March 5, 2012
Recent photos of the Soquel Seva Ashram garden:
Author Archive for Sushila Devi Dasi – Page 10
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…”
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!
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:
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!
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:
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
March 9, 2012
In honor of the grand festival Sri Jagannath Misra held after Mahaprabhu’s appearance, Sarvabhavana Prabhu read from Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat about the Lord’s childhood water-sporting lila. After the class and arotik for Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari in the temple, everyone walked outside to the Pushpa Samadhi Mandir of Srila Govinda Maharaj. Ramai Prabhu offered the beautiful feast prepared by Rajani didi and the other dedicated cooks to Srila Govinda Maharaj as the devotees chanted the Mahamantra. Afterward he offered arotik and everyone sang His Divine Grace’s arotik song: Jaya Jaya Gurudever Aroti Ujjvala…
Photos by Murali Mohan Prabhu and Swarnangii didi.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari (and Sri Giriraj)!
Their Lordship's offering prepared by the dedicated cooks
Prem Narayan Prabhu visiting from Mendocino and Vidyasundar Prabhu visiting from Vancouver with his son Jagannath
Sarvabhavana Prabhu reads the amusing childhood water-sporting pastimes of Sriman Mahaprabhu
Ramananda Prabhu
Adi Keshava Prabhu–showing good health and happiness to be back at the temple
Laksmipriya didi decorated the temple room with help from Damodar Prabhu and others
Swarnangii didi
Laksmipriya and Sushila didis
Vimala didi
Arotik of Their Lordships
Chinmoyananda Prabhu in good spirits
Dikshavati didi
Krishnendrani and Narayani didis
Jatindra Mohan Prabhu
Naveen Prabhu
Kalindi didi
Rasangi didi
Ajita Krishna Prabhu
Rasangi and her daughter Nadia didis
Nadia didi and her friend
The devotees walk to the Pushpa Samadhi of Srila Govinda Maharaj
The altar of Srila Govinda Maharaj
Special kirtan at the Pushpa Samadhi
Rajani didi carries the offering
Ramai Prabhu Archa Niketana prepares to offer arotik to Srila Govinda Maharaj
Enjoying the lovely day
Vaishnavi didi plays karatals
Prem Narayan Prabhu, Alex, Ratan Krishna, Vidyasundar, and Sarvabhavana Prabhus
Ramai blows the conch
Almost time for the feast
All glories to all the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!
This year Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu led the Sri Gaura Purnima festivities. After singing many vaishnava songs all together in the temple room, while the kitchen crew worked hard and the children prepared their costumes, he summarized Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes very nicely and then read from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita about the Lord’s appearance lila.
Many old friends and several new guests joined us for this happy festival. Now that it has come and gone we still feel invigorated and inspired to go on chanting and dive a little deeper into spiritual life.
Photos by Swarnangii didi with captions by Jatindra Mohan Prabhu:
Their Most Beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga Gandharvika-Giridhari on the appearance day of Mahaprabhu
The room is illuminated by the confidential effulgence from the altar of Their Lordships
The anxious joyous anticipation abounds!
Sarvabhavana Prabhu gives a summary of Sriman Mahaprabhu's pastimes and then reads from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita
Jay Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Asottara Sata Sri Srimad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda-Dev Goswami Maharaj ki jai!
Sarvabhavana Prabhu leads a joyous kirtan for Their Lordship's pleasure
Dinatihara Prabhu with Bilwamangala and Ajita Krishna Prabhus, both visiting from Mendocino
Their Lordship's expert cooks: Sureshwari, Rajani, and Radhika didis
Sureshwari and Vaishnavi didis
The never-tiring Vidura Krishna Prabhu, helping to prepare the divine birthday feast for Sriman Mahaprabhu
Krishnendrani didi with Dinatihara Prabhu
Kumaris Radhadasi and Sita
Prema Prabhu and his niece Jahnava
Ekadasi prasadam
Amiya Kanti didi traveled from Vancouver to observe the festivities. Here she is making garlands
Krishna Priya didi making garlands
Krishna Priya directed the children's plays this year
There were three plays and each one was very good
The kids worked hard for months to prepare for this
Sangita didi taught several of the girls a dance which they performed before the plays
All glories to the Divine Appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!
March 4, 2012
Feeling inspired after the Sunday Feast, Ekala Prabhu snapped these wonderful shots of the Soquel Seva Ashram property as he walked from the driveway all the way to the top of the hill. After a refreshing rain storm during the week the weekend weather was very warm and clear.
Invitation to Sri Gaura Purnima – Seva Ashram Home
His Grace Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj is the Sevaite-Acharya of our Santa Cruz Seva Ashram. An expert preacher, he embodies the principles of bhakti-yoga and self-surrender. The following recordings include lectures from Sunday feasts, festival days, preaching programs, and daily classes on the holy scripture Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. To read his biography click here.
If you are unable to listen to these files on your computer, please send an email to Info@SevaAshram.org. We may be able to send you an audio or mp3 CD in the mail.
Lectures delivered on Festival Days:
110910 Bhaktivinod Thakur Appearance.mp3 (38 minutes, 26.3 MB)
Daily Morning Reading from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita:
110826 Adi Ch 11 Branches of Lord Nityananda.mp3 (43 Minutes, 29.7 MB)
110829 Adi Ch13 Appearance Lila.mp3 (30 minutes, 20.3 MB)
110830 Adi Ch14 Childhood Lila.mp3 (40 minutes, 30.2 MB)
110901 Adi Ch16 Dig Vijai Pandit.mp3 (58 minutes, 40.4 MB)
February 5th, 2012
This year we are fortunate that Srila Janardan Maharaj was here to lead our celebration honoring the Divine Appearance of Lord Nityananda. The program started at 11:30 am with arati of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari and continued with seated kirtan. Maharaj led many songs including: Gaurangera Duti Pada, Nitai Gunamani, Nitai Pada Kamala, Emona Durmati, and others. After the kirtan Srila Janardan Maharaj read from the fifth chapter of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami. This chapter explains the ontological position of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who is non-different from Sri Baladev in Krishna’s lila. Lord Vishnu, Lord Narayan, Sankarshan, the Chatur-vyuha, and all other expansions of the Personality of Godhead are coming from Lord Nityananda’s Divine Personality. Srila Janardan Maharaj emphasized that Lord Nityananda is the “Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead”. He is the first expansion from Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and is wholesale dedicated to His divine service.
After the class Maharaj led a standing kirtan and everyone honored a prasadam feast.
(photos by Madhumati Didi)
All glories to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari
All glories to Lord Nityananda!
All glories to Srila Janardan Maharaj!
Bilwamangal Prabhu's father came to town for the festival
Ratan Krishna Prabhu and Bilwamangal Prabhu
Little Jahnava, Kumari Devaki, and Saki Prabhu
Madhav and Jahnava
Sureshwari, Krishna Kanti, and Rasangi Devis making samosas
Dikshavati and Divyashakti Devis taking a turn with the samosas
Dikshavati is quite a goofy person
Vrinda Devi preaching to Harindu Prabhu...
who seems quite interested
Rajani Devi and Dikshavati Devi
Bhagavat and Hasyapriya Prabhus with Narayani Devi catch up outside
Young Gopal and Jananivas Prabhus
Krishna Priya meets with the kids to plan the Gaura Purnima play
Nabh and his father Jai Ram Prabhu...
very happily honor prasadam together
Sangita Devi, who is going to teach the children an Indian dance
Ajita Krishna and Naveen Prabhus
Vaidehi Devi and Bilwamangal Prabhu
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-chandra-sushitala,
ye chayaya jagata judaya
hena nitai bine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai,
dridha kari dhara nitaira paya
(Prarthana: 37.1)
“The lotus feet of Nitai are cooling like ten million moons. Their shade soothes the world. O brothers! Without Nitai, one cannot reach Radha-Krishna. Firmly clasp the feet of Nitai!”
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks about Nityananda Prabhu
Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu no one will get Krsna-prem, without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu one will not proceed even one inch in their spiritual life.
We are very fortunate souls because we heard the divine Name of Nityananda Prabhu and we are following, as possible by us, Nityananda Prabhu’s line. That is most clean and clear for the conditioned souls. We will get everything by the grace of Nityananda Prabhu and His associates. I must say to everyone: take shelter of the lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu and you will have no fear from anywhere. We are all fallen souls and our only hope is the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu.
This quote is from GaudiyaDarshan.com.
The following is a short and informal video clip (3 minutes) of Maharaj telling the pastime of Nityananda Prabhu breaking Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s sannyas staff:
January 27, 2012
This was the second annual Appearance Day Celebration honoring Srila Janardan Maharaj in Soquel and it was unbelievably sweet. For years Janardan Maharaj has traveled annually to Mexico around the time of his birthday. In Soquel we are always sad that Maharaj leaves and that we cannot join the celebration. Now the problem has been solved; we have started to celebrate his birthday according to the lunar calendar. After all, most vaishnava festivals are calculated according to the lunar calendar, including the appearance days of our guru parampara.
Due to his humility Janardan Maharaj only reluctantly agreed to allow this festival but what a wonderful festival it turned out to be! After singing many vaishnava songs all together in the temple room, several devotees were invited to glorify of Srila Janardan Maharaj. If there had not been some concern about finishing the program on time, perhaps many more devotees would have liked to speak. It was an evening program after all, and there was a feast to honor (the menu was selected by Maharaj himself and included his favorite preparations.) We were able to hear from Jivana Devi, Sanatani Devi, Vrinda Devi, Ramachandra Prabhu, Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Sureshwari Devi, Kalindi Devi, and Vimala Devi. Their short speeches were heartfelt and often humorous. The most common themes that arose were humility, humor, friendship and family. Maharaj himself was touched and happy with the devotee’s offerings.
He responded,
…as for hearing everyone I appreciate their kindness and the sweet things they are saying. What can I say? “I just pray I can live up to eveyone’s expectations…The one thing I never wanted to be is a role model of anyone.” I didn’t like being a guru in ISKCON. It is easier to serve someone else than to take responsibility for getting respect from others.
…We have so much we really can’t complain about anything…”We should be ok.”
With that everyone laughed and I believe everyone felt very comfortable and happy. Maharaj was explaining that Srila Govinda Maharaj has given us everything we need and we can have faith that he will continue to take good care of us all. Janardan Maharaj’s mood was that of a gentle and wise father although he expressed himself as a brother. He said he feels like Srila Govinda Maharaj’s disciples are all his brothers and sisters (only some of the children are nieces and nephews.) It was really very clear, even to someone without any spiritual vision such as myself, that Janardan Maharaj is in fact as humble as all the devotees had expressed, and that his whole purpose in life is only to please his spiritual masters.
Jivana related a conversation that Janardan Maharaj had when he left ISKCON (after Srila Prabhupad disappeared from the world) to join Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Someone asked how much of his heart was for Srila Prabhupad and how much for Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He had explained that all three gurus, Srila Prabhupad, Srila Sridhar Maharaj, and Srila Govinda Maharaj occupy a 100% of his heart. “When someone is in your heart you really can’t take them out.” How fortunate are we to have as our friendly guardian this wonderful personality who personally served all three of these great vaishnavas?
I hope you will listen to the recordings from this festival, especially if you feel like part of Janardan Maharaj’s family. Happiness and affection ring out from the expressions of all the devotees and Janardan Maharaj expresses himself very nicely.
Click to listen to lecture: 120127 BPJ Appearance Day.mp3 (52 minutes, 36.2 MB)
Photos were taken by Murali Mohan Prabhu.
Srila Janardan Maharaj ki jay!
Arotik of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari
The rhythm section: Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Ramai Prabhu archa-niketan, and Janardan Maharaj
All glories to Srimati Tulasi Devi!
"Nitai Gaura Hari Bol Hari Bol Hari Bol Hari Bol"
Our honorable Sarvabhavana Prabhu
Janardan Maharaj takes a seat...
and leads many vaishnava songs
Seated kirtan continues with mridanga playing
and many happy devotees chanting the holy name
Sushila, Laksmipriya, Vimala and Vrinda Devis
Hale, Jayanta Krishna and Ratan Krishna Prabhus
Jayananda Prabhu is always enthusiastic for kirtan...
And so is everyone else
Sanatai Devi happily glorifies Srila Janardan Maharaj...
and tells some funny stories from the twenty years she has known him
Jivana Devi gave a lovely talk reminding everyone that Janardan Maharaj is very humble
Vrinda Devi tells a humorous story about Janardan Maharaj pretending to steal Srila Gurudev's mango...
and is clearly enlivened
What a smile!
Even Janardan Maharaj is happy to remember so many stories
This is an exciting class
Ramachandra Prabhu takes a turn
Sarvabhavana Prabhu as well
Jivana Devi and Ramachandra Prabhu
Some of lovely community
Kalindi was very moved to say some words about Maharaj...
especially about the good influence he has been in her own life
Vimala Devi also spoke about Janardan Maharaj's influence in her life...
and made him laugh
Kumari Shivani practices a dance
Please join us for worship and glorification of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. If you do not know much about Nityananda Prabhu, this will be an excellent opportunity to hear about His qualities. He is extremely merciful and has very charming pastimes. View invitation…
Friday, January 20, 2012
On January 9th Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj left this world. On January 20th his friends and family gathered at the temple for a service in his honor. Srila Janardan Maharaj had recently returned from Mexico and led the program. Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj touched the hearts of many and will be remembered for his dynamic preaching and dedication to our beloved Srila Gurudev.
Please view his website, toshani.com, to read his memoirs.
Photos by Madhumati Didi:
The program started with Arotik to Their Lordships
and Tulasi parikrama
Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj's friends and family
Sanatani didi, Sripad Parvat Maharaj, Mr. Banerjee and Hasyapriya Prabhu
Please join us for worship and glorification of Srila Janardan Maharaj on the auspicious day of his divine advent. We are very fortunate that Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj is the guardian of our Soquel Seva Ashram and that we have his nurturing association. View invitation…
Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj’s exciting lectures convey his deep and contagious appreciation for Srila Govinda Maharaj and his teachings. Vaishnav Maharaj’s tone was always very honest and his advice focused on the essential aspects of Bhakti-yoga. Our recordings include Sunday Feast lectures, Saturday Feast lectures at the San Jose Ashram, classes on Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam, and short (1-5 minute) clips from those lectures.
Lectures delivered at the Sunday Feast:
110710 Reciprocating with Gurudev.mp3 (46 minutes, 32.1 MB)
110918 Controlling Anger.mp3 (48 minutes, 33 MB)
110828 Finding Beauty in the Company of Devotees.mp3 (33 minutes, 30.3 MB)
- The beautiful cover of Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam by Srila Sridhar Maharaj
Evening Classes on Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam:
Throughout the winter and spring of 2010/2011 Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj gave class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from the holy scripture Sri Sri Prapanna Jivanamritam by Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Vaishnav Maharaj insisted that everyone in the class would take turns reading the verses. Although various devotees read the particular Sanskrit and Bengali verses, Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj illuminates their meaning and mentions illuminating anecdotes from his early experiences in Krishna Consciousness as well as his long years of personal service to Srila Govinda Maharaj.
Scroll down to download or view a pdf of the text.
File names describe the chapters and verses covered during the class. For example, the first one is on chapter 1 verses 1-37.
110307_PJ_1.1-37.mp3 (71 minutes, 50 MB)
110321 PJ 1.38-2.4.mp3 (47 minutes, 32.3 MB)
110328 PJ 2.22-3.3.mp3 (59 minutes, 40 MB)
110330 PJ 3.4-3.12.mp3 (83 minutes, 56.9 MB) (This one is especially good.)
110406 PJ 3.13-23.mp3 (73 minutes, 50.4 MB)
110414 PJ 3.28-4.7.mp3 (72 minutes, 33.1 MB)
[gview file=”http://sevaashram.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Sri-Sri-Prapanna-Jivanamritam1.pdf”]
Faith in Krishna Consciousness
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.
