Sri Sri Guru-Gaurangau Jayatah!

17th World Tour of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

Hawaii Sweet Moments Recaptured by Haryyananda Prabhu

Dispatch from Hawaii, 18 November 2000

One day while Srila Govinda Maharaj was here recently, I informed him of the names of the devotees who have been donating to the cows, and mentioned I had received a hand printed card of the sloka 39 from "Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram" which begins, "prema-gunjanali-punja-puspa...." I asked Srila Gurudev if He would like to speak on that sloka for us. Srila Gurudev jokingly said, "My fee is $100..." I happily agreed, and agreed to give more as it was exactly my cue to offer to his lotus hands the cow-seva collection so far.

His Divine Grace was very happy and proceeded to give us a very sweet talk, and it was just the right thing for that moment. He spoke in a very personal and sweet way about Mahaprabhu's mood while He was in Vrindavan. The following is a transcription of his explanation:

"In Vrindavan Dham there are so many different birds and animals. Everyone, like bumblebees, bees, birds, they are all intoxicated with Krishna-Prema, and they are always singing the glories of Lord Krishna. Taking the nectar from the various nectar-giving flowers, drinking that, they are singing the glories of Lord Krishna with much love and affection. Not only the bird section and the bee family section, there are so many cows and dogs, deer and peacock, and all were full of joy to sing the glories of the Lord. When Mahaprabhu was in Vrindavan He saw that and felt in His heart to live in Vrindavan. "The Lord's associates know, they will feel it: "The life of my life, 'jivaner jivan'," they will feel, to see Mahaprabhu and Krishna. And they're behaving with Him like that."

Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj then asked Srila Gurudev about the time when Krishna was returning from the Vrindavan forest and looking at Srimati Radharani and the Sakhis. Srila Gurudev began to describe how Sri Radha and the Gopis had taken on the brightness and beauty of the flash of lightning and Krishna and Balaram were playing their flutes with other cowherd boys. His Divine Grace added, "Others have flutes also."

I asked, "So Krishna is not alone playing the flute?"

Srila Gurudev answered, "Krishna's flute is Krishna's flute, there is some special charm coming from that flute." He continued, "I like to discuss with you this matter, but when I am thinking how so many sahajiyas are doing that then I am hesitating and avoiding it." Srila Gurudev then went on to tell about His own personal affectionate relationship with plants and animals in general, including dogs, horses and to all of our surprise, tigers! Throughout Srila Gurudev's life He has lived in such conscious harmony with all living creatures, and we all received wonderful blessings simply hearing of that.

-Haryyananda Das Adhikari
Hawaii
18 November 2000
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"Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram" -- Verse 39 prema-gunjanali-punja-puspa-punja-ranjitam gita-nritya-daksa-paksi-vriksa-laksa-vanditam go-vrisadi-nada-dipta-purva-moda-meduram prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram "While strolling through the forest groves of Vrindavan, the Lord was joyfully welcomed by swarms of humming bumblebees busily engaged in discussion about pure love as they hovered over the blooming flowers. Millions of trees lining the forest groves harmoniously offered their respects unto Lord Gaurasundara in unison with a variety of birds that were expertly singing and dancing in sheer delight. The Lord's mind became overflooded by loving feelings due to remembering how the cows, calves, and oxen of the holy abode of Vrindavan would affectionately call for Him in previous Pastimes, thereby elating His emotions in pure love. I fall at the feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Golden Volcano of Divine Love."

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