I travelled from Mumbai to Pune this morning to spend some time with Damodara, Vrndavanesvari, Harshal and Vaisnavi. My driver Sanjay, was arranged by Mitesh's family who kindly gave me the use of their vehicle. I ended up driving the last thirty kilometres myself since Sanjay was falling asleep. Better that than becoming another statistic in the road mortality rate in India. Judging by a couple of the wrecks we saw on the way it is a common occurrence on what is in my experience one of the better roads in India.

It seems I passed the test. Just as we arrived at the outskirts of Pune Sanjay asked me whether we drive on the left hand side of the road in Australia. I couldn't exactly find out his reasoning since his English and my Oriyan weren't that good.

He comes from a small village near Jagannatha Puri called Nirakar Puri which is, I was told by Bhaktarupa, the hometown of His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami. Nirakara means "without form" or "formless" in Sanskrit and of course describes the impersonal aspect of Brahman. Isn't it wonderful that even the name of your home town reminds you of the Lord even in His impersonal aspect? Much better than truly impersonal names like Albert Park and St Kilda, although I guess Albert was once a king but I do know there is no saint called Kilda.

After having gotten somewhat used to keeping in the right hand lane and passing on the left, all with the obligatory horn honking at the right spots, most notably when you are just about to pass or be passed, Sanjay asked me another question, "Prabhu do you have a driver license?"

Sorry, Kurma I didn't get any pictures. I'll try to rustle some up tomorrow.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 30/10/08; 11:49:18 PM to the Travelling Preacher dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]
Relocating to Pune

30-Oct-08, 10:00 am report

Guru Maharaja was given sedatives yesterday in the night as he wants the tubes to be removed. The tubes can be removed only until he is able to breathe normally.

Today in the morning his conscious level is down a bit. They are taking him to the CT scan and then we could have some clear picture.

Devotees are asked to keep on praying especially at this most critical moment.

30-Oct-08, 12.30 noon

CT scan report is positive. The report shows the same situation as the day one and nothing new. Guru Maharaja is coming back to conscious again like yesterday. When Gopal Krishna Maharaja came to visit Guru Maharaja, Guru Maharaja took Gopal Krishna Maharaja's hand and put it on his head and had tears in his eyes.

The only biggest hurdle right now is his respiratory system. If that functions well then they could remove the ventilator.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 30/10/08; 11:42:26 PM to the News dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]
Jayapataka Swami update 30-Oct-08

From Ratnavali...

Guru Maharaja had to be put on sedatives yesterday evening because when he is conscious he asks the doctors to remove the tubes as it is uncomfortable for him. The doctor's plan was to start removing the ventilator today.

Today early in the morning Guru Maharaja came to awareness from his sleeping state. He asked again for clicker to chant mentally and chanted few mantras on it after that he became tired and slept for a while. Since his condition was stable the doctors put the ventilation off without removing the tubes to check how Guru Maharaja was responding. For 2 hours Guru Maharaja was able to breathe by himself but later felt uncomfortable therefore the ventilator was turned on again. Since then Guru Maharaja is exhausted and is taking rest.

Guru Maharaja's sugar level is normal. His platelet count is 82,000 today. Although his BP is fluctuating still nothing alarming.

The doctors will continue this process until he is able to breathe normally without the help of ventilator. Let us keep intensely praying and chanting. May Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimhadeva empower the doctors and nurses in this process as well as to give strength to Guru Maharaja to crossover these difficult moments.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 30/10/08; 12:59:43 AM to the News dept.
Comment (1) Trackback [0]
Jayapataka Swami Update 29-Oct-08, 6.00pm