Planet ISKCON

Ekadasi is the 11th day of the Moon’s lunar phase, and Kamada Ekadasi falls on the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) in the month of the Chaitra (March-April). This day is also called ‘Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi.’

Ekadasi is a most auspicious time for spiritual advancement through fasting, increased hearing and chanting of the Lord’s glories and the Holy Names and charitable acts. Please consider donating to the completion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in the TOVP, now 80% complete and scheduled to be finished by Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 22. Go to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page on the TOVP website for more information.

  NOTE: Kamada Ekadasi is observed on April 19 in the U.S. and April 20 in India. Please refer to your local calendar through www.vaisnavacalendar.info.

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The Glories of Kamada Ekadasi

From the Varaha Purana

The glories of Kamada Ekadashi are found in the Varaha Purana in a conversation between Maharaja Yudhishthira and Lord Krishna. Referring to this conversation while speaking to some great sages of the universe:

Sri Suta Goswami said, “Oh sages, let me offer my humble and respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Hari, Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, by whose mercy I can describe the fast day that removes all kinds of sins. It was to the devoted Yudhisthira that Lord Krishna glorified the twenty-four primary Ekadasis, which destroy sin, and now I shall recount one of those narrations to you. Great-learned sages have selected these twenty-four narrations from the eighteen Puranas, for they are truly sublime.

“Yudhishthira Maharaja said, ‘Oh Lord Krishna, Oh Vasudeva, please accept my humble obeisances. Please describe to me the Ekadasi that occurs during the light part of the month of Chaitra [March-April]. What is its name, and what are its glories?’

“Lord Sri Krishna replied, ‘Oh Yudhishthira, please listen to Me attentively as I relate the ancient history of this sacred Ekadasi, a history Vasishta Muni once related to King Dilipa, the great-grandfather of Lord Ramachandra.

‘King Dilipa asked the great sage Vasishta, “Oh wise brahmana, I wish to hear about the Ekadasi that comes during the light part of the month of Chaitra. Please describe it to me.”

‘Vasishta Muni replied, “Oh king, your inquiry is glorious. Gladly shall I tell you what you wish to know. The Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of Chaitra is named Kamada Ekadasi. It consumes all sins, as a forest fire consumes a supply of dry firewood. It is very purifying, and it bestows the highest merit upon one who faithfully observe it. Oh king, now hear an ancient history which is so meritorious that it removes all one’s sins simply by being heard.

“Once, long ago, there existed a city-state named Ratnapura, which was decorated with gold and jewels, and in which sharp-fanged snakes would enjoy intoxication. King Pundarika was the ruler of this most beautiful kingdom, which was inhabited by many Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and Apsaras among its citizens. Among the Gandharvas were Lalit and his wife Lalita, who was an especially lovely dancer. These two were intensely attracted to each other, and their home was full of great wealth and fine food. Lalita loved her husband dearly, and likewise Lalit constantly thought of her within his heart.

“Once, at the court of King Pundarika, many Gandharvas were dancing and Lalit was singing alone, without his wife. He could not help thinking about her as he sang, and because of this distraction he lost track of the song’s meter and melody. Indeed, Lalit sang the ending of his song improperly, and one of the envious snakes who was in attendance at the king’s court complained to the king that Lalit was absorbed in thinking of his wife instead of his sovereign. The king became furious upon hearing this, and his eyes turned crimson with rage.

“Suddenly he shouted, ‘Oh foolish knave, because you were lustfully thinking of a woman instead of reverently thinking of your king as you performed your court duties, I curse you to at once become a cannibal!’ “Oh king, Lalit immediately became a fearful cannibal, a great man-eating demon whose appearance terrified everyone. His arms were eight miles long, his mouth was as big as a huge cave, his eyes were as big as the sun and moon, his nostrils resembled enormous pits in the earth, his neck was a veritable mountain, his hips were four miles wide, and his gigantic body stood a full sixty-four miles high. Thus, poor Lalit, the loving Gandharva singer, had to suffer the reaction of his offense against King Pundarika.

“Seeing her husband suffering as a horrible cannibal, Lalita became overwhelmed with grief. She thought, ‘Now that my dear husband is suffering the effects of the kings’ curse, what is to be my lot? What should I do? Where should I go?’ “In this way Lalita grieved day and night.
Instead of enjoying life as a Gandharva’s wife, she had to wander everywhere in the thick jungle with her monstrous husband, who had fallen completely under the spell of the king’s curse and was wholly engaged in terrible sinful activities. He wandered aimlessly across the region, a once-beautiful Gandharva now reduced to the ghastly behavior of a man-eater. Utterly distraught to see her dear husband suffer so much in his dreadful condition, Lalita began to cry as she followed his mad journeying.

“By good fortune, however, Lalita came upon the sage Shringi one day. He was sitting on the peak of the famous Vindhyachala Hill. Approaching him, she immediately offered the ascetic her respectful obeisances.The sage noticed her bowing down before him and said, ‘Oh most beautiful one, who are you? Whose daughter are you, and why have you come here? Please tell me everything in truth.

“Lalita replied, ‘Oh great age, I am the daughter of the great Gandharva Viradhanva, and my name is Lalita. I roam the forests and plains with my dear husband, whom King Pundarika has cursed to become a man-eating demon. Oh brahmana, I am greatly aggrieved to see his ferocious form and terribly sinful activities. Oh master, please tell me how I can perform some act of atonement on behalf of my husband. What pious act can I perform to free him from this demonic form, Oh best of brahmanas?

“The sage replied, ‘Oh heavenly maiden, there is an Ekadasi named Kamada that occurs in the light fortnight of the month of Chaitra. It is coming up soon. Whoever fasts on this day has all his desires fulfilled. If you observe this Ekadasi fast according to its rules and regulations and give the merit you thus earn to your husband, he will be freed from the curse at once.’

“Lalita was overjoyed to hear these words from the sage. Lalita faithfully observed the fast of Kamada Ekadasi according to the instructions of the sage Shringi, and on Dvadasi she appeared before him and the Deity of Lord Vasudeva and said, ‘I have faithfully observed the fast of Kamada Ekadasi. By the merit earned through my observance of this fast, let my husband be free from the curse that has turned him into a demoniac cannibal. May the merit I have gained thus free him from misery.’

“As soon as Lalita finished speaking, her husband, who stood nearby, was at once freed from the king’s curse. He immediately regained his original form as the Gandharva Lalit, a handsome heavenly singer adorned with many beautiful ornaments. Now, with his wife Lalita, he could enjoy even more opulence than before. All this was accomplished by the power and glory of Kamada Ekadasi. At last the Gandharva couple boarded a celestial airplane and ascended to heaven.

“Lord Sri Krishna continued, ‘Oh Yudhishthira, best of kings, anyone who hears this wonderful narration should certainly observe the holy Kamada Ekadasi to the best of his ability, such great merit does it bestow upon the faithful devotee. I have therefore described its glories to you for the benefit of all humanity. There is no better Ekadasi than Kamada Ekadasi. It can eradicate even the sin of killing a brahmana, and it also nullifies demoniac curses and cleanses the consciousness. In all the three worlds, among movable and immovable living entities, there is no better day’

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Kamada Ekadasi from the Varaha Purana.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree

 

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Today is the appearance anniversary of Sripada Ramanujacharya, the principal acharya in the Sri, or Lakshmi, sampradaya. In a letter dated November 22, 1974, Srila Prabhupada wrote, “We find great shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Ramanujacharya because his lotus feet are the strongest fort to combat the Mayavadi philosophy.”

And in the early days of ISKCON in India, beforevwe had Srila Prabhupadaís Bhagavad-gita As It Is in Hindi, Prabhupada would refer people to read the Hindi edition of the Gita with Sri Ramanujacharya’s commentary.

Srila Prabhupada often told a story about Sri Ramanujacharyas merciful, compassionate nature. As he related it in Ahmedabad in 1972, “The servants of Krishna take all risk for Krishna’s sake. Just like Ramanujacharya. Sri
Ramanujacharya’s spiritual master said, ‘My dear son, the mantra which I am giving, you chant silently and you will be delivered. It is so powerful. Don’t chant this mantra loudly so others can hear.’

“Ramanujacharya thought, ‘If this mantra is so powerful that if others hear it they will also be delivered, then why not?’ He immediately went to the market and began to chant the mantra. So, his spiritual master became very angry, that ‘I told you not to chant loudly, so that others may not hear.’ And Ramanujacharya replied, ‘My Lordship, I have done offense unto you. That’s all right. For this I am prepared to go to hell. But if this mantra is so powerful, I must speak it to everyone.’ ”

In this mood, following in the footsteps of Sripada Ramanujacharya, Srila Prabhupada broadcast the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita everywhere, to everyone.

We pray and aspire to follow in their footsteps.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

We are pleased to present the GBC Online Meeting Report for 3 April 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting and the key topics discussed. The meeting commenced with a reading by Prahladananda Swami from Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10. The main topics discussed during the meeting were the final preliminary discussion on Guru […]

The post Report of GBC Meeting Highlights from April 3, 2024 Released appeared first on ISKCON News.

We are pleased to present the GBC Online Meeting Report for 3 April 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting and the key topics discussed. The meeting commenced with a reading by Prahladananda Swami from Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10. The main topics discussed during the meeting were the final preliminary discussion on
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Ramanuja was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. when, according to astrological calculations, the sun was in the zodiacal sign of Cancer. His parents were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families. Ramanuja passed his childhood days in Shriperumbudur, the village of his birth. At the age of 16 he was married to Rakshakambal.

Only four months after his wedding, Ramanuja’s father was struck with a severe illness and died. Upon the death of his father, Ramanuja became head of the household and decided to move to Kanchi, a holy city famed for its scholars and magnificent Temples.

Shortly thereafter, Ramanuja opened a small school at his home, and in no time many people began to come to him to hear his devotional discourses. Ramanuja’s lectures were wholly theistic. He rejected the concept that the jiva, a living entity, could be equal to the Supreme Brahman or become God as postulated by Shankara. 

Ramanuja’s philosophy became known as vishishtadwaita or qualified non-dualism. Accordingly, the living entities are believed to be qualitatively one with the Supreme and at the same time quantitatively different. Ramanuja’s assertion was that the quantitative difference means that the fragmentary parts of the Supreme are dependent on the Supreme but they cannot become the Supreme.

The fame of Ramanuja continued to spread far and wide. One day as Ramanuja sat in the solitude of his study, a venerable saint named Yamunacharya came to his door for alms. Extending his full courtesy, Ramanuja welcomed the saint into his home. Ramanuja learned that Yamuna was from Shri Rangam, the famous Temple of Vishnu. In the course of their discussion, Ramanuja soon realized that Yamunacharya was a qualified spiritual master of the science of devotion. Overwhelmed with ecstasy and jubilation, Ramanuja fell at his feet and asked to be accepted as his disciple.

Yamuna instantly raised Ramanuja up from the floor, and embracing him with deep love, said, “My child, I am blessed today by seeing your devotion to God. May you live a long and fruitful life always being intent in the service of Narayana, the Personality of Godhead.” Ramanuja then circumambulated his guru to invoke auspiciousness, and Yamuna left for Shri Rangam.

Then one day, a messenger came from Shri Rangam and informed Ramanuja that his guru was ill and on the verge of death. Ramanuja immediately departed for Shri Rangam, but was not able to reach there in time. Shortly before Ramanuja arrived, Yamuna left his body and entered the blissful realm of Vaikuntha.

Although he lived for many years as a successful householder, Ramanuja was destined to accept the path of renunciation. Eventually he took up the renounced order of life, sannyasa, by going before the Deity in the Temple and praying to be exclusively engaged in the service of Godhead. From that day forward Ramanuja always wore the the symbol of Narayana on his forehead, dressed in saffron cloth, and carried the renunciate’s three-sectioned staff, which signified service to God by body, mind, and words.

 Ramanuja continued living at Shri Rangam, serving the Deity of Narayana and imparting enlightenment to whoever came to him until he was 120 years old. One day while worshipping the Deity, he prayed, “Dear God, whatever I could do to preserve the essence of the Vedas, to uplift the fallen souls, and to establish the shelter of Your lotus feet as the supreme goal in life, I have done. Now my body has grown tired after many years in this world. Kindly allow me to depart from this mortal world and enter Your supreme abode.”

The TOVP Fundraising Department has decided to extend the Nrsimha Brick Campaign to Nrsimha Caturdasi. The Nrsimha Wing is 80% complete and scheduled to be finished by Nrsimha Caturdasi. This extended campaign will help finance that goal.

This announcement comes in conjunction with the Give To Nrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 10 (Akshsya Tritiya) until May 22 (Nrsimha Caturdasi – India). Ambarisa prabhu is matching all donations and pledge payments to the TOVP during this fundraiser. Although the Nrsimha Brick can be paid in installments for two years, if someone begins this sponsorship during the 12 day fundraiser, their initial pledge payment will be matched.

Take advantage of this last opportunity in history to sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name on it and placed under Lord Nrsimhadeva’s altar. After Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2024, the altar will be sealed and this unique campaign will end.

“O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.”

Nrsimha Purana

MIRACLE IN THE MAKING ~ HOME OF OUR DIVINE PROTECTOR

 

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Daya Hladini devi dasi and Yogapaty das On behalf of the Russian Speaking yatra in London we are pleased to share with you the exciting activities and achievements that kept us busy and joyful in Krishna consciousness throughout the month of March: Bhajan Band Recording: Our newly formed Bhajan band has embarked on an exciting
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Today, Sripada Aindra Prabhu’s appearance day, I share with you a sweet pastime involving him and my disciple Arca-vigraha Dasi, from Aindra: Kirtan Revolution by Kalachandji Das.

When the curtains opened one morning in the winter of 1989, Aindra was amazed by what he saw. Srimati Radharani’s eyes were newly painted. And they were incredible, more beautiful than ever. “Who painted them?” he asked Radha-Shyamasundar’s pujari Bhaktisiddhanta das.

“One of the brahmacharis,” Bhaktisiddhanta had replied.

Aindra knew something was off. No pujari, no artist he’d ever known, would have been able to paint Radharani’s eyes with such bhäva or spiritual expertise. “No way,” he challenged. “Who painted them?”

Bhaktisiddhanta held fast; he wouldn’t identify the source of the transformation. But when Aindra kept asking, Bhaktisiddhanta finally revealed the secret: the renowned South African devotee artist, Arca-vigraha dasi, who had come to India to find themes for her work but was then diagnosed with cancer and remained to spend her final days in Vrindavan, had noticed that the temple Deities were in need of repainting and done the work.

But there had been an obstacle: as was standard, even in ISKCON temples, in India, women were not allowed on the altar. But Bhaktisiddhanta, who had created the bronze bas-relief panels in Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi mandir and was himself an accomplished artist—classically trained in Europe and America and a successful commercial artist in New York—had felt that the Deities deserved Arca-vigraha’s talents and come up with a plan. “I’ll arrange for you to do this service,” he had told her, “but you have to do it in complete secrecy.” Indians especially, but also other pujaris and many devotees would have disapproved of a woman doing the service. “I’ll leave the key to the Deity room on the ledge above the door. Don’t use it any earlier than 10 p.m. By that time, everyone except the boys on night shift for the 24-hour kirtan should be asleep.”

“How will I get in without them noticing?” she had asked. “They sit so near the door.”

“I don’t know,” he’d said. “That’s a challenge.”

A little after ten, Arca-vigraha had been hovering around the door to the altar, waiting for an opportunity, when Aindra had suddenly appeared beside her. “Do you need something, mätäjé?” he had asked.

“No, no . . . thank you,” she’d replied, and left out the temple’s side door.

A little while later, the electricity had gone out (it frequently did), and under the cover of darkness Arca-vigraha had slipped back into the temple and onto the altar, where she had spent the night painting the Deities’ faces, hands, and feet, then sneaking out before the pujaris came to prepare for maìgala-ärati.

The drama had resumed each night for two weeks. On the final night, Arca-vigraha had painted Srimati Radharani’s eyes.

“Where is she?” Aindra demanded.

“Prabhu, calm down . . .”

“Where is she?” he persisted. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out from someone else.” And, learning that Arca-vigraha was staying in the guesthouse, he rushed over.

When Aindra knocked on Arca-vigraha’s door, he heard a faint “Come in” and entered.

Arca-vigraha was lying in bed, visibly weak and ill.

Aindra went straight to her feet and touched them with respect. “How did you do it?” he asked.

“Do what?” she replied.

“How did you paint Radharani’s eyes like that?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I just painted what I was inspired to paint.”

“How do you know what Radharani’s eyes look like?”

“I don’t know what they look like. I just painted them by inspiration.”

“You painted them exactly as I envision them every day in my own meditations!”

 

The 2024 GBC AGM Resolutions have been released and viewable here. The GBC will continue to meet online during the year and will process other proposals that were not able to be covered during the AGM. These will also be published in due course.

The post 2024 GBC AGM Resolutions Available Online appeared first on ISKCON News.

Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. The 2024 GBC AGM Resolutions have been released at the below link: https://gbc.iskcon.org/gbc-resolutions/ Please click the bottom link for 2024. The GBC will continue to meet online during the year and will process other proposals that were not able to be covered during
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Adikarta Das: This is a nice letter I got today. If we don’t go out they will never know. Hare Krishna my friend, We met a few days ago while I was walking out of class at Florida state. I’m the young man who knew the mantra already and knew about George Harrison, the musician.
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The Nrsimhadeva Wing dome interior is composed of 1700 steel brackets of varying sizes. 432 beautiful, gold-leafed diamond-like coffers are mounted on the steel brackets to adorn the interior ceiling of the 82ft (25m) high dome. They are acoustically designed to reduce excess echoing in the hall during kirtan.

The Nrsimha Wing, which opened during the historic, three-day Sri Nrsimha Vaibhavotsava from February 29 – March 2, 2024, is 80% finished. The scheduled completion date is for Nrsimha Caturdasi, May, 2024. You can now sponsor one or more of these ‘diamonds’ (coffers) and help finance the construction work with essential funds for the ongoing work.

Please go to the Diamonds of the Dome Campaign page today and Give To Nrsimha to help finish His temple.

Watch The Miracle Is Achieved video.

“O devoted one, one who builds a beautiful temple for Lord Nrsimhadeva will be freed from all sinful reactions and he will enter the Vaikuntha planets.”

Nrsimha Purana

MIRACLE IN THE MAKING ~ HOME OF OUR DIVINE PREOTECTOR

 

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The TOVP Communications Department is happy to present the Visions of the TOVP video. These are the same beautiful, scenic views of the magnificent Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in our Visions of the TOVP Flipbook and 2024 calendar, shot by some of our best photographers.

We hope these images inspire devotees with a vision of the great impact the TOVP will have on the world scene, bringing the mercy and blessings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the form of the Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, the Rising Moon of Gauranga.

“I have named this temple Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, the Rising Moon of Mayapur. Now make it rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world. All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come.”

Srila Prabhupada Letter to Ramesvara – October 25, 1974

Help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Temple by Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2024. Go to the Give To Nrsimha Campaign page on the TOVP website today!

Visions of the TOVP Flipbook

Visions of the TOVP 2024 Calendar: North America | India

 

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Govinda Ghosh was one of three brothers Govinda, Vasudev and Madhav, who were all dear associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu.

According to Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (188), Sri Govinda Ghosh is a sakhi named Kalavati in Goloka Vrindavan who beautifully sings songs composed by Srimati Vishakha Sakhi.

Govinda Ghosh, in Mahaprabhu’s lila, was a celebrated singer with a melodious voice. He, along with his brothers, was present in the kirtans at Srivas Angan, in the kirtan party which went to the Kazi’s house, in the kirtans at Raghava Pandit’s house and in the fourth sankirtan party during Rathayatra, the main dancer of which was Vakreshwar pandit.

Govinda followed the instructions of the Lord and stayed at Agradwipa. There he established the deity of Gopinath in accordance with Mahaprabhu’s directions. He then got married and also had a son. He, along with his family always engaged in affectionately serving Gopinath.

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I saw Lord Gauracandra, the king of dancers. How has He become so like a golden mountain walking amid Navadvipa?

He is a kalpa-taru tree that sprinkles the honey of ecstatic spiritual love on the devotees that approach His lotus feet. The shade of that tree brings newer and newer bliss and peace.

The waves of His tears flood the three worlds. How many celestial Gangas are they like? How many rain-pouring clouds are they like? Lord Nityananda Candra and Abhirama Thakura are like two suns that circle around Him in the dancing arena.

Rapt in samadhi, Siva meditates on His feet. Brahma yearns to attain Him. Hugging a fallen soul, Lord Gaurancandra weeps. What more need Govinda dasa say?

( Pekhalu Gauracandra Nata Raja, by the poet Govinda Dasa )

In the 1950s, the Beatniks were a small cultural phenomenon. Their post-WWII poetry and literature of alienation didn’t interest enough of society to join them in their anti-establishment, anti-consumerist lifestyles. By the 1960s, the Beatnik culture segued into the hippie era. The early 60’s folk songs were able to attract many more young people than […]

The post Bob Dylan, the Hippies, and the Bhagavad Gita appeared first on ISKCON News.

By Vijaya Das

Here's a pleasant surprise: The number one book distributor in the world last month is a bhakta! Bhakta Kevin based in Los Angeles. What's more, of the 2,530 books Kevin distributed, 1789 were Arabic books, boosting his score to 7,122 book points! Astounding news from Russia: A small town in Siberia named Berdsk was #1 in that vast country with 6,816 book points. Simply wonderful. Continue reading "WSN February 2024 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

In the 1970s, Srila Prabhupada pushed his book publishing arm (BBT – Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) to produce the Chaitanya Caritamrita 17-volume transcendental treatise in just two months. This included all the proofreading, manual typesetting (without computers), layout, and much, much more. The first reaction of his young 20-something disciples was that it was impossible, triggering […]

The post COMING OF AGE #14 – Faith and the Impossible appeared first on ISKCON News.

https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/420173130_10225220117952971_7027151554677030457_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=Qz1LWZu25OoQ7kNvgGrwvNc&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&oh=00_AYD9wh2iqn1VvTWSpbv43yFKmxWcRZkWrrEwsIE8FTWjCA&oe=665B7358

Мой дорогой духовный брат Шридхар Махараджа,

Пожалуйста, прими мои самые смиренные поклоны. Слава Шриле Прабхупаде!

Сегодня мы празднуем благоприятный день твоего явления. Бесчисленное количество твоих духовных братьев, учеников, друзей и доброжелателей по всему миру собрались и наслаждаются светлыми воспоминаниями о твоих прославленных деяниях, связанных с распространением миссии санкиртаны Господа Чайтаньи. Делясь этими воспоминаниями, они могут говорить часами, поскольку, по милости Шрилы Прабхупады, ты добился потрясающего успеха в этом служении. Я знаю это, поскольку мне посчастливилось быть с тобой на протяжении какого-то времени и наблюдать, как ты проповедуешь в Индии, Америке и Канаде.

Я счастлив, что сегодня в твою честь звучат прославления, которых ты заслуживаешь. Но также мне грустно, поскольку мне кажется, что твой уход был преждевременным. “Преждевременно” – слово, которое использовал Шрила Прабхупада, услышав о кончине одного из своих учеников в первые дни Движения.

Порой я удивляюсь, зачем Господь забирает подобных тебе преданных так рано, перекладывая ответственность за распространение сознания Кришны на твоих младших духовных братьев. Это можно объяснить только Его любовью к таким как ты слугам, проявляющим все лучшие качества и сильное желание распространить святое имя по всему миру. Один из наших духовных братьев, Бимал Прасад дас, хорошо сказал по этому поводу:

“Мы все любим тех великих душ, кто достиг совершенства в наслаждении вкусом
святого имени, и доверяем им. К несчастью, такой успех часто означает, что
Верховный Господь Сам жаждет их общения, а мы чувствуем потерю, когда Он
забирает их к Себе Домой”.

Я очень скучаю по тебе. Я скучаю по тем временам, когда мы путешествовали вместе в ранние дни движения. В твоем обществе всегда было весело и интересно. И какой бы сложной ни была ситуация, ты всегда отпускал
какую-нибудь шутку, вызывая наш смех. А в следующий момент ты мог так беспощадно сказать об иллюзорности материальной жизни, что я поеживался.

Махараджа, никто не сможет заменить тебя. Как и многие другие ученики Шрилы Прабхупады, ты был уникален в своем сознании Кришны. Я помню, в самые последние дни, когда ты лежал на смертном одре в Маяпуре, один преданный повернулся ко мне и спросил: “Что же происходит? Что же будет с нашим движением без Шридхары Свами?” Я не знал, что ответить. Со временем я получил ответ, увидев, что мир становится немного темнее каждый раз, когда уходит такой же светлый преданный, как ты.

Когда ты ушел, я почувствовал, что потерял одного из лучших друзей на поле битвы. Шрила Прабхупада часто сравнивал проповедь с битвой, в которой преданным приходится сражаться и с иллюзорной энергией, и с теми, кто противостоит движению санкиртаны, например, с мирскими учеными, атеистами и деспотичными правительствами. У ИСККОН длинная и славная история в этой битве за распространение послания Махапрабху в западном мире. Шрила Прабхупада как-то сказал: “Однажды историки опишут, как движение сознания Кришны спасло мир в его самые темные часы”. Без сомнения, когда они это сделают, твое имя будет там, в списке тех, кто был на передовой в этой битве, вооруженный святыми именами и верой в духовного учителя.

Твоя вера сделала тебя бесстрашным. Я ни разу не видел, чтобы ты отступил перед кем-то из своих оппонентов. Никто не мог одержать над тобой верх в споре, поскольку ты искусно сочетал знание шастр и глубокую  убежденность. Бесчисленное количество раз я видел, как одна твоя убежденность действовала на других. Преданные твоего уровня навсегда останутся в памяти. И в будущем, когда люди смогут оценить истинную ценность того, что смогло предложить это движение, возможно, вас будут ценить даже больше.

Ты был одним из первых, кто бросился на передовую, но также стал и одним из первых, кто ушел. Здесь, на поле битвы, становится одиноко, Махараджа. Я не хочу сказать, что больше никого не осталось. Есть много новых санньяси, принявших ответственность. Но это не совсем то. Многое можно сказать о преданных, которые тридцать-сорок лет вкладывали жизнь и душу в практику и проповедь сознания Кришны. Ты был как раз такой личностью. Но сейчас ты ушел, и другие тоже уходят. Вскоре мир лишится общества тех мужчин и женщин,
на чью долю выпала удача покрыть свои головы пылью с лотосных стоп нашего Гуру Махараджа.

Безусловно, подрастает новое поколение преданных, по-своему уникальных и способных эффективно проповедовать в наступающие времена. Благодаря их славным усилиям движение будет продолжать существовать на протяжении сотен и тысяч лет. Но, несмотря на это, что-то уйдет и никогда не будет прежним:
поколение, которому выпала удача помогать Шриле Прабхупаде в самые первые дни движения. Однажды Шрила Прабхупада сказал: “В самом начале Кришна послал мне нескольких хороших людей”. Несомненно, ты был одним из них.

А пока мы продолжаем наше служение в разлуке, стараясь изо всех сил. Это – то же движение, тот же метод, то же учение, но ряды преданных учеников Прабхупады редеют. Утешение придет, когда мы присоединимся к тебе и другим в следующей великой главе проповеди сознания Кришны где-то в материальном мире, куда Шрила Прабхупада отправился, чтобы продолжить свою миссию. Или, возможно, Его Божественная Милость призовет нас всех назад в духовный мир, чтобы служить там Радхе и Кришне вместе с ним в чарующей обители вечного
блаженства.

“Счастливой охоты, пока мы не встретимся снова”, – были твои последние слова, адресованные мне. Я храню эти слова в своем сердце и жажду снова быть с тобой.

“Прекрасный Господь никогда не являлся перед моими глазами, и я никогда не пробовал нектара служения Его лотосным стопам… Так что я просто молюсь, чтобы обрести радость общения с теми великими душами, украшающими сейчас этот мир, чьи сердца сосредоточены на лотосных стопах Шри Чайтаньи”.

[ Шрила Прабходананда Сарасвати, Шри Чайтанья-чандрамрита, текст 50 ]

Твой слуга в разлуке,
Индрадьюмна Свами.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

My dear godbrother Sridhar Maharaja,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Today is the auspicious celebration of your departure from this world twenty years ago. Numerous godbrothers, disciples, friends and well-wishers have gathered around the world and are enjoying sweet memories of your glorious activities in spreading the samkirtan mission of Lord Caitanya. In recounting these memories they will speak for hours, for by the grace of Srila Prabhupada your service record was outstanding. I know this because I was fortunate to spend some time with you and witness your preaching activities in India, America and Canada.

I am happy that today you will receive the glorification you deserve. But I’m sad as well, for I feel your departure was premature. “Untimely” was the word Srila Prabhupada used when hearing of the demise of one of his disciples in the early days of the movement.

I sometimes wonder why the Lord takes away devotees like you so early, leaving the responsibility for spreading Krsna Consciousness to younger godbrothers. It can only be because of His love for servants such as yourself who exhibit all good qualities and an intense desire to spread the holy names around the world. One of our godbrothers, Bimal Prasad das, explained this nicely:

“We all love and trust those great souls who achieve perfection in relishing the holy names. Unfortunately, such success often means that the Supreme Lord Himself becomes eager for their association and thus we feel the loss when He takes them Home to be with Him.”

I miss you a lot. I miss the times we spent traveling together in the early days of the movement. It was fun and enlivening to be in your association. No matter how difficult the situation, you always said something humorous to make us laugh. And the next moment you could speak so candidly about the illusory nature of material life that it would make us cringe.

Maharaja, no one can replace you. Like so many of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples you were unique in your own Krsna conscious way. I remember towards the end when you were lying on your deathbed in Mayapura, one devotee turned to me and said, “How is this happening? What will the movement be like without Sridhar Swami?” I had no answer. I have learned the answer in time as I watch the world become a little dimmer each time an enlightened devotee such as you departs.

After you left I felt I had lost one of my closest friends on the battlefield. Srila Prabhupada often compared preaching to a battle in which devotees have to fight both the illusory nature and those who oppose the samkirtan movement such as mundane scientists, atheists and oppressive governments. ISKCON has a long and glorious history in this battle to spread the message of Mahaprabhu in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada once said, “One day historians will note how this Krsna conscious movement saved the world in its darkest hours.” No doubt when they do your name will be there, counted amongst those who were the first to go forward in the battle armed with the holy names and faith in their spiritual master.

Your faith made you fearless. I never once saw you back down from any opponent. No one could defeat you in argument, for you combined sastric knowledge with intense conviction. I saw numerous times how your conviction alone convinced others. Devotees of your caliber will be remembered, perhaps even more so in the future when people begin to appreciate the value of what this movement has to offer.

You were one of the first to go forward, but you were also one of the first to leave. It’s getting a little lonely out here on the battlefield, Maharaja. It’s not that there aren’t others present. There are plenty; even new sannyasis who are rising to the challenge. But it’s not exactly the same. There is something to be said for those devotees who have spent forty or fifty years practicing and preaching Krsna consciousness as their life and soul. You were just such a personality. But now you have left and others are leaving as well. Soon the world will be bereft of the association of those men and women who were fortunate enough to have taken the dust from our Guru Maharaja’s lotus feet upon their heads.

Certainly, another generation of devotees will arise, unique in their own way and able to effectively preach in times to come. Due to their glorious efforts the movement will go on as it has for centuries, for millennia. But despite this, something will be lost that will never be seen again: that generation who came by chance or good fortune to help Srila Prabhupada in the very early days of the movement. Srila Prabhupada once said: “In the beginning Krsna sent me a few good men.” No doubt, you were one of them.

And so, for now we serve in separation carrying on as best we can. It’s the same movement, the same process, the same teachings, but the ranks of Srila Prabhupada’s dedicated disciples are wearing thin. The solace will come when we join you and others like you in the next great chapter of preaching Krsna consciousness somewhere else in this material world where Srila Prabhupada has gone to continue his mission. Or perhaps His Divine Grace will invite us all back to the spiritual world to serve Radha and Krsna alongside him in Vrindavan, that enchanting land of eternal bliss.

“Happy trails until we meet again” were your last words to me. I keep those words close to my heart and long to be with you again.

“Because the wonderful Lord never came before my eyes, and because I never tasted the nectar of service to His lotus feet, I simply pray to attain the jubilant festival of the association of those great souls now decorating this world whose hearts are fixed at Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet.”

[Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati, Sri Caitanya-candramrita, text 50]

Your servant in separation,
Indradyumna Swami.

[ Revised offering 2010 ]