Disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada was celebrated on the 2nd day of Kartik Yatra and HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj glorified Srila Prabhupada by discussing about his extraordinary contribution in spreading Krishna Consciousness all over the world.
Disappearance day celebration began from morning. At 8 am there were wonderful bhajans. One of the bhajans was, “Yadi Prabhupada na hoito” which has been written by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj.
After bhajans there was a video class of Srila Prabhupada. Immediately after the class, there was offering by various senior devotees to Srila Prabhupada.
In the afternoon, puspanjali was offered to Srila Prabhupada followed by guru puja.
In the evening again there was offering to Srila Prabhupada by his disciples. There was also a presentation on TOVP in which devotees were encouraged to help build this wonderful project. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj also spoke and inspired devotees to contribute in TOVP project.
Maharaj spoke about important events which occurred in the life of Srila Prabhupada.
I am highlighting here 3 important points which Maharaj said on the occassion of disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada during the Kartik Yatra.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur introduces teachings of Lord Chaitanya to western world in 1896
Prabhupada appeared in this world in 1896 and this was the year when for the first time the western world was introduced to the teachings of Lord Chaitanya by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote a book entitled “Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – His Life and Precepts.” The book was written in English language so that the western world can come to know about the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and also his teachings.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur sent this book to McGill University in Montreal, Canada and to the Royal Asiatic Society in London.
This cannot mere be a coincidence that the year when Srila Prabhupada was born, the great acharya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, writes a book in English about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the western audience.
And later his son, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, instructs Srila Prabhupada to preach the message of Lord Chaitanya to the western world.
Everything happened by Lord Chaitanya’s plan. Lord Chaitanya had already said that my holy names will be chanted all over the world.
pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma
“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.” (Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya 4.126)
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur Prediction
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur also had a desire that people from all over the world come to Mayapur to chant the glories of Lord Chaitanya. It was not just his desire but in fact he had also predicted that a day will come when people from different countries will come to Mayapur and will chant the names of Krishna and Chaitanya.
“Very soon the chanting of ‘Harinama sankirtana will be spread all over the world. Oh, when will that day come when people from America, England, France, Germany, Russia will take up karatals and mrdangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns? When will that day come when the fair-skinned foreigners will come to Sri Mayapur-dhama and join with the Bengali Vaisnavas to chant, Jaya Sacinandana, Jaya Sacinandana. When will that day be?” Sajjana-tosani
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur was sure that this is going to happen because he knew that a great personality is being sent by Lord Chaitanya to accomplish this mission. Srila Prabhupada was that great personality who was personally sent by Lord Chaitanya to spread his names and glories in every nook and corner of the world.
First & Last instruction to Srila Prabhupada by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur
When for the first time Srila Prabhupada as young Abhay Charan met his guru, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, in 1922, the first word spoken to him by his guru was, “You are an educated intelligent young man. So, why don’t you spread the teachings of Lord Chaitanya in English language to the western world.”
And the last instruction which Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur gave to Srila Prabhupada was the same – Spread the teachings of Lord Chaitanya in English language to the western world. This instruction was written by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur in Jagannath Puri just two weeks before he departed from this world.
Srila Prabhupada dedicated his entire life in fulfilling the order of his spiritual master. Without caring for his own life, he made it his life’s mission statement. And in spite of so many difficulties, he carried on with the instruction of his spiritual master.
It was because of Srila Prabhupada’s determination that today we are having this opportunity to practice Krishna Consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada wanted everyone to participate in the construction of Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP):
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj said, “One of the primary dreams of Srila Prabhupada was building Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP). Why? Because it’s a birthplace of Lord Chaitanya, birthplace of sankirtana movement. In Navadwip, Pancha Tattva came together to open storehouse of love of Krishna without considering who is fit or who is unfit.”
Maharaj further said, “TOVP was dream of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and Srila Prabhupada. Their dream was that people of whole world understands Lord Chaitanya. TOVP is to attract people to come to the pilgrimage, to get educated and inspired by the life of Lord Chaitanya.”
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj said that Srila Prabhupada has given everybody the responsibility of building this wonderful temple. Maharaj inspired devotees to help in TOVP project by giving the example of HG Jananivāsa Prabhu.
Maharaj said that HG Jananivāsa Prabhu had never left Mayapur for several decades because as a head pujari of Mayapur he was so absorbed in worshipping Sri Sri Radha Madhav.
But to inspire devotees to help in building TOVP, now HG Jananivāsa Prabhu is travelling all over the world. So, we can understand how important this project is for all the devotees.
Maharaj while concluding his speech said, “On this auspicious day, I humbly request you to fulfill the dream of Srila Prabhupada.“
Program concludes with a Vaisnav bhajan of separation
At the end Maharaj soulfully sang,the vaisnav song, “Je Anilo Prema Dhana.” Devotees were absorbed in singing this beautiful song which has been composed by Srila Narottama Das Thakura.
It was followed by Damodarastakam and lamp offering to the deities.
It was a great way to celebrate the disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada during the Kartik Yatra as Sri Jagannath Puri Dham. Srila Prabhupada has transformed our lives, so we should always remember him and thank him for what he has give to us.
