In this talk given in Vancouver on June 21st 2001, on the disappearance day of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Śrīla Bhakti Gaurava Narasiṅgha Mahārāja speaks briefly about the life of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and the unfortunate situation of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism before the Ṭhākura’s appearance.
Mahārāja discusses rāgānuga-bhakti (spontaneous love of God), the phrase ‘rūpānuga,’ śraddhā (faith) as the halo of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and the position of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in our sampradāya. He also addresses the argument of some persons that Prabhupāda never gave rāgānuga-bhakti, and explains the connection between surrender and service.
Narasiṅgha Mahārāja also discusses the ontological position of Gadādhara Paṇḍita and how Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura viewed Bhaktivinoda and Gaura Kiśora Dāsa Bābājī through the eye of service. The magnanimity of gaura-līlā is also described in relation to the mādhurya of kṛṣṇa-līlā.
Narasiṅgha Mahārāja explains how the guru is not his body, and about tracing the mood of one’s guru in others. He also talks about how one must first deserve, then desire in order to become fit for the Lord’s service.
