The Wisdom Park

  Yesterday, we completed our discussion on the second canto of Srimad-bhagavatam in our daily morning Facebook class. It's a really wonderful feeling to have been blessed with this opportunity to serve the devotees and read and share based on Srila Prabhupada's purports. Very grateful for this opportunity to serve and thankful to all the devotees who supported me in this service. Reading Prabhupada books is on one level but when you share and preach based on what you read, then the experience is all together different. Only with sharing does the process of reading gets complete. May all devotees experience the joy of reading and sharing Srila Prabhupada's books.   I have also realised time and again the power of consistency, the power of steadiness and the power of daily little. As Srimad-bhagavatam itself encourages us - "nityam bhagavata sevaya". Just by doing few slokas everyday, we completed the first canto and now the second canto. Every task seems big, as l...

  Ever since the pandemic, it has been extremely difficult for us to come together and be in association of devotees and to celebrate the various occasions that we otherwise did with so much of grandeur. Nevertheless, we have been trying our best to bring to you every celebration in the best possible way. We felt that even this year, we wouldn't be able to have a Ratha Yatra like we usually did, but Lord Jagannath had other plans.    Although the whole intention of Ratha Yatra is that everyone gets the Darshan of the Lords, we decided on having a small ceremony, with just a few devotees, within the ashram area, since the pandemic is still prevalent. We decided to utilise the old Ratha from our morjim centre. But to our disappointment, we were informed that the old Ratha was damaged due to rains and hence couldn't be used. Before long, one of our ardent devotee, Pradeep Chodankar Prabhu, from Mapusa came to our rescue like a knight in shining armour. During his visit to th...

  Today on the occasion of Mother's Day, I went to meet the cow, our mother to wish her for Mother's Day and make a request to her. I requested her to shower her blessings and mercy on her children who are suffering so badly due to the deadly covid virus. The good news for all of us is that, she mercifully agreed to shower her heartfelt blessings, prayers, mercy on all her children. After all, that's the heart of a mother - always wanting and desiring best for her children. I was elated, my mission accomplished - now, the suffering of humanity will reduce. As I was leaving, the cow also had one personal request. She requested me with tears in her eyes to request her children not to abuse, exploit and slaughter her mercilessly. I could literally feel her pain and suffering as she made this request. This was the pain of a mother. Tears swelled up in my eyes. I didn't know what to reply her. I did tell her that I will pass on her request to her other children and I walked ...

  Even though covid is spreading so rapidly with the possibility of death lingering very close to us still, the desire to enjoy this world is still strong. Isn't it surprising? Probably not because Maya after all is very strong and clever. She keeps the hope to enjoy this world even in the face of the greatest dangers alive and burning in our hearts and thus keeps us stuck here birth after birth. As Adi Shankaracharya prays in his famous Bhaja Govindam song - "Angam Galitam Palitam Mundam Dasanavihinam Jatam Tundam Vrddho Yati Grhitva Dandam Tadapi Na Muncatyasapindam Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam……."_ "The body has become worn out.  The head has turned grey. The mouth has become toothless.  The old man moves about leaning on his staff.  Even then he doesn't give up the bundle of his desires. O foolish mind! seek Govinda!" The body may become weak but the desires to enjoy still remains strong until we weaken them by practicing strong Bhakti. - Achyut Gopal D...

  Whenever devotees in ISKCON go through any problems, they at once remember Narasimhadev. Remembering Narasimhadev invariably means remembering Ugra Narasimha of Mayapur. And when you think of Ugra Narasimha of Mayapur, how can you not think of the two glorious twin brothers, Jannanivas Prabhu and Pankajanghari Prabhu who are always standing at the side of Narasimhadev ready to offer prayers of protection to Him on behalf of the devotees? Even though, the world is now bereft of the association of Pankajanghari Prabhu, we all know with great conviction that he will always be present next to his worshippable master, Narasimhadev praying for the welfare of all of us as our well-wisher. All glories to Narasimhadev!! All glories to His beloved servant, His Grace Pankajanghari Prabhu!! - Achyut Gopal Das

Our Yatra to Vrindavan has just ended. Leaving the physical boundary of Vrindavan but praying to carry Vrindavan within my heart always and everywhere. Coming to Vrindavan was a very humbling yet enlivening experience. Humbling because I realize my smallness and weakness is comprehending this great holy abode which is non-different than the Lord. I realize that getting to see Vrindavan is one thing but, getting to actually "see" Vrindavan is all together on another platform. That vision of Vrindavan is given only to devotees whose hearts are freed from all desires to enjoy this world independent of God.    As Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung in a celebrated song, "viṣaya chāḍiyā kabe śuddha habe mana, kabe hama herābo sri-brandaban": “When my mind will be purified after leaving the contamination of material sense enjoyment, I shall be able to visit Vṛndāvana."   The greatness of Sri Vrindavan Dham humbles one but the sweetness of this land, enlivens and s...

Thank you Oh Srimati Radharani, Oh Divine Mother for giving this fallen and sinful soul entrance into Your personal abode, Sri Vrindavan. I know that I am fully unqualified to step onto this holy land of Yours but Your mercy is unfathomable, unimaginable and incalculable. A day before our departure from Goa, I had developed some throat infection and was feeling slightly feverish. I was not sure if I could make it. All the more, we didn't get a direct flight to Delhi. We were supposed to hop over in Mumbai and then take another flight to Delhi. With the increase in Covid cases across India and especially in Maharashtra, there was news that we might have to go through Covid tests in both Mumbai and Delhi airports. Being a little sick, I was not sure what the test results would turn out to be. But by the mercy of Radharani, there were no tests conducted in either of the airports. Radharani arranged everything so nicely for us because of our tiny, little desire to vi...

  I recently had the opportunity to visit the temple of Lord Gadagidu Veer Narayana in Gadag, Karnataka. After having darshan of the Lord, we sat under a shady tree to have our morning Srimad-bhagvatam class. While, we were having our class, I observed that few teenage, college going girls also sat nearby to have their breakfast together. I also observed that few elderly men were practising yoga asanas in one corner of the temple. There was one little puppy sleeping at the entrance of the temple without any fear. As I was giving the class, I heard so many birds who were chirping and flying around in the temple courtyard.  I was reflecting how so many different types of people and living entities were happily taking shelter of the temple of the Lord. And why not? After all, the Supreme Lord is the father of all and we are all His children. Our Supreme Father provides and gives shelter to us all and yes, the temple of the Lord is the home of our Father, t...

To reach our ashram at Chodan island, we need to cross the Mandovi river by the government run ferry service. As the ferry vessel was docking the other night, it scooped a tiny little fish out of the water onto the ground. The tiny fish was flapping desperately to live. I somehow managed to put the fish back into the river. The fish was happy to have got to live more and I was happy to be of some help to this small friend. I remembered a quote I had read long ago - "Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person." How true it is. Whenever we get opportunities to be of help to someone, we should immediately grab it and try to do the best we can. Who knows, we may just save a life. Whenever, the ferryboat docks I try to be alert to look out for any fish that needs my help. Whether you travel in ferry or not, remember, there are always "fishes" out there who will need your help. Be watchful, be helpful. - Achyut Gopal Das