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Vyasa Puja Offerings 2014
(View Devamrita Swami's 2014 offering to Srila Prabhupada)
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Abhishek Bhatnagar
Dearest Srila Guru Dev,
Please accept our humble obeisance
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,
On your appearance day, I would like to thank Krishna and Srila Prabhupada for blessing me your divine association. There are many souls who can claim, including myself that I am one of the fortunate soul who have received your association and was able to revive my Krishna Consciousness by your mercy.
There was a question in my mind how these transformations has happened and still happening to many souls?
I sincerely wanted to know the science behind this miracle, how can a Soul become so powerful that he can become a representative of The Super soul?
Then I came across the verse from Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 19.151
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva,
guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
When I read the translation, it says “By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service”. But how the magic is happening didn’t get into my limited insignificant brain and it didn’t full-fill my heart.
Then later, when I read Srila Prabhupada’s purport, it gave me great satisfaction, Srila Prabhupada gave an example of Srila Narada Muni, that Srila Narada Muni wasn’t born into a prestigious family but his mother fortunately engaged in the service of some Vaishnavas and later Srila Narada muni engaged himself in their service while they were resting during Caturmasya, Srila Narada Muni sincerely rendered service to those Vaishnavas and got their mercy and became the most important Guru and Acarya of Vaishnava.
In addition, I came across another important point given by Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja, that how one gains spiritual strength, “ If you have love and affection for a sadhu, if you can understand what he has done, then you will be very strong. You will get his mercy, his strength. Then you can do wonders with that strength. It’s not physical or material strength but spiritual strength that comes from such a sadhu, pure Vaisnava. And this strength comes from Krsna”.
When I look at your love and affection towards Srila Prabhupada and your services and sacrifices rendered for Srila Prabhupada, I found them unparalleled.
You have taken risk of your life, to preach in communist countries for the welfare of the strong headed citizen. Despite of your health and discomfort of travelling you have followed your Guru’s instruction as your life and soul.
Further proof,
When you dance and sing kirtan, you spellbind most uncontrolled mind.
When you speak you only speak, the truth and deeply explains how to connect to the real truth,
When you breathe your every breath is for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and for Lord Sri Gaura Sundar.
Your every action is selfless and for the benefit of others.
You have received Srila Prabhupada’s strength and power, you have the abilities to represent the Super soul and connect the Soul to the Super Soul.
Even though I am one of the fortunate soul who came in contact with you, but I still consider myself as one of the most unfortunate soul who has not taken complete shelter of your lotus feet.
Therefore I sincerely pray to Sri Gaura –Nitai and to the merciful Vaishnavas and Vaishnavies to kindly bless me to gain complete shelter of your lotus feet.
Hare Krishna
Yours trying to be aspiring servant
Abhishek Bhatnagar
Please accept our humble obeisance
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,
On your appearance day, I would like to thank Krishna and Srila Prabhupada for blessing me your divine association. There are many souls who can claim, including myself that I am one of the fortunate soul who have received your association and was able to revive my Krishna Consciousness by your mercy.
There was a question in my mind how these transformations has happened and still happening to many souls?
I sincerely wanted to know the science behind this miracle, how can a Soul become so powerful that he can become a representative of The Super soul?
Then I came across the verse from Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 19.151
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva,
guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija
When I read the translation, it says “By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service”. But how the magic is happening didn’t get into my limited insignificant brain and it didn’t full-fill my heart.
Then later, when I read Srila Prabhupada’s purport, it gave me great satisfaction, Srila Prabhupada gave an example of Srila Narada Muni, that Srila Narada Muni wasn’t born into a prestigious family but his mother fortunately engaged in the service of some Vaishnavas and later Srila Narada muni engaged himself in their service while they were resting during Caturmasya, Srila Narada Muni sincerely rendered service to those Vaishnavas and got their mercy and became the most important Guru and Acarya of Vaishnava.
In addition, I came across another important point given by Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja, that how one gains spiritual strength, “ If you have love and affection for a sadhu, if you can understand what he has done, then you will be very strong. You will get his mercy, his strength. Then you can do wonders with that strength. It’s not physical or material strength but spiritual strength that comes from such a sadhu, pure Vaisnava. And this strength comes from Krsna”.
When I look at your love and affection towards Srila Prabhupada and your services and sacrifices rendered for Srila Prabhupada, I found them unparalleled.
You have taken risk of your life, to preach in communist countries for the welfare of the strong headed citizen. Despite of your health and discomfort of travelling you have followed your Guru’s instruction as your life and soul.
Further proof,
When you dance and sing kirtan, you spellbind most uncontrolled mind.
When you speak you only speak, the truth and deeply explains how to connect to the real truth,
When you breathe your every breath is for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and for Lord Sri Gaura Sundar.
Your every action is selfless and for the benefit of others.
You have received Srila Prabhupada’s strength and power, you have the abilities to represent the Super soul and connect the Soul to the Super Soul.
Even though I am one of the fortunate soul who came in contact with you, but I still consider myself as one of the most unfortunate soul who has not taken complete shelter of your lotus feet.
Therefore I sincerely pray to Sri Gaura –Nitai and to the merciful Vaishnavas and Vaishnavies to kindly bless me to gain complete shelter of your lotus feet.
Hare Krishna
Yours trying to be aspiring servant
Abhishek Bhatnagar
Acyuta bhava devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this special day of your appearance!
Amidst the ever changing nature of this material world, so many fluctuations;
We have been blessed with strength by you, to maintain our determination.
Gurudeva you have showed us so much love;
Coming through the disciplic succession above.
What are these blessings, what is this love?
It is the devotional service that our connection consists of.
Service is our shelter, our friend, our life; Our mission, our challenge, our topmost delight!
You have given this very rare gift to one with no qualification;
How can we ever repay you, or offer appropriate glorification?
Gurudeva you soften our heart which is hard like stone;
Expertly guiding us along the path back home.
Thank you for your time, your care and attention;
I pray to always remain in your service with affection.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter, Acyuta bhava devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this special day of your appearance!
Amidst the ever changing nature of this material world, so many fluctuations;
We have been blessed with strength by you, to maintain our determination.
Gurudeva you have showed us so much love;
Coming through the disciplic succession above.
What are these blessings, what is this love?
It is the devotional service that our connection consists of.
Service is our shelter, our friend, our life; Our mission, our challenge, our topmost delight!
You have given this very rare gift to one with no qualification;
How can we ever repay you, or offer appropriate glorification?
Gurudeva you soften our heart which is hard like stone;
Expertly guiding us along the path back home.
Thank you for your time, your care and attention;
I pray to always remain in your service with affection.
Your aspiring servant and spiritual daughter, Acyuta bhava devi dasi
Aghari Krsna dasa
Dear Guru Mahārāja,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of celebrating your divine appearance in this world.
In the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā, first verse, Lord Kṛṣṇa compares the entanglement of the material world to a banyan tree and goes further to explain that one who knows this tree knows the Vedas. It is this position of yours, as a knower of the Vedas, and an expert tree-feller of material existence that I wish to glorify.
In the purport of the same verse, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that: “One who wants to get out of this material existence must know this tree thoroughly through analytical study. Then he can cut off his relationship with it.” Your testimony of studying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books for an average of four hours per day for six consecutive months, and later on, taking the order of <i>sannyāsa</i> at the young age of thirty-two, is a prime paragon for anyone who desires liberation from material existence. Your luminous discourses, particularly on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; your dexterity in illuminating the connections of findings made by contemporary social scientists to the timeless wisdom of the Vedas, and your writings, particularly <i>Searching for Vedic India</i>, is further evidence of your thorough understanding of this imperishable banyan tree of material existence. Indeed, on the eve of South Africa’s celebration of twenty years of democracy on March 20th of this year, your delivery of the second annual <i>Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture</i>, organised by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s BBT Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), is yet another sterling example of your analytical prowess in elucidating contemporary exchanges in the socio geopolitical arena, as being evidence of the Vedic conclusions, that speak truth to power.
What is striking is that even before becoming intimately associated with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s ISKCON, as explained in biographical accounts of your current presence on Earth, from a tender age, you were attached to scriptural works. Secondly, as evidenced by your disillusionment with higher education even before graduating, you understood the futility of pursuing a materialistic lifestyle. This indicates that your position, as a knower of the Vedas, precedes the lifetime we are witnessing in your present pastimes. At this point, one may argue that if this is the case, then the same could be said about any type of counter-culturists, whether it be those of the 1960s or drop-outs of the present day. However, to understand this extrapolation, one has to analyse your glorious life in its entirety, to fully grasp the rarity of your characteristics and the unequivocal truth of your origins.
Your activities as an illustrious member of the <i>sannyāsa āśrama</i>, further indicate the depth of your understanding this tree of material existence, particularly as one who is thoroughly transcendental to the modes of material nature. In the same chapter of Bhagavad-gītā, text two, Lord Kṛṣṇa further explains that the branches of this tree of material existence and concomitant extension are nourished by the modes of material nature. In your activities, evidence of your transcendence of the four stages of development in the <i>sannyāsa āśrama</i>, namely <i>kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, parivrājakācārya</i> and <i>paramahaṁsa</i> [SB, 3.12.43] can be found. In particular, your transcendence of <i>kuṭīcakaḥ</i> or “life in the family without attachment”, is indicated by your amiable narrations of your interactions with your family that you use to illustrate Vedic conclusions.
Your level of being beyond <i>bahvodaḥ</i> or “giving up all material activities and engaging fully in transcendental service”, is fully demonstrated by taking Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions as your life and soul. The intensity of this streak of renunciation was most vividly demonstrated by your distribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books behind the former iron curtain of Eastern Europe’s communist bloc, and the personal motto you lived by during those years: “I may live or die, but Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are eternal”.
As a widely travelled learned preacher, teacher and initiating spiritual master of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, on all inhabited continents of the globe, having manifested this quality of <i>parivrājakācārya</i> for over thirty years, how could it be that you are not beyond this stage? The global network of outreach you have established, which is most impressively displayed in New Zealand and Australia, is going a long way in choking the subsidiary roots of this tree of material existence. Evidence can be cited from the Bhagavad-gītā, fifteenth chapter, verse two, wherein the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda describes: “subsidiary roots are attachments and aversions, which are by products of different varieties of suffering and sense enjoyment.” And after receiving <i>harināma-dīkṣā</i> or first initiation from your lotus feet in chanting the holy Names of Lord Kṛṣṇa, on condition that the recipient remain honest in maintaining his or her vows of being a compassionate, truthful, clean and austere human, it very easy for them to perceive how you have extricated them from their entanglement within this imperishable tree of material existence.
Fourthly, your relishing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service through the will and impetus of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, with unwavering and steadfast determination, even during the tumultuous period of ISKCON’s history, indicates your firm position as a <i>paramahaṁsa</i>. Not only are you distilling this <i>amṛta</i> milk from the murky waters of material existence for yourself, you are also reversing the curdled-heart condition of Kali-yuga denizens and helping them realize their positions as eternal servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Evidence of this can be found in the purport to the third chapter, text thirty-seven of the Bhagavad-gītā. Therein Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the eternal love that a <i>jiva</i> has for Lord Kṛṣṇa, to milk becoming transformed to yoghurt upon contact with sour tamarind, when the <i>jiva</i> comes into contact with the material creation in association with the mode of passion.
With this in mind, it can be seen that when fortunate persons come in contact with the nectar emanating from your lotus mouth and respond by vigorously chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, your full-blown qualities as a <i>paramahaṁsa</i> are at work. In spite of the gloomy condition of their hearts, as indicated by their absorption, in the “devilish delights of Kali-yuga”, as you have deftly described, still, the taste of chanting the holy Name Lord Kṛṣṇa takes residence in such a condition because you have managed to distil the original <i>amṛta</i> milk from their hearts. Those who attended <i>The Culture of Love</i> retreat organised by Wits’bhakti-yoga outreach programme in March of this year, can attest to this and the transformative effect of your association. I was among such beneficiaries of your imperishable mercy and I feel most fortunate to have received it in the form of <i>harināma-dīkṣā</i>. Thank you Guru Mahārāja.
In the second canto, fourth chapter, verse thirteen, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the purport that while two types of advanced transcendentalists or <i>paramahaṁsas</i> can be cited, the <i>premānandī paramahaṁsa</i> is the most fortunate. A corollary to this is that such a transcendentalist, having the highest fortune, is able to give the same fortune to others. It is no wonder that you are adored and respected by all, even by those who think they have no interest in Lord Kṛṣṇa. Your single-pointed intelligence and determination in pushing on Lord Caitanya’s movement to as many towns and villages there are, through the will and order of Śrīla Prabhupāda, encapsulates your exalted position as a dearmost <i>premānandī</i> of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The intense level of intimacy of this devotional service you are rendering to the <i>guru- paramparā</i> was vividly implied by an exchange you had with Śrīla Prabhupāda in a dream, after His Divine Grace reciprocated with you when you defended the theological integrity of his purports. This dream, you described in Chowpatty, at this year’s celebration of Lord Nityananda’s appearance. Therefore, with all this in mind, it is apt glorify you as <i>Oṁ Prabhupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata</i>.
In strengthening attachment to your lotus feet while serving from any situation or particular āśrama, knowing your glories as an elevated <i>Gaura-premānandī</i> transcendentalist is important and an enlivening subject matter to meditate on and converse about. Your unflinching dedication in using your body, mind and words in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda is an example to be followed by all <i>vaiṣṇavas</i> aspiring for fully-blossomed Kṛṣṇa-prema. Your contemporaries who have attained to this state, in their humility and natural tendency of glorifying other <i>vaiṣṇavas</i>, have confirmed this. Furthermore, in your complete understanding of the root of material existence, and its expansive network of subsidiary roots, you have complete understanding and experience of its diametric opposite: the spiritual world. This complete package of understanding the Vedas and its goal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, you giving freely. In this light, I beg for spiritual strength in remaining under the shelter of your instructions, in a steadfast way, to particularly study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and take shelter of the holy Names, in all circumstances, never mind the apparent constraints imposed by time, on my body, mind and intelligence. This stick of your mercy and ability, of making Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam my eternal companion, I beg from you.
All glories to You on this most blessed event in celebrating your Śrī Vyāsa-Pūjā Mahā Mahotsava!
Your indebted twig
Agharī Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to you on this most auspicious occasion of celebrating your divine appearance in this world.
In the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā, first verse, Lord Kṛṣṇa compares the entanglement of the material world to a banyan tree and goes further to explain that one who knows this tree knows the Vedas. It is this position of yours, as a knower of the Vedas, and an expert tree-feller of material existence that I wish to glorify.
In the purport of the same verse, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that: “One who wants to get out of this material existence must know this tree thoroughly through analytical study. Then he can cut off his relationship with it.” Your testimony of studying Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books for an average of four hours per day for six consecutive months, and later on, taking the order of <i>sannyāsa</i> at the young age of thirty-two, is a prime paragon for anyone who desires liberation from material existence. Your luminous discourses, particularly on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; your dexterity in illuminating the connections of findings made by contemporary social scientists to the timeless wisdom of the Vedas, and your writings, particularly <i>Searching for Vedic India</i>, is further evidence of your thorough understanding of this imperishable banyan tree of material existence. Indeed, on the eve of South Africa’s celebration of twenty years of democracy on March 20th of this year, your delivery of the second annual <i>Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture</i>, organised by Śrīla Prabhupāda’s BBT Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), is yet another sterling example of your analytical prowess in elucidating contemporary exchanges in the socio geopolitical arena, as being evidence of the Vedic conclusions, that speak truth to power.
What is striking is that even before becoming intimately associated with Śrīla Prabhupāda’s ISKCON, as explained in biographical accounts of your current presence on Earth, from a tender age, you were attached to scriptural works. Secondly, as evidenced by your disillusionment with higher education even before graduating, you understood the futility of pursuing a materialistic lifestyle. This indicates that your position, as a knower of the Vedas, precedes the lifetime we are witnessing in your present pastimes. At this point, one may argue that if this is the case, then the same could be said about any type of counter-culturists, whether it be those of the 1960s or drop-outs of the present day. However, to understand this extrapolation, one has to analyse your glorious life in its entirety, to fully grasp the rarity of your characteristics and the unequivocal truth of your origins.
Your activities as an illustrious member of the <i>sannyāsa āśrama</i>, further indicate the depth of your understanding this tree of material existence, particularly as one who is thoroughly transcendental to the modes of material nature. In the same chapter of Bhagavad-gītā, text two, Lord Kṛṣṇa further explains that the branches of this tree of material existence and concomitant extension are nourished by the modes of material nature. In your activities, evidence of your transcendence of the four stages of development in the <i>sannyāsa āśrama</i>, namely <i>kuṭīcaka, bahūdaka, parivrājakācārya</i> and <i>paramahaṁsa</i> [SB, 3.12.43] can be found. In particular, your transcendence of <i>kuṭīcakaḥ</i> or “life in the family without attachment”, is indicated by your amiable narrations of your interactions with your family that you use to illustrate Vedic conclusions.
Your level of being beyond <i>bahvodaḥ</i> or “giving up all material activities and engaging fully in transcendental service”, is fully demonstrated by taking Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions as your life and soul. The intensity of this streak of renunciation was most vividly demonstrated by your distribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books behind the former iron curtain of Eastern Europe’s communist bloc, and the personal motto you lived by during those years: “I may live or die, but Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are eternal”.
As a widely travelled learned preacher, teacher and initiating spiritual master of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, on all inhabited continents of the globe, having manifested this quality of <i>parivrājakācārya</i> for over thirty years, how could it be that you are not beyond this stage? The global network of outreach you have established, which is most impressively displayed in New Zealand and Australia, is going a long way in choking the subsidiary roots of this tree of material existence. Evidence can be cited from the Bhagavad-gītā, fifteenth chapter, verse two, wherein the purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda describes: “subsidiary roots are attachments and aversions, which are by products of different varieties of suffering and sense enjoyment.” And after receiving <i>harināma-dīkṣā</i> or first initiation from your lotus feet in chanting the holy Names of Lord Kṛṣṇa, on condition that the recipient remain honest in maintaining his or her vows of being a compassionate, truthful, clean and austere human, it very easy for them to perceive how you have extricated them from their entanglement within this imperishable tree of material existence.
Fourthly, your relishing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s devotional service through the will and impetus of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission, with unwavering and steadfast determination, even during the tumultuous period of ISKCON’s history, indicates your firm position as a <i>paramahaṁsa</i>. Not only are you distilling this <i>amṛta</i> milk from the murky waters of material existence for yourself, you are also reversing the curdled-heart condition of Kali-yuga denizens and helping them realize their positions as eternal servants of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Evidence of this can be found in the purport to the third chapter, text thirty-seven of the Bhagavad-gītā. Therein Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the eternal love that a <i>jiva</i> has for Lord Kṛṣṇa, to milk becoming transformed to yoghurt upon contact with sour tamarind, when the <i>jiva</i> comes into contact with the material creation in association with the mode of passion.
With this in mind, it can be seen that when fortunate persons come in contact with the nectar emanating from your lotus mouth and respond by vigorously chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, your full-blown qualities as a <i>paramahaṁsa</i> are at work. In spite of the gloomy condition of their hearts, as indicated by their absorption, in the “devilish delights of Kali-yuga”, as you have deftly described, still, the taste of chanting the holy Name Lord Kṛṣṇa takes residence in such a condition because you have managed to distil the original <i>amṛta</i> milk from their hearts. Those who attended <i>The Culture of Love</i> retreat organised by Wits’bhakti-yoga outreach programme in March of this year, can attest to this and the transformative effect of your association. I was among such beneficiaries of your imperishable mercy and I feel most fortunate to have received it in the form of <i>harināma-dīkṣā</i>. Thank you Guru Mahārāja.
In the second canto, fourth chapter, verse thirteen, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains in the purport that while two types of advanced transcendentalists or <i>paramahaṁsas</i> can be cited, the <i>premānandī paramahaṁsa</i> is the most fortunate. A corollary to this is that such a transcendentalist, having the highest fortune, is able to give the same fortune to others. It is no wonder that you are adored and respected by all, even by those who think they have no interest in Lord Kṛṣṇa. Your single-pointed intelligence and determination in pushing on Lord Caitanya’s movement to as many towns and villages there are, through the will and order of Śrīla Prabhupāda, encapsulates your exalted position as a dearmost <i>premānandī</i> of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The intense level of intimacy of this devotional service you are rendering to the <i>guru- paramparā</i> was vividly implied by an exchange you had with Śrīla Prabhupāda in a dream, after His Divine Grace reciprocated with you when you defended the theological integrity of his purports. This dream, you described in Chowpatty, at this year’s celebration of Lord Nityananda’s appearance. Therefore, with all this in mind, it is apt glorify you as <i>Oṁ Prabhupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata</i>.
In strengthening attachment to your lotus feet while serving from any situation or particular āśrama, knowing your glories as an elevated <i>Gaura-premānandī</i> transcendentalist is important and an enlivening subject matter to meditate on and converse about. Your unflinching dedication in using your body, mind and words in the service of Śrīla Prabhupāda is an example to be followed by all <i>vaiṣṇavas</i> aspiring for fully-blossomed Kṛṣṇa-prema. Your contemporaries who have attained to this state, in their humility and natural tendency of glorifying other <i>vaiṣṇavas</i>, have confirmed this. Furthermore, in your complete understanding of the root of material existence, and its expansive network of subsidiary roots, you have complete understanding and experience of its diametric opposite: the spiritual world. This complete package of understanding the Vedas and its goal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, you giving freely. In this light, I beg for spiritual strength in remaining under the shelter of your instructions, in a steadfast way, to particularly study Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and take shelter of the holy Names, in all circumstances, never mind the apparent constraints imposed by time, on my body, mind and intelligence. This stick of your mercy and ability, of making Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam my eternal companion, I beg from you.
All glories to You on this most blessed event in celebrating your Śrī Vyāsa-Pūjā Mahā Mahotsava!
Your indebted twig
Agharī Kṛṣṇa dāsa
Akarsini devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
With the recent changes at Bhakti Lounge, I was finding it difficult to find a somewhere to chant my rounds in the morning. Needing somewhere to walk up and down, to stay awake, I decided to try chanting with Sri-Sri Panca-Tattva inside the centre.
After going there consecutively for three days I began to understand how fortunate I was to be able to go to a place of worship and do some simple but sweet service. Turning on the altar light was a mission in itself, having to somehow mitigate the mountain of furniture and get a wooden spoon from the kitchen to reach over push down the switch. One morning I thought it would be nice to clean the altar a little. I found a synthetic rainbow duster in the cupboard and started to dust the Lord’s hands and feet and while I was polishing their cheeks I noticed that I was having a really nice time.
Weeks later thoughts kept running through my mind about how I could be experiencing a taste of joyful satisfaction at 530am with a rainbow duster in my hand. To mundane vision I must have looked like an insane person.
Through your expert guidance, slowly i’m beginning to understand the true meaning of this verse….
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Service, whether it be big or small has little value when there is no presence of any genuine love or affection.
Thank you Gurudeva for your support and encouragement to really see that this Bhakti Process is actually working. Without your teachings I would have no hope to one day actually experience the full brightness of this verse.
Trying to be your servant and daughter
Akarsini devi dasi
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
With the recent changes at Bhakti Lounge, I was finding it difficult to find a somewhere to chant my rounds in the morning. Needing somewhere to walk up and down, to stay awake, I decided to try chanting with Sri-Sri Panca-Tattva inside the centre.
After going there consecutively for three days I began to understand how fortunate I was to be able to go to a place of worship and do some simple but sweet service. Turning on the altar light was a mission in itself, having to somehow mitigate the mountain of furniture and get a wooden spoon from the kitchen to reach over push down the switch. One morning I thought it would be nice to clean the altar a little. I found a synthetic rainbow duster in the cupboard and started to dust the Lord’s hands and feet and while I was polishing their cheeks I noticed that I was having a really nice time.
Weeks later thoughts kept running through my mind about how I could be experiencing a taste of joyful satisfaction at 530am with a rainbow duster in my hand. To mundane vision I must have looked like an insane person.
Through your expert guidance, slowly i’m beginning to understand the true meaning of this verse….
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Service, whether it be big or small has little value when there is no presence of any genuine love or affection.
Thank you Gurudeva for your support and encouragement to really see that this Bhakti Process is actually working. Without your teachings I would have no hope to one day actually experience the full brightness of this verse.
Trying to be your servant and daughter
Akarsini devi dasi
Alexa
Dear Gurudeva!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Having been conditioned by the modern self centred culture, to be humble is a far fetched concept for many of the Kali Yuga dwellers. Never the less, I am hopeful that by aspiring to render service to Your Grace and the Vaisnavas I can one day develop the qualities to be able to offer truly humble obeisances and not just a formal PAMHO.
Thank you for being so forbearing with me through all these years while I have been joy riding the roller coaster of Maya Devi , struggling with impersonalism which is so deep rooted and I must admit is so appealing at times.
You make such tremendous preaching efforts , always delivering the message so expertly and strategically , preaching according to time, place and circumstances so the audience can grasp the science of Bhakti with their restless materialistic minds.
Behind your stern demeanour , there is a soft heart overflowing with pure love and compassion for the entangled souls of Kali Yuga who are engrossed in anxiety and uncertainty of the so called modern progress.
I had the privilege to be present during a couple of your transcendental Kirtans at the Loft this year. The guests from all walks of life were chanting the holly names of the Lord and you looked so happy and delighted , it is priceless to see you in this mood.
Please allow me to be a small part in your magnificent preaching machinery , to serve you and take shelter in the dust of your lotus feet .
Your aspiring servant
Alexa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on the auspicious day of your appearance.
Having been conditioned by the modern self centred culture, to be humble is a far fetched concept for many of the Kali Yuga dwellers. Never the less, I am hopeful that by aspiring to render service to Your Grace and the Vaisnavas I can one day develop the qualities to be able to offer truly humble obeisances and not just a formal PAMHO.
Thank you for being so forbearing with me through all these years while I have been joy riding the roller coaster of Maya Devi , struggling with impersonalism which is so deep rooted and I must admit is so appealing at times.
You make such tremendous preaching efforts , always delivering the message so expertly and strategically , preaching according to time, place and circumstances so the audience can grasp the science of Bhakti with their restless materialistic minds.
Behind your stern demeanour , there is a soft heart overflowing with pure love and compassion for the entangled souls of Kali Yuga who are engrossed in anxiety and uncertainty of the so called modern progress.
I had the privilege to be present during a couple of your transcendental Kirtans at the Loft this year. The guests from all walks of life were chanting the holly names of the Lord and you looked so happy and delighted , it is priceless to see you in this mood.
Please allow me to be a small part in your magnificent preaching machinery , to serve you and take shelter in the dust of your lotus feet .
Your aspiring servant
Alexa
Amani Gaurahari das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
As I struggle in this ocean of nescience, constantly being kicked, spat on, bitten and stabbed by material nature, I lament. I am absorbed in and conditioned to this struggle that I do not even realise how I am suffering, but every now and then, this sankirtan movement allows me to stick my head out of the water and swallow a mouthful of fresh air. Just for a moment I have some clarity - a small glimpse of reality - my insignificant position is juxtaposed with the epic power of material nature. om ajnana timarandasya, jnananjana salakaya. Thank you for engaging me in this service and this insight into my real position.
Acting with a very immature, neophyte understanding of devotional service - thinking very proudly that I knew what would bring guru and Gauranga the most pleasure - over the last year I have been mainly focused on spending lots of time on the street, attemping to distribute Prabhupadas books. With a very superficial view of bhakti, I have neglected the essence of bhakti - relationships. Through your expert guidance, classes and association with your disciples I feel that this immature understanding of bhakti is slowly evolving.
I recall that earlier this year, after revealing to my mentor that I was struggling to create strong relationships in the brahmacari asrama, you gave a class in which you told us to make Srimad Bhagavatam our companion. Not only do I have no idea what a real companion is, but I can't even begin to imagine the depths of the knowledge available in the Srimad Bhagavatam - but there is hope! Under your guidance, we now chant five verses from Krsna lila stava, Srimad-bhagavata-mahima-stotram, "Praise of the glories of Srimad Bhagavatam". These prayers give a introduction to - Krsna willing - my new best friend, and an insight in to the reciprocation available from such a loving companion.
Following are a few verses from these prayers. Sanatana Goswami firstly baldy declares the exalted position of Srimad Bhagavatam:
sarva-lokaik-drk-prada "the only giver of sight to all the worlds"; sarva-bhagavata-prana "the life air of all the Supreme Lord's devotees"; sri-krsna-parivartita "You are the exact image of Sri Krsna".
Sanatana Goswami next reveals the confidential relationship and reciprocation available between the devotees and this literary masterpiece:
prema-varsy-aksaraya te "Your every syllable pours own a flood of prema"; sarvada sarva-sevyaya "You can always be served by everyone"; mad-eka-bandho mad-sangin, mad-guro "My only friend, my constant companion, my spiritual master"; man-nistaraka mad bhagya, mad-ananda "My saviour, my good fortune, my source of ecstasy."
Finally, Sanatana Goswami glorifies the potency of Srimad Bhagavatam:
asadhu-sadhata-dayinn "O bestower of saintliness to the unsaintly"; ati nicoccata-kara "O exalter of the most fallen".
Your magnaminous character is highlighted by allowing such a puffed up, low class person as my self to associate with such an amazing text, thank you. For giving the opportunity to develop a relationship with one who is faultless and who reciprocates perfectly, thank you. And for allowing me to fortify my intelligence and elevate my consciousness through reading and studying the Srimad Bhagavatam, thank you.
Through our daily sanga session with the Grantha-raja Srimad Bhagavatam, not only do we get a chance to associate with the Kali-yuga literary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we also intimately associate with His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, through his Bhaktivedanta purports, and develop a relationship with him.
Thank you for giving me Srila Prabhupada's association.
In saying that, the need for creating relationships with the devotees that I am fortunate enough to have the association of, cannot be neglected. Actually, without a doubt, devotee association is my number one inspiration for continuing my humble attempt at practicing bhakti. I've noticed that as I develop stronger relationships with the devotees in the asrama that their assocation feels like a train pushing me deeper in to my hearing and chanting.
Your ability to create a situation where lost souls of kali-yuga can become purified enough, coming from such rough, sinful backgrounds, that fifteen young men can live in a relatively small house together - not just peacefully, but blissfully - is outstanding! The brahmacaris live very selfless lives, devoting so much of their time to serving guru and Gauranga - this is not ordinary, how many young people choose to give up so much for, materially speaking, practically nothing? This incredible situation stands as direct glorification of your spiritual prowess.
Looking back to last year and my attempt to write my last Vysapuja offering to you, I feel that my mundane, selfish consciousness prevents me from seeing the mercy you are constantly pouring on my lowly self, but somehow or other I have gained a glimpse in to your magnaminous character. Your selfless devotional service has given me so much - a chance to purify my existence, opportunities for my unqualified self to engage in the highest welfare activity and of course sadhu-sanga. Thank you for setting up such an effective Krsna net, in which the flailing kali-yugaites can be pulled from this ocean of nescience. I am forever indebted to you.
Please forgive me for my inadequacies - my lack of my enthusiasm, my inability to deal and cooperate with the devotees in Krsna's service and for being an incompetent instrument for you to engage in Krsna's service. I hope one day I can be an efficient tool to assist you with Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
Your aspiring servant,
Amani Gaurahari das
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
As I struggle in this ocean of nescience, constantly being kicked, spat on, bitten and stabbed by material nature, I lament. I am absorbed in and conditioned to this struggle that I do not even realise how I am suffering, but every now and then, this sankirtan movement allows me to stick my head out of the water and swallow a mouthful of fresh air. Just for a moment I have some clarity - a small glimpse of reality - my insignificant position is juxtaposed with the epic power of material nature. om ajnana timarandasya, jnananjana salakaya. Thank you for engaging me in this service and this insight into my real position.
Acting with a very immature, neophyte understanding of devotional service - thinking very proudly that I knew what would bring guru and Gauranga the most pleasure - over the last year I have been mainly focused on spending lots of time on the street, attemping to distribute Prabhupadas books. With a very superficial view of bhakti, I have neglected the essence of bhakti - relationships. Through your expert guidance, classes and association with your disciples I feel that this immature understanding of bhakti is slowly evolving.
I recall that earlier this year, after revealing to my mentor that I was struggling to create strong relationships in the brahmacari asrama, you gave a class in which you told us to make Srimad Bhagavatam our companion. Not only do I have no idea what a real companion is, but I can't even begin to imagine the depths of the knowledge available in the Srimad Bhagavatam - but there is hope! Under your guidance, we now chant five verses from Krsna lila stava, Srimad-bhagavata-mahima-stotram, "Praise of the glories of Srimad Bhagavatam". These prayers give a introduction to - Krsna willing - my new best friend, and an insight in to the reciprocation available from such a loving companion.
Following are a few verses from these prayers. Sanatana Goswami firstly baldy declares the exalted position of Srimad Bhagavatam:
sarva-lokaik-drk-prada "the only giver of sight to all the worlds"; sarva-bhagavata-prana "the life air of all the Supreme Lord's devotees"; sri-krsna-parivartita "You are the exact image of Sri Krsna".
Sanatana Goswami next reveals the confidential relationship and reciprocation available between the devotees and this literary masterpiece:
prema-varsy-aksaraya te "Your every syllable pours own a flood of prema"; sarvada sarva-sevyaya "You can always be served by everyone"; mad-eka-bandho mad-sangin, mad-guro "My only friend, my constant companion, my spiritual master"; man-nistaraka mad bhagya, mad-ananda "My saviour, my good fortune, my source of ecstasy."
Finally, Sanatana Goswami glorifies the potency of Srimad Bhagavatam:
asadhu-sadhata-dayinn "O bestower of saintliness to the unsaintly"; ati nicoccata-kara "O exalter of the most fallen".
Your magnaminous character is highlighted by allowing such a puffed up, low class person as my self to associate with such an amazing text, thank you. For giving the opportunity to develop a relationship with one who is faultless and who reciprocates perfectly, thank you. And for allowing me to fortify my intelligence and elevate my consciousness through reading and studying the Srimad Bhagavatam, thank you.
Through our daily sanga session with the Grantha-raja Srimad Bhagavatam, not only do we get a chance to associate with the Kali-yuga literary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we also intimately associate with His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, through his Bhaktivedanta purports, and develop a relationship with him.
Thank you for giving me Srila Prabhupada's association.
In saying that, the need for creating relationships with the devotees that I am fortunate enough to have the association of, cannot be neglected. Actually, without a doubt, devotee association is my number one inspiration for continuing my humble attempt at practicing bhakti. I've noticed that as I develop stronger relationships with the devotees in the asrama that their assocation feels like a train pushing me deeper in to my hearing and chanting.
Your ability to create a situation where lost souls of kali-yuga can become purified enough, coming from such rough, sinful backgrounds, that fifteen young men can live in a relatively small house together - not just peacefully, but blissfully - is outstanding! The brahmacaris live very selfless lives, devoting so much of their time to serving guru and Gauranga - this is not ordinary, how many young people choose to give up so much for, materially speaking, practically nothing? This incredible situation stands as direct glorification of your spiritual prowess.
Looking back to last year and my attempt to write my last Vysapuja offering to you, I feel that my mundane, selfish consciousness prevents me from seeing the mercy you are constantly pouring on my lowly self, but somehow or other I have gained a glimpse in to your magnaminous character. Your selfless devotional service has given me so much - a chance to purify my existence, opportunities for my unqualified self to engage in the highest welfare activity and of course sadhu-sanga. Thank you for setting up such an effective Krsna net, in which the flailing kali-yugaites can be pulled from this ocean of nescience. I am forever indebted to you.
Please forgive me for my inadequacies - my lack of my enthusiasm, my inability to deal and cooperate with the devotees in Krsna's service and for being an incompetent instrument for you to engage in Krsna's service. I hope one day I can be an efficient tool to assist you with Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
Your aspiring servant,
Amani Gaurahari das
Amit and Monika
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances on this auspicious Sri Vyasa Puja day. All Glories to your lotus feet.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.34 Krishna explains:
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto
him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.
You are our spiritual master who can impart to us the knowledge and clean our heart and help us get the love of
Krishna. You are our hope and we get faith in Krishna by your words and your service to Srila Prabhupada. As we seek your shelter, we pray that you accept unworthy souls like us as your disciples and allow us to serve you in body, mind and words.
Before we came to know about you or had heard about you, we were highly attracted to your merciful devotees who led by
your example and showed how to uplift and care for fallen souls. When such devotees would tell about their past life,
we would wonder who is the person who has changed them and the spiritual capacity such a person might possess. Because
of our degraded condition, we did not understand the relation of a disciple has with the Guru but by association of
your disciples, we continue to understand this intricate and important aspect of Bhakti.
Please shower your mercy on fallen souls like us and give us the strength and conviction to serve you in your mission
of service to Lord Krishna.
Your aspiring servants
Your spiritual Son and Daughter
Amit and Monika
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
Dearest Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances on this auspicious Sri Vyasa Puja day. All Glories to your lotus feet.
In Bhagavad Gita 4.34 Krishna explains:
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto
him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.
You are our spiritual master who can impart to us the knowledge and clean our heart and help us get the love of
Krishna. You are our hope and we get faith in Krishna by your words and your service to Srila Prabhupada. As we seek your shelter, we pray that you accept unworthy souls like us as your disciples and allow us to serve you in body, mind and words.
Before we came to know about you or had heard about you, we were highly attracted to your merciful devotees who led by
your example and showed how to uplift and care for fallen souls. When such devotees would tell about their past life,
we would wonder who is the person who has changed them and the spiritual capacity such a person might possess. Because
of our degraded condition, we did not understand the relation of a disciple has with the Guru but by association of
your disciples, we continue to understand this intricate and important aspect of Bhakti.
Please shower your mercy on fallen souls like us and give us the strength and conviction to serve you in your mission
of service to Lord Krishna.
Your aspiring servants
Your spiritual Son and Daughter
Amit and Monika
Ananda-candra devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On a recent trip to Auckland, Bal Gopal, his brother, nephew and I drove to the Coramandel. Along the way, we saw a young lady on the roadside, thumb out, bags by her feet. I thought to myself, is this for real? a girl hitchhiking on her own? I’m sure you can picture the type - pretty face, lacey shirt and guitar.
As we passed her by, a combined feeling of disbelief and concern rose in the car. Of course only Krishna Consciousness can really help anyone, but after a few minutes of should we, shouldn’t we, we turned around to collect her. I was feeling optimistic, maybe in some way, this could be her first step toward Krishna. However, when we got back to the spot, she was already gone.
We continued driving to our destination. About half hour later, we reached a main turn-off and intersection and there she was on the roadside again. Brother who was driving, immediately pulled over, seeming more certain that this time we should pick her up.
As she got into the car, we explained that we had seen her earlier and had felt worried that she was hitchhiking alone. She was a confident, friendly type and laughed “oh, I get that a lot!” in a no-need-to-worry-about-me, free spirited tone.
All I could think about at this point was this girl’s naivety. We could have been total creeps picking her up. I asked where she had travelled from and where she was going to and her reply was from Wellington to Hahei, which is over an 8 hour drive.
Immediately something you had said to me a few weeks earlier, popped into my head “all ladies need a good father, and a good husband”. And so, I was struck with gratitude thinking I have such a father as you. Because in one way or another this girl could have been me. Maybe I wouldn’t be wandering up the North Island on my own, but in some kind of shape or style, I’d be wandering this miserable planet. I’d be relying on an intelligence without Guru, without Krishna, equipped with the female tendency to follow the heart or intuition, you once described sarcastically “which never proves wrong”.
In Bhagavad Gita, the famous purport from chapter one describes how women require protection. And thanks to you Gurudeva, I have the best father in the world. You provide the utmost protection, through the opportunity of devotional service, to an extent which is rare for ladies in other parts of the world. Such protection by where all the heart energy and emotion can be invested into service, projects, cultivation, kirtan, devotional friendships and family, all fueling the intelligence, reducing the chances of foolish decision-making, like our new friend was clearly doing.
As we continued driving, the friendly discussion continued. I asked our new passenger if she had a job. She explained she was a caregiver for people with disabilities, a position which she really loved. I asked how long she had that job for and she said a few months but then explained in her bubbly, carefree manner, “it probably won’t be for much longer, because I don’t really like to commit, you know?”.
Immediately I thought of you. In classes You often discuss how people thesedays are afraid of or don’t like commitment. It sounds so boring, better to go with the flow, do what you want, when you want and how you want. Who wants to be tied down by chains of commitment?
In a lecture You described “to be dependant is considered a sign of weakness. The more self reliant and independant one is, the more the world glorifies as a successful human being.” By the way this girl spoke I sensed her pride in thinking that she was moving forward on her own terms. But how much independence and freedom does she really have?
And so, I was struck with gratitude that I have a commitment to you. The relationship between Guru and disciple is based on commitment, which means that everyday there is some kind of clear goal, direction and purpose. By this commitment you are allowing a means of escape from dependancy on material nature, giving the opportunity of real freedom.
We carried on driving. I asked our new friend what she was going to do in Hahei. She explained she was going to visit a really close friend for the week. She said “it’s winter so he doesn’t get out much”. I enquired more “why doesn’t he get out? is he not well?”. She replied “Oh no, he’s eight”. “Eight?” I asked, feeling surprised at the young age, but then thought maybe it was someone she was caregiving for. Then she corrected me “no he’s eighteen”. “Oh eighteen?” I apologised, “sorry, I thought you had said eight”. She corrected me again “no, he’s eighty”. “Eighty?” I remarked, my voice a little louder. “Yeah” she replied warmly, then began to sing his praise “he is such a wonderful man. He’s really open-minded and willing to hear new ideas. Most people are set in their ways at that age, but he is very open to change. He always has so much wisdom to share.” The whole car was a little gobsmacked. I asked how she knew him, and she explained that a few years ago he had opened up his home to some backpackers and she had stayed there. That’s where their friendship began. “He now lives alone. His wife died thirty years ago” she said “sometimes he plays old records for me and then tears come to his eyes, it reminds him of his wife. It’s really sweet”.
Immediately your words came to mind “people are more lonely than ever”. I thought of how you often describe that people are desperate for real connection and relationship. But little do they know that the full loving capacity can’t be expressed through the material body. If we really want to love and be loved, then Krishna must be present, because love doesn't come from the material body it comes from Krishna and then expands out.
This poor girl was attempting to travel over seven hundred and twenty kilometres on her own, jumping from car to car, stranger to stranger, through rainy weather, sun, wind and cold, carrying heavy bags, baring so many difficulties to seek shelter of an elderly, borderline senile, old man with obvious ulterior agenda, who can't do anything for her. He can’t give her material pleasure, he can’t give her any peace of mind, he can’t give her emancipation from material existence, he can’t give her prasadam, he can’t give her the kirtan process, he can’t give wonderful spiritual narrations of Krishna or offer any kind of deep loving friendship.
But Gurudeva, because you love Krishna you are able to love all living entities perfectly. Therefore you perfectly provide for them real protection, direction, shelter and ultimate fulfilment in the process of sankirtan. Really this girl should have been making such efforts to seek shelter of you.
I thank you so much for all that you have done for me and all that you continue to do.
Your servant
ananda-candra
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On a recent trip to Auckland, Bal Gopal, his brother, nephew and I drove to the Coramandel. Along the way, we saw a young lady on the roadside, thumb out, bags by her feet. I thought to myself, is this for real? a girl hitchhiking on her own? I’m sure you can picture the type - pretty face, lacey shirt and guitar.
As we passed her by, a combined feeling of disbelief and concern rose in the car. Of course only Krishna Consciousness can really help anyone, but after a few minutes of should we, shouldn’t we, we turned around to collect her. I was feeling optimistic, maybe in some way, this could be her first step toward Krishna. However, when we got back to the spot, she was already gone.
We continued driving to our destination. About half hour later, we reached a main turn-off and intersection and there she was on the roadside again. Brother who was driving, immediately pulled over, seeming more certain that this time we should pick her up.
As she got into the car, we explained that we had seen her earlier and had felt worried that she was hitchhiking alone. She was a confident, friendly type and laughed “oh, I get that a lot!” in a no-need-to-worry-about-me, free spirited tone.
All I could think about at this point was this girl’s naivety. We could have been total creeps picking her up. I asked where she had travelled from and where she was going to and her reply was from Wellington to Hahei, which is over an 8 hour drive.
Immediately something you had said to me a few weeks earlier, popped into my head “all ladies need a good father, and a good husband”. And so, I was struck with gratitude thinking I have such a father as you. Because in one way or another this girl could have been me. Maybe I wouldn’t be wandering up the North Island on my own, but in some kind of shape or style, I’d be wandering this miserable planet. I’d be relying on an intelligence without Guru, without Krishna, equipped with the female tendency to follow the heart or intuition, you once described sarcastically “which never proves wrong”.
In Bhagavad Gita, the famous purport from chapter one describes how women require protection. And thanks to you Gurudeva, I have the best father in the world. You provide the utmost protection, through the opportunity of devotional service, to an extent which is rare for ladies in other parts of the world. Such protection by where all the heart energy and emotion can be invested into service, projects, cultivation, kirtan, devotional friendships and family, all fueling the intelligence, reducing the chances of foolish decision-making, like our new friend was clearly doing.
As we continued driving, the friendly discussion continued. I asked our new passenger if she had a job. She explained she was a caregiver for people with disabilities, a position which she really loved. I asked how long she had that job for and she said a few months but then explained in her bubbly, carefree manner, “it probably won’t be for much longer, because I don’t really like to commit, you know?”.
Immediately I thought of you. In classes You often discuss how people thesedays are afraid of or don’t like commitment. It sounds so boring, better to go with the flow, do what you want, when you want and how you want. Who wants to be tied down by chains of commitment?
In a lecture You described “to be dependant is considered a sign of weakness. The more self reliant and independant one is, the more the world glorifies as a successful human being.” By the way this girl spoke I sensed her pride in thinking that she was moving forward on her own terms. But how much independence and freedom does she really have?
And so, I was struck with gratitude that I have a commitment to you. The relationship between Guru and disciple is based on commitment, which means that everyday there is some kind of clear goal, direction and purpose. By this commitment you are allowing a means of escape from dependancy on material nature, giving the opportunity of real freedom.
We carried on driving. I asked our new friend what she was going to do in Hahei. She explained she was going to visit a really close friend for the week. She said “it’s winter so he doesn’t get out much”. I enquired more “why doesn’t he get out? is he not well?”. She replied “Oh no, he’s eight”. “Eight?” I asked, feeling surprised at the young age, but then thought maybe it was someone she was caregiving for. Then she corrected me “no he’s eighteen”. “Oh eighteen?” I apologised, “sorry, I thought you had said eight”. She corrected me again “no, he’s eighty”. “Eighty?” I remarked, my voice a little louder. “Yeah” she replied warmly, then began to sing his praise “he is such a wonderful man. He’s really open-minded and willing to hear new ideas. Most people are set in their ways at that age, but he is very open to change. He always has so much wisdom to share.” The whole car was a little gobsmacked. I asked how she knew him, and she explained that a few years ago he had opened up his home to some backpackers and she had stayed there. That’s where their friendship began. “He now lives alone. His wife died thirty years ago” she said “sometimes he plays old records for me and then tears come to his eyes, it reminds him of his wife. It’s really sweet”.
Immediately your words came to mind “people are more lonely than ever”. I thought of how you often describe that people are desperate for real connection and relationship. But little do they know that the full loving capacity can’t be expressed through the material body. If we really want to love and be loved, then Krishna must be present, because love doesn't come from the material body it comes from Krishna and then expands out.
This poor girl was attempting to travel over seven hundred and twenty kilometres on her own, jumping from car to car, stranger to stranger, through rainy weather, sun, wind and cold, carrying heavy bags, baring so many difficulties to seek shelter of an elderly, borderline senile, old man with obvious ulterior agenda, who can't do anything for her. He can’t give her material pleasure, he can’t give her any peace of mind, he can’t give her emancipation from material existence, he can’t give her prasadam, he can’t give her the kirtan process, he can’t give wonderful spiritual narrations of Krishna or offer any kind of deep loving friendship.
But Gurudeva, because you love Krishna you are able to love all living entities perfectly. Therefore you perfectly provide for them real protection, direction, shelter and ultimate fulfilment in the process of sankirtan. Really this girl should have been making such efforts to seek shelter of you.
I thank you so much for all that you have done for me and all that you continue to do.
Your servant
ananda-candra
Ananta-naga das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance!
In your glorification, please let me offer you one sankirtana story from last year's December marathon.
I was with Khela Tirtha prabhu at Otara market one sunny Saturday morning.
During first 15 minutes of distribution I was observing how very expertly several hard cover books have been distributed by Khela Tirtha prabhu to some lucky personalities. On my part, all my attempts were fruitless. In desperation, looking into the sky I prayed; “Krishna, please help me, I am useless and cannot do anything without you. Please send my way someone who needs a book.” As I gradually started bringing my head to the horizontal plane, male voice next to me said: “Excuse me, do you have an English version of Bhagavad Gita by any chance?” Being very surprized, taking Bhagavad Gita from under my left arm and giving it to a man I said:” There is one right here for you”. He gave a 20-dollar donation and explained that he wanted to get the book for a long time. I replied: “Since you are at the food market, you get a Higher Taste as a gift”. I briefly explained about benefits of being vegetarian and a man gave me another 5 dollars. Before departing, following his wife and a little child, he expressed appreciation of the work Krishna’s devotees do and principles they folow.
After exchange I felt much enlivened by such quick reciprocation. I realized - by your mercy and being in assosiation with very advanced devotee miracles like that are quite possible even to a beginner like myself. Because you chose New Zealand to be one of the areas of your outreach, so many people over the years had experience meeting devotees and being exposed to Hare Krishna culture. I am sure this man had very positive experience with devotees before and developed desire to get a book. So, when he bumped into me it was easy for him to get one. There were many wonderful exchanges during the whole marathon. Every day something exciting would happen. Even though I am not a full-time book distributor, I had a privilege to do the whole marathon in association with your avangard forces – full time distributors. For this I am forever grateful to you, Guru Maharaja. Memories like this one cannot be compared to anything mundane this world can offer.
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur sings:
“Without grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement.”
By your grace I have all the favorable conditions to progress in spiritual life - the assosiation of exalted devotees and innumerable service opportunities. Thank you for giving me this chance to advance, even though I am a slow boat, possibly not qualified to have all that service and sadhu sanga.
Thank you for your stong emphasis on reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day. I start to see the benefits. Indeed, knowledge is empowering and helping to mould my life around spiritual goals. My desire is to become more stable in sadhana and deepen my understanding of the sastra and your mission. In this way I hope to become one day a useful instrument in your hands.
In the last few years I have seen many young people visiting the Loft in Auckland, some of them taking up Krishna Consciousness and making quick progress. Some of them taking up spiritual initiation. Its all happened because of your selfless efforts and guidance. There are many thousands fortunate people around the world who had a chance to get to know Krishna and Krishna’s pure love by meeting you and your followers.
“The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favorable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.” SB 11.20.17
Considering how many conditioned souls took shelter of you, by now you are the captain of the whole fleet of boats, propelling it back home, back to Godhead. Ironically, I have been working in the boat related field for over fifteen years now and know how difficult it is to steer safely just one boat. You have undertaken tremendous task of giving course to so many lives. Thank you for saving me and many others from killing our souls.
I always pray to Krishna for your wellbeing and for ability to serve you with more quality.
Your servant,
Ananta-naga das.
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance!
In your glorification, please let me offer you one sankirtana story from last year's December marathon.
I was with Khela Tirtha prabhu at Otara market one sunny Saturday morning.
During first 15 minutes of distribution I was observing how very expertly several hard cover books have been distributed by Khela Tirtha prabhu to some lucky personalities. On my part, all my attempts were fruitless. In desperation, looking into the sky I prayed; “Krishna, please help me, I am useless and cannot do anything without you. Please send my way someone who needs a book.” As I gradually started bringing my head to the horizontal plane, male voice next to me said: “Excuse me, do you have an English version of Bhagavad Gita by any chance?” Being very surprized, taking Bhagavad Gita from under my left arm and giving it to a man I said:” There is one right here for you”. He gave a 20-dollar donation and explained that he wanted to get the book for a long time. I replied: “Since you are at the food market, you get a Higher Taste as a gift”. I briefly explained about benefits of being vegetarian and a man gave me another 5 dollars. Before departing, following his wife and a little child, he expressed appreciation of the work Krishna’s devotees do and principles they folow.
After exchange I felt much enlivened by such quick reciprocation. I realized - by your mercy and being in assosiation with very advanced devotee miracles like that are quite possible even to a beginner like myself. Because you chose New Zealand to be one of the areas of your outreach, so many people over the years had experience meeting devotees and being exposed to Hare Krishna culture. I am sure this man had very positive experience with devotees before and developed desire to get a book. So, when he bumped into me it was easy for him to get one. There were many wonderful exchanges during the whole marathon. Every day something exciting would happen. Even though I am not a full-time book distributor, I had a privilege to do the whole marathon in association with your avangard forces – full time distributors. For this I am forever grateful to you, Guru Maharaja. Memories like this one cannot be compared to anything mundane this world can offer.
Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur sings:
“Without grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement.”
By your grace I have all the favorable conditions to progress in spiritual life - the assosiation of exalted devotees and innumerable service opportunities. Thank you for giving me this chance to advance, even though I am a slow boat, possibly not qualified to have all that service and sadhu sanga.
Thank you for your stong emphasis on reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day. I start to see the benefits. Indeed, knowledge is empowering and helping to mould my life around spiritual goals. My desire is to become more stable in sadhana and deepen my understanding of the sastra and your mission. In this way I hope to become one day a useful instrument in your hands.
In the last few years I have seen many young people visiting the Loft in Auckland, some of them taking up Krishna Consciousness and making quick progress. Some of them taking up spiritual initiation. Its all happened because of your selfless efforts and guidance. There are many thousands fortunate people around the world who had a chance to get to know Krishna and Krishna’s pure love by meeting you and your followers.
“The human body, which can award all benefit in life, is automatically obtained by the laws of nature, although it is a very rare achievement. This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favorable winds impelling it on its course. Considering all these advantages, a human being who does not utilize his human life to cross the ocean of material existence must be considered the killer of his own soul.” SB 11.20.17
Considering how many conditioned souls took shelter of you, by now you are the captain of the whole fleet of boats, propelling it back home, back to Godhead. Ironically, I have been working in the boat related field for over fifteen years now and know how difficult it is to steer safely just one boat. You have undertaken tremendous task of giving course to so many lives. Thank you for saving me and many others from killing our souls.
I always pray to Krishna for your wellbeing and for ability to serve you with more quality.
Your servant,
Ananta-naga das.
Andrea Szépvölgyi
Dearest Maharaja,
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
As the wife of one of your disciples I feel obliged to thank you all you do for us as a family. My husband, Richard is eager again and does his best to chant his rounds and serves in the temple as well. This metamorphosis is owing to your kindness and guidance. I am so grateful to you since I am sure I was too small and fallen to help him in any ways. The only thing I could do was not to criticize him for his lack of enthusiasm.
I remember when once you came to Szeged I decided not to like you too much as a spiritual master since you were basically preaching in Australia and New Zealand that time and did not come to Hungary for decades. But then I saw you and heard your classes and could not help it. You told us that the temple should be our favourite place to go, not a teahouse or a cinema. You mesmerized all of us and the handful of devotees could not stop talking about you for days. Then you started to visit the country every year and kept lectures in BHAKTI as well. Your joyful manner, your sense of humour and the meditative bhajans and kirtanas have stolen everyone’s heart. I was looking forward to meeting you again and again.
I also recall an initiation talk when you said that there is a significant difference between the Vedic and the Western attitude to vows. I was crying then since I knew I would have been sitting by the yajna, had I not made a mistake by breaking my vow. Your words were like swords and cut the rope of ignorance and revealed the truth about myself.
Once you told us the pastime of Krishna and Kaliya in Budapest. I sometimes had a difficulty of paying attention to the book itself and my mind was wandering here and there. But as soon as you started the pastime, your words dragged my mind and it could not focus on anything but the story. As you closed your eyes it seemed that you are telling it while seeing everything in front of you. You were so merciful to bring the spiritual world to us.
Thank you for letting me translate your blog. It is always very sobering and I find it amazing that you observe everything from the spiritual platform. I wish once I had such a pure heart as yours.
Your insignificant servant,
Andrea Szépvölgyi
(Hungary)
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
As the wife of one of your disciples I feel obliged to thank you all you do for us as a family. My husband, Richard is eager again and does his best to chant his rounds and serves in the temple as well. This metamorphosis is owing to your kindness and guidance. I am so grateful to you since I am sure I was too small and fallen to help him in any ways. The only thing I could do was not to criticize him for his lack of enthusiasm.
I remember when once you came to Szeged I decided not to like you too much as a spiritual master since you were basically preaching in Australia and New Zealand that time and did not come to Hungary for decades. But then I saw you and heard your classes and could not help it. You told us that the temple should be our favourite place to go, not a teahouse or a cinema. You mesmerized all of us and the handful of devotees could not stop talking about you for days. Then you started to visit the country every year and kept lectures in BHAKTI as well. Your joyful manner, your sense of humour and the meditative bhajans and kirtanas have stolen everyone’s heart. I was looking forward to meeting you again and again.
I also recall an initiation talk when you said that there is a significant difference between the Vedic and the Western attitude to vows. I was crying then since I knew I would have been sitting by the yajna, had I not made a mistake by breaking my vow. Your words were like swords and cut the rope of ignorance and revealed the truth about myself.
Once you told us the pastime of Krishna and Kaliya in Budapest. I sometimes had a difficulty of paying attention to the book itself and my mind was wandering here and there. But as soon as you started the pastime, your words dragged my mind and it could not focus on anything but the story. As you closed your eyes it seemed that you are telling it while seeing everything in front of you. You were so merciful to bring the spiritual world to us.
Thank you for letting me translate your blog. It is always very sobering and I find it amazing that you observe everything from the spiritual platform. I wish once I had such a pure heart as yours.
Your insignificant servant,
Andrea Szépvölgyi
(Hungary)
Andy
Dear Devamrita Maharaja,
Please accept my fallen and humble obeisances.
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
As I reflect on the inconceivability of your luminous personality and transcendental mission, the words of one of your disciples at Bhakti Lounge come to mind. She lovingly and reverentially conveyed the fact that your words, thoughts and deeds are so powerful and your mercy so direct that they pierce to the centre of one’s heart. As a blind man alone in the wilderness, I must agree. For despite my absorption in Krishna’s material energy, your golden ray of spiritual Shakti has left a deeply embedded yearning to be free from forgetfulness and illusion and be fully absorbed in loving devotion to our sweet Lord, Krishna. It provides a faint yet unwavering compass in this darkness of ignorance I call life. Your devotion and supreme love of Godhead, your purity and ultimately your mercy are indeed heaven-sent and unconquerable.
As I cling to the life-raft you have provided, and rapidly dwindle the karmic credits of my past good deeds, I simply beg that I can at least serve you in thought. Being unqualified to demand anything from you, I further beg that I may gradually advance up the path of self-realisation and serve you more fully; my karmic yoga replaced by devotional service.
Our material encounters have been rare yet the transcendental blow of these golden moments of your association leave an imprint that no material gratification can possibly fill; indeed it leaves me deeply humbled and moved. I know in my heart of hearts that I belong in your service and in your mission of compassion. And so it is with sincere love and gratitude that I prostrate myself at Your Lotus Feet.
Your fallen servant,
Andy.
Please accept my fallen and humble obeisances.
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!
As I reflect on the inconceivability of your luminous personality and transcendental mission, the words of one of your disciples at Bhakti Lounge come to mind. She lovingly and reverentially conveyed the fact that your words, thoughts and deeds are so powerful and your mercy so direct that they pierce to the centre of one’s heart. As a blind man alone in the wilderness, I must agree. For despite my absorption in Krishna’s material energy, your golden ray of spiritual Shakti has left a deeply embedded yearning to be free from forgetfulness and illusion and be fully absorbed in loving devotion to our sweet Lord, Krishna. It provides a faint yet unwavering compass in this darkness of ignorance I call life. Your devotion and supreme love of Godhead, your purity and ultimately your mercy are indeed heaven-sent and unconquerable.
As I cling to the life-raft you have provided, and rapidly dwindle the karmic credits of my past good deeds, I simply beg that I can at least serve you in thought. Being unqualified to demand anything from you, I further beg that I may gradually advance up the path of self-realisation and serve you more fully; my karmic yoga replaced by devotional service.
Our material encounters have been rare yet the transcendental blow of these golden moments of your association leave an imprint that no material gratification can possibly fill; indeed it leaves me deeply humbled and moved. I know in my heart of hearts that I belong in your service and in your mission of compassion. And so it is with sincere love and gratitude that I prostrate myself at Your Lotus Feet.
Your fallen servant,
Andy.
Ann Kuksova
Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances! All glory to Srila Prabhupada! I want to congratulate you with the day of your appearance. Thank you for you books and lectures, where we can find everything, if to do it attentively. Thank you for sharing your love to Srila Prabhupada. You learn how to communicate with devotees, how to develop love to Krishna, greedness to bhakti, how to engage emotions in devotional service. Thanks for the chance to grab the edge of dhoti Srila Prabhupada. You dissipated the darkness of illusion and give a true knowledge. I am in irredeemable debt to you. You eternal servant, Ann Kuksova.
Anna Asadulina
Dear Gurudev,
please, accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
When You so mercifully gave me shelter (Dec 5, Govindas ashram, Sydney) I realized how fortunate I am. And with time this day becomes even more precious!
Gurudev, who am I without Your mercy? My whole life would be just nonsense if not for Your love and compassion.
At our last darshan You said: "I want you to become Krishna conscious". These words of Yours just pierced my heart. I could feel such love as never before! I keep in my heart that very moment and it saves me from any difficulties I meet on my way, brings fearlessness and inspires me so much. Since then I pray to become qualified enough to be a tool in Your hands and servant of Your servants one day, Gurudev.
Your aspiring servant, Anna
please, accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
When You so mercifully gave me shelter (Dec 5, Govindas ashram, Sydney) I realized how fortunate I am. And with time this day becomes even more precious!
Gurudev, who am I without Your mercy? My whole life would be just nonsense if not for Your love and compassion.
At our last darshan You said: "I want you to become Krishna conscious". These words of Yours just pierced my heart. I could feel such love as never before! I keep in my heart that very moment and it saves me from any difficulties I meet on my way, brings fearlessness and inspires me so much. Since then I pray to become qualified enough to be a tool in Your hands and servant of Your servants one day, Gurudev.
Your aspiring servant, Anna
Ariel Fitterman
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently, at Gita Nagari we were making ghee with milk from Gita Nagari’s cows. As I watched the fresh butter, melt into pools of golden nectar, I recalled hearing ghee described as the essence of a cow’s pure love. I began to reflect on the dramatic transformation that takes place during this process. Starting as a mouthful of choice grass, deftly scooped up by the cow’s tongue , then digested and most magnificently transformed to milk. Then from milk, the cream is separated, cultured into yogurt, churned into butter, and finally gently boiled to remove impurities, resulting in liquid gold–ghee. This process takes a great deal of time, requires specific settings, patience, attention to detail and most importantly, guidance from someone who knows what they are doing.
Similarly, the process of Bhakti is quite transformative. It too, has similar requirements to ensure success. It is only through your constant guidance and encouragement that I am able to find the determination to continue to try to progress on this path. Only by your constantly reminding me to keep Krsna’s service at the center of my life that I can take tiny steps forward in the right direction. You have so kindly encouraged me to take seriously my hearing and chanting. Asking me to dive deeper into the ocean of nectar, while I stand knee deep in the water protesting that it feels cold. But you are always there, showing me again and again how to keep improving with steadiness.
In my recent reading adventures, I have repeatedly been drawn to Srila Prabhupada’s purport from Bhagavad-gita, 10.10. Srila Prabhupada writes, “One should know that the goal is Krsna, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the ultimate goal is achieved.” Thank you for so clearly showing me the goal. For giving me the vision to move forward, albeit slowly, in my devotional life. Without your encouragement where would I be?
You are constantly helping me to see the ways I can improve. Thank you for caring for my spiritual well-being, for providing the clear instructions to the powerful medicine of Bhakti. I pray that I may be able to take up your instructions as my life and soul. Recognizing them as my lifeline. Gurudeva, please forgive my countless offenses. Please give me the vision to continue to move forward with steadiness, and to serve you with love from my heart.
With gratitude,
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Ariel
Gita Nagari
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently, at Gita Nagari we were making ghee with milk from Gita Nagari’s cows. As I watched the fresh butter, melt into pools of golden nectar, I recalled hearing ghee described as the essence of a cow’s pure love. I began to reflect on the dramatic transformation that takes place during this process. Starting as a mouthful of choice grass, deftly scooped up by the cow’s tongue , then digested and most magnificently transformed to milk. Then from milk, the cream is separated, cultured into yogurt, churned into butter, and finally gently boiled to remove impurities, resulting in liquid gold–ghee. This process takes a great deal of time, requires specific settings, patience, attention to detail and most importantly, guidance from someone who knows what they are doing.
Similarly, the process of Bhakti is quite transformative. It too, has similar requirements to ensure success. It is only through your constant guidance and encouragement that I am able to find the determination to continue to try to progress on this path. Only by your constantly reminding me to keep Krsna’s service at the center of my life that I can take tiny steps forward in the right direction. You have so kindly encouraged me to take seriously my hearing and chanting. Asking me to dive deeper into the ocean of nectar, while I stand knee deep in the water protesting that it feels cold. But you are always there, showing me again and again how to keep improving with steadiness.
In my recent reading adventures, I have repeatedly been drawn to Srila Prabhupada’s purport from Bhagavad-gita, 10.10. Srila Prabhupada writes, “One should know that the goal is Krsna, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the ultimate goal is achieved.” Thank you for so clearly showing me the goal. For giving me the vision to move forward, albeit slowly, in my devotional life. Without your encouragement where would I be?
You are constantly helping me to see the ways I can improve. Thank you for caring for my spiritual well-being, for providing the clear instructions to the powerful medicine of Bhakti. I pray that I may be able to take up your instructions as my life and soul. Recognizing them as my lifeline. Gurudeva, please forgive my countless offenses. Please give me the vision to continue to move forward with steadiness, and to serve you with love from my heart.
With gratitude,
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Ariel
Gita Nagari
Arthur Thompson
Dear Devamrita Swami
Thank you for all of your classes and kirtans throughout my time practicing krsna consciousness. Thank you also for your tailored guidance and patience in helping me try to serve Krsna and Srila Prabhupada. When in times of trouble there's always a memory for me, from your classes to help with developing the determination to continue pushing forward.
Leaving the association of devotees, I realize how valuable and necessary it is to have a group of people around you to motivate you and enthuse you. I hope this brings me closer to your humble service.
Your aspiring servant, Arthur
Thank you for all of your classes and kirtans throughout my time practicing krsna consciousness. Thank you also for your tailored guidance and patience in helping me try to serve Krsna and Srila Prabhupada. When in times of trouble there's always a memory for me, from your classes to help with developing the determination to continue pushing forward.
Leaving the association of devotees, I realize how valuable and necessary it is to have a group of people around you to motivate you and enthuse you. I hope this brings me closer to your humble service.
Your aspiring servant, Arthur
Atmesvar Krishna das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances,
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
On the occasion of your vyasapuja day, I wish you Krishna conscious birthday,
Your presence in my life is certainly a blessing of The Lord. Earlier this year, when I approached you amidst utter conundrum about my life situation, you patiently empathies with me by uttering the following words "Despite material odds in your life, you will remain Krishna conscious, no matter where ever you live".
This gives me an insight about a glimpse of your compassionate nature when you explicitly share my personal concern as a reference in one of your public talks in Melbourne. The reference point that you made was duly presented with a mood of grief and deep sympathy for me
This incident, of course, stunned me and made me think why Guru deva is still pondering over my personal situation as if it is his own personal concern. This experience clearly illustrates how an exalted vaisnava like you feel the pain of other devotees. That’s why vaisnava is “Para dukha dukhi”, the quality of being compassionate toward other conditioned beings and who cannot tolerate the pain of others.
A good teacher is like a ball of cotton; stretched himself for the sake of others, ready to burn to enlighten, glad to clean messy minds, provides soft dabs to comfort wounds and surprisingly light to be with. With all this your presence does not occupy space in my life, but your absence creates a limitless void.
The sense of hopelessness & utter disappointment that the current year has brought to me, it has not only made my material existence enormously miserable, but radically affected my devotional mood and sadhana. This clearly augments the weakness in my heart and eventually beginning to drive me away from my devotional duties unto you. However, I am extremely grateful to your instructions and the support of my fellow devotees, which reinstate me again in your devotional service by reminding me about the actual purpose of my life.
Although my words would never be enough to describe your glories and your exalted character, the only way to repay you, perhaps, by following the instructions of your dedicated servants and by cooperating with those whose life's mission is to serve you and your guru Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada.
Once again I salute you for your glorious preaching work, your dedication towards the mission of srila Prabhupada's.
Your servant,
Atmesvar Krishna Das
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances,
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
On the occasion of your vyasapuja day, I wish you Krishna conscious birthday,
Your presence in my life is certainly a blessing of The Lord. Earlier this year, when I approached you amidst utter conundrum about my life situation, you patiently empathies with me by uttering the following words "Despite material odds in your life, you will remain Krishna conscious, no matter where ever you live".
This gives me an insight about a glimpse of your compassionate nature when you explicitly share my personal concern as a reference in one of your public talks in Melbourne. The reference point that you made was duly presented with a mood of grief and deep sympathy for me
This incident, of course, stunned me and made me think why Guru deva is still pondering over my personal situation as if it is his own personal concern. This experience clearly illustrates how an exalted vaisnava like you feel the pain of other devotees. That’s why vaisnava is “Para dukha dukhi”, the quality of being compassionate toward other conditioned beings and who cannot tolerate the pain of others.
A good teacher is like a ball of cotton; stretched himself for the sake of others, ready to burn to enlighten, glad to clean messy minds, provides soft dabs to comfort wounds and surprisingly light to be with. With all this your presence does not occupy space in my life, but your absence creates a limitless void.
The sense of hopelessness & utter disappointment that the current year has brought to me, it has not only made my material existence enormously miserable, but radically affected my devotional mood and sadhana. This clearly augments the weakness in my heart and eventually beginning to drive me away from my devotional duties unto you. However, I am extremely grateful to your instructions and the support of my fellow devotees, which reinstate me again in your devotional service by reminding me about the actual purpose of my life.
Although my words would never be enough to describe your glories and your exalted character, the only way to repay you, perhaps, by following the instructions of your dedicated servants and by cooperating with those whose life's mission is to serve you and your guru Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada.
Once again I salute you for your glorious preaching work, your dedication towards the mission of srila Prabhupada's.
Your servant,
Atmesvar Krishna Das
Ayman
Dear Devamrita Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Before I ever had the opportunity to physically associate with devotees I had a strong attraction to hearing Krsna's message. I would spend hours almost daily listening to Bhagavatam classes and Krsna conscious talks by swamis online and one of the speakers I was constantly eager to hear was you.
After two years of repeated hearing Krsna gave me a push to drop everything and commit to the process of bhakti. Within a short time of my first visit to the Toronto temple i was told of a week long festival centred around talks given by a visiting swami. When i was presented with a flyer, to my pleasant surprise, it had a shining picture of you with a great big smile. I was very excited and attended every talk you gave as I never could have guesses i would be able to be in your presence. With great awe and reverence I listened and watched as you spoke.
Since then I had the great fortune to be able to serve at the Toronto Bhakti Lounge. I am very much indebted to your vision of outreach as it allowed me to be engaged according to my capacity. By your causeless mercy I am now in Wellington in the shelter of your wonderful devotees. If I can only continue to some how or other aspire to be the servant of your servants.
Then and now, your words cut to the root of my misconceptions and your kind guidance gives me hope.
Though i am incompetent in expressing gratitude or reciprocating all you have done for me, I have a desire to some how or other be able to please you.
Your aspiring servant,
Ayman
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Before I ever had the opportunity to physically associate with devotees I had a strong attraction to hearing Krsna's message. I would spend hours almost daily listening to Bhagavatam classes and Krsna conscious talks by swamis online and one of the speakers I was constantly eager to hear was you.
After two years of repeated hearing Krsna gave me a push to drop everything and commit to the process of bhakti. Within a short time of my first visit to the Toronto temple i was told of a week long festival centred around talks given by a visiting swami. When i was presented with a flyer, to my pleasant surprise, it had a shining picture of you with a great big smile. I was very excited and attended every talk you gave as I never could have guesses i would be able to be in your presence. With great awe and reverence I listened and watched as you spoke.
Since then I had the great fortune to be able to serve at the Toronto Bhakti Lounge. I am very much indebted to your vision of outreach as it allowed me to be engaged according to my capacity. By your causeless mercy I am now in Wellington in the shelter of your wonderful devotees. If I can only continue to some how or other aspire to be the servant of your servants.
Then and now, your words cut to the root of my misconceptions and your kind guidance gives me hope.
Though i am incompetent in expressing gratitude or reciprocating all you have done for me, I have a desire to some how or other be able to please you.
Your aspiring servant,
Ayman
Bal Gopal das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble respects and obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your own glorious self !
I was recently overhearing you describe in a lecture in Germany how during the iron curtain perils you used to Give Srimad Bhagavatam classes in secret meetings with devotees under very worrisome conditions. You described how on every street there were police informers ready to report you to the police, who would arrest and put you through immense difficulty when seized by them. Your mantra during those times of intense Bhakti Yoga was I may live or die but Bhagavad Gita is eternal ! So dangerous and ruthless were the police that they would just knock people off by running them over in a car.
So In such extreme settings you were visiting devotees for there growth and enlivenment in Bhakti by speaking Srimad Bhagavatam and having Kirtan.
Once a loud knocking on the door was heard during the middle of your Bhagavatam class, knowing well who had arrived, you quickly escaped out the back door and hid your self carefully under a car. Waiting, hiding under a car until they left, you came back inside and resumed your Bhagavatam class from where you left off !
Another time I wrote you and asked permission to take all the brahmacaris to a festival for Lord Nityananda in Auckland. You rang later that evening to kindly share some thoughts. You asked ' How long have you been a devotee for? Your acting like a Baby , always running to mother , Why can't you hold a festival for Lord Nityananda in Hamilton ?What would you do if I sent you to Burma or Vietnam ?
You then told me that you went Into Eastern Europe behind the Iron curtain after being a devotee for only 5 Years and celebrated Janmastami and Prabhupadas appearance day by yourself with one other devotee on the black sea... You concluded by saying with a firm determined revelation ...We just wanted to please Prabhupada !
"As you become an older devotee, Krsna expects more and more of you just like in any committed relationship you expect more of that person in the relationship, not less. What's the first thing people say when there disappointed: "I can't believe that after all these years..." In other words: "I expect more. After all these years your still doing the same thing. I can't believe it. After all these years.... there's still no change"". SB lecture 2008.
In consideration of your exalted determination to serve Srila Prabhupada despite so much life risk and danger, I look at your determination combined with immense compassion in your dealings with us all.
From your side you are doing so much for us, your determination and patience in the life long cultivation of us all is amazing !
In my case you have kindly offered me clothes to wear, you've shared your lunch with me, you have offered me medicines health products and supplements and you have had to tell me how to do the most basic things like stopping me from eating halava all the time to giving me stern advice like ' get your life together ' and ' overhaul your existence ' to the point of describing me as senile at the age of 26.
You are constantly adopting so much austerity travelling all over the planet, constantly offering various arrangements, services and opportunities to enter into more committed deeper experiences of Krsna Consciousness.
From my side I unconsciously turn away these opportunities on a daily basis. I like to enthusiastically present myself in your physical presence but in your absence I dance to other tunes.
You are directly guided by the Supreme Lord in all your actions thoughts and words. You are offering me a priceless opportunity to come into the inner circle of liberated associates of Sri Gauranga and by my behaviour I seem to be turning to the material atmosphere for shelter :-/
Seeing my madness and stagnant position I beg you to continue with your determined efforts to save the soul of Bal Gopal das
Aspiring to become
Your servant
Bal Gopal das
Please accept my humble respects and obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and your own glorious self !
I was recently overhearing you describe in a lecture in Germany how during the iron curtain perils you used to Give Srimad Bhagavatam classes in secret meetings with devotees under very worrisome conditions. You described how on every street there were police informers ready to report you to the police, who would arrest and put you through immense difficulty when seized by them. Your mantra during those times of intense Bhakti Yoga was I may live or die but Bhagavad Gita is eternal ! So dangerous and ruthless were the police that they would just knock people off by running them over in a car.
So In such extreme settings you were visiting devotees for there growth and enlivenment in Bhakti by speaking Srimad Bhagavatam and having Kirtan.
Once a loud knocking on the door was heard during the middle of your Bhagavatam class, knowing well who had arrived, you quickly escaped out the back door and hid your self carefully under a car. Waiting, hiding under a car until they left, you came back inside and resumed your Bhagavatam class from where you left off !
Another time I wrote you and asked permission to take all the brahmacaris to a festival for Lord Nityananda in Auckland. You rang later that evening to kindly share some thoughts. You asked ' How long have you been a devotee for? Your acting like a Baby , always running to mother , Why can't you hold a festival for Lord Nityananda in Hamilton ?What would you do if I sent you to Burma or Vietnam ?
You then told me that you went Into Eastern Europe behind the Iron curtain after being a devotee for only 5 Years and celebrated Janmastami and Prabhupadas appearance day by yourself with one other devotee on the black sea... You concluded by saying with a firm determined revelation ...We just wanted to please Prabhupada !
"As you become an older devotee, Krsna expects more and more of you just like in any committed relationship you expect more of that person in the relationship, not less. What's the first thing people say when there disappointed: "I can't believe that after all these years..." In other words: "I expect more. After all these years your still doing the same thing. I can't believe it. After all these years.... there's still no change"". SB lecture 2008.
In consideration of your exalted determination to serve Srila Prabhupada despite so much life risk and danger, I look at your determination combined with immense compassion in your dealings with us all.
From your side you are doing so much for us, your determination and patience in the life long cultivation of us all is amazing !
In my case you have kindly offered me clothes to wear, you've shared your lunch with me, you have offered me medicines health products and supplements and you have had to tell me how to do the most basic things like stopping me from eating halava all the time to giving me stern advice like ' get your life together ' and ' overhaul your existence ' to the point of describing me as senile at the age of 26.
You are constantly adopting so much austerity travelling all over the planet, constantly offering various arrangements, services and opportunities to enter into more committed deeper experiences of Krsna Consciousness.
From my side I unconsciously turn away these opportunities on a daily basis. I like to enthusiastically present myself in your physical presence but in your absence I dance to other tunes.
You are directly guided by the Supreme Lord in all your actions thoughts and words. You are offering me a priceless opportunity to come into the inner circle of liberated associates of Sri Gauranga and by my behaviour I seem to be turning to the material atmosphere for shelter :-/
Seeing my madness and stagnant position I beg you to continue with your determined efforts to save the soul of Bal Gopal das
Aspiring to become
Your servant
Bal Gopal das
Baladeva Nitai das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There are many things that should be said in glorification of yourself on this auspicious day, but the purity of consciousness and amount of time required to make such an offering is something I do not possess.
So please forgive any shortcomings on my part as I try to describe a small aspect of the ingenious service that you do to save rascals like myself. I will begin by describing something I heard in a recorded lecture of yours recently.
Srila Prabhupada had a spiritual anxiety, which he inherited from his spiritual master. That anxiety was not only how to get Krishna Consciousness spread all over the world to fulfil the mission of Lord Caitanya; it was also a concern of how to keep people to remain Krishna Conscious in such a crazy environment as we have today.
To think of Krishna always, twenty-four hours a day is not an easy task, especially for people who have grown up in a society of mass distraction, anxiety and confusion. How could this possibly be done? The Ganges doesn’t exactly flow through New York City streets, and even if it did, who would have the patience and concentration to sit on the bank and chant Hare Krishna all day?
The solution? A social structure full of variegated spiritual activities had to be set up so that westerners could “plug in” and have a program by which to act in the way in which they are accustomed to, and at the same time always remember Krishna and never forget Him!
It is a clear sign of love for the spiritual master that the disciple inherits the spiritual anxiety of the spiritual master. “How am I going to assist in some way to help fulfil the mission of my spiritual master, to help relieve his anxiety?” That is the question a sincere disciple should ask himself.
You, Gurudeva have taken it upon yourself not to simply maintain, but to increase what Srila Prabhupada already set up in the most ingenious ways.
So on this auspicious day of your appearance I wanted to take the opportunity to glorify what you have done by describing my own personal experience of salvation through the ingenious shelter that you have set up in the form of Bhakti Lounge.
Bhakti Lounge has left such a deep impression in my consciousness that I ache in separation whenever I think of it. This is no exaggeration. It is a powerful place!
But what is it that gives it that all-powerful WOW factor? It’s not as though someone could simply take Srila Prabhupada’s Sunday feast program at the temple and insert that into a modern day yoga lounge, and “presto!” you get Bhakti Lounge. Yes, it is true that what you are doing is an extension of what Srila Prabhupada already set up and that your desire is to carry on and increase what he has done. But the accurate care and attention to so many small details, and the training of the devotees involved takes a great deal of personalism and deep thought to be able to create such a spiritually potent place as Bhakti Lounge.
I have a photographic memory of the sights, the sounds and the smells simply from the first few weeks attending and doing service there. I had never before come across such an inconceivably attractive place before with such an amazing energy. Such a place I knew could not be of this world. But it had such a powerful camouflage. As an artistic person, considering myself the topmost connoisseur of cool, a yoga lounge with captivating music and homemade cheesecake for dessert was a deal too good to miss out on. But here it was, pretty much all you can eat, for only five dollars!
It wasn’t long before I was completely addicted to the atmosphere there. It wasn’t just because of the cheesecake. That goes without saying. It was the spiritually alive environment there that really did it.
In my experience, it seems there are two main ways in which one can be humbled. One way is quite obvious; to get smashed by the material energy. But the other way is quite special. It is something I had never before experienced until meeting your beloved disciples at Bhakti Lounge; it is to have the steel framed heart melted. The devotees there were so relentlessly caring and selfless. They melted my heart to such a fine paste, that I could no longer carry on living my life the way I was.
I was struck with awe, wonder and even some confusion. What was it that was inspiring them constantly to act in such a way? Or more importantly, WHO was it that was inspiring them? Surely you can’t find such a person on this planet. Not from my experience at least. I needed to find out for myself…
And three years on I can say very confidently (perhaps one of the only things I can say with confidence), is that I am the most fortunate person in the whole universe to have such an amazing source of inspiration in my life. And I was right in my assumption; such a source of inspiration is indeed, otherworldly.
I am so damn fortunate to have you as my spiritual master Gurudeva!!! You are always arranging for me to come to a higher level, either by personal instruction or through the ashram and mentor system you set up.
Like a fine artist with an eye for detail, you won’t rest until this rascal has thoroughly reformed his deviant ways and is finally rehabilitated as a functioning citizen of the spiritual world. No small task to perform.
And what is more, you are fulfilling all my desires even in this present life. Finally I have the chance to truly fulfil my self-proclaimed title as the connoisseur of cool. Putting on my headphones and walking down the street with a secret smile in the corner of my mouth, I know I have the rarest, coolest thing in this world; Something no one else has… your lectures on my ipod.
So now the question is, am I willing to also follow in the footsteps of your disciples and inherit your anxiety to give this rare gift to others? Even that you have already arranged for me. The devotees I live with are so enthusiastic and ecstatic when it comes to preaching that I feel too guilty not to do my small share.
Thank you so much Gurudeva for everything you have given me!
Your aspiring servant, Baladeva Nitai das.
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
There are many things that should be said in glorification of yourself on this auspicious day, but the purity of consciousness and amount of time required to make such an offering is something I do not possess.
So please forgive any shortcomings on my part as I try to describe a small aspect of the ingenious service that you do to save rascals like myself. I will begin by describing something I heard in a recorded lecture of yours recently.
Srila Prabhupada had a spiritual anxiety, which he inherited from his spiritual master. That anxiety was not only how to get Krishna Consciousness spread all over the world to fulfil the mission of Lord Caitanya; it was also a concern of how to keep people to remain Krishna Conscious in such a crazy environment as we have today.
To think of Krishna always, twenty-four hours a day is not an easy task, especially for people who have grown up in a society of mass distraction, anxiety and confusion. How could this possibly be done? The Ganges doesn’t exactly flow through New York City streets, and even if it did, who would have the patience and concentration to sit on the bank and chant Hare Krishna all day?
The solution? A social structure full of variegated spiritual activities had to be set up so that westerners could “plug in” and have a program by which to act in the way in which they are accustomed to, and at the same time always remember Krishna and never forget Him!
It is a clear sign of love for the spiritual master that the disciple inherits the spiritual anxiety of the spiritual master. “How am I going to assist in some way to help fulfil the mission of my spiritual master, to help relieve his anxiety?” That is the question a sincere disciple should ask himself.
You, Gurudeva have taken it upon yourself not to simply maintain, but to increase what Srila Prabhupada already set up in the most ingenious ways.
So on this auspicious day of your appearance I wanted to take the opportunity to glorify what you have done by describing my own personal experience of salvation through the ingenious shelter that you have set up in the form of Bhakti Lounge.
Bhakti Lounge has left such a deep impression in my consciousness that I ache in separation whenever I think of it. This is no exaggeration. It is a powerful place!
But what is it that gives it that all-powerful WOW factor? It’s not as though someone could simply take Srila Prabhupada’s Sunday feast program at the temple and insert that into a modern day yoga lounge, and “presto!” you get Bhakti Lounge. Yes, it is true that what you are doing is an extension of what Srila Prabhupada already set up and that your desire is to carry on and increase what he has done. But the accurate care and attention to so many small details, and the training of the devotees involved takes a great deal of personalism and deep thought to be able to create such a spiritually potent place as Bhakti Lounge.
I have a photographic memory of the sights, the sounds and the smells simply from the first few weeks attending and doing service there. I had never before come across such an inconceivably attractive place before with such an amazing energy. Such a place I knew could not be of this world. But it had such a powerful camouflage. As an artistic person, considering myself the topmost connoisseur of cool, a yoga lounge with captivating music and homemade cheesecake for dessert was a deal too good to miss out on. But here it was, pretty much all you can eat, for only five dollars!
It wasn’t long before I was completely addicted to the atmosphere there. It wasn’t just because of the cheesecake. That goes without saying. It was the spiritually alive environment there that really did it.
In my experience, it seems there are two main ways in which one can be humbled. One way is quite obvious; to get smashed by the material energy. But the other way is quite special. It is something I had never before experienced until meeting your beloved disciples at Bhakti Lounge; it is to have the steel framed heart melted. The devotees there were so relentlessly caring and selfless. They melted my heart to such a fine paste, that I could no longer carry on living my life the way I was.
I was struck with awe, wonder and even some confusion. What was it that was inspiring them constantly to act in such a way? Or more importantly, WHO was it that was inspiring them? Surely you can’t find such a person on this planet. Not from my experience at least. I needed to find out for myself…
And three years on I can say very confidently (perhaps one of the only things I can say with confidence), is that I am the most fortunate person in the whole universe to have such an amazing source of inspiration in my life. And I was right in my assumption; such a source of inspiration is indeed, otherworldly.
I am so damn fortunate to have you as my spiritual master Gurudeva!!! You are always arranging for me to come to a higher level, either by personal instruction or through the ashram and mentor system you set up.
Like a fine artist with an eye for detail, you won’t rest until this rascal has thoroughly reformed his deviant ways and is finally rehabilitated as a functioning citizen of the spiritual world. No small task to perform.
And what is more, you are fulfilling all my desires even in this present life. Finally I have the chance to truly fulfil my self-proclaimed title as the connoisseur of cool. Putting on my headphones and walking down the street with a secret smile in the corner of my mouth, I know I have the rarest, coolest thing in this world; Something no one else has… your lectures on my ipod.
So now the question is, am I willing to also follow in the footsteps of your disciples and inherit your anxiety to give this rare gift to others? Even that you have already arranged for me. The devotees I live with are so enthusiastic and ecstatic when it comes to preaching that I feel too guilty not to do my small share.
Thank you so much Gurudeva for everything you have given me!
Your aspiring servant, Baladeva Nitai das.
Bhadrasena das
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you, on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Every year, when your Vyasa puja celebration approaches, I always ponder the unlimited ways I could glorify you, but I always end up speaking about your OUTREACH expertise and dynamic missionary vision. Although you are expert and skilled in so many other areas, this particular area seems to draw attention to me the most.
I suppose this is because I have been so fortunate to be involved with your Loft Outreach programs for many years, that I naturally glide deeper and deeper into the endless brilliance and success of your programs. Where to start?
From your early pioneering days in Auckland and Wellington in the 1990’s, we have seen how those difficult and adventurous times have fructified into an ever expanding and evolving community of well-trained and well-rounded devotees. From the days of just a handful of mainly single men and ladies, and a couple of householders, these small beginnings have now blossomed into several spiritual communities of many families with children, coupled with an increasing brahmacari ashram. What to say of new recruits coming up from behind. From small retreats in Otaki of about 30 or so devotees, we now have retreats of around 150.
Today, I wish to glorify you, by addressing and highlighting how you have so patiently, painstakingly and steadily, over many decades, nurtured so many devotees here in New Zealand through your Loft programs and other preaching strategies. Also, as you travel the globe relentlessly every year, you pick up other potentials and bring them to the nurturing communities you have created here in Auckland and Wellington. Cultivating and providing environments for westerners to take to and grow in KC is a testimony to your success to please your spiritual master.
Much of the work begins once a new devotee takes up the practices. This you have expertly incorporated into your programs, which are focused on bringing people to KC, helping them to grow in KC and teaching them how to give KC to others.
Your motto is “ We make it Easy “.
Now after a few decades of your Outreach programs, we hear how many areas around the ISKCON world now glorify such dynamic cutting edge preaching and are inquisitive about the successful preaching here in little old NZ.
Although Loft Preaching has become a topic on the lips of many devotees around the world, still you continue to push on to new frontiers. Just as you did when you were a young devotee, traveling over to Eastern Europe and Russia during the Cold War period. Still, today you covertly travel to challenging areas of the world to give KC to others. Always pushing the boundaries of reaching out and always willing to risk everything to please your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.
Just like when Srila Prabhupada said that, “ If you want My special mercy, then go and preach in Russia”, and you jumped at this opportunity, similarly, you are still grabbing every opportunity to receive the special mercy of Guru and Gauranga. This is a sign of an advanced devotee; one who is willing to risk everything for the pleasure of the Guru and Krishna.
Dear Gurudeva, if it wasn’t for your relentless determination and risk taking endeavors, where would I be now? Everything around us, the spiritual family we have, is all due to your decades of effort and selfless service.
Today, I wish to look around and acknowledge everything I have as a disciple that you have given me, and I pray from the bottom of my heart that I can continue to assist your mission and desires as a token of the debt that I owe you. Like a son, I wish to continue following in the mood and activities of my father. I pray today that you will bless my wife and I, so we can remain ever close to your desires and heart for the remaining years we have left in this life, and forever.
I have always been amazed at your ever-fresh contemporary approach to KC from the moment I met you. Let my service to your outreach mission be an expression of my gratitude, and I pray you will not cast me aside for my offences and faults.
Your servant and disciple Bhadrasena das
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you, on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Every year, when your Vyasa puja celebration approaches, I always ponder the unlimited ways I could glorify you, but I always end up speaking about your OUTREACH expertise and dynamic missionary vision. Although you are expert and skilled in so many other areas, this particular area seems to draw attention to me the most.
I suppose this is because I have been so fortunate to be involved with your Loft Outreach programs for many years, that I naturally glide deeper and deeper into the endless brilliance and success of your programs. Where to start?
From your early pioneering days in Auckland and Wellington in the 1990’s, we have seen how those difficult and adventurous times have fructified into an ever expanding and evolving community of well-trained and well-rounded devotees. From the days of just a handful of mainly single men and ladies, and a couple of householders, these small beginnings have now blossomed into several spiritual communities of many families with children, coupled with an increasing brahmacari ashram. What to say of new recruits coming up from behind. From small retreats in Otaki of about 30 or so devotees, we now have retreats of around 150.
Today, I wish to glorify you, by addressing and highlighting how you have so patiently, painstakingly and steadily, over many decades, nurtured so many devotees here in New Zealand through your Loft programs and other preaching strategies. Also, as you travel the globe relentlessly every year, you pick up other potentials and bring them to the nurturing communities you have created here in Auckland and Wellington. Cultivating and providing environments for westerners to take to and grow in KC is a testimony to your success to please your spiritual master.
Much of the work begins once a new devotee takes up the practices. This you have expertly incorporated into your programs, which are focused on bringing people to KC, helping them to grow in KC and teaching them how to give KC to others.
Your motto is “ We make it Easy “.
Now after a few decades of your Outreach programs, we hear how many areas around the ISKCON world now glorify such dynamic cutting edge preaching and are inquisitive about the successful preaching here in little old NZ.
Although Loft Preaching has become a topic on the lips of many devotees around the world, still you continue to push on to new frontiers. Just as you did when you were a young devotee, traveling over to Eastern Europe and Russia during the Cold War period. Still, today you covertly travel to challenging areas of the world to give KC to others. Always pushing the boundaries of reaching out and always willing to risk everything to please your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.
Just like when Srila Prabhupada said that, “ If you want My special mercy, then go and preach in Russia”, and you jumped at this opportunity, similarly, you are still grabbing every opportunity to receive the special mercy of Guru and Gauranga. This is a sign of an advanced devotee; one who is willing to risk everything for the pleasure of the Guru and Krishna.
Dear Gurudeva, if it wasn’t for your relentless determination and risk taking endeavors, where would I be now? Everything around us, the spiritual family we have, is all due to your decades of effort and selfless service.
Today, I wish to look around and acknowledge everything I have as a disciple that you have given me, and I pray from the bottom of my heart that I can continue to assist your mission and desires as a token of the debt that I owe you. Like a son, I wish to continue following in the mood and activities of my father. I pray today that you will bless my wife and I, so we can remain ever close to your desires and heart for the remaining years we have left in this life, and forever.
I have always been amazed at your ever-fresh contemporary approach to KC from the moment I met you. Let my service to your outreach mission be an expression of my gratitude, and I pray you will not cast me aside for my offences and faults.
Your servant and disciple Bhadrasena das
Bhagavat Katha das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
It's time of the year again when a disciple gets to introspect and absorb his mind in the lotus feet of his Spiritual Master and glorify him. How fortunate I am to be in this situation today where I have a Spiritual Master like yourself to glorify.
Gurudeva, from last 40+ years you have shown us how as a disciple you have developed your relationship with Srila Prabhupada and how one should dedicate his life in serving the instructions of his Spiritual Master through thick and thin.
With constant traveling from last so many decades around the globe you do not show any signs of tiredness in your service and goal of pleasing Srila Prabhupada. You take the pain of traveling through different countries to ensure the maintenance of devotees and spreading Srila Prabhupada's movement.
Watching your interactions with people - be devotees and non devotees - allows me to get a glimpse of your genuine love and care towards them. You want devotees to advance in Krsna Consciousness and guide all individuals accordingly..
I beg one day I would be able to assist you in serving Srila Prabhupada.. and can actually develop the attitude of a disciple as mentioned in NOD.
"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."
Your Servant
Bhagavat Katha Das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
It's time of the year again when a disciple gets to introspect and absorb his mind in the lotus feet of his Spiritual Master and glorify him. How fortunate I am to be in this situation today where I have a Spiritual Master like yourself to glorify.
Gurudeva, from last 40+ years you have shown us how as a disciple you have developed your relationship with Srila Prabhupada and how one should dedicate his life in serving the instructions of his Spiritual Master through thick and thin.
With constant traveling from last so many decades around the globe you do not show any signs of tiredness in your service and goal of pleasing Srila Prabhupada. You take the pain of traveling through different countries to ensure the maintenance of devotees and spreading Srila Prabhupada's movement.
Watching your interactions with people - be devotees and non devotees - allows me to get a glimpse of your genuine love and care towards them. You want devotees to advance in Krsna Consciousness and guide all individuals accordingly..
I beg one day I would be able to assist you in serving Srila Prabhupada.. and can actually develop the attitude of a disciple as mentioned in NOD.
"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."
Your Servant
Bhagavat Katha Das
Bhakta Chris Trenn
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances over and over again.
All glories to the most dear Jagad Guru Srila Prabhupada and all glories to His infinitely merciful disciples!
Dearest Gurudeva, it is a fact that I am entirely inadequate to give you praise on this very special occasion. I have no qualifications or merit to be making such an offering to your lotus feet on this auspicious day.
How is it possible for me to glorify the person who has lifted me from the depths of nescience? How can I possibly put to words the gratitude I feel for the person who has shown me an opportunity for freedom and guided me to the association of devotees?
Even though I have made a home in the region most saturated with ignorance, passion, envy, and anger your causeless mercy has plucked me from the darkest realm of the universe. Daily I discover more and more how contaminated my consciousness is with these qualities and still, I know that as long as I bind myself to the instructions that emanate from your lotus mouth, it is possible for someone even as filthy as myself to become slowly cleansed. I beg you to please bless me with your continued guidance and direction and allow me to become attached to your lotus feet.
In the days coming closer to your Vyasa Puja I am recalling the opportunities I have had for being in your association. My most vivid memory of your last visit here was right before I begged for your permission to aspire for your service. I recall meditating on a verse from Bhagavad-gita (2.7) -
karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah
pricchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sishyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam
Gurudeva, I am terribly confused and bewildered about my duty in life. I have lost any small drop of composure I may have had due to the immense miserly weakness in my heart. I am begging you to please, tell me for certain what is best for me. With your permission I beg to become your disciple and surrender my soul to you.
My life’s goal is to follow the last instructions I received from you, though even today I continue to fail. “Just become attached to the chanting and study Prabhupada’s books.” If you can bless me to keep these instructions always in my mind and heart I know there is some hope for me to carry them out.
You are the boat on which my fallen soul may climb in to cross the ocean of material miseries. Attachment to your lotus feet is the perfection of life and I pray to you in full prostration, begging to continually be engaged in loving service to you in the association of your disciples and all great Vaisnavas. Your compassion, selflessness, excellence in preaching, and attention to Vaisnava relationships are imprinted on those disciples who have been trained by you and engaged in your service. I beg you to please allow me to learn from these exalted souls and someday become deserving of serving you.
Gurudeva, I am weak, careless, distracted, prideful, and lazy.
From your lectures, your association, and through knowing your disciples I am able to get a glimpse of your magnanimous qualities. You emanate spiritual strength. You care deeply for all of your disciples and those who come to hear from you. Your speech and actions are always focused, one-pointed, and tactful. You are the embodiment of humility and you sacrifice everything in the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
I will never be able to fully understand your Divine characteristics but I do beg you again and again, to please allow me to serve you. There is nothing I have done in this life or any other life that has brought me merit for all of the mercy that you have already given me. My only goal is to somehow satisfy you, bring you some pleasure, and learn what it means to be dasa dasanu dasa.
With my most heartfelt gratitude I write this offering to you. But a thousand times more gratitude can be shown by sincere engagement in loving service. This is what I beg you for. Please allow me to follow your instructions, please grace me with your mercy so that I may chant in a way that is pleasing to Lord Caitanya, engage my intelligence in Vedic study, and please help me to never criticize devotees. Your mercy is my only refuge.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Bhakta Christopher
Las Vegas, NV
9/24/14
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances over and over again.
All glories to the most dear Jagad Guru Srila Prabhupada and all glories to His infinitely merciful disciples!
Dearest Gurudeva, it is a fact that I am entirely inadequate to give you praise on this very special occasion. I have no qualifications or merit to be making such an offering to your lotus feet on this auspicious day.
How is it possible for me to glorify the person who has lifted me from the depths of nescience? How can I possibly put to words the gratitude I feel for the person who has shown me an opportunity for freedom and guided me to the association of devotees?
Even though I have made a home in the region most saturated with ignorance, passion, envy, and anger your causeless mercy has plucked me from the darkest realm of the universe. Daily I discover more and more how contaminated my consciousness is with these qualities and still, I know that as long as I bind myself to the instructions that emanate from your lotus mouth, it is possible for someone even as filthy as myself to become slowly cleansed. I beg you to please bless me with your continued guidance and direction and allow me to become attached to your lotus feet.
In the days coming closer to your Vyasa Puja I am recalling the opportunities I have had for being in your association. My most vivid memory of your last visit here was right before I begged for your permission to aspire for your service. I recall meditating on a verse from Bhagavad-gita (2.7) -
karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah
pricchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah
yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me
sishyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam
Gurudeva, I am terribly confused and bewildered about my duty in life. I have lost any small drop of composure I may have had due to the immense miserly weakness in my heart. I am begging you to please, tell me for certain what is best for me. With your permission I beg to become your disciple and surrender my soul to you.
My life’s goal is to follow the last instructions I received from you, though even today I continue to fail. “Just become attached to the chanting and study Prabhupada’s books.” If you can bless me to keep these instructions always in my mind and heart I know there is some hope for me to carry them out.
You are the boat on which my fallen soul may climb in to cross the ocean of material miseries. Attachment to your lotus feet is the perfection of life and I pray to you in full prostration, begging to continually be engaged in loving service to you in the association of your disciples and all great Vaisnavas. Your compassion, selflessness, excellence in preaching, and attention to Vaisnava relationships are imprinted on those disciples who have been trained by you and engaged in your service. I beg you to please allow me to learn from these exalted souls and someday become deserving of serving you.
Gurudeva, I am weak, careless, distracted, prideful, and lazy.
From your lectures, your association, and through knowing your disciples I am able to get a glimpse of your magnanimous qualities. You emanate spiritual strength. You care deeply for all of your disciples and those who come to hear from you. Your speech and actions are always focused, one-pointed, and tactful. You are the embodiment of humility and you sacrifice everything in the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
I will never be able to fully understand your Divine characteristics but I do beg you again and again, to please allow me to serve you. There is nothing I have done in this life or any other life that has brought me merit for all of the mercy that you have already given me. My only goal is to somehow satisfy you, bring you some pleasure, and learn what it means to be dasa dasanu dasa.
With my most heartfelt gratitude I write this offering to you. But a thousand times more gratitude can be shown by sincere engagement in loving service. This is what I beg you for. Please allow me to follow your instructions, please grace me with your mercy so that I may chant in a way that is pleasing to Lord Caitanya, engage my intelligence in Vedic study, and please help me to never criticize devotees. Your mercy is my only refuge.
Your eternally aspiring servant,
Bhakta Christopher
Las Vegas, NV
9/24/14
Bhakta Christian Crake
Dear Devamrita Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances, at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
When I sit here pondering what to write that might suffice for the selfless contribution you have made to fulfil the mission of Srila Prabhupada's movement – to help hopeless kali-yuga rejects like my self. Meditating on this fact, grief strikes my heart as I have neither the knowledge nor maturity to understand your glories.
From the forest of the material world - to the fire of Krishna consciousness, you have mercifully placed me in the heart of self-less service (brahmacari ashram) and although not actually apart of the "saffron set" one striking realisation I have got from being within the vicinity of such enthused devotees is how much of an opportunity I have to be Krishna conscious. From your kindness you have given me the chance to work on myself, something that not every 18 year old likes to do and although day by day the list of things to work on increases your encouragement and inspiring example drives me to not give up. You explained to me in one darshan " don't naively throw away the diamond just like a baby who doesn't know it's full glory" this has encouraged me to go deeper in understanding bhakti and the jewel of devotional service. If it wasn't for this new found aspiration I would still be in the gutter of Maya's Kingdom in the struggle for existence. Therefor seeing all these impediments on the path of bhakti gives me a challenge to strive for.
tesam evanukampampartham aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma-bhava-stho jnana-dipena bhasvatah
"To show them special mercy I dwelling within their hearts destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."
By Krishna's special grace one can perceive the impediments of Bhakti (although not the special grace I had in mind). Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur sings - yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado, by the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Hence, it is through you I can see these anartas that block the progress of achieving life's ultimate goal - Prema pum-artho mahan.
I am still youthful in my Bhakti career and therefore have some optimism for enjoying the material world. So I intently pray on this day that although having some knowledge of atma tattva, I can fully realise the import and purport of what Srila Prabhupada has come to give through his books. One day I hope to grasp the gravity of what Narrotama Dasa Thakura sings in his prayers - guru-mukha-padma-vakya, that "my only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from your lotus mouth"
Your aspiring servant
Bhakta Christian
Please accept my humble obeisances, at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
When I sit here pondering what to write that might suffice for the selfless contribution you have made to fulfil the mission of Srila Prabhupada's movement – to help hopeless kali-yuga rejects like my self. Meditating on this fact, grief strikes my heart as I have neither the knowledge nor maturity to understand your glories.
From the forest of the material world - to the fire of Krishna consciousness, you have mercifully placed me in the heart of self-less service (brahmacari ashram) and although not actually apart of the "saffron set" one striking realisation I have got from being within the vicinity of such enthused devotees is how much of an opportunity I have to be Krishna conscious. From your kindness you have given me the chance to work on myself, something that not every 18 year old likes to do and although day by day the list of things to work on increases your encouragement and inspiring example drives me to not give up. You explained to me in one darshan " don't naively throw away the diamond just like a baby who doesn't know it's full glory" this has encouraged me to go deeper in understanding bhakti and the jewel of devotional service. If it wasn't for this new found aspiration I would still be in the gutter of Maya's Kingdom in the struggle for existence. Therefor seeing all these impediments on the path of bhakti gives me a challenge to strive for.
tesam evanukampampartham aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma-bhava-stho jnana-dipena bhasvatah
"To show them special mercy I dwelling within their hearts destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."
By Krishna's special grace one can perceive the impediments of Bhakti (although not the special grace I had in mind). Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur sings - yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado, by the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Hence, it is through you I can see these anartas that block the progress of achieving life's ultimate goal - Prema pum-artho mahan.
I am still youthful in my Bhakti career and therefore have some optimism for enjoying the material world. So I intently pray on this day that although having some knowledge of atma tattva, I can fully realise the import and purport of what Srila Prabhupada has come to give through his books. One day I hope to grasp the gravity of what Narrotama Dasa Thakura sings in his prayers - guru-mukha-padma-vakya, that "my only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from your lotus mouth"
Your aspiring servant
Bhakta Christian
Bhakta Gopal & Harideva
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this special day of your appearance.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you.
I bow down to you and beg you to give me your special mercy on this day. Please shower your kind blessings to me so that I can be able to try to chant Maha mantra daily for 10 mins, eat plenty of Maha prasadam, study well and obey my parents in learning to grow and stay in healthy and happy Krishna Conscious family.
Please forgive me for behaving very silly whenever I have come with my parents to take darshan of you. Please give your blessing to me, my little brother Harideva and my parents so that we will all try to become pure devotees of Lord Krishna.
With lots of love,
Your aspiring devotees,
Bhakta Gopal & Harideva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this special day of your appearance.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you.
I bow down to you and beg you to give me your special mercy on this day. Please shower your kind blessings to me so that I can be able to try to chant Maha mantra daily for 10 mins, eat plenty of Maha prasadam, study well and obey my parents in learning to grow and stay in healthy and happy Krishna Conscious family.
Please forgive me for behaving very silly whenever I have come with my parents to take darshan of you. Please give your blessing to me, my little brother Harideva and my parents so that we will all try to become pure devotees of Lord Krishna.
With lots of love,
Your aspiring devotees,
Bhakta Gopal & Harideva
Bhakta Jordan
Dear Gurudeve,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In preparing an offering for this most glorious day of your appearance I feel somewhat frustrated at my attempts to describe your vast glories, please forgive me for my lack of realization. This is my sincere attempt to communicate how grateful I am for the 'we make it easy program'.
As i push on in Krishna consciousness I'm starting too see the brilliance of your out reach endeavours. Every week fresh guests turn up to your Bhakti Lounge to unknowingly break through all cultural, religious and social barriers and get the opportunity to experience lord Caitanya's mercy. I see your professionally trained disciples cultivating these guests and getting them to hang onto the diamond of Bhakti long enough for you to come and personally explain the value of this most precious Jewel. So flawlessly you talk to them in such a soft way their backed into a position in which they have no choice but to accept their current lifestyles as pointless with out Krishna consciousness. Shocked by your association I've seen the fortunate drop their material affairs to simply chant Hare Krishna with the hope of pleasing you.
Just over a year ago I was one of those guests exhausted from a life of sense gratification and desperate for a way out your disciples cultivated me with such an impressive display of compassion selflessness and firm conviction in the process I had no other choice but continue chanting, dancing and taking prasad.
It truly has been made so made so easy for me.
I'm so indebted to your disciples what to speak of you.
Please then give me the opportunity to live such a lifestyle that i can engage in Krishna's service to the highest degree under your directions.
This is the only way I feel I could ever repay one drop of the ocean of mercy you have given me.
Your aspiring servant, Jordan Vidler.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
In preparing an offering for this most glorious day of your appearance I feel somewhat frustrated at my attempts to describe your vast glories, please forgive me for my lack of realization. This is my sincere attempt to communicate how grateful I am for the 'we make it easy program'.
As i push on in Krishna consciousness I'm starting too see the brilliance of your out reach endeavours. Every week fresh guests turn up to your Bhakti Lounge to unknowingly break through all cultural, religious and social barriers and get the opportunity to experience lord Caitanya's mercy. I see your professionally trained disciples cultivating these guests and getting them to hang onto the diamond of Bhakti long enough for you to come and personally explain the value of this most precious Jewel. So flawlessly you talk to them in such a soft way their backed into a position in which they have no choice but to accept their current lifestyles as pointless with out Krishna consciousness. Shocked by your association I've seen the fortunate drop their material affairs to simply chant Hare Krishna with the hope of pleasing you.
Just over a year ago I was one of those guests exhausted from a life of sense gratification and desperate for a way out your disciples cultivated me with such an impressive display of compassion selflessness and firm conviction in the process I had no other choice but continue chanting, dancing and taking prasad.
It truly has been made so made so easy for me.
I'm so indebted to your disciples what to speak of you.
Please then give me the opportunity to live such a lifestyle that i can engage in Krishna's service to the highest degree under your directions.
This is the only way I feel I could ever repay one drop of the ocean of mercy you have given me.
Your aspiring servant, Jordan Vidler.
Bhakti Sara Dasa
nama oṁ viṣnu pādāya kṛṣṇa preṣthāya bhūtale
srimate devāmṛta swāmin iti nāmine
pracāre purva-dakṣyam ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyam yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
A spiritual master is a leader who performs exemplary actions which common men should follow. Common men are too dull in this chaotic Kali yuga and therefore the spiritual master takes the role of an educator. As an educator he reaches out and trains people how to get out of adversity. He invites them to consider the potential consequences of their actions, and guides them how to tread on a safe path. With his benevolent heart he always schemes for emancipation of fallen souls and that’s why he commands so much reverence from everyone.
Modern youth is being corrupted & destroyed by newer & newer lures of maya such as social technologies. But spiritual master's purity & devotion can easily penetrate through their thick coverings of ignorance.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.13 Narada Muni appreciates Vyasadeva as follows:
atho mahā-bhāga bhavān amogha-dṛk
śuci-śravāḥ satya-rato dhṛta-vrataḥ
urukramasyākhila-bandha-muktaye
samādhinānusmara tad-viceṣṭitam
“O Vyāsadeva, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness. And thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage.”
In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains: "Śrīla Vyāsadeva and his representatives are pure in thought due to their spiritual enlightenment, fixed in their vows due to their devotional service, and determined to deliver the fallen souls rotting in material activities. The fallen souls are very eager to receive novel informations every day, and the transcendentalists like Vyāsadeva or Nārada can supply such eager people in general with unlimited news from the spiritual world."
Gurudeva just like Vyāsadeva you have also inherited this visual acuity to see the subtle realities and you are always relaying the news of spiritual realm throughout this world. Due to performance of uncountable sinful activities the vision of current population has become myopic and they are in desperate need of guides like you.
A spiritual master can be compared to a sculptor who works with his chisel and hammer on a material until the desired shape appears. A neophyte disciple is like a lump of matter who needs lot of carving. Some disciples are easy to work on some not so much. Gurudeva my bhakti creeper is in an embryonic stage and my noncommittal and stubborn attitude must be very annoying for you. Still u have such remarkable patience and determination to show your favor upon me.
Śrīla Prabhupāda says in the purport to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi-līlā 1.60 – “Unless one gets this spiritual encouragement by following the instructions of the spiritual master, it is not possible to make advancement. Therefore, one’s development of a taste for executing these instructions is the test of one’s devotional service.” On this auspicious Vyāsa Puja day I pray to develop taste for your instructions. I want to be attracted to your instructions just like a calf is attracted to his mother and spontaneously runs towards her on being let loose.
Gurudeva please bless me so that I can purify my aspirations, that I become diligent in my attempts to please Krsna, that the process of hearing and chanting never feel hackneyed to me, that I may never offend any devotee and that I may be able to spread Krsna’s glories to the best of my tiny ability.
Aspiring to be a humble & steady servant,
Bhakti Sara Dasa
Bhakti-lata Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you
Thank you for helping me to wake up from my material dream. Slowly, year after year, I get a glimpse of clarity and can gradually see how much material fog has been surrounding my consciousness and simultaneously I realise how much you have done for me.
It is a thankless task to try and help others who don’t understand they are sick. As conditioned souls we are so convinced there can be some enjoyment in this world. Still, following unto your beloved spiritual master’s footsteps, Srila Prabhupada, you have taken up this burden of love of helping others.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, in the story of Gajendra, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes how important it is to be situated in the right environment to advance spiritually. Although the elephant was very powerful he was in a foreign environment thereby his strength diminished. The crocodile however being in the water in his natural environment was gaining strength. Srila Prabhupada explains that from this we may take the lesson that in our fight with maya we should be in a position in which our strength, enthusiasm and senses will be able to fight vigorously. But the details of that position will be different according to the individuals. (SB 8.2.30)
You expertly understand everyone’s nature and put him/her in a service or situation so that from a position of strength we can make spiritual advancement.
Whenever I have doubts or something is troubling me I turn to your lectures to give me guidance and reassurance. You always make sure we are well situated to serve Krsna to our best capacity through giving us guidance personally and in your lectures.
I am ever grateful from the core of my heart for opening my eyes to the nectar of engaging in devotional service.
Learning to be one of your disciple,
Bhakti-lata dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you
Thank you for helping me to wake up from my material dream. Slowly, year after year, I get a glimpse of clarity and can gradually see how much material fog has been surrounding my consciousness and simultaneously I realise how much you have done for me.
It is a thankless task to try and help others who don’t understand they are sick. As conditioned souls we are so convinced there can be some enjoyment in this world. Still, following unto your beloved spiritual master’s footsteps, Srila Prabhupada, you have taken up this burden of love of helping others.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, in the story of Gajendra, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes how important it is to be situated in the right environment to advance spiritually. Although the elephant was very powerful he was in a foreign environment thereby his strength diminished. The crocodile however being in the water in his natural environment was gaining strength. Srila Prabhupada explains that from this we may take the lesson that in our fight with maya we should be in a position in which our strength, enthusiasm and senses will be able to fight vigorously. But the details of that position will be different according to the individuals. (SB 8.2.30)
You expertly understand everyone’s nature and put him/her in a service or situation so that from a position of strength we can make spiritual advancement.
Whenever I have doubts or something is troubling me I turn to your lectures to give me guidance and reassurance. You always make sure we are well situated to serve Krsna to our best capacity through giving us guidance personally and in your lectures.
I am ever grateful from the core of my heart for opening my eyes to the nectar of engaging in devotional service.
Learning to be one of your disciple,
Bhakti-lata dd
Bhaktin Anne-Lise
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every step of the way in my spiritual journey I have been dependent on your mercy. From the Bhakti Lounge centre being available in Toronto, to your disciples who have so lovingly and carefully brought me up in Krishna consciousness, to your personal presence and expert guidance through difficult patches of my life, I can see that the steadiness I am experiencing is only due to your mercy.
Through serving you, I have gained so many wonderful things. Real friends who are like family to me, and so many amazing memories in service of door to door and street sankirtan, prassad, and just the amazing opportunities provided through service that colour my life with joy and meaning.
As of this November it will have been 2 years since I was granted shelter under your lotus feet, and since that day it has been a really amazing journey. To think of the life that you saved me from is very humbling indeed. To imagine myself wandering aimlessly in the world of maya with no end in sight and no valuable purpose to my life is a terrifying thought. Bhakti Lounge was like a beacon in the darkness and your unparalleled ability to present Krishna Conscious philosophy penetrated through my gross ignorance and made it so that I could actually appreciate Lord Caitanya's teachings. If it hadn't been for your incredible preaching and the kindness that you showed me, I am sure that I would have moved on with my "life" in great oversight.
This year under your shelter and guidance I have begun to realize your loving nature as a spiritual master, for each and every one of your disciples. I never imagined that someone who would take the duty of instructing another would also be able to personally care for them in the way that you so deeply do. Points in time when I realize this are when you tell me that you think of me as your daughter, or when you said "I feel like I have a kid!" My heart melts and I feel accepted and loved by you. You are so merciful that you appreciate even what little service I am able to do, like when I am playing the harmonium and you told me that you noticed my playing, and wait for me. I felt very special that you noticed, even though it was very insignificant. A special moment for me was when I knew you could tell that I was a bit apprehensive about formally taking initiation, and at our most recent darshan at Gita Nagari you told me that you would like to feel responsible for me. I cannot describe how happy that made me to hear. I felt that I was a spiritual orphan and then finally was adopted by the most loving, caring, responsible and qualified parent. I couldn't argue against the love and care that you were showing me, and suddenly everything became very simple. Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of CC Adi Lila Chapter 9 Verse 18 "Our International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the branches of the Caitanya tree." I would very much like to be connected with that branch by your mercy, and connected with the thriving and strong family of devotees that are your disciples.
I am so grateful to you for taking the steering wheel of this ship and beginning to guide me across the ocean of birth and death. I pray for the ability to serve you more and become adept in following your expert guidance with joy and enthusiasm. Please enable me to become truly Krishna Conscious by your mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Anne-Lise
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Every step of the way in my spiritual journey I have been dependent on your mercy. From the Bhakti Lounge centre being available in Toronto, to your disciples who have so lovingly and carefully brought me up in Krishna consciousness, to your personal presence and expert guidance through difficult patches of my life, I can see that the steadiness I am experiencing is only due to your mercy.
Through serving you, I have gained so many wonderful things. Real friends who are like family to me, and so many amazing memories in service of door to door and street sankirtan, prassad, and just the amazing opportunities provided through service that colour my life with joy and meaning.
As of this November it will have been 2 years since I was granted shelter under your lotus feet, and since that day it has been a really amazing journey. To think of the life that you saved me from is very humbling indeed. To imagine myself wandering aimlessly in the world of maya with no end in sight and no valuable purpose to my life is a terrifying thought. Bhakti Lounge was like a beacon in the darkness and your unparalleled ability to present Krishna Conscious philosophy penetrated through my gross ignorance and made it so that I could actually appreciate Lord Caitanya's teachings. If it hadn't been for your incredible preaching and the kindness that you showed me, I am sure that I would have moved on with my "life" in great oversight.
This year under your shelter and guidance I have begun to realize your loving nature as a spiritual master, for each and every one of your disciples. I never imagined that someone who would take the duty of instructing another would also be able to personally care for them in the way that you so deeply do. Points in time when I realize this are when you tell me that you think of me as your daughter, or when you said "I feel like I have a kid!" My heart melts and I feel accepted and loved by you. You are so merciful that you appreciate even what little service I am able to do, like when I am playing the harmonium and you told me that you noticed my playing, and wait for me. I felt very special that you noticed, even though it was very insignificant. A special moment for me was when I knew you could tell that I was a bit apprehensive about formally taking initiation, and at our most recent darshan at Gita Nagari you told me that you would like to feel responsible for me. I cannot describe how happy that made me to hear. I felt that I was a spiritual orphan and then finally was adopted by the most loving, caring, responsible and qualified parent. I couldn't argue against the love and care that you were showing me, and suddenly everything became very simple. Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport of CC Adi Lila Chapter 9 Verse 18 "Our International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the branches of the Caitanya tree." I would very much like to be connected with that branch by your mercy, and connected with the thriving and strong family of devotees that are your disciples.
I am so grateful to you for taking the steering wheel of this ship and beginning to guide me across the ocean of birth and death. I pray for the ability to serve you more and become adept in following your expert guidance with joy and enthusiasm. Please enable me to become truly Krishna Conscious by your mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Anne-Lise
Bhaktin Ariel
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently, at Gita Nagari we were making ghee with milk from Gita Nagari’s cows. As I watched the fresh butter, melt into pools of golden nectar, I recalled hearing ghee described as the essence of a cow’s pure love. I began to reflect on the dramatic transformation that takes place during this process. Starting as a mouthful of choice grass, deftly scooped up by the cow’s tongue , then digested and most magnificently transformed to milk. Then from milk, the cream is separated, cultured into yogurt, churned into butter, and finally gently boiled to remove impurities, resulting in liquid gold–ghee. This process takes a great deal of time, requires specific settings, patience, attention to detail and most importantly, guidance from someone who knows what they are doing.
Similarly, the process of Bhakti is quite transformative. It too, has similar requirements to ensure success. It is only through your constant guidance and encouragement that I am able to find the determination to continue to try to progress on this path. Only by your constantly reminding me to keep Krsna’s service at the center of my life that I can take tiny steps forward in the right direction. You have so kindly encouraged me to take seriously my hearing and chanting. Asking me to dive deeper into the ocean of nectar, while I stand knee deep in the water protesting that it feels cold. But you are always there, showing me again and again how to keep improving with steadiness.
In my recent reading adventures, I have repeatedly been drawn to Srila Prabhupada’s purport from Bhagavad-gita, 10.10. Srila Prabhupada writes, “One should know that the goal is Krsna, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the ultimate goal is achieved.” Thank you for so clearly showing me the goal. For giving me the vision to move forward, albeit slowly, in my devotional life. Without your encouragement where would I be?
You are constantly helping me to see the ways I can improve. Thank you for caring for my spiritual well-being, for providing the clear instructions to the powerful medicine of Bhakti. I pray that I may be able to take up your instructions as my life and soul. Recognizing them as my lifeline. Gurudeva, please forgive my countless offenses. Please give me the vision to continue to move forward with steadiness, and to serve with love from my heart.
With gratitude,
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Ariel
Gita Nagari
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
Recently, at Gita Nagari we were making ghee with milk from Gita Nagari’s cows. As I watched the fresh butter, melt into pools of golden nectar, I recalled hearing ghee described as the essence of a cow’s pure love. I began to reflect on the dramatic transformation that takes place during this process. Starting as a mouthful of choice grass, deftly scooped up by the cow’s tongue , then digested and most magnificently transformed to milk. Then from milk, the cream is separated, cultured into yogurt, churned into butter, and finally gently boiled to remove impurities, resulting in liquid gold–ghee. This process takes a great deal of time, requires specific settings, patience, attention to detail and most importantly, guidance from someone who knows what they are doing.
Similarly, the process of Bhakti is quite transformative. It too, has similar requirements to ensure success. It is only through your constant guidance and encouragement that I am able to find the determination to continue to try to progress on this path. Only by your constantly reminding me to keep Krsna’s service at the center of my life that I can take tiny steps forward in the right direction. You have so kindly encouraged me to take seriously my hearing and chanting. Asking me to dive deeper into the ocean of nectar, while I stand knee deep in the water protesting that it feels cold. But you are always there, showing me again and again how to keep improving with steadiness.
In my recent reading adventures, I have repeatedly been drawn to Srila Prabhupada’s purport from Bhagavad-gita, 10.10. Srila Prabhupada writes, “One should know that the goal is Krsna, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the ultimate goal is achieved.” Thank you for so clearly showing me the goal. For giving me the vision to move forward, albeit slowly, in my devotional life. Without your encouragement where would I be?
You are constantly helping me to see the ways I can improve. Thank you for caring for my spiritual well-being, for providing the clear instructions to the powerful medicine of Bhakti. I pray that I may be able to take up your instructions as my life and soul. Recognizing them as my lifeline. Gurudeva, please forgive my countless offenses. Please give me the vision to continue to move forward with steadiness, and to serve with love from my heart.
With gratitude,
Your aspiring servant,
Bhaktin Ariel
Gita Nagari
Bhaktin Natalia
Dear Gurudeva! Please accept my obeisances to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Guru and Gauranga!!!
On this wonderful day of your appearance, please let me glorify you as the ideal servant of his spiritual master. Your desire to please Srila Prabhupada gives my heart the resolve to follow the chosen path.
Your concern for your disciples and well-wishers knows no bounds. I felt it when accident happened with Jana Mohini. Almost every week you asked Venu madhurya prabhu learn from me about Jana Mohini health. You called several times to support her and Vrindavan prabhu (her husband).
Gurudev, I admire your compassion for the fallen individuals. In spite of everything, you will still continue to help me. I know that every day you ask Krishna to give me an intelligence. Whatever the disgusting things I did not commit, you forgive me and hope that I stand corrected. By your grace, I continue to be in the company of devotees, trying to serve the household Deity, helping the pujari in the temple. Unfortunately, I have no inner spiritual life. I'm very lazy. I am very ashamed in front of you for it, because you already dropped me a rescue rope from the spiritual world, and I do not reach for it, and not doing enough.
Thank you for everything, please teach me to take responsibility for my spiritual life. Krishna will never attract this attitude which I have now. What shall I do, that the Lord wanted me to see? What do I do, He wanted me to return?
Dear Guru Maharaj thank you for helping to fight the evil desires of the heart. Unfortunately, I do not always have an intelligence to do the right. I promise you to fulfill your instructions, to try to make more effort to be able to recognize your grace do the right thing.
Dear Gurudeva, please let me ask you for blessings on the acquisition of unwavering faith in your words and Krishna. Please help me to be like you in the desire to satisfy the Spiritual Master.
I am grateful to Lord Nityananda that He allowed me meet you in this life. I have no doubt that by your grace is possible to get Krisna! I believe to every your word!
Please forgive me for all my imperfections. I will try every year to get better.
His Holiness Swami Srila Devamrta ki jai !!!!
Bhaktin Natalia Omsk.
On this wonderful day of your appearance, please let me glorify you as the ideal servant of his spiritual master. Your desire to please Srila Prabhupada gives my heart the resolve to follow the chosen path.
Your concern for your disciples and well-wishers knows no bounds. I felt it when accident happened with Jana Mohini. Almost every week you asked Venu madhurya prabhu learn from me about Jana Mohini health. You called several times to support her and Vrindavan prabhu (her husband).
Gurudev, I admire your compassion for the fallen individuals. In spite of everything, you will still continue to help me. I know that every day you ask Krishna to give me an intelligence. Whatever the disgusting things I did not commit, you forgive me and hope that I stand corrected. By your grace, I continue to be in the company of devotees, trying to serve the household Deity, helping the pujari in the temple. Unfortunately, I have no inner spiritual life. I'm very lazy. I am very ashamed in front of you for it, because you already dropped me a rescue rope from the spiritual world, and I do not reach for it, and not doing enough.
Thank you for everything, please teach me to take responsibility for my spiritual life. Krishna will never attract this attitude which I have now. What shall I do, that the Lord wanted me to see? What do I do, He wanted me to return?
Dear Guru Maharaj thank you for helping to fight the evil desires of the heart. Unfortunately, I do not always have an intelligence to do the right. I promise you to fulfill your instructions, to try to make more effort to be able to recognize your grace do the right thing.
Dear Gurudeva, please let me ask you for blessings on the acquisition of unwavering faith in your words and Krishna. Please help me to be like you in the desire to satisfy the Spiritual Master.
I am grateful to Lord Nityananda that He allowed me meet you in this life. I have no doubt that by your grace is possible to get Krisna! I believe to every your word!
Please forgive me for all my imperfections. I will try every year to get better.
His Holiness Swami Srila Devamrta ki jai !!!!
Bhaktin Natalia Omsk.
Bhavasandhi dd
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamritasvamin iti namine
pracare purva daksam ca bhakti cara pravinaca
para tatapi karunam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantasvamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Gurudeva
Recently I have been meditating on your Loft-style preaching mission statement "We make it easy to come to KC, grow in KC and give KC to others." Although you say "We make it easy," that doesn't mean it is easy for you, or that it's an accidental scene that has just evolved. Listening to your urban preaching series of lectures, I can see how you have designed every detail to suit time, place and circumstance of your audience. Reflecting on my own spiritual life, I can see how this system you have set up has basically orchestrated my whole spiritual life.
In coming to your shelter I stumbled across a well designed flyer for a local preaching centre. It was slick, professional and trendy. You never miss a detail, from graphic design to print quality. In my managing days I have seen you pour over advertising choices in detail. Never just random, whimsical decisions are acceptable, but every detail to Krishna's service is of vital importance to you.
True to your urban preaching lectures, on arrival at my first bhakti yoga experience, I was met, talked to, fed with the utmost ease and given care and attention that made it easy to come back. Behind the scenes, you of course orchestrate the scene to make it feel like it’s the guest’s place. Of course, I felt I was a cool person, entering a cool place; you on the other hand immediately saw me as a Kali-yuga shell-shocked refugee who looked as if I had just emerged from the collapsing trade centre (as you so kindly put it) and in need of Lord Caitanya’s mercy. So as part of the next step in my coming to Krishna Consciousness there was a single ladies’ asrama to land into, with tolerant mature lady devotees running it (who accepted me back with loving open arms after each time I blooped until I finally came in for good).
To make it easy to grow in Krishna consciousness you stressed a firm foundation of training, from chanting 16 uninterrupted rounds, studying Srila Prabhupada’s books everyday, to being deeply absorbed in service. Of course, we want to keep growing and you have designed so many aspects to help keep us moving, such as mentor systems, festivals, communities and services with which we can plug into. I am so grateful for this training which has helped me keep my head above water during my role as a mother. Without that foundation it would have been very easy to slip.
And finally, we make it easy to give Krishna consciousness to others. Because of the way the whole atmosphere is designed, it encourages us to get a taste for giving Krishna to others. And through this taste it makes it easy to try to give to others, because we are experiencing. And through giving Krishna, Krishna reveals Himself. A year and a half ago I met a lady while on a book stall, and we sparked up a friendship having daughters the same age. Meetings at the zoo and parks with our children led to visiting bhakti lounge, buying a Srimad Bhagavatam set and regularly chanting. Now we meet every week and our children play together and we read and discuss Bhagavad Gita for 2 or 3 hours at a time, and it is so enlivening. Of course for a mother of a young child who is with her all the time, it is difficult to read 2 or 3 hours straight and really get absorbed, but through endeavoring to give to others, Krishna has given Himself to me in that way.
So this is your mercy. I am afraid I am a rather weak example of your urban mission, but you have accepted me all the same, and I pray I can stay safe under the shelter of your lotus feet and somewhat try to repay you by helping you in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Your aspiring servant, Bhava Sandhi dd
srimate devamritasvamin iti namine
pracare purva daksam ca bhakti cara pravinaca
para tatapi karunam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantasvamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Gurudeva
Recently I have been meditating on your Loft-style preaching mission statement "We make it easy to come to KC, grow in KC and give KC to others." Although you say "We make it easy," that doesn't mean it is easy for you, or that it's an accidental scene that has just evolved. Listening to your urban preaching series of lectures, I can see how you have designed every detail to suit time, place and circumstance of your audience. Reflecting on my own spiritual life, I can see how this system you have set up has basically orchestrated my whole spiritual life.
In coming to your shelter I stumbled across a well designed flyer for a local preaching centre. It was slick, professional and trendy. You never miss a detail, from graphic design to print quality. In my managing days I have seen you pour over advertising choices in detail. Never just random, whimsical decisions are acceptable, but every detail to Krishna's service is of vital importance to you.
True to your urban preaching lectures, on arrival at my first bhakti yoga experience, I was met, talked to, fed with the utmost ease and given care and attention that made it easy to come back. Behind the scenes, you of course orchestrate the scene to make it feel like it’s the guest’s place. Of course, I felt I was a cool person, entering a cool place; you on the other hand immediately saw me as a Kali-yuga shell-shocked refugee who looked as if I had just emerged from the collapsing trade centre (as you so kindly put it) and in need of Lord Caitanya’s mercy. So as part of the next step in my coming to Krishna Consciousness there was a single ladies’ asrama to land into, with tolerant mature lady devotees running it (who accepted me back with loving open arms after each time I blooped until I finally came in for good).
To make it easy to grow in Krishna consciousness you stressed a firm foundation of training, from chanting 16 uninterrupted rounds, studying Srila Prabhupada’s books everyday, to being deeply absorbed in service. Of course, we want to keep growing and you have designed so many aspects to help keep us moving, such as mentor systems, festivals, communities and services with which we can plug into. I am so grateful for this training which has helped me keep my head above water during my role as a mother. Without that foundation it would have been very easy to slip.
And finally, we make it easy to give Krishna consciousness to others. Because of the way the whole atmosphere is designed, it encourages us to get a taste for giving Krishna to others. And through this taste it makes it easy to try to give to others, because we are experiencing. And through giving Krishna, Krishna reveals Himself. A year and a half ago I met a lady while on a book stall, and we sparked up a friendship having daughters the same age. Meetings at the zoo and parks with our children led to visiting bhakti lounge, buying a Srimad Bhagavatam set and regularly chanting. Now we meet every week and our children play together and we read and discuss Bhagavad Gita for 2 or 3 hours at a time, and it is so enlivening. Of course for a mother of a young child who is with her all the time, it is difficult to read 2 or 3 hours straight and really get absorbed, but through endeavoring to give to others, Krishna has given Himself to me in that way.
So this is your mercy. I am afraid I am a rather weak example of your urban mission, but you have accepted me all the same, and I pray I can stay safe under the shelter of your lotus feet and somewhat try to repay you by helping you in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Your aspiring servant, Bhava Sandhi dd
Bhuribhoja Dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my Humble obeisances of the Dust at your lotus Feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most Auspicious Day of your Vyasa puja, please accept my attempt to glorify and honor you,the Top most confidential Devotee of The Lord. Who has been empowered to establish The principles of religion.
I would like to mention, that I was very inspired to read your book " Bhakti Bhava" The emotional dynamics of a devotee, you explain the hearts Dynamics of Emotional Investment. So many ways to clean the heart, in your visit to the Ukraine the topic of thinking Krishna consciousness a mere Religious Belief is boring, but to experience the process through feeling and to invest these expressions and emotions in Devotional Service , as we progress we will become so wonderful that they Become the devotees opulence.
This is very inspiring and you always say that when were in the kirtan we should also invest our energy in simply hearing the mantra we experience the fullness and sweetness of krishnas mercy In the association of Devotees.
Maya's so ruthless she continues to find any fault in our endeavours , and when she does as you say just see another Bhakta falls victim to my illusory energy, but you give us the understanding that by simply taking shelter of Krishna the waves of material existence decrease but we have to surrender.
My heart is so dirty, sometimes I think my activities are just a ritual, how can I desire the intense greed to get over this disease. when I am faced with challenges at work or in my relationships with people I see that I have more cleaning to do not that I completely want liberation,I'm only getting a drop in the ocean of sinful activities I've performed many births. I can constantly take shelter from you gurudeva that's using my god given intelligence.
Gurudeva, thank you for all the guidance you have given me through my time in Krishna consciousness I am eternally grateful , you said to me that you want me to properly situate myself in grihasta life so now I will follow your desire, like prabhupada says in this age of Kali Yuga there are no gentlemen we need gentlemen so I hope I can be a useful instrument in lord caitanyas mission.
Always eternally indebted to you my spiritual father.
Trying to become your servant,
Bhuribhoja das
Please accept my Humble obeisances of the Dust at your lotus Feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most Auspicious Day of your Vyasa puja, please accept my attempt to glorify and honor you,the Top most confidential Devotee of The Lord. Who has been empowered to establish The principles of religion.
I would like to mention, that I was very inspired to read your book " Bhakti Bhava" The emotional dynamics of a devotee, you explain the hearts Dynamics of Emotional Investment. So many ways to clean the heart, in your visit to the Ukraine the topic of thinking Krishna consciousness a mere Religious Belief is boring, but to experience the process through feeling and to invest these expressions and emotions in Devotional Service , as we progress we will become so wonderful that they Become the devotees opulence.
This is very inspiring and you always say that when were in the kirtan we should also invest our energy in simply hearing the mantra we experience the fullness and sweetness of krishnas mercy In the association of Devotees.
Maya's so ruthless she continues to find any fault in our endeavours , and when she does as you say just see another Bhakta falls victim to my illusory energy, but you give us the understanding that by simply taking shelter of Krishna the waves of material existence decrease but we have to surrender.
My heart is so dirty, sometimes I think my activities are just a ritual, how can I desire the intense greed to get over this disease. when I am faced with challenges at work or in my relationships with people I see that I have more cleaning to do not that I completely want liberation,I'm only getting a drop in the ocean of sinful activities I've performed many births. I can constantly take shelter from you gurudeva that's using my god given intelligence.
Gurudeva, thank you for all the guidance you have given me through my time in Krishna consciousness I am eternally grateful , you said to me that you want me to properly situate myself in grihasta life so now I will follow your desire, like prabhupada says in this age of Kali Yuga there are no gentlemen we need gentlemen so I hope I can be a useful instrument in lord caitanyas mission.
Always eternally indebted to you my spiritual father.
Trying to become your servant,
Bhuribhoja das
Bimala Prasad Dasa & Family
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Kṛṣṇa-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
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 Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
The 2014 January Vyasa-puja ceremony in Melbourne was one of the most extraordinary, unforgettable events in my life. This event, like all the events you grace with your presence, served to display your characteristic detachment from material pleasure and attachment to the propagation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Firstly, four days before the Vyasa-puja day, you underwent a serious surgical procedure on your teeth which allowed you to only eat semi-solid foods, knowing very well that we were preparing to serve you a feast on the Vyasa-puja day. Hence, you showed us your quality of having no mundane desire for pleasure and wishing to only serve the Lord through your preaching activity, which the operation enabled you to continue. Secondly, your swift gait as my son tried to offer flowers to your lotus feet showed your detachment from worldly opulence and respect, but also highlighted your incessant mercy as you still allowed Charan to render service unto you. Furthermore, through this example, we saw that the main motivator behind your acceptance of our service, such as the offering of the turban, sandalwood garland and sandals, is your unlimited mercy upon your disciples. So deep is this mercy, you wore the turban for the course of the day, surprising many devotees, and even wore the garland to the boat cruise the following day. Maharaja, we are forever indebted to you for your constant mercy and blessings, as well as your fatherly demeanour.
Maharaja, one of the highlights of the program was your insightful lecture, filled as it was with your dynamic enthusiasm. We were surprised at your vigorous speech, given your supposed state of health following your dental operation. This furthermore compounded your quality of dedication to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement. Similarly, we were surprised at your ability to lead an uproarious kirtan that shook the foundations of maya, but we soon again condemned ourselves for we understood that you were acting on the spiritual platform – not affected by material problems or designations. The final memorable event of that day was when you questioned me about my satisfaction with the day’s program – “Are you happy now?” – and when I answered “I am very happy” your reply was “Haribol!” (with upraised hands).
My family is always praying to Kṛṣṇa to give you a long life so you can continue on with your journey and change the lives of as many people as possible, just like us.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, we beg for your mercy, as it is only through your blessings that we can advance in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Your insignificant servants,
Bimala Prasad Dasa, Lalitha Prasad Devi Dasi
Bhakta Charan and Kṛṣṇa Priya.
Kṛṣṇa-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
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 Your Lotus Feet.
All glories to you on this auspicious day.
The 2014 January Vyasa-puja ceremony in Melbourne was one of the most extraordinary, unforgettable events in my life. This event, like all the events you grace with your presence, served to display your characteristic detachment from material pleasure and attachment to the propagation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada. Firstly, four days before the Vyasa-puja day, you underwent a serious surgical procedure on your teeth which allowed you to only eat semi-solid foods, knowing very well that we were preparing to serve you a feast on the Vyasa-puja day. Hence, you showed us your quality of having no mundane desire for pleasure and wishing to only serve the Lord through your preaching activity, which the operation enabled you to continue. Secondly, your swift gait as my son tried to offer flowers to your lotus feet showed your detachment from worldly opulence and respect, but also highlighted your incessant mercy as you still allowed Charan to render service unto you. Furthermore, through this example, we saw that the main motivator behind your acceptance of our service, such as the offering of the turban, sandalwood garland and sandals, is your unlimited mercy upon your disciples. So deep is this mercy, you wore the turban for the course of the day, surprising many devotees, and even wore the garland to the boat cruise the following day. Maharaja, we are forever indebted to you for your constant mercy and blessings, as well as your fatherly demeanour.
Maharaja, one of the highlights of the program was your insightful lecture, filled as it was with your dynamic enthusiasm. We were surprised at your vigorous speech, given your supposed state of health following your dental operation. This furthermore compounded your quality of dedication to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement. Similarly, we were surprised at your ability to lead an uproarious kirtan that shook the foundations of maya, but we soon again condemned ourselves for we understood that you were acting on the spiritual platform – not affected by material problems or designations. The final memorable event of that day was when you questioned me about my satisfaction with the day’s program – “Are you happy now?” – and when I answered “I am very happy” your reply was “Haribol!” (with upraised hands).
My family is always praying to Kṛṣṇa to give you a long life so you can continue on with your journey and change the lives of as many people as possible, just like us.
On this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja, we beg for your mercy, as it is only through your blessings that we can advance in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Your insignificant servants,
Bimala Prasad Dasa, Lalitha Prasad Devi Dasi
Bhakta Charan and Kṛṣṇa Priya.
Biswajit Mahapatra
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
By having the fortune of regularly listening to your lectures & being able to ask you questions during your trips to Sydney, I have been able to have the priceless wealth of your guidance for over a year now. It was only through your lectures did I finally start understanding the importance of both reading & distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Your amazing enthusiasm for Prabhupada’s books caught on, and for this I’m eternally grateful, for in them I found true unending nourishment and guidance that has been sustaining me in my Bhakti career.
At the end of last year I had the good fortune to go to the Otaki retreat for the first time. It was a big revelation for me. During the free time, everywhere I looked, I saw devotees hungrily reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Before lunch all the devotees’ would be sitting in the main hall & reading. And then while waiting in the long line for prasadam they would also be reading together. Even in the toilets I would hear the brahmacaris discussing what they had been reading while taking bath in adjacent showers. Your godbrother Suresvara Prabhu has travelled & given his presentation in many parts around the world, but in his last class at the retreat he even made the statement, "I think this is the best audience I have had so far. I have never had an audience so well grounded in Prabhupada’s books." This is clearly a glorification of your expert guidance & and off course the amazing dedication of the devotees in New Zealand.
From your lectures I started understanding the importance of outreach instead of just practising Bhakti for one’s own self. During one of your personal darshans you very kindly gave me the one step solution to all my incapabilities in Krsna Consiousness, “Distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and push forward the Sankirtan movement and you’ll see the empowerment. You’ll be able to talk, give class… All abilities will come.”
You often stress in your lectures about the importance of our attitude & consciousness while performing devotional service. I always remind myself of your words of, “how no matter how small the service is, we should it do it with full enthusiasm & energy for the pleasure of Krsna”. You give the example of yourself, how when you first joined the temple, you were immediately handed the broom & asked to clean as your first service. And you explain how you were so glad & ecstatic, just to be able to render some service for Krsna. By applying your instructions on service attitude I also find myself very blissfull & satisfied while engaged in devotional service.
Many times however I come cross difficulties & puzzling situations in my Bhakti practise & at times like this I have been saved so many times by listening to your lectures. As I travel to university everyday I’m faced with waves of the illusory energy but with the saving spiritual intelligence gathered from your lectures I’m able to protect myself.
You lead by your exemplary example & your life has been the epitome of dedication & sacrifice in serving Srila Prabhupada. I am always left speechless when I think about your mountain like determination in how for 2 years you went on distributing books, for incredible hours, everyday, while hardly any books were going out. Then later when you fearlessly, with full faith & determination went under the iron curtain - risking your life to give Prabhupada’s books to others, we very vividly see what it actually means by sacrifice & vyavasatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nanda, single pointed focus on serving the spiritual master. By your incredible compassion you have been travelling selflessly & saving and guiding so many souls all around the world despite so many inconveniences. Like an expert physician you accurately & effectively deliver the teachings of Lord Caitanya with such care & affection to cure us of our incurable diseases & to help us get re-established in our original healthy condition of serving Krsna.
Just as the Captain of the ship gives the direction for the boat, by your mercy I now have a fixed goal & direction in my life. I can honestly see myself dedicating my life to the spreading of Sankirtan Movement. Although at the moment, being in University I’m very limited in the service that I can do, I’m hoping that by your mercy I can join the brahmacari ashram soon in the future & engage fulltime in Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
In Guru Puja we sing that “the lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way we can obtain pure devotional service.” Sri guru carana padma kevala bhakati sadma. Hence on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja this very feeble soul is begging for your mercy to be freed from material desires & to be always engaged in devotional service, with the service attitude, that you so often talk about.
All glories to your divine appearance day!
Your aspiring servant,
Biswajit
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
By having the fortune of regularly listening to your lectures & being able to ask you questions during your trips to Sydney, I have been able to have the priceless wealth of your guidance for over a year now. It was only through your lectures did I finally start understanding the importance of both reading & distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Your amazing enthusiasm for Prabhupada’s books caught on, and for this I’m eternally grateful, for in them I found true unending nourishment and guidance that has been sustaining me in my Bhakti career.
At the end of last year I had the good fortune to go to the Otaki retreat for the first time. It was a big revelation for me. During the free time, everywhere I looked, I saw devotees hungrily reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Before lunch all the devotees’ would be sitting in the main hall & reading. And then while waiting in the long line for prasadam they would also be reading together. Even in the toilets I would hear the brahmacaris discussing what they had been reading while taking bath in adjacent showers. Your godbrother Suresvara Prabhu has travelled & given his presentation in many parts around the world, but in his last class at the retreat he even made the statement, "I think this is the best audience I have had so far. I have never had an audience so well grounded in Prabhupada’s books." This is clearly a glorification of your expert guidance & and off course the amazing dedication of the devotees in New Zealand.
From your lectures I started understanding the importance of outreach instead of just practising Bhakti for one’s own self. During one of your personal darshans you very kindly gave me the one step solution to all my incapabilities in Krsna Consiousness, “Distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and push forward the Sankirtan movement and you’ll see the empowerment. You’ll be able to talk, give class… All abilities will come.”
You often stress in your lectures about the importance of our attitude & consciousness while performing devotional service. I always remind myself of your words of, “how no matter how small the service is, we should it do it with full enthusiasm & energy for the pleasure of Krsna”. You give the example of yourself, how when you first joined the temple, you were immediately handed the broom & asked to clean as your first service. And you explain how you were so glad & ecstatic, just to be able to render some service for Krsna. By applying your instructions on service attitude I also find myself very blissfull & satisfied while engaged in devotional service.
Many times however I come cross difficulties & puzzling situations in my Bhakti practise & at times like this I have been saved so many times by listening to your lectures. As I travel to university everyday I’m faced with waves of the illusory energy but with the saving spiritual intelligence gathered from your lectures I’m able to protect myself.
You lead by your exemplary example & your life has been the epitome of dedication & sacrifice in serving Srila Prabhupada. I am always left speechless when I think about your mountain like determination in how for 2 years you went on distributing books, for incredible hours, everyday, while hardly any books were going out. Then later when you fearlessly, with full faith & determination went under the iron curtain - risking your life to give Prabhupada’s books to others, we very vividly see what it actually means by sacrifice & vyavasatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nanda, single pointed focus on serving the spiritual master. By your incredible compassion you have been travelling selflessly & saving and guiding so many souls all around the world despite so many inconveniences. Like an expert physician you accurately & effectively deliver the teachings of Lord Caitanya with such care & affection to cure us of our incurable diseases & to help us get re-established in our original healthy condition of serving Krsna.
Just as the Captain of the ship gives the direction for the boat, by your mercy I now have a fixed goal & direction in my life. I can honestly see myself dedicating my life to the spreading of Sankirtan Movement. Although at the moment, being in University I’m very limited in the service that I can do, I’m hoping that by your mercy I can join the brahmacari ashram soon in the future & engage fulltime in Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
In Guru Puja we sing that “the lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way we can obtain pure devotional service.” Sri guru carana padma kevala bhakati sadma. Hence on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja this very feeble soul is begging for your mercy to be freed from material desires & to be always engaged in devotional service, with the service attitude, that you so often talk about.
All glories to your divine appearance day!
Your aspiring servant,
Biswajit
Brahmakund dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you
As I reflect over my short life in Krishna Consciousness and particularly the last 4 years, in this offering, I want to express my gratitude towards you for your continuous compassion, support, encouragement, service opportunities, mercy & tolerance. I am like a frog in the well who can never understand the vastness of your merciful ocean but by listening to your lectures where you share your deep realizations, assisting & associating with others who are trying to serve you, inspires me to serve Krishna and help others to serve Krishna.
In spite of making so many mistakes you have mercifully allowed me to travel with you and this has been a great treasure for me. On occasions instead of helping you in your service, I have actually caused trouble in your service. Once I gave you double the amount of your recommended Vitamin C intake and it really affected you but instead of getting angry, you immediately saw Krishna’s hand in it and said may be Krishna is telling you to take the Vitamin C yourself. Thank you for your tolerance.
I have to admit that in situations like this and when the service got very intense, I think to myself, who asked me to do this and be here, I was happy doing my service back home and no matter what happens, I am not doing this service again. But I guess there might be some transcendence in the service because as soon as the service is over I am praying to Krsna, please help me, so that I can get this opportunity again next year. However, this year I did not get the opportunity to travel with you in India and I deeply missed the service but I pray that in the future I can do this service again. It has also helped me realize my good fortune to be able to render the service in the previous years. Thank you for your mercy.
One time I was complaining to you that for me to preach to westerners is very difficult, I cannot relate to them. Having understood my mind and heart you replied why it is difficult because they don’t worship you. I wasn’t expecting this answer but I thought over it later on and realized that actually it is true and part of my reluctance. Then you went on to explain that to preach you need to have compassion, how this soul is struggling in the material world and needs to go back to Krishna. Thank you for your directness, to help remove the false façade and thank you for your support & guidance.
On the back cover of Bhati-Bhava book, there is a quote from you “No better activities exist than what we are doing in Krsna Consciousness. The richness of rendering service to Krsna is not about money or possessions, it’s about the opulences of the heart. No matter what you do, if your heart is not satisfied, you won’t think your life is worth much. How to be a proper egotist? Simply identify as Krsna’s servant. When this perfect and true egotistical feeling sufficiently intensifies, it will force you to dance in ecstasy.”
When I read this the only thought that comes to mind is that you are actually living and feeling this very quote. Once during Govardhana Puja in Govardhana, I cannot remember if you were leading the Kirtan or just chanting but you were definitely in ecstasy and I was just standing there, HG Bhurijana Prabhu walked over to me and said you should chant like your Guru Maharaja, “with all your heart.”
I pray that I can follow in your footsteps, follow your instructions, render selfless service to you, become a proper egotist and please the parampara.
Learning to become a servant
Brahmakund dasa.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you
As I reflect over my short life in Krishna Consciousness and particularly the last 4 years, in this offering, I want to express my gratitude towards you for your continuous compassion, support, encouragement, service opportunities, mercy & tolerance. I am like a frog in the well who can never understand the vastness of your merciful ocean but by listening to your lectures where you share your deep realizations, assisting & associating with others who are trying to serve you, inspires me to serve Krishna and help others to serve Krishna.
In spite of making so many mistakes you have mercifully allowed me to travel with you and this has been a great treasure for me. On occasions instead of helping you in your service, I have actually caused trouble in your service. Once I gave you double the amount of your recommended Vitamin C intake and it really affected you but instead of getting angry, you immediately saw Krishna’s hand in it and said may be Krishna is telling you to take the Vitamin C yourself. Thank you for your tolerance.
I have to admit that in situations like this and when the service got very intense, I think to myself, who asked me to do this and be here, I was happy doing my service back home and no matter what happens, I am not doing this service again. But I guess there might be some transcendence in the service because as soon as the service is over I am praying to Krsna, please help me, so that I can get this opportunity again next year. However, this year I did not get the opportunity to travel with you in India and I deeply missed the service but I pray that in the future I can do this service again. It has also helped me realize my good fortune to be able to render the service in the previous years. Thank you for your mercy.
One time I was complaining to you that for me to preach to westerners is very difficult, I cannot relate to them. Having understood my mind and heart you replied why it is difficult because they don’t worship you. I wasn’t expecting this answer but I thought over it later on and realized that actually it is true and part of my reluctance. Then you went on to explain that to preach you need to have compassion, how this soul is struggling in the material world and needs to go back to Krishna. Thank you for your directness, to help remove the false façade and thank you for your support & guidance.
On the back cover of Bhati-Bhava book, there is a quote from you “No better activities exist than what we are doing in Krsna Consciousness. The richness of rendering service to Krsna is not about money or possessions, it’s about the opulences of the heart. No matter what you do, if your heart is not satisfied, you won’t think your life is worth much. How to be a proper egotist? Simply identify as Krsna’s servant. When this perfect and true egotistical feeling sufficiently intensifies, it will force you to dance in ecstasy.”
When I read this the only thought that comes to mind is that you are actually living and feeling this very quote. Once during Govardhana Puja in Govardhana, I cannot remember if you were leading the Kirtan or just chanting but you were definitely in ecstasy and I was just standing there, HG Bhurijana Prabhu walked over to me and said you should chant like your Guru Maharaja, “with all your heart.”
I pray that I can follow in your footsteps, follow your instructions, render selfless service to you, become a proper egotist and please the parampara.
Learning to become a servant
Brahmakund dasa.
Buddhimanta Dasa
Hare Krishna dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabupada.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja 2014
Guru Maharaj, This auspicious day always provides an opportunity to me to look back at the last year and see if I have made any spiritual progress, do I have any substantial report of my services to submit at your lotus feet. I am so dull headed I don’t find any achievement which I can include in my offering to you. The only good thing I can realise that you have been so kind and tolerant, not only for accepting me as a disciple but also for maintaining me for many years. Just like a father is equally disposed towards all his children, may one be handicap or less intelligent, similarly Guru Maharaj you have compassion for this unworthy servant as well. I feel so ashamed for making mistakes continuously in your service. And you are so kind hearted Guru Maharaj, you keep on engaging me out of mercy and hope that one day this little servant will improve and come to the spiritual platform.
Guru Maharaj, in spite of chanting regularly, reading shastras and rendering some devotional services, life is so difficult and testing every day. Sometimes life becomes so stressful and demanding that I see no reason to carry on with my sva-dharma and life appears to be aimless with no motivation even to live. Then I remember the best thing of my life, a divine relationship with my beloved spiritual master and that reminds me that my life and body belongs to you and in this way life goes on taking shelter of your affectionate glances.
Guru Maharaj you are so concerned for your disciples’ well being and their proper engagements in devotionals services. I personally experience this whenever I bring any problem to you, affecting my spiritual life, Guru Maharaj you make sure you go down deep into this to find out the best possible remedy under the circumstances. Undoubtedly you are so busy in your services but if you find out that I am in trouble, you are always there for me, with me by mail, by phone, thru crystal clear instructions, via penetrating lectures and sometime by appearing in dreams. I am so fortunate Guru Maharaj for being your servant.
Guru Maharaj today I pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram to grant you a long and healthy life so that you can keep pushing on Srila Prabhupada’s divine movement by helping many more wandering souls.
Happy Vyasa Puja day Guru Maharaj.
Your humble servant,
Buddhimanta Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabupada.
All glories to your Vyasa Puja 2014
Guru Maharaj, This auspicious day always provides an opportunity to me to look back at the last year and see if I have made any spiritual progress, do I have any substantial report of my services to submit at your lotus feet. I am so dull headed I don’t find any achievement which I can include in my offering to you. The only good thing I can realise that you have been so kind and tolerant, not only for accepting me as a disciple but also for maintaining me for many years. Just like a father is equally disposed towards all his children, may one be handicap or less intelligent, similarly Guru Maharaj you have compassion for this unworthy servant as well. I feel so ashamed for making mistakes continuously in your service. And you are so kind hearted Guru Maharaj, you keep on engaging me out of mercy and hope that one day this little servant will improve and come to the spiritual platform.
Guru Maharaj, in spite of chanting regularly, reading shastras and rendering some devotional services, life is so difficult and testing every day. Sometimes life becomes so stressful and demanding that I see no reason to carry on with my sva-dharma and life appears to be aimless with no motivation even to live. Then I remember the best thing of my life, a divine relationship with my beloved spiritual master and that reminds me that my life and body belongs to you and in this way life goes on taking shelter of your affectionate glances.
Guru Maharaj you are so concerned for your disciples’ well being and their proper engagements in devotionals services. I personally experience this whenever I bring any problem to you, affecting my spiritual life, Guru Maharaj you make sure you go down deep into this to find out the best possible remedy under the circumstances. Undoubtedly you are so busy in your services but if you find out that I am in trouble, you are always there for me, with me by mail, by phone, thru crystal clear instructions, via penetrating lectures and sometime by appearing in dreams. I am so fortunate Guru Maharaj for being your servant.
Guru Maharaj today I pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram to grant you a long and healthy life so that you can keep pushing on Srila Prabhupada’s divine movement by helping many more wandering souls.
Happy Vyasa Puja day Guru Maharaj.
Your humble servant,
Buddhimanta Dasa
Caitanya Vihara dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja celebration!
More than ever before, I understand how essential developing and maintaining good relationships are in Bhakti. We all crave reciprocation and friendship. Furthermore, establishing strong devotional relationships is a sure way to receive the Lord’s mercy. In the fourth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter 30, we hear about the activities of the Pracetas, who performed severe austerities for 10,000 years whilst submerged in the sea. Subsequently, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before them in His very pleasing form to reciprocate with their tapasya. After a beautiful description of the Lord’s form we hear the Lord’s first words to the Pracetas in text eight:
“My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation- devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.”
In Kali yuga, the age of quarrel, it is all to easy to fault-find and become familiar, harsh or impersonal. Indeed, Kali eagerly awaits any opportunity to disrupt the devotional community. Yet, the yuga dharma is Sankirtan, the congregational chanting and propagation of the Lord’s glories.
As The Lord explains to Narada Muni in the Padma Purana:
“O Narada, I am not in Vaikuntha nor am I in the hearts of the yogis. I remain where My devotees glorify My name, form, qualities and transcendental pastimes.”
Of course, when we are well situated and the Kirtan is ‘saturated with nectar’, glorifying the Lord with the devotees is natural, effortless and the greatest delight. However, I’m sure most of us have also experienced tougher times when we don’t get the same taste from Kirtan. We may be sitting in the middle of a room full of devotees, trying our best, yet it just isn’t happening. At these times we may wonder why the Lord doesn’t seem to be there.
From my own experiences, I can appreciate the need to evaluate the quality of our chanting in these situations. Implicit in the Lord’s statement is the pre-requisite of high quality, attentive glorification. Certainly, this requires a real team effort and from my observation the quality of the congregational offering directly reflects the health of our relationships. Inter-personal strife certainly discourages the Lord from allowing us to perceive His presence.
This is actually very natural. Why would the Lord want to appear in environments riddled with conflict? Certainly He reserves the right of not being exposed to such unsavory situations.
My humble realization is that to remain in the association of devotees and really take advantage of the Kirtan we have to always remain alert to relationships. Otherwise, our inter-personal tensions and conflicts will follow us into the Kirtan and block us from chanting with an open and devotional heart.
Indeed, I find Kirtan a wonderful barometer with which to gage my current standing with the devotees.
Mechanical relationships often equate to mechanical chanting, both individually and congregationally. If we are failing to serve and relate to the Lord’s devotees, how can we expect to swim, splash and dive in ecstatic, spontaneous Kirtan? To really enter into the congregational glorification of the Lord we must become humble, tolerant and respectful as Lord Caitanya recommends.
Seeing my own deficits in these key areas, I wanted to take the opportunity to glorify all the wonderful devotees of Garuda asrama for your pleasure. So often I take devotees for granted and fail to express appreciation. As it is often said, ‘if the fruit of a tree is good, then so is the tree.’ As such, by glorifying your disciples and well-wishers, I am simultaneously glorifying you, who so carefully nurture, inspire, and encourage us to develop real Vaisnava qualities. So with your blessings, let us begin:
1) Khela Tirtha prabhu:
Khela Tirtha has been a very kind friend, big-brother and mentor to me over the last few years. He always offers a patient and sympathetic ear and is happy to selflessly extend himself to help others become more Krishna conscious. Whatever small success I may have experienced on Sankirtan is also largely due to his enthusiastic and encouraging association. His infectious desire to vigorously assist the parampara in saving as many conditioned souls as possible is a great inspiration to us all and we are very grateful to have his association.
2) Hriman Krishna prabhu:
Hriman Krishna works tirelessly in the Lord’s service. As a chief administrator in the asrama he is always facilitating others in their devotional service, often sacrificing his own interests. He never wastes time and is always engaged in so many different ways. He is an expert distributor of Srila Prabhupada’s books and a very dynamic devotee. I look forward to developing a better and better relationship with him as we go on serving together and thank him for tolerating my offenses.
3) Stambha Bhava prabhu:
Prabhu is a real rock in the asrama. I never thought I would have missed his association so much, but when he has been away, on TSK or visiting family, I have really noticed a void, especially in the japa hall. We are all so happy that prabhu has finally been able to join the NZ asrama permanently. Although humble and often quiet externally, his deep, steady commitment inspires us all. A wonderful cook, his exceptional feasts and ‘travel Prasadam’ are often the talk of the asrama. He is also an exceptional class giver, always offering extra insights into the lives of the previous Acaryas and inspiring the devotees with Krishna Katha.
4) Damodar Krishna prabhu:
Damodar Krishna is such a sincere devotee, always looking for ways to improve our team offering. His sadhana and regulation are exemplary as his ‘captain’s log’ testify. Under his guidance we are keeping better and better standards of cleanliness. He is a kind friend and a great inspiration to myself and others.
5) Jayadeva Kavi prabhu:
Prabhu has so many skills and talents! As an expert Kirtan leader, mrdanga player, cook, cultivator and university preacher, Jayadeva always has a busy schedule. He is also a very practical devotee who is always repairing and making items for use in devotional service. He has a very unique sense of humor and is also known as a formidable wrestler.
6) Gadai Gauranga prabhu:
Gadai Gauranga is famous for his ‘fired-up’ Kirtan and enthusiastic chanting of the Holy Name, which completely destroys the mental platform! He is a very kind and sensitive devotee who performs a lot of selfless service. He is also a tolerant room-mate and expert at rising early. He has often finished his rounds before I have even started!
7) Jiva Doya prabhu:
Prabhu is a very lively and animated devotee. He is a great musician and his soulful Kirtan is always relished by the Vaisnavas. As one of the catering managers he is instrumental in the university prasadam distribution. He has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to be around. He is also a thoughtful and health conscious devotee.
8) Subuddhi Raya prabhu:
Prabhu is a very resourceful, practical and steady devotee. A real humble servant, his services may often go unnoticed but are crucial to the smooth running of the asrama. He is also one of the catering managers and a peaceful and pleasant devotee to be around.
9) Gauranga Prema prabhu:
Gauranga Prema is a cheerful devotee and graceful dancer. Famous for producing world class ‘Brahmin spaghetti’ he is popular and gets on with everyone. He also gives well-structured classes and is committed to outreach, being involved in both book and prasadam distribution.
10) Amani Gaura Hari prabhu:
Amani is a very good all rounder with many different abilities. In particular, he is a very solid Sankirtan devotee and cook, often involved with the Garuda asrama Monday feasts. He is also an enthusiastic cultivator and has already helped others to progress in bhakti, including Bhakta Dennis.
11) Baladeva Nitai prabhu:
Our transcendental graphic design wizard, Baladeva Nitai works very hard to help produce the Enough magazine, a project that has been a great success. He is a very humble and sincere Vaisnava who is always well mannered and appreciative.
12) Bhakta Steve:
Bhakta Steve is a fantastic book distributor, easily able to establish rapport with anyone from Chinese students to old farmers. He has a deep appreciation for Krishna Consciousness and is always fresh, enthusiastic and friendly. We all look forward to seeing his initiation at the end of the year.
13) Ananta Naga prabhu:
The transcendental proprietor of Garuda, Ananta Naga prabhu has put in so much time, effort and money into establishing the excellent Garuda asrama facility. A kind, intelligent and gentle devotee we have all relished having his association over the past year or so. He is an expert mrdanga player and has also recently emerged as a superlative Kirtan leader. His absorbing evening Kirtans are so sweet and pure we have all been asking why it is only recently that his talent has been discovered!
14) Nandisvara prabhu:
Although only a temporary resident at Garuda, I wanted to seize the opportunity to glorify prabhu.
Nandi is a very enthusiastic devotee. He is a real Kirtan warrior who loves to hear and chant with the boys; indeed, many are secretly jealous of his powerful dance moves! He is a wonderful example of dove-tailing skills in devotional service and has been instrumental in many key building projects at New Gupta Vraja, New Varshana and Gita Nagari to name but a few. He is a great friend, always expert at ‘churning the nectar’ through deep Krishna conscious discussion.
15) Haridasa Natha prabhu:
Although not necessarily known as a front line book distributor, whilst on Sankirtan I often meet people who know prabhu. Thanks to prabhu’s excellent preaching and personal example, every single contact has been favorably disposed to Krishna Consciousness and taken a book to read. This really goes to show how Sankirtan is such a team effort. He is a very pleasant devotee and we wish him all the best for his new asrama.
16) Bhakta Christian
Bhakta Christian has adapted to asrama life very well since moving in at the start of the year. He is undoubtedly taking up bhakti from a previous life and has already become an expert mrdanga player. He has a real taste for hearing and chanting and we look forward to watching his bhakti career develop further.
So to conclude, I thank you Gurudeva, for assembling such a wonderful group of devotees and allowing me to become inspired and purified in their association.
I thank you and all the devotees for tolerating my mistakes and shortcomings and beg for everyone’s blessings to advance in devotional service.
You often mention that associating properly with devotees is not a material skill. Although I am handicapped by an excessively large false ego, I still beg for your blessings to develop the transcendental intelligence, humility, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, patience, appreciation, gratefulness, empathy and ability to be able to associate properly with the devotees and assist in the smooth running of the asrama.
In this way, I am hoping against hope to one day be granted real entrance into the Kirtan, through your causeless mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Caitanya Vihara dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you, on this most auspicious day of your Vyasapuja celebration!
More than ever before, I understand how essential developing and maintaining good relationships are in Bhakti. We all crave reciprocation and friendship. Furthermore, establishing strong devotional relationships is a sure way to receive the Lord’s mercy. In the fourth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter 30, we hear about the activities of the Pracetas, who performed severe austerities for 10,000 years whilst submerged in the sea. Subsequently, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before them in His very pleasing form to reciprocate with their tapasya. After a beautiful description of the Lord’s form we hear the Lord’s first words to the Pracetas in text eight:
“My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation- devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.”
In Kali yuga, the age of quarrel, it is all to easy to fault-find and become familiar, harsh or impersonal. Indeed, Kali eagerly awaits any opportunity to disrupt the devotional community. Yet, the yuga dharma is Sankirtan, the congregational chanting and propagation of the Lord’s glories.
As The Lord explains to Narada Muni in the Padma Purana:
“O Narada, I am not in Vaikuntha nor am I in the hearts of the yogis. I remain where My devotees glorify My name, form, qualities and transcendental pastimes.”
Of course, when we are well situated and the Kirtan is ‘saturated with nectar’, glorifying the Lord with the devotees is natural, effortless and the greatest delight. However, I’m sure most of us have also experienced tougher times when we don’t get the same taste from Kirtan. We may be sitting in the middle of a room full of devotees, trying our best, yet it just isn’t happening. At these times we may wonder why the Lord doesn’t seem to be there.
From my own experiences, I can appreciate the need to evaluate the quality of our chanting in these situations. Implicit in the Lord’s statement is the pre-requisite of high quality, attentive glorification. Certainly, this requires a real team effort and from my observation the quality of the congregational offering directly reflects the health of our relationships. Inter-personal strife certainly discourages the Lord from allowing us to perceive His presence.
This is actually very natural. Why would the Lord want to appear in environments riddled with conflict? Certainly He reserves the right of not being exposed to such unsavory situations.
My humble realization is that to remain in the association of devotees and really take advantage of the Kirtan we have to always remain alert to relationships. Otherwise, our inter-personal tensions and conflicts will follow us into the Kirtan and block us from chanting with an open and devotional heart.
Indeed, I find Kirtan a wonderful barometer with which to gage my current standing with the devotees.
Mechanical relationships often equate to mechanical chanting, both individually and congregationally. If we are failing to serve and relate to the Lord’s devotees, how can we expect to swim, splash and dive in ecstatic, spontaneous Kirtan? To really enter into the congregational glorification of the Lord we must become humble, tolerant and respectful as Lord Caitanya recommends.
Seeing my own deficits in these key areas, I wanted to take the opportunity to glorify all the wonderful devotees of Garuda asrama for your pleasure. So often I take devotees for granted and fail to express appreciation. As it is often said, ‘if the fruit of a tree is good, then so is the tree.’ As such, by glorifying your disciples and well-wishers, I am simultaneously glorifying you, who so carefully nurture, inspire, and encourage us to develop real Vaisnava qualities. So with your blessings, let us begin:
1) Khela Tirtha prabhu:
Khela Tirtha has been a very kind friend, big-brother and mentor to me over the last few years. He always offers a patient and sympathetic ear and is happy to selflessly extend himself to help others become more Krishna conscious. Whatever small success I may have experienced on Sankirtan is also largely due to his enthusiastic and encouraging association. His infectious desire to vigorously assist the parampara in saving as many conditioned souls as possible is a great inspiration to us all and we are very grateful to have his association.
2) Hriman Krishna prabhu:
Hriman Krishna works tirelessly in the Lord’s service. As a chief administrator in the asrama he is always facilitating others in their devotional service, often sacrificing his own interests. He never wastes time and is always engaged in so many different ways. He is an expert distributor of Srila Prabhupada’s books and a very dynamic devotee. I look forward to developing a better and better relationship with him as we go on serving together and thank him for tolerating my offenses.
3) Stambha Bhava prabhu:
Prabhu is a real rock in the asrama. I never thought I would have missed his association so much, but when he has been away, on TSK or visiting family, I have really noticed a void, especially in the japa hall. We are all so happy that prabhu has finally been able to join the NZ asrama permanently. Although humble and often quiet externally, his deep, steady commitment inspires us all. A wonderful cook, his exceptional feasts and ‘travel Prasadam’ are often the talk of the asrama. He is also an exceptional class giver, always offering extra insights into the lives of the previous Acaryas and inspiring the devotees with Krishna Katha.
4) Damodar Krishna prabhu:
Damodar Krishna is such a sincere devotee, always looking for ways to improve our team offering. His sadhana and regulation are exemplary as his ‘captain’s log’ testify. Under his guidance we are keeping better and better standards of cleanliness. He is a kind friend and a great inspiration to myself and others.
5) Jayadeva Kavi prabhu:
Prabhu has so many skills and talents! As an expert Kirtan leader, mrdanga player, cook, cultivator and university preacher, Jayadeva always has a busy schedule. He is also a very practical devotee who is always repairing and making items for use in devotional service. He has a very unique sense of humor and is also known as a formidable wrestler.
6) Gadai Gauranga prabhu:
Gadai Gauranga is famous for his ‘fired-up’ Kirtan and enthusiastic chanting of the Holy Name, which completely destroys the mental platform! He is a very kind and sensitive devotee who performs a lot of selfless service. He is also a tolerant room-mate and expert at rising early. He has often finished his rounds before I have even started!
7) Jiva Doya prabhu:
Prabhu is a very lively and animated devotee. He is a great musician and his soulful Kirtan is always relished by the Vaisnavas. As one of the catering managers he is instrumental in the university prasadam distribution. He has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to be around. He is also a thoughtful and health conscious devotee.
8) Subuddhi Raya prabhu:
Prabhu is a very resourceful, practical and steady devotee. A real humble servant, his services may often go unnoticed but are crucial to the smooth running of the asrama. He is also one of the catering managers and a peaceful and pleasant devotee to be around.
9) Gauranga Prema prabhu:
Gauranga Prema is a cheerful devotee and graceful dancer. Famous for producing world class ‘Brahmin spaghetti’ he is popular and gets on with everyone. He also gives well-structured classes and is committed to outreach, being involved in both book and prasadam distribution.
10) Amani Gaura Hari prabhu:
Amani is a very good all rounder with many different abilities. In particular, he is a very solid Sankirtan devotee and cook, often involved with the Garuda asrama Monday feasts. He is also an enthusiastic cultivator and has already helped others to progress in bhakti, including Bhakta Dennis.
11) Baladeva Nitai prabhu:
Our transcendental graphic design wizard, Baladeva Nitai works very hard to help produce the Enough magazine, a project that has been a great success. He is a very humble and sincere Vaisnava who is always well mannered and appreciative.
12) Bhakta Steve:
Bhakta Steve is a fantastic book distributor, easily able to establish rapport with anyone from Chinese students to old farmers. He has a deep appreciation for Krishna Consciousness and is always fresh, enthusiastic and friendly. We all look forward to seeing his initiation at the end of the year.
13) Ananta Naga prabhu:
The transcendental proprietor of Garuda, Ananta Naga prabhu has put in so much time, effort and money into establishing the excellent Garuda asrama facility. A kind, intelligent and gentle devotee we have all relished having his association over the past year or so. He is an expert mrdanga player and has also recently emerged as a superlative Kirtan leader. His absorbing evening Kirtans are so sweet and pure we have all been asking why it is only recently that his talent has been discovered!
14) Nandisvara prabhu:
Although only a temporary resident at Garuda, I wanted to seize the opportunity to glorify prabhu.
Nandi is a very enthusiastic devotee. He is a real Kirtan warrior who loves to hear and chant with the boys; indeed, many are secretly jealous of his powerful dance moves! He is a wonderful example of dove-tailing skills in devotional service and has been instrumental in many key building projects at New Gupta Vraja, New Varshana and Gita Nagari to name but a few. He is a great friend, always expert at ‘churning the nectar’ through deep Krishna conscious discussion.
15) Haridasa Natha prabhu:
Although not necessarily known as a front line book distributor, whilst on Sankirtan I often meet people who know prabhu. Thanks to prabhu’s excellent preaching and personal example, every single contact has been favorably disposed to Krishna Consciousness and taken a book to read. This really goes to show how Sankirtan is such a team effort. He is a very pleasant devotee and we wish him all the best for his new asrama.
16) Bhakta Christian
Bhakta Christian has adapted to asrama life very well since moving in at the start of the year. He is undoubtedly taking up bhakti from a previous life and has already become an expert mrdanga player. He has a real taste for hearing and chanting and we look forward to watching his bhakti career develop further.
So to conclude, I thank you Gurudeva, for assembling such a wonderful group of devotees and allowing me to become inspired and purified in their association.
I thank you and all the devotees for tolerating my mistakes and shortcomings and beg for everyone’s blessings to advance in devotional service.
You often mention that associating properly with devotees is not a material skill. Although I am handicapped by an excessively large false ego, I still beg for your blessings to develop the transcendental intelligence, humility, tolerance, respect, sensitivity, patience, appreciation, gratefulness, empathy and ability to be able to associate properly with the devotees and assist in the smooth running of the asrama.
In this way, I am hoping against hope to one day be granted real entrance into the Kirtan, through your causeless mercy.
Your aspiring servant,
Caitanya Vihara dasa
Caitanya-lila dasa
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Srila Gurudeva, I offer my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet.
On my way driving from Dallas to Houston, one of my few moments out of the 'rat race', I was reflecting on how much some disciples know about their spiritual masters. If you ask them they could probably recite their whole life story.
Yet if you asked me for the same information, I would probably have to Google it.
It made me feel bad, like i'm not a first class disciple.
But then I thought of what I recently read in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Prabhupada says that one's relationship with the spiritual master is about following/serving his instruction.
To me, the beauty of this is that not knowing much about your spiritual master isn't a disqualification, but rather even if one doesn't know anything about his spiritual master simple faith in his words is enough to carry one to the lotus feet of Krsna.
The example of a drowning man is often given as a comparison to our situation in the material world, and the spiritual master is said to be the one reaching out to us from the boat saying 'grab on!'
When you're flapping about in the water, you don't need to know where this person reaching out to you was born. You need only listen to and act on the 'grab on!'
It is remarkable to me, a very fallen conditioned soul, how you can travel endlessly, calling out to everyone you meet to 'grab on!' while being such a strong rock for those that do. Here I am, just trying to hold on, now that I've grabbed on, and finding that to be a difficult task in itself.
Yet that seems to be the mission of the parampara. A long line of life-savers, each holding tightly to the one before. Like a giant tug-of-war against the current of the material energy.
WOW!
And how does one ever repay this debt. Just hold on to those coming after you and encourage those to hold on to the next.
So as I struggle with the little difficulties in my life I am overcome with the realization of how insignificant they are compared to what you struggle with on a daily basis in your efforts to save the conditioned souls. Yet something in me still doesn't fully realize your greatness. You said in one lecture how an aspiring disciple once told you in amazement how he couldn't understand you, and you quipped that it was probably better that way. How would I feel if I truly understood you? Would I be amazed at what the topmost levels of bhakit have to offer? Or would I simply break down and cry when I understand my own lowly position in comparison?
You are an amazing servant of Srila Prabhupada, an amazing example for all your disciples and such a compassionate vaisnava. I pray you will continue to show me mercy and to bear with me as I grow in Krsna consciousness.
Everyday I try my best to serve you.
Everyday I regret not doing enough for you.
Therefore I remain ever your aspiring, indebted servant,
Caitanya-lila dasa.
srimate devamrta swamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Srila Gurudeva, I offer my respectful obeisances unto your lotus feet.
On my way driving from Dallas to Houston, one of my few moments out of the 'rat race', I was reflecting on how much some disciples know about their spiritual masters. If you ask them they could probably recite their whole life story.
Yet if you asked me for the same information, I would probably have to Google it.
It made me feel bad, like i'm not a first class disciple.
But then I thought of what I recently read in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Prabhupada says that one's relationship with the spiritual master is about following/serving his instruction.
To me, the beauty of this is that not knowing much about your spiritual master isn't a disqualification, but rather even if one doesn't know anything about his spiritual master simple faith in his words is enough to carry one to the lotus feet of Krsna.
The example of a drowning man is often given as a comparison to our situation in the material world, and the spiritual master is said to be the one reaching out to us from the boat saying 'grab on!'
When you're flapping about in the water, you don't need to know where this person reaching out to you was born. You need only listen to and act on the 'grab on!'
It is remarkable to me, a very fallen conditioned soul, how you can travel endlessly, calling out to everyone you meet to 'grab on!' while being such a strong rock for those that do. Here I am, just trying to hold on, now that I've grabbed on, and finding that to be a difficult task in itself.
Yet that seems to be the mission of the parampara. A long line of life-savers, each holding tightly to the one before. Like a giant tug-of-war against the current of the material energy.
WOW!
And how does one ever repay this debt. Just hold on to those coming after you and encourage those to hold on to the next.
So as I struggle with the little difficulties in my life I am overcome with the realization of how insignificant they are compared to what you struggle with on a daily basis in your efforts to save the conditioned souls. Yet something in me still doesn't fully realize your greatness. You said in one lecture how an aspiring disciple once told you in amazement how he couldn't understand you, and you quipped that it was probably better that way. How would I feel if I truly understood you? Would I be amazed at what the topmost levels of bhakit have to offer? Or would I simply break down and cry when I understand my own lowly position in comparison?
You are an amazing servant of Srila Prabhupada, an amazing example for all your disciples and such a compassionate vaisnava. I pray you will continue to show me mercy and to bear with me as I grow in Krsna consciousness.
Everyday I try my best to serve you.
Everyday I regret not doing enough for you.
Therefore I remain ever your aspiring, indebted servant,
Caitanya-lila dasa.
Campak Gaur devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All honor and praise to you, on this very special day of your birth in this world.
From deep within my heart, though I fail to adequately grasp and understand all you have done for me, please accept my humble attempt to thank you.
Since the very beginning of my contact with Srila Prabhupada's Krishna consciousness movement, I have felt a connection with you. As even before we officially met, your compassion had touched my life, as it was through your outreaching disciples that I was introduced to the path.
Even though I was a young unqualified girl with little to offer, lacking strength or intelligence, you took me as your responsibility, you cared for me, nurtured me as a father, and guided me as my Guru to grow and make something of my life for Krishna.
I thank you deeply for this, as on my own in the world, making 'my own' decisions I surely believe I would be lost.
You gave me many opportunities to serve Krishna through Atma yoga in Brisbane, and the Bhakti Yoga Wellington Ashram. Though at times it was so difficult for me, and I wanted to run away (and once tried) your love kept me there, you kept me safe.
Now my single ashram days are over, and I regret I have still not offered you any service of much value, You have still blessed me and I'm ever grateful to you.
I thank you that through your mentor/ marriage system, I am married to a sincere kind heart-ed devotee. We are blessed with our son Janardan, who we have the opportunity to raise in Krishna consciousness. I thank you for initiating us into chanting the Lord's Holy Names, and for the encouraging of reading Srila Prabhupada's books.
Now being a house wife and mother of a little baby, I'm so grateful for lectures to listen to, they feed my heart to go on and help to keep my mind above the mundane as I go about my household duties.
If I had been 'directing' my own life, and not come across your outreaching care ten years ago, I know I would not have this situation I am blessed with now.
Though you have given me great opportunities, I ask you on this day to please forgive me for how slow I am advancing on this deep path of love you have offered me. Your mood of serving Lord Caitanya is far far beyond what I can come close to grasping. I fear I fall very short next to the caliber of my God brothers and sisters. I pray one day I shall move beyond the neophyte platform and join you in serving Krishna as an instrument of compassion.
Aspiring to be a proper servant and reciprocal loving daughter,
Campak Gaur devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All honor and praise to you, on this very special day of your birth in this world.
From deep within my heart, though I fail to adequately grasp and understand all you have done for me, please accept my humble attempt to thank you.
Since the very beginning of my contact with Srila Prabhupada's Krishna consciousness movement, I have felt a connection with you. As even before we officially met, your compassion had touched my life, as it was through your outreaching disciples that I was introduced to the path.
Even though I was a young unqualified girl with little to offer, lacking strength or intelligence, you took me as your responsibility, you cared for me, nurtured me as a father, and guided me as my Guru to grow and make something of my life for Krishna.
I thank you deeply for this, as on my own in the world, making 'my own' decisions I surely believe I would be lost.
You gave me many opportunities to serve Krishna through Atma yoga in Brisbane, and the Bhakti Yoga Wellington Ashram. Though at times it was so difficult for me, and I wanted to run away (and once tried) your love kept me there, you kept me safe.
Now my single ashram days are over, and I regret I have still not offered you any service of much value, You have still blessed me and I'm ever grateful to you.
I thank you that through your mentor/ marriage system, I am married to a sincere kind heart-ed devotee. We are blessed with our son Janardan, who we have the opportunity to raise in Krishna consciousness. I thank you for initiating us into chanting the Lord's Holy Names, and for the encouraging of reading Srila Prabhupada's books.
Now being a house wife and mother of a little baby, I'm so grateful for lectures to listen to, they feed my heart to go on and help to keep my mind above the mundane as I go about my household duties.
If I had been 'directing' my own life, and not come across your outreaching care ten years ago, I know I would not have this situation I am blessed with now.
Though you have given me great opportunities, I ask you on this day to please forgive me for how slow I am advancing on this deep path of love you have offered me. Your mood of serving Lord Caitanya is far far beyond what I can come close to grasping. I fear I fall very short next to the caliber of my God brothers and sisters. I pray one day I shall move beyond the neophyte platform and join you in serving Krishna as an instrument of compassion.
Aspiring to be a proper servant and reciprocal loving daughter,
Campak Gaur devi dasi
Candanesvara Das
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
I always wondered why we needed to say the pranam mantra of the spiritual master before we started our chanting? The only answer I knew was to take blessings and get mercy from the spiritual master but I wanted to explore the topic more deeply.
I found a wonderful explanation in a lecture which I would like to share today.
It is said that when we chant we should invite our Guru Maharaj next to us. Bathe his feet, because he has walked a long distance, offer him a seat and offer him a glass of water. After performing abhishek and offering him fresh clothes we can finally start chanting beside him.
Why do we need to do this? Because we cannot chant well alone and we lack devotional feelings. But an acharya like Srila Prabhupada or a pure devotee is full of such devotional feelings. Even though we may lack devotional feelings some shakti comes into us through shakti sanchar and then in association of such great souls chanting becomes easier.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur points out that most religions are executed with 3 motivations:
Fear: if I don't do this I will not get initiated etc.
Hope: We hope that we will have better life and benefit personally.
Sense of duty: people like us perform devotional service out of a sense of duty.
And as we progress in our devotional life, if we don't learn to perform devotional service with taste then we will not be able to perform it for a long time.
This made us realize our actual position. We have always lacked these devotional feelings. You always stress in your lectures that we should perform devotional service not mechanically but to please Krishna. We should continuously try to improve and find new ways to render devotional service. Thank you for these wonderful instructions.
On this auspicious day of your appearance we would like to beg for your blessings and mercy so that we can do devotional service with the right intention and attitude. We would also like to thank you for guiding us in our grihasta ashram and keeping us engaged in the preaching movement of Lord Chaitanya.
Another additional responsibilty that we have from now onwards is towards Narottam. Please bless us so that we can help him become a devotee of Krishna and engage him in service of Sri Sri Radha Ballabha and the vaishnavas.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Candanesvara Das
Suvarna Radhika Dasi
Narottam
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
I always wondered why we needed to say the pranam mantra of the spiritual master before we started our chanting? The only answer I knew was to take blessings and get mercy from the spiritual master but I wanted to explore the topic more deeply.
I found a wonderful explanation in a lecture which I would like to share today.
It is said that when we chant we should invite our Guru Maharaj next to us. Bathe his feet, because he has walked a long distance, offer him a seat and offer him a glass of water. After performing abhishek and offering him fresh clothes we can finally start chanting beside him.
Why do we need to do this? Because we cannot chant well alone and we lack devotional feelings. But an acharya like Srila Prabhupada or a pure devotee is full of such devotional feelings. Even though we may lack devotional feelings some shakti comes into us through shakti sanchar and then in association of such great souls chanting becomes easier.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur points out that most religions are executed with 3 motivations:
Fear: if I don't do this I will not get initiated etc.
Hope: We hope that we will have better life and benefit personally.
Sense of duty: people like us perform devotional service out of a sense of duty.
And as we progress in our devotional life, if we don't learn to perform devotional service with taste then we will not be able to perform it for a long time.
This made us realize our actual position. We have always lacked these devotional feelings. You always stress in your lectures that we should perform devotional service not mechanically but to please Krishna. We should continuously try to improve and find new ways to render devotional service. Thank you for these wonderful instructions.
On this auspicious day of your appearance we would like to beg for your blessings and mercy so that we can do devotional service with the right intention and attitude. We would also like to thank you for guiding us in our grihasta ashram and keeping us engaged in the preaching movement of Lord Chaitanya.
Another additional responsibilty that we have from now onwards is towards Narottam. Please bless us so that we can help him become a devotee of Krishna and engage him in service of Sri Sri Radha Ballabha and the vaishnavas.
Aspiring to be your servants,
Candanesvara Das
Suvarna Radhika Dasi
Narottam
Candīdāsa dāsa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I think about the past year, Visnu-maya and I have had a child, moved to Auckland, and bought a house. It is all quite overwhelming. Throughout all of this you have graciously invited me to attend some of your expertly presented workshops at the Loft. These workshops continue to amaze me. You lay out big questions like:
<ul><li>What to do about the fire of desire?</li>
<li>What is authentic true happiness?</li>
<li>How far are you going to go with your desires?</li>
<li>Why do you desire the way you do?</li>
<li>Are you being controlled by social conditioning?</li>
<li>Should you live life to the fullest?</li></ul>
Next you guide the audience’s discussion in such a way that it eventually becomes clear that no one has a good answer to any of these questions. Then you explain the Krishna conscious solution, a solution hinted at throughout the talk, a solution that deeply affects the audience. Some rebels in each workshop are not ready to hear and remain attached to their conditioned understanding. However, in every workshop I’ve attended about half the audience is visibly shaken, rattled by your words of deep spiritual significance.
You skilfully give contemporary examples of where material civilisation is cracking, it’s illusory foundation providing a phantasmagoria of senses and sensations, taken by all to be the sum and substance of life. Your adroit manoeuvring exposes the illusion for what it is, and jaws drop. Maya’s curtain is momentarily lifted and you quickly offer Krishna to fill the terrifying void.
Certainly, not everyone takes Krishna immediately, but everyone remembers the experience.
Thank you for your expert example of unique skill in presenting Krishna consciousness – pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca. I can only hope to one day follow in your footsteps.
Your servant,
Candīdāsa dāsa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As I think about the past year, Visnu-maya and I have had a child, moved to Auckland, and bought a house. It is all quite overwhelming. Throughout all of this you have graciously invited me to attend some of your expertly presented workshops at the Loft. These workshops continue to amaze me. You lay out big questions like:
<ul><li>What to do about the fire of desire?</li>
<li>What is authentic true happiness?</li>
<li>How far are you going to go with your desires?</li>
<li>Why do you desire the way you do?</li>
<li>Are you being controlled by social conditioning?</li>
<li>Should you live life to the fullest?</li></ul>
Next you guide the audience’s discussion in such a way that it eventually becomes clear that no one has a good answer to any of these questions. Then you explain the Krishna conscious solution, a solution hinted at throughout the talk, a solution that deeply affects the audience. Some rebels in each workshop are not ready to hear and remain attached to their conditioned understanding. However, in every workshop I’ve attended about half the audience is visibly shaken, rattled by your words of deep spiritual significance.
You skilfully give contemporary examples of where material civilisation is cracking, it’s illusory foundation providing a phantasmagoria of senses and sensations, taken by all to be the sum and substance of life. Your adroit manoeuvring exposes the illusion for what it is, and jaws drop. Maya’s curtain is momentarily lifted and you quickly offer Krishna to fill the terrifying void.
Certainly, not everyone takes Krishna immediately, but everyone remembers the experience.
Thank you for your expert example of unique skill in presenting Krishna consciousness – pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca. I can only hope to one day follow in your footsteps.
Your servant,
Candīdāsa dāsa
Chandra Shekar Reddy (Chandu ) LA
Gurur Brahma.! Gurur Vishnu.!!
Gurur Devo Maheshawara.!!! Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma.!!! Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah.!
Gurur Devo Maheshawara.!!! Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma.!!! Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah.!
Charana Renu Dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you, my beloved spiritual master!
It has now been over 15 years since that night. That night in Christchurch, when I walked across town, still recovering from the previous night’s drunken disgraces. I was looking for the Hare Krishna place. I remember it well; I was on a mission, although not fully conscious of what that mission was or why I was on it. Perhaps some higher force was driving me onward, through the streets of Christchurch that night. Or perhaps looking back, nostalgia makes it seem like something more than it really was. Maybe it began as just an ordinary night, like any other. As I walked across town, I don’t suppose I had any idea what was going to happen to me that night, how my life would change course forever. Still, looking back, I can’t help but feel a guiding force, the universe conspiring, or a subconscious will, ushering me toward something beyond anything I could have possibly imagined.
That night when I met you, everything changed and nothing changed. I would no longer be the same, but I would be who I always was and didn’t know it. In becoming my true self, I would leave nothing behind because what I thought was me was merely an illusion. You firmly yet gently pushed me and awoke me to a reality that was always there but forgotten, neglected, avoided. Questioning my beliefs and my identity, you made me think and you made me feel. That night, meeting you was the beginning of being me again, of being truly alive again, but it was just the beginning.
Over these past 15 years, you have continually and patiently helped me to wake up and find my way through the haze of my illusion. You continue to firmly but gently guide me in the right direction, to eternal, blissful truth. You have revealed to me my destination and you have given me all that I need to get there. But most importantly, you inspire me each and every day to keep going. You have revealed to me the highest, sweetest love, the eternal love between Krishna and his devotees. You have introduced me to your beloved Srila Prabhupada, Krishna’s beloved servant. You have given me Krishna’s name and Krishna’s words – my only true shelter in this world.
And what have I done for you? My insignificant service is nothing compared to what you have done for me and for so many others around the world. My praise is inadequate. Have I even fully understood the magnitude, the significance, the depth of your grace?
All I can say is Thank You, Guru Maharaja! All I can do is continue to try my best to repay this impossible debt through sincere service, through my continuous effort to give up all illusion and be who I really am, the servant of the servant of the servant… your servant. And to try my best to do for others what you have done for me.
Your servant, Charana Renu Dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to you, my beloved spiritual master!
It has now been over 15 years since that night. That night in Christchurch, when I walked across town, still recovering from the previous night’s drunken disgraces. I was looking for the Hare Krishna place. I remember it well; I was on a mission, although not fully conscious of what that mission was or why I was on it. Perhaps some higher force was driving me onward, through the streets of Christchurch that night. Or perhaps looking back, nostalgia makes it seem like something more than it really was. Maybe it began as just an ordinary night, like any other. As I walked across town, I don’t suppose I had any idea what was going to happen to me that night, how my life would change course forever. Still, looking back, I can’t help but feel a guiding force, the universe conspiring, or a subconscious will, ushering me toward something beyond anything I could have possibly imagined.
That night when I met you, everything changed and nothing changed. I would no longer be the same, but I would be who I always was and didn’t know it. In becoming my true self, I would leave nothing behind because what I thought was me was merely an illusion. You firmly yet gently pushed me and awoke me to a reality that was always there but forgotten, neglected, avoided. Questioning my beliefs and my identity, you made me think and you made me feel. That night, meeting you was the beginning of being me again, of being truly alive again, but it was just the beginning.
Over these past 15 years, you have continually and patiently helped me to wake up and find my way through the haze of my illusion. You continue to firmly but gently guide me in the right direction, to eternal, blissful truth. You have revealed to me my destination and you have given me all that I need to get there. But most importantly, you inspire me each and every day to keep going. You have revealed to me the highest, sweetest love, the eternal love between Krishna and his devotees. You have introduced me to your beloved Srila Prabhupada, Krishna’s beloved servant. You have given me Krishna’s name and Krishna’s words – my only true shelter in this world.
And what have I done for you? My insignificant service is nothing compared to what you have done for me and for so many others around the world. My praise is inadequate. Have I even fully understood the magnitude, the significance, the depth of your grace?
All I can say is Thank You, Guru Maharaja! All I can do is continue to try my best to repay this impossible debt through sincere service, through my continuous effort to give up all illusion and be who I really am, the servant of the servant of the servant… your servant. And to try my best to do for others what you have done for me.
Your servant, Charana Renu Dasi.
Chirag
Hare Krishna!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It was a stormy Sunday evening in May of 2012. I slowly climbed the stairs at the Loft yoga lounge in Auckland at 5:23 pm to attend a discussion on spirituality from a globe trotting Swami.
Born and brought up in India, the word "Swami" rings a bell of a ritualistic pujari doing havans, chanting sanskrit verses and taking a significant fee and pride in claiming to provide us material benefit through his spiritual powers.
I'm dumbstruck.
It's 8:30 pm. I'm walking back home from the loft. I'm dumbstruck - again.
But this time by the awe, clarity, knowledge, tranquility, humility and love of a pure devotee.
Lord Krishna had bestowed his mercy on this useless soul by giving me the association of Devamitra Swami.
As an empowered spiritual master, Devamitra Swami connected with this lost soul on the material platform according to his level.
Then he used his ocean of spiritual knowledge to lift him from the mode of passion into mode of goodness by his constant association, guidance and love over the past 15 months.
His unique ability to not only rescue lost souls from the burning fire of material existence but also cultivate love for Krishna by giving them the opportunity to engage in Krishna's service according to each individuals situation, skill and desire is transcendental.
It's only because of Krishna's and Devamitra Swami's mercy that I ave started to experience a blissful taste of devotional love towards Krishna.
Additionally, my mother, father, brother and a few friends have also started to chant the holy name. That is the power of associating with a pure devotee.
This lost soul would be trapped in the endless cycle of birth and death without your association Devamitra Swami
Thank you for this opportunity.
Hare Krishna.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It was a stormy Sunday evening in May of 2012. I slowly climbed the stairs at the Loft yoga lounge in Auckland at 5:23 pm to attend a discussion on spirituality from a globe trotting Swami.
Born and brought up in India, the word "Swami" rings a bell of a ritualistic pujari doing havans, chanting sanskrit verses and taking a significant fee and pride in claiming to provide us material benefit through his spiritual powers.
I'm dumbstruck.
It's 8:30 pm. I'm walking back home from the loft. I'm dumbstruck - again.
But this time by the awe, clarity, knowledge, tranquility, humility and love of a pure devotee.
Lord Krishna had bestowed his mercy on this useless soul by giving me the association of Devamitra Swami.
As an empowered spiritual master, Devamitra Swami connected with this lost soul on the material platform according to his level.
Then he used his ocean of spiritual knowledge to lift him from the mode of passion into mode of goodness by his constant association, guidance and love over the past 15 months.
His unique ability to not only rescue lost souls from the burning fire of material existence but also cultivate love for Krishna by giving them the opportunity to engage in Krishna's service according to each individuals situation, skill and desire is transcendental.
It's only because of Krishna's and Devamitra Swami's mercy that I ave started to experience a blissful taste of devotional love towards Krishna.
Additionally, my mother, father, brother and a few friends have also started to chant the holy name. That is the power of associating with a pure devotee.
This lost soul would be trapped in the endless cycle of birth and death without your association Devamitra Swami
Thank you for this opportunity.
Hare Krishna.
Damodara Krsna dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
The guru disciple relationship is not optional; it is essential. The sastras declare this emphatically.
<i>"...The Vedas give the direction tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet: [MU 1.2.12] in order to reach the perfection of life or to understand the real constitutional position of the living entity, one must approach the spiritual master. Gurum evabhigacchet - one must; it is not optional. It is imperative that one approach the spiritual master, for by such association one proportionately develops his consciousness toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The highest perfection of such consciousness is called Krsna consciousness…"</i> SB 4.21.35 purport
Indeed, this relationship is the consistent element behind all spiritual success stories. And naturally, the disciple declares that their success is due to the grace of the guru.
Praying to Lord Narahari, Prahlada affirms the essential nature of this relationship.
<i>"My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But Your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service?"</i> SB 7.9.28
Everything is revealed by the grace of the guru. Prabhupada writes that knowledge of the Absolute Truth is not easy to understand for ordinary, less intelligent persons (like myself); but if the spiritual master is kind to his disciple, however unintelligent the disciple may be, then by the divine grace of the spiritual master everything is revealed (SB 3.25.30 purport).
Your illuminating instructions are of crucial significance to my ability to see things properly, just as the sun is the only luminary in the solar system capable of dissipating the darkness of night.
The sastras explain the intimate relationship between the sense of sight, the eyes and the sun. The power of vision, the eyes, the sun and the objects of sight all become manifest together (SB 2.10.21). All living entities can see only after the manifestation of the sun.
In truth, you light up my life. As the Supersoul manifesting before me bearing the shining lamp of knowledge you dispel my ignorance.
By the grace of Gaurahari, the sun-like personality, HH Devamrita Svami, has travelled far and wide to remote corners of the world like New Zealand, spreading the rays of illuminating divya-jnana.
Weather really affects people's moods. That is something you learn by doing book distribution. Generally speaking, at least here in 'Kiwi-loka', when the sun comes out clearing the sky of long white clouds, then the atmosphere of mirth and merriment is invoked.
Similarly, when you appear in our midst, the effulgence of your personality picks me up, enlivens me and enthuses my bhakti practice. Just as one cannot deny the universal importance of the sun, your power to influence my spiritual life is undeniable.
Gurudeva, you are essential to my life. Whatever spiritual growth I have made I declare to be a product of our relationship; you are my master and I am your servant.
I would have liked to write a beautiful prayer, glorifying you in Bengali or Sanskrit, like the songs of Narottama dasa Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. Sadly I don't know Bengali or Sanskrit and to tell the truth, I can't even speak or write in English properly.
You are worthy of being offered the songs of these acaryas like 'Sri Guru-vandana', 'Gurudeva' and 'Sri Sri Gurv-astaka.' You can't completely hide the greatness of your personality and activities, much as you may try to conceal your divine adventures behind the iron curtain. The Vedic scriptures sing of your character (<i>vede gay jahara carito</i>), revealing the glorious treasure of your association.
You are worthy of honorific titles like 'Srila' but your pure humility doesn't allow us to address you as such. By forbidding your disciples to say 'Srila Gurudeva' however, you have become even more glorious by perfectly demonstrating Vaisnava humility. It is this very humility which indeed makes you worthy of such titles.
The Lord is called uttama-sloka and his devotee is called punya-sloka. Certainly there is purification at the recitation of your holy name and glories. How could I, your insignificant servant, think otherwise? I am thinking, <b>"You are my saviour. My first duty is to serve you. How could I ever leave your service?"</b>
Praying at your lotus feet to develop the qualities of a genuine devotee,
Your servant
Damodara Krsna dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
The guru disciple relationship is not optional; it is essential. The sastras declare this emphatically.
<i>"...The Vedas give the direction tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet: [MU 1.2.12] in order to reach the perfection of life or to understand the real constitutional position of the living entity, one must approach the spiritual master. Gurum evabhigacchet - one must; it is not optional. It is imperative that one approach the spiritual master, for by such association one proportionately develops his consciousness toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The highest perfection of such consciousness is called Krsna consciousness…"</i> SB 4.21.35 purport
Indeed, this relationship is the consistent element behind all spiritual success stories. And naturally, the disciple declares that their success is due to the grace of the guru.
Praying to Lord Narahari, Prahlada affirms the essential nature of this relationship.
<i>"My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But Your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service?"</i> SB 7.9.28
Everything is revealed by the grace of the guru. Prabhupada writes that knowledge of the Absolute Truth is not easy to understand for ordinary, less intelligent persons (like myself); but if the spiritual master is kind to his disciple, however unintelligent the disciple may be, then by the divine grace of the spiritual master everything is revealed (SB 3.25.30 purport).
Your illuminating instructions are of crucial significance to my ability to see things properly, just as the sun is the only luminary in the solar system capable of dissipating the darkness of night.
The sastras explain the intimate relationship between the sense of sight, the eyes and the sun. The power of vision, the eyes, the sun and the objects of sight all become manifest together (SB 2.10.21). All living entities can see only after the manifestation of the sun.
In truth, you light up my life. As the Supersoul manifesting before me bearing the shining lamp of knowledge you dispel my ignorance.
By the grace of Gaurahari, the sun-like personality, HH Devamrita Svami, has travelled far and wide to remote corners of the world like New Zealand, spreading the rays of illuminating divya-jnana.
Weather really affects people's moods. That is something you learn by doing book distribution. Generally speaking, at least here in 'Kiwi-loka', when the sun comes out clearing the sky of long white clouds, then the atmosphere of mirth and merriment is invoked.
Similarly, when you appear in our midst, the effulgence of your personality picks me up, enlivens me and enthuses my bhakti practice. Just as one cannot deny the universal importance of the sun, your power to influence my spiritual life is undeniable.
Gurudeva, you are essential to my life. Whatever spiritual growth I have made I declare to be a product of our relationship; you are my master and I am your servant.
I would have liked to write a beautiful prayer, glorifying you in Bengali or Sanskrit, like the songs of Narottama dasa Thakura, Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. Sadly I don't know Bengali or Sanskrit and to tell the truth, I can't even speak or write in English properly.
You are worthy of being offered the songs of these acaryas like 'Sri Guru-vandana', 'Gurudeva' and 'Sri Sri Gurv-astaka.' You can't completely hide the greatness of your personality and activities, much as you may try to conceal your divine adventures behind the iron curtain. The Vedic scriptures sing of your character (<i>vede gay jahara carito</i>), revealing the glorious treasure of your association.
You are worthy of honorific titles like 'Srila' but your pure humility doesn't allow us to address you as such. By forbidding your disciples to say 'Srila Gurudeva' however, you have become even more glorious by perfectly demonstrating Vaisnava humility. It is this very humility which indeed makes you worthy of such titles.
The Lord is called uttama-sloka and his devotee is called punya-sloka. Certainly there is purification at the recitation of your holy name and glories. How could I, your insignificant servant, think otherwise? I am thinking, <b>"You are my saviour. My first duty is to serve you. How could I ever leave your service?"</b>
Praying at your lotus feet to develop the qualities of a genuine devotee,
Your servant
Damodara Krsna dasa
Dasya- Prema das
Dear Gurudeva,
Obeisances to you from the front, from behind and from all sides! All glories to your divine self, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance on this earth, I wish to make an offering to you. Although laden with faults, I hope you will accept it, just as a mother accepts the stick figure drawing done by an inexperienced child.
The first time a came in contact with Your Holiness was in Dallas in the summer of 2012.
I was a fresh, two- month old bhakta and was traveling with devotees on the warped tour. I remember turning around during mangala- arati and seeing all the devotees dancing in ecstasy, your Holiness dancing in the middle, just like the whorl of a lotus flower. You then gave a class where you shared some of your experiences doing book distribution and preaching behind the iron curtain. I was so inspired!
Unfortunately, that morning I had a big juice stain on my kurta and felt too embarrassed to introduce myself to you, but nonetheless, that was a very significant time in my life. Your lectures became my solace after tough days on sankirtana, or days when I struggled with the mind in general. Although still a stumbling infant in this process of bhakti, I am confident I would not have made it even this far without your guiding words.
Gurudeva, I am so lowly and am being constantly embarrassed by my desire for sense gratification. Amidst all by bad qualities however, I am confident that by following your instructions, even I can get the mercy of Krishna.
You are so expert in knowing the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge and delineating it to others. By your potency you have not only brought so many people to this path personally, but have also empowered so many exalted preachers. The more I hear from Srila Prabhupada and Your Holiness, the more I can see how spot on you are as a representative of the Brahma- Madhva- Gaudiya sampradaya. You’ve taken on so much responsibility in spreading this movement and still you remain ever blissful.
Gurudeva, please shower me with the rain of your mercy. This very fallen and lowly servant of your prays, may I always keep your instructions as my heart and soul.
Aspiring to serve your servants,
Dasya-Prema das
Obeisances to you from the front, from behind and from all sides! All glories to your divine self, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance on this earth, I wish to make an offering to you. Although laden with faults, I hope you will accept it, just as a mother accepts the stick figure drawing done by an inexperienced child.
The first time a came in contact with Your Holiness was in Dallas in the summer of 2012.
I was a fresh, two- month old bhakta and was traveling with devotees on the warped tour. I remember turning around during mangala- arati and seeing all the devotees dancing in ecstasy, your Holiness dancing in the middle, just like the whorl of a lotus flower. You then gave a class where you shared some of your experiences doing book distribution and preaching behind the iron curtain. I was so inspired!
Unfortunately, that morning I had a big juice stain on my kurta and felt too embarrassed to introduce myself to you, but nonetheless, that was a very significant time in my life. Your lectures became my solace after tough days on sankirtana, or days when I struggled with the mind in general. Although still a stumbling infant in this process of bhakti, I am confident I would not have made it even this far without your guiding words.
Gurudeva, I am so lowly and am being constantly embarrassed by my desire for sense gratification. Amidst all by bad qualities however, I am confident that by following your instructions, even I can get the mercy of Krishna.
You are so expert in knowing the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge and delineating it to others. By your potency you have not only brought so many people to this path personally, but have also empowered so many exalted preachers. The more I hear from Srila Prabhupada and Your Holiness, the more I can see how spot on you are as a representative of the Brahma- Madhva- Gaudiya sampradaya. You’ve taken on so much responsibility in spreading this movement and still you remain ever blissful.
Gurudeva, please shower me with the rain of your mercy. This very fallen and lowly servant of your prays, may I always keep your instructions as my heart and soul.
Aspiring to serve your servants,
Dasya-Prema das
David, Wellington Bhakti Lounge
Hare Krishna Davemrita,
I contemplated 2014’s offering and in doing so, Chapter 22 of the 4th Canto came to mind. Knowledge of Lord Krisha is priceless and the joker is one who tries to pay the debt.
It goes without saying that I am unable to re-pay the debt owed by me, to you. At the same an attempt should and must be made. Taking this into consideration, and in submitting 2014’s offering, I find myself relishing the experience and the challenge.
Lord Krishna watches and derives pleasure, from the knowledge that conditioned souls are extracting themselves from maya. Thank you for your service to my fellow devotees and myself. Most of all .............thank you for your service to Lord Krishna! I hope that you derive pleasure from your service.
Please take my offering as a sincere and genuine attempt to make good.
David
I contemplated 2014’s offering and in doing so, Chapter 22 of the 4th Canto came to mind. Knowledge of Lord Krisha is priceless and the joker is one who tries to pay the debt.
It goes without saying that I am unable to re-pay the debt owed by me, to you. At the same an attempt should and must be made. Taking this into consideration, and in submitting 2014’s offering, I find myself relishing the experience and the challenge.
Lord Krishna watches and derives pleasure, from the knowledge that conditioned souls are extracting themselves from maya. Thank you for your service to my fellow devotees and myself. Most of all .............thank you for your service to Lord Krishna! I hope that you derive pleasure from your service.
Please take my offering as a sincere and genuine attempt to make good.
David
Dayalu Gaura Das
Dear Gurudeva.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
all glories to you on your Vyasa Puja.
As your newly Initiated disciple I realize that I have made a formal commitment to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement and the responsibility of making myself ,as you describe, "one should become qualified to actually help people"
The spiritual masters Pride is in seeing the disciple advance in Krsna Consciousness.
By carrying out the spiritual masters instructions one becomes a strong ambassador of good will fully competent to render favorable service to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON.
Bhagavad-Gita 4:35 explains the benefit of rendering favorable service to the spiritual master hearing from him submissively and inquiring from him:
"Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into such illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living beings are but part of the supreme, or, in other words, that they are mine".
This verse truly shows the shining example that you so expertly exhibit as the transient representative of the Guru Parampara.
You so expertly present Krsna Consciousness in such a way that is relevant to the time,place and circumstance, in such a way that many people have taken to Krsna Consciousness.
In the Guru Vandanam prayers by Narottama Das Thakur he explains:
vede gây jâhâra carito
hailed by the scriptures is his character.
Your character simply exemplifies a true vaishnava both in life and in precept.
Aspiring to serve you.
Your Insignificant servant Dayalu Gaura Das.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
all glories to you on your Vyasa Puja.
As your newly Initiated disciple I realize that I have made a formal commitment to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement and the responsibility of making myself ,as you describe, "one should become qualified to actually help people"
The spiritual masters Pride is in seeing the disciple advance in Krsna Consciousness.
By carrying out the spiritual masters instructions one becomes a strong ambassador of good will fully competent to render favorable service to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON.
Bhagavad-Gita 4:35 explains the benefit of rendering favorable service to the spiritual master hearing from him submissively and inquiring from him:
"Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into such illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living beings are but part of the supreme, or, in other words, that they are mine".
This verse truly shows the shining example that you so expertly exhibit as the transient representative of the Guru Parampara.
You so expertly present Krsna Consciousness in such a way that is relevant to the time,place and circumstance, in such a way that many people have taken to Krsna Consciousness.
In the Guru Vandanam prayers by Narottama Das Thakur he explains:
vede gây jâhâra carito
hailed by the scriptures is his character.
Your character simply exemplifies a true vaishnava both in life and in precept.
Aspiring to serve you.
Your Insignificant servant Dayalu Gaura Das.
Dayamaya devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
"When a mantra is chanted by a great devotee, the mantra becomes more powerful. Although the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is powerful in itself, a disciple upon initiation receives the mantra from his spiritual master, for when the mantra is chanted by the spiritual master, it becomes more powerful." - SB 4.24.32
Gurudeva, in your last visit, you instructed me to develop more attachment to chanting of the Holy Name. I feel, through that instruction you have given me everything I need. Its the most valuable, rare, special gift I could ever receive.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I beg that you may empower me to sincerely follow your instruction for your pleasure.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayamaya devi dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
"When a mantra is chanted by a great devotee, the mantra becomes more powerful. Although the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is powerful in itself, a disciple upon initiation receives the mantra from his spiritual master, for when the mantra is chanted by the spiritual master, it becomes more powerful." - SB 4.24.32
Gurudeva, in your last visit, you instructed me to develop more attachment to chanting of the Holy Name. I feel, through that instruction you have given me everything I need. Its the most valuable, rare, special gift I could ever receive.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I beg that you may empower me to sincerely follow your instruction for your pleasure.
Your aspiring servant,
Dayamaya devi dasi.
Dayavira das
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate devamritasvamin iti namine
pracare purva daksam ca bhakti cara pravinata
para tatapi karunam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantasvamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Guru Maharaja,please accept my humble obeisances on this your auspicious appearance day.
All glories Srila Praphupada.
I have been reflecting on the following statement of Srila Prabhupada recently and seeing how your ever day life is a living testimony of the principal of laulyam.
Srila Prabhupada`s deep and powerful purport from NOD Ch 9:
" One should feelingly pray and become eager to render his particular
type of service to the Lord. This is the teaching of all great
devotees, especially Lord Caitanya.
In other words, one should learn how to cry for the Lord. One should
learn this small technique. And he should be very eager and actually
cry to be engaged in some particular type of service. This is called
laulyam and such tears are the price for the highest perfection.
If one develops this laulyam or excessive eagerness for meeting and
serving the Lord in a particular way, that is the price to enter into
the kingdom of God. Otherwise there is no material calculation for the
value of the ticket by which one can enter the kingdom of God.
The only price for such entrance is this laulyam lalasamayi, or desire
and great eagerness. "
Yes the essence! with the appropriate price tag. For us aspiring devotees having only meager faith, the big fear factor muscles its way in between receiving this great gift. Hmm... our natural conditioned state always wants to spread the bets so to speak-half for Krsna & half for material security (not that there is any, at least in theory for a neophyte that is) Hard to see full dependence on divinity unless one is put into a hopeless & desperate state. As The example of our founding Acarya and I`m sure you have your stories to tell Guru Maharaja .Pain is often the gate way to crying out, what to speak at the time of death. Seemingly to be positioned in undivided faith one needs a life time of association with great souls like yourself & through that association be willing to do the need full. I no for myself that I have spent the whole of my short KC time avoiding asking those "deep" questions knowing full well I`m not yet ready for the medicine. (yes this is a sign of my lack of faith in this wonderful KC process) So at least one must try to sincerely practice & associate with elevated souls to gain the qualities needed to advance to this pure platform of spiritual greed.Then surely crossing over this ocean of material anxieties will be just like stepping over a calf's hoof print filled with water. Hare Krsna. Is it not ironic that because it seems like a hopeless situation that this maybe our qualification to receive the highest mercy. Please keep directing your compassionate glance on all us conditioned souls Guru Maharaja, so we to can follow in your lotus foot steps and become greedy for seva.
All glories to Guru and Gauranga.
Your servant, Dayavira das
srimate devamritasvamin iti namine
pracare purva daksam ca bhakti cara pravinata
para tatapi karunam yasya sarve ca te namah
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-prestaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantasvamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Guru Maharaja,please accept my humble obeisances on this your auspicious appearance day.
All glories Srila Praphupada.
I have been reflecting on the following statement of Srila Prabhupada recently and seeing how your ever day life is a living testimony of the principal of laulyam.
Srila Prabhupada`s deep and powerful purport from NOD Ch 9:
" One should feelingly pray and become eager to render his particular
type of service to the Lord. This is the teaching of all great
devotees, especially Lord Caitanya.
In other words, one should learn how to cry for the Lord. One should
learn this small technique. And he should be very eager and actually
cry to be engaged in some particular type of service. This is called
laulyam and such tears are the price for the highest perfection.
If one develops this laulyam or excessive eagerness for meeting and
serving the Lord in a particular way, that is the price to enter into
the kingdom of God. Otherwise there is no material calculation for the
value of the ticket by which one can enter the kingdom of God.
The only price for such entrance is this laulyam lalasamayi, or desire
and great eagerness. "
Yes the essence! with the appropriate price tag. For us aspiring devotees having only meager faith, the big fear factor muscles its way in between receiving this great gift. Hmm... our natural conditioned state always wants to spread the bets so to speak-half for Krsna & half for material security (not that there is any, at least in theory for a neophyte that is) Hard to see full dependence on divinity unless one is put into a hopeless & desperate state. As The example of our founding Acarya and I`m sure you have your stories to tell Guru Maharaja .Pain is often the gate way to crying out, what to speak at the time of death. Seemingly to be positioned in undivided faith one needs a life time of association with great souls like yourself & through that association be willing to do the need full. I no for myself that I have spent the whole of my short KC time avoiding asking those "deep" questions knowing full well I`m not yet ready for the medicine. (yes this is a sign of my lack of faith in this wonderful KC process) So at least one must try to sincerely practice & associate with elevated souls to gain the qualities needed to advance to this pure platform of spiritual greed.Then surely crossing over this ocean of material anxieties will be just like stepping over a calf's hoof print filled with water. Hare Krsna. Is it not ironic that because it seems like a hopeless situation that this maybe our qualification to receive the highest mercy. Please keep directing your compassionate glance on all us conditioned souls Guru Maharaja, so we to can follow in your lotus foot steps and become greedy for seva.
All glories to Guru and Gauranga.
Your servant, Dayavira das
Dhira Siromani Das
Nama Om Vishnu-padaya
Krishna-Preshthaya Bhu-Tale
Srimate Devamrta Swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Om ajnana- timirandhasya jnananjan-salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
On this auspicious day of yours, I would like to offer my most respectful and humble dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
This is the day when I finally realise how limited is the English language to appropriately describe your qualities and magnanimity. All the endeavour of mine seem futile but it is mentioned that glorifying your Guru on Vyasa Puja day brings about own purification. This, furthermore illustrates how selfish I am; that the mindset is to quest for own purification rather than your glorification. Still for your pleasure, please do accept this insignificant attempt of mine.
This year Gurumaharaj has been such a learning curve for me. All these years seem meaningless as compared to this year. By your utmost mercy I got initiated this year although you know it, I was nowhere worthy. When I look back and reflect I can see how krsna has put stepping stones in my life and under your guidance I am just leaping forward. Bearing in mind, your Bhakti bhava seminar, you gave this year where you mentioned how calamities befall devotees even and how we should take out positives from them, I can relate to my personal experience of it. Even during personal darshan you mentioned how I should pray to Radha Vallabha to get the insight of the opportunity that lies in the time of despair. Yet the accident I had and the time away I had from Brahmachari Ashram made me reflect a lot. You also hinted how if I am not able to carry out much of my service I should increase my hearing and chanting and reading. Well Gurumaharaj as you are already aware of my future plan, hopefully by my limited and babyhood attempt, I will try to follow your instructions and concentrate on your guidance. You have been the oasis of my desert like life where downfall awaited me at each and every step. You invested so much energy into this fallen creature and always supported me as a caring father.
This brings about to my mind, the example of Jagai and Madhai who were delivered despite their life consisted of breaking the 4 principles, which was their main business. As pointed out in the lecture of SB 1.2.15 Nityananda prabhu went to deliver them. “First of all, these rascals should be delivered.” Therefore He went there. They were very angry and hurt him by throwing stone on his forehead and blood came out. Still Nityananda Prabhu said, “All right, I don’t mind. Please chant Hare krsna.” This is preaching, Nityānanda. But when Lord Caitanya heard it, He became very angry. He wanted to kill them immediately. So Nityānanda Prabhu requested that "In this incarnation You have promised not to accept any weapons. Please become," I mean to say, "kind upon them." This is the person... This is the business of guru. Guru introduces with God and prays to God, "Please excuse him." This is guru's business.
From this, I can relate it to my own situation. Despite I am constantly falling down your expectation everyday, yet you kindly accepted this rascal as your disciple and took it upon you to guide me. This also illustrates how you are following the footsteps of previous acharyas. It is said that exhaulted personalities look at only good qualities in a person. Usually in this day and age, one can count one's good qualities usually on one finger, still here we are chanting Krsna’s name, relishing Krsna Prasad, reading books about Krsna and serving Krsna in so many ways.
What a wonder. Certainly the mercy of the spiritual master.
It is also said that all the rivers eventually come to the sea and still the ocean does not get shaken. Similarly the impulses and desires will not shake someone if he is under the shelter of the devotees. I wonder how much I am missing that despite you are showering me with your shelter and mercy, I am being mired in the swamps of illusion. On this day of yours Gurudev, I beg for your blessings to be able to at least meditate on your instructions and abide to somehow please you. Due to my own egocentric and stubborn nature, I fail every time. In Guru Gita- Skanda Purana Dialogue between Shiva and Uma (Shakti) it is stated,
Dhyana Moolam Guru Murti
Puja Moolam Gurur Padam,
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam,
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa.
The Guru's form is the best to meditate upon; the Guru's feet are the best for worship, the Guru's word is the mantra; the Guru's Grace is the root of liberation.
With the help of devotees somehow or other, I am still clinging at the bottom of the ladder with great difficulty. I pray for the day when I can atleast be of some service.
Thank you million and millions of times for being so caring towards me.
It could be seen even when I came to pick you up from airport and you did not fail inquire about my health and how also you were concerned about me going to mayapur after my accident. Yet you somehow saw that ardent dream of mine and gave me the green light. Thank you so much.
Aspiring to be at least a servant,
Dhira Siromani Das
Krishna-Preshthaya Bhu-Tale
Srimate Devamrta Swami iti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacara pravinitah
Paratatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Om ajnana- timirandhasya jnananjan-salakaya
Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
On this auspicious day of yours, I would like to offer my most respectful and humble dandavat pranams at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
This is the day when I finally realise how limited is the English language to appropriately describe your qualities and magnanimity. All the endeavour of mine seem futile but it is mentioned that glorifying your Guru on Vyasa Puja day brings about own purification. This, furthermore illustrates how selfish I am; that the mindset is to quest for own purification rather than your glorification. Still for your pleasure, please do accept this insignificant attempt of mine.
This year Gurumaharaj has been such a learning curve for me. All these years seem meaningless as compared to this year. By your utmost mercy I got initiated this year although you know it, I was nowhere worthy. When I look back and reflect I can see how krsna has put stepping stones in my life and under your guidance I am just leaping forward. Bearing in mind, your Bhakti bhava seminar, you gave this year where you mentioned how calamities befall devotees even and how we should take out positives from them, I can relate to my personal experience of it. Even during personal darshan you mentioned how I should pray to Radha Vallabha to get the insight of the opportunity that lies in the time of despair. Yet the accident I had and the time away I had from Brahmachari Ashram made me reflect a lot. You also hinted how if I am not able to carry out much of my service I should increase my hearing and chanting and reading. Well Gurumaharaj as you are already aware of my future plan, hopefully by my limited and babyhood attempt, I will try to follow your instructions and concentrate on your guidance. You have been the oasis of my desert like life where downfall awaited me at each and every step. You invested so much energy into this fallen creature and always supported me as a caring father.
This brings about to my mind, the example of Jagai and Madhai who were delivered despite their life consisted of breaking the 4 principles, which was their main business. As pointed out in the lecture of SB 1.2.15 Nityananda prabhu went to deliver them. “First of all, these rascals should be delivered.” Therefore He went there. They were very angry and hurt him by throwing stone on his forehead and blood came out. Still Nityananda Prabhu said, “All right, I don’t mind. Please chant Hare krsna.” This is preaching, Nityānanda. But when Lord Caitanya heard it, He became very angry. He wanted to kill them immediately. So Nityānanda Prabhu requested that "In this incarnation You have promised not to accept any weapons. Please become," I mean to say, "kind upon them." This is the person... This is the business of guru. Guru introduces with God and prays to God, "Please excuse him." This is guru's business.
From this, I can relate it to my own situation. Despite I am constantly falling down your expectation everyday, yet you kindly accepted this rascal as your disciple and took it upon you to guide me. This also illustrates how you are following the footsteps of previous acharyas. It is said that exhaulted personalities look at only good qualities in a person. Usually in this day and age, one can count one's good qualities usually on one finger, still here we are chanting Krsna’s name, relishing Krsna Prasad, reading books about Krsna and serving Krsna in so many ways.
What a wonder. Certainly the mercy of the spiritual master.
It is also said that all the rivers eventually come to the sea and still the ocean does not get shaken. Similarly the impulses and desires will not shake someone if he is under the shelter of the devotees. I wonder how much I am missing that despite you are showering me with your shelter and mercy, I am being mired in the swamps of illusion. On this day of yours Gurudev, I beg for your blessings to be able to at least meditate on your instructions and abide to somehow please you. Due to my own egocentric and stubborn nature, I fail every time. In Guru Gita- Skanda Purana Dialogue between Shiva and Uma (Shakti) it is stated,
Dhyana Moolam Guru Murti
Puja Moolam Gurur Padam,
Mantra Moolam Gurur Vakyam,
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa.
The Guru's form is the best to meditate upon; the Guru's feet are the best for worship, the Guru's word is the mantra; the Guru's Grace is the root of liberation.
With the help of devotees somehow or other, I am still clinging at the bottom of the ladder with great difficulty. I pray for the day when I can atleast be of some service.
Thank you million and millions of times for being so caring towards me.
It could be seen even when I came to pick you up from airport and you did not fail inquire about my health and how also you were concerned about me going to mayapur after my accident. Yet you somehow saw that ardent dream of mine and gave me the green light. Thank you so much.
Aspiring to be at least a servant,
Dhira Siromani Das
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Hare Krsna Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your most auspicious appearance
Gurudev, You are the perfect master who is teaching by Your personal example how to spread glories of Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana with humility and determination.
You have taken instructions of Srila Prabhupada to Your heart and repeating them to us, Your disciples As It Is.
evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
BG 4.2
Gurudev, You have absorbed the mood of Srila Prabhupada. His Mood of Compassion for fallen souls of Kaliyuga and Selflessness.
For steady growth in Bhakti life, You always emphasize on attentive chanting, regular study of Srila Prabhupada’s books. You also stress on the significance of distributing this transcendental literature and engaging others in this transcendental activity.
At few occasions You share Your own inspirations and experiences of distributing these books. I heard about one recently in a discourse where You had two vans, one packed with about 16000 books and other with some devotees to smuggle books behind Iron curtain areas of Europe. By Your strong desire and Krsna’s mercy You managed to do that even at the cost of risking Your life.
Once You mentioned one thing You told yourself “I may live or die, but Srila Prabhupada’s books must go on”. Such is Your determination to do anything to please Srila Prabhupada. You took all the risks to save conditioned souls in most difficult situations in Eastern Europe. Gurudev, You are drdha vrata dhara, determined.
I can’t even imagine the depth of enthusiasm and dedication You have to do such things.
You humbly say when someone compliment You in discourse “We are trying our best to please Srila Prabhupada”.
Srila Prabhuapda gives a definition of enthusiasm in Updesamrita
It is endeavour with intelligence. You encourage us to tax our brains, intelligence to present Krsna consciousness in various attractive ways. Seeing us taking small steps, You also give us full support to go the distance.
You are so deeply connected to Srila Prabhupada and especially through his books. This is what makes You such an attractive person.
At one occasion You mentioned of Srila Prabhupada saying “One can know me more by reading my books than personally associating with me”. My appreciation of Srila Prabhupada’s books has increased many times more by hearing such statements.
nṛ-deham ādyaḿ su-labhaḿ su-durlabhaḿ
plavaḿ su-kalpaḿ guru-karṇadhāram
mayānukūlena nabhasvateritaḿ
pumān bhavābdhiḿ na taret sa ātma-hā
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.20.17
Gurudev, You are a perfect captain (karṇa-dhāram) of the Boat of our human bodies/ lives. Your instructions coming in disciplic succession from Lord Krsna are the favorable winds propelling this boat towards the ultimate destination Krsna.
We simply have to follow Your instructions and make them our life and soul following in Your footsteps. Doing this only will keep us on this transcendental journey and purify us of this material existence.
I am very grateful to You for engaging me in full time service and offering an opportunity to taste this transcendental nectar of Devotional Service.
Stating the importance of Srila Prabhupada’s books, You once described the famous pastime of Srila Prabhupada being under Quarantine for 2 days. His assistant forgot his yellow card and they had to wait for it to come. Srila Prabhupada mentioned to the servant devotee “I never wanted to come to this world. Krsna ordered me to come here and write these books. You just write these books and everything else will be fine”.
At another occasion some journalist asked Srila Prabhupada some questions about his writings. Srila Prabhupada emphatically mentioned that Krsna himself directed him in writing these books.
These are purely transcendental books, not of this material world and they can make anyone who come in contact with them a completely transcendental person. Certainly Your emphasis on study and distribution of his books is very much in line with the mood of Srila Prabhupada. You also said “One who study these books will naturally be enthused to distribute them to others”.
Srila Vyasadev was instructed by Srila Narada to write Srimad Bhagavatam and similarly Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraj Goswami got personal direction from Sri Madan Mohan deity to write Sri Caitanya Caritamrita. This is transcendental technology of Parampara. It is far beyond limited understanding of material scientists and persons of the modern world.
7th purpose of ISKCON also states the importance of distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books to achieve all other 6 purposes of ISKCON.
You are always establishing the position of Srila Prabhupada as Founder Acharya by emphasizing on mass distribution of his books.
To answer my inquiry for increasing book distribution in marathon, You blessed me by saying “Let daily healtfelt and attentive japa power Your outreach”. Thank You for enlivening us by such instructions.
First instruction I received from You was read Bhagavad Gita. Little did I know then that this is the book I will distribute for rest of my life.
Guru Maharaj, You are tattva-darśinaḥ, one who can see the truth. Your instructions are very deep and yet simple.
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaḿ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 4.34
Srila Prabhupada states in purport to this verse that, “The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult”. Further he explains “A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple”.
Submission to spiritual master, rendering menial service to him and making proper inquires pleases the spiritual master. This makes the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries between master and disciple perfect.
You advised me to be patient and determined and perform devotional service by following the authority. Brahmacari means humble servant so do whatever is asked by the authority.
At few occasions I did not perform service as per my authorities and found myself in a difficult situation.
I did realize being a conditioned soul living in the material world, it is not always easy to remember and carry Your instructions.
To correct my inappropriate behavior, You responded by not responding. I felt great distress then. I realized how insignificant I am. I realized the importance of following the authority always and not acting independently.
Later when You saw me repentant and behaving properly, again You expressed Your affection by inspiring words. This is simply Your kindness.
Srila Bhaktivinoda sings in the song Gopinath
gopinath, sakali tomara maya
nahi mama bala, jnana sunirmala,
swadhina nahe e kaya
O Gopinath, everything here is Your illusory energy. I have no strength or transcendental knowledge, and this body of mine is not independent and free from the control of material nature.
This prayer suits me so well.
You are very loving and caring. Many times You give us personal intstructions and other times You may not say anything. Sometimes when there is a need You also chastise us like a caring father for our benefit. Thank you for correcting me again.
Living in temple environment I am learning the culture of respecting all living entities. Working with different devotees as part of my service at temple, I realize how much more qualified most devotees are than me. I do find it difficult to accept though. As a result humility is becoming known to me too and my appreciation for them is increasing.
You are Sadhu vaidya, devotee surgeon.
You very expertly take out the cataract of illusion from our eyes and fill them with Bhakti vision.
Lord Brahma sings very beautifully about this Bhakti vision in Sri Brahma-samhita 5.38
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santah sadaiva hridayeshu vilokayanti
yam syamasundaram acintya-guna-svarupam
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami
In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains:
The eye of devotion is nothing but the eye of the pure unalloyed spiritual self of the jiva. The form of Krishna is visible to that eye in proportion to its purification by the practice of devotion. When the devotion of the neophyte reaches the stage of bhava-bhakti the pure eye of that devotee is tinged with the salve of love by the grace of Krishna, which enables him to see Krishna face to face. The phrase "in their hearts" means Krishna is visible in proportion as their hearts are purified by the practice of devotion. The sum and substance of this sloka is that the form of Krishna, who is Syamasundara, Natavara (Best Dancer), Muralidhara (Holder of the Flute) and Tribhanga (Triple-bending), is not a mental concoction but is transcendental, and is visible with the eye of the soul of the devotee under trance.
You are very compassionately bestowing this Bhakti vision which Lord Brahma sings about.
All glories to You on this most auspicious day of Your appearance.
Desiring to become a completely surrendered servant of Your servants.
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Your most auspicious appearance
Gurudev, You are the perfect master who is teaching by Your personal example how to spread glories of Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana with humility and determination.
You have taken instructions of Srila Prabhupada to Your heart and repeating them to us, Your disciples As It Is.
evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
BG 4.2
Gurudev, You have absorbed the mood of Srila Prabhupada. His Mood of Compassion for fallen souls of Kaliyuga and Selflessness.
For steady growth in Bhakti life, You always emphasize on attentive chanting, regular study of Srila Prabhupada’s books. You also stress on the significance of distributing this transcendental literature and engaging others in this transcendental activity.
At few occasions You share Your own inspirations and experiences of distributing these books. I heard about one recently in a discourse where You had two vans, one packed with about 16000 books and other with some devotees to smuggle books behind Iron curtain areas of Europe. By Your strong desire and Krsna’s mercy You managed to do that even at the cost of risking Your life.
Once You mentioned one thing You told yourself “I may live or die, but Srila Prabhupada’s books must go on”. Such is Your determination to do anything to please Srila Prabhupada. You took all the risks to save conditioned souls in most difficult situations in Eastern Europe. Gurudev, You are drdha vrata dhara, determined.
I can’t even imagine the depth of enthusiasm and dedication You have to do such things.
You humbly say when someone compliment You in discourse “We are trying our best to please Srila Prabhupada”.
Srila Prabhuapda gives a definition of enthusiasm in Updesamrita
It is endeavour with intelligence. You encourage us to tax our brains, intelligence to present Krsna consciousness in various attractive ways. Seeing us taking small steps, You also give us full support to go the distance.
You are so deeply connected to Srila Prabhupada and especially through his books. This is what makes You such an attractive person.
At one occasion You mentioned of Srila Prabhupada saying “One can know me more by reading my books than personally associating with me”. My appreciation of Srila Prabhupada’s books has increased many times more by hearing such statements.
nṛ-deham ādyaḿ su-labhaḿ su-durlabhaḿ
plavaḿ su-kalpaḿ guru-karṇadhāram
mayānukūlena nabhasvateritaḿ
pumān bhavābdhiḿ na taret sa ātma-hā
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.20.17
Gurudev, You are a perfect captain (karṇa-dhāram) of the Boat of our human bodies/ lives. Your instructions coming in disciplic succession from Lord Krsna are the favorable winds propelling this boat towards the ultimate destination Krsna.
We simply have to follow Your instructions and make them our life and soul following in Your footsteps. Doing this only will keep us on this transcendental journey and purify us of this material existence.
I am very grateful to You for engaging me in full time service and offering an opportunity to taste this transcendental nectar of Devotional Service.
Stating the importance of Srila Prabhupada’s books, You once described the famous pastime of Srila Prabhupada being under Quarantine for 2 days. His assistant forgot his yellow card and they had to wait for it to come. Srila Prabhupada mentioned to the servant devotee “I never wanted to come to this world. Krsna ordered me to come here and write these books. You just write these books and everything else will be fine”.
At another occasion some journalist asked Srila Prabhupada some questions about his writings. Srila Prabhupada emphatically mentioned that Krsna himself directed him in writing these books.
These are purely transcendental books, not of this material world and they can make anyone who come in contact with them a completely transcendental person. Certainly Your emphasis on study and distribution of his books is very much in line with the mood of Srila Prabhupada. You also said “One who study these books will naturally be enthused to distribute them to others”.
Srila Vyasadev was instructed by Srila Narada to write Srimad Bhagavatam and similarly Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraj Goswami got personal direction from Sri Madan Mohan deity to write Sri Caitanya Caritamrita. This is transcendental technology of Parampara. It is far beyond limited understanding of material scientists and persons of the modern world.
7th purpose of ISKCON also states the importance of distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books to achieve all other 6 purposes of ISKCON.
You are always establishing the position of Srila Prabhupada as Founder Acharya by emphasizing on mass distribution of his books.
To answer my inquiry for increasing book distribution in marathon, You blessed me by saying “Let daily healtfelt and attentive japa power Your outreach”. Thank You for enlivening us by such instructions.
First instruction I received from You was read Bhagavad Gita. Little did I know then that this is the book I will distribute for rest of my life.
Guru Maharaj, You are tattva-darśinaḥ, one who can see the truth. Your instructions are very deep and yet simple.
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaḿ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 4.34
Srila Prabhupada states in purport to this verse that, “The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult”. Further he explains “A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple”.
Submission to spiritual master, rendering menial service to him and making proper inquires pleases the spiritual master. This makes the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries between master and disciple perfect.
You advised me to be patient and determined and perform devotional service by following the authority. Brahmacari means humble servant so do whatever is asked by the authority.
At few occasions I did not perform service as per my authorities and found myself in a difficult situation.
I did realize being a conditioned soul living in the material world, it is not always easy to remember and carry Your instructions.
To correct my inappropriate behavior, You responded by not responding. I felt great distress then. I realized how insignificant I am. I realized the importance of following the authority always and not acting independently.
Later when You saw me repentant and behaving properly, again You expressed Your affection by inspiring words. This is simply Your kindness.
Srila Bhaktivinoda sings in the song Gopinath
gopinath, sakali tomara maya
nahi mama bala, jnana sunirmala,
swadhina nahe e kaya
O Gopinath, everything here is Your illusory energy. I have no strength or transcendental knowledge, and this body of mine is not independent and free from the control of material nature.
This prayer suits me so well.
You are very loving and caring. Many times You give us personal intstructions and other times You may not say anything. Sometimes when there is a need You also chastise us like a caring father for our benefit. Thank you for correcting me again.
Living in temple environment I am learning the culture of respecting all living entities. Working with different devotees as part of my service at temple, I realize how much more qualified most devotees are than me. I do find it difficult to accept though. As a result humility is becoming known to me too and my appreciation for them is increasing.
You are Sadhu vaidya, devotee surgeon.
You very expertly take out the cataract of illusion from our eyes and fill them with Bhakti vision.
Lord Brahma sings very beautifully about this Bhakti vision in Sri Brahma-samhita 5.38
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santah sadaiva hridayeshu vilokayanti
yam syamasundaram acintya-guna-svarupam
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami
In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains:
The eye of devotion is nothing but the eye of the pure unalloyed spiritual self of the jiva. The form of Krishna is visible to that eye in proportion to its purification by the practice of devotion. When the devotion of the neophyte reaches the stage of bhava-bhakti the pure eye of that devotee is tinged with the salve of love by the grace of Krishna, which enables him to see Krishna face to face. The phrase "in their hearts" means Krishna is visible in proportion as their hearts are purified by the practice of devotion. The sum and substance of this sloka is that the form of Krishna, who is Syamasundara, Natavara (Best Dancer), Muralidhara (Holder of the Flute) and Tribhanga (Triple-bending), is not a mental concoction but is transcendental, and is visible with the eye of the soul of the devotee under trance.
You are very compassionately bestowing this Bhakti vision which Lord Brahma sings about.
All glories to You on this most auspicious day of Your appearance.
Desiring to become a completely surrendered servant of Your servants.
Dhira-Lalita Dasa
Dhirabhakta Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you on this special day of your appearance.
Were would I be without the shelter of your lotus feet, were would I be without your guidance and direction, what would I be doing if it wasn't for your instructions?
During your latest UK visit their was great sadness at Bhaktivadanta Manor the feeling of neglect and separation in hearing your wonderful class and direction the inspiration in distributing your guru maharajas own books, the diligence in keeping it real with practical guidance on how to increase our desire to read and hear about Krishna and to serve others.
It is for me anyway easy to become neglectful forgetting how fortunate one is having the shelter of such an amazing and tolerant servant as yourself; dedication and focused on keeping each and every one of your disciples and aspiring disciples enthusiastic in our own service.
Words are inadequate as always to express the feelings one has, remaining humbled and inspired and with immense gratitude for being under the shelter of one such as you.
Thank you
Yours Humbly
Dhirabhakta Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you on this special day of your appearance.
Were would I be without the shelter of your lotus feet, were would I be without your guidance and direction, what would I be doing if it wasn't for your instructions?
During your latest UK visit their was great sadness at Bhaktivadanta Manor the feeling of neglect and separation in hearing your wonderful class and direction the inspiration in distributing your guru maharajas own books, the diligence in keeping it real with practical guidance on how to increase our desire to read and hear about Krishna and to serve others.
It is for me anyway easy to become neglectful forgetting how fortunate one is having the shelter of such an amazing and tolerant servant as yourself; dedication and focused on keeping each and every one of your disciples and aspiring disciples enthusiastic in our own service.
Words are inadequate as always to express the feelings one has, remaining humbled and inspired and with immense gratitude for being under the shelter of one such as you.
Thank you
Yours Humbly
Dhirabhakta Das
Dhruvananda Dasa
Dear Gurudeva
PAMHO AGTSP
I don’t have nice prayers to offer you and I have nothing important to report so I will just share a quick update of what we are up to and some words of gratitude for my training.
• My university education is progressing.
• Friends we make at uni are invited to kirtan and discussions at our house (now living on the Gold Coast, close to uni).
• Hanuman house youth program has established a clubhouse at New Govardhan and we are having regular meetings there.
• My daughter is learning quickly and loves kirtan.
• We are looking forward to celebrating your vyasapuja with godfamily very soon.
Thank you very much for the training I received in the ashram. It has played a major part in sculpting who I am today and tinges of it influence every person I meet. I hope my plans unfold in favour of Krishna consciousness and I someday become a useful servant of Gauranga's Mission!
Ys
Dhruvananda D
Dhanesvari DD &
Suryani Dayalu
PAMHO AGTSP
I don’t have nice prayers to offer you and I have nothing important to report so I will just share a quick update of what we are up to and some words of gratitude for my training.
• My university education is progressing.
• Friends we make at uni are invited to kirtan and discussions at our house (now living on the Gold Coast, close to uni).
• Hanuman house youth program has established a clubhouse at New Govardhan and we are having regular meetings there.
• My daughter is learning quickly and loves kirtan.
• We are looking forward to celebrating your vyasapuja with godfamily very soon.
Thank you very much for the training I received in the ashram. It has played a major part in sculpting who I am today and tinges of it influence every person I meet. I hope my plans unfold in favour of Krishna consciousness and I someday become a useful servant of Gauranga's Mission!
Ys
Dhruvananda D
Dhanesvari DD &
Suryani Dayalu
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
I wrote this poem in glorification of how you lead us.
All is silent
as the moon
See the conductor rise
Eyes blind
in concentration
til his movement starts the tide
Then, cue
the cry of sankirtan
Boom! Resound the drums
Hearts echo
the vibration
His vision does become
He sets the tempo
as we all follow
inspired by his beat
Each section responds
devotionally
fixed on his lotus feet
A gesture invites
an individual
coming to the fore
Guides the group
in unison
shaping the ensemble more
Lord Caitanya’s
orchestra
sees Krishna through his eyes
A world beyond
its notes
where the music comes alive
A maestro
he represents to us
the melody at its best
This Vaisnava
conductor leads
by whom we have been blest
Your servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you.
I wrote this poem in glorification of how you lead us.
All is silent
as the moon
See the conductor rise
Eyes blind
in concentration
til his movement starts the tide
Then, cue
the cry of sankirtan
Boom! Resound the drums
Hearts echo
the vibration
His vision does become
He sets the tempo
as we all follow
inspired by his beat
Each section responds
devotionally
fixed on his lotus feet
A gesture invites
an individual
coming to the fore
Guides the group
in unison
shaping the ensemble more
Lord Caitanya’s
orchestra
sees Krishna through his eyes
A world beyond
its notes
where the music comes alive
A maestro
he represents to us
the melody at its best
This Vaisnava
conductor leads
by whom we have been blest
Your servant,
Dina Dayala devi dasi
Divya Jnana dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Your Vyasa-puja day is an opportunity to meditate on how you mercifully gave Krsna to us. My effort to express my gratitude is insufficient. You have sacrificed your entire life to help us cultivate and perfect spiritual life.
As I look back over the years and consider how I have met you, I get some glimpse of your causeless mercy and how thankful I am for that.
Srila Prabhupada explains the nature of the debt owed to the spiritual master is such that if you pay back five dollars, you realize that actually you owe ten. When you attempt to pay back the ten, then you realize you owe twenty. I realize I have done little to repay the debt I owe you and hope that I can keep trying by continuing to serve you.
May I always feel indebted and some day become a useful servant.
Your servant
Divya Jnana dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Your Vyasa-puja day is an opportunity to meditate on how you mercifully gave Krsna to us. My effort to express my gratitude is insufficient. You have sacrificed your entire life to help us cultivate and perfect spiritual life.
As I look back over the years and consider how I have met you, I get some glimpse of your causeless mercy and how thankful I am for that.
Srila Prabhupada explains the nature of the debt owed to the spiritual master is such that if you pay back five dollars, you realize that actually you owe ten. When you attempt to pay back the ten, then you realize you owe twenty. I realize I have done little to repay the debt I owe you and hope that I can keep trying by continuing to serve you.
May I always feel indebted and some day become a useful servant.
Your servant
Divya Jnana dasa
Dvaraka Puri
Guru deva please accept my most humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Devamrita Swami
I wish to offer prayers and blessings for your continued protection and guidance as you devote your life to ensuring salvation for so many souls.
In the holy scriptures (11th Canto SB, Ch 3, v21) it is written that any person seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bona-fide spiritual master and take shelter of him through initiation.
I am sincerely grateful, Guru Maharaja, that , with Krishna's blessings, I have stumbled upon you. I know that you endure much hardship for the salvation of your devotees and I feel humbled and blessed to have you in my life. Accepting you as my spiritual master has impacted significantly on my life and, as a consequence, the lives of those I interact with.
I pray for your continued protection as you work selflessly to guide others towards a God centred way of living.
May your days ahead be richly blessed!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Devamrita Swami
I wish to offer prayers and blessings for your continued protection and guidance as you devote your life to ensuring salvation for so many souls.
In the holy scriptures (11th Canto SB, Ch 3, v21) it is written that any person seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bona-fide spiritual master and take shelter of him through initiation.
I am sincerely grateful, Guru Maharaja, that , with Krishna's blessings, I have stumbled upon you. I know that you endure much hardship for the salvation of your devotees and I feel humbled and blessed to have you in my life. Accepting you as my spiritual master has impacted significantly on my life and, as a consequence, the lives of those I interact with.
I pray for your continued protection as you work selflessly to guide others towards a God centred way of living.
May your days ahead be richly blessed!
Dvija Pitambar dasa
Hare Krishna Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I feel myself completely unqualified in my attempt to glorify your holiness who has unlimited good qualities. However, for the purpose of my purification here is my humble offering in your glorification.
One of the good quality of a Vaisnava, as described by Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja in Adi-Lila of Chaitanya Charitamrta, is that he is expert. Here are some of your qualities that I really admire in your holiness:
- Delivery of nectar classes that simply keep getting better and better,
- Explanations on many verses which are so relevant to the context,
- Making the pastimes described in the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam very relevant and practical which demonstrate your realizations,
- Detail explanations on the pastimes which demonstrate your absorption in the sastras,
- Your specialization in spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada in most contemporary way.
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam verses 11.19.40-45,
"Our actual friend in life is the bona fide spiritual master, who saves us from all dangers." Many lives I have spent trying to serve false masters. Proof of that is I am still in this world. However, from now on I wish to serve you life after life in whichever way you want me to serve you. However, I am a great fool and doesn't know how to serve devotees and henceforth I commit so many mistakes while engaged in devotional service. I kindly request you to forgive and correct them so I may get purified and serve you better in future.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Dvija Pitambar dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I feel myself completely unqualified in my attempt to glorify your holiness who has unlimited good qualities. However, for the purpose of my purification here is my humble offering in your glorification.
One of the good quality of a Vaisnava, as described by Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja in Adi-Lila of Chaitanya Charitamrta, is that he is expert. Here are some of your qualities that I really admire in your holiness:
- Delivery of nectar classes that simply keep getting better and better,
- Explanations on many verses which are so relevant to the context,
- Making the pastimes described in the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam very relevant and practical which demonstrate your realizations,
- Detail explanations on the pastimes which demonstrate your absorption in the sastras,
- Your specialization in spreading the teachings of Srila Prabhupada in most contemporary way.
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam verses 11.19.40-45,
"Our actual friend in life is the bona fide spiritual master, who saves us from all dangers." Many lives I have spent trying to serve false masters. Proof of that is I am still in this world. However, from now on I wish to serve you life after life in whichever way you want me to serve you. However, I am a great fool and doesn't know how to serve devotees and henceforth I commit so many mistakes while engaged in devotional service. I kindly request you to forgive and correct them so I may get purified and serve you better in future.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Dvija Pitambar dasa
Ekatma Gaur Das
Nama Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna Presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Every year we see that how skillfully you follow and spread the knowledge of the sastra.
Following the Nectar of Devotion, you take the basic principles of devotional service and present them in detail in a unique way, as per the time, place and circumstance, so that the people in general can understand and practice them.
Your art of doing things differently is what is appealing and attractive to any generation of audience you preach to.
Similar to what Srila Prabhupada did and showed to all of us.
Even though I am not qualified to get your mercy, because of millions of anarthas and attachments to this material world, I am fortunate that you have accepted me as your disciple, hopefully one day I can fully understand this and be serious in devotional service.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, Gurudev, I beg for your guidance so that I can place myself in the steady path of spiritual development.
Gurudev, I pray at the lotus feet of Narasimha Dev to give you a long and healthy life so that you can fulfil the only desire you have in your life time, i.e., to please Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your useful servant
Ekatma Gaur Das
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Every year we see that how skillfully you follow and spread the knowledge of the sastra.
Following the Nectar of Devotion, you take the basic principles of devotional service and present them in detail in a unique way, as per the time, place and circumstance, so that the people in general can understand and practice them.
Your art of doing things differently is what is appealing and attractive to any generation of audience you preach to.
Similar to what Srila Prabhupada did and showed to all of us.
Even though I am not qualified to get your mercy, because of millions of anarthas and attachments to this material world, I am fortunate that you have accepted me as your disciple, hopefully one day I can fully understand this and be serious in devotional service.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, Gurudev, I beg for your guidance so that I can place myself in the steady path of spiritual development.
Gurudev, I pray at the lotus feet of Narasimha Dev to give you a long and healthy life so that you can fulfil the only desire you have in your life time, i.e., to please Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your useful servant
Ekatma Gaur Das
Emma, from Auckland (lacrosse)
Dear Devamrita Swami,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna!
I am filled with unending gratitude for the advice and sincere care you have shown me since the very first day I came to your workshop at the loft. I find that every instruction and piece of advice you've given me has somehow taken complete priority in my life. There are things that I've been trying to do, old habits that I was struggling to give up, but once you gave me the instruction they became easy. For this I am ever in your debt. You have shown me that there is meaning to life, and through your causeless mercy you are giving me the tools for spiritual development. This spirit soul, so bewildered by false ego and pride is humbled every time I come into your presence. I can only beg for your causeless mercy, that someday through to your own expert guidance I may be further humbled, to fully surrender to your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant,
Emma, from Auckland (lacrosse)
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna!
I am filled with unending gratitude for the advice and sincere care you have shown me since the very first day I came to your workshop at the loft. I find that every instruction and piece of advice you've given me has somehow taken complete priority in my life. There are things that I've been trying to do, old habits that I was struggling to give up, but once you gave me the instruction they became easy. For this I am ever in your debt. You have shown me that there is meaning to life, and through your causeless mercy you are giving me the tools for spiritual development. This spirit soul, so bewildered by false ego and pride is humbled every time I come into your presence. I can only beg for your causeless mercy, that someday through to your own expert guidance I may be further humbled, to fully surrender to your lotus feet.
Your aspiring servant,
Emma, from Auckland (lacrosse)
French Emma
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance,
When I first hit the tip of the Krishna consciousness iceberg, I had not a single idea of the immensity of what I was about to discover. It is often said that there is two sides to everything, especially in the material world and very much in the beginning journey of self-realization.
I have already got well shaken by the first tiny steps of discovering spirituality and now that I am slowly realizing the other side, I can only be overwhelmed by what is waiting for me.
Hitting the iceberg, not only did I discover that such a movement could exist, such nice devotees, such intelligent people, such a philosophy, but also did I become aware of who I really was. Looking back on myself, I understood how insanely impure and demoniac I was. This is quite an indescribable feeling, realizing almost at the same time the problem and its solution. It very much seems too good to be true!
That is why I am so immensely thankful to you Gurudeva. I know that all this, I owe it to you and the amount of work and energy you have put into getting centers like The Loft going around the world. I am so thankful that the opportunity exists and was presented to me through that soft way, so my proud ego would not quickly turn away...
I am extremely thankful that the availability to do service was there, such a great luck and hand given to get closer to Krishna.
I can feel the standard you have set through your disciples. They are such good examples and persons I want to learn from. I know how much you have impacted their lives because their love for you is very pure and touching. The mercy and the values you bestowed on them are obvious, and now they are even open and willing to hang out with me, waste their precious time on me, give me some service to do, even though I am the worst of association and the worst of servants. Having such a great attitude, they must have learned from an amazing spiritual master.
Again dear Gurudeva, thank you, for taking special time within your busy schedule to talk to us every time you come for a visit, for giving us advice, classes and talks.
Thank you for having taken onto Krishna consciousness, simply. You are such a good representative of Sri Krishna and we need people like you, merciful, full of qualities, tolerant, patient, progressive, willing. Everything you have done makes it so much easier for spoiled kids full of ego like we are to take interest.
I hope you can continue to give me nice advice and that you will find somewhere in me a resource that can be used in the service of Krishna.
I hope that as much as I look forward to see you, you will enjoy coming and being in Auckland.
And finally I hope that you can find some mercy to help me advance in Krishna consciousness and help me be a better person.
Thank you for being so inspiring, such a good example and so full of qualities.
Thank you a lot for reading me,
Take good care of you on this auspicious day,
In the hope of serving your lotus feet one day maybe,
Haribol!
Emma
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance,
When I first hit the tip of the Krishna consciousness iceberg, I had not a single idea of the immensity of what I was about to discover. It is often said that there is two sides to everything, especially in the material world and very much in the beginning journey of self-realization.
I have already got well shaken by the first tiny steps of discovering spirituality and now that I am slowly realizing the other side, I can only be overwhelmed by what is waiting for me.
Hitting the iceberg, not only did I discover that such a movement could exist, such nice devotees, such intelligent people, such a philosophy, but also did I become aware of who I really was. Looking back on myself, I understood how insanely impure and demoniac I was. This is quite an indescribable feeling, realizing almost at the same time the problem and its solution. It very much seems too good to be true!
That is why I am so immensely thankful to you Gurudeva. I know that all this, I owe it to you and the amount of work and energy you have put into getting centers like The Loft going around the world. I am so thankful that the opportunity exists and was presented to me through that soft way, so my proud ego would not quickly turn away...
I am extremely thankful that the availability to do service was there, such a great luck and hand given to get closer to Krishna.
I can feel the standard you have set through your disciples. They are such good examples and persons I want to learn from. I know how much you have impacted their lives because their love for you is very pure and touching. The mercy and the values you bestowed on them are obvious, and now they are even open and willing to hang out with me, waste their precious time on me, give me some service to do, even though I am the worst of association and the worst of servants. Having such a great attitude, they must have learned from an amazing spiritual master.
Again dear Gurudeva, thank you, for taking special time within your busy schedule to talk to us every time you come for a visit, for giving us advice, classes and talks.
Thank you for having taken onto Krishna consciousness, simply. You are such a good representative of Sri Krishna and we need people like you, merciful, full of qualities, tolerant, patient, progressive, willing. Everything you have done makes it so much easier for spoiled kids full of ego like we are to take interest.
I hope you can continue to give me nice advice and that you will find somewhere in me a resource that can be used in the service of Krishna.
I hope that as much as I look forward to see you, you will enjoy coming and being in Auckland.
And finally I hope that you can find some mercy to help me advance in Krishna consciousness and help me be a better person.
Thank you for being so inspiring, such a good example and so full of qualities.
Thank you a lot for reading me,
Take good care of you on this auspicious day,
In the hope of serving your lotus feet one day maybe,
Haribol!
Emma
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. You have such a taste for chanting the Lord’s holy name and such attachment to devotional service. You are always spreading Krishna’s glories and serving the devotees.
You are fully empowered to spread Krishna’s glories. Who else can spend years behind the iron curtain preaching the path of bhakti yoga and not be imprisoned or killed? Only one who has received the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-sańkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana
The fundamental religious system in the age of kali is the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. Unless empowered by Krishna, one cannot propagate the sankirtana movement.
(CC.Antya.7.11)
You are so expert at communicating. In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, you transcend the modes of nature and enable those from all walks of life to understand their relationship with Krishna. By this action, you are continuously endearing yourself to Lord Caitanya by following His instruction:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra' ei deśa
“Wherever you go, whomever you meet, tell them about Krishna”
Your life is dynamic and you are always thinking “Somehow or other, I must give Krishna in such a way that people will take to the devotional service of Krishna.”
This is the essence of life according to Lord Caitanya and because this is the essence of your life, you are glorious.
How do you do it? Where does your ability to receive Lord Caitanya’s empowerment come from?
You openly declared last year in your homage to Srila Prabhupada:
“I increasingly realize that any perceived faults are mine, and any credit is all yours”.
So the secret is out. Let there be no more confusion. Let us declare to the world today that you have received the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.
Who could be more glorious than a sincere and dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada? Anyone who has received such mercy is, without doubt, the most fortunate person on the planet.
Many of us have heard of two significant ways in which you received Srila Prabhupada's blessings to go back to Godhead. This happened in both the pioneering days of ISKCON and in the years that closely followed.
First, you served in the Caitanya Caritamrita book production marathon. Secondly, you went behind the iron curtain to spread Krishna consciousness.
So not only have you intimately served in the production of Srila Prabhupada's books, but you also risked your life in distributing such transcendental literature.
Who could be dearer to Srila Prabhupada than you?
Therefore, please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet. Please bless this poor fallen soul with just an iota of your mercy. That would be the greatest day of my life.
Your insignificant servant,
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. You have such a taste for chanting the Lord’s holy name and such attachment to devotional service. You are always spreading Krishna’s glories and serving the devotees.
You are fully empowered to spread Krishna’s glories. Who else can spend years behind the iron curtain preaching the path of bhakti yoga and not be imprisoned or killed? Only one who has received the mercy of Lord Caitanya.
kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-sańkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana
The fundamental religious system in the age of kali is the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. Unless empowered by Krishna, one cannot propagate the sankirtana movement.
(CC.Antya.7.11)
You are so expert at communicating. In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, you transcend the modes of nature and enable those from all walks of life to understand their relationship with Krishna. By this action, you are continuously endearing yourself to Lord Caitanya by following His instruction:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra' ei deśa
“Wherever you go, whomever you meet, tell them about Krishna”
Your life is dynamic and you are always thinking “Somehow or other, I must give Krishna in such a way that people will take to the devotional service of Krishna.”
This is the essence of life according to Lord Caitanya and because this is the essence of your life, you are glorious.
How do you do it? Where does your ability to receive Lord Caitanya’s empowerment come from?
You openly declared last year in your homage to Srila Prabhupada:
“I increasingly realize that any perceived faults are mine, and any credit is all yours”.
So the secret is out. Let there be no more confusion. Let us declare to the world today that you have received the mercy of Srila Prabhupada.
Who could be more glorious than a sincere and dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada? Anyone who has received such mercy is, without doubt, the most fortunate person on the planet.
Many of us have heard of two significant ways in which you received Srila Prabhupada's blessings to go back to Godhead. This happened in both the pioneering days of ISKCON and in the years that closely followed.
First, you served in the Caitanya Caritamrita book production marathon. Secondly, you went behind the iron curtain to spread Krishna consciousness.
So not only have you intimately served in the production of Srila Prabhupada's books, but you also risked your life in distributing such transcendental literature.
Who could be dearer to Srila Prabhupada than you?
Therefore, please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your divine lotus feet. Please bless this poor fallen soul with just an iota of your mercy. That would be the greatest day of my life.
Your insignificant servant,
Gadai Gauranga dasa
Gaura Kishore dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
It is stated in the Chandogya Upanisad 6.14.2:
"One who approaches a bona fide spiritual master can understand everything about spiritual realisation."
In this regard I can see how over the years I have seen how you have helped to shape so many lives just like an expert coach maximising the potential of the team. Yet some of us are recalcitrant to the love that you show and push away resisting both the eternal wisdom on offer and your guiding hand helping to push us to the ultimate goal. Yet still you lovingly continue to give your time and patience working your magic to deconstruct the layers of our false ego and misconceptions.
There is no shelter in this material world no matter how hard we try and look or how many different combinations we undertake, we still end up in the same place, forlorn and bereft of true love. You have giving us the ticket to board Srila Prabhupadas boat now it is up to us to not get distracted by the allurements of temporary happiness and allow ourselves to be molded by your loving words and take that opportunity seriously.
Thank you for encouraging me, tolerating me and guiding me. I am slow to change but change I must and I pray that someday I will have a transformation of the heart so that I can truly value all that you give.
Your servant
Gaura Kishore dasa
It is stated in the Chandogya Upanisad 6.14.2:
"One who approaches a bona fide spiritual master can understand everything about spiritual realisation."
In this regard I can see how over the years I have seen how you have helped to shape so many lives just like an expert coach maximising the potential of the team. Yet some of us are recalcitrant to the love that you show and push away resisting both the eternal wisdom on offer and your guiding hand helping to push us to the ultimate goal. Yet still you lovingly continue to give your time and patience working your magic to deconstruct the layers of our false ego and misconceptions.
There is no shelter in this material world no matter how hard we try and look or how many different combinations we undertake, we still end up in the same place, forlorn and bereft of true love. You have giving us the ticket to board Srila Prabhupadas boat now it is up to us to not get distracted by the allurements of temporary happiness and allow ourselves to be molded by your loving words and take that opportunity seriously.
Thank you for encouraging me, tolerating me and guiding me. I am slow to change but change I must and I pray that someday I will have a transformation of the heart so that I can truly value all that you give.
Your servant
Gaura Kishore dasa
Gaura Nataraj das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the glorious day of your Vyasa Puja I would like to share my small offering of Sankirtan results for the month of September. During this month my wife Gokulesvari d.d. and I decided to go to a small town called Morelia and there we did in total 35 Bhagavad Gitas, 34 Self Realization and 799 small books. This is only due to your mercy, otherwise how could have we been able to distribute even one book. Your instructions are always perfect, and just like a mystic yogi who can see perfectly the future you can predict everything that happens in the lives of your disciples.
I want to thank you for being so patient with me, and at the same time I want to thank you for telling me things as they are, and not as I wish them to be. Slowly I am realizing that indeed Krishna Consciousness is my real career in this life, although I knew it theoretically I am slowly beginning to realize it. The problem is that I am so foolish that I always learn the hard way, just like a dog who learns by means of being beaten up by others. As you can see dear Gurudeva, I am a completely fool, and I lack any drop of intelligence. However the only good thing I have done in my entire life has been to take initiation at your lotus feet. I am hopeless in all ways, and I have no shelter other than your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudeva, thank you so much for helping us cross the ocean of material existence. I know that if we stick to your instructions and follow them to the core of hearts, the journey back home back to Krishna will be a smooth journey, on the other hand if we deviate even slight from your instructions, then we have to face the consequences of not following the directions of our best wisher, our beloved spiritual master and father. Thank you for everything Guru Maharaj.
Hare Krishna,
your servant, and walking pollution, Gaura Nataraj das.
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the glorious day of your Vyasa Puja I would like to share my small offering of Sankirtan results for the month of September. During this month my wife Gokulesvari d.d. and I decided to go to a small town called Morelia and there we did in total 35 Bhagavad Gitas, 34 Self Realization and 799 small books. This is only due to your mercy, otherwise how could have we been able to distribute even one book. Your instructions are always perfect, and just like a mystic yogi who can see perfectly the future you can predict everything that happens in the lives of your disciples.
I want to thank you for being so patient with me, and at the same time I want to thank you for telling me things as they are, and not as I wish them to be. Slowly I am realizing that indeed Krishna Consciousness is my real career in this life, although I knew it theoretically I am slowly beginning to realize it. The problem is that I am so foolish that I always learn the hard way, just like a dog who learns by means of being beaten up by others. As you can see dear Gurudeva, I am a completely fool, and I lack any drop of intelligence. However the only good thing I have done in my entire life has been to take initiation at your lotus feet. I am hopeless in all ways, and I have no shelter other than your lotus feet.
Dear Gurudeva, thank you so much for helping us cross the ocean of material existence. I know that if we stick to your instructions and follow them to the core of hearts, the journey back home back to Krishna will be a smooth journey, on the other hand if we deviate even slight from your instructions, then we have to face the consequences of not following the directions of our best wisher, our beloved spiritual master and father. Thank you for everything Guru Maharaj.
Hare Krishna,
your servant, and walking pollution, Gaura Nataraj das.
Gaura prema das, Nitai prema dd, Krishna prema das
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
We are always praying at the feet of Sri Sri Panca Tattva that They give you excellent health so we may enjoy your association for many more Vyasa Pujas.
Gurudev, you have set such a wonderful example of a Vaishnav leader. We appreciate that you gently but pursuasively and compassionately give Krishna first and deal with all else later - that is your modus operandi. As long as the main business is to give Krishna to the general public at large, as per Srila Prabhupada's instructions, you are happy. In fact, you seem to be in bliss traveling from country to country, distributing Krishna Prem to the masses.
You lovingly and unselfishly give shelter to devotees by initiating them into Lord Caitanya's mission. Then you consistently guide them as they fight Maya to stay in Krishna Consciousness. We have seen you skillfully guide them so they don't get discouraged. It is hard for us to even imagine how much energy you must be spending to select the right strategy to keep everybody excited in following a proper devotee lifestyle. This makes you our Expert Guide/General/Protector against Maya.
Thank you again and again. We humbly beg you to continue to keep us engaged in your service.
Your humble servants,
Gaura prema das, Nitai prema dd, and Krishna prema das
Please accept our humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
We are always praying at the feet of Sri Sri Panca Tattva that They give you excellent health so we may enjoy your association for many more Vyasa Pujas.
Gurudev, you have set such a wonderful example of a Vaishnav leader. We appreciate that you gently but pursuasively and compassionately give Krishna first and deal with all else later - that is your modus operandi. As long as the main business is to give Krishna to the general public at large, as per Srila Prabhupada's instructions, you are happy. In fact, you seem to be in bliss traveling from country to country, distributing Krishna Prem to the masses.
You lovingly and unselfishly give shelter to devotees by initiating them into Lord Caitanya's mission. Then you consistently guide them as they fight Maya to stay in Krishna Consciousness. We have seen you skillfully guide them so they don't get discouraged. It is hard for us to even imagine how much energy you must be spending to select the right strategy to keep everybody excited in following a proper devotee lifestyle. This makes you our Expert Guide/General/Protector against Maya.
Thank you again and again. We humbly beg you to continue to keep us engaged in your service.
Your humble servants,
Gaura prema das, Nitai prema dd, and Krishna prema das
Gaura-Mantra dasi
Hare Krishna dear Gurudev, dear Father.
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious day of Your appearance I would like to use this opportunity as a chance to make a humble attempt to glorify You in the continuation of this poem.
To my eternal Father and Spiritual Master. Poem part 3.
Como? Bien and por favor
You speak so fluently, Senior.
Lo siento, vida, algo mass?
There IS no space for mentidas.
You mold and shape the lives of many,
It makes them give You every penny,
Every skill and quality they have.
There is no way that You would laugh
Or let them down or just confuse,
From no one You shall get refuse.
Possessions, habits, past connections
You deal with timely, built in sections.
One by one so logically
You make them die lethargicly.
They march out of our lives
The fence's been made of sticks and knives.
Kirtan, chanting and prasad
Make strong walls of that facade.
Sometimes so early You raise the barre,
Though it's been working out so far,
So faith and trust is OUR step
Thus we can start to pay the debt.
Each disciple is like a little project,
You treat us due to service object,
You raise us, nurture and support,
Devotee care is no gambling sport.
Material kingdoms and queendoms we so desire,
But to take up bhakti You us inspire,
To quickly get out of this maya’s jail
For all local tastes are so very stale.
Be a part of a solution or a part of a problem,
For maya’s tricks are exception for no one.
Be a part of a problem or a part of a solution,
For you have to push on this ISKCON revolution.
Every saint has a past
For maya’s laws can be surpassed,
Every sinner has a future
By mercy granted by the teacher.
This year You finally brought me home,
I’ll hide here at Your feet from storm.
So much service, gratitude is yet to come from me
Your disciple, daughter Gaura-Mantra dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Your Divine Grace.
On this most auspicious day of Your appearance I would like to use this opportunity as a chance to make a humble attempt to glorify You in the continuation of this poem.
To my eternal Father and Spiritual Master. Poem part 3.
Como? Bien and por favor
You speak so fluently, Senior.
Lo siento, vida, algo mass?
There IS no space for mentidas.
You mold and shape the lives of many,
It makes them give You every penny,
Every skill and quality they have.
There is no way that You would laugh
Or let them down or just confuse,
From no one You shall get refuse.
Possessions, habits, past connections
You deal with timely, built in sections.
One by one so logically
You make them die lethargicly.
They march out of our lives
The fence's been made of sticks and knives.
Kirtan, chanting and prasad
Make strong walls of that facade.
Sometimes so early You raise the barre,
Though it's been working out so far,
So faith and trust is OUR step
Thus we can start to pay the debt.
Each disciple is like a little project,
You treat us due to service object,
You raise us, nurture and support,
Devotee care is no gambling sport.
Material kingdoms and queendoms we so desire,
But to take up bhakti You us inspire,
To quickly get out of this maya’s jail
For all local tastes are so very stale.
Be a part of a solution or a part of a problem,
For maya’s tricks are exception for no one.
Be a part of a problem or a part of a solution,
For you have to push on this ISKCON revolution.
Every saint has a past
For maya’s laws can be surpassed,
Every sinner has a future
By mercy granted by the teacher.
This year You finally brought me home,
I’ll hide here at Your feet from storm.
So much service, gratitude is yet to come from me
Your disciple, daughter Gaura-Mantra dasi.
Gaura-arati Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
“Material existence is something like a blazing fire in the forest, which can be extinguished by the mercy of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The spiritual master is the mercy representative of the Lord. Therefore, a person burning in the flames of material existence may receive the rains of mercy of the Lord through the transparent medium of the self-realised spiritual master. The spiritual master, by his words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental, which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence.” SB 1.7.22 pp
All glories to you Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day of your appearance, for you are that mercy representative, that self-realised, bona fide spiritual master who showers down the rains of mercy from the Supreme Lord. You, by your words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental, which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence.
For me there’s nothing more convincing of the supremacy of devotional service than your words, both in spoken and written form. Of course nothing will ever surpass the transcendental nature of Srila Prabhupada’s books, but the way you communicate your realisations of his books, how they so intimately relate to us, how they are meant for us and are speaking to us, is truly invaluable service. Whether we have just embarked upon the bhakti path or have been practicing for many years, your words appeal to, stimulate, test and purify both the head and the heart.
To do this you are forever researching what is going on in people’s lives, their minds, the latest scientific findings, male female psychology, health, economics, the environment, the mess of Kali yuga you’re dealing with, and any other hot topic or phase you can cash in on; all for the purpose of serving your dearest Gurudeva in spreading the miracle of devotional service around the globe. After researching, by the touch of your transcendental consciousness, you transform that seemingly material knowledge into speech that illuminates the gross ignorance and futility of material existence, and the unparalleled beauty of devotional service to Krishna through Sri Guru Parampara.
Your recent article in the Enough! magazine is one tiny example of countless examples that illustrate this point. It’s a thigh slapping, intelligence churning, reality revealing, masterpiece. Without any exaggeration, every time I read it I am almost jumping from my seat wanting to give a standing ovation, I look around for someone to share it with and I feel overwhelmingly proud of you, who are the greatest hero on this planet, the mercy representative of Krishna, rescuing us from the blazing fire of material existence.
You write:
“Craving self-immolation in a consumer paradise, they are desperate to writhe with the First World in the soul-killing flames of mythological material satisfaction. As throughout the developing world, these South African hopefuls feel they’ve stood by long enough.”
Further on in the article you make an exciting appeal: “Rather than saluting a wanna-be civilisation insistent on partying itself to death, join with the wise who have had enough. Work to eradicate the material illusion - both individually and en masse. The timeless spiritual art, science, and culture that emanates from Krishna, the infinite Superconsciousness, awaits us, the minute particles of consciousness.”
Even just the title of your article reveals in a nutshell the pandemonium of the whole of material existence! To be a conditioned soul certainly means to be “Hot for the Party that’s Not.”
“Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence.” CC Adi 1.1.106
Another favourite testimony to your wondrous ability to invoke Krishna consciousness by your speech is your lecture series entitled ‘Greed for Krishna.’ After warming up your audience by giving graphic examples of greed for Krishna displayed in Rukminidevi and the gopis, and helping your audience see they too already have the emotions for loving Krishna, (although currently misplaced and therefore thwarted and muted), you ask your listeners to summon all energies of their heads and hearts, and silently cry out, all at once, “Krishna I must have you now!” You count to 3 with anticipation of the thrill that is to come. 1…2…3! You pause whilst everyone cries out with intense eagerness for Krishna, you chuckle, then, you elucidate a most profound point - “That is your constitutional position.” - Who else has the super-empowered brain substance to make accessible to us totally unqualified and conditioned souls a glimpse of the one pointed emotional intensity we feel when properly situated in transcendental consciousness? By giving a window into this emotional intensity of our constitutional position of purely loving Krishna, you implant a catalyst to make us greedy for more! Absolute brilliance.
Like the best kind of teacher you educate us from wherever we are at, how to use our current situation to accelerate in bhakti. You give us personally tailored instructions for engaging our desires and propensities in the upmost good, thus letting us experience how we may be completely satisfied by keeping devotional service at the centre of our life.
Thank you for being such a merciful mercy representative of Krishna and for your clever, colourful, cutting edge words, delivered with transcendental exuberance.
Your words continue to pull me out of the default setting of a self-centred life by fanning the spark of whatever little desire I have to engage in devotional service.
Although alone a fool, by your mercy Gurudeva, I’ve joined with the wise who have had enough. Thank you for the greatest gift of the association of your dedicated disciples and for continuing to teach us how work to eradicate the material illusion - both individually and en masse.
Aspiring to be of some assistance in your heroic deeds,
Your grateful servant,
Gaura-arati dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
“Material existence is something like a blazing fire in the forest, which can be extinguished by the mercy of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The spiritual master is the mercy representative of the Lord. Therefore, a person burning in the flames of material existence may receive the rains of mercy of the Lord through the transparent medium of the self-realised spiritual master. The spiritual master, by his words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental, which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence.” SB 1.7.22 pp
All glories to you Gurudeva, on this most auspicious day of your appearance, for you are that mercy representative, that self-realised, bona fide spiritual master who showers down the rains of mercy from the Supreme Lord. You, by your words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental, which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence.
For me there’s nothing more convincing of the supremacy of devotional service than your words, both in spoken and written form. Of course nothing will ever surpass the transcendental nature of Srila Prabhupada’s books, but the way you communicate your realisations of his books, how they so intimately relate to us, how they are meant for us and are speaking to us, is truly invaluable service. Whether we have just embarked upon the bhakti path or have been practicing for many years, your words appeal to, stimulate, test and purify both the head and the heart.
To do this you are forever researching what is going on in people’s lives, their minds, the latest scientific findings, male female psychology, health, economics, the environment, the mess of Kali yuga you’re dealing with, and any other hot topic or phase you can cash in on; all for the purpose of serving your dearest Gurudeva in spreading the miracle of devotional service around the globe. After researching, by the touch of your transcendental consciousness, you transform that seemingly material knowledge into speech that illuminates the gross ignorance and futility of material existence, and the unparalleled beauty of devotional service to Krishna through Sri Guru Parampara.
Your recent article in the Enough! magazine is one tiny example of countless examples that illustrate this point. It’s a thigh slapping, intelligence churning, reality revealing, masterpiece. Without any exaggeration, every time I read it I am almost jumping from my seat wanting to give a standing ovation, I look around for someone to share it with and I feel overwhelmingly proud of you, who are the greatest hero on this planet, the mercy representative of Krishna, rescuing us from the blazing fire of material existence.
You write:
“Craving self-immolation in a consumer paradise, they are desperate to writhe with the First World in the soul-killing flames of mythological material satisfaction. As throughout the developing world, these South African hopefuls feel they’ve stood by long enough.”
Further on in the article you make an exciting appeal: “Rather than saluting a wanna-be civilisation insistent on partying itself to death, join with the wise who have had enough. Work to eradicate the material illusion - both individually and en masse. The timeless spiritual art, science, and culture that emanates from Krishna, the infinite Superconsciousness, awaits us, the minute particles of consciousness.”
Even just the title of your article reveals in a nutshell the pandemonium of the whole of material existence! To be a conditioned soul certainly means to be “Hot for the Party that’s Not.”
“Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence.” CC Adi 1.1.106
Another favourite testimony to your wondrous ability to invoke Krishna consciousness by your speech is your lecture series entitled ‘Greed for Krishna.’ After warming up your audience by giving graphic examples of greed for Krishna displayed in Rukminidevi and the gopis, and helping your audience see they too already have the emotions for loving Krishna, (although currently misplaced and therefore thwarted and muted), you ask your listeners to summon all energies of their heads and hearts, and silently cry out, all at once, “Krishna I must have you now!” You count to 3 with anticipation of the thrill that is to come. 1…2…3! You pause whilst everyone cries out with intense eagerness for Krishna, you chuckle, then, you elucidate a most profound point - “That is your constitutional position.” - Who else has the super-empowered brain substance to make accessible to us totally unqualified and conditioned souls a glimpse of the one pointed emotional intensity we feel when properly situated in transcendental consciousness? By giving a window into this emotional intensity of our constitutional position of purely loving Krishna, you implant a catalyst to make us greedy for more! Absolute brilliance.
Like the best kind of teacher you educate us from wherever we are at, how to use our current situation to accelerate in bhakti. You give us personally tailored instructions for engaging our desires and propensities in the upmost good, thus letting us experience how we may be completely satisfied by keeping devotional service at the centre of our life.
Thank you for being such a merciful mercy representative of Krishna and for your clever, colourful, cutting edge words, delivered with transcendental exuberance.
Your words continue to pull me out of the default setting of a self-centred life by fanning the spark of whatever little desire I have to engage in devotional service.
Although alone a fool, by your mercy Gurudeva, I’ve joined with the wise who have had enough. Thank you for the greatest gift of the association of your dedicated disciples and for continuing to teach us how work to eradicate the material illusion - both individually and en masse.
Aspiring to be of some assistance in your heroic deeds,
Your grateful servant,
Gaura-arati dasi
Gaura-priya
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this occasion of auspiciousness, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your mercy and kindness upon myself. I am not very satisfied with just offering superficial, flowery, sugar coated words, but I want to do something for you. Something, that will make you feel that you have pleased your Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, at this stage in my life I do not see any pursuit which makes sense to me in this material existence. The only endeavour I feel worth living or dying for is devotional service. The only goal I feel in my life is to attain the love of Krishna through service.
My whole life I searched for a teacher. A teacher who would teach me truth, a teacher who would know truth himself, a teacher who has lived truth himself. Gurudeva, that teacher is you. I beg you, please teach me how to become fearless and truthful and spread glories of Krishna Consciousness.
I don’t know what is my capacity? I don’t know if I am able to really do anything for you besides these letters. Still Gurudeva, I have a deep desire to be your ‘doer’ servant and not just a sentimental disciple. I can see that I am living in a world which is just burning under the influence of demoniac rulers. Mother cows are being killed, children are being educated to adopt demoniac habits, Mother bhumi is being exploited and conditioned souls in these extreme kali-yuga conditions are just suffering.
I am so insignificant Gurudeva. I can’t even control my own body and mind, how will I help other souls who are stuck in other human and mother cow bodies. Please teach me Gurudeva, please utilise me Gurudeva.
When I began writing this letter I was thinking of offering you however I ended up asking you again for more mercy. Gurudeva, I have nothing to offer you yet I offer myself to you to utilise me in devotional service. Oh spiritual father, if you need to - please kick me, please slap me, please grab me by neck but somehow please teach me how to engage in your service.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki twayi
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth. (Sri Siksastakam Text 4 - Cited from "Teachings of Lord Chaitanya" A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Your servant,
Gaura-priya
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this occasion of auspiciousness, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your mercy and kindness upon myself. I am not very satisfied with just offering superficial, flowery, sugar coated words, but I want to do something for you. Something, that will make you feel that you have pleased your Gurudeva, Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudeva, at this stage in my life I do not see any pursuit which makes sense to me in this material existence. The only endeavour I feel worth living or dying for is devotional service. The only goal I feel in my life is to attain the love of Krishna through service.
My whole life I searched for a teacher. A teacher who would teach me truth, a teacher who would know truth himself, a teacher who has lived truth himself. Gurudeva, that teacher is you. I beg you, please teach me how to become fearless and truthful and spread glories of Krishna Consciousness.
I don’t know what is my capacity? I don’t know if I am able to really do anything for you besides these letters. Still Gurudeva, I have a deep desire to be your ‘doer’ servant and not just a sentimental disciple. I can see that I am living in a world which is just burning under the influence of demoniac rulers. Mother cows are being killed, children are being educated to adopt demoniac habits, Mother bhumi is being exploited and conditioned souls in these extreme kali-yuga conditions are just suffering.
I am so insignificant Gurudeva. I can’t even control my own body and mind, how will I help other souls who are stuck in other human and mother cow bodies. Please teach me Gurudeva, please utilise me Gurudeva.
When I began writing this letter I was thinking of offering you however I ended up asking you again for more mercy. Gurudeva, I have nothing to offer you yet I offer myself to you to utilise me in devotional service. Oh spiritual father, if you need to - please kick me, please slap me, please grab me by neck but somehow please teach me how to engage in your service.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki twayi
O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth. (Sri Siksastakam Text 4 - Cited from "Teachings of Lord Chaitanya" A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Your servant,
Gaura-priya
Gauramandal das
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to divine vyasa puja day
oḿ ajñāna-timirāndhasya , jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaḿ yena , tasmai śrī-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
As time pass and years roll we see more and more the relevance and urgency of spiritual wisdom of sublime Krishna consciousness and feel sorry for the shadow nature of material glamour submerging the majority of population clouding them with fancy names and numbers to keep them enticed.
We amaze time and again thinking of your holiness well perfected and directed intelligence, compassion and determination rooted in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps exhibited in your own style for reaching out the modern audience.
Without doubt your penetrating transcendental retreat talks with young minds with eye and heart opener statistics and videos are the real game changing formula. Your initial strategy of “mirror mirror on the wall – material life is the vainest of all” – direct and bold presentation is extremely potent that it dislodges both sensible and irrational out of the dark clouds of false material hopes. At the end one gets exhausted and avidly feels the burning need to find a way out. Once the audience has loosened their strong grip on the material hopes and ready to hear with open mind you begin to offer the solution. Your condensed essence of sweetened nectarean shower of Bhagavat Gita nourishes the parched heart of active listeners. Your presentation of Gita is felt fresh and new by everyone. A feeling of hope dawns, the impact of sublime message is deeply felt, the blurred vision is corrected, the bewildered mind is given right direction, and the misused intelligence is made to focus on pleasing Krishna. A new feeling, the original feeling of love to Lord Krishna is rightly re-kindled. Finally the climax sankirtana rocks the floor with all the sleeping souls awakened by the Chaitanya’s incessant call coming through the parampara in the style of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur song jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole,
Lord Gaurānga is calling, "Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Māyā?
I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this mahā-mantra-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare."
We simply want to somehow keep ourselves alive in our Krishna Consciousness with your grace and play a part as the golden age of Lord Chaitanya rises in the horizon with spectacular, super-excellent, supremely attractive display of nectarine pastimes through ISKCON, that none in the world will ever afford to miss out !
Your humble servants
Gauramandal das, Vraja mandal devi dasi and Sanjitha.
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to divine vyasa puja day
oḿ ajñāna-timirāndhasya , jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaḿ yena , tasmai śrī-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
As time pass and years roll we see more and more the relevance and urgency of spiritual wisdom of sublime Krishna consciousness and feel sorry for the shadow nature of material glamour submerging the majority of population clouding them with fancy names and numbers to keep them enticed.
We amaze time and again thinking of your holiness well perfected and directed intelligence, compassion and determination rooted in Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps exhibited in your own style for reaching out the modern audience.
Without doubt your penetrating transcendental retreat talks with young minds with eye and heart opener statistics and videos are the real game changing formula. Your initial strategy of “mirror mirror on the wall – material life is the vainest of all” – direct and bold presentation is extremely potent that it dislodges both sensible and irrational out of the dark clouds of false material hopes. At the end one gets exhausted and avidly feels the burning need to find a way out. Once the audience has loosened their strong grip on the material hopes and ready to hear with open mind you begin to offer the solution. Your condensed essence of sweetened nectarean shower of Bhagavat Gita nourishes the parched heart of active listeners. Your presentation of Gita is felt fresh and new by everyone. A feeling of hope dawns, the impact of sublime message is deeply felt, the blurred vision is corrected, the bewildered mind is given right direction, and the misused intelligence is made to focus on pleasing Krishna. A new feeling, the original feeling of love to Lord Krishna is rightly re-kindled. Finally the climax sankirtana rocks the floor with all the sleeping souls awakened by the Chaitanya’s incessant call coming through the parampara in the style of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur song jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole,
Lord Gaurānga is calling, "Wake up, sleeping souls! Wake up, sleeping souls! How long will you sleep in the lap of the witch called Māyā?
I have brought the medicine that will wipe out the disease of illusion from which you are suffering. Take this mahā-mantra-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare."
We simply want to somehow keep ourselves alive in our Krishna Consciousness with your grace and play a part as the golden age of Lord Chaitanya rises in the horizon with spectacular, super-excellent, supremely attractive display of nectarine pastimes through ISKCON, that none in the world will ever afford to miss out !
Your humble servants
Gauramandal das, Vraja mandal devi dasi and Sanjitha.
Gauranga Prema das
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious day.
Recently I have been reading His Holiness Mukunda Goswamiís "Miracle of Second Avenue." I have been wanting to read it for several years, ever since I heard you mention it in a lecture series you gave on the Loft urban preaching system. You spoke on the conversation between Ramananda Raya and Caitanya Mahaprabhu on the bank of the river Godavari, comparing this with the preaching system you had pioneered with your Loft Urban preaching.
For many of us this style of outreach captured our minds, while the devotee's kindness and compassion captured our hearts, a winning combination for anyone who is genuinely curious into their spiritual natures, while at the same time creating a safe channel of passage from the hectic Kali Yuga lifestyle into the process of Bhakti Yoga. Reading "Miracle on Second Avenue" we can understand that the essence of the Loft preaching system emulates the early days of Srila Prabhupada's preaching in New York at his Loft studio.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for my first experience of one of your lectures at Urban Yoga in Crossways, Melbourne, and mention how that helped me so much to reach where I am today.
The first lecture I heard you give at Urban Yoga was on a common theme but from such a different perspective. You spoke on Love, something I'd heard so many pseudo spiritualists talk on, but your class was taking the topic from an angle that confirmed your broad perspective of both the spiritual and material. You entreated the audience that we take a realistic perspective of what the value of other's love for us, and our love for others, really amounted to. You continued to state to the audience "You must put your cards on the table. You must put your love on the table, and see what the real value of that love equals to." You encouraged us to question whether the supposed loving relationships we were engaged in were healthy, progressive, or even genuine.
While this is not an uncommon concept for a practicing devotee, for a so-called spiritualist this was revolutionary. One is not meant to question the value of their love, one is simply meant to be experiencing love, whether plutonic or intimate. The wider the recipients of that love the greater the spiritual elevation of the individual emitting that love. Though one may entreat people in such a manner if the audience suffered from abusive relationships, you were asking us to consider all of our relationships. My concept was that spiritualism means to be experiencing love, and the value or effectiveness of this should not be questioned.
I was forced to consider my circle of friends- was our supposed love for each other healthy? They encouraged me in art, music, culture, vegetarianism and global consciousness. But conversely they accepted and proposed intoxication, illicit activities and gambling to the extent of mental speculation. Considering all I heard in your class I had to ask myself- as someone who genuinely believed in the existence of the soul, can I strongly state that any of my relationships were spiritually healthy?
Your class opened a window of perspective for me into the depth of the Krsna Conscious philosophy. My casual reading of the Bhagavad Gita up until that point had only lead to a firm vow of vegetarianism and the opinion that the Krsna Conscious philosophy was nice but didn't make for anything practical as it relied too heavily on the acceptance of a particular type of existence after death. Though prior to meeting devotees I had theoretically accepted Karma, Reincarnation, and Yoga as a process for liberation, in reading Bhagavad Gita I could not slip into its essence as I would not accept the statements that Krsna is God.
But you proposed something practical. I began to accept that my dabbling into spirituality was simply an exercise of the mind and that if I closely analysed my loving relationships I could find no spiritual value. If I did not consider a genuine spiritual process in practice I would never stop conjecturing about life outside of the body and mind, and never discover anything for certain.
To this day I remember this class you presented four years ago. While the principles of your topic now seem common place- that we must question any love when the relationship is solely based on the material senses, I still try to apply the essence of your discussion into my current practice of Krsna Consciousness. Regularly I'm hearing your voice assert "You have to put your cards on the table, put your love on the table." But now I put my love down on the table and ask myself- how much can I really say I love Krsna? How much can I really say I love Krsna's devotees? How much can I say I love my Gurus? How much can I really say I am giving back as much as I have been given?
Four years later and I'm still contemplating the first class I heard you give Maharaj, what to speak of the depth of knowledge and insight you have presented at the Otaki retreats, Loft nights or in the Brahmacari ashram. With your mercy I might make some progress and get past simply contemplating, get off the mental platform, and begin to actually express love; Obeying the orders of Guru and Krsna, becoming a genuine servant of Prabhupadaís mission and actually assisting the Vaisnavas I associate with in their progress back to Godhead. But for now I'm forced to put my cards on the table, put my love on the table, and genuinely consider the value of the love that I'm offering.
I hope I have been able to make this offering to you of some value, at least to some portion of the great wealth you have given me so many years ago. Thank you for any and every opportunity to serve you and Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Gauranga Prema das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious day.
Recently I have been reading His Holiness Mukunda Goswamiís "Miracle of Second Avenue." I have been wanting to read it for several years, ever since I heard you mention it in a lecture series you gave on the Loft urban preaching system. You spoke on the conversation between Ramananda Raya and Caitanya Mahaprabhu on the bank of the river Godavari, comparing this with the preaching system you had pioneered with your Loft Urban preaching.
For many of us this style of outreach captured our minds, while the devotee's kindness and compassion captured our hearts, a winning combination for anyone who is genuinely curious into their spiritual natures, while at the same time creating a safe channel of passage from the hectic Kali Yuga lifestyle into the process of Bhakti Yoga. Reading "Miracle on Second Avenue" we can understand that the essence of the Loft preaching system emulates the early days of Srila Prabhupada's preaching in New York at his Loft studio.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for my first experience of one of your lectures at Urban Yoga in Crossways, Melbourne, and mention how that helped me so much to reach where I am today.
The first lecture I heard you give at Urban Yoga was on a common theme but from such a different perspective. You spoke on Love, something I'd heard so many pseudo spiritualists talk on, but your class was taking the topic from an angle that confirmed your broad perspective of both the spiritual and material. You entreated the audience that we take a realistic perspective of what the value of other's love for us, and our love for others, really amounted to. You continued to state to the audience "You must put your cards on the table. You must put your love on the table, and see what the real value of that love equals to." You encouraged us to question whether the supposed loving relationships we were engaged in were healthy, progressive, or even genuine.
While this is not an uncommon concept for a practicing devotee, for a so-called spiritualist this was revolutionary. One is not meant to question the value of their love, one is simply meant to be experiencing love, whether plutonic or intimate. The wider the recipients of that love the greater the spiritual elevation of the individual emitting that love. Though one may entreat people in such a manner if the audience suffered from abusive relationships, you were asking us to consider all of our relationships. My concept was that spiritualism means to be experiencing love, and the value or effectiveness of this should not be questioned.
I was forced to consider my circle of friends- was our supposed love for each other healthy? They encouraged me in art, music, culture, vegetarianism and global consciousness. But conversely they accepted and proposed intoxication, illicit activities and gambling to the extent of mental speculation. Considering all I heard in your class I had to ask myself- as someone who genuinely believed in the existence of the soul, can I strongly state that any of my relationships were spiritually healthy?
Your class opened a window of perspective for me into the depth of the Krsna Conscious philosophy. My casual reading of the Bhagavad Gita up until that point had only lead to a firm vow of vegetarianism and the opinion that the Krsna Conscious philosophy was nice but didn't make for anything practical as it relied too heavily on the acceptance of a particular type of existence after death. Though prior to meeting devotees I had theoretically accepted Karma, Reincarnation, and Yoga as a process for liberation, in reading Bhagavad Gita I could not slip into its essence as I would not accept the statements that Krsna is God.
But you proposed something practical. I began to accept that my dabbling into spirituality was simply an exercise of the mind and that if I closely analysed my loving relationships I could find no spiritual value. If I did not consider a genuine spiritual process in practice I would never stop conjecturing about life outside of the body and mind, and never discover anything for certain.
To this day I remember this class you presented four years ago. While the principles of your topic now seem common place- that we must question any love when the relationship is solely based on the material senses, I still try to apply the essence of your discussion into my current practice of Krsna Consciousness. Regularly I'm hearing your voice assert "You have to put your cards on the table, put your love on the table." But now I put my love down on the table and ask myself- how much can I really say I love Krsna? How much can I really say I love Krsna's devotees? How much can I say I love my Gurus? How much can I really say I am giving back as much as I have been given?
Four years later and I'm still contemplating the first class I heard you give Maharaj, what to speak of the depth of knowledge and insight you have presented at the Otaki retreats, Loft nights or in the Brahmacari ashram. With your mercy I might make some progress and get past simply contemplating, get off the mental platform, and begin to actually express love; Obeying the orders of Guru and Krsna, becoming a genuine servant of Prabhupadaís mission and actually assisting the Vaisnavas I associate with in their progress back to Godhead. But for now I'm forced to put my cards on the table, put my love on the table, and genuinely consider the value of the love that I'm offering.
I hope I have been able to make this offering to you of some value, at least to some portion of the great wealth you have given me so many years ago. Thank you for any and every opportunity to serve you and Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Gauranga Prema das
Gaurangachandra Das
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obescienses
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you for giving me "Krishna Consciousness" in this life.
Regularly reading Prabhupada books per your instructions constantly reminds me "who am I" and it completely changes the way I think and act.
Your humble servant,
Gaurangachandra das
Please accept my humble obescienses
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Thank you for giving me "Krishna Consciousness" in this life.
Regularly reading Prabhupada books per your instructions constantly reminds me "who am I" and it completely changes the way I think and act.
Your humble servant,
Gaurangachandra das
Gaurav Sharma
Namo om vishnu padaya krishna presthaya bhutale srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Although impotent, I am trying to write few words as an offering to your glorious lotus feet. Your lectures are inspiration for me all the times as they bestow the clear understanding of the difference between self and super self and reminds that we are servants, whose job should be to satisfy the senses of Sri Krishna and not his own. Moreover, by your very clear understanding of sastras, you very uniquely deliver the analogies between the material and spiritual realities so that general mass could corelate and understand. Your mood for preaching is very very special and your firm faith in Sri Krishna and Prabhupada drives me. Although ineligible i received your mercy several times, due to which only, I know, I am still somehow going on in Krishna consciousness. Your loving and caring nature towards your disciples is worth glorifying. Please continually bestow your blessings on this fallen soul.
Your humble servant
Gaurav
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Although impotent, I am trying to write few words as an offering to your glorious lotus feet. Your lectures are inspiration for me all the times as they bestow the clear understanding of the difference between self and super self and reminds that we are servants, whose job should be to satisfy the senses of Sri Krishna and not his own. Moreover, by your very clear understanding of sastras, you very uniquely deliver the analogies between the material and spiritual realities so that general mass could corelate and understand. Your mood for preaching is very very special and your firm faith in Sri Krishna and Prabhupada drives me. Although ineligible i received your mercy several times, due to which only, I know, I am still somehow going on in Krishna consciousness. Your loving and caring nature towards your disciples is worth glorifying. Please continually bestow your blessings on this fallen soul.
Your humble servant
Gaurav
Gitavali devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisance on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
What an exciting time we are living in! With the advent of Kali yuga, many people are confused about the goal of life. Several are uncertain about their future, but the special ones are coming to the Loft to seek refuge. This year, we’ve had quite a few new young persons coming forward to dive into the nectar of Krishna consciousness. Thank you so much Gurudeva for giving us the Loft to engage us in the propagation of the Bhakti life. Thank you for giving us the perfection of our existence by giving us so many positive engagements to uplift others as well as our own selves. You are engaging us expertly in Krishna’s service according to our personal propensities. It’s such a joy, and at times, a challenge to work as a team for your pleasure, but, always rewarding.
I overheard a middle-aged lady say to a devotee this week: “There’s just something about this place, the Loft. It’s got a good positive vibe and I feel really happy when I come here.” She revealed that she had lived through some difficult times the last few decades and had just recently discovered the loft. I saw her sit with Dennis on a Sunday the other week. Our young man living with us must’ve made a good impression on her, as she’s been coming back. It’s so inspiring to the heart to be a part of this vibrant and ever expanding community who is touching people’s lives.
As for the Veda Club at Auckland University, thank you for allowing me to continue serving in this way, to be a part of this ecstatic team organising fun events for these inquisitive souls.
We’re now doing quadruple the amounts of plates of Prasad we used to do 5 years ago, and double what we used to do a year ago. The team involved in supplying this Prasad is working so very hard to maintain this amazing service, for your pleasure. One thing that I’ve realised over the years is that Prasad is a secret weapon. It really melts the heart.
Last week after lunch, one young man came up to me to ask me a few questions about the Veda Club. I took the time to answer his questions about monastic life from a Bhakti perspective as well as other spiritually minded topics. I have personally seen this boy come year after year to our stall, and even now, even though he graduated university a couple of years ago and is now studying at a College of Theology, he still comes along to fill his belly and his heart. It was Jesus Week at uni this week. Later in the conversation, he revealed he was “kind-of” an anarchist Christian but he was a little disappointed with the way so-called followers of Christ treat other non-Christian groups. I shared a few of my own realizations about KC and he was deeply grateful for what we do, the time we put in to cooking and distributing this special and blessed food and he had observed how we treat Christians very nicely. “We try to follow the basic rules, to love everyone, including animals, all living beings.” I said. He was really touched by that and took the time to share his heart full of appreciation. It was a beautiful exchange. I’ve learned how to deal with people by watching you Gurudeva. Thank you for teaching us by example, an authentic preaching Guru, an empowered disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisance on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
What an exciting time we are living in! With the advent of Kali yuga, many people are confused about the goal of life. Several are uncertain about their future, but the special ones are coming to the Loft to seek refuge. This year, we’ve had quite a few new young persons coming forward to dive into the nectar of Krishna consciousness. Thank you so much Gurudeva for giving us the Loft to engage us in the propagation of the Bhakti life. Thank you for giving us the perfection of our existence by giving us so many positive engagements to uplift others as well as our own selves. You are engaging us expertly in Krishna’s service according to our personal propensities. It’s such a joy, and at times, a challenge to work as a team for your pleasure, but, always rewarding.
I overheard a middle-aged lady say to a devotee this week: “There’s just something about this place, the Loft. It’s got a good positive vibe and I feel really happy when I come here.” She revealed that she had lived through some difficult times the last few decades and had just recently discovered the loft. I saw her sit with Dennis on a Sunday the other week. Our young man living with us must’ve made a good impression on her, as she’s been coming back. It’s so inspiring to the heart to be a part of this vibrant and ever expanding community who is touching people’s lives.
As for the Veda Club at Auckland University, thank you for allowing me to continue serving in this way, to be a part of this ecstatic team organising fun events for these inquisitive souls.
We’re now doing quadruple the amounts of plates of Prasad we used to do 5 years ago, and double what we used to do a year ago. The team involved in supplying this Prasad is working so very hard to maintain this amazing service, for your pleasure. One thing that I’ve realised over the years is that Prasad is a secret weapon. It really melts the heart.
Last week after lunch, one young man came up to me to ask me a few questions about the Veda Club. I took the time to answer his questions about monastic life from a Bhakti perspective as well as other spiritually minded topics. I have personally seen this boy come year after year to our stall, and even now, even though he graduated university a couple of years ago and is now studying at a College of Theology, he still comes along to fill his belly and his heart. It was Jesus Week at uni this week. Later in the conversation, he revealed he was “kind-of” an anarchist Christian but he was a little disappointed with the way so-called followers of Christ treat other non-Christian groups. I shared a few of my own realizations about KC and he was deeply grateful for what we do, the time we put in to cooking and distributing this special and blessed food and he had observed how we treat Christians very nicely. “We try to follow the basic rules, to love everyone, including animals, all living beings.” I said. He was really touched by that and took the time to share his heart full of appreciation. It was a beautiful exchange. I’ve learned how to deal with people by watching you Gurudeva. Thank you for teaching us by example, an authentic preaching Guru, an empowered disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Gitavali devi dasi
Glenn
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance.
It is very difficult for me to put into words the debt of gratitude I owe you. I know that even materially I wouldn't be in the position I am today if it wasn't for you, which is by no means an elevated position, but it is a huge shift from where I was when I met you nearly 14 years ago. I remember speaking with you about 10 years ago, after numerous failed attempts to get my spiritual life together and get clean. I had given up trying, and you said to me to just focus on getting myself together materially, and so I did. My efforts in that time have been fraught with failures, but somehow or other I have managed to get to a position in this life where I can maintain a family, and when I think back to the person I was, no one would have thought this ever possible, including me.
Somewhere along the way from each milestone or career promotion, I convinced myself that I was solely responsible for all my achievements and I would revel in the praise heaped on me by my mother and relatives: "Glenn you should be so proud of yourself for how you have turned your life around," and I would think, yes I am.
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi
"Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement."
Once all the shine of my material success had predictably faded and I was again brought to my knees by my unbridled senses, I crawled back, tail between my legs, to the shelter of the holy name.
Gurudeva, now I know why you gave me that instruction all those years ago, and my offering to you on this Vyasa puja is to utilise the position I'm in today by your mercy, as a stable foundation to grow the bhakti creeper.
Any foolish doubts I have about the process of devotional service are immediately extinguished when I see your exuberant, ever fresh smile in Kirtan.
Please bestow more of your causeless mercy upon me, so I may someday attempt to repay my eternal debt to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Glenn
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your appearance.
It is very difficult for me to put into words the debt of gratitude I owe you. I know that even materially I wouldn't be in the position I am today if it wasn't for you, which is by no means an elevated position, but it is a huge shift from where I was when I met you nearly 14 years ago. I remember speaking with you about 10 years ago, after numerous failed attempts to get my spiritual life together and get clean. I had given up trying, and you said to me to just focus on getting myself together materially, and so I did. My efforts in that time have been fraught with failures, but somehow or other I have managed to get to a position in this life where I can maintain a family, and when I think back to the person I was, no one would have thought this ever possible, including me.
Somewhere along the way from each milestone or career promotion, I convinced myself that I was solely responsible for all my achievements and I would revel in the praise heaped on me by my mother and relatives: "Glenn you should be so proud of yourself for how you have turned your life around," and I would think, yes I am.
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi
"Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement."
Once all the shine of my material success had predictably faded and I was again brought to my knees by my unbridled senses, I crawled back, tail between my legs, to the shelter of the holy name.
Gurudeva, now I know why you gave me that instruction all those years ago, and my offering to you on this Vyasa puja is to utilise the position I'm in today by your mercy, as a stable foundation to grow the bhakti creeper.
Any foolish doubts I have about the process of devotional service are immediately extinguished when I see your exuberant, ever fresh smile in Kirtan.
Please bestow more of your causeless mercy upon me, so I may someday attempt to repay my eternal debt to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Glenn
Gokula lila devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories, all glories to you on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Srimad Bhagavatam 3-29-33
'Therefore I do not find a greater person than he who has no interest outside of Mine and who therefore engages and dedicates all his activities and all his life-everything-unto Me without cessation'.
Your glories are an open secret.
To illustrate your glorious dedication to Krishna, which is a thrilling example to us all, and for the pleasure of the devotees, I have transcribed part of a very gripping lecture given by HH Radhanatha Swami which explains to the world that you have no interest outside of Krishna's.
.................................................................
Maharaja, over the years, has manifested such an amazing inspiring example of dedicated devotional service. Maharaja was one of the most instrumental persons in publishing Srila Prabhupada’s books. When Srila Prabhupada was both pushing for quantity and quality. Devamrita Maharaja was practically giving up his eating and sleeping to work tirelessly, ever-grateful for the opportunity to assist Srila Prabhupada in speaking Krishna’s words to the whole world. He did not perform his service in anyway superficially, he really understood and realized Srila Prabhupada's compassionate nature. Srila Prabhupada all day long would be preaching, doing whatever was necessary to spread Lord Caitanya’s message all over the world. And for most of the night, while others were sleeping, he would translate and give purports; Prabhupada said that his purports were his devotional ecstasies.
So seeing his spiritual master in this spirit, such souls as Devamrita Maharaja gave their lives to assisting him in the spirit of the servant of the servant of the servant. After Srila Prabhupada went back to the spiritual world, Devamrita Swami organized the distribution of books not only personally but inspired people with such unbelievable enthusiasm that at one time, in a tiny little country with only a few devotees in one of the coldest parts of the world, his temple were the largest book distributors in the whole world. That came through inspiration and that inspiration came from Devamrita Swami's love for Srila Prabhupada.
Also for many years he really risked his life both physically, mentally and emotionally and with practically no association spiritually, to propagate KC behind the Iron Curtain and sometimes he has told us the stories... amazing... and how much pressure, the KGB constantly hunting him down, and in eastern European countries he looks completely different in every way, yet somehow or other he had to go undetected. He didn't know when he was coming into a country whether he would ever come out alive. But he did it, and many, many people were brought to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, and a tremendous amount of Bhagavad Gitas and Srimad Bhagavatams he distributed and actually helped to establish the foundations in what we see now in Eastern Europe and Russia, which are the largest growing countries in Krishna consciousness.
And he’s focusing on a principle Srila Prabhupada himself focused on so much; presenting Krishna consciousness in a way that will attract the hearts of people in general, and by taking contemporary issues he presents a Vedic Krishna conscious perspective. In places like New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world he’s started different programs which are very creative, very simple, and a medium by which especially young intelligent people can come in an atmosphere which doesn’t appear religious and where they can have heart to heart discussions, and in these countries more people are becoming full-fledged dedicated devotees through this type of innovative preaching than any other way.
There is the form and there is the essence. The purpose of the form of any spiritual practice is to help us understand and realize the essence. The essence is to transform people’s hearts from chasing after material illusions to dedicating their lives as a servant of the servant of Krishna.
Maharaja is a man of essence.
HH Radhanatha Swami
.................................................................
The gratitude I long for, Gurudeva, is a speck of that which you feel for Srila Prabhupada, indicated in the risks you have undertaken over the years to serving him and his mission.
I never had a hero in my life until I met you.
Nor did I have a life for that matter, until your dedication captured me.
Shame would overwhelm me introducing anyone to my material father but introducing people to you, a real father, whose incredible broad-mindedness, vision and perception protects us both spiritually and materially, is the greatest joy to be overwhelmed by.
You are truly a glorious master and father. Thank you for being a wonderful example.
Your indebted servant,
Gokula Lila dd
Gokula-ranjana dasa
Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Earlier this year, Gurudeva, one health-related incident gave me a more complete appreciation of the good fortune I have chanced upon in this life. The story follows:
At 1:00am I was jolted awake by forceful heart palpitations. I checked my pulse and felt that my heart was beating as hard as it could 120 times per minute even though I was at complete rest, and it was showing no signs of slowing. Along with a high fever, this gave me a very strong feeling that my body was about to die from a heart attack. Standing made the feeling worse, but, with my wife in Wellington for a few days, I was on my own. I made a dash for the temple room, knelt before the alter and called an ambulance. Instinctively I knew I should limit all unnecessary movement, but with the ambulance on its way I had to get some things that I would need at the hospital. As I lurched around the house, feeling that each moment could be my last, I caught a glimpse of your picture on the altar, Gurudeva. In that instant, when I felt like my body might have only minutes left to live, I was extremely glad that you had given me some connection to Krsna through the parampara in this lifetime.
Since that night, episodes of tachycardia and other continuous arrhythmias are something I have had to become accustomed to. Their threat is always in the background, but at least I have had some connection to God in this lifetime.
Your servant,
Gokula-ranjana dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Earlier this year, Gurudeva, one health-related incident gave me a more complete appreciation of the good fortune I have chanced upon in this life. The story follows:
At 1:00am I was jolted awake by forceful heart palpitations. I checked my pulse and felt that my heart was beating as hard as it could 120 times per minute even though I was at complete rest, and it was showing no signs of slowing. Along with a high fever, this gave me a very strong feeling that my body was about to die from a heart attack. Standing made the feeling worse, but, with my wife in Wellington for a few days, I was on my own. I made a dash for the temple room, knelt before the alter and called an ambulance. Instinctively I knew I should limit all unnecessary movement, but with the ambulance on its way I had to get some things that I would need at the hospital. As I lurched around the house, feeling that each moment could be my last, I caught a glimpse of your picture on the altar, Gurudeva. In that instant, when I felt like my body might have only minutes left to live, I was extremely glad that you had given me some connection to Krsna through the parampara in this lifetime.
Since that night, episodes of tachycardia and other continuous arrhythmias are something I have had to become accustomed to. Their threat is always in the background, but at least I have had some connection to God in this lifetime.
Your servant,
Gokula-ranjana dasa
Gopa-Vrndesa Dasa
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
The preaching mission of parampara subsists and flourish on the empowerment of qualified devotees by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His bona fide representatives. The Lord and His devotees empower sincere followers who are devoid of material aspirations by bhakti-sakti and this transcendental dynamics is demonstrated by Sri Caitnaya Mahaprabhu is His earthly pastimes.
“Whoever heard Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chant, "Hari, Hari," also chanted the holy name of Lord Hari and Krsna. In this way, they all followed the Lord, very eager to see Him. After some time, the Lord would embrace these people and bid them to return home, after investing them with spiritual potency. Being thus empowered, they would return to their own villages, always chanting the holy name of Krsna and sometimes laughing, crying and dancing. These empowered people used to request everyone and anyone-whomever they saw-to chant the holy name of krsna. In this way all the villagers would also become devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 7.98-101
You preach far and wide around the globe as you occasionally says, “I travel all inhabitable continents of the world,” and transform the hearts of the fallen souls and indeed I am one among them.
“A person who has attracted the attention of the spiritual master by his sincere service likes to dance and chant with similarly developed Krsna conscious devotees. The spiritual master authorizes such a devotee to deliver fallen souls in all parts of the world. Those who are not advanced prefer to chant the Hare Krsna mantra in a solitary place.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 7.92
The above statements perfectly match you as you are always on a move spreading Krsna’s glories and you don’t centre your life just on bhajana in a solitary place, nevertheless, you perfectly balance your bhajan with pracar. Once, a senior devotee confided his heart, “How could I possibly understand Devamrita Maharaja’s mood as he leaves Mayapur the same day the meetings finish?” Yes, you are back to the preaching ground and practically you have made the whole world, prabhu-datta desa. In this way, you are continuously pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya by your intense efforts filled with compassionate love in spreading the preaching mission. When I was in Mayapur with you this year, I could see how sannyasis and established preachers seek your guidance on western outreach.
Sri Guru is the bonafide representative of Sri Hari, who is endowed with the potency to see the heart of the disciple, inspire the disciple, train and keep the disciple encouraged in the service of Sri Krsna. Krsna Himself acted as the Guru to Arjuna and He Himself accessed the heart of Arjuna and understood his weakness of heart and self-contradicting behaviour in the battlefield. Arjuna’s apparent curiosity in seeing the opponents made the Lord smile, prahasanniva bharata, scanning the mindset of Arjuna and foreseeing the impending onrush of yogamaya sakti, His own subservient energy, which is bound to submerge His dear devotee’s heart. Sri Guru-an expansion of Caitya Guru-by Krsna’s inspiration, carries the potency to understand the level of consciousness, the heart of a disciple and thus you excel in personalising the instructions and reaching the hearts of your disciples. It’s amazing that in each step of my spiritual life you are guiding and surprisingly I can see that you know about me more than I know about myself and my situation. I find real assurance in you that in any situations your guidance can take me off the tight grip of maya. Krsna acting as Arjuna’s guru trains his disciple through instructions and examples, which is the body of Srimad Bhagagavad Gita. You always instructs us by your words and actions, and everything that you do has a deeper meaning and sometimes we are fortunate to understand and sometimes you explain by your causeless mercy. The right association with your lotus feet can extinguish the darkness of ignorance and bring forth the transcendental happiness.
“ācāryo 'raṇir ādyaḥ syād
ante-vāsy uttarāraṇiḥ
tat-sandhānaṁ pravacanaṁ
vidyā-sandhiḥ sukhāvahaḥ”
The spiritual master can be compared to the lower kindling stick, the disciple to the upper kindling stick, and the instruction given by the guru to the third stick placed in between. The transcendental knowledge communicated from guru to disciple is compared to the fire arising from the contact of these, which burns the darkness of ignorance to ashes, bringing great happiness both to guru and disciple. Srimad Bhagavatam 11.10.12
Your continuous encouragement is the life of my devotional service and how could I possibly survive without it and you take so much of pain just for our sake. Recently, you changed your schedule upon our request to accommodate a university program and for this sake you had to catch a mid night flight to fly out from Melbourne. You do all these sacrifices just to encourage us to move forward in our humble services. In this auspicious occasion I beg for your mercy to develop selfless service attitude and right absorption in sadhana and to serve you unconditionally.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa-vrndesa dasa
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to your divine appearance day!
The preaching mission of parampara subsists and flourish on the empowerment of qualified devotees by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His bona fide representatives. The Lord and His devotees empower sincere followers who are devoid of material aspirations by bhakti-sakti and this transcendental dynamics is demonstrated by Sri Caitnaya Mahaprabhu is His earthly pastimes.
“Whoever heard Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chant, "Hari, Hari," also chanted the holy name of Lord Hari and Krsna. In this way, they all followed the Lord, very eager to see Him. After some time, the Lord would embrace these people and bid them to return home, after investing them with spiritual potency. Being thus empowered, they would return to their own villages, always chanting the holy name of Krsna and sometimes laughing, crying and dancing. These empowered people used to request everyone and anyone-whomever they saw-to chant the holy name of krsna. In this way all the villagers would also become devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 7.98-101
You preach far and wide around the globe as you occasionally says, “I travel all inhabitable continents of the world,” and transform the hearts of the fallen souls and indeed I am one among them.
“A person who has attracted the attention of the spiritual master by his sincere service likes to dance and chant with similarly developed Krsna conscious devotees. The spiritual master authorizes such a devotee to deliver fallen souls in all parts of the world. Those who are not advanced prefer to chant the Hare Krsna mantra in a solitary place.”
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 7.92
The above statements perfectly match you as you are always on a move spreading Krsna’s glories and you don’t centre your life just on bhajana in a solitary place, nevertheless, you perfectly balance your bhajan with pracar. Once, a senior devotee confided his heart, “How could I possibly understand Devamrita Maharaja’s mood as he leaves Mayapur the same day the meetings finish?” Yes, you are back to the preaching ground and practically you have made the whole world, prabhu-datta desa. In this way, you are continuously pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya by your intense efforts filled with compassionate love in spreading the preaching mission. When I was in Mayapur with you this year, I could see how sannyasis and established preachers seek your guidance on western outreach.
Sri Guru is the bonafide representative of Sri Hari, who is endowed with the potency to see the heart of the disciple, inspire the disciple, train and keep the disciple encouraged in the service of Sri Krsna. Krsna Himself acted as the Guru to Arjuna and He Himself accessed the heart of Arjuna and understood his weakness of heart and self-contradicting behaviour in the battlefield. Arjuna’s apparent curiosity in seeing the opponents made the Lord smile, prahasanniva bharata, scanning the mindset of Arjuna and foreseeing the impending onrush of yogamaya sakti, His own subservient energy, which is bound to submerge His dear devotee’s heart. Sri Guru-an expansion of Caitya Guru-by Krsna’s inspiration, carries the potency to understand the level of consciousness, the heart of a disciple and thus you excel in personalising the instructions and reaching the hearts of your disciples. It’s amazing that in each step of my spiritual life you are guiding and surprisingly I can see that you know about me more than I know about myself and my situation. I find real assurance in you that in any situations your guidance can take me off the tight grip of maya. Krsna acting as Arjuna’s guru trains his disciple through instructions and examples, which is the body of Srimad Bhagagavad Gita. You always instructs us by your words and actions, and everything that you do has a deeper meaning and sometimes we are fortunate to understand and sometimes you explain by your causeless mercy. The right association with your lotus feet can extinguish the darkness of ignorance and bring forth the transcendental happiness.
“ācāryo 'raṇir ādyaḥ syād
ante-vāsy uttarāraṇiḥ
tat-sandhānaṁ pravacanaṁ
vidyā-sandhiḥ sukhāvahaḥ”
The spiritual master can be compared to the lower kindling stick, the disciple to the upper kindling stick, and the instruction given by the guru to the third stick placed in between. The transcendental knowledge communicated from guru to disciple is compared to the fire arising from the contact of these, which burns the darkness of ignorance to ashes, bringing great happiness both to guru and disciple. Srimad Bhagavatam 11.10.12
Your continuous encouragement is the life of my devotional service and how could I possibly survive without it and you take so much of pain just for our sake. Recently, you changed your schedule upon our request to accommodate a university program and for this sake you had to catch a mid night flight to fly out from Melbourne. You do all these sacrifices just to encourage us to move forward in our humble services. In this auspicious occasion I beg for your mercy to develop selfless service attitude and right absorption in sadhana and to serve you unconditionally.
Your aspiring servant,
Gopa-vrndesa dasa
Gopala Guru dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance.
The Srimad Bhagavatam is enthused with devotional prayers and glorifications, glorifications of Sri Krishna and his devotees, and these prayers and glorifications are given by devotees who are empowered to speak in such a way. As when Dhruva Maharaja had darshan with Lord Visnu and could not recite anything due to inexperience, I too feel the same in that I do not have sufficient experience to express words of appreciation and gratitude befitting what you have actually done for me. By Krishna’s grace anything is possible, so as Lord Visnu empowered Dhruva Maharaja to speak by touching his conchshell to Dhruva Maharaja’s head I pray to Krishna for the intelligence by which I can attempt to express my gratitude in an appropriate way.
“Learn to help yourself first before you can help others”, was the first instruction you gave me. Simple and concise, yet exactly what I needed to hear. My father was always into community work and helping others and in turn I also wanted to do the same, although I didn’t really know the best way to go about it. However you gave me a real direction in life, this instruction has led me on a journey of self-discovery and self-development in which I now also have the opportunity to really help others whilst still continuing to help myself.
In the pursuit for sense gratification the conditioned soul suffers because in their heart they are not truly satisfied by their endeavours. Today people have access to basically anything they want, the level of material comfort and convenience has never been so great. Still, despite the luxuries, the conditioned souls suffer a deep lack of satisfaction and a lack of deep and fulfilling relationships.
Since the first day I met you our relationship has been real, you have always had my welfare and best interests at heart. Your motivation has always been to help me re-establish myself in my Krishna consciousness and to encourage me to help others do the same. All my relationships before I met you were either superficial or based upon the temporary satisfaction of the mind and body, although there was some temporary happiness there was nothing that could truly satisfy the soul.
- To understand and carry out the real purpose of ones life
- To have access to an abundance of spiritual knowledge and the Holy names
- To have real relationships based upon something substantial and eternal
- To have a peaceful night sleep free of the incessant drone of material anxiety and expectations
- To have a Krishna conscious partner and to belong to a supportive Krishna consciousness community
- To have association of devotees who have factually realised the goal of this life
No material gift could come even close to matching the invaluable bounty you have given us Gurudeva.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving me the most valuable gift of Krishna consciousness. Although fumbling it like a hot potato I am starting to get more of a hold of this gift that you have given, by your good guidance and encouragement I pray that I may hold tight onto this gift and imbibe your mood of devotee care and outreach to the greatest extent possible. Your care and compassion has no limits, you are always thinking of how to give Krishna consciousness to others and how to care for and protect those who have taken up the path. It is so inspiring for me.
I like to give and help others, yet materially I do not have much to give. However you have given me the greatest gift and today I want to ask for another gift. Please bless me so that I can increase my care and compassion towards the conditioned souls and for the devotees. Please bless me with the intense desire to give Krishna consciousness to others no matter what my material circumstances may be. I know that if I can do this it will be very pleasing to you, and it is the best way that I can try and attempt to thank you for what you have done for me.
Thank you for guiding me over the years and tolerating my impudence. Thank you Gurudeva for engaging me in your service, I pray that I can be a good son and do you proud by assisting you in your service by giving Krishna consciousness to others and by caring for the devotees.
Your servant,
Gopala Guru dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your appearance.
The Srimad Bhagavatam is enthused with devotional prayers and glorifications, glorifications of Sri Krishna and his devotees, and these prayers and glorifications are given by devotees who are empowered to speak in such a way. As when Dhruva Maharaja had darshan with Lord Visnu and could not recite anything due to inexperience, I too feel the same in that I do not have sufficient experience to express words of appreciation and gratitude befitting what you have actually done for me. By Krishna’s grace anything is possible, so as Lord Visnu empowered Dhruva Maharaja to speak by touching his conchshell to Dhruva Maharaja’s head I pray to Krishna for the intelligence by which I can attempt to express my gratitude in an appropriate way.
“Learn to help yourself first before you can help others”, was the first instruction you gave me. Simple and concise, yet exactly what I needed to hear. My father was always into community work and helping others and in turn I also wanted to do the same, although I didn’t really know the best way to go about it. However you gave me a real direction in life, this instruction has led me on a journey of self-discovery and self-development in which I now also have the opportunity to really help others whilst still continuing to help myself.
In the pursuit for sense gratification the conditioned soul suffers because in their heart they are not truly satisfied by their endeavours. Today people have access to basically anything they want, the level of material comfort and convenience has never been so great. Still, despite the luxuries, the conditioned souls suffer a deep lack of satisfaction and a lack of deep and fulfilling relationships.
Since the first day I met you our relationship has been real, you have always had my welfare and best interests at heart. Your motivation has always been to help me re-establish myself in my Krishna consciousness and to encourage me to help others do the same. All my relationships before I met you were either superficial or based upon the temporary satisfaction of the mind and body, although there was some temporary happiness there was nothing that could truly satisfy the soul.
- To understand and carry out the real purpose of ones life
- To have access to an abundance of spiritual knowledge and the Holy names
- To have real relationships based upon something substantial and eternal
- To have a peaceful night sleep free of the incessant drone of material anxiety and expectations
- To have a Krishna conscious partner and to belong to a supportive Krishna consciousness community
- To have association of devotees who have factually realised the goal of this life
No material gift could come even close to matching the invaluable bounty you have given us Gurudeva.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving me the most valuable gift of Krishna consciousness. Although fumbling it like a hot potato I am starting to get more of a hold of this gift that you have given, by your good guidance and encouragement I pray that I may hold tight onto this gift and imbibe your mood of devotee care and outreach to the greatest extent possible. Your care and compassion has no limits, you are always thinking of how to give Krishna consciousness to others and how to care for and protect those who have taken up the path. It is so inspiring for me.
I like to give and help others, yet materially I do not have much to give. However you have given me the greatest gift and today I want to ask for another gift. Please bless me so that I can increase my care and compassion towards the conditioned souls and for the devotees. Please bless me with the intense desire to give Krishna consciousness to others no matter what my material circumstances may be. I know that if I can do this it will be very pleasing to you, and it is the best way that I can try and attempt to thank you for what you have done for me.
Thank you for guiding me over the years and tolerating my impudence. Thank you Gurudeva for engaging me in your service, I pray that I can be a good son and do you proud by assisting you in your service by giving Krishna consciousness to others and by caring for the devotees.
Your servant,
Gopala Guru dasa
Govindakund devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you
Guru Maharaja, Inspite of our disqualifications you have accepted us as your disciples and it is due to your mercy and guidance we are able to have a Krsna Conscious life. Although all our lives we were so close to Vrndavan but we had no attraction for Vrindavan or Krishna and were lost in the illusion of material world. Only by your mercy we have got the opportunity to be in the holy dham and render some service.
It is amazing to see how after getting your association and mercy our lives have effortlessly changed and you have engaged us in the transcendental service of Srila Prabhupada.
We are totally inadequate to glorify you but to see your determination to serve and please Srila Prabhupada is very inspiring and hope that in our small way we can follow your footsteps and be able serve you.
Please continue to guide us so that we can overcome our material attachments and be engaged in your service eternally.
Your Unqualified Servants
NaradaKund dasa
Govindakund devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you
Guru Maharaja, Inspite of our disqualifications you have accepted us as your disciples and it is due to your mercy and guidance we are able to have a Krsna Conscious life. Although all our lives we were so close to Vrndavan but we had no attraction for Vrindavan or Krishna and were lost in the illusion of material world. Only by your mercy we have got the opportunity to be in the holy dham and render some service.
It is amazing to see how after getting your association and mercy our lives have effortlessly changed and you have engaged us in the transcendental service of Srila Prabhupada.
We are totally inadequate to glorify you but to see your determination to serve and please Srila Prabhupada is very inspiring and hope that in our small way we can follow your footsteps and be able serve you.
Please continue to guide us so that we can overcome our material attachments and be engaged in your service eternally.
Your Unqualified Servants
NaradaKund dasa
Govindakund devi dasi
Hamsavatara Dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances at Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to You and Srila Prabhupada.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila 1.58 says:
jīve sākṣāt nāhi tāte guru caittya-rūpe śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa-mahānta-svarūpe
Translation : Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself.
Srila Prabhupada says in the purport that Lord Krishna sends a spiritual master to guide the conditioned soul back to His Lotus Feet by engaging the jīva in Devotional service.
We are very fortunate to have such a spiritual master who is expert in engaging a fallen conditioned soul like me in devotional service. By your causeless mercy and accepting hardships in spreading the glories of Lord Krishna all over the world, you are showing how a Vaishnava devotee most of all has compassion in his heart and takes all kinds of austerities to give the most valuable gift of all to everyone without any sense of discrimination.
The only way to reciprocate with this invaluable and inconceivable fortune is to assist you in your services to the disciplic succession.
Thank You Srila Gurudeva for giving me this oppertunity though i am unworthy of it.
Your Servant,
Hamsavatara Dasa
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances at Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to You and Srila Prabhupada.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila 1.58 says:
jīve sākṣāt nāhi tāte guru caittya-rūpe śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa-mahānta-svarūpe
Translation : Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself.
Srila Prabhupada says in the purport that Lord Krishna sends a spiritual master to guide the conditioned soul back to His Lotus Feet by engaging the jīva in Devotional service.
We are very fortunate to have such a spiritual master who is expert in engaging a fallen conditioned soul like me in devotional service. By your causeless mercy and accepting hardships in spreading the glories of Lord Krishna all over the world, you are showing how a Vaishnava devotee most of all has compassion in his heart and takes all kinds of austerities to give the most valuable gift of all to everyone without any sense of discrimination.
The only way to reciprocate with this invaluable and inconceivable fortune is to assist you in your services to the disciplic succession.
Thank You Srila Gurudeva for giving me this oppertunity though i am unworthy of it.
Your Servant,
Hamsavatara Dasa
Hriman Krsna das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
It amazes me how quickly time disappears. I am reflecting back on my first two years in Krishna consciousness, reminiscing on my youthful days as a green horned bhakta washing pots in Gaura Yoga. Now coming to my teenage years in bhakti, I can look back at all my experiences in deeper gratitude and appreciation, at the same time trying to remember how I stumbled across such immense fortune.
I was a nineteen year old member of the debauched student class, meandering along Cuba street, Wellington. It is here where I found Srila Prabhupadas' version of Bhagavad Gita in a second hand bookstore. I remember purchasing it for seven dollars, thinking that I got reasonable bargain. Little did I know how that book was going to permanently change my life. My mind was swamped by all kinds of impersonal notions adopted from philosophy school, consequently I was intent in speculating my way through the Bhagavad Gita. The first thing I did when I got home was rip off the paper dust cover of Krishna and Arjuna and threw it away. I just wanted all the wisdom the book had to offer without part taking in any Hindu religion. I can see now how my my deep rooted envy for Krishna invoked me to spontaneously reject that glorious image. I finished reading the book a month later only to be bewildered by its real purport. Ten minutes later, as I was walking back from the Civic square I met a mataji who introduced herself as Hamsi. She was with another mataji unloading books from a bag in Manners Mall. Hamsi shoved a Bhagavad Gita in front of my face and tried to sell me the book I just finished reading. I think she was more surprised to see that I already had the book in my own bag. The rest was history, I came to Gaura yoga and was swept away by how your disciples presented Krishna consciousness.
A few weeks later I met your glorious self. You dispelled my impersonal sentiments and gave me your mercy through words of encouragement and opportunities to serve with the devotees in Wellington. I also came to Gaura Yoga with what could have been a disaster for my spiritual life – a Mayavadi TSO (temporary significant other) from my philosophy school, that could have easily manifested into a more serious affair. I wrote to you about my precarious situation, especially that she wasn’t convinced of a personal conception of the Absolute Truth. I remember how striking your reply was, befitting a teenage delinquent. You cautioned me in an email, saying – “do not to stick your head into the tigress mouth in too deep, or she will bite it off”. I shuddered at the thought, so I immediately renounced her.
I am so grateful for your compassion which has carried me through all these years. I was only coming to Gaura Yoga for three months at that time and I really wanted to move into Mahavans ashram. I could sense that there was some hesitancy for me to move in the ashram at such an infantile stage of bhakti. But after I spoke to you about my living condition in Aro valley, you immediately snapped up the opportunity and asked to see where Mahavan was and why I havn’t moved in yet. You were so kind to see some potential in me that soon after I willingly moved into what Mangal Vaisnava called the ‘dungeon room’ in Wilton, where Mahavans ashram was at that time. I was so glad to be in that room next to the washing machine and freezer that wouldn’t stop buzzing. Although it was cold and had no sun light, I was so happy that I could just read the Bhagavatam in peace, that yourself had alluded for me to purchase after a Bhagavad gita workshop.
In a previous darshan that year you requested me to take photos of the degraded parties I had in my old flat. The next time I saw you, I confessed and apologized that I never managed to take those photos for you to use in your preaching presentations. Yet you had a beaming smile of encouragement and enthusiasm, because I remembered your instruction despite my inability to execute it. You then asked me what I wanted to do with myself. I said that I was thinking of finishing my studies and go travelling overseas. Magnanimously you extended yourself and said that I could travel with you.
So when I told my mother of my traveling plans she got worried about my future career in Maya. I introduced her to you so she could express her concerns while you patiently sat there and listened. By the end of the conversation you expertly turned it around and we were both concerned about her lifestyle, as she silently wept realizing her own short comings. More over you showed her the picture of Kapiladeva instructing His mother on the third canto, remarking that she should be learning from her son. To pacify my mother you gave her some sweets Sri Yasoda made. She was eating and glorifying the sweets at the same time, while you laughed and said how she was very special to appreciate prasad in such a unique way.
Your association impelled me to sell all my teenage essentials – like my cars, surfboard, three hundred death metal Cd's and a drum kit that me and Mahavan used in our Hare Krishna heavy metal band. We used to blast that drum kit in our band practices to the delight of the ashram residents. A year had passed and you had booked my flights to go travelling with you for the next five months. So many unforgettable memories comes to mind during that time, leaving so many life changing impressions in my heart.
I am simply meditating on your ability to fan the spark of bhakti in the hearts of so many different people and causing it to ignite into blazing flames of devotional service. You benevolently dragged this proud fool with you all over the world, while tolerating all inconveniences for the benefit of others - giving those less fortunate to experience the transcendental taste of Krishna consciousness. After all this time, I still feel that you are constantly dragging me with you back to Godhead. Now reaching my teens in bhakti years, reminds me of the frailties that can come along with being a biological teenager. You are that loving father that continues to persist, encourage, and tolerate your teenage son in his embarrassing attempts to serve you.
Gurudeva, your chastity and alignment with Srila Prahupadas' desires makes you an empowered representative of the parampara and I am eternally indebted to you for so many things. However in this offering I would especially like to thank you for fully engaging my youth in Krishna's service. I don’t have any regrets that the best thing for young boys is to be engaged in book distribution. As you have mentioned to me several times in the past - there is only one thing higher than the sankirtan devotee and that is the sankirtan leader. You are that sankirtan leader, that inspires all of us to take pleasure in sporting in the waves of Lord Caitanyas’s distribution of love of God. Therefore your company is always aspired by every one who desires to be a confidential devotee of Radha and Madhava. As Narottama Dasa Thakur sings: “gaura-prema-rasanarve, se tarange yeba dube, se radha-madhava-antaranga.” (Prarthana 39.4)
Praying always to remain your menial servant.
Hriman Krsna das
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
It amazes me how quickly time disappears. I am reflecting back on my first two years in Krishna consciousness, reminiscing on my youthful days as a green horned bhakta washing pots in Gaura Yoga. Now coming to my teenage years in bhakti, I can look back at all my experiences in deeper gratitude and appreciation, at the same time trying to remember how I stumbled across such immense fortune.
I was a nineteen year old member of the debauched student class, meandering along Cuba street, Wellington. It is here where I found Srila Prabhupadas' version of Bhagavad Gita in a second hand bookstore. I remember purchasing it for seven dollars, thinking that I got reasonable bargain. Little did I know how that book was going to permanently change my life. My mind was swamped by all kinds of impersonal notions adopted from philosophy school, consequently I was intent in speculating my way through the Bhagavad Gita. The first thing I did when I got home was rip off the paper dust cover of Krishna and Arjuna and threw it away. I just wanted all the wisdom the book had to offer without part taking in any Hindu religion. I can see now how my my deep rooted envy for Krishna invoked me to spontaneously reject that glorious image. I finished reading the book a month later only to be bewildered by its real purport. Ten minutes later, as I was walking back from the Civic square I met a mataji who introduced herself as Hamsi. She was with another mataji unloading books from a bag in Manners Mall. Hamsi shoved a Bhagavad Gita in front of my face and tried to sell me the book I just finished reading. I think she was more surprised to see that I already had the book in my own bag. The rest was history, I came to Gaura yoga and was swept away by how your disciples presented Krishna consciousness.
A few weeks later I met your glorious self. You dispelled my impersonal sentiments and gave me your mercy through words of encouragement and opportunities to serve with the devotees in Wellington. I also came to Gaura Yoga with what could have been a disaster for my spiritual life – a Mayavadi TSO (temporary significant other) from my philosophy school, that could have easily manifested into a more serious affair. I wrote to you about my precarious situation, especially that she wasn’t convinced of a personal conception of the Absolute Truth. I remember how striking your reply was, befitting a teenage delinquent. You cautioned me in an email, saying – “do not to stick your head into the tigress mouth in too deep, or she will bite it off”. I shuddered at the thought, so I immediately renounced her.
I am so grateful for your compassion which has carried me through all these years. I was only coming to Gaura Yoga for three months at that time and I really wanted to move into Mahavans ashram. I could sense that there was some hesitancy for me to move in the ashram at such an infantile stage of bhakti. But after I spoke to you about my living condition in Aro valley, you immediately snapped up the opportunity and asked to see where Mahavan was and why I havn’t moved in yet. You were so kind to see some potential in me that soon after I willingly moved into what Mangal Vaisnava called the ‘dungeon room’ in Wilton, where Mahavans ashram was at that time. I was so glad to be in that room next to the washing machine and freezer that wouldn’t stop buzzing. Although it was cold and had no sun light, I was so happy that I could just read the Bhagavatam in peace, that yourself had alluded for me to purchase after a Bhagavad gita workshop.
In a previous darshan that year you requested me to take photos of the degraded parties I had in my old flat. The next time I saw you, I confessed and apologized that I never managed to take those photos for you to use in your preaching presentations. Yet you had a beaming smile of encouragement and enthusiasm, because I remembered your instruction despite my inability to execute it. You then asked me what I wanted to do with myself. I said that I was thinking of finishing my studies and go travelling overseas. Magnanimously you extended yourself and said that I could travel with you.
So when I told my mother of my traveling plans she got worried about my future career in Maya. I introduced her to you so she could express her concerns while you patiently sat there and listened. By the end of the conversation you expertly turned it around and we were both concerned about her lifestyle, as she silently wept realizing her own short comings. More over you showed her the picture of Kapiladeva instructing His mother on the third canto, remarking that she should be learning from her son. To pacify my mother you gave her some sweets Sri Yasoda made. She was eating and glorifying the sweets at the same time, while you laughed and said how she was very special to appreciate prasad in such a unique way.
Your association impelled me to sell all my teenage essentials – like my cars, surfboard, three hundred death metal Cd's and a drum kit that me and Mahavan used in our Hare Krishna heavy metal band. We used to blast that drum kit in our band practices to the delight of the ashram residents. A year had passed and you had booked my flights to go travelling with you for the next five months. So many unforgettable memories comes to mind during that time, leaving so many life changing impressions in my heart.
I am simply meditating on your ability to fan the spark of bhakti in the hearts of so many different people and causing it to ignite into blazing flames of devotional service. You benevolently dragged this proud fool with you all over the world, while tolerating all inconveniences for the benefit of others - giving those less fortunate to experience the transcendental taste of Krishna consciousness. After all this time, I still feel that you are constantly dragging me with you back to Godhead. Now reaching my teens in bhakti years, reminds me of the frailties that can come along with being a biological teenager. You are that loving father that continues to persist, encourage, and tolerate your teenage son in his embarrassing attempts to serve you.
Gurudeva, your chastity and alignment with Srila Prahupadas' desires makes you an empowered representative of the parampara and I am eternally indebted to you for so many things. However in this offering I would especially like to thank you for fully engaging my youth in Krishna's service. I don’t have any regrets that the best thing for young boys is to be engaged in book distribution. As you have mentioned to me several times in the past - there is only one thing higher than the sankirtan devotee and that is the sankirtan leader. You are that sankirtan leader, that inspires all of us to take pleasure in sporting in the waves of Lord Caitanyas’s distribution of love of God. Therefore your company is always aspired by every one who desires to be a confidential devotee of Radha and Madhava. As Narottama Dasa Thakur sings: “gaura-prema-rasanarve, se tarange yeba dube, se radha-madhava-antaranga.” (Prarthana 39.4)
Praying always to remain your menial servant.
Hriman Krsna das
Indranath Das
Dear Guru Maharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Another year has passed and have another opportunity to try to glorify your special personality.
As time passing I am trying to adjust more in western society and how it. And i can see clearly how it is contaminated by impersonal disease. Taking a form of nice New Age ideas. And i can see how difficult to preach in these environment, And at the same time i can understand more and more how is unique your stile of preaching is affective. Like real Acharya you can find the way how to bring this young generation lost in New Age philosophy to the real of new bhakty.
By following example of Srila Prabhupada You successfully adjust details of preaching keeping eternal principles. All glories to Your service.
Waiting to see You in Australia again.
Your servant,
Indranath das.
please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Another year has passed and have another opportunity to try to glorify your special personality.
As time passing I am trying to adjust more in western society and how it. And i can see clearly how it is contaminated by impersonal disease. Taking a form of nice New Age ideas. And i can see how difficult to preach in these environment, And at the same time i can understand more and more how is unique your stile of preaching is affective. Like real Acharya you can find the way how to bring this young generation lost in New Age philosophy to the real of new bhakty.
By following example of Srila Prabhupada You successfully adjust details of preaching keeping eternal principles. All glories to Your service.
Waiting to see You in Australia again.
Your servant,
Indranath das.
Indranila devi dasi
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I am always happy and thankful to remember you on this special day. I am also always in complete anxiety because I never know what to say.
Again I will just remember out loud a couple of pastimes in your glorification.
Once in Valparaiso, Chile at Lila-Shakti mataji's apartment I was preparing breakfast for you. You were sitting in the next room waiting patiently as I gathered everything to start offering the bhoga to your picture. Once I started ringing the bell I heard your very sweet and loving voice calling me saying: “Chiquitita (which in spanish is a sweet way of saying little one) I am right here!”. I was so shy that I just completed offering to the picture instead of to you in person. Of course I regret it now but I'm very thankful for the reminding lesson that the guru's picture is a direct representation of the guru and that we should always try to serve our guru in the most personal way possible. And it also fulfilled my heart because it was so sweet.
Another time in Santiago I wrote to you about my plans to travel to Mayapur to do the Bhakti-Sastri before we started having children because I knew I wouldn't have time to study Srila Prabhupada's books later on. Short time after I got a personal call from you (where ever you were) just calling to say how proud you were of me for taking that decision. I was the happiest person on earth having made my Gurumaharaja proud. I thank you for your kindness, having taken your time and energy to make a long distance call to the isolated land of Chile just to show one very average young lady your love.
When in Mayapur I was struck by two things I saw. Due to the very tight schedule I had during the day I was making an extra effort to get up early and chant my rounds before mangala-arati. For months every morning in the temple room there would be only me, a Srila Prabhupada disciple and the Radha-Madhava pujari chanting. One morning closer to the festival days around 03.00 o' clock there was suddenly a brahmacari pacing back and forth in front of Lord Nrsimhadeva's altar chanting very seriously. I tried concentrating on my rounds but after some time inevitably in my mind I started wondering who that devotee that was chanting so sincerely and with so much urge and intensity was? About one hour later I unintentionally happen to look up at the brahmacari and to my hearts great content it was You, my dear spiritual master who always conquers his mind.
Also in Mayapur for the morning program after Govinda prayers when everybody started circumambulate the altars I was walking around minding my own business, when I saw a humility I'll never forget. Because of the festival days there was a lot of senior devotees and Sannyasis visiting. I was used to seeing them enthusiasticly marching proudly for Srila Prabhupada determined to inspire themselves for the coming year ahead. In the middle of this I suddenly spotted you. My heart softened because there you were walking so humble and meek. Looking like just one more devotee amidst them all but so pure and effulgent and as simple as can be and extremely sincere. I was impressed to say the least but so deeply thankful observing my gurumaharaja walking so shyly as if every step was a humble request of acceptance from the Lord.
I beg you desperately with my head and hands around your feet that you please accept any little service that I may perform.
Thank you for encouraging me to chant attentively.
Your servant always,
Indranila devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
I am always happy and thankful to remember you on this special day. I am also always in complete anxiety because I never know what to say.
Again I will just remember out loud a couple of pastimes in your glorification.
Once in Valparaiso, Chile at Lila-Shakti mataji's apartment I was preparing breakfast for you. You were sitting in the next room waiting patiently as I gathered everything to start offering the bhoga to your picture. Once I started ringing the bell I heard your very sweet and loving voice calling me saying: “Chiquitita (which in spanish is a sweet way of saying little one) I am right here!”. I was so shy that I just completed offering to the picture instead of to you in person. Of course I regret it now but I'm very thankful for the reminding lesson that the guru's picture is a direct representation of the guru and that we should always try to serve our guru in the most personal way possible. And it also fulfilled my heart because it was so sweet.
Another time in Santiago I wrote to you about my plans to travel to Mayapur to do the Bhakti-Sastri before we started having children because I knew I wouldn't have time to study Srila Prabhupada's books later on. Short time after I got a personal call from you (where ever you were) just calling to say how proud you were of me for taking that decision. I was the happiest person on earth having made my Gurumaharaja proud. I thank you for your kindness, having taken your time and energy to make a long distance call to the isolated land of Chile just to show one very average young lady your love.
When in Mayapur I was struck by two things I saw. Due to the very tight schedule I had during the day I was making an extra effort to get up early and chant my rounds before mangala-arati. For months every morning in the temple room there would be only me, a Srila Prabhupada disciple and the Radha-Madhava pujari chanting. One morning closer to the festival days around 03.00 o' clock there was suddenly a brahmacari pacing back and forth in front of Lord Nrsimhadeva's altar chanting very seriously. I tried concentrating on my rounds but after some time inevitably in my mind I started wondering who that devotee that was chanting so sincerely and with so much urge and intensity was? About one hour later I unintentionally happen to look up at the brahmacari and to my hearts great content it was You, my dear spiritual master who always conquers his mind.
Also in Mayapur for the morning program after Govinda prayers when everybody started circumambulate the altars I was walking around minding my own business, when I saw a humility I'll never forget. Because of the festival days there was a lot of senior devotees and Sannyasis visiting. I was used to seeing them enthusiasticly marching proudly for Srila Prabhupada determined to inspire themselves for the coming year ahead. In the middle of this I suddenly spotted you. My heart softened because there you were walking so humble and meek. Looking like just one more devotee amidst them all but so pure and effulgent and as simple as can be and extremely sincere. I was impressed to say the least but so deeply thankful observing my gurumaharaja walking so shyly as if every step was a humble request of acceptance from the Lord.
I beg you desperately with my head and hands around your feet that you please accept any little service that I may perform.
Thank you for encouraging me to chant attentively.
Your servant always,
Indranila devi dasi
Īśāna Ṭhākura Dāsa
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, please accept humble offering on this auspicious day from your insignificant servant. Please excuse me for all the mistakes that I may have committed.
This year has been the most important of all the years since I was born as you, out of your compassionate and loving nature, accepted me (lower than the lowest) as your disciple. I wanted to thank you but unfortunately I didn’t have personal darshan with you since then. But, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the core of my heart for allowing me to join our God family which has so many wonderful devotees. Through them I get to hear your wonderful qualities and how much you love and care for not only your disciples but also the devotees who take guidance from you.
On this auspicious day, I would sincerely like to thank you for all your support and instructions. Your instructions are very dear to me and I am trying my best to be conscious of them all the time.
Only with your blessings I can follow the footsteps of Īśāna Ṭhākura Prabhu and serve the devotees in the same capacity as he did.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Īśāna Ṭhākura Dāsa
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
Gurudeva, please accept humble offering on this auspicious day from your insignificant servant. Please excuse me for all the mistakes that I may have committed.
This year has been the most important of all the years since I was born as you, out of your compassionate and loving nature, accepted me (lower than the lowest) as your disciple. I wanted to thank you but unfortunately I didn’t have personal darshan with you since then. But, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you from the core of my heart for allowing me to join our God family which has so many wonderful devotees. Through them I get to hear your wonderful qualities and how much you love and care for not only your disciples but also the devotees who take guidance from you.
On this auspicious day, I would sincerely like to thank you for all your support and instructions. Your instructions are very dear to me and I am trying my best to be conscious of them all the time.
Only with your blessings I can follow the footsteps of Īśāna Ṭhākura Prabhu and serve the devotees in the same capacity as he did.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Īśāna Ṭhākura Dāsa
Isvar Candra das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to the merciful sankirtana movement. All glories to you.
"My dear King, when Krsna's devotees dance in kirtana, they destroy the inauspiciousness of the earth by the touch of their feet, the directions by their glance, and the higher planetary systems by their upraised arms."
Sri Caitanya-bhagavata Adi-khanda 2.184
Some days ago we had a harinam in the capital of Bulgaria and it was very nice. About 20 devotees, smiling and dancing, singing the Holly Name in a sweet melodies, distributing Prabhupada's books... People were happy to see us, some of them were dancing, singing and waving their hands. From all these people there was one man that stood up - a crazy guy with a bicycle. He was following the harinam, making silly faces to everyone, dancing funny and singing loud and offbeat. From time to time he would stop, sit in yoga asana, fold his hands and chant Hare Krishna very seriously. He was funny and innocent and I couldn't remove my eyes from him for a long time. I was thinking "O my God, I'm the same! "
“As the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu conquers all directions, a flood of transcendental ecstasy will certainly cover the land. When all the sinful, miserable living entities become happy, the Vaisnavas’ desire is then fulfilled. “
Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna
I was thinking - “How did I get into a dhoti and kurta? Although I’m in this condition (crazy, without proper perception of the world that surrounds me) still I’m among the devotees?” With an honest heart and mind I can say that you are the sole reason for this. There are many devotees that are taking care of me and giving me guidance and I will not skip them, but at the same time you were the first one to come and preach in Bulgaria. Young educated American, going behind the Iron Curtain, risking his life for the spiritual wellbeing of others. You are endowed with power and bravery, courage and purity, and determination to execute the merciful order of Srila Prabhupada. Giving your time and strength, forgetting about your personal comfort, facing all kinds of dangers, you took Lord Caitanya’s message of love of Krishna and planted it in place where the innocent were suffering a godless regime. And like an experienced gardener you did not just plant the seed, but now you are taking care of all the flowers in your garden. Like Prabhupada is saying in his poem – the pure Vaisnava’ desire is to see everyone happy. Krishna conscious happy.
“Krishna 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, “Krishna! Krishna!”
“Ohe! Vaisnava Thakura”
I had seen some of your disciples and I have association with the ones in Bulgaria( “the best of the Bulgarians” as you say) and I start to realize more and more that I can not compare to them. All of them are beautiful fragrant flowers, ready to give everything in your service, and I am a little weed standing in the far corner of your garden. Guru Maharaj I can continue praising you, but I don’t want to waste your valuable time – you have flowers to take care of. I have just one simple plea (and I know that you can complete it, because you have all the needed qualities) – please don’t forget me. Give me your mercy, so that one day from thorny weed, I will turn in to a flower. A flower that you can offer to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya.
May your mercy and love of Krishna never stops spreading.
trying to be your servant, Isvar Candra das
All glories to the merciful sankirtana movement. All glories to you.
"My dear King, when Krsna's devotees dance in kirtana, they destroy the inauspiciousness of the earth by the touch of their feet, the directions by their glance, and the higher planetary systems by their upraised arms."
Sri Caitanya-bhagavata Adi-khanda 2.184
Some days ago we had a harinam in the capital of Bulgaria and it was very nice. About 20 devotees, smiling and dancing, singing the Holly Name in a sweet melodies, distributing Prabhupada's books... People were happy to see us, some of them were dancing, singing and waving their hands. From all these people there was one man that stood up - a crazy guy with a bicycle. He was following the harinam, making silly faces to everyone, dancing funny and singing loud and offbeat. From time to time he would stop, sit in yoga asana, fold his hands and chant Hare Krishna very seriously. He was funny and innocent and I couldn't remove my eyes from him for a long time. I was thinking "O my God, I'm the same! "
“As the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu conquers all directions, a flood of transcendental ecstasy will certainly cover the land. When all the sinful, miserable living entities become happy, the Vaisnavas’ desire is then fulfilled. “
Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna
I was thinking - “How did I get into a dhoti and kurta? Although I’m in this condition (crazy, without proper perception of the world that surrounds me) still I’m among the devotees?” With an honest heart and mind I can say that you are the sole reason for this. There are many devotees that are taking care of me and giving me guidance and I will not skip them, but at the same time you were the first one to come and preach in Bulgaria. Young educated American, going behind the Iron Curtain, risking his life for the spiritual wellbeing of others. You are endowed with power and bravery, courage and purity, and determination to execute the merciful order of Srila Prabhupada. Giving your time and strength, forgetting about your personal comfort, facing all kinds of dangers, you took Lord Caitanya’s message of love of Krishna and planted it in place where the innocent were suffering a godless regime. And like an experienced gardener you did not just plant the seed, but now you are taking care of all the flowers in your garden. Like Prabhupada is saying in his poem – the pure Vaisnava’ desire is to see everyone happy. Krishna conscious happy.
“Krishna 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, “Krishna! Krishna!”
“Ohe! Vaisnava Thakura”
I had seen some of your disciples and I have association with the ones in Bulgaria( “the best of the Bulgarians” as you say) and I start to realize more and more that I can not compare to them. All of them are beautiful fragrant flowers, ready to give everything in your service, and I am a little weed standing in the far corner of your garden. Guru Maharaj I can continue praising you, but I don’t want to waste your valuable time – you have flowers to take care of. I have just one simple plea (and I know that you can complete it, because you have all the needed qualities) – please don’t forget me. Give me your mercy, so that one day from thorny weed, I will turn in to a flower. A flower that you can offer to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya.
May your mercy and love of Krishna never stops spreading.
trying to be your servant, Isvar Candra das
Isvari Kesavi Devi Dasi
Dearest Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“Even by a moments association with a pure devotee one can achieve all perfection.” (First Canto)
How is it that I have become so fortunate to gain your association in my life? How is it that I have become so fortunate to have been accepted by you as a disciple? And how is it that I have become so fortunate to be able to render some menial service unto your lotus feet?
To these questions I have no answers.
Gurudev I am in anxiety that this offering will prove to be inadequate. I am not at all qualified to glorify you on this most auspicious day of your appearance but will try to share a few words.
Because of my immaturity I cannot begin to grasp all that you have done for me. As a loving father you are carefully guiding this naive young girl towards the path of perfection, Bhakti yoga.
“...A child may commit mischief, but he cannot refrain from mischief unless he is given some engagement. When he is given some toys, his attention is diverted and his mischievous activities stop...” (King of Knowledge)
You have given me the most precious jewel of devotional service and like a child I am not able to understand the value of what I now possess. But like a patient father you are always there to explain to me it’s meaning through the potency of your words. Your reciprocation has always blown me away, the time and attention you have put into me I do not deserve.
“Devotional service is so pure and perfect that once having begun, one is forcibly dragged to ultimate success.” (Nectar of Instruction)
There are no words I find suitable to describe the gratitude within my heart.
You are the most magnanimous person; there is no limit to how much you are willing to give in order to benefit the fallen conditioned souls of this age. You are so full of compassion Gurudev. I pray that one day I may be able to develop a fraction of the compassion you have. You are truly the well-wisher of all, always concerned for the real welfare of not only your disciples but for every soul you meet.
I am longing to become an instrument in your Sankirtan party. Due to your mercy I now have a taste to spread Krishna Consciousness with others and only by your mercy can I continue to make any progress in spiritual life.
Hoping to one day make you proud.
Your servant and daughter,
Isvari Kesavi Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“Even by a moments association with a pure devotee one can achieve all perfection.” (First Canto)
How is it that I have become so fortunate to gain your association in my life? How is it that I have become so fortunate to have been accepted by you as a disciple? And how is it that I have become so fortunate to be able to render some menial service unto your lotus feet?
To these questions I have no answers.
Gurudev I am in anxiety that this offering will prove to be inadequate. I am not at all qualified to glorify you on this most auspicious day of your appearance but will try to share a few words.
Because of my immaturity I cannot begin to grasp all that you have done for me. As a loving father you are carefully guiding this naive young girl towards the path of perfection, Bhakti yoga.
“...A child may commit mischief, but he cannot refrain from mischief unless he is given some engagement. When he is given some toys, his attention is diverted and his mischievous activities stop...” (King of Knowledge)
You have given me the most precious jewel of devotional service and like a child I am not able to understand the value of what I now possess. But like a patient father you are always there to explain to me it’s meaning through the potency of your words. Your reciprocation has always blown me away, the time and attention you have put into me I do not deserve.
“Devotional service is so pure and perfect that once having begun, one is forcibly dragged to ultimate success.” (Nectar of Instruction)
There are no words I find suitable to describe the gratitude within my heart.
You are the most magnanimous person; there is no limit to how much you are willing to give in order to benefit the fallen conditioned souls of this age. You are so full of compassion Gurudev. I pray that one day I may be able to develop a fraction of the compassion you have. You are truly the well-wisher of all, always concerned for the real welfare of not only your disciples but for every soul you meet.
I am longing to become an instrument in your Sankirtan party. Due to your mercy I now have a taste to spread Krishna Consciousness with others and only by your mercy can I continue to make any progress in spiritual life.
Hoping to one day make you proud.
Your servant and daughter,
Isvari Kesavi Devi Dasi
Izaak Townsend
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I have yet to meet you but through your lectures,kirtans and through your kind replies to my emails,which all have an ever increasing impact on my life i have learnt so much.
I look forward very much to when i do meet you later in this year.
I hope to have your blessings and i hope to serve you in whichever way you see fit in the future.
Your aspiring servant Izaak Townsend
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I have yet to meet you but through your lectures,kirtans and through your kind replies to my emails,which all have an ever increasing impact on my life i have learnt so much.
I look forward very much to when i do meet you later in this year.
I hope to have your blessings and i hope to serve you in whichever way you see fit in the future.
Your aspiring servant Izaak Townsend
Jahnavi Jivan dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this special day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhpada.
All glories to you.
Gurudeva, day after day, month after month, year after year we eagerly look forward to grab the opportunity to get your vani and vapu association. It’s been a decade now that I had started my Krishna Conscious journey taking tiny steps in trying to learn and become a devotee of the Lord Krishna under your guidance and support of the senior devotees who are very dear to you. I realise, that I am not been able to make much progress and still struggling hard to follow in the footsteps of your senior disciples. My heart always hanker to use my time in this life in some way that would please you in trying to help you in your mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness. I am totally entangled in the householder life trying my best to serve my husband and children. But, again when I remember your instructions to me and my husband whenever we use to take your darshan in our initial days of Krishna consciousness that always try to keep Krishna in the centre of our grahasta life. You always reminded us to make sure that whatever we endeavour in our material life to think that it does not disturbs our devotional life. We are trying our best to follow your instructions to balance our material and spiritual life so that one day we feel satisfied and get the taste of serving the servants of the servants of the Lord.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung the glories of spiritual master who is very dear to Hari Govinda. It is because of the mercy of Sri Krishna Caitanya we can get the mercy of spiritual master who can lead and guide us in correct spiritual path. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura written in his song:
<center>jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai,
tomara karuna-sara
karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya
prana na rakhibo ara</center>
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If your are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.
Gurudeva, I am so much indebted for your kind mercy and tolerance to us in spite of my inability to serve you. I really desire to do some service to you to get purification of all my anartha’s in my heart. Like the parents who would love to look after the child selflessly even though the child does not recognise their efforts and pain they are undergoing at that point of time in the similar way you are also very compassionate and concern about our well-being and progress in every walk of our life. Year after year, I express my inability but never I inquire or put any efforts to learn how to serve you. I have intense desire to do some useful service to you for the pleasure of serving Srila Prabhupada but always been a failure to attempt it. In spite of this attitude, on this special occasion, holding on to your lotus feet, I beg for special mercy for me and my family so that we can able to learn how to serve you and your servants.
Desiring to serve you,
Your insignificant servant,
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this special day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhpada.
All glories to you.
Gurudeva, day after day, month after month, year after year we eagerly look forward to grab the opportunity to get your vani and vapu association. It’s been a decade now that I had started my Krishna Conscious journey taking tiny steps in trying to learn and become a devotee of the Lord Krishna under your guidance and support of the senior devotees who are very dear to you. I realise, that I am not been able to make much progress and still struggling hard to follow in the footsteps of your senior disciples. My heart always hanker to use my time in this life in some way that would please you in trying to help you in your mission of spreading Krishna Consciousness. I am totally entangled in the householder life trying my best to serve my husband and children. But, again when I remember your instructions to me and my husband whenever we use to take your darshan in our initial days of Krishna consciousness that always try to keep Krishna in the centre of our grahasta life. You always reminded us to make sure that whatever we endeavour in our material life to think that it does not disturbs our devotional life. We are trying our best to follow your instructions to balance our material and spiritual life so that one day we feel satisfied and get the taste of serving the servants of the servants of the Lord.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung the glories of spiritual master who is very dear to Hari Govinda. It is because of the mercy of Sri Krishna Caitanya we can get the mercy of spiritual master who can lead and guide us in correct spiritual path. As Bhaktivinoda Thakura written in his song:
<center>jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pai,
tomara karuna-sara
karuna na hoile, kandiya kandiya
prana na rakhibo ara</center>
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. If your are not merciful unto me, I can only weep, and I will not be able to maintain my life.
Gurudeva, I am so much indebted for your kind mercy and tolerance to us in spite of my inability to serve you. I really desire to do some service to you to get purification of all my anartha’s in my heart. Like the parents who would love to look after the child selflessly even though the child does not recognise their efforts and pain they are undergoing at that point of time in the similar way you are also very compassionate and concern about our well-being and progress in every walk of our life. Year after year, I express my inability but never I inquire or put any efforts to learn how to serve you. I have intense desire to do some useful service to you for the pleasure of serving Srila Prabhupada but always been a failure to attempt it. In spite of this attitude, on this special occasion, holding on to your lotus feet, I beg for special mercy for me and my family so that we can able to learn how to serve you and your servants.
Desiring to serve you,
Your insignificant servant,
Jahnavi Jivan dd
Jaisacinanda das
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca
Bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
Parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ
Yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Here I get another opportunity to glorify you and celebrate your appearance day. However I ponder who am I to glorify you? What qualification do I really possess? Upon introspection I realise there is a long road ahead before I can consider myself your perfect disciple perhaps this remains a work in progress. However please accept this offering from your insignificant servant.
Gurudev, you are a magnanimous leader who does not flinch or mince words when instructing his disciples or the wider congregation/society, only to receive appreciation from all corners for your steadfastness and meticulous attention to detail.
Gurudev, your cultivation techniques are contemporary and these same techniques are being replicated all over the place (in fact all over the world) with great success. Once again this no mean feat and this is only possible because of your futuristic vision backed by a deep understanding of Shastra.
Gurudev, you are relentless in dispensing Krishna consciousness to so many fallen falls all over the globe for over 4 decades with a level of un-paralleled freshness. Once again this is only possible because you are situated on the spiritual platform.
Gurudev, anyone who has got your association feels a great sense of attachment and separation and this is truly a hallmark of a spiritual preceptor otherwise mundane association is like stopping for a take-away on highway.
Gurudev, I could go and on glorifying you with every paragraph and stanza but this insignificant servant does not feel qualified enough to glorify you and therefore begs for forgiveness for my short comings and offences.
Your insignificant Servant
Jaisacinandana das
September 2014
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracāre ’pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca
Bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
Parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ
Yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Dear Gurudeva,
Here I get another opportunity to glorify you and celebrate your appearance day. However I ponder who am I to glorify you? What qualification do I really possess? Upon introspection I realise there is a long road ahead before I can consider myself your perfect disciple perhaps this remains a work in progress. However please accept this offering from your insignificant servant.
Gurudev, you are a magnanimous leader who does not flinch or mince words when instructing his disciples or the wider congregation/society, only to receive appreciation from all corners for your steadfastness and meticulous attention to detail.
Gurudev, your cultivation techniques are contemporary and these same techniques are being replicated all over the place (in fact all over the world) with great success. Once again this no mean feat and this is only possible because of your futuristic vision backed by a deep understanding of Shastra.
Gurudev, you are relentless in dispensing Krishna consciousness to so many fallen falls all over the globe for over 4 decades with a level of un-paralleled freshness. Once again this is only possible because you are situated on the spiritual platform.
Gurudev, anyone who has got your association feels a great sense of attachment and separation and this is truly a hallmark of a spiritual preceptor otherwise mundane association is like stopping for a take-away on highway.
Gurudev, I could go and on glorifying you with every paragraph and stanza but this insignificant servant does not feel qualified enough to glorify you and therefore begs for forgiveness for my short comings and offences.
Your insignificant Servant
Jaisacinandana das
September 2014
Janesvari devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada & all glories to You, on this most auspicious celebration of Your Vyasa Puja !
Thank You Gurudeva for giving me the shelter of Your lotus feet.
Because of Your unflinching faith in Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas, Your limitless compassion reaches the hearts and souls of everyone who comes in contact with You.
You remind us that the real solution to our problems is to remove all our anarthas by purification of the heart, “ Ceto-darpana-marjanam” (CC Antya-lila 20.12).
Recently while listening to ‘Prabhupada memories’, You shared how once after having left Your fiancée at that time, You were praying intensely to the presiding deities at the temple where You were staying to please remove all the material desires from Your heart.
And one day while Srila Prabhupada was giving class, You were sitting right in front of Him, and all of a sudden You felt a ‘tick’ on Your shoulder, and when You looked to see who it was, she was standing right behind You, giving You a begging look to come back to her.
But You simply turned back to face Srila Prabhupada.
You explained how all of this was going on right in front of Your spiritual master. This incident gave You the required strength and determination to become fully fixed in serving the lotus feet of Your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Sometimes we may become overwhelmed by the numerous negative saṃskāras we have accumulated over the countless lifetimes in this material world, but by associating with devotees who are more advanced we can develop a taste for hearing the Lord’s transcendental pastimes and for chanting His holy names.
“Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body of the living entity without separate effort, just as fire in the stomach digests all that we eat.” (SB 3.25.33)
Here in Sridham Mayapur, devotees always ask me : “Who is your spiritual master?”.
Upon hearing Your name, a big smile comes upon their face and with great respect and reverence they exclaim : “Oh Devamrita Maharaja, He is so wonderful, I love His classes and His kirtans!! And His preaching work is really revolutionary and cutting edge!!
There is no-one who preaches like Him!!”
While glorifying You in this way, I feel humbled and grateful to play a very small and insignificant part in assisting You in spreading Lord Caitanya’s samkirtan mission.
I pray for Your mercy, so that I may become a better puppet in the hands of the Lord.
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada & all glories to You, on this most auspicious celebration of Your Vyasa Puja !
Thank You Gurudeva for giving me the shelter of Your lotus feet.
Because of Your unflinching faith in Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas, Your limitless compassion reaches the hearts and souls of everyone who comes in contact with You.
You remind us that the real solution to our problems is to remove all our anarthas by purification of the heart, “ Ceto-darpana-marjanam” (CC Antya-lila 20.12).
Recently while listening to ‘Prabhupada memories’, You shared how once after having left Your fiancée at that time, You were praying intensely to the presiding deities at the temple where You were staying to please remove all the material desires from Your heart.
And one day while Srila Prabhupada was giving class, You were sitting right in front of Him, and all of a sudden You felt a ‘tick’ on Your shoulder, and when You looked to see who it was, she was standing right behind You, giving You a begging look to come back to her.
But You simply turned back to face Srila Prabhupada.
You explained how all of this was going on right in front of Your spiritual master. This incident gave You the required strength and determination to become fully fixed in serving the lotus feet of Your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.
Sometimes we may become overwhelmed by the numerous negative saṃskāras we have accumulated over the countless lifetimes in this material world, but by associating with devotees who are more advanced we can develop a taste for hearing the Lord’s transcendental pastimes and for chanting His holy names.
“Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body of the living entity without separate effort, just as fire in the stomach digests all that we eat.” (SB 3.25.33)
Here in Sridham Mayapur, devotees always ask me : “Who is your spiritual master?”.
Upon hearing Your name, a big smile comes upon their face and with great respect and reverence they exclaim : “Oh Devamrita Maharaja, He is so wonderful, I love His classes and His kirtans!! And His preaching work is really revolutionary and cutting edge!!
There is no-one who preaches like Him!!”
While glorifying You in this way, I feel humbled and grateful to play a very small and insignificant part in assisting You in spreading Lord Caitanya’s samkirtan mission.
I pray for Your mercy, so that I may become a better puppet in the hands of the Lord.
Your aspiring servant,
Janesvari devi dasi
Jaya Jaganatha das
Dear Srila Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to you, for being so kind and merciful to this fallen soul.
I can remember that some time back in the year of 2013, by your kindness you allowed me to come with you on your daily walk to the beach. I would observe as you would walk and I could see how you were constantly chanting the Hare Krsna Mantra, and I could see how deeply absorbed you were.
Being in your presence I found myself to be feeling completely safe and protected. I remember that as we were coming back to your place of residence, one elderly lady approached you and asked "Are you a Spiritual Guru and have you written some book.". You replied that your name is Devamrita Swami and emphatically stated that you were simply "The servant of all the devotee's".
When I heard your statement, I learnt a very valuable, significant and essential lesson for one on the path of Krsna Conciousness.
You took initiation from HDG A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the year of 1974 and devoted your life to sharing his teachings, distributing his books and serving at the BBT.
You had become a chief manager at the BBT, you left that position and took sanyassa in 1982, and out of love, compassion and eagerness to please Prabhupada you went under cover to the former Communist Eastern Block to give the people there the greatest gift of Krsna Conciousness and to save them from endless suffering.
You have been a member of ISKCON's GBC since 2001, and you have written wonderful books such as "Perfect Escape" and "Searching for Vedic India" which was published by the BBT.
You are constantly travelling the globe delivering the message of Krsna Conciousness, presenting at many prestigious universities such as "Yale".
Throughout the world you have countless disciples, followers, well wishers and admirers whom adore you with all their hearts.
you are honoured as an exemplary Spiritual Leader in our ISKCON Society and have set the example for cracking a western population and making many western devotee's.
In the 40 year's that you have been serving Srila Prabhupada's mission you have made so many wonderful achievements and hold a high and very revered position in ISKCON.
And though you have been living such an illustrious and exemplary life in service to Srila Prabhupada and Radha Krsna, from witnessing your encounter with that elderly lady that day that I had went with you on that walk, where you had said that "I am the servant of all the devotee's" I could just see how soft hearted and incredibly humble you are.
From that experience I could see just how you were Living Lord Caitanya's instruction from the Siksastakam that "One should always feel themselves to be more lower than the blade of grass to be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect unto all other's without expecting any respect back. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
You taught me this valuable lesson, that no matter how much you achieve in the path of Bhakti, one must always keep this teaching of Mahaprabhu deeply embedded in one's heart.
I am forever greatful towards you my beloved Spiritual Father and Master. And I cannot repay my debt to you. I am simply a beggar, and on this auspicious day of your appearance I am begging that you please be merciful unto me and always keep me sheltered in the safety of your lotus feet, and please bestow upon me the ultimate prayojana of Pure unmotivated uninterrupted devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha.
Your insignificant servant Jaya Jaganatha das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to you, for being so kind and merciful to this fallen soul.
I can remember that some time back in the year of 2013, by your kindness you allowed me to come with you on your daily walk to the beach. I would observe as you would walk and I could see how you were constantly chanting the Hare Krsna Mantra, and I could see how deeply absorbed you were.
Being in your presence I found myself to be feeling completely safe and protected. I remember that as we were coming back to your place of residence, one elderly lady approached you and asked "Are you a Spiritual Guru and have you written some book.". You replied that your name is Devamrita Swami and emphatically stated that you were simply "The servant of all the devotee's".
When I heard your statement, I learnt a very valuable, significant and essential lesson for one on the path of Krsna Conciousness.
You took initiation from HDG A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the year of 1974 and devoted your life to sharing his teachings, distributing his books and serving at the BBT.
You had become a chief manager at the BBT, you left that position and took sanyassa in 1982, and out of love, compassion and eagerness to please Prabhupada you went under cover to the former Communist Eastern Block to give the people there the greatest gift of Krsna Conciousness and to save them from endless suffering.
You have been a member of ISKCON's GBC since 2001, and you have written wonderful books such as "Perfect Escape" and "Searching for Vedic India" which was published by the BBT.
You are constantly travelling the globe delivering the message of Krsna Conciousness, presenting at many prestigious universities such as "Yale".
Throughout the world you have countless disciples, followers, well wishers and admirers whom adore you with all their hearts.
you are honoured as an exemplary Spiritual Leader in our ISKCON Society and have set the example for cracking a western population and making many western devotee's.
In the 40 year's that you have been serving Srila Prabhupada's mission you have made so many wonderful achievements and hold a high and very revered position in ISKCON.
And though you have been living such an illustrious and exemplary life in service to Srila Prabhupada and Radha Krsna, from witnessing your encounter with that elderly lady that day that I had went with you on that walk, where you had said that "I am the servant of all the devotee's" I could just see how soft hearted and incredibly humble you are.
From that experience I could see just how you were Living Lord Caitanya's instruction from the Siksastakam that "One should always feel themselves to be more lower than the blade of grass to be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect unto all other's without expecting any respect back. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
You taught me this valuable lesson, that no matter how much you achieve in the path of Bhakti, one must always keep this teaching of Mahaprabhu deeply embedded in one's heart.
I am forever greatful towards you my beloved Spiritual Father and Master. And I cannot repay my debt to you. I am simply a beggar, and on this auspicious day of your appearance I am begging that you please be merciful unto me and always keep me sheltered in the safety of your lotus feet, and please bestow upon me the ultimate prayojana of Pure unmotivated uninterrupted devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha.
Your insignificant servant Jaya Jaganatha das
Jīva Dayā dāsa
nama oṁ viṣṇu pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣthāya bhūtale
śrīmate devāmṛta swāmīn iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrīmate Devāmṛta Swāmī who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
pracāre pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva,
Where would I be now if it weren’t for your mercy on me?
For my offering to you this year I would simply like to try and address the realities of this very question, in order to try and understand deeper its true relevance to my life.
With the yearly arrival of the auspicious and thought-provoking event of your Vyasa-puja, we often hear this question directly and indirectly expressed by your disciples, as we aim to deeper appreciate the true extent of your mercy upon us all.
It seems this it is quite naturally a point to ponder. Reflecting on it more, it seems implicit in my asking such a pertinent question as, “Where would I be now, O Gurudeva?!”, would most certainly have to be the suggestion that I am actually convinced that the condition I was in before coming to Krsna Consciousness, and the direction I was heading, must be considerably disastrous compared to the situation I find myself in now.
Yet I’m forced to ask myself, “Does my putting forward this question serve to express actual realization of the full contrast between the then and the now? Or am just posing a theoretical expression with an aim to conjure up some scraps of emotion in my stone cold heart? Or perhaps I simply parrot this question in an attempt to increase my perception of myself as an extraordinarily grateful and reflective person?” Most likely the latter is true considering that even as I write these words of honesty, I imagine how I may be praised by others for my frankness in introspection.
So how convinced am I? Considering how I consistently fail to put as much energy and focus into my spiritual life as I had previously put into my pursuit of degraded sense gratification, chances are I don’t actually have very deep realization about the nature of the gift you have given me, or how truly fortunate I am to have met you.
If dedicated devotees of Kali-yuga were to hear of my previous position in material life, they would certainly think I was mad for giving it up in exchange for what we call ‘simple living and high thinking’. “You were better off without Krishna!”, they would say, “Just think of how free you were for sensual and emotional expression. And now your life is just governed by so many rules!” Or maybe the more open-minded folk would declare, “Meh! Material life, spiritual life; one’s no better than the other. As long as you feel good in the moment brother! Go for it!” Now, I’m not one to care so much about what the average Joe may think of my life choices. Unfortunately for me how ever, my polluted mind is also a dedicated devotee of Kali yuga, intent on minimizing the glories of devotees and devotional service, and to artificially inflating the pleasures of unabashed sensuality.
In order to convince my mad mind of the relative superiority of my current situation, and to glorify the effects of your magnanimous activities for the pleasure of the Vaisnavas, I would like to share with you a short run-through of the situation I was in before I first met the devotees, the direction I seemed to be heading at the time, and the story of how I found shelter in the association of you and your wonderful disciples here in New Zealand. I hope you find some pleasure in it.
I was eighteen years old when I moved to New Zealand. Being inspired by a passionate conviction that the world owed me a lifetime of perfect heart-fulfilling experiences, I had moved out of my parent’s house in Australia and had flown back to the country I’d grown up in until age twelve. “Back home to my roots,” I thought, “This is the answer to all my problems. This is what will open up the door to my inner satisfaction.”
To make a long story short, for the few months after flying to New Zealand I managed to make solid progress in the field of low-class Kali-yuga hedonism. With no specific goal in life I simply wandered from one cannabis fuelled, brain-destroying, energy draining sinful activity to the next. Although I engaged only in unclean activities, I was able to simultaneously convince myself of my own super intelligence. Eventually, I arrived in Wellington City, where I was only to build unprecedented momentum toward a future hellish condition of existence by the strength of my animalistic way of life.
Such was my sorry state before I came in contact with your life saving mercy. Fortunately for me, however, as I was wallowing in this pathetic state, I managed to meet one of your sankirtan soldiers, posted on duty in the streets of Wellington.
I was waiting at a bus stop on Courtney Place, having just wasted a few more hours of my life at the local skate park, when I noticed two interesting people about ten metres away. They were stopping people to talk about something obviously quite important to them. I rolled closer, half hoping that one of those bright-faced persons would approach me. Just then, one of them finished an exchange and saw me watching curiously. “Hi!” I remember her saying with a smile. Holding a few books in her hand, she walked closer and we began to talk.
Due to my battered brain substance at the time, I cannot recall the exact details of the conversation we had. I simply remember being so fascinated by the books that she was showing to me, and so put to ease by this person’s peaceful and friendly demeanor, that when my bus arrived to pick me up, I didn’t care for it.
“Oh, that’s my bus,” I casually stated. “O.K.”, said the woman with the books. “I suppose you wanna jump on then?” “Not really,” I replied, “What where you showing me in your book?”
After a few more moments of riveting discussion, a middle aged lady crossed to our side of the road and began to verbally abuse the woman talking to me. “Take your cult books elsewhere! Talk to some older people! Stop trying to brainwash this young boy!” These were just a few of the things I remember her rambling before she walked off. Although the younger woman kept her cool, she seemed unsure how the incident had affected me. “How rude was that?” I exclaimed, “What were you telling before she butted in?”
By the end of our eventful discussion I was convinced that the books she was showing me were exactly what I was looking for in life, even though I didn’t really know exactly what they were about. I happily gave ten dollars for a copy of the Science of Self Realization and she threw an Easy Journey to Other Planets in for free along with an invitation to Gaura Yoga (now Bhakti Lounge). I couldn’t wait to get to my flat and start reading!
As I stood waiting for the next bus to arrive, she approached me again, handing me a small card with some strange message on it, which read: “Chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and your life will be sublime.” Right there on the street she taught me how to chant the maha-mantra.
After getting to my flat, I began reading the small book and often read the mantra card which I used as a bookmark. I found the books deeply enthralling, and I specifically remember being captivated by phrases such as “Supreme Personality of Godhead” and “Anti-material worlds.”
When the following Sunday came around, I attended the Krishna fest at Gaura Yoga only to have my mind blown by the best party I’d ever been to, with the nicest people I’d ever met, topped off with the best food I’d ever tasted in my life. The experience was so powerful that I immediately embraced the path of bhakti-yoga for the purification of my heart.
By the next day, after more reading and reflection, as well as a chance encounter with a devotee outside the front on my flat, I was convinced that the activities I had been performing with blind faith for so many years – meat-eating, intoxication, woman-hunting, etc. – were completely detrimental to my true welfare.
After visiting the Gaura Yoga centre on almost a daily basis, I eventually met you in person. The once-in-a-divya-yuga-chance to have a one-on-one talk with a fully liberated, pure and unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was attained by me there in that small bhakti yoga lounge. Walking into the room where you were, and being unaware of the general custom of sitting at the feet of an elevated saint, I just sort of plonked myself right next to you on the sofa. As you are very kind-hearted, you simply smiled broadly at me, perhaps laughing within at my uncultured innocence. With immature enthusiasm I expressed to you how happy I was to stumble across this amazing community of spiritual practitioners. You smilingly instructed me to continue with the regular chanting that I had taken up, and recommended that I make the community of devotees my home. Thank you Gurudeva for those simple yet life-changing instructions.
I am amazed when I think back to those events, and how merely by brief contact with the devotees my whole life was changed so dramatically. Such contact was certainly only possible by your fathomless mercy, which I am unable to suitably describe. Armed with divine expertise, deep compassion for others, and an intense desire to please Srila Prabhupada, you have succeeded in making spiritual life all too easy for so many Kali yuga wrecks like myself. As the inspiration for the New Zealand contemporary urban outreach, you are making it easy for devotees to make it easy for fallen souls to come to Krishna Consciousness. You are making it easy for devotees to make it easy for fortunate souls to grow organically in Krishna consciousness. And you are making it easy for so many devotees to make it easy for other devotees to give Krishna consciousness to others. Given the evidence, I can only boldly posit that when Krishna speaks in the eighteenth chapter of Bhagavad-Gita about those servants that are more dear to Him than all others, you must certainly be amongst those fortunate souls who hold a position in the forefront of His mind.
How privileged am I to have such a spiritual master as Your Holiness! And how unfortunate I would be if I had not have come in contact with your causeless mercy!
So, where would I be now were it not for you? Technically, I’d be in the same place as before, namely the hellish stool-pit of Kali-yuga hedonism. Only by now, had I not been lifted out by your grace, I would be much deeper in that pit, up to the neck in abominable sense gratification, and rapidly sinking further down.
Now, thanks to your unlimited kindness, I find myself swimming in the nectarean ocean of association with sincere and serious devotees of the Lord. Now, instead of being, so to speak, up to the neck in suffering, I regularly find myself up to neck in delicious krsna-prasad.
Gurudeva, please bless me so I may appreciate more the true glories of devotees and devotional service, as opposed to the utter hellishness of material existence. As befitting a servant of the servant of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, please show your extreme mercy by engaging me in your service life after life, even though I am most unworthy of such a boon.
Your servant,
Jīva Dayā dāsa
śrīmate devāmṛta swāmīn iti nāmine
I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrīmate Devāmṛta Swāmī who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
pracāre pūrva-dākṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness and compassion.
Dear Gurudeva,
Where would I be now if it weren’t for your mercy on me?
For my offering to you this year I would simply like to try and address the realities of this very question, in order to try and understand deeper its true relevance to my life.
With the yearly arrival of the auspicious and thought-provoking event of your Vyasa-puja, we often hear this question directly and indirectly expressed by your disciples, as we aim to deeper appreciate the true extent of your mercy upon us all.
It seems this it is quite naturally a point to ponder. Reflecting on it more, it seems implicit in my asking such a pertinent question as, “Where would I be now, O Gurudeva?!”, would most certainly have to be the suggestion that I am actually convinced that the condition I was in before coming to Krsna Consciousness, and the direction I was heading, must be considerably disastrous compared to the situation I find myself in now.
Yet I’m forced to ask myself, “Does my putting forward this question serve to express actual realization of the full contrast between the then and the now? Or am just posing a theoretical expression with an aim to conjure up some scraps of emotion in my stone cold heart? Or perhaps I simply parrot this question in an attempt to increase my perception of myself as an extraordinarily grateful and reflective person?” Most likely the latter is true considering that even as I write these words of honesty, I imagine how I may be praised by others for my frankness in introspection.
So how convinced am I? Considering how I consistently fail to put as much energy and focus into my spiritual life as I had previously put into my pursuit of degraded sense gratification, chances are I don’t actually have very deep realization about the nature of the gift you have given me, or how truly fortunate I am to have met you.
If dedicated devotees of Kali-yuga were to hear of my previous position in material life, they would certainly think I was mad for giving it up in exchange for what we call ‘simple living and high thinking’. “You were better off without Krishna!”, they would say, “Just think of how free you were for sensual and emotional expression. And now your life is just governed by so many rules!” Or maybe the more open-minded folk would declare, “Meh! Material life, spiritual life; one’s no better than the other. As long as you feel good in the moment brother! Go for it!” Now, I’m not one to care so much about what the average Joe may think of my life choices. Unfortunately for me how ever, my polluted mind is also a dedicated devotee of Kali yuga, intent on minimizing the glories of devotees and devotional service, and to artificially inflating the pleasures of unabashed sensuality.
In order to convince my mad mind of the relative superiority of my current situation, and to glorify the effects of your magnanimous activities for the pleasure of the Vaisnavas, I would like to share with you a short run-through of the situation I was in before I first met the devotees, the direction I seemed to be heading at the time, and the story of how I found shelter in the association of you and your wonderful disciples here in New Zealand. I hope you find some pleasure in it.
I was eighteen years old when I moved to New Zealand. Being inspired by a passionate conviction that the world owed me a lifetime of perfect heart-fulfilling experiences, I had moved out of my parent’s house in Australia and had flown back to the country I’d grown up in until age twelve. “Back home to my roots,” I thought, “This is the answer to all my problems. This is what will open up the door to my inner satisfaction.”
To make a long story short, for the few months after flying to New Zealand I managed to make solid progress in the field of low-class Kali-yuga hedonism. With no specific goal in life I simply wandered from one cannabis fuelled, brain-destroying, energy draining sinful activity to the next. Although I engaged only in unclean activities, I was able to simultaneously convince myself of my own super intelligence. Eventually, I arrived in Wellington City, where I was only to build unprecedented momentum toward a future hellish condition of existence by the strength of my animalistic way of life.
Such was my sorry state before I came in contact with your life saving mercy. Fortunately for me, however, as I was wallowing in this pathetic state, I managed to meet one of your sankirtan soldiers, posted on duty in the streets of Wellington.
I was waiting at a bus stop on Courtney Place, having just wasted a few more hours of my life at the local skate park, when I noticed two interesting people about ten metres away. They were stopping people to talk about something obviously quite important to them. I rolled closer, half hoping that one of those bright-faced persons would approach me. Just then, one of them finished an exchange and saw me watching curiously. “Hi!” I remember her saying with a smile. Holding a few books in her hand, she walked closer and we began to talk.
Due to my battered brain substance at the time, I cannot recall the exact details of the conversation we had. I simply remember being so fascinated by the books that she was showing to me, and so put to ease by this person’s peaceful and friendly demeanor, that when my bus arrived to pick me up, I didn’t care for it.
“Oh, that’s my bus,” I casually stated. “O.K.”, said the woman with the books. “I suppose you wanna jump on then?” “Not really,” I replied, “What where you showing me in your book?”
After a few more moments of riveting discussion, a middle aged lady crossed to our side of the road and began to verbally abuse the woman talking to me. “Take your cult books elsewhere! Talk to some older people! Stop trying to brainwash this young boy!” These were just a few of the things I remember her rambling before she walked off. Although the younger woman kept her cool, she seemed unsure how the incident had affected me. “How rude was that?” I exclaimed, “What were you telling before she butted in?”
By the end of our eventful discussion I was convinced that the books she was showing me were exactly what I was looking for in life, even though I didn’t really know exactly what they were about. I happily gave ten dollars for a copy of the Science of Self Realization and she threw an Easy Journey to Other Planets in for free along with an invitation to Gaura Yoga (now Bhakti Lounge). I couldn’t wait to get to my flat and start reading!
As I stood waiting for the next bus to arrive, she approached me again, handing me a small card with some strange message on it, which read: “Chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and your life will be sublime.” Right there on the street she taught me how to chant the maha-mantra.
After getting to my flat, I began reading the small book and often read the mantra card which I used as a bookmark. I found the books deeply enthralling, and I specifically remember being captivated by phrases such as “Supreme Personality of Godhead” and “Anti-material worlds.”
When the following Sunday came around, I attended the Krishna fest at Gaura Yoga only to have my mind blown by the best party I’d ever been to, with the nicest people I’d ever met, topped off with the best food I’d ever tasted in my life. The experience was so powerful that I immediately embraced the path of bhakti-yoga for the purification of my heart.
By the next day, after more reading and reflection, as well as a chance encounter with a devotee outside the front on my flat, I was convinced that the activities I had been performing with blind faith for so many years – meat-eating, intoxication, woman-hunting, etc. – were completely detrimental to my true welfare.
After visiting the Gaura Yoga centre on almost a daily basis, I eventually met you in person. The once-in-a-divya-yuga-chance to have a one-on-one talk with a fully liberated, pure and unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was attained by me there in that small bhakti yoga lounge. Walking into the room where you were, and being unaware of the general custom of sitting at the feet of an elevated saint, I just sort of plonked myself right next to you on the sofa. As you are very kind-hearted, you simply smiled broadly at me, perhaps laughing within at my uncultured innocence. With immature enthusiasm I expressed to you how happy I was to stumble across this amazing community of spiritual practitioners. You smilingly instructed me to continue with the regular chanting that I had taken up, and recommended that I make the community of devotees my home. Thank you Gurudeva for those simple yet life-changing instructions.
I am amazed when I think back to those events, and how merely by brief contact with the devotees my whole life was changed so dramatically. Such contact was certainly only possible by your fathomless mercy, which I am unable to suitably describe. Armed with divine expertise, deep compassion for others, and an intense desire to please Srila Prabhupada, you have succeeded in making spiritual life all too easy for so many Kali yuga wrecks like myself. As the inspiration for the New Zealand contemporary urban outreach, you are making it easy for devotees to make it easy for fallen souls to come to Krishna Consciousness. You are making it easy for devotees to make it easy for fortunate souls to grow organically in Krishna consciousness. And you are making it easy for so many devotees to make it easy for other devotees to give Krishna consciousness to others. Given the evidence, I can only boldly posit that when Krishna speaks in the eighteenth chapter of Bhagavad-Gita about those servants that are more dear to Him than all others, you must certainly be amongst those fortunate souls who hold a position in the forefront of His mind.
How privileged am I to have such a spiritual master as Your Holiness! And how unfortunate I would be if I had not have come in contact with your causeless mercy!
So, where would I be now were it not for you? Technically, I’d be in the same place as before, namely the hellish stool-pit of Kali-yuga hedonism. Only by now, had I not been lifted out by your grace, I would be much deeper in that pit, up to the neck in abominable sense gratification, and rapidly sinking further down.
Now, thanks to your unlimited kindness, I find myself swimming in the nectarean ocean of association with sincere and serious devotees of the Lord. Now, instead of being, so to speak, up to the neck in suffering, I regularly find myself up to neck in delicious krsna-prasad.
Gurudeva, please bless me so I may appreciate more the true glories of devotees and devotional service, as opposed to the utter hellishness of material existence. As befitting a servant of the servant of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, please show your extreme mercy by engaging me in your service life after life, even though I am most unworthy of such a boon.
Your servant,
Jīva Dayā dāsa
Jīva Māyā devi dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you on your appearance day.
We are so lucky to have had your association here in Wales recently. As you know, we've all been meditating on how we can improve our preaching here, and now in the aftermath of your physical presence I have been looking to your personal example for more inspiration and instruction.
In reading of your bravery in preaching behind the Iron Curtain, and from having personally experienced your boldness conveying Krsna's message, we can see great determination and risk-taking both in your life and in your presentation of bhakti.
I have come to see your unwavering presentation of the truth as illustration of your depth of realisation and trust in Krsna. There is nothing flimsy or airy-fairy about you Gurudeva, and that honesty is what I trust in you and what so many confused souls need in this modern day.
People respond so well because, as with Srila Prabhupada, they can feel that your (sometimes unpalatable) proddings are coming from a place of love. Your selflessness reaches so deep that the subtle gratifications of always being popular and people-pleasing are not a concern as your ever-expanding service forges ahead.
You encouraged me by saying you love devotees who are dynamic, and we can see such cutting-edge creativity in your preaching - how else would so many of us be applying the process of Krsna consciousness if we hadn't been transcendentally tricked by your innovative repackaging?
Though your methods are manifold, your aim is one: simply trying to serve Srila Prabhupada's mission, and along the way you sweep away the hearts and souls of those you meet (even my flamboyant mother, who keeps quoting your lectures and has even surrendered her undying attachment to my old name by now calling me the one you so thoughtfully gave me!).
I simply pray for a desire to serve you as deep and obstacle-destroying as yours is to please your spiritual master, and that we can give more lost jivas here in Wales the opportunity to enter into the bhakti laboratory and have their hearts transformed.
Aspiring to love and serve you,
Your miracle daughter,
Jīva Māyā devi dasi
Jordan Collin
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
We’ve only met a handful of times and I’m perhaps one of the newest aspiring devotees in Auckland. But Prabhupada always said that we could really get to know him through his books and by serving his mission, and that physical association had little importance, comparatively. Now – though your bodily presence in Auckland and the personal guidance and inspiration you have offered me certainly did kick start my spiritual life, it has been the legacy that you have left (and continue to build on) that has truly consolidated my decision to to devote my life fully to Krishna and His dear devotees. This idea in itself is a source of endless realizations for me, so it is on this note that I would like to make my offering.
I want to thank you for the high standard which you set for your disciples and those you preach to. I was rather disillusioned in the beginning to discover that outside of the cozy confines of the loft, the global Bhakti village wasn’t quite as peaceful and co-operative as I naively assumed it would be. Rumors, politics and stories of fallen devotees all marred my initial rose tinted idea of ISKCON and a society based around selfless service , and had it not been for the organization, solidarity and of course, intense devotion displayed by yourself and your disciples, then perhaps my spiritual life may have stopped there.
The way you are always thinking two steps ahead and looking to push forward and advance your spiritual masters mission to the best of your (immense) abilities will always be my biggest inspiration. Your focus on implementing varn-ashrama dharma, cow protection and contemporary preaching gives me real attraction to the movement and hope for the future.
Many opportunities and ideas for service are often presenting themselves to me, and they’re all glorious. But “your baby”, The Loft holds the most special place in my heart. This is what I’m really trying to thank you for.
Thank you for The Loft.
Thank you for having mercy on the most fallen of souls. I wouldn’t have just walked into a temple and started chanting Hare Krishna. Nor would I have willingly indulged in reading Srimad Bhagavatam with humility and seriousness after a five minute cultivation on the street. When I met the devotees less than 6 months ago, I was a severely depressed drug addict that could barely keep down a meal, with no money, no security and a huge ego. Within weeks of smooth cultivation, Prasad, service and devotee association at the Loft, I had given up all my Kali-yuga vices and knew my path in life, which I cheerfully took to immediately. As far as I can see, this is the most beautiful and merciful gift that anyone could be given. And you gave it to me, the most fallen, asking nothing in return. Thank you for allowing me to serve your servants and be a small part of your guru’s mission and thank you for being such a strong, caring and dedicated leader. I look forward to one day being your disciple, if you’ll accept me.
Happy Birthday and may you never take birth again! (My new favorite saying).
Your aspiring servant,
Jordan
Please accept my most humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance.
We’ve only met a handful of times and I’m perhaps one of the newest aspiring devotees in Auckland. But Prabhupada always said that we could really get to know him through his books and by serving his mission, and that physical association had little importance, comparatively. Now – though your bodily presence in Auckland and the personal guidance and inspiration you have offered me certainly did kick start my spiritual life, it has been the legacy that you have left (and continue to build on) that has truly consolidated my decision to to devote my life fully to Krishna and His dear devotees. This idea in itself is a source of endless realizations for me, so it is on this note that I would like to make my offering.
I want to thank you for the high standard which you set for your disciples and those you preach to. I was rather disillusioned in the beginning to discover that outside of the cozy confines of the loft, the global Bhakti village wasn’t quite as peaceful and co-operative as I naively assumed it would be. Rumors, politics and stories of fallen devotees all marred my initial rose tinted idea of ISKCON and a society based around selfless service , and had it not been for the organization, solidarity and of course, intense devotion displayed by yourself and your disciples, then perhaps my spiritual life may have stopped there.
The way you are always thinking two steps ahead and looking to push forward and advance your spiritual masters mission to the best of your (immense) abilities will always be my biggest inspiration. Your focus on implementing varn-ashrama dharma, cow protection and contemporary preaching gives me real attraction to the movement and hope for the future.
Many opportunities and ideas for service are often presenting themselves to me, and they’re all glorious. But “your baby”, The Loft holds the most special place in my heart. This is what I’m really trying to thank you for.
Thank you for The Loft.
Thank you for having mercy on the most fallen of souls. I wouldn’t have just walked into a temple and started chanting Hare Krishna. Nor would I have willingly indulged in reading Srimad Bhagavatam with humility and seriousness after a five minute cultivation on the street. When I met the devotees less than 6 months ago, I was a severely depressed drug addict that could barely keep down a meal, with no money, no security and a huge ego. Within weeks of smooth cultivation, Prasad, service and devotee association at the Loft, I had given up all my Kali-yuga vices and knew my path in life, which I cheerfully took to immediately. As far as I can see, this is the most beautiful and merciful gift that anyone could be given. And you gave it to me, the most fallen, asking nothing in return. Thank you for allowing me to serve your servants and be a small part of your guru’s mission and thank you for being such a strong, caring and dedicated leader. I look forward to one day being your disciple, if you’ll accept me.
Happy Birthday and may you never take birth again! (My new favorite saying).
Your aspiring servant,
Jordan
Josh Darvill
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Guru-maharaja,
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I would like to offer you my utmost appreciation and thanks for being monumentally supportive and inspirational in my Krsna Consciousness. I can certainly say that the strength and encouragement I gain in your association is priceless and cannot be obtained by ordinary means. I am most fortunate to have such association even in my dreams.
I will admit, after leaving the barracks of Garuda Ashram, I had no idea of the true nature of the battlefield I was entering. I feel like 17 year old sneaking into the draft for war after being enticed by expertly devised war propaganda. After a little over a year and a half in, I'm totally shocked of the intensity. It is probably absurd to think that Maya's army will give me time to adjust to frontline battle. Just like any enemy, there is no mercy. As far as I have read, the material energy isn't known for her mercy!
You call me the survivor. I feel as though in the far distance Maya-devi, mounted on her tiger points her trident in our direction, ordering her soldiers to advance. They come in waves by the thousands. Some waves I manage, others I don't. On several instances when the enemy has pierced me on all sides and they move in to claim my bounty, I cry out for shelter. You then enter the fray and within moments the enemy closing in on me is reduced to a bloodbath. Like a true maha-rati, you slaughter tens of thousands of disturbances singlehandedly seemingly without effort. After removing all the lances, you check my vital signs and patch me up with kind words of encouragement and support.
You gave me your word that you will protect me in times of need. I recall another recent time when I was being attacked from all sides. Having my sadhana sealed and protected in the brahma-muhurta, I was still feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught. I closed my eyes and I saw myself covered in arrows, surrounded by soldiers. Resting on my knees, feeling exhausted, I heard your voice booming "Get up!! Fight!!" So I stood up, raised my weapon and charged at the enemy. I know as long as I continue to fight, you will never let me die. As quoted in the 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam: The devotees of the Lord, peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, are the ultimate shelter for those who are repeatedly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of material life. Such devotees are just like a strong boat that comes to rescue persons who are at the point of drowning SB 11.26.32.
Having fully taken shelter of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, you give us shelter and inspiration in the greatest liberation movement ever to grace this earth. You are a true revolutionary Gurudeva. You inspire an uprising in the hearts of all you meet. May you continue for years to come. I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me, all I can ask is for you to bless me to be able to help others in their extraction from material existence. And I can offer that to you.
Happy appearance day Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Josh Darvill
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Guru-maharaja,
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I would like to offer you my utmost appreciation and thanks for being monumentally supportive and inspirational in my Krsna Consciousness. I can certainly say that the strength and encouragement I gain in your association is priceless and cannot be obtained by ordinary means. I am most fortunate to have such association even in my dreams.
I will admit, after leaving the barracks of Garuda Ashram, I had no idea of the true nature of the battlefield I was entering. I feel like 17 year old sneaking into the draft for war after being enticed by expertly devised war propaganda. After a little over a year and a half in, I'm totally shocked of the intensity. It is probably absurd to think that Maya's army will give me time to adjust to frontline battle. Just like any enemy, there is no mercy. As far as I have read, the material energy isn't known for her mercy!
You call me the survivor. I feel as though in the far distance Maya-devi, mounted on her tiger points her trident in our direction, ordering her soldiers to advance. They come in waves by the thousands. Some waves I manage, others I don't. On several instances when the enemy has pierced me on all sides and they move in to claim my bounty, I cry out for shelter. You then enter the fray and within moments the enemy closing in on me is reduced to a bloodbath. Like a true maha-rati, you slaughter tens of thousands of disturbances singlehandedly seemingly without effort. After removing all the lances, you check my vital signs and patch me up with kind words of encouragement and support.
You gave me your word that you will protect me in times of need. I recall another recent time when I was being attacked from all sides. Having my sadhana sealed and protected in the brahma-muhurta, I was still feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught. I closed my eyes and I saw myself covered in arrows, surrounded by soldiers. Resting on my knees, feeling exhausted, I heard your voice booming "Get up!! Fight!!" So I stood up, raised my weapon and charged at the enemy. I know as long as I continue to fight, you will never let me die. As quoted in the 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam: The devotees of the Lord, peacefully fixed in absolute knowledge, are the ultimate shelter for those who are repeatedly rising and falling within the fearful ocean of material life. Such devotees are just like a strong boat that comes to rescue persons who are at the point of drowning SB 11.26.32.
Having fully taken shelter of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, you give us shelter and inspiration in the greatest liberation movement ever to grace this earth. You are a true revolutionary Gurudeva. You inspire an uprising in the hearts of all you meet. May you continue for years to come. I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me, all I can ask is for you to bless me to be able to help others in their extraction from material existence. And I can offer that to you.
Happy appearance day Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Josh Darvill
Kalyani Radha devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you on your appearance day.
saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka-
trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam
prāptasya kalyāṇa-guṇārṇavasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam
The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing 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.
Sri Sri gurv-ashtaka 1
As I rack my brain and heart to compose this meagre offering the peaceful tones of a devotee chanting and the sounds of dishes being washed are rudely punctuated by car alarms and the usual evening crowds, it makes me think that here, in the heart of service is where the true peace lies.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the Caitanya Caritamrta that the “words of direction of the spiritual master should be the pride of the devotee”. A recent evacuee from the material world I hope to be able to drop my kali-yuga pride in myself and instead take pride in following your lovingly imparted words. I wish to be able to use your instructions as my rudder instead of my selfish motivations and desire to be the centre .
I hope that one day I can grow up and get over the barriers of myself and my mind and fly my own bhakti airplane.
Thank you for the opportunity to grow in this amazing, vibrant community. I wish to be able to fully understand how lucky I am to have to association of such amazing devotees and not let pride and envy get in the way of fully appreciating and serving them.
You have given me the greatest gift, devotional service but I like a child who doesn’t understand the value of a diamond don’t yet grasp the full importance of this acquisition. You once told me that I should take the opportunity to be immersed in Krsna’s service. This service is a privilege and our constitutional position I wish to become grateful for the service I am given and to invest everything in serving Krsna. Like a kind and gentle parent you are so encouraging of my small steps out of the shadows and I hope to be able to fulfill your wishes. You said to me that in Krsna consciousness I am safe to turn my light on, a statement that through the guidance of mentors, mothers and friends I am slowly coming to realise.
your aspiring servant
Kalyani Radha Devi Dasi
Kamsari Sena dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
It has been close to five years since I first met you personally at a retreat in Sydney. Looking back at what ordinarily seemed like a short normal conversation I feel completely grateful that you chose to spend time with me. By Krishna's mercy I was able to find a true guru such as yourself.
As Srila Prabhupada writes in his Bhaktivedanta purports to Srimad Bhagavatam 4th Canto 29th Chapter Text 51:
"A person who is self-realized does not recommend the worship of anyone but the Supersoul. He knows that to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead is easier than to worship various demigods under the influence of lust and the desire for material enjoyment. The devotee is therefore always engaged in the loving devotional service of the Lord. Such a person is a true guru."
Feeling very proud of my so-called attempts at worshipping the devas I introduced myself in such a way. You very casually brushed it aside "ah, demigod worship" and very lovingly prescribed the real method of worship - chanting Hare Krishna. You emphasise, clarify and repeat that a bhakti practitioner should make the chanting of Hare Krsna his number one priority.
Being the captain of the boat that is the body, you expertly guide this ignorant conditioned soul out of the ocean of nescience full of material perplexities. Your expert guidance has always brought me out of the darkness of sense gratification and a step closer to pure devotional service, the method of gratifying Krishna’s senses.
You have helped me achieve real 'success'. It isn't a job nor is it a relationship based on the body nor is it the futile attempts to give satisfaction to my senses. As Prabhupada concludes in his purport to SB.04.29.51 "Success in life means accepting a spiritual master who knows Krishna as the only supreme beloved personality. One should worship such a confidential devotee of the Lord."
Wandering throughout the universe for countless births Krishna has mercifully allowed me to come in contact with you, a bonafide spiritual master. Being a true guru you are kindly encouraging us to worship Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, wholeheartedly through body, mind and words. You are personification of the word acarya, one who leads by example. Gradually we get the rare opportunity hear of your exemplary actions while preaching under the iron curtain. Having immersed yourself in the ocean of devotional service you reach out to everyone inviting them to also experience love for Krsna.
Telling us how important it is to first read Srila Prabhupada's books and to spread the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You urge us to focus on outreach, making sure that we assist Srila Prabhupada in giving Krishna to everyone and in turn getting Krishna. In that sense you are also following the path of the six goswamis by assisting their representative Srila Prabhupada in expanding the ocean of love of Godhead.
Thank you for accepting this lost conditioned soul as your disciple. Thank you for this opportunity to render devotional service, the greatest benediction, in the brahmacari ashrama. Although I possess no good qualities with your guidance and by your mercy I have been able to render some service to Srila Prabhupada for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha. I pray I may give up my false pride and anarthas so that I can be a better instrument in your hands in your service to Srila Prabhupada. I beg to continue have this opportunity to render service unto your lotus feet which can free anyone from the clutches of the illusory energy, maya.
your dependent spiritual son,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
It has been close to five years since I first met you personally at a retreat in Sydney. Looking back at what ordinarily seemed like a short normal conversation I feel completely grateful that you chose to spend time with me. By Krishna's mercy I was able to find a true guru such as yourself.
As Srila Prabhupada writes in his Bhaktivedanta purports to Srimad Bhagavatam 4th Canto 29th Chapter Text 51:
"A person who is self-realized does not recommend the worship of anyone but the Supersoul. He knows that to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead is easier than to worship various demigods under the influence of lust and the desire for material enjoyment. The devotee is therefore always engaged in the loving devotional service of the Lord. Such a person is a true guru."
Feeling very proud of my so-called attempts at worshipping the devas I introduced myself in such a way. You very casually brushed it aside "ah, demigod worship" and very lovingly prescribed the real method of worship - chanting Hare Krishna. You emphasise, clarify and repeat that a bhakti practitioner should make the chanting of Hare Krsna his number one priority.
Being the captain of the boat that is the body, you expertly guide this ignorant conditioned soul out of the ocean of nescience full of material perplexities. Your expert guidance has always brought me out of the darkness of sense gratification and a step closer to pure devotional service, the method of gratifying Krishna’s senses.
You have helped me achieve real 'success'. It isn't a job nor is it a relationship based on the body nor is it the futile attempts to give satisfaction to my senses. As Prabhupada concludes in his purport to SB.04.29.51 "Success in life means accepting a spiritual master who knows Krishna as the only supreme beloved personality. One should worship such a confidential devotee of the Lord."
Wandering throughout the universe for countless births Krishna has mercifully allowed me to come in contact with you, a bonafide spiritual master. Being a true guru you are kindly encouraging us to worship Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, wholeheartedly through body, mind and words. You are personification of the word acarya, one who leads by example. Gradually we get the rare opportunity hear of your exemplary actions while preaching under the iron curtain. Having immersed yourself in the ocean of devotional service you reach out to everyone inviting them to also experience love for Krsna.
Telling us how important it is to first read Srila Prabhupada's books and to spread the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You urge us to focus on outreach, making sure that we assist Srila Prabhupada in giving Krishna to everyone and in turn getting Krishna. In that sense you are also following the path of the six goswamis by assisting their representative Srila Prabhupada in expanding the ocean of love of Godhead.
Thank you for accepting this lost conditioned soul as your disciple. Thank you for this opportunity to render devotional service, the greatest benediction, in the brahmacari ashrama. Although I possess no good qualities with your guidance and by your mercy I have been able to render some service to Srila Prabhupada for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha. I pray I may give up my false pride and anarthas so that I can be a better instrument in your hands in your service to Srila Prabhupada. I beg to continue have this opportunity to render service unto your lotus feet which can free anyone from the clutches of the illusory energy, maya.
your dependent spiritual son,
Kamsari Sena dasa
Kane Staple
All glories to you and Srila Prabhupad
For opening my eyes to a new light
Ridding the maya that once beat me like a rod
Giving me the knowledge to give the mind a good fight
The way to the bhakti rasamrita sindhu flows to me from you
But im so unqualified I can't find my way to the shore
Guru mukha padma vakya is my only means of refuge
What a massive fool I would be to ignore
A blind and lame man with aspirations to serve a giant
Is how I feel deep inside
In regards to service to the Lords' client
And not let maya take me for a ride
In a world bereft of knowledge, your words have made me sane
My lifes wish is to serve your lotus feet, your humble aspiring servant Bhakta Kane.
For opening my eyes to a new light
Ridding the maya that once beat me like a rod
Giving me the knowledge to give the mind a good fight
The way to the bhakti rasamrita sindhu flows to me from you
But im so unqualified I can't find my way to the shore
Guru mukha padma vakya is my only means of refuge
What a massive fool I would be to ignore
A blind and lame man with aspirations to serve a giant
Is how I feel deep inside
In regards to service to the Lords' client
And not let maya take me for a ride
In a world bereft of knowledge, your words have made me sane
My lifes wish is to serve your lotus feet, your humble aspiring servant Bhakta Kane.
Kardami Kapila das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you.
First I would like to appreciate my godbrothers from Bulgaria. Through their mercy I was able to hear your transcendental voice, which is like a thunder in my ears. They carry your mood and every time that I get to be with them I can easily remember you. They are your real representatives. All glories to them.
As it is said in the Sri Sri Gurv-astaka – you are like a cloud, that pours water everywhere and has the power to extinguish the blazing fire of material existence.
It’s very sad to see how everyone is chasing after mirages, trying to find happiness everywhere except at the proper place. There are a lot of false gurus cheating us with their impersonal view, claiming that we are Gods – enjoyers and controllers. It’s unpleasant to see our friends suffering and believing in this illusion. We wish that we can help them. But in order to help them first someone should help us.
In your instructions (both personal and the ones in your lectures) you are giving me answers to all of my questions and solutions to my problems. Sometimes (I don’t know how) I’m able to take part in the sankirtana and to give the message of Srila Prabhupada to the others. This is all by your mercy.
You are totally addicted to the service to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Your unconditional love for Them is “infecting” everyone that you meet. This is the mercy of the pure devotee – he is ready to do everything to give his mercy. In this way your mercy approached me and now I’m begging you to help me regain my original, pure intelligence and to qualified myself to become good instrument in your hands, so that one day you will be proud of me.
Thank you for the enlightenment with which you destroy the darkness in my life. I hope that you will continue to distribute your mercy for many more years and to help me become real selfless servant to the others as you are.
your servant, Kardami Kapila das
First I would like to appreciate my godbrothers from Bulgaria. Through their mercy I was able to hear your transcendental voice, which is like a thunder in my ears. They carry your mood and every time that I get to be with them I can easily remember you. They are your real representatives. All glories to them.
As it is said in the Sri Sri Gurv-astaka – you are like a cloud, that pours water everywhere and has the power to extinguish the blazing fire of material existence.
It’s very sad to see how everyone is chasing after mirages, trying to find happiness everywhere except at the proper place. There are a lot of false gurus cheating us with their impersonal view, claiming that we are Gods – enjoyers and controllers. It’s unpleasant to see our friends suffering and believing in this illusion. We wish that we can help them. But in order to help them first someone should help us.
In your instructions (both personal and the ones in your lectures) you are giving me answers to all of my questions and solutions to my problems. Sometimes (I don’t know how) I’m able to take part in the sankirtana and to give the message of Srila Prabhupada to the others. This is all by your mercy.
You are totally addicted to the service to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. Your unconditional love for Them is “infecting” everyone that you meet. This is the mercy of the pure devotee – he is ready to do everything to give his mercy. In this way your mercy approached me and now I’m begging you to help me regain my original, pure intelligence and to qualified myself to become good instrument in your hands, so that one day you will be proud of me.
Thank you for the enlightenment with which you destroy the darkness in my life. I hope that you will continue to distribute your mercy for many more years and to help me become real selfless servant to the others as you are.
your servant, Kardami Kapila das
Karuna-purna dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Recently while travelling overseas I had some time to reflect on your greatness. Talking to various devotees about the difficulties in reaching out to the people of today, I felt extremely fortunate. I felt fortunate to have come across one of your outreach centers on my travels 10 years back. When thinking about it, I feel like that little turtle who pokes his head up in the middle of the ocean and happens to target the hole in a piece of drift wood. I feel fortunate that I came across bhakti in such a way that it was so easy for me to dive into it. Indeed I met your dedicated disciples on a Sunday and moved into the ashram the following Thursday, not knowing anything else than that it was a very attractive place. I am not sure if it would have been so easy in another setting.
Now, while seeing the situation of the world it seems like an impossible task to attract just one person to Krishna Consciousness. Although I feel in my heart that I would like to turn everyone into a devotee, I know that I can’t even turn myself into a devotee. But I feel so fortunate to have such a great master as you, because I know that if I just follow your instruction to become an instrument in your mission than by your grace incredible things can happen.
When I have asked you what I can do for you, you have many times answered with the question: “Are you distributing books?”
I know I haven’t always been able to execute this instruction very much, but I know that if I do, the most wonderful things can happen.
A few days ago while distributing books in Wellington I met a young computer engineer from France. I introduced “The Journey of Self-discovery” by telling him that it explains what is the real self and how to give pleasure to the real self. Immediately he countered by saying that he belives the self is just a very advanced biological computer. I kept asking him questions how this makes sense, while showing the pictures and chapter titles in the book. But he was very convinced about his view point. I thought it would be impossible to give him the book, but I gave it a last shot by asking “Would you like to read this book? It will tell you about the person within the computer.” Surprisingly he said yes and gave me a donation for the book. This was a very amazing experience, and I reflected on how by just following your instructions I can witness the small beginnings of a global change in consciousness.
Gurudeva, I pray for the determination to always hold on to the desire to serve you.
sri-guru karuna-sindhu, The spiritual master is the ocean of mercy. You are showing this by using all your talents in scheming to attract the lost souls to the lotus feet of Krishna. In this regard you are working on all levels: internationally as a member of the GBC, locally by managing various outreach centers and individually by touching so many hearts with your loving care.
This year you gave some seminars in Mayapur about reviving ISKCON’s outreach strategy in the West. While listening to those recordings I reflected on your magnanimity. You are concerned about spreading and upholding a healthy and vibrant ISKCON all over the world, now as well as in the future.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asa
“My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.”
Gurudeva, I must say that of all the multicolored aspects of bhakti, your purifying and spiritually rejuvenating lectures is one of my top favourites. I feel that your words expertly reach into the core of my heart and cleanse out the gunk of material desires and illusion bit by bit.
I pray that I may never lose my taste for showering my consciousness in those purifying words.
sri-guru-carane-rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asa
“Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires”
By holding on tightly to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada in the form of his instructions, you have become the perfect example of a top most Vaisnava.
I pray that by your mercy I will get the courage to give up my selfishness and take your instructions to heart and make them the center of my life.
Your servant, Karuna-purna dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Recently while travelling overseas I had some time to reflect on your greatness. Talking to various devotees about the difficulties in reaching out to the people of today, I felt extremely fortunate. I felt fortunate to have come across one of your outreach centers on my travels 10 years back. When thinking about it, I feel like that little turtle who pokes his head up in the middle of the ocean and happens to target the hole in a piece of drift wood. I feel fortunate that I came across bhakti in such a way that it was so easy for me to dive into it. Indeed I met your dedicated disciples on a Sunday and moved into the ashram the following Thursday, not knowing anything else than that it was a very attractive place. I am not sure if it would have been so easy in another setting.
Now, while seeing the situation of the world it seems like an impossible task to attract just one person to Krishna Consciousness. Although I feel in my heart that I would like to turn everyone into a devotee, I know that I can’t even turn myself into a devotee. But I feel so fortunate to have such a great master as you, because I know that if I just follow your instruction to become an instrument in your mission than by your grace incredible things can happen.
When I have asked you what I can do for you, you have many times answered with the question: “Are you distributing books?”
I know I haven’t always been able to execute this instruction very much, but I know that if I do, the most wonderful things can happen.
A few days ago while distributing books in Wellington I met a young computer engineer from France. I introduced “The Journey of Self-discovery” by telling him that it explains what is the real self and how to give pleasure to the real self. Immediately he countered by saying that he belives the self is just a very advanced biological computer. I kept asking him questions how this makes sense, while showing the pictures and chapter titles in the book. But he was very convinced about his view point. I thought it would be impossible to give him the book, but I gave it a last shot by asking “Would you like to read this book? It will tell you about the person within the computer.” Surprisingly he said yes and gave me a donation for the book. This was a very amazing experience, and I reflected on how by just following your instructions I can witness the small beginnings of a global change in consciousness.
Gurudeva, I pray for the determination to always hold on to the desire to serve you.
sri-guru karuna-sindhu, The spiritual master is the ocean of mercy. You are showing this by using all your talents in scheming to attract the lost souls to the lotus feet of Krishna. In this regard you are working on all levels: internationally as a member of the GBC, locally by managing various outreach centers and individually by touching so many hearts with your loving care.
This year you gave some seminars in Mayapur about reviving ISKCON’s outreach strategy in the West. While listening to those recordings I reflected on your magnanimity. You are concerned about spreading and upholding a healthy and vibrant ISKCON all over the world, now as well as in the future.
guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya,
ar na koriho mane asa
“My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.”
Gurudeva, I must say that of all the multicolored aspects of bhakti, your purifying and spiritually rejuvenating lectures is one of my top favourites. I feel that your words expertly reach into the core of my heart and cleanse out the gunk of material desires and illusion bit by bit.
I pray that I may never lose my taste for showering my consciousness in those purifying words.
sri-guru-carane-rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarva asa
“Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires”
By holding on tightly to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada in the form of his instructions, you have become the perfect example of a top most Vaisnava.
I pray that by your mercy I will get the courage to give up my selfishness and take your instructions to heart and make them the center of my life.
Your servant, Karuna-purna dasi
Kasi Priya das
Hare Krishna Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
And all glories unto you on this most auspicious day of your appearance in this world.
You are a transcendental power house, always surcharging your environment with transcendental Krishna Consciousness and in this way transforming people and nourishing devotees. I am so grateful that you picked me up from this boring life of material sense gratification and give me a chance to enter blissful, spiritual life in devotional service. I thank you for the care you give me and everyone else, I'm so inspired to see you dealing with devotees and guests at the Loft.
One time you came to the Loft and a huge amount of guests was lining up to see you, so many that I lost count and just brought more and more in to see you. You needed a break, just to refresh yourself with a wet tissue as you were jet lacked from all the travels you do. But you still continued to see the guests and you gave them so much time and care and I am so grateful that I was able to witness your sweet dealings with everyone. You are so merciful and your only desire is to give devotional service in Krishna Consciousness to anyone at any time. And you are just powering on under any circumstances.
I thank you for engaging me in your service, I thank you, for connecting me to the parampara and in this way giving me the chance of connecting to the Supreme powerhouse, from which you receive all your power and potency.
Through my service at the Loft I see amazing things happening, I see people chant Hare Krishna with so much feeling, I see people becoming bright faced when the are in a kirtan or after having prasadam and I can see people slowly or quickly and enthusiastically take to Krishna Consciousness. This is very enlivening and all this is your care for me and all of us to stay inspired, so we continue to move forward in our devotional service.
Devotional service has no limits, there is no limit in devotional service opportunities. We are expanding in the university, we doubled the plates of prasadam compared to last year and just fell short of 400 last week, workshops are held at Uni and also Yoga and Dinner to make friends and it is a huge preaching field there. There is so much to do, anywhere.
Thank you for engaging me in your service. You are trying to cast a wide wide net so anyone somehow or other gets entangled in the net of devotional service and somehow or other starts his or her way back home, back to Godhead. One example of the university lunches sticks in my mind. One day there was this tall, big Islander boy coming to the lunch and asked how much it is. We said it's just $5 and added 'all you can eat'. He replied with this typical, slight move of his eyebrows and a slight smile:'All you can eat?!' He took a big plate and came back 3 more times to fill up, his tongue forcing him to take his first steps on his long way back home.
You are so compassionate that you somehow or other try get people to get in touch with Krishna to start their journey back home and you are always there to reach out and assist anyone who is willing, and maybe even unwilling, to finish their journey even in this life time.
I again thank you for your care, your inspiration and support and pray that by your mercy I might become more purified so I can assist you more in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Kasi Priya das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
And all glories unto you on this most auspicious day of your appearance in this world.
You are a transcendental power house, always surcharging your environment with transcendental Krishna Consciousness and in this way transforming people and nourishing devotees. I am so grateful that you picked me up from this boring life of material sense gratification and give me a chance to enter blissful, spiritual life in devotional service. I thank you for the care you give me and everyone else, I'm so inspired to see you dealing with devotees and guests at the Loft.
One time you came to the Loft and a huge amount of guests was lining up to see you, so many that I lost count and just brought more and more in to see you. You needed a break, just to refresh yourself with a wet tissue as you were jet lacked from all the travels you do. But you still continued to see the guests and you gave them so much time and care and I am so grateful that I was able to witness your sweet dealings with everyone. You are so merciful and your only desire is to give devotional service in Krishna Consciousness to anyone at any time. And you are just powering on under any circumstances.
I thank you for engaging me in your service, I thank you, for connecting me to the parampara and in this way giving me the chance of connecting to the Supreme powerhouse, from which you receive all your power and potency.
Through my service at the Loft I see amazing things happening, I see people chant Hare Krishna with so much feeling, I see people becoming bright faced when the are in a kirtan or after having prasadam and I can see people slowly or quickly and enthusiastically take to Krishna Consciousness. This is very enlivening and all this is your care for me and all of us to stay inspired, so we continue to move forward in our devotional service.
Devotional service has no limits, there is no limit in devotional service opportunities. We are expanding in the university, we doubled the plates of prasadam compared to last year and just fell short of 400 last week, workshops are held at Uni and also Yoga and Dinner to make friends and it is a huge preaching field there. There is so much to do, anywhere.
Thank you for engaging me in your service. You are trying to cast a wide wide net so anyone somehow or other gets entangled in the net of devotional service and somehow or other starts his or her way back home, back to Godhead. One example of the university lunches sticks in my mind. One day there was this tall, big Islander boy coming to the lunch and asked how much it is. We said it's just $5 and added 'all you can eat'. He replied with this typical, slight move of his eyebrows and a slight smile:'All you can eat?!' He took a big plate and came back 3 more times to fill up, his tongue forcing him to take his first steps on his long way back home.
You are so compassionate that you somehow or other try get people to get in touch with Krishna to start their journey back home and you are always there to reach out and assist anyone who is willing, and maybe even unwilling, to finish their journey even in this life time.
I again thank you for your care, your inspiration and support and pray that by your mercy I might become more purified so I can assist you more in your mission to serve Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your servant
Kasi Priya das
Kasturika devi dasi
Namo om vishnu padaya krsna presthya bhutale srimate Devamrita Swami Ite Namine.....
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinta pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah....
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my Humble Obeisances...
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada ...
All Glories to You..
On this auspicious occasion of your appearance day , please accept my simple offering.
This is the most wonderful year in my spiritual career of Krishna consciousness.... Today i recall my first interactions with you, as a student, new comer in 2009 retreat. ... my defination of selfless service was so different at that time ... my defination of help is just help some one physically or mentally or help to cure some diseases...how foolishly i asked you how can this Krsna conscious process can solve any of the problems and i cited with an example - how can it cure cancer if people are affected .. but you were so patient and kind, and explained me just by watering the root of the tree , the individual parts can be served. I started realting this fact to my life in the most recent times. In one of the lectures, you have described what is meant to have a balance ? Balance means to have one's life with a sufficient blend of selfless service mixed with one's daily activities. You stated how by characterising the life with more selfless service with krsna conscious activities, the more successful one becomes.
You were so strong in your point how devotional service can alone nourishes one's self and transforming the world with selfless service towards krsna is the utlimate goal of life. With you constant travels, talks, by giving your time to others it is very evident how you lead by an perfect example.
In Isopanisad mantra 11, it explains the one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death.... In every lecture and interaction, you address the problems of this world in most practical way, and how krishna consciousness alone solve the root cause. You teach the science of Krsna conciousness in such a way that a materially brainstormed people are convinced with the reaity. With your expert explanations you touch the hearts of the people to the deepest cores- one day a man walks into temple reception for a query and offered himself to do some service, in the conversion, he mentioned that he is from Toronto,Canada,and when i mentioned you are my spiritual master, his face was illuminated and started glorifying you... He started explaining me about the" Searching for vedic India" book and your expertise in exposing the real India. He questioned me - do you think are you an indian? He strongly pointed out that Neither you nor myself are really indians but Devamrita Swami is a true Indian as he alone seen what people like us to failed to see and presented the reality.
I was astonished with the conviction he uttered every word and although he never met you in person, a great faith was established in him just by the association of your writings and he also convinced me in few moments to read the book without even a delay.
Only these days i could realise what else is a hope for me other than you.... who could possibly care and gift me krsna consciousness. You explained in one of the lectures how one needs to develop, to love from a spirit soul level but not on phyical or mental platforms which alone can bring real satisfaction to the self. How krsna consciousness can alone teach us the art,science and culture of bhakti. Being in temple setting, everyday i could see how devotees work for krsna so selflessly and are always jubilant.... without you how could i ever witness this beauty. There were days how each day was passed in great anxities , fear and pain while now i look forward for everyday as its been a celebration .... you have expressed how much anxious you felt for me during my tough times and even after i moved into ashram you constantly enquire my well being from devotees.This is purely beyond my comprehension.Everyday one challenge i face is to deal with my mind i see how much impatient i am and i wonder how you tolerate so many people's minds, their actions and conditionings, With your unlimited compassion, you tolerate our mistakes and patiently help us to grow in bhakti. And at other incidence, during a talk in Melbourne temple, how a devotee expressed their PR and visa problems, the whole crowd broke into laughter while you stayed still and corrected us, this may seem materialistic problem yet the devotee is under stress and worry that he wont be able to associate with devotees if returns back to his country...... although that was a material problem, you took it very seriously and exhibited your anxiety. Running through tight schedules, busy travels and endless questions and interactions you reach to every individual and enquiry about their material and spiritual well being. Your service is so glorious Gurudeva, (although i have no tinge of qualification to explain what it is )as you serve Srila Prabhupada decade after decade inspite of all painstaking and endless tasks. All Glories to you again and again...
Thank you Gurudeva for all your mercy and kindness,thank you for nourshing me as a child and helping me to grow in bhakti. Thank for bringing me closer to you, to Srila Prabhupada, to Guru paramapara and vaisanvas.
Forgive me for my poor offering ....
i sincerely pray for your strong health ....
Aspiring to be a servant of your servants,
Kasturika Devi Dasi.
Pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinta pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah....
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my Humble Obeisances...
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada ...
All Glories to You..
On this auspicious occasion of your appearance day , please accept my simple offering.
This is the most wonderful year in my spiritual career of Krishna consciousness.... Today i recall my first interactions with you, as a student, new comer in 2009 retreat. ... my defination of selfless service was so different at that time ... my defination of help is just help some one physically or mentally or help to cure some diseases...how foolishly i asked you how can this Krsna conscious process can solve any of the problems and i cited with an example - how can it cure cancer if people are affected .. but you were so patient and kind, and explained me just by watering the root of the tree , the individual parts can be served. I started realting this fact to my life in the most recent times. In one of the lectures, you have described what is meant to have a balance ? Balance means to have one's life with a sufficient blend of selfless service mixed with one's daily activities. You stated how by characterising the life with more selfless service with krsna conscious activities, the more successful one becomes.
You were so strong in your point how devotional service can alone nourishes one's self and transforming the world with selfless service towards krsna is the utlimate goal of life. With you constant travels, talks, by giving your time to others it is very evident how you lead by an perfect example.
In Isopanisad mantra 11, it explains the one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death.... In every lecture and interaction, you address the problems of this world in most practical way, and how krishna consciousness alone solve the root cause. You teach the science of Krsna conciousness in such a way that a materially brainstormed people are convinced with the reaity. With your expert explanations you touch the hearts of the people to the deepest cores- one day a man walks into temple reception for a query and offered himself to do some service, in the conversion, he mentioned that he is from Toronto,Canada,and when i mentioned you are my spiritual master, his face was illuminated and started glorifying you... He started explaining me about the" Searching for vedic India" book and your expertise in exposing the real India. He questioned me - do you think are you an indian? He strongly pointed out that Neither you nor myself are really indians but Devamrita Swami is a true Indian as he alone seen what people like us to failed to see and presented the reality.
I was astonished with the conviction he uttered every word and although he never met you in person, a great faith was established in him just by the association of your writings and he also convinced me in few moments to read the book without even a delay.
Only these days i could realise what else is a hope for me other than you.... who could possibly care and gift me krsna consciousness. You explained in one of the lectures how one needs to develop, to love from a spirit soul level but not on phyical or mental platforms which alone can bring real satisfaction to the self. How krsna consciousness can alone teach us the art,science and culture of bhakti. Being in temple setting, everyday i could see how devotees work for krsna so selflessly and are always jubilant.... without you how could i ever witness this beauty. There were days how each day was passed in great anxities , fear and pain while now i look forward for everyday as its been a celebration .... you have expressed how much anxious you felt for me during my tough times and even after i moved into ashram you constantly enquire my well being from devotees.This is purely beyond my comprehension.Everyday one challenge i face is to deal with my mind i see how much impatient i am and i wonder how you tolerate so many people's minds, their actions and conditionings, With your unlimited compassion, you tolerate our mistakes and patiently help us to grow in bhakti. And at other incidence, during a talk in Melbourne temple, how a devotee expressed their PR and visa problems, the whole crowd broke into laughter while you stayed still and corrected us, this may seem materialistic problem yet the devotee is under stress and worry that he wont be able to associate with devotees if returns back to his country...... although that was a material problem, you took it very seriously and exhibited your anxiety. Running through tight schedules, busy travels and endless questions and interactions you reach to every individual and enquiry about their material and spiritual well being. Your service is so glorious Gurudeva, (although i have no tinge of qualification to explain what it is )as you serve Srila Prabhupada decade after decade inspite of all painstaking and endless tasks. All Glories to you again and again...
Thank you Gurudeva for all your mercy and kindness,thank you for nourshing me as a child and helping me to grow in bhakti. Thank for bringing me closer to you, to Srila Prabhupada, to Guru paramapara and vaisanvas.
Forgive me for my poor offering ....
i sincerely pray for your strong health ....
Aspiring to be a servant of your servants,
Kasturika Devi Dasi.
Kathāmrta dasi
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
"Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava etiquette, selflessness, and compassion."
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All glories on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja.
vāmana yaiche cāṅda dharite cāhe kare
taiche ei vāñchā mora uṭhaye antare
“Indeed, we are like a dwarf who wants to capture the moon. Although we are completely unfit, a desire to receive Your mercy is awakening within our minds.”
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 1.205
Our beloved guru, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada urged us, “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is just like moon. Now, Sri Mayapur Candra is rising. Rising. Rising means He is to distribute the moonshine all over the world. This is the idea. Moonshine. Don’t keep Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu compact in your room. This is not required. You must allow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to rise more and more so that this moonshine may be distributed all over the world. That is wanted."
Such is the inconceivable mercy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, whom you faithfully follow in all respects. Though I am unfit to receive your mercy, still you are determined to distribute it. And with your fearless determination and bold upright character, one who comes in touch with you realizes the power of your cintamani-like association. For being in touch with you is as beneficial as being in touch with Lord Sri Krsna directly, for you are in constant search of what pleases Him. Keeping Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabu’s desire to reclaim the fallen as foremost, you are an expert in showing genuine love, care, compassion and selflessness. In this way you are distributing the moonshine of the radiant Brahma-Madhva- Gaudiya Sampradaya. You are bhūri-dā — the most munificent.
Your skillful way of cutting things down to size, helps one to understand how all of the ocean of nescience can for a devotee shrink and become as crossable as the hoof-print of a calf. It is especially relishable when you comment on the glories of chanting the maha-mantra and then simply ask, “Is it really this easy?”
Your sense of humour and modesty attract the attention of honest people, and you make it somehow fashionable to become humble about by our modern idea of advancement in comparison to far superior Vedic culture. Your ability in phrasing complex observations has such a tremendous effect when connected to your deep realizations, and such skillful communication demonstrates overwhelming thoughtfulness. Confronting our “finite pool of worry” with the “myths of human progress turned suspect,” and gradually elevating one to the point of realization of our “biochemical victimization,” then asking “who volunteered for this?” One feels in your presence, their brain being re-wired and soul stirred. Thank you!
In this Age of Technology, you are the real tech-wizard. Your faith in spiritual technology is so impressive for modern people. If a sincere person simply follows your gracious instructions even slightly, they can perceive it’s effectiveness. Then the conditioned souls “hallucinations” of happiness and progress on the “hedonistic treadmill” can be checked with a steady mind. Your compassion is obvious, because all this is prep work just to lead on to the necessary point: “on the bodily and mental level; you hit walls. You cannot properly emanate your loving urge on the material platform.”
Because you live a life of preparation, it appears so natural and effortless for you to share this storehouse of knowledge, and it is felt that you have no part of spiritual awareness which you long to keep private or unknown. Quite the opposite, it appears you are a connoisseur of giving. To this extent you extend yourself unlimitedly, brushing aside all inconveniences and difficulty. These inconveniences and difficulties are tended to much like small children, patiently. Doing the best you can and surrendering to the rest (the real test). In this way you teach by example, and the more I look deeply into your activities, the more I feel quite inadequate to comment.
Srila Prabhupada explains, in the purport of Madhya Lila Chapter 1, 206, “Just as a dog or servant is completely satisfied to possess a competent, perfect master, or as a child is completely satisfied to possess a competent father, so the living entity is satisfied by completely engaging in the service of the Supreme Lord. He thereby knows that he has a competent master to save him from all kinds of danger.”
On this auspicious day, I am feeling very alive. Satisfied simply to be your servant. Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Srila Prabhupada used to say, prana ache yara sei hetu pracara. A person can become a preacher if he has got life. A dead man cannot become a preacher. So today, I will go out and share this moonshine, because you have given me life. May I remain blessed in this way, always.
I bow down at your lotus feet with great care and attention. Please grant me your blessings Guru-Maharja that I may become dear to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
Dancing to your instruction, your humble servant, daughter, dwarf and dog,
kathāmrta devi dasi
srimati devamrita-swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
"Obeisances to you who have all the qualities of unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava etiquette, selflessness, and compassion."
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All glories on this auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja.
vāmana yaiche cāṅda dharite cāhe kare
taiche ei vāñchā mora uṭhaye antare
“Indeed, we are like a dwarf who wants to capture the moon. Although we are completely unfit, a desire to receive Your mercy is awakening within our minds.”
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 1.205
Our beloved guru, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada urged us, “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is just like moon. Now, Sri Mayapur Candra is rising. Rising. Rising means He is to distribute the moonshine all over the world. This is the idea. Moonshine. Don’t keep Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu compact in your room. This is not required. You must allow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to rise more and more so that this moonshine may be distributed all over the world. That is wanted."
Such is the inconceivable mercy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, whom you faithfully follow in all respects. Though I am unfit to receive your mercy, still you are determined to distribute it. And with your fearless determination and bold upright character, one who comes in touch with you realizes the power of your cintamani-like association. For being in touch with you is as beneficial as being in touch with Lord Sri Krsna directly, for you are in constant search of what pleases Him. Keeping Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabu’s desire to reclaim the fallen as foremost, you are an expert in showing genuine love, care, compassion and selflessness. In this way you are distributing the moonshine of the radiant Brahma-Madhva- Gaudiya Sampradaya. You are bhūri-dā — the most munificent.
Your skillful way of cutting things down to size, helps one to understand how all of the ocean of nescience can for a devotee shrink and become as crossable as the hoof-print of a calf. It is especially relishable when you comment on the glories of chanting the maha-mantra and then simply ask, “Is it really this easy?”
Your sense of humour and modesty attract the attention of honest people, and you make it somehow fashionable to become humble about by our modern idea of advancement in comparison to far superior Vedic culture. Your ability in phrasing complex observations has such a tremendous effect when connected to your deep realizations, and such skillful communication demonstrates overwhelming thoughtfulness. Confronting our “finite pool of worry” with the “myths of human progress turned suspect,” and gradually elevating one to the point of realization of our “biochemical victimization,” then asking “who volunteered for this?” One feels in your presence, their brain being re-wired and soul stirred. Thank you!
In this Age of Technology, you are the real tech-wizard. Your faith in spiritual technology is so impressive for modern people. If a sincere person simply follows your gracious instructions even slightly, they can perceive it’s effectiveness. Then the conditioned souls “hallucinations” of happiness and progress on the “hedonistic treadmill” can be checked with a steady mind. Your compassion is obvious, because all this is prep work just to lead on to the necessary point: “on the bodily and mental level; you hit walls. You cannot properly emanate your loving urge on the material platform.”
Because you live a life of preparation, it appears so natural and effortless for you to share this storehouse of knowledge, and it is felt that you have no part of spiritual awareness which you long to keep private or unknown. Quite the opposite, it appears you are a connoisseur of giving. To this extent you extend yourself unlimitedly, brushing aside all inconveniences and difficulty. These inconveniences and difficulties are tended to much like small children, patiently. Doing the best you can and surrendering to the rest (the real test). In this way you teach by example, and the more I look deeply into your activities, the more I feel quite inadequate to comment.
Srila Prabhupada explains, in the purport of Madhya Lila Chapter 1, 206, “Just as a dog or servant is completely satisfied to possess a competent, perfect master, or as a child is completely satisfied to possess a competent father, so the living entity is satisfied by completely engaging in the service of the Supreme Lord. He thereby knows that he has a competent master to save him from all kinds of danger.”
On this auspicious day, I am feeling very alive. Satisfied simply to be your servant. Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Srila Prabhupada used to say, prana ache yara sei hetu pracara. A person can become a preacher if he has got life. A dead man cannot become a preacher. So today, I will go out and share this moonshine, because you have given me life. May I remain blessed in this way, always.
I bow down at your lotus feet with great care and attention. Please grant me your blessings Guru-Maharja that I may become dear to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
Dancing to your instruction, your humble servant, daughter, dwarf and dog,
kathāmrta devi dasi
Kauna Gaura dasa
Dear Devamrita Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to You!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Recently, I have been contemplating a lot about sincerity and how much this allows one to be an honest disciple. My attempt at writing this homage has helped me dive deeper in understanding what a disciple is, and I have learnt about how a disciple can be empowered by a spiritual master.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.8 Suta Gosvami is being glorified by the sages for his sincerity to his spiritual masters; his surrender and submission is pointed out as a reason for his empowerment to preach the science of Bhakti Yoga to those present. In Bhagavad-Gita 9.1; 10.1; 14.1; and many other places Krsna is blessing His disciple, Arjuna, by firstly giving him reasons as to why He is now imparting knowledge unto him, Arjuna. Therefore, many such hints are given in Srila Prabhupada's books (that you always urge us to read regularly, with understanding and attention) that illustrate the required sincerity in submission to one’s spiritual master.
By the aid of devotee association I have found this verse, and it beautifully elucidates this critical point for the disciple:
<center><i>"My dear Uddhava, O beloved of the Yadu dynasty, because you are My servant, well-wisher and friend, I shall now speak to you the most confidential knowledge. Please hear as I explain these great mysteries to you."
(SB 11.11.49)</i></center>
Your indisputable lifetime commitment to assisting Srila Prabhupada in preaching the glories of Lord Caitanya throughout the whole world, has proven (and continues to prove) your surrender to Guru. You are an empowered disciple. Your life story in service to Srila Prabhupada clearly demonstrates to us how a disciple should completely give himself (in body, mind and words) to Guru. Therefore, your lectures always leave us mind blown with deep impressions within our hearts of hearts. Due to Srila Prabhupada's words in this verse's purport this fact is established and understood:
<center><i>"Śrī Uddhava had completely surrendered to Lord Kṛṣṇa, and then only could the Lord explain such mysteries to him, because without complete faith the transmission of spiritual knowledge is impossible."</i></center>
Your glory lies in your sincerity to Srila Prabhupada's mood and mission. Even when only having had very brief association with His Divine Grace in person; still you emerged as a prominent and exemplary leader in modern ISKCON, and the society at large. This, I think decorates you as one of the most formidable "underdogs" amongst disciples of Srila Prabhupada having performed great depths of service in seperation. Despite your formidable nature you remain so low key and unknown to many (atleast here in South Africa). All glories to your deep understanding of connection with Guru and Krsna.
Like Srila Prabhupada served His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura, you too are serving your master A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada! Therefore, I am convinced the ecstatic mellows familiar to Srila Prabhupada are not unknown to you too. I may not have the divine vision to perceive this, but I can safely declare this because your association with Srila Prabhupada and his instructions can never go in vain. Therefore it is without a doubt that you are reaping the results of being a staunch disciple, and my substantiation is again from the purport:
<center><i>"… association with the pure devotees of the Lord is a self-sufficient process that is guaranteed to award the desired result. One must only learn how to associate with the pure devotees and one's life will be perfect."</i></center>
My misfortune is that I still haven't followed your divine lotus footsteps. I am a sinful and offensive rascal who is begging to be given a chance to learn this seemingly easy discipleship science. I can't claim to be your disciple at this moment because I lack discipline. But, however fallen I am, I will never give up trying to be your sincere follower.
Forever yours
Karuna Gaura dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to You!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Recently, I have been contemplating a lot about sincerity and how much this allows one to be an honest disciple. My attempt at writing this homage has helped me dive deeper in understanding what a disciple is, and I have learnt about how a disciple can be empowered by a spiritual master.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.8 Suta Gosvami is being glorified by the sages for his sincerity to his spiritual masters; his surrender and submission is pointed out as a reason for his empowerment to preach the science of Bhakti Yoga to those present. In Bhagavad-Gita 9.1; 10.1; 14.1; and many other places Krsna is blessing His disciple, Arjuna, by firstly giving him reasons as to why He is now imparting knowledge unto him, Arjuna. Therefore, many such hints are given in Srila Prabhupada's books (that you always urge us to read regularly, with understanding and attention) that illustrate the required sincerity in submission to one’s spiritual master.
By the aid of devotee association I have found this verse, and it beautifully elucidates this critical point for the disciple:
<center><i>"My dear Uddhava, O beloved of the Yadu dynasty, because you are My servant, well-wisher and friend, I shall now speak to you the most confidential knowledge. Please hear as I explain these great mysteries to you."
(SB 11.11.49)</i></center>
Your indisputable lifetime commitment to assisting Srila Prabhupada in preaching the glories of Lord Caitanya throughout the whole world, has proven (and continues to prove) your surrender to Guru. You are an empowered disciple. Your life story in service to Srila Prabhupada clearly demonstrates to us how a disciple should completely give himself (in body, mind and words) to Guru. Therefore, your lectures always leave us mind blown with deep impressions within our hearts of hearts. Due to Srila Prabhupada's words in this verse's purport this fact is established and understood:
<center><i>"Śrī Uddhava had completely surrendered to Lord Kṛṣṇa, and then only could the Lord explain such mysteries to him, because without complete faith the transmission of spiritual knowledge is impossible."</i></center>
Your glory lies in your sincerity to Srila Prabhupada's mood and mission. Even when only having had very brief association with His Divine Grace in person; still you emerged as a prominent and exemplary leader in modern ISKCON, and the society at large. This, I think decorates you as one of the most formidable "underdogs" amongst disciples of Srila Prabhupada having performed great depths of service in seperation. Despite your formidable nature you remain so low key and unknown to many (atleast here in South Africa). All glories to your deep understanding of connection with Guru and Krsna.
Like Srila Prabhupada served His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura, you too are serving your master A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada! Therefore, I am convinced the ecstatic mellows familiar to Srila Prabhupada are not unknown to you too. I may not have the divine vision to perceive this, but I can safely declare this because your association with Srila Prabhupada and his instructions can never go in vain. Therefore it is without a doubt that you are reaping the results of being a staunch disciple, and my substantiation is again from the purport:
<center><i>"… association with the pure devotees of the Lord is a self-sufficient process that is guaranteed to award the desired result. One must only learn how to associate with the pure devotees and one's life will be perfect."</i></center>
My misfortune is that I still haven't followed your divine lotus footsteps. I am a sinful and offensive rascal who is begging to be given a chance to learn this seemingly easy discipleship science. I can't claim to be your disciple at this moment because I lack discipline. But, however fallen I am, I will never give up trying to be your sincere follower.
Forever yours
Karuna Gaura dasa
Khadiravan devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this holy day of your appearance.
“The Vedas instruct us to get out of the existence of darkness and go forward on the path of light (tamasi mā jyotir gama). The path of light is therefore to satisfy the senses of the Lord.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.30p
I appreciate that you always raise the bar, always give something to reach for, there is always further to go. You always explain that relationships are always dynamic, you never reach a plateau. If you do you’re in trouble. Attaining your pleasure is not cheap and easy.
How far have I come? Being blind I can’t tell. You hold the torchlight in this dark cave of the material realm and only you can see how close I am to getting out of the darkness of ignorance. I'm pretty sure I've got a way to go! I pat the walls and wonder, anyway I’ll just keep going, trying to follow your guidance. Your instructions and teachings flash bursts of illumination across the dark walls, I try to follow the path they cut. It’s a great and challenging underground adventure, and I’m blindfolded.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
You lead me to a steady stream, a flowing river, an ocean of devotional service. Dive in you exclaim. I’ve always been slow to get in for a swim, first my feet, up to calves, gradually gingerly up to waist, then procrastinate for awhile and talk about how cold it is, then eventually dive in and then I really like it and don’t want to get out. By that time everyone else has had their fun and got out of the water. My devotional life seems to be taking the same slow course. But I’m trying to get swimming now and I’m loving it. It was just my conditioned personality that was getting in the way all that time. What a waste of youthful energy. It is your mercy that allows me to see that. Anyway onwards, better late than never. Hopefully my service attitude is pleasing. Hopefully by working hard I can please you. Hopefully I can do a real thing with the remaining years of this life. There’s nothing more I’d like than to please you. And it’s not easy! Thank you for never compromising! Krishna consciousness is not cheap, it’s the most expensive, but the most rewarding. For diamonds, few will pay. The price is high - we have to lose all the garbage, get over our ”selves”, conquer the mind, push on through difficulties, get absorbed in Krishna’s service.
Thank you always for pushing me towards transcendence, always living and exemplifying and speaking the transcendental reality, never settling for the old stories of material consciousness. I appreciate that push however challenging it is. It is the most worthwhile attainment to strive for, to try to get to reality again, away from all the illusion. Where you are trying to take us brings so much freedom and taste, that’s all I know so far.
You are a great example of taking up difficulties to please your spiritual master. Sankirtan with no results all day, 7 days a week, for 2 years. Service at the BBT like sitting a physics exam every day. Incomprehensible sacrifice underground in communist Europe. Raising wild kali yuga spiritual kids. GBC duties and responsibilities. Dealing with inevitable problems in the bhakti hospital. Dealing with all the full-blown bhakti individuals and their differences for decades. Gruelling travel all the time to benefit others, sharing Krishna’s message unfailingly, even when devotees and potential devotees don’t want to hear it. Your shining example gives me strength to continue in the face of challenge. I beg to follow in your footsteps. There is nothing you wouldn’t do for your spiritual master. “Whatever Krishna wants, however Krishna wants it”. This is your pure bhakti example.
"With great compassion our gurudeva said, 'My dear boys, 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 also 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 his debt to the spiritual master. It is the duty of the disciple to dedicate his life to the service of the spiritual master.” Krishna Book Chapter 80
Your guidance and mercy has brought me here to this point. It’s amazing how under your guidance life can be peaceful and sublime while traversing the tunnel from darkness to light. Thank you for bearing the torch, a painstaking, immensely compassionate task.
Aspiring for perpetual solace in your service,
Khadiravan
please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this holy day of your appearance.
“The Vedas instruct us to get out of the existence of darkness and go forward on the path of light (tamasi mā jyotir gama). The path of light is therefore to satisfy the senses of the Lord.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.30p
I appreciate that you always raise the bar, always give something to reach for, there is always further to go. You always explain that relationships are always dynamic, you never reach a plateau. If you do you’re in trouble. Attaining your pleasure is not cheap and easy.
How far have I come? Being blind I can’t tell. You hold the torchlight in this dark cave of the material realm and only you can see how close I am to getting out of the darkness of ignorance. I'm pretty sure I've got a way to go! I pat the walls and wonder, anyway I’ll just keep going, trying to follow your guidance. Your instructions and teachings flash bursts of illumination across the dark walls, I try to follow the path they cut. It’s a great and challenging underground adventure, and I’m blindfolded.
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
You lead me to a steady stream, a flowing river, an ocean of devotional service. Dive in you exclaim. I’ve always been slow to get in for a swim, first my feet, up to calves, gradually gingerly up to waist, then procrastinate for awhile and talk about how cold it is, then eventually dive in and then I really like it and don’t want to get out. By that time everyone else has had their fun and got out of the water. My devotional life seems to be taking the same slow course. But I’m trying to get swimming now and I’m loving it. It was just my conditioned personality that was getting in the way all that time. What a waste of youthful energy. It is your mercy that allows me to see that. Anyway onwards, better late than never. Hopefully my service attitude is pleasing. Hopefully by working hard I can please you. Hopefully I can do a real thing with the remaining years of this life. There’s nothing more I’d like than to please you. And it’s not easy! Thank you for never compromising! Krishna consciousness is not cheap, it’s the most expensive, but the most rewarding. For diamonds, few will pay. The price is high - we have to lose all the garbage, get over our ”selves”, conquer the mind, push on through difficulties, get absorbed in Krishna’s service.
Thank you always for pushing me towards transcendence, always living and exemplifying and speaking the transcendental reality, never settling for the old stories of material consciousness. I appreciate that push however challenging it is. It is the most worthwhile attainment to strive for, to try to get to reality again, away from all the illusion. Where you are trying to take us brings so much freedom and taste, that’s all I know so far.
You are a great example of taking up difficulties to please your spiritual master. Sankirtan with no results all day, 7 days a week, for 2 years. Service at the BBT like sitting a physics exam every day. Incomprehensible sacrifice underground in communist Europe. Raising wild kali yuga spiritual kids. GBC duties and responsibilities. Dealing with inevitable problems in the bhakti hospital. Dealing with all the full-blown bhakti individuals and their differences for decades. Gruelling travel all the time to benefit others, sharing Krishna’s message unfailingly, even when devotees and potential devotees don’t want to hear it. Your shining example gives me strength to continue in the face of challenge. I beg to follow in your footsteps. There is nothing you wouldn’t do for your spiritual master. “Whatever Krishna wants, however Krishna wants it”. This is your pure bhakti example.
"With great compassion our gurudeva said, 'My dear boys, 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 also 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 his debt to the spiritual master. It is the duty of the disciple to dedicate his life to the service of the spiritual master.” Krishna Book Chapter 80
Your guidance and mercy has brought me here to this point. It’s amazing how under your guidance life can be peaceful and sublime while traversing the tunnel from darkness to light. Thank you for bearing the torch, a painstaking, immensely compassionate task.
Aspiring for perpetual solace in your service,
Khadiravan
Khela-tirtha dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Amongst the many vaisnava qualities you possess,Gurudev, that your disciples can glorify ,this offering will focus on a quintessential quality that is mentioned in sastra,with many many vivid examples,as that which"shines like the sun".
That quality is forgiveness.
Srila Prabhupada said"Lord Nityananda is unlimitedly forgiving" ofcourse in reference to the Jagai and Madai pastime.
Lord Nityananda ,from Balaram,is the original Guru
All gurus ,from Krsna all the way down,are glorified on Vyasa Puja
Therefore Guru and forgiveness are synonymous.
Another famous reference from Srimad Bhagavatam,which you quote Gurudev,is Jamadagni instructing his son Parasurama after he killed the king in 9.15.39-40.
"My dear son we are all brahmanas and have become worshipable for the people in general because of our quality of forgiveness.It is because of this quality that Lord Brahma ,the Supreme spiritual master of this universe,has acheived his post.
The duty of a brahmana is to culture the quality of forgiveness which is illuminating like the sun.The Supreme personality of Godhead,Hari,is pleased with those who are forgiving"
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to the above verses "Different personalities become beautiful by possessing different qualities...And the special quality of the brahmanas,as described here,is forgiveness."
Gurudev you are beautiful and "shine like the sun"because you are forgiving.
Ofcourse your physical countenance glows with a bright smile,pinkish lotus like features around your face and hands.Brightly shining with knowledge and pure love of God, as a pure vaisnava does.
According to Srila Prabhupada and Sastra this is mainly becuse you forgive those who "trespass against you".
For a vaisnava is automatically a brahmana
Not only have I expereienced this quality first hand but have seen how you deal with all living entities around you.
After all, to come to the material world and give all kinds of living entities the chance to go back home, back to Godhead,that,along with empowered compassion,is an act of forgiveness.
As it is well known that all living entities,besides nityasiddhas and those deputed by Krsna,coming to the material world are wayward,rebellious,sinful,forgetful,unconcious,impersonal.
By preaching to these types,in order to alleviate thier suffering and attachment to this material world,you are exhibiting mercy,compassion and many other magnanimous qualities,but forgiveness is utmost!!!
Why?
As per the pastime of Brghupati testing the Guna Avatars and kicking Visnu in the chest,not only did the Lord forgive Brghu but He was afraid that He hurt Brghu's foot.
Whose footmarks remain on the Lords Chest as the signature of the Lords tolerance and forgiveness.
This superior ,detached,un assuming,transcendentally situated mentality is prevelent in an empowered,Krsna concious living being of the same ilk.
You exhibit this superior quality Gurudev.
You are always giving more and more chances for us to make advancement.
You are concerned for Srila Prabhupada's Iskcon and have told us that forgivness is most important for our individual and collective forward moving momentum in bhakti.
You showed us this particular documentary at a recent retreat ,on forgiveness.The interesting case of the Professor who was councilling uni students and giving seminars on this quality,was forced to walk his talk when he found out ,during the documentary,that his mother was robbed and killed.They caught the theif but he was released due to a loophole in the system.The professor and his family forgave the theif.
Another modern , powerful example you gave ,Gurudev,was the Gunman who shot,point blank,a number of Amish school children one morning.The Amish parents forgave the gunman.
You were pointing out ,Gurudev,If we,your aspiring disciples and the rest of Iskcon members ,as fledging bhakti practicioners,cannot forgive the trivial,petty things done against us,through our small histories,tiny in comparison to the above mentioned extreme modern examples,then how do we expect the society to move forward and flourish for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.
Another famous sastric example is Prahlad Maharaja after his father was torn apart by Lord Nrsimhadev,asked The Lord, that,despite his fathers" aghavan" heavily sinful activities toward him,be excused and awarded liberation.
Such compassion and forgiveness cannot and will not be imitated
But a powerful example of the highest calibre nonetheless
You are teaching us by example how to practice bhakti yoga in the association of devotees and develop relationships based on hearing and chanting and seva to Guru and Krsna.
In modern settings
Thereputical excercises,feedback,love and trust.Healing kirtan and most important of all is preaching krsna conciousness and bringing the conditioned souls into the fold of loving practicioners where it is made easy for swift development in bhakti.
Thankyou Gurudev for your ongoing love,tolerance and forgiveness that shines brilliantly like the sun and allows us aspirants to bask in such glory.
your aspiring servant of your servants khela-tirtha dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
Amongst the many vaisnava qualities you possess,Gurudev, that your disciples can glorify ,this offering will focus on a quintessential quality that is mentioned in sastra,with many many vivid examples,as that which"shines like the sun".
That quality is forgiveness.
Srila Prabhupada said"Lord Nityananda is unlimitedly forgiving" ofcourse in reference to the Jagai and Madai pastime.
Lord Nityananda ,from Balaram,is the original Guru
All gurus ,from Krsna all the way down,are glorified on Vyasa Puja
Therefore Guru and forgiveness are synonymous.
Another famous reference from Srimad Bhagavatam,which you quote Gurudev,is Jamadagni instructing his son Parasurama after he killed the king in 9.15.39-40.
"My dear son we are all brahmanas and have become worshipable for the people in general because of our quality of forgiveness.It is because of this quality that Lord Brahma ,the Supreme spiritual master of this universe,has acheived his post.
The duty of a brahmana is to culture the quality of forgiveness which is illuminating like the sun.The Supreme personality of Godhead,Hari,is pleased with those who are forgiving"
Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport to the above verses "Different personalities become beautiful by possessing different qualities...And the special quality of the brahmanas,as described here,is forgiveness."
Gurudev you are beautiful and "shine like the sun"because you are forgiving.
Ofcourse your physical countenance glows with a bright smile,pinkish lotus like features around your face and hands.Brightly shining with knowledge and pure love of God, as a pure vaisnava does.
According to Srila Prabhupada and Sastra this is mainly becuse you forgive those who "trespass against you".
For a vaisnava is automatically a brahmana
Not only have I expereienced this quality first hand but have seen how you deal with all living entities around you.
After all, to come to the material world and give all kinds of living entities the chance to go back home, back to Godhead,that,along with empowered compassion,is an act of forgiveness.
As it is well known that all living entities,besides nityasiddhas and those deputed by Krsna,coming to the material world are wayward,rebellious,sinful,forgetful,unconcious,impersonal.
By preaching to these types,in order to alleviate thier suffering and attachment to this material world,you are exhibiting mercy,compassion and many other magnanimous qualities,but forgiveness is utmost!!!
Why?
As per the pastime of Brghupati testing the Guna Avatars and kicking Visnu in the chest,not only did the Lord forgive Brghu but He was afraid that He hurt Brghu's foot.
Whose footmarks remain on the Lords Chest as the signature of the Lords tolerance and forgiveness.
This superior ,detached,un assuming,transcendentally situated mentality is prevelent in an empowered,Krsna concious living being of the same ilk.
You exhibit this superior quality Gurudev.
You are always giving more and more chances for us to make advancement.
You are concerned for Srila Prabhupada's Iskcon and have told us that forgivness is most important for our individual and collective forward moving momentum in bhakti.
You showed us this particular documentary at a recent retreat ,on forgiveness.The interesting case of the Professor who was councilling uni students and giving seminars on this quality,was forced to walk his talk when he found out ,during the documentary,that his mother was robbed and killed.They caught the theif but he was released due to a loophole in the system.The professor and his family forgave the theif.
Another modern , powerful example you gave ,Gurudev,was the Gunman who shot,point blank,a number of Amish school children one morning.The Amish parents forgave the gunman.
You were pointing out ,Gurudev,If we,your aspiring disciples and the rest of Iskcon members ,as fledging bhakti practicioners,cannot forgive the trivial,petty things done against us,through our small histories,tiny in comparison to the above mentioned extreme modern examples,then how do we expect the society to move forward and flourish for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai.
Another famous sastric example is Prahlad Maharaja after his father was torn apart by Lord Nrsimhadev,asked The Lord, that,despite his fathers" aghavan" heavily sinful activities toward him,be excused and awarded liberation.
Such compassion and forgiveness cannot and will not be imitated
But a powerful example of the highest calibre nonetheless
You are teaching us by example how to practice bhakti yoga in the association of devotees and develop relationships based on hearing and chanting and seva to Guru and Krsna.
In modern settings
Thereputical excercises,feedback,love and trust.Healing kirtan and most important of all is preaching krsna conciousness and bringing the conditioned souls into the fold of loving practicioners where it is made easy for swift development in bhakti.
Thankyou Gurudev for your ongoing love,tolerance and forgiveness that shines brilliantly like the sun and allows us aspirants to bask in such glory.
your aspiring servant of your servants khela-tirtha dasa
Kirtiman Krsna Das
nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisance at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
It was a very auspicious start to the year for us here in Melbourne, being blessed to celebrate your VyasaPuja in your personal presence. It was certainly a very special and solemn function, which has left us with a lot of pleasant memories and I hope we will have more such opportunities in the future.
Srila Prabhupada says, ‘Preaching is the essence’, and you have taken these words up as the essence of your life; going to the extent of even risking your own life during various preaching endeavors. Day after day, year after year, decade after decade you keep going on and on like a man on a mission, to ensure that Lord Chaitanya’s glories are sung in every town and village. At the end of Bhagavad Gita, Krsna mentions about those who have taken up this service of spreading transcendental knowledge as follows:
<i>na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ
bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priya-taro bhuvi
“There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear” (BG 18.69).</i>
You are also always pleased to see devotees making efforts to preach and you shower them with the encouragement and enthusiasm to go further. One is able to do such a service continuously only by developing a completely selfless attitude. As for me, I approach everything with the thought –‘what’s in it for me’ and so obviously it doesn’t take me far. Probably it’s a part of my conditioning over lifetimes, but over the last few months I’ve been making an effort to overcome it, without much success though. At least the disease has been identified and I look forward to take the necessary medication as per your prescription.
<i>sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
lokanath lokera jivana
“Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees”.</i>
Though I repeat these lines of Sri Narottam Das Thakur like a parrot everyday morning, my greatest realizations of these words have come from your association. Gurudev, you are truly an ocean of mercy, accessible even to someone totally undeserving like me. In Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement, the mercy is said to be causeless, and in my case it’s completely true. Clouded by ignorance, I used to think at times that I am able to offer some service to my spiritual master and feel content and sometimes even a bit puffed up. But in comparison to the personal care and concern you show, whatever little I try to do is nullified. With each passing day, this feeling of indebtedness grows in me and I pray this remembrance always stays with me.
Seeking your blessings and the opportunity to serve you eternally.
Your aspiring servant
Kirtiman Krsna Das
srimate devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva dakshyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarva ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisance at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
It was a very auspicious start to the year for us here in Melbourne, being blessed to celebrate your VyasaPuja in your personal presence. It was certainly a very special and solemn function, which has left us with a lot of pleasant memories and I hope we will have more such opportunities in the future.
Srila Prabhupada says, ‘Preaching is the essence’, and you have taken these words up as the essence of your life; going to the extent of even risking your own life during various preaching endeavors. Day after day, year after year, decade after decade you keep going on and on like a man on a mission, to ensure that Lord Chaitanya’s glories are sung in every town and village. At the end of Bhagavad Gita, Krsna mentions about those who have taken up this service of spreading transcendental knowledge as follows:
<i>na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ
bhavitā na ca me tasmād anyaḥ priya-taro bhuvi
“There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear” (BG 18.69).</i>
You are also always pleased to see devotees making efforts to preach and you shower them with the encouragement and enthusiasm to go further. One is able to do such a service continuously only by developing a completely selfless attitude. As for me, I approach everything with the thought –‘what’s in it for me’ and so obviously it doesn’t take me far. Probably it’s a part of my conditioning over lifetimes, but over the last few months I’ve been making an effort to overcome it, without much success though. At least the disease has been identified and I look forward to take the necessary medication as per your prescription.
<i>sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
lokanath lokera jivana
“Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees”.</i>
Though I repeat these lines of Sri Narottam Das Thakur like a parrot everyday morning, my greatest realizations of these words have come from your association. Gurudev, you are truly an ocean of mercy, accessible even to someone totally undeserving like me. In Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement, the mercy is said to be causeless, and in my case it’s completely true. Clouded by ignorance, I used to think at times that I am able to offer some service to my spiritual master and feel content and sometimes even a bit puffed up. But in comparison to the personal care and concern you show, whatever little I try to do is nullified. With each passing day, this feeling of indebtedness grows in me and I pray this remembrance always stays with me.
Seeking your blessings and the opportunity to serve you eternally.
Your aspiring servant
Kirtiman Krsna Das
Krishna Murari devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance.
Gurudeva, you are a moon amongst the stars, a hero to so many.
For you deliver, so many to Krishna’s lotus feet.
This is a feat of extreme care and compassion
That you shower upon those you meet.
This year has been full of trials and trouble
I felt like I was drowning, hook, line and sinker
Into the turbulent ocean of material existence.
Were it not for your bhakti marshals
It might have been the end of me.
Coming to, waking up, looking around
How I see the best of thee,
Through your disciples.
So expert in their various fields of service
Mercy bestowed upon them by you for
Dedicated, fearless, sincere service.
Bhakti Lounge, bright faces, working hard,
Caring to save the masses.
Feeling inspired, feeling touched,
How I wonder, how can I serve in some way or other?
Devotee care and outreach you do declare to be
The heart of where it’s at.
I do pray to you, that I may be used
As your puppet someday too,
To care for others just as I have been cared for,
Thanks to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Krishna Murari devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this most auspicious occasion of your appearance.
Gurudeva, you are a moon amongst the stars, a hero to so many.
For you deliver, so many to Krishna’s lotus feet.
This is a feat of extreme care and compassion
That you shower upon those you meet.
This year has been full of trials and trouble
I felt like I was drowning, hook, line and sinker
Into the turbulent ocean of material existence.
Were it not for your bhakti marshals
It might have been the end of me.
Coming to, waking up, looking around
How I see the best of thee,
Through your disciples.
So expert in their various fields of service
Mercy bestowed upon them by you for
Dedicated, fearless, sincere service.
Bhakti Lounge, bright faces, working hard,
Caring to save the masses.
Feeling inspired, feeling touched,
How I wonder, how can I serve in some way or other?
Devotee care and outreach you do declare to be
The heart of where it’s at.
I do pray to you, that I may be used
As your puppet someday too,
To care for others just as I have been cared for,
Thanks to you.
Your aspiring servant,
Krishna Murari devi dasi
Krishna Rupa dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
My heart is overfilled with feelings of gratitude to you! I feel you don’t leave me and help to keep afloat in my life! Great many wonderful moments in my life are connected to my service to you in association of devotes. Cooperative service inspires me a lot! I listen to lectures and remember those wonderful times when I could be present at them. I so much want that in future it could be again possible by Krishna’s mercy! We wish so much to see you in Saint-Petersburg! Please grant us this festival again! Or maybe you want to see us in New Zealand? May be we should come to you?
We are so much eager to obtain your association. Give nectar to our ears! Come and reach out to our hearts with your Krishna Consciousness! We miss you so much! I’m amazed how clearly you can explain insignificancy of our material desires! To be shackled in platinum or in simple steel handcuffs – will it make us happier?
Suffering and pleasures of this world consists of same ingredients. Is it possible to be happy by being tied up with modes of nature? In fact we don’t know what is happiness!
Please bless me so that I could realize this real happiness by putting more endeavors in attentive chanting, so that I could indeed become happy chanting Hare Krishna!
Hoping to someday become useful in your service,
Krishna Rupa d.d.
please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
My heart is overfilled with feelings of gratitude to you! I feel you don’t leave me and help to keep afloat in my life! Great many wonderful moments in my life are connected to my service to you in association of devotes. Cooperative service inspires me a lot! I listen to lectures and remember those wonderful times when I could be present at them. I so much want that in future it could be again possible by Krishna’s mercy! We wish so much to see you in Saint-Petersburg! Please grant us this festival again! Or maybe you want to see us in New Zealand? May be we should come to you?
We are so much eager to obtain your association. Give nectar to our ears! Come and reach out to our hearts with your Krishna Consciousness! We miss you so much! I’m amazed how clearly you can explain insignificancy of our material desires! To be shackled in platinum or in simple steel handcuffs – will it make us happier?
Suffering and pleasures of this world consists of same ingredients. Is it possible to be happy by being tied up with modes of nature? In fact we don’t know what is happiness!
Please bless me so that I could realize this real happiness by putting more endeavors in attentive chanting, so that I could indeed become happy chanting Hare Krishna!
Hoping to someday become useful in your service,
Krishna Rupa d.d.
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please allow me to offer obeisances at your lotus feet which are the shelter for myself and many other devotees who have surrendered their lives unto you.
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Feet means service - service to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the only way out of material existence. Service to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the only way to please Krishna.
yahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya yai, krsna-prapti haya yaha hoite
I am very grateful that you continue to engage me in serving Srila Prabhupada's mission; a mission that is so enlivening with outreach, devotee care and chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra.
I especially want to take this opportunity to glorify you for your example in chanting the holy name. Everyone can see that you have a taste for chanting japa and kirtan.
In 1995 a group of devotees were driving to the temple, it was early morning and one devotee and myself were chatting with one another. You were in the front seat and turned around saying to us quite gravely “you shouldn’t talk when you’re chanting your rounds”. You have always stressed the importance of chanting 16 rounds in a row and to make it the most important part of our day. As you say - you start chanting the night before.
Those who have had the good fortune to chant japa with you all say how they have such an amazing experience, its like you are having communion with the holy name and the atmosphere is surcharged with sweetness – giving us a glimpse of what’s in store for us in the future.
Adi 17.22
kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra
“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.
When you chant japa or sing kirtan the holy name becomes so much more tasty. We all want to keep chanting forever and the mind becomes peaceful, saturated in the sweetness of the holy name – what more do we need!
CC Antya 1.99
tuṇḍe tāṇḍavinī ratiṁ vitanute tuṇḍāvalī-labdhaye
karṇa-kroḍa-kaḍambinī ghaṭayate karṇārbudebhyaḥ spṛhām
cetaḥ-prāṅgaṇa-saṅginī vijayate sarvendriyāṇāṁ kṛtiṁ
no jāne janitā kiyadbhir amṛtaiḥ kṛṣṇeti varṇa-dvayī
“I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Kṛṣ-ṇa’ have produced. When the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.”
Thank you Gurudeva for impressing upon us the importance of chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra and for giving us the experience of how sweet it is.
Your servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Please allow me to offer obeisances at your lotus feet which are the shelter for myself and many other devotees who have surrendered their lives unto you.
All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Feet means service - service to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the only way out of material existence. Service to the lotus feet of the spiritual master is the only way to please Krishna.
yahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya yai, krsna-prapti haya yaha hoite
I am very grateful that you continue to engage me in serving Srila Prabhupada's mission; a mission that is so enlivening with outreach, devotee care and chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra.
I especially want to take this opportunity to glorify you for your example in chanting the holy name. Everyone can see that you have a taste for chanting japa and kirtan.
In 1995 a group of devotees were driving to the temple, it was early morning and one devotee and myself were chatting with one another. You were in the front seat and turned around saying to us quite gravely “you shouldn’t talk when you’re chanting your rounds”. You have always stressed the importance of chanting 16 rounds in a row and to make it the most important part of our day. As you say - you start chanting the night before.
Those who have had the good fortune to chant japa with you all say how they have such an amazing experience, its like you are having communion with the holy name and the atmosphere is surcharged with sweetness – giving us a glimpse of what’s in store for us in the future.
Adi 17.22
kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra
“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.
When you chant japa or sing kirtan the holy name becomes so much more tasty. We all want to keep chanting forever and the mind becomes peaceful, saturated in the sweetness of the holy name – what more do we need!
CC Antya 1.99
tuṇḍe tāṇḍavinī ratiṁ vitanute tuṇḍāvalī-labdhaye
karṇa-kroḍa-kaḍambinī ghaṭayate karṇārbudebhyaḥ spṛhām
cetaḥ-prāṅgaṇa-saṅginī vijayate sarvendriyāṇāṁ kṛtiṁ
no jāne janitā kiyadbhir amṛtaiḥ kṛṣṇeti varṇa-dvayī
“I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Kṛṣ-ṇa’ have produced. When the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.”
Thank you Gurudeva for impressing upon us the importance of chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra and for giving us the experience of how sweet it is.
Your servant,
Krishnaloka devi dasi
Krsna Deva Das
Please Accept My Humble Obeisance's
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
All Glories To Your Lotus Feet
nama om - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
yasya- prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri caranaravindam
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
I have realize how much of an ocean of mercy you really are as the time passes I see more and more of my faults and I realize by looking at previous Vyasa Puja offerings by my God Brothers I see how I have ignorantly addressed you and also blindly viewed your position and also my unfortunate situation.
As the days go by I see and understand clearly why you have given me instructions to move.
Externally as hard as it may be understand that, whatever you are instructing is because of your superior position and your ability to see what is best for me. My position in life is very sad my only achievement is having been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to take initiation from you and to start from scratch.
I am very glad that you have taken me under your care and have taken enough time to give me what I need to continue my devotional path I thank you very much for that.
The day you were born I was given another chance at to make it back to Godhead and I pray that with the potency You have given me through initiation that I may be able to bring someone else to your Lotus feet that will be a better devotee than I am or will ever be.
I love you and I hope that through whatever little service I can do, that you may see and have a little mercy on me.
Your Servant,
Krishna Deva Das
All Glories To Srila Prabhupada
All Glories To Your Lotus Feet
nama om - padaya
krsna – presthaya bhu-tale
srimate Devamrita -
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
yasya- prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri caranaravindam
Hare Krishna Gurudeva,
I have realize how much of an ocean of mercy you really are as the time passes I see more and more of my faults and I realize by looking at previous Vyasa Puja offerings by my God Brothers I see how I have ignorantly addressed you and also blindly viewed your position and also my unfortunate situation.
As the days go by I see and understand clearly why you have given me instructions to move.
Externally as hard as it may be understand that, whatever you are instructing is because of your superior position and your ability to see what is best for me. My position in life is very sad my only achievement is having been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to take initiation from you and to start from scratch.
I am very glad that you have taken me under your care and have taken enough time to give me what I need to continue my devotional path I thank you very much for that.
The day you were born I was given another chance at to make it back to Godhead and I pray that with the potency You have given me through initiation that I may be able to bring someone else to your Lotus feet that will be a better devotee than I am or will ever be.
I love you and I hope that through whatever little service I can do, that you may see and have a little mercy on me.
Your Servant,
Krishna Deva Das
Krsna Katha Dasa
Namo om visnu padaya krsna padaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisences at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In Bhagavat Gita 11.33 Krsna instructs Arjuna as follows
tasmat tvam uttistha yaso labhasva
jitva satrun bhunksva rajyam samrddham
mayaivaite nihatah purvam eva
nimitta-matram bhava savya-sacin
Similarly you have encouraged me in different services over and over again and reminded me to do it for your pleasure! . Thank you for your kindness,care,love,effection and encouragement, please continue to use me as a useful instrument in your hands.
Your Servant
Krsna Katha Dasa
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca, Bhaktacara-pravinta
Pararthatapi Karunyam, Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisences at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In Bhagavat Gita 11.33 Krsna instructs Arjuna as follows
tasmat tvam uttistha yaso labhasva
jitva satrun bhunksva rajyam samrddham
mayaivaite nihatah purvam eva
nimitta-matram bhava savya-sacin
Similarly you have encouraged me in different services over and over again and reminded me to do it for your pleasure! . Thank you for your kindness,care,love,effection and encouragement, please continue to use me as a useful instrument in your hands.
Your Servant
Krsna Katha Dasa
Krsna Kumar dasa - USA
My dear beloved Spiritual Father, Savior, Mentor, Teacher, Guru, Master, Icon, Role-model, and Friend,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your divine lotus feet.
All glories to your compassionate nature.
All glories to your service to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful avatar.
All glories to your affection upon your disciples.
All glories to your determination to save us.
All glories to your unlimited qualities and activities.
ALL GLORIES TO YOU GURUDEV!!!!!!!!! JAIIII GURUDEV!!!!!!!! HARIBOL!!!!
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA!!!!!
KRISHNA KRISHNA!!!!!!!!! JAYA!!
Gurudeva, thank you for helping the sad people of this world become happy again.
People here are like WALKING CORPSES. It breaks my heart meeting these people on sankirtan, because even though they are actually nice people underneath all the filth, they are so sad and lost. People even KILL THEMSELVES because they are so sad. It's absolutely unbelievable how bad these people must feel. And I can't do anything to help them. Who am I? I can't do practically any tiny thing without becoming proud or envious. But I am ETERNALLY indebted to you that you are ACTUALLY successful in delivering the message of Rupa Raghunath to them. PLEASE LET ME ASSIST YOU ETERNALLY IN HELPING THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! Whatever it takes, I don't care. To hell with these selfish material desires. Please Gurudev.
Your only thought is how to serve our disciplic succession in delivering these poor souls. How do I know this? Phalena pariciyate: you can just a thing by its effect. Your desire is apparent because of the results we see. You are so compassionate, you are so determined, you are so thoughtful and considerate, dedicated, humble, empowered, surrendered, willing to undergo any austerity for the service of the Lord, and always thinking of others. Krishna is obviously empowering you with the ability to actually deliver the fallen conditioned souls of the material realm. I feel so proud to have a master like you. O master, please let me serve you.
I am like a little child who cannot appreciate the shelter and protection given by the parent. Whenever I am around you, I feel like my cracked, dry, Kali-yuga heart is given the nourishment it needs. I feel grounded in life, because I know that somebody loves and cares for me.
I don't know what I have done to deserve the special attention of the Lord. I was completely immersed in ridiculous and dangerous activities, when at the perfect time, He intervened with the perfect rescue team. Krishna is so expert and merciful. And the most tangible, utmost pinnacle of his inconceivable expertise and mercy is manifest in your presence in my life.
By hearing your instructions and trying to follow them, Krishna gives me glimpses of realizations that are to come. I am like a child with a lolly in his mouth, not appreciating the treasure that is before him, but thank you for guiding this infant in his spiritual journey back to Godhead.
In a letter to his Godbrother dated Sept. 28, 1966, Srila Prabhupada writes:
"At his first sight of me Srila Prabhupada also saw me with such love. It was in my very first darsana of Srila Prabhupada that I learned how to love. It is his boundless mercy that he has engaged an unworthy person like me, in fulfilling some of his desires. It is his causeless mercy to engage me in preaching the message of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha."
Please similarly engage this unworthy person in fulfilling your desires.
Gurudeva, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please help me please you. I can't do it on my own. Please empower me to do something that pleases you.
Your aspiring servant,
Krsna Kumara dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to your divine lotus feet.
All glories to your compassionate nature.
All glories to your service to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful avatar.
All glories to your affection upon your disciples.
All glories to your determination to save us.
All glories to your unlimited qualities and activities.
ALL GLORIES TO YOU GURUDEV!!!!!!!!! JAIIII GURUDEV!!!!!!!! HARIBOL!!!!
ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA!!!!!
KRISHNA KRISHNA!!!!!!!!! JAYA!!
Gurudeva, thank you for helping the sad people of this world become happy again.
People here are like WALKING CORPSES. It breaks my heart meeting these people on sankirtan, because even though they are actually nice people underneath all the filth, they are so sad and lost. People even KILL THEMSELVES because they are so sad. It's absolutely unbelievable how bad these people must feel. And I can't do anything to help them. Who am I? I can't do practically any tiny thing without becoming proud or envious. But I am ETERNALLY indebted to you that you are ACTUALLY successful in delivering the message of Rupa Raghunath to them. PLEASE LET ME ASSIST YOU ETERNALLY IN HELPING THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!! Whatever it takes, I don't care. To hell with these selfish material desires. Please Gurudev.
Your only thought is how to serve our disciplic succession in delivering these poor souls. How do I know this? Phalena pariciyate: you can just a thing by its effect. Your desire is apparent because of the results we see. You are so compassionate, you are so determined, you are so thoughtful and considerate, dedicated, humble, empowered, surrendered, willing to undergo any austerity for the service of the Lord, and always thinking of others. Krishna is obviously empowering you with the ability to actually deliver the fallen conditioned souls of the material realm. I feel so proud to have a master like you. O master, please let me serve you.
I am like a little child who cannot appreciate the shelter and protection given by the parent. Whenever I am around you, I feel like my cracked, dry, Kali-yuga heart is given the nourishment it needs. I feel grounded in life, because I know that somebody loves and cares for me.
I don't know what I have done to deserve the special attention of the Lord. I was completely immersed in ridiculous and dangerous activities, when at the perfect time, He intervened with the perfect rescue team. Krishna is so expert and merciful. And the most tangible, utmost pinnacle of his inconceivable expertise and mercy is manifest in your presence in my life.
By hearing your instructions and trying to follow them, Krishna gives me glimpses of realizations that are to come. I am like a child with a lolly in his mouth, not appreciating the treasure that is before him, but thank you for guiding this infant in his spiritual journey back to Godhead.
In a letter to his Godbrother dated Sept. 28, 1966, Srila Prabhupada writes:
"At his first sight of me Srila Prabhupada also saw me with such love. It was in my very first darsana of Srila Prabhupada that I learned how to love. It is his boundless mercy that he has engaged an unworthy person like me, in fulfilling some of his desires. It is his causeless mercy to engage me in preaching the message of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha."
Please similarly engage this unworthy person in fulfilling your desires.
Gurudeva, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please help me please you. I can't do it on my own. Please empower me to do something that pleases you.
Your aspiring servant,
Krsna Kumara dasa
Krsna Prasada das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Now at Gita Nagari, although different in many ways, it feels so familiar. After cramming six months work into one and still recovering from jet lag, strangely enough I am eager to dive into the service ahead.
I'm gradually beginning to realise that Krsna's service is our life and soul, it is infectious, the more we do, the more we need. Service means love, the more we do, the more we love. You are the perfect example of this, Gurudeva.
More than 40 years have passed in your devotional career and you are still traveling the globe, attending to devotees needs and problems, festivals, temples, meetings and seminars. Every person you make contact with you are serving with such conscious skill and love, according to their needs. Non-stop heartfelt love, full to the brim and overflowing to all of us.
In one of your recent classes you were stressing the point that in this material world we have a loaded gun at our head, its just a matter of time before it goes off and we don't know when that will be.
Please let me always remember the gun at my head and the urgency to become the servant of the servant.
Please help me by your spiritual blessings and allow me to follow in your footsteps. I hope one day to have the same eagerness and determination you have to serve Srila Prabhupada, maybe then I might be the disciple you want me to be.
Your aspiring servant,
Krsna Prasada das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Now at Gita Nagari, although different in many ways, it feels so familiar. After cramming six months work into one and still recovering from jet lag, strangely enough I am eager to dive into the service ahead.
I'm gradually beginning to realise that Krsna's service is our life and soul, it is infectious, the more we do, the more we need. Service means love, the more we do, the more we love. You are the perfect example of this, Gurudeva.
More than 40 years have passed in your devotional career and you are still traveling the globe, attending to devotees needs and problems, festivals, temples, meetings and seminars. Every person you make contact with you are serving with such conscious skill and love, according to their needs. Non-stop heartfelt love, full to the brim and overflowing to all of us.
In one of your recent classes you were stressing the point that in this material world we have a loaded gun at our head, its just a matter of time before it goes off and we don't know when that will be.
Please let me always remember the gun at my head and the urgency to become the servant of the servant.
Please help me by your spiritual blessings and allow me to follow in your footsteps. I hope one day to have the same eagerness and determination you have to serve Srila Prabhupada, maybe then I might be the disciple you want me to be.
Your aspiring servant,
Krsna Prasada das
Krsnamrta das and Rasamrta devi dasi
namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
You are such a perfect example of a Guru. You instantly read people’s mind and you are always ready to offer guidance. You are always inspiring everyone to follow the ultimate path of Krsna Consciousness. You encourage people to express the concerns they may have both in their material and spiritual lives and being a leader, you always clear the doubts that one may have.
Your teachings are exemplary. You expertly incorporate the teachings from the scriptures into the daily issues that we face. Your teachings are so potent that people listening to you for the first time get captivated by your words of wisdom.
Often at the retreats people challenge the scriptures; however, you skilfully tackle their arguments. By the end of the retreat they start enquiring more about Krishna Consciousness. This only proves your expertise at transforming materialistic hearts and releasing people from false ego.
We hope that one day we can repay you for being so caring and for showing us the true meaning of life. Thank you for being such an inspiration in our lives!
We wish you all the best in your mission and we hope to be of some help in your preaching.
Trying to be your servants,
Krsnamrta das and Rasamrta devi dasi
srimati devamrita swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
You are such a perfect example of a Guru. You instantly read people’s mind and you are always ready to offer guidance. You are always inspiring everyone to follow the ultimate path of Krsna Consciousness. You encourage people to express the concerns they may have both in their material and spiritual lives and being a leader, you always clear the doubts that one may have.
Your teachings are exemplary. You expertly incorporate the teachings from the scriptures into the daily issues that we face. Your teachings are so potent that people listening to you for the first time get captivated by your words of wisdom.
Often at the retreats people challenge the scriptures; however, you skilfully tackle their arguments. By the end of the retreat they start enquiring more about Krishna Consciousness. This only proves your expertise at transforming materialistic hearts and releasing people from false ego.
We hope that one day we can repay you for being so caring and for showing us the true meaning of life. Thank you for being such an inspiration in our lives!
We wish you all the best in your mission and we hope to be of some help in your preaching.
Trying to be your servants,
Krsnamrta das and Rasamrta devi dasi
Krsnananda dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your louts feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your divine and inconceivable contribution to Sri Guru Parampara
We have eternal free will. To serve Krishna or to serve maya. These are the two options. There are no other options. In choosing Krishna we have to be prepared to combat maya. We undergo robust tests to validate the sincerity of our desire to reconnect our long-lost relationship with the Supreme beloved, Sri Krsna. In choosing maya’s path we sign up for a spectacular demonstration of self-destruction showcased on the platform of unrestricted sense gratification and mental speculation.
Ground zero, the war against the illusory energy. I study the teachings a great sadhu, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja. We have a fearless leader. Swapping notes with my brothers we exchange battle tactics. We are a team. Ultimately though, each day on the battlefield, we have to fly our own plane.
Diary of a wandering Bhakti practitioner,
Day 1 of my battle with maya. I come before my opponent thinking i’m some sort of paramahamsa. Maya looks bored. The fight ensues. Enchanted with images being broadcast through my mind, i conduct a titanic space out. Bewildered by lust, besotted with sinful desire, unable to control my senses, maya is on top of me, my head is smashed down to the ground and i am easily defeated. My brothers pull me off the ground, opining that i carefully listen to Gurudeva’s lectures on conquering lust.
Day 2. I come before my opponent looking disheveled. Clinging tightly to the cookies my wife made, i finger my japa beads nervously. Maya looks at me piteously. The fight begins. The Holy Names are sounded. Maya, sensing some inclining towards devotion begins her masterful trickery. A myriad of suggestions, proposals, visualizations flood through my mind. My focus on hearing the Holy Name slackens. In three dexterous moves, maya has me cornered and i am defeated. My brothers peel me off the wall, earnestly recommending that i carefully listen to Gurudeva’s lectures on chanting.
Day 3. Renewed determination. But maya is unfazed. She’s not new at this. Bewildering me since time immemorial, she knows me better than i know myself. The battle commences. Demonstrating some ability to control the senses, calling on the Holy Names with greater attention, a great fault suddenly seizes me. Having neglected Gurudeva’s instruction, having ignored guidance, maya swiftly strikes. I am defeated. Embarrassed, my brothers lift me out of the rubbish heap. With banana peels stuck to my head, i listen carefully as they explain to me how much easier life becomes when they carefully follow Gurudeva’s instructions.
Day 4. After bathing sufficiently i am ready for action. Maya senses the subtle shift. She knows. Once the disciple is trying to follow the instructions of the Guru, there can be empowerment. As i begin dismantling various proposals projecting through the mind, suddenly she withdraws her attack. A prudent practitioner should be suspicious and alert at this point. Foolishly, i begin reflecting on services well done, compliments, glorifications well received. The taste for adoration, distinction grows. Yes, i am senior to bhakta Burfi! I should be recognized accordingly. Surreptitiously, maya fuels this fire of pride. Thinking myself to be better than my brothers, i fall down to the platform of offensive chanting. Maya throws me head first into a filthy pond. My mentors - senior Gurudeva disciples - are there to fetch me out. They encourage me. Examining their qualities and character i realise they are rendering truly great service free from false prestige and pride.
Day 5 is a fierce dual. I am determined. With repeated attempts at selfless service i try to put into practice all that i’ve learned. But maya knows my achilles heal. As i chant the Holy Names, the envy, the impersonalism that sits in my heart is revealed to me. “Krsna is the supreme enjoyer” - Gurudeva’s voice resounds in my mind. But i am not ready to concede! I know how to enjoy! Maya cackles, then grabs me. Next thing i know i find myself pegged to the washing line by my under-garments. My wife finds me hanging there and tries to restrain fits of laughter whilst helping me down and encouraging me further.
Day 6. Multiple humiliations have strengthened my resolve. I stand before my opponent, all guns blazing. The great push to remember Krsna. Chant attentively, with heart. Serve the Vaisnavas. Follow the instructions of Gurudeva. Study Prabhupada’s books. Go out on sankirtan. Giving it everything, maya is uncharacteristically on the back foot. This fight lasts longer. There is brief glimpses of the fresh air that apparently comes with conquering lust, anger, greed. Suddenly it all changes. Maya pulls out a move i’ve never seen before. I am blasted ten metres backwards smacking into a rock face. Bruised and bloodied, i collapse in a heap. She then stands over me and whispers directly into my ear. “Vaisnava aparadha” and disappears. This time there is no-one to help me up, so i lie in silence, contemplating my own shortcomings. To commit offenses at the lotus feet of great devotees is the greatest danger.
In the distance i see someone approaching. Gurudeva has come! Begging forgiveness for offenses i ask Gurudeva to help me. I cannot win this war without his blessing.
Day 7 is special. My brothers, my sisters, we all gather. Gurudeva is demonstrating how to fight maya! A lifetime of complete surrender to the desires of Srila Prabhupada, maya understands the exalted stature of her opponent. As the fight begins, Gurudeva demonstrates perfectly how to attack. A masterful preacher of the Bhagavat, pure chanting of the Holy Name, mastery of the senses, encyclopedic understanding of the Vedas, heart full of compassion, carrying the karmic burden of hundreds, Gurudeva is fully empowered. His Krsna conscious artistry is dazzling. Defending maya’s most powerful moves, he leads tumultuous kirtans. Maya can find no gap, no weakness, no stone left unturned. Finally she resigns. Defeated. Effortlessly, Gurudeva has conquered over the illusory energy. Heart overflowing with love for Sri Krsna, Guru Maharaja smiles and leaves the battlefield, ready for another exemplary display of Vaisnavism in some distant land. We all get up excited and enthused. This is how its done!
My heart is consoled with the knowledge that if i cannot overcome maya, my Guru Maharaja can pick me up and carry me back to the spiritual world.
Gurudeva on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja i wish to beg forgiveness for my offenses and pray that you may not brush me aside as i perennially fail to deliver anything at all at your lotus feet. I am pathetic at the best of times and i am completely dependent on your mercy.
Aspiring to fight the good fight,
Your lowly, insignificant servant
Krsnananda dasa
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your louts feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to your divine and inconceivable contribution to Sri Guru Parampara
We have eternal free will. To serve Krishna or to serve maya. These are the two options. There are no other options. In choosing Krishna we have to be prepared to combat maya. We undergo robust tests to validate the sincerity of our desire to reconnect our long-lost relationship with the Supreme beloved, Sri Krsna. In choosing maya’s path we sign up for a spectacular demonstration of self-destruction showcased on the platform of unrestricted sense gratification and mental speculation.
Ground zero, the war against the illusory energy. I study the teachings a great sadhu, His Holiness Devamrita Swami Maharaja. We have a fearless leader. Swapping notes with my brothers we exchange battle tactics. We are a team. Ultimately though, each day on the battlefield, we have to fly our own plane.
Diary of a wandering Bhakti practitioner,
Day 1 of my battle with maya. I come before my opponent thinking i’m some sort of paramahamsa. Maya looks bored. The fight ensues. Enchanted with images being broadcast through my mind, i conduct a titanic space out. Bewildered by lust, besotted with sinful desire, unable to control my senses, maya is on top of me, my head is smashed down to the ground and i am easily defeated. My brothers pull me off the ground, opining that i carefully listen to Gurudeva’s lectures on conquering lust.
Day 2. I come before my opponent looking disheveled. Clinging tightly to the cookies my wife made, i finger my japa beads nervously. Maya looks at me piteously. The fight begins. The Holy Names are sounded. Maya, sensing some inclining towards devotion begins her masterful trickery. A myriad of suggestions, proposals, visualizations flood through my mind. My focus on hearing the Holy Name slackens. In three dexterous moves, maya has me cornered and i am defeated. My brothers peel me off the wall, earnestly recommending that i carefully listen to Gurudeva’s lectures on chanting.
Day 3. Renewed determination. But maya is unfazed. She’s not new at this. Bewildering me since time immemorial, she knows me better than i know myself. The battle commences. Demonstrating some ability to control the senses, calling on the Holy Names with greater attention, a great fault suddenly seizes me. Having neglected Gurudeva’s instruction, having ignored guidance, maya swiftly strikes. I am defeated. Embarrassed, my brothers lift me out of the rubbish heap. With banana peels stuck to my head, i listen carefully as they explain to me how much easier life becomes when they carefully follow Gurudeva’s instructions.
Day 4. After bathing sufficiently i am ready for action. Maya senses the subtle shift. She knows. Once the disciple is trying to follow the instructions of the Guru, there can be empowerment. As i begin dismantling various proposals projecting through the mind, suddenly she withdraws her attack. A prudent practitioner should be suspicious and alert at this point. Foolishly, i begin reflecting on services well done, compliments, glorifications well received. The taste for adoration, distinction grows. Yes, i am senior to bhakta Burfi! I should be recognized accordingly. Surreptitiously, maya fuels this fire of pride. Thinking myself to be better than my brothers, i fall down to the platform of offensive chanting. Maya throws me head first into a filthy pond. My mentors - senior Gurudeva disciples - are there to fetch me out. They encourage me. Examining their qualities and character i realise they are rendering truly great service free from false prestige and pride.
Day 5 is a fierce dual. I am determined. With repeated attempts at selfless service i try to put into practice all that i’ve learned. But maya knows my achilles heal. As i chant the Holy Names, the envy, the impersonalism that sits in my heart is revealed to me. “Krsna is the supreme enjoyer” - Gurudeva’s voice resounds in my mind. But i am not ready to concede! I know how to enjoy! Maya cackles, then grabs me. Next thing i know i find myself pegged to the washing line by my under-garments. My wife finds me hanging there and tries to restrain fits of laughter whilst helping me down and encouraging me further.
Day 6. Multiple humiliations have strengthened my resolve. I stand before my opponent, all guns blazing. The great push to remember Krsna. Chant attentively, with heart. Serve the Vaisnavas. Follow the instructions of Gurudeva. Study Prabhupada’s books. Go out on sankirtan. Giving it everything, maya is uncharacteristically on the back foot. This fight lasts longer. There is brief glimpses of the fresh air that apparently comes with conquering lust, anger, greed. Suddenly it all changes. Maya pulls out a move i’ve never seen before. I am blasted ten metres backwards smacking into a rock face. Bruised and bloodied, i collapse in a heap. She then stands over me and whispers directly into my ear. “Vaisnava aparadha” and disappears. This time there is no-one to help me up, so i lie in silence, contemplating my own shortcomings. To commit offenses at the lotus feet of great devotees is the greatest danger.
In the distance i see someone approaching. Gurudeva has come! Begging forgiveness for offenses i ask Gurudeva to help me. I cannot win this war without his blessing.
Day 7 is special. My brothers, my sisters, we all gather. Gurudeva is demonstrating how to fight maya! A lifetime of complete surrender to the desires of Srila Prabhupada, maya understands the exalted stature of her opponent. As the fight begins, Gurudeva demonstrates perfectly how to attack. A masterful preacher of the Bhagavat, pure chanting of the Holy Name, mastery of the senses, encyclopedic understanding of the Vedas, heart full of compassion, carrying the karmic burden of hundreds, Gurudeva is fully empowered. His Krsna conscious artistry is dazzling. Defending maya’s most powerful moves, he leads tumultuous kirtans. Maya can find no gap, no weakness, no stone left unturned. Finally she resigns. Defeated. Effortlessly, Gurudeva has conquered over the illusory energy. Heart overflowing with love for Sri Krsna, Guru Maharaja smiles and leaves the battlefield, ready for another exemplary display of Vaisnavism in some distant land. We all get up excited and enthused. This is how its done!
My heart is consoled with the knowledge that if i cannot overcome maya, my Guru Maharaja can pick me up and carry me back to the spiritual world.
Gurudeva on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja i wish to beg forgiveness for my offenses and pray that you may not brush me aside as i perennially fail to deliver anything at all at your lotus feet. I am pathetic at the best of times and i am completely dependent on your mercy.
Aspiring to fight the good fight,
Your lowly, insignificant servant
Krsnananda dasa
Kula Pavana Das
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
please accept my humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The year 2014 is glorious! Three important and memorable things happend in my life for which i have been waiting ever since of my baby steps in Krishna Consciousness. On this auspicious day of your appearance, it is my fortune to write a few words to show my gratitude.
Firstly, celebrating your appearance day, where you are personally present start of this year. It was a great blessing from you on our melbourne congregation to celebrate and glorify you from the bottom of our heart.
Secondly, you have mercifully initiated me. I could never forget this day, that you have kindly accepted me as a disciple though I am not qualified. I sincerely try to serve you whatever the way I can.
Finally, Swathi has taken shelter of your instructions and decided to serve you, all these moments are inexplicable, your paintstaking guidance to her has definately worked that she did not tell me that she wanted to take shelter and to serve you until the last moment of your darbhanga this time. I could not put into words those moments how you reciprocated to Swathi's request to become your aspirng disciple.
I can only say that because of your blessing i could cross these milestones without much struggle. The guidance and instrutions through your lectures and personal association helped me to overcome every spiritual and material desires and obstructions.
On this auspicious day I pray to Sri Sri Radhavallabha to give you good health and request you to bless us in the same way you have been guiding us with your instructions and motivate us to help you in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you Gurudev!
Aspiring to be your sincere disciple,
Kula Paavana Das
Kundalata dd
Dear Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Again the time has come to sit down and write a Vyasa Puja offering. This is always the moment when I realize another year has passed. Another year in which I wish I had spent more time meditating an my relationship with you. On our spiritual bond, and my incredible fortune of being under your guidance. Because when gratitude is there, it turns into sacrifice. Sacrifice to please you, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
On this day I pray that I may become a useful servant in the hands of SriSri Panca-tattva, to please you and all the previous acaryas. You pulled me into the ISKCON boat and I want to try my very best to do at least a little something to help the movement forward.
Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everything you have done for me over the years. Soon we will see each other again and I will be back under your direct guidance down under. I very much look forward to it and I hope I can step up a notch and render some valuable service.
Thank you for everything Gurudeva, I would not be where I am today without you and I hope one day you might be pleased with my efforts…
Your grateful servant,
Kundalata dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Again the time has come to sit down and write a Vyasa Puja offering. This is always the moment when I realize another year has passed. Another year in which I wish I had spent more time meditating an my relationship with you. On our spiritual bond, and my incredible fortune of being under your guidance. Because when gratitude is there, it turns into sacrifice. Sacrifice to please you, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
On this day I pray that I may become a useful servant in the hands of SriSri Panca-tattva, to please you and all the previous acaryas. You pulled me into the ISKCON boat and I want to try my very best to do at least a little something to help the movement forward.
Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everything you have done for me over the years. Soon we will see each other again and I will be back under your direct guidance down under. I very much look forward to it and I hope I can step up a notch and render some valuable service.
Thank you for everything Gurudeva, I would not be where I am today without you and I hope one day you might be pleased with my efforts…
Your grateful servant,
Kundalata dd
Kurmadeva das
My dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet
In this special occasion I am remembering you with a lot of Love, it’s a day to meditate and reflect about you, it’s a day to think deep about the intense relationship Guru-Disciple. It’s a relationship for the whole life; it is a bona fide feeling that need a lot of care.
Respect and Humility is a rare present in this life, just to have a Spiritual Master of your greatness. Every time I am thinking about good qualities to develop, you are the perfect example. Whenever I have an opportunity to see you and serve you in person I can see directly that you have all the good qualities of a perfect Bramana. This inspires me to become an example as a disciple and devotee.
One day I hope to be sincere, serve you with more determination and never fail you. I hope you will be always my dear Guru Maharaja life after life.
I don’t have doubt you are very dear to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, your service and love can change the hearts of everyone who come in contact with you. You give true love with your knowledge.
I am really proud and happy to have you in my life.
Happy Vyasa Puja
Your servant Kurmadeva das.
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet
In this special occasion I am remembering you with a lot of Love, it’s a day to meditate and reflect about you, it’s a day to think deep about the intense relationship Guru-Disciple. It’s a relationship for the whole life; it is a bona fide feeling that need a lot of care.
Respect and Humility is a rare present in this life, just to have a Spiritual Master of your greatness. Every time I am thinking about good qualities to develop, you are the perfect example. Whenever I have an opportunity to see you and serve you in person I can see directly that you have all the good qualities of a perfect Bramana. This inspires me to become an example as a disciple and devotee.
One day I hope to be sincere, serve you with more determination and never fail you. I hope you will be always my dear Guru Maharaja life after life.
I don’t have doubt you are very dear to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, your service and love can change the hearts of everyone who come in contact with you. You give true love with your knowledge.
I am really proud and happy to have you in my life.
Happy Vyasa Puja
Your servant Kurmadeva das.
Kusuma Sarovara dasi
Hare Krishna!
Please accept my humble obbeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Dear Gurudeva, with whole my heart I would like to thank you for saving me!
For reaching bravely into this dirt and picking me up, like angles do.
I'm not even aware yet, how strong your light is in this darkest cave of my material existence.
I feel so grateful, that you have trusted in me when even I abandoned my true identity, and how mercifully you extracted the virtuous in my heart shaping them into transcendental activities.
I feel like you offered me to Krishna, wile taking loving care of me, holding me in your palms.
When you are not present , it's like Sun hiding behind the mountain, leaving my skin cold and my heart lonely. I immediately start to pray for this sunshine to come back, so I could again feel comfortable and warm.
Please don't ever leave me Maharaj.
To see you smile and pleased is fulfilling and I hope my activities will be the reason for that.
In such a short time I learned so much from you. More than I learned from anyone else.
You have revealed your Father love for me and I finally feel like a daughter.
Safe and peaceful.
Oh,I've been dragged for too long through this storm Maharaj...and the ocean dropped me and pulled me back into the dark so many times... but so easily you've reached your hand and pulled me out of it. I was so attached of that atmosphere that I couldn't appreciate how you actually saved me. I was rolling back and forth until you whispered on my ear that everything will be alright, making my soul and mind peaceful. Thank you.
Your transcendental eyes shouldn't even look at this fallen soul, but you are so merciful, forgiving me again and again.
With this, you stole my heart and I'll pray to offer my life and every thought and action, thanking you for this. Life after life.
your eternal servant Kusuma Sarovara dasi
Please accept my humble obbeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Dear Gurudeva, with whole my heart I would like to thank you for saving me!
For reaching bravely into this dirt and picking me up, like angles do.
I'm not even aware yet, how strong your light is in this darkest cave of my material existence.
I feel so grateful, that you have trusted in me when even I abandoned my true identity, and how mercifully you extracted the virtuous in my heart shaping them into transcendental activities.
I feel like you offered me to Krishna, wile taking loving care of me, holding me in your palms.
When you are not present , it's like Sun hiding behind the mountain, leaving my skin cold and my heart lonely. I immediately start to pray for this sunshine to come back, so I could again feel comfortable and warm.
Please don't ever leave me Maharaj.
To see you smile and pleased is fulfilling and I hope my activities will be the reason for that.
In such a short time I learned so much from you. More than I learned from anyone else.
You have revealed your Father love for me and I finally feel like a daughter.
Safe and peaceful.
Oh,I've been dragged for too long through this storm Maharaj...and the ocean dropped me and pulled me back into the dark so many times... but so easily you've reached your hand and pulled me out of it. I was so attached of that atmosphere that I couldn't appreciate how you actually saved me. I was rolling back and forth until you whispered on my ear that everything will be alright, making my soul and mind peaceful. Thank you.
Your transcendental eyes shouldn't even look at this fallen soul, but you are so merciful, forgiving me again and again.
With this, you stole my heart and I'll pray to offer my life and every thought and action, thanking you for this. Life after life.
your eternal servant Kusuma Sarovara dasi
L.Hunter
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance
Another medallion to pin to your uttariya,Maharaja,which, by now, would be so weighed down from the countless medallions that your disciples have collected, on your behalf, and ceremoniously pinned upon your war General like self.
I was on door to door in Mirimar ,Wellington,late nineties.A quiet,eerie,slightly windy afternoon. The sun,still on its way down,as the shadows of the trees fell across the street,gave off an orange,transluscent glow
This one house seemed different from the row of houses along this road.This door I knocked on was to be a hair raising trip in to the...... twilight zone
The door opened and the man in a dirty suit,tall,slim,dishevelled hair and constantly itching all parts of his body,tried to say hello with a smile.But that was short lived as he went back to scratching.
I noticed the house around him was very old and all the windows were either boarded up or curtains drawn.
Weird sounds came from a room just near the door.
I launched into the presentation of the Gita and put it in his hands which were bloodied from all the scratching.Trying not to be disuaded by the spooky situation and all the horror movie like elements,I asked the mans name and he said
"My name is Richard and I have this book"
That, of course, helped me to stop biting what little of my nails I had left,off.
You have Bhagavad Gita I thought
I asked who,how and where
To this he replied "I got this book from you,in Cuba Mall not long ago"
"WHoa!!"
As I spat the last of my nails out
Then I clicked and I remembered him.I remembered feeling very sorry for him as his scratching was due to a very intense and prolonged form of excma he has had since childhood.
Tears form in my eyes as I write this as it was an amazingly heart wrenching experience.
He was so humble and tolerant.
He invited me in
I couldnt resist.Despite the weird scene I felt safe in Krsnas service and that he was alright.
As we walked passed the first room I heard screams and looked in to see blood on the walls and a very messy room with the screams coming from behind the door.
Richard said that was his sister in there.
We got the end of what seemed to be a very long hallway.Too long for the size of the house from the outside
Then we entered into a room that was the dining room and kitchen.This was like stepping back in time...back to the 40s.
The furniture,piano,place mats wall hangings all had that 40s feel to them.
Then enters Richards mother.
She greeted me with
"hello whats your name"
I answered and she asked If I would like a cup of tea
I said just some hot water would be good
Thankyou
So off she went and dissapeared into the kitchen
As she rattled about in the kitchen
Richard and I sat and spoke about our last meeting,His reading of Bhagavad Gita,and his excma condition.
He told me it feels like his bones are super itchy but he cant get to them so he scratches his skin which bleeds constantly
His mother re enters and says to me
"hello whats your name?would you like a cup of tea?
dejavu I thought
I answered again and of she went again
His mother was to do this 6 times as we sat in the lounge
Richard explained that his mother suffered from alszeimers
Then his sister enter the room,covered in blood,laughing and screaming to herself
I couldnt bite my nails anymore as I didnt have any nails left to bite
I said to Richard please keep reading Bhagavad Gita
I said I had to go
He gave a donation and asked for another book
I gave him SSR soft.
His mother asked if would like another cup of tea and his sister laughed and coughed up blood
Richard saw me to the door.
I felt so sorry for him and his family but was appeased that he engaged in the sankirtan yagna of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu
I am so thankful to you Guru Maharaja,for allowing me to see this television show of the modes of material nature dragging the conditioned souls across the hot coals of material existance making them cry in excruciating pain.
This intense vision of suffering prods one to beg Gauranga Mahaprabhu for spiritual compassion and to act for the benefit all mankind
Thankyou for sending us out and inspiring us to freely distribute the medicine that puts an end to all suffering.
Your personal example is inspiring thousands,Guru Maharaja
Thousands of obeisances to you on this day of your appearnce
your tiny servant
L.Hunter
Please accept my respectful obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance
Another medallion to pin to your uttariya,Maharaja,which, by now, would be so weighed down from the countless medallions that your disciples have collected, on your behalf, and ceremoniously pinned upon your war General like self.
I was on door to door in Mirimar ,Wellington,late nineties.A quiet,eerie,slightly windy afternoon. The sun,still on its way down,as the shadows of the trees fell across the street,gave off an orange,transluscent glow
This one house seemed different from the row of houses along this road.This door I knocked on was to be a hair raising trip in to the...... twilight zone
The door opened and the man in a dirty suit,tall,slim,dishevelled hair and constantly itching all parts of his body,tried to say hello with a smile.But that was short lived as he went back to scratching.
I noticed the house around him was very old and all the windows were either boarded up or curtains drawn.
Weird sounds came from a room just near the door.
I launched into the presentation of the Gita and put it in his hands which were bloodied from all the scratching.Trying not to be disuaded by the spooky situation and all the horror movie like elements,I asked the mans name and he said
"My name is Richard and I have this book"
That, of course, helped me to stop biting what little of my nails I had left,off.
You have Bhagavad Gita I thought
I asked who,how and where
To this he replied "I got this book from you,in Cuba Mall not long ago"
"WHoa!!"
As I spat the last of my nails out
Then I clicked and I remembered him.I remembered feeling very sorry for him as his scratching was due to a very intense and prolonged form of excma he has had since childhood.
Tears form in my eyes as I write this as it was an amazingly heart wrenching experience.
He was so humble and tolerant.
He invited me in
I couldnt resist.Despite the weird scene I felt safe in Krsnas service and that he was alright.
As we walked passed the first room I heard screams and looked in to see blood on the walls and a very messy room with the screams coming from behind the door.
Richard said that was his sister in there.
We got the end of what seemed to be a very long hallway.Too long for the size of the house from the outside
Then we entered into a room that was the dining room and kitchen.This was like stepping back in time...back to the 40s.
The furniture,piano,place mats wall hangings all had that 40s feel to them.
Then enters Richards mother.
She greeted me with
"hello whats your name"
I answered and she asked If I would like a cup of tea
I said just some hot water would be good
Thankyou
So off she went and dissapeared into the kitchen
As she rattled about in the kitchen
Richard and I sat and spoke about our last meeting,His reading of Bhagavad Gita,and his excma condition.
He told me it feels like his bones are super itchy but he cant get to them so he scratches his skin which bleeds constantly
His mother re enters and says to me
"hello whats your name?would you like a cup of tea?
dejavu I thought
I answered again and of she went again
His mother was to do this 6 times as we sat in the lounge
Richard explained that his mother suffered from alszeimers
Then his sister enter the room,covered in blood,laughing and screaming to herself
I couldnt bite my nails anymore as I didnt have any nails left to bite
I said to Richard please keep reading Bhagavad Gita
I said I had to go
He gave a donation and asked for another book
I gave him SSR soft.
His mother asked if would like another cup of tea and his sister laughed and coughed up blood
Richard saw me to the door.
I felt so sorry for him and his family but was appeased that he engaged in the sankirtan yagna of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu
I am so thankful to you Guru Maharaja,for allowing me to see this television show of the modes of material nature dragging the conditioned souls across the hot coals of material existance making them cry in excruciating pain.
This intense vision of suffering prods one to beg Gauranga Mahaprabhu for spiritual compassion and to act for the benefit all mankind
Thankyou for sending us out and inspiring us to freely distribute the medicine that puts an end to all suffering.
Your personal example is inspiring thousands,Guru Maharaja
Thousands of obeisances to you on this day of your appearnce
your tiny servant
L.Hunter
Laksmidhari dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day, your appearance day.
I was listening to a lecture from Her Grace Urmilla Mataji and she was saying that Guru means someone whom one takes as their authority. I was reflecting on how significant this is given that generally in this material world we don't want to have any authorities. Mother Urmilla told how one devotee asked Srila Prabhupada "Where is it talking about the Guru in Sri Siksastakam?" to which he replied "trinad api sunichena/taror api sahishnuna/amanina manadena/kirtaniyah sada harih." So important is this quality of amanitvam, humility, that it is first in the list of the process for acquiring knowledge as announced by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita 13.8-12. Because unless one is humble how can one surrender unto the spiritual master, and how can one obey his primary instruction, to chant the Holy Name of The Lord, which requires this mood of humility.
Guru Maharaja I have observed this year in particular that protecting my pride is painful, that I mistakenly take it to be my shelter, thinking that it will protect me and my desires in this world. But actually holding on so stubbornly to these illusions is the exact thing that stands between my having a personal relationship with Krishna and with His pure devotee, my exalted spiritual master. Gurudeva this year I dedicate myself again to practising devotional service, to trying to be absorbed in the absolute truth, and to asking you & Krishna to give me the courage by which I can let go of my unfavourable attachments and act according to your desire.
May this be my aspiration - let me dissolve this false ego. In this pursuit may I be grateful, rather than defensive and demanding. After all, what can I demand? What do I have the right to demand? If I acknowledge my insignificance and consider myself unworthy, I can see how kind Krishna is to all of us, and how fortunate I am to be a recipient of your mercy, to not only be allowed but welcomed into this community of devotees, who gift me with their association, despite the error of my ways. In a humble mood only can I chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and ask Krishna to please engage me in His service. Begging rather than demanding or assuming that I have some entitlement to get what I want. Then I can be grateful for all the blessings in my life and especially for the lifeline you have so kindly offered, the shelter of your lotus feet.
This mentality of rights consciousness, I am seeing that it destroys relationships. Guru Maharaja, you are my family. This is my family. Thank you for being gentle while I find my feet in spiritual life, and for allowing me to serve in your mission despite my pig-headedness. I am endeavouring to perform devotional service with a softer heart and for your pleasure, which is Krishna's pleasure.
If I'm to be proud, let me be proud of the greatest of my spiritual master.
Obeisances to you, in admiration and appreciation of your unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Laksmidhari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day, your appearance day.
I was listening to a lecture from Her Grace Urmilla Mataji and she was saying that Guru means someone whom one takes as their authority. I was reflecting on how significant this is given that generally in this material world we don't want to have any authorities. Mother Urmilla told how one devotee asked Srila Prabhupada "Where is it talking about the Guru in Sri Siksastakam?" to which he replied "trinad api sunichena/taror api sahishnuna/amanina manadena/kirtaniyah sada harih." So important is this quality of amanitvam, humility, that it is first in the list of the process for acquiring knowledge as announced by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita 13.8-12. Because unless one is humble how can one surrender unto the spiritual master, and how can one obey his primary instruction, to chant the Holy Name of The Lord, which requires this mood of humility.
Guru Maharaja I have observed this year in particular that protecting my pride is painful, that I mistakenly take it to be my shelter, thinking that it will protect me and my desires in this world. But actually holding on so stubbornly to these illusions is the exact thing that stands between my having a personal relationship with Krishna and with His pure devotee, my exalted spiritual master. Gurudeva this year I dedicate myself again to practising devotional service, to trying to be absorbed in the absolute truth, and to asking you & Krishna to give me the courage by which I can let go of my unfavourable attachments and act according to your desire.
May this be my aspiration - let me dissolve this false ego. In this pursuit may I be grateful, rather than defensive and demanding. After all, what can I demand? What do I have the right to demand? If I acknowledge my insignificance and consider myself unworthy, I can see how kind Krishna is to all of us, and how fortunate I am to be a recipient of your mercy, to not only be allowed but welcomed into this community of devotees, who gift me with their association, despite the error of my ways. In a humble mood only can I chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and ask Krishna to please engage me in His service. Begging rather than demanding or assuming that I have some entitlement to get what I want. Then I can be grateful for all the blessings in my life and especially for the lifeline you have so kindly offered, the shelter of your lotus feet.
This mentality of rights consciousness, I am seeing that it destroys relationships. Guru Maharaja, you are my family. This is my family. Thank you for being gentle while I find my feet in spiritual life, and for allowing me to serve in your mission despite my pig-headedness. I am endeavouring to perform devotional service with a softer heart and for your pleasure, which is Krishna's pleasure.
If I'm to be proud, let me be proud of the greatest of my spiritual master.
Obeisances to you, in admiration and appreciation of your unique skill in preaching, competence in Vaisnava dealings, selflessness, and compassion.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Laksmidhari dd
Laurence
Dear Gurudeva,
I’m sure as many devotees feel, I do not know where to start. As you know I have very little devotion and I am not so advanced. Im sure I can only see but a glimpse of your glory and how much you are really pleasing Srila Prabhupada, the previous Acharyas and Krishna. But thank you for giving with the opportunity to be grateful Gurudeva.
Thank you so much for keeping me on track and giving me the opportunity to re-establish my long lost relationship with Krishna. Only by Your mercy, potency, graciousness, love ad compassion Am I practicing Krishna Consciousness. Like a stray dog I left home with no real substantial goal in mind. But you as a loving master lured me back with your tasty; Bhakti soaked treats which are your ecstatic personality, actions and words.
SB 4.20.25
sa uttamaśloka mahan-mukha-cyuto
bhavat-padāmbhoja-sudhā kaṇānilaḥ
smṛtiḿ punar vismṛta-tattva-vartmanāḿ
kuyogināḿ no vitaraty alaḿ varaiḥ
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with you. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of your pure devotee.
Thank you for sacrificing your time and energy to give me guidance in life. Thank you for distributing the essence of Krishna Consciousness, making it so easy for people of the modern world to come to Bhakti. Thank you for your extremely revolutionary, inspiring and practical vision of how to spread Krishna Consciousness through out the world. Thank you for creating and training such amazing Devotees, who I am also very grateful for. Thank you for teaching me the way of Pure Devotional service.
Your insignificant servant Laurence (Wellington).
I’m sure as many devotees feel, I do not know where to start. As you know I have very little devotion and I am not so advanced. Im sure I can only see but a glimpse of your glory and how much you are really pleasing Srila Prabhupada, the previous Acharyas and Krishna. But thank you for giving with the opportunity to be grateful Gurudeva.
Thank you so much for keeping me on track and giving me the opportunity to re-establish my long lost relationship with Krishna. Only by Your mercy, potency, graciousness, love ad compassion Am I practicing Krishna Consciousness. Like a stray dog I left home with no real substantial goal in mind. But you as a loving master lured me back with your tasty; Bhakti soaked treats which are your ecstatic personality, actions and words.
SB 4.20.25
sa uttamaśloka mahan-mukha-cyuto
bhavat-padāmbhoja-sudhā kaṇānilaḥ
smṛtiḿ punar vismṛta-tattva-vartmanāḿ
kuyogināḿ no vitaraty alaḿ varaiḥ
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with you. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of your pure devotee.
Thank you for sacrificing your time and energy to give me guidance in life. Thank you for distributing the essence of Krishna Consciousness, making it so easy for people of the modern world to come to Bhakti. Thank you for your extremely revolutionary, inspiring and practical vision of how to spread Krishna Consciousness through out the world. Thank you for creating and training such amazing Devotees, who I am also very grateful for. Thank you for teaching me the way of Pure Devotional service.
Your insignificant servant Laurence (Wellington).
Lavangi, Mikhail, Amala (Severodvinsk)
Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaja!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
We offer thousands and thousands obeisances to your lotus feet. Congratulations with the day of your appearance! We wish you all the best and the fulfilment of all your innermost desires. We so much wish you to come to Russia.
Your eternal servants, Lavangi, Michail, Amala (Severodvinsk)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
We offer thousands and thousands obeisances to your lotus feet. Congratulations with the day of your appearance! We wish you all the best and the fulfilment of all your innermost desires. We so much wish you to come to Russia.
Your eternal servants, Lavangi, Michail, Amala (Severodvinsk)
Leigha Speirs-Hutton
To my dearest Guru Maharaja,
To my spiritual father who has helped and protected me more in one year than anyone has in my whole life,
Please accept my most heartfelt humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor and the lord and master of all devotees. Oh master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet.”
It is only now that I have begun to understand the significance, the potency, of the Sri Guru-vandana prayers.
Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Poor can be defined as being of a low or inferior standard or quality. Prior to meeting you I was very poor, I might have meant well in the goals I had set but I had no idea how to really help people, so I was poor in knowledge both spiritually and materially.
Out of your kindness you took this ignorant and fallen soul and tried to explain how to truly care, love and help people.
By your mercy you used kind and patient words to open my darkened eyes which were wallowing in the bodily conception of life.
By your mercy you used firm words to point out what a fool and rascal I’ve been, and you gave me clear instructions on how to overcome my rascaldom.
By your mercy you not only defined what love really is but you personally demonstrated it in how you have looked after and protected me.
By your mercy you demonstrated what it means to truly care for someone. Without your care I wouldn’t be where I am today.
By your mercy you’ve shown me and explained to me how to really help someone. You helped me get through the some difficult attachments and you helped me see what is most important in life. You helped me let go of silly dreams and you helped me find a goal to focus on, something that will take all my time and energy so that I’m forced to become regulated and live simply.
I was a fool who wanted to live simply yet had no idea what that really meant. But by your mercy I have been given me specific instructions that have opened my eyes to what it actually means: following gurus instructions and being regulated, without which life is just full of turmoil and misery.
Materially I am the busiest I’ve ever been but mentally I am the most at peace, this is purely because of your mercy and the strength you have given me.
Any doubt, any question I’ve had you’ve explained to me. If I didn’t fully grasp the answer then the instructions you gave allowed me to experience it and remove all doubts from my mind.
I am just a small rascal calf who, out of your mercy, you’ve given shelter and protection to. All I hope is that one day I can grow up and produce some nectar that will help you spread Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy.
You have given me a goal Maharaja and I will do everything in my power to stick to it, my only wish is that I continue to receive your mercy, for without it the goal is certainly unattainable.
By your mercy I now have a desire to know more about Krsna, a desire to love Krsna. You’ve shown me that the only way to be at peace is to love Krsna, and it’s the only way to truly love, care and help others. This is what I am aiming for.
Your aspiring servant,
Leigha
To my spiritual father who has helped and protected me more in one year than anyone has in my whole life,
Please accept my most heartfelt humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
“Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor and the lord and master of all devotees. Oh master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet.”
It is only now that I have begun to understand the significance, the potency, of the Sri Guru-vandana prayers.
Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. Poor can be defined as being of a low or inferior standard or quality. Prior to meeting you I was very poor, I might have meant well in the goals I had set but I had no idea how to really help people, so I was poor in knowledge both spiritually and materially.
Out of your kindness you took this ignorant and fallen soul and tried to explain how to truly care, love and help people.
By your mercy you used kind and patient words to open my darkened eyes which were wallowing in the bodily conception of life.
By your mercy you used firm words to point out what a fool and rascal I’ve been, and you gave me clear instructions on how to overcome my rascaldom.
By your mercy you not only defined what love really is but you personally demonstrated it in how you have looked after and protected me.
By your mercy you demonstrated what it means to truly care for someone. Without your care I wouldn’t be where I am today.
By your mercy you’ve shown me and explained to me how to really help someone. You helped me get through the some difficult attachments and you helped me see what is most important in life. You helped me let go of silly dreams and you helped me find a goal to focus on, something that will take all my time and energy so that I’m forced to become regulated and live simply.
I was a fool who wanted to live simply yet had no idea what that really meant. But by your mercy I have been given me specific instructions that have opened my eyes to what it actually means: following gurus instructions and being regulated, without which life is just full of turmoil and misery.
Materially I am the busiest I’ve ever been but mentally I am the most at peace, this is purely because of your mercy and the strength you have given me.
Any doubt, any question I’ve had you’ve explained to me. If I didn’t fully grasp the answer then the instructions you gave allowed me to experience it and remove all doubts from my mind.
I am just a small rascal calf who, out of your mercy, you’ve given shelter and protection to. All I hope is that one day I can grow up and produce some nectar that will help you spread Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy.
You have given me a goal Maharaja and I will do everything in my power to stick to it, my only wish is that I continue to receive your mercy, for without it the goal is certainly unattainable.
By your mercy I now have a desire to know more about Krsna, a desire to love Krsna. You’ve shown me that the only way to be at peace is to love Krsna, and it’s the only way to truly love, care and help others. This is what I am aiming for.
Your aspiring servant,
Leigha
Lila Katha devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Dear Guru Maharaja, I would like to thank you for your wonderful classes and kirtans, I find them very inspiring.
You are preaching Prabhupada's mission all around the world to so many people, I am grateful that you also accepted me as your disciple, Thankyou for your mercy and highest example.
Thankyou for giving me your blessings to serve Radha Balabha and to be part of the Melbourne Yatra.
Please bless me to take full shelter of Krsna and leave my material attachments behind.
Your servant Lila Katha devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Dear Guru Maharaja, I would like to thank you for your wonderful classes and kirtans, I find them very inspiring.
You are preaching Prabhupada's mission all around the world to so many people, I am grateful that you also accepted me as your disciple, Thankyou for your mercy and highest example.
Thankyou for giving me your blessings to serve Radha Balabha and to be part of the Melbourne Yatra.
Please bless me to take full shelter of Krsna and leave my material attachments behind.
Your servant Lila Katha devi dasi
Lila-madhurya dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
please, accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to You, Srila Gurudeva!
When Narada Muni visited Krishna in Dvaraka, Krishna glorified Narada Muni by saying: “It is certain that today the three worlds have attained freedom from all fear, for that is the influence of such a great personality as you, who travel at will throughout all the worlds”. You are true representative of Narada Muni and whole disciplic succession. You diminish all fears in our hearts.
Each time when I have this auspicious opportunity to associate with Your Divine Grace, You catch me out of samsara of my mundane consciousness. You not simply make me believe in Krishna, but trust Him.
During the darsan while You kindly were listening to our so called plans, I was afraid that hearing all this stuff You will say: “Do what you want, you already have a “nice” plan, what is the point for further discussion?” For me it could be the end of my life. Nirmama. Nothing belongs to us. Nevertheless I will appropriate one thing, because without it my life would become useless and empty. Your instructions are my only possession.
Your father instructed You to remain some traces on the sand. Without any doubts You overcome all his expectations. Wherever You go You leave lots of traces in the hearts of devotees. And let us hope that with time lotuses of bhakti will flourish in these traces, in these hearts.
Already for 4 years I have a great opportunity to listen to You live on Haridas Thakur’s Disappearance Day. Each time You make my ears seeing, making me the witness of this full of devotion and real meaning relation.
Every morning we sing: ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more padachaya. In fact, You give Your mercy incessantly. Prema-bhakti jaha hoite, but I am so unfortunate that I am not able to receive all mercy that You are giving to me.
On Sunday I was chanting japa in front of Sri Sri Nitay Navadvipa Candra. They gave me a realization: Divine couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, is the topmost pure and beautiful and Their Holly Names are also the topmost pure and beautiful, so such contaminated creature as I am has no right to chant Them. At the same time I can do it, if I am Your least servant. Thank You, Gurumaharaj, for You kindly give me the greatest jewel in whole universe - Nama.
Aspiring to be Your obedient servant,
Lila-madhurya dasi
please, accept my humble obeisances in the dust of Your lotus feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to You, Srila Gurudeva!
When Narada Muni visited Krishna in Dvaraka, Krishna glorified Narada Muni by saying: “It is certain that today the three worlds have attained freedom from all fear, for that is the influence of such a great personality as you, who travel at will throughout all the worlds”. You are true representative of Narada Muni and whole disciplic succession. You diminish all fears in our hearts.
Each time when I have this auspicious opportunity to associate with Your Divine Grace, You catch me out of samsara of my mundane consciousness. You not simply make me believe in Krishna, but trust Him.
During the darsan while You kindly were listening to our so called plans, I was afraid that hearing all this stuff You will say: “Do what you want, you already have a “nice” plan, what is the point for further discussion?” For me it could be the end of my life. Nirmama. Nothing belongs to us. Nevertheless I will appropriate one thing, because without it my life would become useless and empty. Your instructions are my only possession.
Your father instructed You to remain some traces on the sand. Without any doubts You overcome all his expectations. Wherever You go You leave lots of traces in the hearts of devotees. And let us hope that with time lotuses of bhakti will flourish in these traces, in these hearts.
Already for 4 years I have a great opportunity to listen to You live on Haridas Thakur’s Disappearance Day. Each time You make my ears seeing, making me the witness of this full of devotion and real meaning relation.
Every morning we sing: ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more padachaya. In fact, You give Your mercy incessantly. Prema-bhakti jaha hoite, but I am so unfortunate that I am not able to receive all mercy that You are giving to me.
On Sunday I was chanting japa in front of Sri Sri Nitay Navadvipa Candra. They gave me a realization: Divine couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, is the topmost pure and beautiful and Their Holly Names are also the topmost pure and beautiful, so such contaminated creature as I am has no right to chant Them. At the same time I can do it, if I am Your least servant. Thank You, Gurumaharaj, for You kindly give me the greatest jewel in whole universe - Nama.
Aspiring to be Your obedient servant,
Lila-madhurya dasi
Madhu-puri
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You have given me the most precious thing I have, life-giving devotional service, and I want to thank you very much.
Thank you for continuously pushing me in the direction of this goal; for being persistent and patient. With your words you remind me what I have, encouraging my tiny achievements while letting me see how little I know of bhakti. You allow me to feel it in your presence, in your kirtans. You make it real. Thank you for this greatest jewel and for helping me to hold onto it.
Thank you for accepting me. For helping me become a functional human being and a devotee. I owe you so much and find it hard to even begin to repay you.
Thank you for giving everything to other people, to the world, to the Lord. For changing people's lives, the very course of their existence, and making them happy.
Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Madhu-puri dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You have given me the most precious thing I have, life-giving devotional service, and I want to thank you very much.
Thank you for continuously pushing me in the direction of this goal; for being persistent and patient. With your words you remind me what I have, encouraging my tiny achievements while letting me see how little I know of bhakti. You allow me to feel it in your presence, in your kirtans. You make it real. Thank you for this greatest jewel and for helping me to hold onto it.
Thank you for accepting me. For helping me become a functional human being and a devotee. I owe you so much and find it hard to even begin to repay you.
Thank you for giving everything to other people, to the world, to the Lord. For changing people's lives, the very course of their existence, and making them happy.
Hare Krishna.
Your servant,
Madhu-puri dd
Madhurānanda das
Dear Srila Gurudev,
Om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
chaksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate Devamrta 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.
It’s very difficult for a devotee to understand the position of the Spiritual Master. Often, we can forget the amazing opportunity they have graciously given us by the mercy of parampara. I feel this is a grave mistake I have made as I have foolishly seen the Spiritual Master as a position and not as a person. Never was this more apparent than your recent visit in Swansea when I attempted to serve you and interact with you more in a more personal way. You very kindly showed me how personal you can be when a devotee approaches you in that way and I feel more connected to your mood. There is a fine balance between approaching a Spiritual Master out of fear, awe and reverence and as a person. A disciple has to be careful not to become too over familiar with the Spiritual Master but also not become impersonal. How else can we understand your mood? I still need to learn this.
I was mesmerised by your deep desire to preach. It baffles my small mind that someone who has dedicated His life to the service of Srila Prabhupada can still be so enthusiastic about preaching. You have such a deep hunger to preach Krsna Consciousness to new people and you have so many amazing ways of delivering the message. When I see the effort and enthusiasm you exhibit, I really have no excuses in my preaching.
During our Swansea visit, we were joined by 2 devotees who had a rough start to their Krsna Consciousness many years ago. They were so appreciative of the way you interacting with the devotees and wished they had the same. They commented that I was very lucky to have a such a wonderful Spiritual Master. It made me realise that I should not take for granted the opportunity you have given us to make spiritual progress. Not all devotees, let alone people, have that opportunity or someone to guide them.
As Sapna and I enter the next stage of Grhasta Ashram, we thank you for your guidance and advice, which is deep, insightful and practical. We pray that we never take you and our relationship with you for granted and that we always remain as hungry for preaching as you are.
Your servants
Madhurānanda das and Sapna
Om ajnana timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
chaksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Namo om visnu padaya krsna prestaya bhutale srimate Devamrta 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.
It’s very difficult for a devotee to understand the position of the Spiritual Master. Often, we can forget the amazing opportunity they have graciously given us by the mercy of parampara. I feel this is a grave mistake I have made as I have foolishly seen the Spiritual Master as a position and not as a person. Never was this more apparent than your recent visit in Swansea when I attempted to serve you and interact with you more in a more personal way. You very kindly showed me how personal you can be when a devotee approaches you in that way and I feel more connected to your mood. There is a fine balance between approaching a Spiritual Master out of fear, awe and reverence and as a person. A disciple has to be careful not to become too over familiar with the Spiritual Master but also not become impersonal. How else can we understand your mood? I still need to learn this.
I was mesmerised by your deep desire to preach. It baffles my small mind that someone who has dedicated His life to the service of Srila Prabhupada can still be so enthusiastic about preaching. You have such a deep hunger to preach Krsna Consciousness to new people and you have so many amazing ways of delivering the message. When I see the effort and enthusiasm you exhibit, I really have no excuses in my preaching.
During our Swansea visit, we were joined by 2 devotees who had a rough start to their Krsna Consciousness many years ago. They were so appreciative of the way you interacting with the devotees and wished they had the same. They commented that I was very lucky to have a such a wonderful Spiritual Master. It made me realise that I should not take for granted the opportunity you have given us to make spiritual progress. Not all devotees, let alone people, have that opportunity or someone to guide them.
As Sapna and I enter the next stage of Grhasta Ashram, we thank you for your guidance and advice, which is deep, insightful and practical. We pray that we never take you and our relationship with you for granted and that we always remain as hungry for preaching as you are.
Your servants
Madhurānanda das and Sapna
Madhurya Dham Devi Dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this special day, I pray to Lord Krishna for your long, happy and healthy Krishna Consciousness life. It's almost one year now that I haven’t seen you. I'm so unfortunate soul, just struggling in this material life. I can just pray to Lord that I can meet you soon.
Sometime we don't value the things that we get but once they go from our life than we realize it's true value. Same thing happened to us when we moved to India. I realized with whatever small intelligence I had that there is no perfect place in this material world be it Melbourne or Pune. With your blessings we can make an attempt to come out of it and make true Krishna Consciousness environment in our surroundings.
Please keep showering mercy on this useless soul and help me to chant the name of Krishna more intensely. I don't have any other shelter expect you, please help me to take all unnecessary things from our life and do some seva peacefully to you and Krishna.
I don't know one thing why I'm not attached to the deities Shri Shri Radha Vrandavanchandra of Pune? For some reason I cannot develop the desire to take darshan. I just miss the divine darshan of Shri Shri Radha Vallabh. What should I do? Please pray for me, so that I can develop some taste.
This time I want to be little selfish and I request you to pray for me so that I my family become fully Krishna Consciousness. I feel I can say that to you become you're my eternal father. I pray to meet you soon.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Madhurya dham Devi Dasi.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this special day, I pray to Lord Krishna for your long, happy and healthy Krishna Consciousness life. It's almost one year now that I haven’t seen you. I'm so unfortunate soul, just struggling in this material life. I can just pray to Lord that I can meet you soon.
Sometime we don't value the things that we get but once they go from our life than we realize it's true value. Same thing happened to us when we moved to India. I realized with whatever small intelligence I had that there is no perfect place in this material world be it Melbourne or Pune. With your blessings we can make an attempt to come out of it and make true Krishna Consciousness environment in our surroundings.
Please keep showering mercy on this useless soul and help me to chant the name of Krishna more intensely. I don't have any other shelter expect you, please help me to take all unnecessary things from our life and do some seva peacefully to you and Krishna.
I don't know one thing why I'm not attached to the deities Shri Shri Radha Vrandavanchandra of Pune? For some reason I cannot develop the desire to take darshan. I just miss the divine darshan of Shri Shri Radha Vallabh. What should I do? Please pray for me, so that I can develop some taste.
This time I want to be little selfish and I request you to pray for me so that I my family become fully Krishna Consciousness. I feel I can say that to you become you're my eternal father. I pray to meet you soon.
Your aspiring servant and daughter,
Madhurya dham Devi Dasi.
Madhurya-sindhu devi dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and unto your divine feet.
Nama om visnupadaya Krishna pretaya bhutale srimate Devamrita swami iti namine.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day. On this special day I pray for your good health and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
I am so thankful to Lord Krishna for allowing such a wonderful spiritual soul to come into my life to provide me most needed spiritual guidance. I feel so fortunate and happy when you gave my husband and me shelter at your divine feet, this year in Denver, when you kindly accepted us as your disciples.
Thank you Gurudev for your love, kindness, and inspiration you bring to my life.
Through your lectures, writings, and kirtans, I feel you are always with me, inspiring, guiding and keeping me engaged in devotional service.
Your instructions are your real mercy. I have no place more secure than your lotus feet. I pray that I have the fortune to eternally remain there by following your instructions.
Your glance represents a ray of hope for me. In the constant turmoil of this world, whenever my mind thinks of you, it immediately becomes full of joy even in the midst of all kind of stress, frustration and disappointment.
You are one of the rarest and purest souls who has surrendered to service of Guru and Krishna. It is the purity of your service that makes you so attractive and radiant, charged with the divine power to pull wandering souls to their rightful place.
You are full of love for Krishna. You are my greatest inspiration.
I beg for your forgiveness for any offences I have committed during this offering.
Sincerely your humble servant and disciple,
Madhurya-sindhu devi dasi
Dallas, Texas.
Sept 19, 2014
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and unto your divine feet.
Nama om visnupadaya Krishna pretaya bhutale srimate Devamrita swami iti namine.
All glories to you on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day. On this special day I pray for your good health and many more years of loving service to Srila Prabhupada.
I am so thankful to Lord Krishna for allowing such a wonderful spiritual soul to come into my life to provide me most needed spiritual guidance. I feel so fortunate and happy when you gave my husband and me shelter at your divine feet, this year in Denver, when you kindly accepted us as your disciples.
Thank you Gurudev for your love, kindness, and inspiration you bring to my life.
Through your lectures, writings, and kirtans, I feel you are always with me, inspiring, guiding and keeping me engaged in devotional service.
Your instructions are your real mercy. I have no place more secure than your lotus feet. I pray that I have the fortune to eternally remain there by following your instructions.
Your glance represents a ray of hope for me. In the constant turmoil of this world, whenever my mind thinks of you, it immediately becomes full of joy even in the midst of all kind of stress, frustration and disappointment.
You are one of the rarest and purest souls who has surrendered to service of Guru and Krishna. It is the purity of your service that makes you so attractive and radiant, charged with the divine power to pull wandering souls to their rightful place.
You are full of love for Krishna. You are my greatest inspiration.
I beg for your forgiveness for any offences I have committed during this offering.
Sincerely your humble servant and disciple,
Madhurya-sindhu devi dasi
Dallas, Texas.
Sept 19, 2014
Madhuryamrta devi dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you in the auspicious celebration of your appearance!
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
How to express my deepest feelings of appreciation and gratitude towards my spiritual father? You have changed the course of my life and have given me the opportunity to lovingly serve Krsna!
Every time I hear you speak, you amaze me. You are the embodiment of being in this world but not of this world; perfectly aware of the current issues and specific material paradigms people have in each part of the planet you visit, so as to expertly deliver the bhakti goods, and simultaneously you are tasting and relishing the sweetness of serving your spiritual master and Krsna.
As Srila Prabhupada explains in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.6.49:
“Those who are under the influence of the illusory energy are attracted to fruitive activities, but a Vaiṣṇava preacher attracts their hearts to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.”
Your instructions mold my life. Sometimes I make mistakes and sometimes it takes a while for them to finally sink in, but they definitely guide me and allow me to differentiate my material conditioning from what is reality. For example, I know you have set the standard of being vegan unless we can honor protected cow milk and while at Gita Nagari and Philadelphia it was easy to follow but coming to Argentina last week, I started taking store bought dairy. It only lasted two days! On the third day I heard a lecture you gave this year at the Washington DC temple and finally got the point! Cows are Krsna’s favorite pets! How can I be so selfish as to prioritize my tongue before supporting their care and protection! You emphasized we should walk our talk and it’s so compelling coming from you, the best example of that.
This year at Gita Nagari you gave a powerful lecture that has made a permanent impression in my heart. It was on spreading Lord Caitanya’s movement in the future. You explained how it depends on our vision; materially, the task seems impossible (if we look at the situation of the world and our own material faults and lack of capabilities). However, spiritually it is totally possible. You mentioned that Krsna Das Kaviraj Gosvami said the universe is already flooded with love of Godhead. The issue is if we choose to take an active role in this transcendental flood!
You also talked about how Lord Caitanya had asked Lord Nityananda to stay in Bengal and preach instead of coming to Jagannath Puri every year, and how it seemed to be a setback, being deprived of His association. But actually Lord Caitanya was giving him the chance to fulfill His desire.
I could relate to that feeling when I had to leave Gita Nagari early and miss out on your association to hold the outreach program in Philly. I so wanted to stay those last few days but I was lovingly bound to fulfilling your desire of spreading KC.
Thank you for giving me this precious opportunity of starting up a preaching program at Philadelphia. It was by far the most challenging and purifying experience I’ve ever had, but at the same time, the most heart satisfying. As you said to me right before I started: HH Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur stated that preaching is our life and soul.
Later on, you asked me if I had any realizations from performing selfless service and for now, I have to honestly say that it’s bittersweet. Since I’m not even close to being selfless, I struggle to convince my mind to engage in sankirtan, but it’s so exquisitely sweet when I realize that this humble effort pleases you and Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. And when I see how each conditioned soul is enlivened when they come in contact with Krsna, it gives me life.
You inspire me to develop that selfless quality which attracts Krsna. Like Srila Prabhupada describes in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.38 when Dhruva Maharaj glorifies his spiritual master:
“He also expressed his gladness that he had met such an exalted person as Nārada, whose only concern was to illuminate the world, like the sun, which rotates all over the universe only for the purpose of benefiting the inhabitants of all planets. Nārada Muni travels all over the universe for the sole purpose of performing the best welfare activity for the entire universe by teaching everyone how to become a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
You have been traveling non-stop for so many decades! Tolerating all the inconveniences that come with it, just to help us go back to Krsna. I have experienced personally these past years how traveling is a great sacrifice and still, you care more about saving us than about your own personal comfort. You are my role model.
I know surrendering is a gradual process and I’ve only just begun, but please know that, even though I still have many anarthas to purify, I am a soul surrendered unto you.
This is my offering to you Gurudev:
These past couple of months in Philadelphia, Krsna gave me the chance to distribute over 300 books, out of which 64 were Bhagavad Gitas and he brought over 100 lost souls to the Bhakti Lounge programs out of which 15 enthusiastically started chanting japa on beads.
I beg you to always keep me at your lotus feet and full of devotional service.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrta devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you in the auspicious celebration of your appearance!
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
How to express my deepest feelings of appreciation and gratitude towards my spiritual father? You have changed the course of my life and have given me the opportunity to lovingly serve Krsna!
Every time I hear you speak, you amaze me. You are the embodiment of being in this world but not of this world; perfectly aware of the current issues and specific material paradigms people have in each part of the planet you visit, so as to expertly deliver the bhakti goods, and simultaneously you are tasting and relishing the sweetness of serving your spiritual master and Krsna.
As Srila Prabhupada explains in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.6.49:
“Those who are under the influence of the illusory energy are attracted to fruitive activities, but a Vaiṣṇava preacher attracts their hearts to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.”
Your instructions mold my life. Sometimes I make mistakes and sometimes it takes a while for them to finally sink in, but they definitely guide me and allow me to differentiate my material conditioning from what is reality. For example, I know you have set the standard of being vegan unless we can honor protected cow milk and while at Gita Nagari and Philadelphia it was easy to follow but coming to Argentina last week, I started taking store bought dairy. It only lasted two days! On the third day I heard a lecture you gave this year at the Washington DC temple and finally got the point! Cows are Krsna’s favorite pets! How can I be so selfish as to prioritize my tongue before supporting their care and protection! You emphasized we should walk our talk and it’s so compelling coming from you, the best example of that.
This year at Gita Nagari you gave a powerful lecture that has made a permanent impression in my heart. It was on spreading Lord Caitanya’s movement in the future. You explained how it depends on our vision; materially, the task seems impossible (if we look at the situation of the world and our own material faults and lack of capabilities). However, spiritually it is totally possible. You mentioned that Krsna Das Kaviraj Gosvami said the universe is already flooded with love of Godhead. The issue is if we choose to take an active role in this transcendental flood!
You also talked about how Lord Caitanya had asked Lord Nityananda to stay in Bengal and preach instead of coming to Jagannath Puri every year, and how it seemed to be a setback, being deprived of His association. But actually Lord Caitanya was giving him the chance to fulfill His desire.
I could relate to that feeling when I had to leave Gita Nagari early and miss out on your association to hold the outreach program in Philly. I so wanted to stay those last few days but I was lovingly bound to fulfilling your desire of spreading KC.
Thank you for giving me this precious opportunity of starting up a preaching program at Philadelphia. It was by far the most challenging and purifying experience I’ve ever had, but at the same time, the most heart satisfying. As you said to me right before I started: HH Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur stated that preaching is our life and soul.
Later on, you asked me if I had any realizations from performing selfless service and for now, I have to honestly say that it’s bittersweet. Since I’m not even close to being selfless, I struggle to convince my mind to engage in sankirtan, but it’s so exquisitely sweet when I realize that this humble effort pleases you and Srila Prabhupada and Krsna. And when I see how each conditioned soul is enlivened when they come in contact with Krsna, it gives me life.
You inspire me to develop that selfless quality which attracts Krsna. Like Srila Prabhupada describes in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.38 when Dhruva Maharaj glorifies his spiritual master:
“He also expressed his gladness that he had met such an exalted person as Nārada, whose only concern was to illuminate the world, like the sun, which rotates all over the universe only for the purpose of benefiting the inhabitants of all planets. Nārada Muni travels all over the universe for the sole purpose of performing the best welfare activity for the entire universe by teaching everyone how to become a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
You have been traveling non-stop for so many decades! Tolerating all the inconveniences that come with it, just to help us go back to Krsna. I have experienced personally these past years how traveling is a great sacrifice and still, you care more about saving us than about your own personal comfort. You are my role model.
I know surrendering is a gradual process and I’ve only just begun, but please know that, even though I still have many anarthas to purify, I am a soul surrendered unto you.
This is my offering to you Gurudev:
These past couple of months in Philadelphia, Krsna gave me the chance to distribute over 300 books, out of which 64 were Bhagavad Gitas and he brought over 100 lost souls to the Bhakti Lounge programs out of which 15 enthusiastically started chanting japa on beads.
I beg you to always keep me at your lotus feet and full of devotional service.
Your servant,
Madhuryamrta devi dasi
Maha Hari das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to You! In your glorious Vyasa Puja!
I have been watching videos of your preaching programs, and I have been inspired again and again by your powerful way of presenting Krishna Consciousness.
Many times I wondered what would happened if Srila Prabhupada had all the technology available today for preaching?
I fill my mind for a moment with the images of our planet full with vaisnava nations and vibrants public kirtans and worldwide leaders chanting with the devotees and broadcasting our movement broadly. Then I wake up of my short inspiring dream and I feel a deep gratitude and hope.
I have this realization that Srila Prabhupada is in fact using the technology available today through his loving disciples. Srila Prabhupada lives in the hearths of his disciples and his grandchildren now and will live forever in everyone hearth when we complete our mission on this world, to spread the holy name in every town and village.
I have always seen Srila Prabhupada in your words dear Gurudeva, I have been attracted to the way that Srila Prabhupada manifest in my mind and my hearth through you.
Thank you for your endless endeavors, your traveling, your dedication and your compassion for the fallen souls.
I hope and I pray I can be of any assistant in your preaching projects.
Happy Vyasa Puja day Gurudeva!
With love
Your son and servant
Maha Hari das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to You! In your glorious Vyasa Puja!
I have been watching videos of your preaching programs, and I have been inspired again and again by your powerful way of presenting Krishna Consciousness.
Many times I wondered what would happened if Srila Prabhupada had all the technology available today for preaching?
I fill my mind for a moment with the images of our planet full with vaisnava nations and vibrants public kirtans and worldwide leaders chanting with the devotees and broadcasting our movement broadly. Then I wake up of my short inspiring dream and I feel a deep gratitude and hope.
I have this realization that Srila Prabhupada is in fact using the technology available today through his loving disciples. Srila Prabhupada lives in the hearths of his disciples and his grandchildren now and will live forever in everyone hearth when we complete our mission on this world, to spread the holy name in every town and village.
I have always seen Srila Prabhupada in your words dear Gurudeva, I have been attracted to the way that Srila Prabhupada manifest in my mind and my hearth through you.
Thank you for your endless endeavors, your traveling, your dedication and your compassion for the fallen souls.
I hope and I pray I can be of any assistant in your preaching projects.
Happy Vyasa Puja day Gurudeva!
With love
Your son and servant
Maha Hari das
Maha Matsya das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance let me express my sincere gratitude and appreciation. At our last meeting in Eupatoria 2013 you asked me about my studying Bhagavad-gita. This question later on allowed me to see the depths of my egotism, pride and self-admiration. That time I told you ‘Yes, I’m trying to study.’
Whole year I had been dreaming and hoping to soon meet you at the festival and as a result of this meditation I had been connected to you even stronger! However Krishna arranged everything differently by changing circumstances but did not deprive me of this opportunity.
Let me sincerely thank you for your care, love and deep and wise instructions, saving this insignificant servant from the clutches of material life! The proper answer to this question that I can give now is, ‘Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu and Aravindaksa prabhu are very merciful to me. Finaly I make endeavors to fulfil your instructions and I in all ways help Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu and other devotees in spreading the Lord Caitanya’s mission.’
With sincere respect and love to you on this Day of your Vyasa-puja 30.09.2014.
Your insignificant disciple Maha Matsya das and mataji Lavangi devi dasi
Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaja!
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On this auspicious day of your appearance let me express my sincere gratitude and appreciation. At our last meeting in Eupatoria 2013 you asked me about my studying Bhagavad-gita. This question later on allowed me to see the depths of my egotism, pride and self-admiration. That time I told you ‘Yes, I’m trying to study.’
Whole year I had been dreaming and hoping to soon meet you at the festival and as a result of this meditation I had been connected to you even stronger! However Krishna arranged everything differently by changing circumstances but did not deprive me of this opportunity.
Let me sincerely thank you for your care, love and deep and wise instructions, saving this insignificant servant from the clutches of material life! The proper answer to this question that I can give now is, ‘Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu and Aravindaksa prabhu are very merciful to me. Finaly I make endeavors to fulfil your instructions and I in all ways help Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu and other devotees in spreading the Lord Caitanya’s mission.’
With sincere respect and love to you on this Day of your Vyasa-puja 30.09.2014.
Your insignificant disciple Maha Matsya das and mataji Lavangi devi dasi
Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaja!
Mahavan Das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your merciful lotus feet.
In order to prepare for a workshop series at Bhakti Lounge later in the year, I’ve recently been listening to some of your seminars on “happiness” from around the world, and have been reflecting on your unique qualification to present this topic; indeed, one which can not be obtained from any formal educational institution on the globe, even Yale University. This unique qualification was highlighted recently in the following way.
After your last visit to Wellington, a devotee at the Ashram, an aspiring disciple of yours, asked me “You have know Gurudeva for so many years - has he always been the same?” “What do you mean by ‘the same’?” I inquired. His answer was unexpected; “Well, he always seems <i>so happy</i> - I was just wondering, has he always been like that, since you’ve known him?” I had to immediately and honestly reply, “Yes, he has.”
Afterwards I was reflecting on the fact, that as conditioned souls, it is inconceivable to us that someone with your lifestyle and occupation can be “so happy.” But of course that is Krishna’s challenge to all human beings in Bhagavad-gita: “Surrender unto Me, and indeed you’ll be happy. In fact you’ll be so happy that it will be practically inconceivable to anyone who is not similarly situated.”
In that joyous state, one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness, realised through transcendental senses. Established thus, one never departs from the truth, and upon gaining this he thinks there is no greater gain. Bhagavad-gita 6.21-22
Conditioned souls however generally find the Bhagavad-gita pill too bitter to swallow, and instead prefer to proudly strive, struggle and strain to attain “their own versions of happiness.” 200 or so years ago it was the German Philosopher Nietzsche who gave the classic demoniac definition: “Happiness is when your power is expanding, and when you feel that obstacles in your way are being overcome,” while more contemporary thinkers define happiness as, “A set of positive emotions about yourself, and a general feeling that ‘my life is good.’”
And how happy can a human being be? According to the relatively new branch of “Positive Psychology," 50% of our happiness is genetic and can’t be changed, 10% is circumstantial and can only be changed with great effort, while the remaining 40% is determined by us, the individual (whoever or whatever “we” are), according to how we choose to perceive and deal with life’s events.
Although speculations about what actual happiness is and where it can be found have soared in the last 20 years with the newly founded “Science of Happiness,” as you explain, “Such selfish notions of happiness have nothing to do with reality,” and as a result, despite so much research and discussion on the subject, human happiness levels remain unchanged, being completely controlled by the subtle laws of nature.
In a recent lecture you explained that, even as practicing devotees, we can also impose “our own version of happiness” onto the bhakti process, and in this way miss out on the real thing. Mercifully, you illuminate both the problem and solution:
“So what about this instruction sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja? Krishna’s saying ‘Abandon all your conceptions, and do what I say.’ Sometimes we get a little ‘unimpressed’ by Krishna’s very dramatic proposal. It seems to be ‘a bit too much.’ Suddenly our neck beads start to feel a little tight around the…(Laughter). What is Krishna asking for when he says this? He’s saying ‘Shut down your plan making factory and take My plan.’ This is what we feel a bit edgy about because we’re <i>attached</i> to living a life in which our plans are the everything. And to shut down our plan making factory - our mano-dharma - our concocted essences of life, our concocted principles - to shut that down seems like a <i>violation of human rights.</i>
“We would like a process of spiritual realisation in which we keep all our plans and at the same time we pray to God, indeed we pray ‘Here are my plans God, now go right ahead and fulfil them - praise the Lord. Jai.’ (Laugher) And because that’s not what Krishna has in mind when He says sarva-dharman pariyajya we get a little edgy. When Krishna says ‘Surrender to Me’ you may take it, in weak moments or uniformed moments like, you’re on a dark street in Sydney and some mugger approaches you, ‘Surrender your wallet, surrender your purse.’ So we kind of react that way when we hear ‘Surrender to Me.’ ‘Ooohh, where’s my wallet?’ (laughter). Or if you’re walking in a section of the city that’s known to be a little dodgy, you’re always making sure that your wallet is there, or your purse (pats his pocket) ‘It’s still there’ (laughter). So we get a little nervous around Krishna, ‘Hold on to what you’ve got, be careful’ (Laughter).
“His name is Hari, one who take everything away, and we just leave it at that - ‘He takes everything away.’ Hari really means He takes away all impediments to pure love and He bestows upon you prema. But with our material vision we have a distorted conception of what Hari is all about. So what’s actually going on when Krishna says ‘Surrender unto Me’? He is demanding, but what is Krishna demanding? He’s demanding ‘Be happy’! Now how are you going to be offended if someone’s demanding that you be happy? ‘I demand that you be happy!’ (Laughter) And He has a right to demand that because the knowledge and the process that He’s giving you will make you <i>unlimitedly happy</i> - so Krishna has a right to demand ‘Do what I say, be happy!’
“Normally, in your right sense of mind you would be love it if someone said ‘I demand that you be happy and along with that demand I give you all knowledge and facility to be happy.’ ‘Wow this is great’ (laughter). Just think about it in practical everyday terms, those of you who are married, if your husband or wife came up to you one day and said, ‘I demand that you be happy and I will provide all the facilities so you can be happy.’ ‘WOW! (laughter) This is what it’s supposed to be all about!’ And here you have Krishna, the supreme cause of all causes, <i>indeed saying that.</i> And unlike any other person Krishna can back up His demand - ‘I demand that you be happy, I’ve got everything you need to be happy.’ So there’s no need for us to have such paranoia about Krishna. That paranoia is due to aropita, our imposition of material thinking upon the Supreme Absolute Truth.”
In his purport to Bhagavad-gita 2.55, Srila Prabhupada explains the position of Krishna’s devotee in this way:
“The highly developed soul always remains satisfied in himself by realizing himself as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord. Such a transcendentally situated person has no sense desires resulting from petty materialism; rather, he remains always happy in his natural position of eternally serving the Supreme Lord.”
Thank you for being one of the few genuinely happy people in this world. Your example of practical Bhagavad-gita is the greatest source of inspiration and encouragement for me.
Begging for the benediction to follow in your footsteps with everything I have,
Mahavan das
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to your merciful lotus feet.
In order to prepare for a workshop series at Bhakti Lounge later in the year, I’ve recently been listening to some of your seminars on “happiness” from around the world, and have been reflecting on your unique qualification to present this topic; indeed, one which can not be obtained from any formal educational institution on the globe, even Yale University. This unique qualification was highlighted recently in the following way.
After your last visit to Wellington, a devotee at the Ashram, an aspiring disciple of yours, asked me “You have know Gurudeva for so many years - has he always been the same?” “What do you mean by ‘the same’?” I inquired. His answer was unexpected; “Well, he always seems <i>so happy</i> - I was just wondering, has he always been like that, since you’ve known him?” I had to immediately and honestly reply, “Yes, he has.”
Afterwards I was reflecting on the fact, that as conditioned souls, it is inconceivable to us that someone with your lifestyle and occupation can be “so happy.” But of course that is Krishna’s challenge to all human beings in Bhagavad-gita: “Surrender unto Me, and indeed you’ll be happy. In fact you’ll be so happy that it will be practically inconceivable to anyone who is not similarly situated.”
In that joyous state, one is situated in boundless transcendental happiness, realised through transcendental senses. Established thus, one never departs from the truth, and upon gaining this he thinks there is no greater gain. Bhagavad-gita 6.21-22
Conditioned souls however generally find the Bhagavad-gita pill too bitter to swallow, and instead prefer to proudly strive, struggle and strain to attain “their own versions of happiness.” 200 or so years ago it was the German Philosopher Nietzsche who gave the classic demoniac definition: “Happiness is when your power is expanding, and when you feel that obstacles in your way are being overcome,” while more contemporary thinkers define happiness as, “A set of positive emotions about yourself, and a general feeling that ‘my life is good.’”
And how happy can a human being be? According to the relatively new branch of “Positive Psychology," 50% of our happiness is genetic and can’t be changed, 10% is circumstantial and can only be changed with great effort, while the remaining 40% is determined by us, the individual (whoever or whatever “we” are), according to how we choose to perceive and deal with life’s events.
Although speculations about what actual happiness is and where it can be found have soared in the last 20 years with the newly founded “Science of Happiness,” as you explain, “Such selfish notions of happiness have nothing to do with reality,” and as a result, despite so much research and discussion on the subject, human happiness levels remain unchanged, being completely controlled by the subtle laws of nature.
In a recent lecture you explained that, even as practicing devotees, we can also impose “our own version of happiness” onto the bhakti process, and in this way miss out on the real thing. Mercifully, you illuminate both the problem and solution:
“So what about this instruction sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja? Krishna’s saying ‘Abandon all your conceptions, and do what I say.’ Sometimes we get a little ‘unimpressed’ by Krishna’s very dramatic proposal. It seems to be ‘a bit too much.’ Suddenly our neck beads start to feel a little tight around the…(Laughter). What is Krishna asking for when he says this? He’s saying ‘Shut down your plan making factory and take My plan.’ This is what we feel a bit edgy about because we’re <i>attached</i> to living a life in which our plans are the everything. And to shut down our plan making factory - our mano-dharma - our concocted essences of life, our concocted principles - to shut that down seems like a <i>violation of human rights.</i>
“We would like a process of spiritual realisation in which we keep all our plans and at the same time we pray to God, indeed we pray ‘Here are my plans God, now go right ahead and fulfil them - praise the Lord. Jai.’ (Laugher) And because that’s not what Krishna has in mind when He says sarva-dharman pariyajya we get a little edgy. When Krishna says ‘Surrender to Me’ you may take it, in weak moments or uniformed moments like, you’re on a dark street in Sydney and some mugger approaches you, ‘Surrender your wallet, surrender your purse.’ So we kind of react that way when we hear ‘Surrender to Me.’ ‘Ooohh, where’s my wallet?’ (laughter). Or if you’re walking in a section of the city that’s known to be a little dodgy, you’re always making sure that your wallet is there, or your purse (pats his pocket) ‘It’s still there’ (laughter). So we get a little nervous around Krishna, ‘Hold on to what you’ve got, be careful’ (Laughter).
“His name is Hari, one who take everything away, and we just leave it at that - ‘He takes everything away.’ Hari really means He takes away all impediments to pure love and He bestows upon you prema. But with our material vision we have a distorted conception of what Hari is all about. So what’s actually going on when Krishna says ‘Surrender unto Me’? He is demanding, but what is Krishna demanding? He’s demanding ‘Be happy’! Now how are you going to be offended if someone’s demanding that you be happy? ‘I demand that you be happy!’ (Laughter) And He has a right to demand that because the knowledge and the process that He’s giving you will make you <i>unlimitedly happy</i> - so Krishna has a right to demand ‘Do what I say, be happy!’
“Normally, in your right sense of mind you would be love it if someone said ‘I demand that you be happy and along with that demand I give you all knowledge and facility to be happy.’ ‘Wow this is great’ (laughter). Just think about it in practical everyday terms, those of you who are married, if your husband or wife came up to you one day and said, ‘I demand that you be happy and I will provide all the facilities so you can be happy.’ ‘WOW! (laughter) This is what it’s supposed to be all about!’ And here you have Krishna, the supreme cause of all causes, <i>indeed saying that.</i> And unlike any other person Krishna can back up His demand - ‘I demand that you be happy, I’ve got everything you need to be happy.’ So there’s no need for us to have such paranoia about Krishna. That paranoia is due to aropita, our imposition of material thinking upon the Supreme Absolute Truth.”
In his purport to Bhagavad-gita 2.55, Srila Prabhupada explains the position of Krishna’s devotee in this way:
“The highly developed soul always remains satisfied in himself by realizing himself as the eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord. Such a transcendentally situated person has no sense desires resulting from petty materialism; rather, he remains always happy in his natural position of eternally serving the Supreme Lord.”
Thank you for being one of the few genuinely happy people in this world. Your example of practical Bhagavad-gita is the greatest source of inspiration and encouragement for me.
Begging for the benediction to follow in your footsteps with everything I have,
Mahavan das
Manada devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
As I sift through your Facebook entries, I observe a few recurring themes: a perpetually hectic traveling schedule and your hankering for the holy name—
your constant endeavoring to bathe in it. In one such entry you reveal:
"As the years in bhakti roll by, the more I seek to surround myself with glorification of Krishna, the more at home I feel. Basking in the association of bhakti-yogis eager to share talks and songs of Krishna, for me, means lying on the genuine lap of luxury. Just to be in the midst of Krishna talks and Krishna kirtan 'sends me.'"
When reflecting on the enormity of the service you do by traveling and preaching constantly, I can’t conceive of what drives you and what keeps you going, being hampered by my own material conditioning. Just one 11- hour flight to Singapore is enough to drain me of all my energy and do my head in. Yet, when I hear you blissfully giving a class or chanting in kirtan, radiant and surcharged with spiritual energy, then I know what drives you; it’s this astonishing attachment to hearing and chanting about Krishna and giving a taste of it to whomever you meet. As you express in another of your writings, you wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. You say: “My core desire is to please Krishna's senses by satisfying His devotee, my eternal spiritual father. Otherwise all this traveling has no meaning and certainly no attraction.”
In another entry, you further explain:
"For me, decades of global bhakti service have consumed my life. You can't know how thankful I am for that opportunity to sacrifice through devotional service, in Lord Chaitanya's transcendental army.
Just think. To have to look back upon a life of routine self-serving, mundane self-centeredness—my body and mind shudder at the thought.
Amazingly, inconceivably, Srila Prabhupada gave me the best life—the eternal quest to be a genuine devotee, bhakti-yogi, and to help others be the same."
Indeed, through your dedicated service you help so many souls give up their selfish lives and become genuine spiritual practitioners. You give us the best life. You give us all the opportunity to sacrifice through devotional service. Even I, that stubborn soul you met back in 2001, who was determined to run head-first into more kali-yuga-esque disasters ending in suffering, got a chance, (or two or more) by your mercy, to take up the joyful bhakti quest. Even if you had to spend more time on me and personally talk me out of madness, you were going to save me. Thinking then that I was not savable, I quietly wondered why you were putting in so much effort. As if responding to my bafflement, you told me, “Well, I’ve always had a soft spot for you.” In the end, you triumphed over maya, and because of that “soft spot,” that compassion, I was rescued.
I’m evermore grateful that you still push me onwards and upwards, always encouraging me, engaging me in service, service I never thought I could even do. But you give me the guidance necessary and for which I’m so grateful, so that even if I don’t quite get it right (when will I get it right?) you mercifully train me—this is how we serve Krishna. There’s no such thing as “that’s as good as it gets” in bhakti. This year in trying to assist with copyediting for the Enough magazine, I realized my efforts couldn’t ever really culminate at what I think is “my best.” It’s amazing what one can achieve when always challenged to do better, and you personally helped me to realize this.
How could I get by without this fatherly help? What would I have? The selfish life you mention, I know too well. Your continued encouragement since I finally cried out for help some years ago, has only lead me to realize that despite any material circumstances or impediments, with the help of a genuine spiritual master, one can have the greatest opportunities to serve and be a contributing part of Lord Caitanya’s mission. I’ve also begun to see that you accept a devotee’s sincere effort, a devotee’s bhakti, not just his or her material skill or talent alone. But at the same time, you encourage devotees to become expert in their area in order to further Lord Caitanya’s outreach mission. And why should Krishna not have our very best? We are part of Krishna, so therefore any special skills or talents we have belong to Him. So you teach us the art of using our very selves in His service and making our lives perfect and real.
Lord Brahma prays to the Lord in this way: “Those who have received the clear vision of knowledge from the sunlike spiritual master can see You in this way, as the very Soul of all souls, the Supersoul of everyone’s own self. Thus understanding Your original personality, they are able to cross over the ocean of illusory material existence.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.14.24)
Thank you for having a soft spot for me and illuminating my otherwise darkened life. I pray that I remain steady aboard this ship you so expertly navigate over a perilous material ocean. I pray to you that I may have the spiritual impetus to continue serving at your lotus feet, and that I may become a more serious and selfless servant, qualified to receive knowledge from you.
Your aspiring servant
Manada devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this most auspicious day of your appearance.
As I sift through your Facebook entries, I observe a few recurring themes: a perpetually hectic traveling schedule and your hankering for the holy name—
your constant endeavoring to bathe in it. In one such entry you reveal:
"As the years in bhakti roll by, the more I seek to surround myself with glorification of Krishna, the more at home I feel. Basking in the association of bhakti-yogis eager to share talks and songs of Krishna, for me, means lying on the genuine lap of luxury. Just to be in the midst of Krishna talks and Krishna kirtan 'sends me.'"
When reflecting on the enormity of the service you do by traveling and preaching constantly, I can’t conceive of what drives you and what keeps you going, being hampered by my own material conditioning. Just one 11- hour flight to Singapore is enough to drain me of all my energy and do my head in. Yet, when I hear you blissfully giving a class or chanting in kirtan, radiant and surcharged with spiritual energy, then I know what drives you; it’s this astonishing attachment to hearing and chanting about Krishna and giving a taste of it to whomever you meet. As you express in another of your writings, you wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. You say: “My core desire is to please Krishna's senses by satisfying His devotee, my eternal spiritual father. Otherwise all this traveling has no meaning and certainly no attraction.”
In another entry, you further explain:
"For me, decades of global bhakti service have consumed my life. You can't know how thankful I am for that opportunity to sacrifice through devotional service, in Lord Chaitanya's transcendental army.
Just think. To have to look back upon a life of routine self-serving, mundane self-centeredness—my body and mind shudder at the thought.
Amazingly, inconceivably, Srila Prabhupada gave me the best life—the eternal quest to be a genuine devotee, bhakti-yogi, and to help others be the same."
Indeed, through your dedicated service you help so many souls give up their selfish lives and become genuine spiritual practitioners. You give us the best life. You give us all the opportunity to sacrifice through devotional service. Even I, that stubborn soul you met back in 2001, who was determined to run head-first into more kali-yuga-esque disasters ending in suffering, got a chance, (or two or more) by your mercy, to take up the joyful bhakti quest. Even if you had to spend more time on me and personally talk me out of madness, you were going to save me. Thinking then that I was not savable, I quietly wondered why you were putting in so much effort. As if responding to my bafflement, you told me, “Well, I’ve always had a soft spot for you.” In the end, you triumphed over maya, and because of that “soft spot,” that compassion, I was rescued.
I’m evermore grateful that you still push me onwards and upwards, always encouraging me, engaging me in service, service I never thought I could even do. But you give me the guidance necessary and for which I’m so grateful, so that even if I don’t quite get it right (when will I get it right?) you mercifully train me—this is how we serve Krishna. There’s no such thing as “that’s as good as it gets” in bhakti. This year in trying to assist with copyediting for the Enough magazine, I realized my efforts couldn’t ever really culminate at what I think is “my best.” It’s amazing what one can achieve when always challenged to do better, and you personally helped me to realize this.
How could I get by without this fatherly help? What would I have? The selfish life you mention, I know too well. Your continued encouragement since I finally cried out for help some years ago, has only lead me to realize that despite any material circumstances or impediments, with the help of a genuine spiritual master, one can have the greatest opportunities to serve and be a contributing part of Lord Caitanya’s mission. I’ve also begun to see that you accept a devotee’s sincere effort, a devotee’s bhakti, not just his or her material skill or talent alone. But at the same time, you encourage devotees to become expert in their area in order to further Lord Caitanya’s outreach mission. And why should Krishna not have our very best? We are part of Krishna, so therefore any special skills or talents we have belong to Him. So you teach us the art of using our very selves in His service and making our lives perfect and real.
Lord Brahma prays to the Lord in this way: “Those who have received the clear vision of knowledge from the sunlike spiritual master can see You in this way, as the very Soul of all souls, the Supersoul of everyone’s own self. Thus understanding Your original personality, they are able to cross over the ocean of illusory material existence.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.14.24)
Thank you for having a soft spot for me and illuminating my otherwise darkened life. I pray that I remain steady aboard this ship you so expertly navigate over a perilous material ocean. I pray to you that I may have the spiritual impetus to continue serving at your lotus feet, and that I may become a more serious and selfless servant, qualified to receive knowledge from you.
Your aspiring servant
Manada devi dasi
Mangal Vaisnava dasa
Hare Krsna dear Gurudeva on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja,P.A.M.H.O,all glories to Srila Prabhupada&my heart felt prayers too you.
To be apart of your family i feel so indebted to you my spiritual father & guide.
The debt i have incerd to you is two fold,firstly me being of low quality,coming to you in sum what bad condition,scared,dried up & forgetful i can not see this debt dimminosing.
Secondly;You have made this debt shine through the darkness of this age,by the way you present knowledge,your care by giving each & everyone you meet your selfless love & your heart felt booming laugh that is so sincere it enlivens ones very inner soul.
Oh Gurudeva i long too please you forever for all you done for me.
ys Mangal Vaisnava dasa
To be apart of your family i feel so indebted to you my spiritual father & guide.
The debt i have incerd to you is two fold,firstly me being of low quality,coming to you in sum what bad condition,scared,dried up & forgetful i can not see this debt dimminosing.
Secondly;You have made this debt shine through the darkness of this age,by the way you present knowledge,your care by giving each & everyone you meet your selfless love & your heart felt booming laugh that is so sincere it enlivens ones very inner soul.
Oh Gurudeva i long too please you forever for all you done for me.
ys Mangal Vaisnava dasa
Mangal-arti devi dasi
Dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Guru Maharaj, on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day I feel deep gratitude to be engaged in service at your lotus feet. Thank you for pulling me out of the deep dungeon of material existence that I tend to be lost in and engaging me in devotional service. I humbly pray for your mercy that I be done with my ‘plan making factory’ and can be granted eternal dependence unto your lotus feet.
<i>The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service.</i>
Thank you Gurudev for the power packed sutras you impart to me when there is an opportunity. Earlier this year Gurudev told me, <i>‘Material happiness and distress you cannot change. Spiritual happiness, that is another thing’.</i> Yes Gurudev, by your grace I am slowly realizing that spiritual happiness is truly another thing and you have flooded my life with it. My mind which was used to racing in every direction has been tamed by the powerful reins of your instructions which come along with the gentle shower of your mercy. My mind finds peace and simultaneous enthusiasm in the services you have engaged me in. I still remember how vain and pointless my life was, constantly making new goals, fake ambitions to earn name and fame, lousy attempts to make friends on the tottering material platform and to somehow or other find anything that I could call happiness in this sad mix. Instead you have expertly engaged every propensity of mine in some service or other. So here I am, now I have no where to go, your lotus feet and your instructions, everything is complete between these two - the treasure cove of happiness unlimited.
<i>My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.</i>
As I look back I can’t help but notice that every single thing in my life is nothing but your mercy. Living on a drop of that mercy so many holy places have opened up in my otherwise inauspicious life. New Remuna Dham, Gita Nagri Dham and our Temple in Philadelphia, so much mercy, so many exemplary devotees and such an ocean of service you have granted me entry to. Wherever I go, whoever I meet, in the first few sentences I can quickly understand that your mercy and care for me has reached there before I have. That has been a big realization this year, be it Sankirtan or be it inside temple, your mercy precedes me everywhere making things so easy for me. Just like a loving father you cushion my falls by your merciful arrangements.
<i>jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pa, tomara karuna—sara
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. </i>
Earlier this year, in context of devotional service, you said <i>‘do as much as you like. have a good time.’ </i>Hearing this I felt like I was two years old and my father has taken me to an unlimited toy store and told me to do whatever I like.
As my life circumstances change time and again, I tend to get anxious and worry very easily about what next or how to stay engaged. But time and again I notice as life throws one situation after the other, Gurudev expertly manoeuvres my service engagements around and before the situation even hits me, I am already engaged in a way to be unaffected by it. Your vision can both penetrate into the deepest chambers of my heart to see where I am at while also look far far ahead into the future and see how my actions today have to be adjusted. I can never fully know how many adjustments you make in my life just to keep me afloat in Bhakti. However from the little I have seen, I know now that perhaps this is what it means when in <i>Srimad Bhagvatam 11.20.17 it says ‘This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course.’ </i>Thank you Guru Maharaj for taking the reins of my life into your expert hands. Thank you for granting me fearlessness. In a lecture you had said that <i>a child who has good parents doesn't have to worry about where mortgage comes from, how is the dinner coming - he knows mother and father will take care. </i>Similarly in your personalized care program that you expertly extend over all your disciples, I do not need to worry about what next, or where to because I see more and more how you already made all arrangements.
<i>Nectar of Instruction, verse 3 : Devotional service is not a matter of sentimental speculation or imaginative ecstasy. Its substance is practical activity.</i> Please let my life’s energies be used only for internalizing and executing your instructions. Please let me stay fixed at your lotus feet. Please let me develop some attachment to your instructions.
Your humble servant
Mangal-arti dd
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Dear Guru Maharaj, on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day I feel deep gratitude to be engaged in service at your lotus feet. Thank you for pulling me out of the deep dungeon of material existence that I tend to be lost in and engaging me in devotional service. I humbly pray for your mercy that I be done with my ‘plan making factory’ and can be granted eternal dependence unto your lotus feet.
<i>The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service.</i>
Thank you Gurudev for the power packed sutras you impart to me when there is an opportunity. Earlier this year Gurudev told me, <i>‘Material happiness and distress you cannot change. Spiritual happiness, that is another thing’.</i> Yes Gurudev, by your grace I am slowly realizing that spiritual happiness is truly another thing and you have flooded my life with it. My mind which was used to racing in every direction has been tamed by the powerful reins of your instructions which come along with the gentle shower of your mercy. My mind finds peace and simultaneous enthusiasm in the services you have engaged me in. I still remember how vain and pointless my life was, constantly making new goals, fake ambitions to earn name and fame, lousy attempts to make friends on the tottering material platform and to somehow or other find anything that I could call happiness in this sad mix. Instead you have expertly engaged every propensity of mine in some service or other. So here I am, now I have no where to go, your lotus feet and your instructions, everything is complete between these two - the treasure cove of happiness unlimited.
<i>My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.</i>
As I look back I can’t help but notice that every single thing in my life is nothing but your mercy. Living on a drop of that mercy so many holy places have opened up in my otherwise inauspicious life. New Remuna Dham, Gita Nagri Dham and our Temple in Philadelphia, so much mercy, so many exemplary devotees and such an ocean of service you have granted me entry to. Wherever I go, whoever I meet, in the first few sentences I can quickly understand that your mercy and care for me has reached there before I have. That has been a big realization this year, be it Sankirtan or be it inside temple, your mercy precedes me everywhere making things so easy for me. Just like a loving father you cushion my falls by your merciful arrangements.
<i>jogyata-vicare, kichu nahi pa, tomara karuna—sara
If you examine me, you will find no qualities. Your mercy is all that I am made of. </i>
Earlier this year, in context of devotional service, you said <i>‘do as much as you like. have a good time.’ </i>Hearing this I felt like I was two years old and my father has taken me to an unlimited toy store and told me to do whatever I like.
As my life circumstances change time and again, I tend to get anxious and worry very easily about what next or how to stay engaged. But time and again I notice as life throws one situation after the other, Gurudev expertly manoeuvres my service engagements around and before the situation even hits me, I am already engaged in a way to be unaffected by it. Your vision can both penetrate into the deepest chambers of my heart to see where I am at while also look far far ahead into the future and see how my actions today have to be adjusted. I can never fully know how many adjustments you make in my life just to keep me afloat in Bhakti. However from the little I have seen, I know now that perhaps this is what it means when in <i>Srimad Bhagvatam 11.20.17 it says ‘This human body can be compared to a perfectly constructed boat having the spiritual master as the captain and the instructions of the Personality of Godhead as favourable winds impelling it on its course.’ </i>Thank you Guru Maharaj for taking the reins of my life into your expert hands. Thank you for granting me fearlessness. In a lecture you had said that <i>a child who has good parents doesn't have to worry about where mortgage comes from, how is the dinner coming - he knows mother and father will take care. </i>Similarly in your personalized care program that you expertly extend over all your disciples, I do not need to worry about what next, or where to because I see more and more how you already made all arrangements.
<i>Nectar of Instruction, verse 3 : Devotional service is not a matter of sentimental speculation or imaginative ecstasy. Its substance is practical activity.</i> Please let my life’s energies be used only for internalizing and executing your instructions. Please let me stay fixed at your lotus feet. Please let me develop some attachment to your instructions.
Your humble servant
Mangal-arti dd
Mani Manjari dd
Hare Krsna Gurumaharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to your beloved Spiritual Master.
I am going to try and avoid the tangle of my mind and spare you the tedious, wordy run on sentences spun there from.
I will therefore haiku for you in an attempt to communicate clear, ringing, glorious 5,7,5 morsels of the gratefulness I feel for you.
for me fog is thick
you are the only sun beam
gratitude like spring
summertime L. A.
devine mornings feel like truth
I see you walk through
Bhagavatam class
your words are clear clean water
my ears are thirsty
your laugh and smile
balm the wounds of this bleak world
joyful heart shelter
bhakti is freedom
nourishing my wayward soul
only you can give
what is this beauty?
it suffers with transcendence
a dull world can’t know
Guru Maharaj
Krsna is with you always
I will follow you
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
your very lowly and grateful servant
Mani manjari dd
Mantramala dd.
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances and my thoughts of you on this auspicious day.
I feel very fortunate that I can write a Vyasa-Puja offering to You, a Vaishnava devotee of the Lord, who is my Spiritual Father.
So much work was required from Providence just to make me study the English language at age 14 in Budapest. So much more happened before life took me to the Sydney temple. It was there that I was first exposed to the Vedic knowledge including your classes.
Gurudeva, as I write this offering on your website I realise that I rarely check Your website photos. Please be assured that I have my own photos and videos of you permanently embedded in my heart.
One of them takes us to an old Loft place in Auckland, at Newmarket. It is daytime (maybe a weekend daytime otherwise it is unlikely I am there). The sun is shining through the window. You are sitting in the middle of the room which is used for those conversational-style classes in the evenings.
The room is small, and your chair is surrounded by sofas. You are reading the Caitanya-caritamrita. I may awkwardly ask whether you need anything. You just want to read, you don't even need a glass of water. You are reading for a long time. You are seemingly loving what you are reading.
Remembering this personal example of yours I decided to start reading the Collected Lectures of Srila Prabhupada on Caitanya-caritamrita on the actual day of your Vyasa-puja. I plan to finish them by mid-April.
These brown volumes have been on my book shelf for a very long time. It is a shame that they are still unread. Would you accept my studying of these volumes being my Vyasa-puja offering to you?
Could you please bless this activity so that it can result in me distributing our literature on the streets again?
Your aspiring servant,
Mantramala dd.
Please accept my humble obeisances and my thoughts of you on this auspicious day.
I feel very fortunate that I can write a Vyasa-Puja offering to You, a Vaishnava devotee of the Lord, who is my Spiritual Father.
So much work was required from Providence just to make me study the English language at age 14 in Budapest. So much more happened before life took me to the Sydney temple. It was there that I was first exposed to the Vedic knowledge including your classes.
Gurudeva, as I write this offering on your website I realise that I rarely check Your website photos. Please be assured that I have my own photos and videos of you permanently embedded in my heart.
One of them takes us to an old Loft place in Auckland, at Newmarket. It is daytime (maybe a weekend daytime otherwise it is unlikely I am there). The sun is shining through the window. You are sitting in the middle of the room which is used for those conversational-style classes in the evenings.
The room is small, and your chair is surrounded by sofas. You are reading the Caitanya-caritamrita. I may awkwardly ask whether you need anything. You just want to read, you don't even need a glass of water. You are reading for a long time. You are seemingly loving what you are reading.
Remembering this personal example of yours I decided to start reading the Collected Lectures of Srila Prabhupada on Caitanya-caritamrita on the actual day of your Vyasa-puja. I plan to finish them by mid-April.
These brown volumes have been on my book shelf for a very long time. It is a shame that they are still unread. Would you accept my studying of these volumes being my Vyasa-puja offering to you?
Could you please bless this activity so that it can result in me distributing our literature on the streets again?
Your aspiring servant,
Mantramala dd.
Marcela Labrouve
Querido Gurudeva
Por favor acepte mis más humildes reverencias
Toda la gloria a Srila Prabhupada
Por favor, perdone cualquier ofensa que pudiera cometer en esta ofrenda. Sólo tengo para ofrecerle una sencilla pero sincera gratitud.
Me quedo sin palabras cuando pienso en la forma en como ha llevado a cabo el servicio de Srila Prabhupada, su maestro espiritual.
Alguna personas se preguntan ¿cómo encontrar un maestro espiritual? Creo que cada caso es diferente y en mi experiencia ha sido casi mágico pues, simplemente tuve contacto visual con Ud. y comencé a llorar, supe inmediatamente que sería mi guia hacia Krishna.
El año pasado ya le había escrito una carta pidiéndole refugio a ésta misma altura del año pero al momento de su Vyasa Puja 2013 aún no había recibido su respuesta.
Hoy le agradezco Gurudeva por haberme refugiado. Ud. dijo “Si esa es tu voluntad, que así sea”.
Deseo servirlo y servir a la misión de Srila Prabhupada, por favor enséñeme el camino. Pido a Dios que un día, por su inmensa gracia solamente, mis palabras y mis deseos se aunen y me acerquen personalmente a Ud.
Todas las glorias, todas las glorias, todas las glorias a usted Gurudeva en el día de su aparición.
Siempre deseando ser su más humilde sierviente
Bhaktin Marcela
Hare Krishna
Por favor acepte mis más humildes reverencias
Toda la gloria a Srila Prabhupada
Por favor, perdone cualquier ofensa que pudiera cometer en esta ofrenda. Sólo tengo para ofrecerle una sencilla pero sincera gratitud.
Me quedo sin palabras cuando pienso en la forma en como ha llevado a cabo el servicio de Srila Prabhupada, su maestro espiritual.
Alguna personas se preguntan ¿cómo encontrar un maestro espiritual? Creo que cada caso es diferente y en mi experiencia ha sido casi mágico pues, simplemente tuve contacto visual con Ud. y comencé a llorar, supe inmediatamente que sería mi guia hacia Krishna.
El año pasado ya le había escrito una carta pidiéndole refugio a ésta misma altura del año pero al momento de su Vyasa Puja 2013 aún no había recibido su respuesta.
Hoy le agradezco Gurudeva por haberme refugiado. Ud. dijo “Si esa es tu voluntad, que así sea”.
Deseo servirlo y servir a la misión de Srila Prabhupada, por favor enséñeme el camino. Pido a Dios que un día, por su inmensa gracia solamente, mis palabras y mis deseos se aunen y me acerquen personalmente a Ud.
Todas las glorias, todas las glorias, todas las glorias a usted Gurudeva en el día de su aparición.
Siempre deseando ser su más humilde sierviente
Bhaktin Marcela
Hare Krishna
Merlijn Marien
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja
You were here just recently, showing all of us your expertise in preaching. After you clearly explained that without a clean consciousness, we cannot expect to have a clean environment, one of the guests - his first time at a program - said: "You just blew my mind."
That's how I always feel as well when I listen to one of your lectures and even more so when we meet in person. You put so much effort and love into everyone who shows even the slightest interest in devotional service.
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
The way to please Krishna is to please the Spiritual Master. Like you said when we last met: "The key to your success is to fully engage all your energies in Krishna's service." I want to please you Gurudeva by fully engaging every aspect of myself in spreading Krishna-consciousness.
I pray to you for the strength to follow your instructions. I pray that I may be engaged in your service, in the service of Srila Prabhupada, birth after birth.
Aspiring to be the servant of your servants,
Bhakta Merlin
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa-puja
You were here just recently, showing all of us your expertise in preaching. After you clearly explained that without a clean consciousness, we cannot expect to have a clean environment, one of the guests - his first time at a program - said: "You just blew my mind."
That's how I always feel as well when I listen to one of your lectures and even more so when we meet in person. You put so much effort and love into everyone who shows even the slightest interest in devotional service.
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
The way to please Krishna is to please the Spiritual Master. Like you said when we last met: "The key to your success is to fully engage all your energies in Krishna's service." I want to please you Gurudeva by fully engaging every aspect of myself in spreading Krishna-consciousness.
I pray to you for the strength to follow your instructions. I pray that I may be engaged in your service, in the service of Srila Prabhupada, birth after birth.
Aspiring to be the servant of your servants,
Bhakta Merlin
Muchukunda das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances at your holy feet.
All glory to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
All glory to you on this auspicious day.
You were going to Yale, a place of utmost prestige.
But you were displeased . You wanted the knowledge supreme.
You knew to succeed wasnt to be a cog in the machine.
So you read the Srimad Bhagavatam and got a spiritual masters degree.
Now you're a professor of bhakti known world wide.
Enlightening those who are fortunately fried.
You teach the only thing worth knowing for those interested in growing.
You make hippies into happies and punks into monks.
I hope you like this poem. You help all who are lonesome.
You put the parts back with the whole so they can feel wholesome.
You put the wayward on the straight and narrow like a hero.
If we stick to your advice we will go back to Godhead in this life.
Bed is mayas lap, sleeping in is bad.
I met you at Atma Yoga in Brisbane, I was a regular guest there.
I had been un-hesitantly dabbling in bhakti yoga but still had bird nest hair.
I had ragged clothes and paint on my 17 year old nose.
You talked about samadhi and asked us to define in it in our own words.
I said "to be absorbed".
You completed my half truth.
I'm still trying to understand what I heard.
The first devotees I met where your God family I knew as Guna and Vish.
Gunarnava prabhu used to have me over to talk and have prasad. Was delish.
He taught me about the comos by drawing a pic.
I kept it in my bag until it got a rip.
Then I moved to Brisbane and started hanging around your students.
They taught me how to serve the Lord and answered all my questions.
Every day I'd drop by and recieve a divine lesson.
I moved in the week I was invited, ever since then Iv been fully excited.
Because bhakti is such we always see room for refinement.
When you offered initiation I was a bit surprised
I still don't think I'm even close to being qualified
I want to mention I'm thankful for your kind attention.
I feel like a bad student who should be in detention.
But you treat me with compassion and help me get up to speed.
You treat me with the patience that I really need.
Thank you for being a great tutor for this late bloomer.
Your aspiring servant,
Muchukunda Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your holy feet.
All glory to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
All glory to you on this auspicious day.
You were going to Yale, a place of utmost prestige.
But you were displeased . You wanted the knowledge supreme.
You knew to succeed wasnt to be a cog in the machine.
So you read the Srimad Bhagavatam and got a spiritual masters degree.
Now you're a professor of bhakti known world wide.
Enlightening those who are fortunately fried.
You teach the only thing worth knowing for those interested in growing.
You make hippies into happies and punks into monks.
I hope you like this poem. You help all who are lonesome.
You put the parts back with the whole so they can feel wholesome.
You put the wayward on the straight and narrow like a hero.
If we stick to your advice we will go back to Godhead in this life.
Bed is mayas lap, sleeping in is bad.
I met you at Atma Yoga in Brisbane, I was a regular guest there.
I had been un-hesitantly dabbling in bhakti yoga but still had bird nest hair.
I had ragged clothes and paint on my 17 year old nose.
You talked about samadhi and asked us to define in it in our own words.
I said "to be absorbed".
You completed my half truth.
I'm still trying to understand what I heard.
The first devotees I met where your God family I knew as Guna and Vish.
Gunarnava prabhu used to have me over to talk and have prasad. Was delish.
He taught me about the comos by drawing a pic.
I kept it in my bag until it got a rip.
Then I moved to Brisbane and started hanging around your students.
They taught me how to serve the Lord and answered all my questions.
Every day I'd drop by and recieve a divine lesson.
I moved in the week I was invited, ever since then Iv been fully excited.
Because bhakti is such we always see room for refinement.
When you offered initiation I was a bit surprised
I still don't think I'm even close to being qualified
I want to mention I'm thankful for your kind attention.
I feel like a bad student who should be in detention.
But you treat me with compassion and help me get up to speed.
You treat me with the patience that I really need.
Thank you for being a great tutor for this late bloomer.
Your aspiring servant,
Muchukunda Dasa
Muni-cari dasa
Nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
My wife and I have a photo in our home, one that was taken in 2004 I think. Its of the two of us sitting with you in the Melbourne temple courtyard. You were actually telling Sruti that she could go to the Holy dhama for her first trip there. But looking at the picture, you sitting on the slightly rickety wooden bench and us sitting at your feet, it seems a perfect reminder of how we are so dependant on your mercy. So many times you have given us the guidance and inspiration to push on or push through the obstacles that life sometimes presents.
And now as you increase and expand the areas you travel to, it seems true that the only continent you have not conquered yet is the South Pole (maybe you should send me there one day..). Despite this ever expanding net you spread around the world, still we are able to get the care and attention that we need. Hearing your mind blowing lectures and dancing and chanting in your totally out of this world kirtanas are still the things we hanker for so much.
Of course we wish we had you with us more, but all your disciples around the world no doubt have the same thought so we have to share you equally.
As I take stock of my life right now and examine my own attempts at Krsna consciousness I see two consistent pillars. Two things which have always given me shelter, support, and the ability to continue (in KC as well as life in general). Those two things are you and my wife. I am praying to you that this year I can actually act according to my words, according to my vows, and be the husband and disciple that I should be. Acting with sincerity, honesty and a genuine desire to please and serve you and the mission of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada. The mission that you have so tirelessly served for 5 decades now.
So I don’t want this to sound proud or puffed up, but I want this to be my year. The year of the Muni, so to speak. The year when I can put your desires and the correct actions for me ahead of my own selfish whimsical desires. Actions will speak louder than words but those actions are happening this year Guru Maharaja.
Thank you for taking such good care of my wife and myself. Like the perfect father. Caring, guiding and offering experience and direction to mould and shape both our spiritual and material lives.
Thank you Guru Maharaja
Begging to one day become sincere,
Your insignificant disciple and spiritual son,
Muni-cari DASA.
krishna-presthaya bhu tale
srimate devamrita
svamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
and all glories to you on this your vyasa puja celebration!
My wife and I have a photo in our home, one that was taken in 2004 I think. Its of the two of us sitting with you in the Melbourne temple courtyard. You were actually telling Sruti that she could go to the Holy dhama for her first trip there. But looking at the picture, you sitting on the slightly rickety wooden bench and us sitting at your feet, it seems a perfect reminder of how we are so dependant on your mercy. So many times you have given us the guidance and inspiration to push on or push through the obstacles that life sometimes presents.
And now as you increase and expand the areas you travel to, it seems true that the only continent you have not conquered yet is the South Pole (maybe you should send me there one day..). Despite this ever expanding net you spread around the world, still we are able to get the care and attention that we need. Hearing your mind blowing lectures and dancing and chanting in your totally out of this world kirtanas are still the things we hanker for so much.
Of course we wish we had you with us more, but all your disciples around the world no doubt have the same thought so we have to share you equally.
As I take stock of my life right now and examine my own attempts at Krsna consciousness I see two consistent pillars. Two things which have always given me shelter, support, and the ability to continue (in KC as well as life in general). Those two things are you and my wife. I am praying to you that this year I can actually act according to my words, according to my vows, and be the husband and disciple that I should be. Acting with sincerity, honesty and a genuine desire to please and serve you and the mission of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada. The mission that you have so tirelessly served for 5 decades now.
So I don’t want this to sound proud or puffed up, but I want this to be my year. The year of the Muni, so to speak. The year when I can put your desires and the correct actions for me ahead of my own selfish whimsical desires. Actions will speak louder than words but those actions are happening this year Guru Maharaja.
Thank you for taking such good care of my wife and myself. Like the perfect father. Caring, guiding and offering experience and direction to mould and shape both our spiritual and material lives.
Thank you Guru Maharaja
Begging to one day become sincere,
Your insignificant disciple and spiritual son,
Muni-cari DASA.
Munjaranya dd
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you!
Guru Maharaj, one day when I was on sankirtan, a few lines came to me:
I am standing on this spot,
with nothing but envy in my heart,
how can I possibly do any good?
but then I think of you,
and I am reminded of the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
A smile comes to my face,
knowing that by your mercy, anything is possible
and I get back into sankirtan again.
We were in Porirua, I had just distributed a book, and I sat on the bench, taking the wrapping off another JSD, when a lady with a huge shopping trolley, walked up to me and said “What have you got up there?” She seemed to have a speech disorder, since it was very difficult to understand what she was saying. Before I could reply, she grabbed the book from my hand, pushed her trolley aside and sat next to me. Turning to the pictures, she looked at the changing bodies pic and said, “This is what is happening to everyone” Then she turned to the picture showing evolution through different species. Without giving me a chance to say anything, she continued “This is how everyone should live, altogether, in harmony” Then she looked at Krishna’s picture and continued “He is so beautiful, this place is so beautiful. How much?” Without waiting for me to reply, she took out a $10 note, handed it to me and walked off with her trolley. I hardly got the opportunity to say a word in the exchange.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for letting me be an instrument in your service (even though a really blunt one). Thank you for letting me be a part of the wonderful community here. Thank you for your patience. I am amazed at how you tolerate my immature attitude and my constant failure in “getting it and keeping it together” for Krishna’s service. Without your instructions I would just be going round in circles. Only because of your guidance, does my life have a direction.
With your blessings Guru Maharaja, I pray that I can always be in the association of devotees and develop the desire to remain focused on your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Munjaranya dd.
P.S: Thank you for my beautiful name!
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you!
Guru Maharaj, one day when I was on sankirtan, a few lines came to me:
I am standing on this spot,
with nothing but envy in my heart,
how can I possibly do any good?
but then I think of you,
and I am reminded of the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
A smile comes to my face,
knowing that by your mercy, anything is possible
and I get back into sankirtan again.
We were in Porirua, I had just distributed a book, and I sat on the bench, taking the wrapping off another JSD, when a lady with a huge shopping trolley, walked up to me and said “What have you got up there?” She seemed to have a speech disorder, since it was very difficult to understand what she was saying. Before I could reply, she grabbed the book from my hand, pushed her trolley aside and sat next to me. Turning to the pictures, she looked at the changing bodies pic and said, “This is what is happening to everyone” Then she turned to the picture showing evolution through different species. Without giving me a chance to say anything, she continued “This is how everyone should live, altogether, in harmony” Then she looked at Krishna’s picture and continued “He is so beautiful, this place is so beautiful. How much?” Without waiting for me to reply, she took out a $10 note, handed it to me and walked off with her trolley. I hardly got the opportunity to say a word in the exchange.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for letting me be an instrument in your service (even though a really blunt one). Thank you for letting me be a part of the wonderful community here. Thank you for your patience. I am amazed at how you tolerate my immature attitude and my constant failure in “getting it and keeping it together” for Krishna’s service. Without your instructions I would just be going round in circles. Only because of your guidance, does my life have a direction.
With your blessings Guru Maharaja, I pray that I can always be in the association of devotees and develop the desire to remain focused on your instructions.
Your aspiring servant,
Munjaranya dd.
P.S: Thank you for my beautiful name!
Nanda Mandir Dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In your outreach lectures, I have heard that you have travelled on every habitable continent on this planet for the last four decades. There is no doubt you have touched and transformed the hearts of hundreds and thousands of people by your genuine compassion, love and humility.
As it is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 22.54
'sadhu-sanga', 'sadhu-sanga' -- sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”
I would like to share an account of one person by the name “Eddie”. He is a musician, plays bass guitar, sometimes busking on the streets of Melbourne. I have heard from devotees he attended one of your talks at RMIT University way back in 2003. That encounter and subsequent meetings with you has formed a deep impression on his consciousness. Whenever I have bumped into him on the streets, he always glorifies you and inquiries with great enthusiasm about your welfare, next visit to Melbourne. Somehow or the other he’ll find out you are in town doing a program at urban yoga and he’ll show up to hear from you and play guitar for you. This year you were doing a seminar for the temple congregation at a hall nearby the temple and out of nowhere towards the end; Eddie rocked up with his bass guitar and started playing to accompany you in the final kirtan, we were all surprised to see him there, we never expected him to come all this way. That was his way of serving you. As stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya
vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ
syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ
puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt
O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vāsudeva.
As Prabhupada writes in the purport to this verse “By serving the servant of God, one can please God more than by directly serving the Lord. The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God.”
Gurudeva, you are like a touchstone, those who come in touch with you are transformed and make progress on the path back to godhead.
With deep gratitude I thank you for your merciful instructions, encouragement and loving care. I seek forgiveness for any offenses and shortcomings in my service.
Striving to be your faithful eternal servant.
Nanda Mandir Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa Puja.
In your outreach lectures, I have heard that you have travelled on every habitable continent on this planet for the last four decades. There is no doubt you have touched and transformed the hearts of hundreds and thousands of people by your genuine compassion, love and humility.
As it is stated in the Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 22.54
'sadhu-sanga', 'sadhu-sanga' -- sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
“The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”
I would like to share an account of one person by the name “Eddie”. He is a musician, plays bass guitar, sometimes busking on the streets of Melbourne. I have heard from devotees he attended one of your talks at RMIT University way back in 2003. That encounter and subsequent meetings with you has formed a deep impression on his consciousness. Whenever I have bumped into him on the streets, he always glorifies you and inquiries with great enthusiasm about your welfare, next visit to Melbourne. Somehow or the other he’ll find out you are in town doing a program at urban yoga and he’ll show up to hear from you and play guitar for you. This year you were doing a seminar for the temple congregation at a hall nearby the temple and out of nowhere towards the end; Eddie rocked up with his bass guitar and started playing to accompany you in the final kirtan, we were all surprised to see him there, we never expected him to come all this way. That was his way of serving you. As stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya
vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ
syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ
puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt
O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vāsudeva.
As Prabhupada writes in the purport to this verse “By serving the servant of God, one can please God more than by directly serving the Lord. The Lord is more pleased when He sees that His servants are properly respected because such servants risk everything for the service of the Lord and so are very dear to the Lord. The Lord declares in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) that no one is dearer to Him than one who risks everything to preach His glory. By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the quality of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of God.”
Gurudeva, you are like a touchstone, those who come in touch with you are transformed and make progress on the path back to godhead.
With deep gratitude I thank you for your merciful instructions, encouragement and loving care. I seek forgiveness for any offenses and shortcomings in my service.
Striving to be your faithful eternal servant.
Nanda Mandir Dasa
Nanda-nandana
Dear Gurudeva. please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. This year so far has been an interesting year with lots of different challenges, not always fun but never boring. Just when I thought I was done with my problems I found that I had all new ones. I sighed to myself and thought "well that's just typical". But I remember last time we talked feeling as though my problems were not that much of a big deal, I felt invigorated and filled with new enthusiasm for spiritual life. You have a special way with words and you always know the right thing to say, even if it isn't always what I want to hear because you actually want what is best for my spiritual advancement and you're not interested in hollow words and cheap flattery to gain followers. I have been greatly fortunate to have received the loving guidance and friendship I have received from you and your disciples, without which I would be in a much more depressing situation. l hope that soon I will be able to become a serious devotee and make your instructions my life and soul.
Nandisvara Das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you on this most auspicious day
Gurudev,
To me You are the most trustworthy person because you are not partial to shallow praise and adoration.
This forces one to sincerely try to become Krishna concious, and inspires one to trust you as the trans via medium "samsara dava nalalida loka".
Like a swan that can seperate and draw milk from water in a pond, you are able to sift through the material motives in my heart and present any sincerity and service I might have done (by your mercy).
This impartial quality you have is important to me although I desire your fatherly affection. I understand this impartiality will foster the most pure friendship.
Thank you Gurudev for being a bonafide representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, to whom I can give my life.
All glories to you!
Thank you GuruDev,
Your Sincerely Aspiring Disciple,
Nandisvara Das
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you on this most auspicious day
Gurudev,
To me You are the most trustworthy person because you are not partial to shallow praise and adoration.
This forces one to sincerely try to become Krishna concious, and inspires one to trust you as the trans via medium "samsara dava nalalida loka".
Like a swan that can seperate and draw milk from water in a pond, you are able to sift through the material motives in my heart and present any sincerity and service I might have done (by your mercy).
This impartial quality you have is important to me although I desire your fatherly affection. I understand this impartiality will foster the most pure friendship.
Thank you Gurudev for being a bonafide representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, to whom I can give my life.
All glories to you!
Thank you GuruDev,
Your Sincerely Aspiring Disciple,
Nandisvara Das
Natasha Jennings
Dear Devamrita Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Please accept this small offering as an expression of my deepest gratitude - of which I humbly admit, I am struggling to find the words to do so.
The mercy of your pure devotees here in Wellington have given me so much to look forward to, each and every day.
Devotional service, sankirtan, with hearing and chanting the Holy Name is ultimate bliss!
My only desire is to be purified enough by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada's books, and the mercy of you and your pure devotees so I may engage in Krishna Consciousness, serving you with resolute determination for the rest of my minute lifetime.
Please allow me to follow in the dust of your lotus footsteps, so one day I may hope to inspire others to do the same in their lives.
Thank you for all your time and help that you gifted me this year.
Hare Krishna,
Your aspiring servant,
Natasha
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your appearance!
Please accept this small offering as an expression of my deepest gratitude - of which I humbly admit, I am struggling to find the words to do so.
The mercy of your pure devotees here in Wellington have given me so much to look forward to, each and every day.
Devotional service, sankirtan, with hearing and chanting the Holy Name is ultimate bliss!
My only desire is to be purified enough by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada's books, and the mercy of you and your pure devotees so I may engage in Krishna Consciousness, serving you with resolute determination for the rest of my minute lifetime.
Please allow me to follow in the dust of your lotus footsteps, so one day I may hope to inspire others to do the same in their lives.
Thank you for all your time and help that you gifted me this year.
Hare Krishna,
Your aspiring servant,
Natasha
Nava Rasa dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet,
"Namo Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna presthaya bhu tale
Sri mate Devamrita Swami Iti namine
Pracare Purva dakshim ca
Pravinatha prartatpi Karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you Gurudev,
Gurudev,
On the most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja, I am making an insignificant attempt to glorify Your kind service, to the souls who are devoted , practicing devotion and have potential to devote on the path of KC.
You help people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from temporary and offer guidance to Bhakti yogis in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life. You are the "spiritual master " and the " pure devotee" of The Lord.
In the Adi purana, Lord Krishna said Arjuna, "My dear Partha, one who claims to be My devotee is not so.Only a person who claims to be the devotee of My devotee is actually My devotee"
Gurudev, your personal spiritual concern,care and love to all your disciples is beyond words. You are travelling all around the globe despite bodily discomforts, to deliver the fallen and forgetful. Our worldly society is based on a 'give and take' culture. However, you are so self-less. I wonder if I ll ever be able to return back you the energy, care and trust you invests in me. My poor devotional prognosis often puts me down as perhaps I lack intelligence to value Your presence and guidance in my life.
As the years are passing in Bhakti, I am more and more convinced that I'm not a devotee, perhaps just trying to become one day by your mercy. I seek forgiveness for being not a capable student unlike my other god brothers and sisters. But I promise, I ll keep on trying with my "baby goals". You have always remained calm and approachable to your daughter's anxiety and pain. You smile to see us smiling and achieving baby goals in our spiritual life.
I'm deeply indebted to You Gurudev for your fatherhood, spiritual care and everything. Please forgive me of my shortcomings and bless my whole family, so as we can relish and carve the holy names in our hearts before the final test.
Your spiritual servants,
Nava rasa dd
Acyutananda Gaurhari Das
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet,
"Namo Om Vishnu Padaya Krishna presthaya bhu tale
Sri mate Devamrita Swami Iti namine
Pracare Purva dakshim ca
Pravinatha prartatpi Karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you Gurudev,
Gurudev,
On the most auspicious day of your Vyasa puja, I am making an insignificant attempt to glorify Your kind service, to the souls who are devoted , practicing devotion and have potential to devote on the path of KC.
You help people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from temporary and offer guidance to Bhakti yogis in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life. You are the "spiritual master " and the " pure devotee" of The Lord.
In the Adi purana, Lord Krishna said Arjuna, "My dear Partha, one who claims to be My devotee is not so.Only a person who claims to be the devotee of My devotee is actually My devotee"
Gurudev, your personal spiritual concern,care and love to all your disciples is beyond words. You are travelling all around the globe despite bodily discomforts, to deliver the fallen and forgetful. Our worldly society is based on a 'give and take' culture. However, you are so self-less. I wonder if I ll ever be able to return back you the energy, care and trust you invests in me. My poor devotional prognosis often puts me down as perhaps I lack intelligence to value Your presence and guidance in my life.
As the years are passing in Bhakti, I am more and more convinced that I'm not a devotee, perhaps just trying to become one day by your mercy. I seek forgiveness for being not a capable student unlike my other god brothers and sisters. But I promise, I ll keep on trying with my "baby goals". You have always remained calm and approachable to your daughter's anxiety and pain. You smile to see us smiling and achieving baby goals in our spiritual life.
I'm deeply indebted to You Gurudev for your fatherhood, spiritual care and everything. Please forgive me of my shortcomings and bless my whole family, so as we can relish and carve the holy names in our hearts before the final test.
Your spiritual servants,
Nava rasa dd
Acyutananda Gaurhari Das
Navadvipa vasi das
Om Ajnana-timirandhasya Jnananjana-salakaya
Caksur Unmilitam Yena Tasmai Sri-gurave Namah
Nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-presthaya bhu-tale
Shrimate devamrita-swamin iti namine
Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day.
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa puja day
Gurudeva on this special day I beg you to bless me and my family so that we can improve in Krishna consciousness, among the Melbourne congregation we are the lowest and we are trying to be more sincere in Krishna consciousness.
Thank you,
Your servant,
Navadvipa vasi das and family
Caksur Unmilitam Yena Tasmai Sri-gurave Namah
Nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-presthaya bhu-tale
Shrimate devamrita-swamin iti namine
Pracare-purva-daksyam-ca bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthathapi-karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your most auspicious appearance day.
Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your Vyasa puja day
Gurudeva on this special day I beg you to bless me and my family so that we can improve in Krishna consciousness, among the Melbourne congregation we are the lowest and we are trying to be more sincere in Krishna consciousness.
Thank you,
Your servant,
Navadvipa vasi das and family
Nilacala Candra Das
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudevi
I offer my humble obeisances to Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada , All Glories To Sri Sri Pancatatva.
Dear Gurudevi,
On this auspicious day I offer Prayers To Sri Sri Pancatatva at New Navdeep Dham Honolulu for your Good Health.
You have been relentlessly carrying out the legacy of Srila Prabhupada in spreading Krishna Consciousness across the Globe. You have given new direction to many condition souls like me and gave many of us shelter under your lotus feet.
My Sincere Prayers and Good Wishes.
Happy Appearance Day.
Your humble servant
Nilacala Candra Das
I offer my humble obeisances to Your Lotus Feet. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada , All Glories To Sri Sri Pancatatva.
Dear Gurudevi,
On this auspicious day I offer Prayers To Sri Sri Pancatatva at New Navdeep Dham Honolulu for your Good Health.
You have been relentlessly carrying out the legacy of Srila Prabhupada in spreading Krishna Consciousness across the Globe. You have given new direction to many condition souls like me and gave many of us shelter under your lotus feet.
My Sincere Prayers and Good Wishes.
Happy Appearance Day.
Your humble servant
Nilacala Candra Das
Nitin Katarmal
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
On this auspicious day, I would like to beg for some more mercy. Please engage me in your service.
Before meeting & hearing from you Gurudev, I was running after the material things only which gave me nothing but suffering and covered my mind with illusion. Only because of your causeless mercy upon the foolish person like me I know the real goal of my life which is to serve you & follow your instructions.
I wish to offer sincere gratitude to you for the selfless service you engaged in.
Hare Krishna
Your Servant
Nitin
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you.
On this auspicious day, I would like to beg for some more mercy. Please engage me in your service.
Before meeting & hearing from you Gurudev, I was running after the material things only which gave me nothing but suffering and covered my mind with illusion. Only because of your causeless mercy upon the foolish person like me I know the real goal of my life which is to serve you & follow your instructions.
I wish to offer sincere gratitude to you for the selfless service you engaged in.
Hare Krishna
Your Servant
Nitin
Nitya-priya dd
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance I struggle with what to say to glorify the person who has saved my life.
Gurudeva you have saved me with your expert ability to meet us wherever we are at and powerful Krishna Consciousness presentations. As the years pass by, I never cease to be amazed by the way you so personally and genuinely interact with the fallen souls that have the good fortune for even a moment of your association. You have always been so kind, caring and honest with me and for that I am very grateful. You have given me the highest knowledge and at the same time taught me how sweet and simple the Krishna Conscious process can be when executed under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master.
By the mercy of Krsna one finds a bonafide spiritual master and by the mercy of the spiritual master, one finds Krsna.
<i>"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing 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."</i>
Sri Gurvastakam, Verse 1
You have even been so kind as to give me some devotional service and continue to patiently instruct me so that I may improve. I won’t ever be able to repay you for all that you have given and taught me. I only now must cling on to the devotional service that you give me and try to continually improve in that service to you. This year, I pray for the ability to increase the quality and distribution of the Enough magazine in an attempt to reciprocate with all that I have been given.
Your spiritual daughter and servant,
Nitya-priya dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance I struggle with what to say to glorify the person who has saved my life.
Gurudeva you have saved me with your expert ability to meet us wherever we are at and powerful Krishna Consciousness presentations. As the years pass by, I never cease to be amazed by the way you so personally and genuinely interact with the fallen souls that have the good fortune for even a moment of your association. You have always been so kind, caring and honest with me and for that I am very grateful. You have given me the highest knowledge and at the same time taught me how sweet and simple the Krishna Conscious process can be when executed under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master.
By the mercy of Krsna one finds a bonafide spiritual master and by the mercy of the spiritual master, one finds Krsna.
<i>"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing 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."</i>
Sri Gurvastakam, Verse 1
You have even been so kind as to give me some devotional service and continue to patiently instruct me so that I may improve. I won’t ever be able to repay you for all that you have given and taught me. I only now must cling on to the devotional service that you give me and try to continually improve in that service to you. This year, I pray for the ability to increase the quality and distribution of the Enough magazine in an attempt to reciprocate with all that I have been given.
Your spiritual daughter and servant,
Nitya-priya dd
Pamela Heyden
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humbles obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you in your Appearance Day
Another year has passed and I am still here struggling in this material world. KRishna is so tricky that he made my son a better devotee than me. My lovely son makes me sing every day as he can play the mridangam.
While singing Krishna's songs the first thing that comes to my mind is your image, giving class, leading kirtan, chanting, walking... I was fortunate to see a glimpse of your transcendental life and enjoy the association of your disciples. That glimpse of true knowledge stuck in my heart till today, and some of your wonderful disciples are the best friends I ever had.
How that can happen? Due to your strenght, determination and realisation of the absolute truth.
I don't remember exactly, but I am sure Prabhupada said that an insignificant contact with a pure soul can change our lives forever. Even though I am not at all a devotee, not even your disciple, I will be always grateful and in debt with you because you changed my life and certainly the life of my whole family.
Your aspiring servant
Pamela Heyden
Please accept my humbles obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
All Glories to you in your Appearance Day
Another year has passed and I am still here struggling in this material world. KRishna is so tricky that he made my son a better devotee than me. My lovely son makes me sing every day as he can play the mridangam.
While singing Krishna's songs the first thing that comes to my mind is your image, giving class, leading kirtan, chanting, walking... I was fortunate to see a glimpse of your transcendental life and enjoy the association of your disciples. That glimpse of true knowledge stuck in my heart till today, and some of your wonderful disciples are the best friends I ever had.
How that can happen? Due to your strenght, determination and realisation of the absolute truth.
I don't remember exactly, but I am sure Prabhupada said that an insignificant contact with a pure soul can change our lives forever. Even though I am not at all a devotee, not even your disciple, I will be always grateful and in debt with you because you changed my life and certainly the life of my whole family.
Your aspiring servant
Pamela Heyden
Pandava bandhava das
Dear Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisancess. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today on this most auspicious day of your transcendental appearance I would like to thank you again and again for being my spiritual guide and father despite my numerous disqualifications. I realize more and more how fallen I am and how much mercy I need in order to advance in Krishna consciousness. My only hope is your mercy.
I have many shortcomings, but you have countless transcendental qualities. In this way we match. You have unflinching faith in Krishna, Lord Caitanya, and Srila Prabhupada. You are very merciful to the fallen, you are expert in dealings with Vaisnavas, you have strong taste for chanting the holly name. You relish Caitanya Caritamrita and Srimad Bhagavatam and you share your taste with us. When your followers see how blissful you are, hearing and chanting the sweet pastimes of the Lord, they develop desire to experience the same bliss. It is stated in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.30:
“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has pointed out that glorification of the Supreme Lord is especially potent when performed in the association of pure devotees. When devotees engage in sankrtana, chanting the glories of the Lord together, they experience the highest transcendental bliss and satisfaction. Thus they encourage one another to give up material sense gratification, which is based on illicit sexual connections with women. One devotee will say to another, "Oh, you have given up sense gratification. Starting today, I shall also give it up."”
Giving up sense material sense gratification and developing spiritual taste is possible only by the mercy of pure devotees like you. Therefore you are always busy in spreading Srila Prabhupada’s mission all over the world.
When I listen to your lectures I always feel how you are opening my eyes with the light of the transcendental knowledge. I think that I know many things about Krishna but when I hear your realizations I understand that I did not really know. I learn constantly from you and your message is always fresh and inspiring. Your perfect example is obliging me to try to improve my service although I am by nature very lazy.
One of the qualities of yours that I admire very much is your unique ability to present Krishna consciousness in a way that is very strong and uncompromising but attractive and easy to grasp at the same time. In this way you prove to be a true follower of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you dear Gurudeva for giving me chance to serve you despite my stubborn unwillingness to surrender.
I pray to always remain serving your lotus feet,
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava das
Today on this most auspicious day of your transcendental appearance I would like to thank you again and again for being my spiritual guide and father despite my numerous disqualifications. I realize more and more how fallen I am and how much mercy I need in order to advance in Krishna consciousness. My only hope is your mercy.
I have many shortcomings, but you have countless transcendental qualities. In this way we match. You have unflinching faith in Krishna, Lord Caitanya, and Srila Prabhupada. You are very merciful to the fallen, you are expert in dealings with Vaisnavas, you have strong taste for chanting the holly name. You relish Caitanya Caritamrita and Srimad Bhagavatam and you share your taste with us. When your followers see how blissful you are, hearing and chanting the sweet pastimes of the Lord, they develop desire to experience the same bliss. It is stated in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.30:
“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has pointed out that glorification of the Supreme Lord is especially potent when performed in the association of pure devotees. When devotees engage in sankrtana, chanting the glories of the Lord together, they experience the highest transcendental bliss and satisfaction. Thus they encourage one another to give up material sense gratification, which is based on illicit sexual connections with women. One devotee will say to another, "Oh, you have given up sense gratification. Starting today, I shall also give it up."”
Giving up sense material sense gratification and developing spiritual taste is possible only by the mercy of pure devotees like you. Therefore you are always busy in spreading Srila Prabhupada’s mission all over the world.
When I listen to your lectures I always feel how you are opening my eyes with the light of the transcendental knowledge. I think that I know many things about Krishna but when I hear your realizations I understand that I did not really know. I learn constantly from you and your message is always fresh and inspiring. Your perfect example is obliging me to try to improve my service although I am by nature very lazy.
One of the qualities of yours that I admire very much is your unique ability to present Krishna consciousness in a way that is very strong and uncompromising but attractive and easy to grasp at the same time. In this way you prove to be a true follower of Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you dear Gurudeva for giving me chance to serve you despite my stubborn unwillingness to surrender.
I pray to always remain serving your lotus feet,
Your servant,
Pandava bandhava das
Parama Mangala devi dasi
Hare Krishna! Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
Happy Appearance Day!!!
By Your Mercy I can keep in touch with the treasure of disciplic succession, which helps conditioned souls to elevate to the spiritual platform.
I'm very grateful for the nectar of your instructions. Wish you to stay healthy, keep sharing Your unlimited realizations.
Please give blessings to me.
Your servant,
Parama Mangala devi dasi (Ulan-Ude, Russia).
Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
Happy Appearance Day!!!
By Your Mercy I can keep in touch with the treasure of disciplic succession, which helps conditioned souls to elevate to the spiritual platform.
I'm very grateful for the nectar of your instructions. Wish you to stay healthy, keep sharing Your unlimited realizations.
Please give blessings to me.
Your servant,
Parama Mangala devi dasi (Ulan-Ude, Russia).
Patrick (Germany)
Dear Devamrita Maharaja,
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
all glories to you and your selfless service to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
By my entirely undeserved fortune my plan to travel the world was ended before it really started because, by Krsna's mercy, I was led to the wonderful community of your disciples in Wellington.
Spending time there I learned more than any university or travels could have ever taught me.
Even though I theoretically know this and although I have been told again and again about how fortunate I am to come to the Bhakti lounge community and being able to reside in the Parama Koruna Ashram while associating with your elevated disciples, I can still not in the slightest understand the mercy shown to me.
I never had any realization or even knowledge about spiritual matters but because you have established a haven of peace in the middle of Wellington, where everyone strives to make even the material world a wonderful place troubled souls like myself are attracted to come even without understanding a single word of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Your efforts to continue Srila Prabhupada's mission in a in a way that can attract anyone through your outreach program are beyond my means of glorification but I understand that they are a immeasurable blessing to this world. Although ever since I started to come to the Bhakti lounge I have been merely taking for my own advantage and although I never manage to even speak a single sensible word to you when I get the chance, I still hope that, somehow or other, I have rendered a tiny little bit of service to you and your pure cause.
Your servant,
Patrick
please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
all glories to you and your selfless service to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
By my entirely undeserved fortune my plan to travel the world was ended before it really started because, by Krsna's mercy, I was led to the wonderful community of your disciples in Wellington.
Spending time there I learned more than any university or travels could have ever taught me.
Even though I theoretically know this and although I have been told again and again about how fortunate I am to come to the Bhakti lounge community and being able to reside in the Parama Koruna Ashram while associating with your elevated disciples, I can still not in the slightest understand the mercy shown to me.
I never had any realization or even knowledge about spiritual matters but because you have established a haven of peace in the middle of Wellington, where everyone strives to make even the material world a wonderful place troubled souls like myself are attracted to come even without understanding a single word of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Your efforts to continue Srila Prabhupada's mission in a in a way that can attract anyone through your outreach program are beyond my means of glorification but I understand that they are a immeasurable blessing to this world. Although ever since I started to come to the Bhakti lounge I have been merely taking for my own advantage and although I never manage to even speak a single sensible word to you when I get the chance, I still hope that, somehow or other, I have rendered a tiny little bit of service to you and your pure cause.
Your servant,
Patrick
Paya Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances and my simple offering on this auspicious day of your appearance.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for coming into my life. Because of that great fortune, my entire existence has changed. With my karma and material desires I was heading toward the lowest lokas of this material universe meant to be tortured by the Yamadutas. But because of your inconceivable wisdom and compassion, now I have the chance to wake up and reach the highest destination, out of this soul-consuming blazing fire.
You are always so mercifully trying to answer all of my questions, patiently waiting for my awakening.
I value everything about you, especially the way how you preach to the poor living entities. During your lectures you don’t only use your words to spread the message, but, with so much invested energy, you act with your whole body and with your elaborately planned dramatic solos you always make us try to understand that we are not the enjoyers.
Many times you cut my illusion. I remember our very first meeting. After you gave a talk in Wellington, in Bhakti lounge, you, me and my partner were all sitting at the dinner table. You asked us if we were qualified to be in a relationship. I think we both thought, “What does he mean by that? You don’t need a qualification to be in a relationship “We didn’t have any specific answer for you. We were just foolishly staring, mentally laughing at you. But actually, later on, that question must have deeply moved within my heart, otherwise why would I have moved into the ashram a few days later and left my “beloved” alone? You made me realize that with our naive, so-called love we were not going to conquer the problems of our miserable material conditioning.
My favourite instruction you gave me is to party hard when there is an opportunity to dance in the rhythm of Maha- mantra. It is, especially, a pleasure to fulfill this order when you are leading kirtan. I even find myself envious of the men's side because they get more opportunity to take bath in that special spiritual atmosphere you emanate around yourself when you sing in ecstasy.
Please, I beg you to kindly keep destroying my ignorance. As Arjuna, I also have so many petty weaknesses in my heart. Especially, it is very hard for me to commit myself to someone. I am a typical Kali yuga girl who doesn’t want to listen to anyone, doesn’t want to be obedient and just wants to do what feels good. When will I finally join your group and help you with your mission? I am such a selfish person. You have so much work to do. There are so many people to be saved from the waves of nescience. There is no doubt at all that this Hare Krishna movement I am now actively engaged in is the best welfare activity I could do for human society. But I am still foolishly waiting…
Please forgive me for that…
Your aspiring servant
Paya Devi Dasi
Pranav Mittal
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupad
I hope I can celebrate your Vyasapuja day while I am in India with my family. I will be thinking about your Vyasapuja in Melbourne when you were personally present. I can not forget about the drama on your life, the balloons and your welcome song (Aye baro karuna koro vaishnava gosai.......)
Hoping to be your sincere, eternal and serious servant
Pranav Mittal
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupad
I hope I can celebrate your Vyasapuja day while I am in India with my family. I will be thinking about your Vyasapuja in Melbourne when you were personally present. I can not forget about the drama on your life, the balloons and your welcome song (Aye baro karuna koro vaishnava gosai.......)
Hoping to be your sincere, eternal and serious servant
Pranav Mittal
Prema SanKirtan Das
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this material world, let me offer my humble obeisances onto your lotus feet, with all my submissiveness from my heart by your grace.
In the following quotes by sastra, it's explained the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
Translation: “Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”
vāco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ
jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam
etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ
sarvām apīmāṁ pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt
Translation: A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ
brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
Translation: Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.
So my humble self gets unlimited mercy by accepting a bonafide spiritual master like you my Guru Maharaj.
My dear Guru Maharaj, to glorify properly his own spiritual master, his disciple must also be bonafide. I beg you on my knees that you can empower me to follow instructions explained in the sastras as follows:
Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead. (SB 1.5.24 purport)
It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple (CC Adi. 1.35)
However, the disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vāṇī (words). Physical presence is called vapuḥ. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master. (SB 4.28.47)
In order to follow these instructions from the sastras and your lotus mouth, and in this way properly and eternally glorify you, I beg for your unlimited and unconditional auspicious mercy. This is the only way I can be successful in the mission of human form of life, and eternally be situated like an atomic spark of dust at your lotus feet.
Your very fallen aspiring disciple,
Prema Sankirtan Das
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this material world, let me offer my humble obeisances onto your lotus feet, with all my submissiveness from my heart by your grace.
In the following quotes by sastra, it's explained the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master:
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
Translation: “Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”
vāco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ
jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam
etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ
sarvām apīmāṁ pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt
Translation: A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.
tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ
brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam
Translation: Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.
So my humble self gets unlimited mercy by accepting a bonafide spiritual master like you my Guru Maharaj.
My dear Guru Maharaj, to glorify properly his own spiritual master, his disciple must also be bonafide. I beg you on my knees that you can empower me to follow instructions explained in the sastras as follows:
Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead. (SB 1.5.24 purport)
It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple (CC Adi. 1.35)
However, the disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of vāṇī (words). Physical presence is called vapuḥ. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master. (SB 4.28.47)
In order to follow these instructions from the sastras and your lotus mouth, and in this way properly and eternally glorify you, I beg for your unlimited and unconditional auspicious mercy. This is the only way I can be successful in the mission of human form of life, and eternally be situated like an atomic spark of dust at your lotus feet.
Your very fallen aspiring disciple,
Prema Sankirtan Das
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev!
Please Accept my Humble Obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Many happy returns of the day Gurudev! I wish that I get to serve you in a much bigger way in the years to come. I beg you to keep me in your association like you always do. Whenever I am a little slack you are always there to lift me up through your amazing kirtans and talks. My mum also sends her wholehearted wishes and is very grateful that you gave us the opportunity to be part of Lord Chaitanya's movement. We hope to serve you better.
I never really thought that you would ask for me when I had been away for a while and it just meant the world to know that my Gurudev actually cares and is concerned about me. I know that this year I have been a little too caught up to actually do anything much but please be assured that I am still trying to be all that would please you. You mention every so often to be a good example. I do not have many grand qualities in me but if it is your desire than it is also your blessings that is going to make it possible.
Otherwise, at this point in my life, I am finding it very difficult to accept the reality of this world. The things that go through my mind are just beyond reason. I have began to question the integrity of people and have realized that everyone will leave one day. No matter how nice and affectionate. It is either death or just the passing of time that takes away those bonds. In the end, I chose to enjoy this material world and I have travelled alone life after life. Why is it that desires never end and to complicate things even further...why does the mind even exist?! I probably would find the answers if I paid more attention to the great examples that my own god brothers and sisters have set. Which of course, is already a very steep hill to climb. The ones that stayed and are going strong remain my inspiration and as for the ones that are now no longer with us, they have left a mark somewhere in my subconscious mind. At times it gets me worried and deeply sad. However, I have learnt that through all phases of my life it is very important to be who I am on the inside and out. It might not be the ideal standard but its where I am at and help is always available to those that ask for it.
Gurudev, with your mercy and guidance I hope and wish to become capable of serving the existing and future vaishnavas without committing any offenses. You are my greatest inspiration for this and one day I wish to be constantly engaged in service just like you.
Thank you so much for being my Gurudev!
All Glories to your Appearance Day! All Glories to your selfless service!
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Please Accept my Humble Obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Many happy returns of the day Gurudev! I wish that I get to serve you in a much bigger way in the years to come. I beg you to keep me in your association like you always do. Whenever I am a little slack you are always there to lift me up through your amazing kirtans and talks. My mum also sends her wholehearted wishes and is very grateful that you gave us the opportunity to be part of Lord Chaitanya's movement. We hope to serve you better.
I never really thought that you would ask for me when I had been away for a while and it just meant the world to know that my Gurudev actually cares and is concerned about me. I know that this year I have been a little too caught up to actually do anything much but please be assured that I am still trying to be all that would please you. You mention every so often to be a good example. I do not have many grand qualities in me but if it is your desire than it is also your blessings that is going to make it possible.
Otherwise, at this point in my life, I am finding it very difficult to accept the reality of this world. The things that go through my mind are just beyond reason. I have began to question the integrity of people and have realized that everyone will leave one day. No matter how nice and affectionate. It is either death or just the passing of time that takes away those bonds. In the end, I chose to enjoy this material world and I have travelled alone life after life. Why is it that desires never end and to complicate things even further...why does the mind even exist?! I probably would find the answers if I paid more attention to the great examples that my own god brothers and sisters have set. Which of course, is already a very steep hill to climb. The ones that stayed and are going strong remain my inspiration and as for the ones that are now no longer with us, they have left a mark somewhere in my subconscious mind. At times it gets me worried and deeply sad. However, I have learnt that through all phases of my life it is very important to be who I am on the inside and out. It might not be the ideal standard but its where I am at and help is always available to those that ask for it.
Gurudev, with your mercy and guidance I hope and wish to become capable of serving the existing and future vaishnavas without committing any offenses. You are my greatest inspiration for this and one day I wish to be constantly engaged in service just like you.
Thank you so much for being my Gurudev!
All Glories to your Appearance Day! All Glories to your selfless service!
Your servant and spiritual daughter,
Prema-lata Devi Dasi
Premdham Das.
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupda.
On this very special day I pray to all Supreme and All-Powerful and All-Knowing and All-Merciful Lord Krishna to keep showing His mercy on you. You're a true messenger of Lord and came only to deliver the conditioned countless and most fallen conditioned souls.
Padam-Padam vipadam. But because of your mercy we are protected from calamity and still doing bhakti. Everyday brings us newer challenges but I get renewed energy to face it. It cannot be possible without your causeless mercy. What example will be befitting to show your causeless mercy as fallen soul like me still managing to chant the Lord's name and listen to lords glories?
Your lectures always bring me renewed energy; increases my faith on holy name. Hope that and make small progress of everyday will take me towards the goal of going back to Godhead.
I pray to please be kind to these useless souls and engage us in your and Krishna's service.
Ananya and Vraj Dham are doing well. Ananya always inquires about your well being.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupda.
On this very special day I pray to all Supreme and All-Powerful and All-Knowing and All-Merciful Lord Krishna to keep showing His mercy on you. You're a true messenger of Lord and came only to deliver the conditioned countless and most fallen conditioned souls.
Padam-Padam vipadam. But because of your mercy we are protected from calamity and still doing bhakti. Everyday brings us newer challenges but I get renewed energy to face it. It cannot be possible without your causeless mercy. What example will be befitting to show your causeless mercy as fallen soul like me still managing to chant the Lord's name and listen to lords glories?
Your lectures always bring me renewed energy; increases my faith on holy name. Hope that and make small progress of everyday will take me towards the goal of going back to Godhead.
I pray to please be kind to these useless souls and engage us in your and Krishna's service.
Ananya and Vraj Dham are doing well. Ananya always inquires about your well being.
Your aspiring servant,
Premdham Das
Priyanka Mittal
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
On your recent visit to Melbourne, I came to take your darshan. I did not say anything but you knew what was in my heart. You revealed your mind and considered me a suitable candidate for initiation. At the time I felt grateful to you and elated at the idea of taking initiation in the near future. However, it was only later, after some consideration, I realized that despite my obvious shortcomings you were willing to accept me as your disciple. I am not worthy of this guru disciple relationship that you have so mercifully granted to me.
Dear Gurudev, I know all I really need to do is follow your instructions and my life will be perfect. However, I feel so helpless in controlling my mind and my senses. You instructed me once to cry out to Krishna. I beg you to help me cry out to Krishna. For without your mercy I have no hope.
Your servant
Priyanka Mittal
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet
All glories to Srila Prabhupad.
On your recent visit to Melbourne, I came to take your darshan. I did not say anything but you knew what was in my heart. You revealed your mind and considered me a suitable candidate for initiation. At the time I felt grateful to you and elated at the idea of taking initiation in the near future. However, it was only later, after some consideration, I realized that despite my obvious shortcomings you were willing to accept me as your disciple. I am not worthy of this guru disciple relationship that you have so mercifully granted to me.
Dear Gurudev, I know all I really need to do is follow your instructions and my life will be perfect. However, I feel so helpless in controlling my mind and my senses. You instructed me once to cry out to Krishna. I beg you to help me cry out to Krishna. For without your mercy I have no hope.
Your servant
Priyanka Mittal
Radha Prasada devi dasi
Dearest Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day your Vyasa Puja.
Contemplating the importance of this most special day, I’ve been reflecting on these past years and how in every way you have touched and changed so many peoples lives.
Just the other day I got a message from a swiss devotee who met with you recently. He was so enlivened by your lecture. He explained that your calming words were like pure nectar for the heart. No matter where you are you have this amazing ability to ignite everyones inquisitiveness and attraction for Krsna. You explain the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness in such a way that we can assimilate it, become inspired by it and ultimately to dive into the nectar of devotional service with full head, heart and soul.
I’m always in awe of the way you interact with people. You are so expert and conscious in your dealings with others. With your intentions and mood always being geared towards serving your beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. How I long for the day when I will become unmotivated of selfish desires and motived with the fixed desire to do solely whatever you see fit and to be used as an instrument to help in your mission to fulfill your Guru’s mission and vision.
You often say how you wear two hats, one as our spiritual father and one as our spiritual master. All those years ago when I first meet you as a feisty, hard hearted 19 year. It is you who brought me back from the brink of extinction.
When you first mentioned about sending us to Gita Nagari you said how on one hand you can see service wise why we should go there, but on the other hand as my spiritual father it was a difficult decision to send us to the other side of the world. Even just recently when my biological father was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer you called especially to make sure I was alright. You have so many disciples and managerial affairs to deal with, yet you always make sure that whatever is going on in each of your disciples lives that we are alright and still striving on with our Krsna Consciousness, despite what ever situations may bring.
I miss the days when we lived at New Gupta Vraja when you used to come and stay. These moments are the highlights of my existence. You have taught me so much and you tolerated so much. It is inconceivable to comprehend the service and responsibility you have taken on. Whoever approaches you, you lovingly and painstakingly work with them to help them grow and develop in Bhakti.
Thank you for your heartfelt guidance, inspirational lectures, soul moving kirtans and shining example that we all look up to. I humbly pray please give me the strength, will, ability and heart felt desire to always listen to your instructions and most importantly to act on these instructions motivated with love and gratitude.
I am eternallly indebted to you and beg to always remain at the shelter of your lotus feet.
Aspiring to become the servant of the servant of the servant,
Radha Prasada dd
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day your Vyasa Puja.
Contemplating the importance of this most special day, I’ve been reflecting on these past years and how in every way you have touched and changed so many peoples lives.
Just the other day I got a message from a swiss devotee who met with you recently. He was so enlivened by your lecture. He explained that your calming words were like pure nectar for the heart. No matter where you are you have this amazing ability to ignite everyones inquisitiveness and attraction for Krsna. You explain the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness in such a way that we can assimilate it, become inspired by it and ultimately to dive into the nectar of devotional service with full head, heart and soul.
I’m always in awe of the way you interact with people. You are so expert and conscious in your dealings with others. With your intentions and mood always being geared towards serving your beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. How I long for the day when I will become unmotivated of selfish desires and motived with the fixed desire to do solely whatever you see fit and to be used as an instrument to help in your mission to fulfill your Guru’s mission and vision.
You often say how you wear two hats, one as our spiritual father and one as our spiritual master. All those years ago when I first meet you as a feisty, hard hearted 19 year. It is you who brought me back from the brink of extinction.
When you first mentioned about sending us to Gita Nagari you said how on one hand you can see service wise why we should go there, but on the other hand as my spiritual father it was a difficult decision to send us to the other side of the world. Even just recently when my biological father was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer you called especially to make sure I was alright. You have so many disciples and managerial affairs to deal with, yet you always make sure that whatever is going on in each of your disciples lives that we are alright and still striving on with our Krsna Consciousness, despite what ever situations may bring.
I miss the days when we lived at New Gupta Vraja when you used to come and stay. These moments are the highlights of my existence. You have taught me so much and you tolerated so much. It is inconceivable to comprehend the service and responsibility you have taken on. Whoever approaches you, you lovingly and painstakingly work with them to help them grow and develop in Bhakti.
Thank you for your heartfelt guidance, inspirational lectures, soul moving kirtans and shining example that we all look up to. I humbly pray please give me the strength, will, ability and heart felt desire to always listen to your instructions and most importantly to act on these instructions motivated with love and gratitude.
I am eternallly indebted to you and beg to always remain at the shelter of your lotus feet.
Aspiring to become the servant of the servant of the servant,
Radha Prasada dd
Radha-mohan das
Dearest Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyasa-Puja!
Gurumaharaj, I have the greatest fortune of having your personal darshan at least once a year in Toronto, thanks to the tireless and sincere efforts by Mangal-aarti Mataji and her fired up team at Bhakti Lounge, a program very dear to your heart. By your causeless mercy, you allow me to render some insignificant service at your lotus feet for my own purification. Those few days become my most cherished treasure in life. Thank you Gurumaharaj for your ‘intensive global travels’ (as you wrote beautifully in your 2014 Vyasa-Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada), showering your causeless mercy in the form of your vapuh to thousands of aspiring souls like myself.
With each passing year, I am also increasingly appreciating the pivotal role your vani plays in my life. Reflecting upon this past year, two of your instructions have become a solid foundation of my Krishna Consciousness, guiding me at every point.
First instruction - “to always remain associated with book distribution despite expanding my other services” - helps me to stay focused in my services, while maintaining a grateful heart for having been associated with the most glorious Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! The bliss received from associating with sankirtan and sankirtan devotees is sufficient to dissipate the anxieties that arise from all other services put together.
Second instruction to me, as a new parent - “the most effective way to make your child Krishna Conscious (out of the numerous ideas and notions out there) is to first become fully Krishna Conscious parents yourselves” - is helping both Shyama-mohini and I become more Krishna Conscious and make the right choices in our new service of parenting. We are starting to appreciate this profound statement as we watch little Govinda, now a toddler, pick up habits from his parents and everyone around him.
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja, I beg at your lotus feet that I may immerse myself in sincere reading and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books all my life.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Radha-mohan das
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to you on your most auspicious Vyasa-Puja!
Gurumaharaj, I have the greatest fortune of having your personal darshan at least once a year in Toronto, thanks to the tireless and sincere efforts by Mangal-aarti Mataji and her fired up team at Bhakti Lounge, a program very dear to your heart. By your causeless mercy, you allow me to render some insignificant service at your lotus feet for my own purification. Those few days become my most cherished treasure in life. Thank you Gurumaharaj for your ‘intensive global travels’ (as you wrote beautifully in your 2014 Vyasa-Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada), showering your causeless mercy in the form of your vapuh to thousands of aspiring souls like myself.
With each passing year, I am also increasingly appreciating the pivotal role your vani plays in my life. Reflecting upon this past year, two of your instructions have become a solid foundation of my Krishna Consciousness, guiding me at every point.
First instruction - “to always remain associated with book distribution despite expanding my other services” - helps me to stay focused in my services, while maintaining a grateful heart for having been associated with the most glorious Sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! The bliss received from associating with sankirtan and sankirtan devotees is sufficient to dissipate the anxieties that arise from all other services put together.
Second instruction to me, as a new parent - “the most effective way to make your child Krishna Conscious (out of the numerous ideas and notions out there) is to first become fully Krishna Conscious parents yourselves” - is helping both Shyama-mohini and I become more Krishna Conscious and make the right choices in our new service of parenting. We are starting to appreciate this profound statement as we watch little Govinda, now a toddler, pick up habits from his parents and everyone around him.
On this auspicious day of your Vyasa-Puja, I beg at your lotus feet that I may immerse myself in sincere reading and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books all my life.
Your eternally indebted servant,
Radha-mohan das
Radhika Prasad Das
Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev, please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Prabhupad.
Anything I say today in respect to my offering, at the best of my capacity (due to my ignorance), can only be an understatement of your limitless mercy and love that you have granted to us. Due to my stone hearted devotion I have not been able to offer myself fully, however I am confident that your blessing will help me progress in this journey. As Sri Prahlada Maharaj says in Srimad Bhagavatam -7.7.31
guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā
sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca
sańgena sādhu-bhaktānām
īśvarārādhanena ca
One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one's possession should be offered to the spiritual master, and in the association of saintly persons and devotees one should worship the Lord
The touch of your instructions is the concrete evidence of the Supreme Lord’s mercy on us. The way you constantly scheme to take us back to Godhead is only your causeless fatherly love. If there is any grim chance (for me) of staying at your lotus feet is only by glorifying your pastimes and rigidly follow your instructions.
Please bless me today so I can use all my body, mind and words in your service. There is no meaning for this life otherwise.
Your humble servant
Radhika Prasad Das & Kamala Prasad Devi Dasi
Anything I say today in respect to my offering, at the best of my capacity (due to my ignorance), can only be an understatement of your limitless mercy and love that you have granted to us. Due to my stone hearted devotion I have not been able to offer myself fully, however I am confident that your blessing will help me progress in this journey. As Sri Prahlada Maharaj says in Srimad Bhagavatam -7.7.31
guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā
sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca
sańgena sādhu-bhaktānām
īśvarārādhanena ca
One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one's possession should be offered to the spiritual master, and in the association of saintly persons and devotees one should worship the Lord
The touch of your instructions is the concrete evidence of the Supreme Lord’s mercy on us. The way you constantly scheme to take us back to Godhead is only your causeless fatherly love. If there is any grim chance (for me) of staying at your lotus feet is only by glorifying your pastimes and rigidly follow your instructions.
Please bless me today so I can use all my body, mind and words in your service. There is no meaning for this life otherwise.
Your humble servant
Radhika Prasad Das & Kamala Prasad Devi Dasi
Radhika Seva dasi
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am eternally grateful to you for being my savior and rendering me the bliss of your divine shelter. Thank you again and again for all your guidance, mercy, compassion and fatherly love. Thank you for listening to me, understanding me, trusting me and being so patient with me. Thank you so much for showing me what real care is. Your kind words of encouragement and support are a constant source of encouragement and motivation for me to keep going ahead in spiritual life. I will never be able to pay you back for all that you have done and are doing for me, but I sincerely pray and hope to get an opportunity of serving you and being of some use in your mission.
On the occasion of your Vyas puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath for your long life and sound health.
Your insignificant servant,
Radhika Seva dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am eternally grateful to you for being my savior and rendering me the bliss of your divine shelter. Thank you again and again for all your guidance, mercy, compassion and fatherly love. Thank you for listening to me, understanding me, trusting me and being so patient with me. Thank you so much for showing me what real care is. Your kind words of encouragement and support are a constant source of encouragement and motivation for me to keep going ahead in spiritual life. I will never be able to pay you back for all that you have done and are doing for me, but I sincerely pray and hope to get an opportunity of serving you and being of some use in your mission.
On the occasion of your Vyas puja, I pray to Sri Sri Radha Vallabha and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath for your long life and sound health.
Your insignificant servant,
Radhika Seva dasi
Radhikesa dasa
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to you on this most auspicious day
I often wonder if the spiritual master is able to appear in the pages of the Srimad Bhagavatam. I figured, well if Krishna can appear within its pages then surely his representative isn't far behind. Although I haven't seen Krishna yet, I know the spiritual master sees Him in his every act. The spiritual master also sees those bereft of His vision, and therefore makes it his life's mission to present the Supreme Person to the vision of the condition soul.
I see your mission, borne of your compassion, taking effect in epic proportions. I hear testimonies from those you've touched, who've in turn given their hearts. I've heard from those whose "minds have been blown". I see you showering in Lord Gauranga's name and pastimes. I see you as I sit at the airport whilst composing this offering remembering your airport analogies and now I'm seeing you in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
He is actually happy because he has no anxieties of material existence, but as a compassionate sympathizer he feels unhappiness for the suffering materialistic men, and thus he occasionally comes before the materialistic men to teach them the necessity of going back to Godhead. All the bona fide ācāryas preach this truth of returning home, back to Godhead, and warn men not to make a false plan for happiness in a place where happiness is only a myth.
I know Krishna's always present, but I'm thanking you for always being visible. If I know I can always see you, I feel confident that I can always follow you and I look forward to following you in your other forms with my boarding pass firmly in hand.
Your servant,
Radhikesa dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to you on this most auspicious day
I often wonder if the spiritual master is able to appear in the pages of the Srimad Bhagavatam. I figured, well if Krishna can appear within its pages then surely his representative isn't far behind. Although I haven't seen Krishna yet, I know the spiritual master sees Him in his every act. The spiritual master also sees those bereft of His vision, and therefore makes it his life's mission to present the Supreme Person to the vision of the condition soul.
I see your mission, borne of your compassion, taking effect in epic proportions. I hear testimonies from those you've touched, who've in turn given their hearts. I've heard from those whose "minds have been blown". I see you showering in Lord Gauranga's name and pastimes. I see you as I sit at the airport whilst composing this offering remembering your airport analogies and now I'm seeing you in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
He is actually happy because he has no anxieties of material existence, but as a compassionate sympathizer he feels unhappiness for the suffering materialistic men, and thus he occasionally comes before the materialistic men to teach them the necessity of going back to Godhead. All the bona fide ācāryas preach this truth of returning home, back to Godhead, and warn men not to make a false plan for happiness in a place where happiness is only a myth.
I know Krishna's always present, but I'm thanking you for always being visible. If I know I can always see you, I feel confident that I can always follow you and I look forward to following you in your other forms with my boarding pass firmly in hand.
Your servant,
Radhikesa dasa
Rajavidya das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada &
All glories to you
In the most humble way I would like to first thank you with utmost gratitude for glancing your mercy upon me and my family. This sensation of gratitude seems ever increasing and boundless which eventually brings me down to tears. I see the world around me in suffering and ponder what punya have I done in any of my past lives to even come across this movement of Srila Prabhupada and deserve to take shelter under you his Commander-in-Chief battling against Maya every nanosecond and spreading Lord Krishna’s holy names all around this world.
Gurudeva, I’m in awe of your discipline and you inspire me by influencing my perspectives on being Krishna conscious in this difficult age of Kali. My life being a pendulum between spiritual and material activities every day tends to slack but every time that happens your words of wisdom rings in my head and spurs me back on my toes. I can’t seem to fathom how you manage to be like oil on water performing your duties for Srila Prabhupada tirelessly in this polluted material existence. But then I realize that your inhuman abilities are the proof of empowerment by the Lord and that helps me stay convinced and build more trust in the absolute truth.
It will take me many life times to even bear a little bit of your material pain in Krishna’s service but I’m prepared to do so in order to please you and show gratitude. I pray to Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish every day to keep you healthy so that you can visit your servants every year and shower your mercy.
Your eternal servant
Rajavidya das
Please accept my most humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada &
All glories to you
In the most humble way I would like to first thank you with utmost gratitude for glancing your mercy upon me and my family. This sensation of gratitude seems ever increasing and boundless which eventually brings me down to tears. I see the world around me in suffering and ponder what punya have I done in any of my past lives to even come across this movement of Srila Prabhupada and deserve to take shelter under you his Commander-in-Chief battling against Maya every nanosecond and spreading Lord Krishna’s holy names all around this world.
Gurudeva, I’m in awe of your discipline and you inspire me by influencing my perspectives on being Krishna conscious in this difficult age of Kali. My life being a pendulum between spiritual and material activities every day tends to slack but every time that happens your words of wisdom rings in my head and spurs me back on my toes. I can’t seem to fathom how you manage to be like oil on water performing your duties for Srila Prabhupada tirelessly in this polluted material existence. But then I realize that your inhuman abilities are the proof of empowerment by the Lord and that helps me stay convinced and build more trust in the absolute truth.
It will take me many life times to even bear a little bit of your material pain in Krishna’s service but I’m prepared to do so in order to please you and show gratitude. I pray to Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish every day to keep you healthy so that you can visit your servants every year and shower your mercy.
Your eternal servant
Rajavidya das
Ramadas das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Making profit, even when the economy crashes.
Long gone are the days of bhaktas reading the Bhagavad gita in less than a week, going to the temple at the next opportune moment to shave the head with a mirror finish and join the travelling sankirtana party for some introductory 8 hour days on books.
With looming military drafts to jungles filled with flying bullets, hang grenades, claymores and missiles… sitting on marble floors at the Hare Krishnas waiting for the Sunday love feast is tempting to say the least. Maybe It’ll be seen as weird?. Not in the midst of a powerful counter cultural movement on LSD seeing lizard kings and feeling like messiahs.
What could be more counter cultural than leaving material existence?
Of course in amongst this chaos Srila Prabhupada did what none of his contemporaries could achieve. He single handily implanted Krsna consciousness all over the world with the help of his sincere disciples.
Although people are more disinterested than ever before, your outreach inventions are capturing. You have the ability to find the means by which Krsna consciousness may be spread.
Precisely predicting their psychology you prepare for their movements. Climate study for Lord Caitanyas network is one of your many know-how’s.
And then there is your sensitive boldness in tweaking issues like cow protected milk. Your evaluations are so irrefutable, rebuttals appear foolish. Inevitably there is opposition. I heard that one of your God brothers said, “You do it first, you are well known for doing the radical”. But once you establish something then it starts gradually shaking through out the Iskcon body. Then it becomes the norm.
Just like your preaching strategies are now seen as the way to get the job done.
Another real appreciation I have is for the Contemporary Vedic men’s ashram. Lord Krsna had already set up the ashram system for the last millions of years or so, but seeing that Kali yuga required a 5th, this totally essential ashram was delivered through your divine intelligence. The ashram members there now are already giving soul feast classes that are amazing and are developing such nice habits and qualities that are still eluding me today. And the ones that have graduated are running the Brahmacari ashram with books flying out of their hands like oil.
I remember you were listening to a kirtan once. And you said to me, “I was there for that one…50 brahmacaris” . That was in America back in the day with His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada beating the Brhad Mrdanga. Now in tiny New Zealand with only 4 million, compared to the land of the free and the braves 311 million, you have nearly 20 Brahmacaris. Not only that but it is a real brahmacari ashram, These days one has to fight ones way into the ashram. Now as a Grhasta I’m feeling so proud to have such a nice brahmacari ashram in NZ and feel privileged to give some charity to them.
You have a super solutions substance, for building or fixing things for Krsnas service.
Take for example how you solved the…as you put it “the unmentionable word beginning with a D” problem. Now in your area of influence it seems there is no such thing. Personally taking care to put questions in the courting questionnaire like “ what will you do when the romance wears off”.
As for your devotee care, I have seen some first hand. I cant describe it. If anyone has unlimited patience, can carry that massive burden of responsibility around in their head, be detached, has the skill to deal with with such a vast array of completely different full blown individuals, and knows the solutions to all problems.. then they could dare follow in your footsteps.
You arrive here and see 20 or 30 devotees in 2 days dancing between your computer and darshans. You deal with such difficult situations that you must want to rest for the rest of the day, but instead like Grandfather Bhisma on his chariot you dance around releasing transcendental solutions in all directions.
In amongst all this your arrangement for Book distribution is always going strong. You always keep an eye on this and pick it up as soon as it fades even a little.
Despite all these herculean tasks you can still easily get us all dancing like mad men in kirtan to our upmost limit.
And to maintain you show the perfect example of taking care of health both material and spiritual.
Thankyou for all your kindness and perfect example.
Ys Ramdas das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Making profit, even when the economy crashes.
Long gone are the days of bhaktas reading the Bhagavad gita in less than a week, going to the temple at the next opportune moment to shave the head with a mirror finish and join the travelling sankirtana party for some introductory 8 hour days on books.
With looming military drafts to jungles filled with flying bullets, hang grenades, claymores and missiles… sitting on marble floors at the Hare Krishnas waiting for the Sunday love feast is tempting to say the least. Maybe It’ll be seen as weird?. Not in the midst of a powerful counter cultural movement on LSD seeing lizard kings and feeling like messiahs.
What could be more counter cultural than leaving material existence?
Of course in amongst this chaos Srila Prabhupada did what none of his contemporaries could achieve. He single handily implanted Krsna consciousness all over the world with the help of his sincere disciples.
Although people are more disinterested than ever before, your outreach inventions are capturing. You have the ability to find the means by which Krsna consciousness may be spread.
Precisely predicting their psychology you prepare for their movements. Climate study for Lord Caitanyas network is one of your many know-how’s.
And then there is your sensitive boldness in tweaking issues like cow protected milk. Your evaluations are so irrefutable, rebuttals appear foolish. Inevitably there is opposition. I heard that one of your God brothers said, “You do it first, you are well known for doing the radical”. But once you establish something then it starts gradually shaking through out the Iskcon body. Then it becomes the norm.
Just like your preaching strategies are now seen as the way to get the job done.
Another real appreciation I have is for the Contemporary Vedic men’s ashram. Lord Krsna had already set up the ashram system for the last millions of years or so, but seeing that Kali yuga required a 5th, this totally essential ashram was delivered through your divine intelligence. The ashram members there now are already giving soul feast classes that are amazing and are developing such nice habits and qualities that are still eluding me today. And the ones that have graduated are running the Brahmacari ashram with books flying out of their hands like oil.
I remember you were listening to a kirtan once. And you said to me, “I was there for that one…50 brahmacaris” . That was in America back in the day with His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada beating the Brhad Mrdanga. Now in tiny New Zealand with only 4 million, compared to the land of the free and the braves 311 million, you have nearly 20 Brahmacaris. Not only that but it is a real brahmacari ashram, These days one has to fight ones way into the ashram. Now as a Grhasta I’m feeling so proud to have such a nice brahmacari ashram in NZ and feel privileged to give some charity to them.
You have a super solutions substance, for building or fixing things for Krsnas service.
Take for example how you solved the…as you put it “the unmentionable word beginning with a D” problem. Now in your area of influence it seems there is no such thing. Personally taking care to put questions in the courting questionnaire like “ what will you do when the romance wears off”.
As for your devotee care, I have seen some first hand. I cant describe it. If anyone has unlimited patience, can carry that massive burden of responsibility around in their head, be detached, has the skill to deal with with such a vast array of completely different full blown individuals, and knows the solutions to all problems.. then they could dare follow in your footsteps.
You arrive here and see 20 or 30 devotees in 2 days dancing between your computer and darshans. You deal with such difficult situations that you must want to rest for the rest of the day, but instead like Grandfather Bhisma on his chariot you dance around releasing transcendental solutions in all directions.
In amongst all this your arrangement for Book distribution is always going strong. You always keep an eye on this and pick it up as soon as it fades even a little.
Despite all these herculean tasks you can still easily get us all dancing like mad men in kirtan to our upmost limit.
And to maintain you show the perfect example of taking care of health both material and spiritual.
Thankyou for all your kindness and perfect example.
Ys Ramdas das
Rasayatra dasi
Dear Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your selfless service!
Undertaking the annual quest to appropriately glorify the eternal Spiritual Master is no small task. Taking the time to reflect on this task allowed me the opportunity to think about the past 20 years of this short life.
I'm seeing a Chinese doctor at the moment. He takes my pulse and can read from that what's going on with my organs, my mind, my bloodflow. Undertaking a similar diagnosis on my spiritual aspiration, taste, determination I can see that there is some work to be done.
Having met you at 21 years of age, over the years, through different phases of life and different service opportunities I have somehow become overly focussed on my material career.
All the vitality I once directed to outreach-assisting you to bring lost souls to the merciful feet of Lord Caitanya- I now expend imploring a merciless material government to make better provision for their children aging out of State care.
Its said that maya creates a package specific for each individual. Too true. Slowly she has been creeping into my life, hushing me to sleep, stealing my taste for the holy name, for service. The world suddenly appears very complicated.
Then the soothing balm of your classes, the luscious tangible wealth of your recharge festivals, the uplifting camaraderie of your sincere followers rejuvenates the spiritual pulse.
I remember years ago, before I ever met the devotees, I came across this text; " This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance, in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana" (S.B 1.3.43).
Isn't this just so true?! Darkness is always so close by. But by your mercy, your dedicated efforts to ensure the culture of spiritual light is treasured, protected and by your example we can moment by moment 'choose the light'.
Through differing phases of life; child rearing, economic development- one can get worn down. Spiritual life can seem like a 'luxury' only for the unattached.
However "Always remember Krsna and never forget Him" is the basis of our philosophy and factually can be practised in any circumstance. Therefore by your mercy, coupled with my acting according to your guidance, I have faith that I will make it through this life phase with my spiritual health intact.
When I choose "the light", indeed the world becomes a simpler place. Thankyou for being a consistent guide through my 20's, 30's and now 40's!
Thankyou for introducing me to this wealth and for your tolerance, patience, direction and infinite wisdom. In 1992 out of desperation I spent a New years eve sitting under a tree in Cornwall Park begging the "Universe" for a guide to help me make sense of this world. We met you exactly one year later. And our lives have never been the same since.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this world please don't ever let me forget that spiritual health is the real lifeblood and that I am personally responsible for choosing Krsna- not maya. Your mercy is that you have provided me the tools, knowledge and opportunity to make the right choice every day. Now I need to properly honour your sacrifice by making the most of everything you have given me.
Your indebted servant,
Rasayatra dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your selfless service!
Undertaking the annual quest to appropriately glorify the eternal Spiritual Master is no small task. Taking the time to reflect on this task allowed me the opportunity to think about the past 20 years of this short life.
I'm seeing a Chinese doctor at the moment. He takes my pulse and can read from that what's going on with my organs, my mind, my bloodflow. Undertaking a similar diagnosis on my spiritual aspiration, taste, determination I can see that there is some work to be done.
Having met you at 21 years of age, over the years, through different phases of life and different service opportunities I have somehow become overly focussed on my material career.
All the vitality I once directed to outreach-assisting you to bring lost souls to the merciful feet of Lord Caitanya- I now expend imploring a merciless material government to make better provision for their children aging out of State care.
Its said that maya creates a package specific for each individual. Too true. Slowly she has been creeping into my life, hushing me to sleep, stealing my taste for the holy name, for service. The world suddenly appears very complicated.
Then the soothing balm of your classes, the luscious tangible wealth of your recharge festivals, the uplifting camaraderie of your sincere followers rejuvenates the spiritual pulse.
I remember years ago, before I ever met the devotees, I came across this text; " This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance, in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana" (S.B 1.3.43).
Isn't this just so true?! Darkness is always so close by. But by your mercy, your dedicated efforts to ensure the culture of spiritual light is treasured, protected and by your example we can moment by moment 'choose the light'.
Through differing phases of life; child rearing, economic development- one can get worn down. Spiritual life can seem like a 'luxury' only for the unattached.
However "Always remember Krsna and never forget Him" is the basis of our philosophy and factually can be practised in any circumstance. Therefore by your mercy, coupled with my acting according to your guidance, I have faith that I will make it through this life phase with my spiritual health intact.
When I choose "the light", indeed the world becomes a simpler place. Thankyou for being a consistent guide through my 20's, 30's and now 40's!
Thankyou for introducing me to this wealth and for your tolerance, patience, direction and infinite wisdom. In 1992 out of desperation I spent a New years eve sitting under a tree in Cornwall Park begging the "Universe" for a guide to help me make sense of this world. We met you exactly one year later. And our lives have never been the same since.
On this most auspicious day of your appearance in this world please don't ever let me forget that spiritual health is the real lifeblood and that I am personally responsible for choosing Krsna- not maya. Your mercy is that you have provided me the tools, knowledge and opportunity to make the right choice every day. Now I need to properly honour your sacrifice by making the most of everything you have given me.
Your indebted servant,
Rasayatra dasi
Ravi Bose
Dear Guru Maharaj,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisances and warm congratulations from the core of my heart on the auspicious occasions of your Vyaspuja day.
Gurudev, only because of your mercy this most fallen soul is also learning the science of Krishna consciousness. It is a great pleasure for me to as your disciple to glorify you on your Vyaspuja day. You are truly a bonafide spiritual master.
Gurudev, you know the essence of all the yogas. In your presence I experience happiness and peacefulness. Just by your powerful words the doubts in my mind are automatically removed, even without inquiring. Gurudev, you always lead by example and whatever you do there is a mood of service which I can see always. It is clear from your activities of ceaselessly travelling and preaching all over the world that you set the topmost example of pure devotional service.
Please bless me with your causeless mercy so that I can follow your transcendental words.
Please give me strength to follow and help you to complete Srila Prabhupada mission successfully.
The true fact is that I can remember Krishna only due to your blessings and your amazing disciples in Melbourne.
Trying to be your unconditional servant
Ravi Bose
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisances and warm congratulations from the core of my heart on the auspicious occasions of your Vyaspuja day.
Gurudev, only because of your mercy this most fallen soul is also learning the science of Krishna consciousness. It is a great pleasure for me to as your disciple to glorify you on your Vyaspuja day. You are truly a bonafide spiritual master.
Gurudev, you know the essence of all the yogas. In your presence I experience happiness and peacefulness. Just by your powerful words the doubts in my mind are automatically removed, even without inquiring. Gurudev, you always lead by example and whatever you do there is a mood of service which I can see always. It is clear from your activities of ceaselessly travelling and preaching all over the world that you set the topmost example of pure devotional service.
Please bless me with your causeless mercy so that I can follow your transcendental words.
Please give me strength to follow and help you to complete Srila Prabhupada mission successfully.
The true fact is that I can remember Krishna only due to your blessings and your amazing disciples in Melbourne.
Trying to be your unconditional servant
Ravi Bose
Richárd Szépvölgyi
Hare Krshna Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto the dust of your lotus feet!
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
When we sing this I remember our last meeting when meeting your grace extinguished the blazing fire of material life.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
mahapraboh kirtana-nritya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
You introduce me Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana movement and the chanting of the Holy Name again and again.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringaira-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
This verse reminds me how much you risked when you preached here in Hungary in the 80’s. Owing to your many efforts we have here Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundar.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
swadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritwaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
I would like to feel fortunate that I may eat the Lord’s remnants and never to forget this.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you so much for preaching and teaching us without stopping strenuously and remind us how important it is to hear about the pastimes of Radhika and Madhava every day.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for caring for us and lead us on our way in Krishna’s pastimes.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for keeping me so close to you.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for lifting me, a fallen and unworthy devotee to the Lord’s lotus feet.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Your insignificant servant:
bhakta Richárd Szépvölgyi
(Hungary)
Please, accept my humble obeisances.
All glories Srila Prabhupada!
All glories unto the dust of your lotus feet!
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
When we sing this I remember our last meeting when meeting your grace extinguished the blazing fire of material life.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
mahapraboh kirtana-nritya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
You introduce me Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtana movement and the chanting of the Holy Name again and again.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringaira-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
This verse reminds me how much you risked when you preached here in Hungary in the 80’s. Owing to your many efforts we have here Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundar.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
swadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritwaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
I would like to feel fortunate that I may eat the Lord’s remnants and never to forget this.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you so much for preaching and teaching us without stopping strenuously and remind us how important it is to hear about the pastimes of Radhika and Madhava every day.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for caring for us and lead us on our way in Krishna’s pastimes.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for keeping me so close to you.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Thank you for lifting me, a fallen and unworthy devotee to the Lord’s lotus feet.
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Your insignificant servant:
bhakta Richárd Szépvölgyi
(Hungary)
Rish
Dear Devamrita Swami Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
You are such an amazing devotee, what I have heard and experienced about service to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupad is truly mind-blowing, and inspiring.
Thank you so many times over for the opportunity you have compassionately provided my undeserving fallen soul.
At Bakti lounge (Wellington) your very kind disciples have displayed your mercy through giving me many opportunities for service and guidance and prasadam.
My life was so darkened with ignorance, now there appears a light that you have shined with
your easily accessible outreach program and very nice lectures.
At first I was sceptical but I kept reading and watching, which I cant explain, then after being provided with more books the scepticism declined and a much more eager want of knowledge grew. Through your mercy and the mercy of your disciples, providing nice teachings, a Bhagavad Gita, beads, and every other kind devotee I have had the privilege to have association and do service with, my life and habits have changed immensely.
Without your very compassionate urban outreach I would still be in a very dark pit. I have so very
far to go with washing my contaminated consciousness but with your guidance and instruction I have hope. I owe my existence to the Krishna consciousness movement which you are conveying very nicely. I have taken your kind instructions to heart. I pray that I can do my best to try to continually serve.
I wish I could more adequately glorify you.
Please accept this attempt at an offering
Sincerely From Rish
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
You are such an amazing devotee, what I have heard and experienced about service to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupad is truly mind-blowing, and inspiring.
Thank you so many times over for the opportunity you have compassionately provided my undeserving fallen soul.
At Bakti lounge (Wellington) your very kind disciples have displayed your mercy through giving me many opportunities for service and guidance and prasadam.
My life was so darkened with ignorance, now there appears a light that you have shined with
your easily accessible outreach program and very nice lectures.
At first I was sceptical but I kept reading and watching, which I cant explain, then after being provided with more books the scepticism declined and a much more eager want of knowledge grew. Through your mercy and the mercy of your disciples, providing nice teachings, a Bhagavad Gita, beads, and every other kind devotee I have had the privilege to have association and do service with, my life and habits have changed immensely.
Without your very compassionate urban outreach I would still be in a very dark pit. I have so very
far to go with washing my contaminated consciousness but with your guidance and instruction I have hope. I owe my existence to the Krishna consciousness movement which you are conveying very nicely. I have taken your kind instructions to heart. I pray that I can do my best to try to continually serve.
I wish I could more adequately glorify you.
Please accept this attempt at an offering
Sincerely From Rish
Rob Meiklejohn
Dearest Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am writing this offering to you to express my gratitude for all your kindness and support you have shown me since I have known you from the Perth temple. There is no doubt I am most fallen and fool number one because I have failed to reciprocate your support and to take your instructions sincerely and properly. The amazing thing is you have only shown the utmost support regardless of my wayward ways.
There is no doubt you are a pure servant of Lord Sri Nityananda and Lord Sri Caitanya and Their followers and your mercy and instructions are nectarian. I pray that one day I may take more sincerely your instructions and serve the Vaisnavas with a more humble mood.
Your most fallen servant,
Bh Rob
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am writing this offering to you to express my gratitude for all your kindness and support you have shown me since I have known you from the Perth temple. There is no doubt I am most fallen and fool number one because I have failed to reciprocate your support and to take your instructions sincerely and properly. The amazing thing is you have only shown the utmost support regardless of my wayward ways.
There is no doubt you are a pure servant of Lord Sri Nityananda and Lord Sri Caitanya and Their followers and your mercy and instructions are nectarian. I pray that one day I may take more sincerely your instructions and serve the Vaisnavas with a more humble mood.
Your most fallen servant,
Bh Rob
Rudrarama Pandit das
Dearest Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto the dust of your lotus feet
I would like to share my tiny experience and progress in my bhakti life, even though I do not have anything special to offer to you,
It is often difficult to keep doing the same things especially this day and age, which there are full of attraction, activities or enjoyment. Of course this apply to my life – so far tried so many different jobs or study courses, which I have never got satisfied nor completed. So it is not easy for me to take up your instruction to stay in Wellington, New Zealand to support Bhakti Lounge somehow or other. I provided so many different excuses to run away or tried to avoid obeying your instruction, however, you, as my spiritual master, knew what is in my mind and gave me the best medicine to cure my disease.
“I said stay in Wellington and support Bhakti Lounge, everyone needs your help”
Helping someone or sacrifice myself– is something what I wanted or determined to do since young age and regardless of my condition I would love to do. Especially those who are sincere and dedicated like you, my desire has been met.
“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.”
BG 10.8
There are endless services here and there are always opportunities to get improved, especially consciousness while engaging service. Always Krishna reminds me the basic of the basic through our heart as he is Paramatma. (I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. BG 15.15)
Back in few years ago, I was rostered to do kitchen clean as part of my service, as it was one of those busy night which Gaurayoga (back in the time) was filled with so many guests and nice meal was served. Of course after nice dinner someone needed to do the dishes as well as cleaned the kitchen. The sink was filled with a lot of dishes as well as bench. Furthermore I looked down the floor and there some dots everywhere, which I even, wondered if the cooks did it deliberately to test my patience. My mind was set “Let’s do it!” This “do it” is not the one of Prabhuda’s teaching of do the service nicely, rather coming from my home country’s consciousness of “do it efficiently.”
Nowadays, I do not do dishes but I do bhoga stock up. Then after bhoga stock up sharpen all the kitchen knives and after that is kitchen cleaning every week. To complete all the tasks take sometimes up to 11pm. Inefficient? Yes, I may be inefficient but I would like to provide quality service.
“The Lord cleansed everything inside the temple very nicely, including the ceiling.”
CC Madhya 12.82
This activity always gives me a realisation of “I am cleaning my heart which is covered dust of material desire.”
Thank you Gurudeva, through this bhakti practice, what really change me is consciousness of service. How could I develop this consciousness without your patient guidance and mercy? Even when you are not physically here you always help me through mentors or other senior devotees.
At the end of year retreat you always remind us,
“This bhakti process is not individual activity but this is group activity.”
Thank you very much teaching me an importance of our community.
“My dear Uddhava, all persons are engaged in activities, whether those indicated in the revealed scriptures or ordinary worldly activities. If by the result of either of such activities they worship Me in Krishna consciousness, then automatically they become happy within this world, as well as in the next. Of this there is no doubt.”
SB 11.27.49
I would always like to support you and your community, which give me the best happiness in this day and age and never ends.
Your servant of servant
Rudrarama Pandit das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and onto the dust of your lotus feet
I would like to share my tiny experience and progress in my bhakti life, even though I do not have anything special to offer to you,
It is often difficult to keep doing the same things especially this day and age, which there are full of attraction, activities or enjoyment. Of course this apply to my life – so far tried so many different jobs or study courses, which I have never got satisfied nor completed. So it is not easy for me to take up your instruction to stay in Wellington, New Zealand to support Bhakti Lounge somehow or other. I provided so many different excuses to run away or tried to avoid obeying your instruction, however, you, as my spiritual master, knew what is in my mind and gave me the best medicine to cure my disease.
“I said stay in Wellington and support Bhakti Lounge, everyone needs your help”
Helping someone or sacrifice myself– is something what I wanted or determined to do since young age and regardless of my condition I would love to do. Especially those who are sincere and dedicated like you, my desire has been met.
“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.”
BG 10.8
There are endless services here and there are always opportunities to get improved, especially consciousness while engaging service. Always Krishna reminds me the basic of the basic through our heart as he is Paramatma. (I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. BG 15.15)
Back in few years ago, I was rostered to do kitchen clean as part of my service, as it was one of those busy night which Gaurayoga (back in the time) was filled with so many guests and nice meal was served. Of course after nice dinner someone needed to do the dishes as well as cleaned the kitchen. The sink was filled with a lot of dishes as well as bench. Furthermore I looked down the floor and there some dots everywhere, which I even, wondered if the cooks did it deliberately to test my patience. My mind was set “Let’s do it!” This “do it” is not the one of Prabhuda’s teaching of do the service nicely, rather coming from my home country’s consciousness of “do it efficiently.”
Nowadays, I do not do dishes but I do bhoga stock up. Then after bhoga stock up sharpen all the kitchen knives and after that is kitchen cleaning every week. To complete all the tasks take sometimes up to 11pm. Inefficient? Yes, I may be inefficient but I would like to provide quality service.
“The Lord cleansed everything inside the temple very nicely, including the ceiling.”
CC Madhya 12.82
This activity always gives me a realisation of “I am cleaning my heart which is covered dust of material desire.”
Thank you Gurudeva, through this bhakti practice, what really change me is consciousness of service. How could I develop this consciousness without your patient guidance and mercy? Even when you are not physically here you always help me through mentors or other senior devotees.
At the end of year retreat you always remind us,
“This bhakti process is not individual activity but this is group activity.”
Thank you very much teaching me an importance of our community.
“My dear Uddhava, all persons are engaged in activities, whether those indicated in the revealed scriptures or ordinary worldly activities. If by the result of either of such activities they worship Me in Krishna consciousness, then automatically they become happy within this world, as well as in the next. Of this there is no doubt.”
SB 11.27.49
I would always like to support you and your community, which give me the best happiness in this day and age and never ends.
Your servant of servant
Rudrarama Pandit das
Rupamrita-sindhu das
Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your transcendental adventures all over the world!
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
pracäre purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacära-pravinäta
pararthatäpi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
First, I want to convey my gratitude to you, for accepting my wife and me, as servants at your lotus feet, even though you know well my anarthas.
It has been a fast-paced journey of progress in my spiritual life, since I first met you just 4 years ago through your book, Searching for Vedic India, thanks to your most wonderful disciple, Caitanya-lila Prabhuji. All I can say is that this is the greatest evidence of Krsna’s causeless mercy!
Last year you blessed us with your presence in Dallas, and gave us the opportunity to serve you. It was such a short time and the days flew by fast, but the mercy and nectar we received was immeasurable. The precious memories linger, giving us joy, as well as hope for the mercy of your personal association.
Then, this year you gave us the mercy of your personal association in Denver where you accepted us servants at your lotus feet. The instructions you gave us have sustained us on our spiritual journey forward.
In one of his purports, Prabhupada had said “The service of the Spiritual Master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, then a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself.”
We have taken your instructions to heart. We have increased the reading of Prabhupada’s books and become engaged in distributing Prabhupada’s books. We are also engaged in helping the TKG Academy gurukul, which is the cornerstone of the Hare Krsna community enclave in Dallas, and of Radha-Kalachandji Dham.
All glories to you, Gurudev, on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day. We pray to Radha Kalachandji for your good health, so that you can continue your tireless worldwide preaching mission, as your loving service to Srila Prabhupada, for many more decades.
As an ignorant devotee, I may have committed offences in writing this offering. I beg your forgiveness for any offences I may have committed.
Your insignificant aspiring servant,
Rupamrita-sindhu das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to your transcendental adventures all over the world!
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
pracäre purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacära-pravinäta
pararthatäpi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
First, I want to convey my gratitude to you, for accepting my wife and me, as servants at your lotus feet, even though you know well my anarthas.
It has been a fast-paced journey of progress in my spiritual life, since I first met you just 4 years ago through your book, Searching for Vedic India, thanks to your most wonderful disciple, Caitanya-lila Prabhuji. All I can say is that this is the greatest evidence of Krsna’s causeless mercy!
Last year you blessed us with your presence in Dallas, and gave us the opportunity to serve you. It was such a short time and the days flew by fast, but the mercy and nectar we received was immeasurable. The precious memories linger, giving us joy, as well as hope for the mercy of your personal association.
Then, this year you gave us the mercy of your personal association in Denver where you accepted us servants at your lotus feet. The instructions you gave us have sustained us on our spiritual journey forward.
In one of his purports, Prabhupada had said “The service of the Spiritual Master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, then a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself.”
We have taken your instructions to heart. We have increased the reading of Prabhupada’s books and become engaged in distributing Prabhupada’s books. We are also engaged in helping the TKG Academy gurukul, which is the cornerstone of the Hare Krsna community enclave in Dallas, and of Radha-Kalachandji Dham.
All glories to you, Gurudev, on this auspicious Vyasa Puja day. We pray to Radha Kalachandji for your good health, so that you can continue your tireless worldwide preaching mission, as your loving service to Srila Prabhupada, for many more decades.
As an ignorant devotee, I may have committed offences in writing this offering. I beg your forgiveness for any offences I may have committed.
Your insignificant aspiring servant,
Rupamrita-sindhu das
Sachi Dhulal das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
I would like to offer the following sankirtan story in an attempt to glorify your exemplary devotional service.
“Do you have anywhere to eat?” I quizzed the elderly Swedish couple.
I had stopped them moments earlier. Pleasantries had been exchanged. And more importantly, a Srimad Bhagavatam and a ten dollar note had passed hands too.
Like many other Europeans eager to escape the Northern winter, they had descended upon Wellington, on their route to catch the ferry to visit that hinterland of tinsel dreams—the South Island. Sensing the opportunity, I invited them to dinner at Bhakti Lounge. After conversing in Swedish amongst themselves, they accepted my offer and I escorted them from the streets to Bhakti Lounge.
A couple of hours later, having tasted another sumptuous Bhakti Lounge prasadam smorgasbord, I saw them ambling towards the book shelf. Hoping that this might provide another sankirtan opportunity, I approached them and inquired whether they had enjoyed the meal.
“Is this a Hare Krishna place?” the lady asked. Not knowing how she would react, I hesitated to reply, but ended up saying, “Yes, it is a Hare Krishna place.”
“Really?” she said. “This place is no nice. I thought that the Hare Krishnas were a weird cult that had nothing to do with society. Are you sure this is a Hare Krishna place?”
I reaffirmed that this indeed was a Hare Krishna place. I took a Your Ever Well Wisher from the book shelf and put it in her hands. They had told me earlier that they were followers of an erstwhile famous Sikh guru, a contemporary of Srila Prabhupada. “Your guru met the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhupada, a number of times,” I told them. “Please take this book and you can learn more about his amazing life.”
They readily agreed and offered another nice donation.
It is a book distributor’s luxury to be able to invite souls directly from the streets to a place custom-made to introduce Krishna Consciousness to the religion-averse, religious-organisation-averse, anything-to-do-with-God averse, self-immolating Kali-yuga denizens. I have revelled in this luxury often. As with every other luxury in my life, I have for my good fortune only you to thank.
Your compassion and spiritual genius has overflowed into Bhakti-Lounge-like outreach centres, providing a portal for fortunate souls to begin their journey to escape the eternal winter of material existence. The pivotal point of these outreach centres is, of course, Srila Prabhupada’s books. It is yet another luxury that you have bestowed upon us: the repeated reminders that Srila Prabhupada’s books, particularly the Shrimad Bhagavatam, are our only solace and shelter in these dark and desolate times.
Thank you for being very kind to this Kali-yuga degenerate. Please forgive my all my offenses at your lotus feet.
Hoping to one day become your servant,
Sachi Dhulal das.
Please accept my prostrated obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to you on the auspicious occasion of your appearance day.
I would like to offer the following sankirtan story in an attempt to glorify your exemplary devotional service.
“Do you have anywhere to eat?” I quizzed the elderly Swedish couple.
I had stopped them moments earlier. Pleasantries had been exchanged. And more importantly, a Srimad Bhagavatam and a ten dollar note had passed hands too.
Like many other Europeans eager to escape the Northern winter, they had descended upon Wellington, on their route to catch the ferry to visit that hinterland of tinsel dreams—the South Island. Sensing the opportunity, I invited them to dinner at Bhakti Lounge. After conversing in Swedish amongst themselves, they accepted my offer and I escorted them from the streets to Bhakti Lounge.
A couple of hours later, having tasted another sumptuous Bhakti Lounge prasadam smorgasbord, I saw them ambling towards the book shelf. Hoping that this might provide another sankirtan opportunity, I approached them and inquired whether they had enjoyed the meal.
“Is this a Hare Krishna place?” the lady asked. Not knowing how she would react, I hesitated to reply, but ended up saying, “Yes, it is a Hare Krishna place.”
“Really?” she said. “This place is no nice. I thought that the Hare Krishnas were a weird cult that had nothing to do with society. Are you sure this is a Hare Krishna place?”
I reaffirmed that this indeed was a Hare Krishna place. I took a Your Ever Well Wisher from the book shelf and put it in her hands. They had told me earlier that they were followers of an erstwhile famous Sikh guru, a contemporary of Srila Prabhupada. “Your guru met the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila Prabhupada, a number of times,” I told them. “Please take this book and you can learn more about his amazing life.”
They readily agreed and offered another nice donation.
It is a book distributor’s luxury to be able to invite souls directly from the streets to a place custom-made to introduce Krishna Consciousness to the religion-averse, religious-organisation-averse, anything-to-do-with-God averse, self-immolating Kali-yuga denizens. I have revelled in this luxury often. As with every other luxury in my life, I have for my good fortune only you to thank.
Your compassion and spiritual genius has overflowed into Bhakti-Lounge-like outreach centres, providing a portal for fortunate souls to begin their journey to escape the eternal winter of material existence. The pivotal point of these outreach centres is, of course, Srila Prabhupada’s books. It is yet another luxury that you have bestowed upon us: the repeated reminders that Srila Prabhupada’s books, particularly the Shrimad Bhagavatam, are our only solace and shelter in these dark and desolate times.
Thank you for being very kind to this Kali-yuga degenerate. Please forgive my all my offenses at your lotus feet.
Hoping to one day become your servant,
Sachi Dhulal das.
Sadhu-marga das
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Vyasa puja utsava!
In the material world there is no real shelter for living entity. It is impossible to find peace and happiness in the situation where everything is so unstable and illusory. In the material world things may look good, but they change so quickly. In the material world everything is constantly moving and changing.
Body of living entity is changing, from child to teenage. from teenage to adult. Then adult body starts to gradually decay and little by little it looses its strength and energy.
Seasons are changing so quickly. In the Summer sun is shining, everything is green and comfortable and life is care free, but then weather cools down and soon enough is snowing, freezing cold and horrible.
Peace can turn in to a war. Few generations ago there was a war and so many people got killed. After that there has been some years of peace. People can live with out agony and develop their economics nicely are raise their family in peace and happiness. But very quickly all that can be gone and terrifying war can sweep all that happiness away.
In ours lives we meet so many people. Very few of them comes our dear and intimate friends. In their association we satisfied and relaxed. But then we come separated from them. They have to move away or we have to move away. Or something happens that we are not able to have their association any more.
We have other close persons in our lives also, like our seniors. They try hard to look after us and we feel that even if the whole world is destroyed, they will stay. But it can happen so that something happens to them and they no longer are able to give us shelter like before.
People who form ones family, they are during the years also changing. Some of them dies, new persons is born. Some become distant or those who stay just change some ways.
Ones position in society is also chancing. Growing up, becomming adult and then retiring is forcing one to change his position in society and one has to accept different set of duties.
Society it self is also chancing. Especially is the middle of the Kali-yuga when, people mistakenly think that traditions are blocking their experience of happiness and they want to change everything all the time. When leaders of the society dont have understanding of how God has created scientific social system for us follow, they have to speculate. Sometimes by some chance they figure out some parts of the Gods system and they get good results, but many times they dont. Then they have meetings to find out solutions and again they make some changes.
This is all going on by the force of the three modes of material nature. They are Krishna`s energy and He empowers them whit time factor to govern the material elements and conditioned living entities. The soul is so small that he can not do anything about it. Krishna´s energies are far more powerful than little soul. In the grip of time and the material modes souls are strongly imprisoned.
His only fortune is to come in contact with pure devotee of Krishna and receive instructions from him how to serve his master, the Lord of the universe, the source of all energies, the life of all the living entities, Sri Krishna. Gradually when student becomes purified he become fixed in the activities of the spiritual world, like chanting about Krishna, hearing about Krishna, serving His devotees, worshipping His form and going to places of His pastimes. By happily doing so the student no longer expect the material world to give any shelter or happiness, rather he becomes eager to find more opportunities to please his preceptor and serve Sri Krishna. Then Krishna will reciprocate so sweetly by helping His devotee to come back to Him.
In the spiritual world he will receive spiritual body and there are no modes of material nature to disturb the service to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. No material body to slow down the service, no diseases, no old age. Then jiva´s can be engaged all the time, non stop and everlastingly.
All this good fortune he will get, just because of the mercy of his spiritual master. Who was so compassionate to the fallen living entities that he dedicated his whole life just to educate them how to serve the original Person, the One Who possesses all the opulence, Sri Krishna Who has unlimited pastimes.
Guru deva, thank you very very much.
Your servant
Sadhu-marga das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Vyasa puja utsava!
In the material world there is no real shelter for living entity. It is impossible to find peace and happiness in the situation where everything is so unstable and illusory. In the material world things may look good, but they change so quickly. In the material world everything is constantly moving and changing.
Body of living entity is changing, from child to teenage. from teenage to adult. Then adult body starts to gradually decay and little by little it looses its strength and energy.
Seasons are changing so quickly. In the Summer sun is shining, everything is green and comfortable and life is care free, but then weather cools down and soon enough is snowing, freezing cold and horrible.
Peace can turn in to a war. Few generations ago there was a war and so many people got killed. After that there has been some years of peace. People can live with out agony and develop their economics nicely are raise their family in peace and happiness. But very quickly all that can be gone and terrifying war can sweep all that happiness away.
In ours lives we meet so many people. Very few of them comes our dear and intimate friends. In their association we satisfied and relaxed. But then we come separated from them. They have to move away or we have to move away. Or something happens that we are not able to have their association any more.
We have other close persons in our lives also, like our seniors. They try hard to look after us and we feel that even if the whole world is destroyed, they will stay. But it can happen so that something happens to them and they no longer are able to give us shelter like before.
People who form ones family, they are during the years also changing. Some of them dies, new persons is born. Some become distant or those who stay just change some ways.
Ones position in society is also chancing. Growing up, becomming adult and then retiring is forcing one to change his position in society and one has to accept different set of duties.
Society it self is also chancing. Especially is the middle of the Kali-yuga when, people mistakenly think that traditions are blocking their experience of happiness and they want to change everything all the time. When leaders of the society dont have understanding of how God has created scientific social system for us follow, they have to speculate. Sometimes by some chance they figure out some parts of the Gods system and they get good results, but many times they dont. Then they have meetings to find out solutions and again they make some changes.
This is all going on by the force of the three modes of material nature. They are Krishna`s energy and He empowers them whit time factor to govern the material elements and conditioned living entities. The soul is so small that he can not do anything about it. Krishna´s energies are far more powerful than little soul. In the grip of time and the material modes souls are strongly imprisoned.
His only fortune is to come in contact with pure devotee of Krishna and receive instructions from him how to serve his master, the Lord of the universe, the source of all energies, the life of all the living entities, Sri Krishna. Gradually when student becomes purified he become fixed in the activities of the spiritual world, like chanting about Krishna, hearing about Krishna, serving His devotees, worshipping His form and going to places of His pastimes. By happily doing so the student no longer expect the material world to give any shelter or happiness, rather he becomes eager to find more opportunities to please his preceptor and serve Sri Krishna. Then Krishna will reciprocate so sweetly by helping His devotee to come back to Him.
In the spiritual world he will receive spiritual body and there are no modes of material nature to disturb the service to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. No material body to slow down the service, no diseases, no old age. Then jiva´s can be engaged all the time, non stop and everlastingly.
All this good fortune he will get, just because of the mercy of his spiritual master. Who was so compassionate to the fallen living entities that he dedicated his whole life just to educate them how to serve the original Person, the One Who possesses all the opulence, Sri Krishna Who has unlimited pastimes.
Guru deva, thank you very very much.
Your servant
Sadhu-marga das
Sammohini devi dasi
Nama Om Vishnu padaya
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
I meet you in NZ in 2007 and under your training I learn many skills and tools to apply in my daily life to help my spiritual practice.
You are direct and practical in your instructions and that help me to be focus in the path of Bhakti.
Why I choose you as my Guru Maharaja?
Because you have amazing children in the form of your disciples, who are full of your qualities. I saw how under your training your disciples were a real jewel for society. I had an intense desire to be part of your family and you full of compassion accept me as your disciple.
You as an example help me to keep balance in my life. You are strong in your Bhakti, in your physical care, emotionally and in the relationship with others. You nourish us with your instructions in our chanting and reading.
Many times as a new devotee I couldn’t understand your instructions to some of my God sisters about chanting, always saying chant more, chant better, listening carefully, etc. I thought always same instruction how to progress if we are struggling with our chanting concentration and we don’t have another way to progress. After few years of chanting I got some realizations about it. Everything starts with our chanting. Thank you for that instruction because always is in my mind, chanting is the beginning and root of our process.
Wherever I go and meet God family I become happy to see your disciples as an example for others, they are humble doing services, many are leaders in their communities and are good showing compassion to others. Your strong leadership moves us and give us strength to become stronger and keep our Sadhana.
This world has a tendency to exploit others and you as a follower of Vedic Culture practically are giving so much protection to ladies and now you put your attention also to cows because there is a tendency to exploit them and you are really doing something to change it with your preaching and actions. All of this and much more show me how compassionate you are and made me happy to be under your shelter and give me inspiration to continuous doing services for you and Krishna.
Your eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Krsna-presthaya Bhutale
Srimate Devamrta Swami
Iti namine
Pracare purva-daksyam ca
Bhaktacara-pravinata
Pararthatapi karunyam
Yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja
I meet you in NZ in 2007 and under your training I learn many skills and tools to apply in my daily life to help my spiritual practice.
You are direct and practical in your instructions and that help me to be focus in the path of Bhakti.
Why I choose you as my Guru Maharaja?
Because you have amazing children in the form of your disciples, who are full of your qualities. I saw how under your training your disciples were a real jewel for society. I had an intense desire to be part of your family and you full of compassion accept me as your disciple.
You as an example help me to keep balance in my life. You are strong in your Bhakti, in your physical care, emotionally and in the relationship with others. You nourish us with your instructions in our chanting and reading.
Many times as a new devotee I couldn’t understand your instructions to some of my God sisters about chanting, always saying chant more, chant better, listening carefully, etc. I thought always same instruction how to progress if we are struggling with our chanting concentration and we don’t have another way to progress. After few years of chanting I got some realizations about it. Everything starts with our chanting. Thank you for that instruction because always is in my mind, chanting is the beginning and root of our process.
Wherever I go and meet God family I become happy to see your disciples as an example for others, they are humble doing services, many are leaders in their communities and are good showing compassion to others. Your strong leadership moves us and give us strength to become stronger and keep our Sadhana.
This world has a tendency to exploit others and you as a follower of Vedic Culture practically are giving so much protection to ladies and now you put your attention also to cows because there is a tendency to exploit them and you are really doing something to change it with your preaching and actions. All of this and much more show me how compassionate you are and made me happy to be under your shelter and give me inspiration to continuous doing services for you and Krishna.
Your eternal servant
Sammohini.dd
Sandrananda devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
I found a piece of writing that I composed a few years ago. I thought it appropriate to offer to you today as a Vyasa Puja to glorify Srila Vyasadeva and his disciplic sucession.
“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth”, is a verse pertinent to Srila Prabhupada’s life. I will discuss Prabhupada’s wonderful spiritual contribution to a world where impersonalism and voidism prevail and the extraordinary effect it has had on my own life.
Who are these people Krishna is referring to? These many thousands of people are people who deride God’s separate existence as is so found in the western world of today. People have made God desireless, without any qualities, without any aspirations or qualities of enjoyment, and therefore they have put themselves in the centre of existence and made their own enjoyment supreme. The majority of people in this modern age are a perfect example of this mentality. Most people today are not interested or are doubtful to even consider that Krishna could be their perfect friend and best guide and so they choose to live in His material energy exploiting it’s resources:
“Besides these, O mighty armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material world” . BG 7.5
or said in another way;
“Forgetting God, we plan our material careers in violation of our real spiritual nature. Deluded, we identify with matter, with our transient bodies and bodily relations. False to ourselves, we erect institutions for the direct and indirect exploitation of others, competing for property and status against those similarly deluded. Since no one's position is secure, we are always anxious and fearful, and even if we seem to prevail for some time, we are inevitably cut down by old age, disease, and ever-waiting death. Sometimes we are the oppressed, sometimes the oppressors, but either way we are stretched on the rack of this rough world until we break and break again. Yet it is all a needless nightmare, an evil spell that vanishes at once when we recall our authentic identity and our relationship with God. " Ravindra Svarupa dasa
This dark ‘nightmare’ is a reality for the majority of people today, including myself. Growing up in inner city London, I was personally very vulnerable to material nature’s passionate entices. As a teenager I can remember my friends and I would be happy to spend the evenings strolling through the streets from shop to shop illegally buying alcohol and gleefully drinking our booty in the corners of deserted building sites. Determined to forget the aches and pains of our shattered childhoods, sweeping desperately the distant memories’ of abuse and feelings of neglect under the carpet of forgetfulness, we clung onto our bottles as though they were our best friends and guides.
A vaisnava is always free from such bewildering dualities of the material world. As Krishna himself explains, “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” BG 2.69 However a vaisnava is also very merciful and compassionate. Prabhupada said that even as a child he could never stand to see someone suffer. He wanted to put people out of their suffering condition. Prabhupada understood that all the miseries of material life are due to fundamental spiritual amnesia. A person who has no knowledge of his spiritual identity as a spirit soul, or in other words, as an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, either as a servant, friend, mother or lover, is likened to a person who has forgotten who he is or what he should be doing . Therefore the main program of the saintly leader is to inculcate the knowledge that God is the proprietor of everything, the friend of everyone, and the enjoyer of all. This Prabhupada did by introducing all types of people from all around the world to the kirtana (chanting) of the Holy Name through his International Society of Krishna Consciousness.
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
Nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Our respectful obeisances are unto you. O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
Srila Prabhupada pranams
The first time I heard the Holy Name it was from group of chanting devotees. I felt a sense of wonder and a strong desire to find out more about these people dancing past me in robes and playing instruments. I could sense that these people have a happiness and joyfulness that I longed for and it made an unconscious mark in my memory.
After pointing out the number of the materialists, Krishna states that out of thousands of these one person may endeavour for perfection having understood to a certain degree the short-sightedness of the material life and one may desire liberation from the material world of duality. There are two types of methods that one can choose from besides bhakti-yoga (devotion to Krishna): one is astanga-yoga or the path to impersonal liberation or sankhya yoga which engages one in philosophical speculation about spirit and matter which also brings one to the conclusion of impersonalism. What is impersonalsm? Impersonalism is the understanding that since everything created is resting on the energy of the Lord then He has no separate existence. This impersonal conclusion comes from a rebellion to being a sub-ordinate. One prefers to speculate that he is actually one with Krishna and therefore their aim is to merge into that oneness.
In my early twenties I sought after relief from the dark and twisted realities I found in my life. The only resources available to cater for this desire to escape came in the form of a few New Age books from the library claiming that we are all God and a Buddhist meditation group that taught us that “we were one with everything” and we went on walks into the nature where we practised mindful walking. Although proving to be a little helpful at the time, these did not satisfy my thirst for real happiness and knowledge. Eventually after trying these for a while, I found them be totally unsatisfactory.
If this impersonal Brahmajyoti was the highest state of liberation then why would Krishna explain to Arjuna in the Bhagavada-gita that to fix his mind on His personal form was the best type of meditation and that by doing so he would become the most perfect type of yogi . Indeed Krishna tells him that trying to fix his mind on the unmanifested form is very troublesome . Therefore although some rare people may try to realise the Supreme Personality of Godhead their efforts do not bring them close to knowing Krishna due to a faulty process.
This leads us to the last category of persons described by Krishna. He explains the perfection of yoga is to fix the mind on Krishna’s personal form through service to a spiritual master. This is known as bhakti-yoga or devotional service and is the only path that awards direct perception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. One who attains perfection in devotional service is very rare within this material world.
Krishna says that only by devotional service can one understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead . By the power of his devotional activities, or in other words, by being a qualified Vaisnava one can know Krishna. As explained here;
“The science of the Personality of Godhead is the subject matter for study by the postgraduate students in the spiritual line. Foolish men, or men with a poor fund of knowledge, do not understand the Supreme Lord, and they interpret Krishna according to their respective whims. The fact is, however, that one cannot understand the science of the Personality of Godhead unless one is freed from the contamination of the modes, even up to the stage of a brahmana. When a qualified brahmana factually becomes a Vaisnava, in the enlivened state of liberation he can know what is actually the personality of Godhead. "SB 1.2.20
Hardly a postgraduate of spiritual matters, my wretched self was fallen and searching. However, little did I know, that a soul had been born that had the power and the ability to completely reach into my dull world with my fellow wretched friends and pull us out and save us.
In Prabhupada Lilamrita by His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Goswami he tells how Srila Prabhupada was born in 1896 to a vaisnava named Gour Mohan.
“Gour Mohan wanted vaisnava goals for his son; he wanted Abhay to become a servant of Radharani, to become a preacher of Bhagavatam and to learn the devotional art of playing mrdanga.” Prabhupada lilamrita by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
After leaving college he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati, also a vaisnava and a disciple of the great lion-like teacher Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati in the disciplic succession from Lord Caitanya, the inaugurator of bhakti yoga in our age, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
These vaisnavas were very powerful preachers of bhakti-yoga. Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati on their first meeting requested Srila Prabhupada to spread the vaisnava teachings in the English language. Although SrilaPrabhupada did not get that much association with his spiritual master his attitude of guru and disciple relationship was completely perfect. He kept his spiritual master’s desire at the forefront of his life, demonstrating the proper mood of humble devotional service completely free from any material motivation as described by Rupa Goswami, a previous acarya. Bhakti Rasamrita sindhu 1.1.1. To execute bhakti yoga in this world can become a very complicated thing, because the nature of this existence is to obscure what is the true path of light. Krishna talks about this himself in Bhagavad-Gita. In Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna does not cover up the reality of material existence, that the message of pure bhakti becomes lost . That is the nature of material existence. Because of the effect of the time factor, the conclusion of Bhagavad-Gita can become obscured and twisted for material purposes, so from time to time it becomes necessary to re-establish what is pure devotion to Krishna without any economic or political motivations. Srila Prabhupada so strongly established pure devotion to Krishna, which is beyond impersonal liberation into the oneness, and he firmly upheld these principles in his own life and he taught others through his books and words. He stood up for the principles of pure bhakti with a velocity that few dared to challenge.
When we think of Srila Prabhupada we must think of extraordinary clarity. If in our mind we imagine clouds and murkiness and then introduce an incredibly bright light in which everything is clear, then everything is perfectly understood.
When a pure devotee comes to the material world, it should be understood that his only business is to work to bring the conditioned forgetful souls back to their original Krishna consciousness. And this priority is meant for everybody in the human form of life. Some people make the excuse, due to illusion, that only certain types of humans can become liberated. One of the essential principles of bhakti is that anyone, no matter what their background is, if they were properly initiated into bhakti-yoga and follow the process, then they are to be considered a vaisnava and indeed a vaisnava is more then a brahmana.
The bhakti process is very clearly explained in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1:
“By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the person whose mind has become enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association. Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated as one sees the self as master.”
Therefore the process as described above is to engage in devotional service to the Lord which includes chanting his Holy Name, and gradually the Lord’s spiritual nature will be realised. Since bhakti-yoga is a scientific process and not merely a faith, then anyone who is willing to follow the process will get the desired result. Prabhupada explains in his purport to this verse,
“One cannot enter into the kingdom of God unless one is cleared of all sins. The material sins are products of our desires to lord it over material nature. It is very difficult to get rid of such desires.” SB 1.2.17
Therefore those who think that bhakti is easy and try to make up their own ways to attain liberation without purifying themselves through bhakti-yoga, which directly frees them from their old habits of associating with the modes of passion and ignorance, are not able to attain the highest stages of liberation due to being bewildered by the illusory material energy of the Lord. Thinking themselves independent they forget that they should be engaged in the service of Krishna in Krishna consciousness. Bhakti according to the rules and regulations set out by the previous acaryas is not easy. Prabhupada described it to be like declaring war on the illusory energy. Although the illusory energy is very difficult to overcome, those who surrender to the process of bhakti, in other words, those who actually recognise the disciplic succession from which bhakti yoga descends and thereby perform pure devotional service under guidance, they only can escape the material clutches and understand Krishna as he is. BG 7.14
Srila Prabhupada gives practical details for his disciples on every part of human life from student life through family life to renounced life. Persons who do not follow authorised versions of Vaisnava texts, or who do not hear from a vaisnava spiritual master, nor render service to him, become misled away from the desired result of pure devotional service to Krishna and remain in the material world. Krishna will always be a mystery to them.
I am indebted eternally to Srila Prabhupada and my spiritual master, H.H Devamrita Swami, a beloved disciple of Srila Prabhupada. They have shown how it is possible to delightfully engage in the wonderful and exciting devotional service of Lord Krishna. I took my first initiation into the kirtana of the Holy name in 2004 and two years later I took my second initiation or brahmana initiation. The effects of devotional service in my life has been just as the verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18-21 described; I have stopped abusing my body through drugs, I have no desire to commit spiritual suicide by ‘merging into the oneness’. I now have a spiritual family that I trust and feel protected and I feel hopeful. Performing my service of distributing Prabhupada’s books enlivens me. I like to think how I can be of assistance to these great rare souls.
Impersonalism is an obstacle for people today. Most people do not even consider escaping the illusion of the material world being too attached to material nature. However, among those who do search for liberation, many are deterred from the path of pure bhakti due to the faulty conception that God is impersonal and that the ultimate stage is to merge into the oneness.
Personally, I fell victim to these theories and it was not until I began to study Srila Prabhupada and his books that clarity and spiritual awakening began to take place in my life.
Srila Prabhupada demonstrated how the path of pure devotional service or bhakti-yoga reaps the fruit of love of Krishna in his personal feature as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He proved how other methods of yoga or mental speculation are inferior and do not lead to the highest realisation of the Absolute Truth. Out of compassion for the suffering people of the West and as service to his guru and Krishna, Prabhupada fought against this Impersonalism. Those rare souls, who follow the great vaisnava teachers such as Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati and Srila Prabhupada, by engaging in the all blissful kirtana of the Holy name gradually become freed from the illusion of the material world and get the chance to become pure vaisnavas who are able to see Krishna face to face.
May my humble service be pleasing to my beloved spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada and may it be of assistance to them in their service of saving the western world from impersonalism and voidism.
your servant
Sandrananda devi dasi
I found a piece of writing that I composed a few years ago. I thought it appropriate to offer to you today as a Vyasa Puja to glorify Srila Vyasadeva and his disciplic sucession.
“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth”, is a verse pertinent to Srila Prabhupada’s life. I will discuss Prabhupada’s wonderful spiritual contribution to a world where impersonalism and voidism prevail and the extraordinary effect it has had on my own life.
Who are these people Krishna is referring to? These many thousands of people are people who deride God’s separate existence as is so found in the western world of today. People have made God desireless, without any qualities, without any aspirations or qualities of enjoyment, and therefore they have put themselves in the centre of existence and made their own enjoyment supreme. The majority of people in this modern age are a perfect example of this mentality. Most people today are not interested or are doubtful to even consider that Krishna could be their perfect friend and best guide and so they choose to live in His material energy exploiting it’s resources:
“Besides these, O mighty armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material world” . BG 7.5
or said in another way;
“Forgetting God, we plan our material careers in violation of our real spiritual nature. Deluded, we identify with matter, with our transient bodies and bodily relations. False to ourselves, we erect institutions for the direct and indirect exploitation of others, competing for property and status against those similarly deluded. Since no one's position is secure, we are always anxious and fearful, and even if we seem to prevail for some time, we are inevitably cut down by old age, disease, and ever-waiting death. Sometimes we are the oppressed, sometimes the oppressors, but either way we are stretched on the rack of this rough world until we break and break again. Yet it is all a needless nightmare, an evil spell that vanishes at once when we recall our authentic identity and our relationship with God. " Ravindra Svarupa dasa
This dark ‘nightmare’ is a reality for the majority of people today, including myself. Growing up in inner city London, I was personally very vulnerable to material nature’s passionate entices. As a teenager I can remember my friends and I would be happy to spend the evenings strolling through the streets from shop to shop illegally buying alcohol and gleefully drinking our booty in the corners of deserted building sites. Determined to forget the aches and pains of our shattered childhoods, sweeping desperately the distant memories’ of abuse and feelings of neglect under the carpet of forgetfulness, we clung onto our bottles as though they were our best friends and guides.
A vaisnava is always free from such bewildering dualities of the material world. As Krishna himself explains, “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” BG 2.69 However a vaisnava is also very merciful and compassionate. Prabhupada said that even as a child he could never stand to see someone suffer. He wanted to put people out of their suffering condition. Prabhupada understood that all the miseries of material life are due to fundamental spiritual amnesia. A person who has no knowledge of his spiritual identity as a spirit soul, or in other words, as an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, either as a servant, friend, mother or lover, is likened to a person who has forgotten who he is or what he should be doing . Therefore the main program of the saintly leader is to inculcate the knowledge that God is the proprietor of everything, the friend of everyone, and the enjoyer of all. This Prabhupada did by introducing all types of people from all around the world to the kirtana (chanting) of the Holy Name through his International Society of Krishna Consciousness.
Namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
Nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Our respectful obeisances are unto you. O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.
Srila Prabhupada pranams
The first time I heard the Holy Name it was from group of chanting devotees. I felt a sense of wonder and a strong desire to find out more about these people dancing past me in robes and playing instruments. I could sense that these people have a happiness and joyfulness that I longed for and it made an unconscious mark in my memory.
After pointing out the number of the materialists, Krishna states that out of thousands of these one person may endeavour for perfection having understood to a certain degree the short-sightedness of the material life and one may desire liberation from the material world of duality. There are two types of methods that one can choose from besides bhakti-yoga (devotion to Krishna): one is astanga-yoga or the path to impersonal liberation or sankhya yoga which engages one in philosophical speculation about spirit and matter which also brings one to the conclusion of impersonalism. What is impersonalsm? Impersonalism is the understanding that since everything created is resting on the energy of the Lord then He has no separate existence. This impersonal conclusion comes from a rebellion to being a sub-ordinate. One prefers to speculate that he is actually one with Krishna and therefore their aim is to merge into that oneness.
In my early twenties I sought after relief from the dark and twisted realities I found in my life. The only resources available to cater for this desire to escape came in the form of a few New Age books from the library claiming that we are all God and a Buddhist meditation group that taught us that “we were one with everything” and we went on walks into the nature where we practised mindful walking. Although proving to be a little helpful at the time, these did not satisfy my thirst for real happiness and knowledge. Eventually after trying these for a while, I found them be totally unsatisfactory.
If this impersonal Brahmajyoti was the highest state of liberation then why would Krishna explain to Arjuna in the Bhagavada-gita that to fix his mind on His personal form was the best type of meditation and that by doing so he would become the most perfect type of yogi . Indeed Krishna tells him that trying to fix his mind on the unmanifested form is very troublesome . Therefore although some rare people may try to realise the Supreme Personality of Godhead their efforts do not bring them close to knowing Krishna due to a faulty process.
This leads us to the last category of persons described by Krishna. He explains the perfection of yoga is to fix the mind on Krishna’s personal form through service to a spiritual master. This is known as bhakti-yoga or devotional service and is the only path that awards direct perception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. One who attains perfection in devotional service is very rare within this material world.
Krishna says that only by devotional service can one understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead . By the power of his devotional activities, or in other words, by being a qualified Vaisnava one can know Krishna. As explained here;
“The science of the Personality of Godhead is the subject matter for study by the postgraduate students in the spiritual line. Foolish men, or men with a poor fund of knowledge, do not understand the Supreme Lord, and they interpret Krishna according to their respective whims. The fact is, however, that one cannot understand the science of the Personality of Godhead unless one is freed from the contamination of the modes, even up to the stage of a brahmana. When a qualified brahmana factually becomes a Vaisnava, in the enlivened state of liberation he can know what is actually the personality of Godhead. "SB 1.2.20
Hardly a postgraduate of spiritual matters, my wretched self was fallen and searching. However, little did I know, that a soul had been born that had the power and the ability to completely reach into my dull world with my fellow wretched friends and pull us out and save us.
In Prabhupada Lilamrita by His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Goswami he tells how Srila Prabhupada was born in 1896 to a vaisnava named Gour Mohan.
“Gour Mohan wanted vaisnava goals for his son; he wanted Abhay to become a servant of Radharani, to become a preacher of Bhagavatam and to learn the devotional art of playing mrdanga.” Prabhupada lilamrita by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
After leaving college he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati, also a vaisnava and a disciple of the great lion-like teacher Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati in the disciplic succession from Lord Caitanya, the inaugurator of bhakti yoga in our age, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
These vaisnavas were very powerful preachers of bhakti-yoga. Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati on their first meeting requested Srila Prabhupada to spread the vaisnava teachings in the English language. Although SrilaPrabhupada did not get that much association with his spiritual master his attitude of guru and disciple relationship was completely perfect. He kept his spiritual master’s desire at the forefront of his life, demonstrating the proper mood of humble devotional service completely free from any material motivation as described by Rupa Goswami, a previous acarya. Bhakti Rasamrita sindhu 1.1.1. To execute bhakti yoga in this world can become a very complicated thing, because the nature of this existence is to obscure what is the true path of light. Krishna talks about this himself in Bhagavad-Gita. In Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna does not cover up the reality of material existence, that the message of pure bhakti becomes lost . That is the nature of material existence. Because of the effect of the time factor, the conclusion of Bhagavad-Gita can become obscured and twisted for material purposes, so from time to time it becomes necessary to re-establish what is pure devotion to Krishna without any economic or political motivations. Srila Prabhupada so strongly established pure devotion to Krishna, which is beyond impersonal liberation into the oneness, and he firmly upheld these principles in his own life and he taught others through his books and words. He stood up for the principles of pure bhakti with a velocity that few dared to challenge.
When we think of Srila Prabhupada we must think of extraordinary clarity. If in our mind we imagine clouds and murkiness and then introduce an incredibly bright light in which everything is clear, then everything is perfectly understood.
When a pure devotee comes to the material world, it should be understood that his only business is to work to bring the conditioned forgetful souls back to their original Krishna consciousness. And this priority is meant for everybody in the human form of life. Some people make the excuse, due to illusion, that only certain types of humans can become liberated. One of the essential principles of bhakti is that anyone, no matter what their background is, if they were properly initiated into bhakti-yoga and follow the process, then they are to be considered a vaisnava and indeed a vaisnava is more then a brahmana.
The bhakti process is very clearly explained in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1:
“By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact. As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the person whose mind has become enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association. Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated as one sees the self as master.”
Therefore the process as described above is to engage in devotional service to the Lord which includes chanting his Holy Name, and gradually the Lord’s spiritual nature will be realised. Since bhakti-yoga is a scientific process and not merely a faith, then anyone who is willing to follow the process will get the desired result. Prabhupada explains in his purport to this verse,
“One cannot enter into the kingdom of God unless one is cleared of all sins. The material sins are products of our desires to lord it over material nature. It is very difficult to get rid of such desires.” SB 1.2.17
Therefore those who think that bhakti is easy and try to make up their own ways to attain liberation without purifying themselves through bhakti-yoga, which directly frees them from their old habits of associating with the modes of passion and ignorance, are not able to attain the highest stages of liberation due to being bewildered by the illusory material energy of the Lord. Thinking themselves independent they forget that they should be engaged in the service of Krishna in Krishna consciousness. Bhakti according to the rules and regulations set out by the previous acaryas is not easy. Prabhupada described it to be like declaring war on the illusory energy. Although the illusory energy is very difficult to overcome, those who surrender to the process of bhakti, in other words, those who actually recognise the disciplic succession from which bhakti yoga descends and thereby perform pure devotional service under guidance, they only can escape the material clutches and understand Krishna as he is. BG 7.14
Srila Prabhupada gives practical details for his disciples on every part of human life from student life through family life to renounced life. Persons who do not follow authorised versions of Vaisnava texts, or who do not hear from a vaisnava spiritual master, nor render service to him, become misled away from the desired result of pure devotional service to Krishna and remain in the material world. Krishna will always be a mystery to them.
I am indebted eternally to Srila Prabhupada and my spiritual master, H.H Devamrita Swami, a beloved disciple of Srila Prabhupada. They have shown how it is possible to delightfully engage in the wonderful and exciting devotional service of Lord Krishna. I took my first initiation into the kirtana of the Holy name in 2004 and two years later I took my second initiation or brahmana initiation. The effects of devotional service in my life has been just as the verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18-21 described; I have stopped abusing my body through drugs, I have no desire to commit spiritual suicide by ‘merging into the oneness’. I now have a spiritual family that I trust and feel protected and I feel hopeful. Performing my service of distributing Prabhupada’s books enlivens me. I like to think how I can be of assistance to these great rare souls.
Impersonalism is an obstacle for people today. Most people do not even consider escaping the illusion of the material world being too attached to material nature. However, among those who do search for liberation, many are deterred from the path of pure bhakti due to the faulty conception that God is impersonal and that the ultimate stage is to merge into the oneness.
Personally, I fell victim to these theories and it was not until I began to study Srila Prabhupada and his books that clarity and spiritual awakening began to take place in my life.
Srila Prabhupada demonstrated how the path of pure devotional service or bhakti-yoga reaps the fruit of love of Krishna in his personal feature as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He proved how other methods of yoga or mental speculation are inferior and do not lead to the highest realisation of the Absolute Truth. Out of compassion for the suffering people of the West and as service to his guru and Krishna, Prabhupada fought against this Impersonalism. Those rare souls, who follow the great vaisnava teachers such as Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati and Srila Prabhupada, by engaging in the all blissful kirtana of the Holy name gradually become freed from the illusion of the material world and get the chance to become pure vaisnavas who are able to see Krishna face to face.
May my humble service be pleasing to my beloved spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada and may it be of assistance to them in their service of saving the western world from impersonalism and voidism.
your servant
Sandrananda devi dasi
Sangita Priya Devi Dasi
Dear Gurumaharaj please accept my humble obeisances
I want to take this opportunity to express my love and gratitude for you, thank you so much for coming into my life, thank you so much for being the person who has given their hand in helping me, thank you for all the time and effort you have put into advising me, guiding me and steering me in the right direction and most of all thank you for accepting me as your daughter. Gurudeva you are my hero, you are my role model, you are my well -wisher, you are my father.
I wish I could be doing more in order to help you serve Prabhupada. Gurudeva I am proud to call you my father, a father who selflessly travels the world and tirelessly spends hours on end helping people like myself, a father who has the strength of a lion, a father who is concerned about the highest welfare of all living beings, a father who’s shoes no one else can ever fill. You make me proud to be you daughter Gurumaharaj, I pray to you that one day I can be selfless, devoted, strong, equipoised, intelligent, and compassionate just like my father, my Gurumaharaja. Please excuse me for my short comings, this daughter will keep trying and trying to serve the devotees, You, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to the best of my abilities please never give up on me.
I love you dearly.
Your Servant Sangita Priya Devi Dasi.
I want to take this opportunity to express my love and gratitude for you, thank you so much for coming into my life, thank you so much for being the person who has given their hand in helping me, thank you for all the time and effort you have put into advising me, guiding me and steering me in the right direction and most of all thank you for accepting me as your daughter. Gurudeva you are my hero, you are my role model, you are my well -wisher, you are my father.
I wish I could be doing more in order to help you serve Prabhupada. Gurudeva I am proud to call you my father, a father who selflessly travels the world and tirelessly spends hours on end helping people like myself, a father who has the strength of a lion, a father who is concerned about the highest welfare of all living beings, a father who’s shoes no one else can ever fill. You make me proud to be you daughter Gurumaharaj, I pray to you that one day I can be selfless, devoted, strong, equipoised, intelligent, and compassionate just like my father, my Gurumaharaja. Please excuse me for my short comings, this daughter will keep trying and trying to serve the devotees, You, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to the best of my abilities please never give up on me.
I love you dearly.
Your Servant Sangita Priya Devi Dasi.
Sattva-tanu das
Hare Krsna Dear Gurumaharaj
Please accept my humble obeisancess
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudev earlier this year I was fortunate to attend your Vyasa Puja celebration in Melbourne. The devotees had made a splendid attempt on portraying your struggling days behind the iron curtain. The austerities and the sacrifices that you voluntarily went through really made me examine my own situation- what am I really doing for you? I am sitting here in the comforts of a temple, complaining about how awful the cooking is! How terrible the weather has been! How bad my health has been. Such things are so insignificant in comparison to the austerities that you underwent just for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. In our last meeting in Sydney, when I expressed you about my so-called struggles, you asked me not be soft hearted, but to wait till the end and see the outcome. In our Krsna conscious life we often have the tendency to give up so easily, but from your simple yet powerful instruction I was able to understand how patience in Krsna consciousness is the most important thing. In my experience I have seen how a coconut tree takes over decades to grow up and become a mature fruit-bearing tree. Anyone who looses patients will give up on the hope of enjoying the fruits, but one who has patients will surely enjoy the cooling juice of the green coconut. We can see this in your preaching endeavours, how you have spent so much time in developing different communities inside our movement. New Zealand, which practically is one of the smallest countries in the world, has such a thriving community. This is all due to your patience and hard work.
Gurudev your enthusiasm and love for Srila Prabhupada and his books is so inspiring and contagious. I remember how I was stunned on my first visit to the end of the year festival, where I saw new comers being deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the recent years we have observed how your love for Srila Prabhupada’s books have spread like a wild forest fire into the youths of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath temple. With you guidance and blessing we would like to set the same fire in Canberra temple, so that the conditioned souls here can also engage in the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada. By your mercy and encouragement for preaching, we have started a humble bhakti outreach program for the western audience. Over a little time we have been receiving few guest who look very promising. Hopefully with time we would be able to grow further in our attempts to please you and Srila Prabhupada.
I was recently reading a song from Saranagati by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. In the song the Thakur exclaims in a prayerful mood ‘Oh Gurudev, when will that day be mine when I can sit with a steady mind in a secluded place and chant the Holynames of Krsna. When will the pandemonium of worldly existence no longer echo in my ear, when will this disease of identification with the body go away!’ The Thakur of course is not subjected to any of the above things, but it his compassion that he writes on behalf of our conditioned minds- teaching us how to constantly pray for the mercy of ones Guru to relish the genuine ecstatic feelings of chanting. I remember asking you one time - how I can learn vaishnava etiquettes and if there are any books that I can read about it, your reply was ‘keep chanting attentively’. At that moment I did not understand the depth of that instruction. But recently as I have been consciously observing my struggle to chant attentively and honour the vaisnavas properly, I realised that this inattentive chanting is the root of all disturbances.
Gurudev on this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to pray to you to give me your blessings so that I can be engaged in attentive chanting of the holynames and that I can become the humble servants of the devotees.
Your servant
Sattva-tanu das
Please accept my humble obeisancess
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Gurudev earlier this year I was fortunate to attend your Vyasa Puja celebration in Melbourne. The devotees had made a splendid attempt on portraying your struggling days behind the iron curtain. The austerities and the sacrifices that you voluntarily went through really made me examine my own situation- what am I really doing for you? I am sitting here in the comforts of a temple, complaining about how awful the cooking is! How terrible the weather has been! How bad my health has been. Such things are so insignificant in comparison to the austerities that you underwent just for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. In our last meeting in Sydney, when I expressed you about my so-called struggles, you asked me not be soft hearted, but to wait till the end and see the outcome. In our Krsna conscious life we often have the tendency to give up so easily, but from your simple yet powerful instruction I was able to understand how patience in Krsna consciousness is the most important thing. In my experience I have seen how a coconut tree takes over decades to grow up and become a mature fruit-bearing tree. Anyone who looses patients will give up on the hope of enjoying the fruits, but one who has patients will surely enjoy the cooling juice of the green coconut. We can see this in your preaching endeavours, how you have spent so much time in developing different communities inside our movement. New Zealand, which practically is one of the smallest countries in the world, has such a thriving community. This is all due to your patience and hard work.
Gurudev your enthusiasm and love for Srila Prabhupada and his books is so inspiring and contagious. I remember how I was stunned on my first visit to the end of the year festival, where I saw new comers being deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the recent years we have observed how your love for Srila Prabhupada’s books have spread like a wild forest fire into the youths of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath temple. With you guidance and blessing we would like to set the same fire in Canberra temple, so that the conditioned souls here can also engage in the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada. By your mercy and encouragement for preaching, we have started a humble bhakti outreach program for the western audience. Over a little time we have been receiving few guest who look very promising. Hopefully with time we would be able to grow further in our attempts to please you and Srila Prabhupada.
I was recently reading a song from Saranagati by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. In the song the Thakur exclaims in a prayerful mood ‘Oh Gurudev, when will that day be mine when I can sit with a steady mind in a secluded place and chant the Holynames of Krsna. When will the pandemonium of worldly existence no longer echo in my ear, when will this disease of identification with the body go away!’ The Thakur of course is not subjected to any of the above things, but it his compassion that he writes on behalf of our conditioned minds- teaching us how to constantly pray for the mercy of ones Guru to relish the genuine ecstatic feelings of chanting. I remember asking you one time - how I can learn vaishnava etiquettes and if there are any books that I can read about it, your reply was ‘keep chanting attentively’. At that moment I did not understand the depth of that instruction. But recently as I have been consciously observing my struggle to chant attentively and honour the vaisnavas properly, I realised that this inattentive chanting is the root of all disturbances.
Gurudev on this auspicious day of your appearance I would like to pray to you to give me your blessings so that I can be engaged in attentive chanting of the holynames and that I can become the humble servants of the devotees.
Your servant
Sattva-tanu das
Satvata das
Dear spiritual master, Devamrita Swami!
Please, allow me to offer my humble obeisances to the dust to the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Lord Chaytanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada!
It’s difficult to understand and evaluate what an immensurable mercy of Lord comes through you. Looking back at my past full of ignorance I can’t underestimate the profundity of changes that you brought into my life. When I first met you at the festival in Odesa in 2005 I was like a small foolish insect having no conception of what to do and where to go. But listening to your seminar “Prema Netra – On the way to see Krishna through” I felt a delicate touch to my stoned heart. Since then I’ve noticed how you work steadily lifting us up from different levels of ignorance and convert us into devoted servants of god. Unfortunately, the dense layers of ahankera still cover my consciousness and therefore I can describe with the words only the vestige of your great personality.
I’m really grateful to you, Gurudev, that you give such a wonderful opportunity to serve you by means of preaching to the fallen conditioned souls. The last two years I and my wife spent on the streets of Italy, Hungary and Germany taking part in the daily four hours harinama-sankirtana. But from time to time I feel that I don’t have ability to save not only the people who surround me but even myself from the painful circulation of material existence.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I praying that you could continue to pour the mercy and that the feeling of false pride for those small things I try to do for you will never appear in my heart.
The one who asks for an opportunity to stay always in the shadow of your lotus feet, your servant Satvata das.
Please, allow me to offer my humble obeisances to the dust to the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Lord Chaytanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada!
It’s difficult to understand and evaluate what an immensurable mercy of Lord comes through you. Looking back at my past full of ignorance I can’t underestimate the profundity of changes that you brought into my life. When I first met you at the festival in Odesa in 2005 I was like a small foolish insect having no conception of what to do and where to go. But listening to your seminar “Prema Netra – On the way to see Krishna through” I felt a delicate touch to my stoned heart. Since then I’ve noticed how you work steadily lifting us up from different levels of ignorance and convert us into devoted servants of god. Unfortunately, the dense layers of ahankera still cover my consciousness and therefore I can describe with the words only the vestige of your great personality.
I’m really grateful to you, Gurudev, that you give such a wonderful opportunity to serve you by means of preaching to the fallen conditioned souls. The last two years I and my wife spent on the streets of Italy, Hungary and Germany taking part in the daily four hours harinama-sankirtana. But from time to time I feel that I don’t have ability to save not only the people who surround me but even myself from the painful circulation of material existence.
On this auspicious day of your appearance I praying that you could continue to pour the mercy and that the feeling of false pride for those small things I try to do for you will never appear in my heart.
The one who asks for an opportunity to stay always in the shadow of your lotus feet, your servant Satvata das.
Satya Sara Devi Dasi
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
namaste sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine
nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya desa tarine
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Obeisances to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Words are not enough to glorify you. Your appearance in this world provides all of us the opportunity to glorify a dear devotee of the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Your presence and shining example of dedication to the service of Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord is indeed a great blessing for all the living entities in the world.
The most amazing thing is your expertise in preaching, the way you change your approach with the changing of peoples' mindsets. Your unique skill in preaching, competence in vaisnava dealings and compassion, your sense of humour, beautiful nice voice and your kirtans give a lot of energy.
It is indeed a great moment on this day of your Vyasa Puja to pour out my innermost feelings of earnest gratitude for pulling me out of my sufferings. I was suffering, I did not know how to proceed in life but by your causeless mercy & care, you showed me what I can do to help myself. And the amazing thing is that you do the same for thousands of others all around the world.
You have been a great support to my family especially my son and daughter. When material energy was pounding on me, you helped me in times of distress. Gurudev you have been a constant source of inspiration and moral support. Your valuable advice has made my existence in this material world meaningful. You patiently guide and give strength and stability.
Gurudev kindly free me from all desires for personal honor. O spiritual father please forgive me for my offences. Guru Maharaj I pray to Krsna to give you good health and a long life.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for being so kind to a fallen soul like me.
Your humble servant,
Satya Sara Devi Dasi
srimate devamrita svamin iti namine
pracāre ’pūrva-dakṣyaṁ ca bhaktācāra-pravīṇatā
parārthatāpi kāruṇyaṁ yasya sarve ca te namaḥ
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine
namaste sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine
nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya desa tarine
Dear Guru Maharaj
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Obeisances to you on this auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja.
Words are not enough to glorify you. Your appearance in this world provides all of us the opportunity to glorify a dear devotee of the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Your presence and shining example of dedication to the service of Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord is indeed a great blessing for all the living entities in the world.
The most amazing thing is your expertise in preaching, the way you change your approach with the changing of peoples' mindsets. Your unique skill in preaching, competence in vaisnava dealings and compassion, your sense of humour, beautiful nice voice and your kirtans give a lot of energy.
It is indeed a great moment on this day of your Vyasa Puja to pour out my innermost feelings of earnest gratitude for pulling me out of my sufferings. I was suffering, I did not know how to proceed in life but by your causeless mercy & care, you showed me what I can do to help myself. And the amazing thing is that you do the same for thousands of others all around the world.
You have been a great support to my family especially my son and daughter. When material energy was pounding on me, you helped me in times of distress. Gurudev you have been a constant source of inspiration and moral support. Your valuable advice has made my existence in this material world meaningful. You patiently guide and give strength and stability.
Gurudev kindly free me from all desires for personal honor. O spiritual father please forgive me for my offences. Guru Maharaj I pray to Krsna to give you good health and a long life.
Thank you Guru Maharaj for being so kind to a fallen soul like me.
Your humble servant,
Satya Sara Devi Dasi
Saurav Mittal
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for being so merciful to us.
Your sincere servant
Saurav Mittal.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for being so merciful to us.
Your sincere servant
Saurav Mittal.
Sayak Basu
Hare Krishna maharaj. Please accept my humble obeisance unto your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today is the auspicious occasion of your appearance day and probably one of the most important day in my life also. Your auspicious appearance onto this material world is divine. As scripture says that pure devotees appearances is 'divya' and as one of the formost warrior of Srila Prabhupada in the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu you are the savoir of thousand of souls and probably i am one of the most insignificant entity who got your mercy.
Your glories have no bounds and for me you are my only hope in this material world. I remember when i was first introduced in this movement the first sravanam of mine was your lecture and i was taken aback by your authoritative way of presentation and your conviction on who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Your analytical presentation of Shastric injunction with scientific understanding made me more convinced. After hearing your lecture i felt i have some hope in this material world to know about Supreme truth.
Whenever i feel spiritually depressed it is your message coming from your lotus mouth gives me the impetus to continue as i have conviction of what you say though i dont understand much shastra.
I had the divine opportunity to meet you this year on February at Mayapur dham and when i meet you i felt with your divine eyes you are crushing my all anarthas into pieces.
I am not qualified to even glorify you but with sincere heart i would like to express my gratitude to you and your effect on my life and my spiritual practice.
With utmost humility i beg you not to leave hope on this dog of yours who is filled with all anarthas and struggling hard on this ocean of material existence.
Thanking you
Your insignificant aspiring servant
Sayak Basu ISKCON Kolkata
Today is the auspicious occasion of your appearance day and probably one of the most important day in my life also. Your auspicious appearance onto this material world is divine. As scripture says that pure devotees appearances is 'divya' and as one of the formost warrior of Srila Prabhupada in the mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu you are the savoir of thousand of souls and probably i am one of the most insignificant entity who got your mercy.
Your glories have no bounds and for me you are my only hope in this material world. I remember when i was first introduced in this movement the first sravanam of mine was your lecture and i was taken aback by your authoritative way of presentation and your conviction on who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Your analytical presentation of Shastric injunction with scientific understanding made me more convinced. After hearing your lecture i felt i have some hope in this material world to know about Supreme truth.
Whenever i feel spiritually depressed it is your message coming from your lotus mouth gives me the impetus to continue as i have conviction of what you say though i dont understand much shastra.
I had the divine opportunity to meet you this year on February at Mayapur dham and when i meet you i felt with your divine eyes you are crushing my all anarthas into pieces.
I am not qualified to even glorify you but with sincere heart i would like to express my gratitude to you and your effect on my life and my spiritual practice.
With utmost humility i beg you not to leave hope on this dog of yours who is filled with all anarthas and struggling hard on this ocean of material existence.
Thanking you
Your insignificant aspiring servant
Sayak Basu ISKCON Kolkata
Sevamrita devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Now that I am a parent also, I can appreciate even more how expert you are in taking care of your spiritual children. Sometimes a simple thing as to how and how much to encourage or correct children requires much sensitivity and thoughts. Dealing with their tantrums and misbehaviours can be a painful ordeal at times. Still you guide us all patiently out of love.
Another outstanding aspect is how you teach by examples. Even mundane books on parenting, not just the Gita, emphasise how kids learns most and best by good examples. Your dedication and enthusiasm in devotional service, sensitivity in Vaisnava dealings and diligence in looking after your health as a service are perfect examples for us all to follow.
Gurudeva, thank you for being such a wonderful spiritual father & master to us all.
Your spiritual daughter,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Now that I am a parent also, I can appreciate even more how expert you are in taking care of your spiritual children. Sometimes a simple thing as to how and how much to encourage or correct children requires much sensitivity and thoughts. Dealing with their tantrums and misbehaviours can be a painful ordeal at times. Still you guide us all patiently out of love.
Another outstanding aspect is how you teach by examples. Even mundane books on parenting, not just the Gita, emphasise how kids learns most and best by good examples. Your dedication and enthusiasm in devotional service, sensitivity in Vaisnava dealings and diligence in looking after your health as a service are perfect examples for us all to follow.
Gurudeva, thank you for being such a wonderful spiritual father & master to us all.
Your spiritual daughter,
Sevamrita devi dasi
Shannon Cooper
His Holiness Guru Maharaja Devamrita Swami
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Swami, please accept my humble obeisance on the auspicious day of your appearance. I have the realisation that you truly are a bona fide representative of the Supreme, that you are firmly fixed to the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krishna... All Glories unto you !
My wish is to have constant service under your care and guidance, to get closer to you for intimate, heartfelt relations. But my guilt and shame prevents me from achieving that platform. I am a fool and rascal for blocking out your bright, merciful gaze with offenses.
Please take pity on me, Saintly Master, and forgive me of any wrongdoing, foolishness and ignorance !
The troubles of the world seem so far away when you are sheltered in the isolation of the wilderness... but the troubles of the mind linger. The desires that lead to desolation creep in, quickly, plug that hole before it becomes a torrent... have to be vigilant !
When I try to reach out and pull any Soul from the ocean of nescience and misery, it is I who am being dragged into material suffering ! Being so firmly fixed in Krishna and his service, You are the anchor, immovable ! I need your embrace to stop me slipping under the waves of sorrow and pain. It is You, oh merciful Master, that has the power to deliver us all. All the Devotees cling to you from the darkness of ignorance and death, for you hold the warmth, light, and love that is Krishna.
How can I have so much mercy and realisation from you, and yet have doubt along my path ? Krishna 'IS' Supreme and I know He is watching, but my senses become overwhelmed with temptation and desire. Why, after being screwed up into a ball and having the Devotees straighten me out again, do I have a desire to be screwed up again !?!
To escape passion, how so ? It can be so tiresome. I don't want to weaken and be exposed to fall ! Lift me from the modes so I can stand tall, liberate me from my material encagement and let Krishna be my only engagement !
More reading, more association... more chanting !! Become more regulated and strictly follow, just writing to you makes my mind more peaceful. I adore the Devotees, so bright, warm and full of love... I hope never to lose their association, I would be nothing without them ! Thank you Gurudeva, for polishing these gems so exquisitely !
Thank you Gurudeva for bestowing Bhakti on me, this is the greatest and most special gift I have ever received and I am indebted to the end of time to all the glorious Souls devoted to Krishna's service. My appreciation, I can't fully express, I only hope that one day I will be able to give you all the thanks you deserve !
Hare Krishna, Maharaja Devamrita Swami
from a truly insignificant aspiring servant.
All glories to His Holiness Devamrita Swami, please accept my humble obeisance on the auspicious day of your appearance. I have the realisation that you truly are a bona fide representative of the Supreme, that you are firmly fixed to the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krishna... All Glories unto you !
My wish is to have constant service under your care and guidance, to get closer to you for intimate, heartfelt relations. But my guilt and shame prevents me from achieving that platform. I am a fool and rascal for blocking out your bright, merciful gaze with offenses.
Please take pity on me, Saintly Master, and forgive me of any wrongdoing, foolishness and ignorance !
The troubles of the world seem so far away when you are sheltered in the isolation of the wilderness... but the troubles of the mind linger. The desires that lead to desolation creep in, quickly, plug that hole before it becomes a torrent... have to be vigilant !
When I try to reach out and pull any Soul from the ocean of nescience and misery, it is I who am being dragged into material suffering ! Being so firmly fixed in Krishna and his service, You are the anchor, immovable ! I need your embrace to stop me slipping under the waves of sorrow and pain. It is You, oh merciful Master, that has the power to deliver us all. All the Devotees cling to you from the darkness of ignorance and death, for you hold the warmth, light, and love that is Krishna.
How can I have so much mercy and realisation from you, and yet have doubt along my path ? Krishna 'IS' Supreme and I know He is watching, but my senses become overwhelmed with temptation and desire. Why, after being screwed up into a ball and having the Devotees straighten me out again, do I have a desire to be screwed up again !?!
To escape passion, how so ? It can be so tiresome. I don't want to weaken and be exposed to fall ! Lift me from the modes so I can stand tall, liberate me from my material encagement and let Krishna be my only engagement !
More reading, more association... more chanting !! Become more regulated and strictly follow, just writing to you makes my mind more peaceful. I adore the Devotees, so bright, warm and full of love... I hope never to lose their association, I would be nothing without them ! Thank you Gurudeva, for polishing these gems so exquisitely !
Thank you Gurudeva for bestowing Bhakti on me, this is the greatest and most special gift I have ever received and I am indebted to the end of time to all the glorious Souls devoted to Krishna's service. My appreciation, I can't fully express, I only hope that one day I will be able to give you all the thanks you deserve !
Hare Krishna, Maharaja Devamrita Swami
from a truly insignificant aspiring servant.
Shastra Krit Das
Namo om Vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Earlier this year when i was serving lunch for you and vaishesika pr in Mayapur, you prabhus were talking about book distribution & you asked my plan for book distribution this year and i replied saying "Svavas pr wants that we as a temple distribute at least 108 sets of Bhagavatam" to my surprise your Holiness & Vaisesika prabhu in unison said "no you alone should distribute 108 sets"
I have been trying to follow this loving instruction & benediction, so far i have distributed 64 sets and i just realized its your 64th appearance day as well. Please accept this humble offering and bless me i can reach 108 sets by the end of this year.
When new comers or neophyte devotees ( in a darshan ) are discussing with you whats going on in their lives, sometimes you laugh loudly (as the saying goes" if you have the heart to help, you have the right to criticize" ) as if you are saying thru your laughter "do not take this material world so seriously, because it is always changing. something that you take terribly serious today is going to change tomorrow"
Your faith, love, absorption & integrity in reading Prabhupad's books & distributing them is no secret, its so obvious like broad day light. Since day one you encouraged us to read and distribute Prabhupads books You proved to us how we can become happy our whole life and make others happy their whole life by taking shelter of Prabhupad's books.
It doesn't take a great soul to love someone they like and hate someone they don't like. You selflessly & patiently go where ever there is service of freeing the conditioned souls from the misconceptions & misunderstandings with Sri Krishna . Because your heart is full of love, only that love comes out.Just by being in your presence people want to chant hare krishna and serve Krsna .
it is said that if a spiritual person has love, peace, self control & compassion, we can understand that he is actually connected properly to his roots .From your Godly qualities its obvious you are definitely connected to the supreme root (Krishna ) Acyuta Gotra.
This reminds me how one time in Brisbane, the devotees rented a nice Boat for having Krishna katha and kirtan in your association.There were about 300 devotees on board. You wanted to rest a little before the program, so we went the captains cabin on the top floor. You just laid down to rest and three old indian men barged into the cabin and asked " swami ji where in india are you from "?
You looked at me in disbelief and sarcastically said to them " oh my great grand parents " and they pressed you more " which part of india are they from ? " and you with a straight face said "from New Delhi" and before they could ask another question you quickly said with a pranam gesture "alright if you have any more questions you can ask him" pointing to me.
The exchange was so funny i was laughing so hard, out side the cabin. When i came back in the cabin you asked me " you liked how i handled them "? and you added "why do the older indians always harass me, asking which part of india I'm from "? The whole exchange was so funny. But on a serious note when you told them that your great grand parents are from New Delhi i had a realization how, you are a real follower and descendent of Maharaj Yudhistira & the pandavas who used to rule the Hastinapura, modern New Delhi.
As the years go by in krishna con, i realize its a real serious commitment. Especially big cities of the west are like head quarters for lust. As you gave the breakdown of the most difficult places to practice bhakti ( brahmacarya) in your recent visit #1 being Rio de Janeiro, #2 Hawaii, # 3 Gold coast, #4 Southern California :). Either I sink or swim. its not at all easy to take care this ever changing fragile body, to do my sadhana, to control the senses, make time to reach out to others, just to name a few.
But you Gurudeva, not only do all this so carefully & expertly as a service to Prabhupad and Krishna, but you are also willing to carry this heavy burden of your disciples karma & problems without expecting anything in return. As Mahaprabhu prayed Na Dhanam, na janam , mama janmini janminesvare "i only want devotional service to you krishna, i don't even want liberation "
It says in Bhagavatam just like we can smell the fragrance of flowers just being in the garden of fragrant flowers, similarly when we go in front of krishna He can smell our devotion and Krishna is not impressed by anything else if we don't have bhakti. You are very dear to Krishna and Your heart is full of devotion to Krishna without any tinge of material desires. You have carefully sowed the seed of devotion in our hearts and watering the seed through your out of this world Bhakti lectures, encouraging us to chant attentively, offenselessly & serve the Vaishnavas. As you once said "Your spiritual health is measured by your attraction towards spontaneous hearing and chanting about Krishna."
As I'm making an humble attempt to assist you in spreading krishna con, its amazing to see how people are becoming more more degraded by the moment. Its hard in a whole year to get even one person to chant 16 rounds and take initiation, but you are so powerful you are able to inspire so many souls all over the world to come to the highest standard of bhakti. You teach the most valuable, serious knowledge in a most elegant, cheerful, funny and interactive way. As you said once "as long as you think there is some happiness in this world you will not be very successful in your preaching efforts".
Gurudeva on this most auspicious occasion if you so desire, please bless me that i come out of the clutches of illusion and be successful in bringing at least a few quality people to your lotus feet. For a whole month I was praying to krishna to give me some intelligence to glorify you, but like a dwarf trying to catch the moon, I'm not successful in glorifying you. Please accept these child like words of mine Gurudeva.
Many more happy returns of the day Gurudeva. I can't imagine a life without your Vapu. I selfishly pray to Krishna that he keeps you around for a long time and bless this planet with your lotus foot prints and the words that emanate from your lotus mouth.
Yhs
Shastra Krit Das
New Dwaraka Dham
Srimate Devamrita Swamin iti namine
Earlier this year when i was serving lunch for you and vaishesika pr in Mayapur, you prabhus were talking about book distribution & you asked my plan for book distribution this year and i replied saying "Svavas pr wants that we as a temple distribute at least 108 sets of Bhagavatam" to my surprise your Holiness & Vaisesika prabhu in unison said "no you alone should distribute 108 sets"
I have been trying to follow this loving instruction & benediction, so far i have distributed 64 sets and i just realized its your 64th appearance day as well. Please accept this humble offering and bless me i can reach 108 sets by the end of this year.
When new comers or neophyte devotees ( in a darshan ) are discussing with you whats going on in their lives, sometimes you laugh loudly (as the saying goes" if you have the heart to help, you have the right to criticize" ) as if you are saying thru your laughter "do not take this material world so seriously, because it is always changing. something that you take terribly serious today is going to change tomorrow"
Your faith, love, absorption & integrity in reading Prabhupad's books & distributing them is no secret, its so obvious like broad day light. Since day one you encouraged us to read and distribute Prabhupads books You proved to us how we can become happy our whole life and make others happy their whole life by taking shelter of Prabhupad's books.
It doesn't take a great soul to love someone they like and hate someone they don't like. You selflessly & patiently go where ever there is service of freeing the conditioned souls from the misconceptions & misunderstandings with Sri Krishna . Because your heart is full of love, only that love comes out.Just by being in your presence people want to chant hare krishna and serve Krsna .
it is said that if a spiritual person has love, peace, self control & compassion, we can understand that he is actually connected properly to his roots .From your Godly qualities its obvious you are definitely connected to the supreme root (Krishna ) Acyuta Gotra.
This reminds me how one time in Brisbane, the devotees rented a nice Boat for having Krishna katha and kirtan in your association.There were about 300 devotees on board. You wanted to rest a little before the program, so we went the captains cabin on the top floor. You just laid down to rest and three old indian men barged into the cabin and asked " swami ji where in india are you from "?
You looked at me in disbelief and sarcastically said to them " oh my great grand parents " and they pressed you more " which part of india are they from ? " and you with a straight face said "from New Delhi" and before they could ask another question you quickly said with a pranam gesture "alright if you have any more questions you can ask him" pointing to me.
The exchange was so funny i was laughing so hard, out side the cabin. When i came back in the cabin you asked me " you liked how i handled them "? and you added "why do the older indians always harass me, asking which part of india I'm from "? The whole exchange was so funny. But on a serious note when you told them that your great grand parents are from New Delhi i had a realization how, you are a real follower and descendent of Maharaj Yudhistira & the pandavas who used to rule the Hastinapura, modern New Delhi.
As the years go by in krishna con, i realize its a real serious commitment. Especially big cities of the west are like head quarters for lust. As you gave the breakdown of the most difficult places to practice bhakti ( brahmacarya) in your recent visit #1 being Rio de Janeiro, #2 Hawaii, # 3 Gold coast, #4 Southern California :). Either I sink or swim. its not at all easy to take care this ever changing fragile body, to do my sadhana, to control the senses, make time to reach out to others, just to name a few.
But you Gurudeva, not only do all this so carefully & expertly as a service to Prabhupad and Krishna, but you are also willing to carry this heavy burden of your disciples karma & problems without expecting anything in return. As Mahaprabhu prayed Na Dhanam, na janam , mama janmini janminesvare "i only want devotional service to you krishna, i don't even want liberation "
It says in Bhagavatam just like we can smell the fragrance of flowers just being in the garden of fragrant flowers, similarly when we go in front of krishna He can smell our devotion and Krishna is not impressed by anything else if we don't have bhakti. You are very dear to Krishna and Your heart is full of devotion to Krishna without any tinge of material desires. You have carefully sowed the seed of devotion in our hearts and watering the seed through your out of this world Bhakti lectures, encouraging us to chant attentively, offenselessly & serve the Vaishnavas. As you once said "Your spiritual health is measured by your attraction towards spontaneous hearing and chanting about Krishna."
As I'm making an humble attempt to assist you in spreading krishna con, its amazing to see how people are becoming more more degraded by the moment. Its hard in a whole year to get even one person to chant 16 rounds and take initiation, but you are so powerful you are able to inspire so many souls all over the world to come to the highest standard of bhakti. You teach the most valuable, serious knowledge in a most elegant, cheerful, funny and interactive way. As you said once "as long as you think there is some happiness in this world you will not be very successful in your preaching efforts".
Gurudeva on this most auspicious occasion if you so desire, please bless me that i come out of the clutches of illusion and be successful in bringing at least a few quality people to your lotus feet. For a whole month I was praying to krishna to give me some intelligence to glorify you, but like a dwarf trying to catch the moon, I'm not successful in glorifying you. Please accept these child like words of mine Gurudeva.
Many more happy returns of the day Gurudeva. I can't imagine a life without your Vapu. I selfishly pray to Krishna that he keeps you around for a long time and bless this planet with your lotus foot prints and the words that emanate from your lotus mouth.
Yhs
Shastra Krit Das
New Dwaraka Dham
Sita-pati, Param Satya, and Prahlad
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the Bhagavatam, Bhishma is glorified for his strict adherence to a great vow, brhad-vrata. Describing him amongst an assembly, the great Sisupala asked:
<i>How can you pass over the most exalted members of this assembly -- topmost sages dedicated to the Absolute Truth endowed with powers of austerity, divine insight and strict adherence to severe vows, sanctified by knowledge and worshiped even by the rulers of the universe?</i>
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.74.33-34
Sisupala's rhetorical question reveals both the exaltedness of humans like Bhishma, and also how Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is categorically distinct, and superior to them.
To follow a strict vow of celibacy is contrary to human nature. As Richard Dawkins succinctly explains: every human body in existence today is the descendent of an unbroken line of successfully reproducing organisms stretching back millions of years. This is, indeed, a veritable force of nature to be reckoned with.
We are left with two questions: why would someone do something so contrary to human nature? And: by what force are they able to stand in seeming defiance of the flow of material nature?
From a material perspective, a vow of celibacy makes no sense. It condemns to extinction the genes that have constructed the vehicle to carry them forward through time, by holding them trapped in a temporal dead end. The material survival agenda that underlies human existence is not adhered to.
This makes no sense if the Self is considered to be the body. It is, essentially, suicide.
When the Self is understood as the consciousness that pervades the body, then it makes a little more sense, but not much more. How is an intellectual idea of the Self as non-material able to override the very real and visceral dictates of the genes and their material agenda, when the mind itself is a product of genetic assembly?
This can only be possible when the Self is actually grasped as something beyond the individual expression of consciousness in a single body.
This is described in the First Canto of the Bhagavatam, when the assembled sages ask of Suta Goswami:
Please, therefore, being blessed with many years, explain to us, in an easily understandable way, what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.9
In his purport, Srila Prabhupada says:
<i>In Bhagavad-gita, worship of the acarya is recommended. The acaryas and gosvamis are always absorbed in thought of the well-being of the general public, especially their spiritual well-being. Spiritual wellbeing is automatically followed by material well-being. The acaryas therefore give directions in spiritual well-being for people in general.</i>
In this case, a Vaisnava sees Self as others: vaisnava dukha-para-dukhi, and his activity is based on an this expanded identity and agenda that transcends the body: the well-being of all.
From a material perspective this makes no sense. A Vaisnava is someone who sees a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose center is everywhere. Such a thing is generally imperceptible, and thus the actions of a Vaisnava make no material sense: like a dog seen chasing a rabbit from a distance, when the rabbit cannot be seen. The effect of the Vaisnava's realization is visible, but the object of his realization is not.
Of course, the object of a Vaisnava's realization is perceptible in the form of nama, murti, and prasadam; but when these are considered from a purely material perspective, again all sense is lost: "<i>OK, so they sing some songs, have some statues and paintings, and eat food. I don't get it...</i>"
It is only when these things are perceived as the visible aspect of an otherwise invisible iceberg whose existence is everywhere and everything that a context is created that brings accurate meaning to the activities of a Vaisnava.
Again, this is but a fleeting, interesting experience as an intellectual concept. It is only when it is truly realized that it becomes a sustained and solid context for existence:
<i>vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.</i>
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.11
We consider ourselves to be very lucky to have met you in this lifetime. Your wanderings about the face of the Earth make no material sense, and you bring joy and aliveness to the existence of everyone that you meet.
your servants in Brisbane,
Sita-pati, Param Satya, and Prahlad
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the Bhagavatam, Bhishma is glorified for his strict adherence to a great vow, brhad-vrata. Describing him amongst an assembly, the great Sisupala asked:
<i>How can you pass over the most exalted members of this assembly -- topmost sages dedicated to the Absolute Truth endowed with powers of austerity, divine insight and strict adherence to severe vows, sanctified by knowledge and worshiped even by the rulers of the universe?</i>
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.74.33-34
Sisupala's rhetorical question reveals both the exaltedness of humans like Bhishma, and also how Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is categorically distinct, and superior to them.
To follow a strict vow of celibacy is contrary to human nature. As Richard Dawkins succinctly explains: every human body in existence today is the descendent of an unbroken line of successfully reproducing organisms stretching back millions of years. This is, indeed, a veritable force of nature to be reckoned with.
We are left with two questions: why would someone do something so contrary to human nature? And: by what force are they able to stand in seeming defiance of the flow of material nature?
From a material perspective, a vow of celibacy makes no sense. It condemns to extinction the genes that have constructed the vehicle to carry them forward through time, by holding them trapped in a temporal dead end. The material survival agenda that underlies human existence is not adhered to.
This makes no sense if the Self is considered to be the body. It is, essentially, suicide.
When the Self is understood as the consciousness that pervades the body, then it makes a little more sense, but not much more. How is an intellectual idea of the Self as non-material able to override the very real and visceral dictates of the genes and their material agenda, when the mind itself is a product of genetic assembly?
This can only be possible when the Self is actually grasped as something beyond the individual expression of consciousness in a single body.
This is described in the First Canto of the Bhagavatam, when the assembled sages ask of Suta Goswami:
Please, therefore, being blessed with many years, explain to us, in an easily understandable way, what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.9
In his purport, Srila Prabhupada says:
<i>In Bhagavad-gita, worship of the acarya is recommended. The acaryas and gosvamis are always absorbed in thought of the well-being of the general public, especially their spiritual well-being. Spiritual wellbeing is automatically followed by material well-being. The acaryas therefore give directions in spiritual well-being for people in general.</i>
In this case, a Vaisnava sees Self as others: vaisnava dukha-para-dukhi, and his activity is based on an this expanded identity and agenda that transcends the body: the well-being of all.
From a material perspective this makes no sense. A Vaisnava is someone who sees a circle whose circumference is nowhere and whose center is everywhere. Such a thing is generally imperceptible, and thus the actions of a Vaisnava make no material sense: like a dog seen chasing a rabbit from a distance, when the rabbit cannot be seen. The effect of the Vaisnava's realization is visible, but the object of his realization is not.
Of course, the object of a Vaisnava's realization is perceptible in the form of nama, murti, and prasadam; but when these are considered from a purely material perspective, again all sense is lost: "<i>OK, so they sing some songs, have some statues and paintings, and eat food. I don't get it...</i>"
It is only when these things are perceived as the visible aspect of an otherwise invisible iceberg whose existence is everywhere and everything that a context is created that brings accurate meaning to the activities of a Vaisnava.
Again, this is but a fleeting, interesting experience as an intellectual concept. It is only when it is truly realized that it becomes a sustained and solid context for existence:
<i>vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.</i>
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.11
We consider ourselves to be very lucky to have met you in this lifetime. Your wanderings about the face of the Earth make no material sense, and you bring joy and aliveness to the existence of everyone that you meet.
your servants in Brisbane,
Sita-pati, Param Satya, and Prahlad
Sravananda Das
Nama om Vishnu padaya Krishna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Devamrita Swami itin namine
pracare purve daksyam ca bhakta cara pravinata
Prararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah.
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I have no words to thank you for what you have done for me. I am very grateful to have you as my spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada’s books and Krsna conscious lifestyle become easier to understand and practice as you expertly present it to us. May I never forget that you always hold our best interests at heart. You travel the whole world out of deep love and care in the hope that we may one day return to Krishna. It is not possible for conditioned souls like me to measure and repay your mercy. You never take any credit for anything you do; you only pass it on to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya.
As per the purport of SB 4.21.27, “… Krsna sends His representative, the spiritual master, or pure devotee. This is also the planned activity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. somehow or other if a conditioned soul surrenders to such personalities and by intimate association with them chances to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, he is saved from the material conditions of life.”
I can understand that my own perceptions are bounded by illusory identification with the material body, with the mind and senses. In order to destroy my illusion I hope I can assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada and I pray for the strength to give up all my offences to the devotees and the holy name. Gurudeva, I thank you for bestowing upon me your precious association and time. I beg at your lotus feet that I may one day surrender to you.
Your servant,
Sravananda Das
Srimate Devamrita Swami itin namine
pracare purve daksyam ca bhakta cara pravinata
Prararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah.
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I have no words to thank you for what you have done for me. I am very grateful to have you as my spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada’s books and Krsna conscious lifestyle become easier to understand and practice as you expertly present it to us. May I never forget that you always hold our best interests at heart. You travel the whole world out of deep love and care in the hope that we may one day return to Krishna. It is not possible for conditioned souls like me to measure and repay your mercy. You never take any credit for anything you do; you only pass it on to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya.
As per the purport of SB 4.21.27, “… Krsna sends His representative, the spiritual master, or pure devotee. This is also the planned activity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. somehow or other if a conditioned soul surrenders to such personalities and by intimate association with them chances to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, he is saved from the material conditions of life.”
I can understand that my own perceptions are bounded by illusory identification with the material body, with the mind and senses. In order to destroy my illusion I hope I can assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada and I pray for the strength to give up all my offences to the devotees and the holy name. Gurudeva, I thank you for bestowing upon me your precious association and time. I beg at your lotus feet that I may one day surrender to you.
Your servant,
Sravananda Das
Sri Goloka 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
Hare Krsna Srila Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your lotus feet.
On this auspicious day of Your appearance, your most unqualified disciple attempts to write an offering to you.
It is that time of the year where we focus our hearts in attempting to understand the greatest fortune we have been given; to come under the shelter of your lotus feet dear Srila Gurudeva, our eternal spiritual master, our greatest well-wisher.
guru krsna-rupa hana sastrera pramane
guru-rupe krsna krpa karena bhakta-gane
“According to the deliberate opinion of all revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is non-different from Krsna. Lord Krsna in the form of the spiritual master delivers His devotees.” - Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 1.45
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.47 explains that Krsna is situated in everyone’s heart as caitya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives one lessons to progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the spiritual master without.
I recall the moment back in the late 90s when your Divine Grace came to a Pandava Sena program. I came late to the program because we had to cook prasadam. I heard about a special guest coming to give a talk, though I did not know you or had a good look at you, still something drew me to you. Little did I know at that time that you are my eternal spiritual father. I was praying for a spiritual master to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda for years and then a few years later after I arrived in Sydney, I saw your Divine Grace again during personal darshan. I remember that special moment because it was then that I told you everything about my personal life. You listened and understood my issues and I did not feel judged once, all I felt was your care, your merciful glance injected life into me.
One thing astonishes me above everything else is that you are such a giving personality. You gave me so much support and guidance throughout the 10 years since I have known you, such is the reservoir of your mercy. I went through so many ups and downs and now I am again at such a crucial juncture in my life and you again came in and clarified everything. You are like an expert physician who knows what his patient needs and provides it. You take care of me so much like a loving father.
You are relentless in your mission to spread the teachings and the glories of Mahaprabhu. You work so hard and go through so many inconveniences. I remember once in Canada, a very small room was given to you and you had very little room to move around, me being on the bodily level was concerned about you and you somehow read what I was thinking and said to me that in Sankirtan, one has to go through inconveniences at times, but the main focus is spreading Krsna consciousness. That deeply touched me. Suddenly, I realized what caliber of devotee I was dealing with; you are an inspiration to everyone. You also said that we must literally rack our brains to spread this important message, you said it with so much gravity. What a powerful instruction.
I have so many things wrong with me, my pride, false ego and mental limitations. You cut through all that and engage me in service. I was hearing one of your lectures where you explain that varnasharam system is there to bring about a psycho-physical stability in order to practice Krsna consciousness peacefully. It was so nice. I always ask for instructions and service and you instruct me to become stable in my ashram. This is amazing to me because you not only care about my Krsna consciousness but also care about my longevity in practicing Krsna consciousness.
ekaki amara, nahi paya bala, hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi krpa kori, sraddha-bindu diya, deho krsna-nama-dhane
I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.
I have no qualification, nor the strength to carry on with my spiritual life. I intensely beg you to give me faith so that I can become solidly fixed in devotional service. Though I have made slow progress, you kindly tolerate me. Even though I am totally unqualified you gave me initiation. This is your causeless mercy. You care for my spiritual growth and voluntarily took so much risk to take me as your disciple. All I can do now is to pray that I remain at the dust of your lotus feet as nothing but a meek servant. I do not want any other position than this. I am fully satisfied at your lotus feet because at your lotus feet there is that unique sweet nectar I crave for.
Thank you again for being the center of my life. I am forever indebted to you. I dedicate whatever progress I have made so far in the path of bhakti at your lotus feet.
Your most insignificant servant,
Sri Goloka das
Krishna prasthaya bhutale
srimate Devamrita
swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Hare Krsna Srila Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your lotus feet.
On this auspicious day of Your appearance, your most unqualified disciple attempts to write an offering to you.
It is that time of the year where we focus our hearts in attempting to understand the greatest fortune we have been given; to come under the shelter of your lotus feet dear Srila Gurudeva, our eternal spiritual master, our greatest well-wisher.
guru krsna-rupa hana sastrera pramane
guru-rupe krsna krpa karena bhakta-gane
“According to the deliberate opinion of all revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is non-different from Krsna. Lord Krsna in the form of the spiritual master delivers His devotees.” - Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 1.45
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.47 explains that Krsna is situated in everyone’s heart as caitya-guru, the spiritual master within. When He is kind to some fortunate conditioned soul, He personally gives one lessons to progress in devotional service, instructing the person as the Supersoul within and the spiritual master without.
I recall the moment back in the late 90s when your Divine Grace came to a Pandava Sena program. I came late to the program because we had to cook prasadam. I heard about a special guest coming to give a talk, though I did not know you or had a good look at you, still something drew me to you. Little did I know at that time that you are my eternal spiritual father. I was praying for a spiritual master to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda for years and then a few years later after I arrived in Sydney, I saw your Divine Grace again during personal darshan. I remember that special moment because it was then that I told you everything about my personal life. You listened and understood my issues and I did not feel judged once, all I felt was your care, your merciful glance injected life into me.
One thing astonishes me above everything else is that you are such a giving personality. You gave me so much support and guidance throughout the 10 years since I have known you, such is the reservoir of your mercy. I went through so many ups and downs and now I am again at such a crucial juncture in my life and you again came in and clarified everything. You are like an expert physician who knows what his patient needs and provides it. You take care of me so much like a loving father.
You are relentless in your mission to spread the teachings and the glories of Mahaprabhu. You work so hard and go through so many inconveniences. I remember once in Canada, a very small room was given to you and you had very little room to move around, me being on the bodily level was concerned about you and you somehow read what I was thinking and said to me that in Sankirtan, one has to go through inconveniences at times, but the main focus is spreading Krsna consciousness. That deeply touched me. Suddenly, I realized what caliber of devotee I was dealing with; you are an inspiration to everyone. You also said that we must literally rack our brains to spread this important message, you said it with so much gravity. What a powerful instruction.
I have so many things wrong with me, my pride, false ego and mental limitations. You cut through all that and engage me in service. I was hearing one of your lectures where you explain that varnasharam system is there to bring about a psycho-physical stability in order to practice Krsna consciousness peacefully. It was so nice. I always ask for instructions and service and you instruct me to become stable in my ashram. This is amazing to me because you not only care about my Krsna consciousness but also care about my longevity in practicing Krsna consciousness.
ekaki amara, nahi paya bala, hari-nama-sankirtane
tumi krpa kori, sraddha-bindu diya, deho krsna-nama-dhane
I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna.
I have no qualification, nor the strength to carry on with my spiritual life. I intensely beg you to give me faith so that I can become solidly fixed in devotional service. Though I have made slow progress, you kindly tolerate me. Even though I am totally unqualified you gave me initiation. This is your causeless mercy. You care for my spiritual growth and voluntarily took so much risk to take me as your disciple. All I can do now is to pray that I remain at the dust of your lotus feet as nothing but a meek servant. I do not want any other position than this. I am fully satisfied at your lotus feet because at your lotus feet there is that unique sweet nectar I crave for.
Thank you again for being the center of my life. I am forever indebted to you. I dedicate whatever progress I have made so far in the path of bhakti at your lotus feet.
Your most insignificant servant,
Sri Goloka das
Sri Yasoda devi dasi
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
nama om visnu padaya krsna padaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebration.
Dear Guru Maharaja, on this special occasion I was meditating on how greatly fortunate I am to have been allowed the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.10 Srila Prabhupada gives this wonderful purport that I found very instructive:
'For advancement of material knowledge there is a need for personal ability and researching aptitude, but in the case of spiritual knowledge, all progress depends more or less on the mercy of the spiritual master. The spiritual master must be satisfied with the disciple; only then is knowledge automatically manifest before the student of spiritual science.
The process should not, however, be misunderstood to be something like magical feats whereby the spiritual master acts like a magician and injects spiritual knowledge into his disciple, as if surcharging him with an electrical current. The bona fide spiritual master reasonably explains everything to the disciple on the authorities of Vedic wisdom. The disciple can receive such teachings not exactly intellectually, but by submissive inquiries and a service attitude. The idea is that both the spiritual master and the disciple must be bona fide.'
Thankyou for always being that bona fide spiritual master for me.
Please kindly bless me that I can work towards being a submissive, bona fide disciple, serving and living your instructions as my life's goal.
Your servant,
Sri Yasoda devi dasi
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
nama om visnu padaya krsna padaya bhutale
srimate devamrta swami iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinta
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you on this most auspicious day of your Vyasa Puja celebration.
Dear Guru Maharaja, on this special occasion I was meditating on how greatly fortunate I am to have been allowed the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.10 Srila Prabhupada gives this wonderful purport that I found very instructive:
'For advancement of material knowledge there is a need for personal ability and researching aptitude, but in the case of spiritual knowledge, all progress depends more or less on the mercy of the spiritual master. The spiritual master must be satisfied with the disciple; only then is knowledge automatically manifest before the student of spiritual science.
The process should not, however, be misunderstood to be something like magical feats whereby the spiritual master acts like a magician and injects spiritual knowledge into his disciple, as if surcharging him with an electrical current. The bona fide spiritual master reasonably explains everything to the disciple on the authorities of Vedic wisdom. The disciple can receive such teachings not exactly intellectually, but by submissive inquiries and a service attitude. The idea is that both the spiritual master and the disciple must be bona fide.'
Thankyou for always being that bona fide spiritual master for me.
Please kindly bless me that I can work towards being a submissive, bona fide disciple, serving and living your instructions as my life's goal.
Your servant,
Sri Yasoda devi dasi
Sriman Nrsimha das
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Who exactly are we aiming to please, Krishna, or Krishna's devotee? We get Lord Caitanya's mercy by surrendering to Lord Nityananda and we get Srimati Radharani's mercy by surrendering to Lord Caitanya. Therefore it could be said that Krishna's full mercy is had only by surrendering onto the lotus feet of devotional service personified. Pleasing Krishna involves pleasing Srimati Radharani or Her representative, and when Krishna is pleased in this way, so is His representative. We hear and preach many times "pleasing Krishna means watering the root of the tree". If we want to feel genuinely satisfied at heart, we should engage our senses in serving the master of the senses, Hrisikesa. Simultaneously, Krishna is expressing that pleasing Him involves satisfying His devotee. Being Acyuta, Krishna will place His own, seemingly insignificant devotee on an almost equal platform to Himself - it appears therefore, that watering the root means pleasing Krishna's representative and not Krishna directly. This is more appropriate, to not attempt to control Krishna but to act in such a way that Krishna will want to be controlled. Thank you Guru Maharaja for allowing me a chance to surrender onto Krishna's pure devotee and the Parampara thereby enabling me a hope to one day receive Krishna's merciful glance.
I remember one instance this year when I was serving you your morning drink during the regional GBC Meetings. It was 5:30am, first day of the meetings and I knocked on your door. As I walked inside, you mentioned with a bright and exuberant face "Aahh... I'm well rested now and ready for action! I got a whole day of meetings ahead of me. You don't have to worry about that sort of stuff, do you?" "I hope not." I immediately responded back. You chuckled and replied back with confidence and gravity "for Krishna's service we're prepared to do anything." The profoundness of your reply didn't strike me immediately but upon contemplation could make out that this was the self-sacrificing mood of the Vrajavasis we are endeavoring to emulate. You have mentioned previously that to make a practice of questioning "what is the best thing I could do at every moment to please Krishna?" grants us a glimpse into Vrindavana life. Thank you Guru Maharaja for inspiring me with your tireless effort and enabling me to gradually understand that 'any' form devotional service one receives is the causeless benediction of Krishna and should be undertaken with great zeal.
Guru Maharaja, I am presently diseased with a selfish mood. I do not have much compassion to help those fully covered over by Maya and I falsely reason that, that is because I do not have sufficient taste in Krishna Consciousness. I would prefer to lock myself up and make a show of chanting and reading all day but I know know this is not very pleasing to the Parampara. I would like to beg for your blessings and empowerment so that I may develop ever-increasing enthusiasm and a selfless attitude with the outreach services I am engaged in. Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that through the medium of transcendental Book Distribution, the Krishna Consciousness movement will "automatically increase". We are beginning to witness this through our beginnings in follow-up and cultivation. I can now start to make out with some realised faith how the Book Distribution effort is working because I was fortunate to witness people who took a book from me now very happily chanting and dancing before the Deities. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and thank you Guru Maharaja for kindly engaging me in this service for the benefit of others as well as myself.
I was fortunate to meet with you early this year in Vrindavana also - I felt this to be most auspicious. After delivering an outstanding Srimad Bhagavatam class at the Krishna-Balaram Mandir, a while later you walked up to Hamsa prabhu and myself and said in your deep, resounding voice "Haribol! It's great to see you here." When I mentioned to you that we had extended our trip to learn the mridanga with the help of the 24 Hour Kirtan party, you amusingly mentioned "so you're learning the mridanga, you mean actually, the way its meant to be played?" "Yes, we're trying Guru Maharaja" I replied. "Good" you said, "It would be very nice to have expert mridanga players in Sydney." Guru Maharaja, thank you for inspiring your insignificant disciple in the art of kirtan for the pleasure of the Deities.
I thank Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha for giving me sufficient intelligence to contemplate on your instructions to me regularly. Please bless me that I can solidify my Krishna Consciousness more and more. This year and onward, with your empowerment and for your satisfaction, I will try my best to grow in maturity, to prioritise devotional activities appropriately, to reciprocate with Vaisnavas genuinely, to take shelter of the Holy Name sincerely and aim towards developing a selfless seva-bhava. I pray for your protection so that I may advance as your disciple for your pleasure.
Your insignificant servant,
Sriman Nrsimha das
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Who exactly are we aiming to please, Krishna, or Krishna's devotee? We get Lord Caitanya's mercy by surrendering to Lord Nityananda and we get Srimati Radharani's mercy by surrendering to Lord Caitanya. Therefore it could be said that Krishna's full mercy is had only by surrendering onto the lotus feet of devotional service personified. Pleasing Krishna involves pleasing Srimati Radharani or Her representative, and when Krishna is pleased in this way, so is His representative. We hear and preach many times "pleasing Krishna means watering the root of the tree". If we want to feel genuinely satisfied at heart, we should engage our senses in serving the master of the senses, Hrisikesa. Simultaneously, Krishna is expressing that pleasing Him involves satisfying His devotee. Being Acyuta, Krishna will place His own, seemingly insignificant devotee on an almost equal platform to Himself - it appears therefore, that watering the root means pleasing Krishna's representative and not Krishna directly. This is more appropriate, to not attempt to control Krishna but to act in such a way that Krishna will want to be controlled. Thank you Guru Maharaja for allowing me a chance to surrender onto Krishna's pure devotee and the Parampara thereby enabling me a hope to one day receive Krishna's merciful glance.
I remember one instance this year when I was serving you your morning drink during the regional GBC Meetings. It was 5:30am, first day of the meetings and I knocked on your door. As I walked inside, you mentioned with a bright and exuberant face "Aahh... I'm well rested now and ready for action! I got a whole day of meetings ahead of me. You don't have to worry about that sort of stuff, do you?" "I hope not." I immediately responded back. You chuckled and replied back with confidence and gravity "for Krishna's service we're prepared to do anything." The profoundness of your reply didn't strike me immediately but upon contemplation could make out that this was the self-sacrificing mood of the Vrajavasis we are endeavoring to emulate. You have mentioned previously that to make a practice of questioning "what is the best thing I could do at every moment to please Krishna?" grants us a glimpse into Vrindavana life. Thank you Guru Maharaja for inspiring me with your tireless effort and enabling me to gradually understand that 'any' form devotional service one receives is the causeless benediction of Krishna and should be undertaken with great zeal.
Guru Maharaja, I am presently diseased with a selfish mood. I do not have much compassion to help those fully covered over by Maya and I falsely reason that, that is because I do not have sufficient taste in Krishna Consciousness. I would prefer to lock myself up and make a show of chanting and reading all day but I know know this is not very pleasing to the Parampara. I would like to beg for your blessings and empowerment so that I may develop ever-increasing enthusiasm and a selfless attitude with the outreach services I am engaged in. Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that through the medium of transcendental Book Distribution, the Krishna Consciousness movement will "automatically increase". We are beginning to witness this through our beginnings in follow-up and cultivation. I can now start to make out with some realised faith how the Book Distribution effort is working because I was fortunate to witness people who took a book from me now very happily chanting and dancing before the Deities. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and thank you Guru Maharaja for kindly engaging me in this service for the benefit of others as well as myself.
I was fortunate to meet with you early this year in Vrindavana also - I felt this to be most auspicious. After delivering an outstanding Srimad Bhagavatam class at the Krishna-Balaram Mandir, a while later you walked up to Hamsa prabhu and myself and said in your deep, resounding voice "Haribol! It's great to see you here." When I mentioned to you that we had extended our trip to learn the mridanga with the help of the 24 Hour Kirtan party, you amusingly mentioned "so you're learning the mridanga, you mean actually, the way its meant to be played?" "Yes, we're trying Guru Maharaja" I replied. "Good" you said, "It would be very nice to have expert mridanga players in Sydney." Guru Maharaja, thank you for inspiring your insignificant disciple in the art of kirtan for the pleasure of the Deities.
I thank Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha for giving me sufficient intelligence to contemplate on your instructions to me regularly. Please bless me that I can solidify my Krishna Consciousness more and more. This year and onward, with your empowerment and for your satisfaction, I will try my best to grow in maturity, to prioritise devotional activities appropriately, to reciprocate with Vaisnavas genuinely, to take shelter of the Holy Name sincerely and aim towards developing a selfless seva-bhava. I pray for your protection so that I may advance as your disciple for your pleasure.
Your insignificant servant,
Sriman Nrsimha das
Sruti-cari dd
Dear Guru Deva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Recently you instructed me: ‘Start thinking daily of what you have to be grateful for.’ You explained, ‘Gratitude is both materially and spiritually healthy.’
Here is a simple gratitude list.
Thank you Guru Deva:
- For always being so patient with me
- For always being my well wisher and always wanting the best for me.
- For creating such a wonderful devotee community.
- For setting up the mentoring system we have and for training such wonderful mentors as Krishnaloka
- For empowering me to push through my self created limits
- For saving me from an utterly miserable and pointless life
- For caring for devotees
- For teaching us to out reach and care for others.
- For encouraging me
- For delivering Srila Prabhupada's messages intact, and so extremely powerfully
- For always encouraging us to distribute Prabhupada’s books
- For caring about cows
- For all your tireless work to inspire people all around the world in their Krishna conscious development.
- For accepting me as your spiritual daughter
- For not giving up on me, despite my lack of reciprocation.
- For your amazing kirtanas in which you transport us to the spiritual world.
- For classes that so clearly explain Bhakti. We hang on your words for hours at a time.
- For the wonderful recharge festivals each year.
Actually I think this list could go on for ever.
It reminds me of the list in the Krishna book of things Krishna and Balarama learned from their Spiritual master, Sandipani Muni. So many amazing and fascinating Vedic arts and sciences, they studied! The topics varied from reading minds, to hair dressing; from theatrical arts, to magical feats; from flower arranging, to how to speak the languages of animals. You also teach us many incredible things, for example, how to be a human!
After Sixty-four days Krishna and Balarama had learned everything possible from their teacher. Well I am a slow student at the best (perhaps sixty-four lifetimes would be enough?) But anything of value that I do know, I learned from you. You are a truly expert teacher, not only presenting the knowledge but inspiring a desire to learn in your students.
When Krishna and Balarama had learned all the intricacies of Vedic wisdom, they wanted to offer their spiritual master some Guru Dakshina. Srila Prabhupada tells us, ‘It is essential that a student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received, either material or spiritual.’ Hhmmm….. What can I offer? I don’t have much. Krishna and Balarama could offer everything and anything in existence. All I can really offer you is my heart – poor, mangled thing that it is. Despite my many faults, I do try my best always, and I hope that you can continue to accept me as,
Your servant and spiritual daughter.
Sruti-cari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Recently you instructed me: ‘Start thinking daily of what you have to be grateful for.’ You explained, ‘Gratitude is both materially and spiritually healthy.’
Here is a simple gratitude list.
Thank you Guru Deva:
- For always being so patient with me
- For always being my well wisher and always wanting the best for me.
- For creating such a wonderful devotee community.
- For setting up the mentoring system we have and for training such wonderful mentors as Krishnaloka
- For empowering me to push through my self created limits
- For saving me from an utterly miserable and pointless life
- For caring for devotees
- For teaching us to out reach and care for others.
- For encouraging me
- For delivering Srila Prabhupada's messages intact, and so extremely powerfully
- For always encouraging us to distribute Prabhupada’s books
- For caring about cows
- For all your tireless work to inspire people all around the world in their Krishna conscious development.
- For accepting me as your spiritual daughter
- For not giving up on me, despite my lack of reciprocation.
- For your amazing kirtanas in which you transport us to the spiritual world.
- For classes that so clearly explain Bhakti. We hang on your words for hours at a time.
- For the wonderful recharge festivals each year.
Actually I think this list could go on for ever.
It reminds me of the list in the Krishna book of things Krishna and Balarama learned from their Spiritual master, Sandipani Muni. So many amazing and fascinating Vedic arts and sciences, they studied! The topics varied from reading minds, to hair dressing; from theatrical arts, to magical feats; from flower arranging, to how to speak the languages of animals. You also teach us many incredible things, for example, how to be a human!
After Sixty-four days Krishna and Balarama had learned everything possible from their teacher. Well I am a slow student at the best (perhaps sixty-four lifetimes would be enough?) But anything of value that I do know, I learned from you. You are a truly expert teacher, not only presenting the knowledge but inspiring a desire to learn in your students.
When Krishna and Balarama had learned all the intricacies of Vedic wisdom, they wanted to offer their spiritual master some Guru Dakshina. Srila Prabhupada tells us, ‘It is essential that a student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received, either material or spiritual.’ Hhmmm….. What can I offer? I don’t have much. Krishna and Balarama could offer everything and anything in existence. All I can really offer you is my heart – poor, mangled thing that it is. Despite my many faults, I do try my best always, and I hope that you can continue to accept me as,
Your servant and spiritual daughter.
Sruti-cari dd
Stambha bhava das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the Cintamani dust at your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
For me to proclaim that I can find adequate words to glorify my illustrious Spiritual Master would certainly make me sound like a number one fool, but with all sincerity I must try to the best of my ability for my own purification.
"O my merciful Lord Caitanya, may the nectarean Ganges waters of Your transcendental activities flow on the surface of my desertlike tongue. Beautifying these waters are the lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Kṛṣṇa's holy name, which are the pleasure abodes of unalloyed devotees. These devotees are compared to swans, ducks and bees. The river's flowing produces a melodious sound that gladdens their ears."
"Lord Caitanya's movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is full of dancing and singing about the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is compared herein to the pure waters of the Ganges, which are full of lotus flowers. The enjoyers of these lotus flowers are the pure devotees, who are like bees and swans. They chant like the flowing of the Ganges, the river of the celestial kingdom. The author desires such sweetly flowing waves to cover his tongue. He humbly compares himself to materialistic persons who always engage in dry talk from which they derive no satisfaction. If they were to use their dry tongues to chant the holy name of the Lord — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — as exemplified by Lord Caitanya, they would taste sweet nectar and enjoy life."
C.C. Adi Lila 2.2 verse and purport
Being one of those swans Gurudeva, you are showing by example how one can develop strong attachment and relish for chanting the glories of the Lord. As a result of this attachment you have realized what it is that conditioned souls are missing out on. Therefore with deep compassion and vigorous determination you selflessly give Krishna to others no matter what obstacles fall in your way, performing this severe austerity you even risk your own life.
Recently I have been meditating on the fact of how much empowerment Krishna has given you to push forward Srila Prabhupada's mission in New Zealand. You are the driving force and inspiration behind the Loft preaching, university preaching and Prasad distribution then assisting Srila Prabhupada to establish Varnasrama dharma by preaching very strongly about the glories of Cow protection and of course so much book distribution. Ultimately you are the reason behind so many conditioned souls coming to Krishna Consciousness and maintaining their enthusiasm in spiritual life by your expert counsel and guidance. All this empowerment is truly astonishing. Actually the most amazing thing though is how you never become proud but always remain in the humble position giving all credit to Guru and Gauranga. This humility, in my eyes, is certainly the most attractive of all your divine qualities. Last August while giving a talk at the Auckland Loft a lady asked you the question "are you of advanced consciousness?" now, it would have been all too easy with someone with over 40 years of devotional service under their belt, of which 30 in the Sanyasa order and hundreds of disciples to say "yes, of course!" but you, exhibiting your natural humility said "I always feel like a beginner in spiritual consciousness because the results are endless."
Sanatana Goswami gives a very wonderful definition of genuine humility in his Sri Brihad Bhagavatamrita.
yenasadharanasakta
dhama-buddhih sadatmani
sarvotkarsanvite pi syad
budhais tad dainyam isyate
"Wise men define dainya as the state in which one always thinks himself exceptionally incapable and low even when endowed with all excellences"
You have expressed your desire that your disciples not add the title Srila to your name (which Gopiparanadhana prabhu translates as "one who is endowed with all the opulances of Sri") and even chastised us for using that title for you. But undeniably we can all see that this title is very much befitting such an empowered representative of the Parampara as yourself who has been given extraordinary opulance, which of course, you fully engage in the service of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan movement. Again taking the humble position you very much feel yourself undeserving of such a title.
On this auspicious day I humbly beg that I can soon develop a drop of the ocean of humility you have, without which one cannot attain Krishna Prema.
And finally I would like to express my deep gratitude for all the love, care and guidance you have poured in to me over the years, it has almost certainly been a great test of tolerance and patience for you, so I thank you from the core of my heart.
All glories to your selfless service!
Your servant
Stambha bhava das
Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the Cintamani dust at your lotus feet.
All glories to you on this most auspicious day.
For me to proclaim that I can find adequate words to glorify my illustrious Spiritual Master would certainly make me sound like a number one fool, but with all sincerity I must try to the best of my ability for my own purification.
"O my merciful Lord Caitanya, may the nectarean Ganges waters of Your transcendental activities flow on the surface of my desertlike tongue. Beautifying these waters are the lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Kṛṣṇa's holy name, which are the pleasure abodes of unalloyed devotees. These devotees are compared to swans, ducks and bees. The river's flowing produces a melodious sound that gladdens their ears."
"Lord Caitanya's movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is full of dancing and singing about the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is compared herein to the pure waters of the Ganges, which are full of lotus flowers. The enjoyers of these lotus flowers are the pure devotees, who are like bees and swans. They chant like the flowing of the Ganges, the river of the celestial kingdom. The author desires such sweetly flowing waves to cover his tongue. He humbly compares himself to materialistic persons who always engage in dry talk from which they derive no satisfaction. If they were to use their dry tongues to chant the holy name of the Lord — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — as exemplified by Lord Caitanya, they would taste sweet nectar and enjoy life."
C.C. Adi Lila 2.2 verse and purport
Being one of those swans Gurudeva, you are showing by example how one can develop strong attachment and relish for chanting the glories of the Lord. As a result of this attachment you have realized what it is that conditioned souls are missing out on. Therefore with deep compassion and vigorous determination you selflessly give Krishna to others no matter what obstacles fall in your way, performing this severe austerity you even risk your own life.
Recently I have been meditating on the fact of how much empowerment Krishna has given you to push forward Srila Prabhupada's mission in New Zealand. You are the driving force and inspiration behind the Loft preaching, university preaching and Prasad distribution then assisting Srila Prabhupada to establish Varnasrama dharma by preaching very strongly about the glories of Cow protection and of course so much book distribution. Ultimately you are the reason behind so many conditioned souls coming to Krishna Consciousness and maintaining their enthusiasm in spiritual life by your expert counsel and guidance. All this empowerment is truly astonishing. Actually the most amazing thing though is how you never become proud but always remain in the humble position giving all credit to Guru and Gauranga. This humility, in my eyes, is certainly the most attractive of all your divine qualities. Last August while giving a talk at the Auckland Loft a lady asked you the question "are you of advanced consciousness?" now, it would have been all too easy with someone with over 40 years of devotional service under their belt, of which 30 in the Sanyasa order and hundreds of disciples to say "yes, of course!" but you, exhibiting your natural humility said "I always feel like a beginner in spiritual consciousness because the results are endless."
Sanatana Goswami gives a very wonderful definition of genuine humility in his Sri Brihad Bhagavatamrita.
yenasadharanasakta
dhama-buddhih sadatmani
sarvotkarsanvite pi syad
budhais tad dainyam isyate
"Wise men define dainya as the state in which one always thinks himself exceptionally incapable and low even when endowed with all excellences"
You have expressed your desire that your disciples not add the title Srila to your name (which Gopiparanadhana prabhu translates as "one who is endowed with all the opulances of Sri") and even chastised us for using that title for you. But undeniably we can all see that this title is very much befitting such an empowered representative of the Parampara as yourself who has been given extraordinary opulance, which of course, you fully engage in the service of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan movement. Again taking the humble position you very much feel yourself undeserving of such a title.
On this auspicious day I humbly beg that I can soon develop a drop of the ocean of humility you have, without which one cannot attain Krishna Prema.
And finally I would like to express my deep gratitude for all the love, care and guidance you have poured in to me over the years, it has almost certainly been a great test of tolerance and patience for you, so I thank you from the core of my heart.
All glories to your selfless service!
Your servant
Stambha bhava das
Stephen Lyell
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I’m reflecting on the extraordinary and most mystical impact that you’ve had on the lives of not only me, but my ephemeral relatives and those I’ve seen come into the association of devotees in the drip of time I’ve been practicing.
When I first had your darshan at The Loft yoga lounge, 3 years ago, I was so spaced out.
In the introduction to the 14th Chapter, 9th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada refers to Brahma’s grandson, Soma, as “the king of all drugs and stars”
Although unaware of who Soma was, in this respect, I was actually one of his staunch followers.
By the inconceivable mercy of Lord Caitanya, I was brought into your association that evening, which to my oblivion was the reunion with my eternal spiritual well wisher, teacher, master but most importantly; father.
Seeing past the dense layers of ignorance, permeating my existence, you reached out to me; a unit of spiritual consciousness lost in identity, trying to extract happiness from a world where there is no happiness.
You, Gurudeva, acting as a perfect, pure instrument in delivering Krishna’s causeless mercy gave me an opportunity and full encouragement to take up the practice of Bhakti and live a life full of Vaisnava sanga, study of the Sastra and distribution of the Sastra.
A life of regulation, steadiness and sense control.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita 2.69:
ya nisa sarva-bhutanam
tasyam jagarti samyami
yasyam jagrati bhutani
sa nisa pasyato muneh
“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.”
Had you told me during our first encounter, these activities of sadhana-bhakti would soon comprise my future lifestyle, it would have struck me as outlandish, barren, sterile!
Heavily suppressed by the modes of material nature, it’s hard to understand that selfless-devotional service and glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is where real taste lies.
The Vasudeva-katha-rucih.
Lord Kapila says in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.25:
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
“In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart.”
In your association Gurudeva, despite my disqualification and moreover, perilously diseased condition, I can see what it’s like to be free from lust, anger, greed, all by observing your wonderful character. Your shining example in complete dedication to serving Srila Prabhupada with mind, body and words, tirelessly traveling and preaching, accepting this labor of love, attracts and captivates the life of so many.
Even the lives of my so-called family members have been struck with the Bhakti-baton, strongly wielded in your instructions.
Since making an attempt to submit myself to your service, my older sister Lydia moved to New York, to join the daily grind.
- Her first friend/work colleague was a young lady named Vrindavan, raised in the Brooklyn temple; she introduced Lydia to the Bhakti facilities in NYC.
Since, she has now had the fortune of hearing from personalities such as HH Radhanatha Swami and HH Dhanurdhara Swami, has been engaged in temple seva and considers me “so fortunate to have such an amazing teacher” being you, Guru Maharaj.
I pray that she utilize her youthful energies in serving your lotus feet.
- The younger sister, now 12 years old, felt bad for the suffering of animals and has become vegetarian. Coming to The Loft just once, she was buzzed by the atmosphere and anticipates a return. I pray that she also come to the enlivening, buzzing position of serving your lotus feet.
- My Mother, she can’t stop crying when she see’s the devotee's chanting and dancing. After having your supportive and heart-felt association, and appreciating the care and attention you provide to her miserly son, I pray that she come closer to serving your lotus feet.
-The older brother, Matthew, (a now familiar face at Bhakti Lounge) during his first kirtan evening, let go of profile consciousness and stirred his heart into the chanting of “Jaya Rama, Sita Rama” tasting the soothing effects of the Holy Name, to whatever extent Krishna sanctioned. Please bring him under your guidance and shelter, stirring the unwanted things in the heart to a pulp through vigorous chanting.
By your grace, they’re all getting the mercy, through your disciples and the incredible facility you’ve set up here in New Zealand.
Please forgive me for my offenses and shortcomings in trying to serve you Gurudeva.
Hope against hope to become your servant,
Steve
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to you.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On this auspicious day of your appearance, I’m reflecting on the extraordinary and most mystical impact that you’ve had on the lives of not only me, but my ephemeral relatives and those I’ve seen come into the association of devotees in the drip of time I’ve been practicing.
When I first had your darshan at The Loft yoga lounge, 3 years ago, I was so spaced out.
In the introduction to the 14th Chapter, 9th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada refers to Brahma’s grandson, Soma, as “the king of all drugs and stars”
Although unaware of who Soma was, in this respect, I was actually one of his staunch followers.
By the inconceivable mercy of Lord Caitanya, I was brought into your association that evening, which to my oblivion was the reunion with my eternal spiritual well wisher, teacher, master but most importantly; father.
Seeing past the dense layers of ignorance, permeating my existence, you reached out to me; a unit of spiritual consciousness lost in identity, trying to extract happiness from a world where there is no happiness.
You, Gurudeva, acting as a perfect, pure instrument in delivering Krishna’s causeless mercy gave me an opportunity and full encouragement to take up the practice of Bhakti and live a life full of Vaisnava sanga, study of the Sastra and distribution of the Sastra.
A life of regulation, steadiness and sense control.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita 2.69:
ya nisa sarva-bhutanam
tasyam jagarti samyami
yasyam jagrati bhutani
sa nisa pasyato muneh
“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.”
Had you told me during our first encounter, these activities of sadhana-bhakti would soon comprise my future lifestyle, it would have struck me as outlandish, barren, sterile!
Heavily suppressed by the modes of material nature, it’s hard to understand that selfless-devotional service and glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is where real taste lies.
The Vasudeva-katha-rucih.
Lord Kapila says in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.25:
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
“In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart.”
In your association Gurudeva, despite my disqualification and moreover, perilously diseased condition, I can see what it’s like to be free from lust, anger, greed, all by observing your wonderful character. Your shining example in complete dedication to serving Srila Prabhupada with mind, body and words, tirelessly traveling and preaching, accepting this labor of love, attracts and captivates the life of so many.
Even the lives of my so-called family members have been struck with the Bhakti-baton, strongly wielded in your instructions.
Since making an attempt to submit myself to your service, my older sister Lydia moved to New York, to join the daily grind.
- Her first friend/work colleague was a young lady named Vrindavan, raised in the Brooklyn temple; she introduced Lydia to the Bhakti facilities in NYC.
Since, she has now had the fortune of hearing from personalities such as HH Radhanatha Swami and HH Dhanurdhara Swami, has been engaged in temple seva and considers me “so fortunate to have such an amazing teacher” being you, Guru Maharaj.
I pray that she utilize her youthful energies in serving your lotus feet.
- The younger sister, now 12 years old, felt bad for the suffering of animals and has become vegetarian. Coming to The Loft just once, she was buzzed by the atmosphere and anticipates a return. I pray that she also come to the enlivening, buzzing position of serving your lotus feet.
- My Mother, she can’t stop crying when she see’s the devotee's chanting and dancing. After having your supportive and heart-felt association, and appreciating the care and attention you provide to her miserly son, I pray that she come closer to serving your lotus feet.
-The older brother, Matthew, (a now familiar face at Bhakti Lounge) during his first kirtan evening, let go of profile consciousness and stirred his heart into the chanting of “Jaya Rama, Sita Rama” tasting the soothing effects of the Holy Name, to whatever extent Krishna sanctioned. Please bring him under your guidance and shelter, stirring the unwanted things in the heart to a pulp through vigorous chanting.
By your grace, they’re all getting the mercy, through your disciples and the incredible facility you’ve set up here in New Zealand.
Please forgive me for my offenses and shortcomings in trying to serve you Gurudeva.
Hope against hope to become your servant,
Steve
Subuddhi-Raya Dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this auspicious day. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to engage in Krishna’s loving service in the Auckland brahmacari ashram. This has given me the chance to get more of your association and it allows me the opportunity to serve Krishna closely with the wonderful association of the other devotees in the ashram.
Under your expert guidance I have been observing in admiration the prabhu’s in the ashram develop compassion for Krishna’s parts and parcels who, while in temporary exile from His abode are ignorant of the fact that the material world is a false home for the soul. The prabhu’s are working ever more towards more and more book and prasadam distribution all the while developing loving co-operation with each other in the ashram. I feel humbled and so grateful that you have allowed me to serve alongside them. It seems to me that all their inspiration comes from you. It is due to your inspiring quest to travel the globe to release the suffering people from the ever strong crocodile like grip of Maya’s illusory promises of finding happiness here in this material world that we get the drive to reach out more and more to people to give them the wonderful shelter that can be found in Srila Prabhupada’s books. Even though you juggle so many activities, whenever you come to Auckland you give us brahmacaris so much care and attention, making sure that we are healthy and happy in Krishna’s service. As you have said, you want us to have the opportunities and facilities you would have wanted to have as your time as a brahmacari. Thank you very much for this devotion and kindness.
I have realized for myself as well that all I need to do to give me the motivation and encouragement to engage in the selfless service of book distribution or any of the other services here is to think of you. I understood this recently when I went down to Wellington to see my Granddad who is very sick with cancer. He was delighted to see me and although I was happy to see him after not seeing him after quite a long time, it was sad to see how people prepare to pass from this world with no real knowledge of themselves or of the actual glorious position of God. A few days later I got ready to go back to Auckland so that I could carry on with my service of distributing prasadam to the university students the next day. When I said goodbye he started to cry, which I had never seen him do, and he told me that he thought that me coming to see him was a blessing and that I was a good man. On the plane back home passing over Wellington, I recalled that when I used to live down there I hadn’t even spared any time to see my Granddad, with regret I felt that I wasn’t much of a “good man” as he had said. Feeling down I also felt as though I still had no attraction for Krishna’s service I was wondering how I could go on and how could I get this motivation to spread Krishna consciousness as you do. Then I recognized that actually I get all the inspiration I need from you, from your instructions, from your association, from your classes and from your kirtans. With this feeling now embedded in my heart I know I can go on more strongly in my attempt to become as attached to Krishna as you yourself have become.
Thank you very much Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Subuddhi-Raya Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you on this auspicious day. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to engage in Krishna’s loving service in the Auckland brahmacari ashram. This has given me the chance to get more of your association and it allows me the opportunity to serve Krishna closely with the wonderful association of the other devotees in the ashram.
Under your expert guidance I have been observing in admiration the prabhu’s in the ashram develop compassion for Krishna’s parts and parcels who, while in temporary exile from His abode are ignorant of the fact that the material world is a false home for the soul. The prabhu’s are working ever more towards more and more book and prasadam distribution all the while developing loving co-operation with each other in the ashram. I feel humbled and so grateful that you have allowed me to serve alongside them. It seems to me that all their inspiration comes from you. It is due to your inspiring quest to travel the globe to release the suffering people from the ever strong crocodile like grip of Maya’s illusory promises of finding happiness here in this material world that we get the drive to reach out more and more to people to give them the wonderful shelter that can be found in Srila Prabhupada’s books. Even though you juggle so many activities, whenever you come to Auckland you give us brahmacaris so much care and attention, making sure that we are healthy and happy in Krishna’s service. As you have said, you want us to have the opportunities and facilities you would have wanted to have as your time as a brahmacari. Thank you very much for this devotion and kindness.
I have realized for myself as well that all I need to do to give me the motivation and encouragement to engage in the selfless service of book distribution or any of the other services here is to think of you. I understood this recently when I went down to Wellington to see my Granddad who is very sick with cancer. He was delighted to see me and although I was happy to see him after not seeing him after quite a long time, it was sad to see how people prepare to pass from this world with no real knowledge of themselves or of the actual glorious position of God. A few days later I got ready to go back to Auckland so that I could carry on with my service of distributing prasadam to the university students the next day. When I said goodbye he started to cry, which I had never seen him do, and he told me that he thought that me coming to see him was a blessing and that I was a good man. On the plane back home passing over Wellington, I recalled that when I used to live down there I hadn’t even spared any time to see my Granddad, with regret I felt that I wasn’t much of a “good man” as he had said. Feeling down I also felt as though I still had no attraction for Krishna’s service I was wondering how I could go on and how could I get this motivation to spread Krishna consciousness as you do. Then I recognized that actually I get all the inspiration I need from you, from your instructions, from your association, from your classes and from your kirtans. With this feeling now embedded in my heart I know I can go on more strongly in my attempt to become as attached to Krishna as you yourself have become.
Thank you very much Gurudeva.
Your aspiring servant
Subuddhi-Raya Dasa
Sudha-nidhi das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is only due to being given spiritual guidance that we have any context for action in this life.
Otherwise there is no purpose or goal, and the material energy steals away any effort we make.
searching for gold, lust takes hold
melted in their mould, souls are sold.
a coin in the palm and a gun on the arm
with lawful decree they mean you no harm.
firing blind, wounded left behind
filling their pockets with whatever they find.
black bubbles rise, diamonds in their eyes
ignorant slaves build empires to the skies.
political trenches and barbed-wire fences
protect the corrupt, ravishing their senses.
pyramid schemes end in broken dreams
a voice deep inside chokes back screams.
cricus trapeze for mental disease
unlock these shackles and free us please
cant take any more I just want to live
and love, and learn how to give.
The world is filled with souls roaming around in burning shells, devouring the resources at an alarming rate.
With your help I am trying not to be one of them.
With your help I must help them too.
At this point in life, as all parents experience, I am getting increased opportunities for practicing a bit of other than me-centred service. So it feels like I am getting a speck of realization on how spiritual consciousness may begin.
I find myself more reflective with how quickly life comes into and disappears from this earthly plane. But a human life, how precious, how powerful and self-aware... How can we put a price on it?
It is only by your mercy that we have somewhere to take shelter
It is only by your divine grace that we have somewhere to go
So few individuals in this world are prepared to sacrifice as you do
And offer us all that we need to grow.
Hare Krishna.
Eternally grateful,
Your servant,
Sudha-nidhi das
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is only due to being given spiritual guidance that we have any context for action in this life.
Otherwise there is no purpose or goal, and the material energy steals away any effort we make.
searching for gold, lust takes hold
melted in their mould, souls are sold.
a coin in the palm and a gun on the arm
with lawful decree they mean you no harm.
firing blind, wounded left behind
filling their pockets with whatever they find.
black bubbles rise, diamonds in their eyes
ignorant slaves build empires to the skies.
political trenches and barbed-wire fences
protect the corrupt, ravishing their senses.
pyramid schemes end in broken dreams
a voice deep inside chokes back screams.
cricus trapeze for mental disease
unlock these shackles and free us please
cant take any more I just want to live
and love, and learn how to give.
The world is filled with souls roaming around in burning shells, devouring the resources at an alarming rate.
With your help I am trying not to be one of them.
With your help I must help them too.
At this point in life, as all parents experience, I am getting increased opportunities for practicing a bit of other than me-centred service. So it feels like I am getting a speck of realization on how spiritual consciousness may begin.
I find myself more reflective with how quickly life comes into and disappears from this earthly plane. But a human life, how precious, how powerful and self-aware... How can we put a price on it?
It is only by your mercy that we have somewhere to take shelter
It is only by your divine grace that we have somewhere to go
So few individuals in this world are prepared to sacrifice as you do
And offer us all that we need to grow.
Hare Krishna.
Eternally grateful,
Your servant,
Sudha-nidhi das
Sukanthi Radha dasi
To my dearmost Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Gurudeva, when I first met you at the uni outreach programs in Manchester I asked you if you had a family. You replied, "The whole world is my family".
Now as I am going through my version of family life I am reflecting on the troublesome time a person creates for themselves when they live such a limted family life. How can such a selfish life bring any peace or happiness? On the contrary it is full of misery, anxiety and desperation.
As I walk past the houses of countless people living in this way, I feel burdened by the thought of their stark, dark lives. Working so hard just to maintain a miserable meager existence. Full of lonliness and frustrated attempts to love and be loved; full of exploitation and emptiness; abuse and sadness. We are not to be fooled by their attempts to show a happy face to the world.
What glimmer of hope do people have without knowledge of their eternal occupation as a servant of Krishna? We are no more a family member of yours than they are. We are just more fortunate to have received your mercy and the mercy of your established family members participating in the sankirtan movement.
We are also struggling hard in this material world but in our struggle we know that there is hope, if we just hang onto the Holy name and the treasure of your vani and vapu association, as well as the valuable association of devotees, sometime we may live our real life again.
You are the perfect example of how to practice family life. The whole world is inclusive. No one is barred out from your care and compassion. The persons who meet you receive the highest benediction; that they may be again re established in their spiritual family and learn how to truly love and be loved.
Begging to serve you in your quest to reclaim your family members and praying for protection against living a selfish and miserable family life.
Always greatful for your taking me in and with your continued patience with me despite my many shortcomings. Please forgive all my offences. I bow down to your lotus feet.
Your indebted servant,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
Gurudeva, when I first met you at the uni outreach programs in Manchester I asked you if you had a family. You replied, "The whole world is my family".
Now as I am going through my version of family life I am reflecting on the troublesome time a person creates for themselves when they live such a limted family life. How can such a selfish life bring any peace or happiness? On the contrary it is full of misery, anxiety and desperation.
As I walk past the houses of countless people living in this way, I feel burdened by the thought of their stark, dark lives. Working so hard just to maintain a miserable meager existence. Full of lonliness and frustrated attempts to love and be loved; full of exploitation and emptiness; abuse and sadness. We are not to be fooled by their attempts to show a happy face to the world.
What glimmer of hope do people have without knowledge of their eternal occupation as a servant of Krishna? We are no more a family member of yours than they are. We are just more fortunate to have received your mercy and the mercy of your established family members participating in the sankirtan movement.
We are also struggling hard in this material world but in our struggle we know that there is hope, if we just hang onto the Holy name and the treasure of your vani and vapu association, as well as the valuable association of devotees, sometime we may live our real life again.
You are the perfect example of how to practice family life. The whole world is inclusive. No one is barred out from your care and compassion. The persons who meet you receive the highest benediction; that they may be again re established in their spiritual family and learn how to truly love and be loved.
Begging to serve you in your quest to reclaim your family members and praying for protection against living a selfish and miserable family life.
Always greatful for your taking me in and with your continued patience with me despite my many shortcomings. Please forgive all my offences. I bow down to your lotus feet.
Your indebted servant,
Sukanthi Radha dasi
Sukhi Bhakta dasa
Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to the auspicious day of your appearance on this Earth!
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Gurudeva, it has now been just over a year since I had the good fortune of receiving your mercy in the form of officially becoming your disciple. I have learned so much about Krishna Consciousness, so much about myself, and so much about you in that time. The more time goes on and the more I meditate on the guidance and teachings you have given me, the more I see how in your instructions' conciseness lies great significance and wisdom. And above all, I see how the steps you take and the words you say are saturated with care for even an insignificant, worthless, so-called devotee like myself.
Maya is so strong and so tricky that she'll creep up on a person and starting pulling the person away from devotional service without them even noticing. I am certainly no exception to this, but you are so kind that I have been able to overcome the obstacles maya has put in front of me in the past, and I am confident that I will be able to continue through this ocean of material suffering and reach the shore of pure devotional service by allowing you to be the captain of my ship.
I pray that all the people of this Earth my continue to have the benefit of your association for many more years to come, and I pray that I may continue to have more and more opportunities to offer some service to you and that I may learn to fully take advantage of the wonderful opportunities I have.
Your insignificant servant,
Sukhi Bhakta dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to the auspicious day of your appearance on this Earth!
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate devamṛta-svāmin iti nāmine
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe
nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Gurudeva, it has now been just over a year since I had the good fortune of receiving your mercy in the form of officially becoming your disciple. I have learned so much about Krishna Consciousness, so much about myself, and so much about you in that time. The more time goes on and the more I meditate on the guidance and teachings you have given me, the more I see how in your instructions' conciseness lies great significance and wisdom. And above all, I see how the steps you take and the words you say are saturated with care for even an insignificant, worthless, so-called devotee like myself.
Maya is so strong and so tricky that she'll creep up on a person and starting pulling the person away from devotional service without them even noticing. I am certainly no exception to this, but you are so kind that I have been able to overcome the obstacles maya has put in front of me in the past, and I am confident that I will be able to continue through this ocean of material suffering and reach the shore of pure devotional service by allowing you to be the captain of my ship.
I pray that all the people of this Earth my continue to have the benefit of your association for many more years to come, and I pray that I may continue to have more and more opportunities to offer some service to you and that I may learn to fully take advantage of the wonderful opportunities I have.
Your insignificant servant,
Sukhi Bhakta dasa
Sundarangi devi dasi & Gauraraya dasa
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving us this opportunity here at Gita Nagari.
Thank you Gurudeva for both encouraging and enlivening us in our Krsna consciousness.
Thank you Gurudeva for honoring our cooking.
In your most recent email to us Gurudeva you say that you are haunted by our description of our icecream. We are a little worried we have scared you. We pray that we can make icecream that is pleasing to you and that you come back to Gita Nagari soon for us to serve you icecream in person.
Thank you Gurudeva for saving us.
Your aspiring servants
Sundarangi devi dasi and Gauraraya dasa
Please accept our humble obeisances at your lotus feet on this auspicious day of your vyasa puja. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you Gurudeva for giving us this opportunity here at Gita Nagari.
Thank you Gurudeva for both encouraging and enlivening us in our Krsna consciousness.
Thank you Gurudeva for honoring our cooking.
In your most recent email to us Gurudeva you say that you are haunted by our description of our icecream. We are a little worried we have scared you. We pray that we can make icecream that is pleasing to you and that you come back to Gita Nagari soon for us to serve you icecream in person.
Thank you Gurudeva for saving us.
Your aspiring servants
Sundarangi devi dasi and Gauraraya dasa
Sunirmala Devi dasi
Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srilaprabhupada Prabhupada.
Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krisnna Presthaya Bhutale
Srimate DEVAMRITA Swami iti namine
Prachare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacare Pravinta Prarthapi Karunyam
Yasya serve ca te namah .
On this very auspicious day of your vyas puja , I wish you good health and long life.
Gurudev you inspire me through your heart touching lectures on the Srimad Bhagwatam and ecstatic Sankirtan. I am very happy for every single drop of nectar that I am able to receive. This year I missed the opportunity of having your darshan on your Vyas Puja day at Vrindavan on 30th September.
I pray you please be merciful to me so that I can do something for you and Srilaprabhupada Prabhupada. Gurudev please bless me so that I can be an instrument in your preaching activities.
Your servant,
Sunirmala dasi,
Faridabad.
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srilaprabhupada Prabhupada.
Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krisnna Presthaya Bhutale
Srimate DEVAMRITA Swami iti namine
Prachare purva daksyam ca
Bhaktacare Pravinta Prarthapi Karunyam
Yasya serve ca te namah .
On this very auspicious day of your vyas puja , I wish you good health and long life.
Gurudev you inspire me through your heart touching lectures on the Srimad Bhagwatam and ecstatic Sankirtan. I am very happy for every single drop of nectar that I am able to receive. This year I missed the opportunity of having your darshan on your Vyas Puja day at Vrindavan on 30th September.
I pray you please be merciful to me so that I can do something for you and Srilaprabhupada Prabhupada. Gurudev please bless me so that I can be an instrument in your preaching activities.
Your servant,
Sunirmala dasi,
Faridabad.
Suratanath dasa
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Thank you for saving my life. Again, and yet again.
Sometimes devotees will ask each other, "how did you meet your spiritual master?" I usually answer that I was very indecisive when I began practicing. Although I associated with your disciples in Australia and New Zealand and had met you in both places, I was very attracted to the kirtan recordings of other swamis. So for an immature, inexperienced young lad like me, making a decision which would override my sentiment became a dilemma.
One day when I was trying to distribute books in Cuba St Mall I received a text message from you saying that I should return to the ashram where you would soon call. I had found myself in a situation where I was facing having to go back to Australia to find work, which at the time would have been devastating for my brand spanking new Krsna Conscious practice. It was only the day after I had realised this problem myself that you called me and invited me to go to the brahmacari ashram in Auckland, where I ended up spending close to 4 years, which, I predict, will have been the most memorable of my life. When you showed so much care, and I realised just how much facility you have for everybody to easily approach Krsna Consciousness in this part of the world, I realised my spiritual master was there the whole time. The spiritual master is the person who is fully capable of delivering a helpless conditioned soul like myself from Maya.
A few days later was Sri Krsna Janmastami, and now I had your phone number. I had read that one should consider the spiritual master his greatest friend, so I texted you to ask if you were enjoying your Janmastami celebrations. Of course you didn't reply but it shows the lack of understanding someone like me has towards the guru-disciple relationship. I hope to realise the real nature of this relationship more clearly so that I can avoid the offences that I've committed previously, and one day become a real disciple.
Thankyou for suggesting that I come to New Govardhana to help with prasadam distribution. Somehow I was able to take that suggestion on board and smoothly change location while being engaged in similar service to what I was already assisting with on a smaller scale in Auckland. By this arrangement you also saved me from another situation I had gotten myself into which would have been an incredibe devastation to my young seedling of Krsna Consciousness. I can't thank you enough for that, but only try harder to fulfill your instruction. I wish I could say I had learnt my lesson in the beginning when you and others gave plentiful warning to me of the collision course I was headed down, because when a less-intelligent being like myself tries to learn through experience, or the school of hard knocks, there is a lot of lasting impressions on the heart which won't help me in the future. I can just pray now that I don't become hard-hearted through these horrible samskaras which are in no way ordained by guru or Krsna. What I have learnt is that outside of, or apart from fulfilling the instructions of the spiritual master, there is no such thing as duty or commitment, and any idea of such a thing is simply a will o' the wisp. In sense gratification there may be talk of such duty, faithfulness and commitment which may bedazzle a fool like me but it has no stance once the sense objects are out of sight.
Without your mercy I have no strength to see the dangers in material entanglement, especially when the objects of my material desires seem to be throwing themselves in my face.
I look forward to continuing to practice devotional service under your expert guidance and loving attention.
Your aspiring servant,
Suratanatha dasa
Swarupa sakti devi dasi
To my Spiritual Master
Please accept my Humble Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
The most difficult and yet the most fulfilling moments in my Bhakti career have always been trying to glorify you on vyasa puja day. It is a day of loving exchanges between guru, disciples and well-wishers. I wish not to make this offering a routine, religious duty or a show of eloquence. I desire it to showcase spiritual dependence and deep realization in the matter of the Spiritual master.
Love means one selflessly strives to fulfil the desire of the beloved. In a non- sentimental way i strive to highlight my desire to fulfil the orders of my spiritual master. You have taken so much responsibility for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and are carrying a burden of love; caring for devotees and travelling to all distant lands to give Krsna.
You give clarity in how we can assist in the movement of Lord Caitanya by following the simple process Srila Prabhupada gave to the West . At the same time, you effectively remove any possibility of being complacent or lazy in Krsna Consciousness .This you achieve by your constant reminder of the goal of a true servant of the parampara. You are indeed a powerful force.
You are firm in your loyalty to Srila Prabhupada and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita. I like to remember a particular way you explained very simply the human form of life,
'Yet, our possessing the human form of life is a grave reality—a weightiness we should constantly address. Lord Chaitanya's process of chanting, dancing, honouring spiritual food, and hearing philosophy accomplishes the miracle of combining zestful bliss with profound soberness'.
There is also a nice passage in the Madhya Lila wherein Srila Prabhupada has explained the story of the illiterate brahmana at Sri Ranga-ksetra. The spiritual master of the illiterate brahmana knew his disciple could not read but he still ordered the brahmana to read the Bhagavad-gita every day.
Srila Prabhupada writes, “This is a good example of a person who became so successful he was able to capture the attention of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu even while reading Bhagavad-gita incorrectly. His spiritual activities did not depend on material things such as correct pronunciation. Rather, his success depended on strictly following the instructions of his spiritual master. Actually the meaning of the words of Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam are revealed to one strictly following the words of the spiritual master. They are also revealed to one who has equal faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Madhya Lila purport 9:98).
When you met many of us, we were very much spiritually illiterate . However by your spiritual brilliance and vaisnava qualities you have polished our behaviour and character. Giving all credit to the parampara and your spiritual master. Never taking the credit for yourself. How fortunate we are to have such a person in our association.
As i struggle to write this offering i remember how Nectar of Devotion advises us to repeat the prayers of previous Acaryas in our line in glorification of the Lord and the devotees. I simply repeat this as an offering to you,( having no slight realization of this) hoping that one day i may experience a drop of such genuine expressions of devotion towards my 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 someday 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 Absolute Godhead, realised through the unflinching mercy of my divine master. Let me therefore bow down at his lotus feet with all the humility at my command’. ( Srila Prabhupada, concluding his Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, February 1936:)
Life changes and sometimes as a disciple we are not ready for instructions. Come what may, following guru vani is of utmost importance. My service to you is so small and I am so insignificant .Yet I pray that maybe in a few lifetimes I will have the opportunity to be a tool in your service.
As the months and years in Krsna Consciousness pass by I have seen that all that has been good, valuable, life changing and worth glorifying is all because of your mercy and Srila Prabhupada our founder Acarya.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Who else would show us so much mercy and kindness in this Kali Yuga?
Your servant
Swarupa sakti devi dasi
Please accept my Humble Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
The most difficult and yet the most fulfilling moments in my Bhakti career have always been trying to glorify you on vyasa puja day. It is a day of loving exchanges between guru, disciples and well-wishers. I wish not to make this offering a routine, religious duty or a show of eloquence. I desire it to showcase spiritual dependence and deep realization in the matter of the Spiritual master.
Love means one selflessly strives to fulfil the desire of the beloved. In a non- sentimental way i strive to highlight my desire to fulfil the orders of my spiritual master. You have taken so much responsibility for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and are carrying a burden of love; caring for devotees and travelling to all distant lands to give Krsna.
You give clarity in how we can assist in the movement of Lord Caitanya by following the simple process Srila Prabhupada gave to the West . At the same time, you effectively remove any possibility of being complacent or lazy in Krsna Consciousness .This you achieve by your constant reminder of the goal of a true servant of the parampara. You are indeed a powerful force.
You are firm in your loyalty to Srila Prabhupada and the teachings of Bhagavad Gita. I like to remember a particular way you explained very simply the human form of life,
'Yet, our possessing the human form of life is a grave reality—a weightiness we should constantly address. Lord Chaitanya's process of chanting, dancing, honouring spiritual food, and hearing philosophy accomplishes the miracle of combining zestful bliss with profound soberness'.
There is also a nice passage in the Madhya Lila wherein Srila Prabhupada has explained the story of the illiterate brahmana at Sri Ranga-ksetra. The spiritual master of the illiterate brahmana knew his disciple could not read but he still ordered the brahmana to read the Bhagavad-gita every day.
Srila Prabhupada writes, “This is a good example of a person who became so successful he was able to capture the attention of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu even while reading Bhagavad-gita incorrectly. His spiritual activities did not depend on material things such as correct pronunciation. Rather, his success depended on strictly following the instructions of his spiritual master. Actually the meaning of the words of Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam are revealed to one strictly following the words of the spiritual master. They are also revealed to one who has equal faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Madhya Lila purport 9:98).
When you met many of us, we were very much spiritually illiterate . However by your spiritual brilliance and vaisnava qualities you have polished our behaviour and character. Giving all credit to the parampara and your spiritual master. Never taking the credit for yourself. How fortunate we are to have such a person in our association.
As i struggle to write this offering i remember how Nectar of Devotion advises us to repeat the prayers of previous Acaryas in our line in glorification of the Lord and the devotees. I simply repeat this as an offering to you,( having no slight realization of this) hoping that one day i may experience a drop of such genuine expressions of devotion towards my 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 someday 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 Absolute Godhead, realised through the unflinching mercy of my divine master. Let me therefore bow down at his lotus feet with all the humility at my command’. ( Srila Prabhupada, concluding his Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, February 1936:)
Life changes and sometimes as a disciple we are not ready for instructions. Come what may, following guru vani is of utmost importance. My service to you is so small and I am so insignificant .Yet I pray that maybe in a few lifetimes I will have the opportunity to be a tool in your service.
As the months and years in Krsna Consciousness pass by I have seen that all that has been good, valuable, life changing and worth glorifying is all because of your mercy and Srila Prabhupada our founder Acarya.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Who else would show us so much mercy and kindness in this Kali Yuga?
Your servant
Swarupa sakti devi dasi
Swathi Peeta
nama om vishnu paadaya krishna prestaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
parathatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeiscences.
All glories to srila prabhupada!
All glories to you on your apperance day!
Gurudev I couldnt believe myself that today for the first time I am writing my offering. I did not even know when i choose this wonderful path. This is all your mercy Guru Maharaj.
I am really very fortunate to have your personal association many times ever since I come to melbourne. I stil remember for the first time I met you, you asked me 'do u know what he (Kula Paavana Prabhu) is doing? 'I simply noded my head as yes even though I know nothing.
Since then whenever I met you, you asked me whether my prabhu is taking care of me properly or not? I am really very thankfull to you Gurudev, you always showered your mercy and cared upon me even though i am not qualified.
After meeting you a couple of times I started chanting and one day u told me that i am looking very happy,bright and completely changed person. I was told the same thing by couple of senior devotees as well which i did not realise.
The way you smile and talk with me so caringly make me feel so protected and affectionate, now I started tasting this wonderfull nector. Guru Maharaj this is all your pure mercy and kindness that I took this path so quickly.
Guru Maharaj finally on this auspicious occasion i beg you to shower your care and mercy upon us, so that we can practice our devotional life happily and serve you sincerely by fulfilling your instructions.
Please give us strength to cross all the obstacles which will come accross our devotional life.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Swathi
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva daksyam ca bhaktacara pravinata
parathatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev,
Please accept my humble obeiscences.
All glories to srila prabhupada!
All glories to you on your apperance day!
Gurudev I couldnt believe myself that today for the first time I am writing my offering. I did not even know when i choose this wonderful path. This is all your mercy Guru Maharaj.
I am really very fortunate to have your personal association many times ever since I come to melbourne. I stil remember for the first time I met you, you asked me 'do u know what he (Kula Paavana Prabhu) is doing? 'I simply noded my head as yes even though I know nothing.
Since then whenever I met you, you asked me whether my prabhu is taking care of me properly or not? I am really very thankfull to you Gurudev, you always showered your mercy and cared upon me even though i am not qualified.
After meeting you a couple of times I started chanting and one day u told me that i am looking very happy,bright and completely changed person. I was told the same thing by couple of senior devotees as well which i did not realise.
The way you smile and talk with me so caringly make me feel so protected and affectionate, now I started tasting this wonderfull nector. Guru Maharaj this is all your pure mercy and kindness that I took this path so quickly.
Guru Maharaj finally on this auspicious occasion i beg you to shower your care and mercy upon us, so that we can practice our devotional life happily and serve you sincerely by fulfilling your instructions.
Please give us strength to cross all the obstacles which will come accross our devotional life.
Aspiring to be your servant,
Swathi
Syama Kisore Dasa
Dear Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I met with you very shortly when you had recently come to Philadelphia on the account of the Snan Yatra festival. Your brief lecture on this occasion deeply touched my heart. I found it to be very deep and useful in my chanting of the holy name. You had very briefly described the nature of love of Krsna in separation.
Just today, I was hearing your first lecture of your seminar of love of Krsna in separation. Every word in that lecture was so profound and thought provoking. I especially appreciated your comment on how even a drop of the ocean of love of Godhead can inundate this entire world in ecstasy. Your other comment on how this movement of Krsna consciousness under the direction of the six goswamis is aimed at feeling separation from Krsna also brought to light a very important point in our siddhanta.
he rādhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ
śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale kālindī-vane kutaḥ
ghoṣantāv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahā-vihvalau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau
You clearly pointed out how our Krsna consciousness goes beyond the idea of just getting associating with God, so much so that it advocates how a pure devotee can feel separation from Krsna even though he might be in Krsna's direct association. As a aspiring devotee in the line of the goswamis and my Gurus ,this has helped me to deepen my attachment to the mission of preaching krsna consciousness all over the world.
As no one is a devotee of Krsna unless he is a devotee of his devotee, how can I aspire to become your devotee unless I glorify your devotee? Your dearmost disciple His Grace Dasya Prema Prabhu has purified me by his transcendental association. Daily he attends the morning program and goes on maha book distribution. Recently, by your grace I have been able to have his association and he has inspired me to distribute books without expecting any result. Many times, when I struggle to tolerate how people smash my false ego, he takes me under his wing and teaches me how to make book distribution a blissful engagement. I really appreciate how he has inherited this quality from you, especially after I observed how you so expertly and jokingly dealt with a new group of Bhakti lounge devotees who asked you different questions. I saw a nice quote by HG Madhavananda prabhu on facebook by Oscar Wilde. "If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they will kill you". I really appreciate the way you blend humor into your krsna katha. Jaya!
Her Grace Madhuryamrta mataji has so much attachment for the transcendtal abode of Vrndavana. A few months ago, on the account of my birthday, she presented me a postcard with a beautiful picture of Sri Sri Radharaman. This has increased my attachment to that deity and has increased my separation from the dham. Her love for the holy name of Krsna is also very infectious. Thank you very much.
I humbly beg you to empower me so that I can unlock the treasure of love of Godhead, within this Krsna cosnciousness as presented by Srila Prabhupada. Kindly forgive my offenses at your lotus feet.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Syama Kisore Dasa
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I met with you very shortly when you had recently come to Philadelphia on the account of the Snan Yatra festival. Your brief lecture on this occasion deeply touched my heart. I found it to be very deep and useful in my chanting of the holy name. You had very briefly described the nature of love of Krsna in separation.
Just today, I was hearing your first lecture of your seminar of love of Krsna in separation. Every word in that lecture was so profound and thought provoking. I especially appreciated your comment on how even a drop of the ocean of love of Godhead can inundate this entire world in ecstasy. Your other comment on how this movement of Krsna consciousness under the direction of the six goswamis is aimed at feeling separation from Krsna also brought to light a very important point in our siddhanta.
he rādhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ
śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale kālindī-vane kutaḥ
ghoṣantāv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahā-vihvalau
vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau
You clearly pointed out how our Krsna consciousness goes beyond the idea of just getting associating with God, so much so that it advocates how a pure devotee can feel separation from Krsna even though he might be in Krsna's direct association. As a aspiring devotee in the line of the goswamis and my Gurus ,this has helped me to deepen my attachment to the mission of preaching krsna consciousness all over the world.
As no one is a devotee of Krsna unless he is a devotee of his devotee, how can I aspire to become your devotee unless I glorify your devotee? Your dearmost disciple His Grace Dasya Prema Prabhu has purified me by his transcendental association. Daily he attends the morning program and goes on maha book distribution. Recently, by your grace I have been able to have his association and he has inspired me to distribute books without expecting any result. Many times, when I struggle to tolerate how people smash my false ego, he takes me under his wing and teaches me how to make book distribution a blissful engagement. I really appreciate how he has inherited this quality from you, especially after I observed how you so expertly and jokingly dealt with a new group of Bhakti lounge devotees who asked you different questions. I saw a nice quote by HG Madhavananda prabhu on facebook by Oscar Wilde. "If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they will kill you". I really appreciate the way you blend humor into your krsna katha. Jaya!
Her Grace Madhuryamrta mataji has so much attachment for the transcendtal abode of Vrndavana. A few months ago, on the account of my birthday, she presented me a postcard with a beautiful picture of Sri Sri Radharaman. This has increased my attachment to that deity and has increased my separation from the dham. Her love for the holy name of Krsna is also very infectious. Thank you very much.
I humbly beg you to empower me so that I can unlock the treasure of love of Godhead, within this Krsna cosnciousness as presented by Srila Prabhupada. Kindly forgive my offenses at your lotus feet.
Your Aspiring Servant,
Syama Kisore Dasa
Syama-gauri
Dearest Guru Maharaj
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Another opportunity, another year to try and understand the depth of the spiritual master's role, to try and say a few words to appreciate you by. I feel like there’s so much you do that I don’t know about. My speculative mind suspects that you do so much more than what I can see; like a child who doesn’t understand the many responsibilities her parent/s have in addition to raising her. I have, in the past seen or heard you in action in your other service areas but still, I feel blind to the thankless service you do for so many individuals and Iskcon in general. Even though I can’t quite comprehend the various services you do outside of being my spiritual father, still I want to thank you for using every bit of yourself to serve Srila Prabhupada and his movement.
Sometimes you have let me know of the “behind-the-scenes” things you do. Little details that I would not have guessed you went through the trouble to do. Being a kali yuga skeptic (one who is suspicious of any person showing the remotest unconditional care toward them) I have often tried to understand what motivates you to do these little things for your disciples and others also. The external answer seems obvious; because we have taken shelter of you, you are in turn taking care of us, your spiritual children, guiding us toward Krsna. Our devotion to you is shown by following those guidelines to Krsna. It sounds so simple, still my kali yuga heart guard has occasional doubts, and for this I am sorry because I could probably be more useful to you if I wasn’t stuck on this conditioning.
This time last year, I had hoped that the next year (2014) I would have a better offering to you, that I would have served you somehow. I regret to say that once again I have not assisted you in any significant way. I have no book reports, no nectar stories to make you a proud father, no successful project for your pleasure. My tiny offering is to simply remember and act on this point that Srila Prabhupada makes in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4. Chapter 28, text 47, purport
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated,
because the spiritual master always keeps company with the
disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions
of the spiritual master. This is called the association of
vāṇī (words). Physical presence is called vapuḥ. As long as the
spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should
serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the
spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple
should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
I am a complete try-er at following what Srila Prabhupada has pointed out in the above quote; “as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master”.
I remember you asked me why I didn’t believe you when you say that you care for us. My reply was that because you don’t find people that care for you for no reason (when you are not doing anything for them in return as in my case) in everyday life. Your reply stuck in my head me since that day. You said “I’m not everyday life”.
Everything that I have ever read or remembered about what Srimad Bhagavatam said of the dearmost devotees of the Lord made sense when you said that. Still, there is a spiritual mystery to what you said. In fact that whole conversation and time you gave was such a deep experience for me. This is why I feel you are so much more than I understand and you do so much more than what I see.
I believe you, you are not everyday life. I really want to serve that life that you are living and seeing, a life for Krsna.
with gratitude
your aspiring servant and daughter
Syama-gauri
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Another opportunity, another year to try and understand the depth of the spiritual master's role, to try and say a few words to appreciate you by. I feel like there’s so much you do that I don’t know about. My speculative mind suspects that you do so much more than what I can see; like a child who doesn’t understand the many responsibilities her parent/s have in addition to raising her. I have, in the past seen or heard you in action in your other service areas but still, I feel blind to the thankless service you do for so many individuals and Iskcon in general. Even though I can’t quite comprehend the various services you do outside of being my spiritual father, still I want to thank you for using every bit of yourself to serve Srila Prabhupada and his movement.
Sometimes you have let me know of the “behind-the-scenes” things you do. Little details that I would not have guessed you went through the trouble to do. Being a kali yuga skeptic (one who is suspicious of any person showing the remotest unconditional care toward them) I have often tried to understand what motivates you to do these little things for your disciples and others also. The external answer seems obvious; because we have taken shelter of you, you are in turn taking care of us, your spiritual children, guiding us toward Krsna. Our devotion to you is shown by following those guidelines to Krsna. It sounds so simple, still my kali yuga heart guard has occasional doubts, and for this I am sorry because I could probably be more useful to you if I wasn’t stuck on this conditioning.
This time last year, I had hoped that the next year (2014) I would have a better offering to you, that I would have served you somehow. I regret to say that once again I have not assisted you in any significant way. I have no book reports, no nectar stories to make you a proud father, no successful project for your pleasure. My tiny offering is to simply remember and act on this point that Srila Prabhupada makes in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4. Chapter 28, text 47, purport
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated,
because the spiritual master always keeps company with the
disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions
of the spiritual master. This is called the association of
vāṇī (words). Physical presence is called vapuḥ. As long as the
spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should
serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the
spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple
should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
I am a complete try-er at following what Srila Prabhupada has pointed out in the above quote; “as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master”.
I remember you asked me why I didn’t believe you when you say that you care for us. My reply was that because you don’t find people that care for you for no reason (when you are not doing anything for them in return as in my case) in everyday life. Your reply stuck in my head me since that day. You said “I’m not everyday life”.
Everything that I have ever read or remembered about what Srimad Bhagavatam said of the dearmost devotees of the Lord made sense when you said that. Still, there is a spiritual mystery to what you said. In fact that whole conversation and time you gave was such a deep experience for me. This is why I feel you are so much more than I understand and you do so much more than what I see.
I believe you, you are not everyday life. I really want to serve that life that you are living and seeing, a life for Krsna.
with gratitude
your aspiring servant and daughter
Syama-gauri
Thakur Saranga das
Dear Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my prostrated dandavat pranam at the dust of your lotus feet on the most auspicious day of your glorious appearance in this world.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
As His Holiness Sridhara Maharaja writes in An aspect of worshiping Sri Guru:
"As Guru is the functioning principle of Divinity revealing Himself in this world, according to our different stages of realizations, He may appear in different forms. The chastity of a disciple is demonstrated in recognizing the divine presence of Sri Guru wherever it is found, and bowing his head at the Lotus feet of the agent through whom Divinity is so kindly revealing Himself."
I wonder how unlimitedly fortunate i am to have your divine presence in my insignificant life in so many different ways. You as a person, your instructions and your service always protect me by wrapping around me like a life jacket while I try to swim across the difficult water of material life.
From waking up to my alarm clock vibrating with your transcendental chanting, to hit the ground to chant your pranam mantra, meditating on every syllable that resembles you the person who embodies the exalted Vaishnava qualities , I hear your kirtana while getting ready to assist you to worship our shalagram thakur Sri Krishna. Whom you trusted us to look after on your behalf.
Every morning I utter invocation Guru pranam mantras to beg for your permission to begin to assist you in your puja....
"Sri Guru Paramananada Premananda prala-prada vrajananda- pradananda -sevayam ma niyojaya.....” then I assist you through the different stages of worship and prepare for Darshan arati.
My saintly wife Sukanthi Radha and our 8 month old son Haridev come for darshan and we sing in tune with Lord Brahmaji “Govindam adi purusam tam aham bhajami ”
What an inconceivable benediction you have awarded us, although totally unqualified and being the lowest amongst the lowest you gave us the opportunity which is higher than the highest, to assist you through parampara of Brahma Gaudiya Madhva sampradaya to serve Sri Krishna , the bestower of bliss upon the land of Vraja, the worshipable Lord of Brahmaji, the creator of the material universe.
During the day Your nectarine Srimad Bhagavatam lectures goes back and forth in my wife’s computer as she listens to them repeatedly to edit them. Your transcendental voice chanting Jaya Radha Madhava...... soothes our hearts, your oceanic laughter and amazing sense of humour makes us so enlivened and joyful while going through the day doing many mundane household duties. Your cutting edge presentation of Vedic philosophy makes us wonder the depth of your transcendental intelligence. With your razor sharp sword of realised knowledge and wisdom you cut through the hollow hypocritical paradigms of so called modern civilised society and beckon the listeners to the transcendental " Real world”.
What an auspicious atmosphere it creates just by having you around in the form of your Vani.
I look forward most eagerly for your auspicious arrival in Auckland every time, to be able to render a little service to you, its like looking forward for a festival, of course you bring festivals with you wherever you go.
I remember i needed to have a darshan with you once after coming back to Auckland from a month long of travelling with you and you said "Haven’t you have enough of me?”. I wanted to say its impossible to have enough association of you Gurudeva, because by living and breathing Krishna and Krishna katha you derive the qualities of ever freshness, attractiveness and youthfulness like the Lord Himself. Just like simply being in constant touch with fire steel becomes fire and emanates qualities of fire namely heat and light. Although I couldn’t say anything, you mercifully spent much longer than allocated “5 minutes” , blessing me with your divine instructions,
I remember you said, “ The real game is played in the Vani platform”.
Thank you Gurudeva for your all pervasive presence in our lives making it so enlivening, meaningful and worth living.
Thank you for giving me the association of the saintly devotees in vibrant communities that you have built so patiently and painstakingly. Thank you for awarding me with such a devotional wife and thank you for naming our son Haridev. Although he doesn’t respond to his name yet, i think of you every time i call him. Thank you for giving your Sri Krishna shalagram thakur for us to worship . Thank you for giving me the Mahamantra and Gayatri mantras. Thank you for sanctifying my life by your auspicious presence in so many different way.
I came over to the west leaving the pious land of India to make it big here and thrive in material enjoyment, i was only suffering in the process, you picked me up out of your causeless mercy and so kindly put me back in my natural habitat like fish in the water.
Locana das Thakura in His chaitanya mangala. sutra khanda, song12 verses 562-565 refers to Srila Prabhupada:
“ Yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese jaya mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya"
"If some sinful people escape and giving up dharma go to far off countries, my senapati bhakta will go there to deliver them.”
Thank you Gurudev for fighting so vigorously in the frontline as a fearless soldier under the command of Srila Prabhupada rescuing souls from being swept away in tsunami of material life and supplying them life jacket of Krishna’s Holy name. Thank you for saving me.
I bow down to your lotus feet again and again with reverence and gratitude and beg for your presence and protection in every aspect of my life eternally.
Aspiring to be servant of your servants,
Thakur saranga das
Please accept my prostrated dandavat pranam at the dust of your lotus feet on the most auspicious day of your glorious appearance in this world.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to your lotus feet.
As His Holiness Sridhara Maharaja writes in An aspect of worshiping Sri Guru:
"As Guru is the functioning principle of Divinity revealing Himself in this world, according to our different stages of realizations, He may appear in different forms. The chastity of a disciple is demonstrated in recognizing the divine presence of Sri Guru wherever it is found, and bowing his head at the Lotus feet of the agent through whom Divinity is so kindly revealing Himself."
I wonder how unlimitedly fortunate i am to have your divine presence in my insignificant life in so many different ways. You as a person, your instructions and your service always protect me by wrapping around me like a life jacket while I try to swim across the difficult water of material life.
From waking up to my alarm clock vibrating with your transcendental chanting, to hit the ground to chant your pranam mantra, meditating on every syllable that resembles you the person who embodies the exalted Vaishnava qualities , I hear your kirtana while getting ready to assist you to worship our shalagram thakur Sri Krishna. Whom you trusted us to look after on your behalf.
Every morning I utter invocation Guru pranam mantras to beg for your permission to begin to assist you in your puja....
"Sri Guru Paramananada Premananda prala-prada vrajananda- pradananda -sevayam ma niyojaya.....” then I assist you through the different stages of worship and prepare for Darshan arati.
My saintly wife Sukanthi Radha and our 8 month old son Haridev come for darshan and we sing in tune with Lord Brahmaji “Govindam adi purusam tam aham bhajami ”
What an inconceivable benediction you have awarded us, although totally unqualified and being the lowest amongst the lowest you gave us the opportunity which is higher than the highest, to assist you through parampara of Brahma Gaudiya Madhva sampradaya to serve Sri Krishna , the bestower of bliss upon the land of Vraja, the worshipable Lord of Brahmaji, the creator of the material universe.
During the day Your nectarine Srimad Bhagavatam lectures goes back and forth in my wife’s computer as she listens to them repeatedly to edit them. Your transcendental voice chanting Jaya Radha Madhava...... soothes our hearts, your oceanic laughter and amazing sense of humour makes us so enlivened and joyful while going through the day doing many mundane household duties. Your cutting edge presentation of Vedic philosophy makes us wonder the depth of your transcendental intelligence. With your razor sharp sword of realised knowledge and wisdom you cut through the hollow hypocritical paradigms of so called modern civilised society and beckon the listeners to the transcendental " Real world”.
What an auspicious atmosphere it creates just by having you around in the form of your Vani.
I look forward most eagerly for your auspicious arrival in Auckland every time, to be able to render a little service to you, its like looking forward for a festival, of course you bring festivals with you wherever you go.
I remember i needed to have a darshan with you once after coming back to Auckland from a month long of travelling with you and you said "Haven’t you have enough of me?”. I wanted to say its impossible to have enough association of you Gurudeva, because by living and breathing Krishna and Krishna katha you derive the qualities of ever freshness, attractiveness and youthfulness like the Lord Himself. Just like simply being in constant touch with fire steel becomes fire and emanates qualities of fire namely heat and light. Although I couldn’t say anything, you mercifully spent much longer than allocated “5 minutes” , blessing me with your divine instructions,
I remember you said, “ The real game is played in the Vani platform”.
Thank you Gurudeva for your all pervasive presence in our lives making it so enlivening, meaningful and worth living.
Thank you for giving me the association of the saintly devotees in vibrant communities that you have built so patiently and painstakingly. Thank you for awarding me with such a devotional wife and thank you for naming our son Haridev. Although he doesn’t respond to his name yet, i think of you every time i call him. Thank you for giving your Sri Krishna shalagram thakur for us to worship . Thank you for giving me the Mahamantra and Gayatri mantras. Thank you for sanctifying my life by your auspicious presence in so many different way.
I came over to the west leaving the pious land of India to make it big here and thrive in material enjoyment, i was only suffering in the process, you picked me up out of your causeless mercy and so kindly put me back in my natural habitat like fish in the water.
Locana das Thakura in His chaitanya mangala. sutra khanda, song12 verses 562-565 refers to Srila Prabhupada:
“ Yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese jaya mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya"
"If some sinful people escape and giving up dharma go to far off countries, my senapati bhakta will go there to deliver them.”
Thank you Gurudev for fighting so vigorously in the frontline as a fearless soldier under the command of Srila Prabhupada rescuing souls from being swept away in tsunami of material life and supplying them life jacket of Krishna’s Holy name. Thank you for saving me.
I bow down to your lotus feet again and again with reverence and gratitude and beg for your presence and protection in every aspect of my life eternally.
Aspiring to be servant of your servants,
Thakur saranga das
Vaishnava Charan Dasa and Yasomati Devi Dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept our humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada,
all glories to you Gurudeva.
Thank you Gurudeva for dedicating your time to preaching tirelessly all around the globe year after year.
When hearing you speak, it is amazing how it is always saturated with care and compassion. Even though materially you are so extremely intelligent and qualified, you never speak to impress, simply for the benefit of the hearers, complete artistry and efficiency.
Thank you for the time you spend in Melbourne; for taking so much time to listen to our problems, remembering all the details of our situations from your one visit to the next, being accessible even when you are not here, giving counsel, and tolerating our shortcomings in following your advice and our struggles to get along with each other.
You so kindly detect the smallest spark of desire in us to serve, however sentimental, fantastic or immature, and arrange for our purification and empowerment so that we are able to serve in that way.
Thank you for the opportunity to engage in devotional service to become purified of all our misconceptions. Please help us to be dedicated in taking our medicine.
You have so kindly given us the rarest most incredible opportunity in existence – to serve in the association of devotees in your preaching mission on a daily basis. Please help us to be able to properly appreciate this wonderful chance, to always be grateful and to become the servants of the devotees.
Your aspiring servants,
Vaishnava Charan Dasa and
Yasomati Devi Dasi
Please accept our humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada,
all glories to you Gurudeva.
Thank you Gurudeva for dedicating your time to preaching tirelessly all around the globe year after year.
When hearing you speak, it is amazing how it is always saturated with care and compassion. Even though materially you are so extremely intelligent and qualified, you never speak to impress, simply for the benefit of the hearers, complete artistry and efficiency.
Thank you for the time you spend in Melbourne; for taking so much time to listen to our problems, remembering all the details of our situations from your one visit to the next, being accessible even when you are not here, giving counsel, and tolerating our shortcomings in following your advice and our struggles to get along with each other.
You so kindly detect the smallest spark of desire in us to serve, however sentimental, fantastic or immature, and arrange for our purification and empowerment so that we are able to serve in that way.
Thank you for the opportunity to engage in devotional service to become purified of all our misconceptions. Please help us to be dedicated in taking our medicine.
You have so kindly given us the rarest most incredible opportunity in existence – to serve in the association of devotees in your preaching mission on a daily basis. Please help us to be able to properly appreciate this wonderful chance, to always be grateful and to become the servants of the devotees.
Your aspiring servants,
Vaishnava Charan Dasa and
Yasomati Devi Dasi
Vamsidhari das
Dear Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
This year I find it very difficult to offer you any heartfelt words of praise, thanks, glorification, for talk is cheap/ at least in my case. Like the years prior I feel obligated, but unlike prior years my heart feels brittle and empty. First deserve, then desire. I don't even pretend to feel deserving at the moment - this year was not a struggle, it hardly even seemed to register as an effort. More like a solid failure. I feel bitterly defeated in my relationship with you. When I think about my relationship with you I feel deep regret, that I have not been able to follow your instructions, heed your advice or please you/ assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada. Please help me to improve, rectify and keep our relationship alive.
So rather then superficially compiling some lofty rhetoric, embellished with shlokas I don't understand, from books I'm not absorbed in, I simply beg you today very sincerely that you bless me to remain close to your lotus feet which dance to the thunderous vibration of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhus merciful sankirtan. Please allow me to sign up for another year of heart purification. Please be patient with me, please forgive my weakness, my offences, my dullheadedness and pride.
Please don't treat me with indifference.
Your aspiring servant and son
Vamsidhari das
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
This year I find it very difficult to offer you any heartfelt words of praise, thanks, glorification, for talk is cheap/ at least in my case. Like the years prior I feel obligated, but unlike prior years my heart feels brittle and empty. First deserve, then desire. I don't even pretend to feel deserving at the moment - this year was not a struggle, it hardly even seemed to register as an effort. More like a solid failure. I feel bitterly defeated in my relationship with you. When I think about my relationship with you I feel deep regret, that I have not been able to follow your instructions, heed your advice or please you/ assist you in your service to Srila Prabhupada. Please help me to improve, rectify and keep our relationship alive.
So rather then superficially compiling some lofty rhetoric, embellished with shlokas I don't understand, from books I'm not absorbed in, I simply beg you today very sincerely that you bless me to remain close to your lotus feet which dance to the thunderous vibration of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhus merciful sankirtan. Please allow me to sign up for another year of heart purification. Please be patient with me, please forgive my weakness, my offences, my dullheadedness and pride.
Please don't treat me with indifference.
Your aspiring servant and son
Vamsidhari das
Vanamali Gopala das
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day, your appearance day.
I find words short to express my gratitude for all that I have received from you and from your devotees. My life was nothing different from a Human rat race – endless, self-defeating and pointless endeavour. When I was in school, I asked my father, “Where can I find happiness”. He simply asked me to finish my school and get into a prestigious university and then I can find happiness. I struggled and I did what he asked me to do. Yet, the life seemed empty. I asked him again, “Where can I find happiness”. He asked me to finish my university studies and find a job and only then I can find happiness. This time also I struggled hard and got into a prestigious position. Yet, there was no happiness. Again I asked my father, “Where can I find happiness”. This time he asked me to climb up the corporate ladder and then I can find happiness. Somehow I realized that it was a human rat race and I decided to do something else in New Zealand. But, it was the same human rat race with a different wheel made from New Zealand.
Thank you very much Gurudev for saving me not only from this miserable condition but also giving me an opportunity to serve you and your devotees. Like a true father, you have given me genuine advice. To be frank, Im yet to have realizations to understand the minute spark of your mercy.
Today I beg that I always be your servant at your lotus feet and carve your instructions in my heart and make them as my ultimate goal in life.
Your servant,
Vanamali Gopala Das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you on this auspicious day, your appearance day.
I find words short to express my gratitude for all that I have received from you and from your devotees. My life was nothing different from a Human rat race – endless, self-defeating and pointless endeavour. When I was in school, I asked my father, “Where can I find happiness”. He simply asked me to finish my school and get into a prestigious university and then I can find happiness. I struggled and I did what he asked me to do. Yet, the life seemed empty. I asked him again, “Where can I find happiness”. He asked me to finish my university studies and find a job and only then I can find happiness. This time also I struggled hard and got into a prestigious position. Yet, there was no happiness. Again I asked my father, “Where can I find happiness”. This time he asked me to climb up the corporate ladder and then I can find happiness. Somehow I realized that it was a human rat race and I decided to do something else in New Zealand. But, it was the same human rat race with a different wheel made from New Zealand.
Thank you very much Gurudev for saving me not only from this miserable condition but also giving me an opportunity to serve you and your devotees. Like a true father, you have given me genuine advice. To be frank, Im yet to have realizations to understand the minute spark of your mercy.
Today I beg that I always be your servant at your lotus feet and carve your instructions in my heart and make them as my ultimate goal in life.
Your servant,
Vanamali Gopala Das
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your most auspicious appearance day!
My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for you. This is my first year as your disciple and the first time I have the opportunity to put together in writing, for you to read, what you have done in my life. Needless to say, my words are limited, but i will try to convey what my heart contains.
Dear Guru Maharaj, it has been five years since I had the good fortune of meeting you for the first time. Seeing you come in through the crowds of a Sunday Feast at the Laguna Beach temple, as all the devotees so happily and devotedly bowed down to greet you, my mind and eyes conquered by the scene of loving exchanges, finally came to a state of peace. I had never experienced this kind of engagement in modern day culture. The respect, the love, the kindness. I was intrigued by this phenomena. How was it possible that this can be true in a world where hypocrisy, pain, war, exploitation and other atrocities are the main components? I was convinced to stay to hear you speak on what I had earlier heard to be "Bhakti". Throughout your presentation, you quoted many personalities whose names I had never heard of. You closed your eyes as you spoke so firmly and faithfully which was a contradiction in the eyes of my culture. You smiled and laughed heartily, a laugh that was so contagious that I couldn't help but accompany you in laughter. You described God as Krishna and explained about this mystery of love called Bhakti. Although I didn't understand much, I was convinced that you did.
tvayy ambujākṣākhila-sattva-dhāmni
samādhināveśita-cetasaike
tvat-pāda-potena mahat-kṛtena
kurvanti govatsa-padaṁ bhavābdhim
Gurudeva, you have crossed the ocean of material nescience by faithfully and steadily accepting Srila Prabhupada's instructions through the parampara connection. You have then given me this treasure by which I can also cross over simply by following in your footsteps. You have shared Krishna with me, and you have taught me how to best utilize this human form as the means to achieve this treasure - Bhakti. You have engaged me in Krishna's service. You yourself have embodied this truth and by your compassion I have had the fortune of finally embarking on this journey.
Guru Maharaj, you are so compassionate toward this conditioned soul that you have voluntarily become the captain of the boat. You have engaged me in devotional service as the only means to cross this vast ocean which will take me to the destination of being fully engaged in devotional service. By your compassion, you have accepted me as your disciple earlier this year, personally giving me the map to navigate this world as I move towards Bhakti as the means and the end of this great journey under your shelter. Your compassion is so great and unlimited that you have not only given me instructions on how to start, but you are now personally guiding me and after reaching the other side, you will still be there as my teacher, shelter and wellwisher. Initiation for me was confirmation of the real love you so often speak about. The type of love that is unmotivated, uninterrupted, focused and unconditional. Dear Gurudeva, tears inundate my eyes when I try to logically understand how it is that someone could love me in that way. Krishna's love for me is so great that you are His love personified in my life. He loves me so much that He knew I needed your guidance, protection and shelter and you have so kindly accepted this service. Thank you so much for accepting me as your disciple, for giving me life, the chance to learn about love and most importantly, the Beloved. Thank you for only noticing the tiny positive qualities that I may have and for ignoring the vast ocean of negative qualities that are covering that which you have seen in me.
Dear Guru Maharaj, by your mercy I have been able to start living as a human being. I have been given the great fortune of rendering small service to the Vaisnavas, engage in outreach programs and have the association of the devotees here in Gainesville, Florida. Thank you for coming to visit us this Spring, for going to the University of Florida to speak to young students about Bhakti and for blessing me by engaging me in your service. Having had you here for those four days really helped me realize the meaning of my life. I pray that I may always stay engaged in sharing with others that which you have shared with me - the real meaning of Love.
Your insignificant servant,
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your most auspicious appearance day!
My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for you. This is my first year as your disciple and the first time I have the opportunity to put together in writing, for you to read, what you have done in my life. Needless to say, my words are limited, but i will try to convey what my heart contains.
Dear Guru Maharaj, it has been five years since I had the good fortune of meeting you for the first time. Seeing you come in through the crowds of a Sunday Feast at the Laguna Beach temple, as all the devotees so happily and devotedly bowed down to greet you, my mind and eyes conquered by the scene of loving exchanges, finally came to a state of peace. I had never experienced this kind of engagement in modern day culture. The respect, the love, the kindness. I was intrigued by this phenomena. How was it possible that this can be true in a world where hypocrisy, pain, war, exploitation and other atrocities are the main components? I was convinced to stay to hear you speak on what I had earlier heard to be "Bhakti". Throughout your presentation, you quoted many personalities whose names I had never heard of. You closed your eyes as you spoke so firmly and faithfully which was a contradiction in the eyes of my culture. You smiled and laughed heartily, a laugh that was so contagious that I couldn't help but accompany you in laughter. You described God as Krishna and explained about this mystery of love called Bhakti. Although I didn't understand much, I was convinced that you did.
tvayy ambujākṣākhila-sattva-dhāmni
samādhināveśita-cetasaike
tvat-pāda-potena mahat-kṛtena
kurvanti govatsa-padaṁ bhavābdhim
Gurudeva, you have crossed the ocean of material nescience by faithfully and steadily accepting Srila Prabhupada's instructions through the parampara connection. You have then given me this treasure by which I can also cross over simply by following in your footsteps. You have shared Krishna with me, and you have taught me how to best utilize this human form as the means to achieve this treasure - Bhakti. You have engaged me in Krishna's service. You yourself have embodied this truth and by your compassion I have had the fortune of finally embarking on this journey.
Guru Maharaj, you are so compassionate toward this conditioned soul that you have voluntarily become the captain of the boat. You have engaged me in devotional service as the only means to cross this vast ocean which will take me to the destination of being fully engaged in devotional service. By your compassion, you have accepted me as your disciple earlier this year, personally giving me the map to navigate this world as I move towards Bhakti as the means and the end of this great journey under your shelter. Your compassion is so great and unlimited that you have not only given me instructions on how to start, but you are now personally guiding me and after reaching the other side, you will still be there as my teacher, shelter and wellwisher. Initiation for me was confirmation of the real love you so often speak about. The type of love that is unmotivated, uninterrupted, focused and unconditional. Dear Gurudeva, tears inundate my eyes when I try to logically understand how it is that someone could love me in that way. Krishna's love for me is so great that you are His love personified in my life. He loves me so much that He knew I needed your guidance, protection and shelter and you have so kindly accepted this service. Thank you so much for accepting me as your disciple, for giving me life, the chance to learn about love and most importantly, the Beloved. Thank you for only noticing the tiny positive qualities that I may have and for ignoring the vast ocean of negative qualities that are covering that which you have seen in me.
Dear Guru Maharaj, by your mercy I have been able to start living as a human being. I have been given the great fortune of rendering small service to the Vaisnavas, engage in outreach programs and have the association of the devotees here in Gainesville, Florida. Thank you for coming to visit us this Spring, for going to the University of Florida to speak to young students about Bhakti and for blessing me by engaging me in your service. Having had you here for those four days really helped me realize the meaning of my life. I pray that I may always stay engaged in sharing with others that which you have shared with me - the real meaning of Love.
Your insignificant servant,
Varangi Radha Devi dasi
Venu-madhura das
Dear Srila Gurudeva, please accept my dandavats at Your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to You!
Please allow me to express my deep gratitude and to glorify Your qualities in this auspicious day of Your appearance.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.62 Srila Prabhupada explains that it is not enough to simply say "Dandavat", rather one must fall down, and so I do as I write this again and again.
How a murkha like me can glorify Your unlimited skills, qualities, gracious manners, tactfullness...yet it is my duty to try and while I am pathetically trying a thought came to my mind that there are two Bhagavats, one is Srimad Bhagavatam, which is fully transcendental and second is a living Bhagavata, like You are, as You teach by example what Bhagavatam speaks about. Seems both can be glorified with no end.
You connect us with Krisna thgrough the means of devotional service, You teach us bhakti emotions even at neophyte level as I am, You guide us how to be happy and enthusiastic devotees at all times, You teach how to concentrate properly, how to be aware and behave properly, how to think, how to perceive the reality and current situation in which we are at, You teach how to value association of devotees and how to stay in it lifelong, You teach us how to approach Krisna in prayers to Him, in what state of mind we should do it and describing the right attitude, You show the highest goal of life and the way to the topmost loving relationship, which never fails nor ends, You do definitely know how to revive and awaiken this rusty heart of conditioned souls, You inspire to read Srila Prabhupada's books, and not just read, but love to read, love to study and love to distribute them, You have such personal approach to everybody and know how to correct person gently, so one does not loose enthusiasm, You are a living example of BG 17.15. which states: "Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature."
not only that but, the way You say truth is with unrepeatable sense of humor and laughter, which is also a symptom of great devotee, as explained in Nectar of Devotion. You are selfless Vaisnava who does not live for oneself, but dedicate all the time, energy, body, resources, intelligence, heart and soul to serve Srila Prabhupada mission for 108%,You do know how to use time effectively in all circumstances and never loose a minute, for me You are an example of how to take care of this body machine so it remains in good condition to perform devotional service. You are empowered in such a responsible, important service, which is so rare and dear to Krisna. You teach how to appreciate and thank Krisna throughout the day, how to be happy for other devotees, when they are making progress, Your beloved Krisna floods You with bhakti so much that You consequently flood all around You with Sri Krisna Chaytanya mercy like an opulent fountain or endless waterfall, especially it is visible when You glorify Krisna in Kirtan, or when Your public outreach or class becomes so intimate with Krisna Katha, yet one must be attentive enough, eager to hear and have proper transcendental hearing ability in order to percieve such.
As Srimad Bhagavatam is unlimitedly deep with many layers to discover, so are You. If only I have many heads and tounges and time to glorify You Holiness, but I am lacking more than that, I have no intelligence nor pure heart to do it the right way...
Lastly a humble request I dear to beg Your Holiness for, please allow me to always remember Your instructions, so they are my life and soul, as it is certain, that they can lead me through the greatest path of loving devotional service to the Lord and His dear servants right till the end of this temporary illusion by which I am so much covered now... and along this greatest journey, by Your causeless mercy to help others too, in the very same way as You have saved me.
Your insignificant servant,
Venu-madhurya das
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and to You!
Please allow me to express my deep gratitude and to glorify Your qualities in this auspicious day of Your appearance.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.62 Srila Prabhupada explains that it is not enough to simply say "Dandavat", rather one must fall down, and so I do as I write this again and again.
How a murkha like me can glorify Your unlimited skills, qualities, gracious manners, tactfullness...yet it is my duty to try and while I am pathetically trying a thought came to my mind that there are two Bhagavats, one is Srimad Bhagavatam, which is fully transcendental and second is a living Bhagavata, like You are, as You teach by example what Bhagavatam speaks about. Seems both can be glorified with no end.
You connect us with Krisna thgrough the means of devotional service, You teach us bhakti emotions even at neophyte level as I am, You guide us how to be happy and enthusiastic devotees at all times, You teach how to concentrate properly, how to be aware and behave properly, how to think, how to perceive the reality and current situation in which we are at, You teach how to value association of devotees and how to stay in it lifelong, You teach us how to approach Krisna in prayers to Him, in what state of mind we should do it and describing the right attitude, You show the highest goal of life and the way to the topmost loving relationship, which never fails nor ends, You do definitely know how to revive and awaiken this rusty heart of conditioned souls, You inspire to read Srila Prabhupada's books, and not just read, but love to read, love to study and love to distribute them, You have such personal approach to everybody and know how to correct person gently, so one does not loose enthusiasm, You are a living example of BG 17.15. which states: "Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature."
not only that but, the way You say truth is with unrepeatable sense of humor and laughter, which is also a symptom of great devotee, as explained in Nectar of Devotion. You are selfless Vaisnava who does not live for oneself, but dedicate all the time, energy, body, resources, intelligence, heart and soul to serve Srila Prabhupada mission for 108%,You do know how to use time effectively in all circumstances and never loose a minute, for me You are an example of how to take care of this body machine so it remains in good condition to perform devotional service. You are empowered in such a responsible, important service, which is so rare and dear to Krisna. You teach how to appreciate and thank Krisna throughout the day, how to be happy for other devotees, when they are making progress, Your beloved Krisna floods You with bhakti so much that You consequently flood all around You with Sri Krisna Chaytanya mercy like an opulent fountain or endless waterfall, especially it is visible when You glorify Krisna in Kirtan, or when Your public outreach or class becomes so intimate with Krisna Katha, yet one must be attentive enough, eager to hear and have proper transcendental hearing ability in order to percieve such.
As Srimad Bhagavatam is unlimitedly deep with many layers to discover, so are You. If only I have many heads and tounges and time to glorify You Holiness, but I am lacking more than that, I have no intelligence nor pure heart to do it the right way...
Lastly a humble request I dear to beg Your Holiness for, please allow me to always remember Your instructions, so they are my life and soul, as it is certain, that they can lead me through the greatest path of loving devotional service to the Lord and His dear servants right till the end of this temporary illusion by which I am so much covered now... and along this greatest journey, by Your causeless mercy to help others too, in the very same way as You have saved me.
Your insignificant servant,
Venu-madhurya das
Vilasinidd
Namo om visnu padaya Krsna prestaya bhutale Srimate Devamrita Swami iti namine
Dear Gurudeva in this very moment I don't feel qualify talking or even write about your unlimited mercy and good qualities. But you are my father and as a father you may forget any offenses this child of you is making in her path of Krsna consciousness trying to follow your instructions. This year I haven't had the opportunity to take your personal darshan as I usually do in Gita Nagari;but your lectures I download from your websiteare enlightening my days. You are always there, always with me. Through your lectures, through a video and even every time I go into the altar and take your picture with me before start my seva. You unlimited mercy goes beyond anything. The strength I have to continuous being a devotee and a better mother is just coming from you. Without your blessings I don't know where I would be!
Thank you for all this years of service as our Guru. We all pray for you Gurudeva and wish you a very Happy Vyasa Puja.
Hare Krsna
With love and respect
Your servant and disciple Vilasini dd and Family.
Dear Gurudeva in this very moment I don't feel qualify talking or even write about your unlimited mercy and good qualities. But you are my father and as a father you may forget any offenses this child of you is making in her path of Krsna consciousness trying to follow your instructions. This year I haven't had the opportunity to take your personal darshan as I usually do in Gita Nagari;but your lectures I download from your websiteare enlightening my days. You are always there, always with me. Through your lectures, through a video and even every time I go into the altar and take your picture with me before start my seva. You unlimited mercy goes beyond anything. The strength I have to continuous being a devotee and a better mother is just coming from you. Without your blessings I don't know where I would be!
Thank you for all this years of service as our Guru. We all pray for you Gurudeva and wish you a very Happy Vyasa Puja.
Hare Krsna
With love and respect
Your servant and disciple Vilasini dd and Family.
Vinita devi dasi
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Appearance.
Recently you asked me a question that you've never asked before. It was a question that I hadn't thought about for a long time, but it related to a very significant event in my life. An event that not only changed my life, but saved my life. You asked: "When did I first meet you?"
In the days that followed this question, I began thinking deeply about my life at the time I first met you. It wasn't just bad, it was really bad, and seemed to be getting progressively worse. When I first met you, I didn't realise even a fraction of the extent of my great fortune. I didn't realise how your causeless mercy would transform my life, and save me from an ever increasing magnitude of suffering. But over time, through your association, and the association of your disciples, I began to understand just a tiny fraction of your greatness, and experience how your genuine care, compassion, and incredible level of Krishna Consciousness was able to loosen the tightly bound ropes that were keeping me in darkness.
Thank you for being so genuinely and amazingly inspirational. There have been so many examples of your inspirational ability throughout my devotional life. They began even before I met you, through listening to your lectures. Your lectures were not only inspirational, they became my life force, giving me knowledge, understanding, support, encouragement, meaning, hope, and purpose. Your inspiration continued when I first heard you speak at The Loft in Melbourne, explaining the inevitable material problem of frustrated love, and offering a genuine spiritual solution. Then you spoke at the Melbourne Temple about Seeing Krishna Everywhere, and led a kirtana that was filled with such heart-warming love and devotion. It moved me so deeply, brought tears to my eyes, and was the moment that I thought "This, (Krishna Consciousness) is what I want to do with my life."
During your most recent visit, yet another example of your amazing inspirational ability was shown. I'd been experiencing a very difficult time in my devotional life, due to unavoidable circumstances that resulted in the loss of something very dear to my service. This loss brought such a deep sadness to my soul, and, standing in the Temple room, I honestly thought that I would never be able to dance in kirtana again. And I hadn't, until you came to visit. I couldn't. But in your presence, while you were leading kirtana, I realised that actually, everything comes through the mercy of the spiritual master. The service we are engaged in is only by the mercy of the spiritual master. The opportunities we have are only by the mercy of the spiritual master. And it is only by the incredibly dedicated efforts of the spiritual master, especially you, who have undergone so much austerity and inconvenience, that Krishna Consciousness, for us, is even possible. Then, the sadness began to go away. I started feeling such a depth of gratitude and appreciation for your inconceivable position and compassion, and, after I never thought it would happen again, I was able, by your mercy alone, to dance in the kirtana.
I've been reflecting lately on the pastimes of Narada Muni and Srila Vyasadeva. In the First Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Chapter 5, Verse 16, Narada Muni informs Srila Vyasadeva: "Therefore those who are not so well situated, due to material attachment, should be shown they ways of transcendental realisation, by Your Goodness, through descriptions of the transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord". Narada Muni was able to expertly guide Srila Vyasadeva in the execution of devotional service. In the same way, you are able to so expertly guide us. You give the knowledge, instructions, care, and facility that we need to become Krishna Conscious, and give Krishna Consciousness to others. Because of you, we are so privileged to be part of a strong devotional community, one that has genuine devotee care, a high level of Krishna Conscious training, a united vision, and so many opportunities for devotional service. And because of you, we are also greatly privileged to be part of a dynamic, vibrant, and inspirational outreach centre, with so many examples of the distribution of Krishna Conscious mercy.
Thank you for everything you have so kindly done in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Please allow me to always be engaged at your Lotus Feet, and always in the association of those who serve you.
Your ever grateful aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this auspicious day of your Appearance.
Recently you asked me a question that you've never asked before. It was a question that I hadn't thought about for a long time, but it related to a very significant event in my life. An event that not only changed my life, but saved my life. You asked: "When did I first meet you?"
In the days that followed this question, I began thinking deeply about my life at the time I first met you. It wasn't just bad, it was really bad, and seemed to be getting progressively worse. When I first met you, I didn't realise even a fraction of the extent of my great fortune. I didn't realise how your causeless mercy would transform my life, and save me from an ever increasing magnitude of suffering. But over time, through your association, and the association of your disciples, I began to understand just a tiny fraction of your greatness, and experience how your genuine care, compassion, and incredible level of Krishna Consciousness was able to loosen the tightly bound ropes that were keeping me in darkness.
Thank you for being so genuinely and amazingly inspirational. There have been so many examples of your inspirational ability throughout my devotional life. They began even before I met you, through listening to your lectures. Your lectures were not only inspirational, they became my life force, giving me knowledge, understanding, support, encouragement, meaning, hope, and purpose. Your inspiration continued when I first heard you speak at The Loft in Melbourne, explaining the inevitable material problem of frustrated love, and offering a genuine spiritual solution. Then you spoke at the Melbourne Temple about Seeing Krishna Everywhere, and led a kirtana that was filled with such heart-warming love and devotion. It moved me so deeply, brought tears to my eyes, and was the moment that I thought "This, (Krishna Consciousness) is what I want to do with my life."
During your most recent visit, yet another example of your amazing inspirational ability was shown. I'd been experiencing a very difficult time in my devotional life, due to unavoidable circumstances that resulted in the loss of something very dear to my service. This loss brought such a deep sadness to my soul, and, standing in the Temple room, I honestly thought that I would never be able to dance in kirtana again. And I hadn't, until you came to visit. I couldn't. But in your presence, while you were leading kirtana, I realised that actually, everything comes through the mercy of the spiritual master. The service we are engaged in is only by the mercy of the spiritual master. The opportunities we have are only by the mercy of the spiritual master. And it is only by the incredibly dedicated efforts of the spiritual master, especially you, who have undergone so much austerity and inconvenience, that Krishna Consciousness, for us, is even possible. Then, the sadness began to go away. I started feeling such a depth of gratitude and appreciation for your inconceivable position and compassion, and, after I never thought it would happen again, I was able, by your mercy alone, to dance in the kirtana.
I've been reflecting lately on the pastimes of Narada Muni and Srila Vyasadeva. In the First Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Chapter 5, Verse 16, Narada Muni informs Srila Vyasadeva: "Therefore those who are not so well situated, due to material attachment, should be shown they ways of transcendental realisation, by Your Goodness, through descriptions of the transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord". Narada Muni was able to expertly guide Srila Vyasadeva in the execution of devotional service. In the same way, you are able to so expertly guide us. You give the knowledge, instructions, care, and facility that we need to become Krishna Conscious, and give Krishna Consciousness to others. Because of you, we are so privileged to be part of a strong devotional community, one that has genuine devotee care, a high level of Krishna Conscious training, a united vision, and so many opportunities for devotional service. And because of you, we are also greatly privileged to be part of a dynamic, vibrant, and inspirational outreach centre, with so many examples of the distribution of Krishna Conscious mercy.
Thank you for everything you have so kindly done in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Please allow me to always be engaged at your Lotus Feet, and always in the association of those who serve you.
Your ever grateful aspiring servant,
Vinita devi dasi
Vinoda Kovida das
Nama om vishnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate devamrita swaminiti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parartatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your divine service to Srila Prabhupada.
In Srimad Bhagavatam second canto, Srila Prabhupada states:
"The Lord Himself appears as the spiritual master to a person who is sincere in heart about serving the Lord. Therefore the bona fide spiritual master who happens to meet the sincere devotee should be accepted as the most confidential and beloved representative of the Lord. If a person is posted under the guidance of such a bona fide spiritual master, it may be accepted without any doubt that the desiring person has achieved the grace of the Lord."
By Your mercy, I have now been granted such a fortunate position. Your Divine Grace has connected me to the unlimited ocean of mercy that is flowing downwards from the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. Thank you.
In the short time since being accepted as Your disciple, I have seen a glimpse of the divine empowerment and protection that comes from simply following the order of the spiritual master without desire for gain or recognition. "Satisfaction of the self realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life" (BG 4.34 purport).
Today I pray that I can remain as a minute particle serving the dust of your lotus feet eternally. My mind is unsteady, my faith is weak, my devotion is immature and my ego is raging. But I am certain that if I can remain under the shade of Your lotus feet, anything is possible. Please make me a sold out servant so that I may be easily used as an instrument in this divine mission of Lord Chaitanya.
Desiring attachment to your lotus feet...
Your servant,
Vinoda Kovida das
Srimate devamrita swaminiti namine
Pracare purva daksyam ca
bhaktacara pravinata
parartatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to your divine service to Srila Prabhupada.
In Srimad Bhagavatam second canto, Srila Prabhupada states:
"The Lord Himself appears as the spiritual master to a person who is sincere in heart about serving the Lord. Therefore the bona fide spiritual master who happens to meet the sincere devotee should be accepted as the most confidential and beloved representative of the Lord. If a person is posted under the guidance of such a bona fide spiritual master, it may be accepted without any doubt that the desiring person has achieved the grace of the Lord."
By Your mercy, I have now been granted such a fortunate position. Your Divine Grace has connected me to the unlimited ocean of mercy that is flowing downwards from the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna. Thank you.
In the short time since being accepted as Your disciple, I have seen a glimpse of the divine empowerment and protection that comes from simply following the order of the spiritual master without desire for gain or recognition. "Satisfaction of the self realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life" (BG 4.34 purport).
Today I pray that I can remain as a minute particle serving the dust of your lotus feet eternally. My mind is unsteady, my faith is weak, my devotion is immature and my ego is raging. But I am certain that if I can remain under the shade of Your lotus feet, anything is possible. Please make me a sold out servant so that I may be easily used as an instrument in this divine mission of Lord Chaitanya.
Desiring attachment to your lotus feet...
Your servant,
Vinoda Kovida das
Vinodh Venkatesan Melbourne
All Glories To You Maharaja,
Messiah From the West,
Study you did though at USA's best
You searched for the treasure trove of knowledge and bliss,
yet found it absent while in university's midst
One fine day, Srila Prabhupada's books you found,
they revealed gems of knowledge which you couldn't put down
Run through them at a fast pace you did,
4-6 hrs a day, good bye to, you bid
Later you fought against the forces of maya,
in the vast landscape known as the iron curtain.
Pierced it you did with your divine weapon of bhakti,
yet remained underground distributing your guruji's books aplenty
Far and wide you travelled as a sanyasi,
engaged in krishna's service you found yourself very happy
Continent after continent you were preaching,
keeping at bay the illusion thanks to your teachings
Caught in the web of samsara were the people you found,
You freed them with the sword of knowledge and logic sound
Arrows potent with power you unleashed,
they thwarted the enemy dead,
namely the infamous Big Bang Theory
Few others tried their best,
Multi-verse theory readied its chest,
No chance it had against your magnificent planned test
Darwin's theory got kicked out first round, poor fella did not survive another pound
Many other scientific theories got put down, no hope left, they found
All Glories to you maharaja,
All Glories,
Please engage me in your loving service
Hare Krsna
Messiah From the West,
Study you did though at USA's best
You searched for the treasure trove of knowledge and bliss,
yet found it absent while in university's midst
One fine day, Srila Prabhupada's books you found,
they revealed gems of knowledge which you couldn't put down
Run through them at a fast pace you did,
4-6 hrs a day, good bye to, you bid
Later you fought against the forces of maya,
in the vast landscape known as the iron curtain.
Pierced it you did with your divine weapon of bhakti,
yet remained underground distributing your guruji's books aplenty
Far and wide you travelled as a sanyasi,
engaged in krishna's service you found yourself very happy
Continent after continent you were preaching,
keeping at bay the illusion thanks to your teachings
Caught in the web of samsara were the people you found,
You freed them with the sword of knowledge and logic sound
Arrows potent with power you unleashed,
they thwarted the enemy dead,
namely the infamous Big Bang Theory
Few others tried their best,
Multi-verse theory readied its chest,
No chance it had against your magnificent planned test
Darwin's theory got kicked out first round, poor fella did not survive another pound
Many other scientific theories got put down, no hope left, they found
All Glories to you maharaja,
All Glories,
Please engage me in your loving service
Hare Krsna
Viracandra dasa
nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet All glories to Srila Prabhupada
In CC Adi 1.58
jīve sākṣāt nāhi tāte guru caittya-rūpe śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa-mahānta-svarūpe
Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself.
Year 2014, turned out to be the most amazing year in my devotional carrier. Being well aware of my incompetency,You have been very merciful on me.You gave me the shelter of the dust of your lotus feet and bless me with initiation.
Just the day after my initiation, we had the Melbourne retreat program and there I got the chance to chant my rounds in your presence at your cottage.That day my chanting was so amazing that I could feel Krishna's presence there. Even now whenever my mind gets distracted while chanting, I always remember that time and try to chant attentively.
Gurudev,You are the ocean of mercy.Your teachings are so sharp, deep and yet compassionate for fallen souls like me.
Gurudev, I have spent millions of life times here in this material world serving maya due to my ignorance but now I just want to serve You, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. Please bless me so that I can strictly follow my vows and do not get deviated by maya. Please bless me so that I can understand teachings of Bhagvad Gita, follow them in my life and give this message of Krishna to others.
Please use me as an instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Viracandra Dasa
srimate devamrita swamin iti namine
pracare purva-daksyam ca bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam yasya sarve ca te namah
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet All glories to Srila Prabhupada
In CC Adi 1.58
jīve sākṣāt nāhi tāte guru caittya-rūpe śikṣā-guru haya kṛṣṇa-mahānta-svarūpe
Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Kṛṣṇa Himself.
Year 2014, turned out to be the most amazing year in my devotional carrier. Being well aware of my incompetency,You have been very merciful on me.You gave me the shelter of the dust of your lotus feet and bless me with initiation.
Just the day after my initiation, we had the Melbourne retreat program and there I got the chance to chant my rounds in your presence at your cottage.That day my chanting was so amazing that I could feel Krishna's presence there. Even now whenever my mind gets distracted while chanting, I always remember that time and try to chant attentively.
Gurudev,You are the ocean of mercy.Your teachings are so sharp, deep and yet compassionate for fallen souls like me.
Gurudev, I have spent millions of life times here in this material world serving maya due to my ignorance but now I just want to serve You, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. Please bless me so that I can strictly follow my vows and do not get deviated by maya. Please bless me so that I can understand teachings of Bhagvad Gita, follow them in my life and give this message of Krishna to others.
Please use me as an instrument in your service to Srila Prabhupada.
Aspiring to be your humble servant
Viracandra Dasa
Vishaka
Dear Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this most blessed occasion, I pray to the Lord to continually shower His unlimited mercy upon you.
I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for accepting me as an aspiring disciple. The day you accepted me is one which I will never forget as my life found a greater meaning. I beg to remain a mercy-case at you lotus feet lifetime after lifetime.
"Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply wretched and fallen and I run after you crying 'Krsna, Krsna!' ( Bhajana Lalasa Song 7, verse 4)
This lifestyle is about faith. Faith in the devotional and faith in the Divine, the latter of which I have none. But I do have faith in you, a spiritual warrior; a Prabhupada man in mind, body and spirit, you who have made it your lifes' mission to grow the faith of others. I have faith that you will expertly guide me on my spiritual path, watching and correcting my every step in devotional life, so that I may grow my spiritual creeper of devotion and please the Vaisnavas to their full satisfaction.
As stated in the Guru Vandana prayers, " My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires."
By your mercy I pray that my attachment to this process grows in leaps and bounds.
Aspiring to be a servant
Vishaka
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
On this most blessed occasion, I pray to the Lord to continually shower His unlimited mercy upon you.
I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for accepting me as an aspiring disciple. The day you accepted me is one which I will never forget as my life found a greater meaning. I beg to remain a mercy-case at you lotus feet lifetime after lifetime.
"Krsna is yours. You have the power to give Him to me. I am simply wretched and fallen and I run after you crying 'Krsna, Krsna!' ( Bhajana Lalasa Song 7, verse 4)
This lifestyle is about faith. Faith in the devotional and faith in the Divine, the latter of which I have none. But I do have faith in you, a spiritual warrior; a Prabhupada man in mind, body and spirit, you who have made it your lifes' mission to grow the faith of others. I have faith that you will expertly guide me on my spiritual path, watching and correcting my every step in devotional life, so that I may grow my spiritual creeper of devotion and please the Vaisnavas to their full satisfaction.
As stated in the Guru Vandana prayers, " My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires."
By your mercy I pray that my attachment to this process grows in leaps and bounds.
Aspiring to be a servant
Vishaka
Visnupadi devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you my dear spiritual master.
The Vedic literature establishes that our principle is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by serving His devotees. This is our system. In today society it is difficult to understand this culture; the spiritual structure is lost by the influence of Kali Yuga. There is not spiritual knowledge and just with material information there are not complete and correct thought and activities. His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada expressed in a class in London (29 of July, 1973) that we have to admit that we are creating the hellish condition in the society. But at the same time after this strong addressing, is categorical in said that the only remedy is surrender to the lotus feet of Krishna and He will give protection.
The minority of the population have the understanding that the advancement of the civilization depend on spiritual realizations. And even smaller are the percents that have the realization of worshiping Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Good, as the higher path of all. You are part of that valuable and necessary minority. You are the personification and the referent of this high vision. Admiration causes in me your absolute detachment and renunciation base in knowledge, realizations and devotion for serve with a great commitment the genuine mission of your spiritual master. That is the real expression of love; with respect, dedication, sincerity and loyalty. Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.23) described that the service of the Lord begins with the service of the Lord´s bona fide servants. The Lord says that the service of His servants is greater than His personal service.
As an attempt to serve you, please allow me to tell you this sankirtan story as an offering in this significant and auspicious day of you appearance. I meet Carolina in 2003, my first year of university. Trough the years we develop a respectful and caring relationship. After I meet devotees in Wellington, New Zealand in April 2011 and a year of ashrama training I had to come back to my country in June of 2012. In this opportunity I saw my friend again and with one year of devotees association I was looking forward to give Krishna Consciousness to her. I introduced Bhagavad Gita, gave prasadam and explained about spiritual values. She was amazed about devotional life. The times go and after two years I came back again to Chile. This time she was working as an art teacher in a high school and by Krishna`s arrangement the semester topic for the class was “service”. When we meet each other again she thought in the idea to invite me to her class to talk about this big topic.
I went one week ago to the school; I had a class of forty teenagers and four teachers. Was incredible for them to perceive another vision, a spiritual one.
I was praying to you, Prabhupada and Krishna to be able to communicate in a clear and simple way but at the same time meaningful, scientific and trusting. But above all things I wanted to give a message that could produce hope and a change in them.
The experience was fantastic; having the opportunity to express the unknowing absolute knowledge is the higher activity of life. After spending two hours in dialoguing with them I could perceive that the message caused surprise, the never heard before transcendental message of Lord Krishna was very attractive and made sense for them. They were very interesting in know more about our literature, community, regular practice and activities.
Clearly was Krishna`s plan and the beginning of their spiritual life by Lord Caitanya´s mercy.
Without your compassion, guide and support I won’t be able to engage myself as a Krishna’s instrument. Thanks for your selfless preoccupation. Please give me your blessings that I can take your instructions to my heart because there is not other way to purify our consciousness for the service of the Lord. Utilize this human energy in your service is the perfection, even though the process of surrender give me sweet, sour and very painful experiences at the same time. Strong is the attachment to our own material expectations but by Krishna’s grace I have the chance to endeavour in my service attitude to you and transcend the basic and unmeaning material life.
Praying for having every time a humble and surrender attitude to you.
Trying to serve you,
Visnupadi devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada,
All glories to you my dear spiritual master.
The Vedic literature establishes that our principle is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by serving His devotees. This is our system. In today society it is difficult to understand this culture; the spiritual structure is lost by the influence of Kali Yuga. There is not spiritual knowledge and just with material information there are not complete and correct thought and activities. His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupada expressed in a class in London (29 of July, 1973) that we have to admit that we are creating the hellish condition in the society. But at the same time after this strong addressing, is categorical in said that the only remedy is surrender to the lotus feet of Krishna and He will give protection.
The minority of the population have the understanding that the advancement of the civilization depend on spiritual realizations. And even smaller are the percents that have the realization of worshiping Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Good, as the higher path of all. You are part of that valuable and necessary minority. You are the personification and the referent of this high vision. Admiration causes in me your absolute detachment and renunciation base in knowledge, realizations and devotion for serve with a great commitment the genuine mission of your spiritual master. That is the real expression of love; with respect, dedication, sincerity and loyalty. Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.23) described that the service of the Lord begins with the service of the Lord´s bona fide servants. The Lord says that the service of His servants is greater than His personal service.
As an attempt to serve you, please allow me to tell you this sankirtan story as an offering in this significant and auspicious day of you appearance. I meet Carolina in 2003, my first year of university. Trough the years we develop a respectful and caring relationship. After I meet devotees in Wellington, New Zealand in April 2011 and a year of ashrama training I had to come back to my country in June of 2012. In this opportunity I saw my friend again and with one year of devotees association I was looking forward to give Krishna Consciousness to her. I introduced Bhagavad Gita, gave prasadam and explained about spiritual values. She was amazed about devotional life. The times go and after two years I came back again to Chile. This time she was working as an art teacher in a high school and by Krishna`s arrangement the semester topic for the class was “service”. When we meet each other again she thought in the idea to invite me to her class to talk about this big topic.
I went one week ago to the school; I had a class of forty teenagers and four teachers. Was incredible for them to perceive another vision, a spiritual one.
I was praying to you, Prabhupada and Krishna to be able to communicate in a clear and simple way but at the same time meaningful, scientific and trusting. But above all things I wanted to give a message that could produce hope and a change in them.
The experience was fantastic; having the opportunity to express the unknowing absolute knowledge is the higher activity of life. After spending two hours in dialoguing with them I could perceive that the message caused surprise, the never heard before transcendental message of Lord Krishna was very attractive and made sense for them. They were very interesting in know more about our literature, community, regular practice and activities.
Clearly was Krishna`s plan and the beginning of their spiritual life by Lord Caitanya´s mercy.
Without your compassion, guide and support I won’t be able to engage myself as a Krishna’s instrument. Thanks for your selfless preoccupation. Please give me your blessings that I can take your instructions to my heart because there is not other way to purify our consciousness for the service of the Lord. Utilize this human energy in your service is the perfection, even though the process of surrender give me sweet, sour and very painful experiences at the same time. Strong is the attachment to our own material expectations but by Krishna’s grace I have the chance to endeavour in my service attitude to you and transcend the basic and unmeaning material life.
Praying for having every time a humble and surrender attitude to you.
Trying to serve you,
Visnupadi devi dasi
Vraja Dhama das and Bhakti Candrika dd
Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
The original person-the super-conscious supreme cause of existence- has an eternal connection with all individual conscious beings. Human existence allows us an opportunity to choose to acknowledge and cultivate this connection or to use our minute independence otherwise. We can choose to neglect this intrinsic relationship, but due to the laws of action and reaction and the unstoppable force of time-circumstance pressures us to frustration and our longing for true happiness and meaning remains unfulfilled.
The seed of devotion to Sri Sri Radha Krishna- following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers-cultivated correctly with guidance, can offer the fully ripened fruits of bliss, knowledge and detachment. Then in due course of time one may become an agent of Their divine shelter, giving it to those who may seek solace and protection from this woeful material existence.
My deep reverence to you Gurudeva for being able to give that shelter. Your wealth of spiritual wisdom is like a refreshing spring from which all those who hear from you drink deep and replenish themselves. My utmost respect to you, for your unwavering example is like the pole star- a beacon which remains fixed and aligned in your position as eternal servitor of the Love Supreme-so that others may navigate their way to spiritual excellence.
May our spiritual path forward always be illumined by your compassionate glance and may our service to you and your mission increase exponentially.
Your aspiring servants Vraja Dhama and Bhakti Candrika dd
Please accept our humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
The original person-the super-conscious supreme cause of existence- has an eternal connection with all individual conscious beings. Human existence allows us an opportunity to choose to acknowledge and cultivate this connection or to use our minute independence otherwise. We can choose to neglect this intrinsic relationship, but due to the laws of action and reaction and the unstoppable force of time-circumstance pressures us to frustration and our longing for true happiness and meaning remains unfulfilled.
The seed of devotion to Sri Sri Radha Krishna- following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his followers-cultivated correctly with guidance, can offer the fully ripened fruits of bliss, knowledge and detachment. Then in due course of time one may become an agent of Their divine shelter, giving it to those who may seek solace and protection from this woeful material existence.
My deep reverence to you Gurudeva for being able to give that shelter. Your wealth of spiritual wisdom is like a refreshing spring from which all those who hear from you drink deep and replenish themselves. My utmost respect to you, for your unwavering example is like the pole star- a beacon which remains fixed and aligned in your position as eternal servitor of the Love Supreme-so that others may navigate their way to spiritual excellence.
May our spiritual path forward always be illumined by your compassionate glance and may our service to you and your mission increase exponentially.
Your aspiring servants Vraja Dhama and Bhakti Candrika dd
Vraja Nari devi dasi
Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day.
Often I think of where I would be and what I would be doing if I wouldn’t have met you, if and how my spiritual life would have continued.
You know very well how, without exaggeration, mad I was, and unfortunately to some extend still am, materially as well as spiritually.
After we got initiated, Syam Gauri and myself went to see you in your room in Christchurch temple. We paid our obeisances. And, of course, leaving Syam Gauri behind, I was the first person to open my mouth and bubbled out: ‘Gurudeva can you please give me your blessings so I can do book distribution for the rest of my life.’ I thought, wow, that was a real good one!
You gravely replied something like, ‘Well, you gotta do something to be able to’. Already sobered, next I heard Syam Gauri speak softly: ‘Gurudeva, thank you for initiating me.’ This incident became a triple humbling experience when I saw the loving smile you gave her.
I can’t even recall if I ever thanked you for initiating me. Thank you very much for giving me shelter Gurudeva.
As I thank you, the line goes back. How grateful I must be that Srila Prabhupada has come to the west, how grateful I have to feel to the entire line of acaryas all the way back to lord Brahma and ultimately Krishna Himself that I have all facilities to end this rotten material life, finally, some time in the future.
That same mercy which you have embraced so tightly, which made you to one of 1st generation pioneers, who is like an Olympic flame runner, holding onto the flame that Srila Prabhupada has brought over the Atlantic ocean, carrying it, protecting it and spreading the light in all parts of the world, igniting and making ablaze our original Krishna consciousness.
How grateful I have to be that you have taken on the task to be another link in the line of great acaryas.
Recently, (2nd Oct. 2013) you wrote:
‘Who relishes drowning in debt? Held captive, whether financially or emotionally, chained and bound by outstanding payments, is not how we want our merry life to proceed.
Soaking in the imaginary security of the illusory energy, conditioned souls cherish the maya consciousness of "born free and living easy—no holds on me."
Debts of whatever type mean we are not in control—someone or something else has us under the gun. Fearing financial slavery as well as someone emotionally putting the screws on us, we want our life unfettered. Especially in the West, we have been trained to resist relationship blackmail.
The Age of Darkness standard demands we think that our personal existence resides fully in our own hands: "I don't owe anyone anything—I'm not obligated to even tell you the time of the day!" The supposed peace formula: "You live your life, I live mine."
While visiting Shantipur, in the Gaura-mandala, a deeper realisation of my eternal indebtedness to our spiritual preceptors enveloped me. I am inalterably insolvent, permanently behind in payments.’
What can I possibly say, instead of trying to repay, I take one loan after another. No ability to give, and even worse, little ability to take. And if I can take so little only, what can I give?
Giriraja swami, Juhu
“One day Śrīla Prabhupāda was there talking with some respectable persons when suddenly a poor Indian labourer appeared at the doorway of the room. He was dark- complexioned and wearing only a little cloth around his waist. He walked right past the respectable persons and put some flowers on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s table. Then he put his head down in obeisances, stood up, and walked out. At first Śrīla Prabhupāda was completely stunned and silent. He was so moved by this offering that he couldn’t think about anything else for minutes. Finally he said, ‘Just see how he has come with devotion,’ and he quoted the verse, ‘patraṁ pushpam phalaṁ toyaṁ, yo me bhaktyā prayacchati’: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.” Śrīla Prabhupāda said, ‘He offered some flowers with devotion, and how much I have been affected. Just imagine the greatness of Kṛṣṇa. I am an ordinary living entity. Kṛṣṇa’s the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but even if Kṛsna is offered just a leaf or a flower with love and devotion, He will accept it. So how great is Kṛṣṇa?’”
I will probably never be able to offer something substantial to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement but if I can clean out my heart, I hope one day I will be able to make it a suitable offering to you.
The years are passing I am still struggling with the very basic abc’s of Krishna consciousness. I am even struggling to write some words of appreciation in this offering.
‘SB 6.7.23, Purport:
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. As advised by Lord Brahmā, one should remember this śāstric injunction if one desires success in his life.’
Not am I only dumb lame and blind but also stupid. In every way unqualified, but for some reason I have had the greatest fortune to become a debtor to you.
You continued in your article from 2013:
‘Owing to all this superlative bhakti, this heritage of pure love of Krishna, my lowly self can chant the mahamantra today. With all the gravity and gratitude my lowly self can command, I wholeheartedly accept the burden of divine debt for which there will never be relief.’
Please help me Gurudeva to develop that same gravity and gratitude so that also I can accept the burden of divine debt and give up my miserable selfishness to be of assistance.
‘Lecture on BG 16.10 -- Hawaii, February 6, 1975
Srila Prabhupada says: Our constitutional position is we have to take shelter of somebody. Just like the dog. The dog, if he has no shelter, a good master, he has no position. Street dog. They say, "street dog." He has no food. He has no shelter. He is lean and thin and do not know where to go, in this way. So the constitutional position of the dog is that it must have a good master. Then he is happy. Then he's happy. Otherwise it is not happy. Is it not? Otherwise it is street dog. Sometimes it is killed by the municipality.’
A dog needs a master to be happy.
When I did book distribution one day on Swanston Street in Melbourne I saw a homeless person with a shopping cart from some supermarket. He had 3 large, young dogs squeezed in that cart. The dogs looked very distressed and were barking in a suppressed way. I was standing right in front of them and heard the man talking to them. Petting the dog’s heads he said with an affectionate voice: ‘Yes, I know you are hungry, but I don’t have anything.’ I was seeing how the dogs were controlling themselves from going mad in hunger in love for their master, and I was thinking I wish I could be as loyal and devoted to my spiritual master as these dogs. I get so much prasadam and these dogs are starving and are more affectionate to their master than I am.
I feel the inability in my heart to become like these dogs. Kindly keep guiding me and by following your instructions I will feel the urge to repay the insurmountable mountain of debts I have been accumulating and which is ever increasing.
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dd
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to you on your most auspicious appearance day.
Often I think of where I would be and what I would be doing if I wouldn’t have met you, if and how my spiritual life would have continued.
You know very well how, without exaggeration, mad I was, and unfortunately to some extend still am, materially as well as spiritually.
After we got initiated, Syam Gauri and myself went to see you in your room in Christchurch temple. We paid our obeisances. And, of course, leaving Syam Gauri behind, I was the first person to open my mouth and bubbled out: ‘Gurudeva can you please give me your blessings so I can do book distribution for the rest of my life.’ I thought, wow, that was a real good one!
You gravely replied something like, ‘Well, you gotta do something to be able to’. Already sobered, next I heard Syam Gauri speak softly: ‘Gurudeva, thank you for initiating me.’ This incident became a triple humbling experience when I saw the loving smile you gave her.
I can’t even recall if I ever thanked you for initiating me. Thank you very much for giving me shelter Gurudeva.
As I thank you, the line goes back. How grateful I must be that Srila Prabhupada has come to the west, how grateful I have to feel to the entire line of acaryas all the way back to lord Brahma and ultimately Krishna Himself that I have all facilities to end this rotten material life, finally, some time in the future.
That same mercy which you have embraced so tightly, which made you to one of 1st generation pioneers, who is like an Olympic flame runner, holding onto the flame that Srila Prabhupada has brought over the Atlantic ocean, carrying it, protecting it and spreading the light in all parts of the world, igniting and making ablaze our original Krishna consciousness.
How grateful I have to be that you have taken on the task to be another link in the line of great acaryas.
Recently, (2nd Oct. 2013) you wrote:
‘Who relishes drowning in debt? Held captive, whether financially or emotionally, chained and bound by outstanding payments, is not how we want our merry life to proceed.
Soaking in the imaginary security of the illusory energy, conditioned souls cherish the maya consciousness of "born free and living easy—no holds on me."
Debts of whatever type mean we are not in control—someone or something else has us under the gun. Fearing financial slavery as well as someone emotionally putting the screws on us, we want our life unfettered. Especially in the West, we have been trained to resist relationship blackmail.
The Age of Darkness standard demands we think that our personal existence resides fully in our own hands: "I don't owe anyone anything—I'm not obligated to even tell you the time of the day!" The supposed peace formula: "You live your life, I live mine."
While visiting Shantipur, in the Gaura-mandala, a deeper realisation of my eternal indebtedness to our spiritual preceptors enveloped me. I am inalterably insolvent, permanently behind in payments.’
What can I possibly say, instead of trying to repay, I take one loan after another. No ability to give, and even worse, little ability to take. And if I can take so little only, what can I give?
Giriraja swami, Juhu
“One day Śrīla Prabhupāda was there talking with some respectable persons when suddenly a poor Indian labourer appeared at the doorway of the room. He was dark- complexioned and wearing only a little cloth around his waist. He walked right past the respectable persons and put some flowers on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s table. Then he put his head down in obeisances, stood up, and walked out. At first Śrīla Prabhupāda was completely stunned and silent. He was so moved by this offering that he couldn’t think about anything else for minutes. Finally he said, ‘Just see how he has come with devotion,’ and he quoted the verse, ‘patraṁ pushpam phalaṁ toyaṁ, yo me bhaktyā prayacchati’: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.” Śrīla Prabhupāda said, ‘He offered some flowers with devotion, and how much I have been affected. Just imagine the greatness of Kṛṣṇa. I am an ordinary living entity. Kṛṣṇa’s the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but even if Kṛsna is offered just a leaf or a flower with love and devotion, He will accept it. So how great is Kṛṣṇa?’”
I will probably never be able to offer something substantial to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement but if I can clean out my heart, I hope one day I will be able to make it a suitable offering to you.
The years are passing I am still struggling with the very basic abc’s of Krishna consciousness. I am even struggling to write some words of appreciation in this offering.
‘SB 6.7.23, Purport:
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. As advised by Lord Brahmā, one should remember this śāstric injunction if one desires success in his life.’
Not am I only dumb lame and blind but also stupid. In every way unqualified, but for some reason I have had the greatest fortune to become a debtor to you.
You continued in your article from 2013:
‘Owing to all this superlative bhakti, this heritage of pure love of Krishna, my lowly self can chant the mahamantra today. With all the gravity and gratitude my lowly self can command, I wholeheartedly accept the burden of divine debt for which there will never be relief.’
Please help me Gurudeva to develop that same gravity and gratitude so that also I can accept the burden of divine debt and give up my miserable selfishness to be of assistance.
‘Lecture on BG 16.10 -- Hawaii, February 6, 1975
Srila Prabhupada says: Our constitutional position is we have to take shelter of somebody. Just like the dog. The dog, if he has no shelter, a good master, he has no position. Street dog. They say, "street dog." He has no food. He has no shelter. He is lean and thin and do not know where to go, in this way. So the constitutional position of the dog is that it must have a good master. Then he is happy. Then he's happy. Otherwise it is not happy. Is it not? Otherwise it is street dog. Sometimes it is killed by the municipality.’
A dog needs a master to be happy.
When I did book distribution one day on Swanston Street in Melbourne I saw a homeless person with a shopping cart from some supermarket. He had 3 large, young dogs squeezed in that cart. The dogs looked very distressed and were barking in a suppressed way. I was standing right in front of them and heard the man talking to them. Petting the dog’s heads he said with an affectionate voice: ‘Yes, I know you are hungry, but I don’t have anything.’ I was seeing how the dogs were controlling themselves from going mad in hunger in love for their master, and I was thinking I wish I could be as loyal and devoted to my spiritual master as these dogs. I get so much prasadam and these dogs are starving and are more affectionate to their master than I am.
I feel the inability in my heart to become like these dogs. Kindly keep guiding me and by following your instructions I will feel the urge to repay the insurmountable mountain of debts I have been accumulating and which is ever increasing.
Your aspiring servant,
Vraja Nari dd
Vraja Varuni Devi Dasi
Dear Srila Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this day of your Vyasa-puja.
I would firstly like to thank you for recently accepting me as your disciple.
The initiation day, making vows and taking spiritual birth amongst the devotees in the presence of the Panca-Tattva with ‘Jaya’ and ‘Haribol’ being shouted out as the new names were announced, it could be easy to get carried away in the external celebrations of the process, however I tried to apprehend the gravity of selfless mercy you showed upon me and my fellow initiates.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.5 purport Srila Prabhupada says;
“Sometimes the spiritual master, after accepting a disciple, must take charge of that disciple's past sinful activities and, being overloaded, must sometimes suffer -- if not fully, then partially -- for the sinful acts of the disciple. Every disciple, therefore, must be very careful not to commit sinful activities after initiation. The poor spiritual master is kind and merciful enough to accept a disciple and partially suffer for that disciple's sinful activities, but Krsna, being merciful to His servant, neutralizes the reactions of sinful deeds for the servant who engages in preaching His glories.”
In the beginning of my Krsna Consciousness I worried ‘How could I ever aspire or take initiation when the spiritual master takes on the reactions of your past misdeed? I’ve been no angel up until now! How could I pass on my bad karma?’ However I was assured that it was an integral part of spiritual life, accepting a bonafide spiritual master and inquiring from him. I was also then pacified when told Krsna looks after all devotees especially those who are constantly engaged in preaching and spreading His glories, fully surrendered souls such as yourself. This was confirmed by Srila Prabhupada in the above statement, Krsna neutralizes the reaction, but still there is reaction. So this process of initiation is an undeniably selfless and most merciful act made by the spiritual master, which imposes a burden on you that in my neophyte stage I cannot begin to comprehend.
“There are two kinds of burdens. There is the burden of the beast and the burden of love. The burden of the beast is unbearable, but the burden of love is a source of pleasure. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti describes the burden of love very practically. He says that the burden of the husband on the young wife, the burden of the child on the lap of the mother, and the burden of wealth on the businessman, although actually burdens from the viewpoint of heaviness, are sources of pleasure, and in the absence of such burdensome objects, one may feel the burden of separation, which is heavier to bear than the actual burden of love.” Bhag. 3.3.14 purport
So I can only presume from this description of the term ‘burden’ that the burden of taking on the reactions of your disciples previous misdeeds is a show of your undeniable love in service to your beloved spiritual master and compassion and love upon all of the conditioned souls, particularly your spiritual children, whom you have taken on this burden for.
Your recent visit to Wales was such an inspiration. Every year since I first had the privilege of seeing you has been increasingly inspiring. The first class I heard you give at a programme in Swansea in 2011 I was an outsider looking in and you made everything seem so clear, now a few years down the line as your initiated disciple, I was an insider looking on at how you continue to inspire and “blow the minds” of others and still continue to do the same for me.
Your visit was not only inspiring due to the perfect words, instruction and advice spoken in classes and discussions but also by the energy and taste you showed for preaching and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. The last evening you were with us in Wales we thought after such a busy few days of programmes you might want to take rest, but in another display of your unfathomable level of Krsna Consciousness you called for a group reading at the asrama where you had been staying.
vayaṁ tu na vitṛpyāma
uttama-śloka-vikrame
yac-chṛṇvatāṁ rasa-jñānāṁ
svādu svādu pade pade
“We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment.” Bhag.1.1.19
So I would like to thank you again for everything you have given me by accepting me as one of you spiritual children and a member of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON family. I feel so blessed to be here in Wales and to have the privilege of getting to serve you in your vani by serving under Tarakantha prabhu, and to continue be inspired on your yearly visits to Wales when you really give our Bhakti a boost by your perfect exemplary preaching and with the limitless mercy flowing straight through you to anyone there for the taking.
Thank you Gurudeva, thank you.
Your eternal servant,
Vraja Varuni Devi Dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to you on this day of your Vyasa-puja.
I would firstly like to thank you for recently accepting me as your disciple.
The initiation day, making vows and taking spiritual birth amongst the devotees in the presence of the Panca-Tattva with ‘Jaya’ and ‘Haribol’ being shouted out as the new names were announced, it could be easy to get carried away in the external celebrations of the process, however I tried to apprehend the gravity of selfless mercy you showed upon me and my fellow initiates.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.5 purport Srila Prabhupada says;
“Sometimes the spiritual master, after accepting a disciple, must take charge of that disciple's past sinful activities and, being overloaded, must sometimes suffer -- if not fully, then partially -- for the sinful acts of the disciple. Every disciple, therefore, must be very careful not to commit sinful activities after initiation. The poor spiritual master is kind and merciful enough to accept a disciple and partially suffer for that disciple's sinful activities, but Krsna, being merciful to His servant, neutralizes the reactions of sinful deeds for the servant who engages in preaching His glories.”
In the beginning of my Krsna Consciousness I worried ‘How could I ever aspire or take initiation when the spiritual master takes on the reactions of your past misdeed? I’ve been no angel up until now! How could I pass on my bad karma?’ However I was assured that it was an integral part of spiritual life, accepting a bonafide spiritual master and inquiring from him. I was also then pacified when told Krsna looks after all devotees especially those who are constantly engaged in preaching and spreading His glories, fully surrendered souls such as yourself. This was confirmed by Srila Prabhupada in the above statement, Krsna neutralizes the reaction, but still there is reaction. So this process of initiation is an undeniably selfless and most merciful act made by the spiritual master, which imposes a burden on you that in my neophyte stage I cannot begin to comprehend.
“There are two kinds of burdens. There is the burden of the beast and the burden of love. The burden of the beast is unbearable, but the burden of love is a source of pleasure. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti describes the burden of love very practically. He says that the burden of the husband on the young wife, the burden of the child on the lap of the mother, and the burden of wealth on the businessman, although actually burdens from the viewpoint of heaviness, are sources of pleasure, and in the absence of such burdensome objects, one may feel the burden of separation, which is heavier to bear than the actual burden of love.” Bhag. 3.3.14 purport
So I can only presume from this description of the term ‘burden’ that the burden of taking on the reactions of your disciples previous misdeeds is a show of your undeniable love in service to your beloved spiritual master and compassion and love upon all of the conditioned souls, particularly your spiritual children, whom you have taken on this burden for.
Your recent visit to Wales was such an inspiration. Every year since I first had the privilege of seeing you has been increasingly inspiring. The first class I heard you give at a programme in Swansea in 2011 I was an outsider looking in and you made everything seem so clear, now a few years down the line as your initiated disciple, I was an insider looking on at how you continue to inspire and “blow the minds” of others and still continue to do the same for me.
Your visit was not only inspiring due to the perfect words, instruction and advice spoken in classes and discussions but also by the energy and taste you showed for preaching and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. The last evening you were with us in Wales we thought after such a busy few days of programmes you might want to take rest, but in another display of your unfathomable level of Krsna Consciousness you called for a group reading at the asrama where you had been staying.
vayaṁ tu na vitṛpyāma
uttama-śloka-vikrame
yac-chṛṇvatāṁ rasa-jñānāṁ
svādu svādu pade pade
“We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment.” Bhag.1.1.19
So I would like to thank you again for everything you have given me by accepting me as one of you spiritual children and a member of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON family. I feel so blessed to be here in Wales and to have the privilege of getting to serve you in your vani by serving under Tarakantha prabhu, and to continue be inspired on your yearly visits to Wales when you really give our Bhakti a boost by your perfect exemplary preaching and with the limitless mercy flowing straight through you to anyone there for the taking.
Thank you Gurudeva, thank you.
Your eternal servant,
Vraja Varuni Devi Dasi
Vrindaranya devi dasi
Dearest Gurumaharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am not much of a devotee, which makes me not much of a disciple either. But in some small way i would like to offer you some heart felt gratitude of the deep impression your association has had in my insignificant life. Thank you for your many instructions, especially encouragement in chanting the maha mantra, you have often told this tired and weary mother that 'if you can't do any active service or anything else just keep chanting'. You have stressed the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada's books daily, and how to best get Lord Krishna's attention through preaching.
I didn't know much when i first met you, i was just a silly kid. But I knew you were a special soul after hearing you speak Lord Krishna's message at the temple in Melbourne. The best decision i made was to somehow take an opportunity to speak with you, and your association has changed the course of my life.
Even though life in this world is tough and presents itself with so many issues like health, marital, money, environmental, or even political, to name just a few. I hope that I can always remember the gifts of Krishna Consciousness that you have so selflessly shared with the rest of us. We have here wonderful association of Vaisnava's, beautiful kirtanas, tasty prasadam, service opportunities, transcendental literature to hear and the list goes on.
You have blessed my life in so many ways, I hope i can one day be of service to you, the devotees and Srila Prabhupada, thank you.
Your lowly servant
Vrindaranya devi dasi
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am not much of a devotee, which makes me not much of a disciple either. But in some small way i would like to offer you some heart felt gratitude of the deep impression your association has had in my insignificant life. Thank you for your many instructions, especially encouragement in chanting the maha mantra, you have often told this tired and weary mother that 'if you can't do any active service or anything else just keep chanting'. You have stressed the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada's books daily, and how to best get Lord Krishna's attention through preaching.
I didn't know much when i first met you, i was just a silly kid. But I knew you were a special soul after hearing you speak Lord Krishna's message at the temple in Melbourne. The best decision i made was to somehow take an opportunity to speak with you, and your association has changed the course of my life.
Even though life in this world is tough and presents itself with so many issues like health, marital, money, environmental, or even political, to name just a few. I hope that I can always remember the gifts of Krishna Consciousness that you have so selflessly shared with the rest of us. We have here wonderful association of Vaisnava's, beautiful kirtanas, tasty prasadam, service opportunities, transcendental literature to hear and the list goes on.
You have blessed my life in so many ways, I hope i can one day be of service to you, the devotees and Srila Prabhupada, thank you.
Your lowly servant
Vrindaranya devi dasi
YUsef Armiz Lateef Johnson
Pamho agtsp...kijaya!....Hare Krishna...bigups & nuff respect 2 H.H. Devamrita...I & I thank u 4 instructing me 2 praise Sri Krishna with in the music industry. Hare Krishna...oneluv...I am Krishna conscious Hiphop!
Yamuna Jivan Das
Dear Gurudev
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupad.
All Glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
As a tireless servant, day after day and year after year, you continue to work, to fulfil the desire of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupad. This year, again I was fortunate enough to have your darshan and attend to your lectures in Melbourne University and in Melbourne temple. I was so much inspiring and happy to see you and listen to you, which I am sure is true for thousands of others around the world.
It is simply amazing to see how much effort you put to come to the level of audience you are speaking to. For example, at Melbourne Uni while you are lecturing to a crowd of young people, to make them feel at ease you quoted your experiences from your childhood. Like this one which is just one of the many. “One day when I went back to the back of my house, I saw my brother and his friends digging a huge hole in the backyard. I asked them, why they are doing it for.? And, my brother replied... You won’t understand. We are doing this to hide from the girls.” Your use of real life experiences and scientific data that you gather from reputed journals and reference of verses from Shastras which testifies their authority and authenticity of is one more of your unique ways to preach Krishna Consciousness in a non sectarian way and make the audience understand the point.
mukam karoti vacalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
srī-gurum dina-taranam
(CC Madhya 17.80)
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains.
I can practically see this happening in my own life. Whatever that I am today, whatever ability I have is due to your mercy. On this auspicious occasion, I pray for your good health and I am hoping that I can be of some use to you.
Your humble servant
Yamuna Jivan Das
Please accept my humble obeisance’s at your lotus feet.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupad.
All Glories to you on the most auspicious day of your appearance.
As a tireless servant, day after day and year after year, you continue to work, to fulfil the desire of your spiritual master Srila Prabhupad. This year, again I was fortunate enough to have your darshan and attend to your lectures in Melbourne University and in Melbourne temple. I was so much inspiring and happy to see you and listen to you, which I am sure is true for thousands of others around the world.
It is simply amazing to see how much effort you put to come to the level of audience you are speaking to. For example, at Melbourne Uni while you are lecturing to a crowd of young people, to make them feel at ease you quoted your experiences from your childhood. Like this one which is just one of the many. “One day when I went back to the back of my house, I saw my brother and his friends digging a huge hole in the backyard. I asked them, why they are doing it for.? And, my brother replied... You won’t understand. We are doing this to hide from the girls.” Your use of real life experiences and scientific data that you gather from reputed journals and reference of verses from Shastras which testifies their authority and authenticity of is one more of your unique ways to preach Krishna Consciousness in a non sectarian way and make the audience understand the point.
mukam karoti vacalam
pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
srī-gurum dina-taranam
(CC Madhya 17.80)
By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains.
I can practically see this happening in my own life. Whatever that I am today, whatever ability I have is due to your mercy. On this auspicious occasion, I pray for your good health and I am hoping that I can be of some use to you.
Your humble servant
Yamuna Jivan Das
Yasodeva das
Dear Guru Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on the very special day of your appearance!
The power of your words is a force to be reckoned with.
I can still remember the words you used at our first meeting. (How could I ever forget?) You offered to put me on a spit-roast with an apple in my mouth and slowly cook me over an open fire. “How would you like that?”, you said in response to my designating myself as a chef. You asked, “do you cook the innocent creatures which swim through the sea, fly through the sky and crawl on the land?”
I wasn’t even mad. I thought that you were a very unusual swami.
The Bhagavatam class ended only a few moments later and then I was hurriedly escorted into a small room in order to meet with you privately. You immediately presented the fifth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam and read to me the vivid descriptions of the hellish torment which awaited me after death on account of my poor occupational choices. I walked out of that little room feeling totally dazed and confused, not because of the graphic image that you had placed in my head but because of your transcendental moxy.
How bold! I had never heard someone speak to me like that and actually mean it.
Your words have always arrested my attention. You deliver those words with such powerful feeling as if you were a famous stage performer. Sometimes I expect you to jump up from your seat and dance around the room while an orchestra plays along with your dramatic verbal themes.
But the really crazy thing is this: you’re not acting. You actually mean it.
Your conviction in the message of Srimad Bhagavatam is incomparable and you fearlessly share that conviction with everyone when you speak. Those words are so powerful and effective to wake me up from the intoxicating stupor of materialism.
Srimad Bhagavatam (11.3.21) says sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam, “the qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions.”
Gurudeva, you are very, very convincing! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the effort you put into explaining the sastra in a way which is intellectually stimulating, emotionally satisfying and spiritually enlivening all at once!
I recall that, while we were once visiting the Krishna Lounge in San Diego, you made a presentation of bhakti-yoga to a young and trendy audience. You spoke about the fale ego, about desire, about being real… Oh my Krishna, they were completely mesmerized by your words! Afterwards, H.H. Badrinarayana Maharaja praised you for your unique wit and wisdom. Even I couldn’t contain myself after hearing your lecture. By the time we had returned to the apartment where you would be staying for the evening I finally mustered up enough courage to tell you how I was affected by your speech. You looked at me with surprise and replied, “I didn’t say anything new!” Then you gave me a rather piercing glance (perhaps it was just my lovestruck imagination) as if to say, ‘and you had better not say anything new, either…’
brahmany upasamasrayam… “Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.”
I have no doubt about your qualification as a great personality and a bona fide spiritual master. I thank you with every decent and worthy ounce of my being for the words that you speak, saturated as they are with krsna-bhakti. I pray that I may someday make a contribution to this relationship between us by becoming jijnasuh sreya uttamam, seriously interested in the best thing that you have to offer me: Krishna consciousness.
Please continue to be patient with me as I slowly come up to the standard of devotional service that you deserve. And please believe me when I say that I’m hanging on your every word.
Your very grateful servant,
Yasodeva das
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and all glories to you on the very special day of your appearance!
The power of your words is a force to be reckoned with.
I can still remember the words you used at our first meeting. (How could I ever forget?) You offered to put me on a spit-roast with an apple in my mouth and slowly cook me over an open fire. “How would you like that?”, you said in response to my designating myself as a chef. You asked, “do you cook the innocent creatures which swim through the sea, fly through the sky and crawl on the land?”
I wasn’t even mad. I thought that you were a very unusual swami.
The Bhagavatam class ended only a few moments later and then I was hurriedly escorted into a small room in order to meet with you privately. You immediately presented the fifth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam and read to me the vivid descriptions of the hellish torment which awaited me after death on account of my poor occupational choices. I walked out of that little room feeling totally dazed and confused, not because of the graphic image that you had placed in my head but because of your transcendental moxy.
How bold! I had never heard someone speak to me like that and actually mean it.
Your words have always arrested my attention. You deliver those words with such powerful feeling as if you were a famous stage performer. Sometimes I expect you to jump up from your seat and dance around the room while an orchestra plays along with your dramatic verbal themes.
But the really crazy thing is this: you’re not acting. You actually mean it.
Your conviction in the message of Srimad Bhagavatam is incomparable and you fearlessly share that conviction with everyone when you speak. Those words are so powerful and effective to wake me up from the intoxicating stupor of materialism.
Srimad Bhagavatam (11.3.21) says sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam, “the qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions.”
Gurudeva, you are very, very convincing! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the effort you put into explaining the sastra in a way which is intellectually stimulating, emotionally satisfying and spiritually enlivening all at once!
I recall that, while we were once visiting the Krishna Lounge in San Diego, you made a presentation of bhakti-yoga to a young and trendy audience. You spoke about the fale ego, about desire, about being real… Oh my Krishna, they were completely mesmerized by your words! Afterwards, H.H. Badrinarayana Maharaja praised you for your unique wit and wisdom. Even I couldn’t contain myself after hearing your lecture. By the time we had returned to the apartment where you would be staying for the evening I finally mustered up enough courage to tell you how I was affected by your speech. You looked at me with surprise and replied, “I didn’t say anything new!” Then you gave me a rather piercing glance (perhaps it was just my lovestruck imagination) as if to say, ‘and you had better not say anything new, either…’
brahmany upasamasrayam… “Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters.”
I have no doubt about your qualification as a great personality and a bona fide spiritual master. I thank you with every decent and worthy ounce of my being for the words that you speak, saturated as they are with krsna-bhakti. I pray that I may someday make a contribution to this relationship between us by becoming jijnasuh sreya uttamam, seriously interested in the best thing that you have to offer me: Krishna consciousness.
Please continue to be patient with me as I slowly come up to the standard of devotional service that you deserve. And please believe me when I say that I’m hanging on your every word.
Your very grateful servant,
Yasodeva das
Zoë Alyssa Stratigeas
nama om visnu-padaya krishna presthaya bhu-tale
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare 'purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Family
The make it or break it of an individual's sanity
Somehow has practically become unheard of in this age of Kali
Swarmed with material distress on the basis of the physical body's commonality of blood between other bags of flesh and bone
Forgetting the existence of the soul
Everyone's fiending for things they can't enjoy or own
Thus they are all under the impression that they are completely alone
And that they are in complete control
They have forgotten Krishna
They have forgotten their real home
And with all this they cyclically bind themselves to this hellish show
All are under the illusion of this material world
Karma kanda runs this place rampantly
But in the depths that seem the ditches of all sinful activity one is shown the world through the transcendental eyes of our founder acharya
And you have somehow further delivered His Divine Grace's message of war to those who are so deeply drowning in maya
Through your efforts and dedication to this age's sankirtan yajña
You have created an oasis of pure spirituality in the middle of hellish surroundings
In a place characterized as troublesome, Harinama Sankirtana carries on and His glorious name finds no trouble resounding
Echoing through this concrete jungle swarmed with people who don't know of His Supreme Personality
You have further faciltated the giving of Krishna to all who are running around in His illusory potency
Taken it upon yourself to spread this urban preaching mission across the globe
Through your will Prabhupada's desire is being extensively fulfilled
There is not a square inch of this place that your mercy doesn't cover
You have shown mercy to all
And laid out a system of care that's all-encompassing
There is not a single strand of selfish impetus
Every fiber of your being is self-sacrificial
Your lotus mouth has such a way of glorifying Govinda
And presenting Him to the world of those in ignorance and sin
You effortlessly weave Him in and get Him under every passing materialist's skin
You live to find the ways to get Krishna stuck in the hearts and minds of all living entities you encounter
Whether it be through relation to science, common sense, or psychology
You ensure the safe delivery of the sprouting seed of a higher taste and intelligence
You assert Krishna's presence in every heart you so mercifully chant with
No one understands the overwhelming love you instill with such enlivening, pure grace
You are making the Bhakti earthquake overcome the human race
And though I am completely unqualified to serve you, you have accepted me as your daughter and allowed me to take part in this global mission
You have ensured that care be there for all who have decided to try and surrender
Provided a spiritually familial place open and welcome to all who are willing to make the effort to accept it
I am eternally indebted to you
I owe you my entirety and dedicate my life air to seving you with each breath I take
I intend to spend my life trying to properly serve and surrender fully unto you and your instruction
I am desperately waiting at your side for you to say "jump" so I can say "how high"
I am making it my mission to savour every word you utter as my prana-vallabha
I am praying for a life full of service and surrender to you
Please accept my most sincere and genuinely humble obeisances at your feet on this all auspicious day of your saintly appearance
I have been so fortunate to have been accepted as your disciple in this life
Despite my short 17 years of life on this earthly planet, I can feel the eternality of the Bhakti you instill in me and I am in awe of the fact that I can see myself doing devotional service eternally
Thank you for delivering expert care and love throughout the entirety of our family
I am exuberantly joyful that I have an opportunity to be part of a proper, eternal family
With much love and affection to you as my dear, beloved father, I wish you a very happy appearance day.
Thank you for your austerity and unlimited care for all living entities.
Your unworthy, insignificant servant and daughter
Zoë Alyssa Stratigeas
srimate devamrita-svamin iti namine
pracare 'purva-daksyam ca
bhaktacara-pravinata
pararthatapi karunyam
yasya sarve ca te namah
Family
The make it or break it of an individual's sanity
Somehow has practically become unheard of in this age of Kali
Swarmed with material distress on the basis of the physical body's commonality of blood between other bags of flesh and bone
Forgetting the existence of the soul
Everyone's fiending for things they can't enjoy or own
Thus they are all under the impression that they are completely alone
And that they are in complete control
They have forgotten Krishna
They have forgotten their real home
And with all this they cyclically bind themselves to this hellish show
All are under the illusion of this material world
Karma kanda runs this place rampantly
But in the depths that seem the ditches of all sinful activity one is shown the world through the transcendental eyes of our founder acharya
And you have somehow further delivered His Divine Grace's message of war to those who are so deeply drowning in maya
Through your efforts and dedication to this age's sankirtan yajña
You have created an oasis of pure spirituality in the middle of hellish surroundings
In a place characterized as troublesome, Harinama Sankirtana carries on and His glorious name finds no trouble resounding
Echoing through this concrete jungle swarmed with people who don't know of His Supreme Personality
You have further faciltated the giving of Krishna to all who are running around in His illusory potency
Taken it upon yourself to spread this urban preaching mission across the globe
Through your will Prabhupada's desire is being extensively fulfilled
There is not a square inch of this place that your mercy doesn't cover
You have shown mercy to all
And laid out a system of care that's all-encompassing
There is not a single strand of selfish impetus
Every fiber of your being is self-sacrificial
Your lotus mouth has such a way of glorifying Govinda
And presenting Him to the world of those in ignorance and sin
You effortlessly weave Him in and get Him under every passing materialist's skin
You live to find the ways to get Krishna stuck in the hearts and minds of all living entities you encounter
Whether it be through relation to science, common sense, or psychology
You ensure the safe delivery of the sprouting seed of a higher taste and intelligence
You assert Krishna's presence in every heart you so mercifully chant with
No one understands the overwhelming love you instill with such enlivening, pure grace
You are making the Bhakti earthquake overcome the human race
And though I am completely unqualified to serve you, you have accepted me as your daughter and allowed me to take part in this global mission
You have ensured that care be there for all who have decided to try and surrender
Provided a spiritually familial place open and welcome to all who are willing to make the effort to accept it
I am eternally indebted to you
I owe you my entirety and dedicate my life air to seving you with each breath I take
I intend to spend my life trying to properly serve and surrender fully unto you and your instruction
I am desperately waiting at your side for you to say "jump" so I can say "how high"
I am making it my mission to savour every word you utter as my prana-vallabha
I am praying for a life full of service and surrender to you
Please accept my most sincere and genuinely humble obeisances at your feet on this all auspicious day of your saintly appearance
I have been so fortunate to have been accepted as your disciple in this life
Despite my short 17 years of life on this earthly planet, I can feel the eternality of the Bhakti you instill in me and I am in awe of the fact that I can see myself doing devotional service eternally
Thank you for delivering expert care and love throughout the entirety of our family
I am exuberantly joyful that I have an opportunity to be part of a proper, eternal family
With much love and affection to you as my dear, beloved father, I wish you a very happy appearance day.
Thank you for your austerity and unlimited care for all living entities.
Your unworthy, insignificant servant and daughter
Zoë Alyssa Stratigeas
