Srila Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj Vyasa Puja 2016 - Part 13

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous offering titled "Srila Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj Vyasa Puja 2016", wherein we were hearing some of the glorification of Maharaj, which were shared by the devotees in Sri Sri Radha Neel Madhav Dham, Rajkot on the auspicious occasion of his Vyasa Puja. Now we shall hear further.

HG Vaishnavseva Prabhuji: Maharaj was a very dynamic personality and we were very fortunate to have his association for a long time. Initial days we had so many difficulties in Dwaraka. Not knowing Maharaj's mood, we had been dreaming that we will just go out preach and collect funds from the entire Dwaraka. But Maharaj did not send us out to collect funds. Instead, he made us study Bhagavatam, serve, wash bedsheets for the guests who were visiting the temple. Maharaj had told us that the visitors are like demigods and they should be served very nicely.

Once in Dwaraka, a Hindi poet came to meet Maharaj and he shared a poem which he had composed. Though the poem sounded did not have any touch of spirituality in it, we were amazed by the way Maharaj gave an entire different dimension for that poem and taught us so many practical lessons of Bhagavatam even in that so-called materialistic poem. I had noted the lyrics and the meaning which Maharaj gave, in my diary and would like to share it with all of you now.

safar mein dhoop to hogi  to chal sake to chalo
 sabhi hai bheeḍ mein  tum nikal sake to chalo     

The external meaning for this line is that in the journey - there will be heat, crowd etc. But if you want to go, you can go. But Maharaj gave us a very nice meaning. He said that spiritual journey is not easy. We used to think that this is a comfort zone. But this is not like sweet candy. And when we are with Maharaj, we can very well realize that devotional service means austerity - not a bed of roses. Both material and spiritual life are like that. But when we do austerities in spiritual life, we will get internal satisfaction. So we have to tolerate the sufferings which we face. Maharaj said - 'safar' means 'suffer'. But this spiritual suffering is better than material suffering.

kisi ke vāste rāhen kahān badalti hai?
 tum apne āpko badal sake to chalo

The external meaning for this line is that the paths don't change for anyone. One has to change one's own self and if you can do that, you may choose to do so. Maharaj helped us to realize that we have to change our behavior. We always think that when we do devotional service, we need not change ourselves. But that is not the case. No. Prabhupada gave devotional service to the Western world and made them understand that they have to change themselves. He taught them the four regulative principles, made them wear dhotis.  

Krishna willing, we shall continue to hear further glories of Maharaj in the subsequent offering.

Hare Krishna.
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva,
Sudarshana devi dasi.