Concentrate Your Mind on Nityananda Prabhu's Service

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Lord Nityananda Prabhu's Appearance, evening class
Sri Ekachakra Dham, 25 February 2021, part 8
Translated from Bengali

Gurudev told many things. He told me many things about the history of Gaudiya Vaishnavs, and I do not say those things so much openly.... My Gurudev spoke in this way—"sada hasya mista bhasi susila kavitva: always smiling and speaking sweet words, producing perfect poetry." He always chanted the Holy Name laughing and speaking sweetly. Gurudev said, "People brag, 'I chant 100,000 Holy Names!' but when I chant four rounds, I start sweating so much!" One time, a servant told Param Guru Maharaj (Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj), who had become virtually blind by that time, "Maharaj, shall I give you your mala?" Param Guru Maharaj replied, "Give the mala to Govinda Maharaj. I will not chant on the mala any more." He did not chant on his mala during last two years—he withdrew into his internal bhajan and only kept saying, "Nitai Gaura Hari bol, Nitai Gaura Hari bol, Nitai Gaura Hari bol. Doyal Nitai, Doyal Nitai." He chanted in this way. He did not know anything except Nitai. Srila Sridhar Maharaj appeared in this world on the same day that Sri Virachandra Prabhu, Nityananda Prabhu's son, appeared (navami tithi, ninth lunar day). His name at first was Ramendra Bhattacharya. Param Guru Maharaj forcefully took Gurudev by hand and made him the acharya. At the temple, many criticised Gurudev and spoke many bad things about Gurudev, saying that Guru Maharaj's decision was wrong. They criticised Srila Guru Maharaj's decision... Where are they now? Now everyone can understand who was the recipient of Srila Guru Maharaj's mercy. There has never been a Guru like our Gurudev in this world. He could chastise you, he could also treat you with affection...

Gurudev is always merciful. This is what a Guru must be like. He always thinks about everyone's spiritual benefit—he always thinks how we can get attachment to and love for Lord Krishna, how we can practise Krishna consciousness...

সংসার সংসার ক'রে মিছে গেল কাল ।
লাভ না হইল কিছু ঘটিল জঞ্জাল ॥

'samsara' 'samsara' kari' michhe gela kala
labha na ha-ila kichhu, ghatila janjala

"Time has passed as I have been busy in my material life, and I have got nothing—only became burdened."

They do not understand what the Guru's mercy is. When you are given a service, that is mercy, and if you can do it, that should be your joy. Austerity will come, it must come, but:

তোমার সেবায় দুঃখ হয় যত,
সেও ত' পরম সুখ ।

tomara sevaya, duhkha haya yata,
seo ta' parama sukha

"All the distress I encounter in Your service is also my greatest happiness."

(Saranagati 16.4)

If you can do your service, that is your source of joy.

Many think, "I will leave my family"—they say this by mouth, but in the meantime, the poison of material life is slowly growing... but if you listen to what the Guru and sadhus say and can put aside material desires—if Nitaichand gives His mercy—then all desires will become trifle. Therefore, concentrate your mind on the service of Nityananda Prabhu, always serve Nityananda Prabhu.

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