Love in Spiritual Brotherhood
by Ekalavya dasa brahmachari

One day last winter, I went to see His Holiness Bhagavatpada at the New Delhi temple, for an interview for the magazine Prabhupada Toshani. He was tremendously busy, but he took the time out to help inspire the Srila Prabhupada Centennial Campaigners.
I was just repeating the questions which had been thought up by my Gurumaharaja - His Holiness Lokanatha Swami Maharaj. H.H. Bhagavatpada gave wonderful answers. One devotee, after reading the interview in the Prabhupada Toshani said it was like "Perfect Questions Perfect Answers". This is the result when two pure devotees work together to glorify Srila Prabhupada.

After the interview, H.H. Bhagavatpada asked me, "How is Lokanatha Maharaj?"
"He has been sick and has been in bed for weeks". I replied.
Expressing immediate concern, Srila Bhagavatpada asked me to call up Lokanatha Maharaja and see if he could go over and see him right away. This was about 8 o'clock at night.
I phoned Lokanath Maharaj and he said that he would love to see Bhagavatpada.
His Holiness Sridar Maharaj was also visiting the New Delhi temple at that time. Srila Bhagavatpada asked him to come with us to visit Lokanath Maharaj and Sridhar Maharaja agreed.
H.G. Veda Vyasa prabhu, H.G. Rohini suits prabhu and the Maharajas drove down to the "Centennial House", just 10 minutes from the temple. This 4 storied building houses the Global Headquarters of the Srila Prabhupada Centennial Ministry and is also the place where H.H. Lokanath Maharaja stays when in Delhi.
H.H. Lokanath Maharaja had just come back from a marathon world tour to promote the Centennial. His schedule had been very hectic. He would often have to travel from one country to another in a matter of days.
Since his return, he was sick. He was feel ing very weak. The doctors advised him complete rest, preferably on his back. This had gone on for weeks. We were all worried.
While I served water, Srila Bhagavatpada expressed his concern, and inquired. "How are you Maharaja?"
"Not so good, but recovering". Lokanatha Maharaja replied.
He continued, "The doctors have told me to stay on my back in bed. I am not happy about this. There is so much to do in preparation for Srila Prabhupada's Centennial".
"Sometimes, when I feel stronger, I go up on the roof to chant. From there, I can see the Glory of India Vedic Cultural Centre Temple coming up. I find it very inspiring to see this and it gives me strength".
Srila Bhagavatpada said, "Yes, the temple is coming up nicely. Everyone is working very hard on this project. I promise that it will be readyforthe grand opening in 1996".
Sridhar Maharaja smiled and said that this project would expand preaching all over the world, because all the diplomats could come for darshan, see all the amazing exhibits and cultural presentations, hear our Krishna Conscious philosophy and take prasadam at the new Govinda's restaurant.
All three of them laughed and you could see how much they were relishing each other's association. Their bliss about the new temple project was immense.
Then the doors were closed as the three sanyasis discussed some more intimate and confidential matters.
The godbrothers were very enlivened upon seeing each other. They embraced and joked together. They were happy to discuss plans to glorify their Gurumaharaja, Srila Prabhupada and the Centennial Celebrations. There was no envy or false pride, only shared pure love between them and for theirspiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.