Tuesday, March 11th 2008

Tuesday, March 11th 2008 – Mayapura, India.
The morning Japa walk along the Tarampura Road and down Jackal Trail (my name for the trail between the fields where these wild dogs frequent) allowed myself and an assistant monk, Suta Goswami Das, to meet a beautiful female. Her name is Laksmi Priya and she is a soul in an elephant body. Soon to be accompanied by a friend Vishnu Priya , the adolescent mammal was required (after a lengthy search and red tape) for use as a traditional processional elephant for the Mayapura Village. The reports on her is that she was an abused animal while living in the jungles of Assam. There are regular reporting of the endangered species of India in the media. Pouchers and human encroachment I have been told are the major causes of the elephant decline. It is grossly sad that some of the majestic creatures so mentioned through sacred text and folklore from India are depleted to in some cases to three and two digit numbers. The Bengal tiger and the Indian rhino are two animals that may vanish in our lifetime.
You have to ask “What are we doing with our planet and its natural residents?” Our answer is “Not enough” I met the gentleman who was in the team of securing the elephant and he confirmed the Indian government’s guilt for slow or no action.
Laksmi Priya seems happy in her new plot of land with trees all about, a sheltered shed, a large tank for her daily bath. She is eating well swapping sugarcane stalks before consumption. The elephant keeper has his new quarters as well.
I am happy that I have a quiet place such as this to go and visit. When you have a bit of senority amongst the monks and a portfolio for pleasing the crowds with dramatical performances it is difficult to walk the same campus of Mayapura and not get approached sometimes every few steps. Everyone is very sweet, of course, but there is a need for peace in the day. I’m sure Laksmi Priya enjoys her new serenity. I hope it stays that way. In the morning a young married couple took diksha (initiation) into our community. Initiated are Atitamunushya (a name for Vishnu) and wife Saurashukti (the power of the Golden One).
5 Km.