ONN Lagos 19/06/2024
**Interview with His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami** Leader of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) NIGERIA.
*On his 67th birthday, His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami grants Our Nation Nigeria an interview just before his Vyasa Puja Birthday celebration.
**Q: Congratulations on your 67th birthday, which incidentally falls on Father's Day. Could you please introduce yourself, Maharaj?**
**A:** My name is His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami Maharaj. I am a Nigerian and a world leader in the Hare Krishna movement.
*His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami Maharaj is one of the spiritual heads of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He is a guru with disciples in Africa, India, North and South America, Mauritius, and beyond.*
**Q: Maharaj, could you please introduce yourself further?**
**A:** Materially speaking, my body is from Ogoja in Cross Rivers State of Nigeria. I got to know about Hare Krishna in 1980 but started practicing fully in 1981. For one year, I was coming to the temple from my house until 1982 when I moved fully into the temple. Since then, I have been practicing Krishna consciousness. I went through many obstacles, but I can tell you that it has been a wonderful experience!
**Q: How does it feel, attaining your new age and celebrating your 67th birthday?**
**A:** It's wonderful, and when I say that, it doesn't mean that there are no hills and mountains. We're not billionaires, but where we are today, we are grateful to God.
*Please note that Maharaj often says "WE" as a way of humbly avoiding "I" and "MINE," indicating that personally, he can do nothing; God does everything.*
**Q: What are the challenges of being a monk?**
**A:** The challenges are huge. Usually, people think that if they have money, they will be very happy and satisfied, and the whole world will worship them, and they will have friends around them. But from practical experience, it has never been like that. This is because the material world is full of envious, wicked people who smile just to get you to think they are with you. They wear artificial faces and do their evil things. This doesn't happen only in material life; it is also present in the spiritual milieu, especially for those who are transitioning from materialistic life. Even the Bible says that the path leading to heaven is very narrow, but the path leading to hell is broad and wide. Only a few people want to live a spiritual life.
In the material world, you will find more common people than serious ones, and common people will go for cheap things. For example, if you kept money and a banana in a place, a monkey will go for the banana and leave the money. Similarly, in the material world, people will take material things and leave God.
Challenges in spiritual life are wonderful because, without them, you can't succeed in getting to where you are or where you want to be. If you are a strict practitioner, many people will be against you, but sometimes they end up being catalysts to your spiritual growth. Last year, I was appreciating my enemies because they are the ones who pushed me closer to God. On the other hand, when your friends pamper you, you tend to forget God.
Today, people are more conscious of Satan than of God. If you constantly meditate on problems, you will continue to have problems. That's why a very careful person who has been helped by high spiritual personalities should value them. They will give us training in such a way that, when understood, you will be steadily progressive, even if very slow. There is a saying that slow and steady wins the race. My experience has been wonderful. Although I've passed through the thin, thick, and rough, by the mercy of God, my superiors, and supporters, I'm celebrating my birthday today with joy.
**Q: How strong is your Hare Krishna movement in Nigeria and the world in general?**
**A:** From my experience, the international community of our movement, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, is wonderful. If you look carefully, people who go to a diamond shop are very few, while people who go to a vegetable market are many. Why? Because of the prices involved. The Hare Krishna movement has a unique way; we don't flatter people, we tell people the truth. There are so many prohibitions to make someone holy, and like I said before, people like common things that don't have value.
Animals don't have religion or scriptures that they follow, but human beings have religions and scriptures. When people prefer a religion or organization that doesn't have prohibitions that would stop them from sinful life, it's nothing but a polished animal life. Therefore, Hare Krishna religion is unique. If you look at our movement, there are so many prohibitions, and only a few people appreciate it. It means that only quality people appreciate us.
From my experience, I have been to many government offices such as police stations, customs, CIDs, and other offices in the North, South, East, and West. The highest officers in these establishments often know about Hare Krishna and appreciate it. They have been associating with us because they know we are harmless people. However, some people thought we were dangerous and misunderstood us. For example, one time in the 80s, we were at the central police station in Ibadan, wrongly mistaken for fanatics. But in the midst of police commissioners and other top officers, practically all of them claimed to know Hare Krishna. One of them even said he had investigated Hare Krishna for one year and didn't find them wanting. I can tell you categorically that our membership is very small, but we are known; we are not many, but our effect is enormous all over the world.
Hare Krishna religion in Nigeria is highly respected for being the most peaceful people in the country. We have no problem with Christians, Muslims, and even pagan religions because we know that we are all serving the same God. Because of this, we identify with members of every religion like brothers and sisters.
**Q: How do you expect a government should be run all over the world?**
**A:** The idea of governing means to lead, serve, and take care. How would you take care of people you don't know? For instance, how would a doctor take care of a patient if he doesn't know his/her ailment? If the truth must be told, our leaders should be religious, God-fearing, and God-conscious. If a politician, father, teacher, or religious leader is God-fearing, it is better for the country. The problem is that we lack leaders who have the interest of their followers at heart. If I don't have your interest at heart as a leader, I will cheat you. The basic needs of every citizen are food, water, and shelter, and millions of people can't afford these, even though they are basic needs that the government should provide.
If our leaders were God-conscious and understood the word of God, they would lead the citizens in God's way. Moreover, we are all blaming the leaders, but where do the leaders come from? They are a reflection of where they come from. That is what affects all of us. We shouldn't point accusatory fingers because if all of us were following God's way, our leaders would be godly and lead us in godly ways.
Our leaders should understand that they are servant leaders, not boss leaders. I remember when we were in school, they used to tell us that stealing is bad, but today no parent tells their children that. Instead, if you get money in a sinful way, people will honor you, no matter how you got the money. Especially when our government is not punishing those who steal from public coffers. You can't give laws that nobody will follow. People follow what leaders do, and if they are protected, they will change and do what others are doing. They will say if you can't beat them, join them. That is very foolish. Don't join them, stay on your own. People who have the character to maintain integrity should do so. Remember that if you join them, you will follow them to hell, and that's not a good thing.
Our leaders should be able to tell us all these things. It doesn't matter who's there because sooner or later, you will be replaced by someone else. Our leaders should be God-fearing and principled. They should know the scriptures and use them to guide us. How would they know the scriptures? Through their cabinet members who are spiritual. These should not be the same politicians like them but spiritually elevated people who are not there for money and who don't need money. They need to tell the truth. If they have such people as their cabinet members, they will teach them how to rule in such a way that the whole world will benefit, and there will be peace and unity.
**Q: How do you think your level of spiritual attainment has affected Hare Krishna?**
**A:** It's a great challenge because it involves daily temptations. Darkness will not like light; therefore, the enemy will react. But if you are God-conscious, no power can overcome you. All challenges are not bad; they are also impetuses to make us grow stronger, be progressive, and above all, get closer to God. We have followers all over the world with different experiences and cultures. It's interesting to know that one has been able to adapt to all these situations peacefully without any regret.
**Q: In what countries do you have followers?**
**A:** We have followers all over the world.
Comments