03-28-2008 22:09

March 16, 2008 
Dear devotees at the Boston Temple, 
 
Please accept my humble obeisances. 
 
All glories to Sri Sri Radha Gopi Vallabha! 
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. 
All glories to Sri Guru & Gauranga. 
 
This letter is to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those devotees who made my stay at the New Gundicha temple a blissful devotional experience. I arrived in Boston on Monday March 3rd, and left for Toronto on Thursday March 6th 2008. 
 
I humbly request that this letter is made available to all those mentioned here in some form, so that my gratitude may reach them. 
 
To Sri Gangambupada Dasa & Sri Acyuta Dasa, for communicating with me to setup my visit and making the necessary arrangements before my arrival. 
 
To the temple management for letting me stay at the temple even though I am quite unqualified for this privilege. 
 
To Krita Mala Mataji, who took care of my spiritual needs by being kind and understanding during the morning programs and showing me the way to participate and helping me take my first baby steps in the morning programs and some practical devotional service to the deities. 
 
To Ravanari Dasa Prabhu, who is an ideal example of Pujari waking up early to serve their Lordships, and helped me feel at home with his warmth and friendliness. 
 
To Kreso Prabhu, who served me Prasadam several times and talked to me about many interesting topics. 
 
To Liladhara Dasa Prabhu, for his warmth. 
 
To Mothers Yogamaya & Nanda Nandana dd, for making delicious offering and giving me an opportunity to taste Prasadam morning, noon, and night. 
 
To Caitanya Bhagavat Dasa Prabhu, for his warmth and friendliness. 
 
To Nitin Prabhu & his nice devotee friends, for including me in the Wednesday feast program and making me feel at home. 
 
To Braj Bihari Dasa Prabhu from Vrindavan, who blessed me with a wonderful Bhagavatam lecture, and to Krita Mala Mataji for requesting him to give the lecture. 
 
To other devotees who help to clean and maintain the temple, to devotees who render various different service. 
 
Please, once again accept my deepest gratitude for helping me be close to Krishna in an otherwise materially charged conference visit. 
 
Humbly, 
Milind

03-30-2008 14:42

Hello again, I'd just like to thank you for being so helpful with my research paper. I attended the deity bathing ceremony last Friday at the temple and it was wonderful. Everyone was very welcoming and I enjoyed the new experience.

04-05-2008 06:04

I think the above letter by Milind is the essence of what a devotee is and should be....glorification of the Vaishnavas who have dedicated their lives to Prabhupad's mission.

11-15-2008 05:47

The New York Marathon The real story. 
 
 
I would like to share our marathon success, because honestly there was now way for me to see that finish line with out the love and help of Krsna and the devotees. 
 
I entered the marathon as part of Team for Kid a reputable charity that strives to give children a better start. The children are my soft spot so I was happy to fulfill a personal goal while engaging in an activity that will benefit others. To be a part of the team we had to raise funds to support the projects and train to run simultaneously. The running part is the easy part, the soliciting others for money, that is not really my nature so I do not do so well. I told as many people as I could, considering my other duties and responsibilities. However, I did not have the heart to push people to want to contribute their resources. 
 
I am a positive person, I always have been. My intentions are always to help, so I decided to continue forward even though I knew this would be difficult, no painful. I like to tell people it is not about me, it is what you can do for others with the limited resources that you have available. It is our hearts that are our greatest assets because that is where the soul resides. My heart wanted to run this New York Marathon as part of Team for Kids because it felt right. It felt like the devotee thing to do, I like the action and adventure side of Krsna as well as the loving and peaceful. So I set out to run the New York Marathon as an aspiring devotee. 
 
 
The first Obstacle was finding a place to stay in New York City. I did not want to get stressed out and I need too have a suitable location to stay relative to where I need to catch the bus to get to Staten Island. I will admit I was stressing but I have faith in Krsna because earlier in the year He sent me Jishnu as my hero and it world out beautifully. I was making calls and trying to figure out how this was going to happen. I called the Brooklyn Temple and I could not find the contact I was looking for at the time. So I thought to myself, genius why don't you call the Boston Temple President Daru, he is a really nice devote he may have and idea. Some times the most obvious thing to do is the most difficult thing to see. 
 
I called the Boston Temple and I asked for Daru, he was located and I spoke to him and asked his advice. He told me that there was a devotee from New York that came to Boston for a few days who actually rungs the Manhattan guest house. Wow, I thought. Then he said that this devotee use to live in Boston and I may know him. I thought what are the odds? Daru described the devotee and immediately my mid ran on a person we use to call Charlie. Daru confirmed that it was Charlie. My heart near skipped a beat because I really like Charlie he is a nice peaceful person who is very intelligent, Charlie use to teach Latin. We went out for his birthday one year. 
 
Daru went and got Charlie who is now Caitanya Mangala and we spoke. It was Caitanya Mangala who took care of my housing arrangements while I was there because at this point I was helpless. I was really amazed and touched at how generous and thoughtful Caitanya worked out the arrangement. He was willing to give up his own bed for my personal comforts. I thought I would have been fine sleeping on the floor with a blanket. I was not worried about a bed. I just need some where enclosed and safe. Caitanya explained that it would be wise to have a good rest before the race. I agreed. The first obstacle was out of the way. Hare Krsna! 
 
The second was on Wednesday I had to call the Team and let them know that I had not even raised half of the funds. I was a bit embarrassed but I knew I did my best. I spoke with Zakia a nice lady who I could tell was disappointed but she gave me a chance. She did that if I raised half or the funds we could work out a payment plan for the rest. I agreed because at this point I already gave my word to God and I had not intention of baking out. I always wanted to be and angel when I was growing up. 
 
Zakia allowed me to bring the amount hat would make half of the total on Saturday. That should not have been a problem. However due to forgetfulness and a slight miscalculation an issue occur. I went to check my account and the necessary funds were not in the account. Hm, a cosmic conspiracy I thought, Krsna are you playing some game with the money. What did I really do? I had forgotten that it was 10/31/2008 and that a schedule withdrawal was going to take place. 
 
Well I had left work already for the day and I was on the way to catch the Luck Star bus to New York. I just laughed. They tell me to chant so I am just going to chant and see what happens. I was disappointed about the miscalculation, but I was also entertained. Hey laugh or cry I always choose to laugh. I was not in a state of anxiety thinking if I do not run this marathon there will be many disappointed people. Well, that may be one lesson to learn in life. No, a devotee is never defeated that is the ultimate mind set. I really did not want to hear defeat because in my heart this one important. I also had my Shihon (Master Teacher) in martial arts to think about and the good reputation of the school. The people of UMass Boston who taught me management whom I consider dear in my heart. My fraternity brothers who kook out for me as special friends. My other associates who strive to make life better for others by making the sacrifice of trying to change their life for the better. No! Defeat was not an option. I always tell people I do not do things on my own it is not possible. I have had so many wonderful instructors, friends, guardians; to think that I have done alone would be the epitome of arrogance. 
 
I was now charged up. I reread the first Bhagavad-Gita and through that reading I was reminded that even in calamity God will be there for the devotee. I smiled and I thought (ha) that line is for me now. I knew things would work out one way or the other, I thought, the real worst thing is I get a bit embarrassed, but on the bright side a get a mini vacation and the association of devotees in New York City, I was happy. 
 
I called Caitanya Mangala to let him know that I arrived in New York and he told me that there was a program and Chandra Mauli Maharaja was the featured speaker. I was so tired, but I was charged up again because I like Chandra Mauli Swami Maharaja. I met him in Boston, I see him as a youthful elder. He is so animated when he chants that you would think he is in his twenties. His smile is so warm and charming and his eye is gentle, yet they tell the story of time because he has seen so much in his days and has shared so many stories. 
 
The program was so nice. Chandra Mauli Swami Maharaja has a really nice slide show. He also shared two stories, one about the (touch some) and the disciple trading it in for the Maha mantra, the other about the mantra and people not recognizing its value. The pictures were beautiful. He described when first started out in ISKCON to us and how he and other devotees had to live separate from ladies, there were no computer, and they had to perform so many services. I love hearing other people experiences, I thought hm, that is austere in my eyes. 
 
The Prasad am was excellent and well needed. To be honest the stay started out great in my eyes. One of the last times I went to New York I was Bit by a Dog while saving a friend, but that is a story for a different day. 
 
Ha, I made it to the temple guest house and I was very pleased with the guest quarters. Caitanya Mangala was a gracious host and met me by the doors. He showed me around and helped me settle in the room. I slept so well that night. 
 
My head was now cleared and I called my fiancée Kundlata who is wonderful. We talked and together we took care of the arrangements so that the funds would be there in the account by the time I went to pick up the number. Kundlata was my hero at that moment. Hare Krsna!! 
 
Saturday morning I went to the mangle arti and stayed for the morning program. His Grace Chandra Mauli Swami gave the program. During the program His Holiness said some thing that I have had in my mind for years. He said that there was no economic crisis, what we have is the human authorities miss managing resources. My heart was happy hearing him say this because I consider him very intelligent ad two that means I am not crazy. There is enough food to go around, air after and shelter, and with self control there is potential for a much better planet. 
 
I was not fortunate because Chandra Mauli Swami was giving an initiation to a nice devotee named Corel. I like initiation ceremonies, that commitment is serious. The level of discipline is admirable. No meat eating, no intoxication, no gambling, no illicit sex and chanting 16 rounds. I was happy for Corel, I also met him in Boston. 
 
Now the drama starts. I went to go and get my race number. The I had just enough money to make it back to Boston so I really had to think every thing through to a conclusion and make sure that I was accurate. I went to the Javit Center and it was asked. I really was not sure what to do but I made sure I had enough time to get the number. After I was given the "run around", I picked up my number and I found the Team for Kids boot. I stood behind a nice lady who was in anxiety because she had her sister waiting for her outside and her sister was not familiar with New York. We talked a bit and this was the second time she was gong tot run the Marathon. She had short blonde hair and wore classes. She was frustrated, as we were seeking I said that is why I like to chant. I wait in so many lines it is nice to ease the mind. 
 
I finally made it to the person at the Desk. I told her who I was and that I was looking for Zakia. The person at the desk did not know about my arrangements with Zakia so she directed me to Rude at the cancellation desk. Hum, cancellation desk, now what is the story. I went and I found Rude who was a pleasant enough person. I told him that I had arrangement with Zakia. Rude misunderstood what I was saying and he said "I am sorry you will not be running with us,..." . In my mind I though did we just have a conversation or was I speaking a forge in tongue. No, I did not came here not to run not after I made sure that I made the half way mark. 
 
I took a deep breath and smiled. I do not think you understand I do not plan on cancel ling. Rude could look and see I came to run period. He asked if Zakia was at the desk. Then he said lets go to the desk. We proceeded to the desk and called Zakia. She said as long as ABC was done then I am good to go, and they were done. Big Hare Krsna and a smile!! 
 
I also met Dominick from London, we talked and he did not know you could run the Boston Marathon unofficially. I told him yes, my Shihon gave me that information. It was nice to see how his eyes lit up, he is a dedicated runner. Domminick was trying to get a spot on Team for Kids while I was trying to defend mine. I was tired just from getting the number. Now my mind was thinking about how I am going to get to the bus at four in the morning. I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. So I walked from the Javit Center to the Temple Guest House that is over two mile. It was a really nice walk. 
 
When I got back to the guest house Caitanya Mangla was there and he made sure that I planned well to catch the train early in the morning. I had to go to the train stop at 2:45am. Oh man, I really did not want to do that I wanted to sleep. I was so glad that we changing the clocks back. Hum, remember that. 
 
 
I spent more time with the devotees and tried to get to know them. There was Nam whose name means devotion, Diva who actually teaches people how to chant and others. The Temple President was a really interesting person. He was always on the move. I was really impressed with how they keep everything going. New York is a big tough City to live in all year round. 
 
O,K the plan was I get up at 2;00am show eat prasadam and go complete the mission. Well, lets say that sometime I wonder why plan at all. I set my alarm for two o’clock. It rang at two according to my verizon phone. I called the official time when the phone said 2:08am just to make sure. The official time said it was 2:08am so in my mind it is 2:08am. I shower, I eat I get everything done. Yeah lets go catch the bus and conquer the NYC marathon. I am excited. 
 
When I proceeded through eh front door I noticed that there were so many people outside. I though even for 2:45 am there seem to be a lot of people out. This NYC really must be the city that never sleeps. I got on the train the time now said 3:31am when I got off the stop I was supposed to get off. That is pretty good, I only have to wait about 30 minute I could chant for a while or read. 
 
I get to the new York Public library and there is a nice young lady sitting on the steps. I could tell she was another runner. I said oh, "you are the first one here". I like to be first was really what I was thinking but being second on the bus is just as good. Denise said she got there and hour early. Wow I thought you must have been here a while. Denise was so nice to me. I sat beside her and she offered me an energy drink and blanket for my legs. I asked her if she liked to read and she did so I gave her the copy of Bhagavad-Gita I was reading. I told her that this is one of my favorite books. She did not want to take it because she thought that I was attached to that particular copy. I just laughed no I said, the temple has many more copies. 
 
 
We were speaking about where the greeter was supposed to be stationed and other things. Then I stated to think what time it is this does not seem right. Sometimes it takes a while for me to catch on but eventually I do. It was now 3:15am. There was a delay in the actual adjustment of my phone and the official verizon time. What a cosmic conspiracy, that meant that I lost one hour sleep time and I eat one hour early. Not only that it was frustrating and that is not a good mood to be in before a big event. Ho well, I did not want to dwell on the matter. 
 
Another person joined us and we were talking. I had seen the constellation Orion over head. You do not see stars in a city like New York often, so I knew regardless the day will go well. I was not freeing my mind chanting under the stars. This is not so bad. 
 
Ok time to load the bus. Man some how we were waiting on the wrong block. The actual starting point for the loading was around the corner, and when we got there were over 100 people in line. I just wanted to laugh. Denise was not happy at all. 
 
We loaded up and the bus ride was smooth. I eventually found the team for Kids tent. I was the first one in the tent and I ate a bagel and drank Gatorade. It was cold but I was well layered. Michael greeted me at the tent and he was peasant. We spoke for a while and then I decided that I would try to sleep right on the grass. That was a challenge. I met David, Jackie, and others. While we waited for the time to go to the corals for the runners it seemed so long. 
 
It was a beautiful sunny day. I was now sleep deprived, hungry and sore, the most perfect conditions to run a marathon J. Fast forward to the main event. 
 
When the gun sounded to start it was amazing, like I was there and not there simultaneously. I was so happy. I like to chant and run to develop a rhythm and not look at the event as a race but more like a jog through the world spreading good energy. Things were going great. There were runners who had pace times and I would imagine that I had to pass them or they would get me. Oh I had fun in y own mind as I was chanting. I imagined that I had to make it back to the East Coast School of Combine Martial Arts. I imagined that I had to return to the Boston Temple with the prize. I imagined that I had to go back to Boston Medical Center with the Prize. I had to go back to my family especially my niece and nephew with the prize because they are my precious little ones. Of course my future Guru is going to want a devotee. My fiancée is going to want a “great “ husband. My other associates were in my thoughts. I was running and running and I felt good. 
 
At the mid point the official time was 1:34:xx so I was on pace to run about a 3:20:00 marathon. That is pretty good for some one who just started karate last year and running marathons this year. My thoughts were on mantra cardio. Most importantly my thoughts were on the kids, becoming a great peace and love poet and pleasing God so I never have to return to this material world! 
 
On mile 19 the calamity came in the form of both my legs cramping up in the thighs and calves. Oh, I was in a world or pain. It was my thoughts that prevented me from crying and quitting. I was not planning on quitting for any reason. That is how I live my life. It took me six year to graduate a four year college because of complications but I graduated Magna cum laude. 
 
The pain was excruciating and the distance was over 10k. I had already ran for 2hours. I kept having to find ways to keep going. Looking at the crowd, I run for you guys is what I was thinking. The Kids need a champion regardless of the pain I am in now. Seeing the children in the crows made me forget for a little while and I would run. Then it was walk as fast as you can and keep going. 
 
At this point the people giving out the water were so appreciated. Keep going, good job. I was having a great time. I really mean it. The pain was terrible but I was laughing. I am having a great time. God I am going to win this race and defeat weakness of heart. I will make Shihan proud. 
 
My mind had to leave my body and just command it from above. Keep moving we are not done yet. The physical pain was not the worst part of the race. The worst part of the race was when I seen the “old guy”. What is this nonsense, this little old man is really going to beat me to the finish line and there is nothing physically possible I can do about the situation. I was not tired I just could not move faster considering that I had to return to work on Tuesday. Ouch, my Leo’s pride was bruised. Even then I had to laugh, I guess this is how the tortoise really beat the hair. Well I could accept being a hare being beaten in this particular race. I had to laugh, good for you I was happy for him. 
 
I the big picture winning or loosing a game is not really too important. I am happy that we all have fun and no one gets hurt in the process. 
 
When I got close to the finish line and looked up at the official clock, I was happy just to see the clock I did not even know the time I finished until I checked the computer. I just knew it was under 4 and a half hours. Considering all that I went through, the bridges the hills the other runners, I was happy with the time. 
 
I crossed the finish line and here was a nice dark skin young lady who seen I was tired and in pain and she asked me how I was doing. I said “Great, I am in great physical pain but other than that I feel great.” The lady literally held me up and helped me walk to where to get my medal for finishing. At that moment she was my best friend. We were talking and she was really nice. I said “Well in life you either laugh of cry and I choose to laugh” The lady proceeded to get the medal and put it around my neck. The lady smiled and she said I notice you chanting beads. I said “yes” She said “did you chant” I said “I had a lot of time to chant” and smiled. The lady said “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna”. We looked at each other and it was like time stood still. We hugged each other like were old friends who had not seen each other in a long time. I almost fell on the floor with shock. “Yes”. To be honest I thought that was not possible. I just ran 26.2 mile and the woman that greeted me at the finish line and actually placed the medal around my neck has had association with ISKON devotees, she knew the temple where I was a guest. 
 
I do not like to ask for much help because Leo’s are supposed to be strong. I tried to stretch out my legs, but they really were in great pain. A gentleman came over and asked if I wanted medical attention. That sounded really good at that point. He brought me to the medical tent and the people there were so nice. They babied me gave me a place to rest, a blanket, pretzels Gatorade, massaged my legs. Wow, who says there are not nice people in the world? There are many nice people in the world. I did not want to get too comfortable, because I had to go back to the temple. 
 
On the way back I saw a run who was hurt or had collapsed. He did not look so great on the stretcher that he was being taken out on. I was passing through the crowd. Later I found out that at least one runner died. 
 
Hmm, a reminder of how fragile these human bodies are even when they feel “invincible”. I stayed the night Sunday with the devotees and then went back to Boston. 
 
By: Darrell A. Roberts

08-18-2009 22:24

Jai Shri Krishna 
 
Thank you to all the devotees who organized an exquisite festival for Janmashtami. The mood in the temple has changed since I lived there in the 80's. I am grateful for the open minded spirit and the inclusion of the Indian congregation. The Gita program is exciting. Jai Shri Radhe!

09-22-2009 17:48

The 2 day arrival of Shri Prabhupada festival this weekend is the most incredible experience i have had. Starting with boat cruise, how amazing a piece of history, to witness the spot where Shrila Prabhupad first arrived in Boston at Commonwealth Pier, from which the whole of Iskcon movement started in the US. And what an ecstacy to hear all the senior devotee's of their encounter with the Prabhu. The Rath Yatra in Boston Common was the most divine spiritual experience of all time and the prasadam on both days, had the nectar of the love of the devotee's who made it. 
 
I would like to congratulate you especially for organizing such a grand event that went off so smoothly, giving joy and bliss to many.