Sri Sikshastakam 2

By Bhakta Gautam

For the Pleasure of their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Mai

 

Continuing from the first seminar on Sri Sikshastakam by HG Gaura Chandra Prabhu and HG Upendra Prabhu, Sri Sikshastakam Part-2 was organized by HG Krishna Chandra Prabhu. Sri Sikshastakam Part-2 was again held in the seminar halls in SJKML and two simultaneous classes took place like before: one in English by HG Tyaga Caitanya Prabhu and the other in Hindi for the Gauradesh devotees by Mayur Prabhu.

 

 

HG Tyaga Caitanya Prabhu touched upon the importance of Sri Sikshastakam in our Vaishnava philosophy and in our Gaudiya Sampradaya. Prabhu carefully explained that the whole of the teachings of the Goswamis are an elaborate study of these eight verses given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Prabhu also pointed to the mood and teachings of all great Acharyas in our sampradaya like Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur, Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati and Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. These are all based on these eight verses left by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Please find attached a powerpoint which gives detailed analysis and description of all the verses. Prabhu also pointed that the first 4 verses are the mood one needs to develop to progress in and towards devotional life and the last 4 are the symptoms of a devotee who is progressively practising in pure state. Prabhu then discussed the anarthas or unwanted things on our path to pure devotional service. He classified these in 4 broad ways for us to identify them and at least theoretically remember so we can tackle them.

 

Mayur Prabhu very enthusiastically gave the class in Hindi to a crowd of more than 30 Gauradesh devotees. He first established the highest position of Sikshashtakam. He told how whole bhakti process is simply given in these 8 verses starting from new devotee until highest sate of prema. He elaborated more on first verse of Sikshashtakam. How we have to start cleaning the dust of different kind of anartha’s in our heart by chanting the holy name of Lord. As one chant holy name he gets different benefits. How the congregational chanting of holy is simplest, most sublime and only process in Kali Yuga to achieve highest benediction.Mayur Prabhu kept the seminar very simple very and interactive. Prabhu explained importance of holy name through different pastimes of the Lord and His devotees. He asked the Gauradesh devotees to enact the stories as he was narrating and explaining them so as to engage all the devotees and enable them to get deeper personal realizations. Prabhu chose different sets of devotees for different stories to give everybody a chance to engage themselves. He touched on the aspect of being truly humble to perform the service properly and to please the Lord and His devotees. He then asked all the devotees to come in front one by one to share their realizations and main points in class in Bengali for the benefit of all. This made everybody feel that they are really part of class. There were new bhakta guests who came for the first time to the temple and they were enthusiastically received by everyone loudly chanting 3 Haribols.

 

 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank HG Tyaga Caitanya Prabhu for such an inspiring lecture full of insights into the Sri Sikshastakam and for reminding us what Acharyas have said before about the need to put our full endeavor and receive Krishna’s mercy through Vaishnavas so as to progress in devotional life. I would like to thank Mayur Prabhu for inspiring all the Gauradesh devotees and fully engaging them in progressing in devotional life with stern determination. Also, I thank HG Krishna Chandra Prabhu for taking the initiative and organizing this seminar series for the benefit of the devotees.

 

  

 

Sankalpa Camp at SJKML

By Bhakta Mayur

Hare Krishna to all the dear devotees of the Lord,

 

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Gouranga.

 

On the occasion of the CNY weekend holidays, Gautam Prabhu and I arranged for a small camp named “SANKALPA” on Sunday the 25^th of January from 1 pm – 6 pm for professionals from various IT industries at Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur. This was possible under the inspiration and guidance of HG Gaurchandra Pr, HG Krishna Chandra Pr and HG Utama Chaitanya Pr. There was a total of 10 participants. We were fortunate to have the presence of HG Krishna Chandra Pr, HG Utama Pr and one guest devotee, HG Madhur Krishna Pr from Mumbai.

 

Sri Sikshastakam Seminar at SJMKL

By Bhakta Gautam

 

Hare Krishna to all the dear devotees of the Lord,

 

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Sri Gouranga.

 

First of all, I would like to humbly thank, on behalf of all the devotees who attended the seminar, HG Gaura Chandra Prabhu and HG Upendra Prabhu for such an inspiring and insightful session on the Sri Sikshastakam on Monday the 29^th of December. The seminar took place in the seminar halls of SJKML from 11 am till 1 pm for the pleasure of Their Lordships and Their devotees. It was divided into two parallel sessions. One was in English, presided by HG Gaura Chandra Prabhu, and the second was in Hindi, led by HG Upendra Prabhu. The only fees or qualification required to attend the session was to have the sincerity to learn, make advancement in spiritual life and then preach to others.

 

KL Rath Yatra

By HG Uttama Caitanya Das

 

Hare Krishna.

 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

 Most of the times we don’t know what in store for us.It was virtually pouring cats and dogs from early morning of Saturday, 3^rd January. The was no sign of the sun. A dreary change of weather from the previous sunny days. Is the 28^{th  wet affair? Many feared so.}

 A few firsts have been recorded this year. For the first time, three chariots have been arranged for Their Lordships in Kuala Lumpur. Secondly, the route was entirely in Brickfields. Thirdly, we are using the Kandiah Hall for the first time as well.

 A lot of work and preparation went into the festival and the devotees were anxious that the weather shall not wreak havoc.

 Some major technical complications had to be sorted till the eleventh hour that included the parking of the chariot, the power supply for the chariot and the police permit. Somehow the battle seemed endless. It was sweet though.

The procession was planned to begin at 4.00pm. Some 100 devotees braved the drizzle and waited. We are almost set to move. Their Lordships. Sri Sri Jagannatha-Baldeva-Subhadra have already taken Their respective regal seats, as if they beautifully showering benediction to the devout and desolate through the tiny drops of rain.

 Srila Prabhupada’s murti was placed on Lord Baladeva’s chariot. He is our expert navigator, naturally. His Holiness Bhaktivrajendra Nandana Swami conducted the opening arati.

 Three kirtan groups were enthusiastically chanting the Holy Names. The Klang Yatra were given the task to pull and lead Lord Baladeva’s chariot; the Bengali devotees, Sri Subhadra’s chariot; and the rest, Lord Jagannatha’s chariot.

 Off we went at 4.30pm first moving along the Palm Court apartments and Sri Vinagar Temple. Murphy’s Law strikes – the first chariot’s power cable snaps because the chariot moved too fast forward. It was taking a while to sort out. So we decided to move on without lights for a while.

 The next unexpected hurdle – the overhead pass opposite Pines Apartment. We assumed the last chariot would pass through bearing in mind the bridge was 16 feet and 8 inches in height (at least the board says that) and Lord Jagannatha’s chariot was suppose to be 15 feet in height. But no. Lord Jagannatha had other plans. The top spire was an obstacle. Finally, it had to be removed through a daring feat.

 The weather was perfect now. By Lord Krishna’s mercy. Oblivious to all the hiccups, the devotees were all in bliss.

 The police’s refusal to allow us through the main thoroughfare of Brickfields (i.e. Jalan Tun Sambanthan) was a letdown. The shop operators were a little disappointed. Maybe, next year!

 

By now the crowd had swelled to about 600 devotees.An added attraction was the distribution of 1000 packets of free prasadam (mee hoon) to the public by the Food For Life team. Eager devotees and children with wide smiles on their faces were handing out packet prasadam to the public. Who would refuse? On top of that more than 5000 mini prasadam packets were also distributed.

 

As the evening sun was setting, the real majesty of the chariot came to light. The brilliance of the bulbs made the chariot glow in the dark. The Deities were also wonderfully illuminated for the public to have nice darsan.

 

The procession went along Jalan Thambi Abdullah, Jalan Padang Belia, Jalan Scott, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and finally back to Jalan Tun Sambanthan before reaching Kandiah Hall at 9.30pm.

 

The avid sankirtan devotees were gleefully distributing hundreds of books along the way. Srila Prabhupada’s programme was fulfilled – congregational chanting of the Holy Names, give-away of prasadam and distribution of books.

 

A few hundred people were eagerly awaiting at the hall to receive Lord Jagannatha. The stage was decorated beautifully for the pleasure of their Lordships with lots of flowers devotedly arranged by our devotees.

 

More than 300 bhoga plates were ready in place for offering. As soon as the Deities were seated on the stage altar, the bhoga offering was made.

 

His Holiness Bhanu Swami spoke on the glories of RathaYatra and Malaysia’s record-breaking number of chariot festivals. Next, His Holiness Bhaktivrajendra Nandana Swami elaborated on the glories of the Holy Name. Finally, His Grace Simheswara prabhu shared Srila Prabhupada’s Ratha Yatra pastimes from the early days of ISKCON in US.

 

After the arati, it was time for the stage events. Two dramas and a dance were showcased much to the delight of the 300 odd audience who stayed glued to the seat despite the late hour.

 

Meanwhile, wonderful prasadam was being served to guests. An estimated 1500 devotees and guests attended this event that included devotees from New Zealand, Australia and Singapore.

 

We thank all the wonderful devotees and friends whose immense support and service made this festival a success. A wonderful, transcendental was to begin the new year – a spiritual juggernaut!

 

Sri Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra Mahotsava ki, jaya!!!