Dear GBC Members,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Aniruddha dās here, with an urgent, just-realized plan to honor the devotees who have contributed the most to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, such as Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Swami.
The whole matter appears quite urgent since, as the GBC very well knows, both of the afore-mentioned Prabhus have been practically at death’s door it seems! Or at least some of the time. We just saw some weeks ago a public statement from the GBC about Jayapataka Swami, saying that he was in an intensive care unit in the States, and that all the devotees should pray for his continued well-being. And we are certain that the GBC Members know about Ambarīṣa Prabhu being hospitalized not long ago. So as soon as the ideas for this special recognition came to us, we immediately set to quickly writing everything down and getting the plan to the GBC at maximum possible speed!
The Honorary Order of the Knights Cosmic
The main idea is that there will be an Order of Knights similar to those of Great Britain, which currently honors its most accomplished citizens by making them Knights. It is a way that the monarchy recognizes excellence and achievement. The receivers of the knighthood do not need to be perfect, (and indeed who is perfect?), but the receivers are generally very accomplished. Like for example, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones has received a knighthood. He has been a crazy partier for much of his life, but the monarchy ignored that part, and focused on his musical talents, which is where he has had a big impact.
Similarly, this proposed Order of the Knights Cosmic is envisioned to recognize the top contributors to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium Project. It is envisioned to be a special GBC Award & Recognition, a way that the GBC can express its appreciation to those persons who have contributed the most to ISKCON’s largest and most important project.
With respect to the name, the naming convention used is like to the “Order of the Knights Templar,” probably the most famous knightly order in all of recorded history. So the full name of this Order is proposed to be:
“The Honorary Order of the Knights Cosmic
of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.”
And the short version could of course be “Cosmic Knights.”
The receivers of this very special recognition are envisioned to receive a special Scroll of Honor saying that the GBC has awarded them an Honorary Knighthood, with their full spiritual name, and the full name of the Order as just given, all presented very beautifully.
Also, the recipients are envisioned to receive a small golden emblem that can be pinned on their japa bag, turban, kurta, etc. The emblem is envisioned to be a miniature silhouette of the 3 Main Domes of the Planetarium Temple, and underneath the domes are envisioned to be what looks like the silhouette of rocket boosters. In other words, the emblem would look somewhat like the 3 Main domes are blasting off into space. And the entirety of the emblem is also envisioned to look somewhat like a silhouette of a knight’s helmet.
Thirdly, the recipients are envisioned to receive a special honorific name, which we propose to be “Astraji,” (just like British knights are called “Sir”). The word “astra” has some various meanings in different languages. In Latin, the word means “stars,” which we are certain all would agree is a highly appropriate meaning in this circumstance, in connection to a Planetarium Temple. And in Sanskrit, the word generally refers to a mantra-powered weapon, but does also refer to a protective mudra, called “Astra Mudra.” Srila Prabhupada also described chanting and the saṅkīrtana movement as “astra,” as for example in this discussion in Bhuvanesvara, February 03, 1977:
“Astra. That astra is yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana, this saṅkīrtana, this astra weapon. They’re now afraid of this astra more than atomic weapon. Is it not?”
So it is envisioned that recipients will be addressed with the honorific, like for example, “Let us please welcome His Grace Sriman “Astraji” Ambarīṣa Prabhu.” Of course, the recipients are also envisioned to be known as “Cosmic Knights,” or “Cosmic Dames” if female, but the “Astraji” is a little Sankrit honorific we can add on. Or they could also be referred to as simply “Astraji Prabhu,” or also as “Astraji Knights.” And the ladies could also be known as “Astraji Matajis.” Has a good ring, does it not?
Additionally, it is envisioned that there will a truly lovely alcove for this Knightly Order within the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, which we propose to name “The Shrine of the Order of the Knights Cosmic.” We were thinking to put a large stone slab with the names of the Knights engraved very nicely. And on top of the stone slab, perhaps a larger version of the special Emblem of the Cosmic Knights, with the 3 Domes blasting off into space, and all looking like a knight’s helm. It is a huge temple of course, so we are sure that a very lovely alcove, large or small, can be accommodated for this purpose. The loveliest alcove!
Lastly, there should be a opulent celebration of course, with a sumptuous prasadam feast, a top-flight artistic performance, and the GBC Members personally presenting the Scroll of Honor and the Golden Astraji Emblem. The logical time to hold any such event in the future is of course during the Mayapura Festival. But for the first reception, and the creation of this Honorary Knightly Order, and the recognizing of Jayapataka Swami and Ambarīṣa Prabhu in particular, the GBC may well want to hold an event sooner, like within the next month or two, and maybe try to make it around the corner from Jayapataka Swami’s intensive care unit wherever he is currently receiving care.
By the way, we of course understand there may well be other devotees that the GBC would like to recognize with this distinguished honor. We are starting here with Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Swami simply because they are the most obvious first recipients of this special honor. Of course, the GBC can add on other devotees if they wish to. It is after all envisioned to be a GBC-granted knighthood and recognition. So the GBC Members should figure out who else they might want to recognize, right away, or also in future years.
The Cosmic Knighthood Investiture Celebration
With respect to getting together a grand celebration or ceremony, our general impression is that both Jayapataka Maharaja and Ambarīṣa Prabhu could leave us at any moment. In the latest update from the JPS Health Team, from July 23, it was reported:
“There is more welcome news to share. Guru Mahārāja is awake and interactive, and today he was able to sit in a wheelchair for some time — a very heartening sign of his returning strength.”
Very welcome news! Great! Maharaja is awake and interactive! Maharaja is making it to sitting in a wheelchair for some time!
And if we would like Maharaja to be personally present to receive his knighthood, it seems we should probably go about it quickly! Of course, we hope that Jayapataka Maharaja and Ambarīṣa Prabhu will be with us for many more years. But from an objective planning perspective, waiting until the next Mayapura Festival may simply be too long.
Let us look on the bright side. The JPS Health Team says Maharaja is gradually recovering his strength. So hopefully Maharaja will be all set for a grand celebration in his honor in about a month or so.
As far as simply announcing the GBC Proclamation about these knighthoods, we would have to recommend that the GBC get it out within 3 days, to play it as safe as possible, and make sure that the two Prabhus at least know about their knighthoods in this lifetime.
To organize a truly high-class event, best we think to give at least a month, we can say from experience. And as to who could organize such a grand event within such a short period, of course, we, your worthless dog-like servant, Aniruddha dās, are here to serve. Do not worry about even a single thing!
But of course a Formal Commission would be needed for that sort of task, for organizing a major special event, enough prasad for possibly thousands of devotees, top-flight artistic entertainment, and so on. It would be a GBC event, to present a special GBC Honorary Cosmic Knighthood. Therefore, a Formal Commission from the GBC is needed to begin planning the event, we are certain all would agree.
This seems an opportune moment to mention to the GBC Members that we, Aniruddha dās, are actually “The Ex-Party Guy.” Shocking, we are sure, but quite, quite true. Not only did we spend much of our youth partying away endlessly with our friends, but we actually also organized some large parties! And organizing such parties is factually the same kind of skillset as organizing grand ceremonies or celebrations, or any kind of ISKCON event.
Not only are we “The Ex-Party Guy,” but we are also “The Funny Guy,” both regular jokes and Dark Humor, which is factually a well-recognized kind of humor. And that is not even getting into our Performance Art work! We are pleased to let the GBC know that we have actually been refining our approach to Dark Humor and Performance Art. We have been trying to lighten up the Dark Humor, and tone down the Performance Art a bit.
So if anyone should say anything to the GBC Members about our rather colorful past, including our non-stop partying, or our Dark Humor, or Performance Art, the GBC can reply:
“Aniruddha dās may have had some insignificant issues in the past, but he has now turned over a new leaf, and he has refined his approach, lightening up the Dark Humor, and toning down his Performance Art, and given up his non-stop partying. In fact, he is currently carrying out some very, very, very important tasks for the GBC, and he is therefore perfectly situated. Because how could anyone be more perfectly situated that personally serving the GBC?”
But getting back to what we were saying, we were mentioning our somewhat extensive experience with participating in and throwing celebratory events. We should mention that we were actually elected to be a “Social Manager,” while a student and living at the Berkeley Student Cooperative, the largest student cooperative in the States. Not only did we personally throw some small shindigs, but we also were the Main Organizer of the once-a-semester “Big Event” that the Berkeley Student Cooperative held, which was in this case a 3-House Block Party, with over 10 bands involved, and attended by approximately 2000 students! It was a grand success!
So the GBC can feel very, very comfortable about commissioning our worthless self to organize said Cosmic Knighthood Investiture Celebration.
Alright, those are, we believe, the most important points for the GBC to be aware of. The only thing is that if we want the GBC to act quickly, we had better provide them with the Proclamation Resolution, so that it is actually realistic to ask the GBC to put it out within 3 days. So here is the proposed…
GBC Proclamation Resolution
“We, the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, do forthwith proclaim the creation of a special Honorary Order to honor the very top level of contributions to the GBC’s most important project, to ISKCON’s largest project, the largest Hindu Temple on Planet Earth, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
“This special Order is named by the GBC as the “Honorary Order of the Knights Cosmic of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium!” And recipients of this honor will receive a framed Scroll of Honor declaring their knighthood! And also receive a special Golden Emblem of the Order, the Emblem of the Cosmic Knights! And also have a special investiture celebration where the GBC will personally recognize them and award the knighthood! And also they shall be forthwith addressed by the special honorific of ‘Astraji!’ And also their names will be engraved in a special Shrine of the Order of the Knights Cosmic within the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium!
“Just as the most powerful weapons of the heroes of the past, the astra weapons, were powered by mantras, so also has the construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium been powered by the remarkable individuals who receive this most special honor and recognition from the GBC.
“The GBC does hereby immediately proclaim that Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Maharaja are to be the first recipients of this great honor, both now the first Members of the Order of Knights Cosmic! With all the privileges and responsibilities thereof!
“Due to the ill health of both these special individuals, the GBC is getting out this Proclamation with maximum possible speed. But it is the GBC’s fervent hope that a proper Investiture Celebration will be held within the very near future, and that the GBC Members will be able to present the Scroll of Honor and the Golden Astraji Emblem personally to these two recipients, and celebrate with them and take prasadam and so on. Bearing in mind the health issues, we hope such a grand knightly investiture event will be able to be organized in the very near future. All of the GBC Members are of course planning to personally attend!
“Just see the wonderful work that we here at the GBC are doing! We are honoring great devotees like Sriman Astraji Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Srila Astraji Japapataka Maharaja! We have created this special Honorary Order of Cosmic Knights! And at maximum speed! Just see how responsive the GBC is! We are also arranging a special once-in-a-lifetime investiture celebration to honor these very special devotees! This is your GBC at work!”
… Alright. That should suffice for the Proclamation Resolution. If the GBC wants ourselves to organize the Cosmic Knighthood Investiture Celebration quickly, we can also include here…
The Formal Commission
“We, the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, require a Grand Knightly Investiture Celebration to be quickly and expertly organized to honor Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Maharaja, and to bestow upon them Cosmic Knighthoods. To this end, we hereby forthwith formally commission Aniruddha dās to organize and execute said event, and we invest him with the formal title of “ISKCON Commander Aniruddha,” or just “Commander” for short.
“If Commander Aniruddha should approach you about making enough gulabs for 2000 persons, please do exactly as he requests. This is a formal GBC Grand Celebration in honor of the aforementioned Prabhus, and so we would obviously like the prasad to be of the very highest quality!
“And if Commander Aniruddha asks you to make some Golden Emblems that look like the 3 Domes blasting off into space, please do exactly as he says. We obviously want our special GBC Golden Cosmic Knight Emblems to be as wonderful as possible!
“And if Commander Aniruddha asks you for large laksmi donations, please do give generously the maximum donations possible! The GBC would like this to be a very opulent event, to suitably honor Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Maharaja. Please make sure that Commander Aniruddha has enough laksmi!
“Alright, the GBC has looked over everything here. Commander Aniruddha has given up his hard-partying ways, and he has changed his approach, and lightened up his dark humor and toned down his performance art. Great! So everything looks in order here.
“Commander Aniruddha has come up with this highly appropriate plan to specially honor Ambarīṣa Prabhu and Jayapataka Maharaja, and to inaugurate the Honorary Order of the Knights Cosmic, and he has therefore performed a very great service for the GBC. Commander Aniruddha also has extensive experience in event planning and execution, including being elected as a Social Manager, and throwing “The Big Event” at the Berkeley Student Cooperative, the largest student cooperative in the States.
“Therefore, in light of all the foregoing, we ask that all ISKCON Members please give their full cooperation to Commander Aniruddha. He is engaged in a very, very, very important, time-sensitive task for the GBC.”
… Alright. That should suffice we believe. So if people say, “You are talking about a ‘Formal Commission,’ but it is not quite clear what you want the Formal Commission to say,” we now have some language that should work just fine, we are certain most would agree. It would probably be best if the GBC got out the Formal Commission within three days as well.
Social Class & Honor
Just as soon as the ideas were all clear in our head about this plan, we wrote it up at maximum speed, and immediately sent it in to most of the GBC Members that we have email addresses for, around 20 or so GBC Members.
Of course, if any GBC Member has any questions, or wants to discuss further, or add anything or take anything out, we can of course be privately reached by email, or in a group email cc’ing other GBC Members or whoever, or also on our website, the Ocean of Milk Foundation website, where public formal discussion is of course welcome. However, because of Jayapataka Maharaja’s tenuous health condition, this does not seem like a situation where we would want a long, drawn-out discussion. But if GBC Members want to have some quick discussion, or want to quickly bring up something important, of course they can do so using any of the methods we have just now described.
On the subject of social class and honor, Canakya Pandita states the following: “Low class men desire wealth; middle class men both wealth and respect; but the noble, honor only; hence honor is the noble man’s true wealth.”
We interpret that to mean that both Prabhus will probably be quite pleased with their honorary knighthoods.
Just see how great we are making the TOVP Leadership and the GBC look! The GBC are starting the Honorary Order of the Knights Cosmic! There are Astraji Matajis too! And even a Shrine of the Knights Cosmic! Has anyone ever heard of the GBC ever doing this kind of work! Maybe we will actually hear something back from the GBC this time!
Sent to the GBC on Bharani Naksatra, which, strangely enough, is related to both birth and death, with the literal meaning of the word being “a pregnant woman”… but the Naksatra is ruled by the God of Death. Similarly, this entire matter involves giving birth to an Honorary Knightly Order, which is considered a joyous occasion… but the God of Death remains there close like a shadow in the background.
In service to the Cosmic Knights of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium! And even the GBC! And Srila Prabhupada of course as well.
Your worthless dog-like servant,
Aniruddha dās.