This series chronicles sweet experiences recounted by the devotees of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji as well as some divine experiences of Sri Swamiji himself. These articles are translations from the series “Madhuramaana Mahaneeyar” that is published every month in Madhuramurali Tamil monthly magazine.
My Guru As I See Him
It was determined that the first year (1994) of Gokulaashtami celebrations would be held at the ashram. Starting with planting trees and flowering plants, work on the ashram went on little by little, since January. Eight rooms were constructed for devotees to come and stay. A thatched-roof area was erected for pooja to be conducted. Sri Guruji sped up the efforts a lot, towards the Gokulashtami Utsav. But still, the rooms built for devotees to stay, did not complete.
Flooring was completed in the rooms somehow. But the ceiling was not able to be completed. Utsav came closer too. No one knew what to do. It was also raining now and then. After giving much thought, it was decided that the rooms were to be covered with plastic sheet when the utsav was going on.
With the Nandhothsavam on the Gokulashtami day, all the various utsavs began with much fanfare and grandeur. Prior to the start of the utsav, it was raining very often. But, it did not rain those 10 days miraculously. Every so often it threatened to rain with thunder and lightning but never did it really rain. Had it rained during the utsav, the inconvenience caused would be unexplainable.
As a crowning glory, after the Radha Kalyanam concluded, the float festival was held in the night. The clouds appeared from nowhere and it rained hard for about 1 hour. This made everyone realize that the Lord Himself was pleased with the utsav. It is evident that Bhagwan supports all the good deeds that Sri Guruji takes responsibility for.
