This rare photo below is of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati with both British and Indian guests, as well as several of his disciples, during one of his many preaching engagements.
Years later, on December 23rd, 1936 he gave his final instructions to his followers. They are as relevant now, as they were then.
"Perhaps many people have considered me their enemy because I was compelled to tell the unadulterated truth. I asked them to serve the Lord with all sincerity."
"I have given much anxiety to many people only because I wanted to inspire them to serve Krishna sincerely without material desire and duplicity. One day they will understand this."
“All of you preach the message of Rupa and Raghunatha to everyone with great enthusiasm.”
“May the ultimate desire to become a speck of dust at the lotus feet of the followers of Sri Rupa remain ever awake in our hearts.”
“Vrajendranandan Krishna is the principle of non-dual consciousness. He is the root object of devotion and the treasured object of service for all.”
“In order to satisfy the transcendental senses of the one, non-dual Supreme Truth, remain united in following Radha, the original reservoir of love for Him.”
“Everyone make the effort to perfect your worship of Sri Hari; make this the only purpose of your lives.”
“Remember that this world is temporary and lasts only a day or two. Give up your family attachment and transcend this world of illusion.”
“Maintain your worldly obligations in whatever way you can, but make the eternal principle, devotion to Krishna, the true purpose of your voyage through life.”
“Let hundreds of dangers, insults or persecutions come, but in spite of them, do not give up your worship of Krishna.”
“Lord Gaura Hari destroys all obstacles on the path. He will surely be merciful and give you a place at His lotus feet.”
“When you see that most people are indifferent to Sri Krishna and show no interest in selfless service to Krishna and in talks about Him, don’t be discouraged. First of all, never give up your bhajan, your life and soul.”
“Why would you accept the poverty of a life without hearing and chanting about Krishna, your sole wealth?”
“Beg for Krishna’s lotus feet, the ultimate benediction for all living beings. The Lord is all-powerful and will quickly fulfill your desires.”
“Krishna is not incapable. He is omnipotent, and His servant’s desires never go in vain.”
“Please always chant the name of the Lord, being humbler than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree. Give all respect to others and demand none for yourself. Make the worship of the holy name the most important aspect of your devotional life.”
“A wise person will worship the Lord after taking initiation in the sacrifice of the holy name inaugurated by Sri Krishna Chaitanya and His associates.”
“Offer yourself up to the seven flames of this sacrificial fire. The scriptures say that this especially is the religious principle for the Age of Kali.”
“We do not seek to become heroes performing great works or religious deeds. We will become distressed if we take up the paths of knowledge, works or austerities.”
“Know that your true identity is to be a speck of dust at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa Prabhu; don’t go against this identity, which is your treasure.”
“Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur is the best of the followers of Sri Rupa Goswami. The pure joy of devotional service comes in the stream that started with him.”
“That stream is holy and full of nectarine flavors of devotion. Even a hundred obstacles will never obstruct it.”
“Intelligent persons who have bathed in the waters of that stream should endeavor to fulfill the heartfelt wishes of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.”
“Amongst you are many capable and worthy individuals. So all of you quickly come forward and take up this task.”
“Taking grass between my teeth, I pray repeatedly that I may become a speck of dust at Sri Rupa Goswami’s lotus feet, birth after birth.”
“Other than this, I pray that no other desire will manifest in my or anyone else’s heart.”
“While living in this world, we encounter many difficulties; but there is no need for us ever to be bewildered by these difficulties.”
“We need make no effort to remove any of these obstacles. What is necessary for us, while we are still here, is to learn what is beyond – what will be the nature of our eternal life.”
“Let me realize at this very moment the nature of my eternal spiritual identity and my eternal life in the spiritual world.”
“There are so many things that attract and repel us. There is no end to the things that we want and don’t want.”
“We have to resolve what exactly we do or do not want and decide to search for our devotional service to Krishna, the eternal truth.”
“If you wish to triumph over attraction and repulsion, then you should remember that by becoming attracted to the transcendental holy name, you will be delivered from them.”
“Then you will understand the nature of service to Krishna and the taste of His divine topics. Then you will feel nothing but disgust for the other insignificant pleasures of this world.”
“As you continue cultivating your consciousness of Krishna, your thirst for material sense-objects will decrease.”
“The philosophy of Krishna consciousness is very perplexing. At first it seems startling and full of complex details.”
“The holy name is more compassionate than the Lord of the name Himself. If one takes shelter of the name, then it unravels all these philosophical complexities.”
“The treasure of love for Krishna is the eternal goal of our lives. At every moment personal desires interfere without our realizing it.”
“By taking shelter of the holy name, all these obstacles are removed, and we can obtain the fulfillment of our true desire, which is to dwell in the realm of pure love of Krishna.”
“In this world, no one is the special object of my affection, nor do I have the slightest hostility towards anyone.”
“Whatever arrangements we make in this world are temporary. There is no need to waste time thinking about gain or loss here.”
“The only thing anyone should strive for is the one supreme goal of life. That is the treasure of love for Krishna’s lotus feet.”
“So, join together all of you and strive for this goal. Work together harmoniously, with a single thing in mind and a single understanding.”
“Working together with the same purpose, we will become qualified for the service of Radharani, the original reservoir of love for Krishna.”
“May the stream of ideas promoted by Rupa Goswami and his followers ever flow. We must never try to be independent of his doctrine.”
“May we never become indifferent or disinterested in the sacrifice of the holy name with its fire of seven flames.”
“In the performance of sankirtan, if your single-minded devotion goes on increasing, then all your desires will be fulfilled and all your goals, achieved.”
“Take hold of the feet of the followers of Sri Rupa Goswami and follow them with exclusive commitment.”
“Preach the message of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha fearlessly and with great enthusiasm. Through this preaching, you will attain all perfection.”
https://www.google.com/search?q=+Bhaktisiddhanta+British+and+Indian+guests
