On November 14th Srila Narasingha Maharaja led the devotees at Govindaji Gardens in commemorating the 30th disappearance anniversary of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada. Many devotees from Bangalore, Mysore and other nearby towns were able to come for the festival.
After bhajanas were led by B.S. Madhava Maharaja, Srila Narasingha Maharaja first spoke enthusiastically about the on-going seva opportunities at Sri Sri Radha-Damodara Temple in Vrndavana, that the devotees of our matha are involved in at present. He explained that it is only by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada that we have been granted this service in such a significant place. And also that this 'marriage' between Radha-Damodara Temple and the devotees of Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha has also been due to the blessings of Srila Prabhupada. We now will permanently have devotees staying there to do seva. Srila Narasingha Maharaja also stressed that there is no point in going to Vrndavana unless one specifically has some service to do there for Sri Guru.
Srila Narasingha Maharaja, talked at some length about the unique nature of his Guru, how he was ever equipoised, equal towards all, never once showing any specific favor to any individuals or any group of individuals. In recalling Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada's final days, he never made mention to anybody of some special blessings or orders beyond what was given openly to all. "While you have life - preach", Srila Narasingha Maharaja drew out of that further, that actually "preaching gives life!" He then encouraged us all to preach as though our lives depend upon it.
Srila Narasingha Maharaja's class was followed by puspanjali to Srila Prabhupada, arati and a feast in Srila Prabhupada's honor.
In the afternoon the devotees were able to watch a short film from the sannyasa initiation of Srila Narasingha Maharaja, which was only recently found to have existed, which was very exciting for his disciples to finally see.
In the evening after Damodarastakam, at 7:20 pm (the time when Srila Prabhupada departed for the eternal lila of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda), arati was offered at Srila Prabhupada's puspa-samadhi and Srila Narasingha Maharaja led all the devotees in chanting the Holy Names. A very enthusiastic kirtana ensued, followed by prasadam.
Srila Prabhupada's Tirobhava was also observed by the devotees of the Kaliya-mardana Krsna Ashrama in Mulky.