Tuesday 28th February 2006 - 08:46The Samadhi Inauguration of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami in Sridham Mayapur
by Purusa Sukta dasaOn the most blessed day of the appearance and Samadhi installation of Sripad Bhakti-tirtha Maharaj, in Sridhama Mayapur, after Tulasi puja it was announced that throughout the day they would be celebrated. Already the mood in Mayapur was reaching a peak of anticipation, as the annual Mayapur festival was soon to commence.
The celebration began with Gurudeva giving Srimad Bhagavatam class, at 6 am. A DVD recording of his final class in Sridhama Mayapur, given on his Vyasa puja day in 2004, was projected onto a large screen set in front of Radha Madhava’s alter. This class also had just followed the installation of the larger-than-life sized Panca tattva Deities that year. Needless to say, it was a very special class, highly relevant to us all now. He shared his realizations from the installation that year, which were three in number: One) The greatness of Srila Prabhupada’s movement and the necessity for devotees to practice constant appreciation of what Krsna is providing. He warned that without this appreciation, our own personal issues will inevitably take precedent in our life, and stagnate our devotional creeper. Two) the Panca tattva’s mood of protection, which he later tied into a point about the Lord’s great concern for conditioned souls/devotees; and Three) Their mood of “invitation”, as though the door to the spiritual world, opened by Srila Prabhupada and our acaryas, had now widened. He strongly emphasized how Srila Prabhupada wanted life size Deities, how the Panca tattva Deities should have a special significance in our life, and that as They have now come forth to us in such a magnificent way, we must come forth again and again to receive Them. Gurudeva spoke so much of the grandness of Srila Prabhupada’s movement, elaborating on the theme of his statement “my disease is that I cannot think small”. In this regard Gurudeva discussed the importance of devotional festivals and celebrations, as they typify the kind collaboration needed for devotees to sufficiently assume the behavior of the spiritual world; thus qualifying them to return there.
It was quite a charming experience, as everyone had such a focused view of Gurudeva, with his enlarged image illuminating a dimmed temple room. His transcendental body language and message captivated everyone. In fact sometimes, as many have experienced with DVD projection, the projection would suddenly freeze on a particular frame, holding it for 5-10 seconds, adding to the suspense of his class. Gurudeva was more than present. At the end of his class, when he requested everyone to cultivate the prayer: “Dear Lord, whatever I need to experience to become fully dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s service, please bring that upon me, and whatever is getting in the way of such, please take that away from me.” When he asked for a show of hands of how many devotees will agree to cultivate such a prayer, almost the entire room automatically, and rather ecstatically, raised one or both of their arms!
After class everyone greeted the Deities, in the traditional festive way, a daily feature of the Mayapur morning program. With a sun filled room, the Panca tattva gave their darsan, donning a magnificent golden outfit. It was stunning! The fine and pleated golden cloth accented their golden hue, while turbans made of fresh flowers and pearl necklaces adorned their heads. Lord Madhava also wore a golden outfit. The mercy of the Lord abounded, highlighting the holy day of their beloved servants honor.
HH Bhakti Caru Swami then lead Srila Prabhupada’s Gurupuja. As usual Maharaj’s singing was sweet and graceful, and with the help of HH Gunagrahi Goswami’s Djimbe drumming, a favorite of Gurudeva’s, and the infectious mrdanga playing of the Mayapur Gurukulis, the Gurupuja kirtana quickly became quite festive. After Bhakti Caru Swami briefly chanted before Sri Sri Radha Madhava, the kirtana then went out to greet Gurudeva, whose urn was to arrive shortly via palanquin. As everyone gathered there, to greet Gurudeva, HH Lokanatha Swami was given the lead of the kirtana. Shortly after Maharaj began, Gurudeva appeared, in his beautiful silver urn, atop a flower decorated palanquin, and a large and captivating picture of him, sitting in front of Srila Prabhupada in lotus pose with his danda, was set in back of the urn, facing out to everyone. His eyes were so radiant in this picture, beaming out at you. And his ecstasy as Srila Prabhupada’s beloved servant seemed to radiate from his whole body.
Throughout the festival, with remarkable ease, everything went rather timely. The whole thing was expertly conducted by the festival team, headed by Vrajalila, Ekavira, Brahma mahurta, Managal arti, Druva and Parijata Prabhus!
The morning came with pleasant weather, warm and sunny with a cool breeze flowing through. Gurudeva’s procession lead him from the Chandradoya Mandira, to Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi. As he came to the Samadhi, he was first brought to Srila Prabhupada’s bhajan kutir, welcomed there by HG Jannivas Prabhu, who offered him a rope from Lord Jaganath, and chandan from Srila Prabhupada. Then he came around to his new residence in the Samadhi park, where Tamal Krsna Maharaj, Gour Govinda Maharaj and Sridhar Maharaj, reside in Samadhi. There his greeted each of these God brothers, and then proceeded to his new place of residence.
The festival team had decorated the whole Samadhi park, with each mandir lavishly decorated with flowers. Gurudeva’s Samadhi mandir was in the back of the park, next to Gour Govinda Maharaj. His Samadhi site had a relatively small, intimate space for assembly, and a canopy stood above with traditional Vedic design, as well as some big heart shapes. Gurudeva’s Samadhi was still under construction, so a temporary thatched structure was attached onto the completed foundation. It was beautifully decorated with flower wreaths, ribbons, flower garlands; a sweet blend of opulence and simplicity.
As Gurudeva’s urn neared the Samadhi mandir, the ladies began yodeling (Indian style). Before entering, Ekavira and Brahma Mahurta Prabhu removed the decorations surrounding Gurudeva’s urn. HH Bhakti Dhira Domodara Maharaj then removed the urn from the palanquin and carefully handed it to Brahma mahurta Prabhu, who was standing inside the Samadhi. Brahma mahurta Prabhu then lowered Gurudeva’s urn into a place made for him in the ground. At this point a group of Gurukulis assembled there and began chanting the Purusa-sukta prayers, while Brahma mahurta performed some simple rituals for Gurudeva in the Mandir. A beautiful picture of him in West Africa in 1987, was set in the back, visible to those standing outside.
HH Sivarama Swami, HH Candramauli Swami and soon a host of sannyasis and Godbrothers gathered in front of the Samadhi mandir. Lokanath Maharaj then resumed the kirtana, with a particularly sweet melody, reminiscent of Vrndavana. As the installation procedure continued, everyone stood viewing. The mood was reflective and grave. The sweet kirtana flowed and swelled, as Gurudeva’s presence was held uniquely and deeply by everyone.
Gurudevas Godbrothers were then invited to offer flowers, as his urn was now situated in the Samadhi. The kirtana picked up a little, with Lokanath Swami’s famous trumpeter disciple, Ekalabya, offering his embellishments. The emotions rose as Gurudeva’s dear Godbrothers and sisters made their individual flower offerings, and circumambulated the Samadhi. After this, everyone was invited to take their seats in the adjacent pandal auditorium, where many were already gathered to hear the first offerings of homage.
The pandal auditorium accommodated three to four hundred guests comfortably, with most seated in chairs. The stage had Gurudeva’s palaquin, with his photograph atop, seated on the left. The central focus on the stage was a large print of the bookmark with Gurudeva’s famous prayer that he had just implored the devotees to cultivate earlier that morning. It contained the prayer along with an image of Gurudeva that reflected the mood of this prayer, and was posted in the center of the stage backdrop. To the left of this prayer-banner, was a large picture of Gurudeva in a prayerful and attendant mood, and to the right a picture of Srila Prabhupada with a joyous smile. In the very back of the auditorium, opposite the stage, was a life size picture of Gurudeva soon after he had taken sannyas, and facing the road in front of the auditorium was a banner from Harinama Press, with all of Gurudeva’s writings listed as offerings in Srila Prabhupada’s service.
As everyone was seated, HH Sivarama Swami began chanting Je Anilo Prema Dhana, and read the translation when he finished. Then Ekavira Prabhu welcomed everyone heartily, with no trace of all the nerve racking stress he had undergone in preparing for the festival. He thanked everyone for coming, especially the GBC, Mayapur administration and community, and finally offered special appreciation to HH Bhakti-Caru Swami. He then welcomed Maharaj as the MC for the morning offerings of homage.
As the MC, Maharaj first invited a few God brothers for the first offerings of homage, namely, the GBC Chairmen, HH Devamrta Swami, HH Jayapataka Swami, HH Kavicandra Swami and HH Bir Krsna Goswami. These Maharaj’s would offer the first set of homages from 8:30-9:30am. HG Radha Krsna Prabhu was also invited to come, to read a letter composed by HH Radhanatha Swami, who, due to health issues, could unfortunately not attend. Also Malati Prabhu was invited to speak.
These were all very heartfelt and brought forth Gurudeva’s presense greatly. They are beyond description. The MP3s will be available on the site soon, as well as the transcriptions. We will send out additional descriptions of the festival as soon as possible.
More photos from this day can be seen at the Mayapur.com gallery
(click on a thumbnail to view the full size photo)back
