Srimatis Tapananandini devi (R), Krishna Bhavani devi (L)
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In
June of 2004 I had the great pleasure and good fortune to spend about a
week with Srimati Tapananandini devi at her home and preaching center
in Merida, Mexico. She is a famous artist of Mexico, is a gentle soul
and, as I observed, much loved by many devotees and friends in the area
of Merida and Ticule.
The above photo was taken in the parking lot of the airport in Merida upon my arrival. More photos are included following the text below. - BKG To the Senior Vaishnavas of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswath Math: Preach with example. Not with words. If you want to be taken seriously, you should be peaceful, affectionate and self controlled. We can't be preaching about love and then fighting with hate to our brothers. What kind of example is that? Acharya means Example. So me, as insignificant as I am, and very sad, I won't participate in any way in this fight of senior devotees. I will humbly try to preach the higher ideals of Krsna Consciousness. I learned from Gurudeva that we should be followers of substance. While the substance of Love is not present, I will follow no one. I will only follow Krishna, and Gurudeva, who live in my heart. Tapananandini dd, a fallen soul Predica con el ejemplo. No con palabras. Si quieres ser tomado en serio. Debes ser pacífico, afectuoso y autocontrloado. No podemos predicar acerca del amor e ir a pelear con odio contra nuestros hermanos. ¿Qué clase de ejemplo es ese? Acarya quiere decir Ejemplo Así que yo con lo insignificante que soy y muy triste, no participaré en forma alguna en este pleito entre los devotos mayores. humildemente trataré de predicar. Los más elevados ideales de la Conciencia de Krsna. Seguidores de la substancia, aprendí de mi Gurudeva Hasta que la substancia del Amor no se manifieste, no seguiré a nadie Sólo a Krsna seguiré Y a Gurudeva que habita en mi corazón Tapananandini dd, un alma caída (Edited and published by permission of the author.) Comments & Photos In 2004 I visited all of the nine centers in Mexico during a tour lasting a total of ten weeks. Everywhere I went I saw many miracles that manifest through the devotees' sincere and dedicated service to our Sri Guru Varga and the inspiration of Srila Govinda Maharaja and Sripada Ashrama Maharaja. Sometimes I was asked why I stayed for such a long time, rather than making several shorter visits. My answer, "To have such an opportunity to preach and meet so many wonderful devotees is very rare in this world. I do not want to risk losing such a chance for service. 'Trust no future, however bright.'" Spending several months with Srila Gurudeva and visiting devotees in other parts of the world, I was absent from our New Jersey Math for more than nine of the twelve months of that year. During this time Srimati Lila Sundari devi looked after all the affairs of our New Jersey Math. For this Srila Gurudeva bestowed upon her the title of Temple President. I then asked "And what is my position?" Without a moment's hesitation he replied "You are my rtvik." My conscience has troubled me for many years because I told devotees who saw me taking photos of my journey that I would compile them in a journal and post them on the internet. Time is a very limited resource and it takes me a great deal of time to prepare the photos and captions. Many duties that had been neglected during my nine months absence overcame me upon my return to New Jersey. I never forgot my promise, however, and pray the devotees of Mexico will excuse me for my delinquency. I did show many of the photos to Srila Govinda Maharaja who was very happy to see them and hear my comments about the many types of seva being offered by the devotees all over Mexico. I am still hopeful to one day publish many more photos of this 2004 tour. Until then, I hope the devotees of Merida will consider my attempt "Better late, than never." With my sincere regards, affection and well-wishes to the devotees of Mexico, Swami B.K. Giri  I arrived in Merida, Mexico on June 6, 2004.  Merida is a beautiful city. Even the grounds of the airport are decorated very nicely.  After a grand Sunday program in the home of Srimati Tapananandini devi who painted the mural in the background.  The home of Sriman Murari Mohan and Srimati Siddhi Lilasa devi who is pictured here with her children and Srimati Tapananandini devi.  On Tuesday evening we were invited to the very beautiful home of Srimati Krishna Bhavani devi who was living there with her mother (seen on the far left). We honored sumptuous prasadam at an elaborately decorated table.  About to depart from the Merida airport, I had my last chance to visit with the devotees who came to see me off on my way to Mexico City. |