How we came to Krsna Consciousness
Dear Vijaya prabhu, PAMHO AGTSP.
I was very enlivened by your sharing your coming to Krsna Consciousness. I am willing to share my simple story if you think it may inspire someone, and you are welcome to shorten it or clarify it in any way you see fit, or just send it the recycle bin if you want. I know I can ramble.
I was an ordinary high school student, living about 25 miles south of Washington D.C. A friend of mine had recently moved to Atlanta, and would come visit me once a month. He was fortunate enough to meet the devotees distributing books in the Atlanta airport on one of his return trips. He admitted he only spoke to the woman (now we know her name is Svaha) because she was smiling and friendly. He didn't even understand a word she said about the book. He took it because she was so enthusiastic for him to. He didn't read it. But over the next few months, he ran into her or another devotee several more times, understanding a little more each time. He finally went to the temple, and was impressed with the kirtan, the evening Gita class, and the wonderful hot milk. He started going several times a week, never mentioning any of it to me. Well, he then decided to give one of the books he had received, to me as a Christmas gift. It was the Srimad Bhagavatam First Canto Part One. When I opened the package, I thought it was the most beautiful book I had ever seen. It was so colorful, and mystical. I was immediately in awe, and wanted to know all about it. He had been to the temple quite a few times, and knew enough to tell me the story of Maha Vishnu laying on the Causal Ocean, and the Lotus coming from His navel, and all about Lord Brahma. I made him tell me over and over again. After he left, I wanted to read the book for myself, but couldn't get beyond the first page. He sent me a Bhagavad Gita the next week, and told me about chanting this special "maha mantra" for better understanding of the book. He said I had to read the book outloud, so that I could be hearing and chanting both, which he explained as necessary for understanding this philosophy. I started chanting a little, and reading everyday whenever I had a chance. I would sometimes even read aloud in the corner of the lunchroom at school so everyone could hear. My friends, and my parents thought I had lost my mind at first, but I knew I was just beginning to find my heart and soul. I had never felt more satisfied, and soon they could see that in me. They all finally agreed that whatever it was, it was making me happy. Some of my friends even wanted to borrow my Gita (which I wasn't able to let go of just yet, but did get them copies later), they also wanted to know how to chant Hare Krishna!
Next I got a BTG in the mail from my boyfriend, and learned of a temple opening soon in Potomac Maryland, which was about an hour away. There had been a temple in downtown Washington, but it wasn't having feasts at that time, in preparation for the move. In two weeks there would be a feast at the new temple! I went, and witnessed a fire jnana, a deity reinstallation, and a huge kirtan and feast. I remember thinking, "wow, and they do this every Sunday" not realizing it was a special occasion. I was hooked, and wanted to quit school and move into the temple. By then I had finished the Bhagavad Gita. I approached the Temple President, but he said no, I wasn't yet 18, so I couldn't move in. It was during a time of Ted Patrick, and deprogramming, so they didn't want minors living in the temple. At the time I was devastated, but now I am glad that I at least finished High School.
I went to see Srila Prabhupada in Potomac that summer. It was the first week of July, 1976. I really got the mercy. I was sitting very close to the vyasasana one morning, and just at the start of class, the brahmacari fanning Prabhupada with the peacock fan was called out of the room. He looked around for someone to take it, and then to my great surprise, he leaned over and handed it to me. I fanned Prabhupada with that peacock fan for the entire Bhagavatam class, even though I thought my arm was going to fall off after about 10 minutes. It is still so vivid in my mind, studying every molecule of Srila Prabhupada. I remember that I prayed to him in my mind that I could take shelter of him. I pray I never forget that day.
Just after that, I had my long awaited 18th birthday, and moved to Atlanta to be close to my friend who was also now wanting to be a devotee. Very quickly I became attached to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in Atlanta, and all the wonderful devotees there, so that's where I stayed. One year later, I took first initiation from Srila Prabhupada, and received the name Sankirtana devi dasi!! It all seemed like magic. I often think that I wasn't really looking for spiritual life at all when I first heard about Krsna. I was no different than anyone out there now, just trying hard to enjoy, and get by. But because some devotees made the endeavor to distribute books, I was able to come and take shelter of Lord Caitanya's Lotus Feet. I really want to repay that mercy with an attempt to give the same chance to others.
Your Servent
Sankirtana dd
