Devakinandana Prabhu has just come from the hospital and he reports that Maharaja is showing some signs of improvement. He is now resting. His position is still critical but before taking rest he opened his eyes and moved his arm towards his head. These are positive signs.

Doctors are unable to operate or do more than observe his condition but these movements are encouraging signs of improvement.

Please offer a prayer on Maharaja's  behalf.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 9:40:03 PM to the News dept.
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Positive development in Jayapataka Swami's condition

Update on the Condition of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC), which is currently meeting for five days at ISKCON's Juhu Beach Temple in Mumbai, was shocked this morning at the news that His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, our dear god-brother and GBC colleague, was rushed to the hospital at approximately 4 AM Mumbai time.

Aniruddha dasa, GBC Deputy, has sent three reports about Maharaja's condition. We would like to update ISKCON devotees worldwide about Maharaja and beg for your prayers on his behalf. We ask devotees around the world to pray to Lord Krishna and Lord Nrsimhadeva for Jayapataka Swami's protection.

Maharaja was rushed to the hospital this morning in an ambulance after his assistants found him in bed around 3:30 AM unable to move and calling for help in a semi-conscious state. He was taken the Hinduja Hospital, not far from the Juhu ISKCON temple. He was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital. There several tests were conducted and it was concluded that there was no problem with his heart, as first suspected.

Maharaja's blood pressure was dangerously high, but more importantly it was determined that he had suffered two brain haemorrhages (internal bleeding). One was located in the brain stem, a very sensitive area at the base of the brain where surgery is not possible.

Several expert physicians were called in, including devotee doctors from the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai. Specialists included neurologists and a neurosurgeon.

Jayapataka Swami is in the intensive care unit. As the hospital will not allow many visitors in the unit, GBC members Sivarama Swami, Bir Krishna Goswami, Bhakti Caru Swami, and Radhanatha Swami who had rushed to the hospital in the morning to be with Jayapataka Swami, returned to the temple around noon. Upon return, Radhanatha Swami immediately updated the GBC about Maharaja's condition.

Radhanatha Swami reported that Jayapataka Swami remains in critical condition. His condition is extremely delicate. One positive report he shared with the GBC, was that, although not apparently conscious, when Jayapataka Swami was asked to squeeze his left hand, he did so.

As surgery is not an option at this time, doctors are monitoring Maharaja's condition very carefully, and administering medication as appropriate.

Jayapataka Swami is one of ISKCON's most senior devotees. He is a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He pioneered preaching in India as well as congregational outreach programs. He has been a faithful and important member of the GBC for decades.

We fervently pray to Lord Krishna for His protection. He has sacrificed his life in service, and we pray the Lord will give him full strength. We also offer our prayers and full support to the disciples of our dear god-brother in this most difficult time.

We request that devotees of ISKCON worldwide offer prayers to their Deities and to Srila Prabhupada that this great leader among us may regain his health and remain with us to serve the ISKCON mission for many more years.

We value, respect and love Jayapataka Maharaja. We admire his deep love for Prabhupada, for the ISKCON society, and for suffering humanity. May Lord Krishna be pleased to allow us all many more years of service to, and association with, His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.

Your servants,

The Members of the ISKCON
Governing Body Commission
Ramai Swami, Chairperson
ISKCON Radha Rasabihari Temple
Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India
October 23, 2008
4:30 PM

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 9:22:54 PM to the News dept.
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GBC Update on HH Jayaptaka Swami

The Melbourne devotees are gathering at the temple for a kirtana for Jayapataka Swami. It starts at 6.00 pm.

Please come along to offer prayers to Radha-vallabha for the protection of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 5:33:04 PM to the News dept.
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Kirtana for Jayapataka Swami

Just to confirm the previous post this just in from Ratnavali devi dasi of Jayapataka Swami's Mayapur Office.

Doctor P.P Ashok has reviewed the case thouroughly there is a haemorrage in the brain stem and therefore it is a critical situation. The brain stem contains all our vital centers of function like breathing, consciousness etc. Therefore a slight increase in Haemorrage can cause a life and death situation.

The doctor has said that anything can go wrong anytime without much notice. If it doesn't, the process of recovery is very slow and any predictions at this time are not possible. He is already on a ventilator to support his vital function.

The doctors who are handling the case are some of the best in India. The treatment which is going on in Hinduja is internationally the same. Our doctor devotees in Bhaktivedanta hospital are in constant touch with the doctor's in Hinduja.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 5:23:27 PM to the News dept.
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Further news on Jayapataka Swami

Latest update from Radhanatha Swami who has just returned from the hospital and spoke to the doctor a few minutes ago.

Jayapataka Swami is in an extremely serious situation after suffering a major stroke. He has just received a large blood transfusion since his own was extremely thin due to medication he has been taking for high blood pressure. The bleeding in the brain stem is in a highly sensitive location with an intricate network of nerves which are connected to almost all parts of the body.

Any further damage could have serious consequences. The doctors are now focused on saving his life. The prognosis is not clear at the moment.

There are three doctors from Bhaktivedanta Hospital with Jayapataka Swami at the moment. A few minutes ago one of them asked Maharaja to squeeze his left hand which he did. This means he is conscious but his condition is still tenuous. He is in a highly risky condition where any further damage will be critical and healing will be slow.

The GBC is offering their prayers of support to His Holiness and his disciples in this difficult time.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 5:13:08 PM to the News dept.
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HH Jayapataka Swami

Bir Krsna Das Goswami just returned from Hinduja Hospital one of the top hospitals in Mumbai with a report to the GBC on Jayapataka Swami's condition.

Maharaja is in intensive care. He has been in a coma since this morning when he was taken to the hospital from the ISKCON Juhu temple. The results of a scan indicate his heart is good but he has suffered a stroke and has bleeding in two locations in the brain. The most serious is in the brain stem which is very delicate and difficult to operate on. His blood pressure is extremely high.

The specialist's advice is that Maharaja's condition is extremely serious. There are some positive signs in that he can move his legs and his eyes respond to stimuli indicating nervous activity. At the same time his condition is extremely critical. Radhanatha Swami, Kavicandra Swami, Sivarama Swami, Bhakti Purusottama Swami and others are in the hospital with him.

The GBC held kirtana this morning on behalf of Jayapataka Swami and asks all devotees around the world to offer prayers on his behalf.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 3:23:08 PM to the News dept.
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JPS Update

I generally don't like to be the bearer of bad news but in this case I feel obliged to get the word out. I am currently in Mumbai attending the GBC meetings.

It appears that some time last night HH Jayapataka Swami suffered a stroke in his sleep. When his servant tried to wake him this morning he couldn't rise and appeared to be calling for help. He couldn't articulate his words.

As I went to mangala-arati I came across the devotees carrying Maharaja down to an ambulance so he could be driven to the Hinduja Hospital.

I just heard from Ramai Swami that his condition is critical. He is in a coma and indications are he has suffered a hemorrhage at the back of his neck.  The devotees are awaiting the advice of the specialist who is reviewing his condition as I write.

Sivarama Swami, Radhanatha Swami, Gopala Krsna Goswami and Bhakti-vijnana Swami, Bhakti-caru Swami and Bir Krsna Goswami are with him in the hospital and the most recent report from Sivarama Swami is not good news.

I suggest everyone start offering prayers for such a stalwart preacher and ISKCON general. Let us pray that if Krsna so desires that his great servant be allowed to stay with us to help push on the sankirtan mission for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 23/10/08; 2:37:40 PM to the News dept.
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Jayapataka Swami Critical in hospital