“Never-ending Festival!”

October 12, 2009

“Today the whole temple is so nicely decorated, flower arrangements surrounding the altars and the entrances of the temple, which festival is going on?”- a visiting lady asked me, and continued in wonder: “I heard just the announcement about the Mayapur Academy certificate giving ceremony, there was no mention of any other Festival going on…”

“Yes, the rolling thunder of enthusiasm, called the Mayapur Academy Midterm Bengali courses, has ended a few weeks ago, but the festive and service mood of the students did not end. They have arranged for whole the program after the Certificate giving ceremony- giving gifts to the teachers, wonderful feast for hundreds of invited devotees, including the flower decorations of the temple room and up to the Panca Tattva extension hall, where the program took place.”- was my answer.

“It looks like never-ending Festival!”- she concluded.

 

Our dearest teachers Srila Jananivasa Prabhu and Srila Pankajanghri Prabhu, who at that time has just arrived from 5 months preaching tour on the West, as well as our guest of honor HH Srila Umapati Maharaja addressed the students and shared their realizations.

 

Srila Jananivasa Prabhu: “Amongst the five most important aspects of devotional service, Srila Rupa Goswami lists Deity worship. It means that Deity worship is very conducive for our KC. Main thing in our KC is how to develop our attraction for Krsna, it is not just knowing the procedure of worship, etc. Simply the fact that you want to come, want to learn how to worship Krsna, how to cook for Krsna, how to do yajna for Krsna, is a very nice step achieving this.”

 

Srila Pankajanghri Prabhu: “Devotional practices are divided into 64, and 34 are regarding Deity worship. So, it means more than half of our activities as Vaisnavas are about Deity worship, it is very important part of our culture.

I have seen very inspiring situations as I was traveling. Some of the students that took Diploma course went back to their temples and made big changes. Since these devotes came back from Mayapur they made so many improvements, new facilities for Deity paraphernalia, etc. In one place, where one of our students went, there made Maha abhiseka. There was a 24 hour kirtan program and within it they made abhiseka for the presiding Deities, and all the ingredients for the Maha abhiseka were present.

So, this is very positive sign that the Mayapur Academy is having effect on the ISKCON world.”

 

Srila Umapati Maharaja: “Deity worship is wonderful way to always remember Krsna and never forget Him. I remembered the time I served the Deities- after the morning puja I would have the Deities picture in front of my eyes throughout the day. I see the pujaris, as they come from the altar, the only thing they speak about is Deities, they just discuss about how the Deities are dressed, etc. It is a wonderful way to always be in Krsna consciousness.”

 

Students also expressed their realizations.

Mathuresh Prabhu: “Just like in the sky of Gauda, Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda have appeared and gave the Holy Name to everybody, in the similar way in the sky of ISKCON, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, Sun&Moon-like, Srila Jananivasa Prabhu and Srila Pankajanghri Prabhu have appeared and they are giving us their blessings.

In spite of their intense schedule, they are regularly coming to the Mayapur Academy and with great care and attention they are conducting these courses for the devotees.”

 

 

Manoram Krishna Prabhu: “After the course we were invited for the Ratha Yatra Festival in Sri Lanka. Seeing how devotees arranged for the yajna, we showed them the way we have learned to do it in the Mayapur Academy. They immediately asked us to perform yajna, and afterwards the temple president said that it was the best yajna they had in all 15 years, since they started with the Festival. They invited us to come back every year and perform yajna during the Ratha Yatra.”

 

 

After receiving the certificates, students gifted teachers in a very respectful and happy mood.

 

 

 

A wonderful feast was served for all the teachers, students and other devotees that the students have invited for this occasion.

Traveling Sankirtan Party devotees left for their Travelling book distribution and preaching services right after they completed the Archana assessments, at the end of September. Their Certificate giving ceremony is planned to take place as they come back from 3 months Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, that started on the beginning of November.

Hoping this finds you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

“May it be auspicious”

om saha nav avatu / saha nau bhunaktu / saha vityan-karavavahai / tejasvina ‘vadhitam astu ma vidvisavahai //

                                              om santih santih santih

“May the Lord protect us both (teacher and student) together, may He nourish us both, may we work together with great enthusiasm. May our study be enlightening and fruitful.”

 

 

During 3 sessions of the Yajna classes, almost 90 devotees learned to perform Diksa homa and acquired  basic understanding about ten main samskaras and the proper mood to perform them.

Beside the scheduled theory and practical classes, students also had two special classes with HH Srila Bhaktividya Purna Maharaja, who spoke about the role of a priest and the three main aspects of performing samskaras/yajnas: purification, bringing the community together and preaching.

Warning the students of what would be the inappropriate mood to perform yajnas, Maharaja gave the analogy:” If you would perform yajnas with the business mentality, thinking that it’s just a good way to earn money, you will sink very quickly, as if riding in a stone boat.”  

 

Yajna classes were going on in the middle of the rainy season. To protect six yajna kundas, the tent was built on the roof of Caitanya bhavan. Thus students practiced undisturbed by the daily splashes of rain and strong wind.

 

 

 

Prabhanu Prabhu, one of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava’s main pujaris, during his Yajna assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Param Krsna Prabhu, pujari from Srila Prabhupada’s Samadi, practicing Diksa homa.

 

 

 

                      om dyauh santih antarikham santih prithivi santih 

                   apah santih  vayuh santih  tejah santih osadhayah santih

         lokah santih brahmana santih vaisnava santih santir astu dhrtir astu

                                           om santih santih santih

       “May there be peace in the heavenly planets, in the ether, on the earth,   in the water, in the air, in the light, in the herbs, in all the planetary systems, with the brahmanas, with the Vaisnavas. Let there be peace, let there be   satisfaction.”*(Sukla-Yajurveda 36.16)

 

 

Hoping this meets you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

Sri Sri Gour-Nitai ready for Sankirtan devotees

Six sets of Sri Sri Goura-Nitai Deities were freshly repainted, and we see Them happily awaiting the second group of the Archana classes, for the Mayapur Travelling Sankirtan Party, numbering 70 devotees.

Learning Rajbhog offering

                                    “bela ho’lo damodara aisa ekhano

                                 bhoga-mandire bosi’ koraho bhojana”

Mother Yasoda calls to Krsna, “My dear Damodara, it is very late. Please come right now, sit down in the dining hall, and take Your lunch.”

(Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur- Bhoga arati song, verse 2)

From Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s “Bhoga-arati” song and many instructions from Srila Prabhupada and his books, we can learn which preparations Krsna and His associates like, how they are prepared and served for His pleasure.

Students of the Mayapur Academy learned how to make some of these preparations, during the cooking classes.

It is one of the most exciting classes for the students: both for those who already cooked and are coming to perfect their skills, as well as for those who did not cook  and are very happy to now be able to offer nice preparations for the pleasure of Their Lordships.

Manorakshi Radha Mataji and Amrta Mayi Mataji taught different Bengali subjis.

 

 

 

Shyam Roy Prabhu taught different milk sweets.

 

 

 

 

Baliraj Prabhu, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava’s Head cook, taught Radha-Madhava kitchri, parota, kasta katchori and date chutney.

 

 

 

Several other teachers taught their specialities, and the days of learning resulted in the Raj bhog offering, on the last day of the course.

 

 

                                        ”luci cini sarpuri ladhu rasabali
                                    bhojana korena krsna ho’ye kutuhali”

There are puris made with white flour and sugar; puris filled with cream; ladhus; and dahl patties boiled in sugared rice. Krsna eagerly eats all of the food.

(Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur- Bhoga arati song, verse 7)

 

 

Jananivasa Prabhu and the cooking teachers tasted the Maha prasadam and concluded that all the students passed the assessment successfully.

 

 

 

Hoping this meets you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

“I never made Krishna’s turban before!”

Dressing assessments continued in a very enthusiastic mood. Even the students that did not have any experience with dressing Deities now did wonderful assessments. Some of them got even better marks than the students who are full time pujaris.

These are their realizations from the Dressing classes and other units that they have just completed.

 

 

Tarak Krishna Nam Prabhu has full time service is in the Mayapur Sankirtan Department. He is also a Bhakti-sasti facilitator and regularly helps in Deity worship Department with dressing Srimati Radharani & Asta Sakhis:

 

 

 

“For me the highlight of the Mayapur Academy is the wonderful association of Jananivasa Prabhu that I received daily. He is always with us, but especially during the course I personally got so much benefit for my spiritual life.

I did not have any theoretical or practical knowledge of how to perform simple initiation fire sacrifice, although I have seen people doing it many times. But now, I am confident to perform it anywhere and at any time after studying this with Shyamsundar Ananda Prabhu in the Mayapur Academy.

 

 

By Kurma Caitanya Prabhu’s excellent art of making Krishna’s turban, I learned easily the principles, elements, etc. of making turban. I never knew how to make turban before.

 

 

So this Deity worship course by the Mayapur Academy is helpful for our ISKCON community to make standard brahminical quality.”

 

           Baliraj Prabhu is the Head cook of the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir. He learned the art of cooking for Their Lordships directly from Sri Sri Radha-Madhava’s famous cook Didi Ma, who was given that service personally by Srila Prabhupada. During the Cooking course he was one of the teachers, but at the same time he humbly accepted the role of the student, desiring to learn more of the cooking arts:

“I came to learn Cooking and Dressing. Then, Shyamsundar Ananda Prabhu and Syamesvari Mataji encouraged me to also do Archana. First I was afraid- I felt that it was hard to learn so many mantras. Then, as they encouraged me, I tried, practiced, still I thought that I can’t memorize the serial of events and the mantras. They advised me to learn the procedure step by step, first to remember which Dhyan, which mantra comes where. And, finally I learned the whole procedure and all the mantras! Shyamsundar Ananda Prabhu said that it was good assessment.

Then, dressing classes started. I knew something. Kurma Caitanya Prabhu showed us also how to use the necklaces, colour matching, how to put Tulasi garland…I am very happy. Before giving the assessment I thought if I can just pass, but I got very high mark in Dressing! Kurma Caitanya Prabhu is doing good work for us, I have seen that.

And, I also managed to do Yajna classes! Previously, I saw Bhaktividya Purna Maharaja and Gurukuli boys performing Yajnas, but I did not know anything. When Shyamsundar Ananda Prabhu showed us, then I understood. I learned diksha homa, and now I can help.

Although I have cooking as the full time service, still I was inspired to learn more from different teachers, learn more preparations. As I was teaching, devotees were happy, they also learned different menus.

Mayapur Academy made this system for learning for everyone. Thank you Mayapur Academy, it is helpful for all devotees from all over the world!”

 

           Sucharu Gour Prabhu is the Temple commander of the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir:

“I had the desire to serve Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, but I was thought that Dressing and Archana are too difficult. Then, I have seen that there is the course in the Mayapur Academy and I joined the course.

By the mercy of Jananivasa Prabhu, I learned how to serve the Lord, and I am completely happy. I learned how punctuality and cleanliness are important.

During Dressing classes, Kurma Caitanya Prabhu taught us very practically. Even for those who did not know anything, it became very clear class. I personally did not have any idea about dressing. I am very happy. Now, I can do nice turban. Such a nice teaching is going on here.

I cooked before, but now I learned much more during the Cooking classes.

I am really grateful and obliged to the Mayapur Academy- it really gave me a chance to serve the Lord. Before, I did not have a chance.”

 

Hoping this meets you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

…idam vastram, imani abharanani…

 

 

These are not Sri Sri Radha-London Isvara, Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda or Deities on the altar of some other prestigious ISKCON temple- these are (just!) practicing Deities at the Mayapur Academy, dressed by the students of the Midterm Bengali courses during their Dressing assessments.

 

 

Vasudevatmaja Das and Sri Caitanya Srivas Das are Sri Mayapur Dham vasis. Beside their usual services, they are daily helping with the pujari service in the temple.

 

 

 

 

 

Desiring to perfect their knowledge, skills and values of Deity worship, they joined the courses.

 

 

Listening to Srila Prabhupada’s lectures, they spent few hours of the evening before the assessment in arranging flower decorations and backdrops for the altars.

 

 

 

 

  

 

These are their achievements in Deity dressing after only 45 days of the courses (20 days of Archana, 10 days of Yajna and 15 days of Dressing classes).

 

Wouldn’t you also like to come and dress Sri Sri Radha-Mayapur Academy Isvara?

 

Enrollment for the Diploma course, starting November 4, is still going on!

 

Hoping this meets you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

Always remember Krsna, never forget Him

 “svardhunyas caru-tire sphuritam 

         ati-brhat  kurma prishtabha-gatram

   ramyaramavrtam san-mani-kanaka-

         maha- sadma-sanghaih paritam

  nityam pratyalayodyat-pranaya-

         bhara- lasat-krsna-sankirtanadhyam

   sri-vrndatavy-abhinnam tri jagad-

         anupamam sri-navadvipam ide”

 

“I praise the Holy Dhama of Navadvipa. Being entirely nondifferent from Sri Vrndavana, it is completely different from the material world, consisting of the three planetary systems. Situated on the beautiful banks of the Ganges, Navadvipa is covered by lovely groves and gardens, and it appears like the back of a gigantic turtle. That Holy Dhama is filled with brilliant jewels, and in those houses devotees are always performing Krsna-sankirtana in the mellow of ecstatic love.”

These and other wonderful Dhyana mantras, glorifying Sri Navadvipa Dham & Lord Gouranga and Lord Nityananda are resounding throughout the Mayapur Academy from 9am-9pm, daily.

It is here in Sri Mayapur Dham, Srila Prabhupada’s place of worship, that he instructed Jananivasa Prabhu to train pujaris.

By sincere desire of Jananivasa Prabhu and Pankajanghri Prabhu to please Srila Prabhupada and determined endeavours of Nrsimha Kavaca Prabhu to assist them, the Mayapur Academy is now coming into its third year of existence.

All the Mayapur Academy teachers are really examples of Nitya Seva.

Presently, Pankajanghri Prabhu, Nrsimha Kavaca Prabhu, Ananda Tirtha Prabhu, Adi Purusa Prabhu and Yaksa Prabhu are travelling, teaching and preaching in the West.

At the same time, Jananivasa Prabhu, Shyamsundar Ananda Prabhu, Kurma Caitanya Prabhu and other teachers of the Diploma course which are residing in Sri Mayapur Dham, are also taking no holidays in teaching. Thus, the Pujari training courses in the Mayapur Academy are going on almost whole year around.

While we are waiting for all of you to arrive and join the International Diploma course during the winter season, the chance is given to devotees from Sri Mayapur Dham, and guest devotees from West Bengal and Bangladesh, to attend the courses in their own language, during the rainy season.

Two months ago, right after Ulta Rath, the second year of transcendental whirlwind of enthusiasm called Midterm Bengali courses started, with more than 80 devotees enrolled for Archana, Dressing, Cooking and Yajna classes.

After Radhastami, whole Mayapur Traveling Sankirtan Party, numbering 70 devotees, joined the course. They are staying in Sri Mayapur Dham for three weeks to learn Archana from Jananivasa Prabhu.

In the Puja classrooms students are constantly practicing sixteen upacaras worship on all six available sets of Sri Sri Goura-Nitai Deities.

In the Dressing classrooms Krsna’s turban making and decorating of Srimati Radharani’s hair, as well as dressing of four sets of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna Deities, and Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama, Sri Sri Goura-Nitai & Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra is going on.

In the Cooking classroom students are learning how to cook different traditional Bengali preparations for the Rajbhog offering.

On the roof the Yajna classes are going on in the tent that protects six Yajna-kundas from the daily rain splashes.

Whole the school is vibrating with the eagerness to learn worship of Lord Krsna the way that is pleasing to Him.

More about the nectarian events of the Midterm Bengali courses to come soon!

 

Hoping this meets you well-

thankfully, your servant Syamesvari dasi

Updates direct from the spiritual world

Haribol.

Just to let you know that Syamesvari mataji is now a contributor to the blog so from now on there will be regular updates from Sridhama Mayapur.

Haribol.

Ys Nrsimha Kavaca dasa

Scholarship sponsors needed

Dear Friends,

Hare Krsna. The start of the next diploma semester is drawing ever closer. It starts November 4, 2009.

Many of our students will need sponsorship. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of maintaining deity worship standards in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada thought that it was so important he himself used his own guru daksina to see to it that deity worship in Mayapur and Vrndavana was maintain by establishing the MVT – the Mayapur Vrndavana Trust.

We have the following sponsorship options available:

- Mayapur Academy Excellence Scholarship – 51,000 Rs
- Tuition only scholarship – 15,500 Rs
- Sponsor prasada for one devotee – 13,500 Rs
- Sponsor accommodation for one devotee – 21,500 Rs

You can make direct donations at our website mayapuracademy.org, in person at the Mayapur Academy in Mayapur or email me nkd@pamho.net to arrange and alternative means of giving.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to sponsor spiritual education in the dhama.

Your servant,

Nrsimha Kavaca dasa

notes from the March e-Newsletter

Classes concluded on February 14th followed by 5 days of practicum, where devotees were engaged in various services in the Mayapur deity department. Many students have commented that having the opportunity to put into practice everything they learnt was the highlight of the course.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by Jayapataka Maharaja, Radhanatha Maharaja, Kavicandra Maharaja, Jananivasa prabhu and Pankajanghri prabhu. In all, 29 devotees graduated from the Mayapur Academy this year, with 19 devotees receiving diplomas and 10 receiving certificates for individual units.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Deva Gaura Hari prabhu to the team. He will be taking care of the website as well as teaching. Prabhu already has a new mantra course planned for next year.

Deva Gaura Hari prabhu has already done a full redesign of the website, which you can see at www.mayapuracademy.org. We are interested to hear your comments.