Gauranga. The chandogya upanishad describes a wonderful city called brahmapura in the shape of a 8 petaled lotus . The center of that lotus is Mayapur, the abode of the Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We have been in Mayapur about a month and plan to stay for the summer.
My son is married to a big Bengali family and has a 2 year old son Yajneswara. The entire family are Srila Jayapataka Swami's disciple, like most everyone in Mayapur.
Mi esposa came back to work in Dallas towards our coming here to Mayapur together. While here spends the day bird watching, hanging out with my grandson Yajneswara, and personal arts and crafts.
There is no material influence in Mayapur. Only a film of dull matter that praudha maya has covered the Dhama with to chase away the nondevotees who have no relationship with Krishna Chaitanya. The covering is heavy with sweltering heat, insane crowds (15,000 at mangals), and almost nothing works up to code. Still this place is most enchanting being always served by great devotees, and filled with various flowers, fruits, creepers and trees. Throughout Mayapur, colorful birds enchant the mind with their songs.
I spend my day going to the morning program, taking Krishna prasadam, and most of the day chanting my rounds dies seise.
Because I think too much one round takes about 20 minutes. Though I know it shouldn't, it does. In Texas they say "if should've could've and would've were popcorn and cotton candy, we could have a country Fair.
The last few days I have been fortunate to witness the extraordinary 70th Vyasa Puja ceremony of Srila Jayapataka Swami. He is an eternal associate of Lord Chaitanya and appeared in Kanada to assist Srila Prabhupada in making Mayapur into the spiritual city predicted by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur.
Yesterday some South American devotees put on a show for Jayapataka Swami that included a song "Ganga Ganga " to the tune of "La Bamba". Then was a skit of the Jaghai Madhai pastime and another of Srila Jayapataka Swami's Ganga safari. At one point a devotee dressed like guru maharaj came pushed in a wheelchair and acted out tapping on devotees heads with his magic wand. This was done so well that there appeared to be two Jayapataka Swamis on the stage. Mui divertita.
The 3 day festival had so many events I can only tell a small sample. Maybe you can see some of it on Mayapur TV.
Hundreds of people bought full sets of Chaitanya Charitamritas and Srimad Bhagavatams. It was Sri Krishna sankirtan super a la mode.
With the influence of Mayapur I feel inspired to dedicate my life to the service of our maestro de spiritual and somehow stay in the association of his International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Your servant Mishra Bhagavan Dasa.
HpS - Jaya. AGTSP. Paoho. Thank you so, so much for the news. How is the Japa, even though it is slow? Can you give up thinking for one round to start with. Time it!? More news. Respects to Mataji and your family!!!!!