One year ago, on August 6, 2025, my dear friend Vanamali Devi Dasi accompanied me to Zurich Airport. From there, I boarded my flight to Delhi.
On every flight, I take the opportunity to speak with the flight attendants. During my journey each of them gladly accepted a copy with the QR code leading to my blog and other devotional resources.
One never knows how a small encounter may touch someone’s life.
Each QR code, held with grace
Upon landing in Delhi, knowing that I was once again close to the sacred land of Vrindavan Dham—my heart overflowed with gratitude for having returned to India. Above all, I had been eagerly looking forward to celebrating Lord Balarama’s Appearance Day (Balarama Jayanti).
My gift to Lord Balarama was the finest honey from Switzerland, presented in a container adorned with a beautiful landscape depicting bees humming among the flowers.
Honey is one of the ingredients of panchamrita—the sacred mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar used for the abhisheka on Balarama Jayanti. The Srimad-Bhagavatam also describes Lord Balarama and the cowherd boys enjoying the forests of Vrindavan, where wild honey is abundant. In another celebrated pastime, Lord Balarama drank the sweet Varuni nectar that flowed from the trees. Remembering these pastimes, I felt that offering Him this special honey was most appropriate.
In the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, Lord Balarama is the first expansion of Lord Krishna. Although He appears as Krishna’s elder brother in His earthly pastimes, He is understood to be God Himself, serving Krishna in a mood of loving service.
Krishna-Balarama
Some key points about Lord Balarama:
Elder brother of Krishna: He appeared in the village of Gokula and later he moved to Vṛndāvana, where He shared many childhood pastimes with Krishna.
Embodiment of spiritual strength: The name Bala-rāma means “Rama (one who gives pleasure) with great strength.” His strength is not merely physical but spiritual, giving devotees the strength to advance in devotional life.
Original spiritual master: In Gaudiya Vaishnava theology, Balarama is considered the original guru because He assists all souls in approaching Krishna.
Source of spiritual expansions: From Balarama expand many of the Lord’s other forms and the spiritual paraphernalia, including the spiritual world, Krishna’s throne, bed, umbrella, shoes, ornaments, and other items used in His loving service.
Symbols: He is usually depicted with a plow (hala) and a club (gadā). The plow symbolizes cultivating the heart and removing obstacles to spiritual progress.
Merciful nature: Devotees pray for Lord Balarama’s mercy to gain the spiritual strength needed to serve Krishna with sincerity.
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Exactly, the merciful nature of Lord Balarama cannot be underestimated. My prayers to Him were sincere and intense. I begged Him to bless me with the strength and clarity to see life’s tests—even those that seem unfair—as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
As I write this blog, I know that those prayers have borne fruit. All glories to Lord Balarama—the Original Guru and the source of spiritual strength.
If you have not yet visited the Sri Krishna-Balarama Mandir in ISKCON Vrindavan, it is time to do so!
During these five sacred days in Vrindavan, I was determined to deepen my sadhana by attending all the daily programs established by Srila Prabhupada, including the Bhagavad-gita class. The exalted association of the devotees made my heart jubilant.
I had the good fortune to take breakfast at Govinda’s together with the most exalted Vaishnavi, Daivi Shakti Devi Dasi. As she was in a rush, she soon left, and I took that golden opportunity to honor the little remnants from her plate.
That day, August 10, marked Srila Prabhupada’s historic departure for the USA, when he boarded the Jaladuta in Calcutta. On this auspicious occasion, Daivi Shakti Devi Dasi gave the Srimad-Bhagavatam class and, in the evening, a talk about Srila Prabhupada, which was, of course, a true highlight of my visit.
Note: This observance follows the Vedic lunar calendar and therefore does not always coincide with the historical Gregorian date. Śrīla Prabhupāda actually boarded the Jaladuta on 13 August 1965.
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I was also blessed to participate in a deeply moving transcendental kirtan led by Paramadhama Prabhu (Gaura Mani’s husband), following Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja around the temple and circumambulating Srila Prabhupada’s murti in Samadhi. We all sang loudly and danced with full enthusiasm. What struck me most was that, even though I had arrived late for that particular Guru Puja, I felt that mercy touched every part of my being.
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“Don’t think Srila Prabhupada is not seeing us chanting and dancing—our chanting and dancing is for the pleasure for our Spiritual master and Supreme Lord.”
By Niranjana Swami—Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja lecture—Kyiv 2025
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On my last day in Vrindavan, I went barefoot on parikrama to take darshan of the Yamuna River. Along the way, I stopped for some sugarcane juice, kindly sponsored by an Indian devotee, Keshav Jha. We spoke for a while, and he was delighted to purchase my book.
I then spent some time feeding the cows, one of the happiest moments.
Thus ended my five-day stay in Vrindavan Dham, leaving me with cherished memories that will remain in my heart for a long time.
Sri Vrindavan Dham ki Jai !
After traveling to Russia, America, Switzerland, and Vrindavan-dhama, I longed to stand before the ocean at Jagannatha Puri and leave all my fatigue behind in its vast waters.
Normally, when I chant my japa on the beach, I try not to approach people. But, of course, sometimes they approach me. That particular day, I noticed a couple standing in the water. Later, as I walked back, I saw the lady standing alone near the shore while her husband remained farther out in the ocean. Seeing her up close, I felt she might appreciate receiving my book. Sure enough, she was inspired. She called her husband over and, without hesitation, took his phone and made an online payment. They also took a few photos. I hope to receive them one day.
All of this took place while we stood in the blessed ocean where Lord Chaitanya once bathed Haridasa Thakura after he departed from this world.
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Since I stayed at the guest house for only three days, I arrived at Bhubaneswar Airport a couple of hours earlier than usual before my flight—hoping to distribute my book. However, things did not go as planned.
By Krishna’s mercy, though, during the last fifteen minutes before boarding, I distributed two books. (Then, while waiting for my luggage at Kolkata Airport, I distributed another one.)
The story behind this is: As I was walking toward the gate shown on my boarding pass, I noticed a man sitting alone, waiting for his flight. Knowing that I had only a short time before boarding, I enthusiastically approached him and spoke rather quickly. Our conversation turned out to be very pleasant. He was genuinely interested in spiritual life and happily purchased my book.
Afterward, I rushed to my gate, only to find it completely empty. Then I realized there had been a gate change. Hurrying to the new gate, I approached a lady and asked if she was on the same flight. She said no. Even so, I showed her my book and said, “This is my story.” She simply held the book in her hands and wanted to take a photo with me—but there wasn’t even enough time for her to pay.
Just then, I saw the last two passengers walking through the gate. I quickly waved goodbye to her and rushed forward—I was the very last passenger to board. Our encounter lasted barely two minutes. (Later, she kindly paid online.)
As I walked through the gate, there was another queue of about five people waiting for an unexpected additional security check. I used that brief opportunity to call and wave to the lady through the glass wall, gesturing, “Come, come!”—so she would understand that we still had a chance to take a photo together. She came with her sister or friend, and since she no longer had the book with her, I held up another copy for the picture.
The special photo—with the glass wall between us
The next day, back in Mayapur on Janmashtami, August 16, I opened WhatsApp and found the following message from the previous day:
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Mataji,
Happy Janmashtami!
Meeting you today felt like Krishna’s own arrangement. On this rare and powerful day when Janmashtami, Kali Jayanti, and Kalashtami all converge, you gifted me A Heart Full of Gratitude. Even the very first chapter moved me to tears. Your face glows with Krishna’s love, and I wish to grow into someone like you — peaceful, beautiful, and wise.
I am also beginning to write my own book, Ashes to Awakening, born from the gift of the Bhagavad Gita my mentor Shankar Sir once gave me. It is the story of not serene awakening, but of raw healing through blood, sweat, guilt, tears, shame, and blame. Krishna has saved me countless times, and through you, I felt His presence and encouragement today.
Thank you for today. You are not just a fairy or an angel, but like a fairy godmother to me. I truly wish to meet you once again — next time I will come with my book. Please do contact me if you visit Bhubaneswar again! We are all crazy Krishna lovers here and would love to be in seva for you.”
With love and gratitude, Isha Thakkar
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“Let those sacrifices be our happiness!”
By Niranjana Swami—Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Lecture — Kyiv 2025
The journey continues! Part Four takes a look back at 2025’s most unforgettable moments.