“Se Je Ahaituka Kripasindhu, Adhama Janaar Bandhu
Bitarie Prema Bindu, Paar Kare Dina Jane”
"He is the selfless ocean of compassion, a friend to the downtrodden. By offering a drop of love, He helps the humble cross the ocean of life."
These words resonate with the deepest corners of a devotee's heart—a cry of humility and surrender, embodying the spirit of every soul lost in the chaos of materialism. In a world spinning ceaselessly in pursuit of fleeting joys, hearts poisoned by worldly desires often lose their innate devotion and the capacity for surrender. Yet, Sri Sri Thakur, in his boundless compassion, does not forsake even the most estranged. Instead, he descends into this mortal plane, extending the nectar of his love to all, declaring, "Come, all the lowly and fallen. I am here with the door of love open. You are my companions across lifetimes. If not for your liberation, what meaning is there in mine?" This divine call echoes his essence—the Guru, the guide, and an unyielding source of grace, whose sole desire is to share the nectar of liberation with his devotees.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, while praising Lord Narasimha, Sri Prahlada said,
“Prayana deva munayah svavimukti kama
maunam charanthi vijne na pararthanishthaah
naitan vihaaya krupanaan vimumukkhu ekon
nanyam tabadasya sharanam bhramatonupashaye.”
- Srimad Bhagavatam (1-7-44)
"Even great sages, seeking their own liberation, retreat to secluded forests to meditate and remain silent. But I, O Lord, cannot abandon the helpless souls who suffer. I seek no other refuge but You, to liberate those who wander in delusion."
Our Thakur Maharaj also blessed us like bhakta Prahlad - "I will not be free until my loyal, devoted devotees are free." He navigated the lives of countless disciples and devotees in the path of compassion of his grace.
In a remote village, an elderly woman, eked out a meager living through her herbal remedies. Her heart, however, longed for the divine touch of initiation—a longing so intense that it summoned Sri Sri Thakur himself. The old lady was known as ‘Vaidya Budhi’ in that area since she earned her living by treating people with her medicines. She nurtured a great hope in her mind that one day she will get initiated by her Gurudev. But who is her Guru? She didn’t have the strength to go out seeking her Guru. She only prayed to her Gopala - "Lord! When will my heart see the divine? When will my Guru appear before my eyes?"
One night she dreamed of a radiant figure, holding a bundle of leaves, promising her liberation. The vision stirred her soul, and she awaited for the day when her Guru would arrive to fulfill her yearning. The words, “Mother, I will, I will give you deeksha" kept ringing in her ears. She kept waiting for her Guru to appear. When will her soulmate come, who will free her from the unbearable burden of this wretched life? This eagerness of the devotee’s soul raised a cry in the heart of Sri Sri Thakur. At that time, far away, amidst the joy and vibrancy of the Halisahar Ashram, Sri Sri Thakur abruptly decided to leave. He called his disciple Kshepadasa Bhattacharya and said, “Pack your belongings, I have to leave immediately.” "Why? Where?" Even after repeating this question, Kshepadasa could not get an answer. The Guru and the disciple went on a journey. They bought two tickets from Sealdah to Siliguri and boarded the train. A day later, they reached Siliguri station, sat in a bullock cart, and proceeded to their destination. As the cart crept forward along the steep hill road, the disciple's head throbbed relentlessly, and his limbs trembled with exhaustion. Their journey took them through rugged hills, treacherous paths, and physical exhaustion. Yet, Thakur’s face radiated with joy, his heart unwavering in its purpose. There was no trace of resentment. Compassion flowed from his eyes like the sweetness of unbridled love.
Finally, the bullock cart stopped at the door of a thatched hut. Sri Sri Thakur got down, knocked on the door and cried, “Mother! I have come. Open the door.” The eighty-year-old woman opened the door and waited for a moment. She saw the luminous figure she had envisioned. Falling at his feet, she wept, overwhelmed by the divine grace that had come to her humble abode. Tears fell and washed his lotus feet. With gentle love, Thakur initiated her, declaring, “Mother! I have taken all your burdens. Just love me a little.” Her trembling voice echoed the gratitude of countless souls: “Thakur! I knew you are the Guru of kings and queens, but I never imagined your compassion for the poor was so immense.”
It was evident that Sri Sri Thakur, the enlightened 'Brahmajnani', was deeply attuned to the essence of life, embodying an unwavering love and reverence for all living beings. His heart ached immensely at the suffering of any creature. One day, a disciple working in the agricultural department recounted an incident about castrating a bull to make it a draft animal. As he listened to the story, Thakur was overwhelmed with excruciating pain, as though he could feel the bull's agony within his own body. His boundless empathy transcended all boundaries of life and form. He expressed before his devotees, “If I cannot embrace every living being in the world with the same boundless love that radiates from the steadfast soul of this ascetic in his affection for you, then I must concede that such love is a mere illusion—a pretense of loving you.” His love was neither sentimental nor detached—it was deeply personal and transformative. To his devotees, he poured out his unrequited love and, in return, sought their unflinching dedication.
Even in moments of sternness, his compassion prevailed. For the sake of duty, he would give strict instructions to the disciples living in the monastery, and himself would break down in tears. Once, for some reason, Sri Sri Thakur got angry with Swami Suddhanandaji and ordered him to leave the monastery. Suddhanandaji obeyed the Guru's order and immediately left the monastery in a robe. Thakur’s heart softened shortly after. He called another disciple and said, "Look, where will Suddhananda go at this old age? Tell him to stay in the nearby town of Jorhat for a couple of days. Then he should return to the monastery." Despite giving strict orders, he realized the helpless condition of the disciple and withdrew his order. There have been many such incidents. This blend of strictness and tenderness revealed his human side, deeply intertwined with divine love.
Sri Sri Thakur’s relationship with his devotees was not one-sided. It was a mutual bond of giving and receiving—a constant exchange of love. His life, actions, and teachings reflected a divine mission: to uplift the lowly, guide the lost, and bind humanity in the eternal embrace of love and compassion.
To encounter Sri Sri Thakur was to feel the touch of the divine—a love softer than butter, stronger than the chains of karma, and more enduring than the fleeting moments of human life. In His compassion, He not only redeemed countless lives but also exemplified the divine truth: Liberation is found in selfless love; by lifting others, we elevate ourselves. It is not merely about compassion; he shares a deep bond of love and affection with his devotees. Love is not one-sided—it involves both giving and receiving. Thus, he pours out his boundless, selfless love and yearns for the love of all in return.
Inspired by Krushnapriya Mohanty's essay, 'Parama Karunika Sri Sri Thakur'.
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