06/22/98 - 1884

Aerial Initiation

USA (VNN) - from On Tour With Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

by Budhara dasa

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, I 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.