14th issue - Nitya-seva newsletter

November, 2016 - 14th issue

 After Govardhana-puja peaceful days again prevailed here in New Vraja-dhama. The festival and tourism seasons have finished and cold weather is approaching, so the agricultural work has also stopped.  Radha-Syama’s darshans continue to be wonderful each day because of Their devoted pujaris, and there are occasions when They appear even more beautiful. This year on Gopastami day the daily pastime manifested on the altar too: Srimati Radharani dressed in a dhoti and turban, manifesting extraordinary beauty for the pleasure of the devotees, as we don’t see Her each year in Her gopa-attire.

The service of Radha-Syama’s devotees are re-arranged as many devotees go out to distribute books as is possible. This year is the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, so devotees leave with even greater enthusiasm, since book distribution is an especially good opportunity to express our gratitude towards Srila Prabhupada for the unfathomable gift we have received from Him.  Even those devotees who stay back, constantly think about how to go out, if only for a few hours, since the motto for this years marathon is. "Distribute at least fifty books!” Of couse it is not for the full time sankirtana-devotees…

During this period Govardhana-lal gets into centre focus again, because He is the sankirtana commander! He has His mobile phone with Him from the very first day of the marathon, and He excitedly waits for the messages of the sankirtana devotees who pray to Him for the success of their service. The devotees glorify Him with nice praises (sometimes poems), meditate on Him all day, and many times they promise to make sweets for Him at the end of the marathon if they manage to reach their desired goals by His grace.

By the way: here is a short summary about what steps the Nitya-seva project made towards its goal in the previous year.  We started the renewed project last October and we informed the devotees about the different changes. This year in 2016, which marked the 20th anniversary of the installation of Radhe-Syama, you heard a lot about the Nitya-seva project: our goal is to collect the necessary funds in five years which earns enough to cover the future worship of Radha-Syamasundara and Dayal-Nitai Vijaya-Gauranga.  We would like to thank all of you who took it very seriously and participated in this service with your donations.

This year we have received full Nitya-seva payment from 14 devotees, 13 devotees and 3 devotee groups started to sponsor a full day in installments. 10 devotees who already had Nitya-sevas started to increased their payment to the present amount. Also there are many of you who contribute occasionally or even monthly towards the Nitya-seva project… thank you all for your donations. Please continue to keep the project in your mind and in your prayers, since these are only the first steps towards our desired goal and to achieve that we need everyones participation and well-wishes too! 

Jaya Radhe-Syama!

10th December, 2016. New Vraja-dhama