(21/NOV/2017 - Sylhet to Silchar) From last evening packing work started. Today morning devotees started to gather in the hotel where Guru Maharaj was. And it was increasing as the time goes.
During Guru Maharaj's breakfast I entered his room and offered my pranams, he called me and asked what is the news? - then I started to tell him about Spanish book releases. And we (JPS Publications) trying to publish two new books Vaisnava Ke? And Vrindavane Bhajan in Spanish Language. And these books are planned to get released by Guru Maharaj during his visit in December. But, we need 4000$ USD. So, I asked Guru Maharaj to give us some loan to print these books, and we will pay it after distribution. Guru Maharaj asked several questions, how the book will get distributed, what is the plan? How will you (Publications) pay this back? Any sponsors you got printing these books? So, I tried my level best to answer all the questions. And finally Guru Maharaj said, 'Okay!' I told him that, we are trying to get some donations via online. As this project is very important to publish books in Spanish Language. Guru Maharaj has lot disciples over there, and it is becoming hard to visit to South America for Guru Maharaj due to health reasons. He is going to visit next month after 4 years. So like this, this conversation took some time, Panchajanya Prabhu was feeding breakfast, seeing our discussion, he asked me to feed Guru Maharaj and discuss. Then he went to pack his things.
After breakfast, National Committee members went to Guru Maharaj with the resolutions that are finalized in this meetings. And they requested Guru Maharaj's signature to approve it. It was few pages. But, Guru Maharaj started to correct many things in that, and one or two pages only he read. So, seeing Guru Maharaj's deep vision for Bangladesh - the leaders got overwhelmed and was pricing Guru Maharaj. Mainly one point that I remember is Guru Maharaj wanted to preserve all the holy places in Bangladesh - Lord Caitanya's and Lord Caitanya's associates sripats for the future.
Guru Maharaj heard from devotee that Sri Madhavendra Puri's birthplace is not under any Hindu or Gaudiyas. So that whole village is now under Muslims. And they doesn't want any hindus to get that place. So like this many issues are there. Guru Maharaj somehow wanted to preserve these holy places. Madhavendra Puri is the root of Krishna Prema said Guru Maharaj.
All luggage got loaded in cars. Devotees did simple Guru Puja. And all the way up to the car devotees were waiting for Guru Maharaj. I missed many things, as I was with Maha Varaha Pr.
Then Guru Maharaj got into the car. And the devotees were outside the hotel - more than 400 devotees. The road was blocked. And when Guru Maharaj's car came out, the devotees were crying and paying obeisances. And the securities were trying to control the devotees. When the cat started to move, devotees started to run behind the car as much as possible.
And they were paying obeisances wherever they stop. And more that 10 cars in row we drove to the Bangladesh-India border. And more than 30 bikes; and one patrol Police security in front. So, it was an amazing experience. Every place all the traffics were stopped for Guru Maharaj to go. But unfortunately the advance party who went to check the road condition - their report went wrong. The road was terrible. And even for an ordinary persons like us felt very uncomfortable. So Guru Maharaj's vehicle went too slow. After about two hours journey 40kms we crossed and reached the border.
There in the border, custom office, and immigration paper works took around 2.5 hours. They gave permission for Guru Maharaj's vehicle to cross the border. And many of us are holding India Passports except Maha Varaha Pr, Shyama Madhusudan Pr and Acarya Ratna Pr. So their passports took lot of time to pass through. And there is no computerized office. Everything is like old style, writing on a notebook. During this time, devotee of Sylhet spend quality time with Guru Maharaj, Caru Candra Prabhu had long talk with Guru Maharaj. And Guru Maharaj's car was cover by devotees. All the Muslim police officers, border security, drivers, local villagers - everyone wanted to see, who is that personality attracting these many people. Even they are calling "Guru Maharaj!" hearing our devotees calling "Guru Maharaj" and most of them called Maharaj.
And finally Guru Maharaj and 7 devotees went ahead to India crossing the border.
And we 6 devotees were processing our entries. Then all our luggage also in between the border.
After entering India border, there also there was procedures to fill our details - and they were writing one by one. Finally, Guru Maharaj left to Silchar around 5pm, and we left around 5:30pm.
Guru Maharaj was very much tired. And Maha Varaha Pr said, while crossing the Karimkanj devotees from ISKCON center came and requested Guru Maharaj to visit the temple, as it was not on our plan. Maha Varaha Pr and everyone said, Guru Maharaj will go to Silchar directly. But devotees started to lay down on the road, some are under the wheels. So it was big drama, and somehow, Guru Maharaj pacified the devotees and left from there to Silchar.
We reached Silchar around 7:30pm. Everyone was tired in this road journey. And what to speak of Guru Maharaj. All the devotees went to their rooms, which are booked by Local temple. As there is no devotees to do night shift along with Golokesvara Govinda Pr, he asked me to join him.
In our ISKCON temple we saw a marble carving saying that, 20/NOV/1987 His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaj - Srila Acaryapada laid the Foundation stone for this temple. And Guru Maharaj is here after 30 years. Many devotees doesn't know, how much he have done to Srila Prabhupada's mission to expand.
So, we got freshen up and came to join our service at 9:30pm. Srivas Pran Pr and Subhanga Govinda Pr were serving all the while travelling from 2pm. So we relieved them. We all made Guru Maharaj to go on the bed and rest.
Guru Maharaj slept around 10:30pm until 4:30am. (Personal Diary - Shyama Rasika Dasa)
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