By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka Das



“This time new year begins with ‘Vaikuntha Ekadashi’ (the only one Ekadasi that all people in south India try to observe). This is very auspicious. Previous year started with New Moon day” my aunt said very thoughtfully. Her statement stirred many thoughts in me resulting in wonderful realization. “Wow! Indeed, the New Year 2015 is a special year with many great events. Surely, it inspires everybody towards the golden jubilee celebrations of ISKCON in 2016” my inner sense happily said. By the way, what are those inspiring events that will be appearing in 2015? Let’s have a review of them!

  1. Centennial disappearance day of Srila Gaurakishora das Babaji:

Srila Gaurakishora Das Babaji entered into eternal pastimes of Lord Krishna in AD 1915 on “Utthana Ekadashi”. He is celebrated as renunciation personified. This year we will be observing the centennial disappearance of Srila Babaji (1915-2015). He entered into spiritual sky almost after one and half year of His sikshaguru Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s disappearance, whose centennial disappearance we celebrated last year.

If we carefully observe these Acharyas centennial year one wonderful point emerges. Srila Gaurakishora Das Babaji left this material world on Ekadasi day. Now, His centennial disappearance year is beginning with Ekadasi (Putrada Ekadasi-1/1/2015). Also, this January we will witness three Ekadasi days. We see from the scriptures that the constellations adjust suitably for the appearance of the Lord. Similarly, on the occasion of our Acharyas centennial disappearance year constellations seem to adjust themselves to mark the significance. Srila Bhaktivinoda thakura left this mortal world on new moon day. His centennial disappearance year (2014) also started with new moon day (1/1/2014). This is surely an amazing point.

What shall we do?

  1. Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam completes 400 years:

As per the request of all vaishnavas Srila Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami compiled Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam after taking the permission from Sri Madanmohan. This great literature, which was written in his ripened age, completes 400 years in 2015 (1615-2015). Its completion details are given by the author himself as under:

“In Vrindavan in the year 1537 Sakabda Era (AD 1615), in the month of Jyaistha (May-June), on Sunday, the fifth day of waning moon, this Chaitanya Charitamritam has been completed”. Wow! What a wonderful event. This event surely enthuses all Gaudiya vaishnavas.



By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada this great scripture is available all over the world. We are indeed very fortunate to witness this 400th year of CC completion. Srila Prabhupada carried one personal copy of CC with him to US in 1965. His Divine Grace completed his purports to CC in 1974 and it was published as 17 volumes series in 1975. It means Srila Prabhupada’s commentary completes its 40 years in 2015. Wow!

What shall we do?

  1. His master’s commandment:

Srila Prabhupada met his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati goswami once in 1935 at Radhakunda during kartik month. When both were engaged in some confidential talks the master revealed his heart to the loyal disciple saying, “I had a desire to print some books. If you ever get money, print books”. Gurudeva’s words went deeply into the heart of the disciple and got fixed up permanently there. This wonderful and historical event completes 80 years by 2015 (1935-2015). As per the commandment of His master Srila Prabhupada gave greater stress to book printing and distribution. As per the WSN message ISKCON has so far distributed more than 50 crores of books all over the world. Wow!

  1. His master’s pleasure:

In 1935 Srila Prabhupada wrote a poem in praise of his spiritual master on His Vyasapuja day. This event took place in Mumbai. After reading out the 8 stanzas poem Srila Prabhupada gave a short lecture also. Later he submitted the poem to Harmonist magazine for publishing. That was his first published article, which gave him the title “kavi”. Finally the poem reached Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja, who liked it very much. Especially one stanza attracted him so much that he had shown it to everyone who met him. Also, he gave an instruction to the Harmonist editor-“ whatever he writes print it.”

That stanza reads as “Absolute is sentient, thou hast proved/ Impersonal calamity, Thou hast moved”

This great event completes 80 years by 2015(1935-2015). Wow! What a wonderful, memorable event!



  1. Initial three volumes Srimad Bhagavatam set:

“I hope that you can turn yourself into a very good English preacher if you serve the mission to inculcate the novel impression of Lord Chaitanya’s teachings in the people in general as well as philosophers and religionists” - this was the final message of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati goswami maharaja to Srila Prabhupada in 1936 through one letter. Keeping this instruction in the core of his heart Srila Prabhupada started one fortnightly English magazine “Back to Godhead” in 1944. However, after a few years Srila Prabhupada, by the inspiration given by his master, started multi volumes (60 volumes) Srimad Bhagavatam commentary. After publishing first three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam (First canto), Srila Prabhupada set out for USA on preaching mission. This three volume set was the asset with him during USA travel. This set completes its 50 years in 2015 as it was ready in 1965 (1965-2015). Srila Prabhupada planted the seed of Krishna’s devotion in the western world with these three volumes of Srimad Bhagavatam. Now, it completes 50 years. Wow!

  1. His footprints on USA land:

To fulfill the order of his spiritual master Srila Prabhupada travelled to USA in Steamship Jaladuta in August 1965. After travelling for 35 days the ship reached USA land. Srila Prabhupda first time stepped in USA land in 1965 and thus Bhakti Devi entered the western world. This historical event completes 50 years by 2015 (1965-2015). It means this year is Golden Jubilee. Wow!

Moreover, when Srila Prabhupda first stepped in USA land his heart was broken by seeing the materialism all around. He penned his thoughts in the form of a song, celebrated as “ Markene Bhagavata Dharma”. That historical song also completes 50 years by 2015.

  1. His home:

Srila Prabhupada declared Vrindavan dham as his home, Mayapur dham his worshiping place and Bombay as his office. He specially created a wonderful worshiping place for Sri Krishna Balarama in Vrindavan, where generally Sri Radhakrishna worship is prominent. Each and every ISKCON devotee, all over the world would have seen that wonderful temple. After preaching all over the world, Srila Prabhupada completed his earthly pastimes in the same temple, and has been giving darshan and inspiration to millions of devotees in the form of Samadhi. This temple was inaugurated by Srila Prabhupada on Sri Ramanavami day of 1975, thus completes 40 years by 2015. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja has already sent an invitation to all devotees, all over the world, to attend for the 40th year celebration of the temple. Wow! Great to hear, indeed.



  1. ISKCON incorporation:

After reaching USA in 1965, Srila Prabhupada established the ISKCON in July 1966, after struggling hard for one year. It means by 2016 ISKCON completes 50 years and will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee function all over the world. Devotees have already initiated all the efforts for mega events everywhere. Actually, the celebrations start from July 2015 itself. Programs will continue throughout the period of 2015-2016. Thus all ISKCON devotees work intelligently and dedicatedly so that ISKCON becomes more appealing and attractive for millions of people around world in coming 50 years.

So, 2015 came in front us with lots of inspiring events so that we all are charged up with enthusiasm in our devotional practices and missionary work. We shall be progressing ahead without any pause for the pleasure of Guru and Krishna. Thus all our loving services will ultimately make our lives perfect.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

H.G. Vaishnavangri Sevaka Das is an initiated disciple of H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. He holds Ph.D. in Polymer science, working as technology specialist in Polymer Industry at Mumbai, India. He is actively serving BBT in translating Srila Prabhupada’s books into Telugu (South Indian language). He also contributes articles to BTG Telugu (Bhagavaddarshan) every month. He is actively engaged in preaching activity at ISKCON Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India.



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