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P.P .LEELA TAI
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Dedicated
to Supreme Lord Krishna's beloved devotee and Messenger
Late Parampoojya Mrs Leela Karve affectionately known by her followers
as "Tai"(Sister)
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Autobiography Of Parampoojya Leelavati Karve 29-05-1934/ 10-02-2003
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In
these days of mad race, man seeks a quiet resting place, where he
can get peace of mind. The lives of Great Saints provide needed rest
and peace. The saints are absorbed in the work of upliftment
of masses. They work without any expectation of rewards. In fact, it is
the God's work they are doing, under His instructions. To lead the
masses into righteous path is the only purpose of the and their
lifework.
An extraordinary pearl of a girl was born to Raghunath
Shenvi, a resident of Mangeshi in Goa on 29th May, 1934. At the time of
the birth of this, girl Aadi Shakti (Divine Mother) appeared in a
vision to her mother and said "The
one who will be born to you will perform great deeds. Therefore
read and recite SaptaShati (a book containing sanskrit Mantras),
The religious minded mother thereupon scrupulously read and
recited the Holy book. Her parents had earlier lost their
children, born before her, at their tender age, which
disappointment had turned them to contemplate on God Almighty.
During this period Leela was born. All were happy. All entered the
new house built by her father. Their financial condition was not that
good. Leela's father was running a canteen business and had two
cooks for his help. After the birth of Leela within 1½ years, her
father left this abode. Thus orphaned Leela was broughtup under
the care of her mother and her paternal aunt. Leela from her
childhood was an obstinate and rebellious girl. She never used to
miss the 10 PM Aarati at Mangesh Temple - during her childhood. She was
ever ready to do errands for the temple and the neighbouring Math.
Once
3 sadhus came to the temple. They distributed Veldoda (Cardamum) as
prasad after the worship of Mangeshi. Leela was present all this time
in the temple. Next day, as her mother had chided her, she did not
attend the evening Aarati, but went to sleep at home. The sadhus while
distributing prasad asked "Where is the girl who was here
yesterday? Prasad will be distributed only after she comes here".
Therefore, everybody started Searching for Leela. Shri Karandekaka
brought sleepy Leela. Sadhu put "Veldoda" prasad on her hand and
there after distributed to others.
Leela
was very enthusiastic about her education. She was famous as a
diligent girl. She was fondled by her paternal aunt. It is she
who brought her
up and gave her shape. Aunt was unfortunate. Her husband had gone out
one day but never returned. This made her very lonely. Leela loved her
very much. Leela had schooling upto Std. IV. During this period, high
school was established in Mangeshi. Leela appeared for the exam of
Std.VII and secured
2nd rank in the final examination. Thereafter, Leela went to
Belgaum for her further education. While studying in Chintamanrao High
School, she earned the name as an outstanding girl. Harekar helped
her in all respects. All used to call her as Goa because she hailed
from Goa. After completing SSC, under the shelter of famous poetess
Indira Sant, Leela completed one year course in PTC (Primary Teachers
Course). On 25.8.56, she joined as a teacher at Khanapur.
Leela
was having, like her parents, unshakable faith in Mangeshi and Nav
Durga. But from her age of 9 till now, Lord Krishna has taken His abode
in her life. "Krishna is my father, mother, brother, sister and all relations,
is the face of His love. Leela is found immersed in devotion of
Krishna, always. She has taken the message of Bhakti (Devotion) to
Khanapur, Gunji, Dharwar, Chikodi areas through contemplation
meditation and Bhagawad Geeta. Later, Leela was transferred to
Saundalga, which is 29 KM away from Kolhapur. Thereafter to Chikodi,
which is a Taluka in Belgaum Dist. Wherever she went, she conquered the
hearts of the people by love and made them go mad with Krishna Bhakti.
Parabrahma
Shri Krishna always speaks through her. Every thing takes place
according to His predictions. In a sense, Shri Krishna Paramatma always
resides in her and steers the boat of her life as He wishes. She
has redeemed many persons in distress under instructions from Shri
Krishna. She has shown the path of devotion to those struggling in
darkness. She has given the support of love to youngsters, elders, poor
and rich persons who are afflicted in their lives. She gets the
messages from Shri Krishna always.
During
1963, when she was at Chikodi, Shri Krishna showed her, her would
be husband during the meditation. In real life also he was
the same person Leelatai was married to Shri Karve who was working
in BARC at Bombay. Leelatai started staying at Dadar after
marriage. Shri Karve was soft by nature, but was prone to occasional
anger. Both, Shri Karve and Leelatai were devotees of Krishna.
They were mad after Krishna. Together their lives blossomed.
Leelatai finally settled down at Krishna Kutir, Jadhav Cololy, Badlapur
after having stayed before at Dadar, Matunga, Thane, Vithalwadi
and Ambernath. Leelatai was teaching at Ordiname Factory School Ambernath till her retirement.
She
has two sons and one daughter. Leelatai became lonely after the
untimely demise of Shri Karve in 1983. Now she has nothing
except Krishna Bhakti. Leelatai spent her life in utter poverty.
She is a standing example to show how the difficulties of life can
be faced if Parabrahman is at your back. During the last 25/30 years
Leelatai has drawn innumerable people from Karnataka and
Maharashtra into Krishna Bhakti. Whoever comes in contact with
her, falls in love with her. Leelatai is no other than Aadi Maya
(Divine Mother). She does not approve of Pooja (worship), Archana
and Karma-Kanda etc. Shri Krishna is always established in her
mind and heart. Leelatai used to give guidance between 8.30 to
10.00 AM from Monday to Friday. Krishna talks to me like this".
"If he says, I will do" is what Leelatai says always.
Shri Krishna proclaims "Everybody should recite
"OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA"
mantra daily whenever possible so that I will stand by them. I respond
to the call of the heart immediately and invariably. See me in your
duties. I am committed to those who are committed to their
duties. Believe in putting faith in me and make me your own". It
is what Shri Krishna says very often. He is ever ready for His
devotees. His
devotees experience this at every step of their life.
Therefore, Krishna devotees feel that Krishna Kutir is their
everything and that Tai
(Leelatai) is their Aayee (Mother). Experience of happiness at every
step and increased faith in Shri Krishna is the glory of Krishna Kutir.
This is the speciality of Krishna Kutir. Tai says "This is my
treasure and my bank balance".
While enjoying this happiness, the devotees are seen charmed. They shed
tears of joy singing the praise of Krishna the Parabrahman. It is
beyond words to express this unseen flood of joy and happines.
"I
am the indweller of everybody. To reach me recite "OM NAMO BHAGAVATE
VASUDEVAYA" - mantra".All classes of people, of all casts, creed and
religion, experience the nectar of Krishna Leela Kendras, which are
established all over the world. "My devotees are dearer to me than
myself", says the Beloved Krishna. Smt. Tai always acted as per
the instructions of Shri Krishna. She was a householder with family
responsibilities. She had a demanding job of a school teacher. She retired from service in 1992.
Soon
after Shri Krishna told her to expedite and expand the misson of Shri
Krishna. As a consequence, the number of devotees visiting the Krishna
Kutir increased. The visits ofSmt. Tai to meditate and meet her devotees in India and abroad also increased.
She
went to Nepal, Dubai, Muscat, London, America, Nigeria, Kenya,Japan,
Australia and Aandman Nicobar Islands to spread the message of Shri
Krishna in all directions.
Smt. Tai established Shri Krishna
Leela Kendras (Centres) at different places in order to obtain from her
devotees strength for the world mission of Shri Krishna.
Smt.
Tai used to say, "I envisage more and more devotees will gather at
these Shri KrishnaLeela Kendras. They will recite for the first 15
minutes the
famous dwadashakshari Mantra "OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA", followed
by japa of Vishwajanani, narration of experiences by devotees and
glorification of Lord (Gajar) for the next 5 minutes each before
returning home".She also used to say that there is no requirement of garlands, flowers, Prasad, Arati etc.
The
number of Shri Krishna Leela Kendras in India and abroad exceeds 325.
They are all functional. Smt. Tai used to keenly watch the functioning
so that these kendras do not become centres involving any money matters.
As
directed by Shri Krishna, she established beautiful temples of
BhagwanShri Krishna at Pune, Apta, Nasik and temple of Vishwajanani at
Los Angles in America and Delhi. As yet seven more Vishwajanani temples
are scheduled to come up in future.During the last 2-3 years, Smt.
Tai was undertaking meditation tours for the cause of universal
peace, Bharata and young generation, to enable these to boldly
face forthcoming turmoil of the world predicted in 2005. She used to
assure that Shri Krishna shall stand by them always. Smt.Tai used
to meditate for them. She meditated at Kanyakumari, Badrinath, Calcutta
, Delhi, Somnath and Dwarka.
"Shri Krishna Leelavali", a book
containing wonderful experiences of different devotees, was published,
both in Marathi and English in June 2001.
Smt. Tai was rushing to all the corners of the world for Shri Krishna Karya (Mission).
Smt.
Tai inaugurated Vishwajanani temple on 8.2.2003 at Delhi. On the
morning of 10.2.2003 Smt. Tai, the endeared mother of all devotees,
merged herself at the feet of Shri Krishna of her devotees miss her
to-day.
Who will look after the Shri Krishna Mission after
Smt. Tai is personally no more? This problem crops up in other
organizations but it is not a question here. Lord Krishna through
Smt. Tai has already answered this question long back.
"Smt. Tai is mortal, but I am eternal. My existance will be experienced by my devotees in the Shri Krishna Leela Kendras".
This assurance of Lord Krishna ensures that his devotees are well protected.
We bow down to Smt. Tai in deep reverence and cherish her fond memory.
||OM NAMO BHAGWATE VASUDEVAYA|| OM MAHAAN SHAKTI DEVATAYA NAMAHA ||
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PICTURES FROM VISHWAJANINI TEMPLE FROM Cantonment area,NEW DELHI TEMPLE(Shakti Peeth)
Following
are pictures from the temple,this was the last vishwajanini
installation done by pp tai days before her departure from the earthly
abode.
PP Leela Tai idol
PP Leela Tai Foot (paduka) imprints
Goddess Vishwajanini Idol (replica of the same Navadurga idol from Madkai Goa)
Krishna -Radha Idol's at the temple.
