{"id":4574,"date":"2018-01-11T08:18:40","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T02:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.padayatra.com\/?p=4574"},"modified":"2018-01-11T08:22:21","modified_gmt":"2018-01-11T02:52:21","slug":"enough-salt-now-dash-pepper-krishnas-bhagavad-gita","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.padayatra.com\/padayatra-new\/enough-salt-now-dash-pepper-krishnas-bhagavad-gita\/","title":{"rendered":"ENOUGH SALT- NOW A DASH OF PEPPER WITH KRISHNA\u2019S BHAGAVAD-GITA"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Yasodadulal Dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSense gratification is just like salt. \u00a0One cannot take too much or too little but one must take some salt in order to make one\u2019s foodstuffs palatable.\u201d \u00a0(Srila Prabhupada SB 3.15.8)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Retracing the steps of Mahatma Gandhi during his famous 1930 Dandi Salt Walk <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 1930 Mohandas K. Gandhi marched on to the world stage with his non violent message to an international audience. \u00a0His simple act of civil disobedience that defied British rule set India as a nation ablaze with the spirit of non-cooperation. \u00a0His humble request, \u201cI want world sympathy in this battle of \u2018right against might\u2019.\u201d ( 5 April, 1930 \u2013 written in Dandi, Gujarat, India.)<\/p>\n

Gandhi began a defiant, but non violent march to the sea, the Salt March, in protest of the British monopoly on salt where local salt was heavily taxed by the British (Salt Law). \u00a0This was his boldest act of civil disobedience against British rule in India.<\/p>\n

When Gandhi set out from his Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad, he was followed by 78 satyagrahis (one who is loyal to the truth). \u00a0He said, \u201cMy feeling is like that of a pilgrim to Amarnath or Badrinath.\u201d \u00a0His call to the people of India was to obey a \u201cduty of disloyalty\u201d. \u00a0He bluntly declared, \u2018there was no half way house between active loyalty and active disloyalty, indeed, loyalty to a state so corrupt is a sin, disloyalty a virtue.\u2019 \u00a0Although his movement was nonviolent his spirit was fiery.<\/p>\n

By the time he reached Dandi, hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals had joined his march. \u00a0They were all wearing white khadi (homespun, handwoven natural fibre cloth representing the principle that Indians could be self-reliant on cotton and be free from foreign cloth, thus the migration of pilgrims was termed, \u2018white river.\u2019 \u00a0Motilal Nehru, President of the Indian national Congress, drew the parallel that it would be as memorable as the historic march of Ramachandra to Lanka. \u00a0Others compared it with the exodus of the Israelites under Moses.<\/p>\n

On 6 April 1930, after 22 days of walking 400 kms and simultaneous propagation of his message, Gandhi reached the sea coast at Dandi, Gujarat. \u00a0Early in the morning he took a bath in the ocean and then he ceremoniously defied the British salt law by picking up a lump of salt. \u00a0After that act he became hailed as a \u2018lawbreaker\u2019. \u00a0From that point on the entire nation rose against the British. \u00a0At the peak of this battle against the \u2018black regime\u2019, Gandhi was arrested and in the following month, 950,000 satyagrahis were imprisoned.<\/p>\n

Although other key personalities like Sudar Patel and Subash Candra Bose were just as instrumental in the fight and success of Indian independence, it was Bapu\u2019s (Gandhi) strong and determined mood to implement the satyagraha and swadeshi (a movement for national independence in India boycotting foreign goods and encouraging the use of domestic products) concepts that unified the spirit of the Indian people. \u00a0His idea was to cultivate home made products, cottage industries based on an agrarian society to support the 700,000 villages of India. \u00a0Although his motivation was driven by political aspirations, his methodology was influenced by India\u2019s strong spiritual roots. \u00a0Humility, truth, compassion, simplicity and mercy were interwoven in his teachings. \u00a0The Salt March captivated the hearts of millions of Indians and the whole world turned their faces in sympathy. \u00a0His lead inspired so many other world leaders to initiate their own fights for freedom from racial discrimination and imperial subjugation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEnough Salt! \u00a0Now take Bhagavad-gita!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

What could I draw public attention to with my little insignificant padayatra which paralleled his Salt March? \u00a0At the age of 62 (Gandhi was 61) I began the 22 day journey (the same amount of days Gandhi walked) on November 22nd, concluding on the full moon of 4 December 2017. \u00a0Although I began as one man and my influence over others was that I would also finish alone, still it was important for me to have a message that would take my yatra just that one step further above the worldly limitations of nationalism. \u00a0My idea was to launch it on to the pure transcendental platform. \u00a0I began with the simple words, \u201cEnough Salt!\u201d, but it soon became apparent that such a hidden message was too subtle for the general public to pick up on. \u00a0As the walk progressed and the ISKCON book marathon started coming on, my mantra changed to \u201cEnough Salt! \u00a0Now take Bhagavad -gita!\u201d \u00a0It fitted well because Gandhi was a strong advocate of the Bhagavad-gita.<\/p>\n

My quest to gain media attention climaxed in the city of Surat, where I was able to fascinate the television media enough to give me ten minutes prime time on Gita Jayanti, November \u00a030th<\/sup> 2017. \u00a0This strong \u2018soundbeat\u2019 on the brihad mrdanga (media press) afforded hundreds and thousands of viewers to remember Krishna and His famous song. \u00a0With such good publicity I was also able to promote a very favorable impression of Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON. \u00a0In this way some satisfaction came in adding my little part to the momentum that Srila Prabhupada had began – \u201can ISKCON that would change the world in its darkest hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salt is a product that India could produce on its own shores. \u00a0Similarly, Bhagavad-gita is also a home grown product that civilized humanity cannot live without. \u00a0Salt could only be ingested in small amounts but Bhagavad-gita is a product that the world cannot get enough of. Srila Prabhupada wanted us to propagate it and export the goods to every country of the world. \u00a0Pepper is also a sought after spice grown in India and sent out from there to all parts of the world. \u00a0Pepper has the potency to increase digestion and cure many diseases of the belly so in this light, the Bhagavad-gita As It Is can be seen as the pepper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling the presence of Krishna all the way<\/strong><\/p>\n

This enlivening 400km walk took me through many villages, towns and big cities as well as rural areas and forests, where fewer people lived and worked the land. \u00a0Such an experience reveals the truths of Srila Prabhupada\u2019s purports. \u00a0Padayatra brings the Bhagavad-gita alive. \u00a0It becomes a way of life.<\/p>\n

Travelling alone forces one to cultivate strong faith and trust in Krishna\u2019s protection. \u00a0Over the period of one month on the road, not once did I have to ask for food or shelter. \u00a0I felt the presence of Krishna all the way, guiding and providing. \u00a0People would question, \u201cYou are alone?\u201d \u00a0\u201cNo,\u201d I would say, \u201cKrishna is always with me.\u201d \u00a0Somehow, others witnessing my total dependence on Krishna would activate \u201cthe Krishna\u2019 existing in everybody\u2019s heart. \u00a0The wholehearted generosity of very pious Gujarati people throughout the journey kept me alive and well. \u00a0Their persistence to see any guest as an opportunity to serve God was a refreshing reminder of a culture that once pervaded the entire planet.<\/p>\n

It is my experience that every time you \u201cwing it out there\u201d taking risk for Krishna\u2019s pleasure, He enjoys in a spontaneous way, and thus reciprocates in a playful and joyous love for His dependent child. \u00a0It was a great satisfaction to share spiritual wisdom and inspiration with those persons who had an enthusiastic interest.<\/p>\n

The language barrier made it sometimes materially difficult, but the simple singing of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra infused a spirit that dissolved all differences. \u00a0Somehow through God\u2019s grace, we were able to connect and my simple part was just to throw a spark into the dry grass to set it ablaze. \u00a0I enjoy the elements of variety and surprise that only the padayatra experience can turn on. \u00a0Sometimes out under the stars on a string chattai (bed) hovering above cow dung spread floors and eating smoked flavoured rotis. \u00a0At other times, mixing socially amongst the wealthy Patels and vastu mansions feasting on srikhand, Gujarati style pakoras, khadi and rice, concluded by sleeping on palatial beds with en suite bathrooms. \u00a0Krishna always seemed to play the right card at the right time, even at times, throwing in the Joker. \u00a0There was always something humorous or astonishing.<\/p>\n

Various challenges and tests arose along the way of course. \u00a0Concerning my health, there was nothing that couldn\u2019t be overcome because of the protection of Lord Narasimhadeva in Sridham Mayapur. \u00a0\u00a0Following the route, once I got bewildered and lost in the same vast estuary mudflats that Gandhi himself struggled to cross over in the middle of the night. \u00a0My survival instinct and confidence that the Supersoul always accompanies the individual as His best friend helped me to persist and push on in times when it was almost ridiculous to continue. \u00a0Often, all of a sudden, Providence would change and the sky would open up to show a new way through. \u00a0Every pilgrimage has its tests, but in retrospect those times become the highlights. \u00a0Treading the path of no return sometimes demands surrendering everything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The various purposes and benefits of my solitary journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

Such a journey was undertaken as an attempt to share the mercy that one receives in one\u2019s life. \u00a0The giving of gifts is always satisfying and brings great joy and of course, by giving one receives. \u00a0This is the lesson from the story of Sudama Vipra, another famous personality who appeared in the same village as Gandhi.<\/p>\n

The other purpose of such a trek was centered around the self. \u00a0It involved a personal endeavor that required introspection and one comes face to face with one\u2019s own strengths and weaknesses. \u00a0It is important to perform some tapasya or yajna in order to know one\u2019s self and establish one\u2019s relationship with the Supreme.<\/p>\n

Another personal slant to my Dandi yatra was focused on searching out the roots to my wife\u2019s ancestry. \u00a0Karadi was the last village en route to the sea. \u00a0This is the famous place where Gandhi spent 22 days planning his revolution in a grass hut. \u00a0It is also the place where the British arrested Gandhi. \u00a0Coincidentally it is also the place of origin of Ramila\u2019s (my wife) paternal grandfather. He emigrated to New Zealand when he was 21 years old in the very early 1900\u2019s. \u00a0However, when he returned to India at some stage, he could not go back to New Zealand. \u00a0In those years he became a freedom fighter in Gandhi\u2019s wake.<\/p>\n

I felt compelled to conclude my yatra with a small ceremony. \u00a0Although the rest of the world would know nothing of my walk or my message, it seemed fitting to place Srila Prabhupada\u2019s special Bhagavad-gita As It Is in the hands of a small statue of the Mahatma, who sits under some beautiful banyan trees that commemorates the spot of his last public gathering in Dandi. \u00a0At that historic place on that day I felt in my own small way that I had made history and that somehow my humble efforts to uplift the consciousness of humanity in this dark age of Kali was appreciated by the guardian angels of devotion to Sri Hari.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n