Daily Diary of Guru Maharaja by , Maharaja Isvara Puri das. 11 to 14 August 2011.
“FROM RUSSIA WITH MORE PREMA”
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
On August 11 Guru Maharaj arrived from Russia to Kolkata, completing the last portion of his second trip around the world. In Mayapur we expected arrival late in the evening of that day but due to poor weather and as a consequence the fall of a tree in the road, made his arrival in Mayapur be postponed for the next day, staying in the Habibpur village temple and satisfying the desire of the president and the local devotees, which had built a special room for Guru Maharaj, as mentioned in the report called “A Long Journey to Mayapur.”
Guru Maharaj came to Mayapur the next day 12 August at around 2pm and when I went to offer my dandavats Guru Maharaj was in his fourth meeting with his disciple sanyasi, Bhakti Purusotama Swami . The next day, August 13, Guru Maharaj would travel to the city of Durgapur for some programs and an initiation ceremony. In short, the meeting concluded that without announcing the flood of the river Ganges which has been threatening all these days due to constant rains, Guru Maharaj would return to Mayapur August 15. But … if instead the flood was happening and confirmed, Guru Maharaj would travel direct from Durgapur to Kolkata to stay there until the flood happened at the same time to participate in some meetings of administrative nature, which had also been scheduled to be held in Mayapur .
When the meeting with the Maharaja and some of his secretaries concluded, Guru Maharaj started to sing the Gayatri and then take afternoon break.
In the evening Guru Maharaj went down to the Temple to take the Darshan of Their Lordships Sri Nrisimhadev, Sri Panca Tattva and Srila Prabhupada. The altar of Sri Sri Radha Madhava had recently closed. Both temples were almost empty because most devotees of Mayapur and the visitors were taking Darshan of Small and Beautiful Deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhava in a place nearby, which had been arranged to celebrate the traditional festival Julan Yatra or Swing Festival. This was the second day of the celebration and after Guru Maharaj took Darshan in the temple He went to the Festival.
Guru Maharaj was taken through the main entrance of the temple of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and directed in his wheelchair to his car, which awaited him across the “Gate” of the security agents . The place where they celebrated the festival of Julan Yatra was less than 5 minutes on the road that directs one to the Gurukula and Gosala.
Some of the trees beside the road and along it, were decorated with small colored lights, especially in their trunks. Already in place of the event festive mood was more remarkable. They had built some sources of water, also surrounded by lights, a pandal and stage for various performances. On one side, facing one of the sources they had built a temporary but Beautiful Altar Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, which were located in a beautiful swing and were rocked by some devotees which despite the rain were there for the pleasure of Their Lordships.
Guru Maharajs car was directed to the altar.
Noting the presence and power that emanates from the pure devotee, people began to surround Him to also take his darshan. Guru Maharaj first offered to the Deities a plate with some ghee lamps and then a big tray with different kinds of fruits. Finally the ropes were placed in His lotus hands to swing their Lordship and executed this auspicious ceremony.
It was then announced that Guru Maharaj would give a short talk of 10 minutes on the meaning of this celebration. Before the talk, when he went onto the stage, he asked to be placed at a relative distance between the altar and one of the sources to sing the Gayatri and take both the last darshan of Their Lordships. On His return to the Temple Guru Maharaj was transported on a palanquin.
Guru Maharaj after singing the Gayatri was directed toward the stage where he gave his short speech about 10 minutes and finally went into a classroom to take his dinner. It was 10pm when He was taken back to His ashram on the terrace of Lotus building. Here we continued with the routine to do the exercises on the machine the “nustep” and have a meeting with some devotees. At that time my shift started, so we started making final arrangements to prepare for their final rest period of the night. While doing the exercises, the devotees with whom he met told him that after this trip, Guru Maharaj looked fresher and noted that one of his legs, the left ONE was not as swollen as is custom at that time of day. When He completed his prescribed number of pedaling then Guru Maharaj took rest.
“Appearance of Lord Balarama & Durgapur”
Guru Maharaj had been reported to leave for Durgapur in the hours of this morning August 13, so I could only sleep a few hours and be ready for the trip. Durgapur is a city that is like 4 hours by car. Guru Maharaj departure was a little before noon. Although the stay in Durgapur was one day , we had to be prepared to go to Kolkata from there and for us to be there at least a week, while passing the flood in Mayapur, if it had to occur as already mentioned, so we had to carry things necessary for a week. The day was rainy. Guru Maharaj was ready to go, down to the temple, took Darshan of Their Lordships and then taken to his car for the trip.
During the trip there was a hitch. When Guru Maharaj took lunch which was given to him in the car, we stopped to transfer into the large van and then take afternoon break. At that time they were arriving at Durgapur. Some local devotees in a car and some in motorcycle were waiting at the entrance to the city. Some held banners and from the entrance of the city began to escort Guru Maharaj’s car and his entourage to the temple. When we reached the temple the people gathered around His car. HH Bhakti Purosotama Swami, Madhava Kanta and Mahavaraha discussed the details of what would be the schedule of activities for Guru Maharaj for the rest of the day . The preaching was for a youth college or university in the temple. The place was the home of a devotee.
We got all packed up to move to the place and after Guru Maharaj took a shower I went to the program site. When we arrived in a large room there were about 100 students, or maybe more. Bhakti Bhakti Caru Swami and Swami Purusotam preached to the students. One of the program managers announced the arrival of Guru Maharaj and when he entered the room, Bhakti Caru Swami walked off the stage to greet and welcome Guru Maharaj. Guru Maharaj gave a lecture for 15 or 20 minutes. This was repeated in English. Guru Maharaj said that students could understand, although the English was pretty clear at that time because the message sent to the students was enthusiastic and very compelling.
As Guru Maharaj finished his talk, they were informed the students that would lead a Bhakti Caru Swami Kirtan and requesting participation. HH Bhakti Caru Swami’s power made all the students dance in ecstasy for more than half an hour. It really was a pretty special kirtan. On completing the kirtan everyone were invited to take prasadam and approach Maharaja to ask any questions. For my part I was pretty tired, so I preferred to find someone to take me home, freshen up and prepare to do the night shift.
GM arrived just after 11pm, gave darshan to a pair of devotees and then we made preparations for His rest for the night.
“GOOD NEWS”
As early as August 14, at about 10 am I woke up hearing the good news that He would return to Mayapur. The risk of flooding had been cancelled, so we had a “green light” to return to the Holy Dhama. While I joined Guru Maharaj the other servants left for a morning program. The arrangement was that we would leave all bags in the cars then go to the program and then Guru Maharaj would be directed to the temple to perform the ceremony. Vasudeva the cook was preparing Guru Maharaj’s lunch.
When we arrived at the place which was like a cultural center, the program had just ended. This was done in a large auditorium-style movie theater. The same Swamis had participated previously mentioned in this report. Apparently in this town, Guru Maharaj and they are the GBC. Minutes earlier, Guru Maharaj had been taken to an adjoining room to the stage and performed ceremonies there. Guru Maharaj was offered garlands. He spoke and explained the significance of both ceremonies and at the end was directed to his car before he was surrounded by devotees.
From there we headed for the temple for the ceremony and final program in this city: Initiations. Guru Maharaj took some fruit on the way and upon arrival was assisted up the stairs to the second floor where the room was the temple. The amount of devotees for initiation was about 20. Guru Maharaj gave a talk about the initiation then proceeded with the initiation ceremony. The process was fast and then we started to go down with Guru Maharaj to his car for his departure to Mayapur. At that time devotees took the opportunity to receive his blessing . After sitting in His car, gave the last darshan and blessings to devotees and then started our return journey to the Holy Dhama. It was about 4:30 pm. By then Guru Maharaj just took lunch. This shows the austerity that makes the pure devotee to give his mercy to us all and that He would take the prasad in the car, which is not very comfortable, adding the physical condition in which He is. After a long travel He was transferred to the large van for “rest”. I put this in quotes because in reality He has to rest in a moving car, that you can not call real rest.
We arrived at Mayapur around 10 pm and with the help of a local devotee Ruci, we made final arrangements for the night. To me it was another night of challenge to make my turn, but again thanks to the mercy of Guru and Gauranga I managed to write out this report today. August 16 at about 2:30 am. We thank everyone for this opportunity to be back in service.
Hare Krishna.
The servants caring for Guru Maharaj.