Planet ISKCON

Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s father, Shriman C K Shah, left his body on 17-7-17 at 11.03 pm. The day coincided with the disappearance day of Srila Loknath Dasa Goswami and the Brahmotsava of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath.

The auspicious moment of departure

Three years ago, he had started developing dementia. And four months ago, his left side had been paralyzed, which had left him mostly bed-ridden and semi-conscious. He had been on the border of life and death, with no hope of recovery and with the possibility of passing over at any moment.

Thankfully, when that moment came, his family was around him. Vaishnava Seva Prabhu had very much wanted to be by his father’s side during his last moments. He had been concerned that if that time came during the day when he was in surgery, he wouldn’t be able to leave the operation theater with the surgery half-done. And if that moment came at night when he and his wife, Kalindi Mataji, were asleep, then too his father would depart alone. Wanting to prevent that eventuality, he would wake up several times each night just to check his father’s condition.

Fortunately, that moment came when both he and Kalindi Mataji were at home. On the night of 17^th July, after Vaishnava Seva Prabhu finished his dinner prasad at around 10.45 pm, he got an intuition that something was wrong. He noticed that his father’s breathing had become slower and more strained than usual. He immediately called Kalindi Mataji and she found that his pulse had gone down to an all-time low. Sensing that the end was near, they both started chanting intensely. Despite being paralyzed, his father, on hearing the kirtan, started moving his leg gently in response to the singing – he had a habit of doing that while hearing kirtans. Slowly, the movement of the leg decreased. And within the next seven minutes, he breathed his last, with the sound of the holy names in his ears.

In addition to the time of departure, even the day of departure had worked out wonderfully. For several months, Kalindi Mataji had been reading scripture to him every night. She had completed reading the full Bhagavad-gita a few days ago and had thereafter started reading the Bhagavatam. Just that very night, she had read the Bhagavatam chapter about Kunti’s prayers, repeating the celebrated namo pankaj nabhaya … (1.8.22) verse thrice in his ears. After completing that chapter, she had started reading the next chapter about Bhishma’s departure. As this chapter describes the ideal way to depart, Shri Shah’s hearing that chapter on his last night was a special blessing.

The buildup to the auspicious departure

Not only was the moment of departure divinely orchestrated, so were the preceding events that laid the setting for this moment.

For many years, Shri Shah had been averse to even visit Vaishnava Seva P’s house, leave alone stay there. Like most fathers, he had had great dreams for his son. When Vaishnava Seva Prabhu had started practicing bhakti, his father had become upset. His anger was not because they were from a Jain background, but because he feared that his son would neglect his career. In his disappointment, he had spoken heated words to, Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s spiritual master, HH Radhanatha Maharaj. He had even threatened to not attend Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s marriage.

Over the years, his heart softened when devotees helped him during his times of need. When he underwent his first cardiac bypass surgery in 1996, several devotees donated blood, and senior devotees such as HH Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaja and Krishna Chandra Prabhu came to see him in the hospital. This touched him deeply and accelerated the transformation of his heart.

Significantly, the seed of that transformation had been sown more than two decades earlier. In the early 70s, he had seen Prabhupada walking on the Juhu beach and had attended three days of Prabhupada’s Cross Maidan program. He had been especially impressed by seeing foreigners practicing bhakti enthusiastically.

After recovering from the bypass surgery, his appreciation for devotees increased, and he started using his influence to assist them. During the early days of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, he asked his friend Mr Damji Anchorwala to sponsor the entire ICU. Additionally, he used his experience in pharmacy to help systematize the hospital’s pharmacy shop.

Still, he remained reluctant to visit his son’s house in Mira Road. But in 2014, while he was staying at his residence in Andheri, he started showing signs of dementia. Under the influence of that distressingly degenerative disease, he would sometimes become aggressive. When his family members there found it difficult to calm him during those times, Vaishnava Seva Prabhu offered to take care of him. Dementia had blurred much of Shri Shah’s memory, and along with it had been blurred his unwillingness to live with his son. At Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s residence, which is also the office of ISKCON Desire Tree, the overall devotional atmosphere, as well as the association of the devotees working there, had a soothing effect on him. His aggressiveness subsided, and he grew fond of devotees. When Radhanatha Maharaj visited the ISKCON Desire Tree office, he had sweet, memorable interactions with Maharaj. I had the fortune to be present at that time and I had written about it here: A giant desire tree blesses ISKCON desire tree.

During the months when he was paralyzed, devotees would almost daily bring charnamrita for him. Radhanatha Maharaj visited him once more. He had been taking prasad for over two years and now he was given prasad through a stomach feeding tube. Prabhupada’s Hare Krishna dhun and other devotional kirtans would go on twenty-four hours near him for the last several months of his life, till his last moment.

Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s reflections

On the morning after his father’s departure, Vaishnava Seva Prabhu, with his characteristic humility, told me that because of his immaturity in the early days of bhakti, he had alienated his father. He had been hoping to get an opportunity to make amends. His father’s dementia, though it had been difficult for all his family members, had become the means for him to make amends. It that enabled him to serve his father both materially and spiritually: materially by providing the required bodily and medical care, and spiritually by providing a devotional atmosphere.

Vaishnava Seva Prabhu appreciated his wife Kalindi Mataji for extending herself to take care of his father, treating him as if he were her own father. In the early days of Vaishnava Seva P’s marriage, while his father had still been upset with his son, he had sometimes taken out his anger on his daughter-in-law. Yet, she had always remained humble and tolerant, and kept serving him whenever she got the opportunity, especially during his sickness. During his last days, she had rendered many menial services to him, doing whatever was necessary.

Vaishnava Seva Prabhu appreciated his father for having infused within him the drive to achieve. During his school days, he had been apathetic about his studies. But his father had pushed him to study seriously and to pursue a medical career; whatever he had achieved materially, it was primarily due to his father’s motivation. His father had imparted within him the zeal to take initiative, learn new skills and branch out into diverse areas. He had been able to use all these in Krishna’s service through ISKCON desire tree which had started as an audio resource but has now become a multimedia online outreach platform with its flagship Hare Krsna TV reaching over five million viewers.

Concluding thoughts

Seeing the departure of anyone in any situation is sobering, but seeing someone’s departure in a devotional setting is also uplifting. Contemplating how devotees strive to arrange for such a setting for their loved ones deepens our appreciation for devotees. And contemplating how Krishna orchestrates events to arrange such a setting for a soul, even a soul not directly practicing bhakti, boosts our faith in his expert benevolence. Even if things seem to be going wrong, Krishna can inconceivably bring good out of the bad. After all, who could have conceived that dementia might become a blessing that removes one’s blocks to receiving Krishna’s mercy?

Through life and through death, Krishna is present in our hearts, guiding our wanderings. How he orchestrates circumstances to thrust mercy on a soul is demonstrated poignantly through the departure of Shriman C K Shah.

May the Lord that guides all souls take the departed soul to spiritual serenity.

May that Lord guide us all through our life-journey in preparation for our final moment.

May our Lord give us the faith to cooperate with his inscrutable ways and to always live in the light of his guidance.

The post When Krishna thrusts his mercy, inconceivably (Reflections on the departure of Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s father) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

TOVP: video of the “red flag of victory” being temporarily installed for testing purposes.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1pagSt

Saturday night Manchester.

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We have just lifted and temporarily installed the Chakra for the Planetarium Dome for a test run.

The purpose is to confirm the exact measurements of drilling spots and other essential points of contact for a perfect fit. The Chakra has now been taken down and our next report will focus on the permanent installation. Sudarshana Chakra kijaya!!!

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First ever art exhibition conducted by ISKCON Nairobi and a felicitation for 31 devotees (Album with photos)
On July 8th 2017, ISKCON Nairobi’s premises were a hive of activity. Over 800 new faces were exposed to Krishna consciousness via an art exhibition featuring the work of over 360 students from various primary and secondary schools of Nairobi.
The initiative was spearheaded by Sri Gauranga Das and was focused on children between the ages of 10 to 15. The theme of the artwork was on the soul. This was the first time that ISKCON Nairobi conducted this event. The response was very encouraging from all the students who participated in submitting their entries.
21 students from different schools won top prizes as all other entrants received a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s books and T-shirts. Sumptuous prasad was served to all the children and their families.
Present for the award ceremony were the principals and teachers of the various schools, HH Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami, HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavat Swami as well as the leaders of ISKCON Nairobi.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kZJihu
—
On July 2nd 2017, ISKCON Nairobi held a small felicitation for over 31 devotees who received awards for successfully completing their Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 studies. The devotees had regularly attended study sessions which were held once a week for the past six months facilitated by Sri Gauranga Das.
The ceremony was attended by HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavat Swami who encouraged the devotees to delve deep into studying the Bhagavatam as per Srila Prabhupada’s desire. The devotees also gave their realizations and shared their experience while going through the 1st Canto systematically.
Photos here: https://goo.gl/umuxav

The “Love’s Lessons” Book.
Author: H.G. Bhakti Vijnana Goswami.
At the end of last summer, Bhakti Vijnana Maharaj published a new book called “Love’s Lessons”. It became apparent right away that it was going to be the pearl of spiritual literature. On one hand, “Love’s Lessons” permeates right into your heart, ignoring all those mental channels that have been stuffed with media noise and stereotypes. On the other hand, it is very rare to find such a brilliant description of a great personality through the idea behind that personality, rather than the biography.
“Love’s Lessons” – is a collection of stories about one of the greatest sage of India in the 20th century – A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It is a deep look at the man who, following his spiritual master’s order, came to the West at an older age and by his own example was able to convince thousands of people from all over the world to take on a higher consciousness path.

The effect of some books can be compared to medication. Such effects can be experienced by reading “Bhagavad Gita” translated by Srila Prabhupada, “Journey Back Home” by Radhanath Swami, “Diary of a Traveling Monk” by Indradyumna Swami, the wonderful pieces by Sacinandana Swami, and by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj. If we commit to take these medications regularly, with faith and under doctor’s supervision, then the effect can be very dramatic. One’s mind and heart can be cured. The mind quiets down and becomes inspired to serve God. The heart becomes rejuvenated by the interaction with the Source. That is how the spiritual medication works – it transforms lives. Often, we do not even need a lot of time for that to happen. By reading only one chapter, one sentence or sutra, we can experience absolute happiness and purifying pain. Our eyes become watery and we want to read it over and over again, because there is a high chance that something very deep has just permeated into our hearts.

That is what “Love’s Lessons” is about. It is about transformation and how to transform. It talks about crossing the boundaries of the inert material world subduing all the obstacles for the benefit of our souls.

Bhakti Vijnana Goswami:

“I did not get a chance to meet Srila Prabhupada. I have only heard stories about him and associated with those, who met him. But looking back at my life, I can say that he has influenced my life much more than the people whom I met in person. So, this book that you are holding – is my attempt to explain this secret of influence, which, I am confident, has been experienced by many, who have never met Srila Prabhupada.

When I started collecting stories about his life, which were very touching to me, never did I ever imagine that there would someday be a book based on them. I simply enjoyed hearing and sharing those stories with others. Analyzing the stories and trying to imagine being in Srila Prabhupada’s shoes, I was learning about his attitude toward the world, trying to see the internal mechanisms that supported his words and actions, which at times were so paradoxical and unexpected.

It was not until later when I realized that all of that was an essential part of bhakti yoga. Bhakti begins with hearing the stories about love toward God. Namely with hearing: we hear about other beings’ love toward Krishna, the obstacles they overcome for the sake of this love, and the sacrifices they make. By hearing about the great sages, we unwillingly identify ourselves with them and their mood enters our hearts and becomes our reality. The feelings that drive the great sages get transferred to those who hear about their pastimes, just as the feelings of movie or drama characters get transferred to the viewers.”

THE LESSON ON OBTAINING MERCY

We can advance ourselves on the path of devotion only by the mercy of Krishna. Unfortunately, the lazy people of Kali Yuga often confuse “mercy” with “miracle”. Hoping for mercy, they are actually expecting a miracle, and when miracle does not happen, they become disappointed and lose faith in God’s mercy. There is, however, a considerable difference between miracle and mercy. Miracle happens all at once, while Krishna’s unconditional mercy is usually distributed in small, barely noticeable amounts. Krishna gives us a small piece of His mercy and then watches what we are going to do with it. If we appreciate His mercy and accept it with gratitude, Krishna give us a little more, but if we take it for granted, Krishna takes away everything He has given us before. So, it may seem like Krishna gives His mercy only to those who are patient and humble, but that is actually not true: Krishna showers everyone with Him mercy, but only the patient and the humble are able to preserve and grow it.

In his “Renunciation Through Wisdom” book Srila Prabhupada writes: “But because it is impossible to surrender to God in an instant, similarly we should not expect God’s mercy to come to us in an instant. Although certainly both God and even His servants sometimes create miracles, we still should not expect that those miracles would be happening with us. At the same time, we should never have any doubts that God’s mercy can exceed the level of our devotion. There is yet another danger: if we obtain all of God’s mercy at once, that would make us corrupt and fallen, which happens to many yogis who obtain mystical powers. For us, it is way much better to continue performing our duties by serving the Lord, with patience and enthusiasm; and at the end, that will lead to God gifting us with all of His mercy.”

THE LESSON ON TRUST

Srila Prabhupada had an unlimited faith in guru and Krishna – that is an unquestionable fact. One can praise and marvel that, but I think his other quality is way more marvelous – the trust in people, his incompetent and unexperienced but full of enthusiasm disciples and even simple people, who just happened to interact with him somehow. In actuality, his trust in people is part of his faith in guru and Krishna: he knew that Krishna and spiritual master could turn any person into a tool of service toward them. That is exactly what he was aiming at – to turn all and every person into Krishna’s servants to free them from suffering. This strong desire to engage both worthy and unworthy people in the service to Krishna has transformed the hearts of those who interacted with him.

THE LESSON ON HUMILITY AND PATIENCE

Born out of false ego the desire to enjoy, no matter its form, makes everything around us dead, distorting our original purpose, and eventually it slays our consciousness forcing our souls to be born again and again. But the spirit of service fills this slay and boring world with life and gives back natural immortality to our souls. Service is the only way to get rid of the influence of illusion. No matter how hard those prideful people try to comfort themselves with the belief that there are many paths leading to the spiritual kingdom, there is only one path from the material world to the spiritual reality – it is a narrow and thorny path of meekness and humility, and only the most patient ones can successfully complete it.

THE LESSON ON COMPASSION AND TRUTHFULNESS

At times, Srila Prabhupada’s compassion was ruthless and his truthfulness did not fit into the societal norms of good tone. He got it from his spiritual master, who was not afraid of publicly admitting that compassion is based on truth and that lie has nothing to do with it. “This is the reason “Bhagavatam” recommends to start life from scratch: “Intelligent people should get rid of bad association and start communicating with sadhus. There is no doubt that sadhus are capable of killing all the bad qualities of a person’s mind. Because of this ability, communication with sadhus is beneficial for all”. There are many things we can try to hide from sadhus, but a true sadhu will make us confess in everything we are hiding in our hearts. He then takes his knife out. There are no other meanings of the word “sadhu” except this one. He is standing by the sacrifice block with his knife raised up high above. Our lustful desires are like goats. Sadhus come into our lives and compassionately chops off all those desires with a sharp sacrificial knife of word. If a sadhu lies, then he is harmful to us just as an enemy. Sadhu’s lies can only push us to walk the path that leads to enjoyment, but it never to true happiness.”
More photos: http://hkls.ru/en/kniga-uroki-lubvi/

App by Northern European BBT for Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
First it was eBooks, then an online store for multimedia, now the Northern European BBT has released Bhagavad-gita as it is, the App.
The App is currently available for iPad and iPhone, with an Android version being planned. It contains the full text of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita as it is. You can make notes, use bookmarks and adjust the screen brightness, as well as use day and night themes. You can adjust the font type and size, search the text to find what you need and choose between scrolling or swiping pages.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/S9ynDz
You can download the App in the Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bhagavad-gita-as-it-is/id1080562426

If one sees this movie for what it is (and is advertised) – the story of the swami who started the Hare Krishna Movement against all odds – then it is an amazing account of spiritual purity, power and accomplishment. The non-devotee, however much he or she may or may not be turned off by Hare Krishna people, has to acknowledge there was certainly something that attracted its followers of the late sixties and early seventies. This film more than aptly shows what that was, or who it was – Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "Hare Krishna! Film Successfully Tells the Story of Its Founder
→ Dandavats"

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“An Absolutely Pure, Unadulterated Spiritual Activity” Srila Sanatana Goswami in his Hari Bhakti Vilas quotes the Padma Purana, which states: “Kartik is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krsna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, […]

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I was fortunate to attend a home program in Bali with HH Kavicandra Maharaja, who has many disciples here and is my co-GBC for Indonesia. He gives great talks and is much loved by the devotees.

The program was at the the home of Mahavirya das and Mahapavitra devi dasi who are both doctors and are very active in the devotee community. They regularly go out on harinama around Denpasar.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2011, Helsinki, Finland, Lecture)

We should appreciate why Krsna consciousness is the best. We have to be thoroughly convinced that our life is much better than the lives of non-devotees.

We follow four regulative principles; the regulative principles of freedom. When the rest of the world is caught up in sinful activity, which is just creating a network of reactions leading to death, we are free.

All our devotional activities are making us more and more free from distress whereas, for a materialist, each activity is pulling him down more. From early in the morning, as soon as a materialist opens his eyes, it begins – some coffee, some cigarettes, some inedible things – just sinful activity after sinful activity the whole day!

Each day, the materialist collects more and more karma whereas a devotee each day is burning off more karma. In this way, a devotee becomes released from the darkness of the sinful reactions.

Том 14, глава 12

18 июля 2017, Польша

Я проснулся в 3:30 утра, как только первые лучи восточно-европейского летнего солнца заглянули в окно. Я был в замешательстве. Где я? Всё в комнате казалось незнакомым. Поскольку в путешествиях я оказываюсь в разных городах и странах каждые несколько дней, такое часто случается со мной при пробуждении на новом месте. Поднявшись, я выглянул в окно, чтобы сориентироваться.

«Ах да! – сказал я тихонько, увидев преданных с багажом, прибывших на нашу базу летнего фестивального тура. – Я вернулся на Балтийское побережье Польши».

В предвкушении начала тура я быстро принял душ, оделся и вышел на улицу, окунувшись в утреннюю прохладу. Повторяя джапу, я поймал себя на том, что не могу сосредоточиться и все переживаю, как пройдет этот тур. Нам не хватило финансирования, несколько грузовиков сломалось, система электрики на нашей громадной сцене работала с перебоями, но хуже всего было то, что местные фермеры предсказывали холодное, дождливое лето.

Я решил не тратить время на пустое беспокойство. «Кришна – Верховный контролирующий, – напомнил я себе. – Он может устранить все эти препятствия в одно мгновение. Он проделывал это для нас неоднократно за эти двадцать восемь лет».

И это факт. Проповедуя и распространяя святые имена, преданный порой может с легкостью ощутить вмешательство Господа в разрешение трудных ситуаций. Один такой случай уже произошел. Только я приехал на нашу новую школьную базу, Нандини даси сообщила мне, что мы не сможем арендовать ту школу в другом городке, которую занимали многие годы: ее собрались ремонтировать. Нандини объехала все, что только можно, в поисках места, которое отвечало бы нашим требованиям: размещение трехсот преданных и наличие кухни. Времени уже было в обрез и, так и не найдя ничего подходящего, она обратилась в школу, в которой мы останавливались на время одного летнего тура 13 лет тому назад. Однако теперь арендная плата была астрономической, нам совсем не по карману. Нандини несколько дней пыталась сбить цену, и, в конце концов, снизила ее наполовину. На следующий день вся наша команда из 300 человек заехала.

Уже подписав договор, Нандини обнаружила, что нас поддерживает весь город. Какая-то женщина ей сказала: «Когда много лет тому назад вы останавливались здесь, то каждый день выходили петь на улицы. И все помнят те яркие и радостные шествия. Нам их не хватало! Пообещайте, что приехав, найдете время, чтобы снова петь в городе ту необычную песню, которую вы всё поете, поете и поете».

Ближе к полудню провели собрание преданных. Я обратил их внимание на то, что мы унаследовали от предыдущих ачарьев огромную ответственность. На протяжении многих поколений Вайшнавы в Индии развивали и структурировали сознание Кришны, чтобы в один прекрасный день оно распространилось по всему миру.

В XIX веке Шрила Бхактивинода Тхакура писал:

«Когда же наступит тот день, когда светлокожие иностранцы приедут в Шри Майяпур-дхаму и вместе с Вайшнавами Бенгалии станут воспевать «джая Шачинандана, джая Шачинандана!»  В ближайшее время воспевание Харинама-санкиртаны распространится по всему миру. О, когда же наступит тот день, когда люди из Америки, Англии, Франции, Германии и России, взяв караталы и мриданги,  станут петь в своих городах Харе Кришна?»  [ из «Саджджана-тошани» ]

Я обратил внимание преданных на то, что время это наступило, и мы должны поддерживать традицию и распространять святые имена в каждом городе и деревне. Это одновременно и тяжелая, и радостная обязанность. А мы особо удачливы, наш вклад – особо привлекательный: проведение фестивалей в сознании Кришны на протяжении всего лета в приморских городках Балтийского побережья.

На следующий день отправились на харинаму рекламировать первый фестиваль. Вскоре мы уже в полном восторге воспевали, шествуя по тротуарам со всеми нашими барабанами, цимбалами, трубами, стягами и флажками. Красивая, яркая, радостная и энергичная процессия киртана сильно контрастировала с холодной, не по сезону дождливой погодой и серыми тучами, зловеще нависшими над нами. Преданные ровными рядами шли сквозь толпы народа, раздавая красочные содержательные приглашения. В них цитировались слова посла Индии в Польше, вдохновляющие посетить наш фестиваль, по его мнению – «само воплощение духа индийской культуры».

Пока мы шли вперед, ко мне подбежал мальчик лет двенадцати. Глаза его были широко распахнуты от изумления.

– Индрадьюмна Свами! – воскликнул он в волнении. – Вы меня помните?

Я не знал, что ответить. Каждый год я встречаю тысячи мальчиков его возраста – я не мог его помнить. Но и не хотел его разочаровать. Так что я как-бы задумался на мгновение, надеясь, что, быть может, он освежит мне память.

– Впервые я встретил вас, когда мне было шесть месяцев, – продолжал он.

На это я уж точно не знал, что сказать.

– Вот моя фотография на маминых руках на вашем фестивале 12 лет назад.

Я глянул на картинку – и действительно, там был малыш на руках у мамы, которая стояла рядом со мной на нашем фестивальном поле.

– Замечательно! – сказал я.

Oн вытащил другое фото:

– Это я с вами на фестивале, когда мне было пять.

Я пригляделся: он был точно, старше, впрочем, как и я.

Показывая мне фото за фото, он комментировал:

– Вот здесь мы вместе, когда мне было 7, 8, 9 и 10!

– Что же, наше общение и вправду хорошо задокументировано, – улыбнулся я.

– Да, вы мой герой, – сказал он. – Я никогда не был в храме Харе Кришна и прочел только одну тоненькую книжку о Кришне. Но я хочу быть таким как вы, когда вырасту. И знаете что? Я уже давным-давно перестал есть мясо, и я не курю. Друзья говорят, что я спятил. А мне все равно.

– Я счастлив, что могу быть примером для тебя, – ответил я. – Придешь вечером на фестиваль?

– Конечно, – сказал он. – И мама захватит с собой фотоаппарат!

Харинама прокладывала свой путь по городу, и многие люди улыбались и махали ей вслед. Я мог лишь предположить, что возможно и они знали нас, так как бывали на наших фестивалях, подобно тому парнишке, что подошел ко мне.

«Это фестивали поменяли то неприязненное отношение, что было у людей о нас несколько лет тому назад, – думал я. – Тогда католическая церковь открыто заявляла, что мы опасная секта. Теперь они не осмеливаются так говорить: уже миллионы людей прошли через фестивальные программы и хорошо нас знают. У нас бывает по 5000 человек в день, с июля месяца по август. Умножаем на 40 фестивалей за лето, потом на 28 лет, и получается поразительное число людей, которые соприкоснулись с нами в самом что ни на есть позитивном ключе».

Улыбаясь, я размышлял: «Именно церковь бесстрашно свергла коммунизм в этой стране, но они не смогли повергнуть нас». Мне вспомнился стих из «Бхагавад-гиты»:

«Где бы ни находился Кришна, повелитель всех йогов и мистиков, и где бы ни находился Арджуна, непревзойденный лучник, там всегда будет изобилие, победа, необычайная сила и нравственность».

[ Бхагавад-гита, 18.78 ]

Поведанные 5000 лет тому назад, слова Господа в Бхагавад-гите при правильном их применении остаются актуальными и в наши дни. Абсолютная Истина значима во все времена: минувшие, настоящие и будущие.

Спустя несколько часов, уставшие, но очень довольные, мы направились к нашей площадке неподалеку от берега. Фестиваль только-только начинался, а все триста мест у сцены были уже заняты. Еще несколько сотен людей прогуливались по территории: одни были в ресторане, другие смотрели представление фокусника или кукольный спектакль, участвовали в уроках по йоге или кулинарному искусству, сидели в палатке «Вопросы – ответы» или где разукрашивают лица. Всё было на высшем уровне, привлекательно,  профессионально. Преданные, участвовавшие в харинаме, быстро заняли свои места на сцене, в палатках и ресторане. Все 300 преданных были полностью задействованы.

Прогуливаясь и следя за происходящим на территории, я по ходу подбирал и отправлял в мусорные контейнеры обрывки бумаги, какие-то тряпки и все такое. В скором времени началась первая наша театральная постановка – обновленный вариант прошлогоднего спектакля «Кришна во Вриндаване». Преданные месяцами упорно трудились над ним, и в конце представления труды их были сполна вознаграждены громкими аплодисментами зрителей.

Подошел черед моей лекции. Я поднимался по ступеням на сцену, размышляя о том, что я читаю вводные лекции на нашей летней сцене вот уже 28 лет. Я думал, как бы сделать более интересной и свежей вводную лекцию – для тех, кто приходит сюда из года в год.

Начав говорить, я обратил внимание на четверых молодых людей лет двадцати с небольшим, не проявлявших никакого уважения к моим словам. Они начали ерничать, имитируя меня и подшучивая над выступлением. Это меня отвлекало, и тогда я сделал то, что часто делаю в подобных ситуациях: перевел внимание на того из слушателей, кто был внимателен и выказывал интерес. Время от времени я поглядывал на нарушителей спокойствия. Их продолжавшиеся выходки только усиливали мою решимость представить возвышенное учение «Гиты», используя убедительные примеры, аналогии и стихи. Тут произошло нечто удивительное. Где-то в середине лекции, посмотрев в их сторону, я увидел, что парни слушали с нескрываемым интересом. Я подумал, что это, быть может, очередная их выходка, но спустя какое-то время заметил, что они кивали головами, соглашаясь с тем, что я говорю. В конце лекции они аплодировали вместе с остальными.

«Мощная философия», – думал я, спускаясь по ступенькам, чтобы подписывать экземпляры «Бхагавад-гиты», которые я вдохновлял людей приобрести в своей речи.

В очереди ожидавших оказался старик, с новой «Бхагавад-гитой» в руке. Также он держал маленькое издание «Бхагавад-гиты» в переводе и с комментариями моего духовного брата Ранчора даса из Англии. Мы предлагаем его простую и легкую для восприятия польскую версию как дополнение к переводу «Бхагавад-гиты» Шрилы Прабхупады, чтобы люди сначала прочли ее и лучше усвоили «Бхагавад-гиту как она есть».

– Могли бы подписать мне книги? – спросил он.

Я начал подписывать, и он сказал:

– Хотелось бы поблагодарить вас за выступление. За все свои восемьдесят лет я ни разу не слышал, чтобы духовное знание излагали так ясно и логично, как это сделали вы.

– Благодарю вас, – ответил я. – Я научился всему у своего духовного учителя, который перевел книгу большего размера, которую вы держите, и написал комментарии к ней. Духовная жизнь также логична.

Крепко прижимая книгу к груди, он сказал:

– Да, не терпится поскорее ее прочесть.

Отметив его безупречный внешний вид, я поинтересовался, кто он по профессии.

– Я на пенсии, – был его скупой ответ.

– А кем вы были, когда работали?

– Политиком, – ответил он весьма неохотно.

– О… А что представляет собой эта работа? – спросил я, надеясь вовлечь его в разговор и рассказать ему о сознании Кришны больше.

– Вы не захотели бы знать, – ответил он. – Давайте не будем об этом. Просто продолжайте делать то, что делаете. Вы можете сделать мир лучше. Я это всерьез говорю.

Он удалился, и я заметил, как оживленно переговаривались люди в очереди.

– Знаете, кто это был? – спросил следующий подошедший за автографом.

– Нет, не знаю, – ответил я.

Он почтительно произнес какое-то имя и немного удивился отсутствием реакции с моей стороны – я никогда раньше не слышал это имя. Тем не менее, мне было очень приятно, что важный политический деятель купил «Бхагавад-гиту».

В очереди было человек двенадцать с «Бхагавад-гитами» в руках. Я сидел и подписывал книгу за книгой, практически не поднимая глаз. Когда подошел черед последнего, я встал и взглянул на него, собираясь спросить, понравилось ли ему представление. И узнал в нем одного из тех парней, что потешались надо мной во время лекции. Он чуть склонил голову и, глядя на меня, мягко сказал:

– Простите.

– Без проблем, – ответил я. – Давай твою книгу. С удовольствием ее подпишу.

И я крепко пожал ему руку, попросив прийти и завтра.

– Непременно, – сказал он. – Во сколько вы будете выступать?

Я ответил  с улыбкой:

– На том же месте, в тот же час.

Подписав книги, я отправился присесть на одну из скамеек в последнем ряду у сцены. Тут же подошла женщина лет сорока.

– Можно вас на минуту? – спросила она. – Не хотелось бы занимать много вашего времени.

– Конечно, – ответил я.

– Просто хотела поблагодарить вас за лекцию. Она в буквальном смысле спасла мне жизнь.

– Спасла вам жизнь? – переспросил я, думая, что, наверное, она говорит иносказательно.

– Да, – сказала она. – Два года назад мой единственный ребенок, шестнадцатилетний сын, погиб в автокатастрофе, лобовое столкновение. Я была опустошена. Из-за этого отношения с мужем стали быстро ухудшаться. Ругань, ссоры – в итоге расстались. Полгода назад мы развелись. Я была так расстроена, что не могла сосредоточиться на работе, и несколько месяцев назад потеряла и ее. Друзья меня не выдерживали и один за другим оставляли. Я никак не могла во всем этом разобраться. Постоянно думала: «Почему все это со мной происходит?»

Она сделала паузу и продолжала:

– Казалось, не было смысла жить. На прошлой неделе приехала на побережье, думая покончить жизнь самоубийством.

– Как жаль это слышать, – сказал я сочувственно.

– Но сегодня я шла по набережной мимо фестиваля – а вы только поднялись на сцену, чтобы дать лекцию. Было очевидно, что это духовное мероприятие, я решила присесть и послушать, в надежде как-то утешить свою скорбь. Но кроме утешения нашла ответ на свой вопрос, почему жизнь пошла под откос. Ваше ясное и логичное объяснение кармы привело меня в чувство. Мы получаем плоды наших прошлых поступков. Но главное, вы предложили альтернативу моим страданиям. Ваше описание духовного мира было убедительно: я тотчас осознала, что возвращение туда – вот настоящее решение моих проблем. Собираюсь пойти и купить теперь «Бхагавад-гиту». Я лишь прошу, чтобы мне можно было оставаться с вами на связи.

Она помолчала мгновение и заключила:

– Благодарю, что спасли мне жизнь и, главное, дали новую.

Это было испытанием на смирение, и я молча поблагодарил Шрилу Прабхупаду, что он спас всех нас.

Тут подскочил начальник нашей охранной команды, воскликнув:

– Шрила Гурудева, будьте начеку! На территории большой крепкий мужчина, расспрашивает, где гуру. Подходил к нескольким нашим. Сейчас заглядывает во все палатки. Не беспокойтесь, мы рядом, если что.

Внезапно метрах в десяти от меня показался здоровенный мускулистый дядя, одетый в шорты и футболку, вскричал: «Махараджа!» и, вовсю улыбаясь, бросился ко мне. Не успели охранники вмешаться, как он приподнял меня и закачал, приговаривая: «Я так по тебе скучал!»

Поставив меня на землю, он продолжил:

– Ты меня помнишь? Вудсток-1997, в Жарах, в Польше. Я дал тебе напрокат свой фургон для перевозки оборудования на поле.

Я вспомнил.

– A! – сказал я. – Мы тогда еще несколько часов проговорили «за жизнь».

– В моем городе все скучают по вам, ребята, – сказал он более приглушенно. – Народ всё еще обсуждает те песенные тусовки, которые вы изо дня в день устраивали на нашем рынке. Они же были сверхъестественны!

– Да, – повторил я, – сверхъестественны.

– Приехал на побережье в отпуск, – он продолжал, – и сегодня утром на пляже получаю приглашение к вам. Подумал «Может быть, и Махараджа там будет» – и ты здесь! Я просто счастлив – снова тебя повидать!

– И я счастлив видеть тебя, – сказал я, хлопнув его руку.

Тут он приостановился и произнес:

– Нет, серьезно, Махараджа, когда вы со своей командой вернетесь в Жары и споете нам на рынке ту необычную песню? Вот это было бы для всех нас счастье.

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

три бхувана каманийе гаура чандре ватирне
патита йавана муркхах сарватха спхотайантах
иха джагати самаста нама санкиртанарта
вайам апи ча кртартхах кришна намашрайад бхох

«Когда Гаурачандра, кого красивее не сыщешь в трех мирах, явился во Вселенной, все души падшие воздели руки к небесам, святые имена взволнованно запели вместе. Мы также были полностью довольны, приняв прибежище тех же имён Шри Кришны. О мой Господь!»

[ Шри Сарвабхаума Бхаттачарйа, «Сушлока-шатакам» – сто прекрасных стихов, сложенных во славу Шри Чайтаньи Махапрабху, текст 44 ]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209719388364419&set=a.3707173840886.2134384.1321748113&type=3&theater

Owner of ISKCON Desiretree Vaishnava Seva Prabhu’s father left his body an hour back do pray for him.
More photos: https://goo.gl/rDX5h2

Vesu (Surat) Rathyatra And Book Distribution Report (Album with photos)
There was arranged a small rathyatra in one of the newly developing area of Surat called Vesu by the devotees of Sri Sri Sacinandan Bhaktivriksh group on 16th July, 2017 under the guidance of ISKCON Surat vice president H.G. Vrindavan Dasa prabhu. The purpose of this rathyatra was to attract people towards Krsna Consciousness. The route of this Rathyatra covered more than 6 residencies area. As Srila Prabhupada once wrote in his letter of 16th july, 1969 to Brahmananda “This sankirtana party and our book department are very, very important; they are our right and left hands, so everything should be done very carefully and in remeberance that this is Krsna’s bussiness that we are executing. Because we are doing Krsna’s bussiness does not mean that we should be less careful, but it means we should be much more careful than someone who is performing activities simply for sense gratification. So instruct boys in that way.” So H.G. Radhesh Dasa prabhu instructed his team of 20 devotees in the same manner as Srila Prabhupada wanted and devotees got much enthusiasted so that they could be able to distribute 795 Srila Prabhupada’s books in just 2 hours.
The books distribution report of this rathyatra is as follows:
Maha Big Books - 321
Medium books - 51
Small books - 423
BTG member - 1.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FeL4C8

KIRTAN MELA - 2017, MOUNTAIN ALTAY Russia (Album with photos)
Another Kirtan Mela rumbled, already the fifth! Again, it was a tremendous feast of the celebration of the Holy Name and the magnificent feast of bhakti. Sweet kirtan Aditi duhkha hee Prabhu, Vaishnava prana Maladhary, Mukunda, Vishnu-tattva, Krishna creeps, Abhay Chaitanya, Rasa-lila gets carried away beyond the material creation, far, far away, in a wonderful country where the holiday never ends Where the inhabitants do not know about the separation, Where the inhabitants are unaware of sadness, Where music is not divided into sounds, Where there is no time, and no pity. Rupa Goswami says that the path of love is tortuous, and the closer we are to Krishna, the more we feel separation from Him, the stronger becomes this unbearable feeling that is causing us tears of love. Kirtan Mela on even the stoniest heart can melt, I say this from my own experience :)) raga nectar that poured from the heart kirtan and Vaishnava caught up by friendly chorus took on unprecedented power to change the heart. Weather contributed to this - the bright and hot sun quickly gives way to a dark leaden clouds, and our little Vrindavan flooded with torrents of rain, as if in Govardhan lila, and we found shelter at the Govardhan - altar with beautiful Deities and the Holy Name, which was the main deity in this Festival. And there was more nectar delicious variety of prasadam, which is under the guidance of Krishna Prabhu creeps prepared team of chefs - Chef - Bhagavan and his aides Audarya Radhika and Roma, Andrew and Nama priya, Roma Koltakov and others. Unearthly tastes! And there were master classes on playing the mrdanga, karatalah, harmonium and the basics and etiquette of kirtana and harinama. It was very lively fun and interesting. And also 2 wonderful seminars Aditi duhkha-hi and Vishnu tattva prabhu, where they revealed the innermost essence and meaning of chanting the holy name, and also that preliminary and necessary conditions for correct repetition are very important. Bathing in cold refreshing Katun, fun children’s programs, football with our guests, delicious prasadam by Abhay Chaitanya, pizza from Roma Kripakova, nectar service in the kitchen, a lot of nectar to communicate with friends, which can only be seen at the festival, dance till you drop a kirtan Aditi And many good things that words can not convey, but you can only experience yourself, so I invite you all to the next “Kirtan Mela”! Many thanks to all the organizers and especially Krishna Prabhu.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/y3bdGy

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[Phone talk to everydaychant.com online sanga]

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