It’s been a while…
with all the festivals and other projects our small but enthusiastic team took upon ourselves, correspondence has been somewhat limited. So much has happened…
The last day of the Maynardville festival fell on Gaura Purnima. Krishna’s Village of Peace supplied a wonderful selection of vegetarian delights as well as gifts, books, gopi dots and henna designs. Best of all (in my opinion) was the continuous live bhajans. We had a little stage and sound system in our tent. The last night the rain was pouring down outside and people were pouring into our little village. From the stage I observed how the Mahamantra pacified the hearts of the public - everyone seemed drawn into the sweet syllables of the Holy Name. I could not drag myself away - remaining on the stage as the musicians rotated, I felt like I had been given a rare opportunity to connect with the Holy Names. Just that morning I had prayed to Lord Gauranga to allow me to chant always and also to let me realize the happiness of devotional service again (I had been feeling a little overwhelmed by everything recently). The bhajans just flowed on, becoming sweeter and sweeter. I felt such great happiness as I sat there singing, realizing how much had happened since last Gaura Purnima in Port Elizabeth, realizing how grateful I am to be here and take part in this amazing process and how all the difficulties and obstacles had been Mahaprabhu’s special mercy to increase my devotion to Him. It also struck me that Krishna very kindly reciprocates with anyone who tries to turn to Him. He is just waiting for us to turn our attention towards Him. All He wants is our love.
Acutally, I realized that all anyone ever wants is love. Love is all that is expected from me and that is the hardest to give.
The Gaura Purnima celebrations happened on Sunday. Today is a day for rest and recovery.
March 6th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Dear Lilamayi Subhadra Prabhu,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
100 dandavat pranams.
It’s so nice to see you blogging! I somehow stumbled onto your blog and suddenly got overwhelmed by such nice memories of the time I spent with the devotees in Cape Town. Actually I constantly think of all of you, at least three times a day.
This seems to be Krsna’s answer to my deep hankering to know how the devotees are all doing in Cape Town and what they are up to. It’s been so long! Thank you for providing all these updates.
After Cape Town, I returned to Mauritius where I worked for a few months, and currently I’m in the UK continuing my postgraduate studies, which are now more focused on ISKCON-related seva under the compassionate guidance of Braja Bihari Prabhu. Things are far more challenging here, in that sadhu-sanga is extremely rare but somehow by the mercy of the vaisnavas my spiritual standards are being maintained and I do get to visit devotees and temples as often as possible. [Was at London Soho temple for Gaura Purnima - that was ecstasy beyond bounds]
Please please convey my dandavat obeisances to Radha Sanga Prabhu and ask her how is her mrdanga playing!! I still get to do this service here, teaching really basic Mrdanga at the ISKCON Newcastle temple whenever I go there. I am actually still using the same old teaching format I used with Radha Sanga Prabhu herself, and by her mercy it’s working here also with some of the Newcastle temple congregation members! I however do lament that I have no mrdanga of my own here, and can’t even afford to buy one yet as everything is so expensive in this country. Please request her blessings on my behalf. She is a very exalted vaisnava.
Also kindly convey my most humble obeisances at the dust of the lotus feet of Mayapurchandra Prabhu and Suvarna Prabhu. I constantly take shelter of the really fond memories of their association! All glories to them!
And the prasadam of the mystical cook of all times - Yugala Kishor Prabhu. Thinking about such things can sometimes wreck the mind with distress, considering that here I cook for myself, and my cooking is literally to keep body and soul together
So I will not dwell on that for too long.
I really miss the cape town devotees, the sunday feast kirtans, the classes of Shyamananda Krsna Prabhu. When will the day come again when I can accompany the singing of Mukunda Caran Prabhu? When will I chant japa again in the Bramha-Muhurta in the association of the most saintly Kobus Prabhu? When will I again be blessed with the sweet friendship of Nitai-pada Kamala prabhu and the thoughtfulness of Vraj Krsna Prabhu? I do not know. I have to keep praying. Maybe one day, maybe in a few years, if Krsna so desires.
100 Dandavat pranams to all of you, please kindly forgive whatever offences I might have committed knowingly or unknowingly during the too short time I have been blessed with your personal association.
Kindly remember me in your prayers to Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurchandra. The blessings of all of you is everything I am made of, for I have no real taste for devotional life. I dependent on the mercy of all of you.
Lilamayi Subhadra Prabhu, please continue your compassionate task of inspiring the conditioned souls by sharing the depth of your realizations. All this is really amazing stuff! All glories!
I hope you are all well, enjoying sound health and in ecstatic Krsna Consciousness.
Aspiring to be the servant of the servant of your servants,
Bhakta Ved
PS: I just remembered with a lot of embarrassment how I accidentally dropped half my cup of lassi (or something) on you during the Janmastami 2005 feast, out of sheer clumsiness; I don’t think I apologized thoroughly enough for that. Please kindly forgive my offence.
March 12th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Hare Krsna! I was looking for devotees blogs and here you are. Your blog is really nice. I added you to my blogroll already
It’s very nice to see devotees blogging hehe
Haribol!
ys, Sol
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http://www.satoxi.com
March 13th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Hare Krsna! thank you for making contact. It’s always nice to meet devotees, far-out to be a part of Srila Prabhupada’s ever expanding family. Haribol, Lilamayi
March 13th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Hare Krsna Ved Prabhu!
nice to hear from you.
I printed your letter and stuck it on the wall for the devotees to read. The devotees send their love and obeisances.
I was really moved by your loving sentiments for all the devotees, you managed to capture the essence of the mood of each devotee you mentioned. I am very fortunate to be in their association daily, thank you for reminding me of this.
take care prabhu.
ys Lilamayi
ps…no worries about the lassi.
March 28th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Haribol Lila!!
I can’t believe I found your blog through Sol’s site! I’m gonna add you to my blogroll too
Its amazing to read about Cape Town yatra on the net - we have an amazing devotee community! See you at ratha yatra next week in Durbz - you coming rite?
Dandavats
Svasti
http://www.kcsoulmate.wordpress.com
March 29th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Hare Krsna dear Svasti!
yes, Krsna willing I will be there.
see you soon,
love Lilamayi