Recording Link

Hindi

English

Date: 08 May 2024 Speaker: Various Topic: Glorification of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj HG Padmamali Prabhu Ji: Hare Krishna! We will hear the glorifications from the devotees joined in the zoom temple. Firstly, we will hear the glorification done by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj yesterday at Iskcon Vrindavan Temple. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj: My obeisances to the lotus feet of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj! Some devotees are very insistent on telling how Maharaj left this world as I was the only one with Maharaj at that time. As the doctor was trying to revive his heart, I was witnessing the process. They were not succeeding. I was wondering whether Maharaj was here or not. To check I shouted- Hare Krishna! Maharaj opened his mouth widely and moved his tongue to say something. I couldn’t hear the response but I knew he responded to me with Hare Krishna. Those were his last words. In a few moments, Doctors confirm that he is no more with us. Je anilo Prem Dhan Karuna Prachura These are not only my words but these are your words. All are singing this Vaishnav song to express their feelings. I could simply weep. I am going to be missing him. I thank Srila Prabhupada for giving me Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj as my Godbrother, friend. Not only his disciples, but I am also feeling separation from him. We did many services together. He arrived in 1975 in India. Although there were some ups and downs in our relationship which is natural in this material world. But we maintain unity in diversity. When Srila Prabhupada departed, we had only seven temples in India. Some days ago, I heard from Bhakta Rupa Prabhu that now we have close to 700 entities which submit their account in India. Iskcon was in survival mode. And then its revival happens and credit goes to the all members of the team but the whole credit goes to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. There is no doubt. Maharaj is known for temple openings. He initiated a number of devotees. He sold a number of books. He was the trustee of BBT. Prabhupada assigned him that duty. He was the trustee for his whole life. He was the longest GBC member in Iskcon. Prabhupada instructed him to Distribute my books. Book distribution was the most pleasing thing to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada must be very pleased with Gopal Krishna Goswami. He was also part of Food for life. He was the big force behind TOVP Construction. There are thousands of devotees in the temple. This is the manifestation and glory of Gopal Krishna Goswami. People used to say this is the temple of foreigners. He made it the hare krishna temple. He is deep rooted. Movement has been leading through survival to revival and through revival to trivial. They all love Gopal Krishna Maharaj. Now I am going to say that if you love Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj then I also love you. My love is conditional. I was remembering the sentence said by Srila Prabhupada. Your love towards me will be shown how you cooperate in the services for this institution. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj would surely say it’s our responsibility to cooperate with each other to maintain whatever Iskcon has made. Bring SrilaPrabhupada Movement to another level. We are here together to give our homage to HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj. The best offering is to do what is needed for the pleasure of Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. I remember once Srila Prabhupada asked how this movement will go fast? Giriraj Goswami was sitting near Srila Prabhupada and he said by chanting Hare Krishna and Follow four regulative principles. Of course, Srila Prabhupada agreed with the answers but not fully satisfied. Then he added an organization run with intelligence. This is the homework for all of us to maintain this organization. We don’t have to take a step back in the absence of Gopal krishna Goswami maharaj but take a step forward. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj has returned to Vrindavan. For the pleasure of Gauranga, Srila Prabhupada and Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj, take some responsibility to spread the movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This would be the best offering ever. All Glories to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All Glories to Krishna Balaram! HG Acharya Prabhu Ji: Many devotees were talking about the glories of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Once we were in Iskcon Aravade. It was not a big temple at that time. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami was from Iskcon Nasik. There were only 8-10 devotees to welcome him. Maharaj interacts with each and every devotee. Devotees were asking him to take prasad. He said that firstly my Gaur Nitai will honor prasad and then I will take it. Devotees arranged prasadam meanwhile Maharaj was giving the lecture. After the lecture Maharaj offers garland to the small deities of Gaur nitai and offers them the prasadam. We can see his attachment towards deities. Even in Mayapur festival time, he attended all the aarti of deities. At the time of Vraj Mandal Parikrama he always went for Chintaharan Mahadev. He used to say that there is a worry that disturbs me is Srila Prabhupada has written so many scriptures, but no one is reading them. Parikrama often held in the month of November and he gave the targets of book distribution to the devotees for December in advance. This is the dedication of Maharaj for Srila Prabhupada. In Navadwip Parikrama, he came to the samadhi of Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj. He used to do kirtan and tell the glories of Jagannath Babaji Maharaj. Yesterday Anant Sesa Prabhu ji was telling that Maharaj has no personal bank account. He used to give the example of Jagannath Babaji Mharaj that we must try to live like him. He doesn’t take a single penny from anyone. If one gives him some donation, he feasts all the villagers with that donation. Now he is no more with us. Guru Maharaj gave a very good talk. Maharaj went to Kumbh Mela also. All the disciples of Srila Prabhupada along with Gaur Nitai seem like a big family. They all went to take a bath together. It's my fortune that I got the association of Maharaj many times. And misfortune is that we will not be able to get his association anymore. Let’s pray in the lotus feet of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj that he always has his mercy on all of us. Hare Krishna! HG Revati Raman Prabhu Ji: We are very fortunate to get the association of Maharaj in Juhu Temple. He has many qualities. I would like to elaborate some of them. When I invited him to see the project. He was amused on seeing that project and asked me who had given me that project. I said someone has given the property for this. He was extremely interested in building temples. He gave us the inspiration and enthusiasm to make the temple. A video is going viral in which he is doing aarti in his dreams. We often do Aarti as per the time duration. But his only focus while doing aarti is on Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari. We have to wait sometimes for 2-4 minutes. Their dedication towards book distribution is commendable. He personally visits every stall at the railway stations. He visits all the four temples in Mumbai; Khar, Juhu, Mira Road and Chowpatty to inspire the devotees to distribute books. He never wastes a single sec to follow the instruction of Srila Prabhupada. He insists that Bus traveling of book distribution should be always continued. It was the time of the opening of Aravade temple. A was fortunate to get the opportunity to serve 35 Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. I got the service of washing their feet. I washed the feet of HH Radha Natha Swami Maharaj and some other maharajas. But HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj refused to wash his feet out of humility. He never expects any respect. Another incident was at the time of Noida temple opening. The dressing of the deities was going to happen and an incident happened with the deities of Srimati Radha Rani. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was looking at all this with no expressions. But HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj was crying his heart out. His attachment towards deities is extreme. Two things required in the deity worship: punctuality and cleanliness. Maharaj used to change his clothes three times a day. And he dresses his deities so nicely. He builds so many temples. He is also known as the founder acharya of temple opening. His bond with Lokanath Maharaj is also very rare. They both can be seen together at various times. By chance, at the time of his departure, Lokanath Swami Maharaj was also with him and he chanted the holy name in his ear. It is a very difficult time as we are not going to see him again. I wanted to come to Vrindavan but couldn't go. I have attended all the programs online. Once a disciple of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj went to an astrologer. The astrologer said that your Spiritual master is an extraordinary person. Do his service and everything will be alright. He is a Vaikuntha Man. All demigods walk behind him. You don’t need to go anywhere. Just Serve him. HG Krishna Bhakta Prabhu: Here we did the glorification program for Maharaj. I will try to repeat it again. Everyone will leave their body in Vrindavan. His servants did not want him to go to Dehradun. Late night till 10:30, this discussion was on whether he is going or not. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj was saying that he held the meeting and he is the head of that bureau meeting. It will not be good if he cancels. He did the Bhumi Pujan of Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Dehradun. He was not feeling well and was led to the hospital there, from where he departed back to godhead. He was fulfilling the instruction of Srila Prabhupada of management till his last breath. He met with Srila Prabhupada in 1968 in Montreal. He was asking whether there is any hindu temple in Montreal. The first service was to clean the temple of Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada was coming in the upcoming two days. He was excited to know about spirituality and to surrender. But He often says that it was Krishna who inspired him to select Prabhupada as his spiritual master. From the first day to till date, he dedicatedly served Srila Prabhupada. I met Maharaj in 2004, in Mega Youth Festival, Pune. It was the national Youth Festival. Around 5000 youth took part in that festival. Maharaj was the GBC of Pune, so he was also there actively. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj and Others were also there. It was the first festival of youth of that scale. After that Umang and Viplava went on. Srila Prabhupada brought him to India in 1975 and gave him many responsibilities along with the GBC. In all the legal documents of Iskcon in India, there is mentioned the name of only two members: HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. Maharaj fulfilled all his responsibilities from 1975 to 5th of May 2024. He asked his secretary in the hospital to write a resignation letter that he will not be able to be the chairman of the bureau. After signing that resignation letter, he leaves this body. Once Maharaj said to Prabhupada that the books are not being sold. Prabhupada Said that the books will not be sold by placing them in the stores or stalls. The book distribution is depending upon the enthusiasm of the devotees who went to distribute them. He took that sentence of Prabhupada very seriously. As we can say that in any marathon, Delhi, Juhu and Mayapur temples are always on the top list. Around 8000 congregation devotees and brahmacharis came on road on weekends to distribute books. His dedication about deity worship is out of this world. Everyday at 4:30 AM he was seen at the altar. Whatever time he comes from travel, wherever he is, he will surely attend the Mangala Aarti. As we hear in the homage of Guru Maharaj that he made from seven to seven hundred temples in India. The very first worship after installation is being done by Maharaj whether it is of Aravade temple or Noida temple, Solapur or any other temple. He was not feeling well when I invited him to Solapur. In spite of his bad health, he came to Solapur by taking flight till Pune and by car from Pune to Solapur. He installed the deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodar in Solapur. After that ceremony, he went to Pandharpur, where the students of Bhaktivedanata Gurukul welcomed him. On seeing that, Maharaj was very pleased and said it seems he was in Mayapur. This is like mini-Mayapur. He visits everywhere in Pandharpur; Prabhupada Ghat, Chandrabhaga River, Bhaktivedanata Gurukul, Brahmachari Ashram etc. He had to reach Pune at 1:30 PM so he arrived early in Pandharpur to visit every location. After deity worship in the temple, he gives almost two hours to serve his personal deities Gaur Nitai, Laxmi- Narsimha, Vrinda devi and Saligrama Shila. He instructed in his will to distribute his deities in every zone so that the worship will be continued eternally. By giving the deities to a single person, serving is not that sure because no one can serve the deities with the same passion every day. But in the temple every service of the deities will be performed precisely. When Prabhupada came to Mumbai, he instructed Maharaj to talk with visa minister to give some concessions to foreigner devotees. Mharaj came back after talking with the minister and some MR. Vajpayee was there and he agreed to give the concession to the devotees. Prabhupada was very pleased and declare that He will be very famous in future. Then after some time, this Vajpayee becomes the prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayi. He inaugurated the Radha Parthasarathi temple along with Maharaj. Within three hours of departure of Maharaj, many ministers including Narender Modi and ministers of many states like Haryana, Rajasthan, UP etc. sent their condolence message on this situation. People in America were very happy as Maharaj had planned to go there on 9th of august, just before Janma Ashtami. Everyone was preparing to welcome him. According to the English Calendar, the Vyasa Puja celebration of Maharaj will be on 14th of august. So, the ceremony was going to happen in the Baltimore Temple in America, which is near to the capital of Washington DC and the devotees of Canada were planning to come. He also mentioned in his will that he has nothing personal except his deities and a Rolex watch which is gifted by Srila Prabhupada Himself. He has no bank account and any wealth. He is my elder brother. We should feel the grief when a father leaves his son. Although his instructions were always with us, we will not be able to get his association personally. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Rai were discussing what is the biggest grief.  The biggest grief is not getting the association of the devotees. As he mentioned in his will that he is the trustee in Iskcon only and he has no other wealth, we should also surrender ourselves to Srila Prabhupada and his mission Only. We should pray to Maharaj to give us strength to do that. Hare Krishna! HG Murli Mohan Prabhu Ji: When I completed my college and visited JUHU Temple, I met HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj first. He is my first Shiksha Guru.Our relationship kind of friends. Because I was an art student and he loves art. He asked me what I was doing. I replied I am a student of JJ College and working in Makhija in an advertising agency. His friend, Ishan Khanna was in HTA, he talked with him and gave me some freelance work. When I told him about my inconveniences, that I am living in Vasai and it is really hard to do work, he advised me to go to Ahmedabad and meet with Yashomati Nanadan Prabhu, he will help me out. So, we can see how he took care of everyone. Yashomati Nandan and Maharaj are very very good friends. Maharaj used to come there and inspire us to distribute books. It was only his inspiration that Ahmedabad distributed 1,50,000 and more books in marathons. In 1997,before the temple opening of Delhi, I arranged an exhibition called Moods of Prabhupada. I have to go to Vrindavan to sell the books. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was in Noida at that time and they saw my paintings and he saw the letter sent by HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. The letter was: Dear Lokanath Swami Pamho All Glories to Srila Prabhupada Is Murli Mohan ready to help Gyangamyam (Prabhupada’s Disciple). I will be grateful if you convince him to help out for two weeks. We will pay him ten thousand and more per week and we will also help him to sell his paintings. Jai Prabhupada Gopal Krishna Goswami When Maharaj saw this letter he sent it to serve HH Gopal krishna Goswami Maharaj. When Delhi Temple was being constructed, He was very worried how Prabhupada’s panel would be ready as  Gyan Gamyam Prabhu ji was busy with some other projects. So, I have to assist him in making Prabhupada's panel. Then I got the opportunity to read Prabhupada’s lilamrita. Maharaj asked me to finish all the work in one and a half months. As there was no computer facility, I hired a studio near the temple to work on the panels. I used to go there at 9 AM everyday and returned from there at 2 AM at night. After Maharaj completed his japa after Magala Aarti, I used to show him the designs. This was my daily routine. I completed this work in just fifteen days. Maharaj was very pleased. He handed me a flight ticket to Ahmedabad and an amount of thirteen thousand and said to me that it was half of the amount and half amount would be given in the service of Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi. Once Maharaj was saying that rulers like khilji used to destroy temples. It is my uncleared realization that Prabhupada would always think that we will make so many beautiful temples that these rulers will get tired of destroying them. And this responsibility is given to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. I pray to Maharaj that he gives us strength and energy so that we can build at least one or more temples for the service of Prabhupada. Hare Krishna! HG Srimati Radhika Mataji: Hare Krishna! I met HH Gopal krishna Maharaj in 2007, in Delhi Iskcon Temple. He is the one who leads me to my Spiritual Master. I would like to thank him for this. When I was connected with Iskcon Punjabi Bagh, Guru Maharaj wanted us to preach. And every disciple of him was always ready for that. Vimpla Prasad Prabhu Ji, Rukmini Krishna Prabhu ji and Amogh lila Prabhu ji used to come to our home to preach. I would like to get blessings from maharaj on this day so that we can serve for the pleasure of maharaj and Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna! HG Madhvi Gopi Mataji: Hare Krishna! I first met with Maharaj in 2004 in Delhi Temple. He used to come to Gurgaon occasionally and he has organized Janmashtami Festival there. Then we moved to Thana and once he was giving a lecture and I was sitting near to his lotus feet. He asked if anyone knows the meaning of Adhokshaja? I replied and he was very pleased by hearing my answer. His departure was very shocking. We have arranged an homage for Maharaj on Monday as there are many new devotees who hardly know about Maharaj. So we will tell them a brief biography of Mharaj and some glorification. I asked Maharaj’s blessing so that whatever he had taught us we can act accordingly and can preach it to others. Hare Krishna! HG Syama Preyasi Mataji: I Have seen Maharaj since my childhood. Maharaj always came to Noida for the Janmashtami Festival. I remember once our family went to Delhi Temple to take Darshan and we came across Maharaj. We paid our obeisances to Maharaj and started talking with him. Then they asked if we had taken the darshan. We said we will do it right after talking with you. He said go fast and take the darshanas. We were not sure as it was the closing time and the doors might be closed. We rushed to the temple hall and we were surprised as the doors were still open and we took darshans of Radha Parthsarthi, Gaur Nitai and Ram Sita Laxmana and Hanuman. Then I realized that without a vaishnava we can't get the darshana of Lordship. I completed my graduation with the same university byu which Mharaj had studied. This is the small connection between us. I am very fortunate to get the association of Maharaj. Hare Krishna! HG Naam Premi Mataji: Hare Krishna! Maharaj is the warrior of the movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He follows the instruction of Prabhupada till his last breath. Prabhupada used to say that Iskcon is my body, the laxmi you have collected is my blood, BBT is my heart and book distribution is my heartbeat. Prabhupada gave his heart to HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj. HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj was with him till his last breath. It shows how strong the brotherhood relationship was between them. I feel amused reading his quotes and teachings. I prayed to maharaj that please bless me so that i can follow his teachings and instructions. Hare Krishna!   HG Vraj Vilasini Mataji: Once I met with HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj in Delhi Rath Yatra Festival. Maharaj was moving forward to the Ratha and there was some vacant place and me and my daughter paid obeisances to Maharaj and pleaded with him to come to Meerut. He said yes I will come. Within two months he came to Meerut. I was very surprised that in our prayers he visited there. Then my daughter passed away and we were in Vrindavan for her last rituals. My husband was not in good condition and I was also crying. Maharaj came to know the whole situation and he smiled at me and asked that you are doing services in Meerut. Don't leave meerut. It was my second meeting with Maharaj. I would like to thank Maharaj for inspiring me and to HG Purnanandi Mataji also for her support. His departure for me was like the departure of my own Guru Maharaj. I realized the importance of my Guru Maharaj and took a pledge to do two rounds of japa for the wellbeing of my Guru Maharaj. Hare Krishna! HG Symalangi Mataji: Hare Krishna! Thank you to HH Lokanath swami Maharaj for arranging this session for all of us. It seems that this session will continue till eternity. Yesterday I was hearing the glorification of Maharaj from Vrindavan. It was amazing and it lasted for five hours. I lived in Canada and often met with him as it was his zone. Thanks to HG Syama Preyasi for remembering the last meeting of Mahraj in Vrindavan. I was also with her at that time. Once we went to leave our daughter in toronto and we came to know that Maharaj is also in toronto. My husband and I went to take his darshan. But his servant stopped us as Maharaj’s throat was not in good condition. But we pleaded that we came from Dubai and didn't know when we got the next chance to meet with him. Then the servant takes us to Mharaj and Mharaj gives us a lot of blessings. It was a very nice meeting. Hare Krishna! HG Yashwant Prabhu JI: My relationship with Maharaj was like a father-son relationship. Once he tapped on my head and I realized he had initiated me. It was his blessings that we are following devotional life. I would like to thank him and offer our homage on behalf of my whole family. Hare Krishna! HG Nar Narayana Prabhu Ji: Hare Krishna! I have written a poem as homage. ब्राह्मण के घर जन्म लिया, पर ब्राह्मण जैसा कुछ न किया, काम, क्रोध, लोभ, मोह, मत्सर्य, इन सब का पीछा किया, लेकिन ब्राह्मण जैसा कुछ न किया, एक दिन ऐसा आया, मैने एक सही निर्णय लिया, रथयात्रा के आमंत्रण को स्वीकार कर लिया, भगवान और भक्त के प्रेम का दर्शन किया, उस भीड़ में चलते आते एक संत को देखा, दिल्ली की उन सड़कों पर परम पूज्य गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को जगन्नाथ के समक्ष शीश झुकाते देखा, महाराज जी, आपके दर्शन मात्र से हृदय में एक किरण को उगते देखा, दिल्ली की मायानगरी में खुद को जलते देखा, और फिर से एक सही निर्णय लिया, आपके शिष्यों को संपर्क किया, जिस प्रेम को ढूंढता रहा अपने घर की चार दिवारी में, वो मिला मुझे श्री श्री राधा पार्थसार्थी मंदिर की गौर आरतियों में, श्री श्री राधा पार्थसार्थी मंदिर के आप ही तो थे सारथी, इसलिए आपके कई शिष्य बन गए मेरे जीवन के सारथी, मुझे इतना प्रेम दिया, की मैने फिर से एक निर्णय लिया, अपने जीवन में आपके शिष्यों का संग कूट कूट के भर लिया, आपके सानिध्य में सेवाएं करना सीखा, जीवन में भक्ति के चमत्कारों को होते देखा, आपकी करुणा को हृदय में उतरते देखा, भक्तों को मित्रता से हृदय को बदलते देखा, फिर से मैंने एक निर्णय लिया, मैंने जा कर IYF ज्वाइन कर लिया, सुंदर गोपाल प्रभु जी जैसे भक्तों की कृपा से भक्ति विनोद सभा को उभरते देखा, गुरु पद आश्रय की इच्छा को हृदय में उबलते देखा, आपके आश्रय में ही पहली बार श्रील गुरुदेव लोकनाथ स्वामी महाराज को देखा, आप मेरे गुरुदेव नहीं, गुरु महाराज नहीं, पर हृदय से कहता हूं, मेरे गुरु महाराज से कम भी नहीं, श्रील भगवद पाद जिनका नाम है, राधा पर्थसार्थी जिनका धाम है, ऐसे श्रील गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को मेरा बारंबार प्रणाम है, श्रील प्रभुपाद जिनके प्राण हैं, और book distribution ही जिनका ध्यान है, ऐसे श्रील गोपाल कृष्ण गोस्वामी महाराज को मेरा बारंबार प्रणाम है।   Hare Krishna!                  

Russian