After the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Srila Gaura Kisora das Babaji Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada (Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur) was left deeply grief-stricken. He stayed in Mayapur, at a place called Vraja-pattana (now part of the Chaitanya Math grounds), overwhelmed by the daunting task of fulfilling his gurus’ desire to spread the pure teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu throughout the world. He pondered, “How can I accomplish this mission? I have no followers to assist me, no financial resources, no significant learning to captivate the mundane world. It seems impossible for me to fulfill the desires of my gurus.”
Srila Prabhupada sank into a deep state of despair, believing that he lacked the necessary resources to continue the preaching mission. His work on the commentary of Rupa Goswami’s Upadesamrta halted after just eight verses.
One night, however, Srila Prabhupada experienced a divine, dream-like vision. In this vision, he saw the Pancha Tattva, led by Mahaprabhu himself, dancing in sankirtan towards his birthplace at the Yoga-pitha in Mayapur, approaching the Natamandira from the east. Following them were the Six Goswamis, Vaishnava Sarvabhauma Jagannatha das Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Gaura Kisora das Babaji, and other members of the disciplic succession, all appearing in radiant, divine forms. They comforted Srila Prabhupada, saying, “Why are you worrying? Begin the mission of preaching pure devotion. Spread Mahaprabhu’s message everywhere: promote service to Gaura-dham (Mahaprabhu’s abode), Gaura-nama (his name), and Gaura-kama (his desire or work). We are ready to support you at every step. We will assist you at every moment in your efforts to preach pure devotional service. Countless people, unlimited wealth, and extraordinary scholarship are waiting for your call. Whenever you need anything, it will come to you for the service of the preaching mission. Simply move forward and preach the message of divine love as given by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, with all your strength. No worldly force will be able to hinder this effort. We are with you always.”
The following morning, Srila Prabhupada shared his dream with Paramananda Prabhu and other devoted followers. From that day onward, his enthusiasm for spreading Mahaprabhu’s message worldwide knew no bounds. He completed his Anuvrtti of the Upadesamrta and began making great efforts to publish books on bhakti. These efforts have borne fruit, as countless souls across India and even in the West have been swept up in the flood of pure devotional preaching he initiated. It seems that Srila Prabhupada is constantly reminding us of Mahaprabhu’s instructions:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
ihāte nā baḍi’be yadi ‘viṣaya’-taraṅga
punarapi ei ṭhāñi pābe mora saṅga
“Instruct whomever you see in the teachings of Krishna. On my order, become a spiritual master and deliver everyone in this land. Do this, and you will never again be entangled in the waves of materialistic life. Indeed, you will have my company again, here in this very place.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita 2.7.128-9)
