By Ila devi dasi
Young Boys’ Harinama
On Saturday 6 September, twelve young boys, aged 6 – 10, took part in a Harinama around the campus. The Harinama was arranged as part of Ramananda Raya dasa’s birthday celebrations.
It was great fun for the boys as they used the “Harinam Express” rikshaw, which enabled them to go around all the areas, without struggling to walk, so that they could concentrate on the chanting. Nanda-Nandana, Visvambara, Bala-Gopala, and Tamal all lead kirtana very nicely, whilst others played instruments or attempted to help pedal the rikshaw.
“We’d like to see all the children of Mayapur do Harinam regularly,” said Shastra dasa, “during World Holy Name week we are inviting all the schools to come and do Harinama, so please start practising!”
Harinam Deities make surprise appearance on Radhasthami
After an almost two-week absence, SriSri Nitai-Mayapur-Chandra made Their re-appearance on Radhasthami. Where were They during this time? Preparing for this special day, to lead Harinama on a new carved wooden rikshaw altar, with newly-painted faces and a lovely deep plum-pink outfits, including tiny toe-rings.
Dayal Mukunda Prabhu and his wife, Yashoda Mataji, who are the fortunate servitors that keep the Nagara Sankirtana Department’s Deities in their home, wanted to make a special offering on this day by arranging for a new altar to be carved in Navadvip town, and by having Them repainted. Sachi Mataji did the painting and Their eyes looked so deep and penetrating after she had worked on Them, that devotees all over the Temple campus kept commenting about Their attaractive new glance.
The Sunday Harinam around the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir area attracted many visitors as usual. I reflected on how the Harinama really changed the mood around, so many visitors just loiter around the different areas of the large Mayapur Campus, waiting for afternoon Deity Darshan, in the parks and on the benches, but when the Harinama party appears, they immediately become transformed as they get the opportunity to take part in the congregational chanting of the Holy Name, directly under the guidance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
“The Absolute Truth is Sri Krishna, and loving devotion to Sri Krishna exhibited in pure love is achieved through congregational chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss.” Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi-lila 1:96
“I have heard that Srimati Radharani is very compassionate and always desiring to engage the living entities in Krishna’s service. We pray to be able to assist in fulfilling this desire of Hers, by getting everyone together to chant congregationally. On this special day of Her Appearance, we pray for new inspiration and strength from Her, to be able to do Harinam and Prasadam distribution (Food For Life) all over the nine islands of Navadvipa” – Shastra dasa, Harinam Department
The next exciting event that the Harinam Department is preparing for now, is the worldwide “Holy Name Week.” Expect a lot of chanting and dancing…..
Great PICTURES. This is very pleasing to to Srila Prabhupada. Let us arrange for the conditioned souls to see and hear our most charming children chanting the HOLY NAMES> That will attract many to take up chanting.