Saturday 15 February 2020

Sunday, February 9th, 2020


Mayapura, India

Efficient. Fast.

What an efficient operation they have here when it comes to serve guests!  I certainly don't want to commit to talking abut food again, but I was curious about what goes on, on a Sunday when pilgrims come in the thousands.  So, I decided to go have lunch down below, on the bottom floor of the Gada Building where I stay.

When I went to the entrance for the big queue, the security was a bit surprised to have a swami show up.  "There are options for sannyasis, such as the room reserved for GBC men, but this is for locals and outsiders," explained one of the crowd controllers.

"I would just like to eat with the visitors, if that's okay?"  I requested.

"Follow me," said the same fellow, as we passed by row upon row of eating-enthusiasts.  We went to the end of a large room, where I was seated, finally, in the midst of all these folks, mostly Bengalis and Oriyans (people from Orissa).  At our section of the room, the wait became a long one.  I sat next to a Mr. Choudhari, and while we were talking, I could see the servers hard at work.  We saw two monks at a time, who were sliding a large bucket and spooning out delicious prasadam, coming our way.  And during that time of patience, I thought to acquaint the people in my section with the maha-mantra.  Dozens of them participated in the receive-and-respond.  "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna..."

Oh they were happy anticipating the food.  The servers were magnificent.  First came the rice, the dahl, the savory, the subji, and then the chapati.  Each item was perfectly plopped onto everyone's plate and with speed. 

May the Source be with you!
5 km


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