Perth - February 23rd
"In the scriptures it is said that one person can never know the unhappiness in the mind of another. Therefore what can I say of my dear friends , Lalita and the others? Nor can they understand the unhappiness within Me. They simply try to console ME repeatedly saying, "Dear friend, be patient"."
These are words spoken by Srimati Radharani, expressing Her pain in separation, after Krishna's departure from Vrindavan. Hers is the topmost level of transcendental feeling. Nevertheless this inability to understand other's pain also applies to us.
We are also separated from Krishna
Although we do not always recognize it ,we are also feeling great pain. Even if we are not yet experiencing spiritual emotions of love in separation, still certainly there is plenty of pain in this world!!!!
Identification with our body and mind seems pleasurable when we are feeling OK. When the mind/body are feeling intolerable discomfort then comes the pain.
Bhagavad Gita advises us, through Krishna's words to Arjuna, to try and go beyond this illusion and establish yourselves as spiritual.We're trying to follow this principle,still there are many tests along the way. THe final test is death.
Sincere devotional service rendered
This morning I was thinking of one devotee, His Holiness Giridhari Swami, who is presently staying in Perth. After years of service to Srila Prabhupada he now faces extreme ill health. His dedication has been shown by working in one of the most difficult places in the world - Hong Kong and China.
A temple in Hong Kong
Srila Prabhupada wanted a temple in Hong Kong. He felt it was essential.
←Hong Kong today
In 1970, eager to see us begin a preaching centre, he blessed my husband and I to go to Hong Kong to perform that service.
←1971 slum sankirtan
That year we were married and opened the first Hare Krishna centre there.
← 1971 - months after marraige
Prabhupada said one magazine distributed in Hong Kong was worth fifty magazines distributed anywhere else.
←Sanjay distributes Chinese BTGs 1974
Unfortunately, with all sincerity, we did not survive that unrelenting passionate city. The differences in culture and religion were enormous. Thus after four years we left for Austalia. Srila Prabhupada was somewhat disappointed.
Hong Kong today
For many years Giridhari Swami took responsibility [along with Tamal Krishna Goswami] for China, Phillipines and Hong Kong. After our stay there, I know the difficulties and tensions involved in performing that task.
Hong Kong has sometimes been described as the most materialistic city in the world. It never shuts down.
Here Maharaja and the HongKong devotees hold a small Rathayatra in 2005
Difficulty and pain
As a result of the pace of his preaching, Giridhari Swam's health is now very weak. Here in Perth he's being cared for by Vrajanandana Prabhu and his wife, Radhika Sundari, his diciples. Although they are trying whatever treatments are available, so far Maharaj's health problems remains.
Difficulty and pain. How to help with another's pain? How to offer solace?
If nothing else, words of empathy, encouragement and appreciation for another relieve their sense of being alone. Thus they are valued under such conditions.
Devotees must also assist eachother by gently reminders of the reality of Krishna and His pastimes. Ultimately our suffering is a result of the separation that exists in our mind between Krishna and ourselves. We want to be happy but there is no lasting happiness here.
If somehow, by Krishna's mercy we can connect with Him through pain, then all the difficulties will become our greatest gain. For as the saying goes...
No pain no gain
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