Profest
In this age of Kali, when righteousness wanes and moral decay permeates society, it is the sacred duty of devotees to spread the divine message of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna through the performance of the Yuga Dharma, Harinam Sankirtan. As the Srimad Bhagavatam beautifully elucidates, "kaler dosa-nidhe rajann, asti hy eko mahan gunah, kirtanad eva krsnasya, mukta-sangah param vrajet" (SB 12.3.51), meaning, "My dear king, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."
In the month of February in the year 2022, the land of New Zealand, known for its breathtaking natural beauty, witnessed an extraordinary event. The citizens, discontent with the actions of their governing body, occupied the Parliament grounds to voice their concerns. Amidst this gathering of diverse souls, the devoted servants of Lord Vishnu, moved by compassion and a desire to uplift the afflicted, joined the congregation.
As they arrived at the scene, the devotees of Lord Vishnu, adorned in traditional robes and with hearts brimming with love for the Lord, unfurled their sacred instruments. With melodious voices and an unquenchable enthusiasm, they initiated the Yuga Dharma, Harinam Sankirtan. The divine vibrations of the Hare Krishna mantra – "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare" – filled the atmosphere, purifying the hearts and minds of those present.
As the mellifluous sound of the holy names reverberated through the air, the souls of the protestors, unaware of the spiritual potency of the sacred mantra, experienced an inexplicable transformation. Troubled hearts found solace, and the weight of worldly distresses seemed to diminish, replaced by a profound sense of peace and inner harmony. The enchanting power of the Harinam Sankirtan transcended the boundaries of caste, creed, and religion, uniting the congregation in the sublime experience of spiritual love.
In these moments of divine communion, the devotees exemplified the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who declared: "trnad api sunicena, taror iva sahisnuna, amanina manadena, kirtaniyah sada harih" (Sri Siksastaka 3). They humbly served the masses, offering respect to all and expecting none in return, with the sole aim of glorifying the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna.
The devoted servants of Lord Vishnu, having chosen to reside in the heart of the gathering, now referred to as Freedom Village, continued their sacred mission of performing the Yuga Dharma, Harinam Sankirtan, for the entirety of the 23 days. Their presence in the village, illuminated by their unwavering devotion and spiritual wisdom, imparted an atmosphere of serenity and hope amidst the prevailing disquiet.
The devotees, with their hearts immersed in the love for the Lord, engaged in various acts of service, providing not only spiritual solace but also material support to the inhabitants of Freedom Village. They shared prasadam, the sanctified remnants of food offered to Lord Krishna, with all present, nourishing their bodies while simultaneously purifying their souls.
As the devotees endeavored to share the profound wisdom of the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad Gita, they encouraged introspection, fostering an environment of unity and spiritual upliftment. The noble residents of Freedom Village were drawn to the compassionate nature and selfless service of the devotees, and many found solace in the eternal truths of the Vedic scriptures.
Alas, as the wheel of time turned, the peaceful existence of Freedom Village was disrupted on the 23rd day. The forces of the material world, manifested as the incursion of the Police, descended upon the village, leading to an unfortunate inferno that consumed the temporary refuge.
In the face of these trials, the devotees remained steadfast in their devotion to Lord Vishnu, their hearts undeterred by the calamity that had befallen their humble abode. They took shelter in the divine words of the Bhagavad Gita (2.14), wherein Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna, "matra-sparshas tu kaunteya, sitoshna-sukha-duhkha-dah, agamapayino 'nityas, tams titiksasva bharata," meaning, "O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed."
With hearts filled with compassion and unwavering faith in the divine plan, the devotees continued to chant the holy names, seeking solace and guidance in their spiritual practices. In the face of adversity, they exemplified the qualities of true devotees, providing a beacon of hope and inspiration for all those affected by the tragic events that unfolded.
The tale of these courageous souls, who remained anchored in devotion amidst the storm of material tribulations, serves as a testament to the power of spiritual practice and the unshakable faith in the Supreme Lord Vishnu.
They departed with the satisfaction of having shared the nectar of Lord Krishna's holy name with countless souls, inspiring them to seek shelter in the transcendental realm of the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead.
May the story of these exalted devotees, who selflessly performed the Yuga Dharma amidst political turmoil, serve as an inspiration for generations to come. May their example remind us of the potency of the holy name and the unifying power of devotional service to the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Hare Krishna!
Letters to ISKCON
Dear ISKCON Management,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My name is Sitapati Das, and I am writing to you as the leader of the group of devotees who participated in the recent Parliament Occupation Protest in New Zealand. I wish to provide you with an understanding of our rationale and motivation for being there, and to address any concerns that may have arisen.
First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that our participation in the protest was not politically motivated. As dedicated followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, we strive to remain neutral in political matters, focusing instead on the spiritual upliftment of ourselves and others. Our primary intention was to share the divine message of Lord Krishna and the practice of Harinam Sankirtan in an environment where people were seeking solace and unity.
The protest brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, united in their desire for positive change. We saw this gathering as an opportunity to spread the message of spiritual love and harmony, transcending the political and social divisions that were evident. We were motivated by compassion and a genuine desire to share the spiritual wisdom that has transformed our own lives, and we believed that our presence could have a positive impact on those attending the protest.
While we understand that our participation may have raised concerns regarding the reputation of ISKCON and its relationship with the public and the government, we assure you that our conduct was strictly in line with the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. We engaged in Harinam Sankirtan, distributed prasadam, and offered spiritual support to those in need, all with the intention of serving the Lord and the devotee community.
We hope that this explanation helps to clarify our motivations and assuage any concerns you may have. We remain committed to the mission of Srila Prabhupada, and we shall continue to strive for the spiritual welfare of all living beings.
Thank you for your understanding, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
Your servant,
Sitapati Das
Dear respected members of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of ISKCON,
Hare Krishna. I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As a concerned devotee, I write to express my deep apprehension regarding the decision to halt Harinam during past lockdowns and the potential decision to do so again in the future.
Although we may not be in lockdown currently, it is evident that the global situation remains uncertain, and there is a possibility of facing similar challenges in the future. The recent events during the ongoing pandemic have highlighted ISKCON's struggle to control the narrative and maintain the authenticity of our movement.
As followers of Srila Prabhupada, our Founder-Acharya, we are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding his teachings without compromise. Srila Prabhupada's unwavering dedication to spreading Krishna consciousness, despite facing numerous challenges, serves as an inspiration for us all. He always emphasized that a devotee should never make compromises with non-devotees.
The performance of Harinam, spreading the holy names of Lord Krishna, and sharing the mercy of Lord Chaitanya with the world is a fundamental aspect of our practice. It is a potent tool for bringing people closer to Krishna and spreading the message of love and devotion. Halting Harinam during lockdowns, or other challenging situations, could compromise our core principles and practices, and dilute the essence of Krishna consciousness.
Therefore, I urge the GBC to reconsider any potential decision to halt Harinam during future lockdowns and instead explore innovative ways to continue this essential practice while adhering to necessary safety measures. Let us learn from the boldness and fearlessness of Srila Prabhupada and be the boldest leaders in upholding his teachings, irrespective of the external circumstances we may face.
As Srila Prabhupada's followers, we must ensure that our movement remains authentic, consistent, and true to the principles he established. Let us band together, even if we face challenges or get banned together, for the sake of preserving our core principles and practices.
I humbly request the GBC to take a proactive and courageous stance, rooted in Srila Prabhupada's instructions, and lead by example in upholding the teachings of Lord Krishna and the mission of Lord Chaitanya, regardless of the external situations we may encounter.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
P.S. Our recent success at the 21 day occupation at the Wellington Parliament Gardens is worth highlighting. Despite challenges, we distributed 50 books a day, served 3000 plates of prasadam, and chanted Hare Krishna from 8 am to 10 pm daily. Many people we met there are now chanting daily, including a mother and her 12-year-old son who have become practicing devotees. Others attended our Kirtan Camp and are taking up the process. Everyone at Profest loves the devotees now. Even the police there were favourable to us. This shows that our determination to spread Krishna consciousness is unwavering and auspicious. Let's continue to inspire and engage more people, showcasing the power of devotional service and the spirit of ISKCON.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Muchukunda Das
Letter to our guru
Hare Krishna gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for your guidance and teachings on the path of Bhakti yoga. Your instructions have been instrumental in shaping my spiritual journey and I am truly grateful for your presence in my life.
However, I must respectfully express my disagreement with your recent instruction to not chant Hare Krishna at another protest. As you know, the philosophy of our tradition emphasizes that there are no hard and fast rules for chanting the Holy Name. The results from chanting at Profest are the kind of results I live for and so not doing it again would be impossible for me. I find no sastric injunction to support your instruction and find your wearing of "two hats" to be problematic for our relationship as guru and disciple.
In this context, I consider your instruction to be a deviation from the philosophy that we follow. While I understand that your instruction was based on political considerations, I believe that as devotees, our primary focus should always be on our spiritual practice and the chanting of the Holy Name. By restricting our ability to chant in a particular situation, we risk compromising the purity and potency of our spiritual practice.
I hope you can understand my perspective and that we can continue to engage in open and respectful dialogue about this.
Thank you for your continued guidance and support on this journey of self-realization.
With gratitude and humility,
Muchukunda Das