2021 Prabhupada’s 125th Vyasa Puja offering by Hasti Gopala dasa

2021 Vyasa Puja offering
by Hasti Gopala dasa

 

Pranams
This 30 page story is all about the 125th Vyaspuja for Srila Prabhupada that will and has already taken place on August 29th 2021. It is a bhakti meditation that is no different from what some may call the actual physical events. I created all this from my heart, mind and soul. Now you can sit back and enjoy a true story that cannot be disputed because it is a spiritual meditation as taught to us by Srila Prabhupada.

I wanted this to happen so I made it happen.
I do not expect to have this published due to the fact that then there would be a precedent that could cause other devotees to send in similar meditations. That would be fine of course but the distraction could become burdensome for your site. Feel free to share.
Enjoy the festival. The sub title is ‘Don’t Lose It 3’
Ys Hasti Gopala dasa

Vanisource site reference below. 

Meditation on Executing Devotional Service

In some of the Purāṇas the evidence is given that if someone is simply meditating on devotional activities, he has achieved the desired result and has seen face to face the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this connection, there is a story in the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa that in the city of Pratiṣṭhānapura in South India there was once a brāhmaṇa who was not very well-to-do, but who was nevertheless satisfied in himself, thinking that because of his past misdeeds, and by the desire of Kṛṣṇa, he did not get sufficient money and opulence. So he was not at all sorry for his poor material position, and he used to live very peacefully. He was very openhearted, and sometimes he went to hear some lectures delivered by great realized souls. At one such meeting, while he was very faithfully hearing about Vaiṣṇava activities, he was informed that these activities can be performed even by meditation. In other words, if a person is unable to actually perform Vaiṣṇava activities physically, he can meditate upon the Vaiṣṇava activities and thereby acquire all of the same results. Because the brāhmaṇa was not very well-to-do financially, he decided that he would simply meditate on grand, royal devotional activities, and he began this business thusly:

https://vanisource.org

Don’t Lose It 3

In the auditorium at Bishop Ave Middle School that Friday August 27th, 2021 a final dress rehearsal had just been completed. The school choir was still standing in their formation as their choir master addressed them and the scattered audience in attendance. Parents, teachers and some students were very fortunate to enjoy the rehearsal. Everyone was chatting to their fullest right after the last song. “Settle down, settle down please!” commanded their choir master Mrs. Subhadra as she wrapped her conducting baton on the neck of the microphone. She then removed the microphone from its stand and turned to the attending audience. After a slight pause she said, “I want to tell everyone here that I have never enjoyed myself conducting a choir as much as I have this choir over the last 10 weeks. I have been humbled by this school, its’ teachers, and parents. You have all sacrificed a great deal of time from your summer jobs and other home duties to be here. If it wasn’t for the temples massive fund raising and dedication of the Hare Krishna devotees for the last five years this great four-day celebration would not have been possible. People from all over the world are already in this great city of Toronto lending their expertise from cooking, serving, street music kirtans, bhajans, book distribution, plays and other venues throughout the city. You will all be going back to school in exactly two weeks with some of you moving on to high school. Take this great experience with you and savor it for the rest of your lives.”

Turning slightly while raising her arm in the direction of the choir she added, “You, the assembled Bishop Avenue Middle School Choir have continued to live up to your national reputation as the best there is for middle school choirs in this great country of Canada.

Representing all three grades of 7, 8, and 9 you have exemplified the ideal of perfection. Let’s all give them a big round of applause!” Everyone who was seated in the auditorium stood up with great enthusiasm as they cheered and clapped in appreciation.

Mrs. Subhadra continued. “As you know this Sunday’s concert on August 29th is the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the appearance day of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada the founder acharya for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
The New Remuna Temple here in Toronto is holding the ceremony on Sunday August 29th so that more people may be able to attend as the actual day is August 31st next Tues. There will be a ceremony and special offerings on the Tuesday. Monday the 30th is Janmastmi the appearance day of Lord Krishna. So, the Monday and Tuesday are open for you all to attend if you wish, please do”.
“All of the details of the five-day festival, which starts today as well as our part on Sunday are in the programme brochure that you received yesterday. The name of the deities at the New Remuna Temple at 243 Avenue Road are Shree Shree Kadha Ksircora Gopinatha. Be sure to bring your programme brochure with you on Sunday morning. Now, when you change out of your costume today place your costume carefully… into the garment bags provided with your name and individual choir member number on them. If you do not wish to keep the costume after the concert, then please see Mrs. Johansen before September 6th. She will take them from you”. Those costumes have been supplied by Arella Sohn, see that you take care of them.
“The stage riser is custom made, it has been privately donated and will be ready Saturday evening at 243 Avenue Road. You are familiar with it now as we have practiced our formations. The dressing rooms at the temple are ready now as well. No cell phones, no Tablets, no IPods, no IPads, cell phones communication devices are allowed during the concert. Leave them with your parents or guardians before or after you enter the temple.

You will all respectfully do the short Namaste hands together short bow as you enter the temple room just as we have been doing in rehearsal. After the concert a light lunch will be served as well so we expect you to all follow the very light breakfast guide that we have provided for Sunday morning. Please remember that the school buses will be here at the school by 9:30 am sharp on Sunday morning for assembly and will leave promptly at 10:30 am. The concert is at 12:45 pm sharp right after the noon Raja Bhoga Arati. The deity house will be closed at that time”.
“We will all be able to enjoy the noon arotica from our reserved position in the balcony area while in our costumes. The temple Gopinatha Bhajan band will as you know, be playing the exact same music that they have recorded for our practice sessions.

Shastyna Devi Dasi will be the lead singer with the Toronto Gopinatha Bhajan band. It is from the temple balcony that we will file into the temple room. Your temple ushers wearing yellow arm bands will direct you all the way to the riser stage directly in front of the deity house and opposite to the Vyasasana that Srila Prabhupada is sitting on. It will be the same procedure that we have practiced for the last several weeks. I will be there along with Mr. Roberts to guide you.” The audience suddenly and without warning erupted into cheers and prolonged applause, those seated stood up to honor Mrs. Subhadra and the support staff.

Soon after she left for her dressing room the choir proceeded to their changing rooms to follow the instructions that she had given. The boys wore a satin silk off white dhoti costume, prefab, that used Velcro to secure the waist while wearing a kirtah of the same material that draped down just above the knee. Each was custom made. The left side pocket was embroidered with a thick white satin lotus flower. They also wore white padded white socks for their performance.
The girls wore a two-piece Punjabi outfit that was a moon light powder blue. The top piece was a banded V neck that was trimmed in a light golden lace that was also trimmed the same around the collar. The sleeves were roomy and ended four inches above the wrist. Each cuff was also trimmed in the same golden lace. The roomy pants were cuffed at the bottom again with the same golden lace. Each girl wore a short width Churidar that was attached to the shoulders, it too was trimmed all around in golden lace. The left side of the top piece also had a pocket that was embroidered with a thick golden lotus flower.

It took some time to organize the costumes into their proper order after the last rehearsal. Soon all of the choirs 48 members were gone and Mrs. Subhadra was left standing alone in the dressing room quietly pondering her future. The room was suddenly quiet and still fresh it seemed with the echoes of excitement.

Some of the garment bags still slightly swayed on their chrome rails. A few tears made their way down her cheek as she leaned with one hand against the door frame and used the other to dry her tears.
Now in her late forties, still married and with two girls aged 20 and 17 she was excited about the future but hesitant. Her 5-foot 11-inch frame its’ long flowing light saffron dress suddenly burst out from a side door of the auditorium. In her right hand she was carrying her beige brief case.
Her long thick black braid swayed above her waist. “Good afternoon Mrs. Subhadra” two choir boys politely greeted her as they walked by the door. “Good afternoon gentlemen, are you quite prepared for Sunday’s concert?” She inquired in passing. “Yes mam” Yuri and Robert both responded in kind. As Yuri and Robert walked on across the football field to the roadside fence Robert asked for Yuri’s attention. “Yuri!” “What?” came his reply. “Are you nervous about Sunday’s concert”? Rob asked. “Nah, it’ll be a cinch, don’t worry about it. I’m not concerned, after this I’ll be up on Gerarda’s family Lake of Bays cottage for the last week end before high school.”

“What will you be up to over the next two weeks till we get to Earl Haig High Secondary School?” asked Yuri as they walked ever closer to the fence near the road. “Well, mom and sis and I will be shopping for school supplies and working in the back yard vegetable garden. It looks like an early harvest this year.” After they passed through the border of tall dry grass, they hopped the old shaky Frost Fence then went their separate ways till Sunday. In their traditional manner they gave eachother a right elbow to right elbow with a high five finish then they ran off. “See you Sunday” called Yuri as he crossed the road. “You too, goofy!” Called Robert as they laughed and headed home.

That Sunday morning it was slightly overcast as two long yellow school buses rounded the on ramp onto the 401 highway, they were fifteen minutes late. Yuris’ parents had over slept and he was the key grade nine baritone for the choir. After a little confusion the students, support staff, parents, costumes and some equipment were finally off loaded at the temple by 11:20 am. That late arrival gave them only 40 minutes to get ready before the noon arotica, a key timing point in their preparations for the concert at 12:45 pm.

By Sunday’s concert it was estimated that overall, so far,

4,000 people had attended, 6000 plates of prasadam were distributed, more than 3,800 hard bound and soft bound books including new Back To Godhead magazines were sold. That total did not include the hundreds of free Reservoirs of Pleasure.

The prasadam consisted of six different rice dishes, five styles of vegetable soups, chipatis, chipuris, three styles of chutney, sour cream and lightly spiced yogurt sauces.

Eight different vegetable dishes, samosas and pakoras of four varieties including banana pakoras, eggplant balarama, strawberry malpour, blue berry and blackberry sweet rice, mango and banana nectar, cashews fried in ghee, stir fry vegetable specials and more. Burfi and sandesh milk sweets were built high in blocks onto silver trays. Simply wonderful sweet balls were stacked into cones on many large platters. Gulab Jamuns bathed in sweet syrup, Luglu sweet balls made with dried chick pea flour and shaped into balls made with grated coconut, chopped hazel nuts, almonds and pistachio nuts with raisins, dried figs and dates were piled high as well. The famous New Remuna Ksircon balls surrounded the sweet platters like large pearls. They were made up of rascula balls covered with a thick layer of workable fondant style ksir rolled in white sugar powder. More than a dozen types of herbal teas were custom blended for this occasion. Fresh cold spring water was always available. Everything that was served was organic non-GMO and was first offered to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krsna.

Two master chefs from ISKCON Bangalore and their team were brought in from around the world, twenty-eight men and women in total as assistant chefs were on the team. They had volunteered for the prepping, cooking, offering and distribution which was also aided by the New Remuna Toronto devotees. Only about one third of the offerings were done at the temple. The rest were performed specially at a large rented venue nearby that qualified according to strict brahmincal standards. Eight five ton refrigerated trucks were employed to deliver the offerings and other temple supplies. A strict noise curfew was enforced by the local Metropolitan Toronto Police for 11pm Friday and Saturday night and 10 pm for the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Who, by the way enjoyed free donut prasadama and cold water or fruit nectar as well as that famous Bamboo hot coffee whenever they desired? Traffic officers worked the Avenue Rd. and Roxborough Street West intersections to keep the traffic moving. Overnight guest parking on the streets was strictly forbidden.
Mongala arotica attendance was by on line lottery and not for those directly involved with the temple so that visitors who had traveled long distances would have a chance to go to the arotica.
That arrangement helped to keep the noise and traffic to a minimum. Complaints overall as well as parking tickets were also kept to a minimum. A Saint John’s Ambulance Team stood by out front of the temple on a daily basis. The rear entrance on the north side was manned by security who would assist anyone who was in a wheel chair to enter up the short wooden ramp that was set up.
The walkway up to that point had been upgraded from the Ave. Road access. All the entrances had posted directions to the north entrance access. Security would accommodate anyone’s needs including the use of restrooms
downstairs.

The main front garden that faced Roxborough Street West welcomed the temple visitors with a heavenly display that I am sure rivaled the heavenly planets. Two imported large Triangle Palm Trees over 9 feet tall framed the main temple garden sign. The front facing sign which is four feet high by eight feet long is supported on each end with a three-foot-tall black metal pillar. It is lit up at night announcing His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the Founder Acharya for ISKCON. The letters are in Royal Blue New Times Roman letters with a white background and blue border. Along the top of the sign was a long flower box that housed a mix of red, white and yellow Petunias that waved in the early afternoon breeze. The whole garden was in complete balance with each side reflecting the same flowers and arrangement as the other. Mother Shastyna designed the garden and the temple devotees served hard for months to have it ready for Srila Prabhupada. There were white Daisies bunched in twos, tall yellow flowered Mullein shafts pointed high with their long green velvet leaves bent humbly to the earth, Absolutely Fabulous Medium Yellow Bush Cluster/ rich yellow Floribunda in full bloom blessed the far sides of the 22 foot long by 9-foot-deep garden. Purple and white Iris’s rested beside emerald Boston Ferns that were surrounded by small clumps of Golden Hakone Grass. Bright yellow Daffodils waved, pink Rhododendrons glorified, Purple Astors sang harmony while tall green shafts of soft green Bells Of Ireland harmonized with Black Eyed Susan’s. White Yarrow coupled with Purple Poppy Mallow and light powder purple Creeping Plox formed ponds of fantastic color around some islands of old sea side beige limestone rocks. The dark rich earth formed the canvass but Krishna and His devotees gave it life.

All three main entrances had hanging red wax Begonia plants in a super cascade mix covering the top of the entrances. Their reach dropped down enticing one to reach up and touch them.

The walk way leading into each entrance was covered by a Royal Purple carpet that was cleaned and maintained daily by volunteer staff. The temples main hallway had removed the large front administration desk to accommodate the flow of guests replacing it with a set of padded folding chairs that lined the south wall of the hallway for the elderly and the disabled.
Temporary half inch sized plywood sheets painted mahogany brown were brass hinged, handled and placed as doorways for the two entrances of the temple room in order to add some privacy and quiet to temple room lectures, bhajans and aroticas. They were managed by volunteer ushers. Access to the balcony area was restricted during performances of plays, aroticas, bhajans and lectures once they had started. However, throughout the temple there were adequate speakers to deliver the sound of the activities in the temple as well as live on line viewing via the internet for those at home. The temple room had been re painted a light off white and Srila Prabhupadas Vyasasana was the jewel at the south end. All along the railing of the balcony that surrounds the temple room was forest green Grape Leaf Bush Ivy running its length and hanging low.

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana was surrounded by a grotto of peacock and white ostrich feathers that reached out hanging low over him like Ananta Sesh over Lord Vishnu. Alternating from two peacock feathers to yellow and white ostrich feathers their drifting in the mild air from the fanning of two servants with peacock feather fans of their own stirred everyone to awe. Srila Prabhupadas Vyasasana was held up by 8 brown Royal Elephants around the seat’s perimeter with their prominent white alabaster tusks defining their presence. He sat on a yellow and silver decorated cushion and back support in his saffron silk outfit with bead bag with kartalas at the ready.
Scattered about was a thick display of a wide variety of flower petals that had been offered earlier. They covered the steps up to his lotus feet. On his right knee was a small flat soft yellow silk cushion that held an open hard bound 1972 edition of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Leading down from the top step of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana forward and across the temple room floor all the way to the choir’s riser was a thick pile light pink cotton carpet edged by a 3-inch border of sea green silk.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksircora Gopinatha were dressed in bright yellow silk garments also bordered by the same sea green silk but bedecked with a line of small red Rubies.
Scattered all about Their feet were a mix of red rose, pink rose and white lotus flower petals. Their long garlands of white gardenias with red and blue carnations swerved to Their left sides.
On both sides stood three levels of large wide flower bouquets of great color variety and pomp. Large ferns seem to grow over Them from behind, Their faces were perfectly smiling and Their tilaka, gopi dots and chandana glorified Their places. Large luscious wide Tulasi leaves were gently placed about Kisrcora Gopinatha’s lotus feet.

Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, Lord Jaganatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama were all dressed in a similar glorious manner.

The large white deity house of three open altars had fans and their turning motion gave an air of a mild fragrant ocean breeze to the whole temple room.

The noon Raja Bhoga Arati started with glory as two female and one male pujari dressed in white opened the ceremony with the sound from large conch shells that were vibrated by each altar three times. After the thirty-minute arotica was done the respective conch shells were again sounded three times at each altar. Then the three large ornate gold leaf covered wrought iron gates were closed and secured with their large steel and brass locks then the large ornate wooden doors were closed behind them.

Next came an announcement over the public address system and on the on line internet feed that Srila Prabhupada would give a short Bhagavad Gita lecture recorded in London on July 11, 1973. The house lights were dimmed as Srila Prabhupada and his Vyasasana was lit up. The live feed internet cameras recorded the event as Srila Prabhupada’s lecture from that time was played. On each side of Srila Prabhupada was a devotee in white dhoti and kirtah fanning him with a large beautiful peacock fan. The fanning was done in sequence. The audience was encouraged to face Srila Prabhupada from their seats but to not move their chairs. The lecture text may be found at the link below and the audio can be found on line. https://prabhupadabooks.com/

Bhagavad-gītā 1.6-7 London, July 11, 1973

Pradyumna: “Translation: There are the mighty Yudhāmanyu, the very powerful Uttamaujā, the son of Subhadrā and the sons of Draupadī. All these warriors are great chariot fighters.”

asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye
tān nibodha dvijottama
nāyakā mama sainyasya
saṁjñārthaṁ tān bravīmi te
[Bg. 1.7]

“Translation: O best of the brāhmaṇas, for your information, let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.”

Prabhupāda: So formerly, five thousand years ago, the same system, military—ordinary soldiers, then the captain, then the commander, the commander-in-chief—as there are gradations in the modern age, the same thing was there. But mahā-ratha, they had good qualification.

Mahā-ratha means alone he could fight with many other charioteers. They are called ati-ratha, mahā-ratha. There are different grades of fighters.
So, so far Pāṇḍavas are concerned, their son. Saubhadra… Saubhadra means Abhimanyu, Subhadrā’s son. Because he was Subhadrā’s son, his name was Saubhadra. Draupadī’s sons, they are called Draupadeya. In Sanskrit, just like bhaginī, sister, bhaginī, her son is called bhāgineya, nephews. So, there is link. As soon as we speak Saubhadra, that means Subhadrā’s son. Subhadrā’s son, he was only sixteen years old at that time. He was married with Uttarā, the daughter of Mahārāja Virāṭa. So, they were all mahā-rathas, ordinary, not ordinary fighters. This Abhimanyu was killed by conspiracy by seven commanders-in-chief. Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Droṇācārya, Aśvatthāmā, they all surrounded him, and they did not allow him to come out. They were very experienced commanders.

So, this is kṣatriya spirit. He was simply a boy, sixteen years old and he had to be killed by the combined efforts of very, very, big commander-in-chiefs. He was so great fighter, Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu-vāda (?). So Saubhadra, Draupadī… Similarly, Draupadī’s sons also there. Sarva eva mahā-rathāḥ [Bg. 1.6]. Mahā-ratha means one who could fight with one thousand chariots on the other side. They were called mahā-rathāḥ.

Then Duryodhana, first of all he pointed out the military strength of the opposite side. This is intelligence. One should take calculation of the opposing elements or the enemy’s side. In fighting the first thing is to take estimation of the enemy’s side, how much they are strong, how they have arranged.
Then one should calculate how to counteract, how to fight with them, this is intelligence. Without taking any calculation of the other side, if you are not prepared, then how you can become victorious? This is sane proposal, that is, upayan cintayet prajño apayan ca cintayet.. A prajña, an intelligent man, not only think of the bright side on this business, or this fight, or this any…, so many things we have to deal with.

Simply we should not calculate the brighter side. There is darker side also. We should always think, “If there is some thief, if there is some rogue, they cheat us, then what precaution I am going to take?” This is intelligence.
If I simply calculate that “In this business I will make so much profit.” In the meantime, somebody comes and cheats me and go away, then… Therefore, upayan cintayet prajña apayan ca cintayet. Darker side also should be thought of. That is intelligence. Just like they are doing. After calculating the darker side—enemy means darker side—they can defeat me at any moment. That is darker side.

So after calculating their strength, then Duryodhana is speaking about his own strength, asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye.
Viśiṣṭā, not to speak of the ordinary soldiers. They’re viśiṣṭā. Viśiṣṭā means who are specifically to be mentioned, high officers. Asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye tān nibodha dvijottama [Bg. 1.7]. He was in commander-in-chief. For eighteen days there was fight, and one after another, a commander-in-chief was killed. And sixty-four crores of men were killed in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra. And the battle was finished within eighteen days, not lingering for some years. No. Fight to the best capacity and finish the business.

So, everyone, both the sides, Pāṇḍava’s side and Kaurava’s side, all were killed. This Saubhadra, Draupadeya, everyone was killed. And the other side also.
Only the five brothers they remained, and the one grandchild who was in the womb of the mother, he remained. Otherwise, everyone was finished within eighteen days. Such a great fight it was. And people from all parts of the world, they joined the Battle of Kurukṣetra.

Somebody was criticizing me that “Swamiji, you are introducing this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. People are becoming coward. They simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.” So, I replied that “You will see the power of Hare Kṛṣṇa movement in due course of time.” He required… Because there were two battles in India: the battle between Rāvaṇa and Rāma, Rāma-Rāvaṇa, the battle of Rāmāyaṇa; and another battle was Battle of Kurukṣetra.
And in these two battles the hero was Vaiṣṇava and Viṣṇu. In the Rāma-Rāvaṇa battle Lord Rāmacandra was there and His devotee Hanumān, Vajrāṅgajī. Similarly, in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, Kṛṣṇa was there and His devotee Arjuna was there. So Vaiṣṇavas, they do not simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. If there is need, they can fight under the guidance of Viṣṇu and become victorious.

A Vaiṣṇava’s one qualification is… Out of the twenty-six qualifications, one qualification is dakṣa, expert. If there is need of fighting, they can fight like very expert. That is also needed. Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not mean one-sided.
Kṛṣṇa as all-pervading, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement also should be all-pervading. It should touch everything, even politics, sociology, everything, if required. That is the aim. Because Kṛṣṇa’s mission is: yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata [Bg. 4.7], paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām [Bg. 4.8]. There is two missions: not only to give protection to the devotees, but also to kill the demons. To kill the demons, that is one side. So, the devotees of Kṛṣṇa should be trained up both ways: not only to give protection to the devotees, to give them encouragement, but if need be, they should be prepared to kill the demons. That is Vaiṣṇavism. It is not cowardism. It is not cowardism.

When need be. Generally, a Vaiṣṇava is non-violent. Just like Arjuna. In the beginning he was non-violent, Vaiṣṇava. He said, “Kṛṣṇa, what is the use of this fighting? Let them enjoy.” So, by nature, he was non-violent, but he was induced by Kṛṣṇa to become violent, that “Your non-violence will not help. You become violent. You kill them. I want.” So, if Kṛṣṇa wants we shall be prepared to become violent also. And Kṛṣṇa, that is open secret, that paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām [Bg. 4.8]. Two business of Kṛṣṇa, two side.
So those who are devotees of Kṛṣṇa, they should be trained up both ways, they should be prepared. But generally, there is no question of becoming violent, unnecessarily. As the modern politicians, unnecessarily they declare war, a Vaiṣṇava does not do so. No, unnecessarily, there is no need of war.

When it was completely impossible to settle up the things between the Pāṇḍavas and the Kauravas, then Kṛṣṇa said, “All right, then there must be fight.” When Duryodhana declined to spare even a portion of land holding the sūcyagra, the point of a needle… he refused that “I cannot spare even so much land which can hold the point of a needle.” Then the war was declared. There is no question of settlement. Otherwise, Kṛṣṇa requested that “These five Pāṇḍavas, they are kṣatriyas. They cannot become merchant or brāhmaṇa. Brāhmaṇa’s profession is paṭhana pāṭhana yajana yājana dāna pratigrahaḥ. Brāhmaṇa can take charity from others. A sannyāsī can take charity from others. Not a kṣatriya or a gṛhastha. No. That is not allowed.

“So they are kṣatriyas; they cannot take the professions of a brāhmaṇa, neither they can take the profession of a mercantile man, business man. They must have some land so that rule over, take taxation. And that is their living means.
So spare only five villages to these five brothers and settle up.” But Duryodhana replied, “No, Sir. What to speak of five villages, we cannot spare even so much land which can hold the point of needle.” Then the war was declared. So Vaiṣṇava, they are non-violent. But, if need be, they can become violent for Kṛṣṇa’s sake. This is the Battle of Kurukṣetra. So anymore? Or end here? All right, end here. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. (End)

Spontaneously throughout the temple and I am sure all over the internet live feed there were shouts of Jai Srila Prabhupada! Jai Srila Prabupada! as devotees and followers all offered their obeisance’s to Srila Prabhupada.

Shortly after Srila Prabhupada’s lecture the lights on his Vyasasana were dimmed as the flood lighting system for the location of the Gopinataha Bhajan Band was lit up with a bright white flood light of a soft not harsh nature. Thereupon the riser where the Bishop Ave. Middle School choir was to sing was bathed in a similar light. Both sides of the choir section were lit up with a reduced flood light to subdue any harsh shadows on the faces of the young choir. The source for this lighting system was a central control located in the lower front row centre of the balcony. The temple room lights were kept on for safety concerns but reduced in their intensity.
The easiest way to mic the small choir of 27 was to use a pair of stereo mics. Independent sound technician teams used coincident (two capsules aligned side by side) stereo mics similar to the RODE NT4 small-diaphragm condenser.
The advantage of these stereo mics is that they offered simplicity in setup and great mono compatibility. They also tend to hear the blend exactly as the Choirmaster wanted hear it.

Beside the lighting control to the right was the sound system control for the choir. The Gopinataha Bhajan Band mics on their stands were controlled off stage east of the deity house.
With the conclusion of the arotica and Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita lecture all of the Bishop Ave. Middle School choir prepared for their entrance into the temple room from the balcony where they had enjoyed the noon arotica and lecture.

Shortly thereafter the kirtan leader playing kartala hand cymbals sang the Lord Nrshimhadeva prayers with them repeated by the many devotees and those in the audience while the assembled bhajan band musicians took their respective places for the concert that was about to start.

After the prayers which lasted about five minutes Vibhu dasa took the hand microphone and made several important announcements while in the midst of a lot of excited chatter from the audience. Once the audience was settled again in their chairs, on the floor and side benches the members of the band were introduced with their instruments.

Seated on three thick pale blue carpets that covered the band area were the 9 members of the Gopinatha Bhajan Band. All stood up with or beside their instruments to be introduced. Each acknowledged their introduction with a folded hand bow to the audience. The wife of Vibhu dasa Shastyna Devi Dasi was the first to be introduced as lead singer and harmonium player, her son Khana as one of the two mrdunga players age nine, her young daughter at six years and three months old Kishori bowed with her kartalas in hand. Keshara dasa on kartalas, Bhakta Jim on electric violin, Bhaktin Allison on kartalas, Gopala Dasa Misra on Veena and Tabal, Hasti Gopala dasa on Conga and finally Vibhu dasa introduced himself as lead mrdunga player.

As Vibhu dasa handed the microphone over to Mrs. Subhadra he stretched out one arm to acknowledge the band for the audience who clapped and cheered. Then the band proceeded to sit down adjusting their microphones and instruments readying themselves for the concert.

Mrs. Subhadra was dressed in the same two-piece Punjabi outfit as the ladies only hers was a light rich salmon color to distinguish her from the rest of the choir. Her black hair strayed down her back in a waist length Plait braid with a hair bow at the end. Everyone in the choir and the band including the Choirmaster Mrs. Subhadra had special comfortably sole padded socks for their feet colored in a dark beige that rose just above the ankle.

Taking up the cordless microphone from Vibhu dasa she took time to get the attention of the restless excited audience. Distant but low chattering persisted including lots of “shh shh” came from the ushers. After finally getting their attention, she listed all the songs that the band would play from the programme for the audience all the starting with Nama Om, Sri Krsna Caitanya and the Hare Krsna maha mantra. After that opening segment the first opener would be Kalike in a quicker paced number with a Reggae style.
That would be followed by Meerabai from the deserts of Rajasthan then Draupadi, Yamunastakam by Sri Hari Vamsa and Srila Prabhupada’s favorite bhajan Bhaja Hu Re Mana by Govinda Dasa Kaviraja ending with Govinda Jaya Jaya, Jaya Prabhupada and then the Hare Krsna maha mantra.

Mrs. Subhadra then suggested that the audience could follow along with the song list on their programmes and that if anyone knew the lyrics they were encouraged to sing and clap along as well.

Upon her signal the Gopinatha Bhajan Band began to sing the Nama Om prayers as the choir started to proceed into the temple room towards the riser. All heads turned with an audible excited awe that included whispering comments as the choir filed in smartly as planned in their gorgeous outfits. The choir entered through the two temple doors one on each side of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana. They met in front of Srila Prabupada forming two lines that proceeded to the beautiful half-moon shaped riser. Perfectly timed glorious rhythmic clapping intensified echoing throughout the temple room and beyond. The audience’s excitement grew as some students were recognized and waved at discreetly by friends and family. Some not so discreet especially from young children. Every choir member had a proud grin on their face.
The riser was covered in the same thick pile light pink cotton carpet that led from Srila Prabhupa’s Vyasasana. There was a three-foot high up six inch around chrome railing that ran from one side of the front up and around the back to the other front side of the riser. It was supported in six locations and evenly spaced with the same chrome style railing.
The riser itself was situated in the centre of the deity house directly in line with Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana. It was six feet high at the back, one foot high at the front, twenty-four feet wide across the front and twelve- and one-half feet from the back to the front. The whole riser was to held 26 of the choir members with one space in front reserved for a solo singer. The band kept playing as the choir filed in and took their pre-planned positions.

nama om vishnu paddaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

After the choir was in position on a planned cue from the Choirmaster, they started to step left to right doing the swami in time with the music while clapping in time at 60 beats per minute along with the kirtan. They sang with amazing angelic full voice in perfect harmony. Their wonderful outfits moved in unison, an eye catching display of magnificent glory. By that time most of the audience was in their own full resounding on time clapping and singing.

Indeed, the whole temple was in timely heart moving jubilation many of whom were moved to tears. Without losing the rhythm the band started to sing the Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda kirtan at the same 60 beats per minute. Spontaneously those in the band that could stand with their instruments did so without interruption. When six-and-a-half-year-old Kishori dasi in her pink Punjabi suit decorated with powder blue lotus flowers started her deep swami steps while playing the karatals in perfect time the audience broke out into cheers. She was stealing the show.

Suddenly a young man walked forward. His head was shaven with forehead tilaka applied. A long thick knotted brown sika adorned the back of his head. Dressed in white silk dhoti and kirtah he stepped up to the centre microphone well into the Sri Krsna Caitanya kirtan. From behind his back, he produced a very large left-handed Triton Conch shell complete with exquisite complex natural design and pursed it to his lips.
As the bountiful rich sound filled the temple room and the street outside then the kirtan ended. He blew it two more long bellowing times to start the Hari Nam kirtan of Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

The audience was clapping in rhythm while singing the holy names and cheering when two more mrdunga players and two more kartala players with what are called “large wompers” suddenly invaded the band area. Now it seemed that everyone was on their feet while the choir maintained their clapping and dancing rhythm. It was ecstatic beyond belief to the point that outside on Roxborough Ave there was a matching kirtan of dancing and clapping in rhythm minus the instruments of course. There was chanting and dancing in the hallways, the kitchen area and the balcony. For some of the management there was the fearful question “How do we stop this from getting out of control?” they screamed that at each other while wide eyes and big smiles blessed their faces. Well, it did finally come to an end after the chanting of Jai Prabhupada Jai Prabhupada Jai Prabhupada. The Pranama Prayers were said as everyone who could bowed their heads or touched them to the floor. All during that time there was the sound of labored breathing by many who were trying to catch their breath. The best part at the end being “All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.!!” with the constant thumping on the drums and clashing of the karatalas as is the ancient Hare Krsna movement tradition.

Below we have laid out the Pranama Prayers for the readers in the audience. The Nrsimhadeva Prayers lasted only for about three minutes as the festival was beginning to run late. Most everyone was exhausted. Those not exhausted were giddy with delightful surprise and ready now for the concert with the Bishop Ave. Middle School National Championship Choir to begin their performance. A 20-minute intermission was announced over the PA. This allowed those that needed to use the temples washrooms and outdoor porta pottis’ to do so and get some needed water before settling back in. This gave the choir and band members a chance to do the same with strict instructions on their return time. The downstairs prasadam room and Govinda Restaurant were ready to serve those who needed some spiritual nourishment especially the children. There were many who had decided to leave early with takeout meal boxes and bags.

1. Jaya-nitya-lila-pravishta om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya.

2. Jaya om Vishnu-pada paramahamsa parivrajakacharya ashtottara-shata Shri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada ki jaya. 3. Ananta-kotivaishnava-vrinda ki jaya. 4. Namacharya Haridasa Thakura ki jaya 5. Iskcon founder acharya Srila Prabhupada ki jaya.
6. Premse kaho Shri-Krishna-Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, jaya Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya.
7. Shri-Shri-Radha-Krishna Gopa-Gopinatha, Shyama Kund, Radha Kund, Girigovardhana ki jaya. 8. Vrindavana-dhama ki jaya. 9. Mathura-dhama ki jaya.
10. Navadvipa-dhama ki jaya. 11. Jagannatha-puri dhama ki jaya.
12. Ganga-mayi ki jaya 13. Yamuna-mayi ki jaya. 14. Tulasi-devi ki jaya.
15. Bhakti-devi ki jaya. 16. Sankirtana-yajna ki jaya. 17. Brihad-mridanga ki jaya. 18. Samaveta-bhakta-vrinda ki jaya. 19. Gaura-premananda Hari Hari bol, 20. All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

During the intermission Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan from his first album called Krsna Consciousness commonly referred to as the Happening Album was broadcast as calming background music.
Named the Hare Krsna Mantra Chant that included the spoken message from Srila Prabhupada. After which it was continued again from the beginning until the five-minute warning announcement over the PA of the end of the intermission. The five-minute warning over the temple PA system had to be extended another ten minutes due to requests from the choir and large numbers of the audience.

Once everyone was seated the same enthusiasm followed the choir as it made its’ way in again with the same manner as the first time. All the while Srila Prabhupada was still singing the maha mantra from the Happening Album right up until the choir was in position and the Choirmaster had finished her entrance into the temple room. After offering her obeisance’s to Srila Prabhupada in front of the vyasasana Mrs. Subhadra silently made her way to the front of the choir. It was then that Srila Prabhupada’s singing was curtailed over the PA. Taking the micro phone in hand from its stand she tapped it several times to get the audiences’ attention.

“Thank you all very much we hope that everyone is comfortable, enjoying themselves so far and that you will enjoy the last part of our concert. This complete concert music as well as all of the lectures and arotics’ have been recorded today. They will be available for free download, hopefully by the third week of September.
In due course there will be a one-hour documentary produced that will also be available for free on line.” “Your programme has the songs listed in order with the name credit to the composer along with some of the lyrics” “Now, let us begin”

Standing ten feet away front and centre of the choir she took a shiny round brass colored pitch pipe from her dress pocket. Finding the key to start she loudly broadcast that key. The choir responded collectively in voice with the same key. The band in came in on their own in perfect rhythm filling the large temple room sparing no one any time for any other distractions.
All conversations ceased when the bhajan Kalike was played in a reggae style at 78 beats per minute with Shastyna Devi Dasis’ voice echoing through the whole complex being answered by her husband Vibhu dasa. The choir clapped on time swaying from side to side in rhythm while filling in the voice phrases necessary to support the composition. Their voices filled all hearts with majestic balance. The Tabals’ and conga worked in tandem with the mrdungas. The karatalas lifted the whole musical construction to frame the harmonium during which time the acoustic guitar, violin and Vina supported certain accents.
Kalike was a six-minute piece but it only took two minutes of this first song before the whole audience was swaying side to side in their seats loudly clapping in time. Mrs Subhadra always kept up her steady conducting under the watchful eyes of the choir.

Opening with a flute piece Bhakta Jim started off the second number Meerabai. Shastyna and the choir worked together in beautiful harmonies as the Tabalas’ carried the whole structure. The vina and flute so sweetened the piece that the audience was heard to openly sigh. The choir was perfect in their timing and pronunciation. Instead of a Sitar the band utilized the violin talents of Bhakta Jim on his violin. The Tabalas were exciting with their slapping tones and droop droop sounds working with the violin and kartalas,

Mrs. Subhadra was active throughout directing the choir and the band at times.

The third song was opened up by the choirs lead female vocalist Ruth Anne Dowson who was standing proud front and centre. She sang the lead to the song Draupadi Prayer To Lord Krishna. This became her signature song prior to the festival and she fell in love with it.
Her auburn hair was long and braided like that of the Choirmaster Mrs. Subhadra. With her brown eyes on the verge of tears she prepared. This was mainly a triple mrdunga song with a light touch of two pairs of kartlas by Bhaktin Allison and Kishori Devi Dasi. The choir and the band were key to answering to the lead vocalist and the audience was encouraged to join the choir replies if they could follow the lyrics on the program sheet. The opening of the song Draupadi found the whole temple complex in a silent reverential awe. When the swaying choir came in for their collective angelic repeats most of the audience swayed and clapped in time with the mrdunga rhythm.

DRAUPADI

Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva

pause from singing

Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
Oh, He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir

Oh, He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir

Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari choir
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari choir

He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir

Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva Choir

He Laksmi narayana vasudeva
He Laksmi narayana vasudeva choir
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
He natha narayana vasudeva

Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
He Laksmi narayana vasudeva

He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari

He natha narayana vasudeva choir
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha narayana vasudeva choir
Sri Krishna govinda hare murari choir
He natha narayana vasudeva
Oh Sri Krishna govinda hare murari
He natha arayana vasudeva
Oh Sri Krishna govinda hare murari choir
He natha arayana vasudeva choir

He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva

He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva
He natha narayana vasudeva

He natha narayana vasudeva slow repeat by choir

Stepping forward with the microphone after everyone was settled down the Choirmaster Mrs. Subhadra made a special announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls there are four more numbers to perform for this concert. Those will be Yamunastakam by Sri Hita Hari Vamsa, Bhaja Hu Re Mana Srila Prabhupada’s favorite bhajan to be followed by Govinda jaya jaya and the great Hare Krsna maha mantra kirtan” “Upon completion of the Hare Krsna kirtan we are instructing the audience to file out of the building in an orderly fashion.
As you leave it is important to please keep the outside stairways and sidewalks clear. Do not use them as a meeting location and follow the instructions of the orange vested monitors. The police volunteers will be directing traffic on Roxborough and Ave. Rd. They can give you directions and answer any questions. The location of the Rosedale Subway station is in your programme. If you need that location again just ask. Feel free to use the facilities on your way out. St. Johns Ambulance volunteers are there to assist you if necessary. You may stay and mingle in the building but we need to clear the main temple room and balcony to prepare for cleanup. In your programme you will see the locations of five exists” “Please keep the temple room hallway clear”

The Choirmaster pointed to and mentioned the northeast exit by the Deity prep room, the northwest exit that led to Ave. Rd.

The three front exits, southeast, middle and south west main exit on Roxborough Ave. were pointed out as well.

“Small light pink mesh bags with dried maha sweets will be available from the ushers on your way out. They have a draw string for easy carrying. Please,only one per person”

Composition number four was Yamunastakam “Prayers by Women” by Sri Hita Hari Vamsa was announced by Shastyna Devi Dasi as the next number to be sung by the choirs lead female singer Ruth Anne Dowson. The rhythm was counted out at 56 beats per minute after a count of four to start. The house lights were turned way down. The introduction to the number was played by Bhakta Jim on his Taylor 214 CE Grand Auditorium acoustic guitar. As soon as the song started the spot light slowly lit up on Ruth Anne’s angelic form as Bhakta Jim switched over to violin accompaniment.

The choir being directed by the Choirmaster filled the background with supportive humming in perfect harmonies at the right places to give musical color to Ruth Anne’s voice.

Bhaja Hu Re Mana Srila Prabhupada’s favorite bhajan began shortly after a long applause with some cheers from the audience and Ruth Anne’s deep bow of thanks and smile to the audience. After that the choir was bathed in the reduced flood of warm light. A spot light came on centre front of the choir’s riser to reveal a young lady in a colorful sari to perform a classical Vedic dance interpretation of the bhajan using beautiful leg, arm and hand movements. Shastyna read the lyrics out loud in English coordinating with the dancers’ movements while cording lightly on her harmonium.

When the young lady had finished, she bowed to the applause of the audience and walked off. Lighting for the choir was increased as the Choir master standing front and centre prepared to direct them. Lighting on the Gopinatha Bhajan Band was as bright as Vibhu dasa and his son Khana started their mrdunga rhythm at 59 beats per minute then the kartals came in together. Soon Shastyna started playing her harmonium and singing this most beloved favorite bhajan of Srila Prabhupadas’.
Her voice carried the audience away to experience for some their first taste of the sweet nectar of this famous composition.

The choir under expert direction came in to repeat the first two lines of each verse twice after they were sung twice by Shastyna Devi Dasi. Then they repeated the second set of two lines in the verse. This was continued on through all four verses to the point that Vibhu and Shastyna started to pick up the rhythm to prepare to sing the maha mantra.

Then Khana came in on his mrdunga as well as Hasti Gopala dasa on his Conga, one other mrdunga player walked in as did kartala player Keshara dasa. Bhaktin Allison and Kishori Devi Dasi made three kartala players. Bhakta Jim filled in with his violin and Gopala dasa on his Tabla.

As the tempo picked up to 116 beats per minute it sounded as if everyone in the building was stamping their feet and clapping their hands to the maha mantra kirtan. And cheering! The choir stepped up their in time clapping as well as their left to right stepping. They fully joined in with the Hari Nam kirtan including wide eyed smiles as did the Choir Master who at one point started to dance with her arms raised high swaying from side to side. That brought a lot of cheers from the crowd.

Shastyna and Vibhu were easily heard as a duo leading the kirtan with the audience answering. The tempo then again picked up presto to 157 beats per minute pushing up the heat levels in the temple while straining the power system. All the temple fans by then were at top speed. The end to this kirtan came about as the band leaders visually coordinated their exit in the manner familiar with decades of kirtans in the New Remuna temple room. The audience of course kept it going for many more bars not having heard or anticipated the ending.

The audience actions of huffing and puffing was wide spread as the temple room tried to get their breath back while looking about at each other and laughing at the same time. Most were still clapping and cheering until the calm returned.

WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION: Bhaja Hu Re Mana

1) O mind just worship the lotus feet of the son of Nanda, which make one fearless. Having obtained this rare human birth, cross over this ocean of worldly existence through the association of saintly persons.
2) Both in the day and at night I remain sleepless, suffering the pains of the heat and cold, the wind and the rain. For a fraction of flickering happiness, I have uselessly served wicked and miserly men.

3) What assurance of real happiness is there in all of one’s wealth, youthfulness, sons, and family members? This life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus petal; therefore, you should always serve and worship the divine feet of Lord Hari.
4) It is the desire and great longing of Govinda Dasa to engage himself in the nine processes of bhakti, namely hearing the glories of Lord Hari and chanting those glories, constantly remembering Him and offering prayers to Him, serving the Lord’s lotus feet, serving the Supreme Lord as a servant, worshiping Him with flowers and incense and so forth, serving Him as a friend, and completely offering the Lord one’s very self.

Oh mind just worship the lotus feet of the son of Nanda which makes one fearless.

(1)bhajahū re mana śrī-nanda-nandana abhaya-caraṇāravinda re durlabha mānava-janama sat-sańge taroho e bhava-sindhu re

(2)śīta ātapa bāta bariṣaṇa e dina jāminī jāgi re biphale sevinu kṛpaṇa durajana capala sukha-laba lāgi’ re

(3)e dhana, yaubana, putra, parijana ithe ki āche paratīti re kamala-dala-jala, jīvana ṭalamala bhajahū hari-pada nīti re

(4)śravaṇa, kīrtana, smaraṇa, vandana, pāda-sevana, dāsya re pūjana, sakhī-jana, ātma-nivedana govinda-dāsa-abhilāṣa re
Shorty thereafter Shastyna D D started pumping her harmonium with a long harmonious din then Vibhu dasa came in with his mrdunga to accompany her. At that time three pairs of kartalas started playing in time.
The timing was 110 beats per minute as she started singing “govinda jaya jaya gopāla jaya jaya rādhā ramaṇa hari govinda jaya jaya” to be repeated and replied to by the Bishop Avenue Middle School Choir as directed by Mrs. Subhadra,

The audience entered into the bhajan repeating at the same time as the choir
Shastynas harmonium was dominant in perfect sympathy with her singing. As the performance picked up in tempo the choir started their clapping in time with the rhythm which brought the whole temple room clapping on time as well. The on time slapping of hands together shook the air and the very foundations of this great New Remuna Temple. After a little more than six minutes there was a coordinated perfect ending when Mrs. Subhadra with the microphone in a loud voice said “All glories to Srila Prabhupada! three times getting many loud Hari Bol responses from the audience and choir.

The afternoon was growing short and many seats started to empty as the audience was growing tired and eager to return to their homes. After some few minutes of trying Mrs Subhadra the Choir Master got the attention of those remaining throughout the temple.

“On behalf on all the staff here at New Remuna, the Bishop Ave. Middle School Choir, the Gopinataha Bhajan Band, all of those who assisted in the programming, all of Their Lordships and of course His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada we want to thank you all for your kind support. We hope to see you all again next Sunday September 5th for the Sunday Love feast.”

“Now please follow the proper instructions for exiting the temple while listening to the ushers and assistants. Take care and God Bless you all”
At that point the Gopintaha Bhajan Band started a maha mantra kirtan at a light pace with medium volume. Mrs. Subhadra spoke briefly in front of the still standing choir to give them some final instructions regarding their exit and return to the school by bus. Boxed afternoon prasadam with drinks were ready to be served to the students to enjoy on their way home in the buses.

The afternoon 4 PM Dhupa Arati was now underway behind the closed deity house doors as it was 4:14 in the afternoon. The choir was given 45 minutes or until 5 PM to meet with friends and family, gather up any necessities and make their way to the school buses now parked out front.
They then filed out of the temple room in the same manner as they entered. As Robert was walking out talking with some of the other members his exit into the hallway was suddenly slowed. He noticed an elderly man in front of him with a cane sitting tall in one of the wooden padded chairs against the southern wall. The old gentleman was staring at Robert with both hands in front of him resting on his cane. His slight smile seemed kindly and wise.

He wore a deep navy-blue beret that rested down on his right side that had the Canadian Legion crest on it over his left eye. His face was manly, all the basic wrinkles with a square jaw. The twinkle in his hazel eyes under his thick dark eye brows gave his sagging eyelids eternal youth.

The stranger had on a fresh clean white shirt with an olive-green tie that was formed into a Four in hand knot common for military use.

It was separated more than halfway down by a wide gold tie clip with black capital letters across that spelled JAM. Letters for his name John Adam Mackenzie.

His neat fresh navy-blue jacket did not have its brass buttons connected. It draped evenly off to each side over his sharply pressed light gray dress pants. A Regimental Service Blazer Badge of his unit/ regiment/service served was worn on the lower right-side pocket of the Legion Blazer. On the left side of his blazer, he wore a nine-medal bar. On his feet were dark navy-blue dress socks within a brightly polished pair of vintage Canadian Made H.H. Brown, Canadian Military Dress Oxfords.

Robert caught himself staring when his friend Yuri brushed up against him suggesting that they go to get something to eat. “No, I’m fine you go along. I’ll catch up with you later” said Robert.
As the hallway quickly started to fill up with guests the old gentleman looked up at Robert and asked “Could we step outside before I leave I’d like to give you something”?
“Sure” came Roberts puzzled reply. John Mackenzie stood up easily his left hand gripping his shiny walnut cane. On his left hand ring finger was an original silver US Ranger 75th Regiment signet ring that Robert immediately recognized. On his right hand ring finger was a Lest We Forget men’s ring with raised, molded golden maple leaf with custom-cut red hexagonal glass inlay and simulated gem. Engraved verse from Ode of Remembrance.

Robert politely reached behind him to fold and carry his chair to the main front porch entrance. They managed to wade through some piles of shoes, past busy children with parents preparing to leave making their way onto the outside area of the porch. On the way Robert snatched up a free folding chair that no one was using. They sat out of the way by the wrought iron railing together nearly facing one another.

John started the conversation. “I must say that today’s celebration was a first class presentation. Although I could not see everything the sound system allowed me to absorb the music, chanting and singing. Your choir was wonderful! I am very impressed. I read about the whole festival online and downloaded the schedule picking today to be here. Srila Prabhupada has had a great deal of influence in my life over many many years.

I have read his Bhagavad Gita As It Is many times and carried a copy with me during my many years in the service. First the original blue Gita and then the hard bound 1972 edition. However over the years Lord Hanuman has become my favorite warrior.”

Before John could go on Robert asked him how long he had served. John responded. “Well at the tender age of twenty I signed up with the US Army in the spring of ’66 training at Fort Benning Georgia. “Impressive!” interjected Robert “I hope you don’t mind a few questions from me about your life” “You see three years this fall I am planning to join up with the First Hanuman Rangers 108th Canadian Division”

“That’s a fine division and one that I would certainly sign up with if I was your age,” said John. ” I’ll be 16 next spring” replied Robert.

Robert held out his hand and said “I am sorry sir I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Robert Anderson. General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson who was a senior British Army officer in WW2 is in our family tree on my mother’s side.”
John held out his hand and as they shook John replied “My full name is Colonel John Adam Mackenzie Retired. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Robert.”
” General Sir Kenneth Arthur Noel Anderson had a distinguished military career as the commander of the British First Army during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa and the subsequent Tunisian Campaign.
Correct?”

“Well sir you certainly know your history” remarked Robert.

“With which rank did you retire may I ask,” said Robert. “Well, a full Colonel in the US Army 7th Division in the spring of ’96” “However I re-enlisted for four more years in the Canadian 34th Division Brigade Group to help train new recruits. So, I served 34 years in all.”

Trying to speed up the conversation Robert couldn’t help but ask where he had served overseas so Colonel John Mackenzie volunteered some more personal history to satisfy Robert’s curiosity.

“I was in the US Army Long Range Recon Patrols in Viet Nam in 1968. Became a Sergeant First Class.

In February 1969, most of the active army LRRP companies and detachments were deactivated as LRRP units and reactivated as companies of the 75th Infantry Regiment. US Rangers”

“I did three tours in the Nam as we used to call it. I was involved in the Battle of Signal Hill” Robert interjected. “I remember reading about that engagement in my military history studies and you were there! Wow!

” Members of our LRRP units were tasked with being inserted by helicopter onto a mountaintop in the A Shau Valley known as Signal Hill. The hill served as a radio relay point for the larger attacking force set to assault the valley. We held that hill for three weeks. After my time in the Nam I moved around all over the world including some service in Antarctica which is still classified”
“I am leaving next week with my granddaughter Sarah for Rishikesh India. She is a school teacher there and she is only 25. That is where my son and I are going to retire. She is picking me up here this afternoon. We have a home in Ganga Nagar right near the Ganges River.”

“My son John is a Lieutenant-Colonel at Base Petawawa. He is retiring in November. His wife Julia is already in Rishikesh and is expecting a child next spring. He’s 46 and she’s 36. My wife Ruth passed away some five years back.”

“Oh, I am sorry Colonel,” Said Robert. “Thank you Robert,” said John
“Well, that’s a little bit of my family history for you” added John.

“I see that you are wearing a thick strand of neck beads just like the Hare Krsna’s” commented Robert “Wouldn’t be without them. I have worn out several sets since I got my first set at Kuruksetra when I was on leave in New Delhi back in ’70”. John slid back his sleeve to check the time on his
vintage dark metal Ranger field watch, it was 4:45 pm. “Listen Robert I want to give you my old original pocket field issue Gita that I have been carrying with me since the spring of ’81. I had it custom made in Bangkok.
It doesn’t have any of the photos or the glossary unfortunately but everything else is from the 1972 edition. The only bona fide edition worth reading. It comes with a tough lamented cover using Perfect Binding and it fits right into your shirt or combat jacket pocket.”

John reached into his left inside jacket pocket and pulled out a tightly woven beige raw silk bag that had a thick twisted royal blue draw string.
With his fingers he pried open the closure in order to get at the book. After reaching in with his right hand he pulls out the old custom-made Gita. He kept the bag in his left hand. Roberts eyes widened with awe. As John turned it over in his hands Robert could see the whole book. The covering was strong olive green in color and had a thick red line framing the book along its edges. About one inch down there were large bold Century Gothic white letters spanning one and a half inches that spelled out FIG. Centre balanced below that in smaller bold Century Gothic letters where the words ‘Bhagavad Gita As It Is and balanced below that was the author His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada also in white. The pocket book was showing its age.

As John handed it to Robert, he accepted it with both hands as carefully as he would have some foreign delicate crystal object. “Open it,” said John.
Robert skipped through several pages and chapters reading places for the first time. Then he looked up at John. “What does FIG mean?” asked Robert.
“That is short for Field Issue Gita responded John.” “A Gita for use in the field of operations or of course anywhere you like” he added. “You really want to give this book to me?” asked Robert. “Yes” replied John “And you should pick up a hard cover of the original 1972 Gita that is on that book table down by the sidewalk. They also sell the best study Guide to The Bhagavad Gita. Study it throughout your life. I signed it on the inside cover many years ago.

” Now I expect you to pass this pocket Gita on to another new recruit when your time comes for you to retire. Not a family member but another recruit. I am sure that you will make a fine trooper some day.”

Suddenly as if on cue the sound of a car horn right nearby could be heard.
They both looked down at the curbside below them to see a powder blue vintage 1996 BMW M3. A female hand reached out of the driver’s side window and waved at them. “Well, that’s my ride,” said John. They both stood up shook hands and hugged giving each other several back slaps.

“Who is that in the car and where are you going?” asked Robert. Bending down to look into the car from their balcony position John turned to say “I told you, that’s my granddaughter Sarah and we leave next week for India”

The school bus horn quickly sounded three times as Yuri yelled up to Robert that it was time to board the buses. “I’ll be right there” responded Robert.

Robert and John slowly made their way down the steps to the side walk passed people still coming and going. Reaching the car passenger side John opened the door for Robert introducing him to his daughter Sarah who reached over to shake his hand. Pleased to meet you,” said Robert. “Pleased to meet you as well,” said Sarah. As John was entering the car, he handed Robert a 5 by 7 piece of folded paper that had all of Johns contact information on it so that he could contact or visit him and his family in India someday. He placed it carefully into the silk book bag. “But I don’t have my information for you Colonel,” said Robert. John had the same size pen and more paper ready for Robert to jot down his address and phone number which he quickly did. As he handed it to John the school bus horn sounded again.

“I don’t know how to thank you Colonel Mackenzie” “Just be a good soldier and a good disciple of Srila Prabhupada and your life will unfold as it should. Goodbye, Hare Krsna and good luck Robert. We will certainly be in touch.” Just before Colonel John Mackenzie entered the car, he turned to Robert pointing to the Gita in the silk bag he was holding and ordered “Don’t lose it” “I won’t sir” came Roberts reply. Then after one more firm hand shake John buckled up closed the door gave a short wave with a smile. As he and Sarah made a right turn onto Ave. Rd. there came a double short toot from the horn. Robert felt somewhat empty inside as the Colonel left his life. He hoped to see him again one day soon.
One of the bus horns sounded again so Robert rushed to the book table to get his hard bound Gita and Guide To The Bhagavad Gita. He paid twenty dollars for both books which they placed into plastic bag. Then he put his FIG gift from John tightly into his right inside pocket for safe keeping.

The head count was done three times by the school staff before the buses pulled out onto Ave. Rd. north to head to the 401 and back to the school. Robert felt alone again until Yuri came to sit beside him. “So, who was that old guy you were talking to?” Yuri asked. Smiling proudly Robert said “He’s a new friend of mine and he’s not some old guy he is a retired Full Colonel in the Canadian Military”

On their way back to the school Robert explained the whole meeting to Yuri who sat transfixed.
He showed him the new Gita and Gita Guide he bought as well as the special pocket Gita gift from the Colonel even letting Yuri handle it with care.
“So, when do you think you will visit this Colonel in India” asked Yuri. “I don’t know, hopefully someday soon before I sign up in 2024 with The First Hanuman Rangers 108th Canadian Division” replied Robert.
As their bus pulled eastbound onto the 401 at Ave. Rd. Mrs. Subhadra had a recording of an old song by ABBA titled “I Have A Dream” The whole choir in that bus knew the song so after the first four lines or so everyone was singing it. Soon Robert and Yuri joined in as everyone dreamed of their futures out loud to the world.

I Have A Dream by ABBA

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream

Comments

  1. Amar Puri says:

    Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:”Creation” Dhritarastra Quits Home : SB 1.13.50

    “…Bhagavad-gita (4.11) states: ye yatha maṁ prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. “Although the Lord is equally kind to every living being, the living beings, for their own part, are able to please the Lord to either a greater or lesser extent.” The demigods are called sakama devotees, or devotees with material desires in mind, while the pure devotees are called niskama devotees because they have no desires for their personal interests.

    The sakama devotees are self-interested because they do not think of others, and therefore they are not able to satisfy the Lord perfectly, whereas the pure devotees take the missionary responsibility of turning nondevotees into devotees, and they are therefore able to satisfy the Lord more than the demigods. The Lord is unmindful of the nondevotees, although He is sitting within everyone’s heart as well-wisher and Supersoul.

    However, He also gives them the chance to receive His mercy through His pure devotees who are engaged in missionary activities. Sometimes the Lord Himself descends for missionary activities, as He did in the form of Lord Caitanya, but mostly He sends His bona fide representatives, and thus He shows His causeless mercy towards the nondevotees.

    The Lord is so satisfied with His pure devotees that He wants to give them the credit for missionary success, although He could do the work personally. This is the sign of His satisfaction with His pure, niskama devotees, compared to the sakama devotees. By such transcendental activities the Lord simultaneously becomes free from the charge of partiality and exhibits His pleasure with the devotees…”

    Therefore, all of us, must engage our Body, Mind and Spirit in serving with the Service Attitude of NISKAMA described above for spreading the mission of our Jagat Guru His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s VANI according to our Individual and Collective capabilities to make our lives sublime in cultivating Krsna Consciousness.

    OM TAT SAT.

    Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

    Your worthless servant……. amar puri

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