SANKIRTANA ASSOCIATION
HISTORY
«In 1971 Shrila Prabhupada visited Moscow, while staying there for only 2-3 days, he planted the seed of bhakti in the heart of Ananta Shanti (Anatoly Pinyaev), who became Prabhupada’s disciple. The seed sprouted up to a wonderful tree that has blossomed and brought forth sweet fruits».
This is an official version of how ISKCON began in the former USSR. Of course it’s just an allegory, the result of unbridled imagination and fantasy of the modern historians of ISKCON. Now, using Prabhupada as a cover, his so called followers have built an insurmountable wall that serves for them as a sword and shield of their own ambitions, and for their fight with dissenters. So, what is the real history of Krishna Consciousness in the USSR?
Professor Kotovsky’s recollection of his meeting with Shrila Prabhupada:
«It was spring time. 1971. I’ve learned that the founder and leader of the Movement, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada made a request to Soviet Consulate in Calcutta about issuing him visa to travel to Moscow, where he was planning to visit the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. As our Institute was not prepared for this visit, the request for visa was declined. That’s why I was extremely surprised when on June 21, 1971 I received a call from the Indian Embassy and I was informed that Shrila Prabhupada is in Moscow where he arrived specifically to meet me. On my question who invited Prabhupada to Moscow, the caller, he introduced himself as staff member of the Indian Embassy, Narayan, replied: «Our Embassy». Also, the caller emphasized that Prabhupada will stay in Moscow only 2-3 days, and requests me to meet him as soon as possible. (Looking back I realize that he probably had a transit visa).
I was gripped by conflicting feelings. On the one hand, meeting with Shrila Prabhupada, unapproved by authorities, could cause me several problems, including being fired from my position, and other sanctions, such as ban on my trips abroad. On the other hand, I couldn’t refuse to meet the man how made this long trip just to meet me. I decided to take a risk — meet Shrila Prabhupada, secretly form my colleagues and the supervisors of the Institute of Eastern Studies. I scheduled the meeting next day, June 22».
It has to be noted that professor Kotovsky, although followed liberal point of view, or as he used to say himself, «ideas of political tolerance and ideological pluralism», was a hereditary communist, and always remained a convinced atheist.
«On June 22, 1971, in the morning, I was waiting for my guest in my little office of the Head of India and South Asia Department on the second floor of the building of the Institute of Eastern Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. It was located at Armenian Lane (now Center of Armenian Culture). I saw from the window that he enters the gates of the Institute followed by the group of young people in orange garments. I got out, met them and walked them to my office, followed by surprised looks of few staff members we met on our way from the lobby to the stairs.
As this meeting was very risky for me for the reasons listed above, I agreed with Shrila Prabhupada that there will be no records of our meeting….
It passed about ten years after my meeting with Shrila Prabhupada. One of the staff members of my Department of India, and South Asia, R. B. Rybakov, (currently working as a Director of the Institute of Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences) who studied reformatory currents in Hinduism, brought from his trip to India small pamphlet with the text of my conversation with Parbhupada, although translated, very poorly, into Russian. I realized, that in the breach of our agreement with him, there was a tape record of our conversation. And this record became available to readers, and thus might be obtained by Soviet special service agencies. Sure enough, that’s what happened. After a short while the KGB agent came to the Institute to meet me. He showed me some print out of our conversation with Prabhupada. By this time, in our country, somehow there appeared some society of the followers of the Krishna Consciousness movement. And it was severely persecuted by the authorities. Naturally, in certain KGB departments, there appeared questions, if I am somehow a part of the spreading of this movement in the country. I have to admit that the KGB agent was quite intelligent man, and accepted, calmly and with trust, my story about meeting Prabhupada».
HOW THE SOCIETY OF KRISHNA CONSCIOSNES APPEARED IN THE USSR?
It is very important question. While in America and Western countries, Krishna Consciousness was spread by Prabhupada, being personally involved, and by his disciples who published and distributed his books, it was a different story in the USSR. Prabhupada stayed only three days, and there was no his books, and disciples. So, how this movement was spread and grew up here?…. Veni, vidi, vici – I came, I saw, I conquered!
INCUBATION PERIOD
From 1971, and approximately untill 1980, Krishna Consciosness was known, according to Anatoly Pinyaev (also known as Ananta Shanti) to a handful of intellectuals, those of creative professions, and those who were inclined to a steady practices of spirituality. So, Krishna Consciousness, Vedic concept of aham brahmasmi ‒ I am a soul, inseparable particle of Krishna, found quite a few well-wishers and sincere followers.
«There was not enough information coming from official sources, and naturally, people were getting together, in small circles, especially among intellectuals. When they happened to learn about some new person, or new information, they invited that person, and others joined to learn something new. Let’s say, someone who attended the gathering first time, got interested. After that he invited to his flat, so there was a circle of different people at a new place. That’s how information was spread. It was like chain reaction. I delivered the knowledge the same way I received it myself ‒ I was telling that there is religious system (Prabhupada), there is spiritual movement, there are principles and method. There was not too many books, so people used to copy them, became vegetarians, started to chant mantra. They accepted it without fanaticism, just something that is new and much needed in their lives. Everyone felt their own way, as to how important and interesting it is for them. All of them accepted it. Why? Because I was not inculcating, just honestly telling people about facts of my life, how it happened. And people wished to join to, to try it» (excerpt from the book «Hare Krishna, Past and Present»).
MEETING PRABHUPADA AT THE HOTEL “NATIONAL”
Here, Prabhupada, without unnecessary formalities, accepted Pinyaev as his disciple. And what Pinyaev himself says about Shrila Prabhupada their relationship?: «My first and indisputable guru was my grandmother…. Parbhupada simply intensified my natural inclination towards spirituality, he did not give me anything new…»
The rest of the stories about Hare Krishna movement in this country is just a subject for falsification, and as I said before, unbridled fantasy of the fanatical admirers.
When Shrila Prabhupada has entered his nitya-lila, in 1977, Harikesha Swami was entrusted with the preaching in the USSR.
1980 was a Year of Olimpic Games. Harikesha arrived to the USSR as a tourist. In Riga, where the first meeting with him was held, all of the attended were arrested. Harikesha was expelled from the USSR without the right to enter the country again. Those who attended the meeting were included in the special list of suspicious individuals (so called “black list”)
The devotees, completely bereft of leadership, were left to themselves. More over, from this time forward, authorities have tightened considerably on Hare Krishna. After a couple of years, 1982-1983, all those who could preach were isolated from the public. Pinyaev, and those who followed him, were repressed.
TIMES OF PERSECUTION
When Andropov, and then Tchernenko, the most conservative, right wing in the government, came to a power, KGB took Hare Krishna in hand with full force. The only one who was not in prison, and free, was M. Shilov, also known among devotees as Mamu Thakur. The whole period of the formation of Hare Krishna in the USSR is related to him, and his name.
MAMU THAKUR WRITES:
«When seed of bhakti falls into fertile soil, it sprouts immediately. It is also important, in addition to that seed, the soil, the way the soil was planted, and who planted it, how they plowed it, grew it, protected new sprouts from major disasters, severe weather and pests. Unlike India, which is tropical country with ethnic specifics, and unique culture, Russia is totally different. But in spite of that, currently, Russia is the most fertile soil for this movement (Hare Krishna) to be planted in it. The manpower of this country is literally inexhaustible».
Sometime in 1996, Subuddhi Rai, who wrote the screenplay for the movie about of Shrila Prabhupada’s arrival to Moscow, asked Mamu Thakur to gather some materials for this documentary film (at that time Mamu Thakur was residing in the USA).
But, there appears the question: « How can he possibly create any documentary film, if there is no any documents or records about this visit? Shrila Prabhupada left this world. However, Murali Mohan Maharaja is alive. Here he is, alive, for that documentary. This movie has to be made about him. He founded ISCKON in the USSR».
Mamu Thakur insists:
«The history of Krishna consciousness development in our country (former USSR) is distinctive, and is different from the one imposed on us by the leaders of ISKCON. I did not meet Prabhupada, and there were no Prabhpada’s books available. So how Hare Krishna got spread all over the USSR? In America, and other Western countries Prabhupada was personally preaching. It’s understandable. His direct instructions to his disciples, and books are sure evidence of that. But the USSR was sealed country for Prabhupada. And how this Hare Krishna was spread in the USSR? By Prabhupada’s mercy, by Krishna’s mercy, or….? Prabhupada’s mission was grandiose, no doubt about it, but only by Bhaktisiddhanta’s mercy it became possible. Krishna fulfilled Bhaktisiddhanta’s desire But nobody sees that way. So, why they say now that Prabhupada himself spread Hare Krishna in the USSR?»
If we ignore those who were directly involved in Prabhupada’s mission, if we neglect to honor and praise them, then very soon, we will ignore Prabhupada himself. Simple. Why wouldn’t we say that everything was successful by mercy of Bhaktisiddhanta who inspired Prabhupada? Or, better yet, by mercy of Six Goswami, who’s books we read as well? They spread Krishna consciousness. After all, we all depend on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who started the Sankirtana Movement. He is yuga-avatara of Krishna, His most gracious incarnation. We are here due to His mercy… He is Krishna Himself, the cause of all causes. So it was Krishna Who spread His own movement. There is nothing but Krishna, nobody would dispute that! Thus, taking this point of view we have nothing else but to abandon devotional service totally. Indeed, the whole world was created by Krishna. Why do we need to know who is Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, and other powerful demigods? Why do we need to know about devotees, or read «Shrimad Bhagavatam»? Why do we have to be engaged in devotional service if there is only Krishna and nothing but Krishna. This is how, slowly but surely deviating from the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, we become impersonalists and conclude that Krishna and «I» are the same. So, let us enjoy with fruits of our pious activity by gratifying our lustful desires. This conclusion suggests itself. But this is exactly what Bhaktisiddhanta, Bhaktivedanta and other acharyas were fighting with. It is not our philosophy. In this philosophy there is no space for bhakti, because there is neither Supreme Personality of Godhead, nor there is His servant, bhakta. Where do we get Love if there is no worthy object for it? That’s what we witness currently. Actually, in the society of Krishna Consciousnees, where everyone talks about love, there is no love, because there is no bhakti there. There is no love, but there is envy, and because of the envy we are ignoring the fact that Krishna Consciousness was spread in this country by Mamu Thakur. Bhakti means there is Krishna, and there is devotee, bhakta. Without these two individuals we cannot even talk about loving devotional service. IMPERSONALISM. This is what ISKCON suffers from, currently. As rust corrodes iron, similarly impersonalism in the disgusting form of total alienation destroys the ISKCON from within.
The spread of Krishna consciousness is a result of work of local devotees. Russia is still known by its Kulibins, Lomonosovs and hakers. Fanaticism, anarchism, and artistry of the nation have found vivid expression in the idea of bhakti, that was brought to this world by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the most graceful incarnation of Krishna, Who started Sankirtana movement.
SANKIRTANA MEANS CONGREGATIONAL CHANTING OF LORD’S HOLY NAMES: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
CHRONICLES OF MAMU THAKUR
Mamu Thakur was born in 1949, in the City of Perm, on the day of Nrisimha-chaturdashi. Got acquainted with Krishna Consciousness in Riga, in 1980, and the same year, after meeting with Anatoly Pinyaev, mentioned before, he began to preach. As he was a successful artist, at some point, he was the head of the City of Leningrad Committee of books, graphics, and posters. Using his status, and hard earned money he started to travel all over the country with preaching. He made a mridang from epoxy, learned how to sing, and armed with this musical instrument he began to travel all over the USSR, and recruit others. He made a slide show using pictures from the English version of Bhagavad Gita, and presented this show along with explanation of the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. He was distinctly ascetic, patient and tenacious. Strictly following regulative principles, he was propagating healthy way of life, vegetarianism, taught people how to chant Hare Krishna and cook prasad.
When the first Russian translation of Bhagavad Gita became available, around the end of 1984, Mamu Thakur began to publish and actively distribute Vaishnava scriptures. He was arrested few times, but his preaching was so convincing that all those who met him, and persecuted him, became his followers, and even adopted Hare Krishna.
About 1986-87, at the very beginning of «perestroyka», Mamu Thakur set up first Sankirtana Ashram in Leningrad, and later, on the wave of unofficial youth movement, he organized psychological testing of the members of Sankirtana Association, after preaching to the head of laboratory of the Institute of Complex Social Studies professor Vl. Lisovsky, and that’s how Mamu Thakur went down to history. Few years later, based on the positive results of the said testing, the registration of the first organization of the Society for Krishna Consciousness has occurred. One year before that registration, Mamu Thakur officially registered co-operative Sankirtana which operated first vegetarian restaurant. As Kirtiraja stated, it was an epoch-making event. It was the first vegetarian public catering in the history, from tsarist Russia to the former USSR.
Mamu Thakur was always first. He was the first one who organized harinamas on the streets, first who set up public lectures and speeches at the large public and educational establishments. He was the first one who published and distributed Prabhupada’s books. He was the first one who began to write books for Russian speaking readers (recently published Bhagavad Gita with his own commentaries).
He preached to the most famous people of his times: met in person with Academician Sakharov, and other scientists; political leaders, such as Zhirinovsky; writer Yeremey Parnov; poet Yevtushenko, artist Ilya Glazonov; composers; theater figures, and cinematographers.
He published first Hare Krishna magazin «Sankirtana Bulletin», newspapers «Without Illusion», and «Sankirtana-inform». He participated in the conventions of various political parties, and regirstered, himself, Sankirtana Party. He was even planning to establish Sankirtana Bank.
As he became, later on, a regional manager of the region from Volga to Ural, Siberia and up to the Far East, he opened and registered about 20 preaching Sankirtana Centers, opened about 10 vegetarian restaurants (the largest in the world was opened in Yekaterinburg). He established commercial enterprises for devotees, such as «Sankirtana-film», «Sankirtana-land», «Sankirtana-business», «Sankirtana-art», «Sankirtana science», and so on. He preached to businessmen, prisoners, servicemen in the army, politicians, and scientists.
As a result of his enthusiastic activity, he was able to recruit and engage thousands of people. Thus there has been established association with the name «Sankirtana», which was later renamed and went down to history as Hare Krishna Movement, or ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Bhaktivigyana Maharaja, the president of Russian Society for Krishna Consciousness,admitted: «To be consistent with facts, it is true that you, Mamu Thakur, established ISKCON in Russia».
HISTORY OF SANKIRTANA ASSOCIATION
When Harikesha Swami was expelled from the country, and up until 1989-1990, no one of the western devotees of ISCKON visited USSR. There were practically no books, but due to Mamu Thakur’s activity, and those who considered themselves as members of Sankirtana Association, people continued joining Hare Krishna Movement. No one of those people saw Shrila Prabhupada, but they knew Mamu Thakur, and believed his words: «In every town and every village Hare Krishna will be chanted». That is the history of Krishna Consciousness in this, the most atheistic and demonic country.
Recognizing the merits of Mamu Thakur before acharya of ISCKON Shrila Prapbhupada, in 1992 he was sent to Holy Dhama, and after one year of staying there he was advised to go to the USA, where his preaching was similarly persuasive. In 1997, in New York, Mamu Thakur, as one of the founders, established and registered Sankirtana Corporation, cultural and public-service institution, that has assumed the burden of responsibility for carrying on Sankirtana mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu around the world
To date, Mamu Thakur has written and published over 20 books on philosophy and practice of Krishna Consciousness, has published hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, published fundamental work: Bhagavad Gita – book of devotion.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Major governing body of any local Sankirtana community consists of the President, Community Counsel and Auditing Commission. Almost all problems are solved by every community independently, without seeking the help of the higher echelon. Every community is autonomous, and financially independent, thus the help from the higher instances can be extended only as an exception.
For decisions that affect more than one community, there are Regional Counsels.
Russian SANKIRTANA Association consists of hundreds of Mamu Thakur’s disciples and unaccounted free members. Those who are unable to follow all regulative principles as initiated disciples do, are considered free members. Both, disciples, and free members, work in various offices and divisions of the Sankirtana Association, or live in the temples. Mamu Thakur’s followers can be found in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Perm; Belarus, Ukraine and other former Soviet Republics, as well as in the USA.
Purpose of SANKIRTANA Association.
1. Constantly and widely disseminate spiritual knowledge, to acquaint people with the philosophy and practice of Krishna consciousness, in order to restore true values in the society, to promote unity of the people on the spiritual basis, and to achieve peace around the world.
2. Promote the principles of Vedic culture outlined in Bhagavad Gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam.
3. Strengthen the unity of the members of the Association by directing them to Krishna – the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Preaching to the people so they would realize that each soul is part and parcel of Krishna.
4. Spread Sankirtana Movement – congregational chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Krishna, according to teachings of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
5. Build cities and temples.
6. Unite members of the Association in one family, by teaching them the principles of simple yet sublime way of life.
7. Publish and distribute, magazines and books to achieve the above listed objectives.
SANKIRTANA’S MOTTO
Param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam. «Let congregational chanting of the Names of Krishna win complete victory» – that is Sankirtana’s motto.
1) Preaching, that is an essence, 2) purity that is the power, 3) books, that are basis, and 4) practicality. Preaching is supported by compassion for the fallen conditioned souls, but the power of preaching is based on purity. Purity is not a mere abstraction; it is acquired by daily chanting of sixteen rounds of mahamantra, by abandoning four types of sinful activity, and devotional service in spirit of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission.
It is the matter of exceptional importance and greatest expression of compassion – to participate in publication and distribution of literature of Krishna consciousness in different languages around the world.
Practicality is a principle of using material things as tools in service to Krishna. When devotee spreads Krishna consciousness in various countries, according to time, place and circumstances, without deviating from parampara, he acquires inspiration and begins to understand the importance of Krishna consciousness.
Members of SANKIRTANA show true compassion for all living beings. Compassion is not an exclusive quality of few chosen individuals. By mercy of Lord Chaitanya such compassion is accessible for anyone who humbly hears to Lord’s message and participates in Sankirtana Movement.
1. Param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam – supreme victory to the congregational chanting of Krishna’s Names. This is Shri Gaudia-Matha’s sole object of worship.
2. Shri Krishna, who is vishaya-vigraha or the object of devotee’s prema is the sole enjoyer, and all others are to be enjoyed by Him.
3. Those who don’t perform hari-bhajana, are ignorant and murderers of their own souls.
4. The acceptance of Shri Harinama and direct realization of Bhagavan are one, and the same.
5. Those who equate demigods with Vishnu, are unable to serve Bhagavan.
6. Establishing a printing press to print devotional books and preaching by organizing nama-hatta programs constitutes genuine service to Shri Mayapura.
7. We are not doers of good or bad deeds; nor we are scholars, or illiterate. Carrying the shoes of Hari’s pure devotees as our duty, we are initiated into the mantra kirtaniya sada harih.
8. Preaching, without proper conduct falls within the category of karma, mundane activity. Without criticizing the nature of others, one should correct one’s self – this is my personal instruction.
9. Serving the Vraja-vasis who felt great separation from Krishna when He left Vraja to reside in Mathura is our supreme constitutional occupation,
10. If we desire an auspicious course in life, then disregarding the theories of even countless people we should hear only instructions from a transcendental source.
11. Life as an animal, bird, insect, or any other of the countless thousands of species is acceptable, but taking shelter of deceit is thoroughly improper. Only an honest person possesses real auspiciousness.
12. Simple-heartedness is synonymous with Vaishnavism. Servants of a paramahamsa Vaishnava should be simple-hearted, a quality that makes them the topmost brahmanas.
13. Helping to draw conditioned souls away from their perverted attachment to the material energy is the greatest compassion. If even one soul is rescued from Maha-maya’s fortress, that compassionate act is infinitely more benevolent than the construction of unlimited hospitals
14. We have not come to this world to be construction workers; we are the bearers of Shri Caitanya-deva instructions.
15. We will not remain in this world for long, and profusely performing Hari-kirtana, upon relinguishing this material bodies we will experience the ultimate reward of embodied life.
16. The foot-dust of Shrila Rupa Goswami, the fulfiller of Shri Chaitanyadeva’s inner desire is our lives’ sole desired object.
17. If I were to desist from lecturing about the Absolute Truth due to being fearful that some listeners may be displeased, I would be deviating from the path of Vedic truth and accepting the path of untruth. I would become one who is inimical to the Vedas, an atheist, and would no longer possess faith in Bhagavan, the very embodiment of truth.
18. Krishna’s darshan can only be attained through the medium of the ear, as one hears hari-katha from pure Vaishnavas; there is no other way.
19. Wherever hari-katha is being spoken is a holy place.
20. Proper shravana, hearing, is accomplished through the medium of kirtana, and this will give one the good opportunity to practice smarana, remembrance. Then internal experience or rendering direct service to the ashta-kaliya-lila, Shri Radha-Krishna’s pastimes, in each of the eight parts of the day, is possible.
21. We should understand that the loud calling out of Shri Krishna’s Names is bhakti.
22. Bhagavan will not accept anything which offered by a person who doesn’t chant Hari-nama one-hundred thousand times daily.
23. By sincerely endeavoring to chant Hari-nama without offenses and remaining fixed in chanting constantly, one’s offenses will fade, and pure Hari-nama will arise on the tongue.
24. As mundane thoughts arise while taking Hari-nama, one should not become discouraged. A secondary consequence of taking Hari-nama is that these useless mundane thoughts will gradually dissipate; therefore one should not worry about this. By dedicating one’s mind, body, and words to serving Shri Nama and continuing to chant with great persistence, Shri Nama Prabhu will grant one darshana of His supremely auspicious transcendental form. And by continuing to chant until one’s aparadhas (offenses) are fully eradicated, by the power of Shri Nama, realization of His form, qualities and pastimes will automatically arise.
(Upadeshavali, of Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur).
Education
tad viddhi pranipatena pariprashnena sevaya
upadekshyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darshinaha
«Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inguire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth» (Bh. G. 4.34).
UNIVERSITY OF BRAHMANIC CULTURE
Declares enrollment of students for the brahmanic professions:
The following classes are available:
1) art of archana (pujari)
2) art of yagya (yagyaman)
3) art of preaching
4) art of meditation
5) art of cooking and offering prasad (art of cookery)
6) art of chanting Vedic hymns and mantras (Hare Krishna maha-mantra)
7) art of playing mridanga, karatals, and other musical instruments, art of leading kirtan
8) for especially gifted – fine arts.
First initiation – Bhakti-program
Second initiation — Bhakti-shastra
Third initiation – Bhakti-vedanta.
Classes start as soon as sufficient groups are formed.
Upon graduation of the University, graduates are given the qualification of brahmana, and they are offered the opportunity to serve in temples and ashramas of Sankritana Association in Russia, other former Soviet Republics, and the USA.
For information please call the following telephone number: …………………..
SANKIRTANA movement includes quite big variety of activities, the main goal of which is to elevate the level of education for its members.
There are special spiritual schools for children, gurukulas, or, as they are also called, Vegic gymnasiums. The major goal of educational process in gurukulas is total spiritual and moral upbringing of the children. In the past few years there were registered few such schools in Russia. In some places, where there are no such schools/gurukulas, Sunday schools are established.
Spiritual Enlightenment
All first-rate religious figures of India ‒ Shankara Ramanuja, Madhva, and others were not only philosophers and scholars, but also preachers of their teachings. It is especially true for Vaishnava teachers, as the idea of bhakti itself is inseparable from the preaching. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that the name of Lord Krishna will be chanted in every town and every village of the world. There is a quote from Bhagavata-mahatmya, one of the traditional Vaishnava texts, spoken by personified Bhakti: «I will go beyond the bounds of my country and will travel to other countries» (idam sthanam prityajya videsham gamyate maya). As they strive to fullfill the prophesy of Shri Chaitanya, members of SANKIRTANA Association consider the preaching of Chaitanya’s teachings as the most important task of the movement started by Him. However, Shri Chaitanya considered preaching rather as spiritual enlightenment of people, and not as mandatory «conversion into our faith»; thus, when meeting followers of other religions, members of the Association don’t force them to accept Vaishnava teachings, but rather convince them to understand deeper the teachings of their own tradition.
Major type of the preaching for Vaishnavas is chanting names of the Lord in public. For that purpose, members of the movement, similar to how Shri Chaitanya used to do, regularly go out to the streets of cities and perform sankirtana, congregational chanting of Holy Names. In addition to that they distribute spiritual literature, as well as organize programs of spiritual enlightenment, celebrations, festivals, and propagate vegetarianism and healthy way of life.
Social services
Major charitable program of the movement is Hare Krishna ‒ Food for Life started in 1987-1988 with opening first vegetarian cafe Sankirtana in Leningrad. This program is still active in practically all countries of the world, and in the majority of the cities of Russia and other former Soviet Republics. The goal of this program is to supply those in need with full-fledged hot meal, as well as spiritual and psychological assistance for the destitute.
Other types of activity
Leaders of SANKIRTANA Association give great deal of importance to publishing. In addition to that, Vaishnavas do some scholar studies, research and restore ancient manuscripts, establish and maintain agricultural communities, participate and conduct scientific conferences, international festivals and exhibitions, network with representatives of culture, arts, as well as religious figures.
Interreligious dialogue
Sankirtana isn’t one of the religious society limited by sectarian thinking; it is a spiritual movement, not a secluded group of people. Anyone can join this movement as a free member. Anyone can take part in our activity according to one’s abilities, using their experience, knowledge, talents, means and enthusiasm.
“SANKIRTANA CORPORATION” MANIFESTO
Life dedicated to Absolute
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here are various ways and means to achieve spiritual realization. So, in times preceding modern age of Kali-yuga (Satya, Treta, and Dvapara-yuga) people were engaged in meditation, performed sacrifices and worshiped deities in the temples. But in modern age of hostility and hypocrisy, none of those, above listed methods, (meditation, worshiping in the temples, etc.) yields the desired results. Life of the people is short, and they are so busy with the material activity that they don’t have time to even think about the needs of eternal soul. They are completely baffled by the materialistic conception of life, thus they have learned how to use even religion, true goal of which is to restore loving relationship with God, for the satisfaction of their material needs, such as food, sleep, sex and defense.
Lord Himself, out of great compassion for conditioned souls, descended to this material world to teach people principles of b h a k t i – loving devotional service. On the day of Brahma (that equals 27X 4 320 000 earthy years), during the epoch of Vaivasvata Manu, in the year of 4586 (according to Vedic calendar, from the beginning of Kali-yuga) there descended Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, incarnation of Lord Krishna, Supreme Personality of Godhead. He began SANKIRTANA Movement – congregational chanting of mahamantra. As it is said in Shrimad Bhagavatam (11.5.32.), In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting (Sankirtana-yagya):
krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi-sumedhasah
«CHAITANYA» means «vital force».
By starting SANKIRTANA Movement, Lord Chaitanya rejected old and obsolete forms of spiritual realization, and breathed new life into the principles of pure bhakti, loving devotional service to Krishna.
SANKIRTANA – means yoga of our age which maintains connection with Absolute Truth, that is Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SANKIRTANA – means meditation. The Name of God is none-different from Himself.
SANKIRTANA – means yagya, sacrifice. As nothing belongs to a man, but everything belongs to God, we must pay for everything. And pay is made by performing yagya (sacrifice).
SANKIRTANA – means glorification of the Lord, His forms, qualities, His wonderful transcendental pastimes. It can also be expressed in the labor, and creative activity.
SANKIRTANA – means association, the very life in peace and love with other living beings that inhabit the Universe. Even demigods from higher planets descend to Earth to take part in Sankirtana of Shri Chaitanya. Yamaraja (god of death) takes «vacation» during the time of Sankirtana, thus nobody dies at that time.
SANKIRTANA – dusts off the mirror of the mind and heart and fills it with joy ‒ the nectar which living being is always thirsty for.
SANKIRTANA – is a special manifestation of God’s mercy and the highest religious principle – pure bhakti, love acquired through spontaneous devotional service to Him.
To better understand the mission, and meaning of the name «Sankirtana Corporation», from the definitions above let’s examine the most important ones.
First of all, SANKIRTANA means harinama-sankirtana, that is congregational chanting of Holy Names of Lord Krishna. That’s why the group of Krishna devotees walks down the street and sings loud: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and they accompany themselves on mridanga (type of drum) and karatals (type of crotales, or antique cymbals). «Where two or three are in my name, I am there with you», – Lord says. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself participates in such kirtana, dancing in ecstasy, attracting attention of even spiritually undeveloped individuals, and giving a chance to become Krishna conscious to everyone. The soul is eternally connected with Krishna, so love to Him is slumbering in every heart. This love can be awaken even in inferior forms of life (animals, and plants) when Names of the Lord are chanted in a state of pure devotion. The best example of that: wild animals populating jungles of Jarikhanda. When Shri Chaitanya was chanting Hare Krishna, while passing these jungles, tigers and deers forgot about their eternal animosity against each other, and repeated Names of God after Him, even century-old trees participated in kirtana, echoing sounds of Holy Names.
Public singing of Holy Names purifies atmosphere polluted by materialism. The more devotees participate in sankirtana the less material problems occur. The less material problem, the higher spiritual ecstasy. But even if only three or four individual perform sankirtana, or even two or only one person, even in this case all who listen to it benefit from such listening. Distribution of books, and prasad (sanctified food) largely livens up and diversifies sankirtana. Festive garments, flags, images of God and His great devotees create attractive and joyous mood. For the sake of the Lord’s enjoyment, harinama-sankirtana has to be performed as often as possible, and then Shri Chaitanya will give His blessings. The Lord will be satisfied completely only if in every town and every village souls sing His Holy Name.
Glorification of the Lord in labor, science, literature, poetry, arts, theater, music, and cinematography is another form of sankirtana. One can become a high class professional, and achieve spiritual perfection by using one’s talents for glorification of the Lord, describing transcendental pastimes and wonderful deeds of the Lord. One performs kind of sankirtana by dedicating all of one’s activities, without attachment to the results, to the Lord . All this is completely in line with instructions of holy teachers, acharyas of Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya.
Of course, those who are deprived of the spirit of sankirtana, attempt to avoid in their vocabulary this name, and often criticize the followers of Sankirtana. However, by naming our corporation «Sankirtana» we have no other purpose, but to preach mission of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Our only desire is to please the Lord and His pure devotees.
There are people who take the liberty to represent the Lord, but avoid to participate in sankirtana. Such representation will not be effective as it is of the material nature. We are not responsible for them. As the tree is known by its fruits, so the man is known by work, by practical participation in Shri Chaitanya Mahprabhus’s sankirtana mission. Sankirtana is the only process, that can save one from imitation and sahajiya, providing an excellent opportunity for association and cooperation. Therefore, we urge again who has body, mind, speech, or the money, to participate in the Worldwide Sankirtana Corporation of Lord Chaitanya.
«Sankirtana Corporation» is one of the numerous organizations of the West. It makes its humble contribution to the universal cause of the liberation of humanity. «In every town and every village Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare will be sang» – that is the prophecy of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And our goal is to fulfill His desire to spread the Holy Name of Krishna around the world.
We humbly call upon those who read this: «Please, chant Hare Krishna and be happy!» When we all meet in eternal sankirtana of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in His transcendental pastimes, it will be the most wonderful and memorable day in your life.