A Harmonius Convergence
October, 2009
Photos courtesy of B. C. Parvat Maharaj, Ramai Prabhu, Virachandra Prabhu, Krishnapriya Didi, Bimal Krishna Prabhu, Jenny, Damayanti Didi, and Swarnangii Devi Dasi. ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
A Harmonious convergence of devotees at the Seva Ashram in the first week of October resulted in an explosion of Sadhu Sangha which showered mercy particles on everyone within it's radius filling their hearts with happiness and joy.
A Harmonious convergence of devotees at the Seva Ashram in the first week of October resulted in an explosion of Sadhu Sangha which showered mercy particles on everyone within it's radius filling their hearts with happiness and joy.
The devotees from Salt Lake City were already contemplating coming here after a visit by our Kamal Krishna Prabhu. He invited them to attend and assist the Harinam, Book distribution and Samosa sales program at the "Love Parade" in San Francisco.
The arrangements were forming and then we were blessed with the imminent arrival of Sripad Goswami Maharaj and Sripad Avadhut Maharaj.
Then everyone jumped on board and even moved up their arrival date and the vehicles set out from Salt Lake for the twelve hour drive to Soquel.
Already present at the Ashram were Sripad Janardan Maharaj, Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj and Sripad Parvat Maharaj and it just so happened that Nyasi Maharaj was planning a trip to Salt Lake so he changed it to arrive in San Francisco instead since everyone was already here.
This miraculous event drew everyone in our community to the Ashram.
Best friends Indira and Jahnavi Devi Dasis.
Every meal was like a festival day.
So many devotees and so many great cooks. We actually didn't have time to make special arrangements so our usual cooks had to adjust and cook for an extra 20 or so! They were awesome.
Rey Kisori, Krishna Kanti, Vaidehi and Swarnangii Devi Dasis.
Goswami Maharaj talks with young Nandini, granddaughter of Krishnapriya Didi.
Our Ashram "Pet Deer" received much mercy from all of the visiting dignitaries......
and the children were especially happy to feed him.
Jaya Sri Didi
Sivani
Nitai Prabhu
Nitai, Prem Narayana and Kesavananda Prabhu with Jenny help with the bhoga preparation.
The visiting devotees were not idle they jumped right in and joined in every seva.
The hillside behind Srila Gurudev's house had the nasty invasive Acacia trees removed readying it for new plantings.
Sudarsan and Nitai Prabhus broke out the power washer and the walkways and stainless steel shelving were sparkling when they were done.
Every where you looked someone was hard at work. Ashapurna and Rey Kisori Didis helped to clean the kitchen.
Damayanti Didi cleaned the stoves.
Madhurima Didi attacked the Prasad Hall.
Jaya Sri was unstoppable as were Ashapurna and Rey Kisori.
Also in San Francisco, Vidura Krishna Prabhu, Bimal Krishna Prabhu and Sushila went with samosas and books to the Bluegrass festival.
Vira Chandra Prabhu had a basket of cookies to distribute.
Sushila, Vira Chandra and Mahadevi all helped with the distribution efforts.
At the same time Avadhut Maharaj was leading an enthusiastic Harinam.
The festival goers happily joined the kirtan party and danced with the devotees.
As the devotees moved through the park they were greeted with happy faces and many joined in.
On another day a Harinam was arranged for downtown Santa Cruz. B.C. Parvat Maharaj and Kesavananda Prabhu.
Sripad Avadhut Maharaj, Srutasrava Prabhu, Kamal Krishna Prabhu and Sripad Parvat Maharaj.
They met at the Jumping Monkey restaurant and headed downtown.
More devotees joined up with the Kirtan group downtown.
As the Harinam party grew it also became more enthusiastic.
Happy faces!
It really started to get exciting.
Avadhut Maharaj danced continuously.
As did Kesavananda Prabhu.
The party moved through the streets...
and they were such a beautiful site.
Who else is this happy?
Avadhut Maharaj gave one instruction....
Don't turn your back on anyone which means...
...Keep dancing.
The kirtan party could be heard from a few blocks away. It's mystical sound drawing everyone nearer.
Laksmipriya, Ashapurna and Iti Didis, then Giridhari and Kamal Krishna Prabhus.
Jenny and Dhanistha Devi Dasi.
Anuradha and Syam Mohini, Nitai and Vinodini.
Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj.
Dhanistha, Rey Kisori and Uma Didis
Jenny and Vinodini
Nimai and Madhurima
Young Sita
The growing party.
Anuradha, Braja Mohini, Sita, Damayanti, Nandini, and Kalindi
Nitai, Kesavananda Prabhus and Iti Devi Dasi
Nitai Prabhu
Jaya Sri and Tanu Sri
The kirtan party came across a family bluegrass band and Maharaj chanted to them and they happily accompanied him with their different instruments.
The kirtan was very sweet and the harmonious mood was endearing to all that were nearby.
Then it was time to move on.
A very successful and happy day.
A very successful and happy day.
Another event was the "Love Parade" in downtown San Francisco.
Prem Narayan Prabhu, Avadhut Maharaj and Kesavananda Prabhu performing Hari Nam sankirtan.
People were everywhere and the devotees also distributed books, samosas and cookies.
Avadhut Maharaj and Prem Narayan Prabhu.
Jaya Ram Prabhu chanting in the background and in the foreground, Kesavananda Prabhu receives a sticker from one of the festival attendees.
Bimal Krishna Prabhu, a super samosa distributor.
Vidura Krishna Prabhu helped to organize the distribution efforts.
Our sweet Mahadevi Dasi.
Kamal Krishna Prabhu always enthusiastic to preach.
The next festival was the Saturday evening feast in San Jose. It was a big turnout.
A lively kirtan for arotik.
Then much mercy flowed from the many sannyasis present.
Sripad Goswami Maharaj, Sripad Janardan Maharaj and Sripad Avadhut Maharaj fulfilled the desires of the devotees by speaking so beautifully.
Madhavananda, Sudarsana, Prem Narayan, Madhumati, Vira Chandra, Kesavananda and Laksmipriya.
Ashapurna, guest, guest, Vaidehi, guest, Rasangi, Kalindi,Nadia and Jenny.
For the Sunday feast in Soquel we actually had 6 sannyasis!
To the delight of everyone Goswami Maharaj led the class in front of Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Giridhari Jiu.
Sripad Parvat Maharaj and Sripad Nyasi Maharaj.
Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj.
Sripad Avadhut Maharaj also spoke to the devotees.
Devotees jammed into the Temple room to participate in this nectar fest.
Our regular attendees and many old faces resurfaced and celebrated with us.
After hearing such enlivening words it was now time for kirtan and young Nav was ready with his mrdanga.
The kirtan built to such a point it could not be contained and it came alive with the enthusiasm of the participants.
Our best mrdanga players and kirtan leaders. Everyone jumping and clapping it entered the hearts of all and filled them.
Those of you that know us know that this was not to be the end of the evening
no matter how much satisfaction everyone felt.
It was now time for the Sunday feast.
no matter how much satisfaction everyone felt.
It was now time for the Sunday feast.
Time for the devotees to take their seats.
Vrinda Devi always helping in every way.
Susmita, Rasangi, Braja Mohini, Uma and Krishna Kanti Didis.
The Temple room was fully utilized.
Krishna Madhuri and Sushila Devi Dasis and Nitai and Prem Narayan Prabhus.
Ashapurna, Rey Kisori, Jenny and Sri Lekha Didis.
Bharat Chandra and Anjali are surrounded by devotees.
Damayanti Devi Dasi and her brother Laksman Prabhu
Christopher, Veronica and their mother Bhaktapriya Didi.
Visnupriya visiting from Dubai and Rasaraj Prabhu.
Outside, Avadhut Maharaj took Prasadam with some Russian guests from the Bay area.
Except for Mallika and Iti we have never met them before but Maharaj has a way of attracting sincere seekers to him.
Such a happy few days now comes to an end. The devotees prepare to return to Utah.
We were so honored and enlivened to have had their sweet association and everyone agreed we need to do this more often.
Sripad Goswami Maharaj also leaving us says his affectionate good byes to Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj.
All throughout these sublime days the devotees were feeling the divine blessing of our Srila Gurudev. His presence was felt through the sweet association of his beloved associates. His kind and affectionate hand reaching down to give us his grace was eagerly received in the many sincere hearts gathered at this auspicious place, His holy Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram. We are all truly blessed.
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj!
All Glories to Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram, Soquel, California!
All Glories to Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Mission, Salt Lake City, Utah!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare