Ananda Sambada

The Sri Gour Govinda Swami Charita was composed by Sri Kalakantha das Prabhuji, and is the biography of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja written in Bengali and Oriya verse. The translation of this work is ongoing, and will be published as a book soon. For now, we have presented below a couple of chapters for the pleasure of our readers.

Gour Govinda Swami Carita

by Kalakantha prabhu,

English translation by Jagannath Misra prabhuji

Chapter 2, “Vanaprastha sadguru sadhana guruprapti o diksha graham”.

(This chapter is devoted to Gurudeva's acceptance of Vanaprastha, searching for sadguru,and attainment of Guru and acceptance of Diksha)

toma-sri-carane-mora-koti-namaskar

varana-kariba-ami-liladhi-tomara (1)

Countless salutations to your Sri Carana, as I herein describe your pastimes.

amita-durjana-ati-patita-pamara

koti-koti-janme-mora-nahinka-nistara (2)

I am a wicked person, most fallen, and will not achieve deliverance after millions of births.

karma-nahi-jnana nahi-bhakti-mora nahi

tabe-ami-kirupe-tava-krupa-pai (3)

I have no karma, jnana or bhakti - how will I achieve your mercy?

surjya-jena-rasmidane-na-haya-krupana

sie-bhale-hayatumi-apara-karuna (4)

As the sun is not miserly in the distribution of his rays, so let your own immeasurable grace shine on me.

kandiya-kandiya-bale-e-patita-jana

ahaituka-kripa-more-karaha-pradhana (5)

Weeping and weeping, so says this fallen one, “Please bestow your causeless mercy on me”.

katakera-eka-stahne-thaken-kichudina

maya-ese-vruddhu-vesa-balena-vachana (6)

Thus, in Cuttack he remained in one place for a few days; Maya soon approached in the dress of an old woman and spoke to him.

dustara-tomara-ehi-samsara-bandana

tumi-eka-samarthila-karite-chedana (7)

(Maya said) “Your insurmountable bondage to this samsara, only you will be able to sever.”

ata-suni-age-calena-kariya-vichara

gurupada-padma-paite-gele-bahu-dure (8)

Hearing this, and contemplating on what he had heard, he travelled a great distance in search of the lotus feet of Guru.

himalaya-rushikesha-haridwara-stahna

ehistane-nitya-karena-gurura-sandhana (9)

Travelling around the Himalayas, in Haridwar and Hrisikesh, he continued his constant search for Guru.

nana-muni-nana-yogi-dile-darasnan

bhakti-chadi-sabe-karena-kutarkanumana (10)

He had darasana of many Munis and Yogis, who delivered nothing but false arguments, never touching on Bhakti.

krutarkamane-krusne-kabhunahi-jani

krusnere-janite-eka-matra-bhaktimani (11)

esab-siddanta-haya-sastrera-vacana

atabali-guru-amara-dile-nirupana (12)

False logicians can never know Krsna; only those who have Bhakti can know Krsna. These conclusions are the voice of scripture. Saying so, my Guru then gave the following understanding.

na-sadhyaati-mam-yoga-

na-sankhya-dharma-uddhava,

na-sraddhaya-satpastyaga-

jatha-bhakti-mamurjita (13)

suna-uddhava-mora-katha-ami-bhaktipriya

stapa-tyaga-yoga-ara-sankha-kehanaya (14)

Listen Uddhava to my words, I am fond of bhakti - austerity, renunciation and sankha are worthless.

koti-jadi yoga-jagna-tapadi-kare

bhakti-bina-kona-karma-phale-nahi dhare (15)

One may endlessly perform yoga, sacrifice and austerity, but any deed that lacks Bhakti bears no fruit.

punya-jukti-kari-balena-kaliyuga-dharma

hari-sankitan-kara-ehi-sarvasastra-dharma (16)

Once again, with clear logic, Gurudeva would verify the Kaliyuga dharma of Harinama sankirtan as the dharma of all sastras.

harenama-harenama-harenamaiva-kevalam

kalou-naistaeva-naistaeva-naistaeva-gatiranyata (17)

esava-suniya-tara-krodhadhanyita-haya

bhago-bhago-balena-save-madamatta-haya (18)

Hearing these sastric siddhantas, they (the Munis and Rishis) were often moved to anger and drove him from their ashrams, overwhelmed with indignant pride.

aee-bhave-nana-tarka-haya-nana-stane

save-aee-vakya-bale-tattva-nahi-jane (19)

In this manner, Gurudeva would hold debates in different places, but everyone would respond in a similar fashion, as they did not know the siddhanta.

ehi-sthane-ache-bahu-muni-rishi-yogi

dhyana-dharan-kare-sehu-haya-gruhatyaga (20)

aee-sava-yogigane-tare-sadhu-vali

setha-loka-nityakare-bhandara-roti-dhani (21)

Many Munis, Rishis and Yogis, who had given up their homes, would live in these places, practicing meditation. All of those Yogis were Sadhus, and they maintained kitchens, and would distribute roti and dahl.

duikandha-roti-ara-dui-dankha-dhali

dhardi-bande-yogigane-haya-thelatheli (22)

e-bhandare-thaliraki-anusthane-jaya

pheri-dikhe-sei-thale-anya-jana-khae (23)

Two rotis and two ladles of dhal, per-person, created a queue of jostling Sadhus. Sadhus would eat and leave, at the kitchen, the plate, which would be in continual use. (They had communal kitchen plates.)

guru-amara-gruha-tyagi-thake-tara-sange

ekadine-bhandara-ghaeetegele-yogisange (24)

bhandara-khaite-phire-karena-bhajana

bhajana-ki-hoya-sada-bicalita-mana (25)

Thus, our Guru, who had forsaken his home, lived, for a short time, in these Yogis’ company. One day, as usual, he went to dine in the company of the Yogis, yet, on returning from the kitchen, found that he could not engage in bhajan, as his mind had turned restless.

krusnapada-kende-vale-anutapa-hoite

ara-kabe-nahin-jaba-bhandara-kaite (26)

nanasthane-thakena-sehu-kariya-bhramana

sarpa-ara-pasu-sange-karena-sayana (27)

aee-bhabe-atikrama-haila-kichidina

gurudevara-padapadma-nahaya-darasna (28)

Weeping and lamenting at the feet of Krsna, he promised never to eat at the free kitchens again. Thus, he moved here and there, sleeping beside and keeping company of, snakes and beasts. In this way some time passed, yet still he had not seen the lotus feet of his Guru.

mane-vicharile-krusnera-dhama-vrundavana

gurudevara-sei-sthane-milibe-sandhana (29)

krusna-avasya-sei-sthane-karivena-daya

sei-dayabale-paba-gurupada-chaya (30)

He reflected on the fact that Vrindavana is Krsna's dear abode; “Surely, I must find my Guru therein. Krsna must of course be merciful to me in Vraj, and by the strength of that mercy, I will achieve the shade of the Guru's feet”.

atabhabi-calena-tabu-vrundavana-dhama

vrundavana-thaki-nitya-karena-krusna-nama (31)

krusna-nama-sunite-krusnera-parphullita-mana

gurukrupa-paite-karena-aneka-jatana (32)

Thinking thus, he went to Vrindavana-dhama, wherein he stayed, constantly taking Krsna's name, and thereby, he pleased Krsna. He carefully tried to achieve the mercy of Guru.

eka-eka-asramare-ekadina-jae

purvapari-tarkhahaya-santi-nahi-paya (33)

He would move from one ashram to another on a daily basis - but, as before, he had no peace, due to holding debates.

ramanareti-vrindavanera-haya-eka-sthana

seisthane-eka-phalabe-likhacilaa-iskcon (34)

bhaktivedanta-swami-srila-prabhupada

pratisthana-acarya-sei-parama-pujyapada (35)

There is a place, in Vrindavana-dhama, called Ramanareti. Whilst there, he noticed a placard with "Iskcon" engraved thereupon, alongside the name of Srila Prabhhupada, the founder Acarya.

atadekhi-pravesile-sei-sevashrame

jignasila-nana-bhakte-acarya-darasane (36)

parivrajaka-acarya-sehu-karena-bhramana

samagra-pruthivi-bhramena-gai-hariguna (37)

Seeing this, he entered the ashrama and inquired, from various devotees, if he could have darasana of the Acarya, who had been travelling the world, singing of Hari's virtues.

daiva-yoge-sei-sthane-cila-prabhupada

srikrusnaera-krupa-ehi-prerile-sambhada (38)

By Krsna's grace, he received the news, that, by some good fortune, Srila Prabhupada was, indeed, present.

prabhupadera-sevaka-cila-bhramananda-das

tare-vinaye-nivedilena-dante-dhari-ghase (39)

krupa-kari-kore-mote-prabhupadera-bheta

ati-suni-sevaka-bale-nakara-vibhrata (40)

prabhupada-ekhana-jabe-visrama-karite

virama-sese-darasan-divena-pascate (41)

Prabhupada's servant was Bhramananada das. Approaching him, in a humble mood, with a blade of grass between his teeth, he said, "Be merciful and arrange a meeting, between me and Srila Prabhupada". Hearing this, the servant replied, “Do not to worry, as Srila Prabhupada is presently resting, after which you can have his darasana.”

iha-suni-vinaye-nivedile-punah-punah

vinamrata-dekhi-sevaka-karile-darasana (42)

sevaka-jaite-kahe-srila-prabhupada

eka-sadhu-ichakaren-tomara-saksat (43)

Hearing this, he again and again humbly petitioned, and noting his humility, the servant arranged a meeting, saying to Srila Prabhupada, “A sadhu has come desirous of meeting you”.

srila-prabhupada-balena-avilambe-daka

sange-sange-dakite-ase-tanhara-sevaka (44)

Srila Prabhupada said, “Call him at once!”, and the servant immediately called him forward.

sevaka-asiya-bale-tume-bhagyavana

toma-prati-prabhupada-darasne-prasnana (45)

The servant approached, declaring; "You are very fortunate, for Srila Prabhupada is happily calling you into his presence"

acharje-dekhiya-kaile-sastanga-pranati

agamanera-varrta-balena-hayiya-kakuti (46)

Seeing the Acharya, he offered his eight-limbed prostration, and said why he had come, in a suppliant tone.

prabhupada-balena-tare-dekhi-sadhuvesa

tumi-kiba-vanaprastha-ava-niyaca-sannyasa (47)

sannyasi-nahao-jadi-ami-diba-sannyasa

esava-suniya-mane-paile-santosha (48)

Noting him clad in the garb of a mendicant, Srila Prabhupada asked him if he was a vanaprastha or a sannyasi, adding that, “If you are not a sannyasi, then I will give you sannyas”. Hearing this his heart was satisfied.

mane-vicharile-ehi-amara-guruhaya

prathama-darasane-jei-hrudaya-kathakaya (49)

gurudeva-haya-sei-paramatma-das

antaryami-sutre-jei-sammukhe-prakasha (50)

He thought, " This is my guru, for in our first meeting he knew what was in my mind.” The Guru is a servant of the Paramatma, who appears before us as a representative of the Paramatma.

aee-bhabe-guru-sisya-haile-paricita

sei-bhabe-likhi-ami-je-ache—kathita (51)

In this way, the Guru and the disciple became acquainted; I am simply writing the events as I have heard them (from my Guru).

srilaprabhpada-balena-krusnaseva-kara

tumi-amara-sabu-pustaka-saba-anubada-kara (52)

anubada-karita-eka-patrika-dile

patrika-padite-saba-siddhanta-paile (53)

hindite-anubada-jatha-sighra-kaile

anubada-dekhi-guru-anandita-haile (54)

Srila Prabhupada told him to serve Krsna, and to translate all his books. He then gave him a magazine, upon reading which, he attained many siddantas. Very quickly, he translated it into Hindi, and gave it to Srila Prabhupada, who was delighted to read it.

nirdesile-sevakera-srila-prabhupada

tare-kara-suvyavastha-karibe-anuvada (55)

prabhupadera-nirdhesete-suvyavastha-haya

vasa-vastra-kali-kalama-abhava-kichu-naya (56)

Srila Prabhupada instructed his servants to make all arrangements for him to translate - a room, cloth, ink and paper were given; nothing was lacking.

prabhupada-guruboli-mane-sthia-kaile

gurudevara-ashrakari-bhraman-tyagile (57)

anuvada-hoite-mana-ati-anandita

se-ananda-sei-jane-je-haya-ashrita (58)

Firmly accepting Srila Prabhupada as Guru, he remained in the ashram, and gave up travelling. He took much delight in translation work. This bliss is understandable by those who have likewise taken such shelter.

krusnere-acala-sraddha-dekhi-prabhupada

diksha-diya-nama-kaila-sri-gourgovinda (59)

Noting his unwavering faith in Krsna, Srila Prabhupada gave him diksha, and changed his name to Sri Gourgovinda.

ahi harinama-diksha-haila-bombaythare

gayatri-diksha-mile-dui-masapare (60)

hydrabad-thare-haila-gayatri-diksha

guru-dakshina-dile-ani-magi-kiuchi-biksha (61)

This Harinama-diksha took place in Bombay, with Gayatri initiation one month later in Hyderabad; He collected alms, and presented them as Guru-dakshina.

prabhupada-sevabhave-thake-sada-mane

antatyami-paramatam-jane-pratikshane (62)

Always acknowledging Srila Prabhupada as a manifestation of the all-knowing Paramatma, he remained fixed in constant seva.

paramatam-prakash-hoiya-srila-prabhupada

sevabhave-jani-tehan-prerile-sambhada (63)

Srila Prabhupada, as a manifestation of the Paramatma, knew of his service attitude, and gave him the following message;

ehi-sambhada-hoya-ordissa-agamana-varrta

pascate-varnava-ami-sei-sava-katha (64)

The message was to return to Odissa. Later on, I shall narrate all these events.

tomara-carane-mora-koti-namaskar

ithe-kichu-aparadha-na-laive-amara (65)

Countless obeisances to your feet. Please do not consider my offences.

sei-guru-padapadma-rahu-mora-asa

gurudeva-carita-kahe-kalakanata-das (66)

With all hopes remaining at the lotus feet of my Guru, Kalakanta Das narrates the biography of Gurudeva.

Chapter 3, "Orissa agamana katha - Returning to Orissa"

                              jaya-jaya-gurudeva-jaya-bhaktagana

                                                                                                sabara-carana-vande-haya-akincana (1)

All glories to Srila Gurudeva and glories to the devotees, as this akincana pays my homage to every one’s feet.

sabe-mili-kara-krupa-e-patita-jane

tabe-ami-samarthiba-guru-guna-gane (2)

May all of you shower grace on this fallen soul and thus enable me to sing of our Gurudeva’s glories.

gurudevara-carita-haya-ananata-sagara

je-sagare-dubile-bhabu-haya-pare (3)

The tale of Gurudeva’s life is like a boundless ocean, and bathing therein entitles one to go beyond this material existence.

kara-jodi-boli-ami-suna-bhaktagana

je-sravana-suddha-haya-kaya-vakyamana (4)

purve-ami-varniachi-purva-gunagatha

ekhana-varniba-orissa-agamana-katha (5)

Folding my hands together, I entreat all the bhaktas to please listen, for by hearing this, one’s body, mind and words are cleansed. In the previous chapters I have portrayed Gurudeva’s virtues, and now, I will tell of his return to Orissa.

radhapriya-sakhi-haya-srila-gurudeva

milana-kunje-sakhi-mele-thanke-gurudeva (6)

Srila Gurudeva is a radhapriya-sakhi, who gathers with the other maidservants of Srimati Radharani in the milana-kunja.

radha-jena-syam-pase-kare-abhimana

sakhigane-kare-tara-se-manabhanjana (7)

seibhave-prabhupadare-chila-eka-mana

utkale-na-jaba-ami-ei-abhimana (8)

When Radha is upset with Syama, it is the sakhis who break her mana. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada had developed such a mana that he swore never again to visit Orissa.

guru-amara-prabhupada-jignase-punah-punah

iskcon-asrame-ehi-sarvatra-vidyamana (9)

utkale-jena-ihara-nama-gandha-nahi

suni-srila-prabhupada-kichina-balai (10)

Gurudeva would repeatedly ask Srila Prabhupada why Iskcon Temples had spread everywhere around the world, and yet there was no scent of the name of Iskcon in Orissa? Prabhupada said nothing.

je-jahara-prasna-ache-kare-nana-range

se-saba-prasnare-uttara-mile-sange-sange (11)

Generally, whoever made enquires to Srila Prabhupada on whatever subject they wished to know about,  they would always  be answered in due course.

e-prasnera-uttare-keba-thake-nirabata

mane-cintarahe-sada-ki-ihara-katha (12)

Gurudeva was wondering why Prabhupada did not respond, but, rather, kept silent.

manabhari-seba-karena-thaki vrundavane

druda-sraddha-bhakti-rakhi-sriguru-vacana (13)

prabhupadera-krupapatra-mile-vrunadvane

tatakhsane-patha-karena-anandita-mane (14)

With all his heart, Gurudeva remained in Vrindavana, serving Srila Prabhupada’s order with firm faith and devotion. One day, a letter came to Gurudeva from Srila Prabhupada, which he opened at once and began to read it with joy.

amake-milehe-eka-bhumi-bhabanesware

se-sthane-mandira-habe-asa-mayapure (15)

“I have acquired some land in Bhubaneswar wherein we will make a Temple. Please come to Mayapur”

mayapur-cale-tabe-esaba-suniya

prabhupade-darasana-karena-pulakitahoya (16)

Reading this, at once he set off for Mayapur, and upon arriving there, after receiving Srila Prabhupada’s darshan, he became ecstatic.

vijayananda-seistane-haile-upasthita

chabi-devira-pati-sei-prabhupadera-bhakta (17)

Vijayananda was present at this time (in Mayapura) with his wife Chabi devi, who were both Prabhupada’s bhaktas.

prabhupada-bale-tare-suna-vijayanada

ehi-haya-amara-sisya-gourgovinda (18)

Srila Prabhupada said, “listen Vijayananda, this is my disciple Gour Govinda”.

purve-ami-varniachi-prabhupadaro-mana

sei-manera-seisthane-hoila-unmochana (19)

Earlier I alluded to Srila Prabhupada’s mana, and now, in Mayapur, the origin of his discontent, he began to disclose.

prabhupada-sei-prasna-kalena-vijayananda

sava-dhame-ache-iskcon-utkale-kena-vada ? (20)

Vijayananda then asked Srila Prabhupada the following question, “Why is there an Iskcon centre in every dham except Orissa?”

prabhupada-balena-tabu-antarera-katha

je-haya-prabhupadera-abhimanera-katha (21)

Then Srila Prabhupada began to unveil his mind, and to speak of his discontentment.

utkala-ksetra-hayasri-jagannath-dhama

dhame-madhye-sarvasrestha-bahusastra-marme (22)

tenha-antyalila-karena-caitanya-mahaprabhu

hrudaye-mora-anyabhava-thake-nahin-kabhu (23)

(Srila Prabhupada said) “Utkala-ksetra is Jagannath’s abode, and the import of many sastras declare it as the topmost dhama. It was here that Caitanya Mahaprabhu enacted his antya-lila, and apart from this dhama, nothing else abides in my heart.”

amara-bahu-sisyasisya-paschatya-jana

srimandir-pravesa-tadera-haila-varana (24)

amara-sisye-pandagana-bala-ninda-katha

esabu-suniya-amara-manepae-vyatha (25)

(Srila Prabhupada said) “I have many western disciples both male and female, and they are not permitted to enter the Jagannath Temple. The pandas are ridiculing them, and hearing all this breaks my heart.”

guru-anugatye-tara-bhajuna-korile

anachar-tyagakari-vaisnava-hoile (26)

jagannath-priya-haya-tare-bhaje-jei

tara-kena-asuddha-haila-anya-hayasei (27)

“The western devotees act in accordance with guru, and are engaged in bhajana, having forsaken all their unacceptable tenancies, and have thus become Vaisnavas. Those who participate in His bhajana are dear to Lord Jagannath, so why are they deemed impure? Rather they are now to be judged as venerable.”

bhaktavatsalam-sei-jagannath-deva

bhagavate-baliachen-sri-sukadeva (28)

“Lord Jagannath is very fond of his devotees and Sri Sukadeva has said this in the Bhagavatam.”

tepus-tapaste-juhubu-sasnura-arjyah

brahmanucura-nama-grunanti-je-te (29)

bhaktyahamekaya-grahya-sraddhatma-priya-satam

bhaktipunatimanistha-swapakanapi-sambhabat (30)

Upon whose tongue the holy name is sung be they dog eaters or candalas they are now worthy of all respect and without delay reap the gain of undergoing pilgrimage and having studied the vedas.(29)

I am attained through bhakti and am very affectionate to the bhaktas. Those who perform bhakti, although born in dog eater and candala families are dear to me.(30)

(translator’s note; verses 29 and 30 are Sanskrit verses from Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.33.7 and 11.14.21)

amara-anugatya-jane-jabe-pravesa-nahin

ara-ki-karane-ami-sei-dhame-jai (31)

(Srila Prbhupada said) “If those who follow me are forbidden from entering the Temple, then why should I go to that dhama?”

ata-suni-bale-tabe-srila-gurudeva

patitera-bandhu-tumi-srila-prabhupada (32)

Hearing this Srila Gurudeva replied; “Srila Prabhupada, you are the friend of the fallen”.

tumi-jadi-krupakari-orissa-na-jabe

tabe-se-janera-uddhara-kemane-haibe (33)

vaisnava-kriya-ehi-jiba-uddharana

viswa-uddharite-kena-chadibe-odissa-jana (34)

“If you do not show your mercy and come to Orissa how will the people there be liberated? It is, after all, the vocation of a Vaisnava to liberate the entire world -  why then do you neglect Orissa?”.

smita-hasi-bole-tabu-srila-prabhupada

amara-eka-katha-suna-sri-gourgovinda (35)

Smiling, Srila Prabhupada then said, “listen to a few words of mine, Sri Gour Govinda”.

tume-amake-orissa-nibe-icha-amichai

amara-icha-purnakara-jathasighra-jai (36)

amara-eka-bhumi-ache-nuapalli-grame

kendra-eka-khola-tumi-jagannath-name (37)

(Srila Prabhupada said) “I want you take me to Orissa as soon as possible. I have some land in Nayapalli village in Bhubaneswar, now you go and open a Jagannath temple there.”

bhubaneswareswara-tabe-haibe-pratisthita

bhumira-sandana-nie-kaja-kara-seimata (38)

“There, we will establish a centre for the iswara of bhubaneswara - now go and find this place.”

(translator’s note; Bhubaneswareswara is another name for Jagannath)

guru-ajna-paya-guru-haile-santosha

calilena-sange-layan-bhagavat-das (39)

Srila Gurudeva was jubilant to receive these orders from Srila Prabhupada and left for Bhubanewar, with a certain Bhagavat das in his company.

orissa-asiya-kaile-jagara-samdhan

sei-jaga-paya-haile-anandita-mana (40)

Coming to Orissa, Gurudeva searched for the land, and upon discovering it, he became very happy.

sehi-kale-jaga-chila-ekanta-nirjana

divaloke-vatoyara-hare-dhana-jana (41)

However, at that time the land was deserted and even during the daytime, robbers would steal away wealth and could would even take away one’s life.

e-rupa-dekhiya-sei-bhagavata-das

mane-bhita-hayan-bale-pherijibe-asa (42)

ekhane-thakiba-ati-duruha-vyapara

chera-khanta-luthi-nibe-jibana-amara (43)

Noting these circumstances, Bhagavat das was afraid and expressed his wish to leave that place. He said that it is “very difficult to live here, as this is a place of thieves who will take away our life”.

Iha-suni-bale-amara-srila-gurudeva

ie-kaha-bhai-sava-aparadha-bhava (44)

Hearing this, our Gurudeva said “O bhai (brother), this is simply your offensive judgement”.

prabhupada-baliache-ekhane-thakite

tumi-kena-ichakara-chadiya-jaite (45)

“Srila Prabhupada said we are to reside here, so why do you want to leave?”

tumi-jadi-ichakara-jao-tabe-tumi

prabhupada-bali-achena-ekane-thakiba-ami (46)

“If you want to go, then go! However, Srila Prabhupada has given us this instruction, and therefore I will live here”.

gambira-hayan-bale bhagavat-das

navagata-brahmacari-nahin-ekanta-vas (47)

brahmacari-jadi-kare-ekanta-vas

sujoga-paya-maya-kare-tahate-grasa (48)

Hearing this, Bhagavat das turned grave and retorted that a neophyte brahmacari should not live alone, and if he does so, then maya will destroy him.

(translator’s note; navagata means newly created, novice etc.)

ami-tomake-ekhane-thakite-na-diba

amara-dayitya-ei-tomake-sange-niva (49)

(Bhagavat das said) “I will not allow you to stay here. My responsibility is to take you away from here”.

ehi-bhave-nathaki-tara-sese-pherigele

dukhamane-gurudeva-prabhupadera-milile (50)

In this manner, they did not stay but eventually left that place, and it was with a sorrowful mind that Gurudeva met with Srila Prabhupada.

sei-dukha-katha-haya-sannyasa-grahana

parabarthi-adhyaye-taha-haibe-varnana (51)

This sad news (of Gurudeva’s retreat from Bhubaneswar) will be narrated in the following chapter, along with his acceptance of sannyasa.

sei-gurupadapadme-rahu-mora-asa

gurudeva-lila-kahe-kalakanta-das (52)

With my hopes remaining at the lotus feet of Srila Gurudeva, this Kalakanta relates  Gurudeva’s lila.

End of Chapter Three

 Chapter 4, "sannyasa-grahana-katha - katha concerning the acceptance of sannyasa"

(The pastimes leading up to, and the acceptance of the Order of Sannyasa)

sriguru-carita-ai-bhakti rasamruta

varnana-kariba-ami-kari-dandavat (1)

savara-carane-mora-binamra-pranati

krupakari-deo-more-sri-guru-bhakti (2)

This account of Gurudeva’s pastimes is full of nectarine bhakti-rasa, and I now offer my dandavat to him, as I begin my recitation. I also offer humble pranams to the feet of all the Vaishnavas, praying that you will bestow sri-guru-bhakti upon me.

samsara-visayasakti-bade-dinu-dina

visayanale-pravesiya-na-hoya-bhajana (3)

My attachment to the objects of the senses increases day by day, and my entrance into the blazing fire of sense enjoyment has bereft me of bhajan.

gurudeva-krusnera-hoya-ati-nija-jana

jahara-krupate-haya-samsara-mocana (4)

nadi-srote-nabayena-jivera-asraya

samsara-srotera-nava-gurudeva-haya (5)

Srila Gurudeva is Krishna’s intimate associate, and, by his grace, we can cross this ocean of samsara. As a boat gives shelter to the passenger (the jivatma) in the current of a river, similarly the boat in the river-like flow of this samsara, is our Srila Gurudeva.

guru-padapadme-ache-druda-bhaktijara

anayase-parahaya-samsara-sagara (6)

Those who maintain firm bhakti for the lotus-like feet of the guru, they can very easily cross this ocean of material existence.

amara-guru-haya-sei-parama-premaswada

visve-prasidha-nama-tanka-sri-gauragovinda (7)

Our guru is relishing parama-prema, and is famed through-out the world, by the name Srila Gour Govinda (Swami Maharaja).

gurudevara-sannyasa-lila-ati-camatkar

suna-sabe-citta-diya-na-hoi-adhi (8)

Gurudeva’s sannyasa-lila is truly astonishing, thus I request you to listen whilst I relate these events to you.

bhubanewar-nachadite-manecinta-hoya

bhagavat-upadese-cadite-jaya (9)

mane-cinten-ehi-sava-krusnara-asisa

prabhupade-ehi-krame-magiba-sannyasa (10)

Gurudeva did not wish to leave Bhubaneswar, but due to Bhagavat das’s insistence, he left, and, consigning the events to Krishna’s mercy, he realised how the occasion lent itself favourably for him to beg Srila Prabhupada for sannyasa.

sannyasi-haite-tabu-ekantare-basa

krusnere-seviba-mani-guru-upadesa (11)

atacinti-calena-tabu-cadi-bhubanewar

prabhupadera-darasanrthe-hayan-agabhara (12)

A sannyasi can live alone, and serve Krishna, following the guru’s guidance. Reflecting thus, he left Bhubaneswar, with hope in his heart, as he went to meet with Srila Prabhupada.

bhagavat-gurudeva-nija-sange-nile

due-mili-ekahoyan-hydrabad-cale (13)

Together Gurudeva, and Bhagavat das, travelled to Hyderabad.

seikale-hydrabade-srila-parbhupada

bhaktagana-sange-karena-bhakti-rasa-swada (14)

keteka-sannyasi-ara-kichu-brahamcari

prabhupada-bedi-aswade-bhakti rasabari (15)

At that time, in Hydrabad, Srila Prabhupada was relishing bhakti-rasa in the company of the devotees. Several  sannyasis and brahmacaris were present with Srila Prabhupada, and in his association, they all savoured the nectar of Devotional Service.

seikale-gurudeva-haile-upastitha

binamra-pranati-ara-namra-dandavat (16)

Gurudeva arrived at this time, and he humbly offered pranams, and his dandavats.

gurudeve-prabhupada-pase-basaiya

kusala-jignasa-karena-krupa-bitariya (17)

Gurudeva seated himself close to Srila Prabhupada, and Prabhupada asked him if he was well, and bestowed his mercy upon him.

prabhupade-nivedile-apani-antara

je-karane-cadi-aile-sri-bhubaneswar (18)

After Gurudeva had offered his pranams, Srila Prabhupada asked him why he had left Bhubanewar.

ami brahmacari-boli-bhagavat-das

bhubaneware-seva-karite-nahi-dile-basa (19)

Gurudeva said, “Noting that I was a brahmacari, Bhagavat das did not allow me to remain alone in my seva, at Bhubanewar”.

thakite-seikhane-ami-karila-upaya

bhagavat-prabhu-more-dikhaila-bhaya (20)

Gurudeva said, “I was deliberating on the means to stay there, but Bhagavat prabhu made me apprehensive.

ami-balilu-eikhane-thakite-habe

guru ajna-bhangi-kari-tumi-kena-jabe (21)

tumi-jadi-ichakara-ja-tabe-tumi

prabhupada-baliachen-ekhane-thakiba-ami (22)

 “I told him, ‘We have to stay here, and besides, how can you neglect guru’s orders? If you wish to leave, then you may do so, but Srila Prabhupada has given his orders, therefore, I will remain here.”

kichu-na-suniya-amara-bhagavat-dasa

amara-dhariya-aile-diya-upadesa (23)

navagata-brahmacarira-nahi-ekanta-vasa

suyoga-paya-maya-tare-karithae-grasa (24)

“Bhagavat das did not listen to a word I said, and brought me here with the instructions that a navagata- brahmacari should not remain alone, as maya would take this opportunity to destroy him”.

prabhupadera-carane-kaile-dainya-nivedana

krupakari-sannyasa-diya-purnakari mana (25)

Gurudeva made his humble petition at Srila Prabhupada’s feet, and asked him to be merciful, and fulfil his heart’s desire to take sannyasa.

ami-jadi-sannyasi-haite-jai-bhubaneswar

kabhuna-phirite-ami-chadi-bhubaneswar (26)

"If I could return to Bhubaneswar as a sannyasi, then I would never have to leave there again."

ami-tomake-sannyasa-diba taba-ei-vani

pratama-darasane-tomara-taha-ami-jani (27)

taba-sricarane-ebe-sei-abhilasa

krupakari-jogyakara-more-diya-sannyasa (28)

sannyasi-hayan-ami-thaki-bhubanesware

kaya-manovakye-ami-sebiba-tomare (29)

“During my first darshan with you, you proclaimed that you would give me sannyasa. Now I am praying at your lotus feet, to fulfil this promise, and mercifully bestow sannyasa on me. I will remain in Bhubaneswar as your sannyasi follower, and serve you with my body, mind and words.”

esaba-suniya-tabu-srila-prabhupada

smitahasi-balena-suna-gaura-govinda (30)

kichudina-pare-ami-jaba-vrundavana

tumi-jadi-ichakara-asa-seisthana  (31)

etaka-baliya-calena-prasada-sevite

sabe-uthi-calena-tabu-tahanra-sahite (32)

After hearing Gurudeva’s words, Srila Prabhupada smiled, and said, “Listen, O Gaura Govinda, after a few days, I will go to Vrindavana, and if you wish, you may come there too.” After saying this, Srila Prabhupada left to take prasadam, and all the other devotees went with him (to take prasadam).

kichudina-ante-amara-srila gurudeva

vrundavana-jatra-kaile-smari-prabhupada (33)

After a few days, our Srila Gurudeva himself left for Vrindavana, and he became immersed in thinking of Srila Prabhupada.

srirama-navami-haila-ante-kichudina

seidhame-haila-jati-diksa-anusthana (34)

Within a few days time, it was Sri-Rama-navami, and on that very day, in Sri Vrndavana Dhama, he would take jati-diksa (sannyasa-diksa).

diksa-jagna-sthane-dise-duiti-asana

duigoti-danda-ara-duiti-vasana (35)

In the sacrificial area where the diksa was to take place, there were seen to be two asanas and two dandas, as well as two sets of cloth.

jane-sarve-jane-habe-jati-dandadhari

puratana-bhakta-sehi-nama-tripurari (36)

As far as everyone was aware there was only one person scheduled to take sannyasa, Tripurari dasa.

cinte-sabe-ara-kona-bhagyavana-jana

aja-dine-sannyasa-dharma-karibe-grahana (37)

The devotees began to realize that there was one more fortune being who would  take to the sannyasa-dharma that day.

(translator’s note; in his own commentary, Kalakanta mentions that only two other people actually knew that Sri Gaura Govinda would take sannyasa that day; Prabhupada and his secretary)

jagna-sthane-prabhupada-hayan-upasthita

ucakante-balena-tabu-suna-amara-bhakta (38)

aja-je-sannyasa-diksa-karibe-grahana

sighra-asi-paridhana-karihe-basana (39)

Srila Prabhupada boldly declared, from his place at the sacrificial fire pit, “O listen bhaktas, those who will accept the sannyasa diksa today are to quickly come forward, and wear their attire.

suni-aise-tripurari-ara-gurudeva

dekhi-acambita-haile-anyabhakta-sava (40)

In response to Prabhupada’s announcement, both Tripurari and Gurudeva stood up, and seeing this, all the devotees were astonished.

(translator’s note; Kalakanta, in his Oriya translation of this verse, says that first Tripurari stood up, then Gurudeva approached the yagna arena.)

kata-bhakta-mane-cinte-dekhi-gurudeve

nava-brahmacari-ei-keno-sannyasi-habe (41)

bahya-druste-dekhe-tara-nava-brahmacari

prabhupadera-krupate-haila-jatidandadhari (42)

Upon seeing Gurudeva, some amongst the gathering, reckoning him to be a novice-brahmacari (nava-brahmacari), wondered why he was going to take sannyasa. Although, from the external point of view, he was a nava-brahmacari, now, by Prabhupada’s grace, he was going to become a jatidandadhari (a jati, bearing a danda).

(translator’s note; nava-brahmacari; nava means new; fresh. Guru Maharaja had been a brahmacari for less than a year, so in that sense, he was new to the brahmacari asrama. The term, ‘novice’, doesn’t seem appropriate.)

gaura-govinda-das-haila-gaura-govinda-swami

purvanama-rakhi-chadena-sannyasi-dasa-nami (43)

After the diksa, you became known as Gaura Govinda Swami, keeping your old name, and replacing the title ‘das’, with ‘swami’.

aranya-parvata-bharati-tirtha-giri-puri

astottara-sata-name-sannyasi-dandadhari (44)

e-savara-nama-madhye-amara-gurunaya

seilagi-astottara-sata-balana-na-jaya (45)

It is traditional to give a sannyasi a title chosen from the astottara (108) titles such as aranya, parvata, bharati, tirtha, giri, puri etc, but no such titles were given to our guru. Thus we do not say “astottara” when mentioning his name.

mahaprabhura-sannyase-jena-kesava-bharati

purvanama-rakhi-kaile-mahaprabhura-kirtti (46)

gurudevara-sannyase-tabu-srila-prabhupada

dasa-sthane-kaila-swami-gour-govinda (47)

sannaysi-hayan-sehu-aile-bhubaneswar

krusnabhakti-dharma-nista-karile-pracara (48)

Just as when Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, Kesava Bharati kept Mahaprabhu’s former name, by which he is renowned. Similarly, Prabhupada kept Gurudeva’s former name, but changed the ‘das’ to ‘swami’. He returned to Bhubaneswar as a sannyasi, and spread the word of krsnabhakti-dharma-nista.

sannyasi-brutanta-ehi-samksipta-varnanae

sriguru-krupate-taha-haila-samapana (49)

sei-gurupada-padme-rahu-mora-asa

gurudevera-carita-kahe-kalakanta-das (50)

This is but a brief description of your sannyasa-lila, and it is surely your mercy alone that allows me to write of these matters at all. With my hopes reposed at guru pada padme Kalakanta das, herein, narrates the biography of Gurudeva.

         End of chapter 4.