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(For the latest updates please see the Math's front page.)

30 December 2012

The Grand 84th Appearance Day Celebration of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's Sevaite President Acharya, Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Sri Srimad Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Audio:Life is valuable. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj talking the day after his Sri Vyasa Puja held on New Year's day 2002. A most inspirational, heart-felt discourse given by telephone to Madhusudan Prabhu of Hawaii and first posted that day on his Radio Internet site, krsna.cc.
"Life is valuable. The scriptures say that when you are alive in a human body, you can do very much for yourself. Very much means that you can practise Krishna consciousness, and until death you can do that. Then, not to invite death but always invite service, good atmosphere, good health, and good situation - that is the desire of a servitor."
Nabadwip, 2 January 2002.
12+ minutes, 3 MB mp3 audio

29 December 2012

Audio:The Vaishnava is a wish-fulfilling-tree. Sripad B.K. Tyagi Maharaj gives a clarifying class about the basis of our Vaishnava culture, yesterday morning in Nabadwip Dham.
"The Vaishnava is also described, as we pray to him every day, vancha kalpa taru, a wish fulfilling tree... And this is the nature of Vaishnava; through them all our desires will be fulfilled... our desire for devotion, for the service of the Lord will be fulfilled."
Nabadwip, 27 December 2012.
62+ minutes, 14.4 MB mp3 audio

21 December 2012

Bangladesh preaching, second batch of pictures of the first preaching tour to East Bengal by Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, 4th to 20th December 2012. Two webpages with many pictures taken by Mahamantra Prabhu.

For devotees planning their pilgrimage for Sri Gaura-Purnima 2013,
please note:
The date of the Disappearance Festival 2013 of Srila Gurudev Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj is not yet precisely known due to the specific way our Math's calendar is calculated. However it is the 2nd dvadasi after Sri Gaura Purnima. So, within a day, we can understand his Disappearance Festival will be on Tuesday 23 April 2013. The exact date will be confirmed with the publication of the new 2013-2014 Calendar just before Sri Gaura-Purnima.

18 December 2012

Gaura-sasthi and Oran-sasthi. Grand festival for honouring the appearance of Sri Sri Nitai-Chaitanya Deities at Sri Puri Dham, Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

Permanent Philippines Centre at Pandi, Bulacan. The name 'Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Philippines Branch' was given by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj in Nabadwip 2005. Since then, the centre has been in rented property. Now it has moved to a permanent site with plans for extensive development. Webpage with pictures by Ratnanabha Prabhu and Ishani Devi Dasi.

14 December 2012

Bangladesh Preaching Programme. The first pictures of the first preaching tour of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math to East Bengal. Sripad Tyagi Maharaj and Santosh Prabhu head the group who are currently undertaking this two-week tour. Webpage of pictures with captions.

11 December 2012

Disappearance of Srila Saranga Thakur.

Srila Saranga Das Thakur in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita. Verse and purport about Srila Saranga Das Thakur in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Pastimes.

10 December 2012

Disappearance of Srila Narahari Sarkar Thakur and Srila Kaliya Krishna Das.

Srila Narahari Sarkar Thakur in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita. Selection of verses where Narahari Thakur is mentioned in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Pastimes.

Srila Narahari Sarkar Thakur is mentioned in the kirtans: Sri Gaura Arati by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, and Sva-Nistha by Srila Narottam Das Thakur.

6 December 2012

Sripad Bhakti Nandan Narayan Maharaj passed away early yesterday evening after suffering a stroke in Jagannath Puri. Earlier, as Nara Narayan Prabhu (a disciple of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj), he ran the Sri Nitai Gauranga Mandir in the south of Mauritius. After being graced with sannyas from Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj he became a natural leader amongst the Mauritian devotees, and presently travelled extensively with the affectionate message of our Sri Guru-varga. He recently returned from South Africa to attend the Math's Kartik Pilgrimage before going on to Jagannath Puri.

5 December 2012

The Annual Kartik Pilgrimage 2012 with about 250 participants was held smoothly and successfully under the personal leadership of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. The following pages show some of the places visited and share some of the events that took place:

-) Govardhan parikramas. Three webpages of pictures with captions.
-) Vrindavan parikramas. Two webpages of pictures with captions.
-) Kurukshetra parikramas. Two webpages of pictures with captions.

-) Our devotees then proceeded on the last leg of this year's Kartik Pilgrimage: Haridwar and Rishikesh. Many pictures posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website.

3 December 2012

Vrindavan. Installation Anniversary Festival of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvva Rasabiharijiu at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission, Seva Kunja. Webpage of pictures with captions.

Invitation to the 84th Appearance Day Festival (83rd Appearance Anniversary) of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj from the 29th December 2012 to 2nd January 2013 here at Sri Math, and at Sripat Bamunpara (his holy Appearance Place). And an opportunity to send a service donation for this most auspicious occasion.

Sri Vyasa-Puja written offerings soon please for His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's Appearance Anniversary Festival, to be held on 30th December. Kindly email offerings (with a picture of yourself) as soon as possible, please, to

or through the Gaudiya Darshan website.

24 November 2012

Ekadasi. Fast. Disappearance of Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Sri Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj. Appearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj. Sri Bhisma-Panchaka.

Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj's disappearance, 1982. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks about Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj's acceptance of Srila B.S. Saraswati Thakur as his disciple and the fact that "he did not extend his grace to many but to our Guru Maharaj". Srila Guru Maharaj explains that his temperament was 'nirapeksa', without caring for anything but the Lord and His grace.
Nabadwip, 27 November 1982:
17 minutes, 4 MB mp3 audio

Audio: Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj's disappearance day, 2002. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks shortly about Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj living in Kusum Sarovara. He mentions that Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj, Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj and Bhagavat Das Babaji Maharaj were all siddha mahapurushas in Vraja Dham. But when Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj went to Mayapur, after Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj found the appearance place of Mahaprabhu, he did not come back to Vrindavan because he got inspiration from Mahaprabhu to stay in Nabadwip.
Govardhan, 18 November, 2002.
6+ minutes, 1.6 MB mp3 audio

17 November 2012

Disappearance festival of Visvarenya Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.

Audio: Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupad's disappearance day 1998. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in our Vrindavan Temple on this day.
"What Srila Swami Maharaj has done, Guru Maharaj always told: it is not a man's work. No one human can do this job that Srila Swami Maharaj has done. It is my experience, unbelievably happy experience, I have seen everywhere has spread Krishna Consciousness, everyone knows now the Name of Radha Krishna, the Name of Nitai Chaitanya, Pancha Tattva. Even in front of the Kremlin they are telling Hare Krishna! The whole world now knows Hare Krishna! But it is not a man's job. The embodiment of Nityananda Prabhu can do it. We consider as Srila Guru Maharaj said, that he (Srila Swami Maharaj Prabhupad) is 'shaktyavesa avatar', that is, Nityananda Prabhu only can do this, to distribute Gaura Mahaprabhu, to distribute Radha Krishna devotion; it is not possible by man."
Vrindavan, 24 October 1998:
Part 1: 42 minutes, 10 MB mp3 audio
Part 2: 11+ minutes, 2+ MB mp3 audio

Old pictures of a visit of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. Pictures kindly sent by Jagamohini Devi Dasi in remembrance of Srila Swami Maharaj Prabhupad on his Disappearance Day Festival today.

16 November 2012

Govardhan. Govardhan Puja at our Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram presided over by Sri Sri Anu Giriraj. Two webpages of pictures with captions sharing the days events led by Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.

14 November 2012

Go-puja (cow-worship) and Go-krida (the pleasure of the cows). Sri Govardhan-puja. Annakut Mahotsava: Grand festival and puja to Sri Sri Anu Giriraj at Srila Sridhar Swami Sevashram in Sri Govardhan and Sri Gupta-Govardhan-puja festival at Sri Govinda Kunda in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. Balidaityaraj-puja.

Audio: Sri Govardhan Puja talk in 1982. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj discusses this lila and gives a phrase by phrase translation of slokas describing Lord Krishna's lifting of Govardhan Hill. Srila Guru Maharaj sheds new light on this Pastime of the Lord and chants the glories of the Govardhan-shila, referring to His worship by Mahaprabhu and Raghunath Das Goswami.
16 November 1982:
33+ minutes, 7+ MB mp3 audio

10 November 2012

Audio: Hapaniya Festival, the day after Srila Guru Maharaj's Vyasa Puja 1989. Srila Govinda Maharaj describes the glories of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and his holy place of appearance, Sripat Hapaniya.
"Srila Guru Maharaj is transcendental form, not mundane, so when his appearance day comes we can worship him in the way of Lord Krishna or Mahaprabhu. I think it will be very good that if after the Nabadwip festival we make here, next day, a festival that will be like Nandotsav... Everything here is transcendental, if we can see that, we must be benefited."
Hapaniya, 24 October 1989:
29+ minutes, 6+ MB mp3 audio

9 November 2012

1961 Vyasa Puja Offering. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's prayer on the appearance day of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Originally published in Sri Gaudiya Darshan of November 1961, and posted now with accompanying transliteration and English translation on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Nabadwip. Sri Vyasa Puja celebrations led by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj marking the 118th Appearance Day Festival of the Founder Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Many pictures posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website.

Audio: Sri Vyasa Puja address in Vrindavan 2012, by Sripad B.N. Shanta Maharaj during the festival attended by sannyasis, brahmacharis and devotees from practically all families of Gaudiya Vaisnavas of the area.
20 minutes, 4+ MB mp3 audio

Vrindavan. Sri Vyasa Puja celebrations held yesterday at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission, in glorification and honour of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's most auspicious advent in this world. Webpage of pictures.

8 November 2012

The Grand 118th Appearance Day Celebration of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's Founder President Acharya, Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Astottara-sata Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Appearance of Srila Virachandra Prabhu. Disappearance of Sripad Sakhicharan das Babaji Maharaj.

Audio: Srila Sridhar Maharaj on his own Sri Vyasa Puja day 1985. A very sweet audio recording of Srila Sridhar Maharaj spoken on 7 November 1985, his own Vyasa Puja Day, that is referred to in Sripad Sagar Maharaj's article published in Dignity of Divine Servitor:
"The day after Srila Guru Maharaj gave Srila Govinda Maharaj sannyas was Guru Maharaj's own Appearance Day and he was very happy on that day. Early that morning I went to see him and said, 'Srila Guru Maharaj, yesterday you gave Srila Govinda Maharaj sannyas; but I think he took sannyas many, many lifetimes ago.'
"He replied, 'Oh, you want to say that this is only being done to show the people who he is, but actually he is much more than that?' Srila Guru Maharaj was smiling and laughing, and on that morning, his own Appearance Day, he sat on his chair and for maybe two or three hours he talked about Srila Govinda Maharaj. This was the Appearance Day of the Guru but the Guru was doing kirttan of the disciple!"
This recording is of only 26 minutes. If anyone has the remainder of this talk, please let us know so we can share that, too, for the satisfaction of Srila Guru Maharaj.
26 minutes, 6 MB mp3 audio

4 November 2012

Disappearance of Srila Narottama das Thakur.

Audio: Srila Narottam Das Thakur. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj extensively chants the glories of Srila Narottam Das Thakur. This discourse was first posted six days ago on the first day of Karttik as 'Karttik month. Narottam Das Thakur'.
42+ minutes, 10 MB mp3 audio

31 October 2012, also please see the updates for earlier this month.

Karttik pilgrims, please note! This year will be a large programme so please be prepared for crowded facilities at our Maths. Wintery nights have already arrived, therefore be sure to bring suitable warm clothing and bedding. If you are planning to come but have not yet informed us, please do so soon so we can better serve you.

29 October 2012

Purnima. Saradiya Rasa Yatra of Sri Krishna. Disappearance of Srila Murari Gupta. Beginning of Urja-vrata, Damodar-vrata, Karttik-vrata or Niyamaseva-vrata if begun from the purnima day, as followed in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

Audio: Karttik month. Narottam Das Thakur. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj discusses in 1982 about the month of Karttik especially in relation to Srimati Radharani. His Divine Grace also extensively chants the glories of Srila Narottam Das Thakur in relation to his upcoming disappearance festival.
42+ minutes, 10 MB mp3 audio

26 October 2012

Disappearance of Srila Raghunath das Goswami, Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami and Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami.

Audio: Srila Raghunath Bhatta, Raghunath Das and Kaviraj Goswami's disappearance day (1985). Srila Sridhar Maharaj talks about the exemplary lives of Sri Raghunath Bhatta and Raghunath Das amongst the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan; and Sri Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami to whom we are greatly indebted for he has given us Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita.
About Raghunath Das Goswami, Srila Guru Maharaj explains that he is the Acharya of the prayojana tattva and has given us the highest reach of our spiritual realisation: exclusive dedication to Krishna's highest potency, Srimati Radharani.
"Das Goswami gave us an even clearer idea about Radha dasyam. As if he is giving a challenge to Krishna: 'If we don't find Radharani with You, we want to avoid You.' ... That is thought to the acme, the highest reach of Gaudiya Vaishnav theology ... And that is the gist of the teachings of Rupa Goswami as he was taught in Allahabad by Mahaprabhu on the banks of Yamuna and Ganges."
A further wonderful discourse by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj:
57+ minutes, 13+ MB mp3 audio

24 October 2012

Vijay Utsav of Sri Ramachandra. Appearance of Sri Madhvacharya.

Audio: Sri Ramachandra's Vijay Utsav and Sri Madhvacharya's Appearance. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj on this day in 1982 describing the glories of Lord Ramachandra and of Sri Madhvacharya.
Please listen attentively:
48+ minutes, 11 MB mp3 audio.

28 September 2012

Appearance of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur.

'On the Appearance Day of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur.' English translation of the Bengali article prepared by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj from his lecture at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Sri Dham Nabadwip, 29 September 1955, and published in Sri Gaudiya Darshan in October that year.
On a number of occasions more than fifty years after it was published, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj commented on this article as follows:

"I once gave a lecture about Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur and then published it in Gaudiya Darshan as an article. By my good fortune, Srila Guru Maharaj and Srila Swami Maharaj very much appreciated it. I sat down to write out the lecture and it came out very nicely. I do not know whether or not it is has been published since then. If not, it can be. It is in Bengali but it can be translated. It is a very good article. I like it very much."

Posted on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website on this special day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's appearance.

Audio: Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's Appearance Day, 2000. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur cleaned all the polluted conceptions in the name of Mahaprabhu, he cleaned that plane of devotional ground and then gave charge to Saraswati Thakur."
And:
"About Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Saraswati Thakur said he is Gadadhar Pandit, and Gaura Kisor Das Babaji is Swarup Damodar. He is thinking that Bhaktivinod Thakur is really 'Gaura sakti svarupakam', that is, Mahaprabhu Himself appeared in the form of Bhaktivinod Thakur."
London, 11 September 2000.
Part 1, 40+ minutes, 9.7 MB mp3 audio
Part 2, 27+ minutes, 6.6 MB mp3 audio
N.B. The audio quality is quite poor, but with some concentration (and headphones) most devotees will find this talk greatly nourishing.

Related to this day from previous postings on the Math's websites.

27 September 2012

Appearance of Sri Vamanadev. Appearance of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu.

Audio. Sri Vamanadev and Jiva Goswami's Appearance Day, 2003. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj recounts the story of Sri Vamanadev and Bali Maharaj and how Bali Maharaj is a great Vishnu-bhakta. As Vamanadev, Bhagavan has mercifully taken birth in this mundane world, and in this way many incarnations of the Lord happen from time to time in a cyclic way for the satisfaction of the devotees.
About Jiva Goswami Prabhu, Srila Gurudev glorifies his fine intelligence, knowledge of the sastras and service mood; and positions him as the protector of our sampradaya, always protecting the works of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatan.
Govardhan, 6 September 2003.
33+ minutes, 7.7 MB mp3 audio

Invitation to Sri Guru Puja of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, to be held at our Ekachakra Temple from 15th to 17th October 2012. Return transport will be arranged to take devotees from Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip. Kindly let us know if you are planning to attend.
Donations are invited for this holy occasion. (Please see the left column for sending directly via PayPal.)

Related to this day from previous postings on the Math's websites.

23 September 2012

Sri Radhastami. Srimati Radharani's appearance at noon. Fast until noon.

Audio: Sri Radhastami, 1994, informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"When we can see the supreme manifestation of madhurya rasa, there we can see the manifestation of Radharani. But all is coming through the Power; and Powerful is playing with the Power. We can simply express it like that. But they have given the name Hladini Shakti... Why the name Hladini? That is, it is always supplying service for the satisfaction of Krishna and through that satisfaction it is coming full happiness, full joy and full ecstasy. "
Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in London. 13 September, 1994.
27+ minutes, 6.4 MB mp3 audio

Our Lord's Beloved Power. Chapter Twelve of Affectionate Guidance by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj describing the glories and position of Srimati Radharani. 140 K pdf Adobe Reader file.

Related to this day of Sri Radhastami from previous postings on the Math's websites.

22 September 2012

Sri Lalita-saptami. Appearance of Sri Lalita Devi.

Audio: Sri Lalita-saptami, Moscow, 1996: informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"When Sri Radha Govinda are playing as paramour couple, at that time, if one drop of sweat comes in Their lotus feet, Lalita Devi takes lakhs of forms and quickly wants to remove that... That type of service eagerness and service capacity has Lalita Devi. For that, she is the General of all the sakhis and manjaris. They are respecting Lalita Devi as their guardian for the service of Radha Govinda."
Moscow, Russia. 19 September 1996.
25+ minutes, 6 MB mp3 audio

Lalita-saptami talk, 2011, by Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi at our San Jose Seva Ashram, USA.
"This is the favorite day of Srila Gurudev... We've heard him say how Lalita Saptami was in his personal opinion more exclusive than Radhastami. More specific. We are in the line of Lalita Devi and anyone who has connection to Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and his mission through Srila Gurudev and our acharyas will automatically go to the service group of Lalita Devi."
29 minutes, 19.9 MB mp3 audio posted on the Californian sevaashram.com website.

Related to this day of Sri Lalita-saptami from previous postings on the Math's websites.

20 September 2012

Appearance of Sri Sita Devi, the Consort of Sri Advaita Prabhu.

Srimati Sita Thakurani, the Consort of Sri Advaita Prabhu. An extract from The Advent of Sri Gaurasundar, describing her going to the Lord just after His appearance. First published in Counterpoint (Vol. 1 No. 6), edited by Sripad Devashis Prabhu.

Darshan matutino: El día de la Aparición de Sita Thakurani con Su Divina Gracia Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj el día viernes 17 de septiembre de 2004. Traducción al español: Jai Balai Prabhu.

20 August 2012

(17 August to 15 September 2012: the extra month of Purushottam.)

Italy. Invitation to Rome and Lecco for discourses (29 Aug. and 2 Sept. respectively) by Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj entitled 'Mangia, Canta, Ama!' about the evolution of the soul through beauty and Divine Love. Invitation poster, plus a short youtube video trailer with Italian subtitles of Sripad Goswami Maharaj speaking on this subject. (The poster is also available in higher resolution [1.4 MB].)

Vrindavan. Sri Krishna Janmastami at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission, led by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj who came from Delhi for the occasion accompanied by three cars full of devotees. Webpage of pictures.

Related to the extra month of Purusottam from previous postings on the Math's websites:

The Extra Month of Purusottam by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, first published in Bengali as an Editorial in the Math's Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine. Of particular interest as this year the Vedic calendar has thirteen months instead of twelve. This extra month is known as 'Purusottam'.

Purusottam month, the question has arisen that since this year there is the additional month of Purusottam and it comes within the first month of chaturmasya, then in what way will fasting be observed during this month?
The answer is that because this additional month is special for the Lord's service, it will be followed in a similar way as to the month of Karttik, the last of the four months of chaturmasya. (First posted in July 2004.)

11 August 2012

Sri Nandotsava. Appearance of Visvavarenya Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.

Audio. Nandotsav and Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj's Appearance, 2000. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"Today is Nandotsav, Nanda Maharaj's house festival for the birth of Lord Krishna. When Mother Yasoda got her senses back and she saw her child, a very sweet child, playing within His bed, she was very stunned to see the beauty of Lord Krishna as baby Krishna. Then she called everyone to see the new-born boy... Not only the cowherd boys and girls came to see the Lord, but also Shiva, Brahma, Indra and so many demigods also came in the form of humans as cowherders and they also danced in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj."
24 August 2000, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
36+ minutes, 8+ MB mp3 audio

10 August 2012

Sri Sri Krishna Janmastami.

Worldwide today, devotees are following Srila Govinda Maharaj's guidance: to read Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita from the beginning up to the chapter before Sri Nimai Sundar's appearance, and to read Srimad Bhagavatam 10th Canto up to and including Sri Krishna's appearance.

Audio. Sri Krishna Janmastami talk, 1999. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on Sri Krishna's Appearance Day, 1999. "Krishna said to Arjuna: 'My birth and death is not like ordinary humans' birth and death... It is aprakrita - transcendental form, and eternally it is existing in Goloka Vrindavan.' Who properly understands it, he will not only get liberation from birth and death, he will get service in the transcendental world of Lord Krishna."
London, 3 September 1999.
43+ minutes, 10 MB mp3 audio

Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear to Tread, by Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj. Originally published in Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine, Srila Sridhar Maharaj's 8th Disappearance Anniversary Edition, 1996, this is the full article from which the 31 July 2012 update I do not make any show of Jhulana-lila was extracted. (15 pages, 98 K pdf/Acrobat Reader document.)

Italy Tour. Illustrated report by Krishna Kanta Devi Dasi who writes: "I would like to share the beautiful experience I had recently, while traveling around Italy in the beautiful association of sweet devotees... As Srila Acharyadev told us 'If the devotees do not come to the temple, you can go to their home!' So we did." (6 pages, 850 K pdf document.)

2 August 2012

Purnima. Appearance of Sri Baladev. Fast until noon. End of Jhulan Yatra of Sri Sri Radha Govinda.

Excerpts related to Sri Baladev compiled on this His Appearance Day, from books by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Audio. Lord Baladev's appearance day, Thailand, discourse in 2009 by Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj (Srutasrava Prabhu at that time) glorifying the position of Sri Baladev, Nityananda Prabhu, and Sri Guru. A lecture on 5 August 2009 given during Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's last visit to Bangkok.
"So that Baladev, all of that shakti, all of that energy, is changed into merciful dispensation in the form of Nityananda Prabhu. And then Nityananda Prabhu has come to us as our Gurudev. The position of guru is the embodiment of Nityananda Prabhu's mercy dispensation, and in that way it is coming to all of us, without any consideration."
53+ minutes, 12 MB mp3 audio

1 August 2012

Invitation to our Annual Kartik Pilgrimage 9th-26th November 2012. Itinerary: Kolkata - Mathura - Govardhan - Vrindavan - Kurukshetra - Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Kolkata. Rs 8,000 includes basic non-AC transport, shared accommodation and prasadam. A complete railway carriage on the Chambal Express is already reserved. If you would like to participate please let us know early:


New Centre opened in Delhi conveniently near New Delhi Railway Station. Jayakumar Prabhu and his wife Charu Bala Devi Dasi have selflessly hosted and served the devotees there ever since their marriage and have now given over their spacious flat for the full time use of the Math.
At Ganga Sagar a new Centre has also recently been established. Situated on India's east coast where the Ganges River meets the ocean, large festivals are held here annually.

31 July 2012

I do not make any show of Jhulana-lila. (25 K pdf/Acrobat Reader document.) An excerpt by Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj from the article Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Tread.
"Following what is true to my understanding of my Gurudev's will and his words, I do not make any show of Jhulana-lila or Rasa-lila or anything of the type. I find in my heart that this is not desirable of my Guru Maharaj."

Kolkata. Presentation on the Science of Bhagavad Gita to homeopathic doctors and students at the National Institute of Homeopathy earlier this month. Programme led by Sripad B.N. Shanta Maharaj and Sripad B.V. Muni Maharaj. Webpage of pictures with captions.

30 July 2012

Disappearance of Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Gauri Das Pandit Goswami.

Audio. Srila Gauri Das Pandit. Srila Sridhar Maharaj describes how Srila Gauri Das Pandit, being Subal Sakha in Krishna's lila, could recognise Sriman Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu when They presented Themselves in his quarters in Kalna. They lived there for a while, but when They wanted to go from there, Gauri Das Pandit couldn't tolerate the prospect of separation. So, the Lords promised They would stay with him. Two murtis were carved in wood according to Their figures. They installed the murtis and were about to take leave. Still Gauri Das Pandit couldn't accept that, so Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu took the murtis' places and the murtis took leave. Yet, that was also not tolerable by Gauri Das Pandit. Finally, the murtis stayed with him for his worship.
Excerpt from Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's informal discourse Nabadwip, 3 January 1982:
14+ minutes, 3.4 MB mp3 audio

Who is Srila Rupa Goswami? Excerpt from Sri Guru and His Grace by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. "The most sacred type of pure service, which is not open even to the sakhis, is open to the manjaris. That is found in Radharani's camp. So, the position of the Rupanugas, the followers of Sri Rupa, is the most profitable position. That has been given out by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. That has been shown by Him, and that is fixed as the highest limit of our fortune in Krishna's concern. This is unexpectable, undesignable and beyond hope, but our prospect lies there in that subtle camp of Sri Rupa Manjari, Rupa Goswami."

Srila Rupa Goswami - The Flow of Mahaprabhu's Line. Excerpt from Affectionate Guidance by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. 120 K pdf file.
"Rupa Goswami Prabhu is supreme in the preceptorial line of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Actually, no one says, 'Chaitanya Sampradaya'. Rather, the correct name is 'Rupanuga Sampradaya'. Mahaprabhu wanted to establish Rupa Goswami as the Guru of His sampradaya."

Vrindavan. Photos taken today of the Samadhi Mandirs of Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Gauri Das Pandit. Web-page of pictures.

29 July 2012

Audio. Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Disappearance Day discourse 2012 by Srila B.P. Janardan Maharaj at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California. "So many of the exalted Vaishnavas in the line of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur came to get Srila Sridhar Maharaj's association at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. A multitude of many exalted Vaishnavas."
56 minutes, 32 MB mp3 audio, posted on California's sevaashram.com website.

25 July 2012

Excerpts from Affectionate Guidance in glorification of Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj by Srila B.S. Govinda Maharaj. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj talks about Srila Sridhar Maharaj's position among his Godbrothers, his active preaching and the beginning of the Math's Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine.
Srila Govinda Maharaj quotes one of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's principal preachers, Sripad Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj: "We are preaching over the whole world, but from time to time we look to see whether Srila Sridhar Maharaj is happy with our preaching activities."

New publication: Sri Samadhi Mandir Stotra Mala in honour of the Anniversary of the Disappearance of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. This is a collection of all verses on Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Samadhi Mandir, The Temple of Union in Separation, in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. The book contains the verses in sequence, and includes extensive commentaries by Srila Sridhar Maharaj as well as Srila Govinda Maharaj, who manifested the samadhi and selected all of these favourite verses of Srila Guru Maharaj.
Compiled and prepared by Sadhu Priya Prabhu, and posted on his lightningbeats.com website in Issuu format, where the pdf file is viewable within the browser.
The book is also available to downloaded: 184 pages, 17.9 MB pdf book.

Vrindavan. Disappearance Festival of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj led by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math & Mission. Two web-pages with captions.

19 July 2012

Disappearance of Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Astottara-sata Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Audio. Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj's disappearance festival, 1994, USA. Srila Govinda Maharaj glorifies Srila Sridhar Maharaj and relives the very day of his beloved Srila Guru Maharaj's disappearance.
These are two different recordings on the same disappearance festival day at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California, 6 August 1994:
Part 1, 26+ minutes, 6 MB mp3 audio. Srila Govinda Maharaj describes how Srila Guru Maharaj nourished and harmonised Srila Saraswati Thakur's disciples of all ranks.
Part 2, 42+ minutes, 9.9 MB mp3 audio. Includes a description of Srila Guru Maharaj's disappearance. After the earthquake that shook Nabadwip Dham, Srila Gurudev knew that Srila Guru Maharaj was about to leave this world. Srila Gadadhar Pandit and Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur took this dark moon day, amavasya, for their disappearance. Srila Sridhar Maharaj had special affection for Gadadhar Pandit and Bhaktivinod Thakur, and chose this amavasya day to join with them.

29 July 2012

Audio. Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Disappearance Day discourse 2012 by Srila B.P. Janardan Maharaj at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California. "So many of the exalted Vaishnavas in the line of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur came to get Srila Sridhar Maharaj's association at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. A multitude of many exalted Vaishnavas."
56 minutes, 32 MB mp3 audio, posted on California's sevaashram.com website.

25 July 2012

Excerpts from Affectionate Guidance in glorification of Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj by Srila B.S. Govinda Maharaj. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj talks about Srila Sridhar Maharaj's position among his Godbrothers, his active preaching and the beginning of the Math's Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine.
Srila Govinda Maharaj quotes one of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's principal preachers, Sripad Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj: "We are preaching over the whole world, but from time to time we look to see whether Srila Sridhar Maharaj is happy with our preaching activities."

New publication: Sri Samadhi Mandir Stotra Mala in honour of the Anniversary of the Disappearance of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. This is a collection of all verses on Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Samadhi Mandir, The Temple of Union in Separation, in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. The book contains the verses in sequence, and includes extensive commentaries by Srila Sridhar Maharaj as well as Srila Govinda Maharaj, who manifested the samadhi and selected all of these favourite verses of Srila Guru Maharaj.
Compiled and prepared by Sadhu Priya Prabhu, and posted on his lightningbeats.com website in Issuu format, where the pdf file is viewable within the browser.
The book is also available to downloaded: 184 pages, 17.9 MB pdf book.

Vrindavan. Disappearance Festival of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj led by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math & Mission. Two web-pages with captions.

19 July 2012

Disappearance of Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Astottara-sata Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Audio. Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj's disappearance festival, 1994, USA. Srila Govinda Maharaj glorifies Srila Sridhar Maharaj and relives the very day of his beloved Srila Guru Maharaj's disappearance.
These are two different recordings on the same disappearance festival day at our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California, 6 August 1994:
Part 1, 26+ minutes, 6 MB mp3 audio. Srila Govinda Maharaj describes how Srila Guru Maharaj nourished and harmonised Srila Saraswati Thakur's disciples of all ranks.
Part 2, 42+ minutes, 9.9 MB mp3 audio. Includes a description of Srila Guru Maharaj's disappearance. After the earthquake that shook Nabadwip Dham, Srila Gurudev knew that Srila Guru Maharaj was about to leave this world. Srila Gadadhar Pandit and Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur took this dark moon day, amavasya, for their disappearance. Srila Sridhar Maharaj had special affection for Gadadhar Pandit and Bhaktivinod Thakur, and chose this amavasya day to join with them.

15 July 2012

Invitation to the Disappearance Festival of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj to be held at our Centres worldwide, plus a service opportunity to donate directly to Nabadwip Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math via PayPal for this glorious occasion.

11 July 2012

Disappearance of Srila Lokanath Goswami Prabhu.

Audio. "Lokanath Goswami Prabhu was a strict vairagi, so much so that he kept himself aloof from the public... He wouldn't keep company with anybody. He wanted to follow a strict programme of bhajan."
Excerpt from an informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj in Nabadwip, 6 November 1982.
6+ minutes, 1.5 MB mp3 audio

Excerpts related to Srila Lokanath Goswami from Golden Staircase by Srila Sridhar Maharaj and Affectionate Guidance by Srila Govinda Maharaj.

9 July 2012

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami's samadhi, his Temple and Deity of Sri Radharaman and related photographs taken in Vrindavan on his disappearance day yesterday. Web-page of pictures.

Srila Sanatan Goswami. A second page of related excerpts added to the glorification posted on his holy disappearance day recently.

8 July 2012

Disappearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami Prabhu.

Audio. "Gopal Bhatta Goswami was a very honourable Vaishnav and Mahaprabhu's parsad... He was always giving so much protection for Rupa-Sanatan's writings and Mahaprabhu's conception." Excerpt from Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's informal discourse over the phone to Sripad Madhusudan Prabhu on Srila Jiva Goswami's appearance day, 19 September 2002.
6+ minutes, 1.5 MB mp3 audio

Sri Gopal Bhatta Goswami was the son of Venkata Bhatta, a resident of Sri Rangam. Gopal Bhatta formerly belonged to the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya but later became part of the Gaudiya-sampradaya. Read more... Description given by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad in his purport to Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi-lila 10.105.

Related to Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami from previous postings on the Math's websites.

5 July 2012

Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Hriday Bon Maharaj.

Srimad Bhakti Hriday Bon Maharaj. In remembrance of the first godbrother of Srila Srila Sridhar Maharaj to be sent by Srila Saraswati Thakur to preach in the West. Two excerpts from our publications, one by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, the other by Srila Govinda Maharaj.

3 July 2012

Sri Guru-Purnima. Appearance of Srila Vyasadev. Disappearance of Srila Sanatan Goswami Prabhu. Beginning of Chaturmasya (when started on Purnima as followed in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math).

Audio. Vedavyas. Informal discourse by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"All the scholars in the world at present they admit that Vedavyas has distributed so many different thoughts. There is no one to compete with him in that matter... So many types of thoughts are represented by Vedavyas, in Mahabharat, Srimad Bhagavatam, so many Puranas, Vedas, Vedanta; all possible representations and considerations of all possible thoughts are represented by him alone. So he is master of all sorts of understandings. And he has given in his last days what is written in Bhagavatam: that love is all, Bhagavat Prem, Krishna Prem... 'The inner most hankering of every jiva soul is for this, for beauty and love, affection and harmony, not for power, not for knowledge or anything else.'"
11+ minutes, 2.5 MB mp3 audio

Audio: Chaturmasya begins. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaks in 2005 about the rules of chaturmasya and our position as a practitioner. He affirms that vedic knowledge appears through Krishna and Vedavyas; and other great scholar personalities have notated it. He tells how Narad Muni instructed Vedavyas to feel in his heart through meditation and to write the pastimes of Lord Krishna for his full satisfaction; and how Jiva Goswami has shown us that when Mahaprabhu appeared everyone could understand what was the final advice of the scriptures, that chanting the Holy Name of the Lord is the process for all religions.
21 July 2005.
19+ minutes, 4.6 MB mp3 audio.

Srila Vyasadev. Selected excerpts by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj taken from the Sermons of The Guardian of Devotion series and Sri Guru and His Grace.

Srila Sanatan Goswami. Excerpts from Sermons of The Guardian of Devotion Volumes 1 and 2 by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

1 July 2012

Puri Ratha-yatra 2012. Four web-pages of this year's Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Puri pilgrimage culminating in the Ratha-yatra Festival of Lord Jagannath. Pictures by Nimai Chandra Prabhu include those of two new sannyas disciples of Srila Acharya Maharaj: Purusottam Jagannath Prabhu became Sripad Bhakti Vijnan Muni Maharaj, and Ratan Krishna Prabhu became Sripad Bhakti Swarup Padmanabha Maharaj.

Italy. Spring preaching tour in Liguria, Italy. Sharing a colourful report sent by Anukrishna Devi Dasi of Hungary visiting our Villa Govinda Ashram near Milan. (8 MB pdf file.)

21 June 2012

Rathayatra of Sri Jagannath Dev. Disappearance of Srila Svarup Damodar Goswami Prabhu.

Rathayatra Day 2012 marks the Platinum Jubilee - the 70th anniversary - of Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj coming to stay at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.
Srila Guru Maharaj Srila Sridhar Maharaj explains:
"Sriyukta Sakhi Charan Ray secured this plot [where Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math stands today]. He purchased it with his own money. Here I began my 'heart-service' in a cottage. 1942 on Rathayatra Day I entered that cottage with Govardhan Sila. Before that I lived for some time with Sripad Kesav Maharaj in that rented house, and sometimes in Midnapore Math with high people like Sripad Jajavar Maharaj, Sripad Madhav Maharaj and others.
"But here I was separated. Only one person was with me, then after some time another person with a few gentlemen of Orissa came, and some other Godbrothers also came. Then Sripad Govinda Maharaj, as a boy, Sri Gaurendu Brahmachari, and others came."

Golden Reflections. Remembering the Golden Jubilee of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, this book is now available digitally online. It is prepared in two forms by Kundalata Devi Dasi of Russia: as text webpages along with a webpage of the scanned pictures; and as a full pdf scan of the entire printed book.

Video or Audio. What is Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math? Posted here in honour of the Platinum Jubilee of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami explains the meaning of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the basis of the conceptual architecture encrypted within the pranam mantram of the Math, composed by the Founder-Acharya, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
19 minutes, 4.6 MB mp3 audio
or:
Vimeo Video (stream or 118 MB QuickTime download).
and alternative video link on Spd. Goswami Maharaj's goswamiblog.com website.

20 June 2012

Gundicha Marjana: cleaning Gundicha Temple at Sri Puri Dham, and cleaning all Temples of the Lord.

Audio. This morning's Gundicha Marjana class in front of the samadhi mandirs in Nabadwip. Reading from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Sripad B.K. Tyagi Maharaj discusses this Pastime of the Lord and His devotees.
"The remembrance of this Pastime is that by the Lord's grace He will, for the most part, purify us; but yet, He wants us to be enthusiastic and very eager to engage in that (cleansing) process and to work wholeheartedly towards that end."
54 minutes, 12.4 MB mp3 audio

Nabadwip. A day of seva around Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Webpage of pictures with captions by Mahamantra Prabhu of Venezuela, currently serving at the Math.

19 June 2012

Amavasya. Disappearance of Srila Gadadhar Pandit and Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur.

Srila Gadadhar Pandit's and Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's Disappearance Day. Extensive informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on this day during his fifth world tour.
"Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur has shown exclusive service of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, that is: Gaura Gadadhar worship. Gadadhar Pandit and Mahaprabhu's connection was very intimate and affectionate..."
Venezuela, 8 July 1994, with Spanish translation.
Part 1, 38+ minutes, 9 MB mp3 audio
Part 2, 50+ minutes, 11.6 MB mp3 audio

Srimad Bhaktivinod-viraha Dasakam. Prayer of ten verses in separation from Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur composed by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Illustrated webpage prepared by Jagamohini Devi Dasi.

The Ocean of Sri Radha's Devotion. Comprehensive compiled webpage in glorification of Srila Sachchidananda Bhaktivinod Thakur in remembrance of his disappearance this day in 1914. Content and layout prepared by Jagamohini Devi Dasi.

18 June 2012

Aprakrita Prabhu's first disappearance anniversary held at our Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Ashram, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. One of the leading devotees of Malaysia, Aprakrita Prabhu's example and influence remain a sweet source of inspiration to many. Webpage of pictures.

10 June 2012

Siliguri. Installation of the murti of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. A glorious day of nagar-sankirtan, abhishek, fire yajna, kirtan, Hari-katha, offerings, arati and prasad distribution, all under the guidance of Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, marked the recent installation of Srila Gurudev's murti in our Siliguri Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Two webpages of pictures with captions, with additional pictures and videos posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website.

Panihati Festival, 2012. Our Math's participation in this year's programme, recorded in pictures by Nimai Chandra Prabhu with an introduction by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj. Webpage posted on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website, with additional pictures and video posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website.

9 June 2012

Appearance of Srila Vakresvara Pandit.

Excerpt about Vakresvara Pandit from Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion Volume III by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"Later on Mahaprabhu's intimate devotee, Vakresvara Pandit, came to Devananda's house. He came and had a private talk with Devananda, and Devananda was converted..." So, when Mahaprabhu after five years of sannyasa came again to visit this area, Kuliya here in Nabadwip Dham, Devananda fell at His feet, crying, "I have made such great offences!"

Vakresvara Pandit in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita. Selection of verses where Vakresvara Pandit is mentioned, especially for his ecstatic dancing, in Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Pastimes.

5 June 2012

Disappearance of Srila Shyamananda Prabhu and Sripad Rsabhdev Das Adhikari.

References to Shyamananda Prabhu. Excerpts from Affectionate Guidance by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj;
and excerpts from purports of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad.

Audio: Sripad Rsabhdev Das Adhikari - an excerpt from the soundtrack of the Vimeo video of him speaking a few weeks before his passing away in 2000.
"Dive deep, don't be satisfied with the surface understanding. Religion is a prison. And we've picked up so much of the acculturation of Hinduism and what we consider to be the Vedic religion, but it's necessary for us to go to the core, and this is beyond all visual, mental, and objective understanding, and that is the subjective. We must go into the subjective evolution of consciousness, and dive deep into that reality, Reality the Beautiful, where Krishna is searching for His lost servant."
Download, or listen online (13+ minutes, 3.2 MB mp3 audio)

Video of the above talk by Sripad Rsabhdev Prabhu, linked by Brajeswar Prabhu in the archives of his undereternityblue.com website. Also the same video posted with louder audio: 23 minutes, 58 MB QuickTime movie.

4 June 2012

Snan Yatra (bathing) of Sri Jagannath Dev. Disappearance of Srila Mukunda Datta and Srila Sridhar Pandit.

Srila Sridhar Pandit. From the chapter The Real Judgment of Love in the book Heart and Halo, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj illustrates the glories of Srila Sridhar Pandit with an anecdote from Sriman Mahaprabhu's Pastimes.

Srila Mukunda Datta. Compiled article describing the glories of Srila Mukunda Datta with links to further reading.

3 June 2012

Grand Festival of Srila Raghunath das Goswami at Sripat Panihati.

Related to this day from previous postings on the Math's websites.

1 June 2012

Audio. Sri Ganga Mata Goswamini. Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj describes the story of Sri Ganga Mata Goswami, the disciple of Sri Haridas Pandit of Vrindavan, and who was carried into the Jagannath Temple by the Ganges when she went to bathe in the Sweta Ganga kunda in Puri.
Informal talk on 24 September 2009:
19 minutes, 4.6 MB mp3 audio

Sri Ganga Mata Goswamini, short article introducing the life of the princess Sachi Devi who took sincerely to the renounced order of life and presently became known as Ganga Mata Goswamini. Compiled with the assistance of the Nilachala Puri Guide by Nowla Kisor Prabhu.

31 May 2012

Sri Ganga Puja. Appearance of Sri Ganga Mata Goswamini. Disappearance of Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusan Prabhu.

Audio. The Gita, processes of interpretation, and Srila Baladev Vidyabhusan. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj talks about the hundreds of interpretations of the Bhagavad-gita and how Srila Sridhar Maharaj's translation of the Gita is "the original ideal where bhakti-yoga is established in every chapter."
And: "As Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur indicated, there are two explanations of the Gita, one is raga-marga and the other is vidhi-marga. He has given us two kinds of processes, one is Visvanath Chakravarti's and the other is Baladev Vidyabhusan's."
Baladev Vidyabhusan composed Govinda-bhasya interpretation of Vedanta-darsan in twelve days and with that book he challenged the Vaishnav schools in Jaipur, defeated them all, and established there the achintya-bhedabheda conception of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
42+ minutes, 9.9 MB mp3 audio

Srila Baladev Vidyabhusan, three excerpts from the book Sri Guru and His Divine Grace by Srila Sridhar Maharaj describing his qualities, glories and valuable contribution to our sampradaya.

Home Comfort reprinted and available on our newly reopened online store, also available in bulk for distribution.
This popular introductory booklet is now in its 8th printing. In a clear way Srila Sridhar Maharaj brings home the point that this human life is rare, valuable, and has a purpose.
"If anyone will carefully read this booklet with sincerity, he or she must be benefitted and receive inspiration." - Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Kirttan Guide 7th editionis now available as a free pdf download (3.9 MB) in response to the several devotees asking for an alternative to the recently released iPad app.

29 May 2012

English edition of Saranagati is now available, thus fulfilling Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's wish for this book to be published in English.
In the words of Srila Govinda Maharaj: "If all the scriptures disappeared from this mundane world, but Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's songs remained, we would still have everything."
This long-awaited translation represents the entirety of the original 1949 Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Bengali edition, including Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's Sri Laghu-chandrika-bhashya.
(Hardbound, 306 pages including 8 picture pages.)

Online Bookstore is now re-opened under the banner of the Math's 'Sri Gaudiya Darshan' website. The online store currently has titles available in English, Spanish, Bengali and Hindi for shipping worldwide, including the newly published English edition of Saranagati.

iPad app of the complete Kirttan Guide 7th edition. Well laid out, easy and quick to navigate, this is available in both the free 'SGG light' version and the $2 'SriGitanjali' version which comes complete with audio recordings of all the kirttans. Prepared by the Russian 'Ethnolife' team, these are available from Apple's iTunes App Store.

Audio: Bhagavatam's description of an eclipse must be so. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj explains how he stood firm by the Srimad Bhagavatam's version of an eclipse - of Rahu devouring the sun or the moon - and received the support of Srila Saraswati Thakur.
"In our ancient shastra we find that they are always talking to the person, though to us it is dead matter; but they have consider them as person... The shadow (of an eclipse) when it is seen as a person, that may be Rahu... that is also conscious. Everything is first consciousness, then matter...
"They are dealing with everything as person, why? Because before coming to the material conception they have to come through a particular process, and pure consciousness is coming to pure matter, then there must be some mixed stage, and that is person; person suffering in karma. Person means not a whole spiritual person, (but) as we are: a mixture. So, what they are saying and addressing - everything is person. It is real, it is not concoction. It is necessary truth."
2 March 1982.
Part A, 17+ minutes, 4.1 MB mp3 audio
Part B, 22+ minutes, 5.2 MB mp3 audio

17 May 2012

Appearance of Srila Vrindavana das Thakur.

Audio: Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur's Appearance Day. Informal talk by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj over the phone with Madhusudhana Prabhu from Hawaii in May 2000.
"Vrindavan Das Thakur is the incarnation of Vedavyas for Chaitanya lila, and that Vrindavan Das Thakur, today is his appearance day. We are so happy when we are reading Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, we cannot believe how sweet is this book... Actually, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur mentioned about Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat: it is pure suddha bhakti grantha. Pure suddha bhakti - not depending upon any reason. It is like Ganges water flowing from up to down... Vrindavan Das Thakur was direct and last disciple of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and very much intoxicated with the Pastimes of Nityananda Prabhu."
Dum Dum Park Temple, Kolkata, 30 May 2000.
Download, or listen online (20+ minutes, 4.8 MB mp3 audio)

Bengali: Sloka in glorification of Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur and Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami composed by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Published in the introductions of our Bengali Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Srila Gurudev recites the verse and explains its meanings in the above audio (of 30 May 2000). Read here in Bengali the Introduction of our Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat.

8 May 2012

Invitation to our annual pilgrimage for Sri Jagannath Rathayatra in Puri from 18th to 23rd June inclusive. If you wish to participate in this year's Puri Pilgrimage, please let us know soon.  . In order to help cover costs, the requested donation is Rs2,500 which is inclusive of shared accommodation at our Sevak Bhavan Guesthouse in Puri, Prasadam, and local bus excursions from Puri. The donation does not include travel to/from Puri. Trains can be booked via the Web or from the tourist booking office on arrival in India.
If you would like to stay and serve at our Temples in India after the festivals, please contact us. Your service would be much appreciated.

'Tips for Pilgrims' extensively updated with useful information for devotees visiting our Temples in India. Includes information on how to find your way to our Temples, how to book trains and flights (including train timetables), and tips to help make your pilgrimage as smooth as possible.

5 May 2012

Sri Nrsimha-chaturdasi: Appearance day of Sri Nrsimhadev. Full fast until after sunset, then no grains (anukalpa).

Audio: Nrsimha Chaturdasi, 1982. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj gives an informal discourse at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on this day in 1982. "When Prahlad Maharaj was tortured to the extreme by his own guardian, none could come to his relief. But Nrsimhadev came in the most trying moment. So, He is there. He is everywhere. He is all-conscious about our different stages. When our demand is very acute, very intense, He appears: 'I am your guardian, I am here, I am here!'"
6 May 1982:
37 minutes, 8.6 MB mp3 audio

Audio (English and Portuguese). Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj on his last visit to Brazil gives a class at the weekly programme started by Sripad Tapasvi Maharaj and continued by the local devotees. Govinda Mohini Devi Dasi arranges these programmes at her Prema Restaurant, São Paulo.
English talk by Spd. Vaishnav Maharaj with translation into Portuguese by Deva Bandhu Prabhu. "Gurudev also had a different vision of us than we have of ourselves. His broad, merciful, Vaishnav vision was that we are already liberated. And he explained that once we get Krishna Prema - and he said quickly we will get it, but that's relative - you will never think of how long it took to get it."
22 October 2011:
44 minutes, 10.2 MB mp3 audio

30 April 2012

Appearance of Sri Nityananda-sakti, Sri Jahnava Devi, and Sri Rama-sakti, Sri Sita Devi.

Excerpt about Jahnava-devi from The Nectarean Glories of Sri Nityananda Prabhu by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Also available in pdf format.

Audio and Video. Appearance Day of Jahnava-devi. Sadhu Priya Prabhu of Australia describes Jahnava-devi's glories in an interview on this day in 2010 at our Dum Dum Park Temple, Kolkata.
17+ minutes, 4+ MB mp3 audio
or: streaming 'Vimeo' video (39.7 MB)

Devamayi Devi Dasi passed away suddenly yesterday morning in California, USA. A disciple of Srila Sridhar Maharaj, her translations into Bengali were much appreciated by Srila Govinda Maharaj. He liked her choice of words, expression and literary style. She first translated the book 'Golden Staircase' ('Suvarna Sopan') and went on to translate 'Home Comfort', 'Loving Search for the Lost Servant', 'The Benedictine Tree of Divine Love', and selected chapters from other of the Math's publications into Bengali.

Jahnu-saptami. Sri Jahnavi Puja (Sri Ganga-puja).

Jagannath Puri visit by Srila Acharya Maharaj as part of his current travels to our various Indian centres. Accompanied by a small group of devotees he visited several of the local holy places of Puri and made various arrangements at our Temple in preparation for the Rathayatra Festivals and pilgrimage in June. Webpage of pictures with captions.

Srila Acharya Maharaj inspires Delhi preaching while staying as guest in the home of Jayakumar Prabhu and Charu Bala Devi Dasi on his way from Govardhan to Puri. Webpage of pictures with captions.

24 April 2012

Beginning of 21 days Chandanyatra of Sri Sri Jagannath Dev. Aksaya-tritiya good day to start some works.

Related to this day from previous postings on the Math's websites.

23 April 2012

Appearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj.

Audio. In remembrance of Sripad Jajavar Maharaj. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj tells about Sripad Jajavar Maharaj's comment of Srila Sridhar Maharaj uprooting the Benares' Mayavadis' conception, throwing it away and establishing Krishna Consciousness. This took place at the time Srila Prabhupad Saraswati Thakur wanted to establish a Math in Benares.
19+ minutes, 4.5 MB mp3 audio

Pranam mantra of Sripad Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj composed by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and referred to by His Divine Grace in the 1987 recording below. Posted with English translation on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website, this mantra was first published on 10 May 1956 in Sri Gaudiya Darshan (Volume One, Issue Ten) in an article commemorating Sripad Jajavar Maharaj's appearance day.

2012

Appearance of Srila Gadadhar Pandit.

Audio: Srila Gadadhar Pandit's Appearance Day. Informal talk by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj over the phone with Madhusudhana Prabhu from Hawaii. Dum Dum Park Temple, Kolkata, 2006.
Download, or listen online (20+ minutes, 4.7 MB mp3 audio)

A Holy Day, Excerpt from Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion, Volume II, Chapter 7 by Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.
"After returning from Gaya, when Sri Chaitanyadev expressed his Devotional Aspect, He said one day, 'Gadadhar, from your very childhood you are a devotee of Krsna, and My days have been wasted discussing grammar and mundane literature. But you, Gadadhar, My friend — your life is very successful. You have fulfilment of life. From the beginning you are fond of Krsna-nama."

Dr. Dolgobinda Shastri passed away yesterday in Orissa. He is probably best known to most Western devotees by his talk 'A Born Preceptor' on Srila Govinda Maharaj's Sri Vyasa Puja, 1990. Entrusted by Srila Guru Maharaj to teach Sanskrit to Srila Govinda Maharaj in 1947, Dr. Shastri had extensive association with them both throughout the whole 14 years of his stay in Kolkata.
'A Born Preceptor' (48K pdf file) is included in the book Divine Servitor.

2012

Disappearance of Srila Vrindavan das Thakur.

Audio. Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur's Disappearance, 2007. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj explaining the mood of Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur by saying that what he has given us with his Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat book is pure suddha bhakti. He reminds us the advice of Srila Prabhupad Saraswati Thakur: "If you repeatedly read this Chaitanya Bhagavat, you will get, by the grace of Vrindavan Das Thakur, pure consciousness about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Pastimes."
39 minutes, 9+ MB mp3 audio

Smaller video. Disappearance Festival, part 1. Smaller link is now available of the large video posted yesterday of the Govardhan festival.
28 minutes, 37+ MB wmv video
('wmv' is 'Windows Media Video'. Mac users may need to install the free Flip4Mac WMV.)

Video. Disappearance Festival of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Morning lectures in glorification and remembrance of Srila Gurudev. First of two videos prepared by Subal Sakha Prabhu and Mahamantra Prabhu recording the earlier part of the morning's events at our Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram, Govardhan.
28 minutes streaming 'vimeo' video (120 MB)

Audio. Puspa Samadhi and Murti Installation Festival of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in Govardhan. Morning lectures in glorification and remembrance of Srila Gurudev by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj, Sripad B.B. Avadhut Maharaj, Mahananda Prabhu B.R., Sripad B.C. Parvat Maharaj and Sripad B.N. Narayan Maharaj.
62+ minutes, 14+ MB mp3 audio

Srila Gurudev's abhisek at his newly inaugurated Puspa Samadhi Mandir, and other events from mid-morning onwards at our Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram, Govardhan. Two webpages of pictures with captions.

Memories of Sri Govardhan Puja held last Kartik at our Govardhan Temple led by Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj. Two webpages of pictures with captions.

Slide-show of the Ekachakra Festival in February honouring the Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Picture slide-show of events at our Ekachakra temple, posted by Sripad B.C. Parvat Maharaj on his bcparvat.scsmath.org website.

4 April 2012
Disappearance of Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Astottara-sata Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and inauguration of his Puspa Samadhi Mandir in Govardhan.

Govardhan: First pictures of today's Disappearance Festival of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, the inauguration of the Puspa-Samadhi, and installation of His Divine Grace's Murti at Srila Sridhar Sridhar Swami Seva Ashram, Govardhan. Two webpages of photos taken up to 10am today.

Talk by Pujyapada Satprasangananda Prabhu (later to become Sri Nayanananda Das Babaji Maharaj) in glorification of Srila Govinda Maharaj in Nabadwip in 1986.
"Our Govinda Maharaj is now the chief inspiration behind that [Srila Sridhar Maharaj's] preaching ... He was an expert in kirtan and playing the mrdanga; his kirtan was always ecstatic. From the time of his coming here to Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, the Transcendental Service of the Deities Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govindasundar became manifest more and more beautifully and gloriously. This gave us much joy. For this, Srila Sridhar Maharaj delegated all service responsibility of his Math, preaching and devotees to Govinda Maharaj..."

Awakening the True Self. New post on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website in honour of the disappearance day of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. A poem Srila Govinda Maharaj wrote in his youth wherein he prophesies his glorious service to his Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Originally published in Sri Gaudiya Darshan: Volume 1, Issue 4, 15 November 1955.

Vaishnava Thakur. Excerpt from Dignity of the Divine Servitor. Glorification of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj from a lecture given by Sripad B.S. Goswami Maharaj on the Appearance Day of Srila Govinda Maharaj in San Mateo, California, 1990. (2.2 MB pdf file.)

'Acharyya-charana-vandana' Composed and translated by Sripad B.A. Sagar Maharaj in glorification of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. (150 KB pdf file.)

Excerpt from 'Lotus Eyes - Lotus Tears' - an article written by Sripad B.S. Goswami Maharaj and posted on his website in February 2003. After Srila Govinda Maharaj had two strokes, and contemplating the possibility of a third, Sripad Goswami Maharaj recalls:
"Srila Govinda Maharaj became grave. As Mahaprabhu sang an inexplicable song before the chariot of Jagannath, Srila Govinda Maharaj paraphrased a poem of Rabindranath, anticipating the chariot of Yamaraja:
"'Preme esechilo chole gelo… Love came into my life but quietly departed… Now I have nothing to do but wait for that guest (death) who will come one day, blow out the sunset of my life like a lamp, and take me away in his chariot...'"

Picture series of the Samadhi Mandir development of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in Nabadwip. Album-history of its construction from March 2010 until inauguration in April 2011. Two webpages (compiled April 2012) of pictures.

Disappearance Festival of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on the 10th day after his disappearing from this world. Nabadwip, 6 April 2010. Newly compiled (April 2012) webpage of pictures.

Audio. Sri Rama-navami informal class this morning, Lord Ramachandra's appearance day, by Sripad B.K. Tyagi Maharaj. "Ramachandra's Pastimes come as this grand enlightening example for the souls of the world to see the beauty of following the dharma."
1st April 2012 in Nabadwip:
73 minutes, 16+ MB mp3 audio

Video/Audio. The Acharyas are fulfilling Srila Gurudev's desire. Srila Acharya Maharaj gives a class in the museum of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Centenary Memorial Building. Addressing a gathering of Western devotees, including many from Russia, Srila Acharya Maharaj expresses his appreciation for everyone's participation in the recent Nabadwip Dham Parikrama festivals and his wish that all will serve together as one family.
"All the Acharyas are giving initiations and making disciples; it is not their own idea, it is Srila Gurudev's will, Gurudev's desire. Now they are fulfilling Gurudev's desire, they are not going their own way. We are together. We are one to protect our whole worldwide Mission of Gurudev as well as Srila Gurudev's wish, his desire... We are all the same family of Gurudev's family."
This recording starts with Srila Acharya Maharaj referring to the Appearance Place of Sri Nityananda Prabhu in Ekachakra.
9 March 2012, Nabadwip. English, with Russian translation.
10+ minutes, 2.3 MB mp3 audio
14 MB wmv video

Audio. Breaking the spell of illusion.Morning class by Sripad B.S. Goswami Maharaj during the recent Gaura-Purnima festivals. "Everyone in the world is under the influence of Madan, Cupid. Everyone is bewildered. Madan puts everyone into moha, illusion ... If you are going to get a proper perspective on things then necessarily the first Deity must be Madan Mohan, because that means He "
11 March 2012, in Nabadwip:
59+ minutes, 13.6 MB mp3 audio

Sannyasis' Group Photo taken during Gaura-Purnima in Nabadwip with almost all the leading sannyasis present at the Math for this year's grand festivals.

Grand festivals held in Nabadwip for Sri Gaura-Purnima, Sri Nabadwip Dham Parikrama and related celebrations held in the association of over 200 Western devotees and thousands from around Bengal and India. Five picture pages with captions, compiled from pictures by several devotees.
In addition, many pictures of the parikramas are posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website, and by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com site.

California, two websites launched on Sri Gaura-Purnima to broadcast the message and news of our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashrams in Soquel and San Jose. These are prepared by by Hasyapriya Prabhu along with Sushila Devi Dasi and several devotees:
SevaAshram.net with articles posted by the devotees at the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram;
And:
SevaAshram.com with news from the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram.

Invitation to the Disappearance Festival and Puspa Samadhi inauguration of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj at our Govardhan Temple. The main event will take place on Srila Govinda Maharaj's 2nd Disappearance Anniversary, 4th April 2012, with programmes in Vrindavan and Govardhan from 1st to 6th April.

Vaishnav Calendar for 2012 to 2013 is available at our calendar link along with the corresponding iCal format version for automatic notification of special events worldwide as well as Ekadasi dates followed in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip.

Audio: Gradation is always there. Informal talk by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj given on 15 January 1984. "We are encouraged to try to catch the infinite as much as we can ... (but) what is our capacity? If we try our utmost, still how much can we extend ourselves? We are encouraged: Go forward! When you reach there then also you will find something more. Go forward!"
24 minutes, 5+ MB mp3 audio

Audio: Glories of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj in which he describes how Srila Saraswati Thakur changed the impression society had of the Vaishnavas - who used to be seen as low class. He established grand temples and utilised everything, including all the "fruits of technology", to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. Now everybody sees how great is Vaishnava dharma: greater than great.
Informal discourse by Srila Govinda Maharaj on Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur's avirbhav, 1990:
53 minutes, 15 MB mp3 audio

12 February 2012

The 139th Divine Appearance festival of the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and worldwide Sri Gaudiya Maths, Bhagavan Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad. Anniversary Festival of the installation of Sri Gupta-Govardhan Sri Mandir, Sri Govinda Kunda, Nabadwip. Disappearance of Srila Purushottam Thakur.

Related to this day from earlier postings on our Math's websites.

Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Sripad Bhakti Premik Siddhanti Maharaj.

Audio. Extensive discourse on the holy appearances of Varahadev and Sri Nityananda Prabhu by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Included in this talk Srila Gurudev describes the specific mercy of Sri Nityananda Prabhu in relation to Srila Sridhar Maharaj accepting disciples, and he discusses the early days of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.
Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day in 1989:
Download, or listen online - 88 minutes, 20.4 MB mp3 audio. (The breaks are in the original recording.)

Brazil, 30 day visit by Sri Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi. Extensive webpage of pictures with captions covering events throughout the country, posted by Raseshwari Devi Dasi, who writes: "Bhakti Lalita was like a balm over all devotees here. We felt like Srila Gurudev was here, blessing our hearts."

7 February 2012

Appearance of Srila Narottama das Thakur. Sri Krishna's Madhurotsava.

Ekachakra. Grand Festival held in glorification of Nityananda Prabhu and the anniversary of the installation of the Deities at our beautiful new Temple there. Almost 200 photos and a video, of events led by Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com. website.

5 February 2012

Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Fast until noon. Grand festival and installation anniversary of Sri Sri Guru Gaura Nityananda at Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha, Ekachakra Dham.

Audio. Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day, 2003. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj speaking on this day:
"Whoever is taking shelter of Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu is very merciful to him and giving all wealth of Krishna Prem to him. This is the character of Nityananda Prabhu. If anyone chants once 'Jay Gaura Hari, Jay Sachinandana!' Nityananda Prabhu is thinking 'I am his slave' and He gives all to him ... Who is fallen or not fallen, who is bad or who is good, there is no consideration. His mercy is going everywhere ... Without mercy of Nityananda Prabhu no one will get Krishna Prem."
Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on 15 February 2003.
50 minutes, 11.5 MB mp3 audio

Audio. Sri Nityananda Dvadasakam. Srila Govinda Maharaj reciting this composition of twelve prayers composed by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj glorifying Sriman Nityananda Prabhu.
6 minutes, 1.5 MB mp3 audio

Today's Sri Ekachakra Festival held grandly in honour of Sri Nityananda Prabhu's appearance and the installation anniversary of Sri Sri Guru Gaura Nityananda at our Sree Chaitanya Saraswata Krishnanushilana Sangha. Almost 100 devotees from abroad joined with thousands of locals to make the programme a great success. Pictures of yesterday's gathering and preparations are posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan.com website, with pictures of today expected soon.

Video. Highlights of last year's Ekachakra Festival and the installation of Sri Sri Guru Gaura Nityananda. Selected excerpts of Hari-katha, Hari-kirtan, and Prasadam distribution. 30 minutes, streaming video or downloadable QuickTime movie prepared and posted by Krishnananda Prabhu on his realitythebeautiful.com website.

Appearance of Lord Varaha.

Audio. Sri Varaha Dvadasi. Informal discourse by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on February 2006, Nabadwip. Srila Gurudev describes the different manifestations of Krishna-lila in Vaikuntha and the cause of Varahadev's appearance.
14+ minutes, 3.5 MB mp3 audio

New additional London Centre of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. One of Srila Gurudev Srila Govinda Maharaj's last wishes has now become a reality: an additional beautiful temple building has at last manifested by his divine grace. Fulfilling Srila Gurudev's wish it is both spacious and very near Heathrow Airport. Srila Acharya Maharaj envisions it as a dynamic preaching centre. It is already taking shape nicely, and the devotees invite volunteers to assist with the various new service opportunities.

February 2012

Disappearance of Srila Ramanujacharya.

Article: Trade Secrets of Devotion from informal discourses by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. "If we are attracted by faults, that will come to us, and we shall have to pay for that. It is a practical thing. And it is also based on reason and scriptural advices. We must be careful..."
Published by Sripad B.S. Goswami Maharaj and posted on his goswamiblog.com website.

Vasanta Panchami. An excerpt from the unforgettable talk given by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami in 2009, posted by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website. "Today is a very auspicious day. In the time of Srila Guru Maharaj we would always discuss the qualities and Pastimes of all the devotees who are honoured on this day. And today is specially Vasanta Panchami; Krishna performs His Vasanta rasa dance today..."

Audio: 30+ earlier discourses are now available as mp3's that were previously posted on the Math's website as old-format RealMedia files (and thus were no longer playable on many modern computers). Most of these are informal discourses by His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj and were posted prior to 2004. Many are accompanied by summary notes to assist the listener.

South Indian preaching by Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj who travelled to Andhra Pradesh for an intensive five-day schedule. He visited three towns where he led several programmes a day. His trip was organised by Sripad B.N. Shanta Maharaj and the community of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's devotees in South India. Report with two pages of pictures posted on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Audio: Sripad Sankaracharya's Appearance Day. Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj's Sunday feast class at our Soquel Seva Ashram, USA, 8 May 2011. As well as discussing Sripad Sankaracharya's ontological position, Sripad Janardan Maharaj emphasises:
"Our divine spiritual masters are always interested in what will help us. I feel myself fortunate to be able to have had, and have, that kind of association because our best interest is in the heart of a saint ... It is not enough just to think that you will accept a spiritual master, but you must be accepted by a spiritual master."
50 minutes, 12 MB mp3 audio

Audio: Worship of the Lord's devotees. Sripad Bhakti Kusum Ashram Maharaj delivers a class before the Sunday feast at our ashram in Soquel, USA, 12 June 2011:
"Srila Govinda Maharaj many times used to reveal that Vaishnavism is really not the worship of the Lord. Really we are more interested with the worship of His devotee. The Lord is always very happy when He sees the devotees' worship."
67 minutes, 16 MB mp3 audio

Appearance of Mahavishnu Avatar, Sri Advaita Acharya.

Audio. Advent of Advaita Acharya. Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj explains: "First, Advaita Acharya descends here and then He looks around and finds that people are all apathetic to the truth, to Narayan. They are very fond of worshipping so many demigods and going on with their temporary pleasure searching, mad with that without caring for their own soul or liberation, or the life after liberation: to have a proper adjustment in Krishna consciousness. He was very much disturbed by this scenery and he prayed very fervently for the Lord to come here and to preach the Supreme Name, Nam sankirtan, by which a general amnesty and a peaceful effort may be done to start a campaign towards home. Back to God, back to home - this Nam sankirtan. And Mahaprabhu with others they also gradually come down here and begin their Nam sankirtan."
38+ minutes, 8.8 MB mp3 audio

Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami. Sri Saraswati Puja. Appearance day of Sri Vishnu Priya Devi. Appearance of Srila Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Srila Raghunath das Goswami, and Srila Raghunandana Thakur. Disappearance of Srila Viswanath Chakravarti Thakur...

Invitation to Sri Nabadwip Dham Parikrama and Sri Gaura-Purnima Celebrations, to be held 3-8 March 2012 at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip.
Large numbers of devotees will be arriving from around the world headed by almost all the sannyasis of the Math. If you wish to participate, please let us know soon, so we can better serve you.

Audio: Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami, a very auspicious day. Srila Sridhar Maharaj chants the glories of personalities connected with Sri Krishna Vasanta Panchami. "Vishnupriya Devi's life is that of helping the fallen to go to the utmost, the highest domain of love where Krishna, Love Divine, is; where the jiva can be very, very near to Krishna. Mercy is over justice. Love is also over justice."
Srila Sridhar Maharaj's informal discourse, 30 January 1982:
(67+ minutes, 15.5 MB mp3 audio)

Bengali poem 'Sri Nimai's Sannyas' written by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj in which he expresses the grief-stricken hearts of the residents of Nabadwip. The transliterated composition is accompanied by a fully amended English translation. Posted by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Poem from the very first Sri Gaudiya Darshan magazine, by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj: 'Ahvana' ('An Appeal') introducing Sri Gaudiya Darshan, published on 14 August 1955. Posted on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Inauguration of the ladies' ashram in Ambikakalna, West Bengal. Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj completed a grand two day inauguration festival and installation of Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gaura Nityananda and Sri Sri Gandharva Govindasundar Jiu. Almost 1,000 attended. Pictures and report posted on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Audio: Two additional classes taken from the videos of Spd. Goswami Maharaj's recent talks in Thailand are available on Sadhu Priya Prabhu's lightningbeats.com website. If you find difficulty downloading from there, please use these alternative links:
12 January 2012 — Living an active spiritual life
20 January 2012 — How to be free of prejudice?

Brazil visit by Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi. After an enlivening stay as guest of honour at Sri Krishna Shakti Ashram, São Paulo, Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi headed south where she nourished the devotees of the Srila Govinda Maharaj Seva Ashram, Porto Alegre. Webpage by Shivanandini Devi Dasi of pictures with captions posted on their indiabrasil.org website.

Invitation to Sri Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance Day Festival in Ekachakra on 5th February, marking the first anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Guru-Gaura-Nityananda at our beautiful new temple there.

Audio: What is Service? Evening class by Sripad B.S. Goswami Maharaj in Thailand as part of his current series of discourses.
22 December 2011:
54+ minutes, 12+ MB mp3 audio

Video: Regular Thailand discoursesby Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj are available live on alternate evenings.
Anukrishna Devi Dasi writes: "Dear Devotees, we kindly invite everyone to become a guest of new online programme 'Perfect Calligraphy of Thought'.
Every second day online (in English only) at:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/russia-darshantv.

Audio soundtracks of the videos of Spd. Goswami Maharaj's recent talks in Thailand are being made available by Sadhu Priya Prabhu on his lightningbeats.com website. Those with slower internet connections may find difficulty downloading the full files, in which case use these alternative links:
17 Nov. 2011 — What is initiation?
05 Dec. 2011 — How to stay when you want to leave?
20 Dec. 2011 — How to cross over pride?
22 Dec. 2011 — What is service? (See above)
24 Dec. 2011 — The world of Krishna
26 Dec. 2011 — Live every day as your last day
28 Dec. 2011 — Which service is better?
30 Dec. 2011 — How to live with loneliness?
31 Dec. 2011 — New Year – New Leaf
06 Jan. 2012 — Srimad Bhagavatam is the treasure of the Vedas

Invitation to the Santa Cruz Memorial Service of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj, to be held on Friday, January 20, at our Soquel Seva Ashram. Similar festivals will be held in Nabadwip and in Vrindavan next weekend in remembrance of Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj.

Video: Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj class in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on the anniversary of the Disappearance of Srila Guru Maharaj Srila Sridhar Maharaj, 30 July 2011. Streaming video posted by Sadhu Priya Prabhu on his lightningbeats.com website.

Audio: Reciprocating with Srila Gurudev. Another chance to hear this class by Sripad Vaishnav Maharaj given in our Soquel ashram responding to questions by the gathered devotees. "Srila Gurudev promised us that if we are loyal and chaste we don't have to be perfect, we will be reunited with him again ... Our Gurus, our beautiful affectionate guardians, have explained that principle to us: that every wave is favourable."
10 July 2011, Soquel, USA:
46+ minutes, 10+ MB mp3 audio

Many pictures of recent preaching events and visits to our Temples in Bamunpara, Ekachakra and Siliguri by Srila Acharya Maharaj, posted by Nimai Chandra Prabhu on his vaisnavadarshan website in his current postings and recent archives.

Daily Kirtan audio CD of six kirtans (see track listing) led by Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. This CD is prepared by Rohini Kumar Prabhu who has also made it available on eBay.

Recent North India preaching tour by devotees led by Sripad Shanta Maharaj from our Siliguri Temple, specifically for the scientists. Purusottam Jagannath Prabhu prepared a brief report of the tour and the various exchanges during the tour, and posted the report on Sripad B.M. Puri Maharaj's mahaprabhu.net website.

Winter Preaching in Kolkata. Devahuti Devi Dasi and a group of devotees recently took the Math's bus to Kolkata for ten days. Daily they engaged in sankirttan and book distribution, attracting over sixty people to attend programmes at our Dum Dum Park Temple. Webpage with write-up and pictures posted by Sripad Tyagi Maharaj on the Math's gaudiyadarshan.com website.

Passing away of Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaj. The beloved disciple, friend and eternal associate of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Bhakti Sharan Vaishnav Maharaja (formerly Srutasrava Prabhu) passed away on the evening of January 9 in California. A senior disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, he took shelter of the lotus feet of Srila Guru Maharaj and became one of Srila Govinda Maharaj's most staunch followers.

Audio: New Year's day discourse 2008 by Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj on his verandah in Nabadwip, 2008. Srila Gurudev explains that the New Year has started but we need to make some promise to ourselves. "Actually the best promise for everyone is written in Bhagavatam... that we have no other alternative except the service to the Lord."
Download, or listen online (30+ minutes, 7.1 MB mp3 audio)

Audio: New Year's day discourse 1997. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's speech on Sri Govinda Dham's Deity's Installation Day in Murwillumbah, Australia on New Year's Day, 1997.
6 minutes, 1.4 MB mp3 audio.
33+ minutes, 8.2 MB mp3 audio

Censure of Sripad B.K. Giri Maharaj. The Acharya Board of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math express the need to protect our devotional family from a disinformation campaign that has being going on for a year and shows no signs of abating. "We advise all faithful followers of Srila Govinda Maharaj to avoid his association, personally, or through email and the internet." (Posted July 2011)

Our spiritually affiliated members and centres are responsible for the content of their own websites.

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What was New: thousands of Earlier Updates, listed month by month, year by year....

Plus a section of Srila Govinda Maharaj's World Tours with many links connected with his broad, affectionate preaching abroad.

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