CONTENTS:
- Biography of Guru Maharaja;
- Sri Vyasa puja address by Guru Maharaja;
- Srila Prabhupada's Appreciation;
- Guru Maharaja’s Instructions;
- A poem from all your sons and daughters’ dear father.
1. BIOGRAPHY OF GURU MAHARAJA
His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami was born in Bengal in 1945 and spent most of his early life in the city of Calcutta. In 1970, he left India to study in Germany. Coming across Vedic literatures while in Germany, he discovered the richness of India’s spiritual heritage. In 1975 he returned to India to wholeheartedly pursue spiritual life.
After thoroughly studying the Vedic scriptures, Maharaja became aware of the need to find a spiritual master who could lead him on a sound spiritual course. After searching for one year without coming across a spiritual master to whom he could fully surrender, he felt despondent and disappointed. When he almost gave up hope, he came across a book called The Nectar of Devotion by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Becoming engrossed in the depths of that book, he realised that he had found his spiritual master and the path for which he was searching. As he continued to read Srila Prabhupada’s works, his conviction grew stronger, as did his desire to meet Srila Prabhupada. At that time, Srila Prabhupada was in America. Maharaja joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple in Mayapur and became more involved in devotional service to the Lord, all the while awaiting Srila Prabhupada’s return to India.
When Srila Prabhupada returned to India at the end of 1976, the first meeting between guru and aspiring disciple finally took place. From their very first meeting, Srila Prabhupada gave Maharaja the assignment of translating his books into Bengali and made him his Secretary for Indian Affairs. Within only a few months, Srila Prabhupada gave Maharaja initiation into the disciplic succession and soon thereafter, awarded him the renounced order of Sannyasa.
Alongside his official responsibilities, Maharaja translated all of Srila Prabhupada’s works on major Vedic literatures, consisting of more than fifty volumes of books, into Bengali, as Srila Prabhupada had instructed in their very first meeting. Subsequently, he became a member of the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and served as the Chairman of the Governing Body in 1989.
In 1996, Maharaja took on the mammoth task of making a biographical video epic on the life of his spiritual master, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada. This video series, entitled Abhay Charan was broadcast on national television in India, and has been seen all over the world. Maharaja established the Veda Foundation to pursue spiritual projects for the benefit of ISKCON, and the foundation now produces and distributes audio and video products. In 2006, His Holiness opened a beautiful new temple in the ancient holy city of Ujjain, also known as Avantika, the place where Krishna and Balarama went to school. The temple has five huge alters for the worship of Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama ,Sri SriGauraNitai, Ugra Nrsimhadeva and Prahlad Maharaja and Lord Jaganatha, Lord Baladeva and Subadra Maharani. He also opened up an Ayurvedic clinic in Ujjain.
His Holiness had responsibility as a GBC Zonal Secretary for Mayapur, Kolkata, Ujjain and Bhubaneswar. His Holiness travelled all over the world to fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to him to spread the teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He regularly visited India, USA, UK, South Africa, UAE and Australia. His Holiness had started a project in Deland, Florida, USA for preaching Krishna consciousness and cow protection. His Holiness recently left this material world on 4 July 2020, a great loss for ISKCON. His samadhi is in Mayapur dham. His Holiness is greatly missed and remain forever renowned for His exceptional devotional service, love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON and all the devotees. He was a true gentleman and a pure Vaishanava whose teachings and legacy will be always, lovingly be followed by His disciples and well-wishers.
2. SRI VYASA PUJA ADDRESS BY GURU MAHARAJA
Downstairs at Srila Prabhupada’s quarters I was making the bhoga offering to Prabhupada and was feeling so happy and relaxed. In spiritual life, service is the most important; it is through service that we remain safely situated in our spiritual lives. Through our service we experience joy. Service is the most important thing. Service is our constitutional activity and our constitutional position is eternal servants therefore through service we feel completely relaxed, safe and secure. Since I assumed the responsibility of being a spiritual master, I have tried to avoid Vyasa Puja. Vyasa puja should be grand as it is the worship of Vyasadeva. I am the via medium to Vyasadeva and it becomes troublesome as it is my responsibility to pass everything to you. My responsibility or position is to be a transparent via media. Nothing should stop that. If anything stops then it becomes translucent and if nothing goes through then it becomes opaque. Our position is like that of a lens meant to magnify just like a telescope. Between the eye and a distant object. You look through the telescope through a series of lenses making distant objects closer, that is the role of the spiritual master. This is a special kind of arrangement that enhances the vision. Another example in this context would be glasses. The glasses enhance my vision. If I take off my glasses, I cannot see you all but if I put them back on, I can see clearly. The role of the spiritual master should be very clear about his link with his spiritual master that is Srila Prabhupada. In our case it is clear that Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual master. When you see through the context of the institution Srila Prabhupada is THE spiritual master of everyone, that concept is becoming more and clearer.
Mistakes of the early days were made by seniors who assumed the role of the spiritual master due to the lack of experience. These grievous mistakes were made and we learnt a big lesson and are still learning. Srila Prabhupada’s position is now clear. These mistakes caused massive damage to individuals, collectively and the institution. The mistake was made because Srila Prabhupada’s position was not made clear. With the passing of time it will be clear. The book written by Ravindra Swarupa prabhu is there and this is not the end only the beginning and it’s giving us the concept and the lead. If you claim but all Srila Prabhupada’s quotes are not there then get all the quotes and put it into practice is your own life. In just a position paper you cannot expect everything to be there. A time will come when we will all recognise it’s like Jesus in Christianity, Muhammed in Islam, ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada’s sampradaya and we should not be afraid or shy to establish Srila Prabhupada in that position. The more and more we establish Srila Prabhupada’s position the more secure ISKCON will be.
Srila Prabhupada’s books are the basis , temples are the units and the devotees are the warriors to fight the battle against Kali. Srila Prabhupada has equipped us with all the arms and weapons to fight Kali and we will make his life so hellish that he will have to hide in some remote cave or under water. Military strength is derived from two aspects:
1. Expert guidance of the General and; 2. Loyalty of the servants.
This battle against Kali can be won by this wonderful arrangement of Srila Prabhupada for Lord Caitanya’s mission. We are so fortunate to be here. We must reconfirm our dedication to Srila Prabhupada. This time it is not only to remember but to recommit to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet through a grand fire sacrifice reconfirming our commitment to Srila Prabhupada. It’s not just a ceremony of external celebration but an internal commitment.
When I was in London someone asked me why do British nationalists go to the Middle East to fight? They are all educated individuals so why would they do this irrational indulgence? My response was that youth want excitement and they do not see the cause. Excitement is what is drawing them there. If we can create that excitement in ISKCON can you imagine how many will join? In the early days it was exciting to have joined the Hare Krishna movement, to shave your head, to chant Hare Krishna, to follow the four regulative principles. This was unusual those days and that was what made it so exciting. We must rekindle that excitement again in a positive way We will fight with the weapon of love. Caitanya Mahaprabhu brought Nama prema, the holy name and distributed love. In this incarnation of the Lord there was no socalled weapon as in the other incarnations. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu had a very special weapon and what was that weapon? Its love. If you want to kill me, go ahead I will still love you. Krishna Consciousness will destroy the violent atmosphere of this age. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to be more tolerant than a tree, cut the tress and the tree will still give shade and even some fruits. We see you as a part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead therefore you are my brothers and sisters and the common father is in the centre and we are related to each other especially in ISKCON. First charity begins at home, first demonstrate our love. What is the hindrance to love? Hatred. And hatred is demonstrated through quarrel and conflict. Kali is influencing and working through quarrel and conflict. Avoid that through love. Tell them I love you no matter what you are doing. Proper demonstration to Lord Caitanya’s mission trinadapi sunicena reminds us what our business is. We have nothing to gain we prepared to lose everything because we know what is the cause we fighting for. Establish Krishna Consciousness all over the world. Thank you very much. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
3. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
The role of the spiritual master should be very clear about his link with his spiritual master that is Srila Prabhupada. In our case it is clear that Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual master. When you see through the context of the institution Srila Prabhupada is THE spiritual master of everyone, that concept is becoming more and clearer. A time will come when we will all recognise it’s like Jesus in Christianity, Muhammed in Islam, ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada’s sampradaya and we should not be afraid or shy to establish Srila Prabhupada in that position. The more and more we establish Srila Prabhupada’s position the more secure ISKCON will be.
4. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
In spiritual life, service is the most important; it is through service that we remain safely situated in our spiritual lives.;
Through our service we experience joy. Service is the most important thing. Service is our constitutional activity and our constitutional position is eternal servants therefore through service we feel completely relaxed, safe and secure;
The more and more we establish Srila Prabhupada’s position the more secure ISKCON will be;
We must rekindle that excitement again in a positive way We will fight with the weapon of love;
Kali is influencing and working through quarrel and conflict. Avoid that through love;
Proper demonstration to Lord Caitanya’s mission trinadapi sunicena reminds us what our business is;
We have nothing to gain we prepared to lose everything because we know what is the cause we fighting for; and
Establish Krishna Consciousness all over the world.
5. A POEM FROM ALL OF YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS DEAR FATHER.
Happy Vyasa Puja our dearmost beloved spiritual father!
Our hearts are broken and torn,
ever since you have gone
It’s the first Vyasa puja without you, naturally we feel sad,
But we really trying our best to make you glad.
We need you so much more than you know,
And even all our love and service cannot repay you for what we owe.
We thank you for accepting us all,
Even though we may stumble and fall
Your love, guidance and vani is what keeps us still alive,
It’s the secret tonic that enables us to survive.
Your heart so soft and overflowing with love,
So pure and selfless it comes from high above
Your dedicated, loving mood of service we adore,
Giving us hope and is what we all aspire for.
Gurudeva, an expert in everything you do,
A rare quality only in a very special few
A perfect gentleman ever so sweet,
making us long to again meet.
Your unalloyed love for Srila Prabhupada made you shine so bright,
It melted our stone hearts to see such a beautiful sight.
Your humility and compassion were your divine beauty,
Making us want to follow in your footsteps automatically.
Your eloquent lectures an ocean of nectar
Making us thirsty to always hear more and more
Opening the spiritual world’s door.
When we your children see
how you loved your Godbrothers and Godsisters
we now understand that’s
how we should love one another.
Thank you for every single thing,
In our miserable lives great fortune did you bring
You are the most beloved to us
Whom we eternally love, adore and trust.
Please forgive our childish ways and ignorance, dear father. It’s difficult to be separated from you. We are lost but sincerely trying to serve your vani. All we want is to be your good boys and girls and make you happy. We beg you eternally keep us engaged in your service and that we will remember you with every breath we take. We await the day when we, your children will be reunited with our dearmost father to see your beautiful smile, hear you call our names as we take the dust of your lotus feet making our family once again complete.
With all the love in our hearts,
from all your sons and daughters.
(The content of this E-magazine is based on a Lecture given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami on 17 September 2014 at ISKCON Chatsworth, Durban, South Africa for the memorial festival of Srila Prabhupada.)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Dasi)