(3/5) Gurudev's Love and Affection

His Divine Grace
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj,
Sri Nabadwip Dham, 1 April 2010, part 3

There are many pastimes that Gurudev showed in this world. He also told us many things about service and service decision. He always thought about devotees and about how to give them relief. Sometimes, he would say, 'Give prasadam to the devotees.' I asked, 'But the calendar says that it is a fasting day today,' but Gurudev insisted, 'No, give breakfast to the devotees.'

One time, when I was in Russia (perhaps, in 1999 or 2000), devotees cooked something and were serving prasad to us in Saint Petersburg. It looked like sweet balls but it was not sweet. Gurudev called me, 'Come, we are all going to take prasadam now.' All the sannyasis were sitting on the floor, and Gurudev was sitting at a temple. I noticed that Gurudev was always looking at me, observing what I was eating. Then, one girl came to give us those 'sweet' balls – she was holding the bowl in her right hand and serving the balls with her left hand. I refused to take it ('No, no, no, thank you, I will not take it'). But Gurudev understood why I did not take it and he laughed. He said, 'I know why you did not take it!' I thought to myself, 'Gurudev is very clever! He understood it!'

Another time, also in Saint Petersburg, devotees cooked masoori dal (red lentils). Actually, in our Vaishnavism line, we must not take that dal. I remember that I used to like that dal before, but after coming to the temple, I had never taken it. So, when they cooked that dal and were giving it to us, I did not realise what dal it was. I liked it a lot, so I asked for more. Gurudev saw it. He told me, 'Yes, eat as much as you want because you will not get this dal in India!' I asked him, 'What?' And Gurudev said, 'Do you know the name of this dal?' Gurudev always joked with us like that.

Gurudev also chastised us a lot. He always gave love and affection – his love and affection are incomparable. When he chastised me, I would just sit there and not go anywhere. He would ask, 'Why are you not leaving?' Sometimes, somebody would come to complain about me to him, but he would only said, 'What can I do? I have chastised him, but he is not leaving me!' That was the main thing, actually. When Gurudev chastised us, he was testing us to see how much love and affection we have for him. If he chastises me and I run away, what kind of love and affection is that? What affection is there between a father and a son? It is necessary to have this kind of affection for your guru. We must understand why gurudev chastises us.

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur sent Srila Prabhupad (Bimala Prasad, at that time) to Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj to take initiation from him. It happened here in Nabadiwp. When Srila Prabhupad came to Srila Babaji Maharaj, Srila Babaji Maharaj chastised Srila Prabhupad a lot. Srila Prabhupad returned to his father. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur asked him, 'Why have you come back without initiation?'

'Babaji Maharaj has chastised me.'

'No, go again to him to take initiation.'

When Srila Prabhupad came again, Srila Babaji Maharaj again chastised him, 'Why have you come to me? Your father is a great scholar, a great Vaishnav – why do you come to me? You can take initiation from your father.'

Srila Prabhupad was chastised again, so he went back again, but Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur told him, 'You must go to him again.' When Srila Prabhupad came to Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj again, Srila Babaji Maharaj asked him, 'You again? All right, but I must first ask Mahaprabhu.' Prabhupad left again. The next day, he came again. Srila Babaji Maharaj said, 'Yes, I have asked, but He has not given any answer.' Many days passed like that, and in the end Srila Babaji Maharaj gave him initiation. So, it is necessary to tolerate everything.

Gurudev always said, 'Wait and see', 'Always be patient, tolerant'. We, too, must see in this way. Gurudev showed very much patience and tolerance in his life. And I saw how much love and affection he had for his godbrothers. That love and affection were incomparable. He learnt it from his Guru Maharaj.

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READ OTHER PARTS:

1) Gurudev's Early Days at the Temple
2) Gurudev's Love for the Temple
3) Gurudev's Love and Affection
4) Our Desperate Hope
5) Our Hopeful Determination