Montreal, Quebec
Some Warmth in the Cold
Dark, ominous clouds set in and at the
corner of Guy and Maissoneuve Streets in downtown Montreal, thousands of
Concordia University students were making their way to destinations –
classrooms, apartments, or coffee shops. Snowflakes hit our faces, but just
momentarily, at this busy student hour as we chanted away letting the nippy
nature of the night not bother us too much.
Students were curious. With a big
percentage being from India they are indeed familiar with the sound. We
received smiles from many. I believe that some appreciated our presence in
braving the cold. One person did not. She undid her covid mask and shouted
repeatedly, “Repent! Repent!”
I guess we sinners, who were chanting, will
try to do that – repent.
Our group needs to be vigilant about some
guys on the streets who ask our girls (chanters) for their phone numbers.
Nandini Radha played harmonium. Then did Tulasi, who also is adept at leading
the chant.
Indoor mantras continued back at the
temple on Pie IX Boulevard. In honour of Chaitayna, the monk from Bengal, we
sang again, followed by a second lesson of the day from Bhagavad-gita
2.21. Through Zoom, devotees from Ontario also listened in.
To remind all the verse goes as follows, “O Partha, how can a person who knows that the soul is indestructible, eternal, unborn, and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to be killed?”
May the Source be with you!
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