Celebrating H.H. Subhag Swami’s Visit After Many Years

A lot has changed since H.H. Subhag Swami’s last visited the Wellington ISKCON temple many years ago. But the one thing that remains unchanged is the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples, H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaj being one of them. Initiated by Srila Prabhupada himself in 1971, H.H. Subhag Swami has since served Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission and vision from Sridham Mayapur for the last 40 years out of his 46 years in ISKCON.

On his recent four-day Wellington visit, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of mother Sita’s appearance day celebration – his holiness was warmly welcomed by the temple president H.G. Jagjeevan Das. Honouring Subhag Swami, Jagjeevan prabhuji recollected the memories of Maharaj’s past visit to Wellington many years ago, and how delighted he was to receive Maharaj once again.

Hearing the news of Maharaj’s arrival, the number of listeners flocked to various congregational programs. Starting from Sita Navami Celebration on May 4^th, Journey of Self Discovery program on the May 5^th, to the ISKCON Temple Program on May 6^th. In these programs Maharaj elucidated many spiritual topics. He emphasised that the ignorance of body consciousness had to be given up by those seeking permanent release from their miseries. The recipe to becoming happy was to serve Krsna, instead of becoming subservient to one’s senses and material desires.

Speaking on the occasion of Sita Navami celebration, he mentioned that just as light & heat cannot be separated from fire, similarly mother Sita, the pleasure potency of the Lord, cannot be separated from Lord Rama. Therefore the simplest way to approach Lord Rama was to approach Him through mother Sita, who is easily pleased.

After his four-day visit Maharaj departed on the 7^th of May, leaving us spiritually rejuvenated. Association of pure advanced devotees, like H.H. Subhag Swami, always acts as nectar and we sincerely hope that such devotees continue to grace this capital city of Wellington to enhance our utsah (enthusiasm) and progress towards achieving the highest goal of life – Krsna’s Love.

All glories to Srila Praphupada! All Glories to Guru & Gauranga!!