He Will Never Take a Seat Higher Than Guru Varga

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Our Guru Maharaj is the incarnate form of Sriman Mahaprabhu’s 3rd sloka of Sri Sikshastakam amanina manadena, not expecting respect for oneself but at the same time giving due respects to others, and this mood of his is unparalleled. Not a trace of desire of respect for himself. We can personally observe these qualities of Guru Maharaj in his day-to-day activities.

In Sri Dham Mayapur, ISKCON’s Sri Jayapataka Maharaj submitted to Guruji saying, “Maharaj, you take many devotees to several places during Parikrama while performing sankirtans. So, please come to our place as well.” Guruji accepted his submission.

One day Guruji was taking devotees along in Nagar Sankirtan and arrived at Sri Krishna Chandrodaya mandir. Sri Jayapataka Maharaj and math’s other sanyassis and brahmacharis gave a warm welcome to Guruji at the main gate. They expressed great joy on the arrival of Guru Maharaj and blissfully joined the sankirtan.

With great respect, Guruji was lead to the Satsang Hall. We saw there was a grand seating arrangement for one person made with flower decorations and beautiful cushions. In our kirtan group, Pujyapad Bhakti Sharan Trivikram Maharaj was also there.

 ISKCON devotees made a lot of affectionate requests to Guru Maharaj to take the seat. Guruji would not sit and gestured towards Pujyapad Trivikram Maharaj.

Guruji said, “Along with us, we have our Guru varga, you please make him sit there.”

Finally Guruji, without accepting the seat, seated Pujyapad Trivikram Maharaj on that high seat and he himself sat on the ground. All people there were very much touched by our Guru Maharaj’s conduct.

One time when Guru Maharaj arrived at Shri B. L. Chotani’s house in Manasa, the same scene was repeated. Among the seats there were arranged for Mahatmas, the seat for Srila Guruji was slightly elevated (the cushion used was marginally thick).

Guruji stood there and did not occupy the seat till all the seats on the stage were re-arranged. In honor of Pujyapad Trivikram Maharaj, who was also present, Guruji did not accept even a negligibly higher seat. Devotees there who witnessed this incidence of Guru Maharaj’s respect for Guruvarga, discussed this topic with great faith.

—Sri Krishnananda Dasadhikari (Kuldeep Chopra, Bhatinda)

from Sri Krishna Chaitanya Sandesh July-Oct, 1997 (Year 17, Issue No.4, Page 27-39)




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