There was something preventing me from going to South Africa for a spiritual awakening tour and each step I took closer towards the journey, I faced some hurdles. I had attempted to go there prior to this trip but I had a hard time with the South African Embassy and for some reason, I gave up trying. Then Karnamrita Dasi and Kalyani Dasi came to my rescue and gave me a new light of hope. Kalyani is a lawyer in South Africa and she knew exactly how to deal with the Government officers. On the other hand Karnamrita had charisma, which got things done. They found a woman, Moyo, in the Embassy who was ready to help me with my visa. Karnamrita phoned me in the evening and said “The Embassy has asked your travel agent to supply some more papers, which you have not yet submitted.” I called my travel agent who had hired another agent to handle my visa. He said “It is not true; the agent has confirmed the papers have been sent.”
When I passed this message to Karnamrita, she asked me to go early and re-submit the papers and she will try to get the visa. I collected all the relevant documents. At four in the morning thousands of devotees were taking part in the Vrindavan parikrama, on a Rang-bhari Ekadashi, playing Holi and screaming ecstatically “Bol Bansi wale ki Jay, Bol Shri Radheee!!!”
It was really hard to sleep all night because of the noise and also, I was anxiously waiting for morning to arrive. When the taxi arrived in the morning, I discovered my driver was none other than Sunil Goswami (Goswami of Sringar vat). Any chance of sleeping in the car faded away. He is a crazy driver and few years ago we had an accident whilst he was driving.
This time I asked Gusain ji to keep his car’s speed in limit. I was in no hurry. He replied, “Chinta mat karo guruji” (Don’t worry guruji). I was thinking in my head, the chinta (tension) had started as soon as I realised you were my driver.
We commenced our journey after paying obeisances to Shri Radha, Krishn and sweetest Vrindavan. Sunil, as usual, picked up his speed and I opened my eyes widely to watch the highway. Fifteen minutes into our journey, he attempted a risky overtake, so I again asked him to calm down as I was in no rush.
He took me seriously for five minutes and again resumed his fast speed. It was dark, a little foggy and visibility was poor. I was a slightly shaken by his driving and kept my hand on the hand break. After fifteen minutes I sensed something blocking the entire road. I screamed “Brake Lagao!” (Slam the brakes!) He suddenly hit the brake and the car tyres started to make screeching sounds, leaving skid marks on the road. I eventually pulled the hand break too and our car stopped, just a few feet in front of a tractor, which was obstructing the highway.
The driver intentionally turned off the lights, whilst smoking his Biri (Indian cigarette) on the side. It appeared to me as though he wanted an accident to happen. He glared at us, sat in his tractor, started his engine and cleared the road.
Sunil spoke “Guruji aaj tumne bacha liya, mere to pair kaap rahe hai” (Guruji! Today you saved our lives, my legs are still shaking)...I replied “Maharaj! I want to go to South Africa. Not be turned into ashes before I reach.”
“No matter what happens, I will drive slowly from now on” Sunil replied.
I had a feeling and some indications on the road that my work today won’t happen. But I thought I should still give it a try.
Sunil started to drive safely and we reached the Embassy on time. I submitted my papers there and discovered that the travel agent, who was hired for my visa application, had quit his job a week ago and this was the reason the Embassy did not receive any information. Later Karnamrita asked me to talk to Moyo about my Visa.
I made a call to Moyo. I don’t know who was on the phone but I gave all the references Karnamrita had asked me to give. But Moyo did not acknowledge knowing anyone by the name of karnamrita or any other person. She was none other than a jailer on the phone and I was sounding like a prisoner. She was just screaming on the line and asked me not to make calls to her and hung up the phone. I was like, Krishn! Am I going to greet such people in South Africa? No etiquette on how to talk to others, with civility. I told Karnamrita the whole story. This time she made a call, but it appeared to me that this Embassy actually loved to hang up the phone without even considering the plea of the caller. After four hours of calling and spending a couple of hundred dollars, Karnamrita hit jackpot. Moyo denied receiving a call from me and she was very disappointed because all this time she was waiting for me to call! Karnamrita told her that I had submitted all required papers. Moyo checked and realised that the papers were on the table since morning and no one made a log of them. But on request, she recorded my papers and told Karnamrita, she was leaving for South Africa now, so she could not help anymore.
I was so baffled. Whilst this drama was taking place my day was coming to an end and I was still waiting for some positive result. The officer on the counter asked me to come in the evening to check if my visa is ready. With pessimism, Karnamrita eventually asked me to wait for one more day. I had a feeling that I would reach South Africa, last minute. It was Thursday already; I had a Gaur Purnima program on the Sunday, and if I was not getting my visa on time, this big event was going to take, with thousands of devotees participating, without their main speaker...ME. It was actually the only key program in my itinerary. I made a call to one of my friend’s; I asked him if he could make lunch for me and if we could catch a movie afterwards. He was more than happy to accommodate me and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at his flat. Later, we decided to watch a movie, but my mind was distracted with the visa issue. I was constantly on the phone. Rekha, from South Africa, managed to get hold of a recommendation letter from the Immigration officer, which could help me to get the visa.
When I passed this message to Karnamrita, she asked me to go early and re-submit the papers and she will try to get the visa. I collected all the relevant documents. At four in the morning thousands of devotees were taking part in the Vrindavan parikrama, on a Rang-bhari Ekadashi, playing Holi and screaming ecstatically “Bol Bansi wale ki Jay, Bol Shri Radheee!!!”
It was really hard to sleep all night because of the noise and also, I was anxiously waiting for morning to arrive. When the taxi arrived in the morning, I discovered my driver was none other than Sunil Goswami (Goswami of Sringar vat). Any chance of sleeping in the car faded away. He is a crazy driver and few years ago we had an accident whilst he was driving.
This time I asked Gusain ji to keep his car’s speed in limit. I was in no hurry. He replied, “Chinta mat karo guruji” (Don’t worry guruji). I was thinking in my head, the chinta (tension) had started as soon as I realised you were my driver.
We commenced our journey after paying obeisances to Shri Radha, Krishn and sweetest Vrindavan. Sunil, as usual, picked up his speed and I opened my eyes widely to watch the highway. Fifteen minutes into our journey, he attempted a risky overtake, so I again asked him to calm down as I was in no rush.
He took me seriously for five minutes and again resumed his fast speed. It was dark, a little foggy and visibility was poor. I was a slightly shaken by his driving and kept my hand on the hand break. After fifteen minutes I sensed something blocking the entire road. I screamed “Brake Lagao!” (Slam the brakes!) He suddenly hit the brake and the car tyres started to make screeching sounds, leaving skid marks on the road. I eventually pulled the hand break too and our car stopped, just a few feet in front of a tractor, which was obstructing the highway.
The driver intentionally turned off the lights, whilst smoking his Biri (Indian cigarette) on the side. It appeared to me as though he wanted an accident to happen. He glared at us, sat in his tractor, started his engine and cleared the road.
Sunil spoke “Guruji aaj tumne bacha liya, mere to pair kaap rahe hai” (Guruji! Today you saved our lives, my legs are still shaking)...I replied “Maharaj! I want to go to South Africa. Not be turned into ashes before I reach.”
“No matter what happens, I will drive slowly from now on” Sunil replied.
I had a feeling and some indications on the road that my work today won’t happen. But I thought I should still give it a try.
Sunil started to drive safely and we reached the Embassy on time. I submitted my papers there and discovered that the travel agent, who was hired for my visa application, had quit his job a week ago and this was the reason the Embassy did not receive any information. Later Karnamrita asked me to talk to Moyo about my Visa.
I made a call to Moyo. I don’t know who was on the phone but I gave all the references Karnamrita had asked me to give. But Moyo did not acknowledge knowing anyone by the name of karnamrita or any other person. She was none other than a jailer on the phone and I was sounding like a prisoner. She was just screaming on the line and asked me not to make calls to her and hung up the phone. I was like, Krishn! Am I going to greet such people in South Africa? No etiquette on how to talk to others, with civility. I told Karnamrita the whole story. This time she made a call, but it appeared to me that this Embassy actually loved to hang up the phone without even considering the plea of the caller. After four hours of calling and spending a couple of hundred dollars, Karnamrita hit jackpot. Moyo denied receiving a call from me and she was very disappointed because all this time she was waiting for me to call! Karnamrita told her that I had submitted all required papers. Moyo checked and realised that the papers were on the table since morning and no one made a log of them. But on request, she recorded my papers and told Karnamrita, she was leaving for South Africa now, so she could not help anymore.
I was so baffled. Whilst this drama was taking place my day was coming to an end and I was still waiting for some positive result. The officer on the counter asked me to come in the evening to check if my visa is ready. With pessimism, Karnamrita eventually asked me to wait for one more day. I had a feeling that I would reach South Africa, last minute. It was Thursday already; I had a Gaur Purnima program on the Sunday, and if I was not getting my visa on time, this big event was going to take, with thousands of devotees participating, without their main speaker...ME. It was actually the only key program in my itinerary. I made a call to one of my friend’s; I asked him if he could make lunch for me and if we could catch a movie afterwards. He was more than happy to accommodate me and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at his flat. Later, we decided to watch a movie, but my mind was distracted with the visa issue. I was constantly on the phone. Rekha, from South Africa, managed to get hold of a recommendation letter from the Immigration officer, which could help me to get the visa.
I went left the theatre room to credit my phone, whilst my friend enjoyed his movie “My name is khan.” I joined my friend at the theatre again after the intermission. I felt this movie was hard to digest; all the sad scenes were really weighing me down. I asked him if we could leave the movie. It was becoming difficult to tolerate anymore tears and sadness. We went out and started to discuss spiritual topics; my friend was having a tough time coping with spirituality as well as working. We had a deep, fruitful discussion and when he was satisfied, I dropped him at his flat and made my way back to the Embassy. The officer at the counter looked at me and said, “Maharaj, I will call you later.” After waiting two hours, he called me and told me my visa was not ready and to check again tomorrow morning. With a heavy heart, I left and reached my relative’s house, where I was staying for the night. Feeling edgy, I took a sleeping pill so that I could switch off from my crazy day of forty hours without sleep. It was very much needed. After having three to four hours sleep, I was up again and went for my puja, preparing for the long day ahead.
I reached the Embassy in the morning and I was the first one there. Even the staff recognised me now. The officer told me that my visa was not done yet, and to come back in the evening. I asked him “I have a recommendation letter from the Chief Immigration officer, will that help?” He replied “No.” Now, I had no other choice but to follow his order. I went in the car and read stories from scriptures so that I could spend some time with God.
I went in again at 3 o’clock but the officer asked me to wait. Others came to the Embassy got their visa and still, at seven in the evening, I was only the one sitting there alone, chanting the Lord’s name. The officer called me over, and he said seeing a young guru impressed him. He said he was a Muslim but he would love to know more about my teachings. I expressed my happiness at his curiosity and briefly explained to him the philosophy I follow. He said, my visa was not ready but by his personal request, the visa officer granted my visa and this was the only reason he asked me to wait. He asked me to forgive him for that. “Allah knows you didn’t do anything wrong, so don’t ask forgiveness.” I replied. My eyes sparked when I was handed my visa. After blessing the Muslim officer, I left the Embassy. I was more than happy to win this battle. Now I had to see if there were any flights available.
Luckily, I got my flight. To share this excitement, I made a call to my friend but he seemed busy so I went to print out my ticket and prepare my lecture, ready for Gaur Purnima. At night, whilst I was heading for the airport, Sunil took a wrong road and I had to ask him to be careful and get us back on track for the airport. He said “Guruji, don’t worry; I will drop you at airport on time.” I was thinking I wish Krishn was my Saarthi (driver) then I really would have no tension or worries. Sunil made me one hour late but when we reached the airport, he said “See! You are on time.” I looked at his face and replied with a smile “True.” There was nothing I could say or do. I just had to accept it. I checked in and asked at the counter if I could have an aisle seat. The officer claimed he has booked my request but after boarding the plane, I realised, he had lied to me and I gave me a middle seat.
When my journey started, one gentleman next sitting on my left was eating seafood and to my right, a passenger was eating non-veg. I was in the middle enjoying my Jain meal and smelling their food. I looked at their faces, smiling to myself and said to my heart, let’s go to South Africa. I had a feeling, this trip was going to be very challenging; I could sense some mystical powers obstructing me and I was constantly fighting against them. I boarded my transit flight from Dubai to South Africa. Now I was restless and overtired, due the strange symptoms and uneasy feelings I was experiencing over the last two days, yet I pretended to be ok. I was thinking…my goal is just to preach. When my duty is to spread the Holy Name, why am I being hampered? Who is obstructing me? Was it my enemies? Or some external forces? Or in fact Lord Krishn Himself? Whilst I was juggling my thoughts, I tried to freshen up before we landed and keep myself hydrated. After a while, I went to the bathroom and there was a note lying next to the sink, "Seat No. 24F (my seat number), Life is full of exams, don't worry you will have more.”
I was blown away yet happy. At least these exams were teaching me to fight and overcome difficult situations and by reading the words "Don't worry," I understood that God within my heart is taking care of everything. :)
