Seva Ashram News of the Vaishnava Seva Society

Morning Class on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 18: Rescuing the Lord from the Sea

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

“On an autumn evening when the moon was full, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu walked along the seashore near the Aitota temple. Mistaking the sea for the Yamuna River, He jumped into it, hoping to see the water pastimes Krishna enjoyed with Srimati Radharani and the other gopis. As He floated in the sea, however, He was washed away to the Konarka temple, where a fisherman, thinking that the Lord’s body was a big fish, caught Him in his net and brought Him ashore.” Listen to lecture…

Invitation to Srila Janardan Maharaj’s Vyasapuja Festival

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Hasyapriya Das | 0 Comments

I wish to cordially invite you and your families to attend a very special program celebrating the appearance day of our spiritual guide and dear friend, the president Sevaite Acharya of our Soquel Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj. View invitation…

Sunday Feast Lecture–120722 Bhakti Is Surrender In Love, Not Surrender By Force

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

“We’re very fortunate to be able to come under his [Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj’s] divine shelter and that of Srila Govinda Maharaj. We really consider this will give success to our otherwise feeble attempts at gaining some entrance into the plane of dedication, the divine plane.” Listen to lecture…

Morning Class on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya 14: Mahaprabhu’s Feelings of Separation from Krishna

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

“Sometimes all the transcendental ecstatic symptoms were manifest in Him. One night, Govinda and Swarup Damodar noticed that although the three doors to the Lord’s room were closed and locked, the Lord was not present inside. Seeing this, Swarup Damodar and the other devotees went outside and saw the Lord lying unconscious by the gate known as Simha-dwara.” Listen to lecture…

Last Minute News about the Shraddhaanjali Dance Festival

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Hasyapriya Das | 0 Comments

We are very excited about Saturday’s classical Indian dance festival in the Kathak tradition presented by Sangita Nandy’s Kathak Kala Vihar Dance School at the Santa Clara University Mayer Theater! The doors will open at 4:00pm and the program will start at 5:00pm. Click here to a link for directions and parking information or for a pdf map, click here. Tickets are still available to purchase at the box office.

Tickets for Kathak Dance Concert January 19, 2013

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Vidura Krishna Das | 0 Comments

Purchase tickets now for this beautiful festival of classical Indian dancing in the Kathak tradition presented by Sangita Nandy’s Kathak Kala Vihar Dance School. All proceeds will be donated to the Vaishnava Seva Society. Learn more… [add_to_cart item=”001″ quantity=”user:1″ text=”Purchase Tickets” ]

Looking for a Place in the Heart of a Saint

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

In honor of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur’s Disappearance Day, here is a two-minute audio clip of Srila Janardan Maharaj on the subject of Sri Guru’s grace: “What I’ve found with our divine spiritual masters is they’re always interested in what will help us. I feel myself fortunate to have had and have that kind of association, because our best interest is in the heart of a saint.” Read or listen to 2 minute audio clip…

Photos of Srila Govinda Maharaj

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Hasyapriya Das | 0 Comments

Here is a collection of photos of Srila Govinda Maharaj taken in 1992 & 1993 from San Jose & Santa Cruz, California during his world tours. View photos…

My Master’s Voice

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

All those who came in contact with Srila Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj, across the world or at home in India, could clearly see his magnanimity, his beauty and his kindness. To try and describe his charm and affection feels like, how Sri Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami said in the Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, a dwarf trying to touch the moon. Read article…

The Momentous Hour of Need

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj gave a wonderful talk on Srila Govinda Maharaj’s Divine Appearance day in 2007. Here are some excerpts from that inspiring talk: “Everything transcendental is coming to us through Gurudev. He is the center of everything, the center of our spiritual life, so everything has to be judged according to that.” Read more and listen to lecture…

Mridanga Lessons (Part II)

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Here is the second part of the Mridanga Lessons by Sripad Sadhu Priya Prabhu. Including the first three playing mantras and kirtan videos.

Invitation to Sri Vyasapuja Festival of Srila Gurudev

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

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. View invitation…

Mridanga Lessons (Part I)

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Here is a series of videos on how to play Mrdanga, along with the mantras and practice excercises put together by Sripad Sadhu Priya Prabhu in our Nabadwip Math in India

Sriman Gaurangasundar’s Installation Festival in San Jose

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Here are some photographs from the lovely evening program held to commemorate and celebrate the fortunate day when Sri 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. View photos…

Srila Janardan Maharaj Sings Hari Haraye Namah Krishna

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Srila Janardan Maharaj sings Nama-Sankirttana at the end of the Sunday Feast. Watch video…

Yashomati Nandana – Morning and Noon Arotik Song

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Srila Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, sings Sri Nama Kirttana. This is the song we sing at morning and noon arotiks.. Here are the lyrics by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur and their translation as well. Listen to the song…

Invitation to Festival this Wednesday for Sriman Gauranga Sundar’s Installation Anniversary

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Kumkum Devi Dasi | 1 Comments

We wholeheartedly invite you to the divine celebration of the 12th anniversary of Sriman Gauranga Sundar’s installation at His permanent home, “His own home,” as Srila Govinda Maharaj said–at 269 East Saint James St. in San Jose on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. View invitation…

How to Wear a Sari

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Vrinda Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

Learn in 12 easy steps how to put on a Sari.

Morning Class on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 20: Instructions to Sanatan Goswami – Expansions of the Lord

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

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. Listen to lecture…

Janardan Maharaj Talks About His Trip to China and Kartik Month

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Sushila Devi Dasi | 0 Comments

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. Listen to lecture…