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Aug 12th, 2002, 3:07pm

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Tunga Prema Devi Dasi's 19th World Tour Dispatches:
[6th August] [9th August] [12th August] [16th August] [22nd August]
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Tunga Prema devi dasi





   
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Re: World Tour News Please
« Reply #21 on: Aug 12th, 2002, 2:48pm »
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All Glories to Sri Guru & Sri Gauranga!!!!
Dandavats to all the sweet devotees. Again I am so grateful for this nice forum. Divya Shakti Didi and I just traveled on the bus to the internet cafe here in St. Petersburg. I have been anxious the last few days to get here to write something. It seems that every day I think, 'It can't get better than this.' However every day gets better and better. I am still in complete awe and amazement over the enthusiasm and dedication of the devotees here. It is really amazing. Last night was Sunday and the Temple was packed. The evening kirttan was ecstatic, led by Sripad Acharya Maharaj (Sripad Tirtha Maharaj has lost his voice -- so much kirttan!). Then Chidananda Prabhu led the most incredible sankirttana through the neighborhood and parikrama around the Temple. He is truly an amazing devotee. I honestly thought he was going to go on all night, like a 'marathon kirttana.' I could not stop smiling. Everyone was dancing and chanting and at one moment I looked over and saw the pujari jumping so high in the air with the most blissful smile. It was really sweet. Yesterday was also Gayatri initiation. Over 30 devotees took part! Sripad Tirtha Maharaj and Sripad Acharya Maharaj led the fire sacrifice. It is a double blessing having them here. The fire sacrifice was held on the verandah outside the temple room overlooking the Baltic Sea. So amazing!
Srila Gurudeva said yesterday that He is very happy in St. Petersburg. He has continually praised all the Russian devotees and invited them all to India.
The day before yesterday we went to the famous Hermitage Museum. It is quite grand -- so many rooms. Some of us took the metro in the morning and then Srila Gurudeva and some other devotees came later. Srila Gurudeva seemed to really like it there. One lady approached our group and Divya Shakti Didi used her 'shakti' and was preaching to her. The lady ended up handing Gurudeva daksine.
This morning there were even some more initiations. I just can't believe it. Before coming to Russia I really didn't know what to expect, and the last week and a half has really blown my mind. The devotees here are sleeping on the hard floor, not taking prasadam until 10:00 pm or later but still getting up for early morning darshan, then doing seva all day long. I walked into the Temple room yesterday and five women were scrubbing the Temple room floor, square by square, I mean really scrubbing. There are two kitchens, one for Gurudeva and then the big outdoor kitchen. The men and women outside are cooking by fire and serving so many people.
Muralisvara Prabhu has been doing almost all the translating. He is incredible. When I woke the other day and exited my room I looked down and saw that he was also one of the devotees sleeping on the hard floor. It almost made me cry, the austerity they all have. I have not heard one complaint from any of them ever. It is really a big wake up call. They are not only inspiring but really an example of humility, tolerance and giving honor to others -- the three main qualities Gurudeva speaks of.
Srila Gurudeva has been giving darshan every morning in the Temple room. Last night all the Maharajs took turns speaking at the evening program. I was in the kitchen listening with the speaker and it was so nice to hear from all of them.
I also want to say that the American devotees have also inspired me too. I really don't know how I got this great fortune of coming here and being with all of them too. I can only pray and give thanks for what has been given to me. I am also grateful to be with the wonderful ladies, Sureswari D.D., Divya Shakti DD, and Kamala DD We are all sharing a room and last night as I laid down to take rest I thought how fortunate I am to be with them. They have helped me so much and really inspired me in many ways.
Yudhamanyu Prabhu is an expert note-taker and I believe his notes are being posted on the Math website so I will not even try to write on that -- but check it out.
Gurudeva has mentioned traveling to California in November. He has mentioned it a few times, so be prepared!
We are leaving tomorrow night by train to Moscow. Srila Gurudeva will leave the following morning by plane.
I will write from Moscow also.
My dandavat pranams to all of you.
I hope everyone is well, in good health and good spirits.
Your aspiring servant,
Tunga Prema devi dasi

« Last Edit: 12 th, August, 2002, 3:04pm by Premanidhi das » Logged

Tunga Prema Devi Dasi's 19th World Tour Dispatches:
[6th August] [9th August] [12th August] [16th August] [22nd August]

19th World Tour dispatches, pictures and a phone interview:
please see the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math World Tour Index


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