The last two days functions were held for remembering Krishna on His birthday, however, today was the official Janmasthami and we celebrated it in the city of Halifax. Since our community here is fairly new, we do not yet have a building of our own, so we are left to secure a rented place. Now, where are you going to find a place large enough and late enough (remember Krishna bhaktas celebrate His birth at midnight), so like last year a community hall was secured at a hockey arena site, It certainly wasn't big enough. From 8 pm to 1 am the facility was packed and with the happiest people.
The Halifax group were jumping, dancing, singing, smiling and serious at the same time. It was reverential mood when it came time to deliver a pravachan, a talk about Krishna's glories. Mind you, myself as the honoured guest would have to shout, "Shanti! Shanti!" which means peace, and it worked. There were times where we would belch out, "Love krishna" and the crowd would repeat it.
One special feature of this evening was the spontaneous acting gestures to my reading two poems about Krishna by Daniel and Yogendra. Much like the previous day in Moncton when Nakula's spontaneity to poem, "The Charm Boy." When I was given the microphone I also did a pitch for the "Bhagavad Gita," encouraging people to acquire a copy of the ancient text. "If you have a Gita in your home it is equal to having a murti or a diety of the Lord." The people responded to all we announced. Of course I did a plug in for the upcoming MANtra retreat meant for men on September 20-22 and the people can register on-line.
Source: https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/loving-krishna-in-halifax
Comments