Second and last Soviet disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, initiated in 1977 by letter, while living in New York City.
Brilliant musician in Stas Namin's famous FLOWERS Band. Returned to Russia and travelled and preached with Ananta Shanti (Srila Prabhupada's firs Russian disciple) all through Russia and the Baltic countries.
About
Vladimir Viktorovich Sakharov
September 1949 - 12.21.2003, LA, USA
Wife - Dhira-lalita dd (Irina),
Daughter - Lilya;
Mother – Anna Sergeevna Sakharova.
News release from Russian Media, December 2003:
One of the first two Soviet Hare Krishnas, musician Vladimir Sakharov, dies in California.
In the pre-New Year's bustle, the sad news went unnoticed - a year before his 55th birthday, Vladimir Sakharov, a member of the Soviet-era cult rock groups Flowers and Cheerful Guys (Soviet pop-music bands), passed away in California, reports the Center of Societies for Krishna Consciousness in Russia.
Sakharov left for America in 1973, after leaving the "Cheerful Guys", where he worked as a guitarist and vocalist since 1972 and took part in the recording of the famous disc "Love Is a Huge Country". Before that, Vladimir managed to work in "Flowers" under Stas Namin.
Vladimir graduated from the conductor-choral faculty of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Vladimir's mother, wife, daughter, and sister still live in Moscow. Emigration from the USSR of a talented bohemian in the 70s, including rock musicians, was not uncommon. However, Sakharov's flight was caused not so much by the dream of creative independence as by religious motives.
He was the second and last Soviet disciple of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the famous Hindu movement International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In the United States, Vladimir received spiritual initiation from Prabhupada and the name - Valmiki-Muni Das. There he recorded a disc with his own songs on Krishna.
Below is a translation from the book by Russian BBT “Hare Krishna Movement in the USSR”, authored by V. Piskarev (Vijitatma dA). Stas Namin had little contact with the guests of Anantasanti, preferring to stay at a distance. However, other representatives of the musical circles knew about Krishna consciousness from him. The guitarist and composer Vladimir Sakharov, who played in Namin's band, showed a special interest in this topic.
Stas Namin remembers: Once he started asking me why I don't eat meat, why I'm a vegetarian, and so on. I replied that it would take too long to tell. He insisted, saying that he was very interested, and I spoke to him the whole night. In the morning he went home. I didn't see him for a day. The next day he came with a shaved head. I asked:
- What is this?
- I'm leaving for a monastery!
And so he went to the Orthodox (I have already forgotten which one) monastery. And he lived there for three or four months. Then he returned. I said:
- So?
- It's difficult.
-You see. - I said. - No need to fuss. Calm down. Don't just run into monasteries.
As a result, he somehow became more involved in Krishna consciousness.
Vladimir Sakharov, like Stas Namin, began to study rock music back in the 1960s. He played and sang in the "Vetra Peremen" band ("Winds of Change", another Soviet pop-music band), which was popular in those years. In his "list" - participation in the groups: "Melomany" ("Music lovers", another Soviet pop-music band) and "Korobeinik" ("Peddlers", another Soviet pop-music band).
From the summer of 1972 to 1974, Vladimir was a bass-guitarist and vocalist in the legendary "Veselie rebyata" ("Funny guys", another Soviet pop-music band ), and in the fall of 1975 he joined Stas Namin. "Tsvety" ("Flowers", another Soviet pop-music band) at that time was going through a period of persecution, and their very name was ostracized as containing an allusion to the ideology of hippies. The musicians performed under a new name - “Stas Namin's Group”.
Little is known about the early years of Vladimir Sakharov in Krishna consciousness. He, like Stas Namin, kept a little aloof from his fellow believers, although he aroused unchanging sympathy among everyone who he knew. “Intelligent, soft, delicate”
Vrindavan das (joined in 1974) recalls about him: “I liked him very much; we had good relationships with him. We didn't see each other often, but when we saw each other, it was very easy to communicate with him."
Sakharov came to Ananta-Shanti programs. Sometimes he invited the devotees to his place. Srimati Mandakini, during one of her visits to Moscow, met him and took several photographs of him.
Sometimes the "Flowers" band went abroad. There Vladimir Sakharov had the opportunity to associate with Vaishnavas and even stay in ISKCON temples. Probably in early 1977, he met Adi-Keshava Swami, the president of the New York temple, who recommended him to Srila Prabhupada for initiation. Srila Prabhupada, who in those days no longer traveled around the world and spent most of his time in India, agreed to accept a new disciple from the Soviet Union and on May 13, 1977 wrote to Adi-Keshava Swami:
---------------
My dear Adi Kesava Maharaja,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 29th, 1977.
I am very pleased to know that one Russian boy, Vladimir, has very sincerely taken to Krsna consciousness. Because it is very difficult of practice Krsna consciousness in Russia, we can be a little lenient in his case. I am very glad to accept him as my initiated disciple. His new spiritual name is Valmiki Muni Das. You can perform a fire ceremony for his initiation. Let him promise to chant at least 16 rounds daily, but don't ask him to change anything else abruptly. Never mind if there is some difficulty with his wife. There is no need that he should leave her. For now, let him simply promise to chant his rounds, and gradually the other principles will follow.
I hope this finds you well.
Your every well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
His Holiness Adi Kesava Swami c/o ISKCON New York
Memories of Valmiki Muni das - by Sarvabhouma Das (24 Aug 2021)
Valmiki Muni das, Srila Prabhupada's second initiated disciple was definitely a minimalist with no extraneous material possessions. He had one pair of socks that he washed every night. To the surprise of people on the street, sometimes he would just exchange trousers with discarded pants he found on the street. He had one nice pair of shirts and trousers that he saved for musical performances. The last ten years of his life he lived outside, on the porch of the Norwegian lodge one block away from the Hare Krishna temple in Los Angeles. Even in winter, he would shower early in the morning with an outside garden hose. He had tremendous self-discipline, due to his intense study and practice of music. He was never in a frenzy, he was always on time. He had unlimited patience.
He was awarded a Doctorate (Ph.D.) from the prestigious Moscow Conservatory of Music on Choral arrangement and Choir conducting. He had some musical equipment like a drum machine, a small mixing board, acoustic guitar with an electric pickup, large concert speakers, and a small portable battery-powered rechargeable amplifier. He stored these instruments across the street at Sura’s apartment, in exchange for allowing some equipment to be borrowed when Sura would perform with Temple Bhajan Band.
Often I would see him studying English to Russian, Russian to English dictionary, for hours. Although he had a very thick Russian accent, he would often exaggerate for effect. His vocabulary was quite impressive, and he would combine words like psychology and mentality for dramatic effect. He called himself MOSCOW HOMEBOY!
After years of performing with Russia's top Rock and Rock bands; Flowers and Cheerful Guys as Bass player and lead singer. He knew how to express himself, and get his point across. Once when asked what it was like touring and performing sometimes 4 concerts a day, He said, “Outwardly you are singing, playing your instrument and dancing on stage, but inwardly you were crying”
Personal Remembrances of Valmiki Muni by Sarvabhouma das
Vladimir Sakharov was a musically gifted, spiritual Revolutionary! He wanted to be a professional basketball player, but his mother bought a grand piano, and insisted that he practised. He was an excellent piano player, but his real love was guitar.
After graduating from Moscow Conservatory of music, with a PhD in Coral conducting, he played with the CHEERFUL GUYS and FLOWERS, two progressive Rock bands in the Soviet Union.
One morning, slightly tipsy, he went into Stas Namin’s room and found him chanting japa. His manager and fellow band member explained the mystical significance, and Vladimir became fascinated and attracted to chanting HARE KRISHNA!
Srila Prabhupad's initiation letter is presented below, as well as Adi Keshava swami confirmation of Vladimir's initiation, as VALMIKI MUNI DAS.
He returned to Russia with films of New York Rathyatra, films of the 12-story mini skyscraper building, which was Radh Govinda's New York temple, and top-quality musical instruments. He then travelled with Ananta Shanti Prabhu in Russia, and the Baltic countries.
We invite anyone who knew him in Russia or in the United States or in London or in India before or after Krishna consciousness to contact sarvanfr@gmail.com with pictures or remembrances.
Like Japa Das or Riddha or TK. Or Ratna Bhusana or any devotee from the New Dwarka temple in Los Angeles!
Memories of Valmiki Muni das - by Sarvabhouma Das (31 July 2021)
Waking up with a strong impression of Valmiki Muni das in my mind, I will try to convey the mood and flavour of his personality. He wrote and shared articles in the local free newspaper of Venice Beach California - Venice Beachhead.
In one section Valmiki talked about the topic of “SPIRITUAL CRIME”. Now, everyone knows what this topic refers to, not the obvious petty crimes, that are visible on the surface, but the deep crimes against humanity and Mother nature that are going on constantly in the World with the progress of Kali Yuga.
The actions and laws that discourage a living entity, especially Men and women, from developing and expressing their intrinsic LOVE FOR GOD, OR KRISHNA!
He wrote another article called “WHERE IS THE BREAD”, asking where the financial power and the actual food or bread was to actually feed and shelter for homeless and displaced people. Looking out of our window on the beach, Valmiki would say. Yes, Russian Society would have people lying down on the street or parks, perhaps passed out from alcohol, but you would never see one-legged men lying without blankets, on the cement at night. What a cruel society you have in the West!
When Srila Prabhupada was asked, "What is humility?" He said, "Humility is to act boldly for Krishna." We may think that humility is to be meek, quiet, or submissive. But no, Prabhupada said, "Be bold for Krishna." Radhanath Swami, (Memories Chapter 12)
Valmiki, the disciple of Srila Prabhupada, was boldly leading the population towards Krishna.
Valmiki was the first secretary-treasurer of 'National Food Relief! Inc. ', a non-profit corporation set up by the great visionary and Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra Cart designer Mayesvara das, now living in Ojai California. Every day Valmiki would cook Prasadam for the homeless, 100 people a day on a hot plate, from his room on the third floor of the Cadillac hotel, run by a European Youth Hostel on Venice Beach. A couple of years later when he was living in a van, near the Los Angeles temple, he would still cook in his nonrunning van, and push a shopping Kart with hot prasadam for 5 miles to the beach to feed the homeless. Everybody appreciated his service attitude and desire to serve prasadam.
The youth hostel organized a concert in the Cadillac Hotel. He played bass with a French-Canadian guitar player Claude Lord, and a local professional drummer. The excitement and intensity were tremendous. It was like Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Jimmy Hendrix chanting the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra for hundreds of young adventurous worldwide travellers and hip local artists. The police promptly sent a few patrol cases and a helicopter to check out the scene.
Looking out of our window on the beach, Valmiki would say. Yes, WW2 would have people lying down on the street or parks, perhaps passed out from alcohol, but you would never see one legged man lying without blankets, on the cement at night. What a cruel society you have in the West!
Memories by Titiksava Karunika Das
Hari bolo. We knew Valmiki while living in LA. He was a good friend of Sarva Bhauma. And we also became friends.
My memories are pretty vague. I remember you introducing us and telling me he was famous in Russia. He played me some of his songs which I thought were good. Especially Big House.
And just bumping into him on Watseka Ave once in a while. And I think you guys came and watched us perform at Ratha Yatra. But I do remember he wasn't like most Russian people I have met. He was obviously an artist, More introspective and sensitive. And funny!
He would sing the chorus to his song Big House and laugh. He had a deep love for Srila Prabhupada and all the devotees.
I do remember being taken back when I heard he died. So sudden and unexpected. I was very sad to hear that he had passed. I even wrote a song for him.
Memories by Mayesvara das
Thank you Sarva for making this. very nice memory of Valmiki. I also had the opportunity to meet with him and hear him play on several occasions.
He was the real deal, a very talented and sweet devotee who never sought the allurements of fame, prestige or reputation, etc. He just enjoyed singing devotional songs to Krishna on the street... no pomp... just pure devotion.
Unfortunately, I only have one of the CDs he made... "Dancing with the Supreme" but apparently there is a second one?
Memories by Jack
I purchased a book from him. He was riding a bicycle in Santa Monica. While I was standing in line at Peet's Coffee and Tea, I noticed Krishna people outside.
I hurriedly ran out to see what was going on, and he handed me a book, exclaiming that he had translated it into Russian. I thanked him and gave him the money. He seemed plump and happy; and, I took note of his accent.
Hare Krishna
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