The following is an excerpt of the book: Yamuna Devi – Life of Unalloyed Devotion
Dinatarini Devi Dasi: Yamuna and I had spoken about the devotees of the Chowpatty RadhaGopinatha Temple so often over the years that in a sense our young friends felt they knew them already. Yet, nothing can prepare one for the actual experience of being in the company of Radhanath Swami and the sincere and dedicated devotees there. We traveled by train, with the addition of Amala Harinama and Nadia to our group, and were received with such warmth and enthusiasm in Mumbai that it was both heartwarming and overwhelming. Because of her natural humility, Yamuna did not like to be distinguished or set apart from others, and she often commented that as much as she appreciated and respected the Chowpatty devotees, it was also difficult to be there because of how much they served and honored her. Of course, they follow the example of Radhanath Swami, who regularly welcomes guests and Prabhupada disciples to the temple with lengthy encomiums. Yamuna could not exalt that quality of Radhanath Swami enough—that he exemplified the importance of respecting Vaishnavas and taught his followers by his example. Yet, when she was the object of that respect, she was uncomfortable with it. Though always reluctant to speak, Yamuna could not refuse a request of Radhanath Swami, and she eloquently expressed our appreciation to the assembled devotees.
Yamuna: It has been two years and eight months since being here with you in Radha-Gopinatha Mandir. And I can say that every day since I left, I have appreciated your company very deeply. And Radhanath Swami is so dear in our ashram. We live in a very tiny corner of Prabhupada’s legacy, called Saranagati, British Columbia. And I always say that it is one of the most inhospitable places for pilgrims to visit; we are a full, 100% no-facility zone. It is the antithesis of what this glorious place is. But nonetheless, we feel deeply connected to you on another level that doesn’t have anything to do with facility.
I don’t know how many times we have shown the film The Simple Temple to pilgrims that come into our ashram. Last year we had only a thousand who came for various kirtans and programs, and a good number of those saw that film, and we glorify you so much by our words, and are inspired by you so much. So on this pilgrimage to India, we have so much gratitude that we were able to come here again. And as Bhakti-tirtha Maharaja said, we come here for the juice, to get the juice to spread this juice more in other places in the world. And that is in the form of each and every one of you, in terms of sanga.
The love that we have for the brahmacharis is just immense. When I am outside the temple and I see the brahmachari laundry blowing in the wind, it looks like jewels to me, in the crown of Chowpatty. And the grihasthas here are like none in the world. And in the center of it all, under Srila Prabhupada’s powerful presence, is Radhanath Swami. Everything here is Radhanath Swami’s energy, his potency, his purity, and that is unique on the whole planet.
So because of our affection for him, he asked us to speak. Of course, I immediately said no, and gave many reasons why I wouldn’t. But I have attended the last three classes here, and when you have a chance to listen to this kind of Krishna Consciousness, something has to change. All of the fear I have of public speaking has to take second place to honoring Radhanath’s Swami’s request. And the fact is that I don’t speak in public. Even when I was with Srila Prabhupada, I begged him not to ask me to speak…??. So Dinatarini prabhu and I, when we were thinking about what would be appropriate to share with you, we thought of mercy. Mercy is the embodiment of this temple. This is a place of mercy.
During the visit, Radhanath Swami kindly accompanied our group to the Bhaktivedanta Hospital—something Yamuna had wanted them all to experience. As expected, the youth were awe-inspired at seeing the murti of Srila Prabhupada, hearing his lectures and bhajans over the intercom, and seeing the genuine care and service mood of the Vaishnava doctors and staff. At the time, Jayapataka Swami was recovering at the hospital, and we were invited to a kirtan and luncheon with him. It was a memorable experience.