NAVADVIPA – THE BEST PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
A MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS JAYAPATAKA SWAMI GURU MAHARAJ
In one of his lectures, Srila Prabhupada refers to a famous statement of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that asserts that Navadvipa Mandala is the best place in the whole universe. It is especially so, in order to practice Krishna consciousness as Lord Chaitanya's mercy is all-pervading here.
Previous acharyas like Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gave so much importance to Navadvipa Dhama. Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura personally developed the Dhama, conducted parikramas and wanted the parikrama to be held every year. Srila Prabhupada also personally developed the Navadvipa Dhama and ordered to continue with its development. He personally led the parikrama and ordered that we hold it every year. He gave me some personal instructions regarding the development of Navadvipa Dhama. He had tears in his eyes, expressing his gratitude, and his throat choked up when he was expressing his gratitude to the devotees for developing the Dhama. He said, "The secret of advancement in Krishna consciousness is to please the previous acharyas". The six Goswamis developed Vrindavana Dhama on the order of Lord Chaitanya; we have the honor of developing the Navadvipa Dhama on the order of Srila Prabhupada and previous Acharyas.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said that by performing Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama, whole world will be liberated. It is the duty of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's followers to protect the pastime places of His abode as they are in grave danger. There are many places which have been identified by us and are yet to be protected.
Many of these places are now sold off to people who are unaware of its spiritual significance. For instance, near Jahnu Muni's Ashram, a chicken hatchery has been established. Similarly most of the places in Naimisharanya are not available. Like this there are more places that need to be procured and protected.
The price of the land is increasing, and people are encroaching on the land. We need to act quickly and promptly to secure the pastime places in Navadvipa Mandala.
We have our own land at some places to provide night shelter for the devotees participating in the parikrama. But we have to hire land to provide night shelter at other places. There is a great need to have our own land at those places for night shelter.
To deal with all this we have a trust named "Nabadwip Mandal Development Trust" which tries to procure and develop these places connected with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes. But in order to proceed with the work, the trust requires financial help from the Lord's devotees.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura struggled to collect funds to begin the development of Navadvipa Mandala. Following in his divine footsteps, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also procured and developed many spots within Navadvipa Mandala. As followers of Srila Prabhupada, it is now our turn to serve the Holy Dhama to the best of our ability.
Therefore I request you to kindly extend your helping hand to serve the Supreme Lord's abode. Any donation, big or small, is welcome and appreciated. Please contact Bhakti Purusottama Swami at bps@pamho.net and Sankarshan Nitai Das at snd@pamho.net for further details.
Yours in the service of Navadvipa Dhama,
Jayapataka Swami
