James cook, Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus Francisco Pizarro are
names of few famous sailors who marked their names in the history of the
world for undertaking life risking sailing expeditions in the
exploration of world. Although the initial impulse behind these
expeditions were trade and capitalism, it further lead to rise of
colonial empires, transfer of animals, foods, human populations
(including slaves), communicable diseases around the world. In 20th
century many wars were fought and countless people sacrificed their
lives for breaking free of bonds brought by colonization and achieve
independence. What started with an adventurous endeavor had to end
with bloody affair since it was based on personal greed. On 13th August 1965 also, one person started his sail across oceans on a mission. He neither had manpower to sail along, nor artillery to fight a war, with only a bag full books and door of all uncertainties left ajar. He was an old man with only 40 rupees in his hand, without any personal motivation, he travelled on his Gurus command. Sea sickness, nausea and heart attacks could not shake his determination, for he only begged to be a doll in the hands of God, instrument of His compassion. He got down the ship on Boston harbor, alone in the world of unknown faces and culture. He started his mission, sitting under a tree in park, singing the names of Lord, intoxicated hippies danced, it ignited their love of God spark. Soon spark became fire, hoards of devotees traveling across the world, singing and dancing dressed in Vaishnava attire. Temples, farms, gurukulas, rathyatras everything for pleasure of supreme personality, prediction of glorification of names of God in every town and village soon became reality. Prasadam and books being distributed to dissipate hunger and ignorance, gospel of Lord Chaitanya was taught teaching humility and tolerance.
He was Srila Prabhupada, the most prominent emissary of Indian spiritual culture across the world. This 13th August marks 50th anniversary of historic event of his boarding Jaladuata ship at Kolkata for spreading spiritual culture of India across western world. He said “I have made a home in which whole world can stay”. And what started with his adventurous endeavor now also continues in the form ISKCON since it is based on principle of pure love of God. We offer our sincere most tribute to Srila Prabhupada for this historic voyage he took 50 years ago on this day, to enable ultimate voyage back home, back to Godhead possible of limitless conditioned souls.
