January, February, March - 73rd issue
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Jaya Radha-Syama!
First of all, we would like to write to you about the most important event of the first part of our year: the 30th anniversary of the installation of our beloved Lordships, Sri-Sri Dayal-Nitai Vijaya-Gauranga in Budapest. The descent of the Lord, as well as His acquiescence to be served so intimately, is both a very joyous occasion and a great responsibility in the life of a devotee community. His purpose is to inspire us further in re-establishing our eternal, loving relationship with Him. That is His mercy. And we must take the opportunity seriously.
The small Deities of Gaura-Nitai arrived in ISKCON Hungary in 1993, and the big Deities were installed in Budapest on 24th January 1994 at our previous temple. Kishori Devi Dasi was Their first Head Pujari, as she had learnt about the art of Deity worship in the UK from various experienced pujaris. Then Balagopala Devi Dasi (ACBSP), came to Budapest to share her knowledge and experience and thus to establish proper standards of Deity worship according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. So since Their installation 30 years ago, Dayal-Nitai Vijaya-Gauranga’s worship has been ongoing, and according to those standards established at the outset. Their Lordships act as a wonderful unifying factor, as the community of devotees comes together to eagerly serve Them, both full time devotees and congregation members alike, morning, noon and night, either by directly offering pujari services themselves or by contributing financially towards Their daily seva.
To mark this special event we held a memorable festival, with many devotees attending from all over the country. With huge kirtanas, enlivening katha, an abhisheka, and a delicious feast, there were smiling faces and dancing hearts all-round. The same was the case when we celebrated the appearance days of Lord Nityananda, and then Lord Caitanya, in February and March respectively. Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 1.84 says: “They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.” That dispelling of ignorance and oncoming of mercy was definitely experienced by one and all on these wonderful occasions.
In this issue of our newsletter, we would like to introduce you to Jeney Máté, one of our Nitya-seva donors. He first met the devotees in 2019 at the “Sunburn Goa Festival” where he received a Chant and be Happy book from one of our devotees. He found it a very engaging read. Then, to his surprise, he realised he already had a Bhagavad-gita As It Is at home, so he continued his reading. He looks back and sees that reading the Gita was like the pill scene in the Matrix movie: he had to make a decision as to which path to choose, and he chose Krishna Consciousness.
He began chanting, and while searching for vegetarian restaurants he came across a Govinda’s eatery in Debrecen (a town in east Hungary) and began attending programs at the adjacent preaching centre, where Nitai Bhavana Dasa took him under his wing. Máté was reading a lot, watched many videos on spiritual topics, and after graduating from university moved into the temple for 6 months. He spent five months in Budapest and one month in Krishna Valley.
While he was still at university, Máté decided that he wanted to sponsor a Nitya-seva, despite having no earnings at the time. He explains that “it seemed to be a logical step.” When he started working, he chose the auspicious day of Aksaya Tritiya to begin his donations. He was unsure whether he would be able to manage to sponsor an entire day, but he promised to try his best. Amazingly, he recently completed his Nitya-seva sponsorship, less than a year later! His story is an example that proves the words of shastra: whatever endeavour is started on the auspicious day of Aksaya Tritiya will surely find success, especially if it is in the service of the Lord. We thank Máté, and all of you, for your services to Their Lordships!
Jaya Radha-Syama!
On behalf of the Nitya-seva team, yours in service,
Mohana Dasa
11th April, 2024., New Vraja Dhama