By Vilasini Devi Dasi
By the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga my journey in Krishna consciousness formally began in 2007 when I received initiation from His Holiness Indradyumna Swami. From that sacred moment a seed of bhakti was planted deep within my heart. Through his compassion enthusiasm and unwavering faith in the holy names that seed was lovingly nurtured and protected.
Inspired by his instructions I engaged in book distribution carrying Srila Prabhupada’s books to airports colleges and public spaces. These early years of sankirtan deeply shaped my spiritual life. I learned that distributing transcendental knowledge is not simply an activity but an offering of one’s heart. Through preaching programs and personal outreach my faith strengthened and my conviction deepened.
Later I had the opportunity to serve and preach at the Atlanta temple where I received invaluable association and guidance. Working closely with senior devotees such as Sikhi Mahiti Prabhu and Balabhadra Prabhu I received a strong foundation in Krishna consciousness where philosophy service and humility became inseparable. During this period I was also blessed to participate in the Panihati celebration in the association of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami whose presence left a lasting impression on my spiritual journey.
In time I moved to the Alachua community where I experienced some of the happiest moments of my life as a devotee. Serving Sri Sri Krishna Balaram and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai surrounded by sincere Vaishnavas my heart felt fully at home. I was also blessed to serve as a pujari for Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai in Miami. Standing before the Deities and offering simple service felt like a mercy far beyond my qualification.
As the years passed I began to understand more deeply an instruction my Gurudev had given me to come to India. In 2018 by his mercy I joined his Kartik parikrama party and traveled through Mayapur Dham and Vrindavan. Life in the dhams was austere and challenging yet completely fulfilling. I realized that everything I was searching for was present there. My heart became filled with a deeper dependence on Krishna and the holy dhams.
Eventually I married a devotee Mahamantra Das a disciple of His Holiness Navayogendra Swami and came to live in Radha Kund. Being new to life in India we traveled through South India North India and West India learning to appreciate the sincerity resilience and simplicity of the Indian people. Radha Kund became the place where my faith was tested and strengthened the most.
After some years my husband contracted tubercular meningitis. For nearly two years we struggled to save his life. During this extremely difficult time the only thing that sustained me was faith in the holy names. Remembering my Gurudev’s example even during illness we continued daily rickshaw parikrama around Govardhan Hill whenever possible. Through this service my love and attachment for Giriraj Govardhan grew profoundly.
By the mercy of our gurus my husband eventually stabilized and regained his health. From this period of intense trial emerged a new service born from gratitude and prayer. We were blessed with the opportunity to write children’s books centered on Krishna consciousness. These books are created for young Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis between the ages of three and seven filled with bright colors gentle philosophy and rhyming verses.
Our offerings include stories of a visit to Ahobilam, the three children wandering through Vrindavan ,Uddhava’s visit to the gopis, Rupa Manjari ,climbing Barsana Hill ,Ananga Manjari and more. We have written books on Govardhan Hill including both the lila and the parikrama as well as Radha Kund and Shyama Kund with their sacred pastimes and parikrama. Other titles feature Sri Radha Raman, Madan Mohan ,Shyamananda and Srimati Radharani and the precious Govindadev worshiped by Srila Rupa Goswami, a few books on the past times of the Gopas and so much more.
It gives me great joy to offer these books for the spiritual nourishment of children. I feel deeply that the future of Krishna consciousness rests in how lovingly carefully and thoughtfully we guide the next generation.
With gratitude humility and prayer I offer this service at the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Your humble servant
Vilasini Devi Dasi
Author Bio
Vilasini Devi Dasi is a disciple of His Holiness Indradyumna Swami and has been practicing Krishna consciousness since 1991 initiated and also has her Brahman initiation. She has served in book distribution preaching and deity worship in various ISKCON communities including Atlanta ,Alachua and Miami. She currently resides in Radha Kund India where she continues her devotional service while writing Krishna conscious children’s books for young Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis. Her offerings focus on nurturing faith love and bhakti in the next generation through colorful rhyming stories rooted in the holy dhams and Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117176
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