|
08-05-2008, 10:33 PM
On the fourth day of our fast, in the evening, as usual, food with the written message ‘blessed food’, was passed to us, it was toasted bread. Usually we would just push it aside but this time, due to feeling the pangs of starvation, Kurma, who also was a excellent cook, picked it up and wondered if they made the bread in the jail or if it was brought in from outside. At that moment, a guard looked through the peep whole, saw Kurma with the bread in his hand, and yelled out,’ They are now eating, the monks have broken their fast!’ Today, 36 years later, we can now look back and see the historical importance of it all. Although, back then we did have a sense that we were pioneers doing something very special and unique at the very beginning of Lord Caitanya's new world religion (Sankirtan Movement).
Yes, we were Australian pioneers of the Hare Krsna Movement and had this sense that Prabhupada’s ISKCON creation would eventually captivate ALL the world. We didn't just believe it, we new it. We new that gradually ISKCON would mature to become selflessly pure and committed to Kord Caitanyas Sankirtan all over the world, starting a Golden Age of Spirituality in every Nation on the Planet.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Quickly news got out that our fast was suposedly broken however, by this time, our fate had already been sealed. The few days we had fasted had already attracted the attention of important political leaders going right to the top of levels Parliament. Many letters to the Editors of major newspapers, along with talk back radio shows, had demanded we be allowed to freely practise our religion on the streets of Melbourne.. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Also, there was a public outcry by Television Actors, Musicians and Artists, even a song written about our imprisonment by the famous musician Matt Taylor entitled ‘Krishna Loves You too’ that later went on his ‘Straight As A Die’ Album in 1973.
In this way, the Minister of Prisons, Brain Dixon was compelled to act; he had now personally taken an interest in our case. He actually came to Pentridge with his secretary and spoke to us, then complained to the Prison Warden that these young boys should not be in this Jail. He immediately ordered our release. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Outside the Jail, there was a blissful kirtan lead by Madhudvisa, and then the guards opened the gates and released us. I clearly remember Cittahari Prabhu hugging us with tears of ecstasy running down his checks, his ecstatic emotion was very moving and also bought tears to my eyes. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
This was only the very pioneering beginning of out struggle with the Melbourne City Council, that would go on for another three dreaded years. Melbourne was a very conservative City back then, tucked away 'down under' a long way away from the rest of the World.
Even though the Government Minister Brian Dixon and the majority of the public was on our side, many City Councillors were determined to ban us from the streets. Keep in mind, back then in Australia in 1972, we still had in place the ‘white Australia policy’, which meant it was very difficult for anyone of colour to take up residency or citizenship here. And here we were introducing Krsna Consciousness to the conservative Australian public
<o:p></o:p>
When Srila Prabhupada eventually came to Melbourne a year later, the Minister of ‘Prisons and Housing and Sport’ Brian Dixon, came to see him and Srila Prabhupada thanked Mr.Dixon for releasing his Spiritual children from jail. I remember that Srila Prabhupada preached to him and his lady friend very sturdily about the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
So eventually as the years passed, we did eventually win our struggle. The Council wrote off the money in an agreement that included us legally chanting on the streets. To this very day, we have never been harassed since. Some years ago, the then Mayor of the Melbourne City Council would often have lunch at Gopals Restaurant that is directly across the road from the City Hall.
Also, one final note, many years later, in the mid 1980s, I ran into the Council Officer we humorously called Kamsa and 'square jaw'. He was with his son and had long ago retired. He was very apologetic explaining that no one back then could work out how we all ticked. He then said he admired the many devotees who stood up for what they believed in, finishing our conversation by saying,
<o:p></o:p>
“My Son is a student at RMIT and often visits Gopals Restaurant, I don’t think I’m a bad person, I was just doing my job. You know, I did read some of those books we confiscated and also heard your Spiritual Leader speak at the Melbourne Town Hall. It took me awhile to understand, but I now see his teaching are giving direction and understanding to so many young people today who follow his example.”
We shook hands, I said Hare Krsna and he replied 'Hare Krsna' The mercy of Lord Caitanya can deliver ANYONE, all we have to do is sincerely ask for His mercy.
<o:p></o:p>
The cartoon below appeared in the Sun Newspaper, Melbourne Australia's biggest daily in 1972<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<!-- Album Navbar --><!-- BREADCRUMB START -->
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Here are the words to Matt Taylor’s song ‘Krishna Loves You Too’ that was released as a single in 1973<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
“Things are getting bad when you can’t practise your religion,
Walk through the streets, giving all the love you can to Krishna.
Elohim, God, or Allah, the name doesn’t matter
Love is a commodity you can’t put a price on,
People who love life give to one another,<o:p></o:p>
‘Cos God's in me, God’s in you.<o:p></o:p>
Yes, City Councillors, Krishna loves you too!
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
When you go to church on Sunday to hear a sermon<o:p></o:p>
They pass round the plate, are you telling me it’s begging?<o:p></o:p>
Is God a one-day affair, the next day you don’t care?<o:p></o:p>
Krsna people make the city streets a temple <o:p></o:p>
What’s wrong with living your religion every second<o:p></o:p>
If God’s in me, God’s in you?<o:p></o:p>
Parking attendants, Krishna loves you too.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I remember Christians thrown to the lions,<o:p></o:p>
Because their faith was seen as defiance.<o:p></o:p>
But now I see Centurions in Blue, ain’t nothing new.<o:p></o:p>
Religion’s not exempt when it comes to revolution<o:p></o:p>
Each step along the way is plagued by persecution, <o:p></o:p>
Still, God’s in me, God’s in you.<o:p></o:p>
Mr Policeman, Krishna loves you too.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Salvation Army playing on the corner, <o:p></o:p>
Turned-on our folks in another era, but now I see<o:p></o:p>
God remains the same, forms of God have changed.<o:p></o:p>
Now you’ve heard my story, just forget your fear, <o:p></o:p>
And chant ‘Krishna’ every day <o:p></o:p>
And your world will ’come clear<o:p></o:p>
‘Cos God’s in me, God’s in you.<o:p></o:p>
Yes, every human being, Krishna loves you too.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
(Krishna, Krishna, shine your light on me.....)”
Kurma Prabhu being dragged away to jail for Chanting Hare Krishna on the streets of Melbourne Australia in the early 1970s<o:p></o:p>Hari Bol, By your fallen servant Gauragopala dasa
Last edited by gauragopala dasa; 08-06-2008 at 09:21 AM.
|