(after Radhanath Maharaja had read Giriraja Maharaja's letter)

Mayapur Das (MC): I would like to thank Srila Radhanath Maharaja for reading
Srila Giriraja Maharaja's offering, and I would like to request also Srila
Radhanath Maharaja to speak a few words on this occasion.

Specifically I would also like to thank very much Srila Radhanath Maharaja
and the congregation of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir in Bombay for all
their love and help they have given to Srila Sridhar Maharaja when he needed
it the most; when he was sick he was treated in Bhaktivedanta Hospital. And
our Guru Maharaja had so many wonderful relationships with the devotees of
Radha Gopinath Mandir, and in spite of very severe health problems Srila
Radhanath Maharaja has come here to speak in honour of Sridhar Maharaja. So
I would like to thank you, Maharaja.

Radhanath Swami: Thank you for your kindness. His Holiness Sridhar Swami
Maharaja was truly one of the most exemplary devotees. . . who walked on
this earth. He surrendered his life unconditionally to Srila Prabhupada in
1969 and from every moment until the time of his departure was a beautiful
offering of love to Srila Prabhupada, to Sri Krsna, and to the world.

Srila Sridhar Maharaja participated as a member of the first travelling book
distribution party in the history of ISKCON. Why? Because he knew that that
is what Prabhupada wanted. When Prabhupada came to India, in the very early
70's and asked devotees to come, he was one of the first. The struggles and
hardships he underwent in those early days in were further testimony of his
great love. Many came and many went, but Sridhar Maharaja, like a rock of
dedication, remained faithful.

He was one of the first to establish the Life Membership programme. He was
on the first parties to travel and preach throughout the length and breadth
of India. Why? Because it was Prabhupada's wish. Sridhar Maharaja's loving
service to Srila Prabhupada was absolutely unconditional. He was the
personified of dedication and loyalty. He personified the statement
Prabhupada often made that one should make the order of the spiritual master
his life and soul.

Srila Prabhupada said that ISKCON was his body and Sridhara Swami was a very
very faithful loving personal servant of that body his whole life.
Absolutely faithful and cooperative of the society Prabhupada created no
matter what cost. . . .(?) Sridhara Maharaja's love of the devotees has been
felt personally by most of the assembled devotees here today. All over the
world thousands of devotees really felt that Sridhara Maharaja was a dear
and best friend. Whether one was a senior leader or a very unknown, new
person, Sridhar Maharaja encouraged and showered love upon all of us. How
much he loved his Godbrothers and Godsisters. This was very much witnessed
especially in his last days.

How much he encouraged and trained--not only his own disciples--but those
who were under the care of his Godbrothers as well. His affection, his care,
was truly . . .(?) In fact, Sridhar Maharaja was kind to everybody. He was
simply eager to serve. Whatever had to be done he was the first person to
step forward and do it despite even great risk and sacrifice(?). His
wonderful sense of humour, his wonderful care, has deeply enshrined his
presence within all of our hearts. In his creative dedication to Srila
Prabhupada he was one of the first to really push forward using high
technology in the service of Krsna, understanding Prabhupada's desire for
yukta-vairagya.

When he saw that ISKCON was having difficulty due to lack of funds, he was
organising fund raising programmes both internationally and various projects
all around the world, expecting nothing for himself. Sridhar Maharaja,
knowing Prabhupada's great desire to build Sridham Mayapur, he was one of
the first to step forward and dedicate himself, his life and soul, to offer
everything. . . (?)

One of the most beautiful moments in my life, and perhaps one of the
greatest historical moments in our society, was that day when Srila Sridhar
Swami Maharaja came to Mayapur with his intention to depart from the world.
Thousands and thousands of devotees from around the world assembled at the
gate of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir; everyone's hearts were fixed on
offering honour to a man who exemplified the highest principles of ??
Thousands and thousands of devotees were chanting the holy names and weeping
in gratitude and affection. When that van arrived with Sridhar Maharaja in
the back, despite his inconceivably ill health and very very difficult
rigorous journey--all the way from Vancouver to London to Calcutta--his
smile, his loving glance, his reciprocation with all the devotees, that
really is a moment I'll never forget. I believe it was the most heartfelt
offering of honour of love from such a large body of people we had seen
since the time of Srila Prabhupada. We offer our gratitude to his life of
devotion.

How Sridhar Maharaja passed from this world was simply glorious. Day and
night surrounded by his loving Godbrothers, Godsisters, and devotees of
ISKCON, chanting the holy names, reading the glories of Srila Prabhupada to
him, and he was so absorbed, so grateful even while dying physically.
Devotees were coming to his room to try to encourage him but just the
opposite happened. He would not allow anyone to feel sadness. His incredible
sense of humour in the face of pain and death was simply extraordinary.

The day I was leaving Mayapur Dham I knew it would probably be the last time
I would ever see him. It was very difficult. And some of my Godbrothers were
telling me "I can't go, I can't say goodbye to him for the last time." But I
went and he was smiling and he was laughing. He knew our hearts, and he did
not want anyone to feel bad for him. In a smiling and laughing tone he said
as soon as I came in his room "Do not say goodbye to me. Just say that we'll
meet again in the service of Srila Prabhupada again, wherever that may be.
Happy trails." And that was his mood. He made that last meeting, when I knew
it was my final farewell to a Godbrother who I worshipped an honoured with
my heart and soul, he made that meeting a joyful experience, an experience
I'll never forget.

Surrounded by devotees chanting the holy names, one day, on Srivasa
Thakura's appearance, in the supreme abode of Mayapur Dham, Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu brought His Holiness Sridhar Swami to the
lotus feet of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, to
continue his eternal loving service.

On this day I especially want to offer my deep gratitude to the disciples of
Sridhara Maharaj. They're really exemplary. They really show the substance
of Sridhara Maharaja's devotional service and dedication with body and soul.
.. .(?) They are so very cooperative, so very humble and exemplary, so very
gracious. . . . my thanks to all of you, and please know that you are really
keeping the spirit of your Guru Maharaja's loving service very much alive in
your hearts. Thank you very much.

(applause)