Saintly stories of (late) Paramahansa Saraswati Prabhupada

April 15, 2006

Wonderful Anecdotes Of Sarasvati Prabhupada

By Richard Shaw Brown

Vande gurun isha bhaktan

>From Jan. 1968 I lived continuously for 6.5 years with the 3rd direct

sannyasi disciple and very close intimate servitor of Srila Sarasvati

Prabhupada, named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Hridaya Vana Maharaj. He was

also Prabhupada's most famous preacher and he dedicated his entire

celibate life to the personal service and mission of his Gurudev.

Sripad Vana Maharaj spent LOTS of private time with Saraswati

Prabhupada and he remembered many personal incidents in the life of

Prabhupada, some of which he described to me over my years at his feet

in Sridham Vrindavan. All of the stories were unique and I would like

to relate four of them here.

---On one occasion Sripad Vana Maharaj was alone with Saraswati Thakura

on the roof of the Calcutta Gaudiya Math during a cloudy night. Vana

Maharaj noticed that Prabhupada remained silent and was looking up at

the night sky for a very long period. Swami Vana was worried that his

Gurudev would strain his neck so he asked his Guru why he continued to

look at the night sky? The great Prabhupada replied that he had looked

up and seen a star and that he must find and see another star before

looking down. With his head up he explained to Vana Maharaj that if you

see the Moon or any single star in the sky it is important that you

must see another star before looking down again. To fail to do so would

bring ill-fortune.

---Another similar example. Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada believed that to

see the Moon on the 4th day after Purnima would bring blame and

accusations against anyone who did so. He personally told Vana Maharaj

that Lord Krishna had once seen the 4th day waning Moon while residing

in Dvaraka and this was the real reason why Krishna got falsely accused

of stealing the Syamantaka ruby.

---Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura was unpopular with the Smarta Brahmins

and other Sanskrit scholars who he ridiculed for their mundane ideas.

So a plot was hatched to humiliate Prabhupada. Although Prabhupada was

a great scholar, still he was not specifically a Sanskrit expert in the

academic sense. So an assembly of Sanskrit experts was planned and

Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada was invited to debate his philosophy with

them IN SANSKRIT LANGUAGE. At the appointed time Prabhupada arrived

with a large number of his disciples and they took their seats

together. Among his disciples was an exceptionally gifted Sanskrit

expert holding a Ph.D. with honors, although none of the Smartas was

aware of this. The sabha was convenied and a powerful Smarta leader

stood up and addressed Prabhupada, in very advanced extempore Sanskrit,

and after offering his arguments for almost one hour he triumphantly

took his seat, sure that he had stumped the controversial Acharya.

A silence then fell over the learned assembly and all eyes (and ears)

were on the grave looking Sarasvati Thakura who simply cast an almost

imperceptible glance at his expert Sanskrit disciple. This junior

disciple, then a brahmacari, immediately stood up, and in the greatest

display of Sanskrit scholarship, which Swami Vana Maharaj said was

inspired by Lord Hari Himself, he completely astonished the entire

assemble with his philosophical counter arguments in unparalleled

extempore Sanskrit. Then, after Prabhupada's disciple had devastated

the antagonists and refuted all their arguments from memory, a great

hush hung over the Sabha as Prabhupada, followed by his devotees

(including Sripad Vana Maharaj), simply walked out in complete victory.

Such was the power of Prabhupada that he was victorious without even

opening his lotus-like mouth.

---Once while residing in the Calcutta Gaudiya Matha, Srila Sarasvati

Thakura was deathly ill and bed-ridden. In the room serving him were

some of his leading sannyasi's including Srila Vana Maharaj. The

devotees were at their wits end how to help, and so they finally

pleaded with their Gurudeva asking him what to do to relieve his

suffering. Finally the great Prabhupada opened his eyes and begged them

in a choked voice to please bring Kunja Dha (Kunja Vihari Dasa was

later named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaj). At that time

Kunja Dha was working at the Calcutta post office to help raise money

for his Gurudeva's preaching. (In fact, it was Kunja Dha who met Srila

Saraswati Thakura while he was a bhajan-anandi and helped him to come

out and start preaching. He also helped Srila Saraswati Thakura carry

the corpse of Srila Gaura Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj to the current

samadhi in Mayapura). A devotee was sent to bring Kunja Dha, who

immediately left his duties at the post office and returned to the

Math. As soon as Kunja Dha entered the sick room of Srila Saraswati

Thakura, the great Acarya sat up with opened arms. Kunja Dha ran into

the arms of his Gurudeva who embraced him tightly. The other devotees

(including Vana Maharaj) were astounded to see the face of their Lion

Guru resting on the shoulder of Kunja Dha with profuse tears pouring

from his eyes onto the body of Kunja Vihari Das. And Kunja Vihari

Prabhu was also weeping and trembling as he hugged his great master.

This tearful embrace lasted what seemed like a long time. And after

that Srila Saraswati Thakura was better.

Ref. http://www.richardshawbrown.com/mysticarticles/anecdotes.html

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

Attachment: (image/jpeg) prabhupad1.jpg [not stored]

April 16, 2006

SaraswatiPrabhupada and he remembered many personal incidents in the life

ofPrabhupada, some of which he described to me over my years at his feetin

Sridham Vrindavan. All of the stories were unique and I would liketo relate

four of them here.---On one occasion Sripad Vana Maharaj was alone with

Saraswati Thakuraon the roof of the Calcutta Gaudiya Math during a cloudy

night. VanaMaharaj noticed that Prabhupada remained silent and was looking up

atthe night sky for a very long period. Swami Vana was worried that hisGurudev

would strain his neck so he asked his Guru why he continued tolook at the night

sky? The great Prabhupada replied that he had lookedup and seen a star and that

he must find and see another star beforelooking down. With his head up he

explained to Vana Maharaj that if yousee the Moon or any single star in the sky

it is important that youmust see another star before looking down again. To fail

to

do so wouldbring ill-fortune.---Another similar example. Srila Sarasvati

Prabhupada believed that tosee the Moon on the 4th day after Purnima would

bring blame andaccusations against anyone who did so. He personally told Vana

Maharajthat Lord Krishna had once seen the 4th day waning Moon while residingin

Dvaraka and this was the real reason why Krishna got falsely accusedof stealing

the Syamantaka ruby.---Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura was unpopular with the

Smarta Brahminsand other Sanskrit scholars who he ridiculed for their mundane

ideas.So a plot was hatched to humiliate Prabhupada. Although Prabhupada wasa

great scholar, still he was not specifically a Sanskrit expert in theacademic

sense. So an assembly of Sanskrit experts was planned andSrila Sarasvati

Prabhupada was invited to debate his philosophy withthem IN SANSKRIT LANGUAGE.

At the appointed time Prabhupada arrivedwith a large number of his

disciples and they took their seatstogether. Among his disciples was an

exceptionally gifted Sanskritexpert holding a Ph.D. with honors, although none

of the Smartas wasaware of this. The sabha was convenied and a powerful Smarta

leaderstood up and addressed Prabhupada, in very advanced extempore

Sanskrit,and after offering his arguments for almost one hour he

triumphantlytook his seat, sure that he had stumped the controversial Acharya.A

silence then fell over the learned assembly and all eyes (and ears)were on the

grave looking Sarasvati Thakura who simply cast an almostimperceptible glance

at his expert Sanskrit disciple. This juniordisciple, then a brahmacari,

immediately stood up, and in the greatestdisplay of Sanskrit scholarship, which

Swami Vana Maharaj said wasinspired by Lord Hari Himself, he completely

astonished the entireassemble with his philosophical counter arguments in

unparalleledextempore

Sanskrit. Then, after Prabhupada's disciple had devastatedthe antagonists and

refuted all their arguments from memory, a greathush hung over the Sabha as

Prabhupada, followed by his devotees(including Sripad Vana Maharaj), simply

walked out in complete victory.Such was the power of Prabhupada that he was

victorious without evenopening his lotus-like mouth.---Once while residing in

the Calcutta Gaudiya Matha, Srila SarasvatiThakura was deathly ill and

bed-ridden. In the room serving him weresome of his leading sannyasi's

including Srila Vana Maharaj. Thedevotees were at their wits end how to help,

and so they finallypleaded with their Gurudeva asking him what to do to relieve

hissuffering. Finally the great Prabhupada opened his eyes and begged themin a

choked voice to please bring Kunja Dha (Kunja Vihari Dasa waslater named

Tridandi Swami Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaj). At that timeKunja Dha was working

at the

Calcutta post office to help raise moneyfor his Gurudeva's preaching. (In fact,

it was Kunja Dha who met SrilaSaraswati Thakura while he was a bhajan-anandi

and helped him to comeout and start preaching. He also helped Srila Saraswati

Thakura carrythe corpse of Srila Gaura Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj to the

currentsamadhi in Mayapura). A devotee was sent to bring Kunja Dha,

whoimmediately left his duties at the post office and returned to theMath. As

soon as Kunja Dha entered the sick room of Srila SaraswatiThakura, the great

Acarya sat up with opened arms. Kunja Dha ran intothe arms of his Gurudeva who

embraced him tightly. The other devotees(including Vana Maharaj) were astounded

to see the face of their LionGuru resting on the shoulder of Kunja Dha with

profuse tears pouringfrom his eyes onto the body of Kunja Vihari Das. And Kunja

VihariPrabhu was also weeping and trembling as he hugged his great master.This

tearful embrace lasted what seemed like a long time. And afterthat Srila

Saraswati Thakura was better. Ref.

http://www.richardshawbrown.com/mysticarticles/anecdotes.htmlSend instant

messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice.

April 16, 2006

Dear Sir,

You are really very fortunate to have the proximity of such a great

saint. The narration is also very interesting and tells us about the

times when such Shastrartha was prevelant.

It is also good to know that the Krishna Paksha Chturthi moon should

not be seen. There must be some very solid reasons for that idea.

It is true that the company of a witty soul gives you that extra

shine that can never be derived from books.

Regards

A.J

sacred-objects, Richard Shaw Brown

<rsbj66 wrote:

>

> Wonderful Anecdotes Of Sarasvati Prabhupada

>

> By Richard Shaw Brown

>

> Vande gurun isha bhaktan

>

> From Jan. 1968 I lived continuously for 6.5 years with the 3rd

direct

> sannyasi disciple and very close intimate servitor of Srila

Sarasvati

> Prabhupada, named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Hridaya Vana Maharaj. He

was

> also Prabhupada's most famous preacher and he dedicated his entire

> celibate life to the personal service and mission of his Gurudev.

> Sripad Vana Maharaj spent LOTS of private time with Saraswati

> Prabhupada and he remembered many personal incidents in the life of

> Prabhupada, some of which he described to me over my years at his

feet

> in Sridham Vrindavan. All of the stories were unique and I would

like

> to relate four of them here.

>

> ---On one occasion Sripad Vana Maharaj was alone with Saraswati

Thakura

> on the roof of the Calcutta Gaudiya Math during a cloudy night.

Vana

> Maharaj noticed that Prabhupada remained silent and was looking up

at

> the night sky for a very long period. Swami Vana was worried that

his

> Gurudev would strain his neck so he asked his Guru why he

continued to

> look at the night sky? The great Prabhupada replied that he had

looked

> up and seen a star and that he must find and see another star

before

> looking down. With his head up he explained to Vana Maharaj that

if you

> see the Moon or any single star in the sky it is important that you

> must see another star before looking down again. To fail to do so

would

> bring ill-fortune.

>

> ---Another similar example. Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada believed

that to

> see the Moon on the 4th day after Purnima would bring blame and

> accusations against anyone who did so. He personally told Vana

Maharaj

> that Lord Krishna had once seen the 4th day waning Moon while

residing

> in Dvaraka and this was the real reason why Krishna got falsely

accused

> of stealing the Syamantaka ruby.

>

> ---Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura was unpopular with the Smarta

Brahmins

> and other Sanskrit scholars who he ridiculed for their mundane

ideas.

> So a plot was hatched to humiliate Prabhupada. Although Prabhupada

was

> a great scholar, still he was not specifically a Sanskrit expert

in the

> academic sense. So an assembly of Sanskrit experts was planned and

> Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada was invited to debate his philosophy

with

> them IN SANSKRIT LANGUAGE. At the appointed time Prabhupada arrived

> with a large number of his disciples and they took their seats

> together. Among his disciples was an exceptionally gifted Sanskrit

> expert holding a Ph.D. with honors, although none of the Smartas

was

> aware of this. The sabha was convenied and a powerful Smarta leader

> stood up and addressed Prabhupada, in very advanced extempore

Sanskrit,

> and after offering his arguments for almost one hour he

triumphantly

> took his seat, sure that he had stumped the controversial Acharya.

>

> A silence then fell over the learned assembly and all eyes (and

ears)

> were on the grave looking Sarasvati Thakura who simply cast an

almost

> imperceptible glance at his expert Sanskrit disciple. This junior

> disciple, then a brahmacari, immediately stood up, and in the

greatest

> display of Sanskrit scholarship, which Swami Vana Maharaj said was

> inspired by Lord Hari Himself, he completely astonished the entire

> assemble with his philosophical counter arguments in unparalleled

> extempore Sanskrit. Then, after Prabhupada's disciple had

devastated

> the antagonists and refuted all their arguments from memory, a

great

> hush hung over the Sabha as Prabhupada, followed by his devotees

> (including Sripad Vana Maharaj), simply walked out in complete

victory.

> Such was the power of Prabhupada that he was victorious without

even

> opening his lotus-like mouth.

>

> ---Once while residing in the Calcutta Gaudiya Matha, Srila

Sarasvati

> Thakura was deathly ill and bed-ridden. In the room serving him

were

> some of his leading sannyasi's including Srila Vana Maharaj. The

> devotees were at their wits end how to help, and so they finally

> pleaded with their Gurudeva asking him what to do to relieve his

> suffering. Finally the great Prabhupada opened his eyes and begged

them

> in a choked voice to please bring Kunja Dha (Kunja Vihari Dasa was

> later named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaj). At that

time

> Kunja Dha was working at the Calcutta post office to help raise

money

> for his Gurudeva's preaching. (In fact, it was Kunja Dha who met

Srila

> Saraswati Thakura while he was a bhajan-anandi and helped him to

come

> out and start preaching. He also helped Srila Saraswati Thakura

carry

> the corpse of Srila Gaura Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj to the current

> samadhi in Mayapura). A devotee was sent to bring Kunja Dha, who

> immediately left his duties at the post office and returned to the

> Math. As soon as Kunja Dha entered the sick room of Srila Saraswati

> Thakura, the great Acarya sat up with opened arms. Kunja Dha ran

into

> the arms of his Gurudeva who embraced him tightly. The other

devotees

> (including Vana Maharaj) were astounded to see the face of their

Lion

> Guru resting on the shoulder of Kunja Dha with profuse tears

pouring

> from his eyes onto the body of Kunja Vihari Das. And Kunja Vihari

> Prabhu was also weeping and trembling as he hugged his great

master.

> This tearful embrace lasted what seemed like a long time. And after

> that Srila Saraswati Thakura was better.

>

> Ref. http://www.richardshawbrown.com/mysticarticles/anecdotes.html

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

http://uk.messenger.

>

April 16, 2006

Dear Harry,

Yes, I was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1967 and lived 6 years in Vraja

until 1973. My

bio is found at http://www.richardshawbrown.com/rsb-bio.html

Best rgds,

Richard

sacred-objects, "Haresh \(Harry\) Nathani"

<haresh1405

wrote:

>

> Dear Richard,

>

> I hv ur article below. Are you connected to the ISKON Movement started by

Srila

Prabhupada?. If yes, can U be kind enough to give ur humble introduction, out of

curiosity

>

> Harry

>

> ---Hi Harry, yes, I was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1967, and lived in

Vrindavan

from 1968-1973. The stories below are about Srila Prabhupada's Gurudev and his

godbrothers.

> I am not connected to the Iskcon movement. Rgds, Richard

>

> Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote:

> Wonderful Anecdotes Of Sarasvati Prabhupada

>

> By Richard Shaw Brown

>

> Vande gurun isha bhaktan

>

> From Jan. 1968 I lived continuously for 6.5 years with the 3rd direct

> sannyasi disciple and very close intimate servitor of Srila Sarasvati

> Prabhupada, named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Hridaya Vana Maharaj. He was

> also Prabhupada's most famous preacher and he dedicated his entire

> celibate life to the personal service and mission of his Gurudev.

> Sripad Vana Maharaj spent LOTS of private time with Saraswati

> Prabhupada and he remembered many personal incidents in the life of

> Prabhupada, some of which he described to me over my years at his feet

> in Sridham Vrindavan. All of the stories were unique and I would like

> to relate four of them here.

>

> ---On one occasion Sripad Vana Maharaj was alone with Saraswati Thakura

> on the roof of the Calcutta Gaudiya Math during a cloudy night. Vana

> Maharaj noticed that Prabhupada remained silent and was looking up at

> the night sky for a very long period. Swami Vana was worried that his

> Gurudev would strain his neck so he asked his Guru why he continued to

> look at the night sky? The great Prabhupada replied that he had looked

> up and seen a star and that he must find and see another star before

> looking down. With his head up he explained to Vana Maharaj that if you

> see the Moon or any single star in the sky it is important that you

> must see another star before looking down again. To fail to do so would

> bring ill-fortune.

>

> ---Another similar example. Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada believed that to

> see the Moon on the 4th day after Purnima would bring blame and

> accusations against anyone who did so. He personally told Vana Maharaj

> that Lord Krishna had once seen the 4th day waning Moon while residing

> in Dvaraka and this was the real reason why Krishna got falsely accused

> of stealing the Syamantaka ruby.

>

> ---Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura was unpopular with the Smarta Brahmins

> and other Sanskrit scholars who he ridiculed for their mundane ideas.

> So a plot was hatched to humiliate Prabhupada. Although Prabhupada was

> a great scholar, still he was not specifically a Sanskrit expert in the

> academic sense. So an assembly of Sanskrit experts was planned and

> Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada was invited to debate his philosophy with

> them IN SANSKRIT LANGUAGE. At the appointed time Prabhupada arrived

> with a large number of his disciples and they took their seats

> together. Among his disciples was an exceptionally gifted Sanskrit

> expert holding a Ph.D. with honors, although none of the Smartas was

> aware of this. The sabha was convenied and a powerful Smarta leader

> stood up and addressed Prabhupada, in very advanced extempore Sanskrit,

> and after offering his arguments for almost one hour he triumphantly

> took his seat, sure that he had stumped the controversial Acharya.

>

> A silence then fell over the learned assembly and all eyes (and ears)

> were on the grave looking Sarasvati Thakura who simply cast an almost

> imperceptible glance at his expert Sanskrit disciple. This junior

> disciple, then a brahmacari, immediately stood up, and in the greatest

> display of Sanskrit scholarship, which Swami Vana Maharaj said was

> inspired by Lord Hari Himself, he completely astonished the entire

> assemble with his philosophical counter arguments in unparalleled

> extempore Sanskrit. Then, after Prabhupada's disciple had devastated

> the antagonists and refuted all their arguments from memory, a great

> hush hung over the Sabha as Prabhupada, followed by his devotees

> (including Sripad Vana Maharaj), simply walked out in complete victory.

> Such was the power of Prabhupada that he was victorious without even

> opening his lotus-like mouth.

>

> ---Once while residing in the Calcutta Gaudiya Matha, Srila Sarasvati

> Thakura was deathly ill and bed-ridden. In the room serving him were

> some of his leading sannyasi's including Srila Vana Maharaj. The

> devotees were at their wits end how to help, and so they finally

> pleaded with their Gurudeva asking him what to do to relieve his

> suffering. Finally the great Prabhupada opened his eyes and begged them

> in a choked voice to please bring Kunja Dha (Kunja Vihari Dasa was

> later named Tridandi Swami Bhakti Vilas Tirtha Maharaj). At that time

> Kunja Dha was working at the Calcutta post office to help raise money

> for his Gurudeva's preaching. (In fact, it was Kunja Dha who met Srila

> Saraswati Thakura while he was a bhajan-anandi and helped him to come

> out and start preaching. He also helped Srila Saraswati Thakura carry

> the corpse of Srila Gaura Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj to the current

> samadhi in Mayapura). A devotee was sent to bring Kunja Dha, who

> immediately left his duties at the post office and returned to the

> Math. As soon as Kunja Dha entered the sick room of Srila Saraswati

> Thakura, the great Acarya sat up with opened arms. Kunja Dha ran into

> the arms of his Gurudeva who embraced him tightly. The other devotees

> (including Vana Maharaj) were astounded to see the face of their Lion

> Guru resting on the shoulder of Kunja Dha with profuse tears pouring

> from his eyes onto the body of Kunja Vihari Das. And Kunja Vihari

> Prabhu was also weeping and trembling as he hugged his great master.

> This tearful embrace lasted what seemed like a long time. And after

> that Srila Saraswati Thakura was better.

>

> Ref. http://www.richardshawbrown.com/mysticarticles/anecdotes.html

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

>

> s eye Yellow sapphire Sacred Blue sapphires

>

> Visit your group "sacred-objects" on the web.

>

> sacred-objects

>

> Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using

Messenger

with Voice.

>

April 16, 2006

sacred-objects, "Haresh \(Harry\) Nathani"

<haresh1405 wrote:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the article.

There is a small amendment.

Please scroll down......

At 02:53 AM 4/16/2006 -0700, you wrote:

>>>>

Dear Richard,

I hv ur article below. Are you connected to the ISKON Movement

started by Srila Prabhupada?. If yes, can U be kind enough to give ur

humble introduction, out of curiosity

Harry

Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote:

Wonderful Anecdotes Of Sarasvati Prabhupada

By Richard Shaw Brown

Vande gurun isha bhaktan

---Another similar example. Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada believed that to

see the Moon on the 4th day after Purnima would bring blame and

accusations against anyone who did so. He personally told Vana Maharaj

that Lord Krishna had once seen the 4th day waning Moon while residing

in Dvaraka and this was the real reason why Krishna got falsely accused

of stealing the Syamantaka ruby.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It is the 4th thithi after Amavasya that is concerned.

The Purva Paksha Chathurthi.

Seeing the moon on that day is supposed to bring

Midhyaapavaadha DhOsha.

In order to avert this dosha, special worship is

made to Ganesa.

The story of the redemption of the Syamantaka is either

read, recited or told.

There is a small sloka which was sung by Jambhavathi,

the daughter of Jambavath, the Bear King.

It is like this -

simha: prasEnam avadiit, simhO jambavathaa hatha:

sukumaaraka maa rOdhii: thava hyEsha syamantaka

She sings the lullaby to her kid brother,

"The lion killed Prasena; the lion was killed by Jambavath.

Do not cry O small one! Yours is the Syamantaka"

Thus she passes the message that the Syamantaka

was in the possession of Jambavath who killed the lion

which killed Prasena, who held the Syamantaka.

She knew Krishna was hiding there and wanted to

help him.

Krishna performs a Dvantha Yuddha - a duel with

Jambavath. Jambavath experiences the same sprasa and

embrace which he had from Rama.

He gives the syamantaka and Jambavathi to Krishna.

Krishna dispels the false blame and accusation

when he brings back the Syamantaka together with Jambavathi.

The 4th thithi after Purnima, is known as the

Shankatahara Chathurthi. This vratha is observed to

overcome difficulties, miseries, worries, depression,

stress, etc.

Regards

JayBee