[This is a Harmonist article in his honor of Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvami Maharaja, which includes his letters to Srila Gurudeva, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.]
Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvami Maharaja was the last of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatī Ṭhakura Prabhupada's sannyasa disciples to leave this world, entering nitya-lila in 2012. Srila Bhakti Hrdaya Bon Gosvami Maharaja and Srila Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvami Maharaja brought him to the lotus feet of his spiritual master at the tender age of eleven. Upon initiating him, Srila Sarasvati Thakura named him Sri Radha-ramana dasa, and carefully arranged for his education.
After his disappearance from this manifest world, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura Prabhupada appeared to Sri Radha-ramana Brahmacari in a dream and ordered him to accept the renounced order and preach the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu widely. Thus, in 1942, Sri Radha-ramana Brahmacari accepted sannyasa from Srila Bhakti Gaurava Vaikhanas Maharaja in Remuna, Orissa. Later he founded Sri Caitanya Asrama, which has several branches in India.
Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvami Maharaja would never refuse even the tiniest order of Srila Prabhupada or any of his disciples, and had utmost regard for anyone who had even brief contact with his spiritual master. Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja would regularly write to Srila Bhakti Kumuda Santa Gosvami Maharaja to report on his preaching outside India, and Srila Santa Gosvami Maharaja would reply with great pleasure, always bestowing his profuse blessings.
ALL GLORY TO SRI SRI GURU AND GOURANGA
TRIDANDISWAMI B.K. Santa Maharaj
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
SRI CAITANYA ASHRAM 23, BHUPEN ROY ROAD Behala,Cal.–34
Dated: 21.12.97
Ref. No. ……………………
Recipient of my Affection, Narayana Maharaja!
I became extremely happy upon receiving your letter and learning that you are again going abroad to preach. Your Sri gurudeva, my elder Godbrother [Sri Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja] was especially affectionate to me. You are enhancing the splendour of the institution founded by him, as well as of the entire Gauḍiya world. This is a cause of immense joy. I am praying that Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga bestow upon you profuse potency for this great preaching work. Knowing that you will visit at my place after you return from your preaching brings me profound happiness. At that time I will speak to you directly and also hear from you. I am going to Puri on December 23rd. On the January 26th I will be in Khadagapur, and from there I will return to the Calcutta Matha on the 30th of January. Please take my blessings and give them to all. What more should I write?
Blessings From
Sri Bhakti Kumuda Santa
ALL GLORY TO SRI SRI GURU AND GOURANGA
TRIDANDISWAMI B.K. Santa Maharaj
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
SRI CAITANYA ASHRAM
23, BHUPEN ROY ROAD Behala,Cal.–34
Dated: 28/01/2000
Ref. No. ……………………
Recipient of auspiciousness,
Object of my affection, Narayana Maharaja!
Receiving your letter of January 10th, 2000, I was extremely pleased. Ample preaching is going on, and knowing that makes me even more happy. You have remembered me even in the midst of so much engagement; therefore, I am praying to Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga that they will transmit even more sakti into you for the preaching of hari-katha. Some obstacles will come in the performance of virtuous acts, but you should not worry for them and continue your preaching service fearlessly. If, in every respect, we can preach the katha of Srila Prabhupada along with practising it, then our lives will be successful. What else to write? Please accept my blessings and pass them on to all.
Blessings from
Sri Bhakti Kumuda Santa
ALL GLORY TO SRI SRI GURU AND GOURANGA
TRIDANDISWAMI B.K. Santa Maharaj
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
SRI CAITANYA ASHRAM
23, BHUPEN ROY ROAD Behala,Cal.–34
Dated: 3/02/2001
Ref. No. ……………………
With much affection for my dear Narayana Maharaja:
I am wishing for your eternal well-being.
I became extremely pleased to receive your letter from far-off England. You have sraddha in me; therefore, even in such a far-away place, you remembered me and wrote me a letter. The kṛpa-sakti (mercy potency) of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura Prabhupada and of your gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, has been profusely transmitted to you; there is not even a scent of doubt about this. This is obvious from seeing the way large numbers of people outside of India are becoming attracted by your hari-katha. The way they are following you as well as assembling wherever you go is not ordinary.
I have crossed my eighty-seventh year and am now eighty-eight years old. Due to my advanced age, I cannot move about as I used to. It is greatly inspiring to witness how you are preaching the message of Srila Prabhupada. May your success ever increase – this is my heartfelt prayer at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.
Accept my affection and blessings and give them to the others as well. What else should I write?
Blessings from:
Sri Bhakti Kumuda Śanta
ALL GLORY TO SRI SRI GURU AND GOURANGA
TRIDANDISWAMI B.K. Santa Maharaj
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
SRI CAITANYA ASHRAM
23, BHUPEN ROY ROAD Behala,Cal.–34
Dated: 27/01/2004
Ref. No. ……………………
Recipient of auspiciousness
Abode of my affection, Narayana Maharaja!
I was greatly pleased upon receiving your letter from the remote island of Hawaii. Having slipped and fallen, I have been bedridden for many days due to the bones in my back being broken. What’s more, a few days after that, I lost my balance and broke bones in two more places. After being admitted in hospital for some days, now I am back in the matha. My walking and strolling have been completely stopped.
In this situation, I received a letter from you, written in such a way that it leaves me speechless. You have sraddha in me. You have said, “By keeping you on the path of my remembrance, I have attained success in my preaching, and by informing you of this I have become very peaceful.” I consider this to be the manifestation of the boundless compassion of my Sri gurudeva upon me. Knowing this I became extremely happy. The unlimited mercy of Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga as well as the mercy of your Sri gurudeva is certainly upon you. There is no doubt in this regard. May the supremely merciful Srila Prabhupada bestow even more sakti upon you, so that you are crowned with success in progressively preaching the message of Sriman Mahaprabhu throughout the entire earth. Many obstacles will come, but overlooking them, you should continue with your task.
Ninety years of my life is now complete. Because of old age, I am in a feeble condition. Even still, upon hearing the news of your success in preaching, I am experiencing great pleasure. Please accept my blessings and give them to all those who are preaching with you. What else should I write?
Blessings from
Sri Bhakti Kumuda Santa
Front Row: Srila Bhakti Hrdaya Vana Maharaja (seated 2nd to left), then Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaja, then Bhakti Kumuda Santa Maharaja Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja speaking
