The Guardian of Devotion

Govindaram · May 20, 2004

Some Nectar from:

All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga

The Guardian of Devotion

A Chronicle of a Transcendental Relationship

His Divine Grace

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj

Founder-Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj and

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

Forward

Sri Chaitanya-caritamrta, the post-graduate study for Gaudiya Vais-navas

begins with the invocation vande gurun, "I offer my respectful

obeisances unto the spiritual master." Therein, Srila Krsnadasa

Kaviraja Goswami reveals that the fully blossoming spiritual

conception comes to embrace a plurality of gurus.

The scriptures in general present a very broad and universal

conception of Sri Guru, laying stress on the spiritual substance - that

divine current of nectar that flows down to this plane from the highest

domain through the inspiration that is found in the heart of a real

Vaisnava. To deny divine revelation through another agent in the

name of being chaste to one's guru can be offensive and even suicidal.

As guru is the functioning principle of Divinity revealing Himself in

this world, according to our different stages of realizations, he may

appear in different forms. The chastity of a disciple is demonstrated in

recognizing the divine presence of Sri Guru wherever it is found, and

bowing his head at the lotus feet of the agent through whom Divinity

is so kindly revealing Himself.

The true chastity of the Vraja gopis was shown in their answering the.flute-call of Sri Krsna in the dead of night, although apparently

abandoning their husbands to do so (ya nisa sarva-bhutanam tasyam

jagarti samyami). So while some are sleeping in the bodily conception

of Sri Guru, others are awakening to the inner dimension of his divene

personality. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva

Goswami Maharaja writes in Sri Guru and His Grace, "We must not

identify our guru with the appearance we perceive with our physical

senses. Our inner identificaton of him will be clarified according to

the growth of our vision. When our vision increases and takes shape

from material to transcendental, his look will also change accordingly.

Otherwise, what we see will be based on a material conception. And

to force the material conception onto Divinity is a crime, it is

ignorance, it is erroneous. We have to free ourselves from the snare of

identifying reality with the physical form presented to our senses. By

eliminating the external conception, we have to enter into the internal,

and that will be all-important to a progressive disciple, if we want to

go to the inner world of substance."

In proportion to the depth and intensity of our inner hankering for a

connection with Divinity, our conception of guru will expand. In

separation from Sri Krsna, the gopis began approaching even the trees

and enquiring, "Where is Krsna?" Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

Thakura writes, "The reflected form of the lotus feet of Sri Guru in

different receptacles constantly reveals many new matters for our

instruction." For those whose divine eye is awakened, they will find

traces of Divinity everywhere and in everything.

It is our hope that the readers of this small booklet will approach the

contents with an attitude of humble submission and an open heart.

And we pray that their attachment to the lotus feet of Sri Guru may be

increased.

Bhakti Sudhira Goswami

Editor's Note: His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Maharaj is affectionately addressed by his disciples as "Srila

Prabhupad," and His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar

Maharaj is known to his disciples as "Srila Guru Maharaj." However,

since they both refer to their spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta

Saraswati Prabhupad, as "Guru Maharaj" and "Prabhupad"

throughout the text, in order to avoid ambiguity we have referred to

them by their sannyas names.

__________________

Siksa Guru

"Our relationship is very intimate..."

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Bhakti Rakshak

Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj first met sometime in the year 1930 in

Allahabad, India. In a taped conversation recorded in a 1973 meeting

at Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Math at Nabadwip Dham, Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj recalls: "So, we are very fortunate to

hear His Divine Grace, Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajkacarya

Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj. By age and by experience, in both

ways, he is senior to me. I was fortunate to have his association since

a very long time, perhaps in 1930, something like that. At that time, he

did not accept sannyas; he just left home, and as a vanaprastha, in his

white dress, he went to Allahabad.."Maharaj [To Srila Sridhar Maharaj] I think you remember the

incident when you went to Allahabad? On that auspicious occasion,

we were connected There is a long story, it will take time, but I had

the opportunity of associating with Sridhar Maharaj for several years.

Krishna and Prabhupad liked him to prepare me."

"Sridhar Maharaj lived in my house for many years, so naturally, we

had very intimate talks and he was my good advisor. I took his

advices, instructions, very seriously because from the very beginning I

know that he is a pure Vaishnava, a pure devotee, and I wanted to

associate with him and tried to help him also. Our relationship is very

intimate."

Herein, we find the history of a transcendental relationship between

these two pure devotees of the Lord. Addressing Srila Sridhar Maharaj

as "His Divine Grace" and Om Vishnupad -- forms of address for

one regarded as a spiritual master -- Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami

Maharaj has transcended the norms of social etiquette and superficial

formality. Intimately associating together for a concentrated period of

over five years, often for five to seven hours daily, Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj considered that "Krishna and

Prabhupad liked him to prepare me" for his future expansive

missionary activities in the Western world. While remembering their

intimate talks, specifically in regard to Bhagavad-gita, Srila Sridhar

Maharaj recalls the depth in penetration of their discussions. "Once

while discussing the verse dadami buddhiyogam tam yena mam

upayanti te ["I give them the understanding by which they can come

to Me" Bhagavad Gita 10.10] I submitted to him that here, upayanti is

indicative of parakiya rasa [paramour relationship] On this point he

agreed with me, saying, 'Yes, at this point there cannot be anything

but the parakiya rasa of Vraja. The conclusion of Bhagavad-gita must

come to this."

Recognizing Srila Sridhar Maharaj as "a pure Vaishnava, a pure

devotee" since the beginning of their relationship, Srila Bhaktivedanta

Swami Maharaj most highly valued his instructions and advice. He

would often consult with him regarding the spiritual significance of.his failing business and family relationships.

An example of how Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj tried to help

Srila Sridhar Maharaj in his preaching work is seen in his appreciating

Srila Sridhar Maharaj's uncanny ability for extracting the essence of

the scriptures. He helped to finance the publication of Srila Sridhar

Maharaj's original Sanskrit-Bengali work entitled Prapanna-jivanamrta:

The Nectar of Surrender. The book, as well as containing

original Sanskrit verses composed by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, is a

compilation of verses from various Vaishnava scriptures such as

Srimad-Bhagavatam, and includes excerpts from the works of Rupa

Goswami. It is divided according to the six divisions of surrender.

Constantly associating, whether in Allahabad, Calcutta, or other parts

of India, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar

Maharaj's relationship continually developed. Srila Bhaktivedanta

Swami Maharaj continues to recall their meeting:

"In my householder life I had opened an office in Bombay for our

business. The Bombay Gaudiya Math was established by Sridhar

Maharaj and myself. We made two parties for begging, collecting

alms. Sridhar Maharaj, myself, and Bhakti Saranga Goswami

Maharaj. So, I took them to my chemist friends and I collected about

five hundred rupees. Sridhar Maharaj would speak, I would introduce,

and Goswami Maharaj would canvass."

In the Srila Prabhupad-lilamrta, Satsvarup Das Goswami writes:

"Abhay would often accompany Sridhar Maharaj and his assistants at

preaching programs, where he would play the mrdanga. And when

Sridhar Maharaj fell ill, Abhay led the other devotees on preaching

engagements, performing kirtan, playing mrdanga, and giving lectures

on the Bhagavatam."

While still in Bombay, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and

Sridhar Maharaj were the receiving party for a Gaudiya Math sannyas

upon his return from Europe. Although dismayed by his changed

appearance which was missing the tridanda of a Gaudiya sannyasi,

the sikha of a Vaishnava, as well as the traditional robes, they still.eagerly inquired in regard to the preaching field in the West. The

sannyasi remarked, "They ask questions that cannot be answered."

Concerned, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj inquired further as to

the nature of those questions. One after another Srila Sridhar Maharaj

answered them all. At last, the sannyasi was left dumbfounded and

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami boldly declared, "Today, Europe has been

defeated by Asia!"

During the lifetime of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad,

Srila Sridhar Maharaj once composed a poem describing the

ontological positions of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and the line of

disciplic succession stemming from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Srila

Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad was so pleased with the poem's

ontological depth and its happy style that he remarked: "Bhaktivinoda

Thakur has written this through him. Now I am satisfied that although

I may go, at least one man remains behind who can represent my

conclusions." In further appreciation of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's

writings, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad informed the

editors of the Gaudiya Math's periodicals, "If you include articles

written by Sridhar Maharaj, the quality of your publications will be

greatly improved."

After the disappearance of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati

Prabhupad, the Gaudiya Math gradually diverged. With full

knowledge of the events surrounding the disintegration of the Gaudiya

Math, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami told his disciples in the same 1973

conversation, "Our relationship is very intimate. After the breakdown

of the Gaudiya Math, I wanted to organize another organization,

making Sridhar Maharaj the head."

Reciprocating the appreciation, Srila Sridhar Maharaj advised the

leaders of the Gaudiya Sangha to confer the title "Bhaktivedanta"

upon the then Abhay Charan. Later, his sannyas-guru, Sripad Bhakti

Prajnana Kesava Maharaj, one of the senior-most disciples of Srila

Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, and the first sannyas-disciple of

Srila Sridhar Maharaj, gave sannyas to Abhay Charan, retaining the

title "Bhaktivedanta," and conferring the sannyas name "Swami.".Additionally, when Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj returned to

India in October of 1967, after his successful preaching initiative in

America, he stayed with Srila Sridhar Maharaj in Nabadwip, and

observed his Vyasa Puja celebration. At that time, Srila Bhaktivedanta

Swami Maharaj wrote a letter to a disciple saying, "Yesterday, we

have all come to Nabadwip Dham. This place is an establishment of

one of my Godbrothers. It is a very nice and extensive place, and my

Godbrother B.R. Sridhar Maharaj has spared one entire house for our

stay. He has also agreed to cooperate with our society. We shall

observe his birthday celebration, and the brahmacaris shall learn how

to celebrate the spiritual master's birthday." Shortly afterwards, Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj asked Srila Sridhar Maharaj to be the

president of his newly formed society - the International Society for

Krishna Consciousness.

During the Vyasa Puja celebration, one of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami

Maharaj's disciples saw Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila

Sridhar Maharaj fully absorbed in a deep discussion in Bengali. The

disciple inquired from Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj what was

the nature of their talk, and he replied, "If I were to tell you, you

would faint. Sridhar Maharaj has very high realizations."

That Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj continually regarded Sridhar

Maharaj as his advisor throughout his life is clear in the following

letter written by him to one of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's disciples, Sripad

Govinda Maharaj. Concerned about his failing health, he had written

Sridhar Maharaj asking whether he should continue living in the

United States or return to India to live his last days in Vrindavan.

After receiving Srila Sridhar Maharaj's reply, he wrote: "What Sripad

Sridhar Maharaj has directed, I take it on my head. He is my always

well-wisher. After the departure of Prabhupad it is appropriate that I

should accept his direction. I got direction from him that I shall live in

this country forever."

Sometimes it is said that one's preaching contribution can be judged

according to the number of temples established, devotees converted,

and books published and distributed. Srila Sridhar Maharaj travelled

and preached extensively all over India, personally accompanying.Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur for many years. Nearly fifty years

ago, he established the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of

the Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, which is now a thriving institution.

His followers have established temples in major cities throughout the

world. His Sanskrit and Bengali writings have been appreciated by

both scholars and devotees for their originality, depth of realization,

and happy poetic style. Published and widely distributed throughout

the world, they are now available in English , Spanish, Hindi,

Portuguese, German, French, and are being translated into other

languages.

Throughout his life, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj always

maintained the highest respect and confidence in Srila Sridhar

Maharaj. He considered that whenever it was not possible for his

disciples to proceed directly under his guidance, that they should take

direction from Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He once wrote in a letter to one

of his students: "Because you are my disciple, and I think, a sincere

soul, it is my duty to refer you to someone who is competent to act as

a siksha-guru. For spiritual advancement of life, we must go to

someone who is actually practicing spiritual life. So, if you are

actually serious to take instructions from a siksha-guru, I can refer you

to the one who is the most highly competent of all my godbrothers.

This is B.R. Sridhar Maharaj, whom I consider to be even my siksha-guru,

so what to speak of the benefit that you can have by his

association. So, if you are serious about the advancement of your

spiritual life, I will advise you to go to Sridhar Maharaj. It will be very

good for your spiritual benefit, and I will feel that you are safe. When

I was in India with the others, we lived with Sridhar Maharaj. You can

also make arrangements for your other Godbrothers to go there in the

future. So, live peacefully with Sridhar Maharaj, and thereby you will

be spiritually enlightened."

In this passage, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj describes Srila

Sridhar Maharaj as "the most competent of all my Godbrothers,"

"someone competent to act as siksha-guru," and in an astounding

statement, he declares, "I consider Sridhar Maharaj to be my Siksha

Guru, so what to speak of the benefit that you can have from his

association"!.What Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj means by siksha-guru is

best explained in his own words. In his purports to the Adi-lila of

Chaitanya caritamrta, he states: "One should know the instructing

spiritual master to be the Personality of Krishna. Krishnadas Kaviraj

Goswami states that there are two kinds of instructing spiritual

masters. One is the liberated person fully absorbed in meditation in

devotional service and the other is he who invokes the disciple's

spiritual consciousness by means of relevant instructions. There is no

difference between the shelter-giving Supreme Lord and the initiating

and instructing spiritual masters. If one foolishly discriminates

between them, he commits an offense in the discharge of devotional

service." (Chaitanya-caritamrta - Adi-lila 1.47)

Although it may be said that Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj

encouraged his godbrothers in general, no one anywhere can produce

a similar statement of endorsement. The fact is that Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj possessed the highest respect and

appreciation for Sridhar Maharaj, and Srila Sridhar Maharaj is

unparalleled in his understanding and admiration of Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, as evinced in the following eulogy:

"So our Swami Maharaj has done a miracle! Thakur Bhaktivinoda

conceived and Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur began to translate

this conception into action. And we find that through Swami Maharaj,

in his last days, it has been fulfilled to such a great extent. We are

happy, we are glad, we are proud!"

In response to this, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj with great

humility, his voice choked with emotion, tearfully replied, "So, by

guru and Vaishnava, whatever position I have got it is by guru's

mercy and the blessings of the Vaishnavas. Otherwise, how I may

have? So, I wish that Sridhar Maharaj may bestow his blessings as he

was doing always, and may guru maharaj help me so I can do some

service. By his grace it has become successful. I have no credit. I do

not know how things are happening, because I am not at all qualified:

chadiya vaisnava seva, nistara payeche keba. [Without serving an

ideal Vaishnava, who can be delivered from the clutches of maya?]".And after the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj,

Srila Sridhar Maharaj declared: "I consider him to be saktyavesa

avatara, and it is confirmed in his writings on his spiritual journey

through the Atlantic. How he landed there in America, and the nature

of his beginning the movement, his intense degree of dedication to

Krishna and dependence, and how much he made himself empty of

any other desire than the order of his gurudev - quite empty that

Krishna came down to help him, and it is corroborated that Krishna

worked on his behalf. In his poem, Prayer to the Lotus Feet of

Krishna, we find him pleading with Krishna, "My dear Brother, Your

good fortune will come to You only when Srimati Radharani be

comes pleased with You." Seeing his gurudeva Srila Bhakti Siddhanta

Saraswati as Radharani's delegation and his order as Her divine

service, he humbly submitted that he did not feel himself worthy or fit

to discharge the divine service, so he enlisted Krishna in the service of

his guru. He had completely dedicated himself to the purpose, he was

so earnest in his prayer to Krishna that he may discharge the duty that

he has been given by his guru maharaj, that divine force, power, came

down to help him. Otherwise, it is impossible. It is not a thing of the

ordinary level that anyone will do, but the highest thing has been

taken down to the lowest position so extensively. It cannot but be the

divine power, embodied and in a great intensity and magnitude! So,

saktyavesa-avatara, I cannot but take him to be so."

With such appreciation, there should be little doubt why Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj had implicit faith in Srila Sridhar

Maharaj. He had even heard directly from Srila Bhakti Siddhanta

Saraswati Prabhupad of the exceptional qualifications of Srila Sridhar

Maharaj. In their last known recorded meeting in 1977, just prior to

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami's leaving this mortal world, we find him

imploring Srila Sridhar Maharaj to take up residence at his temple in

Sridham Mayapur.

________________

The conversation that ensues is a transcript of their taped

conversation of March 1977.

_______________

_

___

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : I do not know for how long I will be.able to carry on. So, I came to see Sridhar Maharaj.

Devotee: If you all go away, then the world will become dark.

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: [to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami] It is so

wonderful that the will of the Lord becomes manifest through

someone.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : I want very much, Maharaj, that you

come and stay at Mayapur. Because Prabhupad always desired that

you preach. He told me quite a few times, "Why don't you pull him

out?" [They both laugh.] You know, I also tried to some extent before,

but somehow or other it did not work out. Now, why don't you come

and stay at Mayapur? Srila Prabhupad told me also, "Sridhar Maharaj

is one of the finest preachers." I want to take you everywhere. At least

at the place we have in Mayapur, people are coming from all over the

world. Why don't you come and stay there? If you just agree, then

whatever kind of building you want, I will arrange it for you. They are

trying to build a house for me. So both of us will stay there. And

whenever you want, you can come here to your Math.

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Yes, as long as I am alive to fulfill

Prabhupad's desire.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : This is my earnest desire. Since you

could not go around the world and preach, at least stay there and

people will come to you. I shall make that arrangement. If you stay,

then it will be helpful to me also. Sometimes I need to consult with

someone but there is no one. There is no one that I can consult. I feel

this deficiency very greatly.

Devotee: If he stays in Mayapur, then, all kinds of people will get to

hear from him.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : Yes, that's right.

Srila Sridhar Maharaj: Yes, people from all kinds of cultural

backgrounds will come there..

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : Yes, and they are already coming. And in

that house I will make arrangements for an elevator so that you

won't have to go through the difficulty of walking up and down the

stairs. You won't even have to move a step yourself. I'll make

arrangements for a car and a lift. My disciples are telling me that they

will build a house for me. So, both of us will stay in that house. Most

of the time I am travelling around, so if you are there, then they can

get some guidance. So, Maharaj, please, give me the order and I will

make all the arrangements for you. That Planetarium [The "Temple of

Understanding"] also will be built under your direction. My idea is to

combine the Indian culture and the American money - the lame man

and the blind man policy. I tell them also that this will be very

beneficial for the world.

Here, in their final meeting, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj

prophetically refers to his imminent disappearance and reveals that it

is in this connection that he has come to see Sridhar Maharaj. In

friendly jesting, they discuss Srila Sridhar Maharaj's reticence

regarding large-scale preaching work. Of himself, Srila Sridhar

Maharaj has remarked, "I did not want to become a big person. That is

not my nature. I did not want to move around with many people. I am

just satisfied with whatever I have. My spiritual thinking is my life.

The conclusions of the scriptures, the advices of the mahajanas, to

relish them and practice them and to discuss them in a small

confidential circle, that is the main goal of my life." In the Ninth

Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj,

quoting Dhruva Maharaj, writes: "'My dear Lord, I am fully satisfied

with whatever you have given me. I have nothing else to ask from

You, for I am fully satisfied to be engaged in Your service.' This is the

mentality of a pure devotee who does not want anything material or

spiritual from the Personality of Godhead. Our Krishna Consciousness

Movement is therefore called krsna- bhavanamrta-sangha, the

association of persons who are simply interested in thoughts of

Krishna."

Bhaktivedanta Swami testifies to his having personally heard Bhakti

Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad mark the high qualifications of Srila.Sridhar Maharaj, whom he had once requested to go to the West. In

this regard, Srila Sridhar Maharaj once remarked, "My guru maharaj

wanted me to go to the West for preaching, but I don't consider myself

a fit person to preach in the West. Because, you see, I can't follow

your intonation. So, [laughing] I must listen clearly, then I shall tell.

So, in this way, I told that if you order, I must go, but I don't think that

I am fit to preach in the West. Anyhow, it was stopped, and Goswami

Maharaj was sent to the West." When Srila Sridhar Maharaj had been

selected, one of his godbrothers came to him and revealed the reason

why Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad had chosen him to preach

in the West. This godbrother explained, "Do you know why

Prabhupad wanted you to be sent to the West? He said, 'Because he

can't be converted.'"

And just twenty-four hours before his departure from this mortal

world, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad called for his beloved

disciple Srila Sridhar Maharaj, and asked him to sing the song of

Narottama Das Thakur: Sri-rupa-manjari-pada [the lotus feet of Rupa

Manjari are my treasure]. Srila Sridhar Maharaj recalls: "So I did,

hesitatingly. My nature is always hesitating, pushing back. Then,

Kunja Babu asked me to stop. I was not a good singer, so as soon as

he suggested, I stopped. Then, Kunja Babu asked Puri Maharaj of

Kalna, 'You sing.' So he began. Then, Srila Prabhupad was a little

disturbed. 'I don't like to hear the sweet tune of the song,' he said.

Then, he stopped, and I had to begin again with sri rupa manjari

pada, sei mora sampada. He wanted me to sing that song. That is the

fulfillment of life of everyone of us, to be rupanuga - followers of Sri

Rupa."

Senior godbrothers who witnessed this exchange have described it as a

"mystic transmission" in which Srila Sridhar Maharaj was given

admittance into the eternal entourage of Sri Rupa Manjari. Srila

Sridhar Maharaj's humble vision, however, is that he was posted as the

gatekeeper, the guardian of devotion (bhakti-rakshak), to protect the

storehouse of conclusive truths about the full-fledged theistic

conception of Sri Krishna, as given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Further expressing his appreciation for Srila Sridhar Maharaj's "high.realizations" in Krishna consciousness, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami

Maharaj says: "I want to take you everywhere. At least at the place we

have in Mayapur, people are coming from all over the world. Why

don't you stay there?" Sometimes it is wondered why Srila Sridhar

Maharaj apparently did not take up Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami's offer.

Srila Sridhar Maharaj explains: "I said, 'Of course I shall try to help

you. Sometimes I shall go and stay there with you.' But I really did not

think at the time that I shall survive him."

Finally, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj refers to "that

planetarium." Srila Sridhar Maharaj is very fond of Sanatan

Goswami's most famous work, the Brhad-bhagavatamrtam, in which

devotees, devotional service, and Krishna are described very

scientifically. On the basis of this transcendental literature, Srila

Sridhar Maharaj had contemplated an elaborate preaching exhibition,

showing graphically, with the use of dioramas depicting the varieties

of material and spiritual planetary systems, how the ultimate spiritual

destination is Krishna's own abode, Goloka Vrindavan. Due to

insufficient funds, Srila Sridhar Maharaj humbly submitted his idea to

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, who approved, saying, "It will be

built under your direction."

And just prior to his departure from this mortal world, Srila Bhakti-vedanta

Swami Maharaj advised his senior disciples that in his

absence, when the necessity arose to consult higher authority, that

they should consult Srila Sridhar Maharaj. In conclusion, we humbly

submit that the transcendental relationship between Srila

Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj be viewed

and respected in terms of their eternal spiritual positions, and long-standing

appreciation and affection for one another.

Since the departure of His Divine Grace A.C. Srila Bhaktivedanta

Swami Prabhupad, the "Guardian of Devotion," His Divine Grace

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaj, has repeatedly

protected the teachings of the disciplic succession from perversion and

misrepresentation as he has done for more than half a century, and has

come to be recognized as a jagad-guru, or world-acharya.

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http://www.guardian-of-devotion.de/books/books.htm

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May 20, 2004

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When Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj returned to India in October of 1967, after his successful preaching initiative in America, he stayed with Srila Sridhar Maharaj in Nabadwip and attended the 1967 Vyasa Puja celebration of Srila Sridhar Maharaj.

And where did the disciples of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj learn how to properly celebrate the "Vyasa Puja celebration", the celebration in honour of the Guru? They first learned how to do this from watching the Vyasa Puja of Srila Sridhar Maharaj.

Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj wrote a letter to a disciple saying:

"Yesterday, we have all come to Nabadwip Dham. This place is an establishment of one of my Godbrothers. It is a very nice and extensive place, and my Godbrother B.R. Sridhar Maharaj has spared one entire house for our stay. He has also agreed to cooperate with our society. We shall observe his birthday celebration, and the brahmacaris shall learn how to celebrate the spiritual master's birthday."

May 20, 2004

Here is a picture of the house where Srila Prabhupada stayed at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in October 1967.

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May 20, 2004

This photo was taken at Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Nabadwip in October 1967

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From left to right, Srila Sridhar Maharaj, Srila Govinda Maharaj (his successor), and Srila Prabhupada.

Govindaram · May 20, 2004

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May 20, 2004

In this photo, Srila Govinda Maharaj (seated at bottom left) is leading the the kirtan, and they are singing this bhajan:

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Sri Sri Prabhupada-padma Stavakah

(Prayer unto the Lotus Feet of my Lord and Master Srila Prabhupada)

by Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj

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sujanarbuda-radhita-pada-yugam

yuga-dharma-dhurandhara-patra-varam

varadabhaya-dayaka-pujya-padam