The 24 hour kirtan...how can I even begin to describe such devotion? Such pure strength of the Holy Name? Surely there is nothing more wonderful in this world. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us more then we could ever hope to appreciate or disserve in this life time or many.
So many talented vaishnava(i)s brought their voices, their mrdungas, and their personalities to New Vrindavan. People like Bada Hari Prabhu, Sarvajaya from DC, Goshi with his spunky style who still manages to sing so sweetly it tugs at your heart, Bhakti with her pure and beautiful devotion, Jagi, Manu Prabhu….there are so many others, but these people were just a catalyst for awaking the tender flame of devotion which forever resides in all of our hearts.
Every one of us is an eternal servant of Sri Krishna. Each one of us has that small spark of devotion in our hearts just waiting for the chance to show itself. What I saw this last weekend is hundreds of devotees tasting pure love of God, perhaps for the first time. With so much nectar of the Holy Name, how then can we remain oblivious to the love which resides forever in our hearts? Give them a taste, Srila Prabhupada once said, and that is all it takes. Sravanam and Kirtanam - hearing and chanting the glories of Sri Krishna, there can be no better dharma in ones life.
It just so happened that the last chapter of the 24 hour kirtan fell on Sunday which was the most auspicious appearance day of Sri Radha Kunda and although I was without any internet for the duration of my trip I thought to share a small piece from my journal entry that day.
“October 11th 2009: It is the appearance day of Sri Radha Kunda and I am in New Vrindavan Dham listening to the sweet mellows of Varshana Swami Sing the Holy Name just a few doors down from where I now lay in the girls ashrama. This is the last flame of the 24 hr kirtan but I know that this transidental fire will leave sparks of love in our hearts which may rage once again and bring us all back together in the service of Sri Gopal and Srila Prabhupada.
“I pray that those tender sparks may never be extinguished. That I may always remain attracted to the chanting of the Mahamantra and the association of the sincere devotees of the Lord.
“We are heading back to Alachua in just a few hours. It feels like no time at all and I am sad to go but I know that I have responsibilities at home. For now I will hold these memories close to my heart and eagerly await the next chance to live in such Bhakti.”
I humbly pray that we all may have such a chance. There is talk now of the next 24 hour kirtan and I pray that I will see some familiar faces there next year and perhaps a few new ones as well. Krishna is so merciful, so wonderful, let us share him with the rest of the world.
Sri Krishna Sankirtana Ki!!!
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