Next, H.G. Sridhama Prabhu spoke and he mentioned
that the guru’s duty is to relieve the disciples of material miseries.
Misery is due to no knowledge and guru takes the disciples to light. And
H.H. Gopal Krishna Maharaj is doing this wonderfully. He is a perfect
guru. He quotes Srila Prabhupada all the time. He is an ocean of mercy.
Hearing this, Guru Maharaj asked for the microphone and said that
Sridhama Prabhu is the 2nd grhastha disciple of Srila
Prabhupada. He went every Saturday for Life Membership and we should get
inspired by him.
H.G. Mahaman Prabhu was the next speaker and he said
it was a great honor to be part of this celebration and that he was
pleased to receive the invitation. Just like one cannot separate soul
from the body while its in the body, so one must not separate spiritual
master’s instructions from one’s life. He is uncompromising and has
worked hard to satisfy Srila Prabhupada. He is affectionate, soothing
and is a source of inspiration. He is also very forgiving and has the
quality of a most elevated person. He does not waste a single moment.
Srila Prabhupada was very proud to have him as a son. It was Guru
Maharaj’s turn to speak and he said that Mahaman Prabhu has been serving
Srila Prabhupada very sincerely.
H.G.Krishna Gopal Prabhu said that he met Guru
Maharaj in Bengali market for the first time and found him to be very
compassionate and very affectionate towards his Godbrothers. He is
determined in his principles and the disciples should learn from him. He
related an incident…. The opening of the temple in Vrndavana was on
Ekadasi but grain prasad was prepared. When Guru Maharaj came to know
about it, he spent thousands of rupees to arrange for Ekadasi prasadam
and started finding bhoga for the prasadam. He announced that no one
should eat the grain prasadam and wait for Ekadasi prasadam. See his
determination! Guru Maharaj then informed that Krishna Gopal Prabhu was
initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972 in Vrndavana. He has service
mood.
Final speaker was H.G. Purancandra Prabhu who said
that he cannot forget Guru Maharaj’s mercy on him. He was able to serve
because of him. He hoped that Guru Maharaj will continue to show mercy
on him. He compared Guru Maharaj to Narada Muni, traveling and showing
mercy! Guru Maharaj took the microphone and said that Purancandra Prabhu
is a humble devotee.
Vyasapuja book was presented to Guru Maharaj by
Mahamantra Prabhu and Srestha Prabhu followed by offerings by disciples.
At 1 pm, Guru Maharaj led an ecstatic kirtan followed by an inspiring
lecture. Here is the summary…..
Bonafide spiritual master is very important to
progress in spiritual life. One should take shelter which means to
accept the instructions, get initiated, serve, learn how to progress and
discard that which is against spiritual life. Guru Maharaj glorified
Srila Prabhupada who gave knowledge AS IT IS. He stressed on preaching.
Sanatana Goswami has said that some have acara but no pracara but both
are required. Hearing and chanting will help one progress. Just
initiation is not enough. Chant attentively to please guru and
parampara. If one does not chant attentively, what is the use of
initiation? The association of devotees is very important. At least once
a week, one should come for Mangalaarti, hear Srimad Bhagavatam and
serve. Not just serve on Janmashtami and Vyasapuja only. Take advantage
of sadhu sanga. Trnad api sunicena….. Always chant and pay the price –
humility and tolerance. Prahlad Maharaj has said that just like misery
comes without asking, so will happiness. Do not misuse human life.
Narada talks about three kinds of disciples – first one understands what
Guru wants and follows without being told. The second one follows after
being told while the last kind is the one who does not follow even after
being told. We want first class prasadam, nice place to stay so why not
become first class disciples? The Guru should be in parampara, have
control over mind and senses and preach. Before Srila Prabhupada left,
there were 120 temples but now there are over 250. There were only 20
translations before but now in 90 languages. Srila Prabhupada did not
give his own opinions. Please become serious and good devotees. Beware
of maya! If one follows instructions strictly, you will be safe from
maya. Just initiation will not get us shelter of Krishna. One needs to
follow Guru’s instructions and read Srila Prabhupada’s books. It is very
important. His purports are based on acarya’s purports. Surrender means
to accept what’s favorable for spiritual life and give up what’s
unfavorable. Dangerous disease is not to complete one’s rounds daily.
Krishna is the real protector. Make His ideas, yours. Please progress in
spiritual life and preach. Srila Prabhupada has said that one should not
behave in such a way that my name is spoilt. Only pure devotion can
attract Krishna. Preaching can give real happiness. Preaching will also
please the guru. Like health checkup, one should keep a check on
spiritual life and take guru’s guidance. The goal of life is to get love
of God. Pay the price to get it. Focus!
This transcendental lecture was followed by padapuja
and prasadam. More offering were read at 5 pm followed by kirtan by Guru
Maharaj and prasadam at 9:30 pm.
Jaya
Gurudeva!
