Rakesh Manohar, Words from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

[Guest guest]

Dear Rakesh Prabhu,

 

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

You asked:

 

According to this the above [now below] statement may I understand that it

includes only people born in India or does it include people of Indian decent ?

My ancestors moved from Kunpur/Culcutta above 155 years ago

 

> 'Therefore I order every man within this universe to

> accept this Krsna consciousness movement and

> distribute it everywhere.

> 'One who has taken his birth as a human being in the

> land of India should make his life successful and work

> for the benefit of all other people.'

> C.C. Adi 9. 36, 41

 

The text following your quote says, "It is the duty of every living being to

perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth,

intelligence and words." (CC Adi 9.42) In this series of texts, Lord Caitanya

is likened to a gardener and He speaks of the "tree of devotional service" and

how it is transcendental and movable. (CC Adi, 9.32) It is the responsibility

of

everyone to take up Krsna Consciousness. In his purport to 9.41 Srila

Prabhupada says that in India there has been a culture "Anyone who takes birth

in the land of India has the special privilege of being able to take advantage

of the instruction and guidance of the Vedic civilization." So, while everyone

should take up this welfare work, people from India have a sort of jump start

since they

have been exposed to this civilization for so long. If your family has

continued to be involved with Vedic culture since their move from India, that

would include them. I wonder, though, if the "instruction and guidance of the

Vedic civilization" was very accessible.

 

Prabhu, if you continue to read Srila Prabhupada's books, chant, offer your

food, and have some family sadhana activity, everything should be fine. Lord

Krsna will see your sincerity and send you a guru. You can find other devotees

there and have a small program. Riddha Dasa's book "Destination South Africa,"

is quite inspirational in this regard. And, there is a Temple in Cape Town:

Cape Town, ISKCON, 17 Saint Andrews Street,

Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town / Tel. (021) 6891529

Fax (021) 6868233 / E-mail: cape.town

and a website:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Springs/1470/

 

"Just see how these trees are maintaining every living entity! Their birth is

successful. Their behavior is just like that of great personalities, for anyone

who asks anything from a tree never goes away disappointed." CC Adi 9.44.

Acintya, the cyber tree of devotional service! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Your servant,

Satya devi dasi