Praṇamāmi Guru Tīrtha Padaṁ

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...

Mahārāj has a very, very strong dedication to Śrī Guru within him. There are many instances of this when we were trying to recover Sri Prabhupāda's janmasthān in Purī. Many tenants were there and some of them had developed enmity towards us. Sometimes they used to trouble us very much by making fun of us and by eating fish and throwing bits of fish into our rooms.  One time Guru Mahārāj [Śrīmad Bhakti Dayita Mādhava Gosvāmī Mahārāja] had come to Purī. We were all coming from somewhere to the place where our maṭha now stands. One tenant came in front of Guru Mahārāj with a plate full of onion fries and expressing artificial humility said, “Mahārājī, I am very poor, I cannot serve you properly, please mercifully accept these few fries I have brought for you.” He did this even though he was fully aware of the fact that we do not eat onions; he did this with the intention to make fun of us. Gurujī glanced at the plate he was holding and hearing his words, answered smilingly, “You kno...

Guru Maharaj flew from Delhi to London. I joined them in London airport and waited along with them to catch a flight to New York. I was seated next to Guru Maharaj on the plane and I noticed with interest that he was reading the book "Perfect Questions Perfect Answers" by Srila Swami Maharaj, a very well-known book for beginners in Krishna consciousness. I saw Guru Maharaj reading that book with a lot of concentration. I wondered why he was reading that book because he knows everything. Even though I didn’t ask him, I found the answer myself: because he has perfect attitude of following Guruvarga, he wanted to follow the scripture of Srila Swami Maharaj as he was an authorized disciple and had been given the order by Srila Prabhupada to go and preach outside. Guru Maharaj was very cautious to never go beyond what Swami Maharaj had given. His attitude was never like he knows more or can give more in the West than what Swami Maharaj had. So he was reading the book to see what...

When Guru Maharaj came out to offer water Tulasi ji, he used to take the darshan of the bhog offering to the Lord, seeing it from the balcony on the first-floor corridor. He could not get Thakurji's direct darshan from that angle, but he could see the offerings placed on the floor in front of them. When he saw their offering plates, he would say, Oh! Today there’s a very nice offering to God. He would be extremely pleased. Later he would remark, But I cannot honor that prasad, what to do? Pure devotees relish prasad just by the sight of it, for they have no enjoying tendency. They want to relish it, they have that particular consciousness. On particular festival days like Lord's appearance day, anniversary festivals, etc. he would make a point of requesting us to bring prasad directly from Thakurji's plate. Even if we had his plate ready (from what was separately prepared for him separately due to his special diet) he would not eat that unless we first gave him som...

One must surrender to a person who is the most generous, magnanimous, merciful, and affectionate – closer than any mother or father you could think of. We got Harinām from such a guru who is both spiritually and materially very well-conducted throughout his life. For this reason, he has got tons of mercy from so many associates of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. It wasn't just that they gave mercy, but they were so happy to be in his company. He had so much service mood, he was always ready to carry out any order. He never thought, "Yes, I have done enough." At any time, even in the middle of the night, he was always ready. Śrīla Gurudev would not only consistently perform activities slowly, but he would also always say all the names of the āchāryas of our line. He would say all the names with so much feeling, very carefully. He was standing before me but I could see that he was in a completely different realm. Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣak Śrīdhar Dev Goswāmī Mahārā...

It was cold when we reached Kolkata from Hyderabad on 23rd of December 2011. The sun had shown up around noon time the next day. The information from Chakdah was that it was frigid there, much more than Kolkata. With this news, Srila Gurudev's plan to go to Chakdah was uncertain. Srila Gurudev was totally unwilling to stay in Kolkata while such a grand festival was being observed in Chakdah, but we were worried about the cold. On the morning of December 25th, the sun was bright in Kolkata, marginally warmer than the day before. Srila Gurudev was the first to note the difference in climate and said, "Lord Jagannathdev is very merciful; nothing is impossible for him. He made the climate suitable. It is not good to say that it is cold and we cannot go. I am certain that Lord Jagannath will do something. We can go to Chakdah tomorrow.” But the news from Chakdah was not encouraging—our concern increased, but his determination has not decreased. So on December 26th at 11:0...

The following glorification of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Gosvāmī Mahārāja is a bhāvānuvāda of a lecture spoken on April 8, 2014, the anniversary of his appearance day, by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Vijñāna Bhāratī Gosvāmī Mahārāja at Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, Kolkata: Today is the appearance day of Śrī Rāma-candra, as well as that of my godbrother and the present ācārya of Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Maṭha, pūjyapāda Bhakti Ballabh Tīrtha Mahārāja. It is extremely important for sincere sādhakas to observe the tithis of Bhagavān and Vaiṣṇavas, for it is an opportunity to glorify and remember their lotus feet. To neglect glorifying them on such days is certainly an offense. Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has written: ĵe vaiṣṇava bhajile acintya kṛṣṇa pāi se vaiṣṇava-pūjā hôite baḓô āra nāi Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata (Antya-khaṇḍa 4.357) By serving the lotus feet of Vaiṣṇavas, one attains the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is acintya (inconceivable); there is no greater sādhana than this. It...

One day our Gurumaharaj [Sri Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhava Goswami Maharaj] came to Mayapur. At that time, three of us were staying together in Srivas Angan—Krishna Prasad Das Brahmachari (Ashram Maharaj), a disciple of Bhakti Vilas Tirth Maharaj named Vrindavan Das (Bhagavat Maharaj), and I. Gurumaharaj was going for preaching and called Krishna Prasad Das Brahmachari to tell him that Krishna Ballabh will also stay with us there. Guru Maharaj instructed me that I should not serve prasad to Krishna Ballabh in pattal (plate made of plant leaves), that he should be served prasad on his steel plate instead. He also said that I should never give him drum-stick in prasad. I asked Krishna Prasad prabhu, "We all take Prasad on a pattal, why does Gurumaharaj tell us not to give him prasad on pattal?" I could not understand the reason for this. We used leaves from banana trees in Mayapur, so why not serve him prasad on those? I could not understand why not. Krishna Prasad prabh...

I remember one senior god-brother of ours approached Guru Maharaj, long back and explained that he was not able to get along with his god-brothers, and asked what should be done.  He explained the reply Gurudev had given.  He repeated what Gurudev had said, that even he had this problem in the beginning.  But then, he continued," I completely surrendered myself to the lotus feet of my Gurudev and then all my problems were solved." And this god-brother of mine said that he still I hadn't understood what, how it is done; what it means.  It is a fact, complete surrender, probably till that happens, will not be understood by any of us.   Different devotees recollect how his answers are so unique and something which is irrefutable.  It is complete in itself and is direct.  And sometimes this also happened to us.  In fact, I remember there was a sort of complaint against Guru Maharaj that people would ask him some questions and the reply would b...

The effect of Srila Gurudev’s sound is unlike anything I have ever heard. Even today when a recording of the same mangalacharan prayers is being played, there is a deep kind of seriousness that is conveyed. That sound is out of the world.   In fact, I remember there was one senior sanyassi, a disciple of Srila Bhakti Pramod Puri Goswami Maharaj told us about when Srila Gurudev was going on Kshetra mandal and Vraj mandal parikrama. He said when our Guru Maharaj describes anything in Vraj mandal—about the place, about the pastimes; it appears as if he is giving live commentary.   He is seeing it and he is telling us what he sees in reality. I have practically experienced the difference in the speech of Gurudev and how it affects me—completely different than when I hear from others.   If I am calling out the holy names or repeating pastimes that we have heard, or singing mangalacharan, it is not at all the same feeling than when we hear from Guru Maharaj. ...

Sri Guru Maharaj is a storehouse of positive qualities.   The magnitude of his forbearance cannot be explained in words.   All  24 hours of the day he is engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord.   I have never seen anger on his face anytime.   Guruji speaks to all who go to his room with so much affection that every person feels that Guruji spoke in a very special way to him.   Every person comes out of his room after darshan in a blissful mood.   This tolerance and patience he exhibits cannot be seen in any ordinary soul.   Sometimes speaking Harikatha it will be 12 o’clock. at night.   After Harikatha, Srila Guru Maharaj has to remain in the same place for quite some time because devotees block his way while doing pranam.   Such times he is seen to be very patient.   I have never seen him forcibly lift his feet and move forward during these times.   I have no words to say to describe his patience. In 1997 in Sri...

It is worth noting that in the 1960's, when His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Maharaj was still known as Sri Krsna Ballabh Brahmacari, He met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktvedanta Svami Prabhupada at the Damodar Mandir in Vrindavana. At that time, Srila Prabhupada delineated His plan to go and preach in the West, and asked Sri Krsna Ballabh Brahmacari to accompany Him. Sri Krsna Ballabh Brahmacari explained, with great humility and deference, that He could not do so, as He had the instructions of His own Guru Maharaj to follow, along with many responsibilities deputed to Him within His own Math. In 1997, Srila Gurudeva's siksa guru, His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramhamsa 108 Sri Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Gosvami Maharaj, gave Him the order to go to the West, as He Himself could not make the journey. He was advised to continue preaching to the western world the message of Divine Love of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as put into motion by His predecessor, A. C. Bhakt...

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...

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 Jap...

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 Vri...

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 Gu...

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...

He was always hearing Harikatha of Gurudev with great interest, very deeply. He always used to perform kirtan of srauta vani. Whatever he had heard from Gurudev, he always used to repeat that in Harikatha. In general talks, there was nothing else he used to speak. The only thing he used to repeat was whatever he has heard from Gurudev and that's why many of his godbrothers they used to call him Gurudev’s tape recorder. Repeating whatever he heard from Gurudev is one of his very special qualities. He was very shy to speak Harikatha. Once Yayavar Maharaj in a Dharma Sabha ordered Tirtha Maharaj to speak Harikatha and said "that now he will speak". There is a specialty I have seen in Guruvargas that those who want to speak they don't give them the chance and give chances to those who don't want to speak so he would only speak by the order of Guruvargas. He was very grave, always hearing Harikatha attentively, and serving the Vaishnavas. The pure devotees acq...

Once during Janmashtami I was in Kolkata. Like every year Param Pujyapad Bhakti Kumud Sant Goswami Maharaj came to our math during the festival for prasad and for speaking Harikatha. Climbing the first flight of steps, he sat on the cot next to Param Pujyapad Trivikram Maharaj in his room adjacent to the office room. Pujyapad Janardhan Maharaj indicated to me to inform Guru Maharaj about his arrival. I ran and found Guru Maharaj in his room sitting on a chair and busy in his writing. When I whispered to him, he immediately got up leaving aside whatever he was doing and he told me, “If I do not haste now Srila Sant Maharaj will arrive here right away. I have to go to him.” With quick steps he climbed down the stairs and proceeded to Srila Sant Maharaj’s room. Guruji did shastanga dandavat pranams (prostrated obeisance) to him and stood with folded hands and in humble words spoke to him. He did not sit before him, he remained standing giving due respects to him. When Pujyapa...

Astonishingly, it so happens that His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Ballabha Tirtha Goswami Maharaj’s appearance day and disappearance day both occurred on the same Navami Tithi, namely the ninth day of lunar cycle. Srila Maharaj appeared exactly on Ram-Navami and the day of his disappearance occurred on Navami day, 6th of Vaishakh 1424 Bangavda (Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 10.15pm). Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita (SCC) is considered the most valuable scripture of the Gaudiya Vaishnava community and was written bySrila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami, who is Kasturi Manjari in Goloka Vrindavan, serving Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the Divine couple in their divine esoteric pastimes. In Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami alludes to the auspiciousness and importance of the appearance and disappearance of the Lord and the Vaishnavas in the following verse: iswarerjanma-tithiye henapavitra vaisnaverajanma-tithirseimatacharitra The divinity and purity attributed to the appear...