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Living in the Material World No More

For Immediate Release Date: December 3, 2001 Contact: Anuttama Dasa

Washington, D.C.—Hare Krishna communities around the world observed memorial services over the weekend for George Harrison, the former Beatle whose personal spiritual search and devotionally inspired rock music helped to introduce millions of young people to Indian spirituality.

"George Harrison has probably done more that any single popular cultural figure during these past few decades to spread spiritual consciousness around the world," said Shyamasundar dasa, a Krishna devotee and personal friend who was with Harrison in Los Angeles during his last few days.

A long time friend of the Hare Krishnas, George was inspired to do his part to spread spiritual consciousness. His 1970 song, "My Sweet Lord" introduced millions to the Hare Krishna mantra, which he gently interspersed between choruses of the Biblical praise, Hallelujah.

"Hare Krishna has a mystical side to it," Harrison said in a 1982 interview published in the book, Chant and Be Happy. "It’s more than glorifying God; it’s asking to become His servant."

Harrison first met His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1969, in England. They developed a close and affectionate relationship and their association influenced George’s music and spirituality.

In a 1982 interview, Harrison said that his song, "The Lord Loves the One that Loves the Lord," from the Living in the Material World Album, was written about Srila Prabhupada.

Harrison also made significant contributions to support Prabhupada’s work. In 1969, he financed the first hard bound printing of the Krishna Book, an English translation by Srila Prabhupada of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto, that describes Lord Krishna’s lila, or pastimes on earth 5,000 years ago.

In 1973, George Harrison donated Bhaktivedanta Manor, a 23-acre estate outside of London, to the Krishna society. The Manor has since become one of the most important Hindu shrines in Europe.

"When George gave us the Manor, he gave us more than a few buildings," said Varshana devi dasi, ISKCON’s UK spokesperson. "He provided a facility for many thousands of people to come for spiritual instruction and to worship God. Each year, over 15,000 British public school students visit the Manor to learn about Vaishnava Hinduism," she said.

For many individual Krishna devotees, the music and lyrics of George Harrison opened the door to a spiritual experience, and the monotheistic philosophy of Vaishnava Hinduism.

"I remember looking at the picture of Krishna and Arjuna on the cover of the Living in the Material World album, and wondering who are these divine beings?" said Bhaktimarga Swami, of ISKCON Toronto. "That led me to Krishna devotees, and for that I am eternally grateful to George."

"He was an inspirational figure for many of our generation," said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON Communications Director. "Knowing that a Beatle was saying publicly that fame and money do not bring happiness gave my search into eastern mysticism more validity," he said.

Weekend services at ISKCON temples included readings about Harrison’s meetings with Prabhupada and excerpts from his lyrics glorifying Lord Krishna. Many temples put aside their traditional bhajans for the day to listen to George’s rock renditions of the Hare Krishna mantra and other devotional songs.

"If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We’ve been polluted so long
But here’s a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the Lord and you’ll be free
The Lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see"

— "Awaiting On You All" from the album All Things Must Pass

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