Mayapur-February 22, 2009-Vaisnava Relationships

As philosophical personalists, it important to translate that understanding
into practical action and feelings. That is a challenge for various reasons
as we are accustomed to elevated philosophy (which sometimes results in a
disconnect with the other aspects of our being), rituals, and management
priorities (all of us have management priorities whether we are managing our
lives, our families, the movement, etc,).

In our dealings on the GBC we make decisions that will affect the lives of
individuals, in terms of their service, their ashramas, the facilities we
allot them, the supervision we place them under, etc. It is interesting that
sometimes we reach important decisions without meeting face to face with the
individual. Unfortunately second hand feedback or email exchanges often
suffice.

There is no substitute for face to face meetings as we know most
communication is non-verbal.

We must also be careful of diagnosing someone. We are all complex beings
that can not be adequately described by a label.

Krishna will be most pleased when we relate to each other in deep personal
ways. We should not avoid philosophy though as this will lead to
sentimentalism, but we should strike a balance between the head and the
heart.

Two days ago Jayapataka Maharaj arrived in Mayapur. With great difficulty
(due to his state of health) he made his way to Mayapur from Mumbai (where
he is being treated). He came here to see the devotees who have arrived for
the festival, especially to see his Godbrothers. The austerity that he is
undertaking to come here (considering his state of health) is amazing and he
is doing this just out of love for the devotees. It is overwhelming to think
of this.

We were informed that he would arrive around 5 PM on the 20th of February.
At that time we were engaged in our GBC meetings. When the announcement came
that he would be arriving at the front gate, I jumped up and told the
chairman of the meeting that we must all go down to the front gate to greet
him. The chairman stated that everyone should stay and we as a group would
go to see him later. I objected to this stating that the etiquette stated
that one should greet an honored Vaisnava at the door (gate) when he arrives
particularly when he has gone through what Jayapataka Maharaja had gone
through. The chair finally said to me, ok since you are so excited you can
go.

I ran down to the front gate, pushing my way through the hordes of devotees
and almost getting crushed in the process till I reached the edge of the
crowd on the road. Jayapataka Maharaja had not yet arrived though and was
still at the Jagannatha temple a distance of about 2 km from our temple. I
also saw Radhanatha Maharaja and Kavicandra Maharaja there as well as my
friend Revati Raman the temple president of Tirupati. They were all happy to
see me.

Then interestingly enough, within 5 minutes the rest of the GBC members came
down. It seems that they were affected by my agitation! I embraced the
chairman expressing how happy I was to see him there.

Amongst the devotees waiting in the street there was not only a mood of
anticipation but there was a tangible (so tangible you could almost touch
it) mood of Vaisnava love for each other as well as for Jayapataka Maharaja.
One could experience the spiritual ecstacy.

When Jayapataka Maharaja’s car finally came (slowly as to not jar him in his
sensitive state), I rushed up to the car, he put down the window, and I took
his hands telling him how happy I was so see him. Others quickly did the
same. He was visibly touched and had tears coming from his eyes. The
exchanges were quick as we were surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic
devotees who were pushing and shoving at the same time.

After greeting him, I grabbed Madhusevita Prabhu, another friend of mine and
we ran to the temple to greet him when he arrived to take darshan of Radha
Madhava.

That day of greeting him was one of the highlights of my life and had the
effect of softening my hard heart.

The next day, Jayapataka Maharaja surprised us by coming to the GBC meeting
for ½ hour. Many of the members expressed their affection publically for
Maharaja. I spent some time with him as he was being pushed back (in a wheel
chair) to the elevator. He remarked that my letter to him that he received
sometime ago. One of his servants remarked to me that they were also crying
when they received the letter.
===================================
Here is a copy of that letter:

“My dear Jayapataka Maharaja,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I have been praying intensely to my Deities every day for your health.

It is essential that you get well as quickly as possible. I am saying this
not only out of concern for our movement, but also for my own reasons.

When I came to the hospital and saw you in the intensive care unit, I had a
number of realizations about you and Prabhupada’s great love for you.

Whenever I have been with you I have observed such an outpouring of love
from your heart not only towards myself and other devotees but towards every
other living entity that you come in contact with.

When I remember how you would greet me with such joy and affection, I am
brought to tears. It is too painful for me to contemplate not having those
interactions with you.

The compassion you radiate is evidence of your connection with Lord Caitanya
and Lord Nityananda.

Because Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda’s mercy is shinning through you,
you are able draw others to Their lotus feet like a strong magnet attracting
pieces of iron.

I am begging you to remain with us for many many more years. We need your
association.

Your servant,
Bir Krishna das Goswami
=========================
He even asked me to come by later for a laugh therapy session (which I am
trained in but is really controversial in our movement). I plan on doing
this with him.

Jayapataka Maharaja was in tears seeing the love his Godbrothers had for
him. This will accelerate his cure.

This is Krishna consciousness, and what we should hanker for continually.
Loving exchanges between Vaisnavas, between Vaisnavas and Krishna, and
between Vaisnavas and all living entities is the goal.