Praṇamāmi Guru Tīrtha Padaṁ

Sadhu is deena-vatsala. In Srimad Bhagavatam, Nimi Maharaj Navayogendra Samvad, it is said: just half a moment's association with a sadhu has the power to cut off and free an enslaved jiva from worldly life and tribunals. Such power is there in a sadhu's words whose conduct is one with his words and with the scriptures (virayavati katha). Our Param Gurudev's disciple who is a house-holder hosted Paramgurudev and his group for 3 days at his place in Icchapur for katha before they proceeded on Navadvip Parikrama. Gurudev went to look after arrangements in advance and later stayed for few more days for some work after the program. Then the householder devotee told our Gurudev, if you do not mind, if you do not feel unhappy, I want to say something to you. Gurudev said, you have served so much. Speak your heart, I will not feel bad. Then he said, your harikatha is just like our Gurudev’s, but the attraction and the power, the weight that is in Gurudev's katha is n

tat te anukampam susamikshamana : most noble, peaceful— even those who act like enemies to him,  to them he is very friendly. Under any circumstance, Srila Gurudeva is always seen peaceful and smiling, which is an exemplary character of a pure devotee as explained in the verse,  tat te anukampam susamikshamana (Brahma Stava 10.14.8) Once there was a delay of 5-6 hours when Gurudeva and the prachar party reached Bhatinda from New Delhi, reaching around 1 o'clock in the middle of the night instead of the scheduled time 6 in the evening. Many of the devotees who arrived with Gurudeva were so tired that when they got rooms, they simply retired without even waiting to have prasadam. But when Gurudeva was to be offered food, Gurudeva's sevak found to his surprise that all the edibles prepared by devotees with love were all Punjabi foods— fried things like puris and spicy curries, and not a single item other than plain rice suitable for Gurudeva's offering. There was no

Srila Gurudeva leads an ecstatic kirtan on Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Maharaja's tirobhav tithi, 1999 at the Vrinda Kunja mandir, Vrindavan:

It was after 35 years after his [Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj] Guru Maharaj [Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur] gave the instruction to preach abroad that he was able to do so. He was a householder and he had a business, but it was not too successful. Once he got tuberculosis. At that time, [contracting] tuberculosis meant the family will reject you. The medicine was too expensive, each day 120 rupees at that time in 1950s,  [today] that [is equivelent] to 12,000 rupees daily. Due to the fact that it was an infectious and contagious disease, his family rejected him. This is not in our written history, only spoken. That time Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaja said, for the service of my godbrother, I will beg door to door, and he brought him to his temple. At that time, Madhav Maharaj had a temple in a rented house in Rasbihari, Kolkata. It is not the building where the temple is now, but five blocks from there. Madhava Maharaj kept him there for 6 months an

The title of this post is not really accurate. Using the words "last "or "final" for anything related to Srila Gurudeva is not actual, as He is eternal. Nonetheless, this is the last time His darshan in Vraj could be perceived with material vision. He is always with Sri Krishna who never leaves Vrindavan. Lord and He are always there; coming or going are only apparent.

Once devotees from Punjab requested Guruji to come there.  Then Guruji asked to make arrangements and book tickets after speaking with Srila Bhakti Prasad Puri Goswami Maharaj. In those days it used to be a big trip, some 15 days here, some 10 days there like that, and in total some 2-3 months. One night at 1 o’clock, Guruji came to my room and was waking me up. He said, "Get up, get up." I opened my eyes and saw Guruji.  I paid obeisances all the time thinking I am dreaming that Guruji has come to my room.  Then Guruji told me to go to send a telegram.  It was 1 o’clock night.  I knew one post office from where we can send a telegram. I took cycle from Paresh Prabhu and went. Guruji did not sleep until I came back.  He was doing japa, Harinam in the library balcony.  He was seeing outside every now and then whether I was coming or not and he continued chanting. One policeman stopped me and asked, "Where are you going Pandit ji?"  Seeing my kantihar and ang

One time when Srila Gurudev was abroad for preaching activities and to bestow mercy on some fortunate souls there, I had the opportunity to speak to him over the telephone when he was New Jersey.    Gurudev told that the doctors diagnosed a heart problem and gave some allopathic medicines to him.   Those medicines were causing weakness and hence a disturbance for the performance of Nrityakirtans (dancing while performing kirtans).   So he stopped taking allopathic medicines and started on Homeopathic medicines.   After that, he could perform Nrityakirtans.   I am of the opinion that through this Gurudeva instructed me that if any hindrance comes in the way of service to Supreme Lord, then without worrying about this temporary body we have to give up the thing that is causing hindrance. On another occasion, one of our godsister’s health was not good.   Sometimes evil spirits would possess her.   Once when she and her husband were in Dehradun Math for the annual function, there

Recently I visited Bagbazaar Gaudiya Math in the evening and I had a very nice conversation with a senior bramhachari who started to speak about the glories of Srila Gurudev (Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaja) when learned that I am His disciple. He shared one of his experiences with Srila Gurudev when he was in New Delhi. Once there was a spiritual conference in New Delhi Gaudiya Math and the devotees who attended the conference were competent in the English Language but there was no one present who could speak in English to make them understand the Gaudiya Vaishnava Philosophy.  In the meantime, Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaja entered (he was young and very strong at that time) and immediately Bhakti Hriday/ Rakshak Hrishikesh Maharaj (disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) proposed Srila Tirtha Maharaj to speak about the Gaudiya Vaishnava Philosophy in the English language. After that Srila Tirtha Maharaj started to speak profoundly about the Gaudiya

I witnessed many times  in religious assemblies that Srila Gurudev was speaking Harikatha the whole day through due to the scheduling of so many programs in a day with absolutely no time for him to rest.  I heard Srila Gurudev say that Vaishnavas have arranged so many programs so that my mind be engaged in thoughts of Supreme Lord  and so that my mind does not get to think of worldly matters. He never  complained nor questioned any organizer as to why so many programs were fixed in a day.   I have always seen him converse very patiently.    Considering every activity as Supreme Lord’s will he remained quiet and peaceful always.   Never had I heard or seen in my spiritual life that he was in a disturbed state of mind anytime. —Vishvambhar Das (B. L. Chotani), Manasa  Translated from Sri Krishna Chaitanya Sandesh July-Oct, 1997 (Year 17, Issue No.4, Page 47-49) 

Dear Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaja, Please accept my most humble obeisances and all glories to your most revered Gurudev, Om Vishnupad 108 Sri Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj, and all glories to His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad 108 Sri Srimad Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. You are a first-class Vaishnava and one of those who inspire thousands around the world to follow the footsteps of the Sri  Pancha Tattva and the chanting of the Mahamantra Hare Krishna. I have known Your Divine Grace since 1999 and it has been a big fortune for me to see how you and our Guru Maharaj Srila Jayapataka Swami meet and work together, to make the Holy dham and the Vaishnava community better, in tune with the orders of both of your revered Gurudevas. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaja. At your Gurudeva's ashram, our Gurumaharaja came first upon his arrival to India. This shows the res

During Jhulan festival in Vrindavan, Guru Maharaj was speaking Harikatha in the evening. Suddenly an unknown saint quietly came and sat down to hear Guruji’s Harikatha. He looked like a sanyassi but he was not carrying a tridanda. Guruji did not recognize him. He inquired about the saint and arranged to get him a seat. Guruji explained that out of fear of an offense, he had to arrange a seat for the saint. In this way, there was a break to his Harikatha. Guru Maharaj then spoke about a similar instance that occurred during the time of Param Gurudev and also advised us to be cautious by always giving respect to others. He told us that we need to give special attention to our devotional practices. If we do not give attention to respecting others, then our devotional practices will be destroyed. Not only this, Guru Maharaj does not even consider his own disciples as disciples, but as friends. Therefore in his conversations, he addresses them very respectfully. Having great regard for

Whenever any question arises in my mind for which I wish to seek an answer from Guru Maharaj, just by sitting in front of him and without having to ask, the answer to the question is often received. Once when Guru Maharaj was in Bhatinda, there was a discussion in our house to ask Guru Maharaj whether his coming to math was by running away from home or was it with the permission of parents.   While thinking so when we reached Guruji’s room we saw that Pandieji and his wife from Jalandhar were sitting.    Pandeji’s wife was crying because their son Bhagavan Das Prabhu had become math-vasi.   As a mother, she felt that  if he stays at home then it is good.   Srila Gurudev convincingly told her that there is no reason for her crying and that he had come for the Supreme Lord’s service only.   He continued, " Even I came to math running away from home," and he told his story in detail. —Partha Sarati Das (Om Prakash Lumba) Chaitanya Sandesh July-Oct, 1997 (Year 17, Issu

Most Revered Srila Gurudev, by His causeless mercy, encouraged me and my wife Bosudha Dasi to travel with Him to different places in India on his preaching tour at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011. After touring North India and Assam we came to Kolkata in Dec. 2010.  At the beginning of January 2011, there was an ongoing discussion among Srila Gurudeva's sevak team whether Srila Gurudev would be going to Chakdaha Jagannath temple for the annual festival or not as it was very cold there at that time. I was also afraid to go because I had just recovered from illness. One day, after Srila Gurudev's Tulsi parikrama, He was going towards His bhajan kutir and looking at my wife He asked her: "We will go to Chakdaha?" My wife responded that it depends on You (Gurudev).  Gurudev smiled and then pointing at me He said: "Everything depends on him (me). We will go?"  I replied that I heard it is cold but that it depends on You (Gurudev).  Then G

Srila Gurudeva has no enmity towards anybody. We have never seen feelings of hostility towards any human being or towards animals in him.   Whenever Guruji’s assistants put "good night" machine (for killing mosquitoes) in Guruji’s room, he would invariably express his disapproval of it.   He always uses a mosquito net so that not even small insects also face any difficulty. His efforts are always in this regard. One time being troubled very much by cockroach menace I went to Guruji to take advice as to how I can get rid of them without committing sin.  Guruji told me that every action has a reaction and its reaction I have to necessarily suffer.   Guruji then said, “Sprinkle turmeric power and they run away.”    Guruji’s vision itself is merciful, so he does not carry the feeling like this is good, that is bad .   He loves all equally.   —Purushottam Das Sekhari (Punjab) Translated from Sri Krishna Chaitanya Sandesh July-Oct, 1997 (Year 17, Issue No.4, Page 63-65)

When asked about chanting one lakh, Srila Guru-Maharaj would usually say, eka - laksana , with a one-pointed quality you should chant, from the core of your heart. One name is enough to attract Krishna. This, of course, doesn't mean to neglect our sankhya . Gurudev had asked at least one devotee to chant one lakh, but these occasions were exceptional. Like Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhar Maharaj, he put more emphasis on quality.  In Govardhan , I once asked Sri Aniruddha Prabhu how he developed taste for chanting. His eyes lit up, and he told me, how once in our Chandigarh math, he noticed how Srila Tirtha Maharaj would suddenly disappear each afternoon. So, when seeing him climb the stairs one afternoon, he followed him at a distance. He saw how he disappeared in an empty room and went closer. He heard how he started calling out the Maha-mantra very loudly, until his voice broke due to weeping in ecstasy. "This was the moment I attained nama - ruci !" Aniruddha Prabhu

Among all the brothers and sisters, Mahārāja was of a completely different nature right from his birth. He used to be absorbed in divine feelings, limited in speaking, simple, gentle, grave, straightforward, detached from material objects, and had no interest in material enjoyment. It could be easily understood from his activities that he is not a person of this material world. He would never argue with elders. Even if he was not at fault, he would not show any disagreement with them. He would quietly listen to their chastisement. In this manner, he was highly obedient and devoted to the elderly. He was also equally affectionate and caring for the younger kids; he would guide us and correct our mistakes immediately.  The elders said he would quietly listen with his head down as they spoke. He would neither speak in a raised voice nor raise his head in front of them. Not only that, he would not tolerate anybody disrespecting elders. He would immediately discipline us whenever we act

In 1962 I had my first darshan of Maharaj.  I got the chance to associate with him for a longer period when I was sent by Guruji (Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj) to Jagannath Puri along with him. That was the time when Maharaj was engaged in the service of recovering the birthplace of Prabhupad at Puri.  At that time we stayed together.   Maharaj was attending to all outside work and I looked after all inside work.  Once while working I got a big blow on my head when I accidentally hit a cupboard.  When he came to know this, Maharaj left all his other work and engaged himself in serving me.  By his own hands, he applied medicine on my head and took me to the doctor.  Seeing Maharaj’s service mood I was surprised.  Even to this day, I am unable to forget this kind act which he extended even when I am very junior to him. In Puri when we were staying in one ashram I saw that Maharaj was busy always in seva.  I remember that time Guru Maharaj gave me a letter where it was

Those who know Srila Gurudev also know that no one can ever say there has been any deficiency in his service to the Vaishnavas.   He gives due respects to every Vaishnav.   He is seen engrossed day and night in the service of his Guru Maharaj.   Any work that is in progress, he attributes it to his Guruji’s mercy.   Any activity he performs he does is remembering his Guruji and praying for his mercy.   When I got Harinam and Diksha from Srila Gurudev Maharaj he said, “Your guruji is Param Pujyapad Om Vishnupad 108 Sri Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj.   I am only carrying out his orders, I have no qualification to become a guru.   Madhava Maharaj is only your guru.   Such devotion to guru is rather rare to find.   Once I lost my Japamala when the bag in which it was kept got stolen and I wrote a letter to Gurudev.   Then he wrote a letter advising to be very careful about Japa mala and also said he would give a new Japamala in Sridham Vrindavan.   On receiving Japa m

There is no need for any explanation in regard to Srila Guru Maharaj’s engrossment in devotion to Sri Nandanandana Krishna, everyone who has met Guru Maharaj has seen it.   No one can say ‘though, even though’ in regard to his exclusive one-pointed devotion.   His firm faith and love in Bhagavan’s Name, Form and Deity form is unparalleled which I have never seen anywhere in my short life.   I got an opportunity many times to participate in Srila Gurudev’s annual gatherings at Rajpura.   Srila Gurudev’s morning program was at Sri Satyanarayan temple.   When Guruji reached there he found that carpets were not spread in some places on the floor and so noticed that the names of donors were engraved on some stones.   He then told that among them many names were of the Supreme Lord and how could one walk on them?   He said that the names should not have been engraved on the floor.    Those stones should have been fixed on the wall.   But now that the stones/tiles cannot be pulled out

I heard Pujyapad Tridandi Swami Sri Srimad Bhakti Rakshak Narayana Maharaj say that when our Srila Guru Maharaj gives Jayadwani after mangal arati and sandhya arati, his  great concentration and absorption of mind and body  clearly indicate that he is having their personal audience. With that feeling, he gives Jai to all of them personally. Pujyapad Bhakti Rakshak Narayana Maharaj had also mentioned that at the beginning of Nagar Sankirtan when he sings the kirtan Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu daya karo more … followed by Jaya dau Jaya dau loudly with both his hands up, that Srila Param Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupad, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sriman Mahaprabhu and all His associates all manifest there and shower their grace upon him.    That time the persons present there listening to this kirtan sung by Srila Gurudeva in sweet voice and seeing his beautiful form in that great devotional mood, feel their hearts melt and fill with such bliss as though Goloka Vrindavan has descended.

About 6-7 years ago, Ashwaniji and I went to math by Rajadhani to Calcutta and reached at about 11 AM. That day, Guru Maharaj was quite busy.   His sevak told that he became free just 2 minutes before completing his writing work which was very huge.   He also told us he'd be going out to complete some important work then.    In spite of all this, after enquiring about our well-being, he took out a five rupee note from his bag and asked Madhu Prabhu to get some rasagullas for us, telling that we have come from far.   Madhu Prabhu brought 4 rasagullas. Guru Maharaj himself gave both of us rasagulla prasad and asked us to sit there and eat.   Later, Guru Maharaj said to make aloo parathas (potato pancakes) with ghee for us.    He also asked to get curd along with that.    Then he himself came down from the 3 rd floor and asked to spread leaf plates for us saying that it was quite late for their breakfast.   I understand such unselfish love even one’s worldly parents cannot giv

Srila Gurudeva gave me some deep lessons, unexpectedly using samosas as a medium. The first time he handed me one, it was during evening darshan time in his bhajan kutir in Kolkata. He asked, “Do you know what is it?” I answered, “It’s a samosa.” I thought he asked me that because I’m a foreigner and I wouldn't know what it is. So, I simply reported the name of it to him. The next time he was distributing samosas, he asked me another question: “Do you know how to make it?” I looked at his most adorable face and tried to figure out why he was asking me this. I blurted out, “No, Gurudev, I have never cooked them, but do you want me to learn? I can learn.” He didn't respond to me. When I went home, I looked at Youtube to see how to make samosas. I thought he wanted me to learn so I could use it for service somehow. After another week or two went by, there was yet another samosa waiting for me in his sweet hand. He looked in my eyes this time when he spoke to me. It seemed he

Is Gurudeva's darshan possible on internet? Gurudeva also used to tell no to photos. By only seeing a photo of the body, will it serve any purpose? Puri Goswami Maharaj said: what is the use of tape recording? Tape record here (pointing to the heart.) There cannot be any attachments to those who had darshan of Guru, Vaishnav, and Bhagavan. Guru is the mercy embodiment of Bhagavan, so to have the darshan of Guru we need internal eyes, eyes with which we can have darshan of Bhagavan. Gurudeva's katha itself is Gurudeva. Inside katha, he is there! Bhagavan's katha itself is Bhagavan, so Gurudeva says, give your ears and hear katha, through ears you have darshan, not by eyes. Sri Rupa Goswami said: a tah Sri Krishna namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaiah ... We have heard Sakshi Gopal's story... do we see Him so? Is Gurudeva's photo and Internet darshan not the same? What is not an object of material senses, can you see with your material eyes? Without his darshan, do

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah! Jaya Sri Sri Sita-Rama! Offerings to His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaja (from Brahmidevi dasi and Akincana dasa) Your Holiness Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet, on the auspicious occasion of your appearance. It is with feelings of extreme affection and humility that I offer you my gratitude and eternal devotion, and, despite my lack of qualification, I want to express the happiness caused by the great mercy you have bestowed upon this fallen soul. How fortunate I feel that you have shown such compassion toward me. Your letters of instruction and encouragement are everything in the world to me. I live by your kind and valuable instructions; they are my life and soul. I read through your letters in your book, ‘Affectionately Yours’ and am able to find all the guidance necessary for a struggling living entity. You are the sadguru, rare in this world and the only true frie

Today is the most auspicious day to the entire universe for the dearest of the Lord and Lord Krishna himself in the form of Sri Rama appeared in this mortal world to grace all conditioned souls. Who can imagine how much sweetness and grace are on them? How much of a fool I am, that in spite of having received many instructions from Him and had received His infinite and causeless love and affection I still pass my days 'happily' in this miserable world?  It seems that a stone-like heart as mine takes bath on His holy sweetness of love and affection only when 'bound' by His glorious appearance day. Who can imagine when, on this earth, such an Acharya will appear again to rescue the souls of this world? Who can have the attitude of Bharat, when he was given the whole kingdom by his father? Who can have the attitude of Patit Pavan Guru Maharaj when he was asked to be Acharya of all of His Gurudev Maths?  In the present day when almost all are eager to become guru and ac

One should take complete shelter of Guru's lotus feet, as one would have for Bhagavan. Gurudeva is Paramgurudeva's most favorite and loving disciple.  A disciple may have many good qualities, but no sharanagati.  Param Gurudeva, Prabhupada do not see qualities in disciples but see only sharanagati.  Unless there is sharanagati, Gurudeva's qualities will not descend into a disciple.  In ananya bhakti, Bhagavan's qualities descend to a devotee.  If you become a favourite of Gurudeva, then you are favorite of Bhagavan too.  Yasya prasadat bhagavat prasado...  Wherever our Gurudeva speaks Harikatha he speaks only His Gurudeva's words.  He speaks so much about Param Gurudeva that no other disciple of Param Gurudeva speaks. Before speaking, he often says, I  have orders from my Gurudeva that we have to hear and speak about what our Gurudeva has said." This is his special quality. Guru is Krishna's grace, the incarnate form.  So through Guruseva, Bhagavan is

In 1993, we gathered in a religious assembly that included a program of early morning Nagar Sankirtan.  The time was fixed at 5:30 am.  Slowly devotees started gathering.  It was around 6:30 am and Srila Guru Maharaj had not come out of his room yet.  Madanlal, the chief of Sri Sanatan Dharma Mandir, (New Model House, Ludhiana) told me, “Kochar Sir, you go and inform Maharaj that it is already late.  If it gets delayed further, walking in the Sun will be difficult.”  I told him that I cannot give instructions to Guruji, He is all knowing.  Whatever happens by His will will be all-good. Around 6.45 am, Guruji came out of his room and came to the assembly hall of the temple. Jai-dwani and Vandana began.  The sun was shining then. After that, Srila Guru Maharaj started sankirtan in an intense mood.  When we all came out from the hall, we found that there had been a slight drizzle and the road became wet. But Suryadev (Sun god) was peeping through the clouds and witnessing early mornin