“At a time when in the West, man was directing his explorative spirit toward studying the structure of the physical universe and circumnavigating the world in search of new oceans and continents, in the East, Sri Krishna Chaitanya was masterminding a revolution directed toward a scientific understanding of the highest knowledge of man’s spiritual nature.” (Excerpt from Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita Foreword).
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is a covered incarnation of Lord Krishna, appeared 500 years ago in West Bengal, India. His appearance has been predicted in many prominent Vedas and Upanishads and in Srimad Bhagavatam (The essence of all the Puranas) in Canto 11: “In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead, who constantly sings the name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”
He predicted that the spiritual movement of Krishna consciousness that He started in West Bengal would be broadcast all over the world and would indeed change the direction of civilisation. The mission of the Lord is always to deliver fallen souls from material illusion, and this chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra works powerfully to reawaken the natural love of God dormant in human hearts. (Article continues after gallery)
The Wyndham Sunday Feast program was held on the evening of 24 November at Featherbrook Community Center in Pointcook suburb, and graced by His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami, a prominent and senior spiritual master within ISKCON, who took an audience of 300 guests on a transcendental and magical journey of love of Godhead, through chanting of the Holy Names.
This was followed by an enlightening discourse on Vedic philosophy. The event was followed by sumptuous vegetarian feast prasad which was powerful in its potency to purify hearts with pure bhakti.
One may wonder what is so special about the food. After all, it’s just a vegetarian meal! But, there’s a lot more to it than a combination of a few ingredients and vegetables in preparing the meal. It’s the whole process of offering the food prepared with gratitude and devotion to God, who is the source of everything. This makes it Prasadam, or sanctified food, or karma-free food which enhances our spiritual progress. In Bhagavad-gita Chapter 9, Verse 26, Lord Krishna says: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.” So, the process is so easy that even a leaf or a little water or fruit can be offered to the Supreme Lord in genuine love and the Lord will be pleased to accept it. Honouring the Prasadam is important. Krishna is God and He’s absolute: His name. His form, Prasadam, it’s all Him. It’s a blessing from Krishna, and it’s spiritually very purifying. (Article continues after gallery)
Singer song-writer George Harrison of the Beatles, shares beautiful insights about tasting Krishna Prasadam: “I’d say from my experience that it definitely works. I’ve always enjoyed Prasadam much more when I’ve been at the temple, or when I’ve actually been sitting with Srila Prabhupada. Prasadam really helped me a lot, because you start to realise “Now I’m tasting Krishna.” You’re conscious suddenly of another aspect of God, understanding that He’s this little samosa [a cauliflower-and-pea-filled pastry deep-fried in clarified butter]. It’s all just a matter of tuning into the spiritual, and Prasadam’s a very real part of it all.”
Many who attended the Sunday Feast event were searching for an alternative to mainstream society. Attending such a wonderful festival of hearing, they said, with the chanting and dancing to the Lord’s glories and getting the Lord’s mercy in Krishna prasadam was an experience that they knew they wouldn’t get anywhere else.
If you haven’t already been a part of the Hare Krishna Temple’s festivals and events, it’s never too late. There are regular deity greetings, festivals, prasadam distribution and Sunday Feast programs at the Hare Krishna temple located on 197 Danks Street, St. Kilda West. If you reside in the Western suburbs, you are invited to attend and participate in the Sunday Feasts at Featherbrook Community Center, Point Cook.
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