Cebu Nectar

[Guest guest]

Dec. 18, 1999. I just received a call from Tunga Vidya didi on my beeper asking me to return her call asap.

 

When I called her, she said that the beach house where Srila Gurudeva is staying was having maha-noise because the resort is hosting a big Christmas party. In fact, several parties were even on schedule to come. We were in so much anxiety as to what to do and at once we made a complaint to the management to at least lower the volume of the music - which they did. But after an hour, the maha-noise started again.

 

I at once called up several nearby beaches houses owned by my students so that we could transfer Srila Gurudeva for the time being. Srila Narayana Maharaja was still resting during the time that we were discussing this matter.

 

When Srila Gurudeva woke up, we told him of our plan. But to our surprise he said, "Oh, no harm. It is like Krishna playing His flute. . . . Did you make any complaint? You should not complain. These people are like children. They want to be happy in this material world. But soon they will become old and die."

 

Then we followed Srila Gurudeva on a short japa walk around the beach resort.

 

Afterwards, talking with Vrinda and Tunga Vidya didis, we said to ourselves that Srila Gurudeva today showed us another aspect of himself on the transcendental plane.

 

When a friend of mine (from the IRG) and I were about to go, Brajanath told us that Srila Gurudeva would allow us to come to His room and answer a few questions.

 

We went in and offered our dandavats. And as usual, I turned 'on' my videocam. Then Gurudeva gestured and said, "You should turn that off. You must record everything in your heart. You listen attentively. Time will come (pointing to my videocam) that will be gone, but what will enter your heart will stay forever. Keep everything in your heart."

 

Then he instructed us to chant the maha-mantra sincerely, without talking to anyone, without looking here and there; but thinking oneself unqualified, and begging Radha and Krishna to give Their mercy. Then he said, "If you do this, oh, you will become fixed up and a strong devotee. Don't waste your time working so hard and accumulating things. Like these people (pointing to those who were outside and still partying). Time will come when they will become old, their beauty gone. Then die."

 

Dec 25,1999. We had darsana with Srila Gurudeva at the white sands of Costa Bella. I said that during Christmas here in the Philippines, it is customary that people go around eating and drinking. So we all decided to come and visit him and every devotee offered fruits and gifts to Srila Gurudeva and the brahmacaris. Then every devotee read their short letter to Gurudeva. Srila Narayana Maharaja was so happy and asked everyone to come nearer and said, "How can I repay you? You have given so much. I am very poor, but fruits and vegetables are pouring... I am just chanting Hare Krishna and everything is coming...I am just asking you all to please sing with us the glories of Radha and Krishna."

 

Afterwards, as I went into the beach house where Srila Gurudev was staying, I saw Him putting on the t-shirt that my son Madan Mohan (8 years old, Gurudeva's youngest disciple here) offered. I said that I thought he would not like it because it is just so simple. But he said, "I accept everything if given with love."

 

Then he said, "I have to do my arnik." When he finished, he saw that I was still there in front of him. Then I asked him the value of chanting the gayatri mantra. He said, "It is like diet. You know diet? You have to feed regularly the atma. If you don't what will happen? But the mantra must be received from the proper source, otherwise it will have no effect."