As always, Janmastami was memorable. One thing Mayapur knows how to do is put on festivals.

I was asked along with Jananivas prabhu to give a class.

Jananivas prabhu on the left (or is it the right?)

Jananivas spoke from 6.30AM – 7.30AM and I spoke from 7.30AM – 8.30AM. We both chose the 3rd chapter of the 10th Canto. Jananivas prabhu told a very interesting story about Srimati Radharani’s interaction with Krsna’s Kaustubha gem.

My particular focus was the real meaning of the scientific speculations about dark matter and dark energy and a recent report that the universe would continue expanding unlimitedly but become a cold, dark desolate place devoid of life. Both these talks can be heard on www.mayapur.tv in the archives section for September 2 2010.

In the afternoon, after a refreshing bath in the Ganges, I attended a special program hosted by some of the 90 Russian residents we have in Mayapur. We were joined by HH Jayapataka Swami half way through and I was impressed that Maharaja was making the effort to give his association to this small group of householders.

Maharaja had a few words of encouragement for some newly arrived devotees from China. They have never been out of their country before and are now resident in Mayapur.

Despite his physical limitations Maharaja has been inspiring all the devotees by attending all the different functions throughout the festival. He is still the tireless preacher he always was, albeit he does it mostly from a wheelchair now.

Late in the evening I went over to the temple for the transcendental abhishek of chota Radha Madhava.

Abhisheks are  spectacular in Mayapur and this one was no different. However the special feature was that HH Jayapataka Swami offered all the primary ingredients while a packed temple crowd viewed with transcendental pleasure as Their Lordships were covered with yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar water, various fruit juices and many other substances, culminating with bin fulls of flowers.

The full size Deities were dressed resplendently in new evening outfits for the occasion.

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