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!