Interview with Vrsabha Dasa - 2008-09-22

Q.: You spent one year at the college, in 2004-05. What do you remember most?
A.: Many pleasing moments with new friends, and the sincere endeavors of the college staff and supporters to make the college a great success.

Q.: What was your favorite subject and why?
A.: I liked three courses: Congregational Preaching, a retreat on Introspection and Devotion, and the Interfaith course. They were useful in practical ways for preaching.

Q.: What has happened in your life since that year at the college?
A.: I wrote two books. The first, "Just Passing Through" (in Croatian), is a collection of my devotional poetry with comments. The book has attracted some new devotees. The second is still in digital form, and I am translating it into English.

Vrsabha traveling through Israel in 2008

Q.: Are you applying the knowledge you learned at the college?
A.: Yes, the knowledge about improving relationships, and the skills of presenting Krishna consciousness to various audiences.

Q.: For what reasons should devotees study at the college?
A.: There is a nice spiritual atmosphere, owing to the beautiful Deities, and the teachers are qualified and competent. The classes are useful and practical. Students will make new Vaishnava friends. And of course a degree could be a turning point in a student's life.
 

"The War Is Not Over"

by Vrsabha Dasa

‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’;

that was the law I used to live by.

Unable to grasp the absolute truth,

I could only let out my desperate cry.

Revenge for a bad thought,

and a bloody sword for crime.

Many battles have been fought

and many bodies lost to time.

Steeped in illusion and nourished by pride;

not much to gain, but so much to lose,

I chose the devil to be my guide.

He grabbed my neck and tightened the noose.

But then one day, I bought a magical book,

which told me I had been playing a sinful game.

I had lived my life as if I were a spook;

and that was my fault, there was no one else to blame.

Spoken by Krishna in days of yore,

the book offered solutions and gave me relief.

The waves of his mercy washed me ashore,

saving myself from the ocean of grief.

‘Bhagavad–gita’ was the book’s name.

It touched my heart and gave me firm faith.

Written by Prabhupada who put me to shame.

He exposed my madness that I was so great.

Lord Krishna spoke to me from the book’s pages,

the most open secret known to very few.

“You could become successful like previous sages

by following instructions that I am giving you.

Look out for a master, a seer of truth.

Closely follow wisdom that he can share.

Thus, you will taste the best and sweetest fruit,

beyond lamentation and beyond despair.

The war is not over; it is yet to start.

The forces of Maya are certainly strong.

Firmly embrace his feet in the heart

and with his guidance nothing can go wrong.

Don’t languish in sorrow. Be brave and fight!

Unsheathe your sword and face dreadful foes.

Join Prabhupada’s army as a spiritual knight

and relish many victories as the time goes.”

‘For injury – pardon, and for hatred – love’.

This the guideline by which I now live.

It is the law that comes from above;

thus, we receive more when we try to give.

Illusion is like a three–stranded rope.

One strand is yellow, one red and one blue.

The day we met, I got more than a hope

that my bondage would be cut, by none other than you.

Foxford, 28/03/05

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