Archive for Events – Page 4
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Dear devotees and friends of the Ashram,
Please join us as the full moon rises for a grand festival honoring the auspicious occasion of the Divine Appearance Day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Gaura Purnima. The festival will begin Wednesday, March 23rd at 6 pm in Santa Cruz and San Jose and include a midday feast the following day in Santa Cruz. Please join us and bring your friends along too!
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
vande gurūn īśa-bhaktān
īśam īśāvatārakān
tat-prakāśāṁś cha tach-chaktīḥ
kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-saṁjñakam
īśam īśāvatārakān
tat-prakāśāṁś cha tach-chaktīḥ
kṛṣṇa-chaitanya-saṁjñakam
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord’s incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies and the primeval Lord Himself, Sri Krishna Chaitanya.”
–First verse of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita
Sri Gaura Purnima
The Divine Appearance Day of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu
Wendesday, March 23, 2016
6 pm in Santa Cruz
6 pm in San Jose
6 pm in San Jose
(fast until moonrise)
Anandotsav of
Sri Jagannath Mishra
Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachi Devi with baby Nimai
Thursday, March 24, 2016
11 am in Santa Cruz
Reading material:Sri Chaitanyadev and Sri Chaitanyadev: The Most Generous Absolute ~ 2 excerpts from Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion Vol. 1 by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
Audio: Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj leading kirtan chanting the Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita slokas Adi-lila:13, 89-124 at the time of moonrise on Sri Gaura-Purnima 2004.
34 mins 8.1 MB mp3 audio
Audio:Kirtan chanted by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on the Adhivas Day of Sri Gaura-Purnima Parikrama 2004: Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s compositions, Goptritve Varaha (Ki jani ki bole, tomara dhamete…) and Dainyatmika (Emona durmmati, samsara bhitare…).
10 minutes, 3 MB mp3 audio.
The words and translations are in our Math’s Kirtan Guide.
Audio:Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita reading by Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj with wonderful commentaries from the teachings of Srila Govinda Maharaj, Srila Sridhar Maharaj, and Srila Prabhupad about these key first verses in the mangala charanam or auspicious invocation of the text:
Adi-lila Chapter 1: The Spiritual Masters (46 minutes, 33.2 MB)
More:Extensive list of written, audio, and video materials related to Sri Gaura Purnima on SCSMath.com.
Important links:
Dear devotees and friends of the Ashram,
Please join our upcoming festival for the celebration of The Divine Appearance of the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and worldwide Sri Gaudiya Maths, Bhagavan Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad. This year the occasion falls on Sunday, February 28th. Join us for a beautiful daytime program in Santa Cruz beginning at noon.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Divine Appearance Festival of Bhagavan Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Santa Cruz: 12 Noon
San Jose: 6 pm arotik, 6:30 prasadam, 7 pm kirtans and discourse
sri siddhanta-saraswatiti
vidito gaudiya-gurv-anvaye
bhato bhanuriva prabhata-gagane
yo gaura-sankirtanaih
mayavada-timingilodara-gatan
uddhritya jivaniman
krishna-prema-sudhabdhi-gahana-sukham
pradat prabhum tam bhaje
“In the great Gaudiya Vaishnava teacher’s line, as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati he’s 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 teachings of Lord Gauranga to sing the Holy Name of Lord Sri Krishna, he gave all the chance to dive in the ocean of love of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Person. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, my lord, divine master–at his feet do I pray to serve him forever.”–Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
“You are all in the group of Srila Saraswati Thakur’s divine servitors, you all, all over the world. Not only our mission, so many missions manifested in this world after Saraswati Thakur and all is the divine group of Srila Saraswati Thakur’s servants. And finally the whole world has got that ecstasy of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra…. The supreme mantram in this age of kali yuga; that comes from Srila Saraswati Thakur through his divine associates. Then everything is very glorious today.” –Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
on Bhagavan Srila B.S. Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad’s appearance day, 28 February 2005.
on Bhagavan Srila B.S. Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad’s appearance day, 28 February 2005.
A particularly clear recording:
49+ minutes, 11+ MB mp3 audioYou can follow the song by reading here:
Sri Dayita Das Pranati Panchakam (pdf file).
“We are not moralists or sinners, scholars or illiterates. We are carriers of the shoes of the Lord’s sincere servants who are initiated into the mantra “Kirtaniya sada Harih: the Lord’s Name is to be chanted constantly.” Do not criticise the characters of others; purify yourself. This is my advice.
In the policy of Mahaprabhu we do not find the policies of the ksatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, or yavanas. We understand from His teachings that He supported the highest of the rishis’ policies. Following His lead, we also will support Brahma’s policy: Bhagavat-dharma.
Serving the residents of Vraja who are heartbroken in separation after Krishna’s departure for Mathura is our highest ideal.”
In the policy of Mahaprabhu we do not find the policies of the ksatriyas, vaishyas, shudras, or yavanas. We understand from His teachings that He supported the highest of the rishis’ policies. Following His lead, we also will support Brahma’s policy: Bhagavat-dharma.
Serving the residents of Vraja who are heartbroken in separation after Krishna’s departure for Mathura is our highest ideal.”
–Excerpt from My Advice by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Originally published in the print magazine
Sri Gaudiya Darshan, on February 10, 1956.
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
There will be a grand Vyasapuja festival for our dear and honorable Acharya Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj on Saturday the 13th of February, 2016. Please plan to come from 11 am to 2 pm.
We are expecting at least 10 devotees to join us for the celebration from Tijuana and so even though on the calendar Srila Janardan Maharaj’s Vyasapuja is on Friday the 12th, to accommodate our visitors from abroad the festival will be held on Saturday.
Grand Vyasapuja Celebration
honoring
Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj
Saturday, February 13th
11 am – 2 pm
Saturday is the holy day of Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami, and the Appearance day of Sri Vishnu Priya Devi, Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, and Srila Raghu Nandan Thakur. It is also the Disappearance day of Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur and Sri Saraswati Puja.
If you can help with decorations or other preparations please call (831) 462-4712. There are many opportunities for seva on this joyful occasion.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
The following is an excerpt from Srila Janardan Maharaj’s biography:
“His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj first joined the Krishna Consciousness Movement around 1970 in Europe, where he took shelter of the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. He remained there actively helping with the preaching activities until Srila Swami Maharaj asked him and many other disciples to go to India to help expand the Mission there. Seeing that this was very important service Srila Janardan Maharaj immediately went there and helped with his full energy.
After serving in India for two years, Srila Swami Maharaj conferred the sannyas ashram on him and thus he began to lead various preaching and collecting programs throughout the length and breadth of India.
After doing all he could in that environment, he was asked by Srila Swami Maharaj to organize the program in Hong Kong, then finding that Srila Janardan Maharaj was fluent in Spanish, he was dispatched to South America where he headed many preaching programs and finally took full charge of the large Mission in Mexico….
…Srila Janardan Maharaj continued to travel and preach on behalf of Srila Govinda Maharaj and his relationship with him developed more and more and became deeper and deeper as the years went by. Srila Janardan Maharaj would visit India regularly and personally collected donations on behalf of the central Math. He would also participate in the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Nabadwip Dham Parikrama in a glorious way bringing so much inspiration to the devotees and much joy to Srila Govinda Maharaj’s heart.
Finally, before leaving this world, Srila Govinda Maharaj declared in his Last Will and Testament “And in America Sripad Janardan Maharaj is a perfect personality. He is a perfect gentlemen. He will be Acharya. He is Acharya already but has given all the respect to me; I am giving in return to him. Sripad Janardan Maharaj will become the Acharya and Sevaite of the Soquel Math.” So, under Srila Govinda Maharaj’s instruction, Srila Janardan Maharaj has continued to care for and serve his divine mission.”
Read articles by and about Srila Janardan Maharaj in the Seva Ashram Post…
Vaishnava calendar:
• January 30, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Jayadev Goswami
• February 1, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Lochan Das Thakur
• February 4, 2016 – Shat-tila Ekadasi
• February 5, 2016 – Break fast from 7:15 to 9:30 am
• February 12, 2016 – Appearance Day of Srila Janardan Maharaj (celebration the following day)
• February 13, 2016 – Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami; Appearance day of Sri Vishnu Priya Devi, Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, and Srila Raghu Nandan Thakur…
• February 15, 2016 – Appearance of Mahavishnu Avatar Sri Advaita Acharya
• February 16, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Madhva Acharya
• February 17, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Ramanuja Acharya
• February 18, 2016 – Bahimi Ekadasi
• March 23, 2016 – Sri Gaura Purnima
Important links:
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Homepage
• Seva Ashram Homepage (news from California)
• Seva Ashram Post (spiritual reading material)
• SCS Math International (news from India)
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
Next week Sripad Bhakti Ranjan Madhusudan Maharaj returns to Northern California for programs in Ukiah, Davis, and Chico to speak on the basics of Bhakti Yoga, the benefits of Kirtan, and the way to find the highest harmony though proper adjustment with the environment.
Culture a feeling of necessity for the most valuable thing!
“When everything is done for the Center of all Beauty, everything is beautifully done.”
– Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj
Come and receive a clear vision of the sweetest ideal from the auspicious association of the Vaishnava sadhu. Learn the art of surrender to the Absolute Good and open the inner eye to Infinity. Experience through Bhakti how Beauty is above power and is the all-harmonizing principle.
Everyone is invited and the events are free. Followed by delicious vegetarian feasts.
Sincerely,
Braja Mohini Devi Dasi
Follow BhaktiConnect on Facebook
Kirtan & Bhakti Yoga Workshop
with Madhusudan Maharaj
Monday, January 18
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Yoga Mendocino
Mason St, Ukiah, California 95482
(707) 462-2580
The Highest Harmony
with Madhusudan Maharaj
Tuesday, January 19
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Community Pool Building
201E. 14th Street, Corner of B & 14th, Davis, CA 95616
Kirtan Revolution
Wednesday, January 20
7 – 9 pm
Yoga Center of Chico
Vallombrosa #150, Chico, California 95926
Vaishnava calendar:
- January 19, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 20, 2016 – Break fast 7:26 to 10:41 am. Appearance of Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 24, 2016 – Purnima, Pusyabhisheka Yatra of Sri Krishna, Disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj
- March 23, 2016 – Sri Gaura Purnima
Important links:
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
Sripad Bhakti Ranjan Madhusudan Maharaj will be here this weekend and next week he is going on one last tour to Ukiah, Davis, and Chico before leaving the USA. This is our last chance to show him a warm welcome and great time in Soquel.
Sripad Yudhamanyu Prabhu has returned from China and we also want to give him a warm welcome home.
Please come to the Sunday Feast. Let’s have a great turnout and a roaring kirtan!
Sincerely,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Vaishnava calendar:
- January 19, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 20, 2016 – Break fast 7:26 to 10:41 am. Appearance of Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 24, 2016 – Purnima, Pusyabhisheka Yatra of Sri Krishna, Disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj
- March 23, 2016 – Sri Gaura Purnima
Important links:
Srimad Bhagavad Gita: The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute
Srimad Bhagavad Gita: Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute
Study with Sripad Pusta Krishna Prabhu, who has 40+ years experience as in the Krishna Consciousness movement.
Wednesdays at 7 – 8:30 pm
at the Santa Cruz Seva Ashram
2900 N. Rodeo Gulch Rd.
Soquel, CA 95073
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
The temple was packed with sweet devotees at our festival for Srila Gurudev’s Vyasapuja just the other day. Today we will observe another special festival in honor of the disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur at 6 pm. Both the San Jose and Santa Cruz temples will start their programs at 6 pm. We hope to have your sweet association. Please bring your friends and family.
Below are all the special links posted on SCSMath.com for today.
Sincerely,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Disappearance Festival of
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Saraswati Thakur
Tuesday, December 29th at 6 pm
in San Jose & Santa Cruz
To Whom Shall I Convey My Joy? Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur expresses his joy and sorrow at completing his commentary on Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj specially requested that this poem be recited on the disappearance day of Srila Saraswati Thakur. Posted on the Math’s GaudiyaDarshan.com website.
Audio: Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur’s disappearance day, 1983. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks about the last moments of his Srila Guru Maharaj in this world.
“We were rendering duty in his sick bed, I was also among them, my duty was from 2 o’clock at night to 4 o’clock in the morning. Just before 24 hours of his departure he called for me and asked me to sing a song: Sri Rupa Manjari pada sei mora sampada, this famous song which is supposed to be the highest realisation of any Gaudiya Vaishnava devotee. Then after 24 hours, on the first of January early morning he left the world.”
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur’s disappearance day, 4 January 1983:
11+ minutes, 2.7 MB mp3 audio
Audio: Srila Prabhupad Saraswati Thakur’s life was so exalted from his birth.
“Do what is in favour of service to the Lord Krishna, and all the illusion, bondage, disturbance, material mentality, everything will disappear.” Srila Govinda Maharaj, 23 December 2006.
(26 minutes, 3.4 MB mp3 audio also in higher quality: 6.3 MB.)Audio: Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur’s totalitarian war against maya as it began through his preaching in Kolkata. Srila Govinda Maharaj, 20 December 2006.
(22+ minutes, 2.9 MB mp3 audio also in higher quality: 5.6 MB.)Audio: Disappearance Day of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur: “We are all connected spiritually and materially with Srila Saraswati Thakur, and so fortunate that still we are continuing and carrying his conception all over the world by the grace of Srila Guru Maharaj.” Srila Govinda Maharaj, 8 December 2006.
(45 minutes, 5.7 MB mp3 audio also in higher quality: 11 MB.)
Sloka composed by Srila Gurudev, 30th December 2004. As the feast for Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad’s tirobhava arrived, His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj spontaneously composed this sloka in his honour:
Vaishnava calendar:
- January 5, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 6, 2016 – Paran from 7:29 to 10:38 am
- January 8, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Mahesh Pandit and Srila Uddharan das Thakur
- January 11, 2016 – Appearance of Srila Lochan das Thakur
- January 12, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu and Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 19, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 20, 2016 – Break fast 7:26 to 10:41 am. Appearance of Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 24, 2016 – Purnima, Pusyabhisheka Yatra of Sri Krishna, Disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
Please join us in Santa Cruz and San Jose on December 27th for the joyful celebration of our most worshipable acharya, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj’s Divine Appearance Day. The Santa Cruz program will start at 11 am and the San Jose program will start at 6 pm.
Srila Gurudev stayed here in Soquel many times and this is such a special occasion to remember him. It’s also also a singular opportunity for our members and friends who joined more recently to experience his mercy.
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.
For articles about Srila Govinda Maharaj click here…
For SCS Math’s homepage click here…
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Please join us
Bring your family and friends
The grand 87th appearance day celebration of
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math’s
Sevaite-President- Acharya,
Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya
Sri Srimad Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
Sunday, December 27, 2015
11 am in Santa Cruz
6 pm in San Jose
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
“I offer my obeisance unto Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda DevGoswami Maharaj, who perfectly fulfils his Gurudev’s most cherished desires; who is fully adorned with the blessings of his Gurudev’s associates; who is expert in all aspects of Vedic knowledge, both conceivable and inconceivable; who is the pre-eminent follower of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhu’s line; whose beautiful, exalted, effulgent form is filled with devotion; who is the Guru of the world; and who distributes the seed of divine love for the Supreme Lord.”
Vaishnava calendar:
- December 21, 2015 – Ekadasi
- December 22, 2015 – Paran from 7:24 to 7:31 am
- December 27, 2015 – Grand 87th Appearance Day Celebration of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
- January 5, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 6, 2016 – Paran from 7:29 to 10:38 am
- January 8, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Mahesh Pandit and Srila Uddharan das Thakur
- January 11, 2016 – Appearance of Srila Lochan das Thakur
- January 12, 2016 – Disappearance of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu and Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 19, 2016 – Ekadasi
- January 20, 2016 – Break fast 7:26 to 10:41 am. Appearance of Srila Jagadish Pandit
- January 24, 2016 – Purnima, Pusyabhisheka Yatra of Sri Krishna, Disappearance of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj
Important links:
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
I am pleased to announce that Sripad Bhakti Ranjan Madhusudan Maharaj will be doing a preaching tour of Northern California and Oregon starting today, December 4th. Cinmoy Dev Prabhu and Braja Mohini Devi Dasi have made the arrangements. For more information please feel free to contact them:
Cinmoy Dev Das (831-239-0235)
Braja Mohini Devi Dasi (408-966-7768)
Braja Mohini Devi Dasi (408-966-7768)
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
This is a rare opportunity to meet Sripad Bhakti Ranjan Madhusudhan Maharaj. He is highly regarded as an accomplished practitioner of Bhakti Yoga. He has demonstrated his integrity and dedication to service for the past three decades as the main secretary of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math of West Bengal India where he served under His Divine Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaj and His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj, who are two of the most elevated Bhakti Yoga Vaishnava Saints of the 20th Century.
Sripad Madhusudan Maharaj will briefly explain the path of devotion and there will be Holy Kirtans of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and light refreshments ~ Prasadam.Hare Krishna!
Sushila Devi Dasi
This is a rare opportunity to meet Sripad Bhakti Ranjan Madhusudhan Maharaj. He is highly regarded as an accomplished practitioner of Bhakti Yoga. He has demonstrated his integrity and dedication to service for the past three decades as the main secretary of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math of West Bengal India where he served under His Divine Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaj and His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj, who are two of the most elevated Bhakti Yoga Vaishnava Saints of the 20th Century.
Sripad Madhusudan Maharaj will briefly explain the path of devotion and there will be Holy Kirtans of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and light refreshments ~ Prasadam.Hare Krishna!
Tonight in Arcata, California:
Eugene, Oregon:
Ashland, Oregon:
Chico, California:
Davis, California:
Penngrove, California:
Fairfax, California:
The house of Anukulchandra Prabhu and Jenna
Call for details.
Sunday, December 13, 5:30 pm
Sunday, December 13, 5:30 pm
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
I humbly invite you to please bring your family and friends on Thursday, November 5th, for the Grand 121st Divine Appearance Day of the Founder President Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. The programs will start at 5:30 pm in San Jose and 6 pm in Santa Cruz. Scroll down for details.
Please come at noon on Wednesday as well, if you 
can, to the Santa Cruz Seva Ashram for a special feast honoring Bahulastami, the sannyas day of Srila Govinda Maharaj and Srila Janardan Maharaj, and the anniversary of the inauguration of the Pushpa Samadhi of Srila Govinda Maharaj in Soquel.
The following Thursday, November 12th, we will celebrate Sri Govardhan Puja.
Srila Janardan Maharaj returned a few days ago from a grand festival in Veracruz, Mexico for the anniversary of the installation of the holy deities there.
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govinda Nandanandana
In his lecture at the Sunday Feast yesterday he mentioned that one of the limbs of sharanagati, or surrender, is to accept what is favorable to devotion. Observing vaishnava festivals, including the appearance and disappearance days of our guru parampara and vaishnava saints, is an example of something favorable that we can do in our spiritual lives.
krsna-karsnaga-sad-bhakti-, prapannatvanukulake
krtyatva-niscayas-canu-, kulya-sankalpa ucyate
krtyatva-niscayas-canu-, kulya-sankalpa ucyate
“Everything should be done that encourages the service of Sri Krsna and His devotee, and whatever is conducive to the state of exclusive surrender must be executed: such a firm conviction is called anukulyasya-sankalpah–Acceptance of the Favorable. “
–Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
(Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamritam, 3.1)
(Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamritam, 3.1)
With that, I hope you will join our upcoming festivals, and take advantage of the opportunity to associate with some very special visitors who will be travelling through the Seva Ashram this fall and winter.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
The Grand 121st Appearance Day Celebration of
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math’s
Founder President Acharya,
Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
~
Thursday, November 5th, 2015
6:00 pm in Santa Cruz
5:30 pm in San Jose
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.”
- Many articles by His Divine Grace, Srila Sridhar Maharaj are on the Seva Ashram Post click here
- To read His Divine Graces’ biography click here
- For the front page of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math click here
Vaishnava calendar:
- November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj. Anniversary of the inauguration of Srila Govinda Maharaj’s Pushpa Samadhi Mandir at the Santa Cruz Seva Ashram. Noon feast.
- November 5, 2015 – Grand 121st Appearance of Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Apearance of Srila Virachandra Prabhu. Evening program.
- November 7, 2015 – Mahadvadasi
- November 8, 2015 – Paran from 6:42 to 10:08 am. Mahaprabhu’s auspicious arrival at Panihati
- November 11, 2015 – Dipavali. Offering and placing lamps at temple
- November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
- November 13, 2015 – Disappearance of Srila Vasudev Ghosh Thakur
- November 15, 2015 – Disappearance of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad
- November 19, 2015 – Sri Gopastami, Go Puja, Disappearance of Srila Srinivas Acharya, Dhananjaya Pandit, Gadadhar Das
- December 27, 2015 – Grand 87th Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Important links:
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Homepage
• Seva Ashram Homepage (news from California)
• Seva Ashram Post (spiritual reading material)
• SCS Math International (news from India)
For more information about the event and who it benefits click here
Scroll down for a Goole map to the event
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
Please join us in Santa Cruz at 11 am and San Jose at 5:30 pm on Saturday, the 26th of September for the Divine Appearance Day of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur. Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu will lead the program in Santa Cruz. Srila Janardan Maharaj and Sri Vishakha Devi Dasi will be returning next week from China.
Sri Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi will also speak in San Jose on Friday, September 25th in the evening, for the Appearance of Lord Vamandev and Srila Jiva Goswami.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur’s
Divine Appearance Day
Saturday, September 26th
11 am in Santa Cruz
5:30 pm in San Jose
vande bhakti-vinodam
sri gaura-sakti-svarupakam
bhakti-sastrajna-samrajam
radha-rasa-sudha-nidhim
“I bow to Sri Thakur Bhaktivinod, Mahaprabhu’s love divine personified. He is the king of all knowers of the purpose of the scriptures, and he is the ocean of Sri Radha’s devotion.”
–Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj
Audio. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur’s Appearance Day, 1981. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj tells us how Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur by the order of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur took Gaura Kishor Das Babaji as Gurudev formally, but knowing Bhakti Vinod Thakur was his real guru from the internal consideration. He was filled with Bhakti Vinod Thakur in the spiritual sense. He installed many Maths where the name of the Deities were Vinod Vilas, Vinod Ram, Vinod Ananda, etc. He knew that his attempt to approach Radha Govinda and Mahaprabhu was inconceivable without Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur’s intervention. He saw Radharani and Gadadhar in Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur – the highest ideal of Guru Tattva, in Gaura lila, Gadadhar; and in Krishna lila, Radharani. He also told once that if we rise a little higher and look, we shall find Radharani in Gurudev. The source of the grace of the guru is coming from the original source of service, so he used to see Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur under that light.
12 September 1981:
20+ minutes, 4.7 MB mp3 audio
Audio: Appearance of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur. 6 September 2006 morning informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj at our Dum Dum Park Temple, Kolkata. “Srila Guru Maharaj… mentions…: ‘Not only is he (Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur) the giver of service to Vrindavan Dham, he can give service to Radharani.'”
Download, or listen online (34 minutes, 4 MB mp3 audio) or:
higher quality (7.8 MB mp3 audio).
Audio: Srila Govinda Maharaj speaking on 26 September 2004 from our Soquel, California, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram by phone for the Internet broadcasts hosted by Madhusudan Prabhu of Hawaii.
‘Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s Appearance Day.’
Download or listen online (23 mins, 2.7 MB mp3 audio).
Sri Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi will be staying at the San Jose Seva Ashram until October 10th and will be speaking on the following occasions:
- September 25, 2015 – Appearance of Sri Vamanadev and Srila Jiva Goswami in San Jose at 5:30 pm.
Vaishnava calendar:
- September 24, 2015 – Ekadasi
- September 25, 2015 – Paran from 6:59 to 10:59 am. Appearance of Sri Vamanadev and Srila Jiva Goswami. Bhakti Lalita’s talk in San Jose at 5:30 pm.
- September 26, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
- September 27, 2015 – Disappearance of Srila Haridas Thakur
- September 28, 2015 – Visvarup Mahotsav
- October 8, 2015 – Ekadasi
- October 9, 2015 – Paran from 7:12 to 9:13 am
- October 13, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
- November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj
- November 5, 2015 – Grand 121st Appearance of Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Apearance of Srila Virachandra Prabhu.
- November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
- December 27, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Important links:
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Homepage
• Seva Ashram Homepage (news from California)
• Seva Ashram Post (spiritual reading material)
• SCS Math International (news from India)
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
On behalf of Srila Janardan Maharaj and Sripad Hasyapriya Prabhu, I’m inviting you to please join us in Santa Cruz on Sunday, September 20th at noon for Sri Lalita Saptami and Monday, September 21st for Sri Radhastami at 6:30 pm. Sripad Sarvabhavana Prabhu will lead the program as Srila Janardan Maharaj will be celebrating the festival in China. As always, the San Jose programs will start at 5:30 with arotik of Sri Sri Guru Gaurangasundar Jiu.
Sri Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi will be in Santa Cruz on Sunday, September 20th to observe Sri Lalita Saptami during the usual Sunday Feast time. A schedule of the other times she will be speaking is posted below.
By the desire and mercy of Srila Govinda Maharaj we had the good fortune to acquire the property of the Soquel Seva Ashram on the most auspicious day of Sri Radhastami in 1993. Please come to celebrate our inconceivable good fortune of having come in connection with His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj and the treasure of Krishna Consciousness in this lifetime. We are so fortunate to have this beautiful community and Ashram at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari Jiu.
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to associate with Sri Vishakha Devi Dasi for just a couple more days. She will leave for China on the 18th for ten days, then return again to Santa Cruz.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Varshana, the appearance place of Srimati Radharani
Sri Radhastami
Divine Appearance of Srimati Radharani
Monday, September 21
6:30 pm in Santa Cruz
5:30 pm in San Jose
Vaishnava calendar:
- September 18, 2015 – Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Adwaita Prabhu
- September 20, 2015 – Sri Lalita Saptami
- September 21, 2015 – Sri Radhastami (fast until noon)
- September 24, 2015 – Ekadasi
- September 25, 2015 – Paran from 6:59 to 10:59 am. Appearance of Sri Vamanadev and Srila Jiva Goswami
- September 26, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
- September 27, 2015 – Disappearance of Srila Haridas Thakur
- September 28, 2015 – Vishvarup Mahotsav
- October 8, 2015 – Ekadasi
- October 9, 2015 – Paran from 7:12 to 9:13 am
- October 13, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
- November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj
- November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
- December 27, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Important links:
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Homepage
• Seva Ashram Homepage (news from California)
• Seva Ashram Post (spiritual reading material)
• SCS Math International (news from India)
Dear devotees and friends of the Ashram,
I’m pleased to announce that Sri Vishaka Devi Dasi arrived yesterday evening at the Santa Cruz Seva Ashram and will be staying here ten days before traveling to China with Srila Janardan Maharaj.
This Saturday she will speak at the San Jose Seva Ashram. Please come at 5:30 for arotik followed by Vishaka’s class and a wonderful feast in the company of our sweet San Jose congregation.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Sri Vishakha Devi Dasi
September 8 – 19th in California
September 12th @ 5:30 pm
Saturday Feast at the San Jose Seva Ashram
Vaishnava calendar:
- September 12, 2015 – Vishakha Devi Dasi’s class in San Jose
- September 18, 2015 – Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Adwaita Prabhu
- September 20, 2015 – Sri Lalita Saptami
- September 21, 2015 – Sri Radhastami (fast until noon)
- September 26, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
- October 13, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
- November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj
- November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
- December 27, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Important links:
Dear Friend of the Ashram,
This coming Sunday is Sri Krishna Janmastami, the Divine Appearance Day of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. The program in San Jose starts at 5:30 pm and in Santa Cruz at 6:30 pm, and will culminate in a midnight kirtan in Santa Cruz, followed by an anukalpa feast. The following day there will be a daytime program at 10:30 in Santa Cruz with a big feast in observation of Nandotsav and the Divine Appearance Day of Srila Prabupad, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj.
We will also be having our Janmastami in the Park program this Saturday in Sunnyvale at Ponderosa Park from 11 am – 2 pm. We have hosted this event several years in a row now and we hope you can join us this year. Please bring along your friends and family for a lovely day in the park with kirtan, krishna katha, and prasadam.
Yours in the Lord’s service,
Sushila Devi Dasi
Janmastami in the Park
Saturday, September 5
11 am – 2 pm
Ponderosa Park
in Sunnyvale, CA
Sri Krishna Janmastami Festival
Sunday, September 6
6:30 pm – 1 am Santa Cruz
5:30 pm San Jose
Nandotsav & Vyasapuja of
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad
Monday, September 7
10:30 am Santa Cruz
5:30 pm San Jose
Vaishnava calendar:
• September 5, 2015 – “Janmastami in the Park” @ Ponderosa Park in Sunnyvale, CA 11 am – 2 pm
• September 6, 2015 – Sri Sri Krishna Janmastami. Complete fast until midnight (then no grains)
• September 7, 2015 – Sri Nandotsav. Appearance of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad
• September 8, 2015 – Ekadasi
• September 9, 2015 – Paran from 6:46 to 10:58 am
• September 18, 2015 – Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Adwaita Prabhu
• September 20, 2015 – Sri Lalita Saptami
• September 21, 2015 – Sri Radhastami (fast until noon)
• September 26, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
• October 13, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
• November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj
• November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
• December 27, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
• December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
Important links:
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Homepage
• Seva Ashram Homepage (news from California)
• Seva Ashram Post (spiritual reading material)
• SCS Math International (news from India)
Please join us next Saturday for Baladev’s Appearance Festival at 10:30 am in Santa Cruz and 5:30 pm in San Jose. Srila Janardan Maharaj will lead the program in Santa Cruz. The date for Sri Krishna Janmastami is listed below and an invitation will be sent soon.Yours in the Lord’s service,Sushila Devi Dasi
Lord Balaram’s Divine Appearance FestivalSaturday, August 29
10:30 am Santa Cruz
5:30 pm San Jose
10:30 am Santa Cruz
5:30 pm San Jose
Vaishnava calendar:
- August 25, 2015 – Ekadasi
- August 26, 2015 – Paran from 6:35 to 10:58 am. Beginning of Jhulan Yatra and Sri Hari Smaran
- August 29, 2015 – Lord Balaram’s Appearance Day (fast until noon)
- August 5, 2015 – “Janmastami in the Park” @ Ponderosa Park in Sunnyvale, CA 11 am – 2 pm
- September 6, 2015 – Sri Sri Krishna Janmastami. Complete fast until midnight (then no grains)
- September 7, 2015 – Sri Nandotsav. Appearance of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad
- September 8, 2015 – Ekadasi
- September 8, 2015 – Paran from 6:46 to 10:58 am
- September 18, 2015 – Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Adwaita Prabhu
- September 20, 2015 – Sri Lalita Saptami
- September 21, 2015 – Sri Radhastami (fast until noon)
- September 26, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
- October 13, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
- November 4, 2015 – Bahulastami & Sannyas Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj & Srila Janardan Maharaj
- November 12, 2015 – Sri Govardhan Puja
- December 27, 2015 – Appearance of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
- December 29, 2015 – Disappearance of Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur