International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” Srila Prabhupada’s Will Point 1
(N.B. Note that the Governing Body Commission (GBC) is not described as the ultimate authority but as the “ultimate managing authority”. The GBC is the ultimate for management, but the ultimate in ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada, himself and his instructions. These instructions cannot be changed even by the ultimate managing authority, the GBC. The GBC may only implement Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and never change them.)
2. “Each temple will be an ISKCON property and will be managed by three executive directors.” “The executive directors who have herein been designated are appointed for life. In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any of the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books, and provided that there are never less than three (3) or more than five (5) executive directors acting at one time.” Srila Prabhupada’s Will Points 2, 3, 6.
(N.B. All ISKCON property to have 3 to 5 initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada’s of good spiritual standing, as executive directors or GBC committee members. Note.here that Srila Prabhupada clearly says, that the executive directors or GBC committee members are to be [Srila Prabhupada's] initiated disciples, in good spiritual standing (ie: “my (Srila Prabhupada’s) initiated disciple following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my [Srila Prabhupada's] books”)
In order to ensure that an "my [Srila Prabhupada's] initiated disciple," who is "strictly following all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my [Srila Prabhupada's] books," will always be available to replace the "executive directors" or "GBC committee members responsible for the particular property".
3. “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.” Srila Prabhupada’s Will Point 2.
(N.B. Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya and ultimate authority of ISKCON could make changes in the system of management at any time during his physical presence with us. By saying “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.” Srila Prabhupada is insisting that now and forever onlv his initiated disciples act as trustees for ISKCON properties.)
Therefore taking into consideration all of the above. In accordance
with the will of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya
of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, we call upon the executors
of Srila Prabhupada's will in cooperation with the GBC body of ISKCON to kindly
furnish written proof that they are following each and every mandate given to
them by Srila Prabhupada in the above documents, as a sign to all the assembled
vaisnavas that we can have faith in them to lead Srila Prabhupada's movement.
Specifically we call upon the executors of Srila Prabhupada's will and/or the
GBC body to show compliance with sections 2 through 6 of Srila Prabhupada's
will by:
1. Publishing the complete list of ISKCON properties and the list of names of the 3 to 5 "initiated disciple(s)" of Srila
Prabhupada's who are the "executive directors" or "GBC committee members responsible
for the particular property" and who are "strictly following all the rules and
regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed
in my books" along with corresponding notarised recorded documents, proving that
the GBC are complying with sections 2, 3,and 6.
In accordance with Srila Prabhupad's written will, that system of management was to continue on as it was, without any change. The system of management that Srila Prabhupad had worked so hard to put into place and used in managing all of ISKCON for years prior and at the time of those instructions and up to the time of his passing physically from this material world; that system has changed dramatically. This is a deviation from Srila Prabhupad's order. It is our duty to undo those changes and revive the original system of management that our beloved Founder-Acharya worked so hard to establish.
PLEASE DON'T MISINTERPRET
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We would like to present two papers signed and approved by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The will of His Divine Grace and his last instructions for continuing the process of initiation. We ask only that you read the following statements of Srila Prabhupada with an open heart. Instead of analyzing his words to fit today’s circumstances, try to take these instructions just as they have been written. Without reading between the lines, try simply to accept his words. Rather than imagining esoteric meanings try to understand his commands, as they are. Srila Prabhupada often said that Krishna Consciousness is a simple process. The instructions that he gave us were always straightforward and clear. His language was never obscure or lacking in explanation. If something was important he always gave us a clear cut presentation. Before reading these last instructions of Srila Prabhupada’s, try to take to heart the following explanation from Caitanya Caritamrita on the nature of direct and indirect meanings. In it, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Lord Chaitanya, clearly explain the difference between a true understanding and an imaginary interpretation.
“Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments that mukhya-vrtti, “the direct meaning” is abhidha-vrtti, or the meaning that one can understand immediately from the statements of dictionaries, whereas gauna-vrtti, “the indirect meaning” is a meaning that one imagines without consulting the dictionary. For example, one politician has said that Kuruksetra refers to the body, but in the dictionary there is no such definition. Therefore this imaginary meaning is gauna-vrtti, whereas the direct meaning found in the dictionary is mukhya-vrtti or abhidha-vrtti. This is the distinction between the two. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommends that one understand the Vedic literature in terms of abhidha-vrtti, and the gauna-vrtti He rejects. Sometimes, however, as a matter of necessity, the Vedic literature is described in terms of the laksana-vrtti or gauna-vrtti, but one should not accept such explanations as permanent truths.” (C.C. Adi-Iila 7.110 purport, by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Please also see:
Direction Of Management
What is the Direction of Management [DOM] ?
Direction Of Management For An Elected GBC