Preaching in England Malati Dasi
malati dasi helped introduce george harrison spiritual practices of gaudiya vaishnavism (pictured performing japa, or chanting hare krishna on beads). vrindavan (uttar pradesh, india), 1996
in 1968, malati , shyamasundara, along infant daughter saraswati, joined 2 other hare krishna couples – mukunda , janaki, , gurudas , yamuna – on missionary trip london in bid establish iskcon foothold in england. after arriving in london, team endured many months of financial insecurity , inadequate living conditions while maintaining missionary activities including public kirtans, distribution of promotional leaflets, , cultivation of members of local community. settled in warehouse complex in covent garden. speaking in 2001 @ 30th anniversary of bhaktivedanta manor, iskcon s headquarters in england, special guest in recognition of pioneering role in establishing iskcon in uk, malati recalled:
there indeed many special memories, should not forget wasn t funny. of time in days hard: go hungry. [we had] hardly possessions, no money, no protection. got cold. had nothing. had love shrila prabhupada.
to gain wider recognition movement, shyamasundara had idea of meeting beatles in order inspire them introduce hare krishna mantra songs. malati recalled, chanted , got arrested in front of apple studio. got attention making , sending in apple pies studio. malati , shyamasundara once sent studio wind apple holding hare krishna flag. things changed group when shyamasundara met , befriended george harrison, whom malati found receptive , spiritual , helped introduce hare krishna philosophy , practice. 2 families became close shyamasundara , malati lived harrison , wife, patti boyd, time.
inspired vaishnava teachings , lifestyle, harrison produced 2 singles – hare krishna mantra , govinda – performed hare krishna devotees radha krishna temple in london. malati participated in both recordings, singing , playing hand cymbals. released on apple records, hare krishna mantra reached number 12 on uk singles chart , boosted iskcon s popularity in england , worldwide, devotees appearing on top of pops. harrison helped devotees rent building in london s bury place near british museum first hare krishna temple, and, in 1973, donated 17-acre (6.9 ha) estate, named bhaktivedanta manor , became iskcon s headquarters in england.
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