LIBRARY

BOOKS by
Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

AUTOBIOGRAPHY of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj An extensive account by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj published initially in Centenary Anthology and containing extensive recollections of His Divine Grace's childhood and youth, as well as the coming to the lotus feet of his Gurudev and later on starting Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math: "I was born at midnight, Saturday 10th October, 1895. Navami tithi under the same sign as Lord Ramchandra. Krishna-paksa (dark moon fortnight). I was the second child..."

BOOKS

Inner Fulfillment An introductory book compiled from excerpts of informal discourses by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. The first printing dates back to June 1995. The book version presented here contains improved editing. "Our life is unfulfilled and we want fulfillment, there is no doubt. But, what type of fulfillment should we hanker for and search after? We know we are in want, and at the same time we yearn to remove our want and obtain satisfaction. No doubt this is so for everyone. But how to make progress from unfulfilled life towards fulfillment?"

Home Comfort An introductory book containing discourses of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj presenting the foundation of the conception of Gaudiya campaign. The first printing dates back to February 1991. The book version presented here contains improved editing. "We shall be losers on any day when we do not meet with a saint and do not hear any discussion about the inner meaning and substance of life. Be conscious of this. In all respects, anyhow, be mindful of your own person. Look after your own interest by finding your own self. Be unmindful towards the external world and circumstances and dive deep into the reality, your inner wealth. Find your inner self and the inner world within where your inner self lives. Try to find that home."

The Search for Sri Krishna, Reality the Beautiful This comprehensive and fundamental book is compiled from informal talks of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and was presented to his holy lotus hands on 30 October 1983. Since then, it has been republished several times. Here we are presenting the latest, fifth, edition published in 2000. "Everyone is searching for rasa, pleasure. The status of rasa is the highest. As persons we have our subjective existence, but rasa, pleasure, has His supersubjective existence. He is a person. He is akhila rasamrta-murtih: the reservoir of all pleasure. He is Krishna. Rasa is Krishna. There cannot be rasa in any other place but Krishna. He is the fountainhead of all different types of rasa. So, by the nature of our constitution we have to search after Krishna."

Sri Guru and His Grace A profound publication exploring the theme of Guru and disciple, compiled from the discourses of His Divine Grace Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj—presented here in English and Bengali languages. "Guru is the divine messenger of immortal hope and joy in this mortal and miserable world. His advent is the most auspicious and happy event to the suffering animation and can be compared to the rising of the morning star that can guide the traveller lost in the desert. A gentle touch of Sri Guru's merciful hand can wipe away the incessant tears from all weeping eyes. Oh the day when this poor soul realises the causeless grace of Sri Gurudev."

The Golden Volcano Of Divine Love This book has been compiled from the lectures of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and found a very special place in the heart of its author to the extent that His Divine Grace remarked it was his favourite English language publication. The text presented here is the second edition of the book. "Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taught us that separation is the highest principle in divinity. Just as the most intense conception of ecstasy is association with Krishna, the most intense conception of pain is separation from Krishna. Yet the pain felt from Krishna's separation is far more intense than the ecstasy felt from His association. Sriman Mahaprabhu says, 'Can't you understand the painful situation you are in? Your senses must have all been destroyed? Otherwise you would have died from the pain of separation from Krishna. It is inconceivable. We belong to Him wholesale. He is all in all to us, but we can't see Him. We are forcibly separated from Him. How can we tolerate this?'"

Loving Search for the Lost Servant The Loving Search for the Lost Servant was compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. The date of its manifestation is the 14th of March, 1987, the divine appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Maharaj. The text presented for online reading is as it is, without amendments or edits. "The Lord's Loving Search for His Lost Servants: Great intensity is expressed here in a simple way. It is a mad search—an urgent campaign. With great earnestness Krsna comes to deliver His lost servants, to take us home. Once, as Krishna and the cows were returning from the Vrndavana forest at the end of the day, a boy had just attained spiritual emancipation and entered Vrndavana as a cowherd boy. Seeing His long lost servant, Krishna embraced him and both of them fainted in ecstasy. 'Why did you stay away? Why have you been living away from home for so long? How was it possible for you? How could you bear My separation? You left Me, and you have been passing lives after lives without Me? Still, I know what trouble you took to return to Me. You searched for Me everywhere, and went to beg from house to house, and you were chastised by many, ridiculed by many, and you shed tears for Me. I know all these things. I was with you. And now, after great trouble, you have again come back to Me.'"

Subjective Evolution of Consciousness Compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. The book was first printed in 1989 and has since been reprinted two more times. "Evolution is generally thought of as something objective. But objective evolution is a misperception of reality. Evolution is actually based on consciousness, which is subjective. Subjective evolution, however, seems to be objective evolution to the ignorant. In ignorance we think of ourselves as subjects, although in reality the Lord is the subject and we are His objects. We think of ourselves as proprietors although we are His property. In that supersubjective realm, Sri Krishna is eternally engaged in His divine play with His most intimate servitors. And as our consciousness evolves through dedication, we will find our highest prospect there, where we have a part to play in the pastimes of the Sweet Absolute."

Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (I) Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (Vol I) has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed in April 1988, this book is now presented here for online reading. "Any experience about the Lord must come from upper to lower. It does not depend on us. We can only increase the intensity of our hankering, of our serving attitude, and whether He will descend to this plane or not depends on His whim. There is transcendental substance. He moves according to His sweet will. He may come down or He may not, at His whim. He is free. We can only increase our earnestness for His presence. Give up everything; try only to have faith, and everything will be found. Everything is there (sakala chhadiya bhai, sraddha-devira guna gai). Do not demand for any proof, because that is meanness. To search after proof as to whether He ‘is’ or ‘is not’ is meanness. With deep faith, automatically it is known, 'Yes, He is.'"

Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (II) Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (Vol II) has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed on 28 February 1991, this book is now presented here for online reading. "Mahaprabhu and Bhagavatam called us for that: 'Here is a soil, and you are a child of that soil. If you analyse yourself deeply, you will find that you are a child of that soil. You are not created for this land where you are always suffering from uncertainty and apprehension. Apprehension and uncertainty are always troubling you; you must cross beyond them, go up, and you will find sivam—no apprehension, but the positive life. If you really like to have it, you will have to enter into the area of Goloka, the land of beauty and love.'"

Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (III) Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (Vol III) has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed in 1991, this book is now presented here for online reading. "There is a bird called a chataka which always faces towards the sky praying for water. His nature is such that he can only swallow from above and cannot collect from the ground. We should be converted into that type of bird in our hankering temperament for a divine drop of the divine sweetness, of the divine nectar which Mahaprabhu is distributing."

Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (IV) Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion (Vol IV) has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed on 12 October 1990, this book is now presented here for online reading. "Whenever the opposing environment comes to pain us, we should see with such a vision that, 'It is the benevolence of the Lord that He has sent this suffering to me, to correct me, to release me very soon perhaps. I am inviting you, "‘"Yes, you come. You come. You are my friend. In the garb of enemy you are my friend. You have come to release me very soon, so I welcome you. You are coming because without my Lord’s sanction nothing can happen. So when you have come, you have come surely for my benefit, so I welcome you."' If with this attitude you can embrace unfavourable circumstances then very soon you will get liberation from the clutches of maya."

Holy Engagement Holy Engagement has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed in 1993, this book is now presented here for online reading. "You are to search for Krishna-santosa, a way to satisfy Him, but without caring for that, you are using so much energy to try to satisfy your abstract knowledge, your curiosity. Therefore you are a self-deceiver. Die to live. You must have such courage to die for Krishna and you will see everything come in glorious colour. So, engage in service; that is the main thing. To try to know Him is futile. You cannot make Him an object of your knowledge. He is Adhoksaja."

The Golden Staircase Golden Staircase has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed on 21 November 1994, this book is now presented here for online reading. "The soul within this body has its own body, its own plane of living, its own food—everything of its own in the spiritual realm—and this world is the perverted reflection of that realm. We must purely aspire after a life in that spiritual realm, and purity depends on love, and love means sacrifice, “Die to live.” We have to die wholesale in regard to our interest in life here, and then another sort of interest will awaken within us and we shall live there, in that place. That is our aspiration."

Centenary Anthology Published first on 18 October 1995 as an offering in honour of the Centenary Anniversary of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's divine appearance an the conclusion of a year-long festival in the Mission, this book is a beautiful compilation of jewel articles on the history and the conceptual foundation of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. "We do not like to live in this material world that is so nasty. We are trying to realise how to live in the land of the soul. We are soul and we should live there. Our ambition of life is the higher plane of Krishna. We want to live in a country where the general insult and disregard is absent. We can live an honourable life there."

Heart and Halo Heart and Halo has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed on 18 December 1997, this book is now presented here for online reading. "Everywhere there is struggle: where there is life, there is struggle. Where there is progress there is struggle; and where there is lila, play, there is struggle, though of a different kind. One is sweet, the other painful. In the lower stage it is a little painful for us to cut the tie of attraction to this world; but when some permanent relationship is established with the upper world, when we have regained that, then to move forward is happy. Progress means a struggle."

Divine Aspiration Divine Aspiration has been compiled from talks given by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, India. First printed in October 2002, this book is now presented here for online reading. "Consider Sukadev Goswami. Already self-realised from before his birth, he does not want anything in this world; even he doesn’t wear any clothes. He only sometimes takes a cup of milk if it comes easily. He does not care for anything in this mundane plane—he has quite an independent life. He is atmarama, engaged in himself, not in any material, objective consciousness. And he has become attracted by something of a seemingly abstract nature. So, there must be something above the soul’s own subjective existence in a still higher plane that is adhoksaja, beyond ordinary perception."

Sri Sri Prapanna-Jivanamritam Translated into English by His Holiness Sripad Bhakti Ananda Sagar Maharaj, this Divine Book was printed in October 1987 and presented to the Lotus Hands of the Venerable Author, Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, on the celebrated appearance day of Lord Gaurachandra, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, March 3, 1988. It was received with much joy and veneration by the guru-varga as well as devotees all over the world. Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj: "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."

Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram A unique compilation of Sanskrit verses that contain most Pastimes of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, written by Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj. Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram has found exceptional appreciation in the hearts of the Vaishnav community worldwide. These verses are also sung every evening (10 each day, starting from Saturday) at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and its affiliate centers. "I offer my respects unto Sri Gaurangadev, who rose like a golden moon in Sri Mayapura in 1407 Sakabda, revealed the Pastime of accepting the garments of the renounced order, sannyas, in 1431 Sakabda in order to benedict the entire material universe, and disappeared beyond the ordinary vision of the people of this world in 1455 Sakabda. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema."

ARTICLES, POETRY, etc.

Sri Sri Dayita Dasa Dasakam
A poem composed by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj after the disappearance of his Divine Master Bhagavan Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad: "O Dina-nayana, wherever that great soul may be, please quickly take this servitor there."

The Seventh Goswami
A summary account of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur's service, life, and character. Originally published as an introduction to the first edition of Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya published as The Hidden Treasure of the Holy Dhama Nabadwipa.

The All-Auspicious Name of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj expounds on the profundity of the Mission's name.

A Fugitive's Plea
"What have I not done to carry out the orders of these enemies living within me? Now I am disgusted, my Lord. I do not know why, how, but I was able to avoid their vigilant eyes and I have now run to You! Please give me some engagement!"

Ma Muncha-Pancha-Dasakam
A heart-felt poem composed by His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj: "Don't abandon me. Deliver this servant. O Krishna! O ocean of mercy for the destitute! Helplessly subjugated by material nature, I have fallen within this terrible world."

Sri Nimai Sannyas
"Vishvambhar, the son of Jagannath Mishra, who resides in Nabadwip, Sachi's Nimai, oh! He has taken sannyas."

Service to Gaura-Gadadhar
"Is worship of Gaura-Gadadhar a completely madhurya conception? Yes, and more than that. This worship is rather related to separation, or union in separation. Gadadhar Pandit represented Radharani's bhava, but though he is the possessor of that wealth, it was taken up by Mahaprabhu, so he stood empty."

Soul's Svakiya and Parakiya
"Informal respect comes according to the gradation of His dispensation and according to the gradation of my acceptance of that higher light (my attainment of the goal). We may give somebody formal respect, but there can be informal recognition towards another person also (that is an absolute consideration)."

Overthrowing Anarthas
"After a great fight, they will have to retire if during this time you have good association (it can be the association of sadhus or books, anyhow). Devotional practices must not be given up or slackened; rather, you will follow the system of practices with even more attention. And, gradually, one day you will find that, through this fight, all those things are retiring: the enemies have accepted their defeat and gone away."

Self-Purification
"First, all gross elements are removed, then all subtle elements are removed, and then the temple is washed. By doing that, we can cleanse the temples of our own hearts. None can deceive us, none can check our progress except ourselves, so we must scrutinise and analyse our own inner temples and brush aside any undesirable things found there. This is Gundicha-marjan, as Mahaprabhu showed."

Exclusive Conception of Srila Prabhupad's Line
'I think I have done something today to give vent to the feeling of my gurudev, to make his position clear. Our Prabhupad did not allow these things. Do your duty on your plane, and what you deserve will come to you naturally. That was his instruction all through, not only temporarily but all through. Do not go to be a disbeliever, very eager to see the final result; otherwise, you will get Maya instead of Yogamaya.'

Life beyond Renunciation
'The highest law is that you must not leave anything but try to utilise everything for His service. You are a servant. You are to serve, and there are many objects through which you are to serve. It is abnormal to try to exploit or enjoy a particular thing or to cast it off hatefully thinking that it will harm me. Both are artificial.'

Renunciation of Renunciation
"To abnegate and cut off our connection with the environment is not our object. Our object is, rather, to utilise everything for the service of the Lord. Why should we eliminate anything? Why should we disregard anything? We must not denounce, reject or dishonour things. We must use them properly, with reverence, then they will draw benefit from me and bring benefit for me. Environment can help me earn more, then why should I reject my environment and all its paraphernalia? Rather, they should excite me."

Scope of Sacrifice
"This is the universe discovered by Vaishnavs. It has been brought down to the experience of the senses by the Vaishnavs from above, and it is realised through revelation, "There is a domain of such a conception, and if you like it, you can come by such-and-such way. You are welcome. There is a domain of extreme self-abnegation. This is the country where such persons live – if you would like to be a resident of that land, then come.""

Journey from Misguidance to Absolute Guidance
"It is possible to connect with Him only through surrender, and it will be He who will decide how He will best suit you. Let Him decide it. 'Hare Krishna' is not a prayer for anything; it is only an address, 'O Hare Krishna, I want You. You please consider and decide what will suit me. I only want you. I am in danger, and I want Your protection; how you will protect me is to be decided by You, it is not my business.' By embracing His consideration is where we gain the most. We must only try to increase, if possible, the degree of our surrender. That is what is actually necessary from us."

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BOOKS BY AUTHOR:

• By Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj

• By Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

• By Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

• By Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur

• By Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur

OTHER BOOKS:

• GAUDIYA GITANJALI (KIRTAN GUIDE)

• Scriptures and other publications

• Practical guidance

• On Mission's Succession