Apr 26 2008
Barsana Dham Hindu Temple in some “Dham” Trouble!
It brings us no pleasure to bring you this article published by Houston Chronicle….
AUSTIN — The founder of the Barsana Dham Hindu temple in Hays County
has been arrested in Washington, D.C., and charged with 20 counts of
indecency with a child.Prakashanand Saraswati, 78, was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals
Service on Thursday afternoon at Dulles Airport and was being held in
Alexandria, Va., according to the Hays County sheriff’s office.“He’s waived extradition, and arrangements are being made to bring him
back to Hays County,” sheriff’s office spokesman Leroy Opiela was
quoted as saying in the Austin American-Statesman on Friday.The charges stem from an investigation that began in August, sheriff’s
officials said.According to his indictment, Saraswati, known as “Shree Swamiji” to his
followers, is accused of groping two girls who were under the age of 17
at the time on several occasions between 1993 and 1996.In a statement, the temple described the allegations as “groundless.”
“Shree Swamiji has dedicated his entire life to serving humanity … No
one who knows him would ever believe he would do anything such as
this,” the statement read.The Barsana Dham center is located in a rural part of Hays County on
the outskirts of Austin. Society members have been living at the
200-acre spiritual retreat center since 1990, practicing Saraswati’s
philosophy of “divine love consciousness” based on ancient texts common
to Hinduism.The center’s Web site says Saraswati was born in India and that he
traveled the world before establishing the Hays County temple. It was
designed as a representation of the holy land of Braj in India,
according to the Web site.Brought to you by the HoustonChronicle.com
In any case, however this may turn out, it’s a bad day for the South Asian community. Please share your thoughts and feelings about this news. If you have any additional information regarding this recent news, please feel free to leave a comment below.
He has done it. His Guru is doing this from long time. After they brain wash everyone they do this as an acceptable practice for bliss to souls. This completly wrong. They are doing this all the womens in Barsana Dham. This orgnization should be investigated for sex scandels and money laundering to India.
This is very bad to hear. Barsana Dham is well known, and this kind of acts should not be tolerated. I also believe he is guilty. He must be punished.
Question for Chran_Seva,
How do you know its true that “he has done it , they are doing this all the womens in Barsana Dham to bliss the souls?” as you say. Who are “They”?
Do you mean the swamiji does the same thing that was in the news about the maharaj who was arrested for rape in trinidad? I was thinking of going there now I am scared. Should I be scared of something you know personally? Did you used to go? How long? Were you a member too?
Rita, why don’t you just go and see for your self. There were over 5ooo people for the mela on Saturday inspite of the allegations. So many people can not be wrong. It is just my feeling. I went there and did not find any thing that would make me worried. It is really unfortunate that any one can say any thing about any one and create such an atmosphere. Remember, it is innocent until proven guilty even if you are the biggest judge in the world.
A friend of mine and her whole family went to Barsana Dham for a few years and swore the swami was a form of God. THEN he touched my friend’s chest and gave her a lusty kiss when she was alone with him in his bedroom. Gross. The whole family were upset and mad and stopped going. But they said they are also sorry they gave thousands of dollars to this place. They said they were repeatedly pressured to write checks for a hospital in India that has not yet been built. But they saw pictures of lots of construction of fancy temples and became suspicious of the money spending by JKP. Then we learned the main guru in India has a shady past. I would advise all Hindus with lots of morals to stay far away from Barsana Dham. Keep your daughters and bank account safe.
I just saw that barsana dham is having a “family camp” there in July. Will any Hindus actually want to have their children in such a place where both gurus have been arrested for rape and molesting? Please think carefully before goine there.
being arrested and being convicted are two different things. Any body can be accused of anything and as soon as the charges are dropped the whole matter is gone. Offcource the damage is already done and the motives are achieved as you can see. The easiest way to bring down the reputation of an individual is to accuse him of something. All of ccusations are around two things only, one-money, two-sexual. Even if you don’t succeed, you would still tarnish his reputation and gullible people will only go after the juicy story and not the facts. That is the truth.
This guy is definetely guilty; there will not be smoke without fire. He is arrested after months of secret investigations by the officers. Mind this guy is let out on bond not just an innocent. Only criminals pending further investigations are let out on bond. It is not as though some X found fault on some Y and cops immediately arrested and let that person Y on bond. This is after several months of close watch on this guy. Lot of people in Austin knew this SMOKE for a long time. Also, last heard that this “BalAna Dham…” is in tax evasion problem too. They are stripped of their Non-Profit status as they have NOT paid taxes for last year; adding to the misery; huh!
Just like the other person said that it is only money or sex so this last person brings in the money part. There you again people. You know the tax details- how? is that one of your imagianry things as well. Please lord! Bless these ignorant souls. Do you work with their book keeper or is the tax info public knowledge. Being on bond does not mean that one is guilty, it just means that the investigation is going on. Please talk some sense with facts and not show your personal foolishness publically. Misery is all yours as I could not see any of theirs in the weekend program at all.
All the things that were stated from Austin’s KVUE, KXAN and KEYE news channels. If you were from Austin you would know the truth. Tax evasion was brought to light on Saturday evening itself by the media. Nobody is interested in spoiling these people’s name. Check with someone if you want to about the tax problems they are having now. Any gifts/donations that you make to that organisation is taxable henceforth and the worst part is you are donating for a very WRONG cause; mind it!
Also the bond is not a petty amount; He is out on bond worth $1 million. If any innocent can be charged and arrested and asked to pay bond then the world will be crazy finger-pointing each other and charging; effectively making the state-offices richer with bond money. That is NOT how it works. Only with some reasonable investigations leading to witness of the crime cops arrest and let out people depending on their financial status and the type of crime they set and levy the bond amount. This is NOT a joke. We are talking some serious issue.
The points from both sides are valid. The folks who say he is not guilty until proven so are absolutely correct. However, being in the field of law, I can be certain that authorities would not post a 1Million dollar bond on this fellow if they don’t have solid incriminating evidence against him. Although I wish that this situation was mere smoke, the way the authorities have presented held him makes him more guilty than not.
After reading many of the responses, it seems that lots of people may have been affected or are claiming to be affected by these acts.
Is there any South Asian organization that can support these folks? I will definitely be interested to see what steps are taken to help the alleged victims. Aasha mentioned her friends were involved - did they seek help or have they spoken to anyone about this?
Also, what is the current status of the temple now? Is it still open for people?
you would believe every thing that media says? don’t forget that the more jucier they make the story, the more audience they will have so don’t rely on them for the facts for the most part.
Please do use your own judgement as well. I think we should just let the system decide what would be the outcome and then go from there. I bet if he was found not guilty, media won’t even put it on the front page as it won’t fetch them anything.
Barsana dham had a very small turnout to the mela this year. Usually they get 7,000 or more people and only got 4,000 this year — and that might be puffed up, as the figures come from them. One telling observation is that they showed some video but no shots of a big crowd. I heard that some of the people who went to the mela had not yet heard the news because it only happened the day before. Many others who came were selling stuff or performing or friends of the sellers and performers. So that low turn out is not looking too good. It was a bright sunny day so they can’t blame the weather.
Whoever thinks only a few people are trying to tarnish this place — just google them and see all the bad news about them, especially from last summer. Thousands of people have stories.
The tax status of the organization was announced on Austin news. Where there’s smoke there’s a forest fire!
I am an American born, caucasion and have been a devotee of Shree Swamiji for 3 years now. I visit Barsana Dham frequently. The Hindu religion and faith is the only true religion of the world. Shree Swamiji has dedicated his existence to preserving the true hindu tenets of faith and worked tirelessly to bring souls to God.
Barsana Dham is open to the public. the entrance gates are wide open every day. There are no secrets and no lies. Swamiji has put himself at risk by spending time with devotees and helping them. When I crashed my car and almost died, he spoke to me personally. When I have a devotional problem, he answers my questions personally. I am a nobody, he is a great Saint with hundreds, maybe thousands, to look after, yet he makes time for me every visit.
In this age of Kali, there will always be people who need attention and want to be famous. Swamiji’s accusers are just that: insecure people who are looking to get on TV and feel important.
History will show that Shree Kripalu Maharaj and Shree Swamiji will be two of the greatest Saints to Grace the earth planet since Lord Chaitanya and the Goswamis.
After Lord Chaitanya left the planet, people anguished over their lost chance to believe and associate with Him. You have that same opportunity now with Shree Kripalu and Swamiji.
Jai Shree Radhey
Scott,
If you are speaking the truth, then why were the police watching him for so long? I am pretty sure they had to have good evidence that he did something before they arrested him.
I think it is interesting how many men come and stand up fpr Swamiji and Maharajji, They can say there are no secrets because probably they do not know the secrets. If activities such as the one claimed by these women do happen why would a man think he would know about it?
rpatel — you are exactly right! Most men do NOT know the dirty secrets that go on behind the closed doors of these two fake saints. They men are all unknowingly part of JKP’s smokescreen. They sit in the prayer hall chanting not knowing what’s going on in just a few feet away in these conmen’s bedroom. When some men find out they either leave or decided to believe that the guru is gracing their women. However, they don’t know any of the details. And many of their wives lie to them — I’ve heard the lies being told to right to their faces.
Poor Scott is just another of the brainwashed — seeing a few little token gestures and imagining a big spiritual fantasy. Unfortunately many people in this world are weak and vulnerable to charismatic conmen.
As Hindus, we should not tarnish the Barsana Dham infrastructure - it has a lot to offer to the community. Further, efforts should be made to ensure that this incident does not portray negativity on Hinduism. Barsana Dham has done a great service and will continue to do so. Barsana Dham has also developed infrastructures in India to help the needy.
You can go today and pray at Barsana Dham, this has not changed, despite this incident. As a Hindu, you will see the same sanctuary as it was before these charges.
Many learned professional are very respectful and appreciative of Swami’s work in history of Hinduism. I was chatting with a UTA professor and he thought that Swami’s books shed much insight, not seen before. This contribution cannot be ignored, among much other work charitable work he has done.
Let the process work on these charges. There are also issues with the allegations, at least on the surface - this happened over 10 yrs and a go and is now surfacing. Swami was on his way to Austin, and it was waste of tax payers money to intersect him at Dulles airport.
I urge all Hindus or patrons of Barsana Dham to make efforts not to harm the Barsana Dham infrastructure, a place where many go to pray to God. Let the legal process work its way……….
Mayur, evidence is good or not will be decided by the judge but you have to remember it is innocent until proven guilty. 2 women accuse some one of something, offcource law will look in to it and the investigation will go on. At this stage, to assume the guilt is not fair. We think that beacuse there were charges so one was guilty is not right. You have to wait till the whole thing unfolds. It is indeed unfortunate that it is so easy to damage one’s reputation by anyone on any charges.
It seems all political to me or why else would they involve US marshals at the airport. The whole world knew that he will be in Austin and lot of other places as it was well advertised so why not wait till he gets there. If they were investigating properly they would have known that he was coming to Austin for the mela and the speech.
Harish - NO ONE is tarnishing Barsana Dham and JKP but the two gurus — Prakash and Maharaj. They are the ones who have chosen to say one thing and act one way to the public and behave exactly the opposite in private. Speak to them about why they chose to live this duplicitous life. Don’t tell innocent and sincere spiritual seekers not to question or not to be offended by such behavior. Have you no morals? Even if you and other deluded devotees have left your morals behind and followed these fake gurus into the gutter, do not offend good citizens by claiming they are hurting your organization. As people have said, yes it has a nice outer gloss, but too many women have complained of inappropriate behavior and too many have claimed of heavy-handed money collection.
The whole idea that Barsana Dham is “doing so much to help the needy” is a cruel lie. The truth of the organization is that it spends millions (maybe billions) to build lavish temples in India. How many temples do your gurus need? How lavish do they have to be? It seems there’s no limit. Meanwhile you feed a few poor people rice and rotis and slowly build little medical facilities and call yourself as “do gooders” — and all this ONLY after getting criticism from Hindus for the organization’s lack of charity.
Your plea for people to still come to such a place and act like nothing has happened sounds like you are being told what to say by the organization’s leadership. What is Barsana Dham’s future — please come here but forget that the gurus might be sex offenders? I for one only want to worship is a completely pure place. It doesn’t have to be in some huge, expensive, and possibly corrupt temple.
Fantastic! Very well said, Janisha!!
>>>>It doesn’t have to be in some huge, expensive, and possibly corrupt temple.<<<<<
One of the prime example comes to my mind now is Mother Theresa and the word ‘Poorest of the Poor’. You call you guys as Saint or Sage after all these RUBBISH activities (what have you not done); if so, what do we call Mother Theresa to be. These guys are licensed goondas. Be honest! These corrupts are below common man; let alone being one amongst us.
and you think Mother Teresa was spared from people. here is what some had to say. Just like you call this organization a bad one but Mother Teresa’s good, there are people everywhere who will try to bring down an organization for what ever reason their may be.
(”Mother Teresa?” says Samity, “We have not received anything from her here. Ask in the slums — who has received anything from the sisters here — you will find hardly anybody.” Pannalal Manik also has doubts. “I don’t understand why you educated people in the West have made this woman into such a goddess!” Manik was born some 56 years ago in the Rambagan slum, which at about 300 years of age, is Calcutta’s oldest. What Manik has achieved, can well be called a “miracle”. He has built 16 apartment buildings in the midst of the slum — living space for 4000 people. Money for the building materials — equivalent to DM 10000 per apartment building — was begged for by Manik from the Ramakrishna Mission [a Indian/Hindu charity], the largest assistance organisation in India. The slum-dwellers built the buildings themselves. It has become a model for the whole of India. But what about Mother Teresa? “I went to her place 3 times,” said Manik. “She did not even listen to what I had to say. Everyone on earth knows that the sisters have a lot of money. But no one knows what they do with it!”)
(from another site)
I guess it is what and how you want to see things. Not necesarily WHAT IS THE TRUTH.
Go see for your self how well the hospital in Barsana runs. All for free, there is a long line of village people from 100 kilometers, who have no where else to go. You can only sit here in your lavish homes and take a second to bring a person down with no basis.
It is easy to wake a sleeping person but not a person that’s acting as sleeping. There are blind people and there are people that are acting as blind. Don’t be the latter.
Y’ll need to get the real blessings (?) of this guy to wake up!
What has come out is only a small part of this guy’s leela; more to come.
Hi Prabha, I’m amused by the way you work so hard to defend your so-called guru — very crafty indeed!!!
Even since last summer (when your head guru was arrested for rape) you’ve been saying:
- “All great people are tarnished by others” (despite lots of evidence — much not yet public — of your organization’s bad behavior).
- JKP does so much charity (despite the facts otherwise and no proof, just your words).
- It’s all a frame-up by negative people (how convenient for you that you are so blameless — always blaming others and discrediting people who have been negatively impacted by your place. Are you worried all of those people will come out now all at once?).
Does your guru teach you this craftiness and deception to try and blind the eyes of rationally minded people?
Charity?
Gimme a break. Ask those guys to pay taxes for the money they collected last year from these blind people.
Facts are not craftiness but stories fall under being crafty.
Scott,
you know him from last three years. we had been involved in BD from last 13 years. and always noticed there is lots of secret goes around and no one is allowed to even talk openly. hush hush all the time. Prakasha is full of ego anger and money and women possesive man. His birthday anyone give him gifts or beautiful card he has no interest to even look but only if envelope has cash or check straight goes in his pocket. He is a most crooked person we have came across
Rita,
think twice before you want to go to BD! This place is a cult. Prakasha controls everyone. And brain wash them. The most shamefull pitty thing is those girls who came forward for these charges, their parents still live in BD and totaly brain washed by this so called GURU—-
Shame on us and to our Hindu religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Premananda_of_Trichy
This guy Prakash is no different than Premananda.
Prabha,
You must have tunnel vision, (or maybe you wished we had this affliction). The decision by law enforcement to use the US Marshalls to arrest and detain this suspected serial pedophile at immigration must have been for something of additional interest to the “Federal” government, and not only an interest to the State of Texas. When the Feds get involved it is of concern for the whole country. Where are all those millions going to which JKP collect in donations? Its been no secret on the blogs since kripalu’s Trinidad arrest for rape, that pots and pots of money flows through this guru’s hands. Look at all the ostentatious lavish temples that are being built in India. How humble is that? Where are they getting all their money from to do all this? Put 2+2 together. Could it possibly be tied to the news reports that Barsana Dham just recently lost their Non-Profit status for not filing in January? My guess is immigration must have wanted to interrogate him too. Seems like a good solid plan and good (politics) to me, without all those devotees around waiting for him at the airport to get in their way. Just watch, more corruption will get revealed in due course now he is under investigation.
All of you people, please do not commit any more transgressions speaking against such great divine personalities.
In this world only these 2 saints have revealed the true divine knowledge.
Unfortunately it is very easy to accuse somebody and gossip over it.
Please stop all this loose talk.
It hurts to know that there is someone so obssessed with their selfish interests that made a plot to trap the highly respected Gurus.
Despite these events, the saints continue to grace people and help them live life meaningfully in this bad age of kaliyug where people have become blind and not able to see the truth.
So stop all this loose talk and better pray to the saints for forgiveness.
Chran Seva - many children once lived at Barsana Dham years ago and almost all have left to “live in the world” (which Prakash repeatedly tells everyone is HELL). But those children probably found hell inside the 8-foot gates. Some parents are still there, some have left too. We don’t know who’s who yet because no names have been revealed. So for the safety of the women involved, please don’t bring that up.
But you can bring up other points, like why does Barsana Dham make a big deal about having “family camps,” yet it puts no effort into the families that live there and give up their lives for that place. It has broken up some families of devotees, pressured some of the children who grew up there to become full-time devotees, and made life difficult in many ways for the average person living there. Just look and see how miserable most of them seem to be. Why are they miserable if they live in a supposedly spiritual place?
So what is the point of their “family camps”? Simple. To impress and soften up more Hindu families to become members and start writing big checks to the “hospitals.” If you go there, ask about the families that live there, see if they are happy, ask where are their children. You might get some very curious answers — or just a pack of lies. You may think: is this really a good place for my family. You can probably get some spiritual benefit if you are a sincere devotee of Radha Krishn. But becareful they don’t push you to start workshipping the gurus themselves — also don’t pull out your checkbook too freely.
Luckily, many people here see thought the lies dished out by Barsana Dham. Here’s another one that was just reported in the San Marcos newspaper –”Prior to his arrest, Saraswati had been in India where he was overseeing the ‘creation and construction of hospitals for the poor.’” Yeah right!
Then why do they brag about their montrous temples all the time? And if you only knew how they spare no expense for their outlandish multiple temples and homes in India you would realize they could have already built 10 hospitals and taken care of millions of poor people by now. But NO — they talk about hospitals, but built temples to worship their molesting “Jagadguru.” Ask to see their video and pictures of their three temples and homes, then say they are doing so much “charity.”
Ask them why only recently they are focusing on charity, when the main guru has been around for 50 years and Barsana Dham has been around since 1990 (don’t let them fool you with “eye clinics, a few meals, oh yeah, and a GIRLS SCHOOL — uh oh!). They are the most selfish group around.
Barsana Dham is a cult!!
For those of you who believe this is just a lame attempt to paralyze a hindu figure, you need to wake up. Just because people are involved in religious activities doesn’t make them perfect. You are just reasoning yourself out of reality. On the other hand, i truly believe that he got himself into this holy position as an attempt to validify his wrongdoings. Have you thought about that?
Everyone is capable of making grave mistakes. Even this Swami. Somebody who is capable of committing such acts NUMEROUS times is obviously sick. The allegations of him evading taxes just makes him an outright criminal.
I’m tired of our culture being one that reasons their way out of fault. The best line i’ve ever heard was from the mother of the indian guy who attempted to hire a man to kill his wife in New Jersey. His mother said…”His friends influenced him to do this”. GIVE ME A BREAK! Just another case of avoiding reality. Face the truth people..this Swami has committed acts against his religion and his community. Take it for what it is. The sooner we aknowledge this, the sooner we can begin to fix the problem.
We visited BarsanaDham last summer when the “guru” was present.
We were told that he is not going to make frequent trips to the US and we were blessed to see him. We were then given the tour and a caucasian lady told us about the guru and his accomplishments while a pretty Indian lady would sit next to her to give guidance and answer some of the harder questions we would pose.
It seemed quite choreographed. I noticed all the White girls in saris and it felt that they had come here after personal issues such as divorce, drugs etc. They seemed quite vulnerable and the hippie talk seemed to be the medicine they wanted to hear.
Reading some of the previous posts here, it seems some Hindus have this tolerance and look the other way attitude when it comes to “temples” and “gurus”.
For those who are defending this temple, ask yourself how many other scandals do you know about when it comes to gurus?
Its okay to say that the Hindu religion has its fair share of priests who take advantage of vulnerable people just like ANY OTHER RELIGION.
I am a hindu myself and never liked this guru or any other guru- Get a backbone Hindus and learn to think for yourselves!
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1162042
Denying the charges, the ashram officials said in a statement: “We believe these allegations to be “groundless”. Shree Swamiji (as he is known) has dedicated his entire life to serving humanity and upholding the tenets of our faith. No one who knows him would ever believe he would do anything such as this.”
Obviously both the Hays County Sheriffs, the grand jury, and the two abused victims DO KNOW HIM as a guru who does both religious, humanitarian and charity work. No one is disputing that fact, BUT, in the process, he meets thousands of people privately, gives them personal advice (like Scott said), AND MOLESTS YOUNG GIRLS while he’s giving them advice too. Obviously, they DO have GROUNDS to file indictments on not just one but 20 counts! So how can that be “groundless” as the ashram is quoted as saying in DNA India?
http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080430/r_t_ians_wl_us/twl-hindu-guru-briefly-held-for-indecenc-903abaa.html
Prabhakari Devi said in an email statement to IANS Wednesday: ‘Shree Swamiji (as he is known) is “beyond reproach” in every area of his life, which he has lived in the public eye for decades. We are all confident that the alleged incidents of more than a dozen years ago are false. We are certain he will be vindicated”.
A criminal investigation of 12 months since (May 2007, according to the San Marcos Reporter), would not be spending this much time and money, making an arrest, and filing charges if they found the allegations to be “false”. They do not do such things lightly, and must be very sure they’ve caught a big fish. Prabhakari Devi quoted above in India Abroad may say Swamiji is “beyond reproach” and hope he is vindicated, BUT before that happens, the prosecutor, judge and jury will no doubt be getting ready to bring into the open court a lot of ugly secrets that go on behind closed doors that (the public) never sees. Only those in close and closed circles like Prabakari Devi and other Devi’s would know and see. No wonder they try to push on the not-so-gullible public all the good work he does as a COVERUP to all the criminal work he does as well with his own roaming hands.
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/local_story_122111437.html
San Marcos Record made various statements saying, “The case stems from an investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Hays County District Attorney that dates back to last May. Sealed indictments were issued in April, after which District Judge Charles Ramsay signed the arrest warrant.” Spokesman Sgt. Leroy Opiela said the sheriff doesn’t plan to release any more information, pending the sensitive nature of the case.
Vice President Prabhakari Devi made a vain attempt to COVER UP these indicted crimes schmoozing the public who are not letting her pull the wool over their eyes. She said, in the San Marcos Reporter and many other newspapers, “nearly 5,000 people were at the shrine on Saturday for the annual Mela festival. Their presence was a strong signal to all of us that the path to truth in this case will be short. Prior to his arrest, Saraswati had been in India where he was overseeing the creation and construction of hospitals for the poor.”
Well, I heard reports of only 4000 people attending the Mela on a sunny day. That apparently is only about half the number that usually attend the annual Mela on other sunny years. And it was reported that half of those visitors that did go to the Mela and stayed for the swami’s speech after he was releasd on $1 million bail, had not yet heard the news of his arrest for indecent assault crimes because it happened just before the Mela, and they weren’t given enough warning time to keep their children away.
Its what Prabhakari doesn’t say that is hidden and matters more. How much money has left the US to build a couple of hospitals in comparison with the multi-millions or maybe closer to a billion spent on many enormous and most lavish temples and palacial homes, huge ashrams, and other surrounding buildings for the swami’s own guru, his family, and indoctrinated followers? (What she’s hidden is their hospitals are built almost next door to their temples, and used by thousands of their devotees, as well as the villagers).
Hey fellow devotees of pure and safe Hinduism and worship (without cultish sexual groping or any other crime.) Check out the provocative comments and unanswered questions. Shouldn’t we all be debating and asking if there has been a mistake made by the judge who granted this guru’s bail? See the more explanatory concerns of the blog by ASHTON whose name appears beneath his comment in the link below. Shouldnt we all be really concerned about the immediate safety risks to children and the flight risk he presents through all the liberties he apparently was allowed to maintain? Maybe a media journalist could pick this angle up and run with it, explaining the growing public concern, and provide answers that would make families feel safer? E.g., why was bail granted? Why werer;t any restrictions set to limit access to children? Why weren’t parameters rules and boundaries set how far he could travel? He’s been all over the country. After the guru’s release on bail, hundreds of children have been at risk having visited the Mela and speech afterwards, activities, services, visits and future family camps at the temple. Should there be a public debate? Does anyone care? Does anyone know a journalist who can pick this up as a new story angle? People want to know. Unless there becomes another reason in the near future why the judge might consider revoking the bail, and limiting access to children and travel he can remain free to continue doing more of what he has been already charged for. Read the rest by pasting this following web address into your search browser:
http://www.sajaforum.org/2008/04/arrested-barsan.html
In declaring the safety of children at Barsana Dham, vice president Prabhakari Devi, was quoted in a news article found at http://www.sajaforum.org/2008/04/arrested-barsan.html#comment-113117428 as saying,
“Fifty people, none of whom are minors, live at the temple, and hundreds attend worship every Sunday.” An obvious Swamiji supporter begs in the 1st SAJA blog comment which follows the article in the above link, and also by Anonymous, in this SABA blog above, made the same comments on 01/May, 2008: 9.34 pm
“Stop all this loose talk and better pray to the saints for forgiveness.“
Uh WHO is committing transgressions? WHO is doing all the loose talk? Is it not happening at Barsana Dham, and coming from their supporters? When the verdict is in from the trial, it might be the guru who is praying and begging for forgiveness from the victims; the parents (who are victims also;) the followers who only wanted to be on a pure path without sexual molestation; the State of Texas who want a safe neighborhood; and the public who can’t trust any religion to send their kids to camps, churches or temples—not even the Hindu religion. That is all so sad and disturbing. Shame on all religions whose priests, gurus, preachers, rabbis, and any type of clergymen who DISgrace and corrupt any spiritual path by abusing their powerful authoritarian positions, and who use them to sexually molest minors–both girls or boys, and women, or anyone.
If no children live at Barsana Dham as Prabhakari says, why is that so? Maybe that is a good thing! Many people who visited there since 10 to 15 years ago also noticed the absence of children living there now, knowing there were several families of girls who grew up there. Where are all that generation now? Why didn’t they go back? How often do they visit? Where are all their brothers? Some disturbing facts are being totally overlooked in this situation! There must be something very wrong with this picture wouldn’t you think? Let the trial provide the truth to these puzzling questions.
Time will tell if there is a pedophile in their midst, and if all youth camps should be cancelled. Until then, as long as Swamiji is “loose” on bail, all visits by children to the temple on Sundays or any day for that matter, should be forbidden until the verdict is in, and the public judge and jury deem the place as safe.
The truth is, Only those with pure heart feel to come to the temple.
Looks like its a well planned conspiracy against the respected Spiritual teacher.
The allegations say the incident happened 12 years back and the investigation began aug 2007,
hahahaha…..ridiculous :))).
David, Yes, pure people do go to the temple, but the females (you know nothing as you are a guy) go away more tarnished with the sexual stuff that happens there, in what is supposed to be a sacred place. Many pure people who went there found the guru’s impure hands “groping” them. What should be a “pure path” must have been “pure hell” for the victims in a Hindu temple. How can those who know still live there? How can they live with themselves? So Shameful! The name Barsana Dham should be changed to Maya Dham.
David, why don’t you enlighten us with a motive for why people would like to conspire against this religious figure? It’s easy for you to just say its a conspiracy, but you have no points to support a motive.
No matter when these acts occurred, they are still chargeable. And if you are spiritual then you know best - what goes around eventually comes around. Looks like things are finally coming back around for this swami…
David on 03 May 2008 at 4:39 pm said, “Looks like its a well planned conspiracy against the respected Spiritual teacher. The allegations say the incident happened 12 years back and the investigation began aug 2007″.
Oh really? You have blinders on. Think! It is well known in psychology that traumatized victims take many years to many decades, to confront in themselves the mental and emotional injuries deep pains, fears, and yes, even anger, before they can confront the courtroom. Why do you think there is such a thing as the Statute of Limitations? It is partly to allow this healing in the victims to occur, to the point of being ready to go into a witness stand. It is very brave of these young women to face their abuser in court and testify against this world reknown spiritual teacher. Who would wish such a daunting stressful thing upon themselves, (in full view of the public) if it were not true? For goodness sake, where is your compassion?
According to all the news reports, the indictments were served by the State of Texas (not private lawyers). This is not a “civil” law suit! The San Marcos Reporter said the criminal investigation began 1 year ago, back in (May 2007). A grand jury heard the evidence, and passed it for a “criminal” trial.
Does it make any sense at all the State’s criminal investigators, Hays County Sheriffs, and public prosecutors, under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General, (I might add,) would be involved in a conspiracy with the victims, or whomever else you are accusing as being conspirators?
Come on, think again before you speak so cruelly and harshly of these two victims, and others who have not yet come out of the woodwork! Let them have their day in court, and you will see there are no conspiracies by them. The only conspiracies around, are those produced by the well oiled Barsana Dham PR campaign, who also have people like you speaking these senseless lies.
David said “The allegations say the incident happened 12 years back and the investigation began aug 2007, hahahaha…..ridiculous :))).”
Really David? — a few branches of the U.S. law don’t think it’s ridiculous!
I was an insider …! A real, real insider! Everything said in criticism of Kripalu and Prashahanand is (sadly) true.
The organization is corrupt. Children do live there (God bless them). There is beautiful bhakti and some sincere souls for sure, but they are just badly exploited. This is NOT an attack on Hinduism. This is the anguished cry for truth and justice.
If you care for truth and justice, please don’t go there. By going there you just support them and perpetuate the wrong-doing.
God is not separate from truth, and Barsana Dham does not have the truth. It is a fanatical cult, and fanatism is not the Hindu way which seeks truth and truth alone. That is why Hinduism never had a name. It is and was fundamentally, just the search for truth.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24332242/
This article contains a statement released from the Barsana Dham organization after the release of the Swami from jail.
Loosing faith in a human kind….
Latest News? Nah this MSNBC news link is not the latest news! Not that stupid Its 6 days old and full of Barsana Dhams big effort at PR campaigning. Did they jump at the chance to publish more b.s to cover up the allegations in the same article on indecent assault by the swamii? Wee already saw right through that PR piece of works and it has already been debunked in the blog links below:
On Austin Satesman link below see mugshot and the headline: Hindu leader charged with groping underage girls: Prakashanand Saraswati accused of 20 counts of indecency with a child.
(See blog comments below the next link especially by Seeking Truth & Jigra–very sad and shocking)
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/27/0427swamiji.htm
http://www.sajaforum.org/2008/04/arrested-barsan.html#comment-113117428
(see comments by Satya & Ashton)
http://guruphiliac.blogspot.com/
See headlines
1) This Summer’s Real “Love” Guru : Saturday, May 03, 2008
2) Kreepalu Protegé Out On Bail: Wednesday, April 30, 2008
3) Kreepalu’s Protegé Busted! Friday, April 25, 2008
@Victim’s advocate.
This allegations against the respected saint have been conspired by some anti elements with the poor girls help to enhance their ego and disturb the peace that all the devotees of Barsanadham are enjoying.
Only time will speak….I wait to rejoice for the day when the culprit who conspired against The respected saint will be brought in the public and punished.
Barbara — on what basis do you say people are living in Barsana Dham in peace? You are unfortunately very wrong on this point. You obviously see only some surface painted on for public view.
You must be listening to JKP’s clever PR if you believe others are trying to hurt Barsana Dham. The organization doesn’t need help — it’s shooting itself in the foot.
We don’t need any more time to know the organization’s gurus are corrupt — those who’ve been hurt by the leadership know TODAY and have known for years, even decades. The many victims of this cult have been punished and will continue to be punished by the horrific memories.
From another blog (posted by Satya Dharm)
I was an insider! A real, real insider! Everything said in criticism of Kripalu and Prashahanand is (sadly) true.
The organization is corrupt. Children do live there (God bless them). There is beautiful bhakti and some sincere souls for sure, but they are just badly exploited. This is NOT an attack on Hinduism. This is the anguished cry for truth and justice.
If you care for truth and justice, please don’t go there. By going there you just support them and perpetuate the wrong-doing.
God is not separate from truth, and Barsana Dham does not have the truth. It is a fanatical cult, and fanatism is not the Hindu way which seeks truth and truth alone. That is why Hinduism never had a name. It is and was fundamentally, just the search for truth.
Posted by: Satya Dharma | May 03, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Hey folks! Let us Gurus have some fun too! Can you imagine how boring life can be, saying the same old Prabachanas day after day? With all the people following our every step, we can’t even fart properly. Yes, we do that, inspite of our supernatural powers.
Now, coming to the women, you know one can just look at the pretty ladies for only so long! Even Krishna was unable to control himself. But, please be assured, we try to make whatever we do consensuous. So, please give us a break.
Guruji Prakashananda will just be doing fine. The allegations will be dismissed, because there will not be any credible evidence for stuff that happened some 12 years ago. And, everything will be just fine.
Bolo Jagadguru Srimad Gandananda Ki Jay!!
I wonder if there is anything funny going on with the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston? Has anyone heard of anything?
IndiaTime.com on It’s Indiatime osted ana article ttiled Indian Swami in divine love trouble at http://www.indiatime.com/2008/05/01/indian-swami-in-divine-love-trouble/
On May 1, 2008, the article said, “ Last July, a court in West Indies cleared Zee TV’s famous morningtime Guru, 85-year old Swami Kripalu Maharaj, of serious charges of rape and molestation against a young disciple.
Last Thursday, his foremost disciple, 79-year old Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, the founder of Barsana Dham, a 200-acre spiritual retreat in Texas, was arrested at the Dulles airport in Washington DC, on charges of molesting two minor girls. The charges related to multiple instances of molestation against two underage girls from 1993-1996. Swami Prakashanand was later taken to Hays county jail in Texas, where he was booked and eventuallly released on a million dollar bond. The Swami and his associates have vigorously denied the allegations, calling them ’shocking and preposterous’.
Swami Prakashanand took sanyas (renunciation) in 1950, at the age of 21, and then traveled to Brajbhoomi, the divine place in North India where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood. After spending about two decades meditating, he then founded ‘International Society of Divine Love’ and ‘Rangeeli Mahal Foundation’, (an early indication of the path of divine love he planned to take.) And these words from
Swami’s website may help put the charges against him in some context:
“….in the The warmth of Shree Swamiji’s love melts the hearts of those who listen to him and drawing close to him opens the path to God…..”.
“The Swami, however will probably be in trouble if the Hays county authorities in Texas are able to prove that Swamiji’s love melted a couple of underage hearts that he managed to draw close to him”
Hey, Amit. The only thing funny going on right now is His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Gandananda is looking at that “Barbara” lady (see her message above) as a potential disciple. Looks like she will be an easy person to catch!
Bolo Jai hari Shankar Ki Jay
Sadguru Sri Gandananda Ki Jay!
Shri Ganda,
You are funny, but dead wrong. That pocket guru prakash will NOT get off. They don’t hand out $1million bail everyday!
Janisha:
I wish I was wrong! Just watch my words … nobody has any proofs of anything, unless some witness comes up to corroborate the story or many more victims emerge with similar complaints. The same thing happened with the Kripaluji Maharaj, Prakashananda’a Guru. He was let go scot free. What is different now?
Guru Sri Gandananda
http://www.gaudiya-repercussions.com/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=38&t=2630
GAUDIYA posted a news article titled: INDIAN PRIEST ARRESTED
Brainiac (on May 3, 2008, 04:37 PM) in the above Gaudiya link and headline commented: “The Barsana Dham people belong to the organisation of ‘Kripalu Maharaj’ who we have sometimes heard of. There have been whisper of Kripalu’s sexual misconduct surfacing from time to time, although one of my own friends told me that she experienced a form of molestation at Kripalu’s hands.
Seems that the sexual rot is infesting Kripalu’s whole organisation, now that a 79-year-old codger is at it too. This is what happens when you spend all day meditating on the sexual lilas of Radha and Krishna while being celibate, you need to have an outlet somehow.
The friend who was molested by Kripalu also told me how his followers explained (”rationalised”) it away as an instance of divine love. The same thing occurs in other Hindu cults as well. Disgusting and sickening
Barbara on 04 May 2008 at 11:10 am said “I wait to rejoice for the day when the ‘culprit’ who conspired against The respected saint will be brought in the public and punished”.
Oh Barbara, you have it all twisted about face! Swami Prakashanand Saraswati IS THE REAL CULPRIT!! Many different law enforcement agencies working together dont make such stupid mistakes after investigating and watching him for an entire year.
The SWAMI is scheduled to be THE ONE standing in a criminal court very soon facing his victims. It will be a victorious day when the final “repect” shifts forever to the victims. Multitudes will rejoice when this “real culprit” is brought to justice in the public courtroom, and then jailed!
Mr Ganda said “Kripaluji, Prakash’a Guru. He was let go scot free. What is different now?”
The difference sir is that this is Texas, not Trinidad. Trinidad officials were likely bought off with sacks of cash. There are details you don’t know. That is one big huge difference. This guru knows he is in deep trouble.
Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon 04 May 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hey folks! Let us Gurus have some fun too! We can’t even fart properly. Even Krishna was unable to control himself….we try to make whatever we do consensuous. ”
Yes, guru’s do both fart AND commit sexual indecencies with minors. At least the stinken corrupt ones do!
YOU are yet another pervert. You just admitted it (above). And Krishn did that in divine plays or in Inida long ago. BUT no way here! Havent you heard or dont you honor the laws of the land? USA and Texas laws dont waive laws for gurus let alone for Krishn, or gurus who are imposters and think they are Krishn. The LAW doesnt give a damn about Krishn’s bad behavior, and they pay no attention to the Hindu scriptures either.
The law means, gurus are not (above the law) when it comes to minors!!! No way, these godmen have no special (waivers for consensus). Further, their supernatural powers are powerless and useless against thE powers of the LAW WHO LORDS OVER GURUS–to protect predators from minors.
You are obviously an imposter guru and are a follower of the swami’s. You said ” Guruji Prakashananda will just be doing fine. The allegations will be dismissed, because there will not be any credible evidence for stuff that happened some 12 years ago. And, everything will be just fine.”
And you will go to jail with him when the verdict is in. You sound like an (accomplice) to me! Any accomplices will be pulled out of the woodwork on the witness stand and no doubt in the media aftermath. So better pull your head in and not expose your ID so easily.
YOU should be investigated–I HOPE SABA FINDS OUT you are propagating on this site and does a background check. If you have a criminal history as a predator or pedophile, SABA or any of the bloggers here should turn you in along with the swami.
I bet you dont have a single follower, and you have such a big ego you even have to stoop so low as to sing your own praises at the end of your (sexual consensus) remark above? Only humble and pure gurus should be allowed to have followers, and you are the lowest of maya. Dont anyone go near this mutt.
Hi Janisha:
In the USA, one statistics has it that, of all cases involving sexual violations involving actual minors, 28% cases are either dismissed or found not guilty. For internet encounters, the percentage is much higher, presumably because impeccable proofs are easily collected. These statistics are for the USA.
I would love to see Mr. Prakash in bar and in my mind he is most likely guilty as charged, but the goverment has to prove its case, which may be difficult given that it happened 12 years ago and probably no witness is there. Remember that the prosecutors have been on the case since last August or so. Why did it take them so long to arrest? Most likely reason is that they have been painstakingy trying to collect evidence and it took them this long to get even an arrest warrant. So, it appears that they may not have a strong case after all. Sad. Isn’t it? In the law system, truth is what can be proved before the court, NOT what happened.
Fakeguru Sri Gandananda retires from this forum.
Hey Janisha!
One last request before I retire …
Can you take care of that “Guru’s Fart & the Law Lords it over them!” guy, if he creates any more trouble?
Bolo Jagadguru Sri Gandananda Ki Jai!
hey Jagadguru Sri Gandananda! You said, “Fakeguru Sri Gandananda retires from this forum.” Why? Are you scared your real ID will be discovered? So where are you going to retire to? Back to Barsana Dham? Probably only one person (the swami) is allowed to fart there (at least out loud). doesnt he controls everyone and everything? especially fake gurus who fart? You wont be able to get a fart in edgewise and you will be bustin to get the hell out the gate.
anonymouson 29 Apr 2008 at 11:40 am wrot…
> Rita, why don’t you just go and see for your self. There were over 5ooo people
> for the mela on Saturday inspite of the allegations. So many people can not be
> wrong.
In fact, 5000 people CAN be wrong. Even 5 million people can be wrong. That’s why there’s some merit for each of us think for ourselves, rather than blindly following a crowd.
> Remember, it is innocent until proven guilty even if you are the biggest judge in
> the world.
“Innocent until proven guilty” would be the appropriate standard if you were a juror deciding whether or not to send a suspected molestor to prison. If you were 60% sure that he’s guilty, you’re duty-bound as a juror to find him not guilty.
In all other situations, “innocent until proven guilty” does NOT apply. If evidence suggests a 60% chance that someone is molesting children, that 60% chance should hardly be ignored.
Stuart
http://stuart-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Sri Gandanandaon Krishn only touched gopis in divine plays or in India long ago. BUT these victims are not divine gopis, and you’re not in India. The swami and you are in USA under these laws, where NO ONE is above the law.
Did the swami NOT promise to uphold the laws protected by the Constitution when he got his US citizenship? Obviously those lawmen who defend these laws have seen enough to indict him for abusing the laws, as well as the two victims! Nowhere in Texas, or anywhere in USA is anyone uncluding gurus granted a (special waiver)to abuse minors. Forget a waiver for that Krishn flirt, or any guru who poses as Krishn in the land of the law of USA. That doesn’t work here. The LAW doesnt give a damn about Krishn’s bad behavior–the judge and jury will make a mockery of that one. And they wont cave into anyone who abuses, shames and hides behind the Hindu scriptures.
The laws are there to defend minors and protect them from predators,(which the swami pledged to do himself when he took his citizenship oath. See if his divine powers can get himself out of this scrape. Hasn’t worked so far.
Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon just revealed you are an imposter! You said “Fakeguru Sri Gandananda retires from this forum.” Good riddance oh (consentor of abuse of minors,) or were you talking about the con-sensuousness regarding the women too?
Then the imposter guru tells Janisha 04 May 2008 at 3:59 “Hey Janisha! One last request before I retire…Can you take care of that ‘Guru’s Fart & the Law Lords it Over Them!’ guy, if he creates any more trouble?”
What “trouble” are you talking about? Only those in double trouble are the swami and anyone else involved with him in this mess he’s got himself into. Hey imposter! Are you one of them?
Sanjay:
Your last chance to bow before his holiness the Gandananda Saraswati.
For a propoer bow, please fall on your knees with the forehead touching the ground and the rearend protruding roughly at 30 degrees towards the sky and pointed away from his holiness of course. Make sure you restrain the farts. Hit your forehead on the ground for 10-15 times in utter reverence. This is the standard Indian bow before a God. If you do this, all your past sins will disappear and you will regain your lost sense of humor!
Gurudev Sri Bhandananda Gandananda Saraswati Swamiji
*Just kidding. Take it easy, man!*
——————————————————-
Now, more seriously, noone here is arguing in support of the sexual encounters. In my more serious note (see above message — Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon 04 May 2008 at 3:52 pm), I argued why it may be difficult to prosecute Prakashananda, even though he is most likely guilty.
In the above, Stuart says the same thing in a different way. I quote.
“ ‘Innocent until proven guilty’ would be the appropriate standard if you were a juror deciding whether or not to send a suspected molestor to prison. If you were 60% sure that he’s guilty, you’re duty-bound as a juror to find him NOT guilty.”
Something that the prosecutors took a year for collecting evidence for a simple arrest warrant does not sound like they have impeccable evidence to me. Also, note that 28% of those arrested for these kind of crimes are found innocent in the USA. So, he may escape scot free like Kripaluji.
And, if you have any difficulty understanding my messages, please ask Janisha, who disappeared who knows where. Ah, may be she is waiting for some kind of Charan-Seva!
I believe that he is innocent…
Well folks, Here’s an interesting update on the JKP front — this cult must have threatened the Austin American Statesman newspaper. Because the blog reporting on the arrest of the guru has just removed all negative comments and left only the comments from the cult’s brainwashed minions saying what a great place it is.
So pro-jkpers how do you like the lose of your Freedom of Speech? I find this highly suspicious and indicitive of this mind-controlling, freedom-stealing cult.
They claim there guru is God, but he can’t stand to allow people to speak their own minds. Shouldn’t God be greater than a few mere words from a few wordly people. Perhaps he’s not as Godly as he claims.
This is an afront to all Americans — and should make every single person think twice about supporting such a place.
They must have threatened the news paper…
They must have done this….
He must have done that…
He must have done this….
What desperate attempts some people have been making against one institution. How much time and effort will be put in by people with an agenda.
They must have a plan….ha ha ha
Do not wait till the law finds out the facts but as per some- the verdict is already in, because he MUST HAVE done it , why wait for the court?
Seeking Truth—Janisha–satya– or any other name that you post by– Talk about being paranoid. Just because you have not posted in those places under different names to bad mouth the saint, that does not mean that such blogs have been removed by the news paper or as you say that This paper has been threatened by Barsana dham. Your message did not get delelted..or did it? What you are trying to do is very visible and understandable by any one who reads these blogs. You will not succeed in damaging our Respected and all Gracing Saint who needs no defending. I rest my case.
So Himani — then that is your real name, right?
As I’ve said, I don’t need to do anything to damage the people under discussion — they’ve done plenty to damage themselves. Now it’s coming to public light and people who have invested everything (money, modesty, freedom) to these likely-to-be false gurus are in great pain and lashing out. I’m just using my basic right as an American to exercise freedom of speech.
Your comment made me realize something interesting. If followers such as you believe this man is God on earth, why do you need to defend him so vociferously (despite your saying you aren’t)? Isn’t God above maya? Doesn’t he control maya?
Another interesting insight, if this so-called guru is so respected, why are his followers also using fake names and also why have no leaders of Hinduism stepped up to openly defend his honor?
Hmmmmmm ……
Oh, self professed “fake guru” You named yourself as both Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon on SABA, and as Jagadguru Sri Bhanananda on the SAJA site. Then you “retired” after saying a few weirdo and some sensical things. I see you’re an enlightened being (even if you fart). Contrary to what you might think, I do understand where you are coming from. I humbly pranam a thousand times, and thank you for your insightful perspective. But, I refuse to pranam in the unwestern way you suggested—it seems disgusting to me (and too hard to hide fart). That is beneath me to pranam your way to a fake guru anyway. Just want to clear the air about that.
Anyhow, I can surmise how you might have arrived at that conclusion above, and with all your statistics for “case dismissed”. I’m sure many others, even those at BD would like to believe that this case will be hard to prove in court after 12 years. But, I’m sure the victims with the best helpers of the State will be getting all their ducks lined up in a row. They too, “will be just fine”. After all Krishn is out here (in the world everywhere –yes out here too,) taking care of all the (good) girls and guys–even if these victims don’t want yet another biggest Flirt in the universe anywhere near them.
I’m glad you came out from early “retirement” for a day. But it might not be your last now unless you want to lose the chance to stay around to defend yourself–because I’m not done addressing all your points yet. I have too many counter points and observations to put all in one blog. I dont want to be so long winded or anything–there’s plenty of those around–I dont want to be one of them, so I will continue in parts. and you can go in an out of retirement if you want, like fake gurus do. This is Part 1… to be continued.
During my recent trip to Barsana Dam I was left with an indelible and deep impression as to how very special it is. A place where one can experience an inkling and promise of the Divine.
FYI, here’s the guy posting all the Anti-JKP comments all over the internet for the last year: http://ngrs.blogspot.com/
His name is Sakhicharan Das.
One man, one mission… to tarnish the pure teachings and impeccible reputation of JKP.
How do I know?? I just do…
RE: Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon’s comment on 05 May 2008 at 4:35 am.
You said, “28% of those arrested for these kind of crimes are found innocent in the USA.” So Mr. Statistianji, that means 72% actually get convicted. That’s way better than 50/50 which is a big plus for the victims and the victim’s advocates. You never know,”What is taking so long” as you asked, might be answered with upping the odds–the discovery of all kinds of skeletons in other closets. That would be like catching half a dozen birds with one stone. So they might have more surprises cooking on their plate waiting to be served up. Just like the loss of Barsan Dham’s non-profit status revealed by the news on the first day of the swami’s arrest. Anyone can guess they must be looking into the whole shebang now. So that will make it easier, and not so “difficult to prosecute Prakashananda”, as you said.
I’m glad to see you’re not in support of the sexual encounters–not like so many of their other supporters. You even think “he is most likely guilty”. Well that cleared the air on another thing, as you seemed to be on the other side of the fence at first with all your “con-sensuous” talk. What was that all about?
You got me all worried when you said, “he may (escape) scott free like Kripaluji”. Actually, I wondered about that “escape” possibility too—but scott free?? Nah, no one does something like that for nothing, not even in Trinidad. I’m comforted it’s a whole different system in Texas. I wouldn’t want to be a crook in Texas.
Any way you look at it, this thing is a whole horrible ball of wax, gathering ugly hairs as it rolls on. Looks like an ugly hairy monster to me. Courts in Texas are real tough on monsters. Even the superpowers of the one “fake guru” like Gurudev Sri Bhandananda Gandananda Saraswati Swamiji (whose name is growing longer everyday), can’t stop this train with his Bolo Jai Ho. Where’s your Krishn anyway? Why dont you ask Him to help you out with your doubts? Part 2….to be continued.
Flynn,
If you experienced something special, it was due to your own sincere love of God. No one is saying you can’t feel that there — or anywhere in the world. But this experience is not because of any place — it’s because of you. You chose to sit quietly and think of God and you got the reward. Try it anywhere in the world. God is omnipresent. He or she is always with you.
Many people have experience this there, but sadly, they also experienced something very different behind the closed doors. That is what is at issue — not the fact that there is an opportunity for truly sincere seekers of God to focus on the Divine.
Please do not mix up these two simultaneously existing realities.
Best to you.
Truth,
I’m so sorry to have to tell you that you are very, very wrong in your speculation that this is all a case of “one person trying to tarnish this guru.” I truly, truly wish this were true. I wish with all my heart that the dark secrets were all lies. But one day I was forced to face the fact that the years of whispers, corruption tactics, and shady dealings were all too true. It’s painful for those who experienced the dark side of this organization. NO ONE is getting any joy from telling the world the truth. EVERYONE wanted the place to be what it says it is on the surface. Those who were hurt, wish it NEVER happened. Believe me. All we are trying to do is warn the unsuspecting, innocent seekers of God. Why? Because we wish that someone had warned us before we were taken advantage of.
Re: Truth’s comment on 06 May 2008 at 7:50 am. The real truth is this is not one man’s anti-JKP mission! There are hundreds of advocates for these victims. I’m one, and I’ve never heard of that blog site you just broadcasted for the whole world. Frankly I’m not even interested. I’m supporting these two victims who indicted this new indecent assault case. All real victims need support. Of course, I’ll support any other victim as well who might have found themselves in the same boat. Where there’s one or two, there’s more.
Check this out—- an entry from another blog’s editor (the last entry)———-
Double Trouble–Seeking Truth—Janisha–satya– or any other name that you post by– Talk about being paranoid. Just because you have not posted in those places under different names to bad mouth the saint, that does not mean that such blogs have been removed by the news paper or as you say that This paper has been threatened by Barsana dham. Your message did not get delelted..or did it? What you are trying to do is very visible and understandable by any one who reads these blogs. You will not succeed in damaging our Respected and all Gracing Saint who needs no defending. I rest my case.
Posted by: Himani | May 05, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Folks,
Any time someone is arrested–especially on charges like this–we expect heated comments on both sides of the aisle. We’ll try to root out the unsubstantiated rumors, but will often miss them at first glance, so feel free to point them out.
As Himani pointed out, Double Trouble has been posting under other names here: Sanjay and Ashton. We point this out because it’s somewhat dishonest, and we hope others won’t do the same, either here or in other discussions. Also, we’re deleting Double Trouble’s comment because it simply offers ‘whispers’ of sexual misconduct of another religious figure. If you want to quote from another source, at least make sure it’s a credible source.
Posted by: SAJAForum Editor | May 05, 2008 at 09:09 PM
My Goodness Himani,
You certainly are the worried one. Don’t you believe he’s Divine? Don’t you believe he will be able to come out of this smelling like rose? Apparently NOT.
Himani, You said (in error I might add) to Double Trouble (SAJAforun), “You know how silly it looks when you are writing in SAJAforum and saying that they removed some entries coz they have been bought by the other side”. Well this just shows your lie right here for all to see! Double Trouble’s “exact” comment above, for all to see is, “But the SAJA editor removed it. For some reason they don’t think Gaudiya is a credible source.”
So Double Trouble provides yet another very credible source to replace the one that was removed. Further, Satya, Ashton, Double Trouble are NOT all one person.There are alot more victim’s advocates out there than you think, alongside the brave young souls who indicted Swami Prakashanand. Hinmani, you are obviously a JKP follower, so you most likely know there is much truth to this fact.
Some of these bloggers are victims themselves, so cannot reveal their identities for self protection! That’s because some have already suffered damage by the the well-oiled Barsana Dham PR machine that further victimizes the victims. Why don’t you look at it this way, or is it too shameful to know or admit that such things DO happen in this organization? Unfortunately, that puts them in the same basket as all the other cults. They’re no different. I feel so sorry this has happened to Hinduism.
Have some compassion for the victims of those gurus who spoiled your sacred Hindu religion with all this mess!
Let these victims have their say. They are not just (anyone) causing JKP trouble. Oh no! Its the other way around. JKP has caused some of them much trouble, pain and suffering, And I am one of their victims. I can tell you the blogger Double Trouble speaks the truth!
RE: Jagadguru Sri Gandanandaon’s comment on 05 May 2008 at 4:35 am.
You said, “28% of those arrested for these kind of crimes are found innocent in the USA.” So Mr. Statistianji, that means 72% actually get convicted. That’s way better than 50/50 which is a big plus for the victims and the victim’s advocates. You never know, those odds could be upped even more. How? To answer your question (why did it takes so long to investigate and arrest), I bet they are leaving no stone unturned. Who knows what other kinds of skeletons they might discover hiding in other dark closets. That would be like catching half a dozen birds with one of those stones they turned up.
So don’t be surprised if they find other surprises. I’m sure they must have a smorgesboard on their plates, and a stewpot of stuff cooking on the back burner, waiting to be served up when the bell rings to the hungry media. Then you will really find out–why it took so long. Anyone can guess they must have been looking into the whole shebang or bigger picture with a telescope. Then these other things they biopsy, requires the time it takes to put it all under a microscope, and await the diagnosis of the awful disease. So that, Mr Ganda will make it easier for the victims to emerge victorious, and not so “difficult to prosecute Prakashananda”, as you think.
There’ll be a feeding frenzy for the latest (rather earliest tidbit) of a juicy, but real scandal that will rock the nation, and set off an earthquake along all the (fault) lines around the world. Journalists are so eager to be first to get (the) story, that they even have alliances inside and outside the gates from past associations–even if they are disgusted inside themselves about what they hear and write about. They dig up stuff too on their own. Just like the loss of Barsana Dham’s non-profit status they revealed in the news on the first day of the swami’s arrest.
I’m glad to see you’re not in support of the sexual encounters–not like so many of their other followers. You even think “he is most likely guilty”. Well that cleared the air on another thing, as you seemed to be on the other side of the fence at first with all your “con-sensuous” talk. What was that all about?
You got me all worried when you said, “he may (escape) scott free like Kripaluji”. Actually, I wondered about that “escape” possibility too—but scott free?? Nah, no one does something like that for nothing, not even in Trinidad. I’m comforted it’s a whole different system in Texas. I wouldn’t want to be a crook in Texas.
Any way you look at it, this whole thing is a horrible ball of wax, gathering ugly hairs as it rolls on. Looks like an ugly hairy monster to me. Courts in Texas are real tough on monsters. Even the superpowers of the one “fake guru” like Gurudev Sri Bhandananda Gandananda Saraswati Swamiji (whose name is growing longer and braver everyday), cant stop this wreck from happening with his Bolo Jai Ho!
Where’s your Krishn anyway? Why don’t you ask Him to help you out with your doubts? Well. come to think of it, I doubt He will help those who are supporting the abusers of the victims, who were then, and still are his devotees. But without a go-between guru confusing them and messing them up. It’s just us and Krishn, and he knows (our) truth out here, because He is God. Nothing gets past the Supreme God. He knows which guru(s) behave, or not, and which victims he needs to run to next. Part 2….to be continued.
Just to spice things up, do you all realize that if a Jagadguru indulges in sexual relationships with 95 willing adults, there is absolutely no problem in the eyes of the law? The problem occurs only when minors or unwilling adults become involved.
A second thing is: Do you really believe that a healthy person can remain celibate for their entire life beginning from the age of 21? Not me, for sure! I think, we should redefine the job of the Guru. Only ones with wives or husbands should qualify. We want to hear their wise words and philosophy and shouldn’t really care for if they have a wife or not. It is unhealthy for both mind and spirit to not have one anyway.
If the society demands a celibate Guru, what a poor Guru is to do? Basically, they will find members of opposite sex here and there and eventually get caught!
Janisha, you agree with me?
So, Sanjay, before you misunderstand me yet once again, my point of view is that: Marital sex for the Gurus should be OK and extramarital not. Else, I would need to resign from my Guruship pretty soon! *lol*
Jagadguru Sri Gandananda things must be getting quite frustrating out there for you? There’s a lot of ground to cover here on this topic. Sounds like you need to drop the celibacy garb, and your “fake guru” (name) and image, and go find a partner and become a healthy human again. When was the last time you had fun and felt good? Most of us out here are finding, to the contrary, there IS happiness in the world. Yes, we know it’s all temporary–we never forget our lessons. However temporary it may be, it can be comforting and yes sometimes a bit painful, (but so is celibacy)! What’s wrong with sharing your life (and keeping up your devotion) with someone caring.
Guess what? I can tell you, God IS remembered out here in the real world too. There’s no reason to feel shameful or guilty for breaking your celibacy, while you simultaneously keep the most Supreme Form of Love still in your heart. and mind. It is possible to do, despite the fact you will be told the opposite.
Celibacy among preachers and single people is just a setup to keep all the followers in the gates. So there are plenty of celibate women around to touch–and some (con-sensuous) ones might even like it, but SOME DO NOT, and that’s a violation of their body, mind, heart and soul (their innermost being), and can destroy their trust and faith. That’s why there are no children left there. It steals the soul of any pure quality it gained, If celibate gurus–even the youngish ones, try to keep it up and go against nature, I’m afraid, unfortunately, they too will soon turn to their female followers for relief, and God forbid, if it is a minor, totally screw their path up for the rest of their entire lives, and for all the world to see when it comes out.
Come on! Did he really think all these underage girls would protect him and keep it behind closed doors forever? Once it took over a decade to confront themselves, and try to manage their broken hearts and raw emotions, and sort out their damaged lives by seeking help for a few years, it must have made them ready to come back and confront their predator. He should have “known” better than to spoil any young girls’ devotional paths with this worldly crime.
Is he out of touch with reality? Did he think he was above the law? Now the swami’s private shenanigans or sexcades (and the young victim’s poor crying souls and identities) are all being bared in a public courtroom. How cruel is that? I suppose he will say to everyone there, “this was meant to happen–this is all part of a divine plan”). If he is saying that, then he’s chosen which victims they will be and choreographed this “divine plan” including all those closely related, AND the whole legal scene too. I guess he thinks he knows what he is doing. Baffles me. He must have known when he started, where all this would definitely lead to if he is a divine guru. So why should anyone worry? Why bother to have a (dammage control patrol ) trying to cover it all up? Where’s their faith? Let this divine plan work itself out then without all the fuss and all the expensive lawyers!
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=8074
A credible source TimesNow.tv News just released this today:
‘Charges will be taken seriously’ 5/7/2008 1:50:56 PM
There is more trouble in store for Swami Prakashanand Sarawati, who was arrested last month in the US on charges of child abuse. The Hays County Sherif’s Department, which is investigating the case, has said the charges would be “taken seriously” as the victims were underage. Mike Thielen, spokesperson for the county sherif’s department said, “These charges do stand back to when the individuals that came forth with the outcry were under the age of adulthood. And so we do take those charges seriously.”
Swami Prakashanand had some reprieve when was released on a $1 million bail, after being arrested Texas on charges of 20 counts of child abuse. The case stems from an investigation that started last May. Sealed indictments were issued in April, after which an arrest warrant was issued against Sarawati who founded the Barsana Dham shrine in Hays County in 1990.
Swami “beyond reproach”?
Though his followers insist the allegations against Saraswati are “false and damaging”. Raj Goel, a resident of Barsana Dham, said the accusations did not affect him because, “We know these allegations are not true - knowing him for so many years and knowing him closely, we all firmly believe that these allegations are not true, so its not a shock to us.”
Another resident of the Dham, Vrinda Deutch who is also Community Relations Coordinator for the shrine said she was immensely disappointed by the case but was “unshakeable” in her belief that Swamiji was “beyond reproach”
“I would say hearing these allegations against Sri Swamiji was immensely disappointing to us because we have witnessed Sri Swamiji’s efforts over the past 25 years to serve humanity, to uplift those people who are wishing to know about God including myself and my husband, and has done so… impeccably… I have seen him interact with my own son who grew up in Barsana Dham. All these things combined make me feel unshakeable in my belief in Swamiji’s character which is beyond reproach,” said Vrinda Deutch.
Swami is going to have a good time in jail….
Comment to TimesNow.tv News article posted on 07 May 2008 at 11:39 pm
http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=8074
Of course all the followers will maintain denial and keep on insisting the allegations against Saraswati are “false and damaging”—that’s a given. But the victims are obviously maintaining with indictments that it is true, (and damaging for them also). God KRISHN KNOWS the real “cause and effect” of the damage.
What’s up with quoting the MEN who live there? Raj Goel, a resident says, “the accusations did not affect him because, “We know these allegations are not true?” Yet he also said, “Its NOT a shock to us!” What do men know anyway?—they are not underage girls! If any of the men there do know, it would be a given, they would conceal it out of shame, guilt, fear and oppression. Same goes for the women.
Can any of the male followers (current or ex) ask their daughters, wives, sisters, and mothers to look them right in the eye and tell them the truth? Further, would these men ask their female relations who have been around the temple for awhile, to back up what they say with a lie detector test, so they can settle any deep secretly nagging doubts they might have?
The news article also quoted another resident “Vrinda Deutch who is also Community Relations Coordinator: ‘I have seen him interact with my own SON who grew up in Barsana Dham…Swamiji’s character is “beyond reproach”.
Well, that apparently did not sit too well with the reporter/journalist who made a point of questioning Deutch publicly with a popping headline: “Swami ‘beyond reproach’”?
Does that mean he is beyond criticism, dis-grace, shame, or blame? If Deutch continues to promote and speak for Barsana Dham and JKP in public, to guests, or to media, people want to know–is she willing to stand by her word and take a lie detector test, and reveal the results—so parents can trust their underage girls are safe? Further, didn’t she say she has a (son), who is now a (man), and to whom sexual indecency has not happened, because he was not an underage girl?
Can somebody please tell me why anybody would want to lie and bring down this swami? Usually, when somebody is making such a severe accusation (even if it’s false) there is SOMETHING that has occurred to force people to retaliate (in this case make these accusations).
Why aren’t his supporters even retrospecting a little bit to find out the basis and motives of these accusations. To dismiss them so easily is foolish, and I actually think it’s doing the whole organization a misfavor. Not to mention, our religion doesn’t say to avoid the issues…it rather says to seek the truth.
Anyone can make an accusation. That is true, but think about how much risk comes with making this type of accusation (for the alleged victims). If you are caught lying, you are finished. If you are truthful, you are now “tainted” within our community. Very sad.
Not one person from the BD has come out and said - “We will look into these accusations”. They’ve just avoided the allegations. In this case, they’ve just claimed it’s utterly false. Stupid move.
My point is this - you shouldn’t be scared to look into the mirror once in a while. If you are scared to even look, then you’re already guilty of something. If he is guilty, sadly, he will undoubetdly be haunted. If he is not, the truth will be known.
As I argued here before, I think we should allow all the religious figures to have a regular family life and not demand celibacy from them. Celibacy is against nature, is nearly impossible to practice for any length of time, has not been shown to improve the wisdom of your words; so what is the point of celibacy? In the long run, the society suffers and there are victims and noone gains anything from it. (Except Mr Sanjay deriving pleasure by kicking the butt of Jagadguru Sri Gandananda Saraswati, when he catches his holiness looking at some beautiful women, and then repenting finally with his hundred prostrated pranams!)
When these religious figures take on these positions, they are fully aware of all the rules and what is expected of them. These rules are based off of traditions that have been practiced for hundreds and thousands of years - why should they all of a sudden change?
To reference the above argument, if you think practicing celibacy is not practical, then don’t take on any positions that expect you to be! And if you come to a point where you cannot handle the temptations, then it is best just to step down before you do something harmful.
If I was working at a job, and they enforced rules that I could not live by, it is up to me to find another job that fits my needs.
Jason, We’re talking about the head of the organization making the celibacy rules for others but not following them himself. Are you saying the leader should step down?
Then how about making new rules that suit these modern times (not ancient times) which their leader has proven even he cannot follow, and children get abused? Is it a matter of “Do what I say, and don’t do what I do?”
How confusing and frustrating and humanly impossible as the swami has proven. If enforced celibacy for gurus was abolished and they married and kept loyal, (hopefully) children and other women would not get abused, or the odds might get lowered. That’s the issue Jagadguru Gandanandaon is trying to make–for once I agree with him. then he would not have to leave his path.
Well that theory (of gurus being married) didn’t work for Prakash’s guru - Kripalu Maharaj. He’s married, has five kids, and he’s still a well-known womanizer (and possible child molestor according to some). If a man likes power, money, women, and girls, and has created the means to get them, then a wedding ring isn’t going to stop him from being a glutton.
I do agree wholeheartedly that gurus should not tell their devotees to be celibate in these modern times (whether or not they are themselves trying to be celibate). It is a cruel guideline that does nothing to help a person attain God — quite the opposite actually, because their natural, human state makes physical love an immense comfort. I can’t speak for ancient times — perhaps there was never a time when it was okay to make a person live all alone in the world like a stone.
What’s worse, is when a devotee who tried to follow the guideline learns that his or her own spiritual teacher is a terrible hypocrite. That makes the teacher a truly terrible person. In this case, if he is touching children too young to stop him (as any child under 18 is), then he deserves everything the law can do to punish him. Let’s pray that this case reaches the truth of the matter.
Janisha,
The point is: If there is no benefit from maintaining a life-long celibacy, then why require it just because that has been traditionally required of the religious heads? You have to come up with at least one benefit of it, if you want to advocate celibacy. I can only see negative things coming out of the celibacy requirement.
The purpose of marriage and the idea of monogamous marital sex is to bring order to society. Celibacy acts againse this premise and serves to destroy this very order, as we see time after time.
So, in summary, I am advocating the repeal of the celibacy requirement for all religious leaders including the Gurus and the Christian priests.
Jagadguru Sri Gandananda, now we’re on the same page. No butt kiicking on this topic of celibacy at least. Although Janisha is right, even married priests still molest children and women of their flock. But, at least the odds of that would be greatly lowered, although not totally, as she poignantly pointed out above. Think about this. Most (not all) news scandals surrounding sexual crimes against minors involve priests or preachers (spiritual leaders many of whom) have taken the vow of celibacy enforced by the leaders who form these religions. In this case, they do not follow the celibacy rules themselves. In some cases, they even turn to the single celibate or (married celibate) women of their flock, because they cannot deny their own basic god-given human needs forever it seems. The followers become trapped in an unhealthy and unhappy internally state. If you looked hard enough ,you will even find skeletons in many of their closets too–in either what they act out, or what they secretly hold in their own hearts and minds, which they try to deny to themselves and everyone around them.
No decades of devotion has proven to remove that fact–even with absolute adherence to the rule. So it seems a trap for the gurus to keep women around them desperate for attention, and setting them (and the celibate mail followers) up for failure to adhere to these out-moded inhumane rules, which are not followed by the ones who set them up. If they want to use ancient rules and traditions of celibacy, first leaders and founders need to prove themselves as perfect examples and set the standard that it can be done. The results of expecting adherance to these traditional and ancient rules of celibacy (and even guilt about marital sex), have caused modern society in this age to run amok. Now we see rampant sexual crimes committed in almost every religions; sadly now in Hinduism.
There’s some new sex crime or scandal involving religions coming out more increasingly up all the time. And you can bet its not just a new thing for them either. You can guarantee it s taken probably taken many years, or even decades to surface. There are some lawyers who do nothing but specialize in religious sex crimes–that’s how busy they are, and shows how bad the situation is.
So when the leaders of religions command celibacy of single followers, including their priests and preachers, (for decades) when they don’t follow it themselves, they are highly likely to doom the spiritual path of their own followers and their priests or preachers. Extremely prolonged celibacy (for decades) or even short periods of celibacy, produces intense loneliness, frustration, depression, disillusionment, and dis-ease, before the follower ever reaches enlightenment and forever feels only the bliss of God.
Changing those celibacy rules to suit the modern (not ancient) times in which we live, will surely reduce the percentage of religious sex crimes, and better ensure and preserve the integrity and safety of the precious lives of the children and women of the flock. End result: ALOT less children and women will be hurt and damaged. They can maintain their path of devotion without fear and keep their respect and trust for their leaders. Spiritual leaders and their priests and preachers can stay out of trouble with the law; keep themselves out of scandalous news headlines, and a horrible court trial, which brings no joy to ANYONE. Not only that, save themselves a bunch of hard earned donations in expensive lawyers and court fees, and hiring PR firms to do a public image make-over. Might save themselves some jail time too. If they do the crime they risk the time.
In the old days, it was considered too much work to raise a family and learn the scriptures at the same time. Remember that you had to chase and catch that darn bison to feed your family! So, Gurus were discouraged from having a family at all and a vow of celibacy was a step in that direction. But, in the modern times, where food comes from the refrigerator and much of the child rearing process has been simplified and can be outsourced, there is no need for the unnatural and inhuman requirements to be placed on the gurus.
I have not met any important Gurus, but from all accounts, Jagadguru Kripaluji is a very learned man and has been given the rare (five or six in total ever) title of the Jagadguru. Even he is apparently not able to follow the celibacy vow as also the Barsana Dham guru.
Most likely that Kripalu bought his infamous title of “Jadadguru” — then made claims of his title being unique — because not a single scholar or high-ranking person has stepped up to yes — yes sir, he’s OUR jagadguru. What’s more, there are thousands of spiritual people in India with the title today! He may have memorized some scriptures at a young age and spouted them repeatedly to dazzle a small portion of the world’s population — but he is by no means the “world’s spiritual leader.” If he was, we’d all likely be in a sex cult. Scary thought. Prakash is his “best” devotee — so it’s no shock he now finds himself in the grip of a nasty legal situation.
Jagadguru Gandananda, so I wonder what they will do about these outmoded traditionds of celibacy if they keep losing followers, keep denying and commiting sins against the laws of the land, keep their followers secretly unhappy inside–who secretly (or not so secretly) cheat, keep molesting women and girls who might lose their faith and trust in the cheating guru, who dont seem to be feeling all the bliss of the “grace”, and whose actions have screwed up their (own) PR image big time. Yet they try to blame the victims and their advocates for it! That is crueler than cruel, to further abuse the abused? What does that say for a religion that touts finding peace, bliss, divine love, and Barsan Dham as a loving devotional family?
What a horrible mess they have created for themselves. This celibacy issue if addressed, changed and adapted properly for m