Krishna das Babaji

 

   "Srila Prabhupada said that Krishna Dasa Babaji was akincana (free from all material attachments and possessions) and a paramahamsa (a swan-like pure devotee). He was attached only to chanting the -holy name of Krishna. Born in E. Bengal, he began Krishna consciousness in college, joined the Gaudiya Math, and took initiation from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

    "His sole engagement in the temple was chanting Hare Krish­na day and night. His Godbrothers, however, complained to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He told them his chanting was fine and that they should encourage him. He further said that they should place one newspaper ad, inviting all sincere men who were willing to chant Krishna's name all day and night to join the Gaudiya Math. A few men came, chanted, and left. But Krishna Dasa remained steady in his chanting. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati ordered his men to provide all facility to the babaji.

    "Continually chanting Hare Krishna, Krishna Dasa Babaji began wandering all over India, especially in Mayapur and Vrndavana. He was fond of repeating the last instruction of Srimad Bhagavatam, 'Always chant Hare Krishna and offer obeisances to the Lord.' Before singing, which he liked, he would always glorify the previous acaryas.

"While he was performing kirtana at Srila Prabhupada's san-nyasa initiation in Mathura, Srila Prabhupada told him to chant more. At that time, Krishna Dasa realized that Srila Prabhupada would lead a worldwide Hare Krishna movement. When remem­bering Srila Prabhupada, Krishna Dasa would often tell us:

'Your spiritual master is the greatest spiritual master who has ever existed, more than any other spiritual master. More miracles, more work than anyone before. Why? Because no other spiritual master was such a great servant of the holy name. And because he took the holy name all over the world.'