Celebrating Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna my dear devotees. Thank you for joining us. Devotees on Zoom, as far as possible, please put on your cameras so we can see your moon-like faces and it will be more personal. So we recently celebrated Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Day. And His Grace Nitai-Gaurasundara dasa thought that it would be an appropriate subject for tonight’s meeting to discuss about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. We are all here by the mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. There is a line through which the mercy descends upon us beginning with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passing one teacher after the other through paramparā disciplic succession.

Five thousand years ago Krishna came in His original form and instructed in the Bhagavad-gītā, 9.34 and 18.65. 

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto

“Always think of me and become my devotee.”

Five hundred years ago Lord Krishna came again in the devotional form of Sri Krishna Chaitanya to explain and personally show how to be a devotee and always think of Krishna. Lord Chaitanya quoted a verse from the Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa, 38.126

harer nāma harer nāma

harer nāmaiva kevalam

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva

nāsty eva gatir anyathā

“One should chant the holy name, chant the holy name, chant the holy name of Hare Krishna. There is no other way, no other way, no other way for success in the present age of Kali. He also desired and predicted” 

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma

sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

“In as many towns and villages as there are on the surface of the earth my holy name will be propagated.” 

This desire and prediction was expressed at a time when it was almost impossible to imagine or believe that it could happen. In the 1800s, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura began the effort to spread the holy name of Krishna to countries outside India. He wrote a small book in English called Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, His Life and Precepts, and dispatched copies to libraries around the world. In recent years, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples have discovered copies in libraries from Canada, McGill University, to Australia. Bhaktivinoda Thakura yearned for the day when devotees from all over the world would unite in hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana and wrote: 

“Very soon the unparalleled path of hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana will be propagated all over the planet. Oh, for that day when the fortunate English, French, Russian, German, and American people will take up banners, mridangas, and karatalas and perform kirtan through their streets and towns. When will that day come? Oh for the day when the fair-skinned men from their side will raise up the chanting of Jaya Sacinandana, Jaya Sacinandana ki jaya, and join with the Bengali devotees. When will that day be?”

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was a very powerful spiritual master and acharya. After the disappearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates, many unscrupulous people claiming to be Mahaprabhu’s followers introduced concocted philosophies and practices, even illicit activities to the point that if an educated Bengali heard the word Vaishnava he would immediately think the worst. In educated circles Vaishnava had come to mean a sentimental ignorant person with loose character who in the guise of religion engaged in all sorts of questionable activities. In this precarious situation Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura came forward and presented the true understanding of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, speaking strongly against the deviant groups that had distorted and perverted Lord Chaitanya’s pure teachings and practices.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura held a high position in the British rule of India, the highest an Indian could hold, and then only very rarely. He had important responsibilities in the government and had a large family, but his main interest was Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Saṅkīrtana movement. He would sleep little and rise early. He did so much, wrote books, traveled, preached, established centers, and had a tremendous effect especially on the people of Bengal and Orissa, including the intellectual elite who were just then coming in touch with modern ideas from the west. He revived the true mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspiring hosts of people to join him. And he pushed back the deviant groups which lost much of their influence. Having undertaken such a tremendous task and executed it so successfully but still being surrounded by many parties with vested interest in covering the true intention of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was at a loss as to who would carry on his mission. He prayed to Krishna to send someone; one of his own associates from the spiritual realm to continue the work. It is understood that the appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was the answer to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s prayers.

There are many incidents from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s early life that indicate that he was that person sent by Krishna. When Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was five months old, the Ratha-yatra cart halted in front of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s home in Puri. And the Thakura directed his wife, Bhagavati devi, to carry the baby to the chariot. When the infant was placed at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha, he extended his tiny arms to touch the deity’s feet, and Lord Jagannatha dropped one of his garlands around him. A blessing and a confirmation of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s divine discent. Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati understood his father’s mission and worked with him to fulfill it. His father initiated him into the chanting of the holy name, hari-nāma, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. But according to etiquette, a father does not give actual dīkṣā to his son. So, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructed him to approach Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, a great mahā-bhāgavata, a fully self-realized liberated soul for dīkṣā. But Srila Gaurakishora dasa Babaji was a renowned bhajanānandī and was not inclined to accept disciples. He preferred simply to immerse himself in chanting the holy names and hearing scripture. When Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati approached him Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja told him directly that he would not accept him or anyone else as a disciple. Still Siddhanta Sarasvati persisted. So Babaji Maharaja told him, “I will ask Mahaprabhu.” 

A few days later when Siddhanta Sarasvati returned and inquired what was Mahaprabhu’s order, Babaji Maharaja replied, “I forgot to ask.” And when Siddhanta Sarasvati came for the third time, Babaji Maharaja directly refused him. “Mahaprabhu has not given me permission.” Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati was devastated. He stood up and quoted a line by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura addressed to the guru, karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya, prana na rakhibo ara. “If you are not merciful to me, I will simply weep and weep, and will not be able to maintain my life.” Finally, When Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja understood how sincere and serious Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati was, he accepted him as his disciple and initiated him. 

Five years later, in 1905, Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati undertook a vow to chant at least three lakh holy names daily, ten million monthly, until he had chanted one billion holy names. For his disciples, Srila Prabhupada fixed the minimum number of sixteen rounds per day, which takes most devotees about two hours. Four times sixteen is sixty-four rounds, or one lakh names. And three times sixty-four rounds equals three hundred thousand names, which would take, even at a good rate, some sixteen hours a day. In Mayapur, Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati constructed a grass hut, where he lived very simply and chanted day and night. If rain came and leaked through the thatched roof, he would just hold up an umbrella and continue chanting: 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

To complete his vow took more than nine years, but even then, Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati would write, preach, and serve the dhāma. One program he attended was especially significant. In Bengal the caste brahmans held a stranglehold on people’s religious practices. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had spoken openly against them and their false claim, based on their supposed high birth, that they possessed exclusive rights to be gurus and perform brahminical functions. Naturally, when Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati challenged them, the brahmans reacted. An assembly of Smarta brahmans and jāta-gosāñis (caste Gosvamis) came together to try to refute the arguments of the pure Vaishnavas and published a tract against them. In response, the Vaishnavas called a three-day public meeting to discuss the relative positions of brahmans and Vaishnavas. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was expected to be the main speaker, but severe rheumatism rendered him bedridden.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura himself was not born in a brahman family, and obviously, neither was his son. Now, the question may be raised, that since Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was a ray of Vishnu, an eternal associate of Krishna’s sent from the spiritual realm to the material world to preach—Krishna could have arranged for him to take birth in the highest class of brahman family, with all the brahminical qualifications, but Krishna didn’t. Why not? Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati explains that the Lord does not arrange for pure devotees to take birth only in high-class families, with all the advantages of good health, education, culture, wealth, strength, and so on, because ordinary people would feel discouraged. They would think, “Oh, I didn’t take birth in a high-class family; I didn’t have this or that advantage. What is the hope for me?” So great souls take birth in various kinds of families to show us the example that anyone in any condition—even if not born in a brahman family—can become Krishna conscious, and to give us hope that we too can be Krishna conscious.

So after the publication of the caste brahman’s tract, on the eve of the public meeting to be convened by the Vaishnavas, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was incapacitated, and he cried out in desperation, “Is there no one in the Vaishnava world who can reply to these people and by presenting scriptural evidence and logic put a stop to their base activities?” Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati took up the challenge, wrote an essay called, “Conclusion Regarding the Comparison of Brahmans and Vaishnavas,” and went to attend the meeting. Many caste brahmans, although not invited, also went to the meeting. Understanding that Bhaktivinoda Thakura was indisposed and unable to attend, they swaggered about, confident that they would easily triumph over the Vaishnavas.

Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati was the first speaker. He began by quoting various statements from scripture about the exalted position of brahmans, and the caste brahmans in the audience were delighted. He was so brilliant that he could speak better about the high position of brahmans than the brahmans themselves. But then he began quoting verses from scripture about the position of Vaishnavas, establishing that Vaishnavas were higher than brahmans and that irrespective of one’s birth, if one accepted the Vaishnava principles he would attain a position more exalted than that of a brahman. The brahmans in the audience were completely overwhelmed. Seeing no way to counter Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati’s arguments, the Smarta brahmans and jata-gosanis snuck away. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura felt assured that his mission was in capable hands, that Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati was a worthy successor to carry on his cause. And Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati began to preach far and wide. He was fearless and open in his criticism of anything false. His example and instructions remain relevant to us today.

Srila Sarasvati Thakura was a prodigious writer and speaker, on various topics, including how to present the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He noted that there are people who think that you should say only positive—not negative—things. I experienced that when I was in Madras. I was just preaching as I had heard Srila Prabhupada preach, and people reacted. Even friends, people who were hosting me and supporting me, advised, “Don’t criticize others. Just say what you want about your philosophy and activities.” Srila Sarasvati Thakura asserted that it was imperative not only to elucidate the truth but also to criticize anything false, because in Kali-yuga there is so much false propaganda that we have to be very clear; there cannot be any ambiguity in our message. He said:

“The positive method by itself is not the most effective method of propaganda in a controversial age like the present. The negative method, which seeks to differentiate the truth from non-truth in all its forms, is even better calculated to convey the directly inconceivable significance of the Absolute. It is a necessity which cannot be conscientiously avoided by the dedicated preacher of the truth if he wants to be a loyal servant of Godhead. The method is sure to create an atmosphere of controversy in which it is quite easy to lose one’s balance of judgement. But the ways of the deluding energy are so intricate that unless their mischievous nature is fully exposed, it is not possible for the soul in the conditioned state to avoid the snares by the enchantress (maya) for encompassing the ruin of her only too willing victims. It is a duty which shall be sacred to all who have been enabled to attain even a distant glimpse of the Absolute.”

Our Srila Prabhupada also demonstrated this approach. He had a friend named Dr. Patel who would accompany him on his morning walks on Juhu Beach. Dr. Patel was quite literate, he knew Sanskrit, and he was quite sharp. So one morning, Dr. Patel started praising a revered popular religious figure of India, and Srila Prabhupada, in turn, began to criticize the figure. Dr. Patel protested, “You cannot criticize like this.” But Srila Prabhupada replied, “I am not saying; Krishna is saying.

na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ

prapadyante narādhamāḥ

māyayāpahṛta-jñānā

āsuraṁ bhāvam āśritāḥ

“If you are not surrendered to Krishna, you are a miscreant in one of these categories—fool, rascal, demon.”

Dr. Patel became agitated and raised his voice, and Srila Prabhupada raised his. The whole situation became both tense and intense. Finally, Dr. Patel’s friends dragged him away. It was like in a boxing ring when the bell rings to signal the end of the round and the two opponents keep going at each other and the referee has to tear them apart. For the first time, Dr. Patel stopped coming for the morning walks, and Srila Prabhupada also said, “Now no more discussion. We will only read Krishna book.” But after a couple of days Dr. Patel was walking in one direction on the beach, and Prabhupada was walking on the other. And as Dr. Patel described it—something in his heart just drew him to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet. He offered obeisance and said, “Prabhupada, I am sorry, but we are trained to respect all the accredited saints of India.” And Srila Prabhupada replied, “Yes, and our business is to point out who is not a saint.” He had learned from his guru maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, that we not only tell who is a saint, we also explain who is not a saint. And that is the mercy of the Vaishnava, so people know clearly what is what, otherwise they can be misled and as a result, suffer.

Srila Sarasvati Thakura was a tremendously powerful and successful preacher who fearlessly spoke the truth. And his pure preaching inspired hundreds of thousands of people to follow but he also had enemies. He was the enemy of falsehood, and people who were thriving on falsehood sometimes became his enemies. Once when his party was performing Navadvipa parikramā, the caste brahmans hired guṇḍās, thugs, who let loose with a volley of stones and boulders on the party, aiming to take Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s life. (There were attempts on other occasions as well.) But one of his disciples cleverly exchanged his white dress for Sarasvati Thakura’s saffron robes, so Sarasvati Thakura emerged disguised and escaped. But it was a terrible scene. It looked like a massacre, with the streets of Navadvipa stained with the blood of the Vaishnavas. Some devotees suffered gashes and fractures, but by Krishna’s grace none were killed. It was a dark moment, but when it came to light that the attack had been perpetrated by the caste Gosvamis, the public sided with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and the Gaudiya Matha, and the caste Gosvamis’ opposition to him lost whatever credibility it had.

As news of the event spread, those in learned circles protested in newspapers and magazines. The chief police inspector in Navadvipa was fired, and the parikramā continued under full police protection. Later when urged to press charges against the culprits, Srila Sarasvati Thakura declined, saying that the guṇḍās had done a yeoman’s service—otherwise how could the Gaudiya Matha have been featured on the front pages of all the newspapers? Srila Sarasvati Thakura was the enemy of falsehood, but he was the well-wisher of everyone, even of people who were inimical to him. He used all means to broadcast the message of Krishna, employing the latest technologies. He directed the construction of dioramas and other exhibits and staged huge Theistic Exhibitions. In January, 1935 the governor of Bengal, Sir John Anderson, visited Mayapur. This was a major event, because the Britishers were the rulers, and Srila Sarasvati Thakura was one of their subjects, one of their vassals. But the governor, accompanied by many other dignitaries, came all the way to Mayapur to meet Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and see his work.

Despite Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s tremendous purity and potency and success as a preacher, within his own institution there were disconcerting signs that some of his leading disciples were becoming materially infected. With so much opulence, facility, fame, and respect, some of them had become distracted. Instead of realizing that all the facility was meant for the service of the Lord, to bring people to the Lord’s unalloyed service, they were enjoying the facilities and adulation. In an effort to reform his followers, Srila Sarasvati Thakura spoke strongly, and he restricted the use of certain facilities—only for service, only for preaching—to curb the devotees’ materialistic tendencies. (Of course, he also had many sincere disciples, who did not become materially affected.) At the same time, Srila Sarasvati Thakura continued his propaganda activities—writing, publishing, traveling, and preaching, and was successful wherever he went. Still he was disturbed that some of his disciples had become so mundane.

When he reached the age of sixty-two, Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s health declined and he made statements indicating that he would soon be leaving. In late October 1936 he traveled to Puri, a holy place that was also warmer than Calcutta. But in December, though he was in a weakened condition, he wanted to return to Calcutta and the disciples arranged for his travel by train. In Calcutta, Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s disciples called in some of the city’s most renowned physicians. When one advised him, “You have to rest more. You can’t speak so much,” Sarasvati Thakura proceeded to preach for hours about the purpose of human life, that the physical body was temporary and that the soul’s absolute necessity was to serve the Lord. He felt that if he couldn’t speak about Krishna, what would be the use of living? On December 23rd, a week before he passed away, he instructed the devotees gathered at his bedside:

“I have upset many persons’ minds. Many might have considered me their enemy, because I was obliged to speak the plain truth of service and devotion towards the Absolute Godhead. I have given them all those troubles only so they might turn their face toward the Personality of Godhead without any desire for gain and with unalloyed devotion. Surely some day they will be able to understand that. I advise all to preach the teachings of Rupa-Raghunatha (two of the Six Gosvamis, direct disciples of Lord Chaitanya) with all energy and resources, our ultimate goal shall be to become the dust of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Rupa and Raghunatha Gosvamis. You should all work conjointly under the guidance of your spiritual master with a view to serve the Absolute Knowledge, the Personality of Godhead. You should live somehow or other without any quarrel in this mortal world only for the service of Godhead. Do not, please, give up the service of Godhead, in spite of all dangers, all criticisms, and all discomforts. Do not be disappointed, for most people in the world do not serve the Personality of Godhead; do not give up your own service, which is your everything and all, neither reject the process of chanting and hearing of the transcendental holy name of Godhead. You should always chant the transcendental name of Godhead with patience and forbearance like a tree and humbleness like a straw. There are many amongst you who are well qualified and able workers. We have no other desire whatsoever.”

After midnight on December 31, Srila Sarasvati Thakura left this world. His disciples took his body to Mayapur and established his samadhi there. News of his departure was broadcast on All-India Radio, and an official day of mourning was observed in Bengal. The Corporation of Calcutta held a special meeting in tribute to his memory and issued a resolution expressing its members’ deep sorrow. The mayor addressed the assembly:

“I rise to condole the passing away of His Divine Grace Paramahamsa Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the president-acharya of the Gaudiya Matha of Calcutta and the great leader of the Gaudiya movement throughout the world. This melancholy event happened on the first day of this New Year.”

“Born in 1874, he dedicated his whole life to religious pursuits and dissemination of the cultural wealth of this great and ancient land of ours. An intellectual giant, he elicited the admiration of all for his unique scholarship, high and varied attainments, original thinking, and wonderful exposition of many difficult branches of knowledge. With invaluable contributions he enriched many journals. He was the author of some devotional literature of repute. He was one of the most powerful and brightest exponents of the cult of Vaishnavism, his utterances and writings displaying a deep study of comparative philosophy and theology. Catholicity of his views, soundness of his teachings, and above all, his dynamic personality and the irresistible force of the pure and simple life, had attracted thousands of followers of his message of love and service to the Absolute as propagated by Sri Krishna Chaitanya. He was the founder and guiding spirit of the Sri Chaitanya Matha at Sri Mayapur (Nadia) and the Gaudiya Matha of Calcutta. The Gaudiya movement, to which his contribution is no small one, has received a setback at the passing away of such a great soul. His departure has created a void in the spiritual horizon of India, which is difficult to be filled up.”

The void was a big one. Srila Sarasvati Thakura was a monumental personality and there was no one else like him. Practically, there had never been anyone like him before, and nobody could imagine anyone like him coming afterwards. But then, in 1965, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s humble servant, a grihastha disciple named Abhay Caranaravinda dasa, who after his guru maharaja’s disappearance had been awarded sannyasa, and the name “A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami,” by Sripada Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, boarded a steamer from Calcutta, travelled to New York, and began the Krishna consciousness movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in the West. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Prabhupada, as he became known, embodied the spirit and teachings and potency of his guru maharaja and fulfilled that desire and prediction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and Srila Sarasvati Thakura that the holy names of Sri Krishna, of Sri Krishna Chaitanya, be propagated in every town and village of the world.

Srila Prabhupada made adjustments, because he had his own audience and particular circumstances. Like his guru maharaja, he was ready to use anything and everything in the service of the mission. He engaged modern technology—tape recorders, dictaphones, electric typewriters, printing presses, computers, airplanes—in the service of the Lord. He sent disciples to Bengal to learn the traditional art of doll making and also used modern technology to create diorama exhibits illustrating the principles of Krishna consciousness and the pastimes of the Lord. Adopting Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s idea of theistic exhibitions, he created the FATE (First American Theistic Exhibition) museum in Los Angeles. And so the line of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is continuing, by His Divine Grace.

Of course, the holy name is the essence of everything. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati advised, “Krishna and Krishna-nama are not two entities. Krishna is His holy name, and the holy name is Krishna. Krishna-nama is the son of Nanda, Shyamasundara. Our only devotional service and duty is sri-krsna-nama-saṅkīrtana. This understanding is auspicious.” And to one disciple Srila Bhaktisiddhanta wrote:

“I am overjoyed to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting is increasing. As our contaminations are removed by chanting, the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes will be revealed to us in the holy name. There is no point in making a separate effort to artificially remember the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes. The Lord and His name are one and the same. This will be understood clearly when the coverings in your heart are removed. By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that all perfections come from the holy name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self, and the gross and subtle bodies, is gradually effaced and one realizes one’s own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body, as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord’s form. Only the holy name reveals the spiritual form of the living entities and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s form.

“Only the holy name reveals the spiritual qualities of the living being and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s qualities. Only the holy name reveals the spiritual activities of the living being and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s pastimes. By service to the holy name. . .”

This is very important. . .

“By service to the holy name we do not mean only the chanting of the holy name; it also includes the other duties of the chanter. If we serve the holy name with the body, mind, and soul, then the direction of that service spontaneously manifests like the sun in the clear sky of the chanter’s heart. What is the nature of the holy name? Eventually all these understandings spontaneously appear in the heart of one who chants the holy name. The true nature of hari-nāma is revealed by listening to, reading, and studying the scriptures. It is unnecessary to write anything further on this subject. All these things will be revealed to you through chanting.”

So let us all, as Srila Prabhupada said, chant and be happy. Hare Krishna.

So, my dear devotees, thank you for joining us on this auspicious occasion, for this auspicious topic. And now, if any of you have any questions or comments you can raise your hands, your physical hand or your virtual hand. I see that Cindy Lalisa has her hand raised. 

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. I have a question about living in Vrindavan and Mayapur, you say that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta had left Mayapur and he came to Calcutta, and that is where he left the body. And Srila Prabhupada was determined to go to Vrindavan, he was in Bombay, Juhu and he was determined to go to Vrindavan. So what is the instruction for us?

Giriraj Swami: Well, there is spiritual variegatedness. It is true, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura left his body in Calcutta, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also left his body in Calcutta. But Srila Prabhupada chose to leave his body in Vrindavan. And other recent acharyas—Gaura Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja, he left his body in Mayapur. And Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja, he also left his body in Mayapur.

So what is the instruction for you? The instruction for you is to follow your heart and pray to the Lord in the heart, pray to the guru in the heart to guide you. But yes, I would leave it at that. But again, it is auspicious to leave one’s body in the dhāma in Vrindavan or Mayapur. And Srila Prabhupada set the example and he left his body in Vrindavan. Mother Kirtida was in Vrindavan. And eventually she came to Dallas and she left her body in Dallas which had a profound effect on the Dallas community of devotees. It was a very powerful preaching action. So yes there are many factors. You can weigh your different options and pray for mercy and make your selection.

Devotee: Do we select or is it Krishna who arrange for us? We may wish but we have restrictions.

Giriraj Swami: That is true too. Man proposes and God disposes. That is not entirely up to us. That is true, but since you were asking as if you had a choice so I replied as if you had the choice. And Srila Bhaktisiddhanta chose to depart from Calcutta. Srila Prabhupada chose to depart from Vrindavan. Sometimes you don’t have a choice.

Devotee: Yes, Guru Maharaja. Thank you. 

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna. 

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. Thank you for such an inspiring class today. I learned so much about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s courage in preaching Mahaprabhu’s teachings and how much risk he took upon his own life. And it was really starkly clear to me how he didn’t hesitate to criticize the non-devotees especially who are posing as religious leaders. And for me that was pretty sharp. I have also heard from acharyas that when somebody asked Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja, “Is it all right to criticize the non-devotees?” And he said, “Yes, it is all right to do so, but first find out who is the first non-devotee. And that is my own self.” 

So for me that was an instruction that, look at your own heart first before criticizing others. So I don’t know how to draw the balance between, of course we don’t criticize the hate; we don’t hate the sinners we hate the sin, criticize the non-devotion part of people. But it is so difficult to be strong and sharp. As Dr. Patel was saying we are trained to respect saintly people. We do a little bit of preaching here and there, whatever we can, but I just never take the path of criticizing anybody, I can’t do it. So what do you suggest Maharaja for a neophyte like me?

Giriraj Swami: Well, we don’t criticize for the sake of criticizing, we criticize for the sake of helping new people or neophytes not to be misled by false gurus or false teachings. So if we criticize for that reason then there is no harm. I was in Madras and I was preaching as I heard Srila Prabhupada preach. And some people reacted. They didn’t like my criticizing and they said don’t criticize others. Just state positively what you want about your own philosophy and activities, don’t criticize others. So I had an appointment with an industrialist, and I was getting it from many people not to criticize and so I thought maybe Krishna is trying to tell me something. So I resolved that I wouldn’t criticize.

So I went to meet the industrialist. He had a large compound with his residence, and his office and his factory. So I was very determined, just state positively what I want about our philosophy and activities. I won’t say anything negative or criticize anyone. So I made my presentation, I showed him the books and I asked him to become a life member. And he said, “Well, what about Shankaracharya? I mean you have spoken so many things about so many acharyas but you haven’t said anything about Shankaracharya.” 

So I said, “Yes, Shankaracharya is also one of the great acharyas of India.” He kept probing, “Well what about him?” So finally I couldn’t avoid the topic and I came out with a whole explanation, that he was actually an incarnation of Lord Shiva who was meant to bewilder people with his atheistic philosophy, which was a type of vale Buddhism. And I took out the Teachings of Lord Caitanya book and I read the whole section. And I thought very well, that is that; put the form back in my briefcase, pack my briefcase, packed up and I was ready to leave. So as I was leaving the man said, “Swamiji, I want you to come into my home and see my temple room.” And I thought, Oh no, there is a Shiva-lingam. If I don’t offer obeisances he is going to be offended. So I looked him in the eye like, Do I really have to? And he looked me in the eye like, Yes, you do.

So I went into his home. And his temple room was quite big as home temples are. And it was white marble floor and white marble platform. And on the platform were big deities of Radha and Krishna. And I was so happy to see them because almost all the Vaishnava temples in Madras were of Vishnu. And there is one Partha-sarathi, famous Partha-sarathi Mandir in Madras, but that was Krishna alone but no Radha and Krishna. So I looked at him like, What is it? And he said, “Swamiji, me and my family for generations have all been devotees of Radha and Krishna, and I was just testing you and you didn’t compromise. So I am very pleased with you and I will be happy to become your life member.”

So maybe I wasn’t doing wrong; that ended well but I wasn’t completely sure, but that ended well. And then when I got back to the place where I was staying in Madras, there was a letter from Srila Prabhupada that was so clear. And in the letter Srila Prabhupada wrote; well maybe I almost remember it verbatim but I think it is better I actually read it because it is so beautiful. Yes, Srila Prabhupada wrote me:

“The fact is that I am the only one in India who is openly criticizing, not only demigod worship and impersonalism, but everything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna. My Guru Maharaja never compromised in His preaching, nor will I, nor should any of my students. We are firmly convinced that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all other are His part and parcel servants. This we must declare boldly to the whole world, that they should not foolishly dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender fully to Krishna as Supreme Lord.”

So that was the answer.

Devotee: Haribol. Thank you Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: I did see another hand up. 

Devotee: Rastanu Prabhu, Maharaja. I don’t know where he went.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. It is such a wonderful class Maharaja, so much information about Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaja. But please, I do not know how to put this question Maharaja, the question is when we refer Prabhupada, say we are referring him as a, namaḥ oṁ viṣṇupādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhūtale, śrīmate… Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, at the same time when referring to his guru maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Guru Maharaja. Could you please light on the difference between those two, Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: Yes. Prabhupada is a term of highest respect for a spiritual personality. And Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was called Prabhupada. And our Srila Prabhupada was also called Prabhupada. And some of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s disciples thought it was improper for our Srila Prabhupada to accept the title, Srila Prabhupada. And once when Srila Prabhupada was being challenged about that, he very humbly said, “My disciples asked me and in a moment of weakness I gave them permission.” But certainly he is a fit successor to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada. I guess sometimes depending on that context we say our Srila Prabhupada, meaning our Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, to make it clear that we are not referring to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada; but certainly they were both worthy of that exalted title. Rupa Gosvami also was called Prabhupada.

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. 

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Maharaja, I have the first question about. . . is it not Maharaja wherever a personality is. . . pure devotee is ray of Vishnu, wherever they are, they create Vrindavan themselves. Doesn’t matter whether they are Calcutta, wherever. So Srila Prabhupada, wherever he was he made Vrindavan everywhere, every town and village he made Vrindavan. Then our consciousness will, that as you were describing it will be, the choice will be ours.

Giriraj Swami: That is true. 

Devotee: I think in the same manner he is expecting us to create the same thing too. In his Nectar of Instruction, he says, “Every devotee when we are reading his book, we are creating Vrindavan everywhere.” That is what Prabhupada mentioned in his Nectar of Instruction.

Giriraj Swami: Beautiful. Malati dasi?

Devotee: Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to Your Divine Self. Guru Maharaja, hearing this class of being very open in your teachings, so I see, we as devotees and in our preaching we are just a lot. In our homes I have seen, I myself have kept demigods in my temple to just keep harmony at my place because I don’t want to create any problems. I do fold my hands and pray to Lord Shiva that please forgive me. I know your wish there is Lord Krishna but then I have to do a few things which would create that I have to show that you are the Lord. So where do we stand as devotee where we have to put a point where we. . . they strongly or we adjust and remain in our positions in our hearts. We understand that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so how do we react to it Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: You are saying that your husband likes to worship demigods?

Devotee: Yes Maharaja. I have three steps. So at the top I have kept my Nitai Gour Sundar, and the second are my Tulasi Maharani and gurus. And the third is all demigods, it is not only Lord Shiva, it is like the whole team of demigods are there. So now I have to. . .

Giriraj Swami: Well they are also devotees, demigods are also devotees. And of course, ordinarily for our own altars we wouldn’t want to have demigods but for the sake of peace at home with your husband I think definitely, you have to keep the demigods there on the lower level. That is okay, that is fine.

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. And one more question, I was just thinking about that earlier Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to chant for sixteen hours in a day, and it seems that there was no time for rest and other things. He was so involved. Now, we say that we have to take care of our health and we cannot do much in this, Kali-yuga so we are doing adjustment, is it okay guru Maharaja to put our so much time in eating, sleeping, and not doing much as required?

Giriraj Swami: Well you do need to take care of your health, the audience all together- keep the body fit for serving Krishna. I don’t know that it took him sixteen hours that was my calculation, but definitely he spent a lot of time chanting. And he probably didn’t spend much time eating or sleeping. But yes, I think we should follow in general Srila Prabhupada’s example, reasonable example. And yes we should take care of our health. Srila Prabhupada wrote me a letter telling me, take care of my health. I will read it to you because it is a good one. He wrote:

“If you are feeling tired, you may take rest. Your body is very valuable. It is dedicated to Krishna, so you must take care of the body very carefully. The best medicine is to rest and chant Hare Krishna Mantra, along with the doctor’s prescription. Hare Krishna Mantra is bhavauṣadhi, the panacea for all material disease.”

He wrote that to me on August 12, 1971. I think that is good advice for everyone.

Devotee: Thank you, thank you so much Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: [Unintelligible] Prabhu? 

Devotee: Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja. 

Giriraj Swami: Hare Krishna.

Devotee: Always wonderful to see you. I was thinking back today in particular, almost exactly five hours ago, two years in 2019, we were walking around Dallas, I got the opportunity to on my birthday. So I wish that you were here now, so we could walk around that park, I can walk around and chat with you again but one day that is going to happen again, hopefully soon.

Giriraj Swami: Yes.

Devotee: I just wanted to say that I have been heavily thinking about you a lot, especially when I chant and I really appreciate you chastising me even when you are not here, but I always hear you directing me. So that is wonderful, I really appreciate that. I was just really reaching out to say thank you again for accepting this fool as a disciple and helping me to get back home, to join you and Srila Prabhupada continuously on that mission, even in the spiritual world. I just ask for your blessings today on my birthday to continue to increase my devotion because I feel like without your blessings I can’t do it anyway. So I really ask just for you to bless me today, that is my birthday gift, since you are not physically here but you are always with me. Haribol.

Giriraj Swami: Happy Birthday. I wish you all the best, I will pray for you and I am sure that all these, more than fifty-sixty devotees on Zoom, they will also bless you on your day that you can advance more and more in Krishna Consciousness. 

Devotee: Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya. 

Giriraj Swami: Srila Prabhupada ki jaya.

Devotee: Thank you Maharaja. I think there is no other question so we will let you go.

Giriraj Swami: Okay.

Devotee: So we will see you in next month Maharaja?

Giriraj Swami: That is right.

Devotee: New year?

Giriraj Swami: Yes. That is our schedule.

Devotee: So here is your blessing for us for every day, and every year, and every minute. Thank you Maharaja for being so kind.

Giriraj Swami: Thank you for organizing these nice programs. So we are going to end now. I suggest we conclude with Vaishnava praṇāma. 

Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees and can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca 

patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

ananta koṭi vaiṣṇava-vṛnda—kī jaya
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura ki jaya!

Devotee: Giriraj Swami Maharaja ki jaya! Hare Krishna Maharaja.

Giriraj Swami: Haribol.

Devotees: Thank you Maharaja.  Hare Krishna Maharaja. Thank you, Maharaja.