(1/6) Joining Prabhupad's Mission

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Preaching programme in Hooghly district,
25 February 2019, noon, part 1
Translated from Bengali

If you want to preach about our Math, if you want to tell others about our guru-varga, then you must know that there is a peculiar distinction between our Math and other missions. We must be aware of this distinction. I have written something about in the third volume of Upadesh.

You must know why Srila Sridhar Maharaj established Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. He called the nat-mandir of his temple 'bhakti-siddhanta sravan-sadan': an abode where only authentic devotional teachings are to be discussed. You know that Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj joined in 1924, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was renting a house at Ultadanga, Kolkata. At that time, Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj (Ramendra Bhattacharya – he was born in a Bhattacharya family in Hapaniya) had passed B.A. and was studying law at a college. He was going to become an advocate (barrister). When he came to Srila Prabhupad and heard him speak, he became attracted to him. He attended the programmes during seven days and only came and listened – he did not ask any questions. One day, Srila Prabhupad asked him, 'Do you have any questions?' Srila Sridhar Maharaj replied, 'No, I do not have any questions.' At that time, India was under British rule, and Srila Sridhar Maharaj had joined Gandhi's movement. He came to Srila Prabhupad and only listened to his lectures. The devotees started to suspect that Srila Sridhar Maharaj could perhaps be a British spy. So, the person who was in charge of the Math told him, 'Brother, please do not come from tomorrow.' Srila Sridhar Maharaj left and felt upset.

[A devotee comes to give garlands.] Later. Keep the garlands for now. Put a garland on Vrinda Devi. Sit and listen now – you can do all these other things later. If you are to preach about the Math, you must first know about the Math. You cannot preach about the Math telling others about the Math's great buildings and that you can come, stay and eat there. This is not what attracts people. I have written about the distinction of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, but I wrote it in a little difficult language, so you may not be able to read it – those who are educated will be able to understand it. That is why I am explaining it now to some extent.

So, when Srila Sridhar Maharaj was told not to come again, he went to Kali Ghat (the place is known as Muri Ganga now), to the bank of the Ganges and sat there. He thought, 'I did not go there to eat – if they gave me some prasad, I took it. I only came, listened and went away. Why did they tell me not to come? Still, even if they kick me out, I will still come there and listen to their lectures.' Deciding this, Srila Sridhar Maharaj did not come the next day, but he came the day after. In the meantime, Srila Prabhupad enquired, 'A new boy came and listened carefully, why did he not come again?' Nobody said anything. Then, Srila Prabhupad said, 'Oh, I understand... There must have been some difficulty. You all must have become disturbed.' When Srila Sridhar Maharaj came the next day, Srila Prabhupad asked him, 'You did not come yesterday – has anything happened?' Srila Sridhar Maharaj replied, 'I was not well, so I could not come.' Srila Prabhupad told him, 'You must come every day. Even if anybody says anything to you, you must not listen to them – you must still come.' Srila Sridhar Maharaj was very eager to hear Srila Prabhupad's lectures.

Such eagerness to hear is a hallmark of devotion. This is the effect Hari-katha has on those who genuinely hear what sadhus and gurus say. But for as long as we remain attracted to this material world, Hari-katha will never enter the channels of our ears. It is necessary to hear Hari-katha with your heart.

— : • : —

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Length: 51 min
Language: Bengali

READ OTHER PARTS:

1) Joining Prabhupad's Mission
2) Starting Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
3) Forgotten Bond
4) Mahaprabhu's Hospitality
5) Kirtan Mood
6) Keep and Protect Relationship