It’s truly amazing how a place as vile and fallen as the New York area can be so blessed by Lord Nityananda as to have experienced the Darshan and touch of the lotus feet of the two great Vaishnava Acharyas; A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada and now, Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaja.  Although it was not my good fortune to have had the Darshan of Srila Prabhupada, it has been my greatest blessing to have felt the second wave of transcendental bliss in the presence of Srila Govinda Maharaja.

Weeks before the arrival of Srila Govinda Maharaja the devotee grapevine in New York was buzzing with transcendental anticipation.  This was to be a spiritual event that could not be ignored by authentic Vaishnavas.  The materialists do not think such a visit to be absolutely wonderful but the Shastras (scriptures) leave no doubt.

Manusyanam Sahasresu Kascid yatati Siddhaye Yatatam Api Siddhanam Kascin Mam Vitti Tattvatah. 

[The Supreme Lord said] Out of many thousands of men, one may desire perfection.  Out of thousands of those who attain perfection, one may know me in truth.[BG73]

When I first glimpsed His Divine Grace Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaja, I could see that the very sidewalks and streets had changed.  New York began to shine, all the locations that bore the lotus feet of Govinda Maharaja radiated and smiled.  Wherever he went was the spiritual world.

"The pure devotees, who are always absorbed in the thought of the transcendental lotus feet of Krsna and who are always engaged in devotional service in full Krsna consciousness, are never to be considered to be in the material world" [Krsna Book I  pg. 35]

All around Srila Govinda Maharaja was transformed.  The mundane became the transcendental, the ordinary the mystical.  All things spiritual and material were drawn into the service of Krsna Himself.

Krsnera Samata Haite Bada Bhakta-pada Atma Haite Krsnera Bhaktahaya Premaspada.

"The position of being a devotee is higher for the devotees, are dearer to the Lord Krsna than his own self."  [Chaitanya Caritamarita Adi-lila pg.-100]

The obvious transcendental effect that Maharaja had on those who came for his holy Darshan was breathtaking.  All the audiences who came to his programs looked in awe, silence and bliss at this self-effulgent Vaishnava as he delivered nectarean words of Krsna and the Highest abode.  The words he spoke were full of mystic potency and purified those who heard them.

The halls were silent as  we hung on his every word.

Sadhunam Samaci Hanam Sutaram Mat Krtatmanam Darsanan No Bhaved-bandah Pumso Kshoh Savitur Yatha.

"When one is face to face with the sun, there is no longer darkness for one’s eyes. Similarly, when one is face to face with a Sadhu who is fully determined and surrendered to the Supreme Personality of the Godhead, Sri Krsna, one will no longer be subject to material bondage." [S.  B. 0./0.4/]

The halls were silent as we hung on his every word.  He spoke of his many years of studying Bhagavad Gita with his Siksa Guru A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, which he did at His Guru’s order.  He spoke of his association with Srila Prabhupada with complete happiness, as well as telling us what they studied.  These insights into Vaishnava Siddhanta brought us to new heights of mystic understanding.  We all knew that Srila Govinda Maharaja did not make this trip for any mundane reasons.  He did it at the order of his Guru, Srila Sridhar Maharaja.  He has no business here except transcendental business.

Mahawta-Svabhava Ei Tarite Pamara Nija-Kaya Naitabu-yan Tara Ghara.  

"It is the general practice of saintly persons to deliver the fallen.  Therefore they go to people’s houses, although they have no personal business there." [C.  C. Madhya 83D]

This visit was, for those who experienced it, truly amazing.  In the West, due to being over exposed to movies, newspapers, magazines, etc., we find it hard to be impressed, but Srila Govinda Maharaja is to be seen by doubting Thomas's.  To have taken a step toward this pure devotee was to have received the benefit of having visited countless places of pilgrimage.  The Shastras tell us that such a saint is indeed the highest pilgrimage.

Bhavad-Vidha Bhagavata Tirthi Bhutah Suayam Prabho-tirthi Kuruanti Svantah Stena Gadabhrtya.

"Devotees are themselves the highest places of pilgrimage, capable of giving benediction to all, for they carry the Supreme Lord Krsna within their hearts.  Thus they purify the Holy places of pilgrimage as well as those who visit such places." [S.  B. 1.13.10]

The highest point of every gathering was when Srila Govinda Maharaja led us all in Kirtan.  The sound of his voice is sweet beyond remembrance.  This cry of the pure devotee caused all to break out in spontaneous chanting and dancing.  Even the most reticent rose to their feet with arms up, joyously intoning the transcendental vibration.

Yanhara-darasane Muke Aise Krsna Nama Tanhare Janiha Tami Vaisnava Pradhana.

"The top most Vaishnava is He whose very presence makes others chant the name of Krsna.  He is superior to all others." [C.  C. Madhya 16.74]

This chanting with the pure devotee even once changes forever one’s place in the material world.  We could not believe the power of this chanting if Shastra did not fully reveal to us what a treasure house Srila Govinda Maharaja has brought us.

Prabhu Kahe, Yanra Mukhe-suni Eka Bara Krsna Nama, Pujya Sei Sresthat Sava Kara.

Sri Chaitanya said "whoever chants the Holy name of Krsna just once may be considered a Vaishnava.  Such a person is worshippable and the top most human being. [C.  C. Madhya 15./06]

The meeting of this great Vaishnava was all too short for us.  We all felt this was the highest blessing.  As a result of this transcendental encounter of the highest kind many were enlivened and many took shelter at his lotus feet.  This vision of the pure devotee is the highest perfection.

Aksnott Phalam Tuadrsa Dansanam Hi Tanoh Phalam Tuadrsa-gatrasangah Jihva Phalam Tuadrsa-kirtanam Hi Sudurlabha Bhagavata Hi Loke

[Hari Bhakti-Sudhodaya 13.2]

"O Vaishnava! To see you is the perfection of the eyes.  To touch your holy feet is the perfection of the body.  To vibrate your holy qualities is the perfection of the tongue, for it is very rare to find a pure devotee within the world."

This also is the conclusion of the most eminent Vaishnava Acharyas in recent years.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada spoke of His Divine Grace Srila Sridhar Maharaja in the most glowing terms; calling Sridhar Maharaja his Siksa Guru.  This same Sridhar Maharaja appointed His Divine Grace Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaja as his sole successor.  So who cannot accept this great Acharya?  Who can reject this pure devotee when Acharyas Shastra and Sanga speak so highly of him?

Let us prey that all spiritualists, mystics, transcendentalists will have the loving association and instruction of Srila Govinda Maharaja.  In this way their lives will be perfect.

Jai Gurudeva!