All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

Showers of Mercy in Eugene, Oregon

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes, "Like a monsoon cloud,
the Holy Name showers nectar in their ears. All the devotees,
due to great ecstasy, repeatedly dance to their hearts’ content."

21 April 2004, report by Jagamohini Devi Dasi

The spring season in Oregon is known for its rain that shifts between gentle showers, pounding cascades and radiant sun bursts. The worldly reward for all this rainfall is the clean air and lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest. In many places there are huge waterfalls which serve to remind us of Sri Mahaprabhu’s infinite mercy which can be compared to the quality of water. The very nature of water is to sink down to the lowest possible position. Similarly, Sri Gauranga’s grace extends downward to most fallen and insignificant souls and this gives us some great hope.

Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram’s The Golden Road preaching center is located near the center of Eugene – an area with beautiful towering firs and cedars, auspicious blossoming magnolia trees, brilliant flowers and plenty of foot traffic. Being a university town, Eugene is full of many young spiritual seekers. The Golden Road hosts programs three times a week with kirttan, spiritual talks and prasadam. Since opening in the late fall, many visitors have become regular attendees. The center is also open for drop-in guests who have spiritual inquiries and a taste for prasadam.

Two weeks ago, Oregon was blessed with a visit by Sripad Janardan Maharaj and on Saturday, we were blessed to receive Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj back to the Northwest. Devotees traveled from all areas to greet Maharaj and to have the opportunity to hear Hari-katha. Rama Priya Prabhu and Sraddha Mayi Devi Dasi headed a crew of devotees in collecting bhoga. They returned from the farmers’ market with three overflowing crates of fresh vegetables. In the kitchen, Nitya Hari Prabhu, Sita Devi Dasi, Krsnangini Devi Dasi, Maladhari Devi Dasi, Sraddha Mayi Devi Dasi and Phulamala Devi Dasi prepared the offering of wonderful subjis, salads, rice, fruits and sweets. Dyuti Sundar Prabhu and Jonathan offered service late into the night.

Outside, the rain continued to come down, but inside we were graced with another type of downpour. In Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami invites the devotees to be like clouds that take nectar from the lake of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes and distribute that nectar freely to the fortunate souls. The shower of sweet mercy coming down to us through our magnanimous Vaisnava guardians is the golden gift of Sri Gaurahari. Gathered around the warmth of the fireplace, and under the gracious glance of our divine Guru-varga, devotees and guests received the nectar-like message of Sri Chaitanyadev. Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj and Mathuranath Prabhu both spoke beautifully and answered questions from guests about bhakti-yoga and spiritual initiation. This was followed by the unforgettable sweetness of kirttan and the quiet pause of honoring prasadam together.

On the following day the rains had given way to a mist that hung weightless from the branches of the tall trees. The devotees and guests gathered to honor the holy appearance day of Sri Gadadhar Pandit. Once again Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj and Mathuranath Prabhu spoke eloquently about the glories and pastimes of Sri Mahaprabhu, His eternal associates and the sincere Vaisnavas.

His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj has reminded us, "We are in the ocean of faith, and the devotees are the essential agents. Each helps the other. We are much relieved from the fatigue and trial of a long journey if we have a companion or the association of a group. Similarly, in this ocean, if we obtain the help of devotees of similar nature to ours, that will be most conducive." (Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion Volume II)

Seeking the grace of those kind devotees, bowing and offering obeisance to the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj and praying for his pleasure and satisfaction,