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Sometime in the year 2018 Rashmi Mataji had come to meet me to explore the possibility of getting an engagement for Trailblazers where she was working. Although we didn't engage her however during COVID when she learnt about my lay off she immediately messaged me is there anything i can do for you? you can feel free to call if you require any support. This meant a lot to me. At a time when nuts and bolts are down every one who is supportive in any way makes a big difference. In one of the interactions we had i gave her the copy of a book close to my heart Teh Journey Home - By His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj.

Fast forward in 2023 she joined DScoop part of Hewlett Packard, by then i had my own business in the area of Culture Consulting where we help organizations evolve in the area of their respective culture. She called me to check, if i could do a workshop for her community which had leading Printers from all parts of India, soon i ended up in Delhi for conducting a workshop in Delhi.

Since then we lost touch until i came across photo of Sri Sri Radha Govindji on her WhatsApp update, I immediately messaged her inquiring about her connection with our ISKCON Thane Temple, she said she is involved in garland seva, i was like Wow its a small world. Few weeks passed she sent a picture of the garland which took her 3 hours. This garland is placed in the lotus like right hand of Srimati Radha Rani.

Since one year me and my wife Gaurangipriya have been regularly going to ISKCON Thane for Shayan Seva and for Sringar Seva  when I first got the seva of dressing Srimati Radha Rani i was in different world, i couldn't believe after i was done with the seva, out of excitement i sent the pictures to my near and dear ones letting them know i had the fortune of Serving Srimati Radharani, however when i learnt from Rashmi Mataji for one garland it takes 3 hours i was thinking how without garlands and flowers Darshan will be incomplete.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ”**

If one offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with devotion, I accept it.

In case of Rashmi Mataji and many others involved in Garland seva they are not offering one puspam but hundreds of puspam every single day 365 days a year.
In case of Gajendra when he was caught by the crocodile and was suffering, he plucked a lotus flower and lifted it toward the sky, crying out: “Nārāyaṇa! I am offering you one flower! Save me!” Even while in pain, he searched for a lotus. The flower became a symbol of his surrender. He did not offer wealth, rituals, or big sacrifices—just a flower with desperate devotion. This flower was offered with tears, humility, and helplessness — pure bhakti. Within few moments the Lord Vishnu mounted on Garuda and instantly was there to save him.

What touched me most in this entire journey was a realization that came slowly, quietly, and powerfully—the realization that garland seva is not just a service; it is a lifeline of devotion.

For those who stand before the Deities each day, taking darshan, the beauty of the altar appears complete and divine. But behind that divine beauty are unseen hands, hands that spend hours threading petals, hands that select each flower with care, hands that sit silently in the early morning or late evening, ensuring that every garland is perfect for Their Lordships. These hands often go unnoticed. Yet, Krishna notices. Radharani notices. Because devotion offered in silence is the devotion which I believe Supreme Lord treasures the most.

When I heard that Rashmi Mataji spends three hours making just one garland for Srimati Radharani's lotus-like right hand, something shifted in my heart. I realized that while I may have the fortune to do the final sringar, it is her devotion—and the devotion of so many like her—that makes the sringar complete. Without their garlands, without their flowers, the darshan would feel incomplete, the altar would feel empty, and our hearts would feel something missing.

Krishna says He accepts even one flower offered with love.
Then what is the value of hundreds of flowers, offered every single day,
offered without seeking recognition,
offered without applause,
offered only out of love?

It is a devotion beyond words.

The story of Gajendra reminds us that it is not the flower that saves us—it is the heart behind the flower. In the same way, every garland offered by these devotees carries their heart. Each petal becomes a prayer. Each thread becomes a mantra. Each garland becomes a silent offering of surrender.

To me, such devotees are the hidden pillars of the temple—the ones who hold up the spiritual experience for all of us. Their seva teaches us what true bhakti looks like:
Quiet.
Steady.
Consistent.
Filled with love.
Free from ego.

It is their devotion that makes our darshan beautiful. It is their sincerity that enhances the beauty of Krishna and Radharani. And it is their humility that reminds us that the greatest service is often done where no one is watching—except the Divine.

As I look back at my connection with Rashmi Mataji—from a professional meeting, to unexpected kindness during my layoff, to the Delhi workshop, to reconnecting through the darshan of Radha Govindji—I realize that Krishna arranges relationships far beyond what we can see. Some connections come into our lives not for business, not for opportunity, but to reveal spiritual lessons, make me learn what devotion looks like in action.

I end with deep gratitude for all devotees like her our mother, wife, daughter and many others,
who work quietly in the background,
who touch no stage,
who receive no applause,
yet whose seva makes the entire temple shine.

May we recognize them.
May we honour them.
May we learn from them.

And may we also have the fortune—even once in our life—to offer flowers to Krishna and Radharani with the same purity, patience, and love that they offer every day.

Because in the end, it is not the garland we offer to the Deities—
but the garland we place at Their lotus feet
made of our time, effort, devotion, and heart.

That garland… Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govinddevji never forget.

Your Insignificant Servant,
Mahaprakash Das