01 Nov 2026 evening - Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura (Bengali) - Vrindavana, India

Narottama Dasa Thakura is the direct embodiment of Mahaprabhu's prema. The difference between gosthyanandis and bhajananandis. Sri Lokanatha Dasa Gosvami was bhajananandi (absorbed in personal bhajana) and for this reason did not want to accept disciples. Since Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura saw Lokanatha Dasa Gosvami, he took him as his master and strove to melt his heart. The only way to melt the heart of a Vaishnava is through service. One of the qualifications of a faithful disciple is that he accepts the Guru's chastisement. Bhakti means service. It's no use asking for mercy and not serving. The story of when Lokanatha Dasa Gosvami and Narottama Dasa Thakura were chanting harinama and a vrajavasi came to ask for water. It is not possible to do two sevas at the same time. We cannot serve God and the people of this world. Vaishnava language is seva. It is always in the mood of service, it is very elevated. Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura took refuge in Srila Jiva Gosvami. Sri Jiva Gosvami accepted three prominent siksa disciples: Narottama Dasa Thakura, Srinivasa, and Syamananda. Our advancement in bhakti depends on guru-nistha.