A big guru reception at the Manor

[Guest guest]

If you think that the days of big guru receptions at the Manor are gone, you

are wrong.

 

Yesterday, on the 27 December 2000, H.G. Jivapati Prabhu (acbsp) was greeted

in the Bhaktivedanta Manor by a roaring kirtan followed by breakfast prasada

with a massive birthday cake for his 56th birthday.

 

Well, actually, the fact is Jivapati Prabhu has been serving Their Lordships

Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda as the Pujari at the Manor for the last 21 years

with hardly a single break!!!

 

He has been rising every morning at 1.00 a.m. to chant his rounds before

commencing his seva to the Lord for all those years!!! He is incredibly

glued to his seva. His often sick body does not deter him in the very least.

He only thinks about the Deities 24 hours a day. He very rarely leaves the

temple compound. He has become part of Their Lordships furniture at

Bhaktivedanta Manor. And while performing his service he hears morning

classes and Prabhupada lectures during the day. Although his devotional

qualities are endless, he is repelled if anyone praises him.

 

As for being greeted on his birthday by a roaring kirtan, it was all an

undercover operation organised by H.H. Vipramukhya Swami our ecstatic temple

president. The kirtan was timed to catch Jivapati Prabhu at 7.45 a.m. when

he goes from the Deity room past the prasadam room to go upstairs. Jivapati

Prabhu initially tried to run away from all the attention but quickly melted

under the entrapment of the loving requests of around twenty plus devotees

to come and take prasadam and cut the cake. He smiled with reluctance, and

then he broke into an ecstatic oceanic smile, saying, "I'll cut it". The

kirtan let loose again as everyone went into the prasadam room.

 

Before cutting the cake, Vipramukhya Swami asked:

 

Jivapati Prabhu, please tell us the secret of your success. How is it that

you are so fixed in Krishna consciousness? You have been serving the Deities

here at Bhaktivdendanta Manor for the last 21 years without hardly a single

break. Prabhu, please tell all of us, what is your secret?

 

"Confidence!" said Jivapati Prabhu as he looked at everyone for a brief few

seconds. "That's all. Confidence. You have to be convinced."

 

Vipramukhya Maharaja: "But how do you get the confidence you have."

 

Jivapati Prabhu shrugging his shoulders: "You just have to become

convinced."

 

After some time Jivapati Prabhu cut the cake and everyone took prasadam in

ecstacy.

 

We are all totally convinced about his conviction.

 

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The above is not a transcription, it is a paraphrasing of what happened.

Spread the good news if you will.

 

ys

 

ada