In the process of initiation our Dikshaguru, embodiment of Divine Mercy of Lord Radha Krishna, Shrila Gurudev, Om Vishnupad Astottarshat Shri Shrimad Bhakti Bibudh Bodhayan Goswami Maharajha has given all of us a new life i.e., a spiritual life. Prior to it the soul moved in incessant cycle of births and deaths, wandering through different bodies that are not necessarily human. But, after receiving initiation from a bonafide spiritual master our material body became spiritual and the soul got a new identity. This ultimate compassion that is being showered on all of us by Shrila Gurudev is flowing from our Guru Parampara, the entire lineage of Shri Brahma Madhva Saraswat Goudiya Parampara and primarily from Shrila Param Gurudev, Nityalilapravisht Om Vishnupad Astottarshat Shri Shrimad Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur Ji Maharaj.
We have fallen in this miserable material world but Shrila Param Grudev Ji Maharaj magnanimously uplifted us and gifted us the sweet taste of Shri Mahamantra. His Divine Grace Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur Ji always instructed us to engage this gross body in the service of pure devotees while chanting Shri Hari Naam and by engaging our mind in the pastimes of Supreme Lord and pure devotees. Our most revered Gurudev is not only treasuring the divine words of His spiritual Master in His heart but also actively translating His each word into action. Indeed, our Gurudev is living example of the Divine words spoken by Param Gurudev. Moreover, He is preaching the same all over the world for up-lifting all fallen souls irrespective of their background, place of birth, caste, color and creed.
Shrila Param Gurudev Ji Maharaj His Divine Grace Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Thakur was humility personified. Humility got reflected in all His words and deeds. Numerous books written by Him bear the signature of humility on every page. Shrila Gurudev is also showing us the same path in an exemplary manner. We are sincerely praying at the Lotus Feet of Shrila Param Gurudev Ji Maharaj that may we get a speck of this and always remain humble while rendering service selflessly.
Life of our beloved Param Gurudev was the saga of a Param Bhagawat. Since his childhood he engaged himself in worshipping Supreme Lord in a manner which is rarest of the rare. The qualities of a pure devotee have been explained in Shrimad Bagawat Gita Chapter 18, verse 42 as follows:
“śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ
kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca
jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ
brahma-karma svabhāva-jam”
All the qualities of a pure devotee as explained in Shrimad Bagawat Gita viz. peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness were present in His personality since the beginning. We have heard from scriptures that in Dwapar Yug, Shri Uddhav Ji worshipped Supreme Lord Shri Krishna with firm devotion. In the similar manner Shrila Puri Goswami Thakur Ji worshipped Supreme Lord with highest maturity and unwavering faith. We are sincerely praying to get His mercy so that we can practice devotion under the shelter and protection of His Divine Lotus Feet. May His Divine Grace bless us, so that our mind naturally remains fixed to serve Supreme Lord Krishna and His pure devotees!
Shrimati Radharani is the personification of devotional service to the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna and He accepts only the loving devotional service offered by Her. All Sakhis and Manjaris are expansion of Shrimati Radharani. We have heard from the Lotus mouth of Shrila Gurudev Ji Maharaj that our Most Beloved Param Gurudev Ji Maharaj was none other than a Dear Manjari of Shrimati Radharani. In the eternal abode of Supreme Divine Couple, Golok Vrindavan, our Param Gurudev is serving as Shri Palash Manjari Sakhi. We are offering our humble obeisance at His Divine Lotus Feet. We all are humbly praying at the Lotus Feet Shrila Param Gurudev Ji Maharaj on His auspicious divine appearance day to get His Causeless Merciful glances so that in this life may we lovingly serve Shri Hari Guru and Vaishnavas and even after this life may we continue to do so where ever we are.
-Offering Article by Subhashree Dasi
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