Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

What is the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura?

The spiritual master of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, appeared in Jagannatha Puri in 1874. He followed in the footsteps of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (his father). In 2027 his appearance day falls on Thursday, 25 February, which is also the disappearance day of Sri Purusottama Das Thakura, a devotee of Lord Nityananda.

Significance

For his learning he was called the Living Encyclopedia, and for preaching as fearlessly as a lion he was called Nrisimha Guru. He uncovered the Yogapitha in Mayapur, the place where Lord Caitanya appeared. To spread the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he built temples across India and ran printing presses.

Of all his gifts, the greatest was Srila Prabhupada, whom he asked to preach in English. Lecturing in Mayapur, Srila Prabhupada recalled an instruction that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gave to all his disciples:

Whatever you have learned, you try to expand in English language.

Lecture, Mayapur, 21 February 1976

How to observe it

This is a good day to hear about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura from Srila Prabhupada himself, who lectured on his guru's appearance day in 1971, 1975, 1976 and 1977. Read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, the book Srila Bhaktisiddhanta loved most, and share a book with someone, as he wished. Remember, too, Sri Purusottama Das Thakura, whose disappearance falls on the same day.