"Giriraj will fulfill all your desires."

It is now time to make my final departure for Vrindavan, and then on to Govardhan. It has been a little difficult the past few days because I have been too excited to sleep, my mind is just racing a million miles an hour. The lack of sleep and the jet lag has made it really difficult to stay awake during Maharaj's classes, but I guess that is a major part of the purification. And I've also been feeling like I should have already been at Govardhan so it has been a little difficult to enjoy the association of all my wonderful senior god brothers here.

This morning just after Maharaj finished breakfast I went into his quarters just to inform him that I would be leaving today. He had this very surprised look, and exclaimed, "Already." The way he responded totally put me at ease and just made me feel that he would be happy if I did nothing other than just be with him. It was a very sweet and sincere gesture on his part.

Then he asked me when I was leaving, I told him that I would leave tonight at 8:00 pm, and he told me to come and see him before I leave.

The time to leave was approaching, I was getting nervous, everything was packed but I still needed to meet with Maharaj. As soon as I walked out of my room I see Maharaj walking towards me on the way to his room. You never know when you will get a darshan will Maharaj, sometimes you try so hard and it doesn't work out and sometimes it is just meant to be.

Maharaj motions to me and we walk together to his room. He sits down behind his low desk, reclining against the circular pillow. Maharaj is very approachable yet at the same time very grave and thoughtful.

He blessed me with some very kind words that were way beyond what I deserved but it was just amazing to see the genuineness with which he spoke them and how he views his disciples.

I thanked him for allowing me to travel with him out and in his natural humility he replied, "It was wonderful to have your association."

I asked him if he had any final instructions and he said,
"Be Submissive. Have a good service attitude. Have nice Sadhana. Do these three things and don't make offenses and Giriraj will fulfill all your desires."

Then Maharaj reached out his hand to embrace me, I crawled over to him and as he embraced me and pulled me close to him I grasped his foot and placed my head on his foot.

What more could I possibly ask for. Now I just pray that I may be able to take full advantage of this incredible opportunity that is being giving to me.

Here a few pictures from the weekend.

Thier Lordships Shri Shri Radha Gopinath, and the newest editions to the altar, the elephants, they were a special Radhastami decoration but Maharaj liked them so much that they are a permanent addition to the altar.


Swami Radhanath and Radhanath. Maharaj personally named him Radhanath, he is a very special child.

Radhanath and Govinda. He loves kirtan, and like everyone else he loves Govinda Prabhu.


I took advantage of the opportunity to pay a visit to our local neighborhood devotee dentist Murlidhar Prabhu, he is a true transcendentist. It is actually quite embarrassing excepting such a menial service from such a great vaishnava. I am sure there is a special hell reserved for people like me, or maybe just leprosy for ten thousand births.



The Bhagavatam classes Saturday and Sunday morning were wonderful, the temple room was at full capacity with 800+ devotees in attendance both days.

The Sunday feast is just an ocean of devotees. From a material perspective it can be quite an austerity but from the transcendental perspective there is nothing more beautiful than so many souls re-connecting with Krishna. The ocean of devotees here is ever expanding, you really get the feeling that soon this ocean will flood the entire planet.