USA
January 6, 2003 VNN7707
New Year's Eve Hari Nam In San Francisco Madness
BY BHAKTA JERRY
SAN FRANCISCO, USA, Jan 6 (VNN) — Viswambara Dasa, the founder of the Hare Krishna Youth called me, and said this was going to be the "United Nations Hari Nam". His goal was to unite devotees of various Gurus and philosophies under the banner of the Holy Names of Lord Krishna. He was very enthusiastic about this, and his goal materialized on New Year's Eve. The whole spectrum of devotees were there singing and dancing together with a single purpose; to spread Krishna Consciousness during one of the most sinful holidays of the year. Indeed, if ever there was a holiday where the masses were breaking all of the four regulative principles of Krishna Consciousness simultaneously, New Year's Eve was the night.
About thirty of us arrived in downtown San Francisco at about 10pm. The masses were already congregating to watch the midnight fireworks at the Embarcadero. So, we began our Hari Nam Sankritan, and literally thousands of souls walked past. Various party-goers walked by and joined us in dancing. One drunk man stayed with us and danced the entire time. Many Indian souls wandered through the kirtan, chanted with us, and expressed their gratitude and appreciation. Suddhanini Dasa, a disciple of His Grace Gour Govinda Maharaj, began the kirtan in his soulful style. Amogha Lila Dasa, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, distributed Prabhupada's books with an effulgent smile.
As we continued our kirtan, the madness increased, as police in riot gear were attempting to control the crowd, arresting trouble-makers, and watching us very, very closely. I could sense their uneasiness when we began to march toward the huge crowds. Every so often, a loud blast of some kind of firework would go off. So, we kept on chanting. Rajahamsa Dasa, a disciple of Hirdayananda Maharaja continued, and next was our famous Hare Krishna Youth, Viswambara Dasa, who brought the energy of the kirtan higher and higher. Then, was Mata Shyama, a disciple of Bhaktiprimode Puri Maharaja, who sang joyously and courageously. To end the kirtan, the Manjari Matajis, disciples of Srila Narayana Maharaja, sang with sweet and youthful energy. So, as you can see, unity is possible during these trying times in Krishna consciousness. The Holy Name can and will continue to unite us. Thank you to Viswambara Dasa for his visionary planning for this ecstatic Hari Nam.
Hari Nam Sankritan Ki Jai
All Glories to His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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