iMonk | November 2004

Soquel, California — Sunday, November 7th

Vyasa Puja in California

Today is Srila Guru Maharaj's Vyasa Puja — the anniversary of Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj appearance in this world. We are fortunate to have his dearmost disciple and servitor, Srila Gurudeva, here at the Seva Ashram in Soquel, to show us how to properly honor His Divine Grace. This is the first time that Srila Gurudeva has ever been here in the United States for this event.

Yesterday evening, Srila Gurudeva attended a program at the Veteran's Memorial Hall in downtown Santa Cruz, hosted by Nitya Hari Prabhu, Mathuranath Prabhu, and the devotees from the nearby Golden Road center, where he spoke about Srila Guru Maharaj, and led the singing of Jaya Radha Madhava.

At nine o' clock this morning, Srila Gurudeva comes into the beautifully decorated temple room, and offers his obeisance to Srila Guru Maharaj's picture on the flower-bedecked vyasasan. Srila Gurudeva talks about the glories of Srila Sridhar Maharaj for over an hour, and leads the singing of Sri Rupa Manjari Padma and Jaya Radha Madhava.

We are all surprised by Srila Gurudeva's stamina, especially since he has not been feeling well these last few days, and had to exert himself to go out into the cold night air, and stay out much later than usual last night, to attend the program at the Veteran's Memorial Hall.

In the afternoon, Srila Gurudeva surprises us yet again by driving over the hill to the Seva Ashram in San Jose, where he again pays homage and gives honor to his beloved Srila Guru Maharaj. And again, after addressing the well-attended gathering, Srila Gurudeva sings Jaya Radha Madhava. Incredible.

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