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Jagannatha Umbrellas
by Mayesvara dasa

Hari Bolo Prabhus!

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All Glories to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

This is a short inquiry that I am requesting input from other devotees on. I would appreciate it if you consider the following question below and advise me on how you think Srila Prabhupada would respond to this idea.

The 2001 Los Angeles Rathayatra was a very hot day. This gave me the idea of making very beautiful full-color graphic umbrellas with Lord Jagannatha's face on them. I was thinking of how nice it would be to see his transcendental grin popping up from the crowd on the back of umbrellas that are approximately three-foot diameter in size.

I have since contacted a manufacturer, and I have prepared all the artwork to make this product. Needless to say, it would also work quite nicely as a regular umbrella and I am ready to go.

The question I have is, "Would it be appropriate to make such a product?" Some have suggested that it might be considered offensive to thrust Jagannatha into the elements the way umbrellas are used. However my line of reasoning is as follows:

1) We use Hari Nama Chadders all the time to cover our heads and protect us from the sun and rain. This has always been considered acceptable. We also wear shirts with transcendental images printed on them.

2) It could also be said that we take shelter under Lord Jagannatha all the time and this type of umbrella would be a graphic version of that meditation.

3) Everyone loves Lord Jagannath's smile and it would be a great conversation starter when Vaishnavas use this product outside devotee circles.

4) I intend to also market this product to the non-devotional community as a novelty item. Included with every shipment would be a full-page product sheet explaining why this particular umbrella is so unique and special. In that way it could be used as a great preaching tool to attract those who may otherwise never consciously take an interest in what we are doing. By displaying Lord Jagannath to the world they would actually be doing some type of small devotional service.

5) It would be a great way to remember Krishna even when it is raining and we are running late between events.

6) All in all, I believe the benefits far outweigh the possible negative reasons not to do this.

I am sure there are probably many other things I have not considered at this time, which is why I am inquiring from the assembled devotees to share their realizations on this idea with me.

Yea or Nay?

Hoping this finds you nicely engaged in the service of Lord Krishna.

Your Servant,

mayesvara dasa
AKA: william roberts
687 Villanova Road
Ojai, California 93023
(805) 640-0405 Home
(805) 228-0736 Work
robertswg@phdnswc.navy.mil (Every WorkDay 7:30-3:30pm)
mayesvara@aol.com (About once every two weeks.)
© CHAKRA 6 February 2002