Gaur Purnima in Vrindavan

We arrived in Vrindavan on the 15th of March - one day before Gaur Purnima. The Holi Festival was in full swing, and the last couple of days are usually intense and can almost become violent, so I mainly remained at our ISKCON temple or in the Kirtan Ashram.

I still had not completely recovered from my nasty cough, and my voice had also not returned to full strength. Especially as a preacher the voice is our main weapon, and I was concerned to give it a good rest - the foremost way to heal the voice. Devotees had warned me not to over-strain my vocal cords since this can lead to permanent damage. So I decided to give my body a good break and cancel the seminar, which I was scheduled to give here in Vrindavan: an introduction into the topic of spiritual culture.

My time in Mayaur had been very intense, with two Holy Name Retreats in Ekachakra, one Retreat in Nepal, three weeks of teaching followed by the inauguration of the Institute for Spiritual Culture, while attending the Kirtan Mela and the Maha Abhishek. It had been a blissful marathon.

Now I was longing to simply take a break for a week, since more programs were awaiting me in Bangladesh.
Sometimes the body forces us to slow down. Such times are always meant for deepening our internal life - to recharge and rejuvenate, so we can continue giving more in the future.

Vishaka Priya mataji who is managing the Kirtan Ashram extended her care towards me by giving me various medicines, arranging for my prasadam and above all, giving me her uplifting association in friendship.

Gaur Purnima was a quiet day of introspection for me. I attended the morning program at the temple - the Deities looked gorgeous in Their new dress, and the darshan was enhanced by the abundant fruit and flower decortions. The kirtan created a blissful atmosphere where devotees and pilgrims chanted and danced ecstatically. The three speakers H.G Mukunda Datta Prabhu(ACBSP), H.G Pancagauda Prabhu(ACBSP) and H.G Deenabandhu Prabhu(ACBSP) elaborated on different aspects of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Sankirtan mission. In the late afternoon was the abhishek, followed by Ekadasi Prasadam.

My favorite place of pilgrimage in Vrindavan is Srila Prabhupada's rooms. Every morning and afternoon I spent time there prayerfully connecting in chanting japa.

I enjoyed meeting up with devotees from various parts of the world who I had not seen for a long time - extending myself by giving them attention and care.

Another highlight of my visit to Vrindavan was the famous Boat Festival. The entire court yard was filled overnight with water, and little Radha Syamasundara were taken around on a beautifully decorated swan-like boat. The surface of the water had turned into a carpet made from colorful flower petals, with most decorative designs. It looked like one could almost walk on it! HH BB Govinda Maharaja and Sivarama Maharaja were accompanying the event with melodious and sublime kirtans. I witnessed the entire scenario from the roof looking down into the temple court yard, remembering the descriptions in the Bhagavatam of the ladies greeting the Lord from the roof top of palacial buildings......

I had been searching for a kirtaniya who would be interested to come to Bangladesh and attend our upcoming Holy Name Retreats. And finally I had the idea to invite the TP of Vrindavan, Pancagauda Prabhu. I had seen him almost every evening joining the 24 hour kirtan party, and sometimes leading the kirtans. What a wonderful example for a temple president!

I managed to convince him to accept my invitation - even though he was busy with upcoming meetings. Our paths had never crossed before, and he nevertheless trusted me that I would make all the necessary arrangements and see that he would be taken care off nicely....

On the 23rd of March I flew off to Dhaka.....

Your servant, Devaki dd