[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]
“Agriculture and cow protection are the way to become sinless and thus be attracted to devotional service.”
– Srila Prabhupada, Purport. SB 8.6.12
This was their twelfth day in a row since Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra devotees started their revolutionary Yatra to remote villages in the Telangana belt of South India. However, in this particular region Andhra influence was more dominant. They had begun on not such a positive note externally as they had neither good resources nor popular support (as everyone did not consider villages having potential, the preachers’ were confined to city), except the blessings of their guru and Srila Prabhupada. However, those blessings were enough for them to begin this stupendous task, replete with austerity and determination.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22631653928_72bc797b7a_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]It did not take them long to become adorable figures for the village folks. Those simple people reciprocated their compassionate gesture. Everywhere they went, it was a story of positive response for ISKCON and IDVM (ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry – India). On November 5, 2015 they completed 12 days and equal number of villages – a dozen! Yet many more were to come.
On the day, they anchored at Sri Ram temple in Kapugallu village. Before their actual arrival, the news of their arrival had already spread. When they reached, the temple pujari and the villagers waited eagerly to welcome the Yatra devotees. Their hospitality was touching – the real famed Bharatvarsha could be seen in their hearts and gesture.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]After formal welcome, they generously offered village-grown vegetables, rice and other such commodities to the devotees. Not satisfied with that, the men and women alike enquired in what way they could serve the devotees and the Lordships. Soon many women of the village sat making attractive garlands for the Lord of the Universe – Sri Jagannath-Baldev-Subhadra mai. This continued till late in the evening when they started getting ready for the chariot pulling.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22631672938_6febf37622_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22631675397_922955621d_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]At about 1800 hrs, all the villagers, especially the women, youth and farmers participated in the go-puja. The puja was performed by the village temple priest. The spirit of go-puja came so naturally to them that there was a commotion when they had to circumambulate gomata.
Devotees had kept a simple, yet very effective program of preaching – go-puja-rathyatra- kirtan-lecture-damodarashtakam-prasadam. But this simple program itself had become their effective-tool. They were using it very effectively to overcome maya.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Just as go-puja was performed, Gour Gopal prabhu led the kirtan through every street of the village. More than 250 villagers participated in the Harinam Sankirtan. For the first time they had heard and were uttering those transcendental sounds of the Lord’s names – Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Though by now HH Bhakti Raghava Swami had left their Yatra party, but his inspirational presence was still palpable. They thought of him and continued moving through the streets. Women, who generally have a simple trusting heart were present in great number. They danced to Harinam for the pleasure of the Lordships. One who does not dance for the Lordships, has to dance to Maya. No wonder villagers were unconsciously participating in the dance.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22631752168_1f973457b1_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Their sattvic mode was quite evident. Unlike the city where the people consider rathyatra as something where traffic regulations interfere with their commutation on the city roads, in the village the scene was just the reverse. They highly appreciated it and would even stop the chariot to ensure that some bhoga or offering to the Lordship was made as He passed by from there.
The village inhabitant would stop the Lordships and make offerings of coconut, incense sticks, flowers etc. at Their lotus feet, as a gesture of love and reverence from their side. Despite hard effort to not to spend precious time in this part of the program, the villagers continued with their loving offerings to be made for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath. It was quite a spectacle to see every villager do something for Them in some way. The kirtan was so melodious that they were naturally getting attracted to it. They participated enthusiastically in that yagna. Most of them danced enthusiastically, including women and children, forgetting all the woes of the age. A few devotees were seen teaching them how to dance elegantly in typical Srila Prabhupada’s way. The villagers eagerly followed them as they quickly picked up the new style. They waved their clothes and belongings as they danced to the enchanting kirtan.The party walked through the serpentine streets of the village taking Harinam to every house. Everyone without exception was attracted to the fun-packed religiosity. Walking (or dancing) thus, the devotees reached the same Sri Ram temple precincts from where they had started.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/22657811429_94023f9c79_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/23024030786_4a27483e59_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/23036512582_6450fd3a9e_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Whole village population appeared to have assembled in the temple hall as Hari Kirtan prabhu began his lecture. He began the lecture in Telugu language. It was 2000 hrs by then. Despite unusual late timings for the meetings in a village, the inhabitants were not deterred and sat silently listening to the lecture. He spoke on the importance of Harinam or Chanting in the lives of every jiva or living entity. Speaking thus he distributed japamala to all the villagers and made them chant on those beads. The team members were quite excited to see their ovating response and continued with their demonstration of chanting to them. The temple hall resounded as more than 250 villagers repeated Harinam behind Hari Kirtan prabhu.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”35″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/23050077735_fc308519a7_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]This was followed by a short class by Jananivas prabhu on gomata. Though Vedic civilization and culture has deep intrinsic relationship with goseva, but under the influence of kali it has died a slow death. With a motive to revive the old rich culture, Jananivas prabhu began speaking on the deep sambandha of gomata with people, her gentleness, how she is useful even after she stops giving milk, her contribution to economy and to a person’s life till her last breath. He reminded everybody of our rich culture of holding her in reverence and of gratitude towards her unconditional love and contribution in our daily lives. The villagers heard it with rapt attention. He told them how to revert to organic farming, simple lifestyle based on goseva and bhumi can bring back prosperity in their lives and the country’s old glory. Everybody heard this with curiosity and raised several questions in order to know about the making of panchgavya products and of organic farming.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Then prabhu told them how they could get their village registered under any of the two plans of Harinam sangha and Krsi-goraksha sangha to receive training for achieving balanced growth – both materially and spiritually. The final touch came when prabhu screened the documentary movie – Gau Adharit Jivanam – to the enthusiastic spectators. Fired by the words of Mahaprabhu, the villagers displayed immense interest in reading spiritual literature and one related to farming and gomata. Rupanuga prabhu distributed a large number of maha-books and small books of Srila Prabhupada along with panchgavya products to them.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Allowing them to derive maximum benefit of Kartik mas, Gour Gopal prabhu led Damodarashtakam. All the villagers actively participated in the kirtan and offered ghee lamps to the presiding Lordships with love. The programme concluded in a typical ISKCON style – prasadam – after all Krishna Consciousness is a kitchen religion.
The villagers were so mesmerized by the whole program that one of the old man was heard saying – “I have seen many people come to the village but they would always come to take something from us – be it donation for performing some yagna or whatever for the development of the village. But this is for the first time that someone from outside has come with a clean heart to GIVE us something without any motive.” Other villagers agreed to his statement and requested the Yatra devotees to not to make this visit to their village as the last one. They wanted this visit to mark the beginning to many many more to come in future.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”40″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”http://www.srisurabhi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/23061261031_0174da1b85_o.jpg” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]It reminded devotees of Srila Prabhupada’s mood when he left for America for preaching. He had not gone to the land of opportunities to gain anything for himself but to give something to them out of love.
Reminded of their acarya, the devotees could feel the gush of conviction and energy to preach flowing through them with renewed vigor. Thanking the villagers for their love they retired dreaming of their next halt.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”bottomshadow” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”https://flic.kr/s/aHskppKvyX” linktarget=”_blank” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
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Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Jai Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra!!
Hare Krsna!!!
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