Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja Biography 

Paramahamsa Srila Gaurakisora dasa babaji

vihaya sangam kuliyalayanampragrhya sevam dayitanugasyavibhasi mayapura­mandirastho

namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam

O Srila Gaurakisora, you abandoned the association ofworldly people and went to live alone at Kuliya in theisland of Koladvipa, where you accepted the service ofSri Dayita dasa. Your effulgent personality illuminatesthe temple of Sri Dayita dasa in the sacred abode of SriMayapura dhama. I eternally offer my obeisances untoyou, Srila Gaurakisora.

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 IntroductionSrila Gaurakisora 's Internal and External Identities   The Vaisnava Impostor   The Charming Garden of Svananda­sukhada­kunja   Calcutta, the World of Illusion   Sri Mayapura   The Sri Brhad­bhagavatamrtam Lecture   The Genuine and Imitationist Bhajananandi   Deception and Actual Residence in the Holy Dhama   The New Babaji   Deception and Devotional ServiceThe Grains of the Materialist   Srila Gaurakisora 's Love for Sri Mayapura Dhama   Superficial Symptoms of Ecstasy   The Devotee's Disturbing Explanation   The Householder Vow   Renunciation for Krsna's Pleasure   The Highest Happiness   Different forms of Maya   Srila Gaurakisora and the Supersoul   General Instructions   Astakala­lila   Householder Lore and Goloka VrndavanaDevotional Heresy    In Touch with a Paid Scholar   The Devotee and the Hypocrite   The Enjoyment of Wealth   Desire for Wealth

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   Gauranga! Gauranga! or Rupee! Rupee!   Karma Bound   Attonement for Having Illicit Sex   The Offenses for Imitating a Vaisnava   Srila Gaurakisora and Manindra CandraSecretly Enjoying   Offenses to the Spiritual Master   A Lusty Person's Vision   Attachment of the Pure Devotee   Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's Prayer for Initiation   The Pride of the False Renunciate   A Devious Prayer for Causeless Mercy   Resolute Worship of the Holy Name   Pure Love and Worldly LustThe Real Mendicant   Household Duties   Return Ticket   External Purity   Lord Caitanya's Birthplace   The Feast of the Paramahamsas   How Can I know a Vaisnava?   Imitating the Pure Devotee   Other Desires   The Devotee's DeceitSrila Gaurakisora 's Blessing   The Disappearance of Srila Gaurakisora 

Copyright © 1986 Clarion Call Publishers All Rights Reserved

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Introduction 

The Western world is indeed very fortunate to receiveinformation for the first time regarding the wonderfulbiography   of   Srila   Gaurakisora   dasa   babaji.   Thiscompilation originally appeared in 1919 in a monthlyperiodical,   Sajjanatosani,   published   in   the   Bengalilanguage.   A   series   of   articles   under   the   headingAmara  prabhura  katha  were  written  and publishedunder the guidance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatiThakura,   the sole disciple of  Srila Gaurakisora dasababaji. In 1934 the disciples of Srila BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati   Thakura   composed   the   serial   articles   andother   narrations   they   directly   heard   from   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in biography form entitledParamaguru Sri Gaurakisora. The present attempt inthe   English   language   is   a   direct   rendering   of   thatbiography with the hope that the thirst of the sincereseekers   of   India's   spiritual   wealth   will   be   partiallyquenched. Srila Gaurakisora dasa babaji's personal lifedraws   a   permanent   line   which   separates   thosedivinely   inspired   from   the   impostors   in   his   ownschool   of   thought,   and   provides   a   crystal   clearconception   of   how   this   uttama­adhikari,   or   mostadvanced soul, perceived reality. 

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Persons   who   limit   the   spiritual   master   to   hisparticular literary contributions may not be interestedto read this biography because Srila Gaurakisora dasababaji was illiterate. But the sincere aspirant of divinetruth will find immense value in this book 

Srila Gaurakisora dasa babaji lives today in the heartsof those devotees who can feel the inner urgency ofhis  priceless  message.  The   interested   reader   shouldnot study these accounts with the view to know somany stories simply to insure that he may give a goodlecture.   Rather,   one   must   surrender   to   SrilaGaurakisora   dasa   babaji's   instructions   in   order   toescape   the   jaws  of   false   renunciation   and  offensiveimitation which place us in a precarious condition oflife. Because of lack of faith and knowledge, we caneasily fall prey to these dangerous pitfalls of illusion.However, if true spiritualists can come to devotionallyappreciate the renunciation of Srila Gaurakisora dasababaji,   then   their   own   level   of   advancement   willbecome   obvious.   Unguard   yourselves,   conditionedsouls,   by   laying   down   the   impenetrable   shields   ofsense   gratification,   false   renunciation,   or   cheapmockery in the name of spirituality. 

In   his   introduction   to   this   series   of   articles,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura humbly describes

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his   realizations   after   his   first   meeting   with   SrilaGaurakisora   dasa   babaji.   "For   so   long   I   have   beenliving   in   this   material   world,   trying   to   bring   sensegratification   within   the   grasp   of   my   hand.   I   oftenthought   that   the   sense   objects   would   fulfill   all   myshortcomings.   I   even   attained   different   facets   ofenjoyment   that   were   indeed   rare,   but   my   personalneeds   were   never   met.   I   had   the   association   ofaristocratic persons, but seeing their different faults, Icould not  praise   them. The most  merciful  Lord,  SriGaurasundara, seeing me in this lamentable conditionof   adversity,   permitted   His   two   most   intimateassociates to bestow their blessings upon me." 

"I was always intoxicated with worldly false ego andthe desire for name and fame, I deprived myself of myreal   benefit.   But   because   of   the   influence   of   thedevotional   service   rendered  in  my previous   lives,   Icame   into   the   association   of   Srila   BhaktivinodaThakura,   who   is   my   spiritual   well­wisher.   Myspiritual  guide,  Srila  Gaurakisora,  would  come andvisit   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   many   times   and   often   livewith him. Srila Bhaktivinoda, out of his compassionfor   me,   pointed   out   my   spiritual   master,   SrilaGaurakisora. After glancing upon the divine figure ofmy master, the extent of my false ego was diminished.I knew that all the other souls who have taken birth as

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humans were also fallen and low like myself. But bygradually observing the wonderful spiritual qualitiesof my master, Srila Gaurakisora dasa babaji, I realizedthat a Vaisnava could live in this material world andbe of exemplary character."  

 Srila Gaurakisora's Internal and External

Identity 

Srila   Gaurakisora   dasa   babaji   appeared   over   onehundred years ago in the district of Pharidapura, nextto   the   place   called   Tepakhola   in   the   village   ofVagyana, which is situated on the shore of the PadmaRiver.   Srila   Gaurakisora   was   born   in   a   mercantilefamily, and was nicknamed Vamsidasa by his father(not to be confused with Vamsi dasa babaji). Duringboyhood, his mother and father arranged for an earlymarriage. He remained in household life until he wastwenty­nine years old. As a householder he worked asa broker in the grain business. After the death of hiswife,   Srila   Gaurakisora   left   his   business   andapproached   Srila   Bhagavat   dasa   babaji   in   order   toaccept the traditional Vaisnava babaji dress. 

After taking babaji initiation from Srila Bhagavat dasababaji,  who was a  disciple  of  Srila   Jagannatha dasa

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babaji,   Srila   Gaurakisora   travelled   from   village   tovillage in Vrndavana, continually performing solitaryworship of Lord Krsna for thirty years.  During thistime he would sometimes travel to the holy places innorthern   India   as   well   as   in   the   nine   islands   ofNavadvipa.   He   associated   with   other   famousdevotees   such   as   Sri   Svarupa   dasa   babaji   inJagannatha Puri, Sri Bhagavan dasa babaji in Kalana,and   Sri   Caitanya   dasa   babaji   in   Kuliya.   SrilaGaurakisora dasa babaji became very famous amongthe paramahamsa devotees in Vrndavana during thatperoid,   and   was   recognized   as   a   bhajananandi,   orsolitary worshipper. Although Srila Gaurakisora dasababaji received such exalted honor, he never secretlyendeavored   for   even   a   drop   of   material   sensegratification.   Babaji   Maharaja   entirely   rejected   suchinclinations   and   simply   performed   his   pure,unalloyed devotional pastimes in the deepest mood ofrenunciation. 

In  March,  1894,  when  the  Yoga  Pitha   in  Mayapurawas revealed, Srila Gaurakisora dasa babaji took thepermission of  Srila   Jagannatha  dasa  babaji   to  go   toNavadvipa   Dhama   from   Vrndavana   Dhama.   Fromthis   time  until  his  disappearance,  Srila  Gaurakisorastayed in the area of Sri Navadvipa Dhama, living indifferent   holy   villages,   realizing   them   to   be   non­

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different   from   Vrndavana.   He   would   gather   dryfoodstuffs from the householders of the holy dhamaby begging, and offer them in his hand to the Lord. Tocook,   he   would   often   collect   dry   wood   from   thepathways and wash discarded pots  he  found alongthe roadside near the Ganges.  To meet his practicalnecessities such as clothing himself,  he would go tothe shore of the Ganges River and collect and washthe discarded cloth that had been used to cover thecorpses in the burning grounds. In this way he alwaysremained   independent   of   others   by   using   rejecteditems that served no purpose for anyone. 

Srila Bhaktivinoda often related the behavior of SrilaGaurakisora dasa babaji as an example of "nirapeksa",or   total   indifference   to   worldly   existence.   He   oftendiscussed   the   matchless   renunciation,   purededication, and spontaneous attachment to Krsna thatBabaji   Maharaja   displayed.   Sometimes   BabajiMaharaja would visit Godrumadvipa, one of the nineislands of Navadvipa where Srila Bhaktivinoda spenthis   last   days   in   retirement.   Srila   Gaurakisora   dasababaji would often go there to the charming gardenknown   as   Svananda­sukhada­kunja   and   heardiscourses   on   the   Srimad­Bhagavatam   and   othertopics   concerning   the   intimate   conclusions   ofdevotional   service.   This   enhanced   his   mood   of

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dedication. His entire wealth included a necklace ofTulasi beads and a set of Tulasi mala he kept in hishand   for   counting   the   Lord's   names.   He   alsocherished a few Bengali literatures, such as Narottamadasa Thakura's Prarthana and Prema­bhakti­candrika.

Sometimes   Srila   Gaurakisora   would   not   even   wearTulasi  mala  around his  neck,  but   instead would beseen undressed,  holding a   torn knotted cloth  in hishand   for   chanting,   and   uttering   harsh   sounds   indisgust for no apparent reason. Although externallySrila   Gaurakisora   was   not   a   learned   Sanskritgrammarian,   the  purport  and conclusions  of  all   thescriptures   radiantly   illuminated   his   heart   andcharacter. It was impossible for anyone to secure anopportunity   to   serve   him.   He   was   never   eager   toaccept any manner of service from anyone. Wheneveranyone   saw his  genuine  state  of   renunciation,   theycould   only   remember   the   exemplary   life   of   SrilaRaghunatha Dasa Gosvami. 

Grandeur   and   opulence   of   every   kind   was   alwayswaiting   with   folded   hands   to   serve   him.   He   wasalways able to expose the cheating tendencies  lyingwithin   the   hearts   of   the   imitationists.   Although   aperson may have   lived   far  away,  Srila  Gaurakisoracould scrutinizingly reveal the falsehood which they

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perpetrated   in   the   name   of   the   Lord's   service,   andsave   others   from   the   hands   of   insincerity.   But   theability to communicate with the Lord in the heart wasnot   Srila   Gaurakisora's   principal   virtue.   BabajiMaharaja   exhibited   the   highest   mood   of   purededication to the Supreme Lord because his  perfectcharacter was the personification of deep separationrealized   in   Lord   Krsna's   service.   This   mood   ofseparation actually distinguished him from the otherVaisnavas, and is what eternally spreads the luster ofhis lotus feet. 

The Vaisnava Impostor 

Srila  Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati  Thakura has writtenas   follows   in   connection   with   Srila   Gaurakisora:"Many   types   of   persons­­­clever,   judicious,   young,old, foolish, scholarly, and proud­­­came into contactwith Srila Gaurakisora , yet could not realize his realidentity. This is the mystic opulence of the Lord's puredevotee.   Hundreds   came   and   consulted   with   SrilaGaurakisora about their insignificant material desires.He would always give them suggestions which werein   fact   meant   to   deceive   them.   Innumerable   menaccepted the babaji dress and pretended to be exalteddevotees   of   the   Lord.   However,   my   master,   SrilaGaurakisora , never accepted a devious mode of life,

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as the sincerity in his activities were self­evident. Hisaffectionate nature was matchless, and whenever hewould obtain opulent offerings, he remained fixed inhis renunciation." 

Srila Gaurakisora never displayed any distaste for hisrivals,   nor   did   he   exhibit   any   special   affection   forthose who were attached to him. He would often say,"I   am   not   inimical   or   overly   affectionate   towardsanyone.  Everyone  is  worshippable  by me."  Anothernoteworthy point   is   that  many  foolish  and deviousmaterialists,   who   were   in   opposition   to   theconclusions   of   pure   devotion   would   come   andsurround him, considering themselves the dearmostobjects   of   his   affection.   Although   they   engagedthemselves   in   the   pursuit   of   worldly   things,   SrilaGaurakisora never displayed any intention of drivingthem   away,   yet   at   the   same   time   he   showed   nosymptoms of compromise. 

The Charming Garden of Svananda­sukhada­kunja 

In   1898,   when   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   SarasvatiThakura was staying in Godrumadvipa, just after thegarden of Svananda­sukhada­kunja had been built, hefirst met his spiritual master, Srila Gaurakisora . Oneday,   humbly   following   the   direct   instruction   of

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Srimati Radharani, and chanting in a sad voice, SrilaGaurakisora , the chief of the followers of Srila RupaGosvami,   arrived   in   the   beautiful   garden   ofSvananda­sukhada­kunja.  This transcendental crownjewel of the renounced order was wearing a tigerskincap   and   carrying   a   basket   containing   variousparaphernalia   used   in   his   personal   bhajana.   SrilaGaurakisora had previously received the basket andcap  from his   spiritual  master,  Srila  Bhagavata  dasababaji,   in  Kalana.  After  his   arrival,  he  offered  SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   four  or   five sets  of  Tulasi  beads,  awooden   stamp   with   the   words   "Hare   Krsna",   thetigerskin cap, and his other personal items which heused   when   worshipping.   In   January,   1900,   SrilaGaurakisora   initiated   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   inSvananda­sukhada kunja. 

The great devotee, Srila Gaurakisora , often came tothe   garden   Svananda­sukhada­kunja   to   hear   SrilaBhaktivinoda   Thakura's   explanations   of   the   SrimadBhagavatam.   He   usually   arrived   at   around   threeo'clock  in  the  afternoon and left  at   five.  On severaloccasions he spent the night in a corner of the gardenin   a   small   hut,   and   sometimes   he   would   stay   atPradyumna­kunja  in  Bardhaman at   the home of  SriKsetranatha   Bhaktinidhi   and   Sri   Bipina   BihariBhaktiratna.   Cattopadhyaya   Bhakti   Bhrnga   would

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also   regularly   come   to   Navadvipa   to   hear   SrilaBhaktivinoka's lectures. Sometimes Srila Gaurakisorahonored   prasadam   from   Svananda­sukhada­kunjaand sometimes he fasted, while other times he cookedfor himself. Sometimes he acted as if he was afflictedby a disease called 'siroroga', insanity and blindness.Srila Bhaktivinoda arranged a proper diet for him, butto his dismay, Babaji  Maharaja continued to remaincouched in a grave mood of renunciation, refusing topay any attention to the diet. 

By   1908   Srila   Gaurakisora   had   seemingly   lost   hisexternal   vision.   The   following   year   he   stoppedtravelling and decided to reside in a bamboo hut inNavadvipa for performing his solitary bhajana. SrilaGaurakisora would live in Pradyumna kunja, whichwas previously owned by Saratcandra Vasu of SouthCalcutta,  and from there,  visit  or  stay at  Svananda­sukhada­kunja, where he would remember the Lord'sholy names in solitary worship. Being free from grossphysical consciousness, Srila Gaurakisora often failedto recognize whether he was dressed or not. Thus, heoften went unclothed to bathe at the Sarasvati River.After   bathing,   he   would   enter   his   small   bhajanakuthira   and   begin   calling   the   cowherd   maidens   ofVrndavana in a deep voice. 

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Calcutta, the World of Illusion 

While   Srila   Gaurakisora   was   enacting   his   divinepastimes as if his eyesight were becoming weak, SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   asked   him   to   go   to   Calcutta   forproper   medical   treatment.   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   alsorequested   him   many   times   to   go   there,   but   SrilaGaurakisora   said,   "I   will   never   go   to   the   world   of'maya', Calcutta." Srila Bhaktivinoda then assured himthat his servant, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta , would remainthere with him in Calcutta so he would undergo noinconveniences. Upon hearing this, Srila Gaurakisoraanswered, "I will never accept his service. I will firstdrown myself in the Ganges River. If I drown myself,maybe I can take birth as a ghost." Srila Gaurakisorastood   up   and   began   to   quickly   run   towards   theSarasvati  River  which flowed in  front  of  Svananda­sukhada­kunja. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, running behindhim, humbly requested again and again that he comeback,  but  he disappeared and was neither  seen norheard   from   for   forty­five   days.   Then   suddenly,   hearrived one day and said,   "By committing suicide Iwill   not   attain   to   the   lotus   feet   of   Lord   Krsna.Nevertheless, I cannot tolerate anyone directly servingme." Although requested hundreds of times to acceptmedicine,   Srila   Gaurakisora   never   consented.   He

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always   strictly   followed   Ekadasi   without   acceptingeven water.  On days other   than Ekadasi,  he  wouldoften eat mud from the banks of the Ganges River, orcracked   rice   with   dried   peppers   soaked   in   Gangeswater. Because his renunciation was genuine, it gavepleasure to the Supreme Lord. 

Sri Mayapura 

From   1903­1904,   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   lived   inMayapura at the present day Yoga­Pitha,  where theAdhoksaja   Visnu   Deity   was   uncovered   when   theconstruction of the Sri Caitanya Matha began. At thattime the Yoga­Pitha was known as Kanthala­tala. SrilaGaurakisora   would   often   spend   much   of   his   timethere. This period serves as an unprecedented chapterin the world of pure devotion as exemplified by theunique   relationship   shared   by   the   spiritual   masterSrila   Gaurakisora   and   his   disciple,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta.   Although   apparently   blind,   BabajiMaharaja once arrived alone at Sri Mayapura at theYoga­Pitha at two o'clock in the morning. Later thatmorning,   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta,   amazed   to   see   hisspiritual   master,   inquired,   "When   did   you   arrive,Gurudeva?"   Babaji   Maharaja   replied,   "I   arrived   atabout   two   this   morning."   Astonished,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta asked,  "Who brought you here  last

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night? How did you find someone to show you thepath?"   Srila   Gaurakisora   replied,"Oh,   someoneshowed   me   the   proper   way."   Srila   Bhaktisiddhantathen   said,   "Externally,   you   appear   to   be   blind.   Ifsomeone had not brought you that long distance byhand, then how could you have come ? Was it Krsnawho brought you here last night?" Hearing this, BabajiMaharaja   could   only   smile.   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta,sharing   an   internal   relationship   with   his   spiritualmaster, realized the purport of this exchange. In thosedays there were no footpaths to walk from Kuliya toMayapura   and   no   landing   places   for   a   boat.   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   again   inquired,   "Who   could   havebrought you across  the river  in the dead of  night?"Srila   Gaurakisora,   in   the   same   amused   way,   said,"One person took me across  the river."  His  disciplethen   realized   that   the   person   was   none   other   thanLord Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. 

The Sri Brhadbhagavatamrtam Lecture 

Once,   for   the   entire   month   of   Vaisakha,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   explained   the   'SriBrhadbhagavatamrtam' of Srila Sanatana Gosvami atthe   Yoga   Pitha.   Srila   Gaurakisora   and   Sri   YuktaKsetranatha Sarakara Bhaktinidhi attended. 

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The Genuine and Imitation Bhajananandi 

While Srila Gaurakisora was residing at a dharmsalain  the village of  Kuliya,  Srila  Bhaktisiddhanta cameand   asked   him   many   questions   regarding   theresidents of Vrndavana and the various devotees whowere   performing   solitary   worship   there.   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   especially   asked   about   the   famoussolitary   worshippers   who   were   considered   to   beperfectly   realized   souls   in   the   estimation   of   thegeneral public.  Srila Gaurakisora laughed again andagain at his query, and said,"They are all impostors." 

One   babaji   residing   at   Kusuma­Sarovara   wasrenowned   as   a   great   bhajananandi.   In   addition,   heeven had one or two disciples who were reputed to beperfectly realized devotees. But Srila Gaurakisora didnot even slightly recognize them as genuine babajis.After   some   time,   the   so­called   exalted   soul   inKusuma­Sarovara became afflicted with leprosy of thethroat and died after extreme suffering. He lived inthe   holy   dhama,   but   his   behavior   was   offensivetoward Srila Gaurakisora because his mind was benton sense enjoyment. 

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Deception and Actual Residence in the Holy Dhama

One day, a doctor, very anxiously desiring to stay inthe  holy  dhama of  Navadvipa  and  serve   the  Lord,came and revealed his intentions to Srila Gaurakisora.The young devotee had made arrangements to remainin the holy dhama as a doctor and treat sick persons.He planned to beg from the residents of Navadvipa,and with the profit, buy medicine. He would then beable   to   give   free   medical   treatment.   He   consideredthat in this way he would perform his bhajana and atthe same time perform the highest welfare activity forthe community. To confirm his plans, he went to getthe advice of Srila Gaurakisora. When he arrived andpresented   his   proposal,   he   quoted   the   followingverses   spoken   by   Murari   Gupta   in   the   Caitanya­caritamrta:(Adi Lila 10:50­51):  pratigraha nahi kare, na laya kara' dhana atma­vrtti kari' kare kutumba bharana cikitsa karena yare haiya sadaya deha­roga, bhava­roga, dui tara' ksaya 

"Srila Murari Gupta never accepted charity from hisfriends,  nor  did  he  accept  money  from anyone.  Hepracticed being a physician and maintained his familywith   his   earnings.   As   Murari   Gupta   treated   his

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patients, by his mercy, both their bodily and spiritualdiseases ceased." 

Srila   Gaurakisora   could   understand   the   restlessnature of the doctor and his inner motives for wantingto live in the holy dhama for his so­called devotionalservice. Srila Gaurakisora made this very evident tohim when he explained, "Murari Gupta is an eternalassociate  of  Lord Caitanya,  and always   lives   in   thetranscendental world of Navadvipa Dhama. He neversuggested   any   intentions   of   living   in   the   SupremeLord's   holy   dhama   by   supporting   himself   throughsome clever means to materially enjoy there. He neversupported his   family  at   the  expense  of  any  temple,nor was he ever interested in earning money to keephis belly full. He would never accept charity or wealthfrom his friends or others. He was a direct storehouseof love of Godhead, and by his mercy, anyone wouldobtain   the   mercy   of   Caitanya   Mahaprabhu.Whomever he treated would become cured from alldisease and obtain loving affection unto the SupremeLord. If one does not follow his exemplary lifestyle,but imitates his activities for sense indulgence in thename of pure bhajana, then one must eternally sufferthe miseries   found in  the diseased state  of  materialexistence. 

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"You   are   a   patient   suffering   from   the   disease   ofmaterial   existence.   How   can   you   properly   cureothers? Crying, you must seriously pray for the mercyof   Srila   Murari   Gupta.   Then   you   will   be   able   tounderstand what is the actual benefit  for others.  SriCaitanya Mahaprabhu simply taught that one shouldseriously   chant   the   holy   names   of   Lord   Krsna.Anything contrary to that is less intelligent. Just giveup   your   bad   intelligence   and   begin   the   process   ofhearing and chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord.If   someone   performs   devotional   service   with   otherintentions, everything will be lost, including service tothe holy name. Administering free medical treatmentfor   worldly   prestige   and   living   in   the   holy   dhamahave   nothing   in   common.   A   person   who   wants   toenjoy the fruits of his activities can never actually livein the holy dhama." 

Hearing   the   instruction   of   Srila   Gaurakisora,   thedoctor   asked,   "Then   what   is   my   duty?"   SrilaGaurakisora replied, "If you actually want to live inthe holy dhama, you should first completely give upthis   idea   you   are   entertaining.   Abandon   themisconception that benefiting materialistic persons bydistributing   free   medical   treatment   is   favorable   foryour worship. Any services you offer, or any religiouspractice   which   is   not   in   connection   with   saintly

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persons who are factually performing bhajana, will bethe   cause  of  deep  material   bondage.  As   of  now,   itwould be better if you returned home and chanted theholy name and maintained your livelihood. If this iswhat you really want then go home. Don't deceitfullymaintain yourself in the holy abode of Navadvipa bysome clever means." 

The New Babaji 

A new devotee who had just  taken up the dress ofbabaji   would   often   come   and   talk   with   SrilaGaurakisora.  Finally  he  decided   to   live   in   the  holydhama, and so he approached a landowner queen topurchase   three­quarters   of   an   acre   of   land.   Afterhearing   this,   Srila   Gaurakisora   said,"The   supremeabode of the Lord is transcendental. How is it possiblethat   this   queen   has   become   the   owner   of   the   holydhama? How is it that she is entitled to sell that newbabaji  a portion of land in the holy dhama? All  thejewels within the universe are not valuable enough topurchase   even   one   speck   of   dust   from   the   holydhama.   So   how   can   any   landowner   amass   enoughwealth   to   become   the   owner   of   a   plot   of   thetranscendental abode of Sri Navadvipa Dhama? Hasthis   new   baba,   by   the   exchange   of   his   devotionalmagnimity,  become entitled  to  a  portion of   land  in

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Navadvipa   Dhama?   Let   anyone   who   has   such   amaterialistic   mentality   remain   living   at   a   distancefrom   the   holy   abode.   An   attitude   like   that   willcertainly  be offensive.  Anyone who  thinks   the  holydhama is material is considered by the true devoteesof the Supreme Lord to be a prakrta sahajiya or cheapimpostors." 

Deception and Devotional Service 

One day a  resident  of  Bangladesh who was a  verywealthy   landlord,   scholar,   brahman,   and   greatdevotee of the Lord, came with his friend to see SrilaGaurakisora.   The   landowner   was   apparently   sodeeply absorbed in devotional ecstasies that his friendhad to assist him by holding him as he walked. Whenthey arrived before Srila Gaurakisora, the landownerwas   holding   the   shoulder   of   his   friend   in   order   towalk as his body was trembling in ecstasy. Several ofthe   assembled   devotees   recognized   the   landownerand knew he was respected as an advanced devoteein   the   devotional   community.   The   devotees   veryreverently arranged a sitting place for the visitor andrequested him to please be seated. 

At that time Srila Gaurakisora was enacting his divinepastime   as   a   blind   person.   When   he   heard   the

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devotees   respectfully   greeting   the   visitor,   heasked,"Who   has   come?"   The   landowner's   friendintroduced his  companion by elaborately describinghis   erudition,   devotion,   and   non­attachment   to   thematerial   world   and   its   temptations   in   spite   of   himpossessing unlimited wealth. He then described howonly one fortnight before, a thief had broken in andstolen   forty­five   thousand   rupees   from   thelandowner's   house.   Although   suffering   such   asetback, the landlord, knowing that devotion shouldbe one's ultimate attachment in life, had come for SrilaGaurakisora's divine association. The friend added, "Iam   his   only   friend.   He   has   left   all   other   materialassociation and now only associates with me. You willbe able   to realize  his  greatness   just  by talking withhim.   He   once   asked   me   a   question   about   aconfidential   exchange   between   Sri   CaitanyaMahaprabhu   and   Sri   Ramananda   Raya   from   theCaitanya­Caritamrta.   I   told him that  only you,  SrilaGaurakisora, could properly answer his questions. Wehave already been to see many scholarly persons inNavadvipa,   yet   we   cannot   come   to   any   agreementregarding the inner meaning of this conversation. Wethink that only you can explain it properly." 

After   the  friend of   the  great  devotee completed hisintroduction, Srila Gaurakisora replied,"I will tell you

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how   you   can   understand   the   conclusion   of   thisconversation.  But  before   trying  to  understand  theseconfidential   topics   between   Lord   Caitanya   andRamananda   Raya,   you   should   renounce   theassociation of this rascal impostor landowner and takeshelter of a pure devotee of the Lord. You should hearthe   Caitanya­caritamrta   one   hundred   times   frombeginning   to   end   in   the   association   of   advanceddevotees of the Lord. In this wasy, crying and beingabsorbed  in  devotional  ecstasy,  you  will  be  able   torealize the purport of these conversations. At presentall the devotees here want to congregationally chantthe Lord's holy names. We don't have time to discussanything   else."   Then   Srila   Gaurakisora   loudlyrequested   that   everyone   perform   Hari   NamaSankirtana. Everyone began to chant the holy name ofKrsna.   After   hearing   this,   the   landowner   and   hisfriend immediately left. 

Later   that  evening,  when almost  everyone  had  left,one or two persons told Srila Gaurakisora, "That verylearned   landowner   was   so   absorbed   in   devotionalecstasy that we saw no trace of wordly consciousnessin him." Another person sitting nearby also spoke upin   defense   of   the   landowner,   "That   person   was   soimmersed in various loving devotional ecstasies thathe could not even walk by himself. How can you say

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he was not on the highest level of Bhava­bhakti?" SrilaGaurakisora then replied,"After speaking with him afew moments, I could understand that he had no goodintentions   in  his  performance  of  devotional   service.One   cannot   measure   a   person's   devotionaladvancement by the popular vote of ordinary people.If  a person is  not serious in his devotional practice,then even if he displays external signs of renunciation,material   indifference,   or   ecstatic   symptoms   inspontaneous devotion, he should not be considered tobe   actually   renounced   and   experiencing   devotionalmoods.   As   soon   as   a   difficult   test   comes,   falserenunciation will not endure. 

At the first opportunity, detachment searches out theshelter of practitioners who are seriously fixed in theirintentions   to   execute   devotional   service.   In   ourpractical  devotional  service,  we never show anyoneour   devotional   ecstasies.   One   should   performdevotional service in such a way that deep attachmentto the Lord will internally blossom in the heart. Evenif   one   makes   an   external   show   of   symptoms   ofattachment to the Lord, he will not receive the Lord'scauseless   mercy   if   he   does   not   actually   developinternal   loving attachment.  When there   is  an actualdeep loving attitude, Krsna Himself will approach theadvanced devotee. A person who lacks even a trace of

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sincerity and unflinching devotion, and whose heartis   filled   with   material   desires,   simply   decorateshimself   with   some   nice   dress.   Krsna   remainsproportionally   aloof   or   available   according   to   thedegree of one's surrender. On the other hand, if one isspontaneously immersed in devotional attachment toLord Hari,   then even  if  he externally appears  to besuffering   from   leprosy,   Krsna   becomes   spirituallyoverjoyed by the slightest trace of his transcendentalloving   service.   When   we   can   fast   and   chant   HareKrsna day and night, always crying out for the serviceof   Srimati   Radharani   without   offering   any   externalshow to others, then Sri Krsna, who is the very wealthof Srimati Radharani's life force, can be captured." 

The Grains of the Materialist 

Once, a lawyer named Bhattacarya came to visit SrilaGaurakisora   in   Kuliya,   Navadvipa.   He   was   livingnearby and was renting a room from a certain castegosvami   on   a   monthly   basis   which   included   hismeals.   When   the   gentleman   approached,   SrilaGaurakisora asked him, "What arrangement have youmade   for   your   meals?"   The   lawyer   replied,"I   havearranged to take my meals in the house of a certaingosvami   who   is   a   Vaisnava   brahmana."   Srila

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Gaurakisora then instructed,  "Kindly give up eatingcooked   rice   from   his   hand.   Cook   for   yourself   andaccept   that.   Those   so­called   Vaisnavas   from   whomyou are accepting your meals are fish­eaters, and theymaintain their   'service'   to Lord Caitanya by variousdeceptive ways. Their activities are the most offensivebecause   of   being   in   knowledge   of   what   they   aredoing.   Such   rascal   persons   who   do   not   fearcommitting   offenses   to   the   Supreme   Lord   shouldnever be spoken to, for by speaking with them, one'sdevotional service will be destroyed." 

Some time later, the lawyer brought several sweets hehad offered to Lord Caitanya, and he prayed to SrilaGaurakisora   to   please   accept   his   offering.   SrilaGaurakisora then told him, "I never take sweets." Thelawyer   replied,   "But   there   is   nothing   higher   thanaccepting   prasadam   offered   to   the   Lord."Immediately,   Babaji   Maharaja   said,   "Lord   Caitanyadoes not accept foodstuffs from the hands of deceitfulfish­eaters or others who make devotional offerings inname only. Such foodstuffs can never be consideredthe Lord's remnants. Whoever has no attachment forreal saintly Vaisnavas can never distinguish betweena devotee and a non­devotee.  When such a person,who lacks the ability to properly discriminate, bringsfoodstuffs   before   Lord   Caitanya,   they   are   not

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accepted. 

"If someone offers banana flowers because he likes thetaste,   his   offering   is   not   accepted   by   the   SupremeLord.  Offering  foodstuffs   to   the  Supreme Lord  thathave   been   contaminated   by   one's   lusty   desires   isconsidered a great offense. However, if a self­realizedsoul   is   offered   his   favorite   preparation,   the   Lordaccepts the offering. Krsna tastes foodstuffs that havebeen tasted by the lips of His pure devotees. But whenyou accept the grains of a sinful person, your mindbecomes impure. With a repentant heart, one shouldfeel   that  his  worship to  the Lord has not  fructified,and consider how he can serve the pure devotee of theLord.   Then,   when   banana   peels   and   the   discardedskins of eggplants are boiled without salt and offeredwith a sincere, anxious heart filled with an attitude offull   surrender,   such   foodstuffs   becomemahaprasadam. The pure devotees of the Lord acceptthe nicest foodstuffs.  But what will  happen to one'sdevotion if one continues eating nicely and wearingsuch nice clothes?" 

Srila Gaurakisora's Love for Sri Mayapura Dhama 

The pure  character  of  Srila  Gaurakisora  remarkablyharmonized everything opposing the real conclusions

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of pure dedication, bhakti. If one does not faithfullyfollow   in   the   footsteps   of   the   followers   of   SrilaGaurakisora, and lead a life of only pure bhajana, thenall   attempts   to   understand   the   inconceivablepersonality,   example,   and   teachings   of   SrilaGaurakisora will meet with frustration. Some personsapproached him hundreds of times and received noblessings,   whereas   others   experienced   his   mercyabundantly. 

One day, a householder devotee from Mayapura wentto Kuliya for the association of Srila Gaurakisora. Atthat time Srila Gaurakisora was inside his grass hut.When the householder devotee approached him, SrilaGaurakisora   closed   and   fastened   the   door.   Fromoutside the hut the person prayed to Srila Gaurakisorafor the opportunity just to see him. Srila Gaurakisorareplied,  "If  you want to have a glimpse of me, youmust give two rupees." A resident who lived nearbycollected   the   money   from   the   visitor   and   theninformed   Srila   Gaurakisora   that   he   had   the   tworupees in hand. Babaji Maharaja then opened the doorof his hut and said, "Kindly have a look." Remainingsome   distance   from   the   grass   hut,   the   gentlemanoffered his obeisances. Srila Gaurakisora allured himcloser and took the man's hands within his own andsaid, "You have just come from Mayapura, the place

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where   my   supreme   Master,   Sri   Krsna   CaitanyaMahaprabhu appeared. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu hassent you here, so I will speak to Him on your behalf.Sri   Caitanya   will   certainly   listen   to   this   wretchedbeggar. For your part, you should always take shelterof Krsna's holy name by always chanting. Then therewill be no further obstruction in your life." 

Whenever Srila Gaurakisora would see the residentsof Mayapura, he would very affectionately say, "Theseare   the   residents   of   my   Lord's   sweet   home."   SrilaBabaji Maharaja, who had an extremely independentnature, would often refuse people who tried to donatewealth or other articles. Then again, he would oftenpersonally   beg   in   order   to   render   service   to   theVaisnavas in Navadvipa. Of course, he never acceptedanything   for   himself,   but   used   everything   in   theservice of the Lord's devotees. 

Superficial Symptoms of Ecstasy 

Once,   in   Navadvipa,   Srila   Gaurakisora   was   sittingwhere he performed his bhajana, chanting Hare Krsnavery loudly. Other devotees who had also assembledthere   were   chanting   with   him.   Just   then,   someonecame   and   began   to   display   different   emotionalsymptoms such as crying with their hairs standing on

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end. Some devotees began to say,  "Just  see!  He hasattained  the  highest  mood of  devotional  ecstasy  bychanting  the  glories  of   the  Lord."  Srila  Gaurakisoraimmediately  requested the visitor   to  leave the area.Several  devotees  assembled  there  became disturbedupon seeing this and also left. Srila Gaurakisora thensaid, "One who has actually attained love of Godheadwill never display it to anyone. An advanced soul willalways keep any advanced symptoms hidden, just asa chaste wife always keeps her body carefully coveredout of natural shyness, and feels embarrassed to showher body." 

The Devotee's Disturbing Explanation 

Srila Gaurakisora always gave beneficial instructionsto all the faithful living entities. One person regularlycame   to   Srila   Gaurakisora   to   hear   topics   about   theSupreme   Lord.   One   day   he   heard   Srila   BabajiMaharaja   speak   in   a   very   harsh   manner.   Thisdisturbed him at heart so he decided to stop coming.Afterwards this same person suddenly appeared oneday and  it  was  obvious  he  was   in  mental  anguish.Srila Gaurakisora realizing this, asked him, "Leavingthe association of   the  devotees,  where   topics  of   theSupreme   Lord   are   discussed,   are   you   living   in   asolitary place, carrying on your own worship? When

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one   hears   the   topics   of   the   Supreme   Lord   in   theproper association of the devotees of the Lord, maya,the   illusory   potency,   can   no   longer   cause   anyhindrances   on   the   path   of   devotion.   But   if   oneperforms   his   bhajana   in   a   solitary   place,   withoutproper association, he becomes more entangled by theillusory   energy.   Consequently,   instead   of   spiritualtopics   glorifying   the   Supreme   Lord   in   your   heart,materialistic subject matters will rule over and possessyou." 

The person explained to Srila Gaurakisora, "I thoughtit was better to live in a solitary place and perform myown private worship rather than become disturbed atheart by hearing another sadhu's sharp words." SrilaGaurakisora   replied,   "Those   devotees   who   speaksharp words to drive away the witch of the illusoryenergy are actually the only real devotees and the truefriend of the conditioned living entities. The miserableliving entity hears  the harsh words of  his  wife andabusive language of his relatives until the end of hislife, yet he never desires to leave their association. Onthe other hand, he absorbs himself in trying to pleasethem by offering his service. But when a devotee ofthe Lord, who is always desirous of the living entity'sultimate welfare, speaks just one instruction to driveaway   the   illusory   energy,   maya,   that   same

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conditioned   soul   immediately   makes   plans   toabandon the devotee's company for the rest of his life.If you want to perform proper bhajana, then you mustaccept   the   harsh   language   of   the   devotees   as   thecuring medicine by which maya can be abandoned.Then   you   can   become   advanced   enough   to   purelychant the Holy Name." 

The Householder Vow 

One newly­married devotee and his wife once cameto   pray   for   the   mercy   of   Srila   Gaurakisora   .   SrilaGaurakisora   said   to   the   husband,   "If   you   actuallywant   to   perform   devotional   service,   you   must   liveseparately   from  your  wife.  Not  depending  on  eachother   you   can   chant   the   Lord's   holy   names."   Afterhearing  the   instructions  the  newly­wed devotee   leftand did as he was instructed A few days past, and hecame again to Srila Gaurakisora, who asked, "Are youand   your   wife   taking   your   meals   together   orseparately?"   The   husband   told   him,   "We   are   livingseparately   and   carrying   on   our   worshop   as   youinstructed,   but   we   take   our   meals   together."   SrilaGaurakisora   then   asked   him,   "What   foodstuffs   didyou have today?" The newly­wed man answered, "Wehad very nice vegetables, the tastiest dhal, and friedeggplant." Srila Gaurakisora added, "It is not enough

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to only give up your external connection with yourwife, because you are internally associating with her.You have  not  been  able   to  give  up  the   finest   tastydishes prepared by your wife so how will you be ableto   worship   the   Lord?   Your   wife   is   communicatingwith you through the medium of the tasty dishes shehas   prepared.   Shame   on   you!   Although   you   arepretenciously acting as if you are chanting the Lord'sholy  name,   still  you are  desiring  to   taste   the   finestvegetables. Do you think that after a person suffers aloss   of   one   million   rupees,   he   will   be   satisfied   byaccepting only a  handful  of   rice?  Although he maygradually become accustomed to accepting the rice asa daily practice, he will always think about the moneyhe lost. Even if you give such a person the nicest ricehe will  have no taste  for  it  due to being in anxietyover  what  he  has   lost.  Similarly,  you  have   lost   themost   precious   jewel   of   devotional   service   to   theSupreme Lord. So, how can you become absorbed insimply   eating   nice   foodstuffs?   Externally   you   aredisassociated from your wife yet you are maintaininginternal attachment for her !" 

Renunciation for Krsna's Pleasure 

A   householder   who   was   present   during   SrilaGaurakisora's   conversation   with   the   newly­wed

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devotee   asked   Babaji   Maharaja,   "We   see   there   aremany Vaisnavas living together with their wives whoperform service unto the Supreme Lord. Won't therebe any benefit   for  them?" Srila Gaurakisora replied,"The living entity is the eternal servant of the SupremeLord Krsna,  but   in   the  conditioned state  he  cannotrecognize this. He only sees the illusory form of hiswife and children. If this is the case, then his vision isillusory.   One   who   has   no   eyes   to   see   through   themedium of devotional  service,  can never realize hisreal identity as an eternal servant of Lord Krsna. Thetendency to enjoy materialistically is always presentin the association of one's sons and wife. These daysthe householders who do not hear the topics of theSupreme   Lord   in   the   association   of   the   Lord'sdevotees,   will   become   attracted   to   their   wives   andchildren   and   will   not   attain   the   spiritual   energyrevealed   by   the   chanting   of   the   holy   name   of   theLord." 

"Then   again,   some   persons,   like   falsely   renouncedmonkeys,   act   unattached   towards   their   wives   andchildren. Such householders are only making a showof   renunciation.  An actual  Vaisnava   in  married   lifenever enjoys sense gratification with his wife in anyway   whatsoever.   He   will   always   see   his   wife   as   aservant of Krsna and respect her as the representative

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of   the   spiritual   master.   Those   householders   whoactually desire to purely worship the Supreme Lord,yet are weak­hearted due to their attachment to wivesand   offspring   should   always   associate   with   theadvanced devotees, Maha­bhagavatas. By hearing theglories of the Lord they can quickly become free fromtheir   exploitative   intelligence   towards   the   family.Gradually they will realize that full surrender to LordKrsna is the highest benefit for the spirit soul. Bodyconsciousness   obstructs   self   surrender   and   thecauseless mercy of Lord Hari.  An extended form ofbodily awareness is depicted as attachment for wifeand children." 

The Highest Happiness 

Once a person saw a follower of Srila Gaurakisora'sbegging in the scorching summer sun at noon, duringthe month of March. Approaching Srila Gaurakisora,that person asked him, "Why is your servant beggingin the hot sun? Everyone begs in the morning so theycan return to their residence early." Srila Gaurakisoratold him, "Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructed hisservant as follows: 

tomara sevaya duhkha haya yata, seo ta' parama sukha seva­sukha­duhka­ parama sampada, nasaye avidya duhkha

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'Whatever   distress   comes   about   in   your   devotionalservice, is actually the highest happiness for you. Bothhappiness and distress in devotional service are ourreal   claim   to   wealth.   Accepting   both   of   these   willdestroy   the   suffering   arising   from   ignorance."   SrilaGaurakisora   always   instructed   those   persons   whowere   desiring   their   highest   benefit   to   accept   andtolerate   the   difficulties   which   arise   in   devotionalpractices   in  order   to  benedict   the  soul.  One shouldunderstand that tolerating the dualities of happinessand  distress   in  ones   service   is   the  ultimate  way   todestroy   miseries   arising   from   ignorance.   Thereforeone should always remain engaged in the service ofLord   Hari,   the   spiritual   master   and   the   exalteddevotees of the Lord. Whoever comes to worship theLord in search of  a comfortable situation can neverbecome delivered from the hands of ignorance. Ratherhe becomes further entangled in obstacles on the pathof devotional service. 

Different Forms of Maya 

Once during the rainy season, Srila Gaurakisora leftthe   grass   hut   he   was   residing   in   and   moved   to   anearby lodging house. He began to reside on the outerveranda  there.  One day when prasadam was  being

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served to Srila Gaurakisora a poisonous snake slid upthe veranda near the plate,   touched it  and slitheredaway.   Seeing   the   snake,   an   old   widowed   womannearby came running and yelled, "A snake has bittenBabaji  Maharaja!" Srila Gaurakisora,  who was blind,beat his hand upon the ground and asked, "Where isthe snake? Where is the snake?" By that time the snakehad gone.  The woman exclaimed,  "Babaji  Maharaja,have  you  gone  mad?  That   snake  could  have  bittenyour hand. He passed just next to your hand. If youhad moved your hand just a little more to the right thesnake would have bitten you. We are not going to letyou   remain   here   on   this   veranda   anymore."   BabajiMaharaja   told   her,   "Please   don't   stand   there   anylonger. You are inconveniencing yourself by standingso long." The old woman refused to go, saying, "Aslong as you do not go to a room, I will remain here."Srila   Gaurakisora   said,   "First   I   am   going   to   honorprasadam   and   go   to   my   room   later.   Still,   the   oldwoman persisted,   "That  prasadam you are about totake might have been touched by the lips of the snake.You cannot accept it  because if   it   is poisonous,  youwill  die.  Wait,   I  will  bring  you   some  more  offeredfoodstuffs   right   now."   Then   Srila   Gaurakisoraremarked,  "I  never accept foodstuffs  that  have beenoffered to the Deity in the temple but only prasadamthat has been obtained through begging." Turning to a

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nearby servant, the old woman instructed, "Please goand   arrange   more   rice   for   Babaji   Maharaja."   SrilaGaurakisora then told her, "My dear mother, if you donot leave here now, I will not listen to anything elseyou say." Feeling obliged, the woman left. After sometime, Srila Gaurakisora asked a nearby servant, "Hasshe left yet?" When he knew that she had left, he toldthe servant,  "Did you see the illusory energy, mayaacting?   Just   see   how   the   illusory   energy   tries   togradually enter,  using her different  deceptive ways.Accepting different forms she knows many differentways to trick the living entity. She never lets the livingentity serve the Supreme Lord. Look at how maya isspeaking: "Go to your room, that snake will bite you,don't take that prasadam or you will die." If I wouldhave died it would have been better. What is the useof my body remaining alive if I cannot worship LordKrsna?"   Then   Srila   Gaurakisora   began   to   sing   thefollowing song: 

gora panhu na bhajiya mainu prema ratana dhana helaya harainu adhane yatana kari' dhana teyaginu apana karama dose apani dubinu sat­sanga chadi' kainu asate vilasa te­karane lagila ye karmabandha­phanasa visama visaya­visa satata khainu 

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gaura kirtana rase magana na hainu kena va achaye prana ki sukha lagiya narottamera dasa kena na gela mariya 

"Not   having   worshipped   the   lotus   feet   of   LordGauranga, I have met only death. I have lost the jewelof love of Godhead due to my own negligence. I haveonly given attention to useless things, abandoning thereal treasure. I have sunk within this material worldby the reactions of my own karma. Having left realdevotional association, I am performing materialisticactivities. For that reason I have become bound by therope of my past fruitive activities. I have simply eatenthe terrible poison of material sense gratification overand   over   again,   and   not   become   absorbed   in   thenectar of the glorification of Lord Gauranga. Why do Iremain alive? What is this so­called happiness? Whyhaven't I, Narottama dasa, given up my life?" 

Srila Gaurakisora and the Supersoul 

One   night,   at   about   ten   o'clock,   Srila   Gaurakisorasuddenly woke up, shouting, "Did you see that? Didyou   see   that?   A   professional   Srimad   Bhagavatamreciter just went to the district of Pavana and spoiledthe   chastity   of   a   widow   who   lives   there!   This   isabominable!   These   rascals   are   performing   so   many

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scandalous   activities   in   the   name   of   religion."   SrilaGaurakisora spoke as if  he were directly witnessingthe   lecturer's   mischievous   activities.   Srila   BabajiMaharaja   continued,   "Caitanya  Mahaprabhu  revealsmany things to me. There is one so­called scholar whooften   comes   here   and   travels   to   other   placesestablishing   himself   as   being   very   learned.   In   thename of giving Srimad­Bhagavatam class, he simplycollects   money   to   support   himself.   The   ordinarypeople   do   not   know   his   real   devious   nature.   Healways   keeps   a   widow   with   him   and   wheneveranyone asks him if she is his wife, he says yes. Themoney   he   earns   by   'preaching'   the   Srimad­Bhagavatam is used to purchase bracelets, oils, and soforth   for   her.   Is   there   any   greater   offender   andhypocrity than him?" 

General Instructions 

One day Srila Gaurakisora wrapped his feet and bodywith a cloth.  Covered by the shawl he said,   "Manypersons, having been informed by others, come hereto collect the dust from my feet. I tell them, 'I am not aVaisnava.  But   if  you go  to  a  place  where   there  areVaisnavas who openly extend their feet to everyone,and are ready to give their foot dust and water usedto  bathe   their   feet,   caranamrta,   then   won't  you  get

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more foot dust? 

At that time, a person named Bhattacarya came fromVrndavana with his   friend to see Srila Gaurakisora.Approaching Babaji  Maharaja,  he said, "You are myspiritual  master.  Please   be  merciful  unto  me."  SrilaGaurakisora told him, "I have no rasagullas, sandesha,luci, puris, money, sweet rice, or sweet words. So howcan   I   bless   you?   Those   spiritual   masters   who   cannicely   feed   their   disciples   lucis,   sandesa   andpretentiously   praise   them   by   telling   them   they   areadvanced   devotees   are   fit   to   become   gurus   andbenedict their disciples. Present­day learned personsdefine   the   word   anukulya   (favorable)   as   receivingwealth, a beautiful wife, and complimentary words."Bhattacarya   then   remarked,   "Our   minds   are   filledwith different misconceptions. Whatever you instruct,we will   follow." Srila Gaurakisora replied,"I  can seewhat is most favorable for your devotional worship.You should eat chipped rice soaken in water and livein a straw hut. You should eat food that even a dogwould not accept. You should wear clothes that evena thief would hate to wear. You must remain in theassociation   of   devotees   and   always   chant   the   holyname of the Lord. However if you become a monkeylike renunciate then your devotional  service will  bespoiled.   Monkeys   sometimes   sit   in   one   place   and

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remain quiet. But as soon as they get a chance theysteal  something from someone else.  As  long as  oneacts like a monkey, his devotional service will neverbecome resolute." 

Astakala Lila 

A so­called Gosvami approached Srila Gaurakisora tolearn the most intimate pastimes of the Lord, calledAstakala Lila, so that he could systematically worshipthe Lord at given periods during the day and night.The   first   day   he   came,   Srila   Gaurakisora   told   him,"Right now I have no leisure time at hand.  When Ifind   the   opportunity   I   will   explain   it   to   you."Whenever the caste Gosvami would come, he wouldget   the   same   answer.   Finally   the   Gosvami   becamedisturbed   and   stopped   coming.   That   night   at   10o'clock   Srila   Gaurakisora   said   to   himself,   "Will   aperson   who   becomes   impatient   over   losing   a   falsecoin learn the most intimate pastimes of the Lord? Thepastimes   of   Krsna   cannot   be   realized   simply   byreading  a  book.  One may understand  the   literaturebut from where will he secure his spiritual body? Youcannot   realize   your   spiritual   body   simply   bytheoretical understanding. When the Lord's intimatepastimes   are   printed   in   ordinary   books   it   causesturmoil   in   the  material  world.  The  ordinary  people

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are   building   a   high   wooden   platform,   two   storieshigh. Afterwards they climb to the top of the platformand simply pass stool. Many different persons cometo see me, but they all come to deceive me. Before onecan   learn   about   the   most   intimate   pastimes   of   theLord,   he   should   abandon   all   bad   association   andcontinuously chant the holy names of the Lord in theassociation of pure devotees. If one wants to worshipthe   Lord   according   to   his   own   whim   in   a   solitaryplace,   he   becomes   strangled   by   the   witch   of   theillusory energy. The name, form, and pastimes of theLord are revealed in the heart within the associationof  devotees.  Unfortunate  persons  who do  not  havefull faith in the divine potency of the holy name createan inauspicious situation for themselves because theynourish   their   corrupt   intelligence   with   somemisconceived   understanding   of   the   Lord's   intimatepastimes."  Householder Life and Goloka Vrndavana 

Once Srila Gaurakisora said, "If one remains in contactwith stool, then worship of the Supreme Lord will notbe   possible."   Srila   Gaurakisora,   after   remarking   insuch a way, saw that the persons present before himcould   not   understand   exactly   what   he   meant.   Heexplained,   those  different  households   that  are   filled

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with the sounds "Eat and Drink" and where variouslusty activites are performed may externally appear tobe fit  for the demigods,  but are not suitable for theLord's devotees. Although persons may pretend theyare  living in the heavenly planets,   they are actuallyresiding within a deep pool of excrement. 

However, if one very seriously worships the highest,subjective reality,   taking full  shelter of  the SupremeLord, then wherever he resides, will be the same as SriRadha­kunda."   Several   days   later,   a   man   namedGirisha   Babu,   who   was   the   owner   of   the   lodginghouse   and   landowner   in   Navadvipa   came   to   SrilaGaurakisora with his wife.The wife of  Girisha Babusadly asked Srila Gaurakisora, "Please instruct us howwe can assist you in your personal bhajana. We wishto construct a small grass hut so you can perform yourworship. You pass through the rainy season, and hotsummer,   with   almost   no   shelter.   You   must   besuffering very greatly.  We have felt   this  within ourhearts."  Srila  Gaurakisora   then replied,"I  am feelingno anxiety whatsoever, living in my small hut. I haveonly one problem, if  both of you could just toleratehearing   of   it.   Many   persons   come   to   me   anddeceptively again and again ask, 'krpa kara.krpa kara(Bestow   your   mercy   upon   me)'   In   this   way   myworship   is   interrupted.   They   are   not   interested   in

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their own real benefit, and their presence here simplydisturbs my solitary worship to Lord Krsna. If both ofyou could just give me some of your stool, placing itwhere I perform my worship of the Lord, that wouldbe very favorable. Then I could chant Hare Krsna dayand night. No­one would want to come here. If youcan't   do   this,   then   don't   come   here   and   waste   thehuman form of life by speaking so much nonsense." 

Upon hearing this, the wife of Girish Babu said, "OhBabaji Maharaja, we should certainly take to heart theinstruction you have given us, but if we pass stool andoffer   it   to   you   in   the   place   where   you   performworship   won't   that   result   in   unlimited   sinfulreactions?"  Srila  Gaurakisora   then said,   "I  am not  adevotee. Those devotees who are the owners of largetemples, and who wear long matted hair, are actuallydevotees.   I   haven't   realized   anything   tangible   fromthe   performance   of   my   devotion.   Thus,   the   placewhere I reside is fit to receive your stool. If both ofyou could just offer me your stool, then please speakup. Otherwise I have nothing to say to either of you." 

Girish Babu and his wife, agreed to his proposal notto build a straw hut, but said, "Even if you won't stayin a new hut, if we can construct two other huts, thenyour   servants   can   stay   there."   Having   no   other

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alternative Girish Babu and his wife then cleansed anarea and arranged for a carpenter to come and buildsome new huts. When Srila Gaurakisora realized whatthey had done he refused to set foot in the new hutsGirish   Babu   had   constructed.   Srila   Gaurakisorawanted to point out that the stench of false prestige,lust   for   women,   and   desird   for   wealth   under   thepretense  of   service   rendered unto   the  Lord emits  amore   impure   odor   than   ordinary   stool.   BabajiMaharaja   relayed   this   message   when   he   began   toreside in a latrine ditch behind a nearly lodging housewhere people would urinate and defacate. 

Devotional Heresy

The hut where Srila Gaurakisora would stay, was sosmall   inside,   that   there  was  only   space  enough  forhim. Srila Gaurakisora would enter his tiny bhajanakuthira, and lock himself in. Adjacent to the bhajanakuthira  of  Srila  Gaurakisora  was  another  grass  hutwhich  was   in  a  dilapidated  condition.  Once  a  mannamed   Sankara   came   there   to   live   in   that   hut.   Hebrought   sheets   of   tin   with   him   with   which   heconstructed  a   fence.   In   this  was  he  built  a  bhajanakuthira,   imitating   Srila   Gaurakisora.   One   day   SrilaGaurakisora asked him,"What do you do all day whenyou sit alone in your solitary hut? What do you think

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about?   If  you  never   spend your   time   in   taking   theassociation of devotees and inoffensively chanting theholy name of   the Lord,   then as you sit   inside yourroom, you will only be able to see the fence outside. Isthis what you see as you are sitting inside the room?Are you thinking of women? Or are you thinking ofself­prestige and accumulating wealth? If you stay inthis  place,  different   types  of  havoc will  come uponyou."

Srila   Gaurakisora,   who   was   in   direct   contact   withSupersoul   within   his   heart,   was   able   to   expertlyexpose  the cheating mentality of   that  person.  Manypeople   often   came   and   informed   Srila   Gaurakisorathat the imposter would collect miscellaneous articlesand money  in   the  name of   the  Lord's   service   fromdifferent   persons   who   came   to   visit   him   andmisappropriate them. He would also engage in illicitsex   with   different   girls   in   Navadvipa.   Finally,   theimposter became very ill and one of his relatives cameand dragged him back into the kingdom of illusion,maya. Srila Gaurakisora pointed out that a person whoimitates the spiritual master, and the great devotees ofthe Lord will, as a result of their offenses, sink into themuck   of   worldly   illusion.   In   this   pastime,   SrilaGaurakisora   points   out,   how   in   the   name   ofspirituality those who are opposed to proper religious

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principles,   live   within   the   stoolhole   of   materialexistence.   In   this   connection   he   also   disclosed   thatwherever the  intimate associates of  Srimati  Radhikareside, the eternal service rendered in the gardens ofSri   Radha­kunda   is   simultaneouusly   being   carriedout.   Srila   Gaurakisora   enacted   this   pastime   for   hispersonal followers.

In Touch With A Paid Scholar

There was one celibate student by the name of Ayatrawho came to Srila Gaurakisora to perform devotionalservice. Srila Gaurakisora told him, "You should giveup your offenses to the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas ofthe   Lord,   and   in   the   association   of   pure   devotees,always   chant   the   holy   name   of   the   Lord."   Thebrahmacari disliked Srila Gaurakisora's chastisementand   later   left   for   south   India   without   informinganyone.   He   resided   there   and   collected   money   bygiving discourses on the Srimad­Bhagavatam. Ayatra,in the meantime, claimed himself to be a disciple ofSrila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   Thakura.   Afterreturning   from   the   south,   Ayatra   began   to   learnsanskrit   grammar   from   one   scholar   who   lived   inNavadvipa. Ayatra brahmacari, considering himself afool thought that if  he learned sanskrit grammar hewould become respected by all the devotees. He also

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began   to   think   that   since   Srila   Gaurakisora   wasilliterate he could become more advanced than him.One day Ayatra  approached Srila  Gaurakisora  whoinquired,   "Are   you   reading   sanskrit   grammar   toobtain wealth, women, and prestige?" The brahmacarianswered,   "I   had   no   such   intention.   I   am   simplystudying sanskrit in order to understand the purportof Srimad Bhagavatam." Srila Gaurakisora responded,"You have observed how some people in south Indiaearn   their   living   by   professionally   reciting   Srimad­Bhagavatam and you have become greedy  to  makeyour living in the same way. You should give up suchundesirable   association,   and   simply   take   to   thechanting of Hare Krsna with devotees of  the Lord."The brahmacari did not obey the instructions of SrilaGaurakisora.  Some  days   later   the  brahmacari   againcame   to   Srila   Gaurakisora   and   humbly   asked   him,"Please   be   merciful   unto   me."   Srila   Gaurakisora,remaining quiet for some time, finally requested him,"Don't try to fulfill that desire which is overwhelmingyour  mind."  At   that  moment  no  one  present   couldunderstand   exactly   what   his   instruction   meant.Ayatra also couldn't   follow the obscure meaning ofSrila Gaurakisora's statement. The brahmacari left andcontinued as before. After several days passed a fewdevotees approached Srila Gaurakisora and informedhim   that   Ayatra   brahmacari   was   having   illicit   sex

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with a widow. Srila Gaurakisora then told those whowere   sitting   before   him   the   following   instructions:"One should never engage others into the field of hisown sinful  activities.   If  any of  you ever want somematerial object to fulfill, kindly come visit me becausethat desire may return again." Srila Gaurakisora thenexplained that approaching another man's wife is verysinful   and   strictly   prohibited.   When   such   illicitactivity and deceitfulness is  enacted in the outwarddress of a devotee it is more sinful and offensive. SrilaBhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati,and   Srila   Gaurakisora's   characters   particularlyexemplify   the  non­support  of  any  form of  deceitfulactivity.

The Devotee and The Hypocrite

Dipaka   was   a   resident   who   lived   near   SrilaGaurakisora   for   some   time.   Because   of   his   closerelationship   with   Srila   Gaurakisora   the   peoplenaturally displayed a high devotional regard for himalso. Dipaka had previously resided in Orissa. OnceDipaka's father came to Navadvipa. He used to carrya hand written copy of the Srimad­Bhagavatam withhim wherever  he  went.  This   inspired  the  people   ingeneral   to   give   him   charity.   Dipaka's   father   wouldoffer   large   sums   of   money   to   Dipaka   for   Srila

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Gaurakisora   to   use   in   his   service.   Now   and   then,Dipaka   would   hide   some   money   away   and   give   itback   to   his   father   who   was   a   pauper.   SrilaGaurakisora, who was in contact with the Supersoul,knew   this   was   going   on.   Eventually   he   stoppedtalking to Dipaka altogether. Previous to that Dipakawould   boil   and   serve   rice   for   Srila   Gaurakisora.However, after this incident, Srila Gaurakisora wouldnever   accept   anything   that   touched   the   hands   ofDipaka.   Instead,  as  before,  Srila  Gaurakisora  wouldtake  some cracked rice,   soak   it   in   the  water  of   theGanges River,  and accept   that  as  his  prasadam.  Thisscared   Dipaka   and   caused   anxiety   in   the   otherdevotees. Dipaka began to fast. 

When Srila  Gaurakisora heard  that  Dipaka was noteating   he   said,   "If   that   person   does   not   leaveimmediately,   I   will   give   up   my   life   in   the   Gangesriver." Then one day while walking along the bank ofthe Ganges, Srila Gaurakisora threw himself in. Manypeople  gathered  to  draw him  from  the  water.  SrilaGaurakisora   began   to   yell   very   loudly,   "Leave   mealone! Leave me alone! Because I have been unable toperform my worship of the Supreme Lord properly, Imust give up this body." Many persons immediatelygrouped   together   and   were   able   to   rescue   SrilaGaurakisora from the river and bring him up onto the

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bank. After Srila Gaurakisora had come to his externalsenses, he said,"Why did all of you bring me up fromthe waters  of   the  Ganges? My servant,  Dipaka,  hasgiven everything I have to his father." Then everyoneconsoled him, saying, "We will bring as much moneyas   you   need.   We   will   immediately   bring   you   fourtimes   as   much   money   as   Dipaka   wasted."   SrilaGaurakisora   then   said,   "Wealth   is  not   important   tome. I only want to avoid living in the association ofpeople   like   Dipaka,   because   in   the   association   ofdeceitful   persons,   worship   of   the   Supreme   Lordbecomes obstructed."

Many people had thought that Srila Gaurakisora hadthrown himself into the Ganges because of attachmentto   money.   Now   they   could   understand   that   SrilaGaurakisora was not just any ordinary beggar lookingfor wealth. He would never tolerate rascaldom in thename of  devotional   service.  Krsna  has   a  monopolyover despotism. A deceitful natured person can onlyimitate the Lord and at best become a cheap imposter,baula.  A   Vaisnava   is   always   straightforward   andsimple in all his activities.

The Enjoyment of Wealth

Once   Srila   Gaurakisora   entrusted   Srila

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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura with one hundredrupees.   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati,   in   order   tokeep   the   money   safely,   put   it   in   the   bank.   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   then   travelled   to   another   place.Suddenly one day Srila Gaurakisora approached SrilaBhaktivinoda   Thakura   and   asked   him   for   his   onehundred   rupees.   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   then   said,"My son has put that monet in the bank. As long as heis gone, it will be impossible to withdraw your moneyfrom the bank."

Although   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   told   this   to   SrilaGaurakisora he could understand that it was essentialto give Babaji  Maharaja the necessary funds.  At thefirst   opportunity   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   gaveSrila Gaurakisora one hundred rupees from his ownprivate savings. Srila Gaurakisora gave the money toa friend and sent him to Vrndavana. Srila Gaurakisorasaid, "Many persons come to me thinking that I am aVaisnava, and therfore give money for my foodstuffs.But actually, I am not a Vaisnava. I have heard thatthere are real devotees in Vrndavan. So therefore, I amsending the money for their service."

Whenever   Srila   Gaurakisora   would   receive   anydonations from admirers who considered him to be aVaisnava, he never used the money for his own sense

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gratification,   but   always   gave   it   for   the   service   ofother exalted devotees. Srila Gaurakisora would say,"Any foodstuffs collected by begging is pure and canbe   utilized   in  bhajana  to   maintain   ones   sustenance.Any   money   accepted   if   utilized   for   non­devotionalpurposes   will   contaminate   the   mind   and   createdifferent   impediments   on   the   path   of   devotionalservice."

Desire for Wealth

One day in Kuliya, Navadvipa, a Gosvami came withseveral other persons who were dressed as renouncedBabaji  vaisnavas. Approaching Srila Gaurakisora, hesaid, "Oh, Baba! For many days I was unable to haveyour   association   because   I   went   to   Pravasa."   SrilaGaurakisora   then   said,   "Why   have   you   leftNavadvipa?   You   found   a   nice   house   with   a   goodbathroom . What is the need of you travelling to somany   distant   places   and   mixing   freely   with   thepublic?"   Then   one   of   the   Gosvami's   companionsexplained, "He went to another province in order todeliver the people in general. If he doesn't travel andpreach, then what will be the future of those places?"

Hearing this, Srila Gaurakisora became irritated andsaid, "If you want to actually do good for the people

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in   general,   then   why   are   you   so   interested   inaccepting   money   from   foreigners?   Why   are   youinterested   in   the   heads   of   the   Caucasions   whichappear   printed   on   the   currency   notes.   I   haveunderstood   your   inner   desires.   You   are   simplymaking plans to build yourself a nice brick house, sothat you can live comfortably. If you actually want toserve the Supreme Lord in bhajana, you must give upthe idea that you are the master, prabhu. When youcan do that I will personally tell Nityananda Prabhuto build you fifty brick houses. But if you simply wanta nice brick house as a place to enjoy your wife andsons,   then   Nityananda   Prabhu   will   grant   all   thesematerialistic   desires   of   yours   and   then   discard   thepossibility   of   your   ever   obtaining   pure   love   ofGodhead.   If   you   are   really   searching   after   falseprestige and material acquisition, yet making a showof   delivering   the   material   universe,   then   let   thematerial  universe continue as  it   is  because you willfall   down   and   deceive   the   material   world."   Sayingthis,   Srila   Gaurakisora   began   to   absorb   himself   inkirtana   very   loudly   until   late   that   afternoon.   SrilaGaurakisora made it clearly evident that if  someonebecomes  offensive   toward  the  Lord's  pure  name oroffensive   in   his   service,   he   will   instead   obtain   theresults   of   mundane   religiousity,   economicdevelopment,   and   sense   gratification.   This   is   the

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epitome   of   misfortune   for   the   living   entity.   Ourspiritual   master   Sri   Nityananda   Prabhu   cheats   thedeceitful, by fulfilling their material desires.

Gauranga Gauranga or Rupee Rupee

Once several visitors began to eulogize the son of onefamous   caste   Gosvami   because   of   his   expertise   inexplaining   the   Srimad  Bhagavatam.  They   told   SrilaGaurakisora,"This   lecturer   always   chants   "Gaura!Gaura!",   and   exhibits   many   devotional   moods   indevotional service which attract many disciples." SrilaGaurakisora   then   revealed   the   nature   of   thehouseholder  Gosvamis'   son   to   the  people  who  hadgathered there. "That Gosvamis' son who appears tobe so expert does not know how to properly describethe scriptures of the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. Heis expert   in superficially explaining their   literatures.Actually, he does not loudly scream "Gaura! Gaura!",but   "Rupee!   Rupee!"   (Money!   Money!).   If   oneperforms devotional   service   like   this,   simply  cryingvery loudly for wealth, then his devotional attitude ismeaningless. This is the reason why actual Vaisnavapractices have become covered.  This behavior reapshavoc   in   human   society.   This   kind   of   activity   willnever benefit anyone."

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Karma Bound

Once   a   young   man,   named   Bala   came   to   SrilaGaurakisora and told him that he wanted to worshipthe   Supreme   Lord.   Upon   hearing   this,   SrilaGaurakisora   said,   "If   you   want   to   perform   realdevotional   service   then   you   should   give   up   theassociation   of   those   Vaisnavas   accepted   by   theordinary   people   and   the   non­devotee   section   ofsociety. Just live here in our association. We wear thediscarded shoes of the Navadvipa residents, make ourearthen  pots  with   the  holy  dust  of  Navadvipa  andclothe ourselves with discarded cloth collected fromcorpses.   By   following   this   lifestyle   you   shouldconsider that when you mix with other pious peoplethey will think you to be untouchable. So if you touchthem,   that  will  be  offensive  on your  part."  Hearingthis,   Bala   agreed,   "I   will   follow   these   instructionswhich you have given me."

But,   after   some   time,   Bala   unconsciously   becameabsorbed in listening to the sound of his own voice,when he  was   singing  with  Srila  Gaurakisora.  Aftersinging  in  kirtana  with  Srila  Gaurakisora  he  wouldtake prasadam with the devotees there. In this way,Bala associated with the devotees. Once, after taking a

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pair   of   karatalas   from   the   devotees,   he   startedchanting his own kirtana every evening, so that BabajiMaharaja  could hear  him.  One morning he went totake bath at the Ganges. While walking to the Gangesand playing the karatalas he started chanting prayersin glorification of the Vaisnavas.

Later on that day, after Bala had gone out to beg alms,Srila Gaurakisora called one local resident over andsaid, "This Bala, who stays here, secretly goes to hisown   house.   There   he   is   developing   manymisconceptions about devotional service. Then, uponreturning, he tries to implement them here. Actually,in   the   name   of   bhajana,   he   is   simply   committingoffenses."

One person listening asked Srila Gaurakisora, "Whotold   you   that   he   has   been   doing   this?"   SrilaGaurakisora   answered,   "By   hearing   the   tune   of   hiskirtana   in   glorification   of   the   Vaisnavas   I   couldunderstand his inner motivation. Therefore we cannotallow him to stay here any longer. A person who hascontacted bad association, and chanted the glories ofthe Vaisnavas in such bad company, will never listento   anyone.   They   will   only   teach   deceitfulness   toothers."

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Shortly   following  this,  Bala  sudddenly  left   to  go  toJagannatha   Puri   without   telling   Srila   Gaurakisora.Srila Gaurakisora showed that he was unhappy thathe had left. He said, "Bala has run away, because hehas become lusty for nice foodstuffs. I could not savehim. The living entity is independent, and must sufferaccording to the past results of his activites. He wassent here by Lord Krsna, but secretly he would takethe   association   of   others,   and   thus,   he   becameentangled in this most dangerous situation. Now, heis   accepting   the   traditional   Vaisnava   dress,   anddecorating himself  with   the  name Vaisnava.   In   thisway,   defferent   persons   in   the   material   world   arebringing   about   unwanted   practices   in   devotionalservice. They give the sacred babaji dress to everyone,turning   them   into   mere   frogs.   Ordinary   cunningpersons recognize a Vaisnava these days if they findsomeone accepting obeisances from many people andby one who is lusty to eat the nicest foodstuffs. GreatVaisnavas are becoming known by these symptoms.The   chanting   of   such   deceitful   devotees   is   like   thecroaking   of   a   frog.   The   amount   these   frog   likedevotees croak decides to what degree the snake ofsense gratification will devour them."

A few months  later,  Bala  returned from JagannathaPuri,   after   he   had   accepted   the   sacred   dress   of   a

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babaji.   He   began   to   reside   at   a   nearby   homestead.Once a Mr. Banu, the owner of the place where Balalived,   came   to   Srila   Gaurakisora   and   offered   hisobeisances. He said, "Your dearest disciple Bala, whohas   just   come   from   Jagannatha   Puri,   is   fortunateindeed. He rendered some service there to HaridasaThakura, and is now performing his solitary bhajanawith  deep emotion."  Srila  Gaurakisora   then  said,   "Idon't understand. How can he be my disciple? I havenever viewed anyone as my disciple in this world. Iam unfit even to become a proper disciple. How is itpossible   for   me   to   become   the   spiritual   master   ofanother?   Just   because   someone   is   able   to   maintainfrogs, is it possible for him to become a Vaisnava? Thecroaking of a frog can never be accepted as the Lord'sholy Name or His worship. A frog's emotion is simplyfor   worldly   pleasure.   But   the   frog   cannot   enjoybecause   he   is   ultimately   swallowed   by   thematerialistic snake of time. Is service to Srila HaridasaThakura only lip deep? You are in the position of agreat estate­holder. Why are you wasting your entirelife? Forget all this nonsense and simply execute puredevotional service!"

The   estate   holder   then   said,   "I   have   no   desire   tobecome a great estate­holder. I simply want to see thatthe devotees are nicely served, and that all their grass

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and bamboo huts are well­kept. The different placeswhere   they  perform  their   solitary  worship  have  allbecome overgrown with jungles. I simply go to thoseplaces   and   clean   up   the   area."   Hearing   this   SrilaGaurakisora became disturbed and would no longercarry on a conversation with the landholder. After theestate­holder left, Srila Gaurakisora said, "The trees inNavadvipa   Dhama   are   all   kalpa­vrksa,   desire   treesand   this   hypocritical   rascal   has   cruelly   cut   themdown. Now he has come and forced me to hear this.Shame! Shame! Just see! Just see! If anyone even cuts adead   tree   in   Navadvipa   Dhama,   I   feel   pain   in   myheart. The different trees and vines in Sri NavadvipaDhama are our eternal   friends and associates.  Theyare   a   background   part   of   the   pastimes   of   LordGauranga.   Even   after   one's   friends   and   associateshave died, is it possible for someone to come and cuttheir   dead   bodies   to   pieces?   This   cruel   rascal   willnever be able to perform devotional service. He willsimply enact the role of a Vaisnava, which will resultonly   in   his   own   inauspiciousness,   and   theinauspiciousness of others."

Atonement For Having Illicit Sex

Once,   a   man   named   Hiranya   came   to   SrilaGaurakisora several times and prayed to live in the

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same area in which he lived. At that time, the ownersof the homestead had granted Srila Gaurakisora theright to allow others to live in the adjacent small huts.No one could live there without his permission.After   taking   permission   from   Srila   Gaurakisora,Hiranya   began   living   in   a   nearby   straw   hut.   SrilaGaurakisora instructed Hiranya that those who wantto worship the Supreme Lord should never associatewith   undesirable   persons.   He   said,   "Those   cheaterswho  think   they  will   secretly  enjoy   the   company  ofmaterialists or show bottlists and at the same time actas   a   devotee   will   become   victimized   by   more   andmore   impediments   in   devotional   service.   Manycheaters have approached me in this frame of mindand   I   have  witnessed   their   utter   ruination.   Alwaystolerate   the   unlimited   inconveniences   in   devotionalservice.   If   you   can   always   remain   in   properassociation   and   be   engaged   in   purely   hearing   andchanting, then your service to the holy name of theLord will be protected."

After   hearing   this,   Hiranya,   would   go   and   secretlyassociate with spiritual show bottlists. Knowing this,gradually,  Srila  Gaurakisora became annoyed.  Aftersome time, Hiranya became seriously ill. Seeing thatHiranya   was   in   a   very   distressed   condition,   SrilaGaurakisora compassionately sent a nearby resident

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to   attend   to   him.   After   two   or   three   days   it   wasobserved that a young woman came there, and beganto ask about Hiranya. Srila Gaurakisora, who was indirect contact  with Supersoul,  could understand thesituation,   and   asked   the   gentleman   he   had   sent   toassist Hiranya, "Who is taking care of Hiranya?" Theman   replied,   "I   am   attending   to   him."   SrilaGaurakisora in a deep voice like thunder asked, "Youmean no one else has come to assist him?" Then thegentleman answered, 'Actually, one lady occasionallycomes, to offer him service." Then Srila Gaurakisorasaid to him, "The next time she comes to see him, giveup   Hiranya's   association   completely."   SrilaGaurakisora then called for Hiranya to come, and saidto  him,   "If  you cannot  give  me  fifteen rupees   rightnow,   then  there   is  no  possibility   for  you  to  remainhere.   Because   if   you   die   while   you   are   here,   thenecessary arrangements to get rid of your body willcost fifteen rupees."

After   this,   Srila   Gaurakisora   began   to   speak   tohimself, "If you don't allow him to stay here, then thatwoman   will   gradually   take   him   away   to   her   ownhouse. This is what she desires. In this way she canwhimsically engage in his service." After Hiranya hadsuffered for a long time he finally became better andleft   for   Vrndavana.   Srila   Gaurakisora,   acting

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indifferent, showed no opposition to Hiranya's goingto Vrndavana. Hiranya began to live in the beautifulplace   of   Kusuma­Sarovara   in   Vrndavana,   next   toanother  babaji  named Nadiya,  who also knew SrilaGaurakisora.  One day Hiranya approached his  newcompanion   Nadiya   and   said,   "I   have   accepted   therenounced order of a Vaisnava, and yet, I had illicitsex   with   another   woman.   What   is   the   properatonement   I  must  undergo   for   this   sinful   activity?"Nadiya said, 'The best thing for you to do, is to giveup your body. Suicide is the atonement Mahaprabhuhas arranged for such offenses."

He then agreed, and so he collected a small amount ofopium from Govardhana and brought it back to hishut where he consumed it. After eating the opium, hewent to Nadiya, shaking and heavily perspiring andinformed him he had taken opium to kill himself. Forsome time Hiranya's body squirmed back and forthon the ground until he died.

Shortly   following this,  Nadiya also became very  ill.Then   one   so­called   Gosvami   arrived   in  Vrndavana,and   treated  Nadiya  until  he  became  well.  After  herecoverd,   he   returned   to   Navadvipa   where   he   metwith Srila Gaurakisora. When Srila Gaurakisora sawhim, he said,  "You cannot stay here. You must find

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another place of residence, because if you reside hereyou   will   meet   your   death.   Besides,   right   now   twodacoits named Jayasaci and Nitai  aare living in thisquarter.  They think they are  rendering service untome   so   they   go   outside   and   preach   that   they   areresiding   with   me.   However,   I   am   never   quite   surewhere they stay at night. Once wanting water, I calledthem in the dark of the night loudly again and again,yet   I   received no  answer.  The   following morning   Isent   for   them   and   asked   where   they   had   been   thenight  before.  Their  only excuse was that  had heardnothing."   Not   being   favored   by   Srila   Gaurakisora,Nadiya dasa left and went to take shelter at the houseof one woman nearby. After some time, a man cameand   told   Srila   Gaurakisora   about   the   situation   inwhich Nadiya  was  living.  He reported  that  Nadiyadasa   was   receiving   the   intimate   service   of   severalyoung   women.   Becoming   angry,   Srila   Gaurakisorasaid, "Please don't mention these things to me."

Previously Nadiya also had another babaji friend wholived in Kusuma­saravara that had been rejected bySrila Gaurakisora. Thieves came during the night andgorged out his eyes, later killing him by hacking hisbody   into   many   pieces.   That   babaji   was   secretlykeeping   several   stolen   articles   in   his   possession.Because   of   this,   dacoits   came   there   and   cruelly

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murdered him.

The Offenses for Imitating a Vaisnava

We can understand from these different activities thatdescribe the immortal character of Srila Gaurakisora,that  persons  who came to  serve  this  mahabhagavatwith a cheating mentality received in return terriblereactions   for   their   sinful   activities.   A   person   whodisregards the  instructions of  a pure devotee of  theLord, but associates instead with show bottelists anddeceitful   persons   dressed   as   Vaisnavas   andrenunciates   can   never   have   the   real   benefit   of   life.Rather their actions result in a fearsome and terriblestate of ruination. Those who engaged in any type ofdeceptive activity in the presence of Srila Gaurakisora,or who were attached to the sense objects or othersengaged in illicit sex, became degraded due to theiroffenses.  Offenses  committed to  the holy name andthe Vaisnavas often devastates the practitioner.

Srila Gaurakisora and Manindra Candra

Once   the   renowned   and   aristocratic   Sri   ManindraCandra Nandi, who was a great landholder,  invitedSrila Gaurakisora and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta SaraswatiThakura  to   join  in  an assembly of  Vaisnavas  at  his

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palace in Kasim Bazaar.He   knew   that   Srila   Gaurakisora   and   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta were highly elevated devotees of theSupreme   Lord.   Upon   hearing   the   request   of   Mr.Nandi,   Srila   Gaurakisora   tender   heartedly   said,   "Ifyou want  my association,   then you must  put  all  ofyour   wealth   in   the   hands   of   the   rent   collecter   andcome and live with me. You should build a bhajanakutira here on the banks of the Ganges and we shalllive together. There is no need for you to worry aboutwhat   foodstuffs   you   will   eat.   I   will   daily   collectwhatever you need when I bed and feed you myself.Then, I will always be impelled to visit your place ofsolitary   worship.   But   if   I   agree   to   accept   yourinvitation and leave the transcendental abode of theSupreme Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and cometo your castle, which is as good as Lord Indra's, thenafter some time, I will begin to think that I should alsoamass a great amount of land. The result of all  thiswill be that the desire for sense gratification will entermy   heart   and   replace   my   worship   to   Lord   Krsna.After amassing large amounts of land, I will becomean object of your envy. If you want to become verydear to me, and really bestow your mercy upon me,like   a   Vaisnava   friend,   come   here   to   the   spiritualworld  of  Visvambara,  Lord  Caitanya,  and maintainyourself by the activity of begging so you can always

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perform solitary adoration to Lord Hari."

Secretly Enjoying 

Srila   Gaurakisora,   totally   disgusted   with   thebackground character  of  one  highly   renounced andlearned renunciate   that   lived  in  Kuliya,  Navadvipa,cast aside his simple loincloth one day, and shavinghis beard in a fashionable style, dressed himself in themost   elegant   dhoti   and   shawl   money   could   buy.Wrapping the fine chaddar around his shoulders, hewent   to   garden   svananda­sukhada­kunja,   the   placewhere   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   resided.   When   hearrived   before   Srila   Bhaktivinoda,   he   asked   SrilaGaurakisora   why   he   was   wearing   such   opulentclothing. In answer, Srila Gaurakisora said, 'We haveaccepted   the   renounced   dress   as   followers   of   LordCaitanya so there is no restriction to secretly enjoyingconnection   with   others'   wives.   Therefore   therenounced dress is actually in our favor for engagingin   illicit   sex.   But   if   I   accept   the   dress   like   that   ofsensuous women's husband, I can eventually becomefreed from the hands of insincerity." In this way SrilaGaurakisora cleverly took the role of a hypocrite, inorder   to   criticize   the   disciplic   successions   of   showbottle   religionists   who   are   devoid   of   all   moralprinciples in their behavior. 

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Offenses Unto The Spiritual Master 

There was once a devotee named Parvat who spentsome time in Mayapura. He would often come fromSri   Mayapura   to   visit   Srila   Gaurakisora   in   Kuliya.Once   when   collecting   alone,   he   came   to   SrilaGaurakisora.   Babaji   Maharaja   asked   him   about   thenews of Sri Mayapura Dhama. Parvat replied, "I willnever   return   to   Mayapura   because   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta and others like him, are all residentsof Vaikuntha. Their prevailing attitude of worship isin opulence. We are strict worshipers of Lord Krsna inthe mood of Vrndavana. We have no need to associatewith   them."  Hearing  this,  Srila  Gaurakisora  becamevery much disturbed,  and said,   "If  a  parrot   tries   tocross over the expansive ocean, he becomes an objectof   laughter.   If   you   actually   want   to   live,   thenoffenselessly   with   humility   and   tolerance   at   handalways chant the pure name of Krsna day and night.First of all give up all of your offenses to the devoteesof the Lord. How is it possible for you to understandthe message of Vraja­dhama, while you are living inhell?   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   resides   inVaikuntha, as well as Vrndavana. The witch of mayais harnessed and riding upon your shoulders. How isit that someone like you can understand the activities

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of person like Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, and his pastimesof residing in Vrndavana dhama?' 

Then Parvat said, "I would like to remain with you inNavadvipa   Dhama."   Srila   Gaurakisora   said,   "Youcannot remain here in Navadvipa Dhama, because ofyour offenses to the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas. It isimpossible   for   anyone   who   offends   the   Lord'sdevotees to remain in Navadvipa Dhama. You haveoffended the lotus feet of Yoga Pitha (the birthplace ofLord   Caitanya)   in   Sri   Mayapura   Dhama.   It   isinevitable that you will take the lowest kind of birth. Iam   also   in   Mayapura,   and   simultaneously   inNavadvipa.   Whoever   shows   any   form   of   disliketowards Sri  Mayapura Dhama will  never be able toreside in Navadvipa. Sri Mayapura Dhama is wherethe son of Sacidevi has taken birth.  It   is  completelytranscendental   in   nature.   It   is   very   wonderful   howSrila   Bhaktisiddhanta   and   Srila   BhaktivonodaThakura set the exemplary standard of bhajana to theSupreme   Personality   of   Godhead   in   MayapuraDhama! Yet you have not obtained the spiritual visionto   see   that.   You   have   offended   one   devotee   of   theLord, and yet you deceitfully come to another devoteepraying for causeless mercy." 

Following this, Parvat fell into association with loose

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women   and   irreligious   persons.   In   the   guise   of   abeggar,  he would have  illicit   sex  with  the  wives  ofothers. This is the clear result of an offense to the lotusfeet of the pure devotee. 

A Lusty Person's Vision 

One dear  associate  of  Srila  Gaurakisora  named Mr.Pari came to see Srila Gaurakisora to complain abouta great devotee. He said, "That person who you acceptas   an   exalted   devotee   and   who   you   address   as"Prabhu"   is   exhibiting   symptoms   of   attachment   tosense   gratification.   Most   probably   he   will   becomedeeply   absorbed   and   entangled   in   wordly   senseenjoyment." Hearing this, Srila Gaurakisora remainedsilent,   couched   in   deep   gravity.   Mr.   Pari   who   wassitting   before   him,   became   very   afraid   to   see   hiscondition.   Immediately   they   drove   Mr.   Pari   awayfrom Srila Gaurakisora place of bhajana. On that daySrila Gaurakisora showed by his practical example theinstruction   of   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   whichstates,   Vaisnava   caritra,   sarvada   pavitrta,   yei   nindehimsa kari, bhativinoda na sambhase tare thake sadamauna   dhari.   After   that   person   had   left,   SrilaGaurakisora   still   shaking   from   anger   said,   "Thatatheistic   person   is   under   the   dictations   of   his   ownsense gratification. Therefore, he is saddling his own

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impediments   upon   the   shoulders   of   the   exalteddevotees.   Devotees   of   the   Lord   are   never   lusty   toobtain   anything   which   is   unrelated   to   Lord   Krsna.Even if someone is only slightly attached to materialsense  gratification,   it   is   impossible   for  pure   love  ofGod to manifest in his heart. When a person is deeplyattached to everything  in relation to Lord Krsna hecan   purely   understand   the   nature   of   love   of   God.Only a devotee deeply attached to Srimati Radharaniand Lord Krsna in pure love will naturally manifestsymptoms   of   profound   attachment   in   favorableservice towards the Lord and His devotees. The actualdevotees of  the Lord only serve  in a favorable wayand never become overly attached to their own sensegratification or that of their relatives. Renunciationistsand   exploitationists   think   that   the   exalted   devoteesare more attached than the materialists when they seethem engaging favorable articles in the Lord's service.Someone   who   claims   to   be   renounced,   but   has   noattachment to engaging things which can be used inKrsna's   service,   is   simply   an   imposter.   One   shouldgive   up   contact   with   anyone   who   offends   thedevotees of  the Lord,  even if   the offender is  a verydear   associate.   Therefore,   I   shall   never   again   lookupon   the   face   of   that   atheistic   person   who   hascommited this great offense." 

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Attachment Of The Pure Devotee 

Once,  a  householder came to Srila Gaurakisora andoffered   him   a   very   expensive   shawl.   Srila   BabajiMaharaja   accepted   the   shawl,   and   very   carefullyplaced it  to his side. After accepting it,  he began topraise   the   person   who   had   given   it.   Then   anotherhouseholder   devotee   came   and   offered   SrilaGaurakisora   some   money.   Babaji   Maharaja   verycarefully  opened his  hand and accepted  the  moneyplacing it next to him. He then carefully wrapped themoney in string, tying the string securely, four or fivetimes.   After   setting   the   money   aside,   SrilaGaurakisora would periodically place his hand to hisside to see if the money was properly situated there.At this time there was one very wealthy materialistfrom Calcutta who noticed this. Upon seeing this, helost whatever faith he had in Srila Gaurakisora. 

Srila Gaurakisora, after some time gave the shawl andmoney to some other Vaisnavas for their service. Laterwhen   that   materialistic   person   visited   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   Thakura   in   Calcutta,   hesaid, "I went to see Srila Gaurakisora, but I saw thathe was very much attached when a person gave him ashawl and some money. He also highly praised the

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persons who presented these things. What is his levelof   advancement?   I   cannot   understand   this."   Uponhearing   this   from   such   a   materialistic   person,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta  Sarasvati   said,   "You have  deceivedyourself.  What  you  have   seen   is   simply  a  pastime.Actually the devotees are never attached to anythingwhich cannot be used in the service of the Lord. Theymay show great  attachment   to  different   things,  butonly   for   service   to   the  Lord.   Just  consider  how weview attachment to our material sense pleasure. Onewho   is   greatly   attached   to   amassing   wealth,   andextremely foolish, will think that Srila Gaurakisora isattached to wealth. Srila Gaurakisora shows his favortoward persons who enable favorable service to thedevotees   to   be   carried   out.   However   we   praisepersons   those   who   regularly   supply   our   physicalpleasure. Those who are extremely lusty, always seethe   material   world   through   their   perverted   vision.Similarly   exploitationists   and   renunciationists   thinkthat the attachment shown by the Lord's devotees forthose   things   they   require   for   their   service   to   theSupreme   Lord   Krsna,   is   on   the   same   platform   asordinary worldly attachment." 

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Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati's   Prayer   ForInitiation 

Srila Gaurakisora,and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta SarasvatiThakura, manifested one pastime which shows howunflinching   devotional   service   to   Lord   Krsna   issituated far above mundane morality and scholarship.Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   was   very   pure   innature,  a  strict   follower of  Vaisnava principles,  andvery learned in all the scriptural conclusions. He wasinstructed   by   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   to   takeinitiation   from   Srila   Gaurakisora.   He   went   to   SrilaGaurakisora   and   prayed   to   him.   Srila   Gaurakisora,hearing his prayer, said to him, "I must first ask SriCaitanya   Mahaprabhu   whether   or   not   I   can   bemerciful unto you. Only then will I be able to give youmy   decision."   The   next   day   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati,  again  approached Srila  Gaurakisora.  SrilaGaurakisora answered him, "I have forgotten to askmy   Lord."   In   great   anxiety   and   distress,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati said, "If you do not bestowyour mercy upon me, then I will be unable to live anylonger."   On   the   third   day,   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati approached Srila Gaurakisora for initiation.Srila   Gaurakisora   replied,"I   asked   CaitanyaMahaprabhu if I could bestow my mercy upon you,but He replied," The quality of mundane morality and

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academic   scholarship   is   considered   insignificant   inlight   of   pure   devotion."   Hearing   this,   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati boldly replied, "You are thecrown jewel of all deceptors who worship Lord Krsna,and now you will also try to deceive me? If I do notreceive   the   mercy   of   your   lotus   feet,   then   I   willcertainly   give   up   my   life.   Srila   Ramanujacaryaapproached Gosthipurna eighteen times for initiation,and   later   received   his   mercy.   So   I  will   continue   toapproach you,  until  one day I  will  certainly receiveyour   causeless   mercy.   This   is   my   most   seriouspromise." 

Upon   hearing   this,   Srila   Gaurakisora   became   verypleased   to   see   the   determination   of   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati,and   bathed   him   with   thedust of his lotus feet. On that day, within the island ofGodruma,   in   the   beautiful   garden   of   Svananda­Sukhada­kunja,   Srila   Gaurakisora   initiated   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati as his disciple. 

The Pride Of The False Renunciant 

One day, in Sridham Mayapura at the holy birthplaceof Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a proud disciple of SrilaBhaktivinoda   Thakura   named   Gopal   dasa   Babaji,began to imitate the renunciation of Srila Gaurakisora.

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Gopal dasa, who seemed to be absorbed in devotionalservice,   always   sat   in   one   place   performing   hisbhajana. He neglected his other service, always sat inone place  performing his  bhajana.  He neglected hisother  service  of  watching  the  garden.  Horses,   cowsand goats would wander into the area and destroy thegarden.   Gopal   dasa   always   had   a   very   indifferentattitude   towards   this.  Gopal  would  chant   the  Holyname of Krsna incessantly. Since he was so absorbedin   devotional   service,   all   these   external   activitiesseemed less important to him. He was not very muchattached  to  performing  his   relative  duties.  Once  heproudly  approached Srila  Bhaktisiddhanta  Sarasvatiand   told   him   that   Srila   Gaurakisora   lacked   thequalities  of  a   true  renunciant.  Srila  BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati   harshly   chastised   Gopal   for   his   ultimatebenefit. He began to describe the unearthly characterof Srila Gaurakisora and the way he was so absorbedin   Krsna   consciousness.   He   glorified   themagnanimous   renunciation   that   Srila   Gaurakisoradisplayed. After some time, Gopal dasa approachedSrila   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   and   complained   abouthow   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   had   chastisedhim.   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   Thakura   informed   Gopaldasa,"Whatever  Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   toldhim was for his own benefit." 

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It is said that in Mayapura, even the Muslims knewthat   the   renunciation   of   Srila   Gaurakisora   wasgenuine, whereas Gopal dasa was known as a cheapimitationist.   A   person   who   imitates   advanceddevotees   of   the   Lord   by   making   a   show   ofrenunciation,   can   never   actually   become   a   realrenunciant,   or   perform   solitary   worship   of   theSupreme Lord in devotional ecstasy. 

A Devious Prayer for Causeless Mercy 

Once,   a   cheater   named   Syama,   in   the   guise   of   adevotee   approached   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvatiin Mayapura as if interested in worshipping the Lord.This   person   would   often   come   to   speak   with   SrilaGaurakisora, but Srila Gaurakisora would never payany special  attention to him. Syama had heard thatSrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was very dear to SrilaGaurakisora,   so   he   approached   him   with   a   specialrequest.  He said,  "If  you could  just  please ask SrilaGaurakisora   to   be   merciful   unto   me,   then   I   couldbecome most fortunate." 

Many times, he would come, and make this request toSrila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati.   In   time   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   went   to   see   SrilaGaurakisora and asked him to bestow special mercy

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upon   Syama.   Srila   Gaurakisora   discussed   thepretentious   nature   of   Syama   with   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and told him that becausehe was a resolute devotee of Lord Krsna it  was notgood  to   request   for   the  benediction of  a   rascal   likeSyama.   Srila   Gaurakisora   discussed   this   with   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati for a long time. 

After   some  time,  Srila  Gaurakisora   took   some  dustfrom his own feet and rubbed it on the head of SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati.   He   blessed   him   saying,"You are a nondifferent representative of NityanandaPrabhu as your soft heart melts when you observe thedistresses of the living entities. But this person Syama,who has come to you, is actually a deceitful hypocrite.He does not wish to fulfill his real self­interest. Simplyfor the purpose of deceiving me he is pretending toask for my mercy." 

After   some   time,   Syama   displayed   his   deceitfulnature.   Once   he   went   to   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati, holding a human skull in his hand. Liftingit,   he   began   to   drink   water   out   of   it.   Then   heexclaimed   to   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati,   "Justsee,   I   am   even   more   renounced   than   SrilaGaurakisora. Can he drink water from the skull of ahuman   being   like   me?"   Hearing   this,   Srila

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Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati   said,   "You   rascal!   Leaveimmediately!   Why   are   you   speaking   such   hatefulwords about my spiritual master? You are a demonand an atheist!  Therefore you have no taste   for   theactivities   of   devotional   service.   You   will   definatelydescend to the hellish planetary systems." After sometime, because Syama had commited a great offense toSrila Gaurakisora and was very conceited, he becamea victim of illicit sex. He spent his time caring for theprostitutes of Navadvipa by begging for coconut oil tocondition their hair. 

Resolute Worship Of The Holy Name 

There   was   an   old   Vaisnava   in   the   vicinity   of   SrilaGaurakisora in Kuliya who began to engage himselfin   full­hearted Deity  worship  in  place  of  harinama­bhajana.   Srila   Gaurakisora   commented   on   this   oneday in the presence of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati."That   old   Vaisnava   is   spending   his   last   days   inworshipping   the   Deity!"   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSarasvati then said, "What? Are you trying to deceiveme?  It   is   impossible   for   this  Vaisnava who  lives   inKuliya   to   deviate   in   any   way   whatsoever?"   SrilaGaurakisora then replied, "O, if that's the case then Ihave   nothing   else   to   say."   Srila   Gaurakisora   waspointing out that exclusive remembrance of the Lord's

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holy name which was previously the main object ofthe exhalted vaisnava's worship might be minimizedif importance was placed on Deity worship in his lastdays. 

Pure Love And Worldly Lust 

One   person,   who   was   the   child   of   a   scholarlyGosvami, came to Kuliya in Navadvipa and began tolecture on the Tenth Canto of the Srimad­Bhagavatamcalled Bhramara­gita. (The chapter describing SrimatiRadharani conversing with Lord Krsna in the form ofa bumblebee).  After   two or   three days of   lecturing,news   reached   Srila   Gaurakisora   that   the   visitorsdiscourse   was   so   wonderful   that   no   one   had   everpreviously   heard   such   descriptions   withinNavadvipa.   Srila   Gaurakisora   then   replied,   "Youshould never go back and hear these lectures again.Whenever   it   rains,   the   seeds   of   unwanted   weedsbegin   to   sprout   first.   Next   those   seeds   which   havebeen carefully planted, begin to sprout, but a portionof them soon die after germination. One whose heartis transcendental to the modes of material nature, freefrom   material   lust   and   always   engaged   in   resolutedevotional service to the guru and Vaisnavas is the fitrecipient. Love of Godhead can actually sprout in thehearts   of   such   persons   who   are   free   from   the

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impediments   in   devotion.   This   takes   place   bycongregationally   hearing   and   chanting   about   thepastimes   of   the   Supreme   personality   of   Godhead.When those who have materialistic  desires hear thepastimes   of   Sri   Sri   Radha   and   Krsna,   the   seeds   ofmaterial lust will fructify. While they are hearing thepastimes  of  Sri  Sri  Radha  and Krsna  only   lust  willsprout and grow in their hearts. Because they imitatethe pastimes of Sri Sri Radha Krsna, it is only naturalthat  the  lusty desire seeds in their  hearts  grow andflourish   even   more.   Conditioned   souls   think   thepastimes   of   Sri   Radha   and   Govinda   are   materialaffairs like an actor and actress because their mindsare covered with lust. 

Whoever thinks that he has faith in the pastimes of SriSri  Radha­  Krsna  lila,  and  that  he  knows that   theirpastimes   are   spiritual   and   not   material   cannevercheck   their   lusty   attachments   due   to   theinfuence   of   the   illusory   energy,   maya.   It   is   notsufficient to claim that one knows that Their pastimesare spiritual or that one has faith in those pastimes."After hearing this, one person told Srila Gaurakisora"I saw with my own eyes that some of the devoteespresent  during  the  discourses  on  the  Bhramara­gitabegan to cry and loudly shout in ecstasy,'Ah, Radhe!Ah,   Krsna!'   With   great   emotion   they   discussed   the

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different pastimes of the Lord." Srila Babaji Maharajathen said,"What you have seen is not actually spiritualemotion. It is a by­product of the intoxicating effectsof   lusty desires.  This  stands as the reason why thismaterial world is doomed. You mean to say you haveunderstood just by looking at their tears that they areabsorbed   in   love   of   God!   How   is   it   possible   for   aperson   that   has   never   been   absorbed   in   love   ofGodhead to recognize it when they view everythingthrough the medium of the illusory energy? Go andtell those persons who are so immersed in ecstasy togive up their homes and all such big assemblies andgo to live on the bank of the Ganges river. In this wayby   surrendering   to   the   Supreme   Lord,   they   shouldseriously   give   up   all   of   their   attachment   to   sensegratification and worship the Supreme Personality ofGodhead . If they can do this for a year or so, we willsee them become very eager to hear the explanationsof the Bhramara­gita." 

The Real Mendicant 

One landowner, known as Mr. Saha, once whimsicallysent   Srila   Gaurakisora   some   rice.   Other   personswould also come and give rice to Srila Gaurakisora.All the rice to be found in Navadvipa at that time, wasstored in the boarding house of one queen. Mr. Saha

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regularly sent rice to Srila Gaurakisora every day for aperiod of   two months.  Once,  Srila  Gaurakisora sentsomeone to go and tell Mr. Saha, that he should nolonger donate the rice. When Mr. Saha found out thatSrila Babaji Maharaja no longer wanted to accept therice   he   immediately   came   there   and   asked,"Whatoffense have I committed unto you? Why is it that youhave discontinued accepting my rice donations?" SrilaBabaji   Maharaja   answered,"My   guru   gave   me   theinstructions,   'Never   become   a   pala­garu   or   adharmera­sanda'. Hearing Srila Babaji Maharaja speakin   this   way,   one   person   did   not   understand   themeaning of pala­garu and inquired about the word'ssignificance.   Srila   Babaji   Maharaja   explained,   "Adomesticated   cow   that   is   nourished,   bathed   andattended   by   a   householder   is   called   a   pala­garu.Similarly a devotee who accepts foodstuffs to fill hisstomach from only one person, is on the same level asa   cow,   pala­garu   and   becomes   dependant   on   thatperson. When the householder falls into debt, then hemay sell the cow to his creditor to pay off his debt. 

Dharmera­sanda or pious bull, refers to a renunciatethat does not become dependent upon one person forthe maintenance of his body. Like the pious bull hefreely wanders from place to place. The bull simplymoves from one place to another nourishing his body.

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Sometimes the bull may even get beaten by someonesfist but still he doesn't become dependent and boundup in one place like the domesticated cow, pala­garu.Often a person who raises a mischevious bull has topay a fine because of   its  rowdyism. When a bull   isbound   up   like   a   domesticated   cow,   pala­garu   hebecomes   desirous   to   eat   many   nice   things.   At   thepresent   day,   we   see   many   persons   who   callthemselves   madhukaris   or   religious   mendicants.Many so called renunciate babajis claim themselves tobe   spiritual   beggers.   But   the   real   madhukari,transcendental   begger,   is   free   from   the   modes   ofmaterial  nature.  Those  who  are   factual  beggers  areperfectly   surrendered   unto   the   Supreme   Lord,   SriKrsna  and  devoid  of   any  external   consciousness  oftheir gross material body. Real madhukaris are nevereager like the materialists who are always disturbedby   the   urges   of   the   tongue   and   the   genitals.   Theygradually   lose   all   desire   to   remain   in   the   materialworld. Persons who live in Vrndavana or Navadvipaand are  inclined  towards enjoying the  foodstuffs  ofthe   ordinary   people   are   actually   like   domesticatedcows, pala­garus. Others who travel from one houseto   another   in   the   holy   abodes   of   Navadvipa   andVrndavana   with   the   intention   to   collect   very   nicefoodstuffs   are   called   dharmera­sanda.   SrilaBhaktinovinda   has   composed   the   following

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devotional   poem   to   describe   the   real   Vaisnavamendicant. 

kabe gauravane surandhuni­tate, ha radhe ha krsna bale kandiya bedaba deha­sukha chadi nana­tata­taru­tale (kaby)svapaca­grhete magiya khaiba, piba sarasvati­jala puline puline gadagadi diba, kari krsna­kolahala (kabe)dhamavasi jane pranati kariya magiba krpara lesa vaisnava­carana renu gaya makhi dhari avadhuta vesa (kabe)gaura­brajavane bheda na heriba, haiba varaja­vasi (Takhana) dhamera svarupa sphuribe nayane, haiba rachara dasi 

       "When will I wander on the banks of the sacredGanges,   just  chanting,  O Srimati  Radhika!  O Krsna!Leaving all physical pleasures aside, when will I roamwithin   the   creepers   and  desire   trees   of   Navadvipa,that sacred abode of Sri Gaurangadeva, with tears inmy eyes?" 

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           "When will I beg from the houses of the dogeatersfor   my   meal   and   drink   the   sacred   water   of   theSarasvati River? Loudly calling Krsna's name, whenwill I roll about in the holy villages of Sri NavadvipaDhama and Vrndavana Dhama?"              "When   will   I   offer   my   respects   to   the   eternalresidents   of   the   holy   abode   and   humbly   beg   for   atrace of their causeless mercy? Accepting the dress ofan avadhuta, when will I smear the dust of the pureVaisnavas' lotus feet upon myself?"          "When will I no longer see any differences betweenSri   Navadvipa   and   Sri   Vrndavana   and   become   aneternal resident of Vraja? When the holy abode of theLord is revealed before my very eyes, I will become aservitor of Srimate Radharani." 

Household Duties 

  A   newly­wedded   man,   who   was   a   wealthy   andfamous disciple of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, cameto   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   Saraswati   Thakura   tounderstand   how   to   correctly   follow   the   process   ofdevotional   service   in   married   life.   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Saraswati   Thakura   made   it   very

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evident to the visitor  that  persons who are marriedface   many   different   kinds   of   impediments   in   theexecution   of   their   devotional   service.   After   hearingthis explanation the married guest became unhappy.Sometime later the same gentleman went to Kuliya inNavadvipa,   where   Srila   Gaurakisora   was   residing.When Srila Gaurakisora heard that he was discussingmarried   life   he   said,   "Oh,   very   good.   This   is   verygood. Daily he can cook an offering for Lord Visnuwith his own hands. After he prepares the offering forLord   Visnu's   satisfaction,   then   he   may   accept   it   asmaha­prasadam along with his religious wife. Insteadof an exploitative mentality he must always considerhis wife a servant of Lord Krsna and a representativeof   his   guru.   If   this   is   done,   then   everything   willbecome very auspicious  for  him.  Everything  in   thismaterial world is meant for the Lord's service whetherit be wealth,   jewels,  wife,  or ones'  husband. Engageeverything   in   Krsnas'   service.   You   should   alwaysunderstand that your wife is not your servant, but sheis a servant of  Lord Krsna.   In this  way,  she shouldalways be respected." 

Return Ticket 

Once   one   person   by   the   name   of   Sri   YuktaVandyopadhyaya, who was an M.A. and a B.A., came

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from Calcutta to see the lotus feet of Srila Gaurakisorain   Navadvipa.   When   he   arrived   there,   one   of   hisassociates   introduced him to Srila  Gaurakisora  whosaid, "Oh, very nice,  I  am glad that you have comehere. Now you should stay and worship the SupremeLord."   Mr.   Vandyopadhyaya   said,   "Before   I   leftCalcutta   I   got   a   return   ticket."   When   Srila   BabajiMaharaja   heard   this,   he   became   very   amazed   andsaid, "You mean you made arrangements for a returnticket   before   you   even   came?   Then   why   have   youcome here to see me? Simply coming here to see meand   then   returning   to   Calcutta   is   useless.   I   wouldhave   thought   that   whoever   wants   to   carry   outdevotional   service   comes   to   the   holy   abode   ofNavadvipa." 

By this example, Srila Gaurakisora taught that goingto see the holy persons to satisfy one's curiosity,  orwith some motive, or for the purpose of seeing otherholy places, is no way to take the association of thedevotees of the Lord. One should travel to the holyplaces  of  pilgrimage  in  order   to   take  shelter  of   thepure devotees of the Lord who reside there, and not tosatisfy any material  motive.  One can never actuallytake   the   association   of   higher   Vaisnavas   until   hesurrenders unflinchingly unto a pure devotee of theLord. Real Vaisnava association means surrendering

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everything to the lotus feeet of the pure devotee byoffering   obeisances,   inquiring   submissively,   andrendering   devotional   service   unto   him   and   alwaysfollowing his example. The real meaning of sanga is towholeheartedly approach.   If   someone entertains   theprospect of further sense enjoyment and purchases areturn ticket before approaching the lotus feet of theVaisnava   then   self   surrender   is   impossible.Explanations   pertaining   to   real   devotional   worshipunto Lord Hari can never enter such a person's ear. 

External Purity 

One day  in  Navadvipa,  a  very  famous professionalreciter   of   the   Srimad­Bhagavatam,   who   was   aGosvami by caste, came to visit Srila Gaurakisora. Hewas dressed in fine woolen garments. In the course oftheir  conversation,   the   topic  of  purity   in  devotionalservice  was discussed.  When Srila  Gaurakisora  wasasked   about   this,   he   said,   "If   a   person   maintainsmaterialistic intentions such as the desire for women,wealth, or position, then even the different rules forattaining pure consciousness become another form ofimpurity.   A   small   spot   of   leprosy   graduallycontaminates the entire body. If someone thinks I willremain pure by wearing wool cloth while evacuatingor go to bathe in the Ganges to become pure, and yet

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maintains   material   desires   in   mind   and   heart,   willremain impure. Such a person is so contaminated thateven if you explain how contaminated he is, he cannever   understand   his   impure   condition.   One   whowears wool or silk cloth, takes only rice that has beendried in the sun,  takes bath in the Ganges river,  orsuperficiously   accept   all   the   processes   in   Vaisnavatradition   for   becoming   pure,   can   never   becomepurified as   long as  he   is  only   thinking of  his  wife,children,   money,   and   self­esteem.   Whoever   has   noaffinity   towards   serving   the   Vaisnavas   can   practicewhatever purifying principles   they want,  but  Krsnawill never be pleased with their external purity." 

Lord Caitanya's Birthplace 

Once,   during   the   festive   season,   a   visitor   came   toNavadvipa   and   constructed   a   small   tin   houseunderneath  a   Nim   tree  on   the   southwest   side  of   alarge   temple   in   Navadvipa.   He   installed   the   Deityform of Lord Caitanya as the small boy Nimai in thetin hut. When the festival arrived he began to preachto everyone that his Deity was the actual place whereLord Caitanya appeared. He requested everyone thereto give donations liberally in order to excavate the lostplace   of   pilgrimage.   The   pilgrims   who   visited   himgenerously contributed  large  sums of  money  to   the

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proprietor of the so­called birth place. In this way, thecharlatan was conducting business. 

In that area, there was a devotee named Srila Vamsidasa   Babaji,   who   was   renowned   as   a   self­realizedVaisnava   and   topmost   paramahamsa.   The   businessminded   man   knew   how   famous   Srila   Vamsi   dasaBabaji was so he brought him to his tin house. He alsotried   to   convince   Srila   Gaurakisora   that   he   haddreams in which it was revealed that his hut was theoriginal   site   where   Lord   Caitanya   appeared.   Thevisitor   claimed   that   Caitanya   Mahaprabhu   hadappeared  to  him within  a  dream and revealed  thatplace   as   the   original   place   of   His   transcendentalappearance   within   this   material   world.   The   actualplace,  known as  Mayapura   today,  was  accepted bySrila Gaurakisora and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura asbeing Lord Caitanya's birthplace and is backed withhistorical   evidence.   For   example   the   names   of   theplaces in that area such as Banikpada, Sankharipada,and Malancapada are still present today. 

Srila Gaurakisora said, "We must accept the proofs ofthose   great   personalities   who   have   discovered   thebirthplace   of   Lord   Caitanya   Mahaprabhu   whileabsorbed   in   deep   devotional   contemplation.   Thedreams of a charlatan can never reveal a lost place of

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pilgrimage   or   the   Lord's   appearance   place.   Thosegreat souls who realize the holy places of pilgrimagenever collect money on the pretense of excavating lostholy   places.   Only   the   perfect   followers   of   LordCaitanya,  are  actually  qualified  to  reveal   the  Lord'sholy   birthplace.   Sri   Advaita   Prabhu,   who   is   noneother than Lord Siva, caused Lord Caitanya to revealHImself   in   this   world.   Similary   Srila   BhaktivinodaThakura and Srila Jagannatha dasa babaji discoveredthis holy place where Sriman Mahaprabhu appeared."

The following day, after Srila Gaurakisora said this,Srila   Vamsi   dasa   Babaji   Maharaja,   taking   a   smallshovel in his hand, went to the place of that charlatanwho   was   preaching   that   he   was   representing   the"original"  birthplace of  Lord Caitanya and began tochop down the fence in the front of his tin hut.  Heshowed the people how this hypocrite was imitatingthe exalted devotee of the Lord. 

The Feast Of The Paramahamsas  The day before the Disappearance of  Srila SanatanaGoswami,   Srila   Babaji   Maharaja   called   one   devoteeand   said,"Tomorrow   is   Srila   Sanatana   Goswami'sdisappearance day.  Therefore we will  have a grandfestival. The caste Gosvami's here in Navadvipa never

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have a festival." The devotee then said, "How will webe able to arrange all the necessary paraphernalia forthe feast?" Srila Babaji Maharaja answered, "Don't tellanyone.   Tomorrow   we   will   fast   all   day   and   chantHare Krsna. We are insignificant beggars.  It  will  bethe grandest of all festivals." 

How Can I Know A Vaisnava? 

Once,   someone   approached   Srila   Gaurakisora,   andasked   "We   see   many   narrations   in   the   SrimadBhagavatam, and other scriptures which describe therealized   devotees   of   the   highest   order.   But   thesenarrations are often contradictory with the persons wesee   today who are  called Vaisnavas.  Sometimes wesee that the so­called great devotees of today seem tohave   just   the   opposite   symptoms   of   the   devoteesdescribed   in   the   scriptures.   Therefore,   mercifullyinstruct us so we can identify the real devotees of theLord." Srila Gaurakisora replied "When the sweet willof   a   pure   devotee   is   combined   with   personalinspiration   from Lord  Krsna,   such  a   compassionatesoul,  without consideration of birth, time and place,liberates   the   fallen   souls   and   those   adverse   to   theLord. Revealing his personal wealth of pure love ofGodhead,   the   great   mahabhagavat   devotee   attractsthe living entities so they can begin their search for

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pure dedication unto Lord Krsna. When this happensLord Krsna apprahensively thinks,"There are so manyfallen   souls   that   are   whole   heartedly   surrenderingunto my pure devotee, who is as dear to Me as Myvery life. Now I am becoming so indebted to them. Itwill be very difficult for Me to clear My debt to them.Being their dependent, I will become captured simplyby the desire of those devotees who have surrenderedto  My dearmost   servants,   those  close   servants  whoreside next to my heart." 

For this reason, Krsna covers the eyes of the ordinarypeople   in   general,   so   that   they   cannot   realize   thequalities of his pure devotee. Krsna also tests the otherliving entities in this way, to see how attached theyare   to   Him.   Those   symptoms   which   characterizeKrsna's material energy, are a perverted replica of thetraits   exhibited   by   the   pure   devotees   of   the   Lord.Therefore it is only by the independent desire of thepure devotees of the Lord who are so compassionate,that   their   real   symptoms and spiritual   form can berealized, even through the scriptures. "Sometimes it isseen   that   a   pure   devotee   will   offer   an   importantposition   to   a   conditioned   soul.   In   this   way   such   aperson is carefully kept at a distance from them. Atother   times   the   pure   devotees   of   the   Lord   maybecome alarmed at attracting too many followers, and

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thus keep their  natural  qualities  hidden.  Sometimesthe   elevated   devotees   externally   accept   disciplesalways remain surrounded by them, consult them inevery   activity,   and   apparently   accept   service   fromthem.   However   they   cover   their   spiritual   identityfrom them." 

Srila   Gaurakisora   continued,   "I   have   seen   with   myown   eyes,   a   devotee   in   Vrndavana   who   wouldperform his bhajana in a solitary place. He lived in avillage just north of Sri Radha­kunda. When anxietyridden persons would aproach him he would pray toLord   Krsna   for   the   removal   of   their   mental   andphysical distress. Because of fulfilling their desires, hebecame famous and well­known as a great devotee.This brought about a great disturbance in his life. Hewas   free   from   the   desire   for   wealth,   women   andpresitige, always compassionate to all living entities,and exemplary in character. Gradually, along with thefame   of   a   pure   devotee,   he   became   very   annoyed.Some time later that great soul had one of his verywealthy   followers   in   Calcutta   employ   a   young,beautiful wife of a sweeper a monthly salary to sit infront of  his  solitary place of bhajana. Consequently,people would come and think the elevated soul washaving  illicit  sex with the young girl  and collectingmoney out of greed. Others would come but because

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their   material   desires   remained   unfulfilled   theywould discontinue meeting him.  He was  actually  agreat Vaisnava devotee of the Supreme Personality ofGodhead.   When   pure   devotees   of   the   Lordcompassionately manifest their mercy the faithful areattracted   and   surrender   unto   them.   Eventually   thesurrendered   soul   realizes   the   spiritual   identity   ofguru­deva.   Extremely   fortunate   persons   are   notdeprived of the Lord's and His devotees mercy. RealVaisnavas often deceive persons  in various ways inorder to obscure their spiritual identity. If you want toknow   the   spiritual   identity   of   the   mahabhagavatdevotee then with the deepest sincerity and heart­feltaspiration,   pray   unto   the   lotus   feet   of   LordNityananda   and   Lord   Caitanya.   By   the   causelessmercy of Lord Gauranga and Nitai Prabhu your heartbecomes free from pride and filled with humility. SriSri   Goura   Nitai   then   reveals   the   pure   vaisnavasspiritual   identity   in   such   a   pure   heart.   The   pureVaisnava makes Sri Sri Gaura Nitai known to all andSri   Sri   Gaura   Nitai   introduces   the   self   realizedVaisnava.  Therefore   in   the   Caitanya  Caritamrta   theauthor Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja has stated, 

ei dui bhai hrdayera ksali andhakara dui bhajavat sange karana saksat kara 

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"Those   Two   brothers,   Sriman   Mahaprabhu   andSriman Nityananda Prabhu remove  the  darkness  ofthe heart and introduce the direct spiritual identity ofthe great elevated souls." 

Imitating The Pure Devotee 

One celebate student, brahmacari who was born in abrahmana   family   came   to   see   Srila   Gaurakisorapretending   to   be   interested   in   bhajana.   Shortlyfollowing this many persons came to offer respect tothe   celebate   student.   The   brahamacari,   after   sometime, decided he would also begin to live in the sameway as Srila Gaurakisora. He secretly collected moneywhich   he   used   to   build   a   small   grass   hut   for   hisbhajana   like  Srila  Gaurakisora's  on   the  bank  of   theGanges river. The brahmacari thought that he wouldapproach Srila Gaurakisora and get his permission tobegin his solitary bhajana. When he approached SrilaGaurakisora,   who   was   in   direct   contact   withSupersoul,  Srila  Gaurakisora   stood up and  said,   "Ifyou want to perform bhajana, then it is very good. Butif you enter into the house of maya, then you will becaptured by even more impediments then now. Youshould give up your idea of living in that hut, and justlive under the nearby trees in the area."  

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One   proud   devotee   who   considered   himself   afollower of Srila Gaurakisora asked, "You first told usto lock ourselves up in small huts and to perform ourworship of the Supreme Lord. But now you are givingthe instruction that we should leave our huts and liveunder the trees in order to perform proper worship.What is this?" Srila Gaurakisora then manifested hispastime of anger, and said, "I have given the correctinstructions. The body is like a hut and the eyes arelike   the  window shutters.  A person who closes   thewooden   shutters   of   his   hut   in   order   to   imitate   theactivities of the elevated devotees by simply copyingwhat he sees them doing is not factually closing theshutters. The only alternative for such a person is totake   shelter   beneath   a   tree.   If   you   follow   theinstructions of the devotees and the Lord, then youwill be able to obtain what is to your real benefit. Inthis   way,   if   one   is   faithful   to   the   service   of   thedevotees  and the  Lord he  will  be  able   to  carry outthose instructions. But if one imitates the character ofthe   great   devotees   of   the   Lord,   he   will   quickly   bechecked and fall down." 

Later  on,  after   the  brahmacari  had  left,  Srila  BabajiMaharaja   said,   "Just   see   how   the   ordinary   public'sintelligence   has   become   spoiled.   They   simply   wantsome cheap adoration from the people in general by

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living in a secluded hut on the side of the road. Butafter  a   short   time  they become attracted  to  gainingwealth,   and  must   leave.  Persons  who  are  not   evenproperly acting in the lower stages of devotion, wantto   obtain   to   the   higher   stages   of   realization   asexemplified by the pure devotee paramahamsas!" Notlong after this, the brahmacari wanted to return to hisprevious home. 

Afterwards one person came to Srila Gaurakisora andasked about the whereabouts of the brahmacari, "Whydid   that   brahmacari   become   influenced   by   maya?How is this possible after he received the associationof   the   devotees   of   the   Lord?   If   one   contacts   thedevotees   of   the   Lord,   how   can   he   fail   to   reap   thebeneficial   results   of   their   association?"   SrilaGaurakisora replied, "It is not enough to only act likeone   is   associating   with   the   Lord's   devotees.   Ifsomeone   abandons   the   association   of   the   elevateddevotees   before   the   desired   result,   he   will   remaindeprived   of   the   ultimate   attainment.   Maybe   thatbrahmacari will  not eat meat or fish, and maybe hewill follow some external codes of moral conduct, buthe will never be able to enter into the realm of purededication, hari­bhajana. 

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Other Desires 

The   day   before   the   Rathayatra   car   festival   SrilaGaurakisora  called  over  some nearby  residents  andasked,   "Will   all   of   you   attend   the   Rathayatra   carfestival tomorrow? There will  be a grand festival atthe   Podamatala   in  Navadvipa   with   a   large   chariot.Another car festival will be held at the residence of afamous landowner in Purvashali. If you go there, youwill able to eat various sweets such as rasagulas andflat rice with sweet yogurt." 

In this way, Srila Gaurakisora told different persons infive or six places about the Rathayatra festival whichwould take place the following day. The people beganto think that Srila Gaurakisora was inviting them toattend the Rathayatra festival. 

Several literatures such as the Sri Caitanya­caritamrta,Sri  Caitanya  Bhagavat  and   the  Srimad Bhagavatamwere read daily by varying residents in the presenceof Srila Babaji Maharaja. Srila Babaji Maharaja wouldcomment   on   the   ultimate   conclusions   of   theseliteratures. Srila Gaurakisora used to like to hear thepastimes of Prahlada Maharaja again and again. Heoften said that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also usedto relish hearing the pastimes of Prahlada Maharaja.

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Sometimes   Srila   Gaurakisora   would   hear   thePremabhakti­candrika   and   Prarthana   of   Narottamadasa   Thakura   and   explain   their   deep   devotionalsiddhanta.   Persons   would   come   and   read   thesedifferent   books,   but   it   was   Srila   Gaurakisora   whowould actually explain their purport. 

The next day everyone assembled at the festival of theRathayatra. Because everyone was gone to the festivalthere was no one to read from any of the literatures.On that day Srila Gaurakisora came outside and satbefore his small hut with a sweet smile on his face. Hecommented, "Today I have found new life. Everyonehas gone. Those who are offenders of the holy nameleave   the   association   of   the   devotees   and   theglorification of the Lord's names and qualities to goand see   the  Rathayatra   festival.  There  they will   seemany beautiful young women and have a chance toassociate with ordinary people. Persons simply enacta   drama   in   the   association   of   pure   devotees   butbecause they are not  loyal to them, they drift  awaywith the current of their material desires." All alone,Srila Gaurakisora began to loudly chant the glories ofthe   holy   name   of   the   Lord.   After   seeing   theRathayatra festival, the residents gradually returned.They   came   before   Srila   Babaji   Maharaja   who   wassitting in the gravest mood, not speaking to anyone. 

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The Devotees Deceit 

When Srila  Bhaktivinoda  Thakura  was  enacting  hispastimes of illness at his home in Calcutta at Bhakti­bhavan, a materialistic Goswami came to Navadvipato visit Srila Gaurakisora for some deceptive purpose.In order to put the gentleman off,  Srila Gaurakisorasaid,   "You   should   go   to   Calcutta,   place   SrilaBhaktivinoda on your head and bring him back to theholy abode of Navadvipa. Kindly go there and rescuehim   from   Calcutta."   The   caste   Goswami,   who   wasmaterialistic   in   nature,   was   not   perceptive   to   theexchange   that   these   two   self­realized   personalitiesand   intimate   associates   of   Lord   Caitanya   wereenacting. 

tomara hrdaye sada,govinda­visrama yathaya vaisnava gana, sei stana vrndavana sei sthana ananda asesa 

    The Supreme Lord Govinda resides in the hearts ofHis exhalted devotees. Wherever the great Vaisnavasreside is  the same as the holy abode of Vrndavana.The residence of the exhalted devotees is the abode ofuntold joy. 

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By   appearing   in   this   world,   the   vaisnavaautomatically brings the paraphernalia of the divineabode   of   Goloka   and   engages   himself   twenty   fourhours in the service of the Divine Couple. The prayerwritten   by   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   containing   the   lines,"grhete   goloka   bhaya"   depicts   his   personal   bhajanawith   the   intimate   associates   of   Lord   CaitanyaMahaprabhu. Those who have become free from thedelusion   of   the   fleshy   eye   can   directly   realize   thisspiritual   example.   The   worldly   Goswami   went   tomeet   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   in   Calcutta   and   told   himwhat   Srila   Gaurakisora   has   requested.   SrilaBhaktivinoda,  hearing this,  simply indicated that heextended   his   full   blessings   for   Srila   Gaurakisora'sdevotional   bhajana.   Later,   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaPrabhupada   elaborately   explained   to   the   Goswamiwho   was   unable   to   interpert   these   exchanges   asfollows, "When the great devotees notice our crookedintelligence they deceive us as mentioned by the logicin the verse, 

ye yatha mam prapandyante tams tathaiva bhajamyaham. 

    As My devotees surrender unto Me, I reward themaccordingly. 

The great devotees recognize the mentality of   those

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who approach them. They know that such persons arenot   interested   in   their   real   spiritual   interests.Therefore,   the   mahabhagavata   devotee   will   oftenspeak with self­interested persons  in such a way tofavorably   appeal   to   their   worldly   tastes.   In   thismanner   the   pure   devotee   continues   his   internalsolitary   engagement   in   the   Lord's   service   with   noimpediment.   When   materialistic   persons   wouldapproach Srila Gaurakisora and express their differentfruitive interests they would be deprived of their realinterests  when they would hear what satisfied theirmundane   endeavors.   Some   persons   received   theopportunity   to   become   more   involved   in   materialaffairs when they heard ordinary stories concerningrice,   wheat,   mustard   oil,   betel   nut,   potatoes,   andkitchen vegetables.  Devotional association cannot beobtained   if   an   exploitive   mentality   based   oninsincerity   accompanies   the   practitioner.   The   puredevotee exclusively eulogizes divine and eternal truthin the presence of those who are devotionally inspiredand self surrendered. 

Srila Gaurakisora's Blessing 

Once,   Sripad   Bhakti   Pradipa   Tirtha   Maharaja   inaccord   with   the   direction   of   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSaraswati Thakura went to visit Srila Bhaktivinoda in

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Godrumadvipa.   Honoring   the   permission   of   SrilaBhaktivinoda,   Sripada   Tirtha   Maharaja   periodicallyapproached Srila Gaurakisora on the opposite side ofthe   Ganges.   During   this   period   Sripad   TirthaMaharaja was living in household life and uninitiatedby   Srila   Bhaktivinoda.   One   day   Sripad   TirthaMaharaja   brought   Srila   Gaurakisora   a   watermelonwhen   he   went   to   visit   him.   Generally   SrilaGaurakisora   would   never   take   any   offering   fromanyone but because he knew Sripad Tirtha Maharajawas   coming   from   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   he   mercifullyaccepted   it.   Srila   Gaurakisora   then   asked   SripadTirtha Maharaja to chant a devotional song from theliterature Prarthana of Srila Narottama dasa Thakura.After the householder had chanted,  gauranga balite ha be pulaka sarira hari hari balite nayane ba be nira 

Srila Gaurakisora instructed him, "Remain faithful tothe   devotees   and   the   spiritual   master.   Being   morehumble than a blade of grass and tolerant as a tree,simply   chant   the   holy   names   of   the   Lord.   Don'tengage your mind, body and words in the associationof   non­devotees."   The   householder   replied,   "I   havenot   taken   shelter   of   a   spiritual   master."   SrilaGaurakisora   answered,   "But   you   have   met   Srila

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Bhaktivinoda   in   Mayapura.   Sri   Mayapura   is   whereone   surrenders   his   soul   to   the   Lord.   Since   you'veoffered yourself at his lotus feet haven't you acceptedthe   shelter   of   Sri   Gurudeva?   Srila   Bhaktivinoda   iswaiting   there   for  you.   Just  go   there  and accept  hiscauseless mercy." After hearing this the visitor shavedhis head in Kuliya. Then Srila Gaurakisora told thatgreat devotee, "In the future you will have to acceptthe renounced order of life and travel from provinceto province, village to village preaching the glories ofthe   Lord's   holy   names."   The   devotee   offered   hisobeisances and touched the feet of Srila Gaurakisora.Ordinarily Srila Gaurakisora would not allow anyoneto touch his feet. When someone would approach himto touch his feet he would say, "If you touch my feetyour entire family will be destroyed." However he didnot   object   to   this   visitor.   The   household   devoteereturned to Godruma dvipa that day and received theKamabija   and   Kamagayatri   mantras   from   SrilaBhaktivinoda.   Later   this   householder   fulfilled   theprediction of Srila Gaurakisora when he accepted therenounced   order   from   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSaraswati   Thakura   and   was   named   Bhakti   PradipaTirtha Maharaja. He later became famous in India forhis extensive propagation of Srila Bhaktivinoda's andSriman Mahaprabhu's divine message. 

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The Disappearance of Srila Gaurakisora 

In   the   Bengali   year   1322,   1914,   on   the   30th   day   inKartika,   at   nights   end,   Srila   Gaurakisora   left   thisworld   and   entered   into   his   eternal   loving  pastimeswith   the   Supreme   Lord.   Srila   BhaktisiddhantaSaraswati   Thakura   went   to   Kuliya   from   Mayapurawhen he heard of Srila Babaji  Maharaja's departure.At that time different persons from different templesin the area began to fiercely argue with one another asto   where   the   spiritual   body   of   Srila   Gaurakisorashould be placed. They knew, that if the samadhi ofSrila Gaurakisora were to be placed in their locality, inthe future they would be able to earn large amountsof   money   from   pilgrims   coming   to   see   his   divinetomb.  But,  Srila  Bhaktisiddhanta  Saraswati  Thakuraobstructed the so­called renounced babajis from doingso. The inspector of police in Navadvip arrived uponthe   scene.   At   that   time,   Commissioner   Sri   YuptaYathendranatha   Singh   was   the   inspector   of   police.The local temple owners of that area after discussingamongst   themselves   what   to   do,   came   andproclaimed,   "Srila  Bhaktisiddhanta   is  not  actually  asannyasi.   Therefore,   the   body   of   Srila   Gaurakisorawho was a renunciate of householder life, cannot betaken by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta. He does not have thatqualification." In answer to this Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

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Saraswati Thakura in a voice as deep as thunder said,"I   am   the   only   disciple   of   Om   Paramahamsa   SrilaGaurakisora.   Even   if   I   haven't   accepted   sannyasa   Ihave been a strict celebate brahmacari all my life. Bythe mercy of Srila Gaurakisora, I have never acted likea monkey­like renunciate, seceetly engaging in sensegratification by various abominable activities. PlacingSrila Babaji Maharaja's sacred shoes upon my head, Ican proudly say this: Is there anyone among you whois   actually   pure   in   character   and   renounced   fromhousehold attachments? If so that person place SrilaGaurakisora in his samadhi tomb.I have no objectionwhatsoever. If anyone here has not had illicit sexualconnection within one year, six months, three months,one month, or at least within the last three days, thenhe may touch the divine form of  Srila Gaurakisora.Otherwise he will be completely devestated." Hearingthis,   the   superintendant   of   police   YathendranathaBabu   asked,"Can   you   prove   this?"   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   Saraswati   Thakura   replied,   "I   willbelieve whatever they have to say." Gradually one byone the so­called babajis turned around and left thepresence of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.The superintendant was wonderstruck to witness this.Just then one person spoke up and said, "When SrilaBabaji Maharaja was living he requested that his bodybe   dragged   through   the   holy   dust   of   Navadvipa.

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Therefore   we   should   follow   his   instructions."   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta   replied,   "Even   Lord   Krsnacandrathinks He is highly priviledged to carry my spiritualmaster on His shoulders. What he humbly said is todestroy the pride and arrogance of the people who areopposed to the Supreme Lord. Although we are fools,offenders and inexperienced persons, still we will notbecome adverse to the purport of his instructions. SriGaurasundara   embraced   the   divine   form   of   SrilaHaridasa Thakura after he departed and ecstaticallydanced   with   him.   Just   see   what   glories   adorn   hispersonality!   Following   in   the   footsteps   of   SrimanMahaprabhu, we will place and carry the divine formof Srila Babaji Maharaja upon our heads." 

In   the   Bengali   year   1322,   1914A.D.,   on   UtthanaEkadasi   Srila   Bhaktisiddhanta   performed   thepurifictory rites  for placing Srila Babaji  Maharaja  inhis divine tomb according to the Sat Sanskara KriyaDipika. When the samadhi tomb was being installed aMr.   A.   Poddara   from   the   district   of   Yasohara   wholived in the village of Lohagada claimed that the tombsite   was   not   under   the   jurisdiction   of   SrilaBhaktisiddhanta. In time the sacred place where SrilaBabaji Maharaja's tomb was installed became infestedwith sinful and abominable activities. The caretakerseven   became   offensive   and   arrogant   towards   the

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followers   of   Srila   Gaurakisora.   In   response   MotherGanges   current   slowly   changed   and   due   to   theiroffences approached the tomb of Srila Gaurakisora. Itwas on the 5th of  Bhadra 1339 that  Sri  Ganga deviwanted to bring Srila Babaji Maharaja's tomb into hercurrents embrace. However by the desire of the Lord,Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, the most intimate associate ofSrila   Gaurakisora,   had   the   samadhi   tomb   removedfrom Kuliya to Mayapura on the opposite side of theGanges. There in Sri Mayapura, where the CaitanyaMath stands today, the samadhi tomb was reinstalledpersonally by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the banks ofSri Radha Kunda. 

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Sri Gaura­kisora Namaskara Dasakam 

(1) guror guro me paramo gurus tvam varenya! gauranga­ganagraganye prasida bhrtye dayitasrite te namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

O   Divine   Master   of   my   Divine   Master,   my   mostvenerable preceptor, you are supremely worshippablein   the   group   of   the   foremost   associates   of   SriGauranga.   May   you   be   gracious   upon   this   servitorsurrendered unto your loving servitor (Dayita Dasa).O   Gaura   Kisora,   again   and   again   do   I   make   myobeisance unto you. 

(2) sarasvati­nama­jagat­prasiddham prabhum jagatyam patitaika­bandhum tvam eva deva! prakati­cakara namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

O worshipful one, you alone revealed my Lord andMaster, who is renowned throughout the universe asSri   Bhaktisiddhanta   Sarasvati,   and   who   is   the   onlyfriend of the fallen souls of the world. O Gaura Kisora,

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again and again do I make my obeisance unto you. 

(3) kvacid­vrajaranya­vivikta­vasi hrdi vraja­dvandva­raho­vilasi bahir viragi tv avadhuta­vesi namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Living   in   solitude  at  Vraja  Dhama,  your  heart  wasabsorbed  in   the  most   secret  pastimes  of   the  DivineYouthful   Couple   of   Vraja,   whilst   externally   youmaintained   the   strictures   of   a   renunciate;   andsometimes you appeared to transcend all recognizedstrictures. O Gaura Kisora, again and again do I makemy obeisance unto you. 

(4) kvacit punar gaura­vanantacari surapaga­tira­rajo­vihari pavitra­kaupina­karanka­dhari namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Sometimes  you roam about   the  edge  of  Gauravana(the boundary of Sri Navadvipa Dhama), wanderingalong the beach near the banks of the Ganga. O GauraKisora, who dons the holy loin­cloth and carries themendicant's water­pot, again and again do I make my

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obeisance unto you. 

(5) sada harer nama muda ratantam grhe grhe madhukarim atantam namanti deva api yam mahantam namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam  Ever   singing   the   holy  name  of  Sri  Hari   with  greatecstasy and accepting alms from house to house like abee collecting honey from flower to flower, you arethe great soul unto whom even the demigods bow to.O   Gaura   Kisora,   again   and   again   do   I   make   myobeisance unto you. 

(6) kvacid­rudantan ca hasan natantam nijesta­deva­pranayabhibhutam namanti gayantam alam jana tvam namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Becoming   overwhelmed   with   love   for   yourworshipful   Lord,   sometimes   you   dance,   sometimesyou cry,  sometimes you laugh;  and again,  you singaloud. The people profusely offer their respects untoyou, O Gaura Kisora, and again and again do I makemy obeisance unto you. 

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(7) mahayaso­bhaktivinoda­bandho! mahaprabhu­prema­sudhaika­sindho! aho jagannatha­dayaspadendo! namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

O   friend   of   the   glorious   Thakura   Bhaktivinoda,   Omatchless ocean of the nectar of loving devotion forMahaprabhu Sri Caitanyadeva, O moon that receivedthe grace of Vaisnava Sarvabhauma Sri Jagannatha, OGaura   Kisora!   again   and   again   do   I   make   myobeisance unto you. 

(8) samapya radha­vratam uttamam tvam avapya damodara­jagaraham gato 'si radhadara­sakhya­riddhim namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Completing   the   great   holy   vow   of   Urjja­vrata,   youselected the day of the awakening of Sri Damodara toachieve   the   cherished   treasure   of   your   internalidentity   as   a   Sakhi   devoted   to   the   service   of   SriRadhika. O Gaura­Kisora, again and again do I makemy obeisance unto you. 

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(9) vihaya sangam kuliya­layanam pragrhya sevam dayitanugasya vibhasi mayapura­mandira­stho namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Forsaking   the   company   of   the   residents   of   Kuliyatown to accept the service of your servitor Sri DayitaDasa,  your divine presence  is  now found in a  holytemple   at   Sri   Dhama   Mayapura.   O   Gaura   Kisora,again and again do I make obeisance unto you. 

(10) sada nimagno 'py aparadha­panke hy ahaitukim esa krpan ca yace dayam samuddhrtya vidhehi dinam namo namo gaura­kisora tubhyam 

Although I remain deep in the mud of offenses, I (afallen soul) am begging you for your causeless mercy.Please   be   gracious   and   deliver   this   soul   bereft.   OGaura   Kisora,   again   and   yet   again   do   I   make   myobeisance unto you. 

Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja Biographyhttp://gosai.com/chaitanya/saranagati/html/guardians/gaura­kisora­bio.html

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