The Prabhupada Marathon
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The annual Prabhupada Marathon is here again, this is a great opportunity to spread the glories of Sri Krsna and His dear devotee Srila Prabhupada.
Sankirtana is the Yuga Dharama and brings good fortune to all.
There is no doubt about it. The performance of Sankirtana is the panacea for all the problems of the world.
All our earthly problems are due to ignorance of our eternal spiritual nature.
Sankirtana, the group chanting of Krsna's holy names is so powerful that it pierces the thick layers of ignorance that cover the souls in this world.
Rupa Goswami says that those who hear the Sankirtana party even once immediately become washed of sins and gain an inkling of their spiritual identity.
And as we've already seen, people who are especially fortunate also eagerly join our Sankirtana party upon seeing and hearing it.
Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada made it clear to us that books like Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita are written kirtana. Those who receive these literatures, reading from them even one word, become eternally benefited.
Distribution of books is Sankirtana.
When we distribute transcendental literature, people take it home to read and to share with others. These books last for decades and are slowly infiltrating homes, libraries, schools, motels and are slowly becoming popular (as is the practice of Bhakti Yoga).
Every despot and tyrannical leader in the world knows that books change people's lives. This is why historically a dictator's first order of business in assuming power is in censoring written material, sometimes even burning books.
During our visit to Vietnam in April of this year we became quickly acquainted with the Communist policy prohibiting the distribution of literature not edited and sanctioned by the government.
Books are powerful. And Srila Prabhuada's books are the basis of our ISKCON movement.
What to speak of ordinary books, the Srimad Bhagavatam — which is an incarnation of Krsna is revolutionary and will eternally benefit all who read it.
Prasadam distribution is similarly potent. People everywhere appreciate receiving tasty food given out of friendship and love getting even small treats. Distribution of Krsna prasadam creates goodwill and the recipients of it make permanent spiritual advancement just by accepting it. No matter one's present condition — human, animal or lowly insect a soul who accepts prasadam gets benefit.
In the Gita Krsna lauds those who do good to others.
For instance, in the Bhagavad Gita 5.25, Krsna says, "Those who are always busy working for the welfare of all living beings achieve liberation in the Supreme." And in Gita 16.3, Krsna cites "daya bhutesu," the showing of mercy to other living entities, as one of the primary transcendental, divine qualities. And again in Gita 11.55 Krsna says that those who are "friendly to every living being," certainly come to Him. Regarding this last statement, Srila Prabhupada comments:
"A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is suffering it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is relieving one's neighbor from all material problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in His service, risking everything for Him. Therefore it is certain that such persons must reach the supreme planet after leaving the body" (Bhagavad Gita As It Is, pp. 609-610).
By Krsna's mercy, those who perform Sankirtana gain clarity and spiritual health. They quickly become spiritually advanced and find an inner fulfillment that is not available anywhere else in the universe.
Krsna is a wish-fulfilling tree. He gives everyone what they desire. As we perform Sankirtana, Krsna personally clears our hearts and minds, allowing us to desire our highest benefit in life. Indeed, those who perform Sankirtana live with Krsna constantly. And as Sanjaya says in Bhagavad Gita for such persons there is always opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality.
Those who perform Sankirtana to please the transcendental senses of the Lord never tire of it nor are they restricted in their ability to perform Sankirtana. As they desire to increase the Sankirtana yajna by spreading it all over the world, Krsna gives them facility. Such persons factually swim in the anandam buddhi vardanam, the ever-expanding ocean of happiness.
So, let us focus on saving one living entity at a time, beginning with ourselves. As we do so, let us continue refining and increasing our practice of Sankirtana, investing in new tools, inviting new members to join, employing everything at our disposal for increasing this yajna.
With deep gratitude,
Your Humble Servant,
Vaisesika Dasa
