Fifty years ago, I was arrested along with two companions for distributing or selling religious books without a permit. It was standard for brahmacharis (monks) to end up so in the early day s of ISKCON in the US. The three of us spent a night behind bars. We went to court. The judge through the charge out thought it ridiculous and we were set free after a colourful night and day in prison in a town in North Carolina.
At the US customs in the Ottawa Airport enroute to New Jersey, I had to explain what I could about my story. They determined I wasn’t a criminal (I hadn’t even distributed a book, I didn’t have time when an officer nabbed me). I got on the flight – smooth sailing and arrived at La Guardia when Haripad and Sandamani, a couple, greeted me in anticipation for their second disksha (initiation).
In addition to the havan (fire ceremony) for this sweet couple, I also performed a simple annaprasana for a five-month-old baby. Murari received his first anna (grains) with a partial spoonful of kheer, a sweet rice/milk preparation.
See, I’m a priest, not a criminal.
In the city of Persiphany, where a new temple is ¾ of the way structurally completed, I led a chanting session with a group of 25 enthusiasts throughout the building on all floors. It really was holy – and fun. The project requires funding to complete the job, which is located in western New Jersey, the Garden State, as license plates here indicate.
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