On the occasion of the Vyasa Puja Mahotsava of H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda, the newly formed Śrīla Prabhupāda Connection–Mayapur Team (website to be launched soon), in collaboration with the Bhaktivedanta National School (BVNS), Mayapur, organized a special competition for children on August 14, 2025.

Here is a relevant reference for this initiative:
sunanda-nandāv ūcatuḥ
bho bho rājan subhadraṁ te
vācaṁ no ’vahitaḥ śṛṇu
yaḥ pañca-varṣas tapasā
bhavān devam atītṛpat

Translation
Nanda and Sunanda, the two confidential associates of Lord Viṣṇu, said: Dear King, let there be all good fortune unto you. Please attentively hear what we shall say. When you were only five years old, you underwent severe austerities, and you thereby greatly satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Purport
What was possible for Dhruva Mahārāja is possible for anyone. Any five-year-old child can be trained, and within a very short time his life will become successful by realization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Unfortunately, this training is lacking all over the world. It is necessary for the leaders of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement to start educational institutions in different parts of the world to train children, starting at the age of five years. Thus, such children will not become hippies or spoiled children of society; rather, they can all become devotees of the Lord. The face of the world will then change automatically. ŚB 4.12.23

As a tribute to our beloved Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda, this event was organised for our young devotees to deepen their love and appreciation for His Divine Grace.

Children from four Mayapur schools participated in this competition:
1. Bhaktivedanta National School, Mayapur
2. Sri Mayapur International School
3. Bhaktivedanta National School, Swarupganj
4. Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukul
Our team mounted banners announcing the competition throughout the ISKCON Mayapur campus and nearby areas to generate enthusiasm within the Mayapur community, particularly among the children. The children became very enlivened, resulting in 779 participating in competitions.
The event had two categories:
• Outline Colouring Competition – for children aged 5 to 9 years
• Written Quiz Competition – for children aged 10 to 15 years, based on Chapter 3: “Only He Could Lead Them” from Prabhupāda: Messenger of the Supreme Lord, the abridged version of the Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta.

Chapter 3 was enlivening for the children, as it dealt with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s interactions with American youth, especially the hippies, and how his affection for everyone influenced them to become Krishna conscious, to the extent that many became dedicated disciples and helped organize the first Ratha-yātrā outside India.
Here are the main points of the chapter that inspired the children:
• This chapter recounts Śrīla Prabhupāda’s first trip from New York to San Francisco—a city then at the heart of the hippie movement. With fearless resolve, Śrīla Prabhupāda entered this countercultural hub and began transforming lives.
• In a historic moment, he took part in the famous Avalon Ballroom Rock Concert—a venue no traditional sannyāsī would typically enter. There, before thousands of young seekers, he inspired incredibly enthusiastic chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Through his compassionate and creative approach—serving hot prasādam breakfasts to hungry hippies, offering personal guidance, and sharing spiritual wisdom—Śrīla Prabhupāda became a healing presence for a restless generation. His efforts and demeanour earned him respect from local authorities, who recognized the positive influence he was making in the city.
• Śrīla Prabhupāda, with the enthusiastic help of these youth, established the ISKCON San Francisco temple, marked by the miraculous arrival of Lord Jagannātha. This divine event signalled the start of a new spiritual movement on the West Coast—one that only Śrīla Prabhupāda could have led. Soon after, San Francisco hosted the world’s first Jagannātha Ratha-yātrā outside India, celebrated with immense joy, setting the stage for an annual tradition that would spread worldwide.

The response to the event was encouraging:
• 484 children participated in the outline colouring competition
• 295 children took part in the written quiz.
This heartfelt participation reflects the deep devotion and enthusiasm of the young devotees of Mayapur in glorifying Srila Prabhupada. May the enthusiasm of these young Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis bring immense joy to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

We wholeheartedly congratulate all the children who prepared for and participated in the competitions. We believe that every participant is a true winner. At the same time, it is essential to recognize and celebrate those who excelled.

We would be delighted to assist any ISKCON temple or school wishing to organize a children’s competition dedicated to Srila Prabhupada. For guidance and support, please get in touch with the Srila Prabhupada Connection Team - Mayapur at +91 99204 16465, srilaprabhupadaconnectionm@gmail.com