ISKCON Mayapur Namahatta News
The Innovator of the Marketplace: Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura personally travelled to so many places and established over 500 Nama-hatta sanghas. He organised roles for running the Nama-hatta smoothly. Each Nama-hatta was headed by a commander who took care of the members of the Nama-hatta (employees). He designated the traveling preachers who went from door to door as salesmen. Finally, he considered himself simply as the sweeper whose purpose was to help maintain purity by speaking Harikatha and singing kirtans at the houses he visited.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s modern-day Nama-hatta mission continued with Srila Prabhupada. His disciples including HH Jayapataka Swami (Minister for Congregational Preaching), HH Bhakti Raghava Maharaja, Bhakti Purushottama Swami, and Gauranga Prem Swami have expanded these Nama-hatta by the thousands throughout West Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. This enthusiasm has rippled out and initiated thousands of more Nama-hattas all over the world.
Try to begin the parikramā of Śrīdhāma Navadvipa as soon as possible. Thereby everyone in the universe can receive Krsna-bhakti. Diligently endeavor to ensure that service to Śrī Māyāpur becomes permanently established and more resplendent each day. Genuine service to Śrī Māyāpur is not nirjana-bhajana, but to establish a printing press and to propagate devotional books and Nama- hatta. Do not for your own sake undertake nirjana-bhajana and thus impede preaching and service to Śrī Māyāpur. When I am no longer present, take care to serve your dear Śri Māyāpur-dhāma. This is my special instruction to you.
(Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura manobhista to Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati)
What Do Nama-hattas Accomplish?
• Provide regular opportunities to associate with devotees even if they live far from temples
• Support advancement in spiritual life for householders, even as they are busy with work and family
• Serve as expansions of temples to reach out and include all
• Connect aspirants to Harinam initiations
• Avail welcoming places for those who have received Srila Prabhupada’s books and other various newcomers
• Preaching facilities without taking funds from temple collection
• Facilitate practice for preachers, including young people and women