My India Diary-Part 10

Day 23-24 Mayapur-Calcutta-Puri 12/29-30

We left Mayapur with the fortunate association of HG Ananda Tirtha Prabhu and his wife, HG Radha-Sundari Mataji, joining us for the ride to Calcutta. We all guzzled coconut water, debated what to do when a street dog is dying on the beach next to the Ganges, and celebrated Mauricio's first passing of water in natural, outdoor conditions. Ki Jai!

We had a quick stop-over at the ISKCON Guest House in Calcutta, stuffing ourselves with thalis, and then I watched, utterly fascinated, as some of the local boys played a pick-up game of cricket. On the ride to the train station it was decided that one of my new services at New Vrindaban would be to impersonate Indian cinema legend Amitab Bachchan for guests on the weekend. The checkbooks will open and the donations will roll in like tidal waves.

The train ride was pretty damn hellish. The possibly communist train conductor wouldn't let me one measly extra blanket, deciding I had an advantage over the working class. He also not-so-gently woke me up at 530 am as we arrived in Puri. At this point, I'm pretty damn grumpy and burnt-out with moving like a tourist sardine in a tin-rickshaw. I'd rather be back at New Vrindaban hauling something heavy through the snow and chilling with Ghosh and Soma over lunch prasad. However, there is one cure to this grumpiness, and that is to hit the ocean. Nothing like getting tossed around by 15-foot waves to get humble again.

We take a short tour of beautiful, mystical Puri in the evening, stopping first at Toto Gopinath Temple, meditating heavy on the sankirtan mission of Mahaprabhu and how fortunate we are to be directly following in His footsteps. We then travel to the Bhajan Kutir and birthplace of Srils Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, the home of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, and the Bhajan Kutir of Haridas Thakur, praying deeply for the spiritual strength that is essential for the true preacher of harinama-sankirtana. Each and everyone of us must work internally and externally to be able to give the Holy Name freely and powerfully. As I meditated on the fact that Mahaprabhu was just here, I could sense that what had unfolded already, wand what is to unfold by our own hands and the mercy of the Lord is the only solution for this chaotic, in-need-of-love world. We have chosen the highest profession and we must, indeed we can't go back on that choice.

Day 25 Puri 12/31

Last night was pretty hellish, with swarms of mosquitoes attacking my cactus-hide. I turn on the fan and curl up under a makeshift mosquito net, and then proceed to re-catch the cold I had in Vrndavana. I know, I know....this is rather exciting. Sick and grumpy. Sick and grumpy.

I stumble over to join Mauricio for a few rounds in the Samadhi of Haridas Thakur, meditating on the very beads he chanted on, saturated with pure love of the Holy Name. Pretty far-out. If we even unplug the salt-water from our ears, we can hear his vibrations cooling the fires of lust and passion in our own hearts.

We hit the beach again for a little therapy. Justin and I want to get some tubes to enhacne our wave-riding experience, but no luck, so getting dumped on my head by 15-foot waves doesn't really make me feel better. I try to sleep in the sand and sub, and Justin makes some locals' day by sharing pictures and addresses. He gets thoroughly weirded out by their intense need for friendship with an American person. There is no more peculiar excitement for some Indian people than hanging out with a white man. They must think we are all movie stars.

Up on the roof to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The sun just kinds dissolves into the haze, with no fireworks. Kirtan in the evening in the temple room, inspired by Mauricio's always-grooving dancing, gets me off the bodily platform for at least a moment. Now my only goal is to finish my big 7-Up. For some reason my body has gone completely haywire and the only thing I crave is 7-Up.

Puri is wonderful, so I am praying to return in a mood of service, not so affected by my externals, sometime in the future.

My India Diary-Part 9

Day 21 Mayapur 12/27

Pretty homesick for New Vrindaban today. Not sure exactly why, but I feel a great need for some down-hoe love, some service hauling something heavy in the deep snow, and I miss all the devotees there who are my dear friends. One reason may be is that there are just too many people here for me to focus and go deep. One thing that I'm learning about myself on this trip is that I really don't like big crowds of pushy people.

We took a short trip around Mayapur, going to Yoga Pitha, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, where we performed a rousing kirtan with Caitanya's freshly purchased mrdanga. We also visited Srivas Angan, the ISKCON Jagannath temple, and the Caitanya Math, where a group of devotees were holding a wonderful program at the samadhi of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur for his disappearance day.

Taking Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur's advice to seek the shelter of sadhus when visiting the Dham. we spent a lot of time at the magnificent gurukula built in Bengal-Zen style by HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Maharaja. We were there for his daily Bhagavatam class, and some key splashes of nectar were that we can only experience Krsna fully in the present moment. Not in the past or in the future, in which pur perceptions are governed by time and the modes. For Krsna, there is no time as we know it, and every moment is an ever-fresh experience. If we can immerse ourselves in the experience of the present moment, rather than analyzing it in any certain way, we can begin to realize what going beyond mundane time, and we can understand better the way Krsna is arranging things for us.

Another drop of nectar was that the Holy Name, even by offering it in nama-bhasa, takes away all sins, but that we cannot fully realize the effect until we accept and surrender to His love and plan. Then, we will have full shelter and purity, even as the material nature still acts. We met Maharaja privately later on in the day, speaking some brahmacari katha. Maharaja encouraged a strong program, with the emphasis on making sure strong, proper training is being offered, and care. So that even if a brahmacari wants to get married, because he has been properly trained he will be able to embrace the challenges and difficulties of switching asramas in the proper mood. It's not just a matter of needing a woman, or not needing a woman. Only a properly trained brahmacari can handle caring for a wife and children, helping them back to Godhead.

We were deeply inspired by the internal and external aesthetics of Maharaja's project, and we all deeply pray to take birth again soon so that we may be properly trained up in Navadvip Dham.

Day 22 Mayapura 12/28
Woke up and took a japa stroll to the super-sattvic atmosphere of HH Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami's gurukula, where there I was greeted by HG Ananda Tirtha Prabhu, fellow New Vrindaban Brajbasi, who gave me a guided tour of the facilties, including the wondrous temple room with its collection of various Nrshinga deities and silas. In Maharaja's class he spoke a point that neither Maya herself, nor the material nature, is actually the illusion. It is when we see and acit in such a way that we separate the material nature from its rightful owner, Krsna, that we fall into illusion. When we try to lord it over, falling into the traps and dwelling on the past and future, that we become responsible for creating the illusion.

Justin and I then took advantage of the local barber-shop walla, and we both find ourselves so fresh and so clean hair-wise for the first time in a couple of weeks. A freshly-shaved head actually cuts through my various head-games and firmly reminds me that I should act as a devotee. We followed that with another transcendental dip in the Ganges. Caitanya and Mauricio engaged in some Ganga-clay therapy by smearing a whole bunch over their bodies and letting it dry, turning them into ghostly nag-babas. Justin got to witness a local dog take its last breaths and twitches right next to the Ganga before passing on to something better. He hopes to be as fortunate to die on the banks of the Ganges.

We followed that excitement with a down-home pizza party with Ananda Tirtha and his wife, Radha Sundari, and we then had the association of HG Prahlada Nrshinga Prabhu, a wonderful devotee from Argentina, very warm with no pretensions and some astrological sakti. He regaled us with a few wild stories from his days in Miami and New Vrindaban and gave us all encouragement to continue on the path of bhakti.

In the evening we took a short boat-ride over to Bhaktivinode Thakur's house, stopping to take darshan of the huge banyan tree outside the front gate. Only the California redwoods are as impressive a sight in the tree department. The Thakur's house was filled with realizations, and it was very easy to imagine him rising early in the morning to inspire all future generations of Vaisnavas with his writings and visions. I pray to live long enough to see that "exceedingly beautiful temple" rising along the horizon from the very balcony where the Thakur has his vision. We owe our lives to hi, for he truly paved the way back to Godhead for us.

Tomorrow, off to Puri. Not enough time her, in ISKCON's most realized project. I pray to only to return to offer service to the Vaisnavas here, as they continue to build the spiritual capital of the universe.

My India Diary-Part 8

Day 18-19 Govardhan-Train-Mayapur 12/24-25

Woke up Sinday feeing pretty painful-like to move, my body without proper rest nor warm air or liquids. Mauricio thankfully channeled the smooth healing powers of Reiki, and aftr a few more hours of feeling like an old, old man, my step and outlook on lif e certainly picked up. But then, the real suffering began.

After a 3-hour ride into smelly helly Delhi, we made our train with minutes to spare, only to find ourselves surrounded by horded of babies, who have learned, like a good portion of the native populaion, to communicate only be screaming in Hindi so some such local dialect. We also had to deal with gigling matajis, cold-cheese sandwiches, mand rock-hard samsosas for dinner. Somehow I sleep well, and in desperate need of a shower, survive the 3-hour ride into Mayapur.

On the first full day in Mayapur, the first big impression is the lotus eyes of the Panca-Tattva. How can anyone who understands this philosophy in the least not feel the inclination to give as much of themselves as they can, in return purely for the love emanating from those eyes? Or for the steel-like courage flowing forth like fire from the fangs of Lord Nrsimhadeva? The Mayapur project is so inspiring on a grand scale, the center of the lotus flower of which the mercy of Prabhupada's lotus feet unfolds over the universe. The first impression I had upon entering Bengal is confirmed more and more. This is home. Home for all devotees. Always.

In the afternoon we brave the hordes of guests somehow celebrating Christmas to take bath in the Ganges. We all throw clay on each other and watch our sinful reactions dissolve in the mercy. The lazy, hazy sun hanging, the maha-mantra pulsating, boats of pilgrims sailing on the edge of the horizon. A picture-perfect scene. In the evening, I try to make up for days worth of sub-standard rounds by really bearing down in front of HH Bhakti-Tirtha Swami's samadhi, concentrating on a sense of gratitude to have been invited into this most holiest of Dhams. I am then graced with the presence of HG Atreya Rishi Prabhu, a disciple of BT Swami who is taking care of his Guru Maharaja's samadhi. He gives me the garland from the samadhi, and we share an enlivening conversation about preaching, growing in Krsna Cons., life in New Vrindaban, and appreciating the Dham. I am always greedily seeking somehow the association of anyone who has been close to BT Swami, so that I may be close to him, so tonight's exchange with Atreya Rishi Prabhu was very special, and I pray to have his association again and again.

Day 20 Mayapur 12/26
Finally re-embraced my long-lost friend early this morning-sadhana! Got up at 5 am, braved the mild air, paid obesiances at the samadhis, gazed into Gauranga's face, and even danced a little in Guru-Puja. Feels good to be alive again in Mayapur.

We took a short but ardous jaunt through Navadvip. I was expecting a pleasant rural journey, but instead we found ourselves in rickshaw-loka. The Yogamaya Temple unbelivable exquisite in its embrace by a huge banyan tree,was underneath too hectic. I couldn't even personally see the Deity, but I prayed as hard as I could to see beyond any externals. We wandered and got lost but finally made it to the temple of the Mahaprabhu Deity belonging to His wife Vishnupriya, wonderful in its form of offering and embrace. Somehow I managed to wiggle a little extra mercy by getting Mahaprabhu's shoes placed on the top of my head by the local pandit.

We had a nice experience at the samadhi/bhajan kutir of HH Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaja. We offered to perform kirtan, and the local care-takers were kind enough to give a darshan of Maharaja's Deities, a full two hours after noon closing. They then pulled out a heaping plate of maha-prasad, which I personally got to mix together for everyone's pleasure.

Other than that, I was pretty moded out. My feet remain in a very confused state, and it gets very tough to get into an internal consciousness of deeper appreciation beyond the heaps of externals. The Mayapur project is so nice in and of itself, so we'll hopefully get a chance to slow-down and get more absorbed here.

My India Diary-Part 7

Day 15-16 Vrndavana 12/20-21

We hit the Parikrama trail in Vrndavana bright and early. Myself, Mauricio, Caitanya, and Sachin. We shared the sweet excitement of Krsna dancing like never before on Kaliya's heads at Kaliya Ghat. This was followed by our deepest dandavats of Sri-Sri Radha-Madha Mohan Mandir and the Samadhi of Sanatana Goswami. One realization that I had was that the Goswamis are not some ancient historical figures in our tradition. Because they were entrusted with the systematic assembling of the deep imports and purports of Krsna Consciousness and also because 500 years on a historical scale is but a blip, then they truly are our contemporaries, our senior authorities, and we can feel their presence by sincerely following their example, as much as we can feel Prabhupada's presence.



We then visited Imlitala, the wonderful resting and chanting place of Lord Caitanya, and also the spot where Krsna chanting for the missing presence of Radhe after She dissapeared during the rasa-lila. There was a beatiful temple of Radha-Gopinath and Gaur-Nitai, where they were wearing mittens to protect their hands from the winter chill. There were also some enchanting and very life-like 3-D paintings of Lord Caitanya's pastimes. Sachin has now decided this is his new favorite place in Vrndavana.



Turning the corner to go into Radha-Damodar Mandir, I felt a sharp grabbing motion around my face, as a local monkey took my specs and ran off. As it always happens, a young Brajbasi somehow immediately retrieved them (with no major damage), and after a little polite haggling, we paid him 50 rupees and went on our way. A terrifying experience. Justin thinks it's some kind of Braj business, in which the kids are in cahoots with the monkeys, but I'm happy my glasses didn't succumb to a second animal-related mishap in less than six months.



In Radha-Damodar Mandir, we took darshan of the sparkling and smiling Deities and then headed into Prabhupada's rooms. Here I realized, taht for us young devotees, it is our responibility to carry on this mission of Prabhupada's, and this is a very heavy load. Who are we to be the bearers of this universal task? What does our future hold? How can we learn to become resplendent in Krsna's mercy? My deep prayer to Prabhupada, and also outside of Rupa Goswami's samadhi, is to pick us up and make us worthy and capable of pleasing Prabhupada in this lifetime and eternally. The causeless mercy of his lotus feet is the path back to Godhead and our only hope, despite all our kicking and screaming.



After getting lost for acouple of miles, we took darshan of the mystical, all-merciful Sri-Sri Radha-Raman. We then picked up the pace for the rest of the Parikrama, stopping ony for sugarcane juice, as we reached the Krsna-Balarama Mandir around 3pm, seven hours after we began. Another purifying journey.....



...for me that purification has turned into a serious case of body aches and a head-cold. We are now currently at the Govardhan Asrama, hosted by the magnanimous Gauranga Kishore PRabhu, so I am hoping I am not too wiped out for tomorrow's festivities, including katha with HH Kesava Bharata Maharaja. May Giriraja's presence give me strength.



Day 17 Govardhan 12/22

Woke up still feeling beat-up, but better. Such strange dreams. I was doing some kind of parikrama in my sleep and at certain temples, like a Jagnnath temple, I was able to get out of the dream-state and get some good rest. The mystery of the purificiation of the Dham knows no bounds.



I was up for Bhagvatam class given by HG Gauranga Kishore Prabhu, who spoke that pride, envy, and all other elfish nastiness comes strictly from being on the bodily platform. One of the essential purports of "trnad api sunicena" is that humility only arises when we are acting on the level of the soul. We must perform austerities and penances, and as HH Kesava Bharata Maharaja was speaking today in his gracious katha to us that one of those austerities is satisfaction of the mind. The nature of our mind is to constantly go hither-thither, always searching for some fresh combination of matter to enjoy. To be still and satisfied in our min in any situation, no matter how difficult, is a challenging austerity we must master. I asked Maharaja a question about having doubt and cynicism with the dealings of devotees and the history of ISKCON, and he replied that we must first follow Lord Caitanya's order of becoming guru, of developing all transcendental qualities, before we can see through all disturbances and difficulties with the proper eyes. Conflict never dissapears. It even exists in the spiritual world amongst the gopis and cowherd boys, so we must learn to becomeequipoised in its presence, educated and learned in sastra by always going deeper into Prabhupada's books, in order to rise above all skepticism.



To be in Giriraja's presence is sweet, and I have been tryin to meditate on this good fortune through my bodily pains. May we be allowed to take a piece of Giriraja with us in our hearts to always have and hold in loving devotion.

My India Diary-Part 6

Day 13 Vrndavana 12/18

We made a quick jaunt through Barsana, taking the dust of Unchagaon (Lalita Sakhi's village), Maan Mandir, Mayur Kutir, Dhan Ghat and the Jaipur Temple. By now, everyone, including our fearless leader Devananda Pandit Prabhu, is pretty much wiped out and tomorrow we will become "take it easy guys" and chill at the temple.

On the bus ride back we has some nice katha with our fellow British chaps from the Bhaktivedanta Manor, as well as the freshly arrived Jagannath Kirtan Prabhu and Bhakta Jude from Florida. We discussed that to ignore the mercy of Krsna, or to dwell too much upon our own hang-ups, is like being stuck in a well, and when someone then throws you a rope to rescue you, you instead demand to first know who put you down in the well in the first place. Just grab the rope and climb! We also glorified Drutakarma Prabhu (Micheal Cremo) and his work to expose the fraud of the attachment to the Darwinian paradigm and to reveal the real, ancient history of human life in this world. Jagannath Kirtan said that most modern archeologists are terrified to dig in India for fear that they may discover a past that will make them useless.

The cake was taken after another reality-altering kirtan led by HG Aindra Prabhu, when myself, Jagannath Kirtan, Jude, and Anil from the Manor were graced with the opportunity to join Aindra on a trip to the Katyayani Temple for arati and offerings. First, we entered Aindra's room and viewed his altar, with over 1200 salagram silas gracefully placed. The perfection of vision for our eyes! At the Katyayani Temple, Aindra shared some pastimes of Katyayani as Yogamaya, and of the gopis worshiping her to gain Krsna as their husband. So many impressions...the unique cacophony of the arati for the diety of Durga, Aindra explaining the feminine material energy and our own nature to b enjoyed by Krsna, and his own aspirations in that regard. It was so nice to share in this mystical experience, for Aindra became more than his kirtan legend. He was our gracious guide, fellow devotee, and very sweet friend. He is a perfect example of a Vaisnava who can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like a desire tree.

Day 14 Vrndavana 12/19

We can't hear enough that unless and until we become absorbed in chanting and hearing, we cannot properly perform any other mode of devotional service. The Holy Names should live foremost on the lips, and in the minds and hearts, of all sincere devotees. This is the simple path of success we often gloss over in the urge to complicate.

Had a chance to sing for Prabhupada in his samadhi during the morning arati at 7am. I hope I pleased him and all the assembled Vaisnavas. I can do so much more for Prabhupada, if I just let myself...May the intimacy of his presence grow and grow within me.

Mauricio and I went to the goshalla in the afternoon. My hard heart cracked and flowed in the calves' pen. A cow who is protected is the most wonderful livng entity in the world, the source of all love and learning. Mauricio initiated his cowherd pastimes by giving the assembled bovine Vaisnavas a sincere and through brushing. Good times for all.

Had another darshan of Aindra PRabhu's collection of 1200 salagram silas in the evening, as we all relished the story of how Tulasi Devi cursed Krsna to appear as a stone, told in deep loving detail by Aindra. Aindra also told us of hs plans to bring harinama-sankirtana back to the forefront of the devotees' lives, via the Yuga-Dharma HariNama Sankirtana Resurgance Coalition. A true revolution, where one will shake his behind and his body, mind, and soul will follow. May we get swept up further in the waves of the bhakti devotees like Aindra emanate in all mercy for us much lesser souls.