Chapter One
Swami Bhaktigaurava Narasingha Maharaja's explanation of "Om: the Supreme Combination of Letters" is the first chapter of "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika." This chapter has been published in numerous spiritual journals and was posted on Maharaja's web site some years ago. It's contents are very illuminating but not of a controversial nature. Of the remaining seven chapters of "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika," four are commentaries of our contemporary acaryas:

Chapter Two
"Sri Gayatri Nigudhartha: The Hidden Truth of Sri Brahma Gayatri" by Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaja—a widely published and very available commentary, revealing an unprecedented and highly profound depth of realization—published in several hardbound books years ago.

Chapter Three
Sri Gayatri Nigudhartha Sampada: The Wealth and Glory of Sri Gayatri Nigudartha by Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaja—an affectionate and wholesale appreciation of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's Gayatri commentary. Also included as chapter two in "Our Affectionate Guardians"

Chapter Seven "Sri Prakasini Vrtti: Illuminations on Sri Gopala Mantra and Sri Kama Gayatri" by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a treasure of our sampradaya.

Chapter Eight "Sri Mantrartha Dipika: Revealing the Essence of Sri Kama Gayatri" by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, a highly esoteric and deep commentary available amongst devotees for many years.

Chapters Four, Five and Six
Are commentaries by current Vaishnava sannyasis — "Sri Akhanda Guru Tattva: The Principle of Guru Tattva in Sri Guru Gayatri" by His Holiness Bhakti Nandan Swami Maharaja, "Sri Gaura Gayatri Vijaya: Establishing the Eternality of Sri Gaura Gayatri" by His Holiness Swami Bhaktigaurava Narasingha Maharaja, and "Sri Gopala Mantra Paryalocana: A Deliberation on Sri Gopala Mantra" by His Holiness Swami Bhaktivedanta Tripurari Maharaja.

If we examine these three chapters we find that the contents represent the advanced realizations of these stalwart Vaishnavas as understood thru the teachings of our sampradaya, imbibed through their diksa and siksa gurus. These teachings in essence have also been presented by a number of previous acaryas. The Paddhatis of Dhyanacandra and Gopal Guru Goswamis discuss the Guru Gayatri Mantra and the Gaura Gayatri Mantra. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura has published an article entitled, "Establishing the Eternality of the Gaura Gayatri Mantra." It was primarily this article which inspired Swami Narasingha to write his chapter of similar title. Bhaktivinode Thakura in his commentary on the Caitanya Caritamrta (in the section where Sivananda Sena doubts the Gaura Mantra of Nakula Brahmacari) gives an explanation of Gaura Gayatri Mantra.

In light of these facts we question the motives of those who criticize this book. The more confidential of the Gayatri Mantras (6 & 7) have been published many times by our Guru Maharaja, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabupada. The first and most well known of the Gayatri Mantras, om bhur... has been widely published and our Guru Maharaja has included it in his lectures and books thirty-eight times for all to see. It is even found in the Monier-Williams Sanskrit dictionary.

The 6th Gayatri mantra, klim krsnaya... otherwise known as the Gopal Mantra can be found in Srila Prabhupada's books: Cc. Adi 5.221, Cc. Madhya 8.138, Cc. Madhya 8.139 and in his Guru Maharaja's publication "Brahma Samhita" 5.3 and is even included as part of verse 24 of "Brahma Samhita." Srila Prabhupada mentions this mantra in a Room Conversation with a UN Doctor (BBT Folio 760929rc.vrn) and it is found in Narada-pancaratra, Sanatkumara-kalpa and Hari Bhakti Vilasa etc., etc. Chapter seven of "Sri Gayatri Mantrartha Dipika" is the commentary of Bhaktivinode Thakura on this Gopal Mantra and the following Kama Gayatri Mantra.

The seventh mantra klim kamadevaya... has been published by Srila Prabhupada: Cc. Madhya 21.125-29, (a discussion by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami), Cc. Madhya 8.138, Cc. Madhya 8.139, his "Teachings of Lord Caitanya" in Chapter 31 also Brahma Samhita 5.27.

Chapter Eight of Sri Gayatri Mantrartha Dipika is the commentary of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura on this Kama Gayatri Mantra.

A small booklet entitled, "The Meaning of Sannyasa" has been published by Swami Narasingha but this does not mention the sannyasa gayatri mantra. A commentary on the Sannyasa Gayatri Mantra has been printed in a very limited number of copies in a small booklet and distributed to a few sannyasis only. The Gaudiya Matha has published the sannyasa mantra in "Satkriya-sara-dipika," originally published by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in "Sajjana-toshani."

Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Bhaktivinode Thakura have given us commentaries on various Gayatri Mantras for our benedit. It is understood that without proper initiation by a bonafide guru the mantras have no real meaning or potency. "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika" is meant to supplement one's understanding of the Gayatri Mantras, not replace initiation. This is clearly stated in the Introduction to "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika".

One criticizer of Sri Gayatri Mantrartha Dipika has arbitrarily tried to focus attention on the Guru Gayatri and Gaura Gayatri Mantras as being more confidential mantras that should not be published. Contrary to his contention these mantras are also published widely in various Vaishnava literatures and are not of nearly as confidential nature as those which the direct acaryas of our line have chosen to publish many times. (see above) Swami Narasingha has mercifully compiled all the mantras and their commentaries into one book for the benefit of all brahmanas.

Prior to its distribution, "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika" was presented to Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaja in Jagannatha Puri, India last Kartikka. Srila Puri Maharaja (in the words of our godbrother Bindu Madhava Prabhu), "fully blessed the book repeatedly, holding it, looking at it, touching it to his head, asking questions about it, for more than an hour." Srila Puri Maharaja's primary concern was that the siddhanta in the book was correct. When he was satisfied after carefully studying the book for more than an hour and a half he allowed it to be distributed in his matha. Further, he referred to "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika" as Gupta Ratna Prakasa, the hidden wealth of our sampradaya and emphatically stated that these jewels of our sampradaya must be distributed. He clearly distinguishes this distribution as an approved activity as opposed to trying to find fault with other Vaishnavas.

Srila Puri Maharaja then kindly requested Swami B. G. Narasingha to produce two more books for the Vaishnavas, one showing that Srimad Bhagavatam is the ultimate scripture, Srimad-Bhagavat-Vijaya. Srila Puri Maharaja asked that the other book prove that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, to be served and worshiped by everyone.

Video Clips of this wonderful exchange are provided here.

"Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika" is available in Vrndavana, India and from Mandala Publishing Group, an online devotional book store.

We heartily suggest that sincere seekers of the truth, who wish to enter into a deep understanding of the supra-transcendental Gayatri Mantras, read the book "Sri Gayatri Mantrarta Dipika" and see for themselves the merits of this wonderful book.

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