Guru Maharaj himself was so very affectionate to me, he did not like me to be away from him for even a few hours. Sometimes when I would go to Calcutta, Guru Maharaj would send a Godbrother by a shortcut on the cycle to the bridge to intercept me and call me back. "Call Govinda Maharaj back, I am not feeling well." This happened many times. Sometimes, even if there was very important work in Calcutta, he would send someone by cycle with the order, "Bring him back immediately." But whenever I had to come here to Hapaniya, Guru Maharaj would always very happily grant me permission. Even if he was not in very good health, his mood would change and he would become very pleased. He always encouraged me to come to Hapaniya. But so many times when I had to go to Calcutta, he would call me back. Therefore, I am very attached to Hapaniya Dham. After the manifestation of the Deity, when I was about to go to Hapaniya, sometimes Guru Maharaj would ask, "Where are you going?" And I would reply, "I am going to my math." Guru Maharaj would enjoy, and laughing he would say, "Oh, Hapaniya is your math? Alright. You may go." Guru Maharaj's mood was very happy if I served the Deity of Radha-Gopinathjiu. This is why I have become more and more enthusiastic to serve the Deity. Also, many of my Godbrothers, especially I can mention that Sripad Yudhamanyu Seva Vikram Prabhu and Sripad Aravinda Lochan Seva Sundar Prabhu, are assisting me very much for the Hapaniya seva. Many other Godbrothers are also helping. Whenever the devotees hear that their contribution is utilised for Hapaniya, their hearts feel peaceful and happy.

One of the cows cared for in the small goshalla behind the temple.

We enjoy here very freely. When I am in Calcutta I have heavy responsibilities, and in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math also I am not worry-free. But in Hapaniya, I feel much peace at heart. I come here weekly or fortnightly. Although I don't stay very long, I appreciate being here.

So now you have come to this very place, Hapaniya, where Guru Maharaj manifested himself to the world, where all the trees, all the animals, all the men and women -- everything is transcendental. Even all the vegetables are transcendental. But it is necessary to eat with a transcendental body. Otherwise, how can we digest? That day we came here with Guru Maharaj, a humble meeting was held here in this very place. As shelter, only a tarpaulin was erected above our heads. We sat on the ground, and Guru Maharaj sat on a chair. He discussed various slokas. At that time it was my greatest fortune to hear a special sloka from my Guru Maharaj for the first time. Guru Maharaj wanted to inject our hearts with the feeling that we had come to the Holy Abode.

yat kincha trnagulma-kikatamukham
gosthe samastam hi tat
sarvvandamaye mukundadayitam
lilanukulam param

Khichuri for thousands.

He told us, "Everything here is transcendental and very auspicious. If you can see in this way, you will be benefitted. You will retrieve your transcendental life, and also, you will attain the service of Srimati Radharani." In this way, Guru Maharaj gave his blessings to us here on that day, and we always remember that. I have tried to speak a little of the glories of Guru Maharaj, for his satisfaction, and I know that if I can see the meaning of his sloka, my prayer must reach its destination very easily.

Now the offering is being made to the Deities. After the bhogarati we shall happily take the Prasadam of Radha-Gopinathjiu, Giridharijiu and our Guru Maharaj. This is my desire and prayer. My obeisances to you all -- the villagers, the sannyasis, brahmacharis, etc.

Jaya Om Visnupada Paramahamsa-parivracaryya-varyya Astottara-sata-sri Srimad Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, ki jaya!
Tadiya Avirbhava-bhumi Sripat Hapaniya, ki jaya!
Jaya Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Radha-Gopinathjiu, ki jaya!
Tadiya Bhogarati, ki jaya!
Jaya Sripad Ananga Mohan Prabhu, ki jaya!
Jaya Gauri Matadevi, ki jaya!
Jaya Sri Upendrachandra Vidyaratna ki jaya!
Jaya samaveta Vaisnava-mandala, ki jaya!
Samaveta Bhaktavrnda, ki jaya! Harinama-sankirttana, ki jaya! Gaura-premanande, Hari bol!