Harikesa Swami

Harikesa Swami also known as Robert Campagnola was previously known as Vishnupad as one of the leading disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and a guru within the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as 'the Hare Krishnas' or ISKCON). He is continuing his spiritual service within the worldwide community of Harimedia and as a lecturer, counselor, media producer, and head of a religious organization in Russia.

He personally met the founder of ISKCON, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in Brooklyn, while being involved in recording Prabhupada's music in July 1971. Robert was later initiated by Prabhupada in New York and given the name Harikesa dasa.

Problems in 1998

In 1988, Chitesvara dasa, a well-known tantric healer from Orissa, prescribed Harikesa Swami with daily doses of a therapeutic powder that he called "vibhuti", usually referencing the ash left from a fire sacrifice (yajna). In 1998, after Harikesa had stopped taking the "vibhuti" it was discovered by forensic examination that in fact the powder contained two commercially manufactured psychotropic drugs, Trifluoperazine and Trihexyphenidyl. Harikesa collapsed due to stress on June 2, 1998, at the start of an intercontinental education, general management, and research conference he had organized and was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. As part of his recovery, a pranic healer named Monika was brought in. Soon, a relationship started between Harikesa and Monika.

Resignation

Harikesa Swami submitted his resignation from ISKCON and his guru duties, to ISKCON's Governing Body Commission. His resignation was accepted at the GBC meetings in 1999. Robert has been living in Florida U.S. since January, 2004, and has since married Katarina Campagnola (Kamalasundari devi dasi), who was previously one of his disciples in Sweden.

Bibliography

• Harikesa Swami, Varnasrama Manifesto for Social Sanity, 1981, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISBN 0-892-13042-3. Edited by Devamrita Swami.
• Harikesa Swami, The Thirteenth Chapter, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1985, ISBN 91-85580-46-5
• Harikesa Swami, The Krsna Conscious Handbook, Underground Soviet Publication during the Cold War, 1986
• Harikesa Swami, Basic Management Book for ISKCON Temples, ISKCON publication, 1989
• Harikesa Swami, Essential Truths - The Questions and Answers Conference 1989-1994, 1996, Sentient Press, ISBN 91-7149-296-8
• Harikesa Swami, All glories to the Sankirtana devotees, 1996, Sentient Press, ISBN 91-7149-298-4
• Harikesa Swami, On Social Issues, 1998, Sentient Press,ISBN 91-7149-392-1
• Harikesa Swami, The Leadership and Management Seminar, 1998, Sentient Press, Video and Audio Cassette Packs

Discography

See also: RASA Discography, BLISS Discography, and Sri Hari Discography .

Cover	Year	Band	Title	Label
	1988	Stick of Saffron	Treasure Island	Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
	1994	Gauranga Bhajan Band	Chant!	Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
	2001	Hari	Living Dreams	Budusheye Zemli
	2002	Hari	MantraMania	Budusheye Zemli

External links

• Robert Campagnola's Personal Website
• Robert Campagnola (Hari) on Harimedia