THE LORD AND HIS ABODE
In reference to the article 'Patita Pavana Jagannatha' (July 2007), I understand that when the devotees call out lovingly, the Lord reciprocates eagerly. But, what is the extent of His reciprocation? Presumably limitless, beyond the imagination of the human mind. The author, Balarama Ananda Dasa, deserves the heart felt thanks of Lord Krsna's devotees. When I read the piece, I remembered what Krsna told Arjuna:
"One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God." (BG 18: 55).
Regarding 'Goloka in Vaikuntha' (April 2007), I think that Balaji and Lord Krsna are one and the same? If so, wouldn't it have been more useful if an ISKCON temple was built elsewhere in South India, other than Andhra Pradesh? Tirupati is already a world-renowned pilgrimage centre and thousands of Balaji devotees throng to Tirupati every day. Chennai in Tamil Nadu is known as a temple City. Kerala, though smaller in size, harbour in it the famed temples Guruvayor and the Padmanabha Swami temple in the State's capital Thiruvanthapuram besides several small other temples. All things considered, Bangalore in Karnataka should have been ideal for an ISKCON temple.
(P.K.V. Menon , Mumbai)
Our Reply: You are correct in considering Lord Krsna and Balaji as identical and also in recognizing the wealth of Visnu temples in South India. Still ISKCON desires to open more and more centers everywhere just like couples prefer to have their own children although there are many orphans around.
We want to create a society of ideal leaders not blind followers, and this needs training and education. The temples of ISKCON are centers to impart spiritual education and training to create leaders who are impeccable in character and can provide guidance to the misdirected civilization of the modern world. For this more centers we have the merrier. ISKCON also provides opportunity for people who are not born in Brahman family to worship the Deities which is n ot available in trad ition al temples.
Incidentally Bangalore al ready has a flourishing temple. (See the center list on page 30)
Reply to the letter was written by Murari Gupta Dasa.
Write to us at :
Back To Godhead, 302, Amrut Industrial Estate, 3rd Floor, Western Express Highway, Mira Road (East). 401 104
Email id: ed.btgindia@pahmo.net