Appreciations

Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja is erkend als een bonafide Gaudiya Vaisnava door vele grote Acarya's. Onderstaande toespraken zijn van verschillende Acarya's om een idee te geven hoe groot zijn invloed was.




The memory of my meeting you in Vrindavan shines vividly in my mind. It seems as if it was just yesterday. You came to see Srila Prabhupada when he was preparing to leave this planet. You looked so effulgent and pure, giving me the impression of a very austere and spiritually advanced personality. From the way Srila Prabhupada spoke to you, I could make out that you are very dear to him.

Soon after meeting Srila Prabhupada, you were going to leave Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada asked me to find out how you were going to reach the station in Mathura. You had told me that you were planning to take a bus. When I informed Srila Prabhupada, His Divine Grace very affectionately said, "No, no! Why should he take a bus? Arrange a car to take him." Srila Prabhupada then arranged for his own car to take you to Mathura. From that brief encounter, I could make out how Srila Prabhupada loved you. I could also see how detached and humble you are.

Although you build a magnificent temple in Bhubaneswar, you stayed in a small hut. To you that was a most sacred place because your beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada had stayed there. I cherish the memories of those days when you were practically alone in Bhubaneswar. The memories of those nights shine brightly in my heart when we used to sit under the star-studded sky discussing Jaiva Dharma and Sri Caitanya Siksamrta. Although I was so much junior to you, you valued my points and showed appreciation when I made a good one. Most of the time I simply listened to your profound presentation of Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta.

You were always absorbed in krsna-katha, not wasting even a moment in any mundane activity. From this one can percieve what an advanced devotee you are. And now, by the way you left this planet, talking about Krsna's Vrindavan pastimes and then becoming completely absorbed in them, you have made everyone realize without the slightest doubt that you have gone back to the spiritual sky - to Sri Sri Radha-Krsna's eternal pastimes.

- Srila Bhakti Caru Maharaja

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Since we first met in Srila Prabhupada's company, we always shared such warm affection and association. After Prabhupada's departure, there were many chances for us both together. During these times of close association, I got the opportunity to observe your exalted Vaisnava qualities. I developed so much respect and faith in you as a result.

Sometimes aspiring devotees would approach me for my opinion about your Divine Grace, I would always recommend them to take complete shelter of you, knowing that they could not be in better hands. I have always been convinced that you are intimately connected with Srila Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. How is it possible that you have left us so suddenly? We must remember your devotion, faith in guru, faith in scripture, in preaching and in ISKCON. By remembering you we shall gain strength and determination to push forward in Krsna Consciousness. And, speaking of krsna-lila amongst the devotees in the Holy Dhama.

His Divine Grace Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja ki jaya!

- Srila Tamal Krsna Gosvami Maharaja

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One of the great qualities of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja is his childlike simplicity. He was straightforward and he had a very friendly nature. Without any difficulty you could relate with him in all circumstances. And he was extremely compassionate. From the scriptures we know that these are the qualities of a saintly person.

The disciples and followers of Gour Govinda Maharaja are extremely fortunate to possess such a wonderful saintly spiritual master. And also it is a great blessing of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Srila Prabhupada that he has such a wonderful disciple. We all know that the day he left was the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and the year of the wonderful Centennial celebration of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. So we know it must be all auspicious that somehow Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, arranged in such a way that Maharaja left in order to serve His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in Goloka Vrindavan. Therefore it is the duty of all of us to follow the directions and spirit of this Prabhupada-seva, this Bhagavata-seva that Maharaja had, so that this Krsna consciousness movement can be spread in every nook and corner of the world.

Jaya Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja ki jaya!
Jaya Srila Prabhupada Maharaja ki jaya!

- Srila Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Maharaja

Our appreciation for Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja may be enhanced by seeing how he is respected in other Gaudiya Vaisnava institutions. Thus we have included a few words of appreciation by two of the most prominent representatives of the Gaudiya Math.

The guru is not an ordinary mortal man. To think that he is so is a big offense. Gour Govinda Maharaja is a bona-fide guru. He has understood guru-tattva and had deep understanding of bhakti-siddhanta, the conclusions of bhakti. Gour Govinda Maharaja was gentle, humble and soft and had all the qualities of a Vaisnava guru.

He is sad-guru. Whatever he tells you, you should do with all your heart. Your Gurudeva has given you Krsna, but you have not realized Him yet. So don't be impatient - be patient. Love of God is not the play of a child.

- Srila Bhakti Pramoda Puri Gosvami Maharaja

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He was a very learned person and he had come in a true devotee family. His fathers and mothers were Vaisnavas in our line. From boyhood he was brought up in the line of Vaisnavas. Even before he joined ISKCON he was of that spirit - inward Vaisnava. So he was so humble. He was a true Vaisnava. I saw all these qualities in Gour Govinda Maharaja. He was in the same in which Swamiji (Srila Prabhupada) was. I have read his books. So he was in the raganuga wasy of doing bhajan (devotional service), for which Caitanya Mahaprabhu had come. In this world raganuga-vaisnavas are very very rare. I honor him as a pure Vaisnava, and he surely was. So I am giving my puspanjali to his lotus feet.

- Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja

"His departure shows all auspicious symptoms and
his succes fills our hearts with admiration. his life
and disappearance pastimes shall remain a great
inspiration to all members of ISKCON."

ISKCON GBC