'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIF/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAz7Cp/8QAHhAAAgEFAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIEAAMFBxESIXH/2gAIAQEAAT8AXaU95L27WOgBE4pPiV99pNkzQg7j4R+rX//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEv/aAAgBAgEBPwCUf//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS/9oACAEDAQE/AKf/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hans Kar was a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a religious organization that is the subject of the latest Sundance Now two-part documentary series, Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas.
The series is adapted from Monkey on a Stick, a book by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson. It chronicles the Hare Krishna movement in the United States in the 70s and 80s and explores the systematic corruption and crimes within the organization. Hans Kar was complicit in those crimes and was charged in 1980 for possession of illegal weapons and taken into custody.
The series presents the testimonies of former devotees and associates and presents a thought-provoking tale of faith and power. Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas was released on Sundance Now on December 12, 2024.
Trending
Hans Kar was a part of the ISKCON Governing Body
Hans Kar was born in Braunschweig, Germany on May 27, 1941 as Hans Jürgen Kary. He served in the United States Navy for a couple of years and married Himawati. Both of them became Hare Krishna devotees during the early 60s, getting inspired by the teachings of ISKCON founder AC Bhaktivedanta.
They later relocated to Montreal and contributed to the establishment of the Hare Krishna Center. Hans Kar contributed to the establishment of the Hare Krishna Centres in multiple cities across the continent. He got recognition from the organization and became one of the first members of the Governing Body Commission.
Before the passing of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada on November 14, 1977, Hans Kar served as his personal secretary for a few years and took sannyasa in 1976. His name was changed to Hansadutta Swami.
In 1980, Hans Kar was apprehended and taken into custody by the authorities for illegal possession of firearms. This led to his expulsion from ISKCON in 1983 for violation of the ethical codes of the organization. He also broke the code of celibacy soon after and married Lakshmi Kary-Rana. However, their marriage did not last long, and the couple divorced.
Hans Kar continued to publish books associated with the teaching of the Hare Krishna movement and even gave lectures to many reputable universities. He passed away on April 25, 2020, from pancreatic cancer.
Where to watch Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas
Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas was released on Sundance Now on December 12, 2024. To watch the documentary series, one needs a subscription to the streaming platform, which costs $6.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
The series is also available on AMC+, Apple TV+, and Prime Video in selected locations and with the Sundance Now added subscription. The series is also available on Youtube TV. The subscription to YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month right now, but it will be increased to $82.99 in the upcoming year.
About Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas
The streaming platform describes Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas in the following words:
"In this chilling expose of The Hare Krishna Movement, investigative journalists uncover a range of criminal activity involving guns, drugs, money laundering, abuse, and even murder; adapted from the New York Times best-selling book."
Stay tuned for more news and updates on Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas and other movies, TV shows, and documentaries on Sundance Now.
