Written by Naimisaranya dd
After attending the Sunday feast program in Gauradesh (Cologne) in Germany on 21 January, Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in Radhadesh that same evening to a small group of devotees who welcomed him with a short kirtan. Maharaja spent some time with the devotees before taking rest for the night.
On Tuesday morning, Maharaja gave the Srimad Bhagavatam class. The chapter which provided the theme for the lectures that week was entitled “The Lord incarnates as Mohini-murti.” Maharaja quoted the Uddhava Gita which says that heroism means to overcome the natural tendency to enjoy material life. Maharaja discussed how to deal with the material energy and how follow this heroic path as outlined in the Nectar of Devotion – recordings to follow.
On Thursday, Maharaja gave the morning Bhagavatam class again. Continuing the descriptions of how Lord Siva was bewildered by Mohini-murti, Maharaja explained the need for the varnasrama system for dealing with the material energy when there is the affliction of lust. Later that evening saw the official opening ceremony of the Radhadesh Mellows festival with short addresses by both Sacinandana Swami and Kadamba Kanana Swami. Kadamba Kanana Maharaj spoke about how the special mercy of Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda and the entire Panca Tattva is unique to this Kali yuga. He explained how their special mercy in this age, helps one attain results very quickly. He also explained that the Mellows is more than just a nice festival, but rather a life-changing event which we should embrace.
On Friday, the first day of the festival arrived and saw the unveiling of the much anticipated artwork for the festival. Fitting with the theme for this year’s festival, Lord Nityananda served as the backdrop for the Mellows this year in the form of an acrylic mural titled “Eternal Bliss” by Kardami Kapila das from Bulgaria. The first of Kadamba Kanana Maharaja’s four one-hour kirtan slots for the festival was scheduled for that morning. Even though this festival is named the “Mellows” for its meditative kirtans, true to form, Kadamba Kanana Maharaja transformed the atmosphere and got the crowd on their feet within the first ten minutes of his slot! The festival was well-organized and it meant that a strict schedule was followed for the kirtan slots each of which ended on time in a bittersweet fashion. Other legendary kirtaniyas performing included Madhava, Jahnavi Jivana and Acyuta Gopi to name just a few.
Saturday’s Srimad Bhagavatam class emphasised the importance of a retreat such as the Mellows. Maharaja discussed how such a retreat serves to strengthen our commitment and bring new life to our everyday practices. He used the Sunday morning class on Caitanya Caritamrta to discuss the glories and mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda which amped everyone up further for Nityananda Trayodasi the next day
Finally, Lord Nityananda’s appearance day arrived. With a packed morning program scheduled, the day started off sweetly with Sacinandana Swami giving the morning Srimad Bhagavatam class. This was followed by a set of five entertaining short dramas directed by Syamananda Prabhu that was appreciated by all. A mesmerizing abhishek was then performed Gaura Nitai by the senior devotees present and the fun continued with pushpa-abhishek which brought out the enthusiasm in everyone. After the festivities, Kadamba Kanana Swami, Niranjana Swami and Sacinandana Swami took lunch together. Although most of the festival attendees had already begun their journeys back home, those who were still around were in for a treat with Kadamba Kanana Swami’s final kirtan offering for the festival.
All through the festival, Maharaja gave his time generously to the many festival attendees and disciples who travelled from far and wide, and who eagerly awaited his association. On Tuesday, even though the Radhadesh Mellows was over, and the remaining few were set to recover from the long weekend, Maharaja gave the Srimad Bhagavatam class which continued with descriptions of the Lord in the form of Mohini-murti. Maharaja gave his experiences with the “innerer schweinehund” (the pig within). His honest descriptions and confessions were refreshing. They were well-received by the audience and appreciated for its remarkable sincerity and authenticity in dealing with this topic of lust.
On Friday, Maharaja gave one last class for the French preaching program which was attended those who were staying at guesthouse for a retreat. He then departed Radhadesh early on Saturday (3 February) morning to Germany.
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