All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga

The Most Holy Sri Vyasa-Puja Festival, 2002

of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip

by Jaga Mohini Dasi

The Mists of Sri Govinda Kunda: 21st December 2002

"Applying the soothing salve of sambandha-jnana, a proper acquaintance with the environment, my spiritual master has opened my inner eye and thereby rescued me from the darkness of ignorance, fulfilling my life's aspirations. I offer my respects unto Sri Gurudeva."

On the full moon night of the eve of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's holy Appearance Day, devotees and friends all over Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math were cleaning, cooking and decorating for the auspicious occasion. Streams of fragrant flower garlands were draped artfully around the Samadhi Mandir, the nat-mandir and the Temple of Their Lordships Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Govindasundarjiu.

A team of devotees quietly entered His Divine Grace's verandah after he took rest and worked late into the night decorating his quarters with balloons, colourful streamers, new chair covers and lotus flowers. The morning air of the grand day was thick with fog, but His Divine Grace entered the room with saffron and glowing face as radiant as the morning sun. His Divine Grace was greeted with a boatload of prayers and gifts and an ocean of affection by his disciples and well-wishers. At one point, looking around his decorated verandah, he said, "Oh, you all have so much energy!" His smile of appreciation was a rain cloud of sweet mercy.

Following morning arati, the devotees performed parikrama around the Math and across the road to the lovely Sri Govinda Kunda. The thick fog hung suspended over the sacred waters. The newly lit Gupta Govardhan Temple -- The Sriman Mahaprabhu's Divine Water Play and Sri Gupta-Govardhan Sri Mandir -- appeared to mystically rise and float over the milky mist of Sri Govinda Kunda. We are reminded that we are at the lotus feet of the inner, hidden Govardhan and that this very kunda was created when the surabhi cow lovingly bathed Lord Krishna with her milk. Srila Grooved. has said that one who is very fortunate can sometimes taste that surabhi cow milk in the drops of water from Sri Govinda Kunda.

The parikrama party disappeared into the fog as it circled the holy kunda, but the transcendental sound of Hari Kirttan easily rose through the darkness and enveloped the devotees' ears and hearts.

Today's Golden Thread

The most holy and exalted ideals of Vaishnava-seva, humility and honouring all, combined to form the golden thread that highlighted this auspicious day. In the huge assembly of devotees and guests, on this day of giving all glory to His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj, Srila Maharaj himself received that glory and placed it firmly at the feet of his beloved Srila Guru Maharaj. Like the full moon surrounded by so many luminous Vaishnava stars, His Grace, in beautiful poetic language, glorified the Divine Guru-varga of the Sri Rupanuga Sampradaya, in particular the extraordinary devotional contributions of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. He continued by giving all honor to the devotees present as well as all around the world, noticing that so much is coming his way, but that he considers everything to be only for the honour and glory of Srila Guru Maharaj.

Srila Gurudev noted Sripad Goswami Maharaj's role in bringing Srila Guru Maharaj's beautiful message of pure devotion to the West. Sripad Goswami Maharaj in turn spoke eloquently and forcefully about His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's most exalted and rightful position as Acharyya and how Srila Guru Maharaj personally chose Srila Govinda Maharaj as his successor in every matter and manner for Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. We are reminded that those who are fortunate, those who with sincere faith and devotion receive the holy darshan of Srila Govinda Maharaj, can begin to understand the beauty and perfection of that choice.

Sripad Tirtha Maharaj spoke with sweet words and gave praise to the Divine Guru-varga, as well as honour to all the assembly of devotees. He delighted the ears and hearts of the devotees by reciting some of the beautiful poetry that His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj composed as a young man in praise of his Guru Maharaj.

Giving all honor and respect to others and expecting none for oneself, such beautiful qualities of the true devotees of the Lord we have witnessed today and every day here in Sri Nabadwip Dham. Always deflecting the light of personal praise and honour and reflecting it back to Sri Guru and Vaishnava, the sincere devotees shine like jewels.

'sadhu-sanga', 'sadhu-sanga'-sarvva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu sange sarvva-siddhi haya

"A moment's association with the sadhu awards all success, and this is the verdict of all scriptures." (C.c. Madhya 22.54)

"Make the teachings from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else. Attachment to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the best means of spiritual advancement. By his mercy all desires for spiritual perfection are fulfilled." (Narottama dasa Thakura)

Praying that the foot-dust of the Vaishnavas may be the crown upon my head and that the mercy of Lord Nityananda may be my goal birth after birth,

with obeisance,
Jaga Mohini Dasi