Tirupati, India
Awesome Day!
It was awesome seeing Lokanatha Swami climb up the bullock cart. Two
massive oxen were tethered to it, poised to move forward. Lokanatha Swami, our Minister for Padayatra
(festival on foot), was inaugurating the team with Gaura Nitai deities, for a
journey destined to go all over the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Many devotees were assembled, chanting the mahamantra with
excitement and using a Bollywood tune.
Revati Raman, the man behind this mobile event, saw me and thrust the
mic into my hand. "You
lead." So I did, switching to a
more down-home village melody.
Coconuts were broken open before the cart by seniors including
Malati, the Krishna movement's first female member from America's west coast.
Today also became a day of glory for ladies in our movement. A public announcement was released saying
that women would now be permitted to play the role of diksha guru. This is a milestone, and it is fair and good
for all of us. I have always rooted for
an equitable deal. The policy of having
women take this responsibility was a message our guru, Prabhupada, expressed in
June of 1976, in Toronto, while speaking with Professor Joseph T. O'Connell. And,
it happened right there in the room where I live. Jayho!
Victory!
May the Source be with you!
3 km
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