Archive for the ‘Sripada Pastimes (Lilamrta)’ Category

By HH Giriraj Swami

October 8, 2006 Carpinteria, CA USA

My dear Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We are missing you terribly today, after your sudden departure from this realm of mortality to the service of Srila Prabhupada in eternity.

My thoughts turn to my earliest association with you. I had been suffering from a relapse of jaundice in Bombay, and Srila Prabhupada said that as long as I remained there I would be unable to recover. So I returned to the United States for treatment, and after spending about five days in Chicago, proceeded to Los Angeles.

There, you were continuing your association with the devotees and going on your famous morning walks with Srila Prabhupada, discussing the principle of “life comes from life” and the importance of scientific preaching. As I gradually recovered from my illness, I was able to accompany you and Srila Prabhupada on some of the walks and to be in Srila Prabhupada’s room when you and sometimes Dr. Wolf-Rottkay came to meet him. Hearing your discussions, I was struck by your humility and simplicity–and by your open and intimate relationship with Srila Prabhupada. He had so much love for you and put so much trust in you–and surely, his great hopes for you were not disappointed. Your patent sincerity, combined with your intellectual prowess, were strong qualifications for understanding Srila Prabhupada and his teachings and mission–and the specific mission he gave to you. You took all of his words to heart and were so enthusiastic to take up his call. Obviously, you were a very pure devotee from your birth, from your culture, and in Srila Prabhupada’s association your natural devotion was encouraged and manifested. It was like a jewel that Srila Prabhupada mined and cut and polished–and then held out to sparkle for the world, for all the world’s the benefit.

Earlier in 1973, a scientist had come to the university and given a lecture on how life had arisen from a combination of four primordial elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. With so many technical words and diagrams and formulas, he tried to establish that life had come from these material elements. At the end of the presentation you had stood and inquired, “If I give you these ingredients, will you be able to produce life?” And the scientist had replied, “That I do not know.” Srila Prabhupada was so pleased and proud of you that he spoke of the incident in his lectures and conversations–how “our Svarupa Damodara” had challenged the scientist and defeated the notion that life comes from matter.

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By His Holiness Mahanidhi Swami

5th of October of 2006

(Berikut adalah pelajaran atau renungan Mahanidhi Swami pada prosesi Samadhi Srila Sripada Maharaja di Gopalji Mandir Radha Kunda, yang merupakan penjelasan detail bagaimana  Srila Sripad Maharaj selalu bermeditasi kepada Radha Krishna Lila, khususnya Rasa-Lila dan Lila Radha Krishna Di Radha Kunda, sembari sibuk menjalankan perintah gurunya. Mahanidhi Swami mengatakan Srila Sripada Maharaj kelihatannya sibuk mengajarkan kesana-kemari, keliling dunia, ikut dalam berbagi kegiatan Perdamaian Dunia dan kegiatan lainnya. Sibuk dalam membangun berbagai Proyek tetapi di dalam hati penuh akan bara cinta kepada Radha dan Krishna, bagaikan para Gopi yang selalu menyembunyikan Cintanya. Selamat menikmati-ed)

Mahanidhi Swami: Salah satu brahmacari telah menjelaskan detail tentang bagaimana… Sripada… meninggalkan dunia ini…, Sripada Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Goswami. Kita akan mencoba untuk memberikan perhatian lebih detail tentang proses tersebut, dan kita akan mengulangi beberapa keterangan dan memberikan penjelasan lebih lanjut tentang apa yang terjadi. Satu hal lagi, brahmacari itu… siapa namanya?

Para Penyembah (menjawab):  Vrajendrakumara.

Mahanidhi Swami: Vrajendrakumara… ia telah menjelaskan, ketika ia bertemu, pada malam hari, ketika ia bertemu Guru Maharaja, sekitar jam 10:30. Ia berkata ia melihat jam dan saat itu sekitar jam 10:30 malam, ketika Sripada mengeluh tentang rasa sakit.

Tetapi Vrajendra kumar mengatakan walaupun Sripada merasakan sakit pada pundak dan tangannya, Beliau tersenyum dan menunjukkan perasaan yang sangat gembira dan riang. Ia tidak pernah melihat Guru Maharaja berada dalam keadaan gembira seperti itu. Saya berusaha menangkap apa yang vrajendrakumar katakan. Saat itu Guru Maharaja sangat bersinar dan sangat bahagia, dan bahkan seperti bermain-main. Beliau seperti sedang bermain-main. Beliau mengambil tongkat dan berkata: “Hei.. hei.., kamu anjing tidur! Hei, kamu brahmacari! Kamu seperti anjing tidur, mengapa kamu tidur di saat seperti ini? Tidak tahukah kamu jam berapa ini? Saat ini jam 10:48. Ini merupakan awal dari Nishanta lila. ini merupakan awal dari Rasa Lila.”

Sekarang, mari kita uraikan semuanya bersama-sama. Saya mendengarkan cerita ini dengan sangat jelas sekali.

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Vijaya Dasami, 2006

The Glorious Dissappearance of Srila Bhaktisvarupam Damodara Swami Sripada Maharaja

Written by: Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja’s servants
attending Him in Calcutta

Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja, beloved spiritual son of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, disappeared from this mortal world during the Ratrilila period of Lord Sri Krishna’s Astakaliya lila on Vijaya Dasami, which according to this year’s Panchangam, is the most auspicious day of this calendar year, 2006. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja’s disappearance took place in Calcutta, the holy appearance place (Janmasthan) of his divine master Srila Prabhupada. Calcutta is also the holy site from which His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur chose to disappear. Due to Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja’s deep and intense love for his divine master Srila Prabhupada, he not only chose Calcutta as his place of work but also as his place of disappearance.

Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja’s unwillingness to compromise on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions is well known and we hope that his dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions will serve as an illustrious example for the world-wide devotee community, now and for all times to come.

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By Lilavati Devi Dasi and Shachirani Devi Dasi

Rendering service to the person Bhagavata, or the pure servant of God, is described throughout the Vedic literature as being more effective and more pleasing to the Lord than rendering service to the Supreme Lord directly. The person Bhagavata comes in the line of a genuine disciplic succession from the Lord, and through the disciplic succession the divine principle is transmitted to the humble spiritual aspirant. His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami, also known as Sripada Maharaja, rendered sincere and loving service to his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, who belonged to the spiritual lineage of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya. Sripada Maharaja was thus an ideal example of bhagavata-sevarpanam—offering service unto the Bhagavata.

Sripada Maharaja was born in the ancient Vaishnava kingdom of Manipur, in northeast India, on December 9, 1937. It was the holy day known as Odana-shashthi, when Lord Jagannatha is given new clothes. His parents were Sri Yogendra Singh and Srimati Kanyahanbi Devi. Being Vaishnavas, they named their child Damodara, one of the holy names of Lord Sri Krishna. Sri Yogendra Singh was a devotional singer in the Nata Sankirtana tradition, and so from the very moment of Damodara’s appearance in this world, his father filled his son’s ears with the devotional sounds of the holy names and pastimes of the Supreme Lord.

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by Singapore’ Devotees

(13-14th August 2006) Guru Maharaja arrived from Bali with his guests Gajapati Maharaj, the King of Puri and his spiritual master, the Raja Guru of the Jagannatha Temple at noon in Singapore. They were received by a host of devotees from Singapore & Malaysia and proceeded to Venu Madhava Prabhu’s home. Guru Maharaja introducing his guests to the local devotees. Due to restrictions in Singapore, Maharaja does not wear his sannyasa robes. At Venumadhava prabhu’s house, Gurudev and his guests had a sumptuous prasadam feast prepared by the matajis. They were joined by two visitors from Malaysia, Dr. Vythilingam who is treasurer of the Malaysian Medical Association and Mr. Ramesh, a lawyer, who are helping Gurudev set up Bhaktivedanta Institute (Malaysia). The details of this effort were further discussed after lunch. In the evening, the devotees brought Gurudev and his guest to the Singapore Night Safari. This attraction is an extension of the Singapore Zoo that presents nocturnal animals in their natural habitats. The King is an ardent animal lover who is accustomed to spending several days in the jungle. In his youth, he used to spend his time in the wilderness hunting; however, later, he simply observed animals while sitting on tree branches. The King of Puri Guru Maharaja with the Rajaguru in the tramp during the Night Safari Guru Maharaja was in a jovial mood throughout. When he saw some lions resting on their backs, with legs up, he remarked that, “they are practicing yoga.” Another time, when he saw some goat-like animals (Oryx) sitting still, he said they were meditating. After most of us left the Night Safari, the King remained behind with three devotees to walk around the Safari and have a closer interaction with the animals. Meanwhile, being the perfect host, Gurudev stayed up late in Venumadhava prabhu’s house waiting for the King to return. During this time, Guru Maharaja gave instructions for the prasadam the next day. One devotee said to Guru Maharaja that at times Krishna consciousness is very sweet and blissful, while at other times, there is no feeling at all, almost mechanical. Gurudev replied that the modes of nature are very strong, even a very wise man can be disturbed. We have to always be positive in our Krishna consciousness. We have to be careful to control anger and lust, (kama, krodha, lobha) and it will be easier to practice Krishna consciousness. He said even if difficulties come, don’t view it negatively, but see it positively. He then gave the example of Queen Kunti, who prayed for difficulties so that she would remember Krishna better. The devotee then asked, as householders we are always in anxiety, thinking about our children, whether they will be Krishna conscious etc. Gurudev replied that as Prahlad Maharaja said ideally Krishna consciousness should be started at a young age so that you will be trained on how to deal with things in a proper way. Because the training was not there from young, we have problems with children. He remarked how in India, sometimes when children leave the care of their parents, they are unable to be independent. He then gave the devotee some personal instructions on how to handle her children. The next day, Monday, August 14th, Gurudev was scheduled to leave for Calcutta in the evening. The program for the day was that we would go to the Underwater World in Sentosa island and Kannan prabhu’s house for lunch. Afterwhich Gurudev would do some shopping before heading to the airport for departure. On Monday morning, we had a mangala arotik. Gurudev was pleased that we had Mangala Arotik as he later remarked to the King, “Did you hear their morning program?” Before his bath, Guru Maharaja drank water and a drink of lemon juice and honey. After breakfast, we proceeded to the Underwater world, which is an aquatic exhibition. Everyone was happy to see the Lord’s amazing varieties of creation under the ocean. Srila Sripada and the giant crab Extending his lotus hands to the lucky fishes After visiting the Underwaterworld, we took a walk along the beach and watched a dolphin show. Then we headed to Kannan prabhu’s house for lunch. GuruMaharaja lead the singing of “ Jaya Radha Madhava” as we all danced blissfully. As GuruMaharaja said the prema dhvani prayers he concluded by saying “now it is time for prasadam program” which drew laughter from everyone. To Kannan prabhu, who is a medical doctor, Gurumaharaja said that doctors should find out the relationship between health and spirituality. Gurudev also recalled that he had an interest in doing medicine but his family was not very keen because it would mean that he would have to be away. So he did science instead. Gurudev then shared with Kannan prabhu where he did his undergraduate and postgraduate studies and about his meeting with Srila Prabhupada. Group photo at Dr. Kannan prabhu’s house After taking a short rest at Venumadhava prabhu’s house, Gurudev and some of the devotees went to do some shopping. Gurudev purchased a new luggage bag and souvenirs for the guests in Manipur. Gurudev was very careful and fastidious in choosing appropriate gifts. Guru Maharaja then did his packing in and took a quick shower before heading to the airport. At the airport, a number of devotees had come to see Guru Maharaja off. After checking in his luggage Guru Maharaja sat in the lounge and the devotees sat around him. He talked about his traveling plans and preaching projects. One devotee asked a question about how we should practice Krishna consciousness in Singapore since there was no temple. Gurudev replied that we should meet once a week in different houses. Each devotee can contribute some prasadam. Someone can give a discourse or if no one is available we can just read Srila Prabhupada’s books. Another question was asked, “How can we remain positive if we continuously experience falldowns from our standards and principles?” Gurudev replied that we should not be weak. If we are facing problems in our devotional life we can reveal them to friends who are close to us and together we can try to overcome them. He also suggested that we should read books individually everyday, conduct mangala arotik in our homes, memorize verses for preaching and for our own purification and to keep a diary to write down our thoughts. He emphasized that planning in Krishna consciousness is very important. Planning is as important as executing. He gave the example that an architect makes his plans first before beginning construction. He said that the real secret is to always keep busy in service. After giving us this nectar from his lotus mouth, Guru Maharaja left for Calcutta. The Gajapati Maharaj and the Rajaguru left two days later, after giving us their enlivening association.The Rajaguru especially shared many wonderful stories of Jagannatha. SrilaGurudev ki! Jay! Yours in the service of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, Rupachandra Das & Vaikunthanatha Das

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remembrance by His Holiness Srila Jayapataka Swami

Jayapataka Swami: Every year, at the New Panihati festival in Atlanta, we have a Prabhupada lila-smarana festival of his visit there. Svarupa Damodara Maharaja was there when Prabhupada was there and he would come to this lila-smarana festival. So we heard from different devotees also how much Prabhupada showered his mercy up on him. There are pictures of him receiving Prabhupada at his car.

He was a VIP devotee. His special service was cultivating VIP’s, especially the scientists. We showed a number of his disciples in Bali and different parts of the world some slides we have of him. He also was a wonderful sadhu. It is rare to find probably scientists who are sadhus, but he was a super-wonderful sadhu because he was very gentle, very kind.

Once we did a Panihati festival in Prabhupada Desh. His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja, I gave him the first pot of the cida-dadhi. He, normally you get a big pot of this cida-dadhi covered with rasagullas, sandesa, normally what you would do is eat it. But what did he do? He took it and offered it in the mouth of all the devotees. There are pictures of the devotees with their mouths open and he is like birds feeding their babies. He was putting the prasad in their mouth.

He had special tunes, maybe these are Manipuri melodies, he would sing. He reached a very high note. Sometimes we would raise his hand. He had a particular, I can’t imitate it, only he can do it. He would raise his hand and then reach this high note. Then he, changed the tune again sang a part of this particular tune.

Prabhupada, I remember that he said that, I heard, I didn’t see it in writing, but I heard that the Manipuris were somehow descended from the gandharavas. That is why they are such nice singers and dancers, very cultural. His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja was like that, he was a great kirtan leader, singer, wonderful Vaisnava.

Somehow he was very kind to me always. He invited me to his World Congress Conference for the Synthesis of Science and Religion, both the one in Bombay and the one in Calcutta. I was studying science when I was in university, but I dropped out and joined Prabhupada’s university. Prabhupada didn’t tell me to keep studying because I was only in my freshman year. So my sophomore year I spent in ISKCON, but Prabhupada had him finish his study and get his PhD and use it.

Somehow he brought me and I tried to do what service I could do discussing with the scientists. One of the Nobel prize scientists in Calcutta, he was the discoverer of the laser. This is how much influence Maharaja had on him, he said, “I came to this function where 20 years ago I would never come, I would never dream, I would say that someone is crazy that I would be sitting here, a scientist, physicist, with religionists discussing about science.”

But because the scientists, the physicists, at least, I can’t speak for the chemists, the physicist, he came, “As quantum mechanics, quantum theory, now we have gone beyond the classical physics. These little particles act like people. I was hearing from Maharaja how this is, the Vedas have knowledge about consciousness in a scientific way, so I’m here to hear about it, I’m here to discuss it.”

So in this way, Maharaja in his tenacious and humble way, he would go and discuss with different scientists and he would convince them to some degree, I don’t know how much, but they would definitely come to his conferences they were influenced. He would influence them to be open to read the Vedas, to read Prabhupada’s books, to come to the conferences. He was having a great impact.

He also was a member of the World Parliament of Religions. He never invited me for one of those, so I don’t know exactly what happened, maybe someone else could speak later. He was very versatile.

I remember one time I was walking with Prabhupada and Svarupa Damodara Maharaja, maybe it was in Bhubaneshwar somewhere, I can’t remember now, Svarupda Damodara Maharaja was saying, “If we can influence the scientists, they are the people who are most respected in the world day, everyone follows science.”

Prabhupada was saying, “Yes, if you can convince the scientists, we can change the world.”

I am a Namahatta preacher, I am trying to get to the masses, so I was saying, “Well, it is very hard to convince the scientists. If we can convince all the people, maybe they’ll be more selective about what they accept from the scientists.”

Prabhupada told me, “Yes, if you can get people to come up to the scientists and say, ‘I don’t believe your theory of Darwin,’ that will be a big thing.”

But then he would go and convince Svarupa Damodara. It was like some kind of a game Prabhupada was playing, but he won. Svarupa Damodara won. Convincing scientists was considered more. . . but I got some good encouragement also.

Svarupda Damodara Maharaja, we were together in many places, but he was able to do things pretty much on his own. Sometimes he would call for help, but generally that was just his mercy. He was a very capable person.

Prabhupada told him to make Manipur a Vaisnava state. It was already a Vaisnava state, but to revive it to its full glory. I had the opportunity to go to Manipur and see. They have what is called Vijaya Govinda deities.

Sometimes he would serve the GBC special Manipuri meals. It’s been a long time since that happened. But he would give this special, they have blue rice in Manipuri. Manipur is like seven mountain ranges. In the middle there are two big lakes. What are they called, the Duck Lake or something? The main flower of this lake is lotus, so lotus is one of the main dietary parts of Manipur. He would feed the GBC’s lotus stems and lotus preparations and this blue rice. Especially when you make the blue rice, it is a sweet rice. It tastes like blueberries. Like this, he was introducing so much culture.

He was so dedicated to Prabhupada. we were discussing that even in the last moments, he was just thinking, “How can I please Prabhupada?” He was completely dedicated to being in ISKCON and please Srila Prabhupada.

There is some, Prabhupada told him especially do this kind of cultivating of scientists. Svarupda Damodara told me how he had this program in Rome in some special hall where once a year all the top scientists get together and have some program. The mayor of Rome gave it to him to also have a program. They had a number of scientists and devotees speaking. It was so successful that the mayor said, “You can have it every year.” It is a very prestigious venue.

I think my time is up. I don’t know who is trained up to follow in his footsteps, who can do the wonderful service he was doing. We were all expecting him to be with us for twenty, thirty years more at least. It is a big loss for all of us. He was very dear to all the Vaisnavas.

His Divine Grace Svarupa Damodara Swami Maharaja ki jai!

taken from

http://mayapurlectures.blogspot.com/2007/02/memorial-program-for-hh-bhaktisvarupa.html

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continue from part 1

An interview recorded in Singapore on 7 January 1995

Devotee: This initiation was conducted with full fire sacrifice?

Srila Sripada: Yeah so we went upstairs and Ramananda introduced me to Prabhupada saying that I am such and such, come from Manipur, and I’m a student at the university, doing my PhD. in chemistry. When Prabhupada heard that I am from Manipur, then he started saying about the temples in Navadvipa by the kings of Manipur, Vrndavana, Jagannatha Puri, Radha Kunda, that are established by the kings of Manipur, and he started saying about BabHruvahana. Babhruvahana was the son of Arjuna. When Arjuna came to Manipur, he  married Citrangada, the Princess of Manipur. He said that Manipur had been a Vaisnava kingdom for thousands of years – more than 5000 years ago when the Pandavas ruled the planet, the Vaisnavas existed. He said that all Manipuris are descendents of Babhruvahana. Prabhupada knew about the temples in Navadvipa built by the Kings of Manipur. In the process of talking with Prabhupada, who was asking about my background, my family, who my parents were, devotees, he said, “why did you come here to the United States? A Vaisnava,” Prabhupada was humorously saying “A Vaisnava generally is not supposed to cross the ocean. Why did you come here?”

(Interruption).

So to wind my narration, I came up to, yeah, Prabhupada asked me, told me that that all the people in Manipur are descendants from Babhruvahana.

Devotee: How do you spell that name – Arjuna’s son?

Srila Sripada: B.a.b.h.r.u.v.a.h.a.n.a. It is there in the Srimad Bhagavatam in the 9^th canto, see the index for “Manipur”. There are about two slokas. Prabhupada also writes about Manipur in the Srimad Bhagavatam, in the 9^th canto.

Devotee: 9^th canto, Manipur. Srimad Bhagavatam?

Srila Sripada: Yes. In two slokas, Prabhupada explained about Manipur and also about Babhruvahana. What happened is that Arjuna came to Manipur…must be Mahabharat time…during the Asvamedha Yajna being performed by Yudhistira Maharaja. Arjuna was going that side, and when he reached Manipur, and the King of Manipur at that time he did not have any sons, but he had a daughter, this princess, that Citranganda. So the King of Manipur, since he was old, he could not combat with or challenge Arjuna. So he tried to surrender to Arjuna. But his daughter, Citrangada, wanted to fight with Arjuna (laughter). She wanted to challenge, she wanted to challenge. So Arjuna got very inspired. So somehow he got married to Citrangada (laughter). So this Babhruvahana was born between Citrangada and Arjuna. Prabhupada wrote in the Bhagavatam that when he was 15 or 16 years old, he became the King of Manipur. And later on when Arjuna again visited (Manipur), there was a challenge between his son Babhruvahana and Arjuna. When Babhruvahana was told that Arjuna was his father, he didn’t want to fight—didn’t want to challenge. Then Arjuna told him, “If you are the King of the country, and a ksatriya, .whether it’s your father or a relatve, if you don’t respond to the challenge of the other person, then you are not worth it.” So then Babhruvahana decided to fight. In fact Arjuna was defeated by his son in Manipur. He became unconscious. So Krishna had to come and revive Arjuna again…so that is Mahabharata. [inaudible] chapter. That’s how Babhruvahana became very famous. So Prabhupada was narrating that story from Mahabharat.

In the process of discussion he said all the Indian young scholars and students are coming to the United States for either begging money, dollars, or begging science and technology. Prabhupada was saying like that. “So you are all coming like that,” Prabhupada said, “But I did not come like that. I came here to give something. I came here to give, not to take. Why don’t you give something? Why are you simply taking? Why don’t you give something?” (laughter). This was his conclusion. Prabhupada was saying that we should give something. Why should we take? Just give something or do something like that, Prabhupada said…like preaching. And so I got very inspired by that…(Interruption). So basically that’s how I met Prabhupada.

Devotee: And he asked you to come?

Srila Sripada: Since then I had been going almost every day. Whenever Prabhupada comes, I used to go to Los Angeles. It was almost one hour’s drive.

Devotee: That was the time when the morning talks started? And…

Srila Sripada: Yes. That was in ’69, ’70. The talks were mostly, let’s see, around ’72, ’73.

Devotee: After initiation?

Srila Sripada: Yes, yes. Whenever I used to go, Prabhupada would always want to talk about something about different aspects of science.

Devotee: So when did you get your initiation? Which year was it that you got initiated by Prabhupada?

Srila Sripada: I got formal initiation in ’71. And I was just about to be initiated within one week after (first) meeting Prabhupada. But then Prabhupada was leaving for India and he gave me this mala, and he said it was as good as initiation…because that was a rush period, with Prabhupada’s plans for India. 1970, he came back. You see that year, 1969, yes 1970 there was a ratha yatra in San Francisco, and for the Ratha Yatra, Prabhupada invited me and Ramananda to come and participate in the festival in San Francisco. So we went. We were with Prabhupada in the ratha yatra in 1970 in San Francisco. Oh yes, after the ratha yatra, Prabhupada left for India. I was supposed to be initiated at that time. Then when he came back the next year, 1971, I think it was ’71, that’s correct, a proper initiation was done in Los Angeles temple. Whenever Prabhupada came to LA, I used to work in the university, trying to finish my Ph.D. and one time I told Prabhupada that this Ph.D. is taking too much time for me, and I should stop. But Prabhupada said, “No, no. you should finish it, and use that for preaching.”

~The End~

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An interview recorded in Singapore on 7 January 1995

(Sent by Rupachandra das of Singapore)

Srila Sripada: ..try to use one’s intelligence properly. That’s the meaning of understanding one’s guna, karma and application. Its not only understanding one’s guna karma but how to apply that guna karma in Bhagavat seva, Krishna consciousness. Prabhupada used to quote that very nice sloka in the Bhagavatam:

idaḿ hi puḿsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā

sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ

avicyuto ‘rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito

yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam¹

There was a narration by Narada Muni to Vyasadev. Vyasadev was feeling very unhappy inspite of his tremendous scholarly work, compiling all the Vedic literatures.  In that connection, Narada Muni was replying  to Vyasadev that the reason for his unhappiness in spite of so much achievement, scholarly work, compiling the Vedic literatures was that he hasn’t specifically glorified the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. So in that connection it is mentioned in the sloka, first canto. So every piece of ability that a person has, unless that ability is specifically utilized in glorifying or in seva, Bhagavata seva, promoting and glorifying the activities and pastimes of the Supreme Lord one cannot be happy. But when it is utilized properly in the service of the Lord, then it becomes glorifications, uttama sloka. uttma sloka gunanuvarnanam. When we use the choicest words to praise the Lord and His activities, then the intelligence, the ability and the service one is performing, that becomes properly engaged. So that way one will be happy.

That was the instruction given by Narada Muni to Vyasadev. Our Prabhupada quoted this verse many times, idam hi pumsas tapasash. When he saw any scholarly person who came to see him he used to say that you have to, if you are scientist, you have to prove about the existence of God by your scientific knowledge. If you are a lawyer, you have to show by your legal intelligence that Krishna is the Supreme lawyer. If you are businessman you have to show that Krishna is Lakshmipati so that whatever results are coming, you use in the service of the Lord. So you see, all aspects we have to show that Krishna is the supreme proprietor and by serving Him, by engaging all our senses and intelligence a person will be able to develop proper understanding of the [inaudible].

Prabhupada used to say like that especially when meeting scholarly group of people. You do not have to sacrifice anything. Sometimes people will wonder, suppose if I became a devotee, whether I should be able to continue my work and you know get in anxiety. Or whether I could go and stay in the temple or whether I (should) get my head shaved and some temporary anxiety comes in. If it is understood properly that the function of Krishna consciousness, is that we have to learn how to apply our ability and intelligence and [inaudible] work in the service of the Lord. So in that sense, everything has to be engaged in the service of the Lord. With the proper understanding we’ll be able to apply it properly then it becomes Bhagavata Seva. Otherwise it becomes sense gratification. If one is just trying to satisfy one’s senses, that’s a different thing. If the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord and all the activities that one is performing is engaged in how to please the Lord and His servants, then it becomes properly [inaudible].

So therefore one has to be able to see the broader, the wider perspective of Krishna consciousness. It is required especially in preaching to the scholars and scientists – this is a technique that can be applied. We cannot say immediately you have to shave off your head and you have to do such things immediately. That comes you know, slowly, slowly, certain places according to the nature of that person one will be able to give Krishna consciousness in doses. Maybe at the beginning small dose, then it becomes bigger dose, then later on full dose (laughter). So if it is done like that you’ll find that you can preach to everyone. Even the most uneducated [inaudible] people, let say so called [inaudible] people, all sections of society. So if we, by our preaching skill give some message of Krishna consciousness according to time and place, according to time and circumstances, and according to also the quality of the other person, his ability to take up some Krishna consciousness…[Inaudible]. This is the technique that we try to apply by Prabhupada’s mercy.

Devotee: When you first came to Krishna consciousness you met Prabhupada first or were you already a Vaishnava in your family in your young days?

Srila Sripada: Yes. My parents were already devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just like the king of Manipur is a devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so all the subjects, for generations were all in the Gaudiya Vaisnava line…my parents and their parents before. My father was a sankirtana singer.

Devotee: So that’s where you got your singing talents from (laughter).

Srila Sripada: When I met Prabhupada – that was in 1969. That was the period. Actually I met (Prabhupada) through one of my friends. My friend was also doing his work; he was also a scientist, a chemist.

Devotee: You had already obtained your Ph.D. then?

Srila Sripada: No, I was in the middle of my Ph.D. I haven’t finished my Ph.D. yet. I was just starting. I started taking some course. But my friend was already a Ph.D. He was a professor at (inaudible) University – a doctor of Chemistry- Ravindra Rao, and he was working on cancer – making medicine for cancer – and he was there. And it  so happened that I was at the university. Oh, the university mentioned as University of Southern California – actually it is called University of California, Irvine. The university in Southern California is a different university.

Devotee : So it should be University of California?

Srila Sripada: Yes, University of California, Irvine; Irvine is the name of the place. The name is correct, but the ‘USC’ should be ‘U Cal’- University of California. California has about 19 campuses. It is very interesting how I met Prabhupada. It so happened that I got a message when I was at the University. A telegram came saying that my mother had expired in India. So I got a little…I got some separation…and I was not feeling very enthusiastic about life, temporarily, momentarily. So because that summer I wanted to go to India and see the family members, like that.

Devotee: You knew she was not well?

Srila Sripada: I didn’t have that knowledge also. They did not send me that message. And so when the message came that she left her body, I was not very enthusiastic about my activities for some time. And I was planning to go to India to do the sraddha ceremony. Like that.

Devotee: You are the eldest?

Srila Sripada: Yeah, in fact I am the only son. And then I got a letter from one of my uncles saying that a – the letter says like this- that a Vaisnava is never lamenting about the living being leaving the body, and a Vaisnava is always thinking that when somebody leaves, then that is kind of arranged by the mercy of the Lord.  “So you should not come. You should not come just for that matter. You should finish your PhD as soon as possible and concentrate on your work. Don’t worry about the death.”  So I had already arranged for the ticket by borrowing some money from the university, because as a student, I had no money. The University loaned me some money for my round trip to India and back. And when I got that letter, I cancelled my trip. So I didn’t go.  In the process of doing that, I met this, Dr. Rao,  Ravindra Rao. He was brought by one of my friends, he’s also from Kerala. There was one doctor [inaudible name]  who was also doing his Ph.D. in the same department, chemistry department. He was from Kerala. There were only about two-three Indian students in that science department. So then he, this Dr. Ravindra Rao came one day and he said, “Lets go for a drive along the beach”. Laguna Beach is not very far. It is only about 15 minutes drive along the coast highway, you know, the Pacific Ocean, California.  He had a car. I didn’t have any car at that time. So I said “Let’s go”. So in the process, in the evening, we saw some devotees walking on the street chanting Harinama. About five-six of them. One was a black devotee. We were seeing for the first time in America, like that, especially in California. It was in the end of 1969. So this friend of mine, Dr. Ravindra Rao, was very enthusiastic. He said, “Let us see what these people are doing.” So we didn’t want to be very close to them, but we were following from a distance (inaudible). Then one devotee saw that we were following them.

Devotee: You were following in the car?

Srila Sripada: No, no. We had parked the car and we were walking slowly.

Devotee: Long distance…

Srila Sripada:  But making sure we didn’t lose them. We wanted to know what they were doing (laughter). So one black devotee, his name is actually Sukadev. He’s still there in Seattle, Los Angeles. So he stopped by and he was kind of waiting for us, to talk to us. So then he stopped and gave us cards and said they had a temple in Laguna Beach, and every Sunday they have this Love Feast, chanting and feasting with nice prasadam, taste, like that. So he said we should come the following Sunday to the temple and participate in the program. So when that Sunday came, this Dr. Rao said, “Let’s go and see the temple and see what they are doing.”  But I told Dr. Rao, “You see, I’m busy. I’m doing my PhD, and I really do not have the time.  So you go and let me know how or what you think about that.” So I didn’t go with him, I let him go alone. We were not staying together. I was staying at the university campus, and he was staying in an apartment.

So then he came, saying that it was a very nice program, lot of people came, they were chanting, and then (they) served nice halva (laughs). He was very enthusiastic, saying it was a nice program. Then he said that I should go. I should accompany him the following day, after work, in the evening, say at about 5 o’clock, and drive and go to the temple. So he started going every day, every evening, after the work. He was working nearby, at the Cancer Institute and I was in the university, and so every day he would say I should come  with him, and everyday I told him that I am not ready and I don’t have the time, and so I can’t go this time. So everytime  I could not accept his proposals. So, like that about four- five days passed by.

Then he asked where is Guru Maharaja from the devotees there in Laguna Beach, and he found out from them that their Guru Maharaja, Prabhupada was in LA, Los Angeles, where he was staying at that time. So he got the address for Los Angeles, Watseka and with that he came with the proposal: “Let us go and see Swami Maharaja. Let’s go and see Swamiji. He is in LA.” He was all set and he proposed that I should accompany him. Then I told him that, “I’m very busy, Dr. Rao, and not free. You go first and let us know how Swamiji looks like and what does he do.” Like that. So he kept quiet just like that (laughs). I let him go alone. So he went one day, actually in the evening, and then he came back and told me how he met Prabhupada.

He said when he went to the temple, the devotees didn’t allow him to see Prabhupada because he was a stranger and nobody knew him. So he told me in the beginning he was very upset when the devotees did not allow him to see Prabhupada. So he said he just decided to pray to Krishna that something happens. So was he was parking his car just infront of the temple and he was just sitting in the car, sitting and praying to Krishna  (laughs), so he can see Prabhupada. When he was sitting for a little while, one devotee came and he said “Prabhupada wants to see you” (laughter). So he was very happy and he went upstairs – you know Prabhupada stays in the first floor inside the temple. So Prabhupada told him that “in the past few years, I have always been praying to Krishna to kindly send me one Indian boy who can do the translation in Hindi. So I was praying to Krishna so He can send me some Indian boys because the American devotees did not know Hindi and other things.” Alot of letters came from India in Hindi, and required to be replied in Hindi but Prabhupada did not have the time to do that. “So I have been praying to Krishna to send me some nice Indian boys to help me.” So then Prabhupada told him that “You were just sent by Krishna.” (laughter). So this is how he narrated it to me. He added that Swamiji was wonderful and very nice and compassionate, with all the good qualities.

So he came with this story to me and he said the next day I should accompany him and see Swami Maharaj, Guru Maharaj. So I told him that “I’m not so prepared for these things and I’ve got all these assignments and projects. I’ve got to help the students…and I’ll be very busy, and so I can’t go at this time.” So that also I avoided, so I did not go. But then, he was going everyday for about five- six days, going alone. Everyday he will come back and give me a report, and everyday he will insist that I must come and see Prabhupada. Everyday I rejected saying I’m very busy…and all these things. But one day, one evening, he came with a very strong proposal, saying that the following morning, early morning, I should accompany him. He said we should get up at 3.30 in the morning, and after a shower, we can then go to the service, to see Swami Maharaja. And he said that if I did not agree this time, then he would never see me again in life and he will never come, and our friendship is finished (laughter). He would never see me in my life! (Laughs). He was saying it with seriousness…not joking or anything like that. Then I told him, “Why you make things so serious? What has happened with you?” He didn’t tell me what was going to happen, but he was telling me like that. Then I said  “Well, if you are really that serious, I will accompany you the following morning,”  (laughs). Then he said he’d like to stay in my apartment because we had to get up early in the morning, and he had the car, and he would drive. It was about one-hour-drive from our place to Los Angeles temple on the highway. So we got up early in the morning, took bath, then we were on the road- highway. In the car he told me that he would be initiated that morning from Prabhupada . He was going to take initiation.

Devotee: That morning?

Srila Sripada: Yes but he did not tell me that before (laughs). He was only telling me on the road. He was already prepared, but he did not tell me that. It was only about a week (since he met Prabhupada)..in a week’s time. I said, because I knew alittle bit about the background,  said, “Will you shave your head this morning?” I asked him.  (Because) he was working at this American Research Institute where there were lots of people, and I asked him, “Will you go like that to your office with your shaven head? (laughs)….This is in America.” He said, “Why not? It would be a pleasure, ” (laughs). He was very determined, and I said, “Will you also change your clothes and dress in saffron?”, because, at that time everybody was dressed in saffron.

Devotee: Immediately after initiation?

Srila Sripada: Yes, at the beginning stages. He said, “why not? It should be something that I like to do.” So he was kind of very enthusiastic. And I admired him because he was so enthusiastic, so determined, and he did not care for anything else.

So we reached Los Angeles, and we saw Prabhupada was coming out for the morning walk at 6 o’clock. He walks 6 to 7 in the morning. At the time when I saw, he had a car, a Maverick- a white-bodied Maverick. So we waited, when he comes back in one hour. And at the time of Prabhupada’s returning to the temple in those days, the devotees would line up on both sides and Prabhupada would get down to the roadside and then walk. And then, the exchange of flowers: Prabhupada give one flower, then the devotees would give him one flower, then Prabhupada would give flowers to the devotees. After finishing that, this is before entering the temple, just infront of the temple, everybody rushes into the temple. I was just observing that. I had the camera, taking some pictures. I had a regular [inaudible word].

Then everyone went in the temple and Prabhupada was having darshana of the deities and went to his vyasasana and Prabhupada started singing “Jay Sri Krishna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda..” and I heard for the first time. Prabhupada was singing. I was quite far, near the deities, and Prabhupada was on the opposite side. I felt that Prabhupada was in a devotional mood, and his voice was very sweet and inspiring, and it penetrates to your heart. I was very impressed just by his singing alone, without knowing much. So I felt very happy and comfortable. After that, the ceremony, initiation started.  Dr. Rao, Ravindra Rao, he was given “Ramananda Raya”- his name was given. The initiation was for one or two people only. It was specially done for Dr. Rao. And after that, Prabhupada went to his room…inside there is a small doorway. Then Ramananda said, “Lets go and see Prabhupada upstairs,” (laughs). And I became very enthusiastic (laughter) after this incident. He was very fond of having darsana of Prabhupada.

To be continued in Part 2.

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By

Dvibhuja Das

I wrote This report about four years ago. this is the first report I made of  Sripad Srila Sripada Preaching program. My english is very poor and I feel there are many grammatical mistake in the report. If there some mistake please tell and correct me. The tour begin from Jakarta and end in Surabaya on 13th of july and end on 23th of july 2005.

Jakarta.

Fortunately I joined Srila Sripada tour to some provinces of Java island. Srila Sripada’s journey start from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. Now, we have a new centre in Jakarta, some of Sripad’s disciple, like Sudhir Krishna Prabhu, Sesa Prabhu, Visvaksena Prabhu, some brahmacarinis, etc in charge there (now the composition bit change except Sudhir Krishna Prabhu still exist there-ed). The building locate in the central Jakarta, Sripada Srila Sripada very like the location. The building is ex-school of Gandhi School and now freely lent to the devotee.

In Jakarta we also have devotee like Tattva Darsi Prabhu, Hari Guru Prabhu and his wife, and some bhakta like bhakta Nyoman sastra and friends. The Devotees of Jakarta arranged a seminar for Srila Sripada (in Cooperation with Yayasan Kota Kita) entitle “Science and Spirituality for World Peace’. The title of the seminar taken from Srila Sripada essay in the just Released book of Bhaktivedanta Institute. The Seminar held in Indonesian Library Building on 14^th of july 2005. Actually there will be 4 (four) speaker including Srila Sripada, only 3 (three) speaker could come. All the Speaker has Doktorate degree.

There were some devotees from Bali accompany Srila Sripada tour, they had arrived there a few days before the day of seminar. I myself came there just a few minute before the seminar began, So I can not give report detailly Sripad Srila Sripada program the day before the seminar, but some devotee told me that the day before seminar Srila Sripada also spoke to the Indian Community and some hindus from Bali who work in the departement of finanace of Republic Indonesia.

The day when the seminar was held, was a holyday, so there was no many student campus came, but many elder people come, they came from various spiritual community include muslim community. Of course our Srila Sripada was the star of the seminar. Srila Sripada got many nice questions from the audience. Unfortunately the time was limited so that not all the questions could be answered. I cannot give the detail here. Hari Narayan Prabhu from Bali and Radhakanta Prabhu from France record the seminar,. I hope the video of the seminar can be published soon.

There was one importance and uniqe thing should be noted in this seminar that was before and after the seminar also there bhajan performance by the brahmacary, and interestingly after the seminar finished, Guru Srila Sripada himself led the bhajan by singing The Srita Kamala Song (Song Composed by Jayadeva Goswami). The audience liked very much Srila Sripada song, they listen it carefully while they were eating the vegetarian meal prepared by the devotees.

After the program finish, almost the audience including the muslims and cristians man approached Srila Sripada, saying their happiness and thank to Srila Sripada, they sake Srila Sripada hand and ask some questions. Some of them also said  “Even we are muslims but we are like to read Bhagavad gita.” Some of them asked for Srila Sripada name card. Especially, the moderator, a muslim lady, very happy to meet Srila Sripada, she said that DR. Singh (Sripad Srila Sripada) is very funny and Peacefull person. He not olny talk about peacefullness but he himself live a peacefull daily life.

The participant of the seminar also bought some Krishna concious books like Bhagavad gita, Life come from life. Not only Books in indonesian languange was sold but also Srila Sripada english Publications like Scientific magazine “Savijnanam” was also sold.

Sripad Srila Sripada in Jakarta, also met some importance persons like the headmaster of International Gandhi School. Srila Sripada present some of his Books to him. In Jakarta Srila Sripada also announced that he has just realesed new book about peace entitle “Toward  a culture of Harmony and Peace” the book published by Bhaktivedanta Institute as we now Srila Sripada is the director of The Institute. This book written by some the nobel laurate and also Srila Sripada is one of the writer and the editor. Srila Sripada hope that this book soonly can be translated into indonesian languange. This is a great task for us in order to satisfy sri guru, so we should cooperate each other to execute this service, maybe by forming the translations team(?)!.

After the seminar Srila Sripada back to the hotel nearby the centre. At that evening Srila Sripada back to the centre (Sri Nilachala Ksetra dhama asram) to take prasad, but before Srila Sripada took prasad, Srila Sripada gave darshan to some of us and also we had  a nice discussion with Srila Sripada about how to present Krishna Conciousness Scientificlly, and also we discuss about Spiriton, Moleccule and Cloning (from vedic perspektif).

Srila Sripada has a great optimsm about the future of Jakarta centre, he said there will be no lack of laksmi (money) and there are fast or big field of preahing there. Bhakta Nyoman sastra asked “What will be our most obstacle in Jakarta ?” Srila Sripada answered “Only lack of enthusiasm will be the obstacle otherwise there will no obstacle actually” so Srila Sripada requested all the devotee to keep their enthusiasm by genuinely develop a culture of humility and we also have a culture of introspection. We should ask ourselves, have our heart as pure as our cloth?. So maharj has empazise about introspection.

GO To PUNCAK (West Java)

So the day after seminar we (Srila Sripada and devotees) went to Bandung to visit our new centre there. We go to Bandung by car and bus through puncak. Puncak lay between Jakarta and Bandung. So on the way to Bandung we Visit Radha Govinda Mandir in Puncak. We Arrived in The Radha Govinda Asram around 14.00 pm. We received very well by the devotee there.  Radha Govinda Mandir is a very nice asrham because the weather is very cold and locate on the hills, and the place is a seclude place. Srila Sripada very happy to see the devotee and Deity there. There are some pair of deities like Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Laksmi Nrsimha, and some Salagram Sila. The asrham also has their own cow.

After arrived Srila Sripada soonly began the bhajan. Now Srila Sripada chose the song of Bhaktivinod, entitle “Suddha Bhakata” (Srila Sripada also instruct us to memorize this nice song)  the song that he sang when he arrived at the first day in bali a few days before. And then Srila Sripada explain the meaning of the song gave short speech. And then suddenly Srila Sripada stand up and began a kirtan, the devotee join the kirtan joyfully. The kirtan began with “Radhe Radhe Radhe Govinda Radhe………” with Srila Sripada uniqe and special melody. The kirtan was very very ecstatic, every body jumped highly and dance around Srila Sripada.  Srila Sripada keep led the kirtan, like a lion roaring in the jungle, make the birds of our sins go away. Srila Sripada led the kirtan almost one hour.

After the kirtan we honored the prasadam prepared by the host, Matsya Prabhu. After the meal, Srila Sripada talked with the Matsya prabhu-president temple of Radha Govinda and to other senior devotee. And in the after noon, we took permission to the host to continue our journey to next planet, Bandung.

Sri Sri Radhe Shyam ( Bandung centre)

Bandung is the capital city of West Java (Jawa Barat). Not like Jakarta which the weather is very hot, Bandung is enough cold, Srila Sripada very like it. Because of the traffic jam we arrived rather late in Bandung. We arrived quite evening. Srila Sripada greeted by the devotee of Bandung who mostly are student.

After the welcoming ceremony, Srila Sripada did bhajan. Srila Sripada sing the “Gurudev” with deep mood of devotion. And then Srila Sripada  didn’t give any speech because it was very late in the night. Srila Sripada took rest in one of indian man name Prem Kumar. The day after that the devotee of Bandung also held a seminar entittle “The Principle of Reincarnation.”

Srila Sripada present the idea of reincarnation very scientificly qouting the words of some prominent scientist of the world. The seminar in Bandung including culture and art performance like balinese dance, indian dance, and  bhajan by the brahmacary of bali.The seminar run around four hours with enthusiatic questions and answers. The audience are mostly student of university and some are hindu proffesional who live there and some few are from other religion. We also hope that the devotee soonly realesed the video cd of the program.

The day after the seminar, the devotees of Bandung like amala Krishna prabhu, hadai Pandit prabhu, Arcana dasi, etc., took Srila Sripada to Ciater, a hot spring centre, there we had relaxation for some hours, and then we back to Bandung city.

At that time I and some devotee left early to Yogyakarta before Srila Sripada. Srila Sripada had  a house prgram at the night in one of indian people.

Fly To Yogyakarta (the City Of Education)

Yogyakarta are very famous city in indonesia. The are many big universities there and of course there are many student who are studying there. And also Yogyakarta also famous because of it’s culture, we can still see today some yogyakarta people still apply the hindus ritual in their daily life even they are muslims and we can see from the art and culture which are there that it is a Hindus or vedic heritage.

Nrsimha Caitanya Prabhu has open a new centre in yogyakarta, the centre name Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Ashram. Some of Sripad Srila Sripada diciples aslo in charge there, like Ananta Wijaya pranhu, etc.

I, manisi Prabhu, Panca-tattva Prabhu (our brother from malaysia), Suvikram, etc arrived in Yogyakarta a few minute before Srila Sripada landed there. The devotees of Yogyakarta greeted Srila Sripada in the airport and then took Srila Sripada to the asram. And after the welcoming ceremony, Srila Sripada took prasad and rest for a couple of hours.

Go to Jivan Village

Thet day Guru Srila Sripada landed in Yogyakarta was a ekadasi day. In the evening Srila Sripada Visit a village named Jiwan Village, a Village that inhabited by about three thousands people in which about six hundreds of them following the Hindu tradition.

Nrsimha Chaitanya Prabhu, Ananta Wijaya Prabhu had Preached there and now there are about one hundreds villager has chanted the Hare Krishna Maha mantra. JaY!! Harinam Sankirtan Ki Jaya!

At that time Srila Sripada would meet the people in one of the Hindu temple in the Jivan Viilage.The devotees and the villager greeted Srila Sripada enthusiasticlly in front of the temple, they sang “Jaya Sripad Srila Sripada, Jaya Sripad Srila Sripada”, “Jaya Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami,” and of course they also sang the Hare Krishna Maha mantra as thaught by their mentor.

Jivan mean live, Sripad Srila Sripada said in the lecture. Srila Sripada Speak for some minute to the Villager, he spoke about the History and the glory of harinam sankirtan, the vedic cosmology, the regulative principle, the danger of kali yuga (present age), etc. the villager listened to Srila Sripada very attentively. And also Srila Sripada encourage them to apply Krishna Concoiusness in their daily life.

After the lecture Srila Sripada did bhajan. The bhajan ran very melodiously, and in the middle the bhajan turn to ecstatic kirtan, every body stand up, raise their hand, and of course some times jumping while shouting the holynname led by Srila Sripada.

After the kirtan the jivan villager offerred  an prayer song to the devotees. The song composed in traditional tune of java. After hearing the tune, Srila Sripada told them to make javaness tune of hare krishna like we have balinese tune that has intoduced by world to devotees around the world. At that time Srila Sripada told the balinese brahmacaru to perform bhajan with hare krishna balinese tune. And all again sing ecstaticly. And after that the villager aslo try to apply the javanese tune to the maha mantra, and the result, very sweet, it was very uniqe and sweet tune of Maha-mantra. Srila Sripada simle satisfied.

anted hare Krishna.

And also that time there was questions and answer between Srila Sripada and the villagers. After the program finished, we back to yogyakarta and Srila Sripada invite the villager to come to the Sri sri Radha Giridhari asram for the program there.The day after after we breakfast, we went to the Borobudur. Borobudur is a shirne of Budhism and it is one of the seven greats of the world.

Intersetingly after sightseeing and observe the building, Srila Sripada led a small prayer, he sang the dasa avatar prayer by jaya deva gosswami. And he explained the meaning and told the devotee for beg the blessing of lord Buddha.

In the afternoon we back to asram and At the night Srila Sripada, after the sandhya arati,  met the inter-relligious dialogue component thar come from various back ground like muslim, christian, chatolic. and gave a short specch on the importance of interfaith dialogue to build apeace bridge of peace.

Srila Sripada also showing the newst book Of Bhaktivedanta Institute to the sutdent, and Srila Sripada plan to give them some of the copy. After Srila Sripada gave the short speech, there was Questions and anwsew with the student and then Srila Sripada require them, each religion represent by one student to say some word of prayer there in the asram and at last Srila Sripada represent the hindu to give the prayer. After that we had prasadam.

The day after that Srila Sripada go to Prambanan, one of the hindu heritage. In prambanan there are some Vedic Deities Like Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Siva. Srila Sripada did praikram and and kirtan. Srila Sripada has a great vision about prambanan that we can use that place for annual meeting in indonesia like the kumba mela in india. Srila Sripada suggest his idea to the hindu parisad.

The day after that, Srila Sripada had a importance meeting with proffesor of  University of Gajah Mada. This Profesor is Srila Sripada friend when he was a student in america, and also his friend in the matter of interfaith dialogue. That was a importance meeting to arranged next program of Sripoad Srila Sripada in the one of Most Prestigious University in Indonesia.

Surabaya (Student centre)

Srila Sripada frequently says that he want to make a strong Student Centre in surabaya, because most of the devotee of Surabaya are Student. So Srila Sripada a great hope the can preach and serve nicely the so that we can build a strong centre of Bhagavata culture there.  Srila Sripada also plans more strong scientific preacing in the college or university of surabaya like  Three days seminar, in the future.

This time the devotees of Surabaya arranged a Seminar on Vedanta and Science entitle “Human Life and Evolution Of Concioussnes” for Srila Sripada. It was the first seminar of Srila Sripada in Surabaya (last Visit in Surabaya, Srila Sripada held a interfaith program there). The audience come from indian community and balinese student, and including another people from various religions and backgrounds.

The day after that Srila Sripada Met some Indian people like mister narain and mr. Hari kissin. They are bussiness men. Srila Sripada hope that they can help the devotees in the future especially to make a permanent centre in surabaya. Srila Sripada encourage them to study more about indian literature lika Bhagavad gita.

Night bhajan and speaks

The devotess did the sandhya arati sambil menunggu kedatangan Srila Sripada di cnetere. Then Srila Sripada arrrived around  eight o clock and led nrsimha prayer. After that Srila Sripada led the melodious bhajan glorifying Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and devotees folowing by saying the last word of the song : “Tam pranami ca Sri sacitanayam” in the end o the bhajan Srila Sripada turnd to sing Radhe Radhe Radhe Gopinatha Radhe….. (the name of the centre is Sri Sri Radhe Gopinath) Srila Sripada sang Ecstaticly wioth deep mood, may be mood of seperation with his beloved Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha. Srila Sripada showered full mercy the the assembled devotees by that nice bhajan. In the middle of bhajan, the devotee stood up and jumped in ectasy, they couldn’t stand for the bliss in their heart in the Association of a Pure Devotee like Sripad Srila Sripada.

So the kirtan last about one and a half hour. An after that Srila Sripada gave short speech qoutting one verse from bhagavad gita:

Yad karosi yad asnasi  yaj juhosi dadasi yat

Yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad arpanam

Bhagavad Gita 9.27

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, what ever you over or charity you give and whatever austerity you done—do it as an offering unto Me .”

Srila Sripada told the devotee student to keep enthusiastic in Krishna Conciousness and keep cooperate each others, and gave proper respect to the visitors, and always seek good association and take advice from the senior devotees. Srila Sripada hope that the student to arranged the daily activites as nice as possible by make an agenda how long we should study, how long should we chant, how long should we do service, what service we can do in the asram, etc. And of course finished the study in the university nicely. Behave nicely. And so on. Srila Sripada has a great visison for the centre in Surabaya, he said that Surabaya and East Java is a great field to Preach Krishna conciousness.

The day before the seminar and after the greeting ceremony in the house of Dinanath Prabhu, Srila Sripada Had a short Discussions with a reseacrh scientist whoese wife also had chanted the hare krishna mahamantra. They discuss about Science and religion, the nature of reality, ultimate reality, The scientific Evidence of God, etc. the discussion based on Srila Sripada new issue of Savijnanam magazine.

Go to Sulawesi

Surabaya is the last city visited by Sripada Srila Sripada on this tour. From Surabaya, Srila Sripada flight to Central Sulawesi to meet his loving devotees there. Srila Sripada went to sulawesi just accompanied by few devotee, like Premadhana Prabhu, Sridhara Prabhu, Radhanath Prabhu, Brajamani and Of course Sundaranda Prabhu, Srila Sripada translator.

How the program ran in sulawesi may our Radhanath Prabhu could share here.

Lombok Island Indonesia August 13^th 2005

Your Servant,

Dvibhuja das

Notes: :
1. Srila Sripada has  a plan to take some importance people to bali.

2. there will be great growth on harinam sankirtan in ten years later in bali, Srila Sripada said.

3. Srila Sripada Plan to open Bhaktivedanta Institute in Indonesia and also school for childrens with english languange medium..

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