The following is a translation of the Bengali conversation between Śrīla Prabhupāda and Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja, which transpired on October 8, 1977. This conversation occurred just before Śrīla Prabhupāda departed on November 14, 1977. The Bengali tape from which the translation was made was kindly given to us by the BBT Archives. Due to the deep richness of the Bengali language, it cannot be fully transmitted in the medium of English

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I have realized from my experience that if we are not independent but rather meet and preach together, we will succeed. Mahāprabhu has said, 

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya-līlā (4.126)

“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”

There is a great possibility to fulfil the transcendental desire of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I am in my last days. I hope you and all others will forgive and forget my offences. During preaching, I did things that may have offended my godbrothers, including some kathā kāṭā kāṭi (argument, difference of opinion). I pray that you will save me from this aparādha, and when I leave this world, you will all help take care of my mission, which I have established with so many temples, etc.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, I will follow your order.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Perhaps Panbandi is in jail. Please take care to save our honour. They did so much for my auspiciousness. You must take care of everything, including the court case. It is all your responsibility.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Okay, I will see to it. I will obey your advice fully because I consider you my guru.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, I know it very well. Some wicked persons wanted to do some harm to the Māyāpura Candrodaya Mandira. To protect the temple, some devotees were bound to use a gun, and for this reason, there was a court case. Some foreign devotees are in jail now. You must look at the proposal I submitted. What do you think? Will they honour this?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Very nice. What you have done is very beautiful, and it will be even more attractive if everyone tries to protect it with good cooperation. You have taught your disciples to cooperate and try to develop the mission with the help of other respectable Vaiṣṇavas. In that way, everyone can help them; in the future, this movement will be a big transcendental organization benefiting the whole world.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (in a very low, soft, and choked voice, as if whispering) After my departure, you must take care so that what I have done will go well. I have brought these vanaras, monkeys, like mlecchas and yavanas (those outside the Vedic varṇāśrama system). There is no one fully qualified among them. I tried to teach them whatever I could, and according to their ability, they have accepted something, but there is a lack of qualified persons to train them. Everyone should try together because there is no shortage of land, large temples, wealth, or people – everything is there.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, that is so very good. All should help them. More good will come of everything if the disciples treat all respectable Vaiṣṇavas with humility. I will try my best to help them.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: When they call me for my suggestions or any instruction, or if they want me to go anywhere, I will help them always according to what you have said in whatever way possible. I must certainly do that to the best of my ability. Although my qualifications are limited, I will do my best to help them.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Are any of my Godbrothers in Vṛndāvana now?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I think Śrīla Vana Mahārāja might be in Vṛndāvana now. And perhaps Indupati Prabhu from Śrī Caitanya Gauḍīya Māṭha. He comes and goes. At present, there are two of them, but not more.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Vana Mahārāja?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, Vana Mahārāja.

Bhakti-caru Mahārāja: Mādhava Mahārāja’s māṭha?

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (to Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja) Please sit down. (to disciples) Someone should go and ask Vana Mahārāja and Indupati Prabhu to come.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: This is a good proposal. These days, this desire is very good.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: To argue with each other is not so good.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: These are insignificant matters in such a substantial worldwide mission. A small thing or two here and there is not important. You have done this excellent preaching work for the whole world’s benefit. There was no self-interest. You did everything only in devotional service to Krsna — for benefitting all people at large.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: That is your blessing.

Śrīla Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You have done a wonderful thing. It is necessary to care for and preserve this mission and ensure it is managed skillfully.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Please tell this to them (my disciples). I cannot speak now. Please sit a little longer.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes. I’m here. Don’t worry. (He called over Śrīla Prabhupāda’s senior disciples and instructed them on how to maintain and fulfil Prabhupāda’s desire in the future and how to deal with each other)

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Are you keeping good health?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: It is so-so. All is going on. It is good that you are doing Bhāgavatasmaraṇam (remembering Kṛṣṇa each moment). Many capable people are here to run things.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: But there is some disturbance. Recently, some disruption was caused in Māyāpura.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: It will go away. This disruption was caused by those who created trouble for their material gain. Everything will be all right. After some days, those who are misbehaving will understand their fault. Obstacles always come in any good work.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Twenty thousand people gathered for the meeting. Have you heard anything about it?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I heard, and I felt sorry. Some communists and other people created this trouble and have made a big mistake. They are doing so many illegal and offensive things. Now be free to remember Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Their sweet pastimes peacefully. Your people will take care of the necessities. All will be well by the wish of the Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. There’s no need to think about it at all.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: You are affectionate to me.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: What affection can I have (as an equal)? I respect you as my guru.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, I know that very well. That is why I called you first. Please forgive any of my offences.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You should forgive us in your heart if we have committed any offences. In this way, we can develop a taste for serving Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. Please bless us this much.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Śeṣaśāyī?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Śeṣaśāyī has come with me to receive your darśana.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Brahmacārī?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, Śeṣaśāyī Brahmacārī. When you were in Mathurā, Śeṣaśāyī did some service for you, such as cooking, etc. Śeṣaśāyī, now you sing one kīrtana. Śrī-rūpa-mañjarī-pada, sei mora sampada, sei mora bhajana-pūjana. Very slowly, clearly and softly, sing this kīrtana so that Śrīla Svāmī Mahārāja can hear. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī is our heart and soul.

(Śrīpāda Śeṣaśāyī Brahmacārī sings Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī-pada by Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura:)

śrī-rūpa-mañjarī-pada, sei mora sampada,
sei mora bhajana-pūjana
sei mora prāṇa-dhana, sei mora ābharaṇa,
sei mora jīvanera jīvana (1)

sei mora rasa-nidhi sei mora vāñchā-siddhi,
sei mora vedera dharama
sei vrata, sei tapa sei mora mantra-japa,
sei mora dharama-karama (2)

anukūla habe vidhi, se-pade hôibe siddhi,
nirakhibô e dui nayane
se rūpa-mādhurī-rāśi, prāṇa-kuvalaya-śaśī,
praphullita habe niśi-dine (3)

tuwā adarśana-ahi, garale jāralô dehī,
cira-dina tāpita jīvana
hā hā prabhu karô dayā, dehô more pada-chāyā,
narottama lôilô śaraṇa (4)

The lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī are my dearest treasure. They are the topmost objects of my worship and inner devotional practices. Her lotus feet are the wealth and beautiful ornament of my life. They are the very life of my life.

Her lotus feet are the storehouse of rasa. They bestow that topmost desire (precious service to Śrīmatī Rādhikā), and they are the conclusion of all the Vedas. Her lotus feet fulfil the goal of my vows and austerities, my harināma japa, my actions, and my spiritual practices – all performed to please Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī.

When Mahāprabhu is pleased with me, then by his mercy, I will attain perfection, and with these two eyes, I will get the darśana of Śrī Rūpa Mañjarī’s lotus feet. Her beauty is full of sweetness, like the moon. Just as on a moonlit night, the lotus (kumud) comes to full blossom, my heart will fully bloom night and day in the rays of her moon-like beauty.

Your absence from my vision is like snake poison spreading throughout my body, gradually consuming my strength. For the rest of my life, my soul will be burning. Narottama dāsa laments, “Alas, Prabhu. O Rūpa Gosvāmī, please give me the shade of your lotus feet. There, I am taking shelter.”

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

(Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja sings Hari Hari! Kabe Mora Hôibe Sudina by Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura:)

hari hari! kabe mora hôibe sudina?
bhajibô śrī rādhā-kṛṣṇa hôiyā premādhīna (1)

suyantre miśā̃iyā gābô su-madhura tāna
ānande kôribô dũhāra rūpa-guṇa-gāna (2)

‘rādhikā-govinda’ bôli’ kāndibô uccaiḥ svare
bhijibe sakala aṅga nayanera nīre (3)

ei bāra karuṇā karô rūpa-sanātana
raghunātha dāsa mora śrī jīva jīvana (4)

ei bāra karuṇā karô lalitā-viśākhā
sakhya-bhāve śrīdāma-subala-ādi sakhā (5)

sabe mili’ karô dayā pūruk mora āśa
prārthanā karôye sadā narottama dāsa (6)

O Śrī Hari, when will that auspicious day be mine? Filled with prema, when will I worship Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa?

As the sounds of the divine instruments mix and create the sweetest melodies, I will blissfully sing songs about Their forms and qualities.

While singing “Rādhā-Govinda,” I will weep loudly, and the tears falling from my eyes will soak my whole body.

O Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī! O Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī! O Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, my life and soul! Be merciful to me now!

O Lalitā and Viśākhā! O Śrīdāma, Subala, and other friends in sakhya-bhāva! Be merciful, all of you, so I may attain my deepest desires. Narottama dāsa is always praying like this.

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

(Jaya-dhvani prayers are recited)

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I have only these few bones left in my body and nothing else.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: That is seen. It is very good that you returned to Vraja from the Western countries. This is very good.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, they took me to London and other places. I have seen so much opulence in London. The condition of my health is not good. I will leave soon. Please tell them what their duty will be after I leave. (to disciples) Have you consulted with Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja?

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: Yes, this morning. Bhakti-caru Svāmī, Bhakti-prema Svāmī and Śrīdhara Svāmī went to see him, and Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja described the ceremony for the departure of a great Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī or guru.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I have instructed them about all the details. Whenever it is necessary, you can come to me. It is no problem. I will come to help in the final ceremony in any way needed.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I have one special request – that you put me in samādhi with your hand. Where will the entrance gate of the samādhi mandira be? Right side? Instruct them.

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: The entrance is on the left side. Entering – looking towards the Deity on the left side. In other words, when you enter the temple, there’s a big open area. It’s on the same side as the vyāsāsana.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Tell them to arrange for the salt and other things.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I have given complete instructions. Everything has been arranged.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: On the left side?

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: It’s on the same side as the vyāsāsana. Faces east.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Will there be a puṣpa-samādhi in in Māyāpura?

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: Hmm. Yes. Flowers to Māyāpura.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I have told them. Some flowers have to be kept there for putting in desired places.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: You, please stay and supervise this.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I will be here. Just inform me. (In English) You should call me, and I will come right away.

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: He described the entire ceremony in detail, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, he is very expert and knows all the Vaiṣṇava ceremonies.

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: Yes.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Has Śeṣaśāyī taken sannyāsa? Yes?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: No. He has not taken it. He is still a brahmacārī.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Hmm.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You have completed all your life’s work. Everything has been fulfilled. Do not worry.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: It is all your blessings.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You have no task left in this world. (In English) You have fulfilled all; everything is done.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Hmm.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Please give some advice and instruction that they (your disciples) should not fight and quarrel with each other for their self-interest. Their only goal should be to fulfil your heart’s desire and proceed purely for the mission.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (English) Don’t fight amongst yourselves. I have given directions in my will. Execute it properly.

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa Mahārāja: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (bells ringing.) Is today Ekādaśī?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, today is Ekādaśī.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: The service of Śrī Mahāprabhu is going on well? Yes? Mahāprabhu of Jhansi?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, Your Mahāprabhu, that Mahāprabhu who is a gift from you, is with me in our Keśavajī Gauḍīya Maṭha; and His service is going on well.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Has he been with you all along?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, Mahāprabhu has been with me. His sevā is going beautifully after a new colour (aṅga-raṅga) was applied to His body, He was decorated, and other things were done for Him.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I had a good chance to start a temple and serve Him in Jhansi. Then I realized that Kṛṣṇa wanted a much bigger service from me.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: On a very big scale. That’s what happened.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: We had a fair plot of land.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes. Why would you continue preaching only in Jhansi? Kṛṣṇa desired that you preach throughout the world, which has been fulfilled.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I had wished to reside in Vṛndāvana. I wanted to pass my life as a niṣkiñcana Vaiṣṇava, without material desires, and do sādhana-bhajana. But Bhagavān did not accept this. He inspired me at 70 to go outside to Western countries, all alone, to preach — with only 40 rupees. Vīratā — very boldly. Then, it took a grand shape.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s special mercy is bestowed upon you. And also that of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Dāmodara. Thus, you have fulfilled the transcendental desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: All this is also vidhavana (distraction, tribulation). Order them to do kīrtana. (Devotees sing ‘Śrī Guru Carana Padma’)

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Do you have any physical difficulties?

Śrīla Prabhupāda: A slight cough and wind is there. The only difficulty is in speaking. I have already given up eating.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: (In Hindi:) If he asks for water, keep caraṇāmṛta for him. You can put some tulasī under his head. That’s right. Very good.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: They should give me caraṇāmṛta. There is one śloka in [Śrī] Caitanya-caritāmṛta [Antya-līlā 4.67] which states,

yei bhaje sei baḍa, abhakta — hīna, chāra
kṛṣṇa-bhajane nāhi jāti-kulādi-vicāra

“Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore, in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one’s family.”

Show no disdain towards Western-born individuals who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master and, under his guidance, worship the lotus feet of the Divine Couple. Never hate them. 

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: No. Not at all. Anyone engaged in one-pointed bhakti is sarvottama, the best of all. In Śrī Bhagavad-gītā (9.30) it is said,

api cet su-durācāro
bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ
samyag vyavasito hi saḥ

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.

Everyone must respect him because he has determined that Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord. If one has this kind of devotion to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, one will be considered a sādhu despite his having other drawbacks.

(Indupati Prabhu, Vana Mahārāja and others enter the room) Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please come.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Has Vana Mahārāja also come? I have called you because Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja has come. He will tell you my message. Please listen.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: You are having difficulty talking. (To Vana Mahārāja and others) He requests that we look after his disciples in his absence so that his mission will remain successful.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (Addressing his godbrothers in Bengali) Please, I wish to ask you to forgive my offences. I never intended to offend anyone. During preaching, some differences of opinion and arguments arose, which resulted in some offensive statements. Kindly forgive me for that.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: He is asking for forgiveness for any harsh words he may have spoken while preaching. He is asking for forgiveness from all, so please forgive him.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (to Godbrothers) Will you?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Mahārāja, we do not consider that you have committed any offence. Please give us your mercy. You could never commit an offence to anyone. He who takes offence is at fault.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Hmm. (Voices heard. To Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja) What are you saying?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: He (Vana Mahārāja) is saying that you just came back from London.

Śrīla Vana Mahārāja: You travelled in this state of health?

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Anyway, whatever has happened has been good. You have come back to Vraja by the Lord’s desire.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Going to London was like a world tour. Just after reaching there, my health further broke down.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: I will convey all of your instructions to all of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s (Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s) disciples, to those who are here present and to those who are not present. They should all give nideśa (direction) and ādeśa (instruction) to your disciples so that they may lead good lives (suṣṭa) and stay on the decent path. I will tell this to all, and with your blessings, everything will be all right.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Please do not worry. Just go on remembering the lotus feet of the Divine Couple.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Tell them that this maṭha (Iskcon temple) will bear the cost of the festival (for the departure to the spiritual world) performed in each maṭha according to status. Please provide us with a list of those (maṭhas).

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: (speaks in Hindi to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s disciples) Did you all understand what he said?

Bhakti-caru Mahārāja: Yes. I did.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Has Indupati Prabhu heard this? I will explain it again. Prabhupāda says that some money will be given for a festival in every maṭha. Please address this matter and collect the funds. (To Śrīla Prabhupāda) I have one request for you. Please give up any more thoughts on this matter. They (your disciples) are competent. Moreover, they now know and understand all your wishes. Just continue remembering Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Mmm.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Please do not worry. They will arrange everything. The way you have “Kṛṣṇa-ized” (made intoxicated with Kṛṣṇa) the whole world — this will continue by itself. (silence) Now shall we go?

Śrīla Prabhupāda: Take a little prasāda.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes, we will take.

Śrīla Prabhupāda: (To disciples) Bring some prasāda for them. (To Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja) Please take it in my presence.

Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja: Yes.

(Kīrtana is heard in the background: “śrī guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala bhakati-sadma”)

Source: Purebhakti.com

Image(s) made possible by Pixabay.com, Krishnapath.org and/or Bhaktiart.net
Unless indicated differently, all verse translations and quotes are from the books by Śrīla Prabhupāda (Vedabase.com)

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