PRABHUPADA’S PIONEERS
Spiritual Journeys of His Disciples of New Raman Reti.
Interviews ~ Articles ~ Photos of Their Lives in Service
compiled and edited by
Sri Devi Dasi
proofreading: Vegavati Devi Dasi.
Gadagraja Dasa
Gadagraja Dasa grew up in the Catholic Church in St.Louis, Missouri and remembers always having religious, devotional sentiments. So when he saw the devotees in the early 1970’s performing harinama, he felt there was similarly something deeply devotional and spiritual about them. He was in the Air Force during the Vietnam era, and later in college in St.Louis. In 1971, he visited the apartment of a devotee friend. There he received prasadam and listened to George Harrison’s mahamantra record.
Soon they went to the St.Louis temple, where he was captured by the aratik, prayers, philosophy, prasadam, artwork, and the devotees. The devotional practices seemed all-encompassing and were also similar to the Catholic mass. Having agreed to stay for the weekend, a little voice in his heart said: “This isn’t a visit, this is it.” He joined the temple that weekend, and became initiated six months later. Upon joining, Gadagraja gave half of his savings to the temple. As a result, he received a personal letter from Srila Prabhupada, and subsequently two more, which he relishes to this day. At the St. Louis temple, he went on harinama and book distribution, and also cooked offerings and sold incense.
In 1972, he went to New York City to work for ISKCON Press. At the press, he developed film and helped in manual making of the books. He also assisted the artists, and was awe-struck by their talent in creating the visions from our scriptures. Gadagraja describes the years at the press in New York as “every second being nectar” due to Srila Prabhupada’s presence and mercy. Prabhupada had said that the press was “his heart.” The press moved to Los Angeles in 1974, and Gadagraja spent most of his time there until the late 1990’s. In 1975, he participated in the two-month Caitanya Caritamrita marathon; they finished publishing 17 volumes by Srila Prabhupada’s instruction and empowerment. When Srila Prabhupada was around, there was never any impediment. Gadagraja also cooked for Govinda’s Restaurant.
Throughout the 1980’s and the 1990’s, he also spent extended time at various temples, including Vrindavan, Bombay, Paris, London, Rome, Berkeley, and Chicago. He very much appreciated the mood of European devotees. In the late 80’s, he married Seva Kunja Devi Dasi, a French devotee, and they had twin girls, Kalindi and Varsana.
Gadagraja prabhu has been at New Raman Reti since 2004. Always enjoying reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and having a natural analytical propensity, here he is among those who proofread Back to Godhead magazine. Also taking Srila Prabhupada’s directive to heart “distribute my books” - he is always looking for such opportunities. While many of the limbs of bhakti keep him going in devotional service, he particularly gains a lot of inspiration from reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. He is also enlivened by attending various Ratha Yatras in India, Europe, and the U.S.
To read the complete book please click here: (51MB pdf file)
https://www.alachuatemple.com/files/PDFs/SP_Disciples_of_Alachua_2021.pdf