Bhakti, or devotional service, is the only means to approach Krishna. - BG 9.26, Purport
Preaching is the essence, books are the basis, utility is the principle and purity is the force. Bhakti is unique where both the sadhya (Krishna prema) and sadhana (devotional service) are equally joyous. As one takes to this wonderful process, one tastes so much of joy that one feels tormented to see other souls suffer. It is but spontaneous for any compassionate person to try sharing the formula for eternal happiness with everybody around. Similar emotions spurred HG Gour Gopal Das Adhikari to render different types of services, many of which happened to be something completely new.
Pioneering Services: In the process of serving Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, HG Gour Gopal prabhu successfully introduced following spiritual initiatives.
New Govardhan
Sometime in very early 2007, he started Govardhan congregation in the city of Secunderabad. This was not meant just to cultivate new devotees but was also aimed at watering the bhakti lata of all the new and old devotees. The devotees were given different types of trainings and engaged in varied services based on their interest and aptitude. Besides several programs, devotees were engaged in: VRT (Varnasrama Research Team): HG Gour Gopal Das Adhikari was one of the founding members of VRT (Varnasrama Research Team) to support his spiritual master’s (HH Bhakti Raghava Swami) varnasrama mission. It was so effective that it quickly spread in different parts of not just India, but even outside. VBT (Varnasrama Book Trust) HG Gour Gopal Das Adhikari helped form and groom a team of devotees to run the publication wing of HH Bhakti Raghava Swami. This included all types of services including, research, editing, writing, designing, proof reading, printing, technicalities of publication etc. Now VBT has several titles published. VMP (Varnasrama Media Publication): Over a period, a pressing need was felt to diversify the public outreach from books to visual and aural media. VMP was created to fulfil this requirement. One of the active Govardhan congregation members, HG Jananivas Das headed the VMP, then based in Govardhan. He helped create and develop several documentaries, interviews etc. to spread the important mission undertaken by his spiritual master. Now he runs several congregations based out in different parts of the city and outside besides Govardhan namely in Medchal, Janagaon, Bodhan and a few more. He has just not started new congregations from a scratch, but also protected them to grow even against adversities.
Go Seva - Love for mother cow
Service to mother cow makes the arduous journey of bhakti very easy. HG Gour Gopal Das Adhikari sets an example in this regard. In spite of the unfavourable environ of city, he serves a lovely cow named Surabhi who was once rescued. Now it has been more than ten years of dedicated service to mother cow.
Kirtan Sandhya and Akanda Harinam Yagna
Being a gifted musician, composer and singer, HG Gour Das Adhikari preaches love for the Holy Name of the Supreme Lord and instructions of Srila Prabhupada to the people through his melodious voice. He introduced the concept of Akhanda Harinam Sankirtan in the twin city of Hyderabad- Secunderabad and hence forth conducted several such Akhanda Harinams.
Festival Celebrations
Nurturing Kids in Krishna Consciousness
Yatras
The natural outcome of preaching is that the soul begins to hanker to associate with other devotees and with the dhama, the places where the Supreme Lord performed His pastimes for the benefit of everybody. He has organised, coordinated, guided and taken several dhama yatras, giving an opportunity to all the devotees to feel the transcendental bliss of such places. He helps everybody develop the right mood and vision as one steps in the dhama kshetra like Vrindavan, Jagannath Puri etc.
Damodar Sandhya
Devising news ways to bring Krishna in people’s lives, HG Gour Das Adhikari embarked on the plan of conducting Damodar sandhya programs during the kartik mas in new houses. He had prepared his own kit, complete with sound system, picture of the altar, picture of Lord Damodar, several ghee lamps, prasadam etc to help new people host such programs in their houses.