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WORLD  HH Tamala Krsna Goswami Vyasapuja Celebration BY TUSTI MOHAN KRSNA DAS  MAYAPUR, INDIA, Jul 3 (VNN) — Dear devotees, PAMHO & AGTSP Today 28-6-02 is the Sri Vyasapuja celebration of HH Tamal Krsna Goswami, the first after his Physical departure in Gaura Mandal, His Samadhi is beside Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi in Mayapur and we are attaching few pictures that were taken recently so all you can see how it looks like at this moment.Today Disciples and well wishers and devotees in general celebrated the Sri Vyasapuja of HH TKG in his quarters in Conch building in Mayapur, and yesterday was the adivas ceremony (later we will post most details) This morning there were homage's from Godbrothers, disciples & well wishers and after that there were arati simultaneously in the Quarters as well in Samadhi and after that there was a big feast fro all the devotees in the big kitchen arranged by HH TKG's disciples. We will be sending pics soon about this celebration. The Samadhi of HH TKG is under the care of Her Grace Tusti Devi Dasi and HG Baladeva prabhu from Philippines who are doing the complete service for the Samadhi and Goswami Maharaja daily from mangala arati till 9:00 pm. Few days back I requested Tusti dd to write something about her service to HH TKG and here (below) is her realization about her service. Written by Tusti devi dasi Dedicated to my dear siksa-guru, my loving father Tamala Krsna Goswami. I was requested by Tusti Mohan Prabhu to tell a story about Samadhi in Mayapur of His Divine Grace Tamala Krishna Goswami my dear siksa guru. My memory again brought me back to that a tragic day on March 15 when TKG left us to join to eternal sankirtana movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. As was admitted by many godbrothers and godsisters of Goswami Maharaja he was ahead of his time. He proved it even at death TKG opened a new page in the history of ISKCON - "Samadhi in Mayapura', the first Samadhi of the spiritual master in the line of the Founder -Acharya His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Tamala Krishna Gosvami is one of the most beloved son of Srila Prabhupada .He always was next to him during his life and. he expressed a desire to be next to his spiritual master after leaving his body if this happen in Mayapura. By some special arrangement ,unknown to me, I became a witness of the future samadhi from the very beginning. After the announcement after mangal-arati that HH TKG left his body in a car accident, I still could not believe it, that it was a reality. I was fully devastated and became extremely weak, tears flowing from my eyes like a river. I was waiting for the body of Guru Maharaja to be brought but as a child always believes in a miracle, I kept in my heart a small spark of hope that this is not a true. In this mood I went to home to take a short rest, but was unable to do anything. I sat down and looked through my window to Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi, located very close to my building. In that direction I have seen a group of people gathered in the spot next to the Pushpa- Samadhi. There were some Mayapur authorities and the local labourers. I tried to understand what they were doing on that wasteland, full of stones, bricks, garbage. Before there had been a workshop complex in that area for Prabhupada Samadhi construction. One year ago it had been demolished. Suddenly I noticed six or seven big bags- the thought struck my mind that this was the salt for Samadhi. At that time, the labourers began they job. I ran like the wind away from my house, not caring that I was the only lady there. I looked at them working at digging the earth covered by dried grass into a deepening pit. My last hope was fully broken along with my heart. Who will give me relief from this unbearable suffering? Where shall I go what shall I do? The whole world became empty. Only Prabhupada's lotus feet could be the balm for my swollen eyes and grief-stricken heart. I went to his Samadhi and after having darshan, continued watching as the pit for my spiritual master which become wider and deeper. I remained till the end of the samadhi- ceremony, when there were only a few people left. The husband of Prabhpada's grand-daughter had made a shape over the burial site. Next morning I found a fence and small saffron canopy had been added. Soon we had a short meeting on that spot. Most devotees were leaving to go to the Puspa- Samadhi ceremony in Govardhan. Gaura Narayan prabhu requested the remaining devotees to do Gurupuja daily. On the 17th March, Hayagriva prabhu and my self carried out the 1st arati after our spiritual masters departure. I am very thankful to the pujaris and devotees of the Prabhupada's Samadhi. We did not have sufficient a paraphernalia and they lent us items like a fan and a camara. On the 19th we began to offer Srila Prabhupada's mahaprasad and do a bhoga arati. The pujaris continued to encourage us and saw that we had anything we required. This was not so easy to do it in the hot sun in an open place, while curious people stared at us. Mayapur's dogs liked to come and sleep and pass in this area. The wind and dust were very destructive for the burial side too. It was a busy time for Mayapura managers- preparation for the Gaura-Purnima festival, Navadvipa-Mandala parikrama. Everybody was engaged in they respective business. I use to come to Samadhi every evening sit down under a tree-a witness of this sad event, chant and cry. It was the time of a great desperation but seems guru have seen my condition. Once a devotee approached to SAmadhi and asked me: " Do you thinking the guru knows you are staying here and crying?" I was so surprised to see and to hear from this prabhu whom I never met before. The time was so late for anybody to walk around . What could I say to him? "I do not know"-was my reply. Suddenly he began talk about TKG in a very intimate manner. He arrived in Mayapura in same day when the accident took place, carrying his letter with expression of a gratitude for association with Goswami Maharaja..This devotee was doing some service for him in England . While he was speaking, I felt as if gurudeva sent him to give a solace to my heart . He disappeared as suddenly as appeared. It was so mysterious as in a dream. The devotee came at evening on the next day and we again had talk .Finally I have asked his name - Sachinandana prabhu from Bhaktivedanta Manor -a disciple of HH Sivarama Swami. I so thankful to him for his support and a care in that hard time. The grave was covered with many maha- garlands, offered out of respect for guru-maharaja by the mayapura devotees. Still the general impression was quite pity. I began thinking that something should be done for now. I got some ideas and requested Hayagriva prabhu come with me to Niranjana Swami . On the way we met Nrisimha Maharaja and expressed him our concern but he said that gradually things will be arranged .Still we was not agree with this explanation. I have knew a storm season coming soon and some protection should be done before that. Niranjana Swami only just now was back from the Navadvipa-mandala parikrama where they all day alone was doing bajan in Bhaktivenoda Thakur's house in Godrum. He was tired and did not take any prasadam yet but I begged him to receive us as an emergency case and he did. Guru Maharaja supported my idea to build temporary Samadhi as a simple bamboo hut and in the end of our conversation he said 'Just do it" but we had no laxmi. Than he took an envelope with enclosed donation and passed to Hayagriva pr. This is how Niranjana Swami is. In that the late evening we again met Nrisimha Maharaja as if he was waiting for us to know Niranjana Swami's opinion .on this subject matter. I did not know a nature of H.H. Nrisimha Swami.. To my surprise at 10.30 P.M. I noticed from my room two devotees dressed in saffron near Samadhi. Who it may to be? Next morning I was told that it was H.H.Nrisimha Maharaja and His grace Jananivasa prabhu. I explained my desire to Jananivasa prabhu and he accepted it very seriously. Thus we started put this idea into actions. Together with few devotees we was working very hard to clean a side from stones, bricks, grass etc .than we brought a soft earth and finally fixed Samadhi with a cow dun for one day. Nrisimha Maharaja practically all the time was watching how we are doing this. I met him at late afternoon on my way to the Ganges . I felt a fatigue but appreciation of maharaja uplifted my spirit. 'Well done!'-he said.. So many different pandals, the exhibitions, the stages have been built in that time. Only four days left for Gaura-Purnima What is about Samadhi? A strong desire was born in my heart- finish everything by Gaura Purnima and make a nice pandal for bajan as well. Nonetheless the labors said that this is impossible but I was sure this is that what should be done. Finely I convinced them accomplish on the time. I went to the temple to pray to the Lord Nrisinhadeva to take away all obstacles, than I approached to pujari of the Lord Nricimha HG Pancajangri Prabhu asking him to pray that Sanadhi could be done quickly. I fed the labors with mahaprasad and they liked this very much I told to them briefly about guru Maharaja to make them aware of all importance a service for sadhu. I have pushed the workers to fix a roof for one day and a same night first a great storm accompanied with sunder, lighting illuminating all around and torrents of a rein fall on Mayapura but no one drop have fell on Samadhi. It seems as if Indra was waiting for this protection and than let the elements to do they job. During this construction HH Jayapataka Swami came with his innumerable disciples and was very happy to see what we were doing. One day before Gaura Purnima Samadhi was completed. At that time I did not know that TKG had recently expressed to some of his disciples that if he lived permanently in Mayapur, he would like to be in some quiet, peaceful place in a simple setting, rather than amid the bustle of the guesthouse, which was ideal for an office. The bamboo hut we constructed seemed like such a residence. Together with devotees from Fiji, Philipines, Calcutta we decorated Samadhi and pandal with the Bananas trees, the painted pots with coconuts on the top, flowers, garlands, leafs of ashoka and bakul trees, a pleasing fragrance of the chintamany incenses made the whole atmosphere especially pleasant . Kolkata devotees brought an enlarged photography of TKG from a cover of Vyasa-Puja book 1991.The expression of the face of TKG on this picture is very significant, with deep emotions. I found this a most appropriate one to be placed in Samadhi . I invited Niranjana Swami come and do bajan on GauraPurnima. He came exactly on time and began with "Guru vandana" It was best performance I ever have head . Sweet, soft filled with mood of great separation a tune touched the core of the heart of devotees .The eyes almost all presented filled with tears. To cry for a great vaishnava is the greatest benefit one can gain. It was very profound experience . Talking with Niranjana Swami after that I expressed my feeling his bajan was in touch with the mood of TKG . He replied that he felt indeed as if TKG is sitting beside him and play at his karatalas. He was very happy to see this newly built Samadhi. It was very beautiful and seems a most peaceful place in Mayapura but after sometimes we began feel an inconvenience with the cow dun. One a more subtle reason pushed me to think what can be done else. Whenever I entered in Samadhi the shape of the grave, although decorated with the big vaishnava tilaks,made my heart wince again and again. Crying within my heart day and night I was doing externally all necessary for Samadhi things but it become very hard to bear it longer . Another consideration - a rainy season and probably a flood. By the mercy of chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Guru I was able to go to Puri for few days together with HH Jayapataka Swami and Safari devotees. There I visited Samadhi of Haridasa Thakura, his bhajan kutir, a famous bakul tree and legendary Gambira. Gurudeva continued to guide me. He reciprocated my service with a very precious gift-the special mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha-Kanta deities in Gambira. From his behalf I made some gifts to pujaris and donated a deep blue sari for Radharani .Narottama das, pujari of Mahaprabhu, first offered everything what I gave for him to the Lord and only after that he accepted it. Gambira is like my home now and I wish to do some service there in my next visit. I had no doubt that everything happened only by the mercy of guru. In Bhu banesvar, I have seen Samadhi of Gaur-Govinda Swami, who left his body in Mayapura in January, 1996.. The disciples had moved his body here to the place of his bhajan kutir. The murti of Maharaj and a standard of worshiping had very good impression on me. There I met Gaura Narayan prabhu who is living in Govardhan. During our important exchange he said that HG Keshava Bharati prabhu had been thinking of TKG Samadhi- that it may need to be built on a platform in case of flood.The visit in Gagannatha Puri had a very positive effect on me. I got practical realization that guru eternally reside in his Samadhi. Now when I enter in side I feel that guru is here with us. He is sitting, smiling, watching what we are doing with Baladeva prabhu, a disciple of Gurudeva from Philippin, who very sincere assist me in my service. Guru is not heavy any more as he sometimes was but loving father willing to forgive the small mistakes of his children. You can talk with him and ask your questions. He will answer within your heart .In Samadhi you can found a great peace and harmony. This is very intimate and private place most suitable for bajan. Samadhi is my happy home now. Devotees noticed that I am looking happy. It is so. I am happy because Guru allowed me to render a very personal service for him. Baladeva is also very satisfied. Living in Phylippin he felt separation and guru told to him: "You are missing me very much. I promise -you will never separate from me". He keeps his promise. I hope Baladeva will stay in Mayapura to be together with his beloved spiritual master and render service for him as he did this in Guru's presence. We have both a same intention to do Samadhi more beautiful and attractive .This is one of expression of our love for guru. Once I returned to Mayapur, I knew the next step that had to be made. With a new design I began reconstruction for a cement floor and the platforms .Because everything happened so quickly and smoothly I could understand that it was the blessing of Gurudeva. As the work was going on inside Samadhi, we transferred everything to my home and all the puja was done there. I felt a presence of guru very strongly as if he accepted my invitation to be my dear guest for some time. I invited his Holiness JayapatakaA Swami to take darshan, with all of his disciples. Upon seeing this arrangement he was astonished and happy. On June 1st, Gurudeva came back to the renovated Samadhi and sat down on his new, beautifully carved vyasasana. We had placed marble on top of the samadhi platforms. The cow-dun floor period had changed to one of marble, cement floor, brick pathway for parikrama, etc. Mayapur devotees appreciated the development, which now includes some landscaping using beautiful bushes and a seat. For this we try to co-operate with the developers of SP Samadhi grounds. One significant event is that we are planted a Tamal tree brought from Vrindavan. Its young at the present moment, his leaf are so tender and soft to touch as the Krishna's skin. We call him our Tamal. We hope its will grow together with Samadhi. I would like tell briefly what our service is. As I mentioned above we like make Samadhi very attractive. Baladeva prabhu goes to help dress Sri Sri Radha-Madhav in the evening and collects as many garlands as possible . We also collect from SP Samadhi. We offer these and whatever we sew ourselves, to the pictures of Srila Prabhupada, disciplic succession and Lord Chaitanya in the Samadhi. So everyday Samadhi looks like it is decorated for a festival! We always offer Gurudevas garlands first to SP, because he never liked to be offered anything that first his spiritual master had not received. Our program is that we try to do those things we know he used to do- in the morning we wake Gurudeva for mangalarati, then he chants japa in front of Tulasi devi, then we do gurupuja, a breakfast offering, and then darshan is until lunch time. After this offering, he is resting until afternoon, when we wake him . We put on a tape of kirtan from his room in the last few days before his departure. We soon begin a programme of chanting very sweetly kirtanas in the evening, This is followed by a drink of hot milk and rest. Thus our evenings we hope are pleasing to Gurudeva, being filled up by Harinam. Bhakti Caru Maharaj, the intimate friend of TKG, said :" For those who are already within ISKCON, for those who already ac cept Krsna consciousness, it is time for them to take shelter of the Holy Name by going deep into the Name by tasting the Name. The nectar is there, all the rasas- now it is up to us to pursue that taste. Tamal Krsna Maharaj indicated this direction for us, so now we have to take this vani, focus on it, and take that direction. This will be the most sincere way to glorify TKG." It is such an important step to take next. It was explained by the remembrances of many god-brothers and sisters, that TKG was a very prominent figure after the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada. It looks like his Samadhi in Mayapur should have an influence for the spiritual development of this society. Already Samadhi is an important part of a Society in this Holy Dhama, the heart of ISKCON. Many devotees come to conclusion that this "accident" was not by chance, but was a divine arrangement by Pabhupad and Krsna. It seems as Srila Prabhupada wanted has his dearest son next to him to help lead this movement to a highest level of love of God, Krsna prema through developing a deep attachment to the Holy Name. This is the time for all of us to become mature and develop a new stage of spirituality. We know that when ever there was an impossible task that others could not take up, he called TKG, because he knew that there was nothing impossible for him. In this time that the movement is going through so many crises, TKG is showing a direction for perfection. WE hope the samadhi/ bhajan kutir will unite devotees independently of where they are from and whose disciples they are. We invite all serious devotees who want to taste the real nectar of the Holy Name by absorption in soft melodious chanting, as it was in the final days of Goswami Maharaj in Mayapur. Come and join us in service to a great mahatma! How greatly he appreciated this service, and how greatly appreciated this service is by those who perform it, we can see by the loving exchange between HH Niranjan Swami and TKG, my most beloved Diksa and Siksa gurus. TKG "I have a debt to you that I can never pay back. I am so thankful that you come everyday to my room and chant." NS "How is it possible to feel a debt to me? I am indebted to you because you encouraged me to come and chant. TKG" No, I have a debt that I do not know how I can repay. Tell me, please!" Recently NS commented on this exchange, "There is no debt, whatsoever. I just am very grateful that he allowed me to render a service that was pleasing to him. I will remember it for the rest of my life. He was teaching by example how we can achieve association with the Lord by absorption in kirtan. Whenever we take part in kirtan we will remember that this was something very pleasing to him, because it is pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and. because it is pleasing to Lord Chaitanya. In this way we will always remember the lesson he taught us in the final days: to take shelter of the Holy Name of the Lord. One day before his departure, TKG said to Kesava Bharati prabhu, that he wished he did not have to go to England. Lokanatha Maharaj commented that Krsna took notice of this wish and fulfilled it. He did not let him leave Gaura mandala. He was about to cross to Phuliya, where Haridas Thakur chanted 300 000 Names. He was just returning here. He was given shelter by Srila Prabhupada. He arranged for TKG to take rest in the Holy Dhama on an adjoining piece of land . For all that TKG had done, Pabhupada reciprocated by giving him eternal rest in Navadwip Dham right next to his own Samadhi. We hope that the Mayapur authorities will take notice of the statement of H. H Lokanatha Swami, that it was Prabhupada's desire to have his dear son next to him, and that they will grant sufficient space to construct a modest but well-designed permanent samadhi in harmony with that designed for Srila Prabhupada. If somebody will get even small inspiration for service he is most welcome and we will consider our presentation of Samadhi of His Divine Grace Tamala Krishna Goswami in Mayapura successful. I hope that after this information devotees will get some idea and a more clear understanding what Samadhi in Mayapura is about. Please contact with us for any information We also will be happy accept any help from you.. Your humble servant Tusti d.d. Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
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