[Update] Back to Writing With a New Name
Wow what a doozy, May is gone already. Although I spent little to no time reflecting, I feel like it was especially, experientially, very reflective for me. On many occasions I found myself facing personal challenges that I felt I had long overcome. It was sobering, humbling, and ultimately, a very joyful month. It was also surprisingly busy which is part of the reason my writing has been slacking. In any case, I am going to get back to it because I miss it dearly.
In the month of May, at the largest kirtan mela (festival) in the USA, I was fortunate enough to receive initiation into the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya from my guru, and I received the name Sahadeva Dasa.
This milestone marks my formal entry into the line of teachers which carries itself back through the centuries to the most merciful and amazing incarnation of Godhead who appeared in the late 15th century- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Such a thing is very rare to achieve for an obscure kali yuga reject like myself, but somehow His mercy is so great that even folks like me are accommodated. Initiation means the beginning, and thus my spiritual life is just beginning.
The name literally means “with God” (saha: with, deva: god) and is in reference to the youngest of the five Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata. The final word “dasa” denotes that I am always to be recognized as a servant of God and His representatives who are always with Him. Keeping this new identity in the forefront of my mind, I am excited to see the new opportunities life will continue to avail me now that I am just beginning my spiritual life.