Sounds of Mayapur - Godrumadvipa Parikrama 1975

Compared to the previous year, the 1975 Mayapur Festival was above and beyond, with significant building projects completed or underway and much improved organization.  We all had appreciation for the tangible progress being made to manifest Srila Prabhupada’s vision. 

It was Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur who, while looking out his window toward Yoga Pitha, predicted what is now the TOVP would manifest. He was in his home in Saurabi Kunja on Godrumadvipa located across the Jalangi river.

This is a transcript and summary of the parikram to Bhaktivinode Thakur’s home and Samadhi in Godrumadvip on March 25, 1975 by hundreds of disciples of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 

Summary of the Visit

The audio documents a spiritual procession (Parikram) led by Acyutananda Swami at Godrumadvipa. The event begins with an intense and rhythmic congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, featuring traditional instruments like mridangas and kartals.

Acyutananda Swami provides commentary on the significance of the site. He explains that Bhaktivinoda Thakur lived here and predicted the global spread of the sankirtan movement. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of following the Acharyas (spiritual teachers) and performing devotional service (Bhakti) for its own sake, without personal ambition or desires for liberation (Moksha).

Srila Prabhupada then gives a brief, profound talk, noting that unlike many who write commentaries on Krishna based on personal opinion, his movement writes about what Krishna desires. He defines the "marketplace of the holy name" (Nama Hatta) and stresses that success in spiritual life comes from the mercy of Lord Nityananda. The visit concludes with the chanting of "Jaya Saccinanandana" as the group moves toward the Samadhi of Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s personal servant and the deities of Sri Chaitanya and Gadadhara.

Transcript of Discourse

"Everyone please step here on the side by the wall. Don't get up on the temple... Bhaktivinoda Thakur, an Acharya in the line of disciplic succession, predicted in his magazine Sajjan-tosani—which means 'for the satisfaction of the devotees'—that we would come to satisfy the hearts of pure devotees. Those who are pure devotees are enthused by the activities of this worldwide movement, which is the desire of the Acharyas."

"No one can make any success if they follow some personal independent ambition. Rupa Goswami states that devotional service must be without any personal ambition, without any desire to elevate ourselves to Brahmaloka or for any mystic powers or even for Moksha. The yogis are performing tapasya to get siddhi; the karmis are performing yagya for enjoyment; the gyanis are meditating for liberation. But we are performing Bhakti for Bhakti. Love for love's sake."

"Everyone's writing commentary about Krishna, but we are writing commentary on what Krishna wants, what Krishna desires. Therefore, to execute that, we must give up our personal interest and dovetail it to the interest of Krishna. Then everyone will be satisfied."

"The key to satisfaction is to satisfy the pure devotee. Srila Prabhupada has come like the strength of the previous Acharya. He has picked up the full mercy of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to spread this movement all over the world. This center is the first center of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to preach the holy name. The birthplace is most important, but the place of Leela (pastimes) is more important. Bhaktivinoda Thakur put his center here called Nama Hatta—the marketplace where the holy name is sold at the price of pure devotion."

"This is the place where Mahaprabhu sent Nityananda along the banks here to preach Hari Nama. So we must get spiritual potency from Lord Nityananda through Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur... Srila Prabhupada has often said, 'I have given some idea, now you expand on what I have done.' Our future is to make every town and village Krishna Conscious."

(The group begins chanting "Jaya Saccinanandana" and describes the local landmarks, including the Bhajan Kutir of Gaura Kishora das Babaji and the house of Bhaktivinoda Thakur where he composed many songs.)

The recording concludes with an excerpt from the following morning with Acyutananda Swami speaking to devotees in the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir after Mangal Arati while Srila Prabhupada was on his morning walk. 

Audio and Photos recorded March 1975 by Gopati das (ACBSP)