Damodara Gaura Caturthi Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja

Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja came for this purpose: that from vaidhi-bhakti we will develop through sadhana-bhakti to bhava-bhakti and then to prema-bhakti. He has not only come to clear the jungles and for harinama. He wanted the people of the world to realize the identity and meaning of harinama. He did not want them to chant harinama without any rasa. He wanted them to become so attached to chanting Hare Krsna that they would not be able to ever leave it, and he wanted their taste and attachment to increase continually...

Our whole philosophy is based on the Gītā. On the basis of the Gītā, a loving tree like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has grown and produced very sweet smelling fruits. Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupāda has made the platform. When he came, no-one was here to welcome him; he was a penniless person. No one knew him in Western countries. But wherever I go, I see that there are big crowds dancing and singing. All are there welcoming me. This is certainly the mercy of Śrīla Swāmī Mahārājaji...

Here is the place of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, just off the courtyard of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara. Srila Svami Maharaja took sannyasa in Mathura, and then he moved near to here and would sometimes go to Delhi. At last he came to this place – the place of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s samadhi and bhajana kutira. Here, he used to write books...

There were so many seniors, like Pujyapada Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja and Srila Vana Maharaja and others, but Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada sprinkled so much mercy on Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by telling him, "Your English is perfect, you are a poet and preacher, you play mrdaìga and you can do everything. You are qualified to preach this mission in the West..."

When Sri Guru is on this planet, we have a relation with him as guru and disciple. At that time our entire energy goes into carrying out his order, and we are not solely able to think, outwardly and internally, about his deep motive for coming to this world. Today, on this auspicious day, we have the opportunity to think about his entire life: who he is, what he did, what he wanted to teach, and why he came to this sphere...

This is our Gaudiya Vaisnava speciality. We should continue practicing, and go on trying to learn everything that is needed in order to enter raganuga-bhakti. We are sure that Srimati Radhika will arrange everything for us. If She made arrangements for Gopa Kumara and the Govardhana brahmana, why would She not arrange for us as well? Surely, She will do so. She sent one of Her associates to you, to bring you up to this stage. Why would She not arrange further?

by Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Mahārāja

[O Krsna!] Although I have been ordered to accomplish this mission, I possess no qualification to do it, being very fallen and incapable. Since You are the wisest of all, I now beg for Your mercy so that I may become worthy...

Srila Narayana Maharaja was happy to share his fond memories of this long-standing and affectionate relationship. Excerpts from a variety of Maharaja's informal interviews and statements have been used. We also have lightly edited his often ambiguous and misunderstood English. If he had presented these memories and appreciations in Hindi, his native tongue, the details and heartfelt explanations would be far more eloquent, clear, and detailed. However, time and circumstances have not yet permitted this...

One special quality I saw in him was that he was very simple, and always smiling. Before him, other preachers from India had gone to Western countries. They were very intelligent and knew all philosophical truths, but they were not so simple that they could mingle with everyone, including children. I have seen Srila Swami Maharaja; he used to play with little children and he was so funny. He had no false ego...

Today is very auspicious. Last night Nanda Baba and Yasoda had a very beautiful son, and they were so happy. Vasudeva and Devaki also had a son, in jail, and they also became happy, but not as happy as they could have been - because there were guards. Who were the guards? Demons on the caliber of Putana, Aghasura, Bakasura, Canura, Mustika, Sala, Kosala, and so many others. And even now Janma-Bhumi is like a jail. Due to the intensified situation...

Try to follow the teachings and actions of Srila Svami Maharaja – not following blindly and not imitating. Simply copying will not do. We should try to deeply follow his siddhanta, behavior and moods. ....

A devotee asked Srila Narayana Maharaja if there was any special significance in Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja having expressed a desire to go to Govardhana at the very end of his life. The following is Srila Narayana Maharaja's reply...

Now we are chanting and remembering, but it is a rare devotee who has taste in this. If any taste will come, he cannot leave Krsna-nama. Their devotion will go up and up and come to bhava-bhakti. Svamiji has not only come to clear jungles and thorns. He has come to give this. He had very little time, and when he was going to give it, Krsna called him, “Your task is finished. Come on, come on. You should serve Me here with Radhika.”

I have realized from my experience that if we are not independent, but rather meet and preach together, then we will be successful.  Mahaprabhu has told, "Prithivite ache yata nagaradi gram. Sarvatra pracar haibe more nama". "All over the earth, in every town and village, my Name should be preached". There is a great possibility to fulfill the transcendental desire of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu...

Today is the sannyasa day of Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja. On this day he took sannyasa here, and then he preached all over the world. He began from New York, and from there he went to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and after that he established so many preaching centers everywhere...

Today is a very sacred day. It is Nandotsava (the celebration of Krsna’s birthday). Nanda Baba, Yasoda Maiya, and all the elder Vrajavasis had as their son the Supreme Lord Krsna Himself. Krsna took birth on the previous day, at midnight, and today, one of the associates of Krsna, Abhaya Caranaravinda, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja took birth. How many years before? 109+.

Today is the auspicious birthday of nitya-lila pravista om visnupada Sri Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja Prabhupada. Jagat-guru nitya-lila pravista Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura Prabhupada, following the order of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, wanted the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, and krsna-nama-sankirtana to be preached all over the world...

Without power from Krsna, no one can preach all over the world in a couple of years as he did. The power and inspiration of Krsna and the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were with him, and that is why his Gurudeva told him to write articles in English and to preach in Western countries...

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] What is the second sloka in the pranama mantra of your Gurudeva?

[Drstadyumna dasa:] namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani pracarine nirvesesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] What is that gaura-vani he preached?

Not only here, but wherever I go throughout the world, whether in the East or the West, I see the result of the inspiration he has given. In a very remote place in Canada, in a deep forest in the mountains, I went to a devotee village named Saranagati; and I was so pleased to see the many devotees there following varnasrama-dharma and the principles of bhakti. I also went to a remote village in Australia, also among the hills, in a very beautiful setting...