This devotee is transcendental - This should enthuse all of us!

[Guest guest]

Diary of a Traveling Preacher

 

Volume 5, Chapter 27, September 12 - 24, 2004

 

"My Chest Swells Up With Pride"

 

This year's summer tour was especially successful, with over 300,000 people all

together visiting our programs, including the Woodstock festival. It was a sad

moment indeed when the tour came to an end and most of the devotees packed up

and headed home to return to school or work.

 

Even sadder, we had to cancel our autumn tour because of a lack of funds, so I

decided to go to Russia for a month and visit a number of temples, some of which

I had not been to in years.

 

I knew that the situation in Russia was tense. There had been a recent spate of

gruesome terrorist bombings, and Chechen rebels had killed a number of people in

a school in Beslan, in the south of the country. Devotees in Russia also warned

me that the Russian Orthodox Church was bitterly contesting a recent grant to us

by the mayor of Moscow: a choice piece of property near the center of the city,

where devotees planned to build a big temple. The church had used all the

facilities at their disposal to attack our movement with several huge media

campaigns, which had split the general population, some in favor of us, some

against us.

 

Besides that, recent government policies had brought on a sweeping resurgence of

nationalism, so some devotees felt it might not be the best time for a lone

American to be touring the country.

 

Nevertheless, I decided in favor of going, if only because I would not have

another chance to see my disciples in Russia for the rest of the year.

 

The day after I purchased a cheap, non-refundable ticket, a well-wishing friend

sent me a warning:

 

"Since you now have Moon in Kumbha you should know that the next six weeks are

not going to be very smooth. Guru has already moved into the 8th Virgo, and Moon

is also there. While Moon is in Virgo, both Sun and Mars will also move into

Virgo - the 8th from your Moon. Depending on what planetary periods you are

running the effects will be modified for the worse. If it is going well, then it

will slow down, if it is neutral then it will be bad, but if it is already bad,

then it will be hell. It could prove to be as bad as a serious illness, an

accident, or an attack on you. This should not be taken lightly."

 

I would never cancel a preaching venture simply because of inauspicious stars.

Preaching itself makes everything auspicious. Nevertheless, it's good to know

when there's a dangerous curve down the road. I decided I wouldn't take any

unnecessary risks.

 

Apparently my Russian disciples felt the same. When I arrived at Sheremetyevo

Airport in Moscow, I found that they had a arranged for a secretary and a

bodyguard to travel with me. I accepted the precautions, but then I discovered

that my bodyguard was carrying a loaded pistol.

 

I objected even though the pistol was legally registered. "Guns attract guns," I

told him. "Leave it behind. We have something much more powerful with us." I

showed him my Nrsimha Salagram.

 

Hatyam hanti yad anghri sanga tulasi steyam ca toyam pador naivedyam bahu madya

pana duritam gurv angina sanga jam srisadhina matih sthitir hari janais tat

sanga jam kilbisam salagrama sila nrsimha mahima ko 'py esa lokottarah

 

"A tulasi leaf offered to the lotus feet of the Nrsimha Salagrama sila destroys

the sin of murder. Water that has washed the lotus feet of the Nrsimha Salagrama

sila destroys the sin of theft. Foodstuff offered to the Nrsimha Salagrama sila

destroys the sin of drinking liquor. Sincere surrender to the Nrsimha Salagrama

sila destroys the sin of adultery with the wife of the spiritual master.

Association with the devotees of the Nrsimha Salagrama sila destroys the sin of

offenses to the devotees. This is the extraordinary glory of the Nrsimha

Salagrama sila." [sri Agama, quoted in Sri Rupa Goswami's Padyavali]

 

As I walked through the airport, I could sense that the terrorist attacks had

changed Russia into a security-conscious country overnight, much like the United

States after the attack on September 11, 2001. There were policemen and heavily

armed men patrolling throughout the airport. People in general seemed nervous as

they moved quickly to their destinations.

 

I noticed a number of posters on the walls with pictures of Chechen women known

as black widows - suspected suicide bombers who might attack at any time.

 

We drove to an apartment where I would rest for a few hours before taking an

evening flight to Yekaterinburg. On the way, I noticed other changes since my

last visit. Russia had prospered materially. In fact, from the look of it,

Moscow was on a level with Paris and London as far as fancy stores, nice cars,

and well-dressed people go. It was a strong contrast to what I saw when I first

came to Moscow in 1989.

 

"Yes, it's true," said Jananivasa das, my secretary, "and not only in Moscow.

The economy of the whole country is slowly developing. One sign is that many

people carry cell phones now. And among the young, CD players, computers, and

video games are common. There is even a Russian version of MTV on television."

 

"Because of the glare of technology, not as many young people are joining our

movement as before," he continued. "During communist times, everything was gray

here, literally. Devotees stood out as they chanted on the streets in their

colorful dhotis and saris. People noticed us, and young people saw Krsna

consciousness as a positive alternative to the struggle for existence.

 

That's all changed. Now it's mainly middle-aged people who join or become part

of our congregation."

 

Despite the progress, however, Russia still has a long way to go, as I saw on

the flight to Yekaterinburg, 1,000 kilometers to the east. Our 20-year-old, TU

154 plane, the most commonly used plane in Russia, was just as cramped,

uncomfortable, and dirty as any previous flight I'd taken in Russia, and the

stewardesses just as grumpy and rude.

 

When we landed in Yekaterinburg, it was obvious that the modernization happening

in Moscow had barely begun there. It seemed as if time had stood still as we

drove on a road full of holes into the city, passing old cars and trucks and

looking at the endless gray concrete apartment buildings.

 

"The higher-ups in the Russian Orthodox Church are especially powerful here,"

said Jananivasa as we drove along, "and they are very much against our movement.

They send their people to harass the book distributors, often stopping their

sales, and whenever there is a Harinam party, their people walk in front and in

back screaming that we are a cult and dangerous to Russian society.

 

That evening we had a program in a rented hall. When I arrived, I was taken

aback. "It's an old building, converted into a disco," Jananivasa said.

 

"It's all the devotees could get."

 

I smiled. "Well at least there's plenty of room for dancing," I said. I went in

and looked at the concrete walls and the old wooden floor.

 

I stepped up onto the stage and sat on a cushion. When I looked around, I saw

400 beautiful devotees, their smiles an obvious contrast to the stony faces I

had seen while traveling across the country. I started the program with a bhajan

and then began to speak from Prahlad Maharaja's teachings in the seventh canto

of Srimad Bhagavatam.

 

As I developed the theme of the verse, punctuating the philosophical points with

verses, analogies, and stories, we were all transported out of the concrete

disco into the world of Vaikuntha. "How powerful is this transcendental sound of

the Bhagavatam!" I thought. "It makes the grayness around us disappear, and

floods this hall with light and joy."

 

krsne sva dhamopagate dharma jnanadibhih saha kalau nasta drsam esa puranarko

dhunoditah

 

"This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after

the departure of Lord Krsna for His own abode, accompanied by religion,

knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of

ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana."

 

[srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43]

 

I didn't want to stop, and I kept speaking for over two hours. Finally,

Jananivasa pointed to his watch. Our time was up, and we had to leave.

 

On the way out, one of my disciples, Ragalekha dasi, approached me. She is a

woman in her late 40s, and I remembered her as a faithful disciple who always

made it a point to come to my programs when I visited Russia. So when she asked

me to visit her apartment to see her Govardhan Sila, I agreed.

 

The next day, I went there with Jananivasa. I had several other appointments

that afternoon, so I was in a hurry. "We'll have to make this quick," I told

Jananivasa. But I was soon to be reminded that a spiritual master must never be

so busy that he cannot take the time to reciprocate with and acknowledge a

disciple's loving service.

 

Ragalekha's apartment was just one room in an old building in the center of the

city. As I walked in, I was struck by the spiritual atmosphere. There were few

possessions - a chair, an old wooden bookshelf, an altar for her Deity - but the

mood was rich with devotion. Her Govardhan-Sila, named Lala, was sitting on a

little cushion, beautifully decorated with flowers and simple ornaments. A

variety of sweets were on a plate before Him.

 

Ragalekha, dressed in an old sari, sat shyly in the corner. The whole situation

reminded me of a small, bhajan kutir in Vrindavan.

 

"Do you live here alone?" I asked her.

 

"I'm a guest here," she said looking downwards. "This is Lala's home."

 

"Oh I see," I said.

 

"That's a nice realization," I thought. Then I looked anxiously at my watch.

 

My next appointment was in 30 minutes.

 

"Well what do you do each day?" I asked.

 

"I distribute Srila Prabhupada's books," she said.

 

"Do you do anything else?" I asked.

 

"No," she said. "That's the instruction you gave me 13 years ago."

 

I stopped looking at my watch. I could hardly believe my ears. "You've been

distributing books for 13 years?" I asked.

 

Jananivasa spoke up. "Srila Gurudeva," he said, "all the devotees in

Yekaterinburg know that Ragalekha's been going out eight hours a day, six days a

week, for thirteen years, distributing books, except when she's sick."

 

Ragalekha was looking at Lala.

 

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked her.

 

"She's too shy and humble," said Jananivasa.

 

I felt tears coming into my eyes. I sat there looking at her. "Thirteen years,"

I thought, "every day on the streets of Yekaterinburg, distributing my spiritual

master's books. What austerities this woman must have endured!"

 

I suddenly thought of the previous day and how I had complained to Jananivasa

about the inconvenience on the flight. I felt ashamed of myself.

 

"She's well known among the people in this city," Jananivasa continued. "You can

just imagine, so many years on the street, in the heat, the rain, the wind, and

the snow. She's out there when it's 20 below zero."

 

My tears started running down my face.

 

"And she doesn't keep a ruble for herself," he continued. "I've heard she keeps

all the profit for you."

 

Ragalekha reached under the altar, took out an old worn-out envelope, and shyly

handed it to me. I opened it and saw US dollars inside. I handed it to

Jananivasa.

 

Jananivasa took the money out of the envelope. His eyes started turning red and

moist. "There's 1,500 dollars here," he said in a quivering voice. "It's the

equivalent of two years of wages for a working man in this country."

 

I looked around at the chair and the simple bookshelf and into the small

kitchen. Inside there was an old stove - and one pot.

 

"She only has that one sari she's wearing," Jananivasa said. "I've never seen

her dressed in anything else."

 

I handed the laksmi back to Ragalekha. "Here," I said. "You use this money for

buying a ticket to India this fall. I will be taking devotees on parikrama in

Vrindavan for the month of Kartika. I want you to join us."

 

Her body tensed up. "No, Srila Gurudeva!" she said and pushed the envelope back.

"Please! The people who gave that money will get much more benefit if it's used

in your service than mine. Think of their welfare."

 

I was speechless. "Who is this woman?" I thought. "Living so simply, serving the

sankirtan mission of Lord Caitanya faithfully for so many years, desiring no

fame or recognition, and showing such concern for the conditioned souls!"

 

I thought of something Tamal Krishna Goswami had once written. "Although some of

us begin as gurus for our disciples, it seems that these disciples are sometimes

more fortunate than we are ... Actually many of them are elevated

personalities." [from Vraja Lila]

 

"Srila Gurudeva," said Jananivasa, "this morning she admitted to me that she

took a break from her book distribution for the first time since you gave her

that instruction 13 years ago. For two weeks she repaired her apartment, hoping

you would visit.

 

"She had also taken the advice of the security guards at the open market where

she often distributes. For years, those big burly men used to throw her out of

the market whenever they caught her distributing books. Finally they relented.

They began to appreciate her determination and purity. Two weeks ago one of them

said, 'Please take a break. You're here every single day. We're afraid you'll

get worn down and influenced by the bad character of those around you. Please!'

 

"She took it that the Lord was speaking through them, and she took the time off.

Gurudeva, we, your disciples, will arrange for her ticket to India.

 

Don't worry. Already devotess here in Yekaterinburg have arranged things so she

doesn't have to pay for the books she takes. They even pay the BBT for the books

she distributes. When necessary they also help pay her rent, electricity, and

water. She lives in another world. She just distributes books day in and day out

and spends a little on the worship of her Govardhan Sila. She puts the rest of

the money under the altar for you.

 

By now, the tears were pouring from my eyes.

 

Ragalekha came forward, with folded hands and tears in her own eyes. "Srila

Gurudeva," she said, "please bless me that I may distribute Srila Prabhupada's

books until the day I die and that I will always be a faithful follower of you

and my Lala."

 

She started to pay full dandavats on the floor. Since women don't generally pay

full dandavats, Jananivasa reached forward to stop her. I caught his hand.

 

"There's no harm," I said. "This woman is transcendental."

 

As Jananivasa and I walked out of the apartment, Ragalekha was packing her book

bag. I turned to Jananivasa. "It was worth it," I said. "Meeting her was worth

all the austerities, inconveniences, and dangers I'll ever encounter in your

country."

 

I thought about the words of Srila Prabhupada. "These news are giving me new

life ... In my horoscope just done, they have described although this is a

critical period, if I pass through, I will live 100 years. Then I shall surely

come to visit your farm ... The project is very nice. When I hear this report my

chest swells up, being so proud of my disciples' achievements."

 

[srila Prabhupada commenting on Tulasi das's service, quoted by Srila

Prabhupada's secretary, Tamal Krsna Goswami, in a letter to Ramesvara dasa,

August 22, 1977)

 

indradyumna.swami

 

www.traveling-preacher.com

 

Official website for Diary of a Traveling Preacher

 

 

 

Aravind Mohanram

Ph.D. Candidate

Dept. of Mat Sci and Engg.,

Penn State University,

University Park, PA 16801

www.personal.psu.edu/aum105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

> "She's well known among the people in this city," Jananivasa

continued. "You can just imagine, so many years on the street, in the

heat, the rain, the wind, and the snow. She's out there when it's 20

below zero."

>

> My tears started running down my face.

>

 

Think about where these exceptional devotees would be without the

sankirtana movement, without Srila Prabhupada, and without Gaudiya

Vaishnavism.

 

When I consider this, I cannot help but be curious about the

philosophical basis of the tradition which so transformed such

seemingly ordinary people. Any ordinary person ought to be curious

about a religion that can do so much for so little.

 

This is what makes it even more appalling, that some people within

the Vaishnava tradition can regard devotees in the sankirtana

movement with contempt. If one cannot at least have one's

appreciation aroused from an academic standpoint, then it can only be

due to sectarianism that causes one to scoff instead of offering at

least perfunctory respects.

 

We see this over and over again, whether it is from people claiming

to be "orthodox" Gaudiya Vaishnavas or Vaishnavas from some other

tradition, that followers of Srila Prabhupada are often disregarded

or lumped in with new age religions. A perfect example of this is on

the Dvaita home page's links section at

http://www.dvaita.org/misc/other.shtml . There, a listing for "OTHER

CLASSICAL TRADITIONS" includes links to the Sri Vaishnava web page,

the Advaita web page, and even a Shaivism web page . But Gaudiya

Vaishnavism is not to be found here. Instead, its link (the Hare

Krishna website) is found under the heading "NEO-VEDANTA,

FREETHINKING, AND OTHER NON-CLASSICAL SITES." Go figure.

[Guest guest]

achintya, "krishna_susarla"

<krishna_susarla> wrote:

>

> A perfect example of this is on

> the Dvaita home page's links section at

> http://www.dvaita.org/misc/other.shtml . There, a listing

for "OTHER

> CLASSICAL TRADITIONS" includes links to the Sri Vaishnava web page,

> the Advaita web page, and even a Shaivism web page . But Gaudiya

> Vaishnavism is not to be found here. Instead, its link (the Hare

> Krishna website) is found under the heading "NEO-VEDANTA,

> FREETHINKING, AND OTHER NON-CLASSICAL SITES." Go figure.

 

 

Why worry about what Mr. Rao and Co thinks about Gaudiyas ? Don't you

remember they started questioning loyalty of their own acaryas that

to Sri Pejavara Swami ji just because he compared Srila Prabhupada to

bhagiratha ?

 

There sole focus is to smash everything irreconcilably different from

tattvada out of existence. And in achieving that they can go to any

extent and do character assasination of people involved which is

unnecessary and uncalled for by those claiming themselves to be

brahmins, vedantins. If someone wants to disagree on philosophical

basis, then one can simply state that such and such interpretation is

wrong based on following reasons. And use sastra pramana along with

it. There is no harm in that and even opposition will appreciate

polite demeanour. However, Mr. Rao and Co. will start with character

assasinations as they have done in case of Srila Prabhupada.

 

In my opinion good people are those who even though differing

philosophically still are ready to praise devotee for his

accomplishments[which in turn are dependent on his personality]. For

an exmaple:

http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/apr2002/0013.html

 

However, i really doubt vaishnava credentials[as budding vaishnavas]

of people who on pretext of philosophical disagreement like to carry

out their personal agenda revealing envy, anger, ignorance,

intolerance amongst many other bad qualities.

 

Take for example - For describing meeting between CM and M they have

criticized BVT's character and called him by many bad names, yet they

at the same time accept the authority of Mani Manjari which villifies

Sankara as a demon.

 

for instance 7th canto of Mani Manjari, of Narayana Panditacarya the

famous bio grapher of Madhva reads like:

 

http://www.dvaita.org/list/list_46/msg00060.html

Username & Password = Dvaita.

 

Compare this detail with whats there about Sankara in every other

available biographical account. One can see Vidya's web page -

 

http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/avhp/sankara-life.html

[Read more on the web page.]

 

Sankara's debate with viSvarUpa was unique. The referee at the debate

was viSvarUpa's wife, bhAratI, who was herself very well-learned, and

regarded as an incarnation of Goddess sarasvatI. At stake was a whole

way of life. The agreement was that if viSvarUpa won, Sankara would

consent to marriage and the life of a householder, whereas if Sankara

won, viSvarUpa would renounce all his wealth and possessions and

become a sannyAsI disciple of Sankara. The debate is said to have

lasted for whole weeks, till in the end, viSvarUpa had to concede

defeat and become a sannyAsI.

 

I mean this guy coming 100's of year after Sankara writes up all

these incidents about Sankara and these people say yes sir we

absolutely believe you as one would believe infallible vedas.

 

But when BVT says something about M and CM meeting you all know the

result. You yourself have talked about double standards of these

people.

 

No need to worry about such people Krishna prabhu. Infact we should

pray to Krishna and vaishnavas that they should bless them with

progressive faith in tattvada and at the same time remove such

deficiencies defiling their otherwise respectable character because

of which they follow Suddha sanatana dharma.

 

 

 

Your Servant Always,

Sumeet.