Today is the disappearance day of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. It is on this day 15 years ago I first entered into an ISKCON Temple so this day has a sentimental value for me. Unfortunately, I am so dull I forgot that today is the disappearance day and hence did not fast half day. I will fast (half-day) tomorrow.
It is said that the appearance and disappearance of a divine person such as Srila Prabhupada should be considered the same unlike where the birth and death of a mundane person is seen as sources of joy and sorrow respectively. It is treated the same because souls such as Srila Prabhupada are completely spiritual devoid of any material contamination. They come into this world and leave this world as they please and they are not controlled or forced by the laws of karma unlike mundane people. So on this day we should pray to such great personalities for their mercy and blessings. We should pray that we clean our hearts of material desires and pray we remain humble servants of the servants of the servants of Krishna. In all circumstances we pray to fix our consciousness at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. This sort of prayer only can benefit us, everything else not this is a burden.
On this auspicious day, I would like for the readers to read a pastime of Prabhupada that happened after his departure from this world. It happened as a dream to one of his disciples. The above picture is a painting she envisioned in her dream.
Some time after Srila Prabhupada left this world, I had a very powerful dream….In that visionary dream, I saw Srila Prabhupada sitting on a huge lion-flanked and jewel-bedecked Vyasasana. His Vyasasana rested on the brightly shimmering globe of Mother Earth, and was positioned just above the sacred land of India. Behind him, the vast curvature of the earth planet was visible. A silvery bluish-white light emanated from the center of the vision, forming a giant oval, in which Srila Prabhupada sat.
Below him were many crowds of people–all races, nationalities, and all ages–all the people of the world, reaching out from darkness. They were pointing toward Srila Prabhupada, in awe and wonder, exclaiming, reaching out, praising, and acknowledging him according to their various abilities. Many were in darkness, in worldly life, yet they were all reaching out toward Srila Prabhupada, seeking his mercy.
Above Srila Prabhupada, in the shimmering silver-blue sky, many swan-shaped airplanes circled. In these airplanes, devas were singing praises and showering flowers. Cascades of colorful blossoms tumbled down from their swan planes, as they glorified Srila Prabhupada. With sweet sounding instruments, and heavenly chorus, they sang “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare…” Their joyful mood spread throughout the universe.
They were celebrating Lord Chaitanya’s mission on Earth, and showering blessings upon His Senapati Bhakta, His Commander-in-Chief, Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada sat regally upon the huge Vyasasana, like a lion king sits atop a mountain. From there he could see all the world and its inhabitants, their sufferings, and their great need for Krishna Consciousness. In his mood of compassionate contemplation, he saw each person’s needs and desires, past and present karmas, and he devised ways to bring their hearts back to home, to love of God.
His Vyasasana shone brightly, like a brilliant golden chariot, bedecked with shimmering jewels. Golden lions flanked each side of his seat, each with piercing ruby eyes. The Vyasasana was SO dazzling, with sparkling jewels
of every color, that at first I could not see that something was written there. Then, like a camera’s zoom lens, the base of the Vyasasana came into full focus. As the focal point moved in onto the base, I saw, just beneath Srila Prabhupada’s Lotus Feet, written in glittering jewels, was the word, “ISKCON.”
As the dream faded, I was told to take color notes, and was instructed to paint a picture of this vision. And the realization was transmitted to me, that “ISKCON” is Srila Prabhupada’s Vahana, his sitting place, his carrier, just as Lord Shiva has a bull carrier, and Ganesh a rat, and Lord Vishnu, the glorious Eagle Garuda.
- by H.G.Govinda Dasi (For more on the dream - please click link)
On this auspicious day, I beg Srila Prabhupada's mercy and blessings and unto all assembled Vaishnavas to bless me on my journey towards Krishna.
Hare Krishna
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