aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmad parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam
[SB 11.2.45]
"O Devi, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Visnu. Greater than that is the worship of tadiya, or anything belonging to Visnu." [SB 11.2.45]
On May 16th, 2009, Iskcon Soweto hosted a festival of love celebrating the birth of a very dear devotee of Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, HH Bhakti Nrsimha Swami(GRS). Maharaj has always been a well-wisher, close confidant, counsellor, friend and mentor to the devotees. A disciple of HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj, he is the first second generation sannyasi from the South African yatra having been initiated into sannyasa in Easter 2008 at Ratha Yatra, Durban South Africa. Below is a picture of him during the festival celebrating his birth. His attire being a blend of Africa and Vaisnava generally attracts the local native African people and does not make him appear too foreign in robes.
He joined at Iskcon Durban in the 1980's, served in the Food for Life department, helped translate the first of Srila Prabhupada's books into Zulu. He was instrumental together with other devotees in arranging the huge Festival of Rainbow Children in a stadium in Durban in 1996 which was attended by Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela publicly announced that that was the happiest day of his life during his address at the festival. Maharaj travels through small towns in South African preaching and mentoring devotees. He aslo travels to Poland, Mauritius, Russia, Scotland, Europe, America, India, East Africa, Nairobi, (where he served as Temple President for six months) India and Swaziland(where he pioneers the preaching and establishment of an Iskcon centre.)He was born a Seventh Day Adventist Christian and was thus vegetarian from birth. His father was a priest. Maharaja's insightful lectures in English and various other languages are known to inspire many individuals. His kirtans are also very melodious.
Above Nrsimhananda Prabhu (In grey jacket to the left of the saffron clad devotee) leads kirtan while others dance at the festival of love. This was attended by many native African guests who clapped and chanted spontaneously also. In Africa beat is in the blood!
Above Maharaj talks to guests and his newphew Moosa, (Wearing garland and seated to Maharaja's left.) a university graduate who came all the way from Natal to attend this glorious event.
The talks by the devotees expressed so much of love and gratitude to Maharaj for being so easily accessible to everyone without discrimination. Although Maharaj is not an initiating Guru the devotees showered so much of love in gratitude for his valuable siksa. Above Mahaprabhu das, the leader in Iskcon Soweto lovingly feeds Maharaj birthday cake cooked and decorated by his amazing wife Malini devi dasi. Mother Malini together with her team of grand devotional cooks also cooked an amazing feast of Butter-masala paneer, green beans and potatoes, corn and paneer samoosas, Greek salad, gulabhs, puris, fancy rice and lots of other sumptuous preparations. For many of the guests this was a unique experience in savouring vegetarian cuisine.
Above the devotees loving carry Maharaj during the kirtan. Maharaj was so unsuspecting as he gracefully danced with his danda.
The program was held in a grand hall in Soweto and was beautifully decorated. Bhakta Matsya, a school teacher and Mahaprabhu were the chief organizers. 95% of the attendees were of native African origin. Many guests were fascinated to watch the exchange of love between the devotees and Maharaj and were encouraged to want to be part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Being not far from the horrible past when apartheid was prominent it was indeed very refreshing for them to see a native African being offered so much love and respect. All glories to Srila Prabhupada who built a house in which the whole world can live. Jai Srila Prabhupada!
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