Chapter 19 of Prabhup\u0101da Vijaya, 'Purport to \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da-Smara\u1e47a-Ma\u1e45gala Stotram' is the explanation of the Bengali prayer composed by Swami Narasi\u1e45gha in 1994. These 23 astounding verses sing the eternal glo\u00adries of His Divine Grace as meditated upon by his disciple. They remain to this day unrivalled in beauty, substance and realisation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>
Let me offer my most respectful and humble obeisances to the lotus feet of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace \u015ar\u012b Jagat-Guru O\u1e41 Vi\u1e63\u1e47up\u0101da Paramaha\u1e41sa \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012bmad A. C. Bhaktived\u0101nta Swami Prabhup\u0101da.<\/p>\n
Let me also offer my most respectful and humble obeisances to all of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s eternal servants, paraphernalia, and pastimes. By the boundless mercy of His Divine Grace, vast num\u00adbers of conditioned souls are being drawn to the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu and \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda.<\/p>\n
I humbly bow my head in the dust of the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and sincerely pray that he will accept me as one of his eternal servitor associates.<\/p>\n
The disciples of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da worship His Divine Grace as the dear-most servant of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b in the line of \u015ar\u012b R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b. I must therefore beg forgiveness at the lotus feet of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and before all of you, the listeners and read\u00aders, for any fault or offence that I have committed in my attempt to glorify His Divine Grace.<\/p>\n
sarva-vai\u1e63\u1e47avera p\u0101\u2019ye kari namask\u0101ra<\/em>
\nithe apar\u0101dha kichu nahuka \u0101m\u0101ra
\n<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI offer my respects unto all the Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas, so I may not make offences to them.\u201d (Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata, \u0100di-kha\u1e47\u1e0da <\/em>1.87)<\/p>\nWe shall always remember \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da, our eternal father, as the empowered representative of the most glorious and beautiful Queen of \u015ar\u012b V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, and we shall forever aspire for the shelter of his lotus feet. What follows are eight transcendental remembrances of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktived\u0101nta Swami Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s manifest pastimes in \u015ar\u012b Caitanyadeva\u2019s ongoing sa\u1e45k\u012brtana-l\u012bl\u0101<\/em>, all of which point to his eternal service in the camp of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101.<\/p>\nHIS BIRTH \u2013 An Eternal Resident of Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana <\/strong><\/p>\nIt was Nandotsava, the day after Janm\u0101\u1e63\u1e6dam\u012b, the advent day of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, when \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da appeared in this world in a small village on the outskirts of Calcutta. It was a very auspi\u00adcious day and all the people in the three worlds were engaged in a wonderful festival celebrating the birth of \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-candra, who had advented at \u015ar\u012b V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana-dh\u0101ma almost five thousand years before. At this auspicious time, \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, the Queen of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, called Her dear servant and said, \u201cPlease go to earth and give them K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s mercy.\u201d Thus Her own servant was sent to this world to spread K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness in every town and vil\u00adlage. Who else but the dear-most servant of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b could be worthy of such a task?<\/p>\n
The same year as \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s appearance (1896), \u015ar\u012bla \u1e6ch\u0101kura Bhaktivinoda\u2019s introductory book in English, \u015ar\u012b Cai\u00adtanya: His Life and Precepts<\/em>, appeared at McGill University in Canada. This was the first book about \u015ar\u012b Caitanya to reach Western shores. Shortly after that, Bhaktivinoda also predicted that a great soul would soon come to fulfil \u015ar\u012b Caitanya\u2019s predic\u00adtion from Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata: <\/em><\/p>\n
\np\u1e5bthiv\u012bte \u0101che yadi nagar\u0101di-gr\u0101ma<\/em>
\nsarvatra prac\u0101ra haibe mora n\u0101ma<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cIn every town and village of the world, My Holy Name will be sung.\u201d (Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata, Antya-kha\u1e47\u1e0da. <\/em>4.126)<\/p>\nThat \u1e6ch\u0101kura Bhaktivinoda\u2019s first publication came to the West in the same year that \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da appeared in this world as \u2018the ambassador to fulfil the prediction of \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu\u2019 is felt in the hearts of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s eternal servants as an eternal transcendental truth.<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da is always situated in eternal pastimes of the divine couple \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda in the transcendental realm of Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana. Thus the place of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s appearance in this mundane world is considered non-different from Goloka V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana.<\/p>\n
It is stated in the 17th Chapter of Caitanya-bh\u0101gavata <\/em>that in order to teach others how to be a faithful disciple of \u015ar\u012b Guru, \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu showed the example by visiting the birth\u00adplace of \u012a\u015bvara Pur\u012b at Kum\u0101raha\u1e6d\u1e6da and collected some earth from his birth-site. This \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu kept very carefully and He used to eat a small portion of it daily. Let us therefore eternally worship the auspicious day and the auspicious place where \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da manifest his humble appearance in this world.<\/p>\nHIS FATHER \u2013 A Pure Devotee of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a<\/strong><\/p>\nGaura-mohana De, a pure devotee of K \u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, desired the very best for his son. \u201cPlease bless him,\u201d he used to say, whenever holy men visited his home. \u201cPlease bless my son that he will become a great devotee of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da said, \u201cMy father also trained me and instructed me to his best capacity, and he prayed for me that R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b may be pleased upon me, and I think by my father\u2019s blessings and grace, I may have come to this position, and I have gotten into relationship with His Divine Grace O\u1e41 Vi\u1e63\u1e47up\u0101da \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012bmad Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b Gosv\u0101m\u012b Mah\u0101r\u0101ja also by his mercy. So it is K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a\u2019s grace that I got a good father and also a good spiritual master.\u201d<\/p>\n
What else did Gaura-mohana desire for his son? \u201cHe should learn to play m\u1e5bda\u1e45ga <\/em>very nicely and he should engage in the worship of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda.\u201d<\/p>\n\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s father made all these arrangements: m\u1e5bda\u1e45ga <\/em>lessons and Deities of R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda for \u015ar\u012bla Prabhu\u00adp\u0101da\u2019s childhood worship. In due course of time, everything became wonderfully manifest in \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da, as per his father\u2019s transcendental desires.<\/p>\nWhat wonderful arrangements the Lord makes for his pure devotees! Let the holy remembrance of \u015ar\u012b Gaura-mohana De, the father of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and a pure devotee of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, be ever present in our thoughts.<\/p>\n
HIS GURU \u2013 My Guru Mah\u0101r\u0101ja was a Vaikuntha Man <\/strong><\/p>\n\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da said, \u201cThe ideas I imbibed from my father in my childhood days were later on solidified by my spiritual master, the eternal father, \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura.\u201d Who was \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, the spiritual master of our beloved spiritual master? The eternal ego of \u015ar\u012bla Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura is disclosed here in these two beautiful prayers by \u015ar\u012bla Bhakti Rak\u1e63aka \u015ar\u012bdhara Deva Gosv\u0101m\u012b Mah\u0101r\u0101ja:<\/p>\n
ati-laukika-gati-taulika-rati-kautuka-vapu\u1e63am<\/em>
\nati-daivata-mati-vai\u1e63\u1e47ava-yati-vaibhava-puru\u1e63am<\/em>
\nsa-san\u0101tana-raghu-r\u016bpaka param\u0101\u1e47uga-caritam<\/em>
\nsu-vic\u0101raka iva j\u012bvaka iti s\u0101dhubhir-uditam<\/em>
\n\u015bubhadodaya-divase v\u1e5b\u1e63a-ravij\u0101 nija-dayitam<\/em>
\npra\u1e47am\u0101mi ca cara\u1e47\u0101ntika-paric\u0101raka-sahitam<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cO Dayita D\u0101sa, your divine personality exists within the spiritual realm, and your manner of movement is quite gentle while your divine figure fondly engages in the Lord\u2019s \u015b\u1e5b\u1e45g\u0101ra-rasa <\/em>pastimes. In addition, your external appear\u00adance radiates the prestige of a dignified renunciate \u2013 far superior to any class of demigod \u2013 and possesses the intel\u00adligence of a pure devotee. Every aspect of your distinct personality is exactly parallel with those magnificent devo\u00adtees \u015ar\u012bla San\u0101tana, \u015ar\u012bla Raghun\u0101tha D\u0101sa, and \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b. Due to your wonderful and precise judgement, the devotees have declared that you are the life-image of \u015ar\u012bla J\u012bva Gosv\u0101m\u012b. On your auspicious appearance day, I humbly offer my respects unto the tips of your lotus toes in the association of your favourite servitors. O Gurudeva, you are the dear-most object of King V\u1e5b\u1e63abh\u0101nu\u2019s daughter, \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b.\u201d (\u015ar\u012b Dayita D\u0101sa Pra\u1e47ati-pa\u00f1cakam <\/em>3)<\/p>\nn\u012bte yasmin ni\u015b\u0101nte nayana-jala-bharai\u1e25 sn\u0101ta-g\u0101tr\u0101rbud\u0101n\u0101\u1e41<\/em>
\nucchair utkro\u015bat\u0101\u1e41 \u015br\u012b-v\u1e5b\u1e63a-kapi-sutay\u0101-dh\u012bray\u0101 sv\u012bya-go\u1e63\u1e6dh\u012bm<\/em>
\np\u1e5bthiv\u012b g\u0101\u1e0dh\u0101ndhak\u0101rair-h\u1e5bta-nayana-ma\u1e47\u012bv\u0101v\u1e5bta yena h\u012bn\u0101<\/em>
\nyatr\u0101sau tatra \u015bighra\u1e41 k\u1e5bpa\u1e47a-nayana he n\u012byat\u0101\u1e41 ki\u1e45karo \u2018yam<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAt the close of night, early morn, there were thousands of devotees freshly bathed and loudly wailing, their eyes overflowing with sorrowful tears of hopelessness. \u015ar\u012b\u00admat\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101, that radiantly beautiful Queen of Vraja and daughter of King V\u1e5b\u1e63abh\u0101nu, had summoned Her intimate servant \u015ar\u012b Dayita D\u0101sa to return to Her divine camp, their personal family. Now in the absence of Nayana-ma\u1e47i-ma\u00f1\u00adjar\u012b, the earth planet has been vacuumed into the deepest, vacant darkness. Oh! With no further delay, kindly accept this fallen soul as your servant. O Dayita D\u0101sa, I am hoping against hope to be embraced within the fold of your divine company.\u201d (\u015ar\u012b Dayita D\u0101sa Da\u015bakam <\/em>1)<\/p>\nLet the transcendental memory of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da as the eternal servant of the servant of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda become our exclusive meditation and bhajana<\/em>.<\/p>\nHIS GURU\u2019S INSTRUCTIONS \u2013 R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da \u2013 Print Books! <\/strong><\/p>\n\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da often spoke about the instructions of his Guru Mah\u0101r\u0101ja to preach and publish K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a conscious literature. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da was especially fond of mentioning the story of how he received his most important instructions from \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura at \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da recalled that at the time, \u015ar\u012bla Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura was feeling some dissatisfaction in regards to some disciples compet\u00ading over who would live in which rooms in the newly constructed temple in Calcutta.<\/p>\n
While walking along the banks of R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da, the place of the most intimate pastimes of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda, \u015ar\u012bla Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura revealed his mind. \u201cI think it would be better to sell this temple and the marble and print books.\u201d Then, \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura turned to \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and said, \u201cIf you ever get money, print books.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da told this story many times and he would usually add these words: \u201cAnd so, I am doing. Printing books is our first business. Print books and distribute them all over the world and \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura and Lord Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu will bless you.\u201d<\/p>\n
With great humility, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da used to say that his only qualification was that he had firm faith, guru-ni\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101<\/em>, in the order of his spiritual master.<\/p>\nThe ultimate conception of the spiritual master in the Gau\u00ad\u1e0d\u012bya samprad\u0101ya <\/em>is that the guru is the representative of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da saw his Guru Mah\u0101r\u0101ja, \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, in that way and that is the standard that we must adopt if we wish to enter deeply within the ocean of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness.<\/p>\nLet us always worship the holiest of holy places, \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da, and let us always remember the instructions of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101 to Her most confidential servant at that most holy place.<\/p>\n
HIS PLACE OF BHAJANA \u2013 The R\u0101dh\u0101-D\u0101modara Temple <\/strong><\/p>\nOnce, in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da informed a small group of his devotees of something very sublime, \u201cI live eternally in my rooms at the R\u0101dh\u0101-D\u0101modara temple.\u201d The real substance of this statement is, of course, only fully known to \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da himself, but we can feel with our heart that this clearly indicates that \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da is an eternal member of the camp of \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b.<\/p>\n
In his small rooms overlooking the sam\u0101dhi <\/em>of \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da used to execute his daily bhajana <\/em>of chanting the Holy Name of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and writing the Bhaktived\u0101nta purports in \u015ar\u012bmad Bh\u0101gavatam<\/em>. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da also informed us that, \u201cI got inspiration for going to the West simply by per\u00adforming my bhajana <\/em>and praying before the sam\u0101dhi <\/em>of \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b.\u201d There he performed his bhajana <\/em>and sang daily Naro\u00adttama D\u0101sa \u1e6ch\u0101kura\u2019s song, \u015ar\u012b R\u016bpa-ma\u00f1jar\u012b-pada<\/em>. It is in this song that we find the highest aspiration of the followers of the r\u016bp\u0101nuga samprad\u0101ya <\/em>in the service of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101.<\/p>\nThe R\u0101dh\u0101-D\u0101modara Temple is located within the rasa-ma\u1e47\u1e0dala <\/em>of \u015ar\u012b V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana-dh\u0101ma and it occupies a most exalted position as the place of highly confidential l\u012bl\u0101 <\/em>of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101- Govinda. It was here also that the renowned devotee, \u015ar\u012bla J\u012bva Gosv\u0101m\u012b prepared transcendental literature on the science of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness.<\/p>\nD\u0101modara generally refers to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a being bound with the ropes of love of Mother Ya\u015bod\u0101, but there is another meaning of D\u0101modara which is known only to the followers of \u015ar\u012b Caitanya Mah\u0101prabhu. D\u0101modara means bound by the love and affection of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. So great is \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s love for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, that She has captured K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and bound Her Lord making Him Her exclusive property and servitor.<\/p>\n
The R\u0101dh\u0101-D\u0101modara Temple now stands at that place where Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a became a slave to the love of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, where He bowed to Her holy feet in r\u0101dh\u0101-pada-sev\u0101<\/em>, and this also is the eternal place of service and bhajana <\/em>of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da.<\/p>\nLet us always remember the R\u0101dh\u0101-D\u0101modara Temple, the place of holy bhajana <\/em>of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da and let us never forget his most exalted position as a servant of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b in the camp of \u015ar\u012bla R\u016bpa Gosv\u0101m\u012b.<\/p>\nHIS ARRIVAL \u2013 You Will Obtain Your Good Fortune <\/strong><\/p>\nWhen the Jalad\u016bta was crossing the Atlantic Ocean en route to Boston Harbor on September 13th 1965, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da composed a beautiful prayer in his native Bengali language. The refrain appeals to \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, who is bound by R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s love.<\/p>\n
k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a taba pu\u1e47ya habe bh\u0101i e-pu\u1e47ya karibe<\/em>
\nyabe r\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b khu\u015bi habe dhruva ati bali tom\u0101 t\u0101i<\/em><\/p>\nCommenting on \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s poem, \u015ar\u012bla \u015ar\u012bdhara Mah\u0101\u00adr\u0101ja once said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider him to be a \u015bakty\u0101ve\u015ba-avat\u0101ra and this is confirmed in his writings on his spiritual journey through the Atlantic. How he arrived in America, the nature of his beginning the movement, his intense degree of dependence and dedication to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and how much he made himself empty of any other desire than the order of his Gurudeva corroborate that K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a came down to help him. In his poem, Prayer to the Lotus Feet of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, we find him pleading with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, \u201cMy dear brother, Your good fortune will come to You only when \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101\u00adr\u0101\u1e47\u012b becomes pleased with You.\u201d Seeing his Gurudeva, \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, as R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b\u2019s delegation and his order as Her divine service, he humbly submitted that he did not feel himself worthy or fit to discharge the divine ser\u00advice \u2013 so he enlisted K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in the service of his guru. He had completely dedicated himself to the purpose; he was so earnest in his prayer to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a that divine force came down to help him. Otherwise, it is impossible. It is not an ordinary thing that anyone can do, rather the highest thing was extensively taken down to the lowest position, to the fallen souls. It cannot but be the divine power, embodied and in a great intensity and mag\u00adnitude! So, \u015bakty\u0101ve\u015ba-avat\u0101ra, I cannot but take him to be so.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nThe longest journey begins with the first step and certainly any and all progress in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness begins by first approach\u00ading \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. Just as all the planets revolve around the pole star, Dhruvaloka, so divine service revolves around \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101. Therefore, with emphasis (dhruva<\/em>) Prabhup\u0101da wrote, dhruva ati bali tom\u0101 t\u0101i<\/em>, emphatically imploring K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, \u201cYou will only be happy if R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b is pleased; therefore, You must help me to do Her service.\u201d<\/p>\nIt is the desire of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b to spread K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a con\u00adsciousness all over the world and it is the desire of \u015ar\u012b K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a to spread the glories of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b amongst the surren\u00addered souls. Both these elements are present in the very beginning of \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s attempt to start the K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement in the Western world.<\/p>\n
Once, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da commented that, \u201cK\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a alone is not so beautiful.\u201d The meaning is that without \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b at His side, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is incomplete. The ultimate truth is that R\u0101dh\u0101 and K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a are together eternally. They actually never separate even for a moment. Just as K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a never takes even one step out of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana, similarly, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a never leaves the side of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b even for a moment. The Two are eternally united.<\/p>\n
The pure devotees of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a never desire to enjoy separately with K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a \u2013 rather they eternally desire to serve the Divine Couple, \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a by attending to all Their needs and transcendental necessities.<\/p>\n
Let us always remember the lotus feet of our divine master, His Divine Grace, who has obtained the greatest fortune from the Supreme Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a by the grace of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b and who is eternally engaged in Their most intimate service.<\/p>\n
HIS MESSAGE, A MATCHLESS GIFT <\/strong><\/p>\nWe Have Come Here to Receive the Greatest Gift <\/strong><\/p>\nThe matchless gift that His Divine Grace so graciously gave to his disciples, followers, and ultimately to the whole world, is nicely expressed by \u015ar\u012bla Raghun\u0101tha D\u0101sa Gosv\u0101m\u012b in the fol\u00adlowing prayer to his spiritual master. What we find expressed here by \u015ar\u012bla Raghun\u0101tha D\u0101sa Gosv\u0101m\u012b is truly the essence of the mission of His Divine Grace and the most refined understanding of the substance of our Gau\u1e0d\u012bya samprad\u0101ya<\/em>.<\/p>\nn\u0101ma-\u015bre\u1e63\u1e6dha\u1e41 manum api \u015bac\u012b-putram atra svar\u016bpa\u1e41<\/em>
\nr\u016bpa\u1e41 tasy\u0101grajam uru-pur\u012b\u1e41 m\u0101thur\u012b\u1e41 go\u1e63\u1e6dav\u0101t\u012bm<\/em>
\nr\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da\u1e41 giri-varam aho r\u0101dhik\u0101-m\u0101dhav\u0101\u015b\u0101\u1e41<\/em>
\npr\u0101pto yasya prathita-k\u1e5bpay\u0101 \u015br\u012b guru\u1e41 ta\u1e41 nato \u2018smi<\/em><\/p>\nHere, D\u0101sa Gosv\u0101m\u012b prays to his Gurudeva and if we can understand the things represented in this verse, we can say that we have understood \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s message. By the grace of His Divine Grace, we have received the highest conception of the Holy Name of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and the shelter of \u015ar\u012b Caitanya. \u015ar\u012b Cai\u00adtanya\u2019s personal secretary, Svar\u016bpa D\u0101modara, is none other than \u015ar\u012b Lalit\u0101-sakh\u012b, the closest friend of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101, who canvasses widely on Her behalf. By \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s grace, we have come to her shelter and also the shelter of \u015ar\u012b R\u016bpa and San\u0101tana Gos\u00adv\u0101m\u012bs. By their grace, we can become acquainted with our eternal place of service at Govardhana and sometimes be called to R\u0101dh\u0101-ku\u1e47\u1e0da in the service of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-M\u0101dhava.<\/p>\n
Let us always remember the lotus feet of His Divine Grace, who is the giver of the matchless gift of eternal joy in the hearts of his surrendered servants and who is a torchlight of inspira\u00adtion to all members of the Gau\u1e0d\u012bya samprad\u0101ya <\/em>in the matter of spreading K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness all over the world.<\/p>\nHIS DEPARTURE \u2013 Govardhana and K\u0101rttika <\/strong><\/p>\nAfter preaching K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness around the world fifteen times in only twelve years, His Divine Grace eventually returned to \u015ar\u012b V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana-dh\u0101ma where he manifest his final pastimes before our eyes and gave us his last instructions.<\/p>\n
His Divine Grace showed us many things by his personal example and inspired us to continue preaching this K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a con\u00adsciousness movement all over the world. Then in the month of K\u0101rttika a few days before Govardhana-p\u016bj\u0101, His Divine Grace suddenly manifested a strong desire to go to Govardhana Hill. It came as a shock to all the devotees as they could not tolerate the idea of His Divine Grace making such an arduous journey. Then, with the help of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a D\u0101sa B\u0101b\u0101j\u012b Mah\u0101r\u0101ja, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da\u2019s desire was relaxed, at least from the external point of view.<\/p>\n
What was His Divine Grace teaching us, or what did he actu\u00adally express by telling us that he wanted to go to Govardhana Hill? It was not simply the Govardhana Hill that can be reached by either car or bullock cart to which His Divine Grace desired to go. It was the infinite play of his eternal Lord in the service of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101 at Govardhana to which he desired to return. As D\u0101sa Gosv\u0101m\u012b realised when \u015ar\u012b Caitanya gave him the govard\u00adhana-\u015bil\u0101 <\/em>and gu\u00f1j\u0101-m\u0101l\u0101<\/em>, \u201cMah\u0101prabhu has given me a place at Govardhana in the service of \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dhik\u0101,\u201d so His Divine Grace instructed us about these truths through his disappearance.<\/p>\nK\u0101rttika is the most revered time of year in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana because it represents the month of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, and \u015ar\u012b Govar\u00addhana Hill is the place of unlimited eternal, intimate pastimes of the Divine Couple \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda. His Divine Grace was being called to return to those wonderful pastimes of divine love.<\/p>\n
The days and moments passed and the devotees stood by helplessly \u2013 then suddenly the only meaning in our poor lives dis\u00adappeared from our sight. Our most beloved guide, master, father, and friend had returned to the side of his most worshipful Lord \u2013 simultaneously, he had entered our hearts forever. The devotees shed an ocean of tears, yet to this day we have not extinguished the fire of separation felt for his affectionate and reassuring pres\u00adence. How shall we maintain our lives now?<\/p>\n
His Divine Grace expressed his inner desire to go to Govar\u00addhana Hill and he chose the time of K\u0101rttika, the month of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b, for his departure from this world. Thus, he has shown us the way and he has drawn the whole world to Govar\u00addhana Hill and the K\u0101rttika festival. We have understood this by our practical experience as thousands of devotees from all over the world celebrate K\u0101rttika in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana and circumambulate Govardhana Hill every year.<\/p>\n
Let us always remember our Divine Master, His Divine Grace, as an eternal servant and resident of the eternal pastimes of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101-Govinda and let us carry the impression of his lotus feet and his instructions in the core of our hearts and continue on, as he so strongly desired, to become pure devotees and to spread the K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness movement to every corner of the world.<\/p>\n
Everything is possible by the will of R\u0101dh\u0101 and K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, and His Divine Grace is also always present before us. His Divine Grace has given us the assurance and blessing that, through his instructions he will be by our side at every moment. May we all be blessed with his everlasting memory and his transcendental association via faith, surrender and transcendental loving service.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 19 of Prabhup\u0101da Vijaya, ‘Purport to \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da-Smara\u1e47a-Ma\u1e45gala Stotram’ is the explanation of the Bengali prayer composed by Swami Narasi\u1e45gha in 1994. These 23 astounding verses sing the eternal glo\u00adries of His Divine Grace as meditated upon by his disciple. They remain to this day unrivalled in beauty, substance and realisation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[207],"tags":[206,208],"krishna_talk_article":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5649"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5649\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5649"},{"taxonomy":"krishna_talk_article","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rupanugabhajanashram.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/krishna_talk_article?post=5649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}