The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has never had a dearth of volunteer-activists, well educated and qualified ones at that. Scores of energetic youngsters sporting the trademark naama on their foreheads and ensuring that everything is in place are a common sight at ISKCON, Bangalore. These youngsters chuck lucrative careers to don saffron robes and pursue altruistic lives. The ISKCON publications division is helmed by a BE graduate and the in-charge of the outfit’s Bellary operations is an MBBS graduate. Achyuta Krishna Das, in-charge of ISKCON’s Akshaya Patra programme in Orissa, spoke to DNA on the trend of educated youngsters joining his outfit.
What is your qualification and background?
I am a BCom graduate from KLE College, Bangalore. I am an MBA holder from Bangalore University as well. My father is a businessman and mother is a housewife. My sister and brother-in-law are working with ISKCON, US.
There is an allegation that ISKCON brainwashes its youngsters. What is your comment?
These are false allegations, because first of all ISCKON never approaches anybody to serve it. Instead, it is the people who are inspired by the Bhagawadgita and Swami Prabhupada who volunteer to join us. Our activities have nothing escapist about themselves. We don’t sit in a forest and chant. We work bang in the middle of and for the people.
How did you join ISKCON?
I used to visit ISKCON when I was in college and I started reading the Bhagawadgita and the preachings of Swami Prabhupada. After sometime I decided to join ISKCON. It is impossible to brainwash anyone. According to me, we are all inspired by the Bhagawadgita and Prabhupada and brainwashed by them.
How did you convince your parents and family? Did you face any problems?
Initially, my mother did not agree with my decision. Even the ISKCON authorities were not ready to take me in without my parents’ consent. After sometime I managed to convince my mother. Now I am satisfied with my work and I am happy to devote myself to ISKCON as a missionary. Everyone who wants to become a devotee will face hurdles.
Is it true that if you enter ISKCON once, you cannot come out?
Anyone can join ISKCON as a devotee and they can leave it whenever they want to. There are instances of people leaving our organisation after working in it for 2-3 years.There is no restrictions on leaving the organisation at all.
Are there any restrictions on devotees getting married?
No, these are all misconceptions among the people. Devotees can get married. Only 50 of ISKCON’s five lakh devotees are brahmacharis. It is only that we change the colour of our dress after marriage.
