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WORLD September 1, 1999 VNN4633 Comment on this story New Gaudiya Forum Opens In Vrindavan BY SWAMI BV PARIVRAJAK VRINDAVAN, INDIA, Sep 1 (VNN) — The foundation of the Sri Chaitanya Rasopasana Seva Samiti (CRUSS)was the event of July in Vrindavan . With more than five hundred participants at the Lilabai Satsang Bhavan (near the Banke Bihari Temple) the new society was established with the aim to renew the interest of the international Vaishnava community for the sublime message left by the Goswamis of Vrindavan. Sridam Kinkar Shastri who, although quite young, is reputed as one of the foremost scholars of the Vrindavan community, founded the satsang which is based upon a non-sectarian view. The only pre-requisite demanded in order to be part of the CRUSS is the desire to spread the way of Krishna worship left by the Goswamis on the order of Sri Chaitanya. Shastrji is planning to open a school in the proximity of the old Gopinath Bazaar, where the Goswami literature may be taught by qualified Vaishnavas. Devotees and sadhus belonging to different Vaishnava sampradayas, like the followers of Swami Haridas and Hit Harivansh, have also welcomed the project. Many members of several Gaudiya Math, active members of the WVA (World Vaisnava Association) and the sevaites of the most important Gaudiya temples of Vrindavan were also present. In spite of numerous and unspeakable disqualifications, my lowly self has been formally appointed as the Vice President of the Sabha. Rajesh Kumar Goswami, sevaite of the New Madan Mohan Temple and Advaita Vat, and active organizer of the meeting, is the secretary of CRUSS. Sri Sad Goswami Ashthakam, the renown poem in praise of the six Goswamis, and Sri Damodarastakam were sung in ancient ragas as introduction for the meeting. Thereafter Narasingh Dev Goswami, sevaite of Sri Radha Raman Temple and treasurer of CRUSS, introduced the speakers. Swami Bhakti Dipakji Maharaj of the Radhika Bhajan Kutir (Prem Gali, Vrindavan) addressed the assembly with a talk centered around the life of Srila Sanatan Goswami. The second speaker was Sri Ananda Das, teacher of the newly founded Shyamananda Sanskrit Vidyalaya. He mainly focused on the first part of the Brihad Bhagavatamrita, the masterpiece of Srila Sanatan Goswami. Anil Goswami, sevaite of the Radha Raman Temple, spoke about the glories of pure devotional service. The speech of Lakshmi Narayan Pandit, a Bengali preacher of repute in Vrindavan, was based on the Sanatan Shiksha as found in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita: "Sanatan Goswami asked the Lord, ''Who am I? And why am I subjected to the threefold miseries of life?'' If I cannot find a solution to these questions, I shall consider my life of no use". Pandit ji elaborated on these subjects drawing several points of reflection in front of the participants. Kunj Vallabh Goswami (Radha Nivas, Vrindavan), spoke enthusiastically about the initiative of starting Sri Chaitanya Rasopasana Seva Samiti. He said that this should serve the cause of Vrindavan and all the Vaishnavas. Besides that, he extolled the virtues of ''Dham Nishtha'' which attracts the attention of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna on the sadhaka. He also praised profusely the process of chanting the holy name and humbly appealed to all to bestow upon him ''Nam Nishtha'' or steadiness in the practice of japa or kirtan of the Name of the Lord. His speech, humble and heartfelt, was particularly appreciated by the assembled devotees. The last speech was that of Prem das Shastri who drew some parallels between Bilvamangal Thakur's Krishna Karnamrita and the writings of Srila Sanatan Goswami. The function ended with the distribution of sweets prasadam to all and lastly harinam sankirtan. Interested people may contact CRUSS at the E-mail address of Vrinda: vrindak@nde.vsnl.net.in Phone: 0091/565/443-664 Fax: 0091/565/442-172 or write to: Sridam Kinkar Shastri Radhika Bhajan Kutir, Prem Gali, Vrindavan UP 281121 INDIA Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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