On January 2, 2005 Srila Narayana Maharaja gave a lecture in the home of Visvambhara dasa and Pancali dasi on the island of Kauai. Over 160 people attended. The program started out with traditional devotional songs, and then Srila Narayana Maharaja spoke about the need for people to come together from all faiths and learn the science of bhakti-yoga. Love of God transcends religions because it is the true nature of the soul. He explained that running after material life is only a distraction from the real reason we are here on Earth, which is to learn to love and to serve God. There are so many tragedies in this life; how do we deal with them? Many people turn to drugs or some other distraction to try to feel better, but that does not work Even if the results appear pleasant, they do not last. Bhakti-yoga teaches the method to uncover our true self, our spiritual self, through serving and loving God.
Srila Maharaja requested that everyone come together and have compassion for each other, instead of fighting over material designations such as skin color, nationality, or religion. After He spoke, there was a beautiful poem read by Chandrika dasi, and then more music and group chanting. The last part of the evenings program was a 7 course meal of maha-prasada and discussions of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja's many books. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Giving class
Meeting with former Kauai Mayor, Marianne Kusaka,
and local radio celebrity and author Dr. Ann West.
On far left is Eric and his girlfriend Rebecca (handing Srila Maharaja a flower)
who were picked up by the devotees while hitchiking.
Pictures courtesy of Jayanti dasi
