Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj arrived smiling and effulgent in London on Monday morning. He was accompanied by Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj, Prabhu Ranjit, Bhakti Lalita Devi Dasi and Jamuna Priya Devi Dasi, and was warmly received by devotees from the UK, Europe and the U.S.

During the afternoon darshan, Srila Gurudev said he felt very fortunate to be in London. His flight was originally scheduled to arrive the day before but was cancelled due to a British Airways strike. Last minute travel arrangements were made to get on an overnight flight from Delhi.

Devashis Prabhu told Srila Gurudev the London Math is now fully owned in the name of the trust board as the mortgage was paid off last week. His Divine Grace said, "London is my place of seva. I love London because Guru Maharaj loved London."

He continued, "This place may be small but it is a firm branch of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. The devotees here are wholeheartedly serving Sri Chaitanyadev and His glorious sampradaya."

Sripad Goswami Maharaj gave a riveting lecture in the evening, saying the London mission was the first expansion of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in the Western world. He spoke about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad’s efforts to spread the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu without consideration of class or nationality. Srila Prabhupad cultivated a broad conception of Krishna Consciousness and Sripad Goswami Maharaj quoted Srila Guru Maharaj’s saying: "Reality exists for Itself and by Itself," and to that purpose, "He can spring out of any soil."

This morning Srila Gurudev woke refreshed and cheerful. He spoke beautifully with a strong voice, and a transcript of that discussion will be posted soon.

Please forgive any offences in this report. Humbly trying to serve the devotees,

Vrndavanesvari dasi
22 July 2003