Gender

Male

Location

Mira Road, Thane, Maharashtra

Birthday:

October 28

Name / Initiated name

Damodara Pandita dasa

Daily number of rounds of Hare Krishna mahamantra.

16+

When, where and how did you come into contact with the Hare Krishna Movement?

Radhagopinath

Name the nearest or most frequently Visited ISKCON temple/ centre and name few of the devotees whom you know.

Radhagopinath

Please describe yourself so that other like minded devotees can find you.

Most worshipable Prabhus! All of the great ‘acharyas’ and the sacred scriptures reiterate that unalloyed devotional service can only be attained by endlessly striving to take complete shelter of the association of devotees and thus be ultimately blessed by becoming the servant of the servant of the servant . . . . . . of the Vaishnava. For this fallen soul, nothing is more inspiring, refreshing and soothing than just a few moments of intimate interaction with sincere, humble and dedicated devotees. Each time, something is said by a devotee or heard from a devotee, it has the Lord’s special empowerment to change stone hearts like mine. I am desperately in need of encouragement, guidance, protection, affection and support, so that my stone heart does not continue to become more and more afflicted by arrogance and false pride. Please bestow the priceless treasure of your association upon this worthless being even though he is most undeserving . . . . . ‘vaishnava paro dukha dukhi’. Since the past decade, it has been my extreme good fortune to have been given some service at Bhaktivedanta Hospital in counselling patients and family members, as a result of which the need arose for guiding children who are victims of anything from parental neglect to social prejudice and exploitation. In pursuance of that, “Bal Samskara Kala Kshetra” was born in 1998 at Mira Road, Thane, Mumbai. Since that time, there are regular Sunday classes for children, at the 5th floor hall of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., wherein children chant ‘japa’, write Hare Krishna ‘maha-mantra’, recite Gita ‘shlokas’ and sing other important ‘bhajans’, participate in running ‘kirtanas’, perform ‘arati’ to Their Lordships Shri Shri Shri Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra, take lunch ‘prasada’, hear about and paint and colour various scenes of the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees. This multifaceted youth group is slowly churning out serious, steady and committed devotees, some of whom have been counsellees for over half a decade. The annual “CHILDREN’S PAINTING CONTEST” has created history . . . . . more than 20,000 children (from all the major schools) participate, irrespective of caste and creed, in and around Mira Road. – it is not surprising to see Christians and Muslims winning major prizes for their incredible talent, much to the delight of their proud parents. By the inconceivable mercy of Their Lordships Shri Shri Gaura Nitai, Shri Shri Krishna Balarama and Shri Shri Radha Shyamasundara Lalita Visakha, more than 60 children enroll themselves for the annual “Bal Samskara Vraja Summer Training Camp” that lasts for 12 action packed days of attending the morning program at Krishna Balarama Mandira and offering exceptional services such as making flower garlands, cleaning Deity paraphernalia and undertaking the herculean task of cleaning Srila Prabhupada’s museum and ‘samadhi’, thereby making them the worthy object of all the devotees’ mercy and affection. Their enduring enthusiasm in chanting the Holy Names, at all the major places of Krishna’s pastimes, attracts leading Brijwasis to invite them to honour ‘maha prasada’ at many of the most prominent shrines in Vraja.; a clear indication of the impact of a child’s attempted devotion on the heart of even an exalted resident of the holy ‘dhama’ of Vrindavan. How wonderful it would be if so many children, beginning with my worthless self, could be the fortunate recipients of the soothing shade of the desire tree of your causeless mercy through your divine association! Hence, this urgent plea at your lotus feet!

What are your expectations from this community?

Blessings and encouragement from all the devotees!

Describe any specific service you would love to offer to Lord Krishna & His devotees?

dsdsd