Soquel, California. Nandotsav 2006

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

Sri Nandotsav and Appearance of
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

Soquel, California

17, August 2006

Photos taken by Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj and Kamal Krishna Prabhu. Web-page by Vaidehi Devi Dasi.

In honor of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, several devotees, headed by Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj, had the opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupad at the Soquel Seva Ashram.

The second generation of devotees, who never had the chance to meet Srila Prabhupad, are always happy to hear of the older devotees' first encounters with the Krishna Consciousness movement, and/or with Srila Prabhupad himself. Any descriptions of the things Srila Prabhupad said or did leave us with a new appreciation for being part of such a beautiful family.

At one point in the lecture, Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj was reminiscing about his days with Srila Prabhupad and mentioned how much affection Srila Prabhupad had for the new devotees. He was literally teaching them how to cook, how to sing, how to play the drum, how to dress, and how to live a human life of the highest standard. A few devotees from ISKCON were present that day, and one of their friends expressed the gratitude that she had for the Krishna Consciousness movement to this day.

It is true, we are all so grateful to Srila Prabhupad for bringing reality to us, and with so much affection. Whether we, as the second generation were born into the movement, or whether we have just been introduced to it, we cannot but feel affectionately appreciative to His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad.

After the glorification, noon arati began along with the puspanjali worship of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari.

Pranam Mantra
Translation of Srila Govinda Maharaj's composition,
from the Kirttan-Guide, page vi

I offer my humble obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, who is Krishna's beloved associate and who came down to this plane from Goloka.

Taking the order of his Guru on his head, he is the saktyavesa (empowered) Avatar of Nityananda Prabhu personified. He distributed the Hare Krishna mantra all over the Eastern and Western world, delivering and uplifting all fallen souls.

He is the best of millions of Jagat-Gurus, because he is the personification of divine mercy. He has distributed the sweet nectar of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the transcendental knowledge of Bhagavad-gita all over the world.

He is constantly engaged in exclusive devotional service to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Srila Rupa Goswami, and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

I offer my humble obeisances unto Srila Prabhupad, who is like a bumble-bee always tasting the nectar of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda.

The next day, the Deities wearing their beautiful Janmastami outfit. All of yesterday night, more than twelve ladies, headed by Swaranangi Devi Dasi, sewed fresh flowers until it was about time to dress the Deities for the midnight kirttan.