Essay writing competitions and Drawing competitions were held for Gurukul kids of different age groups at Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir on the auspicious appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur (Spiritual Master of Srila Prabhupada).
Devotional service at a very young age
It was very encouraging to see drawings pouring in from kids as young as 3 ~ 4 years. Efforts were put in to bring out the devotional aspect of the exemplary life led by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur (a erudite scholar and great devotee of Lord Krishna).
These competitions gave the children an opportunity to delve deeper and contemplate on how life of great devotees such as Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur , revolves around Lord Krishna in all circumstances.
The children were all given a certificate of participation. The best drawings and the best essays (of different age groups) were rewarded through first prize, second prize and third prize gifts/tokens.
ŚB 12.3.51
śrī-prahrāda uvāca
kaumāra ācaret prājño
dharmān bhāgavatān iha
durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
Prahlāda Mahārāja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life — in other words, from the tender age of childhood — to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection.