by Rupa Raghunath das
Srila Gurudeva giving heartly blessings to Christmas day guests in Mauritius, 2009 | Photos by Madhuvrata Prabhu
Srila Gurudeva’s overwhelming kindness endeared him to everyone. This is a personal memory of being with him while he was in Mauritius.
An all-important service of Srila Gurudeva and one he went to Mauritius for was his writing. He was very fond of writing books and wrote abundantly, removing our doubts and revealing long-hidden histories and true facts about the pastimes of the Lord. It was in this way that he introduced us to our real spiritual identity and showed us our real home. Srila Gurudeva wrote so many books and carefully executed purports that are packed full of deep meanings and realizations, that it is a truly a miracle. He didn’t need to write but he did it to help all of Lord Caitanya’s followers, not only now but for millions of years. As he said while on a writing retreat in Hawaii: “Mahaprabhu ordered Srila Rupa Gosvami to write about the deep moods of the gopis, as well as the process by which we can achieve similar moods. Most of you are not qualified to hear or read about this, what to speak of follow, and yet we are writing. Otherwise, if we do not do so, these moods will be lost to the world.” (05/11/02)
We are all here in this world because of one thing—illusion. When Srila Gurudeva came to me, I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know who I was or what was within me. Although helpless and wretched, Srila Gurudeva mercifully came to break the illusion that we all have and bring us to the spiritual abode of love, the transcendental realm. As Lord Caitanya’s emissary, there is no limit to his mercy, so it is possible for even me to be saved if I surrender. Otherwise there is no hope.
Srila Gurudeva was almost ninety years old when he went to Mauritius. He apparently only went there to write, yet I witnessed him always preaching to whomever he met. Sometimes some of my relatives would come to meet him, or villagers from the small town we were staying in. After greeting them, Srila Gurudeva would immediately bring up the topic that we are not this body but that we are the eternal soul within, part and parcel of God and that we should chant the names of God to awaken our eternal nature. Even if he met someone for a very short duration of time, he would instruct them in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. One day he said to me after a lecture to many new people in the small village we were staying in that it looked as if they couldn’t understand much, “but the medicine was injected into their ears. It will act.” Somehow he would inject the medicine of transcendental sound vibration in someone’s ear causing the holy name to appear in their heart. In his own personal way he would powerfully affect the hearts of everyone he met, whether it was high post ministers from the government, owners of banks, students or common everyday street level persons like the cleaning ladies at the beach resort where we stayed. I personally saw how he preached to all types of people without discrimination, giving his mercy freely to everyone. He was always ready to share transcendental knowledge with anyone and if a person had questions, he would be able to answer all of their questions, giving direction to them no matter which temple or group they affiliated themselves with. Sripad Madhav Maharaja and Brajanath Prabhu would also be there helping with whatever was needed and they would also make sure the guests got one of Gurudeva’s books or a magazine.
Srila Gurudeva was continuously and unceasingly engaged in Radha and Krsna’s service and never wasted his time with any activity other than speaking Their glories, writing about Them and chanting Their holy names. He also said that his servants, “Sripad Madhav Maharaja and Brajanath are engaged twenty-four hours in my service and because they are always asking only for bhakti, I must give”. I saw first hand how beautifully his most faithful servants were all doing so many services and arranging everything for Srila Gurudeva. Among countless other services, Sripad Madhav Maharaja was always dutifully at Srila Gurudeva’s side, sometimes involved in activities like a doctor or a dietician, sometimes as a cook, sometimes as an editor, but always taking care of his personal needs like a bosom friend. Sriman Brajanath Prabhu was not only Srila Gurudeva’s personal assistant and secretary, he helped him unflinchingly in every situation, especially with arranging his correspondence and his travels to meet devotees all over the world. He was also involved in recording and publishing Srila Gurudeva’s words and putting it on the internet for free for all of us to hear even now. Day in and day out Sriman Madhuvrata Prabhu cooked and prepared prasadam, not only for Srila Gurudeva but for all the devotees and guests. Srimati Vrinda devi not only took care of the Deities, she prepared Srila Gurudeva’s rooms, cleaned and tidied continuously, packed suitcases and made sure there was always first-class bhoga for offering and for travelling. She also would take care of any ladies that came and arrange for them to meet with Srila Gurudeva. Acyutananda Prabhu was Srila Gurudeva’s in-house writing assistant, preparing his manuscripts , proofreading, researching, copying and whatever else was needed in regards to the publication of Srila Gurudeva’s books.
It was in this way that Srila Gurudeva came to Mauritius and encouraged all to chant and engage in bhakti. We are fortunate that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s representative has come. Srila Gurudeva prescribed that we should not do any other activity than bhajana, assuring us that if we do only that, all of our other duties and problems would be automatically taken care of. His own life and conduct clearly established this fact as he was always engaged in fulfilling the desire and mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We direct our hopes and ambitions to somehow be engaged in the service of our master Srila Gurudeva life after life. By serving and taking the remnants of the servants of his servants, surely we will receive Srila Gurudeva’s heartly blessings and service.
One day I asked Srila Gurudeva why people like me (in the Krsna Consciousness movement), after years and years of chanting, were still not able to strictly follow. He thought for a few moments and looking at me in a kind way, his blue eyes soft and compassionate, he simply said, “Their spiritual master is not powerful.” That careful reply struck me and I was unable to speak. He didn’t fear anything as he said his spiritual master was always with him, protecting him. All we have to do is give up our egoistic purusha bhav, our controlling nature and let our spiritual master take control of our life and destiny. It’s a matter of identity, whether I am identifying with the material energy, (my external body, its bodily extensions and my false ego) or identifying with the service, love and affection of my powerful spiritual master. When will we identify with him only and realize that he is always there with us, giving his protection and guidance?
“When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru.” (Madhya 24.331 purport)
When I told Srila Gurudeva I very much liked reading his biography of his spiritual master, Acarya Kesari, Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Goswami, he expressed his happiness and signed my book with, “to understand the inner mood of this book”. It was this inner mood that he was always stressing. Although his spiritual master entered nitya-lila more than forty years before, he said that he never felt separated from his guru; that he is always present and always giving mercy. He told me I can bow down and pray to him and he would be present. We can openly pray that he gives us facility and intelligence as to how we can practically serve him and his mission.
We regularly went out to get fruits and vegetables and whenever we got some exceptional coconuts, fruits or vegetables, we would always take them to Gurudeva’s room and show them to Srila Gurudeva. Sometimes he would reach out and feel them giving his approval with “very good”.
My uncle brought a huge papaya the size of a soccer ball from one of the forest groves. Acyutananda Prabhu and I immediately brought it in to show Srila Gurudeva while Madhuvrata Prabhu took pictures.
You can see how big it is compared to an average papaya. Madhuvrata Prabhu also cut it up and put it on a large plate to offer to the Deities and we all took the maha-prasada remnants of Srila Gurudeva. Just because it was big did not mean it lacked any sweetness. Sripad Madhav Maharaja gathered up the seeds and dried them in the sun for planting in the future.
Sripad Madhav Maharaja preparing the banana flower subji for Srila Gurudeva’s lunch prasadam.
We were heading down a dark perilous path but Srila Gurudeva changed us and gave us a new life of happiness. He also brought happiness to my family members and friends. He had that personal touch that showed that he genuinely cared about us and he revealed how Sri Radha and Sri Krsna also care. He didn’t just give us a glimpse of spiritual life with some piety and some religious principles to live our life by; he gave us everything—the whole package. He gave what Lord Caitanya Himself came to give. He gave what Srila Rupa Goswami came to give, what Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura came to give, what Narottama das Thakur came to give. He gave us the pure nectar of the holy name, pure hari-katha from his pure heart and his pure association. Just being in his presence had the effect of clearing our anarthas and our avidya (ignorance). He gave us amazing discourses and amazing morning walks. Without the sadhu-sanga association of a pure sad-guru like him and his pure Vaisnava servants, the natural characteristics of our soul would never begin to manifest and we would simply continue being unhappy and suffering in this world, completely lost in false ego. He was a most glorious and infectious personality that captivated the hearts of everyone who heard and met him. He was so filled with devotion and compassion that he captured the hearts of all of us who came into his sanga or the sanga of his surrendered servants.
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Look forward to relishing each and every word of this ! May I ask who wrote the article ? Radhe Radhe
Thanks for your kind comment prabhuji, i have now added the author’s name….. it was submitted by Rupa Raghunath prabhu
ys Raghava
Lovely ! Thanks prabhuji. Any more news your side regarding the Srila Gurudeva Memories project may I ask ? Your servant Ananda Vardhana dasa
Thank you for sharing these beautiful memories!
In regards to Srila Gurudeva’s reply to your question: “Their spirtual master is not powerful enough” – could you perhaps elaborate on this further. Does this mean that one cannot practice strongly without getting initiated by powerful spirtual master?
Dear Dhanvantari Prabhu,
Dandavat pranams.
When Srila Gurudeva said that to me, I was awestruck and couldn’t speak. I felt that if I identified myself as his sisya, I could easily follow as he is most powerful and could easily protect me fall down. It was a matter of free will and up to me whether I wanted to follow or not, but if I identified with him, I would surely have the strength.
In Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi-lila chapter one, Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Goswami describes the initiating spiritual master as krsna-rupa and the siksa-guru as krsna-svarupa:
guru krsna-rupa hana sastrera pramane
guru-rupe krsna krpa karena bhakta-gane
["According to the deliberate opinion of all revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is nondifferent from Krsna. Lord Krsna in the form of the spiritual master delivers His devotees."]
siksa-guruke ta’ jani krsnera svarupa
antaryami, bhakta-srestha,–ei dui rupa
["One should know the instructing spiritual master to be the Personality of Krsna. Lord Krsna manifests Himself as the Supersoul and as the greatest devotee of the Lord."]
If one’s spiritual master is on this level like Srila Gurudeva, there is no question of him being powerful enough, but if one’s guru is unable to strictly follow himself, then how will he be able to empower the disciple to follow?
Srila Gurudeva was sometimes asked the same question from different disciples. He didn’t just have a stock answer but would adjust for each person. This was the perfect answer he gave to me.
We know that there are different levels of gurus. In verse 5 of the Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada talks about the disciples of a kanistha-guru not being able to “advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance”. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada says in his commentary on that same verse that, “Sometimes the kanistha-adhikari falls down due to considering himself a guru.” One can only progress as far as the teacher they take shelter of, so one is advised to take shelter of the uttama devotee, the topmost devotee of the Lord. When one takes shelter of more elevated Vaisnavas, it leads to sadhu-sanga and by sadhu-sanga one progresses further and further along.
You ask if one can practice strongly without getting initiated by a powerful spiritual master. I am sure that some people can but the ultimate fruit will be when one gets high class sadhu-sanga and takes shelter of an uttama devotee.
There are a multitude of reasons why many devotees have difficulty in following the process of bhakti so I don’t beleive that Srila Gurudeva is giving a definitive answer here. Srila Prabhupada (our) was also uttama adhikari but his most ‘deviant’ disciples have transformed ISKCON into a criminal mafia. Srila Thakur Bhaktivinoda (also uttama adhikari) had a diksa guru who by all accounts was kanistha adhikari and was, on at least one occasion chastised by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur for not understanding the advanced position of his father.
Dandavats Sudarsana Prabhu,
As I said to Dhanvantari Prabhu, it was a perfect answer for me. It was not only the words that he spoke, but there was power behind his words. It was the way he lived and how he acted, the way he looked at you and the thoughts that would enter your heart in his presence. Srila Gurudeva’s state of spiritual awareness cannot be fathomed by us and the powerful and profound spiritual transformations that resulted from his sadhu-sanga will continue to unfold. Srila Gurudeva was always giving and his gifts are all still there for us to take or not, according to our free will.
Regarding exploitative or deviant disciples, in a Vyasa-puja lecture in Murwillumbah, Australia (2002) called, Guru “In Full”, A Manifestation Of Radhika, Srila Gurudeva says: “This verse does not apply to ordinary, bogus gurus who fall down twenty times or thirty times. It also doesn’t apply to gurus who can fall down. I do not accept them as gurus. Actually, guru is one who can serve Radhika. If a guru has fully controlled his senses, but he is not directly serving Radhika, he is only partially guru…Still, if he is not like Rupa Manjari and Rati Manjari, and if he is not serving them, he may be a guru in part, but not in full. The highest quality of the guru is service to Radhika, as I have just explained. In this way, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura is writing, vande guroh sri caranaravindam. I bow down to my Gurudeva, and all gurus in the line of Sri Rupa Gosvami. Such a guru is not only the prakasa (manifestation) of Nityananda Prabhu or Baladeva Prabhu, but he is also the prakasa of Radhika. Such a guru is the most exalted. As Ananga Manjari, even Baladeva Prabhu takes shelter of Srimati Radhika’s lotus feet. How beautiful and glorious She is.Srimati Radhika’s lotus feet. How beautiful and glorious She is.
In this evenings class we will discuss guru-tattva, from beginning to end. Whether you are lady devotees or male, you should be ready to speak.
Prema-prayjona dasa: Gurudeva, you said that a partial guru has controlled the six urges like vaco-vegam, manasa, krodha-vegam, etc. Such gurus, even with that partial quality, will not fall?
Srila Gurudeva: They will not fall down, but they are not perfect gurus. Those who are serving Srimati Radhika personally are gurus of the highest caliber.
Prema-prayjona dasa: Regarding the ones who have fallen down, they’re not even partial gurus?
Srila Gurudeva: No. They are not even devotees, what to speak of being gurus. They are not only cheating others, but they are cheating themselves.”
Well that’s interesting. Does that include gurus in our own sanga that have fallen down?
Dandabats! Another sweet and amazing article by Rupa ragunatha prabhu. Thank you for bring out this inner mood and intention of Srila Gurudeva. Very down to earth and from the heart article.
ys Stavyadeva das
You are always encouraging us Stavyadeva prabhu,
All glories to Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada.
Dandavats and my sincere thanks for your encouragement.
It is truly amazing how Srila Gurudeva was able to describe everything according to mood and answer all of our questions. He has made it possible for all of us to become firmly established and advance in our spiritual life. If we had doubts about anything he would be able to reconcile it from the spiritual point of view. Every one of his books and magazines is filled with his nectarian hari-katha and tattva-siddhanta.
Once again, Rupa prabhuji wrote very nice …. thanks for sharing so sweet memories of Our Most Beloved Srila Gurudev….. Jai Srila Gurudev… Jai All our Guruverga…Jai all the Vaisnavas…
What a wonderful report and glorification of Guruji Maharaja! So deep thoughts and insights. Thank you, prabhuji.
Thank you Suddhadvaiti Maharaja.
All glories to your sincere service to Srila Gurudeva. We are eternally grateful to Srila Gurudeva for showing us his causeless mercy. We simply want to share how he mercifully bestows upon us his love and kindness and how his near and dear sevakas do the same.
Dear Sudarsana Prabhu,
We should be concerned about our own sincerity and depending on our desire, we will seek out that association. The real consideration should be what we actually want in our own spiritual life and not be disturbed about what others are doing as the legacy of our beloved Guru, Srila Gurudeva, will be carried on by his sincere followers, just as Srila Prabhupada’s legacy was continued by Srila Gurudeva.
There is a beautiful talk that Srila Gurudeva gave at the airport in Murwillumbah, just before leaving Australia on April 29, 2005, wherein he says:
If Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not a mayavadi, why did He tell Ramananda Raya, “I am a mayavadi sannyasi ”? It is because He was humble, more so than a blade of grass. He followed the principles of the following verse, and all Vaisnava devotees should be like Him in this regard.
trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena kirtaniya sada harih
[ “Thinking oneself to be even lower and more worthless than insignificant grass which has been trampled beneath everyone's feet, being more tolerant than a tree, being prideless, and offering respect to all others according to their respective positions, one should continuously chant the holy name of Sri Hari. ” (Sri Siksastakam, verse 3)]
Especially sannyasis should be like this. All Vaisnavas should give honor to others. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Don’t see whether others are doing nonsense or whatever else. Don’t criticize. Ask yourself: “How well am I developing in Krsna Consciousness? Am I following ‘trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena’? ” We should also be aware of Lord Sri Krsna’s statement in the Bhagavad-gita: “Api cet su duracaro bhajate mam ananya bhak”. [“Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.” (Bhagavad-gita 9.30)] Don’t worry about a sincere devotee’s temporary material contamination – otherwise your own life will be spoiled.
Our constitutional religion is bhakti. If someone is beginning to develop one-pointed bhakti, but there is still some impurity in his being, do not criticize him. Do not quarrel with him. You should know that kala (the Time factor) is very powerful, but those who have taken shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna can walk on the head of personified Time and all other obstacles. (Time is one of the biggest obstacles.) So we should try to be surrendered, always one-pointed, and also helping others.
dear Rupa prabhu and dear Surdarsana prabhu,
please accept my dandavats pranams
all glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga, all glories to Sri Sri Radha Vinode Bihariji and all glories to Sri Sri Radha Raman Bihariji
first of all so much thanks for the beautiful article and replies from devotees
there is the comment which ends with these lines :
‘Prema-prayjona dasa: Regarding the ones who have fallen down, they’re not even partial gurus?
Srila Gurudeva: No. They are not even devotees, what to speak of being gurus. They are not only cheating others, but they are cheating themselves.” ‘
then Surdarsana prabhu presents the following question :
‘Does that include gurus in our own sanga that have fallen down?’
there are several important considerations that we need to acknowledge
first is that if we identify our selves as an international Sanga this means that we individually have the responsibility to help each other to progress on the path of pure bhakti
Srila Gurudeva desires that we develop an International Sanga for this very reason, to advance our pure Krsna Consciousness; therefore we cannot turn a blind eye towards the fall down of persons who promote them selves as initiating spiritual masters because these individuals definitely create disturbance in the lives of aspiring devotees since their behavior is against bhakti
it is our duty to present the proper understanding of Guru Tattva as we have learned from Srila Gurudeva; at the time of his manifest pastimes all our preachers were advocating the real conceptions of Gurutattva and now we observe that quite a few of them are watering down their presentation and some are even so bold as to present themselves as qualified, initiating spiritual masters although they know very well their they are unable to control their mind and senses
Srila Gurudeva told us not to be surprised for we will see so many things after his departure…….
the next consideration is :
‘evil things happen when good people do nothing’
our duty is to first and foremost practice our selves and then worry about how to help others
so let us practice sincerely, become ideal in our sadhana and bhajana and then help others by reminding/sharing with them that there is the proper process – Bhakti Tattva and Guru Tattva
a person who falls down is not even a devotee, what to speak of guru; he is not only cheating others, but he is cheating himself ( Srila Gurudeva’s words )
whether in our Sanga or in any other Sanga, the truth is relevant under all conditions and is not to be changed
aspiring for the service of Sri Guru and Vaisnavas
Brajanath dasa
agree 100%
just one more sugestion …
just as those who have fall down were given advices, punishments or any thing, those who are associating with sahajiyas of radha kunda (Gurudev already told many times they are not vaishnavas, and we should not even read their books) should be given some thing also, other wise we will see partiality … to be sahajiya is more dangerous to fall down as one half lie is worst than a full lie …. more dificult to indetify, its the duty of seniors disciples to protect the gaudiya Vaishnava concepts and ideal from sahajiyas and from ‘disciples’ who are associating with these sahajiyas …
Dear Brajanath prabhu. Thank you for your valuable opinion and deep insights regarding this topic. Your words have great resonance as you have accepted such a heavy burden on behalf of Srila Gurudeva and the previous Acharyas and are reflected in a manner which is unassuming, bold and grave.
Also thanks to Baladev prabhu. Yes, the most subtle forms of deviation are the most dangerous as they go undetected by many aspirants. This reminds me of a quote by T.S.Elliot…..
…..”The last temptation is the greatest treason, to do the right thing for the wrong reason”
Dear Brajanath prabhu,
Please accept my dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
When Surdarsana prabhu presented the question, ‘Does that include gurus in our own sanga that have fallen down?’, the admin of this site removed the reply prompt, so I thought that it must be a very delicate issue. You answered that and nailed it with such clarity and precision. Thank you.
We are on a spinning planet in the middle of the universe undergoing reactions to our past deeds and misdeeds and the only thing that is relevant and significant to change the endless cycle of birth and death is coming into contact with Sri Guru and his sevaks. Thank you for arranging for Srila Gurudeva to come to Canada and Mauritius and everywhere else in the world and thank you for continuing to bless us with your association and guidance.
Your servant,
Rupa Raghunath das
Dear Rupa Ragunatha Das. Dandavat pranams.
Helping others means ‘listening’ and delivering a ‘measured’ (‘non reactive’ and relevent) response to the subject matter beying discussed.
Thank you Ananda Vardhana prabhu. Dandavat pranams.
I simply wanted to express my appreciation and gratitude for Srila Gurudeva and his dear sevakas and how they helped and are continuing to help me. The relationship between Srila Gurudeva and his disciples is eternal just as the relationship between the jiva and the Lord is eternal. If we cultivate the proper devotional sentiments and mood, as Srila Gurudeva repeatedly stressed, we will see how Srila Gurudeva is hearing us and helping us in every situation. I asked Srila Gurudeva in Mauritius, when he is not there, who I could go to for help in my bhajan. He replied that I could always come to him. It is not that he is now too far away and therefore inaccessible by us. On the contrary, he is much closer than what most people realize. He also told me I could also ask his senior disciples for help and specifically mentioned a few of them such as Brajanath prabhu and Sripad Madhav Maharaja.
Dear Rupa Ragunath prabhu. Dandavat pranams.
Due to my errant and subversive nature I failed to convey to you how much I enjoyed your recollections of Srila Gurudeva. It appears that in hindsight the advise that you received from Srila Gurudeva was of course excellent advise indeed.
Sudarsana
Hare Krishna Rupa Raghunath das prabhu.
Please accept my dandavat pranams
Jaya Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Jaya Sri Sri Radha Vinoda-bihariji.
On this all-auspicious day of Srila Gurudeva s Appearance I have finally given your lovely article the attention it deserves. You captured so sweetly Gurudevas- compassionate mood , his total absorption in pure devotional service – the true acarya , teaching with great love and affection the highest truths to the most needy , the residents of Kali-yuga
Lately I have been a little inspired to again do book distribution on the streets ( after not having done so for perhaps 20 years ). My consciousness has changed since then. Its more about quality than quantity , about trying to properly honoring all I meet , about always chanting the holy names , and above all its about humility – its ecstatic speaking to a complete stranger about someone so special like Gurudeva and about his very special books. I pray that Srila Gurudeva bless me with greater enthusiasm for this glorious service opportunity to distribute his books.
May Srila Gurudeva , our very dear saintly friend , bless you with ever-increasing bhakti bliss. Jaya Radhe your servant Ananda Vardhana dasa