Paramadvaiti Swami: Srila Prabhupada wanted us to start istagosthis. These are meant to be meetings where one can make sure that everyone is happily situated in Krishna consciousness. It’s where we discuss how to serve our Deities perfectly because they are the owners of our life. It’s where we present the offerings of our service. The more you want Krishna consciousness to expand the more such meetings are necessary.
The first istagosthis Srila Prabhupada started was in New York. He told the devotees they needed to get together to elect a President, Vice-president, and Treasurer and to start organizing everything. At that time, Prabhupada didn’t join the istagosthi personally, but he requested the outcomes of the meetings, and he also proposed how to organize things.
Srila Prabhupada always recognized the great need for everybody’s participation in the Vaishnava family. That’s why istagosthis should never be neglected. They are essential for strong and healthy communities.
