University psychiatrist

Expressions researched:
"psychiatrist of Calcutta University" |"university psychiatrist"

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. So we have got very good certification by the psychiatrist of Calcutta University.

Room Conversation -- February 14, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. So we have got very good certification by the psychiatrist of Calcutta University. You have seen it?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I don't think I've seen that yet.

Satsvarūpa: Dhīra Kṛṣṇa got a statement from the Brain Research Institute and said the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa is very good for the brain.

Hari-śauri: Brainwashing.

Prabhupāda: You have got that?

Satsvarūpa: Yes.

Prabhupāda: Actually it is brainwash, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12], but it is for the good. People are suffering with these dirty things within the brain. We are washing them. That is brainwash actually.

Satsvarūpa: "Indian Brain Research Association, Department of Biochemistry, University of Calcutta. Gentlemen: The Hare Kṛṣṇa kīrtana mantra used in meditation or chanting of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa has been practiced not only by the Vaiṣṇavas of India, but by most of the Hindus as a regular religious and social practice in Hindu families. Millions of Hindus practice with sublime devotion the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. We are not aware of any case where such practice has resulted in any detrimental effect to the health or mind of anyone. We can submit that the worshiping of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, as being practiced in West Bengal, India, does not differ from that of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra chanting of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. And as such, either of them cannot do any harm to the devotee or to the observer. Further we can add that the rhythmic dance and musical (Bengali:) svara in Hare Kṛṣṇa kīrtana mantra may have profound beneficial effect on a distorted human mind. These practices do not have any relation with brainwashing, although the word seems to carry no scientific meaning at all. Statement by Professor Ajit K. Mytee. Yours faithfully, J.J. Ghosh, President on behalf of the Indian Brain Research Association."

Prabhupāda: It is good certificate. And University of Calcutta. So you publish this.

Satsvarūpa: Śrīla Prabhupāda sent letters to Rāmeśvara and Ādi-keśava to put it in the newspaper.

They want to speak brainwash, and here is the university psychiatrist. He says, "No, it is not brainwash." So handle very carefully.

Room Conversation -- February 14, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Yes. There was big lawyer. In those days he was earning not less than thirty-thousand per month. Rajbery Ghosh, Doctor. He was Doctor. So in one case he brought so many books in the court, the judge remarked, "Well, Dr. Ghosh, You have brought the whole library?" "Yes, my lord, just to teach you law." (laughs) No, any statement we give, it has to be considered. They cannot neglect. So you can simply put these books, eighty-four books: "This is our statement. You read them. Then give your judgement." How do you think? Did you consult any lawyer?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. We're going to do it. It can be done.

Prabhupāda: "It is not brainwash. It is science. You have to know the science." And actually that is the fact. The court case is going on.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. The next... The next date for the trial is on March the 2nd, but it may be postponed until about March the 10th. So Ādi-keśa Mahārāja wanted to take the opportunity to come and visit.

Prabhupāda: Very good. The more it is prolonged, it is good for us. Things will be discussed.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah. We are relishing the opportunity.

Prabhupāda: Yes. (laughs) And it will be published in the paper. It is a good opportunity.

Brahmānanda: Even they had a preliminary hearing, and all the major newspaper, Time Magazine, Newsweek, they were all present. And also from the Indian government.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, the Consulate. The Indian Consulate came. Ādi-keśa Mahārāja has been contacting some of the important officials. He has had a lot of meetings with the Ambassador. So the Ambassador ordered that from the Consulate one person must come to give a statement that the Indian government supports the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. So they came and made this statement.

Prabhupāda: Oh, that is... (laughs)

Brahmānanda: And this representative will attend every hearing.

Prabhupāda: That is nice. That is very nice.

Brahmānanda: As official... And he was ordered to do so by Indira.

Prabhupāda: Yes, the Home member. The Home member said to... "We want that this movement should be spread all over the world."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The representative said that "Our government is nonsectarian, but within our country so many people are Hindus, and this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is the religion of all these people. This is the actual religion of these people. It is authentic."

Prabhupāda: Yes. How they can...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No, they... They have no case at all.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) They want to speak brainwash, and here is the university psychiatrist. He says, "No, it is not brainwash." So handle very carefully.