A DREAM COME TRUE
A devotee is surrendered to lord
Lord shows him all ways forward
Guru’s order boiling in the heart-core
Bhaktivedanta came to Bombay shore
Time is passing and no bright way
Swami became old and non-fray
No selling books and nothing printing
“Going America” was the only thinking
With ready passport and sponsorship
He visited owner of Scindia Steamship
He met the secretary of the owner
Submitted his plea with sponsor paper
Secretary went to Sumati Morarji
With the request of Swamiji
Swami wants to go to America
For teaching people to love Krishna
Morarji denied the idea strongly
Swami was too old for the journey
“Where he will live and what he will eat?
Let in India only all work be complete.”
Two times swami sent secretary
Morarji returned him negatively
Swami requested a meeting finally
With hope of convincing personally
Swami has nothing to do with Scindia
Neither with India, nor with Amercia
His worry was Gurudeva’s order
Seeing it to be delaying further
Grey haired old Swami entered in
With strong determination within
He presented request emphatic
“Please give me one ticket!”
“You have none to receive, none to see
In old-age sickness, none to heel
What you will eat and drink?
How did you plan and think?”
Swami refused her question’s quest
Sumati rejected the Swami’s request
“My secretaries think, please hear
Swami is going to die there”
Swami made a face of dismissing
All rumors coming, obstructing
His decision was fixed and clear
Preaching about Krishna everywhere
Sumati said, “You are my father
How can I lose you for-ever?
By allowing you to go alone
I can’t leave you die gruesome (sick)”
“You say this but don’t bother
Even a small plea of your father
My guru said me to preach
Help me to go out and teach
My guru’s orders and teachings
I want to go all possible reaching’s”
This was Swami’s last plea
“Okay okay”, said Sumati
Battle for USA was not yet over
“P-form” was necessity another
US Visa and other permission
In Bombay, without habitation
Sumati made arrangements for Swami
To live in Bombay in Scindia colony
With only his trunk and typewriter
Swami stayed in unfurnished shelter
For him opulence was not in matter
He was special sadhu and scholar
Some neighbors were interested
After knowing what he intended
‘Though old, he wants to preach
Aspire to go to west to teach
with books in hundreds of copies’
Swami became their celebrity
Rice, sabji, fruit all families brought
So much that he never even thought
He distributed whatever excess remains
Fortunate children in colony got remnants
Older residents assemble together
Near Swami in order to hear
Rare teachings of Bhagavata book
Even rare discourses that Swami took
Mr. Vasudeva, chief cashier of Scindia
Being impressed with Bhaktivedanta
In order to learn he came regularly
Also he obtained all books of swami
Writing or chanting was only activity
Neighbor Nagarajan made an enquiry
“Swamiji, what are you writing?
I see you whole day translating”
Swami just gave him two of his books
“Child you will know, just read the books”
His visa and P-form were still pending
Every day he go out trying, demanding
He himself pushed his books’ selling
Searched sponsors for further publishing
He looked for various pious professional
Who can make some help financial
After full day’s lonely tussling
Swami used to return in evening
Old Bhaktivedanta unsupported
Tired deadly morose unattended
But his work has not yet ended
He again wakes up rejuvenated
His glorious writing again resumed
Determined service unparalleled
“Time is not rightly ours
They are all oblivious
Nobody is understanding
My endeavors’ necessity”
Swami carried on his work still
Sometime on chair or windowsill
Nagarajan asked whom is he contacting?
“Not much today, it is depressing”
After one minute Swami start again
His tireless work will not go in vain
He becomes tired, but never defeated
Never any discouragement reflected
Some people would come to Swami
Hear discourses, gave some money
For any help was he appreciating
His work had endless demanding
Swami had wisdom to teach
But had no support to preach
Nothing for oneself, all for master
This is devotee’s selfless character
He can spend whole world’s money
In the service of his dear Lord Hari
But Andheri station from his colony
2 miles of walking to save money
Mrs. Morarji desired Bhagavatam hearing
She requested him to read every evening
For 10-15 days daily Swami recited
The sublime teachings and commented
He had help in US for sponsorship
And backing by Scindia Steemship
People at Scindia also assisted
To get Visa-form fully accepted
On July 28th (1965), his visa came,
But P-form was another hard game
Proceedings were slow and everyday battle
It seemed to be insurmountable obstacle
No assistance, no one helping
Old Swami was alone struggling
With Mr. Matachori, he had meeting
Inquired about his P-form passing
He replied Swami fully negating
All chances of P-form’s passing
“You are just sponsored privately
No institution called you officially”
“How would it be taken care,
If you will be forsaken there?
I have now decided to cancel it
You going there is not at all fit.”
Swami requested to meet manager
His decision of going cannot alter
Mr. Rao, manager, agreed finally
P-form, visa were now fully ready
After that Morarji fixed the trip
August 13, on cargo ship
“Jaladuta” ship sailing from Calcutta
Captain being vegetarian Brahmana
Named Arun Pandia, advised by Morarji
Carried extra vegetables for Swamiji
Mr. Choksi spent the last two full days
In service to Swami in Bombay subways
He helped Swami in his preparation
Buying clothes and pamphlet collection
Finally he drove Swami to station
Calcutta was his next destination
Two weeks’ time left for journey
Swami arrived in Calcutta early
It was ‘his’ city but nowhere to stay
Loving Krishna took everything away
Out of hundreds whom Swami knew,
He choose someone stranger and new
Not a disciple and not a friend
Someone with a simple helping hand
Sisir Bhattacarya, a kirtan singer
Swami met in Lukhnow the previous year
He called Bhattacarya to inform
To fix somewhere preaching program
Sisir arranged for Swami’s staying
Also fixed some preaching meeting
He would take Swami to friends residences
Swami would sing and gave discourses
Bhattacarya thought Swami was special
Sadhu’s leaving for America was novel
He accompanied Swami to all newspapers
Hindustan, Amrita Bazar and others
None was interested in his story
Being ignorant of unfolded mystery
Swami was special, so was his journey
His travel to US will make history
Dainik Basumati, a local daily
Agreed to print for him finally
A small article with Swami’s photo
They mentioned Swami’s core motto
Bhattacarya assisited Swami’s travelling
To different places for his preaching
Once Bhattacarya started arguing
Rebellious to what Swami was saying
He presented his views various
Swami shouted and became furious
“It is not important what you feel
Just follow whatever sastras reveal”
Before one day of his leaving
Swami desired Mayapur-visiting
He came to the holiest Samadhi
Of Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Swami lived for guru’s mission
Standing today with clear vision
43years back Guru ordered
Preach in English and go abroad
He returned Calcutta and was ready
An umbrella, dry cereal and attaché
Main baggage was his booklets
Two hundred three-volume sets
Glorious day came fortunately
Swami would leave eventually
Abundant confidence was needed
Trunks of books supplied it indeed
He will be in momentous isolation
From past living and his own tradition
He was dangerously old and fragile
Health was upset and weak-futile
Unknown men, unknown territory
Probably an unwelcoming country
Who would respect to his noble deeds?
Who would care for his personal needs?
It was unlike to present India
Culture remained even in Kaliyuga
Though being unknown and poor
Sadhu was still respected allover
People knew here Bhagavata’s glory
They at least faithfully heard Swami
He met leaders waiting on their doors
Ministers, milliners, and governors
But America was a different story
No one ever knew Sadhu’s glory
No Bhagavata ever, no temples there
No free ashramas to stay anywhere
In midst of all these challenges
His plans never sought changes
His books gave him abundant confidence
Knowledge of the Absolute transcendence
He had flyers for presenting well
India’s message of Peace and goodwill
When he would meet someone there
He would just produce this flyer
August 13, the day of journey
Bhattacarya and Swami came by taxi
Carrying in hands Chaitanya Carita
Swami reached port at Calcutta
He wanted once again to confirm
Ticket, passport, visa, P-form
Sponsor’s address, all fundamentals
Swami was ready with all essentials
Black cargo ship, small, weathered
Now was ready at dockside, moored
Indian sailors curiously observed
As saffron dressed Sadhu entered
Krishna-bhakti was yet hidden glory
Lord was sending now an emissary
He was now alone but never lonely
Faith in Guru accompanied fully
No one was ‘his’ standing there
No one to bid him bye-welfare
Years of struggle and great difficulty
He managed lastly to go out of country
A DREAM
COME TRUE
SRILA PRABHUPADA’S STRUGGLE IN BOMBAY AND FINALLY SUCCESSFUL DEPARTURE FOR USA devotee is surrendered to lord
Lord shows him all ways forward
Guru’s order boiling in the heart-core
Bhaktivedanta came to Bombay shore
Time is passing and no bright way
Swami became old and non-fray
No selling books and nothing printing
“Going America” was the only thinking
With ready passport and sponsorship
He visited owner of Scindia Steamship
He met the secretary of the owner
Submitted his plea with sponsor paper
Secretary went to Sumati Morarji
With the request of Swamiji
Swami wants to go to America
For teaching people to love Krishna
Morarji denied the idea strongly
Swami was too old for the journey
“Where he will live and what he will eat?
Let in India only all work be complete.”
Two times swami sent secretary
Morarji returned him negatively
Swami requested a meeting finally
With hope of convincing personally
Swami has nothing to do with Scindia
Neither with India, nor with Amercia
His worry was Gurudeva’s order
Seeing it to be delaying further
Grey haired old Swami entered in
With strong determination within
He presented request emphatic
“Please give me one ticket!”
“You have none to receive, none to see
In old-age sickness, none to heel
What you will eat and drink?
How did you plan and think?”
Swami refused her question’s quest
Sumati rejected the Swami’s request
“My secretaries think, please hear
Swami is going to die there”
Swami made a face of dismissing
All rumors coming, obstructing
His decision was fixed and clear
Preaching about Krishna everywhere
Sumati said, “You are my father
How can I lose you for-ever?
By allowing you to go alone
I can’t leave you die gruesome (sick)”
“You say this but don’t bother
Even a small plea of your father
My guru said me to preach
Help me to go out and teach
My guru’s orders and teachings
I want to go all possible reaching’s”
This was Swami’s last plea
“Okay okay”, said Sumati
Battle for USA was not yet over
“P-form” was necessity another
US Visa and other permission
In Bombay, without habitation
Sumati made arrangements for Swami
To live in Bombay in Scindia colony
With only his trunk and typewriter
Swami stayed in unfurnished shelter
For him opulence was not in matter
He was special sadhu and scholar
Some neighbors were interested
After knowing what he intended
‘Though old, he wants to preach
Aspire to go to west to teach
with books in hundreds of copies’
Swami became their celebrity
Rice, sabji, fruit all families brought
So much that he never even thought
He distributed whatever excess remains
Fortunate children in colony got remnants
Older residents assemble together
Near Swami in order to hear
Rare teachings of Bhagavata book
Even rare discourses that Swami took
Mr. Vasudeva, chief cashier of Scindia
Being impressed with Bhaktivedanta
In order to learn he came regularly
Also he obtained all books of swami
Writing or chanting was only activity
Neighbor Nagarajan made an enquiry
“Swamiji, what are you writing?
I see you whole day translating”
Swami just gave him two of his books
“Child you will know, just read the books”
His visa and P-form were still pending
Every day he go out trying, demanding
He himself pushed his books’ selling
Searched sponsors for further publishing
He looked for various pious professional
Who can make some help financial
After full day’s lonely tussling
Swami used to return in evening
Old Bhaktivedanta unsupported
Tired deadly morose unattended
But his work has not yet ended
He again wakes up rejuvenated
His glorious writing again resumed
Determined service unparalleled
“Time is not rightly ours
They are all oblivious
Nobody is understanding
My endeavors’ necessity”
Swami carried on his work still
Sometime on chair or windowsill
Nagarajan asked whom is he contacting?
“Not much today, it is depressing”
After one minute Swami start again
His tireless work will not go in vain
He becomes tired, but never defeated
Never any discouragement reflected
Some people would come to Swami
Hear discourses, gave some money
For any help was he appreciating
His work had endless demanding
Swami had wisdom to teach
But had no support to preach
Nothing for oneself, all for master
This is devotee’s selfless character
He can spend whole world’s money
In the service of his dear Lord Hari
But Andheri station from his colony
2 miles of walking to save money
Mrs. Morarji desired Bhagavatam hearing
She requested him to read every evening
For 10-15 days daily Swami recited
The sublime teachings and commented
He had help in US for sponsorship
And backing by Scindia Steemship
People at Scindia also assisted
To get Visa-form fully accepted
On July 28th (1965), his visa came,
But P-form was another hard game
Proceedings were slow and everyday battle
It seemed to be insurmountable obstacle
No assistance, no one helping
Old Swami was alone struggling
With Mr. Matachori, he had meeting
Inquired about his P-form passing
He replied Swami fully negating
All chances of P-form’s passing
“You are just sponsored privately
No institution called you officially”
“How would it be taken care,
If you will be forsaken there?
I have now decided to cancel it
You going there is not at all fit.”
Swami requested to meet manager
His decision of going cannot alter
Mr. Rao, manager, agreed finally
P-form, visa were now fully ready
After that Morarji fixed the trip
August 13, on cargo ship
“Jaladuta” ship sailing from Calcutta
Captain being vegetarian Brahmana
Named Arun Pandia, advised by Morarji
Carried extra vegetables for Swamiji
Mr. Choksi spent the last two full days
In service to Swami in Bombay subways
He helped Swami in his preparation
Buying clothes and pamphlet collection
Finally he drove Swami to station
Calcutta was his next destination
Two weeks’ time left for journey
Swami arrived in Calcutta early
It was ‘his’ city but nowhere to stay
Loving Krishna took everything away
Out of hundreds whom Swami knew,
He choose someone stranger and new
Not a disciple and not a friend
Someone with a simple helping hand
Sisir Bhattacarya, a kirtan singer
Swami met in Lukhnow the previous year
He called Bhattacarya to inform
To fix somewhere preaching program
Sisir arranged for Swami’s staying
Also fixed some preaching meeting
He would take Swami to friends residences
Swami would sing and gave discourses
Bhattacarya thought Swami was special
Sadhu’s leaving for America was novel
He accompanied Swami to all newspapers
Hindustan, Amrita Bazar and others
None was interested in his story
Being ignorant of unfolded mystery
Swami was special, so was his journey
His travel to US will make history
Dainik Basumati, a local daily
Agreed to print for him finally
A small article with Swami’s photo
They mentioned Swami’s core motto
Bhattacarya assisited Swami’s travelling
To different places for his preaching
Once Bhattacarya started arguing
Rebellious to what Swami was saying
He presented his views various
Swami shouted and became furious
“It is not important what you feel
Just follow whatever sastras reveal”
Before one day of his leaving
Swami desired Mayapur-visiting
He came to the holiest Samadhi
Of Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati
Swami lived for guru’s mission
Standing today with clear vision
43years back Guru ordered
Preach in English and go abroad
He returned Calcutta and was ready
An umbrella, dry cereal and attaché
Main baggage was his booklets
Two hundred three-volume sets
Glorious day came fortunately
Swami would leave eventually
Abundant confidence was needed
Trunks of books supplied it indeed
He will be in momentous isolation
From past living and his own tradition
He was dangerously old and fragile
Health was upset and weak-futile
Unknown men, unknown territory
Probably an unwelcoming country
Who would respect to his noble deeds?
Who would care for his personal needs?
It was unlike to present India
Culture remained even in Kaliyuga
Though being unknown and poor
Sadhu was still respected allover
People knew here Bhagavata’s glory
They at least faithfully heard Swami
He met leaders waiting on their doors
Ministers, milliners, and governors
But America was a different story
No one ever knew Sadhu’s glory
No Bhagavata ever, no temples there
No free ashramas to stay anywhere
In midst of all these challenges
His plans never sought changes
His books gave him abundant confidence
Knowledge of the Absolute transcendence
He had flyers for presenting well
India’s message of Peace and goodwill
When he would meet someone there
He would just produce this flyer
August 13, the day of journey
Bhattacarya and Swami came by taxi
Carrying in hands Chaitanya Carita
Swami reached port at Calcutta
He wanted once again to confirm
Ticket, passport, visa, P-form
Sponsor’s address, all fundamentals
Swami was ready with all essentials
Black cargo ship, small, weathered
Now was ready at dockside, moored
Indian sailors curiously observed
As saffron dressed Sadhu entered
Krishna-bhakti was yet hidden glory
Lord was sending now an emissary
He was now alone but never lonely
Faith in Guru accompanied fully
No one was ‘his’ standing there
No one to bid him bye-welfare
Years of struggle and great difficulty
He managed lastly to go out of country
No comments:
Post a Comment