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OPINION FEBRUARY 16, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed

how one can find joy by celebrating

the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna

NARENDRA MODI the transformative power inherent in
Chaitanya Prabhu’s tradition. People
English rendering of the Prime
Minister’s address at 150th anniversary thought that the PM was merely ap-
plauding. This PM was, in fact, a dev-
of Srila Prabhupada on February 8. otee of God engrossed in the divine
2024, in New Delhi
ecstasy.
oday, on the auspicious occa- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu demon-
sion of the 150th birth anniver- strated how one can find joy by cel-
Tsary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta ebrating the divine pastimes of Lord
Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, the Krishna in our lives. Many seekers to-
same vigour resonates within Bharat day directly experience the pinnacle of
Mandapam. We envisioned this build- spirituality through Sankirtan, bhajan,
ing to embody both Bharat’s contem- songs, and dance. I have encountered
porary prowess and ancient values. individuals who relish this experience
Just a few months ago, this venue firsthand. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
showcased the potential of New India also elucidated the beauty of Shri
during the G-20 Summit. And today, Krishna’s divine play and underscored
it is our honour to host the ‘World its significance in understanding life’s
Vaishnav Convention’ here. This ex- purpose. Hence, the same reverence
emplifies the essence of New India—a devotees hold for texts like Bhagwat is
harmonious blend of development also extended to Chaitanya Charitam-
and heritage, where modernity coex- rita and Bhaktamal.
ists with pride in our cultural identity. Divine figures like Chaitanya Ma-
It is indeed a great honour for haprabhu perpetuate their mission in
me to be amidst all the revered sag- various forms according to the need of
es like you in this sacred gathering. I the era. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabh-
consider myself blessed to have had upada epitomized this continuity. At
the opportunity to interact closely every juncture of Srila Bhaktisiddhan-
with several of you, having been in ta ji’s life, we witness the journey from
your company on numerous occa- Sadhana to Siddhi, from material to
sions. With immense respect, I bow spiritual pursuits. At under the age of
down at the feet of Lord Krishna in 10, Prabhupada ji memorized the en-
the spirit of ‘Krishnam Vande Jagad- tire Gita. During adolescence, along-
gurum’. I offer my heartfelt tributes side modern education, he delved into
to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada Sanskrit, grammar, Vedas, and Vedan-
Ji. On this auspicious occasion of his gas. He expounded texts like Surya
150th birth anniversary, I extend my Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated with a memento of Acharya Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta in astrological mathematics
heartfelt wishes to all followers of Sri- and earned the title of Siddhant Saras-
la Prabhupada. Today, I also had the at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Thursday (ANI) wati. By the age of 24, he had estab-
privilege of unveiling a postal stamp lished a Sanskrit school. Throughout
and a commemorative coin in mem- Today, we effortlessly grasp the phase in my life where I found my- his life, Swami ji authored over 100
ory of Srila Prabhupada, and I extend essence of God’s love, Krishna’s divine self at a juncture where despite be- books, penned hundreds of articles,
my congratulations to all of you for play, and the essence of devotion in ing immersed in bhajans and kirtans, and provided guidance to lakhs. Thus,
this milestone as well. our lives. All that is a result of the role I felt disconnected somehow. I used he integrated the paths of knowledge
We commemorate the 150th birth played by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. to sit in a corner and listen but I felt and devotion into his life’s ethos.
anniversary of Prabhupada Goswami Chaitanya Mahaprabhu epitomised this distance. One day, a multitude of Through the hymn ‘Vaishnav Jan To
ji at a time when, just a few days ago, love for Krishna, making spirituality thoughts arose within me, question- Tene Kahiye, Peer Parai Jaane Re’,
the centuries-old dream of a grand and spiritual practices accessible and ing this distance or disconnectedness. Srila Prabhupada Swami propagated
Ram temple has been realized. The uncomplicated for ordinary people. What was holding me back? I realized Gandhiji’s Vaishnav spirit of non-vi-
joy and enthusiasm evident on your He taught us that God can be realized that I was living it but not connecting olence and love, both in the country
faces today, I believe, also encompass- not only through renunciation but with it. It was then that I decided to and abroad.
es the happiness of Ram Lalla being also through joy. actively participate in the bhajans I hail from Gujarat, a region syn-
enshrined. This monumental event Allow me to share my person- and kirtans, and as I began clapping onymous with Vaishnav sentiments.
has been accomplished solely through al experience. Having been raised in and joining in, and I found myself While Lord Krishna incarnated in
the devotion and blessings of the sages. these traditions, there was a distinct completely absorbed. I experienced Continued on next page... >>

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