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Govardhana I?m feeling better, but

November 9th, 2000

Govardhana

I?m feeling better, but I?ve decided to forego today?s parikrama anyway. I fear that when I return from being in the sun from 10-12, I will be too exhausted for
concentrated chanting. Better I concentrate on chanting, but my determination could be stronger.

I am humbled by the Vaishnavas living here. Kesava Bharati is chanting 64 rounds and reading two chapters of Bhagavad-gita a day alongside an hour of assorted prayers, an editing marathon for the Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, hosting numerous Vaishnavas who visit during kartik, and kindly downloading my email so this journal can regularly be sent. How does he do it? He doesn’t waste time and doesn’t rest until his vrata is complete.

Kesava Bharati is humbled by the ashram pujari, Ranga Caitanya. For the four months of caturmasya, he has been eating only boiled sabji and dry chapatis in
addition to his vow to complete a full Govardhana parikrama every day?half in the morning and half in the evening. He also chants 64 rounds a day and performs all of his temple pujari service diligently and with enthusiasm, including bathing and dressing Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama (the ashram?s two large black and white Govardhana silas). He doesn’t speak much English so I haven’t spoken to him much, but from the few casual exchanges I sense he is a very sweet person.

How does he do it? There’s enough time in the day if one adds it all up. After all, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati took the vow of Haridas Thakura for ten years. That’s one billion names?one hundred and ninety two rounds a day!

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