December 2019 was a very unique winter for me. That was the first time that I spend winter outside Europe bathing in the nectar of sadhu sanga in Sridham Mayapur.
I fondly remember those foggy mornings when I would walk towards the temple for mangal arati at 4:15 in the morning.
Accompanied by a friend, we would carefully walk towards the temple, pointing our torchlights on the road to avoid stepping on snakes that are very common in that area.
On the way to the temple, we would often discuss our good fortune to be in the holy Dham. In the background, we would hear sadhus singing devotional songs from the local temples and mosques. It was one of those moments when everything was so perfect.
Our program was simple but strict. At 4:30 in the morning, we would attend the morning program which ended at 9 am. After 4 hours of sadhana, we would have one hour break before our classes started.
Classes would end in the late afternoon leaving us only a few hours to prepare our homework and be ready for the next day.
Our days were spent hearing and studying about how to serve Krishna the way he wants to be served.
Four months passed like this, simply hearing about Krishna from senior Vaisnavas.
Looking at my current situation at the temple and all responsibilities that I have been given in the service of Radha Gokulananda I realised that Krishna had a plan.
All those studies and learning was the preparation for me to step up and take more responsibility in the mission of Srila Prabhupad.
Krishna doesn’t give anything for free.
Krishna will always make sure that every single skill and talent in our profile is used in his service. He will “leave no stone unturned.”
Have no doubt about that.
Ananta Gopal das
12 May 2021
Bhakti Wisdom 