|
Jayanandanugas
lower-than-straw devotees give tribute to Jayananda Thakur
Krishna Mangala das writes:
Dear Vishoka Prabhu, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
We keep on working on the book. We do our best. Mataji Lavanga namni took great pains to work on it and now it is quite clear in
Russian. She left on parikrama on Holy Dham. Before her departure, she
finished working on your book but she did not finish working on remembrance (addition for the book). Now the corrector is working on
the book. When mataji Lavanga namni arrives, we will finish editing and start
preparing it for printing.
Your servant Krishna Mangala das.
My reply- Dear Krishna Mangala das Prabhu,
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thank you for this letter, I'm very happy to hear about the progress of the Russian Jayananda book. Please tell Mataji Lavanga namni that
devotees are appreciating her translation work and Srila Prabhupada is pleased that his wonderful disciple is being remembered, and therefore
Krishna is pleased.
I was wondering if the American sense of humor translates into Russian language? There are several sections in the book, which are meant to
be humorous, and I wonder if the Russian reader will realize the same effect that was intended? I guess there's not a sure way to know, my
Russian friend here, Srinama prabhu, will read the translation someday, and will see if the humor translates, sometimes due to
cultural differences, and different understandings of words, the
effect is different. I believe that Mataji Lavanga namni had written to me earlier wondering what certain words meant, and how they were
different in meaning in Russian. On some words, I was at a loss to
give her true insight on the meanings of some words. It was hard enough for me, with the help of our wonderful editor, Dasarathsuta
prabhu, to make the meaning clear in English. That took about a year
of frequent correspondence with him to make the English clear. So, I might imagine the problems with translation in Russian. I am told that
the English translations of Russian writers, like Tolstoy, that some
editions have very different effects than other editions.
In any course, we are very pleased with your devotion and enthusiasm, and Mataji Lavanga namni dasi's service and devotion, to give honor
and respect and remembrance to the great devotee of Krishna and Srila
Prabhupada, Jayananda Thakur. We are sure that the book will be a success and a source of inspiration for all the devotees' devotional
service to Lord Krsna, in the Russian part of the world.
Hoping this meets you well, and we'll hear of the printing sometime soon this year,
Your servant, Vishoka dasa
Dear Vishoka Prabhu,
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Yes, it is truth. Sometimes it was difficult. Mataji Kisori Murti and me spent much time to work with text. Sometimes we understood hardly
not only humor, but idioms also. But I guess we have done it not bad. Then Mataji Lavanga namni did a big work to the text
become clear in Russian. I send you the book on Russian. Give it to Srinama prabhu to see.
I wrote letter to Russians BBT and I offered a cooperation. Russian BBT published the books by Sacinandana Swami, Satyaraja das, Kurma
das. They interested and asked me to send the book. I sent it yesterday. I guess it would be good to publish it in
BBT. It would be good also if you would go to Russians Festival "Sadhu
Sanga"on September. You can be told 3000-5000 devotees about Jayananda on
Festival. Your servant Krishna Mangala das.
From Jayananda's niece
Hello, Happy New Year I was just surfing and wanted to look at your sight again.
It has been some time. I thought I would let you know that Jayananda's mother(my grandmother) is doing very well, at 91 years
old! She is truly wonderful, and this is where my uncle Jim must have gotten his compassion. Well, I just wanted you to know that he is
often in my mother's mind (his sister), she misses him dearly, as well
as my grandmother(his mother). I think it is very hard for them sometimes. Alas, thank you for keeping his memory of that time on
Earth alive.
Bless, Jane Pietrangelo
Hare Krishna Jane,
So good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear about your mother, and Jayananda's mother, whom I think about often. I wanted to write back
to his mother, but I lost her address from the envelope that she sent
me years ago. Please tell her, if you can, that I think of her often,
and wanted to write back years ago. Yes I do think that Jim got many of his good qualities from his mom. Many of us think of Jim often as
the website shows. He is still a great inspiration to many of us as
the years go by. I hope the website benefits you and your mom and Jayananda's mother in a way to remember Jim. I still often get
emotional from remembering Jim, that year with him was the best year in my life, I live it over and over again. He lives in our hearts and
he lives very happily with Krishna and Srila Prabhupada and the other perfected beings in the spiritual world.
Thank you again for writing in and giving me this information and reminding me of his mother again, truly, Vishoka dasa
From Jaya Nitai dasa
Hari Bol. AGTSP! I was looking over your site and remembered a few insignificant things. When I first came to a Temple it was on Valencia
St. After getting a little bit out of the ozone of drugs and alcohol
Jayananda used to tell me two things, "Bhakta Jim, you have to do whatever it takes and Bhakta Jim, You gotta beg." Being very heavily
Mayavadi contaminated, I hadn't the slightest idea of what he was talking about. I have an inkling now. I'm probably the only
wanna-be devotee who actually had a catch with Jayananda! We were building the
Rath Carts and somehow there was a wiffle ball in the yard we were
buiding the Carts in. I begged Jayananda for a little game of catch as I had a nasty curve ball I was very proud of. After a bit of cajoling
on my part he consented and I threw him about 25 zingers I didn't
think he stood a chance of catching and he caught them all! With a little laugh he said, " OK, lets get back to some service." I was
floored as I don't think anyone else would have caught anything like a half of them! We had a great time in the parking lot we used to put
the Carts together in. Every night, on a two burner Coleman propane cooker Jayananda used to cook and offer a feast rivaling any feast
ever made (as I do recall, he used a lot of butter!). It was like prasad from the spiritual world! Your Servant, Jaya Nitai dasa
Some of my thoughts-
When I think of Jayananda's greatness, I feel great awe in soul and mind and body. He pretended to be a regular joe devotee, but his
devotional service was extremely rare, his surrender and enthusiasm
for serving Srila Prabhupada was exceptionally uncommon.
Even if nothing good ever happens the rest of this life, even so, those years, those days, those moments with Jayananda and the devotees
in San Francisco and Berkeley will be enough for me, to sustain and
certify this often pitiful life of Vishoka dasa to have been a life worth while and meaningful, despite the often found reluctance to
become fully Krsna consciousness, Hare Krishna.
Jaya
Nitai dasa wrote to me and said-
“Thanks
for replying. I liked the S.B. 5.12.12 quote- and it reminded me of
something I had forgotten for a long time- once at the Valencia St. Temple
after an ecstatic kirtan when everyone was doing the Prema Dhvani Prayers,
I noticed Jayananda's feet were a foot in front of my head so I scurried
up and put my head right on the bottom of his feet-and he left them there!
He didn't pull them away for a good 15 seconds and then when he did ,he
pulled them away slowly.” Your servant, Jaya Nitai dasa
I am
often fond of ending emails with this signature from Srimad Bhagavatam,
5.12.12-
"My
dear King Rahugana, unless one has the
opportunity to smear his entire body with
the dust of the lotus feet of great
devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute
Truth...." Srimad Bhagavatam 5.12.12
Krishna Mangala dasa sent me this passage
from Bhakti Tirtha Swami, on Jayananda.
Krishna Mangala said- "Mataji Kisori Murti has sent me remarkable fragment from book of Bhakti
Tirtha Swami, which she translated," which goes as follows-
Jayananda Thakura's Battle with Leukemia
While Sriman Jayananda Thakura was on the planet, he worked tirelessly to
spread the Ratha-yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, throughout the world. A
disciple of Srila Prabhupada, he was renowned for his service attitude, humility, and good humor in the face of
difficult circumstances. Although Jayananda was diagnosed with leukemia, he continued to build the carts for Lord
Jagannatha, Lord Balarama, and Lady Subhadra with his own hands. Right until
he left his body, Jayananda worked tirelessly, in spite of intense physical
pain, to fulfill the instructions of his Guru Maharaja. In May 1977, shortly
after Jayananda left his body, Srila Prabhupada ordered that a picture of
Sriman Jayananda Thakura be placed in front of Lord Jagannatha's cart at future Ratha-yatras, and that his
disappearance day be honored at all temples throughout the world.
We should strive to attain the mood of the pure devotees, such as the Buddha, Queen
Kunti, Draupadi, Maharaja Pariksit, Dhruva Maharaja, Devaki and
Vasudeva, Haridasa Thakura, Srila Prabhupada,
Jayananda Thakura, and Arjuna, who ultimately derived great bliss from
completely surrendering to Krishna. - BTS
Rajeev
writes-
Hare Krishna Vishoka Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I've already read the book. It's so touching. The pastimes are beautiful and while reading they created a kind of impression in my mind as if I'm seeing these activities going
on. And the way you describe the pastimes creates a different atmosphere while reading,
What touched me the most was when Jayananda was about to leave his body, in
fact it was two weeks before he left his body and you went to see him at the
hospital. You glorified him and he wasn't able to go away as he used to do or wasn't able to glorify you in
return. But he did more than that, when you turned and walked out of the room Jayananda left his bed and came to
you, kneeled down and offer you obeisances just couldn't imagine the greatness, humbleness
and purity of Jayananda's was shocked. I felt like a hard blow onto my heart and tears felt from my
eyes. I said," That is a called a pure and truly humble devotee."
I don't have a soft heart, I don't cry at emotional stories but pastimes of Jayananda had pierced my heart.
Only your book and pastimes of Vishnujana Swami had melt my heart.
Jaya Jayananda Thakur!
Jaya Vishnujana Swami!
Your servant,
Rajeev.
The
slide show in New Vrindavan on Jayananda's disappearance day, last May
2nd.
Radhanatha
Swami came up to me a few days ago, I was taking prasadam with some
prabhus, and he stopped by me twice and stooped down to speak with me, and
he told me how he appreciated the Jayananda slide show that I did on
Jayananda's disappearance day. I didn't know that he was there. He had
just arrived from Columbus and they gave him a reception outside, and when
he came in, the slide show was going on. He told me that the slide show
made him cry. He was overwhelmed by Jayananda's life and the pictures of
him with Srila Prabhupada and doing Ratha-yatra, and he regretted that he
didn't get much association with Jayananda. I thought my presentation was
spaced out, thought it might be boring, but other devotees also told me it
made them cry, and it was an endless stream of nectar. Jai Jayananda
Prabhu!
Dasarathasuta writes-
GAURA! Great, I'm glad the slideshow came together, and the latest email appreciations. ... it shows how your little tome is getting out there and affecting peoples' hearts...
I just did my usual book table at New Panihati festival and Ratha-yatra, I sold a few Jayananda CDs, I'll send you one. I got copies of the ORIGINAL master cassette recordings of both the Jayananda pieces, the Gita class plus a long cart conversation with Mayesvara Prabhu. So it's a full CD just like being right there in the room with Jayananda himself. And you can hear every word, therefore where in my transcription I put [inaudible] I will fill in the missing phrases and send you an updated copy of the lecture in print.
Jayapataka Swami came around to see the different booths, and I showed him your book. Then I showed him the Jayananda CD he started to melt and just had a sentimental smile while I told him the circumstances behind both the recordings. Then he held the book and CD to his heart and said with a melted tone, "Jayananda was my vartma-pradarshaka-guru..." Because he had told everyone from the stage earlier that day how he joined during 1968 SF Ratha-yatra and worked with Jayananda on the carts, even Jayananda shaved him up...
Dasarathasuta dasa
Dear Vishoka
prabhu,
Hare Krishna.
At the knee of listening, my heart broke and broke and broke again. The first and 2nd time reading your fruit of devotion gita to Maharaja Jayananda prabhu, you touched the fibre of
my soul. Like others who you have moved beyond words with your devotion, love and
worship of the Mahaprabhu Jayananda, it was abundantly clear that the CHRIST of Iskcon
walked this earth. And you dear Vishoka were a blessed recipient of the
Spiritual Master's potency and have implanted the seeds of transcendental prema fulfilling the
desire of your friend and teacher, Jayananda who lives on in every twinkling moment of
blissful knowledge.
How ineffably blessed you are with His association...moment, to moment to everlasting moment. May His forever-loving-devotion to Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada be the prasadam from which all those who choose to partake, forever receive the mercy of the
Holy Trinity of Sri Lord Krishna, Srila Prabhupada and Sriman Jayananda prabhu.
With humble obeisances to the Heart of the Master,
Debraji
Haribol
Vishoka Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances
, All glories to our
dear Srila Prabhupada, Jayananda Thakur, Visnujana Swami.
I'm
Rajeev from Mauritius. I came across your site while I was on
vishnujana.com. I downloaded lots of articles about Jayananda Thakur, whom
to my misfortune I didn't know. I downloaded them coz I heard that
Jayananda Prabhu was a good friend of Vishnujana, whom I love dearly even
though I never met him. I’m only 20. But believe me, when I read the
articles about Jayananda Prabhu I felt kind of weird and related to him as
if I had his association before. I felt the same when I first read
about Vishnujana. I've developed admiration and love for
Jayananda Prabhu. He was really wonderful, saintly and very influential.
Just like the magnetism Vishnujana had. Wish by the mercy of Prabhupada
everybody could become like them. I’m just begging you to mail me
your book about Jayananda Prabhu. Only the articles I've downloaded give
me bliss, I know that your book possess inconceivable magic that can
give great inspiration to the Devotees, like 'Radha Damodara Vilasa'
is giving. Please Prabhu, I'm begging you for this merciful book.
This
morning I read the articles by Adi-Keshava Das. It's all about
building the Ratha for the Yatra of 1976. Everything is there, the permit,
tools, sources where materials were obtained, the Bhaktas and everything
else. The Bhaktas to me were the cart engineers and Jayananda Prabhu was
the head engineer. Even when he took them to sites to steal materials, I
find it very transcendental because they were stealing for Lord Jagannath.
Prabhupada said that everything has it's use in Krishna’s service,
even stealing. Otherwise it would never exist if it cannot be connected to
Krsna. I've read that Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, in some Temples
in India, were leaving the altar at night and they went in orchards to
steal fruits and they were also stealing sandals because while they were on
altar where they had no sandals. So the reason Jayananda
Prabhu and the crew were stealing is all transcendental since it was for
Lord Jagannath. When I read that I said, "these guys were performing
Lord Caitanya's and Lord Nityananda's lila." The articles I'm still
reading makes your heart cry inside, specially about the last days of
Jayananda Prabhu when he was paining and moaning in his room. But he never
forgot the love of his life, the carts. Always thinking of the next
Ratha-Yatra and making plans of how the next cart would be. I
appreciated when he asked Ramesvara to take him to Venice Beach and
he said, "This is perfect for a Ratha-Yatra festival!" He
was so transcendental and well absorbed in the Ratha-Yatra festival.
I’m confident that when living his body Krsna allows him to think of the carts
and the Ratha-Yatra festivals. All glories to Jayananda Prabhu. You
were with Jayananda Prabhu for a very long time and his association gave
you his nature, the habit to care about others and do things that
will help them. Your book will definitely help me in my life. Your
servant, Rajeev Gopalsate
From
Misra Bhagavan das-
Dear
Bhakta Miche, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila
Prabhupada. All glories to Jayananda Thakur.
I
have had a fair amount of association with Jayananda Thakur. When I traveled
on the Radha Damodara party I came on the bus and saw a nice cushion which
attracted me to sit down upon it. Vishnujana Swami entered the bus
and snapped at me "That is Jayananda´s seat, Rascal!" I quickly
got up and anticipated this person named Jayananda to be a big celebrity.
Then Jayananda Thakur came on the bus and I was pleasantly surprised
to see a very gentle, warm hearted, humble personality.
In
the weeks that followed I took shelter of Jayananda Thakur´s association.
He was always soft, kind, and down to earth. At 37 years old (I was 17) he
took us out into the supermarket parking lots to sell incense and Back To
Godhead magazines. This was very exemplarily. On the Radha Damodara party
new devotees would attend the festival at the college with Vishnujana
Swami singing the Bhajans you may know from the CD. Srila Tamal Krishna
Goswami would recruit new members from the crowd and Jayananda Thakur
would serve prasadam and then nurture the new recruits. Thus he was one of
ISKCON´s first official Bhakta Leaders.
We
were staying in the garage of the newly purchased Fisher Mansion turned
Hare Krishna Temple, in Detroit. At one morning Srimad
Bhagavatam class Jayananda Thakur was lecturing and expounding the glories
of renunciation as he had recently become disentangled with
household life. Jayananda Thakur told about the glories of becoming free
from attachments and traveling with persons in the renounced order to
spread the sankirtan movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. One
householder raised his hand and started to fire upon Jayananda Prabhu
about how he felt offended to hear that there was something wrong with his
ashram and propounded the glories of household life with a quote from the
Bhagavatam about a good wife being helpful in spiritual life and
such. Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami quickly tired of seeing this grhastra on
the offensive towards Jayananda Thakur and broke in heavily "So why
is it that all of our previous acharyas recommend renunciation and
detachment as the ultimate goal." Goswami continued to chop down all
of the grhastras arguments and Jayananda Thakur sat quietly taking the
humble position.
After
the 1976 Mayapur festival in which Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami was sent to
China and Vishnujana Swami disappeared, I returned to live in the New York
temple. while in India I helped Jayananda Thakur serve prasadam. He loved
this activity and after satisfying all the assembled devotees with
prasadam he would serve the servers. I hung with him until he finally took
himself and saw how he had become completely blissful by serving
prasadam. All smiles.
In
New York everyone was preparing for the big Rathayatra. I as given the
service of assisting Jayananda Thakur driving around the city and
collecting materials to build, paint, and decorate, the carts. I
remember we were picking up one attractive young mataji that was on the
sidewalk waiting for us. Jayananda commented, "She looks just like an
old cow sitting there." That was his vision. He seemed to have
no lust, pride, or meanness in him at all. The only time I ever saw
Jayananda Thakur get upset was when prasadam had not been saved for
his crew out at the Rathayatra Cart building site. Otherwise he always
tolerated every situation.
One
morning during japa time in the New York temple I was reeling in my
mind with desires and I told Jayananda Thakur that I was thinking of
giving up living in the temple. He said "You can bloop if you want to
but I have to warn you that it is terrible out there in the material
world."
We
worked on the carts until the night before the festival. Srila Prabhupada
had arrived and everything was set to go. Trying to use modern technology
where traditional methods belonged some devotees had purchased thick
collapsible flagpoles to use for hauling the carts canopies up and down.
After installing the first pole and raising it for a try, I
stood next to Jayananda as we watched the canopy sway in the breeze.
Jayananda Thakur exclaimed, "It´s gonna bust." and at that
second the tall aluminum pole gadget snapped in half. This I think is
mentioned in Vishoka Prabhu´s book how Jayananda Thakur stayed up the
entire night working to build a replacement for the pole in the form of
the traditional wood system. The Rathayatra went on as scheduled and I saw
Jayananda Thakur for the last time blissfully steering Lord Jagannath´s
cart down Fifth Avenue.
If
you like, please forward this story to Vishoka Prabhu and the Jayananda
Thakur website as I probably will not write out these remembrances again.
I
hope this meets you well, Bhakta Michel. Your Servant, Mishra Bhagavan
Dasa
Prabhu,
our short time in SF/Berkeley was a magic time when SP graced us twice in
two years by attending Rathayatra and opening the new Berkeley Temple. You
were fortunate to be there and taste deeply the energy of pure and
selfless service exemplified by Jayananda who inspired all of us to follow
his example. He chose me to become the TP there; it happened out of the
blue really. I was happy in San
Diego Temple and Krishna threw me into this cauldron of SF for a short
time.
from Bhakta Dasa
Dear
Vishoka prabhu,
Please infirm me when other books about Sriman Jayananda Thakur are
published. The reading of your book had inspired me and my friends! The
last Ratha Yatra, in Belgium Antwerpen, we put your book beside the murti
of Srila Prabhupada, the picture of Jayananda in the front!
Probably we will link your site to our Dutch site - "www.haribol.nl".....
Thanks
so much!!!!!!!!
Your servant,
Bhakta Michel (Nama Hatta Rotterdam, Holland, Europe)
Dear
Vishoka Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Do you know if Jayananda Thakur went to India? If he did, do you know how
many times, and for how long?
I would like to thank you for properly honoring the only devotee Srila
Prabhupada put on the platform of pure devotional service.
The only other devotee I know of, that Srila Prabhupada mentioned their
platform, is Yamuna devi. Srila Prabhupada said she was on the platform of
ecstatic love.
Please keep up your great work with the website. It is very enlivening to
read about the only modern day saint.
His pastimes are so
enlivening. It is very wonderful to know that one of Srila Prabhupada's
disciples actually took his instructions to heart.
I received the causeless mercy to be Srila Prabhupada's
bodyguard in Los Angeles from 1972 thru 1976, and by traveling with Srila
Prabhupada on his last tour in North America in 1976.
Whenever Srila Prabhupada requested Jayananda Thakur to visit him,
Jayananda Thakur always said he was too busy. He always said he did
not want to waste Srila Prabhupada's time. I almost had to physically
force Jayananda Thakur to see Srila Prabhupada.
He said the reason he did not want to see Srila Prabhupada, was that he
would not be able to serve Srila Prabhupada. He would simple be trying to
enjoy Srila Prabhupada, not serving him.
His service was the greatest of any of Srila Prabhupada's disciples. He
was in a class by himself. Jayananda Thakur ki jai! Srila Prabhupad ki
jai!
Your
servant,
Raksana dasa
Hari bol!
Dear Vishoka prabhuji,
Please accept my humble obedience!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sriman Jayananda Thakur!
I have just spent the last two hours soaking
up the Nectar of your wonderful website glorifying your friend & Our
Vaisnava Saint Sriman Jayananda Thakurji. I first read of Jayananda in the
Back To Godhead article last year and was very inspired...in fact my
letter of appreciation and thanks was printed in the following issue of
Back To Godhead. I had subsequently visited a website glorifying Him and
was again absorbed in transcendental feelings that I cannot really
describe, nor comprehend, just that I was touched and very humbled and
inspired to stick with my desire to become a devotee...again I now come
across your website and am just amazed how Jayananda's life, pastimes, and
dedication and service to Srila Prabhupada stay ever-fresh and inspiring.
I just never tire of hearing you and other devotees glorify Him. I am
starting to see how transcendental subject matter has that quality. It
does not get old, go stale, become dull, or become diminished in any way.
In fact, it seems to increase over time.
I am grateful and indebted to you for doing
such an important service. I am one of those hard-headed, slow to catch
on, self-sabotaging types who need Nectar like this to keep my interest in
Krsna Consciousness going. I hope someday I will develop some attraction
for Krsna and His Holy Name; I pray that someday I will desire the
association of devotees like yourself who recognize and admire a good Vaisnava
when you meet one. I am fortunate to have found your site and look forward
to exploring it more and more. Please keep it up...I am certain your endeavors are
very pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and all the previous Acharyas in the
parampara.
I hope this finds you in the
best of health and happiness!
Hare Krsna! yours in service, Bhakta Neal
Dear Vishoka Prabhu,
Please accept my humble
obeisances. All glories to
Srila Prabhupada and Sriman Jayananda Prabhu! Thanks for writing such a
sincere and heartfelt book. I
felt Jayananda Prabhu's association ever more strongly by reading your
book. Thanks for your service! Obeisances
to Prtha devi and Vrnda devi. Your servant, Nidra devi dasi
Told
to Krita-karma by Jim Lyles-
My
first spiritual vision occurred at the old blue temple in SF. I was at
mangal artik one morning & I was the only person in attendance that
day. You were on the altar feeding the deities breakfast. When you had
finished the offering you left so that the Lord could consume the
offering. While you were gone I was left there all alone praying to the
deities. I was a single parent & was going through a hard time. I
wanted to believe that there was a God & wanted a sign. Many devotees
have wanted to see a sign. I consider myself very fortunate as I have experienced
my share of miracles. Anyway while I was praying the 8-inch silver water
goblet started to move right across the altar...I couldn't believe it. I
tried to rationalize the you were under the altar now using a magnet to
play a trick on Bhakti Jim or maybe there was an earthquake going on
causing the glass to move. This was quite amazing to me as my prayer was
being answered. When I left the temple room I ran into Jayananda &
told him what had happened. He confirmed that this was Krsna answering my
prayer so that I would continue my devotional activities. Have you ever
seen objects move on the altar???
The next story happened at the SF airport when Prabhupada came to visit. I
remember that many devotees were in bliss. It was a time of very high
anticipation. When the spiritual master arrived many devotees were in awe. I
remember that I was experiencing prema bhakti and tears were coming from
my eyes. Anyway when Prabhupada came down the ramp, Jayananda was
holding a parasol umbrella over Prabhupada's head. Well, at that time the Spiritual Master
was glowing. He was glowing like a light bulb. The lobby was illumined by
the brightness. And when a devotee used a flash bulb to take a picture the
glow came back...A black janitor responsible for sweeping the floors was
there leaning on his broom. His eyes got comically wide & he
exclaimed, "That man is shining. I tell you that man is
shining.." Apparently I was not the only person sharing that magical
moment...
The final and third time that I had a visual experience was at the Lord
Caitanya Spring Festival. I believe it was the first one at Berkeley. We
were walking down the street & there were some Christian hecklers.
However I quickly silenced them by pointing out that the sun had become
surrounded by three rings. Each on larger that the next around the
sun...The next day the hecklers were at the temple & Jayananda was
giving them instruction. I just wanted to share these extraordinary
happenings with you and my other devotee friends. These spiritual
happenings are what fueled my studies through these past years. I feel
very fortunate to have seen these things...
Dear
Prabhu,
Please
accept my most humble obeisances,
All
glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All
glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga,
All
glories to Sri Jayananda Thakur !
Thank you very very much
for putting up a nectarean site !! It is a pleasure to go through it , I
have not yet left office although its way past closing time! Thanking you,
Sagar Iyer
I
heard of this site through Prtha's Inspirational Newsletter
and was very interested in checking it out. I'll visit here
often. It is rich with information. I'm very new to the
Krishna Consciousness movement, but I'm desirous spiritual bliss. Chanting the
maha-mantra is a joyful experience for me.
I experience God/Krishna all around me. I
have never felt
such peace and serenity in my 38 years during this incarnation.
May Krishna always be with you all, Donald R. Watkins II
Dear Visoka,
PAMHOAGTSP
First I want
to thank you for your wonderful book of Jayananda memories, I read it every
night before taking rest and it reawakens alot of transcendental emotions...I
am sure it does for everyone who reads it.
I wanted to
relate a memory of Jayananda that your book touched off ...Jayananda had come
to LA and was hosted in rooms across the street from the Temple. He was sick
but determined to design and build Ratha-Yatra carts for the first LA
Ratha-Yatra Festival. He began visiting and planning the carts with a skilled
devotee named Lalitanatha. On several occasions I
got to visit
with Jayananda in his rooms with his old friend Locan dasa. As the carts took
shape in the parking lot next to the Temple, Jayananda's health waned. He grew
more pale and weak by the day. Finally the carts were complete and Jayananda
along with the entire temple went to the parking lot to see the beautiful
chariots for Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subadra and Lord Baladeva. They were
impressive... Many devotees and gurukula students were there. Jayananda was
wheeled out in a wheel chair; his mood was happy but grave too. There was a
roaring kirtan and cakes were offered and brought for distribution. I think
Jayananda spoke or maybe Rameswara; we could all feel that this
was the begining of a huge preaching opportunity. The kirtan
stopped and all eyes were on Jayananda-He was the inspiration, He was the
mastermind, He was the energy behind this glorious endeavor. The cakes were
presented to Jayananda and he did an amazing thing. He pushed his big,
muscular hands into a cake grabbing chunks and handing them to wide eyed gurukula
students...The kids went wild (we all did) and they huddled close to him as he
handed out prasadum. It was such a moving act! He had given every bit of his
physical and mental strength to so many projects for Srila Prabhupada and even
at this finale of a life of struggle to please his spiritual master he gave
and gave and gave. All Glories to Jayananda! Your servant, Adi Deva das
I
just had an amazing experience the other day. He never ceases to amaze me,
Supersoul, how He brings devotees together in the strangest circumstances,
even when they are strangers. I was driving up to the temple area the
other day, and was pulling into this wide entrance area, and there was a
devotee walking by, and I suddenly stopped my car as he suddenly turned
and came over to speak. It was like we already sort of knew each other, it
was that feeling. It’s like how George Harrison said that we sometime
just know people right away, like old friends, like we’ve known them for
lifetimes. And how often do chance meetings, with a total seeming
stranger, on a public road, happen? And so, we just started talking about
everything. He was from Europe, and I was asking about certain devotees
from Europe that I knew. It was also strange because the tail of my car
was sort of sticking out in the road, but we ignored that, and went on
talking. I then said I knew a devotee in Europe who I worked with in the
San Francisco area on the Ratha carts with Jayananda. As soon as I said
“Jayananda” his face really lit up and he started talking on and on
about Jayananda and how he was so inspired by Jayananda’s example.
He then started talking about this book he had gotten from a
friend, about Jayananda, and how he had gotten this spiritual jump-start
from reading about Jayananda and his life and qualities, how it was just
the right book for him to read at that time. After a while I just had to
tell him that I was the one who wrote the book, and that really zapped
him, to say the least, and we talked on and on about Jayananda and the
book, and meanwhile my car was still sort of out in the road, but it was
not on our minds, just the topics of Jayananda and his inspiration. And
then this devotee become absorbed in thinking about Jayananda again and
again, and he got visibly and transcendentally emotional in his
remembrance of the qualities and life of Jayananda, the emotions could not
be contained, his emotional feelings for Jayananda came out unchecked, and
it was a very touching sight for me, and it proved once again, for the
umpteenth time how Jayananda is always there with us, and always there for
us, as a powerful impetuous for devotional feelings and devotional
service. This was a special event for me, as Krishna as Supersoul, was
giving me the mercy again, as He has always done, again and again, and in
this way, showing the special mercy that He perpetually gives to me and
others, by making this book possible, even though I was not at all
qualified to do such a task, still even insignificant people like me can
be used [just by a small effort to open our mind and heart and open our
mouth and say what we can] as instruments in the hands of Lord Krishna and
His great servitors, such as Jayananda Thakur, to describe the wonderful
life of our saint and Vaisnava Thakur, Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, and then
it making some tangible connection with other devotees by evoking their
spiritual emotions, which is what Bhakti is all about and which is the
only thing which makes our lives worthwhile, and thus I thank Lord Krishna
and Srila Prabhupada and Jayananda again and again for Their mercy in our
lives.
Dear Visoka
prabhu--
Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I have finished reading your book on the wonderful exploits , attitude, and
loving bhakti of our dearly loved and departed godbrother Sriman Jayananda
Thakur.
It is excellent!
It is, as others say, required reading material for present day
vaisnavas and all into the future as well. His life is to be our example
and there is no question about it.
Anyone who knew him would confirm he is a saint who walked amongst us
lowly mortals. Srila Prabhupada confirmed it and what more is there to say
after the letter he wrote on behalf of Jayananda after his passing?
This kind of writing is sorely needed at present in the Hare Krsna movement to
inspire us all to get back to the basics, get back to real bhakti, and get
back to focusing on going back home back to Godhead. Thanks you prabhu for all the effort and work that you put in to writing this
book. It will remain as a landmark for all to come.
Hari Bol
Damaghosa das
from Mother Sheila-
Dear
prabhu, Just a line to say that
the books arrived recently, very well packaged and in good condition. I
am well into it now and it is a wonderful read. (I had just finished
reading 'Prabhupada in Radha Damodhara' another incredible book!).
Vaisnava
philosophy is all-embracing, but it seems that in this Prabhu we were
mercifully given a perfect example of how to conduct ourselves throughout our
everyday lives (in a practical, as well as spiritual sense), when
associating with devotees and non-devotees alike. It is having a very
beneficial and 'cleansing' effect on me I feel.
Thank you for compiling this
invaluable work - it will be a source of pleasure and inspiration for the next
10 thousand years. You were very fortunate indeed to have had personal
association with Jayananda prabhu - and to have met with him in 'dream' form
since. Thank you for sharing your memories
with all of us. - Mother Sheila
Dear Visoka das,
Hare Krsna! I
really appreciate your web site about Jayananda das Thakura.
Although I am certainly not a prominent person in his life, I knew
Jayananda very well. When he came to LA in 1977 to build the Rath Carts I was
appointed, so to speak, to be one of his assistants.
Unfortunately when I met
him, he was suffering from cancer and was ill quite often during the four or
so months I spent with him. I
felt helpless when he had his "dark moments" and would hear him
moaning from his room. But by
Krsna's grace he would emerge, after a day or two, quite peaceful, friendly
and serene. I thought that he was actually getting well again.
He told me that he had left the hospital after getting chemo or
radiation treatments that were making him feel so sick that he'd rather just
try to get better on his own or die.
I was only a new Bhakta at
the time but somehow or other Krsna graced me with some intimate seva to
Jayananda. I was with him when he
was designing the L.A. Rath Carts and was given direct service to physically
help build the carts with Lalitanath Prabhu.
I worked as a welder, carpenter and painter on the carts themselves.
Lalitanath was never satisfied with my work so I was demoted from
welder to a painter and an errand boy of sorts.
During that time, Jayananda, who was aware of my situation was always
very kind to me.
One incident stands out in my mind.
I had asked Jayananda for a small allowance so I could buy sweets or
other necessities. One day
another Bhakta and myself decided to go to the movies in town, which we did.
I actually used my allowance to purchase a ticket.
At any rate, the next day, Jayananda, sensing my misuse of the
allowance, told me he was not going to give me any more money.
I could have gotten angry or upset because the allowance was only a few
dollars a week. But sensing
Jayananda's real concern and love for me, I just surrendered on the spot and
said OK. I felt so much love for
him also. And not more than a few
seconds later Jayananda said I could still have my allowance.
There were no conditions or anything said at all about my "fall
into maya" or about any misunderstandings with Lalitanath.
He just simply reversed his decision. This may seem insignificant but
it was truly a mystical experience.
Chaitanyadeva das
I've
been reading your book and just got to the part about Jayananda putting
of photo of Srila Prabhupada on his bed and sleeping on the floor, even when
his body was wracked with the pain of cancer. I had never heard that story,
and it left me with a feeling I cannot even describe in English (I'm sure you
know what I mean). It just floored me, to say the least. - Dinadayadri dasi
These
books arrived a few days ago and I read through at least half of it in a
sitting, couldn't put it down. It is so warmly rich with stories of
Jayananda's life of selfless devotion that it actually gives courage, to
strive toward being the same way. The book is full of gems from the heart. I was
thinking I would only be interested in the stories, but every single
commentary I have read, whether philosophical, observational, or sentimental, is
fully absorbing, and so nectarean. Jayananda prabhu has transformed the lives
of many by his living and loving example, then, and now so many years past his
“seemingly tragic death” from leukemia in 1977. I am continually inspired
in my life, especially in more trying times, by remembering the example, the
attitude of Jayananda prabhu. I feel that the whole book is infused with the
mood of selfless devotion. Jayananda's example still lives and affects people.
This is self-realization at its warmest,
funniest, and most blissful moments! - Jayaradhe dasi
The book looks great! much better than imagined. all my friends are stoked.
I just took some books to the Atlanta temple for the sunday feast, brought 10 in, took none out!
It was so much fun at the temple -- I just walked around with a couple books held to my heart, everyone was attracted to it like iron filings to a magnet! didn't even have to "sell" them!
They sold themselves... Dasarathasuta
Haribol, I
received the best gift I ever got in the mail on Saturday, and what pure
nectar. First class all the way. I especially recommend this book to the
younger devotees, to let them know that all us fifty-somethins are not basket
cases full of false ego. The personalities like Jayananda, those who took
Srila Prabhupada as their life's mission, are inspirational to the nth degree.
It works for us oldsters very well, helps authenticate what many of us have
held onto without really knowing why, seeing all the turmoil of the last
quarter century. But yes, there was a touchstone, and whomever was touched by
this touchstone became a touchstone in their own right. Jayananda is proof
that Parampara is intact and represented by the "bonafide disciple"
of an authentic Vaisnava Acarya. Thanx, Visok prabhu, you not only made my day
by your gift, you made me live in sound. Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksasdasa
Dear Vishoka prabhu.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to our beloved Jayananda prabhu.
All glories to your kind service to the Vaisnavas.
I received my book in the mail today and have immersed my otherwise lonely life in the refreshing delight of
San Francisco hari-nama kirtan days. You have done so much good for my heart and I cannot thank you enough,
my brother. These are the timeless moments...the joyous blessings, these memories and this sanctuary of time we can go
to and forever spend with the innocent saint. Your book is a spiritual revival for all who cherish the
early sweetness of our Krishna Consciousness lives. May Srila Prabhupada and Jayananda continue to bless
you and your loved ones with strength, hope, truth, and love.
Yours in service, Dhanistha Dasi
Thank you for this wonderful website. These stories are very remarkable. Reading of this devotee Jayananda truly helps me to realize what it is a devotee of Krishna and Prabhupada actually aspires for. Jayananda is the perfect Western Devotee, because he synthesized Krishna in such a way that everyone he contacted could understand the wonderful qualities of the Indian devotional tradition in a modern being. I am happy someone has made this information available about
Jayananda. Thank you for your work. I always heard a little about Jayananda, but until this website, never was I able to absorb this much. thank you again. Good wishes.
Your servant, Bhakta Dan
Thank you, Vishoka, for your enlivening Jayananda website. I knew Jayananda well, spending most of the Summer of '74 with him, working on the carts in
the Bay area. Your dedication to reminding people of his superlative characteristics will not go unnoticed by Krishna, for He always recognizes those who glorify the devotees. Since you are glorifying the greatest amongst
devotees, Krishna will recognize you in a great way. Keep up the good work.
-Satyaraja Dasa
Dear Visoka Prabhu,
please
accept my humble obeisances-all glories to Srila Prabhupada-all glories to
Krishna's devotees-and all glories to your service!!!
Just
like to thank all the devotees and including yourself for the wonderful
tribute to Jayananda Prabhu- he has truely touched my life as well as so many
others who have heard about his life- and its all due to great devotees like
yourself that more and more devotees are being inspired to become servants of
the servants!
It
was about 6 months ago- that I first ever really heard about Jayananda Prabhu-
I came into the movement about 3 years ago- and heard a lecture tape given by
HH Radha-natha Maharaja on Jayananda Prabhu's life given on his dissapearance
day- I couldn't beleive what I was hearing- and since then I'm slowly learning
more and more!
We
live in london and go to Sri Sri Radha London Ishvara and the Manor temple-
and we all hope to organise a big festival here in london for Jayananda
Prabhu's appearance day- I was wondering if you knew his date of birth?
There's
also a quick story- on Jayananda's Prabhu's dissapearance day just gone- we
had our usual saturday night Harinama in central London- and the Harinama
attracted two brand new strangers who joined the Harinama- they loved it so
much that they even came all the way back to Sri Sri Radha London Ishvara-
where they received Jayananda Prabhu's garland from the day!- it turns out
that they appeared to get the mercy- the next day they came down to the Manor-
and were so enthusiastic about chanting that they were up to the early hours
chanting in a friends house!-and there one of them had a personal experience
with Srila Prabhupada!
Well
I just want to beg that you please continue to inspire the world with this
wonderful service! all glories! your aspiring servant Sumeet
Hare
Krishna. Many thanks to my good friend Vishoka Prabhu for his Jayananda nectar katha. I practically immersed myself for the entire day and still
haven’t finished. I’m not sure if I had any direct contact with him except
for a possible incense run we did in an old beat up Volkswagen bug. This was
back in San Francisco in the early 70’s. I wish my memory of those days were
better. I remember feeling very safe in his presence - especially surrender by
all that maya - as I was extremely
new. Your servant, Srestha Dasa
Sumeet
Please accept my
humble obeisances- all glories to Srila Prabhupada- all glories to Krishna's
devotees! Thank you Krishna for sending me such undeserved association of your
devotees- and special thanks to Jayananda Prabhu for your unlimited inspiration
that has changed me forever and given me such hope in this movement and all of
Krishna's devotees! All glories to all of you for setting up this amazing site-
thank you! your aspiring servant, Sumeet
Jayaradhe Dasi-
I remember the wonderful Jayananda being so fatherly, making sure the women
daily got either fresh bunches of parsely on their plates in the morning,
or raisins, for iron, and I remember him hanging around the flowers
a lot, and one time we got a family outing, some of us, in a big
old box van I think, to Naranarayan's land a bit north, and on the way
back Jayananda spotted a persimmon tree. Well, Jayananda got out and offered that whole tree, so that anyone who came by would
benefit--that
was typical of him, always thinking of others, and always
taking creative, unconventional means to spread the mercy around.
He and the boys got back in the van and presented us with a huge
brown bag full of the plumpest juiciest persimmons--my first taste
of those fruits--and we just feasted all the way home. He was such
a fun kind of person.
Hare
Krishna, Dear Prabhus, please accept my most humble obeisance. All glories to
Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your wonderful service to present the Website
about Jayananda Thakur. The article encourages me to read more of Prabhupada’s
books and try to apply his instructions in my life. Haribolo! Your humble
servant, Surya Locana Dasa, Central Borneo, Indonesia
|
