GLORIFICATION OF SRILA GURUDEV VYASAPUJA 1nd JULY 2025

HG Padmamali Prabhuji:- Today is Hera Panchami, and from today onwards we will start our glorification session. Every speaker will be allowed to speak for 3-4 mins today. Please show the Japa Talk in your temples and centres for everyone. Let’s start the session with HH Sri Krishna Chaitanya Maharaj.

Speaker 1: HH Sri Krishna Chaitanya Maharaj
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

Sundar te dhyān ubhe viṭevārī,
Kar kaṭāvarī thevūnīyā.
Tulasī hār gaḷāṁ kānse pītabambar,
Āvaḍe nirantar tēcī rūpa.
Makar kuṇḍale taḷapatī śravaṇīṁ,
Kantīṁ Kaustubha maṇi virājit.
Tukā maṇe mājhēṁ hēcī sarva sukh,
Pāhīn shrī mukha āvaḍīne.

Meaning
Beautiful is the vision standing on the brick;With hands resting on His hips.
A garland of tulasi adorns His neck,And He wears a golden-yellow cloth—His form delights me evermore.
Fish shaped earrings shimmer by His ears,And the Kaustubha gem shines on His throat.
Tukā says, “This alone is all my happiness;I delight in gazing at His glorious face.

I’m very delighted to be here today to start the wonderful 76th Vyasa-puja festival of His Holiness Lokanath Swami Guru Maharaj. Haribol!
So, I’d like to bring to light the wonderful quality of Guru Maharaj — that he is everyone’s well-wisher. Śrīla Prabhupāda used to sign all of his letters: “Your ever well-wisher.” And his dear spiritual son, His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj, has inherited this same quality — of being everyone’s well-wisher. Lord Krishna is suhridam sarva-bhūtānām — the best friend of every living entity. And the devotee of Lord Krishna is suhridam sarva-dehinām — also the best friend of every living being. All the devotees are suhrid. What does it mean that a devotee is suhrid? It means he genuinely cares about the living entities. He feels compassion, and based on that love and care, he brings the living entities to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. How can we understand this practically?

At the purest level of God consciousness, all beings are seen as the best friends of one another. And for all of them, compassion and love become the bridge to bring them back to God. It is wonderful to see this example in the great souls — Mahātmās — the great devotees like HH Lokanath Swami Guru Maharaj, who bring the living entities to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

Just a few days before, I was in Noida, and I had the good fortune of introducing a very important person, a VIP named Samanyu Garg. He’s the owner of RightSonic, one of the five global competitors to ChatGPT — a very big company worth $200 million. I had the good fortune of introducing him to Guru Maharaj in his room in ISKCON Noida. Śrī Śrī Rādhā Govindaji Māndir! This person — Samanyu Garg — is very important, and he came to meet Guru Maharaj in Noida. He is the owner of a very big company called BrightSonic, which is worth $200 million and is one of the top 5 AI companies competing with ChatGPT. He is very young and dynamic.

Guru Maharaj gave him so much love and care. He answered all of his questions about Krishna consciousness. He shared with Samanyu Garg the importance of spiritual life- chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra and reading Srila Prabhupada books. Guru Maharaj asked if he had Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and encouraged me to supply them to him.Guru Maharaj also asked if Samanyu had a japa mālā, and encouraged him to chant at least one hour every morning, saying that this practice would increase his effectiveness and the quality of his life throughout the day.

Guru Maharaj said, “If we do this, we can become more successful in life.”
Samanyu Garg replied, “It’s very difficult to chant. What should I do?”

So I suggested that he could join the Daily Zoom Mandir for morning chanting. Guru Maharaj also encouraged this — and gave his blessings.
Bhakti means devotional service, so suhridam sarva-dehinām means the most compassionate and that means that they give Krishna Consciousness to everyone! This is done in so many ways such as distributing prasadam, delivering lectures, chanting holynames etc. He is the ocean of mercy and he is exhibiting this quality very evidently. He has filled this in us personally with all of us. I would request all the disciples to mediate a time when Gurumaharaj was compassionate, as your best friend and what was the impact on us.

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj ki jai! 76th Vyasapuja Mahamahotsava ki jai!
Gaur premanande Hari Hari bol!

Thank you Maharaj for setting up the scene. He is a Sannayasi disciple of Guru Maharaj and following the footsteps of Mahaprabhu.
Speaker 2: HG Hari Kirtan Prabhu

I saw Guru Maharaj raising his hand. That was internal… Sorry, please forgive me. My throat is not good.
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,

Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

So, I am here in ISKCON Juhu. Whenever I am here, I am reminded of the challenges that Srila Prabhupada disciples faced and so many troubles were given to them, still they never gave up and now a beautiful palatial tgemple is standing here —this temple is built only due to the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda and all the disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda who were there in Juhu temple. They were putting out their purity. So, I have no power to glorify Srila Gurudev — but I am simply trying to glorify Maharaj. To glorify a pure devotee is not easy. A conditioned soul cannot glorify Guru Maharaj. It is not in our capacity. Just like a child glorifies his father in his childish voice, so similarly I tried and did the same. Please make me your eternal servant! Your are very compassionate Gurumaharaj!

His life is without pretense… four points I will just say, maybe in four minutes. I met Maharaj in 1980s when Maharaj was 42 or 43 years old, he was still the same as he is today. Maharaj had a lot of disciples who were older than him like Tukaram prabhu, Radheyshyam Prabhu, and so many others in America. And they all had so much love and affection for Maharaj. They had so much respect for him. So, what attracted them to him? It was Maharaj’s simplicity, his happiness without any show. His life—from the beginning—is without pretense. What he is inside, he is outside.
When we see Maharaj in our conditioned state, we realize what we are inside and what we try to show outside—there is a mismatch between the two. But this is a quality of a pure devotee. There should be a connection. That’s what we have to learn from him.

One should understand that unless he is part connected both inside out, he cannot be attracted to Kṛṣṇa for more than a day.
The second quality Maharaj has always reflected is hearing without defending. He listens without hesitation even if someone tries to complain about a devotee. He shows his compassion towards everyone. He listens with a lot of patience.

The third is speaking without offending. When Maharaj gives his advice, his guidance—he is so careful. Even if there is an objection in someone’s behaviour, he speaks in a way that does not hurt. Such a beautiful quality Maharaj has.

And as I get the opportunity to serve Maharaj in his personal association, I am most thankful to him. Somehow, you are holding me close, keeping me in your inner circle. I feel it is a great fortune and a wonderful quality you have. Not from now but from 40 years. So I also try to imbibe the same quality although it’s very difficult to do so.

The fourth quality: loving without expectation. You have given us unconditional love. You just think how this devotee can be saved.
How can this bhakta be saved?

In 1998–99 when I came to Nagpur, when you sent me here as the president—as the most unqualified soul—I came to you with a complaint: “This Bhakta should not be in the temple.”

You said, with so much mercy: “If this Bhakta doesn’t stay in the temple, then where will he go?”
I said, “Anywhere.”

You said, “No—he will go to the material world. And if he goes into a more impure state, he will be greatly harmed. Please keep him engaged. How can he be kept in the temple as a servant?”

At that time, HG Prashantha Mataji told me that if he sees even an ant that can serve the Lord, he will bring that ant into this corner and help it go to the Lord. Even if the path is difficult.

Never think that Maharaj will ever remove anyone. Maharaj always says: Instead of removal, think of reformation.
So today, I pray at your feet. You have given me many posts, many responsibilities. And like me, a conditioned soul, I always get intoxicated in those roles.

I pray at your feet: Whatever post, whatever position, however many followers—I always maintain the desire to be the servant of the servant of the servant (dāsānudāsa).The qualities that are in your heart—that always run in my mind. I meditate on them. If all of us can meditate for just one hour daily…Then definitely, a small percentage of those qualities will also develop within us. So today, I pray that I do not get allured by any position. Rather, I always strive to serve in the mood of servant of the servant (dāsānudāsa).

Thank you, Guru Mahārāja. Thank you. Param Pūjya Lokanāth Swami Mahārāja kī Jaya! Śrīla Prabhupāda kī Jaya!
Thank you so much, Hari Kīrtan Prabhu, for your offering and concern for the well-being of the devotees.

Today, we are blessed to be within the managerial zone of Guru Mahārāja, where we serve as regional secretary assistants and heads of his temples. These are not mere roles but opportunities to listen to the realizations and sincere services of devotees, who are practical examples of surrender.

Guru Mahārāja once said during a Vyāsa-pūjā offering:

“I don’t want just verbal offerings. I want to hear and see practical offerings.”

And indeed, these devotees, their lives are their offerings. Of course, every disciple’s life is an offering. But what I mean to say is that some are deeply absorbed in the service mood—day in and day out—making their lives a continuous expression of gratitude and seva (service).
We are conducting āśraya-śravaṇa (hearing about the shelter of the spiritual master) with such devotees. And in the coming days, we hope to meet more such servants in your shelter.

Speaker 3: HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu
HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu, the Sar-adhyakṣa of Gautam Buddha Nagar and RSA of Noida, is one such example of faithful and practical engagement.
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

Hare Kṛṣṇa. Dandvat Pranam to Gurudev and all the dear devotees. I was thinking on which topic I should speak today.
May all the devotees be blessed with a long life and unwavering faith.

I have a question regarding the relationship between the madhyama-adhikārī and the uttama-adhikārī. There is faith in both, but in the madhyama-adhikārī, the faith may not be fully grounded in śāstric knowledge. However, the uttama-adhikārī has deep conviction based on śāstra (scripture) and realization. That is why it is said:

“One who becomes the supreme authority must be rooted in the supreme authority of śāstra.”
Because the attraction to śāstra is very strong, especially seen in Guru Mahārāja who are Uttam Adhikari devotees from the very beginning. We find the following line in Vaishanav bhajans:

rūpa‑raghunātha‑pade rahu mora āśā- May my longing always remain at the lotus feet of Rūpa and Raghunātha; Narottama dāsa prays continually.
If we don’t have attachment towards the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, then we cannot attain Krishna. These people have special attraction towards the holyname. In early days, even before joining ISKCON, Guru Mahārāja had this inclination. After Śrīla Prabhupāda came to Mumbai, Guru Mahārāja started studying deeply—even reading chemistry books at the time—but then transformed that hunger for knowledge into spiritual learning, dedicating himself to studying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. That same deep attraction to śāstra continues today. So Guru Maharaj asked Srila Prabhupada that if we can stay in Vrindavan and study shastras but that time Srila Prabhupada said that- “Let your hearts remain connected to the service of Prabhupada and the mood of pure śāstra meditation.”

Many years ago, when Padmalī Prabhu was not able to serve Guru Mahārāja personally, I was asked to serve in the temple due to some circumstances. At that time, it was the festival of Gaura Pūrṇimā. Maharaj Ji had fasted the entire day. He didn’t eat anything. The next day, Maharaj Ji became sick and even had fever. He said, “I will not meet anyone until the appointments are cancelled. I need to take rest. I will not meet anyone”
So I thought that, “Yes, Maharaj, please take rest.”

But what does rest mean to us? We think it means lying on the bed and sleeping. But when I saw Maharaj Ji resting, he was studying from morning till night. I thought to myself, What kind of rest is this—to study the whole day? Because we ourselves study for maybe 30 minutes—but Maharaj studies constantly. No matter how busy the schedule, Maharaj Ji always finds time to read. Whether during travel, sitting in a car, or mid-flight, as soon as he finds a few moments—he picks up books and reads.

Maharaj Ji is a lifelong student. Unless one keeps the mood of being a student, one cannot truly learn. Even now, Maharaj Ji continues learning Sanskrit and tries to deepen his understanding of scriptures. He also encourages combined study of Sanskrit and shastras.
Despite managing so many projects and responsibilities, Maharaj Ji never loses that enthusiastic spirit to study śāstra. Often, I reflect and feel: We, who have so few services, still struggle to engage in self-study or sādhana. But Maharaj Ji, with ten times more responsibilities, still makes time—because of his deep interest.

I remember an incident: There was a katha organised on Ekadashi. Maharaj Ji was told, “Your lecture is scheduled.” But Maharaj Ji replied, “Today, my reading quota is not complete. So I will take class tomorrow not now.
That’s how sincere and focused Maharaj Ji is—concerned, dedicated, and disciplined.

HG Padmali Prabhu:
Before we call our next speaker, there was a humble announcement.
One of our Noida congregation devotees, Rupeshwar Gaurāṅga Prabhu, a very sincere devotee, and Vedānta Chaitanya Prabhu, both active in TNC (Temple Nurture Committee), had a personal loss. His sixteen-year-old daughter, a young devotee and regular Zoom participant, left her body last month due to heart failure.

Her name was Rādhikā, if I’m not mistaken. She was very inclined toward devotional life. On behalf of all the devotees of Noida and by the blessings of the Lord and devotees, we offer heartfelt prayers for her.
Let us chant the Mahāmantra together in her remembrance:

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
Speaker 4: HG Vamsidhar Prabhuji
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

There is a lot to say for Guru Maharaj’s glorification. I met him in 1989 in the Padayatra Office in Centennial house. My room was just adjacent to Gurudeva’s room.

This was around 1996, before my dīkṣā. We were celebrating New Year in Delhi. Maharaj Ji gave a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class. Gurudev was called Kirtan Samrat from that time.

After the class, devotees said, “Maharaj Ji, something new should happen this New Year.”
Maharaj Ji, still seated, spontaneously began singing:

“Jai Jai Vithal Pāṇḍuraṅga.”
I have heard this kīrtan from him many times. He sang it with deep emotion. I remember playing along for two hours—without any instrument. He was simply using his spectacles case as a musical instrument in the kirtan. I had recorded the song with Gaurangi Mataji and I would listen to it repeatedly in my room. That song still plays in my heart.

I have heard and read so much about Maharaj Ji. I have had personal conversations with him. To me, he is nothing less than the Emperor of the spiritual world. So his name is Loka-natha- the king of the whole world and now where ever we go, everyone asks, where is Srila Gurudev?
In Padma Purana Bhakti-devī said, Gehe, gehe, jane, jane…”

So through the medium of Padayatra he took that message of Mahaprabhu and spread it throughout the world. So this verse’s credit: pṛthvīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma, sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma: this credit goes to Gurudev!As a result, the influence of this movement has now spread across many cities—bringing the village-village Pāda-yātrā into urban life.

I remember walking with Guru Mahārāja from Noida to Vṛndāvana in between a village Jewar comes. At that time, no one even knew about us. We were walking barefoot through villages. People would approach us directly from the fields, curious and drawn. So through Padayatra, the holynames are reaching the remotest corners of villages.

I once said, “I was alone; there was no one.”
Guru Mahārāja replied:
“The trees, the birds, the animals—all living beings here this holyname.”

Such is Guru Mahārāja’s deep level of spiritual sensitivity—he hears and responds to the suffering of every living entity. He doesn’t appreciate loud noise or show; he values sincere service. Anyone who sincerely renders service will surely be blessed by him.

I have seen that even in 1996, when many some of the Srila Prabhupada disciples were struggling or were moving far away from devotional association, Guru Mahārāja brought them back out of his compassion and his service to Srila Prabhupada. Even people who were not in Calcutta he welcomed even them and even those who had made mistakes or drifted away. So Noida is famous for kirtans and Gurudev stresses. So Gurudev calls me a lot of things like you are Prachin- very old and so on. This is Gurudev’s mercy on me and I want to stay under the shelter of his lotus feet.

Speaker 5: HG Krishna Bhakt Prabhuji

Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

I want to offer my humble obeisance unto the divine lotus feet of Srila Gurudev.

So last week we had get together of all the disciples of Maharaj, so said that it is not possible to summarize Gurudev’s glories in 3-4 minutes just like Srimad Bhagavat katha goes on for 7 days, similarly Gurudev’s glories can be said for 7 days. So as Padmali Prabhu said that we have only a limted time so I was thinking that where should we start, and where should we end.

One striking quality is his perfect time management. Not a single moment is wasted. Whether in meetings, in service, or even during moments of rest, Guru Mahārāja remains absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness—studying the Gītā, Caitanya-caritāmṛta, or reciting ślokas or chanting even at the time of conflict.

He once said:“One who serves for sixteen hours has the right to sleep for six hours, because even that sleep becomes a service.” Every second is used for spiritual purpose for that person.

I remember in Solapur, during a japa talk, Guru Mahārāja shared a profound realization. He said, “Yesterday, I was thinking critically about a devotee. I caught myself and immediately corrected it. I removed that thought.” Even a trace of aparādha or offense does not enter his heart. That is the level of Guru Mahārāja’s purity.

Guru Mahārāja is a perfect representative of what a disciple should be—fully surrendered, humble, and devoted. His humility is not artificial; it’s genuine and deep. Different devotees experience this humility in countless ways. When we come into his association, we feel that the devotees are not of this world—they are residents of Vaikuṇṭha similarly Gurudev is also a resident of Vaikuntha.

Once, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami Maharaj was telling me that-
“If you keep someone in the company of Guru Mahārāja even for just three hours, they will be trained.”That is the kind of transformative influence Guru Mahārāja has. His presence purifies.

So in this Vyāsa-pūjā, I offer my humble prayer:
“Whatever service you have given me, Guru Mahārāja, may I never become careless or proud. May I serve you always—not as an official, but as a surrendered servant. May I never forget that all I have is by your mercy.” Gurudev who has given us all so much opportunity to serve, be empowered with strength and purity to continue this mission.

Guru Mahārāja, I am endlessly grateful for your mercy, your compassion, and your unwavering energy in spreading the holy name.
Whether I am physically close to you or far away, please always keep me in your shelter. Keep me close to your lotus heart. Let me remain your servant until I become completely purified and worthy of your service.

This is my heartfelt prayer on this auspicious day of your appearance.

Speaker 6: Krishna Kishore Prabhuji- Manager for ISKCON Aravade
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

I want to humbly offer my respectful obeisances to Gurudev and all the Vaishnavas.
I thank HG Padmamli Prabhu for giving me this opportunity although I am not qualified to do so.

Few days back, one of Gurudev’s classmates Dhanavade Prabhuji met me and told me that he was rememebering Gurumaharaj. He told me that he thought Gurudev will forget him as now he is practicing bhakti but to his surprise, Gurudev still talks to him and remembers him.

On 25th May Rathayatra was going on in Karad and then Gurudev said start the Rath, then everybody said how can we, it is raining. But Gurudev insisted on starting Rathayatra and then as soon as we started, rain stopped and it didn’t rain till we reached the destination, Gurudev did a lot of kirtan. On 29th June in Tasgaon Rathayatra happened, we felt that Gurudev is present physically. Nandlal prabhu once narrated a pastime that when Gurudev was small, his mother bought a hen to be butchered, but Gurudev, out of his compassion towards a hen, didn’t allow her to do so and protected the hen and left him in a field.

Once Gurudev’s mother went to Mumbai to see him. So at that Gurudev used to come from book distribution and he took out some prasadam from a vessel. So Gurudev’s mother started crying and asked him that why is he living such an austere life?

Once a resident of Aravade village, Kulkarni ji mentioned that from childhood Gurudev was compassionate towards all the living beings and he wanted to learn harmonium from a very young age. So there are so many stories about Srila Gurudev. So Gurudev told Srinath Prabhuji once that where you go stay with devotees.

For myself also personally I went for a break to my home, but Gurudev called me immediately.

Speaker 6: HG Vitthalanand Prabhuji
My obesiances to Srila Gurudev. I take inspiration from Gurudev from his attitude towards service. Srila Prabhupada told Gurudev that “I need more men like you.” So, I think that Gurudev sees the same in all of us. So we should try to become like him. So just like a dog thinks that he is running the cart while sitting on it but actually it is the cow or buffalo who runs it. In the same way whatever success that we get in our services we think that we are getting because of our endeavours but actually it is because of the mercy of Srila Gurudev so we forget our position. He gives his mercy along with the service. So I constantly try to remember this quality of Gurudev. So just as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted the gardeners to distribute the holyname similarly Gurudev also need to devotees to engage them in the services. Even Sri Rama wanted to engage all the living entities to build the bridge to Lanka, he could have done that himself but he chose to give services to all. Gurudev gives us so many services to do but I think one lifetime is not enough to do all those services. So Gurudev gives us the strength.

So when I was living in Pandharpur then Gurudev told me that a lot of Brahmacharis will be made here. Gurudev knows the future. Once he told me to go to Osmanabad for preaching but I was thinking that how will I make devotees there? But now when we go there are about 150-200 devotees and many are initiated and aspiring. Whatever Gurudev says that becomes the reality.

So long back he told to build a big temple in Beed, and now we have a big temple there. Within two years we got construct that temple. So now we are happy serving Sri Sri Radha Govinda devji. We are increasing our attachment towards the deities. We are 4-7 devotees only but we are managing the whole district, and others also. Generally 50 people are needed to manage a temple, but we are able to manage with 4-7 devotees only. All the services are going by the mercy of Gurudev. So we see that Gurudev visits places that have large devotee group but we request Maharaj to visit Beed atleast once or twice in a year so that it increases our enthusiasms to do our services nicely. This helps to connect people easily. Please give your association to us. This is our humble request to you!

Speaker 7: HG Dhanurdhar Arjun Prabhuji- Co-President of ISKCON Pandharpur
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

I want to humbly offer my respectful obeisances to Gurudev and all the Vaishnavas.

Gurudev is a treasure of many spiritual qualities but I would like to take up one of his qualities. All saints have a developed a lot of siddhis. They never disclose or showoff there siddhis just like Lord Kapila Dev. So just like Srila Prabhupada who is the greatest saint of all times, unknowingly also reveal these siddhis. Once pointed out to a land while walking on the Juhu beach and said “There should be a temple there, and now ISKCON Chowpatty is standing there”. So similarly Gurudev never showsoff his siddhis. Tukaram Maharaj said that these saints are not normal saints. Gurudev lives like a ordinary person even Sita Mata was also a saint.

Many questioned Gurudev’s decision of purchasing a land on the other side of Chandrabhaga, but now we see that ISKCON Pandharpur temple has become the center of Pandharpur. Now kirtans are happening here.

When HH Bhakti Charu Maharaj was about to leave this world, Gurudev called him and Maharaj said clealy if you wish you can leave this body. Similarly when HH Gopala Krishna Goswami Maharaj was about to leave, Gurudev knew that he was about to leave so Maharaj stopped and remained with him during his last moments—he knew he was about to leave this world. This is his divine vision. He truly knows past, present, and future (trikāla-jña). As Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, veda aham samatītāni vartamānāni cārjuna—”I know everything.” Our Guru Mahārāj is always connected with the Lord. He is pure, and by Kṛṣṇa’s grace, he reflects many of the Lord’s qualities.

I have witnessed these divine qualities in Guru Mahārāj repeatedly. Once, a devotee named Upan Prabhu in a very serious health crisis prayed to Maharaj. He was so sick that everyone thought he might not survive. But when he contacted Maharaj, Guru Mahārāj lovingly said, “Get well soon and come back.” Taking that as a divine instruction, the devotee recovered miraculously. Another person from Āravadā was given a similar message by Maharaj: “Nothing will happen when an astrologer predicted his death” He too was saved. Whatever Guru Mahārāj says—whether it appears ordinary or prophetic—inevitably comes true.

Sometimes, we foolishly apply our mundane logic to Guru Mahārāj’s decisions. For instance, in Paṇḍharpur we had a property near the Viṭṭhala temple named as Vada, and I repeatedly requested Maharaj to build a guesthouse there, saying it would bring good income for the temple. But every time we presented the plan, Maharaj would gently set it aside. At that time, we did not understand. Later, we realized he was not acting on common sense, but spiritual sense—his connection with Kṛṣṇa. He could see things we could not.

Guru Mahārāj’s foresight reminds me of a classic instruction: when Śrīla Prabhupāda would ask a disciple to jump, the disciple wouldn’t ask “Why?” but “How high?” That is the kind of surrender we are learning from Maharaj. Even though I am fallen, full of anger and arrogance, Maharaj has always given me guidance, encouragement, and shelter.

HG Padmali Prabhu adds to this:
For HH Gopala Krishna Swami Maharaj, I had to leave for Dehradun the next day, but Gurudev called me and stopped me from doing so. He just said “I will be in Vrindavan the next day” and exactly the same happened and HH Gopala Krishna Maharaj entered Samadhi the next day.
Another example I’d like to share is of Damayantī Mātaji, who was in a critical condition in the Bhaktivedanta Hospice in Vṛndāvana. The doctors had said she could leave her body at any moment. Her loved ones called Guru Mahārāj, hoping for some final words. But instead of speaking a farewell, Guru Mahārāj said with full confidence, “I will come to see you in Kārtika.” Everyone was surprised. And what happened? Mātaji survived, and she left her body only in Kārtika, in the divine presence of Guru Mahārāj.

Speaker 8: HG Vrajendra Tanu Prabhu- Co-President of ISKCON Nagpur
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

Dear Guru Mahārāj, your words are filled with spiritual power, compassion, and divine assurance. You have given me and all of us everything—Śrīla Prabhupāda, ISKCON, Kṛṣṇa, sādhus, śāstras, books, prasādam, and most importantly, your association. What more could one ask for?

You are an ocean of mercy. Like Lord Viṭṭhala of Paṇḍharpur, who accepts even the unqualified with love, you look not at our position but our sincerity. You are the embodiment of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mood. You always say: “If you want to show your love to me, then follow Śrīla Prabhupāda and spread his mission.” That is your desire.

By your grace, I can assist in systematic preaching, youth outreach, training, education, and servant leadership in our zone. You always say that please make Srila Prabhupada’s desire of making a temple in Nagpur as my wish and bulit this project. We are trying our best to do so. There are two major projects growing rapidly by your mercy—Bhu-Vaikuṇṭha Paṇḍharpur and IVCC Nagpur. We humbly beg for your continued blessings for their completion.

Speaker 9: HG Advaita Acharya Prabhu- ISKCON Amravati
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

You are the ocean of mercy, you are fulfiller the spriritual desires. So we sing everyday yasya prasadad bhagvata prasado.. so I also think that you are the prasad of Lord to us.

I remember how I once said, “I will not accept the sun-god Sūryanārāyaṇa as my guru, even if he spoke the Gītā, because a guru must be living and guiding us.” I didn’t know that my words would someday manifest in the form of meeting you, Guru Mahārāj, on Janamashtami 15th August 2006, on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Appearance Day, at the Rādhā-Gopīnātha temple in Nagpur. That was the first time I saw a real devotee, a living śuddha-bhakta.
Later, when I was considering an MBA or a job, my brother said, “Ask yourself—do you want to continue studies or dedicate yourself to Guru Mahārāj?” And you, Maharaj, so mercifully called me and gave me time, guidance, and assurance.

You continue to give us direction and purpose, and now my only desire is to remain in your service, close to your lotus feet, following your instructions wholeheartedly. He asked me to spend sometime in ashram. This is my humble offering and prayer on this blessed Vyāsa-pūjā.
O Gurudeva, may I become a sincere servant at your feet. Please never let me forget you. Please never let me leave your service.

Maharaj once asked me about my family in great detail—how are your parents? How many brothers and sisters? What are your family responsibilities? Then, with great concern and care, he said, “If you feel that you should work a job for experience, or to understand the hardship people face—how they struggle for a few paisas, how they are squeezed, insulted, and pressured—then that experience will help you later as a brahmacārī. It will help you understand the value of money.”

He further instructed, “You are young now. Stay in the brahmacārī āśrama in Pune, take training, and attend the seminar in Paṇḍharpur.” This showed how much Maharaj protects and guides each devotee who is trying to move forward spiritually. Such affectionate concern can only come from a loving spiritual father.

I also recall an incident in Nagpur involving a 3.5-acre plot of land in Kalamna. Although the location was far from the main city (about 25 km away), Guru Mahārāj insisted on choosing that place. The management team, including myself, humbly requested Maharaj not to go so far. But he replied firmly, “Why are you crying? Just as you see Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision in Bhubaneswar and Vṛndāvana, this will also become a central place in Nagpur. You just wait and see.”

Today, as predicted, that land has indeed become a central location. Nagpur has grown, and the temple now lies on the very path to the geographical center of India. Maharaj had foreseen it all.

In Amravati also, there were obstacles regarding Bhūmi-pūjan. No one imagined that within just 15–20 days, by the sincere desire of a true disciple, everything would be arranged by Kṛṣṇa’s will. When Maharaj said, “I will come only when Bhūmi-pūjan is done,” within no time, the legal hurdles cleared, and the Chief Minister himself came for the event. Crores of rupees were donated, and the entire city heard about it. This was nothing short of miraculous. All of it happened by the mercy and transcendental potency of our beloved Guru Mahārāj.

Such compassion and determination in service are Mahāprabhu’s gifts manifest in Maharaj. He is karuṇā-sindhu, an ocean of mercy. Whatever little service we’re doing is only by his grace. I am certainly unqualified, but Guru Mahārāj has mercifully entrusted us with service. I offer my heartfelt gratitude for that.

I pray that all the services Guru Mahārāj has given us—especially the construction of the Rukmi Dvārakādīśa Mandir in Amravati—may progress beautifully. May this temple become a place where countless devotees are nourished spiritually. That is our humble desire and offering at your lotus feet, Maharaj.

Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jai Vitthal Rakhumai!
Speaker 10: HG Damodar Sākha Prabhu- ISKCON Icchankarnji
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya, Krishna-Preshthaya Bhutale,
Srimate Loknatha Swamin Iti Namine.
Namaste Saraswati Deve, Gauravani Pracharine,
Nirvishesha Shunyavadi Pashchatya Desha Tarine.

I offer my humble obeisances to my beloved Guru Mahārāj and all assembled Vaiṣṇavas.

All the offerings before mine were very beautiful, filled with love and devotion. I had also prepared something, but simply seeing Guru Mahārāj has quenched the thirst of my heart. I feel so joyful and inspired in my devotion. Whenever I see Maharaj, my conviction to stay steady in bhakti strengthens even more.

Guru Mahārāj’s unwavering devotion to Śrīla Prabhupāda and his seriousness in following his instructions are truly extraordinary. Śrīla Prabhupāda had instructed him to preach in villages and cities through padayātrā. To this day, Guru Mahārāj takes that instruction as his life and soul, and inspires others to do the same. He personally walks and inspires others to walk with him. This is a unique and glorious quality of Guru Mahārāj.
He teaches by his example that the greatest virtue of a disciple is to follow the command of the Guru. And to follow those instructions, we must remain in relationship with the Guru. Without a living, personal ideal, how can one attain one’s spiritual goal? Guru Mahārāj is that ideal for us.
Even if we’ve never met Śrīla Prabhupāda personally, we feel connected to him through our Guru Mahārāj. He embodies Prabhupāda’s mood. His caring nature creates a special connection with every soul. Guru Mahārāj never forgets anyone he meets, and no one forgets his service either.

His presence awakens a deep feeling in our hearts—that someone is watching over our devotion, guiding us, nurturing us like a parent nurtures a child. Truly, for me, my parents are my Guru Mahārāj. He is our greatest treasure, our protector, our master, and our goal.

We must strive to fulfill his instructions, which are none other than the instructions of the Supreme Lord. Maharaj constantly reminds us of the value of time. He uses every moment in Kṛṣṇa’s service and wants us to do the same.

So, at your lotus feet, dear Guru Mahārāj, I offer this prayer: please bless us that we may unite all the devotees, construct a beautiful temple as your offering, and fully please your divine heart. May we offer our life, energy, mind, and words for this divine purpose.
Hare Kṛṣṇa. O Gurudeva, at your feet we remain eternally grateful.

HG Padmali Prabhuji:
Thank you all for your wonderful offering and participants for listening till now.
So we end our session here.
Hare Krishna!