Although India is under lockdown, nobody can come out of their houses but still devotees and especially disciples of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja celebrated his vyasapuja on 4th April 2020 i.e. on the day of Kamada Ekadashi. Maharaj was in Mayapur and very few devotees were there with Maharaj. Those devotees who were with Maharaj were wearing facemask and hand gloves as preventive measure and were keeping safe distance from each other.
And thousands of devotees from all over the world who were not able to be with Maharaj were celebrating the vyas puja through Mayapur TV and through facebook live.
Maharaj’s godbrothers, senior sannyasis and many devotees gave their offerings to Maharaj.
Offering given by Maharaj’s godbrothers, senior sannyasis and various leaders of Iskcon clearly reflected how much love devotees all over the world have for Maharaj.
The offerings of prominent leaders of Iskcon is given below.
Offering of HH Loknath Swami Maharaj:
Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaja Vyas Puja is being celebrated in Mayapur today which is Kamada Ekadashi. This year it is in small scale. It used to be large every year. But because of coronavirus only few devotees are there. Of course, his disciples and devotees from all over the world are celebrating in their house and temples. He has around 30K – 40K disciples. I am encouraging you all to celebrate Vyasapuja. Vyasapuja ki jai!
Like Maharaj, my birthday and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj’s birthday is also on Ekadashi.
He was born in 1949. He is few months elder to me. But from knowledge perspective he is very elder. He joined Iskcon around 1968. I joined in 1971.He joined in Canada.
One famous thing about him I remember, when he was a new devotee, he had got initiated, he was always doing kirtan very loudly and always chanting Hare Krishna loudly. He used to loudly take name of Krishna in ashram, in the temple and even outside. He would forget that he is on the road. Outside too he would loudly sing or chant Hare Krishna. People got disturbed. Some went to complain to the police that a person is causing nuisance. He is disturbing our peace.
When Srila Prabhupada came to know about Jaypataka Swami Maharaj, then Srila Prabhupada said we will send him to India, to Mayapur. He can shout as much as he wants name of Krishna in Mayapur, no one will be disturbed in Mayapur by his loud chant. At that time, he was not swami.
He was one of the senior-most sanyasi disciples of Srila Prabhupada. He was one of the first disciples of Srila Prabhupada to be sent to Mayapur. He got the responsibility of Mayapur, of Kolkata. He became GBC. Once in India only HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami was the only GBC from India.
Srila Prabhupada gave him the responsibility of developing Mayapur and TOVP. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja ki jai. I love him. When we were younger, sometimes there was love and hate. But now I not only like him but love him. I pray that my brotherly love keeps increasing. My love for Maharaj grows daily.
Today Jayapataka Swami Maharaj has become a miracle. We see his bodily condition; he had many operations. But in this state also he is busy, he keeps thinking about preaching, attends all meeting which we miss sometimes. But he is so dutiful. It is a miracle. He is a miracle. Where miracle there is surrender. My prayers to him. Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca kripa-sindhubhya eva c ..
HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj was touched by the offering of HH Loknath Swami Maharaj and said that “I also love him.”
Offering of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj:
My dear godbrother Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, on this auspicious day of your appearance, I was remembering all the wonderful memories. You were my leader in Mayapur. You are an example of dedication and devotion. For Srila Prabhupada you sacrificed everything. You sacrificed your wealthy parents, wealthy nation and took a life of austerity in remote village of Mayapur.
To feed all of us you used to go out to collect funds. I saw you beg, scream, fight to get money from persons who were responsible to give money to feed us in the temple. You did all for our sake. I had wonderful experience of going with you to different places in Bengal to distribute books, make life members. During those trips in the evening classes hundreds of people came and you used to give class in Bengali. We were happy. You were there to lead us. Those were happy days. Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet and bless me. Your eternally indebted servant Bhakti Charu Swami.
Offering of HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami Maharaj, disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj
Today is your appearance day. I remember how you saved me in the very first meeting which I had with you. I came to take my younger brother Mukunda to home from temple. I told him its nonsense, you are not doing anything for parents and society but simply wasting time. You have shaved your head. But devotees are intelligent. My brother told that I will go home but now its evening, so there is no bus, no train to go home. You should meet my gurudev. I said I will not meet your gurudev.
He knows black magic that is why so many educated people have surrendered. He had given me Rs 101 so that I should donate when I meet a vaisnav. I was not convinced. However, I met him. He has big build up and he was wearing a garland. I thought he knows some magic, maybe black magic.
He said welcome welcome brother of Mukunda. You had prasadam? By birth I am Bengali, but he was speaking Bengali so nicely. He again asked, “You had prasad?” I was there for 2 hours, had no prasad. He phoned somebody. And one devotee brought big rasgulla. I was very hungry. I took. He kept speaking so nicely. He said you stay here, why you want to go back. I thought this man is trying to catch me. I immediately wanted to run away.
He said see there are free rooms, free prasadam, free cloth. Then he again told me to stay back. I said no. He said stay for at least one month. I said not even for one hour I will stay. He said stay for 15 days. I said not even for one hour I will stay. He again said stay for 7 days. I thought this man is so stubborn. But he was speaking so nicely. Again, I said no. He said at least for 3 days. His speaking hit me. He said to me situation was so bad, Bengal’s economic condition was so bad.
I was graduate. I was trying to make money. I became sentimental. He further said that everything coming from Radha Madhav but educated puffed up people are catching the feet of marwaris for Rs 500 – Rs 600 but they do not bow to Sri Sri Radha Madhav. I did not have that much problem, but I was searching for money. But those words I can never forget in my life. You are the only hope. You gave me so much mercy by shouting, correcting me guru maharaj. You are my only hope. Please save me. Please save me.
Offering of HH Gouranga Prem Swami Maharaj
On this day he appeared in this world. He follows all orders of Srila Prabhupada. He always looks for conclusion in vaisnvas siddhanta. Srila Prabhupada said to him that I have given you the kingdom of God develop it. He is trying to develop Gaur Mandal bhumi. He is trying to rescue all places of Lord Chaitanya, Lord Chaitnaya’s associates and where the Lord performed his pastimes.
In 1979 he started namhatta. He started Navadwip Manadala parikrama. He is trying to take land so that future generations can do parikrama and have place to stay during parikrama. He is constantly thinking of developing the dham. This is how he is serving all and we the disciples should serve him in his mission.
Offering of HG Jannanivas Prabhu
He is my beloved godbrother. He is attentive to satisfy everyone. Once there was flood in Mayapur. Situation was very critical. That time he was in Kolkata. He arranged some boats to come to Mayapur. In lotus building water was rising, there was constant rain, storm.
We were in that situation and he arrived with boats which was full of rice, sabzi (vegetables), dal (lentils). In that tense situation he was standing on the boat and was loudly chanting Jai Gauranga, Jai Prabhupada. He said let us go prepare food and we will go village to village to distribute food. That fearful situation became joyful situation because of him.
I was thinking that because of Coronavirus similar situation has come up now. He is again organizing devotees to chant 3 times a day so that holy name is chanted all over the world. In this bodily situation how he continues his activity I cannot understand? I offer my humble obeisances to him.
Offering of HG Pankajanghri Prabhu
Just by you being here we feel safe and peaceful. When we are in any dilemma, when there is management issue, any concern, any disagreement, then we know that at the end of the day when the situation will be presented to you, you will give the answer and the problem will be resolved.
Everyone feels safe by your presence. You resolve any philosophical doubt. You give your able guidance to the deity department. I pray that you stay here for many years. Krishna please bless HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj so that he is always with us. Thank you, Maharaj, for everything.
Offering of HG Nitai Sevani Mataji
One sadhu was living with his disciples on a mountain. All his disciples were following instructions except one. The disciples complained to the guru that this particular disciple is not following the instruction. He is mixing with village people and eating anything. Guru asked then what should we do. The disciples said you banish him. Guru asked, “Why?”
Because he is bringing bad name to the ashram. Guru asked them, “Do you follow everything and not transgressing the principles.” The disciples said yes. Guru said, “Since you all are perfected, you do not need me. So, you all should leave me. But he needs me as still he has difficulties.”
Guru makes you complete. At times you think he is going to punish his erring disciples, but he is the first to help the disciples. In my personal life for last 21 years me and my husband have been serving here (in Vizag). Whenever I used to hear that you are coming, I used to be tense. Is everything ok? Whether his room is good? Will people turn up?
But after few years I realized that guru is not coming to give me marks, to give me report card. He is coming to help, to protect my spiritual life. He is not giving grade. He is with me. He is like my father, my guide, my ever well-wisher. Guru is not judging you. He wants to help you to be better every day.
I beg you to keep us in your prayers and bless me and my husband.
Offering of Sri Vallabh Prabhu (leader of middle east)
This year because of lockdown we are not able to come to Mayapur, but we all are participating from every nook and corner of the world from our houses.
We now see importance of Bhakti Vriksha Shradha kutir. How you have reached out everywhere. Even in such circumstances where people are under lockdown through Bhakti Vriksha and Shradha Kutir they are practicing. Your service is something of pride to Iskcon world over. You have reached to all – rich and poor. You have even reached to less visited places in the world. Srila Prabhupada will be very satisfied. Guru Maharaj in spite of all difficulties you have continued to work for Iskcon, for TOVP.
We have great responsibility to serve you. We pledge to serve you in your multifaceted responsibility. This year is your 50th year of sannyas. This is a glory to Iskcon. This year on Radhastami we will celebrate 50th anniversary of your taking sannyas.
We pray to you for strength so that we can serve you.
Offering of HH Bhakti Advaita Nabadwip Swami Maharaj (from Bangladesh)
Please accept our respectful obeisances. This is your 71st vyas puja. This year is also golden jubilee celebration of your sannyas. Because of coronavirus whole world is under lockdown. We are sitting here in Sylhet, Bangaladesh and are celebrating your vyas puja. Srila Prabhupada asked you to distribute books, develop dham and you fulfilled his desires.
Please include this lowly servant in your service. We are afraid that we may not fulfill your mission. You gave service of Radha Madhav to us at Sylhet. We have now the deities of Radha Madhav. You will be installing the deity of Radha Madhav here. Just by hearing this that you will install the deity, the citizens of Sylhet are in great jubilation.
By seeing you everyone will be joyful. Poison of corona has disturbed all. Please bless so that the people of world will be saved. In 1995, 21st April, you accepted service of Radha Madhava. You had declared that there will be school, there will be hostel. Now school is there, hostel is there. Citizens are waiting for you to come. You had said that here mini Mayapur will be established. We are eagerly waiting for you here.
Bhagavad Gita Distribution Report
HG Venudhari prabhu who has been serving Maharaj gave the Bhagavad Gita (BG) Distribution report from all over the world.
Number of Bhagavad Gita (BG) sponsorship from different countries: Burma: 71, Canada : 108, New Zealand: 71, Russia: 113, Malaysia: 133, Sri Lanka: 142,Saraja: 142,USA: 546,Bahrain: 624, Abu Dhabi: 831,China: 989,Dubai: 1071,Singapore: 1001,UK: 1278,Saudi Arabia: 1661 ,Europe: 2098,Kuwait: 2389,Bangladesh: 2765 ,Oman: 5014,Qatar: 5482,India: 11,448
Total: 38,186 Bhagavad Gita (BG) Books have been sponsored till now.
As this is the 50th year of Maharaj taking sannyas so the target is to have 50,000 BG sponsorship by Radhastami.
HG Venudhari Prabhu is supposed to take sannyas on the auspicious day of the vyas puja of his spiritual master, HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj.
Share the pictures of vyas puja celebration at your homes or temples
HH Bhakti Purusottama Mahraj gave a proposal: Since thousands of devotees are celebrating vyas puja at their home, they have decorated their altar in a beautiful way. So, if anyone desire, they can send the photo of the celebration at their homes and these photos will be shown to guru maharaj. The photos can be sent on the following whatsapp number:
+919434506434: Whatsapp number of Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj
+919944018001: Syam Rasik prabhu Whatsapp number
+917305015701: HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja media foundation
Or at 9647200346
HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja vyas puja class
Lord Chaitanya said all over the world my name will be chanted. Srila Prabhupada has established center in every country of the world. Now is the opportunity to help people chant names of God. By chanting Hare Krishna kalmash of Kaliyuga will be destroyed. But if someone wants to chant other names of god Srila Prabhupada said alright.
Anyway, our Srila Prabhupada has given us seva to Lord Krishna. It is something very confidential. Even the priest, even the pundits nobody knows about this concept of serving the Lord. They just pray to god to get some peace or material happiness. They do not know how the love of Godhead and the service of godhead is the real happiness we are searching for. I hope all the devotees participating in vyas puja take this very seriously to develop Krishna Consciousness.
Lochana Das Thakura said that Lord Chaitanya is the crown jewel of all the incarnations of godhead. He has given a process which is simply blissful. We hope all the devotee will taste this bliss.
Seva padma devi dasi from Syam Desh or Balaram Desh said that Vrajvasis were also locked down under Govardhan hill for 7 days. But they did not feel that time was distressful because Krishna was there. We want all the disciples to be with Krishna all the time. Thank you all very much. Hare Krishna.
I am sorry we cannot give you a big feast today.
Washing of lotus feet, puspanjali and arati of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj
Bhakti Nityananda Maharaj and Sripad Venudhari prabhu washed the lotus feet of HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj.
During that time devotees sang the song – Sri Guru charan Padma.
After that Maharaj’s pranam mantra was chanted three times
“Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale Srimate Jayapataka swamin iti namine, Nama Acharya padaya Nitai kripa pradayine Gaura katha dhama daya nagara grama tarine”
And devotees from all over the world in their mind offered flowers at the lotus feet of Maharaj three times.
After that arati of Maharaj was performed and devotees who were fortunate to be with Maharaj and also thousands of devotees virtual attending the vyas puja celebration sang – saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka- trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam …
Hare Krishna