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SRI GAUDIYA GITANJALI : INTRODUCTION
Foreword to the First Edition
By the causeless mercy of Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga, Sri Gaudiya-Gitanjali
was published within a very short time, fulfilling thereby our long-standing
need. You will find in this Sri Gaudiya-Gitanjali virtually all
kirtans of Srila Bhaktivinod–Saraswatiʹs current that were chanted
daily and on special occasions in Srila Prabhupad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati
Thakurʹs time and are to this day chanted at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math.
Pujyapad Srila Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj – a great devotee who was a
long-term true friend of our supremely worshippable Sri Gurupadpadma, who was
always sincerely affectionate towards us and who has now attained the dust of
Sri Vrindavan Dham – always chanted these songs with great affection, tearful
eyes, deep happiness and the sweetest voice; he thereby pleased Their
Lordships Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharva-Govinda-sundar.
Relishing the Sanskrit poetry composed by our Sri Gurupadpadma, it was
primarily he who delighted in bestowing spiritual benefit to all jiva
souls by preaching and establishing throughout India, of his own accord and
with pride, that those compositions possessed the dignity of chaste adherence
to Sri Rupa-Raghunath. Therefore, with a view to preserve his pure memory,
this collection of his favourite kirtans was offered to his holy lotus
hands. We pray that he may mercifully remain forever gracious towards us.
Tridandi-swami Srimat Viraha Pakash Maharaj, a vaisnava-acharya
one-pointedly devoted to Om Vishnupad Sri Gurupadpadma Srila Bhakti Raksak
Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj and the exalted devotee Srila Krishna Das Babaji
Maharaj, rendered much assistance in producing this holy book, establishing
thus a great example in the world of Vaishnavs and becoming a recipient of
everyone's gratitude.
O adosa-darasi Vaishnavs, who see no faults in others! I would be
grateful if you could mercifully forgive all the errors that, due to my being
unqualified to edit and print books, have tarnished the beauty of this
transcendental song-offerings and let this lowly soul know about them in
order to render this service properly in a future edition.
Humbly,
Poor and lowly,
Editor
(Sri Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj)
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