A Birthday in Toronto
The following is the article Govinda Maharaja wrote for his Facebook page on the birthday party/preaching, last friday in Toronto.
A Birthday in Toronto
Thursday I flew out of Delhi at 2 AM, traveled 24 hours nonstop, and found
myself arriving in Toronto at around 1 PM on the same day. Heck, sometimes I
manage to amaze even myself.
I had been invited by the cousin of Sivarama Swami to participate in the
celebration of their 60th birthday jubilee. They made a joint descent into
this world, separated by only four days, in early spring, 1949.
They were only sons, born of 2 sisters who were survivors of Auschwitz. They
grew together in Budapest until the Hungarian revolution in 1956. At the age
of 7 they fled Hungary with their parents for a new life in the west.
Robert’s family went to Uruguay. Maharaja’s family went to Canada. After
some years the family was reunited in Montreal.
They were lifelong friends, achievers in school and Mc Gill University in
Montreal.
Robert’s direction in life was to enter the film industry. Maharaja’s
profession was to become an engineer, but as we all know, Srila Prabhupada
touched his life and all of that changed.
The birthday celebration was focused on these two well-known personalities.
Persons highly successful in the material and spiritual dimensions of life.
It was a tribute to their successes, qualities, accomplishments, and the
many lives that they have touched.
It was also a glowing tribute to the two magnificent ladies who brought them
to this world, nurtured them, guided them, and established the foundation
that these two great men have grown upon.
As two faiths were represented, a Rabbi came, consecrated the opening of
Sabbath with prayers and the offering of wine. Robert offered the bread; his
mother lit the candles welcoming the Sabbath, and Maharaja said prayers
offering the meal.
People flew in from all parts of the USA for the function. The famous South
African director Anand Singh had been planning to come, but, had been
summoned at the last moment by Nelson Mandela for a function.
The people were all wonderfully open to Maharaja’s presentation of Krishna
consciousness. We all kept going till 2 two in the morning.
As a cook I must admit the catering was amazing. No meat, fish, eggs, garlic
or onion. There was a fantastic egg free cake and delicious freshly made
chocolates.
Well, the wine was at least vegetarian : For the toast the devotees were
provided with non-alcoholic champagne which was very tasty.
The fete continued till 2 AM.
By 8 AM we were up and visited the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple. We were
kindly received by the local devotees, had darshan of the beautiful deities
of Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha, visited with HH Bhaktimarg Swami just before
his departure to South Africa, and had darshan of my beloved Toronto mother,
Subuddhi.
I have attended a lot preaching functions through the years. This party just
about topped the list. All I can do is compliment Sivarama Swami Maharaja
for his ability to extract crí¨me from any situation he participates in.
And what else to say?
Happy 60th birthday to my dear friend, Sivarama Swami Maharaja. I pray that
our 35 years of love will expand into eternity.
Add comment April 10th, 2009
“Dadu the Magnificent is dead. Died in peace in sleep. Now going to Yamuna…”
Text message from Govinda Maharaja.
Add comment March 31st, 2009
“Dadu, a csodálatos halott. Alvás közben, békében halt meg. Úton Yamuna felé…”
íœzenet Govinda Maharajától.
Add comment March 31st, 2009
