At 7am on December 20, ISKCON guru and GBC Jayapataka Swami was discharged from Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital, 60 days after his admittance due to a brain hemorrhage.

The first sign of major improvement came on November 21, when His Holiness was taken off ventilator support. He continued to improve steadily, eating more solid foods and learning exercises to strengthen his muscles with a physiotherapist. A speech therapist also taught him exercises to improve his speech and swallowing.

Finally he was discharged from Hinduja to continue his ongoing physiotherapy at ISKCON Mumbai’s Bhaktivedanta Hospital. While he is now able to move his feet well in coordination, the therapy will help his weak right side and difficulty with coordinating hand and shoulder movements.

On the way to Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Jayapataka Swami visited the Juhu temple, where many devotees awaited with soft kirtans and welcome signs. After offering his respects to Prabhupada and the deities of Radha Rasabihari, His Holiness chanted Hare Krishna on the microphone and thanked everyone for their prayers. He held back tears with effort, and the assembled devotees glowed with happiness at having their spiritual guide safe and back with them.

Jayapataka Swami then left for Bhaktivedanta Hospital, where he is scheduled to stay and recover for at least 10 – 15 days. His Holiness was greeted by the hospital’s director Madhavananda Dasa, before visiting its deity of Srila Prabhupada and garlanding him. A large sign on the notice board read, “Bhaktivedanta Hospital welcomes His Holiness Jayapataka Swami.”

His Holiness was given a quiet room on the fourth floor, equipped with a special bed required for his rehabilitation. Madhavananda and Dr Shyamlal, who will be taking care of Jayapataka Swami during his stay at Bhaktivedanta Hospital, explained to him their upcoming plan of healing and recovery.

Jayapataka Swami’s website www.JPSoffice.com promises to keep us informed, and requests all devotees to keep him in their prayers: “Things that have happened to him are a miracle by devotees’ prayers, and more is always needed.”

Jayapataka Swami, meanwhile, is enjoying his stay at Bhaktivedanta Hospital after two months at Hinduja. “Every day Jagannath deities are brought to the patient’s room,” he writes. “Srila Prabhupada’s singing and lectures are being played on tape constantly. And a spiritual program is held three times a day. In other hospitals they only give medical attention but I am happy to be here, where there is both good medical and spiritual facilities.”