Everyone loves ??

Everyone loves Jagannath. Though some of us find Him different looking we are nevertheless attracted to Him. This was very evident from the Rathayatra that we had in Queens, New York last Sunday. These deities are very different, because they were carved in New Jersey by Kalpavrksa dasa, our God brother, who is a very empowered devotee. Their very first public appearance was two weeks back, where they were brought to our Sunday feast hall. By some strange orchestration of events They came home from the Sunday feast and are presently being worshipped by us.Last Sunday They went on Their first Rathayatra. Rathayatra in Fall I thought? I began to agree with the Pandas in Puri for a minute, but the weather was far from windy, it was warm and wonderful.

So, it was a wonderful ride to Queens needless to say. I had to slide down and sit on the floor of the van so that I could hold Jagannath's lotus feet and prevent Him from sliding down the seat. On reaching Queens They mounted their chariot also made by Kalpavrksa Prabhu. The Rathayatra was part of a Peace march held by the Indian community there to commemorate Mahatama Gandhi's birthday on October 2nd. So, Mahatma Gandhi posthumously :-) lead the way, on this occasion. The star of the show was of course Jagannath. The kirtan party rocked the already colorful streets of queens with their sonorous voices and djembe beats. Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadramayi, looked resplendent dressed in blue and red silks and mercifully let the devotees bind them with the seat harness ropes. An apt meditation in the month of Kartika. Krishna das our enthusiastic 11 year old was the helper to Jagannath's pujari (his sister). Again the personal aspect of worship taught by Srila Prabhupada accented the whole Rathayatra. All devotees marveled at the fact that they manifested locally. Devotees stopped by to talk to Jagannath. Some kids addressed Him as Jaggu, Jaggli. One Mataji quietly walked up to the Van where They were seated ready to go home after the long ride, thanked Them for coming and requested Them to be back next year, all as if conversing to a dear friend. After Their first Rathayatra, the Lords came back with a satiated smile. I was musing about how much They love the devotees and the locations They choose for Their outings and how merciful They are.. The whole incident was as if from Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita with Jayananda Prabhu working on the Rathayatra cart in the streets of San Francisco. I was reflecting on the past where I would try to serve the deities all by myself. After repeatedly hearing the glories of Jayananda Prabhu, I now understand that when service is shared with the goal of pleasing Krishna, it gets accepted by Krishna and is also very sweet.

In the past month I was thinking of starting a daycare from home and was wondering how the experience would be like. Some how things did not go as per our plan, and I am now babysitting 3 wonderful children, in addition to my own. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if its a dream or if its real that They mercifully accepted our meagre accommodation. I will miss Them when They leave. Service is like an umbilical cord that keeps us connected to the Lord and makes us alive and spiritually nourished. As I turn off the lights bidding Them to please sleep well I pray hard to Guru Maharaja to direct them to my heart where They can stay forever.

tava kathāmṛtaḿ tapta-jīvanaḿ
kavibhir īḍitaḿ kalmaṣāpaham
śravaṇa-mańgalaḿ śrīmad ātataḿ
bhuvi gṛṇanti ye bhūri-dā janāḥ

The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one's sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent.

Thank you Srila Prabhupada!