On this Anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj’s passing from this World in 1988, some quotes by his exalted Godbrother, His Holiness, Srila B.P. Puri Maharaj:
Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaja exhibited profound natural and intrinsic spontaneous genius in the field of Sanskrit language, literature, and thought.
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From the very beginning of Pujyapada Sridhara Maharaja’s matha (ashram) life, his adherence to the devotional services of his own guru, Srila Prabhupada (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur), was super-resplendent.
His calm, quiet nature and bright, beautiful, divine appearance accompanied by full simplicity, solemnity, and complete freedom from egoistic emotions would always attract our hearts.
He would so superbly explain each and every word of Sri Gurudeva [Srila Bhaktisiddhanta] in such an intensely devotional, melodious way that we would be charmed.
Although he was born in a high-class, wealthy family, was handsome, and became famous for his scholarly achievements, no trace of false pride was ever found in his life or character.
He was never known to give trouble to anyone in any way and never felt himself to be the loser when taking troubles from others.
He was completely free from any tinge of malicious anger, which is opposed to pure devotional service. He would always heartily try, with great patience, to resolve any problems arising from the conflicts or disputes between his godbrothers.
A natural, simple, and most cordial behavior was always seen on the part of this spotless personality setting an exemplary standard for the brahmacaris and sannyasis of our mission.
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By the grace of Sri Guru, the most efficient analogies, logical arguments, and expert systems and techniques of establishing the susiddhanta (the higher truthful devotional conclusions) would always appear in his heart with effulgent spontaneity, enabling the convincing refutation of opposing opinions and assertions.
Thus Srila Prabhupada was always glad to see the presence of Srila Sridhara Maharaja in any conference or sophisticated debating assembly.
Srila Prabhupada highly praised the quality and poetic beauty of his many invaluable compositions. Every word of his numerous prayers composed about his Gurudeva and Lord Gaurasundara (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) are full of profound devotional resonance and clearly demonstrate his intense love of Sri Guru and Lord Gaurasundara.
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I am bereft of the proper language to elucidate the profound meaning of Sri Gayatri as expressed by Pujyapada Maharaja (B.R. Sridhar) in the depth of realization, which is that sublime Sri Radha-dasya or Sri Radha-pada-dhyana, the exclusive devotional servitude to Srimati Radharani.
Therefore, it can only be presented and understood through his own illustrious transcendental language and by his exclusive divine grace.
This deepest meaning of Sri Gayatri has been nobly established by the message emanating from his lotus lips and by the exultant mood radiating from the core of his heart.
I have no adequate words to express the pain of separation in the absence of such a rare personality and exalted devotee of the Lord. It was Srila Prabhupada who brought to us his own associate, our Pujyapada Maharaja, and blessed us with that great fortune of having his association.
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Srila Prabhupada has directly defined Pujyapada Sridhara Maharaja as Sri Rupanuga Bhakti Raksaka, the Guardian of Pure Devotion in the line of Sri Rupa and thus also the guardian of the pure devotional line of Srila Thakura Bhaktivinoda.
Therefore, this lowly servitor of servitors prays for his grace. How will I be able to attain that most high Sri Vraja prema (divine love) without submission and devotion unto him whom Srila Prabhupada has directly and eternally absorbed into the Rupanuga family of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura?
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He is an exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord, Sri Gaurasundara, and is always beautified with the affection of his guru vargas, Sri Guru, and the Vaisnavas.
He possesses pure devotional qualities and benevolently blesses all with the divine message and matchless wealth of Srila Prabhupada, thereby fulfilling his desire.
He is all-glorious, forever glorious, everywhere.
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Please note: Throughout this article, “Srila Prabhupada” refers to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (the guru of Srila Puri Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj).
For the sake of brevity and diversity of readers, I’ve chosen and extracted certain passages from Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami Maharaja’s “Exalted Glorification of Srila Sridhara Maharaja” from book: Our Affectionate Guardians, by Swami Bhaktibhavana Visnu Maharaja.
