The mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu are unlimited and make almost everything possible, as it has been happening with the recovery of HH Jayapataka Swami 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 GM 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, that this year brought 5000 devotees disciples of HH Radhanath 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 HH 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 HG Krsna Candra das Prabhu in his big mansion house. Well the surprise is that the Chief Guest is His Holiness Jayapataka Swami. 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 23rd 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 Gurumaharaja were also present as main guests Their Holinesses, Bhakti Caru Swami, Candramali Swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami and HH Radhanath Swami for sure.
It was not yet confirmed 2 days ago if Guru Maharaja could make it, but suddenly it was told that yes, he could 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 1:27 pm from Bhaktivedanta Hospital Mira Road – Mumbai to Pune (considered the Oxford of the east for the high class universities and colleges it has). The journey was long and it was supper congested at one point so since GM 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 queue of struck 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 beginning of the Mumbai Pune express highway. There Gm could take lunch Prasad.
He was travelling in the ambulance with Dr. Acyutananda Prabhu, who has been doing a very important seva for GM, Mahavaraha Prabhu and Ekanath Gaura Prabhu; all three are very expert now in serving GM as they have long time in this extraordinary task. While in the other car we were five devotees, 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 GM and for his accommodation and for the servants. Also were present, Vasudeva, Madhava kanta and Divya Gopal prabhus. We arrive at 6:50 pm, devotees were calling always to see where we are, as they were very much eager and many wouldn’t believe that they are going to see Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, 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 Mubai to go and see GM after the Pune yatra, but were impressed in seeing GM 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 immedialty we saw many more waiting to have darsan of GM, 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.
Guru Maharaja came down from the ambulance assisted by many devotees and was welcomed by Dr. Madhavananda, Dr. Dwarkadish and Srinatji 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 Maharaja, 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 CT Scan 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. GM then was taken to the room. Two minutes later HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja finished his class and came to the room along with HH Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaja, HH Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami Maharaja and HH Candramali Swami Maharaja. I was impressed by the mood of these great vaishnavas god brothers of Guru 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.
HG Madhavanada Prabhu informed GM 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 GM enquired about the program and he said it is ok I would like to be for some time with devotees, then Radhanath Swami Maharaja told GM 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 GM, 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 uttered loudly haribol, haribol, haribol. GM reached the stage and the mood was all amazing how 5000 devotees were all impressed and super happy as they won’t believe it as many of them expressed to me that GM was there on the stage and was able to come from far away by road. GM was welcomed by a speech of Radhanatha Swami Maharaja and then GM 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 Radhanatha Swami Maharaja 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. GM was very happy with the drama 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 Narasimha deva and arati. After this Guru Maharaja went to his room for prasad as the other sannyasis went to the dinning hall for prasada and many were chatting till late night. In between Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaja and Candramali Swami Maharaja used to come close to us to enquire about the progress in the health of Guru Maharaja, it is also important to mention that yesterday Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaja along with Brajahari Prabhu went to Bhaktivedanta Hospital to be with Guru Maharaja and chatted for 2 hours. Srila Prabhupada Ki jay, Pune YATRA Ki jay.