By Srila Jiva Goswami dasa

Back when I had a hard wood floored classy room up on the third tier of the Prasadama Hall / Office / Ashram Building, Varshana Maharaja was one of a few Devotees I’d have to call “Best Friend.”

All the Devotees seemed great, even the ones whose interaction generated a transcendental grating in me. A few however, integrated with my personality with the unavoidable precision and power of gear teeth. Like Revelations, they rang with a certainty which rocked me, whether I happened to understand it or not.

The lyrical interaction God granted me with Varshana Maharaja was one such mystic attachment to me. Sometimes, I was able to figure out parts of what Glorious thing had happened within a few weeks.

In the matter of this writing, one instance has taken about twenty-five years to begin to uncoil, and it is this I offer You now.

He was very devoted to Srila Prabhupada’s Caitanya Caritamrta. Varsana Maharaja often invited a few Brijabasis to discuss the pastimes of Lord Caitanya. With permission, there were times when I inserted myself among that number. When it came to matters of Lord Caitanya, I felt the Real Power, but did not understand it.

For example, from the Town Run, I’d deliver an order to Him, on a job site, and Varsana would most graciously accept what I’d delivered in a manner and spirit that said “This is more than money.” He’d take the gasket or part and cradle it as if He was going to use it in Dressing the Deities. With wide eyes, He’d take the box and say something like “This is JUST what we needed.”

He’d thank me not profusely, but with a deep sincerity that made me want to chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. He’d look at me and say something about Lord Caitanaya. Or, I’d ask Him something about Lord Caitanya, because His Recollections were marvelous and inspiring. Almost no matter what Varsana Maharaja was doing, or moving, or causing, He was endlessly ready to talk about Lord Caitanya.

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