Amrta Vani - Words of Immortality (His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada)

Srila Sarasvati Thakura appeared in Sri Jagannath Puri on February 6, 1874. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srimati Bhagavati devi received this son as the mercy of Lord Jagannatha. Within six months, the Rathayatra Festival occurred, and Lord Jagannatha's chariot remained outside his birthplace for three days. The child was overwhelmed with joy to see the Lord of his life and began crying. As Bhagavati devi lifted him and climbed on the chariot, she paid obeisances, the child grabbed the lotus feet of the Lord of the universe and a garland from the Lord's neck fell on his neck. That was no ordinary occurrence, and everyone understood that this child was blessed and empowered by Lord Jagannatha Himself.

The child was named Vimala Prasad. Since Lord Jagannatha's remnants are offered to His consort Vimala Devi, Their prasad is this blessed child. Brought up by the pious royal magistrate father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and virtuous mother, Bhagavati Devi, Vimala Prasad since birth was into the culture of God consciousness. It was Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura who encouraged, inspired and ordered Vimala Prasad to always worship Lord Hari and preach the glorious teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Vimala Prasad, being an intelligent and genius young lad, in school with his friends discovered a new language. Later he mastered the science of astronomy. He was eloquent in explaining scriptures and a reservoir of zealous enthusiasm to preach. Sri Sarasvati Thakura accepted spiritual initiation from Sri Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja and on March 7, 1918, on the auspicious Gaura Purnima Day, he accepted sannyasa, and hence came to be known as Sri Srimad, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada restarted the propagation of Sri Gaura's teachings vigorously in India. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, before he disappeared, had instructed him to spread the literatures written by the six Gosvamis, to develop the birthplace of Mahaprabhu and to preach Gaurasundara's teachings.

Within a short span, Srila Prabhupada, established about 66 mathas or monasteries all over India and in places like Rangoon and London outside India. He awarded sannyasa to 25 highly educated individuals. He edited and published about six daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly spiritual magazines in English, Hindi, Oriya and Assamese. He was a matchless lion-like acarya who fulfilled his father's and spiritual master's instructions.

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