Drdha’s descriptions
Drdha’s messages:March 18th
At 4 pm the truck, delivering the samadhi from south India, arrived at the gurukul, one day earlier than expected.
Ramvijay and his crew of 20 or so local laborers were waiting and ready for the long and hard days work of unloading the samadhi pieces from the truck. This was a job, I thought, would be impossible without the help of a crane. But, to our surprise, with his crew and the help of lots of bamboo, Ramvijay pulled it off as if just another day’s work.
Not only did they remove the pieces from the truck but, they managed to carry, push and pull them all the way next to the area where they would be assembled. And not only the laborers were doing the work but, it seemed everyone wanted to give a helping hand. Ramvijay, Vagisha and Baladev were coordinating and lifting along with all the workers. Even some of the students jumped in to help.
The atmosphere was surged with energy. When the work would get tough, they would all chant loud bengali sayings and hoo-haas to re energize the mood. This almost sounded like warcries.
Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami was of course watching this going on and unsurprised at “the way it’s done around here”. This went on until around 9 pm, when they finally managed to move the biggest and heaviest piece.
A job well done by Ramvijay, Vagisha, Baladev and the rest of the crew of Bhaktivedanta Academy.
Hare Krsna.
ys,
drdha vrata das
March 20th and 21st
The workers from south india have arrived and immediately started work on the base section.
The base (padma pidam) is of 4 parts and are joined in swastika manner. In the middle is a space for places the ashes of Guru Maharaja. The workers work swiftly but, carefully paying attention that the pieces are correctly joined.
Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami, Shantiparayana, Prithivardana and others watch as the work progresses.
All is prepared for the ashes to be transferred into it’s new home.
Hare Krsna.
ys,
drdha
March 21st
At around 4 pm on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima a small group of devotees comprising of Shantiparanaya prabhu and his wife, Vagisha prabhu, myself a few others, reinstalled the ashes of Guru Maharaja in the base of his new samadhi.
Vagisha prabhu chanted auspicious mantras and performed other rituals of purification. After the pot of ashes was installed with flowers and mantras, the top was sealed with stone slabs.
Although only a small group of us was able to attend this simple ceremony, it was done very nicely.
Now that the ashes are in place and the base is set, we are ready to move on to the pillars.
Hare Krsna.
ys,
drdha
p.s. Shanti or Vidyagati prabhus, if you know the name of the devotee who was carrying the pot, please add it to this letter, as I did not know his name.
Also, if there is anything else you would like to add, please do so.
(comment by Gaura Bhagavan dasa): This devotee carrying the ashes is Pandava Bhandava Prabhu from Bulgaria. He was formerly initiated by Suhotra Prabhu and his name then was Pandava dasa, now he has taken re-initiation from Devamrita Swami who added ‘Bhandava’ to his name. He lives part of the year in Mayapur and rendered services to Suhotra Prabhu on different occasions during his final stay Mayapur.
March 24th
The workers from south india continue work now on the pillar section. While this is going the bengali workers are busy preparing a pulley to be placed above the Samadhi area to make it easier in lifting the heavier pieces on top of each section. They cut down and bring a tree from nearby and place it directly next to the samadhi to act as a support for the pulley. Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami, Shantiparayana and others watch the progress.
Hare Krsna.
ys,
drdha