========Govardhan Retreat-July 30, 2008==============

I was happy to take a break from my intense preaching schedule. Krishna had
arranged that I was able to get a plane ticket to India without spending
more money than the plane ticket to Europe would cost. In other words by
flying to India with a stopover in Europe (for my Europe tour) I spent the
same amount as I would have for flying just to Europe (this is because
flying to Europe during the summer is expensive, whereas flying to India is
cheaper at that time).

People ask me how I am fly constantly without getting sick, especially since
I only buy economy tickets (I can’t see spending thousands of more dollars
for few hours of comfort). My secret is simple: Just eat fruits and nuts and
take plenty of water, relax, and do some exercises on the plane. Most people
eat like anything on a plane flight.

In addition, one should not be shy about taking extra rest when one reaches
the destination. One should also stick to the same schedule everywhere one
goes, and not change sleeping or eating patterns daily. In other words, no
late night stuff and sleeping late the next morning.

Early in the morning on July 24th I arrived in Delhi from Zurich. Param and
Gaura (who host me when I am in Vrindavan) arranged for a nice devotee to
pick me up at the airport and take me to the Delhi temple. I was pleased by
the level of hospitality exhibited by the devotees there. They even insisted
on cooking for my Govardhan Silas!

After spending July 24th in Delhi, resting and doing some purchases, I
decided to head to Govardhan the next morning (July 25th). Krishna arranged
that a nice student from the Sanskrit school rode with me in the car. We
discussed the school on the way.

I decided to take what I considered to be a short cut to Govardhan rather
than taking the Mathura road. We took the Chatta road. I was surprised to
find that the road had been severely damaged by the rain (the rainy season
started early this year with more rain than ever before-not including when
Indra tried to inundate the residents of Vrindavan).

After bouncing around for about an hour, I saw that the driver had not taken
turn he was supposed to take towards Govardhan and therefore we found
ourselves at Varsana! I took this as Radharani blessing me by giving me
darshan of this most holy place before entering into the Govardhan area.
From Varsana it was about ½ hour more to Govardhan.

Seeing Govardhan was like seeing an old friend. I was overwhelmed with His
beauty. I had never seen Govardhan so green as this. Because of the intense
rains Govardhan was covered with soft grasses which the cows were grazing
on. It was just like when Krishna was present 5,000 years ago.

Arriving in Govardhan, I received a call from the devotee who was supposed
to assist me there. He had just gotten in an accident on his scooter and had
broken a bone so was unable to assist me. He called me as he was on the way
to the hospital. He later came to see me with his family and I offered to
help him.

Now I could see that Krishna wanted me to take care of myself here. I am
accustomed to do this in the west, but to be in India where practically no
one speaks English would be a challenge.

When I got to the house, I experienced some sadness, as Mayapur, Campaka and
Padma were not here. They are in the west right now. I was remembering how
devotional they were during my previous visits. The house seemed really
empty without them.
In order to keep things simple I decided to live in the dining room and not
use any of the bedrooms. I would use the servant’s bathroom for my needs and
also to do my laundry. The kitchen was fully set up for my needs.

I arranged my schedule as follows:
1. Rise between 3:30 and 4:00 AM
2. Bathe
3. Wake up the Silas and change their water
4. Chant some rounds
5. Bathe and decorate the Silas and offer them a light snack
6. Leave on parikrama by 5:30 AM
7. Be back around 9-11 AM
8. Offer breakfast to Radha Giridhari
9. Take breakfast
10. Read and write
11. Cook for Radha Giridhari at 5:30 PM
12. Take prasadam at 6:00 PM
13. Read
14. Put the Deities to rest about 8:30
15. Take rest.

The first day on parikrama I went halfway around Govardhan, chanting and
feeling very very happy. I visited Manasi Ganga, Haridev, Mouth of
Govardhan, Danivartana Kunda, Krishna’s footprints, Aniyor, Sankarsana
Kunda, Govinda Kunda, Balarama Mukut Sila, Doka dauji temple, Nrsimha
temple, Naval Kunda, Apsara Kunda, etc.

Today I finished the circumambulation. I visited Radha Kunda two times. The
first time I spent some time visiting Mahanidhi Swami who resides at Radha
Kunda. He lives very simply absorbed in Radha and Krishna’s pastimes. I was
feeling great happiness in meeting with him.

As far as my studies here are concerned, I spend half my time reading about
Lord Caitanya’s pastimes and half my time reading about Srimati Radharani’s
pastimes. This is completely compatible with the dham of Govardhan since
Mayapura was created by Srimati Radharani. This is explained in the Ananta
Samhita by Lord Siva.

Srimati Radharani was upset that Krishna was enjoying with another gopi
named Viraja. When she went to catch Krishna, Krishna disappeared and Viraja
became a river. She became determined to attract Krishna away from Viraja.

So She gathered her Sakhis and created a beautiful place between the Ganga
and Yamuna rivers. In that place Radha began to play a beautiful melody on a
flute to attract Krishna. Krishna appeared and guaranteed that He would
never leave Her. He called it Nava Vrindavan and also Navadvipa. He stated
that anyone who comes and worships Radha and Krishna there will attain the
mood of the gopis. Anyone who goes there will obtain the results of going to
all the sacred places.

We understand that it is only by Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy we can approach
Govardhan. Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy is given to us by Srila Prabhupada.
Therefore our debt to Srila Prabhupada is unlimited.

So, when I am at Govardhan, my feelings of servitude towards Srila
Prabhupada increase more and more, and I become more and more determined to
dedicate every minute of my life and ounce of my strength to his mission. I
know that I can not stay here for long periods of time because of that
dedication. But, somehow or other I pray to take Govardhan consciousness
with me everywhere.

Today on the way back from Radha Kunda I was able to obtain a Sila for one
of my dear disciples. I went to the area where Govardhan just appears from
the ground and was surprised because of all the thorn bushes that had
recently grown around Him due to the excessive rain. I was looking for some
way to approach Him and finally I understood that I would have to crawl on
Him, not letting my feet touch Him get His mercy. He gave me the most
precious gift-a Sila that is the color of Krishna and Radha combined; in
other words of Krishna or Radha experiencing the separation of the Other.

The association of Vaisnavas is so important. It is the greatest gift. I am
having no trouble meeting my basic necessities, such a cleaning, cooking,
etc, but I really am feeling intense separation from other followers of
Srila Prabhupada, my family. When I was here before I had that constant
association with Mayapur, Campaka, and Padma. Now other than the brief visit
with Mahanidhi Swami, and phone calls, I am bereft of that blessings.

Krishna is really showing me how important it is.