Sarngapani, the Pigeon

Hare Krsna!

Please accept my humble obeisances at the lotus feet of all the readers of this article. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We have an interesting story to share with all of you.

It is regarding a pigeon that was coming to our temple sometime in 1989 while we were located at 169D Bencoolen Street. Our temple was on the fifth floor of the building. We had a nice program and many devotees were frequenting our place for our morning program as well for prasadam.

On one particular morning, after our morning program, i.e. after the Bhagavatam class, a pigeon turned up at our temple. We thought that either like any other bird it would eventually leave or that it might have been injured and wanted some safe place till it gets better. On the contrary, we found that it was neither the case. It was perfectly healthy and was not keen in leaving our temple room except for flying out occasionally and coming back soon. In fact, it was very happy to be with the devotees. It would fly and rest on their shoulders and even walk along with them as and when they were chanting their japa. It was very astonishing to see this. It was not frightened at all by the presence of any devotee. This was going on for some days and we were all becoming quite attached to it as well. In fact, we started to call it "Sarngapani", which is another name of Krishna meaning the wielder of the bow, Sarnga.

A couple of days later, while we had our morning kirtan, it actually joined in the kirtan. It was amazing to see this. It was actually dancing with the devotees. Sometimes the devotees, while dancing, twirled around in the middle of the kirtan and this bird too did the same. When the devotees jumped in the kirtan, the bird also jumped. It was indeed a very astonishing sight. It was relishing the kirtan along with the devotees.

We were all very amazed by this as usually when there is a loud kirtan with big cymbals and mrdangas, it is only natural for any animal, what to speak of birds, to be frightened; but it was not the case with this particular bird. The kirtan too went on for a considerable period of time as it was very inspiring for all to see a bird dancing ecstatically in it. We too were all dancing very ecstatically along with the bird.

After the kirtan was brought to a close, the bird left and was never to be seen again. We presume that it must have left for the spiritual world if not for a better birth.

This is all not very wonderful in the kirtan of Lord Chaitanya, as birds, deers, tigers and elephants too had participated in dancing with the Lord but to witness this pastime with the pigeon merely only strengthens one's faith in the holy name of the Lord.

When will I be able to obtain the mercy of the Lord to relish in the kirtan and to dance in ecstasy?

Hoping this would inspire everyone in Krsna Consciousness,

Raghupati Das, Sri Krishna Mandir