New Talavan Recovering from Katrina
BY: YOGINDRA VANDANA DAS ADHIKARI
Hurricane Katrina Approaching Land
Oct 11, USA (SUN) Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, Mothers and Friends, Hare Krsna. Please accept my Dandabats in the dust of your lotus feet.
My humble and grateful expression of thanks is extended to the many big, small and in between donors who came to our aid after hurricane Katrina. As I've noticed, before the huge government and private organizations could help God's people, theists with an attribute of service to others, especially those in distress, rushed to people's aid.
Yes, we were there: clearing public roads the day after the storm, so we could get out of the farm and provide hot meals to hungry people. But we were also the recipients of so much help and many gifts from others-especially our Godbrothers, Godsisters, and children in the ISKCON world. They really came through. Also, the locals were so charitable. God bless all of you.
Finally, the world's largest private emergency relief organization, the Red Cross, very graciously offered relief to all, including the devotees, and FEMA helped devotees who lost their private residences. They did not offer much help for our cow protection program, school and other facilities that legally belong to a non-profit religious organization, although Mother Kalavati, a disciple of Jayapataka Maharaja who joined ISKCON in New Orleans, is looking into grants provided by the USDA.
Let's face it: we live in Kaliyuga and the people in our neighborhoods, communities, counties, states, nations and planet are all involved in sinful activity to some degree. Consequently, we should expect just what they got in the past: war, famine, storms, disease, taxes, etc. However, despite private and state-supported relief organizations, what people really need is Bhagavat-prasadam and the Holy Names.
In illusion, they are killing the cow and other animals for meat; as a result, they are dying spiritually while thinking they are enjoying life. Srila Prabhupada's books are the meat they are really looking for. What can be done? Bhagavat-prasadam and the Holy Name are the weapons of choice to reform a torn, sick, starved and pitiful human race.
While their fellow humans rush to give them food, water and ice, let us give them the mercy they need to receive the message of Guru and Gauranga, and take advantage of the mercy of the compassionate glance of the Lord's devotees. Full of mercy the devotees wholeheartedly drown the people in loving exchanges of warmth, companionship and love, and encourage them in their own loving relationship with the Lord of the three worlds, Sri Krsna.
May the Lord forgive our sins and help us to chant His Holy Names. May the Lord reveal to us how to reach out to our fellow human beings suffering in Maya from time immemorial. Please Govinda, help us to serve Srila Prabhupada to accomplish Guru and Gauranga's mission. Please help us.
May all the devotees pray for us in this regard: may we be able to help Srila Prabhupada fulfill his mission. May we become his instrument to teach Lord Gauranga's message throughout our Prabhu-datta-desh. Please help us to be successful in this regard. May we get your mercy to become good instruments for Guru and Gauranga's divine message.
Chant the Holy Names!!!
Your servant,
Yogindra Vandana das Adhikari
Temple President, ISKCON New Talavan
Chairperson, ISKCON New Orleans
http://www.newtalavana.org
