Report from Mauritius

Dandabat pranams to All, from Mauritius!

We are here at the table in the courtyard at 11:30PM!! discussing Srila Govinda Maharaj's tour. Please accept my apologies that I didn't write yesterday. It was a big festival but I had no chance to write. I just got lots of information from Dipta Krishna Prabhu and Amalendu Prabhu and with what I knew already, here goes:

Monday 11 Feb.

For the past two weeks we have seen the new Temple at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math transform before our eyes as dozens of devotees and workers painted, hammered, plastered, wired, sanded, and polished it to its present beauty. Late last night the large wooden simhasana was installed in the Deity house. Then, one hour after Surya darshan this morning, according to Srila Gurudev's instructions, Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Rasabiharijiu were carried and placed there.

Kamal Krishna Prabhu then performed the seva of dressing Their Lordships, decorating Them with jewellery and offering Them flower garlands. After that Kamal Krishna Prabhu, Amalendu Prabhu and Priya Krishna Prabhu offered Their Lordships abhisek by bathing Their mirror Images.

By the order of Srila Gurudev, Tulasi was offered to the lotus feet of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Rasabiharijiu, and to the lotus hand of Srimati Radharani, while saying the name of Srila Gurudev. Finally, the doors opened, and all the joyful assembled devotees bowed and prayed to be in the merciful glance of Their Lordships.

A wonderful fire sacrifice began in the nat-mandir, expertly performed by Amalendu Prabhu and assisted by Dipta Krishna Prabhu, both chosen by Srila Gurudev himself for the service. A lovely kirtan followed, led by Kamal Krishna Prabhu. Srila Gurudev was very pleased with this kirtan, and all the services done so expertly. He expressed happy satisfaction that his job in coming here was accomplished. The festival was concluded with bhog offering to Their Lordships, then a very crowded and enthusiastic noon aratik, and Prasadam distribution.

The pujari for the seva of Their Lordships here is Priya Krishna Prabhu. He and his very devoted wife, Srimati Hari Priya Didi, and dedicated sister, Nava Kishori Didi, have been caring for the small Deities of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari for 25 years! We are all enlivened that this dedicated seva will go on by such servitors. Jaya Gurudev!

Tuesday 12 Feb.

This morning more initiations! In spite of all the exertions of yesterday, Srila Gurudev gave, as always, so much affection and attention to each fortunate recipient of Harinam and Gayatri Mantra.

This afternoon there was a "cultural event" in the nat-mandir, and many local dignitaries were in attendance. Srila Govinda Maharaj mercifully came down and spoke beautifully in Hindi. Srila Gurudev emphasised that in this age of Kali there is no other way, no other way, no other way to make spiritual progress other than to chant the Holy Name of Krishna.

He told about the position of Lord Siva, as given in the Sri Brahma Samhita, as the reflected halo of Mahavisnu, and who acts as progenitor of this mundane world. Then Srila Gurudev said that in his higher form, Lord Siva is the "visa officer" of Goloka. One cannot enter with only a passport, and the visa is given only on approval of Lord Siva. Gurudev then told how Lord Siva was called upon by the demigods and demons when, after churning the Ocean of Milk, poison was produced along with nectar, and all were choking from it. Lord Siva quickly swallowed this poison and saved everyone; such is his divine power.

After this, Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj spoke. He said that all the domestic seva of Krishna is the property of Srimati Radharani, and She is delegating that out to Her faithful servitors. So the seva of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Rasabiharijiu is the property of Srila Gurudev, and he is is delegating it to his servants such as Adhoksaja Prabhu, the president here, and others. We are serving the Vaisnava, and that is not as a means to an end, to get direct service to Krishna; rather one day we will see that the Vaisnava is all in all. Just as glasses are not an impediment to our vision, though they are between our eyes ad the object of our sight; so similarly the Vaisnava enhances our vision of what is far from us. Krishna and the Vaisnava are not separable.

Several guests spoke, offering their respects to Srila Gurudev and the new Temple, and chanting the glories of the Holy Name of Krishna. The programme concluded with kirtan and prasadam distribution.

All glories to our beautiful Divine Master Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. He is so glorious. He is the supreme example of seva, never wanting anything for himself. He is tolerance personified. Sripad Goswami Maharaj also pointed out that Srila Gurudev said that his religion was finding fault with himself and glorifying others.

After the departure of our Divine Masters Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad and Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, where would we be now without Srila Gurudev's loving guidance and mercy? Confused and lost.

In spite of millions of offences, or in in my case, a life which is one big offence, still they are so merciful; they never give up on us or abandon us.

Soon we shall be leaving Mauritius, but we all feel fortunate to have witnessed the miracles of Srila Govinda Maharaj here. Undaunted by all the travelling and events, His Divine Grace is already looking over the horizon to Govardhan and to Vrindavan.... I hope to be blessed to be there and be able to report more from those holy lands.

Jaya Srila Gurudev! Jaya all the devotees!

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip
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