As we come closer to Gaura Purnima, the most auspicious appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, we celebrate the ‘Be a Gardener Campaign’, as we sow and water the seeds of Bhakti. Now, we have an opportunity to do good for others, to nurture them as Lord Chaitanya tells us in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita—by becoming a gardener. Be a gardener and plant the seed of bhakti in others’ hearts. As a gardener, we read Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, and share it with others.
Srila Prabhupada put his heart and soul into bringing Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita to the whole world. He wanted everyone to read it. Srila Prabhupada, through his transcendental translations and purports in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, tells us directly about what devotional service looks like in a completely integrated state and one’s full love of God. Srila Prabhupada wanted to bring it to the world so eagerly, that he conceived of a marathon in which devotees worked nonstop to produce the Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita in an impossible amount of time. In the memorable arrival address on 20th June 1975, Srila Prabhupada emphasized the essence of his mission passed down from Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur, wherein Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Maharaj asked him to print books if he gets some money.
As of June 1975, Srila Prabhupada had managed to painstakingly complete the Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, but to his dismay publication lagged behind. On his daily walk-in June 1975, Srila Prabhupada asked Ramesvara Dasa “I want these seventeen pending books must be printed within two months. That I want. Otherwise disqualification.” This was a tall order, going from one book a month to seventeen books in two months! “Srila Prabhupada,” one devotee ventured, “I think that’s impossible.” Srila Prabhupada responded gravely “Impossible is a word found in a fool’s dictionary.”
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/be-a-gardener-campaign/
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