{"id":6638,"date":"2008-11-04T10:59:11","date_gmt":"2008-11-04T09:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=6638"},"modified":"2008-11-04T10:59:11","modified_gmt":"2008-11-04T09:59:11","slug":"retreat-of-optimal-love-in-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=6638","title":{"rendered":"Retreat of Optimal love in Paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Prabhavisnu dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

For three decades I\u2019ve been privileged to amble at my leisure, through the paradise that has been created, with optimal love, by His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, for the emancipation of the entire human race. Lovingly fashioned and serenely molded to perfection, with very personal attention to minute details, Srila Prabhupada\u2019s Iskcon extends an open invitation to everyone; beckoning each person to simply wander through the luscious groves of his spiritual empire; to receive his magnanimous benedictions as they enjoy every step with a merry heart; and in the course of their leisurely stroll, to be honored, at no material cost, with an exceptionally brilliant key that opens the glorious portals that permit access to the blissful world of Sri Sri RadhaKrishna in Goloka Vrndavana, wherein each can satiate their thirst from the fountains of absolute love. <\/p>\n

As I have ambled along, sometimes flitting from one elegant path to yet another, attracted by melodious sounds, or a radiance of colour, or the aromas of heavenly delights, I would just exult and savour every moment in the grandeur of that spiritual journey, gifted to me, and to you; granting uplifting swirls of spiritual happiness previously unknown. I sometimes paused to root an errant seedling, or set a flagstone in place, or just gazed at perhaps a gardener or two, each tending with infinite care to unfurling tendrils that draped around their protective arms; granting succor and favour and foundations of faith; tilling ground weathered by time, filling in nourishment to rejuvenate the sparkle, and sustain the spirit, and nurture the many saplings that would otherwise shrivel and snap with the burden of onerous time.<\/p>\n

Fragrances of care and bouquets of love waft in the gentle breezes, caressing the many wondrous beings that flutter by, faces aglow as they chant the holy names of Sri Krishna, filling the arenas of their hearts with the taste of love long lost, and now regained. Like dazzling sunflowers some turn towards you, beaming out an embrace of happy brother\/sisterhood, encircling you with their very own quota of sparkling happiness, sharing an extravagance of affection foreign in the age of Kali. Yet others glide by, deeply enraptured by their thoughts, murmuring chants of supplication to mentors and the Lord alike, not willing to make eye contact lest they break their bonds of concerted endeavour. <\/p>\n

Every little lane, and trail, and pathway is filled with glorious happenings, each even more exciting than the last; be it the absolutely amazing Festivals of Chariots that ferries Lord Jagannatha, Lord of the universe, as He gazes out at His lost subjects, granting to every one of them His blissful blessings; or a Hari-nama party dancing with spiritual abandon, flying on the aerial wings of the holy names of Sri Krishna, to the accompaniment of karatalas and Mrdanga drums; or the never-ending lines and lines of humanity who delightfully queue to receive a bounteous plate of prasadam, each eager to eat their way into the mercy emanating from Krishna\u2019s heart; on whichever Iskcon trail of love one turns into, is an ever escalating vista of pleasure that makes one wonder at the glorious routes of loving the Lord. <\/p>\n

And then, just the other day, I wandered into yet another inviting new gateway, beckoning one and all to enjoy another arena of spiritual finesse, assuring realms of spiritual refinement in 24\/7 timeframes of divine camaraderie, promising volumes of nectarean kirtanas, bushels of gastronomic prasadam delights, and an array of never to be forgotten experiences in a spiritual retreat in the environs of some Rocky Bay, along the coastline of the Zulu kingdom of South Africa.<\/p>\n

Rocky Bay! Catchy and Cool! Pulsing thoughts of my Fender bass guitar, pounding Premier drums, twanging strings of Fender Stratocasters, and the screams of Meazzi and Fender amplifiers surged out from my 60\u2019s teenage soul; a vibrant blood rush from bald sikha top to tapping toes. Rocking! Yes! The rocking 60\u2019s came alive and vivid in mind, and the Rocky Bay Retreat was where I wanted to be. It was really high class spiritual interaction that sent the blood soaring to transcendental heights. Mmmmm! Mmmmm! And many more Mmmmms! It truly was a brand new happening for me.<\/p>\n

From the very beginning there was just one evident desire unfolding in the warm embraces of the co-ordinators; they were fully committed to giving every guest the best possible spiritual experience ever. Headed by HG Harideva Dasa and commandeered by his proficient companion HG Ramesvara Dasa, every possible arena of arrangement was fully covered, ensuring smooth transitions from one event to the next. <\/p>\n

From welcoming drinks to sumptuous feasts, they tickled the taste-buds with wild abandon, serving out the most varied tastes imaginable (considering Iskcon\u2019s world famous repertoire of delectables), four times per day, and then even more; and behind every bite stood evidence of the finest planning to every minute detail, which, of course, was covered with the tranquil expertise of their beloved spouses, HG Kalavathy devi dasi and HG Mithravinda devi dasi, respectively. Their steady capability, born from years of service, glowed in every facet of this fabulous spiritual retreat; and as HH Kadamba Kanana Swami brought in his most melodious kirtanas and bhajans, one\u2019s heart strings just went on twanging, setting forth cascades of transcendental emotions that filled the fibre of our very beings; and his discourses, interactive and expert, did much to entice us even further into trying to love and worship Sri Sri RadhaKrishna. There were no strings attached. The entire program was laid out to be a wonderful, fun-filled four days (and nights) of dancing, preaching and feasting as we engaged in the service of Sri Krsna Bhagavan.<\/p>\n

The Hare Krishnas had taken over Rocky Bay, and their resounding kirtanas wafted in the gentle ocean breezes, adding a transcendental flavour, as they conveyed the nectar of the holy names to the many campers on the shoreline. Every activity pulsated from the very heart of the retreat, the fabulous Sri Jagannatha Mandir, a multipurpose room that had been sumptuously transformed, complete with an ornately arranged altar, replete with wonderful backdrops, so that the most esteemed guests, Their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Sri Baladeva and Maharani Subhadra, coming all the way from Newcastle, could preside over Their subjects in grand opulence. Adorned in the most beautiful and dazzling attires, especially sewn for the Retreat festival, Their Lordships sat in attendance, bestowing Their awesome love and benedictions to one and all.<\/p>\n

On Friday Their Lordships went out on a palanquin Parade, hoisted by beaming devotees, through the luscious gardens of the Rocky Bay complex, and in the cool ambience of an exceptional gazebo, right on the banks of a lovely river mouth, a mere not many metres from the breakers of the ocean, we all had the pleasure of participating in the most divine of abhiseka ceremonies, co-ordinated by HH Kadamaba Kanana Swami; and with recitation of appropriate Vedic mantras by HG Shyamlal Dasa and myself, the mood of Jagannatha Puri was created; and together with a simultaneous agni-hotra, every devotee had the most gracious opportunity to bathe Their Lordships; and as the kirtanas increased in tempo, so did our hearts soar high, in blissful divine abandonment, ferried on the graceful waves of love of God.<\/p>\n

And to add further glory to the occasion, the very next day Their Lordships were taxied to the main Street of Scottborough, to where a fabulously decorated chariot awaited Them. With its multi-coloured canopy swirling high above the surrounding buildings, its vivid brightness proclaimed a festival for all, and a huge crowd gathered in anticipation and great curiosity. Very soon Their Lordships were comfortably seated on Their thrones, and when Srila Prabhupada took his central position on the asana as Founder-acarya of Iskcon, there was a buzz of great and intense excitement. As the pujaris got everything in readiness, Lord Balarama got involved in the great ecstasy of His subjects, and threw off His fabulous turban in a gracious benediction to everyone. Hastily I got the beautiful crown of the Lord back to Him, not willing to let Him ride bare-headed, and urged the Lord, with prayers of entreaty, to control the sea breezes that were also rushing forward to receive their personal quotas of benedictions.<\/p>\n

Soon thereafter, Mangalam Prayers were recited and after Svasti Vacana invocations, coconuts were offered to the Lordships, as in customary practice, and then there was a tremendous clamour of excitement as many hundreds of devotees jostled for a grip on the chariot ropes, and as feelings of transcendental glee coursed through the hearts of the assembly, upon signal, and with whoops of \u201cHaribol\u201d \u201cJai Jagannatha\u201d and the reverberation of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, they pulled on the ropes and the ceremonious chariot of Their Lordships, bedecked to the max, glided onto the Main Street of Scottborough. Although parallel to the Indian Ocean about 100 metres away, the fresh breezes eagerly fanned Their Lordships, but amazingly, not a single turban piece had to be adjusted, throughout the parade.<\/p>\n

History was being made. Yet another city had willingly succumbed to accepting the divine and glorious mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The rainbow nation was getting into even greater action! Lord Jagannatha rode serenely, in great pomp and splendor, with His brother Sri Baladeva and sister Subhadra Maharani, benedicting everyone with Their absolute mercy; and with loving eyes and the most glorious of smiles They cast Their glances in all directions, drawing the hearts of all bystanders and passers-by, pulling them all with divine magnetism, and cementing their darshan with oceans of absolute love. Pujaris threw sweets and fruit prasadam to everyone, much to their delight, especially in a world where nothing is free. Black, white, brown, and a mix of hues in between; they all gave their broadest smiles and accepted the mercy of the Lord. The occasional frown of distaste, that reared itself here and there, more with bewilderment than aversion, dissipated with the overpowering glory of love that was reverberating everywhere around the chariot procession. Even sulky faces began to crease into unscheduled smiles. Yes! Loving mercy is contagious, and a bit of prasadam together with a taste of the holy names of the Lord, works miracles as they weave into hardened hearts. Everyone was truly captivated by the transcendental atmosphere that is the hallmark of Lord Jagannatha\u2019s Ratha Yatra Parade; the Festival of Chariots had taken Scottborough by storm.<\/p>\n

The procession wound its way downtown, and enroute many a stop was made, just to allow everyone the opportunity to exult in the holy names and the dance of love. Pre-packed containers of prasadam, the famous Durban Biryani, was being distributed from \u2018Food for Life\u2019 vans, and also at convenient points. This really stole the hearts of the people. Sweets were one thing! Fruit another; but also a full meal, piping hot and superlicious, or is it super delicious? Srila Prabhupada really knows how to steal hearts! The Hare Krishnas had hit town with a splendorous serenade, never ever experienced in a town of such long and opulent standing. They had made their mark, and the organizers rollicked with glee, for the precedent had been set, and the baton of Ratha Yatra will be carried forward, year after promised year.<\/p>\n

An invite was thrown open to everyone to come and enjoy a sumptuous feast at Rocky Bay. Such is the heart with which a devotee serves Srila Prabhupada\u2019s mission. Yes the feast was as fabulous as can be, and then even tastier, and the evening drew to a wondrous close with a divine program in the Sri Jagannatha Mandir of the Rocky Bay complex, in the close company of HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HH Visvambara Swami, and HH Bhakti Narasinga Swami and HG Shyamlal Prabhu. We later retired to our very comfortable cabins, built on stilts for panoramic views of the ocean. My chalet was tucked in the green embrace of 10 metre high Strelitzias, bamboo palms and scores of tree ferns; within earshot of breaking waves; and even though the gentle breezes beckoned tired bodies to sleep, excited devotees just chatted on late into the night, reminiscing and relishing the events of the past few days and their glorious culmination with Sri Jagannatha\u2019s Festival of Chariots. Srila Prabhupada\u2019s recipe for attaining love of Krishna is indeed the most wondrous ever made available to the world at large.<\/p>\n

Sunday dawned bright and cheery, and after Mangal Arati the excitement continued its natural growth. Eventually, after yet another sumptuous feast (and tons of fruit), the day did draw to a close; gifts and words of appreciation were abundant; everyone was blissful, and the concerted conclusion was that the spiritual retreat was a real spiritual treat. I personally would like to extend to the organizers my heartiest congratulations for service well rendered to the glory of guru, Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri RadhaKrishna. I must endorse the compliments of every guest, and pray that this young team of Iskcon stalwarts will continue to persevere, with even greater gusto, in promoting the mission of Srila Prabhupada\u2019s Iskcon. I would also like to steal this opportunity to thank Lord Krishna for having allowed me to be instrumental in bringing both Harideva dasa and Ramesvara dasa (as well as their lovely spouses) into the embrace of Srila Prabhupada. The reward for one\u2019s tiny attempts to preach the glory of Krishna is seen when, by the mercy of Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada, one is able to attract souls to the mission, and to watch them grow to heights of devotion through unparalleled service in Iskcon.<\/p>\n

Yes, indeed, a leisurely stroll through the pathways of the paradise of Iskcon are a truly magnificent experience, created, for us all, with optimal love, by His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.<\/p>\n

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya. Sri Gurudeva ki jaya.<\/p>\n

Your servant, as always PrabhaVisnu dasa Johannesburg South Africa.<\/p>\n

Sarad Purnima
\n14 October 2008<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Prabhavisnu dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lovingly fashioned and serenely molded to perfection, with very personal attention to minute details, Srila Prabhupada\u2019s Iskcon extends an open invitation to everyone…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6638","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=6638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6638\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}