Camp: New Delhi

Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to Guru Maharaja.

I am sorry that I haven't written updates for such a long time. Our schedule was very hectic and hence I couldn't write for some time. For the past one month, after Siliguri temple opening, Guru Maharaj has visited around 18 places in India, and right now he is Pune, near Bombay.

I do not remember all the places we have visited.. Moving from one city to another every 2-3 days, or even sometimes visiting 2-3 cities in a day leaves impression of an overall continuous preaching activity, merging into one clear goal - to please Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by helping Them to spread this transcendental movement to as many people as possible in every town and village. With the blessings of all the devotees, I feel very lucky to have this wonderful opportunity to directly serve Guru Maharaja, who is one of Srila Prabhupada's most dedicated servants, and a very good source of spiritual inspiration.

Around two weeks ago Guru Maharaj wasn't feeling well. Doctors said it was nothing serious, just some type of viral fever. Guru Maharaj stayed in Delhi for almost a week, seeing doctors, taking medicines and rest. His fever was jumping up and down for a few days, and at first we couldn't figure out its cause. Some doctors said that it was due to hectic travelling and general exhaustion, so I tried to make sure he took complete rest, which means no computer, no phonecalls, no meeting or talking to people. Even though I tried my best, sometimes it was really difficult to accomplish my duties of a helpful secretary. For example, last Sunday, while I went to arrange for Guru Maharaja's prasadam Guru Maharaj took the opportunity and went downstairs to the main prasadam hall, comforting everyone taking prasadam, and inviting many guests and devotees to his room for darshan... I wanted to tell them all to go back and see Guru Maharaj later, when he would feel better and would be fully recovered, but there were too many people and plus Guru Maharaj has invited them personally. Thus, when I came back I couldn't do much but stand there with open hands and no words. When I stood like this, feeling somewhat frustrated, a thought came across my mind which made my heart feel good. It has increased my faith in Guru Maharaja even more. I realized that any other person would just lie down and use the chance to do nothing, but Guru Maharaj, even though he was sick and wasn't feeling well, his internal strong desire to preach never faded away even for a second. He always uses every chance and opportunity to preach, and his strong faith in Srila Prabhupada and ever-increasing dedication are constant source of inspiration for those who seek spiritual advancement.

Yesterday I got a phonecall from Guru Maharaj. He said that he would be going to Kenya around May 22nd. Devotees in Nairobi have worked hard to prepare the annual Ratha-yatra festival. They've been doing Ratha-yatra festivals for quite some time now, and last year the Mayor of Nairobi city has personally come and attended the whole Ratha-yatra. He swept the floor before Lord Jagannatha, distributed prasadam to people, danced with the devotees and even sang Hare Krishna Mahamantra at the end. He sincerely enjoyed the festival and got a lot of mercy. Being inspired and spiritually energized he said that next year (which is now) he wants to bring his whole family for darshan of the Lord. Let us see.:)

Around May 30th Guru Maharaj might fly to Mauritius for 3-4 days. Around June 5th or 7th he will go to Russia for about 15 days.

June 23rd to June 28th is reserved for Germany. Guru Maharaj will go to Goloka Dhama, Abentheuer in order to attend the annual BBT meeting as well as "sankirtana mela", a huge festival where book distributors from all over Europe will get together and inspire each other to read and distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. There will also be spiritual entertainment with dramas, bathing in one of Germany's nicest lakes, bonfires, and of course, harinama yajna meant to remove the obstacles from the path of distributing Srila Prabhupada's books.

This schedule is approximate, and is subject to change. I will keep you
posted about Guru Maharaja's schedule and activities.

I hope this will meet you all in good health and blissful Krishna
Consciousness.!

Hare Krishna.

Your servant,
Sri Balaram das