Lava-Mātra: A Moment with Jayapatākā Swami: HG Prema Bhaktilatā and Padmāvatī Karuṇā Devī dāsīs

Hare Krishna. My name is Prema Bhakti Lata Devidasi. I am a disciple of his oldness Jaypataka Swami Maharaj and I got introduced to Krishna consciousness in a very young age. It was 1988 when I came across Iskcon in Barkit Road in Tanagarh, Chennai. This temple was on the way to my school. So accidentally by chance we started coming to the temple myself and my brother. Then slowly we got attracted to the especially the clean temple and then the different types of worship here. Because we have never come across this type of worship in any other temples in Tamil Nadu. So it was very nice. It was a very. The first Hare Krishna Mah Mantra display was there in the temple. That was my first attraction. Then slowly we started interacting with devotees. So then we were very. We didn't have any other engagements apart from school. So it was during the annual exam, after the exam, the entire two months vacation time. So almost every day we spend. The whole day we spend in the temple only we really enjoyed. So that is how we came. And then in the early 90s I was told that. We were told that Gur Maharaj will be visiting for Rathayatra. So that was the first time we came across Sanyasi. Then for me it was in one sense it was a very shock and surprise to see Sanyas in the foreign body we have never seen. And he was very huge and hefty and always having a very smiling face. Very, very, very attractive. And main thing what attracted is he. He'll be sitting in the rath and throwing the distributing the prasadam. And we were very small so we were very fond of catching the sweet prasadam. So that is how we came to know. And Gurmaraj is very particular whenever we come across like when he goes to the raat or come back from the rat or go to the mandapam and all on the way we'll try to get his blessings. We'll rush and most of the time he'll wait and he'll ask how are you? So that was very, very touching. Most of the time we'll get that association with Guru Maharaj. So slowly, not very serious. I was not chanting regularly and all. And slowly. After some time in the year 1998, April 8th in Mayapur that was the second time I visited to Mayapur. So. So I wanted to take initiation from Guru Maharaj. So then I met him. So he looked at me those days it was a very personal interview. We can go and talk to him. He will do the interview personally. So that time he said, you are here for more than 10 years in the moment. But you have read Bhagavad Gita only once. And his expression was. I couldn't forget that. Yes. So then I said, okay, Guru Maharaj, I will read. That's how I didn't have any qualification even at that time. I didn't even complete reading all the other books also. But still he was so merciful. And then he gave me the name Prema Bhakti Lata Devidasi on the next day of his Vyas Puja. So that's it. Hare Krishna.

Now you can tell your name how you joined Krishna consciousness.

My name is Patmavati Karnadi Idasi. I'm working in IIT My colleague Devaki Sundari Devidasi. She's a disciple of Varguru Maharaj. She was in this moment she took me to Radhayatra and she has taken me and IIT Bhakti Vriksha is there. I used to go every week to that Bhakti Vriksha. And I was serious only for the past six or seven years. Last year I got initiated by our Gud Makarans Earlier I have in Kuchalamal Kalyanamandapam Gurmadayatra time Guru Maharaj was giving lecture. That time I have seen Guru Maharaj. But after joining this Bhakti Vriksha only very serious. And what the initiation?

Yeah.

Did you have the opportunity to go to Mayapo sometime?

Yeah, two times I have gone to.

Any memories from Guru Maharaj. You can tell us how you see Guru Maharaj when he coming here? Relating with Banu Maharaj his God brother. How is the relationship?

I learn her dust.

Can you say so any dream with Guru Maharaj or another. Any distraction, any memory within to something else. You want to tell about Guru Maharaj.

In 19 2008. 2008 God restore my friend Devaki Mataji. She came and told my Guru Maharaj got like this immediately he saw the net. So I was very. I was feeling sad. She has told about the Guru Maharaj. So this happened like this too like that I was feeling temple used to go Faradayatra that time I have seen Guru Maharaj. He was in the ambulance. Krishna. So this happened like. But before he got the stroke. I have not seen Guru Maharaj so I feel so. I'm so unfortunate that I was not able to see. I'm this much old but still I cannot be. I was not able to see him when he was. But now I'm hearing his lectures in the net word lectures and all that.

So.

So much mercy he has for all the devotees. He has taken the sins of all the devotees.

Can you tell how you see Guru Maharaj following Prabhupada instructions? How Guru Maharaj is doing what Prabhupada told him?

My Gurudev has told like this. That is why I'm doing like that in lectures and all his journey.

Anything you want to tell Guru Maharaj?

I mean I will follow sincerely Guru Maharaj the vows. I mean whatever we have given to.

You and to.

So you can tell if you saw some interactions and some of his step brothers. How is it his relationship with his God brothers or sisters?

I have heard some pastimes. Guru Maharaj is very particular that all his godbrothers should be respected well and they should be treated well. So once Mahavaraga Prabhu told that I think it was in somewhere in Europe, many maharajas were sitting and there were different asans for everyone. And Guru Maharaj noticed that one Maharaj, he didn't have the garland. So he called Mahavaraghu. Why that Maharaj didn't have a garland? You please put garland. So he is very particular in respecting his godbrothers. And in fact I heard one more pastime from Sri Radhika Mataji that once Rajeshwar God Prabhu, he was serving his holiness Bhakti Vajay Nandamaraj who is from Malaysia. So that time Guru Maharaj and Bhakti Vajandra Maharaj were sitting and Rajeshwar Prabhu was personally serving Bhakti Vaj and Nandamaraj. So seeing that Guru Maharaj was very, very happy. So he is very. He'll treat all his God brothers very, very. He's having a very good hand, healthy, very healthy relationship with all the God brothers. And they also liked him very much. And he expects that all his disciples also should respect all of his godbrothers. And especially he is having a very special relationship with Bhanu Maharaj. So when you see Bhanu Maharaj and Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj will give entire time to his disciples. But Bhanu Maharaj is very punctual and particular. It's a time for time to sleep. He'll close and go and Bhagavatam class and all, he'll be like to the point, point and he will finish it on time. But when Guru Maharaj speaks, he will be keep on speaking. And whenever anybody is asking, he'll be keep on giving classes. So for us we have both Vanu Maharaj and Guru Maharaj like sun and moon. So we never differentiate. Whatever Banu Maharaj says, we considered it as Gurmara's Guru Vani. So that's how we take so very fortunate. Any dream or dream. I have so many. But actually I don't remember any of that. But once he visited home, but I didn't even receive him. I was so surprised. Guru Maharaj has visited home. I didn't even offer him any garland. And suddenly I woke up. Then I remember what is this? Guru Maharaj himself came home. But I didn't receive him properly. I felt very bad. That was one. And then especially when I sleep during the Brahma Muta time, that time I will get Guru Maharaj. So many times he has come in the dream. But I exactly don't remember much. Especially whenever I feel depressed and all, he'll come. And when Guru Maharaj come in our dream, I heard from senior devotees that it is very auspicious and his direct blessing. So recently he. Two weeks back I had a dream. The same Brahma Mukurta time. I was sleeping. So he had a dream and I had a dream. And Guru Maharaj came. And my daughter, who is now completed her 12th, she came and she was just wearing a frock. And she was like a small girl. And Gurmaraj particularly called that Shreya, come here, I'll give you initiation. You take. So she was having one counter. So Guru Maharaj took that counter and he said, you name will be Shaya Bharati Devi Dasi. Like that he said. And then he gave that counter to his servant. So I was standing behind. I didn't go in front of Guru Maharaj. I felt little shy. So I asked the secretary that Guru Maharaj gave that counter to you. Then he looked that counter that that is quite big. The display itself was very big. Then he told me that Mataji, this is Gurmaraj's counter. He said like that. Then after that Guru Maharaj gave one brass lamp. He called everyone and he said, you take this lamp and go and offer to Prabhupada. Prabhupada Murthy was there near to that. So we all offered lamp to Sheila Prabhupada. This is the recent one. So I remember like that so many times I had Mataji, he is very merciful, but I am not worth. And in fact the unforgettable thing is during the Panchadatva casting that has happened in 2003 in the place called Swamimallai which is near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. There I got the opportunity to visit for Chaitan Mahaprabhu's casting as well as for Nithyananda Prabhu's casting. Actually Guru Maharaj came only for Nithyananda Prabhu's casting. So after that when I met him in the temple with my brother, so he was asking, so how is life? How are you like that? Very general. Like fatherly affection. So then last time where we met like that? Yes. Then I said it was Nithyanandrapur whose casting. Oh, I see. That's why it is very special because of your presence. It was very special, Guru Maharaj. It was because of your presence that casting was very special. So. And then especially with regard to my marriage, we had most of the time there will be some discussion. So I was very fanatic. So I was telling Gurmaraj that I want only a devotee. Then he looked at me. He was looking at me. And then he said, you don't want an understanding and caring person. He said like that. Then I was. I didn't know what to answer. Then I said, if he is a devotee, that is fine, Guru Maharaj. Then he laughed. And after that somehow through some devotees association we got the alliance. And my Prabhu is from Brahmini called Smarta family. He is very, very favourable. So before the marriage I asked him to come for Rathayatra Chennai Rathyatra. That time we went and took Gur Maharaj's personal darshan. So that time they introduced to my Prabhu. Then Guru Maharaj kept his lotus hand on my Prabhu's head and he gave a garland. So he blessed him. And after that I delivered twin kids. A boy and a girl. So then they born in November and again January, every January we'll have Rathayatra. So I took them there and he looked at them and he blessed them. And then after some time for doing Annaprashna, we approached Anu Maharaj and he did the Annaprashna for the kids. And then when they were hardly two and a half, three years old, we wanted to do that Akshara Vyasam. So that again happened on Dhrathayatra. It was 2008 Rathayatra I believe. So that time we took the kids. My son was crying. I didn't even go. But my daughter was very bold. And he caught hold of my daughter's hand and he rode in the rice. So like that. Mercy. There is no shortage of mercy in my life. Mataji But I never utilized it properly. So there is no much growth in my spiritual life. I am like that, that's all. Gurmara is like rain. Always he gives mercy more than what we deserve. That's what I can say I generally don't deserve. But still it's all Guru Maharaj's causeless compassion. I would say causeless compassion and causeless mercy that he is pouring. And recently in the year 2020, it was a Covid time. So October 6th night, I was thinking that I am there for so many years, but I am not doing anything for the movement or anything for Prabhupada or anything for Gur Maharaj. So what is the point? So I was just thinking I want to do something. Then I thought okay, let me try whether I can do some translation service or something like that. I want to engage. I was just keep on contemplating on that. So the next day Rangaka Shrabhu called. I said, there is a service, translation service. So whether you will be able to handle. So I didn't have any idea about it. Then he connected me to Vajeshwar Prabhu. Then he said, there is an app, JPS app. And for Tamil translation we need some devotees. Then from that day it started and by Guru Maharaj Mahasi he sent so many sincere souls. And initially we were hardly 4, 5. We struggled a lot to do the translation because that time it was. He was doing lots of zoom visits. So nearly 70 to 80 messages in one day. So the best part is that you just need a mobile to do it. I don't have to depend on laptop or anything. So I was keep on as much as I could. I tried. But then slowly I thought better we can involve so many souls so that we can distribute the service. Then by Guru Maharaji he sends so many sincere souls. And now literally I'm not doing anything. Even this Mataji is a part of the translation group. Literally I'm not doing anything. There are people who, who take the posting and who take the English messages and post it in the group. And there are devotees who immediately translate. And there are devotees who are checking it, proofreading it and finalizing. And there is. There are devotees who, who is again posting it in the hub. So everything they have been taken care. There are nearly 20 devotees in that group. I am literally not doing anything. Initially I struggled with the whole cycle. And slowly, by Guru Mah's mercy, it's happening. So whenever I especially the I want to share one more thing. So whenever I do the Translation nowadays it is very easy. It was not like those days. We can just put it in the Google and take it. But still that that will give only 70 to 80 percentage correct translation. And moreover our messages are totally spiritual. So obviously Google is not spiritual body. So we have to do the correction. So sometimes some word will be very critical. I will be wondering then I will pray to Guru Maharaj immediately. He will give me the exact word. Then I realized actually I am not doing anything. Guru Maharaj is sitting there and he is doing all the service and he is just giving all the name to us. That is what is my realization. And I really release this service. I really enjoy this service. So this is the latest one. Before that, not much.

Can you tell us how you see Guru Maharaj following Prabhupada's instructions?

Yeah, that is very much inspiring and very interesting, Mataji. Because even in the even while sleeping, suddenly he'll get up and say that Guru Maharaj told me to do this. And there's a very simple instruction. Like Gur Maharaj Prabhupada told me to do this. He said. And then Gur Maharaj used to tell that suddenly he'll get up and he'll say. That's why he even follow a very simple instruction also. That is Prabhupada said, you offer me every day one rose, one rose flower. He is very particular. Wherever he goes, he'll get a rose and he'll offer it to Prabhupada. That's very simple. And starting from the simple to the topmost to the highest, he is very particular in following. In fact, by his mercy, this JSS meeting is being coordinated. We had JSS meeting 20 years back when the temple was in T. Nagar. And after that the temple moved to Injam. Temple moved to Injambakam in 2002. But that time we are not able to gather. Of course, there was no question of online that time. So there was a big gap. And in the beginning of COVID Gurmaraj suddenly appeared in the Zoom. It was in April 2020. So that time he was inspiring us to do online preaching. So then we discussed them. Why don't we start online JSS then from that time onwards we started doing JSS. It's happening in Chennai every month. Second Saturday, 4 o' clock to 5:30. So we try to gather more devotees and we invite many speakers every month. And they'll come and share their realizations, their relationship with Gurmaraj, their interactions and everything. It will be very, very inspiring. So that Is by Guru Maharaj Mahasi. Till date it's happening. So that is one thing. Then that's it.

We went to an east party with Guru Mahesh.

Actually Safari. I never been but. So when I first visited Mayapur in the year 1996, Guru Maharaj took us to Rajapur Jagannath temple. And we were sitting with him. Behind the temple there's a big garden. So we were each atra took photo along with Gurmaraj and Subak Maharaj. So that time one Raghakrishna Babu asked. We are very happy here in Mayapur spending 4, 5 days. But after that, once we are back to our home then we have to get into the routine. So how can we get the same enthusiasm and same spirit? Then Guru Maharaj looked at him and said, you take everything and put it in the bottle closer and take it. He said. And my message to Gurmaraj. Hare Krishna Gurmaraj, please accept my humble of my senses. I am your truly unworthy and very, very fallen disciple. Not out of your own, out of your compassion. You accepted me as your disciple. Though I am not at all worth for that. I am trying to serve as much as I can. So I need your blessings. Anyway, it is always there. It is like a rain and you are pouring your mercy and compassion. But still I have a vessel with a big hole at the bottom. That nothing is staying with me. Everything is going out. So please give me the sincerity, seriousness and determination to practice Krishna consciousness. And as you are so much sincere to your Guru, let me also be sincere to you at least one or two percentage of that sincerity. If I get, then I feel that is the success in my life. And then I take this opportunity to please forgive me. I would have done so many offenses knowingly or unknowingly. So please forgive me for all my offenses. And I thank from the core of my heart for keeping me always under your shelter. Hare Krishna.