{"id":101381,"date":"2022-08-06T11:08:22","date_gmt":"2022-08-06T09:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=101381"},"modified":"2022-08-06T11:10:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T09:10:20","slug":"be-careful-what-you-wear-when-you-go-out-it-might-put-people-off-maya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=101381","title":{"rendered":"BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WEAR WHEN YOU GO OUT IT MIGHT PUT PEOPLE OFF (MAYA)"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nSrila Prabhupada has made it clear that we can wear whatever is effective according to time, place and circumstance. It is not the question of the dress but the consciousness. Still, much is to be said about this topic. Below are just a few of thousands of similar experiences over a period of 2 days in London
\nWhilst going out shopping, banking etc., it may seem that wearing modern dress (whatever modern dress is) would be the done thing. Maybe!
\nAnyways, a few days ago in London we did a little shopping, banking and money changing in Oxford Street.
\nWherever we went people commented about our dress. In the money changer the lady was intrigued and readily ended up taking a book. In Apple store the black salesgirl called us to explain what we were all about \u2013 asking questions about the dress, she happily took a book and her black co-worker was equally enamoured by the dress and the shaved head, tilak etc.. it turned out he was Vegan and when he saw the cookbook was delighted to take one. On the street, seeing our dress, person after person said Hare Krsna. On the bus back the man next to me said, \u2018I love the colour of your dress\u2019. Please explain what you are doing – again another book.
\nThe next day we are going to a programme. On the way we pass through Oxford Circus underground station. Chanting japa as we go, in front of us is a common sight of a busker, street musician, singing in the tunnel. As we get closer, seeing us dressed in dhotis, he spontaneously bursts into sweet chanting of the maha-mantra with a most beautiful melody, played out on his guitar. For 5 to 10 minutes, he leads the kirtan and we respond \u2013 a must watch on the link below. At the end I give him a book which he happily takes and says please \u2018help yourself to whatever you want from the donation box.\u2019 I said “brother, you have given more than enough, chanting so beautifully with us. I cannot thank you enough and we embrace.
\nAfter getting my eyes tested for new glasses, we walk out into the street \u2013 I\u2019m thirsty, so we drop into a small superette to get a bottle of water. Immediately one middle-aged lady (the only other customer) says Hare Krsna \u2013 where have you guys been? Do you have a temple around here? We mention the Soho Street temple. \u2013 \u201cwow is it still there \u2013 I went there 30 years ago. \u2018Have you got any books\u2019. Give me all you\u2019ve got\u2019. I take out all the books in my bag and give them to her. (Moral – always carry books with you wherever you go). Emptying her pockets she’ gave me all the change she had. The lady behind the counter also joyfully took a cookbook.
\nJust a few little benefits from not hiding our identity, or should we rather say helping others to come to remember their identities as Krsna das.
\nWhenever people see devotees dressed in dhotis with tilak and shaved heads or ladies dressed in sarees they are immediately connected to Krsna and the impression remains in their hearts for their eternal benefit. Sorry to say, when we wear modern dress there is next to no benefit \u2013 we are just another nowhere man in the crowd as we pass through the thronging crowds.
\nPerhaps it is unbecoming to wear the old-fashioned, or out of place dress of the Hindus \u2013you know it might just remind someone of Krsna. Oh \u2013 that is very dangerous! But Isn\u2019t that what we are supposed to be doing?
\nOf course there are many situations where a devotee needs or feels the need to wear ‘modern dress’ but without even speaking or even chanting, by merely wearing the dhoti, tilak etc.. we are automatically preaching the holy names far and wide.
\nFood for Thought.
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