Image-custom header
  • Our Websites
    • Homepage with news and events
    • Topical articles on our Seva Ashram Post website
    • Our former site with photos and news from 2007-2011
  • About Us
    • About our beliefs
    • What you will see
    • Deity worship
    • Mission statement
    • Our spiritual guardians
      • Srila Janardan Maharaj
      • Srila Acharya Maharaj
      • Srila Govinda Maharaj
      • Srila Sridhar Maharaj
  • Contact
    • Subscribe to our newsletter for event invitations
    • Santa Cruz Seva Ashram
    • San Jose Seva Ashram
    • Host a namahatta at home
  • Calendar
    • Vaishnava Calendar
    • Events
  • Audio, video, photos
    • Facebook: Live broadcasts of classes and festivals
    • Youtube: Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita readings
    • Audio: Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita readings
    • Photos
      • 2019 Photo Gallery
      • 2016 Photo Gallery
      • 2015 Photo Gallery
      • 2014 Photo Gallery
      • 2013 Photo Gallery
      • 2012 Photo Gallery
      • 2011 Photo Gallery
    • Videos
    • Bookstore
  • Development Plans
  • China
  • Donate

Author Archive for Sushila Devi Dasi – Page 9

What is Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math?

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Srila Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj

Srila Bhakti Sudhir Goswami MaharajWhat is Sri Chaitanya Sarawat Math.mp3 (19 minutes, 4.5 MB)

Posted on SCSMath.com in honor of the Platinum Jubilee of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami explains the meaning of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the basis of the conceptual architecture encrypted within the pranam mantram of the Math, composed by the Founder-Acharya, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Lecture by Devashis Prabhu–The Appearance of Lord Jagannath

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Thursday, June 21st, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Devashis Prabhu

110703 Appearance of Sri Jagannath.mp3 (44 minutes, 35 MB)

Sripad Devashis Prabhu gave this lecture last year in London on the occasion of Sri Rathayatra. He explains, among other things, the origin of Lord Jagganath’s divine Form.

Photos of Vidura Krishna Prabhu’s Class on The Golden Volcano of Divine Love

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Vidura Krishna Prabhu

The last few months Vidura Krishna Prabhu has been giving class on Monday evenings at the Soquel Seva Ashram. After several weeks studying the six limbs of surrender in Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam and the ten offenses to the Holy Name, the class read Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s commentary on Sri Sikshastakam in The Golden Volcano of Divine Love. Sri Sikshastakam are eight verses composed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Every week the class reads about one of the verses. Vidura’s practical conclusion of this class on the last verse of Sri Sikshastakam was that we all need association with devotees in order to make progress in Krishna Consciousness. The following is Srila Sridhar Maharaj’s final comment on the last verse of Sri Sikshastakam  in The Golden Volcano of Divine Love:

‘sadhu sanga, sadhu sanga,’—sarva shastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu sange sarva-siddhi haya

“The conclusion has been given in the scriptures that all perfection can be attained by the help of the saints. Good association is our greatest wealth in reaching the supreme goal.”

[Show as slideshow]
01 Vidura Krishna Prabhu Vidura Krishna Prabhu
02 with Saki Prabhu and Vaidehi, Devaki, and Sureshwari Didis Saki Prabhu and Vaidehi, Devaki, and Sureshwari Didis

03 Vidura Krishna Prabhu imitates Yudhamanyu Prabhu's gesture Vidura Krishna Prabhu imitates Yudhamanyu Prabhu's gesture "the chop"
04 Everyone is happy and enlivened Everyone is happy and enlivened

05 Sureshwari Didi often contributes lovely stories from her many years of experience in the Krishna Consciousness movement Sureshwari Didi often contributes lovely stories from her many years of experience in the Krishna Consciousness movement
06 Devaki Didi Devaki Didi

07 In the kitchen Saki Prabhu helps Rasa Rajani Didi prepare fresh spring rolls for the evening offering In the kitchen Saki Prabhu helps Rasa Rajani Didi prepare fresh spring rolls for the evening offering
08 Ramai Prabhu Archa Niketan and Nevine Krishna Prabhu have a good laugh–as they are prone to do Ramai Prabhu Archa Niketan and Nevine Krishna Prabhu have a good laugh–as they are prone to do

Rejuvenation Festival in Santa Cruz

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery, Events | Comments (0)
Sushila devi dasi
May 19-20, 2012

Devotees from the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram attended the second annual Rejuvenation Festival in Santa Cruz’s San Lorenzo Park. Many friends and guests visited our lovely booth and were very happy to talk with the devotees. We met many fortunate souls who have already had a connection with Srila Govinda Maharaj or Srila Prabhupad. Bilwa Mangal Prabhu arranged for the booth and Sripad Parvat Maharaj, Vaidehi Didi, Dinabandhu Prabhu, Ratan Krishna Prabhu, Nevine Krishna Prabhu, Vidura Krishna Prabhu, Ananta Rupa Prabhu, Lila Shakti Didi, and Premanidhi Prabhu, all helped to make the program successful.

We hope that everyone who met us at the festival will make the endeavor to come visit the Seva Ashram for the Sunday Feast. Please don’t hesitate. If you can do something wonderful right away, why put it off?

The following is an excerpt from The Search for Sri Krishna: Reality the Beautiful by Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. You can read a much longer excerpt on the main international website of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math: click here.

pravistah karna-randhrena svanam bhava-saroruham
dhunoti samalam krsnah salilasya yatha sarat
      (Srimad Bhagavatam: 2.8.5)

“When Krishna enters the heart through the ear, He captures the lotus of the heart and then gradually makes all the dirt in the heart disappear. Just as when the autumn season comes, all the water everywhere becomes pure, so also, when Krishna enters our hearts, all the impurities within will gradually vanish, and only Krishna will remain forever.

Photos by Sripad B.C. Parvat Maharaj:

[Show as slideshow]
01-rejuvenation-festival-santa-cruz-2012 Premanidhi, Ratan Krishna and Nevine Krishna Prabhus
02-rejuvenation-festival-santa-cruz-2012 Dinabandhu Prabhu in the foreground, taking a break from his spot behind the table where Ratan Krishna poses happily

03-rejuvenation-festival-santa-cruz-2012 Many people were happy to see our booth
04-rejuvenation-festival-santa-cruz-2012 and eagerly accepted literature and prasadam

05-rejuvenation-festival-santa-cruz-2012 Most of the team: Vaidehi Didi, Premanidi Prabhu, Ratan Krishna Prabhu, Bilwa Mangal Prabhu, Nevine Krishna Prabhu, a guest, and Sushila Didi

Sunday Feast Lecture – 120527 Exploitation, renunciation, and dedication

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj in London

Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj in London  120527 Exploitation, renunciation, and dedication.mp3 (44 minutes, 25.2 MB)

In this Sunday Feast lecture Srila Janardan Maharaj explains that there are three planes of reality: karma or exploitation, vairagya or renunciation, and then bhakti or devotion. Bhakti is independent of exploitation and renunciation as stated in Srila Rupa Goswami’s verse:

anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam
anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama
(Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu: 1.1.11)

Srila Janardan Maharaj tells the story of the appearance of Lord Vamanadev to illustrate the meaning of saranagati or full surrender to the Lord. He also discusses at length the nature of vairagya, or renunciation, and what yukta vairagya means for vaishnavas. This is a very nice lecture for long-time practitioners as well as a great introduction for beginners.

Jayanta Krishna and Brajamohini’s Pizza Party Namahatta in San Jose

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Braja Mohini didi
Monday, April 23, 2012

In honor of Srila Ashram Maharaj’s visit to California, Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi hosted a namahatta on a warm spring evening. All Brajamohini’s fragrant roses were in full bloom and many children were playing happily with a litter of kittens in the back yard when Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj arrived.

This namahatta had a theme; it was a pizza party to inaugurate the authentic brick pizza oven that Madhavananda and Jayanta Krishna Prabhus have constructed in the garden.

Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj led a wonderful kirtan including all the songs that are sung every evening in all the temples, and spoke words of encouragement and inspiration. Everyone gathered with them in the front temple room except the cooks (who were preparing a wonderful springtime feast). The lecture from that evening has already been posted (click here). When the program was over everyone enjoyed slice after slice of delicious hot pizza fresh from the oven along with fresh salads and special dishes prepared by the ladies.

[Show as slideshow]
01 pizza party namhatta san jose Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj with Ratan Krishna and Jatindra Mohan Prabhus sit for a minute when they first arrive
02 pizza party namhatta san jose then go outside to the backyard, where Brajamohini Didi greets them

03 pizza party namhatta san jose Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj talks with Adeshwar Didi and her husband Stefan
04 pizza party namhatta san jose along with Kumkum Didi, the manager of the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram

05 pizza party namhatta san jose It is a warm San Jose evening
06 pizza party namhatta san jose perfect for catching up with friends outside

07 pizza party namhatta san jose Divyashakti Didi just returned from India and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu is happy to come for the first time to this historic house
08 pizza party namhatta san jose Vimala Didi is happy as ever and Brajamohini Didi prepares the offering

09 pizza party namhatta san jose Jayanta Krishna Prabhu shows Srila Janardan Maharaj his new pizza oven
10 pizza party namhatta san jose Varsabhanavi Didi has fun with one of the rabbits

11 pizza party namhatta san jose Jayanta Krishna Prabhu's Italian neighbor came for the occasion...
12 pizza party namhatta san jose inaugurating the authentic brick pizza oven

13 pizza party namhatta san jose Dinartihara Prabhu is the pizza chef tonight
14 pizza party namhatta san jose He started making dough and sauce after the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class in Soquel around 9 am

15 pizza party namhatta san jose Shyama Mohini and Bali play on the big fig tree
16 pizza party namhatta san jose which has now entertained two generations of devotee children

17 pizza party namhatta san jose Kalindi Didi meets with the Italian neighbor in the splendid sunlight as it sets
18 pizza party namhatta san jose and with Vimala Didi as well, who is herself Italian

19 pizza party namhatta san jose Vimala Didi, Sushila Didi, and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu
20 pizza party namhatta san jose Vimala Didi has been serving in San Jose since this 17th Street temple first opened in 1991

21 pizza party namhatta san jose Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj sit down
22 pizza party namhatta san jose in the lovely temple room to lead the sankirtan of Vaishnava songs

23 pizza party namhatta san jose and Srila Janardan Maharaj starts telling stories
24 pizza party namhatta san jose some of which are characteristically humorous

25 pizza party namhatta san jose He describes some of the history of the 17th Street house
26 pizza party namhatta san jose Which was the temple for many years and then the women’s ashram

27 pizza party namhatta san jose Ashram Maharaj speaks as well
28 pizza party namhatta san jose and everyone is happy to hear from him

29 pizza party namhatta san jose The devotees sat in the two front room to listen
30 pizza party namhatta san jose to the excellent talk

31 pizza party namhatta san jose Divyashakti Didi smiles happily with Jatindra Mohan Prabhu in the background
32 pizza party namhatta san jose Krishna Madhuri Didi, who also attended the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class today

33 pizza party namhatta san jose Jivan Krishna Prabhu and Varsabhanavi Didi visiting from Virginia to take advantage of Srila Ashram Maharaj's association
34 pizza party namhatta san jose (left to right) Lavanika, Jairam Prabhu and Sridhar Prabhu

35 pizza party namhatta san jose Damodar Prabhu, Krishna Madhuri, Kalindi, and Laksmipriya Didis prepare a succulent salad
37 pizza party namhatta san jose in the sun filled kitchen

38 pizza party namhatta san jose Vimala Didi is happy to see Ratan Krishna Prabhu
39 pizza party namhatta san jose so they pose together for a photo

40 pizza party namhatta san jose Brajamohini Didi, the hostess working hard
41 pizza party namhatta san jose along with Jivana Didi and Abha Didi

42 pizza party namhatta san jose Abha Didi and Jairam Prabhu's daughter Lavanika sings a song after honoring several pieces of pizza
43 pizza party namhatta san jose Srila Ashram Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj are served prasadam in the sitting room

44 pizza party namhatta san jose and after the veritable feast devotees gather around them
45 pizza party namhatta san jose to hear more stories

46 pizza party namhatta san jose Srila Janardan Maharaj also told some of very wonderful stories about Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj
47 pizza party namhatta san jose Everyone was eager to hear these stories

48 pizza party namhatta san jose which made everyone happy...
49 pizza party namhatta san jose finally people gathered again outside

50 pizza party namhatta san jose and said their goodbyes
51 pizza party namhatta san jose as the warm lovely evening passed into night

52-pizza-party-namhatta Dinartihara made about 30 pizzas tonight
53-pizza-party-namhatta each one a little different from the last

54-pizza-party-namhatta but all very delicious with thin crusts and plenty of sauce and toppings
55-pizza-party-namhatta Devotees kept lining up for more

56-pizza-party-namhatta So that they would get a slice that was still piping hot
57-pizza-party-namhatta Even after the sun had set the night was warm

58-pizza-party-namhatta and the mood was very jolly
59-pizza-party-namhatta Damodar Prabhu prepared the pizza dough

60-pizza-party-namhatta and Narayani put the toppings on
61-pizza-party-namhatta Balls of dough, the cheese, and some pepper slices

62-pizza-party-namhatta Taking a turn in the oven
63-pizza-party-namhatta and finally in their finished state

64-pizza-party-namhatta Shyama Mohini climbed to the top of the fig tree

All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar Mahaprabhu!

All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!

All glories to Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj!

All glories to all the San Jose and Soquel devotees!

All glories to Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Brajamohini Didi’s namahatta!

Gaura Premanande!

Invitation ~ Deity Installation Anniversary Festival on Tuesday May 22nd

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 in Events | Comments (0)
Deities in Soquel
Deities-installation-anniversary-2012-01
Their Divine Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari

Tuesday May 22, 2012
at 6 pm in Soquel

Please join us to honor the anniversary of the day that His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj installed Their Divine Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari in Soquel, California. The following is an excerpt from Srila Govinda Maharaj’s discourse that day, May 19, 1996:

“The manifestation of the Deity gives us love for the Lord because the Deity’s manifestation is very near and very close to our mental position. Within this mundane environment we are habituated to be with our relatives. Now the Lord, in his manifestation as the Deity, is present here among us in the form of our relative. The Lord is so attractive and so sweet and so beautiful and so ecstatic and He is very near and very dear to human society, human beings and human experience.

Within human society and within the human form, love and affection are most developed. Why is the highest development of love and affection found only in the human form? Because the human form is the original form of the divine Sweet Absolute.”

To read the whole discourse click here: The Highest Development of Love and Affection.

Santa Cruz Nagarsankirtan with Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
April 25, 2012

Brajamohini Didi called this wonderful afternoon nagarsankirtan outing in Santa Cruz “The icing on the cake.” This whole week was wonderful; everyone was inspired to have Srila Ashram Maharaj’s good association and blessings at the Sunday Feast, pizza party, bhakti yoga club, and other programs. Now on his last day fifteen people from our community in Santa Cruz and San Jose joined Srila Ashram Maharaj on Pacific Avenue to chant “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.”

The group wound its way through the weekly farmer’s market and came out of it with five happy guests. They followed our group for the next hour, chanting and dancing all the way.

Photos by James:

[Show as slideshow]
01 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
02 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

03 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
04 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

05 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
06 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

07 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
08 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

09 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
10 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

11 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
12 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

13 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
14 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

15 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
16 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

17 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
18 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

19 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
20 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

21 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
22 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

23 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
24 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

25 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
26 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

27 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
28 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

29 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
30 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

31 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
32 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

33 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
34 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

35 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj
36 Nagarsankirtan in Santa Cruz with Ashram Maharaj

Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj at the Sunday Feast

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj

These are a few pictures from the Sunday Feast on April 22, 2012. Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj was visiting and Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj had just returned from India.

[Show as slideshow]
01-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast The Sunday program starts with arotik (kirtan and worship) of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridharijiu
02-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast and Srimati Tulsi Devi

03-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj led the chanting
04-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast and everyone happily followed his lead

05-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast
06-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Kalachandji, Murali Mohan and Sarvabhavana Prabhus listen to the discourse

07-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Swarnangii Devi Dasi and Brajanath Krishna Prabhu
08-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Laksmipriya Devi Dasi makes fresh flower garlands

09-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Some of Srila Govinda Maharaj's dear disciples
10-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast From the left: Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj...

11-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharam, our guest of honor
12-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast and Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj, our affectionate leader here at the Soquel Seva Ashram

13-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Many of the honorable ladies in our community
14-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast The program ends with lovely kirtan led by Srila Ashram Maharaj

15-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Finally everyone leaves the temple to honor prasadam
16-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Jairam Prabhu speaks for a moment with Srila Ashram Maharaj

17-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast and his children Lavanika and Nabh present drawings to Srila Janardan Maharaj
18-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast and Srila Ashram Maharaj

19-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Tim, who described himself as "the new recruit" was very happy to receive the holy literature Srimad Bhagavad-gita
20-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast James, now Jivan Krishna Das and Varsabhanavi Devi Dasi visiting from the East Coast

21-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast arrived that day to have the association of Srila Ashram Maharaj
22-ashram-maharaj-sunday-feast Some devotees gathered informally outside the temple after the feast

Morning Lecture–120423 Ashram Maharaj’s Chaitanya Charitamrita Class

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Monday, April 30th, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj

Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj120423 Madhya 17.mp3 (78 minutes, 54.2 MB)

In this recording of the morning class Srila Ashram Maharaj reads from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, elaborates extensively on various points, and answers questions from Dinabandhu Prabhu and Swarnangii Didi about sincerity and artificiality.

This informal discussion in full of beautiful points. The following point about Srimad Bhagavatam is just one of many:

“Every religious mentality, every religious personality, every religious attempt can find full satisfaction in the description of the Lord as a person full of qualities such as compassion, love, beauty, absolute character and so on and so forth… It is not a sectarian thing.”

Brajanath Krishna Prabhu’s Initiation Ceremony

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Srila Janardan Maharaj
Friday, April 20, 2012

All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj!
All glories to Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj!
All glories to Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya
Sri Srimad Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the auspicious occasion of Srila Ashram Maharaj’s visit to the Seva Ashram, Srila Janardan Maharaj gave Harinam initiation to Bud, now Brajanath Krishna Das. Srila Ashram Maharaj led the morning class on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, reading about Lord Chaitanya’s travels through the Jarikanda forest. Immediately after class we all sang “Hari haraye nama Krishna” then the initiation ceremony began. Many devotees were at the Ashram that morning and everyone felt it was a very special and beautiful ceremony. For months now Brajanath Krishna Prabhu has been coming to Srila Janardan Maharaj’s morning classes, Sarvabhavana Prabhu’s evening classes  and helping Hasyapriya Prabhu with maintaining the Ashram property on weekends. He is a very gentle and kind person and we are very happy to welcome him into our family.

Photos by Krishnapriya Devi and prepared by Jatindra Mohan Prabhu…

[Show as slideshow]
01-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram The morning started with a beautiful Chaitanya Charitamrita class led by Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
02-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram The room filled up and everybody was enlivened to hear about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes in the Jarikanda forest

03-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Sarvabhavana Prabhu and Srila Ashram Maharaj
04-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram

05-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Sarvabhavana Prabhu puts neckbeads on Brajanath Krishna Prabhu
06-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Srila Janardan Maharaj chants on Sri Japa Mala

07-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram and gives some instructions to Brajanath Krishna Prabhu
08-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram The exchange was very sweet and affectionate

09-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram
10-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram

11-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Brajanath Krishna Prabhu receives his Japa Mala from Srila Janardan Maharaj
12-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Under the affectionate glance of Srila Govinda Maharaj

13-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Ratan Krishna Prabhu leads Brajanath Krishna Prabhu in offering flowers
14-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram

15-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Srila Janardan Maharaj accepts a basket of fruit, flowers and incense
16-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram and warmly embraces Brajanath Krishna Prabhu

17-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram (left to right) Srila Ashram Maharaj, Srila Janardan Maharaj, Brajanath Krishna Prabhu, Sripad Parvat Maharaj and Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu
18-Initiation of Brajanath Krishna at Soquel Seva Ashram Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj ki jay! Brajanath Krishna Prabhu ki jay!

Nrsimha Chaturdasi ~ Divine Appearance Day of Lord Nrsimhadev

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 in Events | Comments (0)

Nrsimha Chaturdasi ~ Divine Appearance Day of Lord Nrsimhadev

Namahatta Lecture–120423 History of the California Branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Srila Janardan Maharaj

Srila Janardan Maharaj

120423 Braja’s Namahatta with Ashram Maharaj.mp3 (56 minutes, 38.6 MB)

This lecture was recorded at a namhatta and pizza party for Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj. Both of them speak in the audio recording.

Janardan Maharaj talks about how Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Braja Mohini Didi’s house used to be the 17th St. temple and it is where Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj stayed on his first world tour. Years later, after Kumkum Didi had purchased the Saint James St. temple and the deity, Sriman Gaurangasundar Mahaprabhu had moved there, Srila Govinda Maharaj expressed that he wanted to keep the 17th St. property. Jayanta Krishna Prabhu and Braja Mohini Didi took on the responsibility for purchasing and maintaining the beautiful house.

Srila Janardan Maharaj tells the story of this house, giving honor to many of the ladies who lived here for years, and sharing happy memories. He then explains how the devotees came to purchase the current Seva Ashram property in Santa Cruz in order to fulfill the expressed desire of Srila Govinda Maharaj.

After a history of the California branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Janardan Maharaj tells funny stories from his personal relationships with Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. The whole room erupts with laughter from hearing the funny stories and later Ashram Maharaj tells more funny stories.

Srila Ashram Maharaj at the Cabrillo College Bhakti Yoga Club

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
April 24, 2012

All glories to Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj!

Srila Ashram Maharaj has filled his days here in Soquel with preaching programs. Tuesday he attened the Cabrillo College Bhakti Yoga Club meeting. The devotees were very inspired by his association and several very fortunate new guests attended the program.

[Show as slideshow]
01-ashram-maharaj-cabrillo-bhakti-yoga The club meets 11-1 on Tuesdays in front of the Library
02-ashram-maharaj-cabrillo-bhakti-yoga Ashram Maharaj led kirtan and gave a nice talk

03-ashram-maharaj-cabrillo-bhakti-yoga Lila Madhuri and Varsa Devi Dasis, Ratan Krishna and Dinabandhu Prabhus, James and some guests attended the program
04-ashram-maharaj-cabrillo-bhakti-yoga Srila Ashram Maharaj reported later that "time flew by" and it was a very good program

ebook–Read or Download Home Comfort: an Introduction to Inner Fulfillment

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Sunday, April 15th, 2012 in Introduction to Krishna Consciousness | Comments (0)
Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

This short and sweet introductory book about Krishna Consciousness, Home Comfort by Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami has just been reprinted by the mercy of Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj and other hardworking servitors at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Navadwip, India.

We invite you to browse through its pages here and encourage you to spend a little time reading it. A few sentences may change your outlook for the whole day and could give you a taste of what Krishna Consciousness and bhakti yoga are all about. If you are serious about learning and reading more, just get in touch with us. We can send you a book in the mail or answer specific questions you may have. Contact info@SevaAshram.org or call (831) 462-4712.

[gview file=”http://sevaashram.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Home-Comfort-For-Web.pdf”]

Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj Arrives April 19th

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 in Events | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj
Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj
Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj
Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj

We are very happy to announce that Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj will visit the Seva Ashram for one week. He will arrive on Thursday the 19th of April. If you would like to have his association, please join us for the Sunday Feast on April 22nd.  Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj will be returning the same day, April 19th, from his stay in India.

The following lovely large photograph of sannyasis in the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math was taken in Sri Navadwip Dham in India just last month. From our view Srila Janardan Maharaj and Sripad Parvat Maharaj are in the front row all the way to the right and Srila Ashram Maharaj in the back right corner.

Left to right: Sripad Bhakti Niskama Shanta Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Prapanna Tirtha Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vijay Trivikram Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Bimal Avadhut Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vigraha Nyasi Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Chaitanya Bharati Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Sampat Narayan Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj, and Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj.

Left to right: Sripad Bhakti Niskama Shanta Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Prapanna Tirtha Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vijay Trivikram Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Bimal Avadhut Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vigraha Nyasi Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Kamal Tyagi Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Chaitanya Bharati Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Sampat Narayan Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj, and Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj.

 

 

 

Video of Memorial Service Honoring Sripad B.S. Vaishnav Maharaj

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Saturday, April 7th, 2012 in Videos | Comments (0)
Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj
January 20, 2012

Memorial service of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj (formerly Srutasrava Prabhu) led by Srila B.P. Janardan Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California, USA.

Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj Sraddha Ceremony from RealityTheBeautiful.com

Sushila Devi Dasi: Camera
Murali Mohan Das: Camera, Editing

Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Friday, April 6th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery, Videos | Comments (0)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

In February 2012 we celebrated the Divine Appearance of Om Vishnupad Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Here are some photographs of the festival held at the Soquel Seva Ashram along with some short (3 minute) video clips of Srila Janardan Maharaj’s talk. Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to view or download a pdf of a biography of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur prepared by Parama Bhakti Devi Dasi for Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

  Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

sri siddhanta-sarasvatiti viditau gaudiya-gurv-anvaye
bhato bhanur iva prabhata-gagane yo gaura-sankirtanaih
mayavada-timingilodara-gatan uddhrtya jivaniman
krsna-prema-sudhabdhi gahana sukham pradat prabhum tam bhaje

“In the great Gaudiya Vaishnava teachers’ line, as Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati he is renowned. Like the radiant sun in the morning sky, he appeared to rescue all souls swallowed by the all-devouring impersonal philosophy. By spreading the teaching of Lord Gauranga to sing the holy name of Lord Krishna, he gave all the chance to dive in the ocean of love for Sri Krishna, the Supreme Person. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta, my lord, divine master, at his feet do I pray to serve him forever.”

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj

[Show as slideshow]
01-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
02-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012

03-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
04-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012

05-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
06-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012

07-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
08-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012

09-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
10-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012

11-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012
12-bhaktisiddhanta-appearance-2012





[gview file=”http://sevaashram.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SarasTkrAp0503ParamaBhaktis1.pdf”]

Sunday Feast Lecture–110508 Causeless And Irresistible

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 in Audio | Comments (0)
Srila Janardan Maharaj

110508 Causeless And Irresistible.mp3 (50 minutes, 34.7 MB)

In this Sunday Feast lecture Srila Janardan Maharaj reveals his personal struggle to understand one aspect of Krishna Consciousness. He is very humble and honest in revealing that he never felt like his service could be “unmotivated and uninterrupted” even though he often spoke the following famous verse from Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.6):

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokshaje
ahaituky apratihata
yayatma suprasidati

“The supreme occupation, dharma, for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.”

Srila Sridhar Maharaj solved his dilemma by explaining to him a wonderful new meaning of that verse. His answer is illuminating and deeply satisfying. In summary, he says that divine service itself is “causeless and irresistible”. Causeless in that it is independent and irresistible like a tsunami.

Monday Evening Classes with Vidura Krishna

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Thursday, March 29th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery, Events | Comments (0)
Vidura Krishna Prabhu
Cover of Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam
The beautiful cover of Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam by Srila Sridhar Maharaj
March 19, 2012

For many years Vidura Krishna Prabhu led a popular weekly youth class. Now he has resumed leading one of the evening programs; however, the new class it is not only for young people. It has a new theme. Every week he covers a chapter of Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam, which is a very special book full of scriptural quotations about the six limbs of surrender. Everyone in the class is memorizing the six limbs of surrender (acceptance of the favorable, rejection of the unfavorable, full confidence in the Lord’s protection, embracing the Lord’s guardianship, full self-surrender and surrender in humility) and takes turns reading some verses. Vidura Krishna Prabhu shares insightful comments that he has heard from our guru varga about the verses and their themes.  After this book is finished he says the class will read Sri Sikshastakam (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s eight prayers) and then the ten offenses to the Holy Name. His goal is to review the basics of Krishna Consciousness philosophy so that we can apply them in our daily practicing lives.

Scroll to the bottom of the photos to view or download a pdf of the whole book Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam.

[Show as slideshow]
01-vidura-monday-class Bilwamangal Prabhu kindly poses with Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamrita and one of the nice photocopies Vidura prepares each week of one chapter at a time
02-vidura-monday-class Devaki, Vaidehi, and Vaishnavi Didis contemplate the beautiful verses contained in this special book

03-vidura-monday-class Bilwamangal Prabhu again, who extended his stay at the Ashram by two days just so that he could attend this class
04-vidura-monday-class Sakhi and Vidura Krishna Prabhus

05-vidura-monday-class
06-vidura-monday-class

07-vidura-monday-class Devaki and Priya Didis follow the class in the temple room
08-vidura-monday-class while Naveen Prabhu washes all the dishes from the evening offering

09-vidura-monday-class Vaidehi Didi prepares to serve the delicious prasadam which Ratan Krishna Prabhu cooked
10-vidura-monday-class Neelamani Prabhu comes every Monday night to serve as Their Lordship's pujari. Jatindra Mohan Prabhu was sweeping the floors as he always does in the evening. They were happy to pose for this picture so that I could document just how many people participate in in the Monday evening class in behind the scenes capacities

11-vidura-monday-class Priya and Devaki Didis participate in Vidura Prabhu's class every week.

[gview file=”http://sevaashram.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Sri-Sri-Prapanna-Jivanamritam1.pdf”]

« Newer Posts
Older Posts »
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Vaishnava Seva Society
Seva Ashram News of the Vaishnava Seva Society
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved