Newsletter April 2023

Being situated in the National park and far from big cities, the outreach of Krsna consciousness is not very accessible for us. But, we can serve and assist the guests and devotees coming to our community to retreat from the world to re-centre themselves in Krsna consciousness.

Last month, we hosted two wonderful retreats. The first was led by H.G. Aksayananda Prabhu. It was the first time we had the chance to meet this advanced Vaisnava. He is for me an inspiring example of a person who is relishing Krsna consciousness on a very deep level. I could observe how all his activities and talks were filled with spiritual potency and were representing the attitude of a Saintly person. Around 15 devotees joined the retreat from different parts of Germany and even France to hear his speech. Aksayananda Prabhu spoke for many hours daily and his audience did not get tired of receiving this nectar of Krsna consciousness.

We also host the yearly meeting of our National council members which is composed of all the leaders of ISKCON in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This meeting was led by Krsna Prema Rupa Prabhu, who will take over the service of our GBC representative (highest authority of our institution) from 2024. The group was working intensely in organisation, planning and sharing experiences so that, with a common vision, this part of the world can spread Krsna consciousness and nourish the devotees successfully.

It was a great privilege and pleasure to host these two retreats.

When young Nimai Pandit returned from Gaya to Navadvipa he was a changed person. With great humility he spoke about visiting Padodaka-tirtha, the spot where Lord Vishnu washed His lotus feet. Nimai now saw Krishna present everywhere and he heard Krishna´s names day and night. He lost all composure and cried profusely as He called out the name of the Lord. Tears of love flowed from the Lord’s eyes in all directions as if the river Ganges had appeared there. Everyone was struck with wonder by this sight. Repeatedly, He cried out, “Where is Krishna? Where is Krishna?”.

The next day, seeing Sriman Pandit most happy, the Vaishnavas asked him for the reason. He replied, “A most wonderful and most impossible incident has occurred, Nimai Pandit has become the greatest Vaishnava. The same Nimai Pandit who a few days before was the crest jewel of logicians and who ridiculed the Vaishnavas with teasing words has now become a great Vaishnava. By the devotion that I have seen in Him, I no longer consider Him an ordinary human being.” Gadadhara, Gopinatha, Ramai, Sriman Pandit, Srivas, Murari, Sadasiva, Suklambara and other Vaishnavas of Navadvipa came to see the Lord. They were all amazed to see the wonderful display of love. Some of them said, “If Nimai Pandit becomes a good devotee, then we can easily defeat the atheists”. Others said,“Lord Kṛṣṇa sports in His body”. All the wives of the devotees said, “It seems that Kṛṣṇa has personally appeared.” Devotees were overjoyed that Nimai has revealed Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By doing so He confirmed one of His names to be “bhaktārti-harana” or the remover of distressess of His devotees.

As a Token of gratitude for your continual support, we like to offer you a beautiful quote from Srimad Bhagavatam 11.15.29 purport:

„If a human being falls into the middle of the ocean he quickly drowns, whereas the fish enjoy happiness sporting in the same waves. Similarly, the conditioned souls have fallen into the ocean of material existence and are drowning in the reactions to their sinful activities, whereas the devotees recognize this world to be the potency of the Lord and enjoy pleasurable pastimes within it by fully engaging in the loving service of Lord Krsna“.

On Behalf of the Goloka Dhama community,

Your servant,

Gaurahari dasa