Shyam Das Babaji Maharaj

26/08/2026

𝐈𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐎𝐃 ...𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄...

By HDG Śrīla Bhakti Vallabha Tīrtha Gosvāmī Mahārāja

Pilot Nikson was flying his plane and was locating the defence facilities of the German army, during world war- I. He was accompanied by his four colleagues, all from air-force. They entered German air-space and were hiding their plane in clouds. Nikson as pilot wanted a clear view of the defence sites, hence took risk of lowering his plane. Suddenly a jolt shook him. His plane was hit. The German army was firing at their plane and suddenly the plane was in flames.

Later, Mr. Nikson wrote in his biography, ‘I was a firm non-believer in God. I observed that my burning plane was losing height rapidly and would soon crash. There was no chance of survival. I murmured, ‘If there is any God, save me.’ I went blank after that. I do not know what happened after that. I regained consciousness after a long time. When I recovered a bit, I was told that I remained unconscious for almost 2 months. When I inquired about my colleagues, I was told that somehow the burning plane re-entered the French border and fell with a loud thud. Nothing remained in the place. All were dead. Your pulse was quite slow but running. You were hence taken to Army hospital in Paris and doctors worked very hard to save you. When all were discussing in detail about the crash, I (Mr Nikson) began to recollect all the minute details of the events. Then I recalled how I have murmured, ‘If there is any God, save me’. A shiver ran in my spine and from that day, I had firm faith in God and His existence.’

He continues to write, ‘After I was discharged I began going to the church and began inquiring about God from various fathers (priests). I thought that since I know that God exists then I should find Him and talk to Him. I was not satisfied with the answers I got and eventually began reading many holy books. I was still not satisfied. My desire to meet God increased day by day. After all, He saved me that other day and I should meet my saviour. I was advised to visit India to learn further about God. I was informed that the sages of ancient India had researched deeply into this topic. I resigned from the Royal Air Force, and came to India to research on God.’

The same pilot Nikson came to India. His complete name was Ronald Nikson and became known as Professor Nikson in the Lucknow University. He was acquainted with Dr. Gyanendra Nath Chakravarty (Vice-Chancellor) as they had met in England earlier and became good friends. Dr. Gyanendra appointed Professor Nikson in the English department of Lucknow University.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa says in Gita that I help those, who look for me, sincerely. Wife of Dr. Chakravarty , Srimati Manika Devi was a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. She taught and explained various Indian scriptures namely Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā, Upaniṣads, Vedānta and Śrīmad Bhāgavatamam and eventually initiated him and re-named him as Śrī Kṛṣṇa-prema. The same Professor Nikson established a centre at Mirtola (about 14 miles from Almora in the state of Uttar Pradesh) under the name ‘Uttar Vrindavan’. It is said that he realized the Supreme Lord here and used to talk to the Lord. Thus Lord fulfilled his desire.
The essence of this topic is that Professor Nikson has concluded that he was a firm non-believer in God but he developed firm faith in God with that single incident. This means that God exists. There are many examples to prove that God exists. The only way to realize His existence is by submitting to Him. A sincere absolute surrender would bring Him to you. For e.g. to receive some education we have to submit to a professor or a teacher. Submission means you are accepting that the said professor is more learned than you in that sphere of education, thus he will impart you with that education once you submit to him. Similarly, once we submit to the Supreme Lord, He will impart us with the knowledge to realize Him.

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

All Glories to Śrī Śrī Guru & Gaurāṅga

To

All those Gauḍīya Devotees all over the world & others

Dear/Blessed Gauḍīya Devotees

Daṇḍavat Praṇāmas to you all. With due respect and humble submission, we would like to draw your kind attention to the declaration made by our society on behalf of Śrīla Bābā Mahārāja on 17th June 2025.

link to the declaration given herewith— https://www.echoes-of-eternity.com/post/a-divine-declaration-done-by-srila-shyam-das-baba-maharaj

Perhaps this is known to you all that Śrīla Baba Mahārāja has already taken the decision not to give any answer to any controversial issues relating to our sampradāya and our Guru-varga anymore, he was bound to do so out of the pressure and politics of those so-called devotees and those pseudo Ācāryas of our own sampradāya. Our life is very uncertain, then how we can waste our time this way, whereas there is no outcome at all, because unnecessarily all are against Śrīla Baba Mahārāja.

So you all are requested to seek help from those big, big, so-called international ācāryas, those who are always trying to keep silence to enjoy lābha-pūjā-pratiṣṭhā with some mutual understanding with those antagonists. Like before, still today if they are failure to give befitting answer to stop the dirty mouth of those sahajiyās or those antagonists, then, and only then, Śrīla Baba Mahārāja can try his best to give befitting answer for the protection and preservation of the divine honor & prestige of Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha & Mission and those Gauḍīya Maṭha Devotees. So let us know your opinion. Anyway, we need direct documents that they are reluctant to do this urgent divine sevā.

Thanks a lot

Truly yours in the service of Śrī Śrī Guru-Gaurāṅga & Go-mātā,

All those members of Śrī Bhakti Siddhānta Vāṇī Sevā Trust.

25/08/2026

𝐒𝐞𝐯ā 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚

Once, a gṛhastha bhakta was receiving my Gurudeva in the month of December and it was very cold that time. That disciple instinctively arranged some nice hot water to wash Gurudeva’s Lotusfeet which were feeling cold due to the weather. After that, they put Gurudeva in a chair and gave him a garland and so on. One foolish person was watching all of this. The misguided observer saw how the gṛhastha made the hot water and all of the other arrangements. Then, after a long time, Gurudeva also went to that person’s house. That so-called devotee received Gurudeva, but this time it was during the hot season. He nonetheless still planned to put hot water on Gurudeva’s Lotusfeet just as he had previously seen done. Gurudeva shouted, “What are you doing!? Are you foolish!?” The host responded, “I thought this was the rule, so I just followed.” He thought he was doing sevā but this is not sevā. Sevā means to seek the satisfaction of Guru and Vaiṣṇava. It is not according to your whimsical attitude.

Please, wherever you go, you must speak about this siddhānta so that other people can also learn this kind of truth and nourish it in their hearts.

Śrī Śrīla Shyām Dās Bābā Mahārāja

25/08/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

From the life of Śrīla Rāmānujācārya

Once a Brāhmaṇa came to Śrīla Rāmānujācārya and said, “I wish to purify myself by serving you, for you are the best of devotees. By such service I shall be freed from the influence of material nature.” Yatirāja [Rāmānuja, the best of sannyāsīs] accepted the request, saying, “What you have said is correct, for one can be liberated only by service. If you wish to serve me, then you must stay here and do whatever I ask of you.” The Brāhmaṇa was very pleased by this reply, and said eagerly, “O master, tell me what is your desire. I will do anything you ask of me.” Seeing the man’s sincerity, Rāmānuja then told him, “O Brāhmaṇa, I have resolved to purify myself by taking daily the water which has washed the feet of a pure-hearted Brāhmaṇa. Now, by the grace of the Lord, you have come here. My order is that you stay here, and every day give me the water that has washed your feet. Only if you do this will you be able to render real service to me.” Although a very humble person by nature, the Brāhmaṇa could not refuse this direct order. From that time on, every day when Yatirāja returned from taking his noon bath in the Kāverī, he would take upon his head some of the water that had washed the Brāhmaṇa’s feet. One day, Rāmānuja was invited to take prasāda at the home of one of his householder disciples, and he went there directly after bathing in the river. After they had eaten, all the devotees began to discuss the glories of Lord Nārāyaṇa, putting various questions to Rāmānujācārya and listening intently to the explanations he gave. So sweet were these discussions that the devotees became unaware of the passage of time. Thus, by the time Yatirāja rose to leave the house, it was very late at night. When they arrived back at the āśrama, they found that the only person still awake was the pious Brāhmaṇa. “Why have you waited up so long for me?” asked Yatirāja. “Have you eaten yet?” “How could I think of eating,” replied the Brāhmaṇa, smiling, “when I have not yet rendered my service to you?” At this, Yatirāja smiled broadly and embraced the man, saying, “You are a wonderful devotee, the perfect servant of the Lord. By being absorbed only in thoughts of service, you have attained perfection.” Then he drank the water that had washed the Brāhmaṇa's feet and offered it to all his other disciples.

— From chapter 8 of The Life of Rāmānujācārya, by Naimiṣāraṇya Dāsa. Rasbihari Lal & Sons. Vṛndāvana. 2005

25/08/2026

𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐢 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲

— Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Dev Gosvāmī Mahārāja

When I joined the mission, I wanted to read the books of the mission, including Bhāgavatam, but I did not find any encouragement from the authority. The real thing, the real requirement is to use our energy for the service of the Lord. By that process only may we go up, not by satisfying our intellectual necessities. Jñāna-śūnya-bhakti, an illiterate man may achieve a higher position in the realm of devotion than a literate man.

By the command of the Lord's agent we may engage in literary culture, even as Mahāprabhu instructed Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs. Of course, they had acquired their knowledge to utilize it in the service of the sampradāya, the Gauḍīya disciplic succession. He also asked Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa to hear the Bhāgavatam from one who knew its real purport.

Jīva Gosvāmī was the only exception. Mahāprabhu asked him to study independently before he joined the Vṛndāvana party. He left his home and went to Benares, the center of all sorts of learning at that time. He studied different śāstras and then joined the others in Vṛndāvana. There, under the direction of Rūpa and Sanātana, he utilized his previously acquired knowledge in the service of the sampradāya.

When we get inspiration from above to study, that study is devotion. Otherwise a whim to study, to acquire scholarship, may not be bhakti proper, śuddha-bhakti.

The higher agent, the Vaiṣṇava, must utilize my energy. This energy must be spent to satisfy the higher world. Then it will be bhakti, it will be devotion. My mental imagination may bring sukṛti, but it won't be śuddha-bhakti if I have a mind to help the sampradāya in a scholarly way. At my own risk I must go on with my study. It is accepted that when one is connected with the higher agent, then it will be considered devotion; otherwise it is not. It is an empirical attempt with some sort of good imagination. But this is not pure bhakti, pure devotion. Pure devotion is to carry out the orders descending from above, from the higher agent. The waves are coming; catch them and then act accordingly.

Our Godbrother Niśikānta Sānyāl said that when we are requested by a Vaiṣṇava to write or read any book, then that constitutes devotion. But when of our own accord we read any devotional book, that won't give us devotion. That will be karma or jñāna. To surrender unconditionally to the instruction coming down to us, that is bhakti. All else is imitation. We find this warning everywhere. This we should understand.

Even reading the scriptures is not devotion unless done on the order of the Vaiṣṇava. Independent reading is only knowledge-seeking. By following the Vaiṣṇava, our bond with the Lord is guaranteed. Sādhu-saṅge Kṛṣṇa-nāma: in the company of the devotees, chanting the Name or whatever service we render is guaranteed to reach Him. And what is the guarantee of that? The reply will be, “His agent is saying so, and I am therefore engaged. I am not my master; I am his servant.” Such consciousness must be genuine, as far as possible. Success depends on this principle.

If we are appointed to preach, to do relief work here, we will execute that duty solely under the appointment of, and in the interest of, that higher plane, without any vanity. We should think, “I must put myself wholly at the disposal of the higher plane, and I shall not be eager to become an ācārya, a spiritual master. Otherwise, there is the danger of committing nāma-aparādha, offense against the Lord's Name.”

Aśraddadhāne vimukhe 'py aśṛṇvati, yaś copadeśaḥ śiva-nāmāparādhaḥ. It is an offense to give the Holy Name to the faithless. It betrays the motivation to gain a position in the higher sphere. This is a type of mundane attachment, a spiritual commerce, as is the habit of caste gosvāmīs and other spurious lines. Rather, the healthy attitude should be, “If I am appointed from above, then I shall serve as appointed, and that too, only for the interest of those who have appointed me. I am entering that rank solely for the interest of that higher land.” That is the pure and perfect approach.

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the renowned commentator of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, has stated, sa cārpitā eva satī yadi kriyeta, na tu kṛtā satī paścād arpyeta: “Devotional service must be first offered to the Lord, then performed; not performed and offered afterwards.” We should already be committed when we come to serve. We should not collect capital and later try to utilize it in the service of the Lord. The commitment is to Him, to Kṛṣṇa.

We have come to know about Him for Him, not for our sake or for anyone else. We preach only because of the instruction from above. Only if we receive an instruction from that higher quarter, “Go and preach,” shall we do so. Only then will our preaching be service, and never if it is done for name and fame. We must have engagement from the higher office, and only on their behalf we shall preach; then it will be genuine preaching. Otherwise, it will be trading. Na sa bhṛtyaḥ sa vai vaṇik: Prahlāda Mahārāja has warned us against this trading mentality in the name of spiritual truth.

Devotion is a separate and distinct plane where we live only for the center. We aspire to live and move only as agents of the center, never disconnected from the center. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Reality is for Itself, and we must strictly abide by this rule. He is for Himself, everything is for Him, we are for Him. Whatever we do must also be for Him. We must strictly adhere to this conception, and always examine whether what we are doing is for Him or for any other part, however important we may think it to be.