Dear Vaishnavas,

Hare Krishna !

All glories to Lord Jagannatha !

All glories to Srila Prabhupad !

When a lotus blooms, bees come on it's own accord...

I am part of this beautiful Hare-Krishna movement since birth. I would like to start a discussion as to, how you got attracted to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness ?

What made you join this beautiful movement ?

Was it the grand Rath Yatras ? Was it the magic of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra ? Was it the magnificence of it's temples and the beautiful and exquisitely dressed archa-vigrahas residing in them ? Was it the foreigners wearing Vaishnava attire singing deliriously the glory of Supreme Personality of Godhead ? Was it the erudition of devotees ? Was it some book ? Was it the unique style of dancing ? Was it the unique style of singing ? Was it the taste of Prasadam ? Was it the Vaishnava tilaka and attire ? Or, was it that you just fell in love with the blue bodied handsome boy named Krishna ? 

What was it that attracted you to this beautiful movement ?

Please share it in this forum !

Your servant,

Krishna Mukherji  

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Replies

  • Hare Krishna Prabhu. Thank you for the opportunity to share. ISKCON has been a part of my family for most of my life with Lord Krishna being our primary family deity. it was however a mixture of all the deities we worshipped, so it was never solely just Lord Krishna. A few years back I had the wonderful experience of visiting New Vrindavan in West Virginia. Till this day that place is perfect to me in every way and very close to my heart. I was immediately attracted and wish I could return again and again. Last year I was very fortunate to be there for Sri Krishn Janmashtami. It was absolutely magical, an experience I'll always cherish. The day after Janmashtami, we were getting set for our long drive back to New Jersey and we went into the temple to pay our respects. The program for Srila Prabhupad had just started. I thought I would sit for a few minutes and listen to the speaker. That moment changed my life. Each devotee that spoke had personal contact with Srila Prabhupad  and recalled with great emotion all the little moments with him that turned into grand experiences. Everyone was crying as we listened to speaker after speaker. For the first time it really hit me what a great soul he was, how much he had done and is still doing for this world. Today I look at ISKCON with different eyes. There is so much beauty and wonder and splendor in everything, from the way devotees dress, to the kirtan to the prasadam, to the way their faces light up when they speak of Krishna....I am constantly in awe. As Janmashatami is drawing closer my mind keeps going back to last year's experiences. I pray for Srila Prabhpada's and my Krishna's mercy that this feeling of awe never goes away and my consciousness becomes increasingly purified, and one day I become worthy of being a devotee. Hare Krishna

    • Hare Krishna Mataji !

      You have shared with us quite a wonderful experience about your pilgrimage. From your talks it seems that you had an association with ISKCON since young age but the faith gained momentum after your visit to the magnificent New Vrindavan Community, West Virginia, USA. After you visit, you started seeing ISKCON with new eyes.

      Your description of program for Srila Prabhupad at the community temple made me emotional. He was indeed a great soul who changed lives of many people worldwide. For us, it sometimes becomes extremely difficult to make at least one devotee, whereas Prabhupad made lakhs of devotees worldwide. Today, those who are entering this society, are entering because of goodwill of Prabhupad. Due to his efforts, when people think of Krishna, ISKCON comes to their mind. Thus, today Krishna is synonymous with ISKCON.  

      You truly encapsulated whatever good there is in ISKCON, in brief. May Krishna and Srila Prabhupad fulfill all your transcendental aspirations.

       Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

      Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare 

       

      For new comers, following is the information about the magnificent New Vrindavan community :

      One of Srila Prabhupada's most cherished desires was to establish the New Vrindavan Community in America. He spoke at great length about building a replica of Vrindavan India, where there are seven main temples. In 1968, The New Vrindavan Community was founded in West Virginia to fulfill Prabhupada's dream of an ideal society based on Krishna Consciousness, or love of God. When Prabhupada set down the first guidelines for such a community, the idea seemed out of reach to the small band of devotees struggling through a hard winter on a small, rundown farm. There was no electricity, no running water in their only building, a battered pioneer shack. But when Srila Prabhupada had a vision of "seven temples on the seven hills," suddenly all obstacles seemed insignificant to his followers. By 1972, the community had expanded from 100 acres to 500 acres.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HchY8ptLps

  • By reading Bhagavad Gita as it is and off course, by falling in love with Krishna!

    • Great ! This is the reason why Srila Prabhupada emphasized on book distribution. Many have joined this society just after reading Bhagavad Gita as it is. It's like nectar. 

  • Hare Krishna 

    Very nice discussion .

    For me it is PRERANA LECTURES AND CHETNA LECTURES through IDT .

  • Hare Krishna!

    I have been through many demigod worships. The moment I came to Krishna Consciousness, my life really changed. Things in my life changed. When I see anything that is related to Krishna, I feel extreme joy. Whatever it may be, Hearing  and Chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra,The extremely beautiful Deities,the appearance and behaviour of devotees,The Ratha Yatras,The Bhagavatgita, vaishnava songs, the dancing in ecstasy. Everything, practically everything that relates to Krishna attracts me.Specifically, It was the RathaYatra festival. I attended the RathaYatra festival in Kurnool(Andhra Pradesh). I didn't dance for a single step till that time. But in that festival, I don't  know what happened. I just danced for 4 continuous hours. I think the reason for this is because Krishna is ALL ATTRACTIVE.

    All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

    Hari BOl

    • Yes Sakaray Prabhuji, you have summed up the main reason for all the jivas getting attracted towards Lord Krishna. Jivas get attracted towards Lord Krishna because He is extremely attractive. The name Krishna literally means 'all attractive'. 

      I liked your revelation that you never danced before the said Rath Yatra but on the day of Rath Yatra you danced continuously for 4 hours ! Great ! Many people have experienced this same ecstasy.

      Thanks for sharing your experiences...

      Wish you a Krishna conscious life ! 

      Hare Krishna !

      Hari bol !

       

  • first i came to iskcon temple along with my friend in college day in faizpur dist jalgaon. i always go there in sunday program and festivals.due krishna kripa today i m in aurangabad where iskcon temple is near to my room.and today i m not missing weekly program. today i follow 4 regulatve principles, before that i m non vegeterian. daily i read bhaggvatgita and bhagvatm and other iskcon books,chanting holyname and also i hear iskcon kirtan bhajan on my mobile. today i m happy due to iskcon.
    HARE KRISNA hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
    hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare.
    • Great ! So, what attracted you to ISKCON ? Please specify prabhuji...

      Hare Krishna !

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