All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

A Morning in Sri Nabadwip Dham

in Gosala Seva

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, 27 April 2006

Pictures and text by Vrinda Devi Dasi. Web-page by Vaidehi Devi Dasi.

After Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill for seven days, Indra had some realization of Krishna’s enchanting original form. He came to offer his prayers with folded hands, and along with the Surabhi cow, he bathed Krishna, glorifying His Pastimes and His transcendental form. He then gave Him the name Govinda: the Lord of the cows. And that same place where Surabhi bathed the Lord is known as Sri Govinda Kunda.

sri-suka uvacha
evam krsnam upamantrya
surabhih payasatmanah
jalair akasa-gangaya
airavata-karoddhrtaih
indrah surarsibhih sakam
chodito deva-matrbhih
abhyasiñchata dasarham
govinda iti chabhyadhat
~Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.27.22-23

“Sukadeva Goswami said: Having thus appealed to Lord Krishna, mother Surabhi performed His bathing ceremony with her own milk, and Indra, ordered by Aditi and other mothers of the demigods, anointed the Lord with heavenly Ganga water from the trunk of Indra’s elephant carrier, Airavata. Thus, in the company of the demigods and great sages, Indra coronated Lord Krishna, the descendant of Dasarha, and gave Him the name Govinda.”

For us this means that the service to the cows is worshipable - they are dear to Krishna and to Srila Gurudev. We see how his verandah is full of smiling toy cows that the devotees have brought for him, adorning it with their affection.

But it also reminds us that the nature of Srila Gurudev is all accommodating and all harmonizing. The variety of services is infinite; a devotee may have a certain tendency towards a particular service, and so he can dedicate all his energy towards it. Everything around Srila Gurudev and his mission, in all the centres of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, has been arranged for the benefit of the sadhaka; the only thing required of us is the will to sincerely participate in the activities of the mission.

These cows are giving the milk that is offered to the Deities, and with that we also produce yogurt, butter and different preparations. Every day the devotees feed them Prasadam, and we hear that even the cow dung is used for seva. All their energy is being used for the satisfaction of Sri Guru, Sri Gauranga and the Vaisnavas. And this is our highest aspiration.
Every day, along with some helpers, Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj bathes and cares for the cows.

Our beautiful bull. Srila Govinda Maharaj mentioned that every time he goes to the gosala, this bull can't help but to make a "big noise" as he says, in his presence.

Manthu Prabhu the regular caretaker.

Krishna Kumara Prabhu from Venezuela.

Kamala Nayan Devi Dasi, who is currently taking care of the cows, explains:

"For me, it's the mercy from Srila Gurudev that enables me to serve the cows and take care of them. If you don't give them affection and serve them, they get sick. "They are always in the mode of goodness and when you come to take care of them, they give you so much gratitude and affection. They show you affection through their beautiful eyes and they let you pet them."

"They are as sweet as their milk and I always pray to Sri Govinda to protect them."

Srila Govinda Maharaj mentioned that at first there were only 2 cows, and now there almost one hundred.

Krishna Priya Prabhu from Venezuela receiving some affection from a cow.

Kamala Nayan Devi Dasi and Kanta Krishna Prabhu bringing in their food.

The cows love to eat the peels that are left over from the subji preparations at the Dham.

Kamala Nayan Devi Dasi cares for the cows by dressing their wounds.

Now it's time to give them a bath.

Cow Seva ki jaya!
 
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