The spiritual master's words are eternal guidance; honoring them keeps one always fresh and connected to Krishna.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda's Appearance Day Lecture — March 2, 1975, Atlanta 750302BA-ATLANTA [27:48 Minutes] BhaktisiddhantaApp_750302BA-ATLANTA Prabhupāda: ...auspicious day, hundred and one years ago, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he appeared on this day. So Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura is gaura-śakti. Gaura-śakti means empowered, empowered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He wanted His mission to be broadcast... [sound of banging] [aside:] What is that sound? ...all over the world.
He desired: pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma [CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126] Pṛthivīte, all over the world, as many towns and villages are there, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu predicted that His mission will be spread. This prediction was made by Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally five hundred years ago. So perhaps my Guru Mahārāja, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, attempted to fulfill the desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. And sometimes in the year 1918, he was brahmacārī, and Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, his material father, he wanted...
Actually, he wanted, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. Of course, everyone wanted. But he wrote one small book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya..., Teachings and Precepts of Lord Caitanya, in 1896. And he presented that book to the McGill University in Canada.
And he very much desired that the foreigners, especially Americans, would join this movement. That was his desire in 1896. And then, in 1918, my Guru Mahārāja started with this mission one institution known as Gauḍīya Math. Perhaps some of you know the name Gauḍīya Math.
And he was trying to spread this message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and by chance or by prediction, as you think, I was taken to Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura by one of my friends. I did not want to go there, but he forcibly took me there. Yes. And he ordered me that "You preach the cult of Caitanya Mahāprabhu in English language.
This is very much essential." On the first meeting he told me like that. That was my first meeting with him. So at that time I was in favor of Gandhi's movement. So I said that "We are not independent—subjugated.
Who will hear about our message?" So Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura refuted my argument. I was very much pleased. I had so many talks. But I was very much pleased to be defeated, that "This so-called nationalism or any 'ism,' they are all temporary.