All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga

"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 trials 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 I)

Portland, Oregon, USA 16 July 2003

Sri Chaitanya Sridhar Govinda Seva Society

Upon hearing that His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda-dev Goswami Maharaj had given his "happy blessings and permission" for a visit to Oregon, our special sannyasi guests made the journey from California to the Pacific Northwest. Portland, Oregon was blessed to receive the treasured association and spiritual guidance of Sripad Bhakti Premik Siddhanti Maharaj and Sripad Bhakti Chandan Parvat Maharaj.

The Northwest is often under a cover of cloud, but on this auspicious day the bright sunshine made an appearance and announced the arrival of our revered guests. Portland is known as the City of Roses and is surrounded by nearby forests of fragrant pine and cedar trees. Jayanti Bala and her husband, Marc, made arrangements for the evening program to be held at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist church. This was a most favorable setting being centrally located and tucked into a canopy of such tall, fragrant trees and flowers.

Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj spoke from the heart to the assembled devotees and seekers about the all-merciful nature of Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Gaurahari. In speaking, he demonstrated the preaching of Mahaprabhu’s divine message and its benefit for all humanity. He placed all honor and praise lovingly, like a flower offering, at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj who is the personification of the mercy potency of Lord Gaurachandra.

There was an offering to the beautiful Sri Sri Gaura Nitai deities which was accompanied by a heart-melting kirttan of the Holy Names. As the devotees and guests honored prasadam, Sripad Parvat Maharaj showed a slide show of transcendental photos on his laptop and spoke with interested guests about the glories of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. One guest commented that she wished the spiritual talk and program could have continued on and on. A visiting Indian doctor also spoke highly of the elevated and sweet mood of the evening's program.

All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Govinda Maharaj who has graciously blessed us and sent his representatives to give us nourishment and relief through their soothing company.

All glories to Sripad Siddhanti Maharaj and Sripad Parvat Maharaj for their kindness and for their constant example of Vaisnava-mercy in distributing the jewels of Mahaprabhu’s divine treasure.

Many thanks are due to the efforts of the Portland devotees including Jayanti Bala Devi Dasi, Marc Prabhu, Phulamala Devi Dasi, Devendra Prabhu, Maladhari Devi Dasi, Dayita Krishna Prabhu and Nabadwip Chandra Prabhu, as well as to the Eugene devotees including Mathuranath Prabhu and Krsnangini Devi Dasi.

"O my friends, who can give me relief from danger. To me, you are my deliverers from danger. In the ocean of faith, it is very difficult to journey onward alone, so you have come to help me in my dangerous, ambitious journey in the infinite."

-His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaj

--from Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion Volume I

All glories to the all-benevolent Vaisnavas

All glories to our divine Guru-varga

All glories to Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Gaurahari

j.d.