I want to add my words to the subject about Ukrainian devotees.
I am from Ukraine. And as probably you already know from news, in 2022 Russia attacked Ukraine by order of Putin.
I feel some kind of responsibility to tell you what actually have happened and why, because I think I maybe at fault. Without me maybe this war wouldn't start. Please, forgive me, if I did some offense.
Of course, I am not a politician, not a soldier etc, and I didn't kill anyone, or supported killing anyone.
But, I have heard about one devotee in Ukraine who criticized Ukrainian government, saying "they are at fault, because they have strated to make Lenin statues falldown" (so-called Leninfall).
It is after Lenin statue was fallen down in Kyiv in end of 2013 - after that very soon "heavenly hundred" was killed by Ukrainian government's order (Yanukovich, Berkut etc). They killed peaceful protesters (around 100). After that, Yanukovich disappeared, but said that "nacists (fascists) came to rule Ukraine".
So, I have to say, please forgive me, that I am at fault that it was actually my idea to make Lenin's statue to fall down. But please listen the full story, before making quick criticism against me.
What I did was only idea. I simply said to some people in Ukrainian's political party "Svoboda" (Freedom) that Lenin "ordered to kill as many priests as possible", so it's not a good idea to have his statue in center of Ukraine's capital (Kyiv) - and that was also place where Ukrainian Communist Party was gathering around Lenin. now Communist party is forbidden in Ukraine.
Ok, but more important, is why did I told them that they can make Lenin's monument falldown? I really had a reason for that. And the reason was: effort of Russian court to ban "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is".
It was around 2011-2012. So, of course, here in Ukraine devotees, especially of ISKCON, were shocked, and wanted to defend Bhagavad-Gita.
So same was with me. I wanted to do what I can do defend Gita. As it is said: "if you defend dharma - then it defends you".
So, in autumn 2012 I got to know, that there will de a dispute between atheist #1 in Ukraine Duluman Evgraph, and he was talking against Christians and Muslims. But he wanted to talk with all religions as well.
So I came to that dispute. I think it is a good idea to tell you in more details about how it all happened, so that you feel it much better. Details are important.
So, on advertisement of dispute was a photo of Lenin, and near it was a name of Evgraf Duluman, and written "atheist #1 in Ukraine, Doctor of Philosophy, Candidate of Theology".
So, i was kind of chocked, I mean, I couldn't understand, how is that that he is atheist and candidate of theology. It's like being "priest-atheist".
I also have read that Lenin ordered "to kill as many priests as possible with machine guns". He was on photo. And he created USSR by terror against religions, especially Christians. So then USSR became governed by atheists, communist party. If you know about ISKCON in USSR, then you know, Prabhupada was in Moscow, even near Lenin's mausoleum. But then in maybe 80-es, ISKCON devotees were underground, they were persecuted, some were in psychiatric hospitals, others in prisons (some have died in prisons as well).
So, to me this Lenin on photo of advertisement of dispute was a symbol of aggression against not only Christians, but against ISKCON devotees as well.
So, I came to dispute. I thought, it is maybe rare opportunity to meet such atheist #1 personally, and talk to him.
So, before dispute I saw him, asked: "are you Duluman"?
- Yes, you know!
he shaked my hand.
I asked: are you candidate of theology?
- yes, degrees can't be taken away.
- do you believe in God?
- no, there is no God.
- what about Krishna, Balarama (or Rama), Chaitanya, Nityananda?
- who? no, they don't exist...
:-(
O asked: - don't you even want to go to heaven/paradise?
- did anyone came back from there?
- yes, of course. because that's are temporary material planets. But we want to go higher - to spiritual world...
- ah, if you go on the street, and see on the wall someone have drawn there (kind of graphiti) three letters - why will you believe it?
(I thought he meant "БОГ" - which means same as "GOD").
Then he went to the dispute - entered auditorium (we were in hall).
So, the dispute started. Muslims spoke, some people spoke. Atheists also. Duluman then said: "Allah have killed people. Thus religion is the sin! But we are not militant atheists, we are not hooligan atheists! We are ethical atheists!"
I was shocked to hear that. it is like if he was speaking against Krishna. They wanted around that time to ban Gita in Russia. So it's like saying Krishna was killing. Or Krishna said to Arjuna that you should kill enemies - that it is the sin etc...
Also, it was shocking that he kind of made me remember the words from Gita, where Krishna speaks about both dharma and adharma.
That understanding which considers irreligion to be religion and religion to be irreligion, under the spell of illusion and darkness, and strives always in the wrong direction, O Pārtha, is in the mode of ignorance.
Dispute ended. People were still in auditorium. I wanted to ask about Lenin, because he was on ad of dispute, and he created USSR, which persecuted ISKCON devotees. And Ukraine (Ukrainian SSR) was part of Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics.
So, first I approached one man who was near speaking "cathedra", where all speakers were speaking in front of all the listeners. I asked him, is it true that Lenin ordered to ill as many priests as possible. He answered: "no, it is a myth. But, you better ask Duluman - he knows better".
So, I approached table with books of Duluman. he had written one book "why I became atheist". There he written that "human is God". And because of that book Russian Orthodox Churched applied anathema against him. Duluman also was faulty for being the reason why hundreds of "popes" (as he said, probably meaning priests) broke away from religion.
So, Duluman was standing near his books on atheism (he even wrote textbooks to teach atheism in universities, he was teacher of atheism as I understand).
I took Bhagavad-Gita as it is (the book which Russian court was trying to ban at that time). I opened a picture with "brahmajyoti-poster" - Krishna in lotus, around Him is spiritual world, and then there is also material world under that - Mahavishnu, brahmandas etc.
So I showed the picture of Krishna to Duluman, and said: "Here is Krishna, God, Why do you say He doesn't exist"?
He only laughed at me and Krishna: "Ha-ha, you can draw anything (any nonsense)".
It was kind of sounded offensive. But then he talked to someone near him who also was selling atheistic books: "he is saying Krishna, Krishna - he got jammed/stuck. - He should go to psychiatrist".
To me this also sounded offensive. It is like, if I chant Hare Krishna - then I must be put into psychiatric hospital? But it is exactly what was done against devotees in USSR - they indeed were put to such hospitals for being vegetarians, devotees of Krishna etc.
So, as this Duluman said that he is still candidate of theology (from Russian Orthodox Church he got this degree, before Stalin dead), - then I wanted to ask about this contradiction, that he is both atheist, but also a theologian kind of. To me that "candidate of theology" sounded almost like being a priest.
So, I asked Duluman: "Lenin ordered to kill as many priests as possible with machine guns. What do you think about it as a priest?"
Duluman looked at me angrily: "People like you should be mass killed with machine gun!"
It was shocking. My immediate reaction was, I told him: "Krishna also killed demons"
Duluman looked like kind of being afraid maybe. So I then added: "Ok, I don't mean that you are a demon, but atheists. Yes, if you were real Christian, then if you are beaten into one cheek - then you should give second cheek. But, you told like Lenin, atheist - kill with machine guns"...
So. He was trying to go away. I again came up to him, asked if he believes in soul, life after death - he said no, that there is no soul, and after death will be nothing.
Dispute ended, we went homes. But on the way home I was afraid. I was afraid that Duluman or his people could kill people like me, maybe even with machine guns. I chanted japa like maybe no other time in life. Powerful japa.
Then was winter 2012-2013. In our city Kyiv there was biggest snow fallen down - around maybe 1 meter high (like not in past 100 years or so, as weather news said).
I was thinking. Ok, Russia wanted to ban Gita. but we were part of USSR (Russia is just a "son" of USSR). So my duty was to defend Krishna, Gita in front of this atheist... But he said we all, vaishnavas, should be killed with machine guns. But, as big snow fallen down, I was thinking that father of Arjuna, - Indra, father of Arjuna to whom Krishna told Gita - he was happy. And he have sent a sign - rain. When sacrifices are done well - then much rain falls down. So, the only thing - it was converted to snow because it was cold / winter.
Then came spring 2013. I monitored news about this Duluman. I thought that his disputes against religious people (Christians, Muslims, and me) - was same like effort to ban Gita in Russia.
So new dispute was advertised. The subject of it was "clericalism - for and against".
I found out that clerk was some religious person in government or in educational institution.
So. I came to this new dispute. Someone told me that if I want to speak - I can write the subject, name and give it (on paper) to organizers. So I wrote: "In support of clericalization".
They called me to speak. Nearby was sitting Duluman. So I couldn't have told to him directly something like "Krishna also killed demons like Lenin, Duluman" etc.
I spoke something like: "I don’t mind if God or avatar would rule the government. In that case 4 regulative principles would be followed - the businesses which don't follow those regulative principles - would be forbidden. And even weapons would be forbidden" etc.
I also said that I was trying to tell to Duluman that Krishna said: "Give up all other religions - surrender to me. Duluman gave up Russian Orthodox Church, Christianity, Ok, why not accept Krishna. But he said there is no go in no religion"... And Duluman laughed: "and not expected to appear!"
Organizer of dispute also laughed: "what kind of paradise/heaven it is without slaughterhouses?"
Dispute ended. I again approached Duluman. he was with some other atheist (I later found out he is from Russia).
I was keeping in mind that "nature of every soul is to be servant of Krishna". So in some sense every soul, even atheist #1 like this Duluman or Lenin - they are also devotees of Krishna.
So I asked, "if one Krishna devotee kills other Krishna devotee - what do you think about it?"
I also kept in mind Gita ban effort, and it's subject is war between Pandavas and Kauravas, but even on side of Kauravas there were few devotees like Bhishma, Drona, Karna etc.
So that second atheist from Russia said: "it is religion" (if one kills the other).
And Duluman told something like: "I will take him to court".
Remember, they wanted to ban Gita in 2011-2012 in Russia, but it was already spring 2013 in Ukraine.
I am not Bhagavad Gita as it is to ban me of course. But somehow I felt that my purpose was accomplished. I felt that Duluman was like those people who wanted to ban Gita in court. So if he wanted to "ban" me - put into psychiatric hospital etc like USSR Lenin's country did - then my effort to save Gita, or it's movement here in my city was also accomplished.
Of course, I was not happy about what they told.
Interesting, that after dispute, same year, on my birthday, June 24 2013 - this atheist #1 died on my birthday. He was old man. And news said that "last militant atheist of Ukraine, Marxist-Leninist have died".
To me it was like a present for my birthday. it was like a sign from Krishna, that "what is death for one - that's life for the other".
Now we see this big war since 2022 - and it is like "life for Russia" - they spread their territories, but like death for Ukraine - because so many people, even vaishnavas, even innocent people (not in army) are killed - by bombs, rockets, machineguns etc.
That year, 2013, autumn, I also went to Bhakti Sangama in Crimea. Crimea was still a part of Ukraine that time. I don't know why, but I saw a picture of Parashurama there, with blood, and axe. And I was feeling like He will protect me. I've bought that picture.
Then, I've seen a political party "Svoboda" (Freedom) camp. They were distributing newspapers, and photo of Lenin was printed there. I didn't read. But asked, why you print that? Lenin ordered to kill priests. Created USSR (which persecuted religions). I told them my story with Duluman "you should be killed with machine guns". And I said: "I know there is a monument of Lenin in center of Kyiv, in main street, Hreshchatyk. I think it is good idea to remove him from there"
They asked how to do it? They liked the idea.
So I suggested that you can just take some truck. And tie Lenin with a rope. And pull.
So, it was only my idea. I never spoke to those people. I never was in any political party. My duty was to defend Gita, Krishna, from Gita ban etc. I was compassionate about devotees who were kept in prisons because of Lenin's atheistic communist politics.
So. then one day, my father watched TV, and said: "Lenin's monument fell down in Kyiv!"
I hurried to that place - people were still near the Lenin. He was lying down on the ground. And they were hitting him with big huge hammers.
It was a nice show. Like when Hiranyakashipu was killed by Narasimha. Or like when Ravana was killed by Rama. Or when Kamsa was killed by Krishna etc.
Unfortunately, Yanukovich ordered to kill 100 people who protested against him (he didn't signed agreement to associate with European Union). And you know, Yanukovich was pro-russian. pro-Putin. And he was part of Russian Orthodox Church (they initiated ban against Gita in Russia). Russian Orthodox Church was also church of this atheist Duluman.
So, see. I didn't make Lenin's statue fall down. Yes, it was my idea. But I defended dharma, Gita, Krishna - also from ban. Even though it was Ukraine, other country. I felt it is my duty.
But Yanukovich said that nacists/fascists came to rule country. Why? If I support Krishna - then I am nacist/fascist? As i know, devotees tried to preach to Hitler, but he didn't accept Krishna consciousness. So we are not nacists/fascists. We simply defend dharma, sanatana-dharma in Ukraine. Even from Gita ban in Russia.
Did I make mistake? Was it my offense that I shouldn't have speak to Duluman about Krishna? Was it offense to give holy name etc to atheist like he? Is it because of me this big war started by Putin?
You know. In 2014 after Yanukovich escaped "throne" of president of Ukraine, - Putin annexed Crimea. And he said: "unfortunately, USSR dissolved. It was a big mistake".
So, Putin regretted there is no USSR anymore. And now, since 2022+ when he started full-scale war against Ukraine - people say that he is restoring USSR, like USSR of Stalin time.
You know, pro-russian separatists / collaborants of Russia in Ukraine decided to create Donetsk/Lugansk National Republics (LDNR). And they banned all political parties in their "soviet countries" - except Communist party. Yes, communist party was banned in Ukraine. So DNR/LNR called them "descendants" of USSR.
So, this video where Niranjana Maharaja is asking to support Ukrainian devotees - is from 2014. it is the time when pro-Russian forces started their military aggression against Ukrainians. So some devotees already were affected. To my knowledge, thousands of people (also civils!) in range between 2014-2021 were killed in Ukraine, mostly by Russians.
Ukraine that time led so-called "anti-terrorist operation" - we didn't want some DNR/LNR to be ruled by communistic militarists/terrorists/separatists etc.
I remember Turchinov was temporary president at that time. I found him somewhere - and presented Gita as it is to him (not personally, I think some people gave it to him).
Then Poroshenko came to rule Ukraine. Now I remember that Parashurama which I have ought and think that maybe that's why Poroshenko became president. He is like Parashurama maybe? Joke, but why not.
There was one other story, which can be interesting to you. Why Zelenskiy became a president? The word "Zeleniy" means "green" in Ukrainian.
And we have one "green antiseptic" which is called "Zelenka". So, some politicians in Ukraine were labeled by this "Zelenka" (green antiseptic). Also Yuriy Lutsenko was a minister, and some people poured Zelenka against him unto his face. Some called him "avatar". He laughed: "they label green antiseptic zelenka - to those whom they hate. Ok, let's be proud being called avatar".
But other man, Hennadiy Kernes (from Harkiv city "government"), he said: "I have seen Lutsenko drunk. Robots can't be drunk. But he called himself avatar". People also were laughing.
Then we heard in news, that some "green people" appeared in Ukraine, especially in army (maybe on both sides - in pro-Russian forces, and pro-Ukrainian forces).
This same Hennadiy Kernes also said to one politician from political party "Freedom" which made Leninfall. he said: "In Harkin city, which I rule, there is a freedom square. You call your party Freedom. Ok. So there is Lenin's monument there. But if you dare to make Lenin fall down there - then I will break your legs and hands - so that you don't do it again". (and he smiled).
So. Time passed. And came 2021. I heard in news, that there is a big chance/risk trat Russia can attack Ukraine. Because there are too many Russian military forces around Ukraine (seen from sputniks/satellites etc). And I was thinking. Putin annexed Crimea. His father server in kitchen of Lenin and Stalin. Putin regretted that USSR dissolved. And on that dispute against Duluman was picture of Lenin. Who wanted to kill us. I thought what I can do to prevent it. Then I remembered about one Russian politician Zhirinovskiy. ISKCON devotees told that Zhirinovskiy is a Krishna's devotee. That he is following 4 regulative principles. He donated money to ISKCON harinama somewhere in Russia on the street. I indeed have seen such video confirmation. I also found out that Zhirinovskiy also made a political party LDPR which was first political party after dissolution of USSR. So he kind of said that he was alternative against USSR, against communism. Zhirinovskiy said that their party follows anti-communism. Like that. And that was even on Wikipedia. I didn't see the news about him much. So I decided to write him a letter. I told him about Gita Ban, about Duluman, about Leninfall. So I said, please return Crimea back to Ukraine, and if you want to attack Ukraine - better attack Lenin's mausoleum, make Leninfall like we did in Ukraine. You say that your political party is anti-communistic, so why not ban Communist party in Russia etc?
So, after some time i got an answer - letter from Zhirinovskiy. In February 2022, but before Putin announced war.
In short, Zhirinovskiy wrote there to me, that "we also support return of Crimea. We don't like communists/left becasue they are internationalists - that's why USSR was dissolved. But we also don't support radical right - they came to rule to Ukraine. wish you good health" etc.
And then we heard in news that Putin announced "recognition of DNR/LNR", and announced "special military operation" but actually big war against Ukraine.
The worst was that when I saw that video - his eyes looked to me same as when Duluman told me: "people like you must be killed with machine guns".
So Putin said: "In Ukraine people make Leninfalls - they make Lenin’s' statues fall down. They call it decommunization. Ok, we support it. We are ready to show what is real decommunization of Ukraine".
On 24 February 2022 we woke up with news that "state of war" was announced in Ukraine. Putin ordered to start attacks against Ukraine. Patriarch Kirril (or Russian Orthodox Church) - he blessed that war. it was same Russian church which started Gita ban in Russia, and where Duluman was studying for theologician candidate.
We were in Kyiv city. but went to village nearby. I wrote a letter to some military ministry etc (don't remember) - please defend us.
After maybe few days after war problems with electricity started. I measured voltage - it was not 220 volts, but only 100 V, so nothing was working anymore. TV stopped working, radio also, no internet on mobile, no mobile connection at all. Electricity disappeared. and we understood that we have only wood/trees to heat the house. And some food for maybe 1-2 weeks. And we heard tanks, or some very loud technics passing through the village. Very loud - like tractors or worse. We didn't saw what it was. But we were sure they are probably tanks - going to Kyiv to conquer it (capital of Ukraine).
We were afraid to go out of the house. We have heard shots. Planes were flying above - we were afraid bombs maybe even fall down unto us. Man started making -1 (underground) floor - moving there things. Children were hiding there with mothers, women. We closed the windows with pictures - so noone sees that there is some candle fire inside (yes, it's like if you have candle light of Krishna faith inside - but you are afraid that Russian army can stop it - and you hide it)...
However. In beginning of March it all suddenly became silent. I took japa-mala bad in hand. And went outside. I remember words of Prabhupada that "samadhi is full Krishna consciousness". But samadhi also means death. But i though Krishna will protect me. But I wanted to see what is going on outside. Maybe I will meet our Ukrainian hero army there (Kozaks).
I went to far outside of village. I came almost to big road - road to Kyiv city.
On the way I saw grass was black, burned, somewhere in fire still, also same with trees - back, burned. Some houses were broken/destroyed. I have seen traces from tanks on asphalt. Multiple traces (lines on which tanks were going). And I have seen packs of plastic and of carton - with text "Army of Russia" - "Food package". There were some meat, also of cows, canned. Also other stuff like spoons, paper towels etc.
Then I saw bullets on the ground. Around 10 cm long. Maybe 10 of them. Used. I wanted to pick them up but it was either scary now, or I will do it later on way back. And they, bullets, were around that holder for machinegun I think! three wooden legs. So, I stopped looking at that... Then suddenly I have heard a voice of Russian soldier (speaking Russian, not Ukrainian): "hey, why you are standing there? why you are looking? see - he stands there under the tree and watching". And I saw him pointing with his hand unto me, and also maybe 5 other black men were near hm (in black dress). Distance was maybe around 500 meters or steps (I measured later after months when we were deoccupied here). I heard then shots: "tra-ta-ta" and "tra-ta". And I have seen two white and yellow traces in the sky between us - they were like curved "rainbows". Later I understood, read, that they used real bullets which could kill. But they are called tracer bullets - they had phosphor, so it was burning and leaving the trace in the sky. I understood that two guys were approaching me, but they were laying down on the ground, and shooting into my direction from the distance around 400 meters or I don't know how many.
I thought - I don't want to die this way. They are like "militant agnostics". they don't know about me anything. in ignorance. but they shoot without knowing. in tamas. should I approach them and try to answer their questions why I stand here? no. I'll not do it. It's not safe here - I'd better go back home.
In hand I had japa-mala - I chanted holy names. defensive mantras, kavachas. Hare Krishna mahamantra. I remembered Parashurama, Narasimha, Om namo Narayanaya mantra (defensive) also.
So, I slowly turned back and walked slowly back same road. Then one car was driving the road. I stopped it saying it is not safe there - they were shooting into me. I sat into car - and they left me in village. Then I started walking back to my house, but have seen a tank driving on the road - towards Kyiv. One man's head was outside of the tank - he was watching forward, but driving - looking not unto us.
So, I talked at home what I have seen. Relatives told that they already "buried" me underground... =-( Ok, but we decided to charge mobiles. You know, electricity was gone. week ago or even more (maybe even 10 days ago). But that petroleum used for cars we transformed into electricity - charged mobiles. I called to some emergency number. And they told that we can go back to Kyiv other road - it is safe. We did it... Unfortunately after several weeks e got to know from news that Russian army again was in our village which we have left. And we knew from news, that head of our village, her son and husband were killed. They were buried in forest by Russians. They killed them because she as head of village supported ATO - Anti-Terrorist Operation. Other people were also killed.
So. It is all scary now. Still scary. People cry. I also cried. I never felt so terrible. Some rockets are falling down near our houses. Windows are still in place. But we are afraid that some next time rocket can kill us.
And I was chanting some days like 5 hours a day or more.
Then such thing as "black-out" appeared in Kyiv as well. It means - no electricity. Can be whole day. When Russians attack some electric station (and it's danger of nuclear explosion!).
Also, water can sometimes disappear. When no electricity - then can be no water.
In cities like Mariupol, I've heard, people are forced to eat some peagons, dogs, cats - because they die of hunger. They may drink water from heating devices. They get poisoned. Sometimes die. Some people simple jump out of their windows. Some walls falldown, and when people try to go to balcony - sometimes them falldown and die. Bombs fall down on cities, villages, towns. Many hoses are destroyed, and with people in them - children, mothers, old men, even devotees ;-(
I know that there are 40 vaishnavas who were dead, killed by Russian army in this war.
This channel "spiritual matter" is done by bhakta Mukunda Hari das. He is initiated disciple of Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, who like Niranjana Maharaja also singed a letter (with two other GBC members) against Putin's aggression against civilians in Ukraine, and also against Vaishnavas and ISKCON temples. Russian army destroyed 4 ISKCON temples in Ukraine! The bigger number is - over 600 temples of different religions (mostly churches) were demolished by Russian army in Ukraine. Over 50 spiritual leaders of different religions were also killed by Russians.
But as for Vaishnavas, I tell, now most recent news are that 40 Vaishnavas were killed, some were with initiations. and some were civilians. Details are on channel "spiritual matter".
This devotee Mukunda Hari das - is responsible for serving Vaishnavas in army. He organized a project "Food for Dharma" which is like "Food for life" but is intended to feed Ukrainian Vaishnavas in army with prasadam. Before that, Vaishnavas in army were forced to eat even meat ;-( Or be hungry. Now it is better, but they know that they don't know what is sattva when they are in epicenter of war, shooting everyday - defending the dharma...
Also, I know, that there are around 200 devotees, Vaishnavas are now serving in Ukrainian army. So, 40 were killed. And 10 are lost without any news from them, They disappeared. Some disappeared like 2 years ago so probably they were killed. 1 of these 10 is now in Russian prison. They are all devotees. Vaishnavas. These 10. We don't know about them, where are they etc.
This what I tell is the news from this channel. You can watch videos since 2002 there, turn on subtitles (available for most videos), and translate them to English etc.
On that channel another problem is discussed. Some Russian ISKCON devotees, also those who rule ISKCON, they said that they support Putin - this war against Ukraine. So there are very detailed confirmations about what those people say. There are names of them. Their videos - what exactly they say. The problem is that Russian army already killed 40 Vaishnavas in Ukraine, and destroyed 4 ISKCON temples in Ukraine. And if Russian ISKCON (pro-Russian) support Putin in this war, it sounds strange, like allowing to kill other Vaishnavas. Like on Kurukshetra - Karna fights with brother Arjuna, etc.
Putin called Ukrainians brothers, but it's like in Bible the story of Cain and Avel, when one brother killed the other. So Russian army already killed many civilians. hundreds and thousands. Bombs rockets and drones fly into temples, kindergandens, into schools, universities, cultural objects. Actually, I've read that since 2022 already was statistics that over 1000 cities, town and villages are completely destroyed - they simply disappeared from map. So Russia is colonizing Ukraine. Making Ukrainians become slaves. Like one Ukrainian devotee is now in Russian prison. Russia make such people slaves. Now "slaves" of Krishna, God. But of their country, which looks like Stalin's/Lenin's USSR.
So, we need your prayers for Ukraine. Maybe even some special yajnas, daily, to stop the war. We need objective information about all this.
I think that Mukunda Hari who make this channel "spiritual matter" is too busy - he serves in army. But they say that such information is to be done also in English - his channel is to be translated into English (he told me personally). And one other problem. There is Russian channel "Russian Today" - they are pro-Putin, but they give news in English and even in Hindi - for Indians. That's how India now kind of "support" Russia, or neutral. Not objective. The problem with neutrality is that ... it is like when Draupadi was tried to be undressed by Dushasana, but everyone were silent. Except for Vidura. So when one is neutral - it is not good. It is like "criminal inactivity". Of course I don't want to blame you. But we want to stop Putin's war against Ukraine. We want that people know this all over the world. Especially we need that people in India know that Putin destroyed 4 ISKCON temples, killed 40 Vaishnavas. 1 is in prison. They should hear this in English, in Hindi, in all languages. Then maybe they will not support Russia that much. Because now India is still buying something from Russia, like oil/patrol etc. And that's a lot of money. They can go to Russian government, which they can use to kill Ukrainian ISKCON members (40 killed already), to destroy 4 ISKCON temples and go on that way. Please help to share it to stop it. India shouldn't think that Putin is such and pro-hindu / pro-Vaishnava man. He ordered to kill Ukrainians, and he killed Vaishnavas. I read one book, I
"Brahmana and Vaishnava" by Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati. There he writes that Vaishnava is more important than just brahmana. But even to kill brahmana is a big sin. What to speak of killing a Vaishnava? 40 Vaishnavas? So. I am not happy to tell you, It is all inconvenient truth. It is sad. But relatives of killed Vaishnavas are crying, Mukunda Hari das, of "Spiritual matter" channel - he also gathers money to support families of killed Vaishnavas. By the way, there were two devotees, killed Ukrainian devotees, so in honor of them one street in Ukraine was renamed/called.
Also, on that channel "spiritual matter" - there is one book (under video, in comments there is a link) - there are comments from Prabhupada's books, etc - where he tells who is aggressor, why those who come to kill are aggressors, why we can pick up weapons and defend against them - and that's dharma, Vaishnavism. Like Prabhupada said that Gandhi was one asked "what will you do if someone will try to dishonest/abuse your daughter" etc. Gandhi said: "I'll not protest". But Prabhupada said it is foolishness - not to protest. And if one is kshatriya - he defends with weapons. If he is kshatriya - he defends with words. Like I've read in news that there were hundreds of women raped by Russian soldiers, some were even killed, some became pregnant by force. In some cases relatives of such women were killed and also offended/abuses in different ways (that breaking regulative principle about illicit sex).
I understand that it is not "war of demons against demons". No. Some people are innocent - and they are killed by Russian army. We should save them, defend them, and give them Krishna consciousness. I know ISKCON distributes food to people in Ukraine - also in places where rockets/bombs fall down and some are dead, wounded, etc etc. Yes, ISKCON also help.
I am not any member of "spiritual matter" project of Mukunda Hari from Ukrainian army. But there he asks kindly to donate - at least to feed Ukrainian soldiers--Vaishnavas. Or to relatives of killed Vaishnavas in Ukraine. Many people suffer. It is like ocean of tears, ocean of blood. Everyday there are shoots, some one wounded, some are killed.
Please, forgive me if there is any my mistake/offence that I tried to defend Gita from ban in that way - that I spoke to Duluman, that I gave idea to politicians to fall Lenin statue down, or that I wrote to Zhirinovskiy. As for Zhirinovskiy, I know from new he died in 2022. But it looks like he was happy that war started. So i understand that his so-called "anti-communism" is not real. it is like it is said that "communists of future will call themselves anti-communists". Zhirinovskiy is also Russian imperialist. Like Putin he seems to be happy to expand Russian empire - even if that means to kill Ukrainian Vaishnavas, to destroy Vaishnavas ISKCON temples in Ukraine etc. I got to know that one pro-Putin Vaishnava was preaching to Zhirinovskiy. If you want more information - see channel "Spiritual matter" (subtitles).
For me it was a big pain to know 40 devotees were killed, and 4 ISKCON temples destroyed. I didn't know. It was even more terrible to get to know that pro-Russian devotees / ISKCON see no sin in supporting Russian army - killing devotees / destroying temples. Please, do something to change the situation.
It is said: "devotee would be ready to go to hell - if he can serve Krishna and devotees there". I did what I did because I thought I could serve in that way in best way possible. Now Russian army made Ukraine to be like hell. Please pray for us and share this message. If you know Hindi and other languages - please try to share it in some mass-media, so people know objectively what's going on.
On the channel of Mukunda Hari das, Spiritual matter, you can see photos of killed 40 Ukrainian devotees /Vaishnavas by Russian army.
Maybe some can say 40 is not a big number. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are wounded and/or killed. But even to kill one person is crime. For which he should go to prison.
And by the way, what we should do in this situation. is it ok to be neutral, silent, and don't support any of sides (Ukraine/Russia)? What Vaishnavas of past teach us about such situations/war? It is very important for Ukrainian devotees to know this all, we need support. Not abstract stories from scriptures, but those which apply to current situation of war.
Replies
Dear vaishnavas. Please accept my dandavats.
I want to add my words to the subject about Ukrainian devotees.
I am from Ukraine. And as probably you already know from news, in 2022 Russia attacked Ukraine by order of Putin.
I feel some kind of responsibility to tell you what actually have happened and why, because I think I maybe at fault. Without me maybe this war wouldn't start. Please, forgive me, if I did some offense.
Of course, I am not a politician, not a soldier etc, and I didn't kill anyone, or supported killing anyone.
But, I have heard about one devotee in Ukraine who criticized Ukrainian government, saying "they are at fault, because they have strated to make Lenin statues falldown" (so-called Leninfall).
It is after Lenin statue was fallen down in Kyiv in end of 2013 - after that very soon "heavenly hundred" was killed by Ukrainian government's order (Yanukovich, Berkut etc). They killed peaceful protesters (around 100). After that, Yanukovich disappeared, but said that "nacists (fascists) came to rule Ukraine".
So, I have to say, please forgive me, that I am at fault that it was actually my idea to make Lenin's statue to fall down. But please listen the full story, before making quick criticism against me.
What I did was only idea. I simply said to some people in Ukrainian's political party "Svoboda" (Freedom) that Lenin "ordered to kill as many priests as possible", so it's not a good idea to have his statue in center of Ukraine's capital (Kyiv) - and that was also place where Ukrainian Communist Party was gathering around Lenin. now Communist party is forbidden in Ukraine.
Ok, but more important, is why did I told them that they can make Lenin's monument falldown? I really had a reason for that. And the reason was: effort of Russian court to ban "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is".
It was around 2011-2012. So, of course, here in Ukraine devotees, especially of ISKCON, were shocked, and wanted to defend Bhagavad-Gita.
So same was with me. I wanted to do what I can do defend Gita. As it is said: "if you defend dharma - then it defends you".
So, in autumn 2012 I got to know, that there will de a dispute between atheist #1 in Ukraine Duluman Evgraph, and he was talking against Christians and Muslims. But he wanted to talk with all religions as well.
So I came to that dispute. I think it is a good idea to tell you in more details about how it all happened, so that you feel it much better. Details are important.
So, on advertisement of dispute was a photo of Lenin, and near it was a name of Evgraf Duluman, and written "atheist #1 in Ukraine, Doctor of Philosophy, Candidate of Theology".
So, i was kind of chocked, I mean, I couldn't understand, how is that that he is atheist and candidate of theology. It's like being "priest-atheist".
I also have read that Lenin ordered "to kill as many priests as possible with machine guns". He was on photo. And he created USSR by terror against religions, especially Christians. So then USSR became governed by atheists, communist party. If you know about ISKCON in USSR, then you know, Prabhupada was in Moscow, even near Lenin's mausoleum. But then in maybe 80-es, ISKCON devotees were underground, they were persecuted, some were in psychiatric hospitals, others in prisons (some have died in prisons as well).
So, to me this Lenin on photo of advertisement of dispute was a symbol of aggression against not only Christians, but against ISKCON devotees as well.
So, I came to dispute. I thought, it is maybe rare opportunity to meet such atheist #1 personally, and talk to him.
So, before dispute I saw him, asked: "are you Duluman"?
- Yes, you know!
he shaked my hand.
I asked: are you candidate of theology?
- yes, degrees can't be taken away.
- do you believe in God?
- no, there is no God.
- what about Krishna, Balarama (or Rama), Chaitanya, Nityananda?
- who? no, they don't exist...
:-(
O asked: - don't you even want to go to heaven/paradise?
- did anyone came back from there?
- yes, of course. because that's are temporary material planets. But we want to go higher - to spiritual world...
- ah, if you go on the street, and see on the wall someone have drawn there (kind of graphiti) three letters - why will you believe it?
(I thought he meant "БОГ" - which means same as "GOD").
Then he went to the dispute - entered auditorium (we were in hall).
So, the dispute started. Muslims spoke, some people spoke. Atheists also. Duluman then said: "Allah have killed people. Thus religion is the sin! But we are not militant atheists, we are not hooligan atheists! We are ethical atheists!"
I was shocked to hear that. it is like if he was speaking against Krishna. They wanted around that time to ban Gita in Russia. So it's like saying Krishna was killing. Or Krishna said to Arjuna that you should kill enemies - that it is the sin etc...
Also, it was shocking that he kind of made me remember the words from Gita, where Krishna speaks about both dharma and adharma.
Bhagavad Gita 18.32:
adharmam — irreligion; dharmam — religion; iti — thus; yā — which; manyate — thinks; tamasā — by illusion;
That understanding which considers irreligion to be religion and religion to be irreligion, under the spell of illusion and darkness, and strives always in the wrong direction, O Pārtha, is in the mode of ignorance.
Dispute ended. People were still in auditorium. I wanted to ask about Lenin, because he was on ad of dispute, and he created USSR, which persecuted ISKCON devotees. And Ukraine (Ukrainian SSR) was part of Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics.
So, first I approached one man who was near speaking "cathedra", where all speakers were speaking in front of all the listeners. I asked him, is it true that Lenin ordered to ill as many priests as possible. He answered: "no, it is a myth. But, you better ask Duluman - he knows better".
So, I approached table with books of Duluman. he had written one book "why I became atheist". There he written that "human is God". And because of that book Russian Orthodox Churched applied anathema against him. Duluman also was faulty for being the reason why hundreds of "popes" (as he said, probably meaning priests) broke away from religion.
So, Duluman was standing near his books on atheism (he even wrote textbooks to teach atheism in universities, he was teacher of atheism as I understand).
I took Bhagavad-Gita as it is (the book which Russian court was trying to ban at that time). I opened a picture with "brahmajyoti-poster" - Krishna in lotus, around Him is spiritual world, and then there is also material world under that - Mahavishnu, brahmandas etc.
So I showed the picture of Krishna to Duluman, and said: "Here is Krishna, God, Why do you say He doesn't exist"?
He only laughed at me and Krishna: "Ha-ha, you can draw anything (any nonsense)".
It was kind of sounded offensive. But then he talked to someone near him who also was selling atheistic books: "he is saying Krishna, Krishna - he got jammed/stuck. - He should go to psychiatrist".
To me this also sounded offensive. It is like, if I chant Hare Krishna - then I must be put into psychiatric hospital? But it is exactly what was done against devotees in USSR - they indeed were put to such hospitals for being vegetarians, devotees of Krishna etc.
So, as this Duluman said that he is still candidate of theology (from Russian Orthodox Church he got this degree, before Stalin dead), - then I wanted to ask about this contradiction, that he is both atheist, but also a theologian kind of. To me that "candidate of theology" sounded almost like being a priest.
So, I asked Duluman: "Lenin ordered to kill as many priests as possible with machine guns. What do you think about it as a priest?"
Duluman looked at me angrily: "People like you should be mass killed with machine gun!"
It was shocking. My immediate reaction was, I told him: "Krishna also killed demons"
Duluman looked like kind of being afraid maybe. So I then added: "Ok, I don't mean that you are a demon, but atheists. Yes, if you were real Christian, then if you are beaten into one cheek - then you should give second cheek. But, you told like Lenin, atheist - kill with machine guns"...
So. He was trying to go away. I again came up to him, asked if he believes in soul, life after death - he said no, that there is no soul, and after death will be nothing.
Dispute ended, we went homes. But on the way home I was afraid. I was afraid that Duluman or his people could kill people like me, maybe even with machine guns. I chanted japa like maybe no other time in life. Powerful japa.
Then was winter 2012-2013. In our city Kyiv there was biggest snow fallen down - around maybe 1 meter high (like not in past 100 years or so, as weather news said).
I was thinking. Ok, Russia wanted to ban Gita. but we were part of USSR (Russia is just a "son" of USSR). So my duty was to defend Krishna, Gita in front of this atheist... But he said we all, vaishnavas, should be killed with machine guns. But, as big snow fallen down, I was thinking that father of Arjuna, - Indra, father of Arjuna to whom Krishna told Gita - he was happy. And he have sent a sign - rain. When sacrifices are done well - then much rain falls down. So, the only thing - it was converted to snow because it was cold / winter.
Then came spring 2013. I monitored news about this Duluman. I thought that his disputes against religious people (Christians, Muslims, and me) - was same like effort to ban Gita in Russia.
So new dispute was advertised. The subject of it was "clericalism - for and against".
I found out that clerk was some religious person in government or in educational institution.
So. I came to this new dispute. Someone told me that if I want to speak - I can write the subject, name and give it (on paper) to organizers. So I wrote: "In support of clericalization".
They called me to speak. Nearby was sitting Duluman. So I couldn't have told to him directly something like "Krishna also killed demons like Lenin, Duluman" etc.
I spoke something like: "I don’t mind if God or avatar would rule the government. In that case 4 regulative principles would be followed - the businesses which don't follow those regulative principles - would be forbidden. And even weapons would be forbidden" etc.
I also said that I was trying to tell to Duluman that Krishna said: "Give up all other religions - surrender to me. Duluman gave up Russian Orthodox Church, Christianity, Ok, why not accept Krishna. But he said there is no go in no religion"... And Duluman laughed: "and not expected to appear!"
Organizer of dispute also laughed: "what kind of paradise/heaven it is without slaughterhouses?"
Dispute ended. I again approached Duluman. he was with some other atheist (I later found out he is from Russia).
I was keeping in mind that "nature of every soul is to be servant of Krishna". So in some sense every soul, even atheist #1 like this Duluman or Lenin - they are also devotees of Krishna.
So I asked, "if one Krishna devotee kills other Krishna devotee - what do you think about it?"
I also kept in mind Gita ban effort, and it's subject is war between Pandavas and Kauravas, but even on side of Kauravas there were few devotees like Bhishma, Drona, Karna etc.
So that second atheist from Russia said: "it is religion" (if one kills the other).
And Duluman told something like: "I will take him to court".
Remember, they wanted to ban Gita in 2011-2012 in Russia, but it was already spring 2013 in Ukraine.
I am not Bhagavad Gita as it is to ban me of course. But somehow I felt that my purpose was accomplished. I felt that Duluman was like those people who wanted to ban Gita in court. So if he wanted to "ban" me - put into psychiatric hospital etc like USSR Lenin's country did - then my effort to save Gita, or it's movement here in my city was also accomplished.
Of course, I was not happy about what they told.
Interesting, that after dispute, same year, on my birthday, June 24 2013 - this atheist #1 died on my birthday. He was old man. And news said that "last militant atheist of Ukraine, Marxist-Leninist have died".
To me it was like a present for my birthday. it was like a sign from Krishna, that "what is death for one - that's life for the other".
Now we see this big war since 2022 - and it is like "life for Russia" - they spread their territories, but like death for Ukraine - because so many people, even vaishnavas, even innocent people (not in army) are killed - by bombs, rockets, machineguns etc.
That year, 2013, autumn, I also went to Bhakti Sangama in Crimea. Crimea was still a part of Ukraine that time. I don't know why, but I saw a picture of Parashurama there, with blood, and axe. And I was feeling like He will protect me. I've bought that picture.
Then, I've seen a political party "Svoboda" (Freedom) camp. They were distributing newspapers, and photo of Lenin was printed there. I didn't read. But asked, why you print that? Lenin ordered to kill priests. Created USSR (which persecuted religions). I told them my story with Duluman "you should be killed with machine guns". And I said: "I know there is a monument of Lenin in center of Kyiv, in main street, Hreshchatyk. I think it is good idea to remove him from there"
They asked how to do it? They liked the idea.
So I suggested that you can just take some truck. And tie Lenin with a rope. And pull.
So, it was only my idea. I never spoke to those people. I never was in any political party. My duty was to defend Gita, Krishna, from Gita ban etc. I was compassionate about devotees who were kept in prisons because of Lenin's atheistic communist politics.
So. then one day, my father watched TV, and said: "Lenin's monument fell down in Kyiv!"
I hurried to that place - people were still near the Lenin. He was lying down on the ground. And they were hitting him with big huge hammers.
It was a nice show. Like when Hiranyakashipu was killed by Narasimha. Or like when Ravana was killed by Rama. Or when Kamsa was killed by Krishna etc.
Unfortunately, Yanukovich ordered to kill 100 people who protested against him (he didn't signed agreement to associate with European Union). And you know, Yanukovich was pro-russian. pro-Putin. And he was part of Russian Orthodox Church (they initiated ban against Gita in Russia). Russian Orthodox Church was also church of this atheist Duluman.
So, see. I didn't make Lenin's statue fall down. Yes, it was my idea. But I defended dharma, Gita, Krishna - also from ban. Even though it was Ukraine, other country. I felt it is my duty.
But Yanukovich said that nacists/fascists came to rule country. Why? If I support Krishna - then I am nacist/fascist? As i know, devotees tried to preach to Hitler, but he didn't accept Krishna consciousness. So we are not nacists/fascists. We simply defend dharma, sanatana-dharma in Ukraine. Even from Gita ban in Russia.
Did I make mistake? Was it my offense that I shouldn't have speak to Duluman about Krishna? Was it offense to give holy name etc to atheist like he? Is it because of me this big war started by Putin?
You know. In 2014 after Yanukovich escaped "throne" of president of Ukraine, - Putin annexed Crimea. And he said: "unfortunately, USSR dissolved. It was a big mistake".
So, Putin regretted there is no USSR anymore. And now, since 2022+ when he started full-scale war against Ukraine - people say that he is restoring USSR, like USSR of Stalin time.
You know, pro-russian separatists / collaborants of Russia in Ukraine decided to create Donetsk/Lugansk National Republics (LDNR). And they banned all political parties in their "soviet countries" - except Communist party. Yes, communist party was banned in Ukraine. So DNR/LNR called them "descendants" of USSR.
So, this video where Niranjana Maharaja is asking to support Ukrainian devotees - is from 2014. it is the time when pro-Russian forces started their military aggression against Ukrainians. So some devotees already were affected. To my knowledge, thousands of people (also civils!) in range between 2014-2021 were killed in Ukraine, mostly by Russians.
Ukraine that time led so-called "anti-terrorist operation" - we didn't want some DNR/LNR to be ruled by communistic militarists/terrorists/separatists etc.
I remember Turchinov was temporary president at that time. I found him somewhere - and presented Gita as it is to him (not personally, I think some people gave it to him).
Then Poroshenko came to rule Ukraine. Now I remember that Parashurama which I have ought and think that maybe that's why Poroshenko became president. He is like Parashurama maybe? Joke, but why not.
There was one other story, which can be interesting to you. Why Zelenskiy became a president? The word "Zeleniy" means "green" in Ukrainian.
And we have one "green antiseptic" which is called "Zelenka". So, some politicians in Ukraine were labeled by this "Zelenka" (green antiseptic). Also Yuriy Lutsenko was a minister, and some people poured Zelenka against him unto his face. Some called him "avatar". He laughed: "they label green antiseptic zelenka - to those whom they hate. Ok, let's be proud being called avatar".
But other man, Hennadiy Kernes (from Harkiv city "government"), he said: "I have seen Lutsenko drunk. Robots can't be drunk. But he called himself avatar". People also were laughing.
Then we heard in news, that some "green people" appeared in Ukraine, especially in army (maybe on both sides - in pro-Russian forces, and pro-Ukrainian forces).
This same Hennadiy Kernes also said to one politician from political party "Freedom" which made Leninfall. he said: "In Harkin city, which I rule, there is a freedom square. You call your party Freedom. Ok. So there is Lenin's monument there. But if you dare to make Lenin fall down there - then I will break your legs and hands - so that you don't do it again". (and he smiled).
So. Time passed. And came 2021. I heard in news, that there is a big chance/risk trat Russia can attack Ukraine. Because there are too many Russian military forces around Ukraine (seen from sputniks/satellites etc). And I was thinking. Putin annexed Crimea. His father server in kitchen of Lenin and Stalin. Putin regretted that USSR dissolved. And on that dispute against Duluman was picture of Lenin. Who wanted to kill us. I thought what I can do to prevent it. Then I remembered about one Russian politician Zhirinovskiy. ISKCON devotees told that Zhirinovskiy is a Krishna's devotee. That he is following 4 regulative principles. He donated money to ISKCON harinama somewhere in Russia on the street. I indeed have seen such video confirmation. I also found out that Zhirinovskiy also made a political party LDPR which was first political party after dissolution of USSR. So he kind of said that he was alternative against USSR, against communism. Zhirinovskiy said that their party follows anti-communism. Like that. And that was even on Wikipedia. I didn't see the news about him much. So I decided to write him a letter. I told him about Gita Ban, about Duluman, about Leninfall. So I said, please return Crimea back to Ukraine, and if you want to attack Ukraine - better attack Lenin's mausoleum, make Leninfall like we did in Ukraine. You say that your political party is anti-communistic, so why not ban Communist party in Russia etc?
So, after some time i got an answer - letter from Zhirinovskiy. In February 2022, but before Putin announced war.
In short, Zhirinovskiy wrote there to me, that "we also support return of Crimea. We don't like communists/left becasue they are internationalists - that's why USSR was dissolved. But we also don't support radical right - they came to rule to Ukraine. wish you good health" etc.
And then we heard in news that Putin announced "recognition of DNR/LNR", and announced "special military operation" but actually big war against Ukraine.
The worst was that when I saw that video - his eyes looked to me same as when Duluman told me: "people like you must be killed with machine guns".
So Putin said: "In Ukraine people make Leninfalls - they make Lenin’s' statues fall down. They call it decommunization. Ok, we support it. We are ready to show what is real decommunization of Ukraine".
On 24 February 2022 we woke up with news that "state of war" was announced in Ukraine. Putin ordered to start attacks against Ukraine. Patriarch Kirril (or Russian Orthodox Church) - he blessed that war. it was same Russian church which started Gita ban in Russia, and where Duluman was studying for theologician candidate.
We were in Kyiv city. but went to village nearby. I wrote a letter to some military ministry etc (don't remember) - please defend us.
After maybe few days after war problems with electricity started. I measured voltage - it was not 220 volts, but only 100 V, so nothing was working anymore. TV stopped working, radio also, no internet on mobile, no mobile connection at all. Electricity disappeared. and we understood that we have only wood/trees to heat the house. And some food for maybe 1-2 weeks. And we heard tanks, or some very loud technics passing through the village. Very loud - like tractors or worse. We didn't saw what it was. But we were sure they are probably tanks - going to Kyiv to conquer it (capital of Ukraine).
We were afraid to go out of the house. We have heard shots. Planes were flying above - we were afraid bombs maybe even fall down unto us. Man started making -1 (underground) floor - moving there things. Children were hiding there with mothers, women. We closed the windows with pictures - so noone sees that there is some candle fire inside (yes, it's like if you have candle light of Krishna faith inside - but you are afraid that Russian army can stop it - and you hide it)...
However. In beginning of March it all suddenly became silent. I took japa-mala bad in hand. And went outside. I remember words of Prabhupada that "samadhi is full Krishna consciousness". But samadhi also means death. But i though Krishna will protect me. But I wanted to see what is going on outside. Maybe I will meet our Ukrainian hero army there (Kozaks).
I went to far outside of village. I came almost to big road - road to Kyiv city.
On the way I saw grass was black, burned, somewhere in fire still, also same with trees - back, burned. Some houses were broken/destroyed. I have seen traces from tanks on asphalt. Multiple traces (lines on which tanks were going). And I have seen packs of plastic and of carton - with text "Army of Russia" - "Food package". There were some meat, also of cows, canned. Also other stuff like spoons, paper towels etc.
Then I saw bullets on the ground. Around 10 cm long. Maybe 10 of them. Used. I wanted to pick them up but it was either scary now, or I will do it later on way back. And they, bullets, were around that holder for machinegun I think! three wooden legs. So, I stopped looking at that... Then suddenly I have heard a voice of Russian soldier (speaking Russian, not Ukrainian): "hey, why you are standing there? why you are looking? see - he stands there under the tree and watching". And I saw him pointing with his hand unto me, and also maybe 5 other black men were near hm (in black dress). Distance was maybe around 500 meters or steps (I measured later after months when we were deoccupied here). I heard then shots: "tra-ta-ta" and "tra-ta". And I have seen two white and yellow traces in the sky between us - they were like curved "rainbows". Later I understood, read, that they used real bullets which could kill. But they are called tracer bullets - they had phosphor, so it was burning and leaving the trace in the sky. I understood that two guys were approaching me, but they were laying down on the ground, and shooting into my direction from the distance around 400 meters or I don't know how many.
I thought - I don't want to die this way. They are like "militant agnostics". they don't know about me anything. in ignorance. but they shoot without knowing. in tamas. should I approach them and try to answer their questions why I stand here? no. I'll not do it. It's not safe here - I'd better go back home.
In hand I had japa-mala - I chanted holy names. defensive mantras, kavachas. Hare Krishna mahamantra. I remembered Parashurama, Narasimha, Om namo Narayanaya mantra (defensive) also.
So, I slowly turned back and walked slowly back same road. Then one car was driving the road. I stopped it saying it is not safe there - they were shooting into me. I sat into car - and they left me in village. Then I started walking back to my house, but have seen a tank driving on the road - towards Kyiv. One man's head was outside of the tank - he was watching forward, but driving - looking not unto us.
So, I talked at home what I have seen. Relatives told that they already "buried" me underground... =-( Ok, but we decided to charge mobiles. You know, electricity was gone. week ago or even more (maybe even 10 days ago). But that petroleum used for cars we transformed into electricity - charged mobiles. I called to some emergency number. And they told that we can go back to Kyiv other road - it is safe. We did it... Unfortunately after several weeks e got to know from news that Russian army again was in our village which we have left. And we knew from news, that head of our village, her son and husband were killed. They were buried in forest by Russians. They killed them because she as head of village supported ATO - Anti-Terrorist Operation. Other people were also killed.
So. It is all scary now. Still scary. People cry. I also cried. I never felt so terrible. Some rockets are falling down near our houses. Windows are still in place. But we are afraid that some next time rocket can kill us.
And I was chanting some days like 5 hours a day or more.
Then such thing as "black-out" appeared in Kyiv as well. It means - no electricity. Can be whole day. When Russians attack some electric station (and it's danger of nuclear explosion!).
Also, water can sometimes disappear. When no electricity - then can be no water.
In cities like Mariupol, I've heard, people are forced to eat some peagons, dogs, cats - because they die of hunger. They may drink water from heating devices. They get poisoned. Sometimes die. Some people simple jump out of their windows. Some walls falldown, and when people try to go to balcony - sometimes them falldown and die. Bombs fall down on cities, villages, towns. Many hoses are destroyed, and with people in them - children, mothers, old men, even devotees ;-(
I know that there are 40 vaishnavas who were dead, killed by Russian army in this war.
Here is a reliable source of information about vaishnavas in war: https://www.youtube.com/@SpMatter
This channel "spiritual matter" is done by bhakta Mukunda Hari das. He is initiated disciple of Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, who like Niranjana Maharaja also singed a letter (with two other GBC members) against Putin's aggression against civilians in Ukraine, and also against Vaishnavas and ISKCON temples. Russian army destroyed 4 ISKCON temples in Ukraine! The bigger number is - over 600 temples of different religions (mostly churches) were demolished by Russian army in Ukraine. Over 50 spiritual leaders of different religions were also killed by Russians.
But as for Vaishnavas, I tell, now most recent news are that 40 Vaishnavas were killed, some were with initiations. and some were civilians. Details are on channel "spiritual matter".
This devotee Mukunda Hari das - is responsible for serving Vaishnavas in army. He organized a project "Food for Dharma" which is like "Food for life" but is intended to feed Ukrainian Vaishnavas in army with prasadam. Before that, Vaishnavas in army were forced to eat even meat ;-( Or be hungry. Now it is better, but they know that they don't know what is sattva when they are in epicenter of war, shooting everyday - defending the dharma...
Also, I know, that there are around 200 devotees, Vaishnavas are now serving in Ukrainian army. So, 40 were killed. And 10 are lost without any news from them, They disappeared. Some disappeared like 2 years ago so probably they were killed. 1 of these 10 is now in Russian prison. They are all devotees. Vaishnavas. These 10. We don't know about them, where are they etc.
This what I tell is the news from this channel. You can watch videos since 2002 there, turn on subtitles (available for most videos), and translate them to English etc.
On that channel another problem is discussed. Some Russian ISKCON devotees, also those who rule ISKCON, they said that they support Putin - this war against Ukraine. So there are very detailed confirmations about what those people say. There are names of them. Their videos - what exactly they say. The problem is that Russian army already killed 40 Vaishnavas in Ukraine, and destroyed 4 ISKCON temples in Ukraine. And if Russian ISKCON (pro-Russian) support Putin in this war, it sounds strange, like allowing to kill other Vaishnavas. Like on Kurukshetra - Karna fights with brother Arjuna, etc.
Putin called Ukrainians brothers, but it's like in Bible the story of Cain and Avel, when one brother killed the other. So Russian army already killed many civilians. hundreds and thousands. Bombs rockets and drones fly into temples, kindergandens, into schools, universities, cultural objects. Actually, I've read that since 2022 already was statistics that over 1000 cities, town and villages are completely destroyed - they simply disappeared from map. So Russia is colonizing Ukraine. Making Ukrainians become slaves. Like one Ukrainian devotee is now in Russian prison. Russia make such people slaves. Now "slaves" of Krishna, God. But of their country, which looks like Stalin's/Lenin's USSR.
So, we need your prayers for Ukraine. Maybe even some special yajnas, daily, to stop the war. We need objective information about all this.
I think that Mukunda Hari who make this channel "spiritual matter" is too busy - he serves in army. But they say that such information is to be done also in English - his channel is to be translated into English (he told me personally). And one other problem. There is Russian channel "Russian Today" - they are pro-Putin, but they give news in English and even in Hindi - for Indians. That's how India now kind of "support" Russia, or neutral. Not objective. The problem with neutrality is that ... it is like when Draupadi was tried to be undressed by Dushasana, but everyone were silent. Except for Vidura. So when one is neutral - it is not good. It is like "criminal inactivity". Of course I don't want to blame you. But we want to stop Putin's war against Ukraine. We want that people know this all over the world. Especially we need that people in India know that Putin destroyed 4 ISKCON temples, killed 40 Vaishnavas. 1 is in prison. They should hear this in English, in Hindi, in all languages. Then maybe they will not support Russia that much. Because now India is still buying something from Russia, like oil/patrol etc. And that's a lot of money. They can go to Russian government, which they can use to kill Ukrainian ISKCON members (40 killed already), to destroy 4 ISKCON temples and go on that way. Please help to share it to stop it. India shouldn't think that Putin is such and pro-hindu / pro-Vaishnava man. He ordered to kill Ukrainians, and he killed Vaishnavas. I read one book, I
"Brahmana and Vaishnava" by Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati. There he writes that Vaishnava is more important than just brahmana. But even to kill brahmana is a big sin. What to speak of killing a Vaishnava? 40 Vaishnavas? So. I am not happy to tell you, It is all inconvenient truth. It is sad. But relatives of killed Vaishnavas are crying, Mukunda Hari das, of "Spiritual matter" channel - he also gathers money to support families of killed Vaishnavas. By the way, there were two devotees, killed Ukrainian devotees, so in honor of them one street in Ukraine was renamed/called.
Also, on that channel "spiritual matter" - there is one book (under video, in comments there is a link) - there are comments from Prabhupada's books, etc - where he tells who is aggressor, why those who come to kill are aggressors, why we can pick up weapons and defend against them - and that's dharma, Vaishnavism. Like Prabhupada said that Gandhi was one asked "what will you do if someone will try to dishonest/abuse your daughter" etc. Gandhi said: "I'll not protest". But Prabhupada said it is foolishness - not to protest. And if one is kshatriya - he defends with weapons. If he is kshatriya - he defends with words. Like I've read in news that there were hundreds of women raped by Russian soldiers, some were even killed, some became pregnant by force. In some cases relatives of such women were killed and also offended/abuses in different ways (that breaking regulative principle about illicit sex).
I understand that it is not "war of demons against demons". No. Some people are innocent - and they are killed by Russian army. We should save them, defend them, and give them Krishna consciousness. I know ISKCON distributes food to people in Ukraine - also in places where rockets/bombs fall down and some are dead, wounded, etc etc. Yes, ISKCON also help.
I am not any member of "spiritual matter" project of Mukunda Hari from Ukrainian army. But there he asks kindly to donate - at least to feed Ukrainian soldiers--Vaishnavas. Or to relatives of killed Vaishnavas in Ukraine. Many people suffer. It is like ocean of tears, ocean of blood. Everyday there are shoots, some one wounded, some are killed.
Please, forgive me if there is any my mistake/offence that I tried to defend Gita from ban in that way - that I spoke to Duluman, that I gave idea to politicians to fall Lenin statue down, or that I wrote to Zhirinovskiy. As for Zhirinovskiy, I know from new he died in 2022. But it looks like he was happy that war started. So i understand that his so-called "anti-communism" is not real. it is like it is said that "communists of future will call themselves anti-communists". Zhirinovskiy is also Russian imperialist. Like Putin he seems to be happy to expand Russian empire - even if that means to kill Ukrainian Vaishnavas, to destroy Vaishnavas ISKCON temples in Ukraine etc. I got to know that one pro-Putin Vaishnava was preaching to Zhirinovskiy. If you want more information - see channel "Spiritual matter" (subtitles).
For me it was a big pain to know 40 devotees were killed, and 4 ISKCON temples destroyed. I didn't know. It was even more terrible to get to know that pro-Russian devotees / ISKCON see no sin in supporting Russian army - killing devotees / destroying temples. Please, do something to change the situation.
It is said: "devotee would be ready to go to hell - if he can serve Krishna and devotees there". I did what I did because I thought I could serve in that way in best way possible. Now Russian army made Ukraine to be like hell. Please pray for us and share this message. If you know Hindi and other languages - please try to share it in some mass-media, so people know objectively what's going on.
On the channel of Mukunda Hari das, Spiritual matter, you can see photos of killed 40 Ukrainian devotees /Vaishnavas by Russian army.
Maybe some can say 40 is not a big number. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are wounded and/or killed. But even to kill one person is crime. For which he should go to prison.
And by the way, what we should do in this situation. is it ok to be neutral, silent, and don't support any of sides (Ukraine/Russia)? What Vaishnavas of past teach us about such situations/war? It is very important for Ukrainian devotees to know this all, we need support. Not abstract stories from scriptures, but those which apply to current situation of war.
Please sorry for all my imperfections.
Dandavats
Hare Krishna