10/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India

(10/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India) Today morning Guru Maharaja had a TOVP-E meeting from 8 am to 10 am. Then there was a Zoom session with Malaysia devotees from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Before Guru Maharaja's class, I told Guru Maharaja that, "Today is Mother's Day!" And we all other servants started to list transcendental mother personalities - like Saci devi, Yasoda, Devaki, Sumitra, Kausalya, Rohini, Aditi, Putana, etc... And Guru Maharaja said, "Jaya! Jaya!"

Then before Zoom meeting we made Deva Gauranga Prabhu to speak about Guru Maharaja, and he shared few pastimes of Guru Maharaja in Bengali and I translated it into English. Then Guru Maharaja came and joined the meeting.

Last two weeks, I and my sister Rasa Priya Gopika read Srimad-Bhagavatam for 30 mins over phone. So, when we were reading today from 4.20.21, purport Srila Prabhupada saying the following:

[...] Just today we have seen in the newspapers of Bombay that the government is going to repeal its prohibition laws. Ever since Gandhi’s noncooperation movement, Bombay has been kept dry and has not allowed its citizens to drink. But unfortunately the citizens are so clever that they have increased illicit distillation of liquor, and although not being sold publicly in shops, liquor is being sold in public lavatories and similar abnormal places. Unable to check such illicit smuggling, the government has decided to manufacture the liquor at cheaper prices so that people can have their supply of intoxication directly from the government instead of purchasing it in public lavatories. The government failed to change the hearts of the citizens from indulging in sinful life, so instead of losing the taxes they collect to inflate the treasury, they have decided to manufacture liquor to supply to the citizens who hanker after it.

This kind of government cannot check the resultant actions of sinful life, namely war, pestilence, famine, earthquakes and similar other disturbances. Nature’s law is that as soon as there are discrepancies in regard to the law of God (which are described in Bhagavad-gītā as dharmasya glāniḥ, or disobedience to the laws of nature or God), at once there will be heavy punishment in the form of sudden outbreaks of war. We have recently experienced a war between India and Pakistan. Within fourteen days there have been immense losses of men and money, and there have been disturbances to the entire world. These are the reactions of sinful life. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to make people pure and perfect. If we become even partially pure, as described in the Bhāgavatam (naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu), by development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then lust and greed, the material diseases of the citizens, will be reduced. This can be made possible simply by broadcasting the pure message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Big commercial and industrial firms have contributed many thousands of rupees to a defense fund that burns the money in the form of gunpowder, but unfortunately, if they are asked to contribute liberally to advance the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, they are reluctant. Under the circumstances, the world will periodically suffer from such upsurges and outbreaks of war, which are the consequences of not being Kṛṣṇa conscious.

So, she said, we have to read this out to Guru Maharaja as it is what currently going on in our world. Then, today the Covid-19 meeting started little late 5:50 pm. And I went and said to Guru Maharaja it is late, then Guru Maharaja said, "The afternoon shift servants didn't wake me up. I asked them to wake me up at 4:30 pm, but they let me sleep till 5:10 pm. So everything got delayed." Guru Maharaja was upset, and I asked the afternoon shift they said, Guru Maharaja was too tired after morning meetings, and Zoom session - so we let him sleep. Naturally we all want him take enough rest.

And there was a discussion about 1000 Kg rice donation, and Guru Maharaja was thinking about other temples in Navadvipa and Gaudiya Mathas - how to reach them some grains to support their Deity worship and devotees prasadam. So, he asked to look into it. And Guru Maharaja was very much stressing on the social distancing while doing Food Relief. And in the meeting Aloy Govinda Prabhu said, "From Kerala one train is coming in few days with all the labors to Krishna Nagar, they are coming back to their villages. So there may be possibility of Covid-19 patients. So, in order to be safe, we will avoid the villages, we will follow the Government's advice." So, Guru Maharaja even was worried about the people who are coming back to their villages, if they are leaving their jobs and coming back means - they won't be having money - so how will they eat with out money? And who will provide them food? During their Home lockdown? Like this, the topic was discussed until 6:30pm.

Then before Guru Maharaja coming for the Caitanya-lila class, I read him the purport and Guru Maharaja laughed and said, "Send this Jagatguru Jayadeva Pr to read it during the Mangala arati announcement." Then Guru Maharaja started his Caitanya lila class. Today's class was filled with so much ecstatic scenes. He was vibrating while speaking. And being next to him, whenever he get into that ecstatic mood, he will see me and his eyes were filled with tears of ecstatic love... He was super ecstatic when he read that Lord Gauranga and vaisnavas was in ecstasy for two days continuously... and there was a storm and the translators were sitting in the rain and translating and Guru Maharaja said, "I will stop my class here!" and he said, "I can't continue anymore!" Because he was not able to control his feelings and love for Lord Gauranga.

Translators Ahladini Radha Mataji (Bengali), Narayani Radha Mataji and Yamuna Livavati Mataji (Russian) Jalangi Mataji (Chinese) Nandapriya Nivetida Mataji (Telugu)

After the class I came to down to our room. And tonight Zoom session will be for Sri Rangam, Trichy and Turaiyur devotees. We decided that Vrajesvara Gaura Prabhu will translate the class into Tamil. Usually he will be there for all the classes. So, I didn't go to the class. Then suddenly Srivatsa Syama Sundara Prabhu came to our room and said, "Guru Maharaja is waiting, you have to come for translation. As Vrajesvara Gaura Prabhu is not there." Then I went, it was very nice class, and more than 90 families Guru Maharaja blessed and visited. Devotees welcomed Guru Maharaja with Purna Kumbha, Arati, Garlands, Prasadam, Deity darsana. It was extremely blissful. In most of the houses they offered Murukku, Mangoes... And Guru Maharaja said, "I am eating so much but no calories. It is all love calories!" Janaki Ramacandra Prabhu and Srivatsa Syama Sundara Prabhu said, "Guru Maharaja doing this Zoom sessions are really an austerity. We are seeing many offering, prasadam, but we are not getting any prasadam!" And Guru Maharaja laughted.

Then after the zoom session, Guru Maharaja was very tired. He was completely wiped off. And he went to his room, and while going Guru Maharaja said, "Today's Caitanya Book session is wonderful! And ecstatic!" I said, "We never heard these pastimes Guru Maharaja!"

"Guru Maharaja! You are looking too tired" I said. Guru Maharaja was in ecstasy he repeated the same, "Lord Caitanya was in ecstasy for two days... and the Vaisnavas came to give him more ecstasy!" and he was in ecstasy not feeling his bodily tiredness. And I said, "During lock down many are taking rest. But you are working more!" Isvara Puri Maharaja Prabhu said, "Guru Maharaja doing so much preaching! And travelling in this lock down - than in the normal days!" That is true... Guru Maharaja continuously every single day - meeting devotees, and giving class, attending meetings, answering emails... My God! His dedication to Srila Prabhupada with the mood of Lord Nityananda, flooding the world now. (Personal Diary - Syama Rasika dasa)

9/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India

(9/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India) Today I joined in Guru Maharaja's service by Covid-19 meeting at 5:30pm. In today's meeting Guru Maharaja discussed a topic, which made me very much astonished.  He asked Aloy Govinda Prabhu, "Now Muslims are observing their Ramadan fast, so there may some poor Muslims, so for their iftar breaking, can we give some kitchidi? They can take the kitchidi and keep it in the afternoon and eat during iftar." Guru Maharaja is not seeing they are Muslims or Hindu, no differentiation, he was just thinking how to keep the Navadvipa Mandala dhama-vasis with no hunger.

Then the team said, "The wealthy Muslims sending the iftar to all the poor Muslims. So we no need to give them or spend money in giving them food."

Guru Maharaja said, "Then we give them Gur, cida, fruits. Because when we give them grains, they might cook non-vegetarian. But if we give them fruits and Gur and Cida (offered) then they will eat at least some Krishna-prasadam." Aloy Govinda Prabhu said enthusiastically that, "We will do it!"

Guru Maharaja's mood and vision was very different and every single ideas and thought are always out of the box. So, after this meeting Guru Maharaja gave a wonderful class on Lord Gauranga's Balarama Meditation. 

Then after class, I asked Guru Maharaja about Zoom session for Namahatta, Bangladesh, Gita Course, Chatra Samaj, etc. And Guru Maharaja said, "For Namahatta Mala Cakra Senapati, Maha Cakra Senapati, Cakra Senapati lever devotees district wise will meet him as participants, and rest will watch online. And for Bangladesh there are five divisions, so each one will get one day - 300 families can participate, rest will be on Facebook live. And he said, "I want to meet all of them during morning sessions."

Sabta Hari Prabhu making training sessions for 120 ISKCON leaders on Digital preaching. So, he sent his report, and I played that audio message to Guru Maharaja. And Guru Maharaja thanked him. And tonight Guru Maharaja will be having a zoom session with Secunderabad devotees. (Personal Diary - Syama Rasika dasa)

8/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India

(8/MAY/2020 - Sri Mayapur, India) Another day with Guru Maharaja in lock-down. I am here with Guru Maharaja but I am not much being next to him - whenever he calls or if there is any service then I be with him. Rest of the time, I am busy with Archives and Publications services.

Today morning there was a first EIDC Meeting over Zoom. It was inspired by Guru Maharaja to the EIDC members to take training and use the Zoom (technology) to conduct meetings. And they did it today, Bhakti Vijaya Bhagavata Maharaja was the chairman, and Madhava Kanta Prabhu was the secretary. So, I was there in the meeting with Guru Maharaja to control the camera and sound. But after some time, when they were little bit struggling with Zoom controls, Bhagavata Maharaja made Guru Maharaja as Host and I was assisting Bhagavata Maharaja. So there were 56 participants and there was discussion about festivals and preaching. And everyone was happy with this Zoom session, and they decided to do this very frequently so that many agendas can be discussed. All glories to Guru Maharaja! 

The meeting was over by 12:15pm. And Guru Maharaja was free for sometime, we requested Guru Maharaja for some video recordings - but he was tired so Guru Maharaja was just relaxing. So, I asked Guru Maharaja, "May I show you our website works, and Caitanya Book artworks?" Guru Maharaja said, "Okay!" Then I showed him our new website www.jayapatakaswamiarchives.net - in which we are introducing the interactive transcript technology. We made some sample with Srila Prabhupada's lecture - and I showed to Guru Maharaja - he liked it very much; previously he saw this website and gave comment only on the appearance, not in detail. But this time by Lord's mercy got a chance to explain him. Then when I open Srila Prabhupada's lecture (which was only 5 mins), Guru Maharaja started here and read the transcription with full absorption (as usual). So, he liked it very much. It was a lecture on sannyasa ceremony. And Guru Maharaja asked me, "Do you know whose sannyasa ceremony was that?" I said, "I don't know!" Then Guru Maharaja also listened to his 1980s lecture - and there Guru Maharaja was narrating a story about the fisherman's basket and how a grhastha invite this fisherman to his home and get the fishy smell of that basket. And Maha Varaha Pr was there, and Guru Maharaja every was laughing listening to that story.

Then I showed the paintings of Adi-lila of Sri Krishna Caitanya Book that was done by Rasikananda Prabhu. And Guru Maharaja was discussing about some points for some paintings. In one painting where Sacimata was blessing Laksmipriya on the Ganga-ghat, Guru Maharaja said, "Laksmipriya looks small girl!" Then I said, "She may be 8 or 10 years old at that time. As in those days they were married when they were young. Mahaprabhu may be was 14 years when He got married. As per the books and your lecture." Then Guru Maharaja said, "Okay!" Next painting was Jagannatha Misra giving Upanayana mantra to Lord Nimai. And Guru Maharaja said, "Lord should be shown with saffron cloth, but here He is in yellow!" So, we need to do that change. Then Guru Maharaja say, Vidyarambha painting of Lord Nimai, and said, "There should be a plate (bamboo plate) with rice mixed with kumkum, in that Nimai will write KRSNA! and Aksaras!" So like by Lord's mercy I got this unexpected appointment with Guru Maharaja. 

Then Guru Maharaja was telling that we need to have a Zoom session with West Africa - Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja's disciples and Guru Maharaja's disciples. This session got already scheduled by Maha Varaha Prabhu in this week. And Guru Maharaja said, "As Maha Varaha Prabhu to get South Africa, Durban, Capetown, etc." Maha Varaha Prabhu, "Already scheduled Ghana, Nigeria! He will add South Africa! And everyone will get separate sessions with Guru Maharaja." Guru Maharaja's caring for Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja's disciples are very much in deep love for his beloved Godbrother Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja.

Guru Maharaja took his lunch and took his afternoon rest. And woke up at 4:30pm - and Jaya Radha Krishna Prabhu started the Prabhupada memoir review session with Guru Maharaja. Meanwhile, after our lunch I and Maha Varaha Prabhu went to all the rooms, where Guru Maharaja's servants are staying. As Purandara Krishna Prabhu fell down two days back and got a hairline crack in his wrist, and Haridasa Caitanya Prabhu fell down two weeks back, and recovering form his leg injury. So, we went to visit them, also to check their rooms, and their needs.

And by 5:30 pm there was Covid-19 Food Relief meeting, as usual today also Guru Maharaja was very heavy. When Guru Maharaja saw a video of today's reports He was telling that, the villagers are not following any social distancing, we have to make them understand that how much it is important. If they are not following then you should say, until then we won't serve prasadam. Don't serve everyone prasadam, this is not prasadam distribution program. This is Food-relief program - we have to give prasadam to the needy. And if someone want to honor prasadam then serve them in donna separately. Like this Guru Maharaja was giving instructions. And Guru Maharaja very much stressed the point that we have to serve prasadam inside Navadvipa mandala. And he asked Aloy Govinda Prabhu measure 10 miles radius from keeping Mayapur as center. As per Srila Prabhupada's instruction we have to serve prasadam at least the first 10 mile radius first. And actually if Guru Maharaja would have been healthy - he would have gone personally to distribute prasadam during this Pandemic situation. That much force emanating from him during this Covid-19 meeting. So, the meeting made the class delay today also. So the class started at 6:30pm.

As usual today the Caitanya Book topic was very special. Lord Caitanya in Balarama's mood asking for honey! Guru Maharaja relished the class very much. After the class Guru Maharaja took his dinner, and he came for the Zoom session - today it was with Russian Bhakti-vrksa leaders, Maha Varaha Prabhu and Janaki Ramacandra Prabhu was managing this meeting. Angira Gauranga Prabhu was hosting the session from Russia, and here Narayani Radha Mataji was helping in translation. Maha Varaha Prabhu said, it was very nice session, Bhakti-vrksa leaders asked very nice questions. And there was a devotee (Radhanatha Swami Maharaja's disciple) showed her painting and seeing her work, Guru Maharaja asked her, "Are you interested to help me in Caitanya Book artworks?"

So, I went to be with Guru Maharaja before he goes to bed, and Guru Maharaja was ewatching a news channel where Trump was speaking, then after that there was a program in thatt a scientist was explaining about his research on dragon-flies. How their wing got a power to disinfect any bacteria. And the scientist was testing and making some pattern based on dragon flies wings and creating some medical stuffs to prevent bacteria. Guru Maharaja said, "How much Krishna is intelligent! He kept an anti-bacterial pattern in Dragon-flies wings!" "I LOVE YOU KRISHNA! I LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE!" Then like this, Guru Maharaja was telling how glorious is Krishna's creations. 

Then Isvara Puri Maharaja Prabhu said, "I saw a Korean Movie - there they are showing how a person was going through seven hells. And the graphical works were impressing." And I said, "We will crop that portion and will show to you Guru Maharaja!" Guru Maharaja was very much mediating on the content of TOVP-Exhibits - on how to present Srimad-Bhagavatam using best CGI and graphics, technology. So, in this way around 12 midnight - Guru Maharaja went to bed. (Personal Diary - Syama Rasika dasa)