The Appearance of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundara
The sun was shining but there were small droplets of rain. A rainbow outside enticed the children to go out to the front yard to check it out. A car approached and parked at the front curb with a man inside that they did not recognize. The kids hurried in to the house to tell their parents and the man came to the front door and bellowed “Hare Krishna.” A familiar greeting, but we were not expecting anyone. He told us he had something to deliver and out came the crates that held their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar. We were surprised, unprepared and overjoyed. We shared prasadam and he left as quickly as he came.
The story of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar has many turns. First came the original Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar, the small black and white deities. We were serving Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON in Chicago and Sivarama Swami was leaving to travel and preach. Unexpectedly, as he was leaving, he gave these beloved deities to us. These were our first home deities which we worshiped, made dresses for and started our routine.
Later on came our traveling deities, the brass form of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar. During the installation ceremony at ISKCON Seattle, all the rituals were performed on these deities and after the ceremony, these deities were given to Subhavilasa Das.
At some point in between Lord Narsimhadev made his appearance. As Ashalata was leaving the Toronto temple, a female devotee said she had something for her. “I can no longer take care of Him. Please take care of Him”, she said as she handed over the Protector of devotees.
However, getting back to Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar in Their most magnificent form, before They arrived on that auspicious day, They took a journey all Their own. They were ordered by Srila Prabhupada in the 1970’s through Govardhan Das. Govardhan Das went to Jaipur and had the Dieties commissioned. Visvakarma and Subhavilasa were chatting in the temple one day and he told “Subal” to go see Naveen Krishna in Detroit. So the family took the short trek to Detroit and there indeed was a pleasant surprise. Sri Radha Krishna had Their own plans…
The crates sat at the house for a few years and one day Gopal Krishna Goswami was visiting the home and said They should come out of the boxes. A few days later They came out and then were subsequently installed on Lord Narsimhadev’s Appearance Day in May 1989.
Srila Prabhupada, we are humbled that you have given us the opportunity to serve our “first love” Sri Sri Radha Ksirchor Gopinatha, our “second love” Sri Sri Kishor-Kishori and now with your mercy and His leela we are now also able to serve Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar at home. Srila Prabhupada, all that we ask you is to keep us in the dust of your lotus feet.
The story of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar has many turns. First came the original Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar, the small black and white deities. We were serving Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON in Chicago and Sivarama Swami was leaving to travel and preach. Unexpectedly, as he was leaving, he gave these beloved deities to us. These were our first home deities which we worshiped, made dresses for and started our routine.
Later on came our traveling deities, the brass form of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar. During the installation ceremony at ISKCON Seattle, all the rituals were performed on these deities and after the ceremony, these deities were given to Subhavilasa Das.
At some point in between Lord Narsimhadev made his appearance. As Ashalata was leaving the Toronto temple, a female devotee said she had something for her. “I can no longer take care of Him. Please take care of Him”, she said as she handed over the Protector of devotees.
However, getting back to Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar in Their most magnificent form, before They arrived on that auspicious day, They took a journey all Their own. They were ordered by Srila Prabhupada in the 1970’s through Govardhan Das. Govardhan Das went to Jaipur and had the Dieties commissioned. Visvakarma and Subhavilasa were chatting in the temple one day and he told “Subal” to go see Naveen Krishna in Detroit. So the family took the short trek to Detroit and there indeed was a pleasant surprise. Sri Radha Krishna had Their own plans…
The crates sat at the house for a few years and one day Gopal Krishna Goswami was visiting the home and said They should come out of the boxes. A few days later They came out and then were subsequently installed on Lord Narsimhadev’s Appearance Day in May 1989.
Srila Prabhupada, we are humbled that you have given us the opportunity to serve our “first love” Sri Sri Radha Ksirchor Gopinatha, our “second love” Sri Sri Kishor-Kishori and now with your mercy and His leela we are now also able to serve Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar at home. Srila Prabhupada, all that we ask you is to keep us in the dust of your lotus feet.