Madan Mohan das: Hare Krsna dear devotees.

In his bhajan “Boro SukherKabor Gai” Bhaktivinod Thakur writes the following:

boro sukher khabor gāi
surabhi-kuñjete nāmer hāṭkhule’che (khoda nitāi)

boro mojār kathā tāy
śraddhā-mūlye śuddha-nāma sei hāṭete bikāy

“I am singing news of great happy tidings. Lord Nityananda Himself has opened a market-place of the Holy Name in Surabhi-Kunja.”

“The news of its great results is that He is selling the pure Holy Name in that market-place for the price of only one’s faith.”

Sometimes due to our forgetful nature these powerful statements slip from our mind. But just because the living entities forget these transcendental facts, Lord Nityananda does not stop selling the all powerful holy name. And the only price he asks for? Faith… Nothing else. This great truth was clearly depicted at the recent Thaipusam festival held in Singapore.

The Thaipusam festival is an annual event held in honour of Lord Karthikeya, where devotees carry structures made of peacock feathers (Kavadi) and milk pots to fulfill their vows to Lord Karthikeya, chief commander of the demigod army. And by the will of the Lord this great festival took place on the blessed appearance day of Lord Nityananda prabhu this year. Inspired by the mercy of Nitai Mahajan in this way, the devotees decided that the Lord in His form as Jagannath should be taken out in procession amidst ecstatic kirtan.

It was a wonderful sight to behold as Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladev and Subhadra took to the streets of Singapore on their transcendental ratha accompanied also by Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. It was a 4km walk from the Srinivasa Perumal temple to Lord Karthikeya’s abode, and it was throughout this journey that Lord Nityananda began the sale of the holy name. By the mercy of Nityandanda prabhu devotees were allowed to lead ecstatic kirtan for 6 FULL HOURS!. Members of the public were completely taken in by the vibrant looking devotees singing and dancing for the pleasure of the Lord. In fact many joined the devotees in glorifying the Lord. Some were even seen dancing with the devotees. Prasadam packets were also distributed throughout the course.

A rule had been sanctioned by the authorities that no musical instruments would be allowed on-route to Karthikeya’s temple. But by the mercy of the Lord as supersoul none of the authorities even approached the devotees as they played the kartals and mrdangas in unison during the kirtan. It was really unbelievable as this was completely out of the norm. In this way the direct hand of Lord Nityananda was seen. Nityananda prabhu was truly distributing the holy name regardless of cast, creed and any social stature. The vibrations filled the atmosphere, and these vibrations themselves induced more transcendental vibrations.

At the last leg of the procession, devotees entered the abode of Lord Kartikeya amidst tumultuous kirtan. It was as if lions were roaring. The vibrations echoed through the walls of the temple penetrating the hearts of all present. As Lord Jagannatha approached the inner sanctum, milk taken by the Lord was offered to Lord Karthikeya as prasadam. The devotees then watched as Karthikeya took darshan of His beloved Lord. Such is the magnanimity of Lord Nityandanda.

Nityanandan Prabhu Ki Jai.

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!

Pictures of the festival are available in the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/krsnadasa20/Thaipusam2009

Your humble servant
Madan Mohan das

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