Sweet Memories of Russia

12 May 2008--Today we are leaving Russia heading back to Lithuania. As I write these words we are being driven by Lila Avatar Prabhu from Kaliningrad to Sovetsk, where we will walk across the border by crossing the bridge over the Neman River to be picked up by my Latvian disciple, Damodar Das. These few days in Russia were truly the sweetest nectar. We had the most enlivening kirtans, the most enlivening classes, and the most enlivening association. Now with joyful anticipation we are already planning our next visit in October from the 17th through the 20th. This is how life should always be, filled to the brim with ecstatic Krishna consciousness. And this indeed is how it can always be. All we have to do is make a little endeavor each day to plug ourselves into Krishna, just as a lamp becomes illuminated when it is plugged into an electrical outlet.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Hare Krishna Kirtan from Russia with Love

Sweet Transcendental Russian Farewell

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Questions: Why Are Pure Devotees Ridiculed?

Why are pure devotees ridiculed? Why do people talk badly about them? Why does God Himself suffer ridicule and endure torment from envious persons? As the Supersoul, He can inspire within the heart of anyone or any being kindness. So, why does He allow His Devotees and Himself to suffer?

I am confused because I thought that pure devotees could attract and deliver everyone in the service of God. I thought people would naturally be drawn to pure devotees...but, it appears that is not the case. I do not understand. Nor, do I understand why devotees quarrel among themselves. What does it matter where you go to worship the Lord, whether it is at Anne's house or Frank's house? If you feel more comfortable worshiping at Anne's house, then why does Frank get upset?

Sophia

Answer: They Become More Glorified

Just as soldiers become decorated, glorified heroes by acting courageously in active combat during wartime, similarly when Krishna's pure devotees face ridicule and harassment in the course of preaching Krishna consciousness this is Krishna's special arrangement so that his pure devotees can become more and more worshipped and glorified in the human society. Krishna is more pleased when His pure devotees are worshipped than when He is worshipped. Therefore He makes special arrangements so that they can become famous in the human society.

Krishna is never disturbed by the ridicule of anyone. When a large caravan passes, who cares for few small barking dogs?

Even though Krishna is the Supreme Controller, He allows every living being the choice of surrendering to Him or rebelling against Him. Krishna wants our love, and our love can only be given to Him voluntarily. It it cannot be extracted by force. This is the nature of love.

Pure devotees are empowered by the Lord to bring everyone to the sweet reservoir of Krishna consciousness. But just as we can lead a horse to the water but we cannot force it to drink, it remains the choice of the living beings whether or not they will drink the sweet water of Krishna consciousness.

Those who are advanced in Krishna consciousness never quarrel amongst themselves. It is only the neophyte devotees who sometimes quarrel amongst themselves. As soon as one becomes an advanced devotee he sees everything as the property of Krishna and thus there is no need to fight over anything.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari