Markine Bhagavat Dharma, Boro Kripa Kaile Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, Jaladuta Diary 9-18-65

Thank you to Yasoda Suta das (Yuvraj) for making this heartfelt video! And thank you to Jai Sacinandana Prabhu for sing this song. Srila Prabhupada’s Jaladuta Journey Timeline August 13, 1965 Calcutta, India At about 1:30 p.m., Śrīla Prabhupāda boards the cargo ship Jaladuta and departs for America with only a few possessions, his Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam volumes, and $7 in Indian rupees (not exchangeable in the U.S.). August 14–30 Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, Red Sea Suffers severe seasickness and two heart attacks during the rough ocean crossing. Later he describes that Kṛṣṇa personally protected him during the voyage. September 1–3 Suez Canal / Port Said, Egypt Travels through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. Prabhupāda resumes regular diary entries after recovering from illness. September 3–12 Mediterranean Sea → Strait of Gibraltar → Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic crossing becomes unusually calm. Captain Arun Pandia remarks that he has never seen the Atlantic so peaceful. Prabhupāda attributes this to Lord Kṛṣṇa's mercy. September 13, 1965 Aboard the Jaladuta in the Atlantic Writes his first Bengali poem: "Kṛṣṇa Tava Puṇya Habe Bhāi" ("Prayer unto the Lotus Feet of Kṛṣṇa"). In his diary he notes, "Today I have disclosed my mind to my companion Lord Sri Krishna. There is a Bengali poem made by me today in this connection." September 16 (night) Approaching Boston The ship turns north from the Bermuda area toward Boston. Dense fog briefly halts the ship, which clears after Prabhupāda prays to Kṛṣṇa. September 17, 1965 (5:30 a.m.) Commonwealth Pier, Boston After 36 days, the Jaladuta arrives in America. Prabhupāda goes through customs and takes a short walk through Boston with Captain Pandia, seeing America for the first time. September 18, 1965 Boston Harbor Writes his second Bengali poem: "Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma." This is the famous prayer beginning "boro-kṛpā kaile kṛṣṇa..." expressing complete dependence on Kṛṣṇa before beginning his preaching mission in the West. It is signed: "on board the ship Jaladuta, Commonwealth Pier, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., dated 18th September 1965." September 18 (4:00 p.m.) Leaves Boston The Jaladuta departs Boston for New York. Prabhupāda telephones Gopāl Agarwal in Butler, Pennsylvania, to arrange his reception. September 19, 1965 (12:30 p.m.) New York Harbor Arrives in New York, about three hours behind schedule due to fog, beginning the next stage of his mission in America. The Two Jaladuta Poems 1. September 13, 1965 — "Kṛṣṇa Tava Puṇya Habe Bhāi" Written in the middle of the Atlantic. A deeply personal prayer to Kṛṣṇa. Reflects on Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura's order, Prabhupāda's unworthiness, and his longing to serve his guru and reunite with Kṛṣṇa. It is largely inward-looking—a prayer of surrender and preparation before reaching America. 2. September 18, 1965 — "Mārkine Bhāgavata-dharma" Written after seeing Boston Harbor and the American cityscape. Marks a shift from inward preparation to outward mission. Prabhupāda contemplates the challenge of preaching to people absorbed in rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa, prays for Kṛṣṇa's mercy, quotes Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.17–21, and concludes by offering himself as Kṛṣṇa's puppet: "Make me dance, make me dance, O Lord, as You like." Together, these two poems beautifully trace the progression of his heart: first, complete dependence on Kṛṣṇa before arriving in the West, and then complete surrender to Kṛṣṇa's mission once he had set foot in America.