By Giriraj Swami
Srila Prabhupada told us that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was a ray of Visnu, a liberated soul sent by Krsna. He took birth in the material world for a divine purpose, specifically to assist Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his work and to carry on his mission. Soon after Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's birth, during the Ratha-yatra, the chariot stopped in front of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's house, and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's mother took him onto the chariot; and a garland from Lord Jagannatha fell directly onto the baby--blessings. Later, as a preacher, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was a great innovator, and seeing the way he conducted his missionary activities, we can better appreciate the line in which Srila Prabhupada is coming, how Srila Prabhupada is really continuing in the same spirit as his guru maharaja. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura taught that one must engage in bhagavata-marga and pancaratriki-vidhi at the same time.