Tulsi Gabbard visits Iskcon minglign with devotees

GEETHA PATIL

BOSTON: Tulsi Gabbard, Congresswoman and a Democratic presidential candidate, visited the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Boston temple March 24 and mingling with hundreds of devotes and Sunday schoolchildren.
The Sunday program of the ISKCON temple started with a lecture on the significance of birth of Chaitanya Prabhu and the Sankirtan movement. This was followed by a arati at and singing of Sankirtan by RadhaMata.

The Sunday schoolchildren presented a cultural program on the birth and childhood pastime activities of Chaitanya Prabhu. Radha Mataj, the master of ceremony, thanked all the children and the teachers for their time and dedication in putting this play together.
Gabbard came with Vrindavan Bellord (sister), Abraham Williams (husband), A.J. White (camera assistant), and Sunil Khemaney who made her visit to the temple possible.

Vanamali Prabhu, the president, Pyari Mohan Prabhuj, the secretary of the templ, and his wife Jeevan Mata welcomed them warmly by offering them garlands and chanting Shree Krishna slogans.
Radha Mata, in her introductory note, said that Gabbard is an American politician serving as the US Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district since 2013. Following her election in 2012, she became the first Samoan American and the first Hindu member of the US Congress and member of the Democratic Party.

She further stated that Gabbard describes herself as a “Vaishnava Hindu” and a true devotee of Lord Krishna. In 2013, she was the first Congresswoman to swear in using the Bhagavad Gita.
In her brief address, Gabbd said that the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita have inspired her to strive to be a servant-leader, dedicating her life to the service of others and to the country. For her, the Gita has been a tremendous source of inner peace and strength through many tough challenges in her life, including being in the midst of death and turmoil while serving the country in the Middle East.

She also enjoys sending out her annual Janmashtami and Diwali greetings to every Hindu with a note about the importance of spiritual values in life. Gabbad not only actively participated in the singing program but also sang several Krishna bhajans with the devotees.
Radha Mata thanked Gabbard and her team for visiting to ISKCON Boston temple and Vanamali Prabhu presented a picture of Lord Krishna and Radha.