On a most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar, known as “Akshaya Tritiya” pronounced as “Uck-sha-ya Tri-tee-yaa” Dr. Lakshmi, hereinafter referred to as “I” decided to do a chanting activity on the Bayou for bringing about peace and healing to Mother Earth. This was May 14th, 2021.

With brass cymbals in hand, I was singing away, belting out the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, when I find a big group of youngsters, sitting right next to me, enjoying the evening breeze and the cool waters of the Bayou, from the Sunrise movement.

They waved and said, “Hi,” and I recognized some of them as I’d been invited to their “Green New Deal,” event as a Hare Krishna in October 2020 and had set up a table and carried some literature, books, pamphlets etc. on the Hare Krishna perspective on the climate crisis and solutions for those along with some banana bread.

Well, this time, guess what, I had some banana bread again! After everyone had one, two, and some of them three helpings of small slices of banana bread, they all wanted to chant for Mother Earth.

So we, about 25 people in all went:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

The young folks started dancing, swaying, laughing and everyone became overjoyed by the Divine Chant! This Great Chant for Deliverance did its magic again! As you can see from this picture, everyone was in total bliss and a great feeling of oneness, peace, joy, brother-sisterhood, community feeling descended on all. And a few youngsters signed up for GNOICC membership! Yay! Interfaith Climate Coalition work attracts everyone!

The BEST part? Because this took place on Akshaya Tritiya, a day where any auspicious activity brings unlimited benefits, everyone can look forward to more blessings!

Also Mother Earth got a little respite and restoration from the unceasing attacks on her in the form of pollution, exploitation, looting and degradation, because the Divine Sound Vibration when chanted goes 7 times around M. Earth purifying her of all the toxins.

And this Divine Chant, being a non-sectarian, divine sound vibration, can be chanted by anyone, anytime, in any way, no matter what their persuasion, affiliation, religious leanings, etc. Indeed it is a powerful mantra for personal meditation relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. And bringing on joy, peace and harmony.

It drives out all evil, ailments, toxins, disease, climate disasters, and changes the face of the Earth by bringing purity, positivity, peace, joy, happiness, satisfaction, kindness, gentleness and all other divine qualities that are necessary in our dealings with each other and in fact all of Creation. It brings rain where there is drought, brings peace where there is war, brings purity where there is disease and can correct all imbalances on the individual, and collective level.

Hence we encourage everyone to save Mother Earth by this Divine Chanting! Please chant, “Hare Krishna,” and become happy! And then make others happy too! Thank you! Hare Krishna!