\nThe month of December is very special since we celebrate two important events during this month. The first is the sannayasa anniversary of Lokanath Swami which took place on December 6th. The second is the Bhagavad-gita marathon. Bhagavad-gita now plays an important role in our lives because of our Guru Maharaja \u2013it is he who gave us knowledge of sastra and helped us see its significance in our lives.<\/p>\n
Seeking blessings<\/strong> Ramanathapuram<\/strong>
\nOn December 6th, the day of Lokanath Swami\u2019s 41st sannyasa anniversary we made a video call to congratulate him and to seek his blessings. He said to us, \u201cI was instructed by my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, to start and carry on padayatra \u2013and you all are helping me in my service. In fact, I would say, you all are doing my service.\u201d He then gave a short talk on the glories of book distribution which inspired us all. We told him that we would distribute 5000 Bhagavad-gitas, and he responded by saying we should do more. He then raised his hands, blessing us all and said, \u201cKeep going with your sankirtana, book distribution and prasadam distribution. I am very pleased with all your seva.\u201d After taking these words to heart we continued with our services. We distribute books regularly but during this month we enhance our book distribution for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.<\/p>\n
\nWhen we reached Ramanathapuram we organized a big pandal program almost like the programs we have during our Janmastami celebrations. We had sound systems in place, lighting everywhere and prasadam distribution. Sahastranam Dasa, a disciple of Bhakti Vikas Maharaja, helped us with accommodation and the program during our time there. The city of Ramanathapuram was mostly populated by people of the Muslim and Christian traditions \u2013thankfully we did not face any problem while there. Our program started with sankirtana, followed by katha on Gita Mahatmya and ended with prasadam distribution to more than 600 people. The next morning we came across a man who had taken a Bhagavad-gita from us the day before, at the pandal program \u2013he was sitting and reading the Gita with rapt attention. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We distributed 165 Bhagavad-gitas and 358 small books.
\nSleeping under trees<\/strong>
\nWhile travelling we reached a place where we could not find accommodation. So, all of us had to stay under a tree that day. It is by the mercy of Lokanath Swami, that our entire team was happy, still maintained their enthusiasm and continued with their seva despite our situation. After a six day stay in Rameshwaram we will continue on with our journey<\/p>\n
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