As I was decorating Giriraja this morning, I heard this prayer and was
happy that I had chosen to decorate with Radha-Kunda tilak (dots over His
eyebrows and elsewhere...) Splashes...
radha-kundottunga-tarangankuritanga
praty-asam me tvam kuru govardhana purnam
O hill splashed by the high waves of Radha'-kunda, O Govardhana, please
fulfill my desires.
9th February 2016
Cold morning, but toasty, sheltered and nourished inside...
31st December 2015
Purchased some new paint brushes yesterday. Tried some new varieties and able to offer finer lines as ornaments.
I have a long list of things I could be grateful for, but atop of my
list will be that I can do this (see below) every day.
To live in the shade and shelter of Giriraja and Tulasi--offering menial
seva--I can see nothing to equal that mercy upon our family. Have a wonderful
day!
6/14 Okay, I had a blast this morning... Our first 6 petaled champaka
of the season. Flowers and Tulasi in many varieties.
Purusottama adhika masa starts this week. One statement from the Puranas
is to offer 100,000 Tulasi leaves... I don't think I can do that.
Today 300 manjaris with an average of 4 leaves... 1,200... x 30? It's
the thought that counts...
5/31/15 Gaura outfit! I got as far as you can see with painting Giriraja
this morning. I had 5 more colors laid out with "big" pseudo-artistic plans...
But after the yellow, I sat gazing at Him as He sat looking at me...
He captivated me and I did not go further. He is purna, full. Nothing I
could do could ever complete Him anyway.
29th May 2015
5/28/15 Gardinias, roses, champakas and jasmine are all very nice...
But there is nothing in this world more satisfying than the ability to
serve and offer unlimited amounts of Tulasi.
One of Her eight names is Puspasara, the essence of all flowers. May
we always be able to serve Her.
kvaham parah sata-nikrty-anuviddha-cetah
sankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rthe
eka krpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi-
sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me
O Srimati Tulasi Devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of
offenses! How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless
mercy is my only hope.
It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires
in my thoughts.
April is over, gardinia blooms keep on coming
Happy Karttika Purnima! Jai Tulsi-Shaligrama Vivah!
Because of work today, I could not perform the Tulasi Shaligrama Vivah
like last year, but here is a picture from last year.
On this auspicious day the sacred marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu to
Srimati Vrindadevi, an eternal associate of the Lord took place. The Lord’s
form of Shaligram- shila is very sacred and worshipped by the brahmanas
in their homes, and Tulsi (Vrindadevi) is married to this form of Lord
Vishnu.
Srimati Tulsidevi is an expansion of Srimati Vrindadevi, the Vrindavana
gopi in charge of arranging the details of Radha and Krsna’s lila. By doing
this she feels the greatest joy. She renders service to Krsna
by being offered to His lotus feet.
The Lord appreciates the service of Srimati Tulsidevi more than the
service of Lakshmi because Lakshmi, although stationed at the chest of
Vishnu, sometimes has to go to satisfy His numerous devotees whereas Tulsidevi
(Tulsi leaves) when placed on the lotus feet of the Lord remain fixed and
never forsake her service position.
By the mercy, Vrindadevi has appeared in this material world as the
Tulsi plant, giving us a chance to serve her and to beg her to bestow upon
us her greatest boon – devotional service to the Supreme Lord. The Supreme
Lord benedicted Tulsi by saying that He will not accept anything offered
to Him unless Tulsi leaves are placed on the offerings.
In the Skanda-Purana, it is stated that: “Simply by seeing or touching
Tulsi tree one can become relieved from all distress and diseases. Simply
by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the Tulsi tree, one can
become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja. If someone
sows a Tulsi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krsna.
And when the Tulsi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of
Krsna, there is full development of love of Godhead.”
--Karttika Mahatmya
Celebrated our annual Giriraja festival. So many wonderful devotees came. My obeisances hundreds and hundreds of times
Happy Service Day! A day off from labor to do some extra service
4/20/14 Special guests. A special morning with a special guest. Thank you Syamala Kishori Dasi for allowing me to serve the Giriraja to Whom you belong. (6 photos)
Gaura Purnima darshan 2014
A Tulasi turban...
A Tulasi turban...
Love at first sight!!!! Jayaaaa Giriraj Maharaj!!!!!!
Tulasi Salagram Vivaha (marriage) 2013
the groom - Sri Salagram ji
Was a good party... 11/9/13, Annual Sri Giriraja Festival
Sri Krishna Janmastami
6/23/13 We've had a champaka tree for 6 years, never gave any flowers.
It is our biggest tree, 9 ft tall, I had forgotten it was a large yellow
champaka variety...
Giving like no tomorrow now... These are its first, but full of buds...
20th May 2013
Marigold loka
Chandan yatra
Janmastami 2010
Anniversary of Giriraja coming into our lives - November 2010
Yesterday we had a program and invited friends to bless us in our continued seva to Sri Giriraja Giridhari.
Govardhan puja 2009
Tulasi maharani's winter house
from
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