CONTENTS:
- Never separated from his spiritual master;
- Srila Prabhupada's Appreciation;
- Guru Maharaja’s Instructions;
1. NEVER SEPARATED FROM HIS SPIRITUAL MASTER
Every morning Srila Prabhupada would come down to the temple, have darshana of the Deities after offering his obeisances, circumambulate Them three times, and then lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam. On the anniversary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s appearance, he spoke about his divine spiritual master. Although I had already heard and read about him, to hear about his pastimes from Prabhupada was an astounding experience.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had been exceptionally brilliant – one of the greatest scholars of his time. His illustrious father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, had trained him from childhood as a devotee, and even when he was young he assisted his father in his preaching mission, to which he remained committed for the rest of his life. Although Srila Bhaktivinoda had revived the mission and teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he had not been able to spread it extensively, but Bhaktisiddhanta had established sixty-four temples throughout India and attracted important and educated people.
Srila Prabhupada explained that a pure devotee is not interested in his personal benefit, he is concerned only about the real welfare of others. He dedicates himself completely to guiding others on the spiritual path, without caring for his own liberation. He is, therefore, the most munificent and the greatest philanthropist. Spiritual personalities like Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura were not from this world. Like the Lord Himself, they came from the spiritual realm to benefit the suffering conditioned souls, and when their missions were complete, they returned. Bur, Srila Prabhupada stated, he was never separated from his spiritual master.
2. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
I was reminded of an incident that had been related to me by a senior devotee. When Srila Prabhupada had returned to India from the West and had come to Mayapur to see the land that had been procured to build the temple, he had not stopped at the samadhi (tomb) of his spiritual master on the way, and some of his godbrothers had criticized him for that. When Srila Prabhupada had heard of their disapproval, he responded, “Do they think that I am ever separated from my spiritual master? No, he is always with me and I am always with him. I am not separated from him even for a moment.”
3. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
Srila Prabhupada spoke for quite a while, urging me to surrender to Krishna. Finally, he told me, “Just offer this life to Krishna and see what happens. Even if nothing happens, what is the loss? After all it is just one life out of so many.”
In my mind I vowed, Yes, Srila Prabhupada, I am offering myself to you. I know that if I do that I will achieve the ultimate perfection of my existence.
(The content of this E-magazine was based on HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s book, Ocean of Mercy, With Srila Prabhupada in Mayapur, pages 84, 85 and 89)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Dasi)