Travellers from Which Place? (Kaun Deśera Yātrī)

This article from the Dainik Nadīyā Prakāśa (published on Friday, June 18th, 1928) was written by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja just after taking initiation from Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja writes about the transcendental ‘other-worldly’ nature of the Vaiṣṇavas of the Gauḍīya Maṭha, and asks the question, “Which place are these travellers from?”

We see a certain group of persons meeting together. They are gathering with a certain purpose, and almost all of us feel very positively about that. Their conduct is very pure and in accordance with the śāstra. Their preaching is about putting the teachings of the śāstra into practice. We are satisfied, fascinated, and astonished by their behaviour, but their preaching seems very new, harsh, and impossible for us.

They look the same way as we do. Many times, we see that externally, their efforts resemble ours, but if we reflect a little, we can understand that we are doing everything for the sake of the physical world, while they are completely indifferent to this world of loss and gain. They are neither averse to enjoyment nor are they overly eager for renunciation. However, for the service of Bhagavān, they are seen to be far more busy than those jīvas in worldly life. They are skilful in their actions which are dedicated to the service of Bhagavān. They are gifted in knowledge – discerning what is spirit and what is matter. They are pure in their bhakti – surrendering unto Kṛṣṇa. Cultivating devotion to Kṛṣṇa with all their senses is their only duty. Their only goal is to give kṛṣṇa-bhakti to all jīvas.

They do not advise anyone except through the words of the śāstra, and they are not ready to accept anyone’s personal opinions which are different to those stated in the śāstra. The śruti and the corresponding genuine pure sāttva-śāstras are the objects of their adoration. They have no hankering for all the wonders of material science, psychology, or mundane philosophical subject matters.

Shelter at the feet of the sad-guru are the source of all their strength, and they also do not pay attention to any kind of worldly frown of displeasure. They are servants of truth. However, they are not worshippers of public opinion. They would rather serve the truth in solitude, Yet they are not ready to be led astray for the sake of a trivial matter such as gaining followers. They are always eager to promote the truth, but they are not willing to compromise the truth for wealth, women or prestige.

They engage in criticism of the objectives of almost all established institutions with authority, yet if any critical glance is cast towards them, it is easily smashed into a hundred pieces and thrown aside. That transcendental, powerful sampradāya has established its own seat at the summit of the whole society. I see that gradually, everyone is becoming accustomed to carrying that seat, either willingly or unwillingly.

From which place did those personalities suddenly arrive to stake their position upon everyone’s heads today? And for which place did they make so many arrangements that are devoid of any enjoying mentality? That is why I ask, “Which place are these travellers from?”

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Further Reading from the Bhaktivinoda Institute

Śraddhā (Faith) – Quotes by Bhaktivinoda Thakura Śraddhā and Śaraṇāgati by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Association of Sādhus by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Epilogue to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Karṇāmṛta by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Prīti (Love) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura A Dispute Concerning Mahāprasāda by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Śraddhā by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Materialistic Association by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Dispelling Doubts by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Enemy by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura A Critique of the book ‘Vanamālā’ by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Kali by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Offences Against Bhakti by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Kārttika-vrata by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Violence and Mercy by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Abandoning Bad Association by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Sad-guṇa and Bhakti by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura The Process of Initiation by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Dainya (Humility) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Vaiṣṇava Nindā (Offences to Devotees) by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura