User:Shreeguruprapanna/sandbox

Gurumata Shrimati Jayshree Devi Goswamini is an Indian guru, writer, sannyasi and spiritual leader in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Gurumata is an epitome of mercy, the embodiment of all Vaishnava qualities, and an everflowing river of devotion. She surrendered her life unto the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga about 50 years ago. Since then, she has been constantly practising and preaching suddha-bhakti, pure devotional service, herself living the life of a renunciate in the ashram. For the last 27 years, she has been acting as the acarya of Shree Guru Prapanna Ashram, founded by her gurudeva, Srila Patitpavan Goswami Thakura, to fulfill Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakura's wish. She is always motivating the devotees to perform Hari-bhajan following the divine instructions of Sriman Mahaprabhu, by setting her own exam

Early life
Her Divine Grace Gurumata Srimati Jayshree Devi Goswamini appeared in this world on July 22, 1954 (Friday). Based on the lunar calendar, her divine appearance day is on Krsna Saptami Tithi at 3:30 hrs. According to the Bengali calendar, it is on 6th Sravana, 1361 and according to the Vaishnava calendar it is on 6th Sridhara, Gauravda 468.

She appeared in the Rajipur village of Hasnabad, located within the Basirhat division of the district North 24 parganas in West Bengal. Her father, Sri Sanat Nath, was a renowned, honest businessman as well as the chairman of Taki Municipality. Her mother, Srimati Puspa Rani Devi, was an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Hari. It is not a mere coincidence that she appeared just after a year of the establishment of 'Shree Guru Prapanna Ashram' (established on 29.03.1953 at Budge Budge, West Bengal). She appeared in order to assist her Gurudeva, His Divine Grace Srila Patitpavan Goswami Thakur (Srila Prabhuji), in his efforts to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire.

Her early name was 'Yamuna'. She took her formal education from the renowned Taki Government High School. Having appeared in a devotee family, she was always in the saintly association. When she was 15 years old, her maternal grandfather, Sri Dhiren Dalal, donated his house and property to Srila Prabhuji for the establishment of the Basirhat branch of the ashram (on 21.08.1969). Since she was a kid, she received the merciful association of great Vaishnavas and darshan of Srila Prabhuji. She regularly visited the ashram from a tender age, listened to Harikatha lectures, sang kirtans with the devotees, and honor prasadam.

One day, her mother, a great devotee, offered her elder daughter, Gurumata, still a child, unto the lotus feet of Srila Prabhuji saying that she wants her daughter to lead the life of a full-time devotee in the ashram. Srila Prabhuji would write letters to her regularly and Gurumata would follow the instructions she received through those letters from word to word. When Gurumata was just above 17 years old, she went to observe Kartika vrata in the Dinhata branch of the ashram with her maternal aunt and maternal grandmother. From that point in her life, she started preparing herself for living the life of a renunciate in the ashram.

Eventually, gurumata joined the ashram within a year, leaving aside her studies. Being a brilliant science student and the eldest daughter of a prestigious family, this was a bold decision to take. Submitting herself unconditionally unto the lotus feet of Sri Guru, Vaishnavas and Sri Bhagavan, she started residing in the Navadwip branch of the ashram from 1972. She manifested all the great qualities of an ideal ashram resident. On the occasion of Jhulana Purnima, she received formal initiation from Srila Prabhuji. However, she had not brought any money or extra clothing to reside in the ashram when she left her home. She also wanted to offer Srila Prabhuji something as a token of guru-dakshina during initiation. Therefore she wanted to visit her home to bring the necessary items. However, Srila Prabhuji knew that once she visits home, her family would bind her in marital ties and hence the ashram would lose one of its most precious members. Therefore, being elated at her innocence, Srila Prabhuji asked another ashram resident, Srimati Nanda Devi Goswamini, to give her one-rupee or 16-anas. '16 anas' in Hindu philosophy represents complete surrender. By symbolically offering that 16-ana to Srila Prabhuji and his ashram, Gurumata received her formal initiation. Srila Prabhuji also carefully arranged for two sets of clothes for gurumata so that she does not need to go back home. Gurumata, being a daughter of a wealthy businessman family, never had to do laborious works at home. Nor did she have many ideas regarding the ashram services. Nevertheless, under the guidance of the senior devotees, she quickly learned different services and started participating in them.​

Life at Shree Guru Prapanna Ashram
In about a year after formal initiation, Gurumata received sannyasa initiation and saffron robes from Srila Prabhuji on the day of Vijaya Dashami in 1973. Gurumata's early name 'Yamuna' was changed to her spiritual name, 'Srimati Jayshree Devi Goswamini'. The word 'Jay' implies victory and glories. The word 'Shree' refers to the Goddess of fortune, who is none other than Srimati Radharani. In a letter to Gurumata, Srila Prabhuji writes, "... I am glad that you are a real sadhika (expert in devotional practice). You are Vraja abhisarini. You are an everflowing river of love. Hence your name 'Yamuna' is justified and perfect. In the next chapter of your life, you have hoisted the victory flag by conquering such huge materialistic temptations, ignoring the so-called relatives, and trampling the desire for worldly pleasures and royal luxuries. In this journey towards success, you have gradually fascinated each and every one. You have declared the victory of your love and respect towards Sri Guru, thereby pleasing everyone. In this way, you have made your name 'Jayshree' successful as well..."

Besides her other mention-worthy qualities, Srila Prabhuji was incredibly amazed at her extra-ordinary handwriting and appointed her to write letters and articles dictated by himself. After that, every day, she used to write letters dictated by Srila Prabhuji for hours. Later on, she also involved herself in other services, including taking care of Srila Prabhuji's health. While in the ashram, she was always eager to perform more and more service. She was also motivating other devotees to serve nicely and more carefully. She used to attract plenty of devotees through her Hari katha lectures and bring them to the temple for the service of Srila Prabhuji and the Deities. She also used to approach the residents of the locality and engage them in the service of the ashram. Particularly, the wealthy businessmen who were initially disinterested in donating for the service of the ashram would be easily convinced by Gurumata and would then participate in the ashram service.

Even a drop of Gurumata's immense contribution towards the ashram's maintenance cannot be expressed in this brief biography. During those days, there was no electric light in the ashram, and as a result, it created much trouble in service after sunset. Gurumata herself took the responsibility on her shoulders and went to talk to the railway officials multiple times, asking for assistance. Getting convinced of her repeated appeals and noticing her sincerity, the officials finally arranged for electric light in the ashram free of cost. Therefore, Gurumata was the one whose service brought light to the temple of Sri Rajkumar, who is the presiding Deity of the Budge Budge ashram. She also arranged for the tap water facilities in the ashram, previous to which all service was done using pond water.

She was always (and is still) dear to all her godbrothers and godsisters. Though the other devotees sometimes indulged in mild conflicts and quarrels, Gurumata never had any arguments with any of the ashram residents and therefore remained dear to all. This is a quality that is rarely observed in this Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel. Her respectful dealings with the senior devotees, as well as loving guidance and help towards the newer devotees, are remembered by all in the ashram. Her godsisters would get solace just by writing letters to her - that was the level of affection and impact on them. In due course of time, noticing her utmost endeavors to please Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga, Srila Prabhuji gave her the responsibility of maintaining the Prapanna Press and appointed her as its editor. As the editor, Gurumata published several books, including the biography of Srila Prabhuji, Sri Caitanya Bhagavata (1984) and tri-monthly magazines named Bhakti-arghya. Besides, Prabhuji also opened her bank account and gave her the responsibility of financial administration of the ashram. He did this all based on a dream he received from Sri Panca Tattva Deities in Navadvipa, who asked him to transfer all responsibilities to Gurumata without any worry and that Gurumata would take care of it all. As a result, Srila Prabhuji also immediately made her the in-charge of the Budge Budge branch which is our parent math. In this way, she emerged as the dearest disciple of Srila Prabhuji through her tireless efforts and struggles in serving Sri Guru Gauranga most sincerely. "She was the object of Prabhuji's greatest affection and blessings," says Srimati Sadhana Devi Goswamini, one of gurumata's godsisters.

She used to continually inspire and direct the other ashram residents in their service. Her mere presence would (and still does) keep the ashram alive. Once she was manifesting critical illness pastime during the ashram festival and therefore, others wanted to take her elsewhere so that she receives enough rest. However, Srila Prabhuji insisted that she stays in the ashram. He said, "Even if Jaya has to be on bed rest, please ask her to reside in the ashram. Without her presence, the festival will never be complete." That was the level of importance of Gurumata's presence in the ashram. The ashram would lose its elegance when gurumata would go out for preaching and collecting donations. When some of the quarrelsome residents of the ashram were expelled from other branches, Srila Prabhuji would ask them to be brought to the Budge Budge branch and kept in Gurumata's affectionate supervision. Her patience and tolerance moved everyone in the ashram, including Srila Prabhuji. She is the direct embodiment of the 'trinadapi sunicena' sloka uttered by Sriman Mahaprabhu in His Siksashtakam. Therefore, she was the one whom Srila Prabhuji always relied on with any ashram-related matter.

Gurumata possessed the exceptional intelligence required to manage an ashram. Whenever there was any disturbance or any trouble in any other branches, Srila Prabhuji would immediately call Gurumata and discuss the actions to be taken to tackle the problems. Whenever devotees would bring something for donation, however materially significant or insignificant it might be, Srila Prabhuji would hand it over to Gurumata's able hand without a second thought. Whenever new members would join the ashram, Srila Prabhuji would ask them to stay in Gurumata's guidance and to get training from her. On the one hand, she used to supervise all ashram services, and on the other hand, she used to perform direct service of Srila Prabhuji with utmost care. She was equally efficient in managing both the wings. Gurumata was engaged in uncountable services from dawn to midnight, lined one after another, without getting any opportunity to take rest. Despite all these, she was always attentive towards whatever Srila Prabhuji needed. She was always concerned about keeping Srila Prabhuji pleased and relieving him of all the troubles of the ashram. This is the very essence of service - to endeavor to make the object of service pleased. There were many situations of turmoil in the ashram, but she always tried her level best not to let them reach her Gurudeva's ears, lest he gets disturbed. Shree Guru and his mission have always been the object of her utmost concern. For that, she had to endure unlimited pain. These instances acted as lessons to the other ashram residents regarding how an ideal disciple should tolerate all the pains with a smile on the face.

She was always filled with serving propensity and was also an expert in motivating the other devotees to serve with full power. In 1977, she arranged for the purchase of extra land adjacent to the ashram compound in Budge Budge. With her intense efforts, Raghunathpur center and Silpara center of the ashram were opened in 1982. In 1986, she also helped Srila Prabhuji in the renovation service of Sri Navadwip branch of the ashram on the occasion of the 500th year of appearance of Sriman Mahaprabhu. Furthermore, she arranged for a massive festival in the Budge budge branch inviting thousands of guests and devotees to commemorate the occasion. As the press editor, she also published a wonderful souvenir during the festival that was appreciated by all.

She also went to the Dhama parikrama and Tirtha Darshan with Srila Prabhuji and the devotees, all the while taking great care of Srila Prabhuji and the Deities. All the devotees would visit various places during the tours, but she would stay back to cook and arrange everything for them. She would often even cook in the bus to serve bhoga to the Deities and prasadam to Srila Prabhuji at the correct time. Her servitude was an example and inspiration for all. She never cared for her health and own interests. Her service was always selfless and without any trace of duplicity.

When Srila Prabhuji was manifesting illness pastime, she always took care of him. She performed everything - from arranging for his best treatment to staying all day and night in the hospital. When Srila Prabhuji was not responding to the treatments even in the best hospitals of Kolkata, Gurumata arranged for his treatment in Vellore, which is known for its extra-ordinary medical facilities. Later, when Srila Prabhuji manifested illness pastime in Dinhata ashram, Gurumata immediately went there and brought him back to Kolkata and arranged for his best treatment. On July 27, 1991, Gurumata directly served her Gurudeva on Guru Purnima for the last time on this earth, performing guru puja in the hospital. That was the last time Srila Prabhuji accepted service from anyone in this mortal world. Srila Prabhuji manifested his disappearance pastime after three days. Gurumata, along with the other devotees, performed the samadhi ceremony of Srila Prabhuji in Navadwip ashram and arranged for the viraha festival.

Acarya lila
Gutumata plunged in deep sorrow of separation after the disappearance of Srila Prabhuji in 1991. She was the rightful legal heir of Srila Prabhuji based on the written will where Srila Prabhuji had appointed her as the next executive of the ashram. The will was later probated in 1998. However, Gurumata could not even think of administrating the ashram without the physical presence of Srila Prabhuji. No one could convince her to take the seat of the acharya after the disappearance of her most beloved and worshippable Gurudeva. She considered herself to be utmost fallen and ineligible for the seat of the acharya, which was adorned by her most worshippable Gurudeva. After three years of constant requests from her godbrothers and godsisters, she started giving initiations in 1994. Since then, she has been taking care of the ashram and serving the mission of Srila Prabhuji and Srila Prabhupada as the president and acarya of Shree Guru Prapanna Ashram. She also gives shelter to the orphans, the mentally distressed and the physically handicapped people, the aged women and trains them in the devotional service of Lord Sri Hari. She also published several books, including 'Patitapavan Sudha', 'Maya Yavanika Uttolana', 'Prabhupada Patra Sudha', etc., and the monthly magazine named 'Prapanna'. She travels and preaches tirelessly in different towns and villages of Bengal throughout the year. It is a challenging task to unite and manage all the women devotees together. Nevertheless, with the potency and transcendental qualities that she inherited from Srila Prabhuji, as well as her enormous patience and tolerance, she has constantly been improving the condition of the institution. It is because of her presence that the women devotees are still getting the opportunity to perform devotional service under the shelter of Shree Guru Prapanna Ashram, under the shelter of Gurumata. She has also opened a weekly spiritual school named 'Vishnupriya Paravidyapith' in the Kolkata branch, where devotees from different parts of the city assemble to study the scriptures and Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy.

In 2017, Gurumata was appointed the Jt. Secretary on Women Protection of World Vaishnava Association or Visva Vaishnava Rajsabha (valid for an indefinite period of time). In order to serve the desire of her Gurudeva and Paramgurudeva better, she is eager to train more devotees, especially the women devotees and the younger generation, in the devotional service of Lord Sri Hari. She wishes to distribute the spiritual treasure that she has received from her gurudeva to all the devotees residing in every corner of the world. She firmly believes that the women devotees can definitely be a part of the sankirtana movement of Sriman Mahaprabhu. And that they can perform bhajan very nicely following the footsteps of Srimati Vishnupriya Devi, Srimati Jahnava Thakurani, Srimati Madhavi Devi, Srimati Gangamata Goswamini, Srimati Hemlata Thakurani, and other prominent Gaudiya Vaishnavis.

Gurumata is the reservoir of sheer simplicity, enormous humility, extreme tolerance, unlimited affection, and all other Vaishnava conducts. Renouncing all comforts and conveniences, she has been persistently serving the Gaudiya Vaishnava society, offering her heart and soul to Srila Prabhuji and his mission.