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Vyāsa-pūjā 2025

Nitya Vraja-līlā Devī Dāsī (Kolkata - India)

The Big Heart—Compassion of Guru Mahārāja, Lost God-Sister Her Grace Viśākhā Devī Dāsī and Cintāmaṇi Dhāma Śrī Māyāpur.

Around 2008–2009, I met Her Grace Viśākhā Devī Dāsī (legal name: Mrs. Biśveśvarī Mahāpatra) and her husband at the Howrah Belepole Bhakti-vṛkṣa Centre—then rising leaders in the community. They had one teenage son named Sonu.

We were learning spiritual "grammar" at a steep rate. Many programs used to be held at their two-storey house in Rāmrajatala. I visited them many times, and soon, she became my friend.

Viśākhā Devī Dāsī’s Compassion and Selfless Service That Guided Me to Guru Mahārāja

Viśākhā arranged her personal mṛdaṅga teacher to come to her house for me, and we practiced songs and kīrtanas together. Most days, she or her mother would ensure I received good prasādam before I left. One afternoon, she offered a big plate of khīra to their Deities and gave the full offering to me.

Sometime around 2009–2010, Viśākhā asked if I would like to visit Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur during Gaura-pūrṇimā and said she would arrange my accommodation. She invited me to stay at their house the night before so we could leave together early in the morning. When she saw that one of my dresses was torn, she kindly gave me a clean yellow-black dress set of hers.

She made me her co-singer at Māyāpur Bāṅlā Maṇḍapa. I had a sore throat and could not perform well, but she covered for me throughout.

Then Viśākhā told me to wear two rounds of Tulasī-mālā around my neck and personally helped me put them on for the first time.

While leaving for Delhi around 2013–14, Viśākhā encouraged me to continue learning from her mṛdaṅga teacher at their house.

My First Darśana of Guru Mahārāja—Atop the Lotus Roof

During our 2009–2010 Māyāpur visit, Viśākhā asked if I would like to have darśana of Guru Mahārāja. At the time, I had no idea what she was referring to. Then she took me and her son Sonu to the Lotus Roof Top.

Sonu made a critical remark while climbing the stairs. Viśākhā—whom I had never seen scold him—shouted at him in anger.

I saw Guru Mahārāja for the first time. He was seated on a distinct chair amidst a small group, interacting with some device on His hands. I was unaware of His health condition or who He truly was. The 360-degree panoramic view from the rooftop was beautiful, but what struck me most was how comfortable and at ease we all felt in His presence.

We sat at the rear side of the rooftop, and Guru Mahārāja came out to give us darśana. Viśākhā immediately wrapped her head with her saree and instructed me to do the same. I was inattentive, casual—whereas she was fully alert, respectful, and listening with rapt attention.

Unparalleled Devotion to Guru Mahārāja

At the Gada Bhavan gate, beneath the Mādhavī-latā arch, Viśākhā asked me if I would like to take initiation from Guru Mahārāja. I replied, “I would like to communicate and associate on a regular basis in real time with my Guru Mahārāja.”

Viśākhā took my words seriously and immediately called a brahmacārī to explain my viewpoint.

She deeply glorified Guru Mahārāja, sharing how He once told her that she is a simple-hearted, bhola-bhāla lady.

Cintāmaṇi Dhāma—Śrī Māyāpur Testimonials

1. Viśākhā once said that after Guru Mahārāja’s stroke in 2008, He confirmed that He would give classes again in the future. Her words came true—Guru Mahārāja is giving classes.

2. Around 2016–17, I became desperate to take initiation—a desire I had postponed twice (once in 2009–10 when Viśākhā asked, and again in 2013 when her husband asked). I recalled the comforting presence of Guru Mahārāja on the Lotus Roof. When I finally became desperate, Guru Mahārāja mercifully gave shelter.

3. Over time, I let go of the requirement for constant physical association and real-time interaction with my initiating guru. From 2020–21, through digital media, I began receiving direct saṅga and communication from Guru Mahārāja! The unusual desire I had voiced under the Mādhavī-latā Arch at Gada Bhavan finally bore fruit.

4. Guru Mahārāja made Himself so accessible for direct association that I am now struggling just to keep pace with Him!

Becoming Critical of Viśākhā in Later Years

Viśākhā underwent severe personal challenges. She was heavily exploited—for her finances and for the house she had inherited. Though I remained compassionate toward her, I also became increasingly critical. She was innocent and had made certain circumstantial decisions simply to survive.

Eventually, she moved to Delhi with her son and mother, selling the house that once rang with harināma-saṅkīrtana for many years.

Viśākhā’s Heart Reflected the Broad Compassion of Guru Mahārāja

As years passed and my association grew with many elevated devotees, the depth of Guru Mahārāja’s heart—His generosity and compassion—became increasingly vivid. And with it, I began to see that same reflection in the heart of Viśākhā.

She is now lost to the ISKCON West Bengal community, and her current whereabouts are unknown.

I pray to You, Guru Mahārāja, to kindly bless my lost god-sister, who was so respectful and devoted to You.