All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Math Header

What was New?

Updates for September 2003

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Search Engine -- searches our websites


 

September 30th 2003

 

September 29th

  • Audio. Interview with Sripad B.P. Siddhanti Maharaj after accompanying Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on his Twentieth World Tour. 23+ minutes mp3 audio file (2.8 MB).
   

September 28th

  • Govardhan recent panorama photo of our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission in Govardhan. Srila Govinda Maharaj personally selected this picture, taken from the roof of the new 'Seva Kunja' building.
 

September 27th


    Dear Devotees and friends,

    Please accept my due respects. News travels fast, especially in this present age, and sometimes it gains its own colour along the way. We have already received several enquiries from all over the world about Srila Gurudev's current health.

    Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj returned to India greatly enlivened by the successful preaching during his Twentieth World Tour but was naturally somewhat exhausted from the extensive travels. On reaching Calcutta, His Divine Grace stayed a few days at our Dum Dum Park Temple and then decided to take the opportunity of this quieter time before Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's Vyasa-puja to check into a medical centre here for a full, long-overdue examination and to take complete rest according to doctor's advice.

    Srila Govinda Maharaj is in the hands of the best doctors as well as, of course, a team of loving devotees taking care of him. He is in a brand new Euro-style Medical Centre modelled after Western standards. Srila Gurudev went in smiling, and after three days he is smiling even more, and is clearly pleased with the doctors, the facilities and with the caring staff.

    During this time of complete rest for Srila Gurudev, he is not personally reviewing mail or phone calls but has deferred these to his secretaries. Srila Gurudev is encouraging devotees not to come at this time as he feels unable to attend to them in the way he would like to.

    No doubt the prayers of all the devotees world-wide are a vital aid for Srila Gurudev to continue with renewed energy in his magnificent service to the lotus feet of Srila Guru Maharaj.

    With repeated respects,
    -Mahananda das B.R.
     27 September 2003


 

September 26th

 
   

September 25th

   

September 23rd

 

September 22nd

  • Nabadwip, pictures for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see, and all to share.
 

September 21st

  • The 20th World Tour of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, has safely returned to the shelter of the Temple of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madanamohanjiu in Dum Dum Park, Calcutta. His Divine Grace is clearly pleased to be back and somewhat relieved considering, as with the previous Tour, that with reaching Calcutta the Tour is now complete.

    The great sacrifice of Srila Govinda Maharaj in the service of his Srila Guru Maharaj is abundantly evident to all. Countless devotees have expressed their indebtedness for having received His Divine Grace's personal darshan, gracious glance and blessings in so many ways due to his holy travels. Many devotees, too, have written to His Divine Grace with follow-up questions, and many other devotees from around the world have also written with matters requiring Srila Gurudev's personal reply.

    Therefore it is clear that with the sudden influx of mail, combined with the necessity of some well-earned rest for our Divine Master, some delays are inevitable here. As always we try our best to see that all of Srila Gurudev's mail is carefully presented and responded to, and we do try to respond to your mail as soon as possible — and pray for your understanding in case of any delays.

    Sincerely and respectfully,
    -The Office Team
       currently at the Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha,
       Dum Dum Park, Calcutta
       21 Sept. 2003
  • 'The Holy Name and the ten offences to be avoided' pamphlet is now available in digital form not only for printing on A4 paper size but also on US Letter paper size. Laid out and ready to print as a booklet, this new addition has been re-sized by the grace of Sripad Janardan Maharaj.
 

September 19th

  • Additional Karttik Pilgrimage information regarding this year's extra pilgrimage to Haridwar and Rishikesh. The expected itinerary for those additional days is:

    4th November 2003:
      Evening. Start from Gokula by 'luxury' bus. Journeying through the night (when the roads are considerably quieter).
    5th November:
      4 a.m. (approx.). Arrive Rishikesh. Holy bath. Two hours of parikrama.
    8 a.m. Breakfast.
    10 a.m. Drive to Haridwar (about one hour journey).
    Noon: Prasadam.
    Afternoon: free-time.
    Evening: attend Sri Ganga Arati.
    Night: Staying here (Haridwar) in dormitory accommodation.
    6th November:
      7 a.m. Breakfast
    8 a.m. Parikrama by rented jeeps to various holy places.
    Noon: Prasadam.
    Afternoon: free-time.
    Evening: Prasadam, then start the return journey to Vrindavan, travelling through the night.
    7th November:
      Arrive early morning in Vrindavan.

 

September 18th

  • Caracas. New farm land close to the city offered for the service and satisfaction of Srila Gurudev and Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurachandra. The devotees are already developing the land as an organic cultivation project.(Pictures.)
  • Nabadwip, pictures today of the River Ganges for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see, and all to share.
 

September 17th

  • 20th World Tour, Moscow pictures: Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's visit last month to the new Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Cultural Centre, in the heart of the city.
  • Nabadwip, pictures today, the traditional holiday in observance of Sri Visvakarma Puja.
  • Español. Recent translations:

    12 de septiembre de 2003
      >> Oregon, EE.UU.: Un fin de semana especial en el nuevo Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram, Eugene, con la inauguración de los programas dirigidos por Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj.

    10 de Septiembre de 2003
      >> Compartiendo unos días especiales. Conversación telefónica del día de ayer desde Govardhan

    16 de agosto de 2003
      >> Darshan Matutino ofrecido por Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Extracto del 16 de agosto de 2003, San Petersburgo, Rusia.

   

September 16th

  • Reflections and insights from Sri Vrindavan Dham by Sripad Bhakti Lalita Akinchan Maharaj in His Holiness' daily Vrindavan web-postings since 12th September, the day of arriving there with Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and entourage.
  • Español:

    14 de septiembre de 2003
      >> Reporte desde Vrindavan en la asociación de Srila Gurudev, por Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi.

 

September 15th

   

September 14th

  • Nabadwip: pictures today for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see and for all to share.
  • Dispatch from Vrindavan in the association of Srila Gurudev:

    Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2003 20:47:23 +0530
    From: Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi. Vrindavan SCSMath
    Subject: Srila Gurudev's meditations and teachings in Vrindavan

    All Glory to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

    Under the lotus feet of Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharvva-Rasabiharijiu's protection and guidance we are now here in 'Rasa-sthali, Sevakunja Mahalla,' at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Vrindavan. His Divine Grace Srila Gurudev, Om Vishnupad Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, is deeply absorbed in the meditation of the revelation of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami's project — the land directly across from our Math, previously the Ashram of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami where he and his beloved Sri Sri Radha-Vrindavanchandra resided.

    From grand preaching tours to establishing Ashrams all over the world, Srila Gurudev makes history, sets the example for all and gives the essence of the highest conceptions of Divinity. In his darshan today, His Divine Grace sang a Bengali verse by Srila Prabhupad Saraswati Thakur with relish and for the benefit of all present:

    "When Krishna's Name, form, nature, and pastimes divine,
      are heard from Sri Gurudeva, one's heart awakes in song.
    As pure chanting ensues, remembrance is attained;
      thus chanting and remembering, step-by-step ascent is gained.

    Those engaging tongue and mind, who begin to relish nectar:
      adore Sri Krishna, following the residents of Vraja.
    Reside always in Vraja, within the heart's devotion...
      surely, you must accept this nectar of instruction."
    -Lalita
    13 September 2003
    Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission
    Vrindavan
     
   

September 13th


 

September 12th

 

September 11th

  • Govardhan: Srila Govinda Maharaj in his special place of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Govardhan. (Pictures.)
  • Nabadwip: pictures today for Srila Govinda Maharaj to see and for all to share.
  • 'Tips for Pilgrims' extensively updated in preparation for the coming 'pilgrimage season.'
 

September 10th
Visvarupa Mahotsava. End of month long festival at Nabadwip, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

  • Bamunpara: Temple construction progress, and the crops fields on the way back to Nabadwip. (Pictures.)
  • Margarita, Venezuela: Sri Radhastami programme. (Pictures.)
  • Sharing the Special Present Days. By phone yesterday from Govardhan:
    All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

    Sharing the Special Present Days

    in the holy association of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

    Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj returned to India with Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj after accompanying His Divine Grace on the recent World Tour.

    By phone from the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Govardhan, Sripad Goswami Maharaj kindly shared some insights into the recent days with His Divine Grace:

    After an immensely successful tour that began in England and went to Italy, culminating in Russia with the opening of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Cultural Centre in Moscow, which was attended by the Indian Ambassador, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, who is the Ambassador of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and its super-conceptions of Srila Guru Maharaj Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, returned to Govardhan which has been indicated by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and his followers as the ultimate service-plane aspiration of those who follow in his line.

    His Divine Grace was recently asked, "What are the qualifications of Guru?" To which he answered, "Who is a 100 percent surrendered-servitor of his Guru, he is Guru." Here, we see Srila Govinda Maharaj is totally absorbed in thinking how to please Srila Guru Maharaj at every moment. Yesterday he quoted a song of the famous Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore where he speaks about collecting flowers. Rabindranath Tagore gives an example that being the time to collect flowers, as a person who likes flowers he just went madly collecting flowers without looking at their individual qualities, just grabbing them in bunches then prepared them for offering. Then he mentions how bees go from flower to flower collecting nectar, ignoring the overall qualifications of the individual flowers, but extracting nectar, moving from flower to flower. Srila Gurudev used this example and said that in a similar way he is someone who wants to distribute Srila Guru Maharaj's conception and service world-wide, and in the same way he has gone collecting so many flowers.

    Srila Guru Maharaj has mentioned previously that sometimes we can conceive of the Guru who is instructing his disciples, to be rendering a service similar to the way one prepares fruits and flowers for offering to the Deity by cleansing them. Thus we see His Divine Grace is demonstrating exclusive service to his Gurudev. This is also in line with one of the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. Yesterday we celebrated his Appearance and we heard something from 'Saranagati' where Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur said that whatever trouble there is related to service, brings happiness to the surrendered soul. Because Srila Gurudev is fully surrendered to Srila Guru Maharaj, whatever troubles might come to him through service are a source of happiness to him, indirectly. We've heard him say so many times, and demonstrate by his example, that he never allowed any disturbance to go upstairs to Srila Guru Maharaj. Instead, keeping everything below, moving on the plane of service, he accepted all the troubles on his own head. So it was nice to see that echoed in the songs of 'Saranagati' of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

    We recently also celebrated the Appearance of Sri Lalita Sakhi. Srila Gurudev always likes to quote the sloka,

    radha-mukunda-pada-sambhava-gharma-bindu-
    nirmanchanopakarani-krita-deha-laksam...

    Which says with a similar spirit, mood and intensity, she is prepared to give up 100,000 bodies that the slightest disturbance may not come to the Divine Couple in the higher plane. And Srila Rupa Goswami has glorified Srimati Radharani in a similar way in his Sri Radhastakam, how She considers the remotest connection with the lotus feet of Sri Krishna to be infinitely more valuable than Her own life magnified millions of times.

    His Divine Grace mentioned that 'bhajan' means 'remembrance.' And he said, laughing, "That I shall engage in bhajan remembering extensively the activities of the upper world and thereby ignore the service of this plane — I cannot do that for my own happiness." So, he is always willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the happiness, the service, of Srila Guru Maharaj.

    Knowing that Govardhan was the aspiration of Srila Saraswati Thakur, Srila Swami Maharaj in his final days asked for his followers to bring him here. Similarly, His Divine Grace is establishing the Anu Giriraj Mandir here, and nine domes are rising high into the sky, with a 100 kilogram bell from Russia that will ring all the way to Radha Kunda. Here bakul trees, tamal trees and other trees of the Kundas are growing. Day and night the sounds of seva ring in the air.

    This morning Srila Govinda Maharaj spoke of the Disappearance of Srila Haridas Thakur, describing him as the number one preacher of Mahaprabhu even before Mahaprabhu's Appearance. He and Sri Advaita Acharyya were both dancing at the time of the Appearance of Mahaprabhu — Advaita Acharyya danced externally; and Haridas Thakur danced internally within his heart. So Haridas Thakur was already engaged in Nama Sankirttan before Mahaprabhu's Appearance.

    Srila Govinda Maharaj spoke extensively. He started by saying "What will I say about Haridas Thakur?" and ended up speaking for an hour. He described that Haridas Thakur and Nityananda Prabhu were the first lieutenants of Mahaprabhu sent to convert Jagai and Madhai, and he talked about how much Haridas Thakur tolerated in the service of the Holy Name. His Divine Grace revealed how every time he gives Harinam initiation to someone he prays to Haridas Thakur: "I am not qualified, but you can fully infuse them with Krishna-Prema, please you extend this to them." That is his prayer whenever he gives Harinam, of which he recently initiated one of the local Brajabasis here.

    Right now too, are the sounds of seva in the background of drills, saws, chisels and hammers. Here they've created a lamp-post lit entrance like a promenade with arched walls, and this extends around the Temple. Everything here in the association of Srila Gurudev is more extensive and deep than a photograph can show, or than the external vision that can ever meet the eye.

 

September 9th
Disappearance of Srila Haridas Thakur.



  September 8th
Appearance of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
September 7th
Gaura-dvadasi. Fast. Fasting of Vishnu-srinkala-yoga. Appearance of Sri Vamanadeva. Appearance of Sri Jiva Goswami Prabhu. Paran (breakfast) tomorrow after sunrise and before 9:30 a.m.

  September 6th
  September 5th
   

September 4th
Sri Radhastami. Srimati Radharani’s Appearance at noon. Fast until noon.

  • Sri Radhastami Festival today in Sripat Hapaniya. Today, as each year on this day, a special festival is held at Sripat Hapaniya, the Appearance Place of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, considered as non-different from Varsana in Mathura Mandala. (Two pages of pictures.)
 

September 3rd
Sri Lalita-saptami. Appearance of Sri Lalita Devi.

  • The 20th World Tour of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj has safely returned to India and to the shelter of Sri Anu Giriraj at the Govardhan Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. After leaving St. Petersburg Srila Gurudev returned via Moscow.
  • Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks by phone from Govardhan giving the first tangible news of recent events in Moscow on his 20th World Tour. Srila Gurudev, with his holy voice sounding strong and full with enthusiasm, said:
    "This year in Moscow very big events took place. Sripad Bhakti Bimal Avadhut Maharaj arranged everything and it is inconceivable that one man with his associates can do so much. The programmes were all very exalted and the Indian Ambassador came to see us and visit our Temple.

    "We are making a cultural institute there, and Sripad Avadhut Maharaj arranged a big cultural show. The day I went there, the 29th August, there were 5 to 7,000 people gathered. It was a big public meeting in a large public park with two or three cultural meetings taking place simultaneously. The Ambassador sent his representative to give me honour. All the sannyasis went onto the stage and were garlanded.

    "It was a cultural event, and I spoke about Krishna because without Krishna I cannot say anything! Krishna is manifested in the culture of India all the way from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. And now all over the world Krishna's Pastimes are taking place, and I am very happy to see that.

    "The Moscow people were very happy to see this event. I was surprised to see so many people gathered there. Just a few years ago they were communist, and now they are feeling attracted by seeing dramas of Ramachandra Lila and other Pastimes of the Lord, including Nrsmha's Pastimes and depictions of many types of Krishna-Lila and dances showing His Lila.

    "I am sitting with some devotees from Vrindavan and with Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Vijay Trivikram Maharaj and others from the tour. Everyone is very tired.

    "More fully some report will come about Moscow, but Avadhut Maharaj is very much busy now. The report of Moscow is so very exalted. What can I say more!"
  • New magazine from Russia proving successful for preaching not only in Russia but also here in Bengal due to the many pictures of the Math and our Sri Guru-varga. A richly produced Russian-language publication.
  • Malaysia. The festivals of Sri Krishna Janmastami and Sri Nandotsav at our Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram, Sitiawan. Pictures posted by Prabhu Rama Ratan.
  • Nabadwip, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math: pictures today.


  September 2nd
  • Veracruz, Mexico, a recent evening programme in pictures, posted by Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj.
  • Special Events coming up over the next few days. The following excerpt from our Vaishnava Calendar is of festival dates followed here at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. Calendars up to Sri Gaura-Purnima 2004 are also available in Spanish and English for California, and in Spanish for Mexico and Venezuela.
    September 2003
    3. (Wed) Sri Lalita-saptami. Appearance of Sri Lalita Devi.
    4. (Thu) Sri Radhastami. Srimati Radharani’s Appearance at noon. Fast until noon.
    6. (Sat) Parshvaika Ekadasi. No Fast.
    7. (Sun) Gaura-dvadasi. Fast. Fasting of Vishnu-srinkala-yoga. Appearance of Sri Vamanadeva. Appearance of Sri Jiva Goswami Prabhu.
    8. (Mon) Appearance of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakur. Paran by 9:30 a.m.
    9. (Tue) Gaura-chaturdasi. Disappearance of Srila Haridas Thakur.
    10. (Wed)  Purnima. Visvarupa Mahotsava. End of month long festival at Nabadwip, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

    Please see our Vaishnava Calendar for a full listing of dates up to Sri Gaura-Purnima 2004 as followed at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip.
 

September 1st 2003
Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Advaita Prabhu.

  • Govardhan: Sripad Akinchan Maharaj returns to India from the 20th World Tour of Srila Govinda Maharaj and sends these pictures of, and from, our Govardhan Temple.
  • Russia. Srila Govinda Maharaj and his entourage are currently in Moscow engaged in preaching programmes in the very centre of the city.

 

Latest Updates: 'What's New?'

Earlier Updates this year, 2003:

Earlier Updates 2002:

Audio | Books | Centres Worldwide
Vaisnava Calendar | Children's Corner
Links | Math Index | Useful Downloads


Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. http://scsmath.com
Kindly contact us for more information.
http://czech.scsmath.org
http://dansk.scsmath.org

http://espanol.scsmath.org
http://germany.scsmath.org
http://greek.scsmath.org
http://hindi.scsmath.org
http://italiano.scsmath.org
http://norsk.scsmath.org
http://portugues.scsmath.org
http://russian.scsmath.org
http://slovak.scsmath.org
http://svenska.scsmath.org
http://turkish.scsmath.org