Post 5th May, year 2024 has been a very cruel year not only for the disciples of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj but also for everyone who knew him; now, they may be his godbrothers, GBC members, management people or people outside ISKCON.
Maharaj was indeed such a personality who has left an indelible impression on everyone with his simplicity & humility.
Just two days back, 30th August, 2024, we celebrated Maharaj’s 80th Vyas Puja. Besides ISKCON DELHI, at Sri Sri Radha Parthsarthi Temple where main ceremony was held as it used to be the base for maharaj, the event was celebrated in almost every nook & corner of ISKCON whether it be ISKCON VRINDAVAN, ISKCON MAYAPUR, ISKCON JUHU or any other small or big temple or centre.
What the common thing was missed everywhere especially at ISKCON DELHI, it was maharaj’s physical absence. All the eyes got numb as they saw the vyas asana. Till last year, maharaj himself used to sit there but this year, his lamination was there. Eyes were not getting ready to believe the harsh reality that maharaj is no more with us physically and now onwards, we’ll have to be in Vipralambh Sewa mood only.
Ofcourse, everything else was as usual except maharaj’s physical presence.
Let’s pray the almighy all together to give us this much strength to serve our beloved guru maharaj today & forever as we used to serve him when he himself was with us. Let’s keep his last 10 instructions very much alive in our hearts always alive.
Let’s prove that Vipralambh Sewa is also not an impediment for a true disciple rather it’s a blessing in disguise.
Ys-
Raas Raman Krishna Das
(ISKCON ROHINI, New Delhi)