“I have studied this man carefully, and he is not a Vaishnava.”
(Srila Prabhupada to Yasodanandan das, re: Tamal, Dec.31, 1973)
Anti-Prabhupada-: The Deviant Impact of Tamal
Krishna Goswami on the Hare Krishna Movement
Paperback – February 8, 2023
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0923519149
©2023 NEW JAIPUR PRESS
ISBN: 978-0-923519-14-8
Contact: (srigovinda@gmail.com)
by PRABHUPADA TRUTH COMMISSION (Author)
This volume examines the deviant impact on the Hare Krishna movement by Tamal Krishna Goswami, a famous/infamous disciple of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON Founder-Acharya. “Tamal,” was an influential ISKCON leader from 1968 until 2002 when he expired (dead), as a leading Governing Body Commissioner and managing many ISKCON programs. He took sannyas in 1972, led the 200 man Radha Damodar Sankirtan book distribution team, and in 1977 was Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary and primary caretaker throughout 1977.
Tamal led the “guru-jacking” of Srila Prabhupada’s beloved ISKCON by planning and orchestrating the successor acharya hoax and the March 1978 GBC lie that Srila Prabhupada had appointed 11 diksha gurus who could expand themselves later into more gurus as they wished. Starting in 1978 Tamal declared himself the next sole Acharya, took over Srila Prabhupada’s Bombay quarters for himself, and in 1980 the GBC stripped Tamal of his positions for destabilizing their charade. Tamal then “confessed” the “appointment hoax” and soon he was put back as a guru if he would just shut-up.
After the zonal acharya regime had devastated ISKCON for a decade, it unraveled from its own unsustainable absurdities and as the majority of Srila Prabhupada’s senior disciples were alienated to the point of open revolt. Recognizing the inevitability of change, Tamal cleverly subverted the guru reform movement by tempting reformers to share in the spoils as unauthorized gurus. He influenced the GBC elite to adopt a policy for approving initiating ISKCON gurus which also left the remaining zonal acharyas (including himself) as gurus. In 1990 Srila Prabhupada’s July 9, 1977 instructions for a ritvik initiation system were rediscovered, having been hidden, suppressed by Tamal and others. Tamal rallied the GBC against those who then advocated a return to this system. Tamal’s ambition to become the sole acharya of ISKCON resurfaced in his attempt to install Narayan Maharaja as the ISKCON Acharya in 1995, whom he hoped to soon succeed. This failed and finally Tamal sought to become the primary academic authority in ISKCON as “Srila Prabhupada’s the most intimate disciple” who knew best how to spread the mission, albeit with defective doctrines, deviations, and disobedience to Srila Prabhupada.
The life history, personal character, activities, and extremely probable involvement in Srila Prabhupada’s poisoning are finely detailed herein. It would have been far better for the Hare Krishna movement if Tamal had never been. Overall, his input was exceedingly negative, and some Godbrothers who knew him, believe he was, or may as well have been, a disguised agent of anti-spiritual forces. The poisonous results of his “contributions” to ISKCON will not be easily remedied.
Tamal engineered ISKCON’s “guru-jacking” in 1977-78 and insidiously minimized Srila Prabhupada’s position and glories. As Ravana disguised himself as a holy sannyasi, Tamal used saffron dress to befool innocent devotees to reject the true Acharya as the living link to the parampara and to instead accept himself and other rascals as the next and only disciplic succession link to Lord Krishna. Each time Tamal’s deviant plans were exposed or became intolerable, he shape-shifted as a reformed devotee and with a new subterfuge, continued to spoil what Srila Prabhupada had struggled to establish, and he did it as if the great defender of Srila Prabhupada’s mission. By this ultimate hypocrisy, he was the Anti-Prabhupada, just as in Christianity there is the Anti-Christ.
A primary focus of this volume is on Tamal’s almost certain involvement in the heavy metal poisoning of Srila Prabhupada, a poisoning which has been irrefutably proven by scientific forensic evidence and findings.
INTRODUCTION
(1) “…if there is a bad disciple he can burn the whole institution into ashes. ” (SPL Bali Mardan Aug. 25, 1970)
(2) “And he [Tamal] wants to control the whole Society. He wants to be the supreme controller.” (SP, TranD Vol. 1. p. 456)
(3) “When I was temple president in Los Angeles. I used to beat the hell out of people. That’s why I was the king of the heap there. ” (Tamal, Dec. 3, 1980)
(4) “So who is it that has poisoned? ” (Tamal, Nov. 10. 1977)
(5) “I would hope someday, someone, would write a book about how Tamal spoiled the movement, setting it back forty years and counting. ” (Mahasmga das, 2016)
(6) “The poison is personal ambition…” (SPL Nov. I, 1970)
(7) “From this position he could control and manipulate the environment around Sri la Prabhupada. …and his desire to take Sr da Prabhupada’s seat. ” (Gurukripa das, Feb. 4, 2009)
(8) “Those who knew Tamal, knew that he is freakishly power-hungry. So overwhelmed was he by a lust for power, that even he could not contain it. ” (Gopal das, 2003)
(9) Matthew 7:15-20: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. [..,] Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
(10) “I have ruined Srila Prabhupada’s movement. What do I do now? ” (Tamal, 1995, after his rasika guru deviation)
THE LIFE AND DEEDS OF TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI
This volume examines the deviant impact on the Hare Krishna movement by Tamal Krishna Goswami, a famous/infamous disciple of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON Founder-Acharya. “Tamal,” as he was known, was an influential leader from 1968 until 2002 when he expired, as a leading Governing Body Commissioner. He took sannyas in 1972, led the 200 man Radha Damodar Sankirtan book distribution team; throughout 1977 he was Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary and primary caretaker. Charismatic, dominating- he was an intensely powerful man.
Tamal surreptitiously masterminded the “guru-jacking” of Srila Prabhupada’s beloved ISKCON by planning and orchestrating the March 1978 lie that Srila Prabhupada had appointed 11 successor acharyas and the GBC could add gurus later if they wished. From 1978 to 1980 Tamal declared himself the next sole ISKCON Acharya, he took over Srila Prabhupada’s Bombay (and later, Dallas) quarters for himself, and in 1980 the GBC stripped Tamal of his positions as GBC and gum. Tainai then “confessed” the “appointment hoax” and soon the GBC reinstated him as a gum (if he would renounce his confession).
After the zonal acharya regime had debilitated ISKCON for a decade, it unraveled from its own unsustainable absurdities and as the majority of Srila Prabhupada’s senior disciples were alienated to the point of open revolt. Recognizing the inevitability of change, Tamal cleverly rebranded himself as a sympathizer, subverting the guru reform movement by luring reformers to share the spoils as additional gurus. He influenced the GBC to adopt a bogus policy for approving initiating ISKCON gurus which left the remaining zonal acharyas (including himself) intact. In 1990 Srila Prabhupada’s July 9, 1977 instructions for a ritvik initiation system were uncovered, (hidden, suppressed by Tamal and others). Tamal rallied the GBC against those advocating ritvik representatives. Tamal’s ambition to be the sole acharya resurfaced in his 1995 attempt to install Narayan Maharaja as ISKCON’s Acharya (and aiming to be his successor). This failed and finally Tamal sought to become the distinctive academic authority of and in ISKCON as “Srila Prabhupada’s the most intimate disciple,” who knew best how to spread a reconfigured mission (i.e., with defective doctrines, deviations, and disobedience to Srila Prabhupada).
Tamal relentlessly and insidiously minimized Srila Prabhupada’s position and glories. As Ravana disguised himself as a holy sannyasi, Tamal used saffron dress to befool innocent devotees to reject the true Acharya as the living link to the parampara and to instead accept himself and other rascals as the next, exclusive disciplic succession links to Lord Krishna. Snakes in saffron. Each time Tamal’s deviant plans were exposed or crumbled, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, he shape-shifted as a reformed devotee, but with a new subterfuge, continuing to spoil what Srila Prabhupada had struggled to establish, and he did it as if the great defender of Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
A primary focus is on Tamal’s almost certain involvement in Srila Prabhupada’s heavy metal poisoning, which has been irrefutably proven by scientific forensic tests, evidence, and findings. That Srila Prabhupada was poisoned homicidally, maliciously, and lethally is established beyond doubt as an irrevocable fact, and cannot be undone by all the lies, deception, cover-ups, and fraud perpetrated by corrupt institutional deniers. Volume 1 presented the facts and evidence in Srila Prabhupada’s homicidal poisoning, and Volume 2 addresses Tamal’s involvement in that heinous poisoning. It is what it is, and we should make conclusions based on history, facts, testimonies, and evidence, and not sink one’s head in the sand of conformity and ignorance.
This volume also thoroughly examines whether and how we should criticize or evaluate the life of another “devotee” such as Tamal. We must judge from the results of one’s life and deeds. It is found, unfortunately, that Tamal was extremely destructive and counterproductive to the transcendental welfare of Srila Prabhupada’s preaching mission. Therefore, as our spiritual duty to truth and Srila Prabhupada, we should recognize that Tamal’s influence and mark on the movement must be thoroughly purged. Judging by the results of Tamal so-called “service,” Tamal is seen as ISKCON’s Ravana and as personal ambition personified (see Ch. 14, 32).
We review Tamal’s checkered history (what is available), which is not for those with fear of offending Tamal’s memory, weak stomachs, or thin skins. He was an enigmatic paradox: ostensibly a Vaishnava, but also capable of acts of great cruelty. Noted is that Srila Prabhupada engaged Tamal in Krishna’s sendee and even seemed to depend on him. In his 34 years in ISKCON, Tamal rendered significant service and recruited many devotees. Srila Prabhupada very kindly accepted service from all whom Krishna sent to help in his mission, although saying that Krishna only sent him fourth and fifth class men.
Distasteful as it may be, it is necessary to study Tamal’s life to:
(1) Understand his personal ambition (2) Analyze his words, actions, and writings, csp. re: Srila Prabhupada’s illness and 1977 events (3) Guard against misinformation obscuring truths critical to the welfare of Srila Prabhupada’s mission (4) Ascertain a motive in Srila Prabhupada’s poisoning (5) Decipher his advocacy of multiple, changing versions of guru and initiation systems (6) Sec his systematic subordination of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions with his own goals and speculative ideas (7) Understand how to rectify the Divine Mission.
Restoring Srila Prabhupada’s mission requires an study of Tamal’s legacy (and also that of others, but one at a time). His life was one of devious manipulation and powerful influence on a genuine spiritual movement, and to study the Hare Krishna movement, inescapably we must also study Tamal. Tamal was expert, very intelligent, talented, and he is remembered by many in ISKCON as a great contributor to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. But actually, is this so? Many others insist it would have been far better for the Hare Krishna movement if Tamal had never participated. His overall net input was exceedingly negative, and some who knew him believe he was (or may as well have been) a disguised agent of anti-spiritual forces (such as Kali, the agent of antidharma). The poisonous effects of his “service” to ISKCON arc massive and will not be easily cured, cleansed, or remedied.
“I have studied this man carefully, and he is not a Vaishnava.” (Srila Prabhupada to Yasodanandan das, re: Tamal, Dec.31, 1973)
PART 1 : TAMAL’S HISTORY AND CHARACTER
Tamal was taken away March 15, 2002 when his taxi driver presumably fell asleep on the dangerous Mayapur to Calcutta road, hitting a large mango tree in Phuliya at high speed. There were rumors his guru competitors were involved by drugging or bribing the driver, who reportedly was slightly injured, fled the scene, and found at home some days later under suspicious circumstances. Tamal had two disciples in the taxi, Auckland ISKCON president Kalasamvara das (who said Tamal’s last words were, “Oh shit’”) and his wife (who also died). Tamal was in a coma for an hour before expiring with his eyes wide open, and his secrets were taken to the next life with him. The inauspicious red spot on his forehead foretold his massive head injury.
As to how Tamal was seen in the last years of his life, he himself stated Dee. 20, 1997: “…that would not vindicate myself or others now falsely suspected of the poisoning of our spiritual master. ” That Tamal and others are suspected of this was widespread well before Prabhupada Truth Commission began its investigation. For many, Tamal is not missed. As one naive devotee eulogist said, “There is hardly any area of Srila Prabhupada’s movement that has not seen Tamal Krishna’s touch and influence.” Yes, very true. Completely ignoring the widespread suspicions in ISKCON that Tamal was the prime suspect in Srila Prabhupada’s poisoning, BTG magazine in mid-2002 featured a big spread on Tamal’s “glorious” life. Some praise his decades of service. Others arc disturbed by his role as the architect of deviation and corruption in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and upon his demise, felt that a great burden had been lifted from the earth.
Tamal was a central figure in Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes and in the Hare Krishna Movement, but that alone docs not grant a divine status. He received many letters from Srila Prabhupada, was GBC chairman in 1975 and 1987, led the largest USA book distribution operation, was Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary for 1977, and was prominent in the inner GBC circle which formulated institutional policy and doctrine. Tamal has directly influenced ISKCON’s course since Srila Prabhupada’s departure, and he has invariably been at the center of one serious ISKCON crisis after another. He had a checkered, colorful, controversial history and is widely, wildly misunderstood.
“It is certainly not good to write literature for money or reputation, but to write books and publish them for the enlightenment of the general populace is real service to the Lord. ” CC Mad 19.132
This book is about ascertaining the truths of ISKCON history and Srila Prabhupada’s glorious pastimes. We have diligently tried to be honest conveyors of only the full facts and unvarnished evidence. However, because it is the age of hypocrisy and quarrel, to ascertain truth in any arena is fraught with challenges. We arc paranoid of being convinced of anything if it is controversial. Readers’ beliefs, opinions, and preconceptions should not disallow an open mind, allowing the facts and evidence a fair hearing before determining its value. We should suspend our reflexive mental blockage of new information and trust our intelligence to distinguish incontrovertible evidence/ facts from rumor, supposition, or logical fallacies. The facts and evidence may at first appear as a conspiracy theory until given a fair and full hearing. Most do not even know they arc immersed in a culture of concealing truths from themselves, even though they pride themselves upon being supposedly “open-minded,” but arc often so in name only.
Galileo was jailed for saying the Earth was not the center of the universe. Most truths arc at first ridiculed, feared, or labeled a “conspiracy theory.” People arc very pliable and made into what we arc by our culture, friends, information sources, and association. It requires constant effort to remain open to truth and not become a programmed robot marching in lockstep to our controlling influences. Open discourse and free speech, amongst other things, are healthy and empowering to an enlightened person. Otherwise we become a victim of what is called belief disconfirmation paradigm.
In psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by a person, when confronted with new information that contradicts existing beliefs, ideas, and values. This causes one to strive for internal consistency by the motivation to avoid psychological discomfort. Many will experience shock when confronted with the evidence in this book, and due to cognitive dissonance will try to reconcile the new information with their previously held convictions/hopcs by denying its veracity. By denial, avoidance, argumentation, or disbelief one may postpone acceptance of reality. “I think that the biggest impediment is cognitive dissonance. When someone believes something to be true and then is confronted with evidence/data that contradicts that belief one of the ways that they cope with the dissonance is to find evidence or an explanation that supports their original belief ” (Anuttama dasi, 2016)
Divine or Demoniac? (Dhanesvara das p. 378): “…will likely be emotionally reeling […J This is normal, and expected, for anyone realizing that what they love is being destroyed by those they once trusted, and that their trust has been violated. It takes time to adjust to and accept these truths, to assimilate them, and to reconcile the many historical incidents and details. Those who have not previously or fully processed this history’, will find themselves going through the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, followed by depression, reconciliation, and finally acceptance [as] a natural response to a tragic event/great loss. Denial is generally (he first reaction… The final stages are acceptance and reconciliation… one examines past events in light of the new information to reevaluate and make sense of history… [and] come to a new understanding. ”
BECOMING PROPERLY INFORMED WITH FACTS
Most Hare Krishna devotees arc not well informed about the facts of ISKCON history. Many blindly believe what their superiors, friends, or ISKCON guru has told them. The record must be set straight, in light of so much false propaganda and obfuscation from those who hope to fend off discovery of historical truths. Institutions falsify the past to keep their membership loyal and subservient to their corruptions (theme of Orwell’s 1984). The material world is a dirty place, and it is imperative to clear up the lies and misconceptions which obscure what has happened to Srila Prabhupada’s Divine Mission. This book is a comprehensive historical reference, using revisionism, to bring history into accord with the revealed facts, and aims to set the facts straight to about the life and deeds of Tamal Krishna Goswami and his deviant impact on the Hare Krishna movement. It is not a lynch mob agenda, but a crusade for discovery of truth and facts. Only sincere and honest-minded persons can grasp the actual truth. Unfortunately those under the spell of false preachers and their false narratives will miss out due to vested persona! interests and calcified institutional corruption. Truth be known. No more cover-ups. Take courage. Face the facts.
Pamho agtacbsp, almost 50 years gone and we are still waiting for that serial killer who will make justice,SRILA PRABHUPADA astrologically is virgo rising sign Capricorn which the opposite sign to cancerian, tamala asura is cancer astrologically therefore we are not surprising to notice all the atrocities he done to ISKCON BBT FONDER ACHARYA SRILA PRABHUPADA, spiritually cancer it’s the best star sign because SRI BALARAMA is cancer star sign but materially is the worst star sign as we can see from the life history of tamala asura cancerian are very tricky and proud mentally until they get smashed completely in maha Maya, anyway the a-parampara of this horrible rascal is still keeping going therefore he will stay in the hell until the stupid disciples worship him.agtacbsp ys haribol