HG Padmakshi Vinodini Mataji and HG Govinda Vallabha Mataji (from Left to Right)
For the warriors of COVID-19
Reported by Dr. Chetan Hazaree
We often hear that devotees live a life of mature compassion. They perform multifarious activities out of their compassion for the welfare of all living entities. While performing these compassionate acts, their vision is set on serving the Supreme Lord and begging for mercy, not for themselves, but for others. Each mature devotee performs different acts of compassion according to his inclination and capacity.
With the striking of COVID-19, the entire humanity was brought to its knees. It tamed the very false-ego and pride of humanity that was making humans think as if they are marching towards undefeatable immortality. A small virus has the capacity to make the entire humanity’s arrogance surrender. Many individuals and organizations stepped-in organizing efforts of varied scales to help. These individuals and organizations demonstrated material compassion, caring for body and shelter of hungry and homeless humanity.
Grappled by the question of what best can be done for humanity, two relatively old but very strong and special souls dedicated to Hari-bhakti attempted an innovative solution. They undertook a special Yajna. This special Yajna was designed to last for 50-days, each day requiring attentive service of 12-14 hours. The fruits of this offering were dedicated to spiritual well-being and good health of the Honourable Prime Minister of India, The Medical fraternity, The Police forces and many others who are parts of the army fighting the battle against the pandemic of COVID-19. When repeatedly asked about the inspiration, the source of strength and courage to undertake such an intense Yajna, HG Govinda Vallabha Mataji (82 Years) and HG Padmakshi Vinodini Mataji (78 Years), both residents of Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. very reluctantly revealed the details.
“The world came to a literal standstill. We have never seen such a thing in our entire life. You see, there is no answer that medicine has for this disease. But there are spiritual solutions” said the grave voice of HG Govinda Vallabha Mataji. Recalling the teachings of the five-year old Prahlada to chant Harinam, she said people in general, being bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are always engaged in animosity toward one another. Quoting the words of Lord Shiva to mother Parvati “just see how all these living entities have been placed in danger because of the poison produced from the churning of the ocean of milk” she told that the devotees, even at the risk of their own temporary lives, try to save others. She with her deep penetrating eyes further said. “You see what has humanity churned and what poison it has produced”. She knew the essence – it was difficult for her memory to remember where exactly this is said in Srimad Bhagavatam.
Another pair of grave eyes of HG Padmakshi Vinodini Mataji were lost in trance, as if witnessing these narrations live. Coming to this world as if in an emotional jerk, she said, “Krishna! Your name is the only shelter”. This appeared as if she is reciting the second verse of shikshashtakam, which states that O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
“What best could we do? How could we apply what we have learnt? How much could we do in this ripe old age? The compassion of both the Matajis was contemplating on these questions and intensely praying to their spiritual master, HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. The prayers were answered in the form of a unique inspiration when we discussed the idea with our shiksha guru HG Vaishnavanghri Sevak Prabhu, who gave us a plan to implement this idea, both shared. So, let us hear what vow they undertook.
These two Matajis, who are dedicated to serving their istha deva – Sri Sri Krishna Balaram with great determination and faith undertook the Yajna of chanting 10 Million i.e. One Crore Holy Names in 50 days. Yes, this means chanting a minimum of 2 lakh names per day. Divided between the two, it comes to 1 lakh names per day, which means 64 rounds, by each one of them. Chanting contemplatively with the emotions of compassion and prayers, it took 10-12 hour every day for each of them. These were beyond their ardent and elaborate daily services to their Lordships Sri Sri Krisha-Balaram.
Both selflessly, humbly, tolerating the tests and tribulations of their bodies at their ripe age and with complete surrender happily chanted for 50 days continuously. On completion of the chants, under the guidance of HG Vaishnavanghri Prabhuji, both Matajis meditated on Lord Krishna in the form of Parmatma (Hrishikesha) situated in everyone’s heart and offered the results of their chanting to the intended recipients for their welfare and success. HG Vaishnavanghri Prabhuji said the results (yajnaphala) will straight way reach the recipients through the transcendental connect of Parmatma, the common factor between recipients and the Matajis!
What a silent Yajna (service)!
What an inspiration and spiritual direction!
What a fruitful utilization of life for the well-being of all!
Comments