The last highlight of my time in Mayapur was the annual program of our Institute for Spiritual Culture, which we conducted on the 3rd of March. This year the overall theme was "The Glories of Our Mothers", bringing attention to the importance of the seven mothers which Krishna has given us. The guest speakers were HH Krishna Kshetra Maharaja, HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Maharaja, HH Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaja, Her Grace Rukmini Devi Dasi and Her Grace Prabhupada-priya Devi Dasi.
The program took place on the premises of the Old Gurukula on the way to the goshala. A big pandal was constructed to conduct the event, with its partially open sides allowing a pleasant breeze to go through. And the nice flower decorations created a festive atmosphere. It was a perfect setting: peaceful, with green surroundings and plenty of space for the children to play outside.
More than 300 devotees assembled - the seniors being welcomed with flower garlands. The program started with kirtan, followed by an opening and introduction of my humble self. As every year, I was playing the role of the MC, conducting and coordinating the whole event. I had given each speaker a topic beforehand, and during the program I added a few points, putting in some stories from Bangladesh and summarizing things to keep it all on track and flowing well.
More than 300 devotees assembled - the seniors being welcomed with flower garlands. The program started with kirtan, followed by an opening and introduction of my humble self. As every year, I was playing the role of the MC, conducting and coordinating the whole event. I had given each speaker a topic beforehand, and during the program I added a few points, putting in some stories from Bangladesh and summarizing things to keep it all on track and flowing well.
In a culture where sense gratification is the goal in life, the concept of mother is not given any value and importance. In Kali-yuga, even our physical mothers are not given the respect and honor they deserve in return for their selfless service. In a culture where self-realization is the goal in life, our physical mother plays a highly important role: she is the first
guru to the human being, and she creates the spiritual atmosphere in the home, and thus within human society. In a culture aiming for sense gratification, a mother is loosing this valuable contribution - it is stripped off her, since there is no understanding of the need for a guru and a spiritual atmosphere. In this way, she is reduced to being the cook and cleaner. We can observe, how the culture around mothers has drastically changed over the last 100 years. HH Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaja shared powerful quotes of great personalities of the past, who stated: "Whatever I am today is due to the care, affection, training and selfless love of my mother." Today, we rarely hear such statements any longer.
Unless we learn to respect and honor our physical mothers, we will never truly protect and honor Mother Cow or Mother Earth. Even the other mothers of the wife of a brahmana, wife of a king (manager) and wife of a guru (teacher) will not be fully respected and valued.
The topic was churned in depth by our honored speakers, and the ladies spoke with deep realization and practical experience, moving everyone's hearts in the audience.
guru to the human being, and she creates the spiritual atmosphere in the home, and thus within human society. In a culture aiming for sense gratification, a mother is loosing this valuable contribution - it is stripped off her, since there is no understanding of the need for a guru and a spiritual atmosphere. In this way, she is reduced to being the cook and cleaner. We can observe, how the culture around mothers has drastically changed over the last 100 years. HH Bhakti Rasamrita Maharaja shared powerful quotes of great personalities of the past, who stated: "Whatever I am today is due to the care, affection, training and selfless love of my mother." Today, we rarely hear such statements any longer.
Unless we learn to respect and honor our physical mothers, we will never truly protect and honor Mother Cow or Mother Earth. Even the other mothers of the wife of a brahmana, wife of a king (manager) and wife of a guru (teacher) will not be fully respected and valued.
The topic was churned in depth by our honored speakers, and the ladies spoke with deep realization and practical experience, moving everyone's hearts in the audience.
The program concluded with tasty prasadam being served to all attending guests. The atmosphere of the entire event was very sweet, cultured and personal, and devotees were very pleased. It had certainly left deep impressions on their minds and had offered some food for thought - a cultured way to bring attention to the topic of spiritual culture.....
The entire program can be viewed at the following link:
The entire program can be viewed at the following link:
This year I introduced a follow-up seminar which I conducted on the next day in the Mayapur Community Hall. A big Chinese group of devotees attended and eagerly asked further questions on the topic of spiritual culture.
My time in Mayapur was gradually coming to an end. I spent the remaining days inviting devotees to my place for prasadam, and attending evening sessions of the Kirtan Mela.
In the early morning of the very last day before leaving Mayapur I received the first copies of my second book which was printed in Ukraine - devotees from Kharkov had kindly agreed to deliver it to me. I was so curious how it had come out! I immediately ran over to Srila Prabhupada's samadhi to offer it to him, showing him the beginning pages. A great sense of joy and victory flooded my heart, and I simply prayed it would be pleasing to him.
After the morning program on that day I went up to the roof of the conch building where the GBC meetings were being held, and I waited for my Guru Maharaja, HH Niranjana Swami to come. And with happy heart I offered the same copy to him, which I had offered to Srila Prabhupada. I took the opportunity to share that Bhaktivedanta Manor is using the first book as a hand-book for brahmacari- and bhakta training. He happily exclaimed: "Seriously?!" Needless to say, he was pleased.....
A sweet little exchange which gave deep satisfaction to my heart - a wonderful conclusion to my time in Mayapur......
On the 10th of March I flew off to Delhi and on to Cologne/Germany....
Your servant, Devaki dd
My time in Mayapur was gradually coming to an end. I spent the remaining days inviting devotees to my place for prasadam, and attending evening sessions of the Kirtan Mela.
In the early morning of the very last day before leaving Mayapur I received the first copies of my second book which was printed in Ukraine - devotees from Kharkov had kindly agreed to deliver it to me. I was so curious how it had come out! I immediately ran over to Srila Prabhupada's samadhi to offer it to him, showing him the beginning pages. A great sense of joy and victory flooded my heart, and I simply prayed it would be pleasing to him.
After the morning program on that day I went up to the roof of the conch building where the GBC meetings were being held, and I waited for my Guru Maharaja, HH Niranjana Swami to come. And with happy heart I offered the same copy to him, which I had offered to Srila Prabhupada. I took the opportunity to share that Bhaktivedanta Manor is using the first book as a hand-book for brahmacari- and bhakta training. He happily exclaimed: "Seriously?!" Needless to say, he was pleased.....
A sweet little exchange which gave deep satisfaction to my heart - a wonderful conclusion to my time in Mayapur......
On the 10th of March I flew off to Delhi and on to Cologne/Germany....
Your servant, Devaki dd
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