In 1975 when I first began doing research on ISKCON in Los Angeles I participated in the Bhakta program on three separate occasions. The Bhakta program leader at the time was the author of Fortunate Souls. Danavir dasa Vanacari was then, and remains, one of the most enthusiastic devotees I have ever encountered. His sincere desire to serve Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, and the many people who have come to the movement over the years becomes evident in reading this text on the Bhakta program. Who better to write a manual on the Bhakta program than that devotee who has dedicated his life to bringing Krishna Consciousness to others.
While not all devotees will agree with everything offered here, I think most will agree that Danavir dasa Vanacari provides a valuable structure for establishing a Bhakta program and one that can be adapted to almost any situation. The book's strength is in the concrete guidelines and instructions offered on every imaginable topic related to recruiting and socializing new devotees. The wise devotee wanting to organize a Bhakta/Bhaktin program in his or her community will want to tailor the guidelines to both cultural and local circumstances.
We learn a great deal more from this book than about the "nuts and bolts" of how to establish a successful Bhakta program, although this is certainly the major focus of the book. Rather, we come to understand the philosophical basis of bringing people to Krishna Consciousness; how recruitment is central to fulfulling Srila Prabhupada's mission; how to deal with potentially difficult problems that arise such as charges of "brainwashing", overcoming doubts by new members, public relations, and counseling; and, the necessity for devotee training to be a life-long commitment. The latter point is often overlooked and gives importance to the need for the movement to have an effective Vedic College. Afterall, devotees remain "bhaktas" even after completing their initial training and taking initiation.
I found it particularly interesting and moving to read the words of devotees as they reminisced about their early days within the movement. We hear stories of friendship, compassion, and levels of commitment incomprehensible to the average person. Love of Krishna and the desire to serve Him are the ultimate goals of all devotees. One's early days as a Bhakta are perhaps the most crucial torealizing these spiritual goals. Without adequate training a new devotee becomes bewildered and unable to find his or her way through the maze of maya. Fortunate Souls provides an important spiritual road map helping devotees to assist others on the journey back to Godhead.
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
sri-caitanya-mano-'bhistam sthapitam yena bhu-tale svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him. When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?
vande 'ham sri-guroh sri-yuta-pada-kamalam sri-gurun vaisnavams ca sri-rupam sagrajatam saha-gana-raghunathanvitam tam sa-jivam sadvaitam savadhutam parijana-sahitam krsna-caitanya-devam sri-radha-krsna-padan saha-gana-lalita-sri-visakhanvitams ca I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and unto the feet of all Vaisnavas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Srila Rupa Gosvami along with his elder brother Sanatana Gosvami, as well as Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta, Gopala Bhatta, and Srila Jiva Gosvami. I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda along with Advaita Acarya, Gadadhara, Srivasa, and other associates. I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimati Radharani and Sri Krsna along with Their associates Sri Lalita and Visakha.
he krsna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo 'stute
O my dear Krsna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the gopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vendavanesvari vrsabhanu-sute devi
pranamami hari-priye
I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krsna.
vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda
I offer my obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srívasa and all others in the line of devotion.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
Vedas (1182)
Upanishads (493)
Puranas (624)
Ramayana (741)
Mahabharata (354)
Dharmasastras (165)
Goddess (496)
Bhakti (242)
Saints (1503)
Gods (1290)
Shiva (370)
Journal (187)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (362)
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