23/2/15 NMP Day 2: We are on day two of the Parikrama. It was a dense, foggy morning. We could hardly see the Conch building from Guru Maharaj's roof top. We thought to leave Mayapur early to avoid the sun at its pea but Guru Maharaj decided to take a nap after his breakfast. After a short nap and darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Lord Nrshingadev and Pancatattva, Guru Maharaj left the Mayapur campus at around 11:30 am.
For the last two years, Guru Maharaj has somehow visited all six parikrama parties on almost all of the six days. But this year, he is kind of going easy as he is still undergoing treatments; the doctor has strictly advised him to take sufficient rest. Last night, Guru Maharaj managed to visit three parties.
At around 12 noon, we crossed the Jalangi River and drove to Pancanantala to meet one of the Namahatta parties. Around 1,500 Namahatta devotees were attentively watching a Nrshima Lila skit under the big banyan tree. HH Bhakti Purushottama Swami and HH Gauranga Prema Swami were seen enjoying the skit in the midst of the devotees. The Pancanantala spot is located alongside the main road. Hence, there was not much room to park Guru Maharaj's car. We just parked Guru Maharaj's car on the main road so he could give class from his car. But as soon as the devotees saw that Guru Maharaj's car was pulling over, they swarmed his car like honey bees. Security guards came into action to keep the crowd under control. After some time, Guru Maharaj spoke for 25 minutes from the car. As soon as the class got over, Guru Maharaj's car was surronded by hundreds of devotees. The car was not able to move an inch forward. Everyone was swarming in to get Guru Maharaj's blessings, to give daksina, etc. In the midst of this scenario, one mataji with her small baby pushed her way through and pleaded Guru Maharaj to do the anna prassanna (first grain feeding) ceremony. We, the servants, tried convincing her to get it done later but it was of no use. Her determination convinced Guru Maharaj and finally, Guru Maharaj fed a spoon of sweet rice to the baby. For about 15 minutes, our car was not able to move anywhere, not even an inch. It was completely blocked by devotees. After making our great escape, we drove straight to Surabhi Kunja to meet the international party. As soon as Guru Maharaj's car pulled into the temple compound of Surabhi Kunja, devotees spontaneously started chanting Gauranga! Gauranga! Gauranga! It went on and on and on until Guru Maharaj took the stage to start his class. Guru Maharaj spoke on how Lord Siva was so eager to come all the way from Kailash to Godrumadvipa upon hearing that Gauranga Katha was going on there. Guru Maharaj explained about Surabhi's and Indra's pastimes here. Guru Maharaj told how Nitai opened the first Namahatta from here and how it spread over Bengal. Guru Maharaj explained how after some time, it died down but then Bhaktivinoda Thakur re-enlivened the system. Then again, it died down, but Guru Maharaj explained how it has been revived by ISKCON, whether it be called Namahatta, Bhaktivriksha, etc. Guru Maharaj also sang, "Nadia godrume nityananda mahajana patiyache namahatta jibera karon," and everyone joined in to sing along! Guru Maharaj spoke on how Lord Caitanya once was asking Advaita Gosai about how the preaching was going on in Godrumadvipa; Advaita Gosai told Gauranga how there was no one left to buy the holy names - everyone had become devotees thanks to Nitai! Guru Maharaj glorified Bhaktivinoda Thakur, describing him as the best person in time management and how he left absolutely no time for maya. Guru Maharaj also stressed how Bhaktivinoda Thakur was such a great example of the possibility for grhasthas also to be completely Krsna Conscious. There was also a brief description about the location of Bhaktivinoda Thakur's Gaura-Gadai deities and on Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji Maharaj's hut from where he would hear Bhaktivinoda Thakur's katha. The fact that Surabhi Kunj was under the Gaudiya Math was a point of great joy for Guru Maharaj as he expressed the need for all these places of significance to be protected. Guru Maharaj also explained how there were still many places that needed protection such as Brahman Puskara, Naimasaranya, and Kurukshetra. Guru Maharaj always maintains utmost respect and appreciation for all Vaishnavas. And again, devotee care was there as well in Gurudeva's class. He asked if the devotees were getting nice prasad and if everyone was liking the Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama and there was a thunderous "Haribol" from everyone!
After the class, Guru Maharaj went to Jagannath Temple at Swarupganj to take darshan of Their Lorships. HG Sankarshan Prabhu (ACBSP) and his family members warmly received Guru Maharaj. We departed from Svarupganj at almost 3 pm, driving off to Pratapnagar to meet the Russian Party. Today, the Russian party had a long walk.
As our cars were approaching Pratapnagar, we saw some Russian matajis walking barefoot without any sign of uneasiness, tolerating the burning gravel road. Guru Maharaj had his lunch in the car and waited for some time for all the devotees to get refreshed and settled down under the prasadam tent for their lunch. While the lunch was getting served, Guru Maharaj narrated the pastimes of Koladvipa. Guru Maharaj spoke on the fight between Varahadeva and Hiranyaksha. Guru Maharaj also spoke about how Lord Caitanya was teased by a drunkard, but how he was easily forgiven as this place is known as Aparadh Vanjan Kuliyapad. No offences are taken into consideration.
After a 30-minute class, Guru Maharaj drove to the nearby ghat and crossed the Ganga River by boat. By now, it was already 5:30 pm. The boat ride on the Ganges was so pleasing. During the cruise, Guru Maharaj was replying some emails. The cool breeze which was combing our faces stole away the tiredness. The sun was retiring for the day. It was the perfect setting and a wonderful scene set on the background of the rising TOVP.
It was a 20 minute boat ride. After reaching the ghat near the confluence of the Jalangi and Ganga rivers, Guru Maharaj was driven to Jagannath temple at Rajapur to meet another Namahatta party. Upon reaching, Guru Maharaj had a nap. After the nap, he had darshan of the world famous Rajapur Jagannath deities followed by 40 minutes of class on the pastimes of the presiding Lord. More than 1000 devotees filled the whole garden, attentively listening to the pastimes. Among them were HH Bhakti Purushottham Swami and HH Gauranga Prema Swami. Guru Maharaj returned back to Mayapur by 9.15 pm. - Maha Varaha Das
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