Day 3, Determination for Krsna Consciousness

February 14th — Gambira, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s house

By special arrangement of Lord Jagannath, the morning Japa began under the guidance of Her Grace Nirakula Mataji. The morning began with a rare form of sweetness as she led us through the topics His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu had desired to share: our individual responsibility for advancing in spiritual life and how our enthusiasm and determination influence this endeavor. 

Today, the ISV Yatra personally experienced Lord Caitanya’s līlas. Parikrama began at Gambira, the colorful home of Kashi Mishra where Mahaprabhu spent the final years of His earthly pastimes. Gravity of physical evidence of the Lord’s presence in His water pot and wooden shoes pulled the devotees further into the pastimes of His relishing the mood of Srimati Radharani. The nectarean verses of Siksastakam echoed through the temple halls in a lecture by His Grace Visnu Gada Prabhu, reminding us of the path to such spiritual ecstasy. 

The Sankirtan party then set off for Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s house, cutting through the yajnas performed at Swetaganga Tirtha.

At Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s home, the Yatra group gathered around the day’s esteemed lecturer, His Grace Vishnu Gada Prabhu, and heard the pastime of Bhattacarya’s imparting the Vedanta Sutra to his young Sanyasi pupil, Lord Caitanya. Where Bhattacarya’s commentary covered the true meaning of the Vedanta Sutra as the sun is covered by clouds, Lord Caitanya’s 64 individual commentaries illuminated the true purports of the Vedas with such clarity as to reveal His true identity as the Supreme Personality of Godhead to His siksa-guru. In the very room we sang our Kirtan, Lord Caitanya exhibited His six-armed Sad-bhuja form to a most fortunate Bhattacarya. 

The purpose of this Yatra is to give a boost to our Krsna consciousness. Her Grace Nirakula Mataji reminded us, that we have all made a great endeavor to be here. We can fully take advantage of the Dhama by the grace of Krsna who is pleased with our enthusiasm. 

Also pleased by our enthusiasm are the residents of Jagannath Puri. Dancing through temple halls and distributing books down the narrow streets, countless jivas were happy to receive the mercy of Srila Prabhupada’s movement. 

The effects of Krsna consciousness take time but are always worth it. This is an extraordinary opportunity to have an idea of where we are going in life and by following the footsteps of previous Acaryas we can be assured of our destination – going home, back to Godhead. In rooms lovingly preserved for over 500 years, Krsna has given us the perfect opportunity to connect to Him, let it be our determination to accept this empowered mercy of the Parampara.