Lava-Mātra: A Moment with Jayapatākā Swami: HG Mahālakṣmī Madhurā Devī dāsī #JayapatakaSwamiArchives

Nagra Gramatarine Hare Krishna Jai Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Nithyananda Sri Advaita Gadhara Srivasha Digaura Bhakta Vrinda Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna. Dear devotees, first of all I beg to Guru Maharaj to accept my humble obeisances. He has accepted me as his spiritual daughter. I am very much blessed I should say. My name is Mahalakshmi Madura Devi Dasi. I am from Villivakam Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. I have been into ISKCON since 2008. I should say during 2008 Rathayatra I met Guru Maharaj for the first time. He was in the midst of Rathayatra, dancing jubilantly with the Hooper in his hands. Such a gigantic personality he was. The moment I saw him I was thinking such a huge personality, very kind, very merciful. But I didn't know much about Guru Maharaj at that time. So he was very close. Matajis were on this side and Guru Maharaj and other Prabhu's were dancing. So though I was very literally very close to him, I didn't know the value. Now I feel like that time itself I must have taken the shelter and initiation. But I don't know because of some reasons I met him. I was so happy that day since I've seen him. He was such a height person like nearly more than 6.5 Guru Maharaj was with blue color eyes and what to say he was like looking externally we may think that he is okay. He is a person from foreign. He is a Sanyasi Maharaj, Guru Maharaj and all. But then when we see a Maharaj or a Guru Maharaj, we will understand that he is going to be our Guru Maharaj in near future. That thought was there in my mind that time. But after that Rathayatra 2009 or 2010 2009, Guru Maharaj again didn't come for Rath Yatra. He was traveling. I think in 2010 we all had a very bad news that Guru Maharaj had this stroke and he was not keeping good health. After his surgery or before the surgery I should say he has come to Chennai in temple I saw him that time I didn't have that knowledge that he is not the body, he is only spiritual soul. Very close to Krishna. He is the part and parcel of Lord Krishna. He is one of the associate of Lord Chaitanya. Those things and all didn't go to my mind. But as a normal Person I start crying, crying, crying. One full day I was crying seeing Guru Maharaj situation. But after that I understood Guru Maharaj is externally he is like that. But after certain time it took me little time to understand that our sweet Guru Maharaj is always there for us. He is taking up all these bodily challenges. He is accepting the bodily challenges only for the sake of the Jeevatmas. Whoever he is contacting, he wants to give Prema. Like how Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when he was traveling from Puri to Vrindavan on the way and also from north to coming to South India on the way. Whoever is seeing he was giving the name to them Nama Hari. Whoever he was embarrassing, they become ecstasy. Like that Guru Maharaj. From the day one I should say I have studied Milwaukee to Mayapur those books and all. So I could see what was the lifestyle of Guru Maharaj. He is such a richest person. Bird job, pains. I think with that background Guru Maharaj came just to India to save all of us. That only I will always think in my mind. He could have led a life of legacy. But taking his guru I.e. srila Prabhupada birds he came to India. When he came to India, I have studied in many books and in the lectures Mayapur was nothing. I am very proudly saying that the development of Mayapur today is only because of Srila Guru Maharaj Chaipataka Swami Guru Maharaj. Nobody can deny that. So after seeing Guru Maharaj in that Rathi Yatra that moment I decided he should be my Guru. And after that his health challenges. But once I understand that the the devotees who have taken initiation because of their small small sins, our Guru will suffer. That thing went into my mind very deeply. So I was waiting. I should not take initiation until I become little bit at least perfect. Because of my karmic thoughts and not perfectly following the regulative principles, I should not go and ask for Diksha. But then one point I should tell you when my mentor introduced you to infinite humility. Iskcon My first Shiksha guru was Sridhar Shyam Prabhu. So the moment they told that you should follow the four regulative principles by God's grace, by Guru Gauranga's mercy. From the beginning we were vegetarian only. So there was no any issue for me to have this mind. Like I have to leave non vegetarian how and all. And I was not very happy to take tea, coffee and all from the beginning. So movies also I don't watch. So all these things was okay for Me. But I was thinking okay, let me follow all rules and regulations perfectly. I have to follow. Then only I should approach Guru Maharaj. So after that what happened 2019, when I took Guru Ashraya the same day. But one more thing I want to tell you. After Guru Maharaj when I saw Guru Maharaj that moment I decided he should be my Guru. And after that many times when he was well also many times he have come to Chennai. He would stay in Egmore next to Etiraj College. There is an hostel type of rooms there. And all he will stay and very well known devotees houses everywhere. I will go, I will take my daughter. She was five to six years old that time. So wherever Guru Maharaj has come, I get the news. I go, I go with my daughter. And every time I get that stick blessings, those things and all I will never remember. I was just following him. Even it is too late from the morning I am waiting also because definitely for getting blessings from Guru Maharaj is a great thing. I should say we have to wait and take it. So I used to wait there from the morning. Not worrying about home and all. Child also is with me only. So let me take blessings of Guru Maharaj and then go. That was my intention. And I used to take I wherever Radheyatra. Wherever Guru Maharaj comes, I immediately go. So after 2010, his health issue we were just praying, praying. I used to take the what to say. I used to do extra rounds and I will enter in the app. Those things are all whatever Guru Maharaj. Because Guru Maharaj. Once I knew that Guru Maharaj will reply through mail, I started mailing him. So. So I get that opportunity from his mails. I see him so humbly. He did not answer me. I think so he need not answer me. But he used to answer me in my mails. My dear spiritual daughter, seeing that itself I feel. O my God, how Guru Maharaj is so merciful on this fallen soul. I used to think why I mean to say this is. I was waiting, waiting. Though I came into ISKCON from 2008, I got initiation 2021 Janmashtami see the long time. Because in starting I was not so serious. Because we come from a family where my husband immediately was not okay with my all this without onion, garlic, I was cooking all those things okay. But he was supporting me. But I was waiting myself on the day when I took the shelter from Guru Maharaj Next month I should say it was 2019. He came to the temple to give shelter there for some other Devotees. So one of my friend, devotee, my God sister, she made me sit on the first row. This side Matajis were sitting and this side Prabhuji's. So I was sitting exactly left side. Taking darshan of Guru Maharaj directly. I was so happy. Seeing itself is so blissful for me. So Guru Maharaj, whenever he sees, I feel, oh my God. Guru Maharaj is blessing me. I need not go near, give my obeisances to him. But then he just turns. I think he is blessing me. So that day what happened when I was. When Guru Maharaj from there wheelchair started. And directly they took the lift. And from the lift they have to come down. So what I did nothing. I saw beside, front, back and all. Immediately I ran, I took the steps and I came down near the lift. I'm very happy to share this. The lift was there. I was sitting, I was standing here. From the lift Guru Maharaj has to come. So before me no devotee was standing. Mahavarah Prabhu was saying, okay, all go back, go back. But I didn't go. I was thinking, let me see one more time. Guru Maharaj, so closely. So when the lift opened straight, Guru Maharaj was here, I was here, there. Guru Maharaj was there. And after seeing him, what a vibrant. What to say? One very positive vibration, one jubilance was there around him. So close I was seeing him. He told the helper devotees to make him stand. So he stood up. He stood up and put his hand like this, straight towards me. That day, that itself was my initiation day, I should say. I was so happy Guru Maharaj blessed me like this. He was showing Abhaya Hasta. Don't worry, I am there. It was for many devotees. But I felt particularly it was for me. So after that also my greedy mind, I was again going back to him. I was going behind him, running behind the wheelchair. And again Guru Maharaj was a blessing. Guru Maharaj was blessing all of them with his stick and hands also. So there also again I went. Left side Matajis were there, right side Prabhu's were there. So even after getting this, he came out from the lift and he blessed me again I went beside. I came in front of the wheelchair. So that time what Guru Maharaj did is I was wearing my pallu. Like I was covering my head. He took this hand and he lifted this hand and put it on my head and pressed like anything. So that was the really great, great blessings. On the shelter day, even after the shelter, before even I got the name from him. And get the Diksha beads and all. He initiated me. I thought so. After that there were no any looking back. I was so happy. I was waiting, waiting, waiting. The day will come when Guru Maharaj will give us initiation. I used to pray to him daily. If I am Bhart, you can give me initiation. I am waiting. Another Siksha Guru Jeevana Gaura Hari Prabhu used to say we should be begging for initiation. You have to drag the opportunity. Opportunity will come. You should not wait like that. You should wait. You should wait. But then when the opportunity comes, you have to drag the opportunity and get the initiation time will not wait for you. He was telling so that time Corona started and after that Corona 2021 there were they announced online initiation. Guru Maharaj was wishing to willing to give online initiations to the disciples who have taken Ashraya. So I was in that list. I was so happy. So I was preparing for initiation. The interview part also went very well. Chennai interview was excellent. No problem. And mayapur1 Gaura Prabhu. I don't remember his exact name that Prabhu took the initiation. Since I was working as a teacher earlier. After my marriage first I was working as a teacher. After that I didn't work anywhere. And after that when the initiation interview was over that following Janmashtami. So far no other set of devotees have got initiation. On Janmastami day. We were the first set who got initiation online. Guru Maharaj blessed us with the name Mahalakshmi Madura Devidasi. Guru Maharaj is one of the close associate. I think Mani Gopal Prabhu he gave me. He called me. When I asked him what is the meaning of the name, he called me and he gave the all the names. What was the meaning? Particularly I called him and that Prabhu was happy enough to share that Mahalakshmi is already a name of extra ascension of Srimati Radharani. So you are Mahalakshmi Madhura Because Radharani Radharani's words are so sweet. So Mahalakshmi Madhura means very sweet voice. Rajshrimati Radharani is Devi Devi Dasi. So you are the servant of Srimati Radharani. But your name since it is already Mahalakshmi. It is Mahalakshmi Madhura Devidasi. So I was so happy after hearing the meaning why Guru Maharaja selected this name. Because each and every devotees he gives unique names. There are lot of excitement name giving. Like when he gives a name. I curiously see like who is getting what name. Sometimes Guru Maharaj used to give the same name connected to our second birth. Second that initiation. Sometimes devotees will get new names. However it is. It is Guru Maharaj given merciful name. So we have to accept it and should be just following his instructions and whatever he says. Every time he says, I am here to fulfill all the instructions of my Guru Maharaj. So likewise we are here in this process of helping out Guru Maharaj with all kind of support. Whatever I can do, I am supporting. And I regularly take up BPSS class for children. I'm so happy to do with Guru and Gauranga's mercy. I'm having that opportunity too. And I do school programs and Bhakti Vriksha sometimes. And our home programs. Sometimes I take classes. That's all I can think. I have to say thank you Hare Krishna. You forgot to tell the story. How why you came to iskcon. Before I came into iskcon, I was working. I was into a business. I should say that also I thought it was Krishna's plan. That time I was not much like. We were from a Telugu family. So for us everything was Venkata Chalapati Pirumal. We used to go to Tirupati all time. Whenever we think we'll go. Because my mother is a staunch devotee of Venkata Chalapati. Now she is no more. She passed away on exactly on 2020 June 1st Ekadashi. I was very much waiting for initiation. I thought before that when my mother is alive I will go for initiation. But time was not there because it didn't happen. But my mother passed away on the Ekadashi day. I knew that she has gone to Vaikunda. Because she was a very strong devotee of Govinda Narayana. And after that since I was born to my blessed parents, mother and father. I should say I had this opportunity of getting into ISKCON because after. But earlier I was materialistic person. I should say because everyone such a family, middle class family will be thinking okay, I have to make money for my family, for my children, child and all. But after getting into ISKCON that thought completely went away. I was thinking okay, whatever Krishna is giving, he will give what I need. God knows what to give, when to give, how much to give and where to give. So that it went into my mind. So I was just. I used to go to classes only. So that Tuesday and Wednesday program. What I told earlier that every program I will never miss. I will go wherever it is far off. I used to go attend the program. I equipped my myself with the knowledge what my siksha Guru was giving me Sridhar Shyamprabhu. I should take his name right now here. Because he was the one where he gave me the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita. I was very, very interested to know this Sastra because nobody in our childhood, in the school and all we had this knowledge of knowing our culture, our Shastra used to go to temple prayer, pray for our family and things like that. But we didn't know that we are atma. We are atma. We are not the body. Those classes, empty number of classes I have attended. So I should thank to ISKCON Srila Prabhupada for giving such wonderful books and classes and these temples and sumptuous prasadam everything. And such a beautiful, very humbly merciful our Guru Maharaj. So all this comes only when a person is interested and when he is looking for this kind of knowledge only it will come to them. Unless and otherwise we are just wandering materialistic happiness and all this will not come but once when you come across any pure devotee. I should say in my life Guru Maharaj was the one who was very beside closely there, dancing jubilantly. That moment it was a transformation for me. So after that I was seriously into iskcon. So once you follow ISKCON rules and regulations you have to be following. Never give up. Guru Maharaj beautiful verse is never give up. You should never give up. Once you come into ISKCON and just loiter go come and come and hear their Sunday programs once in a while going to temple, that and all will not work. You have to strictly be there. So I also in my life had an habit of. Before even I took up, before even I was very seriously taking initiation steps. I used to do Manglarthi, getting up three o' clock and everything. Whatever in temple they are doing, I used to do. And after that there was a down in my bhakti also I should say because my family situation was dead like that. But I used to go to temple, I used to attend classes. Once in a while I used to go to temple. But that three or four years was not, I should say I was not perfect. But after that only because I holded Krishna's lotus feet strongly, he will never leave us. I tell to all the devotees, newly coming devotees, whatever the challenges you face in your life, you. You should never leave the lotus feet of Guru and Gauranga. Krishna will never ever leave us like that. He will hold us back. That was the very memorable experience I should say. And after that, as I told you into ISKCON with Guru Maharaj became his spiritual daughter. And now happily daily, daily I'm thanking to Guru Maharaj for selecting me as one of his spiritual daughter. Thank you Guru Maharaj. Hare Krishna, now can you tell us how you see Guru Maharaj following Srila Prabhupada's actions? Guru Maharaj as his name Jayapataka in many lectures, in many places. I have seen in the posts and all like how Srila Prabhupada used to say Jayapataka Swami. Guru Maharaj is. Or he used to say Jaipataka Swami. He is the treasure of India. No, no, he is the treasure of International. You have to keep him very safe. You have to take care of him very well. That was the words Srila Prabhupada used to give. When Srila Prabhupada selected him as the president of Montreal Temple. Guru Maharaj was with Srila Prabhupada for few years, I think. And after that he was posted as the president in Montreal Temple. There he was serving the temple. He was taking care very nicely. And one fine day Prabhupada was asking for some flowers. I think it was rose flowers or red flowers. So Guru Maharaj like how now we are whatever Guru Maharaj says, we have to obey. So that time Guru Maharaj immediately thought he has to go and get that rose flower for Prabhupada. That too continuously until he is there daily he has to give. So that time that temple where he was there. He went to that temple president and asked for arrangements. But I think that president was not willing to do. But Guru Maharaj obey his words and he ran, he went, he looked for that flowers and got the flowers and gave it to Prabhupada. So we can see that commitment, that very strong commitment. As I told already, he would have led a life of legacy. Actually, Guru Maharaj as Matajis we don't have such close association. We could not take. But I have heard from the classes, Throwback Thursdays, those programs. I have heard in that how all Prabhu's had the opportunity to serve him. Both Vapu and Vaani. How he was such a jovial person. He used to cut many jokes and they used to talk very happily, joyfully. And whenever he finds some mistakes, he will definitely chastise. But many devotees elevated, exalted devotees have said that getting chastisement for Guru Maharaj is a blessing. I sometimes I feel Guru Maharaj I should also get actually mentally I will think I will also get some chastisement from you because it is a blessing. I pray to Guru Maharaj in front of his photo in my home. And I pray to him if I have done definitely I have done many mistakes. So you also chastise me so that I will be coming away all from those sins and follow the path of what you did to your Gurudev. So that thing. And even now, every day, every single day, the book selling book table program which Guru Maharaj is doing. 10,000 small books and thousand books, big books he used to give. Then this is continuing. I had a small opportunity. I contributed two or three months back for this book table. When I went to Mayapur. After coming back to Mayapur, I did it. And whenever time permits or whenever opportunity is there, I go through all those books what Guru Maharaj has written. And since I'm sorry, I should not take whenever time permits, it is my duty that I go through all the books what Guru Maharaj. I have the collection of what Guru Maharaj has written those books. Chants one book is there and Milwaukee to Mayapur. I went completely and I used to study his life history. Where from the day one, how Guru Maharaj was looking for the inner, inner realization. And how he went to a park. In the park, all the spirit devotees were distributing books and seeing the tilak on their forehead. He ran away from that place. And after few hours he came and saw, but nobody were there. And luckily before that. And all he was basically is from Christianity. So he used to go to church and pray. His grandfather has told him, in the name of God, you apply this oil, your skin problem will be solved. That he did. And it was also that strong belief in God and that faith. And all from the childhood he was there. And after that he went in search of this realization. So he came across Buddhism also. But that also was not fulfilling that search, the inner search. He was not satisfied. And after that, when he saw the ISKCON devotees, he was so happy. But then that time, he left that chance. But after that he went to one temple where the chariot was being done. So the first service Guru Maharaj was given was nailing the chariot of Jagannath. So that was a memorable thing. We cannot forget that after that service, it is all in the history. So Guru Maharaj was serving his Gurudev. I should say Srila Prabhupada has instructed him. You go to Mayapur. When he was in Montreal, that President, Pope, ghost and all, he has to leave. Whatever Guru says immediately he obeyed. He didn't think of his family, his parents, his sisters. His brothers. Nothing was there in his mind. Immediately he started from there he came to Mayapur. Mayapur I should say in Tamil they will say it was Tarisinilam. No culture, no vegetation, nothing was there. Guru Maharaj used to cycle and go to village to village to do the propagation to propaganda of ISKCON about the temple, about culture. Who is Krishna, what we are, how we are connected to Krishna. Those classes he was giving earlier, before that, when he was in abroad, he used to go to work in table in the restaurants to clean the table and get the money and give it to Prabhupada for the temple expenses. These things and all was not possible. For us as Matajis there are certain restrictions. But Guru Maharaj he totally dedicated his life to Prabhupada. I should say so there he had different roles when he was in abroad. But when he came to India, this what to say. One fully developed Mayapur. What we are seeing now was not the situation when Prabhupada 1 Jaipataka Swami Guru Maharaj came here. So he was doing farming many places. Only because of Srila Guru Maharaj, the now present Mayapur, what we are seeing has developed to a great extent. So this TIVP temple, Temple of Vedic Planetarium which was first and first and foremost showed to Jeeva Goswami by Balram Nithyananda Mahaprabhu is now going to finish and many more, many more is going to happen. Guru Maharaj will be always with us. I pray to Krishna. So a lot of devotees, lot of fallen souls. He is here to save them. Jai Srila Gurudev Hare Krishna.