Суд над Бхагавад-гитой / Attempt to ban Bhagavad-gita

план кришнаитов по захвату власти во всех странах мира:


http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Государственная_религия

Современное состояние

По данным Гарвардского Университета в 2000 году ситуация была следующей: из 188 государств 75 стран признали то или иное вероучение официальным, а 113 стран не имели государственной религии

Государства, в которых существует официальная религия
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Католицизм
Аргентина
Ватикан
Доминиканская Республика
Коста-Рика
Лихтенштейн
Мальта
Мальтийский орден
Монако
Сальвадор
Сан-Марино
Некоторые кантоны Швейцарии
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Лютеранство
Дания
Исландия
В Норвегии церковь отделена от государства с 2012 года, однако при этом священники сохранили статус государственых служащих, ответственность за поддержание церковных зданий в надлежащем состоянии лежит на государстве, а король остался главой церкви.[4]
В Финляндии отношения между церковью и государством регулируются особыми соглашениями. Деятельность церкви регулируется особым законодательством. Церковь имеет право на особый церковный налог (собирается при помощи государственных структур на добровольной основе). Однако юридически Церковь Финляндии не является государственной.
В Швеции, несмотря на то, что главой Церкви Швеции является король, с 2000 года Церковь независима от государства.
В Шотландии есть национальная Церковь Шотландии; английский монарх является не главой этой церкви, а лишь её членом.
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Англиканство
Англия в Соединённом королевстве. Уэльс и Северная Ирландия не имеют государственной церкви.
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Православие
Греция
Конституция Греции

вступила в силу 11 июня 1975 года

[и з в л е ч е н и е]

Во имя Святой, Единосущной
и Нераздельной Троицы

Часть первая
Основные положения
<. . .>
Раздел II
Отношения Церкви и государства

Статья 3.
1. Господствующей в Греции религией является религия восточно-православной Церкви Христовой. Православная Церковь Греции, признающая своим главой Господа нашего Иисуса Христа, неразрывно связана в своих догматах с Великой константинопольской Церковью и со всякой другой единоверной Церковью Христовой, неуклонно соблюдает, так же как и они, святые апостольские и соборные каноны и священные традиции. Она является автокефальной и управляется Священным Синодом архиереев, находящихся на церковной службе, и избираемым ими Постоянным Священным Синодом, который создается в порядке, определяемом уставом Церкви, с соблюдением положений Патриаршего тома от 29 июня 1850 года и акта Синода от 4 сентября 1928 года.
2. Существующий в определённых районах государства церковный режим не противоречит положениям предыдущего пункта.
3. Текст Священного Писания сохраняется неизменным. Официальный перевод его на какой-либо другой язык без разрешения Автокефальной Церкви Греции и Великой константинопольской Церкви Христовой запрещается.

— Конституция Греции[5]

2. Финляндия. Статус православной церкви в Финляндии аналогичен лютеранской.

Во многих странах Восточной Европы особый статус православной церкви закреплён в законодательных документах, вместе с тем словосочетание «государственная религия» не употребляется. Гарвардское исследование [2] причисляет такие страны к странам с государственной религией:
Грузия. В 9-й статье конституции Грузии записано: «государство признает исключительную роль Грузинской православной церкви в истории Грузии и вместе с тем провозглашает полную свободу религиозных убеждений и вероисповедания, независимость церкви от государства».[6]
Македония [источник не указан 861 день]
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Иудаизм
в Израиле иудаизм технически не является государственной религией, однако:
Религия не отделена от государства; главный религиозный орган — Раввинат и институты обучения религии (ешивы) непосредственно поддерживаются Министерством по делам религии; в ведение этого министерства также входят местные религиозные советы и религиозные суды — решения последних осуществляются исполнительной властью.
Иудеи имеют преимущественное право на иммиграцию; существуют препятствия для въезда в страну еврея, перешедшего в другую веру.[7]
В сфере семейного права и некоторых других областях для евреев действует исключительно религиозное право. В частности, институт заключения и расторжения браков находится под контролем Раввината Израиля. В результате в стране нет гражданских браков для евреев (для последователей других верований вступление в брак контролируется представителями соответствующих религиозных структур; только два атеиста имеют право зарегистрировать брак вне религиозной системы — в суде по делам семьи). Однако в Израиле признаются гражданские браки, заключённые за границей (на практике желающие обойти религиозную процедуру заключения брака уезжают чаще всего на Кипр).
Во многих городах транспорт, за исключением такси, не работает в шаббат[8].
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Ислам
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Сунниты
Алжир
Афганистан
Бангладеш
Бахрейн
Бруней
Египет
Иордания
Йемен
Катар
Коморские Острова
Мавритания
Малайзия
Мальдивы
Марокко
Объединенные Арабские Эмираты
Пакистан
Саудовская Аравия
Сомали
Судан
Тунис
Палестинская национальная администрация
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Шииты
Ирак
Иран
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Ибадиты
Оман
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Буддизм
Бутан
Лаос
Камбоджа
Таиланд
В Шри-Ланке конституция предоставляет буддизму «передовое место», но буддизм не признан государственной религией.[9]
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Индуизм
В XX веке единственным государством, в котором государственной религией был индуизм, был Непал, однако это положение было отменено решением парламента страны в 2006 году.[10]
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Особые случаи
В Индонезии конституция страны гарантирует свободу вероисповедания, однако по законодательству, принятому в 1965 году, особый статус, предусматривающий поддержку и защиту государства, предоставлен основным религиям страны — исламу, протестантизму, католицизму, индуизму, буддизму и конфуцианству — с оговоркой о допустимости существования других вероисповеданий.
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Атеизм
Албания была единственным государством, в котором атеизм был законодательно провозглашен, начиная с 1967 года. В 1991 году это положение Конституции было отменено.[11]

Introduction

You shouldn't need to read this book. In 1977 the resplendent truth shone with blazing clarity. Now, more than two decades later, the same priceless treasure still radiates its perfection. We have read and reread the Lilamrita, meditated upon the diaries, studied the folio, and dabbled in the video-taped memoirs. Film captured "The Final Lesson" -at least once a year many senior devotees struggle to watch it. As old age nears, the therapy of reliving those painful yet sweet days diminishes any lingering hopes for material enjoyment. Reminding us that we will have our own appointment with death, Srila Prabhupada said, "Don't think this isn't going to happen to you."

The transcendental and pure departure of Prabhupada is a divine monument for ISKCON. He displayed for us a disappearance equal to the greatest passings in Bhagavata history. Bhismadeva, of course, is the ideal. Surrounded by interplanetary sages, earthly elites, and Lord Krishna Himself, Grandfather Bhisma powerfully reciprocated the Pandava's love. Overwhelmed by affection, the peerless general cried, remembering the ordeals of the five brothers, their mother, and their wife. In perfect consciousness and mental clarity, he instructed raja-dharma to Yudhisthira, and offered wondrous prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then he left the world with eyes fixed on the four-handed form of Krishna, with eyes red like the rising sun. "Knowing that Bhismadeva had merged into the unlimited eternity of the Supreme Absolute, all present there became silent like birds at the end of the day."

The passing of Haridasa Thakura wrings the heart of even stonelike readers of Caitanya-lila. With Mahaprabhu seated before him, Haridas focused his eyes on the Lord's lotus face. Placing the Lord's lotus feet on his heart, Haridas then reached for the dust of all the assembled Vaisnavas, to adorn his head. Chanting "Sri Krishna Chaitanya," drinking the beauty of the Lord's face, the namacarya left. His passing set off a marvelous festival of Vaisnava reciprocation. The loving exchanges erupted so intensely that afterwards Lord Chaitanya Himself decreed: "Anyone who has seen the festival of Sri Haridas Thakura's passing away, anyone who has chanted and danced here, anyone who has offered sand on the body of Haridasa Thakura, and anyone who has joined this festival to partake of the prasadam will achieve the favor of Krishna very soon. There is such wonderful power in seeing Haridas Thakura."

The fortunate devotees who personally tended Srila Prabhupada in his last days, as well as those who prayed for his health from afar, would never claim parity with the personalities who surrounded Bhismadeva and Thakura Haridasa. Yet, any nonenvious devotee who sincerely meditates on accounts of Prabhupada's passing cannot deny a transcendental fact: extraordinary rivers of loving reciprocation overflowed. Prabhupada's leaving this world was a rare pool of bhakti, into which Krishna, Prabhupada, and the devotees dived together. The depths of that reciprocal nectar still astonish humble readers today. Because of Prabhupada, even the lowest could taste the highest. Isn't that the mission of Mahaprabhu?

By Srila Prabhupada's choosing to depart in such a heart-wringing way, he so mercifully bequeathed to us a legacy of divine love. The months leading up to his passing gave us a taste of the perfect reciprocation available on the pure spiritual plane. But nothing is too sacred for Kali's fiendish schemes. Into this cherished sanctum of Prabhupada's pastimes, the bold darkness of Kali seeks access.

Now the Age of Quarrel wants us to believe that Prabhupada's servants - hankering for his post - killed him with poison. The concoction is that although Prabhupada knew the awful secret, he kept silent. Externally he submitted to the murder, while internally he remained transcendentally fixed in his service to Krishna. A few times, according to the tale, he gave verbal hints: "someone is poisoning me." The Internet and a home-published book have spread this fetid brew around the ISKCON world.

As Satsvarupa das Goswami eloquently writes in the Lilamrita: "Prabhupada knew, even better than his disciples, that there was much he could do if he remained in the world, but he simply wanted to see what Krishna desired. He saw strong evidence, however, that his life was about to end, at least according to the condition of his physical body, and this in itself indicated that Krishna's desire was that he soon leave this world."

Often during the months preceding his departure, Prabhupada would point out the unavoidable symptoms of the end. One instance: "Krishna can accomplish anything, but from the physical condition there is no hope." A devotee protested that Krishna is the supreme controller. Prabhupada acknowledged the almighty role of the Supreme, but pointed out the routine medical fact: "The brain is working, but the body is not allowing. Don't worry. Everyone will die today or tomorrow. I am also an old man. There is nothing to be regretted. It is up to Krishna."

Other times, regardless of his physical condition, Prabhupada would intensely spotlight the transcendent will of Krishna. He said devotees could daily pray: "If You want him to stay, please cure him, and if not, please take him away. We are fully surrendered to You. Now it depends on Your desire to keep him alive or let him leave this world." Later Prabhupada allowed a simplified version of this prayer. It shortened into the famous mantra that pervaded ISKCON temples during those intense months: "My dear Lord Krishna, if You desire, please cure Srila Prabhupada."

Who can forget the ninth day of October, 1977. Suddenly Krishna placed the decision in Prabhupada's hands. Opening his eyes, Prabhupada said, "Krishna wants me to do as I like. The choice is mine. Krishna has given me full freedom." We all know the pastime. The devotees huddled, and then tearfully returned to Prabhupada, desperately begging him to stay. After deep consideration, followed by a noncommittal yawn, Prabhupada replied, "All right" - as if concluding an insignificant topic. Devotees have crowned this moment as history's most casual decision on life or death. And Prabhupada did stay, for another month of the most profound loving exchanges.

The poison people think they can destroy this legacy of divine love. True, some poison adherents are just misguided and befuddled - temporarily overcome by the toxic fumes of propaganda so thick in the air these days. Others, however, suffer much more sinister afflictions. Their devilish tactics have made countering the absurd charges a trip into the heart of darkness.

The Arsenic Ruse: First, the poison folks mislead you about the test they had run on hair said to be from Prabhupada. Arsenic level 3.0 ppm - poison for sure! "Undoubtedly Srila Prabhupadamaliciously poisoned," their poison book declared.

Really? Actually the laboratory test they themselves sponsored gave only 2.6 as the highest reading. Upping it, they obviously thought, would serve their nefarious purpose well. What's worse, though, is the utter ridiculousness of the entire arsenic ploy.

The average reader trembles to hear the word arsenic, the famous deadly poison that shows up more frequently in Hollywood murder mysteries than in real life. Few realize that arsenic is the twentieth most common element in the earth's crust. It's almost everywhere, in pesticides, underground water, smelting processes, Oriental medicines, and even in our bodies.

Now what about arsenic levels and Prabhupada? Even taking the fudged figure of 3.0 ppm, have we uncovered clues to a heinous crime? Should we immediately call for Batman and Robin? How many of us know that scientists specializing in toxin analysis agree that even arsenic levels up to 10 ppm can be considered normal? For example in Mexico City and Glasgow, scientific studies have clearly shown that hair of the normal population averages an arsenic content of 4.8 ppm and 3 ppm respectively. Larry Kovar from General Activation Analysis, one of the preeminent labs in the world, wryly nailed the coffin shut for the arsenic idiocy: "For your information, my hair has about 3 ppm arsenic - the last time I tested it (I'm still alive, I hope)."


The Whispers Time-Waster: Here the imagination finds no reins. Listen carefully and speculate. You, in your own home, can play FBI and catch the bumbling killers surrounding Prabhupada. Hear them blurt out their evil deed on tape. Next, you can jump on the Internet and vilify the ISKCON leader of your choice.

Let's get right to the core of the whispers ploy. By comprehending the whole situation, anyone can see that Prabhupada, whether speaking Hindi or English - either to the kaviraj or his disciples - gave the same purport. Crystal clear, he said, "Not that I am poisoned." When referring to poison, Prabhupada was merely hypothesizing about the possible effects of improper medicine. The symptoms could resemble poisoning, he noted. Consequently, along with the arsenic, we can also toss out another paranoia. Forget the foolishness that Prabhupada revealed the supposed horrible cause of his death to Hindi speakers like the kaviraj, while mercifully hiding this dark truth from his innocent disciples.

What about those startling tapes said to contain whispers of the word "poison" in the background? Relax. They are from the very same day that the bad medicine was publicly discussed by Prabhupada and the devotees. Naturally the devotees, among themselves, were quietly trying to piece together the exact purport of what the founder-acarya was conveying.

The whisper-wallahs allege they've heard other fragments denoting foul play. On the same tape containing the alleged poison fragments, the following whispers were also allegedly found:

"He's gonna die"
"Listen, he's sayingÉgoing to die."
"Yes, a heart attack time."

Nimble-minded devotees will notice that this recording comes from the same day that the kaviraj issued a solemn warning: if Prabhupada were allowed to do Govardhana-parikrama on a bullock cart, he would suffer a heart attack almost immediately and die. Hence, even if indeed the whispers are what some claim, still there is a one-hundred-percent logical explanation. Naturally, the devotees, once again, were discussing the latest developments, following the lead of their spiritual master.

Advanced Diabetes, Plain and Simple: The poison folk like to play doctor. After they scare you with arsenic and whispers, then what comes next? Amateur, almost childish medical claims comprise the remainder of their campaign. Try this one for size, from the poison book: "Not one doctor or kaviraj even mentioned diabetes as a factor in His Divine Grace's health." Obviously, diagnosis is best left to medical experts - not do-it-yourself dabblers, with an overt agenda. For those readers with time, this book gives the details that completely deflate the poison balloon of its hot air.


Probably most of us will just turn to the official statement by Doctor Andrew McIrvine. He was the surgeon who operated on Srila Prabhupada in England, September 8, 1977. By physical examination, he had immediately perceived that Prabhupada's dangerous state of health came from advanced diabetes, resulting in severe damage to the kidneys and other systemic problems. Upon running a laboratory analysis of blood and urine, the doctor found the obvious completely verified. He then operated on Prabhupada and saw him at the Manor the next day. His final judgment: Prabhupada's physical demise was 'irreversible'.

McIrvine was the last Western doctor to examine Prabhupada. His professional analysis stands on its own. Yet, if we combine it with the symptoms described in TKG's Diary and other recollections, the picture becomes even fuller - vivid to the point of pain. Moreover, we should not fail to note that just two months later, in November, the British surgeon's prognosis of 'irreversible' came to its momentous culmination.

The shameless, grasping for straws, may try to cast doubt upon this doctor's expertise. After all, Prabhupada was famous for branding doctors and lawyers as the greatest cheaters. Therefore, let us recall Prabhupada's own evaluation of McIrvine, published in TKG's Diary - long before the doctor's statement emerged: "We came out of the hospital and returned by ambulance to the Manor. To everybody's satisfaction, Prabhupada passed urine without difficulty. Prabhupada said, "He is a very good doctor. Had we been in India, in Vrindavana, this could never have been performed."

The Reverse Speech Travesty: What happens when bunglers try their hand at a hot new investigative tool? Reverse Speeech Technology, while certainly not fully validated, has been known to generate intriguing insights. The poison people took to it, obviously hoping for a crowd pleaser. Perhaps the esoterica-prone devotees would lap it up.

The supporters of Reverse Speech are convinced it's a new form of communication, with the ability to uncover a deeper truth and meaning behind our words. The theory is that as we speak consciously, the brain sends out messages from the unconscious. These messages, said to occur constantly throughout language, are considered clearly audible about every 10 seconds, when a recording of normal speech is played in reverse.

David Oates, the dean of Reverse Speech, is an Australian. You'll read how Australian devotees ingeniously contacted him, and how he quickly exposed the sham. The poison advocates had sought his blessings for their Reverse Speech rendition of Prabhupada's poisoning. The e-mail sent to him tells the story: "Of course I also wanted to know if you would give an endorsement for my work, and if we can do a radio show on the subject."

Oates handed over to the Australian devotees both the request and his fiery reply: "I cannot and I will NOT endorse your work . . . Do me one final favor and stop doing Reverse Speech and stop representing yourself as representing me. You are dishonest and a sleaze!"

Oates and his staff analyzed the Reverse Speech projections that supposedly revealed the murderous intent of Prabhupada's disciples. The analysts were angered to find that of the seventeen reversals documented, only seven were accurate. But these did not refer to death or murder. "Bogus," was Oates' conclusion. Three other Reverse Speech analysts concurred.

If you do read this whole book, you'll certainly become indignant, to varying degrees. Acaryas such as Narottama das Thakur instruct that we should indeed feel disarying degrees. Acaryas such as Narottama das Thakur instruct that we should indeed feel disturbed when witnessing offenses to the Lord and his devotees. Krodha bhakta-dveni jane. In this way, even anger can be perfectly employed, in Krishna's service. Naturally we will question: how could someone concoct this poison madness! How many of our dear fellow devotees temporarily fell victim to this smut campaign? And why so much time and energy wasted, out of necessity, debating this crazy idea? While praying for the rectification of those struck down by this epidemic, we should help them to recover.

How can we soothe the dear disciples of Prabhupada who cared for him with such love in his last days? Study the film "The Final Lesson." What do you see in their faces then? Certainly the slanderous poison campaign - specifically directed at them - has brought them anguish. Importantly, what about the pain borne by their sincere followers? Can we stop despicable nonsense like this from breaking out in ISKCON again?

Undeniably, the deadly toxin played a significant role in a worldwide decline of enthusiasm and trust. "Just see - even Prabhupada's departure is now suspect!" ISKCON's unity even in cherishing Prabhupada's Final Lesson was broken. Assuredly, most devotees did not swallow the scam entirely. Nevertheless, forced to cope with the poison mongers' agenda, we have all suffered an immeasurable loss: we've had to dare entertain the unthinkable, about a Prabhupada-lila so crucial and precious for us.

The solution is not to harry and hound the original perpetrators of this madness. Those who fermented this potion know their motives. For some insight, this book presents the testimony of Jagannatha das, AKA Jeffery Juliano, who defected from the poison brewery. The correspondence with David Oates also sheds light.

For ISKCON as a whole, the best response is that we look deeply within ourselves. How much do I harbor within myself the potential for malicious envy and ill will toward other devotees of the Lord? For how many vaisnava-aparadhas am I responsible? Looking outward to discover the germs of contamination is a protective necessity. But our major work should be within. What tendencies for rancor do I harbor in my own heart?

The farce, 'the poisoning of Prabhupada', has dramatized the effects of rampant vaisnava aparadha that periodically plagues our society. Thanks to the Internet, just one click of a mouse button, and your offenses multiply a thousand times. Ruining your spiritual life was never easier. One single e-mail text, copied and forwarded, can immediately inundate the entire devotee-world with deadly offenses, instead of nectarean krsna-katha.

Srila Prabhupada has explained that the first offense to the holy name applies not just to those we may agree are pure devotees. No. He says that to blaspheme any devotee who has dedicated his life to preaching the glories of the Lord is injurious. Furthermore, sastra does not allow us to take comfort in the thought that "It's him or her they're offending - not me." If Vaisnavas, either individually or as a society, remain silent when offenses are perpetrated, their spiritual standing will wane. The silence that often greets the mass distribution of offenses is a sad indicator of a worrisome plight: we may have become desensitized to vaisnava-aparadha. This affliction, if not checked, can single-handedly rend the devotional fabric of ISKCON.

Finally, let us meditate on how to access that wondrous reciprocal love so evident between the devotees and Prabhupada in his final months. In the triad of divine love, the disciples also possessed influence - not just the Supreme Lord and Prabhupada. This three-way tug of love unleashed a torrent of spiritual emotion. Remember Prabhupada in July 1977, voice choked with deep emotion, saying: "Oh, your intense love for me. I am living for you. . . . I am so much indebted, taking so much service."

Never forget Prabhupada's declaration in November, 1977 - the very last few days of his stay in this world. Devotees told him he was about to drive them mad from attachment steeped in anxiety. Prabhupada turned to his Godbrother Niskincana Krsnadasa Babaji and said, "just see how much affection they have for me." We will never allow conniving minds to sully the effulgence of this divine passing.

The pastime of Krishna's sena-pati bhakta departing will always remain our fountain of spiritual vitality and determination. And most importantly, it will always shine as our final lesson in the nectar of real love. Prabhupada is dearest to Krishna, and we pray to remain dear to Prabhupada, by revering his devotees. Lord Krishna Himelf personally instructed Durvasa Muni how He sees His bhaktas, after the volatile sage offended Ambarisa Maharaja:

aham bhakta-paradhino
hy asvatantra iva dvija
sadhubhir grasta-hrdayo
bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah

"I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me." (S.B. 9:4:63)



Devamrita Swami
February 5, 2000


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Does Srila Prabhupada Support Poisoning Theory?

by Adridharan Das

The purpose of this paper is to study the actual words of Srila Prabhupada only on the subject of his poisoning. Naturally, we can only rely on the actual words Srila Prabhupada spoke on this issue to determine whether he himself believed that he was deliberately poisoned. Thus the views and opinions of others who were in the room with Srila Prabhupada are of no relevance to us. Neither do we need to consider other subjects Srila Prabhupada discussed that were not directly to do with the issue of his poisoning.

We must stress that this paper does not prove, nor even attempt to prove, that Srila Prabhupada was not poisoned. Nor are we saying that the issue should not be investigated. The GBC themselves felt the available evidence was sufficient grounds on
which to launch a detailed investigation. We fully support such an investigation. Our only point here is that we must deal with facts rather than feelings brought on, quite understandably, by this highlycharged subject. Thus we shall carefully look at what Srila Prabhupada himself said, rather than what feelings or suspicions his words might invoke in devotees minds and hearts.

Please note, there are in fact only 4 separate exchanges where Srila Prabhupada himself discusses the subject of his poisoning.
The first 3 of these take place at different points in the same conversation, on the 9th of November, and the last exchange takes place the next day on the 10th November. (Note: The above chronology is taken from the book 'Someone Has Poisoned Me'. The folio actually has all 4 exchanges taking place in the same conversation on the 8th November.) 3 out of the 4 exchanges involve Srila Prabhupada speaking in Hindi and Bengali. For the relevant Hindi and Bengali translations we will use those supplied by His Grace Naveen Krishna prabhu in the book 'Someone Has Poisoned Me' . We will refer to
each of these exchanges as Exchange 1,2 etc., with the appropriate translation from the book given directly underneath the transliteration in Hindi or Bengali.

Exchange 1
Mixture of English, Hindi and Bengali (9/11/77)

Srila Prabhupada: Keu bole je keu poison kore diyeche. Hoy to tai.
Translation: Someone says that I've been poisoned. It's possible.
Balaram Mishra (?): Hmm?
Kaviraja: Kya farma rahe hain?
Translation: What is he saying?

Srila Prabhupada: Koi bolta hai je koi mujhko poison kiya gaya hai.
Translation: Someone says that someone has given poison.
Kaviraja: Kisko?
Translation: To whom?

Srila Prabhupada: Mujhko.
Translation: To me.

Kaviraja: Kaun bolta hai?
Translation: Who said?

Srila Prabhupada: Ye sab friends.
Translation: These all friends.

Bhakticharu: Ke boleche, Srila Prabhupada?
Translation: Who said, Srila Prabhupada?

Srila Prabhupada: Ke boleche.
Translation: They all say.

Tamal Krishna: Krishna das?

Kaviraja: Ao ko kaun poison dega? Kis liye dega?
Translation: Who would give you poison? Why would anyone do that?

Tamal Krishna: Who said that, Srila Prabhupada?

Srila Prabhupada: I do not know, but it is said.

Conclusion

1. Srila Prabhupada refers to others stating that he has been given poison. Srila Prabhupada does not himself confirm this, only adding that 'It's possible'.
2. At no point does Srila Prabhupada himself state that he has been given poison - he only reports the words of someone else.
Thus exchange 1 does not yield any evidence from the lotus mouth of the acharya himself agreeing that he has been poisoned.

Exchange 2
- Hindi Only (9/11/77)

Kaviraja: Yah, maharaj ji, kotha ap kaise bola aj ki apko koi bola hai ki apko poison diya hai. Ap ko kuch abhas hua hai, kya?
Translation: Maharaj, how did you say this, that someone has said that someone has poisoned you? Have you felt something?

Srila Prabhupada: Nahin, aise koi bola je. debe-sa hi ja hota hai. Shayad koi kitab men likha hai.
Translation: No, not said, but when one is given poison, it happens like this. It's written in a book.


Exchange 3
- English Only (9/11/77)

Tamal Krishna: Srila Prabhupada? You said before that you. that it is said that you were poisoned?:
Srila Prabhupada: No. These kind of symptoms are seen when a man is poisoned. He said like that, not that I am poisoned.
Tamal Krishna: Did anyone tell you that, or you just know it from before?
Srila Prabhupada: I read something.

Conclusion

We have put these exchanges together because Srila Prabhupada simply repeats to Tamala Krishna in English what he has just told the Kaviraja in Hindi. Here Srila Prabhupada clarifies the fact that the statement by others regarding his poisoning
was not even a direct statement that he has been poisoned; but only that he showed the symptoms of poisoning, and that that this was something which is written in a book, and that Srila Prabhupada had himself read such things.

Thus this exchange, as well as yielding no evidence from the mouth of the acharya himself agreeing that he has been poisoned, states that the other sources are not even themselves stating that Srila Prabhupada himself has been directly poisoned.

Summary of the Conversation

These 3 exchanges all take place on the same day.

a) Srila Prabhupada himself never refers to himself being poisoned.
b) Srila Prabhupada brings up the issue of 'someone' having 'poisoned' him as having being put forward by someone else, and continues to refer to it simply as someone else's idea - an idea he only stated is 'possible'.
c) He further clarifies that this 3rd party is only saying that symptoms of poisoning are being displayed - not even that he was poisoned. Srila Prabhupada further confirms that he himself has read this.
Thus we still have no evidence from the acharya himself, where he states that someone has given him poison. Please note therefore that there has been a discussion and talk on the topic of Srila Prabhupada being poisoned by someone:

"Someone says that I've been poisoned. It's possible. [.] Someone says that someone has given poison."
(Srila Prabhupada, Exchange 1)

These were the phrases that started the whole discussion off - Srila Prabhupada is stating that someone else is saying that effectively 'someone has poisoned me'.

This is the context to the final exchange that takes place the next day.

Exchange 4
- Mixture of English, Hindi and Bengali (10/11/77)

Bhavananda: Prabhupada was complaining of mental distress this morning also.

Bhakticharu: Srila Prabhupada?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm?

Bhakticharu: Ota ki byapar hoyechilo, mental distress?
Translation: What was that all about, mental distress?

Srila Prabhupada: Hm hm.

Kaviraja: Boliye, boliye.
Translation: Say it. Say it.

Srila Prabhupada: Vahi bat ... je koi hamko poison kiya.
Translation: ? ? ? ? . That someone has poisoned me.
(After this point Srila Prabhupada does not speak again.)

Wrong Translation

We have left the translation of the first phrase blank because in the book 'Someone Has Poisoned Me' it is mis-translated; a fact admitted by Naveen Krishna prabhu - the translator himself, who has stated that the translation used is not his final translation but was only a very first rough draft.

The book translates the phrase:

"Vahi bat" as "The same thing, I said"

As any Hindi speaker will confirm, the phrase 'vahi bat' means only 'that same discussion/talk', and that is all. 'Vahi' means 'that same', and 'bat' means 'discussion' or 'talk/subject'. Further it can be noted that:

1) The 'I said' part can easily be shown to be wrong. The words 'I' and 'said' are used nowhere in the Hindi. They have been added.

2) In any case Srila Prabhupada had not said previously that he had been poisoned, as the analysis of our previous exchanges proves - he had only stated that someone else had discussed him being poisoned, and even then only showing the symptoms of
poisoning, not that he had been poisoned.

Correct Translation

Just to have further confirmation, we were given the following translation from Dr. M. Kapoor, the Principal of Jalan High School, who has a Phd in Hindi:

"That Same Discussion ... That Someone has poisoned me"

Thus the correct translation, both from the literal meanings of the words used, and from the context of the discussion is -
'That same discussion'.

Thus the correct translation is:
Bhakticharu: Ota ki byapar hoyechilo, mental distress?
Translation: What was that all about, mental distress?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm hm.

Kaviraja: Boliye, boliye.
Translation: Say it. Say it.
Srila Prabhupada: Vahi bat... je koi hamko poison kiya.
Translation: That same discussion . that someone has poisoned me.

Actual Meaning

Thus when Srila Prabhupada states 'someone has poisoned me', he is simply identifying the discussion which has led to the 'mental distress'. The talk on the previous day, as we have seen, was indeed in reference to 'someone has poisoned me'. Thus the phrase, 'someone has poisoned me', because it is prefaced with 'that same discussion', is used simply to refer back to the previous discussions in question. A previous discussion in which someone else had spoken of Srila Prabhupada being poisoned, or more accurately, displaying the symptoms of someone being poisoned.

In other words:

1) Srila Prabhupada is asked a question - 'what was that all about, mental distress'?
2) Srila Prabhupada answers initially - 'that same discussion'.
3) He then clarifies which discussion he is referring to by adding - 'that someone has poisoned me'.

Thus though Srila Prabhupada does speak the words - 'someone has poisoned me' - he only states them to identify the series of talks, which were to do with Srila Prabhupada being poisoned - but in which Srila Prabhupada himself never states that someone has poisoned him. The removal of the words 'I said' completely changes the meaning of the phrase 'that someone has poisoned me':
(1) The same thing, I said .. That someone has poisoned me.
(2) That same discussion . That someone has poisoned me.

In case (1) due to the presence of 'I said', the word 'that' links the phrase 'someone has poisoned me' to 'I said'. This makes it appear that the phrase 'someone has poisoned me' was actually a statement from Srila Prabhupada himself. In case (2) by
removing the words 'I said', we have a completely different meaning. The linking word 'that' now simply links 'someone has poisoned me' directly to 'that same discussion'. This renders the phrase 'someone has poisoned me' into being simply the 'same discussion' referred to - where the idea of Srila Prabhupada being poisoned (or more accurately displaying symptoms of being poisoned) is actually stated by someone else, an idea which Srila Prabhupada does not confirm, but only says is 'possible'.


Conclusion

Thus this exchange does not yield any evidence from Srila Prabhupada agreeing that he had been poisoned. He merely confirms that the previous discussions, which themselves do not yield this evidence either, were the cause of his 'mental distress'. (We put the phrase 'mental distress' in inverted commas, because the term was not used by Srila Prabhupada himself).

To conclude anymore than this - such as the fact that Srila Prabhupada had 'mental distress' proves that he must have thought he was poisoned - is speculation of the highest order since it involves trying to directly understand the mind of the Acharya.
We may have grounds to investigate further, but that is all - we do not have any evidence that Srila Prabhupada agreed he was being poisoned.

HOME

Hair Analysis Shows No Signs Poisoning

This chapter will document important scientific facts regarding analysis of hair arsenic levels in Srila Prabhupada's hair relics. Nityananda Das has claimed that Prabhupada's hair levels were recorded at 3ppm and that this represents solid evidence that "undoubtedly Srila Prabhupada was maliciously poisoned."

We will show that this assertion is untrue, with reference to various authoritative scientific literatures and experts in the
fields of toxicology, medicine and neutron activation analysis.

Scientific facts about arsenic in hair

1. Arsenic is the twentieth most abundant element in the earth's crust.
2. The real figure for the testing of Prabhupada's hair sample was NOT 3ppm arsenic but 2.6ppm.
3. Scientific studies have shown levels of 4.8ppm (Mexico City) and 3ppm (Glasgow) average arsenic content of hair
in normal (unexposed) populations.
4. Research proves that persons who are malnourished exhibit a 50% increase in the concentration of trace metals in
their hair, due to slowing of hair growth while the rate of metal deposition remains constant.
5. Results of up to 1.4ppm arsenic (Didima Mataji) were found in Mayapur devotees, and up to 3.36 ppm in persons
who only occasionally visited the Ganges arsenic affected area.
6. By far the major source of elimination of arsenic is through the kidneys and urine. One would expect elevated levels of these toxins in the blood and hair of a person suffering serious kidney malfunction.
7. Forensic pathologists agree that even high levels of arsenic cannot on their own be accepted as proof of poisoning without specific clinical symptoms of arsenic poisoning.
8. Hair analysis for arsenic is a very unreliable indicator of serum arsenic levels when a specific individual is tested without a range of reference values from a group of the same time and place for comparison.
9. Expert scientists who are presently working in the field of hair analysis and neutron activation agree that any amount up to 10 ppm arsenic can be considered 'normal' levels of arsenic.

Discussion

1. Arsenic is the twentieth most abundant element in the earth's crust, and is found in many pesticides, smelting processes,
paints, underground water supplies and traditional oriental (including Indian) remedies.

It is common knowledge that arsenic is a deadly poison, and many people imagine arsenic to be a rare chemical manufactured in some exotic chemical laboratory. Therefore many devotees feel shocked when told that Srila Prabhupada's hair relics contain trace amounts of arsenic. However, the actual fact is that arsenic is the 20th most common element on this planet and pervades almost everything in our environment, including our own bodies.

2. The real figure for the testing of Prabhupada's hair sample was not 3ppm arsenic but 2.6ppm.

In his book, Nityananda Das reports two different tests done on Srila Prabhupada's hair relics. One is reported as being 1.1
ppm and the other "almost 3.0 ppm." He then goes on to use "3 ppm" as the accepted figure. However, we have recently been provided with the original document from Dr. Steve Morris of the University of Missouri who performed the tests, which states that the actual figure was 2.6 ppm arsenic.

3. Scientific studies have shown results of 4.8ppm (Mexico City) and 3ppm (Glasgow) average arsenic content of hair in normal (unexposed) populations. MIT lists 0.13 - 3.71 ppm as the range of average values for normal (healthy) persons.

In 1997, Dr. Armienta of the Geophysics Institute of the University of Mexico conducted a series of tests on water and hair samples from residents of Zimapan in central Mexico. For some years residents had complained of various ailments, which were caused from arsenic exposure via local well water. The tests showed hair concentrations of arsenic in the affected townspeople to be 9.22 ppm.

Even more interesting was their results for a reference group of naffected 'normal' people. This group was taken from residents of Mexico City and showed the average concentration was 4.8 ppm arsenic in hair. Remember that these are perfectly healthy individuals with no particular exposure to arsenic. The authors explained that the high value could be
explained by the air pollution prevalent in Mexico City, as arsenic binds tightly to the keratin molecules in hair, whether via sweat or from external sources.

Another study performed in the 1970's showed an average of 3 ppm hair arsenic in the population of Glasgow, again presumably due to high pollution levels.

Remember that these figures are an average, which means that some of the "healthy" subjects tested contained levels that were much higher still than 3 or 4.8 ppm. Therefore the fact that Srila Prabhupada's hair contained 2.6 ppm cannot be taken as proof of poisoning. Rather this value falls within the range of average values reported in various studies around the world.

4. Research shows that persons who are malnourished exhibit 50% higher than normal content of metals in their hair, due to the hair growth slowing markedly while the rate of metal deposition into the hair remains constant.

In 1983, the New York Hospital Medical Department conducted experiments into the pitfalls of hair analysis for trace element concentration. They found a peculiar phenomenon, whereby the concentration of trace metals in hair actually increased when a patient was malnourished. This was due to the fact that the rate of hair growth slowed markedly under conditions of malnourishment, while the rate of deposition of trace elements from the blood and external environment
remained constant. This produces an artificially elevated level of trace metal in the hair compared to the actual level in the bloodstream.

For example, if 0.05 mg of metal were deposited in the hair per day, which grew at a rate of 2 mg per day, the concentration would be 0.05 / 2 = 0.025 metal per hair mass. However, if the hair growth slowed to 1.2 mg per day, the apparent hair concentration would rise to 0.05 / 1.2 = 0.040 metal per hair weight. Thus a 40% decrease in hair growth corresponds to a 50% increase in trace metal concentrations.

It is well known that Srila Prabhupada ate very little for most of 1977. Bhakti Caru Swami, who cooked for him for most of this time, confirms this:

When His Divine Grace was in Bombay, after the Mayapur festival in 1977, I started to cook for him. Although he was eating something, but it was very little and he even commented that if he could just eat two chapattis that would indicate his good health. However, he could not even eat that much.

When Srila Prabhupada arrived in Vrindavan (May 1977) after giving his arrival darshan to all the devotees there, Srila Prabhupada called me to his room and told me not to cook for him and persuade him to eat. He told me, "What's the use of eating when there is no appetite". From then onwards his food intake was reduced to practically nothing.

Srila Prabhupada's hair growth certainly slowed during 1977, and his personal servants also confirm this. Therefore one would expect that the content of metals in his hair would be higher due to constant exposure to trace levels of heavy metals and marked decrease in hair growth.

5. Results of up to 1.4ppm arsenic (Didima Mataji) were found in Mayapur devotees, and up to 3.36 ppm in persons who only occasionally visited the Ganges arsenic affected area.

Nityananda Das claims that "normally one would expect to find from less than 0.05 ppm arsenic up to perhaps 0.1 to 0.2 ppm, depending on exposure... and that farmers regularly exposed to pesticides MIGHT temporarily attain a level of 1.0ppm, which is probably why so many have cancer."

However, we don't have to look very far to discount this speculative reasoning. Recent testing done on some of the resident devotees of Mayapur have found that they do in fact contain hair arsenic levels above 1 ppm, and are not suffering any ill effects from such levels.

Nityananda Das goes on to make a dramatic embellishment of the 3 ppm figure, saying it is "15 to 60 times over average. The presence of such high amounts of the world's deadliest poison in Srila Prabhupada's hair confirms: Srila Prabhupada was poisoned with arsenic."

However, using these figures, the levels of arsenic in the hair of Didima Mataji are also 30 times the "average" level. If Nityananda is so sure about these figures, why isn't he also suggesting we launch a full investigation into who is poisoning Didima?

Nityananda Das tries to pass off the West Bengal arsenic crisis by saying, "There was some news a few years back about health problems in Bengal due to arsenic contamination in deep well water. However, Srila Prabhupada left Mayapur, Bengal in March 1977 after a stay of six weeks."

In contrast, a 1995 study done by Jadavpur University described the situation as a crisis, titling their research paper "The Biggest Arsenic Calamity in the World" saying that at least 30 million people in six districts of West Bengal are living with levels of arsenic higher than the level recommended by the WHO. A list of the affected areas extended all along the Ganges delta, with Navadwip being specifically mentioned as one of the seriously affected areas. This study reported hair arsenic
concentrations from one affected family in Murshidabad as ranging from 4.78 up to 9.78 ppm.

Of special relevance to this discussion, two additional members of the family who only came home occasionally and just happened to be there on the day of the testing, had hair arsenic levels of 2.35 and 3.36 ppm respectively. Neither displayed any adverse health effects.

It is not clear when was the last time the clippers that contained the hair sample were used. The very last time Prabhupada was shaved was on September 22, 1977. However, Tamal Krishna Maharaja reports that he shaved Prabhupada with a razor blade (as reported in TKG's Diary). Therefore the hair clippers were almost certainly not used after Prabhupada came back from England on September 12. This puts the date of last use back to at least mid-August. Prabhupada's servants confirm that his hair growth had slowed very dramatically throughout 1977. This, together with the possibility that other clippers or razors were used to shave Prabhupada's hair, makes it possible, if not probable, that the hair remnants from the clippers in Vrindavan are from much earlier in the year. In fact, the only confirmed use of the Wahl clippers in 1977 comes from Hari Sauri Das who remembers shaving Prabhupada in March with these very clippers. If the clippers were last used in March,
April or May, the hair remnants would contain growth from Prabhupada's six-week stay in Mayapur up to 22 March. This factor, together with Prabhupada's travel through polluted Indian cities and the concentrating effect of slow hair growth, as will be explained below, means that a figure of 2.6 ppm arsenic is by no means an unusual amount.

6. By far the major source of elimination of arsenic is through the kidneys and urine. If someone with serious kidney malfunction was exposed to even small amounts of arsenic via water or medicines, one would expect elevated levels of these toxins in the sweat and sebaceous secretions (and therefore the hair) due to lack of sufficient kidney function to eliminate the toxins.

It is well known that arsenic and other heavy metals have a debilitating effect on the ability of the kidneys to eliminate toxins. However, just as high blood arsenic levels damage the kidneys, an already malfunctioning kidney will also raise the blood concentration of such toxins due to not properly eliminating them via the urine.

Studies show that at least half the total amount of arsenic from water or environmental sources is eliminated by the kidneys and passed out through the urine. Someone suffering from serious kidney damage would have a dramatically reduced ability to eliminate arsenic from the bloodstream. Therefore whatever trace amounts one would normally expect to be deposited in the hair and other tissues would be elevated under these conditions.

Knowing that Srila Prabhupada had severe kidney damage, we can understand that the figure of 2.6 ppm arsenic concentration in Prabhupada's hair is in no way conclusive of poisoning. Considering the state of his kidneys, if Prabhupada were given any amount of arsenic one would expect a far higher level of arsenic in his hair than this.

7. Arsenic gets into hair via sweat and other secretions and binds strongly onto the keratin molecules in hair. Because of this it is impossible to distinguish between arsenic sweated from the skin and then bound to the hair and arsenic that later binds to hair through contamination from an external source. Therefore forensic pathologists agree that even very high levels of arsenic cannot on their own be accepted as proof of poisoning without specific clinical symptoms of arsenic poisoning.

Scientific studies have shown that arsenic gets into hair via sweat and sebaceous secretions and then firmly adsorbs itself to the keratin proteins in the hair matrix. This was discovered through a number of studies, including the work of Young and Rice who found arsenic in the hair of guinea pigs injected with sodium arsenite beyond the point it could have reached by hair growth alone. Similar studies have confirmed these findings.

Therefore, it is impossible to discern between arsenic that is bound to hair via ingestion, from that which binds itself to hair from an external source, either while the person was alive or while the hair relic was in storage.

For this reason, forensic pathologists are very wary of accepting a diagnosis of arsenic poisoning unless there are clear indications via clinical symptoms (i.e. hyperkeratosis, sensory polyneuropathy, raindrop pigmentation, Mees' lines etc). We have covered the subject of Prabhupada's distinct lack of clinical arsenicosis symptoms in chapters 4 and 7.

Dr. Corso of Yale University Medical School and Dr. Hindmarsh of the Department of Pathology and Biochemistry at Ottawa University explain this point nicely, in their 1996 paper that debunked the spurious theory that Napoleon Bonaparte was poisoned by arsenic.

"As every forensic scientist know, the diagnosis of chronic arsenic poisoning cannot be made upon elevated arsenic concentrations in hair alone because external contamination of the hair by arsenic can produce a sustained increase in hair arsenic that cannot be differentiated from the increases that occur from arsenic ingestion. Thus, before a diagnosis of chronic arsenic poisoning can be made, the characteristic clinical features must be present as well as an appropriately elevated arsenic
concentration in hair. In addition, external contamination of the hair by arsenic must be excluded."

Doctors Corso and Hindmarsh further elaborate, listing the most common and constant clinical features of arsenic poisoning, and their noted absence in the symptoms displayed by Napoleon.

The most prominent dermatological feature of chronic arsenic poisoning is also constant: raindrop pigmentation of the skin, particularly around the axillae, groins, temple. Eyes, neck, and nipples, although it may also extend over the shoulders and chest anteriorly and posteriorly. Hyperkeratosis of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is also often present, frequently associated with arsenical "corns". These features were clearly not present at death, as Henry reports that the skin at autopsy was "white and delicate, as were the hands and arms."

The spurious theory of Napoleon's poisoning and that of Srila prabhupada share many common aspects. It should be noted
however, that the figures obtained for Napoleons hair analysis included levels of 16.9, 15.3, and 11.8 ppm arsenic. Still the consensus among toxicologists is that the poisoning theory is not acceptable due to lack of characteristic symptoms, and an inability to rule out environmental contamination.

Certainly a similar theory would be even more unacceptable when the highest hair level recorded was only 2.6 ppm.


8. Hair analysis for arsenic is a very unreliable indicator of serum arsenic levels when a specific individual is tested without a range of reference values from a group of the same time and place for comparison. This unreliability is even more marked when a small amount of hair sample is tested.

Because arsenic can be found in quite high concentrations in some parts of the world and practically doesn't exist in others, the reference range of values for 'normal' unexposed populations is very wide. In some places the average arsenic content of hair is seen to be approx. 0.13 ppm, while in other places, especially industrialized cities with pollution problems, or areas with arsenic in underground water supplies, the average levels can be as high as 3 ppm or even 5 ppm.

Thus while one can say what one would normally 'expect' for arsenic content in a person's hair, there is no hard and fast rule for arsenic levels. Rogers et al. from the Toxicology Department at Cambridge, list the " range of mean values reported in 15 different studies involving normal (healthy) sample donors" to be 0.13 - 3.71 ppm arsenic. Thus many studies over the years have shown that normal, healthy population groups can and do have arsenic levels in their hair in excess of 3 ppm.

The standard reference work 'Comprehensive Review in Toxicology for Emergency Clinicians', explains that arsenic concentration of hair varies with nutritional, environmental and physiological factors. Nityananda Das listed this book as one of his reference materials, and in it he should have read, that the upper limit of NORMAL arsenic concentration with
99% confidence in people NOT exposed to arsenic is 5 ppm.

Nityananda Das gives a characteristically emotion-charged lead up to the "3ppm" figure by saying that only "farmers who are regularly exposed over a long term basis to agricultural herbicides and pesticides containing arsenic compounds MIGHT temporarily attain a level of 1.0 parts per million." As we can see from the above studies this is patently UNTRUE.


In his report on the 2.6 ppm figure (see figure 2), Dr. Morris gives no real interpretation of the results, except to say that this figure is approximately 20 times the figure one would expect to find as a normal average among unexposed individuals living in the United states. However there are obvious difficulties in a blanket application of this figure for all times and
places. We need only to look at the proven arsenic levels of Didima Mataji of 1.4 ppm. Using the above interpretation, her hair contains more than ten times the average one would expect for someone living in the United States.

Because of the large range of "normal" values for hair arsenic levels, some authorities actually recommend that these values shouldn't be relied upon at all when applied to an individual, but should only be used where a group of individuals from the same area can be measured and compared to the average of that particular group.

In the standard handbook of clinical toxicology 'Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose', Doctors Hall and Robertson make this point very strongly with regard to arsenic hair analysis:

Under no circumstances should any credence be paid to hair analysis of an individual patient, unless perhaps it is conducted as part of an epidemiological investigation of a group of patients. Such results ought to be applied only to the group.

We can see the work of Armienta et al. cited above illustrates this point nicely. Their reference group had an average concentration of 4.8 ppm arsenic, while the affected group showed 9.22 ppm. By analyzing the data in terms of the particular locales, they were able to obtain meaningful results. However, had they blindly followed the rule of 0.13 ppm as the standard level, the reference (unaffected) group would have showed more than 35 times the average for unexposed persons. This is the kind of reasoning Nityananda Das has used to try and make his case.

Another problem with the analysis performed on the hair relic from Prabhupada's clippers is that it is an extremely small quantity of sample. Generally, forensic toxicologists prefer to have a reasonably large group of hair clippings, taken from various parts of the head. Due to large variations in concentrations of metals among different hair strands, it is important to obtain a reasonably large sample amount for testing, otherwise the results may be misleading. The amount of hair assayed by
Dr. Morris was 0.0013 grams, a very small amount that was caught between the blades of the clippers. It is an extremely tenuous proposition to base a murder case on such a small amount of hair, especially as the amount of arsenic - 2.6 ppm - is in itself nothing like proof of arsenical intoxication.

Doctors Corso and Hindmarsh make the same point when exposing the fallaciousness of the Napoleon poisoning theory.

Even when external contamination can be excluded by other evidence, the relationship between the degree of poisoning and hair arsenic levels is only approximate. Traditional interpretations are based on mean concentrations found in a minimum of 1 gram of hair, usually collected form several sites on the head. Variations from hair to hair, and even along the same strand of hair, are large, making the interpretation of data derived from individual hairs or from specific locations on a
single hair less predictive than mean levels from larger samples.

Therefore the results obtained from a meager 0.0015 grams of sample should be viewed with extreme caution, especially if they do not indicate an obviously elevated level of arsenic, i.e. more than 10 ppm.

9. Expert scientists who are presently working in the field of hair analysis and neutron activation agree that levels under 10ppm cannot be considered indicative of arsenic poisoning.

During investigations into the poison issue, we contacted various laboratories across the United States regarding possible testing of a hair sample from Srila Prabhupada. These professionals provided a number of interesting facts that are very relevant to this discussion.

Keep in mind that the information relayed below was given totally unsolicited from persons who have no connection with ISKCON, nor even had any idea about why we were enquiring about testing for arsenic.

Larry Kovar from General Activation Analysis, one of the only labs in the world that does commercial neutron activation outside of a university, had this to say about arsenic levels in hair (you can read his entire message in appendix 2):

For your information, my hair has about 3 ppm Arsenic - the last time I tested it (I'm still alive, I hope) If you send samples to a lab, send some of your own as a control.

This squarely puts the 2.6 ppm reported for Srila Prabhupada, and the poison theory in general as expounded by Nityananda, firmly where it belongs; i.e. the 'circular file'. When I mentioned to Larry in a later correspondence about the 3 ppm reported by Nityananda Das, he had the following to say:

Not sure where the As came from - 3 ppm could be "normal" and not from an external source.

When I asked about retesting the hair that was tested by Dr Morris, Larry had this to say:

A low (less than 10 ppm) value shows the hair is "normal". A high value (greater than 10 ppm) indicates Arsenic exposure. Since the hair has been tested at 3 ppm As, I feel a re-test is not necessary... I have discussed this with Dr Vince Guinn, a well-known researcher in this field, and he agrees.

After Larry found that his facility didn't have the required reactor time to perform the tests, he contacted Dr. Richard Cashwell at the University of Wisconsin about performing the analysis. Dr Cashwell wrote back with the following information regarding his own experience with neutron activation analysis for hair arsenic:

We ran a series of As in hair determinations years ago; the highest "normal" sample we saw was 12 ppm- from a physics
graduate student from Scotland. I'd agree with your normal range.

What this means is that trained professional scientists who are working in this very specialized field of neutron activation analysis for hair arsenic content, all confer that any value up to 10 ppm arsenic can be considered to be "normal" levels. Therefore we are left to either believe these experts, and all of the other scientists and doctors quoted above, or Nityananda Das who has no experience or background in this field whatsoever.

In conclusion, based on the documented evidence, there are absolutely NO GROUNDS to claim that the 2.6 ppm arsenic level for Srila Prabhupada's hair is a clear indicator of poisoning. Hair can absorb arsenic from any number of possible external sources, thus raising the apparent concentration of arsenic. Therefore no forensic pathologist will return a finding of poisoning based on hair analysis alone, without specific clinical symptoms of arsenicosis.

Even if external contamination could be ruled out (which it clearly cannot in this case), the figure of 2.6 ppm is not high enough to warrant suspicion. Studies have shown average hair concentrations of up to 4.8 ppm in city populations unexposed to arsenic, and a report of 15 different studies by the Toxicology Dept. at MIT Cambridge gives a range of average values for normal (healthy) individuals as being 0.13 - 3.71 ppm arsenic.

References

1. Arsenic in Ground Water in Six districts of West Bengal, India: The Biggest Arsenic Calamity in the World. Das D. et al. Analyst 1995;120:917-924
2. Misuse of Hair Analysis for Nutritional Assessment. Rivlin, R. The American Journal of Medicine 1983; 75; 489.
3. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 2nd edition. Haddad Winchester.
4. Comprehensive Review in Toxicology for Emergency Clinicians. 3rd edition. Bryson, P. 1996. Taylor and Francis.
5. Further Scientific Evidence of the Non-Poisonous Death of Napoleon. Corso, P. & Nindmarsh, T. Science Progress 1996; 79 (2): 89-96.
6. Hair Analysis Does Not Support Hypothesized Arsenic and Chromium Exposure from Drinking Water in Woburn, Massachusetts. Rogers, C. et al. Environmental Health Perspectives. 1997;10: 1090.
7. Arsenic Content in Hair of People Exposed to Natural Arsenic Polluted Groundwater at Zimapan, Mexico. Armienta, R. et al. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 1997;59: 583-589.
8. The Death of Napoleon Bonaparte: A Critical Review of the Cause. Hindmarsh & Corso. Journal of the History of Medicine. 1998;53:201-218.
9. TKG's Diary. Tamal Krishna Goswami.
10. Larry Kovar, Richard Cashwell, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Bhakti Caru Swami, Hari Sauri Das, Abhirama Das, Andrew McIrvine - Personal communication with author 1999.

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Nityananda's Diagnosis: Assorted Anomalies

In chapter 32 of 'Someone Has Poisoned Me,' Nityananda Das has summarized his medical 'evidence' under the heading "Health Biography Analysis". There he tries to link all of Srila Prabhupada's symptoms to arsenic poisoning. We will show that most of this chapter is total misinformation, and is not supported by any available scientific literature.

Text in italics is taken from Nityananda Das' book

Neurologic:
A symptom of chronic arsenic poisoning is damage to the optic nerve, resulting in decreased vision and eventual loss of vision. Damage to the central nervous system resulted in loss of hearing as well - SHPM.

Reference to arsenic poisoning causing blindness is simply not found in the available literature, which includes most of the scientific publications listed by Nityananda Das as references. However, diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of new blindness in adults aged 20-74. Damage is caused by constriction of small blood vessels in the retina, which impairs vision.

In Srila Prabhupada's last month we saw paralysis and extreme pain in one leg, a sign of nerve and muscle damage due to arsenic - SHPM.

In chapter 7 we will explain the well-documented fact that the neuropathies attributable to arsenicosis are seen to be a polyneuropathy (symmetrical nerve damage to both legs and/or both arms), which develops in the extremities and gradually moves inwards towards the trunk. There is a large body of literature confirming clinical polyneuropathy as a symptom of arsenicosis, exemplified in the study of J Oh Shin:

In all cases, arsenic neuropathy was clinically characterised by a subacutely developing, symmetrical sensory-motor polyneuropathy.

And also Ellenhorn in his handbook on toxicology and human poisoning:

A symmetrical sensory neuropathy with paresthesias and loss of vibratory or position sense also develops after chronic exposure.

We could literally fill pages with research papers describing again and again that arsenic poisoning repeatedly produces a bi-symmetrical neuropathy, which gradually causes loss of feeling and movement in the legs, starting from the extremities. This is frequently associated with pins and needles sensations.

Therefore the assertion that Srila Prabhupada's paralysis and pain in one leg is a sign of nerve and muscle damage due to arsenic is either a gross ignorance of the copious clinical evidence on this point or is a deliberate attempt to mislead the innocent reader.

Furthermore, there is specific clinical evidence that a myopathy (disease of muscle tissue) of one thigh muscle is often seen in advanced diabetes, as reported in Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (a book quoted by Nityananda as reference):

The only notable myopathy of diabetes mellitus is ischemic infarction of thigh muscles. This condition occurs in patients with poorly controlled diabetes and presents with acute onset of pain, tenderness, and edema of one thigh with a palpable mass. The muscles most often affected include the vastus lateralis, thigh adductors, and biceps femoris.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

Thus the symptom of extreme pain and immobility in one thigh matches perfectly with the diagnosis of untreated diabetes, while it has no relationship at all to the signs of arsenic intoxication given in the literature.

Some nights Srila Prabhupada was restless and could not sleep, while other times He would sleep most of the night and day. This is peculiar to arsenic poisoning - SHPM

This insomnia/somnolence is again another general symptom. The fact that Nityananda claims that this tendency to occasionally sleep more and at other times be kept awake by pains related to chronic illness is a symptom 'peculiar' to arsenic poisoning is certainly amazing. Not only is this an extremely non-specific symptom, but also in all the literature studies there was not one mention made of arsenicosis causing excessive sleep or inability to sleep in the victims. Therefore it is another completely baseless speculation according to available scientific and medical evidence.

One of the most dramatic and clear indications of chronic arsenic poisoning is Srila Prabhupada's photophobia, or sensitivity of eyes to light. This symptom manifests as a result of arsenic damage to the optic nerve - SHPM.

Again this so-called 'symptom' of arsenicosis is conspicuous by its absence from the available literature. Why Nityananda Das would make up a symptom and then claim it to be 'one of the most dramatic and clear indications of chronic arsenic
poisoning' is not known. However, one thing is certain, it shows a distinct lack of scientific method and impartial search for truth.

One of the main failings of Nityananda's book is the distinct lack of verifiable references. Despite his strong claims, he fails to quote evidence from the scientific literature to substantiate them.

For example, after claiming that photophobia is a clear indication of chronic arsenicosis, Nityananda Das directs the reader to Appendix 22 for "a more detailed justification of arsenical photophobia".

In appendix 22 however, we find that the only reference to photophobia is single line from Forshfvud's book on the death of Napoleon, in which he claims that "compiled from works of standard authorities on toxicology" a symptom of chronic
arsenic poisoning is "sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight or bright artificial light." However, Mr Forshfvud doesn't say where he found this information.

In all of the standard works of toxicology that we studied, there was absolutely no mention of photophobia being a symptom of arsenicosis. A search of the Medline database, which contains every medical paper published worldwide since 1966, did not bring up a single hit for 'arsenic and photophobia'. Compare this to 55 for 'arsenic and neuropathy' and 92 for 'arsenic and hyperkeratosis'. This means that not one paper establishing a link between arsenic and photophobia has ever been published in the history of medicine.

Despite Nityananda's attempt to bring Prabhupada into the conspiracy by portraying him with dark glasses, and his protestations of photophobia being a 'dramatic and clear indication' of arsenic poisoning, the bare fact of the matter is that it is simply not accepted as a known symptom in the scientific/medical world.

Many signs of neurologic damage usually seen in long-term chronic poisoning cases are not documented in Srila Prabhupada's case, probably in part because He departed before they fully developed - SHPM.

To say that someone died of a disease before they could exhibit the symptoms of the disease is a meaningless statement. Death is the ultimate symptom of a serious disease. If someone dies from a disease then there will certainly be other accompanying
symptoms. To say otherwise would be akin to saying that someone died of AIDS before they could exhibit the symptoms of immune system breakdown etc.

Notwithstanding this unsound reasoning, if neuropathy were a late occurring symptom of arsenicosis then we may give some credence to Nityananda diagnosis. However this is not the case as confirmed by Bansal et al:

"It is usually sub-acute prolonged poisoning which affects the peripheral nervous system along with characteristic skin changes such as hyperkeratosis ... Arsenic neuropathy usually appears within one to two weeks following ingestion."

and also by Ellenhorn:

"A symmetrical sensory neuropathy with paresthesias (pins and needles) and loss of vibratory or position sense also develops after chronic exposure."

Chronic (gradually occurring) exposure is exactly what Nityananda Das is propounding. The fact that there was no evidence of polyneuropathy or complaints of pins and needles by Prabhupada is therefore strong evidence that he wasn't suffering from arsenicosis, and to say he passed away before these symptoms could be perceived is neither logically nor medically sound.

That persistent itching of the back being due to irritation and damage to the skin's nerve endings is an arsenic symptom is another total speculation, nowhere to be found in the literature. Returning to actual facts, the American Diabetes Association lists dry, itchy skin as one of the most prominent symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

As previously mentioned, Srila Prabhupada was undergoing total system collapse of his physical body, which was ravaged by age, untreated diabetes and kidney disease. He frequently remarked that his preference was for massage and chanting of the Holy Name as the best medicine rather than complicated remedies whose effects were uncertain. This was his policy as early as 1967, and it continued right up to the end of his pastimes. The supposition that Prabhupada's desire for massage was due to arsenic is simply another unsubstantiated fantasy.

Constipation is a common occurrence and one may wonder why it is significant in Srila Prabhupada's case study. When constipation is found ALTERNATING regularly with diarrhoea, and in conjunction with all of the other symptoms of arsenic poisoning, it then becomes recognized as an "arsenic" symptom - SHPM

Of interest also is a discussion with Dr. Gopal in mid-October 1977 wherein Srila Prabhupada described a "vomiting tendency", where He regularly felt like vomiting but did not. This is another feature of arsenic poisoning, and is documented in the case history on Napoleon - SHPM.

As we have documented elsewhere, there is actually more literature which debunks the idea of Napoleon's poisoning than that which supports it. We can also look at the transcript of the conversation from the BBT archives to see what was really said:

Dr. Gopal: Vomiting?
Prabhupada: There was some tendency.
Dr. Gopal: There was some tendency, but you never had.
Prabhupada: Had little.
Dr. Gopal: Do you feel any difficulty during urination?
Prabhupada: Not at all...

Prabhupada: Best thing hari-nama.
Tamala Krishna: Best thing.
Prabhupada: Let me hear Hare Krishna and peacefully pass away.

Compare this with the October 20 entry in TKG's diary:

Srila Prabhupada could not sleep during the night. In the morning, we tried to feed him, but he vomited. When Dr. Gopal
came to examine him, he asked, "Can you take anything besides misri jala?" "Yes," Prabhupada answered. "Harinama. Best
thing is harinama. Let me hear harinama and peacefully pass away."

To say that this is evidence that Prabhupada "regularly felt like vomiting but did not" is a misrepresentation. Prabhupada confirmed that he did actually vomit when he had the feeling to, just that it was 'a little'. It should also be noted that this was one particular incident referring to a particular day's symptoms.

If we understand that Prabhupada's condition was a result of his diabetes, the gastrointestinal upsets are certainly no cause for concern. The American Diabetes Association reports that of those people suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2, "Many also feel edgy, tired, and sick to their stomach." Thus feelings of nausea are common to those suffering from diabetes, what to speak of someone in Prabhupada's condition who was experiencing total systemic collapse with little methodical medical treatment.

Arsenic caused Srila Prabhupada's heart to palpitate, quicken its beat, and become irregular in its beat, all noted in the health biography - SHPM

The two major types of arsenic poisoning are acute (appearance of symptoms within hours of a large oral dose) and chronic (gradual onset of symptoms over several weeks following repeated small doses or environmental exposure). It is important to note that the clinical signs of the two types of arsenic intoxication are quite different. We carried out extensive research into more than 50 medical publications, including most of the 24 medical references cited in SHPM. With few exceptions, the references to arsenic-induced cardiac irregularities, especially ventricular dysrhythmia, relate to acute rather than chronic poisoning. Goldfrank's Toxocologic Emergencies gives the typical account of acute intoxication:

Acute toxicity typically begins with gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea ...
Cardiovascular instability often accompanies or quickly follows these symptoms ...Patients with severe poisoning may also develop acute encephalopathy with delirium, seizures, coma, dysrhythmias, fever ...acute renal failure, and death.

The symptoms of chronic poisoning are also commonly agreed on as being; a progressive symmetrical polyneuropathy (gradual loss of feeling, pins and needles in both legs beginning with the feet), dermatological features (scaly rash, dappling
of trunk, thickening of palms and soles), Mees lines (white lines of arsenic deposited in fingernails), nausea and general weakness.

Therefore, the overwhelming experience of experts is that while cardiac effects are often seen in cases of acute intoxication, in chronic poisoning cardiovascular symptoms are far less noticeable, and are extremely unlikely to be seen in the absence of the other more prominent neurological and dermatological symptoms of arsenic intoxication.

Nityananda Das' hypothesis is that Srila Prabhupada was given small doses of arsenic over a long period, thus producing symptoms of chronic, rather than acute poisoning. It is therefore inconsistent with the literature to attribute Prabhupada's cardiac disturbances to chronic arsenicism, in the absence of the other symptoms such as symmetrical polyneuropathy, dermatological changes and nail bed irregularities.

While the literature doesn't support a diagnosis of chronic arsenical cardiac complications without dermatological or neurological signs, there is abundant literature linking diabetes with cardiovascular disease, especially heart attack and stroke.

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death in adults with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, and the incidence of coronary artery disease is related to the duration of diabetes.

As discussed in the previous paper, it was common knowledge within ISKCON since 1969 that Prabhupada was a diabetic. He confirmed this fact himself and Dr McIrvine who treated Prabhupada at Watford Peace Memorial Hospital in 1977 also gave the same diagnosis. Diabetes and heart disease are closely related in the literature.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of diabetes-related death; adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from CHD as their non-diabetic counterparts.

Coronary artery disease and stroke are quite common. Silent myocardial infarction occurs with increased frequency in diabetes and should be suspected whenever symptoms of left ventricular failure appear suddenly. Diabetes may also be
associated with the clinical picture of cardiomyopathy, in which heart failure occurs in the face of apparently normal coronary arteries and in the absence of other identifiable causes of heart disease.

That Srila Prabhupada lived an extremely pure life, never smoked or took alcohol, nor had any other identifiable causes of heart disease is yet another indication that his diabetes was the cause of his repeated heart attacks and stroke.

Prabhupada confirmed the fact that such diabetic heart attacks are generally severe and life threatening, citing his own experience.

He had said that when the heart attack had come, it had been meant for his death; therefore he had called out loudly, "Hare Krishna!" thinking that the moment of death had come.
May, 1967 (Prabhupada Lilamrita).

To say that Srila Prabhupada's heart problems of 1977 were due to arsenic fails to acknowledge the fact that he had displayed these clinical signs for at least ten years prior to this. In fact, details of his symptoms recorded independently in 1967 and 1977 display a remarkable similarity in describing his condition.

During the last week of May, Srila Prabhupada began to feel exhausted. He spoke of heart palpitations. Hoping that the symptoms would clear up in a day or two, Kirtanananda requested Prabhupada to rest and see no visitors. But Prabhupada's
condition became worse.
May, 1967 (Prabhupada Lilamrita).

Working on Srimad-Bhagavatam, he was completely transcendental to his physical condition, despite the accompanying heart palpitations and despite his faint voice and general weakness. Even to sit was difficult, and yet once he began working, nothing could stop him.
July, 1977 (Prabhupada Lilamrita).

Therefore, to say that chronic arsenicosis was the cause of Srila Prabhupada's heart palpitations and other cardiovascular problems of 1977 is to disregard both the available medical literature and the clear historical facts of identical symptoms recorded since 1965. Rather, the cardiac traumas experienced by Srila Prabhupada from 1965 through to 1977 are clearly attributable to diabetes mellitus, which had gone untreated for many years, if not decades.

There were 21 symptoms listed in Chapter 19 which are unique only to arsenic poisoning and are not found in kidney disease - SHPM.

Let's examine each of these 21 'symptoms' separately to see how many really are "unique" only to arsenic poisoning.

1. Photophobia
2. Hoarse, weak or slurred voice
3. Mucous and cough
4. Restlessness, irritability, tossing and turning
5. Hyperkeratosis
6. Drooling
7. Hypothermia
8. Conjunctivitis
9. Loss of vision
10. Heavy with sleep
11. Behavioural changes
12. Mental disturbance
13. Constipation
14. Hearing loss
15. Indigestion
16. Fainting, dizziness
17. Sudden weakness or collapse of legs
18. Painful or malfunctioning liver or spleen
19. Lack of muscular co-ordination
20. Paralysis and pains in legs
21. Loosening and loss of teeth

We could spend days presenting scientific papers which all agree on the specific symptoms attributable to arsenicosis. All the
experts agree they are:

1. Symmetrical peripheral neuropathy (nervous system damage).
2. Arsenical skin lesions, hyperkeratosis (thickening of skin) of palms and soles.
3. Mees' lines (transverse bands of white and dark across the nails).
4. Raindrop hypo-pigmentation of trunk.

Other more generic clinical signs include anorexia, gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, headache, pallor, weakness, and catarrhal inflammations of nose, throat and eyes, hoarseness, tracheobronchitis, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

In the list of 21 symptoms given above, the one and only specific arsenic symptom listed is hyperkeratosis. Unfortunately for Nityananda's theory, Srila Prabhupada didn't show this symptom even in the slightest. Numerous disciples intimately massaged Prabhupada's hands and feet in his last days, and all attest that the skin was smooth and soft.

As far as the other 20 symptoms go, many of them are totally ambiguous. To say that drooling, constipation, indigestion and fainting are all symptoms unique to arsenic poisoning is really drawing a long bow. Prabhupada was suffering from total systemic collapse due to untreated diabetes and kidney failure, and these symptoms are consistent with this fact. Anyone can see that they cannot be used as proof of arsenic poisoning.


In conclusion, the presentation of medical symptoms as given by Nityananda Das shows serious, irreconcilable flaws in his diagnosis, and exposes grave doubts about his medical credibility. He wilfully neglects to speak according to established scientific evidence, and fails to show that there is any specific medical evidence whatsoever to suggest that Srila Prabhupada was administered poison.


References

1. Bansal SK, Haldar N, Dhand UK, Chopra JS. Phrenic Neuropathy in Arsenic Poisoning. Chest 1991;100(3):878-880
2. Das D, Chatterjee A, Mandal BK, Samanta G, Chakraborti D. Arsenic in Ground Water in Six districts of West Bengal, India. Analyst 1995;120:917-924
3. Shin J Oh. Electrophysiological Profile in Arsenic Neuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1991;54:1103-1105
4. Yeh S. Skin Cancer in Chronic Arsenicism. Hum Pathol 1973;4:469-485
5. Gosselin, Robert E. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. 1984.
6. Sittig, Marshall. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens. Vol. 1, 1991.
7. Ellenhorn, Mathew. Medical toxicology- Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 1988.
8. Butler RN, Rubenstein AH, Gracia AG, Zweig SC. Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Complications and Screening Recommendations. Geriatrics 1998;53(3):47-54
9. Goldfrank's Toxologic Emergencies. 6th Ed. Appleton and Lange.
10. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens. Vol 1. Sittig, Marshall. 1991.
11. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th Ed. McGraw-Hill.
12. Abhirama Das- Statement on Prabhupada's Health History 1998
13. Type 2 diabetes: Causes, complications, and new screening recommendations. Butler R. et al. Geriatrics 1998;53:47-54
14. Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita. Satsvarupa Das Goswami.
15. TKG's Diary- Prabhupada's Final Days. Tamal Krishna Goswami.
16. The Jaladuta Diary. BBT. 1998
17. Servant of the Servant. Tamal Krishna Goswami.
18. Conversations with Srila Prabhupada. BBT.
19. Further Scientific Evidence of the Non-Poisonous Death of Napolean Bonaparte. Corso PF, Hindmarsh T. Sc

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Medical Evidence Confirms Diabetes

The lack of specific clinical symptoms of arsenicosis such as Mees' lines, hyperkeratosis and raindrop pigmentation indicates that arsenic poisoning was not to blame for the illness of Srila Prabhupada. Rather, his condition was symptomatic of type 2 diabetes mellitus, causing high blood pressure, peripheral neuropathy and heart problems, including myocardial infarction and stroke. In later stages this progressed to diabetic nephropathy (severe kidney damage due to diabetes), which led to uremia (buildup of metabolic toxins which are normally excreted by the kidneys) causing gastrointestinal disturbances and loss of appetite. In the final stages the loss of appetite and poor digestion led to malnutrition, and ultimately total systemic collapse. This diagnosis has been confirmed by doctors Jacob and McIrvine (who treated Prabhupada in his final months) as well as Prabhupada's personal nurse Abhirama Das.

In this chapter we will concentrate on the clinical symptoms manifest in Srila Prabhupada's body throughout his well-documented physical illness, indicating:

1. The lack of symptoms of arsenic poisoning, and 2. The marked presence of specific symptoms associated with chronic diabetes.


Clinical Symptoms of Arsenicosis

The clinical features of arsenic poisoning include multi-organ failure and other non-specific systemic indications, which sometimes lead to incorrect or delayed diagnosis. However, there are specific symptoms peculiar to arsenicosis. Bansal et al.1 report that prolonged sub-acute poisoning usually causes neuropathy (peripheral nervous system damage), with characteristic skin changes such as hyperkeratosis (thickening of skin) of palms and soles, hyperpigmentation or raindrop shaped depigmentation over the skin of the trunk and Mees' lines over the nails. Shin2 documents gastrointestinal upset, multi-organ failure, dermatological lesions and Mees' lines as common findings and Dipankar Das3 et al. report arsenical skin lesions as the most commonly observed symptom in a study of over 175,000 people drinking arsenic contaminated water in West Bengal, India.

Therefore, while arsenic poisoning causes multi-system damage that imitates many other diseases, the dermatological features (keratosis of palms and soles, raindrop pigmentation), polyneuropathy, and Mees' lines are more specific to arsenicosis and shall be dealt with in more detail, with specific reference to the clinical features displayed by Srila Prabhupada.

Dermatological Features

Hyperpigmentation is reported to be the most common change seen in people exposed to arsenic. This increased skin colouring can occur anywhere, but is accentuated in areas which are more heavily pigmented such as the groin or areola. There may be areas of lighter pigment among the darker areas, giving the overall appearance of "raindrops on a dusty road."

Hyperkeratosis, a thickening of the skin on the palms and soles, is also a very common indicator of arsenic poisoning.1,3 This is a very obvious clinical symptom which can be observed by anyone having close contact with the patient.

From reports by Srila Prabhupada's disciples who served him intimately during his final weeks, it is clear that none of them noticed any of these kinds of dermatological changes. These disciples were intimately serving, massaging and constantly monitoring Prabhupada's health. They were noting carefully his fluid intake, diet, regularity of bodily functions, medications and their effects. We could assume that if such dermatological changes had taken place, then certainly these disciples would have noticed them.

Prabhupada's personal nurse, Abhirama Das gives a typical response to the question of hyperkeratosis:

"I massaged his feet and hands for a minimum of one hour every day. Some days it was two or three hours. His skin was unusually soft, and his hands and feet were the most flexible and soft that I have ever experienced."

Personal servant Hari Sauri Das confirms this fact:

"Srila Prabhupada's skin was soft and smooth right to the very end. I always marvelled at how soft the soles of his feet and the palms of his hands were when I used to massage him (I mentioned this in the first volume of my Diary also), and I didn't notice any difference at all during the last six weeks in Vrindavana.

In his book, Nityananda Das presents the alleged poisoning of Napolean as accepted fact among the scientific and medical community. Interestingly, most of the available literature on the topic actually debunks the idea that Napolean was poisoned.

In their paper on the non-poisonous death of Napolean, Doctors Hindmarsh and Corso use the same reasoning to counter the allegation of poisoning as that given above:

"The most prominent dermatologic feature of chronic arsenic poisoning is also constant: raindrop pigmentation of the skin, particularly around the axillae, groins, temples, eye, neck and nipples, although it may also extend over the shoulders and chest anteriorly and posteriorly. Hyperkeratosis of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is also often present, frequently associated with arsenic "corns". These features were clearly not present at death, as Henry reports that the skin was "white and delicate as were the hands and arms."

Dermatolgical effects are the most common indicators of arsenicosis. Therefore the lack of observable dermatological signs and symptoms alone throws great doubt on the arsenic poisoning theory.

Peripheral Neuropathy

The most common effect of arsenic intoxication on the nervous system is the appearance of a symmetrical polyneuropathy (nerve damage) which may appear within days of a large dose, or gradually with smaller regular doses of arsenic. This results in loss of touch and pain sensation in the extremities.

When making a diagnosis of neuropathic symptoms it is important to determine whether the disease is a polyneuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex. Polyneuropathy refers to bilaterally symmetrical affection of peripheral nerves (i.e. both arms or both legs), whereas moneuropathy multipex randomly affects different nerves.

There is a large body of literature confirming clinical polyneuropathy as a symptom of arsenicosis, as exemplified by the study of J Oh Shin:

"In all cases, arsenic neuropathy was clinically characterised by a subacutely developing symmetrical sensory-motor polyneuropathy."

Nityananda Das has asserted that the neuropathy exhibited by Srila Prabhupada was due to arsenic intoxication, citing the example of Prabhupada suffering from paralysis and extreme pain in one leg. However, this is clearly a mononeuropathy, rather than a bilaterally symmetrical polyneuropathy.

One of the primary causes of sub-acute mononeuropathy is diabetes, whereas sub-acute symmetrical polyneuropathy may be caused by nutiritional deficiencies, drug intoxication or heavy metal poisoning, including arsenic.

Although the extreme pain and paralysis in Prabhupada's left leg is consistent with a mononeuropathy resulting from diabetes, it is clearly not a symmetrical polyneuropathy and therefore certainly rules out arsenic poisoning as the cause of this symptom.

The marked absence of a symmetrical polyneuropathy further undermines the idea that Prabhupada was suffering symptoms of arsenic poisoning.

Mees' Lines

A peculiar phenomenon associated with arsenic intoxication is Mees' lines, which are transverse bands of white and dark lines (usually from 1 to 3) on the nails of the fingers and toes. This is caused by bandlike precipitations of arsenic within the keratin matrix of the fingernails, and is first noticed approximately eleven days after onset of disease and remains as a succession of bands for over three months. Quecedo et al.reported three out of four cases of arsenic poisoning demonstrating prominent Mees' lines, with these being an important clue for diagnosis. Shin described Mees' lines as "the most helpful diagnostic finding of arsenic polyneuropathy" , with over 80% of cases exhibiting this symptom.

Abhirama Das gives first hand testimony about the clarity of Prabhupada's nails:

"I always pinced his nails, during massage as a part of stimulating his nerves. His nails where shiny, pink, smooth, with no discoloration or white lines."

Again, those who personally massaged Prabhupada's hands and legs daily failed to notice any unusual lines on the nails of his hands or feet. Thus another classic sign of arsenicosis is found to be missing from the symptoms shown by Srila Prabhupada.

Summary of arsenic symptoms

The only symptoms of arsenicosis which Srila Prabhupada displayed (gastro-intestinal upset and multi-organ failure) are those which are non-specific and common to many other systemic diseases, most notably diabetes. The distinct lack of any of the symptoms specifically associated with arsenic poisoning (hyperkeratosis, raindrop pigmentation, sub-acute
polyneuropathy, Mees' lines) throws grave doubt on the hypothesis that Prabhupada was actually suffering from arsenicosis.

One may make a case for such poisoning based on personal interpretation and speculatory innuendo, but based on available medical literature and the clinical history of Srila Prabhupada's illness, such a claim has no support whatsoever.


Clinical Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent and disruptive diseases affecting the older population, with approximately 10% of all people over 65 years of age suffering from the disease. The cause is improper insulin utilization by the body, and the clinical features are well documented.
Diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body, affecting the kidneys as well as other organs and tissues including skin, nerves, muscles, intestines and the heart. Patients with diabetes can develop high blood pressure as well as rapid hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart disease and eye disorders.

The fact that Srila Prabhupada suffered from diabetes was common knowledge among ISKCON devotees from at least 1969. Several doctors had diagnosed it and he himself was aware of it:

Gargamuni: My father, he also used to get swelling, but this was due to diabetes.
Prabhupada: I have got diabetes also.
Room conversation January 19, 1977. Bhubaneswara.

He also gave his personal servant Sruta Kirti Das and nurse Abhirama Das the same information.

Dr. McIrvine, who treated Srila Prabhupada in 1977, made the following diagnosis of his condition:

1. Due to diabetes, he suffered swelling which affected the flow in his urinary tract over many years
2. He had since birth a slightly restricted urethra which further reduced the urinary flow.
3. The combination of these two factors had put constant and harmful back pressure on his kidneys, which along with a general deterioration due to age had inflicted serious renal damage.

Dr. Karl Jacob also confirms the diagnoses:

"Srila Prabhupada's chronic diabetes, which was never medically properly treated, was bound to lead to other serious consequent diseases which had to increasingly manifest in his body: such as premature aging and degradation of blood vessels, microangiopathy, high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetic nephropathy (severe kidney damage)...In addition his urethra was constricted which put a constant back pressure on the kidneys, increasing the renal insufficiency and inducing further damage."

Prabhupada exhibited many of the classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (increased thirst, increased need to urinate, cardiovascular disease with heart attack and stroke, kidney disease). These will be documented to further substantiate the prognosis of diabetes mellitus.

Polydipsia (increased thirst)

Most people with type 2 diabetes experience an increased thirst along with increased need to urinate, this is one of the most common signs of diabetes type 2.

Although the fact that Prabhupada kept water by his side constantly is well known, the medical implication of this has previously gone unnoticed. Srila Prabhupada's personal servants Hari Sauri Das and Srutakirti Das confirm that Prabhupada drank a lot of water. He always kept a jug on his desk, and he frequently drank from it.

This is certainly consistent with the clinical features of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and further points to this being the underlying cause for Prabhupada's degenerating health.

Polyuria (increased need to urinate)

This is the other most common effect of type 2 diabetes, and was documented by Hari Sauri Das in his diary of May 4, 1976

He is again having trouble with uremia, using the bathroom every hour.

Cardiovascular disease

A common complication of diabetes mellitus is cardiovascular disease, often leading to myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. This is caused by diabetic arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Prabhupada's history of cardiovascular disease is well known. In September of 1965, he suffered two severe heart attacks while on board the Jaladuta cargo ship on his way to America. Again in May of 1967 he suffered from serious heart palpitations and a stroke which paralysed the left side of his body.

This is referred to in many recorded conversations, including the following one from 1976:

Prabhupada: Because the time was taken, extension. Then, in 1967, in July, I thought, "Now the health is broken." I was very sick after heartstroke. So I thought "Now I shall not exist. So let me go to Vrndavana and die there." So I came back in July 1967. So this Brahmananda and others, they were crying when I got on the boat. Hm? The heart was so weak..

Prabhupada's personal servant, Hari Sauri Das also reports similar problems in 1976:

He is experiencing disturbing heart palpitations and his uremia has caused his legs and feet to swell again. It was a strain for him to even be out.

Thus the symptoms of cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction and stroke were prominent in Srila Prabhupada's condition from when he first left India in 1965, adding further weight to the prognosis of chronic diabetes, causing heart disease and later kidney failure.

Nephropathy (kidney damage)

Diabetes is the single leading cause of all chronic kidney failure in the U.S. and at least one third of people with diabetes develop kidney disease.

Kidney disease was repeatedly diagnosed by doctors who attended to Srila Prabhupada:

Tamal Krishna: No, but all along, all of the doctors say it is kidney trouble. All of the doctors, allopathic and kaviraja agree kidneys are defective. And the surgeon in London, he also said so.
Room conversation, October 20, 1977. Vrindavan.


The National Kidney Foundation (U.S.) lists swelling of the legs and increased need to urinate as sure signs that a diabetic is developing kidney disease. These symptoms were repeatedly reported as early as 1975 by Hari Sauri Das in his personal diary, and Prabhupada himself attributed it to kidney damage causing uremia.

Prabhupada is not feeling well; swelling in his legs, feet and hands trouble him. To see his body puffed with fluid is very disturbing...Prabhupada said this is due to uremia, a toxic condition caused by waste products in the blood normally eliminated in the urine. It makes it very difficult for him to climb the steps to his apartment when returning from the temple.
December 20, 1975.

He is again having trouble with uremia, using the bathroom every hour. His feet are badly swollen and he is suffering dizzy spells.
May 4, 1976.

He was ashen, and told me he was experiencing severe kidney pain and could not translate. It was the same problem he had a few days ago.
July 15, 1976.

Doctors Jacob and McIrvine confirm that severe kidney damage had taken place, brought about by prolonged untreated diabetes. All available clinical evidence and information from the medical literature fully supports their findings.

Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent cause of new blindness in adults aged 20-74. Damage is caused by constriction of small blood vessels in the retina, which impairs vision. In his last 2 months, Prabhupada suffered from partial blindness. This is consistent with diabetic retinopathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetes mellitus is often characterised by a tingling sensation and loss of feeling in the legs. Due to Prabhupada's policy of not discussing his health situation unless it made it impossible for him to work, it is not known if he experienced these more subtle clinical signs of diabetes.

Srila Prabhupada exhibited motor-sensory loss in his left leg during the final month of his illness, as documented in the diary of his personal secretary, Tamal Krishna Goswami.

Prabhupada's left leg was beginning to feel very heavy. When he asked my opinion whether it was paralyzed, I suggested that the blood was not circulating because of inactivity.
October 23, 1977

"I am not getting strength. Even to lift my leg, I need help. Practically my left leg is not working. What should be done now, you consider."
November 11, 1977

The problem in Prabhupada's left leg, where he experienced severe pain and paralysis during his last month, could have been due to a diabetic sub-acute moneuropathy, as described by Herting and Frohberg. As discussed earlier, it was obviously not a bilaterally symmetrical polyneuropathy, characteristic of heavy metal poisoning.

Dry, Itchy Skin

The American Diabetes Association describes dry, itchy skin as one of the six most common signs of type 2 diabetes.

Prabhupada's routine of having a full body massage with mustard oil daily prevented his skin from drying out, however, itchiness was experienced by him during the last six months of his illness, as described in Tamal Krishna Goswami's diary.

When Prabhupada woke up at six thirty, he had me scratch his back. Then he went to sit in the garden.
June 7

When he wakes up, usually around 6:00 a.m., he opens his eyes and looks at me. Then after some time, he holds out his arms and I pull him up. I sit behind him and scratch his back, which has lines in the skin from lying down. At this time, he usually talks casually.
July 4

Prabhupada interrupted and asked for someone to scratch his back. Kirtanananda Swami responded. Prabhupada asked, "Anyone can scratch very hard?" Kirtanananda Swami objected, "I'm afraid you'll have no back left!"
October 9

That Prabhuapda experienced itchiness of his skin is a further positive sign that he was suffering from advanced diabetes type 2.

Table 1. Symptoms of arsenicosis and their presence or absence in Srila Prabhupada's condition.

Clinical symptoms of arsenicosis Clinical feature of
Prabhupada's condition

Raindrop pigmentation No
Mees' lines No
Dermatological lesions No
Hyperkeratosis No
Symmetrical sub-acute polyneuropathy No
Gastrointestinal upset Yes
Multiple organ failure Yes


Table 2. Symptoms of diabetes and their presence or absence in Srila Prabhupada's condition.

Clinical symptoms Clinical feature of
of diabetes mellitus Prabhupada's condition

Polydypsia (excessive thirst) Yes
Polyuria (increased need to urinate) Yes
Heart attack Yes
Stroke Yes
Nephropathy (kidney damage) Yes
High blood pressure Yes
Retinopathy Yes
Sub-acute moneuropathy Yes
Repeated or hard to heal infections
of the skin or bladder Yes
Dry, itchy skin Yes


Table 3. Symptoms of diabetes advancing to kidney disease and their presence or absence in Prabhupada's condition.

Clinical symptoms Clinical feature
of diabetes advancing of Prabhupada's
to kidney disease condition


Swelling of legs and hands Yes
Morning sickness, nausea and vomiting Yes
High blood pressure Yes
Polyuria (increased need to urinate) Yes
Protein in the urine Yes
Weakness, paleness and anemia Yes


Conclusion

There is no strong evidence either clinical or medical, that Srila Prabhupada suffered from chronic arsenic poisoning. The
only symptoms of arsenicosis he experienced were those of a highly non-specific nature, namely gastrointestinal upset and
multiple organ failure. None of the clinically specific signs attributable to arsenic intoxication were observed in Srila
Prabhupada.

Interestingly, there are many parallels between the claims made by Nityananda Das and those made by S. Forshufvud
regarding the death of Napolean. In their 1996 rebuttal to the Napolean poisoning theory, Doctors Corso and Hindmarsh
make the following observations in summing up their case:
Napolean...failed to show some of the classic signs of arsenic poisoning, including thickening and pigmentation of the palms
of the hands, irregularities of the nail beds and a sensory neuropathy of the lower legs. Specific note was made at autopsy of
the clear and almost ivory-like quality of his skin, certainly something not seen in someone suffering from chronic arsenic
poisoning...Also, Ernest Chioda, a noted medical toxicologist and lawyer, stated at the debate that both from a medical and a
legal standpoint, no case whatsoever can be made for the poisoning of Napolean as a criminal act.

On the other hand, there is significant and compelling evidence attested to by eight doctors all present at Napoleon's autopsy
that indeed he died of a cancer of the stomach complicated or associated with a perforating chronic ulcer.6

In the case of Srila Prabhupada, we also find that there is significant and compelling evidence, based on the clinical record
and testimony of doctors who personally treated him, that he was suffering primarily the symptoms of advanced diabetes,
which, having gone untreated for decades, led to further complications, most notably coronary heart disease and kidney
failure. In contrast, the theory that he was poisoned with arsenic is utterly baseless and is not substantiated by the medical
evidence in any way whatsoever.

References

1. Bansal SK, Haldar N, Dhand UK, Chopra JS. Phrenic Neuropathy in Arsenic Poisoning. Chest 1991;100(3):878-
880
2. Shin J Oh. Electrophysiological Profile in Arsenic Neuropathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1991;54:1103-
1105
3. Das D, Chatterjee A, Mandal BK, Samanta G, Chakraborti D. Arsenic in Ground Water in Six districts of West
Bengal, India. Analyst 1995;120:917-924
4. Shannon RL, Strayer DS. Arsenic-induced Skin Toxicity. Hum Toxicol 1989;8:99-104
5. Yeh S. Skin Cancer in Chronic Arsenicism. Hum Pathol 1973;4:469-485
6. Corso PF, Hindmarsh T. Further Scientific Evidence of the Non-Poisonous Death of Napolean Bonaparte Sc
Prog 1996;79(2):89-96
7. Hindmarsh T, Corso PF. The Death of Napolean Bonaparte:A Critical Review of the Cause. J Hist Med
1998;53:201-218
8. Murphy MJ, Lyon LW, Taylor JW. Subacute Arsenic Neuropathy: Clinical and Electrophysical Observations. J
Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1981;44:896-900
9. Herting RL, Frohberg NR. Neurology: Peripheral Neuropathy. University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook,
3rd Edition, Chapter 14.
10. Conomy JP. A Succession of Mees' Lines in Arsenical Polyneuropathy,
11. Butler RN, Rubenstein AH, Gracia AG, Zweig SC. Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Complications and Screening Recommendations. Geriatrics 1998;53(3):47-54
12. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Complete Works of Srila Prabhupada. 1991
13. Hari Sauri Das, Jahnu Das. A Reply to the Poison CD.
14. Satsvarup Das Goswami. Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita.
15. Hari Sauri Das. Personal communication, September 1999.
16. National Kidney Foundation. (U.S.) Internet Home Page Information, Jan 1997.
17. Hari Sauri Das. A Transcendental Diary.
18. Tamal Krishna Goswami. TKG's Diary- Prabhupada's Final Days
19. American Diabetes Association. Internet Information Pages, 1997
20. Tamal Krishna Goswami. Personal communication, September 1999.
21. Srutakirti Das. Personal communication, September 1999.
22. Forshufvud S. Who Killed Napolean. 1961. London.
23. Abhirama Das. Personal communication, September 1999.





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Clinical symptoms of arsenicosis Clinical feature of Prabhupada's condition
Raindrop pigmentation No
Mees' lines No
Dermatological lesions No
Symmetrical sub-acute polyneuropathy No
Gastrointestinal upset Yes
Multiple organ failure Yes



Table 2. Symptoms of diabetes and their presence or absence in Srila Prabhupada's condition.

Clinical symptoms of diabetes mellitus Clinical feature of Prabhupada's condition

Polydypsia (excessive thirst) Yes
Polyuria (increased need to urinate) Yes
Heart attack Yes
Stroke Yes
Nephropathy (kidney damage) Yes
High blood pressure Yes
Retinopathy Yes
Sub-acute mononeuropathy Yes
Repeated or hard to heal infections
of the skin or bladder Yes
Dry, itchy skin Yes









Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Table 3. Symptoms of diabetes advancing to kidney disease and their presence or absence in Prabhupada's condition.




Yes
Yes
High blood pressure Yes
Polyuria (increased need to urinate) Yes
Yes
Yes