Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
AT THE VEDA FOUNDATION MEMORIAL FOR MAHARAJA BHAKTI CARU SWAMI
Deland to Ksetra-jnana
Dear Maharaja Hanumat Presaka Swami,
please accept my humble obeisances, All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Responding to the prior Sadhu Sanga queries, yes, we did have a full size Srila Prabhu Murti there, all else was pretty much digital, aside from Tulsi’s and a few Shalagram Shilas.
DRIVING WITH VAISNAVA’S
After our Sadhu-Sanga blast, we went to Deland for Srila Prabhupada and Maharaja Bhakti Caru Swami’s (BCS) Memorial Monument celebration. Seems Srila Prabhupada is also included on any BCS events, such is BCS desire. We were only an hour and a half drive away from Orlando, and were honored to bring Gopinath Acarya Prabhu, his wife, Lethita from Houston. Everyone was glad to come to this event, though I had some hesitancy.
PRE-EMPT
Had a concern about how much seva was to be required and I was not well enough prepared for it. I only had some yogi pants, kurtas and such, no tools what so ever. Turns out I was used for electric fan assemblies, and they were needed, it was hot. The Memorial started at 1 pm, we got in a little early, to assist where we could, though there were mostly local devotees around cooking, arranging patios and getting water out, the small group of enthusiastic locals kept Spirits up.
It was Surprising that there were no disciples at the staging area. Then a couple of Prabhupada’s disciples did show up, Maharaja Jayadvaita Swami (JAS) and Maharaja Candramali appeared.
Regardless, Feelings of disparity were still coming to me, were anymore Vaishnava’s coming?
I knew it was an improv’ Memorial schedule to take advantage of the Sadhu Sanga turnout, but the more distant locale and short notice invites may have been too impromptu.
HpS/ASA - We got an invitation but it was very late. We suggested to join online with our small contribution but the decision was that many people were coming from the Sadhu sanga and it was going to be invivo, live only.
TRICKLE DOWN ETHICS
Walking towards the stage at the enclosed patio over the boathouse, I meet another guest and realize it’s Dr. Graham Schweig, aka: Garuda Prabhu,, the good Doctor had his seat at the front, while I’m comfortably sitting on the last end of the bench seating,.. noting JAS and Garuda were giving each other full eye-contact. This event may have been their first time to get together since their last “book editing” conversations.
As I prepared for the Memorial event to unfold, there seemed to be a few more elderly Vaishnava’s surfacing at the tents entrance to the patio.
Maharaja Sachinandana’s tall smiling figure was there,
and then an old Soul comes to the foray,
Prabhu “Guru Das” Adhikari!
He arrives as the guest speakers start sharing their sweet pastimes on Maharaja Bhakti Caru Swami.
Now Radhanatha Swami comes to the patio center. Maharaja BB Govinda Maharaja is on the opposite side bench seats, Maharaja Bhakti Prabhava Swami, and Maharaja Purushottama are coming in too.
Guru Das was having difficulty getting a seat, so I gestured to him to take mine, he refused, then I took the seat cushion and shook it and wiped down the seat with my handkerchief placed the cool side of the cushion up, and re-offered. It was a deal he couldn’t refuse... we both just smiled.
YE’ OF LITTLE FAITH
During the session, somber and personal tales are shared with each guest speaker, a lot of influences with BCS, he really is a Vaishnava’s Vaishnava.
Then, looking behind me from my new seat, I saw the entrance was getting even more crowded. A majority of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples were locked up in the kitchen cooking the offerings for today’s event.
Everyone was out, and it was getting packed! My shallow expectations were quelled and the restoration of the Vaishnava’s eternal potency revived,
just an amazing get together on this lone abandoned Christian campground, now being revitalized by sincere devotees and disciples of BCS,
even the cows were even mooing.
INSATIABLE CONCLUSION
The tributes flowed for hours, then the Memorial dedication was called for; everyone was heading to the eastern central portion of the Veda Foundations land. A fresh and sturdily built stone and mason tower was erected, and it was time for Agni Yajna. Maharaja Sachinandana was having difficulties getting over to the Memorial, so I offered to escort him over, carefully voicing permission and passing, we managed to blaze a trail in for him. The Yajna began, Salutations and sincere oblations abound, kirtan to accompany, was most ecstatic!
Then the Prasadam Hall was wide open! Superb entrees, Lasagna and sweets galore, Srikand, Rasa Mali’s and ice cream too. A perfect conclusion of a Memorial if I ever saw one, we filled to our delight, then we packed a plate and drove to Daytona Beach for a soak in the ocean... with such an event-filled weekend, we needed a break.
All Glories to the Vaishnava’s ! !
Your servant in training,
ccd
NEXT LETTER; NIRJALA EKADASI.
HpS/ASA - Thank you so, so, much!!! Just like being there.
THANK YOU!
M O R E!
