ISKCON 'Transnational Safari' Shows Indian Soul

MANGALORE / Mangalorean.com : Meet the safari group of 'transnational devotees' of Lord Krishna, comprising over 220 members hailing from across 50 different countries of the world, who have dedicated themselves to the cause of Krishna consciousness.

Mangalore railway station in the morning on Thursday was transformed into a 'global village' in the real sense.  Just being among the many devotees in the crowd,  you could meet people from a number of countries around the globe. You could have been either in United States or Australia or Europe or even in South Africa simultaneously, without touring around the world

As followers of Lord Krishna, they are inspired by the mission of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to spread peace and harmony in the world through the teachings of Krishna. While en route to various pilgrimage centres across India for the past few weeks, they were invited for the Jagannath Ratha Yatra to be conducted by ISKCON (Bunts Hostel Road branch) in Mangalore on March 23.

Having met at their spiritual headquarters in Mayapur (near Kolkata) a few days ago, over 220 'prabhujis', 'matajis' and also their children, came down to South India and finally they visited Tirunalveli before leaving to the Port Town of Mangalore.

A unique "Indianness" prevailed in the railway station, when the safari group alighted from the Malabar Express at 10 am. Although all of them were foreigners, they looked like Indians in every sense, that is, their dress code, greeting style, and the Hare Krishna mantra they kept on chanting.

"We are inspired by the Indian culture based on spiritual life. While the Western culture aims at the commercial and technological progress alone, Indian culture intends to awaken one's spiritual entities. That is the fact pushed us towards the Kirshna consciousness," said Iskcon Governing Body Commissioner Jayapataka Swami, originally from the United States.

"We have understood that dharma is nothing but a way of obtaining bliss in simple activities that will also please Lord Krishna. What else is required in life?" he asked, with a smile on his face.

Another ISKCON leader Bhaktisiddhanth Maharaj, who hails from Australia, said he had been inspired by the cultural history of India, and was wondering at the unique reception offered to them in Mangalore. The troupe which was taken to Udupi on Thursday, will take part in the Jagannath Ratha Yatra tomorrow, and will leave the city on March 24.

Photographs by RK Bhat

Source: Mangalorean.com

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