While thinking about everything we experienced in our yatra developed the thought to write this article because there is someone very very great for us to thank. We may not have truly realized the essence and power of Holy Vrindaban but he is such a great personality that he has not only re-created the real Vrindaban in Vrindaban, India, but brought Vrindaban to the whole world to Indians and foreigners alike. Without his mercy, the reciprocation between the soul (us) and the Supersoul (Krishna) can never ignite in our hearts. And today due to his causeless mercy most of us have an opportunity to experience the settings of Vrindaban in our localities and nearby.
Getting an opportunity to visit Vrindaban can only be possible by the mercy of Srimati Radharani. However the great devotee of Srimati Radharani, Srila Prabhupada made it possible for even the ordinary fallen souls like us to be allowed to go to Vrindaban. Even if we are having a dwindling memory of Vrindaban, it is happening only by the unparalleled mercy of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you Srila Prabhupada!
During our visit to the Iskcon temples in India, we were provided with first class services, some even far better than a 5 star hotel. The treatment we received in Juhu, Baroda, Ujjain and even in Vrindaban was beyond our expectation. We found it more comfortable to be there than in our American/ western homes, which is known to provide material comfort to the peak.
If you enter the Vrindaban Iskcon Krishna Balarama Mandir from the main entrance and turn to your right, go through the books and Mahaprasad stalls, you will notice 2 dioramas of Srila Prabhupada. The one on the right is the diorama as shown in the picture below.
Srila Prabhupada leaving for America on board, Jaladuta (Ship)When Srila Prabhupada left for the West, he only had 40 Indian Rupees with him and there I found myself standing within a complete marble structure building, where even the floors are made of marble which maybe worth millions of dollars. Actually most of the temples we visited were made of expensive and attractive marble.
When HH Bir Krishna Maharaja took us to visit Srila Prabhupada's room at the Radha Damodar Temple in Vrindaban, we saw how in the 2 small rooms Srila Prabhupada used to live and complete most of his writings.
Srila Prabhupada took upon many more difficulties than these to provide us with the most comfortable way of practicing Krishna Consciousness and thus attempted to create Vrindaban within our hearts.
We all have an opportunity to connect, re-connect or refresh our connection with Srila Prabhupada. To be connected with Srila Prabhupada is like being connected with the Internet. As soon as we lose connection, we immediately check the connection, re-connect or refresh the connection. We basically cannot stay without Internet. I also sensed a loose connection with our eternal spiritual master but this dhama yatra proved to be beneficial in many ways.
Srila Prabhupada is very dear to Krishna and if you desire to succeed in spiritual or eternal life (since we are living on borrowed time), please take shelter of His Divine Grace. If one is dedicated and sincere, Srila Prabhupada promises to take him/ her back home, back to Goloka Vrindaban in this lifetime.
Iskcon is the boat and Srila Prabhupada is the Captain who will lead us cross over and deliver us from this material and temporary world. So if you want to serve Krishna and live with Him in Vrindaban, let us get on Srila Prabhupada's boat and never get off.
We will eternally be indebted to you, Srila Prabhupada.
We beg at Your Lotus feet to keep us engaged with Your preaching mission,
Dvaipayana das, Shraddhanjali dasi and Gopeesha dasi
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!!!
Srila Prabhupada in Iskcon Vrindaban
Srila Prabhupada in Iskcon Vrindaban
Your sincere enthusiasm is so enlivening and
ReplyDeletecontegious...it increases my desire to assist
Srila Prabhupada's mission...
Y S Sadhvi dasi