<\/a> Unfortunately, last year we were unable to perform in Kolobrzeg because the city was upgrading the waterfront where our event has taken place over the last twenty seven years. This summer we anticipated a big comeback, only to be disappointed when we learned that the renovated area could no longer support the semi-trailer that unfolds into the large stage on which our show takes place.<\/p>\nNandini dasi, as determined as ever, met with the mayor of Kolobrzeg to discuss alternative sites for our event.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as we\u2019d like to host you, there is no suitable site where we can hold an outdoor event the size of yours,\u201d the mayor told Nandini.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the area around the lighthouse at the end of the big boardwalk?\u201d Nandini suggested. \u201cThousands of people gather there every day to see the ships going out to sea. It would be a perfect venue.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mayor shook his head. \u201cWe\u2019ve never allowed that spot to be used for an event in the history of the city,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has its own ambiance and we don\u2019t want to detract from that. Besides, that site is under the jurisdiction of the captain of the port. He would never agree because it would be a distraction for his job of safely seeing off and receiving ships each day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Mr. Mayor, our event is not a commercial event. We hold our festival to introduce people to the attractive culture of India and to a positive spiritual message that can benefit their lives.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI know, I know,\u201d said the Mayor. \u201cI\u2019ve been to your event many times and I know it\u2019s well-organized; in many ways it\u2019s the main event of the summer here in Kolobrzeg.\u201d He paused for a moment and thought. \u201cOK,\u201d he said at last. \u201cIf you can get permission from the captain of the port, the City Council will back you. But bear in mind, he won\u2019t be an easy person to convince.\u201d<\/p>\n
The large paved area around the lighthouse was crawling with thousands of tourists when Nandini arrived. \u201cThis would be perfect for our event,\u201d she thought. But when she was asking the secretary if she could speak to the captain, he walked out of his office and stopped her speaking before she could even start. <\/p>\n
\u201cNo! No! No! I will not give permission for you to hold your event on this property. It\u2019s under my jurisdiction and I refuse to even consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how did you know that was what I was going to ask?\u201d Nandini said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard you were denied permission for your event at the waterfront,\u201d he said. \u201cI was expecting you\u2019d come here, and I have told you my answer. There is no need for further discussion on the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSir,\u201d Nandini said, \u201cWe have done our festival in your city every summer for almost three decades. It\u2019s a tradition here. It\u2019s not an ordinary event. It brings color, joy and festivity to the Kolobrzeg, but more importantly it brings a deep spiritual message. And the ambassador for India to Poland, Mr. Ajay Bisaria, has promised to come if you give us permission \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop!\u201d the captain said. For several moments he looked out the window at the waves breaking on the rocks. \u201cAlright. I give you permission to hold your festival at the lighthouse. I\u2019ve been to your event many times over the years and if I am honest I have to say that I believe in everything you people stand for. Now go!\u201d<\/p>\n
Nandini scurried out of the office as fast as she could and reached for her phone. <\/p>\n
\u201cGurudeva, we got permission for the festival in Kolobrzeg,\u201d she said when I answered the phone. She was obviously on the verge of tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s amazing,\u201d I said. \u201cHow did you convince them to let us use the waterfront?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot the waterfront,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019re letting us use the lighthouse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lighthouse!\u201d I exclaimed. \u201cNothing is impossible if Krsna desires it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next day 100 devotees charged out of our base into two large buses to begin advertising the festival. <\/p>\n
\u201cFaster!\u201d I told our bus driver. <\/p>\n
\u201cYour event is still two days away. Why the hurry?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery minute counts,\u201d I replied. \u201cStep on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Our colorful harimana party was replete with banners, flags and even balloons; as we began singing and dancing down the beach people took notice. Three children in the water jumped up and down, waving their arms to attract their parents\u2019 attention. \u201cMom! Dad!\u201d they screamed. \u201cTake an invitation!\u201d<\/p>\n
Further down the beach I saw a woman crying.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe looks distressed,\u201d I said to a devotee. \u201cCan you go and ask her if she\u2019s ok?\u201d <\/p>\n
The devotee returned with a smile on her face. \u201cShe apologized for causing us worry,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen we didn\u2019t come last year she didn\u2019t know if we would ever come back. She\u2019s crying out of happiness because the festival\u2019s back in town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man speaking angrily to a devotee. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
The devotee said, \u201cThis gentleman is angry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The man interrupted in a loud voice. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you come last year?\u201d People began to gather around, interested in the apparent conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d I asked, still not understanding the nature of his dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you come last year?\u201d he repeated. \u201cMy children wait all year for your festival to come here in the summer. You let them down. They were so upset. You have a responsibility to the public to be consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n
A number of people in the crowd nodded their heads in agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so sorry, sir,\u201d I said. I spoke loudly so the crowd could hear. \u201cIt was beyond our control; the city was doing work in the site where we usually hold our festival. But in two days we\u2019ll have the festival at the lighthouse.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man looked surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lighthouse?\u201d he asked in a calmer voice. \u201cThe city gave you permission to have your event there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, the captain of the port to be specific,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026 That\u2019s very good!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cMy family and I will be there.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head in disbelief as the crowd dispersed. \u201cIn the old days some people would become angry when we showed up in town. Now they become angry when we don\u2019t come! This is a sure sign that this movement is progressing.\u201d<\/p>\n
We stopped to have kirtan in one place, and, as always, a large crowd of sunbathers gathered. Many of them were soon dancing with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to hear my opinion about this singing and dancing?\u201d a nicely dressed gentleman asked me.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019m always interested to hear the public\u2019s opinion of our efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy opinion,\u201d he said in a serious voice, \u201cis that this singing and dancing has the potential to unite all the religions of the world.\u201d <\/p>\n
As the blissful singing and dancing continued, I watched one lady who had joined the kirtan as soon as we had arrived. She was beaming as she swayed back and forth with her arms around two devotee girls, chanting in a loud voice. Then she entered the circle of devotees and began dancing on her own, her arms stretched towards the sky. She stayed for more than an hour. <\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like you really enjoyed that!\u201d I said to her as the kirtan party moved on down the beach.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yes,\u201d she said. \u201cI really love you people.\u201d Then she winked. \u201cBut remember: Jesus is the only way!\u201d<\/p>\n
Further down the beach a man came towards me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHare, Krsna and Rama,\u201d he said. \u201cThere! I said it! One gets so much benefit from saying those words even once in a lifetime. I read that somewhere. Bye!\u201d<\/p>\n
The next moment a woman approached me, a Bhagavad-gita<\/i> in her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girl who sold this to me said you would sign it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, of course I will,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
When I gave it back to her she said, \u201cFinally, something else to read besides the Bible!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, but the Bible is also an important scripture,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it is,\u201d she agreed. \u201cBut all the questions I have ever had about spirituality were answered this morning in the few pages of this book I\u2019ve read so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
We concluded the harinam after four hours and returned to the festival site to prepare for the crowds that would come. On the boardwalk, a man called out to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndradyumna Swami,\u201d he said, \u201cDo you remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d I said, feeling guilty. \u201cI can\u2019t seem to place your face\u2026 \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must remember,\u201d he said. \u201cWe met on this beach in 1997. We had a very interesting discussion for ten minutes or so. It changed my life in lots of positive ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
My guilt subsided a little knowing that the meeting occurred nineteen years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI bought your Pada Kamalam kirtan tape that day,\u201d he continued. \u201cI still listen to it every day on my way to work. And my children can\u2019t go to sleep without it. I just wanted to thank you for what you\u2019ve done for me and my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a short talk\u2026\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was enough,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was more than enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
The festival site was already crowded with people sitting on the benches in front of the main stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe show doesn\u2019t begin for another two hours,\u201d I said incredulously to Guru Kripa das.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess because there was no festival last year they want to make sure they don\u2019t miss anything this year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The festival looked especially charming with the lighthouse towering overhead and the beautiful port as a backdrop. More and more people poured through the gates, and I took the opportunity to ask them why they had come. <\/p>\n
\u201cI purchased some chanting beads a few years ago at one of your festivals,\u201d a lady told me. \u201cI use to use them as a decoration in my home. But something told me they have a more important purpose, and one day I saw a devotee chanting on them. I have them here with me today so that I can learn how to chant on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandkids have never been to your event,\u201d an elderly man told me when I asked him why he had come. He gestured to the four children by his side. \u201cBut I have been many times. I convinced them to come because there\u2019s something for every member of the family at your festivals.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Then he lowered his voice. \u201cBut if they didn\u2019t show any interest I was going to take them back to their parents for the afternoon. I wouldn\u2019t miss this festival for the world, believe me. Especially because you didn\u2019t come last year!\u201d<\/p>\n
It started to rain midway through the program, but the people were prepared: everyone in the audience popped open an umbrella as if on cue.<\/p>\n
When it was time for my lecture, I prayed to Srila Prabhupada.<\/p>\n
\u201cSrila Prabhupada, I\u2019ve never asked you for anything other than the blessing that when I speak my words will touch people\u2019s hearts. My only prayer all these years has been to be your representative and speak on your behalf. Once again, allow me to be that transcendental medium.\u201d<\/p>\n
When I came off the stage forty five minutes later, there was, as always, a small group of people with Bhagavad-gitas<\/i> to be signed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am genetics scientist,\u201d said the first woman. I saw she was not holding a book, and I flinched expecting a debate about science and religion. I wished I had the scientific jargon to make my presentation more acceptable to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved your talk,\u201d she said, and I sighed with relief. \u201cYour approach to science and religion is interesting. Your arguments are much better than the standard ones I hear when speaking to religious people. Where did you get this knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my spiritual master,\u201d I said proudly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas he a scientist?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cBut he was a representative of the greatest scientist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe greatest scientist,\u201d she repeated. \u201cTell me. Who is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGod,\u201d I said. \u201cThe one who made it all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell that\u2019s debatable,\u201d she said, pulling a Bhagavad-Gita<\/i> out of her handbag. \u201cBut you did convince me enough to buy this book to find out more.\u201d She shook my hand when I gave the book back to her. \u201cIt would strengthen your presentation if you had some scientific terminology.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking the same thing,\u201d I said with a smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cSrila Gurudeva,\u201d Mathuranath das said as she walked away, \u201cI was listening to your lecture and your arguments against mundane science were awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, don\u2019t be under any illusion,\u201d I said. \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for Srila Prabhupada I\u2019d still be mowing lawns at the University of Michigan without a clue about science or religion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next in line was a man holding the Gita<\/i> so tightly that initially I couldn\u2019t take it from his hand to sign.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d he said, relinquishing the book. \u201cAll my life I\u2019ve been searching for the knowledge you shared with us this evening. And now that I finally have it in my hand, I am reluctant to give it up even for a minute. It\u2019s unbelievable. I finally have it in my hand!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will just take one minute to sign,\u201d I said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOK,\u201d he said. \u201cBut make sure you give it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next person in line was a man with a big handlebar moustache. He stood silently as I signed his Bhagavad-gita<\/i>. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat inspired you to buy the book?\u201d I said hoping to initiate a conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a train conductor,\u201d he replied. \u201cMy route takes me all over Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s an interesting profession,\u201d I said. \u201cIt gives you the opportunity to travel and see the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives me reason to inquire about birth and death,\u201d he said without smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d I said. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen many people give up their lives on the train tracks,\u201d he replied. \u201cSuicides. Each year four or five people jump in front of my train or tie themselves to the tracks. I always feel some guilt when I see them die in that way. I\u2019ve come to accept it over time. But recently it\u2019s caused me to consider whether there is life after death. The things you said about reincarnation made sense to me. I’m buying this book so I can understand more and in doing so alleviate my fear and doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s easy to understand how Srila Prabhupada was so insistent that his books be widely distributed,\u201d I thought. \u201cThey do indeed relieve the suffering of the fallen conditioned souls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next a man in a wheelchair came up to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did you get all the knowledge that you wrote in these purports?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t write them,\u201d I said, chuckling. \u201cMy spiritual master wrote them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I see,\u201d he said. \u201cBut because you are saying the same thing you are qualified to speak from the stage. Is that the idea?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if I learn the same teachings and practice them, then I can also share the knowledge with others?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said. \u201cIs that your intention?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d he replied. \u201cI am bound to this wheelchair and I can\u2019t do much. But your talk inspired me to try and make my life worthwhile by sharing this knowledge with others.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last man in line was dressed nicely and had been waiting a considerable amount of time. When I apologized for this, he smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem,\u201d he said. \u201cI wanted to get a dedication in this book I bought, but I also wanted to compliment you on your event. I have been following it for quite some time now and have seen it grow year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n
When I handed his book back to him I asked him what his profession was. I was curious because he looked so aristocratic.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t believe me if I told you,\u201d he said in a serious way. \u201cAnd neither would you believe me if I told you who I am. In fact, you would probably faint.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would,\u201d he said. \u201cBut know for certain that with my influence many people in this country will hear about your event and will come to appreciate it.\u201d <\/p>\n
As he walked away clutching the book tightly under his arm I thought of my spiritual master, and I prayed to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSrila Prabhupada, this is all your mercy. Fifty years ago in 1966, you incorporated your International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and that movement is continuing to produce miracles one after the other. What we witness daily in our humble attempt to serve you here in Poland is just part of a great worldwide phenomenon. We pray for the day when your glories will be compiled into a great journal to be appreciated by the entire world now and for all of eternity.\u201d<\/p>\n
********************************<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there are also many other things which Jesus did, so vast a number indeed that if they were all described in detail, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would have to be written.\u201d [Bible: John 21:25]<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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By Indradyumna Swami<\/strong><\/p>\n For years we have taken pride in doing our summer festival in Kolobrzeg, one of the biggest and most popular tourist destinations along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland. There was a time when we had to fight for permission to hold our programs there, but as the years rolled by, word spread that our event is highly professional, cultural and fun. The city has warmed to us and has even suggested specific dates on which to hold our festival. Unfortunately, last year we were unable to perform in Kolobrzeg because the city was upgrading the waterfront where our event has taken place over the last twenty seven years. This summer we anticipated a big comeback, only to be disappointed when we learned that the renovated area could no longer support the semi-trailer that unfolds into the large stage on which our show takes place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-indradyumna-swami"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30819"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30821,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30819\/revisions\/30821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n