CONTENTS:
- Beautiful Homages to Guru Maharaja continued;
- Srila Prabhupada Appreciation;
- Guru Maharaja’s instructions.
1. BEAUTIFUL HOMAGES TO GURU MAHARAJA CONTINUED
A Legacy of love for Srila Prabhupada
(by HH Lokanath Swami)
“In the case of Maharaja, he was soldiering on as a frontline fighter preacher, especially in areas where the pandemic was most rampant. Following in the footsteps of his spiritual master, he boldly travelled to America in spite of the odds, where he strongly believed he was most needed during these perilous times, and he departed a martyr and a true soldier of Srila Prabhupada.
Listen to Maharaja’s sweet singing and enlivening talks. From my experience I would also advise you to remember the times you have spent with Maharaja when he gave you general or specific instructions, and make plan to follow the same and you will feel his presence and his company forever. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die, when thou art living still in sound! The Vaishnavas die to live and living try to spread the holy name around!””
A reservoir of culture
(By HH Devamrta Swami)
“HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja is a reservoir of culture. His Holiness made Vaishnava culture look so easy. It just flowed from him like waves of the ocean. He didn’t have to make any kind of contrivance in his behaviour, demeanour, reciprocations, or dealings with the devotees. We have a common English expression: just like a duck takes to water. And just like that, culture flowed from Maharaja.
But we will find that Krishna is not cheating us. Krishna is not depriving us. Actually, Krishna will give us more. And for the sincere disciple, he or she will feel their guru’s presence even more, although the guru has physically departed. This is the mysticism of bhakti. So please let us remember that the power of association through instruction is not mythology. It is not just some kind of encouraging words. It is the actual bhakti experience.”
A true friend to all
(By HH Sacinandana Swami )
“Krishna has given Bhakti Charu Maharaja. Krishna has maintained Bhakti Charu Maharaja. Krishna personally arranged that Maharaja would leave his body on this most auspicious day called Sravan Purnima, the beginning of Caturmasya. According to a learned priest whom we have consulted, this is the most auspicious day. So Krishna Himself kept our Bhakti Charu Maharaja with us and said it is not the time to leave. Then on Sravan Purnima, Guru Purnima, at the beginning of Caturmasya, he gloriously took off to the Lord’s embrace. I thought very deeply, and I think Krishna brought him to where Srila Prabhupada is, because the distinguishing, unique feature of Maharaja was his absolute to Srila Prabhupada. And you, his disciples, know very well of his commitment because he expressed it in many lectures, and many times when he addressed us.”
Illuminating hearts
(By HH Indrayumna Swami)
“Devotees of the Lord are special because just by their very presence they remind us of Krishna. But the very, very special nature of Bhakti Charu Maharaja was that by his presence, he always reminded us of Srila Prabhupada. I have always been a fan of Maharaja’s lectures. He was a brilliant speaker, one of my favourite speakers. I nourish my bhakti lata creeper by hearing from him a regular basis. And those of you who followed his talks, you all know, without a doubt, that his favourite topic was Srila Prabhupada. Am I right? His favourite topic of Srila Prabhupada pervaded all his lectures. If you looked at him, you thought he had the best epitaph that anyone could have in this movement. Many of our men and ladies have this definition- he was a Prabhupada man, through and through, his personality, his deeds and his mission. Even while speaking with him, you will always feel Prabhupada’s presence. He really was the personification of a devotee, keeping Prabhupada in the center. And we must honour Maharaja by following that example.”
(By HG Mahatma Prabhu)
For Bhakti Charu Maharaj, taking care of ISKCON was like taking care of Srila Prabhupada’s body. For him it was non-different.
(By HH Candramauli Swami)
“Sanatana Goswami would take a personal interest in everyone he met. He would ask, How is your family? The children? The crops?’ He would shower everyone with affection, and
he was deeply loved. This is very much life Bhakti Charu Swami — so personal; caring, and deeply interested in everyone.”
2. SRILA PRABHUPADA APPRECIATION
Prabhupada wanted us to remain in ISKCON, at his feet, and not go anywhere.
3. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
- “Srila Prapupada had made this wonderful family ISKCON, where you have your father, uncles, brothers, cousins, everyone. Thus you are never alone.”
- "He reasons ill who tell that Vaishravas die, When thew are living still in sound! The Vaishnavas die to live, and living try to spread the holy name around!”
(The content of this E-magazine was based on excerpts of homages from a book entitled “Prabhupadagata Prana, A lifetime of Devotion.)
(Compiled and edited by Hemavati Radhika dasi)