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Dear Devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I would like to update you all on the situation in Christchurch . As you probably know there was devastating earthquake there yesterday and the ISKCON temple was seriously damaged beyond repair. Worst of all the beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara were completely broken also beyond repair. I have just spoken to Sevananda prabhu who was offering the camara at the time of the quake which took place during the noon arati on the 22^nd Feb.

At first it seemed like just another tremor but then it continued more and more. He jumped onto the altar and put one arm around Lord Caitanya and one around Nityananda to try to hold them steady. However the quake became so fierce, as the Deities went backwards and then thrust forwards flying off of the altar. With Sevananda holding them they crashed to the ground. Seconds later the heavy simhasana also flew off the altar base and just missed both the Deities and Sevananda as it hit the floor. This was to be the last arati for Their Lordships in this form. The Deities have been wrapped in cloth and will most likely be emersed in the ocean as per the process in such severe cases. The small Deities, the large Deity of Srila Prabhupada and Giriraja are all safe and their worship is continuing. Usually there are no devotees there for the noon arati but on this day there were and by providential arrangement Jahnavi mataji was leading the kirtan.

Jahnavi (Jambavati) was instrumental for many years in the establishment of a centre in Christchurch and in maintaining the centre there. She just happened to be visiting for a few days. There were others in the temple but miraculously no one was hurt. Even Sevananda only sustained minor injuries with cuts and bruises.

Unless one has been in an earthquake you cannot imagine what it is like however. The trauma and inner effect can be very alarming. To talk that we are not the body is one thing but to realize it is another. In situations like this we sure get a big test. Now there are regular aftershocks even when I was speaking to Sevananda there was one taking place.

Canto 10.14. 58

samrit ye pada-pallava-plava

mahat-pada puya-yao murre

bhavmbudhir vatsa-pada para pada

pada pada yad vipad na tem

For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf's hoof-print. Their goal is para padam, Vaikuha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.

Christchurch has experienced numerous quakes since the big one in September last year but this one was the worst because it was nearer the surface and the epicentre was on the outskirts of the city. The whole city is cordoned off and there are nothing but army trucks bulldozers lorries and ambulances everywhere. People are leaving the city in droves. It is a reminder of the situation which we all have to face devastation of various kinds. One being death and of course the universal devastations. All the more reason why we should prepare ourselves now for the inevitable. By attaching oneself to Krsna one automatically devastates ones sojourn in the material world. That is the real devastation. All other experiences are only another step on the repeated cycle of birth and death.

Another confirmation of the necessity to enter deeply into the service on nama prabhus who will always be with us if we call Him.

Your servant
Janananda Gosvami

RG Veda 1.156.3

au sya jnanto nma-cid-viviktanas

mahas te vio sumati bhajmahe

au tat sat

O Supreme Lord, r Viu! Your sacred nma is absolutely cognizant and all-illuminating because the entire Vedic scriptures have emanated from Him. Your nma is the wellspring of supreme bliss, the embodiment of Brahman, is readily available, and is full of transcendental knowledge. We meditate upon the purport of Your nma, discuss nma amongst ourselves, and chant Your nma continuously. In this way, we worship you.