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Our Disciplic Succession:
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"The Sun Never Sets on Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math":
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Preaching Programme in Basirhat Area: Day One
Sunday, 13 December, 2020
Basirhat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal
Photographs courtesy of Sripad B.N. Sadhu Maharaj
pujya-sri-guru-varga-vandita-mahabhavanvitayah sada
paurvaparya-parampara-prachalita-prajya-pramurtakrteh
bhakter nirmala-nirjharasya nibhrtam samraksakam sadaram
vande sri-gurudevam anata-sira acharya-varyam nijam
"I bow my head in eternal obeisance to my Gurudev, the best of acharyas,
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj. He is the ever vigilant, stalwart
guardian of the current of pure devotion whose highest form flows from our
most worshippable Sri Rupanuga Guru-varga in their exclusive dedication to
Mahabhav, Srimati Radharani."
mahanta-svabhava ei tarite pamara
nija karya nahi tabu yana tara ghara
"It is the general practice of all saintly people to deliver the fallen.
Therefore they go to people's houses, although they have no personal business
there."
vaisnavera pada-dhuli tahe mora snana-keli
tarpana mora vaisnavera nama
vaisnavera uchchhista tahe mora mano-nistha
vaisnavera namete ullasa
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs'
name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of
Vaishnavs, and I am elated at the name of Vaishnavs."
gangara-parasa ha-ile paschate pavana
darsane pavitra kara—ei tomara guna
"If the Ganges touches someone, they are purified some time later; but one
becomes purified just by seeing you, O Vaishnava Thakur. Such is your power."
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Arriving at the site of the programmes.
Placing coconuts with auspicious signs drawn on them.
His Divine Grace holds a fire sacrifice for a recently departed devotee.
Sripad Sajjan Maharaj at his book table service.
His Divine Grace lovingly checks on the bhoga prepared by the devotees for the Vaishnav seva.
During the late morning class. Devotees first offer Guru-puja to His Divine Grace.
After the class, His Divine Grace retires to take prasadam and have some rest.
Everyone is served sweetly all kinds of sumptuous preparations.
Later on: during the evening arati and Tulasi parikrama.
In the evening, His Divine Grace gives an online class for the worldwide
devotees.
Reading from Guidance 4, chapter Srila Rupa Goswami's Siksamrta
(Nectar of Instructions).
A glimpse of evening prasad-seva. Devotees honour prasadam and then, happily,
nourished, retire to rest and prepare for the next day of service.
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Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj:
"When we hear that there is a festival held in the Vaisnav tradition or
any other tradition, we understand the word ‘festival’ (utsav) as a social
function, but when Vaisnavs make a festival, it is called ‘mahotsav’ (‘grand
festival’). Vaisnavs make mahotsavs. In vernacular language it is often
called ‘mochchhav’ and sometimes we hear people say, 'Oh, Vaisnavs are
making a mochchhav today. Come, we will get some prasād there,' but the
real meaning and purpose of a mahotsav is actually realised when Vaisnavs
are served properly. Even if you serve non-Vaisnavs for all eternity, it
will be not be a mahotsav. Only when there is Vaisnav-seva, can it be a
mahotsav. The purpose of a mahotsav is to please Vaisnavs. We see such
mention in the scriptures. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur discussed this matter in
his books very earnestly and gave it much importance. He says that if one
serves Vaisnavs—even if it is two-four Vaisnavs only, but if they are pure
Vaisnavs—then the purpose of the mahotsav is fulfilled."
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