Pilgrim's Diary - Hope Against Hope - March 10, 2001
By Vipramukhya Swami

Mayapur, India (March 10, 2001): It is the day after Gaura Purnima, the birthday of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who appeared here in Mayapur 515 years ago. On this day, Jagannath Mishra, Lord Chaitanya's father, had a big celebration.

Last night after watching the beautiful golden full moon rise on the eastern horizon amid kirtan and an abhisheka of the Chaitanya-Nityananda deities, I was invited to the roof of the lotus building for a feast sponsored by Jayapataka Swami for senior devotees, sannyasis and former gurukulis. It was what I call a "knock down drag out feast," consisting of all Ekadasi (non-grain) preparations, as is the tradition on Gaura Purnima night. Today we are awaiting another feast at 2 PM, which is the main feast after Lord Chaitanya's Appearance. Thus we have begun another new year, Gaurabdha 516.

Many of the devotees from around the world have already left on buses bound for Calcutta. My roommate, Bhanu Swami, is also going this afternoon, as are many of my friends from the Vancouver temple, including Vedavyasa.

I was also going to leave today to try to see about my missing suitcase. After numerous phone calls there was still no news of what happened to it. I was beginning to suspect it had somehow been stolen in Kathmandu. Devotees were praying on my behalf, and on behalf of the Salagram Silas that were within that suitcase, that it somehow would be returned to me, but inwardly I had given up all hope.

Then, just as I was about to pack my bags to go to Calcutta, the news came. I phoned the airport one last time. I've been calling constantly every few hours since it went missing. They located my suitcase. It is still in Kathmandu, and it will come on the next flight, which is scheduled for Monday, March 12th. I am scheduled to leave for London from Calcutta on March 14th, so there is still time for the suitcase to be returned and for me to claim it before I leave for India.

I don't know if the contents have been stolen, but I would suspect not. I would also suspect that any Salagrams within it would not be very attractive to a thief.

Of course, I should not speak too soon. I don't have the case in my hand yet, but this seems to prove what I said earlier, which is that Krishna always saves His devotees, but only at the last moment. That seems to have been the theme of my travels this year.

© CHAKRA 12 March 2001

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