By Kodandaram das
Devotees of ISCKON Batticaloa organized a spiritual-educational program for 360 top students of Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The title of the program was “The Qualities of Ideal Leader”. The main presentation was given by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami. After the lecture students were given sheets of papers for their enquiries and they submitted more than 40 relevant questions to His Holiness. Many of the questions were really good, like “What is the essence of Bhagavad-gita? How can I attain peace at the time of death? Do I need a spiritual master for chanting the holy name? How can I give up lusty desires? What is the difference between the mind and the intelligence?” Maharaja expertly answered many of the questions and for the rest of the answers students were invited to the local Sunday Feast program.
After enlivening Q/A session there was a drama of Bilwamangala Thakura which completely stunned the students and the teachers as well. They told us that they have never seen such a performance. At the end they were served sumptuous prasadam and each of them received a copy of the fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. Student leaders were encouraged to study this great book of knowledge and develop divine qualities described in it. Here is Sri Lanka people still have the culture of respect, so most of the students gratefully bowed down and offered their obeisances upon receiving this sacred book.
These boys and girls are the future leaders of society, so we hope that such programs will help them to become real selfless leaders. Some developments are already there. For example, recently cow slaughter in the Country was banned by the Governemnt of Sri Lanka.
Hare Krishna!
Srila Prabhupada ki Jay!
Your servant, Kodandaram das