The Mumbai branch of the Gaudiya Mission, the organization founded by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, organized a two day international seminar on the theme of “Universal Brotherhood as propagated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu” on December 1st and 2nd , 2012 in Mumbai. The seminar brought together speakers from different faiths and religious practices including members of the Ramakrishna Mission, the Chinmaya Mission as well as practitioners of Sufism and also professors of philosophy from leading universities in India. ISKCON’s Radhanath Swami and Bhakti Rasamrita Swami were invited by the Gaudiya Mission to participate in the seminar.

Radhanath Swami inaugurated the seminar by lighting the lamp in the presence of senior vaisnavas and dignitaries including Bhakti Suhrid Paribrajak Swami President and Acarya of the Gaudiya Mission and B.S. Sanyasi Swami Secretary of the Gaudiya Mission. Radhanath Swami also delivered the inaugural address at the seminar. Speaking on the topic of “Decoding the concept of universal brotherhood and its relevance in today’s world”, he talked about how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had made a garland of the Holy Name and prema bhakti and had ascended in this material world simply to put this garland of His love on every living entity irrespective of caste, creed and gender. Radhanath Swami also spoke of how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur had instructed Srila Prabhupada in their first meeting to spread the message of Lord Caitanya throughout the world and how seriously Srila Prabhupada had taken that instruction and sincerely tried to spread Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy all over the world.

Speaking on the second day of the international seminar on the topic of “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His relevance in today’s world”, Bhakti Rasamrita Swami spoke of how the divine love given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabu was the only medicine in today’s troubled times. Bhakti Rasamrita Swami said that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had given the world three important things, one is He established the importance of divine love of Godhead, the second is He gave us the process by which we could achieve that divine love that is by chanting the Holy Names of the Lord, which is an universal process which can be followed by anyone irrespective of caste and creed and, thirdly, He advented personally to demonstrate the process Himself to fallen souls.

Radhanath Swami and Bhakti Rasamrita Swami were also honoured by the President and Acarya of the Gaudiya Mission with mementoes and garlands.