Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was known as the “Lion Guru,” producing many other “lions” who preached globally. He was a saint dedicated to destroying misconceptions and delusions while internally relishing the sweetness of Vrindavan. This duality—ferocious on the outside, tender on the inside—defined his unique approach to spirituality.
One word that epitomizes Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur is “Destruction.” He was not a typical spiritual figure known for mere construction; he was a reformer who dismantled the misinterpretations and deviations that had infiltrated the spiritual landscape.
Destroying Sahajiyaism
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who appeared in 1874 and disappeared in 1936, took it upon himself to cleanse and elevate the movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At that time, scholarly and aristocratic circles regarded Mahaprabhu’s movement as degenerate, overly sentimental, and tainted with tantric practices. It was akin to the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, immersed in a hallucinatory world. Through his scholarly lectures, writings, and commentaries, he crushed Sahajiyaism. His secretaries recorded his profound speeches, which were published in various magazines. He aspired to publish daily magazines, spreading the high philosophical standards of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. His erudite language, almost sanskritized Bengali, was aimed at scholarly circles, distinguishing Gaudiya Vaishnavism from the misguided Sahajiyaism.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur deliberately used complex language to ensure that the philosophical depth of Gaudiya Vaishnavism was recognized. He made a significant impact, with many of his disciples being highly educated, joining from intellectual movements like Brahmo Samaj and Ramakrishna Mission. By establishing a scholarly ethos, he ensured that Lord Caitanya’s movement was seen as a high-order philosophy, unifying all Vaishnava sampradayas.
For Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, kirtan was not merely singing loudly but an internal and external war against deviations, misconceptions, and materialistic civilization. He fought Sahajiyaism at its root, making its proponents fear his resolute stance.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur frequently participated in Vraj Mandal Parikrama, often criticizing Sahijyas. He emphasized the importance of understanding the essence of the message rather than mere imitation. His purity, strong message, and deep concern for fallen beings inspired many to join his mission.
Destroying Mayavad
Mayavad philosophy, which asserts that individual souls are God and denies the personal aspect of the divine, was another target. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur took immense efforts to dismantle this philosophy by publishing many books of Madhvacharya and other Vaishnava acharyas. He believed that before spreading the sweetness of God, the jungle of Mayavad had to be cleared. He traveled to South India to collect these crucial texts, ensuring their availability for devotees and scholars, debunking Mayavad through his writings and lectures.
Combatting Casteism
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur also fought against casteism, which was deeply entrenched in the society of his time. Brahmanas took pride in their position, claiming divine monopoly and considering Shudras and Vaishyas inferior. In a famous meeting in Balighai, Bengal, he delivered a powerful lecture, later documented in the book “Brahmana and Vaishnava.” Initially, he praised the unique position of Brahmanas as described in scriptures but then boldly stated that a Brahmana who is not a devotee of Vishnu is lower than a dog-eater. This declaration resonated deeply, earning applause and respect, but also envy from certain Brahmanas who sought to harm him. However, as a true ambassador of God, he remained unscathed.
Destroying Materialistic Civilization
To combat materialistic civilization, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur sent his disciples to the West to propagate Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement. This was before A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada traveled to the West. One notable disciple, Bon Maharaj, faced challenging questions from Western scholars, but Srila Prabhupada adeptly answered and defeated these queries, showcasing the profound depth and clarity of their teachings.
Conclusion
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was a force of intellectual and spiritual reformation. His relentless efforts in crushing Sahajiyaism, casteism, and Mayavad established a distinct and elevated platform for Gaudiya Vaishnav His teachings and reforms continue to inspire and guide the path of pure devotion, underscoring the importance of adhering to true philosophical and devotional principles.