What's like to be with a pure devotee

[anadi]

NEWS from Washington D.C: What is it like to be with a pure devotee?

(with transcription of class on Gangamata Gosvamini given in Murwillumbah

Australia on 14 Jan 2000)

 

[submitted by Vrndavana dasa (of Govinda's Juices in Honolulu, Hawaii)]

 

2 June 2001

 

Surely one is blessed to be with some one who has, and is generously giving,

the most valuable objective, and the means to attain it, without a need or

desire for anything in return. Giving everything, in need of nothing, a pure

manifestation of love, the suddha-bhaktas come only to help us. Devotees in

Washington D.C., inspired by Srila Bhakltivedanta Narayana Maharaja's sweet

hari-katha and resplendent presence, went on nagara-sankirtana in the

streets of the nation's capital today. The onlookers gathered in hundreds,

with smiles, curiosity and wonder, taking pictures and videos as devotees

danced in ecstasy. With the White House in the background, twenty or more

teenagers, caught up in the euphoria, danced along with the devotees. It was

obvious to all that the Lord was smiling to see so many happily engage in

His service, in a place that is suffering from a lack thereof. It was so

apparent that there was some very special energy in that transcendental

sound, as so many onlookers were so attracted to the devotees. By following

the orders of the Lord's pure devotee, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami

Maharaja, the devotees carried his transcendental shakti in to the hearts

and minds of all who could hear. Few could resist the sweet sound of the

maha-mantra.

 

From May 29-June 4, just outside Washington, a wonderful facility in the

peaceful and natural setting of Prince William Forest Park was chosen to

accommodate the devotees who had come there from all over the world. There,

Srila Narayana Maharaja spoke of the sweet pastimes of Bala Krsna, which

melted hearts to tears. Forty devotees took the opportunity to ask for

spiritual guidance by formally becoming his disciples. They surrendered

themselves to him, confident that he could save them from the scorching fire

of the material existence. Srila Narayana Maharaja carefully accepted their

request and promised to deliver their hearts to the lotus feet of Radha and

Krsna.

 

Several dramas were performed, and Srila Maharaja especially liked the play

of Sri Gangamata Gosvamini. It's the story of a beautiful girl who led an

exemplary life of renunciation, and attained perfection in womanhood by

following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvamipada. Srila Maharaja was

impressed that the devotees knew this story. When he asked how they knew,

they said they had heard it from a lecture he had previously given in

Australia. He was pleased to see their eagerness to grasp his message.