Although a work of fiction, this religious thriller has been packed with so many true events that it will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. Even the backdrop of the Vietnam War and what happened to Nickolas and his fellow soldier...
CHAPTER 46: Vrindavan, India ...... (Your review here)
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
- A Few Photos From Father Mark's Album -
(In this chapter, the following events took place much earlier, during Father Mark's pilgrimage to Vrindavan. It was here that Father Mark met Rama & other pilgrims visiting this holy & very ancient city: Vrindavana, where Lord Krishna was born 5000 years ago)
"Father Mark, Hare Krishna, good to see you this morning."
"Hare Krishna, Jitendria, again we meet."
"Yes, and such a nice morning. Oh, Father Mark, I would like you to meet my old friend Rohini. He's also from Texas."
"It's very nice to meet you, Father Mark. I didn't know that you were from Texas. What part?"
"San Angelo—have you been there?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not even sure where that is. I'm afraid when Jitendria said that I'm from Texas—well, actually I grew up all over the place because my dad was in the military. In truth I have only lived in Dallas a few years."
The piercing shrill of peacocks calling back and forth suddenly set off the chatter from a group of wild monkeys, filling the entire area with excitement. A man nearby struggled to keep his two pets from jumping off his shoulder. Father Mark raised his camera.
Jitendria laughed; "It seems like we're not the only ones who are enjoying this morning. By the way I can't stay long—it's my turn to cook the lunch offering and I have to get ready. I'll catch up with you this evening. I heard that Aindra is going to lead the kirtan (congregational singing) tonight."
Father Mark and Rohini said goodbye to Jitendria, everyone agreeing to meet later that evening. Another volley of peacock shrills erupted. Watching as Rohini placed his prayer beads inside a cloth bag, Father Mark said, "Rohini, I was wondering if you're busy today? Questions seem to be building up inside me."
"No, I'm totally free. The only thing we'll want to do later is go to the kirtan (a type of spiritual concert where everyone sings together), but that's not until this evening. Since it's going to be such a beautiful day we can take a long walk. I was thinking of going down by the Yamuna (river) for starters, then we'll just go wherever the Lord takes us."
"Sounds great, to me. And kirtan—isn't that like a devotional concert?"
"Yes and Aindra was one of the very first devotees I met when I first joined the Hare Krishna Movement in 1976. It's going to be a lot of fun and you'll get to meet him."
Before starting on their walk, Father Mark and Rohini ate breakfast at the Krishna-Balarama temple: kitri, chapatis, mango-buttermilk lassi, and fried nuts served under a beautiful veranda.
