By Madhusudan das (ACBSP)

A couple of months ago my wife and I arrived a few minutes late for the Sunday Feast program at the San Diego Temple. The program starts with a bhajan, then lecture, then arotik followed by the feast. We noticed that already there was a very attractive young family, new to the San Diego Temple - husband, wife, and four children. They were dressed very neatly, although not in devotee attire.

What struck us right away was the angelic aura they had about them. We thought they might be devotees the way the whole family was sitting with such rapt attention, but we weren’t sure. Being an ex-gurukula ashram teacher (from many years ago) I noticed how well behaved the children were. The 15 year-old girl seemed to be overseeing the younger girl and one younger boy (just like in the gurukula). On the lap of the mother was a toddler boy, and the father was standing nearby. We were so impressed and wanted to meet them.

Later, we struck up a conversation with them and found out that they had just moved to the area. We found out they had been vegetarians for many years. A couple of years ago the mother, Shyamala (not an initiated name) somehow got hold of Srila Prabhupada’s “Science of Self Realization.” Upon reading it, with inspiration and enthusiasm, she hurried to her husband, Antony, and exclaimed, “We’ve found what we have been searching for.” During the next two years, although not being near a temple, they learned about the various practices and became devout followers of Srila Prabhupada. It was very enlivening to see Srila Prabhupada’s potency in action.

The following Sunday Feast we were happy to see them there again. In the hopes of making them feel more a part of the devotee community we invited them to our home for prasadam and association. Being householders for many years ourselves we wanted to give these nice new devotees whatever support we could, and that way we could get to know each other better. They showed such appreciation and humility at the gesture that we ourselves were very moved and humbled.

At the temple, during our conversations we asked what Antony’s occupation was. We found out that he was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and that’s why they had moved here—to be near Camp Pendleton, which is about 45 minutes away from the temple. When I heard that he was a Captain in the Marines I was in awe, but Antony humbly responded, “It’s just my job.” He clearly had the right perspective between his occupation and his devotional life.

I didn’t bring up any issues of his situation in relation to the Iraq war. In my mind I was thinking, “maybe he has some kind of ‘desk job.’ ” We were thinking to have them come over in perhaps two or three weeks. When it came to setting a date and time, Shyamala said that Antony was being deployed in less than a week! What a surprise—there was the answer to my unasked question! They came for evening prasadam a few days later. Although we were happy to have the whole family come, they preferred to come just the two of them. They felt that way they could have more quality time with us—and that was a wise decision.

Antony is now in Iraq. It’s been over two months. He keeps in email, as well as phone, communication with his wife Shyamala. I have communicated with him by email, but more importantly Antony has established communication with Partha Sarathy prabhu who can, obviously, give him immense support for his situation since he’s preaching during the war for so long. The following is a couple of emails that he sent to me, which he said I could share. In them you will see what a sincere soul he is.

Hare Krishna Prabhu,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I hope this message finds you in the best of mind, body and spirit. Please excuse my delay in writing; I misplaced your email address. Please give my greetings to Kansmala and Chintomini as well. I am doing well, busy but in good spirits. Again thank you for the MP3 player. I listened to bhajans from Amsterdam to Kuwait. Fortunately the food choices are wide enough that I have no problem in keeping a vegetarian diet. It takes a lot of discipline and focus when I am in the dining facility because while I’m offering food in quiet prayer, everyone else is either scarfing down meat or talking loudly. I’ve learned to overcome it once again.

I have been able to correspond with Partha-sarathi and we write on a regular basis. Even though he’s in another part of the country we’ve been able to keep regular dialog.

Again, thank you for your support and kindness. It is truly appreciated.

I hope to speak to you again soon.

In your humble service, Hare Bol!

Antony

Greetings Prabhu,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I wanted to share this with you. This is from a conversation that Partha-sarathi and I were having. Please share if you would like.

We shall speak again soon.

Antony

Greetings Partha-sarathi Prabhu,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I hope this message finds you well. Please excuse my absence; the Internet services have been slow. A few nights ago, I was sitting on my rack reading the Gita before finally going to sleep—Chapter 5, Karma Yoga- Action in Krnsa Consciousness. Right between the first and second verse, the artillery battery nearby started a fire mission. By the third round, I was tempted to stop reading and turn off the light. Right then it occurred to me, the booms in the night were no different than the other distractions and sensory perceptions we experience in the world. While it was difficult for me to ignore the thunderous sounds and the trembling it caused in the room, I felt it was more important and more powerful that I continue my reading and study. I looked at the picture of Nrsmhadev on my door and laughed to myself thinking about the thunderous sound that must have enmanated from Sri Nrsmhadev bursting from the pillar, snatching Hiranyakasipu up in mid-step and destroying him. I continued reading, not to the point that I planned but well beyond the place where I thought I would stop if I heeded the noise. Is this not Krnsa Consciousness? We strive in the way of the Lord. We make it our goal to fully give loving devotional service in all climes and places. At times however, when we execute our duties, we sometimes come up short. We attempt to advance to a certain place and don’t quite get there, but we advance nonetheless. So whether it takes a night, a lifetime or several lifetimes to return back to Godhead, we do! When I completed my reading and took to rest, my heart was still beating fast, tired but also on the alert. In the darkness I thanked Sri Bhagavan Krsna for the opportunity to serve Him, even in a place of war. All around me there are barriers, earthen berms, barbwire, guard posts, and more guns than scriptures. Yet I thought of Krnsa’s Lotus Feet and went to sleep in peace.

Keep well Warrior and I will do the same. Our service continues.

Your brother

Antony

Madhusudan,

Please forgive my previous misspellings of your names. As I listen to Srila Rupa Goswami’s Favorite Verses, I hear your family’s names being mentioned. For example in text it says, “O Lord, your devotee sees…a multitude of chintamoni jewels as simply pebbles…” I just happened to be listening to this while I write you. It had been my humble desire to write you sooner. It is difficult learning of the passing of a friend, especially a close one who is like a true brother or sister. Shyamala and I had to deal with this about a year ago. The circumstances were very difficult but our greatest wish was that our departed friend evolved and would fulfill his spiritual purpose in his next life. If your friend was like you and Kanchanbala, then I know that they left spiritual seeds of kindness, friendship and devotion that will grow beyond the breath of his physical body. This world, these bodies are so fragile and susceptible to illness and injury. Clearly this is not our true home. May we all deepen our loving devotional service.

Thank you again for sharing.

In your humble service,
Antony

Anyone who would like to give some association and support to Antony can email him at a2warrioryogi@gmail.com. He is definitely a sweet devotee, as you can see from his photos. You may feel, as I do, as much benefited as offering benefit to him.

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