Parikrama class

Every week I have the 7^th and 8^th graders together for a three hour block for studying Sastra (vedic scriptures). At times, most of the class becomes a bit restless and need a change of scenery. It is especially difficult for kids this age to focus on one subject for such an extended amount of time. However due to scheduling conflicts it is necessary to have the several shastra classes grouped together to make one large block of class time. I mentioned this to the assistant principal Sucih Prabhu and he had a fabulous solution to the problem.

Vaishnava devotees around the world are constantly discussing the activities of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates which took place here in Mayapura over five centuries ago. Indeed this land of Mayapura is worshipped all over the world because of these dynamic pastimes. As residents of this holy land we have the ability to personally visit these sacred places. While it is true that one needs to have a purified heart in order to see the wholly transcendental nature of these places, by praying to the Lord and hearing from His great devotees we can achieve a glimpse of their glory.

Yesterday we all (7 of us) rode our bicycles to the village Baman-Pukkur. This is the village where Nimai used to buy bananas from Kholeveca Sridhar. Sridhar was a very poor banana seller who was constantly chanting the names of the Lord in great ecstasy. Nimai told Sridhar the one day he would reveal the great wealth of Sridhar to the world. Sridhar replied that he had hardly any money, but Nimai was referring to his wealth of devotion which invoked great ecstasy in Sridhar.

In Bamman Pukur we went to the Samadhi of Chand Kazi. 500 years ago the Chand Kazi, despite being an Islamic priest, proclaimed that all of the devotees could chant the maha-mantra whenever and wherever they wanted to in his kingdom. To this day there is very nice relations between the Muslims and the "Hindus" or Vaisnavas.

Next week we will take a boat to the island of Godrumadvipa and visit the house of the great saint Bhaktivinode Thakur. We will also visit Surabhi kunja which is also known as the "marketplace for the Holy name" where love of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna is given away simply for the price of one's faith. We will bring all of our savings!