A few days back I read the following closing note to one of the chapters in Srila Prabhupada Uvaca book by HG Srutakirti Prabhu.
“Srila Prabhupada, you always set the perfect example by showing us how to act in all circumstances. When you were ill, you continued your service without complaining, but when I complained of illness you compassionately catered to my desires. I owe you my life and more. You accepted whatever Krishna provided, but for your disciples you strived to provide them with the comforts to which they were accustomed. You were pleased to see your disciples happily engaged in devotional service and free from anxiety. Please bless me with the desire to treat my god-brothers and god-sisters with the same love and care you bestow upon them.”
After reading it, I remembered the following pastime of our dear Guru Maharaja who is imbibing Srila Prabhupada’s mood and teachings in full.
It was July of 2013 when Guru Maharaja, on his way to Ujjain via Indore, decided to visit BSC (student preaching center) in Indore. When Guru Maharaja arrived at airport, devotees were shocked to see that Guru Maharaja was a kind of limping. There was an injury in leg of Guru Maharaja from weeks. However, all this while his preaching and travelling never stopped.
As Guru Maharaja came to BSC, hundreds of devotees gathered to have his divine association. As the temple room became full, many devotees were standing outside, sneaking in the room to have one glimpse of Guru Maharaja. On seeing many devotees standing outside, Guru Maharaja told devotees to do setup on terrace so that all devotees can sit together for the class. But for that, Guru Maharaja has to walk up the terrace with the injured leg!
Devotees tried to avoid it but they were helpless as Guru Maharaja wanted it. Whole setup was shifted in 10 minutes to terrace. Guru Maharaja, in his limitless compassion, tried to climb the stairs. At one point it became very difficult and Guru Maharaja stopped in between. Devotees then took Guru Maharaja on chair to the terrace where Guru Maharaja gave wonderful class and told leaders to take care of all needs of students in all respects starting from their health.
After coming to Ujjain, devotees arranged all programs in Guru Maharaja’s quarters, so that Guru Maharaja doesn’t have to put much strain on his leg. However when Guru Maharaja saw that so many devotees came to temple and they are desiring to hear from him, he came down again to give his divine association. One day while slowly walking towards temple hall, he had to return from the half way back to his room because he could no longer stretch himself with the injured leg to the temple!
HG Madhavi Manjari Mataji (Spain) recalls this incident in her Vyasa Puja offering:
“Guru Maharaja, on this recent visit you made to Malaga in June this year, we had very great experiences of your incomparable mercy. When you arrived at the airport and we saw you limping because of your foot injury, and you had to stand so long for your baggage clearance and walked all the way in the long corridors of Malaga airport, our hearts just melted and cried. We thought what was the need for you to undergo this severe austerity just to save the fallen and contaminated souls like us? You travel so long distances in the uncomfortable flights to different cities. Tolerate such drastic changes in the weather every single week, get jet lagged, all this! Just for saving foolish living entities like US from falling in Maya.”
çiväya lokasya bhaväya bhütaye
ya uttama-çloka-paräyaëä janäù
Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest. [Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.12]
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