And in 1971 Srila Prabhupada wrote to Madhudvisa Swami:
“Paris is a very nice city, better than London. All historical buildings are there and they are very gorgeous and panoramic.”
So let us now taste bliss in Paris the world’s “most important city”

Most visited tourist city in the world and largest metropolis in Europe. Paris the city of romance, famed capital of France. Here is a great place to dance!

People everywhere. Off we go to the Eiffel tower the most visited paid monument in the world. 1000 feet high and standing since 1889. Hitler failed to destroy it or even climb it. The French had destroyed the lift system before the Germans came in. The French have a saying “The Germans conquered France but not the Eiffel Tower”. Originally considered a monstrosity by most, now the most famous ICON of Paris, which attracts everyone.

15 enthusiastic devotees from the Paris Yatra are also attracted but for a different reason. Yes, we are going there to enjoy, dancing and chanting and selling also – selling the holy names for the price of one’s faith. The more faith we have the easier it is for others to purchase. The more enthusiastic we are the more enthusiastic the public will be.
And these devotees are enthusiastic for Harinama as we slowly make our way towards the tower. As always, people smile, join in, take pictures and videos, laugh and wave. We reach the tower. Ecstatically dancing around in circles, singing playing musical instruments the force catches the hearts of many. Within minutes there are dozens of passers by dancing with us – round and round, ecstatically. We let go and the nectar does flow.

I remember the statement of Jiva Gosvami in the Sandharbas, quoting from the Javali Samhita “The process of nama smarana has been described. Those who are desirous of obtaining unlimited varieties of spiritual bliss should always perform japa, meditation (dhyana) singing (gana) and kirtan of the topmost names of Sri Hari. But in the practice of nama smarana one cannot obtain spiritual bliss as long as the heart remains impure. Whereas the practice of nama sankirtan does not depend on purification of the heart. Therefore nama smaranam is less effective than nama sankirtanam, and nama sankirtana has greater importance.”
Straight off the street, even persons who are in the modes of ignorance suddenly experience bliss when they join the kirtan at least for the time being. Such is the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

Thousands get the opportunity to connect with the sankirtan movement. Paris is such a wonderful city for sankirtan. Countless places to preach with people teaming everywhere. Just wait till the Deities move to their new home in North Paris. We are all praying that “Srila Prabhupada’s will in Paris”, will soon become fulfilled.

As we cross the bridge over the River Seine we realize how insane it all is. Spending one’s whole life trying to enjoy the fleeting scenes of this world.

In Boston in 1969 Srila Prabhupada spoke:
“So our request is that everything will be complete if you take to this chanting: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. And there is no very strict rules, regulation. You can chant anywhere, either in this room or outside the room or on the road, street, bus. Wherever you find opportunity, you chant simply Hare Krsna and see the result.

In Bombay Dec 1074 lecture on SB 3.26.18
“If people are simply induced to chant Hare Krsna mantra... Just see. Even a child, he is taking part. It is natural. There is no distinction between black and white, no question of language, nothing. You see practically. There is white child, black child. They do not know how to speak; but they are dancing and chanting. So this movement is so important. Somehow or other if you can engage them in chanting and dancing, the whole world will be united.

The estimated eight million rats living underground in Paris are not the only threat down there. On the Metro system (Underground, subway) a small group of 4 or 5 devotees take to the carriages for 3 hours daily..
A revolutionary approach initiated by Candrasekhara Acarya proving that the people of France are far from unfavourable. It’s an amazing programme called Metro Yoga.
“Welcome folks, we are from Metro Yoga and we would like to share this sublime yoga with you for a few moments”, as the devotees begin a sweet bhajans in the train. People smile and seem to enjoy the music and the humour and expertise of Candra’s presentation. Some clap and join in. The train stops and people get in and out. As it starts again he introduces the prasadam. “Ladies and gentlemen all the way from New York – a monk (Who else but Krsna Krpa of course) – who will come around now giving out healthy vegetarian sweets for free. Please take one, they are very nice. Are you a vegetarian mam?
The passengers are enthralled. Many take the sweets as the music goes on. Some take books and CD’s. The train stops again. “Well we like to thank you folk so much.” “ Now ladies and gentlemen how about a round of applause for the member of the Metro Yoga group who have come here today voluntarily. Thank you.
Practically everyone claps, many are laughing. As we leave the carriage hands are waving.
All glories to the sankirtan devotees.

Jean Kelly in his famous song from 1929 sings “ I’m dancing and singing in the rain.”
“with a smile on my face I’m happy again” “not a care in the world……

But how many of us actually do feel so happy in the rain?

May 2008

The rain is pouring down as we approach Loche a small historic town 40 km from New Mayapura.
It’s market day and we have gone there to chant the holy names in the streets. The first time in maybe 20 years. Most people have not seen us before at least on sankirtan. The rain gets heavier as we arrive. Our 3 cars go in different directions. We have no means of communicating.
We look around to see the situation. How can we go out in weather like this – we don’t have rain coats, umbrellas or suitable shoes. Nobody in their right mind would go out in weather like this. But look there are lot’s of people on the street. Well, if the people in general can go out in this weather for sense gratification, then why can’t we go out for Krishna’s pleasure?
If we can’t perform the austerity which they are, how on earth will we spread Krishna consciousness? Are we fair weather devotees only interested in serving when it is too our liking or are we serving for Krishna liking. We are not here for arranging a comfortable living movement. We are here for austerity. Let’s go and see what Krishna has in stall. It seems most of our party have disappeared when only 4 of us take to the street. Smiling, dancing, chanting and playing musical instruments. The people look quite surprised. Here we are on such a day and looking completely happy. Sharing our happiness with everyone no matter what they think or how they respond. We are your servants. We are here because of Prabhupada’s love for you – please, please take it. We are together now dear brothers. Smiles and waves come back.
It’s a small town with narrow cobbled streets and very old buildings. Very mystical. We go round the market and the town once and still the rain pours down. There is absolutely no shelter, except the holy name. Umm, that’s really easy to focus on here.

“Okay boys we’ll head back to the car”. Krishna had a different idea – suddenly we see the other 10 devotees coming the other way and we meet. Around the town again and again. The rain slows down the kirtan speeds up.
“If you can be happy on a day like this then these people have really got something to offer” Thinks an onlooker. Like everywhere else we go the response is ecstatic – the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu goes everywhere.
Back in the cars we turn the heaters on and as we drive back to New Mayapura we try to dry off our drenched feet, clothes, coats and everything else.
But the real drenching will not dry up – the swelling ocean of Lord Caitanya’s sankirtan. Ceto darpana……………

This reminds of George Harrison and how he was impressed seeing the devotees every day going up and down Oxford Street come what may. Rain, snow, cold, heat, arrests, insults – they carried on chanting and dancing even in the police cells.

I now travel with sweet little Deities of Gaura Nitai. They live very simply but are an inspiration to propagate the Yuga Dharma.

nana pitha-pana khaya akantha puriya
madhye madhye ‘hari' kahe anandita hana

"They ate all kinds of cakes and sweet rice, filling themselves up to their throats, and at intervals they vibrated the holy name of the Lord in great jubilation."

PURPORT

It is the practice of Vaisnavas while taking prasadam to chant the holy name of Lord Hari at intervals and also sing various songs, such as sarira avidya-jala. Those who are honoring prasadam, accepting the remnants of food offered to the Deity, must always remember that prasadam is not ordinary food. Prasadam is transcendental. We are therefore reminded:

maha-prasade govinde nama-brahmani vaisnave
sv-alpa-punya-vatam rajan visvaso naiva jayate

Those who are not pious cannot understand the value of maha-prasadam or the holy name of the Lord. Both prasadam and the Lord's name are on the Brahman platform, or spiritual platform. One should never consider prasadam to be like ordinary hotel cooking. Nor should one touch any kind of food not offered to the Deity. Every Vaisnava strictly follows this principle and does not accept any food that is not prasadam. One should take prasadam with great faith and should chant the holy name of the Lord and worship the Deity in the temple, always remembering that the Deity, maha-prasadam and the holy name do not belong to the mundane platform. By worshiping the Deity, eating prasadam and chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one can always remain on the spiritual platform (brahma-bhuyaya kalpate [Bg. 14.26]).