It was my second visit to Bangalore. I was scheduled to visit the two main temples of Seshadripuram and Giridhari Temple to offer a seminar to the ladies entitled "Marriage in Spiritual Culture" over two weekends.
 | The devotees of Giridhari Temple were warmly welcoming me, and I stayed near the temple with a nice grhastha family. The entire Saturday, 31st of September and most of the Sunday we churned various important aspects and principles of family life within Krsna consciousness. Many ladies found an opportunity to ask so many questions, which they would never dare to raise in the presence of men. So we had a very personal and trusting atmosphere, which everybody greatly appreciated. |
Once again I had to discover how nowadays so many materialistic influences are strongly entering India. People are giving highest importance to material success in life - money, career and social status within society are the main goals in life, sometimes even for devotees. More and more families are based on the principles of both parents having to earn money. Many young men don't even want to marry a woman who does not want to work - even within Krsna consciousness! Often the first question of a man is "does she have higher education? Is she willing to work?", and if the answer is negative, they don't even consider her as a possible candidate for marriage. I was somewhat shocked to hear this. Sad to see how men nowadays lose the deeper vision of recognising a woman's devotional qualities such as chastity and sincerity in spiritual life as the foremost criteria for marriage.
My hosting family gave me a wonderful experience of how the wife and mother is the one who creates the spiritual atmosphere within the home. She played this role so perfectly, and I could feel her mood and consciousness permeating the entire atmosphere. She was truly the harmonizing and balancing force within the family - the anchor which kept the boat stirring smoothly through all the challenges of daily life. She got up early and chanted already a good number of rounds, then prepared the breakfast for her children and husband, and sent everybody off to school and work in a very caring and devotional attitude.
During the day she did her household duties, read Srimad Bhagavatam and offered bhoga and artik to the Deities. Sometimes she also went to the temple and offers some service. The entire atmosphere was so peaceful and balanced, and she conducted herself in such pleasing way, which was indeed uplifting to all the family members. Through this practical experience I started to understand more deeply how a good wife and mother is like the Goddess of Fortune within the family. When the husband returns home after a hard day's work, he certainly feels uplifted and inspired by such a wife, and thus he can execute his duties in a sober and responsible way.
I had stayed in the past with other families, where the wife and mother was not playing this role so expertly, and the entire atmosphere within the family was unbalanced and almost disturbed - with all kinds of energies clashing and creating tension. A good mother and wife keeps control of the entire family in a subtle way - through her selfless service and through her devotional energy.
My hosting family gave me a wonderful experience of how the wife and mother is the one who creates the spiritual atmosphere within the home. She played this role so perfectly, and I could feel her mood and consciousness permeating the entire atmosphere. She was truly the harmonizing and balancing force within the family - the anchor which kept the boat stirring smoothly through all the challenges of daily life. She got up early and chanted already a good number of rounds, then prepared the breakfast for her children and husband, and sent everybody off to school and work in a very caring and devotional attitude.
During the day she did her household duties, read Srimad Bhagavatam and offered bhoga and artik to the Deities. Sometimes she also went to the temple and offers some service. The entire atmosphere was so peaceful and balanced, and she conducted herself in such pleasing way, which was indeed uplifting to all the family members. Through this practical experience I started to understand more deeply how a good wife and mother is like the Goddess of Fortune within the family. When the husband returns home after a hard day's work, he certainly feels uplifted and inspired by such a wife, and thus he can execute his duties in a sober and responsible way.
I had stayed in the past with other families, where the wife and mother was not playing this role so expertly, and the entire atmosphere within the family was unbalanced and almost disturbed - with all kinds of energies clashing and creating tension. A good mother and wife keeps control of the entire family in a subtle way - through her selfless service and through her devotional energy.
I was also invited to speak at several Damodara programs in the evenings in devotees' homes. The Kartik month is indeed a special trick of Krsna in order to increase our attraction and devotion to Him. Especially in India and Bangladesh devotees gather almost every evening in somebody's house in order to discuss Krsna Katha and offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara. A special opportunity to move beyond our comfort zone and do something extra for the Lord's pleasure....!
At Sheshadripuram temple I was also invited to give a general evening seminar on the topic of deepening our relationship with the holy name. It was very well attended, and some devotees felt inspired to attend our Holy Name Retreat at Ekachakra at the end of December.
At Sheshadripuram temple I was also invited to give a general evening seminar on the topic of deepening our relationship with the holy name. It was very well attended, and some devotees felt inspired to attend our Holy Name Retreat at Ekachakra at the end of December.
The idea even came up to conduct a Holy Name Retreat next year in October, for the Bangalore yatra. It would be a wonderful opportunity for all three communities to unite on the basis of chanting the holy name....!
On the 10th of November I flew on to Dhaka/Bangladesh.....
Your servant, Devaki dd
On the 10th of November I flew on to Dhaka/Bangladesh.....
Your servant, Devaki dd
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