(View Devamrita Swami's offering to Srila Prabhupada)
Acyuta Bhava devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, you have saved my life.
Out of compassion and out of service to Srila Prabhupada, you attended a small home program in Brisbane in May 2004. By some unimaginable good fortune, I was there. You spoke on “Authentic Pleasure”, describing yourself as a pleasure-seeker and explaining that the way to experience real pleasure is to connect with the source of all pleasure, Sri Krsna.
That day you entered my life, my life changed. Srila Prabhupada writes in a purport, “As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the wood-like living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages injected through the receptive ear.” (SB 1.2.32)
After that program, the same night, you came in a dream and were instructing me in spiritual life. After that I knew that I had found you, my eternal spiritual master, my eternal father; or rather that you had found me.
In the years that have followed, you have given me so much. So many opportunities for service, so much of your time and your care; challenging me to grow in Krsna consciousness and to share with others what you have given to me. You are so unselfish, so expert at caring for others in such an individual way.
You are so expert at preaching, giving so many people the opportunity to come and take up Krsna consciousness in such an easily digestible way. You give such protection to your dependants. You are always caring for us so personally, from giving us the mentor system, to instructing us to wash our hands properly so we don’t get sick.
Gurudeva you have saved my life, and I can never repay you for that. But I want to try. It is my sincere desire that I may be of some use to you in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your disciple,
Acyuta bhava devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, you have saved my life.
Out of compassion and out of service to Srila Prabhupada, you attended a small home program in Brisbane in May 2004. By some unimaginable good fortune, I was there. You spoke on “Authentic Pleasure”, describing yourself as a pleasure-seeker and explaining that the way to experience real pleasure is to connect with the source of all pleasure, Sri Krsna.
That day you entered my life, my life changed. Srila Prabhupada writes in a purport, “As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the wood-like living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages injected through the receptive ear.” (SB 1.2.32)
After that program, the same night, you came in a dream and were instructing me in spiritual life. After that I knew that I had found you, my eternal spiritual master, my eternal father; or rather that you had found me.
In the years that have followed, you have given me so much. So many opportunities for service, so much of your time and your care; challenging me to grow in Krsna consciousness and to share with others what you have given to me. You are so unselfish, so expert at caring for others in such an individual way.
You are so expert at preaching, giving so many people the opportunity to come and take up Krsna consciousness in such an easily digestible way. You give such protection to your dependants. You are always caring for us so personally, from giving us the mentor system, to instructing us to wash our hands properly so we don’t get sick.
Gurudeva you have saved my life, and I can never repay you for that. But I want to try. It is my sincere desire that I may be of some use to you in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your disciple,
Acyuta bhava devi dasi
Adina lila dd
Dearest Gurumaharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It` most amazing, inconceivable and still unbelievable how much you do for me and so many others.
So many peoples lives have changed after meeting you, including mine.
Some even haven`t personally met you, not even heard a lecture by you,
but they are already convinced of your greatness.
They just get to know your disciples and want to know who`s behind that all.
There is no doubt your disciples are usually the most active, dedicated, strong, dependable, progressing devotees.
Why? Because of you.
You are our father and by your mercy and our desire, we can become like you. Exactly like you.
You are teaching us the importance of serious chanting and strong Sadhana and desire to understand Krishna and the Spiritual Master.
You are giving us a community of support and care and personally take time and effort to individually engage us in Krishna`s service
according to our capacity.
You give everyone what they need at that particular time.
You are expert.
You want everyone to come closer to Krishna, closer to your instructions.
You are so personal.
You sincerely want to make most out of everyone`s life.
You sacrifice everything for that, travelling around the globe since decades, did put yourself into danger behind the Iron curtain.
So often I am thinking how can you do it?
Definitely you are empowered by Krishna, who is waiting and beckoning for us.
You took up this service for Him, collecting the fallen and ignorant.
You continue where your Spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, has left off.
You are so dedicated and selfless.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Srila Gurudeva please allow me to be of some use in your service.
Please help me to move forward. There is no other way.
Your indebted servant
Adina lila devi dasi
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It` most amazing, inconceivable and still unbelievable how much you do for me and so many others.
So many peoples lives have changed after meeting you, including mine.
Some even haven`t personally met you, not even heard a lecture by you,
but they are already convinced of your greatness.
They just get to know your disciples and want to know who`s behind that all.
There is no doubt your disciples are usually the most active, dedicated, strong, dependable, progressing devotees.
Why? Because of you.
You are our father and by your mercy and our desire, we can become like you. Exactly like you.
You are teaching us the importance of serious chanting and strong Sadhana and desire to understand Krishna and the Spiritual Master.
You are giving us a community of support and care and personally take time and effort to individually engage us in Krishna`s service
according to our capacity.
You give everyone what they need at that particular time.
You are expert.
You want everyone to come closer to Krishna, closer to your instructions.
You are so personal.
You sincerely want to make most out of everyone`s life.
You sacrifice everything for that, travelling around the globe since decades, did put yourself into danger behind the Iron curtain.
So often I am thinking how can you do it?
Definitely you are empowered by Krishna, who is waiting and beckoning for us.
You took up this service for Him, collecting the fallen and ignorant.
You continue where your Spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, has left off.
You are so dedicated and selfless.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Srila Gurudeva please allow me to be of some use in your service.
Please help me to move forward. There is no other way.
Your indebted servant
Adina lila devi dasi
Advaita-priya das
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
How is it that you have come to reach out your hand to me, to offer to pull me into the bhakti lifeboat and save me from this miserable ocean of birth and death? How could I possible deserve this great mercy?
Although we are separated by some material distance you are never far from my heart and thoughts.
I have only to close my eyes and I am standing before you as you begin sing Sri Guru-vandana “Sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati sadma” the beautiful tone of you voice and elegant chime of the cartalas. You are sharing with all of us an outpouring of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada and setting the standard for real appreciation for the spiritual master.
Slowly the tempo is building, you are the pied piper and we are all like children desperate to come with you.
Soon, you have led us to the edge of the great nectarian ocean which is Krishna’s Holy Names and as you begin to chant those names we know that we are leaving the material world behind.
To hear you chant Hari Nama with such love and ecstasy is melting my iceberg heart and though I am paddling at the waters edge you have plunged deeply into that ocean with joyful abandoned, urging me to join you.
Now everyone is chanting for their spiritual lives. You are there, Krishna is there and I am drowning in an ocean of mercy. I am praying no-one discovers me for the fraudulent pretender I am for surely I have no right to swim here. I don’t, I am only here because you lead me here, because you have allowed this fallen soul to take shelter of your lotus feet.
mahaprabhoh kirtana-nitya-gita
vaditra-madyan-manaso resena
romasca-kampasru-taranga-bajo
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
Srila Gurudeva, please may I always meditate upon your lotus feet within my heart and may I please always dance in your glorious Hari Nama Sankirtan party.
This fallen servant pray’s for your mercy.
Advaita-priya das
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
How is it that you have come to reach out your hand to me, to offer to pull me into the bhakti lifeboat and save me from this miserable ocean of birth and death? How could I possible deserve this great mercy?
Although we are separated by some material distance you are never far from my heart and thoughts.
I have only to close my eyes and I am standing before you as you begin sing Sri Guru-vandana “Sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati sadma” the beautiful tone of you voice and elegant chime of the cartalas. You are sharing with all of us an outpouring of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada and setting the standard for real appreciation for the spiritual master.
Slowly the tempo is building, you are the pied piper and we are all like children desperate to come with you.
Soon, you have led us to the edge of the great nectarian ocean which is Krishna’s Holy Names and as you begin to chant those names we know that we are leaving the material world behind.
To hear you chant Hari Nama with such love and ecstasy is melting my iceberg heart and though I am paddling at the waters edge you have plunged deeply into that ocean with joyful abandoned, urging me to join you.
Now everyone is chanting for their spiritual lives. You are there, Krishna is there and I am drowning in an ocean of mercy. I am praying no-one discovers me for the fraudulent pretender I am for surely I have no right to swim here. I don’t, I am only here because you lead me here, because you have allowed this fallen soul to take shelter of your lotus feet.
mahaprabhoh kirtana-nitya-gita
vaditra-madyan-manaso resena
romasca-kampasru-taranga-bajo
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.
Srila Gurudeva, please may I always meditate upon your lotus feet within my heart and may I please always dance in your glorious Hari Nama Sankirtan party.
This fallen servant pray’s for your mercy.
Advaita-priya das
Akarsini devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeicences
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Gurudeva
Although I lack the maturity to be able to glorify you properly on you appearance day, please accept this attempt at trying to praise your qualities and activities.
Every project you envision, it seems, is accompanied with so much careful thought and planning. It appears that the devotees who please you the most are those who sincerely try to imitate your devotional mood. They recognize the precious trait of time, and try their best to arrange it so that every available moment is used for achieving a high standard of service .
Without the attendance of your personal care, such a warm and caring spiritual community would probably fail to exist. Your influence can be experienced through simple association with your dedicated assistants who possess strong determination, tolerance, patience and the unique ability to care for others.
Thank you Gurudeva for appearing with your small handful of talented helpers. Through their mercy I got the chance to recieve the Holy Name of Lord Hari and the golden service of book distribution. An empty heart and the convincing reality of being alone are now a falsity which myself and others no longer need to suffer.
Thank you for waiting while I selfishly gobbled and still try to gobble all the fruits in the tree, like a foolish canary hopping from one branch to another, pecking at the skin, flesh and even the seeds. You patiently wait for me to transform my life so that you can simply show me the most wonderful thing, a bird of extroadinary beauty, Sri Krsna.
I hope I can transform myself enough so I may eventually cease my desperate seed pecking habit, and one day become one of your qualified assistants, so you can finally introduce me to that other bird that has been perched beside me all along.
Your Servant/Daughter
Akarsini devi dasi
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Gurudeva
Although I lack the maturity to be able to glorify you properly on you appearance day, please accept this attempt at trying to praise your qualities and activities.
Every project you envision, it seems, is accompanied with so much careful thought and planning. It appears that the devotees who please you the most are those who sincerely try to imitate your devotional mood. They recognize the precious trait of time, and try their best to arrange it so that every available moment is used for achieving a high standard of service .
Without the attendance of your personal care, such a warm and caring spiritual community would probably fail to exist. Your influence can be experienced through simple association with your dedicated assistants who possess strong determination, tolerance, patience and the unique ability to care for others.
Thank you Gurudeva for appearing with your small handful of talented helpers. Through their mercy I got the chance to recieve the Holy Name of Lord Hari and the golden service of book distribution. An empty heart and the convincing reality of being alone are now a falsity which myself and others no longer need to suffer.
Thank you for waiting while I selfishly gobbled and still try to gobble all the fruits in the tree, like a foolish canary hopping from one branch to another, pecking at the skin, flesh and even the seeds. You patiently wait for me to transform my life so that you can simply show me the most wonderful thing, a bird of extroadinary beauty, Sri Krsna.
I hope I can transform myself enough so I may eventually cease my desperate seed pecking habit, and one day become one of your qualified assistants, so you can finally introduce me to that other bird that has been perched beside me all along.
Your Servant/Daughter
Akarsini devi dasi
Amit Kumar
Vyasa Puja Offering
My dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most beloved day of your appearance in this world.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for enabling me to be with you through your words, allowing me to be a witness of you
expert seed planting, watering and nourishing abilities.
In one of your lectures you attracted our attention to one line from Sri Guru Vandana:
guru mukha padma vaikya
citete kore yaikya
“My only desire is that the instructions emanating from the spiritual master’s lotus mouth purify my consciousness.”
While everyday listening to your lectures I try to constantly remember about these words. And the most amazing thing is that
I begin to feel that my consciousness is gradually changing. Slowly, with difficulty, but it goes on. Thanks to Your mercy, the
dirt that has accumulated in my heart for many long years of my stay in this material world is gradually exfoliating and going
away.
Let me always stay under the protection of your lotus feet, in association with your beloved disciples.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Amit (Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir)
My dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most beloved day of your appearance in this world.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for enabling me to be with you through your words, allowing me to be a witness of you
expert seed planting, watering and nourishing abilities.
In one of your lectures you attracted our attention to one line from Sri Guru Vandana:
guru mukha padma vaikya
citete kore yaikya
“My only desire is that the instructions emanating from the spiritual master’s lotus mouth purify my consciousness.”
While everyday listening to your lectures I try to constantly remember about these words. And the most amazing thing is that
I begin to feel that my consciousness is gradually changing. Slowly, with difficulty, but it goes on. Thanks to Your mercy, the
dirt that has accumulated in my heart for many long years of my stay in this material world is gradually exfoliating and going
away.
Let me always stay under the protection of your lotus feet, in association with your beloved disciples.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Amit (Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir)
Ananta and Vilasinidd
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya
Krsna prestaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinata
Parartha tapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Every day its a oportunity to remeber you thru devotional service.Remember your unlimited cualities and how much happy you make us when you come to our places to give us you saint association just to try to become our life more Krsna conciousness.Like a beautifull song written from one of our great vaisnava says
Krsna is yours,you are the only one who can give him to me.
Personally I love so much mangalartika and one of the razon is because I like the Guru Astaka,every verse,every word has so much meanings in my heart remembering you.
I wish I can give more to you and helping you in your mission to please Srila Prabhupada,just beacuse your mercy I am here one year more writing this offering to you and continious doing serving to the Lord.This mercy is unlimited,everyday is wonderful remenbering that every test in our way is nothing in coparation how much you are sacrifaying for all of us.
Thank you one more time for all of this and for all of that that is coming from you.
Thanks for helping me to go back home go back to god head.
In your day of your Trascendental Vyasa Puja
Your servant and disciple
Vilasini dd
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Devamrita Swam
I have a wonderful time serving you when you came to New Vrndaban
Me and Vilasini had a good time serving you.
May Radha Vrndaban Candra make our path thru devotional service by your blessings.
I hope you come to our wedding and bless both of us to have a great devotional service serving the Lord.
We miss you and we hope you health and your preaching goes on arround the world .
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Hare Krsna
ys Ananta
Krsna prestaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinata
Parartha tapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Every day its a oportunity to remeber you thru devotional service.Remember your unlimited cualities and how much happy you make us when you come to our places to give us you saint association just to try to become our life more Krsna conciousness.Like a beautifull song written from one of our great vaisnava says
Krsna is yours,you are the only one who can give him to me.
Personally I love so much mangalartika and one of the razon is because I like the Guru Astaka,every verse,every word has so much meanings in my heart remembering you.
I wish I can give more to you and helping you in your mission to please Srila Prabhupada,just beacuse your mercy I am here one year more writing this offering to you and continious doing serving to the Lord.This mercy is unlimited,everyday is wonderful remenbering that every test in our way is nothing in coparation how much you are sacrifaying for all of us.
Thank you one more time for all of this and for all of that that is coming from you.
Thanks for helping me to go back home go back to god head.
In your day of your Trascendental Vyasa Puja
Your servant and disciple
Vilasini dd
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Devamrita Swam
I have a wonderful time serving you when you came to New Vrndaban
Me and Vilasini had a good time serving you.
May Radha Vrndaban Candra make our path thru devotional service by your blessings.
I hope you come to our wedding and bless both of us to have a great devotional service serving the Lord.
We miss you and we hope you health and your preaching goes on arround the world .
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Hare Krsna
ys Ananta
Ananta-Vrindavan das
Dear Guru-Maharaj
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Dear Guru-Maharaj, I would like to offer my most sincere gratitude for presenting transcendental knowledge of the Bhagavatam n the pure and authoritative way to your disciples and to general masses of people. I would like to offer my glorification to You for achieving great success in the preaching and fulfilling the mission of Srila Prabhupad.
I got attracted to this Srila Prabhupada’s movement since I was very young and immature. I am looking back on this 18 years and I feel this was the only thing I did right.
Somehow by my good fortune I have quickly skimmed thought different religious groups till I came across Srila Prabhupada’s books and devotees. Excitement and bliss, which I have derived all this years comes from association with devotees and it keeps me going through my life, which is full of endless karmic reactions.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me. (Bg. 10.9)
My dear Guru-Maharaj you are the one who keeps my understanding intact with the absolute truth. By seeing how much love you have for your disciples I can only imagine how big is the ocean of your love for Krishna.
I humbly pray at your lotus feet that I will always remain in the close contact with this movement and will not become just another religious follower but actually live a spiritual life.
Your humble servant,
Ananta Vrindavan das
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Dear Guru-Maharaj, I would like to offer my most sincere gratitude for presenting transcendental knowledge of the Bhagavatam n the pure and authoritative way to your disciples and to general masses of people. I would like to offer my glorification to You for achieving great success in the preaching and fulfilling the mission of Srila Prabhupad.
I got attracted to this Srila Prabhupada’s movement since I was very young and immature. I am looking back on this 18 years and I feel this was the only thing I did right.
Somehow by my good fortune I have quickly skimmed thought different religious groups till I came across Srila Prabhupada’s books and devotees. Excitement and bliss, which I have derived all this years comes from association with devotees and it keeps me going through my life, which is full of endless karmic reactions.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me. (Bg. 10.9)
My dear Guru-Maharaj you are the one who keeps my understanding intact with the absolute truth. By seeing how much love you have for your disciples I can only imagine how big is the ocean of your love for Krishna.
I humbly pray at your lotus feet that I will always remain in the close contact with this movement and will not become just another religious follower but actually live a spiritual life.
Your humble servant,
Ananta Vrindavan das
Ateet Agarwal (bhakta)
Hare Krsna Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyaspuja.
Maharaj, I don't have words to express my gratitude for all the arrangements that Krsna is providing for me to develop my Krsna Consciousness ever since you very mercifully accepted me in the shelter of your lotus feet.
Until recently, my foolish mind believed that distributing books on the street was something impossible for me in this lifetime. I had tried it a few times before but had failed miserably. But I also wanted to learn the art of book distribution since you always emphasized in your lectures on the importance of reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, and how that is the safest and the easiest way to attract Krsna’s mercy. Krsna fulfilled my desire soon after your recent Toronto visit. In May, I participated in a sankirtan seminar by His Grace Vaisesika prabhu and went out on sankirtan with devotees, which was a complete transformation, adding a new dimension to my Krsna Consciousness. Since then, we have been organizing a monthly sankirtan festival for the congregation devotees.
It’s only by your blessings and the inconceivable mercy of your instructions, Maharaj, that I could taste this little drop from the ocean of bliss of sankirtan, and I beg again and again at your lotus feet that I can dive deeper into this ocean and swim there eternally. I pray to Lord Krsna that if I could get an iota of the determination and love that you have for distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, I would consider my life perfect.
Maharaj, following your kind instructions, Shyama-mohini and I are sincerely trying to live a bhakti-centric family life. Mangal-aarti mataji, who is working very hard to fulfill your desire for an outreach centre in downtown Toronto, is keeping us fully engaged in that service. We eagerly look forward to serving you again in Toronto, Maharaj.
We all pray for your continued good health so that more and more conditioned souls like me can become Krsna Conscious by your association.
Your eternally-indebted servant,
Bhakta Ateet
Please accept my most humble obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyaspuja.
Maharaj, I don't have words to express my gratitude for all the arrangements that Krsna is providing for me to develop my Krsna Consciousness ever since you very mercifully accepted me in the shelter of your lotus feet.
Until recently, my foolish mind believed that distributing books on the street was something impossible for me in this lifetime. I had tried it a few times before but had failed miserably. But I also wanted to learn the art of book distribution since you always emphasized in your lectures on the importance of reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, and how that is the safest and the easiest way to attract Krsna’s mercy. Krsna fulfilled my desire soon after your recent Toronto visit. In May, I participated in a sankirtan seminar by His Grace Vaisesika prabhu and went out on sankirtan with devotees, which was a complete transformation, adding a new dimension to my Krsna Consciousness. Since then, we have been organizing a monthly sankirtan festival for the congregation devotees.
It’s only by your blessings and the inconceivable mercy of your instructions, Maharaj, that I could taste this little drop from the ocean of bliss of sankirtan, and I beg again and again at your lotus feet that I can dive deeper into this ocean and swim there eternally. I pray to Lord Krsna that if I could get an iota of the determination and love that you have for distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, I would consider my life perfect.
Maharaj, following your kind instructions, Shyama-mohini and I are sincerely trying to live a bhakti-centric family life. Mangal-aarti mataji, who is working very hard to fulfill your desire for an outreach centre in downtown Toronto, is keeping us fully engaged in that service. We eagerly look forward to serving you again in Toronto, Maharaj.
We all pray for your continued good health so that more and more conditioned souls like me can become Krsna Conscious by your association.
Your eternally-indebted servant,
Bhakta Ateet
Bala Gopala Dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance!
Srila Gurudeva, when will I accept your blessings? in this lifetime?
In the beginning of your letters to us you say “Please accept my blessings.” You are requesting us to accept into our lives the spiritual opulence and wealth of your blessings – the blessings of Lord Caitanya and His service.
You have so kindly with all expert care and attention arranged our lives so each and every one of us may fall into the range of your blessings. Some more, some less, each in our own way. We’re happily taking your powerful Krsna Conscious guidance and moving forward on the path of bhakti or backwards according to the quality of our service attitude.
For us at the brahmacari ashram here in Auckland you have surrounded us with direct opportunities to receive these bhakti blessings. To relish the service of Krsna Conscious outreach and live a life of simple,and hopefully, selfless service.
For example, you have very carefully arranged that the 'endangered brahmacari species' have our own sanctuary to rehabilitate and recover from our slavery to the cruel vices of Kali-yuga. You have arranged Simple secluded ashram settings to give ample room to regain our potential in Krsna Consciousness without the typical distractions our weak minds propose.
You have thoughtfully arranged so that we are given full facility to take much care as possible in maintaining these dwindling bodies. Through regulating our eating and recreation we are again protected from easily abusing ourselves with nectarean maha prasadam, though spiritually powerful, sometimes is materially harmful. Regulated exercise too, is not shuned as Maya. In this way we may try for your blessings with a longer healthier life, Krsna willing.
You have always asked us if we have enough time and space to perform our most important service to you, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra. You have quoted Srila Prabhupada saying 90% of all our spiritual advancement comes from chanting Hare Krsna.
Quality, you'll understand. First of all come to the quantity. Without having quantity, how he'll understand the quality? You follow the instruction of your spiritual master, of the sastra. That is your duty. It is not your position to understand quality. When the quality comes there is no force. You will have a taste for chanting. You will desire at that time, "Why sixteen rounds? Why not sixteen thousand rounds?" That is quality. That is quality. Now it is by force. You'll not do it; therefore at least sixteen rounds. But when you come to the quality, you will feel yourself, "Why sixteen? Why not sixteen thousand?" That is quality, automatically. Just like Haridasa Thakura was doing. He was not forced. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested, "Now you are old enough. You can reduce." He refused, "No. Up to the end of my life I shall go on." That is quality. Have you got such tendency that you will go on chanting and do nothing else? That is quality. Now you are forced to do it. Where is the question of quality? You're given a chance so that one day you may achieve quality. Quality is different. Athasaktih. Asakti, attachment. Just like Rupa Gosvami asks "How shall I chant with one tongue, and how shall I hear with only two ears? Had it been millions of tongues and trillions of ears, then I could enjoy it." This is quality. Quality is not so cheap. Maybe after many births. For the time being you go on following the rules and regulations ...
You wanted to understand quality. This is quality. You'll not be forced, but automatically you'll desire. I am writing books. I am not being forced by anyone. Everyone can do that. Why do they not do it? Why do I get up at night, one o'clock, and do this job? Because I cannot do without it. How could I do it artificially? This is quality. Therefore they like my purports ...
Morning Walk, Nairobi November 2, 1975
Thank you for your constant reminders that this and nothing else is the most important of all services, quality chanting!
Again and again you ask “Are you getting your reading in?” Hoping we are taking advantage of these most precious books that Srila Prabhupada laboured so much to write, to insure we will be strong and determined in our service for our whole lifetime. You emphasize 2 hours every day of reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books. As you have said in one lecture, 'Whether you are a one year devotee, three year, five year, twenty year devotee, unless you regularly read Srila Prabhupada’s books you will grow weak and go away.' A described in the Caitanya caritamrita madhya 2. 278
. Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Krsna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krsna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance.
PURPORT
All the devotees connected with the Krsna consciousness movement must read all the books that have been translated (the Caitanya-caritamrita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and others); otherwise, after some time, they will simply eat, sleep and fall down from their position. Thus they will miss the opportunity to attain an eternal, blissful life of transcendental pleasure.
By blessing us with the association of the devotees of Lord Caitanya we can rapidly advance in our absorption in Krsna directly and indirectly. Through the association of the devotees everything becomes relishable, we advance quicker, and we become more and more strong in Krsna Consciousness. Indirectly we also get the opportunity to become dear to Krsna by practicing tolerance and patience in the association of Krsna’s dear devotees who sometimes step on our material conditioning and give us another opportunity to captivate krsnas heart.
On the other hand, they captivate My heart who are gladdened in heart and who, their lotus faces enlightened by nectarean smiles, respect the brahmanas, even though the brahmanas utter harsh words. They look upon the brahmanas as My own Self...SB,3.16.11
More recently you have allowed me to attempt to render some service to Sri Govinda in his arca vigraha form.I am amazed at what your blessings will provide in Devotional service. The sastra says the deity is directly Krsna Himself!
Srila Gurudeva, you have truly blessed me with all kinds of devotonal opportunitys to go back home back to Godhead even in this lifetime! all this is your supreme care for us.
Despite my many frailties in accepting your blessings somehow by your mercy I am still here sheltered in your devotional service and for this I am very grateful.
I have received many obvious signs indicating old age is making its home in my life. Please let me use the remainder of this short life to offer you more and more improved services so I may be of some use to you in your astonishing efforts to reclaim the lost souls of Kali-yuga.
Krsna se tomara, Krsna dite paro,
tomara sakati ache
ami to' kangala, Krsna! Krsna! boli',
dhai tava pache pache
Krsna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, "Krsna! Krsna!"
Aspiring to one day truly accept your blessings and service
Bal Gopal das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your divine appearance!
Srila Gurudeva, when will I accept your blessings? in this lifetime?
In the beginning of your letters to us you say “Please accept my blessings.” You are requesting us to accept into our lives the spiritual opulence and wealth of your blessings – the blessings of Lord Caitanya and His service.
You have so kindly with all expert care and attention arranged our lives so each and every one of us may fall into the range of your blessings. Some more, some less, each in our own way. We’re happily taking your powerful Krsna Conscious guidance and moving forward on the path of bhakti or backwards according to the quality of our service attitude.
For us at the brahmacari ashram here in Auckland you have surrounded us with direct opportunities to receive these bhakti blessings. To relish the service of Krsna Conscious outreach and live a life of simple,and hopefully, selfless service.
For example, you have very carefully arranged that the 'endangered brahmacari species' have our own sanctuary to rehabilitate and recover from our slavery to the cruel vices of Kali-yuga. You have arranged Simple secluded ashram settings to give ample room to regain our potential in Krsna Consciousness without the typical distractions our weak minds propose.
You have thoughtfully arranged so that we are given full facility to take much care as possible in maintaining these dwindling bodies. Through regulating our eating and recreation we are again protected from easily abusing ourselves with nectarean maha prasadam, though spiritually powerful, sometimes is materially harmful. Regulated exercise too, is not shuned as Maya. In this way we may try for your blessings with a longer healthier life, Krsna willing.
You have always asked us if we have enough time and space to perform our most important service to you, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha mantra. You have quoted Srila Prabhupada saying 90% of all our spiritual advancement comes from chanting Hare Krsna.
Quality, you'll understand. First of all come to the quantity. Without having quantity, how he'll understand the quality? You follow the instruction of your spiritual master, of the sastra. That is your duty. It is not your position to understand quality. When the quality comes there is no force. You will have a taste for chanting. You will desire at that time, "Why sixteen rounds? Why not sixteen thousand rounds?" That is quality. That is quality. Now it is by force. You'll not do it; therefore at least sixteen rounds. But when you come to the quality, you will feel yourself, "Why sixteen? Why not sixteen thousand?" That is quality, automatically. Just like Haridasa Thakura was doing. He was not forced. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested, "Now you are old enough. You can reduce." He refused, "No. Up to the end of my life I shall go on." That is quality. Have you got such tendency that you will go on chanting and do nothing else? That is quality. Now you are forced to do it. Where is the question of quality? You're given a chance so that one day you may achieve quality. Quality is different. Athasaktih. Asakti, attachment. Just like Rupa Gosvami asks "How shall I chant with one tongue, and how shall I hear with only two ears? Had it been millions of tongues and trillions of ears, then I could enjoy it." This is quality. Quality is not so cheap. Maybe after many births. For the time being you go on following the rules and regulations ...
You wanted to understand quality. This is quality. You'll not be forced, but automatically you'll desire. I am writing books. I am not being forced by anyone. Everyone can do that. Why do they not do it? Why do I get up at night, one o'clock, and do this job? Because I cannot do without it. How could I do it artificially? This is quality. Therefore they like my purports ...
Morning Walk, Nairobi November 2, 1975
Thank you for your constant reminders that this and nothing else is the most important of all services, quality chanting!
Again and again you ask “Are you getting your reading in?” Hoping we are taking advantage of these most precious books that Srila Prabhupada laboured so much to write, to insure we will be strong and determined in our service for our whole lifetime. You emphasize 2 hours every day of reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books. As you have said in one lecture, 'Whether you are a one year devotee, three year, five year, twenty year devotee, unless you regularly read Srila Prabhupada’s books you will grow weak and go away.' A described in the Caitanya caritamrita madhya 2. 278
. Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Krsna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krsna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance.
PURPORT
All the devotees connected with the Krsna consciousness movement must read all the books that have been translated (the Caitanya-caritamrita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and others); otherwise, after some time, they will simply eat, sleep and fall down from their position. Thus they will miss the opportunity to attain an eternal, blissful life of transcendental pleasure.
By blessing us with the association of the devotees of Lord Caitanya we can rapidly advance in our absorption in Krsna directly and indirectly. Through the association of the devotees everything becomes relishable, we advance quicker, and we become more and more strong in Krsna Consciousness. Indirectly we also get the opportunity to become dear to Krsna by practicing tolerance and patience in the association of Krsna’s dear devotees who sometimes step on our material conditioning and give us another opportunity to captivate krsnas heart.
On the other hand, they captivate My heart who are gladdened in heart and who, their lotus faces enlightened by nectarean smiles, respect the brahmanas, even though the brahmanas utter harsh words. They look upon the brahmanas as My own Self...SB,3.16.11
More recently you have allowed me to attempt to render some service to Sri Govinda in his arca vigraha form.I am amazed at what your blessings will provide in Devotional service. The sastra says the deity is directly Krsna Himself!
Srila Gurudeva, you have truly blessed me with all kinds of devotonal opportunitys to go back home back to Godhead even in this lifetime! all this is your supreme care for us.
Despite my many frailties in accepting your blessings somehow by your mercy I am still here sheltered in your devotional service and for this I am very grateful.
I have received many obvious signs indicating old age is making its home in my life. Please let me use the remainder of this short life to offer you more and more improved services so I may be of some use to you in your astonishing efforts to reclaim the lost souls of Kali-yuga.
Krsna se tomara, Krsna dite paro,
tomara sakati ache
ami to' kangala, Krsna! Krsna! boli',
dhai tava pache pache
Krsna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, "Krsna! Krsna!"
Aspiring to one day truly accept your blessings and service
Bal Gopal das
Benjamin Beer
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Krishna only knows how I ended up where I am now. Somehow or other, by Krishna’s grace I have stumbled upon your lotus feet and as such, I have stumbled forth onto the apex of divinity. Just as Srila Prabhupada’s books embody the highest truth, your mercy embodies the highest benediction. As an unworthy recipient of which I can only come to one conclusion: I don’t deserve any of this.
They say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Alas, why do I approach devotional service with such indolence? I currently find myself struggling to be of any use to you. If I cannot please you then my life is a complete waste of time. In presenting you with this so-called offering, I can only pray that I am not wasting yours. Please allow me to extrapolate on the ‘four pillars’ that are collectively arresting any advancement I hope to make in Krishna Consciousness:
PRIDE: They say that pride comes before a fall. You have anticipated how steep and how painful that fall will be for me when it comes. With all the grace, compassion and expertise of a spiritual father, you have provided the perfect prescription for this pride I shamelessly exhibit. Done in a manor so gently-gently, thank you for humiliating me so expertly in classes. However, sadly, I imprudently refuse to accept your benevolence. And I remain ever so proud.
ANGER: Gurudeva, I’m an angry young man. Please help me to transform my anger into purity so that first I can help myself before even thinking of helping anyone else. I want to help people, but I don’t know how, I don’t have an ounce of compassion – stone hearted cowards like me rarely do. You are the most compassionate and the most fearless – the greatest of sages. If you cannot soften my heart – then no one can.
LUST: I beg you to save me from my mind. I am drowning under the weight of my indefatigable material desires. My mind, intelligence and false ego have cleverly conspired and have captured all the strategic positions of this body. Without your shelter Gurudeva, maya will have me all to herself to do as she pleases. This terrifies me. In fact it sends chills down my spine.
GREED: My greed for material enjoyment knows no bounds. Before I meet Yamaraja once again for the trillionth time to receive punishment, I realise I have this one chance of salvation. Srila Gurudeva, you are clemency personified as you travel the globe freeing souls from eternal damnation with your transcendental words. Please judge me on my sincerity. I hope to receive a life sentence of humble devotional service. This is my desperate plea.
Hailing from the cesspit of beggary, I now find myself standing before the steps of saintliness, looking upwards to the altar of magnanimity, where you so rightfully stand.
And I feel very small.
I hesitate to go forward because I have nothing to offer you except foolishness.
But you are so munificent you come down to meet me.
And as I prostrate my lowly and sinful body at your lotus feet, with all the honesty and sincerity that I can muster, I beg that you may not turn me away. I beg that you may forgive me for my offenses. For billions of births I have stubbornly turned away from Krsna. I don’t want to do this any more.
Gurudeva, you have plucked me from the ocean of nescience, you have raised me up onto the glorious bandwagon of bhakti, you have placed me in the company of true Vaisnava’s. You have given me purpose in life. You have given me eternal happiness.
I don’t deserve any of this.
I sincerely pray that Krsna may grant me the ability to serve you unconditionally. I pray that I may be blessed with the determination to take your instruction as my life and soul – in this life and the next. Even this aspiration seems an awfully inadequate gesture of gratitude, but I must try.
I have no ability and I have no strength, but I do have firm faith in the holy name.
Just as a wretched flea clings to the mane of the most magnificent, seemingly unperturbed lion, I beg that you may continue to tolerate this rascal clinging to your lionhearted lotus feet.
Struggling in all attempts to be your aspiring servant.
Bhakta Benjamin.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Krishna only knows how I ended up where I am now. Somehow or other, by Krishna’s grace I have stumbled upon your lotus feet and as such, I have stumbled forth onto the apex of divinity. Just as Srila Prabhupada’s books embody the highest truth, your mercy embodies the highest benediction. As an unworthy recipient of which I can only come to one conclusion: I don’t deserve any of this.
They say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Alas, why do I approach devotional service with such indolence? I currently find myself struggling to be of any use to you. If I cannot please you then my life is a complete waste of time. In presenting you with this so-called offering, I can only pray that I am not wasting yours. Please allow me to extrapolate on the ‘four pillars’ that are collectively arresting any advancement I hope to make in Krishna Consciousness:
PRIDE: They say that pride comes before a fall. You have anticipated how steep and how painful that fall will be for me when it comes. With all the grace, compassion and expertise of a spiritual father, you have provided the perfect prescription for this pride I shamelessly exhibit. Done in a manor so gently-gently, thank you for humiliating me so expertly in classes. However, sadly, I imprudently refuse to accept your benevolence. And I remain ever so proud.
ANGER: Gurudeva, I’m an angry young man. Please help me to transform my anger into purity so that first I can help myself before even thinking of helping anyone else. I want to help people, but I don’t know how, I don’t have an ounce of compassion – stone hearted cowards like me rarely do. You are the most compassionate and the most fearless – the greatest of sages. If you cannot soften my heart – then no one can.
LUST: I beg you to save me from my mind. I am drowning under the weight of my indefatigable material desires. My mind, intelligence and false ego have cleverly conspired and have captured all the strategic positions of this body. Without your shelter Gurudeva, maya will have me all to herself to do as she pleases. This terrifies me. In fact it sends chills down my spine.
GREED: My greed for material enjoyment knows no bounds. Before I meet Yamaraja once again for the trillionth time to receive punishment, I realise I have this one chance of salvation. Srila Gurudeva, you are clemency personified as you travel the globe freeing souls from eternal damnation with your transcendental words. Please judge me on my sincerity. I hope to receive a life sentence of humble devotional service. This is my desperate plea.
Hailing from the cesspit of beggary, I now find myself standing before the steps of saintliness, looking upwards to the altar of magnanimity, where you so rightfully stand.
And I feel very small.
I hesitate to go forward because I have nothing to offer you except foolishness.
But you are so munificent you come down to meet me.
And as I prostrate my lowly and sinful body at your lotus feet, with all the honesty and sincerity that I can muster, I beg that you may not turn me away. I beg that you may forgive me for my offenses. For billions of births I have stubbornly turned away from Krsna. I don’t want to do this any more.
Gurudeva, you have plucked me from the ocean of nescience, you have raised me up onto the glorious bandwagon of bhakti, you have placed me in the company of true Vaisnava’s. You have given me purpose in life. You have given me eternal happiness.
I don’t deserve any of this.
I sincerely pray that Krsna may grant me the ability to serve you unconditionally. I pray that I may be blessed with the determination to take your instruction as my life and soul – in this life and the next. Even this aspiration seems an awfully inadequate gesture of gratitude, but I must try.
I have no ability and I have no strength, but I do have firm faith in the holy name.
Just as a wretched flea clings to the mane of the most magnificent, seemingly unperturbed lion, I beg that you may continue to tolerate this rascal clinging to your lionhearted lotus feet.
Struggling in all attempts to be your aspiring servant.
Bhakta Benjamin.
Benjamin Tregilgas
Dear Devamrta Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you very much for kindly giving me the knowledge and realization
I need to understand that I’m a dreamer, and that my attempts to enjoy this
world are just dreams. You often explain the impersonalist psychology that
we’re conditioned to, and I’m finally starting to understand how much of an
impersonalist I am. I seem to do whatever I can to forget about the fact that
Krsna’s more important than all my insignificant material desires. Somehow I
seem to think that Maya will fulfill my desires far better than Krsna, even though
I’ve heard and experienced over and over that she brings me nothing but misery.
Although I know I’m just a dreamer I purposely forget about it so that I can try and
enjoy material things. I forget that my real eternal relationship is with Krsna. I feel very
guilty for practically ignoring Krsna, even while I’m doing services and even while I’m
chanting. I hope some day soon I’ll get rid of this impersonalism. It’s only by your
mercy that I’ve realized these things. You explain these things so well in your
classes, using our material relationships as examples. If I wasn’t so fortunate as to
meet you and your kind disciples muni cari and sruti cari, I’d still be in the darkest
ignorance, who knows how many lives and deaths I could have suffered if it wasn’t
for your mercy. I truly am forever indebted to you. there is no way to repay you, all
I can do is try to surrender to you and serve you the best I can. Thank you.
Your humble servant
Ben
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you very much for kindly giving me the knowledge and realization
I need to understand that I’m a dreamer, and that my attempts to enjoy this
world are just dreams. You often explain the impersonalist psychology that
we’re conditioned to, and I’m finally starting to understand how much of an
impersonalist I am. I seem to do whatever I can to forget about the fact that
Krsna’s more important than all my insignificant material desires. Somehow I
seem to think that Maya will fulfill my desires far better than Krsna, even though
I’ve heard and experienced over and over that she brings me nothing but misery.
Although I know I’m just a dreamer I purposely forget about it so that I can try and
enjoy material things. I forget that my real eternal relationship is with Krsna. I feel very
guilty for practically ignoring Krsna, even while I’m doing services and even while I’m
chanting. I hope some day soon I’ll get rid of this impersonalism. It’s only by your
mercy that I’ve realized these things. You explain these things so well in your
classes, using our material relationships as examples. If I wasn’t so fortunate as to
meet you and your kind disciples muni cari and sruti cari, I’d still be in the darkest
ignorance, who knows how many lives and deaths I could have suffered if it wasn’t
for your mercy. I truly am forever indebted to you. there is no way to repay you, all
I can do is try to surrender to you and serve you the best I can. Thank you.
Your humble servant
Ben
Bh. Sergey Didenko (Severodvinsk)
Your Divine Grace Srila Devamrta Swami!
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this blessed day let me glorify your Divine Grace! I sincerely hope this would help me to obtain attachment to Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead! Being a bona fide representative of parampara, with your heart full of compassion, you are always at the front of the preaching lines, full of enthusiasm, wisdom and spiritual experience, convincingly showing how Bhakti is superior to mundane faith and religiosity. Out of your love to your disciples you selflessly bestow the pearls of the Holy Name and service of Vaisnavas onto them!
One day during his lecture one of our senior devotees was exploring on ‘getting satisfaction from following one’s spiritual master’s instructions’. This topic got stuck inside my heart and I became very eager to listen to your lectures in order to deeply understand your instructions. One time you narrated the ‘Krsna and the brahmanas’ wives’ story, where the Lord instructed his friends to go to the dvija-patnis and simply tell them that He is here, and, thus, they would understand what to be done. This is the perfection of a devotee’s life! A spiritual master can only dream to have such a disciple. This attitude must become one’s life project – sincerely endeavor to understand your heart, Srila Prabhupada’s mood, always remaining your humble servant, taking shelter of the Holy Name, following the sadhana-bhakti princibples and studying Srila Prabhupada’s books. That is how my own life can obtain at least some value.
Your glory is spread all over the three worlds!
Trying to become your disciple
Bhakta Sergey Didenko
(Severodvinsk, Russia)
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this blessed day let me glorify your Divine Grace! I sincerely hope this would help me to obtain attachment to Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead! Being a bona fide representative of parampara, with your heart full of compassion, you are always at the front of the preaching lines, full of enthusiasm, wisdom and spiritual experience, convincingly showing how Bhakti is superior to mundane faith and religiosity. Out of your love to your disciples you selflessly bestow the pearls of the Holy Name and service of Vaisnavas onto them!
One day during his lecture one of our senior devotees was exploring on ‘getting satisfaction from following one’s spiritual master’s instructions’. This topic got stuck inside my heart and I became very eager to listen to your lectures in order to deeply understand your instructions. One time you narrated the ‘Krsna and the brahmanas’ wives’ story, where the Lord instructed his friends to go to the dvija-patnis and simply tell them that He is here, and, thus, they would understand what to be done. This is the perfection of a devotee’s life! A spiritual master can only dream to have such a disciple. This attitude must become one’s life project – sincerely endeavor to understand your heart, Srila Prabhupada’s mood, always remaining your humble servant, taking shelter of the Holy Name, following the sadhana-bhakti princibples and studying Srila Prabhupada’s books. That is how my own life can obtain at least some value.
Your glory is spread all over the three worlds!
Trying to become your disciple
Bhakta Sergey Didenko
(Severodvinsk, Russia)
Bhadrasena das
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, my Spiritual Master
As I take a good look at my life before I met you in London, all I can distinguish, through the hazy blur of my jaundice eyes, is an intricate web of events, full of varieties of disturbances, disappointments and circumstances shrouded in anxiety. How amazing it is that I think I have lived such a wonderful and interesting life. This is the benediction of Maya, to instill hope in our hearts that we have been successful in finding happiness in material existence. Still, I often wonder, how it is possible that I am still in one piece from such an ordeal and that I am chanting Hare Krishna.
This miracle is beginning to make sense to me as I remember my first encounters with you. In that disturbed condition, from my sojourn in this life, you came to stay with me at my apartment in London. I had no idea what to do or how to serve such a spiritual teacher. In a panic I rang every devotee I knew, asking what I am supposed to do? I was shocked to find out that so many things needed to be arranged. How was I going to cope? But out of your kindness and mercy you tolerated two ordeals at my home, as I fumbled to make arrangements and comforts for you. This was such a momentous event in my life. After so much intoxication and sinful activities, I had a genuine spiritual master staying in my home.
Since then, material nature has continued her thankless duty of provoking me relentlessly, as I struggle through anartha nirvriti. However, somehow I have instinctively clung to something which, until now has only become slightly visible or tangible to me, that has its origin in those first encounters in London.
As this object, or something, has become partially revealed, simultaneously my vision of reality has altered. Yes, meeting the spiritual master certainly has its profound effect. Things will never be the same again. For example, Srila Prabhupada describes this material world in His English translation of, “ Visame bhavambudau …. A HORRIBLE ocean of miseries.”
As I contemplate, and try to assimilate these descriptions, the more I am seeing that material life is ALL suffering, even the so-called happiness. In fact the happiness is even worse. It’s like a sado-masochist who has learnt to love pain, and even smiles within, while being tortured. Material happiness only gives an illusionary feeling of being temporarily relieved of suffering, and its sly remnants leave behind a deadly feeling of hope that things are actually okay.
How is it that my life has changed since my harsh London days? How is it that I am beginning to glimpse some of the truths of the scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam? How is it that despite allurements and haunting past desires I have not yet been swept away? The answer, again, lies in those first encounters with you. But what is it that is becoming a little visible to me?
It is the rope you have thrown down to me, into the material dark well in which I eagerly jumped. The rope you extended to me when you entered my life all those years ago. What is that rope? It is your transcendental mercy. Why else would you enter the home of someone as fallen and wretched as me?
Despite my tantrums and lack of appreciation for this means to freedom, you have remained with arms extended through all my tribulations. You continue to patiently extend yourself to me and have watched over me, through all my pains and struggles, as I learn how to take advantage of the rope of mercy.
How should I take advantage of the rope? You have taught this point in your classes and this is the real mercy of spiritual master, the explanations and instructions of how to remain gripped firmly to the rope. The acaryas explain that by taking hold of the merciful instructions, our success is guaranteed. By following rigidly your guidelines and instructions, which are in essence the same as the previous acharyas, everything becomes illuminated and we begin to see through the eyes of sastra. We wake up. We see the spiritual world above approaching and the darkness of the material world disappearing. This is the profound impact of the spiritual master in one's life.
Oh, how kind you are to offer me the rope to real happiness.
But do I really appreciate? What does that mean? Does it mean just kind words spoken once a year on days like today? Does it mean sitting still and maintaining bad habits and committing offences? No, you explained that the disciple has to choose to hold onto the rope. How? By following the orders of the spiritual master. Those orders are coming from Lord Caitanya through parampara.
In your last lecture here in Auckland you clearly pointed out that Lord Caitanya's instruction. In order to taste the fruits of love of Godhead, one has to help distribute them. It is an stipulation that all devotees have to somehow preach in whatever way they can. This particular order provoked me. This point made me realize that in order to fully appreciate your mercy, I had to understand the deep purport of this instruction.
I pondered this issue deeply. Why is preaching so important as an order to receive the spiritual master's mercy? Therefore, I returned to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, where everything is concise and very clear. And yes, in the first texts, particularly Text 6, it clearly explains how one can appreciate and utilize the rope or mercy given by the spiritual master.
How to make our grip strong on the rope as to ensure success?
In Text 6 of the first Canto, in the purport Srila Prabhupada writes,
“ The Acarya or Goswami must be well acquainted with ALL these literatures.”
So does that mean I just read them? Apparently not, Srila Prabhupada continues,
“ To hear and explain them is MORE important than reading them. One can assimilate the knowledge of the revealed scriptures ONLY by HEARING and EXPLAINING them.”
It appears that in order to make progress and actually understand our situation in this world and the next, we HAVE to be explaining or preaching as well as hearing.
Srila Prabhupada continues, “ Hearing is called sravana, and explaining is called kirtana. The two processes of sravana and kirtana are of primary importance to progressive spiritual life.”
This echoes Lord Caitanya’s instructions. This is the best way to hold onto the rope for success, to explain, to preach and thereby assimilate the knowledge. This will protect us and keep us gripped to the rope. To the degree we try to reach out others, to that degree our material problems minimize, and we are sheltered from the onslaught of material nature. Therefore, seen from this angle of vision, this order to preach is actually a magnanimous blessing to relieve us of our petty material anxieties and to taste the nectar and receive the shelter we are so anxiously looking for.
Therefore, in order to actually climb the rope of mercy, our active participation in these two processes are essential. Whatever station we are in, there should be intensive hearing (not just reading) and teaching or explaining. This allows us to then truly appreciate the spiritual master, because then,
“ O Suta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.” SB 1.1.15
What does it mean to come into contact with great sages? You explain that the Vani ( sound through instructions) is actually more important that physical contact. We become closer to the spiritual master and the parampara through hearing and explaining. This is the spiritual context of association and intimacy.
And then we become cleansed. What is the result of this cleansing?
“ Therefore, O sage, please select the essence of all the scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings, that by such INSTRUCTIONS their hearts may be fully satisfied.” SB1.1.11
We find real happiness in the spiritual reality and simultaneously we become disgusted with material life.
Srila Gurudeva, Your mercy is that you have Krishna, you are free from all vice, you are experiencing reality, you are truly happy and you want to help others come to enjoy, by being with you and Krishna.
Please allow me on this day to fully recognize my great fortune on having come in contact with you, and to express my gratitude in conveying my limited meager understanding of the merciful rope you have extended to me. Please bless me with the ability to hear and follow your instructions and desires so I can make the best use of the rope of mercy you have thrown me. Although I am haunted by copious amounts of material desires, please do not reject me. Let my struggle to please you be your pleasure, and your merciful glance, be my only solace.
Today I am truly feeling gratitude for all the moments and opportunities I have had and hope to have in the future to serve you. As I change station into the precarious realm of householder life, I pray you will grace me with the great privilege to perform direct preaching service, to be able to reach out to others, dovetailed with the time and ability to hear and chant. Thus I will be tightly gripped to the rope of your mercy, thus you will remain ever close to me. I beg you to bestow upon me this maha-dhana, the greatest wealth and treasure one can obtain.
I finish with this offering by reciting Srila Prabhupada's offering to His spiritual master Feb 25th 1935. I simply aspire to express such perfect emotions to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
SP “ Therefore, let me with all my earnestness pray at the lotus feet of my Divine Master to let me suffer the lot which I am destined to do for all my past misdoings, but let me have the power of recollection that I am nothing but a tiny servant of the Almighty Absolute Godhead, realized through the unflinching mercy of my Divine Master. Let me, therefore, bow down at his lotus feet with all humility at my command.”
Your servant and disciple
Bhadrasena dasa
(September 24th 2009)
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you, my Spiritual Master
As I take a good look at my life before I met you in London, all I can distinguish, through the hazy blur of my jaundice eyes, is an intricate web of events, full of varieties of disturbances, disappointments and circumstances shrouded in anxiety. How amazing it is that I think I have lived such a wonderful and interesting life. This is the benediction of Maya, to instill hope in our hearts that we have been successful in finding happiness in material existence. Still, I often wonder, how it is possible that I am still in one piece from such an ordeal and that I am chanting Hare Krishna.
This miracle is beginning to make sense to me as I remember my first encounters with you. In that disturbed condition, from my sojourn in this life, you came to stay with me at my apartment in London. I had no idea what to do or how to serve such a spiritual teacher. In a panic I rang every devotee I knew, asking what I am supposed to do? I was shocked to find out that so many things needed to be arranged. How was I going to cope? But out of your kindness and mercy you tolerated two ordeals at my home, as I fumbled to make arrangements and comforts for you. This was such a momentous event in my life. After so much intoxication and sinful activities, I had a genuine spiritual master staying in my home.
Since then, material nature has continued her thankless duty of provoking me relentlessly, as I struggle through anartha nirvriti. However, somehow I have instinctively clung to something which, until now has only become slightly visible or tangible to me, that has its origin in those first encounters in London.
As this object, or something, has become partially revealed, simultaneously my vision of reality has altered. Yes, meeting the spiritual master certainly has its profound effect. Things will never be the same again. For example, Srila Prabhupada describes this material world in His English translation of, “ Visame bhavambudau …. A HORRIBLE ocean of miseries.”
As I contemplate, and try to assimilate these descriptions, the more I am seeing that material life is ALL suffering, even the so-called happiness. In fact the happiness is even worse. It’s like a sado-masochist who has learnt to love pain, and even smiles within, while being tortured. Material happiness only gives an illusionary feeling of being temporarily relieved of suffering, and its sly remnants leave behind a deadly feeling of hope that things are actually okay.
How is it that my life has changed since my harsh London days? How is it that I am beginning to glimpse some of the truths of the scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam? How is it that despite allurements and haunting past desires I have not yet been swept away? The answer, again, lies in those first encounters with you. But what is it that is becoming a little visible to me?
It is the rope you have thrown down to me, into the material dark well in which I eagerly jumped. The rope you extended to me when you entered my life all those years ago. What is that rope? It is your transcendental mercy. Why else would you enter the home of someone as fallen and wretched as me?
Despite my tantrums and lack of appreciation for this means to freedom, you have remained with arms extended through all my tribulations. You continue to patiently extend yourself to me and have watched over me, through all my pains and struggles, as I learn how to take advantage of the rope of mercy.
How should I take advantage of the rope? You have taught this point in your classes and this is the real mercy of spiritual master, the explanations and instructions of how to remain gripped firmly to the rope. The acaryas explain that by taking hold of the merciful instructions, our success is guaranteed. By following rigidly your guidelines and instructions, which are in essence the same as the previous acharyas, everything becomes illuminated and we begin to see through the eyes of sastra. We wake up. We see the spiritual world above approaching and the darkness of the material world disappearing. This is the profound impact of the spiritual master in one's life.
Oh, how kind you are to offer me the rope to real happiness.
But do I really appreciate? What does that mean? Does it mean just kind words spoken once a year on days like today? Does it mean sitting still and maintaining bad habits and committing offences? No, you explained that the disciple has to choose to hold onto the rope. How? By following the orders of the spiritual master. Those orders are coming from Lord Caitanya through parampara.
In your last lecture here in Auckland you clearly pointed out that Lord Caitanya's instruction. In order to taste the fruits of love of Godhead, one has to help distribute them. It is an stipulation that all devotees have to somehow preach in whatever way they can. This particular order provoked me. This point made me realize that in order to fully appreciate your mercy, I had to understand the deep purport of this instruction.
I pondered this issue deeply. Why is preaching so important as an order to receive the spiritual master's mercy? Therefore, I returned to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1, where everything is concise and very clear. And yes, in the first texts, particularly Text 6, it clearly explains how one can appreciate and utilize the rope or mercy given by the spiritual master.
How to make our grip strong on the rope as to ensure success?
In Text 6 of the first Canto, in the purport Srila Prabhupada writes,
“ The Acarya or Goswami must be well acquainted with ALL these literatures.”
So does that mean I just read them? Apparently not, Srila Prabhupada continues,
“ To hear and explain them is MORE important than reading them. One can assimilate the knowledge of the revealed scriptures ONLY by HEARING and EXPLAINING them.”
It appears that in order to make progress and actually understand our situation in this world and the next, we HAVE to be explaining or preaching as well as hearing.
Srila Prabhupada continues, “ Hearing is called sravana, and explaining is called kirtana. The two processes of sravana and kirtana are of primary importance to progressive spiritual life.”
This echoes Lord Caitanya’s instructions. This is the best way to hold onto the rope for success, to explain, to preach and thereby assimilate the knowledge. This will protect us and keep us gripped to the rope. To the degree we try to reach out others, to that degree our material problems minimize, and we are sheltered from the onslaught of material nature. Therefore, seen from this angle of vision, this order to preach is actually a magnanimous blessing to relieve us of our petty material anxieties and to taste the nectar and receive the shelter we are so anxiously looking for.
Therefore, in order to actually climb the rope of mercy, our active participation in these two processes are essential. Whatever station we are in, there should be intensive hearing (not just reading) and teaching or explaining. This allows us to then truly appreciate the spiritual master, because then,
“ O Suta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.” SB 1.1.15
What does it mean to come into contact with great sages? You explain that the Vani ( sound through instructions) is actually more important that physical contact. We become closer to the spiritual master and the parampara through hearing and explaining. This is the spiritual context of association and intimacy.
And then we become cleansed. What is the result of this cleansing?
“ Therefore, O sage, please select the essence of all the scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings, that by such INSTRUCTIONS their hearts may be fully satisfied.” SB1.1.11
We find real happiness in the spiritual reality and simultaneously we become disgusted with material life.
Srila Gurudeva, Your mercy is that you have Krishna, you are free from all vice, you are experiencing reality, you are truly happy and you want to help others come to enjoy, by being with you and Krishna.
Please allow me on this day to fully recognize my great fortune on having come in contact with you, and to express my gratitude in conveying my limited meager understanding of the merciful rope you have extended to me. Please bless me with the ability to hear and follow your instructions and desires so I can make the best use of the rope of mercy you have thrown me. Although I am haunted by copious amounts of material desires, please do not reject me. Let my struggle to please you be your pleasure, and your merciful glance, be my only solace.
Today I am truly feeling gratitude for all the moments and opportunities I have had and hope to have in the future to serve you. As I change station into the precarious realm of householder life, I pray you will grace me with the great privilege to perform direct preaching service, to be able to reach out to others, dovetailed with the time and ability to hear and chant. Thus I will be tightly gripped to the rope of your mercy, thus you will remain ever close to me. I beg you to bestow upon me this maha-dhana, the greatest wealth and treasure one can obtain.
I finish with this offering by reciting Srila Prabhupada's offering to His spiritual master Feb 25th 1935. I simply aspire to express such perfect emotions to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
SP “ Therefore, let me with all my earnestness pray at the lotus feet of my Divine Master to let me suffer the lot which I am destined to do for all my past misdoings, but let me have the power of recollection that I am nothing but a tiny servant of the Almighty Absolute Godhead, realized through the unflinching mercy of my Divine Master. Let me, therefore, bow down at his lotus feet with all humility at my command.”
Your servant and disciple
Bhadrasena dasa
(September 24th 2009)
Bhakta Richard Szepvolgyi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories unto the dust of your lotus feet.
nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
I would like to give thanks to you on this auspicious day. Thank you for giving me your elevating association. Thank you for giving me a lot of personal association and service. Thank you for caring for me, for this fallen soul. Thank you for supporting me in every situation. Thank you for taking care of me.
I have no qualification but your mercy to try to serve your and Srila Prabhupada’s desire. Please, give me your mercy for this.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhakta Richárd Szépvölgyi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories unto the dust of your lotus feet.
nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
I would like to give thanks to you on this auspicious day. Thank you for giving me your elevating association. Thank you for giving me a lot of personal association and service. Thank you for caring for me, for this fallen soul. Thank you for supporting me in every situation. Thank you for taking care of me.
I have no qualification but your mercy to try to serve your and Srila Prabhupada’s desire. Please, give me your mercy for this.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhakta Richárd Szépvölgyi
Bhakti Sara Dasa
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your auspicious appearance day.
The living entities are originally Krsna conscious but due to their desire to enjoy separately from Krsna they end up in the material world. Krsna sends His special representatives to correct the contaminated material consciousness of living entities and revive their relationship with Krsna. Such a representative is a real sadhu who behaves with all the conditioned souls for their ultimate relief from material entanglement.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 25, Verse 21, Lord Kapila says:
titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva-dehinam
ajata-satravah santah sadhavah sadhu-bhusnah
“The symptoms of a sädhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
Gurudev, this description completely fits you as you are constantly engaged in preaching activities to make Krsna Consciousness accessible to the people of Kali-yuga. Your compassion is beyond the bound of bodily conception and falls equally on an Indian or a westerner, a male or a female.
People generally become very complacent in their day-to-day life and disregard the urgency of a serious spiritual endeavor. But Gurudev, you are very efficiently using your academic merit and research aptitude to cut through this people’s casual acceptance of material existence. You do this by your thought provoking lectures and showing striking documentaries.
In a recent Farm Retreat, during the question answer session, some guests from the audience were challenging the apparent immoral behavior of Krsna. I saw how you tackled all the arguments one after another. When no one could argue any further, you boldly said – “Are there any more allegations against Krsna?” This showed how you were prepared to defend your stance at any cost. I was really impressed by this incident. Your firm faith in Supremacy of Krsna gives me a great relief that I am trying to serve a competent and perfect spiritual master.
Gurudev, I pray to you that please bless me so that I can improve my relationships with devotees. Bless me so that I can assist the senior devotees in preaching in Universities and other forums.
Aspiring to be your humble servant,
Bhakti Sara Dasa
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your auspicious appearance day.
The living entities are originally Krsna conscious but due to their desire to enjoy separately from Krsna they end up in the material world. Krsna sends His special representatives to correct the contaminated material consciousness of living entities and revive their relationship with Krsna. Such a representative is a real sadhu who behaves with all the conditioned souls for their ultimate relief from material entanglement.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 25, Verse 21, Lord Kapila says:
titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva-dehinam
ajata-satravah santah sadhavah sadhu-bhusnah
“The symptoms of a sädhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”
Gurudev, this description completely fits you as you are constantly engaged in preaching activities to make Krsna Consciousness accessible to the people of Kali-yuga. Your compassion is beyond the bound of bodily conception and falls equally on an Indian or a westerner, a male or a female.
People generally become very complacent in their day-to-day life and disregard the urgency of a serious spiritual endeavor. But Gurudev, you are very efficiently using your academic merit and research aptitude to cut through this people’s casual acceptance of material existence. You do this by your thought provoking lectures and showing striking documentaries.
In a recent Farm Retreat, during the question answer session, some guests from the audience were challenging the apparent immoral behavior of Krsna. I saw how you tackled all the arguments one after another. When no one could argue any further, you boldly said – “Are there any more allegations against Krsna?” This showed how you were prepared to defend your stance at any cost. I was really impressed by this incident. Your firm faith in Supremacy of Krsna gives me a great relief that I am trying to serve a competent and perfect spiritual master.
Gurudev, I pray to you that please bless me so that I can improve my relationships with devotees. Bless me so that I can assist the senior devotees in preaching in Universities and other forums.
Aspiring to be your humble servant,
Bhakti Sara Dasa
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Guru Maharaja,
It is stated in Nectar of Devotion that one should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master. So I would like to attempt to write over-due words of immense appreciation. What actually usually happens is that, you end up glorifying us. Your humility is heart-breaking. In my rebellious hours, you once told me: “I am trying to serve you”. I then realized how while I thought I was serving you, you were actually serving me more, and in some cases I was even disserving you by being absorbed in my own mental dramas.
You dynamically preach Krsna consciousness, following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. After each one of your class, I come out with the first hand experience that you have dissipated some of my numerous misconceptions, challenged the way I see the world, deepen my understanding of my relationship with Krsna and his dear devotees. And then speaking to other devotees they also mention how they were also struck by your class in different manners. So in that way it is like although you were talking to all of us as a group, simultaneously you were addressing everyone individually and personally. How could that be possible for anyone but someone who is truly empowered by Krsna? This is beyond my understanding.
As the years go by, I admire more and more your life-long dedication, surrender and determination to please Srila Prabhupada and Krsna through thick and thin. Following is an extract from Srila Prabhupada’s letter to German disciples (May 6, 1977):
“I know that over the past years you have suffered so many tribulations to push forward Krsna consciousness in Germany. But this has not stopped you from your determination to serve the cause of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. A devotee is pleased when there is difficulty, for in these difficulties he is forced to remember Krsna. We cannot expect that the people of Kali Yuga will welcome our attempt to spread Krsna consciousness. It is just like a lunatic asylum: The patients are running around madly and when the doctor tries to give them treatment, they insist that they are not crazy. Sometimes the patient even strikes the doctor. So our task is like that. We cannot stand to see people suffering due to ignorance. What is that ignorance? They do not know that they are not their body. This Krsna consciousness movement is meant to deliver people to the proper understanding that they are not their body, that they are pure spirit soul. We may or may not be appreciated, that is not our concern. We must execute the order of Sri Caitanya which is:
Yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa
Amara ajna guru haya tara ei desa
'Whomever you meet, instruct them to follow the orders of Sri Krsna as they are given in the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way by My order become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.' ”
You truly demonstrate that you have fully understood the extent of these instructions and taken it to your heart as your life and soul. You therefore constantly travel all over the globe for the last 30 years, tolerating all sorts of situations.
I beg you to help me to align my desire with your desire and make your instructions my life and soul. You have always been there for me like a father, looking after my spiritual life in a very practical way. It is my reciprocation which is lacking. Please therefore dissipate the darkness of ignorance that I am so strongly attached to, so that I can serve you with all my heart in a selfless attitude.
Trying to be your unconditional servant,
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Guru Maharaja,
It is stated in Nectar of Devotion that one should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master. So I would like to attempt to write over-due words of immense appreciation. What actually usually happens is that, you end up glorifying us. Your humility is heart-breaking. In my rebellious hours, you once told me: “I am trying to serve you”. I then realized how while I thought I was serving you, you were actually serving me more, and in some cases I was even disserving you by being absorbed in my own mental dramas.
You dynamically preach Krsna consciousness, following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. After each one of your class, I come out with the first hand experience that you have dissipated some of my numerous misconceptions, challenged the way I see the world, deepen my understanding of my relationship with Krsna and his dear devotees. And then speaking to other devotees they also mention how they were also struck by your class in different manners. So in that way it is like although you were talking to all of us as a group, simultaneously you were addressing everyone individually and personally. How could that be possible for anyone but someone who is truly empowered by Krsna? This is beyond my understanding.
As the years go by, I admire more and more your life-long dedication, surrender and determination to please Srila Prabhupada and Krsna through thick and thin. Following is an extract from Srila Prabhupada’s letter to German disciples (May 6, 1977):
“I know that over the past years you have suffered so many tribulations to push forward Krsna consciousness in Germany. But this has not stopped you from your determination to serve the cause of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. A devotee is pleased when there is difficulty, for in these difficulties he is forced to remember Krsna. We cannot expect that the people of Kali Yuga will welcome our attempt to spread Krsna consciousness. It is just like a lunatic asylum: The patients are running around madly and when the doctor tries to give them treatment, they insist that they are not crazy. Sometimes the patient even strikes the doctor. So our task is like that. We cannot stand to see people suffering due to ignorance. What is that ignorance? They do not know that they are not their body. This Krsna consciousness movement is meant to deliver people to the proper understanding that they are not their body, that they are pure spirit soul. We may or may not be appreciated, that is not our concern. We must execute the order of Sri Caitanya which is:
Yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa
Amara ajna guru haya tara ei desa
'Whomever you meet, instruct them to follow the orders of Sri Krsna as they are given in the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way by My order become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.' ”
You truly demonstrate that you have fully understood the extent of these instructions and taken it to your heart as your life and soul. You therefore constantly travel all over the globe for the last 30 years, tolerating all sorts of situations.
I beg you to help me to align my desire with your desire and make your instructions my life and soul. You have always been there for me like a father, looking after my spiritual life in a very practical way. It is my reciprocation which is lacking. Please therefore dissipate the darkness of ignorance that I am so strongly attached to, so that I can serve you with all my heart in a selfless attitude.
Trying to be your unconditional servant,
Bhakti-lata devi dasi
Bhaktin Barbara Simon from Debrecen, Hungarian
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
My best wishes to you on your annual vyasa puja celebration. I am feeling very fortunate that after our corresponeding I got the honor to see you personaly and speak with you. I can't even put it in word what our meeting meant and it means to me. And how I was feeling at the time and what I'm still feeling now. I feel that finally I have found my place and my goal in life with your help. I am very lucky that I had the chance to hear your seminars on three occasions this year. Because of the geographically distance I'm getting inspiration from your lectures which I really need to carry on the practices of spiritual life.
Please give me your blessings so I could always have the strength to continue.
your aspiring servant
bhaktin Barbara
Debrecen, Hungarian
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
My best wishes to you on your annual vyasa puja celebration. I am feeling very fortunate that after our corresponeding I got the honor to see you personaly and speak with you. I can't even put it in word what our meeting meant and it means to me. And how I was feeling at the time and what I'm still feeling now. I feel that finally I have found my place and my goal in life with your help. I am very lucky that I had the chance to hear your seminars on three occasions this year. Because of the geographically distance I'm getting inspiration from your lectures which I really need to carry on the practices of spiritual life.
Please give me your blessings so I could always have the strength to continue.
your aspiring servant
bhaktin Barbara
Debrecen, Hungarian
Bhava Sandhi dd
Nama om visnu-padaya
Krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate devamrta-swmin
iti namine
Pracare purva daksam ca
Bhakti cara pravinata
Para tatapi karunam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
In the mornings at home whilst singing the Guruv-astaka prayers I reflect on
the qualities of you, my spiritual master...
The spiritual master is receiving the benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing forest fire of material existence.
You tirelessly preach and travel, while selflessly and skilfully distributing Lord Caitanya's mercy in this blazing forest fire in which we are eager to sunbathe. With knowledge and practical wisdom you hold tight to the eternal principles and artfully manage the details which you adapt to preaching for different times, places and circumstances yet never changing the message of the parampara. As Srila Prahupada once said “The bonafide guru is like the postman delivering a message. He doesn’t open up the mail and and write his own opinion.” You faithfully follow in the footsteps of the previous acarayas, gaining strength from and giving credit to the parampara...
Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtan movement of Lord Caitanya. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body and tears flow from his eyes like waves.
You always train us, showing by example how to put the priority of our japa, both in quality and in quantity. You push us forward, beyond our mental and physical barriers in your kirtans, into the spiritual world. Never sentimental, you are steadfast and practical to teach us how to follow the process of sadhana bhakti. You show through your bodily actions your devotion to the Lord, not through drawing attention to any personal transformations of ecstasies, but by your constant engament in devotional service. Tears may be feigned, but your schedule is not, one can not imitate your lifestyle.
The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. He also engages his disciples in such worship.
I have only had the pleasure of watching you engage in offering aratic once to the Lord. Your devotion and depth of purity was intense. You very mercifully encourage us to take shelter of the vast ocean of Krsna Conscious mercy by engaging us in serving the deity on your behalf, keeping Krsna in the centre of our households.
The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat prasada, he is satisfied.
You train us to offer 1st class preparations to the Lord; a valuable weapon in Loft preaching (and the grhasta asram). You have very patiently personally trained me, one time I knew you were leaving on a long journey, so I offered to make you a sandwich, you looked up, semi interested, “What kind of sandwich?“ you asked, I hadn’t actually made a sandwich in about 3 years, always one to remain a fool before you, I said “Jam?“, “Jam?“ you questioned with wide eyes… I rethought as fast as I could, which is not very fast… “Salad?“ I said. “Go and ask Bhumna Krishna how to make Krishna a sandwich” you replied, not having anymore time to waste on this bland English fool. Years later you patiently explained to me that I, coming from England, have been brought up using only a little salt and pepper and that is one of the many reasons why people in the UK are forced to take so much intoxication - to blot out the tasteless food that we eat... Thank you for allowing me to still cook for you even after so many bland meals.
The spiritual master is always eager to hear about the unlimited pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and their unlimited qualities, names and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment.
As you have so faithfully served Srila Prabhupada and his books so intensely by reading, distributing, editing, preaching and engaging so many others in preaching and distributing them, you have a taste for them which I cannot conceive of. You often relay your great satisfaction when you sit down to dive into the depths of the Caitanya Caritamrita, how even though you have read it so many times before, there is newer and newer nectar every time you read. As you tell us, if you serve the books you get a special taste for them. Having served the Caitanya Caritamrita by assisting in its marathon, this is a further reason you relish it so deeply.
The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopies, who at different times make tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsnas conjugal loving affairs in the groves of Vrndavana.
Once a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada if the distribution of his books was, in relation to this verse, assisting the gopies and he replied yes. So this is another way in which you are so very dear… You keep things very simple for us, always stressing the reading and distribution of Srila prabhupadas books. You once said to me in a darsana regarding managing ladies ladies at the Loft “just let the magic of sankirtan do it’s thing!” and it is indeed magical. In a recent marathon in my 1st trimester of pregnancy I had a goal to distribute my box of hard back Gitas, due to intense morning sickness I could only go out very infrequently. On the last day I had 3 left to do, which seemed an impossible task, I needed association on the street, so drove up to Palmerston North to distribute with the travelling sankirtan party and my old friend Madhu Puri. I arrived at 11 am, by which time she had done I think possibly 8 Gitas. About 2 hours later, when we were politely removed from the carpark, I had achieved 1/3 of my goal - one Gita, whereas Madhu Puri was on Gita number 12. We drove further north where, after a few more hours, Krsna gave me the strength to finish my small goal by the end of that day. I went home whereas my sankirtan buddy stayed out and by the end of the day Madhu Puri had distributed 18 hard back Bhagavad Gitas. She remained humble and blissful though. It was a delight to see you transform and empower your disciples to assist you in your service and watch sankirtan do its magic in devotees lives! Thank you for arranging for us to delve into the ocean of book distribution, a taste that is always just a choice away.
The spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the supreme Lord, because he is the confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all the revealed scriptues and followed by all authorities.
Unfortunately due to lack of culture, humility and understanding we so often fall so short of the standard. You tolerate so much, being the representative of the Lord. Whilst it is our duty to serve you to this standard, it is often you serving us, by artfully dealing with us in a way that we avoid offences to your lotus feet. Dealing with envy, misunderstandings, blame and betrayal, I cannot conceive of such a service to Guru and Krsna.
By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember to praise the spiritual master.
Vyasapuja is such a blissful day - purifying and enlivening. We often think of purification as painful, but when we glorify His dear devotee, Krsna is so pleased He gives us such blissfull purification. When we glorify devotees we get a taste for hearing and chanting. When we make offences against devotees, we endanger our spiritual lives. This is how much Krsna loves His devotees. So it is no wonder that by the mercy of the spiritual master we get the benediction of Krsna and without the grace of the spiritual master we cannot make any advancement. Thank you for being so merciful and keeping me under the shelter of your lotus feet. I pray that you will always engage me in devotional service.
Your aspiring servant, Bhava Sandhi dd
Krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate devamrta-swmin
iti namine
Pracare purva daksam ca
Bhakti cara pravinata
Para tatapi karunam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
In the mornings at home whilst singing the Guruv-astaka prayers I reflect on
the qualities of you, my spiritual master...
The spiritual master is receiving the benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing forest fire of material existence.
You tirelessly preach and travel, while selflessly and skilfully distributing Lord Caitanya's mercy in this blazing forest fire in which we are eager to sunbathe. With knowledge and practical wisdom you hold tight to the eternal principles and artfully manage the details which you adapt to preaching for different times, places and circumstances yet never changing the message of the parampara. As Srila Prahupada once said “The bonafide guru is like the postman delivering a message. He doesn’t open up the mail and and write his own opinion.” You faithfully follow in the footsteps of the previous acarayas, gaining strength from and giving credit to the parampara...
Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtan movement of Lord Caitanya. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body and tears flow from his eyes like waves.
You always train us, showing by example how to put the priority of our japa, both in quality and in quantity. You push us forward, beyond our mental and physical barriers in your kirtans, into the spiritual world. Never sentimental, you are steadfast and practical to teach us how to follow the process of sadhana bhakti. You show through your bodily actions your devotion to the Lord, not through drawing attention to any personal transformations of ecstasies, but by your constant engament in devotional service. Tears may be feigned, but your schedule is not, one can not imitate your lifestyle.
The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. He also engages his disciples in such worship.
I have only had the pleasure of watching you engage in offering aratic once to the Lord. Your devotion and depth of purity was intense. You very mercifully encourage us to take shelter of the vast ocean of Krsna Conscious mercy by engaging us in serving the deity on your behalf, keeping Krsna in the centre of our households.
The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat prasada, he is satisfied.
You train us to offer 1st class preparations to the Lord; a valuable weapon in Loft preaching (and the grhasta asram). You have very patiently personally trained me, one time I knew you were leaving on a long journey, so I offered to make you a sandwich, you looked up, semi interested, “What kind of sandwich?“ you asked, I hadn’t actually made a sandwich in about 3 years, always one to remain a fool before you, I said “Jam?“, “Jam?“ you questioned with wide eyes… I rethought as fast as I could, which is not very fast… “Salad?“ I said. “Go and ask Bhumna Krishna how to make Krishna a sandwich” you replied, not having anymore time to waste on this bland English fool. Years later you patiently explained to me that I, coming from England, have been brought up using only a little salt and pepper and that is one of the many reasons why people in the UK are forced to take so much intoxication - to blot out the tasteless food that we eat... Thank you for allowing me to still cook for you even after so many bland meals.
The spiritual master is always eager to hear about the unlimited pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and their unlimited qualities, names and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment.
As you have so faithfully served Srila Prabhupada and his books so intensely by reading, distributing, editing, preaching and engaging so many others in preaching and distributing them, you have a taste for them which I cannot conceive of. You often relay your great satisfaction when you sit down to dive into the depths of the Caitanya Caritamrita, how even though you have read it so many times before, there is newer and newer nectar every time you read. As you tell us, if you serve the books you get a special taste for them. Having served the Caitanya Caritamrita by assisting in its marathon, this is a further reason you relish it so deeply.
The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopies, who at different times make tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsnas conjugal loving affairs in the groves of Vrndavana.
Once a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada if the distribution of his books was, in relation to this verse, assisting the gopies and he replied yes. So this is another way in which you are so very dear… You keep things very simple for us, always stressing the reading and distribution of Srila prabhupadas books. You once said to me in a darsana regarding managing ladies ladies at the Loft “just let the magic of sankirtan do it’s thing!” and it is indeed magical. In a recent marathon in my 1st trimester of pregnancy I had a goal to distribute my box of hard back Gitas, due to intense morning sickness I could only go out very infrequently. On the last day I had 3 left to do, which seemed an impossible task, I needed association on the street, so drove up to Palmerston North to distribute with the travelling sankirtan party and my old friend Madhu Puri. I arrived at 11 am, by which time she had done I think possibly 8 Gitas. About 2 hours later, when we were politely removed from the carpark, I had achieved 1/3 of my goal - one Gita, whereas Madhu Puri was on Gita number 12. We drove further north where, after a few more hours, Krsna gave me the strength to finish my small goal by the end of that day. I went home whereas my sankirtan buddy stayed out and by the end of the day Madhu Puri had distributed 18 hard back Bhagavad Gitas. She remained humble and blissful though. It was a delight to see you transform and empower your disciples to assist you in your service and watch sankirtan do its magic in devotees lives! Thank you for arranging for us to delve into the ocean of book distribution, a taste that is always just a choice away.
The spiritual master is to be honoured as much as the supreme Lord, because he is the confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all the revealed scriptues and followed by all authorities.
Unfortunately due to lack of culture, humility and understanding we so often fall so short of the standard. You tolerate so much, being the representative of the Lord. Whilst it is our duty to serve you to this standard, it is often you serving us, by artfully dealing with us in a way that we avoid offences to your lotus feet. Dealing with envy, misunderstandings, blame and betrayal, I cannot conceive of such a service to Guru and Krsna.
By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember to praise the spiritual master.
Vyasapuja is such a blissful day - purifying and enlivening. We often think of purification as painful, but when we glorify His dear devotee, Krsna is so pleased He gives us such blissfull purification. When we glorify devotees we get a taste for hearing and chanting. When we make offences against devotees, we endanger our spiritual lives. This is how much Krsna loves His devotees. So it is no wonder that by the mercy of the spiritual master we get the benediction of Krsna and without the grace of the spiritual master we cannot make any advancement. Thank you for being so merciful and keeping me under the shelter of your lotus feet. I pray that you will always engage me in devotional service.
Your aspiring servant, Bhava Sandhi dd
Bhavisha Patel
nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
pracare ’purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabupada! All Glories to Your Lotus Feet!
I don’t have the words or the intelligence to glorify your qualities and activities so please forgive me for any mistakes in this offering.
My visit to New Zealand at the beginning of the year was an eye opener. I saw a strong family community dedicated to the spreading of Krishna Consciousness with young, enthusiastic devotees well versed in sastra, eager to please and serve you and one another. This is a result of your love for them, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
Gurudeva, you are an expert preacher. Your classes are revolutionary and dynamic, revealing the truths of material life in a humorous way that everyone can relate to, you convince people to develop their spiritual life. I’m sure that many people have taken up the bhakti yoga experiment after having heard your classes. Hearing your classes regularly gives me spiritual strength and determination.
Thank you for your instructions and guidance in my spiritual life without which I would not be able to progress. I feel blessed to be a part of the vaisnava community and hope that I will be able to serve some way in the spreading of this movement.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Bhavisha
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
pracare ’purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabupada! All Glories to Your Lotus Feet!
I don’t have the words or the intelligence to glorify your qualities and activities so please forgive me for any mistakes in this offering.
My visit to New Zealand at the beginning of the year was an eye opener. I saw a strong family community dedicated to the spreading of Krishna Consciousness with young, enthusiastic devotees well versed in sastra, eager to please and serve you and one another. This is a result of your love for them, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
Gurudeva, you are an expert preacher. Your classes are revolutionary and dynamic, revealing the truths of material life in a humorous way that everyone can relate to, you convince people to develop their spiritual life. I’m sure that many people have taken up the bhakti yoga experiment after having heard your classes. Hearing your classes regularly gives me spiritual strength and determination.
Thank you for your instructions and guidance in my spiritual life without which I would not be able to progress. I feel blessed to be a part of the vaisnava community and hope that I will be able to serve some way in the spreading of this movement.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Bhavisha
Brahma Kunda Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you
Gurudeva to see your commitment and selfless attitude in serving and assisting Srila Prabhupada in his mission is a great inspiration for us. In your heart you have always nurtured the desire to please Prabhupada and have fully dedicated your words, mind, body, and intelligence to Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON. Upon learning that it was Prabhupada’s desire to spread Krishna Consciousness in communist countries you boldly and courageously took up the challenge. Preaching in the communist countries was a terrifying task but putting your faith in Krishna and Prabhupada’s instructions you tolerated the upheaval. Risking your life on many occasions you enthusiastically and successfully spread Krishna Consciousness in these countries. Over time your enthusiasm, desire and intensity to spread Krishna Consciousness has increased more and more.
Through your sincere, pure and gallant efforts you have planted the Bhaktilata beej in many conditioned souls like myself. Not only you plant the seed, but with your love, care and continuous support you make the Bhakti plant grow even in infertile grounds.
Once I was talking to someone at the temple and I asked him how he came to Krishna Consciousness, he replied he attended one of your retreats. I asked him what happened in the retreat. He said it was Maharaja’s purity that had a deep effect on him and that his talks were very compelling and persuasive.
Last year i attended HH Radhanath Maharaj’s Vrindavan Yatra with Kripa Sindhu Prabhu. When Kripa Sindhu Prabhu introduced me to some of the devotees there as your disciple I could see how much respect and admiration these devotees have for you. At that point, I also realized how much expectation and responsibility one carries by being your disciple. On my own I have no ability but it is my good fortune to have association of such caring God Brothers and God Sisters who share the same desire as you.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving me shelter under your lotus feet. Just as a kitten feels protected in the cat’s mouth, we feel the same protection under your guidance.
I pray for your mercy that one day I can have some dedication and commitment.
Trying to become a servant
Brahma Kunda Dasa
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you
Gurudeva to see your commitment and selfless attitude in serving and assisting Srila Prabhupada in his mission is a great inspiration for us. In your heart you have always nurtured the desire to please Prabhupada and have fully dedicated your words, mind, body, and intelligence to Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON. Upon learning that it was Prabhupada’s desire to spread Krishna Consciousness in communist countries you boldly and courageously took up the challenge. Preaching in the communist countries was a terrifying task but putting your faith in Krishna and Prabhupada’s instructions you tolerated the upheaval. Risking your life on many occasions you enthusiastically and successfully spread Krishna Consciousness in these countries. Over time your enthusiasm, desire and intensity to spread Krishna Consciousness has increased more and more.
Through your sincere, pure and gallant efforts you have planted the Bhaktilata beej in many conditioned souls like myself. Not only you plant the seed, but with your love, care and continuous support you make the Bhakti plant grow even in infertile grounds.
Once I was talking to someone at the temple and I asked him how he came to Krishna Consciousness, he replied he attended one of your retreats. I asked him what happened in the retreat. He said it was Maharaja’s purity that had a deep effect on him and that his talks were very compelling and persuasive.
Last year i attended HH Radhanath Maharaj’s Vrindavan Yatra with Kripa Sindhu Prabhu. When Kripa Sindhu Prabhu introduced me to some of the devotees there as your disciple I could see how much respect and admiration these devotees have for you. At that point, I also realized how much expectation and responsibility one carries by being your disciple. On my own I have no ability but it is my good fortune to have association of such caring God Brothers and God Sisters who share the same desire as you.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving me shelter under your lotus feet. Just as a kitten feels protected in the cat’s mouth, we feel the same protection under your guidance.
I pray for your mercy that one day I can have some dedication and commitment.
Trying to become a servant
Brahma Kunda Dasa
Buddhimanta Dasa
Krishna presthaia bhutale
Srimate Devamrita
swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca
bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ
yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
“Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.”
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Dev,
Happy Vyasa Puja Day.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Your lotus feet.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja day Mahotsava.
Guru Maharaj, on this very special day I pay at your lotus feet millions of obeisances for kindly accepting me as your disciple. Today I pray at the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimha Dev to kindly always protect you as you take so much of personal trouble to distribute Krishna. May Lord Krishna always bless you with a long and healthy life and let you help many more conditioned souls. You have proven that you are very compassionate especially towards the least intelligent and hopeless cases like me.
Guru Maharaj you have been very kind to me since the day you took me under your divine shelter.
You are always busy in pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya but you find time to listen to the problems this fallen servant brings to you. Guru Maharaj please forgive me for not doing much for your happiness. I have a desire to assist you in your grand preaching mission but somehow I always find myself surrounded by so many of unwanted thoughts. Guru Maharaj please bless me with a pure love for chanting so that I get my heart cleansed in this life time only.
On the most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, I beg at your lotus feet to kindly always keep me under your safe shelter in spite of my many short falls.
Thank you Guru Maharaj,
Your humble servant
Buddhimanta Dasa
Srimate Devamrita
swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca
bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ
yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
“Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.”
Hare Krishna Dear Guru Dev,
Happy Vyasa Puja Day.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Your lotus feet.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja day Mahotsava.
Guru Maharaj, on this very special day I pay at your lotus feet millions of obeisances for kindly accepting me as your disciple. Today I pray at the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimha Dev to kindly always protect you as you take so much of personal trouble to distribute Krishna. May Lord Krishna always bless you with a long and healthy life and let you help many more conditioned souls. You have proven that you are very compassionate especially towards the least intelligent and hopeless cases like me.
Guru Maharaj you have been very kind to me since the day you took me under your divine shelter.
You are always busy in pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya but you find time to listen to the problems this fallen servant brings to you. Guru Maharaj please forgive me for not doing much for your happiness. I have a desire to assist you in your grand preaching mission but somehow I always find myself surrounded by so many of unwanted thoughts. Guru Maharaj please bless me with a pure love for chanting so that I get my heart cleansed in this life time only.
On the most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, I beg at your lotus feet to kindly always keep me under your safe shelter in spite of my many short falls.
Thank you Guru Maharaj,
Your humble servant
Buddhimanta Dasa
Campak Gaur devi dasi
Dearest Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your service.
Please accept my faulty attempt to express your glories and appreciation for you in my life.
Bhagavad-gita 18.57-58
Krsna instructing Arjuna.
In all activities just depend upon Me and work under My protection.
In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.
If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles
of conditioned life by My grace. If however, you do not work in such
consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will
be lost.
In the purport of text 57 Srila Prabhupada say's-
If one acts according to the direction of Krsna in this book, as well as under the guidance of the representative of Krsna, then the result will be the same.
Gurudeva as i was reading this in Bhagavad-gita i thought of my relationship with you.
Recently i have faced a personal challenged to act through false ego and be lost, or become more conscious of you and hear you.
Thank you for your grace Gurudeva and for all your care. Without hearing you i would be lost.
As i painfully try to give up the attachment i have created to my false material self identity, as your disciple i find your guiding hand is there.
You so expertly deal your divine hand in the life of many. It is as you say "Sometimes firm, sometimes soft". Both are your love. Sometimes your are the soft loving father and sometimes the firm Spiritual Master, helping bring your struggling children back in line with the Lord's desire for us.
As your spiritual daughter sometimes i need your firm hand to remind me to find my satisfaction in bhakti. To put my heart into bhakti. What am i saving it for? A husband, children, family?
You don't want one to waste there precise human life, but to finish material life by diving deep into bhakti.
Thank you for teaching us were the real soul satisfaction lay's and for constantly reminding us of the real goal of life. To do this you arrange that all your dependents can have Krsna conscious guidance and care to help devotee's through all phases of life. You teach to make chanting the Holy Name our main occupation and life long career. You also stress that we gain spiritual intelligence by proper hearing and daily reading of Srila Prabhupada's books.
Gurudeva if i work under your protection, being conscious of your instructions, depending on you and your senior disciples one like myself who has low determination in spiritual life will be able to stay life long in bhakti by your expert arrangements.
I still dont know how to fully recognize or accept your care, or how to be a daughter or proper disciple. But thank you Gurudeva for your loving patience and your ability to teach one how to care for themselves in Krsna conciousness, instead of living a life of self abuse.
You often remind me that i am fortunate to have come to bhakti at a young age. Even though i am not very seriouse yet you still try to clean up my kali yuga mess and give me spiritual desires so i may try to surrender to Krsna.
I pray to one day grow up and please you.
All glories to you on your auspicious birth in this world.
Aspiring to be your dutiful servant and daughter,
Campak Gaur devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your service.
Please accept my faulty attempt to express your glories and appreciation for you in my life.
Bhagavad-gita 18.57-58
Krsna instructing Arjuna.
In all activities just depend upon Me and work under My protection.
In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me.
If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles
of conditioned life by My grace. If however, you do not work in such
consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will
be lost.
In the purport of text 57 Srila Prabhupada say's-
If one acts according to the direction of Krsna in this book, as well as under the guidance of the representative of Krsna, then the result will be the same.
Gurudeva as i was reading this in Bhagavad-gita i thought of my relationship with you.
Recently i have faced a personal challenged to act through false ego and be lost, or become more conscious of you and hear you.
Thank you for your grace Gurudeva and for all your care. Without hearing you i would be lost.
As i painfully try to give up the attachment i have created to my false material self identity, as your disciple i find your guiding hand is there.
You so expertly deal your divine hand in the life of many. It is as you say "Sometimes firm, sometimes soft". Both are your love. Sometimes your are the soft loving father and sometimes the firm Spiritual Master, helping bring your struggling children back in line with the Lord's desire for us.
As your spiritual daughter sometimes i need your firm hand to remind me to find my satisfaction in bhakti. To put my heart into bhakti. What am i saving it for? A husband, children, family?
You don't want one to waste there precise human life, but to finish material life by diving deep into bhakti.
Thank you for teaching us were the real soul satisfaction lay's and for constantly reminding us of the real goal of life. To do this you arrange that all your dependents can have Krsna conscious guidance and care to help devotee's through all phases of life. You teach to make chanting the Holy Name our main occupation and life long career. You also stress that we gain spiritual intelligence by proper hearing and daily reading of Srila Prabhupada's books.
Gurudeva if i work under your protection, being conscious of your instructions, depending on you and your senior disciples one like myself who has low determination in spiritual life will be able to stay life long in bhakti by your expert arrangements.
I still dont know how to fully recognize or accept your care, or how to be a daughter or proper disciple. But thank you Gurudeva for your loving patience and your ability to teach one how to care for themselves in Krsna conciousness, instead of living a life of self abuse.
You often remind me that i am fortunate to have come to bhakti at a young age. Even though i am not very seriouse yet you still try to clean up my kali yuga mess and give me spiritual desires so i may try to surrender to Krsna.
I pray to one day grow up and please you.
All glories to you on your auspicious birth in this world.
Aspiring to be your dutiful servant and daughter,
Campak Gaur devi dasi.
Candidasa dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Thank you for always keeping me engaged in Krishna’s service.
This year I would like to appreciate how you so expertly use technology in Krishna’s service. Technology enhances your hearing (both by listening and by reading). You listen to kirtan while exercising and listen to Prabhupada lectures on long intercontinental flights. You gather preaching information using old technology like books, and new technology like the Internet.
Armed with this knowledge you win students and scholars from all around the world over to the cause of Krishna consciousness. It allows you to relate the latest academic research to the ancient knowledge of the Bhagavatam and vice-versa. A single class of yours starts by opening our eyes to the nefarious practices of multinational corporations and ends up enlightening us about gopi-bhava. Such unique skill in preaching keeps your audience in rapt attention while they drink in your every word.
Additionally, you have mastered the use of technology to communicate with devotees all over the world. No matter which far-flung country you may be in, you use text messages, emails, skype and phone calls to lovingly guide your disciples and expertly manage the world of ISKCON.
Just like your own spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, you have an exquisite taste in which technology you utilize. You are not tempted by the seemingly bargain priced tech tool, which would cost you endless hours of frustration trying to figure out, would not do a good job of doing what it was supposed to do, and would end up breaking well before its time. Instead, you expertly research the best quality technology for the job at hand.
You never buy something simply for technology’s sake. It is always acquired purely to improve the endless number of Krishna conscious activities you perform.
By this I’m reminded of the following memory of Srila Prabhupada by Tribhuvanatha prabhu:
“I was in the room with Prabhupada when he was about to shave. He had gotten soaped up, and Nanda Kumar was standing behind him with a towel. Prabhupada was trying to use the razor but was disturbed. He looked at Nanda Kumar, pointed to the razor, because Prabhupada had a razor with an adjustment dial on it, and said, "No dial?" Nanda Kumar said, "No, that is not your regular razor, Prabhupada. It doesn't have a dial." Prabhupada said, "Is it Gillette?" Nanda Kumar said, "No it is not Gillette." In a wonderful, unbelievable way, Prabhupada said, "Simply bogus." He rejected that razor like he'd reject Mayavadi philosophy. The razor sort of floated to the shelf. I was fascinated by the way Prabhupada looked so angelic.”
You share Prabhupada’s expert taste & refinement and exceptional wit & knowledge. Your use of technology is the perfect example of yukta-vairāgya. Thank you very much for showing us how it is done.
Your servant,
Candidasa dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Thank you for always keeping me engaged in Krishna’s service.
This year I would like to appreciate how you so expertly use technology in Krishna’s service. Technology enhances your hearing (both by listening and by reading). You listen to kirtan while exercising and listen to Prabhupada lectures on long intercontinental flights. You gather preaching information using old technology like books, and new technology like the Internet.
Armed with this knowledge you win students and scholars from all around the world over to the cause of Krishna consciousness. It allows you to relate the latest academic research to the ancient knowledge of the Bhagavatam and vice-versa. A single class of yours starts by opening our eyes to the nefarious practices of multinational corporations and ends up enlightening us about gopi-bhava. Such unique skill in preaching keeps your audience in rapt attention while they drink in your every word.
Additionally, you have mastered the use of technology to communicate with devotees all over the world. No matter which far-flung country you may be in, you use text messages, emails, skype and phone calls to lovingly guide your disciples and expertly manage the world of ISKCON.
Just like your own spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, you have an exquisite taste in which technology you utilize. You are not tempted by the seemingly bargain priced tech tool, which would cost you endless hours of frustration trying to figure out, would not do a good job of doing what it was supposed to do, and would end up breaking well before its time. Instead, you expertly research the best quality technology for the job at hand.
You never buy something simply for technology’s sake. It is always acquired purely to improve the endless number of Krishna conscious activities you perform.
By this I’m reminded of the following memory of Srila Prabhupada by Tribhuvanatha prabhu:
“I was in the room with Prabhupada when he was about to shave. He had gotten soaped up, and Nanda Kumar was standing behind him with a towel. Prabhupada was trying to use the razor but was disturbed. He looked at Nanda Kumar, pointed to the razor, because Prabhupada had a razor with an adjustment dial on it, and said, "No dial?" Nanda Kumar said, "No, that is not your regular razor, Prabhupada. It doesn't have a dial." Prabhupada said, "Is it Gillette?" Nanda Kumar said, "No it is not Gillette." In a wonderful, unbelievable way, Prabhupada said, "Simply bogus." He rejected that razor like he'd reject Mayavadi philosophy. The razor sort of floated to the shelf. I was fascinated by the way Prabhupada looked so angelic.”
You share Prabhupada’s expert taste & refinement and exceptional wit & knowledge. Your use of technology is the perfect example of yukta-vairāgya. Thank you very much for showing us how it is done.
Your servant,
Candidasa dasa
Carana Renu dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is now more than 10 years since we met and I have learned many valuable lessons from you. For this I am eternally grateful. These lessons include (1) appreciating Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada’s books, (2) taking my japa seriously, and (3) helping others in Krishna consciousness. I have learned my lessons not only through your words but through your example. You truly practice what you preach.
You have taught me how to experience real pleasure, by serving Krishna, and especially by bringing others to Krishna’s service. I have been particularly inspired by the modern, innovative and highly effective ways you have used to spread Krishna consciousess. You have shown me how to teach Krishna consciousness in the modern world to modern people. My greatest pleasure is thinking about how to continue your mission, and then putting those thoughts into action. How to distribute more books, how to attract more people to Krishna consciousness, how to help others make progress in Krishna consciousness in a natural and healthy way. In order to carry out your mission, which is the very same mission of Srila Prabhupada, I have to be strong in Krishna consciousness, and that means good sadhana and a lot of study.
Thank you for giving me such a full and happy life in Krishna consciousness.
Especially today, on your Vyasa Puja day, I am praying to be able to satisfy you by my service.
Your servant, Carana Renu dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is now more than 10 years since we met and I have learned many valuable lessons from you. For this I am eternally grateful. These lessons include (1) appreciating Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada’s books, (2) taking my japa seriously, and (3) helping others in Krishna consciousness. I have learned my lessons not only through your words but through your example. You truly practice what you preach.
You have taught me how to experience real pleasure, by serving Krishna, and especially by bringing others to Krishna’s service. I have been particularly inspired by the modern, innovative and highly effective ways you have used to spread Krishna consciousess. You have shown me how to teach Krishna consciousness in the modern world to modern people. My greatest pleasure is thinking about how to continue your mission, and then putting those thoughts into action. How to distribute more books, how to attract more people to Krishna consciousness, how to help others make progress in Krishna consciousness in a natural and healthy way. In order to carry out your mission, which is the very same mission of Srila Prabhupada, I have to be strong in Krishna consciousness, and that means good sadhana and a lot of study.
Thank you for giving me such a full and happy life in Krishna consciousness.
Especially today, on your Vyasa Puja day, I am praying to be able to satisfy you by my service.
Your servant, Carana Renu dasi.
Christina Kochkina
Hare Krishna,
My dear Spiritual Father,
Your Divine Grace Gurumaharaj.
On this really special auspicious Day of Your Appearance please first of all let me offer You my most humble obeisances, Gurumaharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
The following below are just my diary thoughts that I have been collecting for 2 years. So please be so merciful and do not judge too strictly Your insignificant servant for text incoherence.
1) I have always been in a certain context: there was a kindergarten, there was school, university… But now it’s time of Lord Caitanya’s movement context. Of the mission! I’ve been dreaming about it for so long and You just understood me and gave me Your father hand. Na paraye ham.
2) I never told You this and won’t dare say it to You out loud, but today is my opportunity: Gurumaharaj, You are like my father for me that I never had, as our relationships were so difficult. There is a number of criteria according to which one understands that this particular person is his/her Spiritual Master. So only when I am sitting in front of You I feel presence of the real Father who sees me through and knows what I feel, what to do with me and even how to talk to me in a perfect way. You can hear my thoughts and, thanks to that, I don’t have to speak out loud of the things I feel embarrassed to tears. So our dialogue is always both outer and inner one; so that only I can understand Your words, commentaries.
3) Gurudev, Your are a perfect Guru and You know all the needs, problems and mood of Your disciple. And I promise I will try to learn to understand Your will and desires. Once You gave a great example on this item: a big cat holds in its teeth a kitten and a small monkey ITSELF embraces a big monkey in order not to fall; I’ll put all my efforts to become such a little monkey, Gurudev. I badly need to grudge Your lotus feet in order to continue to develop in KC and giving it to others. Please forgive me that I am sill a dead burden on Your neck.
4) There are such numb-deaf-blind children in this world. In my spiritual life I am one of them. So if during a lecture I have ever heard something, being in the Holy Dham managed to see something or preaching to somebody touched his/her heart – all this happened only by Your mercy, Gurudev.
My dear Spiritual Father, in conclusion i need to ask You to forgive me my still so materialistic and absolutely not deep expressions of my respect, affection and love to Your Person. And this is the reason why I need Your guidance on this long-devotional-love way so desperately.
By Your causeless mercy I got my first lesson: to love one’s Spiritual Master means a) to listen and FOLLOW His instructions in a way HE wants to; b) to forget such phrases as “now I feel like doing it” or “today I don’t feel like following it…” forever, when it concerns instructions of my dearest Gurumaharaj.
Thank You so much!
Your insignificant servant, bhaktin christina.
P.S.: Please forgive me that I am one of those because of who You have to stay in this miserable material prison.
My dear Spiritual Father,
Your Divine Grace Gurumaharaj.
On this really special auspicious Day of Your Appearance please first of all let me offer You my most humble obeisances, Gurumaharaj. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
The following below are just my diary thoughts that I have been collecting for 2 years. So please be so merciful and do not judge too strictly Your insignificant servant for text incoherence.
1) I have always been in a certain context: there was a kindergarten, there was school, university… But now it’s time of Lord Caitanya’s movement context. Of the mission! I’ve been dreaming about it for so long and You just understood me and gave me Your father hand. Na paraye ham.
2) I never told You this and won’t dare say it to You out loud, but today is my opportunity: Gurumaharaj, You are like my father for me that I never had, as our relationships were so difficult. There is a number of criteria according to which one understands that this particular person is his/her Spiritual Master. So only when I am sitting in front of You I feel presence of the real Father who sees me through and knows what I feel, what to do with me and even how to talk to me in a perfect way. You can hear my thoughts and, thanks to that, I don’t have to speak out loud of the things I feel embarrassed to tears. So our dialogue is always both outer and inner one; so that only I can understand Your words, commentaries.
3) Gurudev, Your are a perfect Guru and You know all the needs, problems and mood of Your disciple. And I promise I will try to learn to understand Your will and desires. Once You gave a great example on this item: a big cat holds in its teeth a kitten and a small monkey ITSELF embraces a big monkey in order not to fall; I’ll put all my efforts to become such a little monkey, Gurudev. I badly need to grudge Your lotus feet in order to continue to develop in KC and giving it to others. Please forgive me that I am sill a dead burden on Your neck.
4) There are such numb-deaf-blind children in this world. In my spiritual life I am one of them. So if during a lecture I have ever heard something, being in the Holy Dham managed to see something or preaching to somebody touched his/her heart – all this happened only by Your mercy, Gurudev.
My dear Spiritual Father, in conclusion i need to ask You to forgive me my still so materialistic and absolutely not deep expressions of my respect, affection and love to Your Person. And this is the reason why I need Your guidance on this long-devotional-love way so desperately.
By Your causeless mercy I got my first lesson: to love one’s Spiritual Master means a) to listen and FOLLOW His instructions in a way HE wants to; b) to forget such phrases as “now I feel like doing it” or “today I don’t feel like following it…” forever, when it concerns instructions of my dearest Gurumaharaj.
Thank You so much!
Your insignificant servant, bhaktin christina.
P.S.: Please forgive me that I am one of those because of who You have to stay in this miserable material prison.
Dandakaranya das
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurumaharaja.
It is always a great opportunity on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja to reflect on the many reasons to be thankful for your Krsna conscious association during the various transitions of life.
Thankyou for your guidance and support during my early formative years in practicing Krsna consciousness, from the transition of a spiritually ignorant seeker into a somewhat less ignorant spiritual practitioner. Thankyou for giving me all the opportunities that I had to offer you personal service during this period so that I could get to know you, even though I was unqualified to do so.
Thankyou for your ongoing guidance and support during the transition phase from the single brahmacari lifestyle into the grhasta ashram with all the challenges it brings.
Thankyou for your ongoing support and guidance from the grhasta ashram into an expanding family dynamic and all the changes that this will bring.
Thankyou for your enthusiastic, ecstatic kirtans.
Thankyou for your engaging Srimad Bhagavatam discourses.
Thankyou for writing informative Krsna conscious literature.
Thankyou for your jolly demeanor.
Thankyou for your compassionate selfless giving nature.
Thankyou for your determination to spread Krsna consciousness.
Thankyou for your dedication to Srila Prabhupada.
Thankyou for caring.
May Lord Caitanya bestow his unlimited blessings upon you on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Aspiring to be a worthy servant.
Dandakaranya das
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurumaharaja.
It is always a great opportunity on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja to reflect on the many reasons to be thankful for your Krsna conscious association during the various transitions of life.
Thankyou for your guidance and support during my early formative years in practicing Krsna consciousness, from the transition of a spiritually ignorant seeker into a somewhat less ignorant spiritual practitioner. Thankyou for giving me all the opportunities that I had to offer you personal service during this period so that I could get to know you, even though I was unqualified to do so.
Thankyou for your ongoing guidance and support during the transition phase from the single brahmacari lifestyle into the grhasta ashram with all the challenges it brings.
Thankyou for your ongoing support and guidance from the grhasta ashram into an expanding family dynamic and all the changes that this will bring.
Thankyou for your enthusiastic, ecstatic kirtans.
Thankyou for your engaging Srimad Bhagavatam discourses.
Thankyou for writing informative Krsna conscious literature.
Thankyou for your jolly demeanor.
Thankyou for your compassionate selfless giving nature.
Thankyou for your determination to spread Krsna consciousness.
Thankyou for your dedication to Srila Prabhupada.
Thankyou for caring.
May Lord Caitanya bestow his unlimited blessings upon you on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Aspiring to be a worthy servant.
Dandakaranya das
David Haslam
To my own sweet Guru Maharaja:
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabupada
Hare Krishna
As I was reading a letter from Srila Prabhupada dated June 1970 my thoughts turned to you as the words emanated and reminded me so much of your qualities it said simply:
A spiritual master is always liberated. In any condition of His life He should not be is taken as ordinary human being. This position of a Spiritual Master is achieved by three processes: Sadhana siddha-one who is liberated by executing the regulative principle of devotional service; Krpa siddha-one who is liberated by the mercy of Krishna or His devotee; Nitya siddha-one who is never forgetful of Krsna throughout his whole life. These are the three features of the perfection of life.
It is clear for all to see that all these three features are present in you my Guru Maharaja; you exude the perfection of executing the regulative principles whilst encouraging each all you meet to undertake and follow, not only by words but by the example you give for me to follow; By the mercy of your own Guru Maharaja who's words you absorbed realizing there importance to the soul and by fully surrendering and taking shelter became the humble servant of the servant again setting the example for each one of us to follow; Who even when ill remembered and read about Krishna, when the service he was given appeared difficult remained transfixed and focused, who at every opportunity chants the holy names, who follows throughout each step of his life even though offered material wealth, family comforts remains focused always on how best to serve Krsna and the words of his spiritual master, what better spiritual master can one ask for who by example gives us a perfection of life to follow.
But who also shows immense kindness, even if it's harsh words or actions that at the time are little appreciated or understood, the words of encouragement, the reminder of the importance of the holy names, and rather than being interested in being praised and looking for elevation amongst men reminds us of the need to serve, to read, to chant.
I see the qualities that Srila Prahupada mentions in each breath you take, each word you speak, each action you take and feel humbled that you have taken the time to give me the shelter of your lotus feet; that you by example have given me the guidance and inspiration to follow.
Even though I do not get to see you as often as my heart desires, even though at times you appear to treat me harshly I see that in it your one and only desire is to take me home, to open my mind to it's true eternal position, to show me more care than any material person can give to show me how by Krishna's mercy through the shelter given by you my spiritual master I can find true liberated for my soul.
Your humble servant,
David
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabupada
Hare Krishna
As I was reading a letter from Srila Prabhupada dated June 1970 my thoughts turned to you as the words emanated and reminded me so much of your qualities it said simply:
A spiritual master is always liberated. In any condition of His life He should not be is taken as ordinary human being. This position of a Spiritual Master is achieved by three processes: Sadhana siddha-one who is liberated by executing the regulative principle of devotional service; Krpa siddha-one who is liberated by the mercy of Krishna or His devotee; Nitya siddha-one who is never forgetful of Krsna throughout his whole life. These are the three features of the perfection of life.
It is clear for all to see that all these three features are present in you my Guru Maharaja; you exude the perfection of executing the regulative principles whilst encouraging each all you meet to undertake and follow, not only by words but by the example you give for me to follow; By the mercy of your own Guru Maharaja who's words you absorbed realizing there importance to the soul and by fully surrendering and taking shelter became the humble servant of the servant again setting the example for each one of us to follow; Who even when ill remembered and read about Krishna, when the service he was given appeared difficult remained transfixed and focused, who at every opportunity chants the holy names, who follows throughout each step of his life even though offered material wealth, family comforts remains focused always on how best to serve Krsna and the words of his spiritual master, what better spiritual master can one ask for who by example gives us a perfection of life to follow.
But who also shows immense kindness, even if it's harsh words or actions that at the time are little appreciated or understood, the words of encouragement, the reminder of the importance of the holy names, and rather than being interested in being praised and looking for elevation amongst men reminds us of the need to serve, to read, to chant.
I see the qualities that Srila Prahupada mentions in each breath you take, each word you speak, each action you take and feel humbled that you have taken the time to give me the shelter of your lotus feet; that you by example have given me the guidance and inspiration to follow.
Even though I do not get to see you as often as my heart desires, even though at times you appear to treat me harshly I see that in it your one and only desire is to take me home, to open my mind to it's true eternal position, to show me more care than any material person can give to show me how by Krishna's mercy through the shelter given by you my spiritual master I can find true liberated for my soul.
Your humble servant,
David
David Nola
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Gurudeva
First I must apologize for my lack of mature realization about what it is you have actually done for me.
Taking to Krsna consciousness I have had to leave behind cartoons, video games, ganja, skateboarding and the association of young girls and take what you have given me, the chanting of Hare Krsna and the reading and distribution of Prabhupada’s books, which has such amazing potency that I am loosing any desires and taste for these mundane engagements.
In our first meeting (27/07/07) I was completely ignorant of your glorious self and how fortunate such an opportunity is to meet a genuinely saintly person. I asked you, “How does one give up old desires?” I was thinking that if you knew how to do this then these Hare Krsnas have credibility. You gave such great instructions and insight into the situation but at that time I could no understand this and appreciate what you had said. Listening to that lecture now I can understand a bit more how fortunate I was to have asked you that question for you know perfectly well how to manage one’s desires.
The great wealth of reading Prabhupada’s books has changed my vision of reality and made my life so much deeper and relishable. I have been given the opportunity by you to experience reality on a whole new level which continues to deepen.
In our first meeting you encouraged me to read the Bhagavad Gita and shortly after Muni and Sruti Cari gave me a Bhagavad Gita to start reading. By reading these books I can appreciate you Gurudeva because they explain that one is lots in the matrix of the external energy without the mercy of a pure devotee.
I am just like Neo from the Matrix, who would have never guessed that he was in the matrix, illusioned about reality, without his guru Morpheus.
Cc.Madhya.22.51 “Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of Krsna-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence.” p.128
In the purport Prabhupada says “Foolish people consider Krsna a human being, and they consider Lord Krsna’s pure devotee an ordinary human being also…” Just like a foolish person I was considering you an ordinary human being and failed to appreciate my wondrous fortune. In the very same purport Prabhupada says that “A mahatma is rare…” Something rare is a very precious and valuable thing, a great fortune.
Toward the end of the purport Prabhupada writes “We should take shelter of such a mahatma and ask for his causeless mercy. Only by his benediction can one be relieved from attachment to the materialistic way of life…” Gurudeva, you have given me engagement under your guidance and I thank you because this is your benediction. I ask you for more causeless mercy so that I can become free from attachment to the materialistic way of life.
In our first meeting you mentioned that your travels around the world are “…a labor of love, looking for persons like you who want to go deeper.” My life was so boring, I wanted adventure, a purpose, a mission, absorption in something deep and you are so benevolent that you travel looking to give such boons to others even though, as you mentioned, such persons are rare. “Persons who want to go deeper are rare. But we find them; just one can change the whole world…” You are searching all the nooks and crannies to find these people who will take the gifts coming through you from the parampara. I can understand now that your vision of reality is beyond my understanding and as such I believe that your vision for my life and others is also like that. You want more for me than I do and that is so amazing and loving that I think that such a soul is very rare.
Recently I realized that ever since I have started to practice Krsna consciousness I have not been bored once. This strikes me as amazing for boredom plagues the world causing people to take to intoxication to forget how boring Kali-yuga is. I have not had the chance to be bored because there is always something to do in Krsna’s service. You said to me that first meeting “Real exhilaration is to be so over whelmed with the research work into Krsna consciousness. You have no time for inferior pursuits.”
I appreciate you Gurudeva because you are taking a looser like me, who would have otherwise wasted my life playing video games, watching cartoons and smoking ganja, and giving me the facilities to transform myself into a saintly person engaged in the service of Krsna’s servants. I don’t know anyone besides the servants of Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON, who is doing this miraculous service to the world.
“Yeah, you have go a lot waiting for you.” You said to me and I am sure that I am yet to experience all that you were referring to. “Hopefully one day you will look back on these humble beginnings, this historic moment, when Dave decided I can get it together.” Looking back now I can understand that I only got it together enough to make it this fare by the association of your disciples and the process of Krsna consciousness, you being the cause of both of these wonderful occurrences in my life. Nothing else could have the strength to change me into a potential saintly person free from Kali-yuga’s vices.
Thank you
Your servant
David Nola
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Gurudeva
First I must apologize for my lack of mature realization about what it is you have actually done for me.
Taking to Krsna consciousness I have had to leave behind cartoons, video games, ganja, skateboarding and the association of young girls and take what you have given me, the chanting of Hare Krsna and the reading and distribution of Prabhupada’s books, which has such amazing potency that I am loosing any desires and taste for these mundane engagements.
In our first meeting (27/07/07) I was completely ignorant of your glorious self and how fortunate such an opportunity is to meet a genuinely saintly person. I asked you, “How does one give up old desires?” I was thinking that if you knew how to do this then these Hare Krsnas have credibility. You gave such great instructions and insight into the situation but at that time I could no understand this and appreciate what you had said. Listening to that lecture now I can understand a bit more how fortunate I was to have asked you that question for you know perfectly well how to manage one’s desires.
The great wealth of reading Prabhupada’s books has changed my vision of reality and made my life so much deeper and relishable. I have been given the opportunity by you to experience reality on a whole new level which continues to deepen.
In our first meeting you encouraged me to read the Bhagavad Gita and shortly after Muni and Sruti Cari gave me a Bhagavad Gita to start reading. By reading these books I can appreciate you Gurudeva because they explain that one is lots in the matrix of the external energy without the mercy of a pure devotee.
I am just like Neo from the Matrix, who would have never guessed that he was in the matrix, illusioned about reality, without his guru Morpheus.
Cc.Madhya.22.51 “Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of Krsna-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence.” p.128
In the purport Prabhupada says “Foolish people consider Krsna a human being, and they consider Lord Krsna’s pure devotee an ordinary human being also…” Just like a foolish person I was considering you an ordinary human being and failed to appreciate my wondrous fortune. In the very same purport Prabhupada says that “A mahatma is rare…” Something rare is a very precious and valuable thing, a great fortune.
Toward the end of the purport Prabhupada writes “We should take shelter of such a mahatma and ask for his causeless mercy. Only by his benediction can one be relieved from attachment to the materialistic way of life…” Gurudeva, you have given me engagement under your guidance and I thank you because this is your benediction. I ask you for more causeless mercy so that I can become free from attachment to the materialistic way of life.
In our first meeting you mentioned that your travels around the world are “…a labor of love, looking for persons like you who want to go deeper.” My life was so boring, I wanted adventure, a purpose, a mission, absorption in something deep and you are so benevolent that you travel looking to give such boons to others even though, as you mentioned, such persons are rare. “Persons who want to go deeper are rare. But we find them; just one can change the whole world…” You are searching all the nooks and crannies to find these people who will take the gifts coming through you from the parampara. I can understand now that your vision of reality is beyond my understanding and as such I believe that your vision for my life and others is also like that. You want more for me than I do and that is so amazing and loving that I think that such a soul is very rare.
Recently I realized that ever since I have started to practice Krsna consciousness I have not been bored once. This strikes me as amazing for boredom plagues the world causing people to take to intoxication to forget how boring Kali-yuga is. I have not had the chance to be bored because there is always something to do in Krsna’s service. You said to me that first meeting “Real exhilaration is to be so over whelmed with the research work into Krsna consciousness. You have no time for inferior pursuits.”
I appreciate you Gurudeva because you are taking a looser like me, who would have otherwise wasted my life playing video games, watching cartoons and smoking ganja, and giving me the facilities to transform myself into a saintly person engaged in the service of Krsna’s servants. I don’t know anyone besides the servants of Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON, who is doing this miraculous service to the world.
“Yeah, you have go a lot waiting for you.” You said to me and I am sure that I am yet to experience all that you were referring to. “Hopefully one day you will look back on these humble beginnings, this historic moment, when Dave decided I can get it together.” Looking back now I can understand that I only got it together enough to make it this fare by the association of your disciples and the process of Krsna consciousness, you being the cause of both of these wonderful occurrences in my life. Nothing else could have the strength to change me into a potential saintly person free from Kali-yuga’s vices.
Thank you
Your servant
David Nola
Dayamaya devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja ,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to you on your Vyasapuja.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
brahm???a bhramite kona bh?gyav?n j?va
guru-k???a-pras?de p?ya bhakti-lat?-b?ja (CC 19.151)
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of K???a. By the mercy of both K???a and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.”
Guru Maharaja, after much wandering, have I come under the shade of your lotus feet by your causeless mercy. I humbly beg to remain in your service eternally."
Trying to be your servant,
Dayamaya devi dasi.
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to you on your Vyasapuja.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
brahm???a bhramite kona bh?gyav?n j?va
guru-k???a-pras?de p?ya bhakti-lat?-b?ja (CC 19.151)
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of K???a. By the mercy of both K???a and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.”
Guru Maharaja, after much wandering, have I come under the shade of your lotus feet by your causeless mercy. I humbly beg to remain in your service eternally."
Trying to be your servant,
Dayamaya devi dasi.
Dayavira das
Nama om visnu-padaya
Krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate devamrta-swmin
Iti namine
Pracare purva daksam ca
Bhakti cara pravinata
Para tatapi karunam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Divine Gardener
Venturing forth many years ago,
you touched down at the Pacific’s back door.
With a vision for holy propagation in mind,
a prophecy to fulfil for sure.
Ground breaking work was performed,
and nectar prasad prepared for feed.
Many towns and villages were planted up,
with potent bhakti seed.
Lots of nourishment you made,
all fortified with the holy name.
Bhaktas sprouted forth, triumphant!!
in spite of past lives of abuse and shame.
Always conscious of the need
for irrigating at the root,
Rejecting all disruptive pests,
with one swift kick, from your gumboot.
Leaving no stone unturned,
making sure there’s no place for weeds to hide.
Producing fertile hearts,
a fit place for Lord Krishna to reside.
Hot house Lofts were formed,
for the art of speedy cultivation.
Transplanting many a lost soul,
away from mayas contamination.
Your hard work of selfless service,
has produced many fruits so sweet to eat.
What a tasty harvest,
to offer to Srila Prabhupadas lotus feet.
Thanks for watering our devotional creepers,
on the brink of complete disaster
All glories to you,
our environmentally friendly spiritual master.
Your aspiring servant Dayavira das
Krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate devamrta-swmin
Iti namine
Pracare purva daksam ca
Bhakti cara pravinata
Para tatapi karunam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Divine Gardener
Venturing forth many years ago,
you touched down at the Pacific’s back door.
With a vision for holy propagation in mind,
a prophecy to fulfil for sure.
Ground breaking work was performed,
and nectar prasad prepared for feed.
Many towns and villages were planted up,
with potent bhakti seed.
Lots of nourishment you made,
all fortified with the holy name.
Bhaktas sprouted forth, triumphant!!
in spite of past lives of abuse and shame.
Always conscious of the need
for irrigating at the root,
Rejecting all disruptive pests,
with one swift kick, from your gumboot.
Leaving no stone unturned,
making sure there’s no place for weeds to hide.
Producing fertile hearts,
a fit place for Lord Krishna to reside.
Hot house Lofts were formed,
for the art of speedy cultivation.
Transplanting many a lost soul,
away from mayas contamination.
Your hard work of selfless service,
has produced many fruits so sweet to eat.
What a tasty harvest,
to offer to Srila Prabhupadas lotus feet.
Thanks for watering our devotional creepers,
on the brink of complete disaster
All glories to you,
our environmentally friendly spiritual master.
Your aspiring servant Dayavira das
Dharmaraj das
Nama om Visnu padaya krisna presthaya bhu-tale
Srimate Devamrita swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
I offer my humble obeisances to my Gurudeva his holiness Devamrita Swami
Beloved and benevolent Gurudeva more that an homage this day I want to offer humbly my appreciation on your unlimited wonderful qualities, specially and how do you deal with the devotes , and how do you guide our spiritual lives.
The last opportunity that I have to be and your holy presence you advice to us that we should bring our chanting of the Maha Mantra to a higher level, chanting with more quality and that we should be attentively to see when we are chanting better to keep that quality
And is so wonderful and how you appreciate any little effort that I do for try to serve you . Always Your Grace are in disposition in give your holy association even in difficult moments.
And also your meditation on the mission of Srlira Prabhupada that brought you in places where your life was in danger but due to your purity, sincerity and elevation that you was succes in expanding the mission of your beloved Guru
This qualities are always in the pure devotes of the Lord, and the pure devote is always protected by the lord
mahatmas tu mam partha
daivim prkriti asritah
bhajanty ananya manaso
jnatva bhutadim avyayam
Oh son of Prtha! Those who are not deluded, the great souls are under the protection of My divine nature. The are fully engage in my devotional service because they know Me as the supreme Personality Of Godhead origin and inexhaustible (B.G. 9.13)
Really the debt of the disciple to the Spiritual Master never can be pay. I just want to act in the way to please you and be your aspirant servant
You told you in the last visit to Mexico that if your heard that your disciples are always serving with disposition and correctively the mission of Srila Prabhupada you will be always happy and it will be like a father felling proud to heard the good notes of his sons in the school
Is only for your kindness another of your qualities that you can transfer in me the faith necessary and the enthusiastic to keep the desire of follow your instructions and to please you
tiksavah karunmikah
suhirdah dehinam
Ajata satravah santah
sadhavah sadhju bhusanam
The qualities of the sadhu are to be tolerate, merciful, friendly with all the living entities. He dos not have enemies, he is peaceful, always follow the scriptures and all his attributes are sublime (S.B.3.25.21)
Endless thanks for all the time I've count on your support, for giving yourself to Krishna and Srila Prabhuapada's mission, as well as developing a desire of having the devoted association in my hands and singing The Holly Name.
I truly hope by your mercy, this wish will become an attachment.
Your aspirant to servant
Dharmaraj das
Srimate Devamrita swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
I offer my humble obeisances to my Gurudeva his holiness Devamrita Swami
Beloved and benevolent Gurudeva more that an homage this day I want to offer humbly my appreciation on your unlimited wonderful qualities, specially and how do you deal with the devotes , and how do you guide our spiritual lives.
The last opportunity that I have to be and your holy presence you advice to us that we should bring our chanting of the Maha Mantra to a higher level, chanting with more quality and that we should be attentively to see when we are chanting better to keep that quality
And is so wonderful and how you appreciate any little effort that I do for try to serve you . Always Your Grace are in disposition in give your holy association even in difficult moments.
And also your meditation on the mission of Srlira Prabhupada that brought you in places where your life was in danger but due to your purity, sincerity and elevation that you was succes in expanding the mission of your beloved Guru
This qualities are always in the pure devotes of the Lord, and the pure devote is always protected by the lord
mahatmas tu mam partha
daivim prkriti asritah
bhajanty ananya manaso
jnatva bhutadim avyayam
Oh son of Prtha! Those who are not deluded, the great souls are under the protection of My divine nature. The are fully engage in my devotional service because they know Me as the supreme Personality Of Godhead origin and inexhaustible (B.G. 9.13)
Really the debt of the disciple to the Spiritual Master never can be pay. I just want to act in the way to please you and be your aspirant servant
You told you in the last visit to Mexico that if your heard that your disciples are always serving with disposition and correctively the mission of Srila Prabhupada you will be always happy and it will be like a father felling proud to heard the good notes of his sons in the school
Is only for your kindness another of your qualities that you can transfer in me the faith necessary and the enthusiastic to keep the desire of follow your instructions and to please you
tiksavah karunmikah
suhirdah dehinam
Ajata satravah santah
sadhavah sadhju bhusanam
The qualities of the sadhu are to be tolerate, merciful, friendly with all the living entities. He dos not have enemies, he is peaceful, always follow the scriptures and all his attributes are sublime (S.B.3.25.21)
Endless thanks for all the time I've count on your support, for giving yourself to Krishna and Srila Prabhuapada's mission, as well as developing a desire of having the devoted association in my hands and singing The Holly Name.
I truly hope by your mercy, this wish will become an attachment.
Your aspirant to servant
Dharmaraj das
Dhruva maharaj das and Parijata devi dasi
Dearest Maharaja
Please accept our most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All Glories to ISKCON Founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you Maharaja on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Your service to Srila Prabhupada is most pure and it is overflowing with love and faith. We understand that you relentlessly travel, preach, guide and serve his mission knowing with full conviction that this is how we access the love of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When we associate with you, this spiritual love is so infectious that even steel hearted devotees like us are impacted and catalyzed into increasing the quantity and quality of service to the devotees, Srila Gurudev and Sri Sri Radha Damodara. You offer yourself selflessly by tolerating our shortcomings, encouraging us in challenging times, chastising us with love, and understanding our propensities and engaging us accordingly.
For all this and so much more that you offer to us, the rest of the current devotee communities, and all devotees yet to come due to your purity, we will remain grateful and indebted.
We pray to always remain surrendered and dedicated in our service to you Maharaja. We further pray to make worthwhile the countless sacrifices you make for us. Thank you for your love, mercy and kindness.
Please forgive us for our offenses and for the times we disappoint you. We will endeavor to reduce that. Please continue to give us shelter at your divine lotus feet.
With much gratitude and appreciation
Your servants Dhruva maharaj das and Parijata devi dasi
Please accept our most humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All Glories to ISKCON Founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to you Maharaja on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
Your service to Srila Prabhupada is most pure and it is overflowing with love and faith. We understand that you relentlessly travel, preach, guide and serve his mission knowing with full conviction that this is how we access the love of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When we associate with you, this spiritual love is so infectious that even steel hearted devotees like us are impacted and catalyzed into increasing the quantity and quality of service to the devotees, Srila Gurudev and Sri Sri Radha Damodara. You offer yourself selflessly by tolerating our shortcomings, encouraging us in challenging times, chastising us with love, and understanding our propensities and engaging us accordingly.
For all this and so much more that you offer to us, the rest of the current devotee communities, and all devotees yet to come due to your purity, we will remain grateful and indebted.
We pray to always remain surrendered and dedicated in our service to you Maharaja. We further pray to make worthwhile the countless sacrifices you make for us. Thank you for your love, mercy and kindness.
Please forgive us for our offenses and for the times we disappoint you. We will endeavor to reduce that. Please continue to give us shelter at your divine lotus feet.
With much gratitude and appreciation
Your servants Dhruva maharaj das and Parijata devi dasi
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the divine occasion of your vyasa-puja.
“O all merciful spiritual master, representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, when my mind will be completely surrendered unto your lotus feet, at that time, only by your mercy, I shall be able to get relief from all obstacles to spiritual life, and I shall be situated in blissful life.” (Sripada Sridhara Swami)
Thank you so much for your commitment to trying to deliver this unworthy soul.
One day, soon after first meeting you, you came to my dilapidated old flat in Auckland. We had practically no furniture except two armchairs that were abandoned by the previous tenants. Before you arrived, I put the one with the most stuffing in it by the window for you to sit in, but you chose to sit in the one covered by a sarong (scarf). That chair, which had lost most of its innards, was as uncomfortable as a bed of nails, yet you did not flinch; instead, you smiled, asked us how our chanting was going and then read us Krishna Book.
Guru Maharaja, you never flinch; you simply remain tolerant and forgiving despite all my shortcomings. Thank you for the opportunity to be always engaged in your service. My prayer today is simple: let me taste the simple joy of being a servant of the servant—approaching people with all humility, to beg a moment of their time, for you. Your mission is to bring Krishna into people’s lives, so please let me develop a genuinely humble heart that can assist you.
Your aspiring humble servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the divine occasion of your vyasa-puja.
“O all merciful spiritual master, representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, when my mind will be completely surrendered unto your lotus feet, at that time, only by your mercy, I shall be able to get relief from all obstacles to spiritual life, and I shall be situated in blissful life.” (Sripada Sridhara Swami)
Thank you so much for your commitment to trying to deliver this unworthy soul.
One day, soon after first meeting you, you came to my dilapidated old flat in Auckland. We had practically no furniture except two armchairs that were abandoned by the previous tenants. Before you arrived, I put the one with the most stuffing in it by the window for you to sit in, but you chose to sit in the one covered by a sarong (scarf). That chair, which had lost most of its innards, was as uncomfortable as a bed of nails, yet you did not flinch; instead, you smiled, asked us how our chanting was going and then read us Krishna Book.
Guru Maharaja, you never flinch; you simply remain tolerant and forgiving despite all my shortcomings. Thank you for the opportunity to be always engaged in your service. My prayer today is simple: let me taste the simple joy of being a servant of the servant—approaching people with all humility, to beg a moment of their time, for you. Your mission is to bring Krishna into people’s lives, so please let me develop a genuinely humble heart that can assist you.
Your aspiring humble servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Divya Jnana dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My recent visit to India was simultaneously joyful and painful. Joyful as I got to spend some time in Vrindavana soaking up the transcendental atmosphere, but painful as I see India becoming so much more westernised. I lamented for how one can no longer walk around Vrindavan in the soft dust, barefoot, peacefully chanting Hare Krishna . The dust tracks replaced with tar, now we see so much development, plastic, and so many noisy vehicles.
A devotee can always appreciate Vrindavan, no matter what state it is in. Still I feel pained to see how modern civilization is destroying the finer sentiments of human existence, how such gross attachments are destroying the world.
I reflect on my own heart and how it is still full of so many material desires and remind myself that these material desires are what got me entangled here in the first place, and that these attachments are simply impediments on the path of Bhakti. Therefore, I have no one to turn to but you. The most important thing I have in my life is you. To follow your instructions, to hear your classes and to always increase my enthusiasm and appreciation to serve.
In one of Prabhupada’s purports of Canto 3, Srimad Bhagavatam he says:
“The service attitude of the devotee gradually increases and never becomes slackened. Generally, in old age a person is allowed retirement from mundane service. But in the transcendental service of the Lord there is no retirement at all; on the contrary, the service attitude increases more and more with the progress of age. In the transcendental service there is no satiation, and therefore there is no retirement...Service on the bodily plane dwindles as the body grows older, but the spirit is never old, and therefore on the spiritual plane the service is never tiresome.” SB 3.2.3
You are the personification of this verse. Year after year you have faithfully served Srila Prabhupada, with ever increasing enthusiasm. Your kirtans are always so exciting and your classes are so dynamic. Your service to Srila Prabhupada is fresh, and filled with bhakti. Your selfless sacrifice year after year shows an exemplary ideal that we can aspire to follow. You guide us towards Krsna, appealing to our youthful energies to engage everything we have in Krsna’s service.
On this most wonderful day I pray for your mercy so that I too can gain that most valuable selfless spirit, to continue in my service, to increase my service, and follow in your footsteps. I have nothing to offer to you but my self. Please let me always remain as a particle of dust at your lotus feet.
your servant
Divya Jnana dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
My recent visit to India was simultaneously joyful and painful. Joyful as I got to spend some time in Vrindavana soaking up the transcendental atmosphere, but painful as I see India becoming so much more westernised. I lamented for how one can no longer walk around Vrindavan in the soft dust, barefoot, peacefully chanting Hare Krishna . The dust tracks replaced with tar, now we see so much development, plastic, and so many noisy vehicles.
A devotee can always appreciate Vrindavan, no matter what state it is in. Still I feel pained to see how modern civilization is destroying the finer sentiments of human existence, how such gross attachments are destroying the world.
I reflect on my own heart and how it is still full of so many material desires and remind myself that these material desires are what got me entangled here in the first place, and that these attachments are simply impediments on the path of Bhakti. Therefore, I have no one to turn to but you. The most important thing I have in my life is you. To follow your instructions, to hear your classes and to always increase my enthusiasm and appreciation to serve.
In one of Prabhupada’s purports of Canto 3, Srimad Bhagavatam he says:
“The service attitude of the devotee gradually increases and never becomes slackened. Generally, in old age a person is allowed retirement from mundane service. But in the transcendental service of the Lord there is no retirement at all; on the contrary, the service attitude increases more and more with the progress of age. In the transcendental service there is no satiation, and therefore there is no retirement...Service on the bodily plane dwindles as the body grows older, but the spirit is never old, and therefore on the spiritual plane the service is never tiresome.” SB 3.2.3
You are the personification of this verse. Year after year you have faithfully served Srila Prabhupada, with ever increasing enthusiasm. Your kirtans are always so exciting and your classes are so dynamic. Your service to Srila Prabhupada is fresh, and filled with bhakti. Your selfless sacrifice year after year shows an exemplary ideal that we can aspire to follow. You guide us towards Krsna, appealing to our youthful energies to engage everything we have in Krsna’s service.
On this most wonderful day I pray for your mercy so that I too can gain that most valuable selfless spirit, to continue in my service, to increase my service, and follow in your footsteps. I have nothing to offer to you but my self. Please let me always remain as a particle of dust at your lotus feet.
your servant
Divya Jnana dasa
Dvaraka Puri
Dearest Guru Maharaja
Please accept my most humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I wish you well on this, your appearance day celebration.
I have little to offer you - for what can I give to one who already possess such transcendental qualities and has little need of material tokens?
Would it please you to hear that I pray to Krishna every day for your protection and guidance? Would it bring a smile to your lips to know that I relish the opportunity to serve you by serving your devotees with love and affection? My efforts seem miniscule, no matter how hard I try, and for this I offer my sincerest apology.
My constant prayer is to act with more humility, to give of myself relentlessly and to hear and chant the Holy names sincerely so that I might serve you better.
As a loving father accepts and affirms the efforts of his child, you too affirm my efforts. Thank you for your patience, tolerance and love towards this soul. Thank you for the inspiration I receive through your words, teachings and association. I am eternally grateful.
With love and affection
Your struggling servant and daughter
Dvaraka Puri
Please accept my most humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I wish you well on this, your appearance day celebration.
I have little to offer you - for what can I give to one who already possess such transcendental qualities and has little need of material tokens?
Would it please you to hear that I pray to Krishna every day for your protection and guidance? Would it bring a smile to your lips to know that I relish the opportunity to serve you by serving your devotees with love and affection? My efforts seem miniscule, no matter how hard I try, and for this I offer my sincerest apology.
My constant prayer is to act with more humility, to give of myself relentlessly and to hear and chant the Holy names sincerely so that I might serve you better.
As a loving father accepts and affirms the efforts of his child, you too affirm my efforts. Thank you for your patience, tolerance and love towards this soul. Thank you for the inspiration I receive through your words, teachings and association. I am eternally grateful.
With love and affection
Your struggling servant and daughter
Dvaraka Puri
Erinn Sanders
Dearest Guru Maharaja;
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to your lotus feet on such an auspicious occasion.
Gurudeva, I am so eternally indebted to you because without your constant care and prayer I would be long gone. I don’t know what’s best for me and try to thwart all help you try to give me. But you are so merciful that you allow me to be kept here, even sometimes against my mind’s will. I’ve become so conditioned to running away but now, now I feel something in this rock of a heart and it says, you know, you can’t go. I owe you more than I could repay in a substantially large sum of lifetimes.
You have really shown me how much of a loving father you are, and all I have shown in return is how childish and stubborn I am. So I was thinking of this particular lack of good qualities on my part and how on earth I am going to become Krsna conscious so I can be of some use, and I read something that made me bookmark it for a while and keep coming back to. It’s from the 43rd Stotra-ratna by Yamunacarya, quoted by Srila Prabhupada in The Path of Perfection. It reads, “O Lord, when shall I engage as Your permanent, eternal servant and always feel joyful to have such a perfect master?” – It encapsulates for me a mood of servitorship but also of greed, hankering for that constancy. Something the material world can never offer us. You are that perfect master because you administer the right medicine for the right disease – but you are so caring as well.
I remember being traumatized of dental nurses because although they have the right equipment, the right certificate, something was wrong. And afterwards my face would be numb in every place it wasn’t meant to be, shards of tooth stuck in my throat, and remembering the lady standing over me, mercilessly stabbing my face with this huge needle. But you never stab me with needles, even though sometimes I probably deserve to be. You’re always with me whether I’m flying right or I manage to run away from the plane altogether. And when I feel like I let go of the steering wheel of the plane, or that I’m praying that I don’t crash, somehow or other you get in touch with me without me even saying anything to anyone, usually within the hour, and then I feel like I’m just in a toy plane that hasn’t even left the ground yet, and that I was such a dork to think I was actually flying in the first place.
I pray to never lose your constant guidance, so that I may be able to follow your instructions to my fullest capacity. I want to become more attached to you than to anyone or anything. I realized when I said I was scared of you that I was actually scared of myself. In my old flat we would have this saying of, oh just put it under the Indian throw. This flat was really disgustingly messy. When it came to cleaning the flat, and I look under the couches and blankets, it was so scary. It’s easier to just not deal with the dirt in the heart because it’s the same sort of garbage. Countless beer cans, mouldy tea cups. So then we put some rugs over it so it kind of seems okay. It’s not as scary because it doesn’t seem like anything is really wrong. But then oh crikey, I have to clean it. And none of my flatmates seem to think it’s really a priority. I should just do fun stuff and forget about it. Distraction here, ignorance there, now there is no issue. But I must be at the stage where I want to help myself more than I want to defeat all attempts made by myself and those that care about me, although I’m too numb to notice.
My parents are going to love you forever for this feat, Gurudeva. My mum actually considers me human now. So I am going to try and try to become worthy of your mercy because you are so merciful you are giving me so much already and I haven’t even done anything that would please you. I’m going to try and switch my plane from autopilot, I want to become caring and determined and focused like you, Gurudeva. Please help me to battle my mind and stay under the constant shelter of your lotus feet, through thick and thin.
Aspiring to be your loving servant,
Bhaktinn Erinn
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to your lotus feet on such an auspicious occasion.
Gurudeva, I am so eternally indebted to you because without your constant care and prayer I would be long gone. I don’t know what’s best for me and try to thwart all help you try to give me. But you are so merciful that you allow me to be kept here, even sometimes against my mind’s will. I’ve become so conditioned to running away but now, now I feel something in this rock of a heart and it says, you know, you can’t go. I owe you more than I could repay in a substantially large sum of lifetimes.
You have really shown me how much of a loving father you are, and all I have shown in return is how childish and stubborn I am. So I was thinking of this particular lack of good qualities on my part and how on earth I am going to become Krsna conscious so I can be of some use, and I read something that made me bookmark it for a while and keep coming back to. It’s from the 43rd Stotra-ratna by Yamunacarya, quoted by Srila Prabhupada in The Path of Perfection. It reads, “O Lord, when shall I engage as Your permanent, eternal servant and always feel joyful to have such a perfect master?” – It encapsulates for me a mood of servitorship but also of greed, hankering for that constancy. Something the material world can never offer us. You are that perfect master because you administer the right medicine for the right disease – but you are so caring as well.
I remember being traumatized of dental nurses because although they have the right equipment, the right certificate, something was wrong. And afterwards my face would be numb in every place it wasn’t meant to be, shards of tooth stuck in my throat, and remembering the lady standing over me, mercilessly stabbing my face with this huge needle. But you never stab me with needles, even though sometimes I probably deserve to be. You’re always with me whether I’m flying right or I manage to run away from the plane altogether. And when I feel like I let go of the steering wheel of the plane, or that I’m praying that I don’t crash, somehow or other you get in touch with me without me even saying anything to anyone, usually within the hour, and then I feel like I’m just in a toy plane that hasn’t even left the ground yet, and that I was such a dork to think I was actually flying in the first place.
I pray to never lose your constant guidance, so that I may be able to follow your instructions to my fullest capacity. I want to become more attached to you than to anyone or anything. I realized when I said I was scared of you that I was actually scared of myself. In my old flat we would have this saying of, oh just put it under the Indian throw. This flat was really disgustingly messy. When it came to cleaning the flat, and I look under the couches and blankets, it was so scary. It’s easier to just not deal with the dirt in the heart because it’s the same sort of garbage. Countless beer cans, mouldy tea cups. So then we put some rugs over it so it kind of seems okay. It’s not as scary because it doesn’t seem like anything is really wrong. But then oh crikey, I have to clean it. And none of my flatmates seem to think it’s really a priority. I should just do fun stuff and forget about it. Distraction here, ignorance there, now there is no issue. But I must be at the stage where I want to help myself more than I want to defeat all attempts made by myself and those that care about me, although I’m too numb to notice.
My parents are going to love you forever for this feat, Gurudeva. My mum actually considers me human now. So I am going to try and try to become worthy of your mercy because you are so merciful you are giving me so much already and I haven’t even done anything that would please you. I’m going to try and switch my plane from autopilot, I want to become caring and determined and focused like you, Gurudeva. Please help me to battle my mind and stay under the constant shelter of your lotus feet, through thick and thin.
Aspiring to be your loving servant,
Bhaktinn Erinn
Evgenie Onyfrienko
Hare Krsna!
Dear Gurudev!!!
Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gurudev, grace of your causeless mercy, I am getting through experience of new samskaras, new relationships: with you as my father, with your disciples as my elder brothers, and this make me feel under protection from all sides and also feel entrusted with hopes. On my level this is a big impetus to follow the path of Devotional service, because I feel that Srila Prabhupada and Krishna need me.
I will never be able to pay my debt to you for those emotions, which I have experienced in assocciation of Devotees. Now I am on level of consumer, but I want even in this life to experience a sincere desire in my heart to serve life after life to your lotus Lotus feet.
Trying to be your disciple, bhakta Jenya (cook from Kiev).
Dear Gurudev!!!
Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gurudev, grace of your causeless mercy, I am getting through experience of new samskaras, new relationships: with you as my father, with your disciples as my elder brothers, and this make me feel under protection from all sides and also feel entrusted with hopes. On my level this is a big impetus to follow the path of Devotional service, because I feel that Srila Prabhupada and Krishna need me.
I will never be able to pay my debt to you for those emotions, which I have experienced in assocciation of Devotees. Now I am on level of consumer, but I want even in this life to experience a sincere desire in my heart to serve life after life to your lotus Lotus feet.
Trying to be your disciple, bhakta Jenya (cook from Kiev).
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd, & Shaun Nimai
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
Facing Krishna's illusory energy in Los Angeles is comparable to our having to climb Mt. Everest every day -- a daunting, impossible task. However, with your mercy and guidance, we feel we are able to jump over ten Mt. Everests! Through your expert teachings for serving Krishna's senses, we derive unlimited bliss. Every year we look forward to your visit with great contemplation and preparation. We discuss amongst ourselves with joy your previous years' temple lectures, home programs and wonderful kirtans, while we blissfully wait in anticipation of your next visit. Your topmost Vaishnava etiquette teaches us by example how to interact with each other with sensitivity, politeness, and kindness. Your laughter and sense of humor makes for a perfect combination to achieve pleasure through a Krishna Conscious lifestyle.
Thank you Gurudev for all you have given us.
Your servants,
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd & Shaun Nimai
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
Facing Krishna's illusory energy in Los Angeles is comparable to our having to climb Mt. Everest every day -- a daunting, impossible task. However, with your mercy and guidance, we feel we are able to jump over ten Mt. Everests! Through your expert teachings for serving Krishna's senses, we derive unlimited bliss. Every year we look forward to your visit with great contemplation and preparation. We discuss amongst ourselves with joy your previous years' temple lectures, home programs and wonderful kirtans, while we blissfully wait in anticipation of your next visit. Your topmost Vaishnava etiquette teaches us by example how to interact with each other with sensitivity, politeness, and kindness. Your laughter and sense of humor makes for a perfect combination to achieve pleasure through a Krishna Conscious lifestyle.
Thank you Gurudev for all you have given us.
Your servants,
Gaura Prema das, Nitai Prema dd & Shaun Nimai
Gaura-arati Dasi
My beloved Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to You on this most brilliant day of your appearance.
Why is your appearance in this world so brilliant?
“Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full of all opulences, is predominant within the core of your heart because of your being a pure devotee. He always drives away all the darkness of ignorance, as the sun drives away the darkness of the universe.” SB 7.13.22
Just as the darkness is dissipated by the presence of the sun, due to your pure love for Krishna, in your association everything becomes clear beyond a doubt - Krishna consciousness is the nectarean reality for which we should strive to realise with all determination and enthusiasm. Otherwise, what is the value of our life? We shall simply continue to be manipulated and abused by the material energy, being nothing but slaves to lust, whilst thinking ourselves master of the world. What an embarrassing and painful illusion you are saving us from. Your association is undoubtedly the most desirable aspiration.
But how to have your association all the time?
By meditating on your activities one sees that your life is, in every respect, dedicated to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. This full absorption in serving his desires gives rise to an unlimited flow of mercy, which you selflessly shower on others. Such purity powerfully cultivates his teachings deep within the lives of anyone fortunate enough to receive your association.
“The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless.” CC Adi 12.11
You are the perfect example of how to be a most useful instrument in the service of your spiritual master by taking his mission as your life and soul.
Due to being haunted by material desires I’m yet to prove myself steadfast in serving your instructions. Despite such- you never abandon me. You lovingly urge me to break free from the chains of my conditioning and you patiently pick me up time and time again. From day one you have shown me unfailing care. I will never be able to thank you enough, but in an effort to reciprocate I have the following plea:
May my heart be overwhelmed by the desire to serve your instructions without deviation. The presence of the spiritual master within the heart of the disciple is perceivable only by immense mercy. Please be merciful to me. Without your mercy I cannot make any advancement. Please allow me to perceive your association in your instructions, like the sun that dissipates the darkness, please remove the ignorance that’s encrusted on my heart so that I become a useful instrument in your service, acting on your desires at every moment. Otherwise, what is the use of my life?
Aspiring to be your unfailing servant,
Gaura-arati dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your divine lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to You on this most brilliant day of your appearance.
Why is your appearance in this world so brilliant?
“Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full of all opulences, is predominant within the core of your heart because of your being a pure devotee. He always drives away all the darkness of ignorance, as the sun drives away the darkness of the universe.” SB 7.13.22
Just as the darkness is dissipated by the presence of the sun, due to your pure love for Krishna, in your association everything becomes clear beyond a doubt - Krishna consciousness is the nectarean reality for which we should strive to realise with all determination and enthusiasm. Otherwise, what is the value of our life? We shall simply continue to be manipulated and abused by the material energy, being nothing but slaves to lust, whilst thinking ourselves master of the world. What an embarrassing and painful illusion you are saving us from. Your association is undoubtedly the most desirable aspiration.
But how to have your association all the time?
By meditating on your activities one sees that your life is, in every respect, dedicated to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. This full absorption in serving his desires gives rise to an unlimited flow of mercy, which you selflessly shower on others. Such purity powerfully cultivates his teachings deep within the lives of anyone fortunate enough to receive your association.
“The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless.” CC Adi 12.11
You are the perfect example of how to be a most useful instrument in the service of your spiritual master by taking his mission as your life and soul.
Due to being haunted by material desires I’m yet to prove myself steadfast in serving your instructions. Despite such- you never abandon me. You lovingly urge me to break free from the chains of my conditioning and you patiently pick me up time and time again. From day one you have shown me unfailing care. I will never be able to thank you enough, but in an effort to reciprocate I have the following plea:
May my heart be overwhelmed by the desire to serve your instructions without deviation. The presence of the spiritual master within the heart of the disciple is perceivable only by immense mercy. Please be merciful to me. Without your mercy I cannot make any advancement. Please allow me to perceive your association in your instructions, like the sun that dissipates the darkness, please remove the ignorance that’s encrusted on my heart so that I become a useful instrument in your service, acting on your desires at every moment. Otherwise, what is the use of my life?
Aspiring to be your unfailing servant,
Gaura-arati dasi
Gaurav Sharma
Namo Om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhu tale
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Prachare purva dakshyam ca Bhaktachare pravinata
Parartha tapi karunyam yasya sarve te namah
Dear Srila Gurudev
Please accept me and my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga !
All Glories to Srila Prabhupad !
On this most blessed day of your Sri Vyasa Puja I take this opportunity to thank your divine grace for all your kindness, mercy and tolerance towards this wandering soul. During your stay at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Sri Gowardhan in the Kartik of 2008 for a few days I had received your divine association. When I entered your room the first evening Your Divine Grace were reading “The Nectar of Devotion” and I thought to myself “Wow, Srila Gurudev is even now reading NOD, I am sure he has read it many many times over the years but he is still reading the NOD in Sri Gowardhan just by himself, in a his ‘free’ time, Wow!” In the following days I had the opportunity to closely be engaged with your other servant in your personal seva. The fool that I am was quite evident to myself afterwards as I again and again, as if stubbornly, tried to create disturbance in your nitya-dhyan of Sri Krsna and Sriman Mahaprabhu. I feel now that Your Divine Grace is Peace-personified as I am myself shocked to look back at what all I was speaking. Even still Your Divine Grace complemented me and thanked me for the insignificant service I was allotted, you are indeed most magnanimous. The spiritual master knows the heart of the disciple, it manifested to me when Your Divine Grace suggested jokingly one day “You are a good assistant, you should save a lump of money and travel with me (Laughter)”. I have always been desiring this despite my blunders and short-comings in seva and sadhana.
Your Divine Grace asked me to pay attention and to apply to learn how to prioritize as I foolishly kept talking and talking. One day in the car we were traveling to Sri Vrinda-kunda for the annual Vrinda-kunda festival with HG Daivi Shakti Mata ji. Mata ji was glorifying Your Divine Grace as one of the most intelligent young men who joined ISKCON back in the days. Your Divine Grace took no credit and made it into an opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupad and your other god brothers and god sisters but mata ji repeated again that your were really one of the most intelligent persons to join back then. To this your humility just exemplified as you made it almost into a joke “Listen up boys, are you paying attention, this is about your Gurumaharaj (Laughter)” but mata ji won’t let it go as a joke and re-insisted “No maharaj, you were really one of the most intelligent devotees to join.. you were almost as if on a different level” and then she turned to us and kindly suggested that we should closely follow Your Divine Grace. To this you turned the mood a little serious and said almost as if complaining “I am ready teach them but if only they’ll allow me to do so.” It was a clear message to me to not be in my casual mind-set, talking my head off with all the non-related, non-important talks. Srila Gurudev, on this day I pray at your lotus feet that I must help myself to allow your instructions and allow Your Divine Grace to change me for good.
At Sri Vrinda-kund festival when Your Divine Grace spoke you mentioned that the dham is for hearing and chanting. “…just be with the Holy Name, it’s your private time, the intimate time together with the beloved partner. The partner should get the proper time and attention.” I was amazed to see Your Divine Grace speak so intimately about the Maha-mantra, after all to me it was just a mantra. Dear Srila Gurudev I beg again for your blessings to have some sincere attachment to Sri Naam Prabhu.
I’ve been very much embarrassed and even afraid to offend Your Divine Grace again and again not being able to fulfill any of your instructions. I feel almost successful by not offending you and disturbing Your Divine Grace again and again. I am a fallen fool and on this most blessed day I seek refuge at your lotus feet yet again, Srila Gurudev.
Your aspiring selfless servant
Gaurav Sharma
Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Prachare purva dakshyam ca Bhaktachare pravinata
Parartha tapi karunyam yasya sarve te namah
Dear Srila Gurudev
Please accept me and my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga !
All Glories to Srila Prabhupad !
On this most blessed day of your Sri Vyasa Puja I take this opportunity to thank your divine grace for all your kindness, mercy and tolerance towards this wandering soul. During your stay at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Sri Gowardhan in the Kartik of 2008 for a few days I had received your divine association. When I entered your room the first evening Your Divine Grace were reading “The Nectar of Devotion” and I thought to myself “Wow, Srila Gurudev is even now reading NOD, I am sure he has read it many many times over the years but he is still reading the NOD in Sri Gowardhan just by himself, in a his ‘free’ time, Wow!” In the following days I had the opportunity to closely be engaged with your other servant in your personal seva. The fool that I am was quite evident to myself afterwards as I again and again, as if stubbornly, tried to create disturbance in your nitya-dhyan of Sri Krsna and Sriman Mahaprabhu. I feel now that Your Divine Grace is Peace-personified as I am myself shocked to look back at what all I was speaking. Even still Your Divine Grace complemented me and thanked me for the insignificant service I was allotted, you are indeed most magnanimous. The spiritual master knows the heart of the disciple, it manifested to me when Your Divine Grace suggested jokingly one day “You are a good assistant, you should save a lump of money and travel with me (Laughter)”. I have always been desiring this despite my blunders and short-comings in seva and sadhana.
Your Divine Grace asked me to pay attention and to apply to learn how to prioritize as I foolishly kept talking and talking. One day in the car we were traveling to Sri Vrinda-kunda for the annual Vrinda-kunda festival with HG Daivi Shakti Mata ji. Mata ji was glorifying Your Divine Grace as one of the most intelligent young men who joined ISKCON back in the days. Your Divine Grace took no credit and made it into an opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupad and your other god brothers and god sisters but mata ji repeated again that your were really one of the most intelligent persons to join back then. To this your humility just exemplified as you made it almost into a joke “Listen up boys, are you paying attention, this is about your Gurumaharaj (Laughter)” but mata ji won’t let it go as a joke and re-insisted “No maharaj, you were really one of the most intelligent devotees to join.. you were almost as if on a different level” and then she turned to us and kindly suggested that we should closely follow Your Divine Grace. To this you turned the mood a little serious and said almost as if complaining “I am ready teach them but if only they’ll allow me to do so.” It was a clear message to me to not be in my casual mind-set, talking my head off with all the non-related, non-important talks. Srila Gurudev, on this day I pray at your lotus feet that I must help myself to allow your instructions and allow Your Divine Grace to change me for good.
At Sri Vrinda-kund festival when Your Divine Grace spoke you mentioned that the dham is for hearing and chanting. “…just be with the Holy Name, it’s your private time, the intimate time together with the beloved partner. The partner should get the proper time and attention.” I was amazed to see Your Divine Grace speak so intimately about the Maha-mantra, after all to me it was just a mantra. Dear Srila Gurudev I beg again for your blessings to have some sincere attachment to Sri Naam Prabhu.
I’ve been very much embarrassed and even afraid to offend Your Divine Grace again and again not being able to fulfill any of your instructions. I feel almost successful by not offending you and disturbing Your Divine Grace again and again. I am a fallen fool and on this most blessed day I seek refuge at your lotus feet yet again, Srila Gurudev.
Your aspiring selfless servant
Gaurav Sharma
Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Gitavali devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Time passes so quickly. It seems like only yesterday I was arriving in clean, green, New Zealand. Actually, it’s been exactly 5 years since the adventure began. It’s been 5 years to this date that I arrived in New Zealand in search for meaning, thirsty for spiritual satisfaction and looking for some guidance. What an exciting time this has been!
I had it all planned when I first arrived; enjoy, meet exciting people, dance, eat exotic food, have some deep conversations, and then return home after a year. Thank goodness I was brought to your lotus feet pretty quickly. Thank God, I was able to do all these AND find the meaning, guidance I was looking for. Everything is possible in the Lord’s service. Thanks to your mercy, I’m doing all I ever wanted to do and so much more, discovering newer gifts I never knew I had.
In Krsna book, Srila Prabhupada writes: “Specifically in this human form of life, one should engage his life, his resources, words and intelligence for the service of the Lord. Such kinds of activities only can elevate a human being to the highest level of perfection. This is the verdict of all authorities.”
Thanks to you dear Gurudeva, I’m able to grow organically in spiritual life, associate with inspiring devotees, be engaged in Krsna’s service. I thank you for your mercy and care that you’re always giving so generously. I feel safe in this spiritual family and this is only because of your constant and dedicated efforts in preaching in New Zealand. You are giving your whole life and soul to spreading Lord Caitanya’s mission and serving your own Spiritual Master.
Gurudeva I owe you so much and the drop of nectar that I taste in preaching comes from what you’ve given me and so many others. I’m so grateful to be your daughter and hope to repay you by bringing more people to Krsna’s lotus feet. By listening to your instructions I can engage my intelligence, words and energies to serve the Lord and fulfill the true purpose of this puny human life.
Your indebted servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Time passes so quickly. It seems like only yesterday I was arriving in clean, green, New Zealand. Actually, it’s been exactly 5 years since the adventure began. It’s been 5 years to this date that I arrived in New Zealand in search for meaning, thirsty for spiritual satisfaction and looking for some guidance. What an exciting time this has been!
I had it all planned when I first arrived; enjoy, meet exciting people, dance, eat exotic food, have some deep conversations, and then return home after a year. Thank goodness I was brought to your lotus feet pretty quickly. Thank God, I was able to do all these AND find the meaning, guidance I was looking for. Everything is possible in the Lord’s service. Thanks to your mercy, I’m doing all I ever wanted to do and so much more, discovering newer gifts I never knew I had.
In Krsna book, Srila Prabhupada writes: “Specifically in this human form of life, one should engage his life, his resources, words and intelligence for the service of the Lord. Such kinds of activities only can elevate a human being to the highest level of perfection. This is the verdict of all authorities.”
Thanks to you dear Gurudeva, I’m able to grow organically in spiritual life, associate with inspiring devotees, be engaged in Krsna’s service. I thank you for your mercy and care that you’re always giving so generously. I feel safe in this spiritual family and this is only because of your constant and dedicated efforts in preaching in New Zealand. You are giving your whole life and soul to spreading Lord Caitanya’s mission and serving your own Spiritual Master.
Gurudeva I owe you so much and the drop of nectar that I taste in preaching comes from what you’ve given me and so many others. I’m so grateful to be your daughter and hope to repay you by bringing more people to Krsna’s lotus feet. By listening to your instructions I can engage my intelligence, words and energies to serve the Lord and fulfill the true purpose of this puny human life.
Your indebted servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Gokul Kumari devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Guru Maharaj, let me send your appearance day greetings. I am grateful to Krishna for your presence in my life so you can teach me how to experience real emotions by hearing about Krishna.
Thank you for your books. By reading them I get opportunity to understand the feelings that devotee experiences being in Krishna consciousness.
Kirtans and association with you at Festival are strong medicine for the mind. I hold on to your lotus feet no matter what. Thank you for giving me your mercy and instructions so that I have got enough strength and intelligence for my spiritual progress.
Your disciple,
Gokul Kumari devi dasi, St.Petersburg, Russia
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Guru Maharaj, let me send your appearance day greetings. I am grateful to Krishna for your presence in my life so you can teach me how to experience real emotions by hearing about Krishna.
Thank you for your books. By reading them I get opportunity to understand the feelings that devotee experiences being in Krishna consciousness.
Kirtans and association with you at Festival are strong medicine for the mind. I hold on to your lotus feet no matter what. Thank you for giving me your mercy and instructions so that I have got enough strength and intelligence for my spiritual progress.
Your disciple,
Gokul Kumari devi dasi, St.Petersburg, Russia
Gokula Lila devi dasi
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your service.
Srila Prabhupada told Prabhuvisnu Swami that a spiritual master is required to have the
“courage of a British general and the heart of a Bengali mother”.
The sastra states that the Guru should be
“as soft as a rose and as heavy as a thunderbolt”.
You explained yourself to me once
“too hot to handle and too sweet to resist”.
Your irresistible pleas for me to renovate my material consciousness and conditioning is loud and clear, said sometimes in artistic subtle ways but I hear, more than often I unfortunately take some years to follow them, yet you unwearyingly and dutifully repeat your instructions in innovative ways, like a mother trying to get her child to take his dose of medicine such as the aeroplane method.
Your always available to us yet I build a brick wall to prevent you getting close, still you never give up trying to demolish the wall around me.
Why do you bother?
You are certainly endowed with a soft heart like a Bengali mother who desires the wellbeing of the child.
This is genuinely shown in your relations with us.
You always have time for us even from a far distant country, your always honest with us whether or not thr truth is pleasant to our material senses, you probe us to be honest with ourselves, you expertly give instructions that aren’t limited to Sadhana and service but extend as much as our daily lives, our health, futures, our pasts, our sleeping habits, finances…the list goes on.
You personally deal with everyone defying all our past experience of impersonalism and voidism.
Tailoring every exchange with such deliberation and care to suit the individual needs.
Your words can be like hot chilly, having impact like that of a British general’s commands, and immediate purification of the consciousness can be experienced.
Who but the pure empowered servant of The Lord has such an effect on the consciousness?
I love your one line sentences that cut through the false ego; breathless and on the floor in shock, so sweet I cannot resist I beg for more!
Your courage is renowned for your ability to say what has to be said.
Where most shy away, you risk fame and popularity to insure standards of purity in Srila Prabhupada’s society and protect us from maya’s vicious attacks.
Having courage like a British general you fearlessly put your life on the line whilst distributing Krsna consciousness behind the iron curtain.
Having read ‘Salted bread’ I can appreciate and meditate a little of what my father went through.
Courageously you continued on with a motto
“I may live or die but Bhagavad-Gita Gita is eternal”
Your valiant and contagious sacrifice for others continues on year after year, no hindrance slows you down in serving Srila Prabhupada not even the fact that you may be entering the later years of your life, still you battle on like a young solider at war with great audacity, vigour and fortitude.
Your example keeps us alive and in shape running after you carrying your sharp weapons which you have so much faith in>
daily absorbtion in reading and distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books,chanting and dancing in Kirtan and attentive chanting of 16 rounds(in one go), Vaisnava sanga,seva and taking shelter in the mentor system, knock out healthy Prasadam, Sila worship, outreach programms and projects using all talents and skills to catch all walks of life.
Please forgive me for taking my time to become what you want.
Your expectations are so high and my consciousness so low, yet you always see and encourage our potential.
Thank you for accepting and enthusing this refugee.
All glories to your dedication and absorbtion in Srila Prabhupada's mission.
This daughter of yours is hoping her heart will become as soft and inspired as her fathers.
And if you don’t mind could she remain at her favourite place,
your courageous lotus feet?
(desiring to become qualified to honestly sign out as…. )
Your humble servant
Gokula Lila devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your service.
Srila Prabhupada told Prabhuvisnu Swami that a spiritual master is required to have the
“courage of a British general and the heart of a Bengali mother”.
The sastra states that the Guru should be
“as soft as a rose and as heavy as a thunderbolt”.
You explained yourself to me once
“too hot to handle and too sweet to resist”.
Your irresistible pleas for me to renovate my material consciousness and conditioning is loud and clear, said sometimes in artistic subtle ways but I hear, more than often I unfortunately take some years to follow them, yet you unwearyingly and dutifully repeat your instructions in innovative ways, like a mother trying to get her child to take his dose of medicine such as the aeroplane method.
Your always available to us yet I build a brick wall to prevent you getting close, still you never give up trying to demolish the wall around me.
Why do you bother?
You are certainly endowed with a soft heart like a Bengali mother who desires the wellbeing of the child.
This is genuinely shown in your relations with us.
You always have time for us even from a far distant country, your always honest with us whether or not thr truth is pleasant to our material senses, you probe us to be honest with ourselves, you expertly give instructions that aren’t limited to Sadhana and service but extend as much as our daily lives, our health, futures, our pasts, our sleeping habits, finances…the list goes on.
You personally deal with everyone defying all our past experience of impersonalism and voidism.
Tailoring every exchange with such deliberation and care to suit the individual needs.
Your words can be like hot chilly, having impact like that of a British general’s commands, and immediate purification of the consciousness can be experienced.
Who but the pure empowered servant of The Lord has such an effect on the consciousness?
I love your one line sentences that cut through the false ego; breathless and on the floor in shock, so sweet I cannot resist I beg for more!
Your courage is renowned for your ability to say what has to be said.
Where most shy away, you risk fame and popularity to insure standards of purity in Srila Prabhupada’s society and protect us from maya’s vicious attacks.
Having courage like a British general you fearlessly put your life on the line whilst distributing Krsna consciousness behind the iron curtain.
Having read ‘Salted bread’ I can appreciate and meditate a little of what my father went through.
Courageously you continued on with a motto
“I may live or die but Bhagavad-Gita Gita is eternal”
Your valiant and contagious sacrifice for others continues on year after year, no hindrance slows you down in serving Srila Prabhupada not even the fact that you may be entering the later years of your life, still you battle on like a young solider at war with great audacity, vigour and fortitude.
Your example keeps us alive and in shape running after you carrying your sharp weapons which you have so much faith in>
daily absorbtion in reading and distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books,chanting and dancing in Kirtan and attentive chanting of 16 rounds(in one go), Vaisnava sanga,seva and taking shelter in the mentor system, knock out healthy Prasadam, Sila worship, outreach programms and projects using all talents and skills to catch all walks of life.
Please forgive me for taking my time to become what you want.
Your expectations are so high and my consciousness so low, yet you always see and encourage our potential.
Thank you for accepting and enthusing this refugee.
All glories to your dedication and absorbtion in Srila Prabhupada's mission.
This daughter of yours is hoping her heart will become as soft and inspired as her fathers.
And if you don’t mind could she remain at her favourite place,
your courageous lotus feet?
(desiring to become qualified to honestly sign out as…. )
Your humble servant
Gokula Lila devi dasi
Gokula-ranjana das
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the misguided minds of almost all of today’s top-most thinkers, the meaning of the word “truth” has become completely redundant. What is substituted in its place is always some form of relativism, where the truth is supposed to exist individually for each person. One will be confronted by this relativism wherever he goes, whether it is to the offices of the top-most university professors or to the street, where the layman will espouse the philosophy “to each his own”. Even the most ardent realists are forced to admit that they have no way of directly verifying reality. The best that they can do is to state that there are certain areas where they are fairly sure that they have a grasp on reality, such as the roundness of the Earth and the Law of Gravity. The only experience that that one can be assured of, they state, is the experience of one’s own consciousness – but they cannot even explain the origin of that consciousness.
The Vedic epistemology, however, describes that reality that can be experienced free from any doubt because the observer is himself a part of that reality. As Srila Prabhupada writes in one of his Bhaktivedanta purports:
“The absolute realm and the living entities are of the same superior energy, but the material world is inferior energy. The living being in contact with the inferior energy is illusioned, thinking he belongs to the inferior energy. Therefore there is the sense of relativity in the material world. In the Absolute there is no such sense of difference between the knower and the known, and therefore everything there is absolute.”
As Lord Krishna states in Bhagavad-Gita, though, such a reality is only accessible to those souls fortunate enough to have come in contact with a bona fide spiritual master. This tangible experience of the spiritual reality is what the parampara is intended to pass down, from qualified teacher to qualified disciple. Therefore Gurudeva, had I never read your Perfect Escape, or met your disciples, I would certainly have succumbed to this relativism that everyone else must subscribe to, and I would have gone, blindly, to the same place that they are destined for. What you are able to do is considered by nearly all of world’s population to be impossible: you are able to provide the guidance and the necessities for a willing student to experience the Absolute Truth. Just to be able to experience the Absolute Truth, and then to be able to give that same experience to others is such a rare and incredible feat that one is often met by disbelief when trying to explain it to any intellectual audience. Thus, while I was at university, many professors would question my standpoint because it was contrary to the relativistic position to which they subscribed. However, because of what I had experienced under your care, I was not cast into doubt.
I think, then, that my real offering to you will be the degree to which I work to qualify myself for this for this experience, and the degree to which I strive to give this experience to others.
Your aspiring servant,
Gokula-ranjana das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the misguided minds of almost all of today’s top-most thinkers, the meaning of the word “truth” has become completely redundant. What is substituted in its place is always some form of relativism, where the truth is supposed to exist individually for each person. One will be confronted by this relativism wherever he goes, whether it is to the offices of the top-most university professors or to the street, where the layman will espouse the philosophy “to each his own”. Even the most ardent realists are forced to admit that they have no way of directly verifying reality. The best that they can do is to state that there are certain areas where they are fairly sure that they have a grasp on reality, such as the roundness of the Earth and the Law of Gravity. The only experience that that one can be assured of, they state, is the experience of one’s own consciousness – but they cannot even explain the origin of that consciousness.
The Vedic epistemology, however, describes that reality that can be experienced free from any doubt because the observer is himself a part of that reality. As Srila Prabhupada writes in one of his Bhaktivedanta purports:
“The absolute realm and the living entities are of the same superior energy, but the material world is inferior energy. The living being in contact with the inferior energy is illusioned, thinking he belongs to the inferior energy. Therefore there is the sense of relativity in the material world. In the Absolute there is no such sense of difference between the knower and the known, and therefore everything there is absolute.”
As Lord Krishna states in Bhagavad-Gita, though, such a reality is only accessible to those souls fortunate enough to have come in contact with a bona fide spiritual master. This tangible experience of the spiritual reality is what the parampara is intended to pass down, from qualified teacher to qualified disciple. Therefore Gurudeva, had I never read your Perfect Escape, or met your disciples, I would certainly have succumbed to this relativism that everyone else must subscribe to, and I would have gone, blindly, to the same place that they are destined for. What you are able to do is considered by nearly all of world’s population to be impossible: you are able to provide the guidance and the necessities for a willing student to experience the Absolute Truth. Just to be able to experience the Absolute Truth, and then to be able to give that same experience to others is such a rare and incredible feat that one is often met by disbelief when trying to explain it to any intellectual audience. Thus, while I was at university, many professors would question my standpoint because it was contrary to the relativistic position to which they subscribed. However, because of what I had experienced under your care, I was not cast into doubt.
I think, then, that my real offering to you will be the degree to which I work to qualify myself for this for this experience, and the degree to which I strive to give this experience to others.
Your aspiring servant,
Gokula-ranjana das
Gopa-Vrndesa Dasa
nama om vishnu padadaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious vyasa puja day.
When advanced devotees are engaged in the worship of the Lordships, they derive sweet transcendental reciprocation from the Lord and this flavor makes them continue their worship wholly and solely in the form of bhajan. However, more compassionate are those devotees who, irrespective of their taste in the direct service to their Lorships, derive reciprocation from the Lord by spreading His glories to the suffering souls.
Your divine consciousness is always fixed at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, their name, form, qualities and pastimes; however, you come down to the materialistic minded people and present Krsna consciousness in a digestible way with so many examples of this world. One time I asked you, Gurudev, how to present Krsna consciousness with right examples and analogies, and you sited a conversation between Srila Prabhupada and one his disciples. A disciple asked Sria Prabhupada "how do you get so many examples while presenting Krsna consciousness?" Srila Prabhupad's reply was that he always thinks of how to present Krsna consciousness. From this it was obvious for me that in your divine consciousness you always compassionately think of delivering suffering souls by all means. You mentioned your thoughts and concerns regarding the out reach in your this year's offering to Srila Prabhupada.
In one lecture you mentioned very casually that if one has dealt with one's own problem then Krsna gives other's problems to deal with. Gurudev, I understand that this is your own story. It is clear that when one is in the high spiritual consciousness -- when one thinks and acts as not one of this world -- his understanding of the material world and the working of maya are perfect. Your actions and words exemplifies the vedic statement, "yasmin vijnate sarvam evam vjnatam bhavati." In your advanced Krsna consciousness, you act as a perfect teacher by delivering bhagavat dharma to a wide spectrum of people with full impact in their hearts.
Your instructions saved me from the web of entanglement that could have surely tied me in so many different ways. When I reflect back a few years, I had difficulty in fathoming some of your remarks and instructions to me; however, now I am getting a glimpse of the gravity of your statements. It is only by your mercy that I am getting this opportunity to serve Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir. From the beginning you instructed and encouraged me to preach Krsna consciousness and you specifically instructed us to expand the preaching mission. In this regard, I remember your statement to us emphasizing the importance of front line preaching. You said "the movement should move." By your mercy, it is amazing that how more opportunities are opening up for preaching. I would like to mention a small incident that happened yesterday. I had planned that I would think about some points for your vyas puja offering during my cross ways service, which I didn't till the end. However, I got to speak to a university student who was a key organizer of cultural events. When we spoke about delivering powerful lectures, I mentioned your glories and he was so impressed that he immediately offered us all help to organize your program in their university.
Taking full advantage of the preaching opportunities and sustaining the current activities are challenges considering my inefficiencies, insincere attitudes and limited time. I beg for your special mercy to carry forward your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa-vrndesa Dasa
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious vyasa puja day.
When advanced devotees are engaged in the worship of the Lordships, they derive sweet transcendental reciprocation from the Lord and this flavor makes them continue their worship wholly and solely in the form of bhajan. However, more compassionate are those devotees who, irrespective of their taste in the direct service to their Lorships, derive reciprocation from the Lord by spreading His glories to the suffering souls.
Your divine consciousness is always fixed at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, their name, form, qualities and pastimes; however, you come down to the materialistic minded people and present Krsna consciousness in a digestible way with so many examples of this world. One time I asked you, Gurudev, how to present Krsna consciousness with right examples and analogies, and you sited a conversation between Srila Prabhupada and one his disciples. A disciple asked Sria Prabhupada "how do you get so many examples while presenting Krsna consciousness?" Srila Prabhupad's reply was that he always thinks of how to present Krsna consciousness. From this it was obvious for me that in your divine consciousness you always compassionately think of delivering suffering souls by all means. You mentioned your thoughts and concerns regarding the out reach in your this year's offering to Srila Prabhupada.
In one lecture you mentioned very casually that if one has dealt with one's own problem then Krsna gives other's problems to deal with. Gurudev, I understand that this is your own story. It is clear that when one is in the high spiritual consciousness -- when one thinks and acts as not one of this world -- his understanding of the material world and the working of maya are perfect. Your actions and words exemplifies the vedic statement, "yasmin vijnate sarvam evam vjnatam bhavati." In your advanced Krsna consciousness, you act as a perfect teacher by delivering bhagavat dharma to a wide spectrum of people with full impact in their hearts.
Your instructions saved me from the web of entanglement that could have surely tied me in so many different ways. When I reflect back a few years, I had difficulty in fathoming some of your remarks and instructions to me; however, now I am getting a glimpse of the gravity of your statements. It is only by your mercy that I am getting this opportunity to serve Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir. From the beginning you instructed and encouraged me to preach Krsna consciousness and you specifically instructed us to expand the preaching mission. In this regard, I remember your statement to us emphasizing the importance of front line preaching. You said "the movement should move." By your mercy, it is amazing that how more opportunities are opening up for preaching. I would like to mention a small incident that happened yesterday. I had planned that I would think about some points for your vyas puja offering during my cross ways service, which I didn't till the end. However, I got to speak to a university student who was a key organizer of cultural events. When we spoke about delivering powerful lectures, I mentioned your glories and he was so impressed that he immediately offered us all help to organize your program in their university.
Taking full advantage of the preaching opportunities and sustaining the current activities are challenges considering my inefficiencies, insincere attitudes and limited time. I beg for your special mercy to carry forward your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa-vrndesa Dasa
Gopala Guru dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva.
Please accept my humble obeisance's. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja I have been meditating on your outreach work. During my meditations I have taken note of how you always have your finger on the pulse of the latest influences in contemporary Western society and are always developing new preaching strategies to turn the conditioned souls back towards Krishna. It is this quality which brought me to Krishna consciousness and has ever since inspired me in my service.
Always wanting to engage in some type of welfare work it was not until I came to Krishna consciousness that I found the real welfare work for all humanity. This is the first thing you taught me, that real welfare work can only be performed through Krishna consciousness.
Your true qualities, Srila Gurudeva, are shown in your understanding and realisation of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and your practical application of them. As Srila Prabhupada came to the West and taught Krishna consciousness to a dazed and confused generation of youngsters; you are following in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps and are coming up with new and innovative ways to teach Krishna consciousness to a crazy and depleted generation of youth and young professionals. With access to broadband internet and television there is not much that this generation is not aware of, and through all of the sense gratification that they have access to they have already experienced all there is to experience at a young age, so all there is to do is take shelter of intoxicants and / or get fully immersed in work and family life to try and keep ones level of sanity as close to normal as possible – by material standards.
Showing real compassion, you have established yoga centres, sankirtan parties, ashrams and now an eco retreat project – all aimed towards bringing people closer to Krishna, giving them real shelter – real welfare.
You have given us so much, so many facilities, amazing association, Srila Prabhupada’s books and service to engage in. Please bless us so that we can take full advantage of everything you have bestowed upon us.
I desire to be a good spiritual son and follow in your footsteps, the same way you are following in Srila Prabhupada’s – that would be the perfection of my existence. I have learnt a lot during my short duration of existence in this lifetime, I have gained a lot of valuable experience through the service I have rendered to you and with all of these things that have been given to me comes the responsibility to use them, to use them effectively in the service of your lotus feet– for it is you who has so mercifully given me so many opportunities.
Please bless me so that I can develop the same determination and devotion for your service as you do for Srila Prabhupada. I do not want to waste this existence for paltry sense gratification and further immersion in material existence – please bless me so that I can be a worthy son and follow in your footsteps and assist you in carrying out this greatest welfare work for all of society, the spreading of Krishna consciousness.
Your servant and spiritual son,
Gopala Guru dasa
Please accept my humble obeisance's. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja I have been meditating on your outreach work. During my meditations I have taken note of how you always have your finger on the pulse of the latest influences in contemporary Western society and are always developing new preaching strategies to turn the conditioned souls back towards Krishna. It is this quality which brought me to Krishna consciousness and has ever since inspired me in my service.
Always wanting to engage in some type of welfare work it was not until I came to Krishna consciousness that I found the real welfare work for all humanity. This is the first thing you taught me, that real welfare work can only be performed through Krishna consciousness.
Your true qualities, Srila Gurudeva, are shown in your understanding and realisation of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and your practical application of them. As Srila Prabhupada came to the West and taught Krishna consciousness to a dazed and confused generation of youngsters; you are following in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps and are coming up with new and innovative ways to teach Krishna consciousness to a crazy and depleted generation of youth and young professionals. With access to broadband internet and television there is not much that this generation is not aware of, and through all of the sense gratification that they have access to they have already experienced all there is to experience at a young age, so all there is to do is take shelter of intoxicants and / or get fully immersed in work and family life to try and keep ones level of sanity as close to normal as possible – by material standards.
Showing real compassion, you have established yoga centres, sankirtan parties, ashrams and now an eco retreat project – all aimed towards bringing people closer to Krishna, giving them real shelter – real welfare.
You have given us so much, so many facilities, amazing association, Srila Prabhupada’s books and service to engage in. Please bless us so that we can take full advantage of everything you have bestowed upon us.
I desire to be a good spiritual son and follow in your footsteps, the same way you are following in Srila Prabhupada’s – that would be the perfection of my existence. I have learnt a lot during my short duration of existence in this lifetime, I have gained a lot of valuable experience through the service I have rendered to you and with all of these things that have been given to me comes the responsibility to use them, to use them effectively in the service of your lotus feet– for it is you who has so mercifully given me so many opportunities.
Please bless me so that I can develop the same determination and devotion for your service as you do for Srila Prabhupada. I do not want to waste this existence for paltry sense gratification and further immersion in material existence – please bless me so that I can be a worthy son and follow in your footsteps and assist you in carrying out this greatest welfare work for all of society, the spreading of Krishna consciousness.
Your servant and spiritual son,
Gopala Guru dasa
Gopesvari devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the third canto, 21st chapter text 31, Prabhupada has stated in the purport that "to award fearlessness to the common man is the greatest act of charity". The use of the word 'award' suggests that the recipient has performed activities rendering him worthy of receiving that prize, yet what common man in Kali yuga performs activities worthy of earning the prize of fearlessness?
In direct contrast to the common man of Kali yuga, I look around me and am constantly astounded at the boldness and humble confidence of your disciples. Tales from the RSL (Returned Sankirtan League) of the sankirtan battle front tell of daredevil heroics no common man could perform. Harinam spectators abound will oft admit "I love what you guys do, but i could never dance so uninhibitedly, unintoxicated, in public AND during daylight hours like you guys do.. I'd just be too scared". And not a disciple around lacks the war-wounds of time fearlessly spent in the boxing ring of the mind.
As i yearn to stand bravely in face of my fears as your real disciples do, i come to ponder - so just what did they do to have earned this prized possession of fearlessness? No doubt these great souls have a swagger of award winning characteristics, however, I can only conclude by the striking abundance with which they possess this fearlessness, that it is not equally reciprocal; to me it appears you bestow more fearlessness than the most worthy could 'earn'.
For you to perform this "greatest act of charity" I see genius in action - the establishment of fully functioning, self supporting centers that cater for nothing less than full absorption in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Centers, such as Gaura Yoga and The Loft, could have only been established by a mastermind, a bhakti professor humbly dedicated to Srila Prabhupada's 'Abhayam Academy'.
The Bhagadgita explains that "fear is caused by our absorption in the illusory energy" and that "abhayam, fearlessness, is possible only for one in Krishna consciousness" (Bhg 10.4-5). Thus your centers have become the prime factor in establishing fearlessness by redirecting the messy minds of Kali yuga drop outs away from the fear inducing material energy and on to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.
We did nothing to reap the rewards of your selflessly sacrificing the entire balance of your life to Srila Prabhupada's mission. You forged a path of fearlessness with little more than the light and strength of your spiritual masters instructions, taking Krishna consciousness to some of the darkest and most dangerous places on earth - behind the iron curtain in eastern Europe and into the hearts of those in the west. You weren't coming to pass on the baton of fearlessness because we'd somehow earned it but because you are an esteemed servant of compassion. And so loyal to your master you are, that you came to find us - found us - and continue to stick with us, displaying again and again that your magnanimity holds no bounds.
THANK YOU for showing us fearlessness in action; for being a living example of how "bhakti is not merely pious thoughts of 'love' but rather fearless action" (NBS 48)
Your humble white servant
Gopesvari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the third canto, 21st chapter text 31, Prabhupada has stated in the purport that "to award fearlessness to the common man is the greatest act of charity". The use of the word 'award' suggests that the recipient has performed activities rendering him worthy of receiving that prize, yet what common man in Kali yuga performs activities worthy of earning the prize of fearlessness?
In direct contrast to the common man of Kali yuga, I look around me and am constantly astounded at the boldness and humble confidence of your disciples. Tales from the RSL (Returned Sankirtan League) of the sankirtan battle front tell of daredevil heroics no common man could perform. Harinam spectators abound will oft admit "I love what you guys do, but i could never dance so uninhibitedly, unintoxicated, in public AND during daylight hours like you guys do.. I'd just be too scared". And not a disciple around lacks the war-wounds of time fearlessly spent in the boxing ring of the mind.
As i yearn to stand bravely in face of my fears as your real disciples do, i come to ponder - so just what did they do to have earned this prized possession of fearlessness? No doubt these great souls have a swagger of award winning characteristics, however, I can only conclude by the striking abundance with which they possess this fearlessness, that it is not equally reciprocal; to me it appears you bestow more fearlessness than the most worthy could 'earn'.
For you to perform this "greatest act of charity" I see genius in action - the establishment of fully functioning, self supporting centers that cater for nothing less than full absorption in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Centers, such as Gaura Yoga and The Loft, could have only been established by a mastermind, a bhakti professor humbly dedicated to Srila Prabhupada's 'Abhayam Academy'.
The Bhagadgita explains that "fear is caused by our absorption in the illusory energy" and that "abhayam, fearlessness, is possible only for one in Krishna consciousness" (Bhg 10.4-5). Thus your centers have become the prime factor in establishing fearlessness by redirecting the messy minds of Kali yuga drop outs away from the fear inducing material energy and on to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.
We did nothing to reap the rewards of your selflessly sacrificing the entire balance of your life to Srila Prabhupada's mission. You forged a path of fearlessness with little more than the light and strength of your spiritual masters instructions, taking Krishna consciousness to some of the darkest and most dangerous places on earth - behind the iron curtain in eastern Europe and into the hearts of those in the west. You weren't coming to pass on the baton of fearlessness because we'd somehow earned it but because you are an esteemed servant of compassion. And so loyal to your master you are, that you came to find us - found us - and continue to stick with us, displaying again and again that your magnanimity holds no bounds.
THANK YOU for showing us fearlessness in action; for being a living example of how "bhakti is not merely pious thoughts of 'love' but rather fearless action" (NBS 48)
Your humble white servant
Gopesvari devi dasi
Govinda Kunda devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most respectful and humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
On this auspicious day, I would try to say something about you and your qualities. I would like to thank you whole heartedly for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful family irrespective of all my faults. It is because of you that today I am in the association of such wonderful devotees.
Guru Maharaja, thanks for being with us and guiding us at every step and instructing us to deal in every possible situation. You have all the qualities of an elevated vaisnava. Your dedication, efficiency, sincerity and enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission cannot be measured by any means.
You are an ocean of love and you shower your mercy and love to all living beings. You give personal attention to all your disciples. You guide us through your wonderful lectures which are full of messages. You are a source of inspiration.
My only desire is that you please engage me and my family to do activities which will please you most and serve you in the best possible way.
Your aspiring servant,
Govinda Kunda devi dasi
Please accept my most respectful and humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
On this auspicious day, I would try to say something about you and your qualities. I would like to thank you whole heartedly for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful family irrespective of all my faults. It is because of you that today I am in the association of such wonderful devotees.
Guru Maharaja, thanks for being with us and guiding us at every step and instructing us to deal in every possible situation. You have all the qualities of an elevated vaisnava. Your dedication, efficiency, sincerity and enthusiasm to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission cannot be measured by any means.
You are an ocean of love and you shower your mercy and love to all living beings. You give personal attention to all your disciples. You guide us through your wonderful lectures which are full of messages. You are a source of inspiration.
My only desire is that you please engage me and my family to do activities which will please you most and serve you in the best possible way.
Your aspiring servant,
Govinda Kunda devi dasi
Hamsavatar Das
nama oṁ viṣṇupādāya kṛṣṇa preṣṭāya bhūtale
śrimate devāmṛita svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre apūa dākṣyam ca
bhaktācāra pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam
yasys sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Śrila Gurudeva,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances at Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to You and Śrila Prabhupāda.
Thank You very much for accepting me as your disciple. It is said that a spiritual master should be very careful in taking disciples. But, disregarding that you have accepted me. You thus are manifesting the unlimited compassion of Lord Śri Nityānanda.
You are teaching all of us by your own example. You have taken the difficult task of giving the medicine that most people don’t want out of ignorance. But, as a true warrior in Lord Caitanya’s army, you relish the fight. You are inspiring so many people all over the world by your eagerness and compassion to give the greatest gift of Krishna consciousness.
I have personally been the recipient of your compassion and tolerance as I bungled along in my service. Thank you very much for tolerating me.
Your Unworthy Disciple,
Hamsāvatār Dās
śrimate devāmṛita svāmin iti nāmine
pracāre apūa dākṣyam ca
bhaktācāra pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam
yasys sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Śrila Gurudeva,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances at Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to You and Śrila Prabhupāda.
Thank You very much for accepting me as your disciple. It is said that a spiritual master should be very careful in taking disciples. But, disregarding that you have accepted me. You thus are manifesting the unlimited compassion of Lord Śri Nityānanda.
You are teaching all of us by your own example. You have taken the difficult task of giving the medicine that most people don’t want out of ignorance. But, as a true warrior in Lord Caitanya’s army, you relish the fight. You are inspiring so many people all over the world by your eagerness and compassion to give the greatest gift of Krishna consciousness.
I have personally been the recipient of your compassion and tolerance as I bungled along in my service. Thank you very much for tolerating me.
Your Unworthy Disciple,
Hamsāvatār Dās
Hari-priya devi dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to your Divine grace.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, I am remembering a lecture your gave regarding why a devotee would introduce you to their parents when they wouldn’t subject such ethics to non-devottees associates or dalliances, so why subject you to such an interview. My answer would be, it is because we are proud of you. I would look at my parents and think, “SEE, I FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT”.
When you graced us with your presence here in Invercargill, what I immediately appreciated was how you accepted the Powhiri (welcome), Whaikorero o te Kaumatua (Speeches of respected Elders) and Waiata (Singing). You acknowledged these protocols of the Marae (Gathering Place) thus endearing the respect of the Kaumatua. He said,"We are all humbled by your presences, your guidance and your humility".
Gurudeva, my heart just soars with the aroha(love) and gratitude that I hold for you. You have helped to shape my aroha and direct it to our most dearest friend, Sri Krsna. I cannot thank you enough for saving me.
I have never been comfortable in expressing my feelings, and have always relied on Advaita-priya das to so on my behalf. I ask that you please forgive me for this and forgive my apprehensive when I am in your presence. I'll endevour to keep trying.
I offer my most humble obeseinces to your lotus feet, Sri Gurudeva.
I offer my most humble obeseinces to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada
Your servant
Hari-priya devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to your Divine grace.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, I am remembering a lecture your gave regarding why a devotee would introduce you to their parents when they wouldn’t subject such ethics to non-devottees associates or dalliances, so why subject you to such an interview. My answer would be, it is because we are proud of you. I would look at my parents and think, “SEE, I FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT”.
When you graced us with your presence here in Invercargill, what I immediately appreciated was how you accepted the Powhiri (welcome), Whaikorero o te Kaumatua (Speeches of respected Elders) and Waiata (Singing). You acknowledged these protocols of the Marae (Gathering Place) thus endearing the respect of the Kaumatua. He said,"We are all humbled by your presences, your guidance and your humility".
Gurudeva, my heart just soars with the aroha(love) and gratitude that I hold for you. You have helped to shape my aroha and direct it to our most dearest friend, Sri Krsna. I cannot thank you enough for saving me.
I have never been comfortable in expressing my feelings, and have always relied on Advaita-priya das to so on my behalf. I ask that you please forgive me for this and forgive my apprehensive when I am in your presence. I'll endevour to keep trying.
I offer my most humble obeseinces to your lotus feet, Sri Gurudeva.
I offer my most humble obeseinces to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada
Your servant
Hari-priya devi dasi
Heidi Clark
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
In a vain effort to glorify you I attempt to write from a covered heart all of the gratitude I feel from your expert care and guidance. Clinging to your instructions I sincerely endeavour to serve you in fulfilling Lord Caitanya’s mission.
“Although the members of the Pancha-tattva plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and ate and distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is distributed, the supply increases hundreds of times.” (Cc., Adi 7.24)
You continue to demonstrate through your example how the more the love of Krsna consciousness is distributed the more it increases. Thank you for your servant leadership style and showing us how this can be practically done and lived. I pray everyday that I may serve you as you desire to honour you and all that you have given me. You are an effulgent example of the glories of the Sankirtan movement! I will continue to follow on your instructions and work on the Institute for a Sustainable Society (ISS) to demonstrate my appreciation for all that you have done for me.
The spiritual master is one who opens our darkened eyes and fills our heart with transcendental knowledge. Thank you.
Aspiring to be a humble servant of a servant,
Heidi Clark
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
In a vain effort to glorify you I attempt to write from a covered heart all of the gratitude I feel from your expert care and guidance. Clinging to your instructions I sincerely endeavour to serve you in fulfilling Lord Caitanya’s mission.
“Although the members of the Pancha-tattva plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and ate and distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is distributed, the supply increases hundreds of times.” (Cc., Adi 7.24)
You continue to demonstrate through your example how the more the love of Krsna consciousness is distributed the more it increases. Thank you for your servant leadership style and showing us how this can be practically done and lived. I pray everyday that I may serve you as you desire to honour you and all that you have given me. You are an effulgent example of the glories of the Sankirtan movement! I will continue to follow on your instructions and work on the Institute for a Sustainable Society (ISS) to demonstrate my appreciation for all that you have done for me.
The spiritual master is one who opens our darkened eyes and fills our heart with transcendental knowledge. Thank you.
Aspiring to be a humble servant of a servant,
Heidi Clark
Hriman Krsna das
namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami who is very dear to Lord Krishna having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisance unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim
Yat-krpa tam aham vande sri gurum dina-taranam
I offer my respectful obeisance unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of all fallen souls, whose mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame man to cross mountains.
My dear most gurudeva, contemplating your sanga I begin to swim through a river of nectarean memories that flows through my mind. I can hardly begin to fathom the depths of your transcendental qualities as it floods the core my very self. I am left dumbfound as usual, always in reverence by the vastness of your glories. Diving deeply into these meditations, I recollect one occasion many years ago in Christchurch surfacing to shore.
Gurudeva, you were initiating a group of devotees, before Sri Sri Nitai Gauracandra. Indirectly you were describing the ordeal of one mataji before she came to Krsna consciousness. At that moment everyone witnessed your heart felt compassion for the suffering of the conditioned souls. Gurudeva, your voice began to choke up as you thought of her past, your speech became staggered and I could see tears swelling gently form your eyes.
Krpambudhir yah para-duhka-duhki, “ the vaisnava is an ocean of mercy to the fallen, conditioned souls; indeed, he is so compassionate that although for himself he knows no unhappiness, he feels unhappiness on account of their suffering.”
(Vilapa-kusumajali 6, Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami)
I was a brand new devotee at that time and I was speechless to say the least. Never the less I could perceive your genuine concern of those bereft of Krsna. Although unqualified and low born, naturally it becomes the duty of the son to relieve the anxiety of his father.
“A father is always a father because he always has the good of the son at heart. The father wants every one of his sons to become better than himself”
(Srila Prabhupada purport SBG 1.12.4)
Gurudeva, all you want is to see others advance in Krsna consciousness. You gave us the priceless boon of devotional service and the very least I can do is to assure you that the effort is there, to mitigate the burden you feel for the suffering humanity. In this way I hope to develop a fraction of your compassionate nature, which is imperative if one desires to push on this Sankirtan movement.
In several letters you always encouraged me to preach, distribute and cultivate. Slowly I can see why. As the years go by it becomes grossly evident to behold as the refugees of Kali plummet themselves into spiritual suicide. It appears that at every moment Gurudeva all you do is preach, preach, and preach. Everywhere you go everyone is after your association. You are just like a moving tirtha, wherever you are devotees and non devotees are always eager to bathe in your presence. It is said that Krsna empowers the demigods to bestow boons upon their worshipers. What then to speak of the preacher, who is dearer to Krsna than the demigods.
Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah
Bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi
There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.
(BG 18.69)
Krsna has definitely empowered you to spread this Krsna consciousness movement as seen by your ever increasing number of spiritual sons and daughters and by your unique, ability to infiltrate the heart of Western cities. Krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana, “Unless empowered by Krsna one cannot propagate the sankirtan movement.” This is the greatest boon. By your example and precept, shamelessly I try to follow in your footsteps, even though at times it feels awkward and inevitable trips and blunders becomes apparent. Still it said by Rupa Gosvami satah-vrtteh, that one must follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. Despite my feeble attempts you remain always so encouraging, so compassionate, so kind that just by seeing your merciful glances, hearing your voice or feeling your embrace is enough to keep me in the dirtiest city street corners for hours on end trying to give this Krsna consciousness to others. This is your inspiration.
More recently how ever another wave of sweet remembrance in your sanga washes clearly in the banks of my mind. This time you had asked for me and Uddhava to serve you in your last retreat here in Sydney. We were situated together in a quaint little cottage, in the middle of the Australian Outback. You stayed in the room next to us, but there was no roof to separate the quarters and thin walls meant that we had to be super quite not to disturb you. Consequently we could also hear you from our room. That following morning at about three o’clock you woke me up while you were talking and dreaming in your sleep. I fully remember you cried out, “O my Lord! O my Lord! Be gentle with me…” and again you snoozed your self back to a deep sleep. Astonished and all excited, I jumped of the floor and took bath to chant my rounds. Than again it happened, in your sleep you began to laugh and you said “Oh, you’re so funny…” and then you kept on giggling like a young boy before snoozing back to your so called slumber. I was in ecstasy to hear you dream of Krsna. In my mind I was pondering, who are you Gurudeva? Where did you come from? What was Krsna doing to you? Were you playing part in Caitanya lila or Krsna lila? Gurudeva even in your dreams you are Krsna conscious! Just like Arjuna who has conquered sleep, and was referred to as Gudakesa.
“As a great devotee of Krsna he could not forget Krsna even for a moment, because that is the nature of the devotee. Either in waking or in sleep, a devotee of the Lord can never be free from thinking of Krsnas name, form, qualities, and pastimes. Thus a devotee of Krsna can conquer both sleep and ignorance simply by thinking of Krsna constantly. This is called Krsna consciousness, or Samadhi.”
(Srila Prabhupada purport BG 1.24)
Shortly after you woke up and seeing you walk through your door with a transcendental smile, I felt so proud to be your disciple. You gently sat on your seat after you’ve finished your morning routine and invited me to chant next to you. Chanting with you by the fire place that morning was indescribable, by your potency I could relish every moment of my jappa.
“Sometimes it is found that a person actually attached to material enjoyment or salvation has the good fortune to associate with pure devotees while they are engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord. By the good grace of the Lord one may also cooperate and join in the chanting. At that time, simply by the association of such pure devotees, the moonlike rays from their hearts reflect on him…”
(Srila Prabhupada purport NOD p133)
Lord Kapila says, "My dear mother, when a person is actually in association with pure devotees, the sublime potency of My devotional service can be experienced." In other words, when a pure devotee speaks, his words act upon the hearts of the audience. What is the secret of hearing and chanting? A professional speaker cannot impress transcendental ecstasy within the hearts of the listeners. However, when a realized soul who is engaged in the service of the Lord is speaking, he has the potency to inject spiritual life within the audience. One should, therefore, seek the association of such pure, unalloyed devotees, and by such association and service a neophyte devotee will certainly develop attachment, love and devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
( Srila Prabhupada purport NOD p132)
I was overwhelmed in your association. This is the perfection, to be with my perpetual father and master who is an eternal servitor of Krsna, by his side. My dear most Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day, I pray that I can always remain by your side, be it with your vapu, or more importantly your vani. Your transcendental instructions that serve as a guiding light to bring me out of the dense darkness of ignorance, without exception remaining forever a fool in the presence of your lotus feet...
Determined to be,
Your obedient and selfless servant
Hriman Krsna das
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami who is very dear to Lord Krishna having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisance unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim
Yat-krpa tam aham vande sri gurum dina-taranam
I offer my respectful obeisance unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of all fallen souls, whose mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame man to cross mountains.
My dear most gurudeva, contemplating your sanga I begin to swim through a river of nectarean memories that flows through my mind. I can hardly begin to fathom the depths of your transcendental qualities as it floods the core my very self. I am left dumbfound as usual, always in reverence by the vastness of your glories. Diving deeply into these meditations, I recollect one occasion many years ago in Christchurch surfacing to shore.
Gurudeva, you were initiating a group of devotees, before Sri Sri Nitai Gauracandra. Indirectly you were describing the ordeal of one mataji before she came to Krsna consciousness. At that moment everyone witnessed your heart felt compassion for the suffering of the conditioned souls. Gurudeva, your voice began to choke up as you thought of her past, your speech became staggered and I could see tears swelling gently form your eyes.
Krpambudhir yah para-duhka-duhki, “ the vaisnava is an ocean of mercy to the fallen, conditioned souls; indeed, he is so compassionate that although for himself he knows no unhappiness, he feels unhappiness on account of their suffering.”
(Vilapa-kusumajali 6, Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami)
I was a brand new devotee at that time and I was speechless to say the least. Never the less I could perceive your genuine concern of those bereft of Krsna. Although unqualified and low born, naturally it becomes the duty of the son to relieve the anxiety of his father.
“A father is always a father because he always has the good of the son at heart. The father wants every one of his sons to become better than himself”
(Srila Prabhupada purport SBG 1.12.4)
Gurudeva, all you want is to see others advance in Krsna consciousness. You gave us the priceless boon of devotional service and the very least I can do is to assure you that the effort is there, to mitigate the burden you feel for the suffering humanity. In this way I hope to develop a fraction of your compassionate nature, which is imperative if one desires to push on this Sankirtan movement.
In several letters you always encouraged me to preach, distribute and cultivate. Slowly I can see why. As the years go by it becomes grossly evident to behold as the refugees of Kali plummet themselves into spiritual suicide. It appears that at every moment Gurudeva all you do is preach, preach, and preach. Everywhere you go everyone is after your association. You are just like a moving tirtha, wherever you are devotees and non devotees are always eager to bathe in your presence. It is said that Krsna empowers the demigods to bestow boons upon their worshipers. What then to speak of the preacher, who is dearer to Krsna than the demigods.
Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah
Bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi
There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.
(BG 18.69)
Krsna has definitely empowered you to spread this Krsna consciousness movement as seen by your ever increasing number of spiritual sons and daughters and by your unique, ability to infiltrate the heart of Western cities. Krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana, “Unless empowered by Krsna one cannot propagate the sankirtan movement.” This is the greatest boon. By your example and precept, shamelessly I try to follow in your footsteps, even though at times it feels awkward and inevitable trips and blunders becomes apparent. Still it said by Rupa Gosvami satah-vrtteh, that one must follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. Despite my feeble attempts you remain always so encouraging, so compassionate, so kind that just by seeing your merciful glances, hearing your voice or feeling your embrace is enough to keep me in the dirtiest city street corners for hours on end trying to give this Krsna consciousness to others. This is your inspiration.
More recently how ever another wave of sweet remembrance in your sanga washes clearly in the banks of my mind. This time you had asked for me and Uddhava to serve you in your last retreat here in Sydney. We were situated together in a quaint little cottage, in the middle of the Australian Outback. You stayed in the room next to us, but there was no roof to separate the quarters and thin walls meant that we had to be super quite not to disturb you. Consequently we could also hear you from our room. That following morning at about three o’clock you woke me up while you were talking and dreaming in your sleep. I fully remember you cried out, “O my Lord! O my Lord! Be gentle with me…” and again you snoozed your self back to a deep sleep. Astonished and all excited, I jumped of the floor and took bath to chant my rounds. Than again it happened, in your sleep you began to laugh and you said “Oh, you’re so funny…” and then you kept on giggling like a young boy before snoozing back to your so called slumber. I was in ecstasy to hear you dream of Krsna. In my mind I was pondering, who are you Gurudeva? Where did you come from? What was Krsna doing to you? Were you playing part in Caitanya lila or Krsna lila? Gurudeva even in your dreams you are Krsna conscious! Just like Arjuna who has conquered sleep, and was referred to as Gudakesa.
“As a great devotee of Krsna he could not forget Krsna even for a moment, because that is the nature of the devotee. Either in waking or in sleep, a devotee of the Lord can never be free from thinking of Krsnas name, form, qualities, and pastimes. Thus a devotee of Krsna can conquer both sleep and ignorance simply by thinking of Krsna constantly. This is called Krsna consciousness, or Samadhi.”
(Srila Prabhupada purport BG 1.24)
Shortly after you woke up and seeing you walk through your door with a transcendental smile, I felt so proud to be your disciple. You gently sat on your seat after you’ve finished your morning routine and invited me to chant next to you. Chanting with you by the fire place that morning was indescribable, by your potency I could relish every moment of my jappa.
“Sometimes it is found that a person actually attached to material enjoyment or salvation has the good fortune to associate with pure devotees while they are engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord. By the good grace of the Lord one may also cooperate and join in the chanting. At that time, simply by the association of such pure devotees, the moonlike rays from their hearts reflect on him…”
(Srila Prabhupada purport NOD p133)
Lord Kapila says, "My dear mother, when a person is actually in association with pure devotees, the sublime potency of My devotional service can be experienced." In other words, when a pure devotee speaks, his words act upon the hearts of the audience. What is the secret of hearing and chanting? A professional speaker cannot impress transcendental ecstasy within the hearts of the listeners. However, when a realized soul who is engaged in the service of the Lord is speaking, he has the potency to inject spiritual life within the audience. One should, therefore, seek the association of such pure, unalloyed devotees, and by such association and service a neophyte devotee will certainly develop attachment, love and devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
( Srila Prabhupada purport NOD p132)
I was overwhelmed in your association. This is the perfection, to be with my perpetual father and master who is an eternal servitor of Krsna, by his side. My dear most Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day, I pray that I can always remain by your side, be it with your vapu, or more importantly your vani. Your transcendental instructions that serve as a guiding light to bring me out of the dense darkness of ignorance, without exception remaining forever a fool in the presence of your lotus feet...
Determined to be,
Your obedient and selfless servant
Hriman Krsna das
Indranath das
Dear Guru Maharaja!
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The material creation, although 1/4 of spiritual sky, is very vast and consist of millions of the universes. In every universe there are millions of different planets and all those planes are inhabited with the hundreds of millions of leaving beings. The majority of these living beings are in the bodies influenced by the modes of ignorance. Smaller part in the bodies of animals and human beings. Among those in the bodies of human beings big part not following the religious principles in the mood of goodness. Among those who are in the mood of goodness -the biggest part following impersonal way and different karma-kanda activities. Only very little part of them inclined to practice devotional service in same way. Only few among them has a chance to meet bonafide spiritual master. To practice bhakti-yoga one must first accept a bonafide spiritual master. Srila Rupa Goswami in the Bhakt Rasamrita Sindhu advises:
guru- pradas aya tasmat
krishna-dikshadi sikshanam
vishrabhuna guroh seva
sadhu- vartmani vartmanam
sad dharma prochha bhogati
tyagah krishnaya hetave
One's first duty is to accept a bonafide spiritual master. The student or disciple should be very inquisitive, he should be eager to know the complete truth about eternal religion (sanatana dharma). The words "guru susrusay " mean that one should personally serve the spiritual master by giving him bodily comforts, helping him in bathing, dressing, eating going to sleep, etc. This is called "guru.." (S.B. Canto 7, Ch 7 text 327) The chance to meet bonafide spiritual master is so rear. We can imagine surface of the Great Pacific Ocean. And in the middle of that ocean is floating little peace of wood with a small hole in the middle. And then a little tortoise swimming to the surface of the ocean. And by chance it gets into this little hole in the plank in the middle of the ocean. Similarly, chance to meet spiritual master in the vast material creation is very, very, very small. By we've got it by mercy of Srila Prabhupada and your mercy, Guru Maharaja.
I am just praying at the lotus feet so I will get understanding how lucky I am to have you as my spiritual master.
Your servant,
Indrakarma das and family.
ISKCON Brisbane
Australia
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The material creation, although 1/4 of spiritual sky, is very vast and consist of millions of the universes. In every universe there are millions of different planets and all those planes are inhabited with the hundreds of millions of leaving beings. The majority of these living beings are in the bodies influenced by the modes of ignorance. Smaller part in the bodies of animals and human beings. Among those in the bodies of human beings big part not following the religious principles in the mood of goodness. Among those who are in the mood of goodness -the biggest part following impersonal way and different karma-kanda activities. Only very little part of them inclined to practice devotional service in same way. Only few among them has a chance to meet bonafide spiritual master. To practice bhakti-yoga one must first accept a bonafide spiritual master. Srila Rupa Goswami in the Bhakt Rasamrita Sindhu advises:
guru- pradas aya tasmat
krishna-dikshadi sikshanam
vishrabhuna guroh seva
sadhu- vartmani vartmanam
sad dharma prochha bhogati
tyagah krishnaya hetave
One's first duty is to accept a bonafide spiritual master. The student or disciple should be very inquisitive, he should be eager to know the complete truth about eternal religion (sanatana dharma). The words "guru susrusay " mean that one should personally serve the spiritual master by giving him bodily comforts, helping him in bathing, dressing, eating going to sleep, etc. This is called "guru.." (S.B. Canto 7, Ch 7 text 327) The chance to meet bonafide spiritual master is so rear. We can imagine surface of the Great Pacific Ocean. And in the middle of that ocean is floating little peace of wood with a small hole in the middle. And then a little tortoise swimming to the surface of the ocean. And by chance it gets into this little hole in the plank in the middle of the ocean. Similarly, chance to meet spiritual master in the vast material creation is very, very, very small. By we've got it by mercy of Srila Prabhupada and your mercy, Guru Maharaja.
I am just praying at the lotus feet so I will get understanding how lucky I am to have you as my spiritual master.
Your servant,
Indrakarma das and family.
ISKCON Brisbane
Australia
Jambavan das
Dear Devamrita Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you for all the kindness and guidance you've given me over the years.
I hope that you will continue to give me guidance and that I can be of some service to your mission, particularly after we move to the Wellington area next year. I look forward to having your association again and hearing your nectar classes at the end of year retreat.
Your aspiring servant,
Jambavan das
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you for all the kindness and guidance you've given me over the years.
I hope that you will continue to give me guidance and that I can be of some service to your mission, particularly after we move to the Wellington area next year. I look forward to having your association again and hearing your nectar classes at the end of year retreat.
Your aspiring servant,
Jambavan das
Janesvari devi dasi
Dearest Guru Deva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And all glories, all glories to You on this most auspicious celebration of Your appearance in this world!
I've been reflecting on how wonderful it is for us, as Your aspiring disciples, to have this opportunity to glorify You , our dearmost spiritual master, and -father!
Although words cannot possibly describe the dept of Your transcendental glories!
"The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities.
Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna)."
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.
Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Dear Gurudeva, you told me once to practice gratitude every day. Please let me take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to You, for having received the shelter of Your lotus feet.
More and more i come to realise and appreciate that everything that i have right now is due to Your grace and expert guidance.
SB 6.17.31: "One who engages in unalloyed devotional service to Vasudeva, Krsna, automatically becomes aware of this material world, and therefore he is naturally detached. This detachment is possible because of his high standard of knowledge."
By hearing your words and realisations on Srimad Bhagavatam & C.C., we can experience your 'higher taste' for this transcendental knowledge.
And it makes me eager also to dive deeper into this unlimited ocean of transcendental nectar.
But it is only possible by Your mercy.
I recall the story of Krsna and Sudharma vipra, Who were collecting firewood in the forest for Their beloved Guru, Sandhipani muni. And how they got lost all night in the forest, and in the morning Their Guru came to look for Them, and praised Them for being such self-less disciples, Whose only interest was to please Their spiritual master.
This story reminds me of You Gurudeva, because by Your example You show us how to please and serve Srila Prabhupada,without any consideration for Your own comforts or wellfare.
In Bhagavad-Gita 3.38 (purport), Srila Prabhupada says:
"In the form of a human being, the living entity may revive a little Krishna consciousness, and, if he makes further development, the fire of spiritual life can be kindled in the human form of life. By careful handling of the smoke in the fire, fire can be made to blaze.
Therefore the human form of life is a chance for the living entity to escape the entanglement of material existence.
In the human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of Krsna consciousness under able guidance."
Gurudeva, You are expertly kindling the fire of spiritual life, within all of our hearts, by giving us an opportunity to actively engage all of our senses in the service of the Master of the senses, Hrsikesa.
Dear GuruMaharaja, the shelter of Your lotus feet have become the dearmost goal of my life.
I pray that i may become a useful instrument in Your hands.
Please instruct me as to how to best serve Your lotusfeet.
Your eternally indepted insignificant aspiring servant,
Janesvari devidasi
Srila Gurudeva KI JAYA!!!!
Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
And all glories, all glories to You on this most auspicious celebration of Your appearance in this world!
I've been reflecting on how wonderful it is for us, as Your aspiring disciples, to have this opportunity to glorify You , our dearmost spiritual master, and -father!
Although words cannot possibly describe the dept of Your transcendental glories!
"The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities.
Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari (Krsna)."
"By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement.
Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Dear Gurudeva, you told me once to practice gratitude every day. Please let me take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to You, for having received the shelter of Your lotus feet.
More and more i come to realise and appreciate that everything that i have right now is due to Your grace and expert guidance.
SB 6.17.31: "One who engages in unalloyed devotional service to Vasudeva, Krsna, automatically becomes aware of this material world, and therefore he is naturally detached. This detachment is possible because of his high standard of knowledge."
By hearing your words and realisations on Srimad Bhagavatam & C.C., we can experience your 'higher taste' for this transcendental knowledge.
And it makes me eager also to dive deeper into this unlimited ocean of transcendental nectar.
But it is only possible by Your mercy.
I recall the story of Krsna and Sudharma vipra, Who were collecting firewood in the forest for Their beloved Guru, Sandhipani muni. And how they got lost all night in the forest, and in the morning Their Guru came to look for Them, and praised Them for being such self-less disciples, Whose only interest was to please Their spiritual master.
This story reminds me of You Gurudeva, because by Your example You show us how to please and serve Srila Prabhupada,without any consideration for Your own comforts or wellfare.
In Bhagavad-Gita 3.38 (purport), Srila Prabhupada says:
"In the form of a human being, the living entity may revive a little Krishna consciousness, and, if he makes further development, the fire of spiritual life can be kindled in the human form of life. By careful handling of the smoke in the fire, fire can be made to blaze.
Therefore the human form of life is a chance for the living entity to escape the entanglement of material existence.
In the human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of Krsna consciousness under able guidance."
Gurudeva, You are expertly kindling the fire of spiritual life, within all of our hearts, by giving us an opportunity to actively engage all of our senses in the service of the Master of the senses, Hrsikesa.
Dear GuruMaharaja, the shelter of Your lotus feet have become the dearmost goal of my life.
I pray that i may become a useful instrument in Your hands.
Please instruct me as to how to best serve Your lotusfeet.
Your eternally indepted insignificant aspiring servant,
Janesvari devidasi
Srila Gurudeva KI JAYA!!!!
Jonathan Withey
Dear Guru Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, your appearance, your transcendental activities and your desires.
Naturally, when I think of writing an offering to you, I think of what you have done for me, and I feel some bewilderment at trying to show you due gratitude. I am bewildered because the extent that you have shown mercy to me is so deep and profound that I must confess: I do not understand its significance. I am so new to the process of bhakti; bhakti is so deep and I am so foolish. Only theoretically can I see that I have been given a chance to cease increasing my karmic stockpile; to serve Krishna instead of maya.
Maya is so strong. She covers the living entity’s pure consciousness and bewilders us. On one’s own the conditioned soul can’t do anything to get out of this state of illusion. But stronger than maya is Krishna. And only by His causeless mercy, and the grace of His pure devotee, can one have a chance to become purified and reinstate his dormant Krishna consciousness – to leap out of the cycle of repeated birth and death. This consciousness is revived on the basis of service. In this way, one who can give this service to another is the dearest friend to him. And Krishna is so merciful to accept this service, as Srila Prabhupada states in Nectar of Devotion:
“Being self-sufficient, Krishna does not require the service of any living entity, although He has many devotees. It is because Krishna is so kind and merciful that He gives everyone the opportunity to serve Him, as though He required the service of His devotees.”
This causeless mercy comes through His representative – His pure devotee. Passed down in disciplic succession from Krishna Himself, this parcel of pure knowledge – the science of the relationship with the supreme – is delivered unchanged and not altered, although the packaging may change considering the time, place and circumstance. Due to the mercy of Lord Gauranga, who is most munificent and charitably disposed, the people of this age have become qualified to receive this transcendental gift, although I myself are totally undeserving of it.
“Just as a deer, because of ignorance, cannot see the water within a well covered by grass, but runs after water elsewhere, the living entity covered by the material body does not see the happiness within himself, but runs after happiness in the material world.” (S.B. 7.13.29)
Gurudeva, you have given me a chance to experience true happiness. You have set up a situation for continuous devotional service, in the forms of individual and congregational chanting, book distribution and Gaura Yoga outreach work, and more. And then it is spoon-fed to us in the form of so many exciting activities, projects, marathons, etc. all so that we can chant Hare Krishna with attention.
As you stated in one lecture, hearing and chanting are the main ways to take shelter of Krishna. By regularly hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam we can become vaccinated against maya’s onslaught. And if we do not take shelter in this way we become spiritually malnourished, dull, and gradually covered over. It is your mercy that you recommend your disciples and aspirants to read Srila Prabhupada’s books at least two hours a day.
Thank you for giving me a chance to associate with the devotees in Mahavan’s ashram. This safety net for a fallen kali-yuga wretch as myself is much needed. As Srila Prabhupada states in The Nectar of Instruction: “It is often said that a man is known by his company, and if an ordinary man associates with devotees, he will certainly develop his dormant Krishna consciousness.”
Gurudeva, please give me what I need, not what I want.
Aspiring to serve your devotees,
Bhakta Jonathan
(Wellington)
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, your appearance, your transcendental activities and your desires.
Naturally, when I think of writing an offering to you, I think of what you have done for me, and I feel some bewilderment at trying to show you due gratitude. I am bewildered because the extent that you have shown mercy to me is so deep and profound that I must confess: I do not understand its significance. I am so new to the process of bhakti; bhakti is so deep and I am so foolish. Only theoretically can I see that I have been given a chance to cease increasing my karmic stockpile; to serve Krishna instead of maya.
Maya is so strong. She covers the living entity’s pure consciousness and bewilders us. On one’s own the conditioned soul can’t do anything to get out of this state of illusion. But stronger than maya is Krishna. And only by His causeless mercy, and the grace of His pure devotee, can one have a chance to become purified and reinstate his dormant Krishna consciousness – to leap out of the cycle of repeated birth and death. This consciousness is revived on the basis of service. In this way, one who can give this service to another is the dearest friend to him. And Krishna is so merciful to accept this service, as Srila Prabhupada states in Nectar of Devotion:
“Being self-sufficient, Krishna does not require the service of any living entity, although He has many devotees. It is because Krishna is so kind and merciful that He gives everyone the opportunity to serve Him, as though He required the service of His devotees.”
This causeless mercy comes through His representative – His pure devotee. Passed down in disciplic succession from Krishna Himself, this parcel of pure knowledge – the science of the relationship with the supreme – is delivered unchanged and not altered, although the packaging may change considering the time, place and circumstance. Due to the mercy of Lord Gauranga, who is most munificent and charitably disposed, the people of this age have become qualified to receive this transcendental gift, although I myself are totally undeserving of it.
“Just as a deer, because of ignorance, cannot see the water within a well covered by grass, but runs after water elsewhere, the living entity covered by the material body does not see the happiness within himself, but runs after happiness in the material world.” (S.B. 7.13.29)
Gurudeva, you have given me a chance to experience true happiness. You have set up a situation for continuous devotional service, in the forms of individual and congregational chanting, book distribution and Gaura Yoga outreach work, and more. And then it is spoon-fed to us in the form of so many exciting activities, projects, marathons, etc. all so that we can chant Hare Krishna with attention.
As you stated in one lecture, hearing and chanting are the main ways to take shelter of Krishna. By regularly hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam we can become vaccinated against maya’s onslaught. And if we do not take shelter in this way we become spiritually malnourished, dull, and gradually covered over. It is your mercy that you recommend your disciples and aspirants to read Srila Prabhupada’s books at least two hours a day.
Thank you for giving me a chance to associate with the devotees in Mahavan’s ashram. This safety net for a fallen kali-yuga wretch as myself is much needed. As Srila Prabhupada states in The Nectar of Instruction: “It is often said that a man is known by his company, and if an ordinary man associates with devotees, he will certainly develop his dormant Krishna consciousness.”
Gurudeva, please give me what I need, not what I want.
Aspiring to serve your devotees,
Bhakta Jonathan
(Wellington)
Josh Menheere
Dear Devamrita swami, please accept my humble an respectful obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet, all glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to Your Holiness on this day of your Vyasa puja.
Thank you for your mercy.
when you come to visit us, I'm inspired to chant more attentively. i think that if i serve you i will feel your presence and that will inspire me to chant more attentively, so from now on i will try harder to serve your servants.
one day i would like to become your disciple and thus be protected by following your divine instructions.
from josh.
Thank you for your mercy.
when you come to visit us, I'm inspired to chant more attentively. i think that if i serve you i will feel your presence and that will inspire me to chant more attentively, so from now on i will try harder to serve your servants.
one day i would like to become your disciple and thus be protected by following your divine instructions.
from josh.
Karuna-Purna
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your ever compassionate service.
Vidura said to Maitreya Muni: “But, my dear sir, I am obliged to you because now I can understand that this material manifestation is without substance, although it appears real. I am confident that by serving your feet it will be possible for me to give up the false idea.” (SB 3.7.18)
Srila Gurudeva, with the words of Vidura I would like to show my gratitude and indebtedness for all you are giving. I feel obliged to you, because you have picked me up from the kali-yuga ocean of degradation and exploitation and given me the brilliantly shining jewel of Krishna-bhakti. Because of this gift I am eternally obliged to you. I feel confident that if I take advantage of your guidance I will be able to give up my false conceptions of the material world.
You are my beloved spiritual master and transcendental father. Not only do you freely distribute spiritual knowledge and guidance, but you also give so much more shelter, love and care than what can ever be found in material relationships. You give us all the tools, power and abilities we need for our service. I was amazed that just like a father you even took time to give me a deSwedification lesson...
All this makes me feel obliged to you, just like a grown up child will always feel obliged to his good parents for satisfying all his needs during his childhood. I don’t think I will ever be able to repay you.
I feel that I would want to do so much for you. I would like to lay down my life at your lotus feet. I would like to distribute books all day long and share Krishna Consiousness with a million other souls. I wish I had so much energy to help you in your never ending service to Srila Prabhupada. But I think I dream more of doing so much service than I am physically able to do. Please forgive my inabilities.
Recently you told me that this world is not a place for enjoyment, that the body is a vehicle for suffering. And Krishna is certainly showing me this. So I am confident that with your one pointed intelligence and guidance you are able to eradicate the false hopes of material enjoyment from my consciousness. Thank you, Srila Gurudeva.
Srila Prabhupada writes: “The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the mah?tm? transcendentalists. As far as Bhagavad-g?t? is concerned, the mah?tm?s are the pure devotees who are on the path to Vaiku??ha, the kingdom of God, and who always chant and hear the glories of the Lord rather than talk of dry, profitless philosophy. This system of association has been recommended since time immemorial, but in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy it is especially recommended by Lord ?r? Caitanya Mah?prabhu. Even if one has no assets of favorable austerity, if he nevertheless takes shelter of the mah?tm?s, who are engaged in chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord, he is sure to make progress on the path back home, back to Godhead.” (SB 3.7.20 pp)
Thank you, Srila Gurudeva, for taking up this incredible task of guiding so many fallen souls back home. If it was not for you, I can say with confidence, I would still be swimming around (drowning) in the kali-yuga ocean of degradation and exploitation. And just like me , there are so many souls without any assets of favorable austerities whatsoever, who’s only hope for spiritual elevation is the shelter of a great soul like yourself. I simply offer my full respect and gratitude to you, who goes through so much austerity only for the sake of others. You teach by example and set the standards by always hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord. You engage your sharp intelligence in constantly finding new ways to rescue the fallen souls. Your preaching is bold but your heart is soft and full of compassion. I don’t think I can ever fully understand or express your glories. Thank you for showering your mercy upon us.
I humbly beg you to forgive my inabilities to serve you, I beg Krishna for the strength to do alot for you, and I pray that by your mercy I can become a useful instrument in your hands.
Your spiritual daughter /Karuna-Purna
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your ever compassionate service.
Vidura said to Maitreya Muni: “But, my dear sir, I am obliged to you because now I can understand that this material manifestation is without substance, although it appears real. I am confident that by serving your feet it will be possible for me to give up the false idea.” (SB 3.7.18)
Srila Gurudeva, with the words of Vidura I would like to show my gratitude and indebtedness for all you are giving. I feel obliged to you, because you have picked me up from the kali-yuga ocean of degradation and exploitation and given me the brilliantly shining jewel of Krishna-bhakti. Because of this gift I am eternally obliged to you. I feel confident that if I take advantage of your guidance I will be able to give up my false conceptions of the material world.
You are my beloved spiritual master and transcendental father. Not only do you freely distribute spiritual knowledge and guidance, but you also give so much more shelter, love and care than what can ever be found in material relationships. You give us all the tools, power and abilities we need for our service. I was amazed that just like a father you even took time to give me a deSwedification lesson...
All this makes me feel obliged to you, just like a grown up child will always feel obliged to his good parents for satisfying all his needs during his childhood. I don’t think I will ever be able to repay you.
I feel that I would want to do so much for you. I would like to lay down my life at your lotus feet. I would like to distribute books all day long and share Krishna Consiousness with a million other souls. I wish I had so much energy to help you in your never ending service to Srila Prabhupada. But I think I dream more of doing so much service than I am physically able to do. Please forgive my inabilities.
Recently you told me that this world is not a place for enjoyment, that the body is a vehicle for suffering. And Krishna is certainly showing me this. So I am confident that with your one pointed intelligence and guidance you are able to eradicate the false hopes of material enjoyment from my consciousness. Thank you, Srila Gurudeva.
Srila Prabhupada writes: “The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the mah?tm? transcendentalists. As far as Bhagavad-g?t? is concerned, the mah?tm?s are the pure devotees who are on the path to Vaiku??ha, the kingdom of God, and who always chant and hear the glories of the Lord rather than talk of dry, profitless philosophy. This system of association has been recommended since time immemorial, but in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy it is especially recommended by Lord ?r? Caitanya Mah?prabhu. Even if one has no assets of favorable austerity, if he nevertheless takes shelter of the mah?tm?s, who are engaged in chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord, he is sure to make progress on the path back home, back to Godhead.” (SB 3.7.20 pp)
Thank you, Srila Gurudeva, for taking up this incredible task of guiding so many fallen souls back home. If it was not for you, I can say with confidence, I would still be swimming around (drowning) in the kali-yuga ocean of degradation and exploitation. And just like me , there are so many souls without any assets of favorable austerities whatsoever, who’s only hope for spiritual elevation is the shelter of a great soul like yourself. I simply offer my full respect and gratitude to you, who goes through so much austerity only for the sake of others. You teach by example and set the standards by always hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord. You engage your sharp intelligence in constantly finding new ways to rescue the fallen souls. Your preaching is bold but your heart is soft and full of compassion. I don’t think I can ever fully understand or express your glories. Thank you for showering your mercy upon us.
I humbly beg you to forgive my inabilities to serve you, I beg Krishna for the strength to do alot for you, and I pray that by your mercy I can become a useful instrument in your hands.
Your spiritual daughter /Karuna-Purna
Keli Murali devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
While attempting to write this offering I have been meditating on your wonderful vyasapuja offering to Srila Prabhupada this year. You expressed your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada with the energy and fitness of youth coupled with the sagacity of age. Over the last year I have come to appreciate that the senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada are not at all ordinary, something that has been difficult and a little painful at times while I learned the lesson. Knowing this to be true, few would have the audacity to say there was any lacking in your youthful service, or any waning of energetic enthusiasm in your wonderful preaching service now. Even so, your desire to offer youth with wisdom is fulfilled a hundred fold again and again through your service in guiding your disciples. You are such an attentive and expert spiritual master and your wisdom is guiding the youthful energy of so many of your disciples. And they are doing remarkable service empowered by the disciplic succession through your instructions.
I couldn't ask for a more able spiritual Father. My reciprocation with your unconditional merciful care has been shamefully poor, and I wish to rededicate myself this year on your vyasapuja as your unworthy but endeavoring disciple. I am willing to work hard to take seriously my purification and to help others and am begging for your mercy.
Please help me to serve you,
Keli Murali devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
While attempting to write this offering I have been meditating on your wonderful vyasapuja offering to Srila Prabhupada this year. You expressed your desire to serve Srila Prabhupada with the energy and fitness of youth coupled with the sagacity of age. Over the last year I have come to appreciate that the senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada are not at all ordinary, something that has been difficult and a little painful at times while I learned the lesson. Knowing this to be true, few would have the audacity to say there was any lacking in your youthful service, or any waning of energetic enthusiasm in your wonderful preaching service now. Even so, your desire to offer youth with wisdom is fulfilled a hundred fold again and again through your service in guiding your disciples. You are such an attentive and expert spiritual master and your wisdom is guiding the youthful energy of so many of your disciples. And they are doing remarkable service empowered by the disciplic succession through your instructions.
I couldn't ask for a more able spiritual Father. My reciprocation with your unconditional merciful care has been shamefully poor, and I wish to rededicate myself this year on your vyasapuja as your unworthy but endeavoring disciple. I am willing to work hard to take seriously my purification and to help others and am begging for your mercy.
Please help me to serve you,
Keli Murali devi dasi
Khadiravan devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this sacred celebration of your appearance.
You give your best
It’s clear to see
To Srila Prabhupada, your life surrendered
I cheat you not to give you my best,
That’s clear to me
You’ve given me everything, now it’s up to me.
A life of sacrifice is your history
Each moment connected
Union with your master’s desire
“I hated book distribution, but was determined to love it, because my spiritual master loves it”
Sankirtan with no results, and then Krishna took over
Marathon book production at the BBT
Risk to teach bhakti underground,
“I may live or die, but Bhagavad-gita is eternal”
Timely elegance and flair to catch the audience ear
Only to solace their deepest need
Deep compassion your motive.
Reach inside their heart and pull them out from maya’s thick camouflage
perfectional servant of Srila Prabhupada and parampara
Would anyone else dare to care so much?
ISKCON protection
fighting that Prabhupada’s desires remain centrepoint
seeking and training leaders to carry them into the future
Vaishnava care, a vigilant spiritual father
Straining to pass on the lesson in vani
You so nobly received
The fight against maya’s plundering continues by your mercy….
āyur harati vai puṁsām
udyann astaṁ ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-kṣaṇo nīta
uttama-śloka-vārtayā
Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT (Excerpt)
This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man. So the time indicated by the sunrise and the sunset will be uselessly wasted if such time is not properly utilized for realizing identification of spiritual values. Even a fraction of the duration of life wasted cannot be compensated by any amount of gold. Human life is simply awarded to a living entity (jiva) so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.3.17
Your example, giving your best,
Stirs the spark of desire to offer the same to you
Sane moments out of the mire, oft times distracted I lie.
Oh a fan is required thinks me.
I must take advantage of the bellows you kindly taught me to wield
Take leave of dullness
I feel it is on my head, the ball is in my court,
I must reciprocate to try and find the smile of satisfaction of you Gurudev, upon me.
Thanking you for this responsibility, it will be my saving grace.
Thank you for trying to purify this conditioned soul,
ei-bāro karuṇā koro vaiṣṇava gosāi
patita-pāvana tomā bine keho nāi
O Vaiṣṇava Gosvāmī, please be merciful to me now. There is no one except you who can purify the fallen souls.
You give your best
It’s clear to see
To Srila Prabhupada, your life surrendered
I cheat you not to give you my best,
That’s clear to me
You’ve given me everything, now it’s up to me.
Begging for your mercy that I may become very focused and concentrated, for your pleasure, using every moment in your service.
Your aspiring servant,
Khadiravan devi dasi
please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this sacred celebration of your appearance.
You give your best
It’s clear to see
To Srila Prabhupada, your life surrendered
I cheat you not to give you my best,
That’s clear to me
You’ve given me everything, now it’s up to me.
A life of sacrifice is your history
Each moment connected
Union with your master’s desire
“I hated book distribution, but was determined to love it, because my spiritual master loves it”
Sankirtan with no results, and then Krishna took over
Marathon book production at the BBT
Risk to teach bhakti underground,
“I may live or die, but Bhagavad-gita is eternal”
Timely elegance and flair to catch the audience ear
Only to solace their deepest need
Deep compassion your motive.
Reach inside their heart and pull them out from maya’s thick camouflage
perfectional servant of Srila Prabhupada and parampara
Would anyone else dare to care so much?
ISKCON protection
fighting that Prabhupada’s desires remain centrepoint
seeking and training leaders to carry them into the future
Vaishnava care, a vigilant spiritual father
Straining to pass on the lesson in vani
You so nobly received
The fight against maya’s plundering continues by your mercy….
āyur harati vai puṁsām
udyann astaṁ ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-kṣaṇo nīta
uttama-śloka-vārtayā
Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT (Excerpt)
This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man. So the time indicated by the sunrise and the sunset will be uselessly wasted if such time is not properly utilized for realizing identification of spiritual values. Even a fraction of the duration of life wasted cannot be compensated by any amount of gold. Human life is simply awarded to a living entity (jiva) so that he can realize his spiritual identity and his permanent source of happiness.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.3.17
Your example, giving your best,
Stirs the spark of desire to offer the same to you
Sane moments out of the mire, oft times distracted I lie.
Oh a fan is required thinks me.
I must take advantage of the bellows you kindly taught me to wield
Take leave of dullness
I feel it is on my head, the ball is in my court,
I must reciprocate to try and find the smile of satisfaction of you Gurudev, upon me.
Thanking you for this responsibility, it will be my saving grace.
Thank you for trying to purify this conditioned soul,
ei-bāro karuṇā koro vaiṣṇava gosāi
patita-pāvana tomā bine keho nāi
O Vaiṣṇava Gosvāmī, please be merciful to me now. There is no one except you who can purify the fallen souls.
You give your best
It’s clear to see
To Srila Prabhupada, your life surrendered
I cheat you not to give you my best,
That’s clear to me
You’ve given me everything, now it’s up to me.
Begging for your mercy that I may become very focused and concentrated, for your pleasure, using every moment in your service.
Your aspiring servant,
Khadiravan devi dasi
Khela-tirtha dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudev ,you are changing the world.
Your circle of influence is expanding.
Devotees world wide speak of your Krsna conscious sanga and the effects of such sanga are enlivened devotees and vigorous preaching and all the side benefits that accompany such preaching
All the evidence is there that you are effecting change in the hearts of the people that are fortunate enough to get your darshan, merciful glance and instruction.
You speak to the masses while simultaneously speaking to the individual
Your classes on Srimad Bhagavatam are relevant to all classes of men and they are aimed at reestablishing a Krsna conscious planet.
As international as you are,following in the footsteps of your previous pravikagacaryas,you seem to have this mystical shakti to show an individual that you have all the time in the world for him or her.
You have personal care for the individual because each and every part and parcel of Krsna means so much to you.
An example of this ,amongst hundreds,was shown In Wellington ,New Zealand in 1995.
You asked two novice book distributors to distribute Prabhupada's books in Manners Mall while you tended to other important preaching matters.
The weather was getting worse and worse to the point of high speed winds and horizontal rains,alot heavier than the average windy Wellington that the tourists come to realize after a short stay in the NZ capital.
The distributors were holding onto lamposts and garbage bins while trying to hand books to the conditioned souls who were trying to hold onto trees and bike racks.
After a little while the distributors were the only two people in Manners Mall
They ventured back to the flat and had just walked in when you came in behind them and said "I came looking for you two...its really blowing up a storm out there isnt it!!"
You personally went to pick them up, Gurudev. An act of mercy that will stay in the hearts of those two distributors for life.
You are an impeccable example of compassion, determination, forbearance, tolerance, gravity, expertise, sensitivity, dexterity, flexibility, gentlemanly behavior, thoughtfulness, intense absorption, perfect character, cleanliness, regularity, consistency and kindness.
Gurudev you are guiding conditioned souls world wide to become acaryas.You are an expert leader/manager
You have taken on huge responsibilities for Srila Prabhupada and his mission to save the world in its darkest hour and to create a revolution in the impious lives of the worlds misdirected civilization..
Bhaktivinode Thakur in his last stanza of his glorification of Nityananda mahajan instructs
krsnaera samsara koro chadi anacar
jive doya, krsna nam sarva dharma sar
"Giving up all sinful activities,carry on your worldly duties only in relation to Lord Krsna,
The showing of compassion to other souls by loudly chanting the Holy Name of Krsna is the essence of all forms of religion"
You are teaching us the same,Gurudev
You are an exemplar of relishing the Lords Holy Name
You chant for the deliverance of everybody else.Selflessly guiding others on the bhakti path
You relish the Holy Name too,of course,and you chant with intense absorption and pure devotion but your heart,being devoid of the the propensity to criticize others,is completely geared to serving Krsna and His parts and parcels
Therefore you are a selfless, transparent via medium.
All glories to you, Guru Maharaja, on this most auspicious day
Your aspiring servant
Khela-tirtha dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your appearance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudev ,you are changing the world.
Your circle of influence is expanding.
Devotees world wide speak of your Krsna conscious sanga and the effects of such sanga are enlivened devotees and vigorous preaching and all the side benefits that accompany such preaching
All the evidence is there that you are effecting change in the hearts of the people that are fortunate enough to get your darshan, merciful glance and instruction.
You speak to the masses while simultaneously speaking to the individual
Your classes on Srimad Bhagavatam are relevant to all classes of men and they are aimed at reestablishing a Krsna conscious planet.
As international as you are,following in the footsteps of your previous pravikagacaryas,you seem to have this mystical shakti to show an individual that you have all the time in the world for him or her.
You have personal care for the individual because each and every part and parcel of Krsna means so much to you.
An example of this ,amongst hundreds,was shown In Wellington ,New Zealand in 1995.
You asked two novice book distributors to distribute Prabhupada's books in Manners Mall while you tended to other important preaching matters.
The weather was getting worse and worse to the point of high speed winds and horizontal rains,alot heavier than the average windy Wellington that the tourists come to realize after a short stay in the NZ capital.
The distributors were holding onto lamposts and garbage bins while trying to hand books to the conditioned souls who were trying to hold onto trees and bike racks.
After a little while the distributors were the only two people in Manners Mall
They ventured back to the flat and had just walked in when you came in behind them and said "I came looking for you two...its really blowing up a storm out there isnt it!!"
You personally went to pick them up, Gurudev. An act of mercy that will stay in the hearts of those two distributors for life.
You are an impeccable example of compassion, determination, forbearance, tolerance, gravity, expertise, sensitivity, dexterity, flexibility, gentlemanly behavior, thoughtfulness, intense absorption, perfect character, cleanliness, regularity, consistency and kindness.
Gurudev you are guiding conditioned souls world wide to become acaryas.You are an expert leader/manager
You have taken on huge responsibilities for Srila Prabhupada and his mission to save the world in its darkest hour and to create a revolution in the impious lives of the worlds misdirected civilization..
Bhaktivinode Thakur in his last stanza of his glorification of Nityananda mahajan instructs
krsnaera samsara koro chadi anacar
jive doya, krsna nam sarva dharma sar
"Giving up all sinful activities,carry on your worldly duties only in relation to Lord Krsna,
The showing of compassion to other souls by loudly chanting the Holy Name of Krsna is the essence of all forms of religion"
You are teaching us the same,Gurudev
You are an exemplar of relishing the Lords Holy Name
You chant for the deliverance of everybody else.Selflessly guiding others on the bhakti path
You relish the Holy Name too,of course,and you chant with intense absorption and pure devotion but your heart,being devoid of the the propensity to criticize others,is completely geared to serving Krsna and His parts and parcels
Therefore you are a selfless, transparent via medium.
All glories to you, Guru Maharaja, on this most auspicious day
Your aspiring servant
Khela-tirtha dasa
Kirtidevi devi dasi
Nama om vishnupadaya krishna prestaya bhutale Srimate Devamvrta Swamin iti
namine
Querido Gurudev, le ofrezco mis mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias a sus
sagrados pies de loto en este mas auspicioso día de su Vyasa Puja.
Mi querido padre como dice srila prabhupada no se puede fabricar un mahatma estampándole un sello a un hombre ordinario
ya que en la bhagavad gita se describe las características de un verdadero mahatma como usted
usted mi querido gurudeva esta siempre dedicado en cuerpo , alma y mente a cantar las glorias señor krishna
a ejecutar la voluntad de krishna
usted no tiene ninguna otra ocupación , ya que sus actividades son completamente trascendentales
tan solo de sus boca salen glorificaciones a la suprema personalidad de dios usted es la perfección y ejemplo a seguir
nos guia con su ejemplo dia tras dia
la perfeccion de la vida es usted ya que no esta bajo el hechizo de maya de la naturaleza material
si no mas bien bajo las modalidades de la naturaleza espiritual usted siempre esta en vaikuntha loka
oh mi querido padre tan solo usted nos puede ayudar a salir del fango de miseria en el cual nos hemos metido usted es el único que
nos puede ayudar a todos nosotros
siempre viajando sin descanso para sacarnos las vendas de los ojos y acercándonos mas a krishna haciéndonos recordar nuestra
verdadera posicion de que somos sirvientes y no disfrutadores
el exito de la vida se puede conseguir simplemente bajo su refugio siguiendo sus instrucciones
yo tomo refugio en sus dignos pies de loto por que usted es la unica persona en la cual yo puedo tomar refugio
estare en deuda con usted vida tras vida entregada eternamente a sus pies de loto
ofrezco mis mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias ante usted por que usted a visto la verdad absoluta
su sirviente
kirtidevi devi dasi
namine
Querido Gurudev, le ofrezco mis mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias a sus
sagrados pies de loto en este mas auspicioso día de su Vyasa Puja.
Mi querido padre como dice srila prabhupada no se puede fabricar un mahatma estampándole un sello a un hombre ordinario
ya que en la bhagavad gita se describe las características de un verdadero mahatma como usted
usted mi querido gurudeva esta siempre dedicado en cuerpo , alma y mente a cantar las glorias señor krishna
a ejecutar la voluntad de krishna
usted no tiene ninguna otra ocupación , ya que sus actividades son completamente trascendentales
tan solo de sus boca salen glorificaciones a la suprema personalidad de dios usted es la perfección y ejemplo a seguir
nos guia con su ejemplo dia tras dia
la perfeccion de la vida es usted ya que no esta bajo el hechizo de maya de la naturaleza material
si no mas bien bajo las modalidades de la naturaleza espiritual usted siempre esta en vaikuntha loka
oh mi querido padre tan solo usted nos puede ayudar a salir del fango de miseria en el cual nos hemos metido usted es el único que
nos puede ayudar a todos nosotros
siempre viajando sin descanso para sacarnos las vendas de los ojos y acercándonos mas a krishna haciéndonos recordar nuestra
verdadera posicion de que somos sirvientes y no disfrutadores
el exito de la vida se puede conseguir simplemente bajo su refugio siguiendo sus instrucciones
yo tomo refugio en sus dignos pies de loto por que usted es la unica persona en la cual yo puedo tomar refugio
estare en deuda con usted vida tras vida entregada eternamente a sus pies de loto
ofrezco mis mas humildes y respetuosas reverencias ante usted por que usted a visto la verdad absoluta
su sirviente
kirtidevi devi dasi
Krishna Rupa devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please let me send your appearance day greetings. In the 1st canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that pure devotees can explain Krishna to the extent of what they have realized themselves. Thank you for giving us so much nectar. This is your causeless mercy! We can feel all sweetness of Krishna-lila by hearing your narrations about Krishna. You present them so nicely that we are able to see whole scene. You give us accessible examples so we can take emotions that we know and apply them to the Krishna's pastimes.
Dear Guru Maharaj, thank you for your kindness, love, care and patience towards me. I can feel it constantly. You are expert in chopping all the anchors of useless attachments off.
Dear Guru Maharaj, please let me always hold on to your lotus feet and give me strength and intelligence to follow your instructions.
Useless in your service,
Krishna Rupa devi dasi,
September 2009
St.Petersburg, Russia
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please let me send your appearance day greetings. In the 1st canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that pure devotees can explain Krishna to the extent of what they have realized themselves. Thank you for giving us so much nectar. This is your causeless mercy! We can feel all sweetness of Krishna-lila by hearing your narrations about Krishna. You present them so nicely that we are able to see whole scene. You give us accessible examples so we can take emotions that we know and apply them to the Krishna's pastimes.
Dear Guru Maharaj, thank you for your kindness, love, care and patience towards me. I can feel it constantly. You are expert in chopping all the anchors of useless attachments off.
Dear Guru Maharaj, please let me always hold on to your lotus feet and give me strength and intelligence to follow your instructions.
Useless in your service,
Krishna Rupa devi dasi,
September 2009
St.Petersburg, Russia
Krishnagraja Das
My Dear Spiritual Master,
On this most auspicious occasion I would like to offer my most respectful humble obeisances unto you.
Throughout my life Krishna has been so kind to me. But the most rewarding and the most special prize
I have ever received is that I have you as my guide, teacher, counsellor, father and over all as my spiritual master.
You possess an ocean of transcendental qualities but who am I to describe them. I wouldn't be able to touch a tip of an ice berg
of even one of your transcendental qualities.
How amazing is it that you go out of your comfort zone just so that you can spread Krishna's Holy name far and wide.
When you were young, you had your prestigious qualifications from Yale university which would have fetched you a high
profile promising career, but you gave it all up as insignificant and followed the path of Srila Rupa Goswami, Sanatan goswami and
Raghunath Das goswami.
Despite the accident you experienced in LA you still went out traveling all over the world for the sake of helping the suffering
conditioned souls to reunite with Krishna.
Similarly 6 years ago you had a conversation with an old gentle man from Soviet Union at RMIT
(Royal Melbourne Institute of technology), where you explained how you had to be in disguise to give Krishna to others.
At one occasion you even jumped out of the window of a bus to escape the KGBs.
As I learn more and more from other devotees this used to be your daily experience, all this austerity just to please your very dear
spiritual master Srila Prabhupad.
Your style of devotee care is very unique and touching. Your thunderbolt Kind of weapon (anger, chastisement and sarcasm),
is but an another shape of your kind mercy to eradicate ones so called knowledge, pride or even madness. Without this we wont
experience the full package of your spiritual qualities. Its a necessity for a disciple to grow up spiritually in this way.
For an example I remember straight after my Brahman initiation I was to go to the farm with you for a retreat. As I sat on the
back seat of the car you had your side long glances gazing at me trough the window. You laughingly and sarcastically said
"you've become mesmerized by your gayatri mantra!". Hearing this I really got bewildered and couldn't comprehend what you meant.
I was clueless and lost but my dear friend Gopal Guru Prabhu who understood the inner meaning of your statement
helped me understand that I had to open the door of the car for you to seat first.
On the other hand I notice how you become soft as a rose.
Specially when devotees go trough a very tough time in their Spiritual life you treat them very gently, with a lot of affection and love.
Your jokes gets us out of mental platform and experience K.C in a pleasant joyful way.
I'd like to thank you for everything you have given me although I don't deserve.
In conclusion I pray and beg to receive your kind mercy so that I may remain your true servant life after life. a
Please forgive me for any offenses I have committed to you.
Your servant and a child
Krishnagraja das
On this most auspicious occasion I would like to offer my most respectful humble obeisances unto you.
Throughout my life Krishna has been so kind to me. But the most rewarding and the most special prize
I have ever received is that I have you as my guide, teacher, counsellor, father and over all as my spiritual master.
You possess an ocean of transcendental qualities but who am I to describe them. I wouldn't be able to touch a tip of an ice berg
of even one of your transcendental qualities.
How amazing is it that you go out of your comfort zone just so that you can spread Krishna's Holy name far and wide.
When you were young, you had your prestigious qualifications from Yale university which would have fetched you a high
profile promising career, but you gave it all up as insignificant and followed the path of Srila Rupa Goswami, Sanatan goswami and
Raghunath Das goswami.
Despite the accident you experienced in LA you still went out traveling all over the world for the sake of helping the suffering
conditioned souls to reunite with Krishna.
Similarly 6 years ago you had a conversation with an old gentle man from Soviet Union at RMIT
(Royal Melbourne Institute of technology), where you explained how you had to be in disguise to give Krishna to others.
At one occasion you even jumped out of the window of a bus to escape the KGBs.
As I learn more and more from other devotees this used to be your daily experience, all this austerity just to please your very dear
spiritual master Srila Prabhupad.
Your style of devotee care is very unique and touching. Your thunderbolt Kind of weapon (anger, chastisement and sarcasm),
is but an another shape of your kind mercy to eradicate ones so called knowledge, pride or even madness. Without this we wont
experience the full package of your spiritual qualities. Its a necessity for a disciple to grow up spiritually in this way.
For an example I remember straight after my Brahman initiation I was to go to the farm with you for a retreat. As I sat on the
back seat of the car you had your side long glances gazing at me trough the window. You laughingly and sarcastically said
"you've become mesmerized by your gayatri mantra!". Hearing this I really got bewildered and couldn't comprehend what you meant.
I was clueless and lost but my dear friend Gopal Guru Prabhu who understood the inner meaning of your statement
helped me understand that I had to open the door of the car for you to seat first.
On the other hand I notice how you become soft as a rose.
Specially when devotees go trough a very tough time in their Spiritual life you treat them very gently, with a lot of affection and love.
Your jokes gets us out of mental platform and experience K.C in a pleasant joyful way.
I'd like to thank you for everything you have given me although I don't deserve.
In conclusion I pray and beg to receive your kind mercy so that I may remain your true servant life after life. a
Please forgive me for any offenses I have committed to you.
Your servant and a child
Krishnagraja das
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Recently I re-visited your lectures on “Urban preaching” and “Cracking Western Cities”. These particular lectures are brilliant because they unfold the strategy and dynamics of the urban preaching you have developed. Although you have involved me in outreach work from the beginning of my Krishna conscious life, I didn’t understand the strategy behind it all until I listened to your lectures. I just knew that to make devotees we have to become friends with them, give them lots of prasad, make them feel at home, get them to a buy a Srimad Bhagavatam set and they’ll live happily ever after! I remember once, after an intense evening at The Loft in Ponsonby when Param Satya was doing workshops on Celestine Prophecy. She had fifty or so people attend and they all decided to give her a hug ( a new age ritual) after a heated discussion at the end of the workshop. You decided to close the next evening because she was pretty wrung out after that experience. As always, you were thinking about the welfare of devotees. Chandrasekhar Swami asked a question the next morning in class after you all dissected what had happened the evening before and how to deal with these people. He asked, in an incredulous way, “How will we ever make these people devotees?!” You replied, “By being their friend”. That statement always stuck with me.
The same principle applies now – it's not difficult to befriend someone–there’s nothing like a devotees care–but after that, it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Practically everyone these days has been abused or abuses themselves to the extent that they are wrecks. Many have psychosis, their health is destroyed. Most haven’t had the stability of a family environment, they don’t know how to have proper relationships, so many emotional and mental problems – they’re a mess! It’s taking longer for heads to clear and for them to stabilize in Krishna consciousness than before.
So, it takes deep compassion to work with these people day after day. I have experienced you exhibiting this deep compassion many times. Once, in a phone conversation, I was telling you that someone was causing too much disturbance in the ashram. You wanted her to stay because you were the only one who could help her. Another time, a similar situation: you said, “If we can’t help her, then how can we help anyone in Kali yuga?” This demonstrates that you are the perfect representative of Lord Nityananda. Lord Caitanya says, āmāra ‘duṣkara’ karma, tomā haite haye. Jagāi and Mādhāi were delivered solely by Nityānanda Prabhu’s mercy. When Jagai hit Lord Nityananda with a pot Mahāprabhu was very much angry. He came, "Bring My cakra. I shall kill these rascal’s immediately." He became so angry. Then Nityānanda Prabhu implored, "My dear brother, why You are very angry? They are the sample of this age. So if You become angry, then whom we are going to deliver? The whole population is full of like Jagāi and Mādhāi” (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada).
In the same way those who are coming to our centres are a sample of this age. It is becoming more and more degraded, and as that happens, people are becoming more and more disturbed. We, the staff at the preaching centers, have to become expert to deal with these people and develop deeper compassion to keep reaching out. Some of the people are like mad animals! Well, I was a mad animal too and it was only due to your mercy and the mercy of the devotees that I became human.
This weight of responsibility presses me to become adept in all areas of my service so that I can effectively help to bring about a change in the life of people with such problems. I feel incapable in so many ways but I am sincerely asking Gurudeva if you could please bless me with intelligence and deep compassion so I can assist you more effectively with outreach and care of devotees.
your daughter & servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Recently I re-visited your lectures on “Urban preaching” and “Cracking Western Cities”. These particular lectures are brilliant because they unfold the strategy and dynamics of the urban preaching you have developed. Although you have involved me in outreach work from the beginning of my Krishna conscious life, I didn’t understand the strategy behind it all until I listened to your lectures. I just knew that to make devotees we have to become friends with them, give them lots of prasad, make them feel at home, get them to a buy a Srimad Bhagavatam set and they’ll live happily ever after! I remember once, after an intense evening at The Loft in Ponsonby when Param Satya was doing workshops on Celestine Prophecy. She had fifty or so people attend and they all decided to give her a hug ( a new age ritual) after a heated discussion at the end of the workshop. You decided to close the next evening because she was pretty wrung out after that experience. As always, you were thinking about the welfare of devotees. Chandrasekhar Swami asked a question the next morning in class after you all dissected what had happened the evening before and how to deal with these people. He asked, in an incredulous way, “How will we ever make these people devotees?!” You replied, “By being their friend”. That statement always stuck with me.
The same principle applies now – it's not difficult to befriend someone–there’s nothing like a devotees care–but after that, it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Practically everyone these days has been abused or abuses themselves to the extent that they are wrecks. Many have psychosis, their health is destroyed. Most haven’t had the stability of a family environment, they don’t know how to have proper relationships, so many emotional and mental problems – they’re a mess! It’s taking longer for heads to clear and for them to stabilize in Krishna consciousness than before.
So, it takes deep compassion to work with these people day after day. I have experienced you exhibiting this deep compassion many times. Once, in a phone conversation, I was telling you that someone was causing too much disturbance in the ashram. You wanted her to stay because you were the only one who could help her. Another time, a similar situation: you said, “If we can’t help her, then how can we help anyone in Kali yuga?” This demonstrates that you are the perfect representative of Lord Nityananda. Lord Caitanya says, āmāra ‘duṣkara’ karma, tomā haite haye. Jagāi and Mādhāi were delivered solely by Nityānanda Prabhu’s mercy. When Jagai hit Lord Nityananda with a pot Mahāprabhu was very much angry. He came, "Bring My cakra. I shall kill these rascal’s immediately." He became so angry. Then Nityānanda Prabhu implored, "My dear brother, why You are very angry? They are the sample of this age. So if You become angry, then whom we are going to deliver? The whole population is full of like Jagāi and Mādhāi” (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada).
In the same way those who are coming to our centres are a sample of this age. It is becoming more and more degraded, and as that happens, people are becoming more and more disturbed. We, the staff at the preaching centers, have to become expert to deal with these people and develop deeper compassion to keep reaching out. Some of the people are like mad animals! Well, I was a mad animal too and it was only due to your mercy and the mercy of the devotees that I became human.
This weight of responsibility presses me to become adept in all areas of my service so that I can effectively help to bring about a change in the life of people with such problems. I feel incapable in so many ways but I am sincerely asking Gurudeva if you could please bless me with intelligence and deep compassion so I can assist you more effectively with outreach and care of devotees.
your daughter & servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Krsna Murari dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
Gurudeva, I really don’t know where to begin or start this offering to you, due to my own inabilities, but I hope this attempt of an offering will show some tiny appreciation of what you have done for me.
Gurudeva, your love for your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, is so awe-inspiring; it is so obvious that you have developed genuine love for Prabhupada and Krishna. Otherwise how would it be possible for you to lead the life that you live, travelling endlessly from one place to another spreading the message of Lord Caitanya and for so many decades. Otherwise how would you be able to change the hearts of so many people, who had no conception of who Krishna is and convince them to dedicate their lives to becoming Krishna conscious and giving Krishna consciousness to others.
Gurudeva, your sincerity in serving Prabhupada and Krishna is so clear; you always see the good qualities in others, you so lovingly deal with all the Vaishnavas and are so concerned about those who are bereft of Krsna consciousness. You always stress the importance of hearing the holy names attentively, reading Srila Prabhupada’s books daily and associating nicely with devotees, basic instructions but such essential instructions that one can’t do without, thank you for so patiently repeating them again and again.
Guru Maharaja, I pray at your lotus feet that I may develop even a tinge of the love and sincerity you have in serving your spiritual master and Krsna.
Your servant,
Krsna Murari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
Gurudeva, I really don’t know where to begin or start this offering to you, due to my own inabilities, but I hope this attempt of an offering will show some tiny appreciation of what you have done for me.
Gurudeva, your love for your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, is so awe-inspiring; it is so obvious that you have developed genuine love for Prabhupada and Krishna. Otherwise how would it be possible for you to lead the life that you live, travelling endlessly from one place to another spreading the message of Lord Caitanya and for so many decades. Otherwise how would you be able to change the hearts of so many people, who had no conception of who Krishna is and convince them to dedicate their lives to becoming Krishna conscious and giving Krishna consciousness to others.
Gurudeva, your sincerity in serving Prabhupada and Krishna is so clear; you always see the good qualities in others, you so lovingly deal with all the Vaishnavas and are so concerned about those who are bereft of Krsna consciousness. You always stress the importance of hearing the holy names attentively, reading Srila Prabhupada’s books daily and associating nicely with devotees, basic instructions but such essential instructions that one can’t do without, thank you for so patiently repeating them again and again.
Guru Maharaja, I pray at your lotus feet that I may develop even a tinge of the love and sincerity you have in serving your spiritual master and Krsna.
Your servant,
Krsna Murari dd
Krsna Prasada
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year this day comes, the anxiety just seems to increase more and more. I just feel so hopeless with my weak attempts to try to speak some words of gratitude.
Thank you Gurudeva for everything. Even though I have to tolerate and deal with so many Jaghai's and Madhai's everyday, it gives me a true feeling of appreciation for devotee association, devotional service and chanting the Maha Mantra. On the other hand my mind makes so many things in Krsna Consciousness seem so difficult, if only it wouldn't get in the way. You are showing us how to become proper human beings and far beyond. I wish I could realise that it was as simple as it sounds, just chanting, dancing and feasting.
The world needs super devotees like yourself, where would we be without such a superior example. Gurudeva, I just pray to some day feel some sort of real heartfelt appreciation for what you have done and what you are continuing to do for me and the whole world.
Why me Gurudeva? After innumerable repeated births and deaths, I have some how been showered with mercy to an unlimited extent. Why am I so fortunate to have this opportunity to try to serve a pure devotee of Krsna as yourself? There must be so many others out there far more worthy than me. There is no other way to get to Krsna other than taking shelter and serving his pure devotee.
I want to be able to serve you properly Gurudeva, I just feel so useless. I feel like I can never do enough or anything of real significance.
Please help me to serve my God brothers and sisters, which is ultimately serving you.
Please give me the opportunity to dive deep into the Bhakti ocean.
And please give me the intelligence and ability to try to do what pleases you.
Your insignificant servant of the servant.
Krsna Prasada das.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every year this day comes, the anxiety just seems to increase more and more. I just feel so hopeless with my weak attempts to try to speak some words of gratitude.
Thank you Gurudeva for everything. Even though I have to tolerate and deal with so many Jaghai's and Madhai's everyday, it gives me a true feeling of appreciation for devotee association, devotional service and chanting the Maha Mantra. On the other hand my mind makes so many things in Krsna Consciousness seem so difficult, if only it wouldn't get in the way. You are showing us how to become proper human beings and far beyond. I wish I could realise that it was as simple as it sounds, just chanting, dancing and feasting.
The world needs super devotees like yourself, where would we be without such a superior example. Gurudeva, I just pray to some day feel some sort of real heartfelt appreciation for what you have done and what you are continuing to do for me and the whole world.
Why me Gurudeva? After innumerable repeated births and deaths, I have some how been showered with mercy to an unlimited extent. Why am I so fortunate to have this opportunity to try to serve a pure devotee of Krsna as yourself? There must be so many others out there far more worthy than me. There is no other way to get to Krsna other than taking shelter and serving his pure devotee.
I want to be able to serve you properly Gurudeva, I just feel so useless. I feel like I can never do enough or anything of real significance.
Please help me to serve my God brothers and sisters, which is ultimately serving you.
Please give me the opportunity to dive deep into the Bhakti ocean.
And please give me the intelligence and ability to try to do what pleases you.
Your insignificant servant of the servant.
Krsna Prasada das.
Krsnamrta das & Rasamrta devi dasi
Nama om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaia bhutale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parapatatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisance’s at the dust of your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupda
All glories to you
Even with your tight schedule, you travel everywhere to preach and save fallen souls like us. We want to thank you from the bottom of our heart for that. You could stay in the Holy Dham, chant and go back to Godhead. However, you are so merciful that you chose to travel all around the world despite facing all the horrible turbulence, jetlag, and weather change just to save us from the clutch of maya.
Lord Krishna says that:-
One should know the acarya as myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.” BG 4.34.
We bow down again and again to your lotus feet. Thank you very much for caring and giving us your association.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Krsnamrta das & Rasamrta devi dasi.
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parapatatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisance’s at the dust of your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupda
All glories to you
Even with your tight schedule, you travel everywhere to preach and save fallen souls like us. We want to thank you from the bottom of our heart for that. You could stay in the Holy Dham, chant and go back to Godhead. However, you are so merciful that you chose to travel all around the world despite facing all the horrible turbulence, jetlag, and weather change just to save us from the clutch of maya.
Lord Krishna says that:-
One should know the acarya as myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.” BG 4.34.
We bow down again and again to your lotus feet. Thank you very much for caring and giving us your association.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Krsnamrta das & Rasamrta devi dasi.
Kundalata dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
After 6 years I am back in Melbourne, where I met the devotees for the first time. I remember how I met the harinama in Swanston Street and one of the devotees gave me a flyer from Crossways, where I went for prasadam the next day. On the table was another flyer, giving information about a world-travelling monk, a graduate from Yale University, who would be giving a talk at the Loft that Friday. His name was Devamrta Swami. I thought ‘hmm interesting, let’s go and see what those Hare Krishnas are all about’.
I can’t remember exactly what the talk was about, but it made me go to the Sunday feast at the temple 2 days later, where you gave the Sunday feast class and afterwards did a Q&A session. What struck me from the very beginning was how you were so personal with everyone and how you seemed to be able to easily defeat every challenging statement people threw at you. And all that not for personal prestige, but simply to help others move forward in their spiritual life...
You left Australia and I kept going to the temple and to the Loft. After 2 months, when I had just sort-of moved into the ashram, you came back. I had my first darshan. You were sitting on the couch with this big smile when Sandhini-Sakti and I walked in. We talked for a little while and at some point I mentioned that I liked being in Melbourne, I liked the city and the passion.
You said: “naaah, you don’t really like that”
I said: “Yes I do”
You said: “No you don’t”
I said: “Yes I do!”
You said: “No you don’t!”
I became silent. You were so totally convinced of what you had just said. I was intrigued. What could someone whom I had just talked to for 10 minutes know about me? I realized you certainly weren’t an ordinary person.
I challenged a few other things and you defeated it easily. Then you said: “Aah, you are in for a good fight huh? Alright, so we can debate via email for a bit when I leave. And guess who is going to win? Me!” I thought “wow...”, and became silent again. After a few seconds a big smile appeared on my face. I quite liked the idea of you winning our debate. And I was blown away by the fact that you were willing to put your valuable time into someone not very humble like me, while you had such a busy travelling schedule and so many people to talk to already.
Now, almost 7 years later, I am so, so grateful for those few, short , but mind-blowing interactions in the very beginning. They are still engraved in my mind. They gave and give me so much faith. And over the years I have come to see that you so deeply care about your disciples and dependents. Not just for a little while, until they take up the process of Krsna consciousness, but year in year out, no matter what happens. As you said: “Through the storm and through the sunshine”. This really shows your genuine compassion for each and every conditioned soul that turns to you for guidance.
Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for all you have done for me over the past years. Please bless me so that one day I may be able to give up my self-centred, stubborn and independent tendencies and serve you with a faithful and pure heart, to assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Trying to be your servant,
Kundalata dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
After 6 years I am back in Melbourne, where I met the devotees for the first time. I remember how I met the harinama in Swanston Street and one of the devotees gave me a flyer from Crossways, where I went for prasadam the next day. On the table was another flyer, giving information about a world-travelling monk, a graduate from Yale University, who would be giving a talk at the Loft that Friday. His name was Devamrta Swami. I thought ‘hmm interesting, let’s go and see what those Hare Krishnas are all about’.
I can’t remember exactly what the talk was about, but it made me go to the Sunday feast at the temple 2 days later, where you gave the Sunday feast class and afterwards did a Q&A session. What struck me from the very beginning was how you were so personal with everyone and how you seemed to be able to easily defeat every challenging statement people threw at you. And all that not for personal prestige, but simply to help others move forward in their spiritual life...
You left Australia and I kept going to the temple and to the Loft. After 2 months, when I had just sort-of moved into the ashram, you came back. I had my first darshan. You were sitting on the couch with this big smile when Sandhini-Sakti and I walked in. We talked for a little while and at some point I mentioned that I liked being in Melbourne, I liked the city and the passion.
You said: “naaah, you don’t really like that”
I said: “Yes I do”
You said: “No you don’t”
I said: “Yes I do!”
You said: “No you don’t!”
I became silent. You were so totally convinced of what you had just said. I was intrigued. What could someone whom I had just talked to for 10 minutes know about me? I realized you certainly weren’t an ordinary person.
I challenged a few other things and you defeated it easily. Then you said: “Aah, you are in for a good fight huh? Alright, so we can debate via email for a bit when I leave. And guess who is going to win? Me!” I thought “wow...”, and became silent again. After a few seconds a big smile appeared on my face. I quite liked the idea of you winning our debate. And I was blown away by the fact that you were willing to put your valuable time into someone not very humble like me, while you had such a busy travelling schedule and so many people to talk to already.
Now, almost 7 years later, I am so, so grateful for those few, short , but mind-blowing interactions in the very beginning. They are still engraved in my mind. They gave and give me so much faith. And over the years I have come to see that you so deeply care about your disciples and dependents. Not just for a little while, until they take up the process of Krsna consciousness, but year in year out, no matter what happens. As you said: “Through the storm and through the sunshine”. This really shows your genuine compassion for each and every conditioned soul that turns to you for guidance.
Thank you, Guru Maharaja, for all you have done for me over the past years. Please bless me so that one day I may be able to give up my self-centred, stubborn and independent tendencies and serve you with a faithful and pure heart, to assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Trying to be your servant,
Kundalata dasi
Lavangi dd (Severodvinsk, Russia)
Your Divine Grace Guru Maharaja!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please accept our heartfelt greetings on the Day of your appearance and our best wishes in your service to Srila Prabhupada’s and Krsna’s mission.
Due to your causeless mercy I received initiation this year and, thus, obtained an opportunity to serve the mission of spreading the Krsna consciousness even more.
My husband and I are very grateful for being the recipients of your love, understanding and your wisdom .
Thank you for letting me become your disciple.
Your eternal servants
Lavangi dd, Michail and Amala.
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Please accept our heartfelt greetings on the Day of your appearance and our best wishes in your service to Srila Prabhupada’s and Krsna’s mission.
Due to your causeless mercy I received initiation this year and, thus, obtained an opportunity to serve the mission of spreading the Krsna consciousness even more.
My husband and I are very grateful for being the recipients of your love, understanding and your wisdom .
Thank you for letting me become your disciple.
Your eternal servants
Lavangi dd, Michail and Amala.
Lila Ananda devi dasi
All Glories to Sri Sri Goura Nitay
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisance to your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudeva, all glories to you in your Vyasa Puja’s day. May Lord Krishna
always shelters you in His lotus feet.
You are such a big and merciful soul that you are always bestowing the holy
names of God. When you chant the holy names of God, for the ones that can hears
you chanting, it fills their heart of ecstasy and love for God.
Your transcendental message always show the perfect way for the liberation and
for reach Lord Krishna.
My dear spiritual master, I’m so happy and grateful for being your disciple. In
spite of my ignorance and for the lack of merit. You are being so compassionate
and lovely that you’re giving me the opportunity to progress in my spiritual
life.
In this special day of your transcendental appearance, your disciples and well
wishers praise and glorify you with much love.
Sincerely your eternal servant
Lila Ananda D.D.
Santiago Chile, September 24th, 2009
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisance to your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudeva, all glories to you in your Vyasa Puja’s day. May Lord Krishna
always shelters you in His lotus feet.
You are such a big and merciful soul that you are always bestowing the holy
names of God. When you chant the holy names of God, for the ones that can hears
you chanting, it fills their heart of ecstasy and love for God.
Your transcendental message always show the perfect way for the liberation and
for reach Lord Krishna.
My dear spiritual master, I’m so happy and grateful for being your disciple. In
spite of my ignorance and for the lack of merit. You are being so compassionate
and lovely that you’re giving me the opportunity to progress in my spiritual
life.
In this special day of your transcendental appearance, your disciples and well
wishers praise and glorify you with much love.
Sincerely your eternal servant
Lila Ananda D.D.
Santiago Chile, September 24th, 2009
Madhava Seva Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to your services.
Please accept our sincere gratitude for your guidance and words of support to maintain a Krsna Conscious life amongst all circumstances. Things have not been as clear as black and white for us, but as long as we are aware of the shelter of your lotus feet - I know that we will retrace our path back to Krsna.
Thank you for the leadership you have shown in demonstrating how to be perfectly Krsna Conscious in a totally materialistic world. The world needs this kind of guidance and we hope to learn from you and become perfect servants of Krsna.
I beg your mercy in becoming more humble in my attitude and your blessings in instilling Krsna Consciousness in those I deal with. Nothing is possible witout your mercy and please give me a drop so I can overcome my faults and become equiposed in my services.
We wish you best of health and strength in continuing with your services.
Your fallen Servants,
Madhava Seva Das and Shandya
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to your services.
Please accept our sincere gratitude for your guidance and words of support to maintain a Krsna Conscious life amongst all circumstances. Things have not been as clear as black and white for us, but as long as we are aware of the shelter of your lotus feet - I know that we will retrace our path back to Krsna.
Thank you for the leadership you have shown in demonstrating how to be perfectly Krsna Conscious in a totally materialistic world. The world needs this kind of guidance and we hope to learn from you and become perfect servants of Krsna.
I beg your mercy in becoming more humble in my attitude and your blessings in instilling Krsna Consciousness in those I deal with. Nothing is possible witout your mercy and please give me a drop so I can overcome my faults and become equiposed in my services.
We wish you best of health and strength in continuing with your services.
Your fallen Servants,
Madhava Seva Das and Shandya
Madhupuri devi dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, a powerful link in the disciplic succession from Lord Krishna.
“The faithful execution of the instruction which he receives from the spiritual master is the only duty of a disciple and that will bring him perfection.” (Bhag 3.22.7p)
Guru Maharaja, with your life you have made an example of faithful execution of the spiritual master’s orders. It seems that with your mind, words and deeds you have taken on the compassionate mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada as your life and soul.
As Srila Prabhupada asked, you have studied, absorbed, followed and preached his teachings. From your lectures it appears you had extraordinary faith in these teachings right from the beginning, and in Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. We have heard of your determination on book distribution, your selfless preaching in communist countries and now you do so much travelling and teaching. You said you wanted to please Srila Prabhupada and get his special blessings by preaching, but it must also be because of your own compassion that you do all this.
You visibly put your heart and all concentration into every class, every word chanted or read. This is an example for all devotees to follow.
Everyone needs instructions and examples, but in the material world no one knows the proper thing to do. Most people think that they do know, being ordered by society and the media to satisfy their senses as much as possible. Even so called spiritually minded people will do horrible things, against their own values, to achieve this end. In this way they are bewildered and plunged into suffering, because they do not know the right thing to do with their life.
But we are so fortunate that Krishna has sent you to be our spiritual leader, to teach us how to do devotional service and lead us out of material existence. How has this great fortune come upon me? Someone who is no more qualified than any person on the street. It is simply by your mercy, my master.
You pulled me away from all my friends and sent me to Auckland instead
I only went because first of all you showed me you really cared
You saved me from the suicide of impersonal beliefs
I finally listened after so many times you had to patiently tell me
You’ve held the shining torch of love for so long to show me the way
Out of the darkest doldrums of ignorance that I lived with every day
Thank you for knowing when to push me, encourage or chastise
Your instructions are so potent, how could I do anything otherwise?
On the climbing rope of spiritual life your instructions are like strong handles
A safe place for me to hold when maya pulls my ankles
I pray to never fall away from your service my lord
But I must beg for the intelligence and strength to move forward
May I merge my desire with your desire, maintaining a servant’s vision
And dedicate myself to help you in Lord Caitanya’s mission
You’ve given me new life Gurudeva, especially on the street
Please always keep me in a corner of your lotus feet
Thank you so much Srila Gurudeva, for everything you do.
Your servant,
Madhupuri devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you, a powerful link in the disciplic succession from Lord Krishna.
“The faithful execution of the instruction which he receives from the spiritual master is the only duty of a disciple and that will bring him perfection.” (Bhag 3.22.7p)
Guru Maharaja, with your life you have made an example of faithful execution of the spiritual master’s orders. It seems that with your mind, words and deeds you have taken on the compassionate mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada as your life and soul.
As Srila Prabhupada asked, you have studied, absorbed, followed and preached his teachings. From your lectures it appears you had extraordinary faith in these teachings right from the beginning, and in Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. We have heard of your determination on book distribution, your selfless preaching in communist countries and now you do so much travelling and teaching. You said you wanted to please Srila Prabhupada and get his special blessings by preaching, but it must also be because of your own compassion that you do all this.
You visibly put your heart and all concentration into every class, every word chanted or read. This is an example for all devotees to follow.
Everyone needs instructions and examples, but in the material world no one knows the proper thing to do. Most people think that they do know, being ordered by society and the media to satisfy their senses as much as possible. Even so called spiritually minded people will do horrible things, against their own values, to achieve this end. In this way they are bewildered and plunged into suffering, because they do not know the right thing to do with their life.
But we are so fortunate that Krishna has sent you to be our spiritual leader, to teach us how to do devotional service and lead us out of material existence. How has this great fortune come upon me? Someone who is no more qualified than any person on the street. It is simply by your mercy, my master.
You pulled me away from all my friends and sent me to Auckland instead
I only went because first of all you showed me you really cared
You saved me from the suicide of impersonal beliefs
I finally listened after so many times you had to patiently tell me
You’ve held the shining torch of love for so long to show me the way
Out of the darkest doldrums of ignorance that I lived with every day
Thank you for knowing when to push me, encourage or chastise
Your instructions are so potent, how could I do anything otherwise?
On the climbing rope of spiritual life your instructions are like strong handles
A safe place for me to hold when maya pulls my ankles
I pray to never fall away from your service my lord
But I must beg for the intelligence and strength to move forward
May I merge my desire with your desire, maintaining a servant’s vision
And dedicate myself to help you in Lord Caitanya’s mission
You’ve given me new life Gurudeva, especially on the street
Please always keep me in a corner of your lotus feet
Thank you so much Srila Gurudeva, for everything you do.
Your servant,
Madhupuri devi dasi
Madhurananda das
Dear Srila Gurudev
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. It has been a year since you took this fallen and wretched soul and granted him Your divine shelter. I often wonder what I did to deserve this amazing opportunity and whether I deserve such mercy. I have learned that a rather than dwell on why, I should take this chance full force and use it in Krishna and Srila Prabhupada’s service.
During this year, I have wondered if I have been able to follow your instructions faithfully, what to speak of pleasing you. I often only ask for more help or strength like a selfish crying child demanding more. Despite this, you have taught me to remain positive and always move onward and upward in my spiritual life. For that reason, I am filled with thanks and a desire to some how try to make this small insignificant life an offering of appreciation to you
You kind words are always full of the dearest, loving compassion and still burn bright with energy, power and excitement. Even when I feel like I have fallen as low as I can possibly go, You seem to be able to drag me out of the darkness with a few of your enlightened words.
In a lecture on Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya-lila 20.105 in New York, July 11, 1976 Srila Prabhupada said “Don't spoil yourself by manufacturing ideas. Take word from him. You carry it out. Don't bother whether you'll be spiritually advanced or not, but take the word of the spiritual master and carry it. Then everything is guaranteed.” From Your Lotus Mouth comes the answer to all life’s problems and the only genuine answer to this world of life and death.
Thank you for keeping me at Your Lotus Feet thought I do not deserve such mercy. Thank you for guiding me when I constantly fall into the darkness. Thank you for tolerating my many faults and offences and thank you for sharing the gift of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy with us all.
Your Servant
Madhurananda das
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te nama
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. It has been a year since you took this fallen and wretched soul and granted him Your divine shelter. I often wonder what I did to deserve this amazing opportunity and whether I deserve such mercy. I have learned that a rather than dwell on why, I should take this chance full force and use it in Krishna and Srila Prabhupada’s service.
During this year, I have wondered if I have been able to follow your instructions faithfully, what to speak of pleasing you. I often only ask for more help or strength like a selfish crying child demanding more. Despite this, you have taught me to remain positive and always move onward and upward in my spiritual life. For that reason, I am filled with thanks and a desire to some how try to make this small insignificant life an offering of appreciation to you
You kind words are always full of the dearest, loving compassion and still burn bright with energy, power and excitement. Even when I feel like I have fallen as low as I can possibly go, You seem to be able to drag me out of the darkness with a few of your enlightened words.
In a lecture on Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya-lila 20.105 in New York, July 11, 1976 Srila Prabhupada said “Don't spoil yourself by manufacturing ideas. Take word from him. You carry it out. Don't bother whether you'll be spiritually advanced or not, but take the word of the spiritual master and carry it. Then everything is guaranteed.” From Your Lotus Mouth comes the answer to all life’s problems and the only genuine answer to this world of life and death.
Thank you for keeping me at Your Lotus Feet thought I do not deserve such mercy. Thank you for guiding me when I constantly fall into the darkness. Thank you for tolerating my many faults and offences and thank you for sharing the gift of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy with us all.
Your Servant
Madhurananda das
Madhurya Dham Devi Dasi (Melbourne)
Offering to our Guru Maharaj
Dear Guru Maharaj,
In last few months with your blessing I got the fortune of reading more of Srila Prabhupada's books. Now we're beginning to realize what these insignificant and useless souls are blessed with - the rarest opportunity of making progress on the path of devotional service to Lord Krishna.
I was reading the conversation between Dhruva Maharaj and Sripad Narada Muni, when Dhruva Maharaj with all his humility says to Narada Muni - that your instructions are for ultimate good for any soul as they talk about supreme person but my heart at this stage is all filled with anger and hankering material desires and thus cannot appreciate your transcended instructions. As a perfect doctor Narada Muni understood the mental condition of Dhruva Maharaj and accordingly instructed him. Whereby he not only fulfilled his material desires and uprooted any such seeds of material hankering in the future but in the end he also got the pure love of godhead. That pastime gave me lot of hope as it talks about the typical conditions of any conditioned souls in this material world and how all merciful gurus like you dovetailed all "not so perfect" efforts of his disciple like us. You're like Narada Muni to us who very expertly guiding our boat from this ocean of miseries.
It is only by the mercy of you guru Maharaj I been able to stay on this boat of devotional service. We got absolutely no qualification to understand the science of bhakti nor got any appreciation for it but it is only because of your causeless mercy we're trying to serve the mission of Prabhupada and also trying to serve the devotees. We're really fortunate to get the association of devotees in the temple and learn and serve them. You're the pure devotee of Lord Krishna and thus Krishna is manifesting the divine qualities of - Dhira, Gambir (Grave), Knowledge, love for Krishna in you, and by seeing this we get really lot of pleasure.
It's again with your blessings only that we are able to survive the pangs of material nature which was very difficult to overcome otherwise. You've blessed us with the vision of seeing material world as only place of suffering and thus preparing for the final test by constantly guiding us in devotional service. I've noticed not one time or two time but many-many time, every day that with your instruction there also come the power and intelligence to execute them. With your instructions comes a sense of direction in our life, we feel more focused and lot happier by rendering the loving service to lord Krishna. We thank you very much for making this whole ocean of love available to us.
Please be merciful in blessing us as you're the only shelter for these useless souls.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Prema Dham Das, Madhurya Dham Devi Dasi and Ananya
Maha Hari das
Dear Gurudeva:
Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Al glories to you in your Vyasa Puja day!
I’m happy that another year passed away under the shelter of your divine grace.
Being engaged in practical devotional service to the Lord Krishna,
is your divine gift to me.
Relishing the association of the Lord’s devotees is your blessing to this fallen soul.
Having a real purpose of my life is for your persistence teachings.
Having a mission in this lifetime is your sacred order to me.
Being a mature devotee and person is for your love and guidance to me.
Every single thing I do for Krishna and his devotees is because you empowered me.
I cannot think a single activity that I can do in devotional service without your blessings and power.
Because all we are as disciples we owe it to our gurudeva
Because all we know as devotees we owe it to our gurudeva and,
Because all we can be as Krishna´s servants depends on the mercy of our gurudeva.
I pray to Lord Krishna in this must auspicious day: Please never let me forget my gurudeva, never let me become proud for my achievements in devotional service and never let me forget that the only real shelter in life is the divine instructions of my gurudeva.
I hope you have a wonderful Vyasa Puja day!
Your son and servant
Maha Hari das
Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Al glories to you in your Vyasa Puja day!
I’m happy that another year passed away under the shelter of your divine grace.
Being engaged in practical devotional service to the Lord Krishna,
is your divine gift to me.
Relishing the association of the Lord’s devotees is your blessing to this fallen soul.
Having a real purpose of my life is for your persistence teachings.
Having a mission in this lifetime is your sacred order to me.
Being a mature devotee and person is for your love and guidance to me.
Every single thing I do for Krishna and his devotees is because you empowered me.
I cannot think a single activity that I can do in devotional service without your blessings and power.
Because all we are as disciples we owe it to our gurudeva
Because all we know as devotees we owe it to our gurudeva and,
Because all we can be as Krishna´s servants depends on the mercy of our gurudeva.
I pray to Lord Krishna in this must auspicious day: Please never let me forget my gurudeva, never let me become proud for my achievements in devotional service and never let me forget that the only real shelter in life is the divine instructions of my gurudeva.
I hope you have a wonderful Vyasa Puja day!
Your son and servant
Maha Hari das
Mahanila dasa
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
you have delivered the youth~of~this~prison
from deep rooted~existence in repeated illusion so you~are~considered
a brilliant jewel glistening beautifully
the fact that you’ve made so many devotees proves your purity
due to your devotional maturity you fluently influence me
so much that when I see you I feel security
you explain the truth~to~me so beautifully, due to your purity
your words cut through all my insecurities
you are the true~altruist because you help~&~influence
the youth so I hope I can be of some help to you down~in~the~future
it’s conclusive you’re a jewel~of~this~movement
you’re a paramahamsa because you separate the truth~from~illusion
I’ve got a disease, I would be likely to die
but you’re the life support machine that’s keeping me alive
you’re the foundation that supports me
how can I glorify you when I don’t know the limit of your glories?
I was dehydrated & thirsty
just like a drought & you were the cloud that showered the mercy
before I met you, I felt~this helpless feeling about~this
life of strife but your so selfless
that you made~a~decision like an efficient, proficient physician to make~an~incision
into my heart & remove the darkness & replace~it~with~wisdom
it feels like I'm insanely~conditioned & this pain~has~arisen
because I’ve been chained~&~imprisoned in materialism
but now by your grace I'm escaping~this~prison
your taking me out of maya’s~clutches
I'm like a paraplegic using your instructions as my guiding~crutches
you keep~me~faithful, when I see you I'm eager~to~embrace~you
because you saved my life & for that reason~I'm~grateful
when it gets really tough you show me there’s a way through
so what I'm trying to say is I appreciate you, I appreciate you
please help me & show~me~the~path
because without your guidance I wont even know~where~to~start
you’re the reason I believe in these teachings
my faith increases when I see you speak it cuts my pride to pieces
when you speak it is so pleasing~to~me & it’s easy~to~see
the Supreme has leaked~through~your~teeth & taken a seat~in~your~speech
there’s so many people~here, so to me it seems~so~clear
that the reason these people appeared is due to your preaching~here
the demigods are raining flowers & beating~drums
since you’ve been preaching in New Zealand so much people~have~come
you’re the reason so many people have started chanting
& this is the proof that you’re an uttama adhikari
Your servant
Mahanila Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
you have delivered the youth~of~this~prison
from deep rooted~existence in repeated illusion so you~are~considered
a brilliant jewel glistening beautifully
the fact that you’ve made so many devotees proves your purity
due to your devotional maturity you fluently influence me
so much that when I see you I feel security
you explain the truth~to~me so beautifully, due to your purity
your words cut through all my insecurities
you are the true~altruist because you help~&~influence
the youth so I hope I can be of some help to you down~in~the~future
it’s conclusive you’re a jewel~of~this~movement
you’re a paramahamsa because you separate the truth~from~illusion
I’ve got a disease, I would be likely to die
but you’re the life support machine that’s keeping me alive
you’re the foundation that supports me
how can I glorify you when I don’t know the limit of your glories?
I was dehydrated & thirsty
just like a drought & you were the cloud that showered the mercy
before I met you, I felt~this helpless feeling about~this
life of strife but your so selfless
that you made~a~decision like an efficient, proficient physician to make~an~incision
into my heart & remove the darkness & replace~it~with~wisdom
it feels like I'm insanely~conditioned & this pain~has~arisen
because I’ve been chained~&~imprisoned in materialism
but now by your grace I'm escaping~this~prison
your taking me out of maya’s~clutches
I'm like a paraplegic using your instructions as my guiding~crutches
you keep~me~faithful, when I see you I'm eager~to~embrace~you
because you saved my life & for that reason~I'm~grateful
when it gets really tough you show me there’s a way through
so what I'm trying to say is I appreciate you, I appreciate you
please help me & show~me~the~path
because without your guidance I wont even know~where~to~start
you’re the reason I believe in these teachings
my faith increases when I see you speak it cuts my pride to pieces
when you speak it is so pleasing~to~me & it’s easy~to~see
the Supreme has leaked~through~your~teeth & taken a seat~in~your~speech
there’s so many people~here, so to me it seems~so~clear
that the reason these people appeared is due to your preaching~here
the demigods are raining flowers & beating~drums
since you’ve been preaching in New Zealand so much people~have~come
you’re the reason so many people have started chanting
& this is the proof that you’re an uttama adhikari
Your servant
Mahanila Dasa
Mahavan das
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva, on this, your holy vyasa puja day, I would like to offer you everything I have. However, there are some impediments; will you kindly help me?
In the beginning days of what is now called Gaura Yoga, I remember you beginning one lecture in the following way:
“Absorption is the name of the game. Basically, in your attempts to be Krishna conscious you are choosing how you are going to be absorbed. The material energy is beckoning to you…the other thing is to be absorbed in Krishna. Your daily struggle in Krishna consciousness is about this choice – how are you going to be absorbed? We are trying to make you all aware that you have a choice, and that you should prepare yourselves for a life time of proper choosing…”
“So you’ve been provided with a facility in which you can, you know, ‘wear your nappies,’ and gradually learn how to walk. And the goal is that you’ll become nourished enough to make a proper choice for the rest of your life. Krishna consciousness is not something that you ‘join,’ so to speak – no, everyday you have to choose.”
“Now what are the things that are hassling you? Well, you don’t have to think too much in Western culture what hassles most people - what attacks their absorption in Krishna. It is the material energy, but the material energy manifesting in a special way, which is very powerful - that is sex desire. Basically, if you’re going to make a lifetime of proper choosing in Krishna consciousness, you have to understand that you’re going fight a battle against sex desire.”
At the end of the lecture, in the question and answer session, one devotee asked:
“You have described some of the gross symptoms of sex desire, but what are some of the more subtle symptoms, that we may not recognise?”
After thinking for some time, you laughed compassionately and replied:
“I think you all will do quite fine at this point if you are mindful of the gross manifestations – first things first – we’ll cut it off at the gross level and then start working on the subtle.”
However, you did go on to say:
“The subtle is, of course, the desire for popularity, distinction. Even as you get to be an older mature devotee, then you want everyone to appreciate you for your so-called spiritual advancement.”
You ended your answer thus:
“How do you get over all this? You have to simply concentrate on what gives pleasure to Krishna.”
I can see that you have given us, your disciples, not only the perfect combination of sastric substance and cultural packaging and facilitation with which to emerge victorious from this “mother of all battles,” but also, as a genuine acharya (one who teaches by example) a personal demonstration of such spiritual victory through your own dedication to the mission of Srila Prabhupada; you’ve given us the perfect practical example of “a life time of proper choosing” by “simply focusing on what gives pleasure to Krishna.”
For example, you explained how, when you were a new devotee you would go on book distribution everyday, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day for 2 years with practically no results, and sometimes out of intense anxiety you would simply sit down and cry, thinking “Oh, why do I have to do this service?” Yet you went on. Why? You thought, “even though I hate this service so much, my spiritual master loves it, and therefore, I’m going to love it too.” At the same time, you compassionately said once after relaying this story, “but of course I don’t expect everyone to do what I did.”
And of course, this was just the beginning of your “lifetime of proper choosing.”
How are we, your disciples, going to choose to resonate with our spiritual master’s perfect desires, advice, facilitation and example, both now and when your vapuh is no longer present? As you said, “Krishna consciousness is not something that you ‘join,’ so to speak. No – everyday you have to choose.” Of course it all depends on our own personal level of sincerity, on our desire to “deal with ourselves.”
At the time of the lecture quoted above, there was some talk in the community about varnashrama-dharma and “living in the country,” and thus in the question and answer session you were also asked for your opinion on “the danger of being contaminated by living in the city.” After explaining the pragmatic pros and cons of practicing Krishna consciousness in both urban and rural settings, and explaining “cities are for preaching, if you’re in the city, you help out with the preaching and you’ll be protected from contamination,” you concluded by saying:
“I’ll tell you, whether you live in the city or the country, the root of the problem is ‘are you dealing with yourself?’ You can’t blame it on the city or the countryside – that’s just an excuse. You’ve got to deal with yourself. That’s actually the root of the problem, everything else is secondary.”
As you have explained many times, a ladies material tendency is to “expand her world,” for the purpose of so-called security, while a man’s is to try to “make his mark in the world” and be recognised for his so-called achievements. Fortunately, as the years go by and we mature more and more in Krishna consciousness under your care, we do, by the grace of the spiritual master, gradually become aware of the real achievement in this world - his supreme all-attractive achievement; the ability to always choose to be absorbed in pure Krishna consciousness, in all times and places, without any personal motive, unconditionally, and in this way our aspirations soar. And, by your grace we also become more and more aware of our own shortcomings in this regard, of our personal motivations, gross and subtle.
Dear Gurudeva, on this, your holy vyasa puja day, I would like to offer you everything I have. However, there are some impediments; will you kindly help me?
(Trying to be) your faithful son,
Mahavan das
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva, on this, your holy vyasa puja day, I would like to offer you everything I have. However, there are some impediments; will you kindly help me?
In the beginning days of what is now called Gaura Yoga, I remember you beginning one lecture in the following way:
“Absorption is the name of the game. Basically, in your attempts to be Krishna conscious you are choosing how you are going to be absorbed. The material energy is beckoning to you…the other thing is to be absorbed in Krishna. Your daily struggle in Krishna consciousness is about this choice – how are you going to be absorbed? We are trying to make you all aware that you have a choice, and that you should prepare yourselves for a life time of proper choosing…”
“So you’ve been provided with a facility in which you can, you know, ‘wear your nappies,’ and gradually learn how to walk. And the goal is that you’ll become nourished enough to make a proper choice for the rest of your life. Krishna consciousness is not something that you ‘join,’ so to speak – no, everyday you have to choose.”
“Now what are the things that are hassling you? Well, you don’t have to think too much in Western culture what hassles most people - what attacks their absorption in Krishna. It is the material energy, but the material energy manifesting in a special way, which is very powerful - that is sex desire. Basically, if you’re going to make a lifetime of proper choosing in Krishna consciousness, you have to understand that you’re going fight a battle against sex desire.”
At the end of the lecture, in the question and answer session, one devotee asked:
“You have described some of the gross symptoms of sex desire, but what are some of the more subtle symptoms, that we may not recognise?”
After thinking for some time, you laughed compassionately and replied:
“I think you all will do quite fine at this point if you are mindful of the gross manifestations – first things first – we’ll cut it off at the gross level and then start working on the subtle.”
However, you did go on to say:
“The subtle is, of course, the desire for popularity, distinction. Even as you get to be an older mature devotee, then you want everyone to appreciate you for your so-called spiritual advancement.”
You ended your answer thus:
“How do you get over all this? You have to simply concentrate on what gives pleasure to Krishna.”
I can see that you have given us, your disciples, not only the perfect combination of sastric substance and cultural packaging and facilitation with which to emerge victorious from this “mother of all battles,” but also, as a genuine acharya (one who teaches by example) a personal demonstration of such spiritual victory through your own dedication to the mission of Srila Prabhupada; you’ve given us the perfect practical example of “a life time of proper choosing” by “simply focusing on what gives pleasure to Krishna.”
For example, you explained how, when you were a new devotee you would go on book distribution everyday, 7 days a week, 12 hours a day for 2 years with practically no results, and sometimes out of intense anxiety you would simply sit down and cry, thinking “Oh, why do I have to do this service?” Yet you went on. Why? You thought, “even though I hate this service so much, my spiritual master loves it, and therefore, I’m going to love it too.” At the same time, you compassionately said once after relaying this story, “but of course I don’t expect everyone to do what I did.”
And of course, this was just the beginning of your “lifetime of proper choosing.”
How are we, your disciples, going to choose to resonate with our spiritual master’s perfect desires, advice, facilitation and example, both now and when your vapuh is no longer present? As you said, “Krishna consciousness is not something that you ‘join,’ so to speak. No – everyday you have to choose.” Of course it all depends on our own personal level of sincerity, on our desire to “deal with ourselves.”
At the time of the lecture quoted above, there was some talk in the community about varnashrama-dharma and “living in the country,” and thus in the question and answer session you were also asked for your opinion on “the danger of being contaminated by living in the city.” After explaining the pragmatic pros and cons of practicing Krishna consciousness in both urban and rural settings, and explaining “cities are for preaching, if you’re in the city, you help out with the preaching and you’ll be protected from contamination,” you concluded by saying:
“I’ll tell you, whether you live in the city or the country, the root of the problem is ‘are you dealing with yourself?’ You can’t blame it on the city or the countryside – that’s just an excuse. You’ve got to deal with yourself. That’s actually the root of the problem, everything else is secondary.”
As you have explained many times, a ladies material tendency is to “expand her world,” for the purpose of so-called security, while a man’s is to try to “make his mark in the world” and be recognised for his so-called achievements. Fortunately, as the years go by and we mature more and more in Krishna consciousness under your care, we do, by the grace of the spiritual master, gradually become aware of the real achievement in this world - his supreme all-attractive achievement; the ability to always choose to be absorbed in pure Krishna consciousness, in all times and places, without any personal motive, unconditionally, and in this way our aspirations soar. And, by your grace we also become more and more aware of our own shortcomings in this regard, of our personal motivations, gross and subtle.
Dear Gurudeva, on this, your holy vyasa puja day, I would like to offer you everything I have. However, there are some impediments; will you kindly help me?
(Trying to be) your faithful son,
Mahavan das
Manada devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I just want to thank you for being my spiritual father, for always being there for me. I’ll never get tired of thanking you for saving me from my other life in total illusion; as each year passes I feel more and more grateful to you.
You often encourage us to re-evaluate and self-appraise our sadhana practice, particularly the quality of our chanting and the attitude in which we perform our service. Although I find it very difficult to improve the quality of my chanting, I find that by making the effort to self-appraise, to set new goals each year and to put more effort into my service, I discover how ever-fresh and blissful the Lord’s service can be. With your emphasis on good sadhana practice we are able to be immunised against the material disease & to engage in our service with knowledge, strength and enthusiasm. This is something which I think sometimes I take for granted.
In your lectures around the world you encourage devotees to think about their future in Krsna consciousness; you provide us with hope and understanding that we can have a secure future in Krsna consciousness, an emotionally fulfilling life in Krsna consciousness that goes beyond the intermediate feelings of relief upon our arrival in Krsna consciousness. I pray for your blessings so that I will develop more attachment to devotional service, that I will put my heart into whatever service I am fortunate enough to get, and to simply meditate on the joy of being a servant of Krsna.
I pray for even the slightest drop of humility that you have Gurudeva, in order to assist you in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada, and to share Lord Caitanya's mercy with others.
Your servant,
Manada devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I just want to thank you for being my spiritual father, for always being there for me. I’ll never get tired of thanking you for saving me from my other life in total illusion; as each year passes I feel more and more grateful to you.
You often encourage us to re-evaluate and self-appraise our sadhana practice, particularly the quality of our chanting and the attitude in which we perform our service. Although I find it very difficult to improve the quality of my chanting, I find that by making the effort to self-appraise, to set new goals each year and to put more effort into my service, I discover how ever-fresh and blissful the Lord’s service can be. With your emphasis on good sadhana practice we are able to be immunised against the material disease & to engage in our service with knowledge, strength and enthusiasm. This is something which I think sometimes I take for granted.
In your lectures around the world you encourage devotees to think about their future in Krsna consciousness; you provide us with hope and understanding that we can have a secure future in Krsna consciousness, an emotionally fulfilling life in Krsna consciousness that goes beyond the intermediate feelings of relief upon our arrival in Krsna consciousness. I pray for your blessings so that I will develop more attachment to devotional service, that I will put my heart into whatever service I am fortunate enough to get, and to simply meditate on the joy of being a servant of Krsna.
I pray for even the slightest drop of humility that you have Gurudeva, in order to assist you in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada, and to share Lord Caitanya's mercy with others.
Your servant,
Manada devi dasi.
Mangal Aarti Devi Dasi
Dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obesiances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day
Dear Guru Maharaj, we were all so thrilled when you first arrived in Toronto on May 2007. We did not know what to do or how to serve properly but you very mercifully overlooked our faults and showed us a vision that we could never dream off. You explained how you had researched Toronto years ago and envision a dynamic outreach centre at Yonge and Bloor. Then Guru Maharaj asked us to do weekly outreach when we didn’t even know what or how to do it. Still trying to understand your instructions, a year later I again asked Guru Maharaj about your vision for Toronto. At that time Guru Maharaj explained that you wanted more and more people to be Krishna conscious.
Guru Maharaj your vision is so clear and specific and even though I keep repeating it in my head I have no idea how to meet these transcendental goals. It feels that I am very far from achieving those goals that you set for us and like I am always falling short and failing to follow those instructions. But I have seen how Gurudev’s instructions come packed with the potency to fulfill themselves. Dear Guru Maharaj please grant me the faith and determination required to act upon your instructions so as to please you.
Dear Guru Maharaj, in your lectures here in Toronto you once mentioned ‘I was born in the darkness of ignorance, my eyes forced shut.’ Later you asked the audience how can one wake up someone who doesn’t want to wake up and is forcing their eyes to be closed. It is true that this is not ordinarily possible. I know that I was one such person and still have the tendency to ‘close my eyes’. But dear Guru Maharaj you opened my ‘darkened eyes’ through your divine instructions. My offenses are many and I continue to make mistakes but as the most loving father, Guru Maharaj corrects me and prepares me for the coming challenges. Even though my horrible karma keeps me far away from where I can sit in and listen to Gurudev’s classes, still through your instructions Guru Maharaj you have somehow or other engaged me in service. Never did I think that life could be as beautiful as it is when I get the chance to render some service unto your lotus feet.
Dear Guru Maharaj, in Srila Prabhupada’s purport to ?di 7.72 I read: "One can become perfectly successful in the mission of his life if he acts exactly according to the words he hears from the mouth of his spiritual master. Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti T?hakura remarks in this connection that a disciple must accept the words of his spiritual master as his life and soul”
I do not know how to pray or what to ask for but I simply repeat the same prayer that I repeat every day:
“My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from your lotus mouth. Attachment to your lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desire.”
Guru Maharaj, as you have granted this life, please never let me forget your instructions and waste this life. Please grant this servant the attachment to your instructions and lotus feet.
Your humble servant
Mangal-aarti devi dasi
Please accept my humble obesiances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day
Dear Guru Maharaj, we were all so thrilled when you first arrived in Toronto on May 2007. We did not know what to do or how to serve properly but you very mercifully overlooked our faults and showed us a vision that we could never dream off. You explained how you had researched Toronto years ago and envision a dynamic outreach centre at Yonge and Bloor. Then Guru Maharaj asked us to do weekly outreach when we didn’t even know what or how to do it. Still trying to understand your instructions, a year later I again asked Guru Maharaj about your vision for Toronto. At that time Guru Maharaj explained that you wanted more and more people to be Krishna conscious.
Guru Maharaj your vision is so clear and specific and even though I keep repeating it in my head I have no idea how to meet these transcendental goals. It feels that I am very far from achieving those goals that you set for us and like I am always falling short and failing to follow those instructions. But I have seen how Gurudev’s instructions come packed with the potency to fulfill themselves. Dear Guru Maharaj please grant me the faith and determination required to act upon your instructions so as to please you.
Dear Guru Maharaj, in your lectures here in Toronto you once mentioned ‘I was born in the darkness of ignorance, my eyes forced shut.’ Later you asked the audience how can one wake up someone who doesn’t want to wake up and is forcing their eyes to be closed. It is true that this is not ordinarily possible. I know that I was one such person and still have the tendency to ‘close my eyes’. But dear Guru Maharaj you opened my ‘darkened eyes’ through your divine instructions. My offenses are many and I continue to make mistakes but as the most loving father, Guru Maharaj corrects me and prepares me for the coming challenges. Even though my horrible karma keeps me far away from where I can sit in and listen to Gurudev’s classes, still through your instructions Guru Maharaj you have somehow or other engaged me in service. Never did I think that life could be as beautiful as it is when I get the chance to render some service unto your lotus feet.
Dear Guru Maharaj, in Srila Prabhupada’s purport to ?di 7.72 I read: "One can become perfectly successful in the mission of his life if he acts exactly according to the words he hears from the mouth of his spiritual master. Srila Vishvanatha Cakravarti T?hakura remarks in this connection that a disciple must accept the words of his spiritual master as his life and soul”
I do not know how to pray or what to ask for but I simply repeat the same prayer that I repeat every day:
“My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from your lotus mouth. Attachment to your lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desire.”
Guru Maharaj, as you have granted this life, please never let me forget your instructions and waste this life. Please grant this servant the attachment to your instructions and lotus feet.
Your humble servant
Mangal-aarti devi dasi
Mangal Vaisnava dasa
Dear dear Gurudeva,
PAMHO,agtSP&to you,
As i write this offering i have been meditating on who you are&my relationship with you.Firstly i don't have the realization to understand who you are really(due to my conditioning),I thank you for spareing the time&care too help this dull minded person.&i appollagise for my inabillity to fully surrender myself to you.
Your qualitys of purity,determanation,strenght&compassion i look to with awe&they are the very tools in which to spread the glories of KRSNA,you are a leader who commands followers& these followers have taken your words as gosple&they have acheived great hieghts for the sankirtana movement.Also as a father of a growing family which means so so much to meyou are very exspert in guiding us all.
Dear Gurudeva on your auspicious apperance day i thank you for all the gifts you have given me,especially the chanting of the holy name,which i hold dear to my heart.,& hope i can repay such a wonderful gift you have bestode unto me
ys,
Mangal Vaisnava dasa
PAMHO,agtSP&to you,
As i write this offering i have been meditating on who you are&my relationship with you.Firstly i don't have the realization to understand who you are really(due to my conditioning),I thank you for spareing the time&care too help this dull minded person.&i appollagise for my inabillity to fully surrender myself to you.
Your qualitys of purity,determanation,strenght&compassion i look to with awe&they are the very tools in which to spread the glories of KRSNA,you are a leader who commands followers& these followers have taken your words as gosple&they have acheived great hieghts for the sankirtana movement.Also as a father of a growing family which means so so much to meyou are very exspert in guiding us all.
Dear Gurudeva on your auspicious apperance day i thank you for all the gifts you have given me,especially the chanting of the holy name,which i hold dear to my heart.,& hope i can repay such a wonderful gift you have bestode unto me
ys,
Mangal Vaisnava dasa
Manimanjari dd
Hare Krsna
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Please Accept My Humble Obeicances
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
What comes to me, at this time, on this day is that I am immensely grateful to be in your graces. My boy was genuinely surprised and effected by the mercy you showed him on his birthday. He still talks about how you encouraged him in his chanting. I am grateful to you for that!
I am great full that in the midst of family reunions of meat, beer and undesirable conversations I can think of a real father figure who wishes the ultimate good for me. I think of you and inspiration and instruction fill me despite which ever unfortunate circumstances I may find myself in. I am grateful to you for that!
I have far more short falls than up standing vaishnava qualities yet there is a person in my life that will always be on my side to encourage me along the path of bhakti. I am grateful to you for that!
Some day I hope to be a good representative of all the mercy and care you give. As of now I am still up to my neck in Maya therefore able to honor you in that way. I feel dreadfully deficient as your disciple, but entirely fortunate to call my self one. I am very grateful to you for that!!!
I pray for your health and longevity.
In loving Service
Your disciple
Manimanjari dd
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Please Accept My Humble Obeicances
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
What comes to me, at this time, on this day is that I am immensely grateful to be in your graces. My boy was genuinely surprised and effected by the mercy you showed him on his birthday. He still talks about how you encouraged him in his chanting. I am grateful to you for that!
I am great full that in the midst of family reunions of meat, beer and undesirable conversations I can think of a real father figure who wishes the ultimate good for me. I think of you and inspiration and instruction fill me despite which ever unfortunate circumstances I may find myself in. I am grateful to you for that!
I have far more short falls than up standing vaishnava qualities yet there is a person in my life that will always be on my side to encourage me along the path of bhakti. I am grateful to you for that!
Some day I hope to be a good representative of all the mercy and care you give. As of now I am still up to my neck in Maya therefore able to honor you in that way. I feel dreadfully deficient as your disciple, but entirely fortunate to call my self one. I am very grateful to you for that!!!
I pray for your health and longevity.
In loving Service
Your disciple
Manimanjari dd
Manjulali dasi
To my dear spiritual father-in law,
"I first offer my respecful obeisances at the lotus feet of my initiating spiritual master and all my instructing spiritual masters" (Adi Lila 1.35)
This verse seems to mean more to me each year. Thankyou for all the lessons you have taught me and for always being kind in appreciating mine and everyone elses services. I have learnt so much by your association.
I hope to improve the quality of my cooking as an offering to you and somehow assist in your preaching programs.
I'll always be grateful to Krishna for your intervention in my life.
I beg to remain your servant
Manjulali dasi
"I first offer my respecful obeisances at the lotus feet of my initiating spiritual master and all my instructing spiritual masters" (Adi Lila 1.35)
This verse seems to mean more to me each year. Thankyou for all the lessons you have taught me and for always being kind in appreciating mine and everyone elses services. I have learnt so much by your association.
I hope to improve the quality of my cooking as an offering to you and somehow assist in your preaching programs.
I'll always be grateful to Krishna for your intervention in my life.
I beg to remain your servant
Manjulali dasi
Manoj Churiwala
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva. Happy Birthday. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is through your tireless endeavour, guidance and insipiration that we can see how Srila Prabhupada's mission is continously moving forward and changing the lifes and hearts of so many young aspirants in Melbourne.
Over the small period of time that I have been here in Melbourne, listening to your lectures and associating with your followers, I am now able to understand how ignorant I was before and how fortunate I am now to be in the association of devotees.
You are compassionate to everyone and I also got a chance to get your blessing when you accepted to give me your shelter. When you met me this time, you were listening to me so seriously and guided me so perfectly to solve my material problems and inspired and gave me strength to move forward with my devotional activities. As a father you are planning about my future and it feels so secure that someone is personally making endeavours to plan my life without needing anything in return.
Thankyou for your mercy and guidance, you have given me Gurudeva, in this short span of time.
I beg you to give me the intelligence so that I can understand Srila Prabhupada's instructions and properly follow them in my life and please always be merciful on me and continuosly guide and instruct me how to progess in my spiritual life and balance it with my material life under your lotus feet.
Although not qualified as my senior god brothers and sisters, I will try my best to serve you in anyway you like. Please bless me so that I can continue in your service for the rest of my present existence and after.
Aspiring to be your useful servant,
Manoj
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Srimate Devamrta Swami who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva. Happy Birthday. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is through your tireless endeavour, guidance and insipiration that we can see how Srila Prabhupada's mission is continously moving forward and changing the lifes and hearts of so many young aspirants in Melbourne.
Over the small period of time that I have been here in Melbourne, listening to your lectures and associating with your followers, I am now able to understand how ignorant I was before and how fortunate I am now to be in the association of devotees.
You are compassionate to everyone and I also got a chance to get your blessing when you accepted to give me your shelter. When you met me this time, you were listening to me so seriously and guided me so perfectly to solve my material problems and inspired and gave me strength to move forward with my devotional activities. As a father you are planning about my future and it feels so secure that someone is personally making endeavours to plan my life without needing anything in return.
Thankyou for your mercy and guidance, you have given me Gurudeva, in this short span of time.
I beg you to give me the intelligence so that I can understand Srila Prabhupada's instructions and properly follow them in my life and please always be merciful on me and continuosly guide and instruct me how to progess in my spiritual life and balance it with my material life under your lotus feet.
Although not qualified as my senior god brothers and sisters, I will try my best to serve you in anyway you like. Please bless me so that I can continue in your service for the rest of my present existence and after.
Aspiring to be your useful servant,
Manoj
Mantramala dd
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Remembering your Vyasa Puja I am grateful for a lot of things, but please allow me to focus on one thing: I would like to thank you for being so "heavy" on us that we must read Srila Prabhupada's books. Not only read them, but study them, analyse them, love them and live by them.
Due to this expectation of yours, many of your disciples lead the way in this regard and became exemplary devotees despite their young age:
One particular devotee always inspires me because as soon as she has a free minute, she turns to the books. She stayed at The Loft, and then went to India to study and now is based at Gaura Yoga in Wellington.
Your non-New Zealand born disciples I hosted in Hungary some years ago, who visited their overseas families first and then came to Hungary to Radhastami, were also examplary: they even read during the short underground trip in Budapest, while waiting in the prasadam queque at the Ukraine Festival, etc.
There are many more good examples, of course, but these ones truly stand out in my mind.
I am very thankful to you for the above because
a/ Srila Prabhupada's books are very dear to me (his books distributed to me made me desirous for a devotee lifestyle);
b/ The books are one of our primary shelters throughout life's inevitable challenges;
c/ I was filled with sadness and worry about the future noticing the lack of reading, for this reason or that, among quite a few devotees I came across during my extensive travels this year. So I could always remember the "counter-culture" fondly, the New Zealand way.
Your aspiring servant,
Mantramala dd.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Remembering your Vyasa Puja I am grateful for a lot of things, but please allow me to focus on one thing: I would like to thank you for being so "heavy" on us that we must read Srila Prabhupada's books. Not only read them, but study them, analyse them, love them and live by them.
Due to this expectation of yours, many of your disciples lead the way in this regard and became exemplary devotees despite their young age:
One particular devotee always inspires me because as soon as she has a free minute, she turns to the books. She stayed at The Loft, and then went to India to study and now is based at Gaura Yoga in Wellington.
Your non-New Zealand born disciples I hosted in Hungary some years ago, who visited their overseas families first and then came to Hungary to Radhastami, were also examplary: they even read during the short underground trip in Budapest, while waiting in the prasadam queque at the Ukraine Festival, etc.
There are many more good examples, of course, but these ones truly stand out in my mind.
I am very thankful to you for the above because
a/ Srila Prabhupada's books are very dear to me (his books distributed to me made me desirous for a devotee lifestyle);
b/ The books are one of our primary shelters throughout life's inevitable challenges;
c/ I was filled with sadness and worry about the future noticing the lack of reading, for this reason or that, among quite a few devotees I came across during my extensive travels this year. So I could always remember the "counter-culture" fondly, the New Zealand way.
Your aspiring servant,
Mantramala dd.
Michael Schenk
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humblest obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day.
“It is my good fortune that I have been able to see you, for you cannot easily be seen by persons who have not subdued the mind or controlled the senses. I am all the more fortunate to have touched with my head the blessed dust of your feet. I have fortunately been instructed by you, and thus great favour has been bestowed upon me. I thank God that I have listened with open ears to your pure words.” SB 3.22.6-7
When I first met you some time last year, I was filled with awe and reverence from the word go. I was filled with enthusiasm for Krishna consciousness, and as a typical eager beaver I was keen to ask you for initiation on that first meeting - but I held my tongue knowing that I needed to take my time and grow first. Time has certainly shown that I have a lot to learn and a lot more spiritual growth to be done before I come anywhere near taking real shelter of your lotus feet. There are many tests still to be passed, and even the tests I am facing now seem insurmountable.
At first I was very proud, thinking myself to be making rapid and sure progress in Krishna consciousness. But sooner rather than later, my problems and my own shortcomings became apparent, and I became frightened that I would simply not be able to meet the high standard of devotional service you have so mercifully encouraged us all to reach. In a desperate attempt to please you and to satisfy the pressures of my family, I attempted to mold my university degree to something you would enjoy, only to find myself at the miserable end of a mental breakdown. I began to have troubles chanting the Holy Names, and following all the four regulative principles. Thus I was sure that was the end of my devotional career.
Then, earlier this year, you came to visit, and at long last I was asked to see you. When I came in, I was almost ready to cry - I was so ashamed of myself. However, instead of getting a heavy warning that one more mistake and I was out of here, you said instead, “You look much better than last time I saw you.” Instantly, I lit up. You also encouraged me with my struggle with depression, assuring me how where I was at was understandable, not condemnable. This was actually the furthest thing from what I was expecting, and so I was ecstatic, humbled, and extremely grateful all at once. Thank you so much for this mercy, Gurudeva.
I am still trying to fulfill your instruction to me to chant 16 rounds and follow the four rules, and not much has changed since our last visit. In many ways I’m thinking I’ve fallen back even more since then, but still you have been so merciful to give me a chance to keep trying. For this clearly causeless and boundless mercy, I wish to offer my sincerest thanks.
Gurudeva, I want to serve you, and I want to be purified, but I don’t know if I have the strength or stamina to go all the way. It seems now more than ever the claws of maya are pulling me back down, and I fear that it’s only a matter of time before I disappear from the association of the devotees. I beg for the protection of your lotus feet, and the humility and courage to follow your instructions sincerely and with determination. I want to change, so that it becomes only a matter of time before I go back home, back to Krishna, rather than back into Maya. I want to surrender at your lotus feet, yet I am asking myself: “Why can’t I do this sincerely?” I realize now that my heart is cold and hard, but if I offer it to you in love and service, it may eventually melt. Please help me to do this.
Thank you for bestowing your mercy upon me, for tolerating my shortcomings and encouraging me to grow in whatever little ways I am able to in Krishna consciousness. I am by no means very stable in Krishna consciousness, but I know you are the expert doctor who can resuscitate me from my unfortunate condition. Although I want to offer myself wholeheartedly, I am afraid. I therefore pray that somehow my fears, doubts and illusion will all be dispelled by following your instructions as best I can.
Aspiring to truly aspire to be your servant,
Bhakta Michael S, Wellington, NZ
Please accept my humblest obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to you on this most auspicious day.
“It is my good fortune that I have been able to see you, for you cannot easily be seen by persons who have not subdued the mind or controlled the senses. I am all the more fortunate to have touched with my head the blessed dust of your feet. I have fortunately been instructed by you, and thus great favour has been bestowed upon me. I thank God that I have listened with open ears to your pure words.” SB 3.22.6-7
When I first met you some time last year, I was filled with awe and reverence from the word go. I was filled with enthusiasm for Krishna consciousness, and as a typical eager beaver I was keen to ask you for initiation on that first meeting - but I held my tongue knowing that I needed to take my time and grow first. Time has certainly shown that I have a lot to learn and a lot more spiritual growth to be done before I come anywhere near taking real shelter of your lotus feet. There are many tests still to be passed, and even the tests I am facing now seem insurmountable.
At first I was very proud, thinking myself to be making rapid and sure progress in Krishna consciousness. But sooner rather than later, my problems and my own shortcomings became apparent, and I became frightened that I would simply not be able to meet the high standard of devotional service you have so mercifully encouraged us all to reach. In a desperate attempt to please you and to satisfy the pressures of my family, I attempted to mold my university degree to something you would enjoy, only to find myself at the miserable end of a mental breakdown. I began to have troubles chanting the Holy Names, and following all the four regulative principles. Thus I was sure that was the end of my devotional career.
Then, earlier this year, you came to visit, and at long last I was asked to see you. When I came in, I was almost ready to cry - I was so ashamed of myself. However, instead of getting a heavy warning that one more mistake and I was out of here, you said instead, “You look much better than last time I saw you.” Instantly, I lit up. You also encouraged me with my struggle with depression, assuring me how where I was at was understandable, not condemnable. This was actually the furthest thing from what I was expecting, and so I was ecstatic, humbled, and extremely grateful all at once. Thank you so much for this mercy, Gurudeva.
I am still trying to fulfill your instruction to me to chant 16 rounds and follow the four rules, and not much has changed since our last visit. In many ways I’m thinking I’ve fallen back even more since then, but still you have been so merciful to give me a chance to keep trying. For this clearly causeless and boundless mercy, I wish to offer my sincerest thanks.
Gurudeva, I want to serve you, and I want to be purified, but I don’t know if I have the strength or stamina to go all the way. It seems now more than ever the claws of maya are pulling me back down, and I fear that it’s only a matter of time before I disappear from the association of the devotees. I beg for the protection of your lotus feet, and the humility and courage to follow your instructions sincerely and with determination. I want to change, so that it becomes only a matter of time before I go back home, back to Krishna, rather than back into Maya. I want to surrender at your lotus feet, yet I am asking myself: “Why can’t I do this sincerely?” I realize now that my heart is cold and hard, but if I offer it to you in love and service, it may eventually melt. Please help me to do this.
Thank you for bestowing your mercy upon me, for tolerating my shortcomings and encouraging me to grow in whatever little ways I am able to in Krishna consciousness. I am by no means very stable in Krishna consciousness, but I know you are the expert doctor who can resuscitate me from my unfortunate condition. Although I want to offer myself wholeheartedly, I am afraid. I therefore pray that somehow my fears, doubts and illusion will all be dispelled by following your instructions as best I can.
Aspiring to truly aspire to be your servant,
Bhakta Michael S, Wellington, NZ
Miki Iwai
Dear Devamrta swami
Please accept my humble obeisances
all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
One time you told me that "you are my student". Therefore I am your student and you are my spiritual master. Please reveal to me your student what this means.
Your studen and servant
Miki dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
One time you told me that "you are my student". Therefore I am your student and you are my spiritual master. Please reveal to me your student what this means.
Your studen and servant
Miki dasi
Muni-cari dasa
Nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
When Lord Krsna comes to earth He gives the conditioned souls an opportunity to hear about and discuss His pastimes and activities. In a similar way Gurudeva, on this day especially, you have given us the opportunity to come together and discuss the amazing things you are doing for the people in general by spreading the Sankirtana movement around the globe. So many people have been encouraged by you, in some way, to take to spiritual life. Your disciples are only a small part of that group.
The spiritual master is the skipper of the massive ship crossing the ocean of material existence, this example is sometimes given. In a lot of cases, through your single handed efforts, the desire of Lord Caitanya to have everyone in every town and village chanting Hare Krsna is coming true. If not directly by you, then your Sankirtana army spreads it net over the country to make sure no one is excluded.
I heard a lecture recently that you gave a few years back. There were many technical points in the purport and in the questions asked also. But somehow you managed to bring it back to the same basic instruction that your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, always emphasized. That is, hearing and chanting. You said that even if you perfect the activities of varna and ashrama, unless you are increasing your taste for hearing about the Lord then all your activities are simply a waste of time, srama eva hi kevalam. Nectar!!
So in this way you are demonstrating what it means to be a transcendal postman, someone who can take Krsna’s message, your spiritual masters message, and pass it on to fools like me. Krsna’s postie. I pray that I don’t drop the parcel, or throw it away thinking it is insignificant. Actually, this is very unlikely to happen, because not only do you deliver the message, you also help me to understand it and apply it to its maximum potential in my life. For this I do not think it is possible to thank you enough.
Through my job, and preaching in Hamilton, we do come across persons from other spiritual traditions. Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists and Christians are among some of the prominent groups we come across. Of course they all do their upmost to convert me to their faith and I guess in all fairness I do the same to them! Some of these practitioners have become good friends now but when I associate with them I notice they all have one thing in common, there is one thing they are lacking. Not halava, not pakoras, not even Sri Yasodas vegan cheese cakes, no, the one thing none of them have is the guidance of an expert spiritual master. We, your disciples don’t share this concern. We have the influence of your loving direction and guidance through all our activities. Both the guidance we can see and that which we cant.
On a serious note however, I have been observing you very closely Gurudeva. From when I first meet you in 1997 until now, and I have noticed some amazing things. In 1999 I used a secrete measuring device to measure the height that you jump during kirtana. I noticed you were getting to about 32 centimetres on average. But now, Gurudeva, I have observed that your jumps reach around 64 centimetres! Wow, that is a 100% increase in 10 years, truly amazing. While the rest of us are taking stock and getting slower, you are ever increasing. So if this same increase continues Gurudeva, by the year 2109 (100 yrs from now), you will be able to jump a massive height of 655 metres. Easily clearing the 381m tall empire state building and falling just short of the 821m tall Dubai monument, making you the second highest thing in the world.
So my only request, Gurudeva, is that if you are planning on jumping over the tallest buildings in the world in a single bound, like the ‘Superman’ we know you are, if you need someone to hold your shoes and coat then please consider me a suitable candidate!
Begging to remain yours,
Your mundane disciple and spiritual son, Muni-cari DASA.
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
When Lord Krsna comes to earth He gives the conditioned souls an opportunity to hear about and discuss His pastimes and activities. In a similar way Gurudeva, on this day especially, you have given us the opportunity to come together and discuss the amazing things you are doing for the people in general by spreading the Sankirtana movement around the globe. So many people have been encouraged by you, in some way, to take to spiritual life. Your disciples are only a small part of that group.
The spiritual master is the skipper of the massive ship crossing the ocean of material existence, this example is sometimes given. In a lot of cases, through your single handed efforts, the desire of Lord Caitanya to have everyone in every town and village chanting Hare Krsna is coming true. If not directly by you, then your Sankirtana army spreads it net over the country to make sure no one is excluded.
I heard a lecture recently that you gave a few years back. There were many technical points in the purport and in the questions asked also. But somehow you managed to bring it back to the same basic instruction that your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, always emphasized. That is, hearing and chanting. You said that even if you perfect the activities of varna and ashrama, unless you are increasing your taste for hearing about the Lord then all your activities are simply a waste of time, srama eva hi kevalam. Nectar!!
So in this way you are demonstrating what it means to be a transcendal postman, someone who can take Krsna’s message, your spiritual masters message, and pass it on to fools like me. Krsna’s postie. I pray that I don’t drop the parcel, or throw it away thinking it is insignificant. Actually, this is very unlikely to happen, because not only do you deliver the message, you also help me to understand it and apply it to its maximum potential in my life. For this I do not think it is possible to thank you enough.
Through my job, and preaching in Hamilton, we do come across persons from other spiritual traditions. Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists and Christians are among some of the prominent groups we come across. Of course they all do their upmost to convert me to their faith and I guess in all fairness I do the same to them! Some of these practitioners have become good friends now but when I associate with them I notice they all have one thing in common, there is one thing they are lacking. Not halava, not pakoras, not even Sri Yasodas vegan cheese cakes, no, the one thing none of them have is the guidance of an expert spiritual master. We, your disciples don’t share this concern. We have the influence of your loving direction and guidance through all our activities. Both the guidance we can see and that which we cant.
On a serious note however, I have been observing you very closely Gurudeva. From when I first meet you in 1997 until now, and I have noticed some amazing things. In 1999 I used a secrete measuring device to measure the height that you jump during kirtana. I noticed you were getting to about 32 centimetres on average. But now, Gurudeva, I have observed that your jumps reach around 64 centimetres! Wow, that is a 100% increase in 10 years, truly amazing. While the rest of us are taking stock and getting slower, you are ever increasing. So if this same increase continues Gurudeva, by the year 2109 (100 yrs from now), you will be able to jump a massive height of 655 metres. Easily clearing the 381m tall empire state building and falling just short of the 821m tall Dubai monument, making you the second highest thing in the world.
So my only request, Gurudeva, is that if you are planning on jumping over the tallest buildings in the world in a single bound, like the ‘Superman’ we know you are, if you need someone to hold your shoes and coat then please consider me a suitable candidate!
Begging to remain yours,
Your mundane disciple and spiritual son, Muni-cari DASA.
Nanda Mandira dasa
nama om vishnu padaya Krishna prasthaya bhutale
srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest GuruMaharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet on this most glorious and auspicious day of Your divine appearance.
Once again, on this day I get the special opportunity to glorify You in the midst of the assembly of Vaisnavas. My attempt to glorify You is insufficient and insignificant for Your glories are unlimited.
Your dedication to following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada is evident in Your constant determined endeavor to spread love of Godhead despite all the challenges and hardships You encounter. You perfectly understand Srila Prabhupada’s desire and its application. This is evident in Your preaching efforts. You have devised so many different ways of attracting conditioned souls to Krishna consciousness, who would otherwise not be attracted to this movement. An acarya is one who can deliver the message of Krishna according to the proper time, place and circumstance.
I have observed in You, that your every thought, activity & words is related to Krishna and not a second of time is wasted. You always have time for everyone.
In one of the darshans in 2005, I approached You to get rubber stamped my decision of joining the brahmacari ashram in Chowpatty. You instructed me to join the ashram in Melbourne as I am indebted to my spiritual birth place and should serve the mission where there is the most need. I did not very much appreciate the instruction back then and now I begin to realize that You taught Me to show gratitude to the devotees and the temple who nurtured me by serving them. I got the opportunity to render different kinds of services and take up responsibilities in Krishna’s service which I feel I would not have been given elsewhere. You reciprocated by giving Your own association and giving Me strength at every step.
In the CC Madhya 16.64 Caitanya MahaPrabhu instructs Nityananda Prabhu to not to visit Jagannath Puri every year but to stay in Bengal and preach. In a lecture on this verse you explained that carrying out the order of the spiritual master is higher than to satisfy one’s own desires in Krishna consciousness.
On this day, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love You have shown and beg You for the strength to set aside my personal agendas and sincerely take to heart Your instructions.
Your aspiring servant
Nanda Mandir dasa
srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest GuruMaharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances at your Lotus Feet on this most glorious and auspicious day of Your divine appearance.
Once again, on this day I get the special opportunity to glorify You in the midst of the assembly of Vaisnavas. My attempt to glorify You is insufficient and insignificant for Your glories are unlimited.
Your dedication to following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada is evident in Your constant determined endeavor to spread love of Godhead despite all the challenges and hardships You encounter. You perfectly understand Srila Prabhupada’s desire and its application. This is evident in Your preaching efforts. You have devised so many different ways of attracting conditioned souls to Krishna consciousness, who would otherwise not be attracted to this movement. An acarya is one who can deliver the message of Krishna according to the proper time, place and circumstance.
I have observed in You, that your every thought, activity & words is related to Krishna and not a second of time is wasted. You always have time for everyone.
In one of the darshans in 2005, I approached You to get rubber stamped my decision of joining the brahmacari ashram in Chowpatty. You instructed me to join the ashram in Melbourne as I am indebted to my spiritual birth place and should serve the mission where there is the most need. I did not very much appreciate the instruction back then and now I begin to realize that You taught Me to show gratitude to the devotees and the temple who nurtured me by serving them. I got the opportunity to render different kinds of services and take up responsibilities in Krishna’s service which I feel I would not have been given elsewhere. You reciprocated by giving Your own association and giving Me strength at every step.
In the CC Madhya 16.64 Caitanya MahaPrabhu instructs Nityananda Prabhu to not to visit Jagannath Puri every year but to stay in Bengal and preach. In a lecture on this verse you explained that carrying out the order of the spiritual master is higher than to satisfy one’s own desires in Krishna consciousness.
On this day, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love You have shown and beg You for the strength to set aside my personal agendas and sincerely take to heart Your instructions.
Your aspiring servant
Nanda Mandir dasa
Narottama Vilas das and Rati Vilas dd
Dear Guru Maharaja! Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
At this wonderful day let us glorify your spiritual qualities and express our gratitude for giving us shelter at your lotus feet. We want to become your worthy disciples who take your instructions as part of their lives. Having received diksa, we felt great support in our spiritual lives that comes from Krsna through the parampara – people became more receptive to our unskillful preaching attempts, our words and actions have more strength, new young and enthusiastic people became attracted. Our material desires have weakened and we are more enthusiastic now to chant the Holy Name and spread the Sankirtana mission, that proves the point described in Sri Sri Gurv-astakam (1-2).
We are very much grateful that you continue to visit our distant northern place thus showing your great care about our spiritual growth. We shall put our entire endeavor to gain your mercy as without it all our attempts to achieve perfection are doomed to fail.
Your servants
Narottama Vilas das and Rati Vilas dd
(Severodvinsk, Russia)
At this wonderful day let us glorify your spiritual qualities and express our gratitude for giving us shelter at your lotus feet. We want to become your worthy disciples who take your instructions as part of their lives. Having received diksa, we felt great support in our spiritual lives that comes from Krsna through the parampara – people became more receptive to our unskillful preaching attempts, our words and actions have more strength, new young and enthusiastic people became attracted. Our material desires have weakened and we are more enthusiastic now to chant the Holy Name and spread the Sankirtana mission, that proves the point described in Sri Sri Gurv-astakam (1-2).
We are very much grateful that you continue to visit our distant northern place thus showing your great care about our spiritual growth. We shall put our entire endeavor to gain your mercy as without it all our attempts to achieve perfection are doomed to fail.
Your servants
Narottama Vilas das and Rati Vilas dd
(Severodvinsk, Russia)
Natasha Bondarenko
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the wood like living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages injected through the receptive ear. Maharaja, you are the spiritual master who can kindle the spiritual fire from me.
You are a subject of my meditation and worship.
Aspiring to be your disciple,
Natasha (Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk)
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another divine grace. His Divine Grace the spiritual master can kindle the spiritual fire from the wood like living entity by imparting proper spiritual messages injected through the receptive ear. Maharaja, you are the spiritual master who can kindle the spiritual fire from me.
You are a subject of my meditation and worship.
Aspiring to be your disciple,
Natasha (Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk)
Netrananda devi dasi
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravina ta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namaha
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
Addressing the student body of Stockholm University in September 1973, Srila Prabhupada says about a spiritual master ("The Journey of Self-Discovery"):
"So, now that we have this opportunity of human life, let us understand Krsna... you should simply try to love Krishna. The process is that you worship the Deity, you take prasadam, you chant Krishna's holy names, and you follow the instruction of the spiritual master. In this way you'll learn how to understand Krishna, and then our life will be successful."
Dear Guru Maharaj!
By your great mercy you give me blessings to serve my beloved Deities, to offer them food, take prasadam as Krishna's mercy, and by your great mercy you gave me the Holy Name by giving me initiation.
On this Holy for all of us day of your appearance with deep respect and gratitude falling at your lotus feet, I'm humbly praying for the mercy to be always able to follow your instructions in order to learn how to understand and love Krishna.
Your eternal servant,
Netrananda devi dasi,
24th of September 2009,
St.Petersburg, Russia
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravina ta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namaha
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Maharaj!
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
Addressing the student body of Stockholm University in September 1973, Srila Prabhupada says about a spiritual master ("The Journey of Self-Discovery"):
"So, now that we have this opportunity of human life, let us understand Krsna... you should simply try to love Krishna. The process is that you worship the Deity, you take prasadam, you chant Krishna's holy names, and you follow the instruction of the spiritual master. In this way you'll learn how to understand Krishna, and then our life will be successful."
Dear Guru Maharaj!
By your great mercy you give me blessings to serve my beloved Deities, to offer them food, take prasadam as Krishna's mercy, and by your great mercy you gave me the Holy Name by giving me initiation.
On this Holy for all of us day of your appearance with deep respect and gratitude falling at your lotus feet, I'm humbly praying for the mercy to be always able to follow your instructions in order to learn how to understand and love Krishna.
Your eternal servant,
Netrananda devi dasi,
24th of September 2009,
St.Petersburg, Russia
Nilacala Candra Das, San Jose, CA
All Glories To Sri Sri Sri Guru And Gauranga
All Glories To Sri Sri Sri Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada
Hare Krishna Sri Guru Maharaj
I offer my humble obeisance's to Your Holiness Lotus Feet. Your Holiness Appeared in this Material World as a Special Disciple Of Jagat Guru Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to deliver several conditioned souls from this miserable World.
Your Holiness gave shelter to many disciples and Your Holiness has given special abundance Mercy upon this most fallen soul. I shall be indebted to Your Holiness Birth after Birth and for Your causeless Mercy and Love.
On this day, I offer my prayers To Sri Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan at San Jose CA, to shower Their Lordships Mercy upon Your Holiness and to keep Your Holiness In Good Health always at all times.
With love and sincere prayers
Nilacala Candra Das
All Glories To Sri Sri Sri Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada
Hare Krishna Sri Guru Maharaj
I offer my humble obeisance's to Your Holiness Lotus Feet. Your Holiness Appeared in this Material World as a Special Disciple Of Jagat Guru Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to deliver several conditioned souls from this miserable World.
Your Holiness gave shelter to many disciples and Your Holiness has given special abundance Mercy upon this most fallen soul. I shall be indebted to Your Holiness Birth after Birth and for Your causeless Mercy and Love.
On this day, I offer my prayers To Sri Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan at San Jose CA, to shower Their Lordships Mercy upon Your Holiness and to keep Your Holiness In Good Health always at all times.
With love and sincere prayers
Nilacala Candra Das
Oliver Braun
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am not able to express my gratitude for what you are doing for me, nor my appreciation for you, because I can not estimate the extent of what you are able to give. Already, now I feel that I would not be able to repay my debts to you.
From the moment I met one of your disciples my life turned into the right direction. By serving Srila Prabhupada's order and through your mercy a Srimad Bhagavatam was placed in the bookshelf of the hostel, and you enabled me to meet a devotee on the street, to come to the loft, and to taste not only the wonderful prasadam, but the sweetness of chanting the holy name as well. You provide the opportunity to do service there and through this service in the Loft I also had the opportunity to meet you.
When I first met you in the Loft I did not know who this person everyone was so exited about was. When you entered the kitchen I turned around only for a short moment to say hello, and then continued washing the dishes. But then I felt your presence behind my back and this urgent warning reached my heart: "This was not very respectful!" So I turned again to pay more attention to the person who has just entered, to you.
Later during the talk I was totally absorbed in your words; my eyes were fixed on your lips, sometimes watching the reactions of the other people in the room you touched in their hearts by your nectarean speech, my mouth happily smiling, and my heart joyfully admired: "What a great soul!"
Like a young child awaits Christmas or its birthday I have been looking forward to hear and learn more from you ever since.
You are distributing wonderful gifts to everyone. But your gifts are not from this material world. You enliven with your nourishing knowledge of the spiritual world, the realm of God, Krishna. You have awakened in me the understanding that I have to serve this Krishna who is far away from my limited understanding. How shall I know how to serve Him in a proper way? By your allowing me to stay in the brahmacari asrama, not knowing much more about me than that "he likes monasteries", you kindly give me the rare opportunity to associate all the time with enthusiastic devotees, to read Srila Prabhupada's books, and to learn about and practice Krishna Consciousness by providing a lot of service opportunities there. The scriptures say that by following the order of the spiritual master one serves Krishna. Here you kindly allow me to witness the process of advancing through devotional service by the realizations shared over prasadam. And you even allow me to advance.
When my eyes were first opened through the Bible, Koran, Buddha and others, and during my time in the monastery, I felt really advanced in the realization of God and the world. I started to see how people live miserably and unconsciously doing so many unnecessary things. But I could not see that I myself am still part of it, could not see who I really am, and was full of misconceptions and confused, and could not find the purpose of my life. Srila Prabhupada's books are giving the tools to rid oneself of all those misconceptions and help to see ones actual position. By your mercy these books reached me and through your merciful arrangements I learned that I am all but advanced. I see have a long way full of stones and thorns before my feet and I know now that I am not able to go it alone with my limited strength, without help. You have been so kind to help me even before I knew that I needed help.
Therefore, I continue gladly with the service here, and try to improve the quality and my enthusiasm of my service to please you, knowing that whatever I do it will never be sufficient nor good enough to match the gifts you have already given to me.
So please accept my helpless attempts to serve you and these insufficient words of my appreciation.
Your aspiring servant,
Oliver
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I am not able to express my gratitude for what you are doing for me, nor my appreciation for you, because I can not estimate the extent of what you are able to give. Already, now I feel that I would not be able to repay my debts to you.
From the moment I met one of your disciples my life turned into the right direction. By serving Srila Prabhupada's order and through your mercy a Srimad Bhagavatam was placed in the bookshelf of the hostel, and you enabled me to meet a devotee on the street, to come to the loft, and to taste not only the wonderful prasadam, but the sweetness of chanting the holy name as well. You provide the opportunity to do service there and through this service in the Loft I also had the opportunity to meet you.
When I first met you in the Loft I did not know who this person everyone was so exited about was. When you entered the kitchen I turned around only for a short moment to say hello, and then continued washing the dishes. But then I felt your presence behind my back and this urgent warning reached my heart: "This was not very respectful!" So I turned again to pay more attention to the person who has just entered, to you.
Later during the talk I was totally absorbed in your words; my eyes were fixed on your lips, sometimes watching the reactions of the other people in the room you touched in their hearts by your nectarean speech, my mouth happily smiling, and my heart joyfully admired: "What a great soul!"
Like a young child awaits Christmas or its birthday I have been looking forward to hear and learn more from you ever since.
You are distributing wonderful gifts to everyone. But your gifts are not from this material world. You enliven with your nourishing knowledge of the spiritual world, the realm of God, Krishna. You have awakened in me the understanding that I have to serve this Krishna who is far away from my limited understanding. How shall I know how to serve Him in a proper way? By your allowing me to stay in the brahmacari asrama, not knowing much more about me than that "he likes monasteries", you kindly give me the rare opportunity to associate all the time with enthusiastic devotees, to read Srila Prabhupada's books, and to learn about and practice Krishna Consciousness by providing a lot of service opportunities there. The scriptures say that by following the order of the spiritual master one serves Krishna. Here you kindly allow me to witness the process of advancing through devotional service by the realizations shared over prasadam. And you even allow me to advance.
When my eyes were first opened through the Bible, Koran, Buddha and others, and during my time in the monastery, I felt really advanced in the realization of God and the world. I started to see how people live miserably and unconsciously doing so many unnecessary things. But I could not see that I myself am still part of it, could not see who I really am, and was full of misconceptions and confused, and could not find the purpose of my life. Srila Prabhupada's books are giving the tools to rid oneself of all those misconceptions and help to see ones actual position. By your mercy these books reached me and through your merciful arrangements I learned that I am all but advanced. I see have a long way full of stones and thorns before my feet and I know now that I am not able to go it alone with my limited strength, without help. You have been so kind to help me even before I knew that I needed help.
Therefore, I continue gladly with the service here, and try to improve the quality and my enthusiasm of my service to please you, knowing that whatever I do it will never be sufficient nor good enough to match the gifts you have already given to me.
So please accept my helpless attempts to serve you and these insufficient words of my appreciation.
Your aspiring servant,
Oliver
Pamela Heyden
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When my sister came back to Chile, after one year living at The Loft, she was talking every day about Krishna Consciousness, prasadam, devotees and the importance to approach a spiritual master. She was the same sister; she always worried about me, was lovely and bossy. But something was different… When I asked her: What about your plans now? What do you want to do? … She answered: I have to ask to my spiritual master. I couldn’t understand her position; I couldn’t understand at all what that meant. I thought “my sister is going crazy”… At the beginning I tried to be nice to her because I didn’t want our family to reject my sister. I started to chant with her, offered the food, just to try to help her and be nice. Then, after a few months, I though that she was not crazy and I really enjoyed chanting, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. She was really determined to talk about Krishna Consciousness every second and finally she convinced me to come to New Zealand.
When I arrived in New Zealand, 8 months ago, I never thought that I would stay at the Loft so long. But here I am, trying to do the best that I can. Now I can understand my sister’s position, I can understand her life and her devotion. I am so happy because I can see that she is really happy and peaceful. Thank you for showing me, through my sister, about Krishna and his wonderful devotees.
Thank you very much for this big opportunity to let me perform devotional service. In these months I have learned more than in my whole life. Thank you for letting me associate with your amazing devotees, who are full of love and tolerance. Every one of them has given me something beautiful that I will keep forever. I don´t know what else can I say because I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude and admiration; every day here at the Loft has been full of knowledge, challenges and devotional service. Sometimes it becomes a difficult process but it is always joyfully performed.
I know now that Krishna is in everyone’s heart and I am happy about that because when I return to my country I know that Krishna will come with me.
I came alone to New Zealand… and now I will go back to my country with Krishna…
Muchas, miles y millones de gracias desde el fondo de mi alma…
Your servant,
Pamela Heyden
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
When my sister came back to Chile, after one year living at The Loft, she was talking every day about Krishna Consciousness, prasadam, devotees and the importance to approach a spiritual master. She was the same sister; she always worried about me, was lovely and bossy. But something was different… When I asked her: What about your plans now? What do you want to do? … She answered: I have to ask to my spiritual master. I couldn’t understand her position; I couldn’t understand at all what that meant. I thought “my sister is going crazy”… At the beginning I tried to be nice to her because I didn’t want our family to reject my sister. I started to chant with her, offered the food, just to try to help her and be nice. Then, after a few months, I though that she was not crazy and I really enjoyed chanting, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. She was really determined to talk about Krishna Consciousness every second and finally she convinced me to come to New Zealand.
When I arrived in New Zealand, 8 months ago, I never thought that I would stay at the Loft so long. But here I am, trying to do the best that I can. Now I can understand my sister’s position, I can understand her life and her devotion. I am so happy because I can see that she is really happy and peaceful. Thank you for showing me, through my sister, about Krishna and his wonderful devotees.
Thank you very much for this big opportunity to let me perform devotional service. In these months I have learned more than in my whole life. Thank you for letting me associate with your amazing devotees, who are full of love and tolerance. Every one of them has given me something beautiful that I will keep forever. I don´t know what else can I say because I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude and admiration; every day here at the Loft has been full of knowledge, challenges and devotional service. Sometimes it becomes a difficult process but it is always joyfully performed.
I know now that Krishna is in everyone’s heart and I am happy about that because when I return to my country I know that Krishna will come with me.
I came alone to New Zealand… and now I will go back to my country with Krishna…
Muchas, miles y millones de gracias desde el fondo de mi alma…
Your servant,
Pamela Heyden
Pandava bandhava das
Dear Guru-Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisancess. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day I would like to thank you for all the endeavors you make to save me from Maya.
I am a conditioned soul absorbed in material activities. My great misfortune is that I don't have a real taste for hearing and chanting the glories of Sri Sri Radha Krsna.
But whenever I have an opportunity to listen from you all this changes. You present the process of bhakti yoga in such an exiting way that even tamasic soul like me feels attracted. With your realized words you bring Krsna and the Spiritual World very close. When you speak Krsna-katha I can see that our spiritual nature, our connection with Krsna through the process of bhakti, and the sweet loving exchanges between Krsna and His devotees, all these are not just philosophical tenets but living reality. Then I feel enthusiastic to become serious devotee.
Thank you for being such a loving and caring father.
I pray to remain always at your lotus feet.
Your servant:
Pandava bandhava das
Please accept my humble obeisancess. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day I would like to thank you for all the endeavors you make to save me from Maya.
I am a conditioned soul absorbed in material activities. My great misfortune is that I don't have a real taste for hearing and chanting the glories of Sri Sri Radha Krsna.
But whenever I have an opportunity to listen from you all this changes. You present the process of bhakti yoga in such an exiting way that even tamasic soul like me feels attracted. With your realized words you bring Krsna and the Spiritual World very close. When you speak Krsna-katha I can see that our spiritual nature, our connection with Krsna through the process of bhakti, and the sweet loving exchanges between Krsna and His devotees, all these are not just philosophical tenets but living reality. Then I feel enthusiastic to become serious devotee.
Thank you for being such a loving and caring father.
I pray to remain always at your lotus feet.
Your servant:
Pandava bandhava das
Pankaj Sharma
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaj,
nama om vishnu padaya Krishna prasthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
All glories to you on your appearance day.
If it were not for you I would not have taken to Krishna consciousness so quickly though your Loft and GauraYoga setup. So on your appearance day I would like to offer you my sincere appreciation as a matter of significance of my soul, although, yes, I also feel unqualified to express my gratitude.
I wasn’t fortunate enough to take your shelter regularly this year; however, having gained something from you until now, I can say a little bit being as a completely lost person really who knows no one else who could take him out of this dense forest of never ending illusions and mirages. Although times are turbulent for me, since it is for the first time in my life, I have never been so lost in the material sense, but it seems happiness is knocking on my door and I just have to take shelter of your lotus feet. What else does this material world offer me? But no, I am left hammered by hopes and assumptions.
When I come to my senses, I realize that your setup is something what I have subconsciously always wanted – a place where I don’t have to hit my head against the material world and its elements again and again – and find happiness performing something which I have been ignoring all along – devotional service. I remember once in my Uni days coming of out the corridor into the sun just after handing in my assignment and thinking about my existence…Why am I alone?…Why have I not been able to experience everlasting fulfilment in contact with a human being? …and at the same instant I was somewhat convinced that someone must have created me and I must have parted ways. After years of disbelief and ignorance in the material relationships, I also tumbled through the GauraYoga door. Instead of being given only books, I was welcomed with opened arms, prasadam and care. Now under your setup, I have got the answer, and it’s up to me to take the medicine required in this material world, full of dualities, and a certain desire to be happy.
If Krishna consciousness in this age was so easy, I wanted to see some effort. I wanted to see someone to show it happen; open up urban centre where western-minded people could come without feeling awkward as in traditional temple environment - and fill it with people who care about the suffering souls. Just have an anxiety free and enjoyable beginning to finding out what out lives are missing and that what we have been ignoring. For this, reachout method, I can never repay you, because I wouldn’t have taken up the difficult conventional way – I can’t even take the process up properly this easy way. I remember all the times when you called me to see you personally and how you have cared for my aspirations.
I remember all the recent times when I was irregular in my devotional service and still you understanding my mental state, smiled as much as you could. Although, no where near deserving any such mercy, I realise how much you give to me. I had no relation with you and it is nothing but your causeless mercy that I am being showed. I do realise how fortunate I am.
Thank you for your guidance and care.
Somehow or another when I am around you, I know that I can go back to Godhead and if I stay around you, it would be quite simple and fun at the same time. Although filled with irregularity and self-centeredness, I still would like to think I have something to offer from my life for Lord Krishna’s service. With a little more guidance I would like to believe that I could make my existence a meaningful one to you and him. Someday after being absorbed in devotional service and when I am confident of myself, I would approach you to ask how to try to repay you and your devotees.
I know this for sure, that, happiness, for me, in this lifetime, and after, in by belief, could only be showed by you and no one else. I beg for your kindness and hope that you don’t give up on me just yet.
Your indebted aspiring servant,
Pankaj Sharma
nama om vishnu padaya Krishna prasthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
All glories to you on your appearance day.
If it were not for you I would not have taken to Krishna consciousness so quickly though your Loft and GauraYoga setup. So on your appearance day I would like to offer you my sincere appreciation as a matter of significance of my soul, although, yes, I also feel unqualified to express my gratitude.
I wasn’t fortunate enough to take your shelter regularly this year; however, having gained something from you until now, I can say a little bit being as a completely lost person really who knows no one else who could take him out of this dense forest of never ending illusions and mirages. Although times are turbulent for me, since it is for the first time in my life, I have never been so lost in the material sense, but it seems happiness is knocking on my door and I just have to take shelter of your lotus feet. What else does this material world offer me? But no, I am left hammered by hopes and assumptions.
When I come to my senses, I realize that your setup is something what I have subconsciously always wanted – a place where I don’t have to hit my head against the material world and its elements again and again – and find happiness performing something which I have been ignoring all along – devotional service. I remember once in my Uni days coming of out the corridor into the sun just after handing in my assignment and thinking about my existence…Why am I alone?…Why have I not been able to experience everlasting fulfilment in contact with a human being? …and at the same instant I was somewhat convinced that someone must have created me and I must have parted ways. After years of disbelief and ignorance in the material relationships, I also tumbled through the GauraYoga door. Instead of being given only books, I was welcomed with opened arms, prasadam and care. Now under your setup, I have got the answer, and it’s up to me to take the medicine required in this material world, full of dualities, and a certain desire to be happy.
If Krishna consciousness in this age was so easy, I wanted to see some effort. I wanted to see someone to show it happen; open up urban centre where western-minded people could come without feeling awkward as in traditional temple environment - and fill it with people who care about the suffering souls. Just have an anxiety free and enjoyable beginning to finding out what out lives are missing and that what we have been ignoring. For this, reachout method, I can never repay you, because I wouldn’t have taken up the difficult conventional way – I can’t even take the process up properly this easy way. I remember all the times when you called me to see you personally and how you have cared for my aspirations.
I remember all the recent times when I was irregular in my devotional service and still you understanding my mental state, smiled as much as you could. Although, no where near deserving any such mercy, I realise how much you give to me. I had no relation with you and it is nothing but your causeless mercy that I am being showed. I do realise how fortunate I am.
Thank you for your guidance and care.
Somehow or another when I am around you, I know that I can go back to Godhead and if I stay around you, it would be quite simple and fun at the same time. Although filled with irregularity and self-centeredness, I still would like to think I have something to offer from my life for Lord Krishna’s service. With a little more guidance I would like to believe that I could make my existence a meaningful one to you and him. Someday after being absorbed in devotional service and when I am confident of myself, I would approach you to ask how to try to repay you and your devotees.
I know this for sure, that, happiness, for me, in this lifetime, and after, in by belief, could only be showed by you and no one else. I beg for your kindness and hope that you don’t give up on me just yet.
Your indebted aspiring servant,
Pankaj Sharma
Pia Cepeda
My humble obeisances to your lotus feet.
I was lost, trying to connect with God but didn’t know how. Now I have been shown the way, through devotional service. I thank you so much for creating The Loft in Auckland and inspiring the ladies to spread Krishna Consciousness, it has given me this opportunity, what I’ve been looking for, to learn about God, his qualities and pastimes. It has changed the ultimate goal in my life. Thank you.
Your fallen servant
Pia Cepeda
I was lost, trying to connect with God but didn’t know how. Now I have been shown the way, through devotional service. I thank you so much for creating The Loft in Auckland and inspiring the ladies to spread Krishna Consciousness, it has given me this opportunity, what I’ve been looking for, to learn about God, his qualities and pastimes. It has changed the ultimate goal in my life. Thank you.
Your fallen servant
Pia Cepeda
Prabhuram Subramanian
Dear Maharaj,
Please Accept My Humble Obeissances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
I cannot imagine the amount of mercy i have received from you in the past. Whatever little progress i have made in spiritual life is only due to your mercy. I pray to krishna that you have many more happy vyasa puja with us.
On this auspicious occasion i sincerely beg for your mercy so that i might be able to make further progress in spiritual life.
Your Servant and Well Wisher,
Prabhuram
Please Accept My Humble Obeissances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
I cannot imagine the amount of mercy i have received from you in the past. Whatever little progress i have made in spiritual life is only due to your mercy. I pray to krishna that you have many more happy vyasa puja with us.
On this auspicious occasion i sincerely beg for your mercy so that i might be able to make further progress in spiritual life.
Your Servant and Well Wisher,
Prabhuram
Prasad Babu Kalluri and family
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
Dear Guru Maharaj,
We are very grateful that you have given us shelter. We are thankful to Krpasindhu prabhu, Nityananda Priya prabhu, Krishna Agraja prabhu, Koti prabhu, Asitaradhya prabhu, Muralidharan prabhu, Gopa Vrindesa prabhu and Nanda Mandir Prabhu for helping us to advance along the spiritual path.
You expressed your mercy to us when you gave me a remnant of laddu straight from your mouth. We are very attracted by your dynamic preaching. Srila Gurudev, you are showering you mercy upon us by singing a melodious kirtan accompanied with an ecstatically performed dance in the last minutes of wonderful retreats. When we experienced your kirtan, an ocean of bliss immediately swallowed us. In future we wish that more of these spiritualizing kirtans are performed. We have a great experience of serving prasadam to you on the last retreat.
We wish that you will bless us to become your life-long servants.
Your Servants,
Prasad, Anitha, Charan and Krishna Priya.
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
Dear Guru Maharaj,
We are very grateful that you have given us shelter. We are thankful to Krpasindhu prabhu, Nityananda Priya prabhu, Krishna Agraja prabhu, Koti prabhu, Asitaradhya prabhu, Muralidharan prabhu, Gopa Vrindesa prabhu and Nanda Mandir Prabhu for helping us to advance along the spiritual path.
You expressed your mercy to us when you gave me a remnant of laddu straight from your mouth. We are very attracted by your dynamic preaching. Srila Gurudev, you are showering you mercy upon us by singing a melodious kirtan accompanied with an ecstatically performed dance in the last minutes of wonderful retreats. When we experienced your kirtan, an ocean of bliss immediately swallowed us. In future we wish that more of these spiritualizing kirtans are performed. We have a great experience of serving prasadam to you on the last retreat.
We wish that you will bless us to become your life-long servants.
Your Servants,
Prasad, Anitha, Charan and Krishna Priya.
Prem-yogi das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day!
This year I was very fortunate to have the opportunity of serving you at the GBC meetings both in Sri Mayapur and in Australia. During my service I got some insight into the extent of your love and devotion for your spiritual master.
Srila Prabhupada said: "Your love for me will be demonstrated by how you cooperate amongst yourselves after my disappearance. "
In those twelve days of meetings in Mayapur, and then again in Australia, your consistency in dedicating your every moment to the matters at hand, despite obvious physical and mental fatigue, demonstrated to me your complete determination to carry out the orders of your spiritual master. You are always endeavoring to ensure the proper maintenance and advancement of the mission and society that Srila Prabhupada so carefully gave us; to the extent that you will drop down to your knees to beg for cooperation from those who serve in management.
Such a display of sacrifice, humility and love is very inspiring to me, and is a clear indicator that you have taken the order of your spiritual master to heart, and that this Krishna Consciousness Movement has a bright future due to your committed care and involvement.
Still, although working so hard you are very careful to maintain your body properly for the Lord's service, never succumbing to passionate burn-out in the execution of your service. You are an admirable example of the "shining moon" in maintaining devotional service, always ensuring you have full capacity to serve the society and give mercy to those under your care.
And not only do you focus on the maintenance of Prabhupada's society, but also on his most dear instruction, ie. "Please distribute books." Recently I have been distributing books and have seen first hand your efforts to increase this cherished wish of Srila Prabhupada's. Now that the devotee community in New Zealand is thriving, your attention now spreads to Australia where you have sent some "Maharathi" book distributors to fire things up. Your constant (daily) guidance for your brahmacari disciples who are always distributing books shows where your heart is. And that those sincere devotees have made books their life is surely a credit to your service as their spiritual master, and to your service to your own spiritual master.
I also remember, a little while after I was initiated, that during one darsana you said to me "You've been distributing books. I'm impressed!" Never had you responded in such a way from the service I had been doing for Atma Yoga or for you personally, but distributing just a few of Prabhupada's books grabbed your complete attention and praise. It was then obvious to me how to receive your mercy.
I am not very good at distributing books, nor do I have a taste for it, but with your encouragement and mercy I hope to perform some small service that will please you and your spiritual master.
It is only natural for someone to be grateful after receiving a valuable gift. Srila Prabhupada gave you the most valuable of gifts, devotional service, by which even Krsna Himself can become purchased. And as gratitude you have given yourself to his service. I pray that I also realize the value of what you have given me so that I can give myself to yours.
Thank you for your guidance and care. It is clear to me that you have my best interests at heart. If only I had so much care for my own spiritual advancement.
Your aspiring servant,
Prem-yogi das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day!
This year I was very fortunate to have the opportunity of serving you at the GBC meetings both in Sri Mayapur and in Australia. During my service I got some insight into the extent of your love and devotion for your spiritual master.
Srila Prabhupada said: "Your love for me will be demonstrated by how you cooperate amongst yourselves after my disappearance. "
In those twelve days of meetings in Mayapur, and then again in Australia, your consistency in dedicating your every moment to the matters at hand, despite obvious physical and mental fatigue, demonstrated to me your complete determination to carry out the orders of your spiritual master. You are always endeavoring to ensure the proper maintenance and advancement of the mission and society that Srila Prabhupada so carefully gave us; to the extent that you will drop down to your knees to beg for cooperation from those who serve in management.
Such a display of sacrifice, humility and love is very inspiring to me, and is a clear indicator that you have taken the order of your spiritual master to heart, and that this Krishna Consciousness Movement has a bright future due to your committed care and involvement.
Still, although working so hard you are very careful to maintain your body properly for the Lord's service, never succumbing to passionate burn-out in the execution of your service. You are an admirable example of the "shining moon" in maintaining devotional service, always ensuring you have full capacity to serve the society and give mercy to those under your care.
And not only do you focus on the maintenance of Prabhupada's society, but also on his most dear instruction, ie. "Please distribute books." Recently I have been distributing books and have seen first hand your efforts to increase this cherished wish of Srila Prabhupada's. Now that the devotee community in New Zealand is thriving, your attention now spreads to Australia where you have sent some "Maharathi" book distributors to fire things up. Your constant (daily) guidance for your brahmacari disciples who are always distributing books shows where your heart is. And that those sincere devotees have made books their life is surely a credit to your service as their spiritual master, and to your service to your own spiritual master.
I also remember, a little while after I was initiated, that during one darsana you said to me "You've been distributing books. I'm impressed!" Never had you responded in such a way from the service I had been doing for Atma Yoga or for you personally, but distributing just a few of Prabhupada's books grabbed your complete attention and praise. It was then obvious to me how to receive your mercy.
I am not very good at distributing books, nor do I have a taste for it, but with your encouragement and mercy I hope to perform some small service that will please you and your spiritual master.
It is only natural for someone to be grateful after receiving a valuable gift. Srila Prabhupada gave you the most valuable of gifts, devotional service, by which even Krsna Himself can become purchased. And as gratitude you have given yourself to his service. I pray that I also realize the value of what you have given me so that I can give myself to yours.
Thank you for your guidance and care. It is clear to me that you have my best interests at heart. If only I had so much care for my own spiritual advancement.
Your aspiring servant,
Prem-yogi das
Prema Dham Das (Melbourne)
Offering to our Guru Maharaj
Dear Guru Maharaj,
In last few months with your blessing I got the fortune of reading more of Srila Prabhupada's books. Now we're beginning to realize what these insignificant and useless souls are blessed with - the rarest opportunity of making progress on the path of devotional service to Lord Krishna.
I was reading the conversation between Dhruva Maharaj and Sripad Narada Muni, when Dhruva Maharaj with all his humility says to Narada Muni - that your instructions are for ultimate good for any soul as they talk about supreme person but my heart at this stage is all filled with anger and hankering material desires and thus cannot appreciate your transcended instructions. As a perfect doctor Narada Muni understood the mental condition of Dhruva Maharaj and accordingly instructed him. Whereby he not only fulfilled his material desires and uprooted any such seeds of material hankering in the future but in the end he also got the pure love of godhead. That pastime gave me lot of hope as it talks about the typical conditions of any conditioned souls in this material world and how all merciful gurus like you dovetailed all "not so perfect" efforts of his disciple like us. You're like Narada Muni to us who very expertly guiding our boat from this ocean of miseries.
It is only by the mercy of you guru Maharaj I been able to stay on this boat of devotional service. We got absolutely no qualification to understand the science of bhakti nor got any appreciation for it but it is only because of your causeless mercy we're trying to serve the mission of Prabhupada and also trying to serve the devotees. We're really fortunate to get the association of devotees in the temple and learn and serve them. You're the pure devotee of Lord Krishna and thus Krishna is manifesting the divine qualities of - Dhira, Gambir (Grave), Knowledge, love for Krishna in you, and by seeing this we get really lot of pleasure.
It's again with your blessings only that we are able to survive the pangs of material nature which was very difficult to overcome otherwise. You've blessed us with the vision of seeing material world as only place of suffering and thus preparing for the final test by constantly guiding us in devotional service. I've noticed not one time or two time but many-many time, every day that with your instruction there also come the power and intelligence to execute them. With your instructions comes a sense of direction in our life, we feel more focused and lot happier by rendering the loving service to lord Krishna. We thank you very much for making this whole ocean of love available to us.
Please be merciful in blessing us as you're the only shelter for these useless souls.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Prema Dham Das, Madhurya Dham Devi Dasi and Ananya
Radha Prasada
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All to glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
I remember the first time I met you, your strong character, your conviction in the process of Krsna Consciousness and the way you would simplify things no matter how complicated I had made things appear in my mind! The amazing way in which you selflessly give yourself to others. Whether it be the wandering souls who seek answers at centres such as Gaura Yoga or your disciples through the countless emails, texts, phone calls, personal darsana's and the mentor system. Everything you have carefully structured to make it easy to practice Bhakti Yoga.
Thank you for all the wonderful association of your disciples, without them I would be lost. Just as a twig is very easy to break on its own, but a whole bundle together is very difficult to break. Each time I go to Gaura Yoga my turbulent mind is pacified and my heart is filled with love and appreciation for my godbrothers and sisters who so freely with love and devotion serve you.
Recently I've been reading Radhanath Swami's book on his empowered quest to find his beloved spiritual master. I feel pained to say for myself this wasn't the case for me, I didn't even think or know that I needed one!!! For too long I have taken this sacred treasure for granted. How is it that this insincere conditioned soul is able to pracitice Bhakti Yoga? I conclude that this is only possible by your mercy.
I sincerely wish there was some way I could convey how thankful I am. I am eternally indebted to you. With all my heart and soul I pray, please may I be of some use to you, to use this short life in your service and in your service to your Guru Srila Prabhupada.
Your trying servant and spiritual daughter
Radha Prasada devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All to glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja.
I remember the first time I met you, your strong character, your conviction in the process of Krsna Consciousness and the way you would simplify things no matter how complicated I had made things appear in my mind! The amazing way in which you selflessly give yourself to others. Whether it be the wandering souls who seek answers at centres such as Gaura Yoga or your disciples through the countless emails, texts, phone calls, personal darsana's and the mentor system. Everything you have carefully structured to make it easy to practice Bhakti Yoga.
Thank you for all the wonderful association of your disciples, without them I would be lost. Just as a twig is very easy to break on its own, but a whole bundle together is very difficult to break. Each time I go to Gaura Yoga my turbulent mind is pacified and my heart is filled with love and appreciation for my godbrothers and sisters who so freely with love and devotion serve you.
Recently I've been reading Radhanath Swami's book on his empowered quest to find his beloved spiritual master. I feel pained to say for myself this wasn't the case for me, I didn't even think or know that I needed one!!! For too long I have taken this sacred treasure for granted. How is it that this insincere conditioned soul is able to pracitice Bhakti Yoga? I conclude that this is only possible by your mercy.
I sincerely wish there was some way I could convey how thankful I am. I am eternally indebted to you. With all my heart and soul I pray, please may I be of some use to you, to use this short life in your service and in your service to your Guru Srila Prabhupada.
Your trying servant and spiritual daughter
Radha Prasada devi dasi
Radhikesa dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I was loitering in this material world
Then you came to my rescue
And I know that you’ve come from afar
My conclusion:
“How could so much love be inside of you?”
You possess the consciousness of the spiritual world
Being, “Whatever He wants best”
Becoming absorbed,
Distributing transcendental knowledge:
“A cut above the rest!”
As it’s the only remedy
You deliver to us what we’ve forgot
When looking upon your effulgence
And gaining glimpses of remembrance
I realise:
“I want what you’ve got!”
“Take to this profession seriously” you instruct
So I attempt to give up prajalpa
We read Krishna Book together
It’s fresh again
And I’m inspired:
“Let me chant japa!”
Now if there's devotion in my behaviour
It's only there to fool the public
But when it comes down to fooling you
Guru Maharaja
That's quite a different subject!
Please forgive me for all my pretences and offences.
Your aspiring servant,
Radhikesa dasa
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I was loitering in this material world
Then you came to my rescue
And I know that you’ve come from afar
My conclusion:
“How could so much love be inside of you?”
You possess the consciousness of the spiritual world
Being, “Whatever He wants best”
Becoming absorbed,
Distributing transcendental knowledge:
“A cut above the rest!”
As it’s the only remedy
You deliver to us what we’ve forgot
When looking upon your effulgence
And gaining glimpses of remembrance
I realise:
“I want what you’ve got!”
“Take to this profession seriously” you instruct
So I attempt to give up prajalpa
We read Krishna Book together
It’s fresh again
And I’m inspired:
“Let me chant japa!”
Now if there's devotion in my behaviour
It's only there to fool the public
But when it comes down to fooling you
Guru Maharaja
That's quite a different subject!
Please forgive me for all my pretences and offences.
Your aspiring servant,
Radhikesa dasa
Raghavendran
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Sastras explain that misusing the independent freewill, out of separate desire & envy towards the supreme lord jivas fall down to material existence and come under the grip of illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
When i try to really understand the nature of this diseased condition and its magnitude which translates to millions and millions of lifetimes from Lord Brahma to insignificant ant in which i have been trying to imitate Krishna in innumerable ways & lord over the material nature, it is most humiliating and practically leaves me hopeless like a terminally diseased patient.
To get cured of this disease completely and regain entry back home, back to godhead in this kaliyuga lifetime span is the greatest challenge for conditioned souls like me. But our greatest hope is Lord Sri Krishna has so mercifully given your holiness, a spiritual father, expert spiritual doctor and the greatest well-wisher who is all the time looking for opportunities in guiding and babysitting us at every step of life with utmost care. Your holiness knows inside out of your disciple’s conditionings and out of causeless mercy, shower your blessings in the form of instructions in inconceivable ways so as to attract us back to the all-attractive Supreme beloved Krishna.
Our spiritual grandfather Srila Prabhupada out of boundless compassion has so painstakingly against all kinds of challenges and difficulties set up perfect hospitals very expertly for conditioned souls of the kali yuga and made the process of achieving spiritual perfection very easy and accessible. Your holiness out of unconditional love is a completely surrendered disciple expanding the same mission to save innumerable conditioned souls. One of my biggest conditionings is irregularity and as such i beg your causeless mercy for me to sincerely practice sadhana-bhakti which as you have explained is the foundation for reviving our original pure love of Godhead.
Your holiness has always stressed the importance of daily medicine of chanting, hearing and reading Srila Prabhupada's books. Infact the more i hear your lectures and read any of Srila Prabhupada's enlightening purports, it begins to dawn in my consciousness that i have not understood anything. I beg your causeless mercy for me to cultivate the right attitude and spirit to be able to understand the pure science of bhakti. Your holiness is exemplifying what it means to be in unconditional love for Guru and Krishna and your ecstatic laughs and kirtans are oceans of nectar in which i long to be drowned again and again eternally. My prayer to your lotus feet is for me to be constantly engaged in serving your Sankirtan Mission.
Aspiring to be your loving servant eternally,
Raghavendran.
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Sastras explain that misusing the independent freewill, out of separate desire & envy towards the supreme lord jivas fall down to material existence and come under the grip of illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.
When i try to really understand the nature of this diseased condition and its magnitude which translates to millions and millions of lifetimes from Lord Brahma to insignificant ant in which i have been trying to imitate Krishna in innumerable ways & lord over the material nature, it is most humiliating and practically leaves me hopeless like a terminally diseased patient.
To get cured of this disease completely and regain entry back home, back to godhead in this kaliyuga lifetime span is the greatest challenge for conditioned souls like me. But our greatest hope is Lord Sri Krishna has so mercifully given your holiness, a spiritual father, expert spiritual doctor and the greatest well-wisher who is all the time looking for opportunities in guiding and babysitting us at every step of life with utmost care. Your holiness knows inside out of your disciple’s conditionings and out of causeless mercy, shower your blessings in the form of instructions in inconceivable ways so as to attract us back to the all-attractive Supreme beloved Krishna.
Our spiritual grandfather Srila Prabhupada out of boundless compassion has so painstakingly against all kinds of challenges and difficulties set up perfect hospitals very expertly for conditioned souls of the kali yuga and made the process of achieving spiritual perfection very easy and accessible. Your holiness out of unconditional love is a completely surrendered disciple expanding the same mission to save innumerable conditioned souls. One of my biggest conditionings is irregularity and as such i beg your causeless mercy for me to sincerely practice sadhana-bhakti which as you have explained is the foundation for reviving our original pure love of Godhead.
Your holiness has always stressed the importance of daily medicine of chanting, hearing and reading Srila Prabhupada's books. Infact the more i hear your lectures and read any of Srila Prabhupada's enlightening purports, it begins to dawn in my consciousness that i have not understood anything. I beg your causeless mercy for me to cultivate the right attitude and spirit to be able to understand the pure science of bhakti. Your holiness is exemplifying what it means to be in unconditional love for Guru and Krishna and your ecstatic laughs and kirtans are oceans of nectar in which i long to be drowned again and again eternally. My prayer to your lotus feet is for me to be constantly engaged in serving your Sankirtan Mission.
Aspiring to be your loving servant eternally,
Raghavendran.
Rahul Patil
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your Lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your auspicious appearance
namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami who is very dear to Lord Krishna having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Obeisances unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Gurudev this is my first Vyasapuja offering to you. So please forgive me for any mistakes of offenses I might have done.
Gurudev, I am actually not at all qualified to speak about you as due to the thick layer of ignorance that has covered me for many, many births. But it is said that it is auspicious to glorify on the occasion of appearance day of our Guru Maharaj. So I take this opportunity to glorify you according to my realizations.
Like any other young Indian enthusiast I came here as a student with all sorts of big dreams and wanting to satisfy my desires. I started going to the university and worked for so called ’20 hours/ week’ and getting involved into the this Mayanagri, Australia. I started coming to temple and eating prashadam on weekends. Once I was sitting in the prashadam hall eating peacefully until one day one of your disciples Brahamakund pr approached me. Suddenly he asked me
BKP: “Hare Krishna, pr my name is Suhail and we are organizing boat retreat …” and all his story went along and finally reached to his concluding point…”So we are going to this retreat which is on so and so date? Would you like to come?”
He glorified you in front of me but I was such a rascal that I took you as just another person.
Then very confidently speaking I told BKP “Yes I will come. How much do I have to pay for this?” But I knew within my mind that I am not going for this retreat at any cost. And after that I never appeared in the temple until boat retreat was finished.
But again, after few weeks, I started coming to temple again. Then, one of your most humble disciples & very sharp in his intelligence came to me. His name is Bhakti sara pr. He asked me :
BSP: “My name is Shashwat and we are organizing farm retreat….” And again I understood that this looks like some plan to trap me I thought I will cunningly defeat this fellow similar to what I did last time.
Again I confidently said “Yes I would like to come.”
To my surprise BSP asked “So have you bought some money with you?”
I said “Yes”
“How much?” he asked.
“I might have 10 dollars I am not sure”
“Ok give me that 10 dollars and I will book a seat for you rest you can pay later”
Finally my false ego was smashed as I was defeated of my own plans and I had to finally come for the retreat. And then when I heard your lecture at that point itself I was captivated and at that point my thinking changed completely.
Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura has correctly said in his Guru Vandana
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya
Your words really touched my heart and soul. How did it affected I don’t know?
Just by your words I got very tiny bit attraction for Krsna and His devotees and then onwards I started attending your retreats and other programs regularly.
Gurudev, I also got a chance to personally meet you at retreats and in temple. I realized why spiritual master is also called spiritual father. How much compassion you have for the fallen condition souls? How much personal care you have for your spiritual children? Just as a father always wants to give best to his child, I can see how much efforts you put in for your spiritual children so that they can get the best thing in this whole universe . We know depending on the skills of the potter he can create beautiful pots of various shapes and sizes simply of mud. Similarly I can see how skillful you are in molding your children. You mold them in such a way that they can be capable of not only going to back to Godhead but also help others in this process. I can see egs like Gopavrndesa pr, Nandamandir pr , Bhakti sara pr, Brahamakund pr and all my other Godbrothers and Godsisters.
In spite of doing so many offenses still you showered your mercy on me. You have guided me so nicely in not only my spiritual life but in my material life as well. You are the real source of encouragement to me in whatever I want to do in either my spiritual life or material life. Whatever little spiritual progress I have made is just because of you and your causeless mercy.
On this auspicious day of appearance day I beg you to bless me so that I can always follow your instructions and help you in your mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness in whatever capacity I can. I also like to thank you for accepting me as your disciple and taking such personal care of me and encouraging me at all the times when I needed it the most. I also pray to Krsna from the bottom of my heart to keep you healthy and fit so that you can continue on your mission of spreading Krsna Consiousness and mold millions and millions of more children capable of spreading Krsna Consciousness all over the world.
Your insignificant useless servant
Rahul
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your Lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your auspicious appearance
namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami who is very dear to Lord Krishna having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Obeisances unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
Gurudev this is my first Vyasapuja offering to you. So please forgive me for any mistakes of offenses I might have done.
Gurudev, I am actually not at all qualified to speak about you as due to the thick layer of ignorance that has covered me for many, many births. But it is said that it is auspicious to glorify on the occasion of appearance day of our Guru Maharaj. So I take this opportunity to glorify you according to my realizations.
Like any other young Indian enthusiast I came here as a student with all sorts of big dreams and wanting to satisfy my desires. I started going to the university and worked for so called ’20 hours/ week’ and getting involved into the this Mayanagri, Australia. I started coming to temple and eating prashadam on weekends. Once I was sitting in the prashadam hall eating peacefully until one day one of your disciples Brahamakund pr approached me. Suddenly he asked me
BKP: “Hare Krishna, pr my name is Suhail and we are organizing boat retreat …” and all his story went along and finally reached to his concluding point…”So we are going to this retreat which is on so and so date? Would you like to come?”
He glorified you in front of me but I was such a rascal that I took you as just another person.
Then very confidently speaking I told BKP “Yes I will come. How much do I have to pay for this?” But I knew within my mind that I am not going for this retreat at any cost. And after that I never appeared in the temple until boat retreat was finished.
But again, after few weeks, I started coming to temple again. Then, one of your most humble disciples & very sharp in his intelligence came to me. His name is Bhakti sara pr. He asked me :
BSP: “My name is Shashwat and we are organizing farm retreat….” And again I understood that this looks like some plan to trap me I thought I will cunningly defeat this fellow similar to what I did last time.
Again I confidently said “Yes I would like to come.”
To my surprise BSP asked “So have you bought some money with you?”
I said “Yes”
“How much?” he asked.
“I might have 10 dollars I am not sure”
“Ok give me that 10 dollars and I will book a seat for you rest you can pay later”
Finally my false ego was smashed as I was defeated of my own plans and I had to finally come for the retreat. And then when I heard your lecture at that point itself I was captivated and at that point my thinking changed completely.
Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura has correctly said in his Guru Vandana
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya
Your words really touched my heart and soul. How did it affected I don’t know?
Just by your words I got very tiny bit attraction for Krsna and His devotees and then onwards I started attending your retreats and other programs regularly.
Gurudev, I also got a chance to personally meet you at retreats and in temple. I realized why spiritual master is also called spiritual father. How much compassion you have for the fallen condition souls? How much personal care you have for your spiritual children? Just as a father always wants to give best to his child, I can see how much efforts you put in for your spiritual children so that they can get the best thing in this whole universe . We know depending on the skills of the potter he can create beautiful pots of various shapes and sizes simply of mud. Similarly I can see how skillful you are in molding your children. You mold them in such a way that they can be capable of not only going to back to Godhead but also help others in this process. I can see egs like Gopavrndesa pr, Nandamandir pr , Bhakti sara pr, Brahamakund pr and all my other Godbrothers and Godsisters.
In spite of doing so many offenses still you showered your mercy on me. You have guided me so nicely in not only my spiritual life but in my material life as well. You are the real source of encouragement to me in whatever I want to do in either my spiritual life or material life. Whatever little spiritual progress I have made is just because of you and your causeless mercy.
On this auspicious day of appearance day I beg you to bless me so that I can always follow your instructions and help you in your mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness in whatever capacity I can. I also like to thank you for accepting me as your disciple and taking such personal care of me and encouraging me at all the times when I needed it the most. I also pray to Krsna from the bottom of my heart to keep you healthy and fit so that you can continue on your mission of spreading Krsna Consiousness and mold millions and millions of more children capable of spreading Krsna Consciousness all over the world.
Your insignificant useless servant
Rahul
Ramadas das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is obviously clear by your actions and words that you follow the instructions of your predecessors. You do not mention anything not mentioned in the authorized scriptures. You mention what attachment to the scriptures is like,
“How wonderful a companion is the cream of Vedic literature--how sweet it is! And Srimad-bhagavatam is a the perfect low-maintenance partner. You simply pay a few hundred dollars for the set, and it’s yours for life, never to say goodbye. Not only is the thrill permanent, but also, with each passing year and reading, the delicious taste intensifies”.
By glorifying you with exalted verses, one becomes purified. But how can I compose exalted verses. I have read that although I am unable to offer prayers to you in an adequate fashion, my duty is to make the attempt in order to purify myself. Further I have read it is not that we should stop our glorification because even exalted personalities cannot adequately glorify the Lord and his empowered devotees
Rather, as stated by Prahlada Maharaja, everyone should glorify the Lord according to his own ability. If we are serious and sincere devotees, the Lord will give us the intelligence to offer prayers properly. So next year, if I am more serious and sincere I will be given better intelligence by the Lord to glorify you. That is a good impetus to get serious and sincere for it s a leisure pastime amongst your disciples to glorify you to the limits of whatever sincere and serious service we have rendered to you.
I read that a King, Maharaja Prthu, he engaged everyone in the pursuit of religious principles and gave those principles all protection.
So many times Ive heard and seen you protecting these principles.. However you mention the difficulty in protecting principles that make us go forward in Devotional service.
“When you’re young and green, often you think you know almost everything--you’re going to reinvent the wheel and turn the world upside down”…” To at least some degree, some of them [the young devotees] will have to repeat at least some elements of the past. In other words, despite our attempts to counsel, a significant number of the juniors will feel compelled to do things “all their way” and get burned. The senior leaders won’t be able to completely eradicate that syndrome, but at least they can conscientiously work to minimize it--without dampening the youthful enthusiasm that is so important for powering the future.
What a delicate and difficult situation to have to deal with.
This next quote further reminded me of you. “This King Påthu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may trample over the King's head by violating the rules and regulations, the King, out of his causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will be as tolerant as the earth itself.
Srila Prabhupada points out the difficult reality of a leader, “In other words, it is the duty of the king to look after the comforts of the citizens, even at the cost of his own personal convenience.
We see you completely throw out the window your own personal convenience. Actually for you it doesn’t seem to exist. Of course you look after you body etc only for doing more and more severely difficult tasks for Krsna. All for the sake of wading into the water and immersing yourself in contact with us and the people of the earth. In this way you maintain the future of Iskcon
Here s a sample of your life or penance for the pleasure of Guru and Gauranga and the benefit of the conditioned souls. You mention in your writings “. After arriving in Los Angeles eighteen hours later, on the same calendar day, I gave class Saturday morning, and hosted a gathering that night. Sunday morning I gave class again and sat with HH Gopal Krishna Goswami for an initiation ceremony. At noon I gave Gaura Prema das and his wife Nitai Prema dasi the gayatri mantra. Then I drove down the highway two hours to San Diego for the Sunday evening program. After an overnight at the abode of Sikhi Mahiti das and the morning program, I returned to Los Angeles. July 25 I had to fly to Sydney and back, the same day. Then the next day, near midnight, the intercontinental penances began: a nine-hour night flight to Bangkok, a three-hour gap to chant my rounds, followed by another nine hours in the air to Moscow. As was expected, the scarce seats in the terminal were all occupied, so I propped myself against a wall and chanted Hare Krishna,
"After a spiritually enlivening but physically exhausting weekend festival, my “workday” ended at 11pm Sunday night. I managed a few hours of sleep, before rising at 2am to catch a 4:20am plane
I wonder now if anyone would like to like to imitate the pure devotee. The amazing thing is you bestow upon us the greatest boon of life with great joy. You’re always joyful. Liberated.
Or as Srila Prabhupada puts it: For a servant of God there is no need to exhibit mystic powers, and he does not like to do so, but on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead a humble servant of God performs his activities in such a wonderful way that no common man can dare try to act like him.
Factually whether we glorify you or not you will still be glorious. If we don’t glorify you someone else will. You will still live continue living in the air, descending to deliver your clearly understandable speeches which are very pleasing to hear and benefit all. You will continue to provide us with everything though your speech which is glorious in all respects as Srila Prabhupada provided his disciples. There is nothing lacking at all as you provide all the same gifts and opportunities. You have the power to uproot all our miseries. Thus you could actually rule the world according to the Bhagavatam. I read that one may question how a sannyasi can rule the world, but the fact is a Vaisnava can come down to any platform of social status and still keep his existential position in the mode of unalloyed goodness.
The amazing thing is that although you are so great, you say you are inspired by the devotees who get inspiration from you. You mentioned about a retreat you were about to head up with your god brothers “HH Prabhavisnu Swami and HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami and I sought to both inspire them and become inspired by them. “ This reminded me of King Prthu who was described as follows, “Although actually an incarnation of God, He was so humble and delightful in his dealings with devotees. The King's behavior was very pleasing to the reciters,”. You always delight all of us with you such kind and considerate dealings.
I know this is an inadequate offering and all my offerings shall always be that way. Since you are friend of the fallen kindly look upon me with mercy, which I know you already do any way. Hoping against hope that I may in some or other be able to approach your lotus feet to serve without material motives.
Your servant,
Ramadas das
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is obviously clear by your actions and words that you follow the instructions of your predecessors. You do not mention anything not mentioned in the authorized scriptures. You mention what attachment to the scriptures is like,
“How wonderful a companion is the cream of Vedic literature--how sweet it is! And Srimad-bhagavatam is a the perfect low-maintenance partner. You simply pay a few hundred dollars for the set, and it’s yours for life, never to say goodbye. Not only is the thrill permanent, but also, with each passing year and reading, the delicious taste intensifies”.
By glorifying you with exalted verses, one becomes purified. But how can I compose exalted verses. I have read that although I am unable to offer prayers to you in an adequate fashion, my duty is to make the attempt in order to purify myself. Further I have read it is not that we should stop our glorification because even exalted personalities cannot adequately glorify the Lord and his empowered devotees
Rather, as stated by Prahlada Maharaja, everyone should glorify the Lord according to his own ability. If we are serious and sincere devotees, the Lord will give us the intelligence to offer prayers properly. So next year, if I am more serious and sincere I will be given better intelligence by the Lord to glorify you. That is a good impetus to get serious and sincere for it s a leisure pastime amongst your disciples to glorify you to the limits of whatever sincere and serious service we have rendered to you.
I read that a King, Maharaja Prthu, he engaged everyone in the pursuit of religious principles and gave those principles all protection.
So many times Ive heard and seen you protecting these principles.. However you mention the difficulty in protecting principles that make us go forward in Devotional service.
“When you’re young and green, often you think you know almost everything--you’re going to reinvent the wheel and turn the world upside down”…” To at least some degree, some of them [the young devotees] will have to repeat at least some elements of the past. In other words, despite our attempts to counsel, a significant number of the juniors will feel compelled to do things “all their way” and get burned. The senior leaders won’t be able to completely eradicate that syndrome, but at least they can conscientiously work to minimize it--without dampening the youthful enthusiasm that is so important for powering the future.
What a delicate and difficult situation to have to deal with.
This next quote further reminded me of you. “This King Påthu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may trample over the King's head by violating the rules and regulations, the King, out of his causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will be as tolerant as the earth itself.
Srila Prabhupada points out the difficult reality of a leader, “In other words, it is the duty of the king to look after the comforts of the citizens, even at the cost of his own personal convenience.
We see you completely throw out the window your own personal convenience. Actually for you it doesn’t seem to exist. Of course you look after you body etc only for doing more and more severely difficult tasks for Krsna. All for the sake of wading into the water and immersing yourself in contact with us and the people of the earth. In this way you maintain the future of Iskcon
Here s a sample of your life or penance for the pleasure of Guru and Gauranga and the benefit of the conditioned souls. You mention in your writings “. After arriving in Los Angeles eighteen hours later, on the same calendar day, I gave class Saturday morning, and hosted a gathering that night. Sunday morning I gave class again and sat with HH Gopal Krishna Goswami for an initiation ceremony. At noon I gave Gaura Prema das and his wife Nitai Prema dasi the gayatri mantra. Then I drove down the highway two hours to San Diego for the Sunday evening program. After an overnight at the abode of Sikhi Mahiti das and the morning program, I returned to Los Angeles. July 25 I had to fly to Sydney and back, the same day. Then the next day, near midnight, the intercontinental penances began: a nine-hour night flight to Bangkok, a three-hour gap to chant my rounds, followed by another nine hours in the air to Moscow. As was expected, the scarce seats in the terminal were all occupied, so I propped myself against a wall and chanted Hare Krishna,
"After a spiritually enlivening but physically exhausting weekend festival, my “workday” ended at 11pm Sunday night. I managed a few hours of sleep, before rising at 2am to catch a 4:20am plane
I wonder now if anyone would like to like to imitate the pure devotee. The amazing thing is you bestow upon us the greatest boon of life with great joy. You’re always joyful. Liberated.
Or as Srila Prabhupada puts it: For a servant of God there is no need to exhibit mystic powers, and he does not like to do so, but on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead a humble servant of God performs his activities in such a wonderful way that no common man can dare try to act like him.
Factually whether we glorify you or not you will still be glorious. If we don’t glorify you someone else will. You will still live continue living in the air, descending to deliver your clearly understandable speeches which are very pleasing to hear and benefit all. You will continue to provide us with everything though your speech which is glorious in all respects as Srila Prabhupada provided his disciples. There is nothing lacking at all as you provide all the same gifts and opportunities. You have the power to uproot all our miseries. Thus you could actually rule the world according to the Bhagavatam. I read that one may question how a sannyasi can rule the world, but the fact is a Vaisnava can come down to any platform of social status and still keep his existential position in the mode of unalloyed goodness.
The amazing thing is that although you are so great, you say you are inspired by the devotees who get inspiration from you. You mentioned about a retreat you were about to head up with your god brothers “HH Prabhavisnu Swami and HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami and I sought to both inspire them and become inspired by them. “ This reminded me of King Prthu who was described as follows, “Although actually an incarnation of God, He was so humble and delightful in his dealings with devotees. The King's behavior was very pleasing to the reciters,”. You always delight all of us with you such kind and considerate dealings.
I know this is an inadequate offering and all my offerings shall always be that way. Since you are friend of the fallen kindly look upon me with mercy, which I know you already do any way. Hoping against hope that I may in some or other be able to approach your lotus feet to serve without material motives.
Your servant,
Ramadas das
Ramakeli das
Dear Guru Maharaja, please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada are.
This time I encounter another year celebrating its very auspicious viaza bid, together with my dear brothers and sisters spiritual.
From this last time I was not a great student but I still is providing all their mercy, with each passing day try to think of UD and the instructions in order to be worthy of his mercy.
Since his last visit in chile I could do as one must comportarce against the spiritual master, because it's really YOU who inspired me to continue to develop in Krishna consciousness, giving me a great example of how to be a true devotee.
When I read the books of Srila Prabhupada and discover the qualities of a pure devotee, I realize that they are all at UD and I admire that. Case always glorify Him every day of my life, so try to follow his great example and heed their instructions submissive.
I am not qualified even to be his disciple but I will always attend to your instructions and thus can always please him in everything that YOU show me. For which I am sure that way back avanzare krishna.
Well gurmaharaja much more to say about its glories and its qualities, but without spirit of bother humbly and respectfully farewell ramakeli give His servant.hare krishna guru maharaja. this is the offering on this special day. Also you always wish him well in his life.
Your servant, Ramakei das.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada are.
This time I encounter another year celebrating its very auspicious viaza bid, together with my dear brothers and sisters spiritual.
From this last time I was not a great student but I still is providing all their mercy, with each passing day try to think of UD and the instructions in order to be worthy of his mercy.
Since his last visit in chile I could do as one must comportarce against the spiritual master, because it's really YOU who inspired me to continue to develop in Krishna consciousness, giving me a great example of how to be a true devotee.
When I read the books of Srila Prabhupada and discover the qualities of a pure devotee, I realize that they are all at UD and I admire that. Case always glorify Him every day of my life, so try to follow his great example and heed their instructions submissive.
I am not qualified even to be his disciple but I will always attend to your instructions and thus can always please him in everything that YOU show me. For which I am sure that way back avanzare krishna.
Well gurmaharaja much more to say about its glories and its qualities, but without spirit of bother humbly and respectfully farewell ramakeli give His servant.hare krishna guru maharaja. this is the offering on this special day. Also you always wish him well in his life.
Your servant, Ramakei das.
Richard Alexander Knipe
Dear Gurudeva,
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
nama om visnu padaya, krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca, bhakta cara pravinatha
parartatapi karunyam, yasya sarve ca te namah
___
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
___
Somehow, by your causeless mercy, I have received shelter at your lotus feet.
I feel pretty dumb, sitting here trying to glorify you with my limited vocabulary and utter lack of spiritual understanding.
In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam when Pṛthu Mahārāja meets the four Kumāras, Śrīla Prabhupāda says: “A joker’s activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Kṛṣṇa becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt. The best friend and benefactor of all people is one who awakens humanity to its original Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” From my limited vision of the amazing outreach work you have done in your life, under the guidance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, I think I can safely conclude that you are that best friend and benefactor of all people.
Although I struggle to write from my heart, struggle to put what’s in there on paper, the feeling of ever-increasing gratitude is definitely there. Just like the captain of a great ship pulls a drowning man from the raging ocean, so you have rescued me from the raging torrent of material existence which is sometimes compared to an ocean of poison.
Just like a swan can extract milk from a mixture of milk and water, you know exactly the essence of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, how to apply them, and how to help others apply them. You are a perfect example of the statement ‘practice what you preach’, because you encourage us to put all our energy into chanting Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy name with enthusiasm, and we can see you doing the same.
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
You have given us the essence of real intelligence, and always encourage us more and more in getting absorbed in giving pleasure to Lord Śrī Caitanya by spreading the saṅkīrtana movement around the world.
In the fourth canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, where King Purañjana goes to hunt in the forest, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that “Touching the lotus feet of a spiritual master means giving up one’s false prestige and unnecessarily puffed up position in the material world.”
Therefore I ask that you please bless me with the strength to touch your lotus feet in this way, by carrying out your instructions. One realization that I have had while writing this offering is that in meditating on Mahārāja’s instructions I find real peace. Therefore I pray for your mercy that I may please be able to make your instructions my life and soul, and always keep them in my heart and meditate on them – not just when your Vyasa-puja draws near.
I had nothing, and you gave me everything. I am eternally indebted to you, and would have it no other way. Like a son is eternally indebted to his good father, all I can really say is "Thank you" and put my life and soul into following your instructions.
Trying to be your servant,
bhakta Richard.
please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
nama om visnu padaya, krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca, bhakta cara pravinatha
parartatapi karunyam, yasya sarve ca te namah
___
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
___
Somehow, by your causeless mercy, I have received shelter at your lotus feet.
I feel pretty dumb, sitting here trying to glorify you with my limited vocabulary and utter lack of spiritual understanding.
In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam when Pṛthu Mahārāja meets the four Kumāras, Śrīla Prabhupāda says: “A joker’s activities simply arouse laughter, and a person who tries to repay the spiritual master or teacher of the transcendental message of Kṛṣṇa becomes a laughingstock just like a joker because it is not possible to repay such a debt. The best friend and benefactor of all people is one who awakens humanity to its original Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” From my limited vision of the amazing outreach work you have done in your life, under the guidance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, I think I can safely conclude that you are that best friend and benefactor of all people.
Although I struggle to write from my heart, struggle to put what’s in there on paper, the feeling of ever-increasing gratitude is definitely there. Just like the captain of a great ship pulls a drowning man from the raging ocean, so you have rescued me from the raging torrent of material existence which is sometimes compared to an ocean of poison.
Just like a swan can extract milk from a mixture of milk and water, you know exactly the essence of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions, how to apply them, and how to help others apply them. You are a perfect example of the statement ‘practice what you preach’, because you encourage us to put all our energy into chanting Lord Kṛṣṇa’s holy name with enthusiasm, and we can see you doing the same.
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
You have given us the essence of real intelligence, and always encourage us more and more in getting absorbed in giving pleasure to Lord Śrī Caitanya by spreading the saṅkīrtana movement around the world.
In the fourth canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, where King Purañjana goes to hunt in the forest, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that “Touching the lotus feet of a spiritual master means giving up one’s false prestige and unnecessarily puffed up position in the material world.”
Therefore I ask that you please bless me with the strength to touch your lotus feet in this way, by carrying out your instructions. One realization that I have had while writing this offering is that in meditating on Mahārāja’s instructions I find real peace. Therefore I pray for your mercy that I may please be able to make your instructions my life and soul, and always keep them in my heart and meditate on them – not just when your Vyasa-puja draws near.
I had nothing, and you gave me everything. I am eternally indebted to you, and would have it no other way. Like a son is eternally indebted to his good father, all I can really say is "Thank you" and put my life and soul into following your instructions.
Trying to be your servant,
bhakta Richard.
Rohininandan Das, Meera, Sachi Devi, Sita Devi
namah om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Dearest GuruMaharaj,
On this glorious day of your Vyasa Puja we offer our respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
We have been settled here for slightly more than a year now and we must say that we have been very quiet all this time. Time seems to have sped up in this year and the result is that we have hardly contacted you Maharaj. We do feel like hypocrites if we merely go on now with attempts at glorifying you or if we provide a whole list of excuses for not fully living up to your expectations.
Thank you for all the love and guidance that you have given us and we pray that one day we will genuinely be able to serve you like true disciples, free from the constant presence of the false ego.
We know we quoted the following last year, and it may seem like a repetition but we still feel that it is highly relevant for us personally to meditate on it. So here it is. Srila Prabhupada says in Srimad Bhagavatam. 18.57, "If one gets a bonafide spiritual master and acts according to his directions, then his perfection in life in Krsna Consciousness is guaranteed." In Caitanya Caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada says, "The principle of rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed." We wish to keep this foremost in our minds.
On this auspicious day, we beg at your lotus feet to give us the intelligence to become proper receptacles for your mercy. His Holiness Devamrta Swami Maharajki! Jai!
your fallen servants,
Rohininandan Das
Meera
Sachi Devi
Sita Devi
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
Dearest GuruMaharaj,
On this glorious day of your Vyasa Puja we offer our respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you Guru Maharaj.
We have been settled here for slightly more than a year now and we must say that we have been very quiet all this time. Time seems to have sped up in this year and the result is that we have hardly contacted you Maharaj. We do feel like hypocrites if we merely go on now with attempts at glorifying you or if we provide a whole list of excuses for not fully living up to your expectations.
Thank you for all the love and guidance that you have given us and we pray that one day we will genuinely be able to serve you like true disciples, free from the constant presence of the false ego.
We know we quoted the following last year, and it may seem like a repetition but we still feel that it is highly relevant for us personally to meditate on it. So here it is. Srila Prabhupada says in Srimad Bhagavatam. 18.57, "If one gets a bonafide spiritual master and acts according to his directions, then his perfection in life in Krsna Consciousness is guaranteed." In Caitanya Caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada says, "The principle of rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed." We wish to keep this foremost in our minds.
On this auspicious day, we beg at your lotus feet to give us the intelligence to become proper receptacles for your mercy. His Holiness Devamrta Swami Maharajki! Jai!
your fallen servants,
Rohininandan Das
Meera
Sachi Devi
Sita Devi
Rudrarama Pandita das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto your lotus feet
Thanks Guru Maharaja, giving me an opportunity to offer insignificant vysapuja in this auspicious day of year. Due to your mercy, I am able to stay with your pure devotees and have association with them. Because of your instruction and teaching, I am able to use my energy properly to engage devotional service to Krisna.
S.B.3.30.5
naraka-stho 'pi deham vai
na pumāms tyaktum icchati
nārakyām nirvŗtau satyām
deva-māyā-vimohitah
(Purport) The materialist thinks that persons engaged in Krisna consciousness are crazy fellows wasting time by chanting Hare Krisna,...
This is who I was but, because of your sincere approach and clear instruction, I can say chanting maha-mantra is the most important activity in my dairy life, even though I am still neophyte and offensive chanter. You also instruct us “Chant Maha-Mantra” or “Louder” to point out all the energy is coming from Krishna’s name because Krishna’s name is non-different from Himself.
Guru Maharaja, you are like a big ship, which has a big mast of absolute knowledge, saving so many people in the huge material ocean. In the material ocean, everyone is suffering but you are saving all the people without any discrimination. Simply giving help or support without any return. This reminds me of one of your class; you said “Krishna Consciousness is giving conscious without expecting any return. So we are giving this maha-mantra for FREE”
S.B.3.32.42
bahir-jāta-virāgāya
sānta-cittāya diyatām
nirmatsarāya śucaye
yasyāham preyasām priyah
(Purport) ... In order to become devotee of the Lord, one has to accept a spiritual master and inquire from him about how to progress in devotional service. ...
Guru Maharaja, you are my spiritual master and the light of my darkened life. I humbly beg your mercy to progress in my devotional service.
Guru Maharaja, I am very fallen and abominable person but here I offer my respectful obeisances and surrender everything onto your lotus feet because you are saver of my life.
Your insignificant servant
Rudraramama Pandita das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto your lotus feet
Thanks Guru Maharaja, giving me an opportunity to offer insignificant vysapuja in this auspicious day of year. Due to your mercy, I am able to stay with your pure devotees and have association with them. Because of your instruction and teaching, I am able to use my energy properly to engage devotional service to Krisna.
S.B.3.30.5
naraka-stho 'pi deham vai
na pumāms tyaktum icchati
nārakyām nirvŗtau satyām
deva-māyā-vimohitah
(Purport) The materialist thinks that persons engaged in Krisna consciousness are crazy fellows wasting time by chanting Hare Krisna,...
This is who I was but, because of your sincere approach and clear instruction, I can say chanting maha-mantra is the most important activity in my dairy life, even though I am still neophyte and offensive chanter. You also instruct us “Chant Maha-Mantra” or “Louder” to point out all the energy is coming from Krishna’s name because Krishna’s name is non-different from Himself.
Guru Maharaja, you are like a big ship, which has a big mast of absolute knowledge, saving so many people in the huge material ocean. In the material ocean, everyone is suffering but you are saving all the people without any discrimination. Simply giving help or support without any return. This reminds me of one of your class; you said “Krishna Consciousness is giving conscious without expecting any return. So we are giving this maha-mantra for FREE”
S.B.3.32.42
bahir-jāta-virāgāya
sānta-cittāya diyatām
nirmatsarāya śucaye
yasyāham preyasām priyah
(Purport) ... In order to become devotee of the Lord, one has to accept a spiritual master and inquire from him about how to progress in devotional service. ...
Guru Maharaja, you are my spiritual master and the light of my darkened life. I humbly beg your mercy to progress in my devotional service.
Guru Maharaja, I am very fallen and abominable person but here I offer my respectful obeisances and surrender everything onto your lotus feet because you are saver of my life.
Your insignificant servant
Rudraramama Pandita das
Sachi Dulal das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your effulgent lotus feet on this most auspicious day.
Again your words acted like thunderbolts, piercing through the veil of pride covering my heart.
(Excerpt from lecture 3 of the Spiritual Greed series):
Devamrita Swami:…You see, in your heart there is a loving propensity, you cannot
deny that, there’s nothing wrong with that, but you have to know what to do
with your loving propensity. So the problem with material life is what?
Devotee: Everything is temporary.
Devamrita Swami: Ok, what else?
Devotee: That all enjoyment leads to suffering, birth, old age, disease, loneliness. Lack of love, there is no happiness.
Devamrita Swami: Alright, I want to give you a reason that may cause you to analyze in a different way…my problem in life is that I don’t know where to aim my loving vibrations. Isn’t that an interesting way to analyse your life? First of all you’re not denying that you have a loving propensity, even the men have to admit they like love, that they have a loving propensity. So first admit you have it. It’s necessary for our Krishna consciousness that we admit we have a loving propensity. Yes this material world is temporary and it’s full of suffering but don’t forget that the suffering and temporariness is mainly in relation to your loving propensity. It’s frustrating trying to love something that’s temporary, it’s frustrating and miserable trying to love matter. Once again were dealing with misapplied loving vibrations; the sooner you understand this the quicker you can straighten out your life.
Yes this material world is temporary and it’s full of suffering but don’t forget that the suffering and temporariness is mainly in relation to your loving propensity. With characteristic simplicity and clarity you lay bare the big black hole in my heart. You then went on to say:
"So I’m asking you these questions to show you the real reason why you took up Krishna consciousness. You have to admit it to yourself - admit that in the material world you failed at love. That is humility. When Lord Caitanya says trnad api sunicena to be more humble than a straw in the street, that humility means to admit “I failed at loving in the material world.” Because I’ll tell you the truth; if in material life you had experienced satisfying love, you wouldn’t be here."
Guilty as charged. You are right, as usual Guru Maharaja. I failed at love in the material world. Failed miserably and hurt countless other living entities in the process. But now somehow by your grace I have got the opportunity to recover from the irrational self-destructive impluse of trying to be Krishna’s competitor. Looking at this monster lurking in my heart I am afraid. Do I really have any chance of vanquishing this monster once and for all? You say that it is indeed possible and studying your glorious example I have no reason to doubt your words. If there is anyone I doubt that person is myself. Therefore, at the risk of sounding presumptuous I take shelter of the spiritually surcharged poetry of Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami (Caitanya Caritamrita Antya-lila 1.2):
My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.
Your saintly influence is undoubtedly the only redeeming feature of my life. On this very auspicious day I sincerely beg for the renewed determination to cling on to the stick of your mercy. As I try to take shelter of your diamond-like words, please do not forsake me.
Your repentant son,
Sachi Dulal das.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your effulgent lotus feet on this most auspicious day.
Again your words acted like thunderbolts, piercing through the veil of pride covering my heart.
(Excerpt from lecture 3 of the Spiritual Greed series):
Devamrita Swami:…You see, in your heart there is a loving propensity, you cannot
deny that, there’s nothing wrong with that, but you have to know what to do
with your loving propensity. So the problem with material life is what?
Devotee: Everything is temporary.
Devamrita Swami: Ok, what else?
Devotee: That all enjoyment leads to suffering, birth, old age, disease, loneliness. Lack of love, there is no happiness.
Devamrita Swami: Alright, I want to give you a reason that may cause you to analyze in a different way…my problem in life is that I don’t know where to aim my loving vibrations. Isn’t that an interesting way to analyse your life? First of all you’re not denying that you have a loving propensity, even the men have to admit they like love, that they have a loving propensity. So first admit you have it. It’s necessary for our Krishna consciousness that we admit we have a loving propensity. Yes this material world is temporary and it’s full of suffering but don’t forget that the suffering and temporariness is mainly in relation to your loving propensity. It’s frustrating trying to love something that’s temporary, it’s frustrating and miserable trying to love matter. Once again were dealing with misapplied loving vibrations; the sooner you understand this the quicker you can straighten out your life.
Yes this material world is temporary and it’s full of suffering but don’t forget that the suffering and temporariness is mainly in relation to your loving propensity. With characteristic simplicity and clarity you lay bare the big black hole in my heart. You then went on to say:
"So I’m asking you these questions to show you the real reason why you took up Krishna consciousness. You have to admit it to yourself - admit that in the material world you failed at love. That is humility. When Lord Caitanya says trnad api sunicena to be more humble than a straw in the street, that humility means to admit “I failed at loving in the material world.” Because I’ll tell you the truth; if in material life you had experienced satisfying love, you wouldn’t be here."
Guilty as charged. You are right, as usual Guru Maharaja. I failed at love in the material world. Failed miserably and hurt countless other living entities in the process. But now somehow by your grace I have got the opportunity to recover from the irrational self-destructive impluse of trying to be Krishna’s competitor. Looking at this monster lurking in my heart I am afraid. Do I really have any chance of vanquishing this monster once and for all? You say that it is indeed possible and studying your glorious example I have no reason to doubt your words. If there is anyone I doubt that person is myself. Therefore, at the risk of sounding presumptuous I take shelter of the spiritually surcharged poetry of Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami (Caitanya Caritamrita Antya-lila 1.2):
My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.
Your saintly influence is undoubtedly the only redeeming feature of my life. On this very auspicious day I sincerely beg for the renewed determination to cling on to the stick of your mercy. As I try to take shelter of your diamond-like words, please do not forsake me.
Your repentant son,
Sachi Dulal das.
Sadhu-marga das
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Mahara
happy vyasa-puja day!!
In SB 3.31.19 Lord Kapiladeva says:
The living entity in another type of body sees only by instinct;
he knows only the agreeable and disgreeable sense perceptions of that particular body. But I have a body which I can control my senses and can understand my destination; therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whom I have been blessed whit this boby and by whose grace I can see Him whitin and whitout.
I wonder when i will take this opputurnity seriously? I am wearing Vaisnava dress ,tilaka and all that. The control for social life is followed. My life is regulated by pancaratrika-vidhi and opputurnity for hearing about Krsna, chanting about Krsna and preaching about Krsna is there.
But still in my heart i am just a wicked materialist.
Out His compassion God granted me all the assets needed to perfect the human life and attain pure devotional service. Humanbody, knowledge about the principles of material and spirtual world and Supreme Person. And spritual master is directing me.
Furthermore Lord Caitanya out of His causeless mercy is freely whit out any discrimination distributing the chance to render service in sankirtan-yajna which is so easy and so blissfull.
But still i dont take any interest to this and iam simply wasting my life. Whitout any gratitude , determined effort or devotion iam simply like dead body moving around.
What is the use of my life?
When will i take my service to my most merciful Guru Maharaj and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai all and all in my life, when it becomes my very life and soul?
When will i surrender?
What is the welth and happines of servant?
A chance to render service to his beloved master.
His only happines is to see his master being satisfied by his humble attemps to serve him.
In Ramayana, Yuddha-kanda ,Lord Ramacandra was speaking to Hanumanji after he returned from Lanka:
"Dear Hanuman, you have not only found Sita, but also comforted her whit your words. You surveyed the entire city of Lanka, tested the strength of the great Raksasa warriors, and struck fear into the heart of Ravana. Indeed your service have saved my very life. Thus, it greatly pains Me that I cannot reward you properly. Since I am living in exile whitout proper means, all I can offer in exchange for your service is My embrace."
Saying this ,Rama affectionaly pressed Hanuman to His heart.
Who will help us to understan this?
Who will pick me up from the wast ocean of material conditioning?
By who`s mercy i will understand the true positionl of devotional service and all atractive nature of Sri Krsna.
In SB 7.9.17 Sri Prahlada Maharaj in praying to Lord Nrsimhadeva:
"O great one ,O Supreme Lord, because of the combination whit pleasing anddispleasing sircumstances and because of seperationfrom them,one is placed in the most regrettable position, whitin heavenly or hellish planets, as if burning in fire of lamention. Although there is many remedies by which to get out of miserable life, any such remedies in the material world are more miserable than the miseries themselves. Therefore i think that the only remedy is to engage in Your service. Kindly instruct me in such service.
Iam desperately falling at Your lotus feet and begging Your mercy.
You are the humble wellwisher of all unfortuned, misquided people. And all the poor and rascals too.
You are the link between us and Krsna.
You are our only hope.
You are voluntarely excepting so much incovenienses just to help others.
You are faithful, determined, humble and pure servant of Srila Prabhupada.
You are working so hard to push on Srila Prabhupadas movement, Your kindness and compassion for fallen souls is unlimited.
Only by Your mercy i can wake up from the slumber of material desires and strive for real happiness ,real welth. You can teach us the process how to attain this wealth.
Because You are so atractive we become inspired to kick out any material attachements and simply serve You.
Whitout You associaton and instruction i would never ever be able to come out from the dark cloud of material world and be connected whit source of all pleasure Sri Krsna.
In this vyasa-puja day it is legal to ask some benediction. Allthough i realy have not done anything to please You. I pray that i could always be in the associaton of devotees and be blessed by integelence how to serve them in a way that they become happy. And then by their blessings i would become able to render some meaningful service to You which will make You happy.
Praying to become Your servant
sadhu-marga das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Dear Guru Mahara
happy vyasa-puja day!!
In SB 3.31.19 Lord Kapiladeva says:
The living entity in another type of body sees only by instinct;
he knows only the agreeable and disgreeable sense perceptions of that particular body. But I have a body which I can control my senses and can understand my destination; therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whom I have been blessed whit this boby and by whose grace I can see Him whitin and whitout.
I wonder when i will take this opputurnity seriously? I am wearing Vaisnava dress ,tilaka and all that. The control for social life is followed. My life is regulated by pancaratrika-vidhi and opputurnity for hearing about Krsna, chanting about Krsna and preaching about Krsna is there.
But still in my heart i am just a wicked materialist.
Out His compassion God granted me all the assets needed to perfect the human life and attain pure devotional service. Humanbody, knowledge about the principles of material and spirtual world and Supreme Person. And spritual master is directing me.
Furthermore Lord Caitanya out of His causeless mercy is freely whit out any discrimination distributing the chance to render service in sankirtan-yajna which is so easy and so blissfull.
But still i dont take any interest to this and iam simply wasting my life. Whitout any gratitude , determined effort or devotion iam simply like dead body moving around.
What is the use of my life?
When will i take my service to my most merciful Guru Maharaj and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai all and all in my life, when it becomes my very life and soul?
When will i surrender?
What is the welth and happines of servant?
A chance to render service to his beloved master.
His only happines is to see his master being satisfied by his humble attemps to serve him.
In Ramayana, Yuddha-kanda ,Lord Ramacandra was speaking to Hanumanji after he returned from Lanka:
"Dear Hanuman, you have not only found Sita, but also comforted her whit your words. You surveyed the entire city of Lanka, tested the strength of the great Raksasa warriors, and struck fear into the heart of Ravana. Indeed your service have saved my very life. Thus, it greatly pains Me that I cannot reward you properly. Since I am living in exile whitout proper means, all I can offer in exchange for your service is My embrace."
Saying this ,Rama affectionaly pressed Hanuman to His heart.
Who will help us to understan this?
Who will pick me up from the wast ocean of material conditioning?
By who`s mercy i will understand the true positionl of devotional service and all atractive nature of Sri Krsna.
In SB 7.9.17 Sri Prahlada Maharaj in praying to Lord Nrsimhadeva:
"O great one ,O Supreme Lord, because of the combination whit pleasing anddispleasing sircumstances and because of seperationfrom them,one is placed in the most regrettable position, whitin heavenly or hellish planets, as if burning in fire of lamention. Although there is many remedies by which to get out of miserable life, any such remedies in the material world are more miserable than the miseries themselves. Therefore i think that the only remedy is to engage in Your service. Kindly instruct me in such service.
Iam desperately falling at Your lotus feet and begging Your mercy.
You are the humble wellwisher of all unfortuned, misquided people. And all the poor and rascals too.
You are the link between us and Krsna.
You are our only hope.
You are voluntarely excepting so much incovenienses just to help others.
You are faithful, determined, humble and pure servant of Srila Prabhupada.
You are working so hard to push on Srila Prabhupadas movement, Your kindness and compassion for fallen souls is unlimited.
Only by Your mercy i can wake up from the slumber of material desires and strive for real happiness ,real welth. You can teach us the process how to attain this wealth.
Because You are so atractive we become inspired to kick out any material attachements and simply serve You.
Whitout You associaton and instruction i would never ever be able to come out from the dark cloud of material world and be connected whit source of all pleasure Sri Krsna.
In this vyasa-puja day it is legal to ask some benediction. Allthough i realy have not done anything to please You. I pray that i could always be in the associaton of devotees and be blessed by integelence how to serve them in a way that they become happy. And then by their blessings i would become able to render some meaningful service to You which will make You happy.
Praying to become Your servant
sadhu-marga das
Saktimanta dd
Namo om visnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Namo om visnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin iti namine
Namaste Sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine
Nirvisesa sunyavadi pascataya desa tarine
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your Lotus feet.
All glories to Your Vyasa Puja day.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master is one of the five basic principles of devotional service. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur sings:
Suddha bhakata carana renu , bhajana anukula
Bhakata seva parama siddhi prema latikara mula
Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees is conducive to devotional service, while service to the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection and the root of the tender creeper of divine love.”
Guru Maharaj, somehow I have the good fortune of receiving Your mercy. I was burning in the samsara davanala, the forest fire of material existence .You have most mercifully given me shelter in the boat of Your lotus feet .Guru Maharaj ,I must admit that I am constantly at war where the waves of material nature bang me against the rocks of my material desires .It is the solace of Your brilliant lectures that I turn to every time I feel desolate .Your words are such a beacon of light .You express the truth with such clarity that the demons of doubt have no choice but to flee .Guru Maharaj ,I also want to thank You for giving me an opportunity to serve You whenever You visit Noida .This once a year rare chance keeps me going for the whole year.
Lastly, Guru Maharaj ,I pray to Krsna Balaram to bestow upon Yourself very good health and a very long life so the You can continue to shower Your mercy on suffering living entities like me and take them back to Godhead.
May You have very long and healthy life ,Dear Guru Maharaj.
Ohe ! vaisanava thakura , doyara sagara ,e dase koruna kori,
Diya pada chaya, sodho he amaya, tomara carana dhori.
O Vaisanava Thakur ,O ocean of mercy, be merciful to me ,Your servant ,and purify me by the shade of Your lotus feet .Your feet I humbly hold.
Your servant
Saktimanta dd
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Namo om visnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin iti namine
Namaste Sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine
Nirvisesa sunyavadi pascataya desa tarine
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your Lotus feet.
All glories to Your Vyasa Puja day.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual master is one of the five basic principles of devotional service. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur sings:
Suddha bhakata carana renu , bhajana anukula
Bhakata seva parama siddhi prema latikara mula
Dust from the lotus feet of pure devotees is conducive to devotional service, while service to the Vaisnavas is itself the supreme perfection and the root of the tender creeper of divine love.”
Guru Maharaj, somehow I have the good fortune of receiving Your mercy. I was burning in the samsara davanala, the forest fire of material existence .You have most mercifully given me shelter in the boat of Your lotus feet .Guru Maharaj ,I must admit that I am constantly at war where the waves of material nature bang me against the rocks of my material desires .It is the solace of Your brilliant lectures that I turn to every time I feel desolate .Your words are such a beacon of light .You express the truth with such clarity that the demons of doubt have no choice but to flee .Guru Maharaj ,I also want to thank You for giving me an opportunity to serve You whenever You visit Noida .This once a year rare chance keeps me going for the whole year.
Lastly, Guru Maharaj ,I pray to Krsna Balaram to bestow upon Yourself very good health and a very long life so the You can continue to shower Your mercy on suffering living entities like me and take them back to Godhead.
May You have very long and healthy life ,Dear Guru Maharaj.
Ohe ! vaisanava thakura , doyara sagara ,e dase koruna kori,
Diya pada chaya, sodho he amaya, tomara carana dhori.
O Vaisanava Thakur ,O ocean of mercy, be merciful to me ,Your servant ,and purify me by the shade of Your lotus feet .Your feet I humbly hold.
Your servant
Saktimanta dd
Sammohini devi dasi
Nama on visnu-padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krisha my dear Guru Maharaja.
I don´t have enough words to express how I feel about taking care of this beautiful seed of devotional service that you have planted in my heart. To learn the knowledge about the difference between spirit and matter is wonderful and to develop Bhakti is the best experience in my life.
Your example is an inspiration for me to be a better devotee, to serve others and put my heart completely into every service.
To please you and the devotees is so nice and is becoming more natural every day, because we have the opportunity to understand and to see Krishna every where, oh that is so amazing! Also you gave me the opportunity to have nice association at the Loft and to learn more and more.
I am so pleased to serve you. Your friendly, kind, warm smile, your funny words …like when you asked me in Spanish months ago when I was serving you too much salad… “do you think I am a rabbit?” Also I really like your personal style of dealing with devotees and your direct way of instructing us.
You also are so merciful to my family also, giving them the facilities to approach Krishna Consciousness and develop their spiritual life. I know you know they are an important part in my goal of preaching to others.
I feel so happy……. sometimes I don´t have enough words to express my emotions because there are no material word to describe something unlimited. I feel eternally grateful for the shelter you have given me and the opportunity to be part of your family. It is so nice to see my god brothers and sisters trying to please you too.
Please by my gratitude to you I offer again and again this soul and body to you and your amazing program. Let me serve you better, I don´t like to miss any opportunity. Thank you for your personal dealing with your eternal servant. By your mercy I am doing something real in the way to help others and give love, caring, and education to other conditioned souls waiting to have a chance to return to Krishna.
Your unconditional eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krisha my dear Guru Maharaja.
I don´t have enough words to express how I feel about taking care of this beautiful seed of devotional service that you have planted in my heart. To learn the knowledge about the difference between spirit and matter is wonderful and to develop Bhakti is the best experience in my life.
Your example is an inspiration for me to be a better devotee, to serve others and put my heart completely into every service.
To please you and the devotees is so nice and is becoming more natural every day, because we have the opportunity to understand and to see Krishna every where, oh that is so amazing! Also you gave me the opportunity to have nice association at the Loft and to learn more and more.
I am so pleased to serve you. Your friendly, kind, warm smile, your funny words …like when you asked me in Spanish months ago when I was serving you too much salad… “do you think I am a rabbit?” Also I really like your personal style of dealing with devotees and your direct way of instructing us.
You also are so merciful to my family also, giving them the facilities to approach Krishna Consciousness and develop their spiritual life. I know you know they are an important part in my goal of preaching to others.
I feel so happy……. sometimes I don´t have enough words to express my emotions because there are no material word to describe something unlimited. I feel eternally grateful for the shelter you have given me and the opportunity to be part of your family. It is so nice to see my god brothers and sisters trying to please you too.
Please by my gratitude to you I offer again and again this soul and body to you and your amazing program. Let me serve you better, I don´t like to miss any opportunity. Thank you for your personal dealing with your eternal servant. By your mercy I am doing something real in the way to help others and give love, caring, and education to other conditioned souls waiting to have a chance to return to Krishna.
Your unconditional eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Sandrananda devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. I am keen to meditate on the influence you have in my life. As Arjuna faced a battle with the Kurus I face my own battle with my material attachments and like Arjuna who surrendered to Lord Krishna’s instructions and overcame the fear of his enemies, your striking instructions save me from illusion. We hear how vani, or following the instructions of the spiritual master is more important than vapu, or being in the physical presence of the spiritual master. Today I want to further my surrender to your instructions. For I have developed some faith by your grace that when Krishna gets His way the ambrosial nectar of loving exchanges begin to flow on the battlefield of life’s way.
Mercifully, You accepted me as your disciple and on the streamline of those five years there have been some rough waters. Despite your warnings I have gotten lost in the dark many times. I am a fool, I know, I am willing to admit, so I pray for the strength from you to continue on strong following in your footsteps.
Without your mercy I have nothing of any value. Today I am reminded that I AM your instrument. I cherish your words for you are my bridge over troubled waters. You light up the way back home by your brilliance. You kindly help me and together we catch glimpses of the Krishna sun rising in the lives of more and more souls.
Gurudeva, your disciples rival in ecstasy when they hear your words entering the crevasses’ of their hearts during your Bhagavatam classes: “Allow the Krishna sun to rise in your life”. Your words resound loud and clear. By your Krishna conscious presentations of material life even a bewildered conditioned soul develops into a bhakta with a desire to serve Krishna. Allow me to examine this phenomenon: I can detect that you have learned the art of how to preach to anyone. I see evidence that the contaminated hard heart of your listener cannot hold firm during your glorious and powerful presentations and as the demon like desires become scattered their hearts’ melt upon seeing your merciful glance. Deeply felt and experienced in every place that you go, are the results of your endless efforts and brilliant plans. Sound carry’s your mighty will all around in the shape of divine instructions. You are like an expert surgeon doing an open-heart surgery, though a renounciant by nature, you are so in tune and up-beat with the lives of your audiences. During your Bhagavatam classes, your gripping acts of different personalities wonderfully bring to life Krishna’s divine message. I believe you must have the therapy for every ailment of the attached soul. Your audience often become so moved that they shed tears of both joy and sorrow. I firmly see that you have the power to tell how it is, for you have seen the truth. Sheer Excellence.
Once again, as I examine you my dear master, clearly you provide a fine example of what a disciple’s behaviour should be; unfailing determination to please, precise clarity of thought in perfect line with the spiritual master’s desire, responsibility over many soul’s lives, self sacrificing with ones’ time, all ones’ words, thoughts and actions are dedicated to Krishna and serving ones’ spiritual master. I feel very honoured to be yours, now please instruct me further on your desires for the future so that I can assist you and by your inconceivable mercy grant me more service. Please shine your ambrosial nectar this way.
This very fallen and lowly servant of yours prays,
May you remain with me forever in the present and in the future, through the grace of your wonderful instructions.
Sandrananda devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. I am keen to meditate on the influence you have in my life. As Arjuna faced a battle with the Kurus I face my own battle with my material attachments and like Arjuna who surrendered to Lord Krishna’s instructions and overcame the fear of his enemies, your striking instructions save me from illusion. We hear how vani, or following the instructions of the spiritual master is more important than vapu, or being in the physical presence of the spiritual master. Today I want to further my surrender to your instructions. For I have developed some faith by your grace that when Krishna gets His way the ambrosial nectar of loving exchanges begin to flow on the battlefield of life’s way.
Mercifully, You accepted me as your disciple and on the streamline of those five years there have been some rough waters. Despite your warnings I have gotten lost in the dark many times. I am a fool, I know, I am willing to admit, so I pray for the strength from you to continue on strong following in your footsteps.
Without your mercy I have nothing of any value. Today I am reminded that I AM your instrument. I cherish your words for you are my bridge over troubled waters. You light up the way back home by your brilliance. You kindly help me and together we catch glimpses of the Krishna sun rising in the lives of more and more souls.
Gurudeva, your disciples rival in ecstasy when they hear your words entering the crevasses’ of their hearts during your Bhagavatam classes: “Allow the Krishna sun to rise in your life”. Your words resound loud and clear. By your Krishna conscious presentations of material life even a bewildered conditioned soul develops into a bhakta with a desire to serve Krishna. Allow me to examine this phenomenon: I can detect that you have learned the art of how to preach to anyone. I see evidence that the contaminated hard heart of your listener cannot hold firm during your glorious and powerful presentations and as the demon like desires become scattered their hearts’ melt upon seeing your merciful glance. Deeply felt and experienced in every place that you go, are the results of your endless efforts and brilliant plans. Sound carry’s your mighty will all around in the shape of divine instructions. You are like an expert surgeon doing an open-heart surgery, though a renounciant by nature, you are so in tune and up-beat with the lives of your audiences. During your Bhagavatam classes, your gripping acts of different personalities wonderfully bring to life Krishna’s divine message. I believe you must have the therapy for every ailment of the attached soul. Your audience often become so moved that they shed tears of both joy and sorrow. I firmly see that you have the power to tell how it is, for you have seen the truth. Sheer Excellence.
Once again, as I examine you my dear master, clearly you provide a fine example of what a disciple’s behaviour should be; unfailing determination to please, precise clarity of thought in perfect line with the spiritual master’s desire, responsibility over many soul’s lives, self sacrificing with ones’ time, all ones’ words, thoughts and actions are dedicated to Krishna and serving ones’ spiritual master. I feel very honoured to be yours, now please instruct me further on your desires for the future so that I can assist you and by your inconceivable mercy grant me more service. Please shine your ambrosial nectar this way.
This very fallen and lowly servant of yours prays,
May you remain with me forever in the present and in the future, through the grace of your wonderful instructions.
Sandrananda devi dasi
Sasi Mukhi d.d.
Dear Srilla Gurudeva:
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at Your lotus feets. All glories to You. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In this special day I want to express that You had been the light in the moments of darkness.
You had been the inspiration for read and understand the books of Srila Prabhupada.
Since the moment that You accepted me as Your disciple, I always see how You give me inspiration and energy for my spiritual advance.
sarva devamayo guroh
The spiritual master is the sum of all the demigods. Who can measure Your glories?
I am the lowest person. I have not force and intelligence. Please give me the shelter of Your lotus feets.
Your servant
Sasi Mukhi d.d.
Please accept my most humble and respectful obeisances at Your lotus feets. All glories to You. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In this special day I want to express that You had been the light in the moments of darkness.
You had been the inspiration for read and understand the books of Srila Prabhupada.
Since the moment that You accepted me as Your disciple, I always see how You give me inspiration and energy for my spiritual advance.
sarva devamayo guroh
The spiritual master is the sum of all the demigods. Who can measure Your glories?
I am the lowest person. I have not force and intelligence. Please give me the shelter of Your lotus feets.
Your servant
Sasi Mukhi d.d.
Satvata das
Dear Devamrita Swami!
Please, allow me to offer my humble obeisances to the dust of your lotus feet.
Guru Maharaj, the only reason for my undesirable existence is that I incorrectly used that little independence which was given me by Krsna. From time immemorial I tried to dominate over a material world. But Maya, external energy of the Lord, each time inconsiderately beat and lashed me on cheeks. Eventually, the Lord has made me successful, - having led me to your lotus feet. You are external representative of Paramatma and the true representative of the Lord. Now I completely depend on your mercy. All my desires are only of honor, riches, glories and women. Moved by lust, pride and envy, I do attempts to serve your lotus feet. Let all my plans will fail! Let only your plans and desires will be fulfilled! And, like a dutiful dog, on which you put on a dog collar and took on a lead several days ago, I want that your desires would have become my desires! O Gurudev, please, fulfill only this my desire and nothing else!
Your worthless disciple
Satvata das (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine)
Please, allow me to offer my humble obeisances to the dust of your lotus feet.
Guru Maharaj, the only reason for my undesirable existence is that I incorrectly used that little independence which was given me by Krsna. From time immemorial I tried to dominate over a material world. But Maya, external energy of the Lord, each time inconsiderately beat and lashed me on cheeks. Eventually, the Lord has made me successful, - having led me to your lotus feet. You are external representative of Paramatma and the true representative of the Lord. Now I completely depend on your mercy. All my desires are only of honor, riches, glories and women. Moved by lust, pride and envy, I do attempts to serve your lotus feet. Let all my plans will fail! Let only your plans and desires will be fulfilled! And, like a dutiful dog, on which you put on a dog collar and took on a lead several days ago, I want that your desires would have become my desires! O Gurudev, please, fulfill only this my desire and nothing else!
Your worthless disciple
Satvata das (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine)
Sevamrita devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances and my attempt to make an offering of sweet rice with the least sand in it
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Ordinary living entities sustain their lives by breathing air. It is an absolutely essential, natural yet sometimes unconscious activity to us. In your dedicated life to Srila Prabhupada, we can see that what sustains your existence is actually Srila Prabhupada’s mission and desires.
Always naturally yet sometime not even obvious to others’ eyes, you breathe in Srila Prabhupada’s desires and mission into every streams of your thoughts, mind and heart in the form of his bhajans, lectures and footage, and recorded kirtanas in the form of his books, as you call it.
How do we know that?
You classes are saturated with the deepest and finest realization of Srila Prabhupada’s purports. You empower and rejuvenate the audience to simply accept and apply what Srila Prabhupa has given us. Your instructions and the most personal guidance to your followers provide convictions and opportunities to taste the sweetness of participating in Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
While on sankirtana, I stopped a man who turned out to be a temple president of another city in Australia. The devotee asked me, “ Are you a disciple of Devamrita Maharaja?”. I replied with a surprise, “ How did you know? I didn’t say anything about myself?”. The devotee answered, “ Maharaja makes a lot of devotees.” Such is your reputation and such is one of many outcomes of your empowerment by your beloved spiritual master.
[ Purport to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Madhya 19.114]
Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. The Supreme Lord has multipotencies, which the Lord bestows on His fortunate devotees. The Lord has a special potency by which He spreads the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. This is explained in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 7.11): kali-kālera dharma—kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana/ kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana. “One cannot spread the holy name of Kṛṣṇa without being specifically empowered by Lord Kṛṣṇa.” A devotee who receives this power from the Lord must be considered very fortunate. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is spreading to enlighten people about their real position, their original relationship with Kṛṣṇa. One requires Kṛṣṇa’s special power in order to be able to do this….The Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa personally descends to teach people that their position in the material world is a mistaken one. The Lord again comes as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to induce people to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Lord also empowers a special devotee to teach people their constitutional position.
I’m beginning to see how being able to assist Srila Prabhupada through you is my greatest fortune. Gurudeva, I beg you for the genuine desires, unpretentious motivation and maturity to be your assistance to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Aspiring to be your good disciple,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances and my attempt to make an offering of sweet rice with the least sand in it
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Ordinary living entities sustain their lives by breathing air. It is an absolutely essential, natural yet sometimes unconscious activity to us. In your dedicated life to Srila Prabhupada, we can see that what sustains your existence is actually Srila Prabhupada’s mission and desires.
Always naturally yet sometime not even obvious to others’ eyes, you breathe in Srila Prabhupada’s desires and mission into every streams of your thoughts, mind and heart in the form of his bhajans, lectures and footage, and recorded kirtanas in the form of his books, as you call it.
How do we know that?
You classes are saturated with the deepest and finest realization of Srila Prabhupada’s purports. You empower and rejuvenate the audience to simply accept and apply what Srila Prabhupa has given us. Your instructions and the most personal guidance to your followers provide convictions and opportunities to taste the sweetness of participating in Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
While on sankirtana, I stopped a man who turned out to be a temple president of another city in Australia. The devotee asked me, “ Are you a disciple of Devamrita Maharaja?”. I replied with a surprise, “ How did you know? I didn’t say anything about myself?”. The devotee answered, “ Maharaja makes a lot of devotees.” Such is your reputation and such is one of many outcomes of your empowerment by your beloved spiritual master.
[ Purport to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Madhya 19.114]
Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. The Supreme Lord has multipotencies, which the Lord bestows on His fortunate devotees. The Lord has a special potency by which He spreads the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. This is explained in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 7.11): kali-kālera dharma—kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana/ kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana. “One cannot spread the holy name of Kṛṣṇa without being specifically empowered by Lord Kṛṣṇa.” A devotee who receives this power from the Lord must be considered very fortunate. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is spreading to enlighten people about their real position, their original relationship with Kṛṣṇa. One requires Kṛṣṇa’s special power in order to be able to do this….The Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa personally descends to teach people that their position in the material world is a mistaken one. The Lord again comes as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to induce people to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Lord also empowers a special devotee to teach people their constitutional position.
I’m beginning to see how being able to assist Srila Prabhupada through you is my greatest fortune. Gurudeva, I beg you for the genuine desires, unpretentious motivation and maturity to be your assistance to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Aspiring to be your good disciple,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Sham Anand
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my dandavats pranam at your feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you Guru Maharaj
Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10.9):
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
Translation:
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
“Dear Guru Dev you are a personal embodiment of this statement”, you have dedicated the last 35 years in serving the lord and enlightened many all over the world on what is the true meaning of human life and how one can perfect this human form. Guru Dev you are leading by example.
The verse mentions ‘enlightening one another’, guru maharaj you are personally educating an ignorant and disobedient person like me on what is the true essence of life. I am not worthy of this precious education but you are holding my baby finger step by step.
Each time when you come to Melbourne and I hear you speak empowered with Shastra Chaksu, you make many management gurus and corporate CEO's sound pale in comparison, whilst they are all materially motivated you are spiritually motivated guru maharaj which results in dynamic transformation in consciousness.
Only a fool and a covered person turns his back on the knowledge you impart and I fear that this will be my fate therefore kindly give me shelter at your feet. .
You’re insignificant Servant
Sham Anand
Please accept my dandavats pranam at your feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you Guru Maharaj
Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10.9):
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
Translation:
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
“Dear Guru Dev you are a personal embodiment of this statement”, you have dedicated the last 35 years in serving the lord and enlightened many all over the world on what is the true meaning of human life and how one can perfect this human form. Guru Dev you are leading by example.
The verse mentions ‘enlightening one another’, guru maharaj you are personally educating an ignorant and disobedient person like me on what is the true essence of life. I am not worthy of this precious education but you are holding my baby finger step by step.
Each time when you come to Melbourne and I hear you speak empowered with Shastra Chaksu, you make many management gurus and corporate CEO's sound pale in comparison, whilst they are all materially motivated you are spiritually motivated guru maharaj which results in dynamic transformation in consciousness.
Only a fool and a covered person turns his back on the knowledge you impart and I fear that this will be my fate therefore kindly give me shelter at your feet. .
You’re insignificant Servant
Sham Anand
Shastra Krit Das
Simply a festival of flowers and fruits does not constitute worship. The one who serves the message of the guru really worships him. “Srila Prabhupada”
nama om visnu - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."
"Obeisance’s to you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion."
My dear worshipable lord and master it’s taken me a decade to understand that I don’t understand the extent of your greatness.
You always taught us that Love is expressed through selfless service. Our love will be nourished by our faithful commitment to please you on this auspicious occasion of your divine appearance day. To please you is simple. We must wholeheartedly accept what you have given us and share it with others.
With the desire to please you, I have been meditating on four particular instructions you have given us 1) to sincerely worship Srila Prabhupad’s books 2) to serve the devotees 3) to sincerely chant the holy name of Krsna and 4) do the needful like taking care of health etc..
Due to my weak-heartedness, I am slipping from the path of bhakti at every moment. My only hope is your causeless mercy upon this fallen soul. Your uncompromised preaching is like the lion’s roar, which causes my elephantine misconceptions to flee in fear. It is the inconceivable power of your forgiveness that enables me to continue on the path of bhakti. Please keep this helpless soul in the shelter of your lotus feet.
How can I reciprocate with your kindness? Your unparalleled compassion is my only qualification. It is the only hope for my spiritual survival. I pray to someday achieve the perfection of all aspirations: to gratefully reciprocate with your mercy as the all in all of my existence. I pray to sincerely offer my life and soul to be an instrument of your love. To surrender my heart as the truly humble servant of your servants.
Your aspiring servant
Shastra krit das.
nama om visnu - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Holiness Devamrita Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."
"Obeisance’s to you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion."
My dear worshipable lord and master it’s taken me a decade to understand that I don’t understand the extent of your greatness.
You always taught us that Love is expressed through selfless service. Our love will be nourished by our faithful commitment to please you on this auspicious occasion of your divine appearance day. To please you is simple. We must wholeheartedly accept what you have given us and share it with others.
With the desire to please you, I have been meditating on four particular instructions you have given us 1) to sincerely worship Srila Prabhupad’s books 2) to serve the devotees 3) to sincerely chant the holy name of Krsna and 4) do the needful like taking care of health etc..
Due to my weak-heartedness, I am slipping from the path of bhakti at every moment. My only hope is your causeless mercy upon this fallen soul. Your uncompromised preaching is like the lion’s roar, which causes my elephantine misconceptions to flee in fear. It is the inconceivable power of your forgiveness that enables me to continue on the path of bhakti. Please keep this helpless soul in the shelter of your lotus feet.
How can I reciprocate with your kindness? Your unparalleled compassion is my only qualification. It is the only hope for my spiritual survival. I pray to someday achieve the perfection of all aspirations: to gratefully reciprocate with your mercy as the all in all of my existence. I pray to sincerely offer my life and soul to be an instrument of your love. To surrender my heart as the truly humble servant of your servants.
Your aspiring servant
Shastra krit das.
Sravanada Das
Dearest Gurudev
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It has been almost four years since I first heard you speak, still remember your presentation on Bhakti yoga – the Art of possibility, your expert preaching, made a big change in my thinking and was able to relate bhakti to my practical life. Your instruction for me was like inspiration in spiritual life. Your enthusiasm and your classes, always remember when you said we are afraid of Krsna but not from Maya.
Even after being so unintelligent, you gave real purpose of life, you were first one in my life to explain such an important topic in such an easy manner. Your love and compassion to everyone you come around, genuine feeling sorry for condition soul like us, had a big impact on me.
I was always scared of initiation as never felt qualified to be able to keep up the vows, but you reminded me that when you are sick you need to be admitted in hospital. I can never repay the mercy you showed to me by giving wonderful opportunity to engage in devotional service. I feel so weak sometime, but when I read and hear your words, it recharges me back. I am forever in your debt Guru maharaj
your servant,
Sravanada Das
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It has been almost four years since I first heard you speak, still remember your presentation on Bhakti yoga – the Art of possibility, your expert preaching, made a big change in my thinking and was able to relate bhakti to my practical life. Your instruction for me was like inspiration in spiritual life. Your enthusiasm and your classes, always remember when you said we are afraid of Krsna but not from Maya.
Even after being so unintelligent, you gave real purpose of life, you were first one in my life to explain such an important topic in such an easy manner. Your love and compassion to everyone you come around, genuine feeling sorry for condition soul like us, had a big impact on me.
I was always scared of initiation as never felt qualified to be able to keep up the vows, but you reminded me that when you are sick you need to be admitted in hospital. I can never repay the mercy you showed to me by giving wonderful opportunity to engage in devotional service. I feel so weak sometime, but when I read and hear your words, it recharges me back. I am forever in your debt Guru maharaj
your servant,
Sravanada Das
Sri Goloka das
namo om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimati devamrta svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararathapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Srila Devamrta Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances unto you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to your Divine Grace!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Another year has passed and I when I think of your Divine Grace, I end up clueless in describing your glories. I cannot even fathom a drop of your transcendental qualities. I pray that I can somehow describe what you mean to me and how you have kindly given me shelter at your lotus feet.
This ocean of material suffering is relentless and ruthless. Cheated by Maya, I carried on thinking I can actually be happy in the world if I change some of this and that. No matter what adjustments I made I still could not be happy. Every pleasure in this world has a stinging sense of pain attached to it...its like a sick joke being played where the victim himself is the cause of it. As I continued through the blazing fire of conditioned life, passionately hankering and ignorantly lamenting...I was praying so desperately for relief.
Despite all odds, the rarest of chances...after I have been wandering across the entire universe accepting countless bodies, out of many millions of wandering living entities, Your Divine Grace has found this wretched soul and kindly gave him immediate relief from his pain. Though this soul maybe dull in his thinking, lazy in his service, you compassionately continue to give him mercy through your divine instructions and example.
I would like to thank you from the depths of my heart for showing me what Krsna Consciousness is when practiced with utmost quality and dedication. You have touched me deeply with your love, simplicity and compassion. Sometimes I do think what it means to be an acharya...but when I think of you, I realise that you are proof of what you teach, what more proof would I need?
Thank you for coming into my life and allowing me to feel what real life is. Thank you for helping me in many ways and overcoming so many mental obstacles that I once thought was impossible to overcome. You have been the sole difference between eternal life and a cold death, living the life I was living.
Thank you so much dearest Guru Maharaj.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Sri Goloka das
srimati devamrta svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararathapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Srila Devamrta Swami, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Obeisances unto you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaishnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to your Divine Grace!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Another year has passed and I when I think of your Divine Grace, I end up clueless in describing your glories. I cannot even fathom a drop of your transcendental qualities. I pray that I can somehow describe what you mean to me and how you have kindly given me shelter at your lotus feet.
This ocean of material suffering is relentless and ruthless. Cheated by Maya, I carried on thinking I can actually be happy in the world if I change some of this and that. No matter what adjustments I made I still could not be happy. Every pleasure in this world has a stinging sense of pain attached to it...its like a sick joke being played where the victim himself is the cause of it. As I continued through the blazing fire of conditioned life, passionately hankering and ignorantly lamenting...I was praying so desperately for relief.
Despite all odds, the rarest of chances...after I have been wandering across the entire universe accepting countless bodies, out of many millions of wandering living entities, Your Divine Grace has found this wretched soul and kindly gave him immediate relief from his pain. Though this soul maybe dull in his thinking, lazy in his service, you compassionately continue to give him mercy through your divine instructions and example.
I would like to thank you from the depths of my heart for showing me what Krsna Consciousness is when practiced with utmost quality and dedication. You have touched me deeply with your love, simplicity and compassion. Sometimes I do think what it means to be an acharya...but when I think of you, I realise that you are proof of what you teach, what more proof would I need?
Thank you for coming into my life and allowing me to feel what real life is. Thank you for helping me in many ways and overcoming so many mental obstacles that I once thought was impossible to overcome. You have been the sole difference between eternal life and a cold death, living the life I was living.
Thank you so much dearest Guru Maharaj.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Sri Goloka das
Sruti-cari dd
Dear Guru Deva,
How can I glorify you sufficiently? I don’t know where to begin. You mean so much to me, a satisfied smile puts me on cloud nine, and a frown of disapproval spins me into a frenzy of anxiety. I owe everything I treasure, to you.
Your tireless efforts to inspire and encourage others in Krishna Consciousness are awe inspiring. Your boundless love and care are not possible for ordinary persons. You know the perfect thing to say for the benefit of everyone in every situation. I love your mood of training devotees so they can learn the skills to continue and expand your work.
I trust you completely Guru Deva. Before I met the devotees, I was lost, lonely, depressed and very confused. I remember calling out to God in my distress (actually yelling and screaming!): ‘God where are you? Where have you gone? You used to be so close, I would talk to you and you would answer my questions. Why have you disappeared?’
I said: ‘I have followed all the advice of those who should know what I should do. Done all the ‘right things’, to the best of my ability. Still I am miserable and lost – I feel there is some purpose to my life, something I am meant to do – something urgent and important... I want to get started on it!’
‘But I don’t know what it is; I don’t know where to find out. I know this world is a dangerous place and I don’t want make a big mistake and mess my life up. But I need someone to guide me, someone who knows, to tell me what I should and should not do. To tell me what my purpose is.’
Well ‘God’ must have heard me! Because not long afterwards I met the devotees - and then you. Gradually I learned to trust you. Since then you have always been that knowledgeable guide for me. Your guidance has never put me wrong, and as a result I feel my life has some value. But that value is only due to you.
I know you love the teachings of Prahlada Maharaja. This verse from Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7, chap 9 ‘Prahlada pacifies the Lord with prayers’ txt 28, seems to express my feelings.
‘My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service?’
In the purport Srila Prabhupada says ‘This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’ I want to take this opportunity to rededicate my life and energy to serving you and sharing what you have so kindly given me, with others. Of course as you know I don’t have much to give, I am scatty and mental and unfocused. My energy and enthusiasm comes and goes. But please continue to shelter me at your lotus feet and accept me as:
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Sruti-cari dd
How can I glorify you sufficiently? I don’t know where to begin. You mean so much to me, a satisfied smile puts me on cloud nine, and a frown of disapproval spins me into a frenzy of anxiety. I owe everything I treasure, to you.
Your tireless efforts to inspire and encourage others in Krishna Consciousness are awe inspiring. Your boundless love and care are not possible for ordinary persons. You know the perfect thing to say for the benefit of everyone in every situation. I love your mood of training devotees so they can learn the skills to continue and expand your work.
I trust you completely Guru Deva. Before I met the devotees, I was lost, lonely, depressed and very confused. I remember calling out to God in my distress (actually yelling and screaming!): ‘God where are you? Where have you gone? You used to be so close, I would talk to you and you would answer my questions. Why have you disappeared?’
I said: ‘I have followed all the advice of those who should know what I should do. Done all the ‘right things’, to the best of my ability. Still I am miserable and lost – I feel there is some purpose to my life, something I am meant to do – something urgent and important... I want to get started on it!’
‘But I don’t know what it is; I don’t know where to find out. I know this world is a dangerous place and I don’t want make a big mistake and mess my life up. But I need someone to guide me, someone who knows, to tell me what I should and should not do. To tell me what my purpose is.’
Well ‘God’ must have heard me! Because not long afterwards I met the devotees - and then you. Gradually I learned to trust you. Since then you have always been that knowledgeable guide for me. Your guidance has never put me wrong, and as a result I feel my life has some value. But that value is only due to you.
I know you love the teachings of Prahlada Maharaja. This verse from Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7, chap 9 ‘Prahlada pacifies the Lord with prayers’ txt 28, seems to express my feelings.
‘My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service?’
In the purport Srila Prabhupada says ‘This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’ I want to take this opportunity to rededicate my life and energy to serving you and sharing what you have so kindly given me, with others. Of course as you know I don’t have much to give, I am scatty and mental and unfocused. My energy and enthusiasm comes and goes. But please continue to shelter me at your lotus feet and accept me as:
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Sruti-cari dd
Sukanthi Radha devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Your radiant association, gives the blind a chance to see,
distributing mercy profusely, clearly illustrates how to be,
With flood lights of compassion, you turn night into day,
Your mercy shines brightly, to take full advantage I pray,
Your grateful daughter and trying servant,
Sukanthi Radha devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Your radiant association, gives the blind a chance to see,
distributing mercy profusely, clearly illustrates how to be,
With flood lights of compassion, you turn night into day,
Your mercy shines brightly, to take full advantage I pray,
Your grateful daughter and trying servant,
Sukanthi Radha devi dasi
Sukharupa Devi Dasi
Dearest Gurudev,
Your well wisher, Krishna prema always.
Your servant,
Sukharupa dd
Your well wisher, Krishna prema always.
Your servant,
Sukharupa dd
Sulim Lim
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to practice Krishna consciousness at the LOFT.
Happy appearance day.
Happiness, We’re happy.
Amusement, We’re amused.
Rest, We’re resting under HIM
Eternal, We’re eternal
because we’re His servants, who He is
Kind
Reservoir of Pleasure
Supersoul
Nectarean
Attractive
Hare Krishna.
Your servant, Sulim
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to practice Krishna consciousness at the LOFT.
Happy appearance day.
Happiness, We’re happy.
Amusement, We’re amused.
Rest, We’re resting under HIM
Eternal, We’re eternal
because we’re His servants, who He is
Kind
Reservoir of Pleasure
Supersoul
Nectarean
Attractive
Hare Krishna.
Your servant, Sulim
Sundarangi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to your devotional service to Krsna! All Glories to Your Divine Grace! You glide more than walk, you float, dance, lead, teach, guide, ease the way, coach, prompt, encourage, enliven, motivate, inspire, fire-up, and fuel my desire for devotional service. You steady my spiritual confidence and propel me to apply myself in service, to consciously use time and energy to try and serve Krsna with devotion.
Gurudeva I don’t know how to express my deep gratitude for your care and attention. Thank you for sparking my interest in Krsna consciousness, you hooked me with a desire to serve. When I met you two and a half years ago, I had read the first few chapters of Bhagavad Gita and was confused about my duty. You said “Ultimately we are all servants of Krsna…have a pure, serving relationship with Krsna with no desire for material benefits…do the greatest service for all people." Your instruction affected me on a deep level. I literally felt a weight on my shoulders for days...what was I going to do with this information??
Gurudeva I want to be useful in your service. I pray to be a useful instrument. I can see that service is the only way to start to repay my debt to you. I want to be effective in reaching out to others with Krsna consciousness. I am encouraged that you have said Krsna consciousness is the art of the possible!
I recently read in the Srimad Bhagavatam that “happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed” (SB 8.19.27). Gurudeva I am starting to realize I absolutely need devotional service. Thank you for so mercifully opening my heart with transcendental knowledge.
Hare Krsna Gurudeva. Thank you for your shelter. Thank you for service. Thank you for this sublime Krsna conscious adventure. I pray to be humble enough to please you with service.
Your endeavouring servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to your devotional service to Krsna! All Glories to Your Divine Grace! You glide more than walk, you float, dance, lead, teach, guide, ease the way, coach, prompt, encourage, enliven, motivate, inspire, fire-up, and fuel my desire for devotional service. You steady my spiritual confidence and propel me to apply myself in service, to consciously use time and energy to try and serve Krsna with devotion.
Gurudeva I don’t know how to express my deep gratitude for your care and attention. Thank you for sparking my interest in Krsna consciousness, you hooked me with a desire to serve. When I met you two and a half years ago, I had read the first few chapters of Bhagavad Gita and was confused about my duty. You said “Ultimately we are all servants of Krsna…have a pure, serving relationship with Krsna with no desire for material benefits…do the greatest service for all people." Your instruction affected me on a deep level. I literally felt a weight on my shoulders for days...what was I going to do with this information??
Gurudeva I want to be useful in your service. I pray to be a useful instrument. I can see that service is the only way to start to repay my debt to you. I want to be effective in reaching out to others with Krsna consciousness. I am encouraged that you have said Krsna consciousness is the art of the possible!
I recently read in the Srimad Bhagavatam that “happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed” (SB 8.19.27). Gurudeva I am starting to realize I absolutely need devotional service. Thank you for so mercifully opening my heart with transcendental knowledge.
Hare Krsna Gurudeva. Thank you for your shelter. Thank you for service. Thank you for this sublime Krsna conscious adventure. I pray to be humble enough to please you with service.
Your endeavouring servant
Sundarangi devi dasi
Svetadvipa Das
Dearest Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
shrimate bhaktivedanta-
svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve
gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-
pashcatya-desha-tarine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Gratitude (noun) A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.
Thankyou for your magnanimous demeanor in genuinely considering the welfare of all people. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of compassion that you store in your heart and release on the desperately hopeless and struggling individuals around the world. Your steadfastness and drive inspire me in my darkest moments and for that I am truly thankful.
How I appreciate your dedication to Srila Prabhupada and your endeavour to continue his preaching work. Your finesse in devotee dealings and constant acknowledgment of their service no matter how small. And so,so much more
For this I express my sincere gratitude. I am eternally grateful.
your servant
Svetadvipa Das
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
shrimate bhaktivedanta-
svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve
gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-
pashcatya-desha-tarine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Gratitude (noun) A feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.
Thankyou for your magnanimous demeanor in genuinely considering the welfare of all people. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of compassion that you store in your heart and release on the desperately hopeless and struggling individuals around the world. Your steadfastness and drive inspire me in my darkest moments and for that I am truly thankful.
How I appreciate your dedication to Srila Prabhupada and your endeavour to continue his preaching work. Your finesse in devotee dealings and constant acknowledgment of their service no matter how small. And so,so much more
For this I express my sincere gratitude. I am eternally grateful.
your servant
Svetadvipa Das
Swarupa Shakti devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Appearance day
Once again it is that time of the year where a disciple honours and remembers the causeless mercy bestowed by the spiritual master. To get darsan of the lord and his representatives is very difficult. Yogis ,religionists and philosophers may try to understand the absolute truth by engaging mental and intellectual austerities for millions and millions of births. However they do not know about the Causeless mercy that flows through the spiritual master. This is the process of bhakti. It flows through the hearts of the pure devotee That is how we may know the absolute truth, Krsna. In my little attempt to praise you, I have written tis prayer for your pleasure.
My dear spiritual master, for the past few years I have been trying to thank you for the life of extreme wealth you have given me but still I am so dull and steeped in ignorance. It is because of you that many of us are chanting the most sacred mantra and engaging in serving the most divine couple. Without any qualification to utter the holy name and being decorated with the intense qualities of kali you, you have engulfed the existenceof everyone you meet with the desire to become a pure lover of God. Please help me appreciate the wealth of bhakti and give it to others.
Gurudeva, you go beyond rules and regulation and give even untouchable souls the opportunity to know you, to know Srila Prabhupada and even Radha and Krsna. Your mercy has no bounds. The scripture declare so many times that the spiritual master is the representative of Sri Nityananda Rama, the eternally blissful original Personality of Godhead. That is who you represent and that is the mood you portray. You have transformed wild horses and first class kali yuga candidates to simple ,soft hearted devotees. Please further help me appreciate the wealth of bhakti and give it to others.
My dear spiritual teacher, the essence of what Srila Prabhupada gave us in Caitanya Caritamrta is your very special gift to all .You have given top class association even to unclassified persons like myself. Through the devotees, there is enthusiasm, tolerance, patience, humility and most importantly the bhakti that is flowing from their heart .It is contagious, once you have it you become overwhelmed by it. Thank you for bringing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya into our scope and vision within this ISKCON family .By your divine intervension, us conditioned souls get to hear topics about Krsna, assoociate with his pure devotees and serve them. What great a benediction is that. Please help me appreciate devotee association and serve them fully.
In the 4th Canto of the Bhagavatam, it is stated how the Spiritual master is an expert psychologist. Seeing my mundane propensity to speak topics of crows and frogs you have lovingly engaged me in studying Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam to purify my sinful consciousness. You are specialist in healing the heart and mind. Please help me continue taking the medicine needed to cure the ailements of kali yuga.
Although you have given me all these blessings ,I am still not sure what to do with them. Honestly speaking, I am a bit astonished at the greatness and depth of your love for spreading Krsna’s wonderful activities. Establising Krsna as the Supreme Lord is you life, hence you are the preacher for the age where we have forgotten all about our relationship with the lord.
Ascetics undergo severe penances, kings and brahmanas make elaborates sacrifices and wealthy businessmen make large donation to try to attract Krsna. However, bhakti practitioners such as Bhaktivinoda Thakur , Kolavecar Sridhar and the 6 goswamis of Vrindavana, humbly offered prayers and songs in loving devotion. For this Krsna personally appeared before them. Only the devotees of the lord can actually give one pure bhakti. No penance, austerity or material wealth can deliver one to Krsna.You are coming in that line and it is clear to see how Krsna is reciprocating with you through your preaching.
Our glorious master, Srila Prabhupada’s life was an example of selfless love for those just coming out of the grips of maya. You are like that. Pure bhakti forces you to give yourself. Everyone knows factually that you are extremely selfless. However ,for people like myself, how is it possible to get pure bhakti? You however have been so kind to come and reclaim my fallen soul. In my desperate cry I sometimes wonder if there is any hope for me in this lifetime. As days pass by, I look at the unlimited number of blessings I have from you. I thank you for your love.
Today Gurudeva I come to you again as a lowly beggar. You have a heart of a preacher and lover of God.I have nothing and I do not deserve anything. Please help me become more grateful for the riches of devotional service especially the holy name, Bhagavatam and the wonderful association of the devotees .Please help me develop a missionary spirit in devotional service.In 1969 of September 19,Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter and said: "When the Spiritual Master accepts a disciple and the disciple surrenders unto Him, He has got the responsibility of absorbing the sinful reaction of His disciples life. This is a great responsibility of the Spiritual Master."This is an extremely humbling fact to hear about the spiritual master and at the same time an example of your extraordinary mercy, compassion and love. My responsibility is to completely surrender 1000fold.
Nectar of Devotion explains the 3 types of hearts of a pure devotee.A heart like lak which melts when there is intense heat,a heart like butter,which melts with a bit of heat and lastly a heart like nectar.This type of heart flows eternally with streams of prema bhakti.Your heart is filled with nectar and that is why everyone who comes into your association drowns in the blessings you bestow.Thank you Gurudeva for giving us your heart,whichis always filled with uprors of Krsna Krsna.
Praying that I may become a real disciple and remain eternally a menial and chaste servant of my spiritual master.
Your servant
Swarupa shakti devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your Appearance day
Once again it is that time of the year where a disciple honours and remembers the causeless mercy bestowed by the spiritual master. To get darsan of the lord and his representatives is very difficult. Yogis ,religionists and philosophers may try to understand the absolute truth by engaging mental and intellectual austerities for millions and millions of births. However they do not know about the Causeless mercy that flows through the spiritual master. This is the process of bhakti. It flows through the hearts of the pure devotee That is how we may know the absolute truth, Krsna. In my little attempt to praise you, I have written tis prayer for your pleasure.
My dear spiritual master, for the past few years I have been trying to thank you for the life of extreme wealth you have given me but still I am so dull and steeped in ignorance. It is because of you that many of us are chanting the most sacred mantra and engaging in serving the most divine couple. Without any qualification to utter the holy name and being decorated with the intense qualities of kali you, you have engulfed the existenceof everyone you meet with the desire to become a pure lover of God. Please help me appreciate the wealth of bhakti and give it to others.
Gurudeva, you go beyond rules and regulation and give even untouchable souls the opportunity to know you, to know Srila Prabhupada and even Radha and Krsna. Your mercy has no bounds. The scripture declare so many times that the spiritual master is the representative of Sri Nityananda Rama, the eternally blissful original Personality of Godhead. That is who you represent and that is the mood you portray. You have transformed wild horses and first class kali yuga candidates to simple ,soft hearted devotees. Please further help me appreciate the wealth of bhakti and give it to others.
My dear spiritual teacher, the essence of what Srila Prabhupada gave us in Caitanya Caritamrta is your very special gift to all .You have given top class association even to unclassified persons like myself. Through the devotees, there is enthusiasm, tolerance, patience, humility and most importantly the bhakti that is flowing from their heart .It is contagious, once you have it you become overwhelmed by it. Thank you for bringing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya into our scope and vision within this ISKCON family .By your divine intervension, us conditioned souls get to hear topics about Krsna, assoociate with his pure devotees and serve them. What great a benediction is that. Please help me appreciate devotee association and serve them fully.
In the 4th Canto of the Bhagavatam, it is stated how the Spiritual master is an expert psychologist. Seeing my mundane propensity to speak topics of crows and frogs you have lovingly engaged me in studying Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam to purify my sinful consciousness. You are specialist in healing the heart and mind. Please help me continue taking the medicine needed to cure the ailements of kali yuga.
Although you have given me all these blessings ,I am still not sure what to do with them. Honestly speaking, I am a bit astonished at the greatness and depth of your love for spreading Krsna’s wonderful activities. Establising Krsna as the Supreme Lord is you life, hence you are the preacher for the age where we have forgotten all about our relationship with the lord.
Ascetics undergo severe penances, kings and brahmanas make elaborates sacrifices and wealthy businessmen make large donation to try to attract Krsna. However, bhakti practitioners such as Bhaktivinoda Thakur , Kolavecar Sridhar and the 6 goswamis of Vrindavana, humbly offered prayers and songs in loving devotion. For this Krsna personally appeared before them. Only the devotees of the lord can actually give one pure bhakti. No penance, austerity or material wealth can deliver one to Krsna.You are coming in that line and it is clear to see how Krsna is reciprocating with you through your preaching.
Our glorious master, Srila Prabhupada’s life was an example of selfless love for those just coming out of the grips of maya. You are like that. Pure bhakti forces you to give yourself. Everyone knows factually that you are extremely selfless. However ,for people like myself, how is it possible to get pure bhakti? You however have been so kind to come and reclaim my fallen soul. In my desperate cry I sometimes wonder if there is any hope for me in this lifetime. As days pass by, I look at the unlimited number of blessings I have from you. I thank you for your love.
Today Gurudeva I come to you again as a lowly beggar. You have a heart of a preacher and lover of God.I have nothing and I do not deserve anything. Please help me become more grateful for the riches of devotional service especially the holy name, Bhagavatam and the wonderful association of the devotees .Please help me develop a missionary spirit in devotional service.In 1969 of September 19,Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter and said: "When the Spiritual Master accepts a disciple and the disciple surrenders unto Him, He has got the responsibility of absorbing the sinful reaction of His disciples life. This is a great responsibility of the Spiritual Master."This is an extremely humbling fact to hear about the spiritual master and at the same time an example of your extraordinary mercy, compassion and love. My responsibility is to completely surrender 1000fold.
Nectar of Devotion explains the 3 types of hearts of a pure devotee.A heart like lak which melts when there is intense heat,a heart like butter,which melts with a bit of heat and lastly a heart like nectar.This type of heart flows eternally with streams of prema bhakti.Your heart is filled with nectar and that is why everyone who comes into your association drowns in the blessings you bestow.Thank you Gurudeva for giving us your heart,whichis always filled with uprors of Krsna Krsna.
Praying that I may become a real disciple and remain eternally a menial and chaste servant of my spiritual master.
Your servant
Swarupa shakti devi dasi
Syama Gauri dd
Dearest Guru Maharaj.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Whenever this special time of the year comes round, I get a sense of awe and reverence running though my head and heart days prior to your Vyasa puja. I guess it's because I know that I'd like to glorify my spiritual master in the most genuine way so he can understand what a special soul he is to the Lord and to many of us, his disciples. I want to show how valuable he is. But awe and reverence don't touch the heart, so I thought "OK, this time I want to speak from the heart, I just want to be for real". The only problem is that there are so many unpleasant, ill-motivated things in this heart that I had difficulty trying to find something presentable to glorify you by.
It is in many ways very humbling to write some adequate words of gratitude to you. You are a person who has everything because you have Krsna. You have Him with you always. What could this aspiring servant possibly give to you through words?
"Lord Kapila says that mayi manasam, a devotee whose mind is always fixed upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is called atmarama, or vidita-tattva. Atmarama means "one who rejoices in the self, or "one who enjoys in the spiritual atmosphere". "Atma", in the material sense, means the body or the mind, but when referring to one whose mind is fixed on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, atmarama means "one who is fixed in spiritual activities in relationship with the Supreme Soul"- purport to SB 3.27.26
Just as Krsna is self-satisfied and therefore doesn't need anything from His parts and parcels but allows us to serve Him, so also as His dear devotee you don't need the service of your disciples but you allow us to assist and serve you and in this way bring us closer to you and ultimately Krsna.
As I reflect back to the time I read my previous offering until today, I am grateful of all that's happened in my service because of you. I am grateful that despite all the unpleasant, ill-motivated things in my heart you have continued giving me service, pushing and motivating me in many ways, inspired me to work hard for Krsna's pleasure. I am grateful for you correcting me as a way of love and care , for showing me again and again that you're always there- I just need to always remember and follow your instructions.
You are always giving more to me than I do to you, in this way I remain in deep debt.
I know you like to see action in Krsna consciousness, you've often spoken of how dynamic bhakti is and how you'd like to see us absorb ourselves in it's dynamics. And so in this next year I would like to cultivate a spirit of fearless action in devotional service ( both for myself and for giving others Krsna consciousness). A mood where I am thinking how to make your service easier, how to think wider than my little schedule, how to enliven you through devotional activities.In all honesty Guru Maharaj, I want to become your reliable right hand assistant following the example of Visnu maya.
This offering is indeed inadequate to glorify you as you should be. However I have hope that simply following what you say and imbibing your mood for preaching I can one day thank you in the proper way, in the way you deserve, because you deserve the best Guru Maharaj. You give the best and are the best because you have Krsna. A most special vyasa puja Guru Maharaj.
Your aspiring servant and daughter.
Syama Gauri dd
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Whenever this special time of the year comes round, I get a sense of awe and reverence running though my head and heart days prior to your Vyasa puja. I guess it's because I know that I'd like to glorify my spiritual master in the most genuine way so he can understand what a special soul he is to the Lord and to many of us, his disciples. I want to show how valuable he is. But awe and reverence don't touch the heart, so I thought "OK, this time I want to speak from the heart, I just want to be for real". The only problem is that there are so many unpleasant, ill-motivated things in this heart that I had difficulty trying to find something presentable to glorify you by.
It is in many ways very humbling to write some adequate words of gratitude to you. You are a person who has everything because you have Krsna. You have Him with you always. What could this aspiring servant possibly give to you through words?
"Lord Kapila says that mayi manasam, a devotee whose mind is always fixed upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is called atmarama, or vidita-tattva. Atmarama means "one who rejoices in the self, or "one who enjoys in the spiritual atmosphere". "Atma", in the material sense, means the body or the mind, but when referring to one whose mind is fixed on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, atmarama means "one who is fixed in spiritual activities in relationship with the Supreme Soul"- purport to SB 3.27.26
Just as Krsna is self-satisfied and therefore doesn't need anything from His parts and parcels but allows us to serve Him, so also as His dear devotee you don't need the service of your disciples but you allow us to assist and serve you and in this way bring us closer to you and ultimately Krsna.
As I reflect back to the time I read my previous offering until today, I am grateful of all that's happened in my service because of you. I am grateful that despite all the unpleasant, ill-motivated things in my heart you have continued giving me service, pushing and motivating me in many ways, inspired me to work hard for Krsna's pleasure. I am grateful for you correcting me as a way of love and care , for showing me again and again that you're always there- I just need to always remember and follow your instructions.
You are always giving more to me than I do to you, in this way I remain in deep debt.
I know you like to see action in Krsna consciousness, you've often spoken of how dynamic bhakti is and how you'd like to see us absorb ourselves in it's dynamics. And so in this next year I would like to cultivate a spirit of fearless action in devotional service ( both for myself and for giving others Krsna consciousness). A mood where I am thinking how to make your service easier, how to think wider than my little schedule, how to enliven you through devotional activities.In all honesty Guru Maharaj, I want to become your reliable right hand assistant following the example of Visnu maya.
This offering is indeed inadequate to glorify you as you should be. However I have hope that simply following what you say and imbibing your mood for preaching I can one day thank you in the proper way, in the way you deserve, because you deserve the best Guru Maharaj. You give the best and are the best because you have Krsna. A most special vyasa puja Guru Maharaj.
Your aspiring servant and daughter.
Syama Gauri dd
Thakur Saranga Das
Namo om visnu padaya
Krishna presthaya bhutale
srmate devamrita
svami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca,
bhaktacara-pravinata,
pararthatapi karunyam,
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Gurudeva, on the most auspicious occasion of your appearance day, as your qualified disciples all around the world are glorifying you with perfectly chosen words enriched with their feelings,gratitude and realizations which evolved out of their dedicated lives full of service to you, I feel very wretched in my heart as I’ve come empty handed again, I still haven’t been able to collect any fragrant flower of self less devotional service for your pleasure.
Instead of engaging in your glorious service directly my hands still remain busy serving Krpana and Durjana for flickering happiness and false sense of security.Out of your causeless mercy you’ve still accepted my servitude and asked me "What to do everyday?" I mumbled..... and promised, " I'll chant atleast sixteen rounds on these bids....." I felt so relieved and protected under the shelter of your lotus feet.
Ever since then every morning your "vani" echoes in my ears during my japa," You must chant as if your life and others lives depend on it, because it does." I sit back straight, and try to utter every syllable of the mahamantra clearly so that i can hear and I know you are listening too sitting majestically like a king in the alter, visually present. How could I ever express my gratitude to you for giving me the priceless gift of Mahamantra?
In Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi-lila, 1.58 it says,
"Jive shakshat nahi tate guru caittya-rupe
shiksha-guru haya krishna-mahanta-svarupe"
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krishna Himself".
"Guru is there in the form of caita guru. He can not be visible. Krishna becomes a siksha guru in the shape of a mahanta guru".
Gurudeva,kindly bless me with the spiritual intelligence to actually realize Who You are? what is the real purpose of my insignificant life and please empower me with the courage and fearlessness to be an instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Your useless servant,
Thakur Saranga Das
Thomas Kelly-Curtin
Dear Devamrita Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Devamrita Maharaja, on this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to sincerely thank you for your kindness and unbounded generosity in reviving our Krsna consciousness. Despite so many austerities and despite the lack of gratitude sometimes shown in this age of kali, you nevertheless remain such a magnanimous benefactor of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy – year in and year out. The service of the spiritual master is such a selfless and merciful occupation.
You have given shelter to so many devotees, and are always nourishing their spiritual growth. This is evident in the care and attention you have invested in community development among the different ashrams and centres under your guidance. I am especially thankful for your having arranged for the expert mentorship and inspiration of Mahavana Prabhu among the men’s community here in Wellington. Maintaining one’s own Krsna consciousness in the beginning stages of sadhana bhakti is difficult enough, but you are so spiritually qualified that you are actively maintaining and increasing the spiritual life of countless such devotees. This is evidence of your unwavering position in pure devotional service, and deep commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s desires.
Indeed, we are all so fortunate to have met such an able-bodied captain, while wandering in this ocean of repeated birth and death. As the Srimad Bhagavatam describes, 11.20.17:
“The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.”
Such a qualified captain as yourself, who is expert in applying the sails of our ambitions to the winds of devotional service, is competent to navigate not just a few, but so many wayward charters safely back to Godhead. This is the selfless charge of the spiritual master, who is always endeavouring for others’ welfare.
You have sacrificed so much – indeed your very life, in serving Srila Prabhupada. Having placed your learning, your youthful potential, your ambitions and your worldly opportunities for success on the sacrificial fire, you have set such a wonderful example of surrender to devotional service. This is your greatest qualification, among so many countless fine qualities.
Devamrita Maharaja, you are such a perfect shelter, and I do not actually know my own good fortune in having been introduced to your mercy by your disciples. Your disciples are likened unto the honorary decorations worn by the nautical captain, embellishing your glories by their own symptoms of surrender to selfless devotional service. I am very grateful for the opportunity to live with and to learn from such sincere devotees. Thank you for that continued opportunity.
Because of your earnest commitment to Srila Prabhupada, and because of your unreserved attention to always fulfilling his desires, you have been able to make the greatest offering to your spiritual master. I would also like to be able offer something to you, although it can never compare to the tremendous sacrifice that you yourself have given. Nevertheless, I would sincerely like to try to become absorbed in devotional service, and to become more attentive to following the instructions for devotional service that you have given to me, in this way hoping to please you.
Aspiring for your service and shelter,
Your humble servant,
Thomas
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Devamrita Maharaja, on this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to sincerely thank you for your kindness and unbounded generosity in reviving our Krsna consciousness. Despite so many austerities and despite the lack of gratitude sometimes shown in this age of kali, you nevertheless remain such a magnanimous benefactor of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy – year in and year out. The service of the spiritual master is such a selfless and merciful occupation.
You have given shelter to so many devotees, and are always nourishing their spiritual growth. This is evident in the care and attention you have invested in community development among the different ashrams and centres under your guidance. I am especially thankful for your having arranged for the expert mentorship and inspiration of Mahavana Prabhu among the men’s community here in Wellington. Maintaining one’s own Krsna consciousness in the beginning stages of sadhana bhakti is difficult enough, but you are so spiritually qualified that you are actively maintaining and increasing the spiritual life of countless such devotees. This is evidence of your unwavering position in pure devotional service, and deep commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s desires.
Indeed, we are all so fortunate to have met such an able-bodied captain, while wandering in this ocean of repeated birth and death. As the Srimad Bhagavatam describes, 11.20.17:
“The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.”
Such a qualified captain as yourself, who is expert in applying the sails of our ambitions to the winds of devotional service, is competent to navigate not just a few, but so many wayward charters safely back to Godhead. This is the selfless charge of the spiritual master, who is always endeavouring for others’ welfare.
You have sacrificed so much – indeed your very life, in serving Srila Prabhupada. Having placed your learning, your youthful potential, your ambitions and your worldly opportunities for success on the sacrificial fire, you have set such a wonderful example of surrender to devotional service. This is your greatest qualification, among so many countless fine qualities.
Devamrita Maharaja, you are such a perfect shelter, and I do not actually know my own good fortune in having been introduced to your mercy by your disciples. Your disciples are likened unto the honorary decorations worn by the nautical captain, embellishing your glories by their own symptoms of surrender to selfless devotional service. I am very grateful for the opportunity to live with and to learn from such sincere devotees. Thank you for that continued opportunity.
Because of your earnest commitment to Srila Prabhupada, and because of your unreserved attention to always fulfilling his desires, you have been able to make the greatest offering to your spiritual master. I would also like to be able offer something to you, although it can never compare to the tremendous sacrifice that you yourself have given. Nevertheless, I would sincerely like to try to become absorbed in devotional service, and to become more attentive to following the instructions for devotional service that you have given to me, in this way hoping to please you.
Aspiring for your service and shelter,
Your humble servant,
Thomas
Tluhovsky Yuri and Manesha Fowdur
Dear Gurumaharaj
Please accept our humble obeissances and greetings at your Lotus Feet on this wonderful glorious day of your Vyasa Puja.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
When does a teacher become a teacher and pupil becomes a pupil? At that moment when the individual understands that he needs something, and that he requires something from another individual, and obtain the desired, and hand himself over to that individual, at that moment he becomes a pupil.
Karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah
prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam
" Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me."
Bg 2.7
In the material world after obtaining the desired skill, the pupil leaves the teacher. But the laws of comprehension of spiritual knowledge has a different nature where the disciple always remains disciple and during this process does not feel himself limitated in any way. There is a lot which depends on the disciple’s position. All depends on what he wants to learn by being at the feet of his Guru. The wrong position and even a true Guru may become a false Guru.
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you that never should this happen to us. Please guide us.
The Guru is the one who gives you knowledge. In the beginning for you it is knowledge that you can obtain from shastras. But with each year that passes, you understand, that the true divyagyan is deeper than just verses from books and then your vision of spiritual master also deepens and gratitude and love in the heart to His Lotus Feet grows little by little, drops by drops.
The spiritual master is not only one who gives dry academic knowledge on science of bhakti, but one who teaches the art of spiritual relations.
And that bliss that resides in his heart must become the lighthouse on our path, on which we keep our landmark
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you not to allow us to stop on this path. Please guide us.
A good disciple tries to feel his spiritual master in his life and does this by trying to realise his instructions.
You wrote : "No recommendation no initiation”. Is it that system is more important than individual? But from the heart you made me understand, that you are teaching us how to cooperate.
“ Your love to me shows itself in your ability to cooperate between yourselves.” Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for this lesson.
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you to instruct us and give us the potential to understand your words. Please guide us.
Thank you for being in our life, that you are always with us during our japa, when we fulfill our duties, when we are in difficulty and when the heart is full of happiness. Thank you.
With the hope of becoming good disciples one day,
your servants bhakta Tluhovsky Yuri and bhaktin Manesha Fowdur.
Please accept our humble obeissances and greetings at your Lotus Feet on this wonderful glorious day of your Vyasa Puja.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
When does a teacher become a teacher and pupil becomes a pupil? At that moment when the individual understands that he needs something, and that he requires something from another individual, and obtain the desired, and hand himself over to that individual, at that moment he becomes a pupil.
Karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah
prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam
" Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me."
Bg 2.7
In the material world after obtaining the desired skill, the pupil leaves the teacher. But the laws of comprehension of spiritual knowledge has a different nature where the disciple always remains disciple and during this process does not feel himself limitated in any way. There is a lot which depends on the disciple’s position. All depends on what he wants to learn by being at the feet of his Guru. The wrong position and even a true Guru may become a false Guru.
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you that never should this happen to us. Please guide us.
The Guru is the one who gives you knowledge. In the beginning for you it is knowledge that you can obtain from shastras. But with each year that passes, you understand, that the true divyagyan is deeper than just verses from books and then your vision of spiritual master also deepens and gratitude and love in the heart to His Lotus Feet grows little by little, drops by drops.
The spiritual master is not only one who gives dry academic knowledge on science of bhakti, but one who teaches the art of spiritual relations.
And that bliss that resides in his heart must become the lighthouse on our path, on which we keep our landmark
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you not to allow us to stop on this path. Please guide us.
A good disciple tries to feel his spiritual master in his life and does this by trying to realise his instructions.
You wrote : "No recommendation no initiation”. Is it that system is more important than individual? But from the heart you made me understand, that you are teaching us how to cooperate.
“ Your love to me shows itself in your ability to cooperate between yourselves.” Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for this lesson.
We fall at your Lotus Feet and pray to you to instruct us and give us the potential to understand your words. Please guide us.
Thank you for being in our life, that you are always with us during our japa, when we fulfill our duties, when we are in difficulty and when the heart is full of happiness. Thank you.
With the hope of becoming good disciples one day,
your servants bhakta Tluhovsky Yuri and bhaktin Manesha Fowdur.
Uddhava Dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of
your appearance . All glories to your service. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
namo oh visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
"I offer my respectfull obeisnces unto His Holliness Devamrita Swami
who is very dear to Lord Krsna having taken shelter at his lotus feet."
pacare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravintata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"Obeisnaces unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching,
competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
HEART MELTER
In the blink of an eye
another year has gone by
another opertunitie
for me to glorifie
my spiritual master
whom I owe my life
up until now
I didn't know what it was like
to have someone care
every step of the way
now I've got a debt
that's impossible to pay
when I get a disease
he's got the cure
the more I follow him
the more I feel pure
I was gonna build a home
in a dark well
she raised her eye-brow
and put me under her spell
but he saved me
from the witch called Maya
extinguishing the fires
of material desires
everything he touches
turns to gold
he melted my heart
it was frozen cold
now all I can do
is try really hard
to assist him in his service
to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!!!!
Thank you Gurudeva.
Aspiring to be your eternal servant and spiritual son,
Uddhava Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most auspicious day of
your appearance . All glories to your service. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
namo oh visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
"I offer my respectfull obeisnces unto His Holliness Devamrita Swami
who is very dear to Lord Krsna having taken shelter at his lotus feet."
pacare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravintata
pararthatapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
"Obeisnaces unto you who have all the qualities of unique skills in preaching,
competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion."
HEART MELTER
In the blink of an eye
another year has gone by
another opertunitie
for me to glorifie
my spiritual master
whom I owe my life
up until now
I didn't know what it was like
to have someone care
every step of the way
now I've got a debt
that's impossible to pay
when I get a disease
he's got the cure
the more I follow him
the more I feel pure
I was gonna build a home
in a dark well
she raised her eye-brow
and put me under her spell
but he saved me
from the witch called Maya
extinguishing the fires
of material desires
everything he touches
turns to gold
he melted my heart
it was frozen cold
now all I can do
is try really hard
to assist him in his service
to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!!!!
Thank you Gurudeva.
Aspiring to be your eternal servant and spiritual son,
Uddhava Dasa
Vaishnava Charan Dasa
nama om visnu- padaya
krsna pesthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita
swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parapatatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prahbupada,
All Glories to you Guru Dev,
I’m very fortunate to have your association and guidance in my life, without you I would have just been another mere statistic in world with collection of zeros. You have given value to these zeros and a meaningful purpose to my life by engaging me in Lord Caitaniya’s movement. I’m eternally indebted for your causeless mercy, although I have no qualifications or in depth understanding what it means to be part of Lord Caitaniya’s movement.
In your enlightening association there is not only hope for everyone, but the ultimate treasure which every soul is hankering after that is Krsna Prem. Your austere and sacrificial life to deliver the materially conditioned suffering souls is the supreme most welfare activity in spreading Krsna consciousness. Over the years I have practically seen during your visits to Melbourne Maha Prabhu Mandir, the sacrifice and efforts to deliver the conditioned souls, but also to make sure they are taken care nicely and to grow strongly in the path of Bhakti.
As Srila Prabhupada’s say’s in Bhagavad Gita
There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Krishna consciousness. ...if one tries to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world, he should be understood to be performing the best welfare activity. The Lord is automatically very pleased with him. If the Lord is pleased with him, what is left for him to achieve?
Thank you for your dedication, care and guidance Guru Dev.
Yours eternally indebted servant,
Vaishnava Charan Dasa
krsna pesthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita
swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parapatatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prahbupada,
All Glories to you Guru Dev,
I’m very fortunate to have your association and guidance in my life, without you I would have just been another mere statistic in world with collection of zeros. You have given value to these zeros and a meaningful purpose to my life by engaging me in Lord Caitaniya’s movement. I’m eternally indebted for your causeless mercy, although I have no qualifications or in depth understanding what it means to be part of Lord Caitaniya’s movement.
In your enlightening association there is not only hope for everyone, but the ultimate treasure which every soul is hankering after that is Krsna Prem. Your austere and sacrificial life to deliver the materially conditioned suffering souls is the supreme most welfare activity in spreading Krsna consciousness. Over the years I have practically seen during your visits to Melbourne Maha Prabhu Mandir, the sacrifice and efforts to deliver the conditioned souls, but also to make sure they are taken care nicely and to grow strongly in the path of Bhakti.
As Srila Prabhupada’s say’s in Bhagavad Gita
There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Krishna consciousness. ...if one tries to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world, he should be understood to be performing the best welfare activity. The Lord is automatically very pleased with him. If the Lord is pleased with him, what is left for him to achieve?
Thank you for your dedication, care and guidance Guru Dev.
Yours eternally indebted servant,
Vaishnava Charan Dasa
Vidyapati das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
This past June, I visited my parents as they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They had decided to renew their wedding vows to each other in front of their friends and their children. During the ceremony, they reflected on their first meetings with each other, and recounted a few stories of their early stages of falling in love. They gushed as they described what they felt was ‘love at first sight’.
Gurudeva, in a similar way, on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I often find that my mind is drawn to meditating on our initial meetings, and how those priceless encounters allowed me to experience for the first time in my life what it truly means to be loved.
Like a love smitten teenager, keeping notes of every detail and exchange they have with their beloved, I still remember the exact date that I first meet you. It was Sunday, the 9th of February, 2003. That evening you gave a Krishna Fest class at Gaura Yoga on the topic of frustrated love. I watched in amazement as you systematically dashed to pieces all my hopes of an unlimitedly fulfilling materialistic relationship. I hated everything you said, but only because I knew that what you were saying was so deeply true that I would not be able to see the world the same way again. Thanks to the miracle of modern mp3 recording, I have had the chance to listen to that same lecture over and over again since then, memorising all the points and analogies, and I have used that class of yours as the basis for many of my own Krishna Fest classes.
But Gurudeva, the amazing thing about you is that, after destroying my dreams for materialistic love, after pointing out that my endeavours to achieve pure love on a material level were hopeless, you gave me a taste of the real, practical alternative of spiritual love. That evening, after the meal, one of your disciples encouraged me, or rather coerced me, to have a personal meeting with you. You were sitting casually on a couch in what was then the office area at Gaura Yoga. We sat down on the ground at your feet as you inquired a little about my life and ambitions. You immediately assessed the situation, gave your diagnosis and offered a prescription. You explained to me that if I were really interested in helping to change the world, I first needed to work on myself. And to change myself required applying the Holy Name, and wrapping my intellect around Bhagavad Gita.
As I left Gaura Yoga that evening, I felt as if I had just met someone who truly cared for me. And as a result, I felt compelled to follow your prescription, because I owed it to you to take your words to heart. That evening you managed to reveal the mirage of materialistic love while simultaneously giving me my first taste of true spiritual love. Gurudeva, you are truly expert.
The next time I had the privilege of your association was the Gaura Purnima festival at Gaura Yoga. This time you approached me, to assess the progress of my treatment. I told you I was chanting regularly, I think I was chanting 16 rounds at that point. I also told you that I was cutting onion and garlic out of my diet. You asked about meat, and I said I was vegan. You asked about drugs, and I said I was straightedge. Then you asked whether I had any vices left. I sheepishly said “Well...I do have a girlfriend...” You then gave me some advice on how to wipe out that last vice; you told me to let my girlfriend know that I wasn’t interested in carnality any more, and that I wanted to have a relationship based on real, spiritual love. You said that if she really loved me, then she would understand. I was a little hesitant about your suggestions, though not because I disagreed. Internally I was thinking ‘yeah, right on, I agree’, but externally I was forced to reply with a ‘Well...I’m not sure about that.’
Why wasn’t I sure about that? Because, unbeknownst to you at the time, one of the sari wrapped ladies beside me was actually my girlfriend, dressed in the garb of a devotee. In that situation, I couldn’t directly and outwardly agree with your statements. As you pushed the issue, I continued with my reply of “I’m not sure about that” until you asked the question, “So, is your girlfriend here this evening?” We all were silent as my face went red and I pointed to the lady in the sari next to me. Immediately your arms went up in the air as you said “Oh, whoa, Hare Krishna!”
The very next morning the phone at our flat rang. It was a devotee from Gaura Yoga letting us know that you wanted my girlfriend and me to come over to your apartment for dinner with you that evening. That gesture alone won my heart, as it felt so full of compassion and love. I was more nervous and excited than any suitor preparing for a first date. And as a result of my nervousness, I certainly acted like a fool during that encounter. You encouraged my girlfriend and me to try to aim for something higher in our relationship, and to encourage each other in Krishna consciousness. You asked if we had any questions, and the only things I could think of asking were some stupid questions about the comfort of your devotional clothes, and whether you had personally met Srila Prabhupada. We then honoured prasadam together. You offered me a seat at the table beside you, while my girlfriend and a lady devotee took prasadam together on the floor. That evening you completely conquered my heart by your kindness and love. From that point on, I knew that I had no choice; I had to do whatever I could to reciprocate with your pure love which you showed towards me.
And now, many years on, my heart still melts whenever I receive an e-mail or phone call from you. As soon as I hear your voice on the phone I immediately feel all problems of the world fall to the wayside, removed by the knowledge that there is someone out there who truly loves me.
Why did I feel that these stories were suitable for the purpose of glorifying your wonderful qualities, Gurudeva? Because of all your amazing qualities, there is one quality which stands out to me as most amazing. That is your ability to immediately win the hearts of whomever you meet, and endear yourself to everyone who comes into your association.
This is something that I have had the chance to witness again and again; as people come along to one of your preaching centres, gain the amazing opportunity to meet you, and never forget it. Devotees who are cultivating often wait in anticipation to introduce their new contacts to you, because we know that you will be able to capture their hearts with your pure love for all living entities, just as you have won our hearts. I have seen so many contacts stumble along in spiritual life, up until the time they gained a moment of your association, and then I watched as they soared to new bhakti heights, strengthened by your loving words, feeling like they have had their first experiences of real love. In fact, we rely on your regular visits to pull our preaching contacts out of the muck.
Gurudeva, thank you for showing me real love. Please tolerate my faltering attempts to reciprocate, and I beg that I may one day also learn to love the way that you love others.
Your servant,
Vidyapati das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
This past June, I visited my parents as they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They had decided to renew their wedding vows to each other in front of their friends and their children. During the ceremony, they reflected on their first meetings with each other, and recounted a few stories of their early stages of falling in love. They gushed as they described what they felt was ‘love at first sight’.
Gurudeva, in a similar way, on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja, I often find that my mind is drawn to meditating on our initial meetings, and how those priceless encounters allowed me to experience for the first time in my life what it truly means to be loved.
Like a love smitten teenager, keeping notes of every detail and exchange they have with their beloved, I still remember the exact date that I first meet you. It was Sunday, the 9th of February, 2003. That evening you gave a Krishna Fest class at Gaura Yoga on the topic of frustrated love. I watched in amazement as you systematically dashed to pieces all my hopes of an unlimitedly fulfilling materialistic relationship. I hated everything you said, but only because I knew that what you were saying was so deeply true that I would not be able to see the world the same way again. Thanks to the miracle of modern mp3 recording, I have had the chance to listen to that same lecture over and over again since then, memorising all the points and analogies, and I have used that class of yours as the basis for many of my own Krishna Fest classes.
But Gurudeva, the amazing thing about you is that, after destroying my dreams for materialistic love, after pointing out that my endeavours to achieve pure love on a material level were hopeless, you gave me a taste of the real, practical alternative of spiritual love. That evening, after the meal, one of your disciples encouraged me, or rather coerced me, to have a personal meeting with you. You were sitting casually on a couch in what was then the office area at Gaura Yoga. We sat down on the ground at your feet as you inquired a little about my life and ambitions. You immediately assessed the situation, gave your diagnosis and offered a prescription. You explained to me that if I were really interested in helping to change the world, I first needed to work on myself. And to change myself required applying the Holy Name, and wrapping my intellect around Bhagavad Gita.
As I left Gaura Yoga that evening, I felt as if I had just met someone who truly cared for me. And as a result, I felt compelled to follow your prescription, because I owed it to you to take your words to heart. That evening you managed to reveal the mirage of materialistic love while simultaneously giving me my first taste of true spiritual love. Gurudeva, you are truly expert.
The next time I had the privilege of your association was the Gaura Purnima festival at Gaura Yoga. This time you approached me, to assess the progress of my treatment. I told you I was chanting regularly, I think I was chanting 16 rounds at that point. I also told you that I was cutting onion and garlic out of my diet. You asked about meat, and I said I was vegan. You asked about drugs, and I said I was straightedge. Then you asked whether I had any vices left. I sheepishly said “Well...I do have a girlfriend...” You then gave me some advice on how to wipe out that last vice; you told me to let my girlfriend know that I wasn’t interested in carnality any more, and that I wanted to have a relationship based on real, spiritual love. You said that if she really loved me, then she would understand. I was a little hesitant about your suggestions, though not because I disagreed. Internally I was thinking ‘yeah, right on, I agree’, but externally I was forced to reply with a ‘Well...I’m not sure about that.’
Why wasn’t I sure about that? Because, unbeknownst to you at the time, one of the sari wrapped ladies beside me was actually my girlfriend, dressed in the garb of a devotee. In that situation, I couldn’t directly and outwardly agree with your statements. As you pushed the issue, I continued with my reply of “I’m not sure about that” until you asked the question, “So, is your girlfriend here this evening?” We all were silent as my face went red and I pointed to the lady in the sari next to me. Immediately your arms went up in the air as you said “Oh, whoa, Hare Krishna!”
The very next morning the phone at our flat rang. It was a devotee from Gaura Yoga letting us know that you wanted my girlfriend and me to come over to your apartment for dinner with you that evening. That gesture alone won my heart, as it felt so full of compassion and love. I was more nervous and excited than any suitor preparing for a first date. And as a result of my nervousness, I certainly acted like a fool during that encounter. You encouraged my girlfriend and me to try to aim for something higher in our relationship, and to encourage each other in Krishna consciousness. You asked if we had any questions, and the only things I could think of asking were some stupid questions about the comfort of your devotional clothes, and whether you had personally met Srila Prabhupada. We then honoured prasadam together. You offered me a seat at the table beside you, while my girlfriend and a lady devotee took prasadam together on the floor. That evening you completely conquered my heart by your kindness and love. From that point on, I knew that I had no choice; I had to do whatever I could to reciprocate with your pure love which you showed towards me.
And now, many years on, my heart still melts whenever I receive an e-mail or phone call from you. As soon as I hear your voice on the phone I immediately feel all problems of the world fall to the wayside, removed by the knowledge that there is someone out there who truly loves me.
Why did I feel that these stories were suitable for the purpose of glorifying your wonderful qualities, Gurudeva? Because of all your amazing qualities, there is one quality which stands out to me as most amazing. That is your ability to immediately win the hearts of whomever you meet, and endear yourself to everyone who comes into your association.
This is something that I have had the chance to witness again and again; as people come along to one of your preaching centres, gain the amazing opportunity to meet you, and never forget it. Devotees who are cultivating often wait in anticipation to introduce their new contacts to you, because we know that you will be able to capture their hearts with your pure love for all living entities, just as you have won our hearts. I have seen so many contacts stumble along in spiritual life, up until the time they gained a moment of your association, and then I watched as they soared to new bhakti heights, strengthened by your loving words, feeling like they have had their first experiences of real love. In fact, we rely on your regular visits to pull our preaching contacts out of the muck.
Gurudeva, thank you for showing me real love. Please tolerate my faltering attempts to reciprocate, and I beg that I may one day also learn to love the way that you love others.
Your servant,
Vidyapati das
Vinita devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to begin by expressing my sincerist gratitude for all the mercy you have given me, all the care you have shown, and all the shelter you have provided me in your service.
I can't even imagine how degraded my life would now be had you not so kindly intervened. I remember during a Darshan in Melbourne, I came before you entangled in such a heavy burden of sinful life. With your transcendental vision, you saw through my despondency and tears and with the greatest compassion told me to chant Hare Krishna with determination. Somehow, with your faith in me, and your complete faith in the chanting of the Holy Name, I was able to do this. And now, as the dirt in my heart continues to clear, and rays of transcendental light are beginning to shine, I now share your complete and absolute faith in the chanting of the Holy Name, and above all, the necessity of giving it to others.
Gurudeva, I pray that one day I can understand even a fraction of your greatness, to comprehend how much light you are bringing to the world and how many lives you are saving. Even by your presence you are showering so much mercy on the world, what to speak of your preaching- your enlivening and thought-provoking lectures, your enthusiastic and heart-warming kirtanas, and the care and concern you have for your disciples, giving such personal and medicinal instructions.
Dear Gurudeva, thank you for working so hard to keep us inspired, to make Krishna Consciousness fun, and keep us advancing in devotional life. Thank you also for all the austerity you undergo, especially amidst the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
I pray for your continued mercy and guidance so that I may always remain in the shelter of devotional service and in the association of devotees, assisting in any way I can in this most precious work of giving Krishna to others.
Please help me to serve with more sincerity, devotion, and affection, and please forgive my offences.
Your aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to begin by expressing my sincerist gratitude for all the mercy you have given me, all the care you have shown, and all the shelter you have provided me in your service.
I can't even imagine how degraded my life would now be had you not so kindly intervened. I remember during a Darshan in Melbourne, I came before you entangled in such a heavy burden of sinful life. With your transcendental vision, you saw through my despondency and tears and with the greatest compassion told me to chant Hare Krishna with determination. Somehow, with your faith in me, and your complete faith in the chanting of the Holy Name, I was able to do this. And now, as the dirt in my heart continues to clear, and rays of transcendental light are beginning to shine, I now share your complete and absolute faith in the chanting of the Holy Name, and above all, the necessity of giving it to others.
Gurudeva, I pray that one day I can understand even a fraction of your greatness, to comprehend how much light you are bringing to the world and how many lives you are saving. Even by your presence you are showering so much mercy on the world, what to speak of your preaching- your enlivening and thought-provoking lectures, your enthusiastic and heart-warming kirtanas, and the care and concern you have for your disciples, giving such personal and medicinal instructions.
Dear Gurudeva, thank you for working so hard to keep us inspired, to make Krishna Consciousness fun, and keep us advancing in devotional life. Thank you also for all the austerity you undergo, especially amidst the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
I pray for your continued mercy and guidance so that I may always remain in the shelter of devotional service and in the association of devotees, assisting in any way I can in this most precious work of giving Krishna to others.
Please help me to serve with more sincerity, devotion, and affection, and please forgive my offences.
Your aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Visnu-maya devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I get on in my years of being your disciple, I want to offer you some sympathy and understanding for what you have to deal with throughout the whole world.
You travel from country to country to country, what one may naively judge as a luxuriant world tour. But as you have explained in a lecture a many: uncomfortable airplane seats, abominable food smells, the snoring passenger next to you, regurgitated dry air, the long flight, and kids crying, are no luxury time-and-time again. You chant louder on your beads, to avoid the glances of the lady a seat over. Your back suffers, you endure jet lag, but you accept the austerity.
You reach your destination, and are given a humble abode for one, two, or three or more days. A room that is sometimes so messy, or too bare. Many times falling short of your needs, you graciously accept with humility and appreciation. The next morning waking up, sometimes wondering where you are, you have to recollect your port of arrival. Constant intercontinental travel is perplexing on the subtle body, yet you tolerate for a higher purpose.
Your diet is very particular, and sometimes even without salt. Yet you accept what is offered by the attempts of those who cook. Your taste-buds are subjected to some weird creations at times, but you honor with gravity. You acknowledge the bodies limits and take good care, teaching others to do the same, but sometimes your health may suffer, that being part of the package of your exhausting lifestyle.
Intertwined throughout your day, you manage and lead ISKCON activities in Hawaii, South Africa, Russia, Pennsylvania, Australia and New Zealand. And those are just your zonal regions, yet you extend your compassion and expertise much wider than that. Your outreach is outstanding. You hear about your disciples crisis, and are expected to solve temple problems. You give some advice, but will they follow? An often thankless task you have.
I’ve seen you give three classes in one day. But I’m sure you’ve done more. Each new destination expecting you to give your fullest for the consecutive days you are there. Class, kirtan, and darshans, one after the other, and then again. I don’t blame them. Your classes are so profound and topical, your kirtans roaring with purity, and your association so sweet and instructive. You are HH Devamrta Swami. We love you.
Your lifestyle seems to operate like that of a nations president. Only yours is of the Vrndavan realm; much more important. The amount of traveling, managing, and countries you have to deal with, for most of us, this lifestyle would be impossible. And I’m sure it is, but you transcend this with the vibrancy of an activist, the determination of the little sparrow, and the extraordinary success of our parampara.
You switch cultures, you change languages, and you tolerate dial-up! You even interchange SIM cards between countries, so you can constantly manage the affairs of projects, and to communicate personally with your disciples. No matter where you are in the world, you are always right there with us, selflessly serving and advising via text, email, skype, video, telephone, and in person.
You find the time to relish Srila Prabhupadas books, and chant your japa. This exemplifies your staunchness and steadfastness. You live by example which gives much emphasis to your fine devotional character and firm adherence to your life's purpose. Changing time-zones is no easy thing. Chanting 16 rounds, when its actually midnight in the country you were in yesterday is all out devotion to the Holy Name.
Guru Maharaja, your lifestyle is incredible. You carry such a big load. Most of which we don’t have a clue about. In appreciation of your hard work, I would like to give more and take less. Please share your transcendental burden with me, and make me an eternal candidate for your instructions so I can assist you birth after birth.
Aspiring for a drop of what you have.
Your daughter & servant,
Visnu-maya devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I get on in my years of being your disciple, I want to offer you some sympathy and understanding for what you have to deal with throughout the whole world.
You travel from country to country to country, what one may naively judge as a luxuriant world tour. But as you have explained in a lecture a many: uncomfortable airplane seats, abominable food smells, the snoring passenger next to you, regurgitated dry air, the long flight, and kids crying, are no luxury time-and-time again. You chant louder on your beads, to avoid the glances of the lady a seat over. Your back suffers, you endure jet lag, but you accept the austerity.
You reach your destination, and are given a humble abode for one, two, or three or more days. A room that is sometimes so messy, or too bare. Many times falling short of your needs, you graciously accept with humility and appreciation. The next morning waking up, sometimes wondering where you are, you have to recollect your port of arrival. Constant intercontinental travel is perplexing on the subtle body, yet you tolerate for a higher purpose.
Your diet is very particular, and sometimes even without salt. Yet you accept what is offered by the attempts of those who cook. Your taste-buds are subjected to some weird creations at times, but you honor with gravity. You acknowledge the bodies limits and take good care, teaching others to do the same, but sometimes your health may suffer, that being part of the package of your exhausting lifestyle.
Intertwined throughout your day, you manage and lead ISKCON activities in Hawaii, South Africa, Russia, Pennsylvania, Australia and New Zealand. And those are just your zonal regions, yet you extend your compassion and expertise much wider than that. Your outreach is outstanding. You hear about your disciples crisis, and are expected to solve temple problems. You give some advice, but will they follow? An often thankless task you have.
I’ve seen you give three classes in one day. But I’m sure you’ve done more. Each new destination expecting you to give your fullest for the consecutive days you are there. Class, kirtan, and darshans, one after the other, and then again. I don’t blame them. Your classes are so profound and topical, your kirtans roaring with purity, and your association so sweet and instructive. You are HH Devamrta Swami. We love you.
Your lifestyle seems to operate like that of a nations president. Only yours is of the Vrndavan realm; much more important. The amount of traveling, managing, and countries you have to deal with, for most of us, this lifestyle would be impossible. And I’m sure it is, but you transcend this with the vibrancy of an activist, the determination of the little sparrow, and the extraordinary success of our parampara.
You switch cultures, you change languages, and you tolerate dial-up! You even interchange SIM cards between countries, so you can constantly manage the affairs of projects, and to communicate personally with your disciples. No matter where you are in the world, you are always right there with us, selflessly serving and advising via text, email, skype, video, telephone, and in person.
You find the time to relish Srila Prabhupadas books, and chant your japa. This exemplifies your staunchness and steadfastness. You live by example which gives much emphasis to your fine devotional character and firm adherence to your life's purpose. Changing time-zones is no easy thing. Chanting 16 rounds, when its actually midnight in the country you were in yesterday is all out devotion to the Holy Name.
Guru Maharaja, your lifestyle is incredible. You carry such a big load. Most of which we don’t have a clue about. In appreciation of your hard work, I would like to give more and take less. Please share your transcendental burden with me, and make me an eternal candidate for your instructions so I can assist you birth after birth.
Aspiring for a drop of what you have.
Your daughter & servant,
Visnu-maya devi dasi.
Vraja Dhama das and Bhakti Candrika d.d
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to You on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Thank you Gurudeva for over a decade of inspiration, encouragement and kindness. The transcendental insight and ecstasy you express through your lectures and kirtans is an essential source of enlightenment and motivation.
It is a great fortune to have the opportunity to meditate on the divine qualities of the great and saintly personalities in our Guru Parampara. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has given us everything. Almost singlehandedly He has given us the scriptures,the science,the art and culture on how to make spiritual advancement in Krishna Consciousness. And You Srila Gurudeva are giving us Srila Prabhupada. We are connected to Srila Prabhupada most intensely through your connection to Him.Years of experience in applying Srila Prabhupada's teachings and pushing on His mission makes your expertise and instruction obviously most valuable for one's spiritual practice. Your personal advice for me has always been timely, sobering and in hind sight -my saving grace.
You always manage to teach us our hard-to learn lessons in an amusing and charming way.You can distract us enough so that when the needle goes in,we don't even feel it. This is your expertise and your love. Your ability to tread ever so lightly and entertain and amuse us in your presentations and lectures,whilst the inner surgery on the illusioned mind takes place simultaneously is something you have developed to an art form. May we all develop the capacity to learn that art from you Gurudeva and become instruments in your orchestra.
As the years roll by and life passes youth and begins it's descent on the downward slope there are few things that can be considered really cherishable. Witnessing or hearing about the transcendental qualities of the saintly persons is one of the few things that can be really cherished and relished by the heart. We are always keen to hear of your transcendental qualities.
Here is one small incident that I heard about here in Australia for the pleasure of the assembled devotees.One time you were encouraging a young man to take up the principles of devotional service. This requires a lot of love and giving of oneself-both of which you do persistently. After some encouragement he came to the point of practicing Krishna Consciousness,though he was initiated finally by another outstanding spiritual master within the movement-one of your God-brothers. Later that young man thoughtfully approached you and apologized to you,as you had spent some time and effort cultivating him,yet in the end he took initiation from your God-brother. Your reply displayed both your humor and your humility-you said to him,"That is because you have good taste".
So may we continue to grow in our relationship with you as our spiritual master and well-wishing friend -in service,surrender and submissive inquiry. Longing to be effective instruments in your service to Srila Prabhupada's mission-your aspiring servants Vraja Dhama das and Bhakti Candrika d.d
Please accept our humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to You on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Thank you Gurudeva for over a decade of inspiration, encouragement and kindness. The transcendental insight and ecstasy you express through your lectures and kirtans is an essential source of enlightenment and motivation.
It is a great fortune to have the opportunity to meditate on the divine qualities of the great and saintly personalities in our Guru Parampara. His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has given us everything. Almost singlehandedly He has given us the scriptures,the science,the art and culture on how to make spiritual advancement in Krishna Consciousness. And You Srila Gurudeva are giving us Srila Prabhupada. We are connected to Srila Prabhupada most intensely through your connection to Him.Years of experience in applying Srila Prabhupada's teachings and pushing on His mission makes your expertise and instruction obviously most valuable for one's spiritual practice. Your personal advice for me has always been timely, sobering and in hind sight -my saving grace.
You always manage to teach us our hard-to learn lessons in an amusing and charming way.You can distract us enough so that when the needle goes in,we don't even feel it. This is your expertise and your love. Your ability to tread ever so lightly and entertain and amuse us in your presentations and lectures,whilst the inner surgery on the illusioned mind takes place simultaneously is something you have developed to an art form. May we all develop the capacity to learn that art from you Gurudeva and become instruments in your orchestra.
As the years roll by and life passes youth and begins it's descent on the downward slope there are few things that can be considered really cherishable. Witnessing or hearing about the transcendental qualities of the saintly persons is one of the few things that can be really cherished and relished by the heart. We are always keen to hear of your transcendental qualities.
Here is one small incident that I heard about here in Australia for the pleasure of the assembled devotees.One time you were encouraging a young man to take up the principles of devotional service. This requires a lot of love and giving of oneself-both of which you do persistently. After some encouragement he came to the point of practicing Krishna Consciousness,though he was initiated finally by another outstanding spiritual master within the movement-one of your God-brothers. Later that young man thoughtfully approached you and apologized to you,as you had spent some time and effort cultivating him,yet in the end he took initiation from your God-brother. Your reply displayed both your humor and your humility-you said to him,"That is because you have good taste".
So may we continue to grow in our relationship with you as our spiritual master and well-wishing friend -in service,surrender and submissive inquiry. Longing to be effective instruments in your service to Srila Prabhupada's mission-your aspiring servants Vraja Dhama das and Bhakti Candrika d.d
Vraja Nari dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am praying at your lotus feet to be able to say something pleasing to you.
müakaà karoti väcälam
païguà laìghayate girim
yat-kåpä tam ahaà vande
Çré-guruà déna-täraëam
“By the mercy of the spiritual master a lame man can cross mountains, a blind man can see the stars in the sky, and a dumb man can recite eloquent poetry.”
How could I possible contribute to prayers that pure devotees have sung, which express their heartfelt devotion and submissiveness felt for the acaryas and the pure desire to serve their instructions as their own hearts and soul.
They also deeply and profoundly described the divine qualities of acaryas like you.
In ‘Çré Guru Caraë Kamal’, a devotee prays:
çré guru caraë kamal bhaja mana,
guru kåpä binä nahià koi sädhana-bala,
bhaja mana bhaja anukñaëa
"O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the bonafide spiritual master. Without receiving the mercy of the pure devotee, one will not have the potency to execute regulative spiritual practices. Therefore, O my dear mind, I urge you to worship him, please worship him at every moment."
Dear Gurudeva, what strength does the conditioned soul have?
The jiva baddha is tied up tightly with the ropes of the material energy and is acting completely under her control. His thoughts, actions, likes and dislikes are determined in that way and alone there is no hope for escape.
So is it not more than a bad joke when people speak of freedom? Slogans like: ‘be free!’, ‘enjoy!’ describe the mood of current days. The simple meaning behind them is to be free to degrade your self in any way you want and to enjoy through the mode of ignorance and if you are still not numb enough put some intoxication on top. In this way most of the conditioned souls are preparing themselves to descend in the plant or animal kingdom.
In such a world, what chance does genuine spirituality have?
In days when ignorance is glorified and blasphemy goes under the label of religion, when people spit on the thought of joining an ‘organized’ religion and following it’s scriptures, when everyone is God and nonsense avatars flood the world with misleading teachings, when saints and what they have left for us out of their pure compassion is ridiculed.
In these days you are reestablishing the highest religious principles and make us, the burned remnants of bygone ages, into lovers of Krishna and bring us back home.
What a Herculean task to make our mind a pure devotee of the Lord.
Most of us come to you with the most horrific impersonal concepts and with hearts full of pain and frustration.
Many of us have thoroughly experienced indulgement in Kali Yuga’s vices. All our determination has been shattered, we have left behind our dignity and self-esteem, our innocence has been given up long ago and our health has been ruined.
Then, exhausted and desperate we approach you.
Thus ‘Çré Guru Caraë Kamal’ continues:
çruti-småti iti bhäñya sabhé mile,
dekhata spañöa pramäëa
tana-mana-jévana guru-pade arpaëa,
sadä çré hari-näma raöana
"O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the bonafide spiritual master. His glories are clearly confirmed by the assembly of çruti-çästras, småti-çästras, as well as in the commentaries of the great äcäryas. Just offer your body, mind, and life itself at the lotus feet of Çré Guru and always remain engaged in the chanting of Çré Hari-näm."
Your mercy, compassion, expertise and all your other transcendental qualities are inconceivable as is your success to make the conditioned soul a servant of the Lord.
Only a pure servant of Guru and Gauranga can be that powerful through Their empowerment.
“Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.”
Travelling the world you are transforming it and by meeting you our hearts transform.
How causeless and inconceivable my fortune is to meet you Gurudeva.
Today I want to thank you, I want to thank you so much for saving me.
Please forgive me for my uselessness. My heart is burning in the shame I feel for not being able to let go of all that which holds me back from becoming a recipient of your unlimited mercy and in that way be an extension of your divine will.
But I will keep trying!
Desiring to love you more than my life,
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am praying at your lotus feet to be able to say something pleasing to you.
müakaà karoti väcälam
païguà laìghayate girim
yat-kåpä tam ahaà vande
Çré-guruà déna-täraëam
“By the mercy of the spiritual master a lame man can cross mountains, a blind man can see the stars in the sky, and a dumb man can recite eloquent poetry.”
How could I possible contribute to prayers that pure devotees have sung, which express their heartfelt devotion and submissiveness felt for the acaryas and the pure desire to serve their instructions as their own hearts and soul.
They also deeply and profoundly described the divine qualities of acaryas like you.
In ‘Çré Guru Caraë Kamal’, a devotee prays:
çré guru caraë kamal bhaja mana,
guru kåpä binä nahià koi sädhana-bala,
bhaja mana bhaja anukñaëa
"O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the bonafide spiritual master. Without receiving the mercy of the pure devotee, one will not have the potency to execute regulative spiritual practices. Therefore, O my dear mind, I urge you to worship him, please worship him at every moment."
Dear Gurudeva, what strength does the conditioned soul have?
The jiva baddha is tied up tightly with the ropes of the material energy and is acting completely under her control. His thoughts, actions, likes and dislikes are determined in that way and alone there is no hope for escape.
So is it not more than a bad joke when people speak of freedom? Slogans like: ‘be free!’, ‘enjoy!’ describe the mood of current days. The simple meaning behind them is to be free to degrade your self in any way you want and to enjoy through the mode of ignorance and if you are still not numb enough put some intoxication on top. In this way most of the conditioned souls are preparing themselves to descend in the plant or animal kingdom.
In such a world, what chance does genuine spirituality have?
In days when ignorance is glorified and blasphemy goes under the label of religion, when people spit on the thought of joining an ‘organized’ religion and following it’s scriptures, when everyone is God and nonsense avatars flood the world with misleading teachings, when saints and what they have left for us out of their pure compassion is ridiculed.
In these days you are reestablishing the highest religious principles and make us, the burned remnants of bygone ages, into lovers of Krishna and bring us back home.
What a Herculean task to make our mind a pure devotee of the Lord.
Most of us come to you with the most horrific impersonal concepts and with hearts full of pain and frustration.
Many of us have thoroughly experienced indulgement in Kali Yuga’s vices. All our determination has been shattered, we have left behind our dignity and self-esteem, our innocence has been given up long ago and our health has been ruined.
Then, exhausted and desperate we approach you.
Thus ‘Çré Guru Caraë Kamal’ continues:
çruti-småti iti bhäñya sabhé mile,
dekhata spañöa pramäëa
tana-mana-jévana guru-pade arpaëa,
sadä çré hari-näma raöana
"O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the bonafide spiritual master. His glories are clearly confirmed by the assembly of çruti-çästras, småti-çästras, as well as in the commentaries of the great äcäryas. Just offer your body, mind, and life itself at the lotus feet of Çré Guru and always remain engaged in the chanting of Çré Hari-näm."
Your mercy, compassion, expertise and all your other transcendental qualities are inconceivable as is your success to make the conditioned soul a servant of the Lord.
Only a pure servant of Guru and Gauranga can be that powerful through Their empowerment.
“Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.”
Travelling the world you are transforming it and by meeting you our hearts transform.
How causeless and inconceivable my fortune is to meet you Gurudeva.
Today I want to thank you, I want to thank you so much for saving me.
Please forgive me for my uselessness. My heart is burning in the shame I feel for not being able to let go of all that which holds me back from becoming a recipient of your unlimited mercy and in that way be an extension of your divine will.
But I will keep trying!
Desiring to love you more than my life,
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dasi
Vrajabasi bandhu das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today is your appearance day. Ukrainian festival was finished a few days ago. I always feel so bad after your leaving. I miss you, but I am waiting for next meetings and it is my hope to be happy.
“A karmi suffers the result of his own fruitive reactions, whereas a devotee is reformed by chastisement directed by the Lord Himself. The sufferings of an orphan and the sufferings of a beloved child of a king are not one and the same. An orphan is really poor because he has no one to take care of him, but a beloved son of a rich man, although he appears to be on the same level as the orphan, is always under the vigilance of his capable father.”
(S.B. 1.5.19)
I was an orphan during my previous lifes. Now I feel like a beloved child of a king, because I am your son and you are my spiritual father. Thank you for everything.
I am following yours footsteps and calling: Krishna, Krishna!
Aspiring to be a grateful servant,
Vrajabasi bandhu das
Please accept my most prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today is your appearance day. Ukrainian festival was finished a few days ago. I always feel so bad after your leaving. I miss you, but I am waiting for next meetings and it is my hope to be happy.
“A karmi suffers the result of his own fruitive reactions, whereas a devotee is reformed by chastisement directed by the Lord Himself. The sufferings of an orphan and the sufferings of a beloved child of a king are not one and the same. An orphan is really poor because he has no one to take care of him, but a beloved son of a rich man, although he appears to be on the same level as the orphan, is always under the vigilance of his capable father.”
(S.B. 1.5.19)
I was an orphan during my previous lifes. Now I feel like a beloved child of a king, because I am your son and you are my spiritual father. Thank you for everything.
I am following yours footsteps and calling: Krishna, Krishna!
Aspiring to be a grateful servant,
Vrajabasi bandhu das
Vrindaranya devi dasi
Dearest Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa puja.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There is nothing I can say to properly glorify your activities and qualities, even if half my brain cells hadn't evaporated due to pregnancy and motherhood, my attempts would still be feeble and lacking any substantial depth.
Anyone who is fortunate enough to have had your personal association knows that you are the embodiment of all exemplary qualities, especially that of mercy. Thank you for being ever so kind and merciful to myself and the Aranya family. Thankyou for giving your valuable time to pick us up from the path of illusion and inspiring the devotional creeper within our hearts.
I always appreciate the practical advice you give us on how to maintain Krishna consciousness within our family. Your words, guidance and care act as a bubble protecting us from becoming immersed in material life and household affairs. Your presence is like a torch light cutting through the darkness of such a degraded time, helping us to see what is actually real and important in life and to cultivate a mood of service and love to the devotees, our Gurumaharaja and ultimately our supreme Lord Krishna.
Your lowly servant
Vrindaranya devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa puja.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There is nothing I can say to properly glorify your activities and qualities, even if half my brain cells hadn't evaporated due to pregnancy and motherhood, my attempts would still be feeble and lacking any substantial depth.
Anyone who is fortunate enough to have had your personal association knows that you are the embodiment of all exemplary qualities, especially that of mercy. Thank you for being ever so kind and merciful to myself and the Aranya family. Thankyou for giving your valuable time to pick us up from the path of illusion and inspiring the devotional creeper within our hearts.
I always appreciate the practical advice you give us on how to maintain Krishna consciousness within our family. Your words, guidance and care act as a bubble protecting us from becoming immersed in material life and household affairs. Your presence is like a torch light cutting through the darkness of such a degraded time, helping us to see what is actually real and important in life and to cultivate a mood of service and love to the devotees, our Gurumaharaja and ultimately our supreme Lord Krishna.
Your lowly servant
Vrindaranya devi dasi
Yadu raya das
Dear Gurudeva
Please except my humble obeisance
All glores to Srila prabhupada
In this years offering I would like to share a little story for your pleasure, one that resounds with what you are doing and are trying to teach us your disciples and aspiring disciples.
Its centers around a conversation at the lunch meeting for the "Sustainble network "at Auckland uni, in the course of a conversation with Stu ( one of our most dedicated lunch takers and work shop attendents) , the topic of what your spiritual master was doing when he came to the west and the instruction he carried in his heart from his own spiritual master came up. Stu was attentive and he seemed to relish what I told him, then natrually I mentioned you and what you have been doing with your whole life , his eyes widened and he leaned ever closer across the table and asked "So Yadu if I understand you correctly there is a bit of a revolutionary spirit in the Hare Krsna way of doing things?"
I emmediatly said "yes" and to mine and his friends surprise, he sprung from his seat ,clenching his fist and shouted "YES" we all laughed and to see the grin on his face was indeed humorous ,but at that point I realised again your genious and ability to pass the ball that Srila Prabhupada has handed you. Now you are tryng to give it to us , the people are hungry , but they dot not no exactly what for ! , its a revolution they want and you have such insight into the revolution Prabhupada wanted .I only hope we can catch the ball as a team ,and do even just a little of what you are asking .
One other thing i would would like to say In glorification of you and i do so because it makes me proud to be your disciple ,is a comment by one of your own God brothers , he said to me he was happy to see the western bramacaris in India, and that it was testimony to your intelligence , yes Gurudeva your a genious and you are keeping Prabhupadas spiritual revolution alive.
May we all serve you in this revolution!
Your servant
Yadu raya das
Please except my humble obeisance
All glores to Srila prabhupada
In this years offering I would like to share a little story for your pleasure, one that resounds with what you are doing and are trying to teach us your disciples and aspiring disciples.
Its centers around a conversation at the lunch meeting for the "Sustainble network "at Auckland uni, in the course of a conversation with Stu ( one of our most dedicated lunch takers and work shop attendents) , the topic of what your spiritual master was doing when he came to the west and the instruction he carried in his heart from his own spiritual master came up. Stu was attentive and he seemed to relish what I told him, then natrually I mentioned you and what you have been doing with your whole life , his eyes widened and he leaned ever closer across the table and asked "So Yadu if I understand you correctly there is a bit of a revolutionary spirit in the Hare Krsna way of doing things?"
I emmediatly said "yes" and to mine and his friends surprise, he sprung from his seat ,clenching his fist and shouted "YES" we all laughed and to see the grin on his face was indeed humorous ,but at that point I realised again your genious and ability to pass the ball that Srila Prabhupada has handed you. Now you are tryng to give it to us , the people are hungry , but they dot not no exactly what for ! , its a revolution they want and you have such insight into the revolution Prabhupada wanted .I only hope we can catch the ball as a team ,and do even just a little of what you are asking .
One other thing i would would like to say In glorification of you and i do so because it makes me proud to be your disciple ,is a comment by one of your own God brothers , he said to me he was happy to see the western bramacaris in India, and that it was testimony to your intelligence , yes Gurudeva your a genious and you are keeping Prabhupadas spiritual revolution alive.
May we all serve you in this revolution!
Your servant
Yadu raya das
Yasodeva das
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on your appearance day!
I can’t help but be amazed by everything that you do in the Lord’s service. Sometimes I wonder, “How is it that Guru Maharaj is such a phenomenal devotee?”
Is it the way he wears his chaddar wrapped delicately around his chest and over his head, never once slipping from its position upon his broad shoulders? Or is it the way he leans back very slowly in his chair, with eyes closed and chin slightly raised, signaling his concentration on some confidential subject?
Or perhaps it is that incredible laugh which has all the strength of a lion’s roar, yet is so endearing, and the very sound of it is sufficient to dispel all of our demons in the form of doubts. That laugh, which softens the countenance of the stone-hearted atheists and which is the clarion call for all of his sons and daughters, certainly that must be the crux of his influence. We would gladly give and honest portion of our pride and illusion in exchange for one of those laughs, the bassy-undertones of which are never rushed but always end too soon.
And surely the way he walks is especially significant. He has the steady gait of a conqueror, complimented with the patience of a perfect gentleman. His movements are impeccable and free from frivolity. His grace, poise and gentleness seem to contradict the demeanor of an archetypal ruler, but as yet his powerful stature has never diminished by such courtesy. Rather, his strong nature is immediately recognized by anyone who contemplates the precision of his actions.
Of course, his speech plays an essential role in defining his magnificent character. But how could something which has no comparison be accurately described? Thus it is pertinent to first say that everyone is mesmerized by his power of speech. It’s not simply because his words carry the full force of the entire Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya, or because those words are bolstered by the mature convictions of a veteran preacher, but also because his means of deliverance, which is always choice poetry, constitutes the gamut of his selfless compassion. Combined with his wit, sensitivity and insurmountable intelligence, it’s like music to our ears, it causes our hearts to sing and this symphonic combination surpasses all mundane vibration and takes precedence as the soundtrack of our lives. The words emanating from his lotus mouth are our treasure and we are striving to inherit this gift without any pretence. Guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa…
I’ve only begun to consider his transcendental qualities but so much more could be said! Like the way he never hides his blissful smile, the way his glance pierces through all of my gross and subtle coverings, the way he dances so enthusiastically with his Godbrothers, his expertise in testing my limits, his gravity, his perfectly timed encouragements, his attention to detail, the way he says, ‘Krishna! Krishna!’ when he’s enjoyed his lunch prasadam, the way he folds his arms underneath his top-cloth, the way he admires the Deity, the way he knows better than I do that I’m desperately trying to impress him with so many hyperbolic, bombastic and long-winded adjectives, the way he forgives my offenses, the way he sings Jaya Radha-Madhava with such intensity, and the way he sometimes says ‘Thank you’ even though I don’t deserve it…
Srila Gurudeva you are an ocean of auspicious qualities. Kalyana-gunarnavasya. Regrettably, due to the influence of familiarity, I used to think that ‘If I could just imitate some of these qualities and characteristics then surely I would attain power, influence and a position equal to Gurudeva’s! Or even greater…’ Thus I had purchased a position in hell, from which you have kindly saved me again and again. Now the dawn of understanding has arisen over the ocean of your auspicious qualities and I can see clearly that it is not a shallow pool of superficialities fit for the speculative reasoning of some conditioned soul, rather it is essentially a fathomless of depth of love for Krishna, manifesting a gargantuan mercy cloud with tremendous capability! An immaculate vessel just suitable for the wanton precipitation of Divine Love! With a scope to completely drown in Krsna-prema any fettered creature who has sense enough to turn his head towards the sky and gawk in amazement. Such magnificence! Gurudeva, you are like a hurricane of mercy! With ample potency to inundate the blazing fire of worldliness and completely snuff out our so-called material existence. Samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam…
Thus your true nature is understood, that you are not dependant on some materially perceived characteristics in order to serve the Lord as our Spiritual Master, but that you are very, very dear to Him because of your devotion; therefore you are qualified to represent Him. That is a quality which can not be imitated…
Dear Gurudeva, please do not consider these words to be exaggeration. I am actually insane because of the high fever of bhava-roga and you are the only doctor capable of administering my medicine. So I am begging you to consider me your property and to give me special shelter under your lotus feet, just as a compassionate father provides all protection for a helpless orphan.
Your aspiring servant,
- Yasodeva das
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on your appearance day!
I can’t help but be amazed by everything that you do in the Lord’s service. Sometimes I wonder, “How is it that Guru Maharaj is such a phenomenal devotee?”
Is it the way he wears his chaddar wrapped delicately around his chest and over his head, never once slipping from its position upon his broad shoulders? Or is it the way he leans back very slowly in his chair, with eyes closed and chin slightly raised, signaling his concentration on some confidential subject?
Or perhaps it is that incredible laugh which has all the strength of a lion’s roar, yet is so endearing, and the very sound of it is sufficient to dispel all of our demons in the form of doubts. That laugh, which softens the countenance of the stone-hearted atheists and which is the clarion call for all of his sons and daughters, certainly that must be the crux of his influence. We would gladly give and honest portion of our pride and illusion in exchange for one of those laughs, the bassy-undertones of which are never rushed but always end too soon.
And surely the way he walks is especially significant. He has the steady gait of a conqueror, complimented with the patience of a perfect gentleman. His movements are impeccable and free from frivolity. His grace, poise and gentleness seem to contradict the demeanor of an archetypal ruler, but as yet his powerful stature has never diminished by such courtesy. Rather, his strong nature is immediately recognized by anyone who contemplates the precision of his actions.
Of course, his speech plays an essential role in defining his magnificent character. But how could something which has no comparison be accurately described? Thus it is pertinent to first say that everyone is mesmerized by his power of speech. It’s not simply because his words carry the full force of the entire Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya, or because those words are bolstered by the mature convictions of a veteran preacher, but also because his means of deliverance, which is always choice poetry, constitutes the gamut of his selfless compassion. Combined with his wit, sensitivity and insurmountable intelligence, it’s like music to our ears, it causes our hearts to sing and this symphonic combination surpasses all mundane vibration and takes precedence as the soundtrack of our lives. The words emanating from his lotus mouth are our treasure and we are striving to inherit this gift without any pretence. Guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa…
I’ve only begun to consider his transcendental qualities but so much more could be said! Like the way he never hides his blissful smile, the way his glance pierces through all of my gross and subtle coverings, the way he dances so enthusiastically with his Godbrothers, his expertise in testing my limits, his gravity, his perfectly timed encouragements, his attention to detail, the way he says, ‘Krishna! Krishna!’ when he’s enjoyed his lunch prasadam, the way he folds his arms underneath his top-cloth, the way he admires the Deity, the way he knows better than I do that I’m desperately trying to impress him with so many hyperbolic, bombastic and long-winded adjectives, the way he forgives my offenses, the way he sings Jaya Radha-Madhava with such intensity, and the way he sometimes says ‘Thank you’ even though I don’t deserve it…
Srila Gurudeva you are an ocean of auspicious qualities. Kalyana-gunarnavasya. Regrettably, due to the influence of familiarity, I used to think that ‘If I could just imitate some of these qualities and characteristics then surely I would attain power, influence and a position equal to Gurudeva’s! Or even greater…’ Thus I had purchased a position in hell, from which you have kindly saved me again and again. Now the dawn of understanding has arisen over the ocean of your auspicious qualities and I can see clearly that it is not a shallow pool of superficialities fit for the speculative reasoning of some conditioned soul, rather it is essentially a fathomless of depth of love for Krishna, manifesting a gargantuan mercy cloud with tremendous capability! An immaculate vessel just suitable for the wanton precipitation of Divine Love! With a scope to completely drown in Krsna-prema any fettered creature who has sense enough to turn his head towards the sky and gawk in amazement. Such magnificence! Gurudeva, you are like a hurricane of mercy! With ample potency to inundate the blazing fire of worldliness and completely snuff out our so-called material existence. Samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam…
Thus your true nature is understood, that you are not dependant on some materially perceived characteristics in order to serve the Lord as our Spiritual Master, but that you are very, very dear to Him because of your devotion; therefore you are qualified to represent Him. That is a quality which can not be imitated…
Dear Gurudeva, please do not consider these words to be exaggeration. I am actually insane because of the high fever of bhava-roga and you are the only doctor capable of administering my medicine. So I am begging you to consider me your property and to give me special shelter under your lotus feet, just as a compassionate father provides all protection for a helpless orphan.
Your aspiring servant,
- Yasodeva das
Zeva
Dear Devamrita Swami. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion. Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Something that is becoming apparent to me as I prepare to make this offering to you is how unfortunate a person I am for how little appreciation I am able to show for who you are and what you actually mean to me. Thus I pray to Lord Krishna that He may help me to say something worthwhile and that I may not waste your valuable time.
I recall that the moment I met you I was struck by both your warm, jovial, engaging nature as well as your intensely penetrating intellect. Only later as I got to know you a little better was I struck even more so by the realization that having such qualities did not deter you from exhibiting further precious qualities such as humility, compassion and tolerance. Such a great soul as yours is very rare indeed.
It is obvious to me now that your holiness is blessed with much experience and wisdom and the merciful dust of the lotus feet of your spiritual predecessors. I can only look on in awe most times at how artfully and effectively you present the highest spiritual knowledge to the most fallen souls. I often wonder where in the sea of suffering I would be had I not been blessed by your grace. I can see now what dangerous waters I was about to enter into in coming to the city, readying myself to dive lustfully into the waves of kali yuga mayhem. So I must express my sincere gratitude for the shelter you have made available to protect us from the murk of material darkness. Certainly I am not free of it, on the contrary, it pulls me down with great strength, but when I think of you I am given much courage to resist the alluring depths.
Courage. This is something that you represent to me. I am sure most men have imagined, as I have, of being a courageous warrior, sword in hand, braving distant lands, slaying demons left and right, upholding virtue and law and protecting the innocent. Well, the props may be a little different, but I can see that that is practically what is going on. You are commanding an army of soldiers and I am but a pawn in the attack. And we've got books. Lots of books. And kirtan and prasadam. If only I knew how to distribute them properly. I pray that through your guidance I will learn to focus my consciousness and develop my spiritual strength to be worthy of even a minor place in the ranks of your fierce battalion.
Sometimes I try to face all my problems on my own, as if I expect to have it all under control one day, and it is becoming more evident that I need to surrender to those with a greater wealth of knowledge and realization, such as yourself, and Mahavan Prabbu as our mentor. Your steadfast determination and perseverance are inconceivable to my small mind without understanding what level of a higher taste you must have and this inspires me to tolerate the pushings and pullings of my senses. I pray that I can serve you faithfully with what minute capacity I have so that I can be of some use to your mission and that you may occasionally impart some of your priceless mercy upon this poor soul, for I am a common man with no other means to attain knowledge beyond the hazy coverings of my impersonal tendencies.
Bless you. May the Supreme Lord smile upon you with kind affection.
Your aspiring servant,
Zeva
Something that is becoming apparent to me as I prepare to make this offering to you is how unfortunate a person I am for how little appreciation I am able to show for who you are and what you actually mean to me. Thus I pray to Lord Krishna that He may help me to say something worthwhile and that I may not waste your valuable time.
I recall that the moment I met you I was struck by both your warm, jovial, engaging nature as well as your intensely penetrating intellect. Only later as I got to know you a little better was I struck even more so by the realization that having such qualities did not deter you from exhibiting further precious qualities such as humility, compassion and tolerance. Such a great soul as yours is very rare indeed.
It is obvious to me now that your holiness is blessed with much experience and wisdom and the merciful dust of the lotus feet of your spiritual predecessors. I can only look on in awe most times at how artfully and effectively you present the highest spiritual knowledge to the most fallen souls. I often wonder where in the sea of suffering I would be had I not been blessed by your grace. I can see now what dangerous waters I was about to enter into in coming to the city, readying myself to dive lustfully into the waves of kali yuga mayhem. So I must express my sincere gratitude for the shelter you have made available to protect us from the murk of material darkness. Certainly I am not free of it, on the contrary, it pulls me down with great strength, but when I think of you I am given much courage to resist the alluring depths.
Courage. This is something that you represent to me. I am sure most men have imagined, as I have, of being a courageous warrior, sword in hand, braving distant lands, slaying demons left and right, upholding virtue and law and protecting the innocent. Well, the props may be a little different, but I can see that that is practically what is going on. You are commanding an army of soldiers and I am but a pawn in the attack. And we've got books. Lots of books. And kirtan and prasadam. If only I knew how to distribute them properly. I pray that through your guidance I will learn to focus my consciousness and develop my spiritual strength to be worthy of even a minor place in the ranks of your fierce battalion.
Sometimes I try to face all my problems on my own, as if I expect to have it all under control one day, and it is becoming more evident that I need to surrender to those with a greater wealth of knowledge and realization, such as yourself, and Mahavan Prabbu as our mentor. Your steadfast determination and perseverance are inconceivable to my small mind without understanding what level of a higher taste you must have and this inspires me to tolerate the pushings and pullings of my senses. I pray that I can serve you faithfully with what minute capacity I have so that I can be of some use to your mission and that you may occasionally impart some of your priceless mercy upon this poor soul, for I am a common man with no other means to attain knowledge beyond the hazy coverings of my impersonal tendencies.
Bless you. May the Supreme Lord smile upon you with kind affection.
Your aspiring servant,
Zeva
