ON THE PLANE WITH SRILA BV NARAYANA MAHARAJA

FROM EUROPE TO USA

May 1998
(by Budhara dasa)
We departed Amsterdam and had been airborne for about an hour and a half. The flight
attendants were preparing lunch for everyone and Navina prabhu began to prepare Srila
Gurudeva's lunch. As always his ambrosial cooking scented the air with a transcendental,
inviting aroma. A pleasant black female flight attendant named Babette approached me and
commented how lovely the smell was and said that she adored Indian cooking. She hinted that
she would like to try some and I told her I would see what I could do. I managed a well
proportioned and good sized spinach and curd samosa for her that was cooked to perfection, and
she seemed very happy to get it.
Later she inquired from me why everyone had bead bags on their hands. She guessed that they
were prayer beads and she asked me if somehow she could get a set. I explained what the beads
were, how they are given and how they are used. I told her that in the best case she should
receive them from a realized guru, to which she replied, like the master sitting there, as she
gestured to Srila Gurudeva. I confirmed that to receive the beads from someone like Srila
Gurudeva was very special, a great honor and a great fortune. She then said, I would really like
to have the beads, and to chant on them. Maybe if I open my heart to the master, he will know
what is in my heart and he will grant me the chance to get the beads and the mantra.
Well, needless to say, I was surprised at her openness and readiness to chant so quickly with
little or no explanation. Her appreciation of Srila Gurudeva and her acceptance of him at first
sight suggested a deeper relationship and so I informed Navina prabhu and Srila Gurudeva of her
interest. Gurudeva was also surprised and pleased and agreed to give her a set of japa mala and
kanti mala. Luckily Brajanatha prabhu had just purchased both tulasi japa mala and kanti mala in
Amsterdam and fortunately he had them with him in his carry on luggage.
I told Babette to come and see Srila Gurudeva and she approached him with sincere respect and
reverence. Gurudeva told her, "My heartly blessings on you. May you have eternal life full of joy
and happiness". Babette's mouth dropped open in amazement, and she thanked Srila Gurudeva
for his mercy.
Srila Gurudeva told her "not to harm any living thing, show respect to all, and develop love and
affection in your heart. You are now my darling daughter and I will bless you and look after you.
Keep your heart pure, and be kind to all." Gurudeva then instructed her on the use of the mantra
by repeating it many times to her and having her repeat after him. He told her that she should get
help from me, and that I could explain the path to her.
I agreed to do so and took her name and address. She folded her hands and bowed her head to
Gurudeva and he blessed her, gave her the mala and told her to put the kanti on her neck straight
away. She offered her respects and thanks to Gurudeva and went away to put the beads on her
neck.
Afterwards, just before getting out the plane, she offered a small note of thanks to me which
ended with, Thank you very much for helping me start on the right path. She told me also that
she would return to her vegetarian habits, and sincerely chant on her beads.

I commented to Srila Narayana Maharaja that wherever he goes, simply by seeing him, people
become attracted to serve Sri Sri Radha Krishna. He smiled a gentle acknowledgement.