Sri Guru-Puja: Homage Without Damage

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Sri Nabadwip Dham, India
23 July 2013, part 3

It is very difficult, so many austerities will come, but I am telling you: little by little, slowly, slowly you can harmonise with the devotees. Do not neglect the etiquette—they are senior Vaishnavs, they always hope for some recognition. You know that if you give them a garland and "jay," it is sufficient for them, they will be happy; then what is the problem for you?

You can also see the example of Ramachandra Puri. He criticised Mahaprabhu so much behind His back, but when he would come, Mahaprabhu would give a big chair to him. Everybody was disturbed, "Why?! This man criticises Mahaprabhu so much, why does Mahaprabhu give a big chair (so much honour) to him?" You can say it is a kind of politics. Sometimes you should be a politician and manage and harmonise everything. You know what will make them happy, then it is necessary to do that, you can harmonise the situation in this way.

You know, when the banner for Guru-puja Maha-mahotsav was made, they actually broke it. Later, I wrote "Acharya Bhavan" on Gurudev's house—it was a small house at the beginning, and when I wanted to expand it, they tried to stop me. There was so much trouble. Also the small house inside the Centenary Museum—when the Museum building was being built, they were going to demolish that house, but Gurudev told me that it was very painful for him that they were going to do it. Gurudev then went abroad, and I managed to stop them somehow. You can still see that house there—I kept it like gambhira, a house inside a house. Gurudev stayed in that house for fifteen years—Srila Sridhar Maharaj gave it to him and he would stay there when he came from Kolkata. For the sake of this memory I did not let them demolish it. Gurudev was happy with it, but his godbrothers, whoever was there, were not...

This is how I managed.

I remember one Vyasa Puja, I decorated Gurudev's house with many lights. It was maybe 1994. His godbrother complained to Gurudev, "He is spending so much money!" Gurudev called him and said, in front of that godbrother, "Hey, why did you not paint my house with black paint?! Why are you putting light on my house?" He chastised me in front of him, but I knew he was happy with my service. You know that Gurudev never liked black paint, he always painted with white paint.

So many stories happened with me that time...

You must be tolerant, you must not use harmful language. You can do your service, you can preach properly to new people, new devotees—it is not necessary to speak against anybody. You can preach properly to new people, what is the problem?

Gurudev became the acharya in 1985 and I came to Gurudev and joined this main temple Chaitanya Saraswat Math seven years later, in 1992. At that time I did not see even one reliable person who would be for Gurudev, not even his godbrothers. I did not see anybody who would have chastity for Gurudev. Now everybody says, "I have love and affection for Gurudev," now they say so many things, but when Srila Sridhar Maharaj declared Gurudev his successor, many sannyasis left the temple because of their ego. Also, when Gurudev would give initiations, I saw how many sannyasis were there in front of him at that time and I could also understand then who was for him... Many had some desires, ego, and they would not stay with Gurudev—while Gurudev was alive, in Gurudev' time, they wanted to be a Guru. So, there are only few reliable people who are for Gurudev.

Then, you can understand clearly how to do the Guru-puja. You must understand it. Do not make any trouble for me. You can preach in your style, it is good, I do not have any problem with that, but do not create any cruelty, do not use harmful language. I heard somebody say, "Oh, Acharya Maharaj is like a sea and they are just a drop"—it is not necessary to say such things. You can preach properly without saying such things, that will be good for you.

So, today is a good day, it is the Guru Purnima day. We celebrated it here yesterday. How will you do Guru-puja? Actually, giving one flower, giving a "jay" to the Guru is not Guru-puja—it is necessary to think how you can do Guru-puja, it is necessary to try to serve. Try to serve in harmony, speaking good about others, without speaking against anybody, etc.

I am always with you, and I am happy with your service. Sometimes it is necessary to chastise also. You know, if I do not chastise you, some people will not be very happy, but if I chastise you, they will be very happy. That is why it is necessary for me to chastise you. That is my "politics." It is very easy to understand. Why did Mahaprabhu chastise Jagadananda Pandit? It was necessary. Actually, Jagadananda Prabhu's love and affection and Sanatan Goswami's love and affection are different, there is a different meaning there.

Continue your service, bring new people, preach to them. This is what is necessary. I do not want to give disrespect to others. That is my opinion. I am very happy with you. May Krishna bless you. Gurudev is always with you. You can continue your service in this way, that will be very good.

Jay Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj ki jay
All the assembled devotees ki jay
All the worldwide devotees ki jay
Harinam sankirtan ki jay
Samagata sri gaura bhakta vrinda ki jay
Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math ki jay
Harinam sankirtan ki jay
Nitai Gaura premanande hari hari bol

Devotee: Jay Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya-varya Ashtottara-shata-sri Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj ki jay!

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