An Amazing Evening at ISKCON Miami

An Amazing Evening at ISKCON Miami
One evening back in the early 70's I was a young brahmacari (celibate monk) serving in the ISKCON temple on Kumquat
Avenue in Miami, Florida USA. It was a typical evening. All the devotees had gathered in the prasadam room to drink hot milk. Much to our surprise two armed gunman entered the room bringing with them Bhaktin Pattie as a hostage. One of them had a pistol barrel pressed against Bhaktin Pattie's temple and his hand over her mouth to muffle her cries of terror. The other one had a rifle and a stocking covering his face. They ordered us, "Get down on the floor." All the devotees fearfully complied with the barked order except for me. I loudly yelled out the name of that Supreme Lord Who is famous for protecting His devotees, "Nrsimhadeva!!" Now instead of Bhaktin Pattie having that pistol pointed at her, it was now pointed at me. I immediately decided that it was time to try negotiation. So I said, "We're your friends. What do you want?". One of the theives replied, "The money. Where is the money?".

Just at that moment, having heard the commotion going in the prasadam room, the temple president, Abhirama Prabhu entered the prasadam room from the adjoining temple treasury office to see what what was going on. Seeing the robbery attempt he then immediately turned around to go back into the treasury office. The thief with the pistol ran after him and bashed him on the head with the butt of the pistol cutting his head and thus drawing blood. Being a great transcendentalist, Abhirama Prabhu remained cool-headed in spite of his bleeding head and spoke out loudly to the temple treasurer, Yadavacarya Prabhu, who was sitting behind the desk in the treasury in which there was a gun in the desk drawer, "Get the gun and shoot the bastards." As soon as the thieves heard this they were running scared out the door. Yadavacarya grabbed the gun, ran to doorway and fired a shot at them. Missing them the bullet entered the wall. The thieves were now long gone never to return.

Shortly after this incident ISKCON's GBC represensative, Rupanuga Prabhu, visited ISKCON Miami and in a meeting with all the devotees expressed his appreciation that I had uttered the name of Lord Nrsimhadeva in this dangerous situation. This is a good lesson for all devotees, that whenever there is danger we can call out the name of Lord Nrsimhadeva for protection.

My disciples in Lithuania have made a very nice video in remembrance of this event. You can see that video by clicking here.

Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom

Appeal: Teach Me How to Go Back to Godhead

I have suffered a lot in this material world, and I really want to leave. I hope I can go to Krishna's kingdom in my next life and will never come back to this material world again. I hope I can do it soon. I also need you to teach me what to do.

Regards,
David Lio

Answer: Follow These Guidelines

My Dear David,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Here is your ticket back to the spiritual world. Follow these guidelines:
https://krishnaconsciousness.com/at-home

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.

Your ever well-wisher,
Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Qualify Yourself to Go Back to Godhead

Qualify Yourself to Go Back to Godhead
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Sankarshan Das Adhikari is one of the spiritual masters of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement. He has dedicated the last 50 years of his life for bringing a spiritual revolution to planet earth by spreading the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna all over the world. He is based in Austin, Texas and when there is no pandemic regularly travels all over the world teaching his audiences how to attain Krishna consciousness, the highest stage of spiritual awakening. He is available for media interviews and to speak to groups and organizations either in person or via the internet.

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