Glorification of HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Maharaja Ji
Dated: 25 November 2020
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had predicted that My Senapati Bhakta will come and spread the glories of the Holy Names all over the world. Only one person has performed this transcendental feat and he is our most beloved Srila Prabhupada. On the order of his Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, he preached all over the globe even in his advanced age, ignoring personal inconveniences. One of the most important contributions of Srila Prabhupada is that he ensured that the legacy he established continues to propel ahead for years to come despite the obstacles exhibited by this age of quarrel and hypocrisy.
Just as he was Senapati Bhakta, he initiated and trained thousands of devotees all over the world to become Senapati Disciples. By the order and mercy of Srila Prabhupada, these Senapati Disciples pushed forward the legacy of their spiritual master and preached vigorously even in life threatening conditions. We, at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India, are fortunate enough that we got the association of one such Senapati Disciple of Srila Prabhupada, namely HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Maharaja Ji. He is amongst those rarest of rare souls who dedicated their entire life in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
These Senapati Disciples were 20-25 years old during the time of Srila Prabhupada. Today, half a century later, all of them are now advancing in age and many of these sincere souls have left the planet for the Supreme Destination. Each such soul leaving the planet is an immense loss for us and recently on 14th November 2020, we had to face yet another loss in the form of HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Maharaja. Even as I write this text, we are observing yet another Disappearance Day, that of Srila Gaura Kisora Das Babaji Maharaja.
I had the opportunity to associate with HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Maharaja a lot of times. Maharaja used to preach very heavily, making no compromise. He was just like a postman who delivered the message of Srila Prabhupada without any adulteration. Maharaja was deeply attached to his Deities and one could especially see Them in Kartik Maas during deep dan. He also travelled to different parts of the world on preaching missions. For the many devotees connected with the temple, he used to offer guidance and support. By the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Radhikaraman Ji, I had the most wonderful opportunity (on 20 June 2012) to serve him by cleaning his room in the temple on the occasion of Gundica Mandir Marjanam. I recorded it like this in my personal diary:
We also had the opportunity to associate with Maharaja in Bhaktivriksha classes held in New Building. As memories of those days flashed again in my mind, I got the following records wherein Maharaja personally took our Bhaktivriksha Class in New Building:
And below this is a record of notes prepared in the Gaur Group class that was taken by Maharaja.
Today, when Maharaja is not present physically with us, I feel the separation from him. The ISKCON society that we see today is actually the manifestation of the hard work done by such sincere and dedicated souls during all these years. I fall down at the Lotus Feet of HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Maharaja Ji and ask for his divine blessings. Kindly empower me so that I may do something practical in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Thankyou Maharaja, for all the love, care, support and guidance.
Your servant,
– Rohit Lakhane
