A letter of encouragement from
Sripad Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj

To: The devotees of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Seva Ashram Soquel, California

March 31, 2010

My dear devotees and friends,

I am presently here in our beautiful Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Nabadwip. From my room on the top floor of the original building built for the Western devotees, I can see out the window Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami's samadhi mandir, and beyond that, Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami's samadhi mandir. The samadhi of Srila Govinda Maharaj is now only a temporary structure, and soon the construction of the actual samadhi mandir will begin. Now, in a few days, devotees from all over the world will come here to join together in remembering and glorifying Srila Govinda Maharaj, and on April 6th devotees in all our centers will unite together in the program to honor Srila Govinda Maharaj's departure.

We were in Kolkata that morning of March 27th, when early in the morning I heard knocking on my door and I was told to come quickly to the veranda of Srila Govinda Maharaj. Gurudev was leaving this world and as many devotees watched, suddenly this world became very vacant. We began chanting, praying, and were joined together in our feelings of strong grief due to the departure of Srila Govinda Maharaj.

Since that time, although only a few days have passed, and much has occurred. That same day Srila Govinda Maharaj was taken from Kolkata to Nabadwip, and everyone of course traveled there also, and he was placed that same day in his samadhi. I remember how Srila Govinda Maharaj had described how when Srila Sridhar Maharaj was brought before the Deities of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Govinda Sundar here in Nabadwip at the time of his departure from this world, that the Deities appeared more radiant and happy than he had ever seen them.

We may also consider that They were also pleased when Srila Govinda Maharaj joined them. I have no doubt that Srila Govinda Maharaj's departure occurred by his own sweet will, and he had decided to leave this world. Prior to his departure, he spoke affectionately to many of his dear servitors, and also referred lovingly to many who were not present in those days, who were serving him in different temples, in different countries.

Srila Govinda Maharaj named the samadhi temple of Srila Sridhar Maharaj, the temple of Vipralambha Milan, of Union in Separation. By Srila Sridhar Maharaj's side is the beautiful, smiling Deity of Sri Gaura Hari. Now also that Srila Govinda Maharaj has left this world, we will go on in that spirit of serving him always, and as we follow his divine instructions and affectionate guidance, we will always be with him.

For about twenty five years, Srila Govinda Maharaj gave us his divine association. He invited us all to join with him in India, and declared that he is like a solar battery that is always receiving energy by the association of the devotees. Of course, it is He who always illuminated our lives, and dealt with us so affectionately and intimately, often taking prashadam with us and speaking with love and affection to whomever came to visit him or seek his divine darshan.

Srila Govinda Maharaj traveled throughout the world, and repeatedly went to visit his "family and friends" in all lands, in the many centers throughout the world. He told us that he was going to see the fulfillment of Srila Sridhar Maharaj prophecy, that the glories of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math would be sung throughout the world. Srila Govinda Maharaj happily proclaimed that the sun never sets on Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, because in all lands and at all times there will be devotees engaged in Sankirtan and glorification of our Divine Guardians. This thought will give us solace. Everywhere, incessantly, the devotees are singing the glories of our Divine Spiritual Master, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Srila Govinda Maharaj always was remembering our Soquel Seva Ashram, and even in the days immediately before leaving this world, spoke of the glories of the Soquel Ashram and the devotees who serve there. At one point I mentioned to Srila Govinda Maharaj that he could go to Soquel. He was happy, laughed, and told me, "I will go there and sit on the branch of a tree, perhaps the branch of one of the eucalyptus trees." At the time, I took that remark to mean that Srila Govinda Maharaj knew that he would soon depart from this world, and that he would always be with us, with the Deities, the devotees, the deer, and the trees in our Ashram.

As I have mentioned, I am here in Nabadwip at this time, and before I can return to our beautiful Soquel Seva Ashram, I must engage myself in some remaining responsibilities here in India. As I do so, I am remembering all of you and looking forward to that day when I can soon return and join with all of you. Please, all of you, keep your beautiful faith and continue with your service to Srila Govinda Maharaj. Do not be dismayed. We all miss Srila Govinda Maharaj, but because we are all united in his service, we may derive satisfaction knowing that he will always be with us.

Affectionately,

Swami Bhakti Pavan Janardan Maharaj