Tattva-viveka
Island boy in the redwoods
Babhru Das - January 7, 2007 5:53 am
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I finally had a chance to visit Audarya. Just before Christmas, my wife and I flew to California. The (ostensibly) main purpose was to visit some family members who may not be around the next time my wife has an opportunity to take time off from work—my sister, who has ALS, and my wife’s brother in law, who has liver cancer. We spent much time driving around the state, and on the 28th my brother in law loaned me his car so I could drive up to Audarya.
This was very much like making a pilgrimage, which I think is quite appropriate. Even with all the other driving I did that week, this was a long drive for an island boy. But it was more than worth the effort. Swami and his crew have created a tirtha. The feeling at Audarya certainly is that of a holy place. The essential feature of a holy place is the presence of sadhus, and Swami’s affection for the Lords of Nadiya and the Princes of Vraja, and for the cows, pervades the entire area.
Physically, of course, Audarya has beauty that anyone could appreciate, with the mountain ridges and the redwoods. I am a forest dweller, but our forest is nothing like this! And Swami’s aesthetic sense and his practical sense are evident everywhere as well. Although I always thought the sort of zen style was really appropriate for Audarya, when you’re there and see it in its setting, it’s clearly perfect. The temple is sweet and intimate, and the Deities draw out our hearts. The monks’ dedication and good cheer make anyone and everyone feel not only welcome, but at home. And the new temple is a wonder indeed. When Swami describes it, he makes it possible to see the finished building as it houses daily worship and larger festivals.
All the devotees were more than gracious. The kirtans, as we would expect, are even better in person than on the CD, but there’s more than just that. Being there, with Swami and the other devotees, singing those songs at those times of the day, led by our Swami, is just real living. Trying to say more, I think, would somehow diminish that reality. And sitting with Swami as he read and discussed the sixth chapter of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita’s Adi Lila was a real thrill.
Being a spoiled child of the tropics, I found the winter mountain weather a little chilly, but I was never uncomfortable. The warmth of the devotees’ hearts was more than adequate. (It didn’t hurt, though, that there is warm water for bathing.) I mentioned to Guru-nistha that I’ve missed the days of real austerity at Audarya. While life there is simple, I didn’t have any experience that indicates that it’s harsh. Anyone who visits, even from some place like Hawaii, will not be uncomfortable at all.
I did a lot of chanting while there, but I also found an opportunity to do a little service. Guru-nistha was kind enough to let me help him with lunch, and I got to do one of my favorite things: cook halavah for the Lord and his devotees. Oh, and another kirtan (the Bhoga-arati song)!
And then there are the barn deities, the cows and calves. They add life, drama, and comedy to each day. I was particularly moved by Gita, whose overwhelming affection made it hard to leave. My last experience there was sitting on the deck, bathing in Swami’s affection, when Gita came over and started licking my hand. Then she wrapped her tongue around my hand and seemed to try (with no small measure of success!) to draw it into her mouth.
My only real complaint is that I had far too little time to spend there. I was only there for just over 24 hours, dragged around as I was by family obligations. That sense of misfortune and my naturally reserved nature may have made it appear that I didn’t appreciate Audarya as much as I did. Everyone should plan to visit Audarya whenever possible, and we should all support it to the extent we’re able.
Thanks to Swami, to Vrindaranya, Citta Hari, Guru-nistha, and Nama-srestham for their generosity and kindness. Their service to the Lord, our guru-varga, and the world is exemplary indeed.
Shyam Gopal Das - January 7, 2007 9:40 am
Thanks for posting this, Babhru. It's very nice to read how a devotee like you experiences Audarya.
Mayapurcandra Das - January 7, 2007 11:14 am
yes, so much thanks, I've read your post and I sow for a moment Audarya and audaryavasis ! And as Syama Gopala wrote "It's very nice to read how a devotee like you experiences Audarya.", yes it is very good 
Syamasundara - January 7, 2007 12:14 pm
All the devotees were more than gracious... The warmth of the devotees’ hearts was more than adequate...Thanks to Swami, to Vrindaranya, Citta Hari, Guru-nistha, and Nama-srestham for their generosity and kindness. Their service to the Lord, our guru-varga, and the world is exemplary indeed.
Thanks, this is a very endearing and important thought, that is never emphasized too much. The heart of the Vaisnavas is the support of everything and our most precious treasure, without them everything would be pointless.
I may be biased, but there is nothing like the authentic chemistry that arises among the devotees. Someone can be naturally extroverted and happy to be around people, but imagine a monk who is daily contemplating how wonderful the Lord he or she is serving is, and then, someone comes with the only purpose of seeing that Lord, sometimes from far away, and you feel wholly indebted to this one person, or to each and every one that comes at any given time, and you do everything for their happiness. Of course Krsna is the cement and the catalyst in all these dealings, but it is a very complicated chemistry, that is hard to explain, but luckily with you I don't need to.
I remember feeling like that when I was a resident at Audarya, but I feel the same even now that I am a guest, so to speak, and I am sure that is how all the other visitors feel like. Authentic feelings like these help us understand and live things we sometimes only read about, like when GM tells us that all the Vrajavasis love Krsna more than their own children, spouses, animals, and selves, yet they authentically brim with love for one another, too; such is the power and beauty of Rasaraja.
Prema-bhakti Marga - January 7, 2007 6:14 pm
Thank you Prabhu for this very sweet description of your visit.
I too have a special fondness for Gita and her displays of affection.
Babhru Das - January 8, 2007 10:24 pm
Thanks, this is a very endearing and important thought, that is never emphasized too much. The heart of the Vaisnavas is the support of everything and our most precious treasure, without them everything would be pointless.I may be biased, but there is nothing like the authentic chemistry that arises among the devotees. Someone can be naturally extroverted and happy to be around people, but imagine a monk who is daily contemplating how wonderful the Lord he or she is serving is, and then, someone comes with the only purpose of seeing that Lord, sometimes from far away, and you feel wholly indebted to this one person, or to each and every one that comes at any given time, and you do everything for their happiness.
I'll be honest; it never occured to me that I was doing anything for which the monks at Audarya should feel indebted. I came to see Swami, the monks, and the cows, although I was certainly happy to see the Lord. Actually, more than happy. I was surprised by the strong impression the Deities made on my heart in the short time I spent there. Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga steal the heart with their inviting beauty and magananimity. Giriraja is blissful and generous. Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama looked very familiar (they are only slightly smaller than Sri Giri-Govardhana, whom I worshipped for many years in San Diego, and similar in form), and Sri Narasimhadeva is at once powerful and accessible.
But after reading your thoughts, Syama, I can see how the devotees may likely have been glad to see even me. They must have thought I was nuts to come all that way for such a short stay. And they weren't alone: I thought so, too.
I was especially impressed by how hard everyone there works. Maharaja always has some service to attend to, although he was kind enough to take time away to speak with me (he probably saw encouraging me as service as well). Vrindaranya has so much to do, between her service to her Thakurajis and her service to Guru Maharaja and the vaishnavas, that she was all but invisible. And the rest of the men were working here and there all day, from the end of the morning program until the beginning of the evening program, and perhaps beyond both. This is real life, a life of dedication to sadhu sanga and deep engagement in responsible service.
And then there are the cows . . .
Babhru Das - January 8, 2007 10:46 pm
Sri Krishna and Balarama at Audaraya
Giri-Govardhana at ISKCON San Diego (This was the last time I did His seva-puja, on Janmastami 2001.)