A Letter from Czech Republic
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Thank you for the samkirtan story below. I wanted to share something related to what this samkirtan devotee had said about being more difficult to distribute in the winter: ". Now when winter came it is more difficult to be out in dhoti."
This is quite true. I surrendered to Krsna in Detroit, Michigan [Sri Sri Radha-Kunjabehari ki jaya!!!} and doing samkirtan in the winter was the highest austerity. Especially in parking lots with no tree lines… the icy winds seem to cut right to the bone! We still went out in dhotis and as a bramachari, we wore saffron dyed long thermal underwear, tops and bottoms, with big winter coats and a ski cap which has since become a hip staple of the younger generation's wardrobe. Also, our breakfast consisted of temple baked turmeric bread and an opulent serving of kitri. We were a sight! As a result, some of the people we approached had genuine compassion for us and seem amused by our outfit–dhoti blowing in the icy wind exposing our saffron thermal underwear!
We even held kirtan, playing karatals and mrdunga with gloved hands. All the while our bodies were freezing but feeling spiritual bliss!
Your Servent,
Vamsi Dasa
