All glories to Parama Karuna Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurachandra

Nineteen new Devotees in Venezuela

Caracas, Venezuela.

By Vaidehi devi dasi, 15 November 2004

Today Srila Govinda Maharaj initiated nineteen devotees around 9 am at his present abode in Caracas, Venezuela. We waited until breakfast was over and he was well rested, and then many devotees came from all over to take his shelter.

There are no words to describe the quantity of happy enthusiastic devotees that serve at this wonderful Ashram. Everybody is present to do whatever they can to help Purujit Prabhu who is the president of this Math, and Antaryyami Prabhu, the activities coordinator.

There were several young ladies that took initiation today who have been visiting the Ashram and doing Seva. Above: Govinda Devi Dasi from Maracay

Many of these devotees have been waiting for His Divine Grace to arrive. Above: Syama Nandini Devi Dasi from Puerto La Cruz.

There were so many initiates that Sripad Trivikram Maharaj, Sripad Janardan Maharaj, and Sripad Akinchan Maharaj chanted the Mahamantra to help our dear Srila Gurudev initiate all of the sincere seekers present today.

In Soquel it was a little easier to communicate with everybody since we all speak the same language, but now that we are in South America with the exception of a few, everybody speaks very little English. Sripad Ashram Maharaj was sitting next to His Divine Grace translating his words.

As soon as the devotees received their beads they began to chant immediately. All they needed was for Srila Gurudev to plant that seed in their heart.

Everyone was very happy to be together with Gurudev. This is the first time that many of the devotees have seen His Divine Grace, so every chance they get to be in His presence is like a miracle to them.

Kamala Nayani Devi Dasi offering flowers to Srila Gurudev's lotus feet.

This beautiful four year old Ishani Devi Dasi also received Gurudev's mercy.

The room stirred as this little devotee went to Gurudev's lotus feet to receive initiation.

Gurudev asked: "Can you chant?" Gurudev was a fountain of smiles and bliss today.

Left to right: Laksmi Devi Dasi, Kamalini Devi Dasi and Nityananda Prabhu.

Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, the reservoir of sweetness and glorification.

After the initiations had finished at Srila Gurudev's quarters in Purujit Prabhu's house, we all left to the Ashram to prepare for the Sunday feast. Bhajans begin at 3:00 pm and then arotik begins at 6:00 PM Srila Govinda Maharaj was at this time in his abode watching the Sunday festival through the computer screen: the bhajans, and then the class given by the six swamis: Sripad Goswami, Akinchan, Janardan, Trivikram, Ashram, and Siddhanti Maharajas. Surprisingly enough right as Sripad Trivikram Maharaj began to speak we heard a big kirtan approaching the door. Srila Gurudev arrived to the Ashram unexpectedly. He came inside, sat in his chair and began to speak. He told the devotees:

Seeing their enthusiasm and knowing that so many of his swamis were here to preach, how could he resist? What was he going to do in his room just watching, he wanted to participate! His desire was to be here with the devotees because their mood is so sweet, and their hearts are so big, that he was very much attracted. Everybody in the room was teary eyed and beaming with happiness. He spoke for a little longer about how his Guru Maharaj gives him so much strength. Every time he feels ill, or not too good he feels Srila Sridhar Maharaj protecting him more than ever.

Srila Gurudev began to speak about the enthusiastic and expanding preaching that is happening in Latin America. Mahaprabhu has chosen to come here and has given these devotees so much mercy. We are all protected by Srila Sridhar Maharaj and all of the Latin American devotees are inconceivable enthusiastic. He kept mentioning again and again that the kirtan in Venezuela is the most beautiful in the world. The kirtan here is so lovely and all of the dancing is coming from the devotees' hearts.

After this he began to sing "Jaya Radha Madhava, Jaya Kunja bihari...." Srila Gurudev's voice was a little weak due to his health but it was very melodious. After he had finished singing Sripad Ashram Maharaj took the lead and the kirtan continued for another forty-five minutes before Gurudev left. At one point the kirtan stopped and His Divine Grace stood up chanting "Haribol Haribol!" hinting at the devotees to continue their chanting.

This night was never ending ecstasy for the Venezuelan devotees and the visitors at 'Quinta Parama Karuna.' Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj Ki Jaya!

—Vaidehi Devi Dasi
On pilgrimage from California

21st World Tour information including dispatches and pictures from London, USA and Venezuela.