New Vrindaban devotee Gopisa’s India Journal: “When you eat this you will never take birth again”.
This is the 4th and last in a series of entries from Gopisa das on his recent trip to India.
DAY 7
Dearest family,
Today was a very special day. We went to Srimati Radharani’s temple for mangal aroti. I was pushed to the middle quite close and had a wonderful view of Sriji. Sacinandana Swami was also there and after the services he offered me some rock candy maha prasad with the following words, “When you eat this you will never take birth again”. I also cleaned Sriji’s floor with a new chadar for Abinanda Prabhu and collected some flower petals as well. Hope customs doesn’t go crazy on our way home.
We arrived in Vrindavan today. I’ve seen pictures of the deities here but photos don’t do Them justice. Also Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi was very emotional and quite spectacular!
This was quite a day…
I’m headed to an internet cafe to send these emails out. Jaya Krsna’s phone has only now started to work…….very strange indeed!
Love and Krsna to you all! g
Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Vrindavan
DAY 8
Dearest family,
Today we somehow missed the alarm and didn’t get up till 4:30. Caught the end of mangal aroti, Tulasi puja and japa, then greeting the Deities. They are spectacularly beautiful! Saw Veda Vyasa Swami, he didn’t recognize me at first then gave me a long twirling hug.
Saw Srila Prabhupada’s room in the Krsna-Balarama temple, another emotional experience. Went to Loi Bazaar. Got clothes and deity plate set…it’s very nice! Will get incense next trip. Had my watch stolen. Jaya Krsna lost his glasses to the monkeys, cost 100 rupees to get them back. I was hit three times but all failed. No one’s laughing at my strap and hat now! Of course pride in this cost me my watch!
We visited a couple temples including Radha Damodara where Srila Prabhupada’s room is. Chanted japa there. Saw Kesi ghat…very sad to see all the pollution in the Jamuna River.
The president of India is coming tomorrow for a new temple opening so lots of cops and the streets will be closed for a while. We will plan our day around them. Till tomorrow my precious ones.
Love and Krsna to you all! g
