Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I'm going to tell you about my spiritual journey initiation in Krishna Consciousness. When I was in Bengaluru, first time I heard about the ISKCON temple and visited near by beautiful ISKCON temple with my friend, that time I was not aware of term 'ISKCON' and their preachings about the Krishna consciousness. Just seen the beauty of temple and have snacks (kachori, smosha and sweets) than returned to home.
After few months, I took transfer to Pune for my job in TCS (TATA Consultancy Services Ltd.). I had joined the project in TCS Cerebrum IT Park and started working as usual but one day I met with Prem Solanki (Padmanayan das prabhu) in my project. As time passed I had a very good personal bonding with Prem because we are sharing the same native place near by Indore. I had shared my experience with him regarding ISCKON temple and that was not good because I have heard lots of wrong things about the temple. He insists to visit the temple once again but in Pune to elucidate my doubts. I thought let's visit again with him, that might give different notion then previous one.
One day before, Prem Prabhu told me that, will go to the temple next early morning (around 3.45 AM) to attend the Mangla Aarti along with Santosh Biradar Prabhu to Camp Pune. I slept early at night and woke up early in the morning and took a bath and got ready to go the temple. We reached to temple before mangla aarti. The priest opened the temple door, and start the Aarti at 4.30 AM and it was a never before experience for me and we danced so much. Tulsi Aarti started after finishing the Guru Aarti (Mangla Aarti). At 5.30, all are started the chanting holy mahamantra “HARE KRSIHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE” till two hours (to 7.30 AM). I also started the chanting Hare Krishna with devotees in the temple hall, but I was not aware the importance of Hare Krishna Mahamantra that time and used to manage the chanting Om Namaha Shivaya and Hare Krishna together. Instead of that, I had felt the positive vibes and energy around me. At 7.30, Guru (Srila Prabhupad) Aarti started and in that we danced to much. After finishing this Aarti, the time had come for the Shringar Darshan (divine) of Radha Kunjbihari and Gour Nitai bhagvan.
This is the actual start of my spiritual journey. After that I have used to go Mangla Aarti in fortnight or monthly and attended the spiritual lectures at Temple and H.G. Suddha Nitai Prabhu's (Councillor) home to know about the transcendental knowledge of Bhakti yoga.
Thanks to my Gurus Prem Prabhu, Santosh Prabhu and H.G. Suddha Nitai Prabhu for such a wonderful gift given to me and guide me in understanding the Krishna as supreme Lord and given the opportunity to serve the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord with devotion. Nowadays, because of only your blessings and kind support to me, able to chant 16 rounds of Mala and wore the Tulsi Kanti. I will never ever forget the mercy which you have showered on me.
Hare Krishna!
Rajeev
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