Burnaby, British Columbia
The Way It Is
Every year on two consecutive
days there is this praise in memory of two individuals. Gaudiya Vaishnavas of
the ISKCON world celebrate the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, and on the following
day do the same for His pure devotee, Prabhupada. He is the person we focused
on today.
Born in 1869, in the city of
Calcutta (now Kolkata), he was raised in a Vaishnava family committed to
serving Krishna. He credited his parents and extended family, in addition to
the mercy of his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta, with his devotion to Krishna. Of
course, something can also be said about his past life, or lives, and such commitment
in this direction. This is often the case for those born in auspicious
circumstances. What was done in the past, karmically, impacts the present
situation.
The devotees here in the
Vancouver area celebrate Prabhupada’s coming every year with devotion and sincerity.
I had the good fortune to give an initial speech in his honour. A point I made
is that, although I was formally initiated by His Divine Grace, I never had the
chance to personally speak to him. I was at six locations where he delivered
class and led kirtan chanting, but I did not see an opportunity to ask
for personal guidance or blessings for that matter. I understood from my
studies in the tradition that if personal exchange doesn’t occur then some
merciful energy can be captured through the chain of representatives, his other
students. That is the way it is.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
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