Land of extremes

 

 

Parts of India are frozen in time while others are moving fast forward with modernity. Here in Mumbai most of the modern amenities of the west are available, accompanied with lots of advertising. Simply go into the villages, perhaps a hundred miles hinterland, and you will find many villages even without electricity! This is just one example of the extremes that are located within India. In India you have some of the cleanest places and some of the dirtiest places (literally and figuratively). You have extremely enlightened folks and also debased people, both on levels beyond the westerners imagination. India is indeed a polarized and dynamic country.

 

We are living in the Radha-Gopinatha Mundira temple complex. Here there are over 100 brahmacharies (resident celibate monks) in addition to the several hundred (even thousand)congregational members that come here daily. On Sundays there are thousands of Krishna's devotees here for the weekend programs. There is a unique difference between out exchanges here in the temple complex and those outside. Those inside and most that visit the complex live very strictly by the principles of Bhagavad Gita.

 

One of those beginning principles in the Bhagavad Gita is to see every living being equally as a spirit soul (atma) part and parcel of the Supreme Lord yet eternally individual in existence. Additionally the philosophy is that one is to serve the Lord and his devotees. The result is a vibrant atmosphere where everyone is concerned about each others well being. When this atmosphere is coupled with the glorification of the Lord's qualities, especially by chanting of the maha mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Ram Rama Rama Hare Hare, an ecstatic experience is undertaken. This is not some sentimental or will o' the wisp experience but tone that is very practical and most importantly nourishing for the soul and its natural godly qualities.

 

This is the extreme experience that India has to share with the world.

 

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!