By Bhakti Raghava Swami
“Balarama represents plowing the land for agriculture and therefore always carries in His hand a plow, whereas Krishna tends cows and therefore carries a flute in His hand. Thus the two brothers represent krisi-raksya and go-raksya.” [SB 10. 5 .20]
His holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami successfully organized a 3-day Varnasrama Retreat coinciding with Lord Balarama’s Appearance Day Festival at the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains located near the city of Montreal in Eastern Canada.
The blend of several workshops presented by different devotees, accompanied by bhajan and kirtan, philosophical discussions and an abhiseka ceremony for Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama were the highlights of the events that took place within the 25 acre rural project headed by one of the more active supporters of the varnasrama mission in the area, Bhakta Surya.
The project has been named La Nouvelle Vraja Bhumi (New Vraja Bhumi) after the well-known Vrindavan Village in Northern India where Krishna and Balarama performed their numerous pastimes five thousand years ago. The project is strategically located near Mount Tremblant, one of the touristic attractions for outdoor enthusiasts of both the Province of Ontario and Quebec. The domain is largely mountainous with hundreds of Maple trees that allow for the production of maple syrup in the early spring. Some of the acreage has been divided by natural log fencing to accommodate the upkeep of sheep, cows and other domestic animals that will help complement the rural project.
During the weekend retreat, several facilitators covered various educational modules. Module I included a practical workshop on how to make honey and maintain beehives. Bhakta Surya has recently increased his beehive colonies from 25 to 108, a responsibility he has gladly accepted thus making him a committed keeper of beehives. Devotees attending the workshop were given an introductory course on the need and importance of beekeeping, with all the challenges presented in the somewhat cold climate of Canada. Since the last few years, Bhakta Surya has successfully produced pure honey that he uses for his puja and personal needs at home as well as making it available at the local rural market. He recently extracted 800 kilos from the hives.
Mataji Sophie, wife of Bhakta Surya, presented Module II covering home gardening. She has been involved with home gardening and home economics since many years. One of the interesting workshops she conducted was the making of hand cream from simple locally grown herbs. The natural forest surrounding La Nouvelle Vraja Bhumi makes it easy to collect various natural herbs that have various medicinal properties.
Module III was taken by Bhakta Surya on the topic of eco-village planning and different options offered by the Canadian government that allow individuals and families to establish communities. One of the objectives of the project is to offer devotees the possibility of forming a small community.
Vedavyasa prabhu presented Module IV that focused on traditional organic farming and provided useful tips on farming. He has successfully planted a one-acre garden this year with very encouraging results.
Bhakti Raghava Swami covered Module V that centered on varnasrama concepts and principles and in particular, the subject of traditional education where he outlined the need to re-introduce the traditional system of ancient Gurukula and Varnasrama Colleges. He also updated devotees about various global developments both within ISKCON and within mainstream society.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the open-air abhiseka (bathing) ceremony to Sri Sri Krishna and Balarama on the day of Lord Balarama’s Appearance. The devotees present performed a fire yajna on what will now be regarded as Govardhan Hill, a natural rock formation behind Bhakta Surya’s House.
Devotee who participated in the weekend retreat had the following comments to share regarding their experience:
1. “Being surrounded by 300 000 bees and learning how the honey is actually being produced has made me appreciate the varuni juice that was served to all the devotees on the occasion of Lord Balarama’s Appearance.”
2. “The result of this weekend’s association is an inspiration that will help me increase my devotional service for as long as I live and beyond.”
3. “I didn’t know how scientific the divine system of the Vedic culture could be and so practical as well. It should be taught to every responsible man on earth.”
The practical workshops led by various devotees, the inspirational teachings given by HH Bhakti Raghava Swami and the entertainment with devotional songs presented in the local French language conducted by song writer and musician Nara Narayan prabhu made for an enlivening experience for all who attended.
At the end of the 3-day event, the Bhakti Eco Village Foundation, an extension of the recently established Strategic Planning Team global initiative called Village Initiative Committee (VIC) presented the organizers with a donation of $ 1,000 for conducting what is meant to become a yearly event. Devotees wishing to know more about the project may write to Bhakta Surya at y.lavoie@bjpharm.com