Our Affectionate Guardians: Chapter Two
Exalted
Glorification
of Parama-Pujyapada
Srila Sridhara Dev Goswami Maharaja
by
His Holiness Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami Maharaja
Srila
Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Dev Goswami Maharaja exhibited
profound natural and intrinsic spontaneous genius
in the field of Sanskrit language, literature and
thought. Thus a natural affinity was seen in him for
composing articles and prayers in Sanskrit and reading
Sri Gita, Sri Bhagavata,
and all other lofty scriptures which have spontaneous
relations with the nature of his divine original self.
In
light of his Divine Knowledge, qualities, devotional
services, realization in the field of pure devotional
siddhantas and his having more advanced access in
the opulent, mysterious world of transcendental devotional
service, along with limitless devotional qualities
as well as the extraordinary capability of retaining
(storing up) the super excellencies of the devotional
practices and preaching campaigns by special blessings
of Srila Prabhupada (refers to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Prabhupada throughout this chapter), he is always
most worshipable to this insignificant jiva soul
as one of my siksa-gurus.
We
have especially seen the most brilliant example of
Pujyapada Sridhara Maharaja's service in visrambha mood (i.e. with full, firm wholehearted
confidence and faith in Sri Guru). He has been unendingly
blessed by our Paramaradhya Srila Prabhupada for his
grand preaching campaign showing the superexcellency
of the teachings of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. By
the grace of Sri Guru the most efficient analogies,
logical arguments and expert systems and techniques
of establishing the susiddhanta (the higher
truthful devotional conclusions) would always appear
in his heart, with effulgent spontaneity, enabling
the convincing refutation of opposing opinions and
assertions.
Thus
Srila Prabhupada was always glad to see the presence
of Srila Sridhara Maharaja in any conference or sophisticated
debating assembly. Srila Prabhupada highly praised
the quality and poetic beauty of his many invaluable
compositions. His explanation of Sri Brahma Gayatri, the mother
of all Vedas, signifying devotional worship unto Srimati Radharani is
deeply appreciated by those fortunate intelligent
devotees who are aware of the relishable beauty of
pure devotional service. I am bereft of the proper
language to elucidate the profound meaning of Sri
Gayatri as
expressed by Pujyapada Maharaja in the depth of realization,
which is that of exclusive devotional servitude to
Srimati Radharani.
I
have no adequate words to express the pain of separation
in the absence of such a rare personality and exalted
devotee of the Lord. During his lifetime the wealth
of ever-new, beautiful, glorious hari-katha which
emanated from the lotus lips of Pujyapada Sridhara
Maharaja captured my heart. He is Srila Prabhupada's
own associate and he remains by his lotus feet in
the nitya-lila, deeply pleasing him
by his charming devotional services. Now it is my
earnest prayer that he graciously take me over there
and engage me in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Srila
Prabhupada has directly defined Pujyapada Sridhara
Maharaja as Sri Rupanuga Bhakti Raksaka--The
Guardian of Pure Devotion in the line of Sri Rupa
and thus also the Guardian of the pure devotional
line of Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode. Therefore, this
lowly servitor of servitors prays for his grace. How
will I be able to attain that most high Sri Vraja
Prema without submission and devotion unto him
whom Srila Prabhupada has directly and eternally absorbed
into the Rupanuga
family of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur.
From
the very beginning of Pujyapada Sridhara Maharaja's
Math life, his adherence to the devotional services
of his own Guru, Srila Prabhupada, was super-resplendent.
His calm, quiet nature and bright, beautiful, divine
appearance accompanied by full simplicity, solemnity
and complete freedom from egoistic emotions, would
always attract our hearts. He would so superbly explain
each and every word of Sri Gurudeva (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta)
in such an intensely devotional melodious way that
we would be charmed. Although he was born in a high-class,
wealthy family, was handsome and became famous for
his scholarly achievements, no trace of false pride
was ever found in his life or character. He was never
known to give trouble to anyone in any way and never
felt himself to be the loser when taking troubles
from others. He was completely free from any tinge
of malicious anger, which is opposed to pure devotional
service. He would always heartily try, with great
patience, to resolve any problems arising from the
conflicts or disputes between his godbrothers. A natural,
simple and most cordial behavior was always seen on
the part of this spotless personality setting an exemplary
standard for the brahmacaris and sannyasis of
our mission.
He
is an exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord, Sri Gaurasundara,
and is always beautified with the affections of his
guru vargas, Sri Guru, and
the Vaisnavas. He possesses pure devotional qualities
and benevolently blesses all with the Divine Message
and matchless wealth of Sri Srila Prabhupada thereby
fulfilling his desire.
He
is all glorious, forever glorious, everywhere.