Those who have visited Bhaktivedanta Manor know how busy the temple is, especially on the weekends. Thousands of pilgrims – like an impatient river Ganges – eager to reach the sea are daily coming to the temple to reunite with Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. People from all walks of life come to present their gifts to the Lord.
Depending on their level of spiritual understanding, people offer service accordingly.
The majority of them visit the temple room, offer a prayer and leave. Those with a better understanding offer a donation or a little service. The most intelligent pilgrims search for a temple sadhu (holy person) to inquire about Krishna and take guidance on how to begin their spiritual journey.
Sometimes I go on my japa walk in the village to avoid the crowds at the temple. With bright orange robes, tilak on the forehead and japa beads, I’m walking through the village roads and parks. For a decade and a half, this is my regular practice. By now, I have become a part of the village scene.
It’s a traditional English village – with a popular pub, a famous Aldenham school and over a hundred years old village hall – inhabited mostly by retired middle-class people who enjoy the peaceful setting that the village provides.
Although I would not classify myself as a sermonizer, sharing the knowledge about Krishna happens automatically when I’m chaste in behaviour, dress code and spiritual practice of my religion whilst on a walk in the village.
As I walk around, locals often stop me to ask questions about my spiritual practice. Sometimes I share with them a verse from the scriptures that I meditate on during my walk. At other times, I elaborate on the spiritual quotes that are more relevant to them.
Occasionally we discuss the songs that interest them and try to add a spiritual meaning to the songs. With a few of them, I have shared our books. Almost all of them have received prasadam (sanctified food).
In the process of trying to escape the crowded temple, I’m bringing the temple to the streets of the village!
Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.24.34 purport- Of course, there are two kinds of devotees of the Lord. One is called goṣṭhyānandī, which means those who are preachers and have many followers for preaching the glories of the Lord and who live among those many, many followers just to organize missionary activities. Other devotees are ātmānandī, or self-satisfied, and do not take the risk of preaching work. They therefore remain alone with God.
Ananta Gopal Das
09.03.2024
Bhakti Wisdom 