On the morning of March 14, 2006, Srila Narayana
Maharaja went to Sri Devananda Gaudiya Matha to install the deity of
Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja. Srila Vamana Maharaja is the previous
acarya of Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti. He departed from this world, and entered
the eternal lila of the Lord, during the month of Kartik last year.
Over 15,000 devotees were there for the auspicious occasion of the installation.
There was much pomp and circumstance when Srila Narayana Maharaja arrived
- devotees sounded bugles, threw flower petals and sang loud kirtana.
Upon arrival, Srila Narayana Maharaja offered obeisances to his Gurudeva,
Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja. Simultaneously, all
the assembled devotees offered obeisances to Srila Narayana Maharaja.
Srila Paryataka Maharaja, present acarya of Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti,
offered arati to Srila Narayana Maharaja while Krsna dasa brahmacari
sang Sri Guru Carana Padma.
[After offering his obeisances to his Gurudeva, Srila Bhakti Prajnana
Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and his God-brother Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana
Maharaja, Srila Narayana Maharaja began his discourse:]
Today is an auspicious day. We have come here to Sri Devananda Gaudiya
Matha for the installation of Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja's
deity. He left this world during Vraja Mandala Parikrama last year,
and today is Sri Gaura Purnima. We are greatly fortunate that we are
installing his murti here.
Srila Vamana Maharaja was a topmost devotee. He had so many wonderful
qualities. He was extremely humble and had so much guru-nistha (strong
faith in the lotus feet of Sri Guru). He was a powerful, exalted Vaisnava.
He is my siksa-guru, as is Srila Bhaktivedanta Trivikrama Maharaja.*
[See endnote 1] They are both my worshipful siksa-gurus. Both of them
would always tell practically everyone who came to them about anything,
"Please go to Narayana Maharaja."
Srila Vamana Maharaja never had any sense of pride. After having given
any lecture, he never thought, "Did they like it?"
In the meantime, something happened so that we , became separate.
This is the desire of Kala, the Time factor, and there is something
auspicious in this. Now you see that there are so many people, both
in your Matha (temple) and in our Matha [about 15,000 people in each].
It is not easy to control so many people. Thus, what has happened
has been desired by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
This mood must be in your heart. You have called me, and I have come
here today. This invitation should not simply be an outer show. You
should have that will internally. We want to be together. We do not
wish to create any separation. If you ever need help, please call
me and I will come to help you. I am still the Vice-President of the
Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti, and a life member of the Samiti as well. My
name cannot be cut from the records.
Together we have tried to preach Sriman Mahaprabhu's mission and the
rupunuga-line the teachings coming from Srila Rupa Gosvami.
This is the mission of Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura, our Gurudeva Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja,
and also Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja.
I request, Paryataka Maharaja, that you will also be like this. You
will not quarrel. You will stay with your god-brothers, just as our
Srila Vamana Maharaja has done. You should try to make your character
like them. You must be in friendship in a very brotherly way
with all your god-brothers. I pray that you will all act and be like
this, and that we will all preach according to our rupanuga line.
I have good wishes for everyone.
[After his lecture, Srila Narayana Maharaja performed arati to his
Gurudeva, to Srila Vamana Maharaja, and then he performed the installation
ceremony.]
[Endnote 1: Srila Narayana Maharaja, Srila Trivikrama
Maharaja and Srila Vamana Maharaja all took sannyasa initiation together.
They are the first three sannyasi disciples of their spiritual master,
Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja.]
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