śrīśrīguru-gaurāṅgaujayataḥ

MyBelovedMastersTHEINCOMPARABLECOMMANDERSOFŚRĪLAPRABHUPĀDA'SARMY

InspiredbythelecturesofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVijñānaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārāja

©2017ViśuddhaCaitanya-vāṇīPublications.SomeRightsReserved.

To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be made available bycontactingSundara-gopāladāsaatsraju.sgd@gmail.com

PrintedEdition:FirstEdition:May2017(1,100copies)

Translationofquotedverses thataremarkedwithanasterisk (*)arebyGauḍīyaVedāntaPublications.

ContributorsTranslation

•Premadāsa,Sundara-gopāladāsa,Śrīvāsadāsa•EditorandFidelityCheck

•Mādhava-priyadāsa•AssociateEditor

•Sanātanadāsa•Proofreading

•Madhukaradāsa,Veṇu-gopāladāsa,Vraja-kiśorīdāsī,Kṛṣṇādevīdāsī•LineDrawings

•Bakulādāsī•CoverandLayoutDesign

•Kuñja-kalikādāsī•Acknowledgements

• Sundara-gopāla dāsa (UK), Acintya-gaura dāsa, Mālatī dāsī, Indirā dāsī(Spain)•

ePubEncoding•Sanātanadāsa

Contents

Introduction

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSarvasvaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSaurabhaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārāja

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī

ŚrīJagad-bandhuBhaktiRañjana

ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭha

AboutŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVijñānaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārāja

IntroductionIn his poemVaiṣṇavaKe, Śrī ŚrīmadBhaktisiddhānta SarasvatīGosvāmī

ṬhākuraPrabhupādahasdescribed that themain impediments tobhajana arekanaka(wealth),kāminī (objectsofdesire)andpratiṣṭhā (prestige).Althoughabandoning the thirst for kanaka and kāminī is certainly not without itschallenges, the thirst for pratiṣṭhā, Māyā-devī’s final assault, is even moreformidable. Itssubtletyallowsit toremaindeeplyrooted in theheartwithoutbeingdetectedbyothersor,tragically,evenoneself.

pratiṣṭhāśādhṛṣṭāśvapaca-ramaṇīmehṛdinaṭetkathaṁsādhu-premāspṛśatiśuciretannanumanaḥsadātvaṁsevasvaprabhu-dayita-sāmantamatulaṁyathātāṁniṣkāśyatvaritamihataṁveśayatisaḥ

ŚrīManaḥ-śikṣā(7)

Inthisverse,ŚrīlaRaghunāthadāsaGosvāmīhasexplainedthattheimmaculatesunofprema,divineloveforŚrīKṛṣṇa,willneverriseintheheartaslongasahankeringforpratiṣṭhādwellsthere.Arethesincerepractitionersonthepathof bhakti then hopeless? “No!” Śrīla Dāsa Gosvāmī assures us. “There is away!”

Heexplains,“sadātvaṁsevasvaprabhudayitasāmantaṁatulaṁ—alwaysserveourPrabhu’s incomparablypowerfulcommanders.”Thesewordsreferto the beloved (dayita) and incomparably (atulaṁ) powerful commanders(sāmantam) in the armies of either Prabhu Śrī Kṛṣṇa or Mahāprabhu ŚrīCaitanyadeva—suchasŚrīRūpaGosvāmī,ŚrīSanātanaGosvāmīandothers.However,manydifferentmeaningsarise inmyheartwhenI read, rememberorrecitethisphrase.Afewofthesemeaningsareasfollows:

1. Prabhu-dayitareferstoŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura,whorevealedhiseternalidentityasŚrīVārṣabhanāvī-dayitadāsa,andsāmantam-atulaṁreferstohis‘incomparablypowerfulcommanders,’likemymostworshipfulgurupāda-padma,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja.

2. Prabhurefersto‘mybelovedmasters,’thedisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,dayitareferstoŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura(ŚrīVārṣabhanāvī-dayitadāsa),andsāmantam-atulaṁrefersto‘theincomparablecommanders’ofhisarmy.

3. PrabhureferstoŚrīlaPrabhupāda,anddayita-sāmantamatulaṁrefers

tohis‘mostbelovedandincomparablypowerfulcommander,’ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja.

4. Prabhureferstośrīguru,anddayitareferstoŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja,whoissāmantamatulaṁ,an‘incomparablypowerfulcommander.’

5. PrabhureferstoŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu,anddayita-sāmantamatulaṁreferseithertoHis‘mostbelovedandincomparablypowerfulcommander,’ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupāda,ortoŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja,whoappearedasabrightsunonthehorizonofmygoodfortune.

Although these meanings may not perfectly comply with the rules ofSanskritgrammar,Irequestthedevoteestoaccepttheessenceoftheintendedimportoftheseexplanations.Thetitleofthisbookisinspiredbythesecondoftheabovementionedmeanings.

When Śrīman Mahāprabhu and His associates appeared before ŚrīlaPrabhupādainavisionandinstructedhimtoimmersehimselfintheserviceofpreaching, the Lord promised, “I will arrange for the required men andmoney.” We can therefore infer that those who took shelter of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda were associates of the Lord sent by Him. Hence, they too areincludedamongthebeloved,incomparablecommanderssentbyMahāprabhu,andconstantlyservingthembanishesthedeviancyofpratiṣṭhāfromtheheart.

It is the duty of an army commander to lead his troops to victory indefeating theenemy, therebyprotectingandexpandinghisking’sempire.ŚrīNityānandaPrabhu, the foremostcommanderofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sarmy,wassoeagertoservetheLord’sorderthatwithoutselfishinterestandatrisktoHis own life, He deliveredHismaster ’smessage to even themost sinfulpersons.

Justasacommanderexecuteseveryordergivenbytherulerofhisnation,ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīandŚrīlaSanātanaGosvāmī,onthecommandofŚrīmanMahāprabhu, manifested the pastime places of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa that hadbecomehiddenoverthepassageoftime.Additionally,theypersonallydirectedmany devotees to the path of bhakti by providing guidance and composedmany bhakti literatures in which they established the teachings of ŚrīmanMahāprabhu and conclusively defeated the heretical doctrines of theiropponents—apadharma (improper religion), upadharma (false religion) and

chala-dharma(cheatingreligion).Anarmy’scommanderspeacefullytolerateallhardshipsfortheprotection

oftheircountry.Theyperformtheirdutiesdespiteanyhostileconditionstheymightencounter.Inthesamemanner,thearmyofŚrīmanMahāprabhuacceptsallsortsofdifficultiesinordertofulfillHiscommandtoguardtherealmofbhaktifromtheattackofenviousopponents.

Now the question arises: How can we possibly serve these beloved,incomparablecommandersofourPrabhuinperpetuityoncetheyconcealtheirpastimesinthisworldandenterintotheLord’seternalpastimes?Theansweris that at such a time, they are served by repeatedly hearing, reciting andrememberingtheconceptuallegacytheypracticedandpreached.

vaiṣṇaveraguṇa-gāna,karôyejīveratrāṇaśuniyāchisādhu-guru-mukhe

ŚrīGopāla-govindaMāhantaŚrīlaPrabhupāda-vandanā(18)

Singing the glories of theVaiṣṇavas causes the conditioned souls’ deliverance; this Ihaveheardfromthemouthsofsādhusandśrīguru.

Remembering Vaiṣṇavas is our prosperity, and forgetting them causescalamity.Withthisinmind,whenvaiṣṇava-sārvabhaumaŚrīlaJagannāthadāsaBābājī Mahārāja came to know that our most worshipful parama-gurudevaŚrīlaPrabhupādawasanexpert inastrology,hemercifully instructedhim topublish theŚrīNavadvīpa-pañjikā calendar.He told him that in it, he shouldnote the appearance and disappearance days ofVaiṣṇavas, so thatwhen suchholydaysarrive,thecommunityofardentdevoteesmayproperlyhearabout,glorifyandrememberthem.Indeed,itisanoffencenottorememberthemontheirappearanceordisappearancedays.

Fromtheverybeginningofmyresidencyinthemaṭha,Iwitnessedthatonthe disappearance and appearance days of Vaiṣṇavas, my most worshipfulGuru Mahārāja, oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata śrī Śrīmad Bhakti DayitaMādhava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, as well as oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata śrīŚrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvāmī Mahārāja and the many disciples ofŚrīlaPrabhupādawouldretirewhicheverbookorserieswasregularlybeingread in their daily classes to instead speak on the specialty of that particularday.Formanyyearswithoutfail,IhavefollowedtheirlegacybyconsultingtheVaiṣṇava calendar practically every morning and, as much as possible,accordinglyobservedtheholyoccasionsrecordedtherein.

Although theVaiṣṇavaācāryas glorified in this publicationmay at timesappear to have different approaches to serving ŚrīViṣṇu and theVaiṣṇavas,sincere sādhakas should view such differences not as inconsistencies ordeviations, but as specialties. If a person compares the various ācāryas’conductwithoutobtainingthenecessaryqualification,itonlyproveshehasnotlearnedthefirstthingaboutthetranscendentalnatureoftheVaiṣṇavas.Suchacriticundoubtedlyinviteshisowndestruction:

ĵepāpiṣṭhaekavaiṣṇaverapakṣahayaanyavaiṣṇaverenindeseiĵāyakṣaya

ŚrīCaitanya-Bhāgavata(Madhya-khaṇḍa13.161)

Those sinful persons who take the side of oneVaiṣṇava and blaspheme another arecertainlyruined.

Therefore, taking into account their conditioned nature, sādhakas shouldavoid approachingmatters beyond their capacity of understanding, lest theycausetheirownannihilation.Thosewhoarequalifiedtoseebeyondtheveilofexternal appearances and distinguish between the Vaiṣṇavas’ marginal andintrinsiccharacteristics,however,areneverbewildered.

Just as a cook may prepare a delicious curry by mixing two generallyincompatibleingredientssuchasjaggeryandchili,andjustasthedissimilarityofthesoundsofassortedinstrumentsinkīrtana—karatāla,mṛdangaandkaṅsa—is secondary when they all converge into a single, cohesive rhythm,similarly,although thevariousācāryas’ approachesmaybemultifarious, theend result of their collective preaching is tastefully harmonious. Aninexperienced person can only attempt an approximation, and therefore,whateverheproduceswillbelaughable;hecannevereffectthepalatableresultofanexperiencedcookorkīrtanīya,whounderstandshowtoproperlyemploydiversitytohisadvantage.

There is another consideration in this: for intelligent discerningpersons,no amount of secondary ingredients can make up for the absence of theprimary ingredient, whereas themere presence of the primary ingredient issufficient to arouse appreciation, even without the support of secondaryingredients.Forexample,alackofbhāva,orheartfeltsincerity,isforasingerafatalflaw,nomatterhowmelodious,in-keyoron-beathemaybe.Inversely,if a chef adds just the right amount of salt to a curry, no deficiency oroverabundanceoftheotherspicesusedwilldispleasehispatrons.

In this way, the exclusive surrender to Śrī Hari, guru and Vaiṣṇavasexemplified by theVaiṣṇava ācāryas described in this publication should betaken as the key ingredient in their preaching, and all other secondarycircumstances should be seen in light of this one harmonizing and unifyingquality.

During his early days in the United States, Śrīla Bhaktivedānta SvāmīMahārāja’s disciples found a copy of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s ŚrīCaitanya:HisLifeandPrecepts in a library.Thisdemonstrates thatṬhākuraBhaktivinoda’s teachings reached the West without him having to set footoutsideofIndia.Inthesameway,althoughŚrīlaPrabhupādaandthemajorityof his disciples never physically left India, it is by their combined dedicatedefforts that Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s conceptuallegacyisgainingrecognitionduetoextensivepreaching.

Althoughafewofmybelovedmasters—theincomparablecommandersofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sarmy—acted‘onstage,’ themajorityservedfrom‘behindthecurtain.’Onewhohastrulyperformedsādhu-saṅgawillbeblessedwiththeability to comprehend the propermethod bywhich to honor suchVaiṣṇavasand thereby recognize and appreciate their tremendous contributions.Otherwise, the devotee will fail at any attempts at reconciliation, and hisconditionwill be like that of a young childwho, uponwatching a televisionprogram,seesonlytheactorsappearingon-screenandremainsunawareofthelaborious efforts of show’s director, writers, producers, cinematographer,designers and artists working off-camera. Indeed, his disinterest during theclosingcreditsreflectshisignorance.

We are greatly delighted to see that gradually, devotees are emergingwithin the Vaiṣṇava community who are developing a firm grasp of themultitudeofdeepconceptsathandandofferingduerespectunhesitatingly.

In my lectures and conversations over the years, I often illustrate thegloriesandqualitiesofthosedisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādawithwhom,bytheceaselesscompassionofmyGuruMahārāja,Iwasblessedwiththeopportunitytoassociateandserve.AlthoughIhaveassociatedwithmanydisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādaotherthanthoseglorifiedinthisabridgededition,becauseofmyadvancedage,IamunabletorecollectthemanymemorableexperiencesIhadwith them. Sometimes, by theirmercy, such remembrances appear from thearchives of my memory when the need arises. My hope is to include mymemoriesoftheseincomparablecommandersofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sarmyinafutureeditionofthisbook.However,whetherthisactualizesdependsuponon

thesweet,independentwillofthesepersonalities.Untiltoday,noonehaseverattemptedtopublishmyanecdotesaboutŚrīla

Prabhupāda’s disciples, whom I regard as saviors of the world, nor had itoccurred to me that my experiences, conceptions and narrations were of acaliberworthpublishing.Butnow,atalmostninety-oneyearsofage,whenmyconditionissuchthatImayatanymomentleavethisworldbythewilloftheLord,anumberofdevoteeshavebecomeconvincedthatmyglorificationsoftheseVaiṣṇavaswouldbenefittheentireworld.

For this reason, theybegan collecting and transcribingwhatever I spoke.Whenever they felt theywere unable to establish the essence of a particularstory, theywould consult withme, and I would resolve the issuewith ever-increasing enthusiasm.They then edited that adjusted draft and organized itscontents. Incidentally, this process sparked an even deeper level ofremembrance in me, thus unearthing long since forgotten memories of theVaiṣṇavas.

Thispublicationhasbeenpresentedinthestyleknownasbhāva-anuvāda,whichclearlyconveysthemoodsandintendedmeaningsofmyspokenwords.As with any anthology of anecdotes, the stories herein are independentaccounts that canbe readwithout concern for sequence.The reader can startandstopatanypointwithoutloss.

I am deeply appreciative of the devotees involved in this publication fortheirardenteffortsandgenuinedesiretopreservethegloriesofthedisciplesof Śrīla Prabhupāda described herein. In this book, the publishers have, in amanner utterly devoid of speculation, presented the vāṇī and conduct of ourguru-vargapurely,justasIhaveheardandwitnessedit.

Unfortunately,itwasimpossibletopresenttheVaiṣṇavasinorderoftheirseniority. In thewordsofŚrīlaKavirājaGosvāmī,whonarrated thepastimesofŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhuandHisassociates, “kehakôribārenāre jyeṣṭha-laghu-krama—thesequenceofwhowasseniorandwhowasjuniorcouldnotbe given” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 10.5). Therefore, just as ŚrīDevakīnandana dāsa has expressed in his Vaiṣṇava-vandanā, I say, “karma-bhaṅga doṣa nā laibā—please do not take offense tomy deviating from thepropersequence.”Ibegforgivenessformyinabilitytodoso.

I am now old and the diminishing strength of my memory presentssubstantialimpediments.Iamunabletodoanythingbutpenanceandrememberthewords“nijakarma-doṣe,eidehahôilābhajanerapratibandha—due to thefaultsofmyactions,thisbodyhasbecomeanobstacletoperformingbhajana.”

Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī has cautioned that one who does notglorify theVaiṣṇavas isguiltyofungratefulness. I am therefore relieved thattoday, this publication serves as a testament to my undying gratitude to theVaiṣṇavasfromwhomIhavereceivedeverything.

TheexamplethedisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādahavesetintheservicetheyrenderedtotheirguruandtheirfirmconvictioninhimisourideal.Indeed,itisour very life.May such conviction appear in our hearts.With this prayer, Iconcludemyintroduction.

“Vaiṣṇaveranāmalabā,ārakichunākaribā—Iwilldonothingother thantakethenamesoftheVaiṣṇavas.”

Vaiṣṇava-dāsānudāsa,

ŚrīBhaktiVijñānaBhāratī

ThedisappearancedayofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayita

MādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja2February,2017

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSarvasvaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja

HisboldcompetenceOnce, in Burma, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Sarvasva Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja

showed up at the British governor ’s house in a horse-drawn cart. Thegovernor was furious with his gatekeeper and guards. “Even big, importantofficers donot have thenerve to enter here ridingon ahorse.Howdid thissādhugetinhereonahorse-drawncart?Whydidyoulethiminside?”

BecauseŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja spokeEnglishverywell,hecouldunderstand everything the Governor was saying. He was accustomed tolecturinginEnglishaspertheinstructionsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andsohedidnothesitatetospeaktothegovernorinEnglish.Hesaid,“Irequestyounottobecomeangrywith thesepeople.Theyonly letme inbecauseIshowed themthelettersfromtheGovernorGeneral.”ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājahandedhim the handwritten letters, which were personally addressed to ŚrīlaMahārāja.

Thegovernorwasastonished.“Whoareyou?”hedemanded.“Fromwherehaveyoucome?AndwhydidtheGovernorGeneralwriteyoutheseletters?Itoo receive letters from him, but to this day, I have never received a singleletterwithhissignatureon it.Theyarealwaysmarkedwith thewords ‘fromthe Governor General.’ And you have not one, not two, but three letters,pennedwithhisownhand,noless.”Ashesaidthis,heescortedŚrīlaMahārājaintohischamberswiththeutmostregard.

ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājaexplained,“IfirstmettheGovernorGeneralwhenIsubmittedaproposaltohiminKolkata.Iproposedthatthegovernmentallocatelandformygurudeva’smissionandassistinourpreaching.Heaskedme about the mission, and I explained that its goal is to benefit the wholeworld.

“‘Frankly,Icannothaveapart inanythingthatbenefitsaparticularcasteorcreed,’hetoldme.

“Iboldlyaskedhim,‘IfIcanproveyouhaveassistedaparticularcasteorreligiousgroupinthepast,willyouagreetoalsoassistusbyagreeingtomyproposal?’

“The Governor General hung his head and remained silent. He was notangeredbymystatement,butpleased.Hesaid,‘Iappreciatethosewhospeaktomestraightforwardly,asyouhavejustnow.’

“After conversing for a long while, we developed a mutual friendship.

Therefore,wheneverIsenthimmessagesonhisbirthdayandotheroccasions,he replied with personal, handwritten letters. I have come to you today torequestyoutosimilarlyassistinmygurudeva’spreachingmission.”

In thisway, ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja convincedmany dignitaries toserve Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission. He used to say, “When Śrīla Prabhupādaread the letters theGovernorGeneralsentme,hewasverypleasedandsaid,‘My joy knows no bound when I see our sannyāsīs andbrahmacārīs goingfromplacetoplaceandacquaintingpeoplewiththeircompetence.”

AccordinghonortotherightobjectattherighttimeOnce, when Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja was preaching in Burma, the

head of the Bengali committee there told him, “Mahārāja, you have comeduringthetimeofDurgā-pūjā.WhowilllistentoyouspeakaboutŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhuorŚrīKṛṣṇaifeveryoneisbusyworshippingGoddessDurgā?”

ŚrīlaGiriMahārājareplied,“Thereare three typesofofficial telegraphs:standard, express and state.When a state telegraph arrives at any office, thestaffregardsthemessagesofanystandardorexpresstelegraphsthatmayhavearrivedasinsignificantbycomparison.Thepriorityshiftsinfavorofthestatetelegraph, and the staffdeploys its entire energy in fulfilling the instructionstherein.

“Similarly, the golden opportunity to hear about Svayam Bhagavān ŚrīKṛṣṇaandtheteachingsandexemplarycharacterofHisidenticalmanifestation—ŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu,thesaviorofthisageofKali—affordsinfinitelymorebenefit than theworshipofHisexternalpotency,Durgā-devī.Onewhodoes not discard the worship of Durgā-devī to take advantage of thisopportunity will be deprived of its glorious results. By neglecting tounderstand the comparative significance of two objects, a person fails toaccordthemduehonorandtherebycheatshimself.Inthisway,hebecomestheloser.”

ServinghisgodbrothersfinanciallyIfanybrahmacārīorsannyāsīhappenedtobeinneed,ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmī

Mahārāja would immediately send him money. For instance, when GuruMahārāja was collecting money for the bail of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti PrajñānaKeśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, and anumber of other devoteeswho had ended up in jail due to false allegations,Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja handed Guru Mahārāja forty-five of the fifty

rupeeshehadtohisname.ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja(thenŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārī)was

once visited by his godbrother Śrī NārāyaṇaMukhopādhyāya on the day ofEkādaśīinhismaṭha,whichwasatthetimearentedhouseatBospadaLaneinKolkata.ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīwasgreatlydistressed thatdayby thefactthathedidnothaveasinglepaisatoservehisgodbrotherduringhisvisit.Miraculously, a sparrow dropped a small packet containing six-and-a-halfannas(aboutfortypaisā) in thecourtyard,andwith thathewasable toservehis godbrother. That same day, he also received a money order for onehundred rupees from Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja, who had tracked himdown and sent it after hearing he had left ŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhawithout takinganythingwithhim.

WhenŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārājawenttopreachintheWest, he did not take any money with him, but rather resolved to dependentirely on whatever donations he would manage to solicit during hispreachingthere.WhenŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājafoundoutabout this,hesentamoneyordertohim,aswell.

Afterrecoveringafewminisculeexpenses,ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājawouldalwaysdonatetheentireproceedshereceivedfromhispreachingtotheserviceofhisgodbrothers.Thiswas theextentofhisdetachment.Heused tosay,“ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaThākurahasinstructedus:

ĵadithākebahudhana,nijeha’beakiñcana,vaiṣṇaverakarôupakāra

jīvedayāanukṣaṇa,rādhā-kṛṣṇa-arādhana,karôsadāha’yesadācāra

Kalyāṇa-kalpataru(1.12.4)

Ifyouhavegreatwealth, remaindetachedanduse it toserve theVaisnavas.Alwaysbe kind to everyone and engage yourself in the constantworship of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇawhilemaintainingsaintlyconduct.

HisdesirebeforeleavingthisworldŚrī Giridhārī Lāla Bhārgava, a resident of Kānpura, donated land in

Vṛndāvana to Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja so that he could establish ŚrīVinoda-vāṇīGauḍīyaMaṭha there. Shortly after, the sameŚrīGiridhārīLālaBhārgava wanted to donate another nearby plot of land for GuruMahārāja.When Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja was informed of this, he told GuruMahārāja,“IwouldbepleasedifyouacceptthatlandandstayhereinVṛndāvan

onyourown.Butifyoubuildamaṭhasoclosetomine,mypresenceherewillservenopurpose.”

GuruMahārājasaid,“IfGiridhārīŚrīKṛṣṇa,thelifterofGovardhanaHill,desires to personally give me land through this other Giridhārī (LālaBhārgava),thenIshouldabidebyHiswish.AlthoughIwillconstructamaṭha,Ishallremainatyourlotusfeet,foryouaremyseniorgodbrother.”

ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājareplied.“Inthepresenceofyourglory,mineisminiscule.Because of your enormous influence,many people follow youwhereveryougo.What,then,willhappentomymission?”

Appreciatinghisconcern,GuruMahārājaempatheticallyreconsideredhispreviousstatementand resolved,“In thatcase, Iwillnotaccept this land.Myfirstpriority is to serve theVaiṣṇavas. Iwill neverpositionmyself tobe thecauseof theirdisturbance. Iwill establishamaṭha elsewhere inVṛndāvan,atsomedistancefromyours.Pleasedonotworry.”

Many years later, Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja expressed his desire tohandoverŚrīVinoda-vāṇīGauḍīyaMaṭha toGuruMahārāja,who told him,“WehavealreadyestablishedabranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhahere.Itwould be unwise ofme to accept a second establishment in the same locale.Pleaseseeifanothergodbrotherofourswillacceptit.”

ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājathentookGuruMahārāja’shandsinhisownandsaid,“ItisonlyafteryouacceptthismaṭhathatIwillbeabletoleavemybodypeacefully.”Sayingthis,ŚrīlaMahārājawept.Beingprofoundlyimpactedby the intensityofhis emotion,GuruMahārāja agreed to acceptŚrīVinoda-vāṇīGauḍīyaMaṭha.

WhenŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājalaterfellfromaroof,GuruMahārājaengagedŚrīNitāīPrabhu,hisowndisciple,inŚrīlaMahārāja’sservice.GuruMahārājawas greatly pleased by theway ŚrīNitāī Prabhu served ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja.

AffirmingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sblessingsGuruMahārājaorganizedagrandthree-dayfestival tocelebrate thedeity

installationceremonyatŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvana.Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja was among the prominent disciples of SrilaPrabhupādapresentfortheoccasion.Inhisaddress,hesaid,“ŚrīlaPrabhupādahad sentmeandŚrīpādaParamānandaPrabhu toprocure thisveryplace fortheGauḍīyaMaṭha,butwewereunabletodoso.Today,IamabsolutelycertainŚrīlaPrabhupāda,beingexceedinglypleasedthatŚrīlaMādhavaMahārājahas

constructedamaṭhahere,isshoweringhismercyuponhim.ŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārāja’s success in securing this location is proof that he is a specialrecipientofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sunrestrainedmercy.”

TheimportanceoffollowingrulesOnce, when Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja arrived at our Śrī Caitanya

Gauḍīya Maṭha branch in Kṛṣṇanagara, he realized he had not received therequiredletterofpermissionfromGuruMahārājatostaythereforafewdays,andthathehadaltogetherforgottentoinformhimabouthisintentiontodoso.“WhatshouldIdonow?”heaskedme.

“Mahārāja,”Isaid,“adistinguishedpersonlikeyouhasnoneedforaletterof permission. Everyone here knows who you are and that Guru Mahārājawouldneverholdyoutosuchformalities.”

ŚrīlaMahārājareplied,“Thatmaybetrue,butitisalwaysgoodtofollowthe rules. Although no harm may come to an influential person who takesadvantage of his status and neglects to follow procedure, those who areunawareofhisqualificationandintentionsmayimitatehimandtherebyinviteinauspiciousnessforthemselves.Bydiligentlyabidingbytherulesourselves,wecausegoodfortuneforeveryone.”

HonoringtheremnantsofhisgodbrothersOnce,GuruMahārājainvitedmanyofhisgodbrotherstoagrandfestivalat

the Kolkata branch of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, which at the time wassituated in a rented building on Rāsa-bihārī Avenue. There were threedesignated places where prasāda was served to the devotees attending theevent, but Guru Mahārāja’s godbrothers were served prasāda in GuruMahārāja’s quarters. Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja was the most seniorgodbrotherthere,andsoweseatedhimattheheadofthelineandservedhimthevariousprasādapreparationsfirst.

OnceGuruMahārāja’s godbrothers had finished honoring prasāda, theycalledout“Nitāi-Gauraharibolo!”andgotup.Onebyone,theytrickledoutthedoor,untilfinally,onlyŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājaremained.JustasIwasabout to collect thediscarded leafplates and take them to thedustbin, I sawŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājabegin tohonor remnants fromeach and everyoneofhisgodbrothers’plates.IimmediatelynotifiedGuruMahārāja,whowasstanding just outside the room. Guru Mahārāja then entered the room and,followingŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja,alsobeganhonoringtheremnantsof

hisgodbrothers.My amazement surpassed all limits. I thought, “Although Śrīla Giri

Gosvāmī Mahārāja is the most senior of all Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciplespresent, his humility has fully illuminated the concept of tṛṇādapi sunīcatā,feelingoneselfmorelowlythanstraw,whichisthechiefpillaroftheVaiṣṇavaworld.”

When I found an opportune moment, I sought understanding from ŚrīlaGiri Gosvāmī Mahārāja regarding his astonishing act. I told him, “As ameasuretoguardagainstblindfaith,itismypracticetofollowsomethingonlyafter I have grasped its actual significance. Because of this, the followingquestion came to mind when I saw you honoring the Vaiṣṇavas’ remnants:Shouldone consider aVaiṣṇava’s level of advancement before acceptinghisremnants?”

ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājareplied,“Icannotsay,butwhatIcansaywithcertainty is that byhonoring the remnantsof theVaiṣṇavas, onewill acquiretheir moods. Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī’s relative Śrī Kālidāsa alwaysfaithfully honored the Vaiṣṇavas’ remnants without considering theirqualifications,andasaresulthebecamequalifiedtoobtainthewaterthathadwashed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s lotus feet. It is also described in ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā16.60):

bhakta-pada-dhūliārabhakta-pada-jalabhakta-bhukta-avaśeṣatīnamahā-bala

Thefootdustofthedevotees,thewaterthatwashestheirfeet,andtheirremnantsarethreegreatlypowerfulitems.

“Furthermore,inŚrīmadBhāgavatam,ŚrīNāradaṚṣipersonallyattributeshis conviction in spiritual life to accepting the remnants of the ṛṣis. In thisaccount,also, there isnomentionofanydifferentiationof status.Why, then,shouldI try toassignanyothercertification to thosewhomśrīgurudevahasaccepted and certified as Vaiṣṇavas? Inmy view, they are all worthy ofmyservice,becausetheyhavemoreconvictionthanmeandtheyservemorethanIdo.Thus, it is amatterofgood fortune to receiveanopportunity tomerrilyhonortheremnantsofmymaster ’sdearkin,foritiswritten,‘gururakiṅkarahayamānya seāmāra—the servantof śrīguru is always respectable forme’(ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta,Madhya-līlā10.142).”

TheblessingsofŚrīGaura

Guru Mahārāja employed many techniques in his earnest attempts tocomprehensively propagate the current of Śrīla Prabhupāda BhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura’sprecepts.He traveled tomanyplaces, establishedmaṭha-mandiras, published magazines, bestowed dīkṣā to new initiates, awardedsannyāsa and saffron cloth to maṭha residents, and performed many otherfavorableactivities.

Just as Śrīla Prabhupādawould bestow Śrī Gaura Āśīrvāda, a certificateindicatingtheblessingsofŚrīGaura,onthedayofŚrīGaura-pūrṇīmātothosewho had rendered extraordinary service to ŚrīmanMahāprabhu, so too didGuruMahārājabestowthesamecertificatetovariousbrahmacārīs,gṛhasthasandvānaprasthīsonbehalfofŚrīCaitanya-vāṇīPracāriṇīSabhā

1.

Uniquely,insteadofsigningthecertificatehimself,GuruMahārājawouldhavehisseniorgodbrotherŚrīŚrīBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārājasignit,and after Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s disappearance, Śrīla Giri GosvāmīMahārāja was assigned that task. Guru Mahārāja would accord them greathonorbyappointingthemchairmanofŚrīCaitanya-vāṇīPracāriṇīSabhā,andhe would ask them to personally present from their own lotus hands thecertificates to their respective recipients. The Śrī Gaura Āśirvāda certificateawardedtomewhenIwasabrahmacārī,forexample,waspresentedbyŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājaandborehissignature.

AspecialinstructionforgṛhasthasŚrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja would often tell gṛhastha devotees,

“Scripture states that a gṛhastha should dedicate a portion of his monthlyincometotheserviceofBhagavānandHisdevotees.Ifforsomereasonthatisnotpossible,heshouldannuallyofferatleastonemonth’sincome.Ultimately,everything is intended forBhagavān. It is forHis servicealone thatwehavereceivedeverythingwehave.Wewillincurfaultifwedonotacknowledgethisandactaccordingly.”

Inthisway,ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājainspiredmanygṛhasthadevoteesofBurma(nowMyanmar)andIndia toyearlyofferonemonth’s incomefortheserviceofBhagavānandHisbhaktas.

TheconsiderationoftrueseniorityOnce, when Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja came to our maṭha in

Kṛṣṇanagara,Irequestedhimtospeakhari-kathāonemorningduringhisstay.

“Actually,Ihaveneverheardyouspeak,”hesaid.“Speakhari-kathātodayandIwilllistenfrommyroomupstairs.”

“Mahārāja,” I said, “you are one ofmygurus. You are so senior tome.Whywouldyouwanttolistentomyclass?”

He said, “In the realmofbhajana, there is no considerationof seniororjunior. Śrīla Kavirāja Gosvāmī has written ‘ĵei bhaje sei baḓô—those whoserveŚrīKṛṣṇaaregreat.’Trueseniorityinthemaṭhadependsontheextenttowhich one respects and follows the teachings imparted here, and not on thenumberofdaysonehasphysicallyspentinthemaṭha.

“There is one more thing,” Śrīla Mahārāja continued. “With vaiṣṇavatācomestheeligibilitytobeworshiped,becauseatthatpoint,oneisconsideredtadīya-vastu, or among Bhagavān’s property. Keeping this principle in myheart,Irequestyoutopleasespeakhari-kathātoday.”

HeedingŚrīlaMahārāja’swordsashiskindinstruction,Ispokehari-kathāthat morning. Afterward, when I went to offer praṇāma to him, he said, “Iheardyourclass.Itwasexcellent.Youchoseagoodsubjectandnarrateditwithsoundreasoning.Truehari-kathāisachievedwhenthespeaker ’smotiveisnotto indulgein theprideof influencingothers throughinstruction,but tocausehis own spiritual benefit by reminding himself repeatedly of that which hepreviously heard from his guru-varga. In this way, he avoids becoming aplatformspeakerandinsteadpreachesbyfollowingtheidealsheteaches.ThispreachingbypracticeistheforemostspecialtyofthosewhohavetakenshelterofMahāprabhu.”

AlessoninVaiṣṇavapatienceŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājawasunhurriedinallhisactivities.Hewould

take longer than usual to finish bathing, get dressed, or for that matter,complete any activity.Knowing this, thosewho cooked for himwould oftenapproach himwell before they had even begun preparing hismeal and ask,“Mahārāja,howmuchlongerwillyoutake?Yourprasādaisalmostready,anditwouldbegoodifyoutakeitwhileitisstillhot.”

Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja would reply, “I am coming very soon.”However,hewouldnotbereadyevenafterhismealactuallywasprepared.Onbeing called again, Mahārāja would say, “Why have you called for me asecondtime?ItoldyouthefirsttimethatIamcomingjustnow.”

Onemorning,whenheandIwereslatedtogotogethertoKṛṣṇanagaratoregister the sale of his land inSvarūpaGañj, he asked for hotwater for his

bath. Accordingly, I brought him hot water, but because he was busy withsomethingelse,thewaterbecamecoldaftersometime.So,Iheatedhiswaterupasecondtime.Beforehisbath,Iaskedhim,“Mahārāja,wouldyouliketohaveflatricewithmilkoryogurtforbreakfast?”

“Milkdoesn’tsuitme,”hesaid,“butyes,Icanhaveyogurtwithflatrice.Thatwillbefine.”

“Great,” I said. “I will prepare it while you take your bath and performāhnika.”

I readied his breakfast, but he took so long to do his āhnika that itjeopardizedourworkinKṛṣṇanagara.“Mahārāja,itisgettinglate,”Itoldhim.“Pleasehaveyourbreakfast.”

“Saveitforlater.Iwillhaveitwithnoonprasāda,”hesaid,ashecontinuedwithothermorningduties.

BeforeIknewit,itwaslunchtime,andŚrīlaMahārājastillhadnotfinishedwith his activities. Next, he took so long to have lunch that by the time wearrived to register thesaleofhis land, theofficeclerksaid,“It is too late toacceptanynewformstoday.Pleasecometomorrow.”

Iaskedtheclerktopleasecallfortheregistrar,towhomIthenspokeaboutthe glories of Śrīla Giri GosvāmīMahārāja. Somehow, I convinced him toacceptourform.

Itwasduskby the timewefinishedourerrand.Asweheadedback to themaṭha,ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja said,“Today,youdidnotoncebecomeirritated by my slow nature. Instead, you glorified me and helped me byexpertlyconvincingthemtoregister thesaleofmyland.Ihaveobservedthesame quality of patience in your gurudeva, Śrī MādhavaMahārāja, as well.Paying no attention to the behavioral quirks of Vaiṣṇavas, he gives greatergravitytothefactthattheyareVaiṣṇavas,andbehaveswiththemaccordingly.”

Hecontinued,“WecannotrecognizeaVaiṣṇavabywhetherhe issloworfast,ontimeorlate,cleanorfilthy,well-orshabbily-dressed,orbyhishabitofeating largeor smallamounts.The truemeasureofvaiṣṇavatā isnot anyexternal trait, but rather one’s citta-vṛtti (proclivities of the heart) andprinciples.Asyourefrainedfrombecomingimpatientwithme,sotoodomygodbrothers. Observingmy leisurelymanner, they teaseme as a gesture ofsweetendearment.AndwhatcouldIdoevenifIwantedtomovemorequickly?I am limited by my habit and nature. Should I be held accountable forsomethingIcannotcontrol?”

ThechildlikemannerinwhichŚrīlaMahārājaconfidedhishearttomewas

profoundlyunassumingandinnocent.

SimpleyetvitalinstructionsŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājaoncesatmedownbesidehimandgaveme

the following instruction: “Unless honoring prasāda in a group, never eatanythinginfrontofotherslestyoucausethemtocraveit.Donotwearclothesothers would want to wear, and do not furnish your room in the wayhouseholders do; keep it simple andneat.”Thesewereprinciples that henotonly taught, but followedhimself in the course of leading a very renouncedlife.

RememberinghisinvocationAlthoughŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājawasvery leanand thin,hisvoice

wassodistinctly loud thathenever required theuseofamicrophone inanyassembly, even if the audiencewere huge.Without fail, he always began theinvocation to his hari-kathā with the same verse, upon hearing which hisaudiencewouldbecomeawestruckbysuchadivinevibration:

ājānu-lambitabhujaukanakāvadātausankīrtanaikapitaraukamalāyatākṣo

viśvambharodvija-varauyuga-dharmapālauvandejagat-priya-karaukaruṇāvatārau

ŚrīCaitanya-bhāgavata(Ādi-khaṇḍa1.1)

I venerate Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu and Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, whose arms arelong,reachingpastTheirknees;whosecomplexionsarelikethatofpuregold;whoarethe inauguratorsofsankīrtana;whose eyes are lotus-like;whomaintain theuniverse;whoare thebestof thedvijas (twiceborn);whouphold theultimatespiritualpracticefor the current age; who are the world’s benefactors; and who are incarnations ofcompassion.

HissurrendertothelotusfeetoftheVaiṣṇavasOnce,ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja enacted such a grave illness pastime

that he required both an eye operation and a blood transfusion. He wasadmitted to the Presidency Government Hospital in Kolkata, which duringBritishruletreatedonlyofficersworkingintoppositions.AfterIndiagainedindependence,however,itwasmadeopentoeveryone,andŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājawascheckedintothehospital’sfinestdivision,theWoodburnWard.

WhenGuruMahārāja informedhisdisciples that someonewasneeded todonatebloodforŚrīGiriGosvāmīMahārāja’stransfusion,thedevoteeswere

practicallyvyingforthechancetogiveblood.Iwasincludedamongthefewdevoteeswhohadtheirbloodtested.MybloodgroupturnedouttobeO.Thedoctorsaid,“Thisbloodtypecanwork,butitwouldbebettertofindsomeonewith the same blood group asMahārāja.”When he later discovered thatmygodbrothers Śrī Bhakti Vijaya Vāmana Mahārāja and Śrī Madana Prabhushared the same blood group as Śrī Giri GosvāmīMahārāja, he gave ŚrīlaMahārājathebloodofŚrīVāmanaMahārāja.

When Śrīla Giri Gosvāmī Mahārāja returned to the maṭha after hisoperationandtransfusion,hesaid,“Myeyesightnowissimilartothatofmycollege days. The Vaiṣṇavas have consistently saved and cared for me. Thescripturesdescribesixlimbsofsurrender.Unlessthesesixlimbsofsurrenderfor the lotus feetof theVaiṣṇavasmanifest in aperson’sheart, he canneversurrender himself to Bhagavān. Again and again, I say to the Vaiṣṇavas,‘mārobi rākhobi jo icchā tomāra, nitya dāsa prati tuwā adhikāra—kill me,nurturemeordowithmeasyouplease,foryouhavefullauthorityoveryourservant.’”

Anobjectofhisgodbrothers’specialaffectionŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārājaandŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaGosvāmī

Mahārāja shared a special affection, partly because Śrīla Prabhupāda hadawarded them sannyāsa on the same day. At the same time that Śrīla GiriGosvāmīMahārājamanifestedhisdisappearancepastime,ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawasundergoing treatment at anursinghome inĀgrā and requiredtheuseofacatheter.AssoonasŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaheardthathisgodbrother entered nitya-līlā, with catheter in hand and despite the doctor ’sobjections, he left the hospital and departed for Vṛndāvana. There, hepersonally supervised all aspects of ŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja’s samādhiceremony.

IhavepersonallywitnessedrenownedVaiṣṇavas—suchasGuruMahārāja,Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiSaurabha Bhakti-sāra Gosvami Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad BhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārājaandothers—expresstheirimmenseaffectionforŚrīlaGiriGosvāmīMahārāja.ThatsuchexalteddevoteespossessedfaithinhimisatestamenttohisillustriousVaiṣṇavaqualities.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSarvasvaGiriMahārājaEntersNitya-līlā

ComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

IndifferenttoworldlytalksPūjyapādaGiriMahārājaappearedinadistinguished,aristocraticfamilyin

thecityofḌhākā,EastBengal(nowBangladesh),in1899.Fromchildhood,hedisplayed a rather detached disposition.Hewas indifferent towhat he ate orworeandhadnotasteforplaying.Hewasofasobernature.Hespentagreatportionofhistimeassociatingwithsādhusandpiouspersons.Observinghisattachment to religious activities, his father andmother thought that perhapseither a demigodwas controlling him or that hewas under the influence ofsome astrological event. Being worried for the trajectory of his life, theyanxiouslyprayedatŚrīBhagavān’slotusfeetfortheirson’swelfare.

MeetingwithŚrīlaPrabhupādaInNovember, 1921, during themonth ofKārtikaniyama-sevā, our most

worshipfulŚrīlaPrabhupādawaslecturingonŚrīmad-BhāgavataminḌhākāatthehouseofŚrīSanātanadāsaMahāśaya,arenownedandwealthylandownerwhohassincepassed.Duringthattime,manyeducated,high-classindividualsbecameattractedtoŚrīlaPrabhupāda,fortheyhadneverbeforeheardanythingquite like his discourses. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciple parivrājakācāryatridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiPradīpaTīrthaMahārāja,whohassinceleftthisworld,alsolecturedonŚrīmad-Bhāgavatamforsomedaysthere.ŚrīmadGiriMahārāja,thenknownasInduBābū,wouldvisitŚrīSanātanadāsaMahāśaya’shome to hear Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hari-kathā. Later, when he took shelter ofparamārādhyatama Śrīla Prabhupāda, he became Śrī Gaurendu Brahmacārī,andoncehereceivedsannyāsa,ŚrīlaPrabhupādagavehimthenametridaṇḍī-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiSarvasvaGiriMahārāja.

AfearlessspeakerFrom that time onward, as per Śrīla Prabhupāda’s order, Śrīpāda Giri

MahārājavigorouslypreachedinvariousplacesinIndia,therebyfulfillinghisgurudeva’sinnermostdesires.

PūjyapādaGiriMahārājawasafearlessspeakerwhocaptivatedaudienceswithhisthunderousvoiceandthespirited,compellinglanguageheutilizedinhis lectures. In fact, his voice was so powerful that he never required theassistanceofamicrophone.

AcauseofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sboundlessjoyHisdedicationtothetruthwassuchthathewasnottheslightestbithesitant

to fearlessly speak the truth before anyone, including governors and theViceroy. InapersonalmeetingwithGovernorGeneralLordWillingdon, theViceroyofIndia,ŚrīlaMahārājawasthefirsttoconveytohimthemessageoftruth as issued from the lotus mouth of paramārādhyatama Śrī ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.BeingpleasedwithSvāmī-jī’s boldwords, theViceroy awardedhim with several commemorating certificates. News ofthis delightedparamārādhyatamaŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda. Ina letter to someofhisdisciples,datedthetwenty-fourthdayofKārtika,1926andpublishedinthefirstvolumeof his collected letters, Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote of Śrī Giri Mahārāja’stravelsinIndia:

I was delighted to review the certificate Bhakti Sarvasva Giri obtained from theEnglish.Iexperienceboundlessjoytoseeoursannyāsīsandbrahmacārīsgoingfromplacetoplaceacquaintingpeoplewiththeircompetence.

We saw that various other governors, viceroys and distinguished royalpersonages had sent Śrī Giri Mahārāja many other letters in which theyprofusely praised his preaching efforts and displayed plentiful enthusiasmregarding the widespread propagation of Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s religion ofdivinelove.

AnexpertinspokenandwrittenEnglishAlthough Śrīla Prabhupāda had many highly educated and English-

speakingdisciplesinhisŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha—hisprincipalmaṭhainŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura—anditsvariousGauḍīyaMaṭhabranches,GiriMahārāja’sstyleofbothspokenandwrittenEnglishwasprofuselypraisedbyespeciallyqualifiedindividuals, like Śrī Niśikānta Sannyāl (Śrīman Nārāyaṇa dāsa BhaktiSudhākara Prabhu), a professor of history at the Ravenshaw College inCuttack.

HisexemplaryconductPūjyapādaMahārājapossessedanamazingabilitytocaptivatehislisteners.

AsparamārādhyatamaŚrīlaPrabhupādaandtheVaiṣṇavasunderhisguidanceacceptaperson’snaturalqualitiesaboveallelse,theyalllovedhisspeeches.

His qualities—his pure, holy and spotless character, his childlikeinnocence, his contentment with whatever he received, his unprecedented

conviction in the service of śrī guru, his indomitable enthusiasm in andattachment to performing bhāgavat-kathā and kīrtana everywhere, and hisabilitytosubduedissenters—weretrulyexemplary.

HiscomprehensiveserviceThrough his body, mind and words, Śrī Giri Mahārāja made sincere,

wholehearted efforts to fulfill the innermost desire (mano’bhiṣṭa) ofparamārādhyatamaŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andhepreachedthatmano’bhiṣṭainthetemplesandmaṭhasŚrīlaPrabhupādaestablished,aswellasinvariousplacesall over India. He spread the sacred teachings practiced and preached byŚrīmanMahāprabhubyunveilingSat-śikṣāPradarśinīexhibitionsinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,Kolkata,Ḍhākā,Paṭnā,Allahabad,Kurukṣetraandotherplaces.Healso distributed devotional literatures and magazines and renderedcomprehensive services in Śrī Gauḍa-maṇḍala, Śrī Kṣetra-maṇḍala and ŚrīVraja-maṇḍala. All of Śrīpāda Giri Mahārāja’s service efforts are, in allrespects,noteworthy.

AdrivingforceinŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smissionDuring themanifestpresenceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,ŚrīmadGiriMahārāja

was the driving force behind establishing a Gauḍīya Maṭha in Rangoon,Brahmadeśa (Burma),where deitieswere later established due to his tirelessefforts.

In order to transform the Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha center Śrīla PrabhupādaestablishedinLucknowintoapermanentmaṭha,heoccupiedahugetwo-storyhousein1938andacquireddeities.

Pūjyapāda Giri Mahārāja was principally responsible for procuring theland forŚrīSārasvataGauḍīyaMaṭha inHaridvāra, andhealsooversaw theconstructionofitsresidentialquarters.Additionally,hegavemuchofhislife’senergytotheserviceofŚrīParamahaṁsaMaṭhainNaimṣāraṇya.

HisspecialcontributionIt was after listening to the hari-kathā issuing from theworshipful lotus

mouthofŚrīlaGiriMahārāj thatRāya-BāhāduraŚrīMadana-gopālaSardānāMahodaya, the then Superintendent Engineer of Irrigation forUttar Pradesh,obtained the fortuneofaccepting theshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s lotus feet.PūjyapādaMahārājaevenimpartedthemessageofŚrīŚrīGuru-GaurāṅgatoRāya-BāhāduraJ.N.Rāya,theresidentDistrictandSessionJudgeofLucknowwhoisnowdeceased,aswellasotherdistinguishedfigures inUttarPradesh.

Through these personalities, Śrī Giri Mahārāja accomplished tremendousservicetośrīmaṭha.

HisnobleenthusiasmandstrictdedicationAfter paramārādhyatama Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disappearance pastime on 1

January, 1937, his distinguished disciples gathered in Śrī BāgbāzārGauḍīyaMaṭha to form a governing body thatwould oversee themaintenance of themaṭhas and temples he established. For a period of time thereafter, ŚrīpādaGiriMahārājaservedasamemberofthisgoverningbodyandrenderedmuchservicetośrīmaṭhawithnobleenthusiasmandastrictdedicationtothetruth.

HisrelationshipwithŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaPūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāja, the overseer of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya

Maṭha,sharedagenuinebondoffriendshipwithŚrīlaMahārāja.ŚrīmadGiriMahārāja was a prominent member of the managerial committee for theSanskritschoolŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārājaestablishedatĪśodhyāna,ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.Also,ontheannualoccasionofŚrīGauraJanmotsava,ŚrīMādhavaMahārāhawould appoint himas chairmanof theŚrīCaitanya-vāṇīPracāriṇīSabhāhostedbyŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

HisfinalprayerŚrīla Giri Mahārāja left this world listening to the recitation of Śrīmad

Bhagavad-gītā while the devotees of the maṭha performed mahā-mantrakīrtana.ŚrīlaMahārājawasfullyconsciousandcoherentuptothelastmomentofhismanifestpresence,whenheattainedthedustofVraja.Earlierduringthatday,heweptdistraughtlyasherememberedhisśrīgurupāda-padmaandcalledoutwith great urgency, “Prabhupāda!Please protectme.Havemercyonme.Please forgiveallmyoffensesandgivemeaplaceatyourworshipful lotusfeet.”

ŚrīlaMādhavaMahārāja’sconcernforhimWhenŚrīlaBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārājafirstreceivedword

ofŚrīlaMahārāja’sillness,heissuedspecificdirectivesbybothwireandlettertothesevakasofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvanatoservehim by all means and to arrange for his treatment. Bhakta Śrī Nitai dāsaremainedwithŚrīGiriMahārājadayandnight,andhetirelesslyandsmilinglyengaged in serving him in every way. Being satisfied by Śrī Nitai dāsa’ssincereservice,ŚrīlaGiriMahārājablessedhimprofusely.

TheeffectofhisabsenceTheabsenceofapureVaiṣṇavasuchasMahārājaoverwhelmseveryone’s

heartwithpain.Perhapsitwasbecauseheknew,bydivineability,thathewouldnot remain in this world for long that he was inspired to offer theresponsibility of Śrī Vinoda-vāṇī Gauḍīya Maṭha to Śrīpāda MādhavaMahārāja, even though he had sannyāsī disciples to whom he could havebestowedthisservice.

ThegreatestsorrowŚrī Śrīman Mahāprabhu asked his foremost associate Śrīla Rāya

Rāmānanda, “duhkha madhye kona duhkha haya gurutara—of all sorrows,whichsorrowismostgrave?”

In response, ŚrīRāya said, “kṛṣṇa bhakta-viraha vinā duhkha nāhi dekhipara—IdonotseeasorrowgreaterthanthatexperiencedinseparationfromKṛṣṇa’sdevotee.”

Among the8,400,000speciesof life, attaining thatofahuman is indeedrare, for although it can end in a moment, it is especially favorable forbhagavad-bhajana. Even the demigods of heaven sing profuse praise of theattainmentofthisspirituallyadvantageoushumanbirthwithinthelandofIndia,whichisconsideredthecourtyardofVaikuṇṭha,thespiritualrealm.However,itis stated, “tatrāpi durlabham manye vaikuṇṭha-priya-darśanam—among theembodiedformsoflife,theficklehumanformisrare,butevenmorerareistocatchaglimpseofadevoteewhoisdeartotheSupremeLord.”WhatgreatersorrowcantherebethanbeingdeprivedofthecompanyofapuredevoteewhohassurrenderedtoabonafideguruandisdedicatedtotheserviceofŚrīHari,guru,andVaiṣṇavas?

kāhāranikaṭegelepāpadureĵāyaemônadayāluprabhukebākothāpāy

Wherecanonefindsuchamercifulpersonalitybywhosemereproximityone’ssinsgofaraway?*

HisonlyaimThedivinemessagethatissuedfromŚrīGiriMahārāja’sworshipfullotus

mouthliberatedhundredsandhundredsofsoulsfromthebondageofmaterialexistenceand inspired themto takeup thepath leading toultimate liberation.His holy life was completely dedicated to pure bhakti, and he possessed agenuineattachmentforKṛṣṇaandKṛṣṇa’sassociatesanddevotees.Beholding

his sweet, radiant,moonlike form, hearing his hari-kathā and rememberinghim would sanctify one’s heart and arouse within it a longing to performbhagavad-bhajanawithone’sbody,mindandwords.Hisśrīgurupāda-padmadisplayed great compassion toward him and granted him the name ‘BhaktiSarvasva,’ which means ‘he whose all in all is bhakti.’ Until the very lastmoment of his manifest presence, he lived up to that name by leading aspotless, exemplary life of supreme sanctity with krsna-bhajana as his onlyaim.

AmatterofsupremejoyandprideToday,thepainofnolongerbeingabletohavekṛṣṇa-priya-darśana—the

sacredaudienceofhewhofulfilledtheinnermostdesireofhisśrīgurupāda-padma, the beloved of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—has truly affected the core of our hearts.Still,eveninthemidstofthisgreatsorrow,itisamatterofsupremejoyandpridethathehasattainedtheeternalshelterofnotonlyŚrīŚrīRādha-Madana-mohana-jiu

2—the presiding deity of sambandha-tattva (the principle of divinerelationship) and the very life of Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī—but also his śrīgurupāda-padma, whose eternal identity is conveyed by the name ŚrīVārṣabhānavī Dayita dāsa—the servant of the beloved of Śrī Rādhā, thedaughter of ŚrīVṛṣabhānuMahārāja—andwho is Śrī Rādhā’snayana-maṇi,the jewel of Her eyes. Such great fortune is never indicative of ordinaryspiritualmerit.

ĵatôdekhôvaiṣṇaveravyavahāra-duhkhaniścayajānihaseiparānandasukha

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā9.240)

Know for certain that whatever behavioral sorrows one observes in a Vaiṣṇava areactuallytheutmostecstaticjoy.

ŚrīlaMahārāja’senactmentofillnesswasagrandexampleofthesewords,whichhavebeenproclaimedbyourexaltedpredecessors.

ServingśrīguruwashisverylifePūjyapāda Mahārāja never employed a single paisā of the donations he

received in his owngratification.Rather, he offered everything to themaṭhaandtemplefortheserviceofŚrīHari,guru,andVaiṣṇavas, thus livingup to

the title ‘BhaktiSarvasva.’What stone-likeheartwouldnotmeltupon losingsuch a soulmate, a parama-bhāgavata devotee whose life and soul was theserviceofKṛṣṇaandkaṛṣṇā,thosewhobelongtoKṛṣṇa.

Serving the innermost desires of Śrīla Prabhupāda was his very life.Prabhupāda,whoissupremelycompassionate,thereforegrantedhim,hisdearassociate,theeternalqualificationtoserveastheservantoftheservantofthebeautiful lotus feet of Śrī Vārṣabhānavī-dayita Śrī Madana-mohana. Śrī ŚrīMadana-mohana-jī inspired the hearts of His Gosvāmī servants and thehonorablemayorofŚrīVṛndāvanatobefavorablyinclinedtowardhim.Inthisway, He gave His dear associate a place close to His lotus feet, therebygrantinghimtheeternalqualificationtoserveHim.Blessedisbhakta-vatsalaBhagavān’saffectionforHisdevotees.

AuniversaltruthAfter the birth of his son, Śrī Nanda Mahārāja traveled to Mathurā to

deliverhis annual taxes to the reigningkingofMathurā,Kaṁsa, inorder tokeephimsatisfied.Aftersubmittinghistaxes,hemetwithhisbosomfriendŚrīVasudeva.Duringtheirconversation,ŚrīNandaMahārājasaid:

naikatrapriya-saṁvāsaḥsuhṛdāṁcitra-karmaṇāmoghenavyūhya-mānānāṁplavānāṁsrotasoyathā

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(10.5.25)

Just as it is unlikely that the wooden sticks flowing in a stream will meet or staytogether,itisrarelypossibleforfriendswhosefatesaredivergenttoremaintogether.

Thistruthcertainlyappliestoallofus,aswell.

kṛpākôri’kṛṣṇamorediyāchilasaṅgasvatantrakṛṣṇeraicchāhôilôsaṅga-bhaṅga

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.94)

Mercifully,Kṛṣṇagavemehisassociation.ByKṛṣṇa’sindependentwill,ourexchangehasended.

Heart-breakingcircumstancesPūjyapāda GiriMahārājawas the embodiment of humility.Memories of

hisinnocent,sweetlysmilingfaceappearinmymindtoday,castingmyheartintoapitofdespair.Recollectionsofhislifeinthemaṭha,frombeginningto

end,firstmeltmewithjoy,andthenthrowmeintoanoceanofsorrow.Justafew days before he left this world, he appeared to me in a dream lookingrecoveredandhealthy.Thisinfusedmyheartwithgreathope.Butalas!Allmyhopeshavebeendashed.It isheartbreakingtorealizeIwillneveragainhavehisdarśanainthislife.

OurinseparablerelationshipŚrīgurupāda-padma isoureternalmaster,birthafterbirth,andsimilarly,

his intimate companions who have offered their lives to him will foreverremain our closest friends. We remain eternally rooted in an inseparablerelationshipwiththemlifeafterlife.Itisonlyasaresultofgurur-avajña, thegraveoffenseofdisobeyingthespiritualmaster,thataperson’sheartbecomeshard-hearted, deviates from this knowledge of our eternal relationships,becomes the servant of Māyā and thereby becomes bound by the chains ofworldlydesires.

ApitifulprayerathislotusfeetPūjyapādaGiriMahārāja has attained the eternal shelter andguidanceof

his śrī gurupāda-padma, the crown jewel of the āśraya-vigrahas (therepositoriesofdevotion)whorestsnowatthefeetofŚrīGovardhana-Girirāja,theprincipalviṣaya-vigraha(objectofdevotion)inŚrīVraja-dhāma.Itissaid,“vaiṣṇaverakṛpāĵāhesarva-siddhi—allperfectionsareattainedbythemercyoftheVaiṣṇavas.”Ithereforesubmitthispitifulprayerathislotusfeet:MayhegrantusthequalificationtotreadthesamepathtoVraja.

1 Lit. ‘the Assembly for Preaching theMessage of Śrī Caitanya;’ an annualconference established by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita Mādhava GosvāmīMahārāja.

2 Śrī Vinoda-vāṇī Gauḍīya Maṭha is situated on the same lane andapproximately twohundredmeters southofŚrīŚrīRādhā-Madana-mohana’stempleinVṛndāvana.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja

MeetingGauḍīyaMaṭhadevoteesDuring his time in college, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī

Mahārāja (then Śrī Narendra Bandopādhyāya) was an exceptionally brightcollegestudent,welllikedbybothteachersandstudents.Hedisplayedanaturalaptitude for drama and theatre, and because he had studied in an Englishmediumschool,hewasfluentinEnglish.

Śrī Narendrawas his father ’s tenth and youngest son andwas also verydeartohim.Afterhefinishedhiscollegiatestudies,hisfatherfellseriouslyill,and due to this, some of the familymoved from their village and rented anapartmentinGāṇdāriyāPallī,Ḍhākā,wherehisfatherhadbeenadmittedtothehospital andwas undergoing treatment. Soon after theirmove, however, ŚrīNarendrabecamealooffromvirtuallyallsocialactivities.Hesuddenlyfoundhimself unconcerned for the affection of his family and friends. Instead, henourished his increasingly growing compulsion to find a bona fide guru,performkṛṣṇa-bhajana,andtherebymakehislifeworthwhile.

Bhagavānmakes all kinds of arrangements for thosewho sincerely seekafterHim,andsoaroundthistime,asaresultofhispowerfulbhakty-unmukhīsukṛti

1, Śrī Narendra somehow came in contact with the devotees of Śrī MadhvaGauḍīyaMaṭhainḌhākā.There,ŚrīNarendraheardaboutŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sextraordinary glories, and before long, he decided to set out forKolkata tohaveaglimpseofhisholyfeetonthepretextofpickingupmedicineforhisfather.

AtŚrīGauḍīyaMaṭha,Kolkata,ŚrīNarendraBandopādhyāyaobtainedtheaudience and inexhaustible affection of Śrīla Prabhupāda, whose powerfulhari-kathāinspiredhimtobeginanewlife.HedecidednottoreturntoḌhākāatall,andinsteadarrangedforsomeonetodeliverhisfather ’smedicinewhileheremainedatthemaṭhainKolkata.

After further hearing Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hari-kathā for some days, ŚrīNarendra Bandopādhyāya requested Śrīla Prabhupāda for harināma andmantra-dīkṣā.Accordingtotheverdictofthescriptures,bothguruanddisciplemustexamineoneanotherbeforeestablishingaformalrelationshipbasedoninitiation. Therefore, before giving his sanction, Śrīla Prabhupāda examinedŚrī Narendra by asking him to compose an article, in his own words,

conveyingsomeofwhathehadassimilated.ŚrīNarendracarefullywroteanessaytitledĀtmīyaKe(WhoisOne’sOwn).

Although the word ātmīya is generally interpreted as relating to either thegrossorsubtlebody,ŚrīNarendraexplainedit inrelationtothesoul(ātmā).That Śrī Narendra Bandopādhyāya deeply understood such a grave subjectmatterinonlyashorttimeindicateshemusthaveassociatedwithsādhuseitherearlierinhiscurrentlifeorinpreviouslives,foritwouldhavebeenotherwiseimpossible.

ŚrīlaPrabhupādawassopleasedbyŚrīNarendraBandopādhyāya’sessaythat he had it published in his weeklyGauḍīya magazine (Year Two, IssueForty-eight,26 July,1924). In thisway,ŚrīNarendraBandopādhyāyapassedhis test. Shortly after, he receivedpāñcarātriki-dīkṣā from Śrīla PrabhupādaandbecameknownasŚrīNanda-sūnuBrahmacārī.

Oncehereceiveddīkṣāinitiationfromhisśrīgurupāda-padma,ŚrīNanda-sūnuBrahmacārīconstantlystrived,ateverymoment,toadheretotheconceptof viśrambheṇa guroḥ sevā, performing intimate service to śrī guru withouthesitationorreservation.ŚrīNanda-sūnuBrahmacārīwasneverseendivertinghis attention from his efforts to serve Śrī Hari, guru and Vaiṣṇavas toindulgenceinsensegratification,forevenasecond.

PreachingunderŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sguidanceOn 29 January, 1925, the day of Śrī Viṣṇu-priyā devī’s appearance, a

pilgrimagetourofŚrīGauḍa-maṇḍalacommencedundertheguidanceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Duringtheexpedition,ŚrīpādaNanda-sūnuBrahmacārīspokeinmany places as ordered by Śrīla Prabhupāda and executed countless otherservicesforśrīguruandVaiṣṇavas,therebybecomingtherecipientofhisśrīgurupāda-padma’s profuse love and affection. That year, on 4 September,1925,heacceptedtridaṇḍa-sannyāsaatthelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandbecame known as tridaṇḍi-svāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana GosvāmīMahārāja.

OneofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’scherishedpursuitswastoimpartthemessageofpure devotion through the medium of his spiritual Sat-śikṣā Pradarśinīexhibitions. Śrīla Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja was significantly involved indesigninganddecoratingtheexhibitsinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,Kolkata,Ḍhākā,Paṭnā, Kāśī, Prayāga and Kurukṣetra. He was particularly involved indesigning the dioramas of Śrī Govardhana and the sakhīs’ groves at ŚrīRādhā-kuṇḍaforanexhibitioninŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

Revealing the heart of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī after an indication from śrīguru

Everysolareclipse,hundredsofthousandsofpeoplejourneytoKurukṣetrato ritualistically take bath in Brahmā-sarovara, but the deep import of thisritualremainsunknowntothevastmajorityofthesepilgrims.Once,sometimebefore such a solar eclipse, Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote a letter to Śrīla VanaGosvāmīMahāṛāja inwhichhementioned,“ŚrīmatīRādhīkawillsoongo tomeetwithKṛṣṇainKurukṣetra,andsowehavesomeservicetoperformthere,aswell.”

Although the message was short and cryptic, ŚrīlaMahārāja understoodthat his śrī gurupāda-padma wanted him to manifest to the whole world aconfidential pastime, which previously appeared in the heart of Śrīla RūpaGosvāmī by the divinemercy of ŚrīmanMahāprabhu. To this end, during amonth-long local fair inKurukṣetra, ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja expertlycreatedanexhibitionwithdioramasthatbeautifullydepictedthefollowing:

NandaBābāmeetingwithalltheseniorVrajavāsīsbeforeasolareclipseTheVrajavāsīspreparingtodepartforKurukṣetraThedeep,darkforeststheyencounteredontheirjourneybeingilluminatedbythenaturalradianceofŚrīRādhā’sbody,whichprotectedthemagainsttheattacksofwildanimalsTheVrajavāsīs’meetingwiththeDvārakāvāsīsNanaBābāandMotherYaśodā’stearfulreunionwithŚrīKṛṣṇa,whoburrowedHimselfsodeeplyintoYaśodā’slapthatitappearedasifHeweretryingtomergeintoherEveryone’sbathinginBrahmā-sarovaraonthedayofthesolareclipseThequeensofDvārakās’proposaltodonatetoNāradaMuniKṛṣṇa’sweightinaprecioussubstanceduringthesolareclipse,andNāradaMuni’sconditionthathewilltakeKṛṣṇaawaywithhimshouldtheybeunabletomatchKṛṣṇa’sweightThequeensofDvārakās’pridefulacceptanceofNāradaMuni’sproposal,followedbytheirinabilitytogivehimasufficientamountofgoldTheirweepingatthethoughtofNāradatakingKṛṣṇaawayTheadviceofMotherRohiṇītobringallthegopīs,headedbyŚrīRādhā

ŚrīRādhāreplacingallthequeens’goldwithasingletulasīleafonwhichShehadwrittenthename‘Kṛṣṇa’ThattulasīleafoutweighingŚrīKṛṣṇa,thusestablishingthatkṛṣṇa-nāmaandŚrīKṛṣṇaHimselfarenon-different(itwastheweightofthetulasīleafthattippedthescale)ŚrīKṛṣṇameetingwiththegopīsinasecludedplaceonthepretextoffallingill,andtheirsubsequentconversationŚrīRādhācomplainingtoŚrīKṛṣṇaandHisattempttopacifyHerThegopīsdemonstratingtheinsignificanceofopulence(aiśvarya)inthefaceofofsweetness(mādhurya)TheweepingofŚrīRādhāandŚrīKṛṣṇaThegopīspullingKṛṣṇainHischariotbacktoVṛndāvanaŚrīmanMahāprabhumanifestingthemoodofŚrīRādhāwhiledancinginfrontofJagannātha’schariotandecstaticallyrecitingaversefromaseeminglymundanepoem:

yaḥkaumāra-haraḥsaevahivarastāevacaitra-kṣapāsteconmīlita-mālatī-surabhayaḥprauḍhāḥkadambānilāḥsācaivāsmitathāpitatrasurata-vyāpāra-līlā-vidhaurevā-rodhasivetasī-taru-talecetaḥsamutkaṇṭhate

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā13.121)

Hewho has stolen awaymyyouth is nowmyhusband.These are the samemoonlitnights in themonthofCaitra,whenwefirstmet inouryouth.Thesamebreezes fromthekadambaforestareblowingthesamelight,sweetfragrancefromtheblossomingmālatīflowers.Inourintimaterelationship,Iamalsothesamelover.Nonetheless,myheartislongingfortheamorous,love-ladenplayofourfirstmeetingatthefootofthevetasītreeonthebankoftheriverRevā.*

ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīmentallycomposingaparallelversethatrevealedthemoodandintendedmeaningofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’spoeticrecitation:

priyaḥso’yaṁkṛṣṇaḥsahacarikuru-kṣetra-militastathāhaṁsārādhātadidamubhayoḥsaṅgama-sukhamtathāpyantaḥ-khelan-madhura-muralī-pañcama-juṣe

manomekālindī-pulina-vipināyaspṛhayatiŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā1.76)

My dear friend, in this Kurukṣetra is that very same Śrī Kṛṣṇa who had secretly

engaged inamorouspastimeswithMe inVṛndāvana. I amalso the sameRādhā,andthehappinessofourmeetingisstillthesame.Butnonetheless,MyheartisyearningforthatveryforestofVṛndāvana,situatedonthebanksoftheYamunā,whereŚrīKṛṣṇausedtocontinuouslyengageinpastimesandplaythefifthnoteofHischarmingmuralīflute.*

ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīlaterwritingthisverseonapalmleafandkeepingitinthethatchedroofofhisbhajana-kuṭīraŚrīmanMahāprabhu’secstasyuponfindingandreadingthatverse,andHisadmittancethatRūpaGosvāmīwasabletounderstandHisheartbecauseHehadpreviouslyblessedhiminPrayāga

Next to each diorama, Śrīla Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja placed a briefdescription and also posted a devotee to further explain its depictedpastime.Śrīla Prabhupāda was highly pleased by this arrangement. All those whoattendedtheexhibitionwereendlesslygratefultohavelearnedtherealpurposeofvisitingKurukṣetraduringasolareclipse.

It isexceedinglydifficultforadisciple tounderstandtheintentionsofśrīguru, who, being a sincere follower of śrauta-vāṇī—the teachings of theVedas,whichareoftenconveyedindirectly—relishesparokṣa-vāda,orindirectspeech. Only his antaraṅga disciples are capable of understanding the trueintendedmeaningsofhiswords.The termantaraṅga, or ‘internal,’ refers toonewhohasprovenhimselftopossesssuchfirmfaiththatśrīgurudevarelieson him completely and, without hesitation, allows him to enter into theinnermostchamberofhisheart.

BecauseŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawasanintimateantaraṅgaassociateof Śrīla Prabhupāda, he understood the true meaning of his gurudeva’smysteriousinstructionandwasthusabletoservehiminawaythatfulfilledhisheart’sdesire.

HisnaturaltalentŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja had a natural,God-gifted talent for public

speaking, which flourished even more by the mercy of the venerable ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.HecouldspeakwithoutpauseforhoursonendinBengali,Hindi,and English. Śrīla Prabhupāda awarded him with the title ‘Vāgmi-pravara,’whichmeans ‘thegreatest of orators.’Throughhismasteryof language andhis deeply devotional lectures, he connected many people with ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Whiledeliveringhari-kathā, his eyeswouldmove continuously

likeagramophone.Heoftenspokeforhoursonend,yetneversufferedfromissueswithhisthroat,medicalorotherwise,uptotheveryendofhislife.

Carrying on his head the gracious blessings and orders of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda,ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaconstantlypreachedŚrīŚrīGuru-Gaurāṅga’s divinemessage of pure devotion across India—from theBay ofBengal to the IndianOcean to theHimalayas—withdauntlessenthusiasmandtotal fearlessness. By Śrīla Prabhupāda’s boundless mercy, Śrīla Mahārājaassisted in establishing Gauḍīya Maṭha branches in various places in India,including Madras, Kabhūra (where Śrīman Mahāprabhu met Śrī RāyaRāmānanda), Kāśī, Naimiṣāraṇya and Kurukṣetra, thereby rendering aninvaluableserviceinpropagatingtheteachingsofŚrīCaitanya-deva.

SendingaworthypreacherThe message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu concerns jaiva-dharma, the

innatepropensityofalllivingentities,regardlessofthecountryinwhichtheyhappen to reside. Following the desire of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, ŚrīlaPrabhupādadidnotwant thepreachingof thismessage tobe limited to Indiaalone.Thus,hemetwithŚrīRabindranathTagore,whohadrecentlyreturnedto India after receiving a Nobel Prize in theWest, and asked him, “In youropinion,towhichWesterncountryshouldwefirstsendpreacherstospreadthemessageofŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu?”

“None,”thepoetreplied.“ManyunscrupulouspersonswhoearliervisitedtheseplacestopreachVedicdharmahavetarnishedtheimageofsādhus.Asaresult,WesternershavelostfaithinIndiansaints.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda then explained to him Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s message,and in particular, made cutting remarks regarding the popular sects of theprākṛta-sahajīyas, or mundane sentimentalists who believe Śrī Bhagavān isattainable through material means. After attentively hearing everything, ŚrīRabindranath Tagore asked, “What exactly does the term prākṛta-sahajīyamean?Ihaveneverheardit,norhaveIseenitinanydictionary.”

ŚrīlaPrabhupādaexplained,“Thewordsahajiyāisahighlysacredterm.ItreferstothosetrulypuredevoteesofŚrīKṛṣṇawhoseheartsarefilledwithaspontaneous,unconditionalloveandaffectionforHimthatdoesnotdependonthestatementsofscripturesthatglorifyHimasBhagavān.TheeternallyperfectresidentsofVraja—likeŚrīNanda,ŚrīYaśodā,ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇīandothers—are shining examples of such sahajiyā devotees. Nowadays, manyunqualifiedconditionedsoulstrytoimitatethemoodsofthesetranscendental

personalities by deceitfully imposing such moods on their own character.Therefore,Iusethisword,prākṛta-sahajiyā,torefertosuchpersons,becausetheprostitutionofwords—that is,grosslymisrepresenting the truemeaningsofwordsinordertosupportone’svestedinterests—hasnowbecomecommonpractice. These days, the vast majority of people are incapable ofunderstandingtheactualimportsofwords,andsoperversionsofterminologyoftenremainunchecked.”

Śrī Rabindranath Tagore, being captivated and moved by ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’spresentationofGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavaphilosophy,said,“ItisonlyifyouyourselfvisittheWesterncountriesthatgreatsuccessinpreachingwillbeassured.Everyonewillsurelygreetyouwithhonor.”

ŚrīlaPrabhupādareplied,“IfIchoosetosendsomeone,itwillbesomeoneequallyasqualifiedasmyself.”

ŚrīlaPrabhupādawas soproudofhisworthydisciples’accomplishmentsthat he resolved to send them across the oceans to the West. Thus, hedetermined to send Śrīla Vana Mahārāja and my Guru Mahārāja (then ŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārī),forinhisopinion,theirpersonalconductandabilityto deliver the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as presented by ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākuramirroredthatofhisown.However,GuruMahārājawaspreventedfromgoingtotheWest,notonlybecausehewasneededinIndiaforhis expertise in preaching and his ability to maintain Śrīla Prabhupāda’smaṭhas through collecting sizable donations, but also because some of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciplesfelthiseffulgent,youthfulbeautymadehimatargetfortheaffectionofWesternwomen,whohadnounderstandingorappreciationofthecelibacyofIndiansādhus.Thus,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPradīpaTīrthaGosvāmīMahārājawassentinhisstead.

RenouncingevenrenunciationfortheserviceofŚrīmanMahāprabhuŚrīlaPrabhupādaonceaskedŚrīKuñjabihārīVidyābhuṣaṇaPrabhutobuy

anexpensivepairofshoesforŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja,whooutofhisnatural renunciation never wore footwear during his stay in themaṭha. ŚrīKuñjabihārīPrabhuthenbroughtthoseshoes—whichcostthirty-tworupees,aconsiderable expense at that time—to ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawith aninstructionfromŚrīlaPrabhupādatoappearbeforehimwearingthoseshoes.When Śrīla Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja abided by this instruction and camebefore him wearing the shoes, Śrīla Prabhupāda declared, “Today yourrenunciationhasachievedperfection,becauseyouhaverenouncedevenyour

renunciationfortheserviceofŚrīmanMahāprabhu.”

PreachinginEnglandandGermanyDuring Śrīla Prabhupāda’s previously-mentioned conversation with Śrī

RabindranathTagore,ŚrīRabindranathTagoresuggested,“Ifyouaregoingtosendyourpreacherstoforeigncountries,itwouldbebestforthemtofirstgotoGermany,notEngland.ThisisbecausetheGermanpeopleareinterestedinourVedicIndianPhilosophy,whereastheEnglishhaveasuperioritycomplextowardus.Theyconsiderustheirsubjectsandfeelweareinferiortothemineveryrespect.Theywillnotlistentoyourpreachers,norwilltheyappreciatetheirmessage.”

WhenŚrīlaPrabhupādamentioned this toŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīlaMahārājatoldhim,“Wemustfirstpreachwherethereismoredifficulty.It isonlywhenwearesuccessful there thatwewillmoveontoplaceswheresuccessisinevitable.IdonotwishtowastethewealthofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sserviceonmeresightseeing.”

Appreciatinghisview,ŚrīlaPrabhupādafirstsenthimtoEngland,andlatertoGermany.InEngland,ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājapreachedthemessageofŚrīmanMahāprabhuattheuniversitiesofOxford,CambridgeandExeter,aswellasatvariousestablishmentsinLondon.AtOxford,hewasinvitedtospeakforjustfifteenminutes,butinthatbriefperiod,hesoimpressedhisaudiencethathewasinvitedtoBuckinghamPalacetoaddresstheroyalassemblythere.

With the grace and permission ofŚrīlaPrabhupāda, ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaestablished theLondonGauḍīyaMissionSociety,and theSecretaryofStateforIndia,LordZetland,attendedtheinauguralceremonyaschairman.AnumberofaffluentmembersofLondonhighsociety,beingdeeplyinterestedinthenotionofatruereligion,initiatedcorrespondencewithŚrīlaPrabhupādaandposed various questions to him.TheLondonGauḍīyaMissionSociety’smain topics of discussion were Śrīla Prabhupāda’s answers, which arrivedweeklyinLondonbyairmail.

WhenŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawantedtopreachinGermany,hewasadvisedagainstspeakinginEnglishduetopoliticaltensions.HewasgiventheoptiontospeakeitherinhisnativelanguagethroughaGermantranslator,ordirectly in German. Thus, ŚrīlaMahārāja opted to learn German, which heaccomplished in only six months, after which he composed two books inGerman.AsinLondon,hispreachinginGermanymetwithgreatsuccess.Hedelivered addresses at universities in Königsberg, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin

and Munich, and was even invited to speak in cities in other countries,includingPrague,ViennaandParis,wherehewasgivenspecialregardbyHisMajestytheformerKaiserofGermany.

UponŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja’sreturntoIndiainDecemberof1936,hewas honored and celebrated bymany distinguished Indian intellectuals ofthe time.Hebroughtwithhim twoGermandevoteeswhowereeager to takeshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeet.OneoftheseindividualslaterbecameknownasŚrīpādaSadānandaSvāmī.Thus, itwasdue toŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja’s preaching efforts thatŚrīlaPrabhupāda commenced the initiationofWesternersintoGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavadharma.

PreachinginuniversitiesandcollegesŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawasthefirstofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciples

—and possibly the first person in the line of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu—topreachinuniversitiesandcolleges.Heconsideredthatifyoungpeopleweretoaccept the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, then others wouldautomatically accept it. This technique was later adopted by many Vaiṣṇavaācāryas.

HewasinvitedseveraltimesbyvariousuniversitiesintheWesttoexpoundthe specialty of śrī bhāgavata-dharma, the religion of worshipping theSupremeLord,asdescribedintheVediccanon.Theprominentfeatureofhispreachingwas that he established the unparalleled specialty of India’s Vedicphilosophy, specifically what was preached and practiced by ŚrīmanMahāprabhu.

ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja travelled toAmerica twice.First, in 1939,wherehepreachedextensivelyacrosstheEastCoast,deliveringlecturesonŚrīGaura’smessageinthecitiesofNewYork,Boston,Stockbridge,WashingtonD.C.andPhiladelphia,andeventuallymadehiswaytoChicagointheMidwest.Afterthis,hewenttoJapanandreturnedtoIndiaviaHongKong.In1960,hewent to West Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden andvariousotherplaces.Later,between1974and1975,heagainvisitedAmericatopropoundthegloriesofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sphilosophy.

His translationofŚrīBhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhuwas accepted as a thesis byuniversities in America and Sweden, where he was awarded honorarydoctoratesinliteratureanddivinity,respectively.

To train the youth of Vraja about Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava philosophy,specificallyŚrīCaitanya-deva’sacintya-bhedābheda-tattva—theinconceivable

principle of simultaneous oneness anddifference between theSupremeLordandallthatexists—hewenttogreatlengthstoestablishtheInstituteofOrientalPhilosophyinŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvana,aswellasaprimaryschoolonthebanksofŚrīPāvana-sarovarainŚrīNandagrāma.Originally,hegavetheInstituteofOriental Philosophy the name ‘Vaiṣṇava Theological University,’ but forvariousreasons,hewascompelledtochangeit.

HisprolificliterarycontributionAfter Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disappearance, Śrīla Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja

lived somewhat independently and focused on writing several books inEnglish,Bengali andHindi,which includedVaikuṇṭha-pathe (On the Path tothe Spiritual Realm),MyFirst Year in England,Viraha-vedanā (The Pain ofSeparation),Geeta as aChaitanyaiteReads It,ShreeChaitanya,The Search,MyLecturesinEngland,andhistranslationofŚrīBhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.HealsopublishedthequarterlyEnglishmagazineIndianPhilosophyandCulture.

Duringmostof1938,he lived inAyodhya, studying theVedasunder theguidance of a scholar of theYajur-veda. There, hewrote a book in BengalicalledVedera-paricaya(AnIntroductiontotheVedas).

ThesonsofSarasvatīOnce,Iwentwithagroupofdevotees toŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja’s

maṭha inVṛndāvanatohavehisdarśana,butuponourarrival,welearnedhewasunwell.JustasIwasabouttodepartafterpayingmyrespectsoutsidehisdoor,ŚrīlaMahārājacalledmeinside.HewasabitdispleasedthatIwasreadyto leavewithout first seeing him. I explained, “I did notwant to bother you,sinceyouarefeelingunwell.Iheardthatyourdoctorhasadvisedyoutospeakaslittleaspossible.”

ŚrīlaMahārājareplied,“MustIsimplylayinbedandcountthebeamsontheceiling?AmInottospeakwiththeVaiṣṇavas?Wearesarasvatī-putra, thesonsofŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhakura.As longaswearespeakinghari-kathā,wefeelhealthy.Itiswhenwearecheatedofthatopportunitythatwetrulyfeelill.So,doyouwantmetobehealthyorsick?

“Furthermore, the doctors of this world may prescribe us manyinstructionsforourphysicalwellbeing,butwewishtofollowtheinstructionsofśrīguru,thedoctorconcernedforourspiritualwellbeing,whomentioned,‘Noharmcancometoonewhoproperlytakesthetypeof‘food’thatnourishesthesoul.Butonewhoavoidsortakesaninadequateamountofsuch‘food,’and

instead concerns himself with nourishing only the gross and subtle bodies,invitessicknessinthetruestsense.Unfortunateisthedaythatwedonotreceivethechancetohearorspeakhari-kathā,whichisthesoul’ssustenance.Nityaṁbhāgavata-sevayā, the daily service of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, is one of theprimarylimbsofbhakti.’”

HisloveandrespectforGuruMahārājaŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawasthechairmanofthememorialassembly

heldafterGuruMahārāja’sdisappearance.Hewepttheentiretimehespoke,somuchsothathisspeechwasvirtuallyincomprehensible.However,throughthetears,hemanagedtosay,“AlthoughŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārājawasjuniortomany of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples, it was he who followed ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sexamplefully,inbothhispreachingandconduct.Therestofushavemadesmalladjustmentsandchangesalongtheway,butŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārāja never displayed such a tendency for change for even a singlemoment,neitherinhispersonalconductnorhispreaching.”

When Guru Maharaja disappeared from the world, Śrīla Vana GosvāmīMahārāja gave me many instructions on how to perform the samādhiceremony. He told me that the size of the samādhi should be one-and-one-quarterthesizeofthebodyoftherecipientofsamādhi;thatpriortocoveringthebodywithearthandsalt,onemustcoverthebody,includingtheheadandface,withanewsaffron-coloredcloth,sothattheearthdoesnotdirectlytouchthebody;and that the locationof thesamādhi shouldbeanadequatedistancefromtheroad,sothatitneednotbemovedifbychancethemunicipalitytriestoacquirepartofthemaṭha’spropertyinordertowidentheroad.

FirmfaithinŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sguidanceamiddiscomfortIn1978,ontheoccasionofthefirstvyāsa-pūjāofŚrīlaPrabhupādatobe

celebrated at his appearance place in Purī, I was given the responsibility ofarrangingaccommodationsforalltheinviteddevotees.Iarrangedtwoplacesfor Śrīla Vana GosvāmīMahārāja, so as to provide himwith an alternativeoption.OnewasaratherpoorroominourŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,whichat the time consisted of an old building that had been acquired with thepurchaseoftheland,andtheotherwasadecentroomwithsuitableamenitiesin Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja’smaṭha. Naturally,disregarding any consideration of material comfort, Śrīla Vana GosvāmīMahārājapreferredtostayatŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sbirthplace.“Whoknowshow

longIwillstayinthismaterialworld?”hetoldme.“Imayneveragainreceivethe opportunity to return to this place. It is better to staywheremy spiritualmaster appearedandperformedhis childhoodpastimes. I shall stayhere, theplaceŚrīlaPrabhupāḍadecoratedwithhislotusfeet.”

Hearinghisdecision tostay inourmaṭha, Iquicklyconstructedaprivatelatrineforhiminonlyonenight,usingcoconutleavesandaheavyrainproofclothfortheroof.Althoughthefacilitiesinourmaṭhawerequitemeager,ŚrīlaMahārāja happily tolerated everything, thus demonstrating the depth of hisguru-niṣṭhā.

ItwasŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājawhoperformedtheāratiandallotheraspectsofthevyāsa-pūjācelebrations.Duringhari-kathāthatevening,hesaid,“Itwillbeamatterofgreatdelightif,fromnowonward,thefollowersofŚrīlaBhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Gosvāmī Prabhupāda continue to gatherandcelebratehisvyāsa-pūjāhereandhistirobhāva-mahostavaathissamādhi-mandirainMāyāpura.”

ŚrīlaMahārāja’sdesireisnowbeingfulfilled;annualfestivalscelebratingŚrīla Prabhupāda’s appearance and disappearance days are held at theselocationsinŚrīPurī-dhāmaandŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,respectively.

LoveforanddedicationtohisdeitiesBefore leaving thisworld, ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja constructed his

ownsamādhi,soastonottroubleanyoneorelicitanysortofservicefromhisgodbrothersordisciples.Additionally,hehadastrongdesiretoremaincloseto the deities he established. He therefore feared that his disciples orgodbrothersmaychoosetoplacehiminsomeotherlocation.Forthisreason,hearrangedeverythinghimself,thusexhibitingtheextentofhisdedicationtoandloveforhisdeities.

1Spiritualfortunethatleadsonetowardthepathofbhakti.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja

IntelligencebeyondeducationŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājanevertookabreak

fromchantingthenamesofŚrīHari,speakingŚrīHari’sgloriesandpastimes,orservingŚrīHari.Hewasfullyengagedintheseactivitiesforalltwenty-fourhoursof theday.Without fail,hewouldaskall thosewhoapproachedhimaquestionpertainingtoGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavaphilosophy.Hesparednooneinthis.Somehoworother,hewouldalwaysinitiateaspiritualdiscussion.

WhenIfirstcametothemaṭha, Ireceivedthegoodfortuneofhavinghisdarśana.Themomenthesawme,heasked,“WhatisthefirstverseofŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam?”AfterIrecitedtheverse,heaskedmethemeaningofthewordsuśrūṣayā.AtthetimeIdidnotknowsomuch,butIrepeatedtohimwhateverIhad grasped. Afterwards, he handed me a newsletter and said, “Read thisthoroughly,makecorrectionstoit,andrewriteiteloquently.”

OwingtoVaiṣṇavaetiquetteandsomeinternalfear,Ididnotaskhimwhyheorderedme,averynewdevotee, toedithisnewsletter.Later, Iquestionedhis godbrother Śrī Uddhāraṇa Prabhu, “Śrīla Mahārāja knows so muchhimself.Why, then,didhechooseme toedit thisnewsletter? I toldhimIaminexperienced.”

“Arebābā!Don’tyouknow?”ŚrīUddhāraṇaPrabhureplied.“ŚrīAraṇyaMahārājaisilliterate.Hecannotreadorwriteatall.”

WhenIheardthis,Icouldnotcontainmysurprise.Fromthenon,eachtimeIheardŚrīAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja’sdiscoursesorconversedwithhim,thissurprise only increased. His hari-kathā humbled even highly esteemedscholars,andconsequently,theseintellectualsviewedhimastheirsuperior.Noonecouldhaveimagined,eveninadream,thathecouldbeilliterate.

SternyetaffectionateinstructionsAs per the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī

Mahārājawouldcollectmonthlydonationsfrommanyplaces.Hewouldalsoregularly visit my Guru Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita MādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja,whileGuruMahārājawasstayinginarentedhousepriortojoiningthemaṭha.

Ononesuchvisit,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājabroughthisgodbrotherŚrīpāda Kīrtana Prabhu along with him. Seeing the portrait of Śrī Caitanya

Mahāprabhu in the hall of Guru Mahārāja’s home, Śrīla Araṇya GosvāmīMahārāja asked Guru Mahārāja, “Do you feel happy upon seeing this verybeautifulportraitofŚrīmanMahāprabhu?”

“Yes,Mahārāja-jī,”GuruMahārājareplied.“Ido.”ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja gravely asked, “Is it the duty ofŚrīman

Mahāprabhutopleaseyoubyremainingpresenthere,orshouldyoubetheonemaking endeavors to pleaseHim?”He further inquired, “You have acceptedŚrīlaPrabhupādaasyourspiritualmaster.Whatarrangementshaveyoumadeforhiscooking?”

GuruMahārājareplied,“IhaveappointedanOriyabrāhmaṇa tocookforme.Heisresponsibleforeverythingrelatedtokitchenservices.”

Hearingthis,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaconfrontedGuruMahārāja,saying “Have your hands been eaten by crocodiles?Why are you unable tocookbhogaandofferittoBhagavānonyourown,withoutthehelpofothers?

BeforeGuruMahārāja could respond,ŚrīpādaKīrtanaPrabhuwhisperedtoŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja,“Youshouldnotspeaktohimlikethis.Hecomesfromanaffluentfamily.Itisirrationaltoexpecthimtobeabletodoallthe cooking himself; he has no experience with such things. Your harshstatements may make him lose faith in the Gauḍīya Maṭha and becomedissatisfiedwithus.”

AlthoughŚrīpādaKīrtanaPrabhuwasquietlywhispering,GuruMahārājacould hear everything. Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja became even moredispleasedafterhearingŚrīpādaKīrtanaPrabhu’sstatementandsaid,“IfIwillnottellhim,thenwhowill?Heismygodbrother,andIthereforepossesstherighttosayanythingIwishtohimatanytime.”

GuruMahārāja became overwhelmedwith joy to hear this. Themamatā(possessiveaffection)ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājadisplayedforhimwasunprecedented,andforthisreason,GuruMahārājaremainedeternallygratefultohimthroughouthislife

Oncetheydeparted,GuruMaharajaarrangedfornewpotstobebroughttohis home, and he refused to eat for the two days it took for them to becollected.Fromthenonward,hehimselfcookedandofferedbhoga.

ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaalways taught thatBhagavān’snameanddeity form—which includes His portrait—are non-different from BhagavānHimself. Guru Mahārāja accepted this teaching with firm faith and alwaysdemonstratedthroughhisownconductthestandardbywhichoneshouldshowproper respect to the imagesofBhagavānandHispuredevotees.Hedidnot

frivolously place such images here and there, nor did he allow any of hisdisciples toengage in such irresponsibleconduct.Hesent theoilpaintingofŚrīmanMahāprabhu that had adorned his wall to Bāgbāzār GauḍīyaMaṭha,where it was kept on a chariot during every nagara-saṅkīrtana processionorganizedbythemaṭha.

Śrīla Araṇya Gosvami Mahārāja never said anything simply to appeaseanyone.Hespokeonlythetruth,andthattooinsuchawaythatitbroughtaboutallauspiciousnessforeveryonewhoheardit.

WarningagainstthemisuseofKṛṣṇa’spropertyWheneverŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājacollecteddonations,hewould

speak to people in a distinctive manner. He would never approach donorstimidly,norwouldhepersuade themthroughflattery.Rather,hisattitudewas“asuraluṭiyākhāyakṛṣṇerasaṁsāra—demonslootthisworld,whichbelongsto Kṛṣṇa, and devour everything.” He would explain to potential donors,“Those who do not utilize their wealth in Kṛṣṇa’s service, which rightfullybelongs to Him, are considered demons. Behaving dishonorably, they stealwhat is His and use it for their own indulgence. As a punishment for theirthievery, they become increasingly entangled in the vicious web of thismaterialworld.”

He would then ask those potential donors to ensure their welfare bygraciouslyofferingsomethingfortheserviceofBhagavān.Hewouldalsosay,“Donotthinkyouareobligingmethroughofferingalmstome.Instead,youshouldconsideryourselvestobegratefulthatIhaveacceptedtheresponsibilityofutilizingyourofferingsintheserviceofBhagavān.”

SpeakingontheinspirationofśrīguruOnce,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājawentwithŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdaya

Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Guru Mahārāja (at that time Śrī HayagrīvaBrahmacārī) to preach at Bārīpada College in Orissa. While Śrīla VanaGosvāmīMahārājaandGuruMahārājadelivered their lectures,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja sat chantingharināma for nearly twohours in front of aportrait of Śrīla Prabhupāda positioned on the dais.When itwas his turn tospeak,heprefacedhishari-kathābysaying,“Iamcompletelyilliterate.Ihavenothing of my own to say. I will simply speak before you whatever mygurupāda-padma, Śrīla Prabhupāda, inspiresme to speak.”Everyone presentthatdaywasincrediblymovedbyhishari-kathā.

ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smercyforasincereperformerofanukīrtanaŚrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja once told me, “One day, I asked Śrīla

PrabhupādaiftherewassomespecificserviceIcouldperformforhim.‘Yes,’heanswered. ‘Youshouldalwayspreach themessageofŚrīmanMahāprabhuandtheGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavaācāryaseverywhere.’

“‘Iamtotallyilliterate,’Ireplied.‘HowcanIpossiblypreach?’“Śrīla Prabhupāda responded, ‘Simply repeat whatever you have heard

from the lipsof theVaiṣṇavas.Always strive toperformanukīrtana, kīrtanaunderguidance.BhagavānpersonallyinspiresHissimple-hearteddevotees.’

“ItisonthestrengthofthisinstructionandŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smercythatIremain fearless and constantly travel everywhere performing kīrtana of hisvāṇī (divine message). Sometimes I see that scholars become stunned whenthey hear persons like myself repeat Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words. By ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s mercy, I manage to remember the titles of books, the versestherein,thoseverses’pagenumbers,andothersuchdetails.Ifanyoneasksmetocitereferencesasevidence,Itellhimwhichversenumbertosearchforinaparticular book inmy trunk and then provemypoint once he has found theverse.”

HishumblefaithinGuruMahārājaŚrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja was adorned with a natural humility.

Although he was a senior, he always had great love for and faith in GuruMahārāja.

Śrīla Mahārāja faithfully sent many of his renounced disciples to ŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.HewouldwriteourGuruMahārājaalettersaying,“IhavesentmydiscipletoyousothathemaybecomethoroughlyentrenchedintheconceptionsofGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavism.Bystaying in theassociationofyouandyourdisciples,hewillreceiveampleopportunitytolearn.Inevermanagedto teachanything to thosewhostaywithme. Iwouldbepleased ifyoucouldkindlyaccepttheresponsibilityofteachinghim.”

SpiritualperspectivesonnormalmattersOnce,while ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājawasmanifesting a sickness

pastime,onebrahmacārītookhimtoseeadoctor.Afterthedoctorprescribedhim some medicine, they returned to the maṭha. The next morning, thebrahmacārīaskedŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājahowhewasfeeling.ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājarespondedbyquotingaversefromBhagavad-gītā

(2.20):

najāyatemriyatevākadācinnāyaṁbhūtvābhavitāvānabhūyaḥajonityaḥśāśvato’yaṁpurāṇonahanyatehanyamāneśarīre

Thesoulneithertakesbirthnordoeshedie,norisheaffectedbytherepeatedgrowthanddwindlingof thebody.Heisunborn,eternalandever-existing.Thoughprimeval,heremainsever-youthful.Whenthebodyisdestroyed,thesoulisnotannihilated.

Hesaid,“According toBhagavān’sownwords, thesoul isnotamaterialentity.Howthencanitbecomesick?DoyouthinkIamamaterialentity?AmInotasoul?”

Thebrahmacārīwasrenderedspeechless.Helaterapproachedme,saying,“Onemustcarefullyconsiderone’swordsbeforespeakingtoŚrīlaMahārāja.Youareboundtogetintroubleifyouaskhimanythinginanormalmanner.”

AllattemptsmustbemadetofulfillaVaiṣṇava’srequestOneevening,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaarrivedratherlatetoourŚrī

CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainVṛndāvana.Atthattime,thein-chargeofthemaṭha,mygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiPrasādaPurīMahārāja,servedhimprasāda.WhenŚrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja asked if there was any milk, Śrī PurīMahārājareplied,“Mahārāja,thereisnomoremilk.IfIhadknownyouwerecoming,Iwouldhavesavedyousome.Pleaseforgiveme.”

“What!” Śrī Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja exclaimed. “How is it possiblethereisnomilkinMādhāvaMahārāja’smaṭha?”

Infearofthisreaction,ŚrīPurīMahārājarushedtopurchasemilkfromanearbyteashop.Whenheoffered it toŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīlaMahārājaasked,“Wheredid thismilkcomefromallofasudden?”and thengavehiman instruction: “If somebodyasks for something, it is improper tosimplysaythereisnoneleftwithoutmakinganefforttoarrangeformore.”

ThebehaviorofpuredevoteesisnottobeimitatedIonceaccompaniedŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja to thebusstation in

Kṛṣṇanagara to see him off toMāyāpura. As hewas getting on the bus, theconductor told him to purchase a ticket. Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārājabecame upset and replied, “What! A ticket? Whose bus is this? Who isdemandingafare,andfromwhomaretheydemandingit?Asuraluṭiyākhāyakṛṣṇerasaṁsāra.EverythingbelongstomyKṛṣṇa,andthisbusisnoexception.

I am not an ordinary servant of His; I serve Him with the utmost love andaffection. Insteadof askingme formoney, you should givemoney tome toemploy in Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s service.” He then brushed past the conductor and satdown.

WeshouldnotevendreamofimitatingŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja’sconduct. Although some may perceive him as arrogant, after serious andimpartialdeliberationonhisintentions,onecanplainlyseethateverythinghesaidor didwasgrounded inunadulterated truth.Hewas straightforward andsometimesbecameangry,buthisangerwasnever lasting.Hewouldbecomehappyandcontentedafteronlyashortwhile.

TheimpactofamomentofhisassociationOnce, as ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājawas performingparikramā of

theŚrīGovinda-deva temple inVṛndāvana, aMāyāvādīsannyāsī approachedhim and said, “Oṁnamonārāyaṇāya,”whichmeans “I offermy respects toyou,whoareNārāyaṇaHimself.”

ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājafuriouslychastisedthatsannyāsī.“Youareahypocrite!YouconsiderthelivingentityandBhagavāntobeone.YouliveinVṛndāvana, but have never heard a single thing from the true residents ofVraja.Youaresooffensive!Youconsideryourselftobebrahma,butyouareunawareofthesimplefactthatbrahmaismerelytheeffulgenceofBhagavān’sdivinebody.Comewithme.Iwillarrangeforyourfoodandgiveyouaplacetostay.Youronlydutywillbetohearhari-kathāandtrytoproperlyfollowtheconclusionsofthescriptures.”

The Māyāvādī sannyāsī was quite shaken up by Śrīla Araṇya GosvāmīMahārāja’sstatement,buthefollowedŚrīlaMahārāja to themaṭha, justashewas instructed. When they arrived at Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, ŚrīlaMahārājaaskedformygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiPrasādaPurīMahārāja.WhenhewasinformedthatŚrīPurīMahārājahadsteppedout,ŚrīlaMahārājatoldoneofthemaṭha’sbrahmacārīstobringwhitegarmentsfortheMāyāvādīsannyāsītowear.

Whenthewhitegarmentswerebrought,ŚrīlaMahārājaaskedtheMāyāvādīsannyāsītochangehisgarb.Hethentoldthebrahmacārī,“TellPurīMahārājathatAraṇyaMahārāja has brought thisman to themaṭha, and that he shouldinstructhimintheteachingsofGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavism,wherebythisman’sbirthinthehumanspeciesshallbecomeaworthysuccess.”

The Māyāvādī sannyāsī was simple and sincere. He solemnly followed

Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s instructions and eventually became anexcellentsevaka.Later,headmittedtome,“Earlier,I ignorantlyacceptedandrepeatedwhateverphilosophieswereputbeforeme.ButnowIacceptteachingsonlyaftercarefuldeliberation.”

ThisincidentdemonstratestheextentofŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja’sfearlessness, as well as the immensely positive impact even a moment’sassociationwithhimbestows.

The vast difference between the consciousness of a realized devotee andthatofaneophyte

Once,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājastayedinourŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha inKṛṣṇanagar for a fewdays, until he suddenly set off forMāyāpuraonemorning.WhenhearrivedinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,Irequestedhimtostayin Guru Mahārāja’s bhajana kuṭīra. Happily accepting my proposal, heremovedhiswoodenshoesontheverandaoutsideGuruMahārāja’sroomandwent inside. Some time later after bathingwith the hot water I provided, hecameoutandasked,“Wherearemyshoes?”

Ireplied,“Mahārāja-jī,theyarehere,rightwhereyouleftthem.”“No,thesearenotmyshoes,”hesaid.Iwas confused. “Thesemust be your shoes,Mahārāja-jī. I sawyouwear

them up here. None of us living in the maṭha wear our shoes on GuruMahārāja’sveranda.”

AssoonasIsaidthis,herealizedwhathadactuallyhappened.Hegravelypicked up the shoes and placed them on his head in great respect. In aheartbreakingvoice,hesaid,“TheVaiṣṇavas’shoeswillalwaysremainonmyhead,”andrecitedaversefromthescriptures:

jñānāvalambakāḥkecitkecitkarmāvalambakāḥvayaṁtuhari-dāsānāṁpāda-trāṇāvalambakāḥ

ŚrīPadyāvalī(58)

Somefollowthepathofjñāna,whileothersfollowthepathofkarma.We,however,aresimplythecarriersoftheshoesofŚrīHari’sservants.

He explained themeaning of the verse and lamented, “Alas, alas! I havemistakenly worn a Vaiṣṇava’s shoes. I am so unfortunate to have touched aVaiṣṇava’s shoes with my feet. May the Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura who owns these

shoesforgiveme.”Hedidnotsimplysliponthoseshoesandthink,“Whatdifferencedoes it

makenow?Ihavealreadywornthemhere.”Rather,heinternalizedhismistakeandneverworethemagain.Heputtheminabagand,somedayslater,returnedbarefoot by bus toKṛṣṇanagara,where he returned them to their owner andprayedforhisforgiveness.Suchwashiselevatedconsciousness.

Ihappened tovisitourKṛṣṇanagaramaṭha somedaysbeforehedepartedMāyāpura.There,abrahmacārītoldme,“Acrazysannyāsīcameandtookmyshoes.But it is fine,because I amusinghis shoes.”When Iheard this, Iwasable to grasp just how expansive the gulf of difference was between theetiquette,humility,realizationandconductofŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaandthatoftheunmindfulbrahmacārī.

EncouragingotherstoserveaccordingtotheirnatureAtonepoint,ŚrīlaBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaexhibitedthe

pastime of having an ocular disease that affected his vision and made itdifficult for him to recognize people. Guru Mahārāja arranged for histreatmentinahospitalinKolkataandsentmetoseetoŚrīlaMahārāja’sneeds.

Aspecialistatthehospitaltoldme,“Beforeoperatingonhiseyes,wemustfirstcontrolhisdiabetes.Inordertodothis,weneedtomanagehisdiet,andsohisfoodmustcomefromthehospital.”

I told the specialist, “Śrīla Mahārāja will not eat hospital food. We canprepare and provide him with whatever foods you advise.” The doctoracceptedmyproposal,andIbeganbringingŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājafoodpreparedinthemaṭhaespeciallyforhim.

ThedayofŚrīAnnakūṭamahotsavaeventuallycame,andagrandfestivalwasheldatourmaṭha inKolkata.ŚrīAmiyāRāya,afemalediscipleofŚrīlaAraṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja, was in attendance at the festival. She honoredprasādainthemaṭhaandpackedsometotaketoherfamilymembersathome.On her way home, she stopped by the hospital to see her gurudeva. Byprovidence, Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja was accepting prasāda at thattime.Seeinghergurudeva takingsimpleprasāda, shebecameupsetandsaid,“TodayisAnnakūṭa.Whatkindofprasādaaretheyservingyou?”

BeforeŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājacouldanswerher,ŚrīAmiyāRāyafilled his plate with the annakūṭa-prasāda meant for her family. At herinsistence, Śrīla Mahārāja honored some of the prasāda. His blood sugarincreased,andthedateofhisoperationwaspostponedasaresult.

The specialist told me, “The food you are giving Mahārāja is moreregulated than what he would have received from the hospital. But pleaseexplaintohimthatheisnottoacceptfoodfromanyone’shandsbutyours.”

WhenIconveyedthespecialist’sordertoŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja,he told me, “Look, there are two ways of serving: according to one’s owndesires as permitted within the scope of scriptural injunctions, and with theconsiderationofwhat ismostbeneficialfor theobjectofourservice.AmiyāRāyaunderstandsonlytheformer;sheservesaccordingwhatshefeelsisbestforherself.Sheisnotyetadvancedenoughtopracticethelatter,inwhichshewouldserveaccordingtowhatisbestforherobjectofservice.Anyway,Iwilldoasyouandthespecialistsay.”

Once Śrīla Mahārāja’s sugar levels returned to normal, the doctorperformed the operation, and Śrīla Mahārāja regained his normal eyesightafteronlyafewdays.

AffectionateexchangesbetweengodbrothersFollowing the completion of Śrī Vraja-Maṇḍala parikramā one year, a

numberofustravelledbytrainfromMathurātoKolkatainaprivatereservedcoach. On the way, Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja asked, “Has anyonebroughtmilkforme?”

HisgodbrotherŚrīNārāyaṇaMukhopādhyāyateasedhim,saying,“Isn’titamother ’sdutytocarrymilkonajourneyforherthirstychild?Isyourmothertravellingwithus,Mahārāja?”

ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājaremainedsilent.When the train stopped in Kānpura a short while later, I asked Śrīpāda

Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī, anotherdiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda, forhis two-and-a-halfliterloṭā(flask)andwenttopurchasemilkfromthestation.WhenIplacedtheloṭāofmilkinŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārāja’shands,hesaidtohisgodbrother,“NārāyaṇaDā,look!Wheredidthismilkcomefrom?DotheVaiṣṇavas not proclaim that within the heart of a Vaisnava is the love andaffection of countless millions of mothers? Whose desires, then, are notfulfilledbytheseVaiṣṇavas,whoarelikewish-fulfillingtrees?”

All the devotees present in the coach were delighted by the insight theyreaped as a result of hearing such affectionate exchanges between these twogodbrothers.

Bhagavānwillprovide

Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja was firmly established in the primarymeaningofthewordvairāgya,

1andsoitwasonlynaturalthathewasendowedwithitssecondarymeaning,

2aswell.He always kept only three sets of clothes. If he ever acquiredmoreclothes than he needed, hewould give them away rather than store them forlateruse.Hewould tellme,“If Imakeahabitofkeepingextragarments formyself, Iwill turn into a sense enjoyer.Bhagavānhas solemnlypromised inBhagavad-gītā(9.22):

ananyāścintayantomāṁyejanāḥparyupāsateteṣāṁnityābhiyuktānāṁ

yoga-kṣemaṁvahāmyaham

Forthosewhoaredevoidofotherdesires,whoarealwaysabsorbedincontemplationofMeandwhoalwaysworshipMe,Ipersonallycarry theirnecessitiesandpreservewhattheypresentlyhave.

“Bhagavān is everywhere. By His desire, whatever I need will becomeavailableattheverymomentIneedit.WhyshouldIhoardthings?IfIdonottrust in the words of Bhagavān, then what goodwill hearing the scriptures,associatingwithsādhus andperforming sādhana-bhajana do forme, even ifdone for many years? By personally bringing milk for Śrīla MādhavendraPurī Gosvāmī, Bhagavān has demonstrated that He will provide whatevernecessitiesHisdevoteesrequire.Thetimeofmydeathisnearing.Ifnotnow,then when will I develop faith in the words of Bhagavān and His intimatecompanions?”

ElevatedreverenceforVaiṣṇavasOnedayinKolkata,mygodbrotherŚrīVīrabhadraPrabhucalledmeover

andsaid,“Look,Mahārāja!EventhoughtheyareSrilaPrabhupada’sdisciplesand incredibly senior to us, Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Śrī Jaga-mohanaPrabhuareremovingalltheVaiṣṇavas’shoesfromtheshoerackonebyoneandpayingtheirrespectstothem.”

Iwas astounded to see this. I thought, “What reverence theyhave for theVaiṣṇavas!”ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājawouldalwaystellustobecarefultomaintainanattitudeofservice towardBhagavānandHisdevotees,andnotone of indulgence.After that day, I stoppedkeepingmy shoes on the rack. I

considereditbettertoriskthembeingstolenthantocommitanoffensetothesetwoVaiṣṇavas.

ServingtheVaiṣṇavastotheirsatisfactionDuring one Ekādaśī in the Hyderabad branch of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya

Maṭha, one of themaṭha’s brahmacārīs, who was an expert cook, preparedfried peanuts, a vegetable dish containing peanuts, coconut, raisins, almondsandcashews,papayapāyasama

3withnuts,aswellasanumberofotherdeliciouspreparations.

As everyone was honoring prasāda, Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārājacommendedthecook.“Thedishesyoupreparedwerewonderful,”Hetoldhim.“Everyone ispraisingyourcooking.”He thenasked,“Butwhat shall I eat? Ihavenoteeth.”

ŚrīlaMahārājathencaughtholdofthebrahmacārī’searandgaveitagoodtwist.Hesaid,“Thescripturesstate:

catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda-svādv-anna-tṛptānhari-bhakta-saṅghān

kṛtvaivatṛptiṁbhajataḥsadaivavandeguroḥśrī-caraṇāravindam

ŚrīGurvāṣṭakam(4)

Iadorethelotusfeetofśrīguru,whofeelsmuchcontentmentinsatisfyingŚrīHari’sdevotees with the four kinds of bhagavat-prasāda—that which is chewed, sucked,lickedanddrunk.

“IfyouwishtoproperlyservetheVaiṣṇavaswithyourcooking,youmustprepare all four types ofprasāda.Otherwise, not everyonewill be satisfied,andyourservicewillbeconsideredincomplete.”

HisastonishingdisappearancepastimeŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājawas alwayspreoccupiedwithpreaching.

Whereverhefoundhimself—beit inacar,horsebuggy,bus, themaṭhaoradevotee’shome—healwaysspokehari-kathā. Iwitnessed this firsthandeachtimeIreceivedtheopportunitytotravelwithhim.

His hari-kathā possessed an extraordinary appeal. Once you startedlistening, to get up to perform some other service before he had finishedspeakingwasdifficult,evenpainful.Hewouldsay,“ŚrīlaPrabhupādaorderedme to always preach.” And he never stopped preaching, even when he was

unable towalk properly and his visionwas severely impaired.Wherever hewas,hewouldarrangeahari-kathāfestivalandinviteallthelocals.

ŚrīlaMahārājalefthisbodywhilespeakinghari-kathāonSaphalāEkādaśīin the village of Dhalatikhā, near the city of Basirhāṭa Mahākumā in WestBengal.Atthetime,hewassittingonthevyāsāsānaexplainingtheversessarvadharmānparityajya fromBhagavad-gītā (18.66) and tava kathāmṛtam tapta-jīvanaṁ from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.9). When I heard about hisdisappearance pastime, I was reminded of a verse quoted in Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata(Ādi-khaṇḍa7.136):

anāyāsenamaraṇaṁvinādainyenajīvanamanārādhitagovinda-

caraṇasyakathaṁbhavet

HowisitpossibleforonewhohasneverworshippedthelotusfeetofŚrīGovindatolivecomfortablyanddieinpeace?

AEulogyforŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaMahārāja

ComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

ArecipientoftheLord’sunprecedentedmercyThe śāstras state, “ante nārāyaṇa smṛtiḥ—in the end, one ought to

rememberNārāyaṇa.”Thus,thefactthatpūjyapādaŚrīBhaktiPrakāśaAraṇyaMahārāja,whilemanifestinghisdisappearancepastime,usedhislastbreathtoutter the verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.33.9) beginning tava-kathāmṛtam,whichwas spoken by thegopīs when theywere overcomewithseparation from Śrī Kṛṣṇa, illustrates that he was the recipient of theunprecedentedmercyofKṛṣṇaandHisassociates.

AlivingmṛdaṅgaŚrīpādaAraṇyaMahārāja,adivinepersonalityinfusedwiththepotencyof

hismostworshipfulśrīgurupāda-padma,wasoneoftheprincipalchampions—a living mṛdaṅga, so to speak—in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s śrī caitanya-vāṇīsaṅkīrtana-yajña, the ceremonial and congregational propagation of ŚrīCaitanya’sdivinemessage.

ApreacherofpuredevotionAlthoughhedidnotreceivemuchin thewayofformaleducation,hehas

become immortalized in the esteem of learned society, for until the lastmomentofhislife,hehelpedrevivethepurestformofknowledgethroughhisdauntlessconvictioninśrīkṛṣṇa-kīrtana,whichgiveslifetoitsbride,spiritualenlightenment.Evenhighlyeducatedandauthoritativegraduates,teachersandadministrators were mesmerized by his unprecedented and specializedexplanationsofpuredevotion,whichisdevoidofallpursuitsoferuditionandfruitive action. As a result of hearing his bhāgavata-kathā, many persons—whether rich,aristocratic,nobleandhighly intellectualorordinary,destitute,and uneducated—attained the rare fortune of taking shelter of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s most worshipful lotus feet. He was also a recipient of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’ssupremegraceforhistremendousassistanceincollectingfundsonbehalfofŚrīlaPrabhupādaforaccentuatingthemagnificenceofŚrīdhāma,themaintenanceofmaṭhas and temples, and facilitating theprintingofmanybooksandmagazines.

AfearlessandimpartialspeakerHis hari-kathā, which teemed with the terminology used by Śrīla

Prabhupāda, stunned and delighted those who had taken shelter of puredevotion. He was a fearless and impartial speaker when it came to refutingnon-devotional notions and establishing the conclusive truths of purebhakti.Verily,hewasablazing,deadlysun toalldarkness thatattempted toobscurethe true conception of śuddha-bhakti. Additionally, he astonished all by hisunparalleledpowersofmemory,whichhegloriouslyretainedrightuptohisfinalmoments.

HisexemplaryconductOriginally,hishomewasinavillagecalledGaṅgārāmapurainthedistrict

of Yaśohara, West Bengal. He was a householder at the time he becameattractedbyŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura, the founderof the Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha institution. In a short time, he renounced hishouseholder life in an act of exemplary conduct that is echoed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’sdescriptionofJaḍaBharata:

yodustyajāndāra-sutānsuhṛdrājyaṁhṛdi-spṛśaḥjahauyuvaivamalavaduttamaśloka-lālasaḥ

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(5.14.43)

Although hewas in his youth, he gave up all that is difficult to renounce—hiswife,children,friends,kingdomandeverythingelsedeartohim—asifitwerestool,forhelonged to perform bhajana of Śrī Bhagavān, who is glorified by the choicest ofhymns.

OurprayerstohimPūjyapādaMahārājadisplayedgenuinecamaraderieandconstantgoodwill

toward not only Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples and grand-disciples, but alsothosewhofoundŚrīlaPrabhupāda’steachingsandconducttobefavorable.

Today,having lostsuchabosomfriendandan idealVaiṣṇava,wearealldeeplyafflicted.Ourprayeristhatwhileheisforeverabsorbedintheserviceof his eternally cherished śrīgurupāda-padma, hemay bless us to attain theuniqueservicesforwhichweyearn.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year6,Volume12)

1Viśiṣṭeparama-puruṣerāga,oraspecialattachmenttotheSupremePerson.

2Vigata-rāga,ortheabsenceofworldlyattachment.

3Agrain-less,milk-basedsweetdish.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja

HappilyenduringdifficultyfortheserviceofŚrīguruŚrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārāja and Śrī Śrīmad

Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja once went to Ambālā to assist insetting up a spiritual education exhibition atKurukṣetra, as per the desire ofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Beingunable to findaccommodationsfor themselves, theyresorted to spending the night under a bridge, where they bared the coldweather by embracing each other for warmth and remembering Kṛṣṇa’spastimeinwhichHespentanightintheforestwithSudāmāwhileservingtheirguru.

ThenaturalhumilityofVaiṣṇavasŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaandmyGuruMahārāja(thenknownas

Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī), once preached in the city of Madras (nowChennai).At that time, adebatebetweenDr.Rādhā-Kṛṣṇan—whocontrary tohisnamewasastrongproponentoftheschoolofadvaitavāda(non-duality,orimpersonalism)—andDr.Nāgarāja Śarmā—who contrary to his namewas afirm promoter of dvaitavāda (duality)—was published in the English dailypaperTheHinduintheformofaseriesofarticles.Throughthesearticles,bothmenputfortharguments infavorof their respectivefaithswhilerefuting theother ’s arguments. This continued for some time, until the dvaitavādīs andadvaitavādīs of Madras decided to organize a debate between the two menunderthechairmanshipofarepresentativefromtheGauḍīyaMaṭha.Whateverconclusionthechairmanwouldreachwastobeconsideredfinalandacceptableforall.

When the local residentsapproachedGuruMahārājawith theproposal toappoint a representative from theGauḍīyaMaṭha institution as chairman forthe debate, he was very pleased and requested Śrīla Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārājatoacceptthechairmanship.InahumblemannerbefittingaVaiṣṇava,ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaacceptedtheproposal.

In the meantime, Guru Mahārāja received a telegram from ŚrīlaPrabhupādaorderinghimtocometoKolkata.WhenŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaheardaboutŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smessage,hesaidtoGuruMahārāja,“OHayagrīvaPrabhu,Iwillnotbeabletoacceptthepostofthechairmanforthedebateifyouareabsent.”

Guru Mahārāja replied, “Although Śrīla Prabhupāda will certainly bepleasedifIweretoleavenowforKolkataashehasinstructed,IfirmlybelievethathewillbemuchmorepleasedtohearthattheGauḍīyaMaṭhawasawardedthechairmanshipofadebatetobeheldinsuchagreatassemblyofdignitaries,evenifitresultsinaslightdelayinmyreachingKolkata.”

Onthedayofthedebate,ŚrīlaBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawas formally appointed as the chairman. In his opening address, he humblysaid,“AlthoughIamnotqualifiedtoholdthepostofchairmanforthisdebate,IhaveacceptedthepositioninordertofulfilltheinstructionsanddesiresoftheVaiṣṇavasandnoblemembersofthesociety.”

When the debate started, Dr. Rādhā-Kṛṣṇan spoke first and attempted toestablish the superiority of advaitavāda. Afterward, when dvaitavādī Dr.NāgarājaŚarmāwasaskedtoestablishhisviewpoint,hebeganhisaddressbysaying, “BecauseVaiṣṇavas are humble by nature, they introduce themselvesbysaying‘dāso’smī—Iamyourservant.’Advaitavādīs,however,beingunableto appreciate suchdignity, are always eager toproudly introduce themselvesbysaying‘ahambrahmāsmi—Iambrahma (theAbsoluteTruth).’” IndirectlyreferringtothehumbleconductofŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,hethensaid,“Trulyspeaking,thereisnoneedforVaiṣṇavastoexhibittheirhumilityin all places and circumstances.” After this, Dr. Nāgarāja Śarmāwent on toestablishhisviewsondvaitavāda.

At the end of the debate, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja said in hisconcluding speech as chairman, “It is a fact that a person’s pride becomesinflatedwhenheassociateswiththoselesserthanhimself.Butsuchfalsepridecan never enter a person who always remains in the association oftranscendental personalities. Just as a father naturally behaves as a senior infront of his son and as a junior in front of his own father, a person whoassociateswiththosewhohaveattainedthetopmostperfection—servicetotheSupreme Personality—no longer externally demonstrates humility by force;rather, divinehumility naturallymanifests in his heart and is reflected in hisconduct.Butifapersonassociateswithsomeoneinferiortohim,thenprideisboundtoariseinhisheart.”

Beinghumble isnotamechanicalprocess,but ratheranaturalbyproductof spiritual realization. Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja has referred to himself bysaying:

jagāimādhāihôitemuĩsepāpiṣṭhapurīṣerakīṭahôitemuĩselaghiṣṭha

moranāmaśuneĵeitārapuṇyakṣayamoranāmalayaĵeitārapāpahaya

emananirghṛṇamorekebākṛpākareekanityānandabinujagatabhitare

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā5.205-207)

I ammore sinful than Jagāi andMādhāi and even lower than a worm in stool. Thepiousactivitiesof thatpersonwhohearsmynamearecompletelydestroyed.Anyonewhouttersmynamecommitsasin.WhointhisworldbutNityānandacouldshowHismercytosuchavilepersonasme?

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, the foremost authority of the realm of bhakti, hasexpressedsimilarsentiments:

adharo‘pyaparadhanaṁaviveka-hato‘pyaham

tvat-karuṇya-pratikṣo‘smiprasīdamayimadhava

Stava-mālā,Volume1Praṇāma-praṇaya-stava(14)

AlthoughIamamineofoffenses,andalthoughIcannottellrightfromwrong,IstillhopeforYourmercy.OMādhava,pleasebemercifultome.

Śrī Mādhava Sarasvatī, a Vaiṣṇava kavi (poet) from South India, hasexpressedhishumilityasfollows:

jñānāvalambakāḥkecitkecitkarmāvalambakāḥvayaṁtuhari-dāsānāṁpāda-trāṇāvalambakāḥ

Some are inclined to jñāna, and others are inclined to karma. We, however, areinclinedtotakeshelteroftheshoesofthelotusfeetofŚrīHari’sservants.

Byanalyzing thehumbleexpressionsofsuchgreatpersonalities,onecanclearly understand the actual position of the impersonal advaitavādīs ascompared to thatof thedvaitavādīVaiṣṇavas.The formerof the twogroupspossesses the self-conception of aham brahmāsmi and “pāśa-baddho bhavetjīvaḥpāśa-muktaḥsadāśivaḥ—apersonboundbytheropesofmāyā isa jīva,but when he is released from those bonds, he becomes Sadāśiva,” whilemembersofthelattergroupconceiveofthemselvesinthefollowingmanner:

maj-janmanaḥphalamidaṁmadhu-kaiṭabhārematprārthanīyamad-anugrahaeṣaeva

tvadbhṛtya-bhṛtya-paricāraka-bhṛtya-bhṛtyabṛtyasya-bhṛtyamitimāṁsmaralokanātha

Mukunda-mālā-stotra(25)

OLokanātha(Lordofall)!Oslayerof thedemonsMadhuandKaiṭabha!Pleasebemerciful tome and grantmy prayer thatYoumay rememberme as a servant of theservantoftheservantoftheservantofYourservant’sservant.

ExposingimpostersOnce, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja and his godbrother Śrī

Svādhikārānanda Prabhu,who later became known as Śrī ŚrīmadKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja,werepreachinginAmbālāontheorderofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.There, they met the superintendent of the Ambālā railway station, whorepeatedlyrequestedthemtomeetaso-calledsādhuproclaiminghimselftobeBhagavān. Śrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja explained to the superintendentthat it is grossly improper to accept a mortal person as Bhagavān, and ŚrīSvādhikārānanda Prabhu declined by saying, “We do not have time to meetsuchpeople.”Still,thesuperintendentstronglyinsisted.

Although they had absolutely no interest in meeting an imposter, theyrelentedandaccompaniedthesuperintendenttomeettheso-calledsādhuattherailway station. After arriving there, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārājainitiatedaconversationbysaying,“Pleaseintroduceyourselftous.”

The so-called sādhu replied in English, “I am Lord Kṛṣṇa. I amMohammed.IamChrist.IamBuddha.IamCaitanya.”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājatoldhim,“Youarespeakingtoasensibleperson.Pleasespeakaccordingly.”

Hearing Śrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’swords, the fraudulent sādhubecameirritatedandsaid,“JosephStalin, the leaderof theSovietUnion, isadogtome.FranklinD.Roosevelt,thePresidentofUnitedStatesofAmerica,isacattome.”

Seeing theirgurudevabecomingangry,hisdisciplesaskedŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,“WhyareyouupsettingBhagavān?”

The superintendent said, “Bhagavān and His devotee are having aconversation.Donotinterfere.”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājathenaskedtheimposter,“Whatiscauseofyourirritation?”

Without being goaded or pressed, the imposter himself explained, “I

sacrificed somuch for India’s independence, but no one stepped forward tohelpmefinanciallywhenmywifefellsickinDelhi.Shediedasaresult.AmImadthatIwillcontinuetosacrificemylifeforthosewhohavedonenothingtohelp me, a soldier who fought so diligently for their freedom? They havecheatedme,andnowitismyturntocheatthem.”

Beingshockedtohear this,manyof theimposter ’sprominentguests left,onebyone.ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja turned toŚrīSvādhikārānandaPrabhuandsaid,“Ĵapalāyatesajīvati—Thosewhodiscardtheassociationofthiswickedpersonwillbesaved.Allotherswillbetrapped.”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,arecipientofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smercy,hadanuncannyabilitytoidentifyimposters,uproottheirdeceptionandexposetheirtruenaturetoeveryone.

DefendingtheauthenticityofŚrīmad-BhāgavatamOnce,ascholar toldŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,“Manypeopledo

not acceptŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam among the authentic scriptures ŚrīVyāsadevamanifested. And at a least to some extent,their argument seems logical.” Heexplained, “A linguistic comparison between Bhāgavatam and Vyāsadeva’sother scriptures reveals troubling dissimilarities. It is evident thatBhāgavatam’smodernmorphologycontrastswiththatoftheancientlanguageusedinVedavyāsa’sotherscriptures.Naturally,thisleadsmanytoquestionnotonlytheeraofBhāgavatam’sorigin,butitsauthenticityaswell.Whatisyouropiniononthis?”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’sresponsewasextraordinary.“Oh,yes,”he replied, his words dripping with sarcasm, “Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam wascertainlycomposedyesterday.”

Hethenearnestlyaskedthescholar,“Isantiquitythesolefactorbywhichascripture’sauthenticityistobeassessed?Shouldwenotassigngreatervaluetoa relatively recent textwhosegravityanddepth is far superior to theancienttexts against which it is being compared? Should the potency of the atombomb, which is undisputedly the deadliest and most powerful weapon evercreated,bedismissedmerelyduetoitsrecentinvention?

Hecontinued,“Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is thebutterchurnedfromthebhakti-śāstrasandUpaniṣads.Thedateofitsoriginisirrelevanttothesuperiorityofits depth.Whether ancient or composedyesterday, it remains far superior tothe Upaniṣads. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura Mahāśaya, a prominentpersonalityintheGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavalineage,hasstated:

cāri-veda‘dadhi’bhāgavata‘navanīta’mathilenaśukekhāilenaparīkṣita

ŚrīCaitanya-bhāgavata(Madhya-khaṇḍa21.16)

ThefourVedasarelikeyogurt,andŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam is likebutter.ŚrīŚukadevaGosvāmīchurnedthatyogurtintobutter,andŚrīParīkṣitMahārājarelishedtheresult.

Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja concluded, “An unqualified person’sinabilitytoassessthetrueworthofaninvaluablealbeitrecentlycreatedobjectis a testament to his foolishness. An intelligent person, however, acceptsapprenticeshipatthefeetofalearnedmentorwhocaninstillinhimtheabilitytoassessanobject’svaluebasedonmeritalone.”

OnknowingtheUnknowableŚrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja once preached in Bombay (now

Mumbai)beforetheestablishmentofaGauḍīyaMaṭhathere.ŚrīM.P.Engineer,thefirstAdvocateGeneralofindependentIndia,wasatthattimethechairmanoftheTheosophicalSociety,andheinvitedŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājatospeakatoneof theSociety’sgatherings.Becausemanyspeakershadbeeninvited,eachspeakerwasaskedtokeephisspeechtoaconcisefifteenminutes.

In his speech, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja mentioned that theSupreme Lord Śrī Bhagavān is advaya-jñāna para-tattva, which means onecannot attain true knowledge about His supremacy simply by one’s ownendeavors,norcanHebemadeunderstoodbyanyoneelse:

nāyamātmāpravacanenalabhyanamedhayānabahunāśrutena

KaṭhaUpaniṣad(1.2.23)

TheSupremeSoulcanneverbeattainedbyone’sintelligence,bydeliveringsermonsnorbyextensivelyhearingaboutHim.

Upon the conclusion of Śrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’s presentation,ŚrīM.P.EngineerposedaquestiontoŚrīlaMahārājabeforehecouldeventakehisseat:“Mahārāja,youhavejustprofessedŚrīBhagavāntobeunknownandunknowable. If this is true, then for what purpose have you given up thematerialcomfortsofthisworldandacceptedtherenouncedorderoflife,ifnottoattainHim?”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja immediately responded,“ŚrīBhagavān

canmostcertainlybeknown.”Hearing this, ŚrīM.P. Engineer good-humoredly said, “Imust admit that

accordingtomyvision,youdonotappeartobearenunciantinanytruesense,because you have instantly changed your stance on this matter, just like alawyer.

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājareplied,“Youhadgivenmeatimelimit.Iwasabletoexpressonlyoneviewpointofahighlyprofoundsubjectmatter,and the allocated timewas over before I couldmention the other viewpoint.Therefore,Icouldnotcompletethedescriptionofmydesiredsubjectmatterintheallottedtime.”

HearingthewordsofŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīM.PEngineersaid,“Youbeganexplainingahighlyinsightful topic inaverybeautifulway.Therefore,pleasetakeanotherfifteenminutesandcompleteyourpresentationonthissubjectmatter.”

ŚrīlaMahārājathenwentontofirmlyestablishthefull,propersiddhānta:“Although the śāstras mention that Śrī Bhagavān is the non-dual AbsoluteTruth,itismentionedinthesamescripturesthatifHe,theSupremeAbsoluteTruth, does not possess the ability tomakeHimself known towhomeverHedesires,thenHissupremacyandHisqualitiesofbeinglimitlessandinfiniteareimmediatelycalledintoquestion.Therefore,itissaid:

yamevaiṣavṛṇutetenalabhyastasyaiṣaātmāvivṛṇutetanuṁsvām

KaṭhaUpaniṣad(1.2.23)

TheSupremeSoulisattainableonlybyoneuponwhomHehasbestowedHismercy.Tosuchaperson,HerevealsHispersonalform.

“In other words, it is impossible for one to gain knowledge aboutBhagavānthroughone’sownendeavorsorthroughthehelpofsomeoneonthesamelevelofdevotion.However,whentheSupremeLordobservesinonetheinclinationtoserveHim,HeimpartsknowledgebywhichonecanunderstandHim,eitherdirectlyorthroughoneofHisassociates.”

ataḥśrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādinabhavedgrāhyamindriyaiḥsevonmukhehijihvādausvayamevasphuratyadaḥ

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu(1.2.234)

The name, form, qualities and pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa cannot be perceived by thematerialsenses;theybecomemanifestwhenone’ssenses,startingwiththetongue,arepermeatedwiththedesiretorenderservice.

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’spresentationhadsuchaprofoundeffecton Śrī M.P. Engineer, that when Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatīṬhākura later visitedBombay, he humbly requested Śrīla Prabhupāda not todeprive the city’s residents of his vicāra-dhāra (line of philosophicalconceptions) and to establish amaṭha there. Later, as per the instructions ofŚrīla Prabhupāda, a property was rented in Bombay to establish a GauḍīyaMaṭha,fromwhichthepreachingoftheGauḍīyalineinthatcitywasinitiated.

ThemessengersofCaitanyaMahāprabhu’svāṇīOnce,GuruMahārāja(atthetime,ŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārī),wentalong

withŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja(thenŚrīSiddha-svarūpa Brahmacārī) and Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja to preach inSylhet,EastBengal(nowBangladesh),wheretheyhadbeeninvitedtospeakatathree-dayspiritualfunction.Onthefirstday,ŚrīSiddha-svarūpaBrahmacārī,in his address,made use of very straightforward but harsh and immoderatewords while establishing the superiority of the teachings of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhuoverthepopularmāyāvādaphilosophiesprevalentatthattime.HereferredtoVivekānanda,whosenamemeans‘onewhosetakesblissinhavingintelligence’as‘Vi-vekānanda,’or‘onewhotakesblissinbeingignorant,’andtoRāmakṛṣṇaParamahaṁsaas‘Rāma-haṁsa,’or‘alargebutworthlessswan.’Upon hearing these epithets,many residents of Sylhet became irritated. Thatnight, leaflets that denounced the Gauḍīya Maṭha and demanded thecancellationofthefunctionwerepublishedanddistributedallovertown.

Thenextday,ŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārīmetwiththeconvener,thedistrictjudge,who expressed his concerns about safety and said that since the eventhadfacedsuchgreatopposition,itwouldbeadvisabletocanceltheremainingtwo days of the function, just to rule out the possibility of any undesirableincident.ŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārīassuredthejudgethatthespeakerwhohadused incendiary words the previous night would most definitely not bespeaking again, and that only he and Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawould address the audience. The judge replied, “It is onyourassurancealonethatIwillallowthefunctiontocontinue.Iwillmakeallthe necessary arrangements for providing increased security, but please bemindfulofthecontentofyourhari-kathā.”

The next evening, the venue was filled with antagonistic objectors. ŚrīHaryagrīvaBrahmacārīwas the first to address the crowd, and he began bypraising thehospitalityof theSylhetpeople.Afterhefinishedhisspeechandestablishedhisobjective,heconceded thepodiumtoŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja.Duringhispresentation,ŚrīlaMahārājasaid,“OurGuruMahārāja,ŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupāda,hastaughtusthatinourpreaching,we are delivering themessageofSvayaṁBhagavānŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhuHimself.Ouronlypurposeincominghereistodeliver,throughfearlessyetfairspeech,thevāṇī(teachings)thatincessantlyflowfromŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the natural commentary on Vedānta-sutra, as it has beenpresentedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhuandourlineofguru-varga—which includesŚrīRaghunāthadāsaGosvāmī,Śrīla JīvaGosvāmī,ŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī and others—who make up our bhāgavata-paramparā. We are nothere to preachwith the apprehension and shyness of a lady hiding her facebehindaveil.

“What to speak of the philosophical doctrines of personalities like ŚrīŚaṅkarācārya,Jamini,Patañjali,Kaṇādaandsoon,theideologymanifestedbySvayam Bhagavān Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu is unparalleled and vastlysuperior to the ideologies established by even the previous four Vaiṣṇavaācāryās—Śrī Rāmānuja, Śrīla Madhvācārya, Śrī Nimbāditya and ŚrīViṣṇusvāmī.ThroughHis teachings,Hehas highlighted the shortcomings ofsuch doctrines and has conclusively defeated all erroneously fabricatedphilosophies. Therefore, in our presentation of Śrīman Mahāprabhu’sideology,how is it possible that the ideologiesofpersons likeVivekānanda,RāmakṛṣṇaParamahaṁsaandBhandarkarwillnotbecontested?

“Moreover, we are simplymessengers of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu; ourduty is merely to deliver his teachings. If anyone in this assembly has anyobjections, he may kindly address them to Śrīman Mahāprabhu, ŚrīlaVedavyāsaorŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmī.Althoughwehaveunflinchingfaithintheirvicāra-dhārā(lineofideology),wewillundoubtedlysurrendertoanypersonwhocanpresentanideologysuperiortothatpresentedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhu.Butifsuchapersonisnotpresentinthisworld,whatintelligentbeingwouldbeunwillingtofolloworfeeluninspiredbysuchahighlyauspiciousspiritualpathastheonedescribedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhuandHisfollowers?

“Śrīmad-BhāgavatamhasclearlydescribedŚrīKṛṣṇaasSvayamBhagavān:

etecāṁśakalāḥpuṁsaḥkṛṣṇastubhagavānsvayam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(1.3.28)

AllavatārasareeitherplenaryportionsorportionsofplenaryportionsoftheSupremePerson,butKṛṣṇaistheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.

“Furthermore, Kṛṣṇa Himself has stated in Bhagavad-gītā that He is theultimateobjectofsurrenderinsuchversesas:

sarva-dharmānparityajyamāmekaṁśaraṇaṁvrajaahaṁtvāṁsarva-pāpebhyomokṣayiṣyāmimāśucaḥ

ŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(18.66)

Completelyabandoningalldharma,takeshelterofMealone.Iwillfreeyoufromthereactionsofyoursins.Donotlament.

man-manābhavamad-bhaktomad-yājīmāṁnamaskurumāmevaiṣyasisatyaṁtepratijānepriyo’sime

ŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(18.65)

OfferyourmindtoMe,becomeMydevotee,worshipMeandofferpraṇāma toMe.Bythis,youshallattainMe.IswearthistruthtoyoubecauseyouaredeartoMe.

ananyāścintayantomāṁyejanāḥparyupāsateteṣāṁnityābhiyuktānāṁ

yoga-kṣemaṁvahāmyahamŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(9.22)

Forthosewhoaredevoidofotherdesires,whoarealwaysabsorbedincontemplationofMeandwhoalwaysworshipMe,Ipersonallycarry theirnecessitiesandpreservewhattheypresentlyhave.

“Therefore,whatbenefit is there inaccepting the ideologyofRāmakṛṣṇaParamahaṁsa, who advocates the worship of devatās (demigods)? Suchworship is averse to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.31.14), which has firmlyestablished:

yathātarormūla-niṣecanenatṛpyantitat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥprāṇopahārāccayathendriyāṇāṁtathaivasarvārhaṇamacyutejyā

Just as pouringwater on the root of a tree nourishes its trunk, branches, leaves andsprigs,andasgivingfoodtothestomachnourishesallthesensesandbodilylimbs,allthedemigodsareautomaticallyworshipedwhenoneworshipsŚrīAcutya(Bhagavān).

“The philosophy of Vivekānanda is ‘jīve prema kare ĵei jana sei janaseviche īśvara—one who has love for living entities actually serves theSupremeLord.’However,wesee thathis followerskill andeat animals, andwe must therefore conclude that in this slogan, the word jīva, as used byVivekānanda, refersonly tohumanbeings.But the truemeaningof thewordjīvareferstoalllivingentities.

“Youshouldalldeeplyconsiderthesepoints.Thereisnoneedforustosayanythingfurther.Youareallfreetomakecomplaintsagainstanyimperfectionsinourmethodsofdelivery,butyoumustknowforcertainthatthephilosophywehavepresentedremainsimmaculatelypureatalltimes,withouttheslightesttraceofcontamination.”

AfterŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaconcludedhisspeech,theaudiencerespondedwiththunderousapplause.Indeed,theyweretrulypleased,andtheyrequestedthattheorganizersextendthefunctionforanadditionalfifteendays.In thisway, thepreachingofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’svāṇī in the cityofSylhetwasagreatsuccess.AsSylhetwaswellknownasacitywithgood-qualitylime,theresidents,intheirappreciation,arrangedforawagonloadtobeusedintheservice of whitewashing the walls of Śrī Caitanya Maṭha, the temples atYogapīṭhaandotherbuildingsinŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

Hisnon-duplicitousglorificationofAjuniorgodbrotherEvery year after the Gaura-pūrṇimā festival, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī

MahārājausedtoinvitemanyofhisgodbrotherstoattendafunctionathisŚrīCaitanyaSarasvataMaṭhaatKoleraGañj,Navadvīpa-dhāma.Duringonesuchoccasion, my Guru Mahārāja, after the completion of the Gaura-pūrṇimāfestival,wasengagedinmanagingtheaffairsofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha—suchasbiddingfarewelltothepilgrimsandsettlingaccounts—anddespitehismost sincere desire and efforts to reach Śrī Caitanya Sārasvata Maṭha in apunctual manner, he arrived somewhat late to the assembly of Vaiṣṇavasgatheredthere.UponseeingthatGuruMahārājahadarrived,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājasaid,“MādhavaMahārāja,youhavearrivedverylatetoday.Wehavebeenwaitingforyouforalongtime.”

GuruMahārāja replied, “Mahārāja, because many pilgrims had come toourmaṭha for Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramā, we have incurred a great debt.

TodayIwasbusilyengagedinsettlingthesedebtsandresolvingotherissues,sothattheservicesofthemaṭhacancontinue.YouandalltheotherVaiṣṇavaspresentpleaseforgivemeformydelay.”

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja, havingheard theresponseofGuruMahārāja,said,“Nārambhānārabhetkvacit—onemustneverattempttounnecessarilyincreaseone’smaterialopulence.”

Hearingthis,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājasaid,“MādhavaMahārāja,IwouldliketoreplytopūjyapādaYāyāvaraMahārāja’scomment.”

“Yes,Mahārāja-jī.Asyouplease,”GuruMahārājarelied.“For an elephant,” Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja began, “a stick of

sugarcaneisasinsignificantasnasavāra(snufftobacco),whereasforanant,thesamesugarcanestick is likeamountain.Anactivity that tousmayseemlike a huge endeavor is nothing but an insignificant task for pūjyapādaMādhavaMahārāja;hecanperformsuchdeedswithoutanydifficulty.

“Inthisregard,Ihavehadfirst-handexperience.ŚrīlaPrabhupādahadsentpūjyapāda MādhavaMahārāja—then known as Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī—andmetoacquiresomelandatthemeetingplaceofCaitanyaMahāprabhuandRāyaRāmānandaatKovvur,nearthebanksoftheGodāvarīRiver,inordertoestablishŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sfootprints(pada-pīṭha)there.Aftermanydaysofendlessendeavor, I said, ‘HayagrīvaPrabhu,ŚrīlaPrabhupādahas sentushere with great hope to obtain a piece of land on which to establishMahāprabhu’spadapīṭha.MybrahmacārīnamegivenbyŚrīlaPrabhupādawasRāmānandadāsa,andthisisthemeetingplaceofMahāprabhuandRāmānandaRāya. Although we have tried our best to acquire land, we have not beensuccessful.What isyouropinion?Shouldwe stayhere longer,or shouldweleaveforMadrasforpreaching?’

“ŚrīHayagrīvaPrabhureplied, ‘It ismyfeeling thatwehave thusfarnotmadeanyspecialendeavors. I thinkweshouldcontinueourefforts forsometimemore.’”

Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja then mentioned to all the Vaiṣṇavaspresent, “You may estimate his capability from this statement of his. Theapparent end point of our attempts was for him a beginning point of freshendeavors. Later, through his tireless efforts, a plot of landwas acquired inKovvurandamaṭhawasestablished there.ŚrīlaPrabhupādaused to refer toŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārīashaving ‘volcanicenergy.’ŚrīVāsudevaPrabhuusedtocallhimsarvaghaṭe,onewhoexcelsincompletingalltypesoftasks.

“My personal view about pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāja is that he iscomparable to none other than Śrīla Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, an associate ofŚrīmanMahāprabhuwhocoulddancecontinuouslyduringkīrtanaforseventy-twohourswithoutbecomingfatigued.”

Beyond the glorification of my Guru Mahārāja, this narration relates asignificant lesson.AlthoughŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawas senior tomy Guru Mahārāja, having joined the maṭha and having been awardedsannyāsa-veśaearlierthanhim,hedidnothesitateinobservingandspeakingabout the good qualities of his junior. ŚrīGolokaVṛndāvana is the topmostabode, superior to all other Vaikuṇṭha planets, and it remains eternally freefrom even the faintest scent of jealousy and envy. Because Śrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmī Mahārāja is among the great personalities who are sincere(nirmatsara)followersofthelovingresidentsofthisveryGolokaVṛndāvana,heremainsfreefromthemateriallimitationsofthisworld,andwasthereforeabletooffersuchgenuinelyhumbleandnon-duplicitouspraise.

TherepugnanceofpratiṣṭhāA devotee once asked Śrīla Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārāja, “In his kīrtana

entitled Vaiṣṇava Ke?, Śrīla Prabhupāda has written, ‘tomāra pratiṣṭhā,śūkarera viṣṭhā—your prestige is hog excrement.’ Why has he specificallychosen the words śūkarera viṣṭhā, ‘the stool of hogs,’ to describe pratiṣṭhā(worldlyprestige)?”

Śrīla Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārāja replied, “Pratiṣṭhā is abominable andworthless,anditisonlypropertocompareittoanequallyworthlessobject.

1Had Śrīla Prabhupāda discovered amoreworthless substance than the stoolofhogs,hewouldhaveutilizedthatsubstanceinhismetaphor.”

Encouragingotherstospeakhari-kathāŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaonceinquiredfromme,“IfIweretoask

you,couldyoudeliveraspiritualdiscourseonstage?”“No, Mahārāja,” I replied. “I am just a newcomer. How can I deliver a

speechwhenIamnotwell-versedinscripturalconclusions?”ŚrīlaMahārājafurtherasked,“Tellme,whatisyourviewonŚrīCaitanya

Mahāprabhu?”Ireplied,“IhavenoindependentviewonŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu,whois

BhagavānHimself.But,IcantrytopresentbeforeyouwhateverIhaveheardandunderstood from śrīguru and theVaiṣṇavas.”Mahārāja consented, and I

describedwhateverIknewtothebestofmyability.ŚrīlaMahārājathenasked,“WhatdoyouknowabouttheteachingsofŚrī

CaitanyaMahāprabhuandtheprocesstofollowthoseteachings?”I replied, “Śrīman Mahāprabhu has described the four prerequisites for

performingkṛṣṇa-kīrtana:

tṛṇādapisunīcenatarorivasahiṣṇunaamānināmānadenakirtanīyaḥsadāhariḥ

ŚrīŚikṣāṣṭaka(3)

“Achanterofkīrtanamustconsiderhimselftobemoreworthlessthanstrawinthestreetandmoretolerantthanatree.Hemustbedevoidofallpride,andhemustofferduerespect toall.ŚrīmanMahāprabhu is theveryembodimentofthesefourprinciples.InŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā3.20),ŚrīKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmīhasrecordedŚrīmanMahāprabhuassaying,‘Āpaniācari’bhakti śikhāimu sabāre—I shall teach bhakti to everyone by practicing itMyself,’and‘Āpaninākailedharmaśikhānanāyāya—If Idonotpractice itMyself,thenpurebhakti,whichis theessentialprincipleofreligion,willnotbetaught.’”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājasaid,“Whatyouhavejustspokeneasilydevelopsintoafullspeechbysimplyaddingafewmoredetails.”Hewentontodescribehowtṛṇādapisunīcena,thequalityofbeinghumblerthanabladeof grass, manifests automatically by being in the association of advanceddevotees.“Otherthansevā-sādhana,”hesaid,“nosādhanaisrequired.”

ThefruitofcultivatingamoodofserviceOne day, Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja gave me the following

instructions: “Instead of paying attention simply to a kīrtana’s melody andrhythm,youshouldinsteadalwaysfocusonitsdeepmeaningandtrytofollowthemoodsoftheVaiṣṇavawhocomposedit.Trytobecomeugraśravā.Thatis,alwayshearthenarrationsofBhagavāṇ’spastimesexclusivelyfromthelotuslipsofadvanceddevotees,forsuchnarrationsaretremendouslypowerful.”

Iasked,“Mahārāja-jī,howwill itbepossibleformetoalwayshearfromadvanceddevotees?”

ŚrīlaMahārāja replied, “Everything is possible by sincerely serving theVaiṣṇavas.Serveadvanceddevoteeswheneveryou receive theopportunity todoso.”

Firmly fixing Śrīla Mahārāja’s advice in my heart, I never allowed anopportunity toserveadvanceddevoteespassmeby. Inmy life, Ihaveservedthem in countless ways, including providing them warm bathing water,washing their clothes, cleaning their rooms, assisting them in their travels,attentivelyhearingtheirhari-kathāanddiscussionsandcloselyobservingtheirconduct.

Being pleased with my mood of service, the many disciples of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda who visited our maṭha would often specifically request GuruMahārājatoassignmetotheirserviceduringtheirvisit.Inthisway,IreceivedtherarefortuneofservingsomeofthemostexaltedVaiṣṇavas,eachofwhomwascapableofpurifyingthewholeworld.Intheirservice,Idirectlywitnessedtheir standards for performing bhajana, in addition to receiving the goldenopportunity to hear the deepest, subtlest and most secret teachings of thescripturesfromtheirlotuslips.

Sarasvatī-putra—thesonsofŚrīlaSarasvatīṬhākuraIoncewentwithafewPunjabidevoteestoŚrīNavadvīpatohavedarśana

ofŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja.However,whenwereachedŚrīCaitanyaSārasvata Gauḍīya Maṭha, Śrīla Śrīdhāra Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s sevakainformedus thatwewouldbeunable tomeetwithŚrīlaMahārāja,ashewasfeelingunwell.Weofferedpraṇāma fromoutsideŚrīlaMahārāja’sroomandwerepreparingtoleave,whenŚrīlaMahārājacalledforhissevaka.“Whohascome?”heasked.“Iheardvoices.”Thesevakamentionedmyname,andŚrīlaMahārājatoldhimtocallus.

Whenweenteredhisroom,heexpressedabitofdispleasurewithme.Heasked,“Wereyouabouttoleavewithoutmeetingme?”

“No,Mahārāja-jī,” I said. “It’s not like that.Wewere about to leaveonlybecauseweweretoldyouwereunwell.Wedidnotwanttodisturbyou,andsoweofferedpraṇāmafromoutside.”

ŚrīlaMahārājathenspokeabouthisdifferentpreachingmissionstoPunjabduring the time Śrīla Prabhupāda was physically present. He particularlymentioned thewarmhospitalityof thePunjabipeople.He then said, “Wearesarasvatī-putra, the sons of Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatīGosvāmī Ṭhākura, andwewill remain healthy as long as we engage in theserviceofSarasvatī

2by speaking about Bhagavān and Bhagavān’s associates.We will be greatly

fortunateifbydestinyweleavethisworldperformingkīrtanaandhari-kathā.”

GlorificationofPūjyapādaŚrīdharaMahārājaByŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

HisappearanceandearlylifePūjyāpādaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājacommencedhismanifestpastimes

atanauspiciousmomentontheninthdayofthefortnightofthenewmooninthemonthofKārtika,Saturday10October,1895,inthevillageofHāpāniyāinKālnā,Bardhamāna,WestBengal.Whenheappeared,heacceptedtheforemostscholar Śrīyukta Upendra Candra Bhaṭtācārya Vidyāratna Mahodaya as hisfatherandŚrīmatīGaurī-devīashismother.Bothofhisparentsweredevoutlyreligious and noble individuals dedicated to the Lord, and they gave theirjewel-likesonthenameŚrīRāmendra-sundaraBhaṭṭācārya.

Later, beginning in 1923, Śrī Rāmendra-sundara Bhaṭṭācārya becameattractedbythegraceofthemostworshipfulŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupādaandbeganvisitingtheGauḍīyaMaṭha,locatedatNo.1UltadaṅgāRoadinKolkata,totakeadvantageofthegoodfortuneofhearinghari-kathāfromhislotusmouthandpursuing the true purpose of human life. He listened to Prabhupāda’sdiscourseswithraptattention.Beforelong,heofferedhisfullparticipationtothe above-mentioned ŚrīGauḍīyaMaṭha establishment inDecember of 1926andbecamearecipientofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sspecialaffection.

In the month of Vaiśākha (April), Śrī Rāmendra-sundara Bhaṭṭācāryareceived initiation into thechantingofśrīharināmamahā-mantra fromŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andonthetwenty-sixthdayofŚrāvaṇa(August),hewasawardedmantra-dikṣā according to pāñcarātrika conventions. His initiated namewasŚrīRāmānandadāsa.

Very soon after, in the year of 1930, Śrīla Prabhupāda—noting ŚrīRāmānandadāsa’sexclusivededicationtothepracticesofbhajanaonwhichhehad been instructed, his genuine attachment to the service of śrī guru andVaiṣṇavas, andhis exceptional expertise indelivering the truthsof scripturesaccording to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s current of thought—granted him tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa and gave him the name Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara, whichmeans‘theguardianofdevotionandtheemissaryofitsbeauty.’ŚrīlaMahārājahas truly fulfilled themeaningof thisname,and thus,by theblessingsofśrīguru,hasbecomereveredworldwide.

HisexceptionalabilityAllvirtuesbefittingaVaiṣṇavawereresplendentinhim.Bythegraceofśrī

guru, one obtains the grace of the Lord and, additionally, all the demigodsalongwiththeirvirtuestakeupresidenceinonewhoisexclusivelydevotedtotheLord.Althoughhewasborninanaristocraticbrāhmaṇafamilywithampleluxuries,eruditionandphysicalbeauty,weneversawhimdisplayanysortofarrogance in the maṭha regarding his birth or learning. The calm andcomposed manner in which he somberly refuted, before vast assemblies ofscholars, themisconceptionsopposingdevotionalscriptureswasexceptional,aswashisabilitytothenestablishtheproperconceptions.

Histhesis-likediscoursesAs a result of hearing pūjyapāda Śrīdhara Mahārāja’s unparalleled and

analyticsermonsondevotionalscriptures,suchasBhagavad-gītāandŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam,manyearnestandpiousmembersofaffluentsocietyattainedthefortune of succeeding in life’s true purpose by taking shelter of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeet.Eachandeveryoneofhisdiscourseswaslikeathesis.Anyone could have easily earned a doctorate degree simply by studying thenotesofhisclasses.

Hisunprecedentedexplanationofbrahma-gāyatrīAs referenced in the Garuḍa Purāṇa, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the

commentary of brahma-gāyatrī, the mother of all the Vedas. In accordancewith the verdict of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, pūjyapāda Śrīdhara Mahārājaexplainedbrahma-gāyatrī asameditationon the lotus feetofŚrīRādhā—śrīrādhā-padaṁ dhīmahi. The unprecedented elegance of this explanation isrevered throughout the community of refined scholars who are adept attranscendentalsentiments(rasa).

In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.30.28), [while searching for Kṛṣṇa, the gopīsstate,] “anayārādhito nūnaṁ—this fortunate maiden has surely worshipped(ārādhita) [Bhagavān Hari].” Since She is acclaimed as having trulyworshippedKṛṣṇa,whichmeansHefindsblissinHer,cantherebeanywaytoattain the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa other than taking shelter exclusively ofsvarūpa-śakti,thisintrinsicpotencyofHis,whichisthepersonifiedpotencyofbliss(hlādinī)?ThisinitselfistheamorousworshipdevisedbythemaidensofVraja—vraja-vadhu-vargenayaḥkalpita.

[ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurahaswritten:]

rādhābhajaneĵadimatināhibhelākṛṣṇa-bhajanatavaakāraṇegelā

IfyourminddoesnotinclinetowardstheworshipofRādhā,yourworshipofKṛṣṇahasbeeninvain.

Thisaloneistheinstructionofśrīgurupāda-padma,whoiseminentamongthe followers of Śrī Svarūpa-dāmodara Gosvāmī and Śrīla RūpaGosvāmīpāda.Recitingthisinstructionasifitwereamantracausesthewitchofillusiontoflee.

Bhagavad-gītā (10.10) states “dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena māmupayāntite—IgrantthemthetrueintelligenceandunderstandingbywhichtheycanattainMe.”Thisstatementreferstopure,determinedintelligenceaimedatattaining the eternal service of Śrī Bhagavān, for which one must pray toGāyatrī-devī, the mother of the Vedas. This explanation manifested inpūjyapādaMahārāja’sheartbythemercyofŚrīRādhā’seternalassociate,hisśrīguru,whoidentifiedhimselfasŚrīVārṣabhānavī-dayitadāsa,theservantofthebelovedofŚrīVṛṣabhānu’sdaughter.

According to the primary meaning of the words of the Vedas śyāmāc-chabalaṁprapadyeśabalāc-chyāmaṁprapadye,thequintessenceoftheLord’sintrinsicpotency(svarūpa-śakti)ofblisstakesrefugewithinŚrīKṛṣṇa,andŚrīKṛṣṇa takes refuge in theessenceof thatblissfulenergy (hlādinī).When thislogical understanding can be deduced from the above, what is the point ofspeculatingandapplyingthesecondarymeaningofthewordśyāma,which ishārda-brahmatva,or‘theall-pervasivemonistspiritwithintheheart.’

The true intent of brahma-gāyatrī is to meditate on the lotus feet of ŚrīRādha—śrī rādhā-padaṁ dhīmahi. It is only when one adheres to thisunderstanding that the lotus feet of Śrī Rādhānātha, themaster of Śrī Rādhā(that is, Śrī Śyāmasundara), become attainable. That Personality alone is theAbsoluteTruth.

Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja has thus received ubiquitous acclaim for hispurportongāyatrī.

AnobjectofdeferentialregardPūjyapādaMahārājawassowelladeptatbhajanathatthegreatmajorityof

eminent sannyāsis, brahmacārīs, gṛhasthas and vānaprasthī devotees of ourGauḍīyaMaṭhamission treated himwith deferential regard and experiencedgreatjoyindiscussingmattersoftheLordwithhim.

The worshipful nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrīmad Bhakti

PrajñānaKeśavaMahārājaandnitya-līlā-praviṣṭapūjyapāda tridaṇḍi-gosvāmīŚrīmad Bhakti Sāraṅga GosvāmīMahārāja both accepted tridaṇḍa-sannyāsafromparama-pūjyapādaŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmī.

Duringhismanifestpresence, theworld-renowned tridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja—who accepted tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa frompūjyapāda Keśava Mahārāja and extensively preached the message of ŚrīCaitanya in the Western countries, establishing many temples worldwide—showedgreatregardforhisseniorgodbrotherpūjyapādaŚrīdharaMahārāja,recognizing him as an expert inbhajana, and he rejoiced in visiting him tohearkṛṣṇa-kathāwheneverhewasable.

HisnaturalgeniusIn school, pūjyapāda ŚrīdharaMahārāja simultaneously learned Sanskrit

andEnglishunderthetutelageofhighlylearnedmentors.Sincehewasbornina celebrated family of scholars, his natural genius in composing Sanskritpoetrywasnotedatanearlyage,andundertheshelterofourmostworshipfulŚrīlaPrabhupāda,thisinnate,God-givenabilityonlyblossomedfurther.ŚrīlaPrabhupāda, during his manifest presence, would express his immensepleasure to read verses ŚrīdharaMahārāja composed, especially his ŚrīmadBhaktivinoda-viraha-daśakam.

By reading several of his poetic Sanskrit compositions—such as Śrī ŚrīPrabhupāda-padma-stavakaḥ, Śrī Dayita-dāsa-praṇati-pañcakam, Śrī ŚrīDayita-dāsa-daśakamandŚrīŚrīPrabhupāda-praṇatiḥ—itiseasytograsptheextentofthestaunch,compellingdevotionandattachmenthenurturedforhisśrī gurupāda-padma. Aside from these, he composed Śrīmad Gaura-kiśora-namaskāra-daśakam, Śrīmad Rūpa-pada-rajaḥ-prārthanā-daśakam, ŚrīmanNityānanda-dvādaśakam, Śrīla Gadādhara-prārthanā, Ṛk-tātparyam, ŚrīGāyatrī-nirgalitārtham,ŚrīPrema-dhāma-deva-stotramandŚrīGaurasundara-nuti-sūtram, all of which are highly revered through-out the Śrī GauḍīyaVaiṣṇavacommunity.

TwoofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdearassociates,theexaltedVaiṣṇavanitya-līlā-praviṣṭaŚrīpādaKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja,whowasalwaysimmersedinthe bliss of bhajana, and tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Vicāra YāyāvaraMahārājahadaspecialappreciationfortheabovementionedcompositionsandwouldsingandrelishthemwithgreatenthusiasm.

Thecompilerofapoeticgem

In ŚrīlaMahārāja’s Śrī-Prema-dhāma-deva-stotram, almost all of ŚrīmanMahāprabhu’spastimes—fromāditoantya,beginningtoend—arerecordedinbrief. Published on its own as a book, with word-for-word purports andtranslations, this poetic gem of a stotra would prove to be a sizeabledevotionalliteratureworthyofregularstudy.

TheVaiṣṇavasalsosingwithgreathonortheBengalisongshecomposeddescribingŚrīGaurasundara’sbirth,suchasAruṇaVasaneSonāraSūraja, inwhichhedescribesŚrīCaitanya-devaasagoldensunwearingasaffroncloth.

Hiscontributionforthebṛhad-mṛdaṅgaUnder pūjyapāda Mahārāja’s editorial direction, the entire Bhakti-

rasāmṛta-sindhuhasbeen translated intoBengali andpublishedwithSanskritverses, commentary, andanvaya (word-for-word translations that follow thesentencestructure).Besides this,hehaspublishedŚrīmadBhagavad-Gītā, hisŚrī Prapanna-jīvanāmrṭa—a collection of Sanskrit verses regardingśaraṇāgati from various scriptures—aswell as several other books, both inBengali and English. These books have been widely distributed and well-receivedbyWesternacademics.

Ithasbeenamatterofgreat joyforus toseethatsomanyearnest,piousseekers, having come from the West to Śrī Caitanya Sārasvata Māṭha inŚrīdhāma Navadvīpa, have been attracted by hearing pūjyapāda Mahārāja’sdeliveryofthemessageofpuredevotion,andhavethusgainedthefortuneofreceiving the shelter of his lotus feet. They tape recorded many of hisinstructionsdeliveredinEnglishwhilehewaseitherpartiallyorfullyconfinedtobed,and laterpublished these recordingsasbooks,whichhavebeenwell-receivedbytheEnglish-speakingacademia.Withheartfeltandspiritedeffort,these devotees have established preaching centers in such places as London,whereby Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda’s message of pure devotion is being widelypropagated.AlthoughMahārājaremainedinoneplacethroughoutmostofhislife,amazingly,heservedtofulfillŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sprediction:

pṛthivīteācheĵatônagarādigrāmasarvatrapracārahôibemoranāma

MynamewillbepropagatedineverytownandvillagealloverthisEarth.

AtruefollowerofŚrīlaSarasvatīṬhākuraThe day before Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda disappeared, he blessed pūjyapāda

ŚrīdharaMahārāja with the order of singing Śrīla Narottama dāsa ṬhākuraMahāśaya’s Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī-pada and various other songs. PūjyapādaMahārāja carried thatmerciful blessing on his head throughout his life and,until themoment he disappeared, dedicated his life to fulfilling the heartfeltambition of Prabhupāda, the foremost of the followers of Śrī Svarūpa-dāmodaraGosvāmīandŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīpāda.

JustdaysbeforeŚrīlaPrabhupādadisappeared,hesaid,“ThelegacyofŚrīBhaktivinoda will never be checked. You must all pledge yourselves topropagatingtheambitionofŚrīBhaktivinodawithevenmoreenthusiasm.”

ṬhākuraBhaktivinoda isourexaltedpredecessorand the foremostof thefollowers of Śrīla RūpaGosvāmīpāda.Ourmostworshipful Prabhupāda setthe magnificent ideal of fulfilling Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda’s cherished desire.His dearest disciples—pūjyapādas Tīrtha Mahārāja, Gosvāmī Mahārāja,Mādhava Mahārāja, Vana Mahārāja, Yāyāvara Mahārāja, Kṛṣṇadāsa BābājīMahārāja, Śrīdhara Mahārāja and other prominent Vaiṣṇava ācāryas—haveemulatedthatidealandhavecometobecountedamongthefollowersofŚrīlaPrabhupāda, the follower of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmīpāda. Now that Śrī ŚrīlaPrabhupāda and many of his associates have entered the Lord’s eternalpastimes,iftheservantsofhisservantswishtoattainhislotusfeet,theymustbedauntlessincultivatingtheirhopetofulfilltheinnermostdesireofśrīguru.In this task, thedustof the feetof therūpānugāVaiṣṇavas, thewater thathaswashedtheirfeet,andtheremnantsoftheirfoodshallbeoursolesourcesofstrengthandcourage.

HisdedicatedsevakasDuringŚrīlaŚrīdharaMahārāja’spastimeof illness, themanner inwhich

his Eastern and Western disciples preoccupied themselves with serving hissacred form day and night was truly amazing, incredible and exemplary.Following the example of Śrī Śrīla Īśvara Purīpāda’s service to Śrī ŚrīlaMādhavendraPurīpādaduringhis finaldays, severalyoungBengalisevakas,especiallyoneboynamedTapana,offered theirbody,mindandwords in theserviceoftheirguruinanextraordinarymanner,thusbecomingrecipientsoftheirgurudeva’sboundlessmercifulblessings.

MygoodfortuneFour days prior to pūjyapāda Mahārāja’s disappearance, on Monday, 8

August,itsohappenedthatIwasfortunateenoughtobepresentinŚrīCaitanya

Sārasvata Maṭha to have darśana of pūjyapāda Śrīdhara Mahārāja. I stayedthereuntilhisdisappearanceandwasblessed tobe inhisproximityeverysooftenandrendersomeservice.Theritualaspectofhissamādhiceremonywasperformedundermydirection.

OurgrandmisfortuneŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī has captured in verse form thewords

Śrīman Mahāprabhu spoke in the context of Śrī Śrīla Nāmācārya ṬhākuraHaridāsa’spassing:

kṛpākôri’kṛṣṇamorediyāchilôsaṅgasvatantrakṛṣṇeraicchāhôilôsaṅgabhaṅga

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.94)

Mercifully,Kṛṣṇagaveme[HaridāsaṬhākura’s]association.ByKṛṣṇa’s independentwill,ourexchangehasended.

haridāsaāchilôpṛthivīraratna-śiromaṇitāhābināratna-śunyāhôilāmedinī

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.97)

Haridāsawasthecrownjewelof thisEarth.Withouthim,it isas ifsheisbereftofalljewels.

Today, we have lost an intimate associate of our most worshipfulPrabhupāda. Remembering the pastime of Ṭhākura Haridāsa’s passing, wehavebecomesubmergedinanoceanofgrief.Thevoidcreatedbyhisabsencecanneverbefilled.

It is our grand misfortune that the supremely effulgent suns of theSārasvataGauḍīyaskyaredisappearingonebyone,castingthatskyunderthecoverofdarkness.Alas!Alas!Wearegraduallybeingdeprivedofguardiansand caretakers. I see that the cloud of fallacies and illusion is beginning tocoverthesunofpuredevotionaltruthsonceagain.

Whowillselflesslyshowmecompassioninhisabsence?In the course of their dialogue, ŚrīmanMahāprabhu asked his associate

ŚrīlaRāyaRamānanda,“duḥkha-madhyekonaduḥkhahayagurutara—amongallsorrows,whichsorrowisthegreatest?”

Thisevokedtheanswer,“kṛṣṇa-bhaktavirahavināduḥkhanāhidekhipara—I cannot think of any sorrow greater than that experienced in separation

fromKṛṣṇa’sdevotees.”Truly,thereisnolimittothepainofseparationfromKṛṣṇa’sdevotees,nor

is there any consolation.Whobut a devoteeofKṛṣṇa,whose life belongs toKṛṣṇa,whoisaveritableoceanofcompassion,andwhoisfullyempathic—hefeelsthepainofothersandsufferswhenheseesthesufferingofothers—willstrivetodeliverthesoulswhohavelostKṛṣṇaandleadtheminHisdirectionby speaking hari-kathā? Who else will selflessly try to dispel the ghost ofdelusion afflicting such a fallen, miserable soul as I, who am blinded andbewildered?

TheassociatesofŚrīGaurahariDevotion alone is the supreme function of all souls. As corruptive

misconceptionsenterdevotion,anoutbreakofirreligionoccurs.ItistodispelthisperversionandreinstatethepureprinciplesofreligionthatŚrīBhagavānincarnatesineveryagealongwithHisassociates.Intheinterim,HesendsHisdevoteestopreachpuredharma,andtherebymanifestsHiscompassionfortheliving entities. Thus, the supremely compassionate Śrī Gaurahari sent Hisassociates Śrī Śrīla Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda, Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda SarasvatīGosvāmī Ṭhākura and, more recently, their associates—pūjyapāda ŚrīdharaMahārāja, Mādhava Mahārāja and other such personalities—to effect theestablishmentofpurereligion.

ApiteousprayerathislotusfeetAlas! Today, as they gradually disappear from view, we have become

totally bereft of our protectors. O Gaurasundara, please protect us! Surely,pūjyapāda Śrīdhara Maharaja has arrived in the presence of paramārādhyaPrabhupāda’s worshipful lotus feet and has become engaged in his eternalservice.Mypiteous prayer at his lotus feet is that he cast a glanceofmercyfromthereuponthiswretchedanddestituteindividual.

Vaiṣṇavas ignore the faults of others.We therefore humbly and pitifullypray at pūjyapāda Śrīdhara Mahārāja’s lotus feet that he may forgive andrectify any offenses, mistakes or oversights we may have committed eitherknowinglyorunknowingly.Hehasbecomeengagedin theeternalserviceofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andsoIsubmitthisprayerathisfeet:Mayhemercifullyfulfill our lives by granting us the qualification to serve the lotus feet ofPrabhupādaandPrabhupāda’sassociates.

Excerptsfromanarticlepublishedin

ŚrīCatianya-vāṇī(Year28,Volume7)

1Here,thequestionmayariseastowhyŚrīlaPrabhupādareferredspecificallyto the excrement of hogs, when human excrement seems just as worthless.Becausehogsarenourishedbyconsuminghumanexcrement,itisconsideredto have at least some value. The excrement of hogs, however, it absolutelyworthless,becauseallspeciesofanimalsavoidit,includinghogs.

2‘Sarasvatī’isalsothenameofthegoddessofspeech.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja

ExceptionallybrilliantfromchildhoodŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājaappearedinthis

world inBaḍagaḍa-grāma, a village in theGañjāmdistrict ofOrissa, on thedayofKṛṣṇaPratipadāduring themonthofKārtika.Hewasborn inanelitebrāhmaṇa family, andhisparentsgavehim thenameŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha.Forgenerations,hisforefathershadreverentlycarriedoutthemomentousroleofservingasroyalpriestsforthekingofBaḍagaḍa.

SinceŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawasthesonofaroyalpriest, thekinghadaspecialaffinityforhim.Notingtheboy’sexceptionalbrilliance,heinvitedŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha to the royal assembly,wheremanydignitaries, like royalpoets and scholars, were present. There, the king intended to showcase theboy’sscholarshipbyengaginghimindiscussionsanddebatesonavarietyoftopics.ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathadefeatedalltheassembledscholarsthroughhisintelligentarguments.ThekingwassoimpressedbyŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha’sbrilliance that he awardedhim the title ‘Pāṭa-yośī,’ championof studies.Theking also recognized him as a śreṣṭha-sabhākavi, a great poet of the royalassembly,andappointedhimrāja-guru,theroyalspiritualadvisor.

AppreciatingsimplicityŚrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha studied both Sanskrit and English during his

schooling,butwhenhenoticedthegrossdisparitybetweenthepronunciationof similarly spelled English words, like ‘put’ and ‘but,’ he concluded thatEnglishwasunbefitting thosewhovalue logic.Hethereforemadeexcellencein Sanskrit his only aim and went on to achieve great proficiency in thelanguage.

Therarityofwell-wishingcriticsAroundthetimeŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathaassumedtheroleofrāja-guru, the

kingwasplanningtoconstructanewwingoftheroyalpalace.Afterlookingattheblueprints,ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha told theengineer,“Crackswilldevelopin the building if it is constructed in thisway.My advice is that you shouldrethinkyourplansbeforemovingahead.”

Theengineerpaidnoheedtohiscounsel,andsureenough,cracksbegantoappearsoonafterthebuildingwascompleted.Theengineerthenrecalledwhat

ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathahadpreviouslytoldhimandvisitedhim.Whentheengineeraskedhimonwhatbasishehadmadehisprediction,Śrī

UjjvaleśvaraRathasaid,“Look,Iamnotanengineer;thisistrue.Butbecausethisplaceissoclosetotheflowingriver,Iwasabletoassesswithallsuretythatthingswouldgowrongbythewayyouplannedthebuilding’sfoundationandstructure.

“Myparentshaveinstilledinmethatwemustpayattentiontothewordsofdistinguishedpersonalities.Sincerecriticswhocancatchour flawsandpointthemouttousareindeedrareinthisworld.Ifyouhadgiveneventheslightestbitofvaluetomywords,youwouldnothavewastedsomuchtimeandmoney.Justremember:youwillbenefitgreatlyifyouresolvetoacknowledgeoftheopinionsofthewiseandamendyourmistakesaccordingly.”

Asaresultofhisfearlessdetermination,theblessingsofacorpseŚrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha, the rāja-guru of Baḍagaḍa, and Śrī Liṅgarāja

Miśrā,therāja-guruofDharākoṭa,togetherstartedpracticingtheartsoftantra1

.As a part of that practice, theyoncewent to a cremationgroundon a darkmoonnight.There,theypracticedtheirmantraswhilesittingonthechestofacorpse.When, by the power of themantras, the corpse raised its hand, ŚrīLiṅgarājaMiśragotupandranawayoutoffear.ŚrīUjjvaleśvara,ontheotherhand, started shouting at the corpse, “Mṛṣā,mṛṣā—Whatever you are doingwillgoinvain,”andcontinuedrecitinghismantras.

He repeatedly pushed the corpse’s hand back down until the corpse,exasperated,finallyaskedhim,“Whyareyoudoingthis?”

“Togainknowledge,”ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathareplied.“Then go,” said the corpse, “and youwill attain the topmost knowledge.

Youneednotworryatall.”AndsoitcametopassthatŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathabecameadistinguishedscholar.

AconversationwithaghostOne time, rāja-guru Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha was returning home after

sellingtheseason’sharvestfromthefieldsheleasedtofarmers,whenheraninto a fierce typhoon-like storm. The torrential rain and punishing hail kepthim from continuing on, and so he took shelter at apān shop in the nearbyvillage.There,heaskedtheshopkeeperifhecouldstaythenight.

Theshopkeeperasked,“Doyouhaveyourownbedding?”“Yes,indeedIdo,”hesaid.

“Thenyoucanstayintheemptyhouseoutfront.”The shopkeeper showed him the house and left. A short while after Śrī

UjjvaleśvaraRathahadfallenasleep,anevilspiritinhabitingthehousebeganto cause a commotion.ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawokeup and foundagiganticghoststandinginfrontofhim.HeaskedtheghostinSanskrit,“Whoareyou?”

Theghostreplied,“Iamabrahma-daitya2

.”“Whyhaveyoucomehere?”ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathaasked.“Ilivehere.Youaretheonewhohascomehere.”“Well,whatdoyouwant?”“Iwanttodevouryou.”“Why?”Theghostwastakenaback.“Whatkindofquestionisthis?Imakeameal

ofwhoeverdaresstepintothishouse.”ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathasaid,“ButIamabrāhmaṇa.Areyounotafraidof

killingabrāhmaṇa?Howiseatingmegoingtobenefityou?Youwillbestuckinthisformofaghost.”

“Whatistheretofearinkillingabrāhmaṇa?Iamabrahma-daitya;Iwasonceabrāhmaṇamyself.Iamdestinedtoremainaghostnomatterwhat,soImayaswellgainsomesatisfactionbyeatingyou.”

“Why are you unconcerned with delivering yourself from your currentstate?”

“WhereamIsupposedtofindsomeonequalifiedenoughtodeliverme?”“Iwilldeliveryou,”ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathaassuredhim.“Look,” the ghost said, “not just anyone can deliver me. Only an

exceptional person who observes Ekādaśī the way Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam hasdescribedŚrīAmbarīṣaMahārājaobserved itcandelivermebyofferingmethefruitofobservingonesuchEkādaśī.

3ButlikeIsaid,wherewillIfindsuchanexaltedperson?”

ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha said, “I follow all Ekādaśīs in thismanner. Iwilldeliveryou.”Sayingthis,hetookwaterinhishand,vowedtoofferthefruitofone of his Ekādaśī fasts, and threw the water on the ghost. The ghost wasimmediatelydelivered,andhedisappearedwithasharphissingsoundlikethatofsodabottlebeingopened.

As this encounter was quite lengthy, Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha did not fallasleepuntillateinthenight.Thenextmorning,whentheshopkeeperobserved

thatthehousewasstillboltedfrominside,hegatheredhisfellowvillagerstoinvestigate what had happened inside the house. Hearing the noise of thevillagersoutsidethedoor,ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathaopenedit.Thevillagerswereawestruck.“Areyouokay?”theyasked.“Hasnothinghappenedtoyou?”

“Whatwassupposedtohappen?”heasked.The villagers said, “Some sort ofmonster lives here.No one survives a

nightinthishouse.Thatshopkeeperisafoolfortellingyoutostayhere.WeareextremelygratefultoGodthatyouaresafe.Didtheghostsayanythingtoyou?”

“Hesaidwhathehadtosay,andIsaidwhatIhadtosay.IdeliveredhimbygivinghimthefruitofobservingjustoneEkādaśī.Nowhehasleftthisplace.Fromnowon,noonewillhaveanyproblemstayinghere.”

WhenthevillagersfoundoutthathewasŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha,theking’sguru, they told the shopkeeper he was lucky nothing happened to ŚrīUjjvaleśvara Ratha, otherwise who knows what punishment the king mighthaveinflictedonnotonlyhim,butallthevillagersaswell.

RecognizingatantricspellWhileŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawasoncestayingthenightinavillagewitha

largegroupofpeople,aTantricpriestbegandistributingsweetstoeveryone.BecauseŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathahadpracticedtantra-yoga,hecouldtellthatthesweetswereactuallyanimalexcrement.Hetoldeveryonethis,butoneortwopeopledoubtedhim.He thencollectedaparticular typeofgrassand toucheditto thesweets,whereupontheytransformed,revealingthat theywereindeedstool.

ExposingafraudsterOnce, aman announced that he would come to Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha’s

villageonaparticulardaytoperformanincrediblefiresacrifice.Heclaimedthathewouldofferoblationsofchiliesintothefireinsuchamagicalwaythatthe attendees would experience neither difficulty breathing nor irritation intheir eyes.Almost all the villagerswere intrigued. In the coming days, theyspokeonlyofthemysteriousmanandeagerlyanticipatedthescheduleddate.

WhenŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathacame tohearof this,he resolved toexposethemanasafraud.Hebeganexperimentingwithvariousmethodsofburningchilies in order to discover away inwhich theywould produce inoffensivesmoke.Finally,helearnedtheprocess.Aftersoakingchiliesingheeforsome

time,heburnedtheminafiresacrificeheperformedinfrontofthevillagers.Thevillagerswereastonishedtobreatheintheinnocuoussmoke.“Howisthispossible?”theyasked.“Whatmantradidyouuse?”

ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha told them,“Thatmanwas trying tomakefoolsofyou. After much experimentation, I figured out that soaking chilies in gheemakesthemharmlesswhenburned.Manypeopleusemantrasasanaidtofoolcommon men, but it is not that difficult to figure out the truth behind thetrickeryandillintentionsofsuchpersons.”

WhenthefraudsterheardthatŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathahadexposedhim,hedecidednottoappearonthescheduledday.

HisexemplaryhonestyBecauseŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawasarāja-guru,theemployeesoftheroyal

kingdomwouldcometohishouseeverynowandthentogivehimrawgoodslike grains, beans and flour as gifts, sometimes on the king’s behalf andsometimes of their own accord. Theywould tell him not to save any of theprovisions,buttofinishthemoff.

Oncewhentheycame,herefusedtoaccepttheirofferings.Hesaid,“Istillhavesomuchleftoverfromlasttime.”

The royal employees said, “Neverbefore, for any reason,have theotherrāja-guruseverrefusedtheseofferings.”

Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha replied, “How anyone could use such a largequantity of items, I cannot say. Perhaps they bury them in the ground or dosomething else with them. But regarding myself, I can say this with allcertainty:Iamnotanelephant.Icannotconsumethelargesupplyyousendme,norIaminclinedtobedishonest.Pleasetakeyourgoodsback.”

From this incident, we can conclude that Śrīla Vaikhānasa GosvāmīMahārājamusthavepossessedsuchastaunchlyexemplarycharacterfromhisverychildhood.

Servicemustnotinconvenienceone’sworshipfuldeityBefore Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha met Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta

SarasvatīGosvāmīṬhākura,heworshipedSūrya,thesungod.Hehadtakenastaunch vow to refrain from eating anything before first seeing andworshippingthesun.

OncewhilehewasonhiswaytoŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvanaforpilgrimage,thewintertime fog obstructed his view of the sun from morning until almost

evening,andsohefastedwithoutacceptingsomuchasadropofwater.Whenhis train reachedDelhi,hecaughtaglimpseof thesun fromhiswindow.Hethought to get down at the station to getwater and buy fruits, but before hecould do that, the train’s air horn sounded, indicating that the train waspreparingtoleavethestation.

Atthatverymoment,amancarryingalargebasketonhisheadrusheduptoŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha’swindowandaskedhimtohelpunloadthebasketatthedoor.ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathahelpedthemanunloadthebasket,butwhenheturned around, no one was there and the train had left the station.When helookedbackat thebasket,hesawitwasfullof ripe,out-of-seasonfruitsandfirstclasssweets.

Heunderstoodthathisworshipfuldeity,Sūrya-deva,hadpersonallygivenhim those items. He concluded, “It is the devotee’s duty to worship hisworshipful deity.But to undertake a vow that inconveniences thatworshipfuldeity is grossly inappropriate.” Instead of taking those fruits and sweets forhimself, he distributed them among sādhus when he reached Vṛndāvana.Thereafter,hedecided togiveup thevowthatcausedhisworshipfuldeity toservehim.

SimplicityisnecessaryinvisitingthedhāmaDuringhistravels,ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawenttoŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvanaand

thentoNavadvīpa,wherehearrivedinŚrīdhamaMāyāpura.There,hereceiveddarśanaofŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīGosvāmīṬhākura.Asfortunewouldhaveit,theannualŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaparikramāwasabouttocommence, and so Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha decided to stay and set out hisbeddingundera jackfruit tree. In thosedays,parikramāprasādaconsistedoflocally harvested fat-grain brown rice, which Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha wasunabletoeat.Hedidnotmentionthistoanyone.Instead,hefilleduponbrokenbiscuits stirred into water. Although Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Ratha was a learnedscholar, born to an elite family of brāhmaṇas, as well as an esteemed rāja-guru,hehadnottheslightestsenseofself-importance.Wecaninferfromhisexamplethementalityweshouldmaintainwhenvisitingthedhāma.

TheimpactofasinglestatementfromŚrīlaPrabhupādaOne day during ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāma parikramā, ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha

was crossing the Sarasvatī River by boat to go to Śrī Godrumadvīpa. ŚrīlaPrabhupāda was also in the boat, along with several sannyāsīs and

brahmacārīs.ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathahadahabitofchewingpān,andso,duetothe force of habit, he spat into the Sarasvatī. Śrīla Prabhupāda saw this andimmediatelysaid,“WeregardSarasvatītobeidenticaltoGaṅgā.”

SrilaPrabhupada’s statementwas sopowerful thatŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathabegan to reproachhimself.He thought, “Peoplego through somuch troubleandspendsomuchmoneyjusttocatchaglimpseoftheGaṅgāandbatheinhersacred waters. She is venerated by demigods, sages, seers and greatpersonalities.Becauseofmybadhabit,Ihavemadetheoffenseofspittingintoher waters. Moreover, I have made a sādhu unhappy by doing this.” As hethoughtthis,heremovedhisboxofpānfromhispocketandthrewitintotheSarasvatī.Hevowed,“Fromthisdayforth,IshallneveragaintakepānaslongasIlive.”

Thisanecdoteteachesustherealwaytolistentoandsincerelyfollowthewordsofsādhus.

SurrenderinghislifeatthelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaDuring a short, few-day visit to Śrīdhāma Māyāpura, Śrī Ujjvaleśvara

Ratha heardŚrīla Prabhupāda’s charismatichari-kathā and the glories of allthe places visited during Śrīdhāma Navadvīpa parikramā. Through this, heinternalizedGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavism’scurrentofimmaculateprecepts,andtherebyrealized that his erudition and respectable position as a rāja-guru wereworthless.Withoutfurtherdelay,heacceptedtheshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeetandreceivedharināmaanddikṣāfromhim.Myśikṣā-guruŚrīKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīalsoreceiveddikṣāonthatsameday.HavingobservedŚrīUjjvaleśvara Ratha’s approach to performing bhajana, his service-orientedattitudeandhisboundlessconviction,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaawardedhimsannyāsaabouttwoyearsafterhisdikṣā,andhepersonallychosehissannyāsaname:ŚrīBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaMahārāja.

Many of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples were astonished to see ŚrīUjjvaleśvara Ratha receive sannyāsa within such a short span of time,especiallybecauseŚrīlaPrabhupādawasknowntowithholddikṣāfrommanydevotees,eventhosewhohadbeenwaitingseveralyears.

EstablishingthesuperiorityofvaiṣṇavatāoverbrāhamaṇatāŚrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja preached in many places after

acceptingsannyāsa.Once,afteratourinBalasore,Orissa,hewenttothecityofBerhampura,wheretherāja-gurusofthreedifferentstatesapproachedhim

andsaid,“Eventhoughyouarekulīnabrāhmaṇaandwerepreviouslyarāja-guru,whenyoujoinedtheGauḍīyaMaṭha,youbeganaccepting thecompanyof people from all types of castes and races. This has greatly harmed thereputationofourrespectablepositionasbothrāja-gurusandbrāhmaṇas.”

With all humility, ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja explained to themthegloriesofdaiva-varṇāśrama,aprinciplerevivedbyŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Hehelped the rāja-gurus understand the difference between the soul’sconstitutional and conditional positions. He explained that the true, inherentidentityofthejīva(livingentity)isthatofaneternalservantofBhagavān,butin theconditionedstage, that identity iscoveredbymany temporarymaterialdesignations,ofwhichbrāhmaṇaisbutone.

Upon further discussion, the rāja-gurus developed faith in the GauḍīyaMaṭha and in Śrīla Prabhupāda. Although they previously spoke ill of ŚrīlaVaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, they ultimately agreed that he had actuallyincreasedtheirhonoranddignityexponentially.

Therepositoryofothers’faithOnce, Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed his desire to organize a month-long

event at Śrī Puruṣottama Maṭha, hismaṭha at Cāṭaka-parvata in Purī. Whendevotees asked himwho should be responsible for organizing that event, hesaid, “ŚrīpādaVaikhānasaMahārājawill be able tomanage everything verynicely.”

ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājawaspreachinginanothercitywhenhereceivedwordofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdirective.Ononehandhewasextremelydelighted,andontheotherhewasworriedabouthowtoarrangeeverything.Atthattime,abusinessmantoldhim,“Donotworryintheleast.ThereisnoneedforyoutotroubleyourselfwithcollectingthenecessaryitemsortransportingthemtoPurī.Iwillarrangeeverythingwithoutgettingupfrommyseat.”

Thisinstanceconveysthesignificanceofthefaithpeoplehadinhim.Theywere so devoted to him that they could not tolerate seeing him evenmomentarilyworriedaboutanything.

ThepropermethodofdeityinstallationBefore having darśana of any deity of Bhagavān, Śrīla Vaikhānasa

GosvāmīMahārājawouldalwaysask,“Whoinstalledthesedeities?”Ifhewasinformed that a genuine Vaiṣṇava had installed Them, then he would offerpraṇāma.Butifnot,hisnextquestionwouldbe,“HasadistinguishedVaiṣṇava

everhaddarśanaofThem?”Ifaffirmed,hewouldofferpraṇāma.Otherwise,hewouldleaveimmediately.

Hewouldoftensay,“Thescripturesforbidonetoofferpraṇāmatodeitiesthat have not been installed by a realized Vaiṣṇava. Deities become direct,worshipful personifications of Bhagavān only when any of the senses of amahā-bhāgavatacomesincontactwithThem.Inotherwords,TheybecomeśrīvigrahawhenaVaiṣṇavatouchesThem,hasdarśanaofThem,namesThemorofferspraṇāmatoThembyrecitingmantrasofglorification.Otherwise,theyremainnothingbutstatuescomposedofmaterialelementslikewoodorstone.Whatintelligentpersonwouldwanttoinvokemisfortunebyofferingrespectstodeitiesinstalledbynon-Vaiṣṇavas?

“Althoughalawyermayhavedraftedanimmaculatelyintelligibledeedfora property’s transfer of ownership, the typistmayhavemadenomistakes infinalizing it on stamped paper, and the prospective buyer ’s name may havebeen explicitly mentioned, it is useless without the signature of the presentowner, just as currency has no value without the governor ’s signature.Similarly,noonecanapproachor serveBhagavānunlessamahā-bhāgavataconfers his prāṇa-dhana (life’s wealth)—the inconceivable andunapproachableSupremeLordHimself—uponthatperson.

“Thisistherealprocessofdeityinstallation.WhyshouldIofferpraṇāmatoanidolandtherebysupportthosewhofollowanunauthenticprocess?”

The above is a teaching I learned through his direct instruction and byobservinghisconduct.

AnexpertreciterofmantrasAslongasŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājawasphysicallypresent in

thisworld,GuruMahārājahadhiminstallthedeitiesinallofthebranchesofŚrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha that were established at that time. I noticed thatwhen he recited mantras during those installation ceremonies, he neverreferredtoabook;anuninterruptedcurrentofmantraswouldissueforthfromhis mouth. Although he would instruct his assistant in the installations, mygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiSuhṛtDāmodaraMahārāja,tocrosscheckhisrecitationagainst a book of reference and correct himwhen needed, he nevermade amistake.

RemainingcarefultoacceptonlywhatisrequiredOn the instruction of GuruMahārāja, I once presented Śrīla Vaikhānasa

Gosvāmī Mahārāja with four sets of garments I had dyed and preparedaccordingtohismeasurements.However,hereturnedonesettome,saying,“Ionlyeverkeepthreesetsofclothesatonetime.IfIkeepfour,Iwillbecomeasense enjoyer. Please think of my well-being and keep this fourth set foryourself.”

Anextraordinarydisplayofsimple-heartednessOnce,GuruMahārāja tookŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājabyplane

from Kolkata to preach in Guwāhaṭī. While in the air, Śrīla VaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājatoldGuruMahārāja,“Mahārāja,Ineedtopassurine.”

“Thengotothebathroomandrelieveyourself,”GuruMahārājareplied.ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājainnocentlysaid,“Mahārāja,ourguru-

paramparā has instructed us ‘jīve sammāna dibe jāni kṛṣṇa-adhiṣṭhāna—respectalllivingentities,knowingthatKṛṣṇaispresentineveryoneofthem.’Kṛṣṇa dwells as the Supersoul, paramātmā, in all living entities. How, then,couldIpossiblypassurineinthisairplane?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”GuruMahārājaasked.“TheurineIpasswillenduponsomeone’sheadwhenitfallsfromthehole

inplane’sbathroom,andthiswillbecomeaseriousimpedimenttomyspiritualprogress.”

GuruMahārājaclarifiedthatthisisnotthewayitworks.ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājathengotupandwenttothebathroomwithoutworry.

HiscarefuldiscernmentŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājawouldengageothers in servinghim

prāsadaorwateronlyafterassessingtheirstateofconsciousnessbyquizzingthem.Hewouldaskvariousquestions,like“Whatisthesupremedutyofthosewhohaveobtainedhumanlife?”“Whatisthepurposeoflivinginthemaṭha?”“Why shouldweperformhari-bhajana?” and soon.Hewould ask them forsomething only if their answers were satisfactory and appropriate forperforminghari-bhajana.Otherwise, hewould remain silent andnot ask foranything.

Onetime,whenŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājacametoourKolkatamaṭha,hecalledonebrahmacārīoverandaskedhim,“Whyhaveyoubecomearesidentofthemaṭha?”

Thebrahmacārīreplied,“Itiseasytomaintaincelibacyinthemaṭha;Ihavecometoobservecelibacy.”

Seeing me pass by as he was talking to the brahmacārī, Śrīla Mahārājacalledme and told thebrahmacārī to leave.When thebrahmacārī left, ŚrīlaMahārājahadapeculiar lookonhis face.Hesaid tome ina low,endearingvoice, “Narottama, that brahmacārī has come here to practice celibacy, nothari-bhajana.IfIacceptwaterfromhishand,histendencieswillenterintome.Ithereforewantyoualonetobringmesomewatertodrink.”

Iwasalwaysamazedtoseehowsubtlyandcarefullyheanalyzedhiseveryaction.

HisgentleyetfirmmannerofpointingoutfaultsŚrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja once found an error regarding the

dateofanEkādaśīlistedintheŚrīNavadvīpacalendarpublishedbyŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKusumaŚramaṇaGosvāmīMahārāja.Whenhenoticedthemistake,hefirstconsultedwithŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārājaandŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurī Gosvāmī Mahārāja. When the error was unanimously confirmed, heproceeded todrafta letter,whichhegave tomygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiSuhṛtDāmodaraMahārājaandmetodelivertoŚrīlaŚramaṇaGosvāmīMahārāja.

When I readhis letter, I appreciatedhis ability tobe simultaneously firmand gentle while pointing out another ’s honest mistake. He wrote, “ŚrīpādaŚramaṇa Mahārāja, if you assign Ekādaśī to this particular date in yourcalendar,thenhowwilltheverseofŚrīHari-bhakti-vilāsa thatdescribeshowone should properly calculate ekādaśī-tithis hold true?” Śrīla ŚramaṇaMahārāja later replied that he regretted the error and would rectify it bypasting a sticker that mentioned the correction on all the undistributedcalendars.

In those days, devotees were not ashamed when others pointed out theirshortcomings. Rather, they would accept their flaws with grace. The modelnowadays, however, is quite different. Although many devotees presentthemselvesasVaiṣṇavasexternally,theyexperiencenoshameinbehavinginamanner unbefitting a Vaiṣṇava when their impropriety is exposed. Theyperceiveitasapersonalassaulttotheirprestigeandself-respect,eventhoughthey may internally concede their shortcomings after careful introspection.Evenwhenthescripturesandtheprecedentssetbyexaltedpersonalitiesdonotsubstantiate theirviews,suchpersonscontinue todefend their transgressions.By maintaining a stubborn attitude, they simply inflict misfortune uponthemselves.

ServingVaiṣṇavasinwhateverwaypossibleWe, the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, were under strict

instructionsfromŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājatonotifyhimwheneverwewouldpassthroughBerhampura.Heusedtosay,“ThoughImaybeunableto domuch service for the Vaisnavas, I can at least send prasāda frommymaṭhainGañjamtothosetravellingthroughBerhampura.Naturally,Iwillbeangryifyoudeprivemeofthisservice.NowthatIhavetoldyouthis,youwillbeatfaultshouldIbecomeangry;donotblamemeforit.”

Hismaṭha inGañjamwas quite far from theBerhampur railway station,andwedidnotwanttoinconveniencehiminanyway.Still,wewouldalwayshonorhisinstructionbynotifyinghimofourtravelsandgraciouslyacceptingtheprasāda he sent, understanding it to be a token of his truemercy. In thisway,wheneveranyonewouldtravelthroughBerhampura,theywouldaskmygodbrother Śrī Bhakti Lalita Giri Mahārāja or me to send a letter to ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja notifying him of their journey, because ourswastheonlyBengalihandwritinghewasabletoread.

HonoringanextremelyjuniordevoteeIn 1962, when Śrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja manifested illness

pastimes andwas admitted to a hospital inBerhampura,GuruMahārāja sentmetoservehim.BeforeIdepartedforBerhampura,hetoldmemanystoriesabout Śrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja that illustrated his servicepropensity.AfterreachingBerhampura, IservedŚrīlaMahārājaasmuchasIpossiblycould.

Afterafewdays,GuruMahārājasentmealetterinwhichhesaid,“ManyoftheservicesattheMāyāpuramaṭhahavebeenputonholdinyourabsence.Iam sending Śrī Bhakti Śaraṇa Sādhu Mahārāja to Berhampura. When hearrives, return toMāyāpura after taking the permission of Śrīla VaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja.”

WhenŚrīSādhuMahārājaarrivedand IaskedŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja for permission to leave as perGuruMahārāja’s instructions, ŚrīlaMahārājatoldme,“Thisisthefirsttimeyouhavecomehere,sohavedarśanaofŚrīŚrīKiśora-Kiśorī-jīinourGañjammaṭhabeforeyouleave.”

“As you wish, Mahārāja,” I said. Śrīla Mahārāja then had one of hisdisciplesarrangeformyvisittothemaṭhaandtravelwithmetothemaṭha inGañjam.

Whenwe reached the bus station inGañjam, Iwaswelcomed by a large

party of devotees performing saṅkīrtana. As they escortedme to thematha,theycontinued thesaṅkīrtana inagrandprocession.Tomyamazement, theylaiddownfourlengthsofwhitefabricthattheywouldcycleoutasIwalked.Iwas embarrassed and hesitant to walk on it.When I asked the devotee whoaccompanied me why they had gone to such considerable lengths torespectfully welcome someone like me, he said, “We are simply followingGuruMahārāja’sinstructionsonhowtohonorVaiṣṇavaslikeyou.”

Iwasspeechless.IbeganweighingmyownconditionagainstthatofŚrīlaMahārājainthelightofaversefromŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam(10.81.16):

kvāhaṁdaridraḥpāpīyānkvakṛṣṇaḥśrī-niketanaḥ

brahma-bandhuritismāhaṁbāhubhyāṁparirambhitaḥ

[Sudāmā Brāḥmaṇa said:] I am a sinful, wretched and unqualified brāhmaṇa, andKṛṣṇaistheshelterofthegoddessoffortune.Still,HehasembracedmeinHisarms.

Although this versewas spoken by Sudāmā in reference to ŚrīKrsna, itperfectlycapturedhowIfeltaboutthehonorshowntomebyŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārāja, whowas not onlymy guru-varga, but GuruMaharaja’ssannyāsa-guruaswell.

RemainingchasteinhiscookingservicesŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājawasanexceptionallytalentedcook.He

personallycookedforhisdeities,ŚrīŚrīKiśora-Kiśorī-jī,eventhoughhewaselderly and had many disciples. When he would offer us some of Śrī ŚrīKiśora-Kiśorī-jī’s prasāda, we were reluctant to accept the dishes he hadprepared,consideringhimtobeaVaiṣṇavaworthyofourservice.Ionceaskedhim,“Whydoyoucontinuetocookinyouradvancedage?”

Hereplied,“AmIsomesortofunchastewifewhostopscookingforherhusband?WhomwillIserveifnotThem?”

The chutney he made from banana peels and his sweet rice were sodeliciousthatIcanremembertheirtasteeventoday.

AhumorousandaffectionatecommentEach time my godbrother Śrī Lalitā-caraṇa Prabhu would serve Śrīla

Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja a variety of prasāda preparations, ŚrīlaVaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja would joke, “Lalitā-caraṇa, today you have

becomethemunificentDātāKarṇa.”4This comment made such an impression on my heart that even today I

repeatthesamethingwhensomeonegivesmemanythingstoeat.

TeachingateverystepWherever Śrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja would go, he would

describe Śrīla Prabhupāda’s glories, exemplary character and teachings.AlthoughŚrīlaMahārājadelivered all his lectures inSanskrit, his useof thelanguagewassosimplethateveryonewasabletounderstand,whetherBengali,Oriya, Assamese or Hindustani. His lectures, his personal conduct and hisinteractionswithotherswerechock-fullofteachings;therewasalessontobelearnedateverystep.

TheauspiciousnessoftheVaiṣṇavas’kīrtanaIoncewenttoasaṅkīrtanaprograminBerhampuraundertheguidanceof

ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājaat thehomeofoneofhisdisciples.Themany devotees that gathered there sang various Vaiṣṇava songs. ŚrīlaVaikhānasaGosvāmīMahārājadeliveredhari-kathāand,at theend,addressedthe hosts: “Today, the Vaiṣṇavas performed kīrtana in your home. This hasundoubtedlybroughtyougreatauspiciousness.ŚrīPrahlādaMahārājahassaidthatahomeinwhichsaintlypersonsdonotassembleandperformhari-kathāandkīrtanaiscomparabletoafearsomelydeep,darkwell.”

ApredictionWhen Śrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s maṭha was under

construction,hemadeapredictionofsortswhenhetoldhisdisciples,“Donotworry about money. Someone will come and make all the necessaryarrangementsonhisownaccord.Simplyengageinbhagavad-bhajana.”

ŚrīlaMahārājaleftthisworldshortlyafterwardmakingthisprediction,andhiswordsprovedtrue:abeautifulmaṭhawasbuilt,thusfulfillingthestatement“satyaṁvidhātunija-bhṛtya-bhāṣitam—Bhagavānupholdshisdevotees’wordsbymakingthemcometrue.”

Experiencingseparationfromhim,eventodayAlthough it has been over fifty years since Śrīla Vaikhānasa Gosvāmī

Mahārājaenterednitya-līlā,whenIthinkofhim,itisasthoughIcanseehimstandingbeforeme.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaMahārāja’sVirahaMahotsava

ComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

HisswiftsurrendertośrīguruWe have heard that during his life as a householder, pūjyapāda Bhakti

Gaurava Vaikhānasa Mahārāja (then known as Śrī Ujjvaleśvara Pāṭa-yoṣīRatha), being disinterested in worldly affairs, sincerely sought a bona fideguru. One day, as fatewould have it, he came across a picture of ourmostworshipful Śrīla Prabhupāda. Simply by seeing that picture, his heart wascaptivated and drawn to the lotus feet of Prabhupāda, who broughtauspiciousness to theentireworld.At thatverymoment,withinhisheart,ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRatha became eager tomeet Śrīla Prabhupāda, and he acceptedhimasabonafideguruandbestfriendwhowouldtakesoleresponsibilityforhisspirituallife.ByPrabhupāda’scauselessmercy,ŚrīUjjvaleśvaraRathawasabletoseverhisworldlytieswithexemplaryswiftnessandarriveinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura in1933,wherehe tookshelterofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sexquisitelotus feet. Seeing his heartfelt attachment to following the path of puredevotion, Prabhupāda gave him kṛṣṇa-nāma mahā-mantra and mantra-dikṣāinitiationafteronlyashortwhile.

HisintensepassionforperformingbhajanaAfter receiving dikṣā from our most worshipful Prabhupāda, Śrī

UjjvaleśvaraRatha became known as ŚrīUjjvala-rasānanda dāsa.Noting hisdisciple’s ever-increasing, intense passion for performing bhajana-sādhana,ŚrīlaPrabhupādagrantedhimtridaṇḍa-sannyāsaontheauspiciousfullmoonday of Śrī Śrī Gaura’s appearance, Friday, 1 March 1934, at Yogapītha inŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura, the same placewhere ŚrīmanMahāprabhu appeared inthisworld.Hissannyāsanamebecametridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasa Mahārāja. From then on, under the auspices of śrī guru, heassumed the role of a roaming mendicant and dedicated his very life topropagating the divinemessage of Śrī ŚrīGuru-Gaurāṅga in various placesthroughoutIndia,fromoneregiontothenext.

Inhis lateryears,followingthedisappearanceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,at theferventbehestofhisOriyadisciplesheestablishedŚrīSārasvataĀśramainthevillageofGauñju-grāma,nearBrahmapura,otherwiseknownasBehrampura.

After establishing the service of Śrī Śrī Guru-Gaurāṅga Rādhā-Govinda-jiuthere, he remained at that place and performed bhajana-sādhana untilconcludinghismanifestpastimesinthisworld.

TheidealnatureofaVaisnavaPūjyapāda Mahārāja was naturally resplendent with the multitude of

attributes found in Vaiṣṇavas, but in recalling his simple-hearted, amiabledealings and his sweetly peaceful presence, my heart becomes especiallyoverwhelmed.AfterthedisappearanceofourmostworshipfulPrabhupāda,hebestowed sannyāsa to many of his prominent godbrothers, such as ŚrīmadBhakti-DayitaMādhavaMahārāja(thefounderofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha),ŚrīBhaktiSaudhaĀśramaMahārāja,ŚrīBhaktiŚaraṇaŚāntaMahārāja,myselfandothers.Althoughheacceptedthepositionofsannyāsa-guru,hecontinuedto show us the respect due one’s godbrothers, and thereby demonstrated theidealnatureofaVaiṣṇava,whichentailsofferingrespectstootherswhilenotexpectinganyinreturn.

HisfavoriteprayersandkīrtanasWe were stunned to see that even in his extremely advanced age, Śrīla

Mahārāja’sacutepowersofmemoryremainedunaffected.Everyday,weheardhimrecitesongsandprayersfromŚrīmadBhāgavatam,suchasGarbha-stuti,Brahmā-stuti, Rāsa-pañcādhyāya, Bhramara-gīta, Prahlāda-carita, andGajendra-mokṣa.Additionally,hewouldoften reciteBrahma-saṁhitā and theentireBhagavad-gītā, aswell as variousVedicmantras and themany hymnscomposedbyŚrīRūpaandRaghunāthadāsaGosvāmīs.

AnancientdevoteeAlthoughpūjyapādaMahārājapassedawayataveryadvancedage,today,

in separation from such a highly learned personality—who is actually anancientdevoteeoftheLord—weareexperiencingacuteanguishinourhearts.Mayhebepleasedwithusanddistributeamongushisaffectionandmercy.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year6,Volume3)

1 The magical and mystical formularies described in the scriptural canonknownastheTantras.

2 The ghost of a brāhmaṇa who has died prematurely after his upanayana-saṁskāra(sacredthreadceremony).

3EatingonlyoncethedaybeforeEkādaśī,fastingfromeverythingincludingwateronthedayofEkādaśī,performinghari-saṅkīrtanathroughthenight,andeatingonlyoncethefollowingday.

4Karṇa, a personalitymentioned inMahābhārata, is known for charity andselflessness.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja

AcceptingtheshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupādaAlthough Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vicāra Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s

forefatherswereoriginallyfromOrissa,hetookbirthinDurmuth,MedinīpuraDistrict,West Bengal. ŚrīlaMahārāja, then known as Śrī Sarveśvara Paṇḍā,was still very young when he encountered Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti PrasūnaBodhāyanaGosvāmīMahārāja,adiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura,inJagannāthaPurī.Afterhearingtheteachingsandgloriesof Śrīla Prabhupāda through Śrīla Bodhāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja, ŚrīSarveśvara Paṇḍā took shelter at the lotus feet of Śrīla Prabhupāda at ŚrīPuruṣottamaMaṭhainJagannāthaPurī,andwasgiventhenameŚrīSarveśvaraBrahmacārīafterreceivinginitiation.

Theastrologer’spredictionOnce, a famous and reputable astrologer read the palms of both Śrī

SarveśvaraBrahmacārī and another renownedbrahmacārī.At the end of thereading, the astrologer confidently told them, “Both of you will marry andenterhouseholdlife.Itisdefinite;thereisnowayoutofit.”

Although Śrī Saveśvara Brahmacārī was quite young, Śrīla Prabhupādawanted to give him sannyāsa due to his expertise in kīrtana and his vastknowledge of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava siddhānta. But because of the astrologer ’sprediction, Śrī Sarveśvara Brahmacārī was reluctant to accept sannyāsa,fearing that the desire to marry may be latent within him. Sensing ŚrīSarveśvaraBrahmacārī’sreluctance,ŚrīlaPrabhupādasaid,“SannyāsameanstocompletelysurrenderatthelotusfeetofŚrīKṛṣṇa.Whyareyoufearfuloftaking shelter of abhaya-caraṇāravinda Śrī Krsna, whose lotus feet bestowfearlessness?”

Śrī Sarveśvara Brahmacārī received sannyāsa in 1936 and was the lastsannyāsadiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.HewasgiventhenameŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraMahārāja.

Theotherbrahmacārī implicated in theastrologer ’spredictioneventuallymarried, but Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja never did. Sometime muchlater,when the astrologer againmetwithŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājaandlookedathispalm,hesaid,“Idonotknowwhattosay.Thelinesofyourhandhavechanged,andalongwiththem,yourdestiny.Ihaveheardfromthe

Vaiṣṇavas, ‘kṛṣṇa bhakta ĵadi haya balavān, vidhira kalama kāṭi kare khānakhāna—ifadevoteeofŚrīKṛṣṇaisverypowerful,hecaneasilycutintopiecesthatwhichiswrittendownashisdestiny.’Previously,Ineverhadmuchfaithinthisstatement,butInowseebeforemetheevidenceofitstruthfulness.Bhaktitrulycanchangeaperson’sdestiny.”

Do not be quick to praise anyone—theymay become puffed up and falldown

Śrīla Yāyāvara GosvāṃīMahārāja was dūra-darśī—he was able to veryclearlyseeallfuturehappenings.Thereisonepastimeinthisregard:In1960,my GuruMahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti DayitaMādhava GosvāmīMahārāja,organized a festival at our Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha in Vṛndāvana tocelebratetheinstallationoftheŚrīGaurāṅgaMahāprabhuandŚrīŚrīRādha-Govinda deities, to which he had invited almost all of his godbrothers,includingŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja.

Because itwassucha largegathering, therewasnosingle location largeenoughtoprovidebothresidenceandprasādatoalloftheattendingVaiṣṇavas.Variousdharmasālāswere thus booked, and the arrangementsweremade insuch a way that the Vaiṣṇavas would be able to honor prasāda in theirrespectivedwellings.

Duringthefestival,averyyoungdevoteewhohadonlyrecentlyacceptedsannyāsaspokehari-kathā.Beingquitelearnedandscholarly,hedeliveredhislecture in fluentEnglishandquotedmanyverses from theśāstras. Everyonewasimpressedtohearsuchawell-presentedlecture.

Thenextdaywhilehonoringprasāda,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVikāśaHṛṣīkeśaGosvāmīMahārāja,asannyāsīdiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,beganglorifyingtheyoungsannyāsīwhohadspokenthepreviousday.ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājaandŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīwerealsopresentintheroom.BecauseIwasresponsibleforprovidingandservingthemprasāda,I toowasthere.

Hearing this praise, Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja immediatelyinterruptedŚrīlaHṛśīkeśaGosvāmīMahārājaby loudly saying,“There isnoneedtoglorifythisyoungsannyāsīatthistime.Althoughhesurelyspokehari-kathā nicely,beinganewdevotee,whocan sayhowmuchhe realizes inhisheartofwhathespoke?Speakingisonething,buthowfixedisheonthispath?There ismuch time remaining inhis life.Lethimfirst liveandgrow in thisVaiṣṇavaworldbeforeglorifyinghim.

“There isaBengaliproverb:morile ĵadiuralechāi tabe satīraguṇagāi.Thismeansit is impropertocallawomanchasteuntilshehaslivedchastelyher entire life, up until the point when her body is cremated and her ashesvanish into the air. Then and only then can she be called chaste. Similarly,unlessapersonhasdisplayedproperconductandetiquettethroughouthislife,it isunintelligent toglorifyhim forwhateverqualitieshemayhave, like theability to speak nicely. Mundane scholars can also speak nicely, but wegenerallyseethattheyhavenofaithinŚrīHari,guruorVaiṣṇavas.Therefore,whateverqualitiessuchpersonsmaypossessaresimplymaterial.”

Priortothispastime,IhadonlyknownŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājato be immensely soft-spoken by nature. He was always straightforward anddirect,andhespokewhateverhefelt.

In1962duringthetimeofKumbhaMelāinHaridvāra,itwasfoundthattheyoung sannyāsī was not so fixed on the path of bhakti. There, he mixedintimately with women, and this caused him to leave the association of theGauḍīyaMaṭhasādhus.Afterward,hebegancriticizingeveryone.

AffectionateconcernforgodbrothersOnce,ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājawent toKālnāwhileŚrīŚrīmad

BhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawasserving in theAnanta-vāsudevatemple there.WhenhemetwithŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,he said, “YouhavetakenresponsibilityforthistempleaswellasdifferentresponsibilitiesatŚrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha. How can you manage all these things single-handedly? It would be better for you to invest your full time and energy inwholeheartedly serving at only one place.” After accepting his advice, ŚrīlaPurī Gosvāmī Mahārāja dedicated his full energy to his services at ŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.

Justengageinkīrtana—KṛṣṇawillprovidewhateverisrequiredOne day, the brahmacārīs of Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s Śrī

ŚyāmānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhainMedinīpurabecamedistresseduponseeingthatthere was no rice whatsoever to cook and offer to Ṭhākura-jī. When theyexpressed their concern to Śrīla Mahārāja, he immediately understood thesituationandconsoledthembysaying,“Donotworry.”Then,afterlockingthetemple’s gate from inside and keeping the key with him, he turned to thebrahmacārīsandorderedthem,“Pleasespeakhari-kathāandperformkīrtanafor the pleasure of the Lord. There is no need to worry about anything,

especiallysinceyouaredevotees.”After this,heproceeded towardhis roomonthesecondfloorofthemaṭha,wherehebegantochantharināmaloudly.

Aftersometime,someonebegantoknockonthetemple’sgateandcalloutforsomeonetocomeandopenit,butnobodywasabletohearhimduetotheloudkīrtanathebrahmacārīswereperforminginthetemplehall.Finally,ŚrīlaMahārājanoticedfromhisroomthatsomeonewasoutsidethegate.Afteronekīrtana had finished and before the next started, ŚrīlaMahārāja dropped thekeys from the second floor onto the ground floor and instructed one of thebrahmacārīs to open the gate and seewho had come.When they opened thedoor,theyfoundthatthemanwhohadbeenknockingwasstandingoutsidethegatewithagiantbagofrice.

When theresidentsof themaṭha inquiredaboutwhohadpurchased thoseprovisions,themanreplied,“Idonotknow.AllIknowisthatsomeoneaskedmetodeliverthesethingstothismaṭha.Ihavenoideawhohewas.”

Thebrahmacārīsasked,“Hashepaidthefareforyourrikśaw?”“Yes,”themanreplied.BecauseŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājawascompletelysurrenderedto

the Lord, the Lord, seeing the pain Śrīla Mahārāja was experiencing uponbeingunabletoofferbhoga,suppliedwhateverwasneededforthisservice.

Justengageinkīrtana—KṛṣṇawillawardpeacefulnessŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja used to singwonderfulkīrtanas from

thecoreofhisheart.Once, theelectricitywentoutwhilehewasperformingkīrtana. Being unsure of what to do, the devotees became restless. ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja,however, immediatelyreacted, tellingthemnotto become disturbed. He then began singing “bhajahu re mana, śrī nanda-nandana, abhaya-caraṇāravinda re—O mind, worship Nanda-nandana ŚrīKṛṣṇa,whoselotusfeetbestowfearlessness.”

HisconductwasatestamenttohiscompletesurrendertotheLord.Inthisway, he never worried for anything, and he wanted others never to worry,either.

AnomnipotentdoctorOnce, a devotee consulted a doctor regarding an infection he developed

fromahand injuryhepreviouslysustained.Afterexamining thedevotee, thedoctorconcluded that theonlysolutionwas toamputateoneof thedevotee’sfingers.Hetoldthedevoteetoreturnforthesurgeryafteracoupledays.

Before returning to the doctor to have his finger removed, the devoteevisited Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja. After offering praṇāma to ŚrīlaMahārāja, hementioned thatwithin a day or two hewould have to have hisfinger cut off. Hearing this, Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja responded,“Youmusthavecommittedsomevaiṣṇava-aprādha,andtheresultisthelossofyour finger.Quicklygo andbeg for the forgivenessofwhomeveryouhaveoffended.”

Thedevotee becamegrave and admitted, “Yes. I committed an offense atthe lotus feet of a pure devotee. But that devotee has left this world. WhatshouldIdo?”

ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja told him, “Go to the placewhere hisbodywascrematedandbegandcryforforgiveness.”

Thedevotee followed these instructions, andafterward,whenhe returnedto the doctor ’s office for one last examination before having his fingeramputated, the doctor became astonished.He asked, “What kind ofmedicinehaveyoutaken,andfromwhomhaveyouacquiredsuchamedicine?”

The devotee replied, “I haven’t taken anymedicine.Why are you askingthisquestion?”

The doctor said, “This is incredible. When I previously examined you,therewasnootheroptionbuttoamputateyourfinger.ButnowIcanseethereisnoneedforanything.Yourhandwillhealjustfinebyitself.”

WhobutMādhava?Everyyear just afterGaura-pūrṇimā,manydisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupāda

wouldvisitthemaṭhaofŚrīlaBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājainKoladvīpatomeettogetherandhonorprasāda.Oneyearonthisoccasion,myGuru Mahārāja informed his godbrothers that there was an opportunity topurchasetheappearanceplaceofŚrīlaPrabhupādainJagannāthaPurī,andhesuggestedtheypurchasethelandcollectively.

Afterdiscussingthematteramongst themselves,afewofhisgodbrotherspledged whatever money they could, but the total amount was almostinsignificantinrelationtotheamountneeded.Feelingperplexedaboutwhattodo,GuruMahārājamentioned,“Wewillhavetothinkofanotherwaytocollecttherequiredfunds.”

Atthattime,ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājamentionedoneversefromtheNṛsiṁhaPurāṇa:

mādhavomādhavovāci

mādhavomādhavohṛdismarantimādhavaḥsarvesarvakāryesumādhavam

Mādhava is inone’swords.Mādhava is inone’sheart.All saintlypersons rememberMādhava,thehusbandofLakṣmī,thegoddessofwealth,inalltheirendeavors.

Althoughthename‘Mādhava’ in thisverserefers toBhagavānŚrīKṛṣṇa,ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja spoke the verse in reference tomyGuruMahārāja, Śrī ŚrīmadBhaktiDayita ‘Mādhava’GosvāmīMahārāja, and thusimplied,“MādhavaMahārājaisinthewordsandheartsofhisgodbrothers.Allhis godbrothers rememberMādhavaMahārāja, because he is able to collectany amount of lakṣmī (money). All his godbrothers remember MādhavaMahārājainalltheirendeavors.What,then,canhenotaccomplish?Whatistheneedtorelyonanyoneelse?”

Upon hearing this,GuruMahārāja understood that his godbrotherswereblessing him by entrusting this service to him. After offering prostrateddaṇḍavat-praṇāma to all of them, he gratefully accepted the entireresponsibilityofacquiringŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sappearanceplace.

Hissevā-niṣṭhaAfter the property of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s appearance place had been

purchased, andwhile themaṭhawas still under construction,GuruMahārājaarrangedforafestivaltobeheldtherefortheoccasionofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sappearancedayin1979.Hesentoutpersonalhand-writteninvitationstoallhisgodbrothers that read“Pleaseblessusbyattending this festival.”Thosewhowereabletoattendarrivedonthedayofthefestival.Becausetherehadbeennoreply fromŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja,GuruMahārāja assumed thathis invitation had been lost in the mail, and he immediately sent him atelegram.AssoonaŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājareceivedthetelegram,hepackedabaganddepartedforJagannāthaPurītoattendthefestivities.

Generally,whenaguestarrivesathisdestination,thefirstthinghewantstoknowiswherehecankeephisluggage,wherehecanbatheandwherehewillbe staying. Śrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, however, was not like this.Whenhearrivedatthefestival,thefirstthinghedidwasjointhekīrtanaparty.He considered, “Unless and until I do some service here in themaṭha, whatrightdoIhavetoaskforaplacetoevenkeepmybags?Letmefirstperformservice;onlythenwillitbeproperformetorequestaplacetostay.”Suchwashisservicemood.

AlwaysdistributingmercyŚrīla Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja would offer all his visitors prasāda

immediately upon their arrival. Once, he was staying at a place where nomusambīs (a typeoforange)were locallyavailable,andsoavisitorbroughtsome from a far distance.Although these fruitswere brought especially forhim, he at once cut them into slices and offered them to all the devoteespresent.Suchwashispersonality.

HispurifyingkīrtanaPartofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slastinstructionstohisdiscipleswasforthemto

collectively preach the message of Śrī Rūpa-Raghunātha. Keeping thisinstruction in mind, my Guru Mahārāja used to tell his godbrothers,“Somehow,bythewillofprovidence,weareforcedtostayinseparateplacesand create different organizations. But in order to fulfill the desire of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda, we should all meet whenever possible.” In this way, he wouldinvite all his godbrothers each time he hosted functions in our maṭha,providinghisgodbrotherswithanopportunitytospeakaboutthegloriesandteachingsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Duringonesuch festival,an inviteddignitary,a judgenamedDurgānāthaVasu,whowasalsothesabhā-pati(chairman),rosefromhisseatandinformedGuruMahārāja thathehad to leave foranotherengagement.Thus, thesabhā(assembly)wouldconcludeforthenight.

GuruMahārājaorderedmetoassistthejudgetohiscarandgivehimsomeprasāda.AfterheofferedpraṇāmatoṬhākura-jīandtheVaiṣṇavaspresent,weproceeded towalk together toward his car. In themeantime,GuruMahārājahadrequestedŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājatoperformkīrtana,ashedidnot receive the opportunity to speak due to a lack of time. Abiding by hisrequest,ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājastoodupandbeganperformingabeautiful,transcendentalrenditionofthekīrtanaNāradaMuniBājāyaVīṇā.Bythen, the judge was already seated in the car and ready to leave. But uponhearingŚrīlaMahārāja’skīrtana,hebecamesomesmerizedthatheexitedthecarandreturnedtohisseatintheassembly.

After thekīrtana concluded, the judge requestedGuruMahārāja, “Pleasebringthissannyāsītomyhousetomorrow.Ihaveneverbeforeexperiencedthekind of bliss I felt upon hearing his kīrtana just now. It was such a heart-meltingandpurifyingkīrtanathatIwantmyentirefamilytoexperiencethisaswell.Iwillsendacar.YoushouldallpleasecomealongwiththisMahārājato

myhomeforkīrtanatomorrow.”

Themeaningoftheword‘jīva’Once,duringanassemblyinŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainKolkata,Śrīla

Yāyāvara Gosvāmī Mahārāja spoke on one of the famous slogans ofVivekānanda:“jīvepremakare ĵei janasei janaseviche īśvara—onewhohasloveforlivingentitiesactuallyservestheSupremeLord.”

ŚrīlaMahārājasaid,“Accordingtothisstatement,onlyhumans—menandwomen—are to be classified as jīvas, or living entities. Are not goats,chickens, fish,birdsandotheranimalsalso livingentities?Do theynothaveearsandeyes?Will theynotbleedwhenpricked?Dotheynotalsoeat,sleep,mateanddefendashumansdo?Althoughtheymayresideindifferentplaces,likethewaterortheforest, theyareall livingentities.Therefore,whydothefollowersofVivekānandaeatsuchlivingentities?Dotheybuildhospitalsandschools only for humans because they believe only humans are worthy oflove? In reality, all conscious beings are living entities, or jīvas. When aperson’s understanding of Bhagavān is complete, he easily realizes that alllivingentitiesarepartandparceloftheLord.Thus,hewillnaturallyhaveloveforalllivingentities,andnotjusthumans.”

AfterŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājafinishedhiskathā,onegentlemanstood up and said, “Vivekānanda was different from you sādhus; he wasextensively involved with improving the welfare of all people by buildinghospitals,schoolsandbydoingmanyothertypesofcharitywork.ButwedonotseethesādhusoftheGauḍīyaMaṭhaperformingsuchcharitableacts.”

Śrīla YāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja then asked the chairman, a universityprofessornamedŚrīNārāyaṇaGosvāmī,ifhecouldbeallottedmoretimetorespondtothegentleman’scomment.However,ŚrīNārāyaṇaGosvāmīsaid,“Itisbetter that I, beinganeutralparty, commentonhis statement.”Addressingthegentleman,hesaid,“Whenyouusetheword jīva in thisslogan, towhomdoesitrefer?ForBengalis,thewordjīvaalsoreferstothetongue.Doesitthenmean that you are serving Bhagavān by serving the tongue and giving itwhateveritdesires?Alllivingentitiesarecalledjīvas,notonlyhumans.Whythen do the followers of Vivekānanda eat eggs, meat and fish if they aresupposedtolovealljīvas?

“If Vivekānanda’s followers accept that the word jīva only refers tohumans,thenwhatistheneedforprisons?Shouldwenotclosealltheprisonsandservealltheprisonerswhatevertheydesire,likealcohol,drugsandsoon?

Isthatreallyjīva-sevā?WillthisbetheequivalenttoservingBhagavān?IhopeVivekānanda isnot implying thatwe should serve suchpeople,whohavenocontrol over their senses or their desires to harmother living entities.LongbeforeVivekānandawasevenborn,ŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhugavetheperfectconclusion of the śāstras: ‘jīve dayā, kṛṣṇa-nāma, sarva-dharma-sāra—theessenceofallreligiousprinciplesistoshowcompassiontothelivingentitiesandchantkṛṣṇa-nāma.’”

WhenthegentlemanwhoobjectedtoŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja’skathāheardŚrīNārāyaṇaGosvāmī’sexplanation,heapologized,admittinghedidnotunderstandthedeepmeaningsofthescripturesandthathewasattractedtoVivekānanda’spopular sloganswithout understandingwhetheror not theywereinlinewiththescriptures.

HisloveforcookingandJagannāthaprasādaIfŚrīlaMahārājacametoknowthatadevoteehadcomefromJagannātha

Purī,hewouldaskhimifhehadbroughtanyprasādabackwithhimandwhereit was. He especially liked Jagannātha’s rice and rāhini-dāl prasāda, whichkeepsevenaftertwodays.Knowingthis,asaservicetohim,wewouldalwaysbringthisprasādaforhimwhenwewouldvisitJagannāthaPurī.

Hewasalsoanexcellentcook.Hewasexpertinfindingandusingwhateverwasavailabletohimwhenhehadnoingredients.Once,whenhedidnothavetheproper ingredients tomakechutney,he sawa treewith leavesandasked,“What tree is this?” When he understood it was a tamarind tree, he madechutneyfromitsleaves.

EngagingeveryoneintheserviceofBhagavanŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājausedtoengageeveryoneintheservice

of Bhagavān according to their respective qualifications and qualities. If asannyāsīorbrahmacārīweretocometothemaṭha,hewouldtellthemtospeakhari-kathā.Thisincludedme.However,becausehewasextremelyseniortous,wewereembarrassedtospeakinfrontofhim.Detectingourshyness,hewouldsay, “Do not worry, I will not be present,” and then depart for his roomupstairs.Later,hewouldtellusthathehadheardeverythingwehadspoken.Hepossessed theconviction thatone should immediatelyengagewhomeveronemeetsintheserviceofBhagavān.

HisblessingandencouragementtomeOnce,ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājaspokeaboutmeinanassembly,

saying, “This devotee does not possess jealousy, enviousness or a hostilemood toward anyone. He is a nirmatsara-sādhu, a person whose heart isdevoidofenvy.”

Althoughin truthIdidnotpossesssuchqualities,hespoke in thiswaytoblessme, so that I one day could.BymyGuruMaharaja’smercy, I had theopportunitytoserveŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja.Duringthecourseofthisservice,Iwasabletohavehisassociation,seehisconductandreceivehisblessings.

GlorificationofŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraMahārājainthewakeofhisdisappearance

ByŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

ArecipientofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’saffectionItisamatterofheart-rendinggriefthatonMonday,15October1984,the

day of Kṛṣṇa-ṣaṣtḥī, on the occasion of Śrī Śrīla Narottama ṬhākuraMahāśaya’sdisappearance,a supremelydeardiscipleofmymostworshipfulśrī gurupāda-padma and a recipient of his affection left this world. Atapproximatelysixintheevening,ŚrīlaPrabhupāḍa’slastsannyāsīdisciple,ourgodbrotherparama-pūjyapādatridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraMahārāja,enterednitya-līlāinŚrīŚyāmānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhainMedinīpurawhile fully conscious and remembering the beautiful lotus feet of Śrī ŚrīGuru-Gaurāṅga Gāndhārvikā-Giridhārī-jiu amid a grand saṅkīrtanaperformedbytheresidentdevoteesofthemaṭha.

AttainingthemercyofśrīguruIn pūjyapāda Mahārāja’s Śrī Śrī Bhāgavata-gītāmṛta, he has written the

following in a song titled ŚrīGuru-kṛpā-labha, ‘Attaining theMercy of ŚrīGuru’:

sad-gurusambandhaārabhāgavata-gāthāpurī-dhāmegiyāāmipāinusarvathā

Bygoing toPurī-dhāma, I attained everything—a relationshipwith a bona fideguruandtheopportunitytohearthegloriesoftheLord.

jagannāthadīna-bandhupatita-pāvanaāmāākarṣiyādilāsad-guru-caraṇa

Jagannātha is thefriendof thewretchedand thesaviorof thefallen.Heattractedmeandgavemethefeetofabonafideguru.

guru-bināgatināijāninujakhônasad-gururaanveṣaṇechuṭinutakhôna

WhenIknewIhadnohopewithoutaguru,Iwentsearchingforabonafidespiritualmaster.

jagannātha-dhāmemoreśrī-guru-caraṇateraśa’tetriśasālepāinudaraśana

InJagannātha-Dhāma,in1333(Baṅgābda),Ireceivedmyfirstviewofthelotusfeetofmyśrīguru.

oṁśrībhaktisiddhāntasarasvatīviṣṇupādatini-īāmāraguruśrīlaprabhupāda

OṁŚrīBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatī,isthedirectrepresentativeofViṣṇu.Healoneismyguru,thisŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Fromthissong,welearnthatpūjyapādaMahārājawenttoŚrīJagannātha-kṣetra and took shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord of the universe, ŚrīJagannātha-deva,withthehopestosoonmeetabonafideguru.ŚrīJagannātha,whoissupremelycompassionateandaffectionatetothosewhotakeHisshelter,quicklyarranged forhim tomeetabona fideguru andcome incontactwithHisidenticalmanifestation,themostworshipfulŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

gurukṛṣṇa-rūpahanaśāstrerapramāṇeguru-rūpekṛṣṇa-kṛpākarenabhakta-gaṇe

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā1.45)

The verdict of the scriptures is that guru is the form ofKṛṣṇa. In the form of guru,KṛṣṇabestowsHismercyonthedevotees.

HisappearanceandearlychildhoodPūjyapāda Mahārāja appeared in a religious brāhmaṇa family with the

surname‘Pāṇḍā.’ThefamilylivedinasmallvillagecalledDuramuṭha,whichis in the Kāñthi subdivision of the Medinīpura district of West Bengal. Hismotherandfather,whowerebothdevotees,wereamazedtoseetheirdarlingson’s natural attachment to the Lord from early childhood, and they alwaysprayedatBhagavān’slotusfeettogranthimalonganddevotionallife.

Whenhebeganhisstudies,histeachersandguardianswereamazedathis

extraordinary brilliance. Cultivating knowledge as a student for many yearsonlystrengthenedtheboy’snaturaldesiretoworshipBhagavān.ItwasasiftheLordpersonally senthim toŚrīPuruṣottama-dhāma,whereby theboundlessmercyofŚrīPuruṣottamaJagannātha-deva,heattainedthefortuneofacceptingshelteratthelotusfeetofabonafideguru.ŚrīHariislikeadesire-tree,andHenever leaves the desires ofHis devotees unfulfilled.Rather,He fulfills themquickly.

TheexemplarycharacterofaresolutesādhakaIn 1926, on the auspicious occasion of Śrī Śrī Gaura’s appearance, he

receivedśrīharināmamahā-mantraandīṣṭa-mantradīkṣāfromśrīgurupāda-padma, and thereafterbecameknownasŚrīSarveśvaradāsaBrahmacārī.OntheinstructionofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,heengagedhimselfwithgreatconvictionin the ritual worship (arcana) and service of Śrī Śrī Guru-GaurāṅgaGāndhārvikā-Giridhārī-jiu three times daily at the principal temple, ākaramaṭha-rāja Śrī Caitanya Maṭha in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura. He also diligentlystudied Śrī Harināmāmṛta-vyākaraṇa and other scriptures at the maṭha’sinstituteforhigherlearning.Neverwastinganytimeinsleep,lazinessoridlegossip, Śrī Sarveśvara Brahmacārī spent all of his time in the practices ofworshipasdirectedbyhisśrīguru;servingŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavas;andstudying Śrī Bhagavad-gītā and Bhāgavatam. In this way, he exhibited theexemplarycharacterofaresolutesādhaka.

His character was exceedingly pure and spotless, and he was theembodiment of peacefulness, gentleness and sweetness. His exchanges witheveryonewereinnocentandaffectionate.TheVaiṣṇavasofthemaṭhaandpiouspeoplewhocametohearhari-kathāwereattractedbythesimplicitywithwhichhe presented scriptural conclusions regarding spiritual relationship(sambandha), practice (abhidheya), and the ultimate goal (prayojana). Hewouldespeciallycaptivateandattracttheheartsofaudiencesbysinginginhishoney-likevoicethesweetsongsofthepreviousVaiṣṇavaācāryas.

OrnamentedwithendlessvaisnavaqualitiesThe scriptures state, “kṛṣṇa-bhakte kṛṣṇa-guṇa sakali sañcāre—Kṛṣṇa

infusesHisdevoteeswithallofHisqualities.”Truly,ŚrīYāyāvaraMahārājawasornamentedwithendlessVaiṣṇavaqualities.Thesimplelanguageheusedto explain extremely difficult philosophical concepts charmed scholars andnon-scholars alike. All types of listeners yearned to repeatedly hear his

unprecedented lectures on scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. IpersonallywitnessedpūjyapādaYāyāvaraMahārāja attract theheartsandmindsofthechairman,thechiefguest,andalltheearnestlistenersgatheredatanillustriousassemblyoflearnedscholarsatŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainsouthernKolkata.

HispublicationsareworthyofcarefulstudyEvenwhilehewas ill,with thehelpofhis scholarlydisciples,pūjyapāda

Yāyāvara Mahārāja published several books, one of which was his Śrī ŚrīBhāgavata-gītāmṛta.Inthefirstandsecondsectionsofthisbook,hepublishedseveral songs he composed himself. Of the contents therein, the poetic andsimpleexplanationsofBhagavad-gītāandthefour-verse(catuḥ-ślokī)formofBhāgavatamareparticularlyworthyofcarefulstudy.

Theworld’sgreatlossToday,withthelossofsuchanexalteddevoteeandkindredspirit,myheart

feels especially hollow. The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava community is graduallybecoming bereft of devotees who relish pure bhakti-rasa. The diminishingnumberofearnestspeakersandlistenersdedicatedtotheconclusivemessageofpuredevotionaspropagatedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhuisagreatlossfortheworld.Thevoidleftbythislossisunabletobefilled,anditheraldsdarkdaysandgreatmisfortune.Thesedarkdayskeepanychancesforgooddaysatbay.

UtterlyirreplaceableByHismercy,Kṛṣṇa eventually draws all ofHis associates back toHim

andadmitsthemintoHiseternalpastimes.ButiffromtimetotimeHedecidestowithholdHismercyandorderthemnottoreturntothismortalworld,thereis no way to dispel the resulting dark days the living entities of this worldexperienceastheyaredevouredbymāyā.OverwhelmedwithseparationontheoccasionofṬhākuraHaridāsa’sdisappearance,ŚrīmanMahāprabhusaid:

kṛpākôri’kṛṣṇamorediyāchilôsaṅgasvatantrakṛṣṇeraicchāhôilôsaṅgabhaṅga

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.94)

Mercifully,Kṛṣṇagaveme[HaridāsaṬhākura’s]association.ByKṛṣṇa’s independentwill,ourexchangehasended.

haridāsaāchilôpṛthivīraratna-śiromaṇitāhābināratna-śunyāhôilāmedinī

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.97)

Haridāsawasthecrownjewelof thisEarth.Withouthim,it isas ifsheisbereftofalljewels.

Truly, Vaiṣṇavas like nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrīmad BhaktiDayitaMādhavaMahārāja,nitya-līlā-praviṣṭatridaṇḍi-gosvāmīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaMahārāja,nitya-līlā-praviṣṭaŚrīmatKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārājaand nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Vicāra YāyāvaraMahārājaaresaviorsof thisworldandareutterly irreplaceable.Theycanbecomparedonlywiththemselves.

MillionsofmillionsoftimesmoreexaltedthanmeThefounderofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,nitya-līlā-praviṣṭapujyapāda

tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita Mādhava Mahārāja and pūjyapādaYāyāvaraMahārājawereespecially close friends.During thevarious specialfestivalsorganizedinŚrīlaMādhavaMahārāja’scenters,pūjyapādaYāyāvaraMahārāja would come and grant all his godbrothers and their disciples thegreat fortune of his rare association. He would especially visit the Kolkatamaṭhaoften,evenapartfromfestivals,andblessuswithhisdivineassociation.Today, recalling the heartfelt, genuinely affectionatewords he spoke duringsuchvisitscausesmyhearttobecomeexceedinglyagitatedandoverwhelmedwithemotion.

WeviewedpūjyapādaYāyāvaraMahārājaasourworshipfulPrabhupāda’syoungestson,whomhetreatedwithgreatrespectandheartfeltaffection.ŚrīlaMahārāja was approximately seventy-eight at the time of his disappearance.Although hewas somewhat younger thanme in age, in terms of knowledgeandbhajana,hewasmillionsofmillionsoftimesricherandmoreexalted.

MyanxiousprayersathislotusfeetAlas,Iamsounfortunate!Icouldneverhaveimaginedhecouldhaveleft

ussosoon,therebydrowningusforeverinanoceanofsorrow.Myinabilitytoforeseethisdeprivedmeofreceivinghisdarśanaonelasttime.

Surely,heregardedallofhisgodbrothersequally,butitseemshelookeduponsuchafallen,destituteandunfortunatewretchasmewithmoreaffection.Whatever the case, I anxiously pray at his lotus feet that hemay bestow hiscauseless mercy upon me and absolve me of any offenses I may havecommitted against him, whether knowingly or unknowingly, for he is the

topmostamongVaiṣṇavasandignoresthefaultsofallothers.ŚrīYāyāvaraMahārāja isadearand intimateassociateofour supremely

worshipfulPrabhupāda,whohassurelygrantedhimtheeligibilitytoenterthepastimesofŚrīŚrīRādhā-Govinda.Mayhesupplicateat thefeetof themostcompassionateŚrīlaPrabhupādatograntagenuineglanceofmercyuponthiswretch.

Hislife’sconcernandeffortAfterparamārādhya Prabhupāda’s disappearance, our godbrothers’ sense

of cooperation faded due to a divergence in views, and many groups wereformedasaresult.Butthroughouthislife,pūjyapādaMahārāja’sconcernandeffort was fixed in fulfilling the inner desire of Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda, whoinstructedhisdisciples,“Youshouldremaintogetherundertheguidanceoftheāśraya-vigraha, the repository of devotion, for the express purpose ofsatisfyingthetranscendentalsensesoftheoneAbsoluteTruth.”

Hisfirmconvictioninperforminggenuinerāga-bhaktiŚrīla Mahārāja’s conviction in performing nāma-bhajana was highly

exemplary.Evenwhenhewasvery ill,hesetanexampleofperformingonelakhnāmadaily.BothparamārādhyaŚrīŚrīlaṬhākuraBhaktivinodaandŚrīŚrīla Prabhupāda outlined that distinctions between Vaiṣṇavas should bedetermined according to the varying degrees of taste they have in nāma.Should a person be devoid of conviction in nāma-bhajana, neither ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākuranorŚrīlaPrabhupādawouldeveraccept theirpretenseofrāgānugā-bhaktiasgenuinerāga-bhakti.

AprayerforenthusiasminbhajanaIn pūjypadāda YāyāvaraMahārāja’s absence, themaṭha andmandiras he

establishedappearasiflifeless.Liketheresidentsofthoseinstitutions,wetoohave become melancholy in the absence of our Vaiṣṇava friend. My soleentreatyathislotusfeetisthatheinfusehispotencyintohisdisciplesandbringthembacktolife.Iprayhemaycastaglanceofmercytowardusaswell,andtherebygrantusenthusiasminbhajana.ThedisciplesofpūjyapādaMādhavaMahārājaandalsothenewācāryaofMādhavaMahārāja’sinstitutionarealltherecipients of pūjyapāda Yāyāvara Gosvāmīpāda’s affection. They are allanguishedbyhisseparationandareprayingforhismercy.Everyone’sanxiousprayeristhathemayshowerhisaffectionuponthemfromthateternalabode.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year24,Volume10)

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārāja

FullsurrendermeansleavingnothingbehindPriortojoiningthemaṭha fulltime,ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja(thenknown

as Śrī Atulacandra Bandopādhyāya) worked for Indian Railways, whichprovidedhimwithastableresidence.ŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupādaoncevisitedandstayedthereforthreedaysin1921.Asaresultofhis divine association during that three-day visit, Śrī AtulacandraBandopādhyāya decided to dedicate his life to serving the lotus feet of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Following the principle of the versegurum evābhigacchet fromMuṇḍakaUpaniṣad (1.2.12), He understood that upon approaching śrī guru,one ought to surrender oneself completely without returning home foranything. Therefore, he packed all his household items—his table, chair,bureauandsoon—onatruckandbroughtthemtothemaṭha.Hedidnotleaveanythingbehind, so as to ensurehewouldneverhave to revisit hishouse tosettlependingmatters.

ThedearassociateofŚrīmanMahāprabhuŚrī Atulacandra Bandopādhyāya and Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prakāśa Araṇya

GosvāmīMahārāja visitedmany homes and offices to collect donations andfindnewsubscribersfortheGauḍīyaMaṭha’sweeklymagazine,titledGauḍīya.In those days, Gauḍīya was publishing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in installments,oftenincludingpicturesofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākuraandotherVaiṣṇavaācāryas.

One day, a person asked Śrīla Araṇya Gosvāmī Mahārāja, “Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is said tobenon-different fromBhagavān.Why, then,haveyouincludedpicturesofmortalhumansonitssamepages?”

Forwhatever reason,ŚrīlaAraṇyaGosvāmīMahārājakept silent, and soŚrī Atulacandra Bandopādhyāya gave an eloquent yet assertive reply: “Youhave not fully understood the special divine characteristics of grantha-bhāgavata (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam) and bhakta-bhāgavata (the devotee ofBhagavān),norhaveyoulearnedthepurportsofthemanyessentialversesthatdescribethenatureofdevotees,suchas:

sākṣād-haritvenasamasta-śāstrairuktastathābhāvyataevasadbhiḥkintuprabhoryaḥpriyaevatasyavandeguroḥśrī-caraṇāravindam

ŚrīlaViśvanāthaCakravartīŚrīGurvāṣṭakam(7)

Thescripturesunanimouslyproclaimśrīgurutobesākṣāt-hari,directlyŚrīHari.Thisisa fact jointlycorroboratedbyall saintlypersons.Yetat thesame time,śrīguru isverydeartoBhagavān.Iadorethelotusfeetofthatśrīgurudeva.*

“How,then,willitbepossibleforyoutocomprehendthatthephotographspublished inGauḍīya are not of ordinary persons, but of very special, self-realizedpersonalities?Moreover,itwillbedifficultforyoutounderstandthatbecauseoftheireternalrelationshipwithBhagavān,theseliberatedpersonsarenon-differentfromHiminthesamewayŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam isnon-differentfromHim.

Heendedthediscussionbyremarking,“Iamfromabrāhmaṇa familysohigh that fourteen generations of your family would consider themselvesgratefulifbutoneofthemhappenedtodrinkwaterfromaplacewhereIhadpassed urine.But for some reason, you are questioning themaster atwhosefeetIhaveofferedmyhead,aswellasthemagazineIhavecometodistribute.”

Intheevening,ŚrīlaAranyaGosvāmīMahārājarecountedthestorytoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.He toldŚrīlaPrabhupāda that althoughhewasunable toanswertheman’squestion,ŚrīAtulacandraBandopādhyāya,whowasrelativelynewtothemaṭha,gaveanaptreply.

Upon hearing this, tears flowed from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s eyes. He said,“ŚrīmanMahāprabhuhassentoneofHiscloseassociatestoassistus.”

WehaveheardthatŚrīmanMahāprabhuandHisassociatesappearedbeforeŚrīlaPrabhupādaandassuredhimthatTheywouldprovideboththemeansandthe manpower required to spread śuddha-bhakti among the masses. In theabove-mentioned pastime, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirmed that MahāprabhuHimself had sent His dear associate Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Sāraṅga GosvāmīMahārāja.

Causingothers’faithintherealthingisthebesttypeofcollectionWheneverhecollecteddonations,ŚrīAtulacandraBandopādhyāyaalways

dressedinformalattireconsistingofacoatandpants.Oneday,hevisitedthehouse of a seṭhajī, a wealthy person. He rang the doorbell, and the ownerpersonallyansweredthedoor.

WhenŚrīAtulacandraBandopādhyāyaintroducedhimselfasamemberofthe Gauḍīya Maṭha, the seṭhajī replied by saying, “I have no faith in theGauḍīyaMaṭha.”

Ignoring theman’swords, ŚrīAtulacandra Prabhu brushed past him andenteredthehouse.

Theseṭhajī became irritated. “Did you not hearme?” he asked. “I said IhavenofaithintheGauḍīyaMaṭha.”

Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu took a seat in a nearby chair, saying nothing inreply.

The seṭhajī, now irate, repeated, “I said I have no faith in the GauḍīyaMaṭha!”

Thistime,ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuresponded,“Yes,yes.Iheardyou.ThisisexactlywhyIhavecometoyourhouse:togenerateyourfaithintheGauḍīyaMaṭha.EvenbeforeIcame,IknewthatyouhadnofaithintheGauḍīyaMaṭha,for ifyouhad,youcouldnothave resistedvisiting.”ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuthenexpertlyexplainedtheaimoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha’smissionanditsuniquespecialties.

Being highly influenced by Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu’s scholarlypresentation, the seṭhajī gratefully offered him a large donation. ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhurefusedthedonation.“Ihavenotcomeforadonation,”hesaid. “Believemewhen I say I have comeonly to generate your faith in theGauḍīyaMaṭha.”

Withgreatrespect,theseṭhajīpersonallydroveŚrīAtulacandrabacktotheGauḍīyaMaṭha,where he receiveddarśana of Śrīla Prabhupāda and offeredthe donation to him directly. Thereafter, he visited the Gauḍīya Maṭharegularly.

DeliveringanoffenderOnce, Śrīla Prabhupāda took Śrī Atulacandra Bandhopādhyāya and an

entouragetopreachinKānpura.WhileŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuwenttothecityforashorttimetocollectdonations,thelocaldistrictmagistratecametovisitŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Duringtheirconversation,themagistratemadeaderogatorycommenttoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Hesaid,“Mostofyourfollowersseemhighlyeducated. Is it yourmission to turn educated people intomendicants?”Withthis,themagistrategotupandabruptlyleft.

Later,whenŚrīAtulacandraPrabhureturnedtoseeŚrīlaPrabhupāda,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda informed him of his encounter with the magistrate. As ŚrīAtulacandra Prabhu listened to Śrīla Prabhupāda, he noticed that themagistrate’s criticism had made Śrīla Prabhupāda unhappy. He immediatelyhailedahorsecartandwenttothemagistrate’shouse.Whenhearrived,hetold

him, “Śrīla Prabhupāda is an extraordinary personality. He is a personalassociate of Bhagavān. Your disrespectful comment has ensured your totalruin.Youhaveplayedwithfire,andnowfourteengenerationsofyourfamilywillhavetosufferinhell.”

The district magistrate became frightened. He humbly asked ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuwhathemustdotomakeamends.ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuinstructed him to beg Śrīla Prabhupāda for forgiveness and serve himsomehow.

ThemagistrateandŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuatoncereturnedtothemaṭha,whereŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuimploredŚrīlaPrabhupāda,“Pleasebekind tothismanandabsolvehimofhisoffensetoyourlotusfeet.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda then spoke to the magistrate on many topics, and themagistrateservedhimbyofferingadonationoffivehundredrupees.

ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuacceptedahugeresponsibilitywhenheresolvedtosavethedistrictmagistratefromcommittingaseriousoffense.ThisanecdotedemonstratesmanyofŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja’s transcendental qualities.HehadfirmconvictioninthelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Hecouldrecognizethe awful fate in store for those who offended Śrīla Prabhupāda, and hemercifullystrivedtofindawayforthemtoatonefortheiroffenses.Bythis,hedeliveredmanyoffendersand,likeatruewell-wisher,didwhateverhecouldtocultivateauspiciousnessontheirbehalf.

DefendingŚrīlaPrabhupādaandhisfollowersWhile Śrīla Prabhupāda was heading to perform Śrī Vraja-maṇḍala

parikramā with his associates one year, Śrī Halagu Lāla, the head of themanaging committee of the Śrī Bāṅke Bihārī temple, issued a statement toalmost all of the prominent temples in Vṛndāvana, notifying them that ŚrīBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīwouldsoonarrivewithallhisfollowers.“Theyareallharijanas

1,” he said. “He and his followers are not to be allowed entrance into ourtemples.”

When Śrī Atulacandra Bandhopādhyāya came to hear of this, he took agroup of his brāhmaṇa-born godbrothers, including Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,myGuruMahārāja(thenŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārī),ŚrīNarottamānandaBrahmacārī(laterŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdana Gosvāmī Mahārāja), Śrī Praṇavānanda Brahmacārī (later Śrī

ŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja)andothers,tomeetwiththegosāī,orheadpriest,oftheŚrīRādhā-Madana-mohanatemple.

Inconversingwiththerespectedgosāī,ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuaskedhim,“Dowe,whohavetakenbirthinbrāhmaṇafamilies,seemlikefallendeviantstoyou?Havewenotconductedourselvesaccordingtothewordsofscriptureswhen we resolved to follow the path of pure vaiṣṇava-dharma? ŚrīlaPrabhupāda has propagated the principles of daiva varṇāśrama-dharma, thesocialdesignationofindividualsaccordingnottoraceorfamiliallineage,butinnate propensities. To maintain a mundane conception of Śrīla Prabhupādawillbringonlyillfortunetotheworld.

“Moreover, may I remind you that I am Atulacandra Bandhopādhyāya.Whenthebrāhmaṇasofyourfamilyapproachedourfamilyseekingthehandof my daughter in marriage, I forbade it. I told them, ‘We are kulīnabrāhmaṇas.Howcouldwepossiblyconsiderallowingourdaughtertomarryintoyourfamily,whenwedespiseeventheideaofdiningincloseproximitytoyou?’”

The gosāī begged for forgiveness and accompanied Śrī AtulacandraPrabhu to see Śrīla Prabhupāda. He then brought Śrīla Prabhupāda and theparikramā party for darśana of Śrī Rādhā-Madana-mohana-jī and conferredgreatrespectuntoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.ObservingtheconductoftheŚrīMadana-mohana-jītemplegosāī,theheadpriestsofalltheotherprominenttemplesofVṛndāvanaalsoaccordedbefittinghonorandrespecttoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

ItwasonlythegosāīoftheŚrīBāṅkeBihārītemplewhomaintainedsomeobjectiontoallowingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciplestoenterhistemple,sayingthatŚrīBihārī-jīwouldbe frightenedby the tridaṇḍas the sannyāsīs carried.WhenŚrīlaPrabhupādaheardofthis,hesaid,“Fine.Ifthisisthecase,weshallnotentertheŚrīBāṅkeBihārītemple.WedonotwishtofrightenṬhākura-jī.”

CollectingfromamaterialistOnce, Śrī Atulacandra Bandhopādhyāya took his godbrother Śrī Śrīmad

BhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājatovisitamiserlybusinessmaninMadrās (nowChennai)whospokeonlyTamil,ofwhich the twogodbrothersknew not one word. Before their visit, Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu told ŚrīlaŚrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, “I will communicate with him through handgesturesonly.AllyoumustdoisadvancetowardhimwithyourtridaṇḍaandbackoffwhenItellyou.”

“AndwhyexactlyamIsupposedtorunbackandforthwithmytridaṇḍa?”

ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaasked.ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhu replied, “Hewill either think that I amdepriving

himofablessingfromŚrīNārāyaṇa,whoisembodiedbyyour tridaṇḍa,orthatIamprotectinghimfromyouturninghimtoasheswithit.”

WhenŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaadvancedtowardthebusinessmanwith his tridaṇḍa during theirmeeting, ŚrīAtulacandra Prabhu stopped himandhelduphistenfingers,pointingtothebusinessman.Thebusinessman,inreturn,helduponefinger.Again,ŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaadvancedtowardthebusinessmanuntilŚrīAtulacandraPrabhustoppedhim.This time,ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuheldupninefingersandthebusinessmanhelduptwo.Theywentonlikethisuntileventuallytheybothheldupfivefingers.AssoonasŚrīAtulacandraPrabhustoodupasifreadytoleave,themerchantmadeagesturesignalinghimtostayandthenwentinsidehishouse.

Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja asked Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu, “Whatdoesthismean,holdingupfivefingers?”

“Mahārāja,Ihavenoidea,”ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuanswered.“Itcouldbefiverupees,fiftyrupees,fivehundredorsomethingelse.Whateveritis,letuswaitandsee.”

Themerchant thenbrought fivehundred rupees from insideandput it inŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’shand.Hethenbeggedhimtoblesshimontheforeheadwithhistridaṇḍa,andŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaobliged.

As they were leaving, Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu kicked the ground at thedoorway.WhenŚrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja askedwhy he did that, hesaid,“Idonotwanttodealwiththiskindofpersoneveragain,otherwiseIfearI will become a covetous materialist (viṣayī). I am kicking this man’sassociation,kickingitwithspite.”

Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja would often say, “Śrī AtulacandraPrabhuwas like a radish farmer,whose crop is completely uprooted duringharvesting; He would approach a person once, receive what he could, andnever return. Others, however, were like eggplant farmers, whose cropcontinuestogiveevenafterharvesting;theywouldrepeatedlygotothesamepersontoacquirewhatevertheyneeded.Neitherisintrinsicallybetterthantheother.Theyaresimplydifferentapproaches.Thebestapproachisalwaysthatwhich ismost favorable for the serviceofŚrīHari according to time,placeandcircumstance.”

Aqueen’sdonation

Once,ŚrīAtulacandraBandhopādhyāyastayedinatempleinOrissa.Atthattime, the temple’s serviceswere being funded by an elderly queenwhowaspopularlyknownasRānīMātā.Oneday,RānīMātāsentherservanttoinquirewhether Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu’s stay there was comfortable enough andwhether he was experiencing any inconvenience. Śrī Atulacandra Prabhurepliedthateverythingwasfine,exceptthathewashavingahardtimesleepingwithoutapillow.

RānīMātāthengraciouslysenthimapillowandtoldhimhecouldkeepit.AssoonasŚrīAtulacandraPrabhureceivedthepillow,hesetoffforŚrīdhāmaMāyāpuraand tookitwithhim.UponhisarrivalatŚrīYogapīṭha,heopenedthepillowandfoundabouttwo-and-a-halfthousandrupeesinside.

TraditionallyinIndianculture,itismenwhoofferdonationstosādhus,andnotwomen.ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuwasperceptiveenoughtounderstandthatby sending her servant to check up on him, RānīMātā was looking for anopportunity to servehim in someway.His request for apillowwas actuallymeant as a chance for her to offer a donation in secret. Such were hiswondrouswaysofcollectingdonations.

PosingasalawyerfortheserviceoftheGauḍīyaMaṭhaAtthebiddingofthequeenoftheSītāpuradistrictinNaimiṣāraṇya,aman

resolved todonate landfor theconstructionofaGauḍīyaMaṭha there.Sometime later, however, an Indian Civil Service (I.C.S.) officer, a foreigner,complainedthatthequeenoughttodonatethelandtohersubjectsifshehadsomuch.Hequestionedhowthelocalswouldbenefitbygivinglandtooutsidersfrom Bengal or anywhere else. Hearing about this, the donor retracted hispledgetogivelandtotheGauḍīyaMaṭhadevotees.

Sometime later, ŚrīAtulacandraBandhopādhyāyaoverheard the devoteeshewaswithdiscussingthematterattheSītāpuratrainstationwhilewaitingforatraintoKolkata.Asfatewouldhaveit,theirtrainwasthreehourslate,andsoheinformedthedevoteeshewouldpaythemanavisit.

On theway, he purchased a notebook and tucked it under the armof hiscoat tomake himself appear as a professional.He approached themanwhowithdrewhispledgeandsaid,“IamtheGauḍīyaMaṭha’s legaladvisor,andIam here to sue you for defamation.When you promised land to them, theyprintednotices inmanynewslettersandmagazinesabout theproposedmaṭhainNaimiṣāraṇya.Butnowthatyouhavegonebackonyourword,theirnamewillbetarnished.”

ThemanexplainedhispositionandshowedŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuwhattheI.C.S.officerhadwritten.ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhushoutedattheman,“Whatdoes that fool know!We want this land not for the sake of taking, but forgiving.Wewilldevelopthisareabyinvestingassetsgatheredfromelsewhere.Thereisnotasinglepersoninyourentirestatewhowouldcomeforwardtodevelopthisarealikewewould.Andevenifsomeoneweretocomeforward,hewouldendupcostingyoumuchmorethanhewouldinvest.Ourinvestmentinthiscommunity,ontheotherhand,wouldbegreater—say,tentimesgreater—thanthevalueofthelandyouwouldgiveus.Butnevermindthat.Themainpoint is thatyoumustmakegoodonyourpromise,otherwiseIwillhavenochoicebuttofilealawsuitagainstyou.”

WhenthemanfinallyagreedtodonatethelandtotheGauḍīyaMaṭha,ŚrīAtulacandra Prabhu insisted he pay a ten thousand rupees fine for theinconvenience he caused. Ultimately, the man agreed to pay a fine of fivethousandrupees.ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhucollectedthefineandreturnedtothetrainstationintimetomakehistrain.

HispresenceofmindBeforeŚrīlaPrabhupāda sentŚrīAtulacandraBandhopādhyāyaabroad to

preach, he asked Ernst-Georg Schulze, a German disciple of his whoseinitiatednamewasSadānandadāsa,“WhattitleshouldIgiveAtulacandrawhenI send him to preach in the West? I need to give him a title that properlyconveyshissuperioritytoallthepreachersIhavesentuntilnow.”

Śrī Sadānanda Prabhu suggested the title ‘Missionary-in-Charge,’ whichŚrīlaPrabhupāda liked.He thengave this title toŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuandsenthimtopreachabroad.

ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhudidnotacceptevenonepaisāfromthemaṭha forhis overseas preaching. The donations he collected abroad funded the entireventure.

One day, the housekeeperwhere hewas staying informed him, “A largeenvelopewithyournameonithascome,butitistoobigtofitintheletterbox.Itishangingout.Youbestretrieveitnow.”

WhenŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuopened the letter,he found that thekingofBardhamānahad sent hima check in his name.Althoughhedidnot have anEnglishbankaccount,hedecidedtogotothebankanyway.

Atthebank,themanagertoldhim,“Wecannotcashyourcheckunlesswegetasignaturefromsomeonewhocanverifyyouridentity.”

It just so happened that a photograph of ŚrīAtulacandra Prabhu shakinghandswith theMarquis of Zetland had been published in the newspaper thatday. Śrī Atulacandra Prabhu saw a newspaper lying on the manager ’s desk,tookit,andopenedittothepagewithhispicture.Heshowedittothemanagerandaskedhim,“Whoisthepersoninthisphotograph?”

Themanagerreadthetitleonthebottomofthephotograph.“IndianmonkA.B.GosvāmīandMarquisofZetland,”hesaid.

“AmInottheverysameperson?”ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuquestioned.Themanager looked at the photo and back at him a few times. “So?” ŚrīAtulacandraPrabhuprodded.“Whatdoyousay?”

“Itisdefinitelyyou.”“Thenyouyourselfcanverifymyidentityandsign.”Themanagerdidjust

that.SuchwasŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja’spresenceofmind.

MaintainingfaithindishearteningsituationsAfter Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disappearance, the Sārasvata Gauḍīya mission

faced a host of disturbances. During that time, a certain distinguishedpersonalitymade the following comment about a particular disciple of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda: “I do not trust him when he says hā (yes), nor do I trust hisbrotherwhenhesarcasticallysayshū(yes).Themouthsofthefathersofthosewhohavefaithintheirhā’sandhū’swillbefullofthesetwobrothers’stool.

2Theyarecheatingus.Weshouldteachthemalesson.”

ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājarepliednotferociously,butpeacefully,accordingto his tranquil nature. He said, “Bhagavān is all-knowing, and He alwaysguidesandprotectsHisdevotees. Ifwhilebeingcheatedby theVaiṣṇavaswemaintainfaithinthemnevertheless,evenatthecostofdetriment,thatfaithwillbethegenesisofourfuturehappiness.”

AcquiringlandinMāyāpuraFrom the very beginning, Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja was entirely

disinterested inprocuring land and building amaṭha inMāyāpura.Hewouldrepeatedly say, “Already in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura are Śrīla Prabhupāda’s ŚrīCaitanya Maṭha and Śrī Mādhava Mahārāja’s Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha.What,then,isthenecessityformetotoiltobuildanotherplace?Ido,however,wantmygodbrothers toaccrueasmuch landaspossible,becauseotherwise,undesirable people will create establishments there in the future and try totarnishthesanctityofthedhāma.”

Hewouldalsosay,“Iwillprovidemygodbrotherswithasmuchmoneyasthey need to purchase and develop land. But with this, they must accept theresponsibilityofproperlymaintainingtheirestablishments.”

Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja possessed incredible foresight; today, manyundesirable factions have established themselves in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura andengageinmanyactivitiesopposedtothecultivationofbhakti.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawas insistent thatŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājaestablishamaṭhainŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,andsoŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja,yieldingtotherequestofhisgodbrother,purchasedaplotoflandthere.Onthedaythefoundationwastobeconsecratedbyperforminganauspiciouscornerstonelayingceremonybeneaththeshadeofanacaciatreethere,ŚrīlaBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārājadidnotconduct theceremonyhimself,buthadŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājadoit.

Our Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha provided themṛdaṅgas, karatālas andāsanasforthatceremony.Iconsidermyselfsupremelyfortunateandblessedtohavewitnessed andheard theheartfeltkīrtanas sungby thosewhohad takenshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda, theirexemplaryandgenteel interactions,andtheprofound hari-kathā they spoke that day. Afterward, devotees distributednothingmorethanalight,hollowsugarcandycalledbatāsāasprasāda,butnoonewasdissatisfied;everyonewasquitepleased.

ThesimpleendtothegrandfestivalbroughttomindaverseIhadlearnedwhenIwasachild:

ajā-yuddheṛṣi-śrāddheprabhātemeghā’mburādāmpatyekalahecaivababhārambhelaghu-kriyā

The sparing of rams, the service rendered by saints, the sound of thunder in themornings,andthesquabblesbetweenahusbandandwifeareloudinthebeginningandquietintheend,accomplishedultimatelybythesmallestofgestures.

Although I had always felt that this verse was not applicable in moderntimes, I realized itwasmost certainly relevant to ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja’sfeastthatday.

AnexampleofhishumilityWhileŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭha inŚrīdhāmaMāyāpurawasunder

construction,hestayedinGuruMahārāja’sbhajana-kuṭīrainourŚrīCaitanya

GauḍīyaMaṭha.Hewashighlypunctual;hewouldcomeandgoatexactlythesametimeeveryday.Oneday,forsomereason,hearrivedatourmaṭha fiveminutesearlierthannormal.BeforeenteringGuruMaharaja’sbhajana-kuṭīra,heaskedusinallearnestness,“Prabhus,todayIhavecomefiveminutesearly.May I come inside the maṭha, or should I atone for my unpunctuality bywaitingoutside?”

AcceptonlythatservicewhichyoucanproperlymanageWhenŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājawouldhostfestivalsinhismaṭha,hewould

inviteonlyoneortwodevoteesfromeachmaṭha.Hewouldexplain,“Byhisownconduct,ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurahastaughtthat,asetiquettedictates,wemust invite only asmanyVaiṣṇavas aswe are capable of serving at onetimewithoutlosingarespectfulattitude.Ifweinvitetoomanydevotees,weruntheriskofmakingoffensesduetoourinabilitytoattentivelyserveeveryoneoftheminabefittingmanner.”

HisdeeprespectforthedhāmaWhen Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja would walk from Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya

Maṭhatohismaṭha,hisservantŚrīGauradāsaPrabhuandIwouldsupporthimfromeitherside.Oneday,aswewereleavingŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,wesawNīlu,ŚrīYogapīṭha’sgeneratorroomguard,drivinganewbicyclerikśāw,avehiclethathadbeenonlyrecentlyintroducedinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.Seeingthis, Śrī Gaura dāsa Prabhu asked Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja, “Mahārāja-jī,wouldyouliketogobyrikśaw?”

Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja replied gravely, “Me, on a rikśaw in the holydhāma?Never.Thiswillneverhappen.Iknowwellthatyoupeoplewillallrideincarsinthefuture,butyouwillnotgetalicensetodosofromme.”Itisafactthat in his entire life, he never sat in a rikśaw or car in the dhāma. Whentravelling to thedhāma inacarorrikśaw, hewould stopat the limitsof thedhāmaandstartwalking.

ŚrīGauradāsaPrabhusaid, “Mahārāja,weareafraidyoumight fall andinjureyourselfifyouwalkallthetime.”

ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājajoked,“Ah,thatisyourproblem,notmine.”Later,whenhereachedhismaṭha,he loudlycalled toanotherofhisdear

servants,ŚrīVana-bihārīBābā,“OVanaBābā!ThisGaurahasjustaboutkilledmetoday.Hemademewalkallthewayhere.Iamsowornout.”

Hisrelationshipswithhisdiscipleswerealwayssweetandhumorous.

EverythingisjustifiedinserviceOnce,ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājaandhisservantŚrīGauradāsaPrabhucame

to ourMāyāpura branch of Śrī Caitanya GauḍīyaMaṭha to visit the gośālā,whichImanagedinthosedays.ŚrīlaMahārājasawtwohealthy,happycalvesthereandaskedme,“Howoldarethesecalves?”

“Mahārāja-jī,theyareaboutoneyearold,”Ireplied.Withouthesitating,heofferedthisadvice:“Ifyouturnthemintooxen3

,youwillbeabletogetagreatamountofworkoutofthem.”When ŚrīGaura dāsa Prabhu heard this, he said, “Mahārāja!Would you

havedared toevensuggest sucha thing, let alonedo it,hadyoubeen livingwithyourfamily?”

“No,” Śrīla GosvāmīMahārāja replied. “I would have been declared anoutcasteandremovedfromoursociety.ButIamnolongerabrāhmaṇa;Iamatranscendentalmleccha, a divine outcaste of sorts. If an activity befitting amleccha is performed with the intention of serving śrī guru, Vaiṣṇavas andBhagavān, it is considered spiritual, not mundane. Everything is justified inservice.”

RememberingŚrīKṛṣṇaandHisassociatesinallsituationsOnetime,ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājaaskedme,“Whatisyourname?”“NarottamadāsaBrahmacārī,”Ireplied.Whenheheardthis,hewasremindedofŚrīlaNarottamadāsaṬhākura.He

said,“YournameisNarottama?Thenyouaremymaster,myPrabhu.”In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 4.85), Śrīla Kavirāja Gosvāmī has

mentioned,“Ĵahā ĵahānetrapaḓe tāhākṛṣṇasphure,”whichwhenapplied tothis situationmeans “Wherever a perfected personality casts his eyes,Kṛṣṇamanifests to him.” The word kṛṣṇa in this verse refers to Śrī Kṛṣṇaaccompanied by His associates. Therefore, when Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārājaheard that my name was Narottama, he immediately became immersed inrememberingŚrīKṛṣṇa’sintimateassociate,ŚrīlaNarottamadāsaṬhākura.

This is the specialty of Vaiṣṇavas. Ordinary persons can never imagine,even in dreams, the transcendental consciousness inwhichVaiṣṇavas remainsituated.

HonoringallprasādawithequalreverenceWhenŚrīlaSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārājasattohonorprasāda,hewoulddo

soonlyafterfirstmixingtogetherallthepreparationsonhisplate—everything

fromkarelā(bittermelon)tosweetrice.ThefirsttimeIsawhimdoingthis,Iwasstillnew to themaṭha and I therefore lackedunderstandingofvaiṣṇava-siddhānta. I told him, “Mahārāja, youwill not be able to relish the original,individualtastesofthesepreparationsifyoumixthemalltogether.”

ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājareplied,“WhyshouldIindulgethedesiresofthiswickedand insignificant tongueofmine,whichmeasures amere two-and-a-halfinches?Doyounotrecitethisversebeforeacceptingprasāda?

mahā-prasādegovindenāma-brahmaṇivaiṣṇavesvalpa-puṇyavatāṁrājanviśvāsonaivajāyate

SkandaPurāṇa(Utkala-khaṇḍa)

Those who have very few pious activities to their credit can never develop faith inmahā-prasāda,inŚrīGovinda,intheholynameoftheLord,orintheVaiṣṇavas.*

“AndwhathasŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurawrittenaboutmahā-prasāda?

śarīraavidyā-jāla,jaḓendriyatāhekāla,jīvepheleviṣaya-sāgare

tā’ramadhyejihvāati,lobhamayasudurmati,tā’keĵetākaṭhinasaṁsāre

Obrothers!Thematerialbodyisawebofignoranceanditsinertsensesarethecauseofitsruination,fortheythrowthesoulintotheoceanofmaterialenjoyment.Amongthesenses,thetongueisthegreediestandwickedest;itisverydifficulttoconqueritinthisworld.*

kṛṣṇabaḓôdayāmaya,kôribārejihvājaya,sva-prasād-annadilābhāi

seiannāmṛtapāo,rādhā-kṛṣṇa-guṇagāo,premeḍākôcaitanya-nitāi

KṛṣṇaissomercifulthatHehasgivenusHisownfoodremnantstohelpusconquerthetongue,Obrothers.Honorthesenectareanfoods,singthegloriesofRādhāandKṛṣṇa,andwithpremacallout,“Caitanya!Nitāi!”*

“In otherwords,” he explained, “śrīkṛṣṇa-prasāda is just like nectar. Todiscriminate between preparations is improper.We should not think, ‘Iwantlesskarelāandmoresweetrice,’or,‘Idonotwantthisitem,pleaseservememoreofthatone.’”HethenquotedŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu,whosaid:

dvaitebhadrābhadra-jñāna,sabamanodharma

eibhālô,eimanda—eisababhramaŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā4 .176)

Inthisworldofduality,conceptionsof‘auspicious’and‘inauspicious’areallfunctionsofthemind.Itisdelusionaltothink“Thisisgoodandthatisbad.”

Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja concluded his point by saying, “It is thereforebetterforustohonortheitemsonourplatewithequalreverence,consideringthemalltobeprasāda.”

If someone would ask him how he liked the prasāda he was served, hewouldalwaysanswer,“Itwasverygood.Theyprepareditverywell.”Butifheheardadevoteecomplainthatadishhadnotbeenproperlyprepared,hewouldsay,“Goandcallthecookatonce.HemustbepunishedforbeinginattentiveinhisservicetoBhagavān.Heshouldbesuspendedfromhisservicefortwoorthreedaysand instructed toatoneforhismisdeedbyconstantlyweepingandchantingharināma.Bringhimhereatonce,sothatImayreprimandhim.”

His words were not merely lip service; he set a precedent by actuallypunishingthosewhowereinattentiveintheirservice.

Valuingvaiṣṇava-sevāoverbhagavad-sevāŚrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja would often mention, “I have not come to the

maṭha to serveBhagavān; I have come to serveVaiṣṇavas. In thisworld,wereceive many opportunities to serve Bhagavān, but the opportunity to serveVaiṣṇavas isexceedingly rare. It ismuchmorespirituallybeneficial to serveVaiṣṇavas thanBhagavān, forbydoingso,one learnshowtoproperlyserveBhagavān and gradually develops a true, lasting taste for such service.Engaging in the direct service of Bhagavān without first serving Vaiṣṇavasdoesnotensureone’sspiritualbenefit.”

SeeingallVaiṣṇavasashismastersWhenŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājamanifestedanillnesspastime,Iboughthim

aportablecommodemadeofcane,anitemthatwasavailableinNavadvīpaandKṛṣṇanagarainthosedays.WhenŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājasawit,hetoldme,“Iwillneverusethis.AVaiṣṇavawouldhavetocleaniteverytimeIuseit. Icannotbear to thinkabout that.Throughoutmy life, IhaveneverconsideredanyVaiṣṇavatobemyservant.Ihavealwaysregardedeveryone,newcomersandseniorsalike,asworthyofmyservice.”

NomatterwhatIsaidtohim,Icouldnotconvincehimtouseit.Finally,I

constructed a commode out of brickswithmy own hands,which he happilyaccepted.

ExplainingtheneedfornewmaṭhasanddeitiesSomeoneonceaskedŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājaduringoneofhispreaching

tours,“WhatistheneedtobuildnewtemplesandmaṭhasinIndia,whentherearealreadysomany?Andwhyinstallnewdeitieswhentherearecurrentlysomanydeitiesbeingneglected?”

Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja replied, “The root cause of India’s troubles isoverpopulation. This is evident by the fact that the government has createdvariousinitiativestokeepthepopulationundercontrol.Thosewhohavefewerchildren, for example, receive ample assistance from the government. Ifoverpopulation is anational crisis,whydochildlesscouplesmakeefforts tohave children of their own?Would they not be as content with adopting anorphan? No, they would not. The degree of affection one may possess foranotherperson’schildcannevermatchtheaffectiononewouldhaveforone’sown. Similarly, the attachment one may have to a temple,maṭha or deitiesestablishedbyothersisfarexceededbytheattachmentonehastoone’sown.”

TheVaiṣṇavas’pastimesextendbeyondtheexternalOnce,ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājafellillinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpuraandneededto

betakentoKolkataformedicalassistance.Iaccompaniedhimandthedevoteeswhowere engaged in his personal service on part of their journey.We firsttookhimacrosstheGaṅgābyboattoSvarūpaGañja,andthenboardedabustoKṛṣṇanagara, where I arranged for them to take a train to Kolkata. I alsoexplainedtohissevakashowtoreachDr.N.R.SenaGupta,areputabledoctorinKolkata.

After Śrīla Gosvāmī Mahārāja recovered and returned to ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,hetoldme,“Iwasfullyconsciousthewholetimeyoutookmefromtheghāṭa to Svarūpa Gañja, and then to Kṛṣṇanagara. But I remained quiet,thinkingthatIshouldlettheVaiṣṇavasdoastheyfeltwasappropriate.”

IwasastonishedasŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārājawenton to recount theday’seventsinsuchsharpdetail.IwasremindedofŚrīlaVṛndāvanadāsaṬhākura’swordsinŚrīCaitanya-bhāgavata(Madhya-khaṇḍa9.240):

ĵatôdekhôvaiṣṇaveravyavahāra-duḥkhaniścayahijānihôseiparānanda-sukha

Knowwell thatwhatever suffering aVaiṣṇavamay appear to experience is actuallyspiritualhappiness.

I was amazed: although he appeared severely unwell outwardly, he wasfully aware internally. Perhaps it is with reference to such instances that thescriptures state, “vaiṣṇava cinite nāre devera śakati—even the demigods areincapableofunderstandingthedivinehabitsandactivitiesofVaiṣṇavas.”

HisastoundinglifeteachingsWehavereceivedthefollowingteachingsfromtheexemplarylifeofŚrīla

GosvāmīMahārāja:

1. Devoteesneednotbeconcernedwithexperiencingopposition,norshouldtheyworryaboutadversecircumstances.BhagavānislikeanaffectionateparentforHisdevotees;Healwaysprotectsthem.

2. Theprocessofbhajanacannotdevelopifcorruptedbyapropensityforsensegratification.Apersonattachedtogratifyinghissensesneverattainstruewelfare.ItisonlywhenweremainsupremelysatisfiedwithwhateverprasadaBhagavānmercifullyarrangesforusthatwewillattainperfectioninoursādhana.

3. FullyattentiveanddedicatedservicetoŚrīHari,guru,andVaiṣṇavasisthetrueexpressionofdeep-rootedloveforthem.

TheDisappearanceofPūjyapādaGosvāmīMahārājaComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmī

Mahārāja

TheprincipalpillarofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’spreachingmissionTridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārāja,wasoneofthe

foremost pillars of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Siddhānta Sarasvatī GosvāmīPrabhupāda’s preachingmission, which aimed to spread themessage of ŚrīCaitanyaMahaprabhu to the entire world. Thus, he fulfilled his beloved śrīgurupāda-padma’smostcherisheddesire.

Amodelofhumilityandafearlessguru-sevakaPūjyapādaGosvāṃīMahārājawas a prominentmemberof theŚrīViśva

VaiṣṇavaRājaSabhā4

, the chairman of theweeklyGauḍīya magazine’s editorial board, a humblemodel of guru-sevā and the greatest of speakers. Now, he has attained theeternal shelter of the gentle lotus feet of his śrī guru, who propagatedthroughouttheworldthegloriesofŚrīGaura’ssacredabode,name,andmostcherished desire. Through his divine conduct, pūjyapāda Mahārājademonstrated a fearless example of service to śrī guru until the very lastmomentofhisphysicalpresence.Ifwecanattainthefortuneoffollowinghim,toevenafractionaldegree,thenourliveswillbeblessedbeyondallfortune.

Hisunpretentious,genuineandexemplarycharacterPūjyapāda Gosvāmī Mahārāja was the foremost assistant of śrī gaura-

karuṇā-śakti—ŚrīlaPrabhupāda,whowasŚrīGaura’spotencyofcompassion—in fulfilling the most cherished ambition of Śrī Gaura. By the desire ofGaura-sundara, that great servant of śrī guru who possessed the mostunpretentious, genuine and exemplary character appeared in the world withgreatnobility.Today,hehasconcludedhismagnificentvowofserviceandbidfarewelltothemundanerealm.

kṛpākôri’kṛṣṇamorediyāchilôsāṅgasvatantrakṛṣṇeraicchā,hôilôsaṅga-bhaṅga

Mercifully,Kṛṣṇagavemehisassociation.ByKṛṣṇa’sindependentwill,ourexchangehasended.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year4,Volume4)

1Lit,‘peopleofHari.’MahātmaGandhīusedthistermtodescribemembersofthe various labor communities (washermen, drain cleaners, street sweepers,leatherworkers,etc.),whoaregenerallyconsidereduntouchableoutcastes.

2Inotherwords,thetwobrothers’associationissoharmfulthatitaffectsnotonlyapersonwhoassociateswiththem,butthatperson’sfather,aswell.Justasgoodassociationdeliversone’sforefathers,badassociationadverselyaffectsthem.

3Castratedbullstrainedforuseasserviceanimals.

4An informal,worldwideorganization foundedbyŚrīla JīvaGosvāmī.Thewordsviṣva-vaiṣṇava-rājarefertoŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu,andsabhāreferstothosedevoteeswhofollowHisteachings.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja

ExtraordinaryinstancesofanextraordinarypersonalityMy śikṣā-guru, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja,

usedtosay,“WhenIwasinmymother ’swomb,arenouncedpersoncametoourhouseandgavemymotherasweet,whichsheacceptedandate.Accordingtoher,thiswasthereasonwhyIneverhadanymaterialdesires,whyIalwayswanted to become renounced, andwhy I came toŚrīlaPrabhupāda at a veryyoungage.”

When ŚrīlaMaharāja was a baby, a large bird took him in the sky andbroughthimback.Sucheventscanneverhappentoordinarypersons;theyareindicativeofextraordinarypersonalities.

Hispatha-pradarśakagurusŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājamadehisdivineappearanceinthevillage

ofVānarīpāḍā,within the district ofVariśāla, Bangladesh.He belonged to afamily of wealthy landowners. When he was young, his paternal aunts ŚrīSarojinī dāsī and Śrī Priyatamā dāsī brought him to meet Śrīla PrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura.BecauseŚrī Priyatamā dāsī left her bodyearlyon,wegenerallyhearmore aboutŚrīSarojinī dāsī in thenarrationofŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja’slifestory.

AjewelamongsevakasIn the beginning of his maṭha life, Śrīla Mahārāja was known as Śrī

Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī, and Śrīla Prabhupāda later awarded himwith thetitle ‘Kṛti-ratna,’ a designation bywhich he becamewell-known.Kṛti means‘activity,’andratnameans‘jewel,’andthereforethetitle‘Kṛti-ratna’referstoa personalitywho is expert in performing activities related to the service ofguru andVaiṣṇavas, andwhoconsiders suchactivitieshis lifeand soul.Thistitle rightly befitted Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī, as he was a jewel amongsevakas.

ReconcilingseeminglyconflictinginstructionsWhenŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīacceptedtheshelterofthelotusfeetof

Śrīla Prabhupāda at an early age, he stayed as a brahmacārī in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura. One day, after receiving a letter from Śrī Vinoda-bihārī

Brahmacārī’smother,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaorderedŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārītopayheravisit athome.ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīmeditatedsincerelyonwhat to do. On one sidewasa teaching he had previously received fromŚrīlaPrabhupāda:

sakalajanmepitā-mātāsabepāyakṛṣṇagurunāhimile,bhajahôhiyāya

ŚrīCaitanya-maṅgala(Madhya-khaṇḍa)

Onegetsamotherand father inevery speciesof life.But it is rare toget abonafideguruandKṛṣṇa.Onemustrealizethisinthecoreofone’sheart.

OntheothersidewasŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sordertovisithismother.Whilecontemplatingtheseseeminglyconflictinginstructions,ŚrīVinoda-

bihārī Brahmacārī considered that the former instruction reflected ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s internal mood based on unbiased truth, and that the latter waspossiblygiventoexaminehimorhisdedicationtoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī concluded, “Śrī guru would never ask adisciple to maintain worldly relations, through which the disciple becomesboundbytheropesofattachment.Instead,healwaysinstructshisdisciples torealizetheirrelationshipwiththeeternalentity,ŚrīBhagavān.Therefore,Iwillfollow Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instruction to realize the rarity of attaining theassociation of śrī guru. I will refrain from visiting my mother ’s home. Bydoingso, IwillnotbedisobeyingŚrīlaPrabhupāda. In fact,hewillbemorepleasedthanifIweretocarryouthisimmediateorderofvisitingmyhome.”

Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī’s instinct to please his gurudeva byremaining in themaṭhawas correct, and thusŚrīlaPrabhupādabestowedhismercyonhim.

ServingthroughgenerosityŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārī’sfatherwasawealthylandlord,andhewas

therefore accustomed to lavish spending during his time at home. AfteracceptingtheshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandjoiningthemaṭha,hewasgiventheserviceofmanagingthepropertiesofŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha,whichrequiredhim to visit various properties in Māyāpura on horseback. Just seeing himmadetheresidentsfearful.WheneverhewouldcrosstheGaṅgā,hewouldpaytheboatmannotbycountingtheexactfare,butbyreachingintohispocketandofferingwhateverhepulledout.All theboatmenwouldbeghim,“OVinodaBābū,pleasecomewithme!Letmetakeyouacrossinmyboat.”

Adevoteeonce complained toŚrīlaPrabhupāda, “We labor arduously tocollect donations for themaṭha, butVinoda-bihārī Prabhu needlessly spendsthosehard-earnedfundstopaypeoplemuchmorethantheyareowed.Hepaysnoheedtotheamounthegives.Isthisproper?”

Śrīla Prabhupāda asked that devotee, “How much money did you spenddailywhenyouwerelivingathome?”

“Onepaisā,”thedevoteeanswered.“Andhowmuchdoyouspendnow?”Thedevoteesheepishlyreplied,“Abouttenpaisā.”Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “Vinoda-bihārī used to spend approximately one

hundred rupees daily, and now he spends about five rupees.Which of you,then,istrulyrenounced?”

Those who lacked proper vision saw that Śrī Vinoda-bihārī BrahmacārīwaswastingdonationsmeantfortheserviceofŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣnavas.ButŚrīlaPrabhupādaunderstoodhisactualintentions.Throughhisgenerosity,Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī was creating allies who would support ŚrīGauḍīyaMaṭhaincaseofanyfutureopposition.

AnactiveresponsetoapassiveinquiryŚrī Vindoa-bihārī Brahmacārī always did whatever was required for the

service of Śrīla Prabhupāda. Once, Śrīla Prabhupāda unemphatically askedhim,“Areweunable toacquireŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sbhajana-kuṭīrainGodrumadvipa?”Although the questionwas passive, it held great gravityforŚrīVindoa-bihārīBrahmacārī.Hefoundhimselfunabletoremainpeacefulas longashehadnot acquired thatproperty.Suchwashis servicemood forŚrīlaPrabhupāda.InadditiontoŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sbhajana-kuṭīra,healsosuccessfullyacquiredtheplaceofChandKaziandmanyotherplacesinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

ProtectingdevoteesfromviolentoffendersIn addition tomanaging theŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha’s properties,ŚrīVindoa-

bihārī Brahmacārī was given the service ofmanaging the institution’s courtcases.MuslimsinthosedayswereoccupyingmanyholyplacesofMāyāpura,including Candraśekhara-bhavana, Śrīvāsa-aṅgana, Śrīdhara-kholaveca’sresidenceandChandKāzī’ssamādhi.Oneday, theMuslimsoccupyingChandKāzī’ssamādhibeatafewbrahmacārīsfromŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha.ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīwasunabletotoleratethisviolentbehaviortowarddevotees.

Being protective, he filed a court case on behalf of ŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha, andsomeoftheMuslimswereputintojailasaresult.

ŚrīlaPrabhupādadidnotappreciatethattheMuslimswerejailed.Hesaid,“Weshouldopposetheunrighteousactivitiesbeingperformedratherthanthepeopleperformingthem.Weshouldnotlooktopunishpeoplebyputtingthemin jail, but rather by boldly standing up for the principles we uphold andspeaking out against unrighteous activities.” Thus, on the order of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda,thedevoteespostedtheMuslims’bail.

RiskinghislifetoserveŚrīlaPrabhupādaIn his time, Śrīla Prabhupāda fearlessly preached against many of the

practicesandbeliefsoftheapasampradāyas(deviatedphilosophicallineages)claimingtobeinthelineofŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu.HeloudlydeclaredthatitwasimmoraltochargepilgrimsforhavingdarśanaofBhagavān’sdeityanderroneoustoconsiderthatbrāhmaṇasaretheonlyqualifiedcandidatesfortheposition of guru. His dissemination of Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s true Gauḍīyadoctrine contradicted and challenged the tainted philosophies of these bogussects, and thus jeopardized their donations and sense of prestige. As ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s fame and influence continued to spread, these groups grewincreasinglyenvious.

DuringtheŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaparikramāof1925,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaleda group of about five thousand pilgrims and one hundred eight mṛdaṅgaplayers.AtthefrontofthemassiveparikramāpartywasabandandthedeityofŚrīmanMahāprabhu,whorodemagnificentlyatopanelephant.TheantagonistsfromtheenviousapasampradāyasdescendedupontheparikramāprocessionatPrauḍhāmāyāTalāwiththewickedintentionoftakingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slife.

Sensing the immense danger his gurudeva was in, Śrī Vinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīdidnothesitate toact.HequicklyescortedŚrīlaPrabhupāda toasafe place, where he then brilliantly exchanged his white clothes for ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’ssaffron-coloredgarmentsandarrangedforhimtobesentbackto the maṭha with a few other devotees. Posing as Śrīla Prabhupāda, ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīthenwaitedouttheattackatgreatrisktohislife.

Meanwhile, Śrī Paramānanda Brahmacārī, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personalsevaka,disguisedhimselfasalocal,sothatnobodywouldrecognizehimasaGauḍīyaMaṭha devotee. Replacing hisdhotī with a gamacha and carrying ahookah,hewenttothepolicestationtoreporttheattack.Policeofficialssoonarrivedonthesceneandthecrowdsdispersed.

Just as a person instinctively raises his arm to protect himself from anaggressor ’s blows, Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī—who was a limb of andnon-differentfromŚrīlaPrabhupāda—reflexivelyprotectedhisgurudevafromnot only this vengeful physical attack, but also from philosophical attacks.Through his bold and tenacious preaching, he fearlessly defended ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sphilosophicalconclusions.

Firm faith in Śrīla Prabhupāda, the emissary of Śrīla BhaktivinodaṬhākura

In several places, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has written that it isunnecessarytoconstructtemplesormaṭhas,assuchactivitiesinevitablyleadtocourt cases inwhich themembers of an institutionwill fight for its variousproperties and assets. Yet, we see on the other hand that Śrīla Prabhupādaconstructed many maṭhas. We should not, however, conclude that ŚrīlaPrabhupādaignoredtheinstructionsofŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura.Rather,weshouldunderstandheperfectlyexecutedŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’swill.

Asan intimateassociateofŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaunderstood the Ṭhākura’s heart. Therefore, he could easily comprehend thesubtlereasoningandimplicationsbehindeveryoneofhisinstructions.Everyteachinghasbothpositiveandnegativeaspects.Indescribingtheestablishmentof spiritual institutions to be unnecessary or even unfavorable, ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurawarnedofthenegativeresultofsuchendeavors.Butthisdoes not mean the establishment of spiritual institutions is without positiveaspects. Śrīla Prabhupāda understood that even at the cost of potentialinfighting, the construction of amaṭha will be successful if but one of itsresidentssincerelyprogressesonthepathofpuredevotiontoBhagavān.

All the devotees of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, including Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī, worked hard to acquire land and construct andmaintainmaṭhas.TheyneveroncequestionedŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sallegiancetoproperlycarryingoutŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’s instructions.They firmlybelievedthatthewordsandactivitiesofŚrīlaPrabhupādawereinlinewiththeteachingsofŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākuraandthatŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sapprovalwaswithhim.

ExposinganincompetentleaderAfter the disappearance of Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvati

Ṭhākura,thetimecametoselectanewPresident-ācāryaoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha.

GuruMahārājabelievedŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPradīpaTīrthaGosvāmīMahārājato be the worthiest candidate. However, in due time, Śrī Ananta-vāsudevaPrabhu was unanimously appointed to the position, with Śrī Vinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīservingasSecretary.

WhenŚrīAnanta-vāsudevaPrabhu’s ill repute came to light,ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīcalledforGuruMahārājaandsaid,“HayagrīvaPrabhu!Wehavestuckourhandsinwetstool.Haditbeendry, itwouldnothavebeensorevoltingly foul-smelling. But unfortunately, the reality is that its stench andrepulsiveness are excessive. We must feel remorse and atone for havingsupportedAnanta-vāsudeva and for having taken so long to understandwhatwas actually going on. An incompetent person should be helped, but anincompetentpersonwhomakesfoolsofthegeneralpublicbyplayingthepartofacompetentleadermustbeshunned.Letushelpthepeopleoftheworldbyexposingthisperson,sothateveryonemayseehistruenature.

“Because of your refined, gentle Vaiṣṇava temperament, everyoneconsidersyouafriendandgivesimportancetowhatyousay.Therefore,pleasebring everyone together and arrange a meeting, so that we may togetherdeterminehowtoopposehim.”

As per Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī’s request, GuruMahārāja gatheredtheir godbrothers together and held ameeting,whereupon itwas decided tofileacourtcaseagainstŚrīAnanta-vāsudevaPrabhu.ItwasthiscourtcasethatmadeitpossiblefortheGauḍīyaMaṭhatolegallysplitintotwofactions.

HisintoleranceofeventheslightestdeviationŚrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī’s preaching inspired his elder brother to

take shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda and join themaṭha.WhenŚrīla Prabhupādaordered his brother to accept sannyāsa, he was unwilling. Although ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārīwasyounger,hechastisedhisolderbrother,saying,“WhyareyounotfulfillingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdesiretogiveyousannyāsa?”Afterconsideringthesewordsofencouragement,hisbrotheragreedtoacceptsannyāsa, and he became known as Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kevala AuḍulomiGosvāmīMahārāja.

Some time after the disappearance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīla KeśavaGosvāmī Mahārāja observed Śrīla Auḍulomi Gosvāmī Mahārāja and hisfollowersdeviatingfromtheteachingsofŚrīlaPrabhupādainthreeways:(1)they taught that the hare kṛṣṇamahā-mantra is not to be chanted loudly, butrather silently in such a way that no one can hear the sound vibration; (2)

although Śrīla Prabhupāda had personally initiated some of his disciples,including Śrīla Auḍulomi GosvāmīMahārāja, into the sannyāsa order, theygave up their saffron sannyāsa-veśa (dress) and instead wore white bābājī-veśa, preaching that sannyāsa-dharma is strictlyprohibited inKali-yuga; and(3) although Śrīla Prabhupāda personally established Śrī Navadvīpaparikramā,theyrejecteditsperformance.

Unable to tolerate even the slightest deviation from Śrīla Prabhupāda’steachings,ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājacompletelyseveredhisrelationshipwith Śrīla Auḍulomi Gosvāmī Mahārāja and those who followed him. Hewouldnever allowhisdisciples togo toBāgbāzārGauḍīyaMaṭhaor to anyother place where Śrīla Auḍulomi Gosvāmī Mahārāja and his followersresided. If ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājawere to discover that one of hisdiscipleswenttoŚrīAuḍulomiMahārāja’smaṭha,hewouldorderthatdevoteetofastforthreedays,takingonlypañca-gavya(thefiveproductsofthecow—milk, yogurt, ghee, dung and urine) as his atonement. He would say, “Whyhave you gone there? You are now impure; you must purify yourself byperformingthisatonement.”

Finally,ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājadecidedtofileacaseagainstŚrīlaAuḍulomi Gosvāmī Mahārāja and his followers, boldly announcing thatbecausetheydidnotacceptmanyofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’steachings, theycouldnotbeconsideredhistruedisciples,andconsequentlyshouldnotbeallowedtoresideinhismaṭhas.

My Guru Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita Mādhava GosvāmīMahārāja,gave me the service of transcribing Śrīla Keśava GosvāmīMahārāja’s dictations regarding the court case. I would then take thosedictations to Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, whowouldadjustthelanguageandeditforclarity.Wheneverythingwascomplete,Iwouldgotothecourtandsubmitthefinalizeddocuments.

The day the judge was to present the verdict, Śrīla Auḍulomi GosvāmīMahārājaandhisfollowersappearedincourtwearingsaffronsannyāsa-veśaand were followed by a large procession loudly chanting themahā-mantra.ŚrīlaAuḍulomiGosvāmīMahārājahadgiveneightpeoplesannyāsa just thatday.

In front of the judge, they said, “We are doing Navadvīpa-dhāmaparikramā,wearingsaffrondress,andcarryingoursannyāsa-daṇḍas.Also,wehave established a maṭha in the name of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatīṬhākura, and have established his mūrti (deity form) in the maṭha we are

constructinginGodrumadvīpa.”Although previously they had no plans of having a maṭha in Śrīla

Prabhupāda’snameorkeepinghismūrti there,feelingthreatenedbytheboldendeavors ofŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja, theynamed theirmaṭha ŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīGauḍīyaMaṭha.Theydeniedall theallegationsputforthbyŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja,andaudaciouslysaid,“Justsee!Weare chanting loudly,wearing sannyāsa dress, andwe have named ourmaṭhaafter Śrīla Prabhupāda. How can he claim we are not disciples of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda?”

Seeing this to be true, the judge awarded the decision in favor of ŚrīlaAuḍulomiGosvāmīMahārāja and his followers. It appeared as though ŚrīlaKeśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja had been defeated. I pleaded, “Many of yourgodbrotherswereinvolvedinbuildingthiscaseforalongtime.Itoolaboredso much in transcribing your dictations, going to Śrīla Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārājaforeditingandprovidinginformationtothecourt.Nowthatwehavelostthecase,willyounotappealthejudge’sverdict?”

ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājareplied,“Wewillproceedfurtheronlyifthey again go against Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings.” He then asked, “Howmanypunchescanyoutolerate?”

I replied, “Not even a single punch. I would strongly object to beingpunched.”

ŚrīlaMahārājaasked,“Andhowmanycouldyoutolerateifyourhandsandlegsweretiedwithropes?”

Ireplied,“Iwouldbeforcedtotoleratehowevermanyweregiven.”“Inthesameway,wheneversomeonemakesmistakesandgoesagainstthe

teachingsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,wewillbind theirhandsandbeat themtoourfullestcapacityuntiltheyacceptthoseteachings.”Hethenexplained,“Myonlydesirewasfor themtoagainfollowthelineofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andweseethattheyarenowdoingthis.Theyarenowwearingsannyāsadress,awardingsannyāsatoothersandloudlychantingtheharekṛṣṇamahā-mantra.Thiswasmyobjective.Inthisway,wewerevictorious.Ourfightwasnotforanythingother than establishing the proper siddhānta (conclusive truths) andreconnectingthemwithŚrīlaPrabhupāda.”

Even now, all of Śrīla Auḍulomi Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s followers anddevotees of Bāgbāzār GauḍīyaMaṭha accept sannyāsa, perform Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramā, loudly chant mahā-mantra, and perform harināma-saṅkīrtana.ThisisallduetothemercyofŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja.

“Wearenotheretodealinrealestate”While Śrīla Prabhupāda was physically present, Śrī Vinoda-bihārī

BrahmacārīdesiredtobuyapieceofMuslim-ownedlandadjacenttoŚrīvāsa-aṅgana, which was owned by Śrī Caitanya Maṭha. The Muslims owners,however,refusedtosellthatlandtoŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha,astheywereenviousof the organization’s growing influence in Māyāpura. After somedisagreementsfollowingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisappearance,ŚrīVinoda-bihārīBrahmacārī officially separated from Śrī Caitanya Maṭha, moved to ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāma and formed Śrī Gauḍīya Vedānta Samiti. After acceptingsannyāsa, hebecameknownasŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja.AfterhearingofhisrecentdeparturefromŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha,andinanattempttosabotagetheinstitution,theMuslimownersthenbecameveryhappytosellthelandtoŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja.

AssoonasthedevoteesofŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhacametoknowŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharāja had acquired that land, they broke its boundarywall andclaimedittobepartoftheirproperty.

WhenImentionedthistoŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharāja,helaughedandsaid,“Thatisquitefine.WhenŚrīlaPrabhupādawashere,Iwantedtopurchasethat land and take it from theMuslims. It irritatedme thatwe owned all thesurroundingpropertyexceptforthissmallpieceofland,whichwasownedbypeopleperformingactivitiesagainstbhakti.Ididnotpurchasethislandformyownenjoyment,but for theserviceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.There isnoharmifŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhaclaimsit.Rather, Iamfortunate that theyhave taken it fortheserviceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.”

Hethenasserted,“Wearenotheretodealinrealestate.OuronlydutyistoserveŚrīlaPrabhupādaandtheVaiṣṇavas.”

“Wehavenotjoinedthemaṭhatoaccrueproperty”A similar incident happened after Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disappearance. The

devoteesofŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhawantedtosellapropertytheyownedthathadamango orchid. The propertywas at a place calledRāutalā in ŚrīNavadvīpa.ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharāja,however,opposedthesaleandfiledacourtcase against them. Being unable to use his own name to file the court casebecause he had been previously jailed due to false accusationsmade againsthim,he instead filed itunder thenameofhisgodbrothersŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVijñānaĀśramaGosvāmīMaharājaandŚrīKhagenaPrabhu.However,whendevotees fromŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhacame to testify in court, they insisted they

never intended on selling that property, and that they had no intentions ofsellingitinthefuture.Theyalsopresentedthecourtwithawrittenstatementtothiseffect.Hearing this, the judge threwout thecaseandnoted in the recordthatthelandwillneverbesold.

Because I was extremely junior to Śrīla Keśava Gosvāmī Maharāja, Iinitiallypossessedarespectfulfearofhimandneveraskedhimanyquestions.ButasIcontinuedmydailytranscriptionservicewithhim,thatfeargraduallyfaded.

When I expressedmydisappointmentat losing thecourt casedespiteourbest efforts and after incurring considerable debt, Śrīla Keśava GosvāmīMaharājasaid,“Youareveryyoung.Youcannotunderstandanything.”

Iwaspuzzledbyhisreply.“Idon’tunderstand,”Itoldhim.Hethenexplained,“Althoughlegallyitmayseemthatwehavelostandthey

havewon,inrealityitiswewhohavewonandtheywhohavelost.”This only confusedmemore. “Again, I don’t understand.How couldwe

havewonwhenthecasewasthrownout?”ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharājasaid,“ApparentlyIhavetobeexplicitfor

you to understand. Listen, we have not joined themaṭha to accrue property.Thiscourtcasewasnotaboutland.Itwasaboutprinciple.ThislandbelongedtoŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andhewantedittobeusedforŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu’smission.Asaresultofourcourtcase,theyhavesubmittedaformaldocumenttothecourtstatingthat theywillneversell it.Theyarenowboundbylawtokeeptheland.Therefore,wehavewonandtheyhavelost.”

Thelion-likeācāryaAlthoughŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharājaappearedthinandfrail,hewas

asfierceasalioninhisconductandhisdedicationtoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Whenhe manifested his sickness pastimes, Guru Maharāja and Śrī Jaga-mohanaPrabhu visited him, takingmewith them as their sevaka. During their visit,GuruMaharājaaskedŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMaharāja“Howwillwecontinuewiththesecourtcasesifyouaremanifestingsicknesspastimes?”

Although Śrīla Keśava Gosvāmī Maharāja appeared to be very ill, hisresponsewassopowerfulthatitcontinuestoresonateinmyearseventothisday.Hesaid,“Nomatterwhathappenstome,theresidentsofthemaṭhamustcontinue these court cases, otherwise they will have no right to stay in themaṭha.”

ConcernedonlyforŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smission,notprofitorlossInitsearlydays,ŚrīDevānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhainNavadvīpaconsistedof

only two rooms: one for Ṭhākura-jī and one for Śrīla Keśava GosvāmīMaharāja and his sevaka. Although his possessions were few and his fundsweremeager, he was the first person to initiate an annual parikramā of ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaseparate fromŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha.He tookout loans fromvariousindividualstofacilitatetheparikramāandwelcomedasmanypilgrimsaspossible,withoutaskinganyoneforanattendancefee.Hewasunconcernedwith profit and loss; his only concern was to continue Śrīla Prabhupāda’smission.Suchwashiselevatedconsciousness.

Śrīla Keśava Gosvāmī Maharāja used to say, “Although many peoplestayedwithŚrīlaPrabhupādaduringthemaṭha’searliestdays,heneverorderedany of them to beg alms. The devotees were served through whateverdonationsdonorsgaveoftheirownaccord.Becauseofadearthinprovisions,forlunchprasāda,everyonewouldgetasinglebowlofriceandwildgreens.WhenweperformedparikramāwithŚrīlaPrabhupāda,everyonestayedundertrees. Śrīla Prabhupāda knows our current condition, so he is sendingmanythings.Nowwhenweperformparikramā,westayunderlargetentsandservelargeamountsofprasādatothepilgrims.”

Althoughinrealityhedidnothavemuchandhadtoborrowmoneytohostparikramās, Śrīla Keśava Gosvāmī Maharāja indubitably saw ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smercyeverywhereandgenuinelyneverfeltanylacking.

PilgrimagesbyprivatetrainŚrīla Keśava Gosvāmī Maharāja was the first person in Gauḍīya Maṭha

history toorganizeparikramās of theholyplaces in India.HewouldbookaprivatetrainandleadpilgrimsontoursofNorthIndia,SouthIndiaandotherplacesaroundthecountry.Theprivatetrainhadtwosections:oneforcookingand one for cleaning and other services. The parikramā party would stopwherevertheywantedforaslongastheydesiredbeforemovingontothenextplace.

AGlimpseintoTranscendentalAffectionandRelationships

[ThefollowingisaletterwrittenbyŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja in 1988 on the occasion of the disappearance day of Śrī Śrīmad

Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, in which he has expressed hisheartfelt humility in separation from his godbrother. The English translationpresentedherewasfirstpublishedinRaysoftheHarmonist(Volume9,Winter2001).]

AllGlorytoŚrīŚrīGuruandGaurāṅgaŚrīGopināṭhaGauḍīyaMaṭhaISHODYANP.O.ŚrīMāyāpuraDt.Nadia(W.B.)Pin.741313

Tridanḍi-bhikṣuŚrīBhaktiPromodaPurī

Dated:26/10/1988

Thisisahumblesubmissionbythisfallendāsānudāsajīvaatthelotusfeetofnitya-līlā-praviṣṭa parama-pujanīya tridaṇḍi-gosvāmī Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiPrajñāna Keśava GosvāmīMahārāja, on the occasion of his tirobhāva-tithi-pūjā.

PūjyapādaMahārāja,

Today is your aprakaṭa-tithi-pūjā (DisappearanceDay).However, you are anītyā-jāna, an eternal associate of Paramārādhya Śrī Guru-pāda-pādma, andyou are absorbed in his eternal service. You are aprakaṭa, but you havenonetheless manifested your nityā prakaṭa-līlā at your dearmost place,Śrīdhāma Navadvīpa-Māyāpura. There, at Śrī Caitanya Maṭha in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura, you are overwhelmed in the bliss of eternal service toParamarādhya Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda. This place is the birthplace of ŚrīmanMahāprabhu, and is non-different from Śrī Vṛndāvana. Your most belovedgodbrotherŚrīŚrīlaNarahariDāisalsoengagedthereintheeternalserviceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,asyourprominentassistant.

Both of you blessed this fallen younger godbrother of yours at thebeginning of his maṭha life with your affection, and he received theopportunitytoservethelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaintheguidanceofyourśrīcaraṇathroughoutthethreeperiodsofthedayformanyyears.Thosewerethe dayswhen you profusely encouraged your unqualified, fallen brother insevā, by fully opening the shower of the unlimited storehouse of youraffection.AtthattimeIbecameboundbyyouraffectionandmadeupmymindto pass my whole life in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura serving Śrīla Prabhupāda.However, by the will of providence, I had to live in Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha inBāgbāzār,Kolkata, for a long time.Then, after thedisappearancepastimeof

Śrīla Prabhupāda, I resided at Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, Calcutta,established by our godbrother, nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa Śrīmad Bhakti DāyitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja.

Inthelastpartofmylife,IhaveonceagaincometoŚrīGopināṭhaGauḍīyaMaṭhaat Iśodyāna,ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura. Ihavebeen stayinghere for the lasteightmonths.Unfortunately,here,too,Iampassingmytimeingreatdistress,beingdevoidofthesaṅgaofgenuinebhajana-vijñaVaiṣṇavas(Vaiṣṇavaswhoarewell-versedintheartofbhajana).Therefore,afflictedwiththisgrief,Iampraying today at your śrīpāda-pādma (lotus feet): O adośa-darśi VaiṣṇavaṬhākura(whodoesnotlookatthefaultsofothers),pleasedonotforgetyourunfortunate younger brother. Despite remaining unmanifest, please alwaysshowerthenectarofyouraffectionuponhimasyouusedtodobefore.

AtKatwāyouacceptedthetridaṇḍasannyāsa-veśafromnitya-līlā-praviṣṭaparama-pūjyapādatridaṇḍi-yatiŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja.Atthattime,thisfallenonewasalsopresentthere.Ithinkthat,bythedesireofpujyapāda ŚrīdharaMahārāja, I lit the sacrificial fire.Duringyourmanifestpastimes, Ioccasionallyhadthegoodfortune tohaveyoursaṅgaatplaceslikeŚrīDevānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhainNavadvīpa,ChuṅchurāMaṭha,andCalcutta.

Today, I have become completely helpless here. I entered the ninety-firstyear of my life last 15 October 1988, and I have now become incapable. Icannotwillfullygofromoneplacetoanothertohavethesaṅgaoftheśuddha-bhaktas, and thus I feel myself cheated of such fortune. In this state, pleaseprotectthespirituallifeofthisfallenyoungerbrotherofyours.Althoughyouremainhiddenfromoursight, in thisstate,pleaseprotect thespiritual lifeofthisfallenyoungerbrotherofyoursbynourishinghimwiththestreamofthenectar of your affection.Today,my heartfelt solicitation at your lotus feet isthis: O adoṣadarśī vaiṣṇava-pravara, by your own magnanimous qualities,pleaserectifyallmyknownandunknownfaultsanddiscrepancies,andbestowuponmetheadhikāratoengageinthenityā-sevāofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Thisismy sole submission at your lotus feet at this auspiciousmoment of yourDisappearanceDay.

Vaiṣṇava-dāsānudāsa,

ŚrīBhaktiPramodaPurī

GlorificationofPūjyapādaKeśavaMahārāja

ComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

TheappearanceofanextraordinarypersonalityŚrī Bhagavān arranged for His intimate associate Śrī Vinoda-bihārī

Brahmacārītoappearinadevotionalatmosphereinanaristocraticfamily.Thevirtues he displayed—for instance, his righteous character, his attachment toreligiosity,andhisfearlessandvehementoppositionofwrongdoing—rousedtheamazementofhisrelativesandwiseacquaintances,whomadehimthesoletopic of their discussions. They predicted he would soon prove to be anextraordinarypersonality.

TakingshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupadaWhen Śrīpāda Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī first arrived in Śrīdhāma

Māyāpura in 1915, he was highly fortunate to obtain the darśana ofparamārādhyatamaŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeet,aswellastheopportunitytoextensively hear hari-kathā from him. In 1919, he took shelter of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s lotus feet, becoming a lifelong celibate, and began livingpermanentlyinVraja-pattanaŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha,wherehesurrenderedhislifetoengage inearnest spiritual inquiryandcultivateadispositionofservitude.Thus, he received plentiful teachings from his śrī gurudeva on the truths ofdharmaandscripturalconclusions.

RefutingmāyāvādaŚrī Vinoda-bīhārī Brahmacārī paid particular attention to what Śrīla

Prabhupāda spoke on the topic ofmāyāvāda, or the delusional doctrine ofmonism:itisanotionlethaltodevotionandkillsthesoul.ŚrīmanMahāprabhudidnotacceptthisphilosophyinanyway,butratherdeemeditantagonistictobhakti. Hence, it is entirely unsanctioned by Him. Brahmacārī-jī firmlyassimilated these teachings in his heart, where they became deeply rooted.Accordingly,hecollectedsometentotwelvecommentariesonthephilosophictreatiseofVedāntabyvarious authors and, having studied theseworks, gavespeeches at Cuttack’s RavenshawCollege and other learned communities onthe irrationality and inauthenticity of Śaṅkara’s doctrine. Later, the essentialpointsofhisspeecheswerepublishedintheGauḍīyaMaṭha’sdailynewsletterat the time,DainikaNadīyāPrakāśa.He expounded the concepts ofBrahma-sūtraprimarilyonthebasisofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’steachingsconcerningtheworshipoftheholyname.Hewrote:

“The word brahma factually refers to śabda-brahma, or divine soundvibration. This śabda-brahma is what Śrīman Mahāprabhu preached as śrī-nāma-brahma,divinityincarnatedastheholyname.Thenotionthatbrahma isaformless, indistinguishable, featurelessoblivionisnotmentionedanywhereintheapproximatelyfivehundredfiftyaxiomsofBrahma-sūtra.Ifbrahma isdevoidofqualities, thensurelybrahma isnotof a compassionatenature.ŚrīVedavyāsa did not mention the words nirākāra (formless), nirviśeṣa(indistinct)ornirguṇa(featureless)anywhereinVedānta-sūtra.”

ClassifyingthevariousBuddhasOnce, Svāmī-jī was giving a weeklong lecture series on Śrīmad-

Bhāgavatam in the village of ŚrīRāmapura, nearChuñchurā, at the SanskritschooloftherespectedattorneyŚrīyūtaPhaṇi-bhūṣaṇaCakravartīŚāstrīM.A.,B.L.Duringthattime,hediscoveredthathishosthadahugelibrary,whichhereceived the opportunity to peruse. Among the many books, a volume ofBuddhistorigin,titledLaṅkāvatāra-sūtra,drewhisattention,andheborrowedit from the lawyer to study.At one place in this book, it iswritten: “RāvaṇausedtotakeaplanetothetopofthetallestmountaintovisitBuddha,whohadcome there, and discuss advaita-vāda, the doctrine of monism.” Svāmī-jīquotes this Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra as scriptural evidence on page twenty of hisMāyāvādera Jīvanī. Thus, he collected historical evidence of advaita-vādīsdatingallthewaybacktoTreta-yuga.

Once,in1946,whileSvāmī-jīwasobservingūrjā-vratainKāśī,hemadeatriptoBuddha-Gayā,wherehediscoveredthatthetempleswereunderthecareof a distinguished Śaṅkarācārya mahanta of the advaita-vādī lineage inaccordance with traditions dating back to ancient times. That mahanta wasessentiallytheproprietorofBuddha-Gayā.

Outofcuriosity,Swāmī-jīaskedthemahanta,“HowisarenownedācāryaoftheŚaṅkaralineagetheheadoftheBuddhistmaṭha?IsŚaṅkara’slineageasect of Buddhism?” The mahanta, being somewhat displeased, gave him abook calledLalita-vistāra to consult. Evidence from the twenty-first chapter(page one hundred seventy-eight) of this book is cited on page nineteen ofMāyāvādera Jīvanī: “The Śākya Buddha decided that Buddha-Gayā, thebirthplaceoftheprevious,ancientBuddha,wastheappropriateplaceforhimto attain perfection, and so he sat beneath a fig tree and performed hisausterities.”

Svāmī-jī has written: “The ancient name of this Buddha-Gayā is Kīkaṭa.

Buddha-deva’s deity is still worshipped at this place by the ‘Giri’ sannyāsīleadership of the Śaṅkara lineage. They accept that Buddha-Gayā is thebirthplace of the ancient, originalBuddha, theViṣṇu-Buddha. It iswhere theŚākya-siṁha Buddha performed spiritual practice to attain liberation. Thisclearlyproves that theancientavatāraBuddha and themore recentGautamaBuddhaarenot thesame. In theAmara-koṣa dictionary,LordBuddha’s othername is given as ‘Samanta-Bhadra.’ Samanta-Bhadra is listed among theBodhisattvas, while Gautama is one of the mortal Buddhas. He becamerenownedbythename‘Buddha’afterattainingenlightenment.Thus,weknowtherearethreeclassificationsofBuddhas:themortalBuddhas,theBodhisattvaBuddhasandtheoriginalBuddha.”

HisdistainformāyāvādaSvāmī-jīespeciallycautionedpractitionerspursuingthepathofdevotionto

entirely reject the animosity to bhakti that is māyāvāda and to avoid thecompany of Māyāvādīs, which is lethal to devotion. To this end, he quotesvariousstatementsbyŚrīKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī,headedby“māyāvādī-bhāṣyaśunilehayasarva-nāśa—ifyoulistentothedoctrineofMāyāvādīs,youwillmeetwithutterruin”(ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta,Madhya-līlā,6.169).

HealsocitesŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura:

viṣaya-vimūḍhaāramāyāvādī-janabhakti-śunyaduñheprāṇadhareakāraṇa

ThematerialistengrossedinpleasuresandtheimpersonalistMāyāvādīarebothbereftofbhaktiandthereforeleadmeaninglesslives.

sedu’yeramadhyeviṣayītabubhālômāyāvādi-saṅganāhimāgikonokāla

Ofthetwo,thematerialistisstillbetter.IneverwantthecompanyofaMāyāvādī.

māyāvāda-doṣaĵārahṛdayapaśilakutarkehṛdayatāravajra-samabhela

Once the blight ofMāyāvāda enters a person’s heart, various corrupting contentionsrenderitasharshasathunderbolt.

bhaktirasvarūpaāra‘viṣaya,’‘āśraya’māyāvādī‘anitya’bôliyāsabakaya

TheMāyāvādīdeems thenatureofdevotion,alongwith itsobjectandsubject, tobe

temporary.

dhiktā’rakṛṣṇa-sevāśravaṇakīrtanakṛṣṇa-aṅgevajra-hānetāhārastavana

FieontheirserviceofKṛṣṇa,theirso-calledhearingandchanting.TheirpraiseofKṛṣṇaamountstohurlingboltsoflightningatHim.

māyāvāda-samabhaktipratikūlanāiataevamāyāvādī-saṅganāhicāi

There is nothingmore unfavorable to devotion thanMāyāvāda. Therefore, I do notwantthecompanyofMāyāvādīs.

In this way, Svāmī-jī’s efforts to refute the doctrine of māyāvāda andtherebyelicittheheartypleasureofBhakti-devī,thegoddessofdevotion,isaprimaryfacetofhisbhāgavata-jīvana,his transcendental lifededicatedto theLord.

AmiraculousoccurrenceForseveralunavoidablereasons,Brahmacārī-jīleftŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhain

great sadness in June of 1940. In 1941, he accepted sannyāsa and rented ahouse on 33-2 Bose-pāḍā Lane in the Bāgbāzār neighborhood, where hefoundedŚrīGauḍīyaVedāntaSamition thedayofAkṣaya-tṛtiyā.During thisperiod,anextraordinaryincidentoccurred.

Itmusthavebeen1941or ’42on thedayofEkādasī,whenSvāmī-jīwassitting in his room at 33-2 Bosa-pāḍā Lane, the location of his GauḍīyaVedānta Samiti, and his godbrother Śrīpāda Nārāyaṇa dāsa MukhopādhyāyaSevā-suhṛtPrabhumade the trip fromhishomeat14PharadaisLane tovisithim.He arrived in themorning, and the two passed a significant amount oftimetalking.Seeinghisguestpreparingtoreturnhome,Mahārājawaskeentoofferhimsomethingtoeat,butatthetime,hedidnothavesinglepaisāathand.Hecouldnotevenofferbatāsā(smallhollowsugarpuffs)withwater.Washeto simplybidhisgodbrothergoodbye like this?Mahārāja, a sonofnobility,begantoweepatheart.

At thatverymoment,asparrow—sentby theLord,presumably—percheditselfonthewallofthehouseanddroppedasmallpacketdowntheventilatorshaft.Thepacketfellintotheroomandlandedonthefloorwithasound.WhenŚrīKeśavaMahārāja opened it, he saw therewere sixānās inside (about 35paisā).“Surely,thegodshavesentthis,”hethought.Summoningabrahmacārī

sevaka,heaskedhimtopurchasesomesandeśa (sweetcurd)withthemoney.Thus,hewasabletolovinglyofferhisgodbrotherSevā-suhṛtPrabhusuitableprasāda.

After that, therewasnotonepaisā left inhis treasurybywhichhemighthavehadsomethingforhimselftoeat.Butjust then,therewasaknockat themaingate.Acourierhadarrived.Itwasincredible!BlessedistheLord,whoisso affectionate toHis devotees, andblessed isHis transcendentally causelessmercy,whichmakestheimpossiblepossible.HisaffectionforHisdevoteesisunprecedented. The supremely worshipful tridaṇḍi-svāmī Śrīmad BhaktiSarvasvaGiriMahārāja, a godbrother ofMahārāja-jīwhohas since attainedtheeternalabode,hadsentamoneyorderinhisnameforonehundredrupees.EveryonewhowitnessedtheincidentwasstunnedandbegantopraiseŚrīŚrīGuru-Gaurāṅga again and again. Although he was in the grips of extremepoverty,Svāmī-jīsavoredthismercyofŚrīBhagavānandfeltencouragedtoalwaysbedauntlessinhisreadinesstorenderservice.

WinningtherespectofallFrom the very beginning,whenŚrīVinoda-bihārī first came to the lotus

feetofhismostworshipfulśrīgurudeva,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaentrustedhimwiththeweightyresponsibilitiesofmaintainingthemaṭha’spropertiesinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpuraandfurtherexpandingthegloriesofservingthemosttranscendentaldhāma.

The guardian of ākāra maṭha-rāja Śrī Caitanya Maṭha in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura, Śrīpāda Narahari Brahmacārī Sevā-vigraha, was his inseparablecomrade and counterpart. ŚrīVinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī accomplishedmanyservicesfor thesakeofŚrīdhāmawithhiscompanion’sconsultation, therebybringinggreatjoytoparamārādhyaŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

InthosedaysinŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,theresidentsofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sdhāma respectfully addressed Śrī Vinoda-bihārī Brahmacārī as ‘ManagerBābu.’HindusandMuslimsalikeallregardedhimasatrulybeneficentfriendand well-wisher. At a word from him, everyone would heed hisreconciliations, which were geared toward keeping rogues in check andnurturing the gentle folk.He never indulged in anymanner ofwrongdoing.Becauseofhissoundjudgmentandmanagement,thepoorrarelyhadtowastemoneyoncourtvisitsandfees.EventhelocalMuslimslenttheirwholeheartedassistancetothemaṭha.

All of the local high-ranking officials—from the district magistrate of

Nadīyā to the officers, attorneys, landownersand oligarchs, as well as theteachers,professorsandadministratorsoftheschoolsandcolleges—regardedVinoda Bābū with ubiquitous respect as an esteemed citizen and munificentgentlemanwhoselifewasdedicatedtodharma.Indeed,theyfoundthemselveswonoverbyhisvirtues.

Everyyear,heevokedprofusejoyinŚrīlaPrabhupādabyhisotherworldlyservice during Śrīdhāma Navadvīpa parikramā, the festival of Śrī Gaura’sappearance at Śrī Yoga-pīṭha, the auspicious convening of Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāmaPracārinīSabhā,aswellaswhenantheexhibitiononspirituallifewasunveiledin1929.

Asidefromthis,asabrahmacārī,hefurtherevokedthehappinessofhisśrīgurupāda-padma by his tireless toil in establishing the printing press in theŚrīdhāma,inoverseeingtheprintingofthedailyspiritualnewspaperDainikaNadiyā Prakāśa and countless scriptural texts, in constructing Śrīdhāma’sroadsandriverbanks,insupervisingthelandleasesandinothervarioustasksofservice.

Alloftheresidentsevakasofthemaṭhawerewonoverbyhisconsiderate,caring interactions. In the endearing saturation of his and Śrīpāda NarahariDā’s affectionate care, even the young pledges who had taken refuge in themaṭhawereabletoforegothelovingarmsoftheirmothersandfathers,allthewhilemaintainingahealthyfearofhisaffectionatechastisement.

DisciplesofthemostworshipfulŚrīlaPrabhupādawereeagertoapproachthese two godbrothers, literally dancing in delight at the prospect. In thosedays,ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpurawas the lifeofdevotee’s lives,andVinodaDāandNarahariDāwere everyone’s bosom friends, the dearest of their lives.EvenparamārādhyatamaŚrīlaPrabhupādawasalwayseager to come toŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura from the ŚrīGauḍīyaMaṭha inKolkata.Upon reaching there, hisheartwouldfeelsoothedandatpeace.Butalas,“tehinodivasāgatāḥ—thosedayshavegone.”

ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpurawas thevery lifeofŚrīpādaKeśavaMahārāja.Uponbeing deprived of living in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura, like a fish out of water,Svāmī-jī feltas if life itselfwasanaffliction.After thedisappearanceofourmostworshipfulŚrīlaPrabhupāda,ŚrīlaKeśavaMahārāja consultedwithhisinseparable confidant Śrīpāda Narahari Dā and moved to Tegharī-pādā,Koladvīpa inŚrīdhāmaNavadvīpa,whereheestablished theprincipal seatofhisŚrīGauḍīyaVedāntaSamiti.

He named themaṭha Śrī Devānanda Gauḍīya Maṭha and, on six bighās

(fourandone-thirdacres),constructedahuge,toweringtemple,alargenāṭya-mandira event hall, ample accommodations for the sevakas, andmany otherfacilities. To honor the Purāṇic significance of Koladvīpa, the fifth ofNavadvīpa’s nine islands, Svāmī-jī installed the deity of Śrī BhagavānVarāhāvatāra on a separate throne next to that of Śrī Śrī Guru-GaurāṅgaGāndharvikā-Giridhārī-jiuinagrandceremonywithaqualifiedācāryapriestpresenttoconductthenecessaryrituals.

Now, as of the 6October 1968, Svāmī-jī’s transcendental formhas beeninterredinsamādhitothewestofthemassivenāṭya-mandiraassemblyhallinfrontof that temple.Thedevoteeshope tosoonbuilda largesamādhi shrinethere.

ObservingRatha-yātrāEveryyearforsometwenty-fiveyears,pūjyapādaMahārājaheldtheRatha-

yātrā festival of Śrī Śrī Jagannātha-deva from Chuñchurā’s Śrī UddhāraṇaGauḍīyaMaṭha.Lastyear, inagrandevent,ŚrīŚrī Jagannātha-deva’sRatha-yātrāwasheldatŚrīDevānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhainŚrīKoladvīpa,also.

Propagatingśuddha-bhaktiBy establishing preaching centers under Śrī Gauḍīya Vedānta Samiti in

various places throughout India,pūjyapāda KeśavaMahārāja propagated themessageandverdictsofśuddha-bhakti,orpuredevotion,andplanteditsseedintheheartsofmanyfortunatesouls.Bytheimpactofhearinghiscompellingsermons,manymen andwomen attained the fortune of pursuing the path ofpure devotion as revealed by ourmost worshipful Prabhupāda. Bathing andvitalizing them in the sacred current of Śrī Śrī Bhaktivinoda’s teachings,Svāmī-jīmadetheirmortallivessuccessfulandblessedbeyondbelief.

ThesteadfastnessofhisconvictionOnceŚrīKeśavaMahārājaunderstoodsomethingtobetrue,hisconviction

initwassuchthatevenfearitselfwasafraidtodissuadehim.

NourishinghisdiscipleswithaffectionŚrī Keśava Mahārāja expressed a disposition of being harder than a

thunderbolt, yet softer than a flower—vajrād-api kaṭhorāṇimṛdūni kusumād-api.Hisaffectionforhisdiscipleswasexemplary.Ifeverhisdisciplesfacedaserious illness or injury, his soft, flower-like heart would melt entirely. Hewouldbeready to tradeallhehad tobring themback tohealth.Althoughhe

had to combat extreme poverty in the beginning, by the Lord’s will, heeventuallyestablishedtemplesinvariousplaces,mostnotablythelargemaṭha-mandirainŚrīdhāmaNavadvīpa,withthehelpofafewwealthydevotees.

AfewofhisaccomplishmentsDuringhispastimesasanācārya,heheldhugeparikramās inŚrīGauḍa-

maṇḍala, Śrī Vraja-maṇḍala and Śrī Kṣetra-Maṇḍala. Besides theseengagements, he organized pilgrimages to almost all of the renowned holyplaces in Āryāvarta (North India) and South India. He also held a largepilgrimageofŚrīŚiva-dhāmaŚrīBaidyanātha-dhāmaandstayedthereforonemonth, observing niyama-sevā (Kārtika) and executing the schedule ofappropriatevowsanddailykīrtanas.

His enthusiasm in the field of educationwas exemplary. In themaṭha inŚrīdhāmaNavadvīpa,heestablishedadayschoolforSanskrit,aresidenceforstudents, a printing press for books and magazines, a bookstore, and awarehouse.Hepersonallyoversawtheseservices,thusencouragingeveryoneintheserviceoftheśrīmaṭha-mandira.

InexpressibleseparationToday,havinglostsuchanexemplaryācāryawhowaseagertoserveand

wasendowedwithallgoodqualities,thepainwefeelinourheartscannotbeexpressedinwords.Separationfromagodbrothersocompletelydedicatedtothe serviceof śrīguru,Gaurāṅga andŚrīGaura-dhāma fills our heartswithextremeagony.MayŚrīpādaKeśavaMahārājabepleasedwithus.Thatisourpitifulprayer.

ExcerptsfromanarticlepublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year8,Volume10)

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

UnparalleledservicetoŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sbṛhad-mṛdaṅgaIn 1922, at the age of twenty-four, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī

Gosvāmī Mahārāja (then Śrī Prāṇavānanda Brahmacārī) accepted completeshelteratthelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaonthemostauspiciousdayofŚrīKṛṣṇaJanmāṣṭamī.Onthatday,heacceptedbothharināmaanddīkṣāinitiationsandengagedhimselfexclusivelyintheserviceofthemaṭha.Previously,hehadbeenasciencestudentwholaterswitchedtostudyingthearts.Afterfinishinghis secondaryschoolingand receivinghis IndianSchoolCertificate,hewenton to study the arts at the university level and acquired a Bachelor of Artsdegree.

Knowing Śrī Prāṇavānanda Brahmacārī to be well educated, ŚrīlaPrabhupāda called him near and said, “I desire to publish a daily spiritualnewspapertitledDainikaNadiyāPrakāśa,andIwantyoutobeitseditor.”

ŚrīPrāṇavānandaBrahmacārīaskedŚrīlaPrabhupāda,“Whatarethedutiesofaneditor?”

Śrīla Prabhupāda replied, “When you begin your service and startpublishing the newspaper, you will automatically understand what must bedone.Whenadevoteeacceptstheresponsibilityofperformingaservicewiththe intention of pleasing ŚrīHari,guru andVaiṣṇavas, then they themselvesreveal all the necessary knowledge to him and invest himwith the requiredcompetence to properly perform that service.There is no need to externallyadviseorinstructhimonwhatmustbedone.”

Under the editorship of Śrī Prāṇavānanda Brahmacārī, Dainika NadīyāPrakāśa preserved and broadcasted the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, andwhenitwasdistributedamongthemasses,itilluminatedthewholeworldwithits literary and spiritual excellence.Contemporary scholarswerebaffled thatsomeonewaspublishingaspiritualnewspaper,andthattooonadailybasis.

IheardthefollowinginstancefromthelotusmouthofŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājahimself.

Once, while speaking with Śrīla Prabhupāda at Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha inBāgbāzār,Kolkata, ŚrīMadana-mohanaMalaviya, the founder of theworld-famous Banaras Hindu University in Vārāṇasī, Uttar Pradesh, with greatastonishmentaskedhim,“Forhow longwillyoubeable to run thisDainika

Nadīyā Prakāśa? Fromwhere will you obtain the great number of spiritualarticlesneededtokeepitinprinteveryday?”

ŚrīlaPrabhupāda replied, “Your astonishment pales in comparison to theastonishment I feel inseeing thatyou,apersonregardedas foremostamongthe best scholars of India, is expressing wonder about these concerns. Thismaterial creation is merely the reflection of a quarter of the transcendentalcreation.

“Across the globe, countless newspapers are published every day indifferentlanguages,andthisearthplanetisonlyonepartofthefourteen-foldplanetarysystem,whichbelongstojustoneoftheinnumerablebrahmāṇḍasinthematerialcreation.Despitethemundanityofthearticlesinthesenewspapers,everyone feels they are ever-fresh.Therefore,whywould yoube astonishedaboutthedailypublishingofbutonenewspaper,theDainikaNadīyāPrakāśa,which focuseson the transcendental spiritualworld? In fact,wehaveenoughtranscendental content about the spiritual realm to publish numerous dailynewspapersforalleternity.”

For approximately seventy-five years of his life—from the time ŚrīlaPrabhupāda was physically present until well after Śrīla Prabhupāda’sdeparture—Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja experienced great internal bliss inhis persistent and enthusiastic service of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s bṛhad-mṛdaṅga,hisprintingpress.

Ipersonallywitnessedhowheengagedinpublicationservices,eveninhisadvanced age. In his later years, his bent back prevented him from sittingstraightandfromwritingforlongperiodsoftime,andsoheusedawoodenplank to supporthisbackandcontinuewriting.Althoughhishands trembledfrom the effect of old age and his previously elegant handwriting graduallybecame less legible, he never stoppedwriting. Despite his advanced age, heneverdiscontinuedhisservicetothebṛhad-mṛdaṅga,forŚrīlaPrabhupādahadpersonallyentrustedthisservicetohim.

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’suntiringservicehasgreatlybenefittedeachand every devotee among the SārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavas.During the timeŚrīlaPrabhupādawasphysicallypresent,ŚrīlaMahārājaservedastheeditorofDainikaNadīyāPrakāśa,wrotearticlesfortheweeklyGauḍīyamagazine,andrenderedvariousservicesforthepublicationofdifferentscriptures,includinganeditionofŚrīmad-BhāgavatamwithŚrīlaPrabhupāda’scommentaryandhisownintroductionaryoverviewsofeachchapterentitledKathā-sāra.AfterŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s disappearance, he became the editor of the monthly magazine

Gauḍīya and, later, Śrī Caitanya-vāṇī, which was founded by my gurupāda-padma. Additionally, he wrote numerous articles for a number of othermagazines,andheeditedandpublishedmanyscholarlybooks.

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’spublicationservicespresentedeachof thetrulysincerefollowersofŚrīlaPrabhupādawithanopportunitytoobtaintheirhighestspiritualwelfare.Forthis,theŚrīSārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavasremaineternallyindebtedandforevergratefultohim.

Whether Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is acknowledged or not, all theGauḍīya Maṭha branches and sub-branches established in the wake of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s disappearance—aswell as those that will be established in thefuture—bearastrong,unbreakable relation,whetherdirector indirect, to thetranscendental words (vāṇī) expounded in his literary contributions. Norespectable,virtuouspersonwilleverdenythis.

CompletedependenceonBhagavānThe various disturbances that manifested within the Gauḍīya Maṭha

institutionfollowingthedisappearanceofŚrīlaPrabhupādainspiredŚrīlaPurīGosvāmī Mahārāja and his godbrother Śrī Ānanda-līlā-maya Prabhu torelocatetoaplaceonthebanksoftheGaṅgāinKālanā,atowninthedistrictofBardhamāna. Kālanā was sanctified by the foot dust of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhuandŚrīNityānandaPrabhuduringTheirvisitthere.

During one of his preaching missions to England, Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiHṛdayaVanaGosvāmīMahārājametthekingofBardhamāna.In1959,ontherecommendation of Śrīla Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja, the king donated theancientAnanta-vāsudevaTempleinKālanātoŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja.Atthattime,ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājahadalreadybeenservinghispersonaldeities Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Gopīnātha for a considerably long time.Honoring theking’srequest,hethenbeganservingbothAnanta-vāsudevaandŚrīŚrīRādha-Gopīnāthawithgreatloveandaffection.

The arcana (deity worship) performed by liberated personalities—forinstance, the worship of Śrī Gopāla by Śrīla Mādhavendra Purīpāda, ŚrīGovinda-deva by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmīpāda, Śrī Madana-mohana by ŚrīlaSanātana Gosvāmīpāda, Śrī Rādhā-vinoda by Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī, śrīgirirāja-śilā by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmīpāda, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa byŚrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmīpāda, Śrī Vṛndāvana-candra by Śrīla KavirājaGosvāmī, Śrīman Mahaprabhu by Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, ŚrīSyāmasundara by Śrīla Śyāmānanda Prabhu, Śrī Śrī Radha-Gokulānanda by

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Śrī Radha-vijaya by BaladevaVidyābhūṣaṇaPrabhuandthemanydeitiesservedbyrecentācāryas—isnotthesameas thearcana performedbyordinary conditional souls.The differencebetweenthemislikethatbetweenheavenandhell.

Liberatedpersonalitiesareabletorealizethetranscendentalnon-differencebetween the three forms of Bhagavān: His name, His deity form and Hisintrinsic form (svarūpa). Therefore, they are able to serve Him in anappropriate mood. But the conditioned souls, lacking such transcendentalrealization, must abide by the prescribed rules and regulations whenperformingdeityworship.

Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja was fully renounced throughout his entirelife.HealwaysconsideredservingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sprintingpress,aservicethat was entrusted to him by Śrīla Prabhupāda himself, to be his primaryobjective. When the opportunity arose to perform other services, he wouldperformthemwithgreatsincerity,butheneverdevelopedsuchanattachmenttothemashedidtoservingŚrīlaPrabhupādabypublishingspiritualliterature.

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaneverdirectedevenafractionofhisenergytoward intentionally collecting money, attracting followers, garneringrecognitionoracquiringland.Hewouldalwayssay,“Apersonisleadtothatinwhichheinvestshisenergy.”

As part of his daily deity worship, Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja wouldbathethedeitiesinwaterhepersonallyfetchedfromthenearbyGaṅgā,offerThembhogaandthenperformāratī.Whenhewouldgoouttocollectbhikṣa(alms),ŚrīĀnanda-līlā-mayaPrabhuwouldserve thedeities,andconversely,whenŚrīĀnanda-līlā-mayaPrabhuwouldcollectbhikṣa,ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawouldservethedeities.

Once,GuruMahārājasentmealetterwhenIwasinKolkata.Hewrote,“Tocommemorate theappearancedayofŚrīlaNarottamadāsaṬhākura,ŚrīPurīMahārājaisarrangingforafestivaltobeheldattheAnanta-vāsudevatempleinKālanāonMaghī-pūrṇimā(thefullmoondayinJanuary-February).Itwouldbegoodifyoucouldassisthim.IhavealsoaskedŚrīKṛṣṇa-keśavaPrabhu,ŚrīMadhu-mathanaPrabhu,ŚrīVinoda-bihārīPrabhuandothers inMāyāpura tojointhefestivities.”

WhenIreachedKālanāonedaybeforethefestival,IsawthatthedevoteesGuruMahārāja hadmentioned in his letter were already there. Also presentwereDr.S.N.GhoṣaandDr.NavīnaRañjanaSenaGupta,bothofwhomweredisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandresidentsofKolkata.Thatevening, Iasked

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,“ŚrīlaMahārāja,issomethingwrong?Inoticedthereisnothingtocook,norarethereanycookingutensils.Therearenotevenflowerswithwhich todecorate the temple for tomorrow’s festival.Whathashappened?”

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājareplied,“ŚrīĀnanda-līlā-mayaPrabhunevermentionedanythingtome.Isupposethesethingswillbemanagedsomehow.”

Feeling dumbfounded, I thought, “Śrīla Mahārāja has invited so manypeople to this festival, but he is not the slightest bit worried that, as of yet,nothinghasbeenarranged.Moreover,IdonotunderstandwhyŚrīlaMahārājahas mentioned Śrī Ānanda-līlā-maya Prabhu’s name. To the best of myknowledge, Śrī Ānanda-līlā-maya Prabhu was never made responsible forarranging anything. Who knows what deep bhāva, what confidential moodŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājamust be experiencing.”Although I tried, Iwasunable to ignoremyconcern. IaskedŚrīĀnanda-līlā-mayaPrabhuabout thesituation, but I was unconvinced by his reply. Thus, I returned to Śrīla PurīGosvāmī Mahārāja and asked, “Mahārāja, when and from where are theingredientsforpreparingbhogatoarrive?”

ŚrīlaMahārājareplied,“Icannotsay,butIhavefirmfaiththatbythewillofBhagavān,everythingwillbejustfine.”

“Certainly,”Ireplied.Ithenasked,“Isitpossibletoborrowlargepotsandcookingutensilsfromsomeonenearby?”

Hereplied,“ŚrīPrakṛtiBhūṣanaDattalivescloseby.HeisthechairmanoftheKālanāmunicipalityandhasmanysuchitems.Youcanaskhim.”

Earlythenextmorning,onthedayofthefestival,IwenttothehouseofŚrīPrakṛti Bhūṣaṇa Datta and knocked on the door. When he sluggishlyapproached the entryway, I realized I had justwoken him. I first offeredmyapologies and then explained the reason for my visit. Without asking anyquestionsorsayinganything,hecalledforhisservantandgavehimthekeystothe roomwhere the pots and utensils were kept. “Let him take whatever heneeds,”hesaid.

After I brought all the necessary pots and utensils to themaṭha, all thedevoteescleanedthem.Inthemeantime,acoupleofpersonshadbroughtafewmeageringredientsforcookingbhoga,buttheamountwasfarfromsufficient.AfterIplacedlargepotsofwateronthestoves toboil, Isatbackandwaitedfor more ingredients to arrive. Within a very short time, people began toarrive one after another, like a line of ants, offering scores of items, likejaggery, sugar, rice,pulses, flour,vegetables,milkandcurd.Suddenly, there

wasnoshortageatall; themaṭhaappearedasifitwereagrocery.Seeingtheabundance,IwasremindedofaversefromBhagavad-gītā(9.22):

ananyāścintayantomāṁyejanāḥparyupāsateteṣāṁnityābhiyuktānāṁ

yoga-kṣemaṁvahāmyaham

Forthosewhoaredevoidofotherdesires,whoarealwaysabsorbedincontemplatingMe and who always worship Me, I personally carry their necessities and preservewhattheypresentlyhave.

I consideredmyself fortunate towitness such a practical example of thisversemanifestbeforeme.Myblissknewnoend.

Seeing that no one was available to cook for the festival, I gratefullyaccepted the responsibilityandcookedunder theguidanceofŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī,whousedtocookforŚrīlaPrabhupāda.NeverbeforehadIcookedforsomanypeopleatonetime.Icookedallthepreparationsorderedby Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja, and did not stop until everyone was fullysatisfied. Lunch prasāda was served the entire afternoon until eveningapproached. Innumerabledevoteeshonored thatprasāda.Manyof themeventooksomeprasādahomewiththem,butstilltherewasnoscarcity.Infact,theremainingingredientsweresoplentifulthattheylastedanentiremonth.Evenso, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja was as indifferent toward saving thoseingredientsashewastowardcollectingthemfromthestart.Hewasgenuinelyunconcerned for the future, and appeared to be the embodiment of thefollowingverse:

alabdhevāvinaṣṭevābhakṣyācchādana-sādhaneaviklava-matirbhūtvāharimevadhiyāsmaret

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu(1.2.114)

Evenifapractitionerofdevotionisunabletoobtainthenecessitiesoflifeorifhelosessomethingafterobtainingit,heshouldremainuntroubledandcontinuerememberingŚrīHari.

Organizingafestivalafterhavingfirstcollectedallthenecessaryitemsisnot the same as organizing a festival without having collected anything inadvance.Onewayor another,Bhagavānundoubtedly fulfills thedesiresof asurrendereddevotee.ByŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’smercy, Iwasable to

attendthismostmemorableanddistinctlyuniquefestivalandthereby,for thefirsttimeinmylife,gaintheopportunitytoreceivedarśanaofseveraldeities,includingŚrīŚrīGaura-NityānandaPrabhuservedbyŚrīGaurīdāsaPaṇḍita-jī;the deities established by Śrī Surya-kānta Sarakhela, the father of ŚrīmanNityānanda Prabhu’s wives, Śrī Jāhnavā devī and Śrī Vasudhā devī; thetamarindtreeassociatedwithŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu’spastimes;thedeityofŚrīNāma-brahmaservedbyŚrīBhagavāndāsaBābājīMahārāja;aswellasanumberofotherworshipfuldeitiesandplacesinKālanā.

I attendedmany festivalsorganizedbyŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha, themaṭhaestablishedbyŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,bothwhilehewaspresentinthisworldandafterhisdisappearance,whenhisdiscipleŚrīBhaktiBibudhaBodhāyanaMahārāja began organizing the festivals. I can say that althoughmodern convenience has made it relatively easy to arrange extravagantfestivals,IneveragainsawafestivalasremarkableastheoneIexperiencedinKālanā, for which no prior arrangements were made. Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’s transcendental glories manifested at that festival, and witnessingthemfirsthandleftadeepimpressiononmyheart.

Seeingonlyvirtues,ignoringfaultsOnce,ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaaskedme towritea report about the

spiritual activities happening at the Gokula branch of Śrī Caitanya GauḍīyaMaṭha,whereIwasstayingat thetime.ThereportwastobepublishedinŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha’smonthlymagazine, Śrī Caitanya-vāṇī. Although Ihadnopreviousexperienceincomposingarticlesforpublication,IfollowedŚrīlaMahārāja’sinstruction,consideringittobenon-differentfromthatofmyGuruMahārāja.

I sent my finalized report to him with a cover letter stating, “ŚrīlaMahārāja-jī, although I have no prior journalistic experience, I havewrittenthisreport to thebestofmylimitedability.Pleaseacceptwhateveryoudeemadequateandreject therest.”WhenthereportwaspublishedinŚrīCaitanya-vāṇī,InoticedthathehadpublisheditexactlyasIhadsentit,withnotasinglewordomittedorchanged.

The next time Imetwith ŚrīlaMahārāja, he toldme, “Yourwritingwasquiteerudite.Ididnotfindanythingoutofplaceorinneedofediting,soIkepteverythingasitwas.”

Hearing this reminded me of how Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja GosvāmīdescribedŚrīHaridāsaPaṇḍita, thepūjārīof theŚrīGovinda-devatemple, in

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā8.62)bysaying,“Vaiṣṇaveraguṇa-grāhī,nādekhaye doṣa—He accepted the good qualities of theVaiṣṇavas and ignoredtheirfaults.”ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’sconduct—notonlyinthisinstance,but throughout his life—served as proof that he too possessed this specialqualityofseeingonlythepositiveattributesofothers.

Apraṇayi-bhaktaIn earlier times during Ratha-yātrā, the festival management used to

arrangeaspecialarea in frontof thechariotswheredevoteescouldperformkīrtanawithout anydisturbance; commonpeoplewerenotpermitted toenterthere. Once, whileGauḍīyaMaṭha devoteeswere performing kīrtana in thatareaundertheguidanceofmyGuruMahārāja,theservants,orpaṇḍāsofLordJagannātha became so ecstatic by hearing the kīrtana that they lifted GuruMahārājaontheirshouldersandforciblycarriedhimontotheLord’schariot.

Meanwhile, absorbed in the mood experienced by the vraja-gopīs whenthey meet with Śrī Kṛṣṇa in Kurukṣetra, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja wasdancingandsingingthefollowingsonginfrontofthechariot:

seitô’parāṇa-nāthapāinuĵāhālāgi’madana-dahanejhuri’genu

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā,13.113)

NowIhavegainedtheLordofMylife, in theabsenceofwhomIwasbeingburnedbyCupidandwaswitheringaway.

While Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja was fully absorbed in singing thiskīrtana,allthedevoteesaroundhimalsobecameimmersedinthesamemoodof meeting and were feeling jubilant. A pickpocket used this opportunity tosteal Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja’swallet from his bag. Sincemost of thedevotees were absorbed in the kīrtana, no one noticed except one of mygodbrothers,ŚrīNārāyaṇaBrahmacārī(laterknownasŚrīBhaktiPrasādaPurīMahārāja),whorushedforwardandcaughtthepickpocket.

While restraining the thief,ŚrīNārāyaṇaBrahmacārī desperately tried toget the attentionofŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja, butŚrīlaMahārājawas soabsorbed in kīrtana that he didn’t pay any attention to his words.When ŚrīNārāyaṇaBrahmacārī triedmoreinsistently,ŚrīlaMahārājasuddenlybecameveryupsetandchastisedhim,“Whyareyoudisturbingme?Lethim take themoney.Moneywillcomeandgo,butthemoodthatweareexperiencingatthismomentmaynotcomeagain.”

Among the people whowitnessed this, who could truly understand ŚrīlaPurī GosvāmīMahārāja’s internal mood or the cause of his irritation? It isonlywhen one is highly sincere and spirituallymature—or in other words,completely surrendered—that one will be able to even notice such a subtlething, what to speak of understand it. Therefore, although a praṇayi-bhaktamaybepresentbeforeus,andthoughwemaypersonallywitnesshisconduct,wewill beunable to recognizehimuntilwebecomecompletely sincere andsurrender ourselves to hiswill.Without sincerity and surrender,wewill notrealizethathisactivitiesarethoseofamahā-bhāgavata,andnotofanordinarydevotee.

It isonlywhenwebecome truly sincere thatapraṇayi-bhakta, outofhisnon-duplicitousmercy,revealshistrueidentityandexaltedposition.Atsuchatime,wewillbeabletonotonlyunderstandtheconductofthepraṇayi-bhaktas,but also keep it in ourmind and heart and preserve it by imbibing it in ourlives.BythemercyofthoseelevatedVaiṣṇavas,wewillbegrantedthevisionto clearly understand the true form of their transcendental activities and thedeepmoodsbehindthem.

Thereisnopossibilitythatpraṇayi-bhaktaswillmanifesttheirmercyinaplacewherea fault insurrender ispresent. In theabsenceof theirmercy,wewill remainunable to recognize suchadvancedpersonalities, andbecauseofthis,wewillattimesmisconstruetheirconductasbeingimproper.

mahat-kṛpābinākonakarme‘bhakti’nayakṛṣṇa-bhaktidūrerahu,saṁsāranahekṣaya

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā22.51)

One cannot attain bhakti without the mercy of a great devotee. What to speak ofkṛṣṇa-bhakti,onecannotevenberelievedfromthebondageofmaterialexistence.

Therefore,itisonlywhenonereceivesthemercyofpraṇayi-bhaktas thatone can identify both praṇayi-bhaktas and those who are sincere in theireffortstobecomepraṇayi-bhaktas.

Wehaveseen that ifanyonewouldgiveevenasingle rupee toŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja, hewould take it, touch it to his forehead and then verycarefully keep it in his bag, saying, “This money has been sent by ŚrīlaPrabhupādafortheserviceofBhagavān.”Butintheabove-mentionedincident,ŚrīlaMahārājahassaid,“Letthemtakemymoney,butdonotbotherme.”Whyisitthathehasinoneinstanceshowndeeprespectforanobjectheconsiderstobe sent by his Guru Mahārāja for the service of Bhagavān, but in another

instancehasexhibiteddisregardforthatverysameobject?Throughthis,ŚrīlaPurī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is demonstrating that when one is absorbed inperformingahigherservice,asmallerservicemaybeautomaticallyneglected.Thereisnoconsiderationoflossorharminthis.

Many people were present when the pickpocket was stealing Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja’smoney,andeachreactedtotheincidentaccordingtohisrespective qualification. The senior Vaiṣṇavas, who were fully absorbed inkīrtanaandrelishingthedivinemoodsoftheRatha-yātrāfestival,werenotatall agitated,whereas the junior,neophytedevoteeswhohurried toapprehendand punish the pickpocket must have felt disappointed when Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārājachastisedthemfordisturbinghismood.

WhenIwitnessedthisincident,IwasremindedofaversefromBhagavad-gītā:(2.69):

yāniśāsarva-bhūtānāṁtasyāṁjāgartisaṁyamīyasyāṁjāgratibhūtāni

sāniśāpaśyatomuneḥ

Intelligence related to the soul is like night for common, materialistic persons.However,asteadyandcontrolledpersonwithfixedintelligenceremainsawakeinthatsameintelligence.Thecommonpersonremainsawakewhenintelligenceisengagedinsenseobjects,but forhewhoperceives theAbsoluteTruth, this samesituation is likenight.

Materialisticpersonsareconsciousonlyof things related to thismaterialworld,andtheirconcernforcollectingmoneyissuchthattheymayfightovera singlepenny.Theyhaveno time to thinkabout their true, spiritualwelfare(paramārtha), nor are they the least bit bothered to inquire about it.Conversely,thosewhoarecompletelyawareofātma-tattva,orthetruthaboutthesoul, alwaysendeavor toaccrue their real, transcendentalwealth; theydonotwasteevenasinglemomentbycaringformaterialpossessions,knowingwellthatsuchthingsholdnotruevalue.

InaccordancewiththisversefromBhagavad-gītā,IcouldobservethattheseniorVaiṣṇavasparticipatinginŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’skīrtanawerecompletelyabsorbedmoodsimilar tohis.Due to theirabsorption, theywereoblivious to thepickpocket.Theneophytedevotees,however,wereoblivioustotheseniorVaiṣṇavas’absorption,andsotheirprioritywastoapprehendthepickpocket.

Parikramāwithouttheassociationofpraṇayi-bhaktasisnotparikramāIhad thegood fortuneofperformingparikramā ofŚrīNavadvīpa-dāma,

ŚrīVraja-maṇḍala,North India andSouth IndiawithmyGuruMahārāja andmanyotherdisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura.Theycarrieddeeplyintensefeelingsofseparationwithintheirhearts,andtheirwords were so powerful that we would experience great bliss in theirassociation,despiteourbeingengagedinthephysicallaboroforganizingtheparikramāfrommorninguntilnight.

Once,duringŚrīVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā inGovardhana, theparikramāpartyreachedGovinda-kuṇḍalaterthanthescheduledtime.

Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja addressed the assembled devotees, saying,“Although it is very late and I am not a capable speaker, Śrī Bhakti DayitaMādhavaMahārājahasgivenmetheserviceofspeakingabouteveryplacewevisitbyreadingexcerptsfromŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta,Bhakti-ratnākaraandotherscripturesinwhichthegloriesofthoseplaceshavebeendescribed.Idonotmindspeakinghere,butit islateandtherearestillmanyotherplaceswemustgo.Youallmustbefeelingquitehungry.Therefore,Iwillspeakonlyifyouarewilling to listen;otherwise,wewill takedarśana of theotherplacesnowandspeaktheirglorieswhentimepermits,sothatyoumaytakeprasādasoonerratherthanlater.”

Everyone replied, as if in unison, “Food is plentifully available in ourhomes. We have come to perform parikramā and taste the nectar you arepouring intoourears.Wearenothere tosimplyeat,drinkandsleep.Pleasekindlynarratethepastimesassociatedwiththeseplaceswearevisiting.”

At that time, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja began reading from ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛtaaboutthepastimesofŚrīMādhavendraPurīpāda,aswellasthegloriesofGovinda-kuṇḍaandthepastimesthattookplacethere.Next,hespokeonthegloriesofGirirāja-GovardhanaandrecitedŚrīGovardhana-vāsa-prārthanā-daśakam, composed by Śrīla Raghunātha dāsaGosvāmī, inwhichŚrīla Dāsa Gosvāmī prays, “nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam—OGirirāja-Govardhana!Pleasegivemeresidenceclosetoyou.”

The entire assembly listened very attentively and remained so quiet thatanyonecouldhaveheardapindrop.Tearsflowedfromtheeyesofmany,andnobodyexperiencedhungerorthirst;allwerefullyabsorbedinhari-kathā.

Nowadays,thedevoteesperformingandarrangingparikramādonothavetoundergothesamelevelofstrenuouslaborasdevoteesdidinthepast;theyhavesufficienttimetorelaxandhearhari-kathā.Despitethis,wedonotseethe

type of bliss we used to experience during parikramā manifesting in thecurrentparikramāparties.

Whenweperformparikramāintheassociationofpraṇayi-bhaktas,thereisnever any time for nonsense; rather, we become completely focused onhearing, chanting and remembering. Only in the association of such exalteddevotees can one understand and realize the real benefit of performingparikramā.

Hearingthegloriesofthedhāmaistruedhāma-parikramāOurparikramā party once stayed at Vṛndāvana Daravājā Dharmaśālā in

MathurāduringVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā.Ithadrainedheavilythatparticularyear, and soYamunā’swater levelwasmuchhigher thannormal.Due tohisadvanced age, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja walked slowly and generallyremainedinthebackoftheparikramāprocession.Myserviceatthattimewastotrailbehindandpreventpilgrimsfrombecomingseparatedfromthegroup.Fortunately, this gaveme theopportunity towalkbesideŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaandhearhimcommentonthegloriesofeachplacewepassed.

Noticingthelocalspassingurineandstoolveryclosetotheghāṭas,manypilgrimsinourparikramāpartywouldspitindisgustastheywalkedpastthoseplacesandremainfixatedonit,keepingitasatopicofdiscussionformuchofthe parikramā. Seeing this, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja expressed hisdispleasurewiththesepilgrimsbysaying,“Thesepeoplehavenotcomeheretohavedarśana of thedhāma, butof stool andurine.Thepropermethodofhavingdarśana involveshearing thegloriesof thedhāma from the lipsofarealized Vaiṣṇava sādhu. These pilgrims have yet to realize that actual,authenticdarśanacannotbeattainedthroughone’smaterialsenses.”

TheseverityofoffendingVaiṣṇavasOnce, my godbrother Śrī Viṣṇu dāsa (later known as Śrī Bhakti Viveka

ParamārthīMahārāja)andIaccompaniedŚrīlaBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaonatrainfromKolkatatoPurī.WhilethetrainwasstandingontheplatformatHowrahStationinKolkata,awealthyman,inthepresenceofmanyotherpassengers,spoketoŚrīViṣṇuPrabhuinarudemanner,cursingathimandcallinghimmanyderogatorynames.

The nature of Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja exactlymirrored scripture’sdescription of extraordinary personalities: “vajrād api kaṭhorāṇi mṛdūnikusumādapi—harder than a thunderbolt and softer than a flower.”When the

samewealthymanwhohadcursedŚrīViṣṇuPrabhutriedtoofferpraṇāmī toŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,inwhomthequalitiesofsweetnessandsoftnesswere prominent, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja manifested his quality offorcefulness and strongly rejected his offer. He told the man, “You havecommittedvaiṣṇava-aparādha.Whattospeakofacceptinganoffering,Idonotevenwanttospeaktoorkeepanyrelationwithapersonlikeyou.”

Thewealthymansaid,“Mahārāja,Iwanttoserveyou.Pleasebemercifulandacceptthissmallofferingfromme.”

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājasaid,“IfIacceptservicefromyou,Itoowillbeimplicatedinyouroffense.Iwillneveracceptanythingfromyou.”

Despitehisinsistence,thewealthymanwasunsuccessfulinhisattemptstopersuadeŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja to accept his offering.Unfortunately,hewasunabletopickuponŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’ssubtlehintthatheshouldaskforgivenessfromŚrīViṣṇudāsaforhisoffence.

GreateagernesstoservetheSupremeLordOne night, the deity ŚrīGopīnātha-jiu ofAgradvīpa, ŚrīGauḍa-maṇdala

appeared to Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja in a dream. Previously, ŚrīGopīnātha-jiu was served and worshipped by the expert singers and eternalassociates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrī Govinda Ghoṣa and his twobrothers, Śrī Vāsudeva Ghoṣa and Śrī Mādhava Ghoṣa. In this dream, ŚrīGopīnātha-jiuexpressedHisdesiretoeatsweetricecookedbyŚrīlaMahārāja.

Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja gave fulfilling Śrī Gopīnātha’s desire thehighest priority.Without delay, he inconspicuously hired four rikśaws earlythat very morning with the help of Śrī Bhūpen Mitra and departed forAgradvīpawithgreatenthusiasm.Severaldevotees, includingmygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiNīlayaMaṅgalaMahārājaandmyself,accompaniedhim.Assoonaswe arrived, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja prepared sweet rice for ŚrīGopīnātha-jiu.

Previous to this experience, I had no knowledge of that place, nor had IknownŚrīGopīnātha-jiuresidedthere.ItisduetoŚrīlaMahārāja’smercythatIwasabletohavedarśanaofŚrīGopīnātha-jiu.

DhamaparikramāisalimbofdeityworshipDuring Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramā, Guru Mahārāja would respectfully

engage Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja in leading the parikramā party. In thiswayall thepilgrimscouldperformparikramā underŚrīlaMahārāja’s senior

guidance.Every morning in the maṭha, before the parikramā party departed, a

numberofdevoteesandIwouldserveprasāda to thesannyāsīs,brahmacārīsand pilgrims. Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Guru Mahārāja, however,wouldnotacceptprasādaatthattime;Inoticedtheywouldacceptprasādaonlyafterourparikramā reachedYogapīṭhaand theyhaddarśana of thedeities. IrequestedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,“PleasekindlyexplainthereasonyouandGuruMahārājahaveonlynowacceptedprasādahereatYogapīṭha,andnotinourmaṭhathismorning.Iamunabletounderstandthemysteriousprinciplebehindyourconduct.”

Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja replied, “Dhāma-parikramā is a limb ofarcana(deityworship).Justasapūjārīacceptsprasādaonlyaftercompletinghisarcana,andistherebynotobligedtofastuntilthemiddayoffering,wedonotacceptprasādauntilour firstdarśana of thedayanddonotobserveanyfurtherfasting.”

EverythinggivenbyVaiṣṇavasistranscendentalRaw rice belongs to the mode of goodness and when it is cooked, it is

suitable for offering toBhagavān. Therefore, the only riceprasāda I wouldacceptwasthatwhichhadbeencookedfromrawgrains.ThishabitwassharedbyGuruMahārājaandŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,aswell.

Once,duringadeityinstallationfestivalIattendedwithŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja at Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Saurabha Bhaktisāra Gosvāmī Mahārāja’smaṭha,wewere servedparboiled (processed) rice.As Ihesitatingly staredatmyplate,ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājarequestedustobeginhonoringprasāda. Knowing well that I would not accept processed rice, Śrīla PurīGosvāmī Mahārāja looked at me and said, “A Vaiṣṇava has ordered us toaccept prasāda. Everything offered by the Vaiṣṇavas is nirguṇa, ortranscendentalandfreefromtheeffectsofthethreemodesofmaterialnature.”He then began honoring prasāda. Humbled by Śrīla Mahārāja’s personalconduct,Idecidedtoacceptprocessedriceforthefirsttimeinmylife.IbeganhonoringthericeprasādaforthepleasureoftheVaiṣṇavas.

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājagavegreatersignificancetoatranscendentalitemgivenbyaVaiṣṇava than tohisownpersonalvow.Byobserving this, Ireceivedaprofoundteaching:apersonmaystrictlymaintainvowsinordertoattainobjectsbelongingtothisfourteen-foldplanetarysystem,butbhakticanbe attained only by giving precedence to vaiṣṇava-sevā. Śrīla PurīGosvāmī

Mahārājapersonallylivedthisteaching.

HisunprecedentedhonorforallVaiṣṇavasOneoftheservicesIwasassignedduringVraja-maṇḍalaparikramāwasto

provide the disciples of Śrīla PrabhupādaBhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākurawith hot water for their morning bath. Each time I would bring Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārājahisbucketofhotwater,hewouldfirstsprinkleafewdropsofthatwateronhishead.Iheardhimexplain,“ThiswaterhasbeenbroughtbyaVaiṣṇava.EverythinggivenbyaVaiṣṇavaisprasāda,hismercy.How,then,canIusethiswatertowashmyfeet?Beforeusingit,Imustfirsthonoritbytouchingittomyhead.OnlythenwillIuseittowashmybody.Imusttreatthiswater in the same manner as the remnants given by senior Vaiṣṇavas, likeclothes and other items. Such items are tangible manifestations of theVaiṣṇavas’mercy,andcanbeutilizedtoaidinourserviceifnecessary.”

That he treated me, an ordinary person who can be counted among hisdisciples,withtherespectdueaVaiṣṇavaatteststotheimmensevenerationhepossessesforhisfellowgodbrothersandseniorVaiṣṇavas.

ArealizedkīrtanīyaIn the month of Kārtika during Vraja-maṇḍala parikramā, Śrīla Purī

GosvāmīMahārājawould, according to the eight divisions of the day (āṣṭa-yāma), singkīrtanascomposedbyŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura thatarebasedontheeightversesofŚikṣāṣṭakamandrelatetoaṣṭa-kālīya-līlā

1. Additionally, he would sing the kīrtanas Śrīla Bhaktivinoda ṬhākuracomposedasadaptationsofversesfromŚrīKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī’sŚrīGovinda-līlāmṛta.Hisvoicewasnaturallysweet,andthevariousmelodiesheused,whichwereappropriatelychosenaccordingtothetimeoftheday,weresoenchantingthatitwasasifdivinenectarwasbeingpouredintotheearsofhislisteners.

Ashewouldsing,hisheartwouldrejoice,andhismelodiousvoicewouldattractoneandall,youngandoldalike.Uponhearingsuchaglorioussound,every single pilgrim would leave aside his or her chores and rush toparticipateinŚrīlaMahārāja’skīrtanas;noonecouldremainabsent.

While Śrīla Prabhupādawas still physically present, Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja(thenknownasŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārī)usedtoperformŚrīlaNarottama dāsa Ṭhākura and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s kīrtanas on theradio.Inthisway,heservedŚrīlaPrabhupādabyassistinghiminhismission

to expose the living entities to pure harināma-saṅkīrtana, which has thepotencytodelivertheentireworld.

Once, while Śrīla Prabhupāda was in Darjeeling, he listened to ŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārīsingGopīnāthaMamaNivedanaŚunôontheradio.ThedivineecstasyŚrīlaPrabhupādaexperienceduponhearingthiskīrtanawasso immense that when he returned to Kolkata, he called Śrī PraṇavānandaBrahmacārī tohis roomandaskedhimtosing it forhiminprivate.Perhapsthis is why Gopīnātha Mama Nivedana Śunô was Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’sfavoritekīrtana.

RecognizinghishumblepositioninŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smissionIn a letter addressed to ŚrīAtendriya dāsaAdhikārī, the compiler ofŚrī

Gauḍīya Kaṇṭhahāra, Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote, “Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākurahas revealed awonderful pastimeby describing himself as a sweeper ofŚrīNāma-haṭṭa,themarketplacewhereśrīharināma isboughtandsold.We,withour hundreds of collective mouths, will follow the footsteps of the greatpersonalities who came before us. We will present ourselves as brooms toaccomplish his task of prapañca-mārjana-līlā, or removing the dirt ofignorancebornofmaterialityfromtheheartsoftheconditionalsouls.Inotherwords,weshallpreachhari-kathāeverywhereandendeavorwithallsinceritytosaveothersfromharmfulassociation.Althoughthisactivitymaynotappealtothepeopleofthisworld, it is thesolemeansbywhichtheywillattaintrueauspiciousness.”

Each time Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja would recite this quotation, hewouldadd,“ŚrīlaPrabhupādahasinstructedustobecomebroomstocleanthedirt of ignorance from the hearts of the conditioned souls. Still, it is not bybecominganindependentbroomthatIwillconsidermyselfmostfortunateandmylifetobesuccessful.Rather,IwishtobecomejustoneofthetwigsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’stranscendentalbroom.”

Thehallmarkofhigh-classassociationOnce, theMāyāpurabranchofŚrīGopināthaGauḍīyaMaṭhaorganizeda

festivaltocommemoratetheappearancedayofŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja.My godbrother pūjyapāda Bhakti Vallabha Tīrtha Mahārāja and I wereappointed as the assembly’s sabhāpatīs (chairpersons) for the first and theseconddays,respectively.

During the assembly, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja humbly said,

“Although my bāndhavas (sincere friends), the servants of Śrī GopināthaGauḍīyaMaṭha,haveorganizedagrand festival today formybirthday, I amcompletelyunqualifiedtoacceptthisworship.

“My most worshipful gurupāda-padma, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatīṬhākura Prabhupāda, is present here in the form of his portrait. He is theembodiment of all our previous ācāryas, and I am the most insignificantservant of his servants. In the book Śaraṇāgati (3.3.1), Śrīla BhaktivinodaṬhākurahastaughtus:

sarvasvatomāra,caraṇesãpiyā,paḓechitomāraghare

tumitô’ṭhākura,tomārakukura,bôliyājānahômore

Having surrendered everything atYour lotus feet, I remainprostrated atYourhouse.YouaremyLord.KindlyacceptmeasYourdog.*

“InspiredbyŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sexampleoftheidealmoodofaservant, I hereby proclaim myself to be the pet dog of the servants of theservantsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

“Inmyopinion,therootcauseofyourhonoringandworshipingmeismyrelationship with my spiritual master. Therefore, your worship is actuallydirectedtohim,andnotme.BecauseIamhisservant,Iamnaturallyseatedathis lotus feet. It isonlydue tomyproximity tohim that theelementsof thisgrandworshiphavehappenedtotouchmybody.Thisworshipbelongsnottothispetdog,buttomybelovedmaster.Thisismyfirmbelief.Iamextremelyjoyful when I see my master being worshiped. Therefore, it would greatlypleasemeifyoucouldunderstandthat this is thesubtleessenceof thedivineworshipyouareperformingtoday.”

Thehumblemanner inwhichŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājapresentedhisviews indicated that he was firmly situated in the most exalted Vaiṣṇavaassociation. In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi-līlā 3.21), Śrīla KṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmīhasstated:

āpanenākailedharmaśikhānônāĵāyaeitô’siddhāntagītā-bhāgavategāya

A person cannot instruct others in religious principles if he does not practice themhimself.ThisistheconclusionofBhagavad-gītāandŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Throughhisownconduct,ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājademonstratedthat

theconceptionofśrauta-paramparā,thedivinediscipliclineagethroughwhichpurespiritualknowledgedescends,becomesadulteratedwhenoneacceptstheadorationshownbyothersasone’sown.Itisonlywhenoneisfirmlyinlinewiththeśrauta-paramparāthatoneisadornedwithtranscendentalrealization.

Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s humble address on his appearance dayremindedmeofthedivinehumilitydemonstratedbyŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī and other exaltedpersonalitiesinourGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavalineage.ItwasthenthatIunderstoodjusthowadvancedandrealizedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawas.

AnexchangeofaffectionbetweengodbrothersOne day,GuruMahārāja calledme into his room and, after handingme

flowers, fruits, sweets, a set of saffron-colored clothes and an envelopecontaining praṇāmī, he ordered, “Go and give these things to Śrī BhaktiPramodaPurīMahārāja andofferpraṇāma to himwith the utmost devotion.Offerpraṇāma onmybehalf, aswell. I am sendingyou, because hemaybehesitanttoaccepttheseitemsifIweretoofferthempersonally.”

According to Guru Mahārāja’s order, I went to Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’sroom,offeredpraṇāmaandtheitemsgivenbyGuruMahārāja,andthen relayed themessage thatGuruMahārāja also offers his praṇāma. ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājalaughinglysaid,“Accordingtothe tithi, today ismybirthday. All this is for me on my birthday! Even though he is so busy,MādhavaMahārājarememberedmybirthday.”

This was the first time I came to know the date of Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’sappearanceday.Inthisway,GuruMahārājainitiatedthepracticeofhonoringtheappearancedayofhisdeargodbrother.

When I returned to Guru Mahārāja and informed him that I had giveneverythingtoŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,hesaid,“OneshouldworshiptheVaiṣṇavas on their appearance days by remembering and serving them.Weshould hear the glorifications (kīrtana) of their most sublime qualities anddivine character.BecauseŚrī PurīMahārāja ismy senior godbrother, I havetakena roomdirectlybelowhis,so that Imayalwayshonorhimbykeepinghimonmyhead,andthusreceivetheshelterofhislotusfeet.”

Inthecoreofmyheart,IfeltoverwhelminglypleasedthatIcouldbecomethemedium todeliverGuruMahārāja’saffectionateand lovinggifts toŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja.

HisdisinterestinviewingothersashispropertyWheneverŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawasabsorbedinservice,hewould

oftensenddevoteeswithspiritualquestionstome,sothatIcouldresolvetheirissues.Thisespeciallyhappenedinhislateryears.Hewouldtellsuchdevotees,“My memory is weakening day by day. Please approach Śrīpāda BhāratīMahārāja.Hewillbeabletoansweranyquestionsyoumayhave.”

Weoften see thatmany so-calledgurus view their disciples as their ownproperty and forbid them from seeking the guidance of qualifiedVaiṣṇavas.But Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja never felt his disciples belonged to him.Rather, he firmly believed they belonged to Bhagavān and his gurupāda-padma,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Only thoseendowedwithanyābhilāṣa-śūnyatā (thequality of being devoid of desires other than pleasing Śrī Kṛṣṇa) and theprerequisitesforperforminghari-kīrtana

2are able to hold such a view and non-duplicitously send their disciples andfollowerstoothersforinstruction.

Agodbrother’sglorificationŚrī Kṛṣṇa-keśava Prabhu, a disciple of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī

Ṭhākura Prabhupāda, would repeatedly tell us, “Even if a scholarly andrealizedVaiṣṇava likeŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājadoesnothingbut sit andchantharināma in themaṭha, hebrings about auspiciousness for conditionedsoulslikeus.Byhisdivinepotency,manypeoplefromoutsidewillbeattractedand come to him. And by virtue of his mere presence, the residents of themaṭhawillservediligently.Evenifweweretoloudlybeatourowndrum,wecouldnever attain evena fractionof thegloriesor thedivine characterwithwhich he is adorned. Therefore, you should pray to always remain in hisassociation.”

In my life, I too have seen that the presence of an elevated personalitycauses his surrounding area to become elevated as well. It is natural for adiscipletoglorifyhisspiritualmaster,butthatagodbrotherwouldglorifyhimistrulyatestamenttohisextraordinaryqualities.

Hiseagernessforbhagavad-darśanaOnce, my godbrother Śrī Brahmānanda dāsa Adhikārī came from

Vanagrāma to Purī to have darśana of the dhāma. After Śrī BrahmānandaPrabhurepeatedlyrequestedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājatoaccompanyhim,Śrīla Mahārāja relented and agreed to go with him to have darśana of Śrī

Ananta-vāsudeva in Bhuvaneśvara. Śrī Brahmānanda Prabhu, who was quiteignorantabouthowtoaccordduehonorandrespecttoseniorVaiṣṇavas,spentagreatdealoftheirtimevisitingotherplacesalongtheway,likeKhandagiri,Udayagiriandsoon.BythetimetheyreachedBhuvaneśvara,thetempleofŚrīAnanta-vāsudevahadclosed.TheyhadnochoicebuttoreturntoPurī.

For the rest of the day, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja fasted from evenwater. On the way to Bhuvaneśvara, he had mentioned to Śrī BrahmānandaPrabhuthathewouldnotacceptwaterorprasādauntil theyreceiveddarśanaof Śrī Ananta-vāsudeva. It was only for Śrī Ananta-vāsudeva’s darśana thatŚrīlaMahārāja had agreed to go to Bhuvaneśvara in the first place; he wasuninterested in visitingmany different places. Needless to say, he was quiteupset.

When they reached the maṭha, it was only after first bathing, applyingtilakaandperforminggāyatrī thatŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājahonored theśrī jagannātha-prasāda brought by my godbrother Śrī Navīna-madanBrahmacārī(laterknownasŚrīBhaktiNirmalānandaVanaMahārāja).

Wherecanone findsucheagernessanddedication forbhagavad-darśanaorvaiṣṇava-darśananowadays?ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’sconductmademe realize he was not of this world; it made me understand that he wascomprised not of the elements of this material world, but of the divineelementsofthespiritualworld.

Recognizingthevalueofafault-finderWhen the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha would perform

parikramāofSouthIndiaundertheguidanceofŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīlaMahārāja would earnestly inquire about the history of every place wewouldvisit—thedeities,theirpastimes,theirglories,themethodinwhichtheywereworshiped, the procedure for receiving their darśana, andmany otherdetails.Hewouldnoteallthesedetailsinhisdiary,andwhenwewouldreturnto Kolkata, he would write an elaborate report for Śrī Caitanya-vāṇīdescribingtheparikramā.

One day, I was sitting in his room reading a draft of one such report.Seeing that he had forgotten tomention a particular place we had visited, Imentionedittohim.

“Youareright,”heresponded.“Iwillincludethat,also.”Hecontinued,“Itismyprincipletoaccordmoreappreciationtothosewho

notifymeofmistakes inmywork than to thosewhomaynotice but remain

quiet.Yes-menareeasiertocomeby,butitisraretofindabāndhava,asincerewell-wisherwithhonest intentions. Idonotconsider thosewhosimplyagreewithandpraisewhateverImaysayorwritetobemybāndhavas.Imuchpreferthe company of a proofreader—or for that matter, any individual—who isunafraid to point out my mistakes than someone who remains excessivelyidle.”

Almost immediately after this incident, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī MahārājaapproachedGuruMahārājaandsaid,“IfyouwishtoensurethatthepublishingofŚrīCaitanya-vāṇīremainsproficient,pleaseallowBhāratīMahārājatojoinits publication team. Though others may not appreciate his reluctance toreadily agreewith anyone and everyone, it is this reluctance thatmakes himqualifiedtoserveonthepublicationteamandhelpmetoimprovethequalityofthemagazine.”

GuruMahārājareplied,“ThisveryqualityisthereasonIconsiderBhāratīMahārājamyright-handman.IfIweretoallowhimtoworkwithyou,Iwouldnot have anyone qualified to oversee other equally important services. Idesperatelyneedhimforthenewmaṭhawearecurrentlyconstructing.Pleaseallowmetokeephimwithmeforthetimebeing.”

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,whowaslikeasimple,gentlechildatheart,easilyacceptedGuruMahārāja’srequestwithoutanyprotest.

Seeinghimselfasthecauseofothers’hostilityOnce, when Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja went to have darśana of a

godbrother, that godbrother, instead of meeting Śrīla Mahārāja, sent onehundredrupeesasdonationthroughhissevakaandsentŚrīlaMahārājaaway.WhenŚrīlaMahārājareturnedtothemaṭha,hefastedfortheentireday.Hedidnot accept even water. Without keeping a single paisā of his godbrother ’sdonation for himself, he put the entire hundred rupees into Ṭhākura-jī’sdonationbox.

WhenIaskedhimthereasonwhyhewasfasting,ŚrīlaMahārājareplied,“Iwent for vaiṣṇava-darśana, but I was unable to attain it because I am anoffender. I am fasting in order to atone for my offenses. Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata(Madhya-khaṇḍa8.197)states,‘sarva-mahā-prāyaścittaĵeprabhuranāma—chanting the Lord’s names is the highest form of atonement.’Therefore, I shall disengage myself from all activities today other thanchantingtheholynamesofBhagavān.”

Isaid,“Itappearstomethatitwasnotyouwhocommittedanoffence,but

ratherthepersonwhorefusedtomeetwithyou.”ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājarepliedbyquotingaversefromakīrtana in

ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sKalyāṇa-kalpataru (Ucchvāsa 2.7.6).He said, “‘Vaiṣṇava-caritra,sarvadāpavitra—TheVaiṣṇavas’characterisever-pure.’Ifa Vaiṣṇava behaves maliciously with us, we should remain guided by theprincipleoftheversetatte’nukampāṁsu-samīkṣamāṇo.

3We should remain dependent on Bhagavān’s mercy and consider suchhostilitytobetheresultofourpastkarma.”

Hisviewonvaiṣṇava-aparādhaDuringthetimeofpāraṇa4

one Dvādaśī day, all the devotees were seated in a line waiting to honorprasāda.Justasprasādawasfinishedbeingserved,onebrahmacārīremovedaparticularsannyāsī’sleafplate,threwitawayandorderedthesannyāsītoleavethatplaceandneverreturn.

Witnessing such behavior, Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja became gravelyupset and said, “I cannot remain here any longer. For somany years I havestayed with Śrī Bhakti Dayita Mādhava Mahārāja, whose standards fordiligently serving Vaiṣṇavas are renowned. Śrī Mādhava Mahārājademonstrated those standards through his conduct, and he served even thosewhoopposedhim.”

AfewdevoteestriedtheirbesttopacifyŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,butwereunsuccessful.ŚrīlaMahārājathenquotedŚrīlaKavirājaGosvāmī:

mahānteraapamānaĵedeśa-grāmehayaekajanāradoṣesabadeśaujāḍaya

ŚrīCaitanya-cairtāmṛta(Antya-līlā3.164)

Heexplained,“Theentirevillagemustsuffer ifevenoneperson living thereinsults agreatpersonality.This canbe seen in the lifeofRāmacandraKhān.His offense to Haridāsa Ṭhākura later led to him offending Śrī NityānandaPrabhu, and subsequently, his entire village was destroyed as a result. AndwhenDevānandaPaṇḍitaremainedamutespectatorwhilehisstudentsdraggedŚrīvasaPaṇḍitaoutofhisassembly,hetoowasimplicatedinthatoffenceandbecamedeprivedofMahaprabhu’smercy.

“While narrating the instance of Dakṣa Prajāpati and Satī, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam asserts that if one cannot punish a vaiṣṇava-aparādhī by either

cutting out his tongue or publically rendering him speechless throughscripturalarguments,thenoneisrequiredtoleavethatplace.”

ThisincidentinspiredŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājatowriteamultitudeofessaysonthesubjectofvaiṣṇava-aparādha,includingthegraveconsequencesofcommittingsuchoffenses.

TheācāryaofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭhaGuruMahārājaknewwell thatGopīnāthaMamaNivedanaŚunôwasŚrīla

PurīGosvāmīMahārāja’sfavoritekīrtana,andalsothatheusedtoworshipthedeitiesofŚrīŚrīRādhā-Gopīnātha.Hence,hereferredtoŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja as ‘the ācarya of Śrī Gopīnātha Gauḍīya Maṭha.’ Guru Mahārājaalwaysused this titlewhenprinting invitations foreventsatwhichŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawas scheduled to speak.Thiswas long before Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārājaformallyestablishedŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha.Itwasas if GuruMahārāja was predicting ŚrīlaMahārāja would later establish aninstitutionwiththisname.

Many years later when, by the desire of Bhagavān, Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārājaestablishedamaṭha,hedidnotoptforanewnameforhisinstitution.Rather, he respectfully kept the namehis godbrother had revealed.Thus, hismaṭhaisnowknownbyallasŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha.

OurguideonthepathofbhaktiAfter GuruMahārāja manifested his disappearance pastimes and entered

nitya-līlā, itwasŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawho,due tohavingresidedinŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaforsuchalongtime,actedastheforemostsaviorofGuruMahārāja’sdisciples.Hewasourmainguidewhohelpedusnavigatetheruggedroadthatlayahead,andheadvisedusregardingwhatisproperandwhat is improper. The shelter of his lotus feet always provided us with theutmosttranquility.Nowhereelsehavewefoundsuchpeacefulness.

ExpressingthegriefofseparationfromadearfriendAfterthecompletionoftheŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaparikramāthatfollowed

Guru Mahārāja’s disappearance pastime, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārājaaddressed thefinalassemblyas follows:“Śrīgaura-kiśora-keli-bhavana—ŚrīMāyāpura, the place of Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s pastimes as a youth—waspūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāja’s life and soul, just as it was for our mostworshipful Śrīla Prabhupāda. Pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāja oftenenthusiasticallydiscussedthegloriesofthedhāmawithhisdearassociates,and

he engaged everyone in revealing the brilliance of those glories byencouragingthemtoperformdhāma-sevā.

“InŚrīŚrīNavadvīpa-bhāva-taraṅga (26–27),ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurahasdescribedŚrīĪśodyāna,amagnificentgardeninŚrīMāyāpura:

māyāpura-dakṣiṇāṁśejāhnavīrataṭesarasvatī-saṅgameraatīvanikaṭeīśodyānanāmaupavanasuvistāra

sarvadābhajana-sthānahaukaāmāra

In thesouthernpartofMāyāpuraonthebankof theGaṅgā—near itsconfluencewiththe Sarasvatī River—is the enormous garden of Īśodyāna.May that garden alwaysremainmyplaceofbhajana.

ĵevaneāmāraprabhuśrīśacīnandanamadhyāhnakarenalīlālayebhaktajanavana-śobhāheri’rādhā-kṛṣṇapaḓemanesesabasphuruksadāāmāranayane

Seeing that garden, in which my Master Śrī Śacīnandana performed His middaypastimeswithHisdevotees, IamremindedofŚrīŚrīRādhā-Kṛṣṇa.Maysuchplacesalwaysappearbeforemyeyes.

“Pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāja, the servant of the servant of ŚrīlaBhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, fulfilled the Ṭhākura’s ardent desire to manifest theglories of serving Īśodyāna to the whole world. Although there is ecstaticrejoicingonthespiritualplaneinIśodyānatodaybecausepūjyapādaMādhavaMahārāja now resides here eternally in the form of his samādhi, we on thismaterial plane are experiencing unbearable distress in separation from him.Tearsnowfilltheeyesofhisgodbrothers,hisdisciplesandallthosewhohavebeen attracted by his qualities. In his absence, the presence of the thousandsassembledhereandtheresoundingkīrtanatheyperformareasifmeaninglesstome.”

ŚrīlaMahārājathenendedhisaddressbyquotingthewordsthroughwhichŚrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, in his Śrī Stavāvalī (Śrī Prārthanāśraya-caturdāsakam 11), expressed the torment of his separation from Śrīla RūpaGosvāmīpāda: “śūnyāyate mahāgoṣṭhaṁ—the land of Vraja has becomedesolate.”

Such was the strong, affectionate bond shared by Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārājaandGuruMahārāja.TheirintimaterelationshipwasthereasonŚrīlaPurī Gosvāmī Mahārāja displayed deep parental love for Guru Mahārāja’s

disciples.

The cornerstone laying ceremony of Śrī Gopīnātha Gauḍīya Maṭha,Māyāpura

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaentrustedhisdiscipleŚrīGopīnāthaPrabhuwith the responsibility of finding and acquiring land inŚrīdhamaMāyāpura,wherethefirstbranchofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭhawouldbeconstructed.WhenŚrīGopīnāthaPrabhuhadcometoMāyāpuraandnarrowedhischoicedowntotwolots,heaskedformyopiniononwhichofthetwolotsheshouldpurchase.

Itoldhim,“Itisbesttoestablishyourmaṭhaonwhateverlandisinclosestproximity to theotherGaudiyaMaṭhasofMāyāpura.Thatway,devoteeswillalwaysbe nearby, andyouneednot be concerned about themaṭha’s securityshould you have to leave. Moreover, you can ask the nearby maṭhas forprovisionswhenyouareinneed.BeingneartheotherGauḍīyaMaṭhasisnotonlyconvenient,butisconduciveforbhajana,aswell.”

Followingmy advice, ŚrīGopīnātha Prabhu acquired the landwhere theMāyāpurabranchofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha ispresently located.ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaalsogavehisconsent,saying,“Whyseekanyfurther?ForwhatshouldwebeconcernedwhenaVaiṣṇavahasalreadyselectedapieceofland?”

Oncethedatefortheauspiciouscornerstonelayingceremonywasdecided,ŚrīPurīGosvāmīMahārājawrotemealettersaying,“Iwantyoutobepresentduringthecornerstonelayingceremony.”WhenIreachedMāyāpuratwodaysprior to the ceremony, Śrī Kṛṣṇa-dhana Banerjee, a disciple of Śrīla BhaktiHṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja, handed me another letter from Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja.Throughthatletter,ŚrīlaMahārājaintimatedhisdeepfaithandaffectionformeandawardedmehismercy.

ŚrīlaMahārājawrote,“ThegrandmotherofmydearGopīnāthaPrabhuhasleftthisworld.Shewasalsomydisciple.Herfuneralandrelatedserviceswillbeheld inAmata,nearKolkata,and Imustattend. Iampleased toknowyouhavealready reachedMāyāpura. I cancompletely relyonyou toconduct thecornerstone laying ceremony inmy stead. I wholeheartedly accept whateveryouchosetodo,asItrustitwillbemostauspicious.”

AsIprocessedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’sorder,Ifoundmyselfstruckbyhishumblevaiṣṇavanature.Ithought,“SinceIjoinedthemaṭha,IhaveseenŚrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja preside over formal ceremonies as per Guru

Mahārāja’s desire.He is renownedasbeing an expert in thesematters, and Ihavealwaysconsideredmyselffortunatetohaveservedashisassistantduringsuchfunctions.Buttoday,byhismercy,Iwillperformthecornerstonelayingceremonyforhismaṭhaonhisbehalf.”

IinvitedVaiṣṇavasfromallthemaṭhas inŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmatoattend.Onthedayoftheceremony,atanauspicioustime,IreachedthefuturesiteofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭhawithaspade,bricksandotherbuildingtoolsandmaterials. The number of devotees assembled for the occasion was muchgreater than I had expected. Even devotees from Śrī Caitanya Maṭha, whogenerallyneverattendedsuchfunctions,werepresent.

As all the assembled devotees enthusiastically performed kīrtana, fivebricks were worshipped according to the Vedic prescriptions for laying acornerstone. Śrī PhanīLāl, a disciple of Śrī ŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja,untiringlyplayedmṛdaṅgaforserveralhours.Idistributedsandeśa and other sweets I had purchased from Navadvīpa, but they werequickly finished by themany devotees in attendance.We then purchased anddistributedall thesweetsavailablefromtheonesweetshopinMāyāpura. If Iremember correctly, the turnoutwas so great that even after this, therewerestillsomedevoteesleftwhodidnotreceiveprasādasweets.

ItwasdueonlytoŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’sreputationasoneofthecommunity’smost exaltedVaiṣṇavas that somany people devotedly attendedthecornerstonelayingceremony.

Non-enviousnessbetweengodbrothersOncewhen I was at Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha in Jagannātha Purī, the

vice principal of Khadīrpura University, Dr. Nārāyaṇa Bandhopādhyāya ofBehālā, Kolkata, came to stay in themaṭha with his wife for the month ofKārtika.Inoticedthatalthoughhiswifewouldattendhari-kathādaily,heneverdid.

One day during hari-kathā, I was explaining the four main qualities ofBhagavān:Heisvadānya(munificent),kṛtajña(awareofallactivities),bhakta-vatsala(affectionatetowardHisdevotees)andsamarthā(capableofachievingeverything).AsIexplainedthemeaningofthewordkṛtajña—‘onewhoknows(jña) the activities (kṛtya) everyone performs’—Dr. NārāyaṇaBandhopādhyāyahappenedtowalkby.Thisexplanationpiquedhisinterest,ashehadneverbeforehearditdescribedinthisway.Heremainedlisteninginthebackofthehall.

AfterI finishedmylecture,heapproachedmeandsaid,“Yourhari-kathāwas quite touching. Iwould like to hearhari-kathā from a devotee like youeveryday.Pleaseacceptmeasyourdiscipleandgivemeshelter.”

“Idonotgivemantra-dīkṣā toanyone,” I replied. “Youmayacceptdīkṣāfromapuredevoteeandtherebymakeyourlifesuccessful.”

After performing the month-long kārtika-vrata, Dr. NārāyaṇaBandhopādhyāya and his wife returned to Kolkata. There, in Behālā, theywoulddailyvisitŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭha,ŚrīCaitanyaĀśrama,tohearhari-kathā.ByhearingfromŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja, they gradually became familiar with the tenets of GauḍīyaVaiṣṇavism. As they became increasingly convinced of the need to accept aguru, theywent toŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha inKolkatawith the desire toacceptmantra-dīkṣāfromŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja.

When they introduced themselves to Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārāja, ŚrīlaMahārājaasked,“Whyhaven’tyourequestedŚrīSantaMahārājafordīkṣā inBehālā?Whyhaveyoucomehereinstead?”

Dr.NārāyaṇaBandhopādhyāya explained, “Mahārāja-jī,wewould like toacceptdīkṣāfromabrāhmaṇa-bornVaiṣṇava.”

“This concept is improper,” Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja said.“Brāhmaṇatā, the quality of being a brāhmaṇa, is intrinsically present invaiṣṇavatā; Vaiṣṇavas subsume all the qualities of brāhmaṇas. They arenaturally and firmly established inātma-dharma, the principle of identifyingoneselfasasoul.Itisoffensivetoidentifyordistinguishthembasedonśarīra-dharma,onbodilyconsiderationslikecasteandrace.”

Hecontinued,“YouaremistakeninconsideringŚrīSantaMahārājatobeanon-brāhmaṇa. An intelligent person will never leave the nearby Gaṅgā tobathe in a faraway lake.You should thereforemakeyour lives successfulbyaccepting Śrī SantaMahārāja’s shelter.Moreover, the scriptures declare thatonemustatone for theoffenseofdistinguishingaVaiṣṇavabasedonśarīra-dharma, or bodily considerations, by immediately taking shelter of thatVaiṣṇava.”

ārcyeviṣṇauśilā-dhīrguruṣunara-matirvaiṣṇavejāti-buddhirviṣṇorvāvaiṣṇavānāṁkali-mala-maṭhanepāda-tīrthe‘mbu-buddhiḥśrī-viṣṇornāmnimantresakala-kaluṣa-hesabda-sāmanya-buddhir

viṣṇausarveśvaretad-itara-sama-dhīryasyavānārakīsaḥPadmaPurāṇa

Apersonisboundforhellwhoconsidersthedeitytobemadeoutofwood,stoneor

anyalloy;whoconsiders theguru,whoisaneternaldevoteeofBhagavān, tobeanordinary human who is subject to death; who considers a Vaiṣṇava to belong to aparticularcasteorcreed;whoconsiderscaraṇāmṛta,waterwhichhaswashedthefeetof Śrī Viṣṇu and theVaiṣṇavas, to be ordinarywater when in reality it destroys theevils of the age ofKali;who considers the holy name and themantra of ŚrīViṣṇu,whichdestroyalltypesofsinfulreaction,tobeordinarymaterialsoundvibrations;andwhoconsidersthesupremecontrollerŚrīViṣṇutobeequaltothemanydemigods.*

As per the advice of Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, Dr. NārāyaṇaBandhopādhyāya and his wife took shelter at the lotus feet of Śrīla SantaGosvāmīMahārāja.

The above incident prominently demonstrates Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’s sincere vaiṣṇava humility, his ardent desire to bring about thewelfare of those who approached him, as well as the deep faith and non-enviousaffectionhepossessedforhisjuniorgodbrotherŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja.

PersistenceinbhajanadespiteillnessOnce,while Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārājawas staying in a roomwith a

temporary asbestos roof at Śrī Gopīnātha Gauḍīya Maṭha’s newly acquiredpropertyatCakra-tīrtha,JagannāthaPurī,hefellsickduetothecoldweather.HewasbroughttoŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaatGrandRoadsothathecouldbeprovidedcomfortablefacilitieswhileherecovered.Uponhisarrivalatthemaṭha,Iimmediatelycalledforaspecialistfromthehospital.AfterexaminingŚrīlaMahārāja,thedoctoradvisedustoadmithimforanightinthehospital,where he would receive oxygen and a saline drip. My godbrother ŚrīGaurāṅga-prasāda Brahmacārī (now Śrī Bhakti Saurabha Ācārya Mahārāja)said,“ThosewhogotothehospitalinPurīneverreturn.”

Hearing this comment, a few of Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s femaledisciples began crying, and many devotees became reluctant to admit ŚrīlaMahārāja to thehospital.ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja,however,hadfaithinmy council. He told his sevakas, “You should follow whatever BhāratīMahārājafeelsisappropriate.”

Isaid,“Mahārāja,itwouldbebestforyoutogotothehospital,fortheyareable to provide oxygen and saline drips there. Moreover, the doctor isrecommendingyoubeadmittedforonlyonenight.”

ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaagreed,andweadmittedhimtothehospital.He felt a bit hot at that time, and so I personally brought twoof themaṭha’sstanding fans for him. I stayedwith him through the night and brought him

backtothemaṭhawhenthedoctorgavepermissionthefollowingday.Whileinthehospital,herecitedhisdailystavasandstutis(versesofprayer

andpraise) justashewould in themaṭha. Iwasastonished thathisconditionhadno effect onhis conduct, hisgentle temperament, his forbearanceorhisspiritualpractices.

AsolemnprayertoremainunaffectedbywealthTocommemorate theonehundredthappearancedayanniversaryofŚrīla

PurīGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭhaarrangeda festival inJagannāthaPurī.WhenŚrīlaMahārājaarrivedattheassembly,herespectfullyrequestedŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja,mygodbrotherpūjyapādaBhaktiVallabhaTīrthaMahārājaandmetositonthedais.Afterweseatedourselves, ŚrīlaMahārāja personally applied sandalwoodpaste to ourforeheadsandgarlandedus.

Ashespokehari-kathā thatday,hementionedonepointthatstruckmeasespecially significant and remains fixed inmymemory even today.He said,“Thelifeweleadnowisvastlydifferentfromthekindoflifeweusedtolead.Previously,weconsideredadonationoftwoorthreelakhs

5rupees to be enormous. But nowadays, such donations no longer seemsignificant, because by the grace of Śrīla Prabhupāda, devotees from bothwithin India and abroad currently make such large contributions to ourmission.

“Now that our supporters aremany andwe are financially prosperous, IpraytothelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandtothelotusfeetofŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu andHis associates thatmy disciplesmay not fail to practicallyapply the principle of ‘tṛṇād api sunīcena—remaining humbler than straw,’and that they do not become influenced by the false pride that comes withwealth and followers. I pray that the opulence we have acquired may notobstruct their bhajana, that they remain steadfast, that they shall not deviatefromthepathofbhakti,andthattheirlife’sgoalremainsfixed.Ipraythattheyremain unaffected by opulence, and that they may realize and follow theessentialteachingsinthefollowinginstructionsofŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmī.”

ŚrīlaMahārājathenquotedtwoverses:

prāpañcikatayābuddhyāhari-sambandhi-vastunaḥmumukṣubhiḥparityāgovairāgyaṁphalgukathyate

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu(1.2.126)

Whensādhakaswhodesire liberation renounce thatwhich is related toHari, suchasthe scriptures, the deity, the holy name, mahā-prasāda, the spiritual master andVaiṣṇavas, considering them material, their renunciation is called futile renunciation,phalgu-vairāgya.Thisisunfavorabletobhakti.*

anāsaktasyaviṣayānyathārhamupayuñjataḥ

nirbandhaḥkṛṣṇa-sambandheyuktaṁvairāgyamucyate

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu(1.2.125)

A person without attachment to sense enjoyment who accepts whatever facilities areappropriate for the service of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not bound by such activities. Suchdetachment is said to be yukta-vairāgya, renunciation through always maintaining aconnectionwithŚrīKṛṣṇa.*

HonoringallVaiṣṇavasbothseniorandjuniorBecause of his natural humility, Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’s life and

characterdemonstratedthefullimportofŚrīDevakīnandanadāsa’swords:

hôiyāchenahôibenaprabhuraĵatôdāsasabhāracaraṇavandõdantekôri’ghāsa

Holdingastrawbetweenmyteeth,Iveneratethelotusfeetofalltheservantsofmymasterwhoeverwereorwillbe.

Not to speakof his senior godbrothers, hewouldofferpraṇāma even tothose he inspired to join themaṭha, like Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kumuda SantaGosvāmīMahārāja,me—althoughIamsojuniortohimandlikehisdisciple—aswelldevoteeswhojoinedthemaṭhamuchlaterthanIdid.Hewouldclasphishandsandplead,“PleasetellmethemeansbywhichIcanrepaythedebtofyouraffection.”

ExpressinggratitudeforagodbrotherInwritingabouthisgodbrotherŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmī

Mahārāja,ŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājahassaid,“ŚrīSantaMahārāja’sinnermoodsmatchperfectlyhisexternalbehavior.Thisqualityofhis isdelightfuland exemplary.Thiswretch is forever indebted to him for themercyhe hasshownme.Mayhebevictorious.”

ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sfinalinstructions

Śrīla PurīGosvāmīMahārājawould frequentlymention the following inhishari-kathā:

“The entirety of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions and the example hepersonally set deserve perpetual scrutinization and implementation. This iscertainly true. However, in keeping with the popular adage ‘pūrvaparayoḥpara-vidhibalavān—the latter directive trumps thosepreceding,’ I present toyou now the instructions Śrīla Prabhupāda imparted to a group of devotees,justeightorninedaysbeforehemanifestedhisdisappearancepastime.

“Hesaid,‘Ineveryplaceinthisworldthereexistsascarcityofhari-kathā,which bestows ultimate perfection, the perfection of devotion.Our sole dutyand dharma is to dispel this scarcity by preaching the service of Śrīmad-BhāgavatamandŚrīBhagavān.Everyplacewherehari-kathāispresentistobeconsideredaholyplace.

“ ‘We have not come to this world to be carpenters or masons.We aresimplythecarriersofthemessageofŚrīCaitanya-deva.ŚrīRūpaestablishedtheinnermostdesireofŚrīCaitanya-devain thisworld.Thedustofhis lotusfeetistheobjectofourlife’ssoleambition.’

“In our attempts to follow these instructions, which Śrīla Prabhupādarepeatedly uttered in the final days before his disappearance, we mustrememberthefollowingwordsofŚrīlaNarottamadāsaṬhākura:

guru-mukhapadma-vākya,cittetekôriyāaikya,āranākôrihômaneāśā

śrīguru-caraṇerati,eiseuttama-gati,ĵeprasādepuresarvaāśā

Prema-bhakti-candrikā(1.2)

Make thewordsemanating from the lotusmouthofśrīguru onewithyouheart andaspire for nothing more. Attachment to the lotus feet of śrī guru is the ultimateattainment,forhismercyfulfillsalldesires.

“IconveymygratitudetoallthedevoteessincerelystrivingtofollowŚrīlaPrabhupādaandpreach themessageofBhāgavata,whereverand inwhateverformtheymaypreachit.”

TheimportanceofpublicationsevāŚrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja used to say, “I often heard frommymost

worshipfulgurudeva,PrabhupādaŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura,thatthe summumbonumof our lives should be to publish books and preach the

message of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and other predecessor GauḍīyaVaiṣṇavaācāryas.Thisistheonlywayinwhichtheconditionedsoulscaneverhopetoattainkṛṣṇa-prema,thehighestgoaloflife.”

Takingthisinstructiontoheart,ŚrīlaMahārājaalwaysmaintainedthatitisthe duty of Sārasvata Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas to distribute all over the worldmagazines and books that illustrate the sublime teachings of ŚrīmanMahāprabhu.Tothisend,hespenthisentirelifeinpublicationservices,andheencourageddevoteesforthesame,saying,“Theteachingsmustbedistributedthroughouttheworld.”

Onvraja-vāsaandrāgānugā-bhaktiWhenŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājaheldafestivalattheoldDaujītemple

he acquired in Vṛndāvana, he instructed me to speak on the glories of ŚrīVṛndāvana-dhāma.Aftermyaddress,hespokethefollowing:

“Iamnowintheverylastphaseofmylife.Myonlywishis tospendthelast few days of my life chanting harināma at the lotus feet of ŚrīmatīRādhārānī,thequeenofVṛndāvana.Withouttheblessingsofthedevotees,itisimpossible to receive Rādhārānī’s blessings, for it is said, ‘vaiṣṇavera kṛpāĵāhesarva-siddhi—allperfectionscomethroughthemercyoftheVaiṣṇavas.’

“ŚrīlaKavirājaGosvāmīhasexpressed:

jagāimādhāihôitemuĩsepāpiṣṭhapurīṣerakīṭahôitemuĩselaghiṣṭha

IammoresinfulthanJagāiandMādhāiandevenlowerthanaworminstool.

“Although in following themahājanas, thegreatauthorities, Imayrepeatsimilar expressions of humility, my statements will amount to nothing butmeredeceptionifgenuinehumilityhasnotappearedinmyheart.Now,attheend ofmy life, I have no desire tomake any pretense of humility. I am nolongercapableofgiving lectures.Still,youhaveall spentagreatamountofmoney to bring me here and to construct an opulent new room for me. Inadditiontoyourcollectivewellbeing,IpraythatImaynotbeaffectedbyevena particle of egotism due to accepting this service of yours, for ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākurahassaid:

āmitô’vaiṣṇava’—ebuddhihôile,amānīnāha’bôāmi

pratiṣṭhāśāāsi’,hṛdayadūṣibe,hôibôniraya-gāmī

Kalyāṇa-kalpataru(Ucchvāsa2.8.2)

If I develop the idea that “I am aVaiṣṇava,” then Iwill never becomehumble.Myheart will become contaminated with the desire to receive honor from others, and Ishallgotohell.*

“The purpose of residing in Vṛndāvana is to obtain the dust of theVaiṣṇava’slotusfeet,followintheirfootsteps,andchantśrīkṛṣṇa-nāma.

“Our divine spiritual master has mercifully revealed his identity as ŚrīVārṣabhānavī-dayita dāsa, the servant of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī’s beloved. ŚrīlaPrabhupādaiseternallyRādhārānī’spersonalassociate.Withouthismercyandthe mercy of those Vaiṣṇavas who comprise his spiritual family, we cannotmakeourresidenceinVṛndāvanameaningful.Wemustferventlyprayfortheabilitytoforeverfollowintheirfootstepsandconstantlyremembertheirlotusfeet.

“We cannot achieve the mood of Vṛndāvana through simply followingvidhi-mārga,thepathofregulativeprinciples.Therefore,wemustnecessarilytakeuprāgānugā-marga, thepathofspontaneous,absorptivelove.ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīhassaid:

iṣṭesvārasikirāgaḥparamāviṣṭatābhavet

tanmayiyābhavedbhaktiḥsātrarāgātmikoditā

Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu(1.2.272)

Theintenseandspontaneousabsorptionintheobjectofone’sadoration(iṣṭa)iscalledrāga.Devotionthatischaracterizedbysuchrāgaiscalledrāgātmikā-bhakti.

“Rāgānugā-bhakti is defined as devotion that follows the example of theVrajavāsīs’rāgātmikā-bhakti.Wemustallstriveforthiskindofdevotion.”

HissamādhiceremonyIn themonthofKārtika,1999,ŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha’smonth-long

ŚrīVraja-maṇḍalaparikramāculminatedinagrandtwo-dayfestivalbeginningonUtthānaEkādaśī tocommemorateGuruMahārāja’sappearanceday.Itwasjustafter thecompletionof thefestival that thesevakasof thePurībranchofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha informedus thatŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājahadmanifestedhisdisappearancepastimeandenterednitya-līlā.Uponhearingthe news, I immediately decided I must attend Śrīla Mahārāja’s samādhiceremony.

Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s disciple Śrī Bhakti Bibudha BodhāyanaMahārājawaspreachingoverseasatthetime,buthespokewithmygodbrotherpūjyapāda Bhakti Vallabha Tīrtha Mahārāja by phone. Pūjyapāda TīrthaMahārājathencalledmetohisroomandbriefedmeonhisdiscussionwithŚrīBodhāyanaMahārāja.Hesaid,“ŚrīBodhāyanaMahārāja isgreatlydistressedthathewill beunable to reachMāyāpura in time forhisgurudeva’s samādhiceremony.Hehashumblyrequestedforatleastoneofustoattendthesamādhiceremonyifweareunabletobothgo.”

PūjyapādaTīrthaMahārājathenrequestedmetogotoŚrīdhāmaMāyāpurawithouthimandassistwiththeceremony.Hepromptlyarrangedaplaneticketand gaveme five thousand rupees to contribute toward Śrīla Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’sviraha-mahotsava(festivalofseparation).

IleftforDelhiintheevening,andfromthereflewtoKolkataearlythenextday.IreachedŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭhainMāyāpuraaroundtwoo’clockin the afternoon, by which time the samādhi ceremony had almost beencompleted.After the ceremony, I acceptedprasāda there in themaṭha. Itwasagreed that a viraha-mahostava would be held the following day and that Iwouldactassabhāpati(chairman)fortheassembly.ŚrīBodhāyanaMahārājaarrivedinMāyāpuraonthedayoftheviraha-mahostava.Duringtheassembly,I read aloud Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s will, wherein Śrī BodhāyanaMahārājawasofficiallyappointedtheācāryaofŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMaṭha.

Hissurrender-inducingconductandqualitiesByGuruMahārāja’smercy, I received the fortunate opportunity to serve

andassociatewithmanydisciplesofŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupāda.MyassociationwithŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājawasespeciallyintimateandextensive,lastingapproximatelyforty-fiveyears.Throughoutthecourseofourrelationship,IwasoftenastonishedbyhisidealconductandhisinexhaustiblededicationtowardservingŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavas.HisfaithinperformingparikramāofbothŚrīVraja-maṇḍalaandŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmawas so firm that he insisted on walking even in his advanced age, when herequired the assistance of devotees. He would perform parikramā slowly,stopping frequently to rest. Nevertheless, when he would finally arrive at aparticularpastimeplace,hewouldnarrateitsglories,takethedustofthatplaceonhisforeheadand,ifhewasvisitingabodyofwater,performācamana.

Wheneverhenarratedthegloriesofpastimeplaces,hisabsorptionwassointense that he would become completely oblivious to the external world.

Whenheservedthedeities,hispassionwassuchthatanyonecouldunderstandhewasservingsomeonedearerthanhisownself,andthathewaspreparedtooffer everything for Their pleasure. When he glorified devotees connectedwithŚrīlaPrabhupāda,hisvoicewouldchokeupandhewouldweep.Thoughhe tried his best, it was impossible for him to conceal his deep love anddevotionforŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

SimplywitnessingthegentlemannerinwhichhedealtwithotherVaiṣṇavaswasenough to inspireanyone to sellhis lifeathis lotus feet for all eternity.Hearing him perform kirtāna, especially the aṣṭa-kāliya-līlā yāma-kīrtānassungduringthemonthofKārtika,feltasifsomeonewaspouringnectarinourearsandtransportingustoanotherworld.

Hisunwaveringdedicationtoservingthebṛhad-mṛdangademonstratedhisfirmfaithintheserviceŚrīlaPrabhupādapersonallyentrustedtohim,aswellasthefaithhehadintheorderofhisgurudeva.Suchdedicationinspiresustoprayforsimilarniṣṭhā(determinedconviction),towardśrīguru.

He possessed deep insights into the conceptions of Gauḍīya Sārasvataphilosophy.Allthathespokewasbasedonthescripturesandthewordsofourprevious ācāryas. He carefully listened to everyone’s questions with greatseriousnessbeforeanswering,eventoinquiresthatseemedsimple.

FromhisconductIlearnedthatoneshouldnevermakeloosecomments;heneverspokecarelesslyaboutanyoneoranything.

Duringthetimeheintentionallyconcealedhisdivinepotencybyleadingasimple life and remaining under the guidance of his godbrothers, very fewpersons came forward to serve him. But after he manifested that potency, Iheardanumberofpeoplewhowerepreviouslyabsentfromhisassociationsaythings like,“IassociatedandservedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājasomuch.”HearingsuchfabricationswouldremindmeofŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’sstatement,“keśāvatuājagatavicitra—OKeśava,strangeisyourworld.”Thenatureofconditionedsoulsistolieforthesakeoffameandadoration.

1The eightfold transcendental pastimesŚrīKṛṣṇa performswithHis eternalassociatesinGolokaVṛndāvana.

2Theprerequisitesforperformingtruehari-kīrtanaarehumility,compassion,adesiretogiverespecttoall,andacompletelackofdesireforprestige.

3tatte’nukampāṁsu-samīkṣamāṇobhuñjānaevātma-kṛtaṁvipākam

hṛd-vāg-vapurbhirvidadhannamastejīvetayomukti-padesadāya-bhāk

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(10.14.8)

One who, while always expecting Your mercy, tolerates the results of his previousmisdeeds and constantly offers respects to You with his heart, speech and body, iseligibletoreceivetheinheritanceofYourlotusfeet.

4Thespecifiedtimeforbreakingafast.

5Onelakhequalsonehundredthousand.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja

Hislife:alessoninsurrenderIn 1933, Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura

awarded dīkṣā to Śrī Abhay Charan De, giving him the spiritual name ŚrīAbhaya-caraṇāravinda dāsa. Even while Śrīla Prabhupāda was physicallypresent,ŚrīAbhaya-caraṇāravindaPrabhuusedtosubmitarticleshecomposedtotheGauḍīyaMaṭhapublicationteamtoincludeintheirmagazines.

Śrīla Prabhupāda ordered ŚriAbhaya-caraṇāravinda Prabhu to preach inthewesterncountries.However,atthattime,ŚriAbhaya-caraṇāravindaPrabhuwas unable to fulfill hisgurus’ desire due to his family responsibilities as ahouseholder. He did his best to maintain his family by establishing severalpharmaceutical businesses in cities such asKolkata,Mumbai andAllahabad,butdespitehisarduousefforts,hisventuresprovedunsuccessful.Asaresultofthegreathardshipshefaced,hisfamilymemberswereconstantlydissatisfiedwith him. Even when he fell ill, not a single member of his family cameforward to help him. At that time, my gurupāda-padma, Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiDayita Mādhava Gosvāmī Mahārāja kindly arranged for Śrī Abhaya-caraṇāravindaPrabhu’streatment.

Śrī Abhaya-caraṇāravinda Prabhu accepted sannyāsa at the repeatedinsistenceofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājaandwasgiven thenameŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja.Shortlyafter that,herelocatedtoVṛndāvana.DuringhisyearsinVṛndāvana,hewouldmentiontimeandagain,“Ihavenotcarriedout theorderofmygurudeva; I havenotpreachedinthewesterncountries.ThisneglectisthecauseofmysufferingandthereasonIwasunsuccessfulinallmyendeavors.Ihaveeverything,becauseIhave firm faith in śrī guru and his instructions. But at the same time I havenothing,asIhavenotdoneanythingtofulfillhisorder.AlthoughIhavegrownold,IwillfulfillŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sorderstopreachintheWestandtherebyatonefortheoffenceofdisobeyinghim.”

With thismood, he travelled to America aboard a cargo ship. However,afteronlyashortwhileofpreaching,hefellillandreturnedtoIndia.Later,hewouldrepentantlyexpress,“IwenttotheWesttofulfillmygurudeva’sorders,but I returned to India out of fear when I became a bit sick. I am not fullysurrendered. Iwillnow return to theWest andpreachuntilmydyingbreath,evenattheriskofdeath.”

With this solid conviction, he returned to theWest, where his preaching

servicemetwithtremendoussuccess,somuchsothathehimselfwasamazedbytheresults,whattospeakofothers.

Bhagavān is the master of all opulences, and His pure devotee ŚrīlaPrabhupāda Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura inherited that wealth. Thosewho are completely surrendered to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet will neverfacescarcityofanykind.BhagavānwillalwaysfulfillthevowHehasmadetomaintainHissurrendereddevotees:

ananyāścintayantomāṁyejanāḥparyupāsateteṣāṁnityābhiyuktānāṁ

yoga-kṣemaṁvahāmyahamŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(9.22)

Forthosewhoaredevoidofotherdesires,whoarealwaysabsorbedincontemplationofMeandwhoalwaysworshipMe,Ipersonallycarry theirnecessitiesandpreservewhattheypresentlyhave.

Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’s relatives never cared for his wellbeing, neitherwhen hewas at home nor after he accepted sannyāsa. Yet, after he departedfrom this world, in order to argue rightful claims to his assets, those verysamepersonsdeclared,“Hewasmyfather!”“Hewasmyhusband!”andsoon.Sucharethestrangewaysinwhichthepeopleofthisworldbehave.

HisdesiretounitealltheGauḍīyaMaṭhabranchesBothbeforeandafteracceptingsannyāsa,ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājarepeatedly

beseechedhisgodbrothersŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVilāsaTīrthaGosvāmīMahārāja,theācārya of Śrī CaitanyaMaṭha, and Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kevala AuḍulomiGosvāmīMahārāja,theācāryaofBāghbazārGauḍīyaMaṭha, toputaside thetrivial differences, individualmotives and argumentsbetween themand theirgodbrothers.Hetold them,“Wemustalluniteandenthusiasticallypreach themessage of Śrīman Mahāprabhu and Śrī Rūpa-Raghunātha, just as ŚrīlaPrabhupādainstructedus.”

Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja always had this sincere desire in the core of hisheart,andhisintentionswerealwayspure.Butasfatewouldhaveit,unificationprovedimpossible,andsofollowingtheexampleofmanyofhisgodbrothers,hetoowascompelledtoestablishanindependentinstitutionofhisown.

HisfearlessnessinserviceEvery so often, while Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja was living in Śrīdhāma

Vṛndāvana,hewouldvisitDelhitoprinthisself-publishedmagazine,Back toGodhead. He had very littlemoney in those days, and so hewould performbhikṣā,eveninthescorchingsummersun.DuringhisvisitstoDelhi,hewouldoftenstayintheKarolBāghbranchofŚrīGauḍīyaSaṅgha,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārāja’sinstitution.

Oneday,justbeforeŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājawasabouttoperformbhikṣāinthe fierce heat, Śrī Bhakti Vaibhava Mādhava Mahārāja, a disciple of ŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja,stoppedhim,begging,“Mahārāja-jī,pleasedonotgooutinthisheat.Youradvancedagemakesyoumoresusceptibletoheatstroke.”

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja replied, “Someonehaspromisedmeadonationoffiverupees,Mahārāja.ImustretrieveitifIwishtoprintmymagazine.”

“Iwillgiveyoutenrupees,”ŚrīMādhavaMahārājapledged.“Butpleasedonotgooutatthistimeofday.”

Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja said, “Fine. Because of your affection, I will stayback for now. But in the future, I will not keep any stone unturned in myendeavors to serveBhagavān. Iwill remain completely dependent onHim. IfirmlybelievethatnoharmcancometomeaslongasHewishestoutilizethisbodyofmineinHisservice.”

HistimeinVṛndāvanaPriortotravellingtotheWest,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja

residedinVṛndāvana,initiallyatChipī-galīandlaternearSevā-kuñjaatŚrīŚrīRādhā-DāmodaraMandira.Hewouldregularlymeetandperformkīrtanawithhis godbrothers Śrī Rāghava-caitanya Prabhu and Śrī Girindra-govardhanaPrabhuatourŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.MygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiPrasādaPurīMahārājaandIwouldsitbehindthemwithanumberofdevotees,singinginresponsetothecalloftheirkīrtana.

WhenŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājafirstsawourVṛndāvanamaṭha’skīrtanahall,hesaid,“Previously,weSārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavashadnoplaceofourownto sit and perform kathā and kīrtana in Vṛndāvana. Thankfully, ŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārājahasnowfilledthatvoid.”

Śrīkṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtanaforalloccasionsThe assembly hall in theVṛndāvana branch of our ŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīya

Maṭhawascompletedin1964.Aroundthattime,Iwasinformedthatthestategovernor,ŚrīViśvanāthadāsa,wasplanningtovisitVṛndāvana.OnbehalfofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,Isenthimapostcardinvitationtovisitthemaṭha,

whichhekindlyaccepted.GuruMahārāja was not present in Śrīdhāma Vṛndāvana at the time, and

because my godbrother Śrī Bhakti Prasāda Purī Mahārāja and I consideredourselves junior,both inageand in the realmofbhajana,we invited twoofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciples—ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārājaandŚrīmadRāghava-caitanyaPrabhu—to receive thegovernor and speak tohimaboutthespecialtyoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha.

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaexplainedtous,“Thereisnobettergreetingthantheperformance of saṅkīrtana. Bhagavān incarnates wherever saṅkīrtana isconducted.Whatcouldbemoreauspiciousforthegovernorthanthepresenceof Bhagavān Himself? Because the governor has already accepted yourinvitation,wewillholdnothingbackinoureffortstobringabouthisspiritualwelfare. The Gauḍīya Maṭha extensively preaches that śrī kṛṣṇa-nama-saṅkīrtanaistheonlymeansofdeliveranceinthisageofKali.Thegovernorwillcertainlyunderstandthismessageoncehehearsoursaṅkīrtana.”

Whenthegovernorarrived,wewelcomedhimwithsaṅkīrtanaperformedundertheguidanceofŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja.Afterward,ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājarelated to him the glories and unique contributions of the Gauḍīya Maṭha.Throughout the course of their conversation, the district magistrateaccompanyingthegovernorrepeatedlyintimatedthroughhandgesturesthatitwastimetoleave.Thegovernor,however,dismissedhim.“Justwaitabit,”hesaid. “Where else will we receive the opportunity to hear such wonderfulsaṅkīrtana?”

Seeingthegovernor ’sreactionmademerealizethetranscendentalgloryofŚrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’s advice that śrī kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana is truly thesolutiontoallsituations.

TheOriginofthename‘ISKCON’ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’ssoleintentionforcomingtoAmericawastofulfill

the innermost desire of his gurudeva by successfully disseminating theteachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in the West. At first, Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja had many ideas about how to do this. In the end, however, afterobserving the localpeoples’conditionandby the inspirationofśrīguru andBhagavān,hebegansittinginaparkandchantingthepañca-tattvamantraandmahā-mantra:“śrīkṛṣṇacaitanya,prabhunityānanda,śrīadvaita,gadādhara,śrīvāsādi gaura bhakta vṛnda” and “hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa harehare,harerāmaharerāmarāmarāmaharehare,”respectively.Asaresultof

histotalsurrendertothelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandhisintensedesiretofollow hisgurudeva’s instructions, his kīrtana began to attractmany sinceresouls.

Oneday,adevoteeaskedhim,“WhatinspiredyoutonameyourinstitutionISKCON?”

Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja replied, “When Iwas sitting in a park inAmericaone day and singing the mahā-mantra and pañca-tattva mantra, a strangerapproached me and asked, ‘What kind of consciousness does this type ofsingingawaken?’

“By Bhagavān’s inspiration, I answered, ‘Kṛṣṇa consciousness.’ On thatday, Idecided Iwouldnamemyfutureorganization the InternationalSocietyforKṛṣṇaConsciousness.”

ServingśrīguruthroughtheserviceofothersI heard from some of Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’s disciples that during his

early days in the West, he would not only cook and serve prasāda tonewcomers,buthewouldevendisposeof theirplates, clean theplacewheretheyate,andwashthecookingpotshimself.Thiswentonforalongtime.Heneveraskedanyonetoassisthiminanyservice.Rather,heencouragedthemtogive their fullattention to receivingśabda-brahma,divine soundvibration. Itwasonlyafter thatśabda-brahma, in theformofhishari-kathāandkīrtanas,poured through their ears and entered their hearts that one of the regularvisitorssteppedforwardandaskedŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaifhecouldhelphim.ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājawelcomedthisservice,andafterthat,manymorepeoplebegantocomeforwardtoserveinvariousways.

When I heard that Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja served in this way at such anadvanced age, I came to realize the depth of his dedication to fulfilling thedesireofhisgurudeva, and thathewas indeedamostexalted, transcendentalpersonality.

Protectingallfrombogus‘Bhagavāns’ManyofIndia’sspiritualfigureshaveachievedgreatsuccesspreachingin

the West, both prior to and after Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’s efforts there. Anumber of them, being devoid of surrender and pure-heartedness, declaredthemselves tobeGod, suchas the fraudulent ‘Bhagavān’Rajanīśa,otherwiseknown asOsho. ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja preached against such imposterswithbolddetermination,proclaimingthepurportofŚrīlaViśvanāthaCarkravartī’s

statement:

sāksād-dharitvenasamasta-śāstrairuktastathābhāvyataevasadbhiḥkintuprabhoryaḥpriyaevatasyavandeguroḥśrī-caraṇāravindam

Thescripturesunanimouslyproclaimśrīgurutobesākṣāt-hari,directlyŚrīHari.Thisisa fact jointlycorroboratedbyall saintlypersons.Yetat thesame time,śrīguru isverydeartoBhagavān.Iadorethelotusfeetofthatśrīgurudeva.*

Herepeatedlyurgedeveryone,“Jīvādhameīśvarajñānakabhunākôribā—never think a lowly soul to be theLord.” In thisway, he protected everyonefromthisfrightening,undesirableproclivity(anartha).

AfullysurrenderedsoulneversuccumbstothetemptationsofluxuryŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaknewboth impoverishmentandabundance.But this

is inconsequential. What is significant is that the moods in his heart, hisinclination to serve, and his surrender to śrī guru, Vaiṣṇavas and Bhagavānnever changed.Not everyone has the capacity to refrain fromenjoying. It isdifficult for most people to resist enjoying, even to a slight degree, theluxuriesaffordedthem,nordomanypossesstheabilitytoutilizesuchluxuriesin the service of Bhagavān. It is rare to see a person’s views and conductremain unaffected by wealth. In this regard, there is a cautionary tale aboutKingNahuṣa.

WhenKingNahuṣaattainedthepositionofIndra,heexpressedhisdesiretoenjoyIndra’swife,Śacī.WhenŚacīfoundoutaboutthis,sheconsultedagroupofṛṣis,whoadvisedhertoinformthekingthatifhetrulywantsher,hemustcometoheronapalanquincarriedontheshouldersofṛṣis.Śacīfollowedtheṛṣis’adviceandsentKingNahuṣathemessage.

KingNahuṣa, being unable to digest and adapt to his new luxurious life,became exceedingly covetous, so much so that he did indeed order ṛṣis tocarry his palanquin. Moreover, while being carried, he order them, “Sāpa,sāpa!—Go faster, go faster!”Seeinghiswretchedmentality,ŚrīAgastyaṚṣicursedhimtobecomeasnake.

Becausehelosthiscomposurewithhisnewfoundwealth,KingNahuṣafellinto a wretched condition. Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja, however, remainedunaffected,becausehewasfullysurrenderedtothelotusfeetofBhagavānandfirmly dedicated to fulfilling the cherished desire of his gurudeva. All the

luxuriesintheworldcouldnothaveaffectedhim.

India’strueambassadorGradually, Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja introduced the West to almost all the

aspects of the world’s ancient Vedic culture, including the congregationalchantingofBhagavān’snames;thestudyandrecitationofŚrīmad-Bhāgavatamandotherscriptures;thepropermethodtoinstallBhagavān’sdeityformsandthe standards and regulations bywhich toworship Them; the observance ofVaiṣṇava etiquette; the Vedic Indian style of dress, that is, dhotī (lowergarment) and kurtā (traditional shirt) for men, and sārī and petticoat forwomen; and the importance of applying tilaka, maintaining a śikhā andwearingasacredthread.

Additionally,hetaughthisdiscipleshowtonotonlyprepareexceptionallydelicious and nutritious vegetarian dishes using milk, yogurt, fruits, roots,vegetables and grains, but also how to offer those dishes to Bhagavān andrespectfully honor them as prasāda. He also inspired them to become self-sufficient through such sustainable practices as farming, serving cows andestablishinggurukulas.

RatherthanabsorbingtheforeignwaysandcustomsoftheWesternpeople,Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja taught them to accept and properly follow traditionalVediccultureand therebybecomeexpert inall its fields. It is for this reasonthat a famous Bengali newspaper, Ānanda Bāzār Patrikā, honored him byprintingthefollowingcommendation:

Thediplomaticambassadorsof todayareembarrassedby thenativecultureof India.Theyreturnfromabroadhavingadoptedforeignattire,conductandcuisine.FailingtointroduceothernationstothegreatcustomsofIndia,theyinsteaddisgraceourcountryandwaste the nation’s wealth. The Founder-ācārya of ISKCON, Śrī BhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja,however,hasprovedhimselftobeatrueambassadorofIndia,evenwithoutthefinancialsupportorregardofhiscountry.Throughhisselflesswork,hehassetanobleprecedentforallpoliticalleaders.

Curbingsociety’sproblemsthroughKṛṣṇaconsciousnessIheardŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaoncesaythatacouplesomewhereintheWest

hadfiledacourtcaseagainsthimthataccusedhimofbrainwashingtheirson.They wanted the court to deny him permission to visit or preach in theircountry.Thejudge,however,notonlyruledinŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’sfavor,but alsopraisedhim, saying, “Despite the fact thatwe, thegovernment,havespent millions upon millions of dollars to end the rampant drug abuse and

promiscuity prevalent among urban youths today, we have been unable tocheck it even slightly. This svāmī, however, has inspired thousands ofindividualstorenouncesuchhabitsanddedicatetheirlivestospiritualpursuits.Actually,heshouldberewardedforhisunmatchedservicetooursociety.”

ProgressistheprincipleOneday,mygodbrotherŚrīAnaṅga-mohanaBrahmacārī(nowŚrīBhakti

Mayukha Bhikṣu Mahārāja) asked Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja, “Mahārāja-jī,althoughscriptureclearlystates that tilaka is tobeappliedup to thehairline,yourdisciplesapply tilaka thatextendstothetopoftheirheads.Whydoyounotcorrectthem?”

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaresponded,“Prabhu,asofyet,Ihavetoldthemonlyofthegloriesofwearingtilaka.TheyareverynewtoVaiṣṇavasocietyandareentirely unaware ofVedic customs. Just as new students progress from firstgrade to secondgrade to third grade and so on,mydiscipleswill graduallyclimb all the successive steps of the staircase leading to the spiritual realm.Most of them used to eat the flesh of cows, but have since renounced suchabominable habits and are now trying their level best to observe properconduct,bitbybit.

“I amdelightedby theirprogress, and I am firmlyconvinced that if theymaintainsuchsteadfastdedication, theywillcontinue toprogresseven inmyabsence by attaining the foot dust (mercy) of advancedVaiṣṇavas, bywhosemercytheywillgainthequalificationtounderstandthesubtleprinciplesofŚrīCaitanya Mahāprabhu’s prema-dharma and thereby make their livessuccessful.”

AnexpertandpatientteacherAnother time, ŚrīAnaṅga-mohanaBrahmacārīwaswaiting outside Śrīla

Svāmī Mahārāja’s room hoping to have his darśana, when he saw a newWesterndevoteesittingnearby,abouttoapplytilaka.Thedevoteehadapieceofgopī-candanainhishand,buthadnoācamanacuporanywateratallwithwhich tomake a paste, and so he spat into his hand and started rubbing thegopī-candana in it. ŚrīAnaṅga-mohanaBrahmacārīwas shocked to see this.Heimmediatelycalledouttothedevotee,“Thisiscompletelyimproper!Whyareyoudoingthis!”

At that time, Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja came out of his room, called forAnaṅga-mohanaBrahmacārī tocomeoverandverysoftlysaid,“Thereisno

needtoinstructthisdevotee.Somehoworother,hehasreceivedtheinspirationto put on tilaka,which does not exist in his native culture.What problem isthereifheisnotawareofalltherulesandregulationsjustyet?Thetimewillsurelycomewhenhewilllearntheproperwaytoperformalltheactivitiesofbhakti.”

Here, Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja did not establish a new siddhānta for hisdisciples to follow for all time.Rather, becausehewas anexpert teacher, hetaughtthisparticulardiscipleaccordingtohisnatureandqualification.

WinningtherespectofalocalpaṇḍāOnce, while Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja and his disciples were visiting Śrī

Jagannātha Purī, Śrī Gopīnātha Khuṭiyā, the GauḍīyaMaṭha branches’ localpaṇḍā (priest),went to pay him a visit.As fatewould have it, the fan in theroom had stopped working that day, and one of Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja’sWesterndiscipleswastryingtofixit.Indoingso,thedevoteesclimbedatopastack of boxes containing copies of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam labeled “For freedistribution—notforsaleinIndia.”

Seeingthis,ŚrīGopīnāthaKhuṭiyātoldhim,“NoIndianHinduwouldevertouch even a box of ordinary bookswith his feet, not to speak of a box ofBhāgavatams.ThisisaperfectexampleofwhyWesternersarenotallowedtoenterJagannātha’stempledespitebeingdevotees.Itwilltakeacenturyforyouto develop proper cultural impressions (saṁskāras). Your gurudeva is mostmagnanimous and glorious to have assumed the grave responsibility ofpatientlyandaffectionatelyteachingyouasifyouwereachild.Irespectfullyofferpraṇāmatohim.”

ISKCON’srelationshipwithŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaAfter Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja procured land in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura to

establishanISKCONtemple,manyofhisdisciples—ŚrīAcyutānandaPrabhu,Śrī Bhavānanda Prabhu and Śrī Jaya-patākā Prabhu, to name a few—supervisedallthepreliminaryconstructionworkwhilestayinginahallatŚrīCaitanya GauḍīyaMaṭha. The hall was directly in front of my room at thattime.Iarrangedfortheirprasādaandlookedaftertheirbelongingswhentheywould go to theWest. Considering helping them to be serving Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja,Itookuptheseresponsibilitieswithgreatenthusiasmandregard.

At one point, Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja sent Śrī Acyutānanda Prabhu to ourKolkatamaṭha to learn Bengali, kīrtanas and other things. Śrī Acyutānanda

Prabhubecameproficient inBengaliafterspendingalmost threeyears in themaṭha.ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājaoncewrotehimaletterorderinghimtosendŚrīBhavānandaPrabhuanEnglish-Bengalidictionaryifpossible.

InBengali,ŚrīAcyutānandaPrabhureplied,“IhavefullylearnedBengali.Whatwill Bhavānanda Prabhu dowith a dictionary?Why not engageme inwhateverserviceitisyouneeddone?”

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājawouldwritetoŚrīAcyutānandaPrabhufromtimetotime and instruct him to send various items to the West. I would assist ŚrīAcyutānanda Prabhu in his service by helping him purchase and ship thoseitems.

RegisteringBBTWhen Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja registered Bhaktivedānta Book Trust, he

included Guru Mahārāja and Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kamala MadhusūdanaGosvāmī Mahārāja as trustees. After a series of discussions, they mutuallydecided that the trust’s profits would be used for the development andrenovationofŚrīGauḍa-maṇḍala.

Visitinghis godbrothers’maṭhasduring the construction of his ISKCONMāyāpuratemple

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja setanobleexamplebystaying inabamboohut inŚrīdhāmaMāyāpurawhilehistempletherewasunderconstruction.Adevoteewhoisimmersedinbhajanaliveshappilyanywhereandissupremelysatisfiedbyanyandallcircumstances.

Beforehisbamboobhajana-kuṭīrawasbuilt,hestayedinKolera-ḍāṅgāatŚrī Caitanya Sārasvata Maṭha with Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja. Eachmorning, hewould cross theGaṅgā and spend thedayoverseeing theconstructionofhis ISKCON temple inMāyāpura.Duringthattime,heoftenhonoredlunchprasādawithusatourMāyāpurabranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,where I received thegoodfortune toservehimprasādaonmanyoccasions.

Onthetitle‘ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājainvitedallhisgodbrothersfor thedeityinstallation

festival of the ISKCONMāyāpura Śrī Caitanya-candrodayamandira. At thatevent,myGuruMahārāja expressed his concern about his adopting the title‘Śrīla Prabhupāḍa.’ He inquired, “My dear Śrīpāda Svāmī Mahārāja, wegodbrothers have a deep, unshakeable reverence for our gurudeva, Śrīmad

Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāṃī Ṭhākura, whom we affectionately call‘Śrīla Prabhupāda.’ With all sincerity, we want to ask why you allow yourdisciples tocallyoubythis title. Itbringsus,your lovinggodbrothers,greatpain.Pleasekindlyhelpusunderstand.”

Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja replied, “Mahārāja-jī,my disciples once askedmeabout the formal designations used to respectfully address one’sgurudeva. Isimple-heartedly replied that one might use any number of respectful titles,suchas‘Viṣṇupāda,’‘Bhagavadpāda,’‘Śrīpāda’or‘Prabhupāda.’Iamunsurehoworwhen,buttheyalljointlydecidedtocallme‘Prabhupāda.’”

GuruMahārājathenasked,“Canyounotforbidthemfromaddressingyouwith this title? Just as Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas use the title ‘Mahāprabhu’ for ŚrīCaitanyadeva only and members of Rāma-kṛṣṇa Mission use the title‘Paramahaṁsa’ exclusively for Vivekānanda’s guru, Rāma-kṛṣṇa, we, thedisciplesofŚrīlaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura,havebeenaccustomedtohearingandusingthetitle‘Prabhupāda’forourgurudevafromthetimehewasphysicallypresent.”

Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja replied, “I too am accustomed to using this titleexclusively for our gurupāda-padma. But I have grown tired of repeatedlyexplainingthistoeachandeveryoneofmydisciples.Despitemyexhaustingefforts,Iamunabletostopthemfromcallingme‘ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.’”

Eventoday,manyyearsafterŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’sdisappearance,manypeopleareconfusedwhentheyreadorhearthename‘ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.’Theyare unsure if it refers to Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī GosvāmīṬhākuraorhisdiscipleŚrīŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja.Adisciplemust remain discerning when trying to understand the inner desires of hisgurudeva. Sometimes, even a simple act, though done innocently and withgoodintentions,cancreatedifficultyforśrīguru.

PatientlyandaffectionatelyteachinghisnewdisciplesSoon after establishing the ISKCON temple in Māyāpura, Śrīla Svāmī

MahārājainauguratedhisannualŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaparikramā.During theparikramā, he would send his disciples to have darśana of Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,Īśodyāna.Whentheparikramāpartyarrivedbeforethedeities,some of the newer Western devotees entered the temple with their shoeshangingaroundtheirnecksfromtied-togethershoelaces.GuruMahārājawaspresentinthetemplehallatthattime.Whenwetoldthemitisinappropriatetoenter the temple or go before the deitieswith shoes, they replied, “Wewere

toldnottowearthemonourfeetwhileenteringthetemple.Noonetolduswecannotputthemaroundournecks.”

GuruMahārājathenveryaffectionatelyexplained,“Ifitisprohibitedinthetempletowearshoesonourfeet,thelowestlimbsofourbodies,whatcanbesaid about wearing them on any other higher limb? If our shoes happen totouch any limb above our feet, we must purify ourselves by bathing in theGaṅgāwithourclotheson.Ifyouaretoldthatsomeoneisunqualifiedtospeaktoyou,doesthisnotimplyheisunqualifiedtospeaktoyoursuperiors,also?”

TheWesterndevoteeswerequitesatisfiedbyGuruMahārāja’sexplanation.They said, “We are very new to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Our spiritual masterspends most of his time patiently teaching us many things. Being veryaffectionate towardus,hedoesnotbecomeangry,evenwhenwecontinuallymake mistakes. Today you have kindly taught us a new lesson that we willalwaystrytofollow.”

MyadvisinghisdiscipleinadebateDuring the timeŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājawas still physicallypresent in this

world, one of his disciples, Śrī Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, was preaching inHyderabad with a group of devotees. In one of his lectures, Mahārājaproclaimed,“ThosewhodonotworshipBhagavānKṛṣṇawillgotohell.”

Many people became upset by this statement and raised objections. ŚrīNirañjanaDevaTīrtha, the in-charge of Śrī Śaṅkarācārya’sBhoga-Vardhana(Govardhana) Maṭha in Jagannātha Purī, vehemently opposed Śrī Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja and made many hostile statements against him. He argued,“ReadingtheQuranandBibleisaprescribedduty(dharma)forMuslimsandChristians,respectively,justasreadingtheVedasisforHindus.DoyoumeantoimplythatalthoughMuslimsandChristiansfollowtheirprescribeddharma,theytoowillgotohell?BhagavānŚrīKṛṣṇahassaid:

yāntideva-vratādevānpitṝnyāntipitṛ-vratāḥbhūtāniyāntibhūtejyāyāntimad-yājino’pimām

Bhagavad-gītā(9.25)

Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, those whoworship the forefathers go to the planets of the forefathers, those who worship thespiritsgo to theplanetsof thespirits,and thosewhoworshipMewillsurelycometoMe.*

“Hehasnot said, ‘All thosewhodonotworshipMearebound forhell.’How,then,canyouspeaklikethis?”

Iwasresiding inHyderabadat the time,andI readabout this issue in thelocalnewspaper.IalsoreadthatŚrīNirañjanaDevaTīrthahadchallengedŚrīTamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja’s gurudeva, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta SvāmīMahārāja,toanopendebateonthesubject.

Afterinquiring,IdiscoveredthatŚrīTamāla-kṛṣṇaMahārājawasstayingintheSarasvatīhotelwithafewdevotees.MygodbrotherŚrīDhīra-kṛṣṇaPrabhu,the in-chargeof theHyderabadbranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha, and Iwent to the hotel and met withMahārāja. I asked him if he knew about thenewspaper ’smentionoftheoppositionagainsthimandhisgurudeva.Hesaidhewasawareandthathewasdraftingaresponse.Heshowedmealetterhewaswriting with the help of Śrī Hari-prasāda Bujurka, a devotee from the ŚrīSampradāya.

The response appeared to be appropriate to me. I suggested they alsomentionthatwhileitiscertainlytruethatnotallwhoneglecttoperformkṛṣṇa-bhajana will go to hell in the literal sense, they will definitely go in thefigurativesense.Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(11.19.18)states:

karmaṇāṁpariṇāmitvādā-viriñcyādamaṅgalamvipaścinnaśvaraṁpaśyedadṛṣṭamapidṛṣṭa-vat

An intelligent person should see that any material activity is subject to continuouschange, and thus inauspiciousness exists even on Brahmaloka. Indeed, a wise manunderstandsthatjustasallthathehasseenistemporary,allthingswithintheuniversesimilarlyhaveabeginningandanend.

Therefore,evenattaining theabodeofBrahmā—thehighestattainment inthe fourteen planetary systems—is simply inauspicious. For this reason,devoteesconsideranypositioninthismaterialuniverseequivalenttohell.

Moreover,suchdesignationsas ‘Hindu,’ ‘Muslim,’and‘Christian’arealltemporary and subject to change. They aremerelymaterial designations thesoul amasses over time. They have no relation to the soul’s actual, eternalconstitutionalfunction(dharma).IntheVedicscriptures,thesoulisreferredtoas “ajo śāśvato nityaṁ ayaṁ purāṇo—the unborn, unchanging and eternalancientbeing”and“acaloayaṁsanātanaḥ—immovableandever-present,”notas‘Hindu,’‘Muslim,’‘Christian’oranyothersuchdesignation.

When Śrī Nirañjana Deva Tīrtha read Śrī Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja’s

response,hereplied,“ThisTamāla-kṛṣṇaMahārājaisamleccha,anoutcaste.Irefusetoenterintoadebatewithhim.Ichallengehisguru,ŚrīBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja.Iwillconverseonlywithhim.”

WhenŚrīTamāla-kṛṣṇaMahārājareadŚrīNirañjanaDevaTīrtha’sreply,heaskedme,“WhatshouldIsaynow?”

I told him to write and ask which Śaṅkarācārya this Śrī Nirañjana DevaTīrtha follows, because he could not possibly be a follower of theŚaṅkarācāryawhohad stated, “jivo brahmaiva na paraḥ—the living entity isbrahma.”Howcanthejīvabeamlecchaorabrāhmaṇaoranythingelseifheisbrahma?

ŚrīTamāla-kṛṣṇaMahārājalikedthisresponseandsentitashisreply.NocounterargumentcamebackfromŚrīNirañjanaDevaTīrthaafterthat.

ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājawasinRussiaduringthedebate.However,whenŚrīTamāla-kṛṣṇaMahārāja informed himofmy response by letter, Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja replied, “I was delighted to read his answer. It was highlyappropriate.”

Sometimeafterthisincident,ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājavisitedHyderabadwitha large party of people, but Śrī Nirañjana Deva Tīrtha was nowhere to befound.NoonehadanyideawhetherhewasinHyderabadornot.Itwasasifhehadtotallyvanished.

AreciprocalinvitationWhen Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja came to Hyderabad another

time,Iinvitedhimtohonorprasādainourmaṭha.Hemercifullyacceptedmyinvitationandhonoredprasādawithgreat joy.Ashewas leaving,he invitedme and my godbrother Śrī Anaṅga-mohana Brahmacārī (now Śrī BhaktiMayukhaBhikṣuMahārāja)tooneofhisevents.Fortunately,wewereabletoattend.Attheevent,ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājahadŚrīAnaṅga-mohanaBrahmacārīplaymṛdaṅga,andfollowingthelectureandkīrtana,hemercifullyhadussitwithhimtohonorprasāda.

PayingduehonortoanācāryaIonceinvitedŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājatovisitŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhain

Chandigarh while he was visiting the ISKCON temple there. He graciouslyacceptedmyinvitationandarrivedat themaṭhaon thescheduledday.Duringhisvisit,mygodbrotherŚrīRāma-prasādaPrabhuofferedhimanewwoodenvyāsāsana, which he had constructed and carved with his own hands. Śrīla

SvāmīMahārāja,however,refusedtositonit.Heexplained,“Anewsiṁhāsanamustfirstbeofferedtoandusedbythemaṭha’sācārya.”

That day,we served Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja and his disciplesprasāda. Heverylovinglyhonoredprasāda,andlaterappreciativelytoldus,“Today,afterso long, I have honored the type of prasāda I am used to honoring. Mydisciplescookmanypreparationsforme,butthereisabigdifferencebetweentheirwayofcookingandours.Theyuselargeamountsofghee,whichIcannotdigest.IwouldprobablystayinthisworldlongerifIweretoregularlyreceivethetypeofprasādawehonoredhereinthemaṭhatoday.”

Later,whenGuruMahārājacametoChandigarh,hetoodeclinedŚrīRāma-prasādaPrabhu’srequesttoacceptthevyāsāsanahehadmadeforŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja.Hesaid,“HowcouldIsitonitifmygodbrotherrefusedtodoso?Accordingtomygodbrother ’swords—‘Onlytheācāryaofthemaṭha shouldsit on a new siṁhāsana’—Iwill placemy gurudeva on it, for he is the trueācāryaofthismaṭha.”

Thereafter, Guru Mahārāja kept a portrait of Śrīla Prabhupāda on thevyāsāsana.

TheresponsibilityinherentinacceptingofferingsJust beforeŚrīla SvāmīMahārājamanifested his disappearance pastimes,

Henry Ford’s great grandson Alfred Ford, whose initiated name is ŚrīAmbarīṣa dāsa, told Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja of his desire to fund theconstruction of a university in Kurukṣetra dedicated to teaching Bhagavad-Gītā.

However, Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja declined his offer. “I will not be in thisworldformuchlonger,”Hesaid.“IfItakeyourmoneywithoutbeingabletoensureitwillproperlybeusedintheLord’sservice,thenIwillbeatfault.”

Through this example, Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja has demonstrated that weshould accept only that which we are certain we can utilize in the Lord’sservice,otherwisethereisachanceofincurringfault.

MysituationatthetimeofhisdisappearanceI was overseeing a pilgrimage of Northern India when Śrīla Svāmī

Mahārājamanifestedhis disappearancepastimeduring themonthofKārtika.We were in Siddhapura—also known as Mātṛī Gayā, the site where thephilosophical exchange between Bhagavān Kapiladeva and his mother,Devahūti,occurred—whenIreadabouthisdisappearanceinthenewspaper:

ŚrīA.C.BhaktivedāntaSvāmī,thegreatpersonalitywhoshookthewholeworldthesepasttenyears,hasmanifestedhispastimeofdisappearance.

Although Ihada strongdesire to attendŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’s samādhiceremony,myobligationswiththepilgrimagekeptmefromgoing.However,whenmygodbrotherŚrīMaṅgala-nilayaBrahmācārī(laterŚrīBhaktiHṛdayaMaṅgala Mahārāja), who was also serving on the pilgrimage, expressed adesiretogotoVṛndāvanafortheceremony,Ididnotprohibithim.Instead,Iencouragedhimtogoandassumedhisresponsibilitiesinhisabsence.

When the devotees of ISKCON held Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja’s virahotsava(festival of separation) in Śrī Jagannātha Purī in 1978, they requestedGuruMahārāja to be chairman of the assembly. Although he was unwell, hefaithfullyparticipatedinthefestivaloutofdeepregardforhisgodbrother.

GlorificationofPūjyapādaSvāmīMahārājaComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmī

Mahārāja

ReceivingdevotionalinstructionsinchildhoodIn 1896, Śrīmad Bhaktivedanta SvāmīMahārāja appeared in a family of

devotees in Kolkata. In his previous āśrama, his father ’s name was Gaura-mohana De. The name his father gave him was Abhaya-caraṇa De. Gaura-mohanaDewasinitiatedintheGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavasampradāya.Abhaya-caraṇareceivedmany instructions fromhis father on the subject of devotion to ŚrīGaura and Kṛṣṇa. He received a B.A. from Scottish Church College withhonors in philosophy.Afterward, in the course of his career, he became themanager of a pharmaceutical company—a laboratory on Amherst StreetoperatedbyDoctorKārtikaVasu.Afterworkingthereforsometime,Abhaya-caraṇaDebeganproducingmedicinesindependently.

In1922,hemarried,andin1933,whilestillmarried,hetookshelterofthemost prominent among the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ācāryas, jagad-guruparamārādhya nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa oṁ viṣṇupāda aṣṭottara-śata śrī ŚrīmadBhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda, who is moreglorious than the sun.His initiated name became ‘ŚrīAbhaya-caraṇāravindadāsaAdhikārī.’

Thebeginningofhisbṛhad-mṛdaṅgaserviceIn 1944,ŚrīAbhaya-caraṇāravindaPrabhubeganpublishing themonthly

English magazine Back to Godhead. This magazine is now well-renowned.Hundredsofthousandsofcopiesofthismagazineareprintedeverymonthinvariouslanguagesandaresenttodevoteesinnumerouscountries.Besidesthis,ŚrīmatSvāmīMahārājapublishedmanybooksintheEnglishlanguage.

AcceptingsannyāsaIn 1958, Śrī Abhaya-caraṇāravinda Prabhu accepted tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa

fromthefounderofŚrīGauḍīyaVedāntaSamiti,tridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaMahārāja, adiscipleofparamārādhyaPrabhupādaŚrīŚrīlaSarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura, and became known as tridaṇḍi-svāmī ŚrīmadBhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja.Later,hewouldintroducehimselfasŚrīA.C.BhaktivedāntaSvāmīMahārāja.

ResidinginVṛndāvanaIn1959,ŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājacametoliveintheŚrīŚrīRādhā-Dāmodara

templeinŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvana.Duringthisperiod,hetranslatedintoEnglishthefirsttwocantosofŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam.HewasalsotranslatingBhagavad-gītāandseveralotherbooksatthetime.

EstablishingISKCONIn 1965, at the age of seventy, he traveled virtually empty-handed to the

UnitedStatesofAmerica.AfterhissteamshipdockedinBostonfortwodays,iteventuallymade itsway toNewYork.Ayear later,he rentedanapartmentatTwenty-sixSecondAvenue,Manhattan. Itwas there thathefoundedISKCON,theInternationalSocietyforKṛṣṇaConsciousness. InTompkinsSquarePark,withapairofkaratālas inhand,hebeganhispreachingof themahā-mantra.There, two young boys became his disciples after being attracted by hisclasses.ThesetwoweregiventhenamesŚrīBhavānandaandŚrīJaya-patākā.

PreachingineverycorneroftheEarthGradually, Śrīmat Svāmī Mahārāja attracted droves of pious people. In

onlytwelveyears,hispreachingreachedpracticallyeverycorneroftheEarth.Manyeducatedandwealthymenandwomentookshelterofhim.Onebyone,manypreachingcenters,templesandmonasterieswereestablishedworldwide.The wind everywhere began to resonate with the chanting ofmahā-mantra.Shortlyafterentrustingtheresponsibilityofrunninghissocietyandpreachingtotwelvedisciples,hepassedontotheLord’seternalabode.

HisdelightfulEnglishtranslationsDuringhistime,ŚrīmatSvāmīMahārājaalsopresentedŚrīŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsa

Kavirāja Gosvāmī Prabhu’s Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in its original BengaliscriptwithanEnglishtransliterationofeachandeveryverse,followedbyanEnglishword-for-word translation and an expertEnglish translation.This initself is a matter of particular delight for all Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas. Englishreaders express abundant praise for this rendition, because they have theconvenience of learning Bengali as they read through this book,whichwaspublishedinseveralvolumes.

AllofhisbooksconcerningŚrīGauraandŚrīKṛṣṇa’spastimeshavebeenwell-receivedandreveredbyWesternscholars.

AmatterofgreatprideThedeitiesofŚrīŚrīGuru-GaurāṅgaGāndhārvikā-Giridhārī-jiuarenow

beingworshipedeverywhere,andmanyfestivalslikeJhulana-,Dola-andevenŚrī Śrī Jagannātha, Baladeva and Subhadra’s Ratha-yātrā are being held innumerous famous places in Europe and America. This is a matter of greatpride for all of us. We pray with our whole hearts that the services of thesocietyŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja foundedcontinue tobemanagedbeautifully inallrespectsandwithenthusiasm.

HisfortunetoattainshelterofŚrīVṛndāvaneśvarīŚrīlaSvāmīMahārājahadbeenmanifestinghissicknesspastimesincethis

pastDola-pūrṇimā, but still, even in such a condition, hewent to survey hisvariouscentersandtemplesintheWest,includingLondonjustthispastAugust.By the Lord’s desire, hewas residing in Śrī Vṛndāvana since themiddle ofSeptember.There,heattainedtheshelterofŚrīŚrīVṛndāvaneśvarī.

Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahāśaya, who was present in ŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvana when Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja disappeared, made his auspiciousarrivalinourKolkataŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaon20November,1977.Weheard from him that Śrīla SvāmīMahārāja’s discipleswere surrounding hisbed and chanting harināma tirelessly. Although Svāmī Mahārāja stoppedspeaking, his lips were active until his last moment. When Śrīpāda VanaMahārāja, Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahārāja and other esteemed Vaiṣṇavas wouldvisithim,hisdisciples, speaking loudly intohisear,would tellhimwhohadcome, and he would show them due respect by raising his hands to hisforehead.Hewasfullyconsciousuntilhisfinalmoment.

His disciples chanted harināma loudly throughout the entire night, evenafter he disappeared. On Tuesday (Śuklā Pañcamī), they placed him on adecorated palanquin and took him to the seven main temples of ŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvanaaccompaniedby loudnāma-saṅkīrtana.TheGosvāmīdirectorsofeach of the temples extended to him the respect due a Vaiṣṇava ācārya andhonored himwith garland and candana remnants of their respective deities.Thereafter, he was placed in samādhi at his Śrī Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple inRamaṇa-Retiaccordingtothedirectivesofscripture.

HisuniqueaccomplishmentDuringhiseveningŚrīmad-Bhāgavatamclass, thePresident-ācāryaofŚrī

Caitanya Gauḍīya Matha, Śrīla Ācāryadeva Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita MādhavaMahārāja, expressed the grief of his separation from his godbrother SvāmīMahārāja,andextensivelyglorifiedŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’sstupendousfeatofpreachingŚrīCaitanya’smessagethroughouttheentireworldinsuchashorttime.HefurtherillustratedŚrīlaSvāmīMahārāja’suniqueaccomplishmentintransforminghiswesterndisciples’ingrainedhabitsofdress,diet,conductandbehavior. They accepted the humble garb of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, beganaccepting only bhagavat-prasāda (foodstuffs offered to the Lord), wearingstrandsof tulasī beads around their necks, chanting theholynameson japa-mālās,andbearingmarksofgopī-candanatilakaonalllimbsoftheirbodies.Inthisway,theyadoptedalltheconventionsofVaiṣṇavaetiquetteandbecamecommitted to incessantly performing kīrtana of mahā-mantra withouthesitation. It is a matter of great joy that they also began deeply studyingdevotionalliteraturesandperformingworshipofthedeities.

HisardenteffortstofulfillSrilaPrabhupada’sdesireInŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,thereareseriousplanstobuildatemplealmosttwo

hundredfiftyfeethighfortheŚrīMāyāpura-Candrodayatemplehehasalreadyestablishedthere.Wehopethathisdisciples,whoareveryqualified,willsoonendeavortofulfillthisdesireoftheirgurudeva.

ŚrīmanMahāprabhupredicted:

pṛthivīteācheĵatônagarādigrāmasarvatrapracārahôbiemorenāma

MynamewillbepropagatedineverytownandvillagealloverthisEarth.

Śrī Śrīla Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda and Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda, two intimate

associates of Śrī Gaura, have also expressed particular ambitions in theirpredictions concerning preaching in theWest. Śrīla SvāmīMahārājawent togreatlengthstopropagateandfulfillthisdesireoftheirs.

ExcerptsfromanarticlepublishedinŚrīCaitanya-vāṇī(Year17,Volume10)

ŚrīŚrīmadKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja

ReceivingdīkṣāinitiationGenerally, Śrīla Prabhupāda would grant dīkṣā-mantras to aspiring

devotees only on the specific recommendation of senior devotees. Prior toawardingdīkṣā, thebirthnamesof the aspiring initiateswouldbenoted in aregister.Alongside each of those names, Śrīla Prabhupādawould personallychoose andwrite a suitableVaiṣṇava name to be conferred to each aspiringdevotee.

On the day Śrī ŚrīmadKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārājawas to receivedīkṣā,ŚrīlaPrabhupādahadwrittendownthename‘ŚrīSarveśvaradāsaBrahmacārī’beside his previous name.When Śrīla BābājīMahārāja presented himself inŚrīlaPrabhupāda’squarters toreceivethemantras,adevoteemistakenly toldhimhewouldnotbereceivingdīkṣāthatday.ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājareplied,“Itis only appropriate that things proceed according to my adhikāra, myqualification.It isquitesufficientformeto learnhowtoproperlyhonorandchanttheharināmaIhavemostmercifullyreceived.”

Overhearing this, Śrīla Prabhupāda awarded him dīkṣā, but changed thenamehehadwrittenfrom‘Sarveśvara’to‘Svādhikārānanda,’whichmeans‘hewhodelightsinhisqualification.’

Simpleliving,highthinkingŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaperfectlyexemplifiedthemaxim“sādājīvana,ucca

vicāra—simpleliving,highthinking.”Onhisupperbodyheworeaphatuā,anarmless shirtwith two pockets sown onto the front, and around hiswaist hewore a short, knee-length cloth. In thewinter, he found it sufficient towraphimself in a simple blanket and go about his business. Although he alwaysacceptedothers’gifts,herarelyusedthemhimself.Instead,hewoulddistributethemamongtheVaiṣṇavasinVṛndāvana.

Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja would say, “Śrī Nārada Ṛṣi instructed the hunterMṛgāri to break and throw away his bow, give up all concerns for hislivelihoodandsimplyperformbhajana.AfterpromisinghewouldarrangeforallMṛgāri’s necessities, ŚrīNāradaṚṣi left that place.Whenhe returned sixmonthslater,Mṛgārisaid,‘Gurudeva!Pleasedonotsendsomanythings.’ŚrīDevarṣiNāradatoldhimtousewhateverheneededanddistributetherest.

“Ihavetakenthelessonofthisstorytoheart.Iconsideralltheitemspeoplegivemeashavingbeensentbymygurupāda-padmaasmanifestationsofhis

mercy.Ineverthinkthataparticularpersonperseisgivingtheseitemstome.Rather, I consider such donors as postmen sent by my gurudeva to delivervarious itemsonhisbehalf.Whatever Ineed, Ikeep,andwhatever Ihavenousefor,Idistributetootherdevotees.”

HiscarefreedetachmentA Vrajavāsī once donated a piece of land to Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja in

Ramaṇa-retī, Vṛndāvana.With the assistance of a few devotees, Śrīla BābājīMahārāja secured constructionmaterials like bricks, gravel, sand, stone andcementandhad themdelivered to thesite.However,whenhevisited the landjust a couple days before the scheduled cornerstone laying ceremony, thebrotherofthedonorapproachedŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaandsaid,“Thelandmybrother donated to youwas not this lot, but actually the adjacent lot. Pleaseconstructyourbhajana-kuṭīraoverthere.”

WhenŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaheardthis,hesaid,“Forgetit,brother.Ihavenoneedforabhajana-kuṭīra.Mygodbrothershavemanyplacesoftheirownand they readilyoffermeshelter at their lotus feet. If I am facedwith issuesbefore theconstructionofmyownplacehasevenbegun,Icanonly imaginethegriefIshouldexpectinthefuture.Pleasekeepthislandforyourself.Harekṛṣṇa.”

AsŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaturnedtoleave,themantoldhim,“Wait!Atleasttakeallyourbuildingmaterialswithyou.Youcanusethemelsewhere.”

“Keepthem,”ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājareplied.“Theyarenowyours.”WhenŚrīlaBābājīMahārājatoldmeaboutthisincident,heremarked,“The

nature of material possessions is such that the greed to own them causesconflictbetweenevenbrothers.”

ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawassodetachedthathewascompletelydisinterestedtomeetthedonorofthatlandevenonce.Hethoughtittobeawasteoftime.

InspiringgrandservicewhileremainingpossessionlessOnce,whileŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawasvisitingthehouseofŚrīBanavārī

LālSiṁhāniyāinKolkata,heperformedkīrtanathroughouttheentirenight.Inthe morning, Śrī Banavārī Lāl Siṁhāniyā’s niece told her father, “ŚrīmatīRādhārānīwasdancingtothebeatofBābājīMahārāja’skīrtanatheentiretimehesang.”

Laterthatmorning,whenŚrīBanavārīLālSiṁhāniyā-jītriedtoofferŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaadonation,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājasaidtohim,“Ihavenoneed

foranything. Ifyou trulywant tooffersomeservice, thenarrange tobuildatemple at the place of my gurupāda-padma’s appearance in Śrī JagannāthaPurī,whichŚrīMādhavaMahārājahasacquired.”

ŚrīBanavārīLālSiṁhāniyā-jībegan tocry.Whenhis sister-in-lawaskedhimwhyhewascrying,hetoldhereverythingandconsidered,“Iamsurethethree of us—my father, my brother and I—can manage to build a temple.”Afterconsultingwithhisfamily,itwasdecidedtheywouldsurelyconstructatemplethere.

In this way, Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja’s encouragement and inspirationaccomplishedsuchagreatservice,thoughhehimselfwaspossessionlessandmaintainedhislifebybeggingalms.

SweetlywelcomingagodbrotherIn1956,GuruMahārāja travelled toMathurā fromKolkata ina reserved

coachaccompaniedbyalargegroupofdevoteestoleadŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha’sŚrīVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā.AlongwithŚrīDīna-bandhudāsaBābājīMahārāja,ŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja travelled to theMathurā rail-waystationall theway fromhis residen-ceatŚrīlaSanātanaGosvāmī’sbhajana-kuṭīra in Nandagrāma. When Guru Mahārāja and his party arrived at thestation, Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja jubilantly welcomed them by performingexceptionallybeautifulsaṅkīrtanaandsweetlyplayingmṛdaṅga.

Heusedtosay,“ŚrīMādhavaMahārājaisespeciallyvenerableforhavingcarefullyprotectedthetraditionofperformingŚrīVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā,apracticeŚrīlaPrabhupādahadearlierreestablished.

Hisheart-touchingkīrtanaIn 1962, after the conclusion of the Kumbha Melā in Haridvāra, it so

happened that by chance, Guru Mahārāja and the presiding ācārya of ŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhatravelledtoDehradunatthesametimewithseparatepreachingparties. It was during this time in Dehradun that Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa BābājīMahārājalefttheŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhapartyand,withhislittlebundleofbeddingin hand, met with GuruMahārāja at Gītā Bhavana. GuruMahārāja was justfinishinghismorninglecturewhenŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaarrived.Seeinghim,Guru Mahārāja became overwhelmingly delighted and called out, “BābājīMahārāja!Madhureṇasamāpayet—withsweetness,weconclude.Please retirethisassemblywithyourmelodiouskīrtana.”ŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja thensangSakhe!KalayaGauramUdāram.

Atthattime,mygodbrotherŚrīBhaktiPrasādaPurīMahārājasaidtome,“Sanskritkīrtanaslikethisdonotsuittheaudiencehere.Whowillunderstanditsmeaning?Onlynāma-kīrtanas like ‘rādhe rādhe govinda, govinda rādhe’willbeappreciated.”

Ididnotrespondtothis,butremainedsilent.WhenŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaconcluded the kīrtana by chanting the mahā-mantra, the in-charge of GītāBhavana,anelderlygentlemanwearinglargependantearrings,jumpedtohisfeetandcalledout,“Sohnā,sohnā!”

“Whatishesaying?”IaskedŚrīPurīMahārāja.“SohnāisPunjabifor‘verybeautiful,’”hereplied.Ithenasked,“YouweresayingthatŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja’skīrtanawould

notbewellreceivedhereandthatnoonewouldunderstandit.Ifthisisthecase,whyisthispersonsaying,‘Verybeautiful?’IshenotPunjabi?”

“Yes, he is Punjabi,” he said, “but I do not have an answer to yourquestion.”

The next day, GuruMahārāja asked another person, an expert singer, toperform kīrtana before his class. Two minutes into the kīrtana, the sameelderly person stood up and,with folded hands, said, “Please requestBābājīMahārājatosing.Althoughwedonotunderstandthewordshesings,hisvoicetouchesourhearts.”

GuruMahārājathenaskedŚrīlaBābājīMahārājatoperformkīrtana.ŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja sangNamāmīNanda-nandanaṁ,Rādhe Jaya JayaMādhavaDayite, Kṛṣṇa Deva Bhavantaṁ Vande and other Sanskrit kīrtanas, andeveryonelisteningwasimmenselypleased.

After the kīrtana, I told Śrī Purī Mahārāja, “According to myunderstanding, there are three reasons these people appreciate Śrīla BābājīMahārāja’s kīrtana despite having no understanding of Sanskrit. Firstly,BhagavānHimselfhassaid,‘mad-bhaktaḥyatragāyantitatratiṣṭhāmināradaḥ—I am present wherever My devotees sing My glories.’ Having becomeanyābhilāṣitā śunyaṁ, or free from even the slightest tinge of extraneousdesires,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaperformskīrtanafromthecoreofhisheart,andtherebyengages inānukulyenakṛṣṇānuśīlana, a favorableactivityperformedpurelyforthepleasureofŚrīKṛṣṇa.Hiskīrtana is thereforefullycapableofcompelling Śrī Bhagavan, the embodiment of bliss, to appear and turn thisplaceintoHisresidence,GolokaVṛndāvana.Whentheembodimentofblissispersonallypresent, isn’t itonly logical thateveryonepresentwill experiencebliss,directlyorindirectly?

“Secondly,itissaid:

smarantaḥsmārayantaścamitho’ghaugha-haraṁharimbhaktyāsañjātayābhaktyābibhratyutpulakāṁtanum

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(11.3.31)

The devotees remember and remind one another of Śrī Hari, the remover of allmisfortune.Thus, theirdevotioncausestheappearanceofdevotioninothers,andtheirbodiesbecomeagitatedwithecstasy,withthehairsoftheirbodiesstandingonend.

“Accordingtothisverse,bhaktiisinfusedintheheartbythebhaktialreadypresent in another ’s heart. Although language is essential in communicatingmattersoftheheart,foronewhoseheartisdevoidofbhakti,mereknowledgeof language is insufficient to inspirebhakti in theheartsofothers. It is onlybecauseofthepurebhaktipresentintheheartthatone’swordsareinfusedwithdivinepower.Onlythenisitpossibleforbhaktitobetransmittedtotheheartsof one’s listeners, and only then will the listeners feel inspired to renderdevotionalservice.

“Thirdly, Bābājī Mahārāja’s kīrtana is the very embodiment of ŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura’swords‘hṛdayahôitebole, jihvāraagrete cale, śabdarūpe kare nṛtya—when one speaks from one’s heart, Kṛṣṇa dances on one’stongue in the form of sound.’ It is for this reason that Bābājī Mahārāja’skīrtanatouchestheheartsofthosewhohearit.”

Hisunpretentious,easygoingnatureOnetime,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājajoinedourVraja-maṇḍalaparikramāparty

while wewere camped at Śrī Brahmāṇḍa-ghāṭa. At that time, I was chargedwith the service of managing suitable lodgings for the pilgrims and wasstayinginaratherhumbleshed-likestructure.Uponseeingmysimpleshelter,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājadecideditwasfavorableforhisbhajana,andsohesetuphisbeddingthere,nexttomine.

Iwasimmediatelyapprehensive.“Heislikeagurutome,”Ithought.“Itisinappropriate forme to staywithhim, as if he is some familiar roommate.”Remaininghonest,Ihumblytoldhim,“BābājīMahārāja,yoursleepislikelytobedisturbedifyoustayhere,becauseIgetupmanytimesduringthenighttocheckonthecamppatrol.Pleaseallowmetoarrangeamoresuitableplaceforyou.”

“No, no,”ŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja said. “Youwill not disturbme.Performyourservicewithoutworryformycomfort.”

During thosenights together, Iobserved thatnomatterhowmanytimesIgotupandcameback,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawouldbesittingup-right inhismosquitonetchantingtheharināmamahā-mantrathewholenightthrough.Hechantedinaverysoftvoice,soasnot todisturbthedevoteesnearby.Hewasalwaysincrediblysensitiveandconsideratewhenitcametotheconvenienceofdevotees.

HisexemplaryhumilityŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaalwaysremainedequipoised.Hedidnotrespondto

praisewith immodestgushing likemilkboilingoverorbybecomingpuffeduplikeaninflatedballoon,norhewouldflareupintoafitofrageatcriticism.Ineithersituation,hewouldsimplysay“Harekṛṣṇa”andmoveon.

Once, one of his godbrothers wrote him an insulting letter in languagequiteunbefittingaVaiṣṇava.ŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja respondedbywriting,“OVaiṣṇavaṬhākura!Youhavewrittenthetruthbecauseyoureallyloveandcarefor me. Previously, you used to encourage me through praise, but throughyourrecentletter,youhavebestowedyourmostsinceremercyuponme.”

Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja was always absorbed in the most exemplaryhumility.

AfriendtoallŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawasajāt-śatru.Inotherwords,heneverconsidered

anyonetobehisadversary.Althoughhedividedmostofhistimebetweentheassociation of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, ŚrīŚrīmad Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti VilāsaTīrtha GosvāmīMahārāja and GuruMahārāja, he would freely visit all hisgodbrotherswithoutanyinhibitionwhatsoever.

The bond between Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja and Guru Mahārāja wasespeciallythick.HispostcardstoGuruMahārājawouldalwaysbeginwiththewords“tothesupremelymercifulŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārāja,”andtheyneverconsistedofmorethanacouplesentences.Thosewhoreadhislettersorheardhim speak were thoroughly convinced that he was entirely indifferent todiscussingworldlymatters.

PerformingkīrtanaduringGuruMahārāja’sdisappearancepastimeŚrīla Bābājī Mahārāja was well-known for savoring the taste of kṛṣṇa-

nāma as he was constantly performing kīrtana wherever he went. He wasparticularlykeenonperformingkīrtanaofśrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmamahā-mantra,andhewouldbecomesooverjoyedtohearotherschantingitthathiseyesandfacewouldblossom.

A fewdays beforeGuruMahārājamanifested his disappearance pastime,Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja came to the Kolkata branch of Śrī Caitanya GauḍīyaMaṭha. Every day during his stay, he would sit nearby Guru Mahārāja anddeeplyabsorbhimselfinperformingkīrtana.ThenightbeforeGuruMahārājaentered nitya-līlā, Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja performed hari-kīrtana in theGauḍīyalibraryadjoiningGuruMahārāja’sbhajana-kuṭīraallnightlonginamoodofpainfulseparation.

When Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja heard ofthis,hesaid,“ItoowishtoleavethisworldwhilelisteningtothekīrtanaofŚrīKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja,whoisperfectedinchantingtheholyname.”

When Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja saw that Guru Mahārāja’s disciples weresuddenly without shelter, he overwhelmed us with boundless affection andencouraged us from the core of his heart to preach the message of Śrī ŚrīGuru-Gaurāṅga.

MercifullygrantingmetheopportunitytoservehimOnce,whenŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja enacted thepastimeof becoming ill, I

stayedwith him for some days after hewas admitted to a hospital inDelhi.WhenIwasinformedIhadtoleaveforsomeotherurgentservice,IengagedmygodbrotherŚrīNavīna-madanaBrahmacārīinhisservice.

Aftercompletingmyserviceelsewhere,IreturnedtothehospitaltoserveŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja.Uponmyarrival,hesoftly toldme,“Whenyouserveme, I do not feel the slightest bit awkward or hesitant. I prefer your serviceoverthatofallothers.”

By enacting the pastime of falling ill, ŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja,whowouldrarely accept service from anyone, bestowed great blessings upon me bygrantingmetheopportunitytoservehim.

GlorificationinthewakeofŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaBābājīMahārāja’sDisappearance

ComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja

Nāma-siddhaŚrī Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahārāja appeared in a highly educated,

respectedfamilyofphysicians.HeattendedḌhākāUniversityandcompletedaBachelor of Arts degree before taking shelter of the most worshipful ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s holy feet, sometime between 1925 and 1926. The brahmacārīnamehisgurudevagavehimwasŚrīSvādhikārānandadāsaBrahmacārī.

In themaṭha, we have long since and repeatedly witnessed Śrīla BābājīMahārāja’s profound attachment to performingnāma-bhajana day and night.Healsopossessedaremarkablypowerfulmemory.Wewerealwaysamazedtohear the many Sanskrit prayers and hymns he could recite, which were sonumerousthatitwouldbeimpossibletocoverthemallinafullmonthofnon-stop recitation. He memorized by heart Śrī Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta, Rāsa-pañcādhyāya, Brahmā-stuti, Stavāvalī, many songs from Stava-mālā,Virudāvalī, Vilāpa-kusumāñjalī and many more Sanskrit compositions. HewouldsomehowrecitealltheseprayersdailyandchantonehundredthousandnamesofBhagavān.Pūjyapāda tridaṇḍī-gosvāmīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaMahārāja used to call him nāma-siddha, or realized in the holy names. HisSanskritpronunciationwasstrikinglybeautifulaswellascrystalclear,andhisvoicewasverysweet.Hewasalsoproficientinplayingmṛdaṅga.

NeverInclinedtoArgueŚrīla Bābājī Mahārāja’s Vaiṣṇava humility and renunciation were

exemplary,andhischaracterwaspiousanddignified.Neverwas thereadaywhenhewas seenexpressinganger,violenceorhatred. If anyonewould sayanything to him in anger, he would simply respond with ‘Hare kṛṣṇa’ andlaugh.Hewasneverinclinedtoarguewithanyone.

AprimerecipientofBhakti-devī’smercyThe scriptures state, ‘kṛṣṇa bhakte kṛṣṇa-guṇa sakali sañcare—ŚrīKṛṣṇa

infuses His devotees with all of His qualities.’ This was always glaringlyapparentinŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja’scharacter.Hewasaprimerecipientofthemercy of Bhakti-devī, the goddess of devotion, who is the empress of allvirtues.Allthedemigodstookupresidencewithinhim,asheisrepletewithallgood qualities. His beautiful mouth pronounced the names of Hari at everymoment.

Ajāta-śatruPracticallyallof theVaiṣṇavasof themaṭha lovedŚrīlaBābājīMahārāja.

ŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaMahārājahadgreataffection forhim.Drawnby this affection, Bābājī Mahārāja resided in many of his maṭhas andparticipatedinvariousfestivalsandpilgrimages, thusrepeatedlypleasingŚrīMādhavaMahārāja.

Priortoenteringintohisunmanifestpastimesathisbhajana-kuṭīinNanda-grāma,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājausedtostayatourŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhabranch inŚrīdhāmaVṛndāvana.However,hismostbelovedplace toperformbhajana was a tiny secluded chamber in the original ākara-maṭha-rāja ŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,onthethirdflooroftheBhakti-vijayaBhavana,thebhajana-kuṭīofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Asidefromthere,inwhichevermaṭhahevisitedamongthemanyalloverIndia,hewouldalways lookforaquietplacetoperformhisbhajana.Hewasthelivingexampleofthewordsofthegreatpersonalitiesbeforeus:“dekhobhāināmavinādinanāhijāya—lookbrother, let not a single day go bywithout the chanting ofnāma.”He neverspent his time in useless conversation. He was ajāta-śatru, that is, he neverconsideredanyoneashisenemy.Today,themoreIrememberhim,thedeeperanddeeperIfeelhisabsence,andmyheartbecomesexceedinglydistraught.

Duringparikramā, Ioftenhad thegood fortuneof sharing lodgingswithhim.Itwas thenIsawhowhesatandchantednāma throughout thenightandrecitedthecountlessversesheknew.Althoughhewouldsingtheholynameswhileplayingmṛdaṅga for theentiredistanceofourparikramā, I never sawhimbecomeevenalittlefatigued.Hewasalwayssmiling.

ConstantlyImmersedincontemplationofBhagavānMany wealthy people would give Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja money and

expensive things, but hewould never keep any of it for himself. Instead, hewoulddistributethoseitemsfortheserviceofBhagavānandtheVaiṣṇavas.Heusuallyworejustashortknee-lengthgarmentaroundhiswaist,andhekeptasimple bedmat and sheet.He gladlywent through the harsh cold ofwinterswithasimpleblanketwhilewearinganever-smiling face,alwayssatisfiedatheart. A person who is constantly immersed in contemplation of Bhagavāndoesnotnoticethegoings-onaroundhim.

Thepersonificationoftṛṇād-apiSunīcenaŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawasnevereager foranymaterialgain,worshipor

prestige.Indeed,hedidnotlongforsuchthingsatall.Itwasasifhewasthepersonification of the tṛṇād-api verse as instructed by Śrīman Mahāprabhu.

Alas!Now that I have lost the companyof such an exemplaryVaiṣṇavawhotooksuchgreatdelightintheworshipoftheholynames,whoknowshowlongIwillhavetoendurethehellishtortureofthisunluckylifeontheearthlyplane.

APropagatorofthemahā-mantraThestickersŚrīlaBābājīMahārājaprintedinHindiandBengaliaboutthe

principle of kīrtanīyā sadā hariḥ and mahā-mantra can be seen almosteverywhere inŚrīVraja-maṇḍala, inmanyplaces inŚrīGauḍa-maṇḍala andŚrīKṣetra-maṇḍala, aswell as in almost all ofourbranchesofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.Readingorevenseeing thesestickersalwaysbrings tomindsweet memories of him. There are also many places in Vraja where hepropagatedtheseteachingsbymeansofstoneetchings.

HisverydearsongsVery dear to Śrīla BābājīMahārāja were the many songs written by the

presidingācāryaofŚrīCaitanyaSārasvataMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaNavadvīpa,themost venerable tridaṇḍi-svāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārāja, such as Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda-padma-stavakaḥ, ŚrīmadBhaktivinoda-viraha-daśakam, Śrī Śrī Dayita-dāsa-daśakam, Śrī ŚrīmadGaura-kiśora-namaskāra-daśakam, and the seventy-verses of Śrī Śrī Prema-dhāma-deva-stotra,especiallythefollowingverse:

kṛṣṇakṛṣṇakṛṣṇakṛṣṇakṛṣṇa-nāmakīrtanaṁrāmarāmagāna-ramyadivya-chandanartanaṁyatrayatrakṛṣṇa-nāma-dāna-loka-nistaraṁ

prema-dhāma-devaṁ-evanaumigaura-sundaraṁŚrīŚrīPrema-dhāma-deva-stotra(22)

I venerate that Lord, the abode of love Gaura-sundara, who always danced as Hesang thenames“Kṛṣṇa,Kṛṣṇa,Kṛṣṇa,Kṛṣṇa,Kṛṣṇa”and“Rāma,Rāma” inbeautifulmelodies. Wherever He went, He bestowed the names of Kṛṣṇa and delivered thepeopleofthatplace.

Heoften sang the aboveverse aswell as oneof the lines fromŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s song Vaiṣṇava Ke?: “karô uccaiḥ-svare harināma-rava—chantthenamesofŚrīHariatthetopofyourvoice.”

HisindomitableenthusiasmforpracticingandpreachingharinamaŚrīla BābājīMahārāja printed a small booklet containing a collection of

teachings of Śrīman Mahāprabhu and His dear associates, the Gosvāmīs,

regardingnāma-bhajana.Hewoulddistributethisbookleteverywherefreeofcharge and give it to others to distribute, as well. He was possessed ofindomitable enthusiasm when it came to the practice and preaching of śrīharināma. Kṛṣṇa was very merciful to have granted us the fortune ofassociatingwithaVaiṣṇavasodedicatedtotheholynames.Today,itisamatterof greatmisfortune thatwe have been deprived of his company.But as it issaid, “svatantra kṛṣṇera icchā hôilô saṅga bhaṅga—it is by the independentwillofKṛṣṇathatmyassociationwithhimhasbeensevered.”

OurlastinteractionDuringVraja-maṇḍalaparikramālastKārtika,whenwehadhisaudienceat

thatsamebhajana-kuṭīrainNandagrāma,herepeatedlydeclared,“Iwillnotgoanywhere else.”Nandagrāmawas time and again theplacehe chose asmostfavorable for his bhajana. Hence, Śrī Hari, who is a wish-fulfilling tree,grantedhimtheeternalshelterofHislotusfeetatthatveryplace.

BeingaVaiṣṇava,ŚrīlaBābājīMahārājasawnofaultsinothers.AllIprayis thathemay,outofhisgoodnature,purifymeof thevariousoffensesandmistakesIcommittedathisfeet,eitherknowinglyorunknowingly.

OurprayerathislotusfeetIt is our misfortune that one by one, Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda’s intimate

associatesareall leavingtothateternalabodetorendereternalserviceathisbeautifullotusfeet,therebydeprivingusofthegreatfortuneoftheircompany.AsŚrīlaBābājīMahārājahasrecentlyenteredthoseeternalpastimes,mysoleprayerathislotusfeetistoaccordmetheabilitytoverysoonservethelotusfeetofmyeternallyworshipfulgurupāda-padma.

HisattempttoeducateusBy leaving this world, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples are attempting to

educateus,asitissaid,“śeṣāḥsthāvaramicchantikimāścaryamataḥparam—the greatest wonder is that people think they will live forever, despite theinevitabilityofdeath.”Or,asLakṣmaṇahassaid,“niśvāsenaivaviśvāsaḥkadāruddhobhaviṣyati—onecannot trustwhenonemightstopbreathing.”Butwearesounfortunatethatevenafterlisteningandwitnessingtheselessons,weareunabletolearnthem,andthuscontinuetoactinignorance.

PublishedinŚrīCaitanya-vāṇī(Year22,Volume4)

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja

HisearlydaysandjoiningthemaṭhaŚrī Śrīmad Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja appeared in the

village ofNarmā,West Bengal andwas given the nameRādhā-ramaṇa dāsaafter his family’s worshipful deity, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa. His father, ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanātha Rāya, wasa jamindār (landowner) as wellas a practicingastrologer and Ayurvedic doctor. Being highly impressed by his firstencounterwithGauḍīyaMaṭhapreachers,heinvitedthemtostayforsomedaysin his home. After regularly extending such invitations to devotees, ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāyabecamecloselyacquaintedwiththeGauḍīyaMaṭha.

The preachers of Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha were so pleased with ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāya’sserviceandhospitality that theywouldstayonlyathishouseduringtheirvisitstohistown.Becausehewasnotparticularlyattachedtotheopulenceenjoyedbylandownersinthatera,hewouldspendmostofhistimetreatingpatientsandcalculatingastrologicalcharts.Herenderedprofuse,wholeheartedassistancetothesannyāsīsandbrahmacārīscollectingfundsforthe Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramā held by Śrī Caitanya Maṭha. He had apotent ambition for seeking his spiritualwelfare, and so despite hisworldlyopulence and landowner affluence, he never hesitated to personally collectdonations.Hefirmlybelievedthattheassociationofsādhusistheonlymeansofattainingwellbeinginthishumanlife.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaandŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārī (later known as Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī GosvāmīMahārāja)oncevisitedŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāya’shome tocollectprovisionsfor the upcoming Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramā. Śrī Vaikuṇṭhanātha Rāyaofferedthemonehundredeightrupeesworthofsilvercoinsinpraṇāmī,andŚrīRādhā-ramaṇadāsaandhisbrother,Kṛṣṇadāsa,receivedthegoodfortunetoservethem.

Duringhis five-day stay, Śrī PraṇavānandaBrahmacārī observed thatŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa dāsa spent the majority of his time sitting peacefully in thetempleroom,eitherhearinghari-kathāorperformingkīrtana.

Oneday,afterŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārīsangJīvaJāgôJīvaJāgô,heandtheboy,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇadāsa,discussedthemeaningofthekīrtana.ŚrīPraṇavānanda Brahmacārī was amazed to see an ardent love for kathā and

kīrtanainsuchayoungboy.HesaidtoŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāya,“Yourson’sbehaviorisratheratypicalforachild.Hisnaturalattractiontospiritualmattersamazesme.Wewouldbegreatlypleasedtohavehimstayinourmaṭha.There,hecangainbothspiritualknowledgeandaregulareducation.Willyouallowhimtocomewithus?”

ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāyareplied,“Ifheagreestoyourproposal,youmaysurelytakehimwithyou.Ihavenoobjections.”

Śrī Praṇavānanda Brahmacārī asked Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa dāsa, “Will youcomewithustolivewiththesannyāsīsandbrahmacārīsinourKolkatamaṭha,whereyoucanreceivebothspiritualandmaterialeducations?”

“Yes!”ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇadāsaimmediatelyanswered.“There,youwillhavetoservesādhusallofthetime,justasyouaredoing

here,”ŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārītoldhim.“That will only increase my good fortune,” he replied with a youthful

enthusiasm. In thisway,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa dāsa agreed and accompanied thetwovisitingVaiṣṇavasbacktothemaṭhaat1UlṭadāṅgāRoad,Kolkata,whichatthetimewasarentedapartment.

ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇadāsa’smother,ŚrīRatna-mayīdevī,wasaconsiderablydevotional woman. He was her third and youngest son and had been raisedamid wealth. Before he left for themaṭha, she appropriately instructed himabout his future stay in the austere atmosphere of his guru’s residence. Shehuggedhim,kissedhisforeheadandsaidwithtearsinhereyes,“Bābā!Yourpurposeisnoble.Makeaccomplishingthispurposeyourlife’sonlygoal.”

Śrī Vaikuṇṭhanātha Rāya accompanied his son to Kolkata, where he haddarśanaofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandtalkedtohimabouttheboy.

ŚrīlaPrabhupādaaskedŚrīRādhā-ramaṇadāsa,“So,khokā1

,willyoubeabletostayhere?”“Yes,yes,”theboysaid.“Iwilldefinitelybeabletostay.”Upon joining themaṭha, the boy enrolled in a nearby school, the New

IndianHighSchool,andthusspenthistimebetweenhisservicesinthemaṭhaandhisstudies.SometimesŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīwashed theclothesof the accomplished sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs, and sometimes he cleanedtheirrooms.Other times,hecleanedthetempleroomwithgreatdelight.Thedevotees of themaṭha were captivated by the boy’s enthusiasm and sincereinclinationtoserve.Also,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa’svoicewasverysweet.Hewouldsitwiththedevoteesandsingkīrtanawiththem,heighteningtheirecstasy.

OnedayafterŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīhadcompletedhisstudiesatthe New Indian High School, Śrīla Prabhupāda told the sannyāsī andbrahmacārī disciples crowded around him, “When I see how sincerely andquicklythisboyperformshisservices,itoccurstomethatifheweretospendhislifeinthemaṭha,Icoulddelegatemanyservicestohimwithoutworry.Butsince he is young and has just finished his schooling, it is up to his parentswhetherhecontinuestostayhere.”

Sometime later, Śrī Vaikuṇṭhanātha Rāya visited the Kolkata maṭha andaskedhisson,“Doyouwanttocontinueyourstudies?Ifyouwanttoacquireahigher education, then I am happy to talk to Śrīla Prabhupāda and makearrangementsforyoutodoso.”

ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī said,“Ihaveheard fromŚrīlaPrabhupāda‘jaḓa-vidyā ĵatômāyāravaibhava—materialknowledge issimply theopulentmanifestation of Bhagavān’s illusory potency.’ Also, Ṭhākura Bhaktivinodahasstated inŚaraṇāgati, ‘vidyāragauravebhrami’deśedeśedhanaupārjanakôri—intheprideofhavingacquiredworldlyknowledge,Isimplywanderedfromonecountry toanotheraccumulatingmaterialwealth.’Furthermore,ŚrīCaitanya-bhāgavata(Ādi-khaṇḍa12.49)mentions:

paḓekeneloka?kṛṣṇa-bhaktijānibāreseĵadinahilô,tabevidyāyakikare?

Whydopeoplestudy?Inordertoknowkṛṣṇa-bhakti.Butwhatistheuseofacquiringknowledgeifthatdevotiondoesnotarise?

ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīcontinued,“BecauseIhaveheardandtakento heart the true purport of these statements and other similar declarationsfound in scripture, I am determined not to wastemy invaluable time in thishuman life on acquiring higher education, material comforts or earning alivelihood. I want to obtain spiritual knowledge and thereby fulfill the truepurposeoflivinginthemaṭha.”

After Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī consulted with Śrī PraṇavānandaBrahmacārī regarding his future, he decided that according to his currentinterest and inclination, it would be best to study Sanskrit under ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s disciple Śrī ‘Kavya-vyākaraṇa-tīrtha’ Gaura dāsa Paṇḍita inorder to comprehend the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava scriptural canon. Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīsubmittedthisproposaltoŚrīlaPrabhupāda,whogavehispermission.ThusŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīrelocatedfromKolkatatoŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhainŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

Sometimelater,whenŚrīlaPrabhupādaheldagrandeventtoshowcasetheSat-śikṣa Pradarśinī exhibition in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura in the year 1930, heordered Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī, who was then absorbed in studyingSanskritgrammar,todedicatehimselftotheservicesrelatedtotheexhibition.As per Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instruction, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī woulddeliverscripturallysoundexplanationstotheguestsregardingtheexhibition’smany displays. Unbeknownst to him, Śrīla Prabhupāda listened in on theseexplanations,andwhenŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī’smother,fatherandtwoelder brothers came to see the exhibition, Śrīla Prabhupāda praised the boyprofusely.

HetoldŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāyaandŚrīRatna-mayīdevī,“Youryoungestsonhasaccruedsubstantialqualificationsforsomeonehisage.Atpresent,heis studying Sanskrit grammar and sincerely serving the residents of thedhāma.”

At the exhibition, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī spoke with his familymembersforsometimeaboutŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sglories,thelegacyofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s teachings, thespecialtyof theGauḍīyaMaṭhaand theprofoundpurpose of the exhibition’s themes. Then, he requested them to invite goodfortune to their lives by taking shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet. ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanātha Rāya and Śrī Ratna-mayī devī were rendered speechless bytheiramazementwiththeiryoungestson.TheydecidedthenandtherethattheyandtheirthreesonswouldallbecomeŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciples.

ŚrīlaPrabhupādashoweredhismercyonŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāya,hiswifeŚrīRatnamayīdevī,andtheirsons,ŚrīRādhā-śyāmaRāya,ŚrīRādhā-vinodāRāya,andŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaRāya,bygivingthemallharināma.HeaskedŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī’s parents, “Do you object to Rādhā-ramaṇacontinuingtostayinthemaṭha?”

ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaRāyaandŚrīRatna-mayīdevīreplied,“Pleaseconsiderthisboyashavingbeenofferedfortheserviceofyourlotusfeet.”

HisastutenessinserviceAccordingtothedesireofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,thedailynewspaperDainika

NadiyaPrakāśawasprintedfromMāyāpura.Oneday,itsohappenedthattherewasnopaper stock for the followingday’s issue, and the rainyweatherwasmakingitdifficulttoprocureanewsupply.ŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārī,thepaper ’seditorat that time, informedŚrīlaPrabhupādaabout thesituationandaskedhimwhattodo.

ŚrīlaPrabhupādaasked,“IsthereanybodywhocanbringpaperfromourBhāgavataPressinKṛṣṇanagara?”

Śrī Praṇavānanda Brahmacārī mentioned, “Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī ishere.Iamcertainhewillgoifyoutellhim.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda then ordered Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī to go, andthe boy left immediately for Kṛṣṇanagara by bicycle. After riding aconsiderably far distance in the pouring rain, ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīreached his destination. The devotees at Bhāgavata Press bound the papersupply to the back of his bicycle.The knots theymade, however,were quiteloose,andtheentirebundleofpaperfell to thewetgroundduringhisreturnjourney.ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīimmediatelyremovedhisdhotī,whichmeasuredapproximately fivemeters,and replaced itwithhisuttarīya (uppercloth),whichmeasuredonlytwometers.Then,usingthedhotī,henicelyboundthe paper, secured it to the bike and carefully brought it toMāyāpura. ŚrīlaPrabhupādawasinformedofthesituationonceŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīreturned, and he praised the boy, acknowledging that although he was veryyoung,hedisplayedgreatastutenessinadifficultsituation.

Receivingmantra-dīkṣāWhen Śrīla Prabhupāda saw for himself how skillful Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa

was during the Sat-śikṣa Pradarśinī exhibition in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura, heincludedhisname in the list ofdevoteeshewould send toḌhākā tohold anexhibitionthere.WhenŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīfoundoutaboutthis,heappealed to Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Viveka Bhāratī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, “MygrammarstudieshavealreadybeenpausedduringtheexhibitioninŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.IfIgotoḌhākā,theywillpracticallyceasealtogether.”

When Śrīla Bhāratī Gosvāmī Mahārāja put the matter before ŚrīlaPrabhupāda, Śrīla Prabhupāḍa called for Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī andtoldhim,“TothinkwemustfirstobtainsomequalificationbeforeattemptingtoserveŚrīHarisimplyinvitesobstacles inour lives.Whoknowswhatmayhappen in the timespentpursuingperfection.Ourtime in thishumanformoflifeismomentary.Wecannottrustourbreathwilllast.

“Thericepaddyinthefieldmustbedriedwhilethesunisstillshining.Itisbesttoseizewhateveropportunitiesforhari-sevāmayarise.Yourqualificationwill increase more by serving the Lord than by independently pursuinggrammaticalknowledge.Onlyalifeledunderguidancebringsauspiciousnessforaspiritualseekerresidinginanāśrama.”

Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī took Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mercifulinstructiontoheartandfixeditasthemaininstructionguidinghimtothepathofspiritualwelfare.ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīwasthusalwaysfaithfullypreoccupiedwithvariousservices,andin1934,atBāgbāzārGauḍīyaMaṭhainKolkata, Śrīla Prabhupāda granted Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī mantra-dīkṣā.

Thepraise and criticismof ordinarypeople ismeant for their own senseenjoyment

ThedevoteesofŚrīMadhvaGauḍīyaMaṭhainḌhākāoncewrotetoŚrīlaPrabhupāda, requesting him to send a kīrtanīyā for themaṭha. Knowing ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī to be an exceptional kīrtanīyā, Śrīla Prabhupādaasked him if he couldmanage tomake the journey on his own. Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīconfidentlyaffirmedthathecould,andacceptingtheorderofhisgurudeva,hedepartedforḌhākā,whichrequiredhimtotravelfirstbysteamshipandthenbyroad.

Being the first passenger to arrive on the steamship, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārītookaseatnexttooneoftheship’swindows.Aftersometime,theship slowly began to fillwith passengers. Thosewho arrived after him toldhim, “Move over.Why are you sitting near thewindow, anyway?You are asmall child and can sit anywhere. Fresh air is required for old people.Whyhaveyoutakenthisseat?Getupfromhereandgositelsewhere.”

Anotherpersoncommented,“Nowadays,peoplegivebirthtochildrenand,withoutaccepting theresponsibility for lookingafter them, leave themin themaṭha. These children then become ‘sādhus’ due to their laziness and theiraversion to work.” After hearing these comments, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīquietlygotupfromhisseatandstoodneartheship’sentrance,sothatnoonewouldbebotheredfurther.Seeingthis,everybodybecamesatisfiedandremainedpeaceful.

Approximately tenminutes later, an announcementwas broadcasted overtheloudspeaker:“Everyonepleasebeattentive.Theoceanisveryroughtoday,andwehavenocontrolovertheship.Weareinperilousdanger.Anythingcanhappen,soeveryonepleaserememberGodandpraytoHimforoursafety.”

Hearingthis,anoldmanwhohadpreviouslycomplainedaboutŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī began to cry, lamenting, “My daughter is to bemarriedsoon, and I am carrying her dowry and wedding ornaments. If somethinghappenstoourship,whatwillhappentomydaughter ’smarriage?Everything

willberuined!”Another passenger responded, “Didn’t youhear the announcement?They

aresayingtorememberGod,sothisisnottheappropriatetimetospeaksuchthings.”

Theoldmanreplied,“Godwillnotlistentous,becauseweneverdidHisbhajana. But surelyHewill listen to this young sādhu. Although he is veryyoung,hehasunderstoodthetruevalueoflife.”

After this, all the passengers who had previously complained about ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī forciblysathimdownamong themand requestedhimtoprayfortheirsafety.Hereplied,“IhaveheardfrommyGuruMahārājathattheLordonlyhearstheprayersofHissurrendereddevotees.AsIamnotyetsurrenderedtoHim,Hewillnotevenhearme,whattospeakoffulfillingmyrequests.However,myGuruMahārājahasalsomentionedthatweshouldalwaysperformnāma-saṅkīrtana.Therefore,Icanchanttheharekṛṣṇamahā-mantra,andallofyoucanrepeatitinkīrtana.ButIcannotguaranteethatGodwill hear or save us.” The passengers accepted his proposal and began toperformkīrtana.Aftersometime,theshipsafelyarrivedatitsdestination.

ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājaoftenmentionedthispastime,andindoingso taught us that both the criticism and praise of ordinary people haveabsolutelynovalue.Therefore,weshouldneverbecomeaffectedbywhateverpeoplemay speak.Suchpeoplepraise andcriticizeonly for their own senseenjoyment.

OnaddressinggodbrothersandotherVaiṣṇavasas‘Prabhu’Once, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī asked Śrīla Prabhupāda why

godbrothers refer to each other as ‘Prabhu,’ and Śrīla Prabhupāda gave thefollowingresponse:

“Itissaid‘gururasevakahayamānyaāpanāra—theservantofone’sguruistoberevered.’Accordingtothisnotion,weaddressallofourgodbrothers,bothseniorand junior,as ‘Prabhu’so thatwemaycultivateasenseofbeinghumblerthanabladeofgrass.IfapersonconsidershimselftobeaVaiṣṇavaandothers tobejunioror lessadvancedthanhim,henurturesonlymundaneegotism.Intherealmofspirituality,ifweseeeachotherastheservantsofourguru,thenotionthatanotherisinferiortoorlessqualifiedthanuswillneverenterourhearts.Then,wewillnothaveachancetofeelmaliceordisregardforothers.

“This is the secretof addressingeachother as ‘Prabhu.’ Ifonewishes to

relinquishgrossegotismandbecomeaservantofśrīgurudeva,onemustnotregardśrīgurudeva’sservantsintermsofseniorandjunior.Asthescripturesstate,‘tadbhṛtyabhṛtyabhṛtasyabhṛtyamitimāṁsmara lokanātha—OLordof the universe, Iwish to forever remember that I am but the servant of theservant of the servant of Your servant.” We must deeply internalize thisconception. In this way, scripture ordains that the servants of śrī guru andindeedallVaiṣṇavasaretobeaddressedas‘Prabhu.’”

HisdeepvisionandconcernfortheresidentsofthemaṭhaOnce, ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī andGuruMahārāja (then known as

Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī) were staying in the Madras Gauḍīya Maṭha.Although they were brahmacārīs and not sannyāsīs, they were accepted asexperiencedseniorsbecausetheysincerelyfollowedŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

During their stay,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī noticed that a particularbrahmacārī refused tomixwith the other residents of themaṭha and hardlyspokewithanybody.Heinsteadsoughtsolitudewhereverhecouldfindit,justtofocusonhisreadingandchanting.Sensingsomethingsuspiciousabouttheseactivities, Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī approached Śrī HayagrīvaBrahmacārī and expressed his concerns, saying, “Prabhu, although thisbrahmacārī is chanting and reading a great deal and avoiding gossip, I feelsomethingiswrong.Canyoupleaseinvestigate?”

Śrī Hayagrīva Brahamacārī understood the legitimate reason for ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī’sconcern.Hecalledforthebrahmacārīandaskedhim, “I have heard that you do not associatewith any other residents of themaṭha,whattospeakofjokingwiththemorsittingwiththemtotakeprasāda.Whyisthis?”

Thebrahmacārīreplied,“Idonotwishtobecomeinvolvedingossip,andthatiswhyIprefertokeeptomyself.”

ŚrīHayagrīvaBrahamacārīsaid,“I think itwouldbebetter foryoutositwiththemanddeveloprelationships.Trytoleadyourlifeinanaturalway,astheotherresidentsofthemaṭhado.Itisnotaproblemifyousometimeshavetojokeandengageingossipwith them.Why?Becausethere issomethingtolearnineachandeveryactivityofthedevotees.”

Feeling utterly confused, the brahmacārī replied, “Prabhu, although youareveryseniortome,youareinstructingmetodotheoppositeofwhatIhaveheard fromother seniorVaiṣṇavas. Idonotwantyou to feelas though Iamchallenging you, but ŚrīmanMahāprabhu has directed us not to listen to or

speak gossip. But you are asking me to indulge in material talks withbrahmacārīsifrequired.Thisisgreatlypuzzling.”

Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī then explained himself. “Listen properly,” hesaid.“Presently,youare residing in thismaṭhaonlywithyourbody,andnotwithyourmind.Ifyoudoheedmywords,thenaftersometimeyourbodywillalsogofromhere;youwillsurelyreturntoyourhome.ButifyoufollowwhatI have suggested, at least you will continue to stay here by body, and thengradually your mind will come to stay in themaṭha as well. Therefore, bepeacefulandpleasetrytofollowmyadvice.”

This instance shows that although Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī wasconsiderablyyoung,hewasdūra-darśī, capableof seeingwhatwill come inthefuturebeyondthepresentcircumstances.

While ordinary persons hold an external conception of proper andimproperconduct,theperceptionofthosewhoaredūra-darśīextendsbeyondexternalconduct.Suchpersonscanclearlyseewhatisdeepinsidetheheartsofothers, as well as what will become of them in the future. Both my GuruMahārājaandŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīcouldascertain thatbecause thisbrahmacārī’smindwasnotfixedinbeingaservantofŚrīHari,guruand theVaiṣṇavas,hewouldquicklytireofhisrigoroussādhanaandleavethemaṭha.

Sometime later, thatbrahmacārī receiveda letter.But insteadofhaving itsent to themaṭha, he had the sender address it to a nearby gṛhastha family.Seeingthataletterhadcomeforaresidentofthemaṭha,thatfamilyexplainedthe situation to Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī and handed him the letter. Uponreading it, Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī learned that the brahmacārī hadpreviouslysentalettertohismother,informingherthathewouldsoonreturnhome,andthatsheshouldthereforearrangebothajobandawifeforhim.TheletterŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārīreceivedwasthemother ’sreply,inwhichsheacceptedtheresponsibilityandtoldhersontoreturnquickly.Shortlyaftertheletter ’sarrival,thebrahmacārīleftthemaṭha.

Although the brahmacārī displayed absolutely no visible indications ofmentalunrestwhilestayingin themaṭha,bothŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīandmyGuruMahārājacouldunderstandthesituationveryclearly.Fortunately,due to impressions he received as a result of staying in the maṭha, thisbrahmacārī lateraccepted thereal truthandreturned to themaṭhaaround theage of sixty-five. Remembering the dūra-darśitā of Śrīla Santa GosvāmīMahārāja,heacceptedsannyāsafromhimsometimeafter.

HiscouragetoacceptthetruthŚrīlaPrabhupādaleftthisworldshortlyaftertheendofŚrīRādhā-ramaṇa

Brahmacārī’s childhood. Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī’s heart was brokenuponseeingtheregretfulstateoftheGauḍīyaMaṭhaorganizationinthewakeof Śrīla Prabhupāda’s departure. Being still quite young, he felt it would bebetter to return to his family instead of enduring the regrettable situation inwhichhefoundhimself.Thinkingin thisway,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārīexpressedthisdesiretohisfather,ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaPrabhu,whoacceptedhisproposalandwelcomedhimhome.

Hearing the news of Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī’s departure from themaṭha,myGuruMahārāja arrivedathishomeandaskedŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaPrabhu,“YouarethediscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Evenifyoursonisaskingtoreturnhome,howcanyouallowit?”

ŚrīVaikuṇṭhanāthaPrabhureplied,“Actually,Idonotwishforhimtoleavethemaṭha,butat thesame timeIdon’twanthimtobediscouragedand thinkthereisnoonetosupporthimduetohishavingchosenanotherpath;Idon’twanthimtofeelabandonedorunentitledtohisinheritance.Forthisreason,Ihaveallowedhim to returnhome. Ifyoupreferhim to remainabrahmacārīandreturntothemaṭha, thenhecangowithyou ifheagrees to it. Ihavenoobjection.Infact,Iwouldbepleasedbythis.”

GuruMahārāja discussed thematter with Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī,whosaid,“ŚrīHayagrīvaPrabhu,youhavegonetosomuchtroubleforme.Incoming to bringmeback to themaṭha, you have treatedme like the best offriends. Iamindebted toyour lotus feet for this.However,even if Iagree toagainliveinthemaṭhaand,asaservicetoŚrīHari,becomeinvolvedwiththeongoing court case, I doubt Iwill be able to reconcilemy concerns for thefutureof themaṭha.Given the impression Ihaveofhow the residentsof themaṭhadealtwitheachotherfollowingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisappearance,Idonotfindmyselfveryeager tomarchback there.Pleaseforgivemefor this. IpromiseyouthatIwilldeeplyevaluateallthesematterssoon.”

AfterGuruMahārājaleft,ŚrīRādhā-ramaṇathought,“WhathaveIdone!Ihave foiled the plans of aVaiṣṇavawhowas concerned formywelfare andhumiliatedhimbyforcinghimtoturnback.”Knowingthatthiswouldbecomeanimpedimenttohisbhajana,hespentthedaysthatfollowedinregret,eatingandsleepingonlyoutofhabit.

Afterafewdays,aparticularscripturaladageoccurredtohim:“śubhasyaśīghram aśubhasya kāla haraṇam—good deeds should be done immediately

and bad deeds should be delayed.” With this in mind, he presented himselfbeforeGuruMahārāja,whowasthenpreachinginMedinīpura.GuruMahārājawas so joyful and awestruck to see Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa Brahmacārī’sdeterminationtodedicatehislifetotheserviceofŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavasthathefeltheshouldbeawardedsannyāsa.BecauseGuruMahārājawasnotasannyāsīatthetime,herequestedŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājatoawardsannyāsatoŚrīRādhā-ramaṇaBrahmacārī.ŚrīlaYāyāvaraGosvāmī Mahārāja accepted the proposal and awarded him sannyāsa at theKṣīra-corāGopīnāthatempleinRemuṇā.Sincethattime,hehasbeenknownasŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja.

We had never heard about this incident from anyone, not even GuruMahārāja, untilŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājahimself spokeabout it duringVraja-maṇḍalaparikramāinVṛndāvana,andlateratourŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha in Chandigarh. Śrīla Mahārāja would often declare, “I have beentremendously benefited by the affectionate guidance of pūjyapāda MādhavaMahārāja.Hesavedmylife.WhatwouldhavehappenedtomehadIstayedathome?Hesavedmefromgreatdanger.”

Śrīla Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja and my Guru Mahārāja were among themanydisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādawhostayedinŚyāmānandaGauḍīyaMaṭhain Medinīpura, West Bengal. Although Guru Mahārāja collected manydonations and purchased the property for constructing that maṭha, he dideverything in the name of Śrīla Santa GosvāmīMahārāja, and not his own.Suchwastheaffectionhehadforhim.ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājausedtosay,“Iamnotthemasterofanythingoranyone.Iamonlyaservant.Aslongasmy godbrothers acceptmy service, I will give it. Should they no longer beinterestedinreceivingit,Iwillstaywithwhosoeveragreestogivemeshelter.”

Hismagnetichari-kathāandkīrtanaManypeoplewould come to themaṭha just to hear Śrīla SantaGosvāmī

Mahārāja’s beautiful hari-kathā and kīrtanas. Once, he accompanied GuruMahārāja to Jammu with a preaching party. Although he sang kīrtanas inBengali,alanguagethepeopleofJammudonotunderstand,manypeoplewerenonethelessattracted.

Everyone in attendance appreciated hiskīrtanas somuch that theywouldrepeatedly request him to sing, and so he sang a kīrtana about Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu:“varṇa-cora, kothāmātāīcalve re—OYouwhohave stolen thecomplexion[ofŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī]!Youhaveintoxicatedus.Where,now,do

Youwishtotakeus?”After returning from the daily nagara-saṅkīrtanas held during the

program, he would sing the following song, which dripped with rasa as itemanatedfromhislotuslips:

nagarabhramiyāāmāragauraelôgharegauraelôghareāmāranitāielôghare

After roaming throughout the towns and villages, my Gaura has come back home.GaurahascomebackhomeandmyNitāihascomebackhome.

dhūlajhari’śacī-mātāgaurakolekaredhūlajhari’padmāvatīnitāikolekare

Brushingoffthedust[fromHisbody],MotherŚacītakesGaurauponherlap.Brushingoffthedust[fromHisbody],MotherPadmāvatītakesNitāiuponherlap.”

As the preaching party for that tripwas quite large, two programswereheldeachday.AlthoughŚrīlaMahārājawasnotproficientinspeakingHindi,hishari-kathāwas simple and easily understandable for all, and it thereforeattractedmany people. Honoring the requests of the residents of Jammu, heperformedkīrtanaandspokehari-kathātwicedaily.

HisstrictnessandgravityWhether he was attending a meeting, arranging a festival or sitting as

chairmanofanassembly,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājawasalwaysextremelypunctual. We have observed that if he was presiding over a function andsomeone spoke hari-kathā beyond the allotted time, Śrīla Mahārāja wouldimmediatelyinterrupthimbyterminatinghisaddress.IfthespeakerwasseniortoŚrīlaMahārāja,hewouldpolitelybutfirmlyrequesthimtostopspeaking.Butwithjuniors,hewouldgrabthembytheearsandorderthemtositdown.

Śrīla Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja did not tolerate inattentiveness. If heobservedanyone—whetherabrahmacārī,sannyāsī, lady, childorwhosoever—doinganythingbesidessincerelyhearingduring the timeofhari-kathā,hewould reprimand that personwithout giving thema chance to speak, saying,“Please leave. You do not know the etiquette of sitting in an assembly ofVaiṣṇavas.”

Once, a mātā-jī came to hear hari-kathā with her grandson, who wasapproximatelyoneor one-and-a-half years old.When theboy started cryingloudly during the kathā, she tried to pacify him. Seeing this, Śrīla Santa

GosvāmīMahārāja told her, “Do not stay in this assembly any longer.Onlyattentivepeoplewhogivefirstprioritytohari-kathāarewelcomehere,andnotanybody else. You think the care of your grandson to be of the utmostimportanceandhari-kathātobesecondary.Doyouthinkthisisaplacewherepeoplecansitanddoastheyplease?Ourtimeisveryprecious,andwehavenointerestinwastingit.Pleaseleaveimmediately.”

If Śrīla Mahārāja ever saw a person who had dedicated his life tobrahmacaryafailtohonortherequiredrulesandregulations,suchasshavingonpūrṇimā,hewouldchastisetheperson,saying,“Whyhaveyouacceptedtheclothesofabrahmacārī?Youareonlycheatingyourself.Stop trying to ruinyour life.Simplyfollowthe teachingsofourguru-varga.Even ifyoudonotunderstandthepurposeofeachandeveryprinciple,youwillstillbebenefittedbyfollowingthem.”

EstablishingsiddhāntainfewwordsOnce,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājahostedafunctionathisBihālāmaṭha

in Kolkata and invited many different guests to speak. Among themwere anumber of disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda, like Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti BhūdevaŚrautīGosvāmīMahārāja,aswellasŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sgrand-disciplesfromvarious maṭhas, such as pūjyapāda Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja andmyself.Also inattendancewasanoldbrāhmaṇa universityprofessor fromalocal college.His face displayed a lack of interest during the gathering, andwhen it came time for him to deliver his lecture, he spoke māyāvādaphilosophy,declaring,“Ahambrahmāsmi—Iambrahma,” alongwith severalothermāyāvādaslogans.Afterfinishinghisspeech,theprofessorrejoinedtheotherspeakersonstageandcontinuedtolookvisiblydisinterestedduringanysubsequentspeeches.

WhenthetimecameforŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājatogivehisspeech,ŚrīlaMahārājaasked,“Areyoubrahma?”

Theprofessoranswered,“Yes,Iam.”ŚrīlaMahārājaasked,“Thenisittrueyoudonotundergovikāra (change,

ortransformation)?”“Correct.Idonot,”theprofessorreplied.Then, with one hand gripping his sannyāsa-daṇḍa and the other in a

clenchedfist,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājaabruptlyrosefromhischairandchargedatthemāyāvadīprofessor,mimickingasifheweregoingtobeathim.Viscerally startled, the old man flinched in sheer terror. Śrīla Mahārāja

repeated this threatingmotion twomore times,and inboth instances themanrecoiledinfear.

Śrīla Mahārāja declared, “You are not brahma! Brahma is nirvikāra; itnever undergoes change and never reacts to anything. No one can harmbrahma,andthereforebrahmawillneverreact inanysituation.Bybecomingfearfuljustnow,yourevealedtotheentireassemblythatyouarenotbrahma.”

In so few words, Śrīla Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja exposed the oldbrāhmaṇa’sphilosophyasfalse.Then,with theentireassembly, includingthechildren,roaringinlaughter,theoldprofessorfeltmortifiedandbeggedŚrīlaMahārājaforforgiveness.

Aspecialmeaningof‘kṛṣṇeranitya-dāsa’I have heard Śrīla Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja speak his opinion on Śrī

Caitanya-deva’steachingtoŚrīlaSanātanaGosvāmīpāda:

jīvera‘svarūpa’haya—kṛṣṇera‘nitya-dāsa’ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā20.108)

He said, “This verse states that the svarūpa (eternal form) of the jīva is asKṛṣṇa’s eternal servant, andwhile this ismost certainly true, Iwould like tointerpretitinaslightlydifferentway.Frommypoint-of-view,thewordkṛṣṇahere does not mean ‘Kṛṣṇa who is performing His pastimes in GolokaVṛndāvana.’Instead,Itakeittomean‘Kṛṣṇawhoappearsinthisworldintheformofguru to deliver sincere souls out of the clutches ofmāyā and bringthemtothelotusfeetofKṛṣṇa,wheretheymayengageinHislovingservice.’ThestatementofŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmīsupportsmystance:

gururūpekṛṣṇakṛpākarenabhakta-gaṇeŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā1.45)

InHisformasguru,KṛṣṇadistributesHismercytothedevotees.

“Therefore,itisnotincorrecttosayjīverasvarūpahayagururanitya-dāsa.“WhyhaveIacceptedthispoint-of-view?BecausesincetimeimmemorialI

havebeenwonderingabout theuniverse indifferent forms,acceptingbodiesof the different 8,400,000 species, and only in this lifetime has Kṛṣṇamanifested Himself in front of me as śrī guru to bless me with everything.Thus,Iconsiderthatform,Hisformasśrīguru,tobeeternallyworshipful.

“When I was preaching in Rangoon, I wrote an article titled Bhṛtyera

Paricaya:TheIdentityofaServant, inwhich I includedapoemofmine thatexpressedthefollowing:

Thegloryofservicetośrīgurupāda-padmaexceedsthatofservicetoŚrīKṛṣṇa.Why?WhileitistruethatthejīvaisconstitutionallyaneternalservantofŚrīKṛṣṇa,theconditioned soul has forgotten this relationship due to his aversion toHim since timeimmemorial.Śrīśrīgurudeva is thegiverofsambandha-jñāna, knowledgeof one’seternal relationship with Bhagavān. As one engages everything—body, mind andwords—in serving him, he becomes gurudevatātma, one in spirit with śrī gurudeva.Then,byśrīgurudeva’smercy, the practitioner gradually realizes the purport of theteachingfromŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā1.45),“guru-rūpekṛṣṇakṛpākarenabhakta-gaṇe—intheformofśrīguru,KṛṣṇabestowsHismercyonthedevotees.”

Nottospeakofthestageofsādhana-bhakti,evenintheliberatedstate,whenthesoul is situated in his eternal nature (svarūpa-siddhi), none of his efforts bear fruitwithouttheguidanceofśrīśrīgurudeva.Eveninthestageofvastu-siddhi

2, the jīva’s attainment of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Yugala’s service is dependent on theguidanceofśrīguru.Therefore,śrīgurudevaistheembodimentofBhagavān’smercy,andhismercyisnotlimitedtothisworldalone.

Itissaid,“śrīgurucaraṇasatya,tāhārasevakanitya—thelotusfeetofśrīguruaretruth,andIameternallyhisservant.”Therelationshipofservitudethatthediscipleestablishes with śrī gurupāda-padma at the time of dīkṣā is eternal. Even in theperfectedstage,inŚrīKṛṣṇa’seternalpastimes,thisrelationshipexistsinaspecialform.Thus,inorderforthejīvatorealizehispositionastheeternalservantofŚrīKṛṣṇa,itisabsolutelynecessaryforhimtoserveśrīgurupāda-padma.Forthisveryreason,ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmī has stated in Śrī Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, “viśrambhena guroḥ sevāsādhu-vartmānu-varttanam—oneoughttorenderintimateservicetoguruandfollowthepathofthesādhus.”

Śrīgurudeva isthepersonificationofŚrīBhagavān’smercy.Intermsofpotencyof mercy, śrī guru and Śrī Bhagavan are one. Bhagavān’s possesses all potencies.AmongallHispotencies,Hismercypotencyreignssupreme;allotherpotenciesofHisare subordinate to this potency. Although śrī gurudeva is not omnipotent, theomnipotentBhagavānisunderhisswayduetothepowerofhisprema.Therefore,themercyofguruisall-in-all.

“AfterIcompletedthisessay,Igaveittomyseniorgodbrother,ŚrīBhaktiSudhīra Yācaka Mahārāja, who then sent it with great delight to ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura, where it eventually reached the lotus hands of Śrīla Prabhupāda.OnceŚrīlaPrabhupādareadit,hegaveit toŚrīPraṇavānandaBrahmacārī toreadandsaid,‘WhatRādhā-ramaṇahaswritteniscorrect.Itisamatterofgreatdelight that he has gained such spiritual insight at his young age. Hisconclusionsinthisessayareperfectandfactual,anditshouldbepublishedinour magazine, Dainika Nadīyā Prakāśa, for all to read.’ Later, ŚrīlaPrabhupādapersonallysentmealetterconveyinghisblessingstome.”

VaiṣṇavaslikeŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājaandmanyotherdisciplesof

Śrīla Prabhupāda are mahān-vibhūtīs, great personalities. Their lives, theirconduct,theirthoughts,theirvisionandeverythingelseaboutthemissuchthatourastonishmentattheirdivinequalitiesincreasesthemorewehearandspeakaboutthem.

AnaffectionaterefusalBeing very merciful to me, Śrīla Santa GosvāmīMahārāja gave me the

opportunitytoservehiminvariousways.Once,myGuruMahārājasentmetoPurī along with our Śrī Yasoda-jīvana Brahmacārī, Śrī Bhakti SaurabhaĀcāryaMahārāja (whose namewasŚrīGauraṅga-prasādaBrahmacārī at thetime), and others for the important work of acquiring the property of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s birth site in JagannāthaPurī.While there,we stayedwithŚrīlaSanta GosvāmīMahārāja in a small house he purchased for the purpose ofconverting it intoamaṭha.When the timeof theRatha-yātrā festival came, Isent Śrī Gauraṅga-prasāda Prabhu to humbly request Śrīla Santa GosvāmīMahārāja to allow us to leave and stay in a nearby dharmaśālā during theupcomingfestival,asweexpectedmanyofhisdiscipleswouldbecomingtostaywithhiminthesmallhouse.Wecouldreturnafterthefestival,butwedidnotwanttoimposeonŚrīlaMahārājaorhisfollowers.

Uponhearingourrequest,ŚrīlaMahārājaaffectionately,yetfirmly,repliedingreat surprise, “How is it possible that I canaccept this?Thewords ‘Yes,youcanstaysomewhereelse’cannevercomefrommymouth.Why?Becausetheworkyoucameheretodo—purchasingthepropertyofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sbirthsite—wasactuallyourduty,sincewearehisdisciples.Whilewehavenotmadetheslightestendeavorforthat,weseethatyouareveryenthusiasticallyaccomplishing this work. Therefore, it is impossible for me to accept yourproposal, and I request that although we are unable to provide you with somany facilities, pleasemake any necessary adjustmentswith the facilitieswearecapableofproviding,sothatyoucanpeacefullystaywithus.”

A Vaiṣṇava never considers, “This place is ours and we can manageeverything.Everythingshouldbedoneaccordingtoourdesire.”Instead,theythink,“No, this isnotourplace.Thisplacebelongs to theVaiṣṇavas,andweare its members, not its owners. We will cooperate with whoever comes,accommodatingthemaccordingtotheavailablefacilities.”

ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājalatergavemetheopportunitytoconstructapropermaṭhaatthesiteofthathouse.Heaskedme,“Thisissuchasmallplace,butmydisciplesaretellingmethatyoucancreateadecentplanandlayoutfor

theconstructionofamaṭha.”I mentioned, “Yes, but because it is small, it cannot be constructed in a

rectangularmanner.Itshouldbedoneinaparallelway.Theāśramacanbeononeside,andthetemplecanbeontheotherside.”

He replied, “I don’t understand ‘parallel construction,’ ‘rectangularconstruction’ or any of these things. Please just do it in such a way thateverything will be done properly.” After that, I made the plan, inspectedeverythingandoversawtheentireconstructionprocess.

ExtendinganinvitationtoakingonhisbehalfAnother time, Śrīla SantaGosvāmīMahārājawanted to organize a large

festivalforthetwenty-fifthanniversaryofamaṭhahebuiltinKeśīyāḍī,inthedistrictofBardhamāna,WestBengal.AlthoughthekingofPurīwasinvitedtobeaguestofhonorat thefestival,hedeclined.KnowingthatIhadafriendlyrelationshipwiththeking,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājasentaletterorderingmetoconvincethekingtoattendthefunction.

OnŚrīlaMahārāja’sorder,Ivisitedtheking,whosaid,“Ihavealreadytoldthemitisimpossibleformetoattend.”

I jokingly replied, “From that sentence, just remove the word ‘not,’ andthen itwill be possible.”Theking then explained that althoughhewanted toattend, he had a prior engagement elsewhere during the same time as thefestival.Afterinquiringfurther,Icametoknowthatthemaṭhawasonthewaytohisotherengagement.Itoldhimnottoworry,andthatIwouldarrangeforhistravelandeverythingifhewouldagreetovisitthemaṭhaforashortwhileon theway.Hearing this, the king acceptedmy proposal. I was then able topersonallyaccompanyhim toŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭha for theinaugurationfestival.

That very day, Śrīla SantaGosvāmīMahārāja orderedme to speakhari-kathā. I chose to explain the need for aGauḍīyaMaṭha inKeśīyāḍī, a placeknownfor itsabundanceof temples. Iexplained thatdespite the town’smanytemples, therewas in fact a dire need for aGauḍīyaMaṭha, because even ifpeople had the opportunity to visit every one of those temples, their heartswouldneverchange.Themaṭha, however, is aplacewherepeoplecanmaketheirlivessuccessfulbysmearingthefootdustofpuredevoteesallovertheirbodies. In the maṭha, a spiritual teacher is present, and those who want tobecomereal,sincerespiritualstudentsarealwayswelcometocome,learnandpractice.Themaṭhaexistsforthewellbeingofsuchpersons,anditprovidesa

greatopportunitytoitsvisitorstobecomefortunatebytakingthemercyofthedevotees residing there. In the association of such sādhus, learning the true,deepmeaningsoftheśāstrasisinevitable.

Afterward,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājamentionedtome,“Thedevoteesgreatlyappreciatedyourpresentationandwouldlikeyoutostaywiththemforaslongasyourscheduleallows.”

Humblyrecognizinghispositionasaservantof theservantofourguru-varga

DuringourtimetogetherinKeśīyāḍī,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājaandIreceivedtheopportunitytovisittheappearanceplaceofŚrīRasikānanda-deva,a disciple of Śrī Śyāmānanda Prabhu. The devotees there wanted to offerpraṇāmītoŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja,butheflatlyrefused,saying,“Thisis the place of our guru varga. How can I accept praṇāmī here?” Instead ofacceptingthedevotees’praṇāmī,heofferedpraṇāmītothem.

Followinghisinstruction,despitemyembarrassmentBy the mercy of Śrīla Santa Gosvāmī Mahārāja, I was able to render

variousservicestohim.Asaresultoftheseservices,hebecamepleasedwithme,ourrelationshipdeepened,andhisaffectionformebecamesostrongthatwheneverwe stayed in the sameplace, henever allowedme to takeprasādawithouthimortostayanywhereotherthanhisroom.

During festivals or any other functionswheremyGuruMahārāja or hisgodbrotherswerepresent,Ialwayssatonthegroundwhiletheysatonthedais.Butonce,ŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārājaorderedmetojointhemonthestage.Beingembarrassedtositonthesamelevelasmyguru-varga, Ideclined.ButmyGuruMahārājatoldme,“BecausepūjyapādaSantaMahārājahasgiventheorder,youmustsitwithus.Donotsayno.”

Hewas thefirstdiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda toaskme tositon thedais.Fromthenon,Ibegantositonthestage;Ineverdidsobeforethat.

AppreciatingabelovedgodbrotherŚrīlaBhaktiKumudaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja once spoke the following

ontheapperanedayofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja::“Two of our most worshipful Vaiṣṇavas, Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī

Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Śrīla Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja,mercifully brought this unworthy soul to the proximity ofHisDivineGraceŚrīlaPrabhupāda,wherebyIattainedtheshelterofhislotusfeet.Itisimpossible

for me to repay the infinite compassion they showed me. All I can do isexpresstothemmymostsinceregratitude.ThatIhavebeenabletoadheretothispathofbhakti evenat theageofeighty-four ispossibleonlybecauseofŚrīpādaPurīMahārāja’scontinuousguidance,andIamdeeplyindebtedtohimforthis.

“Śrīla Purī Mahārāja is extremely well-educated and well-versed inscripture. Learnedmen are plentiful, but a truly knowledgeableman is rare.Theknowledgeheimpartsisnotmerelybookish,norshoulditbeconsideredspeculative reasoning. Rather, it is most relishable and enlightening, simplybecauseitistranscendentallybeautifulanddivineinnature.Bythegraceofhisgurudeva,thedivinequalitiesofabonafideācāryawerealreadyevidentinhisactivities from the outset of his spiritual pursuits. Although he was alwaysgraveinhisdealings,heneverdisregardedanybody.Henevercheatedanyone,nor was he ever dishonest. His exemplary life and conduct can be aptlydescribedthroughthefollowingverseoftheMuṇḍakaUpaṇiṣad:

tad-vijñānārthamsagurumevābigacchedsamitpāṇiśrotriyambrahma-niṣṭham

“This means that in order to obtain bhagavad-bhakti, one should humblyapproachaspiritualmasterwhoiswell-versedinthatscienceandoffertohimhisbody,mindandspeech.Inotherwords,heshouldcompletelysurrendertośrīguru.

“IconsidermyselfŚrīPurīMahārāja’syoungergodbrother,andheisalsomyśikṣā-gurufromwhomIhavelearntthesubtletiesoftheVedicscriptures.”

AfewofhisteachingsThefollowingareafewofŚrīlaSantaGosvāmīMahārāja’steachingsthat

leftanindelibleimpressiononmyheart:

***

Inordertotastebhakti-rasa,twocomponentsareindispensable:arealizedspeaker and a sincerely inquisitive listener. Our inability to experience thisrasa is solely due to an absence of either of these two requirements. Suchgenuine, transcendentalexperiencecanneverbeachieved throughamereactofimitation.

***

Śrīguru isanoceanofmercy,whereas thematerialworld isanoceanofbirthanddeath.Theonlymeanstocrossoverthiswoefuloceanistosurrenderexclusivelytothelotusfeetofthespiritualmaster.Śrīguruhasnooccupationother than performing bhagavad-bhakti, and by the infinite grace of hispreceptor,heiswell-versedineveryaspectofthetranscendentalrealm.Havingalreadyobtainedthemercyofhispredecessorācāryas,hetoopossessesallthequalities of a trueācārya.Thus, śrīguru is qualified to bestow blessings onothersanddeliverthefallensouls.

Ifwedeeplyconsidertheprincipleofśrīguru,wefindthattherootwordsguandruinSanskritmean‘darkness’and‘thatwhichdestroysoreliminates,’respectively.Therefore,itisevidentthatonewhoisincapableofremovingthedarkness of ignorance from the hearts of the living entities cannot beconsideredatrueguru.

Living our lives in this material world is difficult and dangerous, likewalkingonthesharpedgeofarazor;everystepgivesrisetosorrowandpain.Moreover,tobebereftofspiritualknowledgeisasourceofgreatmisery.

***

ItisimpossibletorealizetheAbsoluteTruththroughparrot-likepreachingor thepursuitofspeculativeknowledge.Thepurportsof theVedicscripturesarerevealedthroughthemediumofśrīguruonly to thesurrenderedbhaktaswho serve the spiritualmasterwith the same completely pure and unalloyeddevotionwithwhichtheyserveBhagavān.

***

Real education begins when one’s capacity to learn is directed towardserving Śrī Hari. Many individuals study scriptures merely to exhibit theirhalf-bakedknowledge,butsuchambitionisstrictlyforbidden.TrueknowledgeisthatwhichinspiresonetoseektheserviceofBhagavān.

1Bengalicolloquialismfor‘boy,’similartotheEnglishword‘kiddo.’

2 The stage following svarūpa-siddhi that is characterized by the jīva’sabsolute liberation from every last tinge of materiality and the completeattainment of his spiritual form, whereby he is granted entrance into theunmanifest pastimes of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. This is the jīva’s highestattainment.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja

SurrenderingtoŚrīlaPrabhupādaŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājaappearedina

familyofbrāhmaṇasandwaspreviouslyknownasŚrīNṛpendraSanyāla.PriortotakingshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeet,ŚrīNṛpendraSanyālaworkedasareporterforthefamousBengalinewspaperAmṛtaBāzārPatrikā.HeandanumberofotherreportersoncewenttoBāgbāzārGauḍīyaMaṭhatocovertheSat-śikṣāPradarśinīexhibitionorganizedbyŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Through a series of dioramas, the exhibition exposed various corruptpractices prevalent in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava community. Such practicesincludedshellingpeanutswithworshipfulśāligrāma-śilās,demandingmoneyfor the darśana of deities, making moneythrough the recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatamandthebestowalofmantras,thebrāhmaṇas’consumingofmeatandwine, and the Bābājīs’ shameless associatingwithwomen although theyhave accepted the external dress of a renunciate. Śrī Nṛpendra Sanyāla wasnaturally inclined to gain as much knowledge as possible, and so he posedmany questions to the devotees present. Observing his inquisitiveness, thedevotees took him to their gurudeva, Śrīla Prabhupāda BhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīGosvāmīṬhākura.

It was then that Śrī Nṛpendra Sanyālamet Śrīla Prabhupāda for the firsttime and received the opportunity to hear from his lotus mouth the pureconcepts of the Gauḍīya line regarding bhāgavata-dharma, bhāgavata-paramparāandtheinseparableconnectionbetweenbrāhmaṇasandVaiṣṇavas.

The way in which ŚrīmanMahāprabhu arranged for each personality tocome toŚrīlaPrabhupāda isanamazingaffair.ŚrīNṛpendraSanyālawassothoroughly impressed by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s fearlessness that whenever theopportunityarose,hewouldvisitthemaṭhatohearhari-kathāandkīrtana.Hedeeplycontemplatedthesignificanceofimportantsubjectsassādhu-saṅga,thetruepurposeofhumanlife,andthegloriesofabonafidespirituallineage.

After careful introspection, Śrī Nṛpendra Sanyāla decided, “I will takeshelter of this great personality’s lotus feet, become his most insignificantservant, trytounderstandhis trueinternalmoods,anddedicatemylifetotheauspicious work he has begun.” He was profoundly impacted by ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’s decision to dedicate his life to undertaking such grave

responsibilities. Shortly after, he revealed his heart to Śrīla Prabhupāda, andŚrīlaPrabhupādaawardedhimharināma andmantra-dīkṣā andgavehim thenameŚrīNarottamānandaBrahmacārī.

ServinginseparationŚrī Narottamānanda Brahmacārī was a skilled reporter and especially

proficient in English. Upon observing his attentiveness and his ability toeloquently repeat whatever he heard, Śrīla Prabhupāda sent him along withothersannyāsīsandbrahmacārīs topreach inMumbaiunder theguidanceofŚrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja. There, Śrī M.P.Engineer—the chairman of the Theosophical Society and, later, the firstAdvocateGeneralofindependentIndia—invitedtheGauḍīyaMaṭhapreachersto speak at one of the society’s gatherings.Hewas greatly inspired byŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja’s lecture, aswell as by thekīrtana, conduct andconvictionsofthedevotees.

Later,whenŚrīlaPrabhupādavisitedMumbai,ŚrīM.P.EngineerrequestedhimtoestablishaGauḍīyaMaṭhabranchthere.Beforeofferingareply,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda asked Śrī Narottamānanda Brahmacārī, “Would you feelinconvenienced if I were to assign you the responsibility of preaching inMumbai?”

In reply, Śrī Narottamānanda Brahmacārī quoted a kīrtana composed byŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākura:

tomārasevāya,duḥkhahayaĵatôseotô’paramasukha

sevā-sukha-duḥkha,parama-sampada,nāśayeavidyā-duḥkha

Śaraṇāgati(Ātma-nivedana8.4)

Whatever distress I may experience in the course of serving You is actually thegreatest of joys.Thepains andpleasures of servingYou are the greatestwealth, fortheydestroythemiseryofignorance.

He continued, “Although a neophyte devotee likemederives the greatestamount of spiritual benefit in the direct association of śrī guru, still, I amconvinced you will not deprive me of that same benefit if I obey yourinstructiontoserveyoufromadistance.”

According to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions and guidance, ŚrīNarottamānandaBrahmacārī preached all overMumbai.While hewas there,

Śrīla Prabhupāda mercifully blessed him by sending him a set of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s twelve cantos inscribed with the name ‘NarottamānandaBrahmacārī.’ Recalling this instance, ŚrīlaMadhusūdana GosvāmīMahārājaused to say, “I considered Śrīla Prabhupāda’s gift as an instruction topreoccupymyselfwiththepracticeandpreachingofśrībhāgavata-dharma.”

ThelotusofdevotionŚrī Narottamānanda Brahmacārī would deliver exceptionally sweet

sermons on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, explaining every subject with soundreasoningandinnouncertainterms.

Śrīla Prabhupāda kept a complete record of his disciples’ preachingactivities.BeinghighlypleasedbytheenthusiasmandexpertisewithwhichŚrīNarottamānanda Brahmacārī preached bhāgavata-dharma, he thus conferreduponhimaŚrīGauraĀśīrvādacertificateandthetitle‘BhaktiKamala,’whichmeans ‘the lotus of devotion.’ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājahonoredthistitlewhenheawardedŚrīNarottamānandaBrahmacārīsannyāsaandgavehimthename‘ŚrīBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaMahārāja.’

ThefruitofhisinvaluablepreachingserviceInitially after Śrīla Prabhupāda’s departure, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna

KeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiKamalaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājaandŚrīŚrīmadBhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārājajoinedtogetherandpreachedthemessageofŚrīlaPrabhupādaunderthebannerofŚrīGauḍīyaVedāntaSamiti,anorganizationtheyfounded.ŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājawould accept disciples, andŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja andŚrīlaParamahaṁsa Mahārāja would preach under his guidance. It was by thepreachingandassociationofŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājathatŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājaobtainedtwoprominentandinvaluablejewels:ŚrīRādhānātha Vanacārī and Śrī Gaura-nārāyaṇa Vanacārī, later known as ŚrīBhaktivedāntaTrivikramaMahārājaandŚrīBhaktivedāntaNārāyaṇaMahārāja,respectively.ThiscontributionofhiswillforeverremainembeddedingoldenlettersinthechroniclesoftheSārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavas.

AcquiringthelandforhisMāyāpuramaṭhaWhen differences arose among the prominent members of the Gauḍīya

VedāntaSamiti,GuruMahārājawascalled to reconcile thosedifferencesandresolve the situation. After hearing each of their views, Guru Mahārājaconcluded,“ŚrīKeśavaMahārājahasmanyrenounceddisciples,andtherefore

it is better that Śrī Devānanda Gauḍīya Maṭha remains with him. ŚrīMadhusūdana Mahārāja should continue preaching from the maṭha inBardhamāna,andlaterIwillpersonallyassisthiminacquiringaplotoflandinMāyāpuraandinbuildingamaṭhathere.ŚrīParamahaṁsaMahārājashouldbegivenasufficientamountoffunds,sothathecanpurchaselandinMāyāpuraandcontinuehisservicesmostsuitably.”

ThesolutionGuruMahārājaproposedwasreadilyacceptedbyallpartiesinvolved. Soon after, GuruMahārāja inspired a lady devotee, Śrīmatī PannāMā—adiscipleofŚrīlaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājawhohadtakenupthepathofbhaktiafterhearinghari-kathāfromŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja—to acquire land in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura for Śrīla Madhusūdana GosvāmīMahārājaand,truetohisword,personallyassistedintheconstructionofŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭhatothefurthestextentpossible.

AuniqueperspectiveonprasādaDuring the deity installation festival at Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Maṭha, Śrīla

MadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭha inMāyāpura, I assistedŚrīŚrīmadBhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja in performing the installationceremony. It was then that Śrīla Madhusūdana Mahārāja revealed to me aspecialviewconcerningtheprasāda.

Uponobserving that thedeities’bhoga offeringwould be delayed due toŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja’s advanced age and commitment toperfection,ŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājatoldme,“QuicklyprepareṬhākura-jī’sofferingplateandkeepitinsidethealtarroom,sothatŚrīPurīMahārājacanmake the bhoga offering when it is convenient for him. The Vaiṣṇavasassembled here today have come from various places and have services toperformelsewhere.Idonotwanttomakethemwaittoolong;Iamcertaintheywould like to return to their respectivehomes andāśramas punctually.Oncethe first portion of bhoga has been kept aside for Ṭhākura-jī, I will begindistributingtheprasādaamongtheVaisnavas.”

ŚrīlaMahārājaexplained,“Idonotsubscribetotheideathatprasādaisnotto be considered prasāda until all the preparations from Ṭhākura-jī’s platehavebeenmixedbackinwiththerespectivereceptaclesfromwhichtheycame.Ibelievethatinspecialcircumstances,thereisnofaultindistributingprasādatotheVaiṣṇavasoncethefirstportionofbhogahasbeensetasideandtakentothedeityroomforoffering.Thereisevennoneedtowaituntilthepūjārīhasbroughtthebhogaofferingoutfromthedeityroom.Onoccasionssuchasthis,

theauspiciousinstallationofBhagavān’sdeityform,thereisboundtobesomedelay.ButasVaiṣṇavasaretheobjectsofourservice,weshouldnotmakethemwait.Therefore,apartfromthosewhowanttoobservethenewdeities’bhogaoffering and bhoga-āratī, it is only appropriate that the devotees be servedprasādapunctually.”

Oncethebhogaofferingswerebroughtintothedeityroom,ŚrīlaMahārājainstructeda fewdevotees todistributeprasāda.Thatwas the first time inmylife that I sawprasāda being distributed immediately afterṬhākura-jī’s platehadbeenpreparedandbeforetheactualofferingwasmade.

HisexemplarycompliancewithseniorVaiṣṇavasDuring the manifest presence of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīla Madhusūdana

GosvāmīMahārājaremainedunderthedirectguidanceofhisgurudeva.AfterŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisappearance,heservedundertheguidanceofhisseniorgodbrotherŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārājaand, lateron,anotherseniorgodbrother,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja, who also awarded him sannyāsa. He would always consult hisgodbrothersandreceivetheirpermissionbeforeproceedingwithanyservice.In this way, he substantiated the principle that vaiṣṇava-dharma is to beobservedwhileremainingundertheguidanceofseniordevotees,andthatonecannotbecomesteadfastinvaiṣṇava-dharmawhileremainingindependentandunrestrained.

RegardinghisgodbrotherasamanifestationofśrīguruSomeSārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavasmaintain thatwhile reciting the jaya-

dhvani or even in general, one ought to use the termoṁ viṣṇupāda only inconjunctionwiththenameofone’sdīkṣā-guruandnooneelse,notevenone’sśikṣā-guru. However, I always personally witnessed Śrīla MadhusūdanaGosvāmī Mahārāja, whom I recognize as an authentic guru in our line ofspiritual masters, use this honorific before uttering the name of his seniorgodbrother Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, whograntedhimthesannyāsa-mantraandwhomheregardedashisśikṣā-guru.

Śrīla Mahārāja used to say, “Since dīkṣā-guru and śikṣā-guru areconsiderednon-different in tattva, it is onlyproper to includeoṁ viṣṇupādabeforeboththeirnames.Infact,itwouldbeimpropernottodoso.Becausehehas fully internalized Śrīla Prabhupāda’s exemplary character, conduct,teachingsandconceptions,IconsiderŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājatobe

likeasecondmanifestationofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Therefore,Ifeelheisworthyofthetitleoṁviṣṇupāda.”

ŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja’sfathomlesssurrendertooneofhisown godbrothers is exemplary. This further signifies and prominentlyestablisheshishighlyevolveddispositionandVaiṣṇavahumility.

HisconsiderateandgentlenatureWhenGuruMahārājaplannedforthedeitiesoftheKolkatabranchofŚrī

Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha to enter their newly constructed room on theauspiciousdayofŚrīKṛṣṇa’spuṣyābhiṣeka(showeringofflowers),heinvitedalmostallhisprominentgodbrothers, includingŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja, to participate in a five-day festival in celebration of the occasion.WhenŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja arrived at themaṭha, he calledme to his room and softly asked, “Youwon’t be displeased if I point out amistakeyouhavemade,willyou?”

“Ofcoursenot,Mahārāja,”Isaid.“Infact,Iwouldbegratefultobegiventhechancetomakeamends.PleasetellmewhatIhavedonewrong.”

ŚrīlaMahārāja then pointed at thewalls of the room. “You have not puthooksonthewallstotieupamosquitonet,”hesaid.

“Mahārāja,” I said, “I did not have hooks installed, as they would haveinterferedwiththeplasteringworkthatwashappening.Butnowthattheworkhasbeencompleted,Iwillarrangeforhookstobeinstalledrightaway.”

DespiteŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja’sexaltedstature,hewouldneverspeaktoanyoneinaraisedtone.Hewasverymindfulandconsiderateinhisdealingswithjuniordevotees,andhewasalwayscarefulnottohurtanyonewithhiswords.

HisdeeprespectforGuruMahārājaOneday,duringafestivalattheHyderbadbranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīya

Maṭha, I witnessed a friendly, humorous conversation between ŚrīlaMadhusūdana Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vikāśa HṛṣīkeśaGosvāmī Mahārāja. As they remembered their times together during ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smanifestpresence, theyaffectionately teasedeachother, sayingthings like, “Itwasyour fault I couldn’t performVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā,”andplayfullyaccusedeachother, saying,“Youdid this,”and,“Youdid that.”However, Iwas amazed to see that as soon asGuruMahārājawalked in theroom, their joking immediately subsided and they began to discuss amongst

themselvesinadisciplinedmanner.Then,onceGuruMahārājalefttheroom,theyreturnedtotheirfun.

From their conduct, I understood that although Śrīla MadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārāja andŚrīlaHṛṣīkeśaGosvāmīMahārājabehaved as typicalfriends with one another, they possessed a reverential respect for GuruMahārāja.

AccomplishinghisservicethroughthemostappropriatemeansI personallywitnessed that ŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājawould

interactwithGuruMahārājainvariousdifferentwaysaccordingtotime,placeand circumstance. Once, at Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara GosvāmīMahārāja’s maṭha in Navadvīpa, on the occasion of Śrī Jagannātha MiśraMahotsava(thedayafterŚrīGaura-pūrṇīmā),headdressedGuruMahārājaasif hewere complaining. “You have come late,” he said. “Is it appropriate tomakeeveryonewaitforyou?Pleasedonotbelateagain.”

Another time, in Śrī Jagannātha Purī, he praisedGuruMahārāja, saying,“Nooneelsehasbeenabletorenderthesameuniqueserviceasyouhave.Byyour grace, we are fortunate enough to have gathered here today at theappearanceplaceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.”

Yet another time, he said to Guru Mahārāja during an explanation ofŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam, “It is only by following every instruction of grantha-bhāgavatathatonecanbecomebhakta-bhāgavata.”

Thekeytounderstandingtheimportofthesedifferentmodesofbehavioris found in a kīrtana of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura: “antare-bāhire, samavyavahāra, amānī mānada ha’bô—no disparity shall remain between myinternal and external behavior. I shall not desire honor formyself and shallinsteadoffer respect toothers.” Inotherwords,ŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājawouldconducthimselfaccordingtothedemandsofservice.Whetheritwasteaching,instructing,praisingorchastising,healwayschosethemeansthatwouldbestaccomplishthepleasureofŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavas.

HisrecognitionofmycowsevāWhenŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājaoncesawtheeffulgentbodies

ofthecowsatourMāyāpurabranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,heaskedme,“Whoservesthesecows?”

Ireplied,“Ido,Mahārāja-jī”“Whatisyourname?”heasked.

“NarottamaBrahmacārī.”“No,Iwanttoknowthesurnameyouusedpriortojoiningthemaṭha.”“IwaspreviouslyknownasNarottamaCakravartī.”“Cakravartī, you say?Yes.Youhave come fromabrāhmaṇa family, and

you definitely possess the qualities befitting Vaiṣṇavas, who are the truebrāhmaṇas. This is why you are serving these cows so nicely. Due topossessing an inferiority complex, one ofmy disciples refuses to serve thecows in ourmaṭha. He says, ‘I am abrahmacārī. I should serve Ṭhākura-jī.WhyshouldIservecows?’Well,IcanplainlyseethatŚrīMādhavaMahārājaknowsverywellwhomtoengageinwhichservices.”

Aseniorgodbrother’sappreciationOn the instruction of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Gosvāmī

Mahārāja, Śrīla Madhusūdana Gosvāmī Mahārāja led Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāmaparikramāfromŚrīCaitanyaSārasvataMaṭhaformanyyearsandalsoservedas the editor of the maṭha’s Bengali magazine, Śrī Gauḍīya-darśana. ŚrīlaŚrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja would say, “Servants are plentiful, but it is amatterofgreatfortunetofinddevoteeslikeŚrīlaMadhusūdanaMahārājawhoarewilling to accept full responsibility for a task and achieve it. It is solelybecauseofhimthatIneednotworryaboutmanythingsandcanperformmybhajanainpeace.”

HisappreciationofGuruMahārāja’sdeterminationOntheoccasionofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’svyāsa-pūjāin1978,GuruMahārāja

organized a grand festival at Śrīla Prabhupāda’s newly acquired appearanceplace in Purī. When Śrīla Madhusūdana Gosvāmī Mahārāja addressed theassembly,hesaid,“WedisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādaaremany,butotherthanŚrīMādhavaMahārāja,notoneofusattemptedtopreserveŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sgloriousappearanceplace.AlthoughmanydisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādahadample means at their disposal, they did nothing. But what Śrī MādhavaMahārāja lacked in financial resources, he made up for in ardentdetermination.Itwasbythisdeterminationthathemanagedtoaccomplishtheimpossible.”

After GuruMahārājamanifested his disappearance pastime, I also recallthewayŚrīlaMadhusūdanaGosvāmīMahārājacameforwardtoimpartsomemuch needed inspiration when the deities of Śrīla Prabhupāda, ŚrīmanMahāprabhu and Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Nāyana-maṇi were installed in the newly

establishedmaṭha.

GlorificationofPūjyapādaMadhusūdanaMahārājaComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmī

Mahārāja

HisindomitableenthusiasmandexpertiseOurmostworshipfulŚrīlaPrabhupādanotedŚrīNarottamānandaPrabhu’s

sincereinclinationtowardservingŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavas,especiallyhisparticularattachmenttohearingandspeakinghari-kathā.Forthisreason,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda sent him along with numerous veteran tridaṇḍi-sannyāsīs topreach all over India the principles of pure bhakti as issued from the lotusmouth of Śrīman Mahāprabhu. There were many occasions where ŚrīlaPrabhupādapersonallyobservedtheindomitableenthusiasmandexpertisewithwhichŚrīNarottamānandaPrabhudeliveredlecturesandperformedkīrtanainassembliesgracedwiththepresenceofdistinguishedintellectuals,andhealsonoted the way he took on numerous responsibilities related to establishingmaṭhas and temples. Śrīla Prabhupāda was highly pleased to see that ŚrīNarottamānandaBrahmacārīwasalwaysreadyandeagertorenderalltypesofserviceswithapeacefulmindandwhilewearingasweetsmile.OnbehalfofŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaPracāriṇīSabhā,ŚrīlaPrabhupādaconferreduponhimprofuse, affectionate blessings by awarding him with the devotionallysignificanttitle‘BhaktiKamala,’whichmeans‘thelotusofdevotion.’

Thecauseofhisgodbrothers’delightNityā-līlā-praviṣṭa pūjyāpāda ŚrīmadBhakti Rakṣaka ŚrīdharaMahārāja,

pūjyapāda Śrīmad Bhakti Vicāra Yāyāvara Mahārāja, pūjyapāda nāma-bhajanānandī Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, pūjyapāda Śrīmad BhaktiDayitaMādhavaMahārajaandotherprominent,intimatedisciplesofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda would always experience great delight upon hearing pūjyapādaMadhusūdanaMahārāja’sclassesonŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

ATreasuryofallvirtuesAll of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s qualities manifest in His devotees, and Śrīpāda

MadhusūdanaMahārājawasgiftedwithendlessVaiṣṇavaqualities.Today,weare acutely experiencing the absence of this Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī, who was atreasuryof allvirtues.The sorrowofbeingunable to seehimany longer is

becomingutterlyintolerableforus.

Ourheart’sprofoundtormentDevotees who are truly committed to performing kīrtana—that is,

propagatingthemessageandconclusivetruthsofpurebhaktiasexpoundedbyŚrī Śrī Guru-Gaurāṅga—are very rare in this world. The absence of suchdevoteesfromtheframeofourvisionbringsprofoundtormenttotheheart,somuchsothatitcouldneverpossiblybeexpressedthroughwords.However,thedesiresofthesovereignSupremePerson,PuruṣottamaKṛṣṇa,whocontrolsallbyHisownfreewill,arecompletelyindependentandindisputable.HeretrievesfromthisworldthosewhoaredeartoHimandgivesthemaplaceatHisfeet,thusimmersingusinanoceanofseparation.Hecausesustorememberthesewords:“vaiṣṇaveraguṇa-gānakôrile jīvera trāṇa—singing thegloriesof theVaiṣṇavasdeliversthelivingentities.”Thus,Heteachesustofollowtheidealsexemplified by His devotees’ bhajana. This alone constitutes the waters thatmayconsoleourhearts,whichareburninginafireofanguish.

ExcerptsfromanarticlepublishedinŚrīCaitanya-vāṇī(Year31,Volume8)

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSaurabhaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja

AcceptingtheshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeetŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiSaurabhaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājaappearedinthe

Khulna district of East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) and was given thenameNanda-dulāla.HestudiedengineeringatRavenshawCollegeinCuttack,wherehecameincontactwithŚrīŚrīmadVraja-bihārīdāsaBābājīMahārāja,thein-chargeofthelocalmaṭhaestablishedbyŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

AlthoughŚrīlaBābājīMahārājawasnotwelleducated,helectureddailyonŚrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, as per Śrīla Prabhupāda’s order. Because of hisilliteracy,hismannerofpresentingdiscourseswasnotparticularlyscholarly.Nevertheless,illustriousacademicsandEnglishprofessorsweresomovedbyhis simplicity that they joined the Gauḍīya Maṭha and became initiateddevotees.Heoftentoldhislisteners,“IambutapeonofmygurudevaandŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhu.Mydeliverymaybe inadequate,but Ialwaysput forthmybesteffortinmakingsuretheirmessagereachesyourears.Sinceyouarelearned,kindlycorrectwhatevermistakesImayhavemade.”

Impressed byŚrīlaVraja-bihārīBābājīMahārāja’s simplicity, ŚrīNanda-dulālatookfulladvantageofhisdailyassociation.Thus,astrongdesirearosewithin him to take shelter of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s lotus feet. Through thispastime, Śrī Nanda-dulāla taught that the worldly knowledge of platformspeakerscanneverinfusedevotioninaperson’sheart.Althoughawell-spokenpoliticianmayexpertlyprepareamovingspeechinlessthanhalfanhour,theeffectofhis rhetoric ismerely temporary.Conversely, the incoherent speechofanentirelyilliteratebutsurrendereddevoteeissocourageousthatitinspiresdevotion in theheartsof thosewhohear it, even though itmaybedevoidofany scriptural references. Itwaswith such surrendereddevotees inmind thatŚrīlaPrabhupādawroteinhispoemVaiṣṇavaKe?(17),“prāṇaāche tā’ra,sehetupracāra—hehaslife,hecanpreach.”

WhenŚrīNanda-dulālanotifiedhisgreatlypiousmotherandfatherofhisdesiretoaccepttheshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,hisfatherencouragedhimtojointhemaṭha.“Ifyouwanttoperformhari-bhajana,”hetoldhisson,“Iwillpersonally take you toŚrīla Prabhupāda and offer you at his lotus feet.” ŚrīNanda-dulāla accepted this proposal, and his mother and father bothaccompanied him to ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura,where Śrīla Prabhupāda agreed to

awardthethreeofthemharināmaanddīkṣāinitiations.Henceforth,ŚrīNanda-dulālabecameknownasŚrīNani-gopālaBrahmacārī.

After offering his son at the lotus feet of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrī Nanda-dulāla’sfathertoldhisson,“IamverypleasedyouhavedecidedtosurrenderyourselftoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Mayyoualwaysserveourgurudeva’slotusfeet.Ibegyou:pleaseforgetmeandneverreturnhome.Itwouldmakemeproudifyouweretofollowthisinstructionofmine.”

In thisway,ŚrīNanda-dulāla’s fatherprovedhimself tobehis son’s trueguardian:

seiseparama-bandhusepitā-mātāśrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇejeiprema-bhakti-dātā

ŚrīCaitanya-maṅgala(Madhya-khaṇḍa)

He who gives you loving devotion for the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa is your ultimatefriend,yourfatherandyourmother.

Thatveryyear, in1930,ŚrīNani-gopālaBrahmacārīwas appointedas ateacher at the Ṭhākura Bhaktvinoda Institute in Śrīdhāma Māyāpura andassignedtotheeditorialteamoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha’sdailynewspaper,DainikaNadiyāPrakāśa. Eventually, on the order of Śrīla Prabhupāda, hewenton topreachinmanycitiesinIndia.

After Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disappearance, Śrī Nani-gopāla BrahmacārīremainedundertheguidanceofŚrīlaBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārāja,whoawarded him sannyāsa and gave him the name Śrīmad Bhakti SaurabhaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja.HebecametheeditorofŚrīSārasvataGauḍīya,a monthly magazine published by Śrī Gauḍīya Saṅgha, the institution ŚrīlaBhaktiSāraṅgaGosvāmīMahārājaestablished.ByauthoringmanyarticlesthatwereprintedinvariousGauḍīyaMaṭhamagazines,ŚrīlaMahārājacontributedto the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s bṛhat-mṛdaṅga, his printing press.Additionally,inVṛndāvana,hemanagedtheImlitalāmaṭhaforalongtimeandislargelyresponsibleforitsstunninglybeautifulpreservation.

WhenevermyGuruMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja,wouldvisitVṛndāvana,ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājawouldalways visit him. Their relationship was very sweet and respectful. Withoutfail, Śrīla Mahārāja would always insist on bringing Guru Mahārāja toImlitalā,wherehewouldserveGuruMahārājaandallhisdevoteesprasāda.

AfterŚrīlaGosvāmīMahārāja’sdisappearance,ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja was appointed the ācārya of Śrī Gauḍīya Saṅgha, but upon

encountering various disturbances, he regarded his appointment asunfavorableforhispracticeofbhaktiandpromptlyresigned.Hesubmittedhisresignation letter in person to the concerned parties, thus demonstrating hiscompletelackofconceitandselfishness.Hissimplicitywasboundless,andhewasentirelyniṣkiñcana;heacceptedKṛṣṇaashisonlywealth.

Throughhispersonal example,ŚrīlaMahārāja established that a sādhakamust give up all that is unfavorable for the practice of bhakti. He was notattachedtotheprestigethatcomeswithahigh-rankingposition.Rather,hewasinterestedonlyinrenderingservicetoŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavas.

We should be careful not to conclude that Śrīla Bhaktisāra GosvāmīMahārājagaveuphisservice;hesimplydecided toperformthatservice inasituationhefoundmorefavorablefortheexecutionofbhakti.Afterresigningfrom his post as ācārya of Śrī Gauḍīya Saṅgha, he established amaṭha inSiuḍi,WestBengal,whereheonceinvitedGuruMahārājatodeliveraseriesoflectures.

ServingŚrīHari,guruandVaiṣṇavasbyanymeanspossibleŚrī Śrīmad Bhaktyāloka Paramahaṁsa Mahārāja donated half of his

property inŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura tohis godbrotherŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājasothatŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājacouldconstructamaṭhathere.However, as soonasŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājabegan layingthe foundation, someBangladeshi refugees pitched tents andbegan squattingonthatland,citingtheauthorityofaparticularpoliceofficer.ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmī Mahārāja was unconcerned about the situation. He told hisgodbrotherŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī,“Iwillnotbuildanythingthere.Whowantstogetinvolvedinalltheseproblems?Iwillsimplystaywithoneofmygodbrothers.”

Oneday,whenŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī accompaniedme to theghāṭatotakeaboattoKṛṣṇanagara,heshowedmeŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja’s land and said, “Look. Some people are camping there with thesupportof thepolice,andŚrīlaBhaktisāraMahārāja isnotverymotivated todealwiththematter.Canyouhelphimwiththis?”

“Certainly,”Isaid.“Itwouldn’ttakememorethanhalfanhourtoevictallthese people. Send word to the father of that policeman. Tell him BhāratīMahārājasays,‘Ifyoursonwants tokeephis job, theplaceshouldbe totallyemptybythetimeIreturntoMāyāpura.Otherwise,youmustteachyoursonalessonbyfilingalawfulcomplaintagainsthim.”

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇaKeśavaPrabhudidas I requested,and thesquatters left thenextdayafterreceivingasmallcompensationforthecostoftheirtents.

Once his land was cleared of all refugees, Śrīla Bhaktisāra GosvāmīMahārāja told me, “Due to my godbrother Śrī Kṛṣṇa Keśava Brahmacārī’sconcern for me, you delivered a harsh message to that policeman’s father.Generally speaking, it is inappropriate for someone wearing the garb of asādhutospeakinsuchamanner.However,itisyourdutytoextendyourselfasfarasnecessaryinordertoserveśrīguru,VaiṣṇavasandBhagavān.Thereisnofaultifsuchservicerequiresyoutoresorttothreats.”

AfrankreproachGuru Mahārāja regularly held religious assemblies in many places,

including Kolkata, Purī and Vṛndāvana. On the invitation cards, he alwaysincludedthenamesofhisinvitedgodbrothers,alongwithbriefintroductions.Once, one of GuruMahārāja’s godbrothers became angry to see that GuruMahārājahadnot includedanintroductionnext tohisname.Hetoldsomeofhis other godbrothers, “Why hasn’t Mādhava Mahārāja included anintroductionofme?Hehas introducedhimself andhis other godbrothers astheFounder-ācāryasof their respective institutions,buthehasnotmentionedanydetailsaboutme.Thisisentirelyimproper.”

Inreply,ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja,whowasstraightforwardandwithoutmalice,said,“Youhaveonlyrecentlyacquiredasmallplace thathasbut two rooms. You have not held any festival there, so Śrīpāda MādhavaMahārājahasnowayofknowingwhereitis.Areyouasādhu?Ifso,thenyoumustalways remain humble. Does your disposition reflect the meaning oftṛṇādapisunīcetā, thequalityofbeinghumbler than abladeofgrass? In thepast,ŚrīpādaMādhavaMahārājahasshownyougreatrespect,eventhoughyouarehisjunior.Why,then,areyousoangry?YoucannotevenimaginethedepthtowhichŚrīHayagrīvaBrahmacārīhasenteredtheinnermostregionofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sheart.Donotpayattentiontoallthesetrivialitiesandthuscheatyourselfoftheessence,whichisassociationwithandservicetosādhus.”

Whoseserviceismostsuperior?ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārājatoldmeheonceposedaquestiontohis

godbrothers:“Accordingtotheirrespectivecapacities,themanysannyāsīsandbrahmacārīsofthemaṭhaarebusilyengagedfrommorningtonightinvariousservices.ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sgṛhasthaandvānaprasthīdisciples,also,perform

manydifferentservices.Doconsiderationsofsuperiorityandinferiorityapplytotheactivitiesofservice?Ifso,thenwhichserviceisconsideredmostexalted,andwhoseserviceistopmost?”

Afteranextensivediscussion,theycouldnotreachasolidconclusion,andsotheyrelayedthequestiontoŚrīlaPrabhupādaviaŚrīParamānandaPrabhu.ŚrīlaPrabhupādaansweredwithonesentence:“ThemoreloveonehasfortheVaiṣṇavas,themoreexaltedone’sserviceis.”

Inotherwords,therearenobigorsmallservices.Rather,itistheservant’smoodthatmakeshisserviceeitherfirst,secondorthirdclass.

FiveinstructionsOneday,whilegivingdarśana tohisdisciples,ŚrīlaBhaktisāraGosvāmī

Mahārājasaid,“Ihavespokenmany things,andyouhaveallheardsomuch.Remainengagedinspiritualactivities.Thus,youwillgosomewhereandonedayobtainwhatyouseek.”

Speakingthismuch,hefellsilent.Afterafewmoments,hegotupfromhischair andashewent intohis room,heaskedoneofdisciples to speakhari-kathā.Hisdisciplespokeontheratherunlimitedsubjecthisśrīgurudevahadjustconveyedinonlyafewwords:

“Ihavespokenmanythings.Despitehisadvancedage,ŚrīlaGuruMahārājahastirelesslyandrepeatedlyexplained,atgreatlengthandinasimplemanner,thescripturaltruthspertainingtobhajana-sādhanaandtheprocesstoattainthelotusfeetofŚrīHari.

“Youhave all heard somuch.Here, ŚrīlaGuruMahārāja is saying, ‘Dayafter day, morning, noon and night, I have unfailingly spoken hari-kathā,sometimesaddressingeasysubjectmatters,andatothertimestacklingdifficultones. You have all heard somuch and grasped something, somemore thanothers.Becauseofyourextensivehearing,yourpathtowardstheultimategoaloflifehasbeenwithoutdifficulty.’

“Remain engaged in spiritual activities. Now that you have understoodmany profound concepts concerning spiritual life, go forward and followthose teachingsproperlywith firmconvictionandaccording to theguidanceofferedbythescriptures.

“Thusyouwillgosomewhere.Ifyoucandailyandattentivelyserve—thatis,worshipthedeities,beholdThem,studyscripture,performkīrtana,chantjapaandmeditate—undertheguidanceofśrīguruandVaiṣṇavas,thenthedaywillsurelycomewhenyouwillattainyourprimeobjective.

“You will one day obtain what you seek. If you heed the previous fourinstructions, then in this fifth stage, youwill surely attain the rarely attainedandeternallyreveredDivinity,ŚrīŚrīRādhā-Kṛṣṇa.Youwillleavebehindthistemporary,inferiorearthlyrealmandreachŚrīGolokaVṛndāvana,whereallabideinaperpetual,blissfulspring.Then,yourlifewillbeasuccess.Youwillbehappy,peaceful,immortalandforeverliberated,eternallyfullofsweetnessandlaughter.”

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja

ThemessengersofCaitanyaMahāprabhu’svāṇīOnce, Guru Mahārāja (then known as Śrī Hayagrīva Brahmacārī), Śrī

ŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja(thenŚrīSiddha-svarūpaBrahmacārī)andŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawereinvitedtopreachatathree-dayspiritualfunctioninSylhet,EastBengal(nowBangladesh).On the firstday, inhisaddress,ŚrīSiddha-svarūpaBrahmacārīmade use of very straightforward but harsh and immoderate words whileestablishingthesuperiorityoftheteachingsofŚrīCaitanyaMahāprabhuoverthe popular māyāvāda philosophies prevalent at that time. He referred toVivekānanda,whosenamemeans‘onewhosetakesblissinhavingintelligence’as ‘Vi-vekānanda,’ or ‘one who takes bliss in being ignorant,’ and toRāmakṛṣṇa Paramahaṁsa as ‘Rāma-haṁsa,’ or ‘a large butworthless swan.’Upon hearing these epithets,many residents of Sylhet became irritated. Thatnight, leaflets were published and distributed all over town denouncing theGauḍīyaMaṭhaanddemandingthecancellationofthefunction.

The event faced such great opposition that the next day, Śrī HayagrīvaBrahmacārī met with the convener, thedistrict judge, who expressed hisconcernsaboutsafetyandadvisedustocancel theremainingtwodaysofthefunction, just to rule out the possibility of any undesirable incident. ŚrīHayagrīva Brahmacārī assured the judge that the speaker who had usedincendiary words the previous night would most definitely not be speakingagain, and thatonlyhe andŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājawouldaddresstheaudience.Thejudgereplied,“ItisonyourassurancealonethatIwillallowthe function to continue. I will make all the necessary arrangements forprovidingincreasedsecurity,butpleasebemindfulofthecontentofyourhari-kathā.”

The next evening, the venue was filled with antagonistic objectors. ŚrīHayagrīva Brahmacārī was the first to address the crowd, and he began bypraising the hospitality of theSylhetpeople.After he finished his speech andestablished his objective, heconceded the podium to Śrīla ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja.Duringhispresentation,ŚrīlaMahārājasaid,“Ourgurudeva,ŚrīlaBhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda, has taught us that in ourpreaching,we are delivering themessageofSvayamBhagavānŚrīCaitanya

MahāprabhuHimself.Ouronlypurposeincominghereistodeliver,throughfearlessyetfairspeech,thevāṇī(teachings)thatincessantlyflowfromŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the natural commentary on Vedānta-sutra, as it has beenpresented by Śrīman Mahāprabhu and our line of guru-varga—such as ŚrīRaghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa KavirājaGosvāmī and others—who make up our bhāgavata-paramparā. We are nothere to preachwith the apprehension and shyness of a lady hiding her facebehindaveil.

“What to speak of the philosophical doctrines of personalities like ŚrīŚaṅkarācārya,Jaimini,Patañjali,Kaṇādaandsoon,theideologymanifestedbySvayam Bhagavān Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu is unparalleled and vastlysuperior to the ideologies established by even the previous four Vaiṣṇavaācāryās—Śrī Rāmānuja, Śrīla Madhvācārya, Śrī Nimbāditya and ŚrīViṣṇusvāmī.ThroughHis teachings,Hehas highlighted the shortcomings ofsuch doctrines and has conclusively defeated all erroneously fabricatedphilosophies. Therefore, in our presentation of Śrīman Mahāprabhu’sideology,how is it possible that the ideologiesofpersons likeVivekānanda,RāmakṛṣṇaParamahaṁsaandBhandarkarwillnotbecontested?

“Moreover, we are simplymessengers of Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu; ourduty is merely to deliver His teachings. If anyone in this assembly has anyobjections, he may kindly address them to Śrīman Mahāprabhu, ŚrīlaVedavyāsaorŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmī.Althoughwehaveunflinchingfaithintheirvicāra-dhārā(lineofideology),wewillundoubtedlysurrendertoanypersonwhocanpresentanideologysuperiortothatpresentedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhu.Butifsuchapersonisnotpresentinthisworld,whatintelligentbeingwouldbeunwillingtofolloworfeeluninspiredbysuchahighlyauspiciousspiritualpathastheonedescribedbyŚrīmanMahāprabhuandHisfollowers?

“Śrīmad-BhāgavatamhasclearlydescribedŚrīKṛṣṇaasSvayamBhagavān:

etecāṁśakalāḥpuṁsaḥkṛṣṇastubhagavānsvayam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(1.3.28)

All theseavatāras are either plenary portions or portions of plenary portions of theSupremePerson,butKṛṣṇaistheoriginalPersonalityofGodhead.

“Furthermore,KṛṣṇaHimselfhasstatedintheBhagavad-gītāthatHeistheultimateobjectofsurrenderinsuchversesas:

sarva-dharmānparityajyamāmekaṁśaraṇaṁvrajaahaṁtvāṁsarva-pāpebhyomokṣayiṣyāmimāśucaḥ

ŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(18.66)

Completelyabandoningalldharma,takeshelterofMealone.Iwillfreeyoufromthereactionsofyoursins.Donotlament.

man-manābhavamad-bhaktomad-yājīmāṁnamaskurumāmevaiṣyasisatyaṁtepratijānepriyo’sime

ŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(18.65)

OfferyourmindtoMe,becomeMydevotee,worshipMeandofferpraṇāma toMe.Bythis,youshallattainMe.IswearthistruthtoyoubecauseyouaredeartoMe.

ananyāścintayantomāṁyejanāḥparyupāsateteṣāṁnityābhiyuktānāṁ

yoga-kṣemaṁvahāmyahamŚrīmadBhagavad-gītā(9.22)

Forthosewhoaredevoidofotherdesires,whoarealwaysabsorbedincontemplationofMeandwhoalwaysworshipMe,Ipersonallycarry theirnecessitiesandpreservewhattheypresentlyhave.

“Therefore,whatbenefit is there inaccepting the ideologyofRāmakṛṣṇaParamahaṁsa, who advocates the worship of devatās (demigods)? Suchworship is averse to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.31.14), which has firmlyestablished:

yathātarormūla-niṣecanenatṛpyantitat-skandha-bhujopaśākhāḥprāṇopahārāccayathendriyāṇāṁtathaivasarvārhaṇamacyutejyā

Just as pouringwater on the root of a tree nourishes its trunk, branches, leaves andsprigs,andasgivingfoodtothestomachnourishesallthesensesandbodilylimbs,allthedemigodsareautomaticallyworshipedwhenoneworshipsŚrīAcyuta(Bhagavān).

“The philosophy of Vivekānanda is ‘jīve prema kare ĵei jana sei janaseviche īśvara—one who has love for living entities actually serves theSupremeLord.’However,wesee thathis followerskill andeat animals, and

we must therefore conclude that in this slogan, the word jīva, as used byVivekānanda, refersonly tohumanbeings.But the truemeaningof thewordjīvareferstoalllivingentities.

Youshouldalldeeplyconsiderthesepoints.Thereisnoneedforustosayanythingfurther.Youareallfreetomakecomplaintsagainstanyimperfectionsinourmethodsofdelivery,butyoumustknowforcertainthatthephilosophywehavepresentedremainsimmaculatelypureatalltimes,withouttheslightesttraceofcontamination.”

AfterŚrīlaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārājaconcludedhisspeech,theaudiencerespondedwiththunderousapplause.Indeed,theyweretrulypleased,andtheyrequestedthattheorganizersextendthefunctionforanadditionalfifteendays.In thisway, thepreachingofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’svāṇī in the cityofSylhetwasagreatsuccess.AsSylhetwasacityrenownedforitsgood-qualitylime,theresidents,intheirappreciation,arrangedforawagonloadtobeusedintheservice of whitewashing the walls of Śrī Caitanya Maṭha, the temples atYogapīṭhaandotherbuildingsinŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.

Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja was accustomed to speaking in aforthright manner that some may have found unpalatable, but he neverpresented anything other than śrauta-vāṇī, the teachings descending throughthe bhāgavata-paramparā. This was appreciated by the authoritativepersonality Śrīla Śrīdhara Gosvāmī Mahārāja, his senior godbrother whodefendedthecontentofhisjuniorgodbrother ’sspeechthatdayinSylhet.

ProclaimingthetruthŚrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja was considerably bold and

straightforward in his lectures. He would never hold back when refutingothers’mistakenphilosophies,norwouldheattempttoavoidconfrontationbyspeaking indirectly. Because of his impartial nature, he spoke in the samemannerpublicallyashedidprivately.

Once, while preaching with Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Viveka Bhāratī GosvāmīMahārāja, Śrīla Mahārāja (then Śrī Siddha-svarūpa Brahmacārī) veryforthrightlyandunambiguouslyestablishedthesupremacyofpurebhaktioveranyandallpseudo-devotionalreligionsincludedwithintheproverb“ĵatamatatata patha—there are as many paths to attain God as there are ways to seeHim,”andthatthispopularsloganamountsmerelytomiśrita-bhakti,ormixeddevotion.Needless tosay,anumberofpeopleweregreatlyperturbedby thisassertion,andtheybegantoopposetheGauḍīyaMaṭha.

WhenŚrīKuñja-bihārīVidyābhūṣaṇaPrabhu,thesecretaryoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha, related this event to Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “WhilethescripturesaffirmthatSiddha-svarūpaPrabhuhasspokenthetruth,theharshlanguageheusedshouldnevercomefromourmouths.Bethatas itmay,hiswordshavespreadourmessagetosuchalargegroupofpeoplethatitwouldhavecostusonelakhrupeesotherwise.Forthisservice,IwillawardhimaŚrīGauraĀśīrvādacertificate

1and grant him the special title ‘Vidyā-vāgīśa,’ whichmeans ‘the best oratoroftrueknowledge.’Writethatdown,‘Vidyā-vāgīśa,’andreserveitforhim.”

HisappreciationofmydeterminationOnce,duetothecarelessnessofrailwaybaggagehandlers,thehandofone

of the uninstalled deities of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa I had sent by train to beinstalled in amaṭha in Kṛṣṇanagara was damaged. Śrīla Siddhāntī GosvāmīMahārājawaspresentwhenIreceivedthisnews,andheaskedme,“Whatwillyoudonow?”

“I will first seek compensation from Indian Railways,” I replied. “Afterthat,Iwilldecidehowtofurtherproceed.”

Headvised,“Youshouldgiveupanyhopeofreceivingcompensation.Itisverydifficult.”Then,ashespreadhisarmswideopen,hesaid,“TryingtogetmoneyfromIndianRailways is like trying to fish itoutofaholeasdeepasseven times the distance betweenmy palms right now. It would be better tosolicitadevoteeforfundsandhaveanotherdeitymadequickly.”

Ultimately,IdecidedImustatleastmakesomeefforttocollectourrightfulcompensation. After investing a great deal of energy into the matter, IeventuallymanagedtopressurizeIndianRailwaystoreimburseusforthecostoftheuninstalleddeities,andaftersometimewereceivedthepayment.WhenInotifiedŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājaofthissuccess,hesaid,“Youhavemade itback from thehouseofYamarāja,Deathhimself.Onlyadetermineddevotee like you is able to protect the wealth meant for the service ofBhagavān.”

Giftingmeanṛsiṁha-kavacaOneday,duringthetimeIwasdealingwithalawsuittoremovethetenants

illegally occupying the appearance place of Śrīla Prabhupāda in Purī, ŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājaapproachedmewithconcernformywellbeing.Withtheaffectionofaguardian,hesaid,“Iwillhaveanṛsiṁha-kavacamade

foryourprotection.Youmustwearitatalltimes.Youhavenoideawhatharmthesepeoplemightdotoyou.”Sureenough,somedayslaterhebroughtmeanṛsiṁha-kavaca prepared by his godbrother, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī. When he gave it to me, he showed me his arm, which bore anṛsiṁha-kavaca,andsaid,“Look,Itoowearone.”

Although I accepted the nṛsiṁha-kavaca he gave me, I faced an internaldilemmaaboutwhetherIshouldwearit.IthoughtitoverandconcludedthatifI were truly surrendered and if all my efforts were intended purely for theserviceofBhagavān,thenindeed,noonewouldbeabletocausemetheleastbitofharmorevensomuchasbruisemeaslongasHewishestoacceptmyservice. Furthermore, since Bhagavān is the one accepting my service, theresponsibility of my protection lies with Him alone. Why should Iindependently endeavor to protect myself? For these reasons, I wasunenthusiastic about wearing the nṛsiṁha-kavaca. However, since it wasaffectionatelygiventomebyŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja,Ialwayskeptitwithme.Tothisday,itisstoredsafelyinmycloset.

Whenweeventuallywon the law-suit,ŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājatoldme,“Youhavesnatchedthismealrightoutofthetiger ’smouth.”

“Mahārāja,”Ireplied,“whatcapacitydoIpossesstosnatchamealfromthejaws of a tiger? It is by the power of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples such asyourself—byyourgoodwishesandmercy—thatwehavebecomeinstrumentsinfulfillingourgurupāda-padma’sdesire.”

ŚrīlaMahārāja then said, “Maintaining this kind of submissiveness is thekeytogainrightfulandeternalentryintovaiṣṇava-dharma.”

Under the guidance of GuruMahārāja, a huge festival was organized atŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sappearanceplacein1978tocommemoratehisvyāsa-pūjā.Atthattime,ŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājawasthefirsttodonatetowardtheconstructionofamaṭha there.As he handedmeone thousand rupees, heexpressedhishappinessandbestowedmanyinstructiveblessingsuponme.

HisappreciationofŚIvaasthegreatestofVaiṣṇavasIhadthegoodfortuneofaccompanyingGuruMahārājaanumberoftimes

tofestivalsatŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja’svariousmaṭhas. Insteadofinvitingagreatnumberofdevoteesallatonceforafunction,ŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja preferred instead to invite a few devotees at a time. Theprasāda he served during those small events always consisted of the bestingredients.

Once,whileshowingGuruMahārājathedeityofŚiva-jīhehadinstalledinhismaṭha in Śrī Jagannātha Purī, Śrila Mahārāja explained, “Although mynamewaspreviouslyŚivaŚaṅkaraDe,IalwaysdisapprovedoftheworshipofŚiva,deeminghimtobeademigodinthemodeofignorance.Butnow,bythemercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda, I have realized that it is impossible for one toobtainthegraceofViṣṇuwithoutfirstobtainingthemercyofVaiṣṇavas.ThatiswhyIhavebuiltthistempleforŚiva,thetopmostamongallVaiṣṇavas.”

PerformorperishThe land Guru Mahārāja had acquired in Kolkata for establishing Śrī

CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaincludedanoldone-storybuildingthatneededtoberazedinorder toconstructanewbuilding.During thebuilding’sdemolition,ŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājavisited the site.After observingus inourwork, he asked me, “Have you people gone crazy? This place has beenbeautifullybuiltwiththemostexquisitematerials,likeItalianmosaicflooring,Belgianglasswindows,andeventhedoorandwindowframesaremadefromtop-qualityBurmeseteakwood.Yet,youareknockingitalldown.Areyououtofyourmind?Whydon’tyousimplyconstruct levelson topof thealready-existing building? When Mādhava Mahārāja arrives, tell him that SiddhāntīMahārājavisitedthissiteandhasadvisedagainstdemolishingthebuilding.”

I personally conveyed Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja’s message toGuruMahārāja,whoaskedme,“Ifyourgoalistothrowastoneatthisnearbydoor,howwillyoudoit?”Inresponse,Imimickedsoftlytossingastonewithverylittleforce.

Guru Mahārāja then asked, “Now, if you intend to throw the stonesomewhere far, howwill youdo it?” I thenmimicked throwinga stonewithmuchgreaterforce.

GuruMahārāja concluded, “Similarly, the higher we aim, the better ourefforts to achieve our goal will be. Upon reaching a country he wanted toattackandconquer,Napoleonwouldeitherburnhisshiporintentionallysinkit, boldly signifying to his soldiers that their only optionwas to performorperish.WhenheorderedhisarmytocrossovertheAlpsmountainrange,mostof the soldiers were dumbfounded, and said, ‘It is impossible!’ Napoleonreplied,‘Thewordimpossibleexistsonlyinafool’sdictionary.’

“Whenaperson is leftwithnootheroptionbut toact,hemakeshisbestefforts to accomplish his goal. But if given the slightest leeway, he thinksendlesslywithout acting. It hasbeen rightly said, ‘Necessity is themotherof

invention.’Therefore,demolishthatbuilding,sothatwemaybecompelledtoact and construct for ourselves a place to stay. Moreover, we need a muchbigger hall for hari-kathā and kīrtana, even if it is only a tin shed withoutopulentdecorations.”

While Guru Mahārāja’s words filled my heart with great energy andenthusiasm,IalsounderstoodŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja’sconcernforthe protection and preservation of something beautiful that could be used inkṛṣṇa-sevā.Althoughthesetwogodbrothershelddifferentviews,Iwasabletograspthedepthoftheirrelationship,andIknewinmyheartthatŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārājadidnot feel the leastbitoffended thatGuruMahārājadidnotadheretohisadvice.

AftertheconstructionoftheKolkatabranchofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhawas completed, Śrīla SiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja attended the inaugurationfestivities. When he inspected the kīrtana hall and the quality of itsconstruction, he appreciatively noted, “You have done a great job. This isfantastic. I only mentioned you should not demolish the previous buildingbecause I thought you did not have enough funds to create something asbeautifulasthis.”

PublishingGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavascripturesŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja published anunprecedented editionof

Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā with the Rasika-rañjana commentary of ŚrīlaBhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, the Gītā-bhūṣaṇa commentary of Śrīla BaladevaVidyābhūṣaṇa,andhisownAnubhūṣaṇacommentary.HealsopublishedafewUpaniṣads like the Īśa,Kaṭha,Māṇḍukya, andGopāla-tāpanī UpaṇiṣadswithhisTattva-kaṇācommentaries,aswellasthethreebooksŚrīUjjvala-nīlamaṇi-kiraṇa,Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu-binduandBhāgavatāmṛta-kaṇā.

HealsorenderedtremendousservicetotheGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavasampradāyaby publishing Vedānta-sūtra in Bengali with Śrī Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa’sGovinda-bhāṣya commentary and brief commentary thereon, along with anassistingexplanationofhisowncalledSiddhānta-kaṇā,whichhefortifiedwithreferences from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. ŚrīlaSiddhāntī GosvāmīMahārāja endeavored tirelessly to publish this particularbook, and his godbrother Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Bhūdeva Śrautī GosvāmīMahārājaofferedextensiveassistanceinproofreading.

Whenever a new book was released, Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārājawouldholdafestivalandsay,“JustasŚrīmad-Bhāgavatamisverilythedivine

formofBhagavān,theliteraturesthathavebeenwritteninthelightofŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam and further endorse the doctrines presented therein are non-different from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and are therefore just as worshipful asBhagavānHimself.Itisonlyfittingtocommemoratethedivineappearanceofsuchliteraturesintheworldbyorganizingafestival.”

SpreadingtheteachingsofBhagavān’spastimesthroughdioramasŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīGosvāmīṬhākuraengagedhis

disciples in performing kīrtana of viśuddha caitanya-vāṇī, the immaculatemessage of Śrī Caitanya, by publishing and distributing countless spiritualbooks,newslettersandmagazines,aswellasbysendingniṣkiñcana

2preachers to various locations. Although most people could grasp theconceptsthesepublicationsandVaiṣṇavapreacherspresented, therewerestillmanywhocouldnot.

Concernedforthewelfareofsuchpersons,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda,whoseheartwas always full of compassion, granted them the wonderful opportunity tounderstandthepristinemessageofŚrīCaitanya-devabyorganizingSat-śikṣāPradarśinīs, exhibitions that involved beautiful dioramas and displays alongwith appointed representatives to explain the various spiritual teachings theydepicted.TheseexhibitionswereorganizedandledbysuchstalwartVaiṣṇavasasŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdaya Vana Gosvāmī Mahārāja and Guru Mahārāja. In addition to theexhibitions, silent ‘magic lantern’ films produced by Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiPrasūnaBodhāyanaGosvāmīMahārājawerealsopresented.

Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja gave this conceptual legacy of ŚrīlaPrabhupādaapermanent formofexpressionwhenheunveiled inhismaṭhasmanysculpteddioramasofinstructivepastimesfromkṛṣṇa-līlā,rāma-līlāandgaura-līlā. These dioramas were highly beneficial, as they simultaneouslycommunicatedprofoundconceptstothegeneralpublicandbroughtnumerouspastimesoftheLordtothemindsofwell-informeddevotees.

HissamādhipastimeA few of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s sannyāsa disciples, namely Śrīla Siddhāntī

GosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVivekaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmad Bhakti Suhṛt Paramārthī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, and Śrī Śrīmad BhaktiPrāpaṇa Daṇḍī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, were not interred with samādhi burials.Instead, forwhatever reasons, they instructed their disciples to cremate their

divinebodies.SometimeafterŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja’sbodywascremated, his disciples established his puṣpa-samādhi at his maṭha in ŚrīJagannāthaPurī.

Afterdeeplydeliberatingon the subject,onewill come to theconclusionthat there is no difference between a Vaiṣṇava’s mūla-samādhi and puṣpa-samādhi, because the body of aVaiṣṇava and the articles related to him arenon-different,purelytranscendental,andequallyworshipful.

On behalf of King Pratāparudra, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu repeatedlyrequestedŚrīmanMahāprabhutoawardHisdarśanatotheking,buttheLordfirmly refused. However, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu convinced Him to at leastbestowasetofHisusedclothesuponthekingasanalternative.Uponreceivingthosegarments,KingPratāparudratreatedthemasnon-differentfromŚrīmanMahāprabhuandaccordedthemthegreatesthonorandrespect.

Just asŚrīmanMahaprabhu’s clothes arenon-different fromHimself, thedivine bodies ofHis realized devotees and the items they used are similarlynon-different from those devotees themselves. Such objects remain equallyworshipfulandworthyofrespectevenaftertheyenternitya-līlā.

Theactionsofourguru-vargaarenottobequestionedOnce, after the disappearance of Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, I

attended a festival at his establishment in Purī, ŚrīCaitanya SārasvataMaṭhaandĀsana.There,ŚrīMukundaPaṇḍita,adiscipleofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārāja,was closely inspecting the deity of ŚrīVṛndā-devī that had been installed there. Pointing to her nose ring and the otherornaments with which she was adorned, he asked one of Śrīla SiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja’sdisciples,“WhohadthisdeityofVṛndā-devīmade?”

“Itwasourgurudeva,”thedevoteereplied.Śrī Mukunda Paṇḍita further inquired, “Has she been manifested in

accordance with the specifications of scripture, or simply by some sort offancifulimagination?”

Thediscipleinnocentlyresponded,“Ourgurudevawouldhavebeenabletobetterexplain;Idonotknow.”

Although I generally never commented on anything unless requested,Iconsidered that in this case, to remain silent would have put me at riskofcommitting an offense, for Śrī Mukunda Paṇḍita had voiced doubt about adeity installed by my guru-varga Śrīla Siddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja.Therefore,interruptingtheconversation,Iaskedhim,“Paṇḍita-jī,isitproper

to harbor doubt even after learning it was a recognized, authentic Vaiṣṇavawho installed this deity? Could such an authoritative personality like ŚrīlaSiddhāntī Gosvāmī Mahārāja ever do anything unauthorized? The truth is,ŚrīlaMahārājahasmanifestedthisdeityaccordingtothedescriptionsfoundinŚrīVṛndā-devyāṣṭakam,composedbyŚrīlaViśvanāthaCakravartīṬhākura:

bimbādharoditvara-manda-hāsya-nāsāgra-muktā-dyuti-dīpitāsye!vicitra-ratnābharaṇa-śriyāḍhye!vṛnde!numastecaraṇāravindam

OVṛndā!Yourcountenanceisespeciallyradiant,illuminatedbythegentlesmilerisingon your bimba-red lips and the pearl on your nose. Your beauty is enhanced byvariousjeweledornaments.OVṛndā,weofferpraṇāmatoyourlotusfeet.*

Iconcluded,“Itappearsyouhaveneverreadthisaṣṭakaattentively.”Śrī Mukunda Paṇḍita fell silent and I felt satisfied for having rendered

someservicetoŚrīlaSiddhāntīGosvāmīMahārāja.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīMahārājaComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmī

Mahārāja

AneffulgentgemAlmost all of our godbrothers are, one by one, making their grand

departure to join our śrī gurupāda-padma, who has long since entered theeternal pastimes of the Lord. Each and every one of these godbrothersembodiedextraordinaryanddivinespecialties.Itisimpossibletofindanyonewhocanfillthevoidtheyhaveleft.Thus,theGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavacommunityhasgradually become thoroughly deprived of its precious jewels, and ourworshipfulSiddhāntīMahārājawasonesucheffulgentgem.

HisgreatservicetotheGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavacommunityThe most worshipful Prabhupāda had a special desire to publish and

circulate Gauḍīya Vedāntācārya Śrīmad Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇapāda’s ŚrīGovinda-Bhāṣya commentary on Vedānta, as well as the Īśa, Kena, Kaṭha,Praśna, Māṇḍukya, Aitareya, Taittirīya, Chāndogya, Bṛhad-āraṇyaka,Śvetāśvatara,andGopāla-tāpanīUpaṇiṣads,completewithanvaya (word-for-word translations that follow the sentence structure). Pūjyapāda Siddhāntī

Mahārāja dedicated himself to fulfilling this cherished desire of our mostworshipfulŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda,andthus,byaccomplishingthisgreatservicefor theGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavacommunity,hebecamea recipientofPrabhupāda’sprofusemercy.

AcceptingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sshelterPūjyapāda Mahārāja appeared in an aristocratic devotee family in the

Barishāl district ofEastBengal on 22October 1906, on the fifth day of thewaxingmoonduringtheholymonthofKārtika.Hefirstcametothelotusfeetof themostworshipful Śrī Śrīla Prabhupāda inKolkata in January 1924. InMarchofthatsameyear,ontheauspiciousoccasionofŚrīGaura-pūrṇimā,hereceivedmahā-mantraandmantra-dīkṣa initiationfromŚrīlaPrabhupādaandwasgiventhenameŚrīSiddha-svarūpadāsa.

AlifeofdedicationBeing completely captivated with Kṛṣṇa, he joined the maṭha at a very

youngage,whenhewasstillinschool.However,accordingtothedesireofhisparentsandelderlyfamilymembers,hewasorderedtoreturntohishomeandfinish his studies.After quickly completinghis schooling, he returned to themaṭhasometimearoundFebruaryof1928and,totheutmostdegree,dedicatedhislifetotheserviceofhisśrīgurupāda-padma.

AdistinguishedspeakerŚrīlaPrabhupādaandtheVaiṣṇavasunderŚrīlaPrabhupāda’guidancewere

immensely pleased by Śrī Siddha-svarūpa dāsa’s sincere service efforts. Astokens of śrī gurupāda-padma’s pleasure, he was awarded the Śrī GauraAśīrvāda titles ‘Upadeśaka’ (instructor), ‘Mahopadeśaka’ (great instructor),and ‘Vidyā-vāgīśa’ (master of knowledge and speech) by the NavadvīpaPracāranī Sabhā. As a brahmacārī, he accompanied expert, senior tridaṇḍi-sannyāsīs—like tridaṇḍi-svāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Pradīpa Tīrtha Mahārāja,tridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiVivekaBhāratīMahārāja,tridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaMahārāja and tridaṇḍi-svāmī ŚrīmadBhaktiHṛdayaVanaMahārāja—to various places inBengal,Bihar,Orissa,Madras,AndhraPradesh and West India. He also preached in many places with nitya-līlā-praviṣṭa parama-pūjyapāda tridaṇḍi-svāmī Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita MādhavaMahārāja,who,duringthemanifesttimeofŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda,wasknownas‘Vāgmi-pravara’ŚrīpādaHayagrīvaBrahmacārīPrabhu.Gradually,bythegraceofŚrīHari,guru,andVaiṣṇavas,heemergedasadistinguishedspeaker.

Thosemembersofthearistocracywhowereearnestandappreciativebecamedeeplyattractedtohisfearlessandpotentexpositionsoftheproperverdictsofscripture. Although he was severely opposed by several narrow-mindedatheists who interpreted his words as an attack on their interests, he neverhesitated to expound the truth, which dispels the ghoul of illusion, inaccordance with the ancient tradition of those who have heard it from anauthoritative source. For this reason, he became the recipient of the mostworshipfulPrabhupāda’sprofusemercy.

PresentingtheessenceofthescripturalteachingsIn1941,pūjyapādaSiddha-svarūpaBrahmacārīPrabhuacceptedsannyāsa

from our godbrother Śrī Bhakti Vijñāna ĀśramaMahārāja and adopted thenametridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiŚrīrūpaSiddhāntīMahārāja.

In eachofhis threemaṭhas, thepūjārī devoteesworship unprecedentedlybeautiful deities of Śrī Śrī Guru-Gaurāṅga Rādhā-Govinda-jiu. Additionally,thewallsareadornedwithstrikingdepictionsofśrīgaura-līlā, śrīkṛṣṇa-līlāandśrīrāma-līlāthatcapturetheessenceofthescripturalteachings.Simplybyviewingthesedepictions,earnestviewersreceivethefortuneofaccumulatingmuch knowledge of the proper verdicts of the scriptures. These depictionsremainondisplayeventoday,butsincepūjyapādaMahārājaisnolongertobeseen,viewingthemsimplycausesourheartstodrowninanguish.

kṛpākôri’kṛṣṇamorediyāchilasaṅgasvatantrakṛṣṇeraicchāhôilôsaṅga-bhaṅga

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā11.94)

Mercifully,Kṛṣṇagavemehisassociation.ByKṛṣṇa’sindependentwill,ourexchangehasended.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year25,Volume11)

1AcertificateconferringtheblessingsofŚrīGaurāṅgaMahāprabhu.

2OnewhoacceptsŚrīKṛṣṇaasone’sonlypossession.

ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārāja

Servingbothgrantha-bhāgavataandbhakta-bhāgavataPrior to accepting sannyāsa, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktyāloka Paramahaṁsa

MahārājawasknownasŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārī.WhileŚrīlaPrabhupādawasstillpresentinthisworld,ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārīmanagedBhāgavataPress in Kṛṣṇanagara, which was dedicated to printing Śrīla Prabhupāda’seditions of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Actually, the title ‘manager ’ does not befitdevotees,becauseadevoteeunderstandshispositionisalwaysthatofaservant.But as Śrī Mahānanda Brahmacārī’s duties were exactly like those of amanager,wearereferringtohimassuch.Hearrangedeverythingforthein-house printing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and other publications of ŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Fortheserviceofthesepublications,ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārīemployedastenographerandatypist.Once,thekingofNadīyāwasinneedofprintingapublication,buthadnooneinhisservicecapableoftypingortakingdictation.Inresponsetotheking’sneed,ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārīofferedtheservicesof Bhāgavata Press’s stenographer and typist, and even offered to print thepublication,asBhāgavataPressoftentookoutsideclients.

They presented the king with a flawless publication; not even a singlemistakewasmade.ImpressedbythehighqualityofhispublicationandthecarewithwhichthedevoteesofBhāgavataPressproducedit,thekingdecidedthathewould no longer send his future publications toKolkata for printing, butwouldinsteaduseBhāgavataPressexclusively.Inthisway,thepresseventuallygained a favorable reputation due in part to the efforts of Śrī MahānandaBrahmacārī. Everyone in the area knew they could put their full trust in theabilities of the devotees ofBhāgavata Press, and if by chance somemistakeweremade,thepresswouldimmediatelyrectifyit.

Another service Śrī Mahānanda Brahmacārī used to perform was toacquirepropertiesforthemaṭha.Becausehisservicesgenerallyrequiredhimto collect various items for the Gauḍīya Maṭha, he was given the title‘Kenārāma,’whichmeans ‘a personwhopurchases everything.’ In this case,thetitleappliestoonewhopurchaseseverythingnotforone’sownenjoyment,butfortheserviceofbhakta-bhāgavata,Bhagavān’sdevotee.

Subtleindication,bigserviceThe villagers of Campaka-haṭṭa in Navadvīpa possessed a deep sense of

reverence forŚrīlaPrabhupāda, and someof themevenbecamehis initiateddisciples. Out of their regard for him, they donated him the property thatencompassedthepreviousresidenceofJayadevaGosvāmī.ThisisthepresentsiteofŚrīGaura-GadādharaGauḍīyaMaṭha.Therewasoneesteemedlocalinthat village who had two recently widowed daughters. Unfortunately, thedaughters’ in-lawswereunwilling tohandover their respective inheritances,andsothetwowomenwereunabletomaintaintheirlives.

WhenŚrīlaPrabhupādalearnedaboutthepredicamentthesewomenfaced,he simply said, “Howwill theymaintain themselves?”Takinghisgurudeva’sseemingly light inquiryasanorder,MahānandaBrahmacārīvisited the localcourts in Rāṇāghāṭa and filed a court case against the ladies’ in-laws, andeventuallymanagedtosecuretheirrespectiveinheritancesforthem.

IntelligentserviceŚrīlaPrabhupādahadadisciplenamedŚrīNiśikāntaSanyāla,aprofessor

at Ravensā College in Kaṭaka. Although Śrī Niśikānta Sanyāl had an entirefamily to maintain, he would offer all his salary to Śrīla Prabhupāda, evenafterŚrīlaPrabhupādahadtoldhim,“Ifyoukeepdonatingyoursalarytome,then how will your family survive? It would be better if you were to keepsomethingfortheirmaintenance.”

Out of concern for the family, Śrīla Prabhupāda told Śrī MahānandaBrahmacārī,“BecauseNiśikāntaSanyālaisdonatinghisentireearningstous,itisourresponsibilitytotakecareofhisfamily.Iwantyoutoarrangefortheircompletemaintenance.”Onthisorder,ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārītookcareofthe family’s necessities formany years. He arranged whatever they were inneedof—theeducationandmarriagesoftheirchildren,andeverythingelse.

Externally, itseemsasthoughsuchanarrangementwouldbeimproper;arenouncedpersongenerallyhasnobusinessseeingtotheneedsofagṛhasthafamily, and should instead be engaged in the service of Śrī Hari, guru andVaiṣṇavas.However,therearetwoconsiderationsinthissituation.Firstly,ŚrīlaPrabhupādahadgivenhimthedirectordertomaintainthefamily,andthereisneveranyfaultincarryingouttheinstructionsofśrīguru;quitetheopposite,śrī guru’s order is the disciple’s duty. Secondly, ŚrīMahānanda Brahmacārīintelligentlyarrangedeverything insuchawaythathewasneverrequired tobephysicallypresentfortheseservices.Throughdelegatingresponsibilitiestovariouspeople,heneverhadtovisitthefamilyevenonce.

MyservicetohimSometimeafterŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdeparture,ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārī

acquiredsomelandashortwalkfromGaṅgā-ghāṭainMāyāpura,nearKṣetra-pālaŚiva.Eventually,refugeesfromBangladeshbegantooccupythatlandandrefused to leave. Acting as his army, a number of devotees and I drove therefugeesfromthatland.

ŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārī’sgodbrotherŚrīlaBhaktiSaurabhaBhaktisāraGosvāmīMahārāja eventually came toMāyāpura and desired to have someplacetostay,andsoŚrīMahānandaBrahmacārīgavehimhalfofhisland.

AcceptingsannyāsaAnother disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīla Bhakti Svarūpa Parvata

Gosvāmī Mahārāja, originally from Svarūpa Gañj, had a maṭha calledVārṣabhānāvī-dayita Gauḍīya Maṭha in Udālā, Orissa, near the Kṣīra-corāGopīnāthatemple.Afterhisdisappearance,manydevoteeswantedthatmaṭhatobegiven tomyGuruMahārāja,ŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja,andcomeunderthebannerofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.

Atthattime,ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sdisciplesdeliberatedanddecidedthatsinceŚrī Mahānanda Brahmacārī did not yet have any place of his own, ŚrīVārṣabhānāvī-dayitaGauḍīyaMaṭhashouldbegiventohim,andthatheshouldtakesannyāsa fromŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiRakṣakaŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja.He accepted his godbrothers’ proposal, and was henceforth known as ŚrīBhaktyāloka Paramahaṁsa Mahārāja, the ācārya of Vārṣabhānāvī-dayitaGauḍīyaMaṭhainUdālā.

HisserviceattitudeWhen Guru Mahārāja accepted the responsibility of acquiring Śrīla

Prabhupāda’sappearanceplaceinPurī,manyoftherequireddocumentswerein the Oriya language. At that time, there was an Oriya devotee, Śrī BhaktiSundaraSāgaraMahāraja,residinginŚrīVārṣabhānāvī-dayitaGauḍīyaMaṭha.GuruMahārāja asked Śrīla ParamahaṁsaMahārāja, “Maharāja if it is not aproblemforyou,wewouldliketorequestthatSāgaraMaharājacanstaywithus for some time and help us in acquiring Śrīla Prabhupāda’s appearanceplace.”

Paramahaṁsa Mahārāja replied, “I am not so selfish as to hinder thisimportantservice.IwillcertainlysendŚrīSāgaraMaharājawithyou,evenatthecostofmyowninconvenience.Itwouldbeamatterofgreathappinessand

honortoperformeventhemostmenialofservicesforŚrīlaPrabhupāda.”We have personally experienced that the specialty of Śrīla Paramahaṁsa

Mahārāja was that he was incredibly affectionate and simple. Whenever Iwouldmeetwithhim,Iwouldofferfullaṣṭāṅgadaṇḍavat-praṇāma.Buteventhough Iwas likehis disciple, hewould always embraceme.His naturewasthat he never considered anyone his junior, but rather respected all devoteessimplybecausetheywereonthepathofbhakti.

ŚrīParamahaṁsaMahārājaEntersNitya-līlāComposedundertheeditorshipofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmī

Mahārāja

HisappearancePujyapāda ParamahaṁsaMahārāja appeared in 1893 on Śukla Pratipadā

(thefirstdayofthewaxingmoon)inthemonthofVaiśākha,aSunday,underthe constellation of Aśvinī. In other words, he appeared during the firstconstellation in the firstmonthof theyearon the first solardayof theweekandduringthefirstlunardayofthemonth.

Theearth’sinvaluablejewelMahārājawasaVaiṣṇavaalwaysabsorbedinnāma-bhajana.Heembodied

all Vaiṣṇava qualities. All Vaiṣṇavas are truly the Earth’s invaluable jewels,because each one is capable of delivering the entire universe. “Tāhā bināratna-śunyā hôilô medinī—Medinī (the Earth) has become bereft of jewelswithouthim.”

IlluminatedbytheeffulgenceofdevotionPriortoacceptingtheshelterofthemostworshipfulŚrīŚrīlaPrabhupāda,

Mahārāja’snamewas‘Mahendra.’Oncehereceiveddīkṣa,hebecameknownas ‘Śrī Mahānanda Brahmacārī.’ Later, Śrīla Prabhupāda awarded him thedevotional title‘Bhaktyāloka,’whichmeans‘illuminatedbytheeffulgenceofdevotion.’After thedisappearanceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,heacceptedsannyāsafromŚrīmadBhakti Rakṣaka ŚrīdharaGosvāmīMahārāja, and his sannyāsanamebecameŚrīmadBhaktyālokaParamahaṁsaMahārāja.

ArecipientofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sprofusemercyWhenMahārājawasabrahmacārī, the supremelyworshipfulPrabhupāda

entrusted himwith looking after Bhāgavata Press in Kṛṣṇanagara, and later,withmanagingŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha inŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura.Byaccomplishingall of these serviceswith great expertise, he became the special recipient ofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sprofusemercy. It is impossible to fill thevoidcreatedbytheabsenceofsuchanexemplaryVaiṣṇavadedicatedtopurebhajana.

HisinductionasanācāryaAfter the disappearance of Śrī ŚrīlaBhakti Svarūpa Parvata Gosvāmī

Mahārāja, the founder of Śrī Vārṣabhānavī-dayita Gauḍīya Maṭha in thesuburbanUdaladevelopmentof theMayura-Bhañjadistrict inOrissa,ŚrīmadMahānandaBrahmacārīwasinductedastheācāryaofthatmaṭhaattheproposalofpūjyapādatridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiGauravaVaikhānasaMahārājaandinthepresenceoføpūjyapādatridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraMahārāja,pūjyapādatridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaMahārājaandothergodbrothers,allofwhomexpressedtheirapproval,aswellasŚrīlaBhakti Svarūpa ParvataGosvāmīMahārāja’s disciples and patrons. The nextyear,1958,heacceptedsannyāsaandbecameknownastridaṇḍi-svāmīŚrīmatParamahaṁsaMahārāja.

HislastwordsThe night before ŚrīlaMahārāja left his body and entered nitya-līlā, he

frequently and loudly called out the names ofnitya-līlā-praviṣṭa Śrī ŚrīmadBhakti Dayita Mādhava Mahārāja—the Founder-ācārya of Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha—andŚrīMādhāvaMahārāja’sdiscipleandcurrentPresident-ācārya, Śrīmad Bhakti Vallabha Tīrtha Mahārāja. Their names were oftenheard fromhis lotusmouth earlier, also, for he nurturedprofound affectionforthemboth.

ExcerptsfromarticlespublishedinŚrīCaitanya-Vāṇī(Year23,Volume10andYear24,Volume1)

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī

HereditarydeterminationŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī toldme the followingstoryabouthow

he came to reside in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura and howhis father, ŚrīDīpa-rāmadāsaGāubuḍā,triedtobringhimbackhome.

“WhenIwasaboutelevenyearsoldandintheseventhgrade,Iwentwithagroup of people frommy village to havedarśana of ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāma.Duringour visit, ImetŚrīlaPrabhupāda. Iwas so enamoredwith him that Irefused to return home. Instead, I decided to stay inMāyāpura and join themaṭha. Despite my young age, Śrīla Prabhupāda granted me harināma andmantra-dīkṣā.

“I was my father ’s youngest child—his tenth. When word reached myvillagethatIhadstayedbehindinMāyāpura,myfatherimmediatelydepartedforthedhāmatoretrieveme.Atthetime,ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmaparikramāwasunderway,withthousandsofpilgrimsinattendance.Whenthein-chargeofŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhawasinformedthatmyfatherhadarrived,hetreatedhimveryrespectfullyandarrangedaplaceforhimtostayinthemaṭha.

“Whileat themaṭha,myfather receiveddarśanaofŚrīlaPrabhupāda.Hewas amazed by the behavior and bold hari-kathā of the sannyāsīs andbrahmacārīs, and he was especially impressed by the fact that such eruditeindividuals born of elite familieswere firmly established in the principle ofofferingrespecttootherswhileexpectingnoneinreturn.Hetoldme,‘Iwouldnever have imagined that a place like this exists, where everyone discussesonly matters of the spiritual world, and never those of this material world;wherenooneharborsadesire formundane indulgence,but rather cultivatesthe desire to serve; where people have renouncedmaterial pleasures to liveaccordingtoasimpleyetelevatedphilosophy;andwherethemysterioustruthsofthesoularerevealedoneafteranother.’

“His heart swelled with gratitude. He said, ‘Keśava, my son! You haveblessedmebyshowingmethisplace.Whattospeakofacceptingit,Ihadnevereven heard that this human form of life ismeant forworshiping Bhagavān.NowthatIhavecometoknowthisinmyoldage,Iwillperformbhajana fortheremainderofmylife.I,too,willtakeshelterofyourgurudeva’slotusfeetand,whenhewillmercifullyagreetoit,acceptmantra-dīkṣāfromhim.Pleaseconveymyintentionstohim.’

“I then toldhim,‘Youeatmeatandfish,andyousmoketobacco.Beyond

giving up these, one must give up even onions and garlic before acceptingdīkṣāandharināma.’

“‘Iwillgivethemupthisveryinstant,’hereplied.‘Thesearesmallthingstoleaveasideforthesakeofsomethingsoexalted.’

“‘Areyousure?’Iasked.‘Itwillbeagraveoffenseifyouacceptmantra-dīkṣā simply out of excitement and again consume these things because ofhabit.’

“Myfatherassuredme,‘Ifullycomprehendthegravityofmakingavowtoanexaltedpersonality.TrustmewhenIsayIamofsoundmindandthatIamnotbeingemotional.Ihavethoughtthisovercarefully.’

“WhileIwaswaitingfortherighttimetosupplicateatŚrīlaPrabhupāda’slotusfeetonbehalfofmyfather,explainhisbackgroundandattesttohisstateofmind,myfathersawagroupofdevoteeswhohadshaved theirheadsandwerewaiting to receivemantra-dīkṣā.He immediatelywent to have his headshaved,afterwhichhesatdownwiththeprospectiveinitiates.Whenaservantinformed Śrīla Prabhupāda of the situation, Śrīla Prabhupāda said,‘Determination is the most important attribute needed for receiving dīkṣā. Iwillcertainlygranthimhiswish.’

“AndsoithappenedthatŚrīlaPrabhupādagavemyfathermantra-dīkṣāthatvery day. When my father left Śrīdhāma Māyāpura, he told me, ‘Keśava,althoughIcametobringyouback,theoppositehashappened—Ihaveofferedmyselfhere.Mybodymaygo,butIwillforeverremainherebyheart.’

“Amazingly, from that day forward, my father never consumed any ofthose forbidden substances. Instead, he spent the rest of his life chantingharināma, his dīkṣā-mantras, various prayers and hymns, and engaginghimselfinactivitiesfavorabletobhakti.”

ThestreakofdeterminationhisfatherembodiedwasvisibleinŚrīKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’slife,aswell.

AttentionisthekeytosuccessinserviceImmediately after Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī received harināma

anddikṣāfromŚrīlaPrabhupāda,hebeganperformingvariousservicesinthemaṭha.HewasparticularlyavidinassistingŚrīlaPrabhupāda’scookbycuttingand preparing vegetables, shopping for ingredients, scrubbing pots andcleaningthekitchen.

Once,whileŚrīlaPrabhupādaandhispreachingparty,whichincludedhiscook,were en route fromMumbai toKolkata, his cook becameworried he

would be unable to punctually provide Śrīla Prabhupādawith prasāda upontheirarrival.

When Śrīla Prabhupāda and his entourage reached the maṭha, ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīhadhismealcookedandreadytobeserved.WhenthecooksawalltheitemsŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaPrabhuhadprepared,hewassurprised beyond belief; they were nearly identical to those he usuallyprepared. After Śrīla Prabhupāda honored prasāda, his cook told him thatŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī had prepared hismeal that day. “Really?”ŚrīlaPrabhupādaasked.“Icouldnottellthedifference.Didyouteachhimhowtocook?”

“No,”theservantreplied.“Inevertaughthimtocook.Buthedoeshelpmeinthekitchenwheneverheisaround.”

ŚrīlaPrabhupādasummonedŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīandaskedhim,“Fromwheredidyoulearntocook?”

“BycarefullywatchingPrabhucookeveryday,”hereplied.Śrīla Prabhupāda said, “You are sure to be successful in whatever you

dedicate your full attention to or wish to learn. You should go on like this,learning the key principles of bhajana. By this, you will surely obtainauspiciousness.”

Afterthisincident,ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīwouldcookforŚrīlaPrabhupādafromtimetotime,andwouldlovinglybestowŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sremnants towhoeverwouldask for them.Heused to say, “ŚrīlaPrabhupāḍaalwaysateverylittle.InoticedwheneverIservedhimhismeals,therealwaysseemedtobethesameamountleftonhisplateasIhadbroughthim.”

GuruMahārāja’sright-handmanWhen the excessive disturbance that followed Śrīla Prabhupāda‘s

disappearance caused the Gauḍīya Maṭha mission to split into two factions,GuruMahārājatookpossessionofŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhaonbehalfofŚrīKuñja-bihārī Vidyābhūṣaṇa Prabhu. Many of his godbrothers insistently requestedhim to take sannyāsa and start accepting disciples, but he deferred theirnumerouspleas.

It was largely Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī who influenced GuruMahārājatofinallyagreetohisgodbrothers’proposal.“ŚrīlaPrabhupādahasleft behind such a massive mission,” he told GuruMahārāja. “How will itsservicescontinueonproperlyifaqualifiedpersonlikeyourefusestoacceptdisciples?Ifyoubeginawardinginitiations,Iwillaccepttheresponsibilityof

bringingprospectivedisciplestoyou.”Havingreceivedhisdeargodbrother ’ssupport,GuruMahārājaagreedtoacceptdisciples.

Sometimelater,ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārītookGuruMahārājatoĀssām, where, by his tireless efforts, Guru Mahārāja’s preaching met withgreat success. Being attracted and inspired by Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’sexplanationsofŚrīlaPrabhupāda’simmaculateteachings,manypeopletookshelterofGuruMahārāja’slotusfeet.Agoodmanyofthosenewdevoteesbecamerenouncedandjoinedthemaṭha,andlateron,GuruMahārājaevenawardedsomeofthemsannyāsa.

GuruMahārāja regarded Śrī Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī as his right-handman,andhehadparticularaffectionforhim.Devoteeswhohavetakenshelterof Śrī Caitanya GauḍīyaMaṭha shall remain forever indebted to Śrī Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī.

AfittingresponsetocriticismOnce, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vilāsa TīrthaGosvāmīMahārāja, Śrī Kṛṣṇadāsa

Bābājī Mahārāja, Śrīpāda Sundara-gopāla Prabhu,Śrīpāda AtulānandaBrahmacārīandotherdisciplesofŚrīlaPrabhupādawereattheSealdahstationin Kolkata. Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī, who was then residing at ŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha,wasalsopresentatthesamestation,butwassituatedalittlefurtheraway.SomeofthemcalledforŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārītocomeclosetothem,andasked“Keśava!Howareyou?”

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīreplied,“Iamverywell.”Theyagainasked,“Keśava!Howareyou?”“Iamextremelywell,”hereplied.A number of his godbrothers then audibly said among themselves, “Just

see!Althoughhehas left themaṭhaestablishedbyŚrīlaPrabhupāda,hisowngurudeva,hesaysthatheisverywell.”

Hearing their words, Śrī Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī calmly said, “Had Icontinued to staywith you, Iwould have only ever heard that you alone areengaged inbhajana, andnooneelse iscapableofproperly serving. Iwouldhave been compelled to label all others as non-devotees, and would havebecomeexpertinvaiṣṇava-nindā,criticizingdevotees.

“Fortunately,”hecontinued,“Ihavebeensavedfromallsuchwretchednessby staying with Śrī Mādhava Mahārāja. With him, I remain immersed inpracticingtheprincipleofconsideringeveryoneelseashonorableandmyselfasworthless.So,toreaffirm,yes,Iamextremelywell.Whathaveyoutosay

aboutthat?”Someone said, “Listen! Śrīla Prabhupāda blessed Śrī TīrthaMahārāja by

saying, ‘May you attain abundant auspiciousness.’ Did he ever give such ablessingtoMādhavaMahārāja?”

Śrī Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī replied, “No one blesses a recipient of aMaster of Arts degree by saying, ‘I bless you to acquire a Master of Artsdegree.’Suchblessingsareforthosewhohavenotyetattainedsomeparticularqualification. Therefore, the reason Śrīla Prabhupāda did not bestow theblessing to achieve abundant auspiciousness upon ŚrīMādhava Mahārāja isbecause he had already achieved abundant auspiciousness. By sincerelyreflectingonthesituationofthe‘blessed,’onecaneasilyunderstandwhyŚrīlaPrabhupādawouldhavefeltitnecessarytoblesstheminthisway.”

AnincompletepointisamisunderstoodpointAt Guru Mahārāja’s invitation, many disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda

gathered to attend the annual festival at the Kolkata branch of Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha.Oneday,attheveryendoftheassembly,GuruMahārājaaskedŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārītospeak.Inhisaddress,hesaid,“Accordingto thephilosophy theVaiṣṇavaspeakershaveexpounded today, Icansay thatnoonehere,whethersittingonthedaisortheground,hasattainedBhagavān.Thescripturesstate:

ĵadihayasaṁyogatabenāhayaviyogaĵadihayaviyogatabenāthākeprāṇa

If there ismeeting, there cannot be separation. If there is separation, then one cannotremainalive.

“Therefore, thefact thateveryoneassembledhere today isshowingsignsoflifeisprooftheyhavenevermetBhagavān.IftheyhadtrulymetHim,theywouldbeunabletomaintaintheirlifeinseparationfromHim.”

After prasāda that night, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vikāsa Hṛṣīkeśa GosvāmīMahārāja, a disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda, admonished ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīinfrontoftheirgodbrothers.Hesaid,“Itwasimpropertoquestionwhether thepersonsseatedon thedaishaveattainedBhagavān.Weallacceptdisciplesnow.Itwasunwisetoproclaimsuchideasinfrontofourfollowers.”

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī replied,“Thishappenedonlybecause Iwasallocatedasmuchtimeasittakesyoutorecitetheinvocationsbeforeyourlecture. Ihadpresentedonlyoneaspectof thismultifaceted subjectwhen the

karatālas chimed and indicated I should conclude. I had not finishedexplaining.IfIamgivensufficienttimetomorrow,Iwillexplaintherest.”

The next day, when Guru Mahārāja asked Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī to speak, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī narrated a story:“Once, a painterwas told to paint a signon awall that read ‘ekhāne peśābakôribena nā—do not pass urine here.’ He had painted the first three words,‘ekhānepeśābakôribena—passurinehere,’beforenightfellandforcedhimtostop painting. Naturally, people started urinating there the next morning,thinkingtheyhadexpresspermission.Theemployerchastisedthepainter,whoreplied, ‘Sir, thiswas notmy fault. It got dark before I could finish.Do notworry.Nowthatthesunhasrisen,Iwillimmediatelypaintthelastwordnāandcompletethesign.’

“A similar incident occurred when I spoke yesterday, so I will nowconclude my unfinished point. The devotees seated on the dais before youtoday are like modest wealthy persons who claim they have no money.Althoughtheysay,‘napremagandho’sti—Ihavenotascentofprema,’donotthink they have not obtained bhagavat-prema. Conversely, we shouldunderstandapoorman’sclaimsofpovertytobenotanexpressionofhumility,butthetruth,andweshouldsincerelytrytohelphim.Thepeoplesittingonthedais today have certainly met Bhagavān. It is solely through the Lord’sinconceivable potency that they are able to survive such fatal, unbearableseparation fromHim.Bhagavān personallymaintains their lives so that theymay continue bringing Him endless pleasure by serving Him in this world.Thisprinciple,thatlivingisevidenceofanabsenceofbhagavat-prema,cannotbeappliedtorealizedpersonalities;itismeantonlyforconditionedsoulslikeus.”

ThepassingawayofhispuredevoteefatherIn 1956, a year after I took shelter ofmyGuruMahārāja and joinedŚrī

Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, Guru Mahārāja took me to Vraja for Śrī Vraja-maṇḍalaparikramā.There,IheardfromŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīthathis father had passed away and that his brother had sent him fifty rupees toservetheVaiṣṇavasintheirfather ’smemory.Withthatmoney,ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīorderedanddistributedfortykilogramsofrabaḍī,asweetmadefromcondensedmilk.

That day, Iwitnesseddevoteeswhonormally snubbed anything served inremembrance of the deceased happily eating that rabaḍī with great relish,

saying, “Eating something served in honor of a non-devotee’s passingimplicatesoneinthesinsofthedeparted.However,accordingtotheblessingsŚrīman Mahāprabhu bestowed on the occasion of Śrīla Haridāsa Thākura’sdisappearance festival, one incurs offense by not accepting the prasādadistributed in honor of a pure devotee’s passing. In fact, one’s devotion isincreasedbyeagerlyacceptingsuchprasāda.”

The way I saw Śrīla Prabhupāda’s brahmacārī and sannyāsī discipleslovingly honor the rabaḍī-prasāda that day confirmed that they indeedrecognized Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī’s biological father as a puredevoteeofBhagavān.

RelievingthedoubtsofanewmaṭhavāsīWhenmygodbrotherpūjyapādaBhaktiVallabhaTīrthaMahārājaandtwo

ofhisschoolmatestookshelterofGuruMahārāja’slotusfeetandbeganlivingin the maṭha, they overheard Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Hṛdaya Vana GosvāmīMahārājaexpress,“EventhoughIhaveassociatedwithsādhus, resided in thedhāma,performednāma-saṅkīrtana,surrenderedmyselfatthelotusfeetofmyguru, preached all over and performed countless other activities that arefavorableforbhakti,Ihavegainednobenefit.”

Pūjyapāda Tīrtha Mahārāja (then known as Śrī Kṛṣṇa-vallabhaBrahmacārī) and his two schoolmates became very disheartened by thisstatement.TheydebatedamongstthemselvestheneedtoresideinthemaṭhaifaseniorVaiṣṇava likeŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaachievednothing,despitehaving investedsomuchenergy in spiritualpracticesandpreachingallovertheworld.Intheend,ŚrīKṛṣṇa-vallabhaBrahmacārī’stwodiscouragedfriendspacked their belongings and left themaṭha. He, however, retained faith thattheremust be somethingmore to Śrīla VanaGosvāmīMahārāja’s troublingwords.

Inorder to reconcileŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārāja’spuzzling statement,ŚrīKṛṣṇa-vallabhaBrahmacārīapproachedŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī,who then graciously explained everything to him: “A rich man will neverdisclose the fact that he is wealthy, even when asked. Instead, he will try toconceal this to the best of his ability. Similarly, Vaiṣṇavas who possess thewealth of prema often hide their fortune by claiming to be without anydevotion.Besides,ŚrīlaVanaGosvāmīMahārājaisextremelyintelligent.Ifheactuallybelievedhegainednothingfrompracticingbhakti,wouldhenotdirecthisenergyelsewhere?

“Listen,”hecontinued.“Youarenewtothemaṭha.Themoreyouassociatewith exaltedVaiṣṇavas, themore youwill be able to navigate the current ofemotionsthatflowsintheirhearts.Itisonlyafteryoufirstlearn,comprehendandrealizetheintricaciesoftheirmoodsthatyoucangraspthemysterybehindmanyofŚrīmanMahāprabhu’sstatements,suchas:

naprema-gandho’stidarāpimeharaukrandāmisaubhāgya-bharaṁprakāśitum

vaṁśī-vilāsy-ānana-lokanaṁvinābibharmiyatprāṇa-pataṅgakānvṛthā

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā2.45)

Ihavenotevenascentof love forŚrīKṛṣṇa. Iamcryingsimply to flauntwhateverfortuneIonceobtained.IfItrulylovedHim,howcouldIendurethisuseless,insect-likelife,bereftofthesightofHislotusfaceasHesportswithHisflute?

prabhukahena“kṛṣṇa-kathāāmināhijānisaberāmānandajānetāramukheśuni”

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Madhya-līlā5.7)

ŚrīmanMahāprabhusaid,“IknownothingofKṛṣṇa,butRāmānandaknowsitall.Gohearfromhim.”

āmitô’sannyāsīāpanāreviraktakôri’mānidarśanarahudūre‘prakṛtira’nāmaĵadiśuni

tabahĩvikārapāyamoratanu-manaprakṛti-darśanesthirahayakonjana?

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā5.35,36)

[ŚrīmanMahāprabhu said,] “Although I am a sannyāsī and I considermyself to berenounced,mybodyandmindbecomeagitatedbymerelyhearingtheword‘woman,’not to speak of actually seeing one. Who can remain unaffected by the sight of awoman?”

“Many of Śrīmad Mahāprabhu’s eternal associates have expressed theirhumilityinsimilarways:

ādhāro’pyaparādhānāmaviveka-hato’pyahamtvat-kāruṇya-pratīkṣo’smiprasīdamayimādhava

ŚrīlaRūpaGosvāmīStavamālā(1.12.14)

AlthoughIamamineofoffenses,andalthoughIcannottellrightfromwrong,IstillhopeforYourmercy.OMādhava,pleasebemercifultome.

jagāimādhāihôitemuñisepāpiṣṭhapurīṣerakīṭahôitemuñiselaghiṣṭha

ŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmīŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Ādi-līlā5.205)

IammoresinfulthatJagāiandMādhāi,andIamlowerthanthewormsinstool.

“Additionally, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has said, ‘tumi tô’ ṭhākura,tomāra kukura, bôliyā jānahômore—You aremy Lord. Please accept me asYour dog.’ Even Śrīla Prabhupāda has similarly expressed his humility.Althoughheisjagad-guru,thespiritualmasteroftheentireworld,hereferredto his disciples as vipada-uddhāraka bandhu, friends who deliver him frommisfortune.”

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī concluded, “I therefore ask you not tofollowtheactionsandreasoningofyourschoolmates,buttoinsteadfollowtheexampleof exaltedVaiṣṇavas.Youhavedonewell by askingme to alleviateyourdoubts today.This techniqueofseeking thecouncilofseniorVaiṣṇavashas been approved and demonstrated by our exalted predecessors for thosewhowishtoenterspirituallife.”

Śrī Kṛṣṇa-vallabha Brahmacārī staunchly accepted Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’s advice and followed it throughout his life. In his lectures, hewouldoften lookbackon this incidentandsay,“It isonlybyŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’smercythatIcontinuedtostayinthemaṭha.WhenIlatersharedhisinsightwithmyschoolmates,theyfounditagreeable.Fromtimetotime, theywouldvisit theKolkatamaṭha andparticipate in festivals,but theyneveragainfullygavethemselvestothemaṭha.”

I remember that one of pūjyapāda TīrthaMahārāja’s schoolmates was abrāhmaṇaboy,andtheotherwastheyoungestsonofagentlemannamedŚrīKāmākhyā Sena. I used to know their names, but now I am unable to recallthem.

ThesatisfactionofremainingunderguidanceWhenGuruMahārājawouldgoonpreachingmissions,therewouldoften

be several events scheduled concurrently, and so the preaching party wouldsplit into different groups to honor all the invitations. I noticed that ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmācārīwould travelonlywithGuruMahārāja and remain

under his guidance; he never preached with anyone else. He used to say, “Iconsideritamatterofgreatfortunetocarryoutmylifeundertheguidanceofanexaltedpersonalitywhile remaining insignificant. In thatalone, I find joy,contentmentandsatisfaction.IneverwanttogoanywhereImaybeforcedtoactsuperiortoothers.”

HearingmeansfollowingOnce, ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśava Prabhu and his senior sannyāsī godbrothers

were preaching at a university, where highly intellectual professors andstudentshadassembledtohearaboutthephilosophyoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha.Yet,each time the sannyāsīs delivered their speeches, several professors andstudentswould insist,“Youare reiteratingancient ideas.Wehaveheard theseconcepts many times before.” Although, the various sannyāsīs tried to helpthemunderstandthespecialtyof theGauḍīyaMaṭha, theobjectorsmaintainedtheirphilosophywassimplyoldwineinanewbottle.

Finally, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmcārī asked Guru Mahārāja for achance to speak. When Guru Mahārāja consented, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī stood up and said, “I am not an intellectual like you learnedacademics.IconcludedmyeffortstoaccrueworldlyknowledgewhenIcameto theGauḍīyaMaṭha in the seventh grade. Today, Iwill speak a few pointsbefore you all, based on what I have learned from my spiritual teachers.Althoughmy presentationmay contain errors, youwill be able to infer theessenceifyoulistenpatiently.

“Youyourselveshavereadilyadmittedyouhavealreadyheard,understoodand memorized well the views my godbrothers discussed before you heretoday. You have asked us many questions in response, but I request you topleaseaskyourselvesthisonequestion:‘DoIlivemylifeaccordingtotheseteachings?’Iftheanswerisyes,thenverywell.Otherwise,yourknowledgeofthose teachignswill be of no true benefit.Merelymemorizing themwill doyounolastinggood.Althoughyoureducationallowsyoutoread,understandandmemorize a doctor ’s prescription, your illnesswill not be cured unlessyoufollowtheprescription’sinstructionstotakeaparticularmedicine.Ontheotherhand,anilliteratepersonwillbecuredifhe,aftertakingthatprescriptionto a qualified, educated person who can explain its contents, consumes themedicine prescribed therein. This is the specialty of the GauḍīyaMaṭha: wepracticewhatwepreach,andwhatwepreachis‘uṭhore,uṭhorebhāi,ārato’samayanāi—getup,getup,brother!Thereisnotimeleft.’”

Theprofessorsunanimouslyconceded.“Youhavespoken the truth,” theysaid.“Thetroublewithsocietynowadaysisthatdespitehavingvastknowledge,peopleseldomfollowanyofwhattheyknow.”

ThegreatimpactofasimpleexplanationOnce, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī and an entourage of devotees

accompanied Guru Mahārāja on a preaching mission to Guwahati, Assam.Being Assamese, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī and my godbrother, ŚrīCintāharaṇaPāṭagiriPrabhu,knewthelocallanguage.AspertheinstructionofGuruMahārāja,thetwometwithdeśa-priyaŚrīGopīnāthaBordoloi,thethenChief Minister of Assam who was an object of affection for the country’scitizens,toinvitehimtohearbhāgavata-kathāatGuruMahārāja’sprogram.

Atthemeeting,ŚrīBordoloifirstaskedthemtointroducethemselves,theirorganizationand thereasonfor theirvisit.After their introduction,heasked,“YouarebothAssamese.Whythenhaveyounotacceptedtheprinciplesofśrībhagavata-dharmaaspreachedinAssambyŚrīŚaṅkara-deva,ŚrīDāmodara-devaandother renownedAssamesebhaktas?Whyhaveyou insteadacceptedtheteachingsofŚrīmanCaitanyadeva,aBengali?”

ŚrīpādaCintāharaṇaPrabhurequestedŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārītokindly answer Śrī Bordoloi, and Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī obliged:“RespectedMr.Bordoloi, if Imay, Iwould like toprefacemy reply toyourquestionwith a brief question ofmy own.You, too, areAssamese, and youbelong to a brāhmaṇa family.Why, then, did you consider it appropriate toattendOxfordUniversityinEngland,acceptEnglishmenasyourteachers,yourgurus, and follow their teachings, when they use paper to clean themselvesafter passing stool instead of following the proper practice of usingwater?WhatmoreshouldIspeakabouttheirlackofetiquette?

“ŚrīNavadvīpa-dhāmahas longbeen famousas theOxfordof India,andscholarsfromevenAssamhaveregularlygonethereforhighereducation.Wetherefore fail to understand the inherent fault in our following Śrī CaitanyaMahāprabhu.”

Śrī Gopinātha Bordoloi was rendered speechless. Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī and Śrīpāda Cintāharaṇa Pāṭagiri Prabhu left his office andreturned to Guru Mahārāja. When they arrived back at Guru Mahārāja’squarters, theyweregreatlysurprisedtoseeŚrīBordoloisittingnext toGuruMahārāja.Theyrealizedhehadcomebycarwhiletheytravelledbyrikśaw.

This pastime illustrates the convincing effect Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava

Brahmacārī’ssimpleexplanationshadonnotonlyŚrīGopināthaBordoloi,butmanypeoplearoundtheworld.

Hissister’stenacityOnce, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī brought Guru Mahārāja and a

preachingpartytohissisterŚrīSaheśvarīdevī’shomeinSārabhoga,Assam.Atthattime,thepeopleofSārabhogawerenotcordialwiththeGauḍīyaMaṭha.Not long before, an ignorant maṭhavāsī, a newcomer, killed Śrī ErāmaPāṭhaka,thebenefactorwhohaddonatedthelandfortheSārabhogamaṭha,bystrikinghimontheheadwithahammer.

WhenthepeopleofthevillageheardthattheGauḍīyaMaṭhasannyāsīsandbrahmacārīs had come to preach, they fervently objected. “We refuse to letthempreachhere!”theyexclaimed.“Wewillnotmaketheirstayinthisvillageeasy.”

ŚrīSaheśvarīdevīrepliedtothevillagers,“Shouldtheactionsofjustoneunscrupulous member spoil the reputation of the entire Gauḍīya Maṭhainstitution?Whatmisfortunehasbefellusthatwewillrejectasādhucomingtoour home? Have our parents taught us to behave like this? If you want tocriticize these sādhus, you must first spend time with them, listen to theirsermons,heartheirkīrtanasandtalktothem.Otherwise,Iwillnotlistentoaword of what you say. It would be nice if you maintain your ties with ourfamily,butIwillnotbetheleastbitconcernedifyouseverthem.”

Thevillagersfellsilent.Later,GuruMahārājatoldŚrīSaheśvarīdevī,“Wearelikebirds;ifwecannotnesthere,wecaneasilydosoelsewhere.Butsinceyoulivehere,itwouldbewisetomaintaingoodrapportwithyourneighbors.”

When Śrī Saheśvarī devī heard Guru Mahārāja say the words “we caneasilygoelsewhere,”shebegantoweepbitterly.“Ifyouleave,Iwillfastuntildeath,”shepromised.

Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī told GuruMahārāja, “She is Keśava’ssisterandherfather ’sdaughter.Youmust trustherresolve.Pleasestayhereafewdaysandperformkathāandkīrtana.”

Guru Mahārāja heeded Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī’s advice andstayedforafewdays,duringwhich,anamazingthinghappened:ŚrīKamalā-kānta,thepersonwhohadinstigatedtheopposition,tookinitiationfromGuruMahārājaalongwithhistwowives.

During their future visits to Sārabhoga after Śrīla Prabhupāda’sdisappearance, Guru Mahārāja and his preaching party did not stay in the

branch of Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha there, as the management had unfavorablychanged. Instead, they stayed in the home of Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’s family, and Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī’s mother, astaunchlyservice-inclineddevotee,happilyprepareddeliciousprasādaforallthedevoteesduringtheirvisits.

Pleasureandnourishment:twoaspectsofserviceI once cooked under ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī’s guidance at the

ŚrīAnanta-vāsudeva temple inKālnā.At that time, the templewas under thecareofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārāja.Inthecourseofcooking, I had forgotten whether I had added salt to one of the vegetablepreparations.WhenItoldŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīaboutthis,hesaid,“Icantellfromthesteamrisingfromthepotwhetherornotyouhaveaddedsalt.”Sureenough,whenhesawthesteamfromadistance,hesaid,“No,youhaven’taddedsaltyet.”

Hethengavemethefollowingcookingadvise:“Ifyoueverhappentoaddtoomuch turmeric,puta fewpumpkinorgourd leaves into thepotand theywillsoakuptheexcessturmeric.Andifyouhappentoaddtoomuchsalt,aballof dough will absorb it.” He went on to tell me many more things aboutcooking,includinghowtocooklargequantitiesinonlyashorttime.

Duringourconversation,hesaid,“CookingisŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī’sservice,and She always presents new dishes to ŚrīKṛṣṇa.Although ŚrīDurvāsāṚṣigaveHer aboonbywhich everythingShe cookedwouldbe likenectar,ShestillfullyabsorbsHerselfincooking,asShedoeswithwhateverotherservicesShe may perform. Moreover, She reflects on what is best for Kṛṣṇa. SheconsidersnotonlywhetherKṛṣṇawillfindadishtasty,butalsowhetheritwillnourishHim.ItwaswithasimilarmoodthatŚrīRāghavaPaṇḍita’ssister,ŚrīDamayantī, would send medicinal preparations to Purī for ŚrīmanMahāprabhu,sothatHecouldfindrelieffromanyacidityorstomachpainHemayhaveexperienced.

“In our conditioned state, we do not know Śrī Kṛṣṇa or ŚrīmanMahāprabhu’s tastes,norhaveweany ideawhichdishesnourishThem.Still,wehaveheardthatBhagavānacceptsfoodthroughthemouthsofHisdevotees.Keepingthisinmind,weshouldbeespeciallycarefultoconsiderwhatismostbeneficial for themwhenpreparing theirmeals.Whencooking for them,wemustdedicateourfullattentiontothatservice.”

WorryingforthewelfareofothersŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīoncechastisedapersonhehadinspired

to join themaṭha.Thatperson respondedby saying, “If youweren’t suchanoldman,Iwouldhavegrabbedyouandforciblythrownyououtofthemaṭha.”ŚrīpādaKeśavaPrabhumadenorebuttal,butratherremainedsilent.

AfterIrepeatedlyaskedhimabouttheincident,hefinallysaid,“Thereisadifferenceofheavenandearthbetweentheeraweliveintodayandthatofby-gonetimes.Previously,peoplefeltforeverindebtedtothosewhohelpedthemevenslightly.Butnowadays,nottospeakofascentofgratitude,peoplefeelnoshameinarguingwithandfalselyaccusingthosewhohavehelpedthem.Theironlymotivation for such quarrels is to receive recognition and fulfill theirselfishdesires.Therewasatimewhen,whattospeakofthoseinpositionsofauthority, everyone in themaṭha desired to increase themaṭha’s number ofsevakas.Butnowweseethatmanyofthoseholdinghighpostsdonotobjecttoexpellingdevoteesfromthemaṭha.

“Thisremindsmeofanoldstory,”hecontinued.“Once,amanputwhathethoughtwasaturtleegginapond,becauseturtleshelpprotectwaterbyeatingmanypollutingentities.Butwhentheegghatched,hediscovereditwasactuallyacrocodileegg.Henowhadapondwithacrocodilethatwantedtoeathim,thesamepersonwhohadputtheegginthepond.”

I told Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī, “You have served both ŚrīlaPrabhupādaandGuruMahārājasomuch.Youshouldneverhavetoendureanysort of inconvenience. When government employees retire, they receive apension. Bhagavān’s is the biggest government. How could those who haveservedHimnotpossiblyreceiveapension?Inthisworld,apensionermustgotothebankandprovehisidentitybeforehereceivesanyfunds.ButBhagavān’sdevotees receive theirpensionautomatically,withouthaving togoanywhere.Youhavenevercollectedanymoneyforyourself;youhavelivedyourwholelife as a totally renounced Vaiṣṇava. Although they have never met you,devoteesbothhereandabroad joyfullyexclaim‘Allglories toPrabhupāda’scook!’whenever theyhearaboutyou.Thereareplentyofpeoplewhowouldhappilydonatetoserveyou.Donotconcernyourselfwiththeactionsorwordsofothers.Youhavenothingtoworryabout.”

“I know all this very well,” he told me. “I am not worried for mymaintenance. I worry only for those who, though residing with sādhus, areunabletotakefulladvantageoftheirassociation.Thesepersonsareunabletorealizethattheymusttastethefruitsoftheiractions.Where,then,musttheygo

to experience a change of heart? Anyway, I can only pray for Bhagavān tobringthemauspiciousness.MayŚrīlaPrabhupādaresthisauspiciousgazeonallofus.”

AvoidingduplicityVarious godbrothers of Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī would

repeatedly ask him to accept sannyāsa, but he would always say, “It isduplicitousforapersontosuperficiallyacceptsomeoneashisdīkṣā-,śikṣā-orsannyāsa-guru. Even a sannyāsa disciple must readily accept his sannyāsa-guru’sinstructions,includingchastisement,withgreatpleasureandeagerness,forthescripturesdeclareitimpropertonotregardone’sgurusasbeingonthesamelevel.ŚrīlaPrabhupādaismydīkṣā-guru,andIsimplycannotputanyoneelseonthesameseatheoccupiesinmyheart.Hehastaughtthatitisbettertolive as ananimal, bird,worm, insector anyotherof themillionsof speciesthan to resort to duplicity, sohowcould I accept sannyāsa if I amunable togivemyhearttoanyoneelsebuthim?

“Śrīla Prabhupāda has also taught that the servants of paramahaṁsaVaiṣṇavas are simple-hearted. I therefore pray that you may encourage andhelpmeincultivatingsimplicity,sothatImaybecomeatruediscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupāda in this lifetime and thereby become satisfied. This would be anexpressionofyourtruemercyuponme.”

Protectinghisgodbrothers’andgodsisters’japa-mālāsWhen Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī’s godbrothers or godsisters

wouldleavethismaterialworld,hewouldacquireandcarefullystorethejapa-mālā(chantingbeads)ŚrīlaPrabhupādahadgiventhem.Wheneveranyofhisfellow godbrothers or godsisters happened to lose or misplace their japa-mālā,hewouldprovide themoneof themālās hehad saved.ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī was so pleased after the construction of Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha’sbranchatŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sappearanceplaceinPurīthatheblessed the person who funded themaṭha’s construction, Śrī Banavārī LālaSiṁhāniyā,bygivinghimoneofthemālāsonwhichŚrīlaPrabhupādachanted.

ReadingforthepleasureofBhagavānandHisdevoteesŚrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī would study Bengali translations of

many books. I noted he especially liked reading the Bengali versions ofvarious Purāṇas.He always avoided using his reading light at night, insteadopting to read by candlelight, so as not to inconvenience the other devotees

sleepinginhisroom.Heused to say, “I read only to pleaseBhagavān andHis devotees. Ifmy

reading light disturbs a devotee of Bhagavān, then of what benefit will myreadingbe?”

WastedtimeisawastedopportunitytoserveSomeone once notified Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī, “There is a

person from our village who, after living in the Himalayas for ten years,claims to have gained the mystic ability to walk on water. Today, he isreturning toourvillage to showhis extraordinarynewability. I can arrangeforyoutocomeandseeifyouwouldlike.”

ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārītoldthatperson,“Iamnotafool.Iwillnotwastemyinvaluabletimetoseeacrazypersonwhospenttenyearsofhislifejusttoattaintheabilitytowalkonwater.Youcantakeaboatforacouplepaisā, and an airplane ticket to the furthest possible country costs atmost amonth’s salary.What, then, is the need to spend ten years mastering such apointless feat? Those who pursue such attainments simply crave mundaneprestige, and nothingmore.An intelligent person should understand the truevalueofhistime.Knowingthatone’stimeshouldbeusedtopursuethatwhichcannot be attained by money, affluence, knowledge or ritual practice, whatintelligentper-sonwouldeverendeavorformaterialprestige?”

EssenceoverexternalitiesOnce, an initiated devotee petitioned Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī,

saying,“Prabhu,Ihavenotbeenchantingmygāyatri-mantrasforquitesometime.Ihaveheardthatthemantrasarerenderedineffectiveafterthreedaysofneglect.Iamunabletohearthemagainfrommydīkṣā-guru,forhehasleftthisworldto joinŚrīKṛṣṇa’seternalpastimes.I imploreyoutomercifullyrecitethegāyatrī-mantrastome.”

Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī asked the devotee, “Do you stillrememberthemantrasyourgurudevagaveyou?”

“Yes,”hesaid.“Irememberallthemantras.”Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Brahmacārī told him, “Then you need not hear

mantrasfromanyoneelse.Itistruethatneglectingtochantthemantrasgivenby śrī guru is a form of gurur-avajña, disobeying one’s spiritual master.Nevertheless,youmustbegforgivenessatthelotusfeetofyourgurudevaandagain start chanting your mantras according to the proper regulations.

Everythingwillberectifiedbyhismercy.”Thedevoteethenraisedanotherquestion:“IhaveheardthatIshouldatleast

change my upavīta (sacred thread) before beginning to chant my mantrasagain.Isthistrue?”

ŚrīKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārīreplied,“Ifthatwerethecase,thenwouldn’tladies,whoarenevergivena sacred thread,bedoomed?Donot investyourattentionandenergyonly inexternalactivities. Instead,alwaysseekandgivegreatervaluetotheessence.Whentravelling,retainingyourticketisthemostimportantconcern.Stations,co-passengersandconductorsmaycomeandgowith little or no consequence. In the same way, your ticket to GolokaVṛndāvana is the mahā-mantra, and to some extent, your gāyatrī-mantras,which indirectly assist themahā-mantra.Concern yourselfwith nothing else.No obstacle can harmyou if you take full shelter of śrī harināma and yourgāyatrī-mantrasunderproperguidance.”

ThetranscendentalclerkŚrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava Prabhu lived in Śrī Jagannātha Purī for

approximately ten years before leaving this world. Whenever I would visitPurī,hewouldopenuphistrunk,placeitinfrontofmeandsay,“Counthowmuchmoneyisthere.”AfterIwouldcountthemoneyandtellhimtheamount,he would often say, “I must definitely provide Jagannātha prasāda to theresidents of themaṭha. Also, Iwant you to invite asmany paṇḍās from ŚrīJagannāthaMandiraaswecanhostsothattheymaypartakeaswell.”

Accordingly, Iwould procure Jagannātha prasāda and invite the paṇḍās.Seeingthis,ŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaPrabhuwouldbecomeverypleasedandsay,“Bhakata sevā parama siddhi prema-latikāra mūla—Serving devotees is thegreatestperfectionandtherootofthecreeperofdivinelove.”

He would also explain, “When devotees offer me donations, they do sowiththeintentionofservingVaiṣṇavas.IfIproperlyfulfillmyresponsibilitytoutilize their donations in service, I will become a recipient of Bhagavān’smercy,andthedonorswillbespirituallybenefited.Iamalikebanktellerorarailwayenquiryclerkwhodealswiththepublic’smoney,butdoesnotreceiveadirectpaymentfromthem.Itisthebankorrailwaymanagementthatpayshissalary for fulfilling his responsibility of providing customers with theconvenience of depositing or withdrawing their money or inquiring abouttraintimings.”

PreparingforhisdisappearancepastimeIn the year leading up to his disappearance, Śrīpāda Kṛṣṇa-keśava

Brahmacārīwould continually cry out the following verses at the top of hisvoice:

labdhvāsudurlabhamidaṁbahu-sambhavāntemānuṣyamarthadamanityamapīhadhīraḥtūrṇaṁyatetanapatedanumṛtyuyāvanniḥśreyasāyaviṣayaḥkhalusarvataḥsyāt

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam(11.9.29)

Wehaveattainedthisrarehumanlifeaftercountlessbirths,andthoughitistemporary,itaffordsonepurposeinthisworld.Therefore,aslongashehasnotdroppeddead,awisepersonmustswiftlystrivetoattainultimateliberation,forpleasurescanalwaysbehadinallformsoflife.

kṛṣṇatvadīya-pada-pańkaja-pañjarāntamadyaivameviśatumānasa-rāja-haṁsaḥprāṇa-prayāṇa-samayekapha-vāta-pittaiḥkaṇṭhāvarodhana-vidhausmaraṇaṁkutaste

Mukunda-mālā-stotra(33)

OKṛṣṇa,maytheroyalswanthatismymindsubmergeitselfthisinstantatthestemsofYourlotus-flower-likefeet.HowelsewillIbeabletorememberYouduringmylastbreath,whenmythroatisconstrictedbyair,bileandphlegm?

AnācāryainthetruestsenseŚrīpādaKṛṣṇa-keśavaBrahmacārī leadsuchasimpleandmodest life that

theonlyitemsheleftbehindafterhisdisappearancewereafewbooks,twosetsofclothesandatrivialamountofmoney,allofwhichwerekeptinonesmallbox,theonlyboxheowned.Althoughheneverexternallyacceptedtheroleofācārya nor gave mantra-dīkṣā, he abided by the following words of thescriptures,andtherebyfortifiedmanydevoteestodothesame:

ācinotiyaḥśāstrārthaṁācaresthāpayatya‘pisvayaṁācaratiyasmadācāryastenakīrtitaḥ

VayuPurāṇa

Apersonwhograspstheimportofthescripturesand,throughhiswordsandconduct,establishesothersinsuchstandardsgainsrenownasanācārya.

Although he never accumulated anything for himself, he never lacked

anything in his service.Whenhe disappeared from thisworld on the day ofYoginī Ekādaśī, many devotees gave me donations to organize his viraha-mahotsava. Just as it had satisfied him so much to feed Jagannātha-deva’sprasādatothemaṭhavāsīsandthepaṇḍāsinthepast,IinvitedalltheGauḍīyaMaṭhadevoteesinŚrīJagannāthaPurīandnumerouspaṇḍāsonthedayofhisviraha-mahotsavaanddistributedJagannāthaprasādatothem.

ŚrīJagad-bandhuBhaktiRañjana

NeitherathiefnoradonorŚreṣṭhārya Śrī Jagad-bandhu Bhakti Rañjana, a disciple of Śrīla

BhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupāda,paidfortheentireconstructionofŚrīBāgbāzārGauḍīyaMaṭhainKolkata.Hiscontributionincludedtheland,the templearea, thekīrtana hall and the rooms forŚrīlaPrabhupādaandhisdevotees.Followingthecompletionofthemaṭha,thedeitieswerebroughtonachariot in a grand procession from the house Śrīla Prabhupāda rented at 1Ultadāṅgā Road. A one-month festival of hari-kathā and kīrtana, which ŚrīJagad-bandhuPrabhualsosponsoredinfull,washeldtocelebratethemaṭha’sinauguration.Eachevening,variousdignitarieswereinvitedtospeak.

Oneeveningduringthefestival,theinvitedspeaker,ajudge,mentionedinhisaddress,“ŚrīJagad-bandhuBābūisagenerousdonor.”

The quite uneducated and illiterate Śrī Jagad-bandhu Prabhu, who hadneveraddressedanassemblybeforeandwhoatfirsthadnointentionofdoingso that day, requested Śrīla Prabhupāda, the chairman of the assembly, forpermission to speak. After Śrīla Prabhupāda consented, Śrī Jagad-bandhuPrabhudeclared,“Therespectedjudgeismostcertainlyincapableofspeakinguntruths.Still,whathehassaidaboutmeisincorrectandimproper.Icanonlyassumethathisactualmotivebehindpraisingmewastoencouragemeinmyservice toŚrīHari,guru andVaiṣṇavas. In reality, I canneverbeadonor.Adonorisonewhogivesthatwhichoneownstoanother.ButwhatdoIpossessthat I can give to others?Who am I to give anything in reality? I broughtnothingwithmewhenIcameintothisworld,andIcannottakeanythingwithmewhenIleaveit.

“The only true donor in this world is Bhagavān. He has given meeverything I have—not only wealth and property, but also this body, whichincludeseyes,ears,anose,amouthandsoon.WhateverBhagavāngives,Hegives so it can be utilized in His service. Those who neglect to engageeverything they have in the service of Bhagavān and instead use it for theirownenjoymentarethieves.

“AllIcansayformyselfisthatIamnotathief;Iamnotanamaka-haramī.1

Butat the same time, I amnot adonor. I simplyengage thewealth Ihave intheserviceofHewhohasgivenmethatwealth.”

As a result of his association with elevated Vaiṣṇavas who possessed a

service-centric disposition, Śrī Jagad-bandhu Prabhu, who was otherwisecompletelyuneducated,receivedtheintelligenceandconvictionthateverythingbelongstoBhagavānandshouldbeusedonlyinHisservice.I,too,hopetoonedaypossesssuchintelligence.

ŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sgreatVaiṣṇavaŚrīla Prabhupāda was greatly pleased with Śrī Jagad-bandhu Prabhu’s

service,andhethereforebestowedhismercyonhimbyawardinghimthetitle‘Śreṣṭhārya.’ The word śreṣṭha means ‘best,’ and the word ārya refers to asimple-heartedbrāhmaṇawhouseshissimplicity in theserviceofBhagavān.Therefore,thetitle‘Śreṣṭhārya’isaspecialdesignation,signifying‘thebestofthebrāhmaṇaswhoserveBhagavān.’ŚrīlaPrabhupādahaswritten,“SimplicityisVaiṣṇavism.”BecauseapersoncannotbeaVaiṣṇavawithoutbeingsimple-hearted,thetitle‘Śreṣṭhārya’indirectlyreferstoagreatVaiṣṇava.Thiswasthetitle bestowed upon Śrī Jagad-bandhu Prabhu by Śrīla Prabhupāda, hisgurupāda-padma,whowasprofoundlypleasedwithhim.

HisdisappearanceDuring the entire month-long inauguration festival of Śrī Bāgbāzār

GauḍīyaMaṭha, a ghee lamp remained lit in a glass lantern atop the templespire. At the end of the festival, the glass lantern broke, extinguishing theflame.WhenŚrīlaPrabhupādasawthis,heorderedthebrahmacārīs tocheckonŚrīJagad-bandhuPrabhuinhishome.Whentheyreachedthere,theyfoundthatŚrīJagad-bandhuPrabhuhadlefthisbody.TheyreturnedtothemaṭhaandreportedbacktoŚrīlaPrabhupāda,whoexplained,“Jagad-bandhuPrabhuwassupposed to leave his body one month ago, but I kept him here until thecompletionofthefestival.”

1Apersonwhoisdisloyaltothosewhomaintainhim.

ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭha

AssimilatingtheorderofśrīguruŚrī Madana-mohana Seṭha originally resided in the Peḍo village of

Kānpūra,locatedintheHowrahdistrictofWestBengal,butoftentravelledtothe 24 Parganas district for the sake of his business. It was there that hereceivedthefortuneofmeetingŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVaibhavaSāgaraGosvāmīMahārāja,adiscipleofŚrīlaPrabhupādaBhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākura.ItwasfromhimthatŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhaheardaboutŚrīlaPrabhupāda’sglories.Inrecountingthattime,hewouldoftensay,“MyheartshudderedwithjoywhenIfirstheardaboutŚrīlaPrabhupāda’scountlessglories.Itwasasifsomeonestartedageneratorthatshooktheearth.”

HetookshelterofŚrīlaPrabhupādasometimein1936.Atthetimehewasawardedśrīharināma,ŚrīlaPrabhupādatoldhim,“Youshouldacceptasyourmealsonlyfoodthathasbeencookedbydevoteeswhohavereceivedatleastharināma,ifnotmantra-dīkṣā.Althoughtheeffectmaybetoosubtleforustoperceive, the natures and proclivities of those who prepare the food we eatcertainly influencesour consciousness.Thisprinciple is corroboratedby thescriptures.”

svargāpagā-hema-mṛṇālinīnāṁnānā-mṛṇālāgra-bhujobhajāmaḥannānurūpāṁtanu-rūpa-ṛddhiṁkāryaṁnidānāddhiguṇānadhīte

ŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛta(Antya-līlā1.92)

[Aroyalswansaid,]“We,theresidentsoftheheavenlyplanets,consumethestemsofthegoldenlotusflowersthatgrowintheRiverGaṅgā,whichflowsinourabode.Asaresult of this diet, we are exceedingly beautiful, because one certainly obtains theeffectandqualitiesofone’sactions.”

Śrī Madana-modhana Seṭha very strictly followed his gurupāda-padma’sinstruction. For approximately thirty-five years, he honored the prasāda hepersonally cooked and offered to the Lord, and never once accepted amealpreparedbyhisuninitiatedwife.ItwasonlyafterhiswifewasinitiatedduringVraja-maṇḍalaparikramā in 1966 bymyGuruMahārāja, Śrī ŚrīmadBhaktiDayita Mādhava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, that Śrī Madan-mohana Seṭha beganaccepting food and water from her hands. In this way, he exemplified thedirectionŚrīlaNarottamadāsaṬhākurahasgiven inhisbookPrema-bhakti-

candrikā(1.2):

guru-mukha-padma-vākya,cittetekôriyāaikyaāranākôrihômaneāśā

Makethewordsemanatingfromthelotusmouthofśrīguruonewithyourheartanddonotaspireforanythingelse.*

UnwaveringfaithintheinstructionsofŚrīlaPrabhupādaŚrīla Prabhupāda disappeared from the mortal realm before he could

awardŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhawithmantra-dīkṣā.Thus,ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhaacceptedonlyharināmafromhisspiritualmaster.Whendevoteeswouldadvisehimtoacceptdīkṣā-mantrasfromanyoneofhisseniorgodbrothers,hewouldalwayssay,“Harināmaalonebringsallperfection.Idonotconsideritnecessarytoacceptmantra-dīkṣā.Whatistheneedtomakeabondwithanewguru through such a process when I am wholly satisfied with what I havereceivedfromŚrīlaPrabhupādainaccordancewithmyeligibility?

“Additionally,whenŚrīlaPrabhupādagrantedmeharināma, another newharināma initiate asked him for mantra-dīkṣā right before me. ŚrīlaPrabhupāda told him, ‘By giving you harināma, I have given you Śrī HariHimself.Whatmore is left to begiven?’ It is through thesewords thatŚrīlaPrabhupādaforeveraffordsmehisdivineassociation.Heneverleavesme,andItoocannotseparatemyselffromhislotusfeetforasinglemoment.”

AvoidingmundaneventuresŚrī Madana-mohana Seṭha had many daughters, yet he never made any

efforts to findsuitablemaritalcandidates for them.Hiswifewouldoften tellhim, “You must make at least some endeavor to arrange your daughters’marriages,otherwisewhatwillbecomeofthem?”

He would reply, “I will not utilize my energy in any mundane venturewhatsoever. I will most respectfully accept asmy destinywhatever outcomemanifestsbythewillofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandBhagavān.”

Asfatewouldhaveit,afamilyvisitedŚrīMadan-mohanaSeṭhatoscouthiseldestdaughterasaprospectivebridefortheirson.However,whentheywerenotnotifiedofthefamily’sdecisionafterthatmeeting,hiswifeurgedhimtovisitthatfamilyandinquireabouttheirdecision.

Initially,ŚrīMadan-mohanaSeṭhadecidedtohonorhiswife’srequest.Hepackedhisbagandpreparedtoleave,whenhestoppedsuddenly,turnedtohiswifeandsaid,“ŚrīlaPrabhupādaforbademefromapproachinganyoneinsuch

amanner.”Sayingthis,hestayedput.Verysoon,bythedesireof theLord,anumber of people approached him, and one by one, all of his daughters’marriageswereeffortlesslyarranged.

HisaffinityforŚrīlaPrabhupāda’stranscendentalliteratureWhen Śrī Madana Mohana Seṭha was unable to perform any physical

activity in his advanced age, he spent most of his time reading the weeklyGauḍīyamagazine,thedailyspiritualnewspaperDainikaNadiyāPrakāśa,andotherpublicationsprintedduringŚrīlaPrabhupāda’smanifestpresence.Withgreatenthusiasm,heamassedacomprehensivecollectionofsuchpublicationsbypersonallyvisitingvariousdevotees,eventhosewhoresidedquitefaraway,and requesting them to gift their publications to his library. In this way, hecollected almost every issue ofGauḍīya printed during Śrīla Prabhupāda’stimeinthisworld.

Sometime after establishing ISKCON, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta SwāmīMahārāja asked Śrī Madana-mohana Seṭha to send him various issues ofGauḍīya,whichŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭha happily provided for his pleasureandservice.

ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhawouldoftensay,“IdonothaveeventheslightestdesiretoreadandfollowanyliteraturethathasnotbeenpublishedorapprovedbyŚrīlaPrabhupāda.”

DisregardingsocialcustomsinthepursuitofserviceŚrīMadan-mohana Seṭha would request almost all his visitors to donate

somethingfortheserviceoftheGauḍīyaMaṭha,andheoftenaskedmembersofhisownfamily,aswell.Hissonsoncetoldhim,“Whilewedonotobjecttoyou requesting others to donate for the service of themaṭha, we sincerelyrequestyounottoseekanythingfromyoursons-in-law

1. It is a matter of principle that one ought not to ask anything fromone’ssons-in-law,butrathermakeofferingstothem.”

ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhareplied,“IhaveheardfromtheVaiṣṇavasaveryprofound, wonderful, unambiguous and detailed explanation of the versebeginningetāvajjanma-sāphalyaṁfromŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam(10.22.35).Theyexplain that the life of an embodied soul will meet with perfection once hecompletelydedicateshisentirelifetofollowingtheactivitiesofśreyācāraṇa,activities that may not be initially pleasing to him, but will ultimately yieldauspiciousresults.Ifheisunabletodothat,heshouldthenutilizehiswealthin

spiritualservice.Ifhedoesnotpossessmuchwealth,heshouldthenutilizehisintelligence.Ifhelacksproperintelligence,thenheshouldemployhisspeechinencouragingotherstotakeupthepathofśreya,orultimatespiritualbenefit.

“NowthatIfindmyselfunabletorenderphysicalserviceinmyadvancedageoroffermuchmoneyduetofinancialdifficulties,Imustattheveryleastservethroughmyintelligenceandwords.Whyareyourestrictingthealreadylimitedscopeofmyservice?DoyouthinkIamaskingotherstodonatetowardmy own personal gain? Have I ever used any money or anything else Ireceived from others to fulfill my own self-interests? My only concern inasking for donations is to help others attain the topmost auspiciousness byengagingtheirofferingsintheserviceofBhagavānandtheVaiṣṇavas.Doyouwishtoprohibitmefrombeinganinstrumentinrenderingsuchservice?Todosowouldcausemysons-in-laws’inauspiciousness,fortheywouldnotreceivethe opportunity to offer theirwealth in the service ofŚrīHari,guru and theVaiṣnavas,whereitrightlybelongs.

“Yourwordswillnevermakemedeviatefrommyduty.Idonotwishmyrelationswithotherstobebasedsimplyonsomebodilyconception,andsothefactthatmysons-in-lawareconsideredmyrelativeswillnotpreventmefromgivingthemthesameopportunitytoservethemaṭhathatIdotoothers.”

It was only very recently, in April, 2017, when I visited Hamīrapura,Himachal Pradesh, that ŚrīMadan-mohana Seṭha’s grandson, ŚrīpādaBhaktiVibuddha Bodhāyana Mahārāja, told me that his grandfather would ask notonly his sons-in-law to donate toward the service of Śrī Hari, guru and theVaiṣṇavas, but also his grandsons, the sons of his sons-in-law, includingŚrīpāda BodhāyanaMahārāja himself whenMahārāja, then known as Asīm,residedinhisfamily’shome.

HisdedicationtopleasingŚrīlaPrabhupādaDespitealwaysremainingasahouseholder,ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhawas

wellacquaintedwiththetranscendentalconceptions,theidealconduct,andthemost cherished desires of hisgurupāda-padma. This can be attributed to thefact that he very sincerely followed Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hari-kathā and thevariousbooks,scripturalcommentaries,articlesandlettershecomposed,butprincipally because he associatedwith devoteeswho had completely offeredtheirlivestoŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

He constantly chanted harināma, spoke hari-kathā and read, especiallyfrom the issues of theweeklyGauḍīyamagazine thatwere published during

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s time. During his advanced age, when his diminishingeyesightpreventedhimfromreading,hewouldaskotherdevoteestoreadtohim.

He always remained extremely careful not only in services to ŚrīlaPrabhupādathatseemedexternallysignificant,butalso in those thatappearedtrivial.Forexample,hewouldfundandcarefullyarrangeforluchī

2—a preparation for which Śrīla Prabhupāda had a particular relish—to becookeddaily at variousplaces, includingŚrīYogapīṭha,ŚrīCaitanyaMaṭha,Śrīla Prabhupāda’s appearance place at Śrī CaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha in Purī,and the Vṛndāvana branch of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha. In this way, ŚrīMadana-mohana Seṭha exemplified the principle that every activity of asurrendereddevoteeismeantforthepleasureofhisspiritualmaster.

NotallowingotherstomisusetheinstrumentsofserviceDuring Śrīla Prabhupāda’s manifest presence, ŚrīMadana-mohana Seṭha

dedicatedanentiregardenofbananastotheserviceof themaṭha.Hemadearulethatnoneofhisfamilymembers,relativesorworkerscouldtakeasinglebananafromthatgardenfor theirownuse.Ifanyonewishedtoeatabanana,theycouldrequestŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhaformoneyandpurchasebananasfromthemarket.Heoncepunishedoneofhissonsafterlearninghehadeatenabananafromthatgarden.

OfferinghiswealthinserviceŚrīMadan-mohanSeṭhaveryearnestlyengagedhiswealthintheserviceof

ŚrīHari, guru and the Vaiṣṇavas from the time he accepted harinama fromŚrīla Prabhupāda.After the disappearance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, he continuedthis service by offering financial assistance to many of his godbrothers,especiallymygurupāda-padma.AfterthedisappearanceofGuruMahārāja,ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭharegularlysentmoneytothemaṭhaofŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiPramodaPurīGosvāmīMahārājatoaidinconstructionandotherservices.HeoftenvisitedŚrīlaPurīGosvāmīMahārājatopersonallyoffercontributionstohimwithgreatdevotion.

Throughouthis life,he stayed ina small clay-built room.Once,his sonsarrangedtoconstructaproperroomforhim.Whentheyhadallthenecessaryitems delivered—like bricks, cement and rebar—Śrī Madana-mohana Seṭhahumbly told them, “It will not be possible to construct Śrī Purī GosvāmīMahārāja’smaṭha ifwespendsomuchmoneyconstructinga roomforme.”

Withthis,hehadthebuildingmaterialssentbacktothesupplier.ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhawouldoftenextend invitations tome to stayat

hishomefor some time.Because Iviewedhimasa seniordevoteewhowascompletelydedicatedtotheserviceofŚrīlaPrabhupāda,Ihonoredhisrequestasaninstructionandoncevisitedhishomeforthreedays.

BeyondconsiderationsofāśramaŚrīlaPrabhupādawouldrefertobothGuruMahārājaandŚrīVinod-bihārī

Brahmacārī,who later becameŚrī ŚrīmadBhakti PrajñānaKeśavaGosvāmīMahārāja, as prakṛta-sannyāsīs, or true renunciants, while they were stillbrahmacārīs.Observing the idealconductandpurecharacterofŚrīMadana-mohana Seṭha, I realized deep within my heart that Śrīla Prabhupāda wouldhave surely referred to him, too, as aprakṛta-sannyāsī, even though hewaslivingasahouseholder.

Thescripturesstate“vaiṣṇavānaṁāśramābhāvat—Vaiṣṇavasdonotbelongto a particularāśrama.” In otherwords, although aVaiṣṇavamay choose toaccept whatever āśrama he deems favorable for performing his sādhana-bhajana, he is to be recognized not by that āśrama, but by his exemplaryconductand transcendental ideology. It is for this reason thatŚrīlaNarotamadāsaṬhākurahaswritten:

gṛhevāvanetethāke,‘hāgaurāṅga’bô’leḍākenarottamamāgetā’rasaṅga

Prārthanā(15.1.4)

Whetherapersonlivesinhishomeasahouseholderorintheforestasarenunciant,ifheexclaims,“HāGaurāṅga!”Narottamadāsabegsforhisassociation.*

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Thakura has echoed this teaching in his Kalyāṇa-kalpataru(Upalabdhi3.4.5):

ĵadisumaṅgalacāo,sadākṛṣṇa-nāmagāogṛhethākôvanethākôithetarkaakāraṇa

If youdesire true auspiciousness, thenalways chant thenameofKṛṣṇa,whetheryoustayathomeorintheforest.Anyreasoningregardingthisisfruitless.

ConsideringthelotusfeetofśrīgurutobehisonlywealthWhen theStateBankof Indiaopened its first branch inhishometownof

Peḍo,a localresidentrepeatedlyinsistedthatŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhaopen

an account. Śrī Madana-mohana Seṭha eventually relented and unwillinglyopenedanaccountinwhichhedepositedfiverupees.However,henevermadeanyfurtherdepositsorwithdrawalsfromthatbank.Hewouldalwayssay,“ThelotusfeetofŚrīlaPrabhupādaaremyonlybank,myonlywealth.Thiswealthincreases eternally, thus bestowing upon me supreme bliss and unlimitedsatisfaction.”

RefusingtowastetimeandmoneyonmaterialdistractionsFor as long as Śrī Madana-mohana Seṭha was physically present in this

world, henever allowed a television tobebrought intohis home.Hewouldsay, “Śrīman Mahāprabhu instructed Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī,‘Grāmya-kathānāśunibe—Donothearmundanetalksofthismaterialworld’(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,Madhya-līlā 6.236). To the best of our ability, weshould try to follow this instruction in our own lives. Additionally, ŚrīlaBhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has mentioned in one of his articles that televisionoffersverylittlebenefit,andinsteadcausesgreatharm.

“Viewing or hearing mundane topics that do not directly benefit usspiritually is an unnecessary disturbance to our consciousness, and iteventuallycausesobstaclestoourbhajanaintheformofdistraction.Isitwisefor a person to spend his money and time on something that causes such adreadfuldisturbance?”

TakingavowOnceinMāyāpura,afterŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭhaarrivedbybullockcart

fromGaṅgā-ghāṭa(Māyāpura-ghāṭa)toŚrīCaitanyaMatha,hisgodbrotherŚrīNiśikānta Sanyāla Bhakti Sudhākara Prabhu asked, “How have you comehere?”

Śrī Madana-mohana Seṭha replied, “Prabhu, I travelled from Sealdah toKṛṣṇanagarabytrain.Fromthere,IwenttoSvarūpa-gañj,crossedtherivertoGaṅgā-ghāṭa,andthencameheretoŚrīCaitanyaMaṭhabybullockcart,whichcostmefourpaisā.”

Śrī Niśikānata Sanyāla said, “It would have been better if you had spentthose fourpaisā in the service ofMahāprabhu by purchasing some laṅgaḍamangoes

3.”

ŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭha tookavowthatveryday toneveragainhireabullock cart. He declared, “I will save as much money as I can and use it

exclusivelyintheserviceofŚrīlaPrabhupādaandŚrīmanMahaprabhu.”

HisdivineinfluenceonfamilyandfriendsBythemercyofŚrīMadana-mohanaSeṭha,whowasapuredevotee,allhis

family members and friends became firm followers of the principles ofGauḍīyaVaiṣṇavism.All thosewhocame inhiscontactandassociationwereundoubtedly affected by his greatly influential personality. Even those whomaintainedaclose, intimaterelationshipwithhimacceptedhimasbelongingtothespiritualrealm.

Hispuṣpa-samādhi is situated in ŚrīdhāmaMāyāpura next to that of ŚrīŚrīmadBhakti Pramoda PuriGosvāmīMahārāja, the Founder-ācarya of ŚrīGopīnāthaGauḍīyaMatha.HisgrandsonŚrīpadaBhaktiVibuddhaBodhāyanaMahārājatoldmethathisgrandfatherusedtorefermeasamukta-mahāpuruṣa,agreatliberatedpersonality.Ihumblyconsiderthishiskindblessinguponme,and I sincerelypray forhismercy, so that thesewordsofhismaysomedayprovetrue.

ohe!vaiṣṇavaṭhākura,dayārasāgaraedāsekaruṇākôri’

diyāpada-chāyā,śodhôheāmāretomāracaraṇadhôri

O Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura, you are an ocean of mercy. Being compassionate upon thisservant,purifymebygivingmetheshadeofyourlotusfeet,ofwhichItakehold.*

1AsperthetraditionalcustominIndia,abrideisconsideredtobeofferedascharitytothegroomandhisfamily.Itisthoughtofasimproperforthebride’sfamily to accept anything from the groom’s family, for they are consideredrecipientsofcharity.

2Deep-friedflatbreadmadeofwheatfloursimilarinsizeandshapetopūris.

3Afamousandhighlydelectablevarietyofmango.

AboutŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiVijñānaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārāja

Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vijñāna Bhāratī Gosvāmī Mahārāja made his divineappearanceinthisworldinaBharadvājagotraCakravartībrāhmaṇafamilyonthe auspicious day of Śayana Ekādaśī, 21 July 1926, in the Sītā-Rāmapuravillage ofBankurā,WestBengal. The disciples of Śrī ŚrīmadBhaktiVicāraYāyāvaraGosvāmīMahārājawhoresidedinŚrīŚyāmānandaGauḍīyaMaṭha,Medinīpura,oftenvisitedhischildhoodhomeduring their regularcollectionof alms. Encouraged by these devotees, ŚrīlaMahārāja regularly visited themaṭhafordarśanaofŚrīGuru-GaurāṅgaŚrīŚrīRādhā-Śyāmasundara-juiandtoheardiscoursesonŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam.ItwastherethathemetŚrīŚrīmadBhaktiDayitaMādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja, one of the foremost disciples ofŚrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, during one of Śrīla MādhavaGosvāmīMahārāja’smanyvisitstoŚrīŚyāmānandaGauḍīyaMaṭha.

After developing a close, affectionate relationship with Śrīla MādhavaGosvāmī Mahārāja over the course of many years, Śrīla Mahārāja left hishome in 1955 and, fully surrendering to the service of Śrī Hari, guru andVaiṣṇavas,cametoresideatthenewlyestablishedŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhainKolkata. That very same year, ŚrīlaMahārājawas awardedharīnāma anddīkṣāonŚayanaEkādaśī,andwasgiventhenameŚrīNarottamadāsa.

During his residence in themaṭha, Śrī Narottama Prabhu was given theopportunitytointimatelyservemanygodbrothersofhisGuruMaharaja.Asaresult of this service, he received their affection and profuse blessings torealize thedeep truthsofGauḍīyaVaiṣṇava siddhānta. SeeingŚrīNarottamaPrabhu’s unyielding dedication to the service of śrī guru, Vaiṣṇavas andBhagavān, Śrīla Mādhava Gosvāmī Mahārāja awarded him entry into therenounced order of life (sannyāsa) in 1969, at which time he gave him thenameŚrīBhaktiVijñānaBhāratīMahārāja.

Having profound confidence in ŚrīlaMahārāja’s abilities, ŚrīlaMādhavaGosvāmī Mahārāja entrusted him with many important tasks—such as themanaging the maṭha’s Vraja-maṇḍala and Navadvīpa-dhāma parikramās,escorting pilgrims to North and South India, arranging for pradarśanīs(exhibitions)atvariousplaces,preachingthroughoutmanypartsofIndiaandoverseeingtheconstructionofmostofŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭha’sbranches—appointed him Assistant Secretary of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha andawarded him the title ‘Sevā-vigraha,’ along with a certificate that described

him as anālasya (never lazy) and sadā-satarka (always alert). After thedisappearance of his paramārādhyatama GuruMahārāja from the vision ofthisworld,ŚrīlaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārājauntiringlyservedinŚrīCaitanyaGauḍīyaMaṭhaastheSecretaryforapproximatelytwenty-fiveyears.

ŚrīlaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārājaisrenownedamongtheSārasvataGauḍīyaVaiṣṇava community for his contribution in the sampradāyika-sevā oftranslating, from Bengali to Hindi, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s ŚrīCaitanya-bhāgavata with the commentary of Śrī Śrīmad BhaktisiddhāntaSarasvatīṬhākuraPrabhupāda,aswellasŚrīlaKṛṣṇadāsaKavirājaGosvāmī’sŚrīCaitanya-caritāmṛtawiththecommentariesofŚrīlaBhaktivinodaṬhākuraandŚrīlaPrabhupāda.

Through the example of his flawless conduct, Śrīla Bhāratī GosvāmīMahārājahastaughtall thosewhohavebeenblessedwithhisassociationthatnon-sectarianism and glorifying and serving the Vaiṣṇavas are the greatestassets for those who wish to advance in spiritual life, and that serving andglorifying the Vaiṣṇavas is more important than serving and glorifying theSupremeLordŚrīKṛṣṇaHimself.Heisespeciallyknownforhisencyclopedicknowledge of Gauḍīya Maṭha history and his firm faith in vaiṣṇava-sevā.Beingawell-respectedandstalwartVaiṣṇava,hisinstructionsandguidancearesought by not only ordinary practitioners of bhakti-yoga, but also seniorVaiṣṇavas.

Evenatsuchanadvancedage,ŚrīlaBhāratīGosvāmīMahārājacontinuestotravelandpreachviśuddhacaitanya-vāṇī—thesupremelypureteachingsofŚrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu—without any concern or complaint regardinghardship,physicalorotherwise.Outofhisendlesscompassion,ŚrīlaMahārājablessesall sincerepractitionerswhoseekhisassociationby imprintingupontheirheartstheimpressionsofassociatingwithagenuinesādhu.