Namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura - English

Why is Srila Haridasa Thakura heralded as Namacarya (one who, by example, teaches the world to chant the holy name)? Because his blissful absorption in chanting, even in the face of severe adversity, does not waver for a fraction of a moment. This small book, compiled for our eternal benefit by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedānta Narayana  Gosvami Maharaja, consists of eighteen pastimes of Srila Haridasa Thakura, as narrated in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Sri Caitanya Bhagavata and other books. With the  insightful commentaries of Srila Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada woven throughout, these documented accounts of Srila Haridasa Thakura's life illuminate his astonishing  humility, dedication, magnanimity, devotion and numerous other transcendental qualities, and strengthen our relationship with him. By his mercy, we are filled with the  hope that one day we, also, will become internally resolute in our chanting of the holy name.

"Sri Gaurasundara is supremely compassionate, and, He bestows the wealth of devotion to Himself, in the form of vraja-prema. His devotees are dearer to Him than His very life. Our sole duty is to attentively and continuously study the supremely sweet life and conduct of devotees who are enriched with the highest limit of loving service. Without thoroughly studying the lives of such devotees of the Supreme Lord (bhagavad-bhaktas), we can never understand service to the Supreme Lord (bhagavad-bhajana).

As a result of studying the lives of devotees, sincere affection is aroused for them. By this, we shall become recipients of the affection of the Supreme Lord, Sri  Bhagavan, who is affectionate to His devotees (bhakta-vatsala). For this reason, the scriptures state that the mercy of the Lord follows the mercy of His devotee. Bhagavan has personally said that service to His devotees is greater than service to Himself. He pays no notice to the honor or ostentatious worship of Him - Sri Govinda - shown by those who neglect the worship of His devotees. Rather, He fully rejects the worship of such persons, considering it to be full of pride. It is impossible to worship Bhagavan in any way without the guidance of the devotees. The scriptures therefore state that one must firstly worship the lotus feet of guru, who is most dear to Sri Mukunda. On the pretext of instructing His dear devotee Uddhava, Bhagavan Sri Kṛṣṇa said, “O Uddhava, know the acarya to be My very self. Never disobey or disrespect him, considering him to be an ordinary mortal, for śri gurudeva is the embodiment of all demigods.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Sanatana Gosvami personally declared Srila Haridasa Thakura to be the authority on the holy name, and they instructed the inhabitants of this world to follow in his footsteps. Repeatedly discussing namacarya Srila Haridasa Thakura’s wholehearted, nonduplicitous service to śri nama melts our heart, which is as hard as thunderbolts, and awakens in it true repentance for our undevout, meaningless toil. At such a time, we will become anxious to receive the mercy of pure devotees."  [EXCERPT]

CONTENTS:  INTRODUCTION, PROLOGUE, Srila Haridasa Thakura's Identity, The Life History of Srila Haridasa Thakura, Delivering the Prostitute, Srila Haridasa Thakura Illuminates Nama-tattva, Srila Haridasa Thakura and Sri Advaita acarya, Tested by Maya-devi Herself, Srila Haridasa Thakura's Conviction in the Holy Name, The Poisonous Snake, The King of Serpents Glorifies Srila Haridasa Thakura, The Plight of the Faithless in Srila Haridasa Thakura's Time, Srila Haridasa Thakura Proves Loud Chanting to be Supreme, Pastimes with Sriman Mahaprabhu, The Deliverance of Jagai and Madhai, Arriving in Nilacala, Srila Haridasa Thakura and Srila Rūpa Gosvami, Srila Haridasa Thakura and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Answering the Lord’s Questions, The Pastime of Srila Haridasa Thakura's Disappearance, Glossary, Bibliography.

TITLE: Namacharya Srila Haridas Thakur – His Life and Teachings - English
Translated from the Hindi edition of Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja
PUBLISHER: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications
ISBNs: 9781633161573 978-1-633161-57-3 1633161579 1-63316-157-9 
LCCN: 2017938072
EDITION: First, 2017
Pages: 200, with Color Plates, Glossary and Bibliography
SHIPPING WEIGHT: 400 grams