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Sriman George Harrison (courtesy of BTG)  click for full photo

On Sunday 24th February, Hare Krishna devotees joined musicians, fans, and Sir Paul McCartney in commemorating the life of George Harrison at a special concert at the Liverpool Empire.

The concert sold out within hours of its announcement and was held on what would have been George's 59th birthday. Amongst various big names from the music business, the gig included many contemporaries, tribute bands, and friends of George and the Beatles such as Pete Waterman, "Hari Georgeson," members of Cockney Rebel, Thin Lizzy, the Bootleg Beatles, and the Mighty Wah! The devotees were billed as members of the Hare Krishna Temple.

This record by George Harrison has now reached number 1 in the UK top ten best selling records after its re-release.

I would like to share a story about their connection on one occasion in London. I was traveling with Srila Prabhupad, as well as Syamasundar Das and Pradyumna Das, in 1972 (I have a poor memory for dates. I believe this was the year). Syamasundar was instrumental in connecting George with Srila Prabhupad and our movement and had a lot of association with him. They were close friends.

I was in the secretary's office, which was more like a large closet off of Prabhupad's quarters, typing letters, when a head popped in the door, and in a very British accent, someone said, "Hello, is Syamasundar here?"

Singing and Chanting for George
by Dasarath das

On Sunday, December 23rd, the ISKCON temple in Tucson, Arizona, hosted a special memorial service for George Harrison. The event was advertised by the local news media and at our Govinda’s restaurant, which has earned a lot of acclaim over the ten years that it has been operating.

George Harrison: A Link to Our Future
by Sri Nandanandana dasa

For many of us, George Harrison was our first Siksha Guru, or Vartmana Prakarshaka Guru, the person from whom we first heard the chanting of Hare Krishna, the holy names of the Lord. So even though we may not have realized it then, he was a link to our future. And though many may mourn the loss of his presence, I feel that he is still a link to our future.... 

All Glories To Bhakta George Harrison!
by Gaura dasa

I always thought that if I ever had the good fortune to meet you in person, I would like to bow down and offer my obeisances to you. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving and transforming my life by introducing me to our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Statement from the Hare Krishna Movement 
Regarding the Death of George Harrison
from Anuttama Dasa

"We are most disappointed in several untrue statements published in the media about our dear friend, the late George Harrison. Many of these have been unsubstantiated, unauthorized and disrespectful to George’s family and closest friends," said Ramai Swami, the chairperson of the Krishna Movement’s Governing Body Commission.

Respects to George Harrison
by Nandapatni devi dasi

I would like to offer my respects to George Harrison, who was more than instrumental in bringing me to Krsna Consciousness. I first heard the Radha Krsna Temple album in the late 60s, when it went to the top of the hit parade in England. I saw his Krsna Books presented to Srila Prabhupada the night they came off the press in Kensington Town Hall, London, in 1970. I bought his album Living in the Material world (which really finished me off and that’s when I went to Bhaktivedanta Manor and surrendered to Srila Prabhupada, at that point.

Living in the Material World No More

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.

False Reports about George Harrison’s Estate
by Anuttama dasa

Several days ago, media reports appeared in major media sources worldwide stating that George Harrison’s family was already on their way to India to put George’s ashes in the sacred rivers. Now we know from the same media sources that those stories were untrue and that his family is still in California.

Celebrate George Harrison Dec 8th
by Vrin Parker

Here, in Eugene, Oregon, we are having a festival in his honor. In accordance with Vedic tradition, we are having a festival nine days after his passing, on Dec 8th. I pray and encourage all devotees and temples to do the same thing. Let’s show our gratitude and honor this great Vaishnava.

All Glories to Srimad Bhakta George!
by Sadhusanga das

So I picked up the original two-volume hardbound edition of Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead (which I still have!). When I saw George Harrison’s introduction I immediately thought: "If George is into this stuff, it must be right! Let’s check out this Hare Krishna thing..." So George, you’re the actual one who made me a devotee! All glories to you!

My Sweet George
by gHari

My Sweet George,

Thank you forever for the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. I didn't even know what it was when I would sing along with you.

Vartmana Pradarshaka Gurudeva 
George Harrison
by Raghavendu das

Clearly, the most potent song on the album was "My Sweet Lord," in which George Harrison introduced millions of people to the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. The kirtan on that album is unbelievably beautiful. Also it must be noted that how he transitioned from Halleluyah to Hare Krishna and the song’s title was a brilliant way of introducing people to the personal conception of God. And the lyrics "It takes so long, I know" reflects the mood of separation given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

To George Prabhu, With Gratitude
by Niscala devi dasi

To my vartma pradarsaka guru,
George Harrison Prabhu,
Whose words in the Foreword
Of Krsna Book Two,
Gave me faith to read on
And great inspiration
To take it all in
With intense meditation.

Last Journey to His Spiritual Home
from the New Indian Express Daily, Bangalore, India, December 3, 2001

LONDON: Former Beatle George Harrison was secretly cremated within six hours of his death, before the world even realized he was gone.

The spiritual explorer and Krishna devotee, who had a long association with India, chose to be cremated and the simple funeral service held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Crematorium was in all secrecy, so as to ensure that finally in death the star would elude the Beatle-mania.

George Harrison: A Personal Appreciation
by Rama Raghava Dasa

It was October 1974 and I was only fourteen years old. However, I had already listened to The White Album, All Things Must Pass, and The Concert for Bangladesh so many times that I probably knew all the lyrics by heart. I was a sophomore in a Catholic high school in Augusta, Georgia, and many of the kids there knew that I was curious about Krishna Consciousness because of the Beatles and specifically George Harrison.

A Prayer for George Harrison

from Cobham Yatra

We all in Cobham Yatra (Kent), U.K, pray to Lord Shri Krishna to give Shelter to George Harrison (great messenger of Lord Shri Krishna ) at His lotus feet and give strength to his family and friends at this time of sadness.

Hare Krishna

Radhanath Dass
Ganesh Narain
[The article is complete on this page.]

Thank You, George Harrison
by Bhakta Tim Hitchner

For the inspiration you have given me and countless others over the years by the example of spirituality in action in your own life I want to thank you. Even though we never met, I want to thank you for all you have done to help ignite the Krishna movement in the West.

Great Humility
by Ambarisa dasa

I met George Harrison only once. We went through the F.A.T.E. museum in L.A, then sat on the floor eating samosas. I remember thinking, here is such a famous man, eating on the floor with great humility. I was originally attracted to Krishna Consciousness through the Radha Krishna album, which I had purchased from my college record store. 

BTG Remembers George Harrison

"Everything else can wait, but the search for God cannot wait." —George Harrison

Did George help you come to Krishna consciousness? Post your thoughts, appreciations, and memories to share with others around the world.
www.krishna.com 
[complete photo inside]

George Harrison 
by Shyamasundar das and Mukunda Goswami
[reprinted from Free Forum]

George Harrison has probably done more than any single popular cultural figure during these past few decades to spread spiritual consciousness around the world.

He transferred his perceptions of a state of being beyond and higher than ordinary consciousness into the words and music that altered millions of lives.

George Harrison’s Death 
a Great Loss to the Krishna Community
ISKCON UK Media Release

Hare Krishna devotees mourn the passing of George Harrison and extend their deep symphathy and affection to his family....

George Harrison donated Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hertfordshire, UK, to the Hare Krishna devotees in 1973, and ISKCON feels greatly indebted to him for his generosity. The Manor has since served as one of the most important Hindu temples in Europe.

Bhakta George Harrison Ki Jai!
by Arjunanatha dasa

George was instrumental in helping devotees establish Krishna Consciousness in England. He arranged the recording of some highly successful and classic records around 1970, providing huge publicity for Hare Krishna and an income for the early devotees such as his great friend Mukunda Swami. 

George Harrison Leaves His Body
by Krishna Kripa Dasa (Spain)

Today, 30 November, the famous ex-beatle and ISKCON supporter George Harrison left his body at the age of 58, due to a throat cancer.He passed away in Los Angeles. It is a very sad day not only for the Beatles' fans but also for the ISKCON devotees.

Srila Prabhupada once said (1976 in Bhaktivedanta Manor) that he considered George Harrison his disciple although he was not initiated.

Sriman George Harrison—
by the Grace of Krishna, Fortunate
from Vyenkata Bhatta Dasa

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, and Matajis,

Yesterday at 1:30 pm in Los Angeles, California, Sriman George Harrison — a sincere and gentle friend of the worldwide Hare Krishna movement — left his body. He was 58 and had been suffering from cancer. He is survived by his wife Olivia and son Dhani. Most of the world will remember George as a member of the most influential and popular musical group of all time, the Beatles. George was often called "the quiet Beatle."

Sriman George Harrison Passes On
by Rama Kesava das

Former Beatle guitarist George Harrison has died in Los Angeles at age 58, after an arduous battle with cancer. Sriman George Harrison will be fondly remembered by the Hare Krsna movement for his selfless devotion to Srila Prabhupada's cause during the establishment of his mission here in the United Kingdom. 

Son of Hari
by Bhakta Jerry

Chanting my rounds, I heard the breaking news...The Son of Hari has departed from this world. He was very dear to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; without the Son of Hari, the Krishna Consciousness movement would not be what it is today.

The Son of Hari has given the world Prabhupada's Krishna Book, boldly saying, "Everybody is looking for Krishna. Some don't realize they are but they are...All you need is Love (Krishna) Hari Bol."