Vyasa Puja Offerings Presented to Our Gurudev

All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

A collection of Vyasa Puja Offerings presented to our Gurudev,

Srila Acharyyadev Om Visnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

on the 72nd Anniversary of His Divine Appearance

1 January, 2002

Edited and compiled by: Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Vrndavanesvari dasi Assitant editor: Damayanti dasi Photographers: Jamuna Priya dasi, Sripad B.K. Giri Maharaj, Damayanti dasi, Ashapurna dasi, Sarvabhavana Prabhu, Vrndavanesvari dasi Art design: Vaidehi dasi Cover design: Sarvabhavana Prabhu Sponsored by: Mahananda B.R. Prabhu All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaja

Please accept my humble dandavats, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- Goswami Maharaja.

In these times of deep international distress in the material plane, it is inspir- ing to know that on the transcendental plane we are blessed with the divine presence of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaja. Having your darshan is absolutely the same as being in Vaikuntha. In this distant city of New York, despite the inconveniences we are experiencing, we are still blessed with your association. The whole sangat of New York went through these recent inconveniences with the inspiration of your transcendental presence. When the times were darkest we looked to the transcendental Dham, knowing full well it was blessed with your radiance; hence, all was well. Thank you once again for being with us in this dark place. Please accept my humble obeisances.

Satyahari dasa (New York) om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri guruve namah

vancha-kalpatarobhyas’ ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca patitinam-pavenebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

The vaisnavas are so merciful to us, the fallen souls. I am falling at your feet and begging for you to accept me as your servant. I have been in association with the devotees for around 7 years now. I was first with Gour Govinda Maharaja, but he left this world, and I went from temple to temple in Arizona, Los Angeles, West Virginia. Now after my long search, I found your devotees and learned of his divine grace Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja. Immediately I fell in love with his words, and now I have been living recently in Santa Cruz, going to the temple for about a year. Everywhere I go your, devotees are in my life: Nitya Hari Prabhu, Hari Vallabha Prabhu, Narotama Prabhu, Krsna Sundara Prabhu, and so many others. The temple and the preaching spirit seem beyond by weak sense of per- ception. I have no power but I am constantly praying for a vision to expand Mahaprabhu’s movement. I will always try to do this. Last night, I saw Jaya Laxmi devi dasi perform a very nice kirtan up in Mount Shasta, California.I am feeling that she is making an opening for Nityananda’s mercy. After studying Sridhara Maharaj’s books tapes and yours also, I have come to the conclusion that my chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra has no connection. I wish to be a soldier in your mission and spread education for the people about this Bhakti Siddhantha. I am praying for you to accept and guide this unworthy, fallen soul. I am praying to help in the estab- lishment of continuous Sankirtan, which inundates the whole planet for the benifit of all jivas. Will you please empower me? I pray that somehow or other the vaisnavas will bless us, as we attempt to spread Chaitanya Mahaprabu’s Harinama Prema Sankirtan. Jaya Laxmi needs some prayers too, as well as all the devotees in Santa Cruz. If you do not accept me, still I will always love you and your devotees.

Daniel Kamita All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

Dearest Srila Govinda Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your holy lotus feet, which give shelter to the whole world. By your sweet mercy we live; without it we just exist. How could we have lived if you had not come? The highest and the heaviest chair in the world you so perfectly sit in just for Srila Guru Maharaja's seva. You are never wanting it but always qualified for it, a natural paramahamsa. The most beloved Prince mercifully sits on the throne only by his Divine Master's cherished wish and long held desire.

How pleased Guru Maharaja, the whole parampara and all the stalwart devotees are. You always have been with you the dear most Divine servitor. You give us such wonderful, perfect Divine guidance and guardianship. Your mercy and affection are our life. Please cascade a particle of a drop of your mercy in my direction, and in so doing, drown not only me but the whole universe with Gaura premananda!!

Your aspiring-to-be-humble servants,

Jagadananda das Gaura Nataraja das Ramananda das Premananda das Yamuna dasi Varsana dasi Satyabhama dasi Krsna Priya dasi (U.S.A.) All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

Dear Srila Govinda Maharaja,

Please accept my dandavat pranams at your holy lotus feet. The Guru is an "ocean of mercy;" this is a phrase often said, but you can't be praised in a sin- gle sentence. An infinite amount of sentences are needed to proclaim your glories, your mercy, your tolerance and your never-ending service. All are incal- culable; all are more than an ocean. I can only offer my repeated dandavats as one of the tiny particles of sand your inconceivable ocean of mercy has washed over. Begging for your mercy, please forgive all my offences.

Your aspiring servant, Madhu Mati dasi (U.S.A.)

Most expensive and sweetest, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj,

Your new son, Madhava Chandra das writes to you. I would like to know how you are doing, and I would like to know how Vrndavan is, hoping someday it will be possible visit there, where Sri Krishna appeared and has His divine pastimes. I want so much to meet you and embrace you, and I have need of your guidance. I want follow you. I want to be able to learn English so I can listen. Please send me your service. I have completed eighteen years, and I hope to find a place with the devotees. Here there is always Maya, which gives annoyance to me also when I pray, but it is not so important because the Lord is sweet and good, and he has saved me. Only the conscience of Krishna has saved me; this is a miracle! Therefore, I hope to see you soon and hear more news of you.

Your servant, Madhava Chandra das (Italy) My dear Gurudeva,

All Glories To Srila Guru Maharaj! All glories to you! All glories to the most auspicious day of your anniversary!

Please accept my humble reverences at your lotus feet! I don’t know poetry, and I’m not a good writer, but I would like to show you my gratitude for all Your mercy towards me. How could I glorify you if I don’t understand things properly? I just bow down my head and take you, my Hero. One thing I would like to ask you on the day of your anniversary: please never let me go away from your shelter. If it’s necessary, put me in chains. Everything is going on nicely here. The preaching program is a success. Rohini didi is a tireless preacher, and Lochanananda Prabhu is a tireless Pujari. Also we have more and more friends joining to help in the seva. We are all missing you, and we hope to meet you soon. I wish you a wonderful celebra- tion of your anniversary.

Your useless dog, Ananga Krishna das (Brazil)

All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! Dear Master,

Please accept our humble obeisances and hearty compliments on Your Appearance Day. In the coming year, a child will take birth in our family. This event will happen by Krishna’s mercy, because we previously had no hope of getting a child. By taking shelter of Your lotus feet, we beg for Your blessings and spiritual support. Jaya Srila Gurudeva!

Arindam Krsna das and Lilavati didi (Russia) Beloved Maharaja,

I am ashamed to have let so much time pass since my previous letter to you. I am engaged with my job and family, and as soon as I have a moment, I chant the japa, and I try to rest. I have your photos scattered everywhere, in my house and office and when I see you, it is medicine for me. I have known the devotees for almost twenty years, near the beginning of the Krishna Consciousness movement in Italy. There were the disciples of Srila Prabhupada here, and I was a little envious that they had been able to know such a great person. I felt how much love and respect with which they spoke about him, and thought how I was so ill-fated not to have had one such opportunity. From the moment I met you, I realized what fortune I had, and that you have accepted me as your disciple. Therefore, I have very strong feelings for you. Often I call Mohita Krishna Prabhu in order to speak about you. But some- times he delays telling me news about you, like when you were sick and had to go to the hospital. Mohita knew it would have given me a lot of anxiety. I ask myself if you would be better physically if all it went well, and nobody made angry, and there weren’t any obstacles in your wonderful service. When I think of you, I smile. Everyday, when I am wide awake, I ask myself, “Krishna, non imports as it will be the day, but ago so that all the one which I am making and that I will make has one scope. " I hope I will be able to see you as soon as possible in India. Please accept my humble obeisances.

Your servant, Prema Sundari devi dasi (Italy) Dear Srila Gurudeva!

We are very grateful to Krishna for sending You to us as our dearest spiritual master. It is inconceivable to us the way You give spiritual strength and harmony to face our problems and hardships in the proper way. You are always dwelling in our hearts as the guardian of devotion and the dearest pre- ceptor of the Brahma Gaudiya Sampradaya. You are the direct source of the Divine Love of Sri Sri Radha Krishna, and you are shedding on us an inex- haustible stream of divine love and support, exactly as the Ganges river, that has been touched by Sri Krishna’s Lotus Feet, pours down its waters on the head of the reverent Lord Shiva. We know that the exclusive reason for Your Appearance in this temporary world is solely directed to save all the living beings from maya’s domain. You are the confidential servitor of the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krishna, an expert in making preparations for the sweet Pastimes of the Divine Couple within the grove of the Vrindavan forest. Besides that, You are an immediate witness and participant of Sri Gaura Lila in the Navadvipa Dhama. Gupta-Govardhan is situated here in Koladvipa. This holy place forgives all committed sins of sincere souls. That place is Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. Oh, our beloved Srila Gurudeva, Your extraordinary Appearance is the object of worship for all the three worlds. So, we are offering our humble and immense dandavats to Your Divine Grace in hopes of receiving the dust from Your Lotus Feet. In that very mood, our only prayer is: Please always engage us in serving Your mission and Your dear representatives to the best of our abilities, for all of our lives and in all situations we may be in. All Your disciples from Smolensk town in Russia offer this prayer to You, as well as their numerous obeisances unto Your Lotus Feet.

The Russian devotees from Smolensk town Dear Srila Gurudeva,

I’m bowing down to Your lotus feet on Your appearance day with intense feelings of gratitude for rescuing me and others from our spiritual blindness and for giving us contact with the ideas of Srila Guru Maharaja and Sri Rupanuga Sampradaya. For me, You are the personification of meekness and humility, mercy and goodness, and inflexible will in devotional service to Srila Guru Maharaja, the holy Vaisnavas, and Sri Sri Radha Krishna. I’m begging for Your divine benediction to engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet, the Vaisnavas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna.

Your menial servant, Vasudeva das (Russia)

Todas las glorias a Sri Sri Guru y Gauranga y a sus pies de loto!

Mi querido Gurudeva,

Usted ha venido a este mundo como una luz. Con su divina gracia y su gran afecto, nos despierte de la ilusion de Maya y cuidarnos del demonio llamado ignorancia; por eso y muchas cosas mas, me refugio en sus pies de loto, y me acobijo con su infinito manto de amor. Gurudeva, mi bebe Laksmi Nrsimha, tiene solo 1 mes y diecisiete dias, y solo sabe decir “abu” Y “hagui,” pero quisiera que aceptara sus dandavat pranams a sus pies de loto.

Mis dandavat pranams a sus pies de loto, Madhu Krsna d.d. Our Most Beloved Srila Gurudeva, Most Affectionate Savior, Your merciful behavior is far, far beyond the limits of religiosity, Extending even to us, who are dwelling in the unreachable realms of the shadow world. On this most blessed and joyous Day of your Appearance within the vision of the sad, bereft souls of this world, We offer you our full-hearted, hopeful prayer To one day properly sing your glories, To please you with sincere and enthusiastic service, To have even a glimpse of your sweet, kind, holy nature, And to receive your merciful blessings that we will lovingly adore you forever more.

Your most hopeless servants, Sri Govinda dasa, Srilekha devi dasi, and Jaya Shree devi dasi (U.K.)

Danavats Gurudeva,

I wish you have a very happy appearance day. I'm so glad because your health is good enough for you to come to Nabadwipa. That's why I'm so happy. I get all shaken up just wondering what it would be like if you hadn’t come, but I’m afraid I have to be back to Mexico in a couple of days. Maybe I won't see you any- more, but I have to accept that.

You please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet, Arjuna Krishna das (Mexico) Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Throughout the Forest of Sri Jarakanda, Sriman Mahaprabhu's causeless mercy spreads throughout the land. His Krishna Katha is so very fine, that it touches all living entities’ hearts and minds. And then they, the birds and the beasts, learn to dance so ecstatically in Love of God. In a similar way, Srila Gurudeva, by your causeless mercy, your care, well- wishes and love touch every living entity. Your Krishna Katha is so very fine, it captures all living entities’ hearts and minds. You give your mercy always, when the sun is shining, and in our dark night days. This debt I owe; I know it can never be repaid; I am undeserving, hypocrit- ical and perhaps even a burden to you for my insincere ways, but still you keep hold of me; you will not let me go; you keep me moving to trying to improve my insincere ways. So with great thanks, on this, Your Divine Appearance Day, we Glorify Your Lotus Feet, and we attempt to humbly pray: Please, please never kick us away. You are the Divine Master of all the aspiring Devotees and all living entities. Srila Gurudeva ki jaya.

Yours, aspiring to serve the Devotees, Asita Krsna dasa (U.K.) All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Dear Govinda Maharaj,

Please accept our humble obeisances and respects. We, the devotees of St. Petersburg in Russia, are very happy to have an opportunity to congratulate You on this day. We are so much benefited to have a chance, given to us by Your Divine Grace, to celebrate this event in such a great Temple of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madhava Sundarjiu. The official program was on the 28th through the 29th of December. The most pleasant thing was that Sripad Goswami Maharaj was present and gave us his association. Many people were invited, even from other Maths to show their respect to You. Some devotees prepared prasadam, which was extremely tasty and delicious. We watched some videos from the latest festival in Russia of your darshans. We collected many donations and distributed some books and tapes. During the evening program on the 29th of December, all the devotees had an opportunity to say some words about the event. The main thing everybody liked most was a legend told by one of the ladies. That lady was born in Lahta, the place where the temple stands, and since her childhood she knew a legend about some hidden treasure that was to be found nearby. Every spring, when they were planting some vegetables, they were searching for that Treasure, but only she realized that the treasure is the temple, which was build by your mercy. Goswami Maharaj also seemed to like this story, and he was very patient to listen to all we were saying. Many people gave their respects to all the vaisnavas and especially to Jagannath Vallabha Prabhu and his father, Vijai Raman Prabhu. Thanks to those people, we can see you and other vaisnavas with our own eyes.

Some of the devotees wanted to write to You personally but don't have time to translate all of their offerings. So I'll try to give you some of their comments.

Jai Gurudev! Because of your causeless mercy, I have an opportunity to have association with the devotees and serve the servants of your servants. But for Your Divine Grace I would have no chances at all. -Lila Sudha d.d.

I wish You good health! Jai Radha-Madhava! -Just a visitor

Please, come here to Lahta. It's so great being with you! -Sudama Vipra das

We are all so happy to serve You, being guided by Jagannath Vallabha Prabhu, our senior devotee and your servant! -Vradja Kishor das and Vinod Bandhu das

From dawn till dusk, I dream that my beloved and dear-to-my-heart spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj lets me touch his lotus feet and, using my energy, given by Krishna, make some real service to my Guru.

What can a useless servant say to his master, with whom he even had no darshan. But still I'm very happy that your divine hand pushes me forward to serve the servants of your servants. -As faithful as a dog, Nitai Chand das

I won't dare to write more, so as not to bother you. All I want to say is that we all love you and hope you are doing well.

Jai Gurudev!!! Jai Gurudev!!! Jai Gurudev!!! Hare Krishna!!!

With love and respect, All the devotees of Russia

(I beg You to forgive me for all offenses I could have made while writing this letter). -Amrita Mayi d.d. Todas las glorias a Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaja.

Querido Srila Govinda Maharaj,

En este misericordioso día de su sagrada aparición, me permito dirigirme a su divina gracia de la manera más humilde, para expresarle la infinita gratitud que mis hijos y yo sentimos por su señoria, quien siguiendo los pasos de su divino maestro Srila Sridhar Maharaj, es usted ahora el guardian de nuestra devoción. Su señoria permitame decirle lo preocupados que hemos estado por su salud; no quiero ni pensar que seria de nosotros sin usted, y siempre me pregunto cual sera el día en que nos de la misericordia de volver- lo a ver. Mi señor, usted siempre esta en nuestro corazón y le pido por favor nos perdone por nuestra falta de comunicación, pero eso no quiere decir que usted no se encuentre en este pequeño hogar, su hogar. Las visitas de Padmanabha Maharaj y Asrama Maharaj a Colombia han sido un oasis en este desierto. Muchas muchas gracias para ellos y para todos los devotos, nuestras mas sentidas obediencias. Solo puedo pedirle aceptar las mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias de estos hijos que nunca lo olvidan, y que nos permita estar siempre bajo su mis- ericordiosa y divina guia.

Sus eternos sirvientes, Chakra Pani das (hijo 6 años) Vaja Sundari d.d. (hija 3 años) Jagan Mohini d.d. (madre) (Colombia) Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj,

Please accept my dandavat pranams, a big happy birthday for you and, as always, I am hoping your health is going well. All glories to our Sampradaya, and all glories to yourself, the carrier of that gift. Thank you for the connection with that stream that flows from your seva life. May I be able to one day give you strength and vitality in your seva and hold a least one of the jewels that constantly pour from your association. My life is just a series of excuses to find ways to be in your association, for whatever cherished moment that will be. Thank you for caring individually for myself and my brothers and sisters in our spiritual lives, ever being dynamic in your application of Krishna Consciousness, as we present our weirdly shaped forms of devotion at your feet, which you will always find a way to accept and offer.

My love and full affection to you, Gurudev, Ishabandhu das (Australia) Jaya Nitai Chaitanyadev!

Dear Srila Govinda Maharaj,

On this anniversary, we want to thank Lord Krishna for having your magnanimous association, which we have waited many lifetimes for. To be born at this time and to be members of your family by your mercy, we will celebrate your Vyasa Puja at your Home in Mexico with the association of devotees and friends in order to remember you. Lord Krishna and our eternal Guardians protect You. Srila Govinda Maharaj, You are the reason for our lives.

Dandavats pranams to Your Lotus Feet, Lalita, Dhanistha, Kirtida and Adwaita Charan (Adwaita Kutir Ashram, Mexico) Dearest Srila Govinda Maharaj,

Please accept my dandavat pranams at your lotus feet. I would first like to ask forgiveness for any offense made in this letter by me. The concept of Gurudev is so above me that it makes me shake with anxiety. How can I really appreciate someone that I cannot even conceive of? How can true words of appreciation come out of such an ignorant individual as me? I am ashamed that I am trying to convey such appreciation through words. It cannot come from someone as low as I am. The only way I can tell you how much I appreciate you, is by appreciating, loving, and serving your devotees. This is also hard because I just realized how high these devotees are. I was just talking to Jivana and Yudhamanyu while washing dishes in the San Jose Ashram kitchen. I would ask stupid questions and have even more stupid insights. I did a little service for sweet Kum Kum didi and cut Ramananda's vegetables. This is not even service because I have so much fun. These are m friends. Jivana, Kum Kum and Sarvabhavana each have taken time to meet with me to answer my questions or address my con- cerns about my spiritual progress. I also spend some time washing pots and pans at the Soquel Ashram and having association with Sureshvari didi and Sanatani didi. When you instructed my to keep associating with these "exalted" devotees, I started to take a different look at them. That's when I realized that these are not ordinary devotees. They all have this serving mood. Their mercy is so great and genuine. There is no way I can avoid serving them. All I can do is serve these devotees. I would rather show you my appreciation by serving your devotees, than by writing flowery words that cannot come close to the way I truly feel.

Your lowly servant, Radha Raman das (California) gurvvabhista supurakam guru-ganair asisa sambhusitam cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam sri-rupa-panthanugam govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum bhakty anvitam sundaram vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno hi bija-pradam

Beloved Gurudev,

I bow down to your lotus feet with great humility. All glories, all glories, all glories to you, most beloved Gurudev, who is mercy incarnate. You are giving so much hope and faith to me, and you never give up on me. You only encour- age me and never see any bad in me. You are my only real friend and father. I pray to develop these beautiful qualities, which you exhibit to us, so that I may assist you and be an instrument to serve your mission. On this most blessed day of your divine appearance, I pray to you to please, please remove all the obstacles that are blocking my progress in serving you. It's all very inconceivable that I am even here; this mercy is unbelievable. No one would believe that poor souls such as myself would be so fortunate as to associate with such divinity. Dandavats Sri Gurudeva. Jai Nimai. Nitai.

Your forever-aspiring servant, praying for sincerity, Your Divya Shakti devi dasi (California) Dear Srila Gurudev,

Please accept my dandavats at your lotus feet. I am here in the Holy Dham for the first time, and my heart is filled with joy. Seeing your beautiful face every morning is making my life worth living. I am trying to follow your instructions and teachings, yet I realize it is harder than I thought. However, your humble tolerance is helping me through it. I am getting some wonderful service from Jamuna Priya d.d and Lalita d.d, and being able to serve you in even the smallest way fills my day with mean- ing. I am seeing so many sweet, humble devotees here, and they are becoming my family. I experience so much happiness in seeing the ceaseless service they are always engaged in, and I am happy to be able to serve them in some way. With your mercy, the teachings you give will stay with me forever, and I will be allowed to follow them. Your radiance gives me hope when I am down, and guides me through my life. Trying to comprehend how I am allowed to be here is impossible, but I pray I may find a way to thank you for this mercy.

Your servant, Anapurna devi dasi (California) Dearest Gurudeva,

On the auspicious day of your holy appearance, I offer my dandavat pranams to your divine lotus feet. I wish I could say something to make you smile on the anniversary of your divine appearance, but as insignificant as I am, how could I hope to be a source of joy to the most exalted Vaisnava in the three worlds? Truly, Gurudeva, I have nothing of worth to offer you on your birthday. Everything I have to give is being given by others already and in a far more superior way. I am not special and do not know how to serve you. I am simply a tiny jiva soul among millions of others. Any progress I have made in my spiritual life, however small, has been by your mercy only; any service I have done, however small, has been by your mercy only. I am not attempting to be humble; I am simply stating the facts as they are. All I can offer you is gratitude for the mercy you have extended to me in so many ways and a prayer that I may always aspire after your blessed service, always following you, no matter how far the distance between us.

Your daughter, Damayanti devi dasi (U.K.) Dear Govinda Maharaj,

Please accept my full dandavats at your lotus feet. This is my first letter to your Divine Grace, and I have no words to express my gratitude. I would like to make a poem with beautiful words to glorify the mercy I have received. I only want to say that my life and my heart are always and everyday con- nected with your Divine Grace. The notice of your health problem makes me very worried, and I would like to care for and be with you. I was born on February 25, 1946 and am now with 55 years old. My health is also not very good. But I like very much the natural medicine, using certain kinds of vegetables and fruits that are very easy to digest, especially if they are eaten as liquid and not cooked. Also no sugar, bread, rice, and milk for a certain period of time. I am not a good devotee. My family life with my wife, who is not a devote, and my two children, Vraja Bala and Yasoda (12 and 7), are not a very good example of a Vaisnava family. Our group in Curtiba is always under the protection of Padmanabha Maharaj, who is always coming to give us instructions and sadhu sanga. He is the greatest preacher of Krishna Consciousness. Also Bhuvana Mohan das is near Curitiba and a Senior devotee, with his great devotional service in book publications. He is also a very good friend. I intend to do some service for the expansion of Krishna Consciousness in Curitiba under your inspiration and Guru Maharaj.

Your servant, Ananta Dev das (Brazil) om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri guruve namah

gurvvabhista supurakam guru-ganair asisa sambhusitam cintyacintya-samasta-veda-nipunam sri-rupa-panthanugam govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum bhakty anvitam sundaram vande visva-gurun ca divya-bhagavat-premno hi bija-pradam

Dear Srila Gurudeva,

It is has been 10 years now since You blessed my life with Your spiritual connection to the glorious line of the golden Lords Srila Bhakti Rashak Sridhar Maharaja and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To this day, I strongly feel that only by Your benevolent Grace, an unworthy one like me is allowed entrance in the line of the magnificent Vaisnava Acaryya Srila Param Guru Maharaja, whose mood is alike the golden Lord Sri Chaitanyadeva Himself. With that in mind, my mood today is often of depression when I look at what I have returned to You and what kind of “follower” and “disciple” I am. My feeling is that You are mercifully and patiently tolerating me. My humble prayer is that the ray of Your Divine Light will keep shining on me and thus keep me alive. What incomprehensible blessing of Lord Sri Krishna has bestowed upon the life of a materialistic person like myself, that I have come in contact with such a grand and merciful Spiritual Being like You. So my prayer to You on the occasion of Your glorious advent to this world, is to keep my faith and a spiritual vision of the activities of the Devotees. Like all the great Acaryyas, You are always there for the Devotees, even at the expensive of Your own health. Still You continue for our benefit and Your Divine Darshan gives us life, hope and enlightenment. Nobody surpasses this divine example. With You as my guardian, the future is bright and will bring me, by Your Grace, increasing inspiration and strength to fully attain uncon- ditional loving service to You and the Vaisnavas.

Hoping You will have a very nice appearance day and that You will show Yourself in good health, Arjjunananda das (Netherlands) For my Divine Master

In the line of the Divine Masters You descended acting as a village boy. Telling us about Your pastimes gives us all much joy.

Your sweet smile perfectly frames Your moonlike face. Your heart and lips always filled with His Divine Grace.

In all humility You boldly opened the door, For all of us to come and beg for more.

Saranagati and Bhakti Divine Only by Your grace I can hope that one day they will be mine.

Although You are showing poor health, You are still traveling West. Giving us all the very best.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s message plain and clear. In Your heart there is no fear.

Building us a huge umbrella under which we can all come and hide, You shine like a comet in a dark and frightful night.

Illuminating this Kaliyuga sky, You tell us to die.

To die and live Our hearts to give.

To fill our hearts with love and devotion And not to get stuck in worldly emotion.

To dedicate our life to the highest cause, Not resting even for a minute to pause. May the Lord bless me always with thoughts of You With everything I say or do.

Srila Guru Maharaj Vyasa Puja Ki Jaya.

Your aspiring servant, Parama Bhakti dasi (Netherlands)

To His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj as an offering for His Divine Appearance Day

Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my most humble koti dandavat pranams. I am lowly and fallen. I always pray for your divine mercy. Please bless this lowly wretched fool.

Without your mercy, I am dying in this desert-like world of matter. Without your mercy, I am drowning in this ocean of nescience. You are an ocean of mercy. You are the savior of the fallen. By your grace, the crippled can cross mountains. By your grace, the speechless can recite eloquent poetry.

If I can have even a drop of your mercy I know I will be greatly fortunate. Please give me your mercy.

Your lowly insignificant servant, Krishna Asraya das (California) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! All glories to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaj!

To my beloved Gurudeva,

On this very auspicious day we are celebrating your holy appearance. I have the great opportunity to enjoy with all my god-brothers and god-sisters your birthday.

The chance that we have in our hands to try to do some service to you and the Holy Math is just amazing, and many times I myself do not understand this “big opportunity.” That is why not only on this special occasions should we be trying to render some service, but our mood should be like this all our lives. At least for me, it is very hard, but I am trying every day to remember you and practice your instructions and teachings. Seeing my little Sunaya growing every day brings me a lot of memories about Krishna’s pastimes and allows me to understand how big He is. We only depend on his mercy, but we must do something also to try to satisfy Him and especially his very beloved servants, like yourself. Thank your for being here with all of us.

Thanks to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, your health is improving every day. By now I am trying so hard to render you some service by writing you these lines. Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet, may this Birthday be one of the happiest you’ve ever had.

From my family, please accept a big hug and our best wishes for you to have a very, very happy birthday.

Trying to be humble, your servants,

Seva-Rupa didi Eduardo López Sunayana Sri Vyasa Puja of Acharyadeva Om Visnupada Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaja

Dear god-brothers and god-sisters of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math,

Today is a most auspicious day because the Supreme Lord in His infinite and causeless compassion for the jiva has sent here in this physical and temporary world a maha bhagavat vaisnava, the medium for our connection to our real home. Lost in this world, I would also like to say some words of glo- rification at the feet of our Srila Gurudeva; although I am nobody, I get this inspiration from all of you.

When I came to the lotus feet of our divine master in 1992, I was, as usual, very proud; I came with my own japa mala, considering that I already knew about Krishna Consciousness. A radio cannot receive waves if not positioned on the right number; only noise along with music will come. So I could not understand him very well. He started to explain how he had a friend who was claiming to be a 15 year-old devotee, but when this devotee had to go for a trip, he left some luggage at the math with holy books inside. He closed the luggage and put his own shoes on the top.

In answering the question of a devotee about how the western world seems to be more under the influence of illusion than India, His Divine Grace answered that the east bank and the west bank are both two giants, and in the middle is a great river of fears in the form of sharks, alligators, whirlpools (dis- ease, old age, and death). Sri Kesava is the fisherman who catches all the fish in His net, and with His boat helps the souls to cross this great dangerous river. He very much liked the verses of the second canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam: what is the use of pillows when there are arms? What is the use of mattresses when there are fallen leaves?

One day at the Kaikhali Math, Srila Gurudev came and offered His dandavats by bowing His head to the ground to Sripad Krishna dasa Prabhu, an 82 years old devotee and disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, who was staying as a guest in Srila Gurudev’s math. Later on, in Srila Gurudev’s room, Sripad Krishna dasa Prabhu was telling to all the devotees that he had traveled all over the Gaudiya Maths and had never seen an Acharya more humble than Srila Govinda Maharaja. Some devotees at that time were complaining that at Kaikhali Math there were no chairs for the guests, but Srila Gurudeva told them that people are not coming there to sit on the chairs; they already have chairs at home.

As we have heard from other vaisnavas, He is very dear to all of Srila Guru Maharaj’s god-brothers, so much so that they have blessed Him and made Him a prince of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Actually every expression and every line of His body are the result of the association He had with all of these great mahabhagavat vaisnavas and the instructions he received from them.

I offer my respectful obeisances to Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev- Goswami Maharaja, who is very expert in the mystery of human behavior. After Srila Bhakti Vedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada, He was the first to leave India to go preaching in to the western countries. In His heart always Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat and Sri Chaitanya Caritamrita are dancing; He is the Guru of millions of souls in other planes of the universe, but now He has appeared on this earthly plane to relieve the jiva souls from their suffering.

Dear devotees, on this very auspicious day, I, always tortured by the three gunas of maya, hope to be always ready for your service.

Jayanta Krishna dasa (California) Dandavats, my dearest Srila Govinda Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. I only wish I could find the proper words to glorify you on this most auspicious and holy day. I pray at your feet to someday serve you and the devotees with the proper mood of love and devotion. There is no one in this world more beautiful and magnanimous as you are.

Your kind words warm my stone-cold heart. You are so charming, with your sweet and mischievous sense of humor, always tolerating and giving your mercy to everyone, even such a sinful, unworthy person as myself. I just pray that lifetime after lifetime, I can serve you through the devotees or my life will be useless. Please don’t let me leave you ever, for even a moment. Then I will be happy when I can surrender to your sweet will, chanting the holy name without offense.

Your aspiring servant, Sudebika devi dasi (California) I throw this fallen soul at your divine feet and humbly ask that you please give me some mercy. Please forgive me for all the offences I have committed and all the offences I will commit unto you and your devotees. By your divine mercy you have let this filthy dog into your association. You have given me too much affection for I do not deserve any of the mercy you have given me.

I hope I do not do anything to lose the shower of mercy you are giving me. Hopefully, I don't create a great disturbance and get kicked out of this grand mission of yours.

Your most fallen servant, Vidura Krsna das (California)

Click here for Part A Part B Part C Part E Part F of the Vyasa Puja Offering Collection, 1 January 2002