GWALA (Cowherd) FOR A DAY !

AT S.R. JIVAMAITRIDHAM - GAUSHALA

Have you ever wondered what it would be like spending a day with Lord Krishna in Vrindavan? Well ... for one day - you can do exactly that by tending to His beloved cows at S. R. Jivamaitridham.

This One Day Seva has been specially planned for nurturing a feeling of friendship with the cows. The activities of the day include:

• Assisting in the milking, bathing, feeding and medical checkups of the cows.
• Taking the cows for grazing.
• Praying for the animals.
• Playing with the cows and calves.

If you are keen to understand the activities and working of the Gaushala - our Gaushala sevaks will be more than happy to help you.

You can also don a Gwala dress and get a fabulous picture clicked with the cows to hang on your wall!

You can do your bit to spread the message of Jivamaitri (friendship with all living beings) by writing about your experience as a Gwala.

So come ... enjoy a day filled with fun, friendship, education and elevation at S. R. Jivamaitridham!

Pujyashri Gurudev Becomes 'Gwala for a Day'

Monday 25th Jan, 2010 saw the gracious presence of Pujyashri Gurudev at Shrimad Rajchandra Jivamaitridham's Gaushala as 'Gwala for a Day'. Pujyashri Gurudev commenced HIS seva by doing pujan & offering flowers at the lotus feet of Bhagwan Mahavir, Lord Krishna & Param Krupalu Dev.

Our extended cow family was blessed with the divine darshan, and touch of Pujyashri Gurudev. They seemed to enjoy a feeling of immense joy and security as they surrendered to this Divine Gwala - Gopal Himself. The cows got the laabh to become gopis and dance around the Divine when they were taken for grazing. They relished the prasad of fodder that HE carried Himself and fed them while reciting the mantra 'Sahajatmaswaroop Paramguru'. These innocent animals felt the Divine touch when HE milked and bathed them.

Pujyashri Gurudev also visited the grazing & fodder farms, where He played & danced with the little Garbharpit chocolate sevaks & recited many Jin sutras with them to the animals. The little Garbharpits also enjoyed a traditional bullock cart ride in the fields.

During His visit to the gaushala, He not only divinely touched the animals with His selfless love, but also stirred the hearts of the sevaks and staff of the gaushala by serving them lunch Himself, conversing with them and distributing gifts to them. Pujyashri Gurudev ended HIS visit by taking photographs with the Gaushala sevaks.

Thus, Pujyashri Gurudev's day at the Gaushala is just a small instance of HIS ever-flowing compassion and love for life in all its forms.

Seva Instructions

1. To apply for this enriching experience, please fill the application form.
2. Your form will be processed by SRJ Gaushala sevaks who will revert to you in 10 to 15 days regarding the date of seva.
3. In case you do not have transport arrangement, local transport can be arranged by prior intimation. You may contact Anand Mehta at 09820032362(M) (from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.) or Nainesh Kapadia at 09870090089(M) (from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.).
4. You need to make your own stay and food arrangements. If you wish to stay at the Ashram, you will have to confirm your stay with the Ashram allotment team directly by sending an email to shibir@sradharampur.org.
5. All costs including stay, food, travel and local transportation will be borne by you.

Option 1 : Full Day Seva

1. Currently, seva days are Fridays and Mondays only, before and after Pujyashri Gurudev's weekend satsang shibirs.
2. It is preferable to reach Dharampur the previous night before the day of participation, and report at the Gaushala at 05:45 a.m. on the day of participation.

Activities at the Gaushala

TIME FROM	TIME TO	ACTIVITY
05:45 a.m.	06:00 a.m.	Report at Gaushala for seva. Get into the special Gwala's dress (optional).
06:00 a.m.	07:00 a.m.	Begin your seva by offering flowers to the Lord. Assist in milking.
07:00 a.m.	08:30 a.m.	Deliver milk at town Derasar, Ashram Derasar, Pujyashri Gurudev's kitchen and the Ashram kitchen. Breakfast.
08:30 a.m.	10:30 a.m.	Take cattle for grazing at the fields along with the full-time gwalas. This is a great experience where the actual behavior of the cattle can be understood. Spend time with the calves in Open Wada. It's fun to watch them jump around in the Wada!!
10:30 a.m.	12:30 p.m.	Feed and bathe the animals.
12:30 p.m.	02:30 p.m.	Lunch and rest time.
02:30 p.m.	04:30 p.m.	Play devotional bhajans for the animals. Assist in gobar picking and cleaning the Gaushala (Optional). Prepare special fodder. Offer fodder and water to animals.
04:30 p.m.	05:30 p.m.	Free time with animals. End your fun-filled seva with photographs with the cows in Gwala's dress.

Option 2 : Half Day Seva

1. Currently, one option of seva days is Fridays and Sundays from 02:30 p.m. to 05:30 p.m. before and after Pujyashri Gurudev's weekend satsang shibirs. Pujyashri Gurudev has especially given this option, so that one can save on one working day as they have to reach on Friday afternoon.
2. The participants will need to report at the Gaushala in Dharampur on Friday at 02:15 p.m.

Activities at the Gaushala

TIME FROM	TIME TO	ACTIVITY
02:30 p.m.	03:00 p.m.	Report at Gaushala for seva. Begin your seva by offering flowers to the Lord. Play devotional bhajans for the animals.
03:00 p.m.	04:15 p.m.	Spending time with the calves in the open Wada. It's fun to watch them jump around in the Wada!! Feed and bathe the animals.
04:15 p.m.	05:00 p.m.	Preparation of fodder. Offer fodder and water to animals.
05:00 p.m.	05:30 p.m.	Assist in milking; one can also take firsthand experience in milking the cows under supervision of the full-time Gwalas.
05:30 p.m.		Free time with animals. End your fun-filled seva with photographs with the cows in Gwala's dress.