In Suva, Fiji, in 1979, Govardhana dasa (who was not initiated then) and his mother attended a lecture program by Goswami Maharaja. When Govardhana danced enthusiastically in the kirtana after the talk, Goswami’s keen eyes noticed him. In fact, thinking that this robust dancer was a good candidate for Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy, he later dispatched Kesava Bharati and Kavicandra Swamis to visit their house and invite them to attend other temple programs. Eventually Govardhana met Goswami, who encouraged him to take initiation. But Govardhana said that he already had a family guru and didn’t think he should take initiation again. Goswami Maharaja didn’t beat around the bush. He said “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know that Krishna had two gurus, Gargamuni and Sandipartimuni?” Suddenly Govardhana felt the weight of his spiritual master’s strong authority and just bowed his head, saying, “I surrender to you, Srila Gurudeva.”
After his initiation, Govardhana dasa was once invited to ride in a car with his spiritual master and Vasudeva dasa, Fiji’s most senior devotee and GBC, to a preaching program. Honored by this good fortune, he felt a little proud. However, when it came time to return, Goswanii detected his disciple’s self-satisfaction and decided to teach him a lesson. Govardhana was not offered a return ride. Instead, he had to get home by bus.
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