Association with H.H.Vedavyasapriya Swami
- 2011.
Disciple of HH Vedavyasapriya Swami, Her Grace Jayashri Devi Dasi (of Papua New Guinea) gives an account of her Dham Yatra and association with devotees.
Hare Krishna dear devotees
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Srila Gurudeva.
I am recently back after a very short visit to Sri Rangam and Sri Vrindavan. I
was able to participate in the Sri Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival in Sri Rangam after
nearly twelve years. The main deity Lord Ranganatha was very opulent, lying in
the bed on Adi Shesha fully dressed in pearl garments and pearl jewellery. The
Utsava Murthi was beautifully adorned with dress encrusted fully with diamonds
and brought to the thousand pillared hall through the Paramapadavasal. The
Paramapadavasal is the gate to Vaikuntha and is opened only once a year.
Thousands of devotees throng to pass through the Paramapadavasal and have a
glimpse of the Lord’s Lotus feet. By Krishna’s causeless mercy I was able to pass
through this gate on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
For the nine days after Vaikuntha Ekadasi The Lord was dressed in various
outfits depicting different pastimes. Lord Ranganatha was glorious and
magnificent. It was great to see the Hare Krishna devotees engage in Harinam
Kirtan in and around the temple.
Soon after this I visited Sri Vrindavan for only four days as it is very hard for me
to bear the cold. I am still highly body conscious. The moment I came to Radhe
Dham and prostrated at the Lotus Feet of Srila Gurudev, I felt very blissful. Soon
after we visited the Ashram. I do not have words to describe the beauty of Sri
Sri Radha Shyamsundar. They were exquisitely dressed and stood shining in
the altar. It is hard to remove one’s eyes off them. Gurudev worked so hard to
get The Ashram functioning for the benefit of all of us. All Glories to You Srila
Gurudev. You are working tirelessly to serve Krishna. Next what can I say of
Lavangalata Mataji under whose care The Divine Couple are showering their
mercy on everyone. I seek your blessings so that one day I can also become a
sincere and pure devotee like you. I can vividly see that Mataji has nothing in her
mind other than Radha and Krishna. They are her only goal, her life and soul. She
is so dear to Guru and Krishna. All Glories to you Lavangalata Mataji.
The Mangala Aarthi first at the temple and then at the Ashram the next morning
was a spiritual transformation, closed door to all material worries and anxieties.
It was wonderful associating with Srila Gurudev. Unfortunately I was not able
to serve Him much. I lacked the fighting spirit to fight the chilly weather. On
the other hand, what rascal I was to accept so much service from Maharaj.
Gurudev made luscious sweets, pizzas and noodles. It was amazing to see
Maharaj working hard to serve his disciples. His phones were constantly ringing.
Devotees from all over were visiting Him one after the other. Maharaj did not
even have a minute’s rest.
We went to the Vrindavan temples with Kavitha Mataji, aspiring God sister
from Melbourne. While at Radha Ramana temple, the curtains were closed.
We had to wait for nearly 30 minutes. As I was waiting, I was meditating on
Lord’s Chaitanya’s visit to the house of Gopala Bhatta Goswami at Srirangam.
Why did the Lord specifically instruct Him to come to Sri Vrindavana? Having
recently visited Srirangam, I thought to myself, “ Although Ranga Kshetra is so
opulent, I could not feel the presence of Srimathi Radharani there. What makes
SriVrindavan unique is the presence of Madana Mohana Mohini, who is the
centre of all activities. She is constantly engaged in serving the Lord. Sri Krishna
is most pleased by Her worship. Sri Krishna never leaves Vrindavana as Srimathi
Radharani is always present in Vrindavana engaging in the Lord’s transcendental
service. In SriRangam, devotees glorify the Lord as beautiful while in Vrindavan
devotees glorify Radharani as beautiful. That is the difference. The Lord is
most pleased when Radharani is glorified. As the devotees of Vrindavana are
constantly engaged in serving Srimathi Radharani, ecstatic bliss is experienced
upon touching the dust of Vrindavana. We were reading Srimad Bhagavatam this morning
discussing the reasons for writing Srimad Bhagavatam. One of the realisations was to establish
the supreme elevated position of Srimathi Radharani. Hence Lord Caitanya
specifically instructed Gopala Bhatta Goswami to come to Vrindavana. I have
previously read all of this. I am now understanding this. I know it is a long way to
realize these Tatvas.
I am able to say all this due to the causeless mercy of Srila Gurudev who revealed
this Dham to me five years ago when he visited Papua New Guinea. He instructed
us to visit The Dham in 2007. At that time little did I realize that I will be visiting
Vrajabhumi every year and that appreciation would increase with every visit.
Maharaj I offer my most bumble obeisances to you again and again and seek your
mercy to follow in your footsteps ad take shelter of Srimathi Radharani’s Lotus
Feet.
Maharaj has been visiting this tiny land of Papua New Guinea for the last
five years. He first came here in 2005 accompanied by His most wonderful
disciple. Today there are four initiated devotes here. Maharaj has been so kind
to also give us brahminical initiation. Honestly I am finding it hard to live up
to Vaishnava principles with very little sadhu sanga here. Maharaj is our only
source of inspiration. The congregation here is too small. There is no temple or
preaching centre here. We only have Maharaj who is able to win everyone’s heart
by his affection, kindness and tolerance. Gurudev’s current instruction is to have
a temple here. We are working our best to make this happen. This is the only way
to please Him. Not even a blade of grass can move without the sanction of the
Lord. What to speak of bringing a temple in Papua New Guinea? We humbly seek the blessings
of all the Vaishnavas in our endeavor. This is only possible by the causeless
mercy of Maharaj and all the Vaishnavas who are like desire trees.
Please pardon for any offenses in writing this.
Your most insignificant servant in the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Jayashri Devi Dasi
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