All Glories to Sri and Gauranga!

Founder Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Promode Puri Goswami Thakura

The e-magazine of Sri Gopinath Issue No.26 October 2020 President & Acharaya His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja

In this issue:

Sri Guru by HDG Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja 2 - offerings by HDG Srila Goswami Maharaja 4 Vyasa-puja offerings & Glorifications by Devotees 6-23

Vaishnava Festivals October-November 24

A bona-fide spiritual master is always designated by the previous teachers, and he is completely engaged in chanting Hare Maha- with purity. Our spiritual practice is a treasure box, and the key to that box is our most revered spiritual master. He is our only source of deliverance from material entanglements. Today is the holy advent day of my most worshipable Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur. The entire Gaudiya Parampara will be extremely pleased to see us taking shelter of his lotus feet, and advancing our spiritual lives through chanting Maha-mantra.

In the Service of Sri Krishna 's Mission, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja President, Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math

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SRI GURU time, they had the chance to have a personal conversation and then Pramode Bhushan By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti came to know that Bimala Prasad is the son Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Pramode Maharaja Bhushan’s heart was stirred and he felt a desire to take shelter of Bimala Prasad. Now, There are two words here - 1. çri, and 2. his inner feeling upon first seeing Bimala guru. Generally, people know that çri means Prasad, combined with Bhaktiratna Thakur's ‘beauty’ and guru means ‘heavy’. But in the inspiration confirmed to Pramode Bhushan Vaishnava community, we know that çri that in the near future, he will accept means Radharani and guru means the initiation from this divine effulgent who is teaching us by example, personality, Bimala Prasad. how to serve Krishna in the most precious manner. We know in the entire universe In 1917, Promode Bhushan got the chance to only Srimati Radharani is eligible to perform meet Bimala Prasad for the second time, at such highest quality of service. Srimati the Yogapith Temple. In 1919, he again met Radharani is the universal Acharya. Whoever the divine personality at No. 1 Ultadanga is following wholeheartedly in the footsteps Junction Road, Kolkota. This time, Bimala of Srimati Radharani is known as guru in this Prasad was the monk, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta universe. Such followers are connected with Saraswati Thakur; in short, every one called Krishna through Srimati Radharani; him Srila Prabhupada. Everyday, Srila therefore, this guru-tattva is the universal Prabhupada used to give discourses in the tattva. In this context, tattva means universal afternoon time on the Srimad Bhagavatam truth, and guru is the universal form of truth. and Pramode Bhushan would attend the daily discourses. Once in 1921, Pramode On 18 October 1898, one of the universal Bhushan was bitten by a scorpion while forms of truth appeared during the festive attending to a discourse. Despite the severe season of Navaratri celebrations, on the pain, he still attended the discourse. After the fourth day of the waxing moon (Gaur discourse was over, Srila Prabhupada came Chaturthi). In the village of Ganganandapur to know and advised him to stay in the Jessore district, presently in Bangladesh temple and asked him to simultaneously territory appeared the divine child, Pramode continue his job at the port commission. Bhushan, in an orthodox family. This divine child gradually grew up under On the day of Sri Krishna Janmastami 1924, the guidance of one of Srila Bhaktivinoda Srila Prabhupada mercifully gave initiation to Thakur’s godbrothers, Sri Bhaktiratna Pramode Bhushan and awarded him the Thakur. In 1915, according to the inspiration name, Pranavananda Das Brahmachari. of Bhaktiratna Thakur, Pramode Bhushan From that day, he gave up his job at port met his Guru, Bimala Prasad, in , at commission and completely and whole the present-day Sri Chaitanya Math. It was heartedly dedicated himself in the service of the day that Srila Gaur Kishore Das Babaji his Guru. Srila Prabhupada kept Maharaj departed from this mortal world. Pranavananda Brahmachari under his loving During the meeting, he saw an effulgent service as ‘editor’ till his last breath. On the form, a tall white-robed brahmachari with a day of Amalaki , 1947 during the grave voice. As soon as Pramode Bhushan time of Navadwip Dham Parikrama, saw that divine form, he felt an eternal Pranavananda Brahmachari took the connection and decided to accept him as his renounced order of life (sannyäsa) from his Sri Guru. Pramode Bhushan got the chance -brother, Srila Bhakti Gaurav Vaikhanash to meet Bimala Prasad and spent one night Goswami Maharaja, at Champahati Gaur with him at Sri Chaitanya Math. During that Gadadhar Temple, Rtudwip, which is one of

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the island of . After the sannyäsa places, including Sri Puri and Sri ceremony, he was given the name “Bhakti Dham . Pramode Puri Goswami”. Now, we, the followers of Sri Gopinath Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Gaudiya Math, along with other followers of wholeheartedly followed the footsteps of his Srila Prabhupada’s mission are trying to spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. The follow the final instruction of Srila eternal identity of Srila Prabhupada is Sri Prabhupada, "Everyone unitedly should take Nayanamani Manjari (here nayana means shelter of Srimati Radharani and spread the ‘eyes’ and mani means ‘diamond’), meaning loving message of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha Srila Prabhupada is a shining ray of Srimati with full enthusiasm, maintaining a Radharani's eyes. Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri harmonious relationship with each other”. Goswami Thakur was connected with Srimati Radharani through Srila Prabhupada. On the advent day of my beloved spiritual master, I humbly pray to all the members of the parampara and the divine couple Sri Sri Krishna, to please encourage us to follow the aforementioned last instruction of Srila Prabhupada sincerely. In fact, Gaudiya means one who is following in the footsteps of Srimati Radharani. I would like to establish Gaudiya Vaishnava Philosophy in my heart and in the entire Gaudiya community, and wish everyone to go back to the eternal home, together. We know from Vaishnava scriptures that the Lord fulfills the desire of the pure devotees. My spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur is a pure devotee, a self realized personality. His eternal identity is Palash Manjari. I pray to my spiritual master as well as to all the pure devotees to pray for me, and fulfill my ultimate desire to attain the eternal service of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath in Vrindavan.

Nitai Gaur Haribol!

As per our earlier discussion, Sri Guru B.B. Bodhayan means the one who is teaching us how to serve Sri Krishna according to the direction of Srimati Radharani. In order to teach how to serve Sri Krishna under the guidance of Srimati Radharani, Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur established Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math in 1989 at Sri Dham Mayapur, Ishodyan. According to the desire of Srila Prabhupada, the branches of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya started expanding at various holy

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VYASA PUJA This unconditional surrender or śaraṇāgati is the highest, most secret and conclusive By Nityalila Pravista Vishnupad teaching in the Gītā. But Lord Sri Chaitanya 108 Sri Srimat Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahaprabhu indicates in his dialogue Goswami Maharaja withSri Raya that the śaraṇāgati in the Gītā is external. Why? Because, on the “Vyäsa-pūjä cannot be performed by a non- one hand Sri Krishna has to give a guarantee devotee who lacks knowledge of śuddha to the surrendered soul to rescue him from bhakti (pure devotion). The offering of floral sin and, secondly, there is no mention of tributes to Srila Gurudev in the vyäsa-pūjä is submission to the pure devotee the absolute symbolic of the fulfilment of his heart’s grace incarnate counterpart of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. desire through the rendering of immaculate Submission to a bonafide Guru the absolute service to God”. counterpart of God is also essential to learn (Srila Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī the sixfold process of śaraṇāgati since it can Tḥākur) only be imparted by a realized saint, i.e, a bonafide guru or śuddha-bhakta. The devotional scriptures recommend observing the anniversary of Sri Gurudev’s Knowledge of the divinity descends through advent in four ways. (1) performing the the preceptorial channel. If the difference guru-pūjā ritual, (2) remembering him between knowledge acquired through the always, (3) praying for his grace, and (4) inductive process and that which descends chanting his glories. The greatest through the deductive process is not impediment in carrying out the spiritual understood, actual devotional life will not command is that conditioned souls are not start. capable of doing guru-pūjā, nor of remembering him, nor praying for his grace The holy advent anniversary of my most and chanting his glories. The Guru and the revered śikṣā guru, His Divine Grace Vaishnavas are essentially transcendental Parama-pūjyapāda Parivrājakācārya Tridaṇḍī and as such are beyond human Svāmi Srimat Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami comprehension. The Supreme Lord is the Thakur will be celebrated this year on transcendental Supreme Person; therefore, Thursday, September 24, 1998. As I am a his worshippers too are transcendental. fallen soul, I am unable to narrate the infinite glories of a śuddha-bhakta. It is also beyond The transcendental reality is by nature self- my capacity to express all that I have seen effulgent. How can the conditioned souls and understood through my external know the self-effulgent reality? The example physical proximity with Parama- pūjyapāda of the sun is appropriate in trying to Śrimat Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja. I was blessed understand this. The sun is self-luminous. in attaining a relationship with my most The only way to see it is through its own revered dīkṣā guru, His Divine Grace Om light. At nighttime, no one can see the sun by 108 Śrī Śrīmat Bhakti-dayita Mādhava his own efforts. When the sun rises, however, it reveals itself as well as other Gosvāmī Mahāraja Viṣṇupad, and my śikṣā things in the world. In like manner, the self- guru, Parama-pūjyapāda Srimat Puri effulgent transcendental reality God reveals Goswami Thakur after they had already Himself to a completely surrendered soul. become tridandi sanyāsīs. I have therefore Unconditional surrender is the only way to no direct experience of Srila Puri Goswami realize unchallengeable Truth God. Maharaja’s previous life, but I heard from my Guru Maharaja and other revered god- brothers of my Guru that Srimat Puri Goswami Thakur was engaged by his

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Gurudeva Prabhupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta He is now a centenarian. So, physical Sarasvati Goswami Thakura to work in the movement for him at this stage is neither publication department of the Sri Chaitanya advisable, nor indeed possible. Math. He subsequently became the head of Nevertheless, his blessings as president of the Editorial Board. His accuracy and the World Vaishnava Association (WVA) will swiftness in writing correct Bengali, his deep be a boost to that organization and a source and vast knowledge of scriptures, his of inspiration for all time to come. wonderful ability to lucidly explain intricate points of devotional philosophy along with scriptural evidence, his scholarly writing on any spiritual or devotional subject universally known and adored by all Sarasvata Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

Our Guru Maharaja always showered him with profound respect as his elder godbrother. Srimat Puri Goswami Thakur was so closely connected with Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math that he accompanied Guru Maharaja at all Math’s function in all places. Once when Srimat Puri Goswami Thakur was with Guru Maharja at Sri Purusottama Dham during the Ratha yatra festival, I was Lastly, I pay my innumerable prostrated astonished to see him chanting the entire obeisances to the lotus feet of my most Ratha yatra chapter from Śrī Caitanya revered śikṣā guru, Parama-pūjyapāda Caritāmṛta continuously from the Parivrājakācārya Tridaṇḍī Svāmi Srimat Jagannatha Temple all the way to Gundica. Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur, on Whatevr devotional forms he practices he the holy occasion of his advent anniversary performs with great devoutness and and pray to him for his causeless mercy, his sincerity. Although endowed with forgiveness of all offences which I may have extraordinary qualities, he has no vanity, but committed knowingly or unknowingly, and always remains humble. This is a very that he bestows on me exclusive devotion conspicuous quality in his character. exclusive devotion to Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri . We have remarked his devoutness in the performance of Deity abhiṣeka and Vaishnava das anudas installations, temple consecration ceremonies, and all other devotional Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha ritualistic ceremonies, with exacting attention to every detail. His performance of Sri Caitanya Gaudiya Math Sri Vraja-mandala Parikrama on foot by Head Office- 35 Satish Mukherjee Road, holding the shoulder of a devotee at the age Calcutta- 26 of 85 – is certainly unique. When I first joined Sri Gaudiya Math institution, I had the Written on the 100th advent anniversary celebration opportunity to go with Srimat Puri Goswami of His Divine Grace Parama-pūjyapāda Thakur to different places in . I Parivrājakācārya Tridaṇḍī Svāmi Śrimat Bhakti was attracted to hear his inspiring speeches Promode Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja and his melodious, sweet- voiced kīrtana.

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Offering by Sri Ramdas Das Adhikari if you allow me Gurudeva, I will try my best to do so by helping Srila Bodhayan Maharaja Dear Gurudeva, with the publication of your biography. I pray that you will allow me to serve you It is now been twenty long years since I was once again with a publication to bring your able to hold your lotus feet. It feels like a amazing and selfless life of devotion to the lifetime has passed since you departed this eyes and ears of those who already love you world and left us to try and find our way as well as those who do not yet know that back to that state of being that was so easy the personification of purity, humility, and when you were physically here. Simply love once walked among us on this earthly serving you was both the process and the plane. I pray that far and wide all types of destination. Being your menial servant was people will come to know of your beautiful such an easy and sure way to be purified and activities. feel rightly situated. The glow of your radiant love, your compassionate smile, and holy blessings were so complete, that there was never a feeling that there could be any other treasure worth having. I never wanted to ever leave. I remember the terrible feeling when responsibilities called me to return home to the West, when my heart sank and I felt awful that my life was not simpler and that I could not stay in the math. I envied my god-brothers who could stay there with you and simply be present in your divine service. But you also blessed me with so many nice instructions and gave me so much service. Although I have not yet really started to perform all those services and instructions, I have faith in your blessings that somehow in this life I will begin.

Please Gurudeva, be merciful to this fallen wretch of a disciple. Please continue to tolerate my inadequate attempts to serve your mission and your devotees. Please bless me to give up material attachments, false pride, bad habits, and bad association. Please help me to value the chanting of the

Holy Name more than any other activity in This year has been very difficult for the my life, the sastra more than any other object planet and most of us, but it reminds me to in my life, and again reaching your divine be grateful and remember again that if the service as the only goal in my life. rest of my life is terrible and disappointing,

that I am still more blessed than I can ever I am at a loss for words as to how to glorify conceive of, having had the opportunity to your divine grace on this auspicious serve your divine grace. No greater treasure occasion. How can a dim particle of sand can possibly exist in this world and nothing really glorify the brilliance of the sun? It is else is worth aspiring for once having tasted impossible to adequately address your the sweetness of your service or the glories or describe your divine pastimes. But magnitude of your gentle blessings. On my

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hands and knees Gurudeva, I beg for your “śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayor apāra- mercy and pray that somehow I may cross mādhurya-līlā guṇa-rūpa-nāmnām this ocean and be with you once again. prati-kṣaṇāsvādana-lolupasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam” Your humble servant, gives a right picture of the heart of Srila Guru Ramdas das adhikari Maharaja. At every moment Sri Gurudev is experiencing intense greed in his heart to Note: taste the unlimited sweetness of the holy names, forms, qualities and pastimes of Sri The Biography of beloved Srila Bhakti Promode Sri Radha Gopinatha in Vrindavan. Puri Goswami Thakur, A Divine Spiritual Gem will be published this year in three languages – Bengali, Hindi and English. The above picture is Another verse, No- 6 of Guruastakam: an illustration from the working drafts of the book to-be published. “nikuñja-yūno rati-keli-siddhyai yā yālibhir yuktir apekṣaṇīyā tatrāti-dākṣyād ati-vallabhasya Homage by Sri Ananta Madhab Das vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam”

Strong faith in the self-realized guru and in Sri Gurudev is always present with the the entitre guru-parampara constitutes the sakhis, planning the arrangements for the backbone of the bhakti. That strong faith perfection of Yugala Kishor’s amorous brings us to akhanda-guru-tattva (the pastimes (rati-keli) within the kunjas of embodiment of the complete principle of Vrindavan. Because he is so expert as a guru), Sri Baladev Prabhu. We will manjari, in making beautiful arrangements ultimately see that Gurudeva is the for their pleasure, he is very dear to Sri Sri manifestation of Sri Nityananda or Sri Radha and Krishna. So, I offer, my humble Baladev Prabhu. From the point of view of prayers unto the lotus feet of Sri Guru unalloyed devotion, it is not an offering only. Maharaja. Bhakti does not consist in offering something mundane, something gross. Our Guru is full of gopibhava. It is quite Bhakti is the automatic, spontaneous impossible for a novice devotee like me to propensity of the unalloyed heart to serve understand the unfathomable depth of my Guru and Gauranga. Unalloyed devotion of beloved Guru Maharaja. a fully submissive heart is called bhakti. Our most respected Guru Maharaja is the Hence, I aspire to have a very clear and dispenser of such exalted devotion. intimate, loving association with my beloved Guru Maharaja life after life. Oh Srila Guru Although I am very much unqualified to Maharaja! please bless me so that I can be a judge the guru tattva, I have to come to speck of dust at your lotus feet. understand that there are two ways to see our Gurudeva. In this connection an analogy Your most humble servant, can be given of the Himalayan Mountains. The height of the Himalayas is one thing and Ananta Madhab Das (Bhaktishastri) its depth is another. We can somewhat see Gopinath Gaudiya Math, Mayapur its height, but we cannot see what is hidden within the ground. However, we cannot know how deep our Guru Maharaja is.

The striking verses of Guruastakam such as,

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Humble Offering by Sri Govardhan Das prema, or pure love for Krishna). After some time, again we will take birth and be situated On this blessed occasion of the appearance in bhäva (suddha-sattva). After that we will of our most beloved Guru Maharaja, I have svarupa-siddhi (perfection of one's prostrate myself in full dandavats at the lotus original, constitutional position in relation to feet of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Sri Krishna, or in other words the realization Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, my spiritual of one's original and eternal relationship master who is the source of all mercy and the with Krishna), and then we will take our next direct representative of Lord Krishna’s heart. birth in prakata Vraja (the Vraja in any of the It is only by his compassion for the fallen and universes in which Krishna has descended infinite mercy that a fallen rascal, such as and is performing His pastimes). Then, after myself, has the extremely fortunate entering prakata Vraja and associating with opportunity to have his association and that the nitya-siddha rägätmika bhaktas (the of his successor Srila Bhakti Bibudha eternal associates of the Lord who are Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj, through serving Krishna in the relationship that he, whom we have been successfully connected himself, has just entered), we will be able to to the glories of our dear most Guru go back to Godhead, back to home. Only at Maharaj. this time will we enter Krishna's abode. Entering Krishna's abode is not like eating a As we face the challenges of crossing the rasagula. The mercy of our Gurudeva and all ocean of material misery and suffering, from of our Gaudiya acaryas manifests in this way. lifetime to lifetime, it is our Guru Maharaj By and by, our Gurudev is taking the and his association that remain a constant aspiring devotees to the Lord's divine beacon guiding us through the trials and abode." tribulations of material existence. Taking his foot dust on our heads and devoting our I humbly beg for the opportunity to follow lives to serve in the mood of humility as this path, surrendered to my beloved demonstrated through his actions and Gurudeva and devote my life and future lives pastimes, we are affording the opportunity to this one true goal – to serve and associate to further develop our sädhana and with the nitya-siddha rägätmika bhaktas increasingly devote our lives to the fully immersed in the service of the Lord Sri fundamental goal – establishing our eternal Krishna. relationship in service of the supreme lord through his direct representatives. Govardhan das

By carefully following the instructions of our Offering by Das Guru Maharaja he will manage our life in such a way that we will have good God is Beautiful! association in our next birth. This is a great mercy. By good association in our next birth, It is often said that beauty lies in the eye of we will chant harinäma daily and will have the beholder. What may be beautiful for one, some greed to hear Krishna's sweet pastimes may not be so for another. Most mothers will and then through Gurudev’s mercy, feel their baby is the most beautiful one in anarthas will disappear and we will advance the world, even if friends and family draw a up to the stage of ruci (taste in chanting and very different conclusion. In the times of other devotional activities). From this great painters like Rubens and Rembrandt, advanced stage we will take birth and go up chubby woman (presently termed ‘obese’) to äsakti (spontaneous attachment for were considered beautiful. Nowadays thin Krishna), and then we will attain bhäva and lean figures seem to comply more to the (transcendental emotions just prior to beauty standards. Is not all of beauty relative

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then? Does something like universal beauty have experienced he was in a perpetual state even exist? of transcendental consciousness. The atmosphere is his room, and in the whole In the , it is said that the joy Math, had a transcendental vibration that is (read ‘beauty’) and sorrow we experience hard to describe in words. The presence of through the senses in an egocentric way is God becomes tangible in the association of temporary and illusory, and the cause of such a great soul. suffering and bondage. I think an honest reflection on life leads us to conclude that In the bhakti traditions, God is defined as the this is a true statement. Still, according to reservoir or embodiment of all divine Bhakti , the devotional branch of pleasure and beauty. akhila rasämrita Indian spirituality, there is a type of beauty murti. And that transcendental embodiment or joy that is considered to be absolute. That manifests as both masculine and feminine to means, it is beautiful under all circumstances facilitate the play of love. As God cannot be and does not have an opposite. This type of limited, there are countless names to beauty is said to be nirguna; it is beyond describe the individual aspects of Divinity, (nir) the material modes of nature (guna), all indicating different moods and which are intrinsically dualistic. On the characteristics. The individual soul is said to experiential level, this type of beauty have an eternal identity (sva-rüpa), a produces a taste (rasa), which can be perfected form made of pure consciousness described as a state of rapture that feels (siddha deha) in which loving exchange in ecstatic (änanda) in and of itself. service in the Lila of the Divine couple becomes possible. In bhakti, all there is, is This is more than just a theory. Most of us emanating from the Dance of Divinity. The have probably experienced some variety of individual soul, by the necessary freedom of non-dual beauty that is ‘transcendental’ to choice it is endowed with, can either choose the dualistic beauty that underlies all sensory to dance along in loving service in the experience. That may have occurred in the transcendental reality of the Divine Couple, vastness of a nature experience, maybe by or dance its own dance of self-centered looking at the milky way sky in the dessert, separation in the world of time and space. or maybe in a sacred place where a vibration This materialistic world of separation is is perceived that is ‘otherworldly’. It may facilitated by Divinity as true love and beauty have been during a meditative experience in are based on freedom of choice. It is not an which the mind has become completely unreasonable proposition. silent. Or it may have been (as in my case) in the company of a saintly person whose Srila Sridhar Maharaj calls this “The consciousness permeates the atmosphere Vrindavan Proposal”. It is where God in a with a transcendental presence. Even if these human-like form made up of sat-cit-änanda glimpses may have been brief, the becomes closest to the individual souls, as if experience of such a state confirms the one of them. It creates the possibility of existence of a transcendental type of beauty. loving exchange in lélä, divine love play. Would it be possible to enter in a perpetual Divine Love and Beauty is the internal state of such an experience? The Vedanta potency of God, the hlädiné-çakté, the traditions confirm that we can reach such a feminine aspect of Divinity. This is also not permanent state by following a sädhana, a merely a theory, but there is a sädhana practice that is giving (dhana) us truth (sad) which we can follow by which this by leading us to the Source of consciousness. eventually becomes a tangible and experiential reality. This is path of bhakti In the presence of my divine preceptor, Srila . Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur, I

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The question may arise that how non-dual To harmonize the relative with the absolute beauty can be experienced if it has no is one of the big challenges in bhakti. opposite? Does any meaningful experience Anthropomorphism, understanding the not depend on a comparison with something Divine in human terms, is never far away. that is different? In the transcendental reality, We cannot help but to project our mundane are there also things that are not (or less) experience on the Absolute reality. Our beautiful to appreciate or even experience preceptors have warned us about this. The transcendental beauty? The perspective of importance of non-dualty as the backdrop of the bhakti schools on this point is that anything truly transcendental cannot be Divinity is endowed with an internal potency underestimated. The danger in the bhakti or çakté that in a spiritual realm of non-dual schools is that in the conditioned stage we purpose (love for love’s sake) creates project the duality we experience in the apparent opposites, which makes room for realm of time and space unto the spiritual experience of different waves of änanda. realm, and then mistakenly think that certain This potency is also called Yoga-maya, or mellows of Love (like manjaré-bhäva) are Divine Enchantment. The dynamics that “higher” and more desirable than any other creates the experience of opposites is an love relation. The result is not seldom a very interplay of union (sambhog) and separation mundane type of wannabe consciousness, (vipralambha). Both are of the nature of an coupled with strife and superiority ever-increasing beauty and love. tendencies. änandambhudi vardhanam, prati padam purmamritasvadanam. Lord Sri Caitanya I think it is one of the great contributions of has described this transcendental realm as an Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and his followers like ever-increasing ocean of bliss, which at Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur, every step creates a complete fulfillment in to put a lot of emphasis that the safe the Soul. approach towards the Spiritual Realm of transcendental form and beauty is through The experience of divine beauty is the birth- , the chanting of the Sacred Names of grace (not the birth-right) of every soul, if Divinity. This is in itself a räga practice, as only it chooses to serve the Source. Still, I there are no rules for chanting the Divine think we need to be very careful in Names, although grace is said to manifest comparing “spiritual” beauty with only when we fully open ourselves for it “mundane” beauty. Because at some level without any reservations or conditions in a they are also connected. In the bhakti mood of selfless service. tradition, when we read about the descriptions of the beautiful nature of the Eventually, through the sound vibration of transcendental forms and pastimes of the the Names (näma), the transcendental Divine Couple, they resemble what is beauty of the Attributes (guna), Form (rüpa) generally accepted to be beautiful in the and Pastimes (lélä) are revealed to the world of matter. The depictions of the sädhaka (practitioner) who is chanting in spiritual realm of Vrindavan are not of a the spirit of service. Our have stated barren dessert wasteland with dry bushes, that premature dwelling and imagining but of lush forest groves with blooming about the form and pastimes easily creates flowers. Likewise, the descriptions of obstacles on our path. Their concern has transcendental forms of Radha and Krishna been that transcendental forms and pastimes have connotations with beauty we are of God are not to be openly and familiar with in our own culture: slender indiscriminately discussed. In our present waist, full bosom, broad shoulders. Things conditioned state, we have little business to we usually lust over in a dualistic way in our interfere in the private love life of Divinity. It conditioned state. is too sacred, and too much prone for

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misunderstanding. It will be revealed to the Jaganath Puri in 1998 just after Karthik. As sincere practitioner by divine grace when the verse in CC Madhya lila 22.54 says: the sädhana stage has finished. This understanding I have received from my sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre divine preceptor, and it feels true, at least for kaya myself. lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya

In conclusion, the bhakti view is that the Even a moment’s association with a pure world is only truly beautiful in relation to devotee can give us perfection. We are God. The illusory energy is God’s instrument experiencing this in our daily lives that the that gives all souls the possibility to live brief darshan we had of your Divine Grace disconnected from Divinity. The resulting still remains fresh and is giving us strength suffering flows out of our own choice, but is and inspiration in our daily devotional at the same time Divinity’s grace to urge us practice. We are experiencing the meaning back to their loving embrace. When there is of eternity. You are the exemplary portrayal no relation to God, life becomes void of true of humility in accordance with the 3rd verse meaning and therefore rather ugly. of Çikṣastakam by which we remember you, and pray daily to achieve at least one percent As conditioned soul’s solace is to follow the of it. We would also like to offer our heartfelt path set out for us by the pure devotees, who pranams at your divine lotus feet in giving us have no inclination other than to serve God, the association of your dear-most disciple and show the path back to the Divine Couple His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha by unalloyed service. The life and teachings Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj, through of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami whom we are continuing our seva and our Thakur are a living example of all the divine connection to the guru-varga, after the qualities that manifest in a liberated soul: disappearances of our harinam and deep humility, and exemplary service . Kindly continue to shower your attitude, simplicity, vast and deep blessings on this low born sinners. knowledge of the revealed scriptures, and giving honor to everyone else. We celebrate Hare Krishna! his divine appearance and I pray with folded hands for the sincerity and determination to Gauraraja Das and Padmamanjari Devi Dasi follow his life and teachings.

Arjuna Das Offerings by Sri Devi Dasi, Ashok, Sakshigopal Das and Yamuna Devi Dasi A Low Born Sinner’s Humble Offering by Sri Gauraraja Das and Padmamanjari Devi Dasi All Glories to His Divine Grace Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramode Purī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura!

All Glories to Śrī Guru and Śrī Gaurāṅga! Dear His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, please accept our oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana- humble prostrated dandavat pranams at your divine lotus feet on this occasion of śalākayā your divine appearance day. We were cakṣur unmīlitam yena tasmai śrī-gurave fortunate to get your holy darshan in Sri namaḥ Gopinath Gaudiya Math Temple in Sri

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śrī-caitanya-mano-‘bhiṣṭam sthāpitaṁ was not only in communion with the yena bhū-tale Supreme Lord Krishna, but who also showed svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁ dadāti sva- to the world the way to surrender and padāntikam unconditionally serve a dear servitor of the Supreme Lord. vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca Despite possessing all the good qualifications desired by the common patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo populace, His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhakti namaḥ Pramode Purī Gosvāmī Ṭhākur was not at all attached to temporary decorations and namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema- designations, and was one-pointed in his pradāya te surrender and service to his own spiritual kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe preceptor, His Divine Grace Śrī Śrīmad namaḥ Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākur

Prabhupāda. A true spiritual preceptor is śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda himself a true servitor of his own spiritual śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura- preceptor, and by virtue of such bhakta-vṛnda unconditional surrender and service, is himself fully endowed with the Divine hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare Grace. Such a personality is indeed a shelter hare of all beings in this universe, who are hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare seeking hither and thither for the shelter of ultimate happiness, trying frantically to be As unfortunate as we are for not having freed from the throes of sufferings in this obtained the divine association of His Divine material existence of life. It is stated in Canto Grace Śrīla Bhakti Pramode Purī Gosvāmī 11 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: Ṭhākur, we are grateful to have heard of His Divine Grace’s glories through the lips of those who have served him. And through nimajjyonmajjatāṁ ghore those narrations of His Divine Grace’s bhavābdhau paramāyaṇam glories, we are able to have a glimpse of the santo -vidaḥ śāntā wonderfully amazing qualities of such a rare naur dṛḍhevāpsu majjatām gem of a Vaishnava.

Unlike the jïānīs and yogīs who vainly “The devotees of the Lord, peacefully fixed attempt to seek the Absolute plane through in absolute knowledge, are the ultimate their own efforts, the pure devotees of the shelter for those who are repeatedly rising Lord demonstrate in their lives the true and falling within the fearful ocean of process of communion with the Supreme material life. Such devotees are just like a Absolute Truth—by means of surrender and strong boat that comes to rescue persons service to those who are already in who are at the point of drowning.” (Bhāg. communion with Him. It is the most practical 11.26.32) and efficient process of realising the Supreme, and which frees one from the Unfortunately, fallen conditioned souls such troubles and failings of our false ego, as us, are unable to understand this simple intelligence, and mind. His Divine Grace yet vital message of the holy Bhāgavata, that Śrīla Bhakti Pramode Purī Gosvāmī Ṭhākur the ultimate shelter in this universe is in the was the exemplar of such a Vaishnava, who shade of the lotus feet of the person

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Bhāgavata, whose very life is the Prachara Aachar Karye cha jagarukaya embodiment of the teachings of the sacred sarvada Bhāgavata scripture. Instead, we spend our Yatha Uddavasya kumarad bhagavat precious human energy and life in serving archane ratih wicked and miserly men just for a drop of Vaishnabanam sarvakrutye dakshta flickering material happiness, paying little or parama tatha” superficial regard to the message and messanger of Godhead. We bow down to our beloved grand spiritual master His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti On this most blessed day of the divine Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, who appearance of Śrīla Bhakti Pramode Purī appeared on this earth as a major follower of Gosvāmī Ṭhākur, let us come to our senses Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu! Oh Srila Param and humbly beseech at the lotus feet of His Gurudev Padapadma! You have mercifully Divine Grace for his favourable glance upon given the transcendental knowledge to us us so that we would be able to realise this and you shall remain our Master forever, truth and submit ourselves completely and birth after birth. After churning all the unconditionally, without pretension or scriptures you arrived at the fundamental pride, and without consideration of personal principles and manifested divine knowledge profit or loss, to the service of the person and renunciation in your persona. For delivering the fallen souls, you took the vow Bhāgavata, and thus perfect the mission of this human existence. of renunciation. For fulfilling the same responsibilities ordained by Supreme Lord Your unworthy servants, remained ever awake to complete the highest duties i.e., preaching and practicing. Rama Devi Dasi, Ashok, Sakshigopal Das Like Sri Uddhav Maharaj, the best disciple of and Yamuna Devi Dasi -guru Brihaspati, you engaged yourself in the dedicated worship of Lord Sri from childhood. You had highest expertise Visit to Vrindavan Dham by in fulfilling all requirements of Vaishnavas. Subhashree Devi Dasi We surrender ourselves at Your Divine Lotus Feet! Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah! The purport of this offering article is to make Most humble obeisance at the divine lotus a sincere and humble attempt to realize in feet of our Spiritual Master Om Vishnupad what mood we should visit Holy Vridavan Ashstottarshat Shri Shrimad Bhakti Bibudha Dham, the transcendental abode of our most Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj! revered Sri Sri Radha Krishna and what our All glories to all our Guru-varga! Guru-varga instructed us in this matter.

“Namah Om Vishnupaday Gaurapresthay The name Sri Vrindavan Dham mesmerizes Bhutale all devotees, particularly, Vaishnavas. By Shrimad Bhakti-Pramoday Puri Goswami hearing the name itself they want to rush. Namine While taking a turn towards Holy Dham from Divyagnyana-padatre cha Pravave janma the Yamuna express way, devotees get janmani glimpses of Sri Yamuna Ji that fills their heart Gnyanavairagya-dehaya Sashtra in ecstasy. From the other side when one Siddhanta Samvide enters through Chhatikara mind travels in Patitanam Samuddhare Yativesha Dharay time when Sri Maharaj moved to Sri vei Vrindavan and halted there for the night for the first time, keeping all the carts in the

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shape of half moon which incident gave the most secret of Holy Dham will get revealed place its name. Every time devotees are before us. Moreover, another condition is ready to visit Sri Vrindavan and they do not that we must refrain from committing wish to return. They feel pangs of separation offenses related to Lord’s supreme abode – while departing. Dhamaparadh.

Even common people who are not Our Guru-varga being extremely merciful Vaishnavas in strict sense of the term, also on us explained elaborately who can enter feel that visit to Sri Vrindavan Dham uplift the Holy Vrindavan Dham and how. Holy their mood. They say it is always a Vrindavan Dham is the divine place where rejuvenating experience for the mind, body Supreme Lord Sri Radha Krishna manifest and soul. It is so enriching that they even there glorious pastimes. The most beautiful forget the occasional odd experiences of Vrindavan Dham that is present on earth purse snatching by monkey and overflowing now is non-different from the Supreme drains with little rain. Forgetting their past Golok Vrindavan, Supreme Lord Sri Radha experiences, they get ready to visit again Krishna’s eternal abode. Lord Shri Krishna soon. That is why Sri Vrindavan Dham is appeared Himself with His divine consort always full with visitors and the local Srimati Radharani and all His eternal administration takes abundant caution to associates along with His Holy abode. restrict and discipline the visiting guests. Deities in all the temples allure so much so Supreme Lord Krishna is the only Master and that people forget their pain when they get supreme enjoyer. All jivas are His eternal divya darçan even for a while in the midst of servants. His sweetness attracts all jivas. heavy crowd. The soul becomes blissful. The Everything that is related to Sri Krishna also positive aura heals all wounds of mind and attracts all jivas. Therefore, Lord’s eternal body. Many go for circumambulating Holy abode has the same sweetness and has the Dham when their wishes get fulfilled. After potency to attract all. Sri Krishna himself said Darshan there are other powerful attractions that “vridavanam parityajya padam ekam too. Mouth watering prasadam, particularly, na gachhati”. “Leaving Vrindavan I never lassi, delicious sweets and snacks of Holy move a single step”. Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Dham attract all food lovers. The list is never Radharani, Sakhis, Manjaris and all other ending. Beautiful lighting, fragrance of fresh associates remains there eternally. All the flowers, temple bells, hymns and prayers pure devotees too never move away from sung by devotees, etc., attract people of all Vrindavan. Physically, in the service of Lord ages. they may go to other different places, thus, seem like moving away. But, But, Holy Vrindavan is not just any city or transcendentally they are always present in town. It is beyond comprehension with our Vridavan. The Holy Dham is ever manifested mundane understanding. On a spiritual in their heart. They are always present in the plane, the above described feelings and service of Srimati Radharani, who is the understanding are considered peripheral. Supreme Empress of Vrindavan. Therefore, Due to ignorance, we fail to reach the core. our spiritual masters are always present As we can’t see Lord with our material eyes, there in the supreme service of Srimati in the same way, we can’t see His holy abode Radharani. radhä-däsyam is the sole too. Transcendental abode of Lord can be objective of every Gaudiya Vaishnava. If we visualized only with the transcendental beg our Guruvarga sincerely, then only with vision bestowed on us by the Mercy of Sri their permission and mercy we can enter Sri Guru. By sincere and austere practice purity Vrindavan Dham. Otherwise, it is will come in our chanting. Then with the impossible to enter there. mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga the top

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At first a person sincerely prays Lord Krishna this tattva. Radha and Krishna both are one and when the prayers are accepted Sri but for expanding the sweetness and depth Krishna Himself appears as bonafide and of their loving mellows they manifest as two. authorized spiritual Master, Sri Guru. Sri In the present age both became for Guru due to His causeless mercy on all jivas deliverance of all living entities. Prince of removes the layers of ignorance and ignites Vraja, Lord Sri Krishna Himself took the the lamp of spiritual knowledge. After mood and body effulgence of Srimati receiving the mercy of Sri Guru, an initiated Radharani and appeared in Nabadwipa- devotee meditates on the transcendental Mayapur as Sri Krishna Chaitanya Maprabhu. Vrindavan in the manner prescribed in the In order to give us the ability to enter into the äbhidheya-tattva mantra. In dhyäna transcendental Dham and confidential mantra of äbhidheya tattva Sri Sri Radha pastimes, Lord Sri Krishna Chaitnya Govind Dev it is mentioned: Mahaprabhu appeared in the golden form as son of Shri Jagannath Mishra and Sachi Mata. “Divya vrindävana kalpa drumadhah Transcendental Navadwip and Vridavan Çrimad ratnägara simhasanasthau both are one and the same. Sriman Çri Çri radhä srila deva Mahaprabhu performed His Sankirtan Presthalibhih sevya manau smarami.” pastimes, Sankirtan Ras in the home of Sri Srivas Pandit, just like Sri Krishna performed Meaning: I am meditating on the Rasa-lila in Sri Vrindavan. transcendental Vrindavan. There underneath the wish fulfilling tree, there is a grand But, Srila Param Gurudev Ji Maharaj has throne studded with splendid gems on highlighted on an important aspect. In which Supreme Divine Couple Sri Radha Vrindavan, mädhurya - sweetness Krishna are sitting who are being served by predominates over all other qualities of Sri their dear most Sakhis. Krishna. In Navadwip, audarya - generosity predominates over all other qualities of Lord. Initiation is the process through which a Srila Pram Gurudev Ji explained that disciple receives the mercy of entire lineage. however, beneath this immediately visible It is absolutely necessary for a disciple to quality of generosity, same intimate pastimes know the instructions of our previous manifested by Sri Krishna in Vrindavan are acharyas. In this context, our Param present in Navadwip also. Gurudev Padapadma, Nityalilapravishta Om Vishnupad Ashtottarshat Sri Srimad Bhakti Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur Ji has instructed Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur Ji has us in “Shridhama Navadwipa Mahatmya’ as mercifully given clear direction as how to get to how a devotee should perceive Sri entry in Sri Vridavan Dham, spiritually. He Navadwip which is non- different from Sri said we individual souls are trapped in this Vrindavan as below: material world. We are under the influence of illusory energy of Lord. In such position cintämani-rüpa haya ei gauda- we can never get entry into the mandala cid-änandamaya-dhäma transcendental realm of Sri Radha Krishna. If chinmaya sakala [11] we wish to serve the supreme couple in the Holy Dham then we must follow the path Transcendental Sri Gauda Mandal is made of shown by Sri Krishna Chaitnya Mahaprabhu. wish-fulfilling gemstones. It is always blissful Sri Vridavan is the place where Lord Krishna and everything within it is transcendental. held Rasa-lila with Srimati Radharani and other . These pastimes are highly jala bhümi vrksa adi sakali cinmaya sadä confidential. Without mercy of Sri Radha vidyamäna tatä krsna-sakti-traya [12] Krishna, no one will be able to understand

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The water, land, trees, and so on, all are of Sri Gauda Mandal and think that it is only spiritual there. Shri Krishna's three energies a formation of matter. i.e., sändhini, samvit, and hlädini exist there eternally. nityänanda-krpa yanra prati kabhu hayä se dekhe änanda dhäma sarvatra svarüpa-saktira sei sändhini- cinmaya [18] prabhava tära parinati ei dhämera svabhäva [13] Only when Lord Nityananda Mahaprabhu, who is Guru tattva, blesses someone, that The Dham is a manifestation of the sandhini person realizes the blissful, transcendental aspect of the Lord's personal energy. Dham everywhere. According to scriptures Lord Balaram is expansion of Lord’s sandhini . Thus, our Acharyas have made it crystal clear that without surrendering at the Lotus feet of prabhu-lélä-pitha-rüpe dhäma nitya Sri Guru and getting his mercy, it is haya achintya saktira kärya prapanchika impossible to enter Sri Vridavan Dham. Souls naya [14] who always reside in Sri Gauda Mandal are the most fortunate souls in this world. The Dham is the eternal abode of the Lord. Because, they always chant; they have mercy His transcendental pastimes are eternally of Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu; and remain manifested there. It is the manifestation of in the company of Sriman Gauranga the Lord's supreme inconceivable energy Mahaprabhu – who is unison of Sri Radha and should never be understood as material. Krishna. Srila Param Guru Dev Ji elucidating the views of Srila Prabhupad tabe ye e dhäme dekhe prapanchera Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Ji stated sama baddha-jive tähe haya avidya- that in Navadwip Lord Sri Krishna is vibhrama [15] manifested in five aspects, pancha tattva, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Baddha jiva, the conditioned souls of this Nityananda Mahaprabhu, Sri Advaitacharya, material world, are under the influence of Sri Gadadhar Pandit and Sri Srivas Pandit. Lord’s illusory energy, Maya. Due to This panchatattva appeared in Kali-yuga and ignorance they get a false notion and see the manifested sankirtan pastimes (sankirtan Dham as material. ras) at Srivas Aangan which is equated with räsa-lélä in Vrindavan. While discussing this meghachchhanna caksu dekhe sürya subject, spiritual entry into Vraj Dham in the achchhadita divakara nahi kabhu haya Samadhi book, Srila Param Guru Dev quotes from the following kirtan composed by Srila meghavrta [16] Narottam Das Thakur Ji:

Here Shrila Bhakti Vinode Thakur Ji is giving Sri- Gauda- mandala bhümi, an example as the eyes covered by clouds Jeba jane cinta mani see that the sun is covered, but the sun is Tara hoy braja – bhüme bas never actually covered by clouds.

Meaning: Anyone who understands that the sei rüpa e gauda-mandala cid- territory around Navadwip is completely

äkara prapanchika jana dekhe jadera spiritual, only that person gets entry into vikära [17] Vraja.

Similarly, people who live only a superficial On this most auspicious occasion of material life they fail to see the spiritual form Appearance Day of our Param Gurudev we

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are praying him to bless us so that our Canada. I was shocked, firstly, I never mentality of doer/enjoyer gets destroyed as expected that one day I could be worshiping a result, we will leave the material his murti, but that I was also the one to carry attachment and our chanting will become him back with me, I felt that the murti was pure. Under the shelter of Sri Guru Gauranga priceless and more fragile then a newborn and divya harinäm, we will visualise the child. I carried the murti on the flight from transcendental Gauramandala and will Delhi to , once I arrived in London, ultimately enter spiritually into Sri Vrindavan they had strict rules about carryon and the Dham. inspectors wouldn’t let me carry the murti with me on the plane, they wanted to send it This dasi is dumb, fool and stupid. Does not with the luggage’s at the bottom of the understand anything. Soulfully begs at Sri airplane. I begged them, tried my best to Gurupadapadma for their causeless mercy. explain that he was my param Gurudeva, when that didn’t work. I tried many Subhashree Devi Dasi justifications, until a voice in my heart called out and asked, “how much would it cost to bring him with me on the flight from London By Anuradha Devi Dasi to Montreal?” That language worked for they replied, “go to the counter to figure out with All glories to the auspicious appearance day the weight. “Once they put the murti on the of Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri scale they came back with a total amount of Goswami Thakur who is an ocean of US$108. I smiled and cried, for I knew my spiritual wealth. Gurudeva was alive and that the murti had desired to come back with this unworthy I am just a beggar at his Lotus Feet. Out of soul. These stories are to awaken our pure inexplicable mercy I fell into the attachment to our Gurudeva, whatever we precious dust of his divine presence and experience we should always bring it back cannot still to this day comprehend how into the context that we are not worthy of lucky I am to have found this goldmine that such mercy and that our only goal is to dive is enhanced by the diamond like soul of his deep into our and clean our heart so successor Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan that our Gurudeva can be worshipped in it Goswami Maharaj. everyday, every minute of our lives.

Why do we share on such auspicious days, I pray to all Vaishavas to bless me so I can isn’t it to recall how boundless the mercy of properly serve his living expansion, Srila great mahatma’s truly is. Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj life after life. When I fist took shelter of Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, I was quite Dasanudas, young and had no idea the matchless gift the Lord of my heart had placed on this Anuradha Devi Dasi insignificant soul’s path. I am still to this day in awe of the epic trajectory of his life and biography, his pure humility and vast knowledge. Many years ago, after a pilgrimage in , my dīkṣā guru, his divine grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj gave me a murti of Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur to bring back to our new math in Quebec,

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Vyasa-puja offering 2020 by darsayati, bhaktivasah puruso bhaktireva Arundhati Devi Dasi bhuyasi. 13.8 This is why the pure devotee must be self-effulgent, and is why he must A Vyasa-puja offering, in glorification of my follow in authorized parampara. Otherwise, Spiritual Master, Nitya-lila pravista jai om his touch upon one’s soul will be fruitless. Visnu padaya, paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya, Asttottara Sata, Vaishnava One thing I have always noticed in Sri Thakur, Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Gurudeva’s lectures is that his speech is like Thakur. a constant flow of transcendental nectar, flowing down to my parched heart. And the Nama Om padaya, Gaura clarity of his words, is just like a crystal-clear presthaya bhutale waterfall, which soothes my mind and Srimad Bhakti Promodaya Puri Goswami purifies my understanding. iti namine. Divya jnana padatra ca prabhave jnana My Lord and Master is the light of my jnanmani, existence. jnana vairagya dehaya sastra siddhanta He feeds me the sweet fuel of realization – samvide. the soul’s sustenance. Patitanam, samuddare yati vesadharaya vai, pracaracara karyye ca, jagarukaya Each year that goes by, I realize more and sarvada. Yathoddhavasya kumarad more, the necessity of a pure devotee’s bhagavadarccane rati. presence, either in his vapuh or vani form, Vaisnavanam saarva krtye daksata and how important it is to connect with him parama tatha. through prayer.

Dear Gurudeva, I will always remember the year 1996, in the Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math, in Mayapur. I Every year my sister and I do our own was not yet initiated by you Srila Gurudeva, personal appearance and disappearance but I had already accepted you as my offering, verbally, to your photo, Sri Srila spiritual master. Gurudeva. Also, we try to listen to your lectures, which are wonderfully prepared by There was so much excitement around you Ramadas Prabhu. – over one hundred voices filled the solitary appearance of the room, where we were I know that Srila Gurudeva represents the assembled. Many devotees were coming for true principle of guru-tattva in every way, in blessings, desiring to receive your mercy by his relationship with Sri Krishna your touch. Many touched your lotus feet, in (sambandha), in his devotion to Sri Krishna order to ensure extra special blessings, so my (äbhideya), and in his love for Sri Krishna sister and I, desiring the same, approached (prayojana). your lotus feet, but were abruptly and very insultingly shooed away, by the flick of the Oh! My Master and Lord, your mind and hand, from your presence, as one would heart, are like an uninterrupted stream of oil, often shoo away a street dog, or an insect. whose repose are the two divine lotus feet of Naturally, that sent great waves of the Lord. You have that pure devotion, dissatisfaction and anger to our hearts. But which is able to attract the Lord, your at that moment, in my mind, I was more devotion always reveals Him; the Lord is concerned with the question of how to get influenced by your devotion, and you show your special, and needed mercy, that in this us, that nothing is more powerful than bhakti way, the men seemed only able to receive. I – bhaktirevainam nayati, bhaktirevainam remember that I burst into tears before you

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Gurudeva, like a baby that is denied shelter, beautiful soft breezes of her islands, I and vital milk from her mother. I called out, wonder, if it will be at all possible, to one day as if my life depended on your blessings – please you Gurudeva, by my little service, “Maharaja! How can we, in these forms, and to have a sincere desire to receive your receive your blessings” reciprocation, though I be so fallen.

The room became suddenly filled, with an Your worthless servant, in the mission of Sri unprecedented silence, a stillness that I had Caitanya Mahaprabhu. never experienced before – one could literally hear a pin drip to the floor, the Arundhati Devi Dasi silence was that profound. My desperate cry for your mercy, had arrested all speech, thinking and movement of every single A Vyasa-puja offering by person in that room – they appeared Krishna Mayi Devi Dasi stunned, as if spell-bound. A Vyasapuja offering, in glorification of my The silence remained unchanged, as you Spiritual Master, Nitya-lila pravista jai om lifted your right hand in recognition of my Vishnu padaya, Paramhamsa plea. It seemed as if time itself had stopped, Parivrajakacarya, Asttottara Sata, Vaishnava for one moment, to hear attentively your Thakur, Srila bhakti Promode Puri Goswami response. You looked straight at me, oh Thakur. master, with an unearthly, loving air of peace – your eyes were gentle and compassionate Nama Om Vishnu padaya, Gaura and reassuring. It was as if you looked presthaya bhutale directly at my heart – nothing could be Srimad Bhakti Promodaya Puri Goswami hidden from you. You saw straight through iti namine. me, to the deepest area of my being. Then Divya jnana padatra ca prabhave jnana you said. “It is not by physical touch, that jnanmani, one receives the mercy of Sri Guru. But if jnana vairagya dehaya sastra siddhanta your desire is intense enough, through samvide. prayer, then the guru will reciprocate that Patitanam, samuddare yati vesadharaya desire”. vai, pracaracara karyye ca, jagarukaya sarvada. Yathoddhavasya kumarad That evening, those words of yours, my lord bhagavadarccane rati. and master, took away every bit of mental Vaisnavanam saarva krtye daksata pain and anguish, that was in my mind and parama tatha. body, and replaced it with an ineffable feeling of joy, and of great hope. Sri Srila Gurudeva,

Oh! Gurudeva, please be patient with me – I I am realizing more and more how merciful am a very insignificant person, who is you are, to have allowed this fallen soul to aspiring to serve and please you, for, even become your disciple, and take shelter at though I feel that my faith and conviction is your lotus feet. But the goal is to serve and strong, my heart is weak, due to distraction. please you Gurudeva. Therefore, I am simply begging you for a drop of your causeless mercy. I know that I am not making much effort to advance, but I am praying for your mercy, As I sit here on a park bench, writing this my lord, to keep this worthless disciple at offering to you Sri Srila Gurudeva, amidst the your lotus feet, so that I may one day come native sounds of the Hawaiian birds and the out of my slumber, and please you.

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Your worthless disciple, in the mission of Sri offer all respect and politeness to others. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Only in such a state of mind, one can qualify to chant hari-nam constantly. Srila B.P. Puri Krishna Mayi Devi Dasi Maharaja lived on such pious disciplines.

He had very humble beginnings. Maharaja Appearance Day Offering by was in a small village (in today’s Bhakti Rasa Devi Dasi Bangladesh). If we see almost a century back, he completed his graduation in To my Grand Spiritual Master His Divine Chemistry. He was highly educated and Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaja, secured a job in Calcutta Port Trust as well. Thank you for being a perfect example of a But when he came in contact with pure, humble and loving servant of the Prabhupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, and for Thakur (his guru, the spiritual master). He perfectly teaching about His sacred mission left every material commodity for the of spreading the pure chanting of the holy devotional service of his guru. Job and family names of Krishna. I am most grateful for the compared less to him for complete association of your glorious servant His dedication to his guru and guru-varga. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudh Bodhayan guru gave him the work of writing, which he Goswami and all of the Vaishnava devotees administered his whole life. He did his divine of the Gopinath Gaudiya Math. Please bless pastime for about 102 years. He wrote till he me that I may serve your servants eternally. was about 100 years old, even after enduring the hardships of old age and problems Bhakti Rasa Devi Dasi associated with the material body. He was able to write even with his shivering hands and cloudy vision, due to possession of such Vyasa Puja Offering by dedication towards his guru, and Lord Raseshwari Devi Dasi Krishna who gave him the strength to do so. He valued and cherished the shelter of his Vyasa puja offerings for Srila Bhakti Pramod guru and guru-varga and never tried to Puri Goswami Thakur, the founder Acharya become independent of them. He of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math. He has lived established Sri Gopinath Gaudiya in such a wonderful life in Sri Sri 1989, when he was 91 years old. Radhakrishna’s eternal past times. He is a ‘Manjari’ serving them. Once his disciples requested him to not avoid food and sleep for writing, in order to When he appeared here on this material balance his health. Upon hearing this, he world, he was like an embodiment of told them not to worry about him as he has humanity, tolerance, and selflessness. practiced for these two from childhood. He Giving to others was one of his prime said, “My body shall not suffer since I have mottos. He was the living personification of dedicated my life-heart-soul in the service of the third verse of Sri Sikshtashtakam of my Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada. If I will not shriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which is be able to do so, I will be a criminal, liar and “trnad api sunichena; taror iva sahisnuna; hypocrite in front of him. Henceforth, there amanina manadena; kirtaniyah sada would be no use in protecting this body. He hari”. It simply means that one should chant asked his disciples whether they wanted him Lord’s name in a humble state of mind, to commit this sin, because death would be thinking oneself lower than a blade of grass, far better than it. He said- according to me if more forbearing and tolerant than a tree, this life ends whilst servicing my gurudev, devoid of all sense of false prestige, ready to then I would consider this gifted human

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birth accomplished. He also was very forgive me for all my past and present interested in preaching and teaching the offenses committed with and without my words of his Gurudev to the world, and knowledge. motivate them to alter their life into a Although I was not fortunate enough to get Krishna-conscious one. the direct association of our Param Gurudev, I have been hearing from my Gurudev about In one way we are very fortunate that we are his divine personality and charisma. I always the grandchildren of Srila Bhakti Pramod get enchanted by his natural humility, Puri Goswami Thakur and that we have his immense compassion, unfathomable blessings and mercy, which can easily be knowledge, love and respect for every living achieved if we honestly devote ourselves in entity and unalloyed devotion towards the the service of our Gurudev, Srila Bhakti Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Gopinath. Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj who was appointed by Srila B.P. Puri Goswami Srila Param Gurudev applied the ointment of Thakur (our beloved Param Gurudev) as the divine knowledge (jnananjana) to the eyes next Acharya of our math. We are blessed to of uncountable aspirants on the path back to belong in such a beautiful and wonderful God. He was a dispassionate speaker well family of Gaudiya Math of Srila B.P. Puri versed in the truth about Lord Chaitanya and Goswami Thakur. I pray to always be under Sri Sri Radha Krishna. He could speak very the shelter of our Guruvarga and continue charmingly. By hearing him, whoever was our journey towards spirituality full of peace, overwhelmed with lust, anger, greed or any bliss, and love. Both B.P. Puri Goswami other mental trouble, would immediately Thakur and our Gurudev preach and become free of all such difficulties. He was practice hari-nam, so one of the important very affectionate to the devotees, sober, aspects of service and devotion towards merciful and had a spontaneous tendency to guru-varga is chanting the Holy Name- smile while speaking. “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama He is rightly regarded the embodiment of Rama Hare Hare”. Sriman Mahaprabhu’s third verse of the Sikshashtakam. He had deep compassion for My prayers at the lotus feet of the divine all of his god-brothers and he displayed couple Sri Sri Radha Krishna and Srila deep humility. He used to put great Gurudev. emphasis on the teachings of guru-varga 'as Hare Krishna. it is'. He stressed the importance of attentive chanting of the Holy Name, which will lead Raseshwari Devi Dasi to the higher realms of divine service, as without the basic building blocks of Offering by Chaitanya Priya Das devotion, the higher topics of divine pastimes cannot be realized. I first of all pay my unlimited prostrated obeisances unto the lotus feet of Divine His divine glories are unending, I prostrate Spiritual Master Srila Bhakti Bibudha before him and beg for forgiveness for my Bodhayan Goswami Maharaj who gave me anarthas which renders me useless for this fortune to be able to write a few words service. Srila Param Gurudev without your about the divine personality of my Param blessings and guidance, I am finished with Gurudev His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti no capabilities to make any progress beyond Promode Puri Goswami Thakur. this material realm. Please hear my prayer Subsequently I beg my Param Gurudev who and acknowledge this call for help so that I is very dear to Lord Gauranga, to accept my do not continue to drown in this temporal respectful obeisances and at the same time morass, the ocean of birth and death.

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Through your grace, and by your mercy, exalted servitude towards guru, humility, there is hope and with that knowledge I will tolerance, respecting other Vaishnavas, and endeavour day by day to honour your Humbleness directing us to follow in his example and the living presence of your footsteps and get purified by chanting teachings in our lives. Please accept this the Holy Name. He has exhibited such high humble offering at your lotus feet on this class Vaishnava symptom which is very rare glorious day and grant me mercy that I am to see in this kali-yuga. As long as this world able to unconditionally and wholeheartedly remains, his name, fame, teachings and serve my Gurudev and the entire guru- glories will remain forever. parampara life after life. We both aspire to serve and continue to seek Your insignificant servant, his blessings in order to perfect in our spiritual life. Chaitanya Priya Das Your Dasanudas,

Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Mahadeva Das Maharaj's Glories by Mahadeva Das & Mahalakshmi Devi Dasi Mahalakshmi devi Dasi

All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Maharaj's Glories by Dinesh We are so fortunate that we got connected to Mahadevan Nitya Lila Pravista Om Vishnu Pada Paramahamsa Parivikathacharya Astotrasata All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Sree Sree Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur through His appointed Remembering glories of Srila Bhakti bona-fide representative Jai Om Vishnu Pada Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur on his Paramahamsa Parivikathacharya Asotrasata appearance day. In the lectures of His Divine Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Grace Srila Bhakthi Pramod Puri Goswami Gurumaharaj. Somehow our hearts were Thakur, He used to refer certain unqualified drenched into the material world since time spiritual masters as "goru", also known as immemorial and we are really feeling the cow in Bengali. He insisted the importance greatest fortune that we got this connection of taking diksa under a qualified spiritual to the due to the unalloyed master, otherwise also known as a bona-fide mercy that our guru- parampara is guru is so significant that it can impact our showering through them even though we lives tremendously and help us get infinitely have very little qualifications to be a closer to achieving permanent bliss in the Vaishnava. We have strong belief that all our holy abode within Vaikunta loka. Taking current faults and past misdeeds will be diksa under such bona-fide personalities is vanquished when we properly start the cornerstone in advancing in our spiritual following their instruction in our daily life lives, in order to serve the lotus feet of Radha and serve them according to their wish. In Krishna. However, can such wisdom be kali-yuga it is so easy to get trapped with attained if we are not cautious in whom we Maya and the only Hope we have for the rest take diksa from? Do we have conviction so of our life is to receive this mercy properly firm that we can say "yes, that personality I and further progress in our spiritual life. want to serve throughout my life"? These questions must go through one's mind when Life time of Param Gurudev teaches us he or she is willing to take diksa. Without the ‘Simple living and High thinking’. His natural shelter of a bona-fide guru, we will stray

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further and further away from our path, so humble whose existence is so important leading to chaos and misery in our lives. in the age of Kali for all of us to get Every living entity wishes eternal happiness. inspiration. I offer my dandavad pranams to To be truly devoted to the Divine Couple, we the lotus feet of Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri must create a connection between ourselves Goswami Thakur and yearn that I can and Thir servants. It is only natural that we upgrade my spiritual life along with others cannot make a beeline to the Supreme Lord acquainted with me by his by ourselves due to our inferior skill and merciful blessings. knowledge to understand Him. Calling ourselves the "servants" of the Lord is Aspiring to serve your dear disciples with deranged, but rather, we should call your mercy. ourselves servant of the servant of the servant. This connection is called guru- Dinesh parampara. Our offerings to the Lord should only go through bona-fide personalities as they pass our offerings to their gurus and eventually, Srimati Radharani who is personally serving Krishna Herself. We will be able to improve by leaps and bounds in our spiritual life when we offer our pranams in that mood of purity and effectively impress the entire guru- parampara. This is not possible if we place our faith in the wrong hands and let them manipulate us for their gain. Their greed and lust will create problems for both parties and eventually break down in terms of their character, which once again causes further misery. Such kind of realization and meaning about establishing the connection to the divine couple can be derived by just one word described by pure sadhus like Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur. He is

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VAISHNAVA FESTIVALS: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2020

Date Festival

20 October Appearance day festival of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur 26 October Vijaya Dashami; and Appearance day of Sri Madhva Acharya 27 October Papankusha Ekadashi; and Kartik vrata starts (for those who start on Ekadashi)* 28 October Disappearance day of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami; Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami; and Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami 31 October Kartik vrata starts (for those who start on Purnima); and Disappearance day of Srila Murari Gupta 5 November Disappearance day of Srila Narottam Das Thakur 9 November Appearance day of Srila -dev Goswami Maharaj 11 November Rama Ekadashi 15 November Dipavali 16 November Sri Govardhan Puja 18 November Disappearance day of Srila Bhakti Vedanta Maharaj 22 November Disappearance day of Srila Gadadar Das Goswami, Dhananjay Pandit, and Srinivas Acharya Prabhu 26 November Uttanna Ekadashi; Kartik Vrata end (for those who start on Ekadashi); and Disappearance day of Srila Gaura Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj 29 November Disappearance day festival of Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Thakur 30 November Rasa-Purnima; Kartik vrata end (for those who start on Purnima); Appearance day of Srila Nimbarka Acharya; and Disappearance day of Srila Sundarananda Thakur *Kartik vrata is observed at Gopinath Gaudiuya math, from Ekadasi to Ekadasi, which is from 27 October to 26 November, 2020

Bhagavata Dharma A free e-magazine published in service to the mission of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, by: Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math, Isodhyan, Sri Mayapur Nadia, West Bengal, India 741313

On behalf of: His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Goswami Maharaja, President & Acharya of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math; Dedicated to: His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur, Founder Acharya of Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math, and His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanata Saraswati Goswami Thakur PRABHUPADA.

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