$title="21st May 2001 - GM's journey to Budapest"; include("../sys/top.php"); ?>
Dear devotees, PAMHO, AgtSP!
Now I want to write a few words about GM's journey to Budapest. GM wanted to
leave Prague at May 15, but because of not feeling good the journey was moved
to the next day. Because neither through the phone
number nor e-mail address mentioned in the BTG could I contact the Budapest
temple (even after number of times).
At Wednesday I have packed GM's luggage. We were supposed to leave around
noon, because the trip to Budapest takes around 6 hrs. But GM had to answer
some mail, so we left at 2.30 pm. On the way to Brno there were two delays
caused by some heavy car accidents. Also GM asked me if I had a rhubarb for
him. I had realised that I have not. So I was thinking about how to get it,
because usually it is not possible to get it in the shops but only from some
farmers who are going to the market. Now it was 6 pm anyway, so GM had decided,
that we should stop in Bratislava for night. We stopped at Tesco hypermarket in
Brno. I was going to call to Slovakia and Kusa pr. had tried to buy some
rhubarb there. Because in Bratislava there is no temple now, I had to call to
Pezinok (town 30 kms north of Bratislava), where there is a SKT flat.
Now hear how Krsna had arranged wonderfully for GM's rhubarb. Kusa pr. went
into the supermarket (in his dhoti) and at the section with vegetables he had
asked if r. was available. They of course told him it wasn't.
But anyway some people who were also shopping there have heard Kusa's request
and because he was clothed in the dhoti they asked him if he is from Hare
Krsna. Kusa said he was and tried to explain them how urgently
we need rhubarb for our spiritual master (he is very talkative). This couple
told him that this r. he cannot get anywhere in the shop, but that they have
small garden, where they also grow some r., but aren't using it for anything,
so that they could give him all. They said that they were maybe the only
persons in the city who are growing this rhubarb. But the lady said that right
now she must buy some things in the supermarket and that it would take her 1.5
hour to finish. But Kusa was determined and pushed her (nicely):
"But today you can do it more quickly, don't you?" And she said: "Of course,
for you I will do it!" So they had finished their shopping in 20 minutes and
than we had to follow their car with our big van for about 7 kms
to reach their garden at the outskirts of the city. There we had collected the
rhubarb and they have given us also some fresh spinach as well. In return I
have given them the picture of the Deities from Prague and they were. happy.
The man said he knew Hare Krisna, he even had a tape with mahamantra at home.
Now it was 7 pm, so we continued the journey thru the borders to Slovakia.
We had arrived at Pezinok around 10 pm. After a while we had found the flat.
Dhairyavan pr. was waiting for us, so we had brought GM's luggage out to the 3rd
floor (fortunately there was an elevator). GM had me to cook some dahl for him.
When I brought it into his room, he was lying in bed but as soon as he saw the
meal, he jumped off. He was tired after the journey.
The next morning when he woke up he said :"I am feeling quite sick." So he
was resting the whole day and had me to call again to Budapest that we will
arrive at Friday May 18. Now I already had the right phone numbers.
In the evening he was feeling better. Now twice a day I massage his knee with
a special herbal mixture and it helps him. He also takes twice a day what is
called "Schindele's Mineralies" - a very fine dust which contains all important
minerals end elements. It is supposed to help for overall health and GM agreed
to try it when I showed him the bottle.
At Friday morning GM told me to call Budapest again that we will come
tomorrow. He gave a short darshan to Ragunath Pryia pr who tried to inspire GM
to visit his New Ekacakra project in eastern Slovakia. GM said that maybe on
our way back we can come there. In the evening he gave a BG lecture (7.2) about
the necessity to have proper knowledge about the dangers of this mat. world and
also positive spiritual knowledge. But both these we must hear from Krsna, then
it is safe. If we try to find out independently what maya is, we will just
become her victims, not knowers. We will just sink down out there. He also told
a story of Risayasrnga from Ramayana. Because tomorrow will be Ekadasi I have
asked GM how seriously should the devotee take that it is not auspicious to
travell at this day. He said that Srila Prabhupada used to travel on Ekadasi
also and that: "You can chant more rounds because there is nothing else to do
anyway during the journey." At this moment I didn't know what is awaiting us
tomorow...
Ekadasi day began for me in the kitchen. I was cooking for the devotees.
Then we had a condensed morning program and then I had cooked for GM. The
devotees there were holding a public program today and therefore they had to
prepare some non- ekadasi preparations for distribution But the problem arose
when they wanted to offer it, because they didn't know to whom. So they had me
to go and ask GM. GM said: "I would offer it to Lord Nrsimhadev, for
protection. He can take grains on Ekadasi, Pancatattva doesn't take. So have
altar set up like normally, but in the mind offer it to Lord Nrsimhadev."
Then we have packed all luggage and prepared the car. GM came in and we rode
thru Bratislava to Hungarian borders. And there it has begun. Thru slovak side
we got without problems, but the Hungarian guys were very suspicious. It is
understandable, when there is a German van with two Czechs driving and one
American sitting in the back and they are all Hare Krsnas. Moreover the fellow
wanted to see the car papers. When Kusa had handed it to him, he had foud out
that the papers are expired. Kusa tried to convince him (now urgently) that we
need to cross the borders. But the fellow was trying with broken English to
explain to us that he will not allow us in. So I had Kusa give him some
mahaprasadam. But the fellow refused to take it and we had to go back to
Slovak side. Now Kusa was in panic and constantly asked GM: "GM, what shall we
do now? What will we do?" and GM with mild smile told him: "First of all, you
must get out of here. Just drive ahead." GM than suggested that we find out
from Vipula pr. what is actually going on here (because the car is registrated
in Vipula's name). He said: "I think Bhagavat Dharma was telling me that there
is some period of let's say 6 months when the papers are still valid even
though in the papers it's written an old date. But anyway, I think that even
if it's true, try to explain it to these stupids here! Even if on some other
border they would allow us in, than some other police control inside Hungary
cold get on our case. As far as I remember, these Hungarians were always making
us trouble to enter and they are looking for some reason to send us out. And
this might be good for them. So I think I and Vidyagati shall go to Hungary by
train. And our Kusa can wait here for us. Do you like it, Kusa?" Kusa was
trying to hide his sour face, but said: "OK, GM!"
Then we have stopped in Bratislava. We had to find out the departure time of
some tomorrow's train at the railway station. Then I had to contact Dhairyavan
to ask him if we could return to their flat again. He said we could, so we
drove back to Pezinok. There GM said: "Leave the things in the car, first of all
we must find out the situation." So he himself was trying to call to Vipula
pr., but he couldn't reach him, because he was on the way to some program.
Than I was again calling to Budapest that we will not arrive today and have
explained what happened to us at the borders and that we will arrive tomorow by
the train. Than GM said me: "Cook something for me in the afternoon. Boil the
potatoes, peel it, mash it finely and mix it with buttermilk or whatever they
have here. (in Pezinok you can't get any buttermilk) Than we must pack up only
the necessary things and also some books. Please, with the help of Kusa bring
ALL the books from the car. And also I will need some plain clothes for
crossing Bulgarian borders, so take my bags with clothes upstairs." Meanwhile
Hungarian devotees called back that they could pick us up in Pezinok by a car
and drive to Budapest.
The next day was Sunday and the devotees were preparing and cooking for
Sunday Feast from the early morning. At 9am Hungarian devotees were calling
that they leave Budapest for Pezinok and that they will arrive in 3 hours. When
they arrived, we loaded all luggage in the van and I went to GM that the car is
prepared. Then Gm bide farewell to all devotees there and said to Kusa pr.: "So, Kusa,
now please secure the car." Kusa asked GM: "And what more shall I do here? Shall
I also distribute?" "Yes, distribute" "And what shall I distribute?" "Distribute simply
wonderfuls."(devotees here are doing also prasadam distribution, but they don't
distrute exactly simply wonderfuls) Kusa pr: "What you mean GM , by simply
wonderfuls? Shall I distribute books or prasadam?" "Yes, Kusa, distribute books
and simply wonderfuls." "OK GM, if you want me to do it, I will."
Than we went to the borders, but this time some smaller nearby these where
we wern't allowed with GM's van. But again it was Hungarian fellow who
didn't let us thru and said we should go thru the big border crossing. For us
it meant to drive 10 kms back. Now there was no problem and we headed to
Budapest.
When we arrived to Budapest temple, it was about 3.50 pm. We brought all
luggage into GM's room and than local devotees have asked if GM could give
a Sunday feast lecture, which was supposed to begin at 4 pm. He did
and spoke on BG 6.7 about how to control the mind. He explained also about how
the mind should be in harmony with the intellect and the esoteric principle
of mindcontrol (Aniruddha). Immediately after the lecture
he had me to set up the altar and he offered some buttermilk to his salagramas.
Than I have massaged his knee and gave him mineralies. Than some devotees from
Hungarian farm have arrived.
ys Vidyagati das include("../sys/bottom.php"); ?>