Dear devotees and friends, please join us Friday for our Nrsimha Chaturdasi Festival in San Jose and Soquel, and again Saturday in Soquel for a full feast.
Author Archive for Sushila Devi Dasi – Page 7
An Inspirational Evening
in Search for the Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute
with Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj
Louden Nelson Community Center
Friday, February 15, 2013
6:30-8:30 pm
Dear devotees and seekers,
Divyashakti Devi Dasi, with the help of many members of our community, has arranged for a new series of public programs in downtown Santa Cruz to nourish the hearts of all the devotees and sincere seekers in the Santa Cruz area. We hope that the location will be very convenient and that people who are unable to come to the Ashram or feel shy for any reason, will be happy with these upcoming events.
Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu is leading the multimedia events, which will include harinama-sankirtan (chanting the Holy Name), and prasadam (vegetarian blessed foods).
Please join us at Louden Nelson Community Center in downtown Santa Cruz this Friday at 6:30!
At last weeks’s Sunday Feast Srila Janardan Maharaj announced the schedule for several festivals coming up in the next ten days. Please take a look at the schedule and plan to come to as many as possible. <em><a href=”http://sevaashram.com/?p=5179″ target=”_blank”>View invitation…</a></em>
Dear devotees, friends and seekers,
The 84th Appearance Day Festival (83rd Appearance Anniversary) of our most worshippable acharya, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, will be celebrated in Santa Cruz and San Jose on December 30th 2012.
gurvvabhista-supurakam
guru-ganair asisa-sambhusitam
chintyachintya-samasta-veda-nipunam
sri-rupa-panthanugam
govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum
bhakty anvitam sundaram
vande visva-gurun cha
divya-bhagavat-premno hi bija-pradam
guru-ganair asisa-sambhusitam
chintyachintya-samasta-veda-nipunam
sri-rupa-panthanugam
govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum
bhakty anvitam sundaram
vande visva-gurun cha
divya-bhagavat-premno hi bija-pradam
Sri Vyasa-Puja Celebration of
His Divine Grace Om Visnupad
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
December 30, 2012
10 am in Santa Cruz
5:30 pm in San Jose
~~~
His Divine Grace is the dearmost beloved disciple and associate of the emperor of sannyasi kings, His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, who during his own manifest lifetime installed Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on his exalted throne as the Sevaite-President-Acharya of the world-renowned institution, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, along with its spiritually affiliated centers and branches worldwide, including our local Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashrams.
This year the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram are arranging a grand festival accompanied by kirtan, special worship, glorification, revered offerings to the temple deities Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari and the distribution of mahaprasadam in San Jose and in Santa Cruz. We will be pleased to have the kind company and participation of you and your friends to enhance this great devotional festival.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Sushila Devi Dasi
~~~
Written offerings:
If you would like to write an offering for Srila Gurudev for this special day, please send it as soon as possible through the Gaudiya Darshan website or to:
~~~
Related links:
Front page, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
Seva Ashram Post: Biography of Srila Govinda Maharaj
Seva Ashram Post: Articles by and about Srila Govinda Maharaj
Dates to remember:
- December 23, 2012 – Ekadasi
- January 1, 2013 – Disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad
- January 7, 2013 – Ekadasi
November 28, 2012
Sriman Gaurangasundarjiu on the altar in San Jose
On Rasapurnima day in the year 2000, the divine deity form of Sriman Gaurangasundar (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) who had already been in California many years, and was being worshiped at the Soquel Seva Ashram, was installed in what Srila Govinda Maharaj called “His own home” on St. James St. in San Jose. Srimati Kumkum Didi made all the arrangements for purchasing and remodeling the beautiful Victorian house to fulfill Srila Govinda Maharaj’s desire that there would be a temple in San Jose. These twelve years she has maintained the Ashram and the Lord’s daily worship with the dedicated help of many gentle and honorable Vaishnavas.
Here are some photographs from the lovely evening program held to commemorate and celebrate the fortunate day when Sriman Gaurangasundar arrived at the temple for the first time. That day He arrived on a palenquin in a grand parade from 17th St. with jubilant devotees chanting the Holy Name in sankirtan. Srila Govinda Maharaj personally oversaw every detail of the arrangements for the altar, the offerings, and altogether every aspect of the Lord’s worship.
Related links:
Letter by Kumkum Didi in 2000
This day in 2002
Photo report by Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi
Photo report from Srila Gurudev’s word tour in 2005
24 November 2007 
San Jose, USA. Talks by Srila Govinda Maharaj and Sripad Goswami Maharaj during the Anniversary Celebration of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Sundar’s Auspicious arrival at the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram.
Video captured and prepared by Vaidehi Devi Dasi:
32+ minutes, 63 MB ‘mov’ video
All glories to His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!
All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundarjiu!
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu Seva Vikram and Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu (right to left)
Srila Janardan Maharaj just had just returned from Brazil
And Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu just returned from China
They were happy to see one another again
As well as Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu, who just returned from India
Srila Janardan Maharaj shared news of his trip to Brazil and of Srila Trivikram Maharaj
And then news about the devotees in China
Then Janardan Maharaj told the story of Srila Govinda Maharaj's first trips to San Jose
As well as Sri Gaurangasundar's glories and the history of this Ashram in San Jose
Today was the 12th anniversary of Sri Gaurangasundar's installation in this Ashram
Here are Sita, Vidura Krishna Prabhu, Srimati Kumkum Didi, and Vimala Didi
Divyashakti Didi and Swarnangii Didi
Shatrughna Prabhu, who recently travelled with Janardan Maharaj to China, and Vrinda Didi
Braja Mohini Didi making flower garlands
With Laksmipriya Didi
Ramananda Prabhu and Shyama Gopa Prabhu
On the right: Ashok Kumar. On the left: Venkatesh Chembrolu, son of Srila Acarya Maharaj's disciples, Hanuman and Sita. We're always happy when they can come.
Lavanika and Nabh
A happy reunion for all the honorable vaishnavas returning from their travels
Swarnangii Didi and Kumkum Didi, who has made all the arrangements for this temple and Sri Gaurangasundar's service
Jairam Prabhu on the left and Premanidhi Prabhu on the right
Anukrishna Didi fortunately received Srila Janardan Maharaj's prasadam
Jairam Prabhu with Sangita Didi discuss the upcoming Kathak dance concert that they are organizing as a fundraiser for the temple
The girls
Lalita Didi and Shatrugna Prabhu
Shyama Gopa Prabhu with Jananivas
The honorable kitchen crew hard at work
Abha Didi made puff pastries
Nandarani Didi makes wonderful dahl and vegetable dishes
Sridhar Prabhu hard at work washing the Lord's pots
Lilashakti Didi, another of Sri Gaurangasundar's dedicated servitors
The devotees prepare to honor the sumptuous prasadam
Mahaprasadam ki jay!
121109 Madhya 20 Instructions to Sanatan Goswami-Expansions of the Lord.mp3 (45 minutes, 2.59 MB)
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained to Sanatan Goswami how the living entity is one of Lord Krishna’s energies. After this, the Lord explained the way of devotional service. While discussing the Absolute Truth, the Lord analyzed Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, as well as the expansions of the Lord called svayam-rupa, tad-ekatma and avesha, which are divided into various branches known as vaibhava and prabhava. Thus the Lord described the many forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He also described the incarnations of God within the material world, incarnations such as the purusha-avatars, manvantara-avatars, guna-avatars and saktyavesa-avatars. The Lord also discussed the divisions of Krishna’s different ages, such as balya and pauganda, and the different pastimes of the different ages. He explained how Krishna attained His permanent form when He reached youth. In this way Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained and described everything to Sanatan Goswami.
(Summary of Chapter 20 from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, translation and commentary by Srila Prabhupad)
121103 Kartik month.mp3 (46 minutes, 2.65 MB)
Having recently returned from a trip to China and India, Srila Janardan Maharaj shares his experiences and discusses the super auspicious month of Kartik. This lecture was recorded at the Saturday evening public program at our San Jose Seva Ashram.
Sri Govardhan-puja Lecture by Srila Govinda Maharaj in Soquel
His Divine Grace’s lecture on Sri Govardhan-puja at the Soquel Seva Ashram in Santa Cruz, California. He shares a little about the exalted position of Sri Govardhan, as well as a description of the wealth of Krishna consciousness. (2007)
Video prepared by Vaidehi Devi Dasi
Sri Govardhan Puja Lecture by Srila Govinda Maharaj from Vaidehi on Vimeo.
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
Dear devotees and friends,
Please join the devotees in Soquel and San Jose on Thursday, November 8th for the grand celebration of the Appearance festival of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Founder-Acharya Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj has returned from India and will lead the festivities.
Thursday at 6 pm in Soquel
5:30 pm in San Jose
November 8, 2012
devam divya-tanum suchanda-vadanam
balarka-celancitam
sandrananda-puram sad-eka-varanam
vairagya-vidyambudhim
sri-siddhanta-nidhim subhakti-lasitam
sarasvatanam-varam
vande tam subhadam mad-eka-saranam
nyasisvaram sridharam
“I fall at the feet of Srila Sridhar Dev, who with charming expression sings his songs of sweet nectar. Dressed in fine garments like the newly-risen sun, he is the true saint, the devotees have chosen. His detachment and knowledge are just like an ocean, the treasure-house of complete, perfect conclusions. Radiant in pastimes of loving devotion, the abode of pure ecstasy, bestower of good fortune; foremost true follower of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta, foremost great general of the whole renounced order, my lord and my master, my only shelter, I worship his feet, Srila Sridhar Dev.”
(Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj)
Also, please note the following upcoming dates (which are posted on the Seva Ashram News homepage and in the Vaishnava Calendar online here):
November 9, 2012 – Ekadasi
November 14, 2012 – Sri Govardhan-puja
November 17, 2012 – Disappearance of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad
November 23, 2012 – Ekadasi
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila devi dasi
If you would like to learn more about Srila Sridhar Maharaj you can read his pranam mantram and a brief biography here.
The following is an excerpt from His Divine Grace’s biography:
…In 1926, Srila Sridhar Maharaj joined the Sri Gaudiya Math, and became an initiated disciple of its founder, the illustrious Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Goswami Prabhupad (1874-1937). He later accepted the holy order of sannyasa (monkhood) in 1930. Recognizing him as a faithful stalwart preacher of the perfect precepts of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad conferred upon him the name “Sri Bhakti Rakshak,” which means “Guardian of Devotion.” Further echoing the statement of the great Vaishnava Preceptor, Srila Jiva Goswami–who referred in his Sanskrit writings to the renowned Srimad Bhagavatam commentator, Sri Sridhar Swami, as bhakti eka raksaka (Supreme Guardian of Devotion)–Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad gave him the tridandi-sannyas title of “Sridhar.” Thus, he became Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj…
Upon reaching his eighties, not only Indians, but persons from America, Europe, and the world over, became attracted by Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s teachings and personality. He was known as a pure saint of the most simple living habits. He was respected and loved for his saintly simplicity, and his affectionate nature and dealings. He was revered by his Godbrothers, disciples, other devotees, and the general public, and was unanimously venerated for his formidable encyclopedic command of the revealed scriptures, and his unique and unprecedented style of casting newer and newer light upon the most internal philosophical and revelatory purports of pure Sri Gaudiya Vaishnava siddhanta.
A vast library of Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s taped discourses has been compiled by his disciples, and from such recordings, the exquisite English books–Search for Sri Krishna, Sri Guru and His Grace, The Golden Volcano of Divine Love, Loving Search for the Lost Servant, and Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s unique commentary and interpretation of Srimad Bhagavad-gita: The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute–and many other books have been published….
Dear devotees and friends,
Please join the devotees in Soquel and San Jose on Tuesday October 16th for the grand celebration of the Appearance festival of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Acharya and Sevaite, Sri Srimad Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. Vidura Krishna Prabhu will lead the Soquel program and there will be sumptuous feasts at both festivals.
Tuesday at 6 pm in Soquel
5:30 pm in San Jose
October 16, 2012
pujya-sri-guru-varga-vandita-
mahabhavanvitayah sada
paurvaparya-parampara-
prachalita-prajya-pramurtakrteh
bhakter nirmala-nirjharasya
nibhritam samrakshakam sadaram
vande sri-gurudevam anata-sira
acharya-varyam nijam
(Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj)
“I bow my head in eternal obeisance to my Gurudev, the best of Acharyas, Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. He is the ever vigilant, stalwart guardian of the current of pure devotion whose highest form flows from our most worshippable Sri Rupanuga Guru-varga in their exclusive dedication to Mahabhava, Srimati Radharani.”
prerakam prachya paschatya
sisyanam bhakti-vartmani
bhakti-nirmalam-acharyya-
swaminam pranamamy aham
(Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj)
“I offer my respectful obeisances to Swami Bhakti Nirmal Acharya, who is energetically inspiring all of Eastern and Western disciples on the path of pure devotion.”
If you would like to learn more about Srila Acharya Maharaj you can read his pranam mantrams and a brief biography here.
Also, please note the following upcoming dates:
• October 25, 2012 – Ekadasi
• November 8, 2012 – Appearance of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
• November 9, 2012 – Ekadasi
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila devi dasi
