The wave of national pride grew to tsunamic proportions as soccer crazy fans from around the world beached on our shore. Flags of the 32 competing countries decorated the highways leading to and from our airports and the South African flags, in particular, invoked national pride as we choked on the huge lumps in our throats. One could not help but get sucked into this vortex of euphoria engulfing the country. It was hard to remain aloof.
Wherever one looked, wherever one went, world cup fever was ever present. Street vendors plyed their trade and vehicles of all shapes and sizes carried the hopes of the nation. Patriotism and national pride gripped the nation. We were ready to welcome the world.
As aspiring devotees what was to be our reaction. Naturally many of us got caught up in this “feeding frenzy”, boldly declaring our support for our chosen heroes. Often driving to and from the airport and seeing the multitude of flags fluttering in the wind I tried to ‘Krsna-ize’ the whole scene in front of me. I remembered a passage in the Introduction to Bhagavad Gita where in Srila Prabhupada writes:
Ekam sastram devaki putram gitam
Eko devo devaki-putra eva
Eko mantras tasya namani yani
Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
– (Gita Mahatmya 7)
In this present day, people are very much eager to have one scripture, one God and religion and one occupation, therefore, ekam sastram devaki putram gitam: let there be one scripture only, one common scripture for the whole world – Bhagavad Gita. Eko devo devaki-putra eva: let there be one God for the whole world –Sri Krishna. Eko mantras tasya namani yani: let their be one hymn, one mantra, one prayer – the chanting of His name, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva: and let there be one work only – the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
My thoughts raced ahead, imagine if all the devotees in South Africa could muster up this much drive and enthusiasm for spreading Krishna Consciousness, how South Africa could change as we lay foundations for projects both big and small. I remembered what Srila Prabhupada said: “If you give me 11 pure devotees, we will take over the world in 21 days.” Imagine if 5000-10000 devotees nationally went out on book distribution, Food for Life, networking with corporate, maha harinams, hosting festivals, etc- imagine the future, imagine the legacy. So maybe we can do it for 1 month every year and grow from strength to strength.
“When we are seeing the invisible
Touching/feeling the intangible
We achieve the impossible.”- HH Radhanath Swami
So let us unite under the banner of ISKCON and Lord Chaitanya drowning South Africa in the ocean of love of Godhead.
Now that’s Ayoba!