The serene temple of Sri Nrisinghadev besides Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math temple.

Freshly painted domes of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math temple.

Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Sri Laksmi Nrisinghadev, Prahlad Maharaj

In the morning, His Divine Grace personally holds a fire sacrifice for Sri Advaita Prabhu's brahman (second) initiation. Teaching us all by his own example, Sri Gurupadpadma embodies the teaching of our Guru-varga:

"If you are attached to your service, it is not bad, but if many other services come to you, this is Gurudev's mercy coming to you, so it is not a problem if you do other service. If somebody has more service, it means they are getting more mercy. Gurudev always does all services through someone. We do not differentiate in a temple saying, 'Oh, this is your service and this is his service.' If somebody is not able to do some service and we can do it, then we should do that service, it will be good for us. Srila Gurudev always says, 'The ball always comes to the legs of those who want to play football.' So, if somebody wants to serve, then service will always come to him or her. We will not think, 'This is my service, and that is his service,' or, 'He is cooking, I am cutting the vegetables and distributing prasadam—why will I do this other service as well? It is not my service!' This is not service mood. I once heard a story from Sripad Bhakti Kumud Shanta Maharaj, I have told it to you many times—one disciple said, 'This is not my leg! This is his leg!' and Gurudev replied, 'Oh, so it is not my leg? It is his leg? Then I will break this leg!' Service is not like that. 'Oh, I am doing this service, why is he not doing his?' If you can, do as much as you can, it will be good for you."

(From Loving Care and Service)

      
The happy news is that Advaita Prabhu not only took second initiation, but was also bestowed saffron cloth by Sri Gurupadpadma on this day.

After the yajna, His Divine Grace peeks into the kitchen and, inspired by the cooking service, takes part in the preparation of the bhoga. (In the picture: mixing boiled potato with masala before placing into a kadai and cooking into curry.)

His Divine Grace always instructs, "If the cook is not good, then neither Krishna, nor Gurudev will be happy. You should always cook with care and always make sure what you have cooked is edible, that it has enough salt, sugar, etc. It is very important."

      
"Our Srila Gurudev (Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj) liked to cook, and our Srila Gurudev's cooking is very nice. His cooking approach was very nice. I actually did not see it myself, but Srila Gurudev told me how to cook certain things, and I learned to cook from him. Otherwise, I was not a good cook, but I learned from what he told me, and I became a good cook."

Radiant Advaita Prabhu returning from collecting bhiksa.

The Lordships' garden is well taken care of by Krishnapad Prabhu.

The lake where Lord Nrisinghadev washed His hands after slaying Hiranyakasipu.
(Passing it on the way to Sri Bhakti Sundar Angan Guesthouse.)

The construction has progressed well beyond the second floor with the third floor being erected in full swing.

The ground (first) floor is now being tiled.

A storage corner (window bars already installed).

Ongoing tiling works.

     
On to the second floor.

The second floor is still raw, the plastering works should commence soon.

The third floor taking its shape.

The little recently-born calf is peeping to see what's happening outside the goshala.

The balcony wall on the third floor.

Sri Amrita Krishna Prabhu joyfully taking care of the cows.

The cows happily reside with the devotees and receive their care and service, and the temple is now getting a lot of milk daily for the offering to Their Lordships.

Sripad Niriha Maharaj happily coverses with Amrita Krishna Prabhu.

     
On the way to the guesthouse, His Divine Grace comes to pay obeisance to Lord Nrisinghadev at the old temple nearby.

His Divine Grace checks the arrangement of the stack of hay for the cows.

     
Meanwhile, the works are continuing... On the right: some of the bathrooms are now getting tiled.

Sprinkling salt (most likely) inbetween layers of hay to prevent mould.

     
Back at the temple—Their Lordships granting evening darshan after the arati.

His Divine Grace chants evening kirtans and speaks to the fortunate assembled devotees.

After the class, devotees honour prasadam and retire to rest to prepare for the next day of service.

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