Cherished Memoirs 72
This series chronicles interesting experiences recounted by the devotees of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji or divine words/experiences of Sri Swamiji himself. These articles are generally translations from the series, “Madhuramaana Mahaneeyar” or similar articles published in the ‘Madhuramurali’ Tamil monthly magazine.
First Gokulashtami Utsav in Mathurapuri Ashram
It was decided to celebrate Gokulashtami Utsav for the first time (1994) in Madhurapuri Ashram. Work like planting of trees, flower-bearing plants, etc., began at Ashram slowly from January of that year. Construction of eight rooms for devotees’ stay was also started. A big thatched shed was also constructed for performing pooja. Even though, Sri Swamiji made all the arrangements for the Gokulashtami Utsav at a lightning pace, the 8 rooms alone, that was being built for the devotees, could not be completed in time.
The flooring for the rooms were done. But the roofing was unfinished. Utsav was around the corner. We didn’t know what to do! At that time, it was also raining every now and then. So, after deliberation, it was decided that until the Utsav, the ceiling of those rooms will be covered with plastic sheets.
On Gokulashtami, the festivities, starting from Nandothsav to all other events was celebrated spiritedly. It was raining frequently before the Utsav started. But, wonder of wonders, during the 10 days of utsav, there was no rain! Every so often, there would be some thunder and lightning and it would seem like it was about to rain shortly. But, fortunately, there was no rain! Had it rained during the utsav, the amount of difficulty it would have caused is hard to explain in words.
The cherry on top, was that just after the conclusion of the Utsav, out of nowhere, it started raining! It pelted for over an hour. This incident ascertained that Bhagavan himself was extremely pleased with this celebration. One can also see that when Sri Swamiji takes responsibility and makes arrangements for auspicious things, the Supreme (and cosmos) is favorable to it!
Originally published in Tamil monthly magazine, Madhuramurali, Sept 1996 issue.
Translated by Gayathri Karthikeyan, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
