by Swami B.G. Narasingha
“A Humble Realisation” was an offering written by Śrīla B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja in September 1999 on the occasion of Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī’s Vyāsa Pūjā.
The position of our ācārya, Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is like that of the Sun. No light comes to the Earth unless it comes from the sun — similarly no realization of the exalted position of the ācārya is possible unless he himself reveals that in the heart of his worthy disciple.
To know the pure — what is purity and who is a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa one must be free from the ignorance and envy that binds the conditioned souls. In other words, ‘It takes one to know one.’ One must be, in the least, in the Divine Graces of the ācārya otherwise realization of his exalted position is not possible. As such my realizations of Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja are meagre and truly insignificant in the presence of the many highly qualified devotees who have served him with a pure and unmotivated heart. This fallen soul must surely be the most unqualified person in the universe to receive his blessings.
However, an attempt to glorify the exalted position of the Supreme Lord’s dearmost devotee even by a fallen soul such as I will certainly have its beneficial effect for the Supreme Lord is pleased when His devotees are glorified. I therefore humbly pray that the Supreme Lord will be pleased and that a particle of dust from our ācārya’s lotus feet may fall upon my head so that he will be pleased to reveal to me something of his unlimited greatness.
Our ācārya, Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is a veritable ocean of all good qualities born out of a lifetime of devotion. An ocean is not easily crossed nor can we fully describe the limitless good qualities of a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa such as he.
My humble realization is that seeing the manifest form of Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is itself to witness the prayers of Śrī Caitanya Deva (Śikṣāṣṭakam) in motion. The precepts of Śikṣāṣṭakam are a living thing and we see practically that our ācārya, Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is the embodiment of the living precepts of Śikṣāṣṭakam in full. Indeed, Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is prayer in motion, Śikṣāṣṭakam in motion. We find manifest in Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja all the nobility and dignity of Śrī Caitanya Deva’s own pure devotee — one whose heart is non-different from that of the Supreme Lord. We pray that Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja will make us fit for the Lord’s service by his continued association.
My humble opinion is that Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is an eternal resident of the Land of Divine Love. Beauty, sweetness, charm, affection, and love are the nature of dealings between the Supreme Lord and His devotees — eternally manifest in Vṛndāvana, the Land of Divine Love. Such is always the standard of dealing that is shown to us by Śrīla Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja. Can he possibly be a resident of any other place than the Land of Divine Love?
The Supreme Lord’s will is always manifest through someone — not just someone but through someone ‘dear most’. Thus my humble realization is that the Supreme Lord’s dear most devotee, Pūjyapāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī Mahārāja is demonstrating before our very eyes the softness of those who are the Lord’s eternal servants. My humble prayer is thus to always remain in such association of the Lord’s purest devotees — rendering them humble and affectionate service. Gaura Haribol!
More Articles by Swami B.G. Narasingha
The Mahā-mantra (1)
"The Mahā-mantra" was written by Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha in 1998. Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja answers the question, "Where did Mahāprabhu instruct everyone to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra?" From the brevity of this article, it would seem that it was left unfinished. Some years later, Narasiṅgha Mahārāja wrote another lengthier article on the same topic.
Instructing the Guru
This article “Instructing the Guru” was written in April 2018 by Śrīla Narasingha Mahārāja who answers a question concerning a previous article wherein a Vaiṣṇavī writes a letter to her dīkṣā-guru and explains to him about the importance of śikṣā. In response, a question was raised by a devotee about the etiquette of a disciple instructing her guru.
Kūrma-kṣetra
"Kūrma-kṣetra" was written by Śrīla B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja for 'Back to Godhead' magazine (January 23rd 1988). This article is a travelogue wherein Mahārāja describes his pilgrimage to Kūrma-kṣetra - a famous temple in Andhra Pradesh, South India, home to the Deity of Kūrma.
