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Sri Govinda Mela 2022 July 19th – July 26th

Posted by Hasyapriya Das on Saturday, May 21st, 2022 in Events, Uncategorized

We are very happy to announce that the registration is now open for the Govinda Mela festival and retreat.

Govinda Mela 2022 will be held here at the Soquel Seva Ashram for 8 days starting Tuesday, July 19th through Tuesday, July 26th.
This schedule will allow two days (July 19th & 20th) for arriving and getting tents set up and two days (July 25th & 26th) for packing up and departure. The main programs will be held from Thursday through Sunday (July 21st to 24th).

The programs will include the morning mangal aratis and kirtans, bhajans and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita class. Afternoon and evening programs will include the temple programs and special classes given by Srila Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Devashis Prabhu, Vishakha Devi, Sripad Sudarshan Prabhu and other devotees from our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math family. Harinam sankirtan will be organized and of course the famous Santa Cruz beach bonfire! And we will again honor Sri Giriraj with His abhisheka (bathing ceremony) at the Sri Girirajraj mandir with chanting and dancing parikrama along the Via Govinda path to the top of the hill. Special programs will also be organized for the children.

We ask that everyone who is planning on coming to please register with us to help us better plan for the events. Also, we humbly request that each participant donate $25 to help cover the costs of the event. But please do not hesitate to register and come even if you cannot afford to give a donation!

Donations can be made on our website at http://SevaAshram.net/donate/ Please enter Govinda Mela in the comments field and the names of the devotees who will be attending. (This site works much better from a computer rather than a phone.)

Cli c k here to register to Govinda Mela 2022.

If you have any difficulty accessing the registration form, please, contact us by sending an email at GovindaMela2022@gmail.com or contacting our team via text (WhatsApp) +1 (236) 818-3740. We will be happy to assist you to make this process fast and easy!

We will publish more information as it becomes available. And we value your comments and suggestions.

Harinam Sankirtan in Santa Cruz Saturday with Ashram Maharaj

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Friday, April 3rd, 2015 in Events, Friends of the Ashram | Comments (0)

Dear devotees and friends of the Ashram,

Srila Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj is keen to do Harinam Sankirtan in Santa Cruz this weekend before he returns to Mexico. Please join us Saturday at 6 pm on Pacific Avenue. We will meet at O’Neill’s surf shop by the Regal Cinema 9. Parking is difficult on beautiful Saturday nights so remember to leave early or carpool.

Special Saturday in San Jose with Madhusudan Maharaj

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Thursday, November 27th, 2014 in Events | Comments (0)

Kartik Kirtan Including Sikshastakam Songs

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Monday, October 20th, 2014 in Audio | Comments (0)

The following tracks are posted to help the practitioners in our Ashram learn the extra kirtans that are sung every morning and evening during the month of Kartik. They are not officially produced and released yet, but I am posting them here anyway because I know that the devotees who recorded them want to help others. Scroll down for an e-book of the kirtan guide.

Morning

The following tracks were recorded by Manasa Krishna Prabhu and Sadhu Priya Prabhu in Russia.

Nadiya Nagare Nitai.mp3

Nagare Nagare Gora Gay.mp3

Damodarastakam.mp3

Hey Deva Bhavantam.mp3

Radhe Jaya Jaya.mp3

Jaya Radha Madhava.mp3

Evening (Sikshastakam songs)

The following kirtans written by Bhaktivinod Thakur correspond to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s eight principle teachings called Sri Sikshastakam. They were recorded at SCS Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah and feature Sudarshan, Bimal Krishna, and Nitai Prabhus along with others.

01 Pita Barana Kali.mp3

02 Tuhun Doya Sagara.mp3

03 Sri Krishna Kirttane Jodi Manasa Tohara.mp3

04 Prabhu Pada Tava Juge.mp3

05 Anadi Karama Phole.mp3

06 Aparadha Phole Mama.mp3

07 Gaite Gaite Nama.mp3

08 Bandhu Gan Sunoho Bacana Mora.mp3

Below are e-books of the kirtan guide so that you can follow along with the words. I copied the following descriptions from GaudiyaDarshan.com’s e-book directory.

Kirtan Guide
by Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

A comprehensive collection of Gaudiya–Vaishnav songs and prayers as sung at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Nabadwip. Compiled, translated, and published by Sadhu Priya Prabhu of Australia.

Kirtan Guide (Pocket Edition)
By Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

A revised and abridged version of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math’s Kirtan Guide. In this new edition the songs have been grouped into categories and laid out according to the manner in which they are sung. New songs have been added, an explanation and series of examples for the ornaments (akars) added to numerous songs has been provided, and a set of guidelines for following Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math’s style of kirtan has been included.

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)

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.

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Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj with Ratan Krishna and Jatindra Mohan Prabhus sit for a minute when they first arrive

then go outside to the backyard, where Brajamohini Didi greets them

Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj talks with Adeshwar Didi and her husband Stefan

along with Kumkum Didi, the manager of the San Jose Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram

It is a warm San Jose evening

perfect for catching up with friends outside

Divyashakti Didi just returned from India and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu is happy to come for the first time to this historic house

Vimala Didi is happy as ever and Brajamohini Didi prepares the offering

Jayanta Krishna Prabhu shows Srila Janardan Maharaj his new pizza oven

Varsabhanavi Didi has fun with one of the rabbits

Jayanta Krishna Prabhu's Italian neighbor came for the occasion...

inaugurating the authentic brick pizza oven

Dinartihara Prabhu is the pizza chef tonight

He started making dough and sauce after the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class in Soquel around 9 am

Shyama Mohini and Bali play on the big fig tree

which has now entertained two generations of devotee children

Kalindi Didi meets with the Italian neighbor in the splendid sunlight as it sets

and with Vimala Didi as well, who is herself Italian

Vimala Didi, Sushila Didi, and Bilwa Mangal Prabhu

Vimala Didi has been serving in San Jose since this 17th Street temple first opened in 1991

Srila Janardan Maharaj and Srila Ashram Maharaj sit down

in the lovely temple room to lead the sankirtan of Vaishnava songs

and Srila Janardan Maharaj starts telling stories

some of which are characteristically humorous

He describes some of the history of the 17th Street house

Which was the temple for many years and then the women’s ashram

Ashram Maharaj speaks as well

and everyone is happy to hear from him

The devotees sat in the two front room to listen

to the excellent talk

Divyashakti Didi smiles happily with Jatindra Mohan Prabhu in the background

Krishna Madhuri Didi, who also attended the morning Chaitanya Charitamrita class today

Jivan Krishna Prabhu and Varsabhanavi Didi visiting from Virginia to take advantage of Srila Ashram Maharaj's association

(left to right) Lavanika, Jairam Prabhu and Sridhar Prabhu

Damodar Prabhu, Krishna Madhuri, Kalindi, and Laksmipriya Didis prepare a succulent salad

in the sun filled kitchen

Vimala Didi is happy to see Ratan Krishna Prabhu

so they pose together for a photo

Brajamohini Didi, the hostess working hard

along with Jivana Didi and Abha Didi

Abha Didi and Jairam Prabhu's daughter Lavanika sings a song after honoring several pieces of pizza

Srila Ashram Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj are served prasadam in the sitting room

and after the veritable feast devotees gather around them

to hear more stories

Srila Janardan Maharaj also told some of very wonderful stories about Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj

Everyone was eager to hear these stories

which made everyone happy...

finally people gathered again outside

and said their goodbyes

as the warm lovely evening passed into night

Dinartihara made about 30 pizzas tonight

each one a little different from the last

but all very delicious with thin crusts and plenty of sauce and toppings

Devotees kept lining up for more

So that they would get a slice that was still piping hot

Even after the sun had set the night was warm

and the mood was very jolly

Damodar Prabhu prepared the pizza dough

and Narayani put the toppings on

Balls of dough, the cheese, and some pepper slices

Taking a turn in the oven

and finally in their finished state

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!

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)

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:

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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)

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.

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The club meets 11-1 on Tuesdays in front of the Library

Ashram Maharaj led kirtan and gave a nice talk

Lila Madhuri and Varsa Devi Dasis, Ratan Krishna and Dinabandhu Prabhus, James and some guests attended the program

Srila Ashram Maharaj reported later that "time flew by" and it was a very good program

Namahatta in Corralitos at Chinmoyananda’s

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)

March 2, 2012

Just before Sri Gaura Purnima, Chinmoyananda Prabhu invited the devotees to his house in Corralitos for kirtan, krishna katha and prasadam. Sarvabhavana Prabhu related some of the points he heard from Srila Govinda Maharaj over the years about the glories of the holy name, the ten offenses to the holy name, and how to avoid those offenses. Here are a few points that were mentioned:

“We don’t need a dictionary definition of humility. We just have to look at the vaishnavas like Ramai Prabhu and Janardan Maharaj…

Ego robs us of all happiness in spiritual life; for example, when we miss out on so much love and affection because we think we were right about a small point and won’t let go of it…

Giving honor is a gift to us because it makes us feel so uplifted–good qualities come to us if we look for them…dwelling in faults we get dragged down and the faults come to us…”

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Everyone mercifully posed so I could photograph the whole group

Chinmoyananda, Sarvabhavana and Ratan Krishna Prabhus chanting

Ratan Krishna Prabhu playing mridanga nicely

Jatindra Prabhu and Rasangi didi

Enthusiastically singing lovely vaishnava songs...

reading their English translations...

and playing karatals

Damodar Prabhu with Tulsi and Sureshwari didis...

who sing happily

Sarvabhavana Prabhu is very inspired

"We do not know anybody’s position so we must be tolerant and we have to find a way to praise everybody."

"We are in a boat with all the devotees. Srila Acharya Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj are helping us and Srila Govinda Maharaj is the captain."

Sarvabhavana Prabhu also sings very nicely

"Hari haraye nama krishna..."

"...jaya jaya gurudev!"

Chinmoyananda Prabhu in a contemplative mood

Tulsi didi is happy to have kirtan in the company of devotees

Damodar Prabhu as well

Sureshwari didi serves the generous feast prepared by Ratan Krishna Prabhu

Rasangi and Tulsi didis line up as Sureshwari didi serves the kichuri, puris and more

Everyone gets ready to strike a pose before it's time to leave

All glories to Chinmoyanada Prabhu!

Paradevi’s Namahatta in Berkeley

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Monday, March 19th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)

Winter 2011-2012

Paradevi mercifully organizes monthly namahatta programs at her home in Berkeley for devotees who live in the East Bay. Here are photos from her two most recent namahattas. Bhakti Lalita Devi was the guest of honor at one and Vimala didi at the other. There are quite a few devotees from our community who live in the East Bay. If you are interested in meeting them write to info@SevaAshram.org. The next namahatta in Berkeley is scheduled for the last week of March.

Photos by Braja Mohini didi:

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Bhakti Lalita Didi reads to a happy audience including Annapurna and Lilasundari didis

Mahalakshmi didi listens attentively

The book is Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Loving Search for the Lost Servant

Yogeshwar and Jayanta Krishna Prabhus on the couch

Paradevi and Bhakti Lalita didis

Kumaris Radhadasi and Shyamamohini...

...with kumaris Sita and Anjana

More recently Vimala didi was the guest of honor

Mahalakshmi didi, Ekala, and Nowla Kishor Prabhus join Vimala didi in kirtan

Anupama didi, Madhavindra and Jayanta Krishna Prabhus

Vimala didi shares Srila Gurudev's message of divine love

Yogeshwar Prabhu is also at the program

The other Mahalakshmi didi and a nice view of Paradevi's altar

Vimala didi is always praying to be an instrument of Srila Gurudev's mercy

Although initially shy to speak in front of the devotees...

she becomes very animated

The devotees listen peacefully

And chant the glories of the Lord and His devotees

Now everyone is happy

All glories to Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj!

San Jose Nagarsankirtan

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Sunday, March 18th, 2012 in 2012 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)

March 3, 2012

In anticipation of the Sri Gaura Purnima festival, Braja Mohini didi inspired a group of devotees to go out and chant the holy name in downtown San Jose.

Photos by Braja Mohini didi:

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The devotees gather together in front of the San Jose Ashram

It is a lovely day to walk and chant with family and friends...

so everyone gets going

Kids lead the way

The group heads to the heart of downtown San Jose

Here they pass San Jose city hall

And continue into the light

"hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare, hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare"

Kumaris Anuradha and Shyamamohini

Shyamamohini gives out an invitation to the upcoming festival

Kumari Anjali was also part of the group

All the girls spontaneously pose for the camera

Srila Janardan Maharaj Preaching at Cabrillo College

Posted by Hasyapriya Das on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 in Videos | Comments (0)

What is Bhakti Yoga? What is the highest level of consciousness? Srila Janardan Maharaj explains how bhakti is beyond hankering and lamentation in this short video from the Bhakti Yoga Club at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California in October 2011 at Srila Janardan Maharaj’s “Simple Living and High Thinking” lecture. Watch Video…

Namahatta at Sridhar Prabhu’s Home

Posted by Hasyapriya Das on Friday, December 30th, 2011 in 2011 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)

In July Sridhar Prabhu and Madhumita Devi invited Srila B.P. Janardan Maharaj, Sripad B.S. Vaishnav Maharaj, and Sripad B.C. Parvat Maharaj to a namahatta at their house in the South Bay. Srila Janardan Maharaj told stories about Srila Gurudev’s world tours and answered questions posed by guests. The prasadam was lovely and everyone was happy.

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Namahatta with Sripad Puri Maharaj at Braja Mohini’s Home

Posted by Sushila Devi Dasi on Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 in 2011 Photo Gallery | Comments (0)

March, 2011

Last Spring Braja Mohini Devi Dasi and Jayanta Krishna Prabhu invited Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaj to their home in San Jose. Their elegant Craftsman bungalow, the former 17th St. temple seemed to glow with affection and dedication. Srila Govinda Maharaj personally visited that house as for many years it was the center of our devotional community. Everyone was therefor very happy to reunite in that blessed house for Harinam Sankirttan, sadhu-sangha and prasadam. Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj had just returned from Sri Nabadwip Dham and enthusiastically told stories about his travels, especially about the grand inauguration festival in Sri Ekachakra Dham.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Vaishnava Seva Society