Lava-Mātra: A Moment with Jayapatākā Swami by HG Dvārapati Dāsa #JayapatakaSwamiArchives

I am Dharapati Das from ISKCON Chennai. I came to ISKCON in 1983 through my father. My father, after reading Srila Prabhupada books, he came into touch with ISKCON. So in 1984, Rathayatra, I had the opportunity to have the Darshan of Guru Maharaj. So generally in 80s, we used to have Rathi Yatra for four days in Chennai. So all the four days, Guru Maharaj used to be here every day, kirtan classes, very ecstatic. And Rathayatra said, the very special thing is after 50% of the distance we cover, Guru Maharaj used to get down from the rat and used to make a a static kirtan with big kartal. And the entire crowd used to be very much attracted to Guru Maharaj. And even the big, big police officers, they used to be astonished how Guru Maharaj is dancing in the road. So such a big devotee from some other country, they are dancing in the road. So everybody used to be attracted very much. Even today people asking, where is that Swamiji who used to dance in the during Rathayatra? So it used to be we used to have four days big programs. And when we were in the earlier temple. So whenever Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj was the only Sanyasi who visited ISKCON Chennai regularly. That means in the 40 years, first 20 years, I never seen any initiating Acharya in Chennai. Every year Guru Maharaj used to Visit Chennai minimum 3, 4 times. And he used to personally talk to each devotee. Whether you are attending Mangalarati, what service you are doing, whether you are taking bath in the hot water or cold water, you used to ask everyone personally. And then you used to see the chart. Whoever doing whatever services they are doing, how much collections I am in fundraising, how much? So he used to check how much collection each devotee making. And I've had the wonderful opportunity of serving Guru Maharaj for more than 10 years. So whenever he comes to Chennai, I personally go to airport. And whenever we go to airport, we take lot of sweets. And he distribute every official there inside the airport. So I have some license to enter inside the airport say anytime. So Guru Maharaj used to distribute prasadam everybody. And whenever Guru Marg lands in Chennai, everybody becomes very ecstatic because they'll get some sweet prasadam. Then I used to serve prasadam. And while serving prasadam, he used to make lot of fun, lot of jokes. And one time we were serving chapatis and he was giving marks to chapatis. This is only 50% and then he said 60%. Then he used to speak in different languages, different country languages around with the devotees. And then recently I came to know about the Guru Maharaj birth. It's very special. Guru Maharaj Bhat. We all know only the activities, but many do not know how. Guru Maharaj birth is something very great. That is his birth date is 9,449, 9 April 1949. His date is as per numerologically, the number 9 is something very special. And his total 9 4, 1949, the total also comes to 9. So numerology told me that whoever having this kind of two nines, birth date nine and total nine used to be very big percentage. Okay.

Can you tell us about the interview for your initiation? And how was the initiation?

Yeah, yeah. Although I came in touch with Ispaan in 1983, I was doing different services. So those days, due to lack of devotees, we used to do many services. I was into service, I was also working outside. So in 1989 I took initiation in Mayapur. So during the interview we asked so many questions. And one question he asked whether I want to change the ashram. That time I was not married. So when I said yes, okay, there are some Matajis in Malaysia, is it okay for you? So I said, okay. After that, Guru Maharaj personally took my photo to Malaysia and handed over there. He saw the chart, everything. He himself fixed the wedding. I never seen my wife before marriage. So he fixed whole thing, everything. The marriage date was fixed. When I said Guru Maharaj, date is fixed. Guru Maharaj personally came to Malaysia from London. And he was present in the wedding hall. And he gave a wonderful lecture. And on few occasions, Guru Maharaj came to my room personally. So generally when Guru Maharaj wants anything from disciple, he can call and get things done. This showed Guru Maharaj's compassion towards insignificant new bhaktas. His compassion. He voluntarily goes to the devotee, new persons and serving that devotee. And he is enquiring. So this made me even today to do service to everyone. And Guru Maharaj told, serving guru is greater than serving deities. And second thing, he told serving devotees, senior devotees is much greater than serving Guru. And if you serve the outsider, a new person, that is greater than guru service, senior devotee, service than deity service. So I am always doing this particular service in getting many people over entering the temple. I am serving them. Hare Krishna.

How was your second initiation? How was your second initiation?

Second initiation. He asked so many questions. One question, one confidential question he asked. I Don't know whether I can tell. Guru Maharaj asked about Radharani's eyes. What is the color of Radharani's eyes? So I couldn't answer. Then Guru Maharaj explained, Radharani's color of eyes is blue. Even today I remember whenever I dress Radhar Krishna also several years whenever I see Radharani, whenever I go for dressing. Guru Mahjee asked this question. Guru, what is the color of eyes? So recently I went to one nearby temple where the painting was going on for the new temple. New temple. Radhakrishna deities they were painting. So I told them, you paint like this. So this is Guru Maharajan's section to me.

Any explanation of Puraharat in your name?

My name. So I asked about my meaning of my name. Purumara told dara means earth. Bhumi Pati means one who is protector. Krishna is the ultimate protector of everyone. So Dharapati protector of earth is Krishna. Krishna Dasi said.

Any specific instructions Guru Maharaj has given you?

So I first opened Namagatha in Chennai. I was the first one. First Namagata is opened by me. Guru Maharaj appreciated me. Then he gave matrimonial services. So whatever services I am doing, that's fine. You are satisfying me. He said, I am fundraising and other activities also. He asked me whatever the services I am doing. So when I explained this was all satisfying me.

He said, any letters or dreams with Guru Maharaj?

I was working in a university. So that university is one of the top 10 universities in Asia. I was working in Anna University. Guru Maharaj told me in the dream, so you have to do preach in university. So through my I used to go in the same trust to university for several years. I worked in University for 30 years. I am retired six years ago. Simultaneously I was doing temple service also from here I used to go to university. So Guru Maharaj told me in the dream that I should preach to the university. So after preaching to many students, they have become big preachers. Now some of the students, when they were in students 20 years I gave mala on books. Recently one devotee who came after 16 years, he approached me and said 16 years before you gave me mala and books. Today I am surviving because of you. So this is because of Guru Maharaj told me in the dream.

How you see Guru Maharaj following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada.

He is exactly following everything. More than in fact because of me, Guru Maharaj is suffering. I used to feel like that any.

Other memory had you been in Mayapur with Guru Maharajpur? Never Went to Mayu.

I went never many times.

And how was your first experience to see Guru Maharaj in Mayapur Dam.

In Mayapur dam in 1989. That is during my. That was my initiation time. That time only I first visited Mayapur. That time it was so simple. Now it is so elaborate. A lot of things have developed. I don't remember much.

Actually you remember something about Parikram.

I never been to Parikram. Never been to Parikram. But I heard much about Parikram from many devotees. So I am very much interested to come to Parikram. But I never had the opportunity so far. Many times I bring a group during Guru Maharaj Vyasapuja. Many times I brought a group of devotees during Vyas puja. Nearly for 10 years continuously. After that due to lack of accommodation, we couldn't get the rooms. So I'm unable to bring the group during Yas Muja. So this month end I am bringing a group to Mayapur. So nearly 20 years I was coordinating the temple tour ISKCON Chennai. Organizing two. Two different DHS like Mayapur, Vrindavan Puri. So for 20 years I did the coordination. So last three years we couldn't do this year again we are doing. So I specifically like to come visit Mayapur during Vyaspuja. So I don't know why. So for 10 years like that continuously we visited. Then due to lack of room facility, we couldn't come during Vyas Puja. We come some other times.

Have you been in any Guru Maharaj safari?

One time I had an opportunity to join safari in Sri Lanka. So after completing some other places, so the entire group came to Sri Lanka. 93 yeah, correct. So I traveled from. You were there at that time. So I traveled from Chennai to. I have photos also. Photos of what is that? Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka. Entire one full page advertisement. Was there one newspaper. So I had the opportunity to do the translation. So what happened Those days in 90s I used to wear pants while traveling in the flight. So I travelled from Chennai to Sri Lanka Colombo. So Guru Maharaj I was alone. Guru Maharaj instructed one devotee, their local devotee to pick me up. So Guru Maharaj also saw me in this attire. So that day I went with Panchayat. So he was searching who is coming? Devotee. So for one hour I was searching him, he was searching me. Finally I had one Mridangam with me that helped me. So this gave an idea that how we are presenting in front of Guru Maharaj we should be always like that. So then I Changed the concept. I never traveled in Banshay, even university. I was wearing dhoti Kutta. Then there we visited Sitali. You remember? I don't know. No, no. In Sri Lanka there is one place. Sitali Sade. Whole day we were traveling. And some of the places they arranged some food for us. Guru Maharaj. Some Muruga temples. So Guru Maharaj went to Muruga temple. They have arranged a big feast for us. So because this is not cooked by non devotees, he didn't accept it. Then we went to Ashokavan. It was evening. All the Matajis they cooked. It was smoke, full of smoke. The prasadam we couldn't eat. But Guru Maharaj ate it. We understood. So how Guru Maharaj this much austerity taking. Even I could not eat the smoke. But Guru Maharaj ate. So he honored the prasadam. So with some other place there was very opulent. It was not prasadam. He didn't take. Here it is prasadam. It was not cooked properly. But he accepted.

Any other memory from Guru Maharaj. For example, you said you had the opportunity to serve him. Can you tell like explain what is one day of Guru Maharaj? 24 hours.

Yeah, that day, three days I traveled. No, I came to know Durumaraj whole night almost he was. We were traveling up to one o' clock and all he slept only two, three hours. He used to get up in the morning like that. I have seen many times.

Something specific that you remember in Guru maharaj. During these three days for 24 hours or when he was coming to Chennai.

Many times. Like I heard, I have seen. Whenever he comes to Chennai also he sleeps very less. Very less. Very, very less. And previously he used to chant in mala for initiation. Nowadays after that I saw malas Tutu Malas used to chant. Then three, four. Like that, increasing. So disciples increasing. Guru Maharaj mala increasing. I have seen that.

Now only 2, 3 mantras. Yes, now only 2, 3 mantras. Okay, so I don't know anything you want to tell Guru Maharaj. He will see the video if you have to tell something.

I need Guru Maharaj blessings to do more services and make more devotees. Do more book distribution. So that's my prayer. So I want blessings from Guru Maharaj.

If you have something else you remember about your children, Guru Maharaj or anything you remember with Guru Maharaj, you can tell.

I have taken some of the devotees. New devotees to Guru Maharaj. So few Matajis. They told me first they met Guru Maharaj in the same month they conceived who were Hankering for children. Not one or two few Matajis. They told me personally whenever Guru Maharaj come to Chennai, I used to introduce some new people. So I introduced people they wanted children. When they first met Guru Maharaj in the same month they conceived. That's amazing. One child like that who is now nearly 24 years. One boy is serving Guru Maharaj. I can't say his name because they may feel something. There are so many things like that. And one child. When Mataji was pregnant in Malaysia, he named the child. Without knowing the sex, he named the child. He is a male child. Guru Maharajambhai gave the name. After birth they came, they were shocked like that many miracles.

This is an opportunity to tell all these glories of Guru Maharash. Because it's be the like the food for all disciples for Maharash who you know the personal association service idea. So we preserve glories for those generations that are just coming some time. So all this will all members of in our hearts.

In early 90s my father had a stroke. My house everybody is Guru Maharaj disciple. My parents, my son, my sister family, all are Guru Maharaj disciples. One time my father had a stroke in early 90s. He was admitted in the hospital. He was in very critical situation. So I was praying Hare Krishna Hare Ka. But one day I was chanting Guru Maharaj name. Those days we used chant Acharya Palace. I was chanting Acharya Pad. Acharya pad. One night I couldn't sleep properly. Very next next day I saw my father became okay. He became alright. Anybody notice this? 9,449 Never in our devotee circle. Anybody know that Guru Maharaj date of birth is 9,449 which is right now.

But only those who know numerology can make connection.

Okay, okay.

Otherwise it's like number. Yes. I think in the Gurukul I heard because they do numerology in the Gurukul. So also I heard about these very species numbers of Guru Maharaj is like just perfect.

So whenever anybody asks me to find a house or this that so I know Guru maharaj number is 9. Accordingly I select for my other devotees also. And some of the devotees to whom I selected like this. They are serving Guru Maharaj and me for until one devotee took me one flat. It's a multi story building. So he asked me you fine. I want to select one house. I just selected in ninth floor one house like that. I did few things like that. So whoever I have selected like this nine. They all serving Guru Maharaj just we remember. I don't know number. Number is nothing. Just remembering nine as Guru Maharaj. So I selected like that they are serving Guru Maharaj.

Alright. If you have something else to tell about the Guru Maharaj. From the beginning till now. Any other memories? In Mayapur Ganga Kurumaras used to do the Japan walk every day.

Yes. Yes.

You went with him here?

I went Chennai. Chennai also. Whenever he comes. We were in T Nagar earlier. And there Rath Yatra time four days. Every day morning he walks to the beach. No. And there in the park. In the park? Everyday morning he used to walk.

If you have something wrong.

Very devoted.

You have many memories.

Yeah.

Or for example, when there has been problems with the rhythmics or different things. What is Guru Maharaj's reaction? Can you tell?

Actually Bhanu Maharaj gave a wonderful seminar about Ritvik initial days. Initial days means more than 20 years ago, Banu Maharaj used to give seminars. Series of seminars he gave. That way we become more came to know about me. So Hrithik devotees, they used to come here. So I blasphemed like anything in a nice way. They say so many things, but I never accepted. So because of Guru Maharaj I have devotion with Guru Maharaj. I am able to speak to them. I never accepted any. And in fact I defeated many devotees. Those who are there, I defeated. And Guru Maharaj one time he told me no. Banu Maharaj told me, I visited here nearby. So there was a marriage hall. There is a marriage hall. One of my very close friends, he arranged a marriage there. I told Bhanu Maharaj, I am going there. You go there. But don't eat and come don't eat there. So because I am not eating. See, they understood how Guru Maharaj is. Great.

How you appreciate Guru Maharaj in the middle of difficulties. You have been so many years.

And.

You have the opportunity to see Guru Maharaj dealing with all this.

Yeah, it's very something.

He protects the devotees.

He is protecting. That is the reason I don't take Guru Maharaj any of the problems. I know Guru Maharaj how Guru Maharaj is suffering. Dealing with many devotees. Lot of controversies among the devotees. Till now I never took any of the issues to Guru Maharaj. I try to solve with other things. I have seen. One time, one couple had a fighting. So that Mataji left the house and came to my house. She told me I want to meet Guru Maharaj someday. So I took her to Guru Maharaj. So I saw Guru Maharaj how he is solving he always seeing any devotee's conflict. He always uniting them. So I understood the mood of Guru Maharaj. So Guru Maharaj sees that no devotees should get separated. He always says that they should be united. So this I learned from Guru Maharaj. I am following that because as you said so many years lot of devotees bring lot of problems to me. So I learned from Guru Maharaj that any problems if the devotees comes, we always see uniting them.

And how you see Guru Mahaya being completely surrendered to Srila Prabhupada like no deviation at all.

Yeah, there is no deviation. There is no deviation at all. Even those days these Bangalore devotees, they were coming to Chennai only all the leaders of Bangalore, Rittvik leaders, they were in Chennai. They attended because Rath Yatra means here. Chennai was the biggest Rath Yatra in entire South India those days. All those devotees they were brought up in Chennai also. I don't know. Madhupan Dit Prabhupada's family and Sanchalpadit Babu's family, they were brought up in Chennai. They were regular visitors of the Chennai temple. Jokingly I attacked them. Anybody sometimes they are coming here, they are coming having Darshan. Jokingly I attacked them. Very good.

That here keep all purity because.

Okay.

Any other lessons from Guru Maharaj you can tell us. So all devotees can have this in their memories because yeah. Guru Maharaj will be now able to teach many devotees.

Yeah.

So this they can learn how Guru Maharaj deal different situations.

Yes, yes.

So you have more to tell how Guru Maharaj dealing with different situations so devotees can understand and learn.

Good. I don't know.

Just any memories more you have with Maharaj?

I don't remember any.

Thank you very much.

Thank you madam. Thank you, Jay.