In February 2019, a Bhaktivedanta Library Seminary was held with a great success in the farm of Nava Gundica dham, Mendoza, Argentina, with the idea of focusing on the service to the scriptures “sastra seva”, promoting the vision of bhakti by studying and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Mendoza is in a strategic place for the educational development of ISKCON in South America, since it is the midpoint between two great historical places that have generated “brahmacari ashram”, between the temples of Buenos Aires in Argentina and Santiago in Chile.

Approximately 15 devotees participated as seminarians, as well as eventual participants of the local community in the different workshops and courses.

Bn. Samanta and her companions on a japa walk

In addition, the Seminar had a visit by Bhakti Bhusana Swami, Purusotraya Swami and Bhakti Sundara Goswami who brought great enthusiasm and charisma to the seminar.

One of the facilitators of the course was Gauravani dasi, who explained: “With the blessings and request of Vaisesika Dasa, the Bhaktivedanta College is expanding, in order to study the Scriptures and books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and encourage the dissemination of this knowledge throughout Latin America.”

Bn. Javiera distributing books

“With the group of students from Mexico, she continues, we began a trip to South America, at the first stop, we attended the First Festival of India in Coyhaique, Chile, one of the southernmost cities in the world where Krishna consciousness has been presented… In Mendoza, Nava Gundica Dham we began the seminary studies with introductory courses to the philosophy on Sri Isopanisad with Panca Tattwa das as facilitator, part of the Bhagavad-gita, with Aravinda das, the new course of the BBT with Gaura Vani and Govinda Damodar das, and the communications course of the VTE by the Director of Communications for South America Baladeva das.”

Besides to the deep and entertaining study of the scriptures, the students lived intense days of leisure and friendship, they traveled to the mountains of Mendoza, the place that hosts the impressive mountain “Aconcagua”, the second highest peak in the world, guided by Mathura Mohan das, a devoted teacher of physical education. In addition to making Harinam programs together with the local congregation.

Some of the male students

Mani Manjari devi dasi, one of the Mexican students, shares her realizations of the experience:

“My experience in this seminar was very pleasant, since as students, besides deepening in the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures in a pedagogical way, having as teachers great souls dedicated completely to the service of Srila Prabhupada’s mission and in every moment to listen to his realizations and experiences in terms of understanding of sastra as well as his personal experience, one learns a lot and one can, from the personal neophyte vision, glimpse the greatness of bhakti. “

Bhakti Bhusana Swami serves prasadam to the participants

To finish this school period, three groups of sankirtan (book distribution) were formed, who traveled through several states of Argentina and their main demographic centers. Devotees felt very enthusiastic about expanding this knowledge and the organizers are inspired by the selfless service of the young devotees, so that Vedic literature is learned and disseminated as much as possible,  at the same time, having an unforgettable experience and a beautiful spiritual adventure.

Harinama on the streets of Mendoza.