The first time..

We always get excited when we do something for the first time. Be it stepping on the college soil, checking the salary or travelling by flight, the thrilling moment when we do it for first time always holds a special place in our memory. We also reflect on the past once in a while and derive great pleasure reliving in those special moments.

I was on a usual visit to SriKrishna temple today and attended the evening kirtan program. Singing the glories and pastimes of The Lord is called Kirtan. Kirtans are usually conducted by means of congregrational singing. Usually a devotee(initiated or uninitiated) sings a line and the audience repeats the line after him, then the devotee sings the next line and the audience repeats the next line after him... This process goes on and on until the whole song gets completed. It needs more fortune and blessing of Sri RadhaKrishna to sing in front of the deities in the temple.

We were three people doing kirtan this evening. When the kirtan was about to be over, a devotee asked me to sing Narasimha Vandhana. I was like.. "Man!! Am I hearing correct?". So I asked him with an uncertain look "Should I sing?". He said "Yes Prabhu. Please sing Narasimha Vandhana". I had a mixed feeling arising out of me. I was very happy to have got the opportunity for the first time in life but was equally nervous. Well I have always dreamt of singing in front of the deities but never did I think that my dream would come true so soon. Casting my nervousness aside, I tried to concentrate on Sri RadhaKrishna and by Their mercy I offered my devotional song in the temple for the first time. Today is probably one of the most happiest days in my life so far. I am sure I will keep reflecting on this wonderful moment till the day I breathe my last.

I have often heard devotees say "When you take one step towards Krishna, Krishna will take ten steps towards you". I couldn't help but appreciate what those God realized souls have so far been trying to convey to mundane souls like me. Dhanyan aanaen!

Jai Sri RadhaKrishna!

Do you know?

Sri Krishna Janmastami was celebrated on 16th August at ISKCON, Adelaide. A quiz program was conducted as a part of the festival. The following are some of the questions that featured in it. Test yourself and see how much you know about Sri Krishna.

1. How many wives did Krishna have?
Ans. 16,108

2. How old was Krishna when He lifted Govardhan hill?
Ans. Seven

3. Who were Krishna's parents in Vrindavan?
Ans. Nanda Maharaj and Yasoda

4.How many years did Krishna enjoy his pastimes on earth?
Ans. 125

5. What is the meaning of name 'Krishna'?
Ans. All attractive

6. Killing which demon did Krishna acquire the name 'Murari'?
Ans. Demon Mura

7. Of all the gopis, which gopi is the pleasure potency of Krishna?
Ans. Sri Radha

8.Who is Krishna's sister?
Ans. Subadra

9. During His pastime on earth, who initiated Lord Krishna in Gayathri mantra?
Ans. Gargamuni

10. 'The divine song' sung by Lord Krishna is popularly known as what?
Ans. The Bhagavad Gita

11.Using which part of His body did Krishna lift Govardhan hill?
Ans. Left hand small finger

12. During which yuga was Krishna on earth?
Ans. Dvapara yuga ( Currently we live in Kali yuga)

13.Which name of Krishna depicts His beauty?
Ans. Madhan Mohan

14.What is the eternal abode of Lord Krishna and Sri Radha?
Ans. Goloka Vrindavan

15. How many principal gopis were there in Vrindavan?
Ans. 108

16. Which name of Krishna depicts that He is the master of the senses?
Ans. Hrshikesha

17. Which name of Lord Krishna depicts that He is the Lord of all places in the world?
Ans. Jagannath

18. Which name of Lord Krishna depicts that He is the care taker of all cows?
Ans. Govinda