On a morning walk in Mayapur in March 1974, upon hearing a kirtan party in the distance, Srila Prabhupada reflected that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had predicted “that ‘Europeans and Americans will come, and they will dance here with the chanting, “Jaya Sacinandana. Jaya Sacinandana!” ‘So that is being done…when they and dance, I simply remember Bhaktivinoda Thakura…I pray to Bhaktivinoda Thaukura, ‘Now they have come to your shelter. Give them protection.’ “
Syamasundara Prabhu recalls Srila Pabhupada saying “I want to go to Russia. I want to get behind this iron curtain and see what is going on. Those people, they would probably like to hear about Krishna.” When Srila Prabhupada finally went to Russia in 1971, in just five short days, he planted the seed of Krsna consciousness.
We can already see this international community coming into existence, here in Sri Dham Mayapur. Today in Mayapur, forty-six years later, we have approximately five-hundred and fifty Russian devotees residing here. They significantly contribute towards the Mayapur community and have dedicated their lives to the service of Lord.
It is only by the causeless mercy of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, streaming down the parampara, through Srila Prabhupada that we have the rare opportunity to be engaged in the loving devotional service of Sriman Mahaprabhu, in His own Dhama, guided by His teachings, loving devotees and the Holy names.