30 Jan 09: Message from HH Jayapataka Swami. “Lateral vision is not alright yet. My face is still frozen although it is improving gradually. My speech is not good because the mouth becomes dry due to the medicines which I am taking for Blood Pressure. My right hand is still weak although I can raise my hand and make some movements. My right leg is also weak. I can walk few steps during the physiotherapy sessions with the help of the walker. The doctors say that I am on fast track but for me it is so slow. I would like the devotees to pray for my full recovery so I can again render services to Srila Prabhupada which are still pending.”

January, Saturday 31st: Guru Maharaja went to the Hinduja Hospital to do a medical check up. Doctors from Bhaktivedanta Hospital will be sending a medical report.

February Sunday 1st: By Teja Gaurangi Devi Dasi Maharaja was invited to the Chowpatty temple for the Sunday feast. He arrived there around 1 pm. It was the right time for giving the lecture. Devotees of the Chowpatty temple welcomed Guru Maharaja with a very loud, heartfull, sincere chanting of the holy names of the Lord.

The atmosphere was very exciting and it reached its peak when Guru Maharaja entered into the temple room which was packed with devotees. The chanting was intensely going on while Maharaja was taking darshan of the Deities and then Guru Maharaja was brought in the wheel chair next to vyasasan for delivering the lecture.

Srila Radhanatha Swami welcomed Guru Maharaja and gave initial speech introducing Maharaja as the most senior sannyasi in our movement, who survived this severe stroke due to his intimate relationship with Lord Krishna. Yogeshvara Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple from USA was also present. Maharaja was first to give the lecture, since he had to go back to the hospital soon.

Maharaja’s speech was quite clear and understandable. Although Shiromani Mataji was repeating whatever he said, we could understand 95% of it. Guru Maharaja expressed his gratitude to Srila Radhanatha Swami and all the devotees of Radha Gopinatha temple, who dedicated their Vrindavan yatra for his wellbeing. He was glorifying devotees of Chowpatty temple, talking about their dedication to the Deities of Radha Gopinath, whom they serve with an outstanding devotion. Guru Maharaja was commenting on the verse of Srimad Bhagavatam, which was telling that nobody can know what is the plan of the Lord. Guru Maharaja was not expecting this sickness to come upon him and this verse is true for himself. But devotee is accepting whatever Krishna gives to him. He said there is always a purpose behind everything that Krishna makes. Like Krishna allowed Bhismadev to be defeated on the battelfield of Kurukshetra, because He wanted to show that even if you are the best warrior you are going to be defeated if you fight on the wrong side. Then he asked all the devotees if they are on the wrong side or on the Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s side. Of course, devotees very loudly answering that they are on Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s side.

Then Guru Maharaja was enthusing devotees to preach. He said they have a lot of work to do since they live in a city like Mumbai which is more populated than many countries of the world. Srila Prabhupada had said that Mumbai is his office, and office is meant for work. Guru Maharaja expressed his appreciation to the devotees of Pune yatra who have been doing college preaching in Kolkata, and already they have brought 10 new devotees to the temple. Also he expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the devotees and crew of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, who are doing amazing preaching to the patients and make a lot of devotees in that way.

He was talking about Lord Caitanya’s predictions, that His holy names will be chanted in every town and village, and of the Golden age that is about to come in which there will be only one class of man, eka-varna : devotees of Hari. He was enthusing all of us to be part of this great preaching mission. It was so inspiring to see Guru Maharaja in his enthusiastic preaching mood, the same as before his illnes. His alive preaching spirit was radiating from his words and his voice, and we were overwhelmed by the stream of his pure desire to serve the Lord and to inspire us in the service of the Lord. At the end of the lecture devotees reciprocated with a very long and sincere applause, and Guru Maharaja chanted Gauranga as loud as he could, and everybody reciprocated with a really loud GAURANGAAAAA!

The lecture was finished and Maharaja was ready to leave (he said he does not want to make any more disturbance since he is still not fully moveable). Then the brahmacary from Radha Gopinatha temple stood up and announced the Festival of Joy and Inspiration conducted by ISKCON Youth Services on Wednesday, which will be dedicated to Srila Jayapataka Swami. He invited Guru Maharaja to come, if it’s aligned with doctor’s permission. Srila Radhanatha Swami and Srila Devamrita Swami will be also present. The name of this festival is Prerna, and Guru Maharaja had participated the previous one, just before his sickness.

After the lecture Guru Maharaja went to the Vrindavan Garden to take his lunch. This is a wonderful small garden in the courtyard of the temple that looks like an oasis of spiritual world in the middle of an asphalt jungle of Mumbai. Embraced with many green tropical trees and bushes, decorated with small ponds full of lotuses, spiritualy enriched with the different shrines, like the one of the Six Goswamis and the other of Vrinda Devi, the murtis of Kaliya Krishna and gazing cows, filled with the pleasing sound of peacocks, this garden really brings you in the sweet and charming atmosphere of Vrindavan forest.

Guru Maharaja went in there with his servants and 10-15 devotees who were taking opportunity to have his darshan. He was talking to the 3 sisters from Coimbatore, who are doctors and his disciples. They were giving some medical advices and later they were discusing with Syamlal Prabhu, doctor from Bhaktivedanta Hospital, about Guru Maharaja’s medical treatment. Srila Chandramauli Swami was accompanying Guru Maharaja during his lunch. The devotees were sitting around and taking the lunch together with Guru Maharaja. My husband Ivesvara Prabhu, who is one of Guru Maharaja’s cooks, brought his prasadam and fed him. It happened that day was my husband’s birthday, and devotees brought pizza for him from Govindas Restaurant. Guru Maharaja said since they brought pizza for my husband, he should take it immediately and Ekanath Prabhu should continue feeding him. My husband was not happy to leave the service of Guru Maharaja, but since it was his spiritual master’s instruction, whatelse he could do…

Radhanatha Swami came to the garden just after Guru Maharaja finished his lunch and they had a talk together. Radhanatha Swami was expressing his appreciation for Guru Maharaja’s lecture, which according to Maharaja was very inspiring for the devotees and enthusing their preaching spirit. They were discusing about the Prerna festival which was announced after the lecture.

We came back to the Bhaktivedanta Hospital late afternoon. Guru Maharaja took rest and came back to his daily schedule full of different kinds of therapies. It seems that these kind of short preaching experiences and exchange with the devotees give inner strength and enthusiasm to Guru Maharaja.

Your servant,

Teja Gaurangi dd

The mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is unlimited and make almost everything possible, as it has been happening with the recovery of H.H.Jayapataka Swami, my Guru Maharaja. Although if we consider it for the last weeks, it is almost similar but today when I went to the physiotherapy section to see His Holiness, I found that for the first time Maharaja was able to stand alone with the help of some holding bars under the guidance of the physiotherapist.

In fact this gave us a lot of happiness to see his improvement. But my main report this time will concentrate in something amazing that has happened today, as I mentioned, by the unlimited mercy of the Supreme Lord in fulfilling the desires of his pure devotees and representatives of His mission as are the desires of thousands of devotees who gathered in Pune for the Annual Yatra festival.

Pune annual Yatra festival this year brought 5000 devotees disciples of H.H.Radhanatha Swami from all over India and many from abroad who gather annually to have lectures, kirtans, dramas and Krsna katha in association with their Gurumaharaja and very dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada as is H.H.Radhanatha Swami, for this occasion the organizers invites some senior Srila Prabhupada disciples to give them association, but the surprise this year which is the biggest yatra ever in Pune, that this time is organized by Krsna Candra Das Prabhu in his big mansion house. Well the surprise is that the Chief Guest is His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.

You can see the pictures of Maharaja in Pune Yatra here.

Although he is in a very limited physical condition, still, fulfilling the desires of thousands of devotees and after his miracle recovery was able and empowered by Krsna to travel for 5 hours by road to participate in this program that started yesterday 23 and will end on 26th of January 2009. The main desire is to have the association of the devotees. But in fact this is also part of the healing that His Holiness needs as it is his life and soul the preaching of the glories of the Holy Name Hare Krishna.

A part from Jayapataka Maharaja were also present as main guests Their Holinesses, Bhakti Caru Swami, Candramauli Swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami and Radhanatha Swami for sure.

It was not yet confirmed 2 days ago if Jayapataka Maharaja could make it, but suddenly it was told that yes, maybe he can make it, although it is risky for his health, but as I say always, if Krsna did the special miracle for him to survive and be back with us, full conscious, with same intelligence and photographic memory? so why not empower him to go for this journey to be with devotees. It is really a special healing therapy for him and recharges his energy in all means, as it was like this.

We left exactly at 1:27pm from Bhaktivedanta Hospital Mira Road - Mumbai to Pune (considered the Oxford of the east for the high class universities and colleges it has). It was unfortunate that not all devotees could come, I almost didn’t come as place was not there, since Maharaja was taken with his bed by the small ambulance and only one extra car. Also we thought that maybe lodging would be difficult with so many devotees, therefore many were left, but I personally had a desire to be here as i was invited few days before to come, but it was much better if we come with Maharaja, so I prayed to Sri Sri GauraNitai of our Mira Road temple (who are in a preaching bus), that if they so please that I go so begg them to help me with the arrangements, so it was done as I could manage a seat into the car.

The journey was long and it was supper congested at one point so since Maharaja was going in an ambulance in front of us it was possible for the driver to cross to the other side and cover the distances of long que of stuck cars on the original lane we suppose to use, so we followed them. we stopped 2 times on the way as one of them was at the begging of the Mumbai Pune express highway. There Maharaja could take lunch Prasad.

He was traveling in the ambulance with Dr. Acyutananda Prabhu, who has been doing a very important seva for Maharaja, Mahavaraha Prabhu and Ekanath Gaura Prabhu; all three are very expert now in serving Maharaja as they have long time in this extraordinary task. While in the other car we were 5, Dr.Kalindi dd (anesthesiologist), Dr. Siromani who also has long time doing seva appointed by the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mahabaho Govinda Prabhu the face therapist, Devaki dd and myself. A day before HG Dr. Shyamlal Prabhu along with Bhadra Balaram das came to Pune to check all the logistic work needed to bring Maharaja and for his accommodation and for the servants. Also were present, Vasudeva, Madhava kanta and Divya Gopal prabhus. We arrive at 6:50pm, devotees were calling always to see where we are, as they were very much eager and many wouldn’t believe, that are going to see HH JPS, after his health problems. Even HG Acarya Rathna Prabhu the in charge of Calcutta temple preaching program, came with 100 devotees for this program. As he informed us they all bought ticket to Mumbai to go an see Maharaja after the pune yatra, but were impressed in seeing Maharaja coming to Pune, all by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada who is pleasing his disciples, who have taken the tasks of preaching the glories of Lord Caitanya as the main aim of their lives.

There were hundreds of devotees outside waiting, we entered and immediately we saw many more waiting to have darsan of Maharaja, the program is held in a very big mansion white color with big field, where in one side was the pandal program and on the other side the prasada distribution, easily accommodating 5000 devotee.

Jayapataka Maharaja came down from the ambulance assisted by many devotees and was welcomed by Dr.Madhavananda, Dr.Dvarakadisa and Srinathji Prabhu (He is the son of the Member of parliament of India where in march 1971 Srila Prabhupada requested him to help getting the Indian Citizenship to Jayapataka Swami, and as he again mentioned tonight to many devotees, was because as Prabhupada told his father in front of him that Jayapataka is one of the eternal associates of Lord Caitanya who was sent to help me in my preaching mission). While going to the room, Srinatji Prabhu who is one of the main supporters of ISKCON from long time back told me, I am amazed, when we went to see maharaja the day he had the stroke on 23rd of October, he was inside the CTScan room, since we all thought also that he had heart attack, but later found that was a stroke and then was shifted to the ICU. We never thought of seeing him now so soon with us in this much better condition, this is unbelievable. Also were present HG Navina Nirada Prabhu and many others, basically doctors form the hospital and preaching leaders from various parts of India. Maharaja then was taken to the room. Two minutes later HH RNS finished his class and came to the room along with HH Bhakti Caru Swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami and Candramali Swami. I was impressed by the mood of these great vaishnavas god brothers of Jayapataka Maharaja how they offer a lot of love, and respect to our Guru Maharaja which in fact makes Him always feel at home, is helps him now a lot the opportunity he has to be always surrounded by his very dear God brothers.All are amazing and have a very high touch of bliss that filled up the room and the whole house with their simplicity and nice mood.

Madhavanada Prabhu informed Jayapataka Maharaja about the schedule and what he would like to do. Dr.Madhavananda is always requesting him to take rest and not to overload himself, but Jayapataka Maharaja enquired about the program and he said it is ok I would like to be for some time with devotees, then HH RNS told Maharaja we are having a big surprise for you maharaja, we are going to have now a drama on the appearance of Lord Narasimha deva’s Deity in Mayapur. This was very touching for Maharaja, so he decided to get ready soon and go to talk few words on the stage then watch the awaited transcendental drama about the most merciful Lord-protector or the devotees.

After 15 minutes it was announced that HH JPS will come soon and devotees starting shouting haribol, haribol, haribol. Maharaja reached the stage and the mood was all amazing how 5000 devotees were all impressed and super happy as they wont believe it as many of them expressed to me that Maharaja was there on the stage and was able to come from far away by road. Maharaja was welcomed by a speech of HH RNS and then Maharaja spoke about the preaching, about Pune city as it is where iskcon has the main iskcon youth forum programs, about preaching in prison etc. thanked all the devotees for their prayers, thanked them and HH RNS for praying during kartik parikrams this year and thanked the sannyasis devotees present in this program and thanked Srila Prabhupada for all this. He was very much happy and told them now I want to see the drama about Lord Narasimha deva. All laughed.

The drama was great and followed the story as it happened (we may transcribe it by tomorrow).

Maharaja was very happy with the drama s were all the devotees and guests present, since as per the story was nothing easy to have an Ugra Narasimha deity. The drama ended with prayers to lord NarasimhaDeva and arati. After this Jayapataka Maharaja went to his room for prasad as the other sanyasis went to the dinning hall for prasada and many were chatting till late night. In between Bhakti Caru Swami and Candramauli Swami used to come close to us to enquire about the progress in the health of Jayapataka Maharaja, it is also important to mention that yesterday Bhakti Caru Swami along with Brajahari Prabhu went to Bhaktivedanta Hospital to be with Maharaja and chatted for 2 hours.

Srila Prabhupada ki Jay ! Pune Yatra ki Jay !

Your Servant, Jagannatha Das Radha Giridhari Temple, ISKCON Mira Road, Mumbai