Tattva-viveka
Swami Viraha Gita
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:49 pm
Dear assembled Vaisnavas,
I ask for Your forgiveness for occupying so much of the space on this board. But I hope that once wittnessing my intentions to be sincere You not only understand but even condone my actions.
And while the contents of this thread might be construed to apply only to those in Europe it is indeed universally applicable.
The choice of media of presentation is one of necessity; while we would love to have the original source circulated far and wide, we have to acknowledge the fact that only one copy is known to exist. Thus, instead of seeing the following text in its book form, it is presented on a multitude of screens all over this small planet.
This does not do the work at hand full justice. In the words of poet and author Robert Brighurst: "The screen mimics the sky, not the earth. It bombards the eye with light instead of waiting to repay the gift of vision. (...) This makes it an attractive place for advertising and dogmatizing, but not so good a place for thoughtful text."
Still, as we remember, something is better than nothing. And for You true connoisseurs, I can only direct You to Guru Maharaja's lotus feet. He holds the original at the library at the Audarya monastery, and by His mercy He can reveal it.
Concluding, I ask for Your blessings in making the predicitions of the book at hand come true. And wish You all a pleasent read.
Your servant, Kamalaksa das
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:50 pm
SWAMI-VIRAHA-GITA
with illustrations and purports
by Kamalaksa Dasa
Invocation
I, poor, disgraceful and most unfortunate Kamalaksa, more envious than a snake, pray for the blessings of the devoted vaishnavas to assist me in the arduous task of documenting the circumstances that took place after Swami left the cold country in the Northern hemisphere.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:53 pm
Preface
The incidents described within these pages took place during the latter part of Lord Brahmaís life when Svayambhuva Manuís reign, in the beginning of the 28th Kali yuga, in the year 518 since the advent of Sri Chaitanya.
Or, in the mleccha way of calculating, in the year two thousand and five, in the month of January.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:55 pm
Verse one
In the beginning of the solar year many inauspicious signs made themselves visible to the inhabitants. It seemed as if the sun had disappeared from the world, leaving all of Scandinavia in darkness. Usually endowed with good qualities, the men and women of Suomi turned to intoxication. Rain and ice tormented the people, and it was very slippery.
(purport)
Finland is known to the Finns as Suomi, an empire which once stretched all the way from the Gulf of Finland to the Arctic Ocean and from the Gulf of Bothnia to the mountains of Ural.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:56 pm
Verse two
Upon seeing the ill effect of the age the seers of truth went into silent contemplation. In deep meditation a vision came to them: Their spiritual master and guide in life had left the country!
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:57 pm
Verse three
"Was it because we made Him unhappy?" "Or was it our offensive attitude that drove our Master away from our presence?"
In this way the sages of Suomi lamented, turning to each other in grief, and saying "O providence! When will we again be blessed by the shadow of His lotus feet?"
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 5:58 pm
Verse four
Experiencing immense pangs of separation Srimati Krishangi headed for the river. ìI shall jump into the flowing waters and end this petty existence, for my hardened heart sees no point in continuing beating so far removed from the soul of my life!î
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:00 pm
Verse five
But alas! The river was frozen, and the stunt pulled by Krishangi ended in just a light concussion and bruises. Mortified, she returned to her place of residence, and took a cup of hot chocolate.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:01 pm
Verse six
Then spoke the oldest and wisest of the mystics (Bhrigupada): "In order to counter the ill effects that torment us, I feel that we must burn something big!" Thus he started going through his pockets, looking for matches.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:02 pm
Verse seven
Those surrounding him stopped him with the words "O noble leader, can you not see! All of Suomi has been soaked by rain and floodwater. You will not find anything to burn here! We must find another way. Let us repair to the forest and contemplate the matter at hand."
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:04 pm
Verse eight
Bhrigupada continued: "You have very wisely corrected me. For that I thank You. I now see that igniting a fire is presently not the path to tread. Not all petrol from Persia could help ignite this wet land! But sacrifices need to be made!" Thus Bhrigupada exclaimed "let there be a horse sacrifice!"
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:06 pm
Verse nine
"We do not have a horse" spoke the other sages. "And we are still paying for the last one You performed!" quipped the youngest of the sages, Srimati Krsangi Dasi. "No! To learn the cause for this misfortune we must turn inwards and cultivate humility." Thus Sriman Bhrigupadasís pleas went unheard.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:07 pm
Verse ten
The yogis then took to performing severe penances. They tried to wake up early in the mornings. And they took baths in freezing water. (Except for Srimati Krsangi, who thought that it was a stupid macho thing to do.)
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:09 pm
Verse eleven
Suddenly, as if one had witnessed a thousand heavy-metal concerts all at once, a great roar sounded from the sky. It was the King of Birds - Sri Mac Donnel Douglas - who descended into the midst of the assembled devotees.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:10 pm
Verse twelve
Thus, with their hands folded, offering flowery oblations, the mystics approached the King of Birds and offered prayers to Him - the carrier of souls - in manners most pleasing to the ear and heart.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:12 pm
Verse thirteen
The leader of the sages spoke: "O great carrier of liberated and not so liberated souls, please hear our plea! We pray unto You, please bring our beloved guardian to us so that we once again will be able to see and hear Him! We ask You to grant us this benediction, and so make our lives perfect!"
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:13 pm
Verse fourteen
The King of Birds answered: "All of your words are approved by Me. I understand your lamentation, but let it be known that when the sun stands at its highest post above the horizon, and the waters are warm and sweet, I will, by the force of my mystic power, bring your Guru Maharaja back to you."
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:15 pm
Verse fifteen
The King of Birds continued: "As I am aware of both past and present timetables I will disclose this information unto you: Swami will set foot in this land the 6th of July and will stay with you for almost a week. (If it's okay with Him...) In the meantime You should worship the Supreme Lord with all your hearts!"
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:16 pm
Verse sixteen
After so speaking, the King of Birds returned to His abode. The sages, enlivened by what they had heard, led a harinama party throughout Southern Suomi, in which everyone participated with great joy and exuberance. After it a feast was cooked and prasadam was distributed in great quantities.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:17 pm
Verse seventeen
"Glorious is the servant who will not give up his Lord, and glorious is the Lord who will not give up his servant!"
(purport)
This verse originally appears in Chaitanya Caritamrita, Antya-lila verse 4.46.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:19 pm
Verse eighteen
Whoever thus hears this narration of the sages from Finland experiencing vipralambha will achieve komala-sraddha within this lifetime!
Thus ends the first part of Sri Swami-viraha-gita, entitled Lamentation of the Sages.
Kamalaksa Das - February 23, 2005 6:21 pm
Thus, I wish to announce that we plan to hold a second annual archipelago retreat in July 2005. In the archives of Tattva-viveka You can find the presentation of last year's retreat. I trust the pictures and accounts speak for themselves without further advertising.
Still it is my obligation to proclaim it to be a unique experience for everyone attending!
The dates would be from July 6th to 13th. (And we would not deny the possibility of arriving a few days earlier, should someone want to participate in the needed preparations.)
For more information You can contact either me or my wife through Tattva-viveka. Preliminary interest of attendance can also be announced, and will be much appreciated.
End of transmission,
Kamalaksa das
Syamasundara - February 23, 2005 8:17 pm
Great sense of humor indeed. Loved the face of the horse who had to be sacrificed, and finally I know when to take vacations.
SashidharaDasa - February 23, 2005 8:22 pm
Wow so charming...
Guru-nistha Das - February 23, 2005 9:46 pm
It's a winner, and I'm glad I had the priviledge to read the original.
Last Sunday when I was hanging in the kitchen in the evening with Vamsidhari and Citta Hari, Guru Maharaja came down from his room, very grave and gave a official looking letter to Vamsi (who is a shrink) and said silently "Here's something very heavy, i think you should read it." I saw Kamalaksha's sign in the end of the letter and my heart jumped. The first thing that came to my mind was either an announcement of his divorce or a suicide note.
I was surprised to learn that it was just a hilarious explanation of the swami viraha gita, an ancient book that was found by Kamalaksha's distant cousin.. GM tricked me.
Babhru Das - February 23, 2005 10:35 pm
This is wonderful! I'm awed (and envious!), and I find myself wondering how I could ever get the company of such amazing devotees as the Sages of Suomi.
Thanks so much for sharing that with us, Kamalaksha prabhu.
Radhanama Dasa - February 24, 2005 2:13 am
Thats sooo amazing!!! i love it. 
Vamsidhari Dasa - February 24, 2005 6:06 am
I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE SAGES OF SUoMI RULE!!!!!
(and so does the Swami)
V.
Bhrigu - February 24, 2005 12:01 pm
Kamalaksa truly is a great artist. I just love that medieval perspective in the drawings! I hope I'm not raising false hopes, but I noted that this is the first part of Swami-viraha-gita. Please everybody come to the summer festival -- you might even make it into the sequel! Finland is a beautiful place in the summer, and if the festival will be even a tenth as nice as last year, it will be a wonderful experience.
Nanda-tanuja Dasa - February 25, 2005 2:21 am
O MY GOD, this is exactly what I needed
I’m in Bangalore right now, jet-lagged with 100 mosquito bites, sitting in the office and working on my PowerPoint presentation which I should give to VPs and Execs today (so no pressure at all). Thank you so much for lifting my spirit and giving me great laugh! Looking forward seeing you in July. Hakkaa päälle!
Jananivasdas - March 1, 2005 8:02 pm
summer is soooo close... 
please dear vaisnavas come to our cold and wet country you will love it!
y.s.jananivas das