Austin American-Statesman
April 26, 2008
Hindu leader charged with groping underage girls
Prakashanand Saraswati accused of 20 counts of indecency with a child.
By Patrick George, Eileen Flynn
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
The founder of the Barsana Dham Hindu temple in Hays County has been
arrested in Wa****ngton, D.C., after being accused of groping two
underage girls on several occasions in the 1990s.
Prakashanand Saraswati, 79, was taken into custody by U.S. marshals
Thursday afternoon.
Saraswati is in custody in Alexandria, Va., according to the Hays
County sheriff's office.
"He's waived extradition, and arrangements are being made to bring him
back to Hays County," where he has been charged with 20 counts of
indecency with children, sheriff's office spokesman Leroy Opiela said.
The charges stem from an investigation that began in August, sheriff's
officials said.
Saraswati had just returned from receiving medical care in Europe when
he was arrested at Dulles Air****t in Wa****ngton, temple Vice President
Prabhakari Devi said.
According to his indictment, Saraswati, known as Shree Swamiji to his
followers, is accused of groping one girl on 10 occasions between 1993
and 1994 and groping another girl on 10 occasions between 1995 and
1996. Both were younger than 17 at the time, according to the
indictment.
"We are shocked and saddened that anyone would make such outrageous
claims and are confident that these charges will be proven to be
false, if this case ever gets to a court of law," Devi said. "Shree
Swamiji has dedicated his life to helping people."
Saraswati's attorney, Don Flanary, declined to comment on the case.
Barsana Dham bears the name of a holy spot in northern India that
closely resembles the Texas Hill Country.
One of the largest Hindu temples in the United States, the 35,000-
square-foot complex sits on 200 acres off RM 1826 in Hays County near
the Salt Lick barbecue restaurant in Driftwood.
Members have been living at the ashram =97 or spiritual retreat center =97
since 1990, practicing Saraswati's philosophy of "divine love
consciousness" based on ancient Hindu texts. The temple opened in 1995
and features ornate carvings, a blue ceiling painted with white clouds
and life-size figures of Radha, a feminine representation of God.
Hundreds attend wor****p every Sunday at Barsana Dham, Devi said.
Fifty people, none of whom are minors, live at the temple, Devi said.
The Web site describes Saraswati as the foremost disciple of Jagadguru
Kripaluji Maharaj, a prominent Hindu religious leader. Kripaluji has
faced rape charges in India and Trinidad, although the charges against
him were later dropped.
"We have no idea as to why someone would make allegations like this
against two such esteemed and spiritual men," Devi said.
According to the Barsana Dham Web site, Saraswati was born in India in
1929. He has overseen the development of several charitable hospitals
in India and has led the creation of Hindu centers and temples around
the world.
Saraswati is a world-renowned Hindu scholar and is the author of
several books on Hinduism, Devi said.
"He is the founder and guiding light and preceptor for thousands and
thousands of people," Devi said. "He is a very im****tant figure in
Texas and in America."
The temple reaches out to teach others about Hinduism and India. Its
leaders are regularly invited to speak at churches, civic groups,
schools and universities, as well as lead tours of the temple and its
facilities.
In spite of the allegations, Devi said the temple's Barsana Dham Mela
Indian Fair, which features Indian food and live music, will go on as
scheduled today.
No one there has done anything wrong, she said, "so nothing will
change here."
A Russian Orthodox monastery in Blanco County also came under fire in
recent years for allegations that monks abused young boys there.
Founder Samuel Greene committed suicide on the monastery grounds in
September. One monk has been convicted and sentenced to 80 years in
prison for ***ual abuse; three others await trial.
Swami Prakashanand Saraswati
Born Jan. 15, 1929, in Ayodhya, India, and became a monk at the age of
20. He spent the next 20 years engaged in an inner spiritual journey
that demanded complete isolation. He lived in caves with no
possessions until 1972, when he began teaching. He now has centers and
ashrams all over the world, and though he still travels frequently,
the Barsana Dham retreat, founded in 1990, is his home when he is in
the United States.
Barsana Dham
What:It is the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an
international Hindu organization. The 35,000-square-foot temple hosts
celebrations of major Hindu festivals that attract thousands and
conducts tours for educational institutions and community groups.
Where: The 200-acre ashram, or spiritual center, is located off RM
1826 in northern Hays County
Who: 50 people live there; none are minors. Hundreds attend the Sunday
services, which are from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Leader: His Divinity Swami Prakashanand Saraswati
---------------
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/26/0426swamiji.h=
tml
|
