Srila BP Puri Maharaja Health Report #7

[Guest guest]

Dear Kind hearted devotees,

 

I write to you now from Calcutta at the hospital where His Divine Grace Pujapada Srila BP Puri Goswami has been staying now for almost one month. I have been here for the past five days observing Guru Maharaj's condition, speaking with his doctors, staying at Guru Maharaj's bedside, and assisting those devotees serving him in making future arrangements for his care.

 

When I arrived Guru Maharaja had just developed a cold and fever and for several days was incapacitated by this condition. He has been able to take very little direct food and has been mostly been fed through a tube which connects to his stomach via the nasal passages. His physical appearance seems vibrant and healthy, while mentally he is still very withdrawn and non-communicative. All day and night he is is always chanting the Maha Mantra and sometimes chanting "He Bhagavan!" or "Prabhupada, Prabhupada!" Sometimes he is speaking various phrases to his attendents as they speak to him. He also seems to be very aware of what is going on around him. In one instance one of the nurses was chanting the Maha Mantra incorrectly, and surprsingly Guru Maharaja corrected her mistake. In another case a devotee was chanting the holy name and then started chanting slokas, Guru Maharaja stopped him and told him "no, only chant Maha Mantra". Another time one of the nurses touched Maharaja and He said, "now you have made me impure".

 

Just as I am writing this letter, Guru Maharaja was asked if he wanted to go to Mayapur and he replied by chanting another sloka, "Guru, Vaishanava, Bhagavan tiner smaran: (I am remembering Guru, Vaishnava, and Bhagavan"). Guru Maharaja also told me in bengali,"the sisters here are troubling me so much". Many times Guru Maharaja said "I am 102 years old", as if to say that he had stayed here long enough. All are amazed at His Divine Grace's staunch faith in the Holy Name, as well as his strict adherance to his sannyasa, even under such conditions.

 

The attendents in the hospital are all very nice and seem to have great care and respect for Guru Maharaja. The head adminstrator of the hospital comes every morning just to pay her respects and take the foot dust of Guru Maharaja. Two of Guru Maharaja's servants are with him at all times.

 

Guru Maharaja's doctor is a specialist in neurology. He feels that whatever progress Guru Maharaja will make will be 90% acheived in the next 90 days. It is not known to what extent though Guru Maharaja will be able to recover as this depends entirely on the Lord. There are no special cures that are known of and what medecines are said to promote circulation and oxygen to the brain are being utilized. Truly the matter is in the hands of the Supreme Lord, His associates, and Guru Maharaja's own sweet will as to whether he will remain in this world. Sometimes Guru Maharaja says "aar kitchu darkar nahi" (I don't want anything), and "I can leave this body" and "I am going to Bhagavan". We are all praying that Guru Maharaja stay if it is his desire, or that he can go if he pleases. It is not clear to anyone what will manifest. It is a time for deep prayer.

 

Guru Maharaja's arms and legs seem to be ok and did not really suffer from the stroke. The part of the brain that controls these seems to be unaffected. Guru Maharaja has had 3 different cat scans now and it appears to his doctor that the damaged area has shrunk or localized and it is possible that the functions performed by this part of the brain may be transferred to another part, but that is impossible to say and will take time to determine.

 

Our plan is to move Guru Maharaja to a private apartment which has been specially prepared for him here in Calcutta in the next few days. He will be kept there for approximately two weeks before taking him back to Mayapur Dhama. All facilities are being arranged for him and he will have two servants at all times serving him. There will be no visitors allwed though as His Divine Grace's health is in a very delicate state and we need to minimize any possibility of infection or stress to his condition, which is the order of his doctor as well. When Guru Maharaj's health is stable he will be transported to Mayapur where is room has been prepared with all facilities for his care. Our Governing Board also appopinted Madhava Priya das to be Guru Maharaja's chief sevak and in charge of all other sevaks whom will be attending Guru Maharaja. Dina Bandhu prabhu will continue to be one of the sevaks along with Anadhi Prabhu and Krsna Kripa, and two other devotees.

 

Just now Guru Maharaj's doctor came and examined him and said he is much better today and can be released tomorrow. This was welcome news. Now the long road to recovery starts. We again humbly request all of you to continue to pray for the recovery of His Divine Grace. Those godbrothers and sisters interested in how they may assist in serving His Divine Grace may write to the undersigned or call Sripada Bodhayan Maharaja at Chaitanya Gaudiya Math Calcutta (91-33-464-0900) for guidance. There are many machines and equipment required for Guru Maharaja's seva as well as an ambulence which we wish to have on standby once Maharaja is transferred to Mayapur. All donations for these items will be much appreciated by the devotees.