BV Puri Gosvami Maharaja

theist · 06-11-2003, 03:06 AM

I understand that Srila Prabhupada's godbrother Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Gosvami Maharaja recently toured the West coast of USA. As I am a demon Krsna saw fit that I wasn't informed unti after he had left. I have made a life filled with missed oppurtunities and missteps.

Perhaps some of you more fortunate souls who did get his darshan would share a few words. I am sure this sadhu was treated well if he visited any ISKCON temples. That must go without saying considering he was Srila Prabhupada's godbrother and had come so far to try and enliven us.

Please share.

stonehearted · 06-11-2003, 03:26 AM

I'd be very interested to hear if Puri Maharaj was received well at any ISKCON centers, especially in Southern California. I remember that there was considerable contention between ISKCON and Maharaja following his first trip to Italy in the '90s. If they have put that behind them, it would be a wonderful sign.

06-11-2003, 03:45 AM

Didn't hear about BV Puri Maharaja's visit.

I saw Narayana Maharaja when he recently visited the U.S.

As far as I know, he avoided the ISKCON temples.

Guess Guest

Did you see Narayana Theist?

atma · 06-11-2003, 04:15 AM

reading your post my eyes filled up with tears.Unfortunately here in Los Angeles HDG Puri Maharaja couldn't have darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakadish.
One of Maharaj's servants called the temple in advance informing the authorities that maharaj wanted to take darshan of the deities and Srila Prabhupada's quarters because this was his last visit to the West due to his advanced age.
When Maharaja arrived mid-morning, the locals informed him that he couldn't take darshan because they were working in the temple and the doors were closed. It was true that for a week or so some work was going on but they always opened the doors for aratiks. I don't understand why they couldn't open the doors for Maharaj. He couldn't take darshan of Srila Prabhupada's rooms also, I don't know the reason.
It was very unpleasant and offensive.

On the bright side, the day he was leaving for Mexico I had Maharaja's darshan. It was very sweet and spiritual. We entered a little room and Maharaja was sitting on the bed reading from the scriptures,I don't know in what language. He didn't even noticed us because he is having problems hearing. One of his disciples spoke very loudly on his ear about giving darshan and Maharaja inmediately looked at us and gave us a big smile. His servant introduced us reminding him about me in Vrindavan with my kids and I pushed forward my devotee friend who never met him before and he gave an envelope with a donation and I gave mine too and Maharaja told us to write our names on it. He is building a temple in Jagannath Puri and the laxmi will be utilized for that purpose. Later he called us forward and we kneeled in front of him and he blessed us with his hand on our heads while chanting slokas at the same time. We couldn't stay any longer and Maharaja was leaving for the airport. I really hope in Mexico the reception was better. I know that 2 years ago they treated him very well over there.

Some devotees from here that heard about the offence called India and some of the devotees in Vrindavan, Mayapur and Bombay will apologize to Maharaja when he goes back to India.

If I remember correctly in the Lilamrita is recorded when Srila Prabhupada was touring India with his disciples and they stopped for few days in Visakhapatnan and they stayed in Puri Maharaj's temple.

Madhavananda remembers very well Prabhupada's chastisement because he didn't paid obeisances to Puri Maharaj.

If I'm not mistaken when Prabhupada left family life before taking sannyas one of the ashrams where he took shelter was one of Puri Maharaja's in Bengal and he was there for a while. I can't recall the name of the place at this moment.

I think that was my last darshan with Puri Maharaj. Very sweet, and I'll never forget all the inspiration he gave me in Vrindavan, Mayapur, Visakhapatnam and here. I'm blessed.

I'm remembering all those darshans in Vrindavan and tears are falling because so many Prabhupada's disciples who were completely out came back to devotional service because of Maharaja's inspiration. I had seen Maharaj choking and crying praising Srila Prabhupada's efforts. I'm blessed.

06-11-2003, 04:14 PM

Dandavat Pranams. Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayate!

Greetings to all Vaishnavas,

I am sorry for those who were not properly informed of Srila Puri Maharaj's trip to the United States. I saw to it that the tour schedule would be published both here and on the ..com forum, but apparently there are still some nice Vaishnavas who have missed him. This is my offense for not making Srila Maharaj's tour more publicized.

Right now, we are in Mexico with Srila Maharaj, and everything is quite blissful! At one point, he was giving THREE classes per day, and he travelled to two universities (one of which was a medical school in Mexico City). Many local devotees came, and even the karmi students and professors listened intently with the utmost respect for this most beautiful, magnaminous spiritual son of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.

During one trip to Sripad Paramadvaiti Maharaj's math in Mexico City, hundreds and hundreds of devotees arrived to hear Guru Maharaj speak! SO many, that the large temple room was filled to capacity.

If you have missed Guru Maharaj's trip to United States, take heart, he will be going to Hawaii on June 22 - June 26 on the island of Maui. I believe he will be at the home of Candrika dasi, but I am not sure since I am not the one making arrangements. I hope that Babhru Prabhu can make it!

Also, when I must part ways with the tour, I will be producing some MP3's and text transcripts, if the mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga allows me to do such service. I do not have too many photographs, since my camera broke, but hopefully those in cities like Los Angeles and San Jose can mercifully provide us with some scanned photographs, which I will (hopefullY!) include in some nice article concerning the tour. Right now I do not want to take too much time on this telephone line, so I will go now. Anymore questions, please reply to this thread, and I´ll be back tommorow, the Lord willing.

YS,

Most wretched servant of Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Goswami Maharaj

theist · 06-11-2003, 04:55 PM

>>I am sorry for those who were not properly informed of Srila Puri Maharaj's trip to the United States. I saw to it that the tour schedule would be published both here and on the ..com forum, but apparently there are still some nice Vaishnavas who have missed him. This is my offense for not making Srila Maharaj's tour more publicized.<<

It is not your fault prabhu. It is mine. I think I even saw the announcment here and maybe also on VNN. It is my lack of interest that is the problem. I have a very dull consciousness.

I am happy to hear he was nicely received in Mexico. I have heard it may not have been the same in Berkeley. The vaisnava himself may not even notice but Krsna is keenly aware of how his devotee is treated. There are some very deep lessons in atma's post above.

guess guest, no i didn't go to Narayana Maharaja's program. I did meet one of his young disciples as he canvassed the UC campus here. Abhirama das and I had a very nice chat for about twenty minutes. He exuded that fresh clean enthusiasm that I have long lost touch of. Very nice bhakta.

stonehearted · 06-11-2003, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the tip about Maui, Wretched Servant. (That's not really your name, is it?) I'd love to go. I have the time now, but since interisland travel is pretty expensive these days, I'm not sure I can afford it. I'll work on it, though.

I'm delighted but not surprised that Maharaja was recieved so nicely by Paramadvaiti Maharaja. Was he able to visit the ISKCON center?

stonehearted · 06-11-2003, 05:41 PM

I know Abhirama! He was initiated in Hawaii and lived next door to us (at Jagaddhatri's house) before we bought our house in Puna. He's a very sweet devotee who has immersed himself in Krishna consciousness. He also gave us his guitar when he went to the Mainland, I suppose as a part of his surrender.

theist · 06-11-2003, 05:45 PM

isn't it Babhru? He really encouraged me by his energy that day.

06-12-2003, 12:12 PM

Haribol!

Yesterday, Guru Maharaj took rest in the morning, and in the evening, we went to one program in a town near Piramides (where they have two of the ancient Mayan pyramids of ancient times situated adjacent to the main highway). Srila Puri Maharaj was received well by one Grhasta and his entire family of at least twenty, young and old.

Guru Maharaj was escorted to the temple, a large structure seperated from the home, where he gave a captivating lecture about the Holy Name and the pastimes of Mahaprabhu and His associates. Today's program has not started yet, but it is sure to be even more captivating. I'd write more if I wasn't taking up our gracious host's phone line.

Some devotees were asking about how Srila BV Puri Maharaj was received in the ISKCON temples. It really varies from place to place. Plus, I don't want to get into any sordid details. New York and Los Angeles are shut like a clam when Guru Maharaj arrives. In New York, Guru Maharaj was invited to 26 Second Avenue 2 years ago, but only at a time when no ISKCON members would be present. He was received well in Berkeley, and gave class in ISKCON San Jose. The Storefront temple of San Jose was packed, as people in the parking lot huddled close to the doorway to get a glimpse of Guru Maharaj's most merciful glance and his sweet Hari Katha.

ISKCON Mexico City was a wonderful program. Hundreds of devotees welcomed Guru Maharaj as he gave class. Sripad BA Paramadvaiti Maharaj's matha invited Guru Maharaj to give class as well. Unfortunately he could not make it due to preaching commitments, but his represented treated Maharaj with utmost respect and welcome.

BTW, Babhru prabhu, I understand the material situation. I myself may not make it to Hawaii for the same reason, but I am praying, even for four more days of this sweet sadhu sanga. If you are able to make it, you may make note that Guru Maharaj and his travel group shall arrive in Kahului, Maui at approximately 6:45 pm June 22. Many devotees will be there and will be willing to give rides. If you or other devotees would like to come, Im sure some arrangements could be made between traveling and local devotees to defray any costs of transportation, etc. Every stop that we've been to so far, both local and visiting devotees have been equally gracious [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Gaura Premenande! Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Ashtottara Shatta Sri Srimad Bhaktivaibhav Puri Goswami Maharaj ki jaya!

YS,

Krsnacandra das (for those who like to see actual names [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

stonehearted · 06-12-2003, 12:35 PM

Krishnachandra, you've been so quiet lately that your presence had slipped my mind.

I'm not at all surprised to hear about NY and LA (San Diego would have been the same, no doubt). On the ohter hand, I'm delighted to hear of Maharaja's reception in San Jose, Berkeley, and Mexico City.

Regarding Maui--I'm workin' on it! Perhaps we'll get to meet in person there. BTW, do you have any contacts for Maui?

Babhru

gHari · 06-12-2003, 04:10 PM

Krsnacandra Prabhu,

I was very pleased to hear that my friends in Mexico had the opportunity to meet your master. Thank you for helping this take place. I fear you are indeed in danger of losing your 'most' wretched status.

gHari

06-12-2003, 07:22 PM

i am yasodanandana dasa... disciple of srila bhaktivaibhava puri maharaja from italy

i am very happy and grateful to you because you have spoken in such very sweet way of my wonderful guru maharaja

dear brothers, i am doing dandavat homages to you all

HARE KRISHNA

06-13-2003, 01:24 AM

Greetings again, prabhus,

Today Srila BV Puri Maharaj gave a beautiful class; where he spoke Rama Lila and Krishna Lila in one hour. Sripad Vishnu Maharaj gave a nice follow up about Mahaprabhu Lila and other topics. Guru Maharaj speaks often about the importance of harinama, chanting properly, etc. Sometimes heavy, but his merciful mood of sweetness is always prominent. Today's lecture in particular will probably be one of my favorite recordings. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Babhru prabhu: Thank you for remembering me! As for Maui, I don't have any personal contacts. I did spend some time on Oahu, but never got to know any devotees there. I met Turiya Prabhu one day, and I believe that his ashrama has invited Srila BV Puri Maharaj for at least one class.

To GHari, Yasodanandana prabhus, and everyone else reading, glad you are enjoying this thread. I would love to write with more details, though due to time constraints, I am forced to give only summaries for now. Hope to have more later. Gaura Premanande!

YS,

Kcd

stonehearted · 06-13-2003, 01:36 AM

Krishnachandra, thanks for sharing with us. We'll gratefully accept whatever you can spare.

We'll see about Maui. It sounds as though Turiya can clue me in to what's happening there.

06-13-2003, 11:53 AM

many thank krsnachandra..

if you want.. some pictures of SrilaGuruMaharaja!!

http://groups.msn.com/GovindaJaya/shoebox.msnw?Page=1

06-13-2003, 12:18 PM

.... not only for krsnachandra...!!

hari bolo

ynd.. florence.. italy

06-20-2003, 11:47 AM

Haribol, this is Krsnacandra again, now we are in Guadalajara after going first to Vera Cruz (Xico) and then Monterrey. In Vera Cruz, we met one Prabhupad disciple Chitsukananda prabhu who has one small ashram in the village of Xico. He Hosted Srila BV Puri Maharaj for several days, as we went to various programs, where devotees from all over Mexico, as well as the locals, came to hear Guru Maharaj speak about so many different topics. Afterwards, Sripad Bhakti Vichar Bishnu Maharaj would hold a question and answer session. The Kirtans in Xico were quite lively, and in Monterrey, we were greeted by disciples of Srila Maharaj as well as some ISKCON devotees. Guadalajara is proving to be a great tour location, as devotees from afar, as well as several of the US retirees and Mexican locals, are getting so much mercy from hearing the glories of Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Now I must return to the home, before Maharaj speaks again. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Vaishnavdasanudas

Kcd

yasodanandana · 06-20-2003, 11:56 AM

hearing about their appropriate and saint behaviour , mexican people, included of course IskCon devotees, seem to be having the vaishnava etiquette in their DNA.....

please offer also for me obeisances to my guru maharaja,

and, if you remember, to vishnnu maharaja and brajendra prabhu... they know me,,, the fat yasodanandana dasa from florence,, italy