Prabhupada Vijaya (A Collection of Articles Glorifying His Divine Grace)

The greatness of Srila Prabhupada is not understood or expressed by concoction or sentimental exaggeration. The transcendental position of His Divine Grace can only be realised when one how Srila Prabhupada is connected to t parampara of great masters, and what qualifications earned him that illustrious position. The none-fide disciple earns this right of divine vision through a lifetime of service and dedication at the lotus feet of the spiritual master – not by any amount of mundane speculation. There is no other way to the truth than this.

Swami Gaurava Narasingha was born in 1946 in the USA and grew up in California, Florida and Hawaii. In 1967, Swami Narasingha met His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and in 1970, became his direct disciple. In 1976 Swami Narasingha accepted the renounced order of sannyasa from His Divine Grace and travelled extensively for many years in India. In the period between 1986 and 1999, Swami Narasingha also studied under his siksa, Swami B.R. Sridhara Maharaja and Swami B.P. Puri Maharaja.

In 1994 Swami Narasingha established Sri Narasingha Caitanya Asrama (lso known as Govindaji Gardens) and the Kaliya-mardana Krsna Asrama in South India. At both of the centres, Swami Narasingha currently instructs students, disciples and followers in the methology and philosophy of bhakti-yoga.

Swami Narasingha has written many articles for such spiritual journals as Clarion Call, Gaudiya Vedanta, Gaudiya Touchstone and Krsna Talk. He has also authored several books such as Vaisnava India, Kumbha Mela, Evolution of Theism, The Authorized Sri Caitanya-Saraswata Parampara, Sri Damodara-katha, sri Gayatri Mantrartha Dipika, a commentary to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's Prakrta-rasa Sata-dusini and a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita.

In addition to these literary contributions of his own, Swami Narasingha has edited and published. In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life Devotion, Follow the Angels, Encounters with Divinity, and Upadesamrta by Swami B.R. Sridhara as well as the book, Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura, describing life and precepts of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura with many rare photos.

Swami Narasingha has also been the inspiration behind Devavision Productions, producing documentaries such as The Universal Teacher, Kumbha Mela, Gandaki and Himalayan Pilgrimage. DevaVision Productions has also produced a series of lectures by Swami B.R. Sridhara such as Gayatri, Absolute Harmony, Darsana, Ujjvala-nilamani, Fools Rush in Where Angeles Fear to Tread as well as The Art of Sadhana series by SwamiB. P. Puri

Swami Narasingha spenfs most of his time in India, as well as Mexico, where he has a number of asramas. Swami Narasingha also visits various countries in Europe such as Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy and Germany, where he has students.

Siddanta baliya cite na kara alasa
Itha haite krsne lage sudrdha manasa

One should not be lazy in deliberating on philosophy, for by doing so one's mind becomes firmly fixed upon Sri Krsna.

History has shown us that after the disappearance of a great acarya, the light that he brought is eclipsed by a period of darkness. Various deviant philosophies and misconceptions appear like rapacious wolves to ensnare the innocent devotees and drive them off the path of pure devotion. Since the disappearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, many misunderstanding have arisen amongst his followers in regards to Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta, and indeed, about the position of Srila Prabhupada himself.

Some have zealously tried to mould Prabhupada into a modern-day Indian messiah, the foremost guru in the parampara (and also the last), professing that Srila Prabhupada is to be the one and only spiritual guide for all future generations of devotees. Others, trapped within corporate society consciousness, strive to divorce Srila Prabhupada from the sampradaya, making him an authority unto himself, independent of the tradition that he represented. Operating under the notion that their conclaves solely represent the will Divine Grace, such persons believe that they alone are the true heirs to Srila Prabhupada's legacy and all must come to him through them. Some even hail Srila Prabhupada as the founder of a new sampradaya, the creator of a new Goldern Age and attribute Christ-like miracles to him – indeed, the misconceptions that have been built around him are too numerous to mention here.

Prabhupada Vijaya is an compilation of articles, talks and lectures by Swami B.G. Narasingha Maharaja from 1993 to 2006. In these essays Narasingha Maharaja attempt to remove the societal facade and sentiment obscuring Srila Prabhupada to reveal something of his personality and nature that many devotees are unaware of – a Prabhupada who had an existence before stepping onto the Jaladuta, a representative of an ancient devotional tradition, a follower in the line of Sri Rupa Gosvami and a faithful disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

After a lifetime of dedication and service to Srila Prabhupada, Narasingha Maharaja shares his realisations about his beloved spiritual master and brings to light many important historicl incidents in the life of His Divine Grace, as well as deep philosophical insights into the important topic of guru-tattva.

It is our sincere hope that the readers of Prabhupada Vijaya will relish this unique glorification of His Divine Grace and comprehend the profound siddhanta found within its pages.

During his worldwide preaching campaign, our Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, always exhibited an uncompromising mood in dealing with various misconceptions such as Mayavada, Sahajiyaism, materialistic science etc. and constantly protected his young disciples from their dangerous influence. Yet after Srila Prabhupada's departure from this world, numerous ideologies have arisen in the guise of his teaching, leading to an increase in frustration and bewilderment amongst his followers.

Considering how much Srila Prabhupada endeavoured to establish his mission and train his disciples in the correct understanding of Gaudiya siddhanta, it is imperative for all his followers, both now and in the future, to understand and follow the philosophy and example given by His Divine Grace.

Prabhupada Vijaya, by Swami Bhakti Gaurava Narasingha Maharaja, attempts to broaden the reader's access to the true Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta that Srila Prabhupada represented and preached, especially in regards to guru-tattva. It establishers through guru, sabhu and sastra, as well as through historical references, the strict adherence of Srila Prabhupada to our Gaudiya siddhanta as enunciated by the previous Prabhupadas led by Srila Rupa Gosvami, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. It also reveals many important fact about the early life of Srila Prabhupada and his relationship with his guru and god-brothers.

Prabhupada Vijaya reveals the root cause of many current philosophical controversies that are tearing apart the foundation of Vaisnava communities worldwide. The unrelenting attacks of the Sahajiyas, institutional and Rtvik ideologies, misunderstandings about guru-tattva and rasa-tattva, society consciousness and much more are dealt with and made clear in this publication with a breadth of understanding that many will experience for the first time.

A brief overview of Pabhupada Vijaya is as follows:

Prabhupada's Pranama-Mantra is an article that narrates a little-known piece of history long forgotten in the present day. The recollection of its compilation will give insight into the intimacy and appreciation of Prabhupada by his dear friends.

Bhaktivedanta: In this article we discover that Srila Prabhupada's name was changed several times after the disappearance of his guru – each one is important and has a deep-rooted meaning that is rarely understood or appreciated.

Mahaprabhu as Prabhupada is an exceptional explanation of the real meaning of the title 'Prabhupada' in its highest theistic conception. Comprehension of it will significantly add to our realisation about our connection to the rupanuga sampradaya and urther reveal, "where our fate and fortune are located."

How Great is Srila Prabhupada? Puts into historical perspective the greatness of Srila Prabhupada from an interesting comparison of previous sampradaya acaryas.

Prabhupada's Mission, Ideal and Achievements is summarised in relation to our previous acaryas – a fundamental and necessary principal for the spiritual success of all Vaisnavas. It explains how his achievements were appreciated by his god-brothers and who proclaimed hi as a saktyavesa-avatara is made known.

His Matchless Gift. In this talk, given in Vrndavana on Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day at Krsna-Balarama Temple on November 17th, 1993, the glories of Srila Prabhupada are shared by Maharaja in relation to a verse from Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami's Mukta-carita.

In Gayatri-Mantra for Women, Narasingha Maharaja defends Srila Prabhupada's controversial decision with numerous scriptural and historical references.

The Golden Age of the Sankritana Movement uncovers the attempts to glorify Srila Prabhupada as the Founder-acarya of the Golden Age. The fallacy and offense of replacing Sri Rupa Gosvami and Sarasvati Thakura is exposed.

It the Guru Omniscient? Dis Srila Prabhupada know everything? The absolute and relative sides of guru-tattva are explained and a little known pastime of Bhakti-siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura sheds considerable light on the verse, pujala raga-patha gaurava bhange.

Srila Prabhuapada – in a Class by Himself? This is an analysis of a common phrase used to glorify Srila Prabhupada and is critical to understanding guru-tattva. To experience that the guru is non-different from his instructions necessitates proper conception.

When Krsna Gives, He Gives Through His Devotee. The supra-mundane significance of Srila Prabhupada's bhajana-kutira at Sri Sri Radha-Damodara Temple is emphasised in this chapter. There, the highest lila took place in madhurya-rasa, yet Srila Prabhupada never explained it to us. Why the guru does not always directly reveal the truth is discussed at length.

Substance Over Form. The intensity of Srila Sridhara Maharaja's appreciation for Srila Prabhupada may come as a surprise to those unfortunate souls who have been, or still are, subject to the institutional aparadha. The conception of 'substance over form, is quintessential to understanding our guru-varga and is worth paying attention to.

Books arethe Basis? The whimsical habit of many devotees who misquote Srila Prabhupada and its potential to distort the philosophy is explained in depth here.

Society Consciousness vs. Krsna Consciousness illuminates the difference between the two and highlights the negative results of the wrong choice. It could be argued that this is the greatest obstacle facing devotees in these modern times. Narasingha Maharaja's explanation on the topic is uniquely profound!

Deliverer or Instrumental Guru? And Rtvik Defeated! Thoroughly expose, with stunning clarity, the defects in both the institutional and Rtvik conceptions of guru-tattva. Backed by substantial scriptural references with a particular mphasis on the supreme position of Rupa Gosvami, these are must-read articles counter the ideology that Srila Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvami, referred to as the "death of the sampradaya."

Sri Rupa-manjari-pada reveals the paramount importance of the highest conception amongst the vast collection of authorised Gaudiya bhajanas and its unique connection to our greatest acaryas. Though Srila Prabhupasa sang this song frequently between 1956-1965 at Sri Rupa Gosvami's Samadhi, he never sang it in the west or explained its meaning. Why, is vitally important.

Srila Prabhupada-Lila-Smarana-Mangala Sotram is a charming Bengali prayer composed by Swami Narasingha in 1994. These 23 astounding verses sing the eternal glories of His Divine Grace as meditated upon by his disciple. They remain to this day unrivalled in beauty, substance and realisation.

My Guru is Radharani. Continuing the theme from the two previous chapters, the article sheds considerable light on the debate about the eternal rasa of Srila Prabhupada – is he in sakhya-rasa or madhurya-rasa? Full of references of great import as well as personal realisation, Maharaja's meditations on His Divine Grace are noteworthy.

Srila Prabhupada's Anty-Lila is a personal account shared by Narasingha Maharaja of Srila Prabhupada's final manifest pastimes. His remembrances of these moments in history are intensely and full of realisations that are seldom heard.

We hope the readers of Prabhupada Vijaya will appreciate the contents and intent of the author. This book strives to inspire those who have the courage to look within and motivate them to 'raise their standard'. It seeks to improve our understanding of guru-tattva and our appreciation of the previous acaryas. The more we can assimilate in contents, the more service we can render in spreading the glories of Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada Vijaya!