RADHASTAMI AT NEW BRAJ

As the scorching summer sun relents to autumnal winds and the gardens appear to be at their height of fruition, the most important day in our yearly calendar occurs, Sri Radhastami!

 Her very name means to worship.  She is devotion personified!

Famous for Her compassion, Radhastami is an early celebration so that the devotees won't have to fast but here in New Braj it seems the earlier we start the program the longer we get to hear and chant together!

Radhastami is Sri Krsna's favorite day so He will grant any wish of His followers!

     So what do we want?

?

NOT!

 The highest aspiration in our Gaudiya line, the line of Rupa Goswami and Mahaprabhu is to desire Radha dasyam:

THE SERVICE OF SRIMATI RADHIKA!

SHE IS:
Govinda-anandini - She who gives pleasure to Lord Govinda
Govinda-mohini - She who mystifies Lord Govinda
Govinda-sarvasva - the all-in-all of Lord Govinda
Shiromani Sarva-kanta - the crown jewel of all the Lord's consorts
Krishnamayi - the one who sees Lord Krishna both within and without
Radhika - Her worship of the Lord consists of fulfilling His desires
Aradhana - The root name of Radharani, meaning one who excels in worshiping the Lord
Sarva-lakshmi - The original source of all the goddesses of fortune
Sarva-kanti - all beauty and luster rest in Her body & all the desires of Lord Krishna rest in Her.
Madan-Mohan-Mohini - the enchanter of the enchanter of Cupid. Lord Krishna is said to be the enchanter of, and more beautiful than Cupid, the master enchanter. But Shree Radhe is the enchanter of Lord Krishna, Madan-Mohan-Mohini.
Vrshabanu-nandini - daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu
Vrndavaneshvari - Queen of Vrndavana
Lalita-Sakhi - friend of the gopi (cowherd girl) Shree Lalita
Gokula-Taruni - She whom all young girls of Gokula (Vrndavana) worship
Damodara Rati - She who dresses herself to please Lord Damodara 

...the very hills have become golden.

the humble tar-uni weed!

reTREAT

whoa!
...months have gone by and i've had my head in a cloud!

soooooooo many cool things have happened here in New Braj - moment to moment but,
                but,
                   but,
                          i just haven't written them down.
                                                                    damn.
o well,
you see i blame it on the festival. And what a festival it was! Too, too wonderful. Too, too much separation. Too, too much mercy.
I felt like my heart was in a giant cake mixer at the highest speed setting! beat or whip or max mix!

 a n d  a  w o n d e r f u l  c a k e  c a m e  o u t !!

and the summer's been so cool and mild! Never before have the jasmine flowers in Gurudeva's garden bloomed until September! They ususally only bloom for the week that Gurudeva's here!
        now
          he's
            here
               always!

And we had this wonderful  "Ladies' Retreat" !

It was so fun!

We made many new friends!

Candrika dasi organized it all like a yogini camp counselor,

amazing kirtans with Marti Walker and our own Rasika!
                                  so many wonderful ladies! Diane, Denise, Madhumati, Lola, Carol, Christina, Kim, Babula, Candrika, Chai,  Manju, Marti...special guest star: Radha Vinodini didi!

Now they've all become New Braj family members and surely the dhama will call them back again and again.

This land called New Braj is made of sparkly mercy particles.

                                                                                                Anyone who visits here becomes attracted, but anyone who stays here for one or four nights...

New Braj becomes

HOME!

signing off.

thank you Uddhava prabhu for gently getting on my case! what are friends for?