Dear Devotees, Vaishnavs, and Well-Wishers,

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Make the Festival, with Heart and Soul
"I am telling to everyone who is staying in the temple, to every centre: you must make a festival for Srila Sridhar Maharaj. If you want to show that you want to serve Srila Sridhar Maharaj, then make a good festival on this day."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min)

In honour of Srila Narottam Das Thakur:

Whole-Hearted Service
"Narottam Das Thakur was born in Sripat Keturi (Bangladesh) and in his life he composed many Vaishnav songs. Actually, all our Guru-varga serve the Lord and serve their Guru whole-heartedly, with body, mind, and speech."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 6 min | 16 June 2010)

Narottam Das Thakur: Our Guru, Our Protector, Our Shelter
"Narottam Das Thakur is our Guru-varga. If you think how much he tried to preach, you will wonder, 'How is it possible?' You can understand how much he preached and how he protected our line if you think about his songs."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 9 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur: Bona Fide Benefactor
"Who will you call a Guru? A Guru is not someone whose profession is to make disciples, who only takes your money. The Guru gives a conception, gives some wealth, property, with which you can go to your real home..."
• Download (2.7 Mb, 6 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur's Separation
"How did he leave his body? It was unbelievable. It happened on the panchami (fifth) day of the Kartik month, that is today... One day, he was chanting and the devotees could see that he was saying, 'I want to go, I want to go.' He said this in front of everybody..."
• Download (1.6 Mb, 5 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur: His Mission in Bengal
"Three persons had promised to stay in Vrindavan, but they left their promise and came to Bengal. When Narottam Das Thakur came to Bengal he found so many great devotees who were not getting good association. He kept Mahaprabhu's conception properly. We pray we can get some mercy and can serve him, protect his line and preach about him."
• Download (2.6 Mb, 8 min | 4 November 2012)

Beware of Maya
"After some days there will come Guru Maharaj's appearance festival. We must honour his appearance day properly... Always, at all times, be alert, be aware of Maya. Maya does not mean some girl or a woman..."
• Download (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 4 November 2012)

Kirtans: • Ye anila prema-dhana • Hari haraye nama krsna.
• Download (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 4 November 2012)

Beware Imitation
"If you follow Narottam Das Thakur's advice, this is good, but if you think you want to do what Narottam Das Thakur did, if you want to become Narottam, then it is a very big problem. Do not imitate Nityananda Prabhu."
• Download / listen to the audio (0.7 Mb, 2 min)

In Praise of Srila Narottam Das Thakur [From Affectionate Guidance]
"Today is the Disappearance Day of Srila Narottam Thakur, so I would like to say a few words to glorify him. Before Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur most of the Vaisnava songs came from Srila Narottam Thakur. But although he wrote many beautiful songs of devotion, Narottam Das Thakur was not just a song writer, he was a great pandit and more than that, he was a devotee of Sri Chaitanyadev."

"We have no quality, no qualification to serve the Vaishnavs. If we do not got mercy from Vaishnavs, we cannot acquire, or get, service from the Vaishnavs. That is why we always make Vaishnavs' tirobhav (disappearance) festivals and remember such days. "We are praying to that Vaishnav Thakur [Srila Narottam Das Thakur], 'Wherever you are staying, Prabhu, wherever you are living now, we want to serve your servant! We want to serve your servant's servant.' We pray we can get some mercy and can serve him, can protect his line and preach about him."

• Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা "I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, please deliver Narottam this time!" • Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর "O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet." • Thakura vaisnava-gana | ঠাকুর বৈষ্ণবগণ "Narottam Das says, 'Seeing and hearing about my situation, I am stricken with fear. Please rescue me and keep me by your side.'" • Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ "The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs." • Nitai-pada kamala "Always aspire for Nitai's feet. Narottam is very sad: 'O Nitai! Make me happy. Keep me beside your reddish feet.'" • Sri Krsna Chaitanya Prabhu daya kara more "O Srinivas Acharya Prabhu! Be merciful! Narottam Das prays for the association of Ramachandra Kaviraj." • Gaurangera Duti Pada "Whether he lives in a house or in the forest, Narottam Das begs for the association of one who calls, 'O Gauranga!'" • Sri-rupa-manjari-pada | শ্রীরূপমঞ্জরী-পদ "O Rupa! Please be merciful to me, give me shelter at your lotus feet. Narottam is praying for your shelter." • Ye anila prema-dhana | যে আনিল প্রেমধন "Not finding the association of Sri Gauranga, who performed His Pastimes with all these associates, Narottam Das weeps." • Hari haraye nama krsna | হরি হরয়ে নমঃ কৃষ্ণ "Aspiring for the lotus feet of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, Narottam Das chants the Holy Name."

In honour of Srila Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj:

Sripad Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj (by Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, spoken on Srila Jajavar Maharaj's disappearance day)
"Srila Jajavar Maharaj joined the Gaudiya Mission of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur at a very young age. He could sing nicely, and he looked very simple—there was not a shadow of inauspiciousness in his body..."
• Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 25 min)

In honour of Sri Radha Kunda's manifestation day:

"Srila Prabhupad laid a special stress on this and expressed it in very appropriate Gaudiya terms and conclusions. Unless we serve the transcendental Govardhan, we will not be able to realise the supremacy of Sri Radha Kunda that lies beside Govardhan and is inundated with the nectar of divine love. 'Go' means senses or knowledge. If you serve the external, physical Govardhan, i.e. cultivate knowledge merely to increase or indulge your selfish material senses, then you are actually dunking yourself into the waters of Niraya Kunda (Hell Pond) that is created by the maha-maya, the external shadow potency of Sri Radha; only when you foster transcendental senses and cultivate transcendental knowledge can you consider it service to Govardhan for the pleasure of Krishna's senses."

(Guidance 3, 'Sri Radhastami')

Dear and Dearmost
"Krishna said to Radharani, 'OK, so Your kunda is better, and My kunda is all poison, but if we mix some of the water from Your kunda into My kunda, then the kunda will be purified!'"
• Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 13 August 2009)

• SONG: Radha-kunda-tata | করাধাকুণ্ডতট
"...I know all these things are nourishing the pastimes of the Divine Couple, I can never leave all these things so dear to me, without them I know I'll surely die."
• Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb)

"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur says, 'Sri Vrindavan and its surroundings so intensely awaken my remembrance of Krishna; and if these things are taken away from me, I shall lose my very life. They are sustaining me, because they are encouraging me to take to Krishna consciousness.'

This is Vrindavan. Vrindavan is so friendly, so sweet, so near to us, and such a well-wisher of ours. We are quite at home there—sweet, sweet home. Svarupe sabara haya, golokete sthiti: in our innate and innermost existence, we are members of that plane. Now we have come out, and we have scattered our consciousness all over the surface. Cover, cover, cover—there are so many layers, and they are all dry things. And the substance, the spirit, is within. Eliminating this bodily cover, the mental cover, the liberation cover, the Vaikuntha cover—then I may enter into the land of Vraja. Vrindavan resides within me, if I can find my friends everywhere. They are my friends and relatives, and they will give me all-pleasing experience, ecstasy. Mahaprabhu came with this news for us. 'Oh, you are a child of that soil; why do you suffer here, my children, my boys? Why do you suffer? Amrtasya-putrah: you are a child of that soil, and you are suffering so much, coming in the desert? Your home is so resourceful, so sweet, and you are running in the desert? What is this? Come! Leave this poisonous charm, this suicidal charm. This charm, maya-charm, misunderstanding charm—this is suicidal. Leave this apparent charm! This is poisonous, like a witch. The witch has charmed you here and made you spellbound. Come along with Me! I shall take you to your home which is so very sweet!'"

(Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion 1, chapter 11)

In honour of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's sannyas day:

{ Book Shelf }
An extensive selection of books, articles and poetry by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj available for online reading and download, as well as purchase from any of our temples worldwide.

Biography of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
A glorification article that sprang forth from the interpretation of the Pranam-mantra of His Divine Grace and was originally published as an Appendix to the Revealed Truth.

Sannyas Day (20 photographs, 2.3 Mb)
Archive photographs taken on 6 November 1985, on the day Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj accepted the sannyas order from His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Jaya jaya gurudever | জয় জয় গুরুদেবের
"All glory to the effulgent arati of Srila Gurudev taking place at the foot of Govardhan for the beneft of the world! All glory to the mine of joy, Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami, who is the crown-jewel of Gurus!"

In honour of Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj:

~ Pranam-mantra ~

devam divya-tanum suchhanda-vadanam balarka-chelanchitam
sandrananda-puram sad-eka-varanam vairagya-vidyambudhim
sri-siddhanta-nidhim subhakti-lasitam sarasvatanam varam
vande tam subhadam mad-eka-saranam nyasisvaram sridharam

"I offer my obeisance unto my lord, Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, whose speech is most pleasing; whose divine form is adorned with garments the colour of the newly-risen sun; who is an abode of intense, ecstatic devotion; who is the sadhus' sole choice; who is an ocean of renunciation and knowledge; who is a treasure-house of perfect conclusions; who is resplendent with pure devotion; who is the best of Srila Saraswati Thakur's followers; who is the giver of all good; who is the leading general of the tridandi-sannyasis; and who is my sole shelter."

Biography of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
Srila Guru Maharaj's extensive recollections of his childhood and youth, as well as the coming to the lotus feet of his Gurudev and later on starting Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

What Is Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Its Distinctions
An exquisite and profoundly fundamental chapter from Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj's book Guidance, Volume 3, dwelling on the mission and distinctive characteristics of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

The Root of Our Fortune
"Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj came in this world to rescue us, and he created our Guru—by his grace we have got shelter of our bona fide Guru. So, we must worship his lotus feet."
• Download / listen to the audio (7.6 Mb, 22 min | 22 October 2011)

Make the Festival, with Heart and Soul
"I am telling to everyone who is staying in the temple, to every centre: you must make a festival for Srila Sridhar Maharaj. If you want to show that you want to serve Srila Sridhar Maharaj, then make a good festival on this day."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 15 July 2012)

{ Book Shelf }
An extensive selection of books, articles and poetry by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj available for online reading and download, as well as purchase from any of our temples worldwide.

Photo Album: (35 photographs, 3.4 Mb)
A collection of selected photographs of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj is now added to the archive of photographs. (Part 1)

• SONG: Jaya Guru Maharaja | জয় ‘গুরু-মহারাজ' যতিরাজেশ্বর
"All glory to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami, the leading general of the tridandi-sannyasis! You revealed your Pastimes in this world as the saviour of the fallen and delivered the sinful and unfortunate souls."

Sri-gaura-mandala majhe | শ্রীগুর্ব্বাবির্ভাব প্রশস্তি
"In Sri Gaura Mandal, there is a village called Hapaniya where my Lord, an abode of all good qualities, appeared. It stands on the bank of the Ganga, who is very merciful to the fallen souls; renowned in the whole world, this abode is a holy repository of knowledge and jewels of logic."

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

• SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

• SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

• SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

• SONG: Sri Rupa-manjari-pada | শ্রীরূপমঞ্জরী-পদ
"The lotus feet of Sri Rupa Manjari are my wealth, my bhajan (service), my puja (worship), the wealth of my life, and whatever ornaments I may have. Her lotus feet are the very life of my life."

In honour of Sri Damodar Month:

Damodar Month
"This Kartik month (Damodar month) is Krishna's dearmost month. There is Radha-Damodar temple near our Vrindavan temple and every Kartik we go for parikrama in Vrindavan. This year also we have a great wish to start Vrindavan parikrama in Damodar month."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Month of Service—Life of Service
"Today Kartik-vrata, or niyom-seva, starts. Our temple observes it from purnima to purnima, and some other temples do it from dvadasi to dvadasi. One day I asked Gurudev what niyom-seva meant..."
• Download / listen to the audio (6.4 Mb, 14 min | 13 October 2019)

Damodarastakam
"We sing Damodarastakam about the pastimes of the Lord written by Satyavrata Muni every Kartik month. That is a very important song in our spiritual life."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Attend to Kirtan—Attain Kirtan
"Who can understand these songs? We cannot even understand 'trnad api sunichena...' then can we proceed to the other songs? If we want to chant the Name of Krishna, then we must become like this—trnad api sunichena...—as we sing in this kirtan."
• Download (0.7 Mb, 2 min | 7 November 2012 | Bengali)

Kartik Month Kirtans:
Following the tradition established at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, after the regular morning and evening kirtans, the following kirtans are chanted every day:

Morning:
• Damodarastakam
"To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of Mother Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances."
• Download
• Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama (nadiya-nagare nitai)
"In the towns and villages of Nadia, Lord Nityananda ecstatically dances and sings these names of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Lord Chaitanya is the beloved son of Jagannath Misra; He is Mahaprabhu, the great master, protector, and maintainer of the whole world...."
• Download
• Sri Krsner Vimsottara-sata-Nama-Sankirtana (nagare nagare gora gay)
"From village to village Lord Gaura sings these names of Sri Krishna: Krishna is the baby who feeds on the breast of Mother Yasoda. He is the son of Maharaj Nanda, dark blue like and indra-nila gem, and the life of the residents of Vraja."
• Download

In honour of Sriman Mahaprabhu's arrival in Sripat Panihati:

"Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes are all uncommon. Whoever listens to His activities becomes glorious, and his life becomes perfect. The Lord finally reached Panihati, and as an act of mercy He gave the captain of the boat one of His personal garments. The place called Panihati was located on the bank of the Ganges. After hearing that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had arrived, all kinds of men assembled both on land and on the water. At length Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was taken away by Raghav Pandit. There was a great crowd assembled along the way, and the Lord reached Raghav Pandit's residence with great difficulty...."

(Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita)

[On another occasion:] "....After staying a few days at Srivas Pandit's house, the Lord went to Raghav's house in Panihati. While Sri Raghav Pandit was engaged in the worship of Krishna, Sri Gaurasundara came there before him—when Sri Raghav Pandit saw the Lord of his life, he fell to the ground and offered obeisances. Raghavananda cried in ecstasy as he firmly grabbed the Lord's lotus feet, which are cherished by Rama, the goddess of fortune.

"The Lord then embraced Raghav Pandit and soaked his body with tears of ecstatic love, and Raghav's body was filled with such ecstasy that he did not know what he should do. When the Lord of Vaikuntha saw Raghav's display of devotion, He glanced mercifully on Raghav. The Lord said, 'After coming to Raghav's house and seeing Raghav, I have forgotten all My troubles. I have obtained the same satisfaction at Raghav's house as one gets by taking bath in the Ganges.' The Lord smiled and said, 'Listen, Raghav Pandit! Go and quickly cook for Krishna.'

"Sri Raghav was greatly pleased to receive the Lord's order, and he became absorbed in the mellows of ecstasy as he went to cook. Following the dictates of his heart, that brahman cooked unlimited varieties of foods. Mahaprabhu then came with Nityananda and other associates to eat. Gaurachandra, the husband of Laksmi, lavishly praised each of the vegetable preparations as He ate. The Lord said, 'How wonderful is Raghav's cooking! I have never eaten sak [spinach] like this before.' Raghav knew that the Lord was fond of sak, so he had cooked various kinds of sak.

"After joyfully finishing His meal, the Lord washed His hands and mouth and sat down. As soon as Gadadhara Das heard that Sri Gaurasundar was at Raghav's house, he quickly came there. Gadadhar Das was extremely dear to the Lord. His body was filled with the happiness of devotional service. When the Lord saw fortunate Gadadhar, He placed His lotus feet on his head. At that time Purandar Pandit and Paramesvari Das, in whose Deity Gaurachandra manifest Himself, quickly came there. On seeing the Lord, they both cried in ecstasy. Sriman Mahaprabhu manifest in the Gauranga Deity worshiped by Paramesvari Das, who lived in the village of Tada-antapur. He began the worship of the Deity form of Sri Gaurasundar. Raghunath Vaidya also came at that time. He was a great Vaisnava with unlimited good qualities. In this way Vaisnavas came from wherever they were to meet the Lord. The village of Panihati became filled with ecstasy, for Lord Gaurachandra was personally present there.

"Sri Gaurasundar spoke some confidential topics to Raghav Pandit in a solitary place. 'O Raghav, I have something confidential to tell you. Nityananda is nondifferent from Me. I tell you, I do whatever Nityananda wants Me to do. I tell you frankly that all My activities are performed through Nityananda. There is no difference between Myself and Nityananda. Everyone in your house will come to know this. From Nityananda you will easily obtain that which is rarely attained by the best of the mystic yogis. Therefore you should very carefully serve Nityananda, knowing Him to be the Supreme Lord Himself.' Sri Gauranga then said to Makaradhvaja Kara, 'You should serve Sri Raghavananda. Know for certain that your love for Me will be shown by your love for Raghav Pandit.'

"In this way Lord Gauranga made the village of Panihati glorious by staying there a few days."

"Formally, we are placing some lights in front of the temple and in front of the Deities today, and I am praying to Gurudev, praying to the Lord for everybody so that light may come to our hearts, our minds and all our darkness will be removed from our hearts and minds. We pray to Gurudev, to the Lord, to Govardhan for everybody. People are suffering so much all over the world because of their life in darkness, please remove darkness from their hearts and minds and always keep light in their hearts and minds."

Glory and Pastimes of Sri Govardhan:

Loving Search for the Lost Servant:
(Chapter 6) LORD OF THE COWS
'Different material tendencies and mental impulses may attack us—even Indra himself, the king of heaven and the controller of all ordinary activities, may attack us—but if we are attentive towards our goal, if we are careful to read the order of Krishna, He will protect us in the shade of His lotus feet. He will give us shelter under the shade of Govardhana Hill, where no Indra will be able to touch our heads. And with full faith that Krishna will give us protection, we should try to take shelter under Govardhana Hill and pray: "O Krishna, give me protection from all the difficulties that may come to attack me because of my leaving behind my ordinary obligations."'

Sri Govardhan Puja (1): Sevya and Sevak
"Today is a very auspicious day—today is Sri Giriraj Govardhan Puja. By the mercy of Gurudev, we are present here in Govardhan. Gurudev writes that Giriraj assumes the form of both sevya and sevak..."

Sri Govardhan Puja (2): Seva-Adhikar
"Krishna Himself said, 'I am Govardhan!' Sometimes people say that worshipping Govindaji and worshipping Govardhan is different, but this is a misconception. You must serve Govardhan with sincerity and following all rules of service."

Sri Govardhan Puja (3): Full Service
"I have told you before that it is not necessary to know any mantra to worship the Lord—it is necessary to have a clean heart. Also, service is necessary, but service must be full. You start something and then leave it half-way—not like this."
• Download / listen to the audio of the entire class (7.5 Mb, 18 min | Ⓑ বাংলা)

Sri Govardhan-astakam
His Divine Grace reads Sri Govardhan-astakam composed by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Prabhu.
• Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min)

• SONG: Sri Gupta Govardhan Arati
"All glories, all glories, to the grand arati of Sri Giriraj! In the midst of Sri Gaura-mandal, it brings auspiciousness to the entire universe."

• SONG: Radha-kunda-tata | করাধাকুণ্ডতট
"The grove-dwelling on the banks of Radha-kunda, Govardhan Hill, the banks of the Yamuna River. I can never leave all these things so dear to me, without them I know I'll surely die."

• SONG: Dasa-avatara-stotram | দশাবতারস্তোত্রম্
"I offer my obeisance unto Sri Krsna, who assumes ten forms and rescues the Vedas, upholds Mandara Mountain, uplifts the earth, rips apart demons, deceives Bali Maharaj, kills the ksatriyas, conquers Ravan, carries a plough, shows compassion, and annihilates the wicked."

• SONG: Damodarastakam | শ্রীশ্রীদামোদরাষ্টকম্
"To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the offence of breaking the pot of yogurt that his mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing] is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of Mother Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances."

• Mayura mukuta | ময়ূর-মুকুট
"He wears a peacock feather crown and yellow garments. He holds the flute and lifts the Govardhan Hill! All glory to the son of Yasoda, Krishna, Murari. Glory to He who holds the flute and lifts the Govardhan Hill!"

"Surrender to Giriraj"
"You must leave everything to the Lord, to Giriraj. If you make your own arrangements, then the Lord says, 'You are making your own arrangements, therefore I will not look after you.' Remember this—those who have no one, have the Lord; and those who have many things, have nothing, the Lord is not by their side."
• Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | 7 Nov. 2018 | English & Bengali)

Appearance of Sri Giriraj
"...When I was doing Govardhan parikrama, I was looking both sides, thinking (Gurudev was also thinking), 'You have made the temple in Govinda Kunda, but how you will bring Govardhan? How will you get Him?'"
• Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 4 min)

Parikrama of Sri Govardhan
"How do we do parikrama? Govardhan is like a peacock, our temple is near Manasa Ganga, at the mouth of Govardhan, and we start the parikrama from the tail and do half portion one day, and the second half the next day."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 8 min)

The Aanyor Village
"During the parikrama, we pass a village called Aanyor when we go to see Govinda Kunda. One day, Madhavendra Puri was sitting there and chanting all day..."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 6 min)

Holy Places for Holy Deeds
"As long as there are the glories of the Lord in the world, there will be Ganga, there will be Yamuna, there will be Govardhan, but now is Kali-yuga, and the time is coming when the Ganges will disappear, Govardhan will disappear..."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 6 min)

First Part of Sri Govardhan Parikrama
"Yesterday, we went to the Manasi Ganga. After that, we went to Haridev mandir, then Brahma Kunda. Then, there is Santan Goswami's bhajan-kutir and Chakleshwar Mahadev on the bank of the Manasi Ganga. Today, we went to Govinda Kunda."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.3 Mb, 4 min | 7 November 2018)

Govardhan's Appearance in Vrindavan
"Yesterday and today also, we were explaining how Govardhan was brought to Vrindavan by Pulastya Muni. Govardhan was a son of Drona Parvat (Dronachal), and actually Govardhan was originally in Salmaladvipa..."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.2 Mb, 4 min | 7 November 2018)

His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj speaking in English and Bengali about the Govardhan Pastime of Lord Sri Krishna.
• Download (11 Mb, ~23 min | 14 November 2012)

In honour of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Srila Prabhupad:

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj: Intimate Friend and More
"Srila Prabhupad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj gave much respect to Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. You know when Srila Sridhar Maharaj and our Gurudev were in Kolkata, they lived together with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj for many years..."
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Srila Swami Maharaj Prabhupad (Spoken on the appearance day)
"Without his mercy we would not have been able to think anything today, but we are very happy and we are making today a festival for Srila Swami Maharaj, on his appearance day. Everybody must pray for his mercy."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.9 Mb, 9 min | 15 August 2009)

CENTENARY ANTHOLOGY: Part 1. Chapter 1. Siksa-Guru
"Constantly associating, whether in Allahabad, Calcutta, or other parts of India, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj's relationship continually developed. Throughout his life, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj always maintained the highest respect and confidence in Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He considered that whenever it was not possible for his disciples to proceed directly under his guidance, that they should take direction from Srila Sridhar Maharaj."

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

• SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

• SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

• SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

• SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

• SONG: Ye anila prema-dhana | যে আনিল প্রেমধন
"Where has Advaita Acharya gone? Where are my Svarup, Rupa, Sanatan? Where is my Raghunath? Where are the saviours of the fallen souls?"

In honour of Sri Damodar Month:

Damodar Month
"This Kartik month (Damodar month) is Krishna's dearmost month. There is Radha-Damodar temple near our Vrindavan temple and every Kartik we go for parikrama in Vrindavan. This year also we have a great wish to start Vrindavan parikrama in Damodar month."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Month of Service—Life of Service
"Today Kartik-vrata, or niyom-seva, starts. Our temple observes it from purnima to purnima, and some other temples do it from dvadasi to dvadasi. One day I asked Gurudev what niyom-seva meant..."
• Download / listen to the audio (6.4 Mb, 14 min | 13 October 2019)

Damodarastakam
"We sing Damodarastakam about the pastimes of the Lord written by Satyavrata Muni every Kartik month. That is a very important song in our spiritual life."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Attend to Kirtan—Attain Kirtan
"Who can understand these songs? We cannot even understand 'trnad api sunichena...' then can we proceed to the other songs? If we want to chant the Name of Krishna, then we must become like this—trnad api sunichena...—as we sing in this kirtan."
• Download (0.7 Mb, 2 min | 7 November 2012 | Bengali)

Kartik Month Kirtans:
Following the tradition established at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, after the regular morning and evening kirtans, the following kirtans are chanted every day:

Morning:
• Damodarastakam
"To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of Mother Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed—to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances."
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• Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama (nadiya-nagare nitai)
"In the towns and villages of Nadia, Lord Nityananda ecstatically dances and sings these names of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Lord Chaitanya is the beloved son of Jagannath Misra; He is Mahaprabhu, the great master, protector, and maintainer of the whole world...."
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• Sri Krsner Vimsottara-sata-Nama-Sankirtana (nagare nagare gora gay)
"From village to village Lord Gaura sings these names of Sri Krishna: Krishna is the baby who feeds on the breast of Mother Yasoda. He is the son of Maharaj Nanda, dark blue like and indra-nila gem, and the life of the residents of Vraja."
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In honour of Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami:

Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami, an eternal associate of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sriman Nityananda Prabhu, resided on the bank of the Ganges. In Sri Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, he is stated to be the incarnation of bodily beauty of Srimati Radharani. Although he was a follower of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu, he did not manifest sakhya-rasa, instead he manifested the mood of a gopi—sitting on the bank of the Ganges, he would scoop some Ganges water into a pot and cry out with a laugh, "Who wants to buy some milk?", "Who wants to buy some yoghurt?"

When Sriman Mahaprabhu ordered Sriman Nityananda Prabhu to preach Krishna consciousness in Bengal, He sent Sri Ram-das and Sri Gadadhar-das to Gauda-desh with Sriman Nityananda Prabhu.

Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur describes a pastime in which Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami delivers the Kazi of Endiyadaha who vehemently opposed sankirtan:

One day, overwhelmed by divine love for the Lord, Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami came to the house of Kazi chanting sankirtan and said, "Where is that Kazi? Come, chant the Holy Name at once, otherwise I will cut your neck!" Furious, Kazi came out to him, but seeing the divine form and mood of Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami, he became astounded and his anger subsided. Kazi said then,

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to speak to you," answered Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami.

"What do you want to say?" asked Kazi.

"Gaura-Nityananda have appeared on this earth and are giving the Holy Name to anyone and everyone, but why are you not taking this nectarian Holy Name?"

"Go home, I will take it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Why not today? I have come to give you the Holy Name and to rescue you. Take this supremely beneficial Holy Name! It will rescue you from all your sins today!"

Kazi felt embarrassed to refuse him, so he sniggered, "Well, I will say 'Hari' tomorrow."

Then, hearing Kazi say 'Hari', Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami became overwhelmed by divine love and said, "Now why tomorrow? You have just said 'Hari'! All your sins have been removed, you have become supremely pure." Saying this, Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami began to dance.

In this way, Kazi became purified and took shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami. At the end, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur concludes, "Saintly persons did not want to be touched by the air that touched the Kazi, for they felt that such contact would make them lose their caste. Yet Gadadhar Das Mahasaya glanced mercifully on that most sinful Kazi, who took away the caste of any Hindu he encountered. When such a person gives up his envious nature, it is to be understood that this is the potency of Krishna consciousness."

This was how Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami delivered many sinners and inauspicious people by bestowing the Holy Name upon them.

In honour of Srila Dhananjay Pandit:

"Dhananjay Pandita was an extraordinary devotee, and Nityananda always resided in his heart. He is the sixteenth dear servant of Nityananda Prabhu and he was very much renounced and always merged in love of Krishna. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Swaraswati Thakur writes in his Anubhasya, 'Dhananjay Pandit was a resident of the village in Katwa named Sitala (Burdwan district). He was one of the twelve gopalas. His former name, according to the Sri Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (127), was Vasudama. It is said that for some time Dhananjay Pandit was in a sankirtan party under the direction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and then he went to Vrindavan. After returning from Vrindavan to Sitala-gram, he established a Deity of Gaurasundara in the temple. The descendants of Dhananjay Pandit still live in Sitala-gram and look after the temple worship."

In honour of Srila Srinivas Acharya prabhu:

In Praise of Srila Narottam Das Thakur (From Affectionate Guidance, chapter 17)
Narottam Thakur's close associates and peers were Syamananda and Srinivas. These three great devotees were sent back to Bengal to continue the preaching of Mahaprabhu. The Bengali Vaisnavas were very eager to read the writings of Sri Rupa, Sanatan, Raghunath, Krishna Das Kaviraj, Lokanath Goswami, Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Prabhodananda Saraswati and the other Goswamis; so Narottam, Syamananda and Srinivas travelled from Vrindavan towards Bengal with many copies of those great books...

His Divine Grace
Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj:

"Srinivas Acharya, Narottam Das Thakur, and Shyamananda Prabhu started for Vrindavan to have the darshan of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatan Goswami, Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami, Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and others who were there.

In this way, Srinivas Acharya, Narottam Das Thakur, and Shyamananda Prabhu stayed in Vrindavan for one year—Srinivas Acharya took initiation from Gopala Bhatta, Narottam Thakur from Lokanath Goswami, and Shyamananda Prabhu from Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu..."

Composed by Srila Srinivas Acharya:

• SONG: Sri Sad-Goswamy-Astakam | শ্রীশ্রীষড়্­গোস্বাম্যষ্টকম্
• Download / listen to the audio (4.5 Mb)

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Six Goswamis, namely Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Sanatan Goswami, Sri Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, Sri Raghunath Das Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami, who are always engaged in chanting the Holy Name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Chaitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe."

In honour of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj:

namo gaurakisoraya bhaktavadhuta murtaye gauranghri padma-bhrngaya radha-bhava-nisevine "I offer my obeisance unto the divine form of the devotee-avadhut Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj, who is a honey-bee at Sri Gaurasundar's lotus feet and a servant of Srimati Radharani imbued with deep loving attachment."

Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj
The transcendental pastimes and character of a great Vaishnav of our sampradaya: "'Why are you staying here in Radha Kunda? You must come to Nabadwip. My lila is not in Vrindavan, now My lila is going on in Nabadwip, so you must come here.' And he came here...."
• Download / listen to the audio (5.1 Mb, 15 min | 17 November 2010)

Srila Gaurakishoradas Babaji Maharaj
(An article written by Bhagavan Sri Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad and published in the Harmonist in honour of the disappearance day of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj)
"We cannot be eligible for the discipleship of Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode, whom we may be disposed to honour on account of his display of scientific scholarship, unless we are cured of all our scholastic vanities through the realisation of the knowledge of transcendence by unconditional submission to the feet of Srila Gaurakishoradasa Babaji."

Sri Srimad Gaura-Kishor-Namaskar Dasakam | শ্রীশ্রীমদ্­গৌরকিশোরনমস্কারদশকম্
"O Divine Master of my Divine Master, my most venerable preceptor, you are supremely worshippable in the group of the foremost associates of Sri Gauranga. Although I remain deep in the mud of offenses, I (a fallen soul) am begging you for your causeless mercy. O Gaura Kisora, again and yet again do I make my obeisance unto you."

In honour of Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj:

Reforming Others
Three educational stories from the life of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and his disciple Sripad B.D. Madhav Maharaj.
• Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 5 min | 12 May 2012)

Guru Consciousness, Service Consciousness
"I heard from Gurudev, one time it was Janmastami, and Madhav Maharaj (his brahmachari name was Hayagriva Prabhu) had some service in Delhi, so he had to travel by train on the Janmastami day...."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 25 December 2010)

Continuous Service
"It happened after Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur's time. One time, Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj, Srila Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj and one more sannyasi—three disciples of Prabhupad—were sitting in one room..."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.4 Mb, 5 min | 7 August 2011)

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

• SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

• SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

• SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

• SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

• SONG: Ye anila prema-dhana | যে আনিল প্রেমধন
"Where has Advaita Acharya gone? Where are my Svarup, Rupa, Sanatan? Where is my Raghunath? Where are the saviours of the fallen souls?"

In honour of Srila Sundarananda Thakur:

"It is stated in Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata that Sundarananda Prabhu was an ocean of love of Godhead and the chief associate of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (127) he is stated to be Sudama in Krsna-lila. Thus he was one of the twelve cowherd boys who came down with Balarama when He descended as Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The holy place where Sundarananda lived is situated in the village known as Mahespur (Jessore, Bangladesh). Among the relics of this village, only the old residential house of Sundarananda still exists. Sundarananda Prabhu was a naisthika-brahmachari: he never married in his life. Therefore he had no direct descendants except his disciples, but the descendants of his family still reside in the village known as Mangaladihi in the district of Birbhum. In that same village, there is a temple of Balarama, and the Deity there is regularly worshiped. Sundarananda Prabhu is a branch of Sri Nityananda Prabhu; he is Lord Nityananda's most intimate and chief servant. Lord Nityananda Prabhu perceived the life of Vrajabhumi in his company."

In honour of Srila Nimbarka Acharya:

"There is an enchanting place within Sri Nabadwip Dham called Bilvapaksa. Everyone calls it Bel Pukhariya. Siva, the lord of bael, resides here. After a group of noble brahmans satisfied him, having worshipped him with bael leaves for a fortnight, Siva gave them the boon of devotion to Krishna. Amongst the brahmans was Nimbaditya, who worshipped Siva exceptionally well. Mercifully, Siva said to him, 'On the edge of this village is a divine bael forest. The four Kumaras are meditating in that forest, and by their grace, you will attain divine knowledge—they will be your Gurus, and through their service, you will attain everything here.'

"Saying this, Siva disappeared. Nimbaditya then searched out that place and there, in the bael forest, saw the sages Sanak, Sananda, Sanatan, and Sanat Kumar seated on a beautiful platform beside Siva, unseen by others. They were unclothed, very young, and of noble character. Greatly excited upon seeing them, Nimbaditya Acharya happily called out, 'Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna!' Hearing the Name of the Lord, their meditation broke, and they saw the form of a Vaisnava in front of them.

Seeing the Vaisnava, they were pleased, and one by one they embraced Nimbaditya. 'Who are you? Why have you come here? Please introduce yourself. We will certainly fulfil your prayers.' Hearing their words, Nimbaditya prostrated and humbly introduced himself. Upon hearing Nimbarka's introduction, Sri Sanat Kumar spoke with a smiling face. 'Knowing that Kali-yuga would be dark, the merciful Lord decided to preach devotion. He empowered four devotees and sent them to preach devotion throughout the world. Ramanuja, Madhva Acharya, and Visnu Swami are three of them. You are the fourth of these great devotees. Laksmi Devi accepted Ramanuja, Brahma accepted Madhva Acharya, and Siva accepted Visnu Swami. Today, we have met you personally. We will make you our disciple and thus become fortunate. This is our purpose. Previously, we meditated on nonduality, but by the grace of the Lord such sin has left us. We now understand that pure devotion is supremely relishable, and we have written a scripture about it. Its name is Sanat-kumara-samhita. You will certainly be initiated into its teachings.'

Seeing the grace of his Guru, the wise Nimbarka immediately bathed in the Ganga and returned. He prostrated himself and humbly said, 'O lord! Saviour of the fallen! Deliver this lowly soul.' The four Kumaras gave him a mantra to worship the Divine Couple and taught him how to worship on the path of love. Receiving the mantra, Nimbaditya performed worship in this holy place according to the teachings of the Sanat-kumara-samhita.

Mercifully, Radha and Krishna revealed Themselves to him, and the lustre of Their forms illuminated the four directions. Gently smiling, They said, 'O Nimbaditya, you are fortunate: you have performed worship here. Nabadwip is very dear to Us. Here, We are present in one form as the son of Sachi Devi.' As They spoke, They revealed Their form as Gauranga. Seeing this form, Nimbaditya was overwhelmed. He said, 'I have never seen or heard of this extraordinary form anywhere!' Mahaprabhu then mercifully said, 'O great soul, for now, keep this form a secret. Preach devotion to Krishna and the Pastimes of the Divine Couple. Their Pastimes are My greatest joy. When I appear in the form of Gaura, I will find great pleasure in Pastimes of scholarship. At that time, you will take birth in Kasmir and travel throughout the land of Bharat, conquering all directions. Everyone, everywhere, will call you Kesava Kasmiri and praise you for being highly learned. While travelling, you will come to Nabadwip Dham and stay in the village of Mayapur. Hearing your name, the greatest scholars in Nabadwip will flee. At that time, immersed in Pastimes of scholarship, I will defeat you and feel great pleasure. By the grace of Saraswati, you will understand My identity, take shelter of Me, and give up your pride. Then, I will give you devotion and send you to preach devotion again. So for now, satisfy Me by preaching the conception of dualistic nondualism and keep My identity secret. When I start My sankirtan Pastimes, I will preach the essence of your conception. I will accept two essential principles from Madhva Acharya. One is his refutation of exclusive nondualism. O great soul, know the second essential principle to be serving Krishna's Deity form, knowing the Deity to be eternal. From Ramanuja, I will take two essential principles: exclusive devotion and service to the devotees. From Visnu Swami, I will accept two essential principles: surrender to the Lord and the path of love. From you, I will accept two most essential principles: taking shelter of Radharani exclusively and serving in the mood of the gopis.' Saying this, Gaurachandra disappeared, and Nimbaditya cried profusely with divine love.

Nimbaditya then bowed at the lotus feet of his Guru and travelled elsewhere, intent upon preaching devotion to Krishna."