Meet His Grace Alalanatha dasa a long-time devotee and member of the New Govardhana community in Australia.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
AD: I grew up in Western Australia. I was a keen surfer, traveler and spiritual seeker. In 1972, I visited the Sydney temple on my way overseas and began practicing Krishna consciousness. I was fortunate to be initiated by Srila Prabhupada and afterward I ceased traveling and moved into the temple. I served as a book distributor and fundraiser in Australia, New Zealand and Europe for five years. During the 1980s, I served as temple president of Christchurch temple for eight years and also at New Varshana, Auckland for two years.
Q: You have been a practicing devotee for more than 40 years. What inspires you the most?
AD: There are so many aspects of Krishna consciousness that inspire me, it’s hard to know where to start! I do love reading devotional literature, chanting japa and participating in kirtana. Serving devotees and guests during festivals and the Sunday Feast is also enlivening. I’ve just begun attending some of the hari-nama processions, which are blissful and deliver wonderful realizations.
Q: How is ISKCON different now from when you first joined?
AD: In the 1970s, ISKCON was a pioneering movement where we were all “doing the needful”, as Srila Prabhupada would say. That meant dovetailing our youthful energies into opening new centers and convincing as many people as possible to take up Krishna consciousness. Living conditions were austere and many of us spent years on the road living in sankirtana vans and bathing in cold rivers to save money. Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON is now well established, with nice facilities and is respected worldwide. In the early days, however, there was indeed a special mood of surrender.
Q: What is your favorite pastime or devotional personality?
AD: My favorite devotional personality will always be my spiritual master, ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He opened my eyes with the torchlight of transcendental knowledge. Srila Prabhupada left such a legacy and has had such an enormous impact on the world.
I love studying the lives of our acaryas. Srila Sanatana Gosvami is one of my favorite authors, especially his commentary on Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrta. I am enlivened by regularly listening to classes by Gopiparanadhana dasa, and I count His Holiness Indradyumna Swami as one of my dearest and most inspiring Godbrother friends. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have gone on world tours with him over the years.
Q: Any tips on how to maintain a healthy balance between practicing Krishna consciousness and maintaining oneself materially?
AD: We do need to make our spiritual life the priority, not the other way around. It certainly helps to find an occupation that we enjoy and are naturally inclined towards. Make your vocation a vacation!
Q: Can you tell us what inspires you to serve at New Govardhana?
AD: I’m inspired to serve here because I know farming projects are dear to Srila Prabhupada. There are also unlimited opportunities at New Govardhana for aspiring devotees to serve Krishna and assist Srila Prabhupada’s mission. I love that the constant stream of guests staying at Krishna Village are given the opportunity to explore and develop their devotion to Krishna. I’m also very inspired to see second and third generation devotees taking on more responsibility.
Q: How can ISKCON improve in the future?
AD: Currently in ISKCON there are many great initiatives for new devotees, such as introductory philosophy classes. I love also seeing our devotees getting a taste for hearing, chanting and associating with one another with the utmost respect. Vaishnava etiquette is so important. I’ve heard it said that “In the beginning, they will laugh at you, for a while they may even hate you, but eventually they will love you!”
Well, at least a lot will! We’re feeling the love out there nowadays. The fact that there are so many devotees, temples and prasadam restaurants in our region has resulted in many favorable people. Sharing Krishna consciousness in Northern NSW and along the Gold Coast is such a great benediction.