(Remembering H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami on his 71st vyasa-puja, Dec. 4th 2008)
By Jaganmohini devi dasi
Dear well-wishers of H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami
Hare Krishna!
Today URI(United Religious Initiatives) top leaders and representatives from their different cooperation circles have assembled at ISKCON Mayapur to hold its Global assembly from Nov. 30th to Dec. 5th in honor of H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami who was one of the founding member of URI.
(FYI, URI is one of the largest global interfaith organizations in the world, with over 400 cooperation circles(CC) and more than 200 affiliates located in seven geographic regions of the world. URI has grown from a vision to a global organization active in over 60 countries with the involvement of over 1,000,000 people annually. It has created an unprecedented global network of interfaith cooperation, launched countless successful projects around the world and become the recognized and respected leader in grassroots interfaith group. Their governing board is a Global Council of 29 members from 18 countries.)
At this juncture when this huge organization is paying tribute to H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami we are reminded of an affectionate remark and an instruction by Srila Prabhupada to H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami. They are: In one morning walk Srila Prabhupada had lovingly remarked, “.. so if I would not have students like you, they would have taken me as a crazy man..”
In one letter he wrote, “…appeal yourself to the high class of men not the mass. Mass, too, we do not eliminate anyone, but if the best men are there to run on things, mass will follow later.’
Prior to their interaction with H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami several leaders of different faith were not aware about Srila Prabhupada’s contribution to humanity and nor were they aware about ISKCON’s mission or Srila Prabhupada. In fact few didn’t think of this mission positively.
Today by H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami’s mercy the URI leaders are receiving highest devotional nectar at Sri Mayapur Dham. Many are also visiting India first time. They are associating with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates, Srila Prabhupada and several Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Plus they will get a glimpse of Manipur Vaishnava culture on Dec. 4th when the Deities Sri Sri Radha Madhava along with ashtasakis will be dressed in Manipuri outfit for the first time and in the evening the ranganiketan group will be performing Rasalila in the temple.
Also after they heard about H. H. Jayapataka Swami’s hospitalization, they included maharaj in their daily morning prayers. This is a rare situation that prayers are being offered in all religions for maharaj’s quick recovery. One can imagine how potent will be such prayers.
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