20220702 51st Ratha-yātrā Address

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
hariḥ oṁ tat sat

Jayapatākā Swami: Jaya Jagannātha Svāmī kī jaya! Jaya Baladeva kī jaya! Subhadrā Mahārāṇī kī jaya! Sudarśana cakra kī jaya! Many years ago, Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda had said that Kolkata is his birthplace and that we should observe the Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā in a big way. Here there are many devotees of Lord Jagannātha. And therefore, it is possible to have a huge ratha. Lord Jagannātha, Baladeva, Subhadrā and Sudarśana cakra will traverse the roads of Kolkata. [audio break] After the corona, now once again the rathas are in place and we are having the Ratha-yātrā. This way, pulling the Jagannātha, Baladeva, Subhadrā, devotees are getting immense blessings. So much so that even if a person just touches the rope of the ratha, they could get liberated. Now, all the Deities are in place on Their rathas and the auspicious ceremonies have been completed. Now, we are waiting for the VIP guest, the honorable Chief Minister of Bengal. The Founder-Ācārya of ISKCON, Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda had instructed the organization of the beautiful Ratha-yātrā. The goal of this human life is to awaken our dormant love for the Lord. That love is in us, and if we chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and also preach sincerely then that love awakens in us. Nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ’sādhya’ kabhu naya/ śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya. Now we hope that all the devotees in front of Lord Jagannātha will do kīrtana and dance. Lord Caitanya said that the human form is for a very special reason. And more so for people born in this Bhārata-varṣa, India, they are more blessed! Bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra/ janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra. Chanting the name of the Lord, and doing kīrtana and preaching the holy name of the Lord, this incomparable opportunity if we can utilize then our life will be perfected. Generally, people believe they are the body, but actually we are the spirit soul which is in the body. That soul when it leaves the body, there is no value for this body. We have to always remember that we are the servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

This Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā is an opportunity by which we can chant the names of Lord Jagannātha, do kīrtana and take darśana of Lord Jagannātha and do service to Lord Jagannātha. I have given a short talk now and I hope all of you will have a blissful time! Hare Kṛṣṇa!

His Holiness Subhāg Swami is a very special family devotee. And usually, His Holiness Bhakti Cāru Mahārāja would be there with us but now we feel great grief in our heart as he is no more with us.