The Times: March/Campaign For The Yamuna: An Epic Opportunity

By Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

The disheartening implications of the Yamuna crisis and the heartening networking of environmental and devotional groups in the campaign to save it have brought upon us a great opportunity. At this moment over 50,000 Yamuna enthusiasts march to Delhi with a prediction of 100,000 by the 22nd of March, Brajabasins, Sampradayik and Vyasa acaryas, yogis, agricultural union members, dancing children from Maan Mandir, Barsana, to secure a long term mandate in government policies to allow India’s most sacred and famous river, the Yamuna to return, unimpeded to the Homeland of Braja.

All places are made sacred by the presence of the Yamuna, which is 100 times more sanctified than the Ganga; the Varaha Purana even describes that the spiritual power of the Yamuna in Mathura(the birth place of Sri Krsna and Lord Varahadeva) is 100 times greater than the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayaga.

A historical event, in the present times, is at hand to support the greatest cause, a rally for India’s spiritual heritage, a unification of diverse spiritual camps, Hindu, Muslim, Christian etc., a common cause and denominator, the congregational chanting of the holy names, unity in diversity, a modern page out of the Caitanya Caritamrita.

This is not a protest, but a rally for an ‘uncompromising awareness’. This is the example set by Srila Prabhupada, utilizing ‘time, place and circumstance’ in the upholding of dharma.

As concluded by the GBC:

‘Whereas bringing the Yamuna waters back to Vrndavana is direct service to the holy Dhama of Vrndavana which is direct service to the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krsna.

Whereas the aforementioned campaign can increase the public’s appreciation of ISKCON.

Whereas the aforementioned campaign can help ISKCON worldwide insofar as ISKCON will be seen at forefront of the environmental movement.’

Srila Prabhupada’s exact words were, ‘I have given you the framework; all you have to do is decorate it. And I have given you the decorations; all you have to do is hang them.’

The support of the Yamuna, knowing well that this is a form of Krsna, an arena of the Lord’s prakat and aprakat lilas(manifest and unmanifested pastimes), an instinctive devotional call, can be shown by a heart felt physical presence in an epic campaign and march. What a great opportunity for the most prominent international spiritual society to be visible in such a public viewing.

With the times of environmental concerns, a cutting edge in collective communications, the watering of such a tree as the ‘Yamuna concern’ will undoubtedly provide ‘fruits within our individual gardens of service, where ever we are situated.

This will demonstrate to the world that Iskcon truly stands for a mature accommodation of all the departments of devotion which the acaryas have principally outlined, whether it be nama sankirtan, arcana, or the ‘common sense’ decoration details of care for the dhama(Yamuna) as a unified and interdependent venture; all of which require implementation, not disempowering discrimination. They are supportive, codependent, and inseparable to one another.

For the devotees of the Lord, an epic opportunity, a circumstantial design of the Supreme has come before us to serve the Lord, Who Himself manifests as, glorifies as His own, His dhama (the Yamuna river). The choice in reciprocation is ours; if not you or I, some one else will come forward in triumphant glorification.

Best Wishes

Your servant,

Bhaktisiddhanta Swami