My Siksa - Guru & Priya Bandhu (My Instructing Spiritual Master and Dearmost Friend)

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This booklet is a collection of recollections and reflections on His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja, our Srila Prabhupada, from one of his earliest siksa followers and friends, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. The accounts of his association with Srila Prabhupada span over thirty years, since they first met in 1947.

Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja was happy to share his fond memories of this long-standing and affectionate relationship, and excerpts from a variety of his informal interviews and statements have been included here. We have lightly edited his English, because English is not his native tongue. Had he presented these memories and appreciations in Hindi, the details and heartfelt explanations would have been still more eloquent and detailed.

Srila Prabhupada is a nitya-siddha devotee. He never had to advance from a conditioned life to pure Krsna consciousness. Therefore, it may be noted that the descriptions of Srila Prabhupada given by Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja are in relation to his nara-lila (human-like pastimes) and have nothing to do with this material environment. Such pastimes are only meant to help instruct others how to advance in Krsna consciousness.

Our sincere hope is that in reading this booklet, the worldwide audience of devotees will receive enlivenment by hearing inspirational memories about our maha-bhagavata-guru from one of his most intimate admirers, another maha-bhagavata guru. Where this humble effort is not of the highest quality, or if it fails in any way to properly represent Srila Prabhupada or Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, we beg the forgiveness of the merciful Vaisnavas. We pray that our most beloved Srila Prabhupada will be pleased with our desire to more deeply discover and glorify his transcendental personality, pastimes, and sankirtana mission, and the mission of his spiritual successor, Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.

CONTENTS

Introduction	1
Chapter One - Our First Years Together
His Association with Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja	3
Founding Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti	5
Our First Meeting	6
Editorial Seva	9
Jhansi	11
Residing in Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha	13
Accepting Sannyasa	17
At Sri Radha- Damodara Mandira	22
Preparation and Departure for America	23
Return to India	24
Preaching in India	27
Chapter Two - Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Lila	31
Srila Prabhupada's Desire to go to Govardhana	31
Visiting Him in His Last Days	34
His Divine Departure	41
In Madhurya-rasa	43
Chapter Three - My Message Is One with His	45
Endnotes	49

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