Message From HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja

Dear devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Homebase : Sridham Mayapur
Camp : Sridham Mayapur

I remember, when he came as young Kishore, he was a very exceptional devotee.

One time, I was out distributing books. When I came back, I heard that Kishore had left. I went to Kolkata and visited his house three times, but each time they said he was out. Then he came to see me at the Kolkata temple. I talked with him and he decided to come back to Mayapur.

Like that, since 1970s, I have an ongoing relationship with Bhakti Caru swami. He was serving Prabhupada personally in Vrindavana. He was a very kind devotee. Prabhupada gave him first, second and sanyasa initiation very quickly.

He was, as everyone has their strengths, a very sweet, cultured devotee. I think we had made him an undeclared cultural minister. He was my co-GBC in Kolkata, Mayapur, West Bengal and Bangladesh and recently also in Orissa. So he was very nice to work with and I am missing his association a lot. He had requested me to stay, when I was sick in Bombay with the stroke. And I am still here. He said I followed his instructions very well.

I sent him an audio message, which they put on the Srila prabhupada sound box, requesting him if it was in his power, please stay. But as I said before, it seems to me that Krishna, Prabhupada wanted him to go. Still I was trying, every way I could, to have him stay. It is a great loss to the ISKCON society without his presence, but we should also, as HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj said, we should encourage his disciples so that they feel protected by the GBC members and senior devotees.

Hope this finds you in good health

Your servant
Jayapataka Swami