On Saturday, the 11 July we had the third Rathayatra in Atlantic city. This time we were given the seva of Bringing Srila Prabhupada to the venue. While the other devotees called up to say that the roads were clogged with beach traffic, we sailed into Atlantic city with Prabhupada sitting in the passenger seat of our Nissan Quest. Head held High he rode on majestically. The Rathayatra was on the Boardwalk. All parking slots were taken and the cops were ready for the parade as well. As we sat around wondering one lady who apparently had changed her mind pulled out of the parking lot. As we parked and jumped out enthusiastically waiting for the cart to arrive, we noticed that the parking had been paid for 7 hours. Unknowingly, this lady had just earned pious credits for serving a pure devotee of the Lord. The cart arrived in a Penske truck. As they went about setting up the cart, The Lords arrived in a van. Seated in the back seat in a reclining position, They looked gorgeous in a pink outfit with a blue border. With lot of seva on hand i did not have the time to make Bhoga for the Lord. All through the way my mind was chastising me for not planning and bringing an offering for the Lord. After a few minutes one of the devotees approached me and asked if I could offer the afternoon lunch to the Lord. I had just read that just offering water to the Lord, the Lord would be pleased. Here was my chance to offer. Along with the paratha, sabzi and fruits was a bottle of water. Pulling out a ziploc bag from my bag, I placed a Tulasi leaf in the water bottle and offered it to the Lord. After His Bhoga, The Lord was eager to proceed to Vrindavan and knocked of the foil lid that I had placed as a screen signalling He was ready to mount the chariot. The Rathayatra was ecstatic from start to finish. Remembering Janananda Maharaja's words from 2 years ago, I tried to dance and call out the names of the Lord as loudly as I could. When we reached the venue where prasdam would be served, one man in a black body stood around observing Srila Prabhupada and the arotik that was taking place. On seeing my husband he apparently mentioned " This man is very strong, He does not even blink." Not wanting to spoil his mood my husband just smiled in agreement. A little while later I approached the cart for something and as I stood around listening to the devotees singing the Jagannath Astakam Prayers, he said " Miss is this an Indian festival?" I explained to him that it is a festival of the heart where we were sharing our happiness at the Lord's return back to our hearts after long years of separation. He was clearly intrigued by Prabhupada and asked a few more questions. When I said that our only true relationship is with the Lord he exclaimed concurred and shook my hand. As I reluctantly shook hands with this inquisitive stranger Jagannath Baladev and Subhadra looked on. I ran to the devotees and asked them for a cookie. All the 4000 cookies that we had made had been distributed! One devotee put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a cookie he had saved for himself, thanking him I went back and handed the cookie to the man. He thanked me and went on to examine the cookie label. I mentally thanked my Guru Maharaja for whatever little service I could render.
Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya. Jagannath Ratha Yatra ki Jaya.
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