"May our pilgrimage be successful"
"Actually, we are going to Dvaraka to learn something about the pastimes of Krishna. If we are fortunate, by Krishna's mercy, we can get the darshan of this place. We pray to Gurudev and to the Lord that our pilgrimage may be successful."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 31 October 2018)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

Invocation
'Here, in one verse, Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given the very gist of Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy. He says, "We are not interested in the opinion of anyone ordinary: there is no value to any opinion other than what is revealed truth (amnaya)."'

World Pandemic: Use Your Time Wisely
"All over the world, all devotees at this moment always think and are always afraid of COVID-19, coronavirus. We cannot do anything about it—when the time comes, we will have to leave our body. However, as many days as we may have, we must not waste our time! Now that all the devotees are always in their house, it is a good time—they can read many books such as Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya-charitamrita and all our good books. They can concentrate their mind on Krishna consciousness and chant more rounds of the Holy Name. They can do more service in their houses."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

Introduction
'The Lord’s Loving Search for His Lost Servants: Great intensity is expressed here in a simple way. It is a mad search—an urgent campaign. With great earnestness Krishna comes to deliver His lost servants. Krishna comes to take us home.'

World Pandemic: The Only Relief
"In this situation that is happening in this world, only the chanting of the Holy Name, only service to the Lord can give relief to us. We must think about this, we must tell others to please avoid eating fish, meat, avoid this kind of sinful works."
• Download / listen to the audio (2 Mb, 5 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

PLANETS OF FAITH
'Faith is the only means through which we can see, hear, or feel the higher world; otherwise it is all meaningless to us. To understand that plane, an inner awakenment is necessary. We can connect with the upper world only through a higher source. Therefore divyam jnanam, knowledge of the higher plane, is not ordinary knowledge; it is transcendental, supramental feeling and sense.'

Nurture Faith and Faithfulness
"You can serve by following my instruction. My instruction is chanting the Holy Name, not to spend time always thinking nonsense things, and to always practise the panchanga. Do this properly, read our Math's books. I have published many books, read those books."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 6 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

THE ENVIRONMENT
'Everything is all right with the infinite and the environment. We have only to correct ourselves, to adjust ourselves. This is the conclusion—“Try to adjust yourself; everything is all right with the environment. We must leave everything to the Supreme Lord and conduct ourselves accordingly.” That will bring us real peace and progressive realization in spiritual life.'

Where There Is a Will There Is a Way
"Answers to questions: How should we act if somebody offends us? How can we concentrate our mind when chanting? How can we get relief from ego? How should I instruct my child? How can we develop sincerity and enthusiasm in our service?"
• Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 5 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

BENEATH THE LOVING EYE OF GOD
'We must not allow any ulterior purpose or temptation to induce us to give up our search for Sri Krishna. Let the satisfaction of guru, Gauranga, Krishna, and the Vaishnavas be our only objective. Let no other element enter upon our path. Our purity of purpose must always be very scrupulously maintained.'

Advice to Householder Devotees
"The husband will work. The wife will cook, offer the bhog, take the offered prasadam first, and then the husband will take the remnants after her. That is Srila Gaura Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj's advice..."
• Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

LORD OF THE COWS
'With full faith that Krishna will give us protection, we should try to take shelter under Govardhan Hill and pray: “O Krishna, give me protection from all the difficulties that may come to attack me because of my leaving behind my ordinary obligations.”'

"Try Your Best"
"We must try to rectify ourselves. We are everybody's servants. When you take initiation, you do not become a devotee—you only get admission into a spiritual school, but after that you must practise. You will become perfect through practise."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

BRAHMA’S ILLUSION
'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, the ultimate cause of all harmony, is so wonderful that simply by approaching Him, we will be charmed by His ways. He is known as Urukrama, for His strides are wonderful, unthinkable, unknown, and unknowable.'

Proper Service Is Chaste Service
"So, there are different ways to satisfy the Lord or satisfy your guru. There is not only one source. Whatever service Gurudev gives me, I must do it attentively, with faith, and without thinking about other things."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

SONHOOD OF GOD
'If we examine ourselves, we will read and cry: “What have I done? What is my necessity? And how am I passing my days? I must repent, cry. I have passed my days uselessly, I am a traitor to my own self, I am committing suicide. My real complaint is against myself and my so-called friends. We have nothing to do here.” So, read and cry; do or die!'

Be Careful and Wise
"Do not worry—Krishna will arrange everything. It is not necessary to think about anything. None of us knows what His arrangement is, but whatever arrangement it is, I can say that it will be good for devotees. Krishna is always with His devotees."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.1 Mb, 3 min | 28 March 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

KNOWLEDGE-FREE DEVOTION
'To become Krishna conscious, one need not be a wise man, nor a very energetic man, he may not be a master of opulence and power—the only requirement that is demanded from him is that he must have an earnest hunger for the Lord. He must find some sweetness, some taste in His words and His affairs when he hears from a proper source—a genuine saint. That taste will take him gradually further and further into the highest domain.'

In honour of Srila Madhva Acharya:

"Madhva Acharya also stayed here with his disciples for some time as a resident of the Nabadwip Dham. Gauranga-sundar mercifully revealed His most enchanting form to Madhva Acharya in a dream. Smiling, Gaurachandra said to Madhva Acharya, 'Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant. When I appear in Nabadwip, I will follow your lineage. Now, carefully eradicate illusionism and false scriptures from all regions, and establish the glory of the Lord's Deity form. Later, I will develop your pure conception.' Saying this, Gaurachandra disappeared. Madhva Acharya awoke and then fainted. Madhva Acharya then cried, wondering, 'Will I ever see that beautiful golden form again?' Then a divine voice came from the clear sky, 'Serve Me secretly, and you will come to Me.' Madhva Acharya became resolute and defeated the mayavadis in all directions."

Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya, Chapter 15

Foundation of Surrender
"It is a very auspicious day today—the holy appearance day of Sri Madhvacharya, also today is vijaya maha-mahotsav of Lord Ramachandra. It is a very auspicious day, and we are getting some chance to speak some Hari-katha, to practise sravanam, kirtanam."
• Download / listen to the audio (3 Mb, 9 min)

Rama-Avatar
"Today is a very good day—the appearance day of Lord Ramachandra. There are different kinds of moods—santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, madhura-rasa. Moreover, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Lord are also different. You can easily understand it from the difference between Rama-lila and Krishna-lila."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 2 April 2020)

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

THE HOLY NAME
'Sometimes chanting the name may result in namabhasa—the shadow of the name. Whether or not it is suddha nama, the genuine name, depends on the mental system of the person chanting the name. It depends on his relation towards Krishna, his intention.'

• LOVING SEARCH FOR THE LOST SERVANT •

THE SERVICE OF SRI RADHA [Last chapter]
'Radha-dasyam has been said to be the highest attainment. Why? The quality and quantity of rasa that Radharani can draw from Krishna can never be found anywhere else. So if you are situated just behind Radharani, you’ll be allowed to taste not only the quantity, but the highest quality of rasa.'

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In honour of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami:

Raghunath Das Goswami's Path
"We have no qualification to serve the Vaishnavs. If we do not got mercy from Vaishnavs, we cannot get service from the Vaishnavs. That is why we always make Vaishnavs' disappearance festivals and remember such days."
• Download (3.7 Mb, 9 min | 8 October 2011)

Highest Designation
"We do not want to be a master, we do not want to be a Guru—we want to be a servant of the servant. This is the most important thing in our spiritual life. If we can become a servant of a Vaishnav, that is the highest, that is the best qualification..."
• Download (1.3 Mb, 3 min | 8 October 2011)

Raghunath Das Goswami's Pastimes: Nectar of Devotion
"In Mahaprabhu's time, and even after that, everybody wanted to be a servant. Das Goswami Prabhu, Jiva Goswami Prabhu, and others, were all servants. If you hear about Srila Raghunath Das Goswami's pastimes you will get nectar."
• Download (1.8 Mb, 4 min | 8 October 2011)

Humble and Chaste Service
"Wherever they are living now, we only want them to allow us to serve their associates, associates of our Gurudev, and our Guru. We do not want to enter their party, but we only want their service as a dog..."
• Download (2.4 Mb, 6 min | 8 October 2011)

Wholehearted Engagement
"This day is a day of Vaishnav seva. Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Prabhu taught us what must be the quality of a Vaishnav and what must be the quality of your practising. What Das Goswami Prabhu showed, how he himself practised, is an example for us."
• Download (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 9 October 2011)

Two Oceans of Pastimes
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj is speaking about the glories and pastimes of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami and Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami on their disappearance day.
• Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 9 min | 5 October 2014)

Srila Raghunath Das Goswami: Breaking Free
"He wanted to take a roundabout zigzag route, avoiding Nityananda Prabhu and going directly to Mahaprabhu, but every time he went to Mahaprabhu, Mahaprabhu rejected him and sent him back to his home...."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.7 Mb, 5 min | 25 October 2015)

Real Mercy, Real Service
Real mercy: "Getting mercy means getting service: if you have service, you have mercy."
Real service: "Practise properly, keep proper association, and always avoid the Nama aparadh, seva aparadh, dham aparadh, Vaishnav aparadh. Chant the Holy Name properly, without deceit, and with proper attention and service mood."
• Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 2 min | 30 May 2015)

• Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Sochaka | শ্রীল-রঘুনাথদাস-গোস্বামি-শোচক
"When Raghunath Das heard that Rupa and Sanatan had gone to Vrindavan, he gave up all rights to his estate and the comforts of a life like that of Indra, and went to Mahaprabhu."

In honour of Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami:

A Separation Day
"Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami was born in Benares. His father's name is Tapan Mishra, he was a very good searcher and devotee of Krishna. Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami got an opportunity to serve Mahaprabhu, and Mahaprabhu was very affectionate to Raghunath..."

In honour of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami:

Bhukti, Mukti, Bhakti
What is mukti and what is bhakti? His Divine Grace Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj is reading from Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-lila, Chapters 8 and 10, noting the exceptional character of devotion of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami and Srila Raghunath Das Goswami.
• Download / listen to the audio (8 Mb, 17 min | 6 November 2010)

Two Oceans of Pastimes
His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj is speaking about the glories and pastimes of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami and Srila Krishna Das Kaviraj Goswami on their disappearance day.
• Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 9 min | 5 October 2014)

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

• SONG: Sri Sad-Goswamy-Astakam | শ্রীশ্রীষড়্­গোস্বাম্যষ্টকম্
• Download / listen to the audio (4.5 Mb)

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Six Goswamis, namely Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Sanatan Goswami, Sri Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, Sri Raghunath Das Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami, who are always engaged in chanting the Holy Name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Chaitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe."

• SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

• SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakur | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

• SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

• SONG: Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ
"The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath, Vaishnavs' name is the water oblation. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs."

• SONG: Ye anila prema-dhana | যে আনিল প্রেমধন
"Where has Advaita Acharya gone? Where are my Svarup, Rupa, Sanatan? Where is my Raghunath? Where are the saviours of the fallen souls?"

Peculiarity of Lord's Pastimes
"I have read Ramayan, but I am telling you the gist point... There are many incarnations—Narayan, Ramachandra, Vamanadev, Balaram, and others, but Krishna is the full Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, Gaura-lila is even higher..."
• Download / listen to the audio (7.6 Mb, 18 min | 2 April 2020 | Class and Kirtan)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

PREFACE
'Evolution is generally thought of as something objective. But objective evolution is a misperception of reality. Evolution is actually based on consciousness, which is subjective. Subjective evolution, however, seems to be objective evolution to the ignorant. In ignorance we think of ourselves as subjects, although in reality the Lord is the subject and we are His objects. We think of ourselves as proprietors although we are His property.'

No Quarantine in Practising Life
"It has been one month now since we have been indoors. It is a little boring, but we cannot do anything. This disease can affect our body and make us sick, that is why we must be always careful. We keep social distance, but not mental distance—not heart distance."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 2 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

FOSSILISM, HYPNOTISM & THE COSMOS
'If we only reinstate ourselves in that faith, we will be all right. It is our fault that we are suffering; otherwise there is no difference in vision from the universal standpoint. Isad apetasya, we have turned away from our master. But we should remember that He is our master, He is our well-wisher, He is our guardian. Deviation from that consciousness is misery of an infinite magnitude. Its cause is very subtle and very minute; it is our mentality of separate interest. And as a result, we have been captured by the enemy camp.'

Heart of Devotional Life
"We can leave this world at any moment, we do not even know if we will stay in this world until tomorrow; but even if we stay only until tomorrow, we can still chant the Holy Name, we can remember our guru-varga, their instruction—that will be good for us."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.2 Mb, 6 min | 26 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THE CREATION
'Just before the creative movement began, the marginal potency of the Lord was in a state of equilibrium. Everything was in darkness, fully enveloped by ignorance. Science has no capacity for investigating the nature of that stage of existence. We can only say from here that it was completely immersed in deep sleep. At that time, movement began from within the spiritual plane, and light came. Light was seen by the seers...'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Damodar Month
"This Kartik month (Damodar month) is Krishna's dearmost month. There is Radha-Damodar temple near our Vrindavan temple and every Kartik we go for parikrama in Vrindavan. This year also we have a great wish to start Vrindavan parikrama in Damodar month."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Month of Service—Life of Service
"Today Kartik-vrata, or niyom-seva, starts. Our temple observes it from purnima to purnima, and some other temples do it from dvadasi to dvadasi. One day I asked Gurudev what niyom-seva meant..."
• Download / listen to the audio (6.4 Mb, 14 min | 13 October 2019)

Damodarastakam
"We sing Damodarastakam about the pastimes of the Lord written by Satyavrata Muni every Kartik month. That is a very important song in our spiritual life."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

Attend to Kirtan—Attain Kirtan
"Who can understand these songs? We cannot even understand 'trnad api sunichena...' then can we proceed to the other songs? If we want to chant the Name of Krishna, then we must become like this—trnad api sunichena...—as we sing in this kirtan."
• Download (0.7 Mb, 2 min | 7 November 2012 | Bengali)

Siksastakam
"We are singing the Siksastakam songs every day [in Kartik month]. Mahaprabhu is Radha-Krishna's combined form and Siksastakam is His teaching. It is very nice. We must practise these songs."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 7 min | 25 October 2018)

In honour of Sri Murari Gupta:

'Murari Gupta was a great devotee of Lord Ramachandra. When Mahaprabhu heard Lord Ramachandra's glories from his mouth, He immediately wrote on his forehead "Rama-dasa" [an eternal servant of Lord Ramachandra].'

'Sri Murari Gupta wrote a book called Sri Chaitanya-charita. He belonged to a vaidya physician family of Srihatta, the paternal home of Lord Chaitanya, and later became a resident of Nabadwip. He was among the elders of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Chaitanya exhibited His Varaha form in the house of Murari Gupta (described in Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata, 2.3). When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited His maha-prakasa form, He appeared before Murari Gupta as Lord Ramachandra.

'When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu were sitting together in the house of Srivas Thakur, Murari Gupta first offered his respects to Lord Chaitanya and then to Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu, however, was older than Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and therefore Lord Chaitanya remarked that Murari Gupta had violated social etiquette, for he should have first shown respect to Nityananda Prabhu and then to Him. In this way, by the grace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Murari Gupta was informed about the position of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, and the next day he offered obeisances first to Lord Nityananda and then to Lord Chaitanya. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave chewed pan, or betel nut, to Murari Gupta.

'Once Sivananda Sena offered food to Lord Chaitanya that had been cooked with excessive ghee, and the next day the Lord became sick and went to Murari Gupta for treatment. Lord Chaitanya accepted some water from the waterpot of Murari Gupta, and thus He was cured. The natural remedy for indigestion is to drink a little water, and since Murari Gupta was a physician, he gave the Lord some drinking water and cured Him.

'When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in the house of Srivas Thakur in His chaturbhuja murti, Murari Gupta became His carrier in the form of Garuda, and in these pastimes of ecstasy the Lord then got up on his back. It was the desire of Murari Gupta to leave his body before the disappearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but the Lord forbade him to do so (described in Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata, 2.20). When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu one day appeared in ecstasy as the Varaha murti, Murari Gupta offered Him prayers. He was a great devotee of Lord Ramachandra, and his staunch devotion is vividly described in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita (2.15.137–157):

'Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Murari Gupta and began to speak about his firm faith in devotional service. This was heard by all the devotees. He said, 'Previously I induced Murari Gupta again and again to be allured by Lord Krishna. I said to him, "My dear Gupta, Lord Sri Krishna, Vrajendra-kumar, is the supreme sweetness. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the origin of all incarnations and the source of everything. He is pure transcendental love itself, and He is the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities. He is like a mine of gems. He is expert at everything, very intelligent and sober, and He is the summit of all transcendental humors. His character is very sweet, and His pastimes are melodious. He is expert in intelligence, and thus He enjoys all His pastimes and mellows."

'I then requested Murari Gupta, "Worship Krishna and take shelter of Him. But for His service, nothing appeals to the mind." In this way, he heard from Me again and again. By My influence, his mind was a little converted. Murari Gupta then replied, "I am Your servant and Your order-carrier. I have no independent existence."

'After this, he went home and spent the whole night thinking how he would have to give up the association of Raghunath (Lord Ramachandra). Thus he was overwhelmed. Murari Gupta then began to pray at the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra. He prayed that death would come that night because it was not possible for him to give up the service of the lotus feet of Raghunath. Thus Murari Gupta cried the entire night. There was no rest for his mind; therefore he could not sleep but stayed awake the entire night.

'In the morning Murari Gupta came to see Me. Catching hold of My feet and crying, he submitted an appeal. He told Me, "I have sold my head unto the lotus feet of Raghunath. I cannot withdraw my head, for that would give me too much pain. It is not possible for me to give up the service of Raghunath's lotus feet. At the same time, if I do not do so I shall break Your order. What can I do?" In this way Murari Gupta appealed to Me, saying, "You are all-merciful, so kindly grant me this mercy: Let me die before You so that all my doubts will be finished."

'Hearing this, I became very happy. I then raised Murari Gupta and embraced him. I said to him, "All glories to you, Murari Gupta! Your method of worship is very firmly fixed — so much so that even upon My request your mind did not turn. The servitor must have love and affection for the lotus feet of the Lord exactly like this. Even if the Lord wants separation, a devotee cannot abandon the shelter of His lotus feet. Just to test your firm faith in your Lord, I requested you again and again to change your worship from Lord Ramachandra to Krishna." In this way, I congratulated Murari Gupta, saying, "Indeed, you are the incarnation of Hanuman. Consequently you are the eternal servant of Lord Ramachandra. Why should you give up the worship of Lord Ramachandra and His lotus feet?"'

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "I accept this Murari Gupta as My life and soul. When I hear of his humility, it perturbs My very life."

(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj Prabhupad)

Proper Receiver and Proper Mother
"(1) To be a proper receiver actually means you must attentively concentrate your mind, concentrate your life and think only how to fulfil Gurudev's desire, how to make Gurudev happy, how to make the Lord happy. (2) If a mother becomes a good devotee herself, then she will be able to teach her children Krishna consciousness properly with her good association."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min | 2 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

CONSCIOUSNESS & EVOLUTION
'Only the surrendered souls can understand and feel these subtle points of devotion. Outsiders, who remain objective inquirers and researchers, can’t have any entrance here. It is the superior subjective realm, the supersubjective realm. That plane is above even the plane of soul.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Meaning of Chastity
"Chastity is a very high thing. Those who have chastity, do not think about anything else, they do not want to hear anything else, they do not want to listen to anything else, they do not want to know anything else—they only know their Guru."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 2 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THE PLANE OF MISCONCEPTION
'The only requirement is that we must develop our deeper nature, our self-identification, through self-determination. Self-determination is the fulfillment of all of us. Self-determination in the Vaishnava conception means svarupa-siddhi, spiritual identity. Who am I? What is my deeper self beyond my mind or my intelligence? Where am I? What is my inner self-interest? I must enter the plane of reality, I must get back my proper self. And in Krishna’s connection I will enter the environment and see what the world really is.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Embarking On New Life
"Today is your chance, you have got this opportunity to be admitted to this spiritual school, but only taking initiation, only taking shelter of a Guru is not sufficient—you must serve under the guidance of your Guru after that."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.5 Mb, 6 min | 2 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

A FLOATING WORLD OF EXPERIENCE
'Whatever can be perceived by the eye, the ear, the tongue, the nose, the skin – any of the external senses – is only a covering of reality. We are making too much of the covering of reality, we are devoting our minds to the external coating, but we do not dive deep into the eternal substance. If only we were to dive deep into reality, there we would find Vishnu. The most peaceful substance is within, but it is covered, just as fruit is covered by its skin. What we experience at present is the cover, the skin, and we are making much of that, ignoring the very substance which the cover is protecting.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Dear Devotees, Vaishnavs and Well-Wishers,

Bowing down at your holy feet and remembering our Divine Master Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, we would like to extend a humble and earnest invitation to your holy self to join the grand celebration of the divine appearance day of the supremely worshippable Founder Acharya and eternal Guardian of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Om Vishnupad Jagad-Guru Sri Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, that manifests this year on 26 October 2024 (Saturday).

We pray that devotees can render assistance to the festivals observed in their communities and focus eternally in their lives on contributing the core ingredient of every service endeavour—one's entire being, mind, heart and soul. In the words of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj, "Surrender to the Lord. Have full faith. You must surrender and give everything—your shyness, shame, fear, everything; keep everything at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, or Gurudev. Give your everything, cent per cent."

Taking your foot dust on our heads, we humbly pray that this supremely worshippable appearance day of Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, celebrated with much joy and grandeur by the fortunate souls throughout the entire manifest creation, may pass auspiciously in Hari-katha, Hari-kirtan and Hari-seva that are so dear to the hearts of Sri Guru, Vaishnavs and the Lord.

Your aspiring servants at
scsmathinternational.com

Satisfying the Lord
"Bali Maharaj asked Vamanadev, 'O brahman, what do you want? Tell me, and I can give You anything you wish.' Vamanadev replied, 'I do not want much. I know you have everything, but I want only something small.'"
• Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 30 August 2020)

Make the Festival, with Heart and Soul
"I am telling to everyone who is staying in the temple, to every centre: you must make a festival for Srila Sridhar Maharaj. If you want to show that you want to serve Srila Sridhar Maharaj, then make a good festival on this day."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min)

Go Forward
"Everybody is now staying at home—what are you all doing? Krishna has given you this time to practise. Chant the Holy Name, chant all kirtans, read books. Do whatever you can according to your capacity. Jump to the Lord and give everything to Him!"
• Download / listen to the audio (2.6 Mb, 7 min | 2 April 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THESIS, ANTITHESIS & SYNTHESIS
'The truth develops through thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, and by this method everything progresses. This is the most vital point to establish God as a person. He is the enjoyer. If anything is enjoyed, the enjoyer will hold the supreme position. This cannot but be. Everything is meant for His enjoyment. And He is the supreme.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Your Golden Opportunity
"The whole world is shaking thinking we will die, but this is the time to chant the glories of the Lord—to glorify Bhagavan Krishna's Name, beauty, pastimes. That is why the Lord has brought this kind of situation (this lockdown) into our lives."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.6 Mb, 4 min | 3 May 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THE SUPER SUBJECT
'We must invite the higher authority to accept us. It does not depend so much on our own ability, but on our submission and surrender, our hankering for mercy – not our positive capacity but our negative character, our surrender. As a subject, I cannot make the Infinite the object of my discrimination; He is always the super-subject.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

In honour of Srila Narottam Das Thakur:

Whole-Hearted Service
"Narottam Das Thakur was born in Sripat Keturi (Bangladesh) and in his life he composed many Vaishnav songs. Actually, all our Guru-varga serve the Lord and serve their Guru whole-heartedly, with body, mind, and speech."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 6 min | 16 June 2010)

Narottam Das Thakur: Our Guru, Our Protector, Our Shelter
"Narottam Das Thakur is our Guru-varga. If you think how much he tried to preach, you will wonder, 'How is it possible?' You can understand how much he preached and how he protected our line if you think about his songs."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.1 Mb, 9 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur: Bona Fide Benefactor
"Who will you call a Guru? A Guru is not someone whose profession is to make disciples, who only takes your money. The Guru gives a conception, gives some wealth, property, with which you can go to your real home..."
• Download (2.7 Mb, 6 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur's Separation
"How did he leave his body? It was unbelievable. It happened on the panchami (fifth) day of the Kartik month, that is today... One day, he was chanting and the devotees could see that he was saying, 'I want to go, I want to go.' He said this in front of everybody..."
• Download (1.6 Mb, 5 min | 4 November 2012)

Srila Narottam Das Thakur: His Mission in Bengal
"Three persons had promised to stay in Vrindavan, but they left their promise and came to Bengal. When Narottam Das Thakur came to Bengal he found so many great devotees who were not getting good association. He kept Mahaprabhu's conception properly. We pray we can get some mercy and can serve him, protect his line and preach about him."
• Download (2.6 Mb, 8 min | 4 November 2012)

Beware of Maya
"After some days there will come Guru Maharaj's appearance festival. We must honour his appearance day properly... Always, at all times, be alert, be aware of Maya. Maya does not mean some girl or a woman..."
• Download (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 4 November 2012)

Kirtans: • Ye anila prema-dhana • Hari haraye nama krsna.
• Download (2.7 Mb, 8 min | 4 November 2012)

Beware Imitation
"If you follow Narottam Das Thakur's advice, this is good, but if you think you want to do what Narottam Das Thakur did, if you want to become Narottam, then it is a very big problem. Do not imitate Nityananda Prabhu."
• Download / listen to the audio (0.7 Mb, 2 min)

In Praise of Srila Narottam Das Thakur [From Affectionate Guidance]
"Today is the Disappearance Day of Srila Narottam Thakur, so I would like to say a few words to glorify him. Before Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur most of the Vaisnava songs came from Srila Narottam Thakur. But although he wrote many beautiful songs of devotion, Narottam Das Thakur was not just a song writer, he was a great pandit and more than that, he was a devotee of Sri Chaitanyadev."

"We have no quality, no qualification to serve the Vaishnavs. If we do not get mercy from Vaishnavs, we cannot acquire, or get, service from the Vaishnavs. That is why we always make Vaishnavs' tirobhav (disappearance) festivals and remember such days. "We are praying to that Vaishnav Thakur [Srila Narottam Das Thakur], 'Wherever you are staying, Prabhu, wherever you are living now, we want to serve your servant! We want to serve your servant's servant.' We pray we can get some mercy and can serve him, can protect his line and preach about him."

• Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা "I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, please deliver Narottam this time!" • Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর "O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet." • Thakura vaisnava-gana | ঠাকুর বৈষ্ণবগণ "Narottam Das says, 'Seeing and hearing about my situation, I am stricken with fear. Please rescue me and keep me by your side.'" • Dhana mora nityananda | ধন মোর নিত্যানন্দ "The feet dust of the Vaishnavs is where I sport and take bath. My mind is intently fixed upon the remnants of Vaishnavs, and I am elated hearing the name of Vaishnavs." • Nitai-pada kamala "Always aspire for Nitai's feet. Narottam is very sad: 'O Nitai! Make me happy. Keep me beside your reddish feet.'" • Sri Krsna Chaitanya Prabhu daya kara more "O Srinivas Acharya Prabhu! Be merciful! Narottam Das prays for the association of Ramachandra Kaviraj." • Gaurangera Duti Pada "Whether he lives in a house or in the forest, Narottam Das begs for the association of one who calls, 'O Gauranga!'" • Sri-rupa-manjari-pada | শ্রীরূপমঞ্জরী-পদ "O Rupa! Please be merciful to me, give me shelter at your lotus feet. Narottam is praying for your shelter." • Ye anila prema-dhana | যে আনিল প্রেমধন "Not finding the association of Sri Gauranga, who performed His Pastimes with all these associates, Narottam Das weeps." • Hari haraye nama krsna | হরি হরয়ে নমঃ কৃষ্ণ "Aspiring for the lotus feet of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, Narottam Das chants the Holy Name."

Pass Your Life in Service
"It is the religion of the ears, eyes, mind to always want to listen to some interesting things, to all kinds of stories, bad things; but we have no attachment to our service... If I am attached to my service, I will always ignore bad things, bad talks, stories. Now is the time. Pass your life in service."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.7 Mb, 7 min | 3 May 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

SCIENCE VS. NESCIENCE
'As a student of nescience you are moving in the opposite direction from truth. You are being taught that you and other souls of your type are the subjects, the center of the universe, and everything, all else, is an object meant only for your exploitation. You are being taught that we are exploiters and that the entire environment is for our exploitation. That is the foundation upon which the present system of education is based – a conception which is completely false.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

In honour of Srila Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj:

Sripad Bhakti Vichar Jajavar Maharaj (by Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj, spoken on Srila Jajavar Maharaj's disappearance day)
"Srila Jajavar Maharaj joined the Gaudiya Mission of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur at a very young age. He could sing nicely, and he looked very simple—there was not a shadow of inauspiciousness in his body..."
• Download / listen to the audio (8.4 Mb, 25 min)

Sri Sri Nityananda Stuti
'O Balaram Nityananda! Please be merciful to me. Who can possibly know Gaura without Your mercy? Without You, I have no other way, no other refuge. Please give me some place at Your holy feet. Please allow me to always chant Your Name. This poor Jajavar is singing thus Your glorification.'

How to Increase Surrender
"Saranagati comes when you follow 100% what Gurudev told—you should try to follow 200%, then if your attempt will perhaps turn out less, it will be 100%. Always try to listen to what your Guru says, always think how to fulfil Gurudev's desire."
• Download / listen to the audio (1.8 Mb, 5 min)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION
'Krishna consciousness means the infinite in the finite: the affectionate connection of the finite with the Infinite helps him to live in infinity. The finite backed by the Infinite may become infinitely resourceful. Intrinsically, a jiva soul is insignificant; it is an infinitesimal point of a point of a point, but by coming in affectionate connection with the Absolute, he gets the facility of all the advantages of a life with the Absolute.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

No Such Thing As Personal Affairs
"You must be open—you must give everything to your Guru. Keep all your personal things, everything at your Guru's lotus feet. We must realise how we can involve ourselves, involve our own things in the service of the Lord."
• Download / listen to the audio (0.8 Mb, 2 min | 3 May 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

PURE DEVOTION
'Once, Bhaktivinoda Thakur had a dream in which he was wandering in the sky chanting the holy name. He came upon the court of Yamaraj, where Yamaraj himself was sitting with Brahma, Narada, and others discussing a point from a verse in Bhagavad-gita. Then Bhaktivinod Thakur was invited in their midst and was asked, "How shall we adjust these points?"'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

In honour of Sri Radha Kunda's manifestation day:

"Srila Prabhupad laid a special stress on this and expressed it in very appropriate Gaudiya terms and conclusions. Unless we serve the transcendental Govardhan, we will not be able to realise the supremacy of Sri Radha Kunda that lies beside Govardhan and is inundated with the nectar of divine love. 'Go' means senses or knowledge. If you serve the external, physical Govardhan, i.e. cultivate knowledge merely to increase or indulge your selfish material senses, then you are actually dunking yourself into the waters of Niraya Kunda (Hell Pond) that is created by the maha-maya, the external shadow potency of Sri Radha; only when you foster transcendental senses and cultivate transcendental knowledge can you consider it service to Govardhan for the pleasure of Krishna's senses."

(Guidance 3, 'Sri Radhastami')

Dear and Dearmost
"Krishna said to Radharani, 'OK, so Your kunda is better, and My kunda is all poison, but if we mix some of the water from Your kunda into My kunda, then the kunda will be purified!'"
• Download / listen to the audio (1.9 Mb, 6 min | 13 August 2009)

• SONG: Radha-kunda-tata | করাধাকুণ্ডতট
"...I know all these things are nourishing the pastimes of the Divine Couple, I can never leave all these things so dear to me, without them I know I'll surely die."
• Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb)

"Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur says, 'Sri Vrindavan and its surroundings so intensely awaken my remembrance of Krishna; and if these things are taken away from me, I shall lose my very life. They are sustaining me, because they are encouraging me to take to Krishna consciousness.'

This is Vrindavan. Vrindavan is so friendly, so sweet, so near to us, and such a well-wisher of ours. We are quite at home there—sweet, sweet home. Svarupe sabara haya, golokete sthiti: in our innate and innermost existence, we are members of that plane. Now we have come out, and we have scattered our consciousness all over the surface. Cover, cover, cover—there are so many layers, and they are all dry things. And the substance, the spirit, is within. Eliminating this bodily cover, the mental cover, the liberation cover, the Vaikuntha cover—then I may enter into the land of Vraja. Vrindavan resides within me, if I can find my friends everywhere. They are my friends and relatives, and they will give me all-pleasing experience, ecstasy. Mahaprabhu came with this news for us. 'Oh, you are a child of that soil; why do you suffer here, my children, my boys? Why do you suffer? Amrtasya-putrah: you are a child of that soil, and you are suffering so much, coming in the desert? Your home is so resourceful, so sweet, and you are running in the desert? What is this? Come! Leave this poisonous charm, this suicidal charm. This charm, maya-charm, misunderstanding charm—this is suicidal. Leave this apparent charm! This is poisonous, like a witch. The witch has charmed you here and made you spellbound. Come along with Me! I shall take you to your home which is so very sweet!'"

(Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion 1, chapter 11)

In honour of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj's sannyas day:

{ Book Shelf }
An extensive selection of books, articles and poetry by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj available for online reading and download, as well as purchase from any of our temples worldwide.

Biography of Srila B.S. Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj
A glorification article that sprang forth from the interpretation of the Pranam-mantra of His Divine Grace and was originally published as an Appendix to the Revealed Truth.

Sannyas Day (20 photographs, 2.3 Mb)
Archive photographs taken on 6 November 1985, on the day Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj accepted the sannyas order from His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj.

Jaya jaya gurudever | জয় জয় গুরুদেবের
"All glory to the effulgent arati of Srila Gurudev taking place at the foot of Govardhan for the beneft of the world! All glory to the mine of joy, Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami, who is the crown-jewel of Gurus!"

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THE SUBJECTIVE BHAGAVAD-GITA
'Both Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur and Baladev Vidyabhusan have commented on Bhagavad-gita, and Jiva Goswami has also given his explanation of different verses. Bhaktivinod Thakur has given his own explanation, and he has included both Baladev’s and Visvanatha Chakravarti’s commentaries in his Bengali translation of Bhagavad-gita. Sridhar Swami’s commentary was the original one, and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had great appreciation for his commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. I have attempted to shed some new light on some verses in Bhagavad-gita...'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

In honour of Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj:

~ Pranam-mantra ~

devam divya-tanum suchhanda-vadanam balarka-chelanchitam
sandrananda-puram sad-eka-varanam vairagya-vidyambudhim
sri-siddhanta-nidhim subhakti-lasitam sarasvatanam varam
vande tam subhadam mad-eka-saranam nyasisvaram sridharam

"I worship Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj, the bestower of all auspiciousness, my only shelter and the master of all renunciates. He is my Lord who possesses a transcendental form, whose face expression is very grave, who is clad in the holy clothes the colour of the newly risen sun. He is an abode of intense joy; the only genuine master whom one can accept and surrender to; and an ocean of divine knowledge of renunciation. He is a repository of holy scriptural teachings and pastimes of the highest devotion and a great follower of Srila Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad"

Biography of Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj
Srila Guru Maharaj's extensive recollections of his childhood and youth, as well as the coming to the lotus feet of his Gurudev and later on starting Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

{ What Is Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math and Its Distinctions }
An exquisite and profoundly fundamental chapter from Om Vishnupad Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj's book Guidance, Volume 3, dwelling on the mission and distinctive characteristics of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.

{ Book Shelf }
An extensive selection of books, articles and poetry by His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj available for online reading and download, as well as purchase from any of our temples worldwide.

The Root of Our Fortune
"Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj came in this world to rescue us, and he created our Guru—by his grace we have got shelter of our bona fide Guru. So, we must worship his lotus feet."
• Download / listen to the audio (7.6 Mb, 22 min | 22 October 2011)

Make the Festival, with Heart and Soul
"I am telling to everyone who is staying in the temple, to every centre: you must make a festival for Srila Sridhar Maharaj. If you want to show that you want to serve Srila Sridhar Maharaj, then make a good festival on this day."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.3 Mb, 7 min | 15 July 2012)

Photo Album: (35 photographs, 3.4 Mb)
A collection of selected photographs of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj is now added to the archive of photographs. (Part 1)

• SONG: Jaya Guru Maharaja | জয় ‘গুরু-মহারাজ' যতিরাজেশ্বর
"All glory to Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami, the leading general of the tridandi-sannyasis! You revealed your Pastimes in this world as the saviour of the fallen and delivered the sinful and unfortunate souls."

Sri-gaura-mandala majhe | শ্রীগুর্ব্বাবির্ভাব প্রশস্তি
"In Sri Gaura Mandal, there is a village called Hapaniya where my Lord, an abode of all good qualities, appeared. It stands on the bank of the Ganga, who is very merciful to the fallen souls; renowned in the whole world, this abode is a holy repository of knowledge and jewels of logic."

Prayers to Sri Vaishnav Thakur:

• SONG: Ei-bara karuna kara | এইবার করুণা কর
"O worshippable Vaisnava, be merciful to me this time. O saviour of the fallen, without you there is no one. In every birth I aspire for the dust of your feet."

• SONG: Ohe Vaisnava Thakura | (ওহে) বৈষ্ণব ঠাকুর
"O worshippable Vaishnav, ocean of grace, be merciful to this servant. Give me the shade of your feet and purify me. I clasp your feet. You can give Krishna, you have that power. Calling, 'Krishna!' 'Krishna!', I run after you."

• SONG: Ki-rupe paiba seva | কিরূপে পাইব সেবা
"I am so wicked, how will I ever get service? I do not have any attachment to Sri Guru and Vaishnavs! Prabhu, you see no fault in others, you are the saviour of the fallen. Please deliver Narottam this time!"

• SONG: Sri Rupa-manjari-pada | শ্রীরূপমঞ্জরী-পদ
"The lotus feet of Sri Rupa Manjari are my wealth, my bhajan (service), my puja (worship), the wealth of my life, and whatever ornaments I may have. Her lotus feet are the very life of my life."

Everything Has Its Limit
"If you do wrong every day and you know it, it is not good. Mercy has its limit. Gurudev will not say anything, but he can tolerate it for some time, and if you keep on doing wrong every day, then Gurudev's tolerance has its limit. One day seva will run away from you."
• Download / listen to the audio (1 Mb, 3 min | 3 May 2020)

• SUBJECTIVE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS •

THE GAYATRI MANTRA
'This must be the meaning of the gayatri mantra, but the problem is how to extract Srimad Bhagavatam – the Krishna conception – from within the womb of gayatri. I heard that Jiva Goswami has given such an interpretation, but I could not find where it is written. I heard that he has given the meaning of gayatri leading to Krishna consciousness. Anyhow, the tendency awakened in me to draw the meaning to the Krishna conception.'

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SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Affection for Devotees
"Love and affection for devotees increases by serving without offence, by chanting the Holy Name without offence, by practising properly and by not keeping in your heart any bad intention: envy is a disease, pratistha is a very big disease."
• Download / listen to the audio (4.8 Mb, 12 min | 3 May 2020)

• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol One) •

FOREWORD
'We are insignificant souls attempting to fly across the infinite sky, like fledglings with so much desire but practically no capacity. Seeing the great valiant devotees like Garuda effortlessly soaring over forests, mountains, rivers, seas and oceans, we may realise that we are but neophytes—fledglings of finite capacity. Nonetheless, ought we not feel the desire to fly?'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Srila B.R. Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj about fasting on ekadasi and accepting material facilities:

"One time, a devotee came here from Vrindavan on the day of ekadasi. He reached in the evening and, after taking bath in the Ganges, attended kirtans, danced, circumambulated the temple and so on. Then, I asked him whether he would take any anukalpa. He replied, 'Generally, I do not take anything, but if you like, then, of course, I must take anukalpa. Your will is greater than my fasting.' That was his decision.

"My Guru Maharaj (Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur) always wanted maximum energy: you should take good food and do good service. That was his maxim. Krishna is not a liquidated party: take full prasadam and do full service. Do maximum service, and you should take whatever is necessary for that. You are to take it for the cause of Krishna, not for your own cause. You are Krishna's, so if you grow weak, His service will be hampered, and both you and Krishna will be losers thereby. 'My soldiers will be well-fed and well-working.' That was our Guru Maharaj's principle. Napoleon said, 'One full-fed soldier is equal to ten half-fed soldiers.'

"So, prasad-seva: if it is service, then it must be taken in a serving mood, of course. But, at the same time, the individual position of a devotee should be taken into consideration. Sahajiyas do not Fast on ekadasi at all: 'Oh, we are in Vrindavan, and there is no fasting in Vrindavan.' But Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Prabhupad did not like that – it is sahajiya (imitation) if you go on feeding your senses in the name of Krishna-bhakti (devotion to the Lord). For the service to Krishna, it is necessary to keep up the body and to provide nourishment to it, so we must take what is necessary for service. We do not like it if by fasting a loss of energy is effected. If fasting does not hamper your service, you may go on fasting – perhaps, your gurudev wanted that...

"For service, I must accept what is necessary to make me physically fit so that I can render more service. So, accepting material things is not objectionable. It is fruitful, not detrimental. Rather, it produces something of a pure character, which helps everyone. This is how a disciple receives and accepts things. At that same time, he may even blame himself, 'I cannot go on with my worldly life without the help of this or that!' He will blame himself, but the underlying spirit must be, 'If I do not take it, I shall be unfit; I will not be able to do my bit of service to the Lord, to my gurudev.'

"Moreover, by taking up renunciation, I will be a loser. I will incur a loss for myself, for the world, and my guru's service will be hampered. In this spirit, devotees are to take everything. For the cause of Krishna, for the cause of their guru, they will accept anything.

"Suppose there is a very miserly karmachari (manager). Because he does not want to spend money, he may not attain a particular result; then, some difficulty comes, and the opportunity is lost. This manager will be held responsible by the proprietor: 'Why did you not spend money? Why are you afraid of spending money from my store? Because of your miserly habit, the opportunity has been lost! Why should you not spend My money for My interest?' So, to render service to Krishna, to my gurudev, to Vaishnavs, to the world, to everyone, I must keep up this mundane body, and I am entitled to take something for that.

"Miserliness is mayavada; it is the renunciation spirit, and it will mar Krishna's interest. What we need is yukta-vairagya: I shall take from the store of Krishna to keep myself fit and to do service. It is Krishna's account, and if I do not do that, I should be a separatist, a mayavadi, a renunciationist. I shall render maximum service to Krishna, and I must take without any hesitation whatever is necessary to make myself fit for the service; otherwise, I shall be punishable."

"You do not need to know the meaning of each ekadasi tithi because if you know it, you will want to get this result, that result, etc."

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

Life Sacrifice
"Gurudev told me, 'If somebody wants to chant this Holy Name, if somebody wants to join the family of Krishna and wants to spend the rest of their life living a spiritual life, you can give initiation to them.' It is necessary to sacrifice your life for the service of the Lord."
• Download / listen to the audio (3.6 Mb, 9 min | 3 May 2020)

• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol One) •

INTRODUCTION
'Here in Koladwip, Nabadwip, we find a happy place where the Absolute is the most generous in His benevolence. Our highest necessity is distributed from here, Nabadwip Dham. The key to enter into the conception of our sweetest home is given from here.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

In honour of Sriman Mahaprabhu's arrival in Sripat Panihati:

"Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes are all uncommon. Whoever listens to His activities becomes glorious, and his life becomes perfect. The Lord finally reached Panihati, and as an act of mercy He gave the captain of the boat one of His personal garments. The place called Panihati was located on the bank of the Ganges. After hearing that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had arrived, all kinds of men assembled both on land and on the water. At length Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was taken away by Raghav Pandit. There was a great crowd assembled along the way, and the Lord reached Raghav Pandit's residence with great difficulty...."

(Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita)

[On another occasion:] "....After staying a few days at Srivas Pandit's house, the Lord went to Raghav's house in Panihati. While Sri Raghav Pandit was engaged in the worship of Krishna, Sri Gaurasundara came there before him—when Sri Raghav Pandit saw the Lord of his life, he fell to the ground and offered obeisances. Raghavananda cried in ecstasy as he firmly grabbed the Lord's lotus feet, which are cherished by Rama, the goddess of fortune.

"The Lord then embraced Raghav Pandit and soaked his body with tears of ecstatic love, and Raghav's body was filled with such ecstasy that he did not know what he should do. When the Lord of Vaikuntha saw Raghav's display of devotion, He glanced mercifully on Raghav. The Lord said, 'After coming to Raghav's house and seeing Raghav, I have forgotten all My troubles. I have obtained the same satisfaction at Raghav's house as one gets by taking bath in the Ganges.' The Lord smiled and said, 'Listen, Raghav Pandit! Go and quickly cook for Krishna.'

"Sri Raghav was greatly pleased to receive the Lord's order, and he became absorbed in the mellows of ecstasy as he went to cook. Following the dictates of his heart, that brahman cooked unlimited varieties of foods. Mahaprabhu then came with Nityananda and other associates to eat. Gaurachandra, the husband of Laksmi, lavishly praised each of the vegetable preparations as He ate. The Lord said, 'How wonderful is Raghav's cooking! I have never eaten sak [spinach] like this before.' Raghav knew that the Lord was fond of sak, so he had cooked various kinds of sak.

"After joyfully finishing His meal, the Lord washed His hands and mouth and sat down. As soon as Gadadhara Das heard that Sri Gaurasundar was at Raghav's house, he quickly came there. Gadadhar Das was extremely dear to the Lord. His body was filled with the happiness of devotional service. When the Lord saw fortunate Gadadhar, He placed His lotus feet on his head. At that time Purandar Pandit and Paramesvari Das, in whose Deity Gaurachandra manifest Himself, quickly came there. On seeing the Lord, they both cried in ecstasy. Sriman Mahaprabhu manifest in the Gauranga Deity worshiped by Paramesvari Das, who lived in the village of Tada-antapur. He began the worship of the Deity form of Sri Gaurasundar. Raghunath Vaidya also came at that time. He was a great Vaisnava with unlimited good qualities. In this way Vaisnavas came from wherever they were to meet the Lord. The village of Panihati became filled with ecstasy, for Lord Gaurachandra was personally present there.

"Sri Gaurasundar spoke some confidential topics to Raghav Pandit in a solitary place. 'O Raghav, I have something confidential to tell you. Nityananda is nondifferent from Me. I tell you, I do whatever Nityananda wants Me to do. I tell you frankly that all My activities are performed through Nityananda. There is no difference between Myself and Nityananda. Everyone in your house will come to know this. From Nityananda you will easily obtain that which is rarely attained by the best of the mystic yogis. Therefore you should very carefully serve Nityananda, knowing Him to be the Supreme Lord Himself.' Sri Gauranga then said to Makaradhvaja Kara, 'You should serve Sri Raghavananda. Know for certain that your love for Me will be shown by your love for Raghav Pandit.'

"In this way Lord Gauranga made the village of Panihati glorious by staying there a few days."

Devotional Lifestyle
"By the mercy of Gurudev, you get the relationship with the Lord, and if you are a good practitioner, you will take care of your practising life by controlling these six urges. Those who can tolerate these six urges and who take shelter of the Holy Name of Krishna, are always victorious."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.8 Mb, 7 min | 10 May 2020)

• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol One) •

(1) HOMEWARD JOURNEY
'Any experience about the Lord must come from upper to lower. It does not depend on us. We can only increase the intensity of our hankering, of our serving attitude, and whether He will descend to this plane or not depends on His whim. He may come down or He may not, at His whim. He is free. We can only increase our earnestness for His presence. Although the potency and the potent are inseparably connected, we must generally know ourselves to be of the marginal potency.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.

Undevotional Lifestyle
"If we think that we have these faults, then we must always try to reduce them, we must always try to avoid these faults because these faults slowly, slowly destroy your devotion. It is necessary to control the six urges and it is necessary to remove the six faults."
• Download / listen to the audio (2.4 Mb, 6 min | 10 May 2020)

• SERMONS OF THE GUARDIAN OF DEVOTION (Vol One) •

(2) THE DIRECTION TO YOUR WEALTH
'Give up everything; try only to have faith, and everything will be found. Everything is there. Do not demand for any proof, because that is meanness. We should be careful to appreciate genuine faith. We should approach the devotees for faith. Faith in the devotees, the Vaishnavs, grants us the most substantial help. Such a position is not flickering, but firm. One who has faith in the Vaishnavs achieves devotion of a tangible character.'

SRI KARTIK MONTH: 17 October–15 November

'You think, "You all sing, and I will listen." It will not do. You must sing yourself. If I eat, will your stomach be full? You must chant kirtans yourself. When you chant these kirtans, you will be remembering Nityananda Prabhu. You worry that you do not know the tune, but no tune is necessary. Because we have drums and karatals here now, we are playing them, but when I am alone, do you think I sing it like that? I do not. I recite them. Chanting kirtan is not playing drums and karatals – even if you read them, that is also kirtan. So, always chant kirtan.'

(Srila B.N. Acharya Maharaj)

KIRTANS SUNG DURING KARTIK MONTH
Morning kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [17 min, 8.2 Mb]: Sri Damodarastakam, Sri Sriman Mahaprabhur Sata-Nama, Sri Krsner Vimsottara Sata-Nama.
Evening kirtans: TEXT | AUDIO [27 min, 12.5 Mb]: Sri Siksastakam.