This Extremely Auspicious Day

A Śrī Vyāsa Pūjā address
by His Divine Grace
Śrīla Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj,
(with final editing by the author)

Śrīla Guru Mahārāj preached very successfully all over India. His preaching satisfied Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Saraswatī Ṭhākur. Everyone had special respect for Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, and this was shown by their actions. Śrīla Bhakti Sāraṅga Goswāmī Mahārāj took sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj even though Śrīla Guru Mahārāj was junior to him (in the mission). Śrīla Bhakti Prajñān Keśav Mahārāj was also senior to Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, and he was a very exalted brahmachārī of the sampradāya, but he took sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj. Such advanced, intelligent personalities knew the prospect and conception of Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Saraswatī Ṭhākur and his sampradāya. Like these examples, many great devotees of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur wanted to take sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, but Śrīla Guru Mahārāj did not give easily. They wanted to take, but I saw that often they were afraid to ask him. In Vṛndāvan, in perhaps the 1950s, I saw two disciples of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur who wanted to take sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, but they could not approach him, and lastly they went to Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj. Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj then asked Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, “Mahārāj, shall I give sannyās to them?”

Śrīla Guru Mahārāj had much respect for Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj and replied, “Yes. Why are you asking me?” But it is a fact that those devotees could not ask it from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj.

Many wanted to take sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj but could not come to him directly. That was the position of Śrīla Guru Mahārāj.

There was a very dear disciple of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur who lived in the same room with Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur and received much affection from him — his name was Mahānanda Brahmachārī. We saw that lastly he came to Śrīla Guru Mahārāj and said, “Mahārāj, I want to take sannyās from you. Please give me sannyās.” Śrīla Guru Mahārāj gave it very happily and his name became Śrīla Bhakti Ālok Paramahaṁsa Mahārāj.

There were many other disciples of Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur, including Śrīla Bhakti Dayita Mādhava Mahārāj, who wanted to take sannyās from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj.

Having some idea about their sampradāya going in the line of Śrī Rūpānuga, they all came to Śrīla Guru Mahārāj. Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur expressed this through the highest song of our sampradāya, Śrī Rūpa-Mañjarī-pada. He wanted to hear that song from Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, not from others. This story is famous.

If we need Ganges water, we must go to the Ganges. Similarly, it is necessary that if we want the conception given by Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu as well as Śrīla Saraswatī Ṭhākur, we must come to Śrīla Śrīdhar Dev-Goswāmī Mahārāj. This was also the expression of all the devotees of Śrīla Saraswatī Goswāmī Prabhupād.

We saw that Śrīla Guru Mahārāj would yearly go once or twice to Śrīla Mādhava Mahārāj’s Maṭh, and once or more to Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj’s Maṭh. At that time there were strong party feelings amongst many devotees, but many of Śrīla Guru Mahārāj’s godbrothers from other camps, including the secretaries and stalwarts from all parties, came to see Śrīla Guru Mahārāj.

Every year on the appearance day of Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj, he invited Śrīla Guru Mahārāj to his Maṭh. For his respect Śrīla Guru Mahārāj went there each year. However, one year Śrīla Guru Mahārāj couldn’t go because he was showing very poor health. Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj’s expression was, “This year Śrīla Śrīdhar Mahārāj cannot come. Every year he comes and blesses me with a further year of life, and by this blessing I am existing. Now I am thinking that next year I shall not be able to accept the pūjā of my disciples.” Such were the exalted feelings of Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj, and it happened that Śrīla Goswāmī Mahārāj disappeared that year and so was unable to attend his own next Guru-pūjā day.

At the time when the Gauḍīya Maṭh was divided, devotees would generally not visit devotees of any other camp. But when Śrīla Guru Mahārāj would go to Śrīla Mādhava Mahārāj’s Maṭh, even the general secretary of the Gauḍīya Maṭh would come and meet with Śrīla Guru Mahārāj. One day Śrīla Guru Mahārāj asked Śrīpād Supati Rañjan Nāg Prabhu, the general secretary of the Gauḍīya Maṭh, “Prabhu, why do you come to see me every time I come here?”

Supati Bābu replied in a very nice way: “Your nature attracts us. Your disinterested nature, strong common sense, and deep intelligence — these three things attract us. Therefore, I am coming to see you and I am feeling so fortunate that still this kind of man is living within our sampradāya.”

In the scriptures it is said:

āchāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhichit
na martya buddhyāsūyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ

That kind of Guru we have got. His mercy, his association, his associates’ association, his friends’ association, and his godbrothers’ association we have got. In that way we can say we are very fortunate that Śrīla Guru Mahārāj bestowed his mercy upon us, but if we cannot worship him in a proper way and cannot respect him properly, then we will go to hell, actually.

You see, in the scriptures it is said Āchāryaṁ Māṁ vijānīyāt: Bhagavān Himself in the form of the Āchārya appears in this mundane world to bestow His mercy to the sincere seekers.

Nāvamanyeta karhichit: don’t think anything about the Guru except that he is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. Then again, Kṛṣṇa says na martya buddhyāsūyeta: don’t consider him as a mundane man. He may appear in the form of a mundane body but he is not mundane. You must consider him as Myself. Sarva-deva-mayo Guruḥ: all the devas are living within his body. This kind of conception you must carry. Otherwise, you cannot worship him properly. Respectful obeisance is necessary to the Guru. The fully surrendered soul will get full mercy from his Guru.

Guru has many forms, and one who is a paramahaṁsa sees everyone as his Guru. We must try to consider the Mahānta-guru, Chaittya-guru, and Śikṣā-guru in a nondifferent way, but we cannot always understand the signal of the Chaittya-guru. Our mind lives in the mundane idea. Therefore, we cannot always say that what our mind says is coming from Kṛṣṇa. Sometimes, for one who is a very fortunate soul, he will receive instruction from his Chaittya-guru. But Kṛṣṇa represents Himself in the form of the Mahānta and Śikṣā-gurus for our direct guidance.

In which way can we understand? Kṛṣṇas tu Bhagavān svayam. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam said:

ete chāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ mṛḍayanti yuge yuge

Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and if we try to worship those who are really devoted to Kṛṣṇa, then our worship must go directly to Kṛṣṇa. This is the proper channel. We cannot serve Kṛṣṇa directly, but through Guru and Vaiṣṇava our service can go to Kṛṣṇa. We cannot see Kṛṣṇa, but through a ‘lens’ we can see Him, otherwise not. There are so many planets in the sky and they exist both by day and by night, but how many can we see? We can see them only by looking through a telescope, and that is made by lenses set one after another. This is the process, and in spiritual life this is called the Guru-paramparā. It is coming down by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa Himself appears in the form of a human body, or any kind of form, but when He is very merciful, we can understand His glories.

kṛṣṇa yadi kṛpā kare kona bhāgyavāne
guru-antaryāmi-rūpe śikhāya āpane

It is depending upon fortune, and that fortune comes through the service to Guru and the Vaiṣṇavas. When we get such transcendental sukṛti, through that we get the connection of Guru. The Guru’s position is so high. Śrīla Guru Mahārāj used the expression, ‘heavier than the Himalayas’.

One who is fully dedicated to his Guru will get everything. Etat sarvaṁ Gurau bhaktyā puruṣo hy añjasā jayet. He can conquer and get everything by the mercy of Guru.

Before, in the Vedic age, we can see that the students would go to the Guru’s house, and the Guru would engage them. This occurred also in the example of Kṛṣṇa and Sudāmā. They were instructed: “Go to the jungle and bring some firewood. Go there.” They were ordered to do many things, “Do this. Do that.”

When disciples successfully carry out the order of their Guru and satisfy him, the Guru gives his blessings and they get all the transcendental knowledge, thus becoming all-rounders in spiritual life. In this present age also we have seen this kind of mercy in many cases.

So it is necessary to fully surrender to Guru and carry out his order. But if we think that Guru is mundane, then we will go to hell and not get anything of transcendental knowledge. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so high, and there is a special line of Guru. But even in an ordinary way we shall not get that conception of Vedic knowledge without their grace.

Today is a very auspicious day, that Śrīla Guru Mahārāj, the bearer of that high conception of Kṛṣṇa consciousness   — madhura-rasa  — on this day appeared to bestow his mercy upon us. This is an extremely auspicious day for us. He showed his appearance on the same day as Nityānanda Prabhu’s son. Nityānanda Prabhu’s glories were chanted by Śrī Kṛṣṇadās Kavirāj Goswāmī:

preme matta nityānanda kṛpā-avatāra
uttama, adhama, kichhu nā kare vichāra
ye āge paḍaye, tāre karaye nistāra
ataeva nistārilā mo-hena durāchāra

[“Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love, Śrī Gaurāṅga is an incarnation of the ocean of mercy. He does not distinguish between the good and the bad. He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore, He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me.]

“I have no qualification, but Nityānanda Prabhu is so merciful that whoever goes to him receives His mercy. I have no qualification except that I approached him.”

There is no cause. It is causeless mercy. Śrīla Guru Mahārāj said many times that mercy is above justice. Justice searches qualification, but mercy does not search for qualification, but only dedication. The word ‘dedication’ is very easy to say, but Kṛṣṇa showed in which way the strength of dedication comes down into this mundane world. Kṛṣṇa said:

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śuchaḥ

“Don’t worry, but you dedicate yourself to Me fully. Non-religion must be ignored, but also do not be involved with religion. Leave that. Leave everything. Leave whatever you think is good for you as well as whatever you think is bad for you. Leave everything and dedicate yourself fully to Me.” That is the advice of Kṛṣṇa.

“Sarva-dharmān parityajya Mām ekaṁ: I am the only person who can give you relief from everything.” What kind of mood of dedication is required? “Mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ Vraja: you will see only the fully dedicated mood of Vraja Dhām.”

Kṛṣṇa said there is nothing more necessary than this. This is final. He then asked Arjuna, “Now have you settled your position?”

Arjuna replied, “Yes. Whatever You say, I shall do that.” Dedication.

Full dedication we can see in Vraja Dhām. Viśvanāth Chakravartī Ṭhākur said:

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛndāvanam
ramyā kāchid upāsanā vraja-vadhū-vargeṇa vā kalpitā
śrīmad-bhāgavataṁ pramāṇam-amalaṁ premā pumartho mahān
śrī chaitanya-mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatrādaraḥ naḥ paraḥ

[“It is the conclusive opinion of Lord Chaitanya that Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is Vrajendra Nandana, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the topmost worshipable Supreme; Vṛndāvan Dhām which is an expansion of Kṛṣṇa and is nondifferent from Him is the highest worshipable abode; the gopīs are the highest example of the worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the spotless evidence for knowing the Absolute Truth; Kṛṣṇa-prema is the fifth and highest goal of life. These are the teachings of Śrī Chaitanya in a nutshell.”]

Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and our whole mood of worship must go to Him. Like the Ganges going to the ocean, when a devotee hears the glories of Kṛṣṇa, his mind also goes like the Ganges to the ocean. Why? Because Kṛṣṇa lives in everyone’s heart. But full dedication is necessary. The Guru’s mercy is supreme everywhere. Without his mercy, we cannot do anything. If we think that Guru is mundane, then we must be faulty, of this there is no doubt. So we must be careful.

There are ten kinds of Nāmāparādha. The third kind is Gurv-avajñā. You cannot ignore the directives and the lotus feet of your Gurudev. You must dedicate yourself there fully. His order is the order of all the scriptures. Tad ājñā Gurūṇāṁ hy avichāraṇīyā. You must not consider whether it is right or whether it is wrong, but whatever the Guru will say, you must do that without hesitation. Tad ājñā Gurūṇāṁ hy avichāraṇīyā.

There are many varieties of expressions in the scriptures glorifying Śrīla Gurudev. That Gurudev appeared on this day near to Nabadwīp, showing his form in Hapaniya. By his mercy we have arranged there in a Temple the service of the Deity and Śrīla Guru Mahārāj for the remembrance of his appearance. We shall also go there for a festival of his glorification.

Today is Śrīla Guru Mahārāj’s appearance day, and this is the highest auspicious day for the conditioned souls. I am praying to Śrīla Guru Mahārāj. He is always merciful to us, no doubt, but more strength is necessary to fight with the māyā, the illusion. If illusion will manifest such as in the case of taking the form of Vibhīṣaṇ, that is particularly dangerous. Such type of illusion is possible. Even Hanumān himself was also charmed by the illusion of Mahīrāvaṇa.

The story is that Rāvaṇa was defeated in many ways by Rāmachandra. Then he called his son, Mahīrāvaṇa, who was living down in Pātāla, the lower part of these worlds. Mahīrāvaṇa had much power. He could go anywhere and in any way. He went to Rāvaṇa and said, “Father, what happened? I see that Laṅkā is massacred.”

Rāvaṇa replied, “Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ have destroyed everything, but we cannot compete with them. They are destroying, but we cannot kill them.” Mahīrāvaṇa then said, “This is a small matter. I shall arrange it nicely.”

Mahīrāvaṇa had much power of illusion through the worship of the Goddess Kālī. He arranged to steal Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ with the intention of taking Them to his own country to kill Them as an offering in front of Mother Kālī.

Vibhīṣaṇ was in the company of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ, and he knew of the illusory power of Mahīrāvaṇa. When he heard Mahīrāvaṇa had come to Laṅkā, Vibhīṣaṇ made everyone conscious of Mahīrāvaṇa’s danger, “He can make illusion at any moment, so you must be careful.”

Hanumān said, “Yes, I shall make a big fort with my tail. Everyone can stay there including Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ. No one will be able to enter within that fort, so Mahīrāvaṇa will not be able to enter. I shall stand guard at the gate, also Vibhīṣaṇ can guard the wall of the fort, so no problem will come.”

They did this, and Hanumān remained at the gate so none could enter the tail-made fort. Vibhīṣaṇ guarded the fort wall. It took him a little time to walk all around the wall of the fort — perhaps half an hour. He would periodically come back to consult with Hanumān, “Has anyone come here?”

One time Hanumān said, “Yes, Janaka Rāja (the father of Sītā) came. He wanted to enter within the fort. I asked him to wait here for Vibhīṣaṇ, and if he gives permission, he may then enter.” In this way Mahīrāvaṇa took on several forms such as Janaka Rāja, Daśarath, and Kauśalyā with the desire of entering that fort. In each case Hanumān asked them to wait but they went away.

Lastly, Mahīrāvaṇa took the form of Vibhīṣaṇ. One time after consulting with Hanumān, Vibhīṣaṇ went away but within a short time, perhaps ten minutes, he again came before Hanumān. This time he was not the real Vibhīṣaṇ, but Mahīrāvaṇa. Hanumān commented, “Oh, you have toured the walls very quickly this time.”

Vibhīṣaṇ replied, “No, actually I forgot that I wanted to give a kavacha to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ, and it will be very nice for them. Therefore, I came back and didn’t complete the tour of the wall.”

Hanumān thought it was the real Vibhīṣaṇ, so he said, “Yes, you can go inside. No problem.”

Mahīrāvaṇa went inside and made an illusion whereby everyone went to sleep. He then took Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ, made a hole, and went to Pātāla.

After some time the real Vibhīṣaṇ came back. When Hanumān saw him, he challenged, “Who are you? You went ten minutes ago inside the fort, so who are you?”

Then Vibhīṣaṇ replied, “Yes, I am Vibhīṣaṇ, your friend.”

“No! Vibhīṣaṇ already entered within the fort. You are not him!”

Then Vibhīṣaṇ struck his forehead and said, “Oh, in my form Mahīrāvaṇa must have come and entered within the cave.”

Hanumān didn’t believe him and took his hand. “Come with me, we shall go inside.” Within they saw a big hole, and they saw that Rāma and Lakṣmaṇ had been stolen by Mahīrāvaṇa.

So, if like taking the form of Vibhīṣaṇ, strong illusion will attack us, we do not see any way except the protection of our preceptor and protector, Śrī Gurudev. If we have full faith in our Gurudev and are fully surrendered to our Gurudev, we must get transcendental strength, and in that way we can remove all illusion by his grace. So, it is necessary to have strong faith in Gurudev and to surrender fully to his divine lotus feet, then we shall get everything. We can appeal today to the lotus feet of Śrīla Guru Mahārāj for that kind of strength. We are fallen souls, and very conditioned souls trying to proceed to our destination, but we cannot proceed properly because we are within the illusory environment. By his mercy we can proceed, but the destination is so far from us; so may he mercifully bestow more and more mercy upon us. This is my prayer on this day to Śrīla Guru Mahārāj and to his dear associates, and to all of you.

This year we have a special opportunity for the disciples of Śrīla Guru Mahārāj as well as his devotional family to serve His Divine Grace with glorification, offerings, and services of many types for his divine mission, the Deities, and devotees. I believe it must be successful by his Divine Grace. Side by side, it is my special prayer to you all that you give your mercy to me so that I can serve Śrīla Guru Mahārāj properly. This is my earnest prayer this day.