“The idea was brought forward that it would be a wonderful thing if the different camps within the devotional community-- the ISKCON devotees, Gaudiya Math devotees, Ritvik followers, etc. could come together for just one day, put away their differences for a time, and simply chant the holy names of Lord Krishna.”

Just Imagine! Cooperation?
By Devarsi Muni dasa

To the assembly of Vaisnava devotees of the Lord!

Please accept my humble obeisances, and all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Though some CHAKRA readers may question the value of visiting VNN, I would like to report something that occurred recently in the "Forums" section of VNN that could have great value.

During a discussion on cooperation amongst Vaisnavas in a conference titled "Humbly & Respectfully, Let's Work it Out," in the Istaghosti Forum area, the idea was brought forward that it would be a wonderful thing if the different camps within the devotional community-- the ISKCON devotees, Gaudiya Math devotees, Ritvik followers, etc. could come together for just one day, put away their differences for a time, and simply chant the holy names of Lord Krishna.

Initially, the idea was set aside as impossible, until a few devotees remembered Srila Prabhupada's instruction on how "impossible" was a word found in a fools dictionary.

These devotees suddenly began to believe the foolish notion that such an event might be able to actually take place, and that if it were possible to conceive of such a thing, then it might also be possible to realize such a thing.

Just try to picture the pleasure that Srila Prabhupada would feel to see his young followers gathering together, putting differences aside for a single day to create the largest "around-the-world" kirtana ever held!

Godbrothers, sisters, and cousins who had not seen each other for years--or maybe had never even met--could sit together for a day to honor that which we all have in common...love for Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, a clear mandate to chant hare Krishna in every town and village of the world.

I can hear the doubters now. "Yes, yes, yes.. that's all very nice..." they say. "How can something like that happen? Who could organize such an event?"

The answer is that Krishna could organize such an event. Krishna alone could pull off this feat. All we have to do is let ourselves move to the call of the Lord's desire, like a puppet on a transcendental string.

So okay, for the sake of argument, on what date will this event occur? Well, the forum members who conceived of this event humbly submit that the ideal day to have such a celebration (The Day of the Vaisnavas, as it were), would be the day after Srila Prabhupada's appearance day.

Imagine a three-day festival, starting with Janmastami and ending with Vaisnava day, centered on Srila Prabhupada, and occurring annually, beginning with the dawn of the new millennium! No politics, no passing out leaflets, no sectarian divisions, just chanting and paying obeisances to all devotees regardless of their asrama, or their gender, or their politics, for an entire day.

Is that possible? Why not? Is it that hard to be humble? Is it that hard to believe? Weighed against the benefit that could be achieved, should we even consider the difficulties?

The members of the Istaghosti Forum will be spreading the word of this idea to their friends, and hoping that the concept will ignite like a brushfire in the hearts of all devotees who hear of it.

If you want to join in, tell a friend, no--tell two friends! Tell anyone who will listen that a transcendentally foolish idea has sprung up, and we should all catch hold of that idea before it fades like an ember that is separated from the fire. Become like a fool before Srila Prabhupada, and do the impossible--bring ourselves together at his lotus feet for one day, August 24th, 2000.

Please look for more information on Chakra and VNN, and at your local temple in the following weeks.

your insignificant servant,

Devarsi Muni dasa

© CHAKRA 9-August-2000

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