Krti-Ratna (Jewel Among Guru Sevakas) - English

Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja (Śrīla Gurudeva) was always extremely eager to extol the superlative character and precepts of his beloved gurudeva, Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, one of the foremost disciples of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda.

This book is divided into four parts. Parts 1 and 2 consist of articles and letters by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja (hereafter referred to as Paramagurudeva, or our “grandfather guru”). Part 3 consists of words of tribute by his godbrothers and a godsister, and Part 4 consists of homages by his own disciples.

It is our sincere hope of bringing Śrīla Gurudeva joy that we present Kṛti-ratna: Jewel Among Guru-sevakas on the occasion of the 50th disappearance day of his gurudeva, who is the object of his deepest love and highest veneration

EXCERPT: The Vaiṣṇavas’ appearance in this world and their disappearance from it are one and the same. Both their arrival in this world and departure from it signify their mercy. Compelled by mercy, they come to this world, and it is for mercy’s sake that they also leave it. All of the activities of Vaiṣṇavas are imbued with mercy. “Vaiṣṇava caritra sarvadā pavitra – the life and character of Vaiṣṇavas are pure in all respects.” Imparting divine bliss is the purpose of their lives. Still, those gripped by misfortune and compelled by temporal pleasures perceive their lives to be devoid of any joy. This is but the influence of māyā.

If we think that Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura has departed from this world and dropped us in an ocean of sorrow, then we are attributing fault to his character. But why would he inflict pain upon us? He does not know how to give pain to anyone. This is why the term viraha-utsava (“a festival of separation”) came to be used in Vaiṣṇava literature. The word utsava refers to that which yields happiness and love, not joylessness or sorrow

The Vaiṣṇavas’ purpose for appearing in this world is not temporal. It has not even a shadow of impermanence. The Vaiṣṇavas are eternal and their practices are also eternal. Their appearance ensures the distinct of their disappearance, and their disappearance increases the sweet charm of their advent

The sweetness of their appearance and the magnanimity displayed in their disappearance manifest in this world the literature and chronicles of Vaiṣṇava saints. This literature is the blossoming of śabda-brahma (the divine word), where the filthy shadow of the ordinary word cannot penetrate.

Śrīla Prabhupāda is Siddhānta Sarasvatī (siddhānta meaning “the perfect conclusion” and sarasvatī meaning “the goddess of knowledge”). That is to say, he is the elaboration of the inner conception of the divine temple of the Vaiṣṇava message.

Today is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s holy disappearance day. We do not attribute any sort of fault to this holy day or view Śrīla Prabhupāda’s suprahuman, auspicious activities negatively. With great respect, Śrī Gauḍīya Vedānta Samiti welcomes this occasion (tithi) every year. It is a matter of great delight that again this year you have all eagerly assembled to worship this day

CONTENTS: Editors’ Preface, Part One: Articles and Discourses by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja : An Invocation in Separation, A True Experience of Separation, Pangs of Separation from a Disciple, Śrī Rādhā-Vinoda-bihārī-tattvāṣṭakam.

Part Two: Letters by Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja On initiation and spiritual practice : In cordial opposition to Māyāvāda, A firm stance on education, Can Śrī Nityānanda and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī be on the same altar?, On fortitude in the face of adversity, Fault-finding results from apathy to service, Bhakti is beyond nationalism, Instructions for married Vaiṣṇavas, On agriculture and farming, Speak the truth fearlessly, Who is a mahājana?, We follow the Vaiṣṇava mahājanas, not the smārtas, Sat-saṅga is more important than accumulating wealth, The śikṣā-guru is to make one attached to one’s dīkṣā-guru, Bhagavān personally aids those who have the courage to speak the truth, No adversity must stop our hari-kīrtana, Bhakti is not for the weak, timid and cowardly, Perform vratas with devotion, Surrender your attachment to Bhagavān, Unconditional charity, Observing Ekādaśī, Ratha-yātrā, etc on the correct day, The word ‘vijñāna’, Abandon the company of those who have deviated from the conduct and ideology of Śrīla Prabhupāda, For a servant of Hari, trials and tribulations are a source of auspiciousness, Solitary practice is opposed to hari-bhajana and leads to sense gratification, Eat only what you cook and offer, Reinstallation of the deity, The maṭha cannot be under the control of the general public, Preachers are educators of the public and therefore need to set an example, Householder devotees are to be cremated rather than interred, Do not donate in such a way that it puts you into hardship, It is impossible to progress in life if one does not heed discipline, Follow the precepts and conduct of Śrīman Mahāprabhu, Knowledge is one thing, title is another, The Vaiṣṇavas’ consideration of impurity, The duties of Śrī Hari’s devotees in a demoniac society, Encouraging a childhood friend in hari-bhajana, The smārtas’ misconception about aśauca (impurity), Tenacity in maintaining Vaiṣṇava standards, The necessity of a constitution to bring discipline to the maṭha, In opposition to those proclaiming themselves to be Bhagavān, Specific instructions on managing a spiritual institution, Yukta-vairāgya – holistic renunciation.

Part Three: Words of Tribute from Disciples of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda : Some Opinions on Śrī Gauḍīya-patrikā, 
Condolence Speech, Letter of Condolence, A Younger Godbrother’s Expression of Distress in Separation, His All-Encompassing Sevā, A Lowly Servant’s Grief-stricken Offering, In Praise of the Patrikā, A Glimpse of His Early Life and Pilgrimages.

Part Four: Words of Tribute from Disciples of Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja : The Transcendental Character of Śrī Guru-pādapadma, Reminiscing a Drop of His Glories, Your Fallen Servant’s Humble Offering, A Collection of Flowers.

TITLE: Kriti Ratna (Jewel Among Guru-Sevakas) - English
AUTHOR: Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja
PUBLISHER: Gaudiya Vedanta Publications.
ISBNs: 978-1-633161-73-3 9781633161733 1633161730 16-33161-73-0  
EDITION: First Edition, 2018, Gaudiya Vedanta Publications.
BINDING: Paperback
PAGES and SIZE: 156,  7" X 9", Profusely Illustrated with Rare Images
SHIPPING WEIGHT: 475 grams