Two Men from Turkmenistan

The other day two disciples from Turkmenistan came to inquire if they could speak to me. Because I’m devoting my time to resting and recuperating in Vrindavan, I sent a polite message back that it would not be possible. But when word came that th>ey hadn’t seen me in over 12 years, I quickly invited them over for lunch prasadam.

During the luncheon the younger devotee showed me his recommendation paper for 1st initiation. It was 10 years old.

“Why have you waited 10 years to present me this paper?” I asked.

“You don’t visit Turkmenistan often,” he replied shyly.

The older devotee, Nadia Behari dasa had a recommendation for 2nd initiation, which was also 10 years old.

“We’ve tried for years to come see you during your visits to Vrindavan,” Nadia Behari explained, “but our government is very strict and it’s not easy to leave the country. Finally last week we got visas to India – but only for 15 days. We may not get visas again in the future. Do you think it’s possible to perform our initiations?”

We had planned a short parikrama to Govardhana Hill the next day, so I invited them to join us. When we reached Radha Kunda I gave them both initiation on the banks of that holy lake, in the company of 10 other devotees. I gave the younger devotee the name, Radha Kunda dasa, and after placing the sacred thread around Nadia Behari’s shoulder, whispered the sacred gayatri mantra into his ear. Then we held a fire sacrifice.

Afterwards we all took bath in Radha Kunda and Syama Kunda, honored a wonderful feast and ended the parikrama with a blissful kirtan. At the end of the day all the devotees went back to Vrindavan and took evening darsan of Radha Syamasundara at our ISKCON temple.

All glories to all the devotees preaching in Turkmenistan!