Sato Vrtteh
by Svami Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti
Following in the Footsteps of Previous Acaryas
TWO SPIRITUAL MASTERS
The Spiritual Master Encourages All His Disciples
What follows is another of the wonderful anecdotes of the loving relationship between Srila Sridhara Maharaja and his spiritual master. Srila Sridhara Maharaja went on Vraja-mandala-parikrama together with his gurudeva, and after everybody finished the parikrama, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura asked all present about their favorite place in the Vraja-mandala-parikrama. Srila Sridhara Maharaja answered, “The bhajana-kutir of Srila Rupa Gosvami at ter-kadamba, close to Nandagrama."
A few years later, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura leaned over to Srila Sridhara Maharaja and said, “Do you remember your place?”
Srila Sridhara Maharaja was confused, “What do you mean, my place?” “You don’t remember your place?”
“Gurudeva, what do you mean, my place?” “You know, your favourite place, ter-kadamba?”He thought to himself, “Oh, he has remembered? He has asked so many people about their favorite places, and he has remembered mine?” They had a very sweet relationship and an intimate connection. It was obvious to others that Srila Sridhara Maharaja received special grace from his spiritual master.