ISKCON'S Sultan of Swing - Spiritual Biographers Wanted
BY: KRISHNA DASA
Nov 04, 2011 — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — [REVISED] ISKCON has no shortage of wanna-be celebrities. In recent times, there has been no dearth of luminaires waiting in the wings for their chance to make their grand entrance onto the world stage of kirtan. As a dancing white elephant in a place like India, one is automatically regarded somewhat as a celebrity - even more so if one is a devotee, and more so yet, if one has a very flamboyant and musical personality.
One such individual is Ekalavya dasa, an American brahmachari disciple of Lokanath Swami who has been a steady presence in India for close to two decades.
On a recently posted ISKCON website, we get to read about the passing of his mother in New York. The reader is then led to Ekalavya dasa's personal website.
Through his lengthy biographical sketch, we come to learn that one of his childhood aspirations was to be a rockstar on MTV. After going through the usual motions of teenaged angst and uncertainty, he eventually moves into a temple and takes up full-time devotional service.
Ekalaya goes on to inform the reader that he comes from a wealthy Jewish family in New York. The reader is regaled with tales of his musical background and that of other family members. There is mention that he grew up near the studio of Dr. Mishra, who had hosted Srila Prabhupada back in 1965.
In his early years, we read that he spent three years traveling around the world with his assortment of musical instruments. Hmm… from a Jewish background, traveling the world, playing a guitar, harmonica. Sound familiar? Wonder if he has websites in the making yet? Perhaps a book is in the works chronicling his early life experiences.
If anyone has any interest in having Ekalavya and his band perform at their venue, his website is replete with all the necessary particulars - from the details of his passport - complete with necessary photographs, down to the most minute details.
HOST/HOSTESS Take Note:
Ekalavya makes his preferences known:
[REVISION: We had reports of Malware at the URL originally included here. To see this content, go to the 'personal website' URL above, and click on the tab 'For Program Organizers', then 'EKD Diet'.]
For instance, from his website, the potential host is told that there is a certain meal protocol to be observed:
Before he rises, a thermos must be set aside with very hot water containing honey and lemon
Pre-breakfast (6-7 a.m.) 1 glass of freshly squeezed orange juice
Breakfast 9 a.m.
Lunch 1 p.m.
Dinner 1 hour before evening program
After program: hot milk with turmeric
There are very specific instructions on what is to be eaten and what is not to be eaten.
Unfortunately he has omitted details of how his laundry is to be prepared. Hopefully some hypoallergenic soap should be on hand. A washing machine may be a little hard on those silks, so those two (3?) pieces of silk might have to be hand-washed.
Perhaps fresh kusa grass could be imported from India to cover the vyasasana. And for foot washing? Lukewarm is best please. A splash of salt, a bit of sandalwood paste, and some turmeric powder. Unfortunately, a mild allergy prevents rose petals from being added to the mix. Remnants of the water? It's your call. Have you got an altar?
Shri Ekalavyapad also states that he needs a comfortable chair and desk, and needs Internet access. Preferably the seat he sits on should face east in accordance to the principles of vastu. How about someone sitting behind him waving a camara fan to offset those hot Kuwaiti nights?
Just send the plane tickets or make a donation to his account. Seating in economy class is acceptable, but please consult an authority on vastu to make sure he is well seated.
I cannot ever imagine Srila Prabhupada making such demands of hosts, or even expecting any kind of special treatment.
I guess the more of a celebrity one becomes in ISKCON, the more one can expect others to wait on them hand and foot. Kind of conflicts with the principle that the more one becomes dependent on God, the less one wants and is inclined to accept service from others.
Biographers, sharpen your pens!
Paparazzi, cameras at the ready!
