Vast Ocean of Mercy

This is the English translation of the lecture delivered by Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda on the 14th disappearance anniversary of Saccidānanda Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura at Jagannātha Purī in 1928. Srila Prabhupad explains on how the vaiṣṇavas are vast oceans of mercy (kṛpā-sindhu). They bestow absolute mercy without ever being asked for it. They are the redeemers of the fallen (patitapāvana). Vaiṣṇavas are the only our true kinsmen. Apart from taking shelter of them, no other remedy exists. Vaiṣṇavas never die; they are immortal. They are with Bhagavān, participating in His eternal pastimes. Their only activity is to serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa. While they are manifest in this world, Kṛṣṇa-sevā is their only activity, and when they depart, Kṛṣṇa-sevā is their only, eternal activity.

On the Disappearance Day of Srila Prabhupad

In the initial part of harikatha, Srila Gurudev narrates about how Srila Param Gurudev acquired the appearance place of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur at Puri-dham. Then he narrates how Lord Jagannath stayed three days in front of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s house at Puri when Srila Saraswati Thakur was of six months. He also narrated about how Srila Saraswati Thakur approached Srila Gaurkishor Das Babaji repeatedly for his shelter.