Nabadwip, Vyasa-Puja. 28 December 2004

Well to begin I would like to offer my dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. This most auspicious land of Sridham Nabadwip is the home of our beloved Mission of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. We are all greatly fortunate to be allowed the privilege to engage in service and to participate in the grand celebration of our Acharyyadeva His Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's 76th transcendental Appearance Day. By great fortune this insignificant soul is blessed in being allowed to participate in this year's maha-festival in glorification of our Divine Master.

On my arrival here at the Math on the 26th December, all the Vaisnava devotees and faithful followers of Srila Gurudeva were busily preparing for this grand transcendental festival in glorification and honour of his Sri Vyasa Puja celebration. Words cannot always express the feelings and wonderful service mood I felt by all here in preparation for this divine event. So many disciples and fortunate souls have gathered this year. The ladies are busy decorating the temple room with mango leaves, beautiful decorations and flower arrangements. Our beloved maha-manager of the Math, Sripad Bhakti Nirmal Acharyya Maharaj, is always busy in arranging so much for this transcendental festival. His capacity to engage all in the service of Sri Gurudeva is incredible, I offer my dandavat pranams to his untiring service mood. With so many devotees co-operating with him for this grand celebration, we are all inspired and wonder struck at their mood of devotion. All the devotees here are absorbed in a service mood to offer what they can according to there capacity to try and please His Divine Grace. Mahananda Prabhu is always affectionate and helpful to all and he is an inspiration to the whole Mission. His service on the keyboard (computer) in delivering news and in glorification of Srila Gurudeva, the World Tour and all His Divine Grace's faithful followers, is a welcome source of inspiration and nourishment.

We will attempt to serve and please our beloved Gurudeva in union, and in separation. This year's Grand Vyasapuja was attended by many dignitaries including many from other missions of the Gaudiya Math. The temple room was filled with devotees in a spirit of love to glorify Srila Gurudeva, Srila Guru Maharaj's Divine Servitor and President Sevaite Acharyya Om Vishnupada Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Although Srila Gurudeva himself is mercifully bestowing his divine darshan and lila in California for this year's Sri Vyasapuja celebration, we here in Navadwip all felt his divine presence in separation by the divine mercy of his all-powerful mystical presence. As the day went on, grand maha-sankirttan and offerings were made for the pleasure of His Divine Grace, then all the Vaisnavas were offered a wonderful transcendental feast for the honour and worship of His Divine Grace. In the evening was also a grand celebration with many devotees in attendance at Sri Gaura Arati and Sri Saraswat Arati. The sweet and thunderous sound of "Jaya Gurudeva!" and "Jaya Sachinandana!" could be heard for miles around.

This tiny soul feels humbled and blessed in this wonderful and sacred Ashram of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of Sri Ganga Mata. The chance to take shelter and aspire to serve the lotus feet of Krishna's pure devotee is a rare chance for the conditioned soul. We are truly fortunate and blessed in the bounty of Srila Gurudeva's Mission. On his Sri Vyasa Puja day we can reflect on this supreme opportunity and try to please Him. As in the words of Srila Guru Maharaj, "We thank our lucky stars." All glories to Jagat Guru His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. All glories to His Divine Sri Vyasa-Puja celebration.

Yours in the service of Srila Gurudeva and the Vaisnavas.
Dandavat pranams, your aspiring servant,