Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita:   Chapter 6 - Dhyana-yoga

TEXT 43
                        tatra tam buddhi-samyogam
                         labhate paurva-dehikam
                          yatate ca tato bhuyah
                         samsiddhau kuru-nandana
 
WORD FOR WORD
tatra--thereupon; tam--that; buddhi-samyogam--revival of consciousness; labhate--gains; paurva-dehikam--from the previous body; yatate--he endeavors; ca--also; tatah--thereafter; bhuyah--again; samsiddhau--for perfection; kuru-nandana--O son of Kuru.
 
TRANSLATION
On taking such a birth, he revives the divine consciousness of his previous life, and he again tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son of Kuru.
 
PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:
   King Bharata, who took his third birth in the family of a good brahmana, is an example of good birth for the revival of previous transcendental consciousness. King Bharata was the emperor of the world, and since his time this planet has been known among the demigods as Bharata-varsa. Formerly it was known as Ilavrta-varsa. The emperor, at an early age, retired for spiritual perfection but failed to achieve success. In his next life he took birth in the family of a good brahmana and was known as Jada Bharata because he always remained secluded and did not talk to anyone. And later on he was discovered as the greatest transcendentalist by King Rahugana. From his life it is understood that transcendental endeavors, or the practice of yoga, never go in vain. By the grace of the Lord the transcendentalist gets repeated opportunities for complete perfection in Krsna consciousness.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

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Prabhupada Uvacha:
(here's some nectar, sometimes it comes in the form of Srutakirti prabhu's diary, other times from Govinda dasi's diary, Hari Sauri prabhu's Transcendental Diary, Bhurijan prabhu's book, or sometimes from a letter, or other related source, but still nectar...)

Life's goal

In November 1935, Abhay goes to Radha Kunda to see his spiritual master again. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta takes this opportunity to speak in confidence to his grhastha disciple, who is aloof from the Gaudiya Math's internal politics. "It would be better to take the marble from the floor and secure money," he confides. "If I could do this and print books, that would be better. Since this temple has been given by Mr. Dutta our men are fighting, 'Which room I shall occupy?' So I know there will be blazing fire here. I had a desire to print some books. If ever you get money, print books." The message goes deep into Abhay's heart.

A year later, Abhay writes to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta in Puri asking if there is some special service he can do for him. Within two weeks he receives a letter, dated December 13, 1936:

I am fully confident that you can explain in English our thoughts and arguments to the people who are not conversant with the languages of the other members. This will do much good to yourself as well as your audience. I have every hope that you can turn yourself into a very good English preacher if you serve the mission to inculcate the novel impression of Lord Caitanya's teachings to the people in general as well as philosophers and religionists.

Abhay realizes that this is the same message he received at their first meeting in 1922. A fortnight later on New Year's Day, 1937, he receives the news of his spiritual master's passing away. Feeling empty and helpless, he finds solace in that last letter in which he was given his life's work. That final instruction now becomes a mandate that enters deep into his soul. But being a householder, he is not sure how he will be able to fulfill this daunting task.

When one strictly tries to serve one's spiritual master, everything unfolds by the arrangement of Krsna. Taking up the serious study of Bhagavad-gita, Abhay is particularly impressed with the commentary by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. In connection with the verse vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana, Visvanatha Cakravarti explains that one should embrace the words of the spiritual master as his life and soul, rigidly carrying out the specific instructions without caring for personal loss or gain.

The best kind of intelligence I can have is intelligence used in the service of Krsna. Intelligence is defined as "fixed" when it is intent upon my spiritual master's instructions, such as chanting the name of Krsna, remembering His activities, and performing service to His lotus feet. My spiritual master's instructions are my sadhana and my life, both in the beginning stages of bhakti as well in bhakti's perfectional stage. I desire only to follow his instructions, and I accept nothing else as my life's work, even in dreams. Whether I am happy or distressed, whether the material world remains or is destroyed, I don't care. There is no loss for me. I simply must carry out the orders of my spiritual master. Steadfast upon his orders is determined intelligence in devotional service, and only by being fixed on his orders can such determined intelligence prosper. Purport to Bhagavad-gita 2.41 by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Abhay is so inspired by this insight that he makes it the main tenet of his life -- it becomes his raison d'etre.

In 1939, Abhay relocates back to Calcutta. Seeing his determination and worthy Vaisnava qualities, his sannyasi godbrothers confer upon him the title "Bhaktivedanta," which indicates both devotion and the ultimate attainment of knowledge. In his usual humble manner, Abhay accepts the honor in a mood of responsibility, determined to live up to the purport of the name.

- From the "Radha-Damodara Vilasa" by HG Vaiyasaki dasa

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"Everyone Is Spirit-Servant"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.19
Los Angeles, July 9, 1974

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Prabhupada:

dharma uvaca
kaccid bhadre 'namayam atmanas te
vicchayasi mlayatesan mukhena
alaksaye bhavatim antaradhim
dure bandhum socasi kancanamba

"Dharma [in the form of bull] asked: Madam, are you not hail and hearty? Why are you covered with the shadow of grief? It appears by your face that you have become black. Are you suffering from some internal disease, or are you thinking of some relative who is away in a distant place?"

Actually the cows... When I was in New Vrindaban, our Kirtanananda Maharaja purchased one cow without calf. (someone says, "Children have to go out") Yes. So that cow was actually crying because the calf was taken away for slaughtering. It is not that they have no soul, they cannot understand, they have no feeling. But they are helpless. Everything is there. The butchers, the cow slaughterers, or their supporters, they say wrongly that the animal has no soul. This is a rascal philosophy. Why animal has no soul? The question should be...

Here Yamaraja is addressing the cow as amba, mother. "Why you are so unhappy? From your face it appears." So Yamaraja was foolish man, that he is addressing a cow as mother? This is civilization. It doesn't matter one is appearing as a cow or a man or a dog or a demigod or a civilized man, uncivilized man. One who knows that the soul is there... Unless there is soul, how Yamaraja is asking the cow, "It appears that you are very much bereaved, so what is the cause, mother, of your bereavement?"

So this culture, that Yamaraja, is asking an animal, mother... Without any soul? No. Everyone has soul. The rascals, they do not know it. One has to become pandita. Panditah sama-darsinah [Bg. 5.18], in the Bhagavad-gita it is said. So those who are actually learned, they know. They know that one may be a living entity, one may be a tree, one may be an animal, one may be a cow, one may be an elephant, one may be a learned brahmana scholar, one may be a candala, untouchable. Everyone is a soul. Panditah sama-darsinah.

vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva sva-pake ca
panditah sama-darsinah
 [Bg. 5.18]

Pandita, one who is learned, he knows that all of them, animals, trees, plants or human being or demigods, everyone is the spirit soul. Now they are simply encaged in different bodies according to different karma. The soul, part and parcel of God, wanted to imitate God's supremacy, and they wanted to enjoy. But in the spiritual world there cannot be second enjoyer. The only enjoyer is Krsna. Bhoktaram sarva-loka, bhoktaram sarva-yajnanam sarva-loka... He is the supreme proprietor, supreme being. In the dictionary you will find, "the supreme being." "Supreme being" means nobody can be equal to Him, nobody can be greater than Him. That is, means supreme. So how one can become an imitator of Krsna? That is not possible. That imitation is possible here in this material world, because they are all rascals. So one rascal may claim that "I am God," imitation, but as soon as he claims like that, any intelligent man knows that he is a rascal. That's all. That very assertion will establish that he is a rascal.

Nobody can be God. God is one. And religion is also one. If God is one, then how religion can be different? Just like state laws. If the state is one, the law is also, everyone. Now the ordinary law, just like "Keep to the right," if somebody says, "No, this is Christian law. Hindu law, ‘Keep to the left,' " will it be accepted? If I say, "I am Hindu, I am coming from India. My law is ‘Keep to the left.' " In India, the same thing, "Keep to the left." And many other countries also. So here, because all these laws are made by rascals, in some country you keep to the left, some country you keep to the right. And which is correct, that is unknown. That is unknown. Therefore for the foolish person, "This is Hindu religion,' " "This is Christian religion," and "This is Muhammadan religion." Religion is one. How it can be Hindu religion, Christian religion? No. Religion is one. God is one. Therefore religion is one. Because religion means the law or the order given by God. That is religion. Simple definition.

Therefore Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. That mam ekam saranam vraja, "Surrender unto Me," that is religion. So one has to surrender. Either he is a Hindu or a Christian or Muhammadan, he has to surrender. That is religion. One cannot say that because we are professing Christian religion, we haven't got to surrender to God. Will anybody say? Will any Christian will say like that? Or any Hindu will say like that? Or any Muhammadan will say like that? No. Everyone has to surrender to God. That is religion. Therefore in the Bhagavata you will find the verse: sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. That is first-class religion which is teaching the followers to understand the Supreme.

Now, "Supreme I cannot see." You cannot see. Therefore Supreme's name, another name is Adhoksaja, "beyond the perception of your experimental knowledge." That is called adhoksaja. Adhah-krta aksaja jnanam yatra. By your experimental knowledge you cannot understand. The same thing, that if you say, "I do not see the President of the United States. Therefore I do not believe this law, ‘Keep to the left.' " No, no. If you don't believe, that is your business. But as soon as you violate this law, immediately you are under prison. You have seen the President or not seen, it doesn't matter. The law will act. Similarly, you believe in God or do not believe in God. It doesn't matter. The God's order, the God's law, will work on. And for this purpose the material energy is there.

So here it is said... Yamaraja is inquiring the cow because she is very much threatened by the butcher. The butcher was ready to kill, and she was trembling. So Yamaraja is asking, kaccid bhadre anamayam atmanas te. Just like we would ask some friend or relative that "I think you are all right?" The same thing is being inquired. "Why you are appearing so much bereaved? What is the cause?" Alaksaye. "It appears that you are within very sorry." Alaksaye bhavatim antaradhim. "Some distress within yourself." Dure bandhum socasi. Because in this material world we are always distressed. It is not that we are happy. That is an illusion. That is not fact. We are always distressed. So there are three kinds of distresses: Adhyatmika, adhibhautika, and adhidaivika. Here it is inquired that bhavatim antaradhim. Adhi. And antara means within the body or within the mind.

So, "Are you suffering some pains on account of your body or mind?" This is called adhyatmika. Adhyatmika means the body. The body and the mind. That's called adhyatmika. Adhibhautika, sufferings offered by other living entities. And adhidaivika. Adhidaivika means sufferings offered by the demigods. Just like famine, pestilence, earthquake. You have no hand. You may be a very big, big scientist, but when this trembling of the earth, "Oh, God save us, God save us, God save us." (laughter) Yes. Even that sputnik... Our scientist... Where is scientist? What is that, sputnik? They were asking, "God shall...?"

Svarupa Damodara: Just as they were trying to go to the moon.

Prabhupada: What is the story? You can little explain.

Svarupa Damodara: That there was an explosion in the (indistinct), and they could not go to the moon. So they were in danger in outer space. So they were requesting all the people so to "Pray to God so that I can come back safe and sound to this planet." (laughter)

Prabhupada: When they are in danger they pray to God for safe and sound, but when they go to the moon planet: "We are scientist." (laughter) Just see how much foolish they are! When they go to the moon planet, at that time, "God give us permission, we may go"? No. "We are scientists. (laughter) We don't care for God." But when they are in danger, "God save us." (laughter) Just see what kind of scientists they are. This is practical. I am very glad that our Doctor Svarupa Damodara has mentioned this in his book, Scientific Basis of Krsna Consciousness.

So that is the fact. And there is a version of Tulasi Dasa in Hindi. It is said sukse sabe hari bhaje, duhkhse saha hari bhaje, sukse bhaje khoya.(?) Or sukhase ara hari bhaje, tu duhkha hase hoya(?). It is very nice instruction. The instruction is that when one is distressed, everyone remembers God. Yes. Duhkhse saba hari bhaje. Saba means "all." At that time... Just like in the last war, Second..., last war, when everything was in danger, Mr. Churchill started this movement B(?), and they were all going to churches -- when the situation was very grave. And in Germany especially, because war was very, going on very seriously, so there was no men, so all the women, they went to the church and pray God, somebody... Woman means husband, son or father... Prayed, "Let my father come back" or "Let my husband come back" or "my son." But nobody came back. So they became atheist. This is the version of my one German Godbrother friend. So he said that all of them became atheists. Why? They prayed so much to get back their husband or son or father: nobody came back. "Then there is no God." This is their conclusion. That means, "God is our order supplier. God is our servant." Just like I ask my servant or my disciple, "You do this," and he must do it. We cannot accept God like that. God is neither going to be your servant.

So those who are going to religious life, making God as their servant, they will be failure. You must approach God as master. You should become servant. The so-called religionist, they accept God as their order-supplier servant: "I must pray to God." Whenever there is some inconvenience, "I must pray," or "I must... " Not "must." "At that time I shall pray, and then I shall finish that prayer, and God must supply. If God does not supply, then there is no God." This is the general attitude. But that should not be done. The real religion is, as Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, is sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66]. First of all surrender. Then talk of mercy and this or that. Also, although God is very merciful, even those who are simply asking from God, not prepared to give anything, God is merciful, even though he...

Therefore He has given this field. "All right, you want to become another God or competitor of Me? You live in this material world and begin your life as Brahma. I give you first-class chance. And then gradually, you become the worm of the stool." (laughter) This is called karma-kandiya-vicara. First of all we get our very opportunity. Just like you Americans, you have got good opportunity. I have several time mentioned that you have wealth, you have got education, you have got beauty, janmaisvarya, and heritage also. People outside your country, they know, "Oh, he is American. He is very advanced." You have got respect. So this is, this is due to pious life. If one is pious, he gets all those opportunities. Janmaisvarya-sruta-sri. This is... Janma means to get birth in high family, aristocratic family, or to become the members of a big nation. This is called janma. Janma means birth. And aisvarya, opulence, money. Janma aisvarya sruta, aisvarya, and sruta. Sruta means education. And sri means beauty. These four things are outcome of previous pious life. So you have got this opportunity. You have got. Now you utilize these assets of life -- nice birth, opulence, beauty, education -- for Krsna consciousness. Otherwise, you take the chance of Brahma, and then go to become the worm of the stool. The law of karma is like that.

So one who is opulent in this life, they should be very much careful that "By the grace of God, I have got this opportunity. Now the opportunity should be utilized to advance in Krsna consciousness," means to understand Krsna. That is advancement. If anyone understands Krsna, that "Krsna, You are the greatest..." God is great, we have heard so many times from so many people. But what is God? We did not know. Now we understand that Krsna. So if you engage yourself simply to Krsna consciousness, simply by thinking of Krsna, then your life is successful. That is Krsna consciousness movement.

Thank you very much. (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.19 -- Los Angeles, July 9, 1974

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja was respected by all the Vaisnava community and was thus known as Vaisnava Sarvabhauma, or chief amongst the Vaisnavas. There are some nice stories connecting him with the finding of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace recorded in Sri Navadwipa Dhama Mahatmya.
 Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja was born around the year 1800 AD. He spent many years in Vrndavana where he became famous as a perfect devotee, though more than this is not known of his early years and pastimes. What we do know, however, is that he was particularly enthusiastic in serving the Lord's devotees and performing 'kirtan'. In later life his servant, Bihari Lal, used to carry him on his shoulders in a basket, though when  he would hear a 'kirtan' or himself be engaged in 'kirtan', his body would extend itself out of the basket like a beautiful banyan tree and he would loudly shout, "Nitai ki nam eneche re!  Nitai, ki nam diteche re!" "O Lord Nityananda, what a wonderful name you have brought! O Nitai, what a wonderful name you have given!"

The stories which I will now relate are at the time when he was more than 120 years old. Living in a tent at Sri Navadwipa with Bihari Lal, his servant, he would eat 'prasadam' from a large brass plate which someone had given as a donation. A litter of puppies which had taken birth nearby began to come and eat off Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja's plate, but he did not object. After a few days however, Bihari Lal saw what was happening, and disgusted to see the dogs eat from his 'gurus' plate, he drove them away. Jagannatha dasa Babaji chastised Bihari Lal angrily saying, "If the dogs can't eat I won't eat!" His servant had to search out and bring back the puppies, and as they joined Babaji Maharaja again over his plate he exclaimed, "All glories to the 'dhama' dogs!" Thus he always displayed his great respect for all the residents of the holy 'dhamas'. On another occasion he had his servant purchase two hundred rupees worth of 'rasagulas' and instructed him, "Feed them to all the 'dhamas' cows, but don't give one to those rascal 'sahajiya babajis' (pretenders)."

Srila Jagannath dasa Babaji Maharaj was such a great devotee that the famous Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Kedarnath Datta) called him the commanding chief of the devotees. When Srila Bhaktivinoda was looking for the actual place where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace was, he asked Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja to go with him. During the many changes in the course of flow of the mighty Ganges River, some parts of the sacred 'dhama' of Navadwipa (nine islands) had changed. The Ganges had revealed old and lost places and reclaimed new ones. To his surprise Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered that the modern day city called Navadwipa was not more than 100 years old and therefore wasn't the Navadwipa of Sri Caitanya. Some said the birth site was on a place now in the Ganges, while some said it was in the city of Navadwipa. Dissatisfied, Bhaktivinoda pushed on looking. He found some antiquarian maps and government records, and authentic books written at the time of Lord Caitanya, all of which agreed that Mayapur Navadwipa Dhama is situated on the east bank of the Ganges. To Bhaktivinoda's amazement he found several large mounds covered with sacred Tulasi plants on land owned by Mohammedans. It was shrouded with local rumours of strange lights and sounds, so the owner, believing it to be haunted, would not go there. Many old babajis of the time, however, believed this to be the actual birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Convinced it was true, Bhaktivinoda, inspired by Jagannatha dasa Babaji, went there to the spot, with Jagannatha dasa Babaji being carried in his basket.
 Due to his old age, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji couldn't open his eyes, but had to forcibly open them with his fingers, what to speak of walk. If he went anywhere he was carried in his basket by Bihari Lal, but upon arriving at the transcendental site, he leapt out of the basket and danced in ecstasy shouting, "Haribol!" and "Gauranga!", definitely establishing it to be the very same birthplace of Lord Caitanya.

     gauravirbhava bhumes twam nirdesta sajjana priyah
       vaisnava sarvabhauma sri jagannathaya te namah

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja, who is respected by the entire Vaisnava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared."

Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja had a disciple named Bhagavat dasa Babaji Maharaja, and Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji was his disciple. However at this time there was another great exponent of Vaisnava teachings that, on passing, we have already mentioned. His name is Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.  And so the line again divides like this:
 

                        JAGANNATHA DASA BABAJI MAHARAJA
                              I                                                          I
         BHAGAVAT DASA BABAJI                     SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA
    GAURA KISORA DASA BABAJI

SRI RASKIKANANDA DEVA GOSVAMI

In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, by the mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed with this jewel of a son. The village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and rekha, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita, by the side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with beautiful gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings. In the village of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in the eastern sky and became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as Rasikananda and also Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by degrees in his person that caused the further exaltation of his family, just as the waxing moon gradually expands its influence in the night sky and causes the sea to rise. At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi was a mine of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days of old the Pandavas had lived in exile. One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, "Don't be in anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda." Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa. From moment to moment his eagerness increased without diminition, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spend most of the night sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams, where he saw his spiritual master, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed him, "When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will obtain me." Saying this, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda's heart began to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays of morning which dispel the dense darkness of the world, the wise Murari sat silently watching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as beautifully effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others.  His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his lotus mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to seriously take up the preaching of the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. "By the tremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues, robbers and atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion even to the infidel Mohammedans, as he travelled from village to village, in the company of his disciples. He even converted the wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by Rasikananda Deva's association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon qualities?" [B.R. 15.86] By Sri Rasikananda's mercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just impious and wicked atheists, became worshipers of the Supreme Lord. Also many virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter at his lotus feet. What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious, wild elephant was tamed by Rasikananda's transcendental influence and henceforward was known as Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature. Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone's notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha's lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.

Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in the main gate, with the temple to the left, and admin’ offices straight ahead.

Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur, and a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for the festival.

The Soul and its Destiny: Vaishnava Perspectives by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami

Announcement:

TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI PASSES AWAY IN MAYAPURA ON MARCH 15

Its with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing away of His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami in Mayapura on March 15, 2002.

His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner and initiating spiritual master, was accepted as a disciple by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1968.  He quickly emerged as a leader in ISKCON, establishing temples around the world.  As one of Srila Prabhupada's most trusted disciples, he also worked closely with Srila Prabhupada as his personal secretary. A brief biography of Tamal Krishna Goswami is available at http://www.goswami.com.  More information about the unfortunate accident is available below, in a communication brief released by His Grace Anuttama Prabhu, ISKCON Communication Minister.

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From:      Anuttama (das) ACBSP (IC N.America)
Date:      15-Mar-02
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TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI PASSES AWAY IN MAYAPURA ON MARCH 15

Mayapura, India. At approximately 7 a.m. local time, His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami left his body after sustaining injuries in a car accident. He was traveling in a taxi with two devotees, bound for the Calcutta airport after leaving Mayapura at 4:15 in the morning.

Vrindavanesvari Dasi of Auckland, New Zealand, the wife of Kalasamvara Dasa also passed on. She was born on this date, March 15, in 1961. Kalasamvara Prabhu was injured, but not severely. The status of the taxi driver is not yet known.

The taxi had driven approximately halfway to Calcutta before the accident occurred. It was reported that the driver ran into a tree while trying to avoid a truck on the road. Tamal Krishna Goswami, Vrindavanesvari dasi, and Kalasamvara were taken to the Anulia Hospital in Ranaghat.

Announcements were made at the Mayapura temple shortly after the accident, and several carloads of sannyasis and godbrothers rushed to the hospital. At the temple it was initially reported that Tamal Krishna Goswami and other devotees were unconscious from the accident. Tamal Krishna Maharaja's and Vrindavanesvari Dasi's passing on was announced at approximately 7 a.m.

The accident occurred at Phuliya, near Shantipura, about sixty kilometers from Mayapura. This very sacred place is mentioned several times in the Caitanya-caritamrita in connection with the pastimes of Srila Haridasa Thakura. Phuliya is the place where Haridasa Thakur lived in a cave and chanted 300,000 names of Krishna daily. There Haridasa also resisted the temptation by Maya, and this is also where he was beaten in twenty-two marketplaces for his devotion to the holy name.

All seminars and courses in Mayapura have been cancelled for the day. The devotees will be holding kirtanas and glorifying Tamal Krishna Maharaja in special meetings throughout the day. Speakers have noted that today is the anniversary of the disappearance of Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja and Rasikananda Prabhu.

During a mid-day session of remembrances by senior devotees, Kesava Bharati Prabhu read from Tamal Krishna Goswami's will, which had been forwarded by phone from Dallas, Texas. In the will, Maharaja had stated that he wanted his body to be placed in samadhi at Govardhana; but he specified one alternative, namely, that if he were to pass away in Mayapura, then his body should be placed in samadhi in Mayapura.

"Tamal Krishna Maharaja was a great pioneer," said GBC Chairman Giridhari Swami, a close friend of Tamal Krishna Goswami's. "He led the society and the preaching for Srila Prabhupada. He served on the first GBC body. He was empowered to purchase the first land for Mayapura, he infused energy into the book distribution in America through the Radha-Damodara party, and he was the first to go to China."

"Maharaja had not been to the Mayapura annual meetings for several years because he had taken a leave of absence from the GBC to complete his doctorate work," Kesava Bharati Prabhu said. "Every evening after the meetings this year, a large group of devotees, including many sannyasi godbrothers such as Niranjana Swami, Radhanath Swami, Sivarama Swami, B.B. Govinda Swami and Jayadvaita Swami, packed into his rooms and chanted together for a couple of hours. Tamal Krishna Goswami was absorbed in a mood of relishing the chanting in the dhama. Just as he was leaving this morning, he spoke to me again about this chanting. He said that kirtana is so wonderful; it is the way to purify our hearts and solve many problems."

Tamal Krishna Goswami was completing his doctorate work at Cambridge University. According to Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, Maharaja was completing the last chapter of his Ph.D. thesis, which is about Srila Prabhupada. He was serving as the Governing Body Commissioner for Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Fiji, Texas, Mayapura and Calcutta. He was the author of several books on Krishna consciousness. He was 55 years old.

"A prominent limb of Srila Prabhupada's legacy has left the world," said Radhanath Swami. "The list of Tamal Krishna Goswami's accomplishments is so vast; he was empowered by Srila Prabhupada to accomplish many difficult, difficult tasks."

Submitted by Anuttama Dasa
ISKCON Communications Minister

Procession toward the Temple:

Inside the Temple - before the Deities:

(left) In front of Pancha Tattwa (right) in front of Radha Madhava

Devotees offering flower garlands

His Holiness Tamal Krishna mahara's lotus feet

Samadhi Pictures:

In Memoriam

Dear prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Srila Gurudev,
All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences to friends, and disciples of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami, and to family, and friends of HG Vrindavanesvari devi dasi who both passed away on 15th March just outside Mayapur, India.

You may want to see the updates and reports and surrounding coverage on the Chakra web-site regarding the tragic loss to the Vaishnava community of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami
http://www.chakra.org/mainpages/obituaries/tkg.htm

There are also pictorial coverage of his being placed into samadhi by the devotees headed by HH Jayapataka Swami:
http://www.mayapur.info/HH_Tamal_krsna_Maharaja_samadhi.html

Tribute to HH Tamal Krishna Goswami:
http://www.chakra.org/mainpages/obituaries/tkg.htm

Memories of HH Tamal Krishna maharaj by Siddhanta dasa:
http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET0203/ET16-7219.html

HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Tape Ministry:
http://tkgtm.com/frameset.htm

Memorial to Vrindavenesvari mataji by Krsnendu prabhu:
http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET0203/ET17-7220.html
http://www.chakra.org/2002/03/18/vrndavanesvari.by.krsnendu/index.htm

From Bhaktimarga mataji:
http://www.chakra.org/2002/03/18/vrndavanesvari.by.bhaktimarg.dd/index.htm

From Indira mataji:
http://www.chakra.org/2002/03/18/vrndavanesvari.by.indira.dd/index.htm

Our Memorial to Vrindavanesvari mataji:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Vrindavanesvaridd.html

In Memorial to other recent departures:
http://chakra.org/mainpages/obituaries/index.htm