Vrindavan Memories
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The Krishna-Balarama temple 40th anniversary is coming up in 2015. In preparation for the event, we are compiling a history of the temple in three parts:
1. Srila Prabhupada's struggle to establish the Krishna Balarama temple.
2. The grand opening and Prabhupada's instructions for the temple.
3. Development of the temple after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance.
The book will be primarily memories of devotees who have served in Vrindavan either before or after the opening in 1975. For the next two years we will collect memories of anyone who may have served or visited Vrindavan.
The theme of the book will be one of the last statements by Prabhupada while he was at Vrindavan in 1977. In his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam (10.13.50) Prabhupada describes, "A pure devotee has no desires. Therefore Sanatana Gosvami comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Krsna have already been fulfilled, the Lord's sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Krsna and devotional service. In the material world, desire is a product of rajo-guna and tamo-guna, but desire in the spiritual world gives rise to a variety of everlasting transcendental service. Thus the word svakarthanam refers to eagerness to serve Krsna. In Vrndavana there is a place where there was no temple, but a devotee desired, 'Let there be a temple and seva, devotional service.' Therefore, what was once an empty corner has now become a place of pilgrimage. Such are the desires of a devotee."
If you have any memories you would like to share, please send them to us. The book will be a mosaic of everyone's experiences, creating an offering of love at the lotus feet Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Krishna Balaram, Radha Shyamasundara and Lalita Visakha. It will be a combined contribution to Srila Prabhupada in gratitude for the efforts he took to establish the temple.
Memories may be sent either typed or in audio format to the following email address: VrindavanMemories@pamho.net. If you visit Vrindavan, we can also personally interview you or arrange that you give a class to describe your memories with Srila Prabhupada.
Even if you were not present with Srila Prabhupada personally, please share with us how the Krishna Balaram temple has helped you advance in devotional service. Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your offering.
Your servant in service to Srila Prabhupada,
Daivisaktidevi dasi
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