Program at Apollo Hospital: “A Spiritual Dimension to Medical Science”
Anadi Jagannath Das: On July 13th 2017, ISKCON Seshadripuram (Bangalore) conducted a program at the Apollo Hospital in Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. The event was entitled “A Spiritual Dimension to Medical Science”, and the lecture was delivered by H.G. Devaki Mataji, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the same hospital. It was offered as a program of gratitude to all the staff that had nicely taken care of mataji during her treatment. What a better way to thank than sharing the spiritual dimension to medical science! Devaki mataji went to the hospital a few days before the program to individually invite the doctors, nurses and staff. She visited all the departments of the Hospital and distributed 600 invitation cards which had been specially printed for this program. In this way everyone was so charmed and obliged to come and participate in the program.
On Thursday, July 13th, the program was scheduled to start at 3pm in a training hall within the hospital. The hospital management was very supportive and provided us with everything required, and also attended the program. Local devotees also arrived to help with serving prasadam, welcoming guests and distributing books. By 3.05pm many doctors, nurses and medical staff had gathered, and all the 85 seats in the room were occupied. More people were arriving to stand just outside the door, trying to hear with great eagerness.
Devaki mataji began the session with a short and sweet kirtan. She then introduced herself (as a qualified physiotherapist who was trained in Germany, and now giving rehabilitation for the soul as a preacher) and expressed how essential it is for all people in the medical line to understand the science of the soul. This knowledge will immensely help doctors in treating and benefitting patients, especially those with terminal illnesses. She commented on BG.9.2 and boldly stated that a doctor will only be first class, if he adds this king of education to his life. Otherwise he will only be second class. Without a clear understanding of the science of the soul medical science tends to become inhuman. She also briefly explained what happens at the moment of death, and how important it is for medical personnel to help their patients prepare for this final challenge. Everyone listened very attentively, and after her speech many asked questions, to which Mataji presented good answers. Many of the people in the audience were Christian, and also some Muslims attended. Devaki Mataji presented the topics in a broad and expert way to include people from all religious backgrounds.
We concluded the program by all participants honoring prasadam: lemon-mint juice, tasty samosas, vegetable puffs, carob cookies and rich burfi.
Everyone received a brochure entitled “Prabhupada - the Messenger of God” and an invitation for Sri Krishna Janmastami .Some also purchased Srila Prabhupada’s books, kirtan CDs and japa beads. Some of them asked when the next program would take place. We request the prayers and blessings of the devotees to continue this hospital preaching.
The talk is available in https://youtu.be/d7yAQpHtS1o