Writings » from disciples » Vyasa Puja Offerings 2004
Vyasa Puja Offerings 2004
(View Devamrita Swami's 2004 offering to Srila Prabhupada)
Aghahanta das
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
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my most respectful obeisance's on this most glorious and auspicious day of your appearance.
Prahlada Maharaja says, 'na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum'. Persons who are strongly entrapped by the consciousness of enjoying material life do not know their real self interest. Thank you Gurudeva, for continuously trying to teach me and make me realize that artha gatim, despite my suicidal tendencies.
O lord and master please invest me with the strength to fulfill the real purport of Aghahanta (the killer of sin). Grant me the power to give up all my illusory desires for material enjoyment in this world and to simply desire only to please you.
Your unqualified servant,
Aghahanta das
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Bhaktin Alla
My dear Divine Master,
Let me offer my respectful obeisances at your lotus feet. Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this wonderful day everyone is hurring to congratulate you and glorify your Divine qualities. I would also like to join everyone's congratulations.
You are compassionate to all fallen and very fatherly in caring for your spiritual children.
You are an extraordinary Master. You are teaching the science of love - the most sweet and desirable love of God. You love very much your spiritual master - Srila Prabhupada and by your example you are showing what the guru-disciple relationship should be like. You resemble very much your spiritual master. You are spotless in preaching and vaisnava behavior. You are making the most difficult things the most accessible. You have a wonderful sense of humor, beautiful and very rare rich voice and your kirtans drive one mad. Your heart is pure and big and it pours out a divine stream of love nectar.
Just by being with you one can forget about all problems surrounding us and absorb into sweetness which impossible to describe in words. Forgive me for wandering somewhere since time immemorial. I got lost in these material worlds. You are the only one who will bring me home. Take me with you, please, do not go away without me. I want to serve your lotus feet always. I will speed up my purification so that you don't feel shame for me and don't wait for me. My heart wounded by sufferings is longing for love. Only you, patita-pavana, can show me the right way to the light, where we, fallen souls, finally will achieve bliss and knowledge. Thank you for everything, I love you very much and I am proud of having such a wonderful teacher.
Your insignificant servant,
Bhn Alla. (Omsk, Russia)
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Anantara das & Caru Mukhi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Day after day being in association with the devotees I am realizing it more and more how important and indispensable this connection for my spiritual life is. Only by the mercy of the Krishna’s dearest one – his devotee, one can come to understanding of His true nature. And You our Dear Guru-maharaja is the ideal example of that mercy by delivering condition souls and fulfilling Srila Prabhupa’s desire to spread chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra in every town and village.
Srila Prabhupada states in the purport to SB 10.87.33:
“Non-Vaisnavas often disregard the importance of surrendering to a spiritual master who stands in an authorized line of disciplic succession. Relying instead on their own abilities, proud yogis and jnanis exhibit their apparent success to impress the world, but their glory is but temporary.”
Dear Guru-Maharaja, thank you for all your care and the time you spend guiding us in our spiritual life. We pray to become Your useful servants.
Your insignificant servants,
Caru mukhi devi dasi and Anantara das
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Antardarsan das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisance's,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your Vyasa-puja.
Forgive me for this pathetic offering composed at the last minute, like everything else I do.
I cannot really say that I understand your holiness, but I do know my mind, being absorbed in it almost 24 hours daily, and thus I can only reveal my mind.
I just hope one day I can get rid if this foolish pride, so that I can be a somewhat handy instrument to you in rescuing the conditioned souls of Christchurch, New Zealand or even the world. Just see my pride! Thinking that I will one day save the world. I can't even save a word document properly!
Three years ago I met your sincere disciple Ramdas. At the time I was studying mundane philosophy at university. I really thought - and continue to think - that I was someone so special, who was going to do so much. But what was I doing then? Taking consciousness altering substances and spending hours upon hours speculating. Well, I've stopped taking the artificial consciousness alterers, but I can't say that I have ended the mental speculation. Everyday we sing that only through pleasing the spiritual master can one become Krishna conscious, but I stubbornly continue to concoct my own program for becoming KC.
As I mentioned, I cannot understand you, Guru Maharaja, but I am seeing from your activities and your disciples' activities that you are a very dear and empowered servant of Lord Gauracandra. Unless empowered by Krishna no one is able to propagate the sankirtan mission throughout the world.
Guru Maharaja, I am sorry to have to take advantage of your special mercy, but I am most unqualified and therefore need it. Please bless me so that I will able to follow your instructions. Otherwise, as Krishna das Kaviraja Goswami says "one who disobeys the order of his spiritual master is useless" What value is a tool, if it cannot be used for its intended purpose, it is useless.
Your servant,
Antar Darsan dasa
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Bala Gopala das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisance's,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja.
"Krishna says in the BG, 4th ch., that you should approach a bona fide guru, enquire submissively and render service. Now what is the result of your rendering service and enquiring? He says in the next verse that you'll see that all living beings are in Him and are that they are His. Yaj jnatva na punar mohan, you won't be in illusion anymore by this vision of being able to see all living entities are related to Krishna. When you see all living entities are related to Krishna, naturally you want to do things to help people to become Krishna conscious, to revive their dormant love of Krishna. So therefore you engage in activities of helping others take up devotional service. Love means you want to glorify the beloved, you want to tell others the glories of your beloved - that is the result of approaching a bona fide spiritual master. You feel the desire to glorify the Supreme beloved Krishna." (H.H. Devamrita Swami, Chch 2002)
We can see that you are seriously engaged in devising various ways by which to spread the Holy name of Krishna due to your chastity to Srila Prabhupada. Having understood that your only business is in spreading the Krishna consciousness movement all over the world, you are a strong example of an exalted Vaisnava and bona fide acarya.
This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bona fide acarya. Since the acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart is always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to an absence of devotional to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change people's activities, making them favourable for the attainment of devotion. That is the qualification of an acarya. (Cc. Adi 3, text 98 purport)
"For me just to have to hear from young New Zealanders how their parents are destroying their lives just practically makes me cry. I hear that all the time now. Persons coming to Krishna consciousness and both their parents are alcoholics and/or persons coming to Krishna consciousness. And girls who have even, you know, I mean, just, I don't even want to talk about it. Its just, how can any civilised person just watch this whole country just go down into the pits. What will the future be? How can there be any auspicious future, even materially? Not possible. So we have to do something. Krishna consciousness is not an intellectual thing or theoretical thing. It's a response of the heart. I can't stand to see that these people are suffering. They have so much potential - they're meant for Krishna's pleasure." (H.H. Devamrita Swami, Chch 2002)
Your words resemble the great mahajana Prahlada Maharaja:
"My dear Lord, I have no problems and want no benediction from you because I am quite satisfied to chant Your holy name. This is sufficient for me because whenever I chant I immediately merge in an ocean of transcendental bliss. I only lament to see others bereft of Your love. They are rotting in material activities for transient material pleasure and spoiling their lives toiling all day and night simply for sense gratification, with no attachment for love of Godhead. I am simply lamenting for them and devising various plans to deliver them from the clutches of maya." (Bhag. 7.9.43)
The function of the acarya however is to change the activities of both the 1st and 3rd class prisoners for their real benefit. This endeavour makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord who says clearly in the Bhagavad-Gita that no one is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world. (Cc. Adi. 3.98 Purport) I cannot really understand the unending weight of suffering you are freeing me from, nor can I understand where I would have gone if had I remained an unclaimed conditioned living being without your mercy. But I am very grateful that you have given me such satisfying service. I am so happy just doing a petty amount of service. I am looking forward to doing more and more service for you in the future. Dearest Eternal Father, kindly bless me with the mercy of always living in complete friendship with your desires.
O lord and master, invest me with the power to properly respect all living beings. Only then by chanting the Holy name in great ecstasy, all my offences will cease. (Gurudeva Verse 2)
From your slow servant,
Bala Gopala dasa
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Bhagavat Katha 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
nama om visnu - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantanta-
swamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve
gaura- vani pracarine
nirvisesa – sunyavadi –
pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja. Words are not enough to glorify you. And I personally have no qualification to be here and speak about you. It is all because of you that I can be a part of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
Guru Maharaj, Thank you for giving me and my brother instructions to help us overcome our problems. At every step you encouraged us and showed us the right path. You patiently guided us and also gave us the strength. Gurudev, just like a father guides his son, you similarly have guided us.
Earlier this year when I traveled with you to India, I was amazed. The intensity that you have for preaching and the amount of trouble you can take to spread Srila Prabhupada’s movement. My God Brothers and God Sisters have completely immersed themselves in your mood, but I am no way close to them.
Guru Maharaj, Please always bestow your mercy upon your family here in Melbourne, and also upon my mother and brother. Always keep us in you shelter.
Your foolish servant,
Bhagavat Katha das
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Bhaktin Bridget
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day
With deepest gratitude I would like to thank you.
You are so merciful and kind. Without you I would be lost in my spiritual journey.
"You open my darkened eyes and fill my heart with transcendental knowledge".
Thank you for taking the time to have darshan with me, and for guiding me on the right path to Krsna. I am forever indebted to you.
your trying servant,
Bridget
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Buddhimanta das & Shaktimanta dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Hare Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
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
All glories to Your Vyasa Puja Maha Mahotsava.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudev, this year, on this very auspicious day I am in India . For the first time, I am celebrating this important day without the association of my God brothers and sisters. I am very happy for this day and a little bit sad as I cannot celebrate this auspicious day with my God brothers and sisters the way I did last year in Melbourne .
I will celebrate this festival with Noida devotees in the best possible fashion.
Gurudev, you are the reservoir of compassion for me. Preaching in Russia , busy in your higher engagements, you are still kind enough to think of fallen souls like myself and always have a plan to engage me in Krishna 's service where ever I am. You always help me in stretching myself in my spiritual life to do certain services, which I think I am not capable of doing. You are an expert father who always tries to empower his sons with higher responsibilities for their progress.
It does not matter in which part of the planet you are, you always think of the welfare of your spiritual sons and daughters.
Gurudev, recently I experienced Your mercy flowing in New Zealand . I got an opportunity to visit the Auckland temple where I got to meet my God brothers and sisters, I never met before and this was so encouraging to see them going out for Sankirtana, book distribution and preaching vigoursily. And I came to know that I have more God brothers and sisters in Wellington and Christ Church as well.
Gurudev , New Zealand is blessed by these devotees performing devotional service and engaging the conditioned souls in the service of the Lord. This is nothing but the training that you mercifully provided to empower these souls to spread the holy name of Lord Krishna.
For a moment I thought, you have initiated New Zealand and the spiritual name of New Zealand is “New DSland”. Gurudev, I beg at your lotus feet to empower me so that I can take up the services that you have kindly planned for me and become a small instrument in your preaching mission.
Gurudev Ki Jai !!!
Haribol !!
Your servants
Buddimanta dasa and Saktimanta devi dasi
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Candidasa das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This year has been quite something. Being initiated, undergoing recurrent health crises, relocating to half-way across the world, and, by some peculiar twist of fate, ending up high and dry in Manchester doing a PhD.
No doubt, all of this is some inconceivable plan of you and Krishna have manufactured. Once again, without you, never in my wildest dreams would I be in the situation I am now. The unexpected happens so often that it is almost anticipatable.
I am also extremely grateful for you recent visit here. What could I possibly have done to deserve so much of your vapuh association?
All I am able to do, all there is to do and all I will do is to follow your instructions and attempt to somehow or other carry on a University preaching program while studying.
Begging for your enduring mercy,
Your servant,
Candidasa dasa
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Carana Renu dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today, on your Vyasa puja day, I would like to thank you for teaching me the joy of sankirtan. In this material world which is temporary and always changing, this is my real security and stability. Even if all my material plans fail, I know that I can chant, preach and be happy, simple, satisfied. You have taken great pains to teach me this through your instructions and your example. By giving me this knowledge you have given me the greatest wealth. How can I ever repay you?
I can only ask for more. Guru Maharaja, I am too proud and I certainly lack tolerance. I have made so many offenses. Please make me more humble than a blade of grass. I have experienced only a small drop in the ocean of sankirtan ecstacy and I want more. Please help me to become qualified to bring others to swim in this ocean too.
On this day, I would also like to thank you for my wonderful and inspiring Godbrothers and Godsisters. Somehow I have ended up here in Slovenia without their association but I am always happy remembering them and their solid dedication to expanding the glories of Lord Chaitanya's sankirtan movement.
Every year I realize more and more how fortunate I am to have such a caring and qualified spiritual father. I pray that I can become a more caring and qualified representative.
Your servant, Carana Renu dasi.
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Bhakta Carlos
Dear Devamrita Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Some how rather this poor and uncouth little refugee of Kali Yuga has received your causeless mercy. You are so full of compassion that you have dragged this wretched soul over the world with you just to purify the endless pit of material desires that dwell with in the heart. You tolerate all inconveniences for the benefit of others, so that those less fortunate can experience the transcendental taste of Krsna Consciousness. Just as a warriors greatness is measured by his courage and a womans beauty by her chastity, so similarly a saintly soul is reknowned for his quality of forgiveness. Maharaja, if it wasnt for your magnanimous ability to forgive the offensive demons of this world, I would not be so advantageous in utilizing my life to its desired perfection.
Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjnana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmaisri-gurave namah.
"I was born in the darkness of ignorance and my spiritual master has opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectfull obiesances unto him."
Guru maharaja I am just like offences personified, but still your transcendental nature enables you to see only the good qualities with in, so that one day I may resemble something like that of a human being. My travels with you has made me more appreciative for your service, which you are empowered by Krsna Himself. I have learned and increased my appreciation with my realtionship with you and the Vaisnava devotees of the lord. I do not deserve your close association, but I have some how managed to obtain such precious moments. I hope that one day I can fully realize what you have done for me, as my conditioned state does no allow me to see more than two feet away. " Just like a little child, who does not understand why his father works so hard and does certain things for the benfit his son". I feel as if I am that child.
Gurudeve you have given me a real family, something I've never experienced and you are a real father to me, someone I've never had. I wish that you can excuse my offences and that I may continue to serve your lotus feet. There is no way in which I can repay the mercy you so generously give. But if I can serve you, I will be able to try and repay my perpetual debt to you.
jogyata-vicare, kichu nahipai
tomara karuna-sara
"When I examine myself, I find nothing of value. Your mercy is therefore essential to me."
What use is there for this human form, if I cannot engage in the service of Sri Sri Guru and Krsna.
Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasa tri -sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
"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. Therefor I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. Atleast three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master."
Trying to be a servant,
bk carlos
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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 pf unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
All glories unto you on your auspicious appearance day.
Recently I was struck by a point that you made in a Bhagavatam class in Melbourne. You said that you have observed from your global preaching excursions that due to the effects of contemporary society's values and lifestyles 80% of those now coming to Krsna consciousness need some sort of physical medical treatment and 50% need psychological help. I can see that out of your deep compassion for Krsnas parts and parcels it pains you to witness the helpless plight of the Kali-yuga refugees. As an aspiring disciple it makes me reflect on how I am taking a responsibility in creating a Krsna Conscious culture that simultaneously facilitates the personal transformation of its practitioners and outreaches a compassionate arm to the others. With your visionary outlook, experience and leadership in ISKCON you set a practical example how to achieve these two ends, which to me was nicely summed up in a seminar that you gave in Mayapur last year:
"... So it shows if you start trying to do something right, it will perpetuate, others will start doing things right. You have to start somewhere. So if you want to break this impersonalism, if you want to break through the negative relationships that you see start off building them right in the beginning, and then you will see the Hare Krsna movement transform right in front of your eyes, because the people coming won't know anything else accept nice relationships, fraternal dealings, camaraderie, association. That's all they will know. And in fact I will tell you a secret they won't be able to accept anything else. They won't be able to accept impersonal dealings. To them it won't be Krsna consciousness."
Guru Maharaja, you so wonderfully demonstrate the principle of living for the benefit of the others. I hope that I will be able to develop the same heartfelt compassion towards Krsnas parts and parcels as I see in you. Thank you for your continued guidance and illumination along the pathway of my sojourn through this world.
Your aspiring servant,
Dandakaranya das
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Bhakta David
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances.
When I first you I was unsure of what to make of you and was bemused by the way people made such a fuss over “an ordinary man”.
However, all of your disciples left Manchester I could understand the real reason. That is: I could appreciate their devotion to their spiritual master. A parting gift given to me was a collection of recordings of your classes. As I listened, my appreciation and love grew. Now, just like your disciples, I greatly anticipate your visits and feel a great sense of loss when you depart.
I’m continually inspired by listening to your expert delivery of Krishna’s words, logically defeating any who may challenge. Although you are very busy in Krishna’s service, you always seem to have time for people like myself who are trying to progress and develop in Krishna consciousness.
Hare Krishna
David
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Dharmaraj das
All Glories To Sri Sri Guru Gouranga
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Nama om visnupadaya Krishna Prestaya Bhu-thale
Srimate Devamrita swamin iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev
At the moment, I could not to express, in words, infinitely been thankful, and favored, that I feel. But at the same time it allows of the necessity to understand the power of reach that it has to give me, blessings, and something that I am not deserving to obtain: your compassion and mercy. " " Mukham karotyi vacalam phamgun langhayate girim yat kripa ta maha-bhande sri gurum dhina tarinam"
By the mercy of the espirutal Masterr, a blind person can see stars in the sky, a dumb one can recite eloquent poesia, and a cripple can cross mountains, therefore I surrender on the feet of lotus of so Master spiritual, that is the redentor of the fallen souls "
Always, in his remembered and longed for exhibitions of scriptures, let me to know in fact that he is very tolerant, characteristic own of great souls, single subtraction to avocar me to premise, of knowledge that in my position, as to once said me "Your have a lot of energy, and you must use it in the service to krishna" this position to render me to its instruction is in fact is satisfactory in the life.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says:
" Jogyata vicare
Kichunahi pai
Tomara karunya sara
karunya na hale kandiya kandiya
prana na rakhibo ara"
"When,me I examine, value nonencounter nothing, therefore, without his mercy, will cry constantly and I`ll not keep my life by but time"
Now I do not have the opportunity to satisfy it, and in this day so favorable, to remember to him I pray so that energia what I have, becomes tool for its transcendental service.
Trying to return its crew member,
Dharmaraj das
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Divya Jnana das
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svaminn iti namine
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You are like a spiritual doctor, curing the disease of the conditioned souls.
The disease is a madness where the conditioned souls misuse their intelligence and engage all their energy in maximizing their sense gratification, as a result they do not get a life of freedom, but become entangled in different types of bondage in material bodies.
Your expertise as a spiritual doctor is in addressing the intelligence and hearts of the patients of Kali yuga. Like an expert surgeon you cut away this disease and install Krsna in the lives of the conditioned souls. So much care and compassion is required and you always provide unlimitedly. Constantly analyzing the symptoms of what is healthy in spiritual life, and what is not, I find your classes and guidance always helpful. I have to keep hearing to ensure that I have a pulse for serving Krsna, and to understand and check when I develop a faulty attitude.
On your vyasa puja day last year, you gave a class in Russia , you said,
“Krsna's lotus feet are the gateway to the unlimited world.You approach the lotus feet of Krsna by approaching the guru. Those who are attached to taking instruction will pass over all the obstacles that can stop devotional service in this world…Srila Prabhupada is the dearest devotee of Krsna, that is why we cling tightly to his instructions because we can see without a doubt that they are the most effective instructions for loving Krsna. We have so much work to do. Developing attraction for the holy name,developing attraction for Prabhupada's books. This is life's work."
I beg that I can always remain at your lotus feet, attached to your instructions. Though I have so many faults I pray that these shackles of material attachment be cast away and that I can be a worthy instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Your Servant
Divya Jnana
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Dina Dayala dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You are most completely compassionate- to a depth that we cannot fathom- but that continues to astound us day by day.
You cannot live our lives for us you say, but if you could, you would. I believe you would.
Pushed around and around in material existence, our heads are spinning. We can’t orientate ourselves to material sanity, what to speak of spiritual truth. What hope do we have of using our independence in this day and age, without making an utter mess of it?
You go to extra-ordinary lengths to get us out of this, even though we got ourselves into it. The thicker the atmosphere of passion and ignorance becomes, the more you try, and the more you tolerate so many difficulties to save people from it. You tolerate with great patience and perseverance anything – because you can’t tolerate the suffering of others.
“There is love in Krsna consciousness” you say. I see it- but only because it is so prominent in you. You have shown me that real love is how the great devotee loves Krsna and others - because they are His parts and parcels.
This wins me over.
You do live my life, for it is only your inspiration, courage, determination, and compassion that sustains me.
I am ready to try and repay my debt.
Your ever aspiring servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi
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Dwarakesh das
nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
nama om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhu tale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
Humble obeisances and best wishes on your Vyasapua day.
Sankirtan yajna ki jai.
at your service
Dwarakesh dasa
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Ekendra das
nama om visnu-padaya krishna presthaya bhu-tale
srimati devamrita-swamin 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.
All glories to you.
In February, 1936 Srila Prabhupada spoke these words in glorification of his spiritual master:
"Personally, I have no hope for any direct service for the coming crores of births of the sojourn of my life, but I am confident that some day or other I shall be delivered from this mire of delusion in which I am at present so deeply sunk. Therefore let me with all my earnestness pray at the lotus feet of my divine master to allow me to suffer the lot for which I am destined due to my past misdoings, but to let me have this power of recollection: that I am nothing but a tiny servant of the Almighty Godhead, realized through the unflinching mercy of my divine master. Let me therefore bow down at his lotus feet with all the humility at my command."
I found these expressions of Srila Prabhupada very penetrating in their purity and simplicity. I wish that I had the sanity to imbibe their meaning into my own heart. Unfortunately, I too often find myself a victim of the current Kali-yuga hellish mentality where something as simple and natural as surrender to a bonifide spiritual master seems like such a complex endeavour. In any case, I am grateful for your tolerance and encouragement over the years.
"Glorious is that devotee who does not give up the shelter of His Lord, and glorious is that Lord who does not abandon His servant. If by chance a servant falls down and goes somewhere else, glorious is that master who captures him and brings him back by the hair." (Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita Antya-lila 4:46-7)
You are indeed glorious.
Your servant,
Ekendra das
------------------------------------------
Bhaktin Elena
nama om visnu-padaya krishna presthaya bhu-tale
srimati devamrita-swamin 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 Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet.
Nothing but sincere dedicated service to you can equip one with realization and eloquence to glorify you properly. For the time being, I can only try to offer a few words, with the hope that you will kindly accept this awkward attempt.
To me you are Krishna's special causeless mercy personified. You once assured me that even though it may seem too good to be true, still it's true. Yes, it must be true that out of your immense compassion you have catched this wretched soul in the transcendental net of your fatherly care, deep sympathy, understanding, firm instructions and extraordinarily tangible protection. Patiently, you are dragging me, along with many others, back to the ocean of bhakti -- back to life.
Recently you taught me a very important lesson, which I am only starting to understand -- all success, all strength and all mercy is already there in your instructions. In reply to my every doubt, every objection, every excuse and every request you were simply repeating, again and again, "You already have my instructions, now you do it." Please help me to always remember this lesson and understand it in full.
You are so eager to help. In our very first meeting you declared, calmly but with determination, "I want to help you" -- while I had come with a different, selfish question, with no intention to ask for your help. Instead of the fulfillment of a dangerous material desire you granted me the safe shelter of your lotus feet.
I know that in order to fully appreciate this shelter I need to grow up in Krishna consciousness. A little baby cannot feel gratitude or genuine attachment to the parents, nor can it feel real happiness. You want all of us to grow up -- you do not need our gratitude but you want us all to experience the real happiness of serving Krishna.
For the time being, I am just a restless baby who only offers you tears, kicks and bites. But I am still hoping and praying that some day I will become your dedicated servant, who will understand your heart and be of some use to your mission, the compassionate mission of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. And I know that, on behalf of everyone of us, you are hoping and praying for the same.
"By serving You constantly, one is freed from all material desires and is completely pacified. When shall I engage as Your permanent eternal servant and always feel joyful to have such a fitting master?" (Cc. Madhya. 1.206)
Bhaktin Elena (Ukraine)
------------------------------------------
Bhaktin Galina
Dear Gurudeva!
Please accept my humble offering on the day of your appearance!
This day is very dear to the heart of a disciple and I have accepted you as my spiritual master because I am attracted to your extraordinary qualities. In "Sri Harinama-cintamani" Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura enlists 26 qualities of a sadhu, like krisna eka saranam (devoted exclusively to Krishna ), doyalu (mercyful), mridu (kind) and others. And all these qualities have taken shelter at your lotus feet.
In your classes one can easily see onself from the outside, see those anarthas and sinful desires you speak about and laugh at them and to get rid of them gradually by your mercy. At first when you started to ask your interesting questions I could hardly understand them not knowing what to answer and was bewildered. But then I started to love them. They help us to understand better what you explain to us. Especially it is true about questions to couples.
First time I met you in Divnomorsk in the year 2001. Thanks to Krishna , He is so mercyful!!! That time you gave your nectarian seminar about Uddhava. Since that time you have stolen my heart. I remember my breath was taken when you sung Jaya Radha Madhava and it still happens to me. I would eager to become your disciple and be useful for the mission of Lord Caitanya under your guidance. Thank you for your causless mercy, for all your instruction, for leading us to our home.
Your servant of the servant of the servant,
Bhaktin Galina. ( Ryazan , Russia )
------------------------------------------
Bhakta Geoff
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It was well worth reviewing your "Contemporary Urban Preaching" seminar (Radhadesh, 2003). Previously I thought that, when you refer to 'viable humans in appearance only, who are internally physical and emotional wrecks', that you were talking about some other people. However the truth of the matter has become apparent through the mirror closer devotee association - I'm one of those people you're talking about!
On your glorious Vyasa-puja day, I share this insight not to engage in some self-absorbed lamentation, but to point out too all who will hear just how merciful you are. Who would bother to work with physical and emotional wrecks like myself? No one would do so, except for the bonafide preacher of Krishna consciousness, someone following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and clearly empowered by Him.
The best way I can glorify you today is to remember how causelessly merciful you are to the hundreds and thousands of persons like me. You travel around the world sharing the love and mercy of Lord Caitanya with all that will take an interest, even though they are coming from such degraded circumstances. The magnitude of this online offering speaks volumes as to the extent of your preaching efforts. Each of the many entries represents a spirit soul whose life you have significantly affected by your compassionate preaching.
All I can say is that you are clearly empowered by Lord Caitanya to distribute His love to the world at large. The inconceivable - that persons like me can be saved - attests to this. My overwhelming feeling is that I want to serve you, to assist in whatever small way I am able, so that you can push on your work in the world. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve your mission.
Your street dog (who somehow found the best master),
Geoff
------------------------------------------
Gokula Lila dasi
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Dearest Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Within the dark regions of my heart lie many lusty material desires which for so long I've been rendering so much service with a pronounced, strong and ringing loud like a bell attitude.
Proudly with a striking attitude I would strut my latest hair colour down Cuba Street thinking to myself “oh how happy I am.”
I never gave up in my determination to enjoy despite my unfulfilled heart and being kicked again and again by the material energy, nor was I was the slightest bit ashamed to serve with all my heart these lusty material desires. What to speak of the thoughts of giving them up. I've been acting under the influence of the material energy just like a street dog found roaming around the dump with no real shelter and no real master.
To this day I still wonder how it happened that while wondering here and there like a street dog I met you, the most faultless, gentle, bright and pure like molten gold Vaisnava.
A Vaisnava such as your divine self is described in Caitanya Caritamrita to be like a swan swimming around the beautiful lotus feet of Lord Caitanya.
An all-perfect saintly person is also described to be like a swan ducking in the water of spiritual bliss.
The swan, an elegant creature is found in tranquil places like transparent reservoirs of water decorated with stems of lotus flowers, swimming from lotus flower to lotus flower. The swan creates behind him a trail of beautiful ripples.
Thinking of the ripple effect the swan leaves in the water is a nice mediation on you and your worldwide ripple effect you're leaving behind you, wherever you go.
Your ripple effect is much more exciting than that of the swan in the water.
Your ripple effect is a sea of persons dressed colorfully in Devotional attire with hands thrown in the air in great happiness as they sing of your immense Vaisnava qualities.
This sea of persons I watch before my eyes grow and grow as more and more persons are effected and moved by the ripples of your transcendental love you show to each and everyone of your children.
My plea to you my magnificent master on this most auspicious day of the year is that with the same striking attitude as I served the material energy I can serve you free from any other motives but your transcendedal pleasure. Following the example of the Gopis who cared not for their own pleasure and pains but just for the enjoyment of their beloved master Krsna.
I want that no longer will I roam like a dog without any shelter or master. I want that I can roam with your satisfaction as my goal and your Gurudeva's books as my greatest companion.
Roaming here and there with a ringing loud like a bell attitude searching for more master less persons to come and take shelter at your fearless lotus feet. Residing here they will no longer burn with loneliness but instead will find such peace of heart like they've never felt before.
I want that I can roam here and there with your instructions as my pride and with the inner conviction to push me on in Devotional Service oh how I have such a fitting master, whose greatest joy in life is to hear how distributing Krsna Consciousness brings such satisfaction to the burning material lust in the heart.
When the day comes that I always feel joyful as having you as such a fitting master then I will write you a offering that adequately glorifies you and the mercy of your lotus feet by which a sea of persons are being drowned by your ripple effects and are receiving the shelter of Lord Caitanya.
When this joy and gratitude comes I hope to have built an effulgent throne of gems within my heart for you to come and sit on. By then I hope that your instructions will be the object of my remembrance and not my lusty material desires.
Desiring to cling to your fearless lotus feet like a Bee that never leaves a honey soaked lotus flower.
Your aspiring servant
Gokul Lila Devi Dasi
------------------------------------------
Gopal Guru das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala bhakti sadma
vando mui savadhana mate
“The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.”
Krsna and his devotees have been very merciful upon me. Somehow or other a small endeavour for a cheap meal has led me to a life time career of engagement in Krsna's service, something I never expected.
I never would have considered taking to devotional service if I had not had your darshana. By Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai's causeless mercy, I met you the second time I came into the association of the devotees. That day you smashed all my material ambitions and gave me an alternative to follow, bhakti yoga.
You so carefully guided me into the realm of bhakti yoga and you continue to guide me to become a better servant by giving me practical advice and putting me into the care of senior devotees who can guide me when you are not present. I am a fallen conditioned soul covered by a thick layer of false ego – I am dependent on your instructions to guide me so that I can re-establish myself on the path of bhakti which I so foolishly deviated from so many births ago.
Part of the service that you have engaged me in is to coordinate various services around the temple in Melbourne . From this role I get to observe many different service attitudes and levels of development amongst devotees and non-devotees. From this my realisation is that I am very fortunate to have your guidance because although performing devotional service is one thing, to perform it purely requires the guidance of a spiritual master and the acceptance of their instruction.
Thank you for setting such a nice example. All my life I have been looking for something to aim and strive for and the material world could never offer me anything worth putting much endeavour into. After having your association my life now has purpose and I am completely satisfied just by trying to please you through assisting the devotees here in Melbourne in their service. You have filled the empty void in my life and opened up the unlimited realm of bhakti yoga where we can have pure and fulfilling relationships with the devotees, all by engaging in Krishna 's service. Thank you for giving me the association of the devotees.
Although I have nothing to offer, please accept all my miniscule efforts to perform devotional service as an offering unto your lotus feet. I pray that each day I can become a better devotee and render you better service – for I owe everything to you and all of Krsna's devotees.
Your servant,
Gopala Guru dasa
------------------------------------------
Gopi Gita dasi
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Again a year passed were you have been giving so much care and shelter to all of us. I feel so fortunate to be within this krsna conscious movement, now I am starting to see how important it is for everybody to perform devotional service!
I think at one stage I almost forgot how much I need to be under the shelter of your lotus feet, but by your mercy and patience I am here today trying to somehow absorb myself in devotional service.
I know how much there is I need to learn and correct within myself in order to become worthy of being your daughter. Even though I am struggling so much to give up all my selfish habits, you still try again and again to help and nourish me with so much love and dedication. I Feel inspired seeing the amazing amount of love you give to us and Srila Prabhupada and I hope that one day I can be your dedicated servant also, so that I may be able to help and assist you in your mission of spreading lord Caitanya movement.
I had some realization of how much people are actually suffering out there and imagining that I could also be in the same position right now, just struggling for material existence day after day without any goal or purpose in life is a horrible thought.
I feel relieved that by your mercy I met the devotees who very kindly and with so much patience pulled me out of my messed up life, drowning in an ocean of self absorption's was serching so much for the meaning of life and it was almost unbelievable to finally find all the answers to my long burning questions. I know that this Krsna consciousness is all I need, now I just have to realize in my heart that I have been given everything to live a proper life.
Please let me always stay under your shelter, never do I even want to consider to do anything else than being your aspiring servant. If there am any way I can be your selfless servant in this life than I want to desire to make that the goal of my life.
I know that my words don't nearly match up to what you have done for me, but please accept this little offering from my heart!
Thank you
Your aspiring servant, Gopi Gita
----------------------------------------
Guru Vani dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purvam daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Please accept my bumbling obeisances.
How can a glow worm glorify the brilliance of the sun? But still let me try…
It really takes an expert….
(2001)
It really takes an expert to convince such a prideful fool,
Of the grandiose material illusion I so faithfully studied at school.
And it really takes an expert to persuade such an obstinate fool,
Of the merit of pleasing Krsna’s senses rather than letting my own senses drool.
Yes, it really takes an expert to attract such a sceptical fool,
To the notion “God whirls ass demons into trees…and his peacock renditions are pretty cool!”
It really takes an expert to soften the heart of a hardened fool,
But your kind, kind words chink away at my armour your merciful guidance is precious as a jewel.
Oh Guru Maharaja, it certainly takes an expert…
(2004)
It certainly takes an expert to transform rif-raf into ladies and gentle men,
As the Supreme experts, Caitanya and Nitai, tirelessly offered the highest to the lowest men.
And it certainly takes an expert to help us straighten up our acts,
Just as the Supreme expert, Krsna, lovingly corrected Kubja’s crooked back.
It certainly takes an expert with master keys to open up our locked hearts,
So with your careful planning of the bhakti-lata-bija real love can start.
It certainly takes an expert to orchestrate the movements of your increasing flock,
To serve Lord Caitanya’s mission with all our hearts (let us throw away the locks).
I continue to marvel at your expertise Guru Maharaja. My greatest desire is that I may always play some incy part in your expert plans.
Aspiring to be your unconditional servant
Guru vani devi dasi.
----------------------------------------
Hamsa Avatara das
namah om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate Devamrta Swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Sri Gurudeva,
I am neither qualified nor competent enough to glorify you and your activities. But, I will attempt to glorify you for my own purification.
Thank You for saving me from the hellish material existense. It is your unlimited compassion that you have accepted me and given me the Holy Name. I neither have the taste for chanting nor for serving the Vaisnavas in a humble mood.
But, I am sure that, just by following in your footsteps, I will one day develop the taste for chanting and become eager to perform devotional service.
I have no taste for preaching as I have no compassion in my heart and don't really understand the glories of Lord Caitanya's movement. If only I could develop a little bit of your enthusiasm for preaching, I know that I can then serve you in a manner pleasing to you. I also hope that one day I will become a disciple in the real sense by doing what you desire of me.
Thank You for giving me an oppertunity to serve you in Govardhana and tolerating my incompetence in serving you.
Your Unqualified Servant,
Hamsa Avatara Dasa
------------------------------------------
Bhaktin Hyesoo
Dear Devamrita Maharaja
Please accept my obeisance unto your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and his transcendental books.
Recently, I picked up a verse when I was reading which took me back past 6 months in Krsna consciousness since I first met you.
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains.
It must be only by your mercy that I am now engaged in transcendental Krsna consciousness. Otherwise, what would I be doing now, if I had not met you in early May this year? Would I have gone crazy with my architecture course, maybe smoking a pack of cigarettes everyday, working all day and night like a dog? Maybe. Or would I be in Korea miserably lost not knowing what to do with my self?
Prabhupada explained that ,
A spiritual master is a merciful representative of the Lord. Therefore, a person burning in the flames of material existence may receive the rain of the mercy from the Lord. Through the transparent medium of the self- realized spiritual master.
I once asked a senior devotee at Gaura yoga how can you manage to guide so many disciples. (after I realized that there are thousands of disciples from all over the world !!!). And the reply was that a spiritual master like you is directly plugged to Krsna.
It is simply inconceivable how much you sacrifice to deliver the soothing rain, giving relief from this burning existence. It is beyond sense perception how lucky to have association with a pure devotee like you and receive instructions. I have no doubt that your words and instructions are slowly (for me) but certainly extinguishing total ignorance and passion. I have no doubt that the only desirable goal in life is to serve you, and Lord Caitanya's mission.
On this auspicious day of your appearance day, I humbly beg your blessings upon this lame person with false ego and falsity in everything. Please kindly extinguish my false material desire and allow me to cross mountains of illusionary energy with your lotus feet firmly fixed in my mind.
Your aspiring servant , Hyesoo.
------------------------------------------
Indranila dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotusfeet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I wish to offer You this consiousness:
"The best kind of intelligence I can have is intelligence used in the service of Krsna.
That intelligence is defined as fixed when it is intent upon my spiritual master's instructions such as chanting the names of Krsna, remembering His activities and performing service to His Lotus feet.
His instruccions is my sadhana and my life, both in the beginning stages of bhakti as well as in bhaktis perfectional stage.
I desire only to follow His instruccions.
I accept nothing else as my life's work even in dreams weather I am happy or distressed weather the material world remains or is destroyed.
I don't care.
There is no loss for me.
I simply must carry on the orders of my spiritual master.
Fixness upon His order is determined intelligence and devotional service and only by being fixed in His orders is such determined intelligence possible."
( HH Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Dear Gurudeva, I know I am very far away from this but I desperatly beg You.
Please be merciful (krpa) towards me and help me rise above this ignorance.
Trying to be Your servant,
Indranila devi dasi
------------------------------------------
Jana Mohini dasi
Dear Srila Gurudev!
Accept, please, my obeisances in a dust of Yours lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga!
Allow me to congratulate You on day of Your appearance.
From own supervision, I have noticed, that, usually, people wish heroes of the festivities the same thing that they would like to wish themselves.
What usually a devotee neophyte wishes? - To learn to serve to devotees, to be an example of vaisnava behavior. You serve devotees and Your disciples with the help of the lectures, divine kirtans and lotus instructions for 24 hours a day. You are an example of vaisnava behavior because You are devoted of the Lord. You already have all sublime qualities what only it is possible to wish: you are indefinitely merciful; you surprisingly compassionate, kind and attentive to the fallen souls; you are cleanliness and humility.
What usually an experienced devotee wishes himself? - To learn simplicity and openness. And still, in depth of heart, he dreams to return in Vrindaban to associate with Krishna and to serve Him. You are simultaneously majestic and easy, You are a tsar and the child in one person, and You simultaneously here and - there. You see Krishna and serve Him constantly.
It is difficult for me to wish you something. What can give a beggar to the millionaire? He can beg and glorify only. Therefore today, on the day of Your divine appearance, I would like to glorify you. And the first, what came in my mind, it is our first meeting. Then I have arrived in Divnomorsk for the first time our Omsk group has arrived before official day of arrival, therefore since the first minutes of the stay in this small town I began to pray to Srila Prabhupada to show me my eternal spiritual master.
I had some association with already initiated devotees from other cities, and one of them told how he saw his Guru in a dream, others said that they were prompted by senior devotees, the third that Guru has given them a garland etc. But I remembered the instructions of my mentor. He told that that person whose lectures will penetrate in my heart and whose instructions I will want to execute - is my Guru. On a bulletin board schedules of lectures and themes of lectures were specified. I at once have chosen 4 seminars and first of them was yours. Then no one did not know You and I did not know about You, but the theme of Your seminar - "Vrindaban by eyes Uddhava" - at once has stolen my mind.
Since the first time I learned that Vrindaban is a dwelling-place of Krishna and the most sacred place on the Earth, and that there 5 thousand temples, I had been always thinking of it. Therefore this theme was very important for me. Evening of the same day there was the official opening of the festival and, in my opinion, You weren't there, You have arrived later. I looked with my eyes wide open on the stage trying to find out who is my Guru. But I did not succeed and have decided to wait for lectures.
The next morning on a mangala-arati I, the most impudent, stood in the very first row, where usually only sannyasis and senior devotees stay. Nobody explained to me where I should stand, but I was firmly sure that I should stand there. There was nobody among the Gurus. And then You came. You at once approached the Deities and began to talk with Them. I stood only in a meter from You, and I perfectly saw the love You talk to Deities with. You did not say anything aloud, but Your eyes and Your smile spoke for You much.
I whispered: "Who's that?". And the devotees confidently answered to me: "Bhakti Tirtha Swami." I never saw Bhakti Tirtha Swami, but I have confidently answered: "It is not him." Devotees began to prove that they are right, but then kirtan began, and I took part in singing. Later I have learned, what Your name was. At the first lecture You plunged many devotees in a shocking state by saying that there was no real love and pleasure in a material world. But for me it was not something new. All my romantic relations with boyfriends and friendly relations with girlfriends finished with bitter disappointments.
I have understood - yes, I always thought about this. I attended Your lectures and my interest had been growing constantly and each morning I asked Srila Prabhupada to show me my spiritual master. When the festival was over, I have last time paid obeisances to Srila Prabhupada, apologizing that, probably, I am blind, and have not seen the one, whom he, maybe, showed me.
I already told to you, that I was in shock when the next year you have not arrived on festival. I thought that you will not arrive to Russia anymore, and I was plunged into depression. But senior devotees began to frequently tell me, that it is time to choose spiritual master. I thought of You, but I was afraid to find out that you do not accept the Russian disciples. I have again prayed to Srila Prabhupada asking to help me to see who is my Guru, and the answer came quickly. My friends arrived from Moscow and have brought to me Your photo as a gift, not knowing, that I was thinking of You. I have understood, that it is Prabhupada's answer to my prayers and next day I have declared Siksastaka about my choice. And now, when I am more and more knowing You, I am amazed what a good luck came upon me - You have allowed me to be Your disciple. It is mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gour-Govinda Maharaj.
And I understand, that I am in an irredeemable debt to You. Therefore, I beg you, as Srila Prabhupada begged to Krishna , when he was floating in America : "Make me dance, make me dance, as You wish."
I understand, that without Your instructions and precept, I am - naught. Rescue me, Srila Gurudev, I am a dependent soul. I thank You for Your mercy and compassion. Your silly disciple, always desiring Yours lotus instructions.
Jana Mohini dd ( Omsk )
--------------------- ---------------------
Jaya Sri Radhe dasi
Todas las Glorias a Sri Sri Guru y Gauranga
Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada
Por favor acepte mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias
Querido Guru Maharaja:
No se encontrar las palabras adecuadas para glorificarlo y destacar sus innumerables cualidades.
Gurudev Usted es una fuente de inspiración para realizar servicio devocional, me transmite su fuerza y entusiasmo para asàcada dàa querer mejorar mi servicio para Usted. Yo no tengo cualidades, pero de igual forma es tan experto que sabe como ocuparnos a cada uno en servicio.
Guru Maharaja Usted tiene una fuerza única y una grandiosa destreza en predicar y en convertir devotos a cada paso que da, en mostrar este mensaje de Conciencia de Krsna a todas las almas sin distinción.
Su forma de expresar, mostrar y enseñar la realidad es sin duda impresionante la claridad de sus palabras, de sus expresiones, no tienen paralelo, lo muestra todo tan claro que dejan de haber dudas en el corazón.
Quiero agradecerle por haberme aceptado como su discàpula, por ocuparme en su servicio, en el de Srila Prabhupada y de Sri Krsna. Gracias por haberme sacado de la ignorancia en que me encontraba y estarme convirtiendo en alguien útil, gracias por sus instrucciones y misericordia sin causa.
Rogando para servirlo eternamente
Su sirvienta Jai Sri Radhe devi dasi.
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Jeremy
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisance's at your lotus feet, on this most
auspicious day of your appearance. For me, this celebrated day is like the
brilliantly effulgent moon, that has arisen to dissipate the darkness of
ignorance and suffering. What words can I speak to express my complete
gratitude?
Chanting in thunderous ecstasy, I see you dancing all around the world,
beating the Brht Mrdanga, freely giving out so much mercy, calling for
diseased street dogs like me to gather in the market place of the Holy
Name.
Your voice resounds in my mind, soft as a rose petal, hard as a thunderbolt,
too hot to handle, too sweet to resist. I simply stand wide eyed, in awe of
your transcendental beauty, character and qualities, like a child in trance
before some vision fantastic.
Please accept this prayer at your lotus feet;
"Gurudeva! By a drop of your mercy make this servant of yours more humble
than a blade of grass. Give me the strength to bear all trials and
troubles, and free me from all desires for personal honor.
O lord and master! When will this devote be blessed by obtaining your
mercy? I am low, fallen and devoid of all strength and intelligence. Please
make me your beloved servant.
When I examine myself, I find nothing of value. Your mercy is therefore
essential to me. If you are not merciful, I will constantly weep, and I will
not maintain my life any longer."
Your have given me everything, now I can only cling tightly to your divine
instructions, hoping to satisfy you somehow.
Trying to be your servant
Bhakta Jeremy
--------------------- ---------------------
Kasinatha das
Nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
Dear Guru Maharaja
Taking initiation from you has opened up a whole new world of reciprication, association and feeling. I am looking forward to discovering this new world of association and feeling in service to you.
Thankyou for accepting me as your disciple.
All glories to you on your auspicious Vyasa puja day.
All glories to srila prabhupada.
Your servant,
Kasinatha das
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Kela Tirtha das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories Srila Prabhupada
Gurudev,ones inabilty to eloquently use words to offer you what you deserve is a continually painful reality. Nonetheless words are needed to glorify you on this auspicious day of your appearance and I will attempt to paint a wordly picture of glorification for your pleasure.
March 1994 saw you enthrall the Newtown preaching centre regulars and guests on the long, busy and alternative King street Daily visits you frequented but Sunday feasts were your specialty. Your down to earth practical approach, deftly combined with mesmerizing spiritual furvor, moved the regulars and guests to uplifted spirtual emotion and their inquireries flurried forth demanding your expert replies and attention.
You got them thinking about their situation and where to go from there.
This is consistant in your style and appraoch not only in Australia but all over the world.
You have the ability to humble one and cut away attachments for ones benefit. This may, for many, be hard on the false ego and somewhat discouraging as a result, but you compassionately catch them and lift them up with spiritual inspiration, practical application and vigor.
You liked Newtown because all the different types, that are ripe for Krsna conciousness, would gather and you could weave your bhakti magic for Srila Prabhupada's pleasure. Of course, true to a warrior's nature, you liked the challenge and fight that was on offer from these wretched, yet ripe, persons to see the futility of material existence and the pleasure of Krsna Consciousness.
Seeing you continue to alleviate conditioned souls in Loft settings inspires us all to assist in your preaching efforts and develop, by your grace, the vision and practical application of continued facility, support and teaching of those who want to turn their lives around and take up the practice of Krsna conciousness.
You are providing a system of support, guidance and dynamic activity to your thirsty disciples, followers and aspirants ... world wide. Not just travelling all over the world and initiating and then going again, NO, you are genuinely concerned with how the preperations are doing on the stove, so to speak.
Knowing that taking disciples back to Godhead is a very demanding task that takes so much blood to acheive you ensure that these systems must be in place to help the disciple advance. To know that you lose sleep over how to help your dependants, and devotees in general, really proves that you are deeply in tune with Srila Prabhupada's mood and mission.
Your expert administering of the medicine, which, in this complicated age of Kali, needs a broader range of understanding due to the abnormally complicated minds of the cond souls, is applied with such intelligence and compassion that the so called doctors of today would cower with embaressment.
Your ability to be intune with everybody who has the priviledge of getting your vapu association, is what really captures their minds and inspires them to surrender to your instruction.
You are able to make us laugh at ourselves while trying to struggle for existence in Maya's kingdom. As we develop, you make us see that sobriety in Krsna's service is required along with joyfully performing it.
I can't thank you enough for gracing Newtown and prying this wretched fool away from the abominable existence of material life.
Please allow me to remain in the dust or your lotus feet, Gurudev, on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Your aspiring servant,
Khela-tirtha dasa
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Khadiravan dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this holy day of
your appearance.
As I enter a different phase of life, this causes me to reflect on where I’ve come from and where I’m going, what will be my commitment for the future. What you have given me, and what am I going to do to try and repay the unrepayable debt to you.
Looking back on seven or so years in this brahmacarini ashram I can see just what a great opportunity you have given me. This opportunity of such a good training programme comes under your design and guidance, carried out through your dedicated representatives. I could always feel behind everything was your steady guiding hand, full of experience and realization as to what is needed to simultaneously facilitate devotees balanced spiritual development and also continue dynamically to push on your beloved Guru Maharaja’s mission.
I can’t believe now how much I complained about having so much service to do. What a luxury. Why could I not see the brilliant jewel in front of me when I was there? Blinded by material desire I guess. The grass is always greener on the other side. You could say that we are determined to shoot ourselves in the foot again and again in this conditioned life. Talk about envious of the real self. We always hear that the soul can never be satisfied except by uninterrupted, unmotivated devotional service to Krsna. Still we want so many other things instead, or at least as well…not just Krsna!
I was given the golden opportunity to learn (to try to become qualified) to be absorbed in serving the sankirtana mission. Is there any greater opportunity in this world? No. Any greater education? No. Any greater foundation for living the rest of your life in reference to? No. Any greater gift? No. Srila Prabhupada explains that the spiritual master’s greatest gift is to engage us in devotional service.
You always say how we will look back on those years in the brahmacarini ashrama as the best years of our life. They will be the foundation of our life to come, they will help us remember that the happiest we are is when we are sacrificing the most for trying to serve Krsna and the dearest thing to Krsna? Krsna openly declares in Bhagavad gita that those who spread My glories to others, they are the dearest, that is the dearest service, to spread Krsna’s glories. No getting around that one. I feel so fortunate to have such an imprint from these years, some understanding that absorption in Krsna’s service, specifically in preaching, is the best experience…despite all minor inconveniences which I made out to be so important due to my stubborn desire to please myself.
Certainly I could have tried harder, prayed for more sincerity, asked for more guidance how to improve.
All the time you sacrifice to care for us and care for new people approaching Krsna consciousness. You go to such lengths to make us feel cared for, and to try to untangle our misconceptions, doubts, impediments, problems, trips…I can’t believe how fortunate I am to have your guidance and care, more than a Kaliyuga wretch could dream of actually.
Future – I am thinking how to remain always connected to your mission, always serving your mission somehow, according to my capacity. I beg you that I remain always bound to your reaction to my activities; whether you are pleased with me or not, for this to be the guiding principle for my life. Just give this little life you say. I can’t imagine coming before
you for darshan and not to be helping in some way in the activities closest to your heart, those driving on Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Your words resound in my head – A SELFISH LIFE IS MISERABLE.
My words are inadequate to glorify you and the gift of Krsna’s message you bring.
Aspiring to become a small servant of your servants,
Khadiravan devi dasi
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Kisor-murti das
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
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
On this occasion, the anniversary of the most merciful appearance of the spiritual master, the representative of Krsna-dvaipayana vyasa, compiler of the vedas, it is befitting that the disciples of the spiritual master make offerings to him in glorification.
I have found one verse which you yourself elaborated on in your book 'Perfect Escape'. I like this verse because it is the essense of what I would like to say to you today. It is King Rahugana speaking to Jada Bharat after hearing transcendental knowledge from him.
"Because of the material conceptions that have shakled my mind, I declare myself diseased. My body, made of matter, is full of dirty things, and my vision is polluted by pride. Your words of nectar are the right medicine for me, like vaccine for one bitten by a snake. Like cooling water, your instructions release one from the scorching fever of material attachment".
In February you accepted me into Srila Prabhupada's family giving me the name Kishor-murti das, and as you are situated tightly at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet, I want to become as equally situated at yours.
In the Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada explains that the word 'murti' can also mean 'difficult'. Gurudeva, I am a Kali yuga reck of a human being, smashed by maya and almost completely drained of dignity and life by selfish desires and materialistic insanity. My spiritual recovery, I understand, will be difficult indeed, this war with maya is spent mainly fighting the present enemy of the mad mind. The faster the mind is engaged in Krsna's service in a wholesome and absorbing way, the better it is for everyone.
So please forgive me for my insignificant offering today, but my mission is to develope the quality of my service, under your guidance each and every day.
Your very lowly but very grateful servant,
Kishor-murti das.
--------------------- ---------------------
Krishnagraja das
nama om visnu padayakrishna prestaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
My dear Spiritual Father,
On this most auspicious occasion I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories unto you.
It is true that without your mercy there would be no point in my life. It does not matter how great ones life may be, but without the mercy of a pure devotee, like you, we would miss the point of our life, which is ante narayana smriti. This is confirmed by Jada Bharata wherein he tells Maharaja Rahugana that without the mercy of a Vaisnava there is no question of knowing Krsna, what to speak of thinking of him at the time of death.
As I was in Gurukula (the Krsna concentration camp) I was bombarded with Krsna conscious information. So much discipline have I been taught. Nevertheless it had no tangible effect after freeing me from the clutches of my teachers. Therefore I give my credits to Vedasara Prabhu (Gurukula principle) for handing me under your care, before I even graduated from Gurukula. Your shelter is invaluable, for it helped me assimilate the Gurukula education, not only on a day to day basis, but for a lifetime of dedication to Krsnas service.
Do you remember when you asked me where I had been during Mangal arati?
More amazing was that you asked this question to me in Mayapura during the Gaura Purnima festival. Amidst thousands of devotees, you saw I was not present for Mangala Arati. You expressed your concern for me, on how I was actually applying my Gurukula education. Although I didn't deserve this personal attention, you have kindly offered it to an insignificant and worthless gurukuli like me. This will certainly always remain as one of the golden memories in my life. I am eternally indebted to you for my spiritual upliftment. Not only are you delivering me, but you are also delivering so many sinful people like me. Thus you are pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. In this regard I pray at your lotus feet that one day, if not today, but some day, I can please you just as you are pleasing Srila Prabhupada. If I am fortunate enough to please you, then Krishna is automatically revealed as confirmed by as great a personality as Jada Bharata.
In conclusion without your mercy I would miss the point of my so called exalted life.
Hoping to be your good child and servant,
Krsnagraja das
--------------------- ---------------------
Krishna Murari dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on the forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.
Thank you for being so caring and compassionate, for knocking down my obstacles on the path of devotional service and for saving me and the other conditioned souls from the blazing fire of material existence. Thank you for teaching the glories of the holy name
and Prabhupada’s books, whilst guiding us how to take shelter of them.
Your lifetime of selfless service and dedication to Prabhupada’s mission is so inspiring. I pray that I may always be able to assist you in Srila Prabhupada’s service.
Your servant,
Krsna Murari devi dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhaktin Larisa
Hare Krishna, dear Guru Maharaja!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the devotees of Lord Krishna!
Let me congratulate you with the appearance in this material world because this particular birth has given you the opportunity to serve Srila Prabhupada. Your example shows very graphically and easily how a disciple serves the Guru. You love Prabhupada and are naturally giving him your whole life.
Let me also congratulate all your disciples, well wishers and followers - their life is not vain, because through you they also can serve Srila Prabhupada. When I learned that you consider all your achievements to be nothing than Srila Prabhupada's mercy, I started to understand greatness and strength of spiritual master's mercy. Your mercy makes people pure. You are the ocean of mercy. You care for us even though it seems we are hopelessly engrossed in material life.
For a long time I had been trying to settle down in the material world without Krishna . But I felt only loneliness, emptiness and sadness. I was blind. Illusion had obscured my reality. You've opened my eyes. I believe you and I am ready to learn. I want to learn to love Krishna as you do. You are making the Holy Scriptures live for me. Because of you I understand that our devotional service is not simply dry duty, but ecstatic emotional manifestation of love for Krishna . You are giving the hope that sometime I will master that art. I promise that I will not anymore delay the execution of the instructions you have given to me and not frustrate you.
I would like to be so much useful so that your burden of care could be reduced. So that this huge load (my mind can't even imagine its size) would become lighter to the degree my small heart can grasp. I want very much to learn to serve you.
Bhn. Larisa (Omsk)
--------------------- ---------------------
Mahahari das
Dear Gurudeva:
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
All glories to you in this most auspicious day of your transcendental appearance.
I'm here in Chicago city trying to serve the mission of lord Gauranga, throughout
The transcendental book distribution.
I have no qualities to glorify you in the proper way, my mind and heart feel complete gratefulness, when I just remember all the opportunities you been there preaching to me and also encouraging me to surrender and to give away all my anarthas, in order to advance in the spiritual path of Bhakti.
I just want to tell you that my offering to you will be to be a good disciple and I will try this time to not just say that.
I will act according to your desire and I will learn and study the Sastra in order to become a preacher.
I want to tell you that I love you and I will be always next to you, when ever out of your mercy, you have some small service to engage me. So in that way I will be able to please the lotus feet of Guru and Gauranga.
All glories to Devamirta Swami Maharaja Ki Jay!!!!!
All Glories to your transcendental Vyasa Puja.!!!
Your son and servant.
Maha Hari Das
--------------------- ---------------------
Mahalaxmi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There are innumerable living entities traveling throughout the different planets of the universe and out of them there are a few who are fortunate enough to meet a bona fide spiritual master and get the chance to understand devotional service.
So how rare it is for us - such low born souls - to meet a bona fide spiritual master such as you.
in the current Western 'culture' we have so much 'liberty' and we are allured by the 'freedom to choose'. It is the civilization of sense gratification. We have searched for happiness in so many ways. Basically we have tried everything. But what is the result?
Material happiness remains elusive, and for lack of better engagement we were acting in self-destructive ways. This was our life, until you mercifully gave us the process of Krsna consciousness. How gratefull we should be!!
As Prahlada Maharaja said to Lord Nrsinghadeva;
"My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, 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?"
Similarly, you have accepted me as your disciple, though i am unqualified, and though it is my first duty, i am not able to serve you very nicely. Please help me to somehow serve you, as genuinely as you serve Srila Prabhupada.
your servant,
Mahalaxmi dasi
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Mahavan das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your merciful lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja, please let me thank you for a small fraction of what you have done for me.
Thank you so much for all your tireless efforts to set up and maintain the Gaura Yoga Centre. Thank you for “making it easy” for me to come to Krsna consciousness, grow in Krsna consciousness in a balanced organic way, and to distribute Krsna consciousness to others.
Thank you for providing a devotional environment free from distractions and diplomacy were I can “become smarter than sex,” “be for real” and “be all I can be in Krsna consciousness.”
Thank you for so strictly following Srila Prabhupada and for pushing on his legacy of saving westerners like myself from impersonalism and voidism. Thank you also for your example of being fully satisfied simply living for others.
Thank you for teaching me how to depend on Srila Prabhupadas books and for giving me the opportunity to learn, teach and distribute them. And thank you for guiding me in my asrama and in my service of counseling.
How can I ever repay you? Your mercy is as unlimited and unfathomable as my great fortune to have you as my spiritual father.
By that grace alone, I have had some nice realizations this year, and their appearance in my consciousness is surely yet another manifestation of your divine power. While I don’t consider them “spiritual realizations” as such, I am encouraged none the less, because they show me at least some of what I have to work on in order to become your worthy assistant:
o I have a shallow understanding and very little realization of the philosophy of Krsna consciousness.
o I cannot yet chant the holy names as you instructed me to do at the time of initiation free from offences.
o Because of the contamination of impersonalism, I am often critical and harsh in my dealings with others, which are almost always on the false ego platform.
o I have a big desire for fame and recognition.
o Even though I am constantly suffering the reactions of my sinful life, and being kicked by maya at practically every moment, I still think I’m very intelligent and independent.
o I am in desperate need of purification.
How can I even begin to repay my dept to you as long as these pollutions corrupt my heart?
ohe!
vaisnava thakura, doyara sagara,
e dase koruna kori’
diya pada-chaya, sodho he amaya,
tomara carana dhori
“O Vaisnava Thakura, 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.”
Gurudeva, please let me beg one benediction so that I can one day be of some use to you in your mission:
Just as Krsna severed Sisupala’s head from his body at the Rajasuya sacrifice without spilling one drop of blood on the sacrificial arena, I’m begging you to again weave your inconceivable magic and cut these weeds, which are impediments to my relationship with you, out of my heart with the power of your holy words.
So many lives I’ve surrendered to maya, please teach me in this one life how to surrender to Sri Krsna Caitanya as a servant of the servant of the servant of His sankirtan movement.
krsna se tomara, krsna dite paro
tomara sakati ache
ami to’ kangala, ‘krsna’ ‘krsna’ boli’,
dhai tava pache pache
“Krsna is yours. You are able to give Him to me, for such is your power. I am indeed wretched and simply run after you, crying Krsna! Krsna!”
Aspiring to be your faithful dog,
Mahavan das
--------------------- ---------------------
Maha-yoga dasi
Dear Devamrita Swami,
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
For days, I have been skimming throught the past few years of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja books, knowing I wanted to write something similar. I have sat through a couple years of festivals honoring Srila Prabhupada, and listened to the disciples he intitated talk about how they felt about him, and how important he was in their lives. I have the same feelings and thoughts as they do, only my Spiritual Master is named Devamrita Swami. So I have nothing original or unique to say.
Page after page of any of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja books, sums it all up for me. When Srila Prabhupada left his body, I was just 15 years old, living in conservative Orange County California. The land of Maya. I had no exposure to Krishna Consciousness or the Founder Acarya. Unfortunatley I can not relate to Srila Prabhupada like his immediate disciples and so many other devotees can. I'm so low and degraded. But luckily Krsna must hav felt sorry for me. He let me cross your path, and gave me the eyes and ears to see and hear him in you.
To me, you are Krsna.You are in my dreams almost every night. I'm so incredibly lucky. You probably see me as a silly, petty woman, always writing to you about my insignificant trials and tribulations. I'm sorry. I apologize, and have made a vow not to bother you so much. I fear you have decided that I'm not a devotee at all. Please accept my humble obeisances.
Sincerely your disciple and servant,
MahaYoga Devi Dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Manigriva das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to your divine service.
Life sometimes does not seem easy. We seem to go through stages and phases, up's and downs. Sometimes the curve ball hits you, and it may even seem that we are drowning, but just to know that you are serving Srila Prabhupada and by some causeless mercy I am am able to serve you. This keeps me going.
Always aspiring, always trying,
your servant always,
Manigriva dasa
--------------------- ---------------------
Mantramala dasi
My dear Spiritual Father,
Please accept my humble obeisances on this most blessed day, your Vyasa-puja.
Let me thank you for all the service opportunities you gave me this year and for your numerous teaching attempts for me through these opportunities on how to be "just a humble servant of my Guru Maharaj".
Guru Maharaj, in my sane moments I am very grateful that you have busily engaged me. In my sane moments I do pray to Krishna to allow me to serve you more and more, both quantitatively and qualitatively. But most of the time I just want to quit and have an easy life. I am so diseased, shameless and low class.
Is there a chance that you continue to overlook my offenses? I have hurt you so many times. And I don't seem to want to improve. How can I be your servant then? Please forgive me.
Mantramala
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Martin
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on your Vyasa-puja.
Please accept my apologies for not writing sooner. It's pretty safe to say that I'm in Maya. Slowly but surely I'm discovering how deeply situated in her lap I'm sleeping.
TRANSLATION: 'My dear King, a disciple has to accept the spiritual master not only as spiritual master, but also as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul. In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God because he is the external manifestation of Krishna.'
So this is my problem - simply laziness. Intellectually I'm just sitting on my throne and doing nothing but merely watching what's going on within the kingdom of my filthy mind. Thoughts come rolling in like moaning citizens complaining about the smell of the kingdom, others come stumbling drunkardly praising the kingdom for all its unrighteous glory. Sometimes they argue with each other, "Yep, this place sure is the greatest", " No way! Its a stinking hole!" and the bickering never stops. Sometimes my own citizens dress themselves up as messengers from neighbouring kingdoms, spinning webs of deceit, they try to entice war.
All I do is sit silently, rubbing my head, trying to make heads and tails of it all. "Who are these people? Where have they come from? I just cant understand where their at!"
So I sit silently, not giving any advice, any guidance on how to clean this mess, nor do I order anyone to lead as an example - I give then nothing to reach for. Thoughts come into my head and then they go out, come back in and go out again and in this way, I'm letting Maya slap me around.
So I asked myself, " Where does this laziness come from?" My conclusion was 'Impersonalism'. Why do I need to endeavour in a relationship with Krishna when ultimately Krishna is just the 'whatever'. There is no relationship to endeavour in.
I'm finding this 'impersonalism' to be a mental concoction, just so that I can keep on speculating two things. "Yes, I do have a direct relationship with Krishna. Actually I'm already on the liberated platform. Consequently, what is the real need for a spiritual master?"
But the reality is a real hard slap in the face. One I haven't totally come to grips with yet. Still I need the vision in which I can find real humility, or is it that I need the humility in order to see? I'm just a small time jnani addicted to the taste of mental speculation. Addicted to this mental chain I have no taste for Krishna's service nor do I have a taste for surrendering to his process.
This is where I'm at. But I know that simply by following your guidance that this chain will be broken. So please let me humbly submit the top of my head to the bottom of your merciful feet. I can understand that no exhibition of mundane intellectual prowess is sufficient to understand Krishna, but only by the grace of the spiritual master can one become qualified as the unqualified servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna. Please be merciful upon me and engage me in your service.
Your aspiring disciple,
Bk Martin
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Bhakta Matt
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
From the first moment I came into awareness of Krishna Consciousness my life has changed so much I can't believe.
I look back to when I was first introduced to this unlimited sublime process, when Muni-cari and I would have full 8 hour working day discussions on the highest knowledge. I couldnt believe that their were actually answers to all those questions I had and had almost given up on. It came at just the right moment of my life. Krishna listens when you are crying out for him, yet when you learn of him it is still so hard to convince the mind.
Now I can see that all this was arranged by Guru and Krishna working together. I can see your instructions to Muni-cari to work in Krishna Consciousness and it just so happened that it was arranged to come and work with me.
Ive realized the importance of just one devotee trying their hardest to practice this process and spreading the glories of Krishna. It is multiplied enormously from just one devotee to so many others. I am so grateful to you, for Krishna is becoming known to so many fortunate souls. All due to your instruction and mercy upon your devotees. All respects to you as I am now able to do exactly the same as what Muni-cari did for me.
When I first heard of the idea of needing to have a Spiritual Master to guide me I was quite freaked out at the whole idea. Muni-cari would try to get me to come to Wellington to meet you when you were there. But there was always some excuse.
I am now very fond of the idea of being able to develop a relationship with you and be able to take guidance from you. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to try to serve you.
Thank you again on this special day
your trying servant
Matt
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Bhakta Mikey
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All Glories to your lotus feet!
On this most auspicious day of your appearance I offer prayers of gratitude to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga for sending Their infinitely merciful and compassionate representative to drag this most wretched little boy out of the most degraded condition. They constantly empower you to spread Their mercy, in the form of the Holy Name, and Prabhupada’s books, to all the fallen souls. I am so grateful that somehow, I managed to get caught in your net of mercy.
Gurudeva, I have no qualifications to write you an offering. I have no devotion, I totally lack intelligence, and yet I am entirely full of pride. Indeed, in all reality, I have no good qualities. The only thing I have in my favour is the fact that for some reason, you have decided to be merciful to this most fallen creature. For that I am forever indebted to you. All I can offer you in return is my constant service. Please give this life some meaning, and engage me always in your service. This is all I can offer you.
Gurudeva, where would I be without your disciples? They are my life and soul. By watching them carry out your service, I am constantly being inspired. I can see your mood shining through by associating with them, and your mission is always present in their actions. Yet still, I take them for granted, commit constant offences against them, and am always full of envy in their presence. When will I properly associate with your disciples, serving them to the best of my ability?
Gurudeva thank you for introducing me to Srila Prabhupada’s books. The first time I met you, on my first visit to the Gaura Yoga centre, you induced me to try to wrap my intellect around Bhagavad-Gita, and then Srimad Bhagavatam. These books have saved my life, by capturing my mind, and dragging it away from a constant stream of useless speculation, which was destined to lead me to the lowest existence possible. Now I even dream of Prabhupada’s purports. Even if I read Prabhupada’s books day and night for the rest of my life, I will never be satiated, nor will I ever fully comprehend the beauty of them. Thank you so much for giving me this most precious gift. When will I give Prabhupada’s books the proper place in my life, focusing all my minds ability on understanding them, and distributing them? When will I develop full faith in the fact that these books can save the world?
Gurudeva, you amaze me in every way. You embody Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and you enable a new generation of eager devotees to come under its influence, and to entice others to take shelter of it. You utilize the energies and abilities of so many in a way that so effectively carries on this beautiful ISKCON, allowing Prabhupada’s mercy to continue to spread to more and more souls. You understand the modern world in a way that no one else does, and you utilise this understanding perfectly in Krsna’s service. Please, let me be a part of your mission to fulfil the mission of your Guru-Maharaja.
Having stumbled through this offering, I now do what I should have done in the very beginning, and turn to the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. His words say more than I could ever vocalise.
“Gurudeva, give to this servant just one drop of mercy. I am lower than a blade of grass. Give me all help. Give me strength. Let me be as you are, without desires or aspirations. I offer you all respects, for thus I may have the energy to know you correctly. Then, by chanting the holy name in great ecstasy, all my offenses will cease. O Lord and Master! When will such mercy fall to this one who is weak and devoid of intelligence? Allow me to be with you. If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If you are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.”
trying to be your humble servant,
Bhakta Mikey
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Mukunda das
Dear Devamrita Swami!
Please accept my humble obeissances on the day of your appearance!
All glories to His Divine Loving Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada!
It is half a year since I have first met you at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Slowly I am getting to know you through personal association, your lectures, advice and your disciples (especially my wife). I can see that the love of Srila Prabhupada and my Guru Maharaj is also coming to me through you. My Guru Maharaja is also taking care of me through you. It has not been easy for me after his departure and I am stuggeling a lot, but I know that there is no other way but to continue with serving the vaishnavas and chanting the holy names. As you said that everything is coming and will expand from chanting the holy names of Krishna,
I am praying to Krishna to give you strength so that you can nicely lead devotees and I admire your spiritual achievements around the world.
Begging for your blessings to follow The Seven Habbits Forumula of Srila Sridhar Swami and hoping to see you soon in Slovenia,
At your command,
Mukunda dasa
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Muni Cari das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
And all glories to you on this the auspicious celebration of your appearance in this world!!
Well, yet another year has passed and you show no sign of cutting back or reducing your extremely arduous world wide preaching mission. It amazes me no end the way you constantly cross the globe in search of conditioned souls to give Krsna to. I guess, in one sense, I am envious also. Not necessarily because I want to travel all the time, don't get me wrong, but because I selfishly want you here in Melbourne with us not somewhere else with someone else.
As I read this out I know I will be surrounded by my God brothers and sisters, who I love very much. They also have achieved a lot this year, distributing books, cooking for their Lordships, managing temples and rosters are amoung some of their service accomplishments. I am very proud to be in their association. My double headed achievement this year is not something to be proud of however. Somehow I managed to break both marriage and initiation vows in one fowl swoup. ‘Sorry' and ‘it wont happen again' are my ‘lines in stone right now'.
Recently I read an article by one of your God brothers entitled ‘Prabhupada is coming'. I found myself laughing and crying simultaneously. The picture painted in this article was one of devotees roaring like lions, so fired up that nothing could stop them. Standing in buckets of cold water to stay awake during japa, cold showers, sleeping on the floor, to name just some of the sense gratifying nectar they experienced. Srila Prabhupada was their life and soul and their service to His Divine Grace was all they new. Where has this spirit gone? Where is the mood of selfless service and no holds bared preaching?
You exemplify the mood of selfless service to your Spiritual Master, even after so many years in the movement. My prayer to you on this auspicious day is please help me, please show me, please guide me, please instruct me on how I can become more like YOU and less like ME . That is, selfless not selfish. This is what I pray from you, nah, beg from you!!
Thank you for the opportunity of serving Radha Balaba, by your mercy the lame can walk, the dumb can speak, and a crazy kiwi kid came become the head pujari at the Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir.
Your spiritual son,
Muni-cari dasa
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Nalakuvera das
Dear Guru-Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to your auspicious vyasa-puja day.
Guru-Maharaja, everywhere in Srila Prabhupada's books we read very clear definitions describing what pure devotional service is and the nature of the pure souls who perform it.
If it was not for Srila Prabhupada's perfect explanations of this most confidential subject I could have easily been cheated in the search to find a genuine spiritual master, and probably quite happily. I would have accepted anyone with a big beard and elegant chuddar to be spiritually advanced.
In so many ways these transcendental books have saved so many of us and should be glorified with the best prayers, but so also should the surrendered devotees who arranged for them to get into our needy hands and who also showed us by their faith making example the benefit for trying to understand them and practice their content.
Guru-Maharaja, simply by hearing from you and observing your sublime characteristics, we wish to delve into the depths of these literatures and begin to pry open the steel cage surrounding our heart's so we can one day taste the same sweetness that so clearly you are experiencing at every moment.
When my godbrothers and I discuss the compassionate lengths, effort and skill you put in to save the wrecked urban sewer rats we see the essence of Srila Prabhupada's books come to life. For example S.B 7.9.43-44, ‘Praladha pacifies Lord Nrsimahadeva with prayers'.
“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them”.
“My dear Lord Nrsimahadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the Himalayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vrata]. They are not interested in delivering others. As for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that without Krishna consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet.”
Your sole occupation since the early 1970's, has been to crack the dark citadels of Maya's evil empire, by injecting into it's veins the miracle medicine of Mahaprabhu's mercy. So many of us were dull and dumb before meeting you, lost in the ‘who cares', ‘just do it' prison ward but now we are all free and finding inspiration in your transcendental tactics to breakout more inmates from kali's lockdown. You are gracing us with a living example of real vaisnava compassion as powerfully exemplified by the Lords pure devotee in the above verses.
Constantly you have been Gung-ho urban preaching, starting covert distribution behind the iron curtain and moving from one battlefront to another, rallying and enlivening Lord Caitanya's sankirtan army, while sketching out new strategies to relieve His anxiety over the suffering living entities.
Recently on flying from India to New Zealand I was realizing that flying is such an austerity. There was just a little turbulence and I felt so unwell that it was very hard to even chant. On our arrival it took many days to get our body clocks back in proper working order. We were discussing what great austerities you must perform to benefit others. Then later on we found this verse; S.B 8.7.44 ‘Lord Siva Saves the Universe by Drinking Poison'.
“It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is considered the highest method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present in everyone's heart. “
Purport:
Here is an explanation of how those engaged in activities for the welfare of others are very quickly recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord says in Bhagavad-Gita (18.68-69), ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhäsyati. .. na ca tasmän manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: "One who preaches the message of Bhagavad-Gita to My devotees is most dear to Me. No one can excel him in satisfying Me by worship." There are different kinds of welfare activities in this material world, but the supreme welfare activity is the spreading of Krishna consciousness. Other welfare activities cannot be effective, for the laws of nature and the results of karma cannot be checked….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? If one has been recognized by the Lord, even if he does not ask the Lord for anything, the Lord, who is within everyone, supplies him whatever he wants…The best welfare activity is raising people to the platform of Krishna consciousness, since the conditioned souls are suffering only for want of Krishna consciousness….All the sastras conclude, therefore, that spreading the Krishna consciousness movement is the best welfare activity in the world. Because of the ultimate benefit this bestows upon people in general, the Lord very quickly recognizes such service performed by a devotee.
Guru-Maharaja, Prabhupada's books are a window into the drivers of a pure devotee. When we see your example, of someone who has sold out to the indefatigable vani found in them we know that we have stumbled upon something very very precious.
I hope I have haven't been shameful by attempting to make out that I know something about pure devotees, because the simple fact of the matter is that I don't, but to use an analogy. ‘If a dumb man is searching for an ocean, whom has never had it described to him, how would he recognize it if he came before it? But how easily will he recognize it if told it's a great, deep, reflective and cooling reservoir of life giving water?' Srila Prabhupada's books give such descriptions and you are these qualities to us.
Thank you for training up my older godbrothers who give me daily shelter and guidance. Guru-Maharaja, I want to thank you in so many ways but feel my neophytical words barely touch the surface of your praiseworthy qualities and activities.
As confirmed by Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22.47 ‘Prthu Maharaja's meeting with the four Kumara's.'
“Prthu Maharaja continued: How can such persons, who have rendered unlimited service by explaining the path of self-realization in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and whose explanations are given for our enlightenment with complete conviction and Vedic evidence, be repaid except by folded palms containing water for their satisfaction? Such great personalities can be satisfied only by their own activities, which are distributed amongst human society out of their unlimited mercy.”
Begging to remain your servant,
Nalakuvara dasa
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Bhakta Neal and Bhaktin Wendy
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeinces!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All of our thoughts are with You on your appearance day. You are such a crystal clear window that gives all an untainted view of the teachings of Your Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada. You add nothing, and You take nothing away. Your lectures are wonderful.
You are what we need in a spiritual father. I hope we can meet with You face to face someday soon, by Lord Krishna's merciful arrangement.
yours in service,
Bhakta Neal and Bhaktin Wendy Carr
--------------------- ---------------------
Netra Ananda dasi
Jaya Gurudeva!
O dear Guru Maharaja!
On this wonderful day of Your appearance accept please my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet. I'd like to say many things but it is impossible to express in words everything that is in the soul, in the heart. The soul is singing and the heart is full of love and endless gratitude. Since the first time I saw you, you have entered my heart and become its Master, having changed my whole life. Patiently, as the father leading his small and foolish child by the hand, you led me from darkness to knowledge and light, having opened the path of joy and bliss of the Lord's service. And since then whatever difficulties come to my life, the light of your radiant smile always warms the heart and dissipates all the clouds and worries and your instructions help to overcome all the obstacles. O Guru Maharaja! Thank you for your compassion and endless mercy, with which you reach out the safety rope and I promises to hold on it with all my might. Thank you for kindness and compassion to such a worthless servant, to whom you have granted the happiness of becoming your disciple. The happiness fill whole my existence, tears pour from my eyes and I repeat again and again:
O dear Guru Maharaja, thank you for this mercy, for this miracle! I am happy to fall at your lotus feet on this Day of Your Vyasa-puja as your disciple. And although a great geographical distance is separating as today, it is not there. You are always in my heart and I am sitting today by your lotus feet with all your disciples from other countries and throwing the most beautiful flower petals at you, offering you the most delicious preparations and glorifying you. I promise I would try my best to follow your instructions and to help you in your mission to become worthy disciple and to stisfy you and Srila Prabhupada so that you never think that you made a mistake by accepting me and I promise to you that whatever difficulty I will never deviate from the path of devotional service. I promise to always hold to your lotus feet and serve the Lord Krishna for His satisfaction and for the satisfaction of all the devotees.
Jaya Gurudeva!
Your unworthy servant,
Netra Ananda dasi
19 of September 2004
Thanks for such a nice name! I would try my best to justify your trust, dear Guru Maharaja and with Your mercy to serve the Lord Krishna, making Him happy.
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Noelle
DEAR DEVAMRITA SWAMI, GURU MAHARAJ!
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA!
PLEASE ACCEPT MY HUMBLE OBEISANCES.
ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR VYASAPUJA, PLEASE BE SO KIND AS TO ACCEPT MY HUMBLE AND VERY INEXPERT OFFERING OF THANKS FOR ALL YOUR MERCY AND GUIDANCE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, SINCE YOU CONSENTED TO ACCEPT ME AS AN ASPIRING DISCIPLE.
MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH YOU WAS THROUGH YOUR VOICE, WHICH I HEARD OVER A LOUDSPEAKER AS I ARRIVED AT THE TEMPLE IN CAPE TOWN. IT WAS A CLASSIC CASE OF "INSTANT RECOGNITION", ALTHOUGH I HAD NEVER SEEN OR EVEN HEARD OF YOU BEFORE - I WAS OVERWHELMED WITH THE THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE TO BE MY SPIRITUAL GUIDE AND MENTOR, IF YOU WOULD ONLY CONSENT ACCEPT ME. FOR YEARS, EVEN BEFORE I MET THE DEVOTEES, I HAD BEEN WONDERING HOW AND WHERE I WOULD EVER FIND A GURU.
AND IN YOUR MERCY, YOU DID INDEED ACCEPT ME, A TOTAL NEOPHYTE FROM AN IMPERSONALIST BACKGROUND. . . . . . WITHOUT FAIL, YOU HAVE GUIDED ME PATIENTLY AND KINDLY THROUGH ALL MY BEGINNERS PROBLEMS AND FOOLISH QUESTIONS. I HAVE ALWAYS MARVELLED THAT YOU TAKE SUCH PAINS TO REPLY WITH INCISIVE SIMPLICITY TO THE MAZE OF QUESTIONS THAT MY MIND HAS CONVOLUTED AND OBFUSCATED.
I HAVE FREQUENTLY FELT AWARE OF YOUR INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE, AND WAS CONVINCED THAT THERE WAS A SENSE OF CONTACT EMANATING FROM YOU TO ME. YET ONLY WHEN YOU ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT HERE RECENTLY, DID I REALISE JUST HOW REAL AND STRONG THAT CONNECTION REALLY IS. MANY TIMES I HAVE MET AND BEEN MET AT AIRPORTS BY LONG-ABSENT FAMILY MEMBERS, ALWAYS WITH THAT SENSE OF JOY AT BEING REUNITED, EVEN FOR A SHORT SPACE OF TIME - BUT WHEN YOU ARRIVED, I WAS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION, AND CAN ONLY SUPPOSE THAT THIS MUST BE A SMALL TASTE OF WHAT IT MUST BE LIKE TO EXPERIENCE THE "SEPARATION" THAT I READ ABOUT IN SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOKS.
I AM TOO NEW AND INEXPERIENCED TO UNDERSTAND ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT RELATE DIRECTLY TO MYSELF, SO IN CLOSING I SHOULD LIKE TO STRESS HOW OVERAWED I AM BY PROOFS YOU HAVE GIVEN OF HOW DEEPLY AND INTIMATELY YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ME, ESPECIALLY ALL MY DOWNFALLS AND WEAKNESSES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SENIOR DEVOTEES THAT GURU'S ANGER IS THE GREATEST MERCY, AND I AM JUST BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SO.
WHETHER THROUGH YOUR ANGER OR YOUR KINDNESS, I HAVE FAITH THAT YOU WILL GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS LIFE, AND TEACH ME HOW TO SERVE AND TO HAVE THE BHAKTI THAT I ASPIRE TO.
PLEASE ACCEPT MY OBEISANCES
HARE KRISHNA
YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT AND ASPIRING DISCIPLE,
NOELLE
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Bhaktin Osnat
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
I remember the day I first met you.
I know Krishna was so merciful upon my unfortunate soul, looking for a different way in life.
I never thought that I need a spiritual teacher to show me the way.
It will come from inside!
I can show me the way, and I can be the way!
I remember you challenged me with your wards:” you will surprise me if you will take this practice to your life”.
A voice inside me whispered:” what does he think? If others can do it, then I can too, if I want to”. I didn't know if I wanted to, but when my best friend Efrat, told me the next day “I'll chant only if you will wake up with me and we will do it together”. So I agreed, and I am so grateful for that magical day in Christchurch , that I didn't know who is the person I am going to meet (You).
Thank you for every time I saw you in NZ at that time, and make me stronger .
Thank you for those wonderful devotees, which by your grace were a great inspiration for me.
Thank you for your instruction, which I carefully follows, and improved my marriage 10,000 times more, and made them magical and mutual.
Thank you for rescuing me and my family, from ordinariness and showed us how to raise our daughters in Krishna consciousness.
I see no meaning for living without this golden thread you gave me to the spiritual sky.
It's the only way I ever wanted to live.
I pay obeisances from now till the end of my existence, at your lotus feet.
Hare Krishna
Your servant
Osnat
(Bhaktin osnat)
--------------------- ---------------------
Param Satya dasi
Dear Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Another celebration of your Vyasa Puja and you are shining brighter than ever the "Krishna sun" given to you by your beloved spiritual master. How I long to bask in these rays of divine blessings and feel the warmth of pure chanting. I hope that this year I may be able to put away my umbrella which is blocking out this benediction, so that I may assist you in helping to revive Krishna consciousness in different parts of the globe.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Param Satya dd
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Phaniranjana das & Bhakti Sakti dasi
Respectfully Devamrita Swami
Please receive our humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Devamrita Swami
Each day we are praying for your success in teaching Lord Krishna to all people.
All the flowers of the world to you.
Your servants,
Prabhu Phaniranjana and Bhakti Sakti devi das
--------------------- ---------------------
Pranesvari dasi and family
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dearest Guru Maharaj
It is with heartfelt gratitude that here I make obeisances at your lotus feet and humbly ask you to accept my sincere Vyasa Puja homage on this your very special day and to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you are doing to bring Krsna Consciousness to every town and city.
You......who are working so tirelessly for Krsna........preaching.......writing and praying the Lord's Holy Name ....uplifting all your special devotees with your love.......what else can I say?
Maharaj........you are so precious to us all and we will do our best to follow in your lotus footsteps.
Your simple and loving spiritual daughter
Pranesvari devi dasi
Michael - Ann-Marie - Louise
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Premamala dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances to your lotus like feet. All glories to
Srila Prabhupada.
Happy birthday to you.
I wish to cook a big feast for you.
Pls bless me on this special occasion.
Loving daughter
Premamala dd
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Prema Sankirtan das
PAMHO! AGTSP!
PAMHO, AGTSP
In the Eleventh Canto of Srimad Bhagwatam, Third Chapter Verse 21, Sage Prabudda tells Maharaj Nimi: "My King, a disciploe has to accept the spiritual master not only as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Supersoul. In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God, because he is the external manifestation of Krsna. This is confirmed in every scripture, and a disciple should accept the spiritual master as such ." It is stated in Nectar of Devotion "The attitude of the disciple should be to satisfy the bonafide spiritual master. Then it will be very easy for him to understand spiritual knowledge.
This is confirmed in the Vedas, and Rupa Gosvami will further explain that for a person who has unflinching faith in God and the spritual master everything becomes revealed very easily." Also in the Nectar of Devotion We can find statement: Regarding accepting initiation from the spiritual master, in the Eleventh Canto of Srimad-Bhagwatam Seventeenth Chapter, verse 27, it is stated by Lord Krsna: "My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative, but as My very self. He must never be considered on the same level with an ordinary human being. One should never be envious of he spiritual master, as one may be envious of an ordinary man. The spiritual master should always be seen as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by serving the
spiritual master one is able to serve all the demigods."
My dear Guru Maharaj please give me your blessings that i can externally meditate on the above instructions from the scriptures, and try to apply in my daily activities. Only in this way i will be able to fulfull the mission of human form of life to attain Love of Godhead. And also only by your mercy i can be sucessfull to be just insignificant servant of your lotus
fee, externally.
Even i am very fallen and unqualified in every regard still i beg for your mercy that i can never loose faith in You and my dear Guru Maharaj and your nectarian words.
Your most fallen servant,
Prema Sankirtan das
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Prema Vardhana das
Dear Guru Maharaja!
Let us offer our humble obeisances unto you.
Krishna comes in this world out of compassion. We can feel your support and, through you, - the compassionate support of the whole parampara and Krishna. You are giving us the real feeling that Krishna and His devotees are calling everyone of us to return to our lost relationship of the spiritual world.
You are inviting us to become a part of Krishna's family and by your association we feel the inspiration to serve Srila Prabhupada's mission and a strong desire to get blessings of guru-parampara and be of some use for them.
We understand what responsibility you feel to guru-parampara, therefore you are trying so much, and we would like to help you in this and try to become a good instrument.
We are sure it is possible if we would treat Krishna as a person, humbly serve the devotees, attentively chant the holy name and read enough of Prabhupada's books. This blessing is already given in the form of the opportunity to do it and there is no need to even ask you for it.
One realization that came to us this year is that although weren't fortunate enough to acquire personal association with Srila Prabhupada, we still can experience the happiness of transcendental association with Srila Prabhupada in your person and also to experience the joy of selfless service to your spiritual daughters and sons. Krishna did not deprive us from these emotions.
Because you carry this heavy load of guru-parampara representative, your disciples can also experience the same taste of association and service that many of your spiritual brothers enjoyed in association with Srila Prabhupada. This taste purifies and enlivens.
We also would like to thank you for your non-dogmatic and individual approach in training the devotees. Without taking freedom of choice you are giving us the best alternative and teach how to think, take the decision and find our place in life and in Krishna's Family.
Your servants,
Ananda Vardhana dd
Prema Vardhana d
(Perm, Russia)
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Pyari Caran das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you!
Somehow or other, over the years I have acquired a reputation as a writer. As I grew older, I embraced the designation, and it became a part of who I thought I was. I used to relish the recognition of a published poem or article, and seamlessly I carried the conception over to my vision of myself in spiritual life. So, when I realized that this year I would be able to write you an offering for your Vyasa-puja, I was very excited at the opportunity to “strut my stuff”.
But then I began writing, and I realized that what was supposed to be an offering to you, was really a glorification of myself. I was savoring each word, and thinking “Oh yes, everyone will appreciate, and so will Gurudeva!” I had a whole theme laid out. I was going to write about how much you are in love with Srila Prabhupada's books. But then it struck me like a hammer… as long as I remain arrogant my glorification of you will be tainted. I realized that I was trying to fool you. I thought that by writing some combination of words I could please you. So even though it's true, and you are completely in love with Srila Prabhupada, his literature and his mission, such glorification would simply be empty words coming from me.
I can't seem to help it, but despite the admission, this is still dripping with self- appreciation. So I would like to ask you to please forgive me for this fault, and accept these offerings instead: my renewed pledge to peel away all the layers of muck that have me bound up. All the arrogance, the lust, the nonsense. No matter how long it takes, and no matter what I must go through…whether it's what I think I want or not. And also, the acknowledgement that I am utterly incapable of expressing, or even cultivating the proper gratitude for what you have given me. It's really not there yet.
In the least, you deserve a pure offering, and that offering is supposed to be my very self. Until that time, please tolerate me.
Your aspiring servant,
Pyari Caran dasa
------------------------------------------
Ramdas das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
By hearing the instructions you have kindly giving me viz. become smarter than sex life, transform, and distribute, my illusion is slackening a little, or a lot since I first met you. No longer do I jump to satisfy the ringing bell of passion, rather, I understand now how dangerous sex life is even on the carefully maintained royal roads. Now you have turned our attention to Krishna by your very convincing words. Your very convincing words are not only very brilliant and clever, but are also symptomatic of your nature. The most important is how the man in Krishna consciousness speaks, for speech is the most important quality of any man. The immediate symptom of a Krishna conscious man is that he only speaks of Krishna and matters relating to Him. Other symptoms then automatically follow.
But even your Krishna consciousness talks are not ordinary explanations of Krishna consciousness. They emulate more the talking of a "superior devotee" like Arjuna. The purport of Srila Prabhupada's found in the tenth chapter of Bhagavad-gita, explains Arjunas opening the understanding of Krsna for the common man so they could come and stand on the threshold of bhakti and get a peep at Krishna's opulence and grandeur. Engaged yourself in expanding the network of Iskcon, you write for the common mans benefit. The superior devotee is concerned not only for his own understanding but also for the understanding of all mankind. Out of your compassion, because you are a superior Vaisnava, you are opening for the common man the understanding of the infinite value of Srila Prabhupada's books.
You have carefully considered the mode of thinking of the materialistic persons of the modern world. Thus when people read your book "Vedic India" we hear them ask, "Do you have any of Prabhupada's books". This type of powerful writing is symptomatic of one whose consciousness is merged in Transcendence.
Your talk alone is enough evidence that you are transcendentally situated, but then there is also your characteristics, which show us a higher flavour after renunciation. Better things to see, better things to hear, a better place to live. Better attachments to be had, and a greater form to be eager for. A more organised presentation of your character is given in the law book of Iskcon makes your character more easy to understand.
You are always pleased to live in the atmosphere of the dhamas, although to me it seems you come and go from the dhamas, actually according to Bhagavad-gita you never leave. It was Adwaita Acarya who said to Lord Caitanya "Where ever you go, my Lord, that is Vrindaban." You can live anywhere and create the atmosphere of Vrindaban by your devotional service... Even while taking prasadam.
You awaken this atmosphere all the time, everyday, because you always describe the transcendental glories of the Lord. Of course one may question me: "How do you know where Devamrita Swami is at?" Saying this since I am nothing. Fair enough. But Srila Rupa Goswami says that those who are nothing much, if they stand in kirtan with those who are effulgent, like yourself, then those lesser participants will feel perfection within themselves. These are the exact words: "At that time, simply by the association of such pure devotees, the moonlike rays from their hearts reflect on him. And by the influence of the pure devotees he may show some likeness of attachment caused by inquisitiveness, but this is very flickering. And if by the manifestation of such shadow attachment one feels the disappearance of all material pangs, then it is called para attachment.
So this much I have experienced, it is not the experience of a greatly advanced devotee; according to Rupa goswami all it takes is some inquisitiveness for the kirtana. However it does establish were the para attachment comes from. Moonbeams coming from the hearts of a pure devotee.
One who can give para, attachment, and much more to his followers certainly must be eager to assimilate the nectar of the glories of the Lord themselves.
If you're eager to serve Krishna we can easily conclude that you are attached to the chanting of the holy name. Otherwise why would you like the great Narada Muni, hardly travelling on land, fly here and there broadcasting the nectar available in glorifying the Lord and reinstating the conditioned souls in their original position of devotional service to the Lord. Of course anyone knows that this takes great faith to serve in such a way like you do. And this means that you must be certain that Krishna will bestow His mercy on you. Although we think He already has.
And of course the person with mundane vision, will try to study you from his or her own standpoint. "If I spoke so wonderfully, preached so well, and behaved so nicely surely I'd think of the respect I'd get". But Like the Great Madhavendra Puri you always run away from people who understand your talent and thus we are left here with just our bowls and jugs of honey, yoghurt and water, but your lotus feet are no where to be seen. The fact is one like you who is pleased, eager, sure of Krishna's mercy, greatly attached to chanting Hare Krishna, won't long for respect because it doesn't enhance the transcendental pleasure you get from the ocean of devotion.
Doing all this powerful preaching, saving the poor conditioned souls although they do not want it, fighting against maya, criticised by neophytes, and powering full steam undisturbed even when I was your personal servant making numerous disturbances, expresses your glories in another way. The permanent reservation and perseverance you have despite all difficulty.
And having travelled with you personally I've seen how you simply crave to do this preaching 24 hours a day. Whether it be your writing, creating a thirst in the conditioned souls to read Prabhupada's books, or invigorating the devotees with kind and considerate talks, or your tabernacle busting kirtans... This is your full time occupation. And to arrive on the scene to perform these devotional feats, I have seen that no one walks so fast to and from their flights. You plan that there are no dead seconds in between them, and if someone delays some of these carefully scheduled activities, then as you once wrote... " The cruise missiles are launched". In the past I have detected some of these on my radar.
You are always anxious to utilise your time in the Devotional service of the Lord and do not like to be idle. So:
1) always anxious to utilise your time in devotional service
2) always reserved and persevering
3) always detached from all material attraction
4) you do not long for respect for your activities
5) certain that Krishna will bestow mercy upon you
6) always eager to serve the Lord faithfully
7) very attached to chanting
8) eager to Glorify Krishna
9) very pleased to live in Vrindaban etc
These describe your characteristics, one who has developed his ecstatic love for Krishna. Srila Prabhupada writes "By the process of executing regulated devotional service, one is actually elevated to the transcendental stage, beyond the modes of material nature. Spontaneously, the devotee becomes eager to serve the Lord in his ecstatic love. Such a devotee has no material affections and is interested only in the service of Radha and Krishna."
I feel very fortunate to have such an ecstatic spiritual master as your self. And I would like you become your pure servant. I can easily understand that serving you is the ultimate goal of life. Please some way or another wake me up, so I can fully sacrifice this pile of flesh and blood on the altar of the sankirtana mission... and not in the fire of the senses... Please guide me to full surrender at your lotus feet.
United with your instructions I stand,
divided I fall
Your insignificant servant
Ramadas das
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Rasika dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humblest obeisances.
I wish you a very happy Vyasa Puja Day.
With special greetings
Your servant
Rasika and Gabriel
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Robin
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
The spiritual master is a very important figure in a devotees life. I wish I could understand this, maybe then I would be more fixed and serious about my service. The books at the temple are full of glorifications about the guru. I will try and follow and become a good devotee. I don´t really know what else to do. You have been very kind and always
encouraged me. I never had a reading program but now I feel guilty if I don´t read my 1 and a half hours, I try and read extra the following day. This was one of the first orders you gave.
I will do my best.
All glories to your service Maharaja. You are helping people in ways I will never understand.
Your servant
Bh.Robin
--------------------- ---------------------
Rohininandana das
Dear Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances on the glorious occasion of Maharaj's Vyasa Puja.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories unto Your merciful self.
We are extremely grateful and indebted to Maharaj for giving us the direction and shelter in this blazing fire of material existence.
We feel that it was really Krishna 's direct hand in bringing you into our lives. Somehow you have touched our lives deeply and with your compassion and understanding, lifted us out of the rut we were in for a long time, removing our pain, anguish, cynicism and giving us strength and focus to carry on.
We pray and beg Maharaj's mercy to be able to sincerely honour and follow your instructions so that we can one day be worthy of truly using the term sad sisya.
Your servants,
Rohininandan Das
& Meera ( Singapore )
--------------------- ---------------------
Sandrananda dasi
Dear Guru Maharja,
Namah om visnu padaya Krsna prestaya bhutale Srimate Devamrita Swami 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 Vaisnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion."
Since first meeting you in May 2002 I have slowly been waking up to the reality of my need to accept your instructions over my own vision, not only for my own sake but for others also. I am reminded of Srila Prabhupada's opening in Srimad Bhagavatam: “To Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharja, my spiritual master...He lives forever by his divine instructions and the follower lives with him.”
My reason for choosing you as my spiritual master was that you were, either directly or indirectly, always offering me good instruction. And by following your advice I came to realise that you were usually right. I remember how when I was Kali-Yuga ship-wrecked, I washed up onto the shore of your Gaura Yoga in Wellington. There I can remember my amazement at hearing a class of yours while watching your dedicated followers busily rushing about organising the successful evenings there, seemingly unaffected by what I saw then, as austere living conditions.
I remember offering obeisances to you for the first time and how I could not take my eyes above your feet as you gave a class. (I remember you telling us of a similar experience you had with Srila Prabhupada). I felt very fallen as a I compared myself to your competent and compassionate disciples. I still can feel completely humbled in their association as I find myself two years later serving alongside them, in a spirit of friendly commradery. How should I relate properly to these self-effulgent jems of yours?
As I struggle to shrug off a thickly encrusted material vision and plenty of material desires each morning in good association, my attention often diverts to you. I realise I would not have made it this far had you not acted as my benevolent foster father and pushed the pure living force down my throat by spoonfeeding me with devotional service time after time; “Do this, do that, live there, chant this, read this, be happy, be nice to eachother and please reach out to others”... I have also noticed how your instructions, that always so closely echoing Prabhupada's, save lives.
Although I am very foolish I am beginning to understand how it is your vani that brings power for the transcendental successes of your keen disciples. As you steer the ship, O captain, it is our indebtedness that burns like hot coals beneath our feet and drives us to go on with sankirtan day after day yearning for a fraction of your taste in Krsna Bhakti. So now I have clambered onto the ship I look forward into the future, if I can be bold enough to say, I can see Krsna arranging an opportunity for a possible spiritual revolution in Auckland, Nz. Your sankirtan soldiers are busy applying the effulgent and strong armour you have offered us all within your instructions as we ready ourselves for the battle.
Always praying for strength to follow your instructions.
From your servant in the mood of indebtedness,
Sandrananda devi dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhaktin Sara
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your Vyasa-Puja celebration.
In the material world we celebrate birthdays because we are happy we are still alive one more year, and we hope for many more years to come so that we can enjoy life to the fullest.
In spiritual life, we realize that birth is not something to celebrate, unless we use our lives to fulfill our spiritual goals.
You chose to use your life to help others discover real happiness - to break us out of the illusion that makes us identify with our bodies, and instead lead us to the freedom that comes from following the regulations of spiritual life.
This is not an easy task - you could have instead dedicated your intelligence and heart to material endeavors, or even just to your own spiritual happiness. Instead, you remain kind, humble, tolerant, giving, and forgiving, as you guide us along the path of bhakti.
Personally, I am grateful to you because you help me to give up bad habits, to understand the scriptures practically, to break out of unhealthy situations, and to try to chant with more attention. I am thankful that you help me understand I am not the mind, and I don't have to obey its every whim.
Thank you also for setting an example of great determination by never giving up on sankirtana even when no results were coming, and by taking great risks to preach in communist countries. Such dedication you showed for Srila Prabhupada by your practical actions.
Although the debt to the guru cannot be repaid, I pray that I can give something back by becoming a small instrument in Lord Caitanya's movement so that more souls get the chance to hear about Krishna. Please help me serve Krishna with more love and devotion so that I can please you and feel more gratitude.
Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
bhn Sara
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhaktin Sarah
Dear Guru maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please forgive me for any offenses at your lotus feet. The fog is still lifting and I am starting to understand a fraction of your mercy. Because of your deep compassion for all living entities, you are so tirelessly preaching Lord Chaitanyas message, casting out a huge net to capture as many people as possible. Always scheming how to trick more and more bewidered kali yuga casualties into the path of devotional service. Constantly planning and meditating how to make it as pain free as possible for the most fallen to start to come to the highest truth.
I was a completely bewildered sheep, wandering the world searching for pleasure in barren land when I fell into the oasis of your shelter. I have no good qualities or desires so it can only be your mercy that I am here now. Understanding my painful transition you are so kind towards me, always gentle and patient to this weakling. You personally captured me.
I pray in the years to come that I won't let you down, that I may be able to serve you, keeping my eyes, mind and heart fixed at your lotus feet.
Your grateful servant,
Bhaktin Sarah
--------------------- ---------------------
Sastra Krt das
pracare apurva daksham ca
bhaktha cara pravinta
partharpita karunyam
yasya sarvasya ca te nama
Gurudeva having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, the supreme destination Goloka is just around the corner for your Holiness. Every Vyasa puja is simply an another step towards that destination.
Properly speaking having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you are in Goloka already.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth You are a touch stone, anything you touch becomes Maha Prasadam.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, You are a desire tree you engage devotees in devotional service according to there propensity and desire.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you are Kamadhenu there is no limit to your distribution of nectar of Devotion.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you make us understand that Krishna is a supreme person, Krishna’s psychology so we are becoming little conscious about Krishna’s feelings.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you are teaching us the art of approaching Krishna through attentive chanting of his Holy names.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you have also completely understood Krishna’s divine energy maha maya and you are constantly relieving us from her clutches.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you know the technique of engaging us in intense devotional service.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, you make sure our senses are engaged in the master of the senses.
Having understood the divine pastimes of Krishna in truth, book distribution is your life and soul so you are very dear devotee of Krishna.
The only right choice I made in my life is that I chose to become your disciple. My only hope to go back to Krishna is by serving you. That is also not possible without your blessings.
Please forgive my offenses.
Many More happy returns...
Loving son
SKD
LA 10/18/04
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Sergey
Guru Maharaja!
You have opened the door to the world of emotions and dealings in devotional service, showed the opportunity and even necessity to use our senses in the service of the Lord. To me it takes only to make one step to plunge in this world. But this can be done only with your blessings. Only with your blessings one can understand the meaning of sacred scriptures, accept spiritual and reject material.
Bh Sergey, Lutsk (Ukrain)
--------------------- ---------------------
Seva Kunja dasi
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for having such an impact on my life. Actually I didn't even have a life before we met. So really I am thanking you for giving me one.
As you well know I am a 'no frills' girl with no real skills or intelligence to offer you anything substantial. I am not even slightly dynamic like many of my fellow godbrothers and sisters. Still you kindly encourage me by humbly accepting my cooking.
Srila Prabhupada explains that the whole process of Krsna Consciousness is submission, surrender to Krsna, but the way to surrender to Krsna is to submit to his devotee, his representative.
After all these years I have become very attached to being your spiritual daughter. Please be so kind to continually engage me somehow or another in your service. I pray that you will always have a healthy appetite so I can be of some use to you.
Please forgive me for all of my shortcomings, endless faults and offences.
Your servant
Seva Kunja devi dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Simon
Dear Guru Maharaja.
Obeisance's unto you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Your determination and steadfastness in preaching, spreading Lord Caitanya' s mercy all over the world is undeviating. Recently, due to Krishna's arrangement, we left the holy dhama of Sri Manchester but while we were there your dynamic classes showered upon us unlimited inspiration to push forward Srila Prabhupada's mission.
I remember one morning while I was serving you breakfast, you mentioned to me that you really wanted me to taste the unlimited nectar of book distribution. I hope one day I can fulfil your desire. Of all your transcendental qualities the one that stands out the most to me is your tolerance. When we first moved up to Manchester staying at the temple, the temple phone I thought more convenient to answer was downstairs but spending most of my time upstairs whenever the phone rang I would, due to my inconsiderate and selfish nature, run downstairs sounding like a herd of small elephants resulting in waking you up from taking rest. This is just one of the many times I have unnecessarily disturbed you. But even though I have rendered service to you in such a passionate nature you have tolerated all my mistakes.
Once you sent me down to the shops to buy some toiletries and I came back with a tube of toothpaste, which you never asked for, and a receipt that I had written on so you couldn't use to claim the money back. Claiming that I was trying to use my initiative you chastised me teaching me the importance of communication and to spend Krishna's laxmi wisely.
Because of your mercy upon me, lifting me up from the darkest regions of Maya, my life is now free from vices of Kali-yuga. The debt I owe you will take an eternity to pay. 'With great compassion our gurudeva said, "My dear boy's, it is very wonderful that you have suffered so much trouble for me. Everyone likes to take care of his body as the first consideration, but you are so good and faithful to your guru that without caring for bodily comforts you have taken so much trouble for me. I am glad to see that bona fide students like you will undergo any kind of trouble for the satisfaction of the spiritual master. That is the way for a bona fide disciple to become free from the debt to the spiritual master." (Conversation between Krishna and Sudama Vipra, Krishna Book, Ch. 80)
So please accept this offering on this most auspicious day. All glories to you.
Your most faithful and humble servant, Simon.
--------------------- ---------------------
Bhakta Sino
nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrta-svamin iti namine
pracare 'purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namaha
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
To my dear spiritual father Devamrita Swami.
Please accept my humble obeisances at you lotus feet.
To start off this menial offering on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, I would like to deeply thank Krsna for your unconditional mercy which He has given to you which you shared to an unqaulified person like myself.
You once told me that you liked looking after Krsna's devotees and that you did not like to see people wasting their lives in the struggle for existence. I am praying that i can appreciate even a moment of your association.
Often when listening to your lectures I wonder, "How did Guru Maharaj become so potent in everything he says?' Your words have such an impact and you are fully absorbed in scooping out all souls lost in this pool of suffering. I see the importance of taking Srila Prabhupada's books seriously through your encouragement.
To me, you are a father, an eternal preacher and a spiritual waarior. There is not much i can offer that will be suitable to celebrate this day, so I pray that I can make you a 'proud father' as you once said by understanding that what you say is what Krsna wants. 'Pure devotees of the Lord are more powerful than the water of the river ganges'. Thank you for your compassion and tolerance.
your humble, aspiring servant
sino
--------------------- ---------------------
Sitapati das
My Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to your lotus feet!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
This year I haven't really been able to think about a Vyasa-puja offering, or organizing a proper Vyasa-puja celebration. Only by the prompting of Ekendra das today did I remember that I have to write a Vyasa-puja offering. At the moment we are doing the standard austerities involved in opening a new Loft. My only meditation has been on that. By Krishna's mercy, at work we are on emergency footing. I am currently in a twelve day straight shift with no days off. It has been get up, go to work, work during the day, go to the Loft, work at the Loft during the night, chant rounds whenever possible, sleep a couple of hours, go to work, etc. So I guess that in one sense, that _is_ my Vyasa-puja offering. The only thing I can think of is getting this place together for when you come.
I would like to thank you once again for being such an inspiration to me through your personal example.
So the best thing I can do at the moment is offer some thoughts I was able to collect the other day during prasadam. I hope that you are pleased by what I am doing here in Brisbane. Please let me know what I should I be doing if you are not.
your unworthy servant,
Sita-pati das
(Prayer before prasadam at Govindas)
Dear Lord, thank you for this prasadam that you have so mercifully given that makes it possible to control the tongue. Without it, there would be no shelter in this world for the most voracious, and constantly pushing, of my senses.
Thanks to my spiritual master, His Divine Grace, Om Visnupada Devamrita Swami, by whose mercy I was saved from an ocean of material suffering, picked up and placed at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.
Thanks for these books that I can study, distribute, and help others to study. Thank you for the opportunity to do service.
(Meditation during prasadam)
What is preaching? Preaching means to voluntarily accept personal inconvenience for the sake of the spiritual benefit of others.
"If you don't go out today, how on earth will they be saved? Preaching is the only way."
"If you want to be a preacher, don't expect to be appreciated..."
Without personal austerity, preaching has little effect.
"Something I should warn you now: expect to fight pitched battles with sleep when you become a devotee - Gudakesa, nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau, etc."
Push on. Push on. Preaching is the only way. If I don't "go out today", if I don't do this austerity, how will the people be saved?
"...but you will feel the warm smile of Krishna."
If we can become dear to the spiritual master by assisting him in his mission, then Krishna will notice that, I am sure.
Then if we have some compassion for the public, and perform austerities in the course of trying to give them Krishna Consciousness, then I am sure that Krishna will notice this, and come to our aid.
Just like the mother has compassion for the child, she accepts so many personal austerities for the sake of the child. Similarly if we really have compassion for others, that means we will undertake personal austerities for their sake.
"What can I do for my late father to make sure he does not become a ghost?"
"Try to become dear to Krishna yourself. Then to whomever you think of dearly, Krishna will be merciful."
These people here, they look like ghosts. What about my family, who will look after them?
I'm too attached to sense gratification to be able to help them, but I have to do something.
Krishna Consciousness means to go on the front line of the War on Maya. (Thank you for sending me to the front lines).
That front line is everywhere in the material world, you just have to turn away from your focus on your own personal comfort, and you'll be looking right at it.
My biorhythm is very low. What was the mantra in South America when I got depressed? "I didn't come here to enjoy".
Brisbane is full of heavenly delights, but I didn't come here to enjoy either.
Our Harinam war cry in Cuenca, Ecuador: "We came here to chant!". "Go Out!"
The gopis left their warm beds and their houses in the dead of night to go to Krishna. I won't find Him living a lifestyle centered on my own personal comfort.
"If you don't go out, if you want to sit at home and play ukelele with your wife, or balance your relationship or whatever, then that means that you haven't realized that you are not the body. You haven't realized that there is a spiritual world. It's like there is an epidemic and thousands of people are dying, and you have the cure in your home, but you don't want to go out and distribute it."
Work hard - reflect - work hard - reflect. That seems to be the pattern in my devotional life. Too much reflection and it becomes a space out. Too much hard work and I start to lose the focus on what I am doing, and why I am doing it. Work hard - reflect. It's a good balance.
OK, finished.
Bhagavat-prasadam ki jay! Srila Gurudeva ki jay! Sri Sri Nitai-Sacinandana ki jay! Param vijayate sri krishna sankirtanam - Total World Domination of Hare Krishna ki jay!
Right - back to sanding. "Go Out!"
--------------------- ---------------------
Sruti Cari dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
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
All glories to you on your Vyasa Puja day
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Whenever I get a letter from you, you tell me where you are writing from. Unfortunately I never really studied geography, so I have only a hazy idea of where you may be. However, I am always astonished at the far-out places you go, in order to give Krishna to others. It must be increaibley taxing both materially and spiritualy, but you always seen so strong and energetic when you arrive here.
Recently I was speaking to a devotee who was visiting from Peru , She told me that there are around 50 of our god brothers and sisters in the temple where she is from. She was describing the opulent arrangements made to celebrate your Vyasa Puja there.
I tend to think that we here in Australia and New Zealand are the extent of your family, but actually we are just a small portion of it, you must have hundreds of disciples now all around the world. Yet despite that you never fail to give us so much, everything we need to be completely Krsna Conscious. How do you sustain and support so many? It is inconceivable to me.
You give so much, to so many. A kind of uncertainty tugs at me – I don't want to be a bother – but at the same time I crave your attention. How can I resolve this? I can only hope to attract your attention by rendering some pleasing service.
I want to help you, but I feel like the squirrel which tried to help Hanuman build the bridge to Lanka. I try my best to give Krishna Conscious to others but my attempts are not so remarkable. Last year my Vyasa Puja offering was full of heady enthusiasm, but not so much has come of it. I wish I was able to do more for you Guru Maharaja. I want to help you, help people out of their suffering material lives.
I want to serve you, to see you smile. When you smile everything seems to be all right, when you don't … I panic! What is the point of anything I do, if you aren't happy?
Guru Maharaja, please train me so that I can be useful to you. Please give me the guidance, encouragement and inspiration I need to achieve my goal of satisfying you.
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Sruti-cari devi dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Sudevi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you Guru Maharaja on your auspicious appearance day.
Thank you for always being the steadfast devotee in my life,
and for your inspiring service to Srila Prabhupada, helping us conditioned souls come in contact with the sankirtana movement.
Without your mercy we would never be able to understand anything about our real position and would simply be left suffering in material existence.
As Krsna says,
tad viddi pranipatena,
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam,
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
"Just try to learn the truth by appraoching a bonafide spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
from your aspiring servant,
Sudevi devi dasi
--------------------- ---------------------
Sudevi dasi (Perth)
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my humble dandavat pranams. All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Haribol Maharaja! I am writing to express my humble best wishes to you on your Vyasa Puja day. I am not your actual initiated disciple but you have been really merciful and generous to me. I am indebted to you for your illuminating siksa in my spiritual life. It is said that siksa guru is no different from diksa guru and rightly so. At a time when I was feeling somewhat discouraged in spiritual life, your bold preaching broke through my hazy mind and got me back on track. I listen to your lectures regularly and am always inspired by your words and your enlightening insight on sastra.
Surely Srila Prabhupada is smiling upon you as you travel the world, spreading the message of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and working tirelessly to fulfill the instructions of your spiritual master. Your constant enthusiasm and laughter in spiritual life is highly infectious and your words and instructions guide me.
Thank you Maharaja for being so kind to me. I am really a fallen soul, undeserving of your glance, and you so mercifully took some time out to talk to me, and encourage me, you are really such a glowing example of what it means to be Vaishnava!
I pray that Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha Krishna Yugala will always bless you and always shower their mercy upon you and all your activities!
Your humble servant
Sudevi dasi
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Sukha Rupa dasi
Dear holy spiritual one:
All praises to Srila Prabhupada one
Wishing you a blissful/joyful "Happy Birthday and many more as Krishna allows.
Yours servant and well wisher,
Sukha Rupa devi
--------------------- ---------------------
Svetadvipa das
To my dearest Guru Maharaj.
Desiring to roll in the dust on the path set by your lotus feet.
How is it that someone can bestow so much mercy ?
How is it that someone can be so tolerant ?
how is it that someone can be so determined ?
How is it that you possess so many wonderful qualities ?
Bhagavad-Gita tells us that simply by performing devotional service the devotee develops all good qualities. Therefore I conclude that you must be performing this Bhakti yoga and you must be knowing Krsna because you are possessing all good qualities.
You are my conection to Krsna. You are my spiritual father. In this I have so much pride.Srila Prabhupada once said -
"I may live or die. In either case I am with Krsna. I asked Krsna to give me enthusiasm to continue up till death. A soldier should die on the battlefield."
I try and read this everyday so it is only natural that on this most auspicious day of your appearance I relate it to you, My Guru.
Earlier this year at Mayapur festival I watched you step by step circumembulate Srimati Tulsi devi with your GBC godbrothers and saw that soldier that was willing to die on the battlefield. But your fight is not to defend a country but to make a strategic attack on the outer coverings of this material realm and lead an all out charge to the pleasure groves of Sri Vrndavan Dhama. So easily we are willing to lay down our weapons in this war on Maya. Just like Arjuna was told on the battlefield by Krsna, you repeat his message lecture after lecture to "stand and fight". You are the person Bhagavat because you follow the book Bhagavat and your actions speak so much louder than words "yad yad acarati sresthas" What ever action a great man performs, common men follow. So please continue to lead the charge Gurudeva.
In this quote Srila Pabhupada says "I am with Krsna". This may be the case for me, but I have forgotton. But I do know that I am with you. Therefore I pray for the enthusiasm to continue till death. Some days I just pray to continue until tomorrow. So on this Auspicious day my humble offering to you is my endeavour to continue in Krsna consciousness. Please bless me that I may die fighting on the battlefield. All glories to tour divine appearance.
Your endevouring servant Svetadvipa das.
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Bhaktin Tara
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On your appearance day I would like to express my deepest gratitude for all the invaluable instructions and guidance you have given me.
In your quest to pay your spiritual master his Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada back for what he has given you, you have been so selfless, and have compassionately directed me and many other stumbling Kali Yuga victims onto the most purposeful path.
You have lifted me out of the maze of material existence and presented an alternative a million times better. Now I have the opportunity to take the straight road where there are many happy people marching. Although often crawling, dragging my feet or falling into pot holes in my neophyte stage, I pray that I will reach a steady pace, and that all the blocks and gaps in my mind that I am so unfortunately attached to will be dispersed and filled with Krishna Consciousness.
Through your grace, circumstances now protect me from this dangerously degraded society and I am so fortunately able to take shelter in one of your centres. Still scarred from my Kali Yuga experience and so deeply conditioned, my mind stands stubbornly in the way as I try to engage myself in devotional service.
Last time we spoke you told me to “push myself” in Krishna Consciousness and another thing you said was to “give others what I have got”. All I can do is pray that I will be able to follow all your instructions to my fullest capacity and make the most of this precious gift you have given me.
Thank you so much.
Your eternally indebted and undeserving aspiring servant,
Tara
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Bhakta Thinesh
Dear Aspiring Spiritual Master,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and all Glories unto you.
It has been almost four months, since moving closer to the temple. Forgive me for not writing to you as often as I should have been.
It’s your blessings and guidance which had helped me through out my journey, in purifying my material consciousness. So far, past four months had been my Best Times in my life. I owe this to you, which I am not worthy of.
Devotees in Melbourne temple are happy with my Sankirtan progress. It’s your Mercy that I am gifted to get such a wonderful association. It gives me strength to be conscious of Krishna and be aware of Maya.
I am always eternally Indebted to you and the devotees here, who are trying to cultivate me being a devotee. I wish that I could at least to a small extent realize the value of your time and energy that you’ll are spending on me, so that I can at least have minute understanding of what is it meant to be Krishna Conscious.
Aspiring to be your worthy servant,
Thinesh
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Tri-Yuga das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for your being fixed in Krishna’s service. You inspire me to try harder.
Thank you for your sacrifice in preaching Krishna Consciousness. Your efforts have added some significant value to my life.
As much as I feel gratitude, I cannot repay you properly. My thanks is worth little. I only hope to offer you some feed-back, asserting that your effort and sacrifice are benefiting many, including my insignificant self. Although I know you don’t work for such mundane compensation, still I feel inclined to offer it.
This sense of debt keeps me moving. I fell obliged to strive to become at leased a little qualified to pass on something of what I have received. I know that this is your ultimate pleasure. Therefore I hope to more and more fix it as my life and soul.
Please smile upon me, although I do not deserve it.
Your aspiring servant,
Tri Yuga Das
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Vrindaranya 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 in this world.
There are many auspicious days and festivals through out the year that are very dear and important in lives of devotees. I must say that your Vyasa puja day has probably got to be my most favourite sacred event of the year.
It is such a joyful occassion where I feel fortunate to be able to hear of the heartfelt appreciation my God brothers and sister feel for you. A time where we can share our realisations experienced through out the year in our attempts to serve you. We remember your wonderful and many preaching pastimes that have taken place in many different and remote places in the world. How we personally witnessed seeing you transform the hearts of the materialists and even witnessing our own hearts being transformed.
It is not only this day Guru maharaja, but the weeks ahead that we come together as a family and plan how we will best celebrate and honor our wonderful Spiritual master. What prasadam does Guru maharaja like, and what will we make for him. As I remenice of the dealings and exchanges of love the devotees and myself have mercifully recieved from you , I think what will I write in my homage to you on vyasa puja day. Most importantly how will I arrange my life so I can serve you better.
These are just some the things that make this day special. Actually Guru maharaj, having your presence in my life makes everyday a special one, because it is what gives me the sustenence to serve the Lord and his devotees, and face the daily challenges and obstacles in spiritual life.
As you know Guru maharaja, I have been suffering from some illness for some time, and you gave me a very simple instruction on how to take care of my self better, and to do some exercise at the gym to help build strength. Although I appreciated your concern for my overall health and well being, I thought to myself "Why the gym of all places? wouldn't it seem more appropriate for someone trying to practice Krishna Consciousness to just do some yoga classes at the Loft, or go for some regular Japa walks or something?
In my attempt to follow this instruction, I joined the local gym, tolerated the blaring music, gross sweaty grunting men, and of course the occassional lady that has mistaken the gym for the local swimming pool or disco, judging from the 'lack of' clothing she wasn't wearing.
Anyway, in what appeared to be a Kali yuga freindly environment, I one day unexpectedly befriended a regular gym goer who unfortunately had been hit by a car, seriously injured, and as a result was paralised and confined to a wheel chair. Despite his misfortune, this man was one of the rare few who admitted and realised that he was suffering like anything. He had felt he needed something a little deeper to relieve him from his suffering, and as a result he was happy to recieve prasadam regularly and recieve Srila Prabhupada's books to read.
I thought the gym is the last place you will find really any elements of something seemingly spiritual, but through the potency of your insructions another unfortunate person was able to recieve some mercy and begin to make his life auspicious again.
What to speak of your devotees who regularly preach on Harinama,or through the Loft centre, through prasadam distribution and the book distributers who come in contact with so many living entities each day and give them the chance to become purified.
It is said the greatest gift one can give to somebody is the gift of Krishna consciousness , so thank you Guru Maharaja for compassionately giving us this gift, and helping us to in some way reach out to the living entities and give them some mercy also.
All glories to your wonderful service to Lord Krishna, the Panca tattva and Srila Prabhupada. And thankyou kindly for taking such good care of us your dependants.
Your aspiring servant,
Vrndaranya devi dasi
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Yadu Raya das
Dear Guru-Maharaja,
Please except my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Nama om visnu-padaya krsna –presthaya bhu-tala srimate Devamrta-svamin iti namine
At the end of the Bhagavad gita Sanjaya explains that it is only by the mercy of his spiritual master Vyasadeva, that he was able to hear the confidential talks that took place between Krsna and Arjuna , the operative word Sanjaya used was “mercy” and with this in mind I will base my offering.
It is a fact that only by your mercy are we your disciples able to be engaged in devotional service and feel not only relief from the relentless suffering that was once considered normal and a part of everyday life, but also you have given us the opportunity to have a tangible spiritual experience that would otherwise be oblivious to us, and it is because of this fact my appreciation grows and becomes stronger.
Mercifully you plant the seed of devotional service in our hearts and carefully take care to be sure that its grows properly, encouraging us in devotional service so that we can have the proper opportunity to become purified of our ridiculous material desires and ultimately closer to Krsna, what greater gift could someone give than the gift of bhakti?
I am thankful not only for everything that you have given, but also for what you have removed, because only by you mercy can we overcome the burdens on the bhakti marg, the path of devotional service. Just as it is said in the ‘sri'sri gurv astaka “the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence, relentlessly you endeavour in this way climbing aboard one plane after another descending on fortunate souls and delivering to them the soothing waters from the cloud of bhakti, giving relief from the scorching heat of material existence.”vande guruh ‘sri caranaravindam”.
By your mercy you are making arrangements for all our advancement in devotional life and we your spiritual children can but try to do some service in return for this most wonderful gift and hope that you will be pleased, much the same way that a child gives his parents a present with money that came from them in the first place, we also are trying to offer something back in the hope that you will be satisfied. In short it is only by your mercy are that we are able to do anything, may you continue to shower your mercy on us so that we can assist you in your service to Prabhupada in this attempt to change the world.
Just as Krsna explained to sudama brahmana “ Without the blessings of the spiritual master no can be happy. By the mercy of the spiritual master and by his blessings, one can achieve peace and prosperity and be able to fullfill the mission of human life”.
Your servant
Yadu raya das
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Bhakta Yaron and Bhaktin Efrat
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your auspicious Vyasa Puja day.
On this very special occasion of your Vyasa Puja day, we would like to thank you so much for caring and directing us, even when we are so far and so fallen. Like a caring father- your love is so unconditioned. Even a few words from you can lift us up from the deepest places of Maya.
When we left New Zealand , we did not know how hard it will be not to see you for so long.
The feeling of separation from you and your disciples is so strong. We miss your spirit that attracted and captured our hearts the minuet we saw you. Yet, every written or spoken word from you, penetrates our hearts and touches the deepest places in us. Only with your words can our proud hearts transform and soften.
You gave us the most valuable thing in our life. You offered your compassion, and we pray to be fortunate enough to always embrace it. When we first met you, we were floating, with no direction. Helplessly searching for meanings, for answer, not knowing what we were doing here.
In your mercy, you reflected it to us. With your compassion our blind eyes started to see reality a little bit clearer.
With your wisdom, you touched each one of us at the right place for him, to start a transformation.
Our existence has no meaning without your instructions, without you.
Our only wish is to be worthy enough to serve you.
Our only desire is to be able to help you in your mission to bring Krsna Consciousness to more people.
Our only hope is to be engaged in your business of Bhakti.
We will do every thing to deserve the mercy of having you in our life, as a candle, showing us the only way.
We would humbly like to offer, with poor English and not much of a poetic talent, few more riming words,
coming from our hearts…
I bow
In front of you, and take this vow
Forever to obey.
I know,
Without your words I can not grow,
And can not walk this way.
I pray
That at the dust of your lotus feet
Forever I will stay-
Determent
Till my heart won't beat,
To serve you, night and day.
With all our love,
Your aspiring servants
Bhakta Yaron and Bhaktin Efrat, and love from Satya- Prema.
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Bhaktin Ynes
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept m humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
sri –krsna-caitanya prabhu doya koro more
toma vina ke doyalu jagat-samsare
So merciful is Caitanya Prabhu. He made us the most fortunate entities in all the three worlds.
I still can’t understand, how Krishna brought me to Srila Prabhupadas movement, receiving so much mercy to associate with the Vaishnavas, being able to read Prabhupadas books and being blessed that you, Guru Maharaja are willing to guide me back home.
You are reaching out with great compassion for all these souls that are struggling with the threefold miseries, trying to find the ocean in the dessert and they have no attraction for the Lord. Attracted by your devotion, the Lord makes you so successful.
Thank you for caring so much for all of us. Thank you for caring so much for us women. You are sharpening our spiritual and material intelligence. You are making us strong to walk in our material life, whatever stepping stone there is. Making us strong to stand on the street and distribute Prabhupada’s books, giving us the strength to beg them to accept Lord Caitanyas mercy like Krishna’s dogs.
Thank you Lord Caitanya, for bestowing the mercy that I could be your spiritual daughter. Guru Maharaja, thank you that I am allowed to be engaged in your service.
Following the parampara out of great love for your spiritual master, you gave your life to his mission by spreading the Sankirtana movement through distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. And now I’m a part of it and can do my tiny bit, so that the Holy Name will be broadcasted in every town and village.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura said “one should accept the instructions of the bonafide spiritual master as ones mission in life” so I pray to the Lord, that I’ll be able to please you with all my words, actions and thoughts.
Your servant,
Bhn.Ynes
