My Spiritual Master

(Sri Ananta das Babaji Maharaj)

by

Gour pada das

anta jâr nâhi hoy         ananta tare kohoy

abhidhâne lekhâ âchhe jâni,

sri gurudeb dâs ananta        radhakunder hon mahanta

bhakti-prem-rasa-shâstre gyâni.

sâgaro ananta jâni              ratnero âkar mâni

sarbajane bole nidhi-dhar,

âkar bhkti-premer                guru hon je moder

tâi to tini bhakti-ratnâkar.

supandit bhâgabate             atut shob siddhânte

e jeno bhâgabat chalanta,

dash dike nâm dhây             purab-pashchim guno gay

dâs goswami gaddir mahanta.

sâdhane gour-gobindo sebâ          nâhi anya debi-debâ

sadâi siddha-swarup chintane,

jânây minoti e dâse             kripâ pâbâr abhilâshe

mati jeno rohe taba shricharane.

Meaning – “I know that the dictionary defines ‘ananta’ as ‘the one without limits’. I also know the ocean to be without limits and that they call the ocean as ‘treasure-house’ (since it contains countless gems). Likewise, my Sri Gurudev Ananta dâs, who is the Mahant of Radhakund, is a scholar in all the scriptures pertaining to bhakti, prem and ras. He is a treasure-mine of love and devotion and instructs us in the same. Therefore we call him the ‘treasure-house’ of bhakti.

He is verily a pandit in all divine scriptures and none can defeat him in siddhântas. He is like a walky-talky ‘Divine Encyclopedia’. This is why he is so renowned and all the devotees from the East and the West sing his glory. True, he is the worthy successor of Srila Raghunâth dâs Goswâmi’s seat.

He never worships any god or goddess, but constantly serves Sri Sri Gouranga and Govinda alone, being continuously immersed in his siddha-swarup. This fallen servant is begging of him that his mind be steadfast at his holy feet and thus he may always get his mercy.”