The humble beginning at 26 Second Avenue

My last destination on my tour around the US was New York. I stayed in the Brooklyn temple with beautiful Radha Govinda and had a wonderful time giving a number of programs there and also at the Bhakti Center. The facilities are great - a huge building in a good location. On the rooftop the devotees not only keep Tulasi Devi but also grow flowers and even vegetables and herbs in buckets and crates - my favorite place for chanting japa in the early morning....

One day some ladies from the brahmacarini ashram took me on a parikrama to Tompkins Square Park to visit the elm tree where Srila Prabhupada led the very first public kirtan - the beginning of Harinam Sankirtan. It was indeed an overwhelming experience to visit this famous and significant place while remembering Srila Prabhupada's unflinching faith in the holy name and the instruction of his spiritual master to spread Krishna consciousness in the English speaking world.
On its main trunk high off the ground is a green little sign saying "Hare Krishna Tree". And behind on a fence is a large sign describing the spiritual significance of this world-famous elm tree.
We were marvelling at this majestic tree - what a special soul it must be for being allowed to witness such a transcendental, ground-breaking happening! It was serving Srila Prabhupada in such a significant way, giving shade to him and his followers and offering a nice atmosphere for those early kirtans... I had a look at old photos of the tree - now, 50 years later, its main trunk has grown thick and stout.

The main and foremost highlight of my visit was the Saturday program at the "Matchless Gifts" Center at 26 Second Avenue. Every week, several programs take place in this historic venue where Srila Prabhupada had his humble beginning. The Saturday program is one of the main events and could be described as an outreach program, with also a few regularly practising devotees attending.
I was given a verse from BG and elaborated on it while sitting exactly in the same place where Srila Prabhupada used to sit and deliver his classes. I could perceive Srila Prabhupada's presence strongly - a powerful energy permeated the atmosphere and flooded my heart in deep gratitude. I remembered how sometimes only one or two people used to attend his early programs, and Prabhupada offered his speech with undeterred determination.
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After the class the devotees served delicious prasadam, and when most people had left the storefront I spoke to the organisers of the program, looking at photos of the old days and comparing them with the present arrangement. Devotees had nicely renovated the place while at the same time maintaining the overall set-up as it used to be when Srila Prabhupada lectured here.

Meditating on Srila Prabhupada's humble beginning in this historic place - his struggles during the first year with all its challenges and set-backs - one's heart can only melt in deep gratitude....
Let us give this one lifetime in sacrifice for his mission...

On the 18th of July I flew back to Europe...

Your servant, Devaki dd


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