Chapter 16
Iskcon Orissa
The Wonderful Personal Example of Gour Govinda Mahārāja Ambikä devé däsé: Fortunately, the devotees who were there had the wonderful personal example of Gour Govinda Mahäräja to energise them. He lived as they did, inspiring them and encouraging them with the teachings of Bhagavadgétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. He kept himself busy from early morning till late at night translating Çréla Prabhupäda’s books into the Oriya language. This was his mission, and he utilised every possible moment to further that service. His influence galvanised the few devotees there to continue serving Çréla Prabhupäda and the Lord with determination and enthusiasm, despite their austerities. Gour Govinda Mahäräja was always warm and welcoming to Deva-dharma prabhu, and treated him with affection. I was somewhat afraid of Mahäräja, since I had been told he did not like Western women. I therefore kept my distance. When Deva-dharma prabhu spoke with Mahäräja, I offered obeisances and left the hut to remain outside, since he neither addressed me nor looked in my direction when I was present in the hut. Though we had legally married in Ahmedabad in July of 1977, no fire yajïa, had been performed. It was therefore decided we should come to Bhubaneswar temple from Cuttack for our marriage yajïa. This took place in January, 1978.
The Fire Yajña Ambikä devé däsé: The temple president at the time, Bhagavat prabhu, a brahmacäré from the United States, offered to take the role of priest for the ceremony. For this we were grateful. As planned, we
251
