(Pancha-Tattva by Saradiya devi dasi)
Practicing Krishna Consciousness @ Home
The Simple Method
“The process is very simple. Just keep a picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates. Lord Caitanya is in the middle, accompanied by His principal associates — Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, and Srivasa. One simply has to keep this picture. One can keep it anywhere. It is not that one has to come to us to see this picture. Anyone can have this picture in his home, chant this Hare Krishna mantra, and thus worship Lord Caitanya. That is the simple method. But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains. Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krishna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krishna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity.” (Srila Prabhupada lecture, London’s Conway Hall, Nov. 1969)
more on Saradiya devi dasi
Bhaktivedanta Manor Pancha-Tattva Painting
by Saradiya devi dasi
It was the summer of 1969. I was cleaning A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s apartment on 26 2nd Ave in New York City. His apartment was behind the Radha Krishna Temple, across the small courtyard, up the stairs, and on the second floor. His rooms were small, but functional.
The temple was a small storefront that the previous tenants had made into a gift store with the sign: “Matchless Gifts.” The sign certainly alluded to the real matchless gifts of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings generously given to all who entered the transformed storefront.
The previous summer, I had the good fortune to attend a few of Srila Prabhupada’s darshans (discussion/gatherings) in this apartment. He had asked the devotees if they were painting. This question was directed to his female disciples, since they comprised the small group of devotees who were creating paintings in preparation for illustrating books that were gradually getting published; as well as supplying transcendental art for the many temples sprouting around the globe.
That was in 1968. The next year, the devotees moved down the block to 61 2nd Avenue for a brief time before their relocation to the larger building in Brooklyn, on Henry Street.
As I cleaned Srila Prabhupada’s rooms, I noticed the clothesline in the kitchen was still there, but not much else, except my memories and the sense of his presence. Then, unexpectedly, I saw a small Indian print on the counter. Picking it up, I saw that it was Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, and Srivasa, also known as the Pancha-Tattva. ”Five Truths in One.”
I was charmed by the unique composition of the figures and surrounding architecture; as well as the delicate lines and bright colors; and most importantly, the devotional mood of the transcendental picture.
A few years later, I had the good fortune to reside at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in England, which had been donated by George Harrison. Srila Prabhupada lived at the Manor for most of that summer of 1973, as well as attended the successful Rathayatra in London.
While Srila Prabhupada was at the Manor, I worked on a large 4 by 5 foot oil painting of the Pancha-Tattva. Who would have ever guessed that the little print from the small storefront on 2nd Avenue would manifest as a large painting housed in the elegant Bhaktivedanta Manor in Great Britain, presented as a gift to His Divine Grace and his devotees.
text pasted from; Prabhupada Connect
Note; For inquiries on purchasing original artwork displayed in the six galleries or to commission a portrait you can contact the artist directly. Please note that Saradiya’s online e-mail form is currently disabled so please use the following e-mail address: saradiya108@yahoo.com
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
The Hare Krishna Movement 