— { Sri Sri Prapanna-Jivanamritam } —

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam, The Life-Nectar of the Surrendered Souls, is the crown-jewel of divine literatures as the eternal elixir of life for the exclusively surrendered souls, the bestower of the perpetual relish of full-fledged nectar, and the awakening and sustaining fountainhead of life in Divine Consorthood. Indeed, who can fittingly portray her holy glory and renown? In the same way we cannot but feel ever inadequate when we attempt to sing the glories of the illustrious author, our most worshipful Divine Master, Om Vishnupad Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, the dearmost intimate attendant of the great pioneer preeminent among the Gaudiya Acharyas, Sri Gauranga's transcendental message incarnate—Prabhupad Sri Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur. Even without world itineracy, the seat of Universal Guru (Jagad-guru) of the world's renowned gurus has been gracefully won by Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj while presiding in the grand, noble distinction of his venerable years of devotional life at the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math of Nabadwip, his exclusive, personal holy place of bhajana.

Since its first printing, which was in Bengali, this sublime literature has brought heartfelt satisfaction to the stalwart devotees of the highest order, being hailed by them as an Essential Scripture to be unfailingly sung and cultivated as a daily devotional function in spiritual life, as is customarily practiced with the Holy Scriptures such as the Srimad Bhagavad-gita. In both the Eastern and Western countries, its English publication will doubtlessly be similarly worshiped with the utmost reverence, constantly studied and sung with devotion by the surrendered souls of fine theistic intellect, and by the noble souls engaged in their divine search for the Supreme Lord.

This monumental work was originally composed in the Sanskrit language. The authentic Bengali translation that was sanctioned by the author is extremely developed, profoundly exploring the heart of the book; scholars who know the internal conclusive scriptural purports can alone realize how difficult is its translation and publication into English. However, by the boundless mercy of the most magnanimous Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanya-chandra, the fountainhead of all incarnations of Godhead, and by the causeless grace of His most beloved, our Divine Master, and the pure devotees whose hearts are absorbed in divine love—this formidable task has now been fulfilled. Thus, I again and again worship the holy lotus feet of Them all.

For their tireless efforts to usher in the Advent of the present edition in its perfectly elegant form, all those Godbrothers and Godsisters who served in the various facets of the publication have attained the unending graces of our Divine Master and the Vaishnavas. They have bound us in eternal gratitude. For executing the task of the English translation, proofing, and editing, special mention is due to Tridandi-swami Sripad Bhakti Ananda Sagar Maharaj. And for their dedicated effort in securing the necessary funds and assistance for the printing and publishing of the work in a most dignified presentation, special mention is due to Sripad Dayadhara Gauranga Das Brahmachari Bhakti Prabhakar Prabhu and all the good devotees assisting him.

In conclusion, invoking the charming verse of Sri Gurupadapadma, this humble servant earnestly prays at his holy lotus feet that this crown-jewel of Sacred Writings, Sri Sri Prapanna-jivanamrtam, may remain with Her merciful presence in every land, in every home, and in every heart. And in Her gracious acquiescence, may She acknowledge the glorious victory of Her goodwill by churning and overflooding the entire living universe with Her supramundane wave of ecstatic love, to bless all souls with the supreme good fortune.

sri-srimad-bhagavat-padambuja-madhu-svadotsavaih sat-padair
niksipta madhu-bindavas cha parito bhrasta mukhat gunjitaih
yatnaih kinchid ihahrtam nija-para-sreyo 'rthina tan maya
bhuyo-bhuya ito rajamsi pada-samlagnani tesam bhaje

"The bees, intoxicated in the festival
     of drinking the honey of the Lord's lotus feet,
busily humming the glories of the Lord,
     drops of honey from their mouths fall and scatter all around;
for my divine prospect, I've carefully collected
     some of those drops herein—
and thus do I worship the dust
     of the holy lotus feet of those saints, again and again."

I beg to remain most humbly,
Tridandi-bhiksu Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda

16 October, 1987
93rd Holy Appearance Day of
His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

CONTENTS:

Preface
Publisher's Note
Foreword
• (1) Prelude to Approaching Nectar
• (2) Nectar of Scriptural Word
• (3) Acceptance of the Favorable
• (4) Rejection of the Unfavorable
• (5) Confidence in the Lord's Protection
• (6) Embracing the Lord's Guardianship
• (7) Full Self-Surrender
• (8) Surrender in Humility
• (9) Words of Nectar from the Supreme Lord
• (10) Divine Remnants of Nectar
Selected Gems