A report with photos
[The installation of the murti (live statue, or worshipful transcendental form or deity) of Parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja]
Sri Devananda Gaudiya Matha, Navadvipa: March 14, 2006 AM
On the morning of March 14, 2006, Srila Narayana Maharaja went to Sri Devananda Gaudiya Matha to install the deity of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja. Srila Vamana Maharaja is the previous acarya of Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti. He departed from this world, and entered the eternal lila of the Lord, during the month of Kartik last year.
Over 15,000 devotees were there for the auspicious occasion of the installation. There was much pomp and circumstance when Srila Narayana Maharaja arrived - devotees sounded bugles, threw flower petals and sang loud kirtana
Upon arrival, Srila Narayana Maharaja offered obeisances to his Gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. Simultaneously, all the assembled devotees offered obeisances to Srila Narayana Maharaja.
Srila Paryataka Maharaja, present acarya of Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, offered arati to Srila Narayana Maharaja while Krsna dasa brahmacari sang Sri Guru Carana Padma.
[After offering his obeisances to his Gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and his God-brother Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja, Srila Narayana Maharaja began his discourse:]
Today is an auspicious day. We have come here to Sri Devananda Gaudiya Matha for the installation of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja's deity. He left this world during Vraja Mandala Parikrama last year, and today is Sri Gaura Purnima. We are greatly fortunate that we are installing his murti here.
Srila Vamana Maharaja was a topmost devotee. He had so many wonderful qualities. He was extremely humble and had so much guru-nistha (strong faith in the lotus feet of Sri Guru). He was a powerful, exalted Vaisnava. He is my siksa-guru, as is Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja.* [See endnote 1] They are both my worshipful siksa-gurus. Both of them would always tell practically everyone who came to them about anything, "Please go to Narayana Maharaja."
Srila Vamana Maharaja never had any sense of pride. After having given any lecture, he never thought, "Did they like it?"
In the meantime, something happened so that we , became separate. This is the desire of Kala, the Time factor, and there is something auspicious in this. Now you see that there are so many people, both in your Matha (temple) and in our Matha [about 15,000 people in each]. It is not easy to control so many people. Thus, what has happened has been desired by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
This mood must be in your heart. You have called me, and I have come here today. This invitation should not simply be an outer show. You should have that will internally. We want to be together. We do not wish to create any separation. If you ever need help, please call me and I will come to help you. I am still the Vice-President of the Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, and a life member of the Samiti as well. My name cannot be cut from the records.
Together we have tried to preach Sriman Mahaprabhu's mission and the rupunuga-line – the teachings coming from Srila Rupa Gosvami. This is the mission of Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, our Gurudeva Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and also Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja.
I request, Paryataka Maharaja, that you will also be like this. You will not quarrel. You will stay with your god-brothers, just as our Srila Vamana Maharaja has done. You should try to make your character like them. You must be in friendship – in a very brotherly way with all your god-brothers. I pray that you will all act and be like this, and that we will all preach according to our rupanuga line.
I have good wishes for everyone.
[After his lecture, Srila Narayana Maharaja performed arati to his Gurudeva, to Srila Vamana Maharaja, and then he performed the installation ceremony.]
[Endnote 1: Srila Narayana Maharaja, Srila Trivikrama Maharaja and Srila Vamana Maharaja all took sannyasa initiation together. They are the first three sannyasi disciples of their spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja.]
