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Vedic Culture Immersion: Prasadam & Kirtan
Kindly consider joining us outdoors at the Princeton YMCA Sunday, September 24th, from 1:00-3:00 PM for this free program. If it is raining, we will be indoors. Whether it’s just for the prasadam, or also to participate in kirtan, all members of the community, their families, and friends, are welcome to join us! If possible, kindly respond to the Facebook event if you plan on attending: https://www.facebook.com/events/893920288346823. Since March 2021, we hold these distributions at the Princeton YMCA on the last Sunday of every month. These programs have been established under the guidance and instruction of our Spiritual Master, the Serving Director of the BVI, B Madhava Puri Maharaja. More information is available at https://bviscs.org/prasadam-distr/.
This program runs throughout the year. During the colder months, we are inside the Princeton YMCA. Prasadam is specially prepared foodstuff that has been offered to the Lord, and then consumed for spiritual purification. Not only is prasadam vegetarian, i.e. does not include meat, fish, or eggs, but it also excludes onion and garlic. The method for honoring prasadam is described in the Vedic scriptures of ancient India. Honoring prasadam is for nourishing the soul by purifying the heart and mind, not merely for filling the belly and nourishing the body. Prasadam is karma-free, thus it does not further entangle us in reactions from fruitive exploitive activities. Prasadam is not limited to Indian-style dishes. Just as the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, dishes of any culture may be prepared and offered for the pleasure of the Lord. Kirtan is ecstatic mantra meditation that purifies the heart by glorifying the Lord. When practiced in the association of devotees like the genuine followers of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhara Dev-Goswami Maharaja, these nonsectarian devotional activities foster spiritual development towards recognizing our constitutional position as humble, loving, servants of God.