On day 7 of Sri Brahmotsava (27 April 2024), Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra were decorated in Devendra Vijaya Alankara in remembrance of the Lord’s victory over Indra, the king of Svargaloka or heaven. The Lord also took a parijata tree from there to please His eternal consort, Satyabhama. Their Lordships were seated on a Garuda Vahana and taken on a Pallakki procession by over 100 devotees on their shoulders amidst Harinama Sankirtan.
Address by Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa
Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Senior Vice President of ISKCON Bangalore, spoke about Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on the pastime, quoting from various Vedic scriptures, such as the Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita.
He explained how the Lord played the part of a perfect husband and satisfied the desire of His consort Satyabhama to have a parijata tree from the heavenly planets. Due to their rendering unalloyed devotional service to the Lord, the queens of Dwaraka endeared themselves to the Lord, who is self-satisfied and has no need of queens. Yet, to please His devotees and to show His transcendental position and nature, He performs these pastimes.
Welcoming a Distinguished Scholar
As part of the festivities, various scholars and sannyasis also participated and delivered learned discourses. On this occasion, Sri Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya, a renowned Sanskrit scholar known for his discourses on Santana Dharma, an expert on Dvaita philosophy, writer and editor of several books and well-wisher of the temple, graced the devotees with his presence and was formally welcomed with the temple honours of silk cloth.
He gave a short discourse expressing his happiness at the opportunity to participate in the auspicious and joyous festival and delving into the teachings of Lord Sri Krishna and Bhagavatpada Madhvacharya.
He spoke about how only the Supreme Lord could have made the statements Lord Sri Krishna did in the Bhagavad-gita like declaring that there is no superior truth to Him and that He takes care of all the needs of devotees surrendered to Him. He added that the modern world, with all its inventions for comfort, lacked only God consciousness and that it can be simply achieved by doing our duties and offering the results to the Lord, abandoning all sense of false pride and ownership.
He concluded his talk by praising the efforts of ISKCON in spreading this spiritual knowledge and joy by taking the Hare Krishna mantra to people all over the world.
A Divine and Joyous Procession of Garuda Vahana
116 devotees carried the Pallakki of Their Lordships. Hundreds of people happily chanted the Hare Krishna mantra, danced and respectfully had darshan of Their Lordships as They were taken around the temple premises.
The festival was a memorable experience for all the devotees as they felt spiritually uplifted with kirtans, discourses and darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Satyabhama Krishnachandra on Sri Garudadeva.