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World
06/05/98 - 1846
Tour 98 - Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja flies to
Washington DC
USA (VNN) - by Sridam das
Srila Narayana Maharaja's tour to America, commencing on 16th
May, got off to an auspicious start before his flight had even
touched down. Budhara prabhu, who was accompanying him on the
same flight, tells the following story:
We departed Amsterdam and had been airborne for about an hour
and a half. The flight attendants were preparing lunch for everyone
and Navin prabhu began to prepare Srila Gurudeva's lunch. As always
his ambrosial cooking scented the air with a transcendental, inviting
aroma. A pleasant black female flight attendant named Babette
approached me and commented how lovely the smell was and said
that she adored Indian cooking. She hinted that she would like
to try some and I told her I would see what I could do. I managed
a well proportioned and good sized spinach and curd samosa for
her that was cooked to perfection, and she seemed very happy to
get it.
Later she inquired from me why everyone had bead bags on their
hands. She guessed that they were prayer beads and she asked me
if somehow she could get a set. I explained what the beads were,
how they are given and how they are used. I told her that in the
best case she should receive them from a realized guru, to which
she replied, "like the master sitting there?", as she gestured
to Srila Gurudeva. I confirmed that to receive the beads from
someone like Srila Gurudeva was very special, a great honor and
a great fortune. She then said, " would really like to have the
beads, and to chant on them. Maybe if I open my heart to the master,
he will know what is in my heart and he will grant me the chance
to get the beads and the mantra".
Well, needless to say, I was surprised at her openness and readiness
to chant so quickly with little or no explanation. Her appreciation
of Srila Gurudeva and her acceptance of him at first sight suggested
a deeper relationship and so I informed Navin prabhu and Srila
Gurudeva of her interest. Gurudeva was also surprised and pleased
and agreed to give her a set of japa mala and kanti mala. Luckily
Brajanatha prabhu had just purchased both Tulasi japa mala and
kanti mala in Amsterdam and fortunately he had them with him in
his carry on luggage.
I told Babette to come and see Srila Gurudeva and she approached
him with sincere respect and reverence. Gurudeva told her, "My
heartly blessings on you. May you have eternal life full of joy
and happiness". Babette's mouth dropped open in amazement, and
she thanked Srila Gurudeva for his mercy.
Srila Gurudeva told her "not to harm any living thing, show respect
to all, and develop love and affection in your heart. You are
now my darling daughter and I will bless you and look after you.
Keep your heart pure, and be kind to all." Gurudeva then instructed
her on the use of the mantra by repeating it many times to her
and having her repeat after him. He told her that she should get
help from me, and that I could explain the path to her.
I agreed to do so and took her name and address. She folded her
hands and bowed her head to Gurudeva and he blessed her, gave
her the mala and told her to put the kanti on her neck straight
away. She offered her respects and thanks to Gurudeva and went
away to put the beads on her neck.
Afterwards, just before getting out the plane, she offered a small
note of thanks to me which ended with, "Thank you very much for
helping me start on the right path." She told me also that she
would return to her vegetarian habits, and sincerely chant on
her beads.
I commented to Srila Narayana Maharaja that wherever he goes,
simply by seeing him, people become attracted to serve Sri Sri
Radha Krishna. He smiled a gentle acknowledgement.
--end--
If you would like to read more material on or by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta
Narayana Maharaja, then please contact the following sites:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/paul.mcfarland/contents.html
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/9242
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