Sri Godruma Kalpatavi (The Desire Tree Grove of Godruma)

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s revolutionary and practical vision for worldwide preaching is revealed in his newsletter the Godruma Kalpdatavi. For members of ISKCON today, when almost all of us live and work outside of the temples, the Godruma Kalpatavi presents a refreshing perspective, wherein everyone is encouraged to assume an essential role in propagating Lord Caitanya’s movement. Written more than a century ago, the Godruma Kalpdtavi contains uniquely valuable time palace instructions for all "employees"of the Nama Hatta.

I feel grateful and honored for being given the opportunity to write a foreword to Godruma Kalpatavi, by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a masterpiece in the world’s spiritual literature. In this edition His Holiness Jayapataka Swami illuminates each verse with a comprehensive and inspiring commentary, based on the profound wisdom and experience he has acquired while implementing the teachings for over forty years.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura was a divinely empowered messenger of the absolute truth as taught by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was a fearless spiritual revolutionary who cut through deviations and hypocrisy to establish the original, pure message of Godhead as it has been safeguarded by an ancient line of exalted saints. He was honored as a man of the highest integrity-by everyone, from British lords and ladies to babdjis living in the forests. He tirelessly wrote volumes of literature and composed thousands of songs and prayers, all of which are accepted by millions as being non different from revealed a Bhaktivinoda Thakura mastered the art of presenting a timeless philosophy in a manner "that is accessible to modern man and is thrilling to the mind. One can easily feel Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s ecstasies of pure love of God in his every word. Compassion, humility, and devotion overflowed from his heart. His universal vision of spirituality can infuse all great religions with the essence of love of God, and of deep compassion toalllivingbeing.

The Godruma Kalpatavi offers the gift of ecstatic love to everyone, everywhere. In "this publication, Bhaktivinoda Thakura compares Lord Nitydnanda’s outreach of divine love to a marketplace wherein all can participate. The product being marketed is ecstatic love, achieved through the chanting of the holy names of the Lord—Hare "Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—and the currency with which it can be purchased is simply one’s faith and willingness to try the chanting. Through the creative genius by which Bhaktivinoda Thakura has presented this concept, all of us, even today, can be an intimate part of "this unbelievable current of mercy.

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a spiritual descendant in the - line of Bhaktivinoda Thakura, transported the essence of spirituality throughout the. world. His personal qualities, his lectures, and the literature he composed transformed countless hearts, and his mission of compassion moved many to assist him.

His Holiness Jayapataka Swami was one of Srila Prabhupada’s earliest intimate disciples to unconditionally offer their life in this great mission. Back in 1970, Srila Prabhupada proclaimed to the majority-leader of the Indian parliament, "Jayapataka Swami is’ an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya." From that time, Jayapataka Swami, who was a young American boy from Wisconsin, based himself in Bengal, India, where he graciously endured great hardships as he traveled from primitive villages to swarming, . filthy cities to give the charity of pure devotional service. He learned the Bengali language fluently, and quickly became one of the most active and dynamic spiritual leaders of the state, reaching millions of people. As time passed, he tirelessly circled. the world several times a year. 8

It is fascinating to witness how Jayapataka Swami realized Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Godruma Kalpdtavi and then actively applied the science to create a devotional revival. The result is truly amazing. Throughout the world, he has established congregations that are expanding tremendously, especially in India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Jayapataka Swami’s lucid translation and commentary of Godruma Kalpdtavi is steeped in profound knowledge and realization, and is specially blessed by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. This book is immensely entertaining and emotional, while simultaneously presenting a strategic, scientific, and well-managed method whereby all can harmonize our talents to spread Krsna’s love and, in the process, attain. perfection.

Recently, Jayapatakaé Swami endured a devastating stroke. Medically, it was almost impossible for him to survive. As thousands around the world pray, he is gradually. recovering. To our great wonder, in his gracious and humble spirit Jayapataka Swami never complained, but accepted it all as the grace of Krsna. In fact, as soon as he regained consciousness he exhibited his enthusiasm to travel and help others expand the marketplace of the holy name.

We thank Jayapataka Swami for this priceless book, and for his beautiful life of devotion. and compassion.

"To teach by His personal example how to awaken one’s love for the Supreme Lord and how to be engaged in pure devotional service, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful incarnation of Lord Krsna, sometimes comes to this material world in the role of a devotee of Krsna. Although Lord Caitanya’s spiritual mission was somewhat suppressed during the adverse circumstances of British rule in India, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a prominent spiritual master of the Gaudiya Vaisnava disciplic succession, nonetheless assumed responsibility for reviving the movement and making it available to everyone. Through his endeavors, Bhaktivinoda Thakura was able to reestablish the Gaudiya sampradaya and once again manifest the widespread preaching and practice of Krsna consciousness throughout the Indian subcontinent.

The Godruma Kalpdtavi (The Desire-tree Groves of Godruma) was a newsletter pro- duced by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to guide the leaders and members of his new preachifig movement. I was able to secure five issues of this newsletter. I do not know if any more are extant. I obtained these five issues when at the beginning of our preaching in West Bengal, His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami gave me a copy of the Gaudiya Patrika, a magazine that had been edited by "Abhaya Carana Bhaktivedanta." The magazine contained an article that cited five issues of the Godruma Kalpdtavi. I translated those issues into English and, in 1979, presented the work as a small book. Coincidentally, at that time I had been considering to call our congregational preaching movement the "ISKCON Sankirtana Organization," but when I discovered that the name "Nama Hatta" derived from Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Lord Nityananda, I realized that this same traditional name was applicable also to our initiative. Consequently, I considered that this name Nama Hatta was actually given by Srila Prabhupada himself, since he had been the president of the Gaudiya Patrika magazine.

From the Godruma Kalpatavi newsletter, we have gathered that Bhaktivinoda Thakura established at least five hundred Nama Hatta groups and was actively preaching amongst grhastha devotees. By his personal guidance and preaching example, he was able to revive Lord Nityananda’s Nama Hatta preaching program. In the Godruma Kalpazavi, Bhaktivinoda Thakura deale with the practical circumstances encountered in the course of his preaching. Therein he gave his followers various practical instructions, most of which are still relevant today. His purpose was practical in principle—such as his authorizing any kind of music provided that the lyrics were Krsna conscious. Similarly, in ISKCON we have writers of music, art, and so on, all of which can be used in devotional service if the end result is Krsna consciousness. We see how those instructions of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s were applicable not only for his time but also for the future. lt is significant to witness the direct guidance and words of one of our Gaudlya Vaisnava dcaryas to the devotees of that day, regarding how they should apply Krsna consciousness in the preaching field. This is the speciality of the Godruma Kalpdtavl.

Written approximately 120 years ago, these Godruma Kalpdtavi newsletters describe a transcendental market wherein the Lord's holy names are systematically distributed to faithful customers who are willing to accept such a spiritual product. Based upon the "currency" of one’s faith and devotion for the Supreme Lord, everyone—regardless of cast, creed, color, or religion—is eligible to purchase the holy name. Specific descriptions of roles and duties, as well as cautions and guidelines, are provided by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to his Nama Harta "employees," the distributors of the holy name amongst the general populace.

By the mercy of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the previous Gaudiya Vaisnava acdryas, Lord Caitanya’s message of service to Lord Krsna is certainly spreading far and wide all over the world—and this was predicted more than a century ago by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Today we are witnessing the fulfilment of that prediction, for Krsna consciousness is reaching to people in every country and is tangibly benefiting their lives through the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and the practice of devotional service. Attempting to follow in the footsteps of our spiritual predecessor Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who was the great—grand-spiricual- master of ISKCON’s founder-dedrya, Srila Prabhup4da, we most sincerely desire to share Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s instructions regarding Nama Hatta preaching.

Over the years, I have commented and lectured on the instructions contained in these Godruma Kalpatavi newsletters, while simultaneously applying those instructions and guidelines in che preaching work of the Congregational Development Ministry. This current version of Godruma Kalpdtavi includes those commentacies, through which I tried to give insight and purport to Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s words. Having lived in India for over forty years, I have gained significant experience in the matter of preaching to the congregation. Through the Congregational Development Ministry, we wish to share this experience and understanding to provide a broader context regarding the Nama Hatta, which will be more easily understandable and applicable by devotees of this modern age.

In his explanation of the Nama Hatta system, Bhaktivinoda Thakura assigned to every member a particular job description—some form of work in the preaching structure. Whether an employee was selling or doing something else, the understanding was that everything was transpiring under the direction of Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya. It is notable that the position of Lord Nityananda as the chief trader of the transcen- dental market, and also the role of the traders from Navadvipa, Vendavana, and Jagannatha Puri, are emphasized. Within this scheme, Bhaktivinoda Thakura maintained a very humble status, placing himself as the sweeper of the marketplace. Nothwithstanding one’s social position, all had a role to play in the Nama Hatta. The instructions in Godruma Kalpatavi are certainly pertinent to our ISKCON society, for currently over ninety percent of our members work outside the institution and practice devotional service at home.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura was considering how he could present Krsna consciousness as relevant for all—how everyone could become an employee of the Nama Hatta and preach Krsna consciousnes. Because at that time Bhaktivinoda Thakura was working for the British government, he was thus preaching through his own example. There- fore, even though one may be working in the material world, all are eligible to be a Krsna conscious marketer of the holy name.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati instructed his disciples to broadcast the glories of Sridham Mayapur and of Navadvipa Parikrama, to print books, and to establish the Nama Hatta. Of these three activities, the brhad-mrdanga, massive book distribution, has been considered the primary method of expansion. But nowadays, when ninety- eight percent or more of the devotees in our movement are congregational members, Nama Hatta is more relevant to ISKCON than it was in the beginning stage of our movement. In retrospect, we understand that the Nama Hatta program was the foundational method used by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and Srila Prabhupada. Now is the time to reorganize ourselves and include the Nama Hatta program in our preaching mission. It is reassuring to know that this Nama Hatta program is bona fide and authorized by previous Gaudiya Vaisnava dcaryas.