The appearance day of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, the pioneer of spreading Krishna consciousness throughout the world, is upon us, and it is a time of great celebration and rejoicing, for without his efforts, we would not have the Hare Krishna Movement and the most auspicious opportunity to go back to Godhead.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura made three major predictions which have all come to pass: “A personality will soon appear,” he wrote, “and he will travel all over the world to spread the teachings of Lord Caitanya.” His second prediction: “Very soon the chanting of ‘Harinama sankirtana will be spread all over the world. Oh, when will that day come when people from America, England, France, Germany, Russia will take up karatals and mrdangas and chant Hare Krishna in their towns?” The third prediction: “When will that day come when the fair-skinned foreigners will come to Sri Mayapur-dhama and join with the Bengali Vaisnavas to chant, Jaya Sacinandana, Jaya Sacinandana. When will that day come?“
One evening, Srila Bhaktivinoda was sitting peacefully in his house in Godrumadvipa, Surabhi Kunja, looking toward Sri Mayapur over the clear waters of the Jalangi river. Pausing briefly from his devotional writings, he saw a brilliant effulgence shining out in all directions from the holy land of Sri Mayapur. It was a vision of a wonderful golden city, a spiritual city – the final fulfillment of the dreams of the Vaishnava acaryas – from where the entire world would one day become inundated with pure love of Godhead.
This “wonderful golden city” is now manifesting in Sridhama Mayapur, the most sacred of holy places in the universe. Srila Bhaktivinoda said:
“Of the seven holy places giving salvation – Ayodhya, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti and Dwaravati – Sri Mayapur is the most important place of pilgrimage. Sriman Mahaprabhu with His advent made His own Svetadvipa descend here, and after four centuries after the disappearance of Sriman Mahaprabhu this place of pilgrimage Svetadvipa will be superior to all other places of pilgrimage of the world. Living in this place removes all sin and offenses and helps pure devotion to grow.”
Jaiva Dharma – Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Let us all pause to consider the above words of Srila Bhaktivinoda and the importance of building the “wonderful golden city” which he envisioned. The TOVP is an essential part of that prediction and together we can all help fulfill its historic manifestation and benefit immensely from this highest seva. It is such an important project that Srila Prabhupada said emphatically:
“If you all build this temple, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur will personally come and take you all back to Godhead”.
Consider this special occasion to support the TOVP construction by taking advantage of the newest sponsoring option, the Guru Parampara Brick. Click on the link below to sponsor a Guru Parampara Brick today with both your name and your Guru’s name inscribed on it: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
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