Our team undertakes distribution of free Prasadam every Sunday between 230 pm and 4 pm at the ISKCON Temple located at 229 Riverhead Highway, Riverhead (Helensville) in the Auckland region.
Near the Prasadam stall, is a shop selling transcendental books of Srila Prabhupada, CDs, T Shirts and other items. A visit to the stall is a must, to not only see the items on display but also hear kirtans on Lord Krishna set as background music.
People from various ethnic groups can be seen on weekends, praying to Lord Krishna, networking and building relationships based on goodwill and understanding.
We are constantly expanding this project to other areas to reach more communities.
I have discovered my greatest strengths in serving others, building strong community relationships, adding value to our multicultural society.
Bhakti Yoga
Consuming Prasadam is a fundamental practice of Bhakti Yoga.
While one should repress the senses in other forms of Yoga, but engaging in pleasant spiritual activities is the essence of every Bhakti Yogi, one of which tastes delicious food offered to Lord Krishna.
The belief is that the senses gradually become spiritualised accruing transcendental pleasure to the devotee.
Eating the food offered to Lord Krishna is perfect vegetarianism.
Being vegetarian is not sufficient; many animals including cows and lambs are vegetarians. We should go beyond vegetarianism to a diet of Prasadam, as it would help us to purify the body through a good digestive system.
Vegetarianism also helps to reawaken the soul and foster its original relationship to God.
Raja Venkatesh is a community worker associated with ISKON and other Temples in Auckland. He is seen here distributing Prasadam to devotees of Lord Krishna.
