From Indradyumna Swami - 18-Sep-2014 Yesterday in Cuttack we visited Jogendra Candra das, one of the last living disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati. Born November 16, 1912 he is 102 years old. He was initiated in 1932. During WWII he served in the Indian army, all the while maintaining his vows and chanting his rounds. After the war he became a policeman and retired in 1969. We had darshan of his japa beads which he has been chanting on for 82 years. They were as smooth as glass. Despite his age his mind was clear and his intelligence very sharp. He spoke fluent English and shared with us many pastimes of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. For generations his family has been taking care of the original wooden shoes of Srila Rasikananda, the foremost disciple of Syamananda Pandit, whom Jiva Goswami sent to Orissa to spread Krsna consciousness sometime after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya. With great reverence I touched those shoes and prayed I could become empowered to help my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, spread the holy names all over the world. Shortly afterwards we visited a Gaudiya Math temple where we had darshan of some of the paraphernalia of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Bada Haridas prabhu received special mercy when the pujari placed the wooden shoes of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati on his head. It was a day of causeless mercy. Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Gurudeva ... All glories to Srila Prabhupada ... Chant these names with love and you will feel the ecstasy: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare ... Hare Krishna ... Jay Jagannath ...
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:40:13 +0000