How I came to Krishna Consciousness - H.G. Sadashiva Das

My wife and I have always been interested in reading books on Mahabharata, Ramayana and anything adjacent to Sanatana Dharma. This has also resulted in us watching (like many others) Sri Krsna series on TV, along with the other two epics, multiple times. We loved it so much that, sometimes we would get confused where we saw a specific pastime of Krsna, was it from the Sri Krsna series or was it Mahabharata. The subject matter was simply too captivating for us and we couldn’t help but discuss these topics with everyone we met.

One fine day, I recall watching something on Youtube and I ended up with what would be my first lecture series from ISKCON. It was none other than HG Amogh Lila Prabhuji. It was a lecture series on Srimad Bhagavatam. By then, my wife had gotten even more curious of what happens at ISKCON (thanks to the live stream on ISV’s Youtube channel) and had placed an order for a copy of Bhagavad Gita for herself. She started to read it before I started reading. She would constantly recommend that I too should start reading it. One thing led to another and she started sharing more about ISKCON. The next thing I know is that she had ordered chanting beads. She started chanting before I did. All this while, I was diligently listening to lectures of HG Amogh Lila Prabhuji and Srila Prabhupada’s short videos. My curiosity only kept growing and I wanted to learn more about ISKCON.

Then one fine day, I asked my wife to finally place an order of Japa mala for myself. By then I had developed some interest in chanting as well. I still remember how I searched for that video of Srila Prabhupada chanting (Without Ads) to simply keep up with the pace of chanting. I diligently scoured through different “How to chant on Japa Mala” videos on Youtube, to learn how to chant properly using a japa mala.

While all this was going on, we happened to visit Sri Surabhi Go Ksetra, Pleasanton. There we got our first book of Srila Prabhupada, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I read the book cover to cover! I read this, even before I had a copy of Bhagavad Gita. The book was so good, that I couldn’t help but read it end to end. It was from this book that I got more curious to learn about Bhagavad Gita. After a few days, I bought a copy for myself at ISKCON Berkeley.

Also around Feb 2024, we were very fortunate to get the association of HG Balimardan Prabhuji who was kind enough to drive 50+ miles, from San Jose, on a rainy night to our home for an evening program. It was organized with the help of a devotee at ISKCON Berkeley. I still remember vividly the class Prabhuji gave, on that evening of ekadashi. 

Soon after, on the day of Nityananda Trayodashi we happened to meet the wonderful devotee family of HG Lalitha Palika Mataji and HG Mahesh Palaka Prabhuji, at ISKCON Berkeley. We were so happy to learn that they spoke kannada and we connected instantly. Since then we have been blessed to get their association, attend their Bhagavad Gita classes and also the opportunity to serve with them at ISKCON Berkeley.

I am also specially grateful to HG Ananda Mataji for inviting me to join their book distribution team. I had been waiting all the while to do this seva but simply didn’t know how and whom to connect with. During this journey I also got the opportunity to connect with other wonderful devotees like HG Lila Nandini Mataji, HG Prema Madhuri Mataji and others (sorry If I missed naming any of you explicitly). Their dedication in serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada is exemplary. They are truly an inspiration! The weekly program at Yogapeetha has helped me engage in so many services and the guidance I get from the devotees here, has helped me learn so much in my Krsna consciousness journey.

I am forever grateful for the association I get of the devotees, every week and also the innumerable seva opportunities. I have nothing but gratitude for all the help, guidance and opportunities I have received from so many wonderful devotees. I seek your blessings and wishes so I can continue to render seva at the Lotus feet of all you wonderful devotees. 

Hare Krsna!