10/JUL/2016 Kolkata
Today morning onwards Guru Maharaj was selecting names for the initiation ceremony. By noon, I reached Kolkata from Mayapur.
Guru Maharaj just got ready to go to the Pandal for the initiation ceremony. When Guru Maharaj arrived in the Maidan (ground) the pandal was filled and there was no space to enter. People were getting attracted Guru Maharaja’s effulgent aura. He then took Darshan of Lord Jagannath Baladev and Subhadra in their wonderful new outfit, offered Arati and flowers to the Lordships. Then Guru Maharaj delivered a wonderful Bengali lecture on the importance of Initiation. The lecture was crisp and short. Guru Maharaj asked the devotees to open their right ear to hear the Maha Mantra, when Guru Maharaj would chant and give the mantra. There was some confusion as some were keeping their hands on their left ear. Guru Maharaj explained to them, “If I am facing East – then you are facing West, then your left ear facing North and your RIGHT EAR IS FACING SOUTH. There is your right ear.” His humor made everyone to burst into laughter. Guru Maharaj said, “After initiation one should beg from at least 5 people, this will make us or give us humility And it will be a Guru Dhaksina”.

Guru Maharaj gave out initiation to 108 devotees. After initiation Guru Maharaj entered the VIP lounge and was preparing for his lunch. He asked me, ” Where is Jagannath Maha Prasadam?” Then we saw there were plenty of pots full of Jagannath Maha Prasadam. Guru Maharaj asked, “What are there?” Then myself and Srivas Pran Pr started to serve one by one according to Guru Maharaj’s liking. When I gave him Banana Stem Subji, I just put half a spoon in his plate, Panchajanya Pr was feeding Guru Maharaj. then Guru Maharaj said, “Aree baba, aur deen naa?” (Hey man! Give some more know!) In this way Guru Maharaj was enjoying Jagannath Prasadam, and we all had a good fortune to have Maha Prasadam along with Guru Maharaj. Acarya Ratna Pr joined us,it was wonderful to have Prasadam along with Guru Maharaj.Lots of Maha Maha Prasadam as well.

Then we all left from Maidan to Guru Maharaj’s residence. While getting down, Guru Maharaj was totally tired, but he said, “I will take one hour rest and then I will go to pandal for evening lecture.” It was already 5pm. Then Guru Maharaj had one hour rest and got ready for the evening program by 7pm.

Dayaram Pr, Sukada Pr and many other devotees met Guru Maharaj and took his ashirvad. Then we reached the Pandal by 8:15pm. Acarya Ratna Pr personally came to the gate and received Guru Maharaj. On stage ,some Western devotees were doing cultural programs and Guru Maharaj was watching their presentations after which Guru Maharaj got up on the stage and gave a wonderful lecture on Caitanya Lila. He narrated the Jagai Madhai Pastime.When Guru Maharaj speaks Caitanya Lila in Bengali,it has a wonderful effect. He was singing Hare Krishna Maha Mantra in between class and was very ecstatic as he feeling the ecstacy of Lord Nityananda’s mercy.

After class Guru Maharaj said, “I want to take Darshan again.” Even though we told him several times that he had already taken Darshan in the afternoon and that he could take dinner early, Guru Maharaj wanted to take Darshan. He was blessing everyone all the way from the stage to altar. Guru Maharaj did Arati, flower offering etc to Jagannath. The pujaris gave Lord Jagannath’s prasadam in pots after pot. 5 pots of Guru Maharaj diet prasadam. And we came to VIP lounge, and Guru Maharaj took dinner. He derives his energy directly from the Lord and from his Guru; but we get tired easily. Although he pours the mercy, my heart has lot of holes, offenses. So I’m not able to experience his mercy completely.

(Shyama Rasika Das – Personal Diary)