Day 5 in Mayapur with pictures

Mayapur ISV Yatra. February 13th. 2015 

The number of visitors added to Mayapur Dham is increasing by the day. The organized crowds and the focus of all involved give an impression of a highly busy humming beehive site, especially during japa... 

Today's Srimad Bhagavatam class was given by his holiness Bhadrinarayana Swami. He defined the theme of the class as: WE HAVE A CHOICE. 

At first he described an incident which happened during a morning walk. Prabhupada was pointing out to specific plants and was asking the devotees if they know what it is. Since Bhadrinarayana was familiar with that subject, he felt confident enough to come forwards with a  reply. About a certain flower he said, it looks nice, but has no smell. SP commented, yes, like a nice looking man with no good qualities. And that plant, Bhadrinarayana said, is useless. 'You are useless' said Prabhuada. The plant is good. It is just that you don't know. Krsna doesn't create anything useless. 

We can choose how we see the world and experience it. We cannot always control the circumstances ultimately, but we have full control on how we react to circumstances. We also have a choice how we live in this world.

We can choose to be neutral, or we can make a difference. There can be a choice seemingly in the mode of goodness which is in ignorance. like the child, who, in the absence of his parents, feeds his beloved sick brother, sweet meats which could kill him. Motive is not enough. One must act in knowledge.  

We expect the world to go our way. I should be enjoying. SP said: you have your plan, I have my plan and Krsna has His plan.

The Srimad Bhagavatam describes this material world as a river of names only. Everything is changing. It is impossible to give it a form. The Bhagavad Gita is giving the peace formula. A man in the process of walking on a hill, may not be aware of what he is doing, but one who is on top of the hill will be fully aware of the man's position and the destination awaiting him.

The point is that Krsna maintains everything perfectly. He takes sinful living entities, puts them in stationary position as trees and plants where they are stopped from performing sinful acts, but at the same time are useful.

We should have the confidence that Krsna takes care. Going around, trying to find confidence is a waste of time. We are dependent at any moment and Krsna provides. People suffer greatly and find hope and a sense of purpose in life after reading Srila Prabhupada's books. 

We are as happy as we choose to. The point is what do we do with our lives. We are not remembered for what we have, but for what we gave. 

Bhaktivinode Thakura said that people are so sinful, but in the core of their hearts are waiting, when will Lord Caitanya come and save me. We are given the choice of useless empty life of darkness and dispair, or giving life of light, happiness and compassion'.

Srila Prabhupada said that his disease is that he can't think small. This ISKCON is not for small things. 

If we take up the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we will change the world. Knowing that Krishna will maintain me, we will live happy life. Choice is ours.

Today we are heading towards a very special temple in Navadwipa. The temple where Danesvara Deity, The beloved Deity of Visnu Priya, resides.

In Dameshvara's temple we were simply chanting and hearing Krsna Katha and meanwhile so many interesting and magical-like experiences were taking place. 

One remarkable thing was to observe the family and the devotees who worship the Deity. They were so eager to share the mercy of This Deity with every comer in a natural quiet and happy way. Some locals were sitting in front of the altar their eyes fully focused on Damesvara and when a new guest entered the area, they eagerly accommodated him or her to join in receiving.

We'd heard how difficult it was for Visnu Priya and Saci mata to accept the fact that Nimai took Sannyasa and will leave Navadwipa. Afterwards with the Lord's kind arrangements they could perceive His presence despite the physical distance and that mitigated their pain to some degree. Visnupriya used to put aside one grain of rice after completing one round. At the end of the day she used to cook this rice, offer it to Damesvara and eat it. That was the way she sustained herself for years.

The evening session was very special. It marked the end of the yatra in Mayapur so it was a mixture of a happy and sad event. We don't feel ready to go yet, but Madhavananda's promises of what is waiting for us in Puri gave a little opening for a compromise. 

Devotees expressesed how they felt grateful and transformed by going through this experience. Guru Maharaja said that the whole yatra is organized by Sraddha Mataji and Mukharavinda Prabhu. He does't do any hard work :)

That is for now. We are about to start the trip for second part of the yatra in Jagannatha Puri. Madhavananda's Prabhu and his good wife are already here to bring us.

We also visited the temple of Jagannatha Das Babaji and had the last evening session in Mayapur Dham. Tomorrow we will be leaving to Jagannatha Puri with a night train.

0 to 120 in 120 are the number of garlands made in 2 hours in Mayapur Dhaam. Also the master gardener is in the pictures below.

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Highlight for the day.

1. Visit to Jagannath Das babaji maharajas bajan kutir and samadhi

2. Visit to Dameshwar temple - Vishnupriya (mahaprabhus wife) worshipped a mahaprabhus deity after mahsprabhu took sanyas.. 

3. Super highlight : touched the... Shoes worn by.....mahaprabhu ! And it was also placed on our heads !!

Pictures from today: