A Letter from Czech Republic, dhoti sankirtan
Thank you for writing. One time Indranuja Prabhu and I went out to a big event in the park in Denton. He thought it was a good idea to wear dhotis but the result was that after driving there for an hour we were kicked out immediatly. That is the only trouble I can think of. In the 70's we wore western clothes because people would be so freaked at the sight of vaisnava dress that you could not go into any conversation with them. The devotees with their tilak and all would sometimes tell people they were from Mars to break the ice.
Since then every imaginable hair and clothes style has been tried out by the people in general. We do not blow people away. Actually Hare Krishna is more appreciated then ever and it is really exciting for me on my 30th year of sankirtan, to watch how Srila Prabhupada's efforts are changing the course of history.
Your Servant, Mishra Bhagavan Dasa
"Vijaya (das) HDG (USA)"
Yes. Devotional dress reminds everyone subconsciously of Vaikuntha. And it embodies an important characteristic of the vaisanava: dignity. When one reflects on Srila Prabupada and the impression he made in person, and always throughout his life, one is struck by his dignified countenance. Of course, Srila Prabhupad looked dignified even in a close-up of his radiant face, without seeing his dress. But the visage of a devotee in nicely pleated dhoti, with neat tilak absolutely conveys dignity, gravity and sobriety. And of course, Prabhupada pointed out that devotional dress takes mercy on the fallen souls, because it announces that here is the policeman to chase away that criminal, Maya. That devotees would go out in the northern hemisphere in the winter months is an act of unlimited devotion and mercy.
All glories to the sankirtana devotees.
Hare Krsna. – Jaya Rama dasa A. / Miami
