Our Eternal Nature (Nitya Dharma)

Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Godsvami Maharaja took his divine birth in 1921, in the village Tiwaripura, near the banks of the sacred river Ganges in the state of Bihar, India. In 1946, he renounced his worldly duties and surrendered his life completely at the lotus feet of spiritual master, Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and thus to the service of God. He received from his guru the deepest secrets of spiritual knowledge how to attain an even blissful, personal and dynamic relationship with God, which is our eternal nature.

For almost fifty years he travelled throughout India, inspiring thousands of people by his own example and by his precepts, and in 1996 he began to travel abroad, bringing the light and joy of the truly compassionate spiritual lineage of Gaudiya Vaisnavisam to the far reaches of this world. He also translated and wrote profound commentaries on nearly sixty sacred texts, which serve to inspire all sincere spiritual aspirants. His devoted followers are now translating them into the major languages of the world.

On 29 December 2010 he concluded his pastimes in this world in Sri Puridhama, leaving us bereft of his physical presence. His jewel – like teachings, however are eternal and will continue to shine like a radiant beacon to guide us all on the path of pure devotion.

The opening of Gaudiya Sanga's Sri Indraprastha Gaudiya Matha, Delhi, on 30 January 1964 was attended by many great spiritual preceptors, such as Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja, who spread Krsna consciousness throughout the world, Srila Bhakti Saranga Gosvami Maharaja, the founder of Gaudiya Sanga and Srila Bhakti Saurabha Bhaktisara Maharaja. In the realm of spiritual relationship they are the affectionate uncles of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja and they following timeless discourse in which he succinctly and scientifically explained the eternal nature and function of the soul, our temporary and acquired nature, the supreme goal of all quotes from the Vedas and Srimad – Bhagavatam, the most exalted of India's ancient sacred texts, he extracted from them essence of knowledge for the benefit of all.

This lecture was spoken in Hindi and first published in hte Hindi magazine Sri Bhagavat – patrika under the title Nitya – dharma. It was later translated into English for Raya of The harmonist. Now this article has been carefully adapted to facilitate readers who are new to Sanskrit terminology and to the tenets of pure Vaisnavism.

It is the heartfelt prayer of the tenets publishers that this book will inspire those sincere souls who are yearning for knowledge of absolute truth.