Tuesday 30 August 2022

Saturday, August 20, 2022

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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