All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga
All Glories to The Guru of The Universes:
    Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

Venezuela, a land graced by Grace Personified

Dispatch by Pranesvari Devi Dasi

My humble obeisances from the bottom of my overjoyed heart to Srila Gurudeva Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and to all the devotee readers.

In times of chaos at different levels in Venezuela Their worshipable Lordships Parama Karuna Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra bestowed mercy on this land one more time: His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj finally arrived for the spiritual joy and growth of all the devotees eagerly praying for this miracle to happen once again.

All signs were auspicious since the early hours: a wonderful sunrise with the hues of Srila Gurudeva's clothes, gentle breezes and showers to clean and refresh the city of Caracas, then a spectacular sunset confirming He was arriving to continue blessing our lives.

Excitement, tears, delight mingling with devotion, Love, surrender; children gracefully decorated with tilak; Didis distributing flower petals to render honour to His Divine Grace; Prabhujis eager to sing the Glories of The Lord of The Universes....

Nearly everyone managed to make it to the airport, by any means and despite cold and persisting rain around 9 PM. And many emotionally charged encounters. In my case tears easily overflowed at the sight of devotees whom I hadn't seen in almost twenty years, smart and dedicated teenagers whose baby faces were still fresh in my mind.... Ever present souls and eager and newly arrived ones, all connected by the link of genuine Affection, desire and Faith which unleashed such a powerful energy being radiated and broadcast all over the place.

A large "Welcome to Parama Karunaland" banner fluttered. Harinama was happily going on. And finally the plane landed. Shortly afterwards Purujit Prabhu showed up to indicate the door and a pastime started: for a couple of times doors would open and hearts would stop beating... just to find out Srila Gurudeva wasn't behind that door! Moving to another door, then rushing downstairs — another door... Another... Ecstatic!

When we finally came before His merciful glance, we offered our Love and Devotion; you could feel the intensity, such a beautiful reunion! Sannyasis headed by Sripad B. K. Ashram Maharaj and other devotees protecting Srila Gurudeva as all of us as a crowd wanted to touch and see Him closer....

Even after such a long, tiring trip, Srila Gurudeva Lovingly addressed the devotees and continually showered His mercy upon us. He accepted fragrant garlands prepared with care and infinite Affection. He looked beautiful and radiant, His great sense of humour was fresh and spontaneous as always.

Definitely His Holy Lotus Feet won't touch the floor while in Venezuela — He will only walk on the rug made of our Loving Hearts.

May Heavens bless us with His eternal guidance as we would be completely lost without Him.

Dandavats pranams to all the devotees, with eternal gratitude for the rarest, most valuable opportunity to meet real Vaishnavas in this lifetime,

Pranesvari dasi
Caracas, Venezuela. 12 November 2004