Shri Chaitanya’s Teachings: A Rare Book

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Preface

I have collected a few writings of Shrila Prabhupada Shrimat Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, Founder-Acharya of the well-known Institution of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that goes by the name of Shri Chaitanya Math of Shri Mayapur, the Birth-place of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (old Navadwip), Nadia, and its branches by the name of Gaudiya Maths situated in different parts of India, Bangladesh and abroad. Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur's commentaries on Shrimad Bhagavatam and Shri Chaitanya Charitamritam (Biography of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) are his monumental works on the exposition and development of Bhakti cult, but they are partly in Sanskrit and partly in Bengali, His innumerable articles had been published during his life time in his different journals, daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly in different languages, such as English, Bengali, Hindi, Oriya and Assamese.: His speeches at different Universities and in many learned societies and his talks to many savants both Foreign and Indian in their interviews both in English and Bengali are works of abiding merit. But the people knowing only English cannot get any benefit from the said voluminous works published in Sanskrit and Vernacular over a wide period from 1900 to 1936 and scattered over here and there.

It has not yet been possible for me or any other disciple of Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur to survey, and collect and his writings and give a systematic shape' for the benefit of future generations of religious, mankind.

I have selected a few articles and speeches published in his English Journal 'Hannonist' and elsewhere in this volume mainly for the benefit of the English-knowing public. The readers of this volume will have a glimpse of the encyclopaedic mind of Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur dwelling upon the theistic; conception of the Absolute, relationship between the Absolute and individual or Jiva- souls, relation of maya to' them, means and ends, in the process of Sadhana to attain release' from maya and ultimate end in blissful communion with God-head. His discussions always took place on the solid back-ground of Vedanta and in the light of theistic thoughts culminating in the all-embracing teachings of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of which Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur was the greatest exponent after six Goswamins. Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur was pre-eminently a philosopher. His talks were always logical. His ideas were rational and that is why he never failed to attract the intelligentsia. He never asked his audience to have blind faith. Faith, if not solidly based on a philosophical conception, is likely to be shaken.

The readers cannot but be impressed with the original thoughts of Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur on exposition of the Vedanta. His treatment of the subject is historically traced and carefully developed at different stages by different Acharyas. The endeavour of Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur was to lead his audience towards the theistic conception of God as taught by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Gaudiya Vaishnava Masters headed by Shri Rupa Goswami. Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur was uncompromising and orthodox in bringing out Truth in its intrinsic purity. Truth is always truth to him irrespective of time and place. He did not believe in time- serving methods to gain cheap popularity. He was a fighter for the establishment of truth and the dignity of Vaishnava character, an upholder and protector of Gaudiya Vaishnava faith. His untiring efforts and many-sided activities for the spread and dissemination of Vaishnavism throughout India, Burma and Europe were unprecedented in the annals of Vaishnavism. He established more than sixty-four Maths throughout India and abroad and trained several hundered preachers to carry his message from door to door.

I cannot let this opportunity go without invoking the blessings of Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur on Shri B.R. Baliga, Retired Professor of English, Madras Presidency College, and Shri Bhakti Prajnan Yati Maharaj, Secretary, Sri Gaudiya Math, Madras who have taken immense care and pain in reading proofs and also generally in editing the volume. I also record my appreciation of the earnest efforts of Shriman Yati Maharaj for bringing out this edition.

I shall feel that my labour in editing this volume will be amply rewarded if the readers will fmd food for their thought and answers to the problems they face in their quest for Truth.

In conclusion I invoke the blessings of Shrila Prabhupada Saraswati Thakur on the readers.

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