A first-person testimonial by HG Hari Parameśvara Dāsa describing his spiritual search, meeting his siksha-guru Sridhar Shyam Prabhu, and his inspiration by and devotion to Jayapataka Swami (referred to as Guru Maharaj). He recounts taking diksha/initiatory initiation at Mayapur on Radhashtami in 2016, his work teaching and spreading ISKCON practices under local leaders, and his commitment to carry forward Srila Prabhupada and Jayapataka Swami's mission.
So my name is Hari Parameshwar Das, initiated by Swolines Jay Patrick Swami Maharaj in the year of 2016, September on Radhashtami. So I came to ISKCON some, I think 15 years back. So I was searching for truth actually, but I could not find the right person. So I happened to meet one Sridhar Shyam Prabhu in Chennai, who is my first Siksha Guru. Then we got to know each other and how the how I come to know that we are not this body. We had the spirit. So he brought me to one of the classes was being conducted in Annanagar. So I was attending the classes regularly some 10 years before. So I got attracted and I found that Guru Maharaj is the right person. So who would be my bona fide perfection Master? I have read about him through Prabhada Leelampradha and also through some of the books written by Guru Maharaj Vaishnavakya and some other books also. So I got inspired very much that how at the young age Guru Maharaj got attracted to this ISKCON movement in America. So people used to speak to me that how you got initiated by a Western disciple, Western and like just his name was George Orison, sorry, Golden George, something like that. So I told that firstly we have to think that we are not this body. We are not American, we are not Indian, we are not Russian. So in that sense Kurma Raj has got more knowledge than any other person I knew in India. So that I got attracted to Guru Maharaj preaching capabilities, how he undergone all the difficulties right from the very beginning and how he came successfully to take that Prabhupada mission into reality. Just like building Mayapur Temple Chandravodaya and so many projects he undertook under the guidance of Srila Prabhupada directly. So I thought that Guru Maharaj is the right person who can guide me and who can give me so much knowledge so that I can go back to Godhead. So that I am convinced very much so that from that very beginning that we are trying to achieve these. Rather I would say that we are trying to assist Guru Maharaj in carrying out Prabhupada's mission through every possible way. Just like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that. So that we are doing that to our extent of the possibilities. But what we can do under this guidance of Swarnamada Prabhu who is our. Just previously I was working under Siddhisham Prabhu. Now we are working under Sridhar sorry Swaramada Prabhu. So under his guidance we are conducting and preaching classes. And right now next room you can see that Swarna Madhopuruvu is taking youth classes also. So that they are spreading this movement. So to fulfill the dreams of Guru Maharaj, we cannot completely, you know, help. But just to our within our capacity, we are trying to help Guru Maharaj to achieve Prabhupada's mission.
Do you remember the first time you met Guru Maharaj? What was your impression and how was your initiation?
Guru Maharaj came first time in Chennai to Inagarat our Iskcon temple which is the gorgeous temple for that time. I met him and took the blessings in how got inspired because Guru Maharaj while at the Hengeage he got attracted to Rath Yatra. So I read the story. So simple, small favor Guru Maharaj did by, you know, putting some nails on the rug. So he was very much appreciated by that devotee, senior devotee. So Guru Maharaj thought that I have not done anything. But I got so much appreciation on what this kind of movement. Let us go to the movement and you know, know about this movement. Then how Guru Maharaj was attracted. So I read this also and so many other things. Prabhupada. So he assisted Prabhupada in completing so many projects in India. So. So. So I was so much inspired by the talking of Srila Prabhupada. He said that Guru Maharaj is sent by Chaiti Namah himself. He was one of the associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Kurama Raj. So it is indeed that he is very tangentially, you know, came from spiritual planet to help us to come out of this material world or go to back to back Godhead. That is what I firmly think, Mataji.
So can you tell us about your initiation? Third initiation and second initiation. How was your initiation initiation?
I got initiated in the year of 2016 on Radha Astami at Mayapur. So there are so many 600 devotees. So it was very, you know, I was very, very happy. And really at the time, no I thought that I took my second birth. I was so happy for that happiness is missing in these days. I don't know why, but at that time when I got initiated, I was very, very happy and I came to office first time. I am saving the persons differently before that. So I got initiated that the power I have got. So this is the kind of feeling I got at the time of initiation.
What was your experience with Guru Maharaj?
In my life personally I did not meet Guru Maharaj except on the group that I worshipped him and touched his lot of speed and directly I did not get any instruction from Guru Maharaj. But I used to read his instructions daily on the mails and applications and try to fulfill his instructions as far as possible.
How you see Guru Maharaj following Prabhupada and Torvas?
Extraordinary. No ways to explain that being in that condition. Guru Maharaj is following each and every order of Guru Maharaj is really very very wonderful. And nobody can do that except.
You remember from Guru Maharash.
So last year also last time I visited Iskcon temple At the time also Guru Mahas told us that beautiful one Sloka. I remember that. So we have to satisfy the God who is the master of our senses. Not to our senses that I remember that. I take that instructions very seriously. And following that, this is the latest instruction I got.
Anything you want to tell Guru Maharaj?
We need Guru Maharaj's blessing Darsha to forward carry forward this mission. What more I can need you want only blessings. Thank you. Thank you. Makaji Hare Krishna.
