Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

With Ulta Rath Yatra Jagannath, Baladeva & Subhadra is back to the temple

The nine – day mega 54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra festival concluded yesterday, 5^th July 2025, with Ulta Rath Yatra.  Ulta Rath Yatra started from Gundicha Temple, Brigade ground, at around 1 pm and reached Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple at around 6 pm.

During Ulta Rath Yatra too thousands of devotees participated. Large number of devotees accompanied the procession and there were huge number of people standing on the street to welcome the Lord and pull the rope of the chariots of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.

At many places devotees had made elaborate arrangements to offer 108 bhoga or 56 bhoga to the Lord.

During the procession, devotees were making beautiful rangolis to welcome the Lord.

When the procession was going through CIT road then people were showering flowers to greet the Lord.

Sankirtan during the procession

Throughout the procession, devotees were performing sankirtan.  Devotees were performing kirtan in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi. Many people who were standing on the side of the road to see the Lord and pull the rope of the chariot were also singing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started this sankirtan movement around 500 years ago to connect people’s heart to Krishna. And today by the grace of Srila Prabhupada and his many followers the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra has spread far and wide.

 In Kali yuga, chanting is the yuga dharma. So, if anyone chants this mahamantra sincerely, he will surely get the grace of Krishna and will attain perfection.

Krishna’s devotees are always victorious

During the Ulta Rath Yatra procession, devotees were also distributing Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Back to Godhead magazines and other books of Srila Prabhupada. Many people were attentively looking through the contents of the book and magazines and were buying it too.

If we want to connect to Krishna, then it is imperative that we study Bhagavad Gita regularly. By reading this we will come to know what Krishna expects us to do. And if we live as per the teachings of Krishna as given in Gita then like Arjuna, we will always be victorious in the battles we have to fight in our life.

In the last verse of Bhagavad Gita it is said, “Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.” Bhagavad Gita 18.78

An opportunity to show our love to Jagannath

Krishna came 5000 years back to show us the right path. And as Jagannath every year he comes out on the street during Rath Yatra festival inviting us to take his shelter. Our never-ending struggle in life will end once we accept Jagannath’s invitation and dedicate our life to him.

Rath Yatra festival provides us an opportunity to show our love to Jagannath. By participating in it, by calling out the name of Jagannath, by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra we gradually get closer to the Lord.

The Ulta Rath Yatra procession lasted for 5 hours. Devotees continued pulling the ropes of the chariot and singing and dancing. By the time the chariots reached Sri Sri Radha Govinda temple, it was around 6 pm. Everyone was excited to see the Lord coming back to the temple.

Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra finally took their place on the altar in the temple and looked quite happy. From here they will give darshan to the devotees and different opportunities to serve them.

For everyone who had come for the Ulta Rath Yatra festival there was delicious khichdi, aloo dum and halwa prasadam. It was a wonderful way to conclude the grand festival.

Three Reflections

• Thousands of devotees participated in Ulta Rath Yatra festival.
• Throughout the procession, devotees were performing sankirtan in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi.
• Rath Yatra festival provides us an opportunity to show our love to Jagannath.

Ask Yourself

• Am I willing to take shelter of Lord Jagannath?

Action Item

• If yes, then quickly get connected to local Iskcon temple. You will get an opportunity to serve Jagannath.

Opportunity to serve Lord Jagannath at Gundicha Temple

I got an opportunity to serve Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi during the 54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra at the Gundicha temple. It was possible by the mercy of the Lord and his devotees. Lord Jagannath along with his brother and sister looks extremely beautiful at Gundicha temple. Devotees are daily coming in large numbers to take darshan of the Lord.

Devotees brought something for Jagannath

I got the deity service during weekdays (Thursday, 3^rd Jul and Friday, 4^th July) in the morning hours after darshan arati. As it was weekday so I thought not many will be there to see the Lord but since morning I saw devotees coming in large numbers to the temple. Anyone who were coming were carrying something to offer to the Lord – flowers, Tulasi leaves, sweets, fruits and some were offering money at the lotus feet of the Lord.

As a pujari I had the service to offer the bhoga which devotees were bringing for the Lord. Devotees were eager to have something from the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath – Tulasi or flower or fruits. I tried to satisfy the desire of the devotees but was not able to give it to all else nothing would have remained in front of the Lord. Devotees also brought 56 bhoga items to offer to the Lord. Many devotees were chanting in front of the Lord. They were also clicking pictures of the Lord and making videos.

Different days different dress

During his stay at Gundicha, Jagananth, Baladeva and Subhadra are dressed differently on different days.  The Lord is dressed as per the different pastimes he performs especially in Vrindavan.

On Thursday they were having Banabhoji Besha and on Friday the pastime of Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura was depicted.

During Banabhoji Besha Lord Jagannath and Lord Baladeva were dressed as cowherd boys going for a picnic with his cowherd friends. On this day, many fruits were offered to the Lord. 

On Friday, Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura in Vrindavan was shown.

Krishna enjoying with his cowherd friends in Vrindavan

In Srimad Bhagavatam, it is described in detail how the demon who had come to kill Balarama was easily eliminated by Balarama.

Krishna was performing so many wonderful pastimes with his friends in Vrindavan. Everyone was enjoying, there was not even a fraction of unhappiness. Vrindavan forest was covered with lush green trees, flowers, fruits. Cool and soothing breeze gave comfort to all. Summer appeared as spring.  In that serene ambience they were playing different sports, singing songs, dancing with Krishna, joking with each other, pulling each other’s legs and eating delicious prasadam.

The two brothers were enjoying with their cowherd friends in Vrindavan when this demon sneaked in disguising himself as a cowherd boy. He took the form of a cowherd boy who had stayed at home on that day. And this demon participated in a game which Krishna was playing with his dear friends.

Balarama slays Pralambāsura

In that game, the group was divided into two – one led by Krishna and the other led by Balarama. Pralamba was on the side of Krishna. As per the rule of the game, the group which got defeated had to carry the members of other group on their shoulders.

The group led by Balarama won and as a punishment the cowherd boys on the side of Krishna had to carry cowherd boys on the side of Balarama on their shoulders. We may wonder, how can Lord be defeated. Acharyas explain that Lord is defeated by the love of his devotees.

So, Krishna was carrying Śrīdāmā and Pralamba took Balarama on his shoulder thinking that he will kill him when the opportunity comes. But how can it be possible for anyone to harm Balarama who is an expansion of Krishna. Soon, Balarama understood who this person is. He swiftly slayed him by smashing his head with his fist.

Pralamba had disguished himself thinking that he will not be recognized. But in front of the Lord who we are is revealed. So, we should never think that we can deceive the Lord. Lord knows who we are and what is there in our heart.

Begging Lord Jagannath to purify our heart of all impurities

With folded hands we should stand in front of Lord Jagannath who is Lord Krishna with folded hands and beg him to free us from all impurities which is forcing us to not take his full shelter.

During Rath Yatra Lord is extremely merciful. So, we should again and again pray for his mercy and try to serve him as much as possible.

While doing the deity service, I saw several devotees constantly bowing in front of the Lord, raising their both hands while chanting Jai Jagannath and were constantly chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra on their beads.

I am extremely grateful to Lord Jagannath for giving me an opportunity to serve him at Gundicha Temple. Hope next year too I get an opportunity to serve Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra during Rath Yatra festival in the Gundicha temple.

Three References

• On Thursday the Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra were having Banabhoji Besha and on Friday the pastime of Lord Balarama slaying the demon Pralambāsura was depicted.
• Like Pralambāsura, we should never think that we can deceive the Lord. Lord knows who we are and what is there in our heart.
• We should stand in front of Lord Jagannath with folded hands and beg him to free us from all impurities which is forcing us to not take his full shelter.

Ask Yourself

• Is there something in my heart which I am hiding from the Lord?

Action Item

• Reveal your heart to the Lord and beg him to purify all the impurities which is keeping us away from him.

Everyone ultimately has to surrender to Krishna

Either we have to surrender to Krishna voluntarily or we will be forced to surrender but eventually everyone has to surrender to Krishna, the Supreme Lord.  

When a person surrenders to his enemy then he loses all his glory. The surrender is too painful for him. But when one surrenders to the will of the Lord then the surrender is not painful but it’s joyful. It brings joy to both – the Lord and the one who surrenders to him.

Every one of us has to surrender to the Lord at some point in time. The decision is ours. We have to decide when we want to surrender. If we do not surrender to Krishna willingly then at the time of death we will be compelled to surrender to him. And that surrender is terrible.

Krishna is very sweet but in the form of death is extremely fearful.

Krishna’s fearful form

Arjuna personally witnessed that terrifying form of Krishna when he saw how people were entering into his mouth and dying helplessly. Arjuna was seeing Krishna’s gigantic all destroying Universal form. 

He saw people rushing into Krishna’s fearful mouth. Sometimes their heads were being crushed by his teeth while entering into the mouth. Seeing this Arjuna was aghast and terrified.

He said, “I see all people rushing full speed into Your mouths, as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire.” Bhagavad Gita 11.29

Arjuna pleads with Krishna to come back to his two-handed sweet form. The Supreme Lord accepts his request and shows him his beautiful form.

“When Arjuna thus saw Kṛṣṇa in His original form, he said: O Janārdana, seeing this humanlike form, so very beautiful, I am now composed in mind, and I am restored to my original nature.” Bhagavad Gita 11.51

So, we have to decide if we want to surrender to sweet Krishna who is the darling of all the brajvasis, or do we want to surrender to all devouring fear personified Krishna in the form of death. 

Krishna tells how to surrender to him

In the material world surrender means accepting defeat. But here surrender means accepting the ultimate reality. It’s like a rebellious child surrendering to his father. When a child surrenders to his father then his father not only accepts him with open arms but also forgets and forgives his all-previous mistakes.

Attaining Krishna is not difficult because the Lord himself tells us how we can get his grace.  

He says, “My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being – he certainly comes to Me.”  Bhagavad Gita 11.55

Like a loving father, Krishna is waiting for us with his open arms to embrace us. We just need to turn towards him and say – Krishna I am yours. Now you are the goal of my life. Please accept me.

Krishna will surely accept us because he never rejects anyone who surrenders to him.

But if we fail to surrender to Krishna then we should be ready to see in the form of death.

Three Reflections

• If we do not surrender to Krishna willingly then at the time of death we will be compelled to surrender to him.
• Arjuna saw people rushing into Krishna’s fearful mouth. Sometimes their heads were being crushed by his teeth while entering into the mouth.
• We have to decide if we want to surrender to sweet Krishna or fear personified Krishna in the form of death.  

Ask Yourself

• Am I ready to surrender to Krishna as per Krishna’s wishes?

Action Item

• Everyday say to Krishna, “I am yours. Please accept me.”

Why do bad things happen to good people like me?

Almost all the time we complain. Sometimes we may be vocal about it but most of the time we silently complain. Why did it happen to me? Why do bad things always happen to good people like me?  Occasionally we console ourselves philosophically that maybe it’s happening because of some previous bad karma which I might have done unknowingly. But most of the time, we consider ourselves a victim of an unjust system.

In our life’s journey we face adversities which either we may foresee, or it may come unexpected. Previous karma does not necessarily seal our future; our future mostly depends on how we react to a situation.

Suppose that someone speaks unpalatable words to us then at that moment we have the opportunity to either aggravate the situation or cool down the tempers. The other person’s insulting words may have fallen on us due to some previous bad karma but if we react with spiritual wisdom then the situation and our problems will not increase.

Once a person lost his job and was not able to find another one. He became so upset and disturbed that in a fit of rage he stabbed a person. This not only landed him in prison but he completely ruined his future. A person with a proper mindset might have used that period to upgrade his skill or to go for higher studies. 

Good or bad situations will keep on coming and going, how we respond to them will shape our future. The altitude which we will reach in our life depends on our attitude.

Do not lament, do something

God has bestowed upon us sufficient intelligence to convert any problems into an opportunity. So, whenever we find ourselves in an unpleasant situation then instead of giving a knee – jerk reaction we should contemplate for a while and then make the next move. During those difficult times, if we judiciously use our intelligence then that insidious situation may even become a springboard to reach closer to God.

When Vidura was rebuked, humiliated and was practically forced out of the kingdom by Duryodhana then Vidura did not lament and said, “Why did it happen to me?” He did not grumble that although he was on the righteous path and on the side of truth then why did it happen to him.

Instead of getting caught in all these negativities he simply went on a spiritual journey. Vidura met sages like Maitreyi and devotees like Uddhava. He heard from them pearls of wisdom, learnt many spiritual lessons, absorbed himself in hearing Krishna’s pastimes.  He constantly remembered Krishna and perfected his life. Vidura converted his misfortune into fortune. On the other hand, Duryodhana lost everything including his life.

So, when next time we come through any unpleasant situation and circumstances then let us not feel like a victim and complain, “Why do bad things happen to good people like me?” but instead let us try to do something meaningful. And the best is to utilize it to get closer to Krishna, the Supreme God. This is the best way to convert your misfortune into fortune.

Three Reflections

• Previous karma does not seal our future; our future mostly depends on how we react to a situation.
• When Vidura faced humiliation, then instead of lamenting and fretting, he handled it positively and perfected his life.
• During difficulties, let us not feel like a victim and complain, “Why do bad things happen to good people like me?” but instead let us try to do something meaningful during that time.  

Ask Yourself?

• Do I always blame God for our problem?

Action Item

• Identify a problem which is troubling you the most and decide not to lament about it but instead start taking action to solve it.

As soon as soul look towards the Supersoul, he becomes free from all anxieties

Mundaka Upanisad and Svetasvatara Upanisad say that the Supersoul and the Soul are like two birds on the same tree yet too far from each other.  The Supersoul desperately look towards the soul, but the Soul is indifferent to Supersoul’s gesture of love. 

Krishna, the Supreme Lord, as Supersoul, Paramatma, is always with us in our heart yearning for our attention but we are too busy to reciprocate with him.

For millions and zillions of years he has been patiently waiting for us. One would have become hopeless by this time. But still he has the hope that a day will come when we will look towards him and say “Yes, I have been missing you”.

We are always together yet away from each other. The two of us are on the same tree. We the individual soul is busy eating the fruits of the tree and the Supersoul is just watching us. Both of us are desperate.

The Supersoul is desperately waiting for the individual soul to turn towards him, and the individual soul is desperate because he wants to enjoy this world. While endeavouring for material gain, we, the souls, go through many difficulties.

Fear and frustration become our constant companion. During this period, Supersoul continues to look towards us hoping to seek our attention. But still, we are reluctant to look towards him.

Krishna, never leaves us

Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.2) and Svetasvatara Upanisad (4.7) explain this graphically, “Although the two birds are in the same tree, the eating bird is fully engrossed with anxiety and moroseness as the enjoyer of the fruits of the tree. But if in some way or other he turns his face to his friend who is the Lord and knows His glories—at once the suffering bird becomes free from all anxieties.”

Krishna is our eternal friend, but we have forgotten our friendship with him. We independently decided to break this bond and pursue our goals separately.  Here we struggle hard to achieve something. Sometimes our endeavour fructifies and sometimes not. Whatever may be the outcome, the fruits which we get fail to keep us happy, so we continue struggling hard.

And whatever we accumulate, we leave here only because when we die, we do not carry anything with us.

When we accept a new body based on the karma we performed then again Krishna accompanies us. And he has been doing so again and again, life after life.

He is not upset by our constant neglect. He never leaves us. Just like a true friend he hopes that a day will come when we will remember him, embrace him and will say with deep love, “Yes Krishna, I have been missing you. I love you.”

As soon as we will turn towards Krishna, we will be free from all sufferings and enjoy a happy life with Krishna. But if we continue to look away from him then we will continue to suffer.

Three Reflections

• Krishna, the Supreme Lord, as Supersoul, Paramatma, is always with us in our heart yearning for our attention but we are too busy to reciprocate with his gesture of love.
• When he turns his face to his friend who is the Lord and knows His glories—at once the suffering bird becomes free from all anxieties.
• But if he continues to look away from the Lord, he will continue to suffer.

Ask Yourself

• How many times do I remember Krishna in a day?

Action Item

• Make it a point to remember Krishna constantly
  • In the morning chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
  • In the afternoon say a prayer to Krishna for at least 5 minutes.
  • In the night before going to sleep read Krishna book for 30 minutes.

Engaging senses in the service of Krishna for endless joy

Instead of using our senses in the service of Krishna, we use it for sense gratification thinking that this will give us great joy. Let us reflect on our life and ask ourselves if indulging in sense gratification really gives us pleasure?

We may say, “Yes when I eat a piece of pineapple pastry then I feel happy. Or if I watch a movie of my favourite star then I feel happy.”

But the question is how long that happiness lasts. For example, if you have eaten your favourite mango ice cream a month back, then is it still giving joy to your tongue? Or, you might have watched a movie a year back, then is it still making you happy?

We know the answer, “It is not.” Sense gratification can give us only temporary pleasure. And the pleasure is also not much.

So, is it not better to use our senses in such a way that the happiness which we experience never diminishes by time but instead multiplies by time? And the quantity of pleasure too is huge.

This is indeed possible. For this, we have to use our senses in the service of Krishna. Krishna is eternal, so any service to Krishna is eternal. Krishna is the source of all pleasures, so if we use our senses in the service of Krishna then pleasure is guaranteed.

Many times, we read stories of great devotees who give up all material power, positions, possessions and retire to the forest to meditate on the Lord. This is because the happiness which they begin experiencing by absorbing themselves in Krishna is far more than what they were getting when they were trying to gratify their senses through worldly means.

Make senses Krishna Conscious

Now, you and I may not have to go to the forest to attain that joy. Scriptures tell us how we can engage our senses in the service of Krishna and enjoy a happy life.

Let us see how to do it.

Instead of watching movies, TV serials, YouTube videos, we can use our eyes in relishing the divine beauty of the Lord.  Instead of listening to movie songs or hearing endless useless news, we should use our ears in hearing the glories of the Lord. Instead of using our tongue in discussing politics, sports or movies, we can use it in chanting the name of the Lord like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

In spiritual life we can use our tongue in enjoying delicious food too. So, if you like pineapple pastry or pizza then you can first offer it to Krishna with love so that he can eat. After Krishna eats the offered food, we can eat it too. The offered food is now not ordinary food but divine food, prasadam. When you eat it, you won’t just enjoy the taste but will get the mercy of the Lord too.

By being engaged in Krishna conscious activities, our senses will become purified and will begin experiencing higher taste. And then our senses will lose taste for material sense gratification.

Srila Prabhupada says, “When one is actually Kṛṣṇa conscious, he automatically loses his taste for pale things.” Bhagavad Gita 2.59 purport

Three Reflections

• Let us reflect on our life and ask ourselves if indulging in sense gratification really gives us pleasure?
• Happiness, one experiences in using senses in the service of Krishna is far more when used for sense gratification.
• By experiencing higher taste, senses lose taste for material sense gratification.

Ask Yourself

• Do I feel happy when I take the darshan of the Lord in the temple?

Action Item

• Instead of hearing political news or movie songs, start hearing lecture of Srila Prabhupada at least 30 minutes daily.
• Also read Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam for at least 30 minutes daily.

Krishna rewards us as per our wishes

Krishna is an impartial Lord; he always rewards us as per our wishes. This he confirms in Bhagavad Gita, “As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly” (Bhagavad – Gita 4.11). So, this is a wonderful opportunity for us to get the best from Krishna. For this, we have to just take his shelter, and he will make our life wonderful.

If happiness is currently eluding us then it implies that we are now not being rewarded by Krishna. It is not because Krishna does not want to reward us, but it is because we do not deserve to be rewarded by Krishna. This happens because we have not agreed to take shelter of Krishna.

If anyone takes shelter of Krishna, Krishna considers him his own and gives him the best.

For example, when Dushasana was trying to dishonor Draupadi then she took shelter of Krishna, and Krishna immediately came to her rescue and saved her honor. Sudama surrendered all his possessions which he was carrying in the form of broken chipped rice to Krishna and Krishna gave him wealth greater than the emperor of the world.

This is Krishna’s mercy upon those who take his shelter.

Now, we may have a question as how to take shelter of Krishna. This is personally explained by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. And he repeats this two times. This is the only verse which he says twice in this divine literature.

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. Bhagavad Gita 9.34

Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. Bhagavad Gita 18.65

Always remain under Krishna’s shelter

Krishna advises us that in all situations and circumstances, we should be absorbed in him. During difficulties, we should remember Krishna and during happiness we should not forget Krishna. In this material world we do not know when happiness turns into disaster.

If we continuously remember Krishna, then no suffering will touch us. Sometimes externally it may look that devotees are being troubled by material miseries but internally they are not affected. This happens because devotees rise beyond their material mind and body.

For example, it looks like Prahlada was suffering when Hiranyakasipu was trying to kill him through various means. But Prahlada remained undisturbed and unharmed. And he also was always in bliss.

These stories of great devotees like – Draupadi, Sudama, Prahlada – teach us how we should live in this world amidst trials and tribulations. In this material world there will be people who will try to inflict suffering upon us. And sometimes the situations may not be as per our liking. 

But we should never get disheartened. This becomes possible when we give our heart to Krishna and decide to remain always under his shelter.

When Krishna sees this wish of ours, he happily comes and resides in our heart because he says in Gita that he rewards his devotees as per their wishes. Devotees then start experiencing great joy and feel completely protected.  

Three Reflections

• If happiness is eluding us, then it implies that we are not taking shelter of Krishna.
• Krishna advises us that in all situations and circumstances, we should be absorbed in him.
• When we give our heart to Krishna then Krishna comes and resides in our heart.

Ask Yourself

• Am I engaging my mind in thinking of Krishna or thinking on topics not related to Krishna?

Action Item

• As soon as your mind deviates from Krishna, force it to think about Krishna.

Detachment from material attachment gives unlimited happiness

The more we are attached to this world, the more unhappy we become. The more we are detached from this world, the more happy we become. And if we are completely detached from this material world then we become eligible to experience unlimited happiness.

Srimad Bhagavatam tells the story of a hawk who was having a piece of meat in his mouth. Seeing the meat the other hungry hawks who were stronger than him started attacking him.

Fearing his life the weaker hawk immediately dropped the piece of meat from his mouth and the angry hawks immediately stopped attacking him. The weaker hawk felt safe now and experienced joy as he was not being attacked any more.

It’s a valuable lesson for all of us. Just think about anything you were attached to in your life. And ask yourself if it caused happiness or pain, fear or joy, frustration or contentment? In almost all the cases, you might have experienced pain.

Any sort of material attachment becomes the cause of unhappiness.

I see in IT industry people are attached to go to onsite to USA or to European countries. Now everyone’s dream cannot be fulfilled. Those who are too attached to go to abroad always remain in anxiety thinking that whether he will get an opportunity or not.

And there are others who too are vying for the same opportunity. So, there is always unhealthy competition. And once one fails to go abroad then he becomes completely dejected.

Now suppose that there is an employee who works hard but is not attached to go abroad and also not attached to not to go abroad then will he ever be in misery? Will any kind of unhealthy competition bother him? Obviously, not.

Attachment to Krishna

In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna to do his work as a matter of duty with utmost sincerity and simultaneously not to get attached to this world. Instead, the Supreme Lord, asks Arjuna, the fearsome warrior, to get attached to him.

So, detachment from this world means getting attached to Krishna, the Supreme Lord.

The more we are detached to Krishna, the more we suffer. The more we are attached to Krishna the less we suffer. And if we are completely attached to Krishna then there is no suffering, there is only unlimited happiness.

So, the devotees of the Lord who are always attached to the Lord are always blissful, joyful and peaceful. Nothing of this world troubles them because they understand that nothing of this world is worthy enough to give them anything more valuable than Krishna. So, they are always engaged in chanting and singing the glories of Krishna.

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” Bhagavad Gita 9.14

Three Reflections

• Material attachment becomes the cause of suffering.
• Material detachment gives relief from material suffering.
• Attachment to Krishna bestows unlimited spiritual happiness.

Ask Yourself

• Think of anything or any person whom you were attached to and ask yourself whether it caused pain or pleasure?

Action Item

• Identify an attachment which is troubling you and list down the steps which you plan to take to get detached from it.

Thousands of devotees participate in 54th Kolkata Rath Yatra festival of Iskcon

Hundreds and thousands of devotees enthusiastically came out on the streets of Kolkata to welcome Lord Jagannath during 54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra festival organized by Iskcon. The Rath Yatra procession began at around 2 pm but devotees in large numbers were there many hours before to take a glimpse of Jagannath who was happily sitting on a beautiful and huge chariot. 

Lord Baladeva and sister Subhadra too were there on their chariots. Lord Baladeva was in front, sister Subhadra in the middle and Lord Jagannath at the last. Prabhupada’s deity was on the chariot of Lord Baladeva.

The program started with Pahundi, when Lord Jagannath was taken from the altar to the chariot along with his brother and sister. After the Lord ascended the chariot, his arati was performed and for the pleasure of the Lord there were traditional musical and dance performances in front of the chariot.

Meanwhile arrangements were made for all who had come for the Rath Yatra festival to take delicious prasadam.

Colourful Rath Yatra Procession

As soon as the procession started from Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple at Minto Park, devotees thronged near the chariot to pull the rope of the chariot. Rath Yatra procession was huge. In the beginning of the procession devotees were doing ecstatic kirtan.

There were ladies who were carrying arati plates, some were carrying flags, some devotees during the entire procession were performing folk and traditional dance, there were children dressed as Radh, Krishna, gopas, gopis. There were kirtan parties in front of the chariot of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra.

Everyone was chanting Jai Jagannath and were singing the Hare Krishna Kirtan. And while singing devotees were joyfully dancing too.  There were devotees cleaning the road with brooms.  The roads were decorated with colourful rangolis.

While the procession was going on thousands of people were standing on the street to welcome the Lord. As soon as they saw the Lords on the chariot, their faces lit up. They immediately offered their respects to the Lord; some even bowed down on the road to pay their obeisances.

After doing so, they immediately rushed towards the chariot to pull the ropes. People working in the offices wearing their ID cards too came out to pull the ropes.

While they were eagerly pulling the chariot, they were also helping and encouraging others to pull the chariot. At one place when one old lady was facing difficulty in pulling the chariot, then people came forward to help her. There were small children too who got to pull the rope of the chariot.

Some thought that it won’t be possible for them to walk with the Lord for hours till the Lord reaches Gundicha temple. They thought that they will take darshan of the Lord and after pulling the chariot will immediately leave. But as they started marching with the Lord Jagannath, they forgot their fear and fatigue and remained till the end of the Rath Yatra.

Some were not well so had decided not to come but when they saw the procession live on You Tube and heard from their friends that how they are celebrating the festival they immediately took a cab and joined the Rath Yatra procession.

Old men and women who had difficulty in walking were seen welcoming the Lord from their balconies.

At different places arati of Jagannath, Baladeva and Shubhadra was performed. And after arati, bhoga was offered to the Lord. Prasadam of the Lord like different varieties of sweets and fruits were abundantly distributed.

Also, at different places people were freely offering water, fruit juices, lassi to those who were in the Rath Yatra procession. They were quite eager to serve the devotees.

The weather too was good. Neither it was too hot nor it rained.

Jagannath is everyone’s Lord

In the Rath Yatra festival, everyone was there – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, Hindus and non-Hindus, Indians and non-Indians.

And it is natural too; Lord Jagannath is everyone’s Lord. He is not just the Lord of the Hindus, but he is the Lord of all the people of the world. He is not an Indian Lord, but he is the Lord of the entire Universe.

Lord Jagannath resides in everyone’s heart and everyone belongs to him. Some know about it and unfortunately some do not know about it. But by the grace of Jagannath’s devotees like Srila Prabhupada, today people all over the world are understanding this truth and so thousands of people all over the world forgetting their material identities are happily getting connected to Jagannath.

9-day Rath Yatra festival

The Ratra festival finally reached Brigade Ground Parade around 7 pm. Here a makeshift Gundicha temple has been built. The Lord will remain here till the day of Ulta Rath Yatra which is on 5^th July.

Huge pandal has been set up here. During this period there will be different programs, cultural events, talks by senior sannyasis, daily Bhagavatam class, arati in the morning, afternoon and evening, kirtan, dance performances and so on.

In the pandal, there are various attractive stalls for youths and children. Khicdi prasadam will be distributed free to all. There will be prasadam counters from where devotees can buy and enjoy Jagannath’s delicious prasadam.

54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra organized by Iskcon is a 9-day festival, and it is expected that daily thousands of devotees will visit the pandal to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Shubdra Devi.

If you are in Kolkata, then do visit the Gundicha temple at Brigade ground. If not in Kolkata, then wherever you are do visit the temple of Lord Jagannath and make your life divine.

Three Reflections

• Thousands of devotees joyfully participated in 54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra of Iskcon.
• During Rath Yatra, everyone came out on the street to pull the chariot of the Lord – men, women, young, old, Hindus, non-Hindus, Indians, non – Indians – because Jagannath is everyone’s Lord.
• We should forget our material identities and get connect to Jagannath and make our life divine.

Ask Yourself

• Am I planning to visit Gundicha temple to take darshan of the Lord?

Action Item

• If not, then plan to visit the Gundicha temple and seek blessings of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Shundra Devi.
• Chant few rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra in front of Jagannath.

Dear Lord Jagannath, please bind my heart to your lotus feet

Dear Lord Jagannath, on this auspicious day of Rath Yatra festival, please inundate the world by your mercy. O Lord of the Universe, please come and see how we are suffering here without you.

Our heart which is now flooded with nasty desires weeps again and again. Lust, anger and greed has captured my heart, and I feel incapable of freeing myself from its captivity. So, please come and free my heart of these impurities and permanently reside here.

Never leave me, never allow me to leave you.

Today to show unlimited mercy you will be riding on a mammoth chariot along with your elder brother Lord Baladeva and younger sister Subhadra to see the condition of your eternal part and parcel who left you. We thought that without you, we will be happy. But now we know that life without you is like body without a soul.

But in spite of our obstinance to not be with you, you never leave us. You are always there for us in the temple as a deity. And once in every year you come out of your sanctum sanctorum to sanctify the world and purify the heart of the impure. Your Rath Yatra festival is a great gift to the world.

Scriptures say that just by seeing you on the chariot and welcoming you with joy makes us qualified to attain your spiritual abode.

You always reside in Jagannath Puri Dham, and the residents of Puri Dham are fortunate because they always have the opportunity to see you.

54^th Kolkata Rath Yatra festival by Iskcon

But by the grace of your great devotee, Srila Prabhupada, today people all over the world are able to take your darshan and are also able to celebrate Rath Yatra festival. As a child living in Kolkata, Prabhupada would always be eager to go to Puri to seek your blessings.

He was so fond of you that as a child he would celebrate Rath Yatra at his home. And when he established Iskcon, he installed your deity and started Rath Yatra festival in Kolkata. Today in Kolkata, Iskcon is celebrating 54^th Rath Yatra festival.  And devotees not only from Kolkata but from many parts of India are here to participate in this great festival of chariot.

Flood my heart with the desire to always serve you

Unfortunate souls like me will also try to be part of this great festival. My dear Lord Jagannath, today give me an opportunity to see your wonderful face and take your darshan to my hearts content.

Give me an opportunity to pull the transcendental ropes which is fortunate than me because it is always tied to the chariot on which you sit like an emperor of the entire universe.

Dear Lord Jagannath, please bind my heart to your lotus feet with the ropes so hard that I never leave you even when I try to leave you.

You are the Lord of the Universe, there are millions of devotees not only on earth but in the entire universe including great demigods like Shiva, Brahma, Indra, Chandra who worship you. In front of them I am insignificant both materially and spiritually.  

But I know you are a gracious Lord, you are a merciful God, so you won’t deny your mercy to me. My only prayer at your lotus feet is to purify my heart of all material desires and flood my heart with only one desire – the desire to always see you, serve you, worship you, glorify you and always participate in your Rath Yatra festival life after life.

Three Reflections

• Once in every year Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Lord Baladeva and younger sister Subhadra Devi come out of their sanctum sanctorum during the Rath Yatra festival.
• If we welcome Lord Jagannath riding on the chariot during the Rath Yatra festival, then next life we will go back to the spiritual world.
• Let us pray to our very Dear Lord Jagannath to free our heart of all material desires and bind our heart to his lotus feet.

Ask Yourself

• Today did I pray to Lord Jagannath to fill my heart with spiritual desires so that I always serve him?

Action Item

• Pray to Lord Jagannath and participate in Rath Yatra festival. If not possible to participate then celebrate the festival at home.