Praṇamāmi Guru Tīrtha Padaṁ

Today is the appearance day of Lord Śrī Rāmachandra and Śrīpad Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāj, Ācārya of All India Sree Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭh. Appearance Day of both the Lord and His devotee has arisen together today. Singing the glories of Vaiṣṇavas is most beneficial for us.  It liberates the jīvas . Śrīpad Mahārāj did not take initiative to become Ācārya.  He accepted the position of Ācārya to fulfill the desire of his Gurudev.  A long time ago when I was at Goalpara Maṭha in Assam along with Pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāj, one of our godsisters asked Pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāj, “You are not keeping well. After you, who will perform the duties of Ācārya?  Have you made any arrangements for this?” Pūjyapāda Mādhava Mahārāj smiled and told her, “Yes, I know. I will make perfect arrangements before I go. She asked, "Who will you appoint?" Mahārāj replied, “I will not mention his name now, but the one whom I nominate will be even better than me.” I was also hearing this conv...

Firstly, I offer flowers at his lotus feet and humbly pray to him to please show mercy and accept the flowers offered to him by this fallen one. Just as the appearance day of the Lord himself is extremely holy, his devotee’s appearance day is equally as holy. Today is the appearance day of the Supreme Human Lord Śrī Rāmachandra, and today is also the appearance day of our revered Mahārāj—it definitely bears some kind of significance.  The Lord appears on the face of this earth in order to save the living world, in this respect our most revered Vaiṣṇava, crown-jeweled Mahārāj appeared on the face of this earth for the welfare of the living being of this world as per the wishes of the Bhāgavatam .  God himself has said that more than my worship the worship of my devotee is great. Hence all of us will assemble together and offer our worship unto his lotus feet. With that, he will be extremely satisfied and happy with us and will shower us with merciful blessings.  Our most r...

First of all, I offer my heartfelt obeisances unto the lotus feet of Śrīla Gurudev. Words fall short when I express my fortune and blissful association with Mahārāj. Dating back to the early eighties when I was a schoolgirl, I accompanied my family to attend his discourses at Lakshmi Narayan temple (Gandhi Nagar, Jammu). I used to look forward to the month of September every year when Guru Mahārāj visited and blessed everyone in Jammu with his big entourage of sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs .  The highlight of the two weeks program was a grand nagar-saṅkīrtana procession. All those images still flash in front of my eyes and I was reminded of them when I watched a video that had been recorded. Although I had so many opportunities and so many times to ask questions to Gurudev,  I hardly asked as I was intimidated and hardly had any doubts because looking at his smiling face, I would forget everything.  I had just entered class twelve when I took harinām along with my revered...

When we decided that we will celebrate Rāmanavamī festival in Kolkata, we did not tell Gurudev about this in advance. While he was sitting in his room, a few godbrothers entered carrying a plate with garlands, chandan (sandalwood), flowers, incense, and a lamp. We saw that Gurudev was writing something. He looked up and asked, "What is this?" "Today is Rāmanavamī." we replied. "Yes," he said, "Rāmanavamī. Perform worship of Śrī Rāmachandra." We told him, "No, we want to worship you— today is your āvirbhāv !" He said, "Who said it is my āvirbhāv ? My birthday?" We explained, "Pujyapad Nitya Gopal Prabhu told us today is your āvirbhāv ." He said, "No, no! Do not perform my worship— worship my Gurudev. If you worship my Gurudev, then my worship is done." We said, "You will perform your Gurudev's worship, and whom shall we worship? And Śrīla Gurudev ordered, "We shall worship our Gurudev."...

Śrīla Bhakti Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāj appeared on the day of Rāmanavamī, the appearance day of Lord Rāmachandra. Rāmachandra is Maryādā Puruṣottama, an incarnation of the principle of honoring the established order. I have seen in his entire character how he gives due respect and honor to everyone like Lord Rāma did. Rāmachandra's nature and Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Gosvāmī Mahārāj's nature are the same. I have seen how he was always respectful towards his godbrothers and how he taught this to his disciples also. This is an exemplary teaching to give due respect to everyone. It is also my personal feeling that his teachings are most valuable for the Vaiṣṇava community, especially amongst our societies as well as all of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu's Mission. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gave the instructions to us that in order to chant happily, we have to keep due respect to all vaiṣṇavas, and Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Gosvāmī Mahārāj is an embodiment of that example. He was not...

Today is the appearance day of a great personality, a mahanācārya . Advaita Ācārya has observed the appearance day of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. Many devotees contributed on that day. Even a person who honors prasādam on that day will get devotion to Śrī Govinda. Therefore we all will be benefited from observing the appearance days of vaiṣṇavas . What is the meaning of appearance day? When a traveler is wandering in the desert, he is able to find the direction by looking at the Morning Star. This material world is also like a desert. Similarly, the Supreme Lord has sent His own person who is like a Morning Star. We do not know the path, but because of his appearance, we have seen the path. There are many kinds of gurus, but not all are the same. Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Gosvāmī Mahārāj is an associate of Śrī Gauranga Mahāprabhu and he is very dear to his Gurudev. Today so many devotees from India and all over the world are fortunate souls present here due to their attraction to hi...

Guru Mahārāj would often start his hari-kathā by saying: guru, vaiṣṇava, bhagavān, — tinera smaraṇa tinera smaraṇe haya vighna-vināśana anāyāse haya nija vāñchita-pūraṇa This means that by remembering Guru, Vaiṣṇava, and Bhagavān, all obstacles are destroyed and we will achieve our highest goal. Guru Mahārāj would also often say, "Everything happens by the will of the Supreme Lord." And today I was thinking how come they have asked me to speak? There is nothing that happens without the will of the Supreme Lord, and Supreme Lord's grace incarnate form, Śrīla Gurudev obviously has showered his mercy that he is making me do this; this is for my own purification to be able to listen to all of you glorifying Gurudev and guru-tattva and for me to remember him. Actually, there is nothing better in life other than listening to and remembering our Gurudev and realizing the mercy that he has given us. Guru Mahārāj always made it so easy; there was never anything difficult. Ac...

Dear Guru Maharaj,  I pay prostrated obeisances to Your Lotus Feet and all Your dear Servitors. I beg Your Divine Grace to teach me how to properly respect the Holy Day of Your Divine Appearance. Every time after Gaura Purnima I feel excitement and thrill — because only three weeks are left to Your Vyasa Puja. This year it has been a very long winter in the city which You mercifully visited more than 20 years ago. On April 2, there was so much snow left but all of a sudden it started raining, and lightning came as it does in Summer. I love your Hari katha, where you say that you can't do any action without having a motivation, a motive to do it . So, what motivates me to write this letter? It is necessary to have inspiration born in sincere efforts to perform service. I realize that I am bereft of such merit. Only Your causeless mercy, your desire to purify me, to distract from bad thoughts are the main sources of motivation for writing this letter. It is like rain, like summer lig...

Śrī Ramcharitmanas sings the glories of Gurudev when Lord Śrī Rāmachandra Himself sings glories of Śrī Vasiṣṭha Muni. When the Lord returned victorious from Lanka, He said, Guru Vasiṣṭha kula-pujya hamare , (by his grace, I won the battle on Lanka.) Lord Himself is establishing here that without the mercy of Guru Vasiṣṭha, He could not have won this particular battle.  Also, we recall when Vibhīṣaṇ sees Hanumān in Lanka he says, "Oh Hanumān, today my faith in the Lord has become very strong. It has been proven that although I am staying in Lanka in the midst of all this material sense gratification, I have received the  darśan  of a sādhu like you and that is nothing but the sheer causeless mercy of the Lord.  Vibhīṣaṇ (Ravana's younger brother) also said, ab mohi bha bharosa Hanumān ..  bina hari krpa milenge nahi santa .. Like a wife who is feeling separated from the husband who is far away, until he arrives back home the wife is not happy; her pan...

During the centennial celebrations of Vyāsa-puja of our Guru Mahārāj Śrīla Bhakti Pramod Puri Gosvāmī Mahārāj in 1997, many stalwart Vaiṣṇavas came to Śrī Gopīnath Gauḍīya Maṭh, Mayapur. In that ceremony, Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāj, Ācārya Mahārāj, Bhakti Vijnan Bhārati Gosvāmī Mahārāj, Bhakti Sarvasva Niṣkiñcan Gosvāmī Mahārāj, and so many other ācāryas came. We made two stages: one stage only for our Gurudeva with a siṃhāsan (throne), and another stage for Vaiṣṇavas . When it was full, additional sannyasis were sitting down in the audience. Then Tirtha Gosvāmī Mahārāj came and offered puṣpāñjali to Guru Mahārāj, went on the stage, and started kirtan . His kirtan offering was in such an enchanting mood that the entire venue turned into a saṅkīrtan hall, the atmosphere filled with the loud spiritual sound of big kartals . Mahārāj was joined by Rasabihārī Prabhu, Śrīkanta Prabhu,  Bhūtabhāvan  Prabhu, and others.  As I was very much junior to the ...

Śrīla Gurudev Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Mahārāj ki jay! April 15th, 2020 Three years ago this day You left. “Everything will be zero, Zero, ZERO!!!” You used to say. And I concur That so we were: Bereft. As well, you used to say, “Nothing will happen all of a sudden.” Such was your going away. So kind, So gentle. Time to prepare the mind To be shaken At a depth so fundamental, Steel-framed hearts must needs awaken To that longing at the core To be felt forevermore. Yet you spoke of hope and fortune. “Ambarīṣo mahā-bhāgaḥ sapta-dvīpavatīṁ mahīm!” So often did you proclaim And so loudly, that in that proportion You told us to often reframe In terms of that story. Each day, each week, who am I? The haughty and fiery sage Who for nothing flew into a rage At some imagined slight to his glory? “Look to your own prescription!” My job is to purify Myself alone. That’s what you’ve shown. This teaching you would exemplify. Though presiding over a mission For decades, revered by all, And at the...

Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to meet Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj in person. However, that did not become an obstacle for Him to completely conquer my heart. Two years ago I met his disciples. Being attracted by their extraordinary qualities, their deepness and thoughtfulness, I started to listen to Hari-katha of Srila Gurudev. From that time my devotion and love for him only grows. It is so amazing! I know that he responds to me, helps me and takes care of me. And, of course, his presence is very tangible thanks to his disciples. And today I want to say thank you to you, dear disciples of Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami. I am very grateful to you, that you cannot hide your feelings! That you always speak about Srila Gurudev with love, sharing intimate things, telling about His qualities, remembering the details, some instances, inexhaustible examples, showing His endless compassion, softness of His heart, affection…You are doing the preaching seva and ...

I t is said that if a day goes by that we miss observing the appearance/disappearance of great Vaisnavas, it is a big offence. Therefore, I have put together this little attempt of puspanjali of remembrances of other devotees, as well as my own memories of Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami. May it purify my mind and give me unflinching, one-pointed, exclusive devotion for my ista-dev. Any faults are certainly mine, and please correct me, while anything good is the mercy of Krsna and Vaisnavas. The first time I went to Radha Kund was with Srila Guru Maharaja and a small group of about 15 devotees, most of us foreigners. Guru Maharaja spoke very strongly that it was a great offense to touch Radha Kund with our feet, and we should simply sprinkle a few drops onto our heads, praying for Her blessings. However, he did add that if a person really wants to take bath anyway, he should prostrate himself 108 times while repeating a mantra asking for forgiveness over and over. I observed th...

Dear Srila Guru Maharaj, The day of Your Holy Appearance in this world has come. Allow me to pay full prostrated obeisances to the holy dust of Your Lotus Feet. This is possible only by Your Grace. I remember what I heard from you about a little boy, Dhruva heard from His mother Suniti: no one can help us except the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Pray to Him, but do not blame Your stepmother. She is only an instrument... Mom, I have not done anything wrong to anyone, ” said Dhruva. You have lived many lives that you do not remember, but the Supreme Lord remembers everything... Dhruva went to the forest and called for the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord first came to Him as Narada Goswami...  Dear Guru Maharaj, who am I compared to Dhruva ?! I did not call the Supreme Lord, I did not perform severe austerities. But you came to me by giving faith to the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Because of the great sinful past, I feel a weak heart that does not allow me to follow you...

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 Gurumahar...

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...