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MONTHLY ARCHIVE OF UPDATES

NOVEMBER 2023

 

Wed, 1 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Purged Perpetrator
'First, an offence is made to Vaishnavs; when that offence grows, it becomes an offence to the holy feet of the guru; and when it grows even more, it becomes an offence to the holy feet of the Lord. The example of this is Ramachandra Puri.'
Download / listen to the audio (11.8 Mb, 23 min | 13 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Simplicity and Duplicity
Simplicity — "to be a Vaishnav, to be a sadhu, you must first be simple. Do not be a 'zigzag' person. Simplicity comes through practice, and how one practises depends upon the practitioner."
Duplicity — "if you chant the Holy Name without offence, then you can feel that Krishna's Name, beauty, pastimes are non-different from Krishna. But if you chant the Holy Name and think about other things, if you have material desires, then you will not feel anything."
Download/listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

Thu, 2 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Disciples' Pitfalls
'If you try to show off your pratistha or try to glorify yourself – it will be an offence. You must never behave defensively. Never argue to prove that you are right. Never do this with your guru: whatever gurudev says, that is right and that is the final decision.'
Download / listen to the audio (11.8 Mb, 23 min | 13 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Panchami. Disappearance of Srila Narottam Das Thakur.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."

"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."


 

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 get 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."

 

Fri, 3 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Grave Warning
'A bona fide guru gives a danger signal – he gives the right advice at the right time. If you listen to the advice or guidance of your guru, you will be benefitted. Those who do not listen to it fall down.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Practitioner's Pure Pride
"We are servants of the Lord, servants of Gurudev. That is our quality. That is our designation. There is no question of pride here. We are servants, we are dogs of our Guru, that is our pride. When you become a proper servitor of Gurudev, then your material pride will automatically leave you."
Download/listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 7 min | 31 May 2020)

 

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Sasthi. Disappearance of Srila Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj (a disciple of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad and a dear associate of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."


 

In honour of Srila Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj:

— { Pranam mantra } —

saumyam suddha-tanum sudhamsu-vadanam sarasvatam sundaram
namananda-puram prasanta-manasam samsara-santarakam
abalayad-bhagavat-padabja-madhupam dinarti-ham daivatam
vande bhakti-vicharakam prabhu-varam yayavara-svaminam

"I offer my obeisance unto my great master, the worshippable Srimad Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj. He is a beautiful follower of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and has been a bee in the lotus feet of the Lord since his youth. He has a divine form and a moonlike face. He is filled with the Name's ecstasy and his heart is tranquil. He is gentle, he relieves the fallen of their distress, and he delivers the world."

(Composed by Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami 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)

 

Sat, 4 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Pull of Material Life
'You have fallen into the burning agony of the misery of material life, have you not?... The more material life attacks you, the stronger its hold is. When you stop serving the Lord, Maya uses you in her service. You understand that material life is temporary and untrue, that is why this life is full of suffering.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

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)

Siksastakam
"We are singing the Siksastakam songs every day [in Kartik month]. Mahaprabhu is Radha-Krishna's combined form and Siksastakam is His teaching. It is very nice. We must practise these songs."
Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Questions and Answers
A follow-up on ladies leading sankirtan and playing the mridanga How does the gayatri mantra help us? How to serve Gurudev without thinking what benefit I get from it? How to maintain faith that Krishna will protect us? Why did Srila Gadadhar Pandit never go to Vrindavan? How can we fight pratistha? What is the proper way to ask questions? Should we be affectionate only with Vaishnavs or with everybody?
Download/listen to the audio (4.5 Mb, 11 min | 31 May 2020)

 

 

—: ANNOUNCEMENT :—
Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's Appearance Festival

Dear Devotees, Vaishnavs and Well-Wishers,

Bowing down at your holy feet and remembering our Divine Master Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, we would like to extend a humble and earnest invitation to your holy self to join the grand celebration of the divine appearance day of the supremely worshippable Founder Acharya and eternal Guardian of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, that manifests this year on 6 November 2023 (Monday).

We pray that devotees can render assistance to the festivals observed in their communities and focus eternally in their lives on contributing the core ingredient of every service endeavour—one's entire being, mind, heart and soul. In the words of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, "Surrender to the Lord. Have full faith. You must surrender and give everything—your shyness, shame, fear, everything; keep everything at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, or Gurudev. Give your everything, cent per cent."

Taking your foot dust on our heads, we humbly pray that this supremely worshippable appearance day of Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, celebrated with much joy and grandeur by the fortunate souls throughout the entire manifest creation, may pass auspiciously in Hari-katha, Hari-kirtan and Hari-seva that are so dear to the hearts of Sri Guru, Vaishnavs and the Lord.

Your aspiring servants at
scsmathinternational.com

Email address for enquiry:
info.at.scsmathinternational.com


Satisfying the Lord
"Bali Maharaj asked Vamanadev, 'O brahman, what do you want? Tell me, and I can give You anything you wish.' Vamanadev replied, 'I do not want much. I know you have everything, but I want only something small.'"
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 30 August 2020)

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)

Some preparations and items that are known to be favourite to His Divine Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaj include: natural orange juice (with just a little sugar), cholar dahl (split chickpea dal) or kolai dal (urad dal), alu bhaji (deep-fried potato chips), sukta, muri, puri/luchi with alu bhaja, aloo dum, samosa, pineapple chutney (anaraser chutney), puspanna, figs (dumur), gokul pitha, ripe chaunsa mango, posta bora.

 

Sun, 5 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Awakening Inner Longing
'Many people worship Deities out of fear, but some people worship the Lord with their hearts and souls. Do you think it is the same? Somebody loves gurudev with all their heart, keeping a loving relationship with gurudev with all their heart and soul; and somebody waits for gurudev to leave and then does whatever they want. This is not love.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Astami. Bahulastami. Manifestation day of Sri Radha Kunda. Sannyas day of Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."

"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."


 

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.'

radhakundatata-kunjakutira
govardhanaparvata yamunatira
kusumasarovara, manasaganga
kalindanandini vipula-taranga

vamsivata, gokula, dhirasamira
vrndavana-taru latika-vanira
khaga-mrgakula, malaya-batasa
mayura, bhramara, murali-vilasa

venu, srnga, padachihna, meghamala
vasanta, sasanka, sankha karatala
yugala vilase anukula jani
lilavilasa-uddipaka mani

esaba chhodata kaha nahi yau
esaba chhodata parana harau
bhaktivinoda kahe, suna kana
taya uddipaka hamara parana

The grove-dwelling on the banks of Radha-kunda,
Govardhana mountain, the banks of river Yamuna;
Kusuma-sarovara lake, Manasa-ganga river,
The rolling waves of Yamuna, daughter of the sun;

Place of the Rasa dance, and Gokula, the gentle breezes,
The trees, vines, and Vetasa palms of Vraja;
The birds and animals, the sweet air of spring,
The peacocks, bumblebees, the flute's sweet song;

Flute, horn, His footsteps, range of clouds in the sky,
Season of spring, the moon, the conch, hand-cymbals;
I know all this nourishes the pastimes of the Divine Couple,
I can feel they arouse the holy pastimes of the Lord;

I can never leave all these things so dear to me,
Without them I know I'll surely die;
Hear me, O Kan, says Sri Bhaktivinoda:
You are the only light of my life.

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:

 

~ Pranam-mantra ~

gurvvabhista-supurakam guru-ganair asisa-sambhusitam
chintyachintya-samasta-veda-nipunam sri-rupa-panthanugam
govindabhidham ujjvalam vara-tanum bhakty anvitam-sundaram
vande visva-gurun cha divya-bhagavat-premno hi bija-pradam

"I offer my obeisance unto he who perfectly fulfils his Gurudev's most cherished desires; who is fully adorned with the blessings of his Gurudev's associates; who is expert in all aspects of Vedic knowledge, both conceivable and inconceivable; who is the pre-eminent follower of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhu's line; who is known as 'Govinda'—Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj; whose beautiful, effulgent, exalted form is infused with pure devotion; who is the Guru of the entire universe; and who is the giver of the seed of divine love for the Supreme Lord."

 

"The day after Srila Guru Maharaj gave Srila Govinda Maharaj sannyasa was Guru Maharaj's own Appearance Day and he was very happy on that day. Early that morning I went to see him and said, 'Srila Guru Maharaj, yesterday you gave Srila Govinda Maharaj sannyasa; but I think he took sannyasa many, many lifetimes ago.' He replied, 'Oh, you want to say that this is only being done to show the people who he is, but actually he is much more than that?' Srila Guru Maharaj was smiling and laughing, and on that morning, his own Appearance Day, he sat on his chair and for maybe two or three hours he talked about Srila Govinda Maharaj. This was the Appearance Day of the Guru but the Guru was doing kirtan of the disciple!"

{ 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!"

 

Mon, 6 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month;
Divine Appearance Day of Om Vishnupad Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj)

Private Service Stays Private
'A devotee asked me recently, "Why do you not worship the yugala-murti (Deities of Radha-Krishna)?" I told him, "Who told you that we do not worship Them? Do you think that we will show this worship openly, like you all do?"'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

Do Not Compromise with Maya
"So many problems came in their time, and they did not back off—they spoke the truth; but we are ready to compromise our principles—we compromise what Mahaprabhu teaches us with other things. Srila Sridhar Maharaj saw a big dream that Mahaprabhu's proper conception would be preached all over the world by Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, and that is happening now. We must not surrender to maya."
Download / listen to the audio (3.8 Mb, 11 min | 7 June 2019)

মায়ার সাথে আপোষ করা যায় না (Do Not Compromise with Maya, Bengali class)
"আমরা সব সময় 'শরণাগত, শরণাগত' করি কিন্তু কইজন আমরা ভগবানের কাছে শরণাগত হয়েছি ? গুরুসেবার করিবার পরিবর্তে গুরুদেবের কাছে দীক্ষা নাওয়ার নাম করে দীক্ষা নাওয়ার অভিনয় করি । গুরুর সেবার পরিবর্তে গুরু-ভোগী, গুরু-ত্যাগী হয়ে পড়ি কন্তু গুরু-সেবী হতে পারি নি । নিজের স্বার্থ, নিজের ভাল-মন্দ জীবনটা কাটিয়ে গেলাম কিন্তু আমরা কখনই জীবে যে কী করে মঙ্গল লাভ হয়, সে চিন্তা করলাম না । সব সময় ভগবানের জন্য নিজের ভোগ-সুখ পরিত্যাগ করতে হয়, মায়ার কাছে সমর্পণ করলে হবে না ।"
Download / listen to the audio (4.2 Mb, 12 min | 7 June 2019)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Navami. The grand appearance day celebration of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's Founder-President-Acharya, Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Ashtottara-shata-sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Appearance of Srila Virachandra Prabhu. Disappearance of Sripad Sakhi Charan Das Babaji Maharaj.

 


 

Spoken by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj on this day in 2020:

Our Great Fortune
"Today is a very auspicious day because tomorrow is the appearance day of our Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's Founder Acharya—our Param Gurudev, Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. I am giving my full humble obeisance at the lotus feet of my beloved Gurudev, and our Param Gurudev...."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 8 November 2020)

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Appearance and Early Days
"The name of Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's father is Upendra Chandra Bhattacharya. His birthpalce is in Hapaniya. His mother's name was Sri Gauri Devi. By the will of the Lord, when Srila Sridhar Maharaj appeared, he was the eldest son. How did his parents get this kind of son? There is some history behind it."
Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 8 November 2020)

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Powerful Preaching
"When Srila Sridhar Maharaj left his house and joined Gaudiya Mission, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur was very pleased. Even before taking sannyas, Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj was a great preacher. He was always very enthusiastic to preach."
Download / listen to the audio (4.3 Mb, 11 min | 8 November 2020)

"Service Is My Vow"
"Many people ask me, many people criticise me, but I am a fallen soul, I only know what Gurudev told me—he told me, 'Service is the vow, service is the life force, and service is the duty.' This is what I am following."
Download / listen to the audio (3.5 Mb, 9 min | 8 November 2020)

Forgetting Yourself
"Give respect to everybody. Basically, tridandi sannyas means to be humble, tolerant, and give honour to others. However, I am bound to say that sometimes they take sannyas or saffron, and their ego becomes very big. They forget that they must serve more. It makes me very sad."
Download / listen to the audio (3.2 Mb, 8 min | 8 November 2020)

Joy of Good Association
"I do not want to go preaching alone, when there are only two-three devotees. I always want devotees' association. 'Ekaki amara nahi paya bala hari-nama-sankirtane. When I am alone, I get no strength to chant.' Devotees' enthusiasm gives me inspiration."
Download / listen to the audio (5.2 Mb, 13 min | 8 November 2020)

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Expanding Gaudiya Math
"Even though I have heard about this a hundred times, it is still my bad fortune—I am a fallen soul—I still have no quality, no qualification to glorify Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Despite this, I will try, by the mercy of Gurudev and devotees, to describe something that I did not mention yesterday."
Download / listen to the audio (4 Mb, 10 min | 9 November 2020)

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Scriptural Expertise
"Srila Sridhar Maharaj wrote many articles, many works in this life. Srila Prabhupad told about his writing, 'If you can publish this kind of Hari-katha in our monthly newspaper, it will increase the value of our publication.' Srila Prabhupad also remarked that Srila Sridhar Maharaj was 'sastra-nipun' [expert in scriptures]."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 9 November 2020)

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Emporium of Greatness
"Even Srila Sridhar Maharaj's godbrothers wanted to hear his Hari-katha because only he could explain Srila Prabhupad's teaching authentically. Srila Sridhar Maharaj did not want to be a king, but he made so many kings in his life. We hear of many symptoms of a Vaishnav, and we see that Srila Sridhar Maharaj possesses all of them."
Download / listen to the audio (3.9 Mb, 10 min | 9 November 2020)

 

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 worship Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, the bestower of all auspiciousness, my only shelter and the master of all renunciates. He is my Lord who possesses a transcendental form, whose face expression is very grave, who is clad in the holy clothes the colour of the newly risen sun. He is an abode of intense joy; the only genuine master whom one can accept and surrender to; and an ocean of divine knowledge of renunciation. He is a repository of holy scriptural teachings and pastimes of the highest devotion and a great follower of Srila Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad"

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.

{ 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.

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)

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."

 

Tue, 7 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Universal Religion
'Many people say that vaishnav-dharma is just a part of sanatana-dharma (eternal, universal religion). It is not so. Vaishnav-dharma is the main religion, and all religions came from it. We should not come anywhere close to any other religions – we should show them respect from far away; and if they come close to us, we must explain to them why vaishnav-dharma is the highest and main religion.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Latest News
"I came back from yesterday in the evening. I had been to Nabadwip, Nrisingha Palli, and also Mamgachi, Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur's place. I am trying to do some service in Nabadwip Dham. I cannot do service alone, but everybody is helping me, and because of their help, by the mercy of Gurudev, I am able to fulfil his desire."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)

 

Wed, 8 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

On Others' Offences
'Those who make offence to a Vaishnav get the result of their actions. Do not worry about it. But you must make sure that you do not make offence yourself. If you hear somebody criticising Vaishnavs, this is bad and those who do it make an offence, but if you tell somebody about it, you will be also committing an offence. '
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Initiating and Self-Declared Gurus: Open Address to Members of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
"It is my humble request to all of our devotees to listen to what I am saying. I am telling you what is Gurudev's opinion. I have been quiet for so many years, but I am asked all these questions and if I keep quiet, then everybody will think that I support it. There are so many things that I should clarify."
Download/listen to the audio (4.5 Mb, 11 min | 31 May 2020)

 

Thu, 9 November 2023 (Sri Rama Ekadasi; Sri Kartik Month)

Unburden Yourself
'Who am I to make anything? Am I the owner or the master? He is the master of the whole creation, so He will do everything. When I face some trouble, I pray to the Lord, "O Lord, this is all Your arrangement – You have created this problem, so You sort it out."'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Permanent Solution
"What Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math gives is the proper treatment—it gives treatment to the jiva soul. If you give medicine to people, that is only a temporary protection, but what Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math gives, is a permanent solution."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 31 May 2020)

 

 


Sri Ekadasi Guidance
Guidelines on how to observe and honour this holy day: Ekadasi takes an indispensible part in the life of a sincere practitioner. At Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Ekadasi and paran are observed with affection and without fail according to the dates given in the Calendar.

Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj about fasting on ekadasi and accepting material facilities:

"One time, a devotee came here from Vrindavan on the day of ekadasi. He reached in the evening and, after taking a bath in the Ganges, attended kirtans, danced, circumambulated the temple and so on. Then, I asked him whether he would take any anukalpa [non-grain prasadam that is allowed to be taken on ekadasi]. He replied, 'Generally, I do not take anything, but if you like, then, of course, I must like anukalpa. Your will is greater than my fasting.' That was his decision.

"My Guru Maharaj (Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur) always wanted maximum energy: you should take good food and do good service. That was his maxim. Krishna is not a liquidated party: take full prasadam and do full service. Do maximum service, and you should take whatever is necessary for that. You are to take it for the cause of Krishna, not for your own cause. You are Krishna's, so if you grow weak, His service will be hampered, and both you and Krishna will be losers thereby. 'My soldiers will be well-fed and well-working.' That was our Guru Maharaj's principle. Napoleon said, 'One full-fed soldier is equal to ten half-fed soldiers.'

"So, prasad-seva: if it is service, then it must be taken in a serving mood, of course. But, at the same time, the individual position of a devotee should be taken into consideration. Sahajiyas do not fast on ekadasi at all: "Oh, we are in Vrindavan, and there is no fasting in Vrindavan." But Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupad did not like that—it is sahajiya (imitation) if you go on feeding your senses in the name of Krishna-bhakti (devotion to the Lord). For the service to Krishna, it is necessary to keep up the body and to provide nourishment to it, so we must take what is necessary for service. We do not like it if by fasting, a loss of energy is effected. If fasting does not hamper your service, you may go on fasting—perhaps, your Gurudev wanted that...

"For service, I must accept what is necessary to make me physically fit so that I can render more service. So, accepting material things is not objectionable. It is fruitful, not detrimental. Rather, it produces something of a pure character, which helps everyone. This is how a disciple receives and accepts things. At that same time, he may even blame himself, 'I cannot go on with my worldly life without the help of this or that!' He will blame himself, but the underlying spirit must be, 'If I do not take it, I shall be unfit; I will not be able to do my bit of service to the Lord, to my Gurudev.'

"Moreover, by taking up renunciation, I will be a loser. I will incur a loss for myself, for the world, and my Guru's service will be hampered. In this spirit, devotees are to take everything. For the cause of Krsna, for the cause of his Guru, they will accept anything.

"Suppose there is a very miserly karmachari (manager). Because he does not want to spend money, he may not attain a particular result; then, some difficulty comes, and the opportunity is lost. This manager will be responsible to the proprietor: 'Why did you not spend money? Why are you afraid of spending money from my store? Because of your miserly habit, the opportunity has been lost!' 'Why should you not spend My money for My interest?' So, to render service to Krishna, to my Gurudev, to Vaishnavs, to the world, to everyone, I must keep up this mundane body, and I am entitled to take something for that.

"Miserliness is mayavada; it is the renunciation spirit, and it will mar Krishna's interest. What we need is yukta-vairagya: I shall take from the store of Krishna to keep myself fit and to do service. It is Krishna's account, and if I do dot do that, I should be a separationist, a mayavadi, a renunciationist. I shall render maximum service to Krishna, and I must take without any hestitation whatever is necessary to make myself fit for the service; otherwise, I shall be punishable."

 

"Sri Ekadasi" (Sri Sri Prema Vivarta)
"One day, Gaurahari left the Gundicha Temple and sat in the Jagannath Vallabha garden. It was pure Ekadasi, and the Lord spent the whole day and night chanting the Name of Krishna..."

SONG: Suddha-bhakata | শুদ্ধ ভকত-চরণ-রেণু
"I carefully observe the holy days related to Madhava, they are the mother of devotion."

SONG: Sri hari-vasare | শ্রীহরি-বাসরে হরি
"On the holy day of Sri Hari, Sriman Mahaprabhu, the life and soul of the universe, began dancing..."

ADDITIONAL READING:

"Observing Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi Vrata: Make Your Guru Happy"
"No Other Shelter"
"Mahadvadasi"
"Ekadasi and liberation"
"Ekadasi Tithi: One of the Practices"
"Yogini Ekadasi"
"Ekadasi: Historical Background"
"Ekadasi: Main Focus Is Service"
Ekadasi Struggle?
"Make the Teachings of Sri Guru Non-Different from Your Heart"
Ekadasi: Devotional Practice
Ekadasi Struggle?

 

"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

Fri, 10 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Benefactor's Gift
'People tell me, "He is an acharya, but he does house to house?" What of that? Will I become impure by going house to house? Mahaprabhu Himself went door to door. It is my duty to go to people, door to door. We must always do small service.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Chaste Service Consciousness
"If somebody wants to take initiation, they must follow Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math's line; they must follow the rules and regulation. They must always take prasadam, always chant the Holy Name, and engage in service. You are not a servant of Krishna—if you are ready to become a servant of devotees, then you can take shelter of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 31 May 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Krishna Dvadasi. Ekadasi paran is at 5:49:43–9:30:15. Festival in honour of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu's auspicious arrival at Sripat Panihati.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav [event] mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."


 

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."

 

Sat, 11 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Exclusive Path
'Those who say that they are devotee of Krishna are not genuine devotees. It is not so easy to become a devotee of the Lord! How can you become a Hare Krishna bhakta if you have not become even a Vaishnav yet? Many people chant Hare Krishna, but it is not the real Holy Name – it is only external letters.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Service Without Sahajiyaism
"You must do service under the guidance of Gurudev, then you will know what is necessary to do. We are not independent, we are always under the guidance of Gurudev. We do not want to be sahajiyas. Vraja-basis do raga-marga seva, but we must follow viddhi-marga."
Download / listen to the audio (6.1 Mb, 15 min | 31 May 2020)

 

Sun, 12 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month; offering lamps at the temples)

Behind Closed Doors
'The other day, a devotee who stays at one of the temples asked me, "Maharaj, why should we do archan behind the closed doors? What is the problem if I do it when the doors of the Deities" altar are open?"'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Perfect Vision
"We are told to be slow and steady, but when some service is going on, we sometimes do it fast because everybody's character is not the same. Being slow does not mean laziness. If you keep a perfect aim and continue steadily to your aim, then you will succeed."
Download / listen to the audio (5.4 Mb, 13 min | 31 May 2020)

 

Mon, 13 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month; Dipavali)

Unbending Stance
'I know I have taken a lot of time, but it is necessary to say these things as they are – I cannot bend the truth. If somebody says that Rama and Krishna are the same, we will not accept that. We do not disrespect Lord Rama, we do not deny that He is the Lord. Rama is the Lord, but Krishna is the Supreme Lord: He is the Lord of all Lords.'
Download / listen to the audio (42.7 Mb, 83 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Service Code
"We always do service with some little fault, little mistake, and the Lord does not easily accept such service, but if we ask great Vaishnavs, Gurudev, for forgiveness, they will always forgive us. That is why, it will be good if we serve the Lord through Gurudev."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min | 31 May 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Amavasya. Dipavali. Offering and placing of lamps (or candles) on the temples of the Lord.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Today is dipavali—you must offer lamps at the temple. Please buy lamps in clay pots, light them and place them on the four sides of the temple where we are staying. It is 'deep-dan mahotsav' ('festival of offering lamps'). You can offer lamps today and tomorrow, for two days."


 

"Today, everybody says, 'Happy Diwali,' 'Happy Dipavali.' Diwali means a 'festival of lights'. 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. This is the main thing today."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj, 15 November 2020 | Sri Vraja-Mandal Tattva)

 

Tue, 14 November 2023 (Sri Govardhan Puja; Sri Kartik Month)

Subdue Your Tongue
'We are always wasting time on various other nonsense things and nonsense talks. Therefore, it is necessary to have a suitable environment to hear and speak about the Lord. Where will you get this opportunity to hear about the Lord seated at the holy lotus feet of sadhus and Vaishnavs?'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Pratipad. Sri Sri Govardhan Puja. Grand Annakut Mahotsav (‘Rice Mountain Festival’) at Srila Sridhar Swami Seva Asram (Govardhan) and Sri Gupta-Govardhan Temple (Nabadwip). Go-Puja (worship of cows) and Go-Krida (pleasing cows). Worship of Sri Bali Daityaraj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "The Lord accepts everything and anything from His devotees. You will see tomorrow also—tomorrow is the day of that Govardhan Puja, and people will be offering so many things on this day. What does 'annakut' mean? It means 'a mountain of rice'—'kut' means 'a hill' or 'a mountain', and 'anna' means rice. Devotees offer Govardhan a mountain of rice on this day."


 

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 | 11 November 2015)

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 | 11 November 2015)

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 | 11 November 2015)

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 | 11 November 2015)

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)

 

 

 


This day in 2014:

Sri Govardhan Puja (Year 2014)
A joyful festival celebrating Lord Krishna lifting Sri Govardhan Hill and a parikrama to the holy places around Sri Govardhan. Day two of the annual Kartik Pilgrimage.

 

Sri Govardhan Parikrama: Day Two (Year 2014)
The Kartik Pilgrimage continues: the second part of the Parikrama around the holy places at Sri Govardhan. Among the numerous visited places on this day are Sri Uddhav Kunda, Sri Radha Kunda, Sri Kusum Sarovar.

 


This day in 2015:

Defeating the Pride
A Bengali class of His Divine Grace Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj:
• Mahaprabhu defeating Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, Digvijayi Pandit, tricking thieves, teaching Prakasananda Saraswati a lesson • Bali Maharaj's surrender • teaching Indra a lesson (Govardhan Pastime) • strong faith in Deity service (Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Raghunandan Thakur) • rare and valuable life.
Download / listen to the audio (33.2 Mb, 97 min)

Sri Govardhan Puja (15 photographs, 1.1 Mb)
In the shelter of the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, devotees celebrate Sri Govardhan Puja and worship the cows at Sri Gupta Govardhan temple at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat, Sri Nabadwip Dham. (Photographs taken on 12 November 2015)

 

Sri Govardhan Puja class (Archive video, Bengali)
An archive video recording of Sri Govardhan Puja day celebrated at Srila Sridhar Seva Ashram in Sri Govardhan Dham, in the shelter of the holy lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj.

 

 


This day in 2016:

Observing and Celebrating Sri Govardhan Puja
Photographs of Sri Govardhan Puja festival observed at the temple of Mahaprabhu's Divine Water Play at Sri Nabadwip Dham in the shelter of the holy lotus feet of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj.
(22 photographs, 1.3 Mb | 31 October 2016)

 


This day in 2017:

Sri Govardhan Puja: Annakut Maha-Mahotsav
(48 photographs, 3.1 Mb | 20 October 2017)
Photographs taken during the grand auspicious festival of Sri Govardhan Puja observed today at the temple of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madan-Mohanjiu at Dum Dum Park, Kolkata, under the supreme guidance of Sri Gurupadpadma Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and in the association of the worshippable Vaishnavs and devotees.

 


This day in 2018:

Sri Govardhan Puja Festival
(8 November 2018 | 108 photographs, 7.7 Mb)
The grand Annakut Mahotsav observed by the extremely fortunate devotees in the shade of the holy lotus feet of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj and in the association of Vaishnavs from all over the world at the temple of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in Sri Govardhan Dham, Uttar Predesh.

 


This day in 2019:

Sri Govardhan Puja: Annakut Mahotsav
(29 October 2019 | 72 photographs, 5.3 Mb)
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj presides over the annual grand festival of Sri Giriraj Govardhan in the assembly of Vaishnavs and fortunate devotees. The first half of the day is spent in various services and devotional programmes culminating with the noon arati and prasad-seva.

Sri Govardhan Parikrama, Day Two
(29 October 2019 | 49 photographs, 3.4 Mb)
During the second day of Sri Govardhan Parikrama, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj takes the devotees around the north-east part of Govardhan taking the darshan of Sri Uddhav Kunda, Sri Gaudiya Math, samadhi of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Prabhu, Sri Radha Kunda, Sri Shyama Kunda, Vraja Svananda Sukhada Kunja, Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu's bhajan kutir, Sri Lalita Kunda, and Sri Kusum Sarovar.

 

 

Wed, 15 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Surrender or Suffer!
'Do you not like hearing these things? There is no way out. These things must be said, it is inevitable. Everybody must come to this line one day, but instead of coming to this line now, we choose to suffer so much...'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Love for Guru, Not Yourself
"We are becoming very selfish—we always think about ourselves, about our own happiness, but we do not know whether happiness will come or not. The happiness you get in this material life is very temporary. We must realise what it means to be a proper disciple and we must try to be proper disciples of our Guru."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | 31 May 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Dvitiya. Disappearance of Srila Vasu Ghosh Thakur. Disappearance of Tridandi-swami Srimad Bhakti Sarvasva Giri Maharaj (a diksa and sannyas disciple of Srila Prabhupad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur). Bhratri-dvitiya krityam (the day when brothers and sisters honour each other).

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav [event] mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."


 

Thu, 16 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Eternal Benefit
'The whole of Srimad Bhagavatam tells only one thing – the only way to attain benefit is by chanting the Holy Name. But the Holy Name does not come to our mouths. We speak so much, but the Holy Name does not come to our mouths...'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Service Eagerness and Attachment
"This pure conception of Krishna consciousness is very sweet. It is necessary to connect with it and to have faith, proper surrender, humility, tolerance, and to give honour to others. Be patient. Do not be proud. Always reject pratistha. We are tiny servitors, but we will try to do small service."
Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 31 May 2020)

 

Fri, 17 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Family Matters
'I have brought you to this path only so that you can practise Krishna consciousness. I do not want money or any things from anybody. The only thing I want from you all is that you may come to this line and practise Krishna consciousness in a pure way.'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Our Greatest Aspiration
"We sometimes cannot consider ourselves a proper disciple—we always consider ourselves a guru. That is the problem in our life. We have no quality, no qualification to serve Vaishnavs, but the Guru and Vaishnavs are always very kind, they will accept our service, so relying on their kindness, we will try to serve them properly."
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 14 June 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Chaturthi. Disappearance festival of Vishva-varenya Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."

 


 

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

 

vaisnavera guna-gana karile jivera trana
suniyachhi sadhu-guru-mukhe
"Singing the glories of the Vaishnavs rescues and protects the jiva soul. I heard this from the mouth of sadhus and my Guru."
"If we give some honour, give some glorification to the Vaishnavs, it is actually for our benefit. It is for our own benefit that we do some ceremonies, some festivals, glorifying the Vaishnavs. It is necessary for our spiritual life, and it is one of the bhaktyanga, one of the practising processes. That is why we make Vaishnavs' disappearance and appearance festivals."
(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

 

namah om visnupadaya krsna-presthaya bhutale
swami sri bhaktivedanta prabhupadaya te namah
gurvajnam sirasi-dhrtva saktyavesa sva-rupine
hare-krsneti mantrena paschatya-prachya-tarine
visvacharya prabaryaya divya karunya murtaye
sri bhagavata-madhurya-gita-jnana pradayine
gaura-sri-rupa-siddhanta-saraswati nisevine
radha-krsna-padambhoja-bhrngaya gurave namah

"I offer my humble obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad, who is Krishna's beloved associate and who came down to this plane from Goloka. Taking the order of his guru on his head, he is the saktyavesa (empowered) avatar of Nityananda Prabhu personified. He distributed the Hare Krsna mantra all over the Eastern and Western world, delivering and uplifting all fallen souls. He is the best of millions of jagat-gurus, because he is the personification of divine mercy. He has distributed the sweet nectar of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the transcendental knowledge of Bhagavad-gita all over the world. He is constantly engaged in exclusive devotional service to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Srila Rupa Goswami, and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. I offer my humble obeisances unto Srila Prabhupada, who is like a bumble-bee always tasting the nectar of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Govinda."

 

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..."
Download (0.7 Mb, 2 min | 22 October 2011)

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?"

 

Sat, 18 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Search Beyond Maya
'If my driver does not know the way, then he will not be able to deliver my body to the destination. The driver must know which place he must go. Gurudev is the captain, the helmsman who takes us across this material world, and if we allow him to take us to his destination, we will be able to get there, too.'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Treasure of Devotion
"Everybody will die one day, but you have got this human body, so what is your duty? We are not meant to live like cats and dogs. We have got so many facilities—eyes, mouth, ears, etc. What will we do with them?"
Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 14 June 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Panchami. Disappearance of Tridandi Swami Srimad Bhakti Aloka Paramahamsa Maharaj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day."

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj remembers [mentioned in Centenary Anthology: "There was a very dear disciple of Srila Saraswati Thakur who lived in the same room with Srila Saraswati Thakur and received much affection from him—his name was Mahananda Brahmachari. We saw that lastly he came to Srila Guru Maharaj and said, 'Maharaj, I want to take sannyas from you. Please give me sannyas.' Srila Guru Maharaj gave it very happily and his name became Srila Bhakti Alok Paramahamsa Maharaj."


 

Sun, 19 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Mining Innermost Humility
'I am poorer, lower than grass! I pray that I can tolerate everything. Gurudev, please help me tolerate everything. Somebody can insult me, somebody can say bad things about me, but may I not harbour any bad feelings.'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Questions and Answers
How to be tolerant internally, not just show it externally? What is sahajiya bhajan? How can we use everything in service, even sad and dangerous things? How can we know that Gurudev is happy with us? Western style offerings are out of place in India? How can my child get sukriti to live in Krishna consciousness? How to concentrate on Krishna consciousness when mind is distracted?
Download / listen to the audio (12.8 Mb, 31 min | 14 June 2020)

 

Mon, 20 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

What Is Your Substance?
'You think that you can recognise or know a Vaishnav, so you start seeing their faults and criticising them?! What is your capacity? What do you know about who is a Vaishnav and who is not?'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Ashtami. Disappearance of Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami, Srila Dhananjay Pandit and Srila Srinivas Acharya Prabhu. Sri Gopastami, Sri Gosthastami.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life."

"We should always check the calendar, and when we see some dates mentioned there, even if we do not know anything about the Vaishnav or events mentioned there, we can at least give 'jay' to them—that also brings some good sukriti, some purification to us. Seeing the calendar and taking devotees' names early in the morning, from the beginning of the day, is very good for all devotees."

"Wake up, look into the calendar and give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs. Always pay obeisance to your Guru and Vaishnavs when you wake up in the morning, always give them 'jay'. Always keep faith and show respect to them. Always see the calendar—whose appearance day it is, whose disappearance day it is. Even if you cannot make a festival, at least you can give them 'jay', it will bring you benefit. When you give 'jay' to your Guru and Vaishnavs, it brings you sukriti. For example, today is the disappearance day of a Vaishnav—give 'jay' to him, remember him. We must always remember the words of Vaishnavs. If I remember the words of Vaishnavs, I get some benefit, some deposit through that."


 

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.

Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami
"Sri Gadadhar Das Goswami is an eternal associate of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sriman Nityananda Prabhu. At first, he lived in Katwa, and later, after Mahaprabhu's disappearance, he moved to a village on the bank of the Ganges...."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min)

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:

Appearance of Acharya Srinivas
"Having received Mahaprabhu's blessing and mercy, Chaitanya Das and his wife returned to their house in Gaura-desh. Their son was born and, seeing his beautiful son, Chaitanya Das immediately declared, 'I will give this son to the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu for His service.'"
Download / listen to the audio (1.5 Mb, 4 min)

Acharya Srinivas: Collecting Mercy
"Srinivas Acharya received Sri Narahari Thakur and Govinda Gosh Thakur's mercy from his childhood. Later, when Acharya Srinivas's father left his body, Srinivas and his mother then came to his mother's family house in Jajigram..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.1 Mb, 5 min)

Acharya Srinivas: Rescuing Scriptures
"So many things are written about Acharya Srinivas. There is a famous pastime of Srila Srinivas Acharya and Raja Birhambir. Srila Srinivas Acharya, Srila Narottam Das Thakur, and Srila Shyamananda Prabhu were once travelling with all the books of Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatan Goswami, and others..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 5 min)

Time for Sravan
"You must see the sadhu with your ears, because you cannot see a sadhu with your eyes. This is actually not a place for play or tourism, this is a place for sravan and kirtan. You must listen with your heart. One time, Acharya Srinivas was sitting with Narottam Das Thakur in one place..."
Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min)

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.

"When they were only a few miles away from Mathura, they heard that Sanatan Goswami had passed away. People were saying that that great Sanatan Goswami who was the prime minister and who had captured all people in the whole of Vrindavan within his heart—that Sanatan had passed away, a great disaster for the country. What to do then? Rupa, Raghunath, Jiva and Gopala Bhatta were still living, so Srinivas, Narottam, and Shyamananda dragged somehow on.

When they reached Mathura, they heard that Srila Rupa Goswami had left the night before that. Sanatana left on an ashari purnima, and Srila Rupa Goswami left after that on next dvadasi. They thought, "What hopeless and cursed souls we are! We have come so near, yet we could not see those two generals of Mahaprabhu!" Mahaprabhu sent two of his generals to Vrindavan to carry out His orders and establish the kingdom of the Gaudiya Vaishnavs there... So, they dragged their bodies to Vrindavan and came to Govinda Mandir. When they reached it, they found that an evening aroti was going on there in a very great splendour. There was a great crowd there—Srila Rupa Goswami had just passed away, so with that feeling of high bereavement, everybody was chanting his name madly. Srinivas, Narottam, and Shyamananda Prabhu were there, but Srinivas Acharya could not stand that sort of sentimental wave—he was standing aside and he fainted. When he regained his consciousness, he saw Srila Jiva Goswami with some of his followers...

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."

 

Tue, 21 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Live and Learn
'If somebody asks you something, you should be able to answer questions. So, try to ask questions to learn more. Foreign devotees always ask questions, even small boys and girls do.'
Download / listen to the audio (23.7 Mb, 53 min | 14 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Without Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur Our Line Is Nothing
"Today is the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur—he left us and entered his nitya-lila on this day. He is doing service in his abode now, but he is still bestowing his mercy on all devotees and on us. We cannot even think of our line without Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. He is the main personality in our line."
Download / listen to the audio (3.4 Mb, 8 min | 21 June 2020)

 

Wed, 22 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Trials and Aspirations
'The Lord has sent you to this world to preach about Him and to hear about Him, to speak about Him to others, to go door to door and deliver the message about Him to everyone. But as you do it, you will be tested...'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Mandakini Dhara
"The main thing is that Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur brought to us the pure current of Mandakini, proper consciousness, and this current is still flowing in this world allowing us to get some taste of the nectar that was distributed by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur. What he has given us has never been given by anybody in this world."
Download / listen to the audio (3.9 Mb, 10 min | 21 June 2020)

 

Thu, 23 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Strongest Conviction
'If gurudev has said something, it must be true. Gurudev said that I can reach my home if I practise Krishna consciousness, then there can be no doubt. If gurudev has said something, it is the end of question.'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Ekadasi. Fast on Sri Utthan Ekadasi. Disappearance of Om Visnupad Paramahamsa Srila Gaura Kisor Das Babaji Maharaj. Appearance of Tridandi-swami Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhav Maharaj. Sri Bhisma Panchaka. Awakening of Lord Sri Hari.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit, but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart and soul? This is the question."


 

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."


SRI NABADWIP DHAM MAHATMYA MUKTA MALA : ANTARDWIP
Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj's Samadhi Mandir
"Before, I knew that anyone who assumes a human form is as contemptible and vile as myself, but when I observed the character of my Lord [Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj], I could gradually understand that a perfect Vaishnav could exist in this world. Through the words and pastimes of saintly persons such deficient jiva souls as myself can become enriched in many ways. Hearing about the character of saintly persons and their pastimes can cleanse many unsaintly hearts. With this hope I am writing a few words about Paramahamsa Babaji."

Departure of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj
"We have visited today the samadhi-mandir of Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj. When Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj left his holy body, all the babajis of Nabadwip started to fight for his body as he was a great sadhu..."
Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 23 March 2021 | Bengali)

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)

SRI NABADWIP DHAM MAHATMYA MUKTA MALA : ANTARDWIP
Srimad Bhakti Dayita Madhav Goswami Maharaj's Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
"Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhav Maharaj was a very dear godbrother of the Founder Acharya of our Math, Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Before taking sannyas, Srila Madhav Maharaj's name was Sri Hayagriva Brahmachari. We have heard about him from the lotus mouth of our Srila Guru Maharaj..."

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?"

 

Fri, 24 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Everything Is His Will
'Even that which is to happen may not happen, and that which is to happen may not happen; and in the meantime, something else may happen. Everything is His will. It is necessary to keep faith.'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Observing Gundicha Marjan
"Tomorrow is Gundicha Marjan, everybody will join it. You should clean the place where you are staying, and also clean your heart through chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Clean your hearts through sravan and kirtan, through practising."
Download / listen to the audio (0.8 Mb, 2 min | 21 June 2020)

 

Sat, 25 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Eternal Path
'It is necessary to call the Lord with love. If you do not listen to the main conception, if love for the Lord does not come to your heart, then you can never come to this line.'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Special Day of Special Mercy
"By the mercy of Gurudev and Lord Jagannath, Baladev, Subhadra, we are present here today, and, even though we are so far, we pay our obeisance to Them from here. I spend this Ratha-yatra time in Puri every year, but even though this year we could not go there, my mind, my heart, and everything is still in Puri with all the devotees."
Download / listen to the audio (4.7 Mb, 12 min | 23 June 2020)

 

Sun, 26 November 2023 (Sri Kartik Month)

Sadhus' Mercy
'The purpose of real sadhus' begging is giving mercy to jiva souls, not imposing a tax on jiva souls. There is no question that you must give any amount of money. If you cannot give money, it is fine. If you can listen to some Hari-katha, that is sufficient.'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Follow Rules and Regulations
"You must follow rules and regulations. Always. Follow rules and regulations properly. This is good for everybody. Our line is strict about it and we should follow these things. I know it is easy to say it, but it is hard to follow it."
Download / listen to the audio (4.7 Mb, 12 min | 23 June 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Gaura Chaturdasi. Disappearance of Srila Bhugarbha Goswami and Srila Kasisvar Pandit. Departure of Srimad Bhakti Pramod Puri Maharaj.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit, but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart and soul? This is the question."


 

Mon, 27 November 2023 (End of Sri Kartik Month)

Jewels of Your Life
'When you come to the market, you can buy many things with money, but do you see anybody selling devotion at the market? There are some people in this world, however, who actually sell devotion at the market, but you will not get real devotion from them – you can get deceitful devotion from them.'
Download / listen to the audio (14.8 Mb, 33 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 28 October–27 November

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH [text]
Morning kirtans [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Serving Gaura Nitai Deities
"The correct vision regarding Deities is that you must serve with love and affection, with full faith. It is actually a little difficult to serve Radha Krishna and Mahaprabhu, it is easier to serve Nitai Gauranga because They are always merciful and do not take any offence."
Download / listen to the audio (3.6 Mb, 9 min | 23 June 2020)

 


Today in the calendar: Purnima. Rasa Yatra of Sri Krishna. Disappearance of Srila Sundarananda Thakur. Appearance of Srila Nimbarka Acharya. Manifestation anniversary of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharva Rasa-Bihari jiu at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Mission, Sri Vrindavan. End of chaturmasya, urjja-vrata, damodar-vrata, kartik-vrata or niyom-seva and Bhisma-panchaka.

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj: "Even if you do not know anything about the Vaishnav mentioned in the calendar, you must still give them 'jay' on this day. We must always remember disappearance and appearance days of all Vaishnavs. If we can remember such personalities, such great souls, it will bring a great benefit to our spiritual life. If you remember the glories of Vaishnavs, if you speak about the glories of Vaishnavs, they can rescue you from all kinds of material bondage. We have heard a hundred times that if we glorify Vaishnavs, it gives great benefit, but even though we have heard it a thousand times, how much are we able to glorify Vaishnavs from our heart? How much can we serve Vaishnavs with heart and soul? This is the question."


 

Tue, 28 November 2023

Do Not Overstep Your Limit
'It is said that only three and a half devotees served Mahaprabhu: Svarup Damodar, Ray Ramananda, Sikhi Mahiti and his niece, Srimati Malini Devi. Not even Nityananda Prabhu or Rupa-Sanatana are among them, and only three persons were with Mahaprabhu in Gambhira. So, how can we dare enter there?'
Download / listen to the audio (33 Mb, 79 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Eternal Humble Prayer
"'When will You place Your lotus feet on my head? I have no quality, no qualification, I am such a tiny thing—please accept me as Your dog. Please...' Always pray and cry to the Lord in this way. You say, 'Yes, I am giving everything to you,' but in the meantime you always keep the key with you. This is not surrender."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 8 min | 23 June 2020)

 

Wed, 29 November 2023

Do You Ever Think of It?
'A day without Hari-katha is a bad day, and we must always try to reduce the number of such days in our lives. The water that is necessary for the seeds to grow is sravan and kirtan. We must always practise it. It is necessary to read scriptures more, it is necessary to hear Hari-katha more.'
Download / listen to the audio (33 Mb, 79 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Dangerous Query
"Different Vaishnavs have different vision. They are all our guru-varga and we cannot make any offence to our guru-varga. We must give respect to what they do. That is our simplicity and our tradition. We do not think, 'Why did he do this?' What they have done is final for us."
Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 7 min | 23 June 2020)

 

Thu, 30 November 2023

Glories of Great Souls
'You must always glorify Vaishnavs; never criticise them. We must glorify their qualities (engage in guna-kirtan). You cannot get anywhere without attaining the mercy of gurus and Vaishnavs. We must speak about all their great qualities.'
Download / listen to the audio (33 Mb, 79 min | 15 December 2020 | Bengali)

 

—{ Sri Gurupadpadma's Worldwide Address }—

Asadhu-Sanga Saps Spiritual Strength
"If there is some fault in your heart, if you do some wrong and, thinking that nobody can see you doing it, you continue doing wrong, then it will slowly increase, and it will harm your spiritual life. We must always avoid bad association."
Download / listen to the audio (3.6 Mb, 9 min | 28 June 2020)

 

 

 

 

 

 · · • • • · ·

 

 

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2023

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OFFLINE READING, ePub:
(All lectures of His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj posted here on the website)
Issue #1 (31 Dec '14)
Issue #2 (2015/1)
Issue #3 (2015/2)
Issue #4 (2015/3)
Issue #5 (2015/4)
Issue #6 (2016/1)
Issue #7 (2016/2)
Issue #8 (2016/3)
Issue #9 (2016/4)
Issue #10 (2017/1)
Issue #11 (2017/2)
Issue #12 (2017/3)
Issue #13 (2017/4)
Issue #14 (2018/1)
Issue #15 (2018/2)
Issue #16 (2018/3)
Issue #17 (2018/4)
Issue #18 (2019/1)
Issue #19 (2019/2)
Issue #20 (2019/3)
Issue #21 (2019/4)
Issue #22 (2020/1)
Issue #23 (2020/2)
Issue #24 (2020/3)
Issue #25 (2020/4)
Issue #26 (2021/1)
Issue #27 (2021/2)
Issue #28 (2021/3)
Issue #29 (2021/4)
Issue #30 (2022/1)

 


 

Service: Proof of Love
'Every year we make this festival together, and we must promise on this day: Gurudev is giving us life for one more year, and for one more year we will engage ourselves in service to our Guru.'

 

We are finishing our time, and the time goes very quickly, so we must realise
what is necessary for our spiritual life.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE | HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE