By Madan Mohan das (Singapore)
Hare Krsna prabhus and matajis. Srila Prabhupada may have physically left us. But many are evident of the fact that His Divine Grace is still very much present in our midst, always inspiring and guiding us. It was the Singapore Yathra’s turn to experience this phenomenal truth.
One of the prominent temples in Singapore, Arulmigu Velmurugan Temple, had invited the devotees to conduct a program in conjunction with their annual chariot festival, where they bring Lord Kartikeyan out onto the streets in his silver chariot. It was a great opportunity for the devotees to bring out Srila Prabhupada’s “jewels” to present to the public.
The program was conducted in one of the busy residential areas of Singapore. Even though the devotees gathered in numbers they could not outdo the crowd which had gathered from all over to participate in this much anticipated event.
The devotees set up a huge book table, full of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books. An altar was set so that everyone could take the divine darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish, and of all the previous acaryas. A stage was constructed for the devotees to perform kirtan, and that was exactly what the devotees did as they performed 3 hours of kirtan under the expert guidance of H. G Devakinandan prabhu. As the devotees were performing kirtan for the pleasure of Their Lordships, Lord Kartikeyan’s chariot strolled in, it was truly amazing. The Lord’s devotee had also come to take darshan and hear the name of his beloved Lord’s being chanted.
As the chariot came in, the crowd was at its peak, with at least 400 people surrounding the chariot. The devotees took this as the right timet to play Srila Prabhupada’s chanting over the speakers. The atmosphere was totally transformed as Srila Prabhupada started chanting, “Sri Guru Sri Yuta Pada Kamalam”. The transcendental vibration made even more sublime by Srila Prabhupada chanting them, gave strength and more vigor to the devotees. The devotees quickly unpacked the prasadam and distributed it to everyone. A few other devotees started distributing flyers about our weekly programs, while the rest focused on distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. It was truly a very proud moment for all the members of Srila Prabhupada’s family, as the devotees worked in full unison to spread our Jagad Guru’s preachings. To top it all of, H. G Partha Sarathi prabhu, one of our very senior devotees, presented the guest of honour, a prominent minister in Singapore, with Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is
The public were completely taken in by the devotees. Many commented that they were most impressed by the devotees’ behaviour and conduct in the way they carried out the program. Through all these well wishing remarks also, one could clearly see the presence of Srila Prabhupada.
As Lord Kartikeyan rode out of the residential area, the devotees began another hour of ecstatic kirtan. All those who had come to see the chariot participated actively in the chanting of the holy name. As the kirtan reached it climax, the devotees were all jumping and dancing, and that too in the middle of a public residential area! It was truly an amazing side to behold as the program came to a close.
Srila Prabhupada had conquered one of Singapore’s prominent heartlands. Simply put, he came, he saw, and truly he conquered. Thank you so much Srila Prabhupada. We will always be indebted to you.
Please view the pictures of this event at: http://picasaweb.google.com/davin81/010308
Jai Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Your humble servant Madan Mohan das