In the summer of 1947, Śrīla Gurudeva began traveling on preaching tours with Śrīla Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja, along with Sajjana-sevaka Brahmacārī, Anaṅga-mohana Brahmacārī, and others. Ācārya Kesarī addressed large assemblies, inspiring people to follow the path of bhakti-yoga. One day, Ācārya Kesarī was speaking to a large crowd in an indoor assembly while Gurudeva sat nearby taking notes. Just then a refined and polished Vaiṣṇava entered the congregation from a back door and seated himself. Ācārya Kesarī paused as they made eye contact, then indicated for Gurudeva to call the Vaiṣṇava forward and offer him a place on the stage. Gurudeva extended the Vaiṣṇava a seat on stage, placed a garland around his neck, and applied sandalwood paste on his forehead.
After the discourse, Ācārya Kesarī told Gurudeva, “That was an illustrious disciple of Paramārādhyatama Śrī Guru-pāda-padma. His name is Śrī Abhaya Caraṇāravinda Prabhu. He is one of the founding members of our Gauḍīya Vedānta Samīti. You should serve and hear from him when you have the opportunity.”
Śrīla Gurudeva developed a special bond with Abhaya Caraṇāravinda Prabhu and affectionately served him—chauffeuring him to and from the temple, washing his clothes, and bringing him prasāda. Abhaya Caraṇāravinda Prabhu praised Ācārya Kesarī to Gurudeva, saying, “You are very fortunate to come into the company of such an elevated guru as Śrīla Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja. He incessantly serves Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Prabhupāda with heart and soul. You will attain the highest benefit under his tutelage.” He also advised Gurudeva, “In temple life one must undergo some austerity, don’t be discouraged, it will help you progress in spiritual life. At first it may seem difficult, but eventually all your endeavors will become sweet and natural.”
Another eminent disciple of Prabhupāda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura that Śrīla Gurudeva met at this time was Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Mahārāja. He stayed with Ācāryadeva in his āśrama for a few months in 1947. Ācārya Kesarī engaged Gurudeva in the service of his godbrother, and they developed a close friendship. Gurudeva accompanied him everyday to the Gaṅgā, carrying his waterpot and fresh clothes. One day while they bathed, the swift current of the Gaṅgā swept Gurudeva’s waterpot away. It happened to be the last possession remaining from Gurudeva’s previous home. Śrīla Purī Mahārāja said, “Good. Now your last material possession has been swept away.”
Śrīla Gurudeva cherished the desire to more closely serve his spiritual master. He observed with great admiration the character and service of Anaṅga-mohana Brahmacārī, the personal assistant of Ācārya Kesarī. Anaṅga-mohana Brahmacārī had accompanied Ācārya Kesarī everywhere from his childhood. Rather than addressing Ācārya Kesarī as Gurudeva, he called him Bābā, meaning father. Anaṅga-mohana kept busily engaged in services throughout the day. He was a gifted cook, and when he sang while playing the mṛdāṅga or karatālas (a two-sided drum and cymbals), it enlivened all listeners. His flawless character and sweet disposition attracted everyone. Although he was a beautiful young boy, he was renounced, steady, tolerant, and patient and did not harbor any attraction to food, lodging, or comfortable facilities.
After years of ongoing vigorous service, Anaṅga-mohana fell ill with an acute fever and cough while preaching with Ācārya Kesarī in Kalyāṇapura, Bengal. Regardless, Anaṅga-mohana was adamant about continuing his service for Ācārya Kesarī. In the course of his sevā he collapsed unconscious. Ācārya Kesarī took him to Kolkata to be treated by an expert homeopathic doctor. His health did not improve, and he began to cough up mucus and blood.
Ācārya Kesarī himself lovingly cared for Anaṅga-mohana. Seeing that Ācārya Kesarī’s perpetual care for Anaṅga-mohana delayed the completion of his other engagements, Gurudeva requested him, “O Guru Mahārāja, please allow me to serve Anaṅga-mohana.”
“He is my dear son,” Ācārya Kesarī said. “I will take care of him myself.”
“Am I not also your son?” Gurudeva responded.
“Yes, you are also like my son.” Then Ācārya Kesarī allowed Gurudeva to serve Anaṅga-mohana.
Ācārya Kesarī was advised to take Anaṅga-mohana to Siddhāvāṭī in the mountains because of the favorable climate there. Śrīla Gurudeva accompanied Ācārya Kesarī on the journey with Anaṅga-mohana and a few other devotees. When Anaṅga-mohana’s condition continued to deteriorate in Siddhāvāṭī, Ācārya Kesarī took him to Devaghara in Vaidyanātha Dhāma, Bihar in the late autumn of 1947. In Devaghara, Śrīla Gurudeva engaged in service throughout the day. He collected alms, cooked, cleaned, personally served his spiritual master, and cared for Anaṅga-mohana.